JP5037638B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a burden of signal transmission control on a game control means in the configuration provided with a display control means for executing the variable display control of a variable display device on the basis of signals received from the game control means. <P>SOLUTION: In a display control board 80, the data of a special symbol displayed at the end during a game are preserved. Then, in processing when displaying a big winning symbol during big winning control, a CPU for display control confirms whether or not a big winning symbol display command from the game control means is received, and when the big winning display command is received, loads the contents of a previous time symbol area storing big winning symbol data, and executes display control of displaying the big winning symbol at a variable display part for a prescribed period. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine in which a game is performed in accordance with a player's operation, and in particular, when a display result on a variable display device has a predetermined specific display mode, a predetermined gaming value It relates to a gaming machine that can be granted.

  As a gaming machine, a game medium such as a game ball is launched into a game area by a launching device, and when a game medium wins a prize area such as a prize opening provided in the game area, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the player. There is something to be done. Further, a variable display unit capable of changing the display state is provided, and is configured to give a predetermined game value to the player when the display result of the variable display unit becomes a predetermined specific display mode There is.

  The game value means that the state of the variable winning ball device provided in the gaming area of the gaming machine is advantageous to a player who is easy to win and a right to become advantageous to the player. Or a condition that the conditions for paying out premium game media are easily established. Further, when a predetermined amount of game balls or coins are awarded or a score is added in accordance with the establishment of a predetermined condition such as winning, these are referred to as value or valuable value.

  In a pachinko gaming machine, the fact that the display result of the variable display unit that displays the special symbol (identification information) is a combination of specific display modes that are set in advance is generally referred to as “big hit”. When the big hit occurs, for example, the big winning opening is opened a predetermined number of times, and the game shifts to a big hit gaming state where the hit ball is easy to win. And in each open period, if there is a prize for a predetermined number (for example, 10) of the big prize opening, the big prize opening is closed. And the number of times the special winning opening is opened is fixed to a predetermined number (for example, 16 rounds). An opening time (for example, 29.5 seconds) is determined for each opening, and even if the number of winnings does not reach a predetermined number, the big winning opening is closed when the opening time elapses. Further, when a predetermined condition (for example, winning in the V zone provided in the big prize opening) is not established at the time when the big prize opening is closed, the big hit gaming state is ended.

  In addition, among the combinations of “out of” display modes other than the “big hit” combination, the display results are already derived and displayed at a stage where some of the display results of the plurality of variable display portions have not yet been derived and displayed. A state in which the display mode of the variable display unit satisfies a display condition that is a combination of specific display modes is referred to as “reach”. A player plays a game while enjoying how to generate a big hit.

  The game progress in the gaming machine is controlled by game control means such as a microcomputer. Since there are a wide variety of variable display modes of identification information displayed on the variable display device, the capacity of the program related to variable display control is large. Therefore, it is difficult to control the identification information and the like displayed on the variable display device by the microcomputer of the game control means with limited program capacity, and the display control microcomputer is different from the microcomputer of the game control means. It is advisable to use (display control means).

  When a display control microcomputer is provided, the game control means appropriately sends a control signal to the display control microcomputer according to the progress of the game in order to synchronize the game control state and the variable display control state. There is a need. In that case, a control signal for designating identification information displayed on the variable display section, particularly stop identification information at the end of variable display, is sent to the display control microcomputer.

  That is, the display control means including the display control microcomputer performs variable display control of the variable display unit using at least a control signal designating stop identification information from the game control means. Therefore, when the control signal designating the stop identification information from the game control means cannot be normally received, the variable display control of the variable display unit may not be normally performed.

  Further, during the specific game state, the specific symbol that causes the control state to shift to the specific game state is displayed on the variable display section a plurality of times. Therefore, in order to display a specific symbol, the game control means needs to secure a plurality of pieces of identification information corresponding to the type of the specific symbol, and the identification corresponding to the specific symbol from the plurality of identification information. It was necessary to extract and send information. Therefore, the processing becomes complicated, and the processing load on the game control means is increased. Further, when the control signal designating a specific symbol from the game control means cannot be normally received, there is a case where the variable display control of the variable display unit in the specific game state cannot be performed normally.

  The present invention can reduce the burden of signal transmission control of the game control means in the configuration in which the display control means for performing variable display control of the variable display device based on the signal received from the game control means is provided. An object is to provide a gaming machine.

A gaming machine according to the present invention includes a special variable winning device that is controlled in an advantageous state for a player, and variable display means that can variably display identification information (for example, special symbols) in a plurality of variable display areas, In response to the establishment of the start condition for the operation for deriving the identification information, variable display as the operation for deriving the identification information is started (when the design variation starts when the condition for starting the derivation operation is established, the design variation is started. This means that the symbol stop control is started when the variation of the symbol is continuously performed during the game and the control for stopping the symbol is started when the condition for starting the derivation operation is satisfied. This means that when the combination of identification information derived as a display result is a specific display result determined in advance, a round in which the special variable winning device is controlled to an advantageous state is determined in advance. A gaming machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state that can be executed up to the number of rounds, and includes a game control means that controls the progress of the game, and a display control means that performs display control of the variable display means. Before the display result of the identification information is derived, a display result command for specifying the display result of the identification information (for example, a left middle right symbol designation command) is transmitted, and a specific display is performed in the variable display means during the specific gaming state. A display execution command for designating a trigger for display is transmitted to the display control means, and the command transmitted from the game control means is constituted by command data, and the game control means stores information that can identify the command data. It has a command transmission table, has a variable storage area for storing variable data that changes as the game progresses, and stores the variable data stored in the variable storage area The command transmission table stores the address data that can identify the address of the variable data set as the command data as the information that can identify the command data. The game control means specifies command data of the command to be transmitted according to the storage contents of the command transmission table, and the display control means is based on the display result command. The display result of the identification information is derived to the variable display means, and the display result specifying information related to the display result of the identification information (for example, information related to the display result on the variable display unit 9) is stored and held, When a display execution command is sent in the Display result specific display related to a specific display result based on the result specifying information (for example, information on the jackpot symbol) (for example, which symbol is a big hit, which line is a big hit, whether or not a probable big hit) Display for informing the contents such as, etc.) can be controlled to be displayed on the variable display means during the round in the specific gaming state, and when displaying the display result specific display, the identification information derived as the specific display result A part of the combination is displayed.

As described above, according to the present invention described in claim 1, a display result for specifying the display result of the identification information until the game control means derives the display result of the identification information. A command is transmitted, and a display execution command is sent to the display control means for specifying a trigger for performing a specific display on the variable display means during the specific gaming state, and the display control means displays the identification information based on the display result command. In addition to deriving the result to the variable display means, the display result specifying information related to the display result of the identification information is stored and held, and when the display execution command is transmitted in the specific gaming state, the specific display is performed and the display result is specified. It is possible to control the display of the display result specific display related to the specific display result mode by the information on the variable display means during the round in the specific gaming state. When the display is displayed, a part of the combination of identification information derived as a specific display result is displayed, so that the types of commands to be transmitted can be reduced and the processing load of the game control means Can be reduced. Further, the command transmitted from the game control means is constituted by command data, and the game control means includes a command transmission table in which information capable of specifying the command data is stored, and fluctuation data that varies according to the progress of the game. The variable data stored in the variable storage area is set as command data, and the command transmission table includes information on variable data set as command data as identifiable information. Address data capable of specifying an address is stored, and whether or not the stored content of the command transmission table is address data is distinguished by changing a predetermined bit of the stored content, and the game control means follows the stored content of the command transmission table. Identify the command data of the command to send, so display the command When transmitting to the control means, it is possible to obtain the effect that the same processing can be used for transmission only by changing the reference destination, and relatively simple processing for commands related to a plurality of control contents. Thus, it is possible to set command data and to distinguish which data is specified by a predetermined bit of stored contents.

It is the front view which looked at the pachinko game machine from the front. It is the front view which looked at the game board of the pachinko machine from the front. It is the rear view which looked at the pachinko game machine from the back. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the circuit structure in a main board | substrate. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of a display control circuit. It is a flowchart which shows the main process which CPU in a main board | substrate performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the relationship between a backup flag and whether to perform a game state restoration process. It is a flowchart which shows a 2 ms timer interruption process. It is explanatory drawing which shows each random number. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a left-right middle symbol. It is a flowchart which shows special symbol process processing It is a flowchart which shows the process which determines that the hit ball won the start winning opening. It is a flowchart which shows the process which determines the stop symbol of variable display, and the process which determines a fluctuation pattern. It is a flowchart which shows the process of jackpot determination. It is explanatory drawing which shows the signal line of a display control command. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the command form of a control command. It is a timing diagram showing the relationship between an 8-bit control signal and an INT signal constituting a control command. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the content of a display control command. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of 1 structure of a command transmission table. It is explanatory drawing which shows one structural example of the command data 2, and another structural example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of 1 structure of INT data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of 1 structure of a command transmission table. It is a flowchart which shows the process example of a display command control process. It is a flowchart which shows a command transmission routine. It is a flowchart which shows the main process which CPU for display control performs. It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the command reception buffer in a payout control means. It is a flowchart which shows a command reception interruption process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the symbol data storage area in a display control means. It is a flowchart which shows a command analysis process. It is a flowchart which shows a display control process process. It is a flowchart which shows the variation pattern command reception waiting process of a display control process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the state by which the fluctuation pattern command etc. were set to the command transmission table. It is a flowchart which shows all the design variation start processes of a display control process process. It is a flowchart which shows the process during symbol change of a display control process process. It is a flowchart which shows the process during symbol change of a display control process process. It is a flowchart which shows all the symbol stop waiting processes of a display control process. It is a flowchart which shows the jackpot display process of a display control process process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the state by which the jackpot display command etc. were set to the command transmission table. It is the front view which looked at the slot machine from the front. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the circuit structure of the main board | substrate mounted in the slot machine. It is a block diagram which shows the other example of the circuit structure of the main board | substrate mounted in the slot machine.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, the overall configuration of a pachinko gaming machine that is an example of a gaming machine will be described. 1 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as seen from the front, FIG. 2 is an overall rear view showing the internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and FIG. 3 is a rear view of the mechanism plate of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as seen from the back. In the following embodiments, a pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example. However, the gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to a pachinko gaming machine, and may be a coin gaming machine, for example. It can also be applied to image-type gaming machines and slot machines.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape. On the lower surface of the glass door frame 2 is a hitting ball supply tray 3. Under the hitting ball supply tray 3, there are provided an extra ball receiving tray 4 for storing the stored balls overflowing from the hitting ball supply tray 3 and a hitting operation handle (operation knob) 5 for firing the hitting ball. A game board 6 is detachably attached to the rear side of the glass door frame 2. A game area 7 is provided in front of the game board 6.

  Near the center of the game area 7, a variable display device 8 including a variable display unit 9 for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols and a variable display (ordinary symbol display) 10 using 7 segment LEDs is provided. . Further, a passage memory display (ordinary symbol memory display) 41 composed of four LEDs is provided below the variable display 10. In this embodiment, the variable display section 9 has three symbol display areas of “left”, “middle”, and “right”. A passing gate 11 for guiding a hit ball is provided on the side of the variable display device 8. The hit ball that has passed through the passage gate 11 is guided to the start winning opening 14 through the ball outlet 13. In the path between the passing gate 11 and the ball outlet 13, there is a gate switch 12 that detects a hit ball that has passed through the passing gate 11. The winning ball that has entered the start winning opening 14 is guided to the back of the game board 6 and detected by the start opening switch 17. A variable winning ball device 15 that opens and closes is provided below the start winning opening 14. The variable winning ball device 15 is opened by a solenoid 16.

  An open / close plate 20 that is opened by a solenoid 21 in a specific gaming state (big hit state) is provided below the variable winning ball device 15. In this embodiment, the opening / closing plate 20 is a means for opening and closing the special winning opening. Of the winning balls guided from the opening / closing plate 20 to the back of the game board 6, the winning ball entering one (V zone) is detected by the V winning switch 22. A winning ball from the opening / closing plate 20 is detected by the count switch 23. At the bottom of the variable display device 8, a start winning memory display 18 having four display units for displaying the number of winning balls that have entered the start winning opening 14 is provided. In this example, with the upper limit being four, each time there is a start prize, the start prize storage display 18 increases the number of lit display units one by one. Then, each time the variable display of the variable display unit 9 is started, the lit display unit is reduced by one.

  The game board 6 is provided with a plurality of winning holes 19, 24, and winning of each game ball to each of the winning holes 19, 24 is detected by correspondingly provided winning hole switches 19a, 24a. Decorative lamps 25 blinking during the game are provided around the left and right sides of the game area 7, and an outlet 26 for absorbing a hit ball that has not won a prize is provided below. Two speakers 27 that emit sound effects are provided on the left and right upper portions outside the game area 7. On the outer periphery of the game area 7, a game effect LED 28a and game effect lamps 28b and 28c are provided.

  In this example, a prize ball lamp 51 that is lit when a prize ball is paid out is provided in the vicinity of one speaker 27, and a ball break lamp 52 that is lit when a supply ball is cut out in the vicinity of the other speaker 27. Is provided. Further, FIG. 1 also shows a card unit 50 that is installed adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1 and enables lending of a ball by inserting a prepaid card.

