JP5068880B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine or a slot machine in which a game is performed in accordance with a player's operation, and in particular, on the condition that the display result on the variable display device has become a predetermined specific display mode. In particular, the present invention relates to a gaming machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state advantageous to the player.

  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. Furthermore, a variable display unit capable of changing the display state is provided, and the specific display state advantageous to the player is controlled on the condition that the display result of the variable display unit becomes a predetermined specific display mode. There is something that was configured.

  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 the display control microcomputer is provided, the game control means appropriately controls the display control microcomputer in accordance with the progress of the game in order to synchronize the game control state and the variable display control state. Need to send. In that case, a variable display control signal for designating various information related to the identification information displayed on the variable display section is sent to the display control microcomputer.

  If the game control means judges and sends out a control signal for all display contents displayed on the variable display device, the control burden on the game control means increases. It is preferable that the display contents are determined. However, when performing a plurality of effects with different identification information fluctuation timings, it is necessary to prepare a variable display control signal for each of the plurality of effects with different fluctuation timings. When switching the update of the identification information from the low speed state to the high speed state and stopping the effect (so-called “slip effect”) that stops at the identification information different from the normal process, separately from the normal effect that does not perform the slide effect Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a variable display control signal separately. Therefore, there is a problem that when the slide effect is to be performed, the number of variable display control signals increases, and the control burden on the game control means increases.

  The present invention provides a slide effect without requiring a large number of variable display control signals in a configuration provided with display control means for performing variable display control of a variable display device based on a control signal received from a game control means. An object is to provide a gaming machine that can be used.

The gaming machine according to the present invention includes a variable display device capable of performing variable display of a plurality of types of identification information in a predetermined order, provided that the display result of the variable display device is a predetermined specific display mode. The game machine can be controlled to a specific gaming state advantageous to the player, and controls the progress of the game and transmits a variable display control signal that specifies at least a variable display time of the identification information according to the progress of the game. A display capable of variably displaying the identification information by controlling the variable display device based on the game control means and the variable display time of the identification information specified for each variable display control signal transmitted from the game control means and control means, the game control means, when the power supply is stopped, and the process of setting the backup storage means to the backup flag, the backup storage means serial When the power supply is started, the backup flag is set in the backup storage means when the power supply is started including the process of creating the check data used for determining whether the contents are normal and storing the check data in the backup storage means On the condition that it is stored, a process for determining whether or not the stored contents of the backup storage means is normal by determining whether or not the check data stored in the backup storage means is normal, and the backup storage means When the stored contents are normal, a recovery process for returning the control state to the power-off state is executed. When the backup flag is not stored in the backup storage means, the backup storage means The stored contents of the backup storage means are not executed without executing the process of determining whether the stored contents are normal. Performs initialization processing for initialized, the display control unit, in the case of variably displaying identification information in response to reception of one variable display control signal, at a specific time when the predetermined, the identification information displayed it is characterized in that it is possible to display the reach mode after Tsu line display control replacing the any other identifying information without following a predetermined order.
With such a configuration, when the display control means variably displays the identification information in response to reception of one variable display control signal, the identification information displayed is followed in a predetermined order at a predetermined time point. because characterized in that intends row display control replacing the any other identification information without, it is possible to perform on the basis of the effect that transition number within a specific period is different for the same variable display control signal. Therefore, the number of variable display control signals can be reduced.

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 control 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 a flowchart which shows a command analysis process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the random number for a slide effect. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the random value table for slip production | presentation determination. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the operation | movement content of a fluctuation block. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a response | compatibility with the EXT data of a fluctuation pattern command, and a fluctuation pattern table. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a fluctuation pattern table. It is a flowchart which shows a display control process process. It is a flowchart which shows the display control command reception waiting process of a display control process process. It is a flowchart which shows the slide production | presentation setting process of a display control process 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 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 a timing chart which shows the example of the processing timing of the variable display process in case the slide production which CPU for display control performs is not performed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the display state of a variable display part in case a slip effect is not performed. It is a timing chart which shows the example of the processing timing of a variable display process in the case of performing the slide production which CPU for display control performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the display state of a variable display part in case a slip effect is performed. It is a timing chart which shows the other example of the process timing of the variable display process in the case of performing the slide effect which CPU for display control performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the display state of the variable display part in case a slip effect is performed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the display state of the variable display part in case a slip effect is performed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the display state of the variable display part in case a slip effect is performed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the display state of the variable display part in the case of shielding a design using another shielding character. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the display state of a variable display part in case replacement is performed to the same symbol. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the display state of a variable display part in case a symbol replacement is performed so that a symbol may be displayed in the reverse order of a normal arrangement order.

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 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 6. At the same time, display control of the game effect lamps / LEDs 28a, 28b, 28c, the prize ball lamp 51 and the ball break 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).

  When the execution of the initialization process (steps S11 to S15) is completed, the main process shifts to a loop process in which the display random number update process (step S16) is executed.

  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 the timer interruption occurs, as shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 56 executes the game control process in 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, the game control process is executed by the timer interrupt process. In the timer interrupt process, for example, only a flag indicating that an interrupt has occurred is set, and the game control process is performed in the main process. It may be executed.

  In addition, the timer interrupt is set in the main process, and the game control process is executed by the timer interrupt process based on the timer interrupt generated periodically by the internal timer of the CPU 56 during the execution of the loop process. All of the processing is performed reliably. In other words, the process does not return to the loop process until all the game control processes are executed, so that it is guaranteed that all the processes in the game control process are completed.

