JP4995957B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine (slot machine).

A pachislot machine (slot machine) rotates and stops multiple (usually 3) reels with multiple types of symbols according to the player 's operation, and a combination of symbols (outgoing when the reels stop) Medals are paid out according to the eye). Further, Pachislo machines, audio output of the lamp blinks and speaker in accordance with the progress of such a game, and controls the display of the screen display, performs an effect process for uplifting the player.

In general, a pachislot machine includes a main board that controls the progress of the game as described above and a sub board that controls the output of effects. The main board controls the progress of the entire game, and sequentially transmits a command indicating a result of a lottery for determining the outcome and an operation instruction of the player to the sub board. The sub board determines the production contents according to the command received from the main board, and controls the sound output of the speaker and the screen display of the display.

JP 2009-6057 A

Pachislot machines in recent years have been equipped with large displays due to improved hardware performance, and there is a tendency for the processing load related to screen display to increase. On the other hand, the sub-board needs to sequentially execute enormous processing related to the determination of the content of the effect and the control of the output of the effect so as to realize various effects that do not get the player bored. For this reason, the load of screen display processing cannot be increased on the sub-board, and the animation frame rate must be suppressed.
On the other hand, a pachislot machine that displays on the display the image of a production reel (sub-reel) similar to the main reel has been commercialized. In such a pachislot machine, the rotation image of the production reel is smoothly displayed. Therefore, it has been desired to set a higher frame rate.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of displaying various videos including animations for production and reels for production with a large processing load at an appropriate frame rate. It is in.

A gaming machine according to the present invention includes a plurality of main reels each provided with a plurality of types of symbols on a peripheral surface, a rotation drive unit that rotationally drives the plurality of main reels, and rotation start of the plurality of main reels. When the start instruction is input at the start instruction input unit for inputting an instruction, a stop instruction input unit for inputting an instruction to stop the rotation of each main reel, and the start instruction input unit, the plurality of main reels are simultaneously The rotation drive unit is controlled to rotate, and the rotation drive unit is controlled to stop the rotation of the one main reel when the stop instruction of one main reel is input in the stop instruction input unit. And a first control unit that outputs state data indicating a progress state of the game according to the start and stop of the rotation of the main reel, and a display unit that displays at least an image. An effect unit that produces an effect according to the state, a second control unit that outputs effect designation data that designates the contents of the effect corresponding to the state data of the first control unit, and an effect designated by the effect designation data A third control unit that controls the rendering unit, a video storage unit that stores video data and frame rate setting data related to a frame rate when the video data is displayed on the display unit in association with each other, and at least A frame buffer capable of storing one screen of the display unit.
When the third control unit inputs the effect designation data designating the video to be displayed on the display unit, the third control unit obtains video data corresponding to the effect designation data from the video storage unit, and adds the acquired video data to the acquired video data. The screen based on the acquired video data is configured on the frame buffer for each frame period corresponding to the frame rate setting data stored in association with the video storage unit, and the frame is set for each frame period. The screen is read from the buffer and displayed on the display unit.
The third control unit may display the screen on the frame buffer when the frame rate specified in the frame rate setting data of the video data newly read from the video storage unit is different from the previous frame rate. By changing the time interval to be configured and the time interval at which the screen is read from the frame buffer and displayed on the display unit according to the frame period corresponding to the new frame rate specified by the frame rate setting data. The frame rate is changed.

  Preferably, when the third control unit changes the frame rate, a display period of the last screen at the original frame rate is a frame period corresponding to the original frame rate and a frame corresponding to the new frame rate. The timing for reading the first screen at the new frame rate from the frame buffer and displaying it on the display unit is set so that the longer of the periods is not exceeded.

  Preferably, the third control unit generates integer data that increases or decreases with a certain width for each first period, and sets the frame period to K times the first period (K is an integer of 2 or more). When the remainder is obtained by dividing the integer data by K for each first period, and the remainder becomes equal to a predetermined integer value every K times the first period. The screen is read from the frame buffer and displayed on the display unit.

Preferably, when the start instruction is input from the start instruction input unit, the first control unit outputs start instruction data indicating the start instruction, and the stop instruction is input from the stop instruction input unit. Then, stop instruction data indicating the stop instruction is output.
Preferably, the second control unit outputs the start instruction data and the stop instruction data input from the first control unit to the third control unit.
Preferably, when the start instruction data is input from the second control unit, the third control unit variably displays a plurality of types of symbols on the display unit and sets the frame rate of the display unit to the first rate. When the stop instruction data is input from the second control unit, the variable display on the display unit is stopped with a pattern corresponding to the input timing, and the frame rate of the display unit is lower than the first rate. Rate. Alternatively, when the start instruction data is input from the second control unit, the third control unit sets the frame rate of the display unit to the first rate before variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols on the display unit. When the stop instruction data is input from the second control unit, the frame rate of the display unit is lower than the first rate after the variable display of the display unit is stopped with a pattern corresponding to the input timing. It is good also as a 2nd rate.

  Preferably, when the start instruction data is input from the second control unit, the third control unit displays, on the display unit, an image in which a plurality of sub-reels each having a plurality of types of symbols on the peripheral surface rotate simultaneously. When the stop instruction data for instructing the stop of the one main reel is input from the second control unit, an image in which one sub-reel corresponding to the one main reel stops with a pattern corresponding to the input timing Is displayed on the display unit.

  Preferably, when the start instruction data is input from the second control unit, the third control unit acquires a rotation angle of the sub-reel to be rotated at a predetermined speed at a predetermined cycle, and the plurality of types of symbols. Based on the image data and the acquired rotation angle, an image when a solid having a predetermined three-dimensional shape with the plurality of types of symbols mapped on the surface is at the acquired rotation angle is displayed for the plurality of sub reels. Each of the plurality of sub-reels in the display unit is updated at the predetermined period based on the configured stereoscopic image, and the second control unit corresponds to the one main reel. When the stop instruction data for instructing to stop one sub-reel is input, the pattern corresponding to the rotation angle of the one sub-reel at the input timing is input. Stopping the image update of the one sub reels to stop.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to display various images including an animation for effects and a reel for effects with a large processing load at an appropriate frame rate.

It is a figure for demonstrating the display, the operation part, etc. which are arrange | positioned at the front side of the pachi-slot machine which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a lineblock diagram of a pachislot machine of an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of a process of a sub main board | substrate and a sub sub board | substrate. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the format of the data transmitted to a sub sub board | substrate from a sub main board | substrate. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the format of the data transmitted to a sub main board | substrate from a sub sub board | substrate. It is a 1st figure for demonstrating the conversion process from the main lot in a sub main board | substrate to 3D lottery. It is a 2nd figure for demonstrating the conversion process from the main lot in a sub main board | substrate to 3D lottery. It is the 3rd figure for demonstrating the conversion process from the main lot in a sub main board | substrate to 3D lottery. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of a sub sub board | substrate. It is a 1st figure for demonstrating the switching operation | movement of a frame rate. It is a 2nd figure for demonstrating the switching operation | movement of a frame rate. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process which stops a sub reel first from the rotation start. It is a figure which shows an example of the stop control table for effects. It is a figure which shows an example of a 1st stop table. It is a 1st flowchart for demonstrating a 2nd stop prediction process. It is a 2nd flowchart for demonstrating a 2nd stop prediction process. It is a figure which shows an example of a virtual stop buffer. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process which stops a sub reel second from the rotation start. It is a figure which shows an example of a 2nd stop table. It is a figure which shows the example which added the stop score of the 2nd stop table to the virtual stop buffer. It is a 1st flowchart for demonstrating a 3rd stop prediction process. It is a 2nd flowchart for demonstrating a 3rd stop prediction process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process which stops a sub reel third from the rotation start. It is a figure which shows an example of a 3rd stop table.