  The card unit 50 has a usable indicator lamp 151 indicating whether or not it is in a usable state, and when the remaining amount information recorded in the card has a fraction (a number less than 100 yen), the fraction is indicated as a hitting tray. 3, a fraction display switch 152 for displaying on a frequency display LED provided in the vicinity of 3, a connecting table direction indicator 153 indicating which side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 corresponds to the card unit 50, in the card unit 50 Check the card insertion indicator lamp 154 indicating that a card is inserted, the card insertion slot 155 into which a card as a recording medium is inserted, and the mechanism of the card reader / writer provided on the back of the card insertion slot 155. In some cases, a card unit lock 156 is provided for releasing the card unit 50.

  The hit ball fired from the hit ball launching device enters the game area 7 through the hit ball rail, and then descends the game area 7. When the hit ball is detected by the gate switch 12 through the passing gate 11, the display number of the variable display 10 changes continuously. Further, when the hit ball enters the start winning opening 14 and is detected by the start opening switch 17, the symbol in the variable display portion 9 starts to rotate if the variation of the symbol can be started. If it is not in a state where the change of the symbol can be started, the start winning memory is increased by one.

  The rotation of the image in the variable display unit 9 stops when a certain time has elapsed. If the combination of images at the time of the stop is a combination of jackpot symbols, the game shifts to a jackpot gaming state. That is, the opening / closing plate 20 is opened until a predetermined time elapses or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of hit balls wins. When the hit ball enters the specific winning area while the opening / closing plate 20 is opened and is detected by the V winning switch 22, a continuation right is generated and the opening / closing plate 20 is opened again. The generation of the continuation right is allowed a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 rounds).

  When the combination of images in the variable display section 9 at the time of stop is a combination of jackpot symbols with probability fluctuations, the probability of the next jackpot increases. That is, it becomes a more advantageous state for the player in a high probability state. Further, when the stop symbol on the variable display 10 is a predetermined symbol (winning symbol), the variable winning ball device 15 is opened for a predetermined time. Further, in the high probability state, the probability that the stop symbol in the variable display 10 becomes a winning symbol is increased, and the opening time and the number of times of opening of the variable winning ball device 15 are increased.

Next, the structure of the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
On the back surface of the variable display device 8, as shown in FIG. 2, a ball storage tank 38 is provided on the upper part of the mechanism plate 36, and a game ball is received from above in a state where the pachinko gaming machine 1 is installed on the gaming machine installation island. The sphere storage tank 38 is supplied. The game balls in the ball storage tank 38 reach the ball payout device through the guide rod 39.

  The mechanism plate 36 includes a variable display control unit 29 for controlling the variable display unit 9 via the relay board 30, a game control board (main board) 31 covered with a board case 32 and mounted with a game control microcomputer, etc. A relay board 33 for relaying signals between the variable display control unit 29 and the game control board 31, and a payout control board 37 on which a prize ball control microcomputer for performing payout control of game balls is mounted. ing. Further, at the lower part of the mechanism plate 36, a hitting ball launching device 34 that launches a hitting ball into the game area 7 using the rotational force of the motor, game effect lamps / LEDs 28a, 28b, 28c, a prize ball lamp 51, and a ball break lamp A lamp control board 35 for sending a signal to 52 is installed.

  FIG. 3 is a rear view of the mechanism plate of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as seen from the back. The balls stored in the ball storage tank 38 pass through the guide rod 39 and pass through the ball break detectors (ball break switches) 187a and 187b, as shown in FIG. 3, through the ball supply rods 186a and 186b. Device 97 is reached. The ball break switches 187a and 187b are switches that detect the presence or absence of a game ball in the game ball passage, but a ball break detection switch 167 that detects a shortage of supply balls in the ball tank 38 is also provided. The game balls paid out from the ball payout device 97 are supplied to the hitting ball supply tray 3 provided on the front surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 through the connection port 45. A surplus ball passage 46 communicating with the surplus ball receiving tray 4 provided on the front surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is formed on the side of the communication port 45. A lot of premium balls based on the winnings are paid out and the hitting ball supply tray 3 becomes full. Finally, when the game balls reach the contact port 45 and further game balls are paid out, the game balls are surplus via the surplus ball passage 46. It is guided to the ball receiving tray 4. When the game ball is further paid out, the sensing lever 47 presses the full tank switch 48 and the full tank switch 48 is turned on. In this state, the rotation of the stepping motor in the ball dispensing device 97 is stopped, the operation of the ball dispensing device 97 is stopped, and the driving of the ball hitting device 34 is also stopped.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration in the main board 31. 4 also shows a payout control board 37, a lamp control board 35, a sound control board 70, a launch control board 91, and a display control board 80. The main board 31 includes a basic circuit 53 that controls the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to a program, a gate switch 12, a start port switch 17, a V winning switch 22, a count switch 23, winning port switches 19a and 24a, and a winning ball count switch 301A. And a solenoid circuit 59 for driving a solenoid 16 for opening / closing the variable winning ball apparatus 15 and a solenoid 21 for opening / closing the opening / closing plate 20 in accordance with a command from the basic circuit 53. Has been.

  Further, according to the data given from the basic circuit 53, the jackpot information indicating the occurrence of the jackpot, the effective starting information indicating the number of starting winning balls used for starting the image display of the variable display unit 9, and the fact that the probability variation has occurred. An information output circuit 64 is provided for outputting the probability variation information and the like to a host computer such as a hall management computer.

  The basic circuit 53 includes a ROM 54 that stores a game control program and the like, a RAM 55 that is an example of storage means used as a work memory, a CPU 56 that performs control operations according to the program, and an I / O port unit 57. In this embodiment, the ROM 54 and RAM 55 are built in the CPU 56. That is, the CPU 56 is a one-chip microcomputer. The one-chip microcomputer only needs to incorporate at least the RAM 55, and the ROM 54 and the I / O port unit 57 may be externally attached or built-in. The I / O port unit 57 is a terminal capable of inputting and outputting information in the microcomputer.

  Further, the main board 31 includes a system reset circuit 65 for resetting the basic circuit 53 when power is turned on, and an address signal supplied from the basic circuit 53 to decode any I / O port unit 57. An address decode circuit 67 for outputting a signal for selecting the / O port is provided. Note that there is switch information input to the main board 31 from the ball dispensing device 97, but these are omitted in FIG.

  A ball hitting device for hitting and launching a game ball is driven by a drive motor 94 controlled by a circuit on the launch control board 91. Then, the driving force of the drive motor 94 is adjusted according to the operation amount of the operation knob 5. That is, the circuit on the firing control board 91 is controlled so that the hit ball is fired at a speed corresponding to the operation amount of the operation knob 5.

  In this embodiment, the lamp control means mounted on the lamp control board 35 controls the display of the start memory indicator 18, the gate passing memory indicator 41 and the decoration lamp 25 provided on the game board. At the same time, display control of the game effect lamps / LEDs 28a, 28b, 28c, the prize ball lamp 51 and the ball-out lamp 52 provided on the frame side is performed. Here, the lamp control means is an example of a light emitter control means. Further, display control of the variable display unit 9 for variably displaying the special symbol and the variable display 10 for variably displaying the normal symbol is performed by display control means mounted on the display control board 80.

  FIG. 5 shows the circuit configuration in the display control board 80, which is an LCD (liquid crystal display device) 82, a variable display 10, and an output port (ports 0 and 2) 570 of the main board 31, which is one implementation example of the variable display unit 9. , 572 and the output buffer circuits 620 and 62A. The output port (output port 2) 572 outputs 8-bit data, and the output port 570 outputs a 1-bit strobe signal (INT signal).

  The display control CPU 101 operates in accordance with a program stored in the control data ROM 102. When an INT signal is input from the main board 31 via the noise filter 107 and the input buffer circuit 105B, display control is performed via the input buffer circuit 105A. Receive commands. As the input buffer circuits 105A and 105B, for example, general-purpose ICs 74HC540 and 74HC14 can be used. When the display control CPU 101 does not have an I / O port, an I / O port is provided between the input buffer circuits 105A and 105B and the display control CPU 101.

  Then, the display control CPU 101 performs display control of the screen displayed on the LCD 82 in accordance with the received display control command. Specifically, a command corresponding to the display control command is given to the VDP 103. The VDP 103 reads out necessary data from the character ROM 86. The VDP 103 generates image data to be displayed on the LCD 82 according to the input data, and outputs R, G, B signals and a synchronization signal to the LCD 82.

  5 also shows a reset circuit 83 for resetting the VDP 103, an oscillation circuit 85 for supplying an operation clock to the VDP 103, and a character ROM 86 for storing frequently used image data. The frequently used image data stored in the character ROM 86 is, for example, a person, animal, or an image made up of characters, figures, symbols, or the like displayed on the LCD 82.

  The input buffer circuits 105 </ b> A and 105 </ b> B can pass signals only in the direction from the main board 31 toward the display control board 80. Therefore, there is no room for signals to be transmitted from the display control board 80 side to the main board 31 side. That is, the input buffer circuits 105A and 105B constitute irreversible information input means together with the input ports. Even if the tampering is added to the circuit in the display control board 80, the signal output by the tampering is not transmitted to the main board 31 side.

  The outputs of the output ports 570 and 572 may be output to the display control board 80 as they are, but by providing the output buffer circuits 620 and 62A capable of transmitting signals only in one direction, the main board 31 and the display control board 80 are provided. One-way signal transmission can be made more reliable. That is, the output buffer circuits 620 and 62A constitute irreversible information output means together with the output ports.

  In addition, for example, a three-terminal capacitor or a ferrite bead is used as the noise filter 107 that cuts off the high-frequency signal. However, even if noise is added to the display control command between the substrates due to the presence of the noise filter 107, the influence is removed. Is done. A noise filter may also be provided on the output side of the buffer circuits 620 and 62A of the main board 31.

Next, the operation of the gaming machine will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a main process executed by the CPU 56 on the main board 31. When the gaming machine is powered on and the CPU 56 is activated, in the main process, the CPU 56 first performs necessary initial settings.

  In the initial setting process, the CPU 56 first sets the interrupt prohibition (step S1). Next, the interrupt mode is set to interrupt mode 2 (step S2), and a stack pointer designation address is set to the stack pointer (step S3). Then, the built-in device register is initialized (step S4). Further, after initialization (step S5) of CTC (counter / timer) and PIO (parallel input / output port) which are built-in devices (built-in peripheral circuits), the RAM is set in an accessible state (step S6).

  The CPU 56 used in this embodiment also incorporates an I / O port (PIO) and a timer / counter circuit (CTC). The CTC also includes two external clock / timer trigger inputs CLK / TRG2, 3 and two timer outputs ZC / TO0,1.

  The CPU 56 used in this embodiment has the following three types of maskable interrupt (INT) modes. When a maskable interrupt occurs, the CPU 56 automatically sets the interrupt disabled state and saves the contents of the program counter in the stack.

  Interrupt mode 0: The built-in device that has issued the interrupt request sends an RST instruction (1 byte) or a CALL instruction (3 bytes) onto the internal data bus of the CPU. Therefore, the CPU 56 executes the instruction at the address corresponding to the RST instruction or the address specified by the CALL instruction. At reset, the CPU 56 automatically enters interrupt mode 0. Therefore, when setting to interrupt mode 1 or interrupt mode 2, it is necessary to perform a process for setting to interrupt mode 1 or interrupt mode 2 in the initial setting process.

  Interrupt mode 1: In this mode, when an interrupt is accepted, the mode always jumps to address 0038 (h).

  Interrupt mode 2: A mode in which the address synthesized from the value (1 byte) of the specific register (I register) of the CPU 56 and the interrupt vector (1 byte: least significant bit 0) output by the built-in device indicates the interrupt address It is. That is, the interrupt address is an address indicated by 2 bytes in which the upper address is the value of the specific register and the lower address is the interrupt vector. Therefore, an interrupt process can be set at an arbitrary address (although it is skipped). Each built-in device has a function of sending an interrupt vector when making an interrupt request.

  Therefore, when the interrupt mode 2 is set, it becomes possible to easily process an interrupt request from each built-in device, and it is possible to install an interrupt process at an arbitrary position in the program. . Furthermore, unlike interrupt mode 1, it is also easy to prepare each interrupt process for each interrupt generation factor. As described above, in this embodiment, the CPU 56 is set to the interrupt mode 2 in step S2 of the initial setting process.

  Then, it is confirmed whether or not data protection processing (for example, power failure occurrence NMI processing such as addition of parity data) has been performed in the backup RAM area when the power is turned off (step S7). In this embodiment, when an unexpected power failure occurs, processing for protecting data in the backup RAM area is performed. When such protection processing is performed, it is assumed that there is a backup. When it is confirmed that there is no backup, the CPU 56 executes an initialization process.

  In this embodiment, whether or not there is backup data in the backup RAM area is confirmed by the state of the backup flag set in the backup RAM area when the power is turned off. In this example, as shown in FIG. 7, if “55H” is set in the backup flag area, it means that there is a backup (ON state), and if a value other than “55H” is set, there is no backup (OFF). State).

  After confirming that there is a backup, the CPU 56 performs a data check of the backup RAM area (parity check in this example). In the case of recovery after an unexpected power failure, the data in the backup RAM area should have been saved, so the check result is normal. If the check result is not normal, the internal state cannot be returned to the state at the time of power-off, and therefore an initialization process that is executed at the time of power-on not at the time of power failure recovery is executed.

  If the check result is normal (step S8), the CPU 56 performs a game state restoration process for returning the internal state of the game control means and the control state of the electric component control means such as the display control means to the state when the power is cut off. (Step S9). Then, the saved value of the PC (program counter) stored in the backup RAM area is set in the PC, and the address is restored.