  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 10 symbols in the left and right. When the symbol number 0 is displayed, next, the symbol number 9 is displayed. Then, when the left and right middle symbols are all stopped at “1”, “3”, “5”, “7” or “9”, for example, 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 if it is determined to reach, according to 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 shortening timer in step S310) has elapsed, control is performed so that all symbols displayed on the variable display device 8 are stopped. At this time, information for instructing the stop of all symbols is transmitted to the display control board 80. 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 6, 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 respective 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 a prize ball process (game control process step S31). 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 game control 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 a process example of the display control command control process (step S27) in the game control process shown in FIG. The process shown in FIG. 23 is an example of a command control process including a display control command control process. 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 processing, first, initialization processing is performed for clearing the RAM area, setting various initial values, initializing a 33 ms timer for determining the display control activation interval, and the like (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 33 ms. That is, the variable display control process is started every 33 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.

  FIG. 29 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). ). The left middle right stop symbol storage area is provided in, for example, a RAM provided in the display control board 80.

  If the read command received is a variation pattern command (step S692), the display control CPU 101 stores the EXT data of the command in the variation pattern storage area (step S693) and sets the variation pattern reception flag (step S694). ). The variation pattern storage area is provided in, for example, a RAM provided in the display control board 80.

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

  FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing a slide effect random number handled by the display control CPU 101. The random number for the slip effect is for determining whether or not to perform the slip effect. In this example, the random effect determination random number is updated by a random number update process (step S710) in a loop process for checking the timer interrupt flag (step S702). In addition, the update of the random number for determining the slip effect is not limited to the case of performing the random number update process, and may be performed by the timer interrupt process, for example, or by both the random number update process and the timer interrupt process. It may be.

  FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the relationship between the extracted random number for slide effect and the slide effect. Whether or not to perform the slip effect is determined based on the EXT data in the display control command for designating the variation pattern. When the variation pattern command is received, the display control CPU 101 extracts a slide effect random number and specifies a determination table associated with the EXT data of the received variation pattern command. For example, when the value of the EXT data is a value indicating normal fluctuation (for example, 00 (H), see FIG. 33), the display control CPU 101 has any one of the values of the random number for the sliding effect extracted from 0 to 98. If so, it is decided not to perform the sliding effect, and if the extracted value is 99, it is determined to perform the sliding effect. When the value of the EXT data is a value indicating a deviation from the normal reach (01 (H), see FIG. 33), the display control CPU 101 has any value of 0 to 89 as the extracted random number for sliding effect. It is decided not to perform the slip effect, and if the extracted value is 90 to 99, it is determined to perform the slip effect. A plurality of slip effects may be prepared corresponding to the EXT data of the same variation pattern command. Further, the probability that the slip effect is selected may be different for each EXT data of the variation pattern command, or may be the same probability for some or all of the EXT data.

  FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram showing variable blocks used in this embodiment. Each variable block is stored in, for example, a ROM included in the display control board 80. In this example, the variation pattern table is configured by the combination of the variation blocks shown in FIG. 32. The variation pattern table will be described later. The display control CPU 101 executes a predetermined operation in accordance with a control program stored in each variable block. Each variation block is configured by a combination of a plurality of pattern operations.

  As shown in FIG. 32, the all symbol acceleration block is configured by a pattern operation for performing normal background display and each pattern operation for executing a process for starting the variable display of the left middle right special symbol. All symbol high-speed blocks are constituted by each pattern operation for executing high-speed fluctuation display of special symbols in the left and right.

  The left / right deceleration block A has a pattern operation for executing a process of replacing the left symbol with a symbol three symbols before the stop symbol, a pattern operation for performing a deceleration display of the left symbol, a pattern operation for performing fluctuation fluctuation of the left symbol, and a right symbol. Pattern action that executes processing to replace 3 symbols before the stop symbol, pattern action that performs deceleration display of the right symbol, pattern motion that does not display the shielding character, pattern motion that replaces the right symbol with the predetermined symbol, and right symbol It is configured by pattern operation that performs fluctuation fluctuation. The left / right deceleration block A is used when a slip effect is not performed.

  The left / right deceleration block B is a pattern operation that executes a process of replacing the left symbol with a symbol three symbols before the stop symbol, a pattern operation that performs a deceleration display of the left symbol, a pattern operation that performs fluctuation fluctuation of the left symbol, A pattern action that executes a process of replacing a symbol after one stop symbol, a pattern action that performs a deceleration display of the right symbol, a pattern operation that displays a shield character, a pattern motion that replaces the right symbol with a predetermined symbol, and a shield character The pattern operation is a non-display state, and the pattern operation is to change the right symbol. The left / right deceleration block B is used when performing a slip effect.

  The middle symbol deceleration block is configured by a pattern operation for executing a process of replacing the middle symbol by five symbols before the stop symbol, a pattern operation for performing a deceleration display of the middle symbol, and a pattern operation for performing fluctuation fluctuation. Also, the normal reach-off block is a pattern operation that displays the background used when performing the reach effect, a pattern operation that causes the left and right symbols to perform the reach operation, and a pattern that replaces the middle symbol with the symbol four symbols before the stop symbol. It consists of an operation, a pattern operation for displaying a middle symbol at a reduced speed, and a pattern operation for performing fluctuation fluctuation. In addition, the normal reach big hit block is a pattern operation that displays the background used when performing the reach effect, a pattern operation that causes the left and right symbols to perform the reach operation, and a pattern that replaces the middle symbol with the symbol four symbols before the stop symbol. It is composed of a pattern operation for performing a deceleration display of the middle symbol, a pattern operation for performing fluctuation fluctuation of the middle symbol, and a pattern operation for displaying the background used at the time of the big hit.

  FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the EXT data of the variation pattern command and the variation content (variation pattern table). FIG. 33 also shows a display time (variation time) determined according to each EXT data, and a slip selection rate indicating the probability that a slip effect will be selected. As shown in FIG. 33, since the EXT data of the variation pattern command and the variation content are associated with each other, one variation content is specified based on the EXT data of the variation pattern command. In addition, a slip selection rate is set for each variation. Specifically, a determination table (see FIG. 31) to be used is determined in accordance with the EXT data (that is, the fluctuation content) of the fluctuation pattern command.

  FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of the variation pattern table. The variation pattern table is set in a ROM included in the display control board 80. As shown in FIG. 34, each variation pattern table is provided corresponding to the EXT data of the variation pattern command. Each variation pattern table is composed of a plurality of variation blocks, and each variation state (variation speed, variation period at that speed, etc.) is set. In this example, as shown in FIG. 34, each variation pattern table is configured to be able to take any block of left and right symbol deceleration A and left and right symbol deceleration B. That is, there are a case where the left / right symbol deceleration A is selected and executed according to one EXT data, and a case where the left / right symbol deceleration B is selected and executed. Therefore, the effect period of the effect (no slip) performed based on the left / right symbol deceleration A and the effect period of the slide effect performed based on the left / right symbol deceleration B are set to the same period.

  FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing the display control process (step S708) in the main process shown in FIG. In the display control process process, any one of steps S800 to S805 is performed according to the value of the display control process flag. In each process, the following process is executed.

  Display control command reception waiting process (step S800): It is confirmed whether or not a display control command (variation pattern command) capable of specifying the variation 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.

  Slip effect setting process (step S801): It is determined whether or not to perform a slide effect, and when it is determined to perform a slide effect, the type of slip effect is determined.

  All symbol variation start processing (step S802): Control is performed so that variation of the left and right middle symbols is started.

  Symbol variation processing (step S803): 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 S804): When a display control command (confirmation command) instructing all symbol stops 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 S805): After the end of the fluctuation time, the control of the probability variable big hit display or the normal big hit display is performed.

  FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing the display control command reception waiting process (step S800). In the display control command reception waiting process, the display control CPU 101 first 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 confirms whether or not a display control command capable of specifying the fluctuation time has been received (step S813). In this embodiment, the display control command that can specify the variation time is one of the variation pattern designation commands (variation pattern designation # 1 to variation pattern designation XX-1) shown in FIG. When a display control command capable of specifying the variation time is received, the value of the display control process flag is changed to a value corresponding to the slip effect determination process (step S801) (step S814).

  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 indicating the fluctuation time and a command for designating the left and right middle symbols. They are stored in a definite command buffer.

  FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing a slip effect setting process (step S801). In the slip effect setting process, the display control CPU 101 first extracts a slide effect random number (step S821). Next, a determination value table (see FIG. 31) to be used is determined based on the value of the EXT data of the received variation pattern command (step S822). For example, if the EXT data is 00 (H), a normal variation determination value table is used (see FIGS. 31 and 33).

  Then, it is determined whether or not a slip effect is to be performed based on the extracted effect random number and the determined determination value table (step S823). When the slip effect is not performed, in the change pattern table selected based on the EXT data, a table including the left / right deceleration A block processing (no slip effect) is set as the change pattern table to be used (step S824). . On the other hand, in the case of performing a slide effect, in the change pattern table selected based on the EXT data, a table including the left / right deceleration B block processing (with a slide effect) is set as the change pattern table to be used (step S825). ). Then, the display control CPU 101 changes the value of the display control process flag to a value corresponding to the all symbol variation start processing (step S802) (step S826).

  Here, a description will be given of a transmission pattern of a change pattern command indicating a change time and a command for designating a stop symbol of left and right middle symbols. 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 transmitted, for example, as shown in FIG. 38, 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. 38 is an example, and 81 (H), 82 (H), and 83 (H) indicating the special symbol left middle right symbols are, for example, “1” and “2”, respectively. , “3” is a command for displaying the variable display unit 9.

  FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing all symbol variation start processing (step S802) in the display control process. In the all symbol variation start process, the display control CPU 101 first starts a variation time timer (step S840). Next, the special symbol variation is started (step S841), and the value of the display control process flag is set to a value corresponding to the symbol variation processing (step S842).

  FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing the symbol variation processing (step S803). In the symbol variation processing, the display control CPU 101 performs variation display on the variable display unit 9 in accordance with the contents shown in the variation pattern table set in step S824 or step S825 (step S851). Specifically, the display control CPU 101 controls the VDP 103 so that the display on the variable display unit 9 is performed according to the set variation pattern table.

  Next, the display control CPU 101 checks whether or not the variable time timer has timed out (step S852). When the variable time timer times out, the value of the display control process flag is changed to a value corresponding to the all symbol stop waiting process (step S804) (step S853).

  FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing the all symbol stop waiting process (step S804). In the all symbol stop waiting process, the display control CPU 101 confirms whether or not a display control command instructing all symbol stops has been received (step S871). If a display control command for instructing stop of all symbols has been received, control is performed to stop the symbols with the stored stop symbol (step S872). Then, in order to monitor the time until reception of the next display control command, a command non-reception timer is started (step S873).

