JP5117530B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine.

  In general, a game machine such as a pachinko machine is used for a winning / losing lottery with a built-in program by a starting winning of a ball to a starting winning port provided on the game board, and if a lottery results, A predetermined game value is given to the game. Moreover, the gaming machine is equipped with a device for performing various effects corresponding to the lottery results. For example, a gaming machine has a special symbol (also referred to as “this symbol”) for notifying the actual lottery result composed of a plurality of numbers, figures, etc. and an effect symbol (“demo symbol”) consisting of a video such as a character. Some game boards have a symbol display device such as a liquid crystal display. The reason for performing the display of the effect symbol and the display of the special symbol separately is that there are legal restrictions on the effect regarding the display for the special symbol used for the actual lottery result notification. For this reason, it is because the position of the effect display screen for attracting the player is not displayed and the legal restriction on the display imposed on the special symbol is not received. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the method of expressing the effect symbol is higher than that of the special symbol, and the gaming machine manufacturer can make the effect symbol display form rich in variety. In addition, the production symbol can also represent a variety of reach actions that cannot be expressed in a special symbol. In this way, by providing an effect design including an effect function separately from the special design, it is possible to perform an elaborate effect that does not get the player bored, and the game performance can be further enhanced. Note that “reach” is a state of “successful win if one more pattern comes” on a pachinko machine, and “reach action” is a series of effects during reach.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of a front view of a conventional gaming machine 1300. In the figure, the gaming machine includes a gaming board 1301, a symbol display device 1302, a start winning opening 1303, a normal symbol display device operating gate (left) 1304, a normal symbol display device operating gate (right). 1305, a normal symbol display device 1306, a normal electric accessory (tulip) 1307, a special symbol operation memory indicator light (holding lamp) 1308, 1309, 1310, 1311, a variable winning ball device 1312, and the like. For convenience of explanation, not all the constituent members are shown.

  Examples of the symbol display device 1302 include a variable display device such as a liquid crystal display unit, and a drum that performs variable display by rotation of a motor. The symbol display device 1302 variably displays special symbols such as a plurality of numbers and figures and effect symbols.

  When the game ball launched by the player wins, the start winning port 1303 detects the winning ball, performs a lottery lottery by a built-in program, and gives an opportunity for symbol variation of the symbol display device 1302. The variation display of the special symbol and the effect symbol of the symbol display device 1302 is stopped after a predetermined variation time elapses, and the lottery result is notified and the effect is performed.

  The normal symbol display device operating gate (left) 1304 and the normal symbol display device operating gate (right) 1305 detect the passing ball when the game ball launched by the player passes, and the normal electric accessory 1307 (tulip) The opening lottery is performed, and the normal symbol display device 1306 gives an opportunity to change the normal symbol.

  The normal symbol display device 1306 variably displays a normal symbol displayed by a 7-segment LED (Light Emitting Diode) or the like, and when a lottery to open a normal electric accessory (tulip) 1307 is won, a specific normal symbol is stopped. Display and inform the so-called small hits. The normal electric accessory (tulip) 1307 is opened when the normal symbol display device 1306 notifies of a small hit, and makes it easy to win the start winning opening 1303.

  The hold lamps 1308, 1309, 1310, and 1311 indicate the lottery result information of each ball won in the start winning opening 1303 during the change of the symbol for each ball in the RAM (Random Access Memory) built in the gaming machine. Lights in conjunction with storing in the holding memory (“holding ball”), and notifies the number of times that the symbol can be changed continuously. A winning ball to the start winning opening 1303 that is the target of the holding of the ball is referred to as a holding ball.

  In addition, when the game machine wins a big win as a result of the lottery, the special symbols of the symbol display device 1302 are set in advance, for example, “1, 1, 1”, “2, 2, 2” to “9, 9, 9”. Stops at a specific combination of symbols that you have defined, and notifies you of a special prize (bonus). The special prize is a point at which the game is switched from a normal state to an advantageous state (a big hit operation or a big hit) that gives a predetermined game value such as paying out a large number of prize balls to the player. On the other hand, during the period of time until the special symbol starts to change and stops, the production symbol performs a variable operation with various productions, such as taking a reach action that is not allowed in the special symbol. . Further, as soon as the special prize notification by the special symbol is confirmed, the display of the effect symbol indicating the jackpot is confirmed. During the jackpot operation, the effect design produces an effect that pleases the player by displaying a moving image such as an animation. Both the special symbol and the effect symbol are displayed on the symbol display device 1302.