Hereinafter, a pachislot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a display, an operation unit, and the like arranged on the front side of the pachislot machine according to the present embodiment.
In the example of FIG. 1, on the front surface of the pachislot machine 1, there are a main reel unit 30, a notification lamp 31, a display 35 such as a liquid crystal panel, a medal insertion unit 11, a single bet button 201, a three bet button 203, and a start lever 205. A left stop button 207L, a middle stop button 207M, and a right stop button 207R are arranged.
The main reel unit 30 is an example of a variable display unit in the present invention.
The start lever 205 is an example of a start instruction input unit in the present invention.
The left stop button 207L, middle stop button 207M, and right stop button 207R are examples of a stop instruction input unit in the present invention.

  The main reel unit 30 includes three reels (main reels) each having a plurality of types of symbols on the peripheral surface, and a reel rotating unit 17 (FIG. 2) that rotationally drives the three main reels. For example, 21 symbols are drawn side by side on the peripheral surface of each main reel. Three adjacent symbols of each reel are displayed through a transparent display window provided in front of the pachislot machine. When all main reels are stopped, nine symbols arranged in 3 rows and 3 columns are displayed in the display window.

The notification lamp 31 is connected to a sub-main board 5 (FIG. 2), which will be described later, and blinks according to a winning result or the like.
The medal insertion unit 11 includes a mechanism for inserting and storing medals in a pachislot machine, and a sensor for detecting the insertion of medals.

  A 1-bet button 201 and a 3-bet button 203 are input devices for setting the number of medals to bet in one game. One medal is used for one game when the one-bet button 201 is pressed, and three medals are used for one game when the three-bet button 203 is pressed. When the number of medals is one, the presence / absence of winning a prize is determined according to the combination (outcome) of the symbols arranged in one horizontal line in the middle row in the above described 3 rows and 3 columns symbols. If the number of medals bet is 3, in the above-mentioned 3 rows and 3 columns design, the top, middle and bottom three horizontal lines and the two diagonal lines in the lower right and upper left lines are aligned. Accordingly, it is determined whether or not there is a prize. Note that a line in which the presence / absence of a winning is determined in the 3 × 3 symbol array is referred to as a “winning line”.

  The start lever 205 is an input device for inputting an instruction to start rotation of the main reel unit 30. When a medal is inserted from the medal insertion unit 11 and the start lever 205 is hit in a state where the number of medals is set by the 1-bet button 201 or the 3-bet button 203, the main reel starts rotating in the main reel unit 30. .

  The left stop button 207L, middle stop button 207M, and right stop button 207R are input devices for inputting a stop instruction for each main reel of the main reel unit 30. Pressing the left stop button 207 stops the left main reel, pressing the middle stop button 207M stops the central main reel, and pressing the right stop button 207R stops the right main reel.

  The display 35 is a display device for displaying a video for production, and includes, for example, a liquid crystal display panel, an EL display panel, and the like. As will be described later, on the display 35, an image for rotating / stopping an effect reel (sub-reel) simulating a main reel and an animation image for a character or the like are displayed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the pachislot machine 1 according to the present embodiment.
The pachi-slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a main board 3, a sub-main board 5, and a sub-sub board 7, for example, as shown in FIG.
The main board 3 is an example of a first control unit in the present invention.
The sub main board 5 is an example of a second control unit in the present invention.
The sub-sub board 7 is an example of a third control unit in the present invention.

[Main board 3]
The main board 3 is a circuit block that comprehensively controls the overall progress of the game, and includes, for example, a processor that executes processing according to a program and a memory. For example, the main board 3 sets a bet number of medals, starts and stops the rotation of the main reel, draws a winning combination (game play), controls reel stop according to the winning lottery result, and responds to the appearance Controls a series of operations such as determination of winning results and paying out medals.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the main board 3 includes a medal insertion unit 11, a medal payout unit 13, a lottery drawing unit 15, a reel rotation unit 17, and an operation button group 20 (201, 203, 205, 207L, 207M, 207R, etc.). Is connected.

  The main board 3 monitors the medal insertion detection signal from the medal insertion unit 11 and records the number of medals stored for use in the game. When an appropriate number of medals are inserted in the medal insertion unit 11 and the start lever 205 is hit in a state where the bet number of medals is set by the bet buttons (201, 203), the main board 3 is inserted in the lottery drawing unit 15. A lottery for a game role is executed, and the reel rotating unit 17 of the main reel unit 30 is controlled to start rotation of the three main reels.

The game combination (also referred to as “main lottery”) that the lottery drawing unit 15 draws is a combination related to the provision of a game value such as a medal, and mainly determines a combination (outcome) of symbols aligned with the winning line. For game roles, for example, a small role in which medals are paid out for each game, a bonus role in which medals are repeatedly paid out in multiple games, and insertion of medals is not required for games There are replay roles. The lottery lottery unit 15 determines a winning combination by lottery from these multiple combinations.
In the present embodiment, the winning combination determined by the lottery lottery unit 15 includes a “outside combination” to which no game value is given.

  The main board 3 starts rotation of the main reel in response to an instruction from the start lever 205, and then inputs a reel rotation stop instruction by pressing one of the three reel stop buttons (207L, 207M, 207R). Then, the left, middle or right main reel corresponding to the pressed reel stop button is stopped.

  When stopping the main reel, the main board 3 controls the stop position (rotation angle) of the main reel so that the main reel to be stopped stops at a symbol corresponding to the winning combination of the lottery drawing unit 15. For example, when the bonus combination is won, the main board 3 is within a predetermined number of sliding frames from the reel reference position when the reel stop button is pressed (for example, the lower position in the display window of the main reel). If there is a bonus combination symbol, the reel rotating unit 17 is controlled (withdrawal control) so that the symbol stops on the winning line. When the winning combination is won, the main board 3 controls the reel rotating unit 17 (kicking control) so that the rotation of the main reel stops with a symbol in which no other combination is established.

  When the three main reels are stopped according to the player's operation, the main board 3 determines the winning result according to the combination of symbols arranged on the winning line. The main board 3 controls the medal paying unit 13 to pay out the number of medals corresponding to the outcome when the winning outcome is a medal payout.

  The main board 3 sequentially outputs data (commands) indicating the progress of the game by rotating and stopping the main reel to the sub main board 5.

  For example, when a medal is inserted in the medal insertion unit 11, the main board 3 stores data indicating the number of inserted medals and the number of medals stored in the medal insertion part 11 in the sub main board 5. Send.

  When the bet button (201, 203) is pressed, the main board 3 transmits data indicating the pressing to the sub-main board 5.

  When the start lever 205 is struck in a state where the bet number of medals is set by the bet buttons (201, 203), the main board 3 displays data indicating that the start lever 205 has been struck (the start of rotation of the main reel). (Instructed data) is transmitted to the sub main board 5.

  When the lottery lottery unit 15 performs a lottery in response to the start lever 205 being hit, the main board 3 sub-maintains data (winning combination data) indicating the winning game winning combination (winning combination data). Transmit to the substrate 5.

  When the reel stop button (207L, 207M, 207R) is pressed while any of the main reels is rotating in the main reel unit 30, the main board 3 indicates that the corresponding reel stop button has been pressed. Data (data instructing to stop rotation of the corresponding main reel) is transmitted to the sub main board 5.

  When the three main reels are stopped and the presence / absence of a winning is determined, the main board 3 transmits data indicating the contents of the winning to the sub main board 5. When the medal is paid out from the medal paying unit 13 according to the winning result, the main board 3 transmits data indicating the number of paid-out medals to the sub main board 5.

[Sub-main board 5]
The sub-main board 5 is a circuit block that receives data (command) indicating the progress state of the game from the main board 3 and determines the production contents according to the received data. For example, the processor executes processing according to the program And memory.

  The sub main board 5 determines one effect pattern from a plurality of predetermined effect patterns according to the data of the winning combination for games (winning combination data) transmitted from the main board 3. Then, each time the sub-main board 5 receives data indicating the progress of the game from the main board 3, the sub-main board 5 designates the contents of the presentation (the video of the display 35 and the sound of the speaker 37) based on the decided presentation pattern. (Production designation data) is generated and transmitted to the sub-sub board 7.