  If the display control command for designating all symbols to be stopped has not been received, it is confirmed whether or not the monitoring timer has timed out (step S875). If time-out occurs, it is determined that some abnormality has occurred, and control is performed to display an error screen on the variable display unit 9 (step S876).

  When the processing of step S873 is performed, if the big hit symbol is displayed in step S872, the display control CPU 101 sets the value of the display control process flag to a value corresponding to the big hit display processing (step S805) (step S805). S874). Note that if the jackpot symbol is not displayed in step S872 (when the missing symbol is displayed), the display control CPU 101 sets the value of the display control process flag to the value corresponding to the display control command reception waiting process (step S800). Set to.

  FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing the jackpot display process (step S805). In the big hit display process, the display control CPU 101 determines whether or not it is a probable big hit (step S881). For example, the display control CPU 101 can determine whether or not it is a probable big hit based on a confirmed symbol. If it is the probability variation big hit, the display control CPU 101 performs, for example, display control for displaying “probability big hit” on the variable display unit 9 (step S882). Specifically, the display instruction of “probability big hit” is notified to the VDP 103. Then, the VDP 103 creates image data for the instructed display. Also, the image data is synthesized with the background image. If it is not a probable big hit, the display control CPU 101 performs display control for displaying, for example, “big hit” on the variable display unit 9 (step S883).

  Thereafter, in the jackpot display process, display control of the variable display unit 9 is performed based on the display control command in the jackpot gaming state transmitted from the main board 31. For example, the number of rounds is displayed. When a display control command indicating the end of the big hit game is received from the main board 31 (step S884), the value of the display control process flag is set to a value corresponding to display control command reception waiting (step S800) (step S885). .

  Hereinafter, an example of the processing timing of the variable display process executed by the display control CPU 101 based on the same variation pattern command and the display state of the variable display unit 9 at that time will be described. Rough production contents (see FIG. 33) are designated by the fluctuation pattern command from the main board 31, and detailed production contents (for example, whether or not to perform a sliding presentation, a mode of a sliding presentation, and a special display that is displayed at the time of fluctuation display. Symbols etc.) are determined by the display control board 80, and the following processing is performed based on the determined contents of the effect. Here, the fluctuation state of the left and right symbols will be described, and the description of the fluctuation state of the middle symbol will be omitted.

  First, processing when it is determined not to perform a slip effect (when the left / right symbol deceleration A is selected) will be described. 43A and 43B are timing charts showing an example of processing timing of variable display processing (no slip effect) executed by the display control CPU 101 based on reception of the variation pattern command. Note that FIG. 43B shows an example of processing timing in the case where replacement to the same symbol is performed at a specific time (for example, T3), and FIG. 43A shows replacement to the same symbol at a specific time. The example of the processing timing when not performing is shown. The process shown in FIG. 43A and the process shown in FIG. 43B can be defined by the same variation pattern command because the contents displayed on the variable display unit 9 are the same. Therefore, in this example, when a predetermined variation pattern command is received and it is determined not to perform a slip effect, the display control board 80 selects which process to execute, and executes any process. The FIG. 44 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display state of the variable display section 9 when the process of FIG. 43A or 43B is being executed.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 43, high-speed fluctuation is performed in the “left” and “right” symbol display areas in the variable display section 9 at the fluctuation start timing (L1, R1) (FIG. 44A). )). After that, at the timing of the left symbol replacement (L2), control is performed so that the symbol three symbols before the stopped symbol is displayed in the “left” symbol display area (FIG. 44 (B)), and then the low-speed fluctuation occurs. 3 symbols are changed (FIG. 44 (C) to FIG. 44 (E)). Then, at the start timing (L3) of the left symbol fluctuation, the symbol is repeatedly changed in the direction opposite to the normal direction of the change direction in the “left” symbol display area. That is, display control is performed in a so-called fluctuation fluctuation state. The fluctuation of shaking means that the symbol is displayed to shake up and down. In addition, it is good also as an aspect which shakes a fluctuation to the right and left instead of the aspect which shakes a symbol up and down.

  At the same time as the fluctuation in the “left” symbol display area is started, at the “right” symbol display area in the “right” symbol display area, the right symbol replacement timing (R2) in the “right” symbol display area. The symbol three symbols before the stopped symbol is displayed (FIG. 44E). Thereafter, in the example shown in FIG. 43A, the three symbols are changed by the low-speed fluctuation as usual without changing to the same symbol (FIGS. 44F to 44H). In the example shown in FIG. 43 (B), when three symbols change due to low speed fluctuation (FIGS. 44 (F) to 44 (H)), the symbol is changed at the right symbol replacement timing (R3). Replace with. By performing the replacement to the same symbol, the player can change the low-speed fluctuation as usual in the “right” symbol display area in the variable display portion 9 as in the case of the processing shown in FIG. It seems that the change of the three symbols is performed. In addition, by performing the replacement to the same symbol at the timing (R3) of the right symbol replacement, an effect that does not perform the slip is performed at the same processing timing as the case of performing the slip effect described later (see FIG. 45). Therefore, the same control program can be used depending on whether or not the slide effect is performed.