  In the initialization process, the CPU 56 first performs a RAM clear process (step S11). Also, initial value setting processing for setting an initial value in a predetermined work area (for example, a normal symbol determination random number counter, a normal symbol determination buffer, a special symbol left middle right symbol buffer, a payout command storage pointer, etc.) is also performed. Further, a process for initializing the sub-boards (lamp control board 35, payout control board 37, voice control board 70, display control board 80) is executed (step S13). The process of initializing the sub board is a process of sending a command for initial setting, for example.

  Then, a CTC register set in the CPU 56 is set so that a timer interrupt is periodically generated every 2 ms (step S14). That is, a value corresponding to 2 ms is set in a predetermined register (time constant register) as an initial value. Since the interruption is prohibited in step S1 of the initial setting process, the interruption is permitted before the initialization process is completed (step S15).

  In this embodiment, the built-in CTC of the CPU 56 is set to repeatedly generate a timer interrupt. In this embodiment, the repetition period is set to 2 ms. When a timer interrupt occurs, as shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 56 sets a timer interrupt flag indicating that a timer interrupt has occurred, for example (step S12).

  When the execution of the initialization process (steps S11 to S15) is completed, the main process shifts to a loop process in which it is confirmed whether or not a timer interrupt has occurred (step S17). In the loop, display random number update processing (step S16) is also executed.

  When the CPU 56 recognizes that a timer interrupt has occurred in step S17, it executes the game control process of steps S21 to S31. In the game control process, the CPU 56 first inputs the state of switches such as the gate sensor 12, the start port switch 17, the count sensor 23, and the winning port switches 19a, 19b, 24a, and 24b via the switch circuit 58, Is determined (switching process: step S21).

  Next, various abnormality diagnosis processes are performed by the self-diagnosis function provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1, and an alarm is issued if necessary according to the result (error process: step S22).

  Next, a process of updating each counter indicating each determination random number such as a big hit determination random number used for game control is performed (step S23). The CPU 56 further performs a process of updating a display random number such as a random number that determines the type of stop symbol (step S24).

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing each random number. Each random number is used as follows.
(1) Random 1: Decide whether or not to generate a big hit (for big hit determination = special symbol determination)
(2) Random 2-1-2-3: For left / right centered symbol determination (3) Random 3: Determines the symbol combination at the time of jackpot (for jackpot symbol determination = for special symbol determination)
(4) Random 4: Determine the fluctuation pattern at the time of reach (for fluctuation pattern determination)

In order to enhance the game effect, random numbers other than the random numbers (1) to (4) are also used.
In step S23, the CPU 56 counts up (adds 1) a counter for generating the jackpot determination random number (1) and the jackpot symbol determination random number (3). That is, they are determination random numbers, and other random numbers are display random numbers.

  Further, the CPU 56 performs special symbol process processing (step S25). In the special symbol process control, corresponding processing is selected and executed according to a special symbol process flag for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 in a predetermined order according to the gaming state. The value of the special symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state. Further, normal symbol process processing is performed (step S26). In the normal symbol process, the corresponding process is selected and executed according to the normal symbol process flag for controlling the display state of the normal symbol display 10 in a predetermined order. The value of the normal symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state.

  Next, the CPU 56 performs a process of setting a display control command related to the special symbol in a predetermined area of the RAM 55 and sending the display control command (display control command control process: step S27).

  Further, the CPU 56 performs information output processing for outputting data such as jackpot information, start information, probability variation information supplied to the hall management computer, for example (step S29).

  Further, the CPU 56 issues a drive command to the solenoid circuit 59 when a predetermined condition is established (step S30). The solenoid circuit 359 drives the solenoids 49 and 54 in response to the drive command, and opens or closes the start winning opening 14 or the opening / closing plate 53.

  Then, the CPU 56 executes a prize ball process for setting the number of prize balls based on the detection outputs of the switches 46a, 50, 56 for detecting a winning at each prize opening (step S31). Specifically, a payout control command is output to the payout control board 37 in response to winning detection. The payout control CPU mounted on the payout control board 37 drives the ball payout device 76 in accordance with the payout control command.

  With the above control, in this embodiment, the game control process is started every 2 ms. In this embodiment, in the timer interrupt process, for example, only a flag indicating that an interrupt has occurred is set, and the game control process is executed in the main process, but the game control process is performed in the timer interrupt process. May be executed.

  In addition, the main process includes a process for determining whether or not to shift to the game control process, and whether or not the CPU 56 should shift to the game control process by the timer interrupt process based on the timer interrupt generated periodically. Since the flag for determining whether or not is set or the like, all of the game control processing is surely executed. In other words, until all the game control processes are executed, it is not determined whether or not to shift to the next game control process, so it is guaranteed that all the processes in the game control process are completed. ing.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the interrupt mode 2 is set in the initial setting process for the CPU 56 incorporating the CTC and PIO. Therefore, a periodic timer interrupt process using the built-in CTC can be easily realized. Also, the timer interrupt process can be set at an arbitrary position on the program. In addition, switch detection processing using the built-in PIO can be easily realized by interrupt processing. As a result, it is possible to obtain effects such as a simplified program configuration and a reduced number of program development steps.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a left / right middle symbol used in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, in this embodiment, the symbols displayed as the left and right middle symbols are the same 12 symbols in the left and right. When the symbol number 12 is displayed, the symbol number 1 is displayed next. Then, when the left and right middle symbols are stopped together with, for example, “one”, “three”, “five”, “seven”, “nine” or “geta”, a high probability state is set. That is, they become probabilistic symbols.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a special symbol process processing program executed by the CPU 56. The special symbol process shown in FIG. 11 is a specific process of step S25 in the flowchart of FIG. When performing the special symbol process, the CPU 56 performs any one of steps S300 to S309 according to the internal state after performing the fluctuation shortening timer subtraction process (step S310). The variation shortening timer is a timer for setting the variation time when the variation time of the special symbol is shortened.

  Special symbol change waiting process (step S300): The start winning opening 14 is hit and the start opening switch 17 is awaited. When the start opening switch 17 is turned on, if the start winning memorized number is not full, the starting win memorized number is incremented by 1 and a jackpot determining random number or the like is extracted.

  Special symbol determination process (step S301): When variable symbol special display can be started, the number of start winning memories is confirmed. If the start winning memorized number is not 0, it is determined whether to win or not according to the extracted value of the big hit determination random number.

  Stop symbol setting process (step S302): The stop symbol of the middle left and right symbols is determined.

  Reach operation setting process (step S303): It is determined whether or not to perform a reach operation based on a combination of left and right stop symbols, and when it is determined to reach, depending on the value of the random number for determining the variation pattern Determine the variable period for reach.

  All symbol variation start processing (step S304): Control is performed so that the variation display device 8 starts variation of all symbols. At this time, the left / right middle final stop symbol and the information for instructing the variation mode are transmitted to the display control board 80. When the process is finished, the internal state (process flag) is updated to shift to step S305.

  All symbol stop waiting process (step S305): When a predetermined time (the time indicated by the fluctuation reduction timer in step S310) has elapsed, all symbols displayed on the variable display device 8 are stopped. If the stop symbol is a combination of jackpot symbol, the internal state (process flag) is updated to shift to step S306. If not, the internal state is updated to shift to step S300.

  Big winning opening opening process (step S306): Control for opening the big winning opening is started. Specifically, the counter and the flag are initialized, and the solenoid 21 is driven to open the special winning opening. The process timer sets the execution time of the big prize opening opening process, and sets a big hit flag (a flag indicating that the big hit is being made). When the process is finished, the internal state (process flag) is updated to shift to step S307.

  Processing during opening of the special winning opening (step S307): Control for sending display control command data of the large winning opening round display to the display control board 80, processing for confirming establishment of the closing condition of the special winning opening, and the like are performed. If the final closing condition of the big prize opening is satisfied, the internal state is updated to shift to step S308.

  Specific area valid time process (step S308): The presence / absence of passing of the V winning switch 22 is monitored, and the process of confirming that the big hit gaming state continuation condition is satisfied is performed. If the condition for continuing the big hit gaming state is satisfied and there are still remaining rounds, the internal state is updated to shift to step S306. In addition, when the big hit gaming state continuation condition is not satisfied within a predetermined effective time, or when all rounds are finished, the internal state is updated to shift to step S309.

  Big hit end process (step S309): A display for notifying the player that the big hit gaming state has ended is performed. When the display is completed, the internal state is updated to shift to step S300.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing for determining that the hit ball has won the start winning opening 14. When the hit ball wins the start winning opening 14 provided in the game board 10, the start opening switch 17 is turned on. For example, in the special symbol variation waiting process in step S300 of the special symbol process, as shown in FIG. 12, when the CPU 56 determines that the start port switch 17 is turned on via the switch circuit 58 (step S41), the start is started. It is confirmed whether or not the number of winning prizes has reached the maximum value of 4 (step S42). If the starting winning memory number has not reached 4, the starting winning memory number is increased by 1 (step S43), and the value of each random number such as a big hit determination random number is extracted. Then, they are stored in a random value storage area corresponding to the value of the number of stored start winning prizes (step S44). When the start winning memory number has reached 4, the process for increasing the starting win memory number is not performed. That is, in this embodiment, it is possible to store the number of hit balls that have been won in a maximum of four start winning holes 17.

  In the special symbol process of step S25, the CPU 56 confirms the value of the start winning memorized number as shown in FIG. 13 (step S51). If the starting winning memory number is not 0, the value stored in the random number value storage area corresponding to the starting winning memory number = 1 is read (step S52), the value of the starting winning memory number is decreased by 1, and each The value in the random value storage area is shifted (step S53). That is, each value stored in the random number storage area corresponding to the starting winning memory number = n (n = 2, 3, 4) is stored in the random value storing area corresponding to the starting winning memory number = n−1. To do.

  Then, the CPU 56 determines the winning / losing based on the value read in step S52, that is, the extracted value of the jackpot determination random number (step S54). Here, the jackpot determination random number takes a value in the range of 0-299. As shown in FIG. 14, at the time of low probability, for example, when the value is “3”, it is determined as “big hit”, and when it is any other value, it is determined as “out of”. When the probability is high, for example, when the value is any one of “3”, “7”, “79”, “103”, “107”, “big hit” is determined. It is determined that it is out of place.

  When the big hit is determined, the big hit symbol determining random number (random 3) is extracted, and the big hit symbol is determined according to the value (step S55). In this embodiment, each symbol of the symbol number set in the jackpot symbol table corresponding to the extracted random 3 value is determined as a jackpot symbol. In the jackpot symbol table, left and right symbol numbers corresponding to combinations of a plurality of types of jackpot symbols are set. Further, the variation pattern of the symbol is determined based on the value read in step S52, that is, the value of the extracted random number for variation pattern determination (random 4) (step S56).

  When it is determined that there is a loss, the CPU 56 determines a stop symbol when it is not a big hit. In this embodiment, the left symbol is determined according to the value read in step S52, that is, the extracted random 2-1 value (step S57). Further, the medium symbol is determined according to the value of random 2-2 (step S58). Then, the right symbol is determined according to the random 2-3 value (step S59). Here, if the determined middle symbol matches the left and right symbols, the symbol corresponding to the value obtained by adding 1 to the random number corresponding to the middle symbol is set as the stop symbol of the middle symbol so that it does not match the jackpot symbol. To do.

  Further, when the left and right symbols become the same, that is, when it is determined that the reach is established, the CPU 56 reads the value read in step S52, that is, the extracted random number for determining the variation pattern (random 4). ) Is determined based on the value of () (step S60).

  In the high probability state, when a variation pattern having a shortened variation time is used as the variation pattern at the time of disconnection, in the high probability state, the CPU 56 uses the variation pattern at the time of normal disconnection or a shortened variation pattern. Whether to use is determined using, for example, a predetermined random number.

  As described above, it is determined whether the display mode of the symbol variation based on the start winning is the big hit, the reach mode, or the off mode, and the combination of the respective stop symbols is determined.

  The process shown in FIG. 13 corresponds to the process when the processes of steps S301 to S303 in the special symbol process shown in FIG. 11 are collectively shown.

  Next, transmission of display control commands from the main board 31 to the display control board 80 will be described. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing signal lines for display control commands transmitted from the main board 31 to the display control board 80. As shown in FIG. 15, in this embodiment, the display control command is transmitted from the main board 31 to the display control board 80 through eight signal lines of display control signals D0 to D7. In addition, a signal line for a display control INT signal for transmitting a strobe signal is also provided between the main board 31 and the display control board 80.

  In this embodiment, the display control command has a 2-byte structure. As shown in FIG. 16, the first byte represents MODE (command classification), and the second byte represents EXT (command type). The first bit (bit 7) of the MODE data is always “1”, and the first bit (bit 7) of the EXT data is always “0”. Note that the command form shown in FIG. 16 is an example, and other command forms may be used. In this example, the control command is composed of two control signals. However, the number of control signals constituting the control command may be one or a plurality of three or more. .

  FIG. 17 is a timing chart showing the relationship between an 8-bit control signal and an INT signal (strobe signal) that constitute a control command for the display control board 80. As shown in FIG. 16, when a predetermined period elapses after MODE or EXT data is output to the output port, the CPU 56 turns on an INT signal that is a signal indicating data output. Further, when a predetermined period has elapsed from that point, the INT signal is turned off.

  Although the display control command has been described here, the control commands sent to other sub-boards are also the same as the forms shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of a display control command sent to the display control board 80. In the example shown in FIG. 18, commands 8000 (H) to 80XX (H) are display control commands for designating a special symbol variation pattern in the variable display device 8 that variably displays a special symbol. Note that the command for specifying the variation pattern also serves as a variation start instruction.