  Further, in FIG. 13, the variable winning ball apparatus 1312 is a variable winning ball apparatus 1312 in the subsequent jackpot operation when the special symbol stop symbol is a combination of predetermined specific symbols, that is, when it becomes a special prize. The opening / closing member 1313 attached to the front surface is opened and closed.

  In addition, in recent gaming machines, each circuit board is divided into functions according to the functions of the gaming machine in order to easily detect and inspect the gaming function part (main control part) related to the gambling of the gaming machine. The parts are configured to operate by one-way control from a game function unit that controls game contents. Therefore, the control of the symbol display device is also realized by the main control unit mounted on the main control board sending various commands relating to symbol variation to the symbol display device. For example, Patent Document 1 includes a pseudo-symbol display unit (corresponding to a portion for displaying “effect design” in this specification) and a special symbol display unit (“special design” in this specification) in a symbol display device. A bullet ball game machine that displays a pseudo symbol on the pseudo symbol display unit according to a command from the main control unit based on the start winning, and further displays the special symbol on the special symbol display unit is disclosed. Has been. More specifically, in Patent Document 1, the display surface of the liquid crystal display panel is vertically divided, the upper part is a pseudo symbol display part, the lower part is a special symbol display part, and the main control part is a jackpot determination process Is sent to the symbol display device as a command, and the CPU (Central Processing Unit) in the symbol display device that receives the notification performs pseudo symbol display control based on the notified numeric value. It is disclosed to execute both special symbol display control. That is, in Patent Document 1, under the control of the CPU in the symbol display device, when a special symbol is hit and displayed, a pseudo symbol is also displayed, and when a special symbol is displayed off, the pseudo symbol is also displayed off. Both are consistent.

Japanese Patent No. 2954859

  However, in Patent Document 1, the main control unit transmits a command indicating a special symbol and a pseudo symbol to the symbol display device. Therefore, since the symbol display device needs to control and display both the special symbol and the pseudo symbol, the processing of the symbol display device is complicated and its load is large. In addition, if the main control unit transmits a command indicating a special symbol and a pseudo symbol to the symbol display device and a command garbled due to some trouble (for example, a communication error due to noise, failure, etc.), an illegal process ( There is a risk that a big prize opening will be opened even if the symbols are not complete. Therefore, even if some kind of trouble occurs in the connection part (communication part) between the main control part and the symbol display device, the symbol control that is not affected as much as possible is desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and the object of the present invention is to clarify the role of the control system in relation to the main control means and the sub-control means, and then to ensure the reliability of the control processing. Another object is to provide a gaming machine with improved stability.

According to the present invention, the above problem is solved as follows.
In the first invention, the main control means for repeatedly executing a control processing procedure composed of a plurality of control processing steps each time without resetting every predetermined period, and for producing based on a command from the main control means A plurality of control processing steps, a special game management process for processing display control of a special symbol display device on which a special symbol is displayed, and the command of the command. Command output management processing for processing output to the sub-control means, and the control processing procedure is a program configuration in which the command output management processing is arranged prior to the special game management processing. control means, when trigger for varying display the special symbol is generated, in said control procedure is repeatedly performed every time the in certain times By initiating a transmission of the display drive signal to the special symbol display device in front Symbol special game management process when running control process procedure, the start the variable display control of the special symbols, the next, outputting the command to start the control of the presentation control object in front Symbol command output management processing when running the control procedure in times later than the certain times in the sub-control means To do.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to share the control system related to the special symbol and the production control target by the relationship between the main control means and the sub control means, and further, the configuration of the control processing procedure executed by the main control means As well as improving the certainty and stability of the control process.

It is a figure which shows an example of the front general view of the game machine using this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the game system using this invention. It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the control part of the game machine of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the main control part of the game machine of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the sub-control part of the game machine of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the display control part of the game machine of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the game control of the main control part of the game machine of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the command in the game machine of this invention. It is a figure which shows the time relationship of the fluctuation | variation stop of the special symbol and effect symbol in the gaming machine of this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the design random number in a gaming machine of this invention, a special design, and an effect design. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of a special game management process and a normal game management process. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the content (command ID value and EVENT value) of the notification designation | designated command which a sub-control part produces | generates, and the display content (warning content). It is a figure which shows an example of the front view of the conventional game machine.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the location which has the same function in each drawing.