  Then, at the start timing (R4) of the right symbol fluctuation, display control is performed in the fluctuation variation state in the “right” symbol display area. In the example shown in FIG. 43A, the display symbol “7” in the “left” symbol display area is continuously displayed without replacement with the symbol. On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 43B, at the left symbol replacement timing (L4), control is performed to replace the symbol in the “left” symbol display area. As described above, since the replacement to the same symbol is also performed at the left symbol replacement timing (L4), an effect in which the slip is not performed at the same processing timing as that in the case of performing the slip effect described later (see FIG. 45) is realized. After that, the display control CPU 101 of the display control board 80 executes the left and right symbol fluctuation control until the middle symbol is determined. Then, when a display control command for instructing the stop of all symbols is received from the main board 31, the left and right symbols are fluctuated, and the left and right middle symbols are fixed.

  Since the left and right stop symbols are notified at the start of the change, and the change pattern is specified based on the received EXT data of the change pattern command and the determination result on whether or not to perform the slide effect, the display control CPU 101 The switching timing of each control operation can be recognized, and the symbol three symbols before the symbol to be replaced can also be determined. The determined replacement symbol is notified to the VDP 103, and the VDP 103 displays the notified symbol regardless of the symbol displayed at that time.

  Next, a process when it is determined to perform a slip effect (when the left / right symbol deceleration B is selected) will be described. FIG. 45 is a timing chart showing an example of processing timing of variable display processing (with a slide effect) executed by the display control CPU 101 based on reception of the variation pattern command. FIG. 46 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display state of the variable display section 9 when the processing of FIG. 45 is being executed. 45 and 46 are executed based on the same variation pattern commands as those shown in FIGS. 43 and 44 described above, and the timings of L1 to L4 and R1 to R4 are the same timing.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 45, high-speed fluctuation is performed in the “left” and “right” symbol display areas in the variable display section 9 at the fluctuation start timing (L1, R1) (FIG. 46A). )). After that, at the timing of the left symbol replacement (L2), control is performed so that the symbol three symbols before the stopped symbol is displayed in the “left” symbol display area (FIG. 46 (B)), and then the low-speed fluctuation occurs. 3 symbols are changed (FIGS. 46C to 46E). Then, at the start timing (L3) of the left symbol fluctuation, the symbol is repeatedly changed in the direction opposite to the normal direction of the change direction in the “left” symbol display area. That is, display control is performed in a so-called fluctuation fluctuation state. The fluctuation of shaking means that the symbol is displayed to shake up and down. In addition, it is good also as an aspect which shakes a fluctuation to the right and left instead of the aspect which shakes a symbol up and down.

  At the same time as the fluctuation in the “left” symbol display area is started, at the “right” symbol display area in the “right” symbol display area, the right symbol replacement timing (R2) in the “right” symbol display area. The symbol one symbol after the stop symbol is displayed (FIG. 46E). Thereafter, the symbols are changed by low-speed fluctuation (FIG. 46 (F) to FIG. 46 (J)). In this example, at the timing of the right symbol replacement (R3), the symbol is moved to the symbol two symbols before the stopped symbol. Replace. That is, it is replaced with a symbol different from the normal arrangement order (predetermined order). In this example, a shielding character (in this case, a curtain) is displayed before the right symbol replacement timing (R3) (FIG. 46 (F), FIG. 46 (G)), and the symbol two symbols before the stop symbol. Replacing to (FIG. 46 (G), FIG. 46 (H)) cannot be visually recognized. When the replacement of the stop symbol to the symbol two symbols before is completed, the display of the shielding character is terminated and the right symbol is visible (FIG. 46 (I)). In this way, a slip effect is executed in the “right” symbol display area in the variable display section 9 by replacing the symbols with symbols different from the normal arrangement order. Then, at the start timing (R4) of the right symbol fluctuation, display control is performed in the fluctuation variation state in the “right” symbol display area. Further, at the left symbol replacement timing (L4), the control for switching to the symbol in the “left” symbol display area is executed. After that, the display control CPU 101 of the display control board 80 executes the left and right symbol fluctuation control until the middle symbol is determined. When a display control command for instructing all symbols to stop is received from the main board 31, the fluctuation variation state of the “right” symbol display area symbol in the left and right variable display section 9 is terminated, and a fixed state in which the left and right middle symbols do not move is reached. Become.

  As described above, in the display control board 80, at the right symbol replacement timing (R3), the slip is not performed by replacing the symbol with the same symbol, or the symbol is switched to a symbol different from the predetermined arrangement order. Since the processing for performing the effect is executed, the slip effect and the normal effect can be selected and executed based on the same variation pattern command. Therefore, it is not necessary to define a dedicated variation pattern command for performing a slide effect, and the number of commands can be reduced. In addition, since it is not necessary to determine whether or not to perform a slide effect in the game control means, it is possible to reduce the control burden on the game control means.

  In addition, as described above, since the control to update to the same symbol is performed, the display information (appearance) is not updated in the symbol, the update is performed internally, and the identification information is also displayed on the display. The case where the update is performed can be defined based on the same variation pattern command.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, since the shielding character that makes the update display of the symbol invisible is displayed, the symbol that is in the invisible state is replaced with a symbol different from the predetermined arrangement order. The design can be updated or replaced without changing the design movement specified by the variation pattern command. Therefore, based on the same variation pattern command, it is possible to execute a slip effect and a normal effect that does not perform a slip effect.

  In the above-described embodiment, the symbols displayed in the “right” symbol display area in the variable display unit 9 are replaced. However, the symbols displayed in the “left” symbol display area are replaced. It is good also as a structure.