  Commands 8F00 (H) and 8F01 (H) are a special symbol power-on designation command and a normal symbol power-on designation command sent when the power is turned on. The normal symbol power-on designation command is used when the display control means performs normal symbol variation control. When the normal symbol display 10 is controlled by the lamp control means, it is sent to the display control board 80. Not. When receiving the special symbol power-on designation command, the display control means starts control for initial display.

  Commands 91XX (H), 92XX (H), and 93XX (H) are display control commands for designating a left middle right stop symbol of a special symbol. Command A0XX (H) is a display control command (confirmation command) for instructing stop of variable symbol special display.

  The command BXXX is a display control command that is sent from the start of the big hit game to the end of the big hit game. The command B300 (H) is a command that is sent a predetermined number of times at a predetermined timing (for example, the number of rounds minus 1 at a timing at which a big hit symbol is displayed between rounds) during a big hit game. This is a display control command (hit symbol display command) for designating symbol display. Further, commands C000 to EXXXX are display control commands relating to the display state of the variable display unit 9 which is not related to special symbol fluctuations and big hit games. The commands D000 (H) to D400 (H) are display control commands relating to a normal symbol variation pattern.

  When the display control means of the display control board 80 receives the above-described display control command from the game control means of the main board 31, the display state of the variable display section 9 and the normal symbol display 10 according to the contents shown in FIG. change.

  When a control command is to be output from the game control means to each electric component control board (sub board), the command transmission table is set. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration example of the command transmission table. One command transmission table is composed of 3 bytes, and INT data is set in the first byte. In the command data 1 of the second byte, MODE data of the first byte of the control command is set. Then, in the command data 2 of the third byte, the EXT data of the second byte of the control command is set.

  Although the EXT data itself may be set in the area of the command data 2, the command data 2 is set with data (buffer specification data) for specifying the address of the table storing the EXT data. You may do it. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20A, if bit 7 (work area reference bit) of command data 2 is 0, it indicates that EXT data itself is set in command data 2. Such EXT data is data in which bit 7 is 0. Also, as shown in FIG. 20B, if the work area reference bit is 1, it is assumed that the other 7 bits (in FIG. 20B) each designates 18 types of buffers. Bits 4 to 0 are used, and bits 6 and 5 are unused.) Is an offset for specifying the address of the table in which the EXT data is stored (to specify the data storage location) Compensation region). The 18 kinds of buffers include, for example, a special symbol variation pattern buffer, a special symbol left symbol buffer, a special symbol middle symbol buffer, and a special symbol right symbol buffer.

  FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of INT data. Bit 0 in the INT data indicates whether or not a payout control command should be sent to the payout control board 37. If bit 0 is “1”, it indicates that a payout control command should be sent. Accordingly, the CPU 56 sets “01 (H)” in the INT data, for example, in the prize ball process (step S31 of the main process). Bit 1 in the INT data indicates whether or not a display control command should be sent to the display output control board 165. If bit 1 is “1”, it indicates that a display control command should be sent. Accordingly, the CPU 56 sets “02 (H)” in the INT data, for example, in the display control command control process (step S27 of the main process). Bits 2 and 3 of the INT data are bits indicating whether or not a lamp control command and a voice control command should be sent, respectively, and the CPU 56 performs special symbol process processing when it is time to send those commands. Etc., INT data, command data 1 and command data 2 are set in the command transmission table pointed to by the pointer (for example, special symbol command transmission pointer). When these commands are transmitted, the corresponding bit of the INT data is set to “1”, and MODE data and EXT data are set to the command data 1 and the command data 2.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of command transmission tables are prepared for each control command, and the command transmission table to be used is set before command transmission. A plurality of command transmission tables may be set as one table. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, one table including a plurality of command transmission tables capable of storing a plurality of display control commands is prepared. Therefore, for example, in the display control command control process, the CPU 56 sets INT data, command data 1 and command data 2 from the command transmission table pointed to by the pointer, and transmits a display control command. Then, the pointer is updated. Thereafter, the display control command transmission process is repeated until the command transmission table designated by the pointer indicates the end code. A part of a table prepared for each control command (for example, a table in which a payout number designation command is set) may be configured in a ring buffer format.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of the display control command control process (step S27) in the game control process shown in FIG. The display control command control process is a process including a command output process and an INT signal output process. In the display control command control process, the CPU 56 first saves the address (contents of the read pointer) of the command transmission table to a stack or the like (step S331). Then, the INT data of the command transmission table pointed to by the read pointer is loaded into the argument 1 (step S332). The argument 1 is input information for a command transmission process to be described later. Also, the address indicating the command transmission table is incremented by 1 (step S333). Therefore, the address indicating the command transmission table matches the address of the command data 1.

  Therefore, the CPU 56 reads the command data 1 and sets it as the argument 2 (step S334). The argument 2 is also input information for a command transmission process to be described later. Then, the command transmission processing routine is called (step S335).

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a command transmission routine. In the command transmission routine, the CPU 56 first sets the data set in the argument 1, that is, the INT data, in the work area determined as the comparison value (step S351). Next, the number of transmissions = 4 is set in the work area determined as the number of processes (step S352). Then, the port 1 address for outputting the payout control signal is set to the IO address (step S353). In this embodiment, the port 1 address is the output port address for outputting the payout control signal. The addresses of ports 2 to 4 are the addresses of output ports for outputting display control signals, lamp control signals, and audio control signals.

  Next, the CPU 56 shifts the comparison value to the right by 1 bit (step S354). As a result of the shift processing, it is confirmed whether or not the carry bit has become 1 (step S355). When the carry bit becomes 1, it means that the rightmost bit in the INT data is “1”. In this embodiment, four shift processes are performed. For example, when it is specified that a payout control command should be sent, the carry bit is set to 1 in the first shift process.

  When the carry bit becomes 1, the data set in the argument 2, in this case, the command data 1 (that is, MODE data) is output to the address set as the IO address (step S 356). Since the address of port 1 is set as the IO address when the first shift processing is performed, MODE data of the payout control command is output to port 1 at that time.

  Next, the CPU 56 adds 1 to the IO address (step S357) and subtracts 1 from the number of processes (step S358). If port 1 is indicated before addition, the address of port 2 is set as the IO address by the addition processing for the IO address. Port 2 is a port for outputting a display control command. Then, the CPU 56 confirms the value of the number of processes (step S359), and if the value is not 0, returns to step S354. In step S354, the shift process is performed again.

  In the second shift process, the value of bit 1 in the INT data is pushed out, and the carry flag is set to “1” or “0” depending on the value of bit 1. Therefore, it is checked whether or not it is specified that the display control command should be sent. Similarly, it is checked whether or not the lamp control command and the voice control command are to be transmitted by the third and fourth shift processes. As described above, when each shift process is performed, an IO address corresponding to a command (payout control command, display control command, lamp control command, voice control command) checked by the shift process is set in the IO address. Has been.

  Therefore, when the carry flag becomes “1”, a control command is sent to the corresponding output port (port 1 to port 4). That is, a single common module can perform control command transmission processing for each electric component control means.

  In addition, since it is determined to which electrical component control means the control command should be output only by the shift processing, the process for determining to which electrical component control means the control command should be output is simplified. It has become.

  Next, the CPU 56 reads the content of the argument 1 in which the INT data before the start of the shift process is stored (step S360), and outputs the read data to the port 0 (step S361). In this embodiment, the address of port 0 is a port for outputting an INT signal for each control signal, and bits 0 to 4 of port 0 are a payout control INT signal, a display control INT signal, and a ramp, respectively. This is a port for outputting a control INT signal and a voice control INT signal. In the INT data, the bit corresponding to the output bit of the INT signal corresponding to the control command (payout control command, display control command, lamp control command, voice control command) output in the processing of steps S351 to S359 is “1”. It has become. Therefore, the INT signal corresponding to the control command (payout control command, display control command, lamp control command, voice control command) output to any of the ports 1 to 4 is turned on.

  Next, the CPU 56 sets a predetermined value in the wait counter (step S362), and subtracts one by one until the value becomes 0 (steps S363 and S364). This process is a process for setting the ON period of the INT signal (control signal INT) shown in the timing chart of FIG. When the value of the wait counter becomes 0, clear data (00) is set (step S365), and the data is output to port 0 (step S366). Therefore, the INT signal is turned off. Then, a predetermined value is set in the wait counter (step S362), and 1 is subtracted one by one until the value becomes 0 (steps S368 and S369). This process is a process for setting a period from the fall of the first INT signal to the start of EXT data output.

  Therefore, the value set in the wait counter in step S367 is the period from the falling edge of the first INT signal until the start of EXT data output. The value is such that a sufficient period of time is obtained for surely receiving the command. Further, the value set in the wait counter is a value such that the period becomes longer than the time required for the processing of steps S351 to S359.

  As described above, the MODE data of the first byte of the control command is transmitted. Therefore, the CPU 56 adds 1 to the value indicating the command transmission table in step S336 shown in FIG. Therefore, the command data 2 area of the third byte is designated. The CPU 56 loads the contents of the indicated command data 2 into the argument 2 (step S337). Further, it is confirmed whether or not the value of bit 7 (work area reference bit) of the command data 2 is “0” (step S339). If not 0, the head address of the command extended data address table is set in the pointer (step S339), and the value of bit 6 to bit 0 of the command data 2 is added to the pointer to calculate the address (step S340). Then, the data of the area indicated by the address is loaded into the argument 2 (step S341).

  In the command extension data address table, EXT data that can be sent to the electrical component control means is sequentially set. Therefore, if the value of the work area reference bit is “1” by the above processing, the EXT data in the command extended data address table corresponding to the contents of the command data 2 is loaded into the argument 2 and the work area reference bit If the value is “0”, the contents of the command data 2 are loaded into the argument 2 as they are. Even when EXT data is read from the command extension data address table, bit 7 of the data is “0”.

  Next, the CPU 56 calls a command transmission routine (step S342). Therefore, the EXT data is transmitted at the same timing as the transmission of MODE data. Thereafter, the CPU 56 restores the address of the command transmission table (step S343) and updates the value of the read pointer indicating the command transmission table (step S344). When the value of the read pointer exceeds the position of the command transmission table 12 shown in FIG. 22, the value of the read pointer is returned to zero.

  Further, if a control command that has not been transmitted is set in the command transmission table, the process returns to step S331. When returning to step S331, control commands are continuously sent out, so a delay time is set in order to leave an interval between the control commands. Whether or not an untransmitted control command is set is determined, for example, by comparing the value of the command transmission counter with the value of the read pointer.

  As described above, each control command (payout control command, display control command, lamp control command, voice control command) having a 2-byte configuration is handled by the command control processing module which is one control signal output module. It is transmitted to the control means. In the electrical component control means, when the falling edge of the INT signal as the capture signal is detected, the control command capture process is started. A new signal from is not output to the signal line. That is, reliable command reception processing is performed in each electric component control means. In addition, each electric component control means may start taking in the control command at the rising edge of the INT signal. Further, the polarity of the INT signal may be reversed from that shown in FIG.

  Further, in this embodiment, when a plurality of control commands are set in the command transmission table, all control commands are sent out by one command control process. Since the command control process (for example, the display control command control process) is activated once every 2 ms, all the control commands are eventually transmitted in the main process activation period of 2 ms. In this embodiment, a plurality of command transmission tables are prepared for each control command (display control command, lamp control command, voice control command, payout control command) to each control means. When the control command is set in the command transmission table of the display control command, the lamp control command, and the voice control command, all the display control commands, the lamp control command, and the voice control command are transmitted in one command control process. It is also possible. That is, at the same time (meaning in one main process start cycle), those control commands can be sent out. Since the sending timing of these control commands is generated at the same time in the progress of the game effect, it is convenient to have such a configuration. However, since the payout control command is generated regardless of the progress of the game effect, it is generally not sent simultaneously with the display control command, the lamp control command, and the voice control command.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating main processing executed by the display control CPU 101. In the main process, an initialization process is first performed for clearing the RAM area, setting various initial values, and initializing a 2 ms timer for determining the display control activation interval (step S701). Thereafter, in this embodiment, the display control CPU 101 shifts to a loop process for monitoring the timer interrupt flag (step S702). In the loop, a process for updating a counter for generating a predetermined random number is also performed (step S710). Then, as shown in FIG. 26, when a timer interrupt occurs, the display control CPU 101 sets a timer interrupt flag (step S711). If the timer interrupt flag is set in the main process, the display control CPU 101 clears the flag (step S703) and executes the following variable display control process.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that the timer interrupt takes every 2 ms. That is, the variable display control process is started every 2 ms. In this embodiment, only the flag is set in the timer interrupt process, and the specific variable display control process is executed in the main process. However, the variable display control process may be executed in the timer interrupt process. .

  In the variable display control process, the display control CPU 101 first analyzes the received display control command (command analysis execution process: step S705). Next, the display control CPU 101 performs display control process processing (step S708). In the display control process process, a process corresponding to the current control state is selected and executed from among the processes corresponding to the control state. Thereafter, the process returns to step S710.