(Device configuration)
FIG. 1 shows an example of a front view of a gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the gaming machine according to the present embodiment includes a gaming board 101 for installing a game machine character on the board, a special symbol display device 102, a production symbol display device 103, a first start winning opening 104, a normal symbol display device. The operation gate (left) 105, the normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106, the normal symbol display device 107, the normal electric accessory (tulip) 108 which is also the second start winning port (hereinafter referred to as the second start winning port 108) ), A first variable winning ball device 109 having an upper winning hole, a second variable winning ball device 110 having a lower winning port, a gaming machine handle 111, a special symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp) 112. Mainly equipped with a normal symbol operation memory display lamp (hold lamp) 113 and the like.

  The special symbol display device 102 includes, for example, a variable display device such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) display, a 7-segment LED, a dot matrix display device, etc., and variably displays special symbols such as a plurality of numbers and figures. To do. A special award (bonus) is given when the stop symbol of the special symbol display device 102 is a combination of a predetermined specific symbol. In this embodiment, the special symbol display device 102 is a two-digit 7-segment LED.

  The production symbol display device 103 includes, for example, a variable display device such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT display, a 7-segment LED, a dot matrix display device, a drum variably displayed by the rotation of a motor, and the like. Is displayed in a variable manner. A display control unit (described later) for controlling the effect symbol display device 103 includes a CPU, a program ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM, an image processing LSI (hereinafter referred to as a VDP (Video Display Processor)), a character ROM, a video RAM, and the like. Have In the present embodiment, the effect symbol display device 103 includes a variable display device that can display an image such as a background and a plurality of symbols as a moving image. In the present embodiment, a gaming machine capable of displaying various effect symbols on the effect symbol display device 103 is assumed.

  The first start winning port 104 or the second start winning port 108 detects the winning by turning on the internal special symbol start switch when the game ball launched by the player wins, and the symbol of the special symbol display device 102 is detected. Give an opportunity to change. The variation display of the special symbol of the special symbol display device 102 and the effect symbol of the effect symbol display device 103 is stopped after a predetermined variation time elapses, and the lottery result is notified and the effect is performed.

  The normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 and the normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106 pass when the game ball launched by the player passes and the normal symbol operation switch inside is turned ON. A sphere is detected, and a normal symbol change trigger of the normal symbol display device 107 is given.

  The normal symbol display device 107 variably displays a normal symbol with a 7-segment LED or the like. The second start winning port 108 is opened when the normal symbol display device 107 stops displaying (small hit) a specific normal symbol, and facilitates the winning in the second start winning port 108. The first start winning opening 104 may be always open.

  When the first variable winning ball device 109 and the second variable winning ball device 110 are a combination of a specific symbol that is a predetermined stop symbol of the special symbol display device 102, that is, when a special symbol is obtained, In the subsequent jackpot operation, one of the opening / closing members 114 and 115 attached to the front surfaces of the first variable winning ball device 109 and the second variable winning ball device 110 performs the opening and closing operations. Which opening / closing member is opened depends on the lottery result of the built-in program.

  During the big hitting operation, one of the opening / closing members 114 and 115 is opened almost horizontally, and the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 that receives a winning game ball is opened, and a number of games are played. Accept a ball prize. When a game ball wins the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110, the large winning opening switch inside the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 is turned ON. As a result, the gaming machine grasps the number of game balls to the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110, and the opportunity for paying out the winning balls (out balls, safe balls) associated with the winning game Is given. The opening of the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 may be either when a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses or when a predetermined number of game balls (a predetermined number of winning prize winning prizes) is the first. This is continued until the variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 is won. This single opening is called a round.

  Further, the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 may have a specific area (not shown) called a V zone therein. When the V zone exists, the first variable winning ball is passed when at least one game ball passes through the specific area while the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 that is operating the jackpot is opened. When the specific area switch inside the ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 is turned ON, the gaming machine is given an opportunity to generate a right for the next round. In this way, the round continues from 1R → 2R →... And continues up to the maximum round (for example, 6 rounds or 15 rounds). If the game ball does not pass the specific area during the round, the jackpot operation is terminated without continuing until the maximum round. If there is no V zone, there is no continuation condition based on the passage of a specific area, so once a big hit occurs, the next round will be played after a predetermined time (about 30 seconds) or a predetermined number (10) Transition.