For example, the sub-main board 5 includes data (for example, main reel rotation start instruction data) that is a trigger (trigger) for the output of the production among the data indicating the game progress state transmitted from the main board 3, and this data. A trigger table in which information (for example, production designation data) relating to the contents of the production to be output is associated with each other is stored in the storage device.
When the sub main board 5 receives the winning combination data from the main board 3, one trigger table is selected from a plurality of trigger tables stored in the storage device according to the winning combination (main lottery) for the game indicated by the winning combination data. Select. Each time the sub main board 5 receives data indicating the progress of the game from the main board 3, the sub main board 5 refers to the selected trigger table, generates production designation data, and transmits it to the sub sub board 7.

  In addition, when the sub main board 5 receives data (command) from the main board 3, the sub main board 5 also performs effect control for blinking the notification lamp 31 according to the information of the trigger table.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an outline of processing of the sub main board 5 and the sub sub board 7 according to the data output from the main board 3.

  When the sub-main board 5 receives data indicating the progress of the game from the main board 3, the sub-main board 5 generates production designation data based on the production pattern (trigger table) determined according to the winning combination (main lottery) for the game. Then, the data is transmitted to the sub-sub board 7. That is, the sub-main board 5 is information that designates an image such as an animation to be displayed on the display 35, information that designates audio to be reproduced on the speaker 37, and a three-dimensional sub-reel (also called a 3D reel) that is displayed on the display 35 as an image. ) And the like are transmitted to the sub-sub board 7. In addition, the sub main board 5 performs blinking control of the notification lamp 31 as part of the effect.

  Upon receiving the effect designation data from the sub main board 5, the sub sub board 7 displays an image such as an animation on the display 35, reproduces a sound effect on the speaker 37, and is displayed on the display 35 according to the received effect designation data. The rotation of the sub reel (3D reel) is controlled. When the sub reel (3D reel) is stopped from the rotating state on the display 35, the sub sub substrate 7 transmits data indicating the stop point (a result of the combination of symbols arranged on the stopped sub reels) to the sub main substrate 5. To do.

  When the sub main board 5 receives data indicating the stop appearance of the sub reel (3D reel) from the sub sub board 7, the sub main board 5 performs a process of switching the effect pattern according to the stop outcome. For example, the sub main board 5 selects a new trigger table from a plurality of trigger tables stored in the storage device in accordance with the stop position of the sub reel (3D reel).

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a format of data (command) transmitted from the sub main board 5 to the sub sub board 7. As shown in FIG. 4, the data transmitted from the sub main board 5 to the sub sub board 7 may have a variable length. However, a fixed length may be used for data that requires relatively high-speed processing, such as data for instructing start or stop of reel rotation.
On the other hand, FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a format of data (command) transmitted from the sub-sub board 7 to the sub-main board 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the data transmitted from the sub-sub board 7 to the sub-main board 5 may have a fixed length.

Examples of commands transmitted from the sub-main board 5 to the sub-sub-board 7 include basic common display commands (error, setting change, stop button request, setting confirmation commands), timing instruction commands (related to operations on the main board 3 side). Commands such as betting, main reel rotation start, left / middle / right main reel stop commands, medals related commands (credits, inserts, payouts), sound commands (sound generation and stop Commands to be controlled, 3D reel related commands (sub reel rotation start instruction, left sub reel stop instruction, middle sub reel stop instruction, right sub reel stop instruction, random number notification for lottery, sub reel effect combination notification, reel stop order notification) , Production command for each model Commands for managing different effects), special operation commands (commands related to external input for menu display, for example, external input button operation commands, touch panel operation commands), system commands (commands for changing the stop output of a 3D reel), The sub-sub board 7 controls the screen display on the display 35 and the output of sound effects on the speaker 37 in response to these commands.
On the other hand, examples of commands transmitted from the sub-sub board 7 to the sub-main board 5 include, for example, commands related to bidirectional communication (system commands for performing communication), and state commands for production-specific effects (results of production, which And a 3D reel result command (a command for sending information about symbols arranged on the 3D reel, for example, a command for sending a winning combination and its forming line).

  Here, data (production effect data, random number data, stop order determination data, sub reel rotation start instruction data, sub reel stop instruction data) transmitted from the sub main board 5 to the sub sub board 7 regarding the control of the sub reel (3D reel) of the display 35. ) Will be described in detail.

(1) Production combination data and random number data The sub-main board 5 is arranged so that symbols related to the game winning combination selected by the lottery drawing unit 15 are arranged on the sub-reel (3D reel) of the display 35. For this reason, a combination that determines the combination (outcome) of symbols when the sub reel is stopped is set based on the winning combination for gaming. For example, the sub-main board 5 stores a data table (combination conversion table) in which a plurality of game roles (main lottery) and a plurality of sub-reel effect roles (also referred to as “3D lottery”) are associated with each other in the storage device. When the winning combination data received from the main board 3 is received, the rendering combination data indicating the rendering role associated with the winning combination indicated by the winning combination data is acquired based on the combination conversion table. The sub main board 5 transmits the presentation combination data acquired based on the combination conversion table to the sub sub board 7.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in the combination conversion table, a plurality of combinations of effects are associated with one winning combination. Therefore, the sub main board 5 further generates random number data for selecting one effect role by lottery from a plurality of effect roles, and transmits it to the sub sub-board 7 together with the effect role data.

  The sub-sub board 7 specifies a plurality of presentation roles corresponding to the winning combination based on the presentation combination data received from the sub-main board 5, and further selects one of the plurality of presentation roles based on random number data. Specify the directing role. Then, the sub-sub board 7 performs control of the stop position of the sub-reel (retraction control, kicking control) so that the outcomes corresponding to the rendering role specified based on the rendering role data and the random number data are aligned.

  6 to 8 are diagrams for explaining the conversion process from the winning combination (main lottery) to the effect combination (3D lottery) in the sub-main board 5. FIG.

In the examples of FIGS. 6 to 8, a single winning combination (main lottery) is assigned with a plurality of presentation roles (3D lottery).
Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a winning probability is assigned to each of the plurality of effect combinations (3D lottery) in the effect stop control table (FIG. 13) of the sub-sub board 7 described later. In the example of FIG. 8, the winning probability of “middle cherry” is “32/256”, the winning probability of “horn cherry” is “128/256”, and the winning probability of “watermelon A” is “64/256”. And the winning probability of “Watermelon B” is “32/256”.

When the sub-main board 5 receives the winning combination data from the main board 2, the sub-main board 5 converts the rendering combination data (flag number in FIG. 13) for designating a plurality of rendering combinations (3D lottery) corresponding to the winning combination data. Obtained from the table and transmitted to the sub-sub board 7. For example, when the winning combination is “small role 2”, the sub-main board 5 has four directing roles corresponding to this “small role 2” (“middle cherry”, “horn cherry”, “watermelon A”, “watermelon B”). Effect combination data (flag number) is transmitted to the sub-sub board 7.
In addition, the sub main board 5 generates random number data for selecting one of a plurality of effects (3D lottery) and transmits it to the sub sub board 7. For example, when the winning probability is set as shown in FIG. 8, the sub main board 5 generates random number data having a value from 0 to 255 and transmits it to the sub sub board 7. In the sub-sub board 7, “0 to 31” for “middle cherry”, “32 to 159” for “horn cherry”, “160 to 223” for “watermelon A”, “watermelon”, corresponding to the table of FIG. The numerical value range of “224 to 255” is assigned to “B”, and depending on the numerical value range to which the value of the random number data belongs, there are four production roles (“middle stage cherry” “corner cherry” “watermelon A” “watermelon B” ]), One production role is specified. For example, when the value of the random number data is 200, “Watermelon A” is identified as the winning winning combination from among the four winning winning roles.