  Hereinafter, processing in the case of performing a sliding effect by replacing the symbols displayed in the “left” symbol display area in the variable display unit 9 will be described. FIG. 47 is a timing chart showing an example of processing timing of variable display processing (with a slide effect) executed by the display control CPU 101 based on reception of a variation pattern command. FIG. 48 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display state of the variable display unit 9 when the process of FIG. 47 is being executed. 47 and 48 are executed based on the same variation pattern commands as the processes shown in FIGS. 43 and 44 described above, and the timings of L1 to L4 and R1 to R4 are the same timing.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 47, high-speed fluctuation is performed in the “left” and “right” symbol display areas in the variable display section 9 at the fluctuation start timing (L1, R1) (FIG. 48A). . After that, at the timing of the left symbol replacement (L2), the control is performed so that the symbol after the one symbol after the stop symbol is displayed in the “left” symbol display area (FIG. 48 (B)), and then the low-speed fluctuation occurs. 3 symbols are changed (FIGS. 48C to 48E). Then, at the start timing (L3) of the left symbol fluctuation, the symbol is repeatedly changed in the direction opposite to the normal direction of the change direction in the “left” symbol display area. That is, display control is performed in a so-called fluctuation fluctuation state. The fluctuation of shaking means that the symbol is displayed to shake up and down. In addition, it is good also as an aspect which shakes a fluctuation to the right and left instead of the aspect which shakes a symbol up and down.

  At the same time as the fluctuation in the “left” symbol display area is started, at the “right” symbol display area in the “right” symbol display area, the right symbol replacement timing (R2) in the “right” symbol display area. The symbol three symbols before the stopped symbol is displayed (FIG. 48 (E)). Thereafter, the symbols are changed by low-speed fluctuation (FIGS. 48F to 48H). In this example, replacement to the same symbol is performed at the timing of the right symbol replacement (R3). Then, at the start timing (R4) of the right symbol fluctuation, display control is performed in the fluctuation variation state in the “right” symbol display area. Also, at the left symbol replacement timing (L4), control is performed to replace the symbol with the stop symbol in the “left” symbol display area (FIG. 48H). Therefore, the symbols are replaced with symbols different from the normal order of arrangement. After that, the display control CPU 101 of the display control board 80 executes the left and right symbol fluctuation control until the middle symbol is determined. When a display control command for instructing all symbols to stop is received from the main board 31, the fluctuation variation state of the “right” symbol display area symbol in the left and right variable display section 9 is terminated, and a fixed state in which the left and right middle symbols do not move is reached. Become.

  In this example, a shielding character (here, curtain) is displayed before the left symbol replacement timing (L4) (FIG. 48 (F), FIG. 48 (G)), and replacement to the stop symbol (FIG. 48). (G) and FIG. 48 (H)) are not visible. When the replacement to the stop symbol is completed, the display of the shielding character is terminated and the left symbol is visible (FIG. 48 (I)). In this way, a slip effect is executed in the “left” symbol display area of the variable display unit 9 by replacing the symbols with symbols different from the normal arrangement order.

  Even when configured as described above, a slip effect and a normal effect can be selected and executed based on the same variation pattern command. Therefore, it is not necessary to define a dedicated variation pattern command for performing a slide effect, and the number of commands can be reduced. In addition, since it is not necessary to determine whether or not to perform a slide effect in the game control means, it is possible to reduce the control burden on the game control means.

  In the other embodiments described above, the replacement process at the left symbol replacement timing (L4) is shielded by the shielding character so that the player cannot visually recognize it. However, the replacement process may not be shielded. FIG. 49 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the display state of the variable display section 9 when the processing of FIG. 47 is being executed. 47 and 49 are executed based on the same variation pattern command as the processes shown in FIGS. 43 and 44 described above. As shown in FIG. 49, when the replacement process at the left symbol replacement timing (L4) is not shielded, the left symbol is replaced with the stop of the right symbol so that, for example, a reach state is obtained.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the symbol displayed in the “right” symbol display area in the variable display unit 9 or the symbol displayed in the “left” symbol display area in the variable display unit 9 The slide design was performed by changing to a symbol different from the arrangement order, but the symbols displayed in the “left” and “right” symbol display areas were changed to symbols different from the normal arrangement order. It is good. In this case, in the processing that does not perform the slide effect based on the same variation pattern command, the symbols displayed in the “left” and “right” symbol display areas can be replaced with the same symbol at a predetermined replacement timing. Good. Further, at the time of replacement, one or both of the left and right symbol display areas may be shielded.

  FIG. 50 shows an example of the display state of the variable display unit 9 when the process of replacing the symbols displayed in the “left” and “right” symbol display areas with symbols different from the normal arrangement order is being executed. It is explanatory drawing shown. As shown in FIG. 50, at the timing of start of fluctuation, high-speed fluctuation is performed in the “left” and “right” symbol display areas in the variable display section 9 (FIG. 50A). After that, at the timing of the left symbol replacement, the symbol 5 symbols before the stopped symbol is displayed in the “left” symbol display area (FIG. 50 (B)), and then the two symbols are changed by low speed fluctuation. Are changed (FIGS. 50C and 50D). Then, at the start timing of the left symbol fluctuation variation, the symbol is repeatedly varied in the direction opposite to the normal direction of the variation direction in the “left” symbol display area. That is, display control is performed in a so-called fluctuation fluctuation state. The fluctuation of shaking means that the symbol is displayed to shake up and down. In addition, it is good also as an aspect which shakes a fluctuation to the right and left instead of the aspect which shakes a symbol up and down.