  The gaming machine handle 111 has a touch sensor on the surface and is provided with a stop button (stop firing) 116. The touch sensor detects that the player has gripped the gaming machine handle 111, and in this state the gaming machine When the variable resistor inside the gaming machine handle 111 detects that the handle 111 is rotated clockwise 117 or counterclockwise 118, the ball launching device is given an opportunity to continuously launch gaming balls. The player turns the gaming machine handle 111 clockwise 117 or counterclockwise 118 to adjust the launching route of the game ball launched onto the game board 101. Further, when the player presses the stop button 116, the launching of the game ball of the ball launcher is stopped.

  The special symbol operation memory indicator lamp 112 stores information on each ball that has won the first starting winning port 104 or the second starting winning port 108 during the change of the special symbol on each RAM on the main control unit described later. Lights in conjunction with storing in the hold memory for each sphere (hereinafter referred to as sphere hold), and notifies the number of times that the symbol (special symbol) can be varied continuously. Also, a winning ball to the first starting winning opening 104 or the second starting winning opening 108 that is the target of the holding of the ball is referred to as a holding ball.

  The normal symbol operation memory indicator lamp 113 stores information on each sphere that has passed through the normal symbol operation gate (left) 105 or the normal symbol operation gate (right) 106 during the variation of the normal symbol in each RAM on the main control unit. Lights in conjunction with storing in the holding memory for each ball, and notifies the number of times that the symbol (ordinary symbol) can be continuously varied. The number of times may be displayed on the effect symbol display device 103.

  Further, the gaming machine 100 may include a special symbol variation time reduction switch (not shown) that is an optical touch sensor attached to the gaming board 101. The game set in the game board 101, a special symbol variation time reduction switch, a nail, etc. are covered with a glass plate, and a space secured between the glass plate and the game board 101 is laid out. The ball falls. When the special symbol change time reduction switch is present, the player hands the special symbol change time reduction switch through the glass plate while the special symbol display device 102 and the production symbol display device 103 are variably displaying the special symbol and the production symbol. The special symbol variation time shortening switch that detects this is turned on, and the variation display of the special symbol display device 102 and the effect symbol display device 103 can be immediately stopped or shortened and stopped.

  The gaming machine 100 also includes an effect changeover switch 120. By operating the effect changeover switch 120, the player can display a favorite effect screen on the effect symbol display device 103 and can control the operation of the effectable movable object.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a general gaming system including the gaming machine 100, the information display device 201, the hall computer 202, and the out-ball detection device 203.

  The information display device 201 is, for example, a display device installed at the top of the gaming machine 100, and notifies the player of the gaming state by a lamp, a screen, or the like in accordance with a signal from the gaming machine 100 and an instruction from the hall computer 202. To do. The information display device 201 may apply a well-known game hall information disclosure system. For example, as the display of the game status (game data disclosure), for example, the number of symbol rotations, the number of jackpots, the exit ball, the difference ball, the total number of games And the like, and further capable of collecting personal data of the player are known. As the information disclosure system, various products such as Heiwa no Yobidas (trademark) are well known, and therefore the description of the control circuit is omitted.

  The hall computer 202 collects operational status data from each gaming machine 100 and the like, collects output from each out ball detection device 203, and manages the operation of the game hall. Alternatively, the gaming state of each information display device 201 is notified. Since the hall computer 202 is a well-known hall computer used in a game hall, its control circuit configuration is omitted.

  The out ball detection device 203 is installed inside an island facility composed of a game machine installation facility and a game ball supply system, detects game balls discharged from the game machine through the game board surface, and outputs them to the hall computer 202. A ball detection signal is transmitted. Since the structure and control circuit configuration of the out-ball detecting device 203 are well known to those skilled in the art, description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the control unit 300 in the gaming machine 100. As shown in the figure, the control unit 300 is mainly composed of three control units: a main control unit 310, a sub control unit 340, and a display control unit 370. In order to prevent illegal acts and to restrict legal restrictions, each control unit is usually mounted on a separate board for each function, and is connected directly or indirectly so that communication is possible. The main control unit 310 performs command transmission and overall control of the gaming machine according to a random number generated internally based on the detection of a game ball by winning to the first start winning opening or the second starting winning opening 108. Do. The main control unit 310 directly controls the special symbol display device 102. Here, “direct control” is a process of changing the special symbol by sending a control signal related to display driving directly from the special symbol display output port of the main control unit 310 to the special symbol display device 102. For example, a signal (command) from a CPU is directly sent without judgment by another CPU, or control is performed without a time delay (time lag) due to an interrupt or the like.