  Next, display control command reception processing from the main board 31 will be described. FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a command reception buffer for storing a display control command received from the main board 31. In this example, a command reception buffer of a ring buffer format capable of storing six display control commands having a 2-byte configuration is used. Therefore, the command reception buffer is configured by a 12-byte area of reception command buffers 1 to 12. A command reception number counter indicating in which area the received command is stored is used. The command reception number counter takes a value from 0 to 11. It is not always necessary to use the ring buffer format. For example, three symbol designating command storage areas (2 × 3 = 6 byte command receiving buffer) and other command storing areas for designating other variation patterns ( (2 × 1 = 2-byte command reception buffer). Similarly, the sound control means and the lamp control means may have a buffer format other than the ring buffer format. In this case, the display control means, the sound control means, and the lamp control means are controlled based on the latest command stored in the storage area such as the variation pattern. Thereby, it is possible to quickly respond to an instruction from the main board 31.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing display control command reception processing by interrupt processing. An INT signal for display control from the main board 31 is input to an interrupt terminal of the CPU 101 for display control. For example, when the INT signal from the main board 31 is turned on, the display control CPU 101 is interrupted. Then, the reception process of the display control command shown in FIG. 28 is started.

  In the display control command reception process, the display control CPU 101 first saves each register to the stack (step S670). When an interrupt occurs, the display control CPU 101 automatically sets the interrupt prohibited state. However, if a CPU that does not automatically enter the interrupt prohibited state is used, before executing the process of step S670. It is preferable to issue an interrupt prohibition instruction (DI instruction). Next, data is read from an input port assigned to input of display control command data (step S671). And it is confirmed whether it is the 1st byte of the display control command of 2 bytes composition (Step S672).

  Whether or not it is the first byte is confirmed by whether or not the first bit of the received command is “1”. The first bit is “1”, which should be MODE data (first byte) in the display control command having a 2-byte configuration (see FIG. 16). Therefore, if the first bit is “1”, the display control CPU 101 stores the received command in the reception command buffer indicated by the command reception number counter in the reception buffer area, assuming that the first valid byte has been received (step S1). S673).

  If it is not the first byte of the display control command, it is confirmed whether or not the first byte has already been received (step S674). Whether or not it has already been received is confirmed by whether or not valid data is set in the reception buffer (reception command buffer).

  If the first byte has already been received, it is confirmed whether or not the first bit of the received 1 byte is “0”. If the first bit is “0”, it is determined that a valid second byte has been received, and the received command is stored in the reception command buffer indicated by the command reception number counter + 1 in the reception buffer area (step S675). The first bit of “0” is supposed to be EXT data (second byte) in the display control command having a 2-byte configuration (see FIG. 16). If the confirmation result in step S674 indicates that the first byte has already been received, the process ends unless the first bit of the data received as the second byte is “0”.

  In step S675, when the command data of the second byte is stored, 2 is added to the command reception number counter (step S676). Then, it is confirmed whether or not the command reception counter is 12 or more (step S677), and if it is 12 or more, the command reception number counter is cleared (step S678). Thereafter, the saved register is restored (step S679), and interrupt permission is set (step S680).

  The display control command has a two-byte configuration, and the first byte (MODE) and the second byte (EXT) are configured to be immediately distinguishable on the receiving side. In other words, the reception side can immediately detect whether the data as MODE or the data as EXT has been received by the first bit. Therefore, as described above, it can be easily determined whether or not appropriate data has been received. This also applies to the payout control command, the lamp control command, and the voice control command.

  For example, the RAM of the display control means is provided with a data area (symbol data storage area) in which data for specifying left and right middle symbols is stored. FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a symbol data storage area in the display control means. In this example, a command indicating the left / right middle symbol received from the main board 31 is stored in the current symbol area. However, what is stored is EXT data (1 byte) in a 2-byte command. In this example, the content of the EXT data corresponds to the symbol number. Then, a validity flag indicating that the contents of the symbol area this time is valid is prepared. The contents of the current symbol area are copied to the previous symbol area when, for example, a confirmation command is received. At that time, the valid flag is cleared. That is, the current symbol area is initialized. The display control CPU 101 uses the left and right symbols designated by the symbol number stored in the symbol data storage area as a stop symbol to be displayed in the left and right special symbol display areas in the variable display unit 9. That is, the symbol designated by the symbol designation command is displayed on the variable display unit 9.

  FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating a specific example of command analysis processing (step S705). The display control command received from the main board 31 is stored in the reception command buffer. In the command analysis process, the content of the command stored in the reception command buffer is confirmed.

  In the command analysis process, the display control CPU 101 first checks whether or not a reception command is stored in the command reception buffer (step S681). Whether it is stored or not is determined by comparing the value of the command reception counter with the read pointer. The case where both match is the case where the received command is not stored. When the reception command is stored in the command reception buffer, the display control CPU 101 reads the reception command from the command reception buffer (step S682). When read, the value of the read pointer is incremented by one.

  If the received received command is a left symbol designation command (step S683), the EXT data of the command is stored in the left stop symbol storage area of the current storage area (step S684), and the corresponding valid flag is set (step S685). ). Whether or not it is a left symbol designation command can be immediately recognized by the first byte (MODE data) of the 2-byte display control command.

  If the received received command is a middle symbol designation command (step S686), the EXT data of that command is stored in the middle stop symbol storage area of the current storage area (step S687), and the corresponding valid flag is set (step S688). ). If the received received command is a right symbol designation command (step S689), the EXT data of the command is stored in the right stop symbol storage area of the current storage area (step S690), and the corresponding valid flag is set (step S691). ).

  If the read reception command is another display control command, a flag corresponding to the reception command is set (step S695).

  FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the display control process (step S708) in the main process shown in FIG. In the display control process, any one of steps S800 to S804 is performed according to the value of the display control process flag. In each process, the following process is executed.

Fluctuation pattern command reception waiting process (step S800): It is confirmed whether or not a display control command (variation pattern command) capable of specifying the fluctuation time has been received by the command reception interrupt process. Specifically, it is confirmed whether or not a flag indicating that the variation pattern command has been received is set. Such a flag is set when the received command stored in the received command buffer is a variation pattern command.
All symbol variation start processing (step S801): Control is performed so that variation of the left and right middle symbols is started.

  Symbol variation processing (step S802): Controls the switching timing of each variation state (variation speed, background, character) constituting the variation pattern, and monitors the end of the variation time. In addition, stop control of the left and right symbols is performed.

  All symbol stop waiting setting process (step S803): When the display control command (deterministic command) instructing all symbols to stop is received at the end of the variation time, the symbol variation is stopped and the stop symbol (determined symbol) is displayed. Control.

  Big hit display process (step S804): After the variation time is over, the control of probability variable big hit display or normal big hit display is performed.

  FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a variation pattern command reception waiting process in the display control process. In the variation pattern command reception waiting process, the display control CPU 101 checks whether or not the command non-reception timer has timed out (step S811). The command non-reception timer is timed out when a display control command indicating a change in symbol is not received from the main board 31 for a predetermined period or longer. If the time-out has occurred, the display control CPU 101 performs control to display a demonstration screen on the variable display unit 9 (step S812).

  If the command non-reception timer has not timed out, the display control CPU 101 checks whether or not a variation pattern command has been received (step S813). If it has been received, the value of the display control process flag is set to a value corresponding to all symbol variation start processing (step S814). Also, the validity flag in the current symbol area is reset (step S815).

  When changing the special symbol, the display control command first transmitted from the main board 31 to the display control board 80 is a command for designating the fluctuation pattern command indicating the fluctuation time and the stop symbol of the left and right middle symbols. They are stored in the received command buffer (see FIG. 27).

  The variation pattern command indicating the variation time and the command designating the left / right middle symbol stop symbol are transmitted in the display control command control process described above. When these commands are sent, for example, as shown in FIG. 33, the CPU 56 sets INT data, command data 1 and command data 2 in the command transmission table pointed to by the command transmission number counter. First, the first command data (command data for designating the variation pattern set in the command transmission table +0) composed of the above three data is transmitted. Next, in the display control command control process executed for the next 2 ms (in this embodiment, the repetition cycle in which the built-in CTC of the CPU 56 repeatedly generates a timer interrupt is set to 2 ms), the next command Data (command data for designating a special symbol left stop symbol set in the command transmission table +1) is transmitted. When such a process is repeated and the special symbol command transmission pointer indicates the end code, the command data is not transmitted until the command transmission table is effectively designated by the special symbol command transmission pointer. The command data transmitted in this manner is received by the command reception process described above and stored in the reception command buffer. Each value indicating the command shown in FIG. 33 is an example, and 81 (H), 82 (H), and 83 (H) indicating the special symbol left middle right symbols are, for example, “one” and “two”, respectively. , “3” is a command for displaying on the variable display section 9.

  If the variation pattern command has not been received, it is confirmed whether a confirmation command has been received (step S816). When the confirmation command is received, the symbol number corresponding to the valid flag on among the left and right middle symbol numbers in the current symbol area is loaded as the stop symbol number. For the symbols for which the valid flag is not turned on among the left and right middle symbols, the symbol number stored in the previous symbol area is loaded as the stop symbol number. (Step S817). When the symbol number stored in the previous symbol area is used, a temporary symbol use flag is set (step S818). A provisional symbol use flag is prepared for each of the left, right, and middle symbols.

  When the temporary symbol use flag is set, it is confirmed whether or not each symbol combination by the loaded symbol number is a big hit (steps S819 and S820). If it is a big hit combination, the symbol number of the symbol for which the temporary symbol use flag is set among the left and right middle symbols is incremented by 1 and the numerical value is set as the symbol number (step S821). By performing such control, even if the data of the previous symbol area (the stopped symbol used in the previous change) is temporarily used, the combination of big hits is prevented.

  For example, when the temporary symbol use flag is set corresponding to one of the left, right, middle symbols, the symbol number of the symbol for which the temporary symbol use flag is set is incremented by one. When the temporary symbol use flag is set corresponding to the left and right symbols, the symbol number of the left symbol is incremented by one. When the temporary symbol use flag is set corresponding to the left middle symbol, the symbol number of the left symbol is incremented by one. When the temporary symbol use flag is set corresponding to the middle right symbol, the symbol number of the right symbol is incremented by one. When the temporary symbol use flag is set corresponding to the left and right middle symbols, the symbol number of the left symbol is incremented by one. In this way, the symbol whose symbol number is incremented by 1 is determined in advance. However, the above selection method is merely an example, and the symbol whose symbol number is +1 among the left and right middle symbols may be determined in any way.

  Next, since the variation pattern data is not received and the variation time is not specified, the display control CPU 101 determines the time for performing the variation display of the special symbol (step S822). In this case, for example, the time until the display symbol is stopped in a state where the stop symbol is displayed is calculated according to the difference between the data indicating the left and right stop symbol (symbol number) and the data indicating the currently displayed symbol data. It is determined. Then, the determined time is set in the variation timer (step S823). The variation time may be determined in advance as the variation time when the variation pattern data is not received.

  Next, the contents of the current symbol area are copied to the previous symbol area (step S824), and the valid flag is reset (step S825). Also, the special symbol change is started (step S826), and the value of the display control process flag is set to a value corresponding to the all symbol stop waiting process (step S827).

  As a case where the confirmation command is received without receiving the variation pattern command, for example, the variation pattern command may not be received for some reason. Even in that case, as described above, the display control means can perform the variation control of the symbols so that the stopped symbols are displayed.

  And when the command which shows a stop symbol is not received, the stop symbol used in the last symbol change is used. Therefore, even when the display control command indicating the stop symbol cannot be received, the symbol variation control is not interrupted or stopped.

  FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing all symbol variation start processing in the display control process. In the all symbol variation start process, the display control CPU 101 first determines whether or not to make a reach notice and whether or not to make a big hit notice (step S830). Next, the display control CPU 101 determines to use a process table corresponding to the selected variation pattern (step S831). In each process table, each fluctuation state (fluctuation speed, fluctuation period at that speed, etc.) in the fluctuation pattern is set. Each process table is set in the ROM.

  Next, the display control CPU 101 sets a symbol designation command wait timer (in this example, 0.5 seconds) (step S832), and starts a variable time timer (step S833). Then, the variation of the special symbol is started (step S834), and the value of the display control process flag is set to a value corresponding to the processing during symbol variation (step S835).

  FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing the process during symbol change in the display control process. In the symbol variation processing, the display control CPU 101 first checks whether or not the timer set in step S832 has timed out (step S841). If it has timed out, stop symbol determination processing is performed as follows. Note that the value of 0.5 seconds in this embodiment is an example, and a different value is used depending on the difference in the structure of the gaming machine.

  That is, if the symbol designation command is received when the predetermined time (0.5 seconds in this example) has elapsed and the valid flag for the left symbol in the current symbol area is on (step S842), this time The symbol number stored in the left stop symbol storage area of the symbol area is loaded as the symbol number of the left stop symbol (step S843). If the valid flag for the left symbol is not on, the symbol number stored in the left stop symbol storage area of the previous symbol area is loaded as the symbol number of the left stop symbol (step S844), and the temporary symbol use flag is set. (Step S845).

  If the valid flag related to the middle symbol in the current symbol area is on (step S846), the symbol number stored in the middle stop symbol storage area of the current symbol area is loaded as the symbol number of the middle symbol (step S846). S847). If the valid flag relating to the middle symbol is not on, the symbol number stored in the middle stop symbol storage area of the previous symbol area is loaded as the symbol number of the middle stop symbol (step S848), and the temporary symbol use flag is set. (Step S849).

  If the valid flag for the right symbol in the current symbol area is on (step S850), the symbol number stored in the right stop symbol storage area in the current symbol area is loaded as the symbol number of the right stop symbol (step S850). S851). If the valid flag for the right symbol is not on, the symbol number stored in the right stop symbol storage area of the previous symbol area is loaded as the symbol number of the right stop symbol (step S852), and the provisional symbol use flag is set. (Step S853).