(2) Stop order determination data Whether or not to win the game combination (main lottery) in the lottery lottery section 15 according to the order in which the three main reels (left, middle, right) are stopped There is a role that determines. Therefore, the sub main board 5 determines whether or not the reel stop order matches the order determined by the winning combination, and transmits data indicating the determination result (stop order determination data) to the sub sub board 7. In addition, the sub-main board 5 may transmit stop order determination data indicating whether or not the reel stop order determined by the effect combination is matched independently of the winning combination.

(3) Sub-reel rotation start instruction data and sub-reel stop instruction data When the sub-main board 5 receives data instructing the start of rotation of the main reel from the main board 3, the sub-reel of the display 35 is similarly started to rotate. Data (sub reel start instruction data) is transmitted to the sub sub board 7.
Further, when the sub main board 5 receives data instructing to stop the rotation of any main reel from the main board 3, the sub main board 5 receives data (sub reel stop instruction data) for stopping the rotation of the corresponding sub reel. 7 to send. For example, the sub main board 5 stops the left sub reel when the left main reel stop instruction data is received, and stops the center sub reel when receiving the center main reel stop instruction data. When main reel stop instruction data is received, sub reel stop instruction data for stopping the right sub reel is transmitted.

[Sub-sub board 7]
The sub sub board 7 controls the video displayed on the display 35 and the sound output from the speaker 37 in accordance with the effect designation data received from the sub main board 8. For example, the sub-sub board 7 reads video data and audio data corresponding to the production designation data from the video / audio storage unit 74 (FIG. 9), generates video signals and audio signals corresponding thereto, and outputs them to the display 35 and the speaker 37. Supply.

  In addition, the sub-sub board 7 uses the sub-reel (3D reel) control data (effect data, random number data, stop order determination data, sub-reel rotation start instruction data, sub-reel stop instruction data) received from the sub-main board 8. In response, an image of the sub reel rotating / stopping is displayed on the display 35.

  Further, the sub-sub board 7 transmits information related to the combination (out) of the symbols arranged on the sub-reels of the display 35 to the sub-main board 5.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the sub-sub board 7.
9 includes a processing unit 70, a communication interface unit 71, a video signal output unit 72, an audio signal output unit 73, a video / audio storage unit 74, a frame buffer 75, and a system storage unit 76.

  The communication interface unit 71 is a circuit for exchanging data with the sub main board 5, and receives data from the sub main board 5 and transmits data to the sub main board 5.

The video signal output unit 72 generates a video signal having a predetermined signal format according to the video data supplied from the processing unit 70 and inputs the video signal to the display 35.
The audio signal output unit 73 generates an audio signal whose amplitude and pulse density are adjusted according to the audio data supplied from the processing unit 70 and inputs the audio signal to the speaker 37.

  The video / audio storage unit 74 stores video data used to configure the screen of the display 35 and audio data used to output audio from the speaker 37. The video data and audio data stored in the video / audio storage unit 74 are associated with identification information, respectively. The sub sub board 7 reads the video data / audio data from the video / audio storage unit 74 by referring to the identification information included in the effect designation data transmitted from the sub main board 5.

  The video / audio storage unit 74 stores each video data in association with the frame rate setting data. As will be described later, the sub-sub board 7 sets the frame rate of video display on the display 35 in accordance with the frame rate setting data.

  Further, the video / audio storage unit 74 stores image data of a plurality of types of symbols provided on the peripheral surface of the sub reel displayed on the display 35.

  The frame buffer 75 is a memory for storing video information displayed on the display 35 in units of screens, and stores one or a plurality of screens.

  The system storage unit 76 stores a program for executing processing in the processing unit 70 and data used for the processing. For example, the system storage unit 76 includes the production stop control table shown in FIG. 13, the first stop table shown in FIG. 14, the second stop table shown in FIG. 19, the third stop table shown in FIG. 24, and FIGS. The virtual stop buffer (stop determination table) shown in FIG. These table data will be described later.

  The processing unit 70 is a circuit that controls the overall processing of the sub-sub-board 7, and processes video displayed on the display 35 and audio output from the speaker 37 in accordance with instructions of a program stored in the system storage unit 76. Do.

When the processing unit 70 reads out video data corresponding to the production designation data from the video / audio storage unit 74 and displays it on the display 35, the frame rate setting stored in the video / audio storage unit 7 in association with the video data is displayed. Based on the data, a frame rate for displaying on the display 35 is set.
For example, when the frame rate specified in the frame rate setting data of the newly read video data is different from the previous frame rate, the sub-sub board 7 changes the frame rate of the display 35 according to the new frame rate setting data. To do.

Further, when displaying the video corresponding to the effect designation data transmitted from the sub-main board 5 on the display 35, the processing unit 70 stores the video / audio storage unit 74 in each frame period set by the frame rate setting data. A screen based on the stored video data is configured on the frame buffer 75. Then, the processing unit 70 reads the screen from the frame buffer 75 for each frame period and displays the screen on the display 35. For example, when the frame rate is 60 fps, the processing unit 70 configures one screen in the frame buffer 75 about every 16 ms.
When the frame rate setting is changed by the frame rate setting data, the processing unit 70 reads out the screen from the frame buffer 75 and displays the screen on the display 35 on the display 35 and displays the screen on the display 35. The time interval is changed according to the frame period of the newly set frame rate.

  Further, when the processing unit 70 changes the frame rate according to the frame rate setting data, the display period of the last screen at the original frame rate is the frame period of the original frame rate and the frame period of the new frame rate. The timing at which the first screen at the new frame rate is read from the frame buffer 75 and displayed on the display 35 is set so that the longer one is not exceeded. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an image from appearing unnatural due to the display period of the screen when the frame rate is switched being longer than the preceding and following frame periods.

  For example, the processing unit 70 includes a counter that generates integer data that increases or decreases with a certain width for each shortest frame period, and uses this integer data to control frame rate switching timing. When the frame period is set to K times the shortest frame period (K represents an integer of 2 or more), the processing unit 70 acquires a remainder obtained by dividing the integer data by K for each shortest frame period. Then, when the remainder becomes equal to a predetermined integer value (for example, zero) every K times the shortest frame period, the processing unit 70 reads the screen configured on the frame buffer 75 and displays it on the display 35.

10 and 11 are diagrams for explaining the frame rate switching operation.
In the examples of FIGS. 10 and 11, the maximum frame rate is 60 fps (the shortest frame period is about 16.7 ms). FIG. 10 shows a case where the frame rate is switched from 60 fps to 30 fps, and FIG. 11 shows a case where the frame rate is switched from 30 fps to 20 fps.

In this example, the processing unit 70 generates integer data (counter value) that increases by 1 every shortest frame period (about 16.7 ms). When the frame rate is set to 60 fps, the processing unit 70 updates the screen of the display 35 every shortest frame period (about 16.7 ms).
When the frame rate of the frame rate setting data is changed from 60 fps to 30 fps, the processing unit 70 calculates a remainder obtained by dividing the counter value by 2 (FIG. 10). This remainder becomes “0” every period twice the shortest frame period (about 16.7 ms) (every frame period corresponding to a frame rate of 30 fps). When the remainder becomes “0”, the processing unit 70 displays the screen configured on the frame buffer 75 on the display 35 and configures a new screen on the frame buffer 75.
On the other hand, when the frame rate is changed from 30 fps to 20 fps, the processing unit 70 calculates a remainder obtained by dividing the counter value by 3 (FIG. 11). This remainder becomes “0” every three times the shortest frame period (about 16.7 ms) (every frame period corresponding to a frame rate of 20 fps). When the remainder becomes “0”, the processing unit 70 displays the screen configured on the frame buffer 75 on the display 35 and configures a new screen on the frame buffer 75.