  The sub control unit 340 transmits a command (second command) for controlling the display control unit 370 in accordance with a command (first command) transmitted from the main control unit 310, and is provided in a game area or the like. Control of blinking lamps, control of sound output from the speaker of the gaming machine, and control of moving objects for effects such as character figures provided in the game area and the like by controlling the rotation of the motor. The display control unit 370 controls the effect symbol display device 103 such as a liquid crystal display device in accordance with a command transmitted from the sub control unit 340.

  Next, each configuration / function of the main control unit 310, the sub control unit 340, and the display control unit 370 will be described in detail.

(Configuration and function of main controller)
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing the internal configuration of the main control unit 310.

  The main control unit 310 includes a CPU 422, a ROM 420, a RAM 424, upper and lower prize winning solenoid output ports 428, a normal electric accessory solenoid output port 430, a special symbol display output port 432, a normal symbol display output port 434, and a special symbol. Operation memory indicator port 436, normal symbol operation memory indicator port 438, sub-control command output port (send design symbol designation command, variation pattern command, etc.) 440, payout control command output port 442, external information output A port 444 and an input port 426 are provided.

  An effect symbol designation command (first command) is a command for designating a stop symbol of an effect symbol displayed on the effect symbol display device 103, and a variation pattern command (first command) is an effect symbol display device. This is a command for designating the mode of screen fluctuation such as reach, disappointment, special prize, etc. displayed in 103.

  The main control unit 310 is connected to various switches (special symbol start switch 410, normal symbol operation switch 412, special prize opening switch 414, specific area switch 416, special symbol variation time reduction switch 119, and other switches via the input port 426. Data is input from 418) and processed.

  The main control unit 310 is connected to the special symbol display device 102, the special symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp) 112, the normal symbol display device 103, the normal symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp) via the output ports 428 to 438, 444. ) 113, directly control the upper and lower prize winning solenoid 446, the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 448, and the external information output unit 454. On the other hand, the main control unit 310 transmits a sub control command (first command such as an effect symbol designation command and a variation pattern command) to the sub control unit 340 to control the sub control unit 340 by command transmission. Further, the main control unit 310 transmits a command to the payout control unit 450 to perform payout control of prize balls. Details of direct control of the special symbol display device 102 by the main control unit 310 and control of command transmission to the sub control unit 340 according to the present embodiment will be described later.

  Next, various switches input by the main control unit 310 via the input port, components of the main control unit 310, and control targets of the main control unit will be described in detail.

  The special symbol start switch 410 is turned on when a game ball that is launched by the player and wins the first start winning port 104 or the second start winning port 108 passes through this switch, and the special symbol display device detects the winning. An opportunity for 102 symbol variations is given.

  The normal symbol operation switch 412 is turned on when a game ball that has been launched by the player and passed through the normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 and the normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106 passes this switch. The normal symbol display device 107 is given an opportunity to change the normal symbol.

  The special winning opening switch 414 is turned on when a game ball that has won a prize in the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 passes the switch in the subsequent jackpot operation when a special prize is won. The main control unit 310 detects a winning of a game ball.

  The specific area switch 416 is turned on when a game ball that has passed through the specific area during the opening of the first variable winning ball apparatus 109 or the second variable winning ball apparatus 110 passes this switch, and the main control unit 310 Detecting the right generation of the round.

  The special symbol variation time shortening switch 119 is a switch that allows the player to forcibly immediately stop or shorten the variation display of the special symbol display device 102 or the effect symbol display device 103 and stop it.

  As other switches 418, games won in other winning ports other than the first starting winning port 104, the second starting winning port 108, the first variable winning ball device 109, and the second variable winning ball device 110. When the ball passes this switch, it is turned ON, and the main control unit 310 detects the winning of the game ball.

  The CPU 422 is a circuit that controls the entire main control unit.

  The ROM 420 stores a program for the main control unit 310 for controlling the gaming machine. Specifically, the ROM 420 stores the game control program (flowchart) of FIGS. 7 and 11 that defines the contents of the game control process performed by the CPU of the main control unit 310. The ROM 420 further stores values of various parameters for controlling the gaming machine, such as an effect designating command for instructing the sub-control unit 340 and a variation pattern command.

  The RAM 424 temporarily stores input / output data for the main control unit 310, data for arithmetic processing, various counters including a random number counter related to the game, and a holding memory for storing information of each holding ball. Have.