  As a result of the processing as described above, for example, when 0.5 seconds elapses after receiving the variation pattern command, the received symbol designation command is checked. Since the command to specify the stop symbol in the left and right is output following the fluctuation pattern command, generally, when 0.5 seconds have elapsed, the command to specify the stop symbol in the left and right has already been received, The corresponding symbol number is set in the symbol area this time. And when they receive a command to specify the left and right stop symbols, they are not checked immediately, but are checked after a certain time after reception. It will be good. For example, even when the symbol designation command is received in the order of middle → left → right, the left and right middle symbols are recognized by the display control means without any problem by the processing of steps S841 to S853.

  In addition, if there is a stop symbol designation command that has not been received among the left and right stop symbols after 0.5 seconds have elapsed, the stop symbol used in the previous change is used. Therefore, even when a command for designating a stop symbol is not received for some reason, the symbol variation control is continued.

  When the temporary symbol use flag is set, it is confirmed whether or not each symbol combination by the loaded symbol number is a big hit (steps S861, S862). If it is a big hit combination, the symbol number of the symbol for which the temporary symbol use flag is set is set to +1 among the left and right middle symbols, and the numerical value is set as the symbol number (step S863).

  With the above processing, if the display control means does not receive the symbol designation command within a predetermined period (0.5 seconds in this example) after receiving the variation pattern command, the symbol designation command not received is received. For symbols corresponding to the symbol (one or more of the left, right, and middle symbols), as a predetermined control, the symbol designating command received previously and the symbol corresponding to the latest symbol designating command is regarded as the designated stop symbol. For a symbol that has received a symbol designation command, control is performed such that the symbol designated by the command is a stop symbol. Further, variation control is performed using these symbols as stop symbols.

  Therefore, when the variation time has elapsed, the symbols loaded in steps S843 or S845, S847 or S848, and S851 or S852 are displayed on the variable display unit 9. Therefore, if the symbol designation command is not received within a predetermined period after the fluctuation pattern command is received by the above processing, the symbol corresponding to the symbol designation command not received at the end of the variation (left and right middle symbols). For one or more of the above, a symbol designating command previously received and a symbol corresponding to the latest symbol designating command (the symbol used in the previous change) is displayed on the variable display unit 9 as a stop symbol. For the symbol that has received the symbol designating command, the symbol designated by the command is displayed on the variable display unit 9 as a stop symbol.

  Since the right and left middle symbols usually have different stop timings, the above-described variation time timer is actually a timer that measures the variation time corresponding to the symbol that stops last among the left and right middle symbols. . For example, if the middle symbol is the symbol that stops last, the stop timing of the left symbol and the right symbol is determined according to the variation pattern. Therefore, in the symbol variation processing during the display control process, the display control CPU 101 When the stop timing of the left symbol arrives, control is performed to stop the left symbol, and when the stop timing of the right symbol arrives, control is performed to stop the right symbol.

  The variable time timer set here is a timer for setting a variable time for setting a display symbol as a designated stop symbol. Therefore, the time is determined by the received variation pattern command. In addition, when the fluctuation pattern command is not received, the fluctuation time is, for example, a predetermined time set when the fluctuation pattern command is not received (in this case, for example, the fluctuation pattern is also predetermined). Or the time determined by the relationship between the currently displayed symbol and the stop symbol.

  When the stop symbol is determined, the display control CPU 101 copies the contents of the current symbol area to the previous symbol area (step S864) and resets the valid flag (step S865). Further, the value of the display control process flag is set to a value corresponding to the all symbol stop waiting process (step S866).

  FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing all symbol stop waiting processing in the display control process. In the all symbol stop waiting process, the display control CPU 101 checks whether or not a confirmation command has not been received (step S881). This confirmation is performed depending on whether or not the confirmation command non-reception flag is set. The confirmation command non-reception flag may be reset, for example, when reception of the confirmation command is confirmed in step S816, and set when reception of the variation pattern command is confirmed in step S813.

  If the confirmation command non-reception flag is not on, the display control CPU 101 stops the variation of the symbol when the variation time timer times out (step S882) (step S883). In such a case (when the confirmation command is received without receiving the variation pattern command), since the jackpot control state is not set in this embodiment, the value of the display control process flag is set. A value corresponding to the variation pattern command reception waiting process is set (step S884).

  If the confirmation command non-reception flag is on, the display control CPU 101 stops the change of the symbol (step S886) when the reception of the confirmation command is confirmed (step S885). When the stop symbol is a big hit symbol (when shifting to the big hit control state), the value of the display control process flag is set to a value corresponding to the big hit display process (steps S887 and S888). On the other hand, if the stop symbol is an off symbol, the value of the display control process flag is set to a value corresponding to the variation pattern command reception waiting process (steps S887 and S884).

  If reception of the confirmation command is not confirmed in step S885, the display control CPU 101 confirms the variation time timer (step S889). Then, when the variable time timer times out, the display control CPU 101 displays an error screen (step S890).

  FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing the jackpot display process in the display control process. During the big hit control, various displays are made on the variable display unit 9. Here, the processing for displaying the big hit symbol will be described. The jackpot symbol is displayed during each round in the jackpot game. In the jackpot display process, the display control CPU 101 checks whether or not a jackpot symbol display command has been received (step S901). If the jackpot display command has been received, the display control CPU 101 loads the content of the previous symbol area in which the jackpot symbol data is stored (step S902), and the jackpot symbol (for example, “seven”, “seven”) is loaded. , “Seven”) is displayed on the variable display portion 9 for a predetermined period (for example, the period from when the round is over and the big prize opening is closed until the next round is started and the big prize opening is opened). Control is performed (step S903). Specifically, the VDP 103 is notified of a jackpot symbol display instruction. Then, the VDP 103 creates image data for the instructed display. Also, the image data is synthesized with the background image.

  The jackpot symbol display command indicating the trigger for displaying the jackpot symbol is set by the game control means during the above-described big prize opening opening process, and is transmitted in the aforementioned display control command control process. When a jackpot symbol display command is sent, for example, as shown in FIG. 39, the CPU 56 adds INT data, command data 1 and command data to the command transmission table pointed to by the command transmission number counter at a predetermined timing. 2 is set. In the display control command control process, command data (command data set in the command transmission table + n (n = 0 to 11)) configured by the three data is transmitted. Next, in the display control command control process executed for the next 2 ms (in this embodiment, the repetition cycle in which the built-in CTC of the CPU 56 repeatedly generates a timer interrupt is set to 2 ms), the next command Data (command data set in the command transmission table + (n + 1)) is transmitted. When such processing is repeated and the command transmission pointer indicates the end code, the command data is not transmitted until the command transmission table is effectively designated by the command transmission pointer. The command data transmitted in this manner is received by the command reception process described above and stored in the reception command buffer.

  Thus, in the jackpot display process, the display control of the variable display unit 9 related to the jackpot symbol is performed based on the jackpot symbol display command transmitted from the main board 31. In this embodiment, the display control means is requested to load the contents of the previous symbol area using a jackpot symbol display command, and the jackpot symbol is displayed on the variable display unit 9 based on the jackpot symbol data stored in the previous symbol area. It is made to display. Therefore, when displaying a jackpot symbol during a jackpot game, there is no need to prepare a number of jackpot symbol display commands corresponding to the type of jackpot symbol on the main board 31, and to provide an opportunity to display the jackpot symbol. It is only necessary to prepare one jackpot symbol display command. Therefore, it is possible to greatly reduce the display control commands used for displaying the big hit symbol. In the case of the big hit game control, the big hit symbol data is always stored in the previous symbol area by the process of step S864. And at least during the big hit game, the saved content of the previous symbol area is maintained.

  When the display control command indicating the end of the big hit game is received from the main board 31 (step S904), the display control CPU 101 sets a command non-reception timer to monitor the time until the next display control command is received. Start (step S905). Then, the value of the display control process flag is set to a value corresponding to the variation pattern command reception waiting process (step S906).

  As described above, in the above embodiment, the jackpot symbol display command is given to the display control means by the jackpot symbol display command, and the jackpot symbol data is stored using the data of the jackpot symbol stored in the previous symbol area. Since the display is made, the control burden on the game control means can be reduced. In other words, the game control means selects the corresponding jackpot display control command from the number of jackpot symbol display commands corresponding to the type of jackpot symbol when displaying the jackpot symbol on the variable display unit 9 during the jackpot game. Therefore, it is only necessary to send a jackpot symbol display command, which is a display control command for giving a trigger for displaying the jackpot symbol, so that the control burden on the game control means during the jackpot game is reduced.

  In addition, as described above, when displaying a jackpot symbol during a jackpot game, the display control means does not need to search for and extract the symbol indicated by the jackpot symbol display command received from the game control means each time it is displayed. In response to the reception of the jackpot symbol display command for giving a display trigger, it is only necessary to extract the stored information (hit symbol data) of the previous symbol area. Therefore, the control burden of the display control means during the big hit game is reduced.

  Further, as described above, in the display control means, in the command analysis process, control is performed regardless of the reception order of the display control commands indicating the left and right middle symbols, so the display control command of the game control means Sending control can be made flexible, and display control command sending control can be simplified.

  When the variation pattern command is received, the symbol variation in the variable display unit 9 is immediately stopped, and a temporary stop period is provided until the variation according to the received variation pattern is started. Also, the suspension period is always constant. Therefore, the processing is speeded up, and the operation is also stabilized by the temporary stop period.

  The display timing of the big hit symbol during the big hit control may be any timing such as a predetermined timing during the round or during the round. In addition, the display of the big hit symbol during the big hit control may be such that the big hit symbol is displayed as it is (for example, “7”, “7”, “7” is displayed), or a part of the big hit symbol is displayed. May be displayed (for example, “7” is displayed). Also, a jackpot line (for example, a jackpot symbol line in a gaming machine in which the jackpot symbol line affects the control state, such as a probability change when two lines are aligned) may be displayed. Furthermore, the display position of the big hit symbol during the big hit control may be anywhere, for example, displayed at the end of the variable display unit 9 and displayed along with other displays (for example, display of the count number, etc.). May be.

  Note that since there are various types of jackpots displayed on the variable display unit 9, the jackpot mode notification is not limited to the jackpot line or jackpot symbol, but may be any type. For example, in the case where the display area of the variable display section is, for example, 9 squares in a matrix, any 4 squares that are in contact with each other at the sides or corners and the same symbol is used in the gaming machine that is in the big hit control state, It is possible to recognize whether or not the symbols have the same design. For example, the big hit line is not limited to a straight line, and may be a bent line. That is, in a gaming machine that is in a big hit control state when, for example, the same symbol is aligned on a predetermined bent line, a display is provided that can recognize which bent line has the same symbol.

  Further, the display control board 80 is configured to store the left middle right symbol, but depending on the reception of the left middle right symbol command, for example, the type of the big hit symbol (for example, “7” in red) or the mode of the big hit symbol (For example, a line) may be stored and held in the display control board 80, and the notification during the big hit control may be performed using the stored information.

  Also, other existing display control commands may be used as the jackpot symbol command. For example, when the display of the big hit symbol is performed between rounds, the display control command for designating the display between the rounds may be used also as the big hit symbol command. In this case, when receiving a display control command for designating display between rounds from the main board 31, the display control CPU 101 performs display between rounds (for example, display such as “2R start”) on the variable display unit 9. At the same time, display about the jackpot symbol. With this configuration, it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated display control command for instructing display of information related to the jackpot symbol, so a large storage capacity is secured in the storage area of the main board 31. That can be unnecessary.

Further, the present invention is not limited to pachinko gaming machines but can be applied to other gaming machines such as slot machines. Hereinafter, an example in which the present invention is applied to a slot machine which is an example of another gaming machine will be described.
FIG. 40 is a front view of the slot machine 500 as viewed from the front. As shown in FIG. 40, in the slot machine 500, a game panel 501 is detachably attached near the center. In addition, a variable display area 502 in which a plurality of types of symbols are variably displayed is provided near the center of the front surface of the game panel 501. On the left side of the variable display area 502, a one-bet lamp 503, a two-bet lamp 504, and a three-bet lamp 505 are provided. On the right side of the variable display area 502, a game over lamp 506, a replay lamp 507, a weight lamp 508, a start lamp 509, and a medal insertion instruction lamp 510 are provided.

  Below the variable display area 502, there are provided a credit display 511, a game number display 512, and a payout display 513, each of which is composed of 7-segment LEDs and digitally displays the corresponding numerical values. In this embodiment, the variable display area 502 has three symbol display areas of “left”, “middle”, and “right”, and the symbol display reels 514a, 514b, and 514c correspond to the symbol display areas, respectively. Is provided. In addition, each of the upper portions of the variable display area 502 is composed of 7 segment LEDs, and a winning symbol display 515 for displaying a winning symbol at a predetermined timing during a big bonus game or a regular bonus game, and a predetermined timing. A winning line indicator 516 for displaying a winning line is provided.

  An operation table 520 in which various input switches and the like for the player to perform various operations is provided at the bottom of the game panel 501. Behind the operation table 520 is a BET switch 521 for betting (betting) one coin at a time, and a MAXBET switch for betting one coin at the maximum number (three in this example) that can be bet on one game. A checkout switch 523 and a coin insertion slot 524 are provided. Coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 524 are detected by an inserted coin sensor (not shown). In this example, every time a coin is inserted from the coin insertion slot 524, the numerical value displayed on the credit indicator 511 is increased by one, for example, with the upper limit being 50. Then, each time the BET switch 521 is pressed and one coin is bet, the numerical value displayed on the credit indicator 511 is decreased by one. Further, every time the MAXBET switch 522 is pressed and three coins are bet, the numerical value displayed on the credit display 511 is reduced by three.