When the processing unit 70 inputs the sub reel rotation start instruction data from the sub main board 5, the processing unit 70 starts rotating the sub reels displayed on the display 35.
More specifically, when the sub-reel rotation start instruction data is input from the sub-main board 5, the processing unit 70 acquires the rotation angle of the sub-reel to be rotated at a predetermined speed for each frame period. Then, the processing unit 70 maps the plurality of types of symbols on the surface based on the image data of a plurality of types of symbols stored in the video / audio storage unit 74 and the rotation angle acquired for each frame period. An image when the reel body having a predetermined three-dimensional shape is at the acquired rotation angle is formed on the frame buffer 75 for each frame period for each of the left, middle, and right serve reels. The processing unit 70 updates the sub reel image on the display 35 for each frame period based on the reel image formed on the frame buffer 75. As a result, the sub-reel image rotating at the predetermined speed is displayed on the display 35.

Further, when the processing unit 70 receives the left, center, or right sub-reel stop instruction data from the sub-main board 5, the processing unit 70 stops the rotation of the corresponding left, center, or right sub-reel. In this case, the processing unit 70 controls the stop position of the sub reel so as to stop at a symbol corresponding to the reception timing of the sub reel stop instruction data and the effect combination specified by the effect combination data and the random number data.
That is, when the processing unit 70 receives the sub reel stop instruction data from the sub main board 5 while the sub reel rotation image is displayed, the processing unit 70 determines the rotation angle of the sub reel to be stopped at the timing when the sub reel stop instruction data is received. The rotation angle (the position of the symbol) for stopping the sub reel to be stopped is determined according to the effect combination specified based on the effect combination data and the random number data received from the sub-main board 5, and the rotation angle is determined. The video update of the sub reel to be stopped is stopped at (symbol position).

  The processing unit 70 executes, for example, the following process when stopping the rotation of the sub reels displayed on the display 35.

That is, when the processing unit 70 receives sub-reel stop instruction data (hereinafter referred to as “first sub-reel stop data”) for instructing first stop of the sub-reel after the input of the sub-reel rotation start instruction data, In the effect combination specified by the data and the random number data, the display is permitted to be stopped at a predetermined position (for example, the lower stage) of the display 35, and the predetermined position (lower stage) is received at the reception timing of the first sub reel stop instruction data. The video update of the first sub-reel to be stopped is stopped so that a symbol within a preset pull-in range from the symbol displayed in () stops at a predetermined position (lower stage).
Further, after the input of the sub-reel rotation start instruction data, the processing unit 70 issues sub-reel stop instruction data (hereinafter referred to as “nth sub-reel stop data”) instructing the n-th stop (n is an integer of 2 or 3). The symbol is permitted to be stopped at a predetermined position (lower stage) in relation to the symbol of the sub-reel that has been stopped in the effect role specified by the effect role data and the random number data. The nth stop so that a symbol within a preset drawing range from a symbol displayed at a predetermined position (lower stage) at the reception timing of the n-th sub reel stop instruction data stops at the predetermined position (lower stage). Stop video update of the target sub reel.

Further, the processing unit 70 sets the frame rate when the sub-reel rotation image is displayed on the display 35 to a relatively high value (for example, 60 fps), and compares the frame rate when the sub-reel rotation is stopped. Set to a low value (for example, 30 fps).
By increasing the frame rate during sub-reel rotation, the image of the sub-reel rotating on the display 35 becomes a smoother image that is closer to reality. Further, by suppressing the frame rate when the sub reel is stopped, it is possible to prevent frame dropping even when displaying a complicated animation with a large amount of information and a large image processing load.

For example, when the sub reel rotation start instruction data is input from the sub main board 5, the processing unit 70 switches the frame rate to 60 fps before starting the rotation of the sub reel. Further, when the last (third) sub reel stop instruction data is input from the sub main board 5, the sub sub board 7 switches the frame rate to 30 fps after stopping the rotation of the last sub reel.
As a result, the period during which the sub-reel rotation image is displayed is set to a constant frame rate (60 fps), including the time when rotation starts and the time when rotation stops, so the frame rate is switched during rotation of the sub-reel. It can prevent becoming a natural picture.

  Here, the process of stopping the rotation of the sub reels displayed on the display 35 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the process of stopping the sub reel first from the start of rotation.

Step ST101:
When the sub sub-board 7 receives the first sub-reel stop data from the sub-main board 5, the first sub-table corresponding to the first sub-reel to be stopped based on the production stop control table as shown in FIG. 14) is selected.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the production stop control table.
In the production stop control table shown in FIG. 13, “flag number” represents production role data, and “table” identifies a plurality of production roles associated with the same production role data (flag number). Indicates the number. As shown in FIG. 13, a plurality of effect combinations are associated with one effect combination data (flag number). For example, a “Watermelon” combination whose effect combination data (flag number) is “2” is associated with two types of effect combinations identified by “0” and “1”.

In the production stop control table shown in FIG. 13, “1st table” is an identification number of the first stop table (FIG. 14) of the three sub-reels (left, middle, and right) associated with each production role. Indicates. That is, three first stop tables (first stop table group) corresponding to three sub-reels (left, middle, right) are associated with one production role.
For example, for the “watermelon” combination whose production combination data (flag number) is “2” and “table” is “1”, the first stop table of “6” for the left sub-reel and “4” for the central sub-reel The first stop table of No. 4 and the first stop table of No. 4 are associated with the right sub-reel.

  Accordingly, a plurality of first stop table groups are associated with one effect combination data (flag number).

  Further, in the production stop control table shown in FIG. 13, the numerical value of “sort” is 1 from a plurality of production roles (a plurality of first stop table groups) associated with the same production role data (flag number). This is a numerical value indicating the winning probability of selecting one combination, and is the same as the numerical value of the winning probability described in FIG.

First, when the sub-sub board 7 receives the effect combination data and the random number data from the sub main board 5 at the start of rotation of the sub reel, the sub-sub board 7 refers to the effect stop control table shown in FIG. Group).
For example, when the sub-sub-board 7 receives “2” as the effect combination data (flag number), the “sort” numerical value and the random number data are obtained from the two “watermelon” combinations identified by “0” and “1”. Based on the above, one of the “watermelon” roles is specified as the winning combination for the sub-reel effect.
Here, when the “watermelon” combination whose production combination data (flag number) is “2” and “table” is “1” is specified, specifically, the first “6” for the left sub-reel. The stop table, the “4” first stop table for the center sub reel, and the “4” first stop table for the right sub reel are specified as the first stop table group.

Then, when the sub sub board 7 receives the first sub reel stop data from the sub main board 5 in step ST101, the first sub reel board 7 corresponds to the sub reels (left, middle, right) to be stopped. Is selected from the identified first stop table group (three first stop tables).
For example, when the first sub-reel stop data for the left sub-reel is received in the case where the “watermelon” combination with the production combination data (flag number) “2” and the “table” “1” is specified, 7 selects the “6” first stop table for the left sub-reel.

Step ST102:
Next, when the sub sub board 7 receives the stop order determination data from the sub main board 5 together with the first sub reel stop data, the first stop table selected in step ST102 according to the stop order determination data (FIG. 14). The data table to be further used is further selected from the above.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first stop table.
In the first stop table shown in FIG. 14, “symbol number” indicates identification numbers of 21 symbols arranged on the peripheral surface of the sub reel.

  When the symbol corresponding to the “symbol number” is at a predetermined position (for example, the lower stage) at the reception timing of the sub reel stop instruction data, the “sliding frame number” is determined from the reception timing of the sub reel stop instruction data. Indicates the number of symbols to be slid before stopping.

  The “stop position” indicates at least a part of the symbols allowed to stop at a predetermined position (for example, the lower stage) among the 21 symbols arranged on the peripheral surface of the sub reel. The black circles in the figure indicate symbols (stop target) that are allowed to stop at a predetermined position (lower stage), and the up arrows indicate symbols that are prohibited from stopping at the predetermined position (lower stage). A symbol with “sliding frame number” of “0” corresponds to a black circle symbol, and a symbol with “sliding frame number” of “1” or more corresponds to a symbol with an up arrow.

  The “second stop table” indicates the identification number of the second stop table (FIG. 19) selected when the symbol corresponding to the “symbol number” stops at a predetermined position (lower stage).