  At the same time as the fluctuation fluctuation starts in the “left” symbol display area, at the timing of the right symbol replacement in the “right” symbol display area in the variable display section 9, the stop symbol is displayed in the “right” symbol display area. The symbol after one symbol is displayed (FIG. 50D). Thereafter, the symbols are changed by low-speed fluctuation (FIGS. 50E and 50F). Then, at the start timing of the right symbol fluctuation, display control is performed in the fluctuation variation state in the “right” symbol display area.

  In this example, the shielding character is displayed in the “left” symbol display area and the “right” symbol display area at the timing when the right symbol is in a fluctuation fluctuation state, and the left and right symbols are invisible (see FIG. 50 (F), FIG. 50 (G)). In the state where the “left” symbol display area and the “right” symbol display area are invisible, replacement with a stop symbol is performed (FIG. 50H). When the replacement to the stop symbol is completed, the display of the shielding character is terminated and the left and right symbols are visible (FIG. 50 (I)). In this way, by replacing the left and right symbol display areas with symbols that are different from the normal arrangement order, the “left” symbol display area and the “right” display area in the variable display unit 9 can simultaneously perform a sliding effect. Execute. Note that the slip effect in the “left” symbol display area and the slip effect in the “right” symbol display area may be executed separately in time. After that, the display control CPU 101 of the display control board 80 executes the left and right symbol fluctuation control until the middle symbol is determined. When the display control command for instructing the stop of all symbols is received from the main board 31, the fluctuation display state of the symbol display area symbol in the variable display unit 9 is terminated, and a fixed state in which the left and right middle symbols do not move is set.

  As described above, the symbols in the “left” symbol display area and the symbols in the “right” symbol display area are each replaced with a symbol that is different from the normal arrangement order. It becomes possible. Similarly, the “medium” symbol display area may be replaced with a symbol different from the normal arrangement order.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the curtain is used as an example of the shielding character. However, the shielding character may be any figure or character. For example, a character such as a figure representing an animal, a cloud, a wind, a figure representing a swirl, or a character similar to a symbol displayed in the symbol display area can be considered.

  FIG. 51 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display state of the variable display unit 9 when a process of replacing a symbol by shielding it with a shielding character similar to the symbol displayed in the symbol display area is executed. As shown in FIG. 51, for example, at the time of re-lottery after the big hit display is made on the variable display section 9, a shielding character similar to a predetermined symbol (for example, a character similar to “7”) appears (FIG. 51 ( E)), the left middle right symbol is shielded (FIG. 51 (F)). During this shielding state, left and right middle symbols are replaced. When the replacement is completed, the shielded character is set in a non-display state, and the symbol after replacement is made visible (FIG. 51 (G)).

  As described above, since the character similar to the identification information (here, “7”) is used as the shielding character, it is possible to perform a game effect such that the design is updated. Further, not only a character similar to a number but also a character similar to identification information such as an animal may be used as a shielding character.

  Further, since the character similar to the identification information ("7" in this example) displayed when the display of the shielding character is finished is used, the appearance display of the shielding character is shown as a change in the identification information. It will be possible to produce.

  Furthermore, when the re-variation is displayed, the shielding character is displayed and the jackpot display is shielded. After the predetermined period, the shielding character is erased and the identification information having a similar relationship is displayed. It is possible to use a shielding character to display the completion.

  Although not specifically described in each of the above-described embodiments, when performing symbol replacement processing, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 52, replacement may be performed continuously on the same symbol. As shown in 53, the symbols may be replaced so that they are displayed in the reverse order of the predetermined arrangement.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the slip effect or the effect using the shielding character forms the reach aspect has been described. However, for example, when the slip effect is executed, the probability of reaching is large. For example, when a shielding character appears, it may be configured to reach with a higher probability. Regarding the adjustment of the appearance degree and reliability of the slip production, for example, depending on the production content (for example, when it becomes out of reach, reach, reach, and even big hit), the main board 31 In this case, the ratio of selection of the variation pattern command including the designation of performing the slip effect may be varied. Specifically, when a reach effect is performed, the rate of selection of the variation pattern command including the designation of performing a slide effect is increased, and when a normal effect that does not reach is performed, a slip is performed. It is conceivable to reduce the rate at which the variation pattern command including the designation of performing the performance is selected. If comprised in this way, expectation can be given to a player by the appearance of a slide effect, a shielding character, etc., and the interest of a game will improve.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to pachinko gaming machines but can be applied to other gaming machines such as slot machines.

  Furthermore, the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to each of the above embodiments 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 game that is released when the stop symbol of the pattern variably displayed based on the starting prize is a combination of the predetermined pattern Even if it is a gaming machine, the present invention can be applied as long as the contents of the presentation are uniquely determined by the sub-board.

  In addition, in each embodiment shown above, the characteristic structure of the gaming machine as shown in the following (1) to (8) is also shown.

(1) In the normal control, for example, display control for replacing the identification information with the same identification information may be performed at a predetermined specific time. According to such a configuration, the normal control is configured such that display control is performed to replace the identification information with the same identification information at a predetermined specific time, so that the identification is performed at the same time as the special control. While updating the information, the identification information can be replaced according to a predetermined order. Therefore, special control and normal control can be performed by the same control program. Therefore, the processing load on the display control means is reduced.