  On the front side of the operation table 520, a start switch 525, a left reel stop switch 526a, a middle reel stop switch 526b, a right reel stop switch 526c, and a coin jam elimination switch 527 are provided. Lamps 528a and 528b are provided on the left and right sides of the operation table 520, respectively. A title panel 530 that is detachably attached is provided below the operation table 520. On the title panel 530, the model name of the slot machine is drawn. Below the title panel 530, a speaker 531 for outputting sound effects and the like is provided. In addition, a coin storage tray 532 that stores coins exceeding the amount that can be stored internally (50 in this example) is provided below the title panel 530.

  At the upper part of the game panel 501, a panel 540 that is detachably attached is provided. In the vicinity of the center of the panel 540, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 541 for notifying the player of a game method and a game state is provided. For example, when a winning occurs, an image in which the character performs a predetermined action is displayed on the LCD 541 to notify the player that a winning flag described later is set. On the upper part of the panel 540, lamps 542, 543, and 544 for notifying various information are provided. Two speakers 545a and 545b that emit sound effects are provided on the left and right sides of the panel 540. Further, game effect lamps 550, 551, 552, and 553 are provided around the outside of the game panel 501.

Next, a winning combination generated in the slot machine 500 will be described.
The winning combinations include small role winning, replay winning, big bonus winning, and regular bonus winning. In the slot machine 500, random numbers are extracted at the timing when the start switch 525 is operated, and it is determined whether or not the winning of any winning combination is allowed. The fact that winnings are allowed is said to be “winning internally”. When the internal winning is made, a winning flag indicating that is set in the slot machine 500.

  In the game with the winning flag set, the reels 514a to 514c are controlled so that the winning combination corresponding to the winning flag can be drawn. Accordingly, a winning combination corresponding to the winning flag can be generated by pushing the reels 514a to 514c. On the other hand, in a game in which the winning flag is not set, the reels 514a to 514c are controlled so that no winning is generated. Therefore, even if the reels 514a to 514c are pushed, the winning cannot be generated. If a winning flag corresponding to the winning flag cannot be generated even though the winning flag is set, the winning flag is cleared. However, the regular bonus and big bonus winning flags are different from the winning flags of other winning roles, and if the winning flag does not occur in the game with the winning flag set, it corresponds to the winning flag. The winning flag is carried over to the next and subsequent games until a prize is generated.

Here, the “small prize winning” is only accompanied by a valuable value (for example, credits or medals) without generating a special game such as a big bonus game or a regular bonus game, or generating a replay game. It is a prize.
The “replay prize” is a prize that gives a privilege that the next game can be started without consuming medals or credits.
The “regular bonus prize” is a prize awarded with a privilege that allows the regular bonus game to be performed a plurality of times. In the regular bonus game, only a special winning combination is valid during the regular bonus game, and the winning combination is won internally with a very high probability.
Furthermore, the “big bonus winning” is a winning in which a privilege that allows a big bonus game to be performed a plurality of times is given. In the big bonus game, the winning probability of the small role winning and the regular bonus winning is set to a high probability state. The big bonus game is provided until a regular bonus prize is generated a predetermined number of times or a predetermined upper limit number of big bonus games is consumed.

Next, an outline of the game provided by the slot machine will be described.
For example, when a coin is inserted from the coin insertion slot 524 and the BET switch 521 or the MAXBET switch 522 is pressed to set the bet number, the start lamp 509 is lit and the operation of the start switch 525 is effectively accepted. The player is informed that it has become. When the start switch 525 is operated by the player while the start lamp 509 is lit, the symbol display reels 514a to 514c provided in the variable display area 502 are not within the wait time period. Start spinning. The wait time is a game progress adjustment period set in the slot machine in order to prevent the game from progressing too quickly. In addition, when the regular bonus or big bonus win is internally won at the timing when the start switch 525 is operated, for example, the LCD 543 displays a screen on which a predetermined character performs a predetermined action. A player or the like is notified of the fact.

  When a predetermined time elapses after the symbol display reels 514a to 514c start rotating, the operation enable lamps provided in the reel stop switches 526a to 526c are turned on. When the operation valid lamp is lit, the player is notified that the operation of each of the reel stop switches 526a to 526c has become effective. The player can determine the order in which the symbol display reels 514a to 514c are stopped. When the player presses one of the reel stop switches 526a to 526c, the corresponding operation valid lamp is turned off. Thereafter, the rotation of the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch is stopped. If the symbol display reels 514a to 514c are left for a predetermined period or more without being stopped, the symbol display reels 514a to 514c are automatically stopped and the operation valid lamps are turned off.

  When all the symbol display reels 514a to 514c are stopped, the symbol display reels 514a to 514c displayed in the variable display area 502 are determined according to the number of bets among the upper, middle, and lower symbols. It is determined whether or not a prize has been won by a combination of symbols positioned on a valid winning line. When the bet number is 1, only the winning line in the middle horizontal row in the variable display area 502 is valid. When the bet number is 2, the top three, the middle, and the bottom three pay lines in the variable display area 502 are valid. When the number of bets is 3, a total of five pay lines including three horizontal rows and two diagonal rows in the variable display area 502 are effective lines.

  When a combination of symbols on the active line has a predetermined display form and a winning occurs, a predetermined game effect is made by sound, light, display on the LCD 543, etc. The game starts.

  FIG. 41 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of a main board (game control board) 600 provided in the slot machine 500. FIG. 41 also shows an effect control board 630 and a reel unit 650. Note that other boards such as a power supply board and a relay board are also connected to the main board 600, but are not shown in FIG. The main board 600 has a basic circuit 601 for controlling the slot machine 500 in accordance with a control program, a switch circuit 606 for supplying a signal from the start switch 525 and stop switch signals from the stop switches 526a to 526c to the basic circuit 601; A motor circuit 607 for driving a reel motor 651 and the like for rotating the symbol display reels 514a to 514c in accordance with a command from the basic circuit 501 is mounted. The motor circuit 607 outputs a reel control signal to the reel motor 630 in order to control rotation and stop of each of the symbol display reels 514a to 514c.

  The basic circuit 601 includes a CPU 602 that performs a control operation according to a program, a RAM 603 that is an example of a storage unit used as a work memory, a ROM 604 that stores a game control program, and the like, and an I / O port unit 605. In this embodiment, the RAM 603 and ROM 604 are built in the CPU 602. That is, the CPU 602 is a one-chip microcomputer. Note that the one-chip microcomputer only needs to include at least the RAM 603, and the ROM 604 and the I / O port unit 605 may be externally mounted or built-in. The I / O port unit 605 is a terminal capable of inputting / outputting information in the microcomputer.

  Further, the main board 600 includes, for example, an output buffer circuit 611 that outputs 8-bit data and a 1-bit strobe signal (INT signal), and a big hit random number (in this case, a random number that allows generation of a bonus game). A random number generation circuit 612 that generates each random number and a sampling circuit 613 that acquires a random number from the random number generation circuit 612 in response to reception of the start switch signal and outputs the random number to the basic circuit 601 are provided.

  In this embodiment, the effect control means mounted on the effect control board 630 performs display control of the various game effect lamps 550 provided in the slot machine 500, the fluorescent lamp 631, and the LCD 541. Further, the effect control means mounted on the effect control board 630 controls the sound output of the speakers 531, 545 a, 545 b provided in the slot machine 500. Further, the effect control means mounted on the effect control board 630 controls the lighting of the reel lamp 652. The LCD 541 displays various information such as a display for notifying the game state and the game method under the control of the effect control means.

  The reel unit 650 stores a reel motor 651, a reel lamp 652, a reel sensor 653, a winning symbol display 515, and a winning line display 516. The reel motor 651 is a motor for rotating the reels 514a to 514c. The reel lamp 652 is provided inside each of the reels 514a to 514c, and is a lamp for illuminating a symbol visually recognized in the variable display area 501 among the symbols drawn on the reels 514a to 514c from the inside of the reel. . The reel sensor 653 is a sensor for sensing the rotation state, the rotation speed, and the like of each reel 514a to 514c. The reel lamp 652, the winning symbol display 515, and the winning line display 516 are display-controlled by the effect control means mounted on the effect control board 630.

  As shown in FIG. 41, the detection signal of the start switch 525 is input to the basic circuit 601 via the switch circuit 606 and also to the sampling circuit 613. The basic circuit 601 outputs a reel control signal via the motor circuit 607 when the detection signal of the start switch 525 is input. The reel motor 651 is driven by the reel control signal, and the reels 514a to 514c start to rotate.

  The sampling circuit 613 extracts one random number from the random number generation circuit 612 and outputs it to the basic circuit 601 at the timing when the detection signal of the start switch 525 is input. The CPU 602 refers to the random number received from the sampling circuit 613 and the winning determination table for each winning combination stored in the ROM 604, determines whether or not to allow the generation of a winning for each winning combination, and the determination The result is stored in the RAM 603. In this manner, whether or not the winning combination is won is determined at the timing when the start switch 525 is operated. Thereafter, the CPU 602 controls the reels 514a to 514c according to the winning results for each winning combination.

  Further, the CPU 602 outputs a control command capable of specifying the start of the game to the effect control board 630 via the buffer circuit 611 in response to the detection signal of the start switch 525 being input. The effect control board 630 controls the game effect lamp 550 and the like, the LCD 541, and the like according to the effect pattern determined corresponding to the start of the game based on the received control command.

  Further, when the detection signal (stop switch signal) of the stop switches 526a to 526c is input, the CPU 602 stops the reel (any one of the reels 514a to 514c) corresponding to the stop switch signal via the motor circuit 607. A reel control signal is output to the reel motor 651. Further, the CPU 602 outputs a control command that can specify the stop timing of the reels 514a to 514c to the effect control board 630 via the buffer circuit 611 in response to the input of the stop switch signal. The effect control board 630 controls the game effect lamp 550 and the like, the LCD 541, and the like according to the effect pattern determined corresponding to the stop timing of the reels 514a to 514c based on the received control command.

  Next, winning mode notification processing in the case where a big bonus winning or a regular bonus winning has occurred and a specific gaming state is reached will be described. When the player presses each of the stop switches 526a to 526c at a predetermined timing with the internal winning state, the CPU 602 has a specific display mode in which a combination of identification information (designs) on the active line is predetermined. In this manner, the reel motor 651 is controlled to stop the symbol display reels 514a to 514c at predetermined positions to generate a big bonus prize or a regular bonus prize. Next, the CPU 602 transmits a left middle right winning symbol designation command (display result designation command) for designating a symbol that has been controlled to the specific gaming state to the effect control board 630. When the effect control means of the effect control board 630 receives the left middle right winning symbol designation command, the symbol (for example, “ 7 "), the type of the symbol (for example, red), the mode of the symbol (for example, the center line), and the like are stored.

  At a predetermined timing during the big bonus game or regular bonus game (for example, when there is Jack In, at the start of each game, at the end of each game, etc.), the CPU 602 A winning symbol display command (specific display command) that specifies the trigger of notification related to the symbol (for example, information that can specify which symbols are a big hit, what line is a big hit) ) To the effect control board 630. When the effect control means of the effect control board 630 receives a winning symbol display command, it performs a predetermined display on the winning symbol display 515 or the winning line indicator 516 based on the stored symbol, and the winning symbol or winning line is displayed. A display is made so that it can be identified. In this case, for example, a red “7” or a blue “7” is displayed on the winning symbol display 515 to notify the winning symbol, and a predetermined part of the winning line indicator 516 is turned on (for example, a right-upward movement). If the line is diagonal, the left LED lights the lower part of the horizontal line, the middle LED lights the middle part of the horizontal line, and the right LED lights the horizontal line). What should I do? In this way, during the duration of the big bonus game or the regular bonus game, the effect control means of the effect control board 630 receives a winning based on the information such as the stored symbols every time a winning symbol display command is received. The predetermined display as described above is performed on the symbol display 515 and the winning line display 516. For this reason, the main board 600 only needs to prepare one type of winning symbol display command.

  As described above, the slot machine 500 shown in this example can specify the variable display means (for example, the variable display area 502) capable of variably displaying the identification information, and the identification information that has been controlled by the specific gaming state. Specific information display means (for example, winning symbol display 515, winning line display 516) that can variably display such specific information (for example, information that can recognize that red “7” is aligned in a diagonal line). The variable display means starts variable display of identification information in response to the establishment of a change start condition (for example, the presence of a credit or the start switch 525 is pressed). A specific display result in which identification information derived in accordance with the timing of pressing 526c or the like is determined in advance (a display in which specific identical symbols are arranged on an effective line A slot machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state (for example, a big bonus game or a regular bonus game) that is advantageous to the player on the condition that it has become, and controls the progress of the game and the display of the variable display means Game control means (for example, CPU 602) to perform, and effect control means (for example, effect control means of the effect control board 630) for performing display control of the specific information display means, the game control means is identification information in the variable display means Until the display result is derived, a display result designation command (for example, a left middle right winning symbol designation command) for designating the display result of the identification information is transmitted, and the effect control means is based on the received display result designation command. In addition to specifying the identification information to be derived to the variable display means, the display result specifying information related to the display result of the identification information can be stored and retained Yes, in the specific gaming state, the game control means displays display result specifying information stored in the variable display that is controlled to the specific gaming state (for example, identification information that is controlled by the bonus game) Display result specific display (for example, display of identification information type or aspect that is a condition controlled by the bonus game) for informing the contents of a specific display result based on the variable display means. In the specific gaming state, the game control means transmits a display result specific display command (for example, a winning symbol display command) for specifying a trigger for performing the display result specific display to the effect control means. The production control means displays the display result specific display on the variable display means in response to reception of the display result specific display command. . Therefore, by using one type of display result specifying display command, it is possible to display various specific information indicating a winning symbol or a winning line, and an effect control command for designating specific information to be displayed. Since it is not necessary to perform transmission control, the processing load on the game control means can be reduced.