The first stop table shown in FIG. 14 includes a data table in which “symbol number”, “number of sliding symbols”, and “second stop table” are associated with two sequences of “TRUE” and “FALSE”. ing.
In the sub-sub-board 7, the main reel stop order matches the stop order set in the winning combination for gaming in the determination result indicated by the stop order determination data (or the sub-reel stop order is used for the effect. If it matches the set stop order), select the “TRUE” data table, otherwise select the “FALSE” data table.
For example, in the “TRUE” data table, it is easy to align the advantageous outcomes (the outcome equivalent to winning on the main reel) determined by the role of the production, and in the “FALSE” data table, it is easy to align the outcomes of the loss. As described above, the value of the “number of sliding frames” corresponding to each “symbol number” (retraction range from the predetermined position of each symbol) is set differently.

Step ST103:
Next, the sub-sub board 7 has a predetermined timing at the reception timing of the first sub-reel stop data based on the association table of “symbol number” and “number of sliding symbols” selected from the first stop table in step ST102. A stop target symbol that is closest to the symbol of the sub-reel to be stopped displayed at a position (for example, the lower stage) (which reaches a predetermined position at the smallest rotation angle) is specified.
Specifically, when the sub-sub board 7 receives the first sub-reel stop instruction data, the sub-sub board 7 has a pattern displayed at a predetermined position (lower stage) of the display 35 according to the rotation angle of the sub-reel to be stopped at the reception timing. Get the corresponding “symbol number”. Then, based on the data table of “symbol number” and “slip frame number” selected from the first stop table in step ST102, “slip frame number” associated with the acquired “symbol number” is acquired. To do.
When the sub sub-board 7 acquires the “sliding frame number”, the sub-sub-board 7 slides a number of symbols corresponding to the “sliding frame number” to stop the video update of the first stop target sub-reel.

  Further, the sub sub board 7 is predetermined at the reception timing of the first sub reel stop instruction data based on the association table of the “symbol number” and the “second stop table” selected from the first stop table in step ST102. The identification number of the 2nd stop table (FIG. 19) linked | related with the "symbol number" of the symbol displayed on the position (lower stage) is acquired. Note that the second stop table identification number acquired here designates two second stop tables corresponding to two sub-reels that have not received a stop instruction.

Step ST104:
When the symbol stop position of the first sub-reel is determined by acquiring the “slip frame number” in step ST103, the sub-sub board 7 performs the second stop prediction process in preparation for the stop of the second sub-reel. In the second stop prediction process, the combination of symbols allowed for the rendering role specified by the rendering role data and the random number data and the symbols displayed on the display 35 in the sub reels whose stop positions have already been determined are considered. Then, it is determined whether or not a stop at a predetermined position (for example, the lower stage) is allowed for each symbol in the sub reel that stops second, and the determination result is scored and the stop determination associated with the “symbol number” A table for use (FIG. 17, virtual stop buffer) is created.

15 and 16 are flowcharts for explaining the second stop prediction process.
The sub-sub-board 7 executes the second stop prediction process shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 for each of the two rotating sub-reels that have not received a stop instruction, and two virtual stops corresponding to the two sub-reels. A buffer (FIG. 17) is created.

Step ST151:
The sub-sub board 7 acquires the number of effective lines and line information (arrangement of effective lines) in the sub-reel based on data transmitted from the sub-main board 5 (for example, data indicating the number of betting medals). The effective line corresponds to the winning line on the main reel, and is set, for example, from three in the horizontal direction and two in the diagonal direction, like the winning line.

Step ST152:
The sub sub-board 7 acquires information on the type of symbols of three consecutive frames from the symbol counter of the rotating sub reel. The symbol counter corresponds to the above-mentioned “symbol number”. For example, when the symbol counter is “0”, the sub-sub-board 7 has the symbol type “0”, “1”, “2”. Information (symbol type identification information) is acquired.

Step ST153:
The sub sub board 7 has a symbol pattern (second stop prediction pattern) obtained by combining the symbols of the three frames acquired in step ST152 and the symbols of the three frames displayed on the display 35 in the sub reels whose stop positions are already determined. It collates with the symbol pattern (symbol combination pattern) acquired based on the symbol combination counter.
For example, the sub-sub board 7 stores in the system storage unit 76 a data table (symbol combination table) that collects symbol patterns that are advantageous in terms of effects other than “out” in the sub-reel effect role. The symbol combination counter designates one of symbol patterns (combination of symbol type identification information) registered in the symbol combination table.

Step ST154:
The sub sub-board 7 compares the second stop prediction pattern with the symbol combination pattern for one effective line. When the two symbols of the second stop prediction pattern and the two symbols of the symbol combination pattern on the effective line match with each other (except for the symbol that stops third, the sub-sub circuit board 7 is advantageous in terms of production. If the eyes are aligned), the process proceeds to step ST161 (FIG. 16).
In addition, the sub-sub board 7 also moves to step ST161 even when the sub-reel that stops second has any advantage in terms of production regardless of the design of the sub-reel.

Step ST161
The sub-sub board 7 determines whether or not display of the symbol combination of the second stop prediction pattern is permitted in the effect combination specified by the effect combination data and the random number data. If permitted, the process proceeds to step ST162. If not permitted, the process proceeds to step ST164.

Step ST162:
If display of the symbol combination of the second stop prediction pattern is permitted in step ST161, the sub-sub board 7 virtually stops the stop score (priority data) corresponding to the “symbol number” of the symbol counter designated in step ST152. It is acquired from the buffer (FIG. 17), and it is determined whether or not the acquired stop score is the initial value (0). If the stop score is an initial value, the process proceeds to step ST163, and if not, the process proceeds to step ST155.

Step ST163:
When the stop score of the virtual stop buffer is the initial value in step ST162, the sub sub-board 7 sets 1 to this stop score. The symbol of “symbol number” with the stop score set to 1 has a higher priority of stopping at a predetermined position (lower stage) of the display 35. After step ST163, the sub sub-board 7 moves to step ST155.

Step ST164:
On the other hand, if the display of the symbol combination of the second stop prediction pattern is not permitted in step ST161, the sub-sub board 7 is advantageous in terms of production regardless of the symbol of the sub-reel that stops third. Determine whether or not. If the outcome is advantageous in terms of performance, the process proceeds to step ST165, and if not, the process proceeds to step ST155.

Step ST165:
If any of the symbols of the sub-reel to be stopped third is advantageous in terms of production, the sub-sub board 7 displays a virtual stop buffer (FIG. 17) corresponding to the “symbol number” of the symbol counter designated in step ST152. ) Is set to -10. A symbol of “symbol number” having -10 set as the stop score is prohibited from being stopped at a predetermined position (lower stage) of the display 35. After step ST165, the sub sub-board 7 moves to step ST155.

Steps ST155 and ST156:
The sub sub-board 7 adds 1 to the effective line counter (counter that specifies the effective line), and when the effective line counter does not exceed the upper limit in the addition result, the processes after step ST154 are repeated again. As a result, the sub sub-board 7 also performs the above-described processing after ST154 for the other effective lines. When the effective line counter exceeds the upper limit (that is, when the above-described processing of ST154 and subsequent steps is performed for all effective lines), the sub sub-board 7 moves to step ST157.

Steps ST157 and ST158:
The sub sub-board 7 adds 1 to the symbol combination counter, and when the symbol combination counter does not exceed the upper limit in the addition result, the processing after step ST153 is repeated again. Thereby, the sub-sub board | substrate 7 performs the process after ST153 mentioned above also about the other symbol combination pattern registered into a symbol combination table. When the symbol combination counter exceeds the upper limit (that is, when the above-described processing after ST153 is performed for all symbol combination patterns registered in the symbol combination table), the sub sub-board 7 moves to step ST159.