(2) Further, the gaming machine of the present invention includes a variable display device capable of performing variable display of a plurality of types of identification information in a predetermined order, and a specific display mode in which a display result of the variable display device is predetermined. This is a gaming machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state advantageous to the player on the condition that it has become, a variable that controls the progress of the game and specifies at least a variable display time of the identification information according to the progress of the game Based on the game control means for transmitting the display control signal and the variable display time of the identification information specified for each variable display control signal transmitted from the game control means, the variable display device is controlled to variably display the identification information. Display control means, and when the display control means variably displays the identification information in response to reception of one variable display control signal, the update display of the identification information is made invisible. The variable display device can be controlled by either special control for displaying the occluding character or normal control for not displaying the occluding character. In the special control, the identification displayed at the start of the display of the occluding character The information is shifted from the information to the identification information displayed at the end of the display of the shielding character by the first number of identification information in a predetermined order. In the normal control, at the start of the display of the shielding character when the special control is selected The identification information displayed at the corresponding time is shifted from the identification information displayed at the corresponding time at the end of the display of the shielding character by a second number of identification information different from the first number. It may be.
According to such a configuration, when the display control unit variably displays the identification information in response to reception of one variable display control signal, the special control for displaying the shielding character that makes the update display of the identification information invisible is not possible. It is possible to control the variable display device in either of the normal control that does not display the shielding character, and in the special control, the display of the shielding character is performed based on the identification information displayed at the start of the display of the shielding character. The first identification information in the predetermined order is shifted to the identification information displayed at the end of the period, and the normal control is displayed at the time corresponding to the start of the display of the shielding character when the special control is selected. The identification information is shifted from the identification information to the identification information displayed at the time corresponding to the end of display of the shielding character by a second number of identification information different from the first number. Since, based on the same variable display control signal, it is possible to perform effect and using a shielding character, an effect that does not use a shielding character.

(3) In the special control, for example, during the display of the shielding character, the display control may be performed to replace the identification information with any other identification information without following the predetermined order. According to such a configuration, the special control is configured to perform display control in which the identification information is replaced with any other identification information without following the predetermined order during the display of the shielding character. During the display period, the identification information can be replaced without following a predetermined order, and it is possible to perform variable display that looks completely different from the normal control with the same variable display control signal.

(4) When a plurality of types of specific display modes are prepared and the display control unit displays the specific display mode as a display result on the variable display device, any one of the plurality of types of specific display modes is displayed. After the display, it is possible to perform a re-lottery effect display as to whether or not to display another specific display mode as a display result. In the re-lottery effect display, a shielding character is displayed to block the specific display mode. The shield character may be erased after a predetermined period, and a specific display mode as a display result may be displayed. According to such a configuration, in the re-lottery effect display, the display control means displays the shielding character to shield the specific display mode, erases the shielding character after a predetermined period, and displays the specific display mode as a display result. Since the display is performed, it is possible to increase the types of re-lottery effects without increasing the number of variable display control signals.

(5) As the shielding character, for example, a configuration using a character similar to the identification information displayed at the end of the display of the shielding character may be used. According to such a configuration, since the character similar to the identification information displayed at the end of the display of the shielding character is used as the shielding character, the appearance display of the shielding character is shown as a change in the identification information. It will be possible to produce.

(6) Depending on the type of the received variable display control signal, the selection probability for executing the special control or the normal control may be different. According to such a configuration, since the selection probability of executing the special control or the normal control is different depending on the type of the received variable display control signal, the probability is always constant. Since the game does not become monotonous compared to the above, it is possible to improve the game performance.

(7) Even if the variable display device has a plurality of variable display areas and is configured to perform either special control or normal control simultaneously in all of the plurality of variable display areas or in two or more variable display areas. Good. According to such a configuration, the variable display device has a plurality of variable display areas, and performs either special control or normal control simultaneously in all of the plurality of variable display areas or in two or more variable display areas. Since it is configured, it is possible to perform display effects in a plurality of variable display areas, and it is possible to perform various effects.

(8) It may be configured to be able to form a reach mode by special control. According to such a configuration, since the reach mode can be formed by special control, an unexpected game can be provided to the player.

1 Pachinko machine 9 Variable display 31 Main board 56 CPU
80 Display control board 101 Display control CPU

Claims (1)

A plurality of types of identification information comprises a variable display device capable of performing the variable display in a predetermined order, advantageous for the variable display device for displaying results player on condition that a particular display mode in a predetermined A gaming machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state,
Game control means for controlling the progress of the game and transmitting a variable display control signal for designating at least a variable display time of the identification information in accordance with the progress of the game;
Display control means capable of variably displaying identification information by controlling the variable display device based on a variable display time of identification information specified for each variable display control signal transmitted from the game control means; Prepared ,
The game control means includes
A process of setting a backup flag in the backup storage unit when power supply is stopped, and a process of creating check data used for determining whether or not the storage content of the backup storage unit is normal and storing the check data in the backup storage unit And execute the power-off process including
The backup storage is performed by determining whether or not the check data stored in the backup storage unit is normal on condition that the backup flag is stored in the backup storage unit when power supply is started. Executing a process for determining whether or not the storage content of the means is normal, executing a recovery process for returning the control state to the state at the time of power-off when the storage content of the backup storage means is normal, and When the backup flag is not stored in the backup storage unit, the storage content of the backup storage unit is initialized without executing the process of determining whether the storage content of the backup storage unit is normal based on the check data. Execute the initialization process
When the display control means variably displays the identification information in response to reception of one variable display control signal, the display control means does not follow the predetermined order of the identification information displayed at a predetermined time point. It is possible to display a reach mode after performing display control to replace the identification information .

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