  In addition, the slot machine 500 is information that can specify the type of identification information whose display result specifying information is controlled to a specific gaming state, and the effect control means responds to reception of the display result specifying display command. Thus, the identification information may be displayed on the specific information display means. With this configuration, it is possible to display information that can specify the type of identification information, such as red “7”. Therefore, during the specific game state, it is possible to easily confirm the type of identification information that is a condition controlled to the specific game state.

  Further, the slot machine 500 is information that can specify the mode of the identification information in the specific display result that is the condition that the display result specifying information is controlled to the specific gaming state, and the effect control means displays the display result specifying display. It is good also as a structure which performs the display which shows the aspect of identification information on a specific information display means according to reception of a command. If comprised in this way, it will become possible to display an aspect, such as an arrangement direction of the identification information displayed on the variable display means, on the specific information display means by the display result specific display command. Therefore, it is possible to easily confirm the aspect of the identification information that is the condition controlled to the specific game state during the specific game state.

  Further, before the slot machine 500 stores the identification information specified by the presentation control means based on the newly received display result designation command, the identification information stored and held in the corresponding storage area is erased. You may comprise. With this configuration, the identification information can be sequentially updated and stored. Accordingly, the identification information displayed last on the variable display means can be specified by the display result specifying display command. Therefore, during the specific gaming state, it is possible to specify the identification information that is a condition controlled to the specific gaming state.

  Further, in the slot machine 500, the variable display means has a plurality of display areas (for example, three display areas of left, middle, and right), and the game control means has a plurality of display result designation commands corresponding to each of the display areas. The identification information derived to the variable display means based on a plurality of display result designation commands received by the effect control means may be specified. If comprised in this way, it will become possible to designate the display area of identification information with a display result designation command.

  Further, the command form and the command transmission / reception form may be the same as those of the pachinko machine described above, for example. Accordingly, the game control means may have a command transmission table for each command with different control, and the command may be output with reference to the command transmission table. In addition, the command transmission table may be configured to include at least information indicating the content of control performed according to the command. Further, the game control means has a variable storage area for storing variable data that varies according to the progress of the game, and is configured to output the control content with reference to the variable data in the variable storage area. As the information to be indicated, reference data indicating a reference destination of predetermined information may be used. Further, the reference data indicating the reference destination of the data specifying the display result of the identification information may be stored in the command transmission table of the display result specifying command. Further, the information indicating the content of control may be control data indicating the control content itself. Further, the command transmission table of the specific display command may be configured such that control data indicating the control content itself is stored as information indicating the control content. Further, the information indicating the contents of the control is configured to be distinguished by changing the head bit whether the reference data indicates the reference destination of the predetermined information or the control data indicating the control contents themselves. Also good. If it is set as the above each structure, the effect similar to the case of a pachinko machine can be acquired.

  In the slot machine 500, the winning symbol and the winning line are notified by displaying them on the winning symbol display 515 and the winning line indicator 516. However, the LCD 541 notifies the winning symbol and the winning line. It is good. FIG. 42 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main board (game control board) 600A provided in the slot machine 500 when the winning symbol and the winning line are notified by the LCD 541. In addition, about each part which makes the same structure as each part shown in FIG. 41 mentioned above, the same code | symbol is provided and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 42, in this example, the effect control board 630A includes a motor circuit 607A for driving a reel motor 651 that rotates the symbol display reels 514a to 514c. The effect control means of the effect control board 630A drives the motor circuit 607A in accordance with the effect control command from the main board and outputs a reel control signal to the reel motor 630 to control the rotation and stop of the symbol display reels 514a to 514c. To do. In this example, the output signal of the reel sensor 653 is also input to the effect control board 630.

  Next, winning mode notification processing in the case where a big bonus winning or a regular bonus winning in this example has occurred and a specific gaming state is reached will be described. The CPU 602 displays a stop symbol so that the symbol display reels 514a to 514c are stopped at a position where a winning is generated when each of the stop switches 526a to 526c is pressed at a predetermined timing by the player in a state where the internal winning is made. A left middle right symbol designation command (display result designation command) for designation is transmitted to the effect control board 630A. When the left middle right symbol designation command is received, the effect control means of the effect control board 630A stores the stop symbol in a predetermined storage area provided in the effect control board 630, and identification information (symbol) on the active line. Then, the reel motor 651 is controlled to stop the symbol display reels 514a to 514c at predetermined positions so that the combination becomes a predetermined display mode, and a big bonus prize or a regular bonus prize is generated. Therefore, in the effect control board 630A, in addition to the symbols that have been controlled under the specific gaming state, the symbol type and mode are stored in a predetermined storage area.

  At a predetermined timing during the big bonus game or the regular bonus game, the CPU 602 can notify the symbol related to the condition controlled to the specific gaming state (information that can specify information obtained by the stored symbol) And, for example, a winning symbol display command (specific display command) that specifies the trigger of which symbols can be specified) And sent to the effect control board 630A. When the winning symbol display command is received, the effect control means of the effect control board 630A performs a predetermined display on the display area of the LCD 541 based on the stored information related to the symbol. On the LCD 541, a display that can identify a winning symbol (for example, “7” is displayed in red, “7”, “7”, “7” is displayed) or a winning line is identified. Display (for example, “center line”, a winning line diagram, or, for example, a diagonal line in which symbols are displayed side by side). In this way, during the duration of the big bonus game or the regular bonus game, the effect control means of the effect control board 630A displays the display area of the LCD 541 based on the stored symbols every time a winning symbol display command is received. The predetermined display as described above is performed. For this reason, only one type of winning symbol display command needs to be prepared on the main board 600A.

  As described above, the other slot machine shown in this example includes variable display means (for example, the variable display area 502 and / or the LCD 541, or one of them) capable of variably displaying the identification information, and starts changing. The variable information is started to be displayed in response to the establishment of the condition (for example, the presence of credit or the start switch 525 is pressed), and is derived according to the presence / absence of internal winning or the timing of pressing the stop switches 526a to 526c. Specific gaming state advantageous to the player (for example, big bonus game, regular bonus, etc.) on the condition that the identification information obtained is a specific display result determined in advance (display with the same specific symbols on the active line) Game control means for controlling the progress of the game (for example, CPU 602) Display control means for controlling the display of the variable display means (for example, effect control means for the effect control board 630), and the game control means displays the identification information display result in the variable display means (for example, the variable display area 502). Until a display result designation command (for example, a left middle right winning symbol designation command) is transmitted, and the display control means is variable based on the received display result designation command. The identification information to be derived to the display means (for example, the variable display area 502) can be specified, and display result specifying information related to the display result of the identification information can be stored and held. In the specific gaming state, the game control means Display result specifying information stored in the variable display that has been controlled to the gaming state (for example, the condition controlled by the bonus game) Display result specifying display for notifying the contents of a specific display result (for example, display of the type and mode of identification information that is a condition controlled by the bonus game). A variable display means (for example, LCD 541) can be displayed. In the specific gaming state, the game control means displays a display result specific display command (for example, winning symbol display) for specifying a trigger for performing the display result specific display. Command) is transmitted to the effect control means, and the effect control means can recognize that the display result specifying display (for example, red “7” is aligned on the diagonal line) in response to receiving the display result specifying display command. Information) is displayed on variable display means (for example, LCD 541). Therefore, by using one type of display result specifying display command, it is possible to display various specific information indicating a winning symbol or a winning line, and an effect control command for designating specific information to be displayed. Since it is not necessary to perform transmission control, the processing load on the game control means can be reduced.

  As described above, the present invention can be applied to a slot machine, and the effects of the above-described embodiments can be obtained even when the present invention is applied to a slot machine.

  Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to each of the embodiments described above has a predetermined game value given to the player when the special symbol stop symbol variably displayed on the variable display unit 9 based on the start winning is a combination of the predetermined symbols. The first type pachinko gaming machine that can be granted, the second type pachinko that can be given a predetermined game value to the player if there is a winning in a predetermined area of the electric game that is released based on the start winning A third-class pachinko machine where a predetermined right is generated or continued when there is a prize for a predetermined electric combination that is released when a stop symbol of a symbol that is variably displayed based on a starting prize is a combination of a predetermined pattern The present invention can be applied even to a gaming machine.

  In the above embodiment, the following gaming machines are also disclosed.

The display control means is configured to display as a display result specifying display that can specify the type of identification information (for example, “3”, “7”, etc.) that is a condition controlled to the specific gaming state. A game machine.
According to such a configuration, according to the reception of the display result specifying display command, it is possible to display and notify which type of identification information is used to control the specific gaming state. Therefore, a player or a store clerk can easily confirm the type of identification information that is a condition controlled to the specific game state during the specific game state.

The variable display means has a plurality of variable display areas for variably displaying the identification information, the game control means transmits a plurality of display result designation commands corresponding to each of the plurality of variable display areas, and the display control means receives Based on the plurality of display result designation commands, the display result of the identification information derived in each of the plurality of variable display areas is specified, for example, the symbol displayed in the left display area is “1”, etc. A gaming machine that is configured to.
According to such a configuration, when there are a plurality of variable display areas, the types of commands can be reduced as compared to a command indicating the entire display result.

The variable display means has a plurality of lines (for example, straight lines, bent lines) on which a specific display result can be displayed as a combination of display results of a plurality of variable display areas, and the display control means displays the display result specific display. A gaming machine that is configured to perform a display capable of specifying in which line a specific display result that is a condition controlled to a specific gaming state is displayed in a plurality of lines.
According to such a configuration, it becomes possible for a player, a store clerk, or the like to easily check which line is used to control the specific game state during the specific game state.

The command transmitted from the game control means is constituted by command data, and the game control means includes a command transmission table in which information capable of specifying the command data is stored, and the command to be transmitted according to the stored contents of the command transmission table. A gaming machine configured to set command data.
According to such a configuration, when a command is transmitted to each electrical component control means, it is possible to send the command using the same process only by changing the reference destination.

A gaming machine configured to use different command transmission tables for a display result specifying command and a display result specifying display command.
According to such a configuration, development is not complicated at the time of development, and development is relatively easy.

The game control means has a variable storage area for storing variable data that varies as the game progresses, sets the variable data stored in the variable storage area as command data, and the command transmission table includes command data A game machine in which address data capable of specifying an address of variable data set as command data is stored as information that can be specified.
According to such a configuration, command data can be set with a relatively simple process for a plurality of commands related to control contents.

A gaming machine configured to discriminate whether or not the storage content of the command transmission table is address data by changing a predetermined bit of the storage content.
According to such a configuration, it is possible to distinguish which data is the predetermined bit of the stored content.

A gaming machine configured such that address data is stored in a command transmission table used for transmission of a display result designation command.
According to such a configuration, it is possible to smoothly transmit a command regarding a plurality of control contents.

The gaming machine is configured to set the storage content of the command transmission table as command data of a command to be transmitted in transmission of a display result specifying display command.
According to such a configuration, it is possible to perform processing with the data as it is, and it is possible to perform the command transmission processing with the control contents as they are, so that the processing load of the game control means is reduced. .

1 Pachinko machine 9 Variable display 31 Main board 56 CPU
80 Display control board 101 Display control CPU
500 slot machine 541 LCD
600 Main board 630 Production control board

Claims (1)

A special variable winning device that is controlled in an advantageous state for the player, and variable display means that can variably display the identification information in a plurality of variable display areas, according to the establishment of the start condition of the operation for deriving the identification information Starting variable display as the operation for deriving the identification information, and controlling the special variable prize-winning device in an advantageous state when the combination of the identification information derived as the display result becomes a predetermined specific display result. A gaming machine capable of controlling a specific gaming state that can be executed up to a predetermined number of rounds,
Game control means for controlling the progress of the game;
Display control means for performing display control of the variable display means,
The game control means includes
Before the display result of the identification information is derived, a display result command for specifying the display result of the identification information is transmitted,
A display execution command for specifying a trigger for performing a specific display in the variable display means during the specific gaming state is transmitted to the display control means;
The command transmitted from the game control means is composed of command data,
The game control means includes
It has a command transmission table that stores information that can identify command data,
It has a variable storage area for storing variable data that varies according to the progress of the game, the variable data stored in the variable storage area is set as command data,
In the command transmission table, address data that can specify the address of the variable data set as command data is stored as information that can specify the command data, and whether or not the stored content of the command transmission table is address data. Differentiated by differentiating certain bits of stored content,
The game control means specifies command data of a command to be transmitted according to the stored contents of the command transmission table,
The display control means includes
Based on the display result command, the display result of the identification information is derived to the variable display means, and the display result specifying information related to the display result of the identification information is stored and held,
When the display execution command is transmitted in the specific gaming state, the specific display is performed, and the display result specifying display related to the specific display result is displayed during the round in the specific gaming state by the display result specifying information. Control to display on the variable display means is possible,
When displaying the display result specific display, a part of a combination of identification information derived as a specific display result is displayed.

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