Steps ST159 and ST160:
The sub sub-board 7 adds 1 to the symbol counter, and when the symbol counter does not exceed the upper limit in the addition result, the processing after step ST152 is repeated again. As a result, the sub-sub-board 7 also performs the above-described processing after ST152 for the other second predicted stop patterns (a combination of three consecutive symbols). When the symbol counter exceeds the upper limit (that is, when the above-described processing after ST152 is performed for all the second stop prediction patterns), the sub-sub board 7 ends the second stop prediction process.

  By the second stop prediction process in steps ST151 to ST165 described above, for example, a virtual stop buffer as shown in FIG. 17 is created.

  Next, the process of stopping the sub reels second from the start of rotation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Step ST201:
When the sub sub board 7 receives from the sub main board 5 the second sub reel stop data for stopping the sub reels for the second time and the stop order judgment data indicating the judgment result of the stop order, the sub sub board 7 obtains the second sub reels obtained in step ST103 (FIG. 12). The second stop table corresponding to the sub reel that is the stop target in the second sub reel stop data is selected from the two second stop tables specified by the identification numbers of the two stop tables. Further, the sub sub-board 7 further selects a data table corresponding to the stop order determination data from the selected second stop table.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of the second stop table.
In the first stop table shown in FIG. 19, “stop score” is data indicating the priority of stopping the symbol at a predetermined position (lower stage) of the display 35, as in the virtual stop buffer (FIG. 17) described above. is there.

  “Search flag” (search direction data) is data to be referred to in step ST205 to be described later, and designates whether the stop position is searched from near the pressed position or from far away.

  The “third stop table” indicates the identification number of the third stop table (FIG. 24) selected when the symbol corresponding to the “symbol number” stops at a predetermined position (lower stage).

The second stop table shown in FIG. 19 includes a data table in which “symbol number”, “stop score”, and “third stop table” are associated with two sequences of “TRUE” and “FALSE”. Yes.
In the sub-sub-board 7, the main reel stop order matches the stop order set in the winning combination for gaming in the determination result indicated by the stop order determination data (or the sub-reel stop order is used for the effect. If it matches the set stop order), select the “TRUE” data table, otherwise select the “FALSE” data table.

Step ST202:
Next, the sub-sub board 7 performs the virtual stop of the stop target sub-reel created by the “stop score” of the data table selected according to the stop order determination data in step ST201 and the second stop prediction process (FIGS. 15 and 16). The “stop score” in the buffer (FIG. 17) is added to the same “symbol number”. FIG. 20 shows an example of the virtual stop buffer after the addition.

Step ST203:
Next, the sub sub board 7 refers to the data table selected according to the stop order determination data in step ST201, and the symbol (pressed position) at the predetermined position (lower stage) of the display 35 at the reception timing of the second sub reel stop data. The identification number and search flag of the third stop table (FIG. 24) corresponding to the “symbol number” of (symbol / second stop timing symbol) are acquired.
For example, when the “TRUE” data table is selected in the second stop table shown in FIG. 19, and the “symbol number” of the pressed position is “14”, the sub-sub board 7 is indicated by the dotted line in FIG. The identification number (1) and search flag (1) of the enclosed third stop table are acquired.

Step ST204:
Next, the sub sub-board 7 acquires a virtual stop buffer from the “symbol number” of the symbol at the pressed position to four frames ahead.
For example, in the case where the virtual stop buffer shown in FIG. 20 is created, if the “symbol number” at the pressed position is “15”, the sub-sub board 7 acquires the portion surrounded by the upper dotted line.

Step ST205:
Next, depending on the value of the search flag acquired in step ST203, the sub-sub board 7 moves to step ST206 if the search flag is “0”, and moves to step ST207 if it is “1”.

Step ST206:
When the search flag is “0”, the sub sub-board 7 determines the position of the stop position that is closest to the symbol of the pressed position and has the maximum stop score in the virtual stop buffer of all five frames acquired in step ST204. Set as a symbol.
For example, in the virtual stop buffer shown in FIG. 20, when the “symbol number” of the symbol at the pressed position is “15”, the sub-sub board 7 is “2” that is closest to the symbol at the pressed position and has the maximum stop score. The symbol of symbol number “17” is set as the stop position.
Further, in the virtual stop buffer shown in FIG. 20, when the “symbol number” of the symbol at the pressed position is “3”, the sub-sub board 7 is “0” which is closest to the symbol at the pressed position and has the maximum stop score. The symbol of symbol number “3” that is (all “0” in this example) is set as the stop position.

Step ST207:
On the other hand, when the search flag is “1”, the sub-sub board 7 finds the place that is farthest from the symbol of the pressed position and has the maximum stop score in the virtual stop buffer of all five frames acquired in step ST204. Set as a symbol for the stop position.
For example, in the virtual stop buffer shown in FIG. 20, when the “symbol number” of the symbol at the pressed position is “15”, the sub-sub board 7 is “2” which is the farthest from the symbol at the pressed position and has the maximum stop score. The symbol number “19” is set as the stop position.
Further, in the virtual stop buffer shown in FIG. 20, when the “symbol number” of the symbol at the pressed position is “3”, the sub-sub board 7 is “0” which is farthest from the symbol at the pressed position and has the maximum stop score. The symbol number “7”, which is (all in this example “0”), is set as the stop position.

  When the “symbol number” of the stop position is set in step ST206 or ST207, the sub-sub board 7 updates the video of the second sub-reel to be stopped when the symbol of the “symbol number” comes to a predetermined position (lower stage) of the display 35. Stop.

Step ST207:
When the stop position of the second sub reel is determined, the sub sub board 7 performs a third stop prediction process in preparation for the stop of the third sub reel. Also in the third stop prediction process, a virtual stop buffer in which “symbol number” and “stop score” are associated is created in the same manner as the second stop prediction process (FIGS. 15 and 16) described above.

21 and 22 are flowcharts for explaining the third stop prediction process.
Steps ST251 to ST265 in FIGS. 21 and 22 correspond to steps ST151 to ST165 in FIGS. 15 and 16, respectively, and substantially the same processing is executed. However, in the third stop prediction process, the process corresponding to step ST164 (FIG. 16) of the second stop prediction process is omitted.

  Next, the process of stopping the sub reel third from the start of rotation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Step ST301:
When the sub sub-board 7 receives the third sub-reel stop data for stopping the sub-reel for the third time and the stop order determination data indicating the determination result of the stop order from the sub-main board 5, the identification acquired in step ST203 (FIG. 18). The third stop table (FIG. 24) designated by the number is read, and a data table corresponding to the stop order determination data is selected from the third stop table.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of the second stop table.
In the second stop table shown in FIG. 24, “stop score” and “search flag” are the same as those in the second stop table shown in FIG. Also in the third stop table shown in FIG. 24, a data table in which “symbol number”, “stop score”, and “third stop table” are associated with each other includes two sequences of “TRUE” and “FALSE”. Yes.
In the sub-sub-board 7, the main reel stop order matches the stop order set in the winning combination for gaming in the determination result indicated by the stop order determination data (or the sub-reel stop order is used for the effect. If it matches the set stop order), select the “TRUE” data table, otherwise select the “FALSE” data table.

Step ST302:
The sub-sub board 7 receives the “stop score” of the data table selected according to the stop order determination data in step ST301, and the “stop score” of the virtual stop buffer of the stop target sub-reel created in the third stop prediction process (FIGS. 21 and 22). “Stop score” is added between the same “symbol numbers”.

Step ST303:
The sub-sub board 7 refers to the data table selected in accordance with the stop order determination data in step ST301, and the symbol at the predetermined position (lower stage) of the display 35 at the reception timing of the third sub-reel stop data (the symbol of the pressed position / The search flag corresponding to the “symbol number” of the third stop timing symbol) is acquired.

Step ST304:
The sub-sub board 7 acquires a virtual stop buffer from the “symbol number” of the symbol at the pressed position to four frames ahead.

Step ST305:
Depending on the value of the search flag acquired in step ST303, the sub sub-board 7 moves to step ST306 if the search flag is “0”, and moves to step ST307 if it is “1”.

Step ST306:
When the search flag is “0”, the sub sub-board 7 determines the position of the stop position that is closest to the symbol of the pressed position and has the maximum stop score in the virtual stop buffer of all five frames acquired in step ST304. Set as a symbol.

Step ST307:
On the other hand, when the search flag is “1”, the sub-sub board 7 stops the place that is farthest from the pressed position and has the maximum stop score in the virtual stop buffer of all 5 frames acquired in step ST304. Set as position symbol.

  When the “symbol number” of the stop position is set in step ST306 or ST307, the sub-sub board 7 updates the video of the third stop target sub-reel when the symbol of “symbol number” comes to a predetermined position (lower stage) of the display 35. Stop.

As described above, according to the pachislot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when data indicating the start of rotation of the main reel is input to the sub sub board 7 via the sub main board 5, the sub sub board 7 An image that starts rotating all at once is formed and displayed on the display 35. When data indicating the stop of the main reel is input to the sub sub board 7 via the sub main board 5, the sub sub board 7 configures an image in which the sub reel stops with a pattern according to the input timing of the data. It is displayed on the display 35.
Thus, in the pachislot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the sub-sub board 7 to which the data indicating the start of reel rotation is input constitutes a sub-reel rotation image and is displayed on the display 35. There is no need to designate the sub reel image for each frame period. Thereby, the data for screen control transmitted from the sub main board 5 to the sub sub board 7 can be greatly reduced. By reducing the data transmission for screen control, the delay time associated with the data transmission / reception process is shortened, and the response from when the start lever 205 is pressed until the sub reel starts to rotate can be significantly improved.
Further, in the pachislot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the sub-sub board 7 to which the data indicating the reel stop is input constitutes the sub-reel stop video and is displayed on the display 35, so that the screen control data is obtained in the same manner as described above. The response from when the reel stop button is pressed to when the sub-reel stops rotating can be significantly improved.

  Furthermore, according to the pachislot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, by reducing the data transmission for screen control from the sub-main board 5, the delay time associated with the data transmission / reception process is shortened, and the sub-sub board 7 has the image of the sub reel. Since the processing load for display is reduced, the frame rate of the sub-reel video displayed on the display 35 can be increased. For example, the frame rate of sub-reel video, which was conventionally 30 fps or less, can be increased to at least 60 fps by the present invention.

  In addition, according to the pachislot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, since various data relating to the rotation control of the sub reel image can be held in the sub sub board 7, it is necessary to manage an enormous amount of data in order to determine the production contents Therefore, it is possible to avoid the compression of the storage capacity of the sub main board 5.

  Moreover, according to the pachislot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the frame rate of the video displayed on the display 35 is changed according to the frame rate setting data stored in association with the video data in the storage unit of the sub-sub board 7. Therefore, each video can be displayed at an appropriate frame rate.

In addition, according to the pachislot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the frame rate is increased when the display 35 displays the sub-reel rotation image, so that a more realistic sub-reel rotation image is displayed. be able to.
In addition, since the frame rate is lowered when the sub-reel of the display 35 is stopped, even when a complicated animation is displayed when the sub-reel is stopped, the occurrence of frame dropping can be effectively prevented.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, The other various variation is included.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the frame rate setting data is stored in association with the video data in the storage unit of the sub-sub board 7, but the present invention is not limited to this. In another embodiment of the present invention, the sub main board 5 may determine the frame rate according to the contents of the effect, and transmit frame rate setting data indicating the determined frame rate to the sub sub board 5.

  In the embodiment described above, the sub-reel stop order is determined on the sub-main board 5, but the present invention is not limited to this. In another embodiment of the present invention, the sub-reel board 5 may determine the sub-reel stop order.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pachi slot machine, 3 ... Main board, 5 ... Sub main board, 7 ... Sub sub board, 11 ... Medal insertion part, 13 ... Medal paying part, 15 ... Lottery lottery part, 17 ... Reel rotation part, 20 ... Operation button group 31 ... Notification lamp, 35 ... Display, 37 ... Speaker, 201 ... Single bet button, 203 ... Three bet button, 205 ... Start lever, 207L ... Left stop button, 207M ... Middle stop button, 207R ... Right stop button

Claims (5)

A plurality of main reels each having a plurality of types of symbols on the peripheral surface,
A rotation drive unit that drives each of the plurality of main reels to rotate;
A start instruction input unit for inputting an instruction to start rotation of the plurality of main reels;
A stop instruction input unit for inputting an instruction to stop the rotation of each main reel;
When the start instruction is input at the start instruction input unit, the rotation driving unit is controlled so that the plurality of main reels rotate at the same time, and the stop instruction of one main reel is output at the stop instruction input unit. When input, the first control unit controls the rotation driving unit to stop the rotation of the one main reel, and outputs state data indicating the progress of the game due to the start and stop of the rotation of the main reel. When,
A directing unit that includes at least a display unit that displays an image, and that produces an effect according to the progress of the game;
A second control unit that outputs production designation data for designating production content corresponding to the state data of the first control unit;
A third control unit that controls the rendering unit to perform the rendering specified by the rendering designation data;
A video storage unit that stores video data and frame rate setting data related to a frame rate when the video data is displayed on the display unit in association with each other;
A frame buffer capable of storing at least one display screen;
Have
The third control unit
When the production designation data for designating the video to be displayed on the display unit is input, video data corresponding to the production designation data is acquired from the video storage unit, and the video storage unit is associated with the acquired video data. The screen based on the acquired video data is configured on the frame buffer for each frame period corresponding to the frame rate setting data stored in the frame, and the screen is read from the frame buffer for each frame period. Display on the display,
When the frame rate specified in the frame rate setting data of the video data newly read from the video storage unit is different from the previous frame rate, the time interval for configuring the screen on the frame buffer, and the frame Changing the frame rate by changing the time interval for reading the screen from the buffer and displaying it on the display unit according to the frame period corresponding to the new frame rate specified by the frame rate setting data,
Gaming machine. When the third control unit changes the frame rate, the display period of the last screen at the original frame rate is either a frame period corresponding to the original frame rate or a frame period corresponding to the new frame rate. Set the timing to read the first screen at the new frame rate from the frame buffer and display it on the display unit so as not to exceed the longer one,
The gaming machine according to claim 1. The third control unit generates integer data that increases or decreases with a certain width every first period, and sets the frame period to K times the first period (K is an integer of 2 or more). In the case where the remainder is obtained by dividing the integer data by K every first period, and when the remainder becomes equal to a predetermined integer value every K times the first period, the frame Read the screen from the buffer and display it on the display unit.
The gaming machine according to claim 2. The first control unit outputs start instruction data indicating the start instruction when the start instruction is input in the start instruction input unit, and when the stop instruction is input in the stop instruction input unit, Output stop instruction data indicating stop instruction,
The second control unit outputs the start instruction data and the stop instruction data input from the first control unit to the third control unit,
When the start instruction data is input from the second control unit, the third control unit variably displays a plurality of types of symbols on the display unit, sets the frame rate of the display unit to a first rate, 2 When the stop instruction data is input from the control unit, the variable display on the display unit is stopped with a pattern corresponding to the input timing, and the frame rate of the display unit is set to a second rate lower than the first rate. To
The gaming machine according to claim 3. The first control unit outputs start instruction data indicating the start instruction when the start instruction is input in the start instruction input unit, and when the stop instruction is input in the stop instruction input unit, Output stop instruction data indicating stop instruction,
The second control unit outputs the start instruction data and the stop instruction data input from the first control unit to the third control unit,
The third control unit
When the start instruction data is input from the second control unit, the frame rate of the display unit is set to the first rate before variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols on the display unit,
When the stop instruction data is input from the second control unit, the frame rate of the display unit is set to be lower than the first rate after the variable display of the display unit is stopped with a pattern corresponding to the input timing . A rate of 2,
The gaming machine according to claim 3 .