  The special symbol display device 102 displays special symbols such as a plurality of numbers and figures. The normal symbol display device 107 displays normal symbols such as a plurality of numbers and figures. The special symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp) 112 notifies the number of times that the special symbol can be continuously changed. The normal symbol operation memory display lamp (holding lamp) 113 notifies the number of times that the normal symbol can be continuously changed.

  The upper and lower big prize opening solenoids 446 are one of the components inside the first variable winning ball apparatus 109 and the second variable winning ball apparatus 110. When a special prize is won, The opening / closing members 114 and 115 attached to the front surfaces of the variable winning ball device 109 and the second variable winning ball device 110 are selectively opened based on an instruction from the main control unit 310.

  The ordinary electric accessory solenoid 448 opens the ordinary electric accessory 108 based on an instruction from the main control unit 310 when the ordinary symbol display device 107 stops displaying the normal symbol of the small hit.

  The payout control unit 450 receives a payout control command from the main control unit 310 and receives a prize to the prize ball payout device 452 when the special symbol start switch 410, the big prize opening switch 414, the other switch 418, or the like is detected. Instructs to pay out the ball.

  The external information output unit 454 is a board for providing information from the CPU 422 of the main control unit 310 to the outside (information display device 201, hall computer 202, etc.). The hall computer 202 and the information display device 201 are electrically connected to the gaming machine via the external information output unit 454 of the gaming machine. The CPU of the main control unit 310 outputs, via the external information output unit 454, a signal that indicates the stop of symbol variation, the big hit state, the probability variation state, and the like to the external device. Examples of the signal include a jackpot signal, a winning number signal, a start signal, a probability change signal, a time reduction signal, and a door opening signal.

(Configuration and function of sub-control unit)
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing the internal configuration of the sub-control unit 340.

  Similar to the main control unit 310, the sub control unit 340 includes a CPU 514, a RAM 512, a ROM 510, various input ports 516, and various output ports 518. In particular, the sub-control unit 340 receives a sub-control command (effect design designation command) transmitted from the main control section 310 and creates a liquid crystal display command (second command) according to the effect design designation command. To the display control unit 370. Further, the sub-control unit 340 performs blinking control of the lamp display device 520, generation control of the sound effect output from the sound effect generation device 522, control of the effect movable object 524, and the like. In this way, the sub-control unit 340 reduces the load on the main control unit 310 by specially performing control related to effects such as liquid crystal display, lamp lighting, generation of sound effects, and control of effectable movable objects.

  Further, the sub-control unit 340 receives a change pattern command (command ID value: “A0” H or “A1” H) and an effect symbol designation command (command ID value: “B1” H), and designates a notice. A command (command ID value: “95” H to “98” H) is internally generated and transmitted to the display control unit 370. The notice designation command is a command for designating a display for notifying the player of occurrence of a jackpot or reach. FIG. 12 shows an example of the relationship between the contents (command ID value and EVENT value) of the notice designation command and the display contents (forecast contents). The notice designation commands whose command ID values are “95” H, “96” H, and “97” H are commands that designate a notice effect that is performed when most of the variation patterns are selected. The notice designation command having a command ID value of “98” H is a command for designating a notice effect that is performed when a specific variation pattern (reach pattern) is selected. The reason why the command ID values are different is that the command ID values may overlap depending on the variation pattern command.

  The lamp display device 520 is a display device for lamps related to the game, and selectively turns on / off a plurality of lamps according to an instruction from the sub-control unit 340. The sound effect generator 522 generates sound related to the game. The effect movable object 524 is an effect character figure or the like provided in a game area whose rotation is controlled by a motor or the like.

  The sub control unit 340 receives an input from the effect changeover switch 120. By operating the effect changeover switch 120, the player can display a favorite effect screen on the effect symbol display device 103, and can control the operation of the effect movable object 524. In this way, the player can participate in the effect surface of the gaming machine by operating the effect changeover switch 120.

(Configuration and function of display control unit)
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing the internal configuration of the display control unit 370.

  In particular, the display control unit 370 receives the liquid crystal display command (second command) transmitted from the sub-control unit 340, and varies and stops the effect design of the effect design display device 103 according to the liquid crystal display command. Alternatively, it has a function of receiving a notice designation command and displaying a notice.

  In FIG. 6, the control circuit configuration of the display control unit 370 of this embodiment includes an input port 618 that receives a second command, a CPU 620, a program ROM 610, a RAM 612, an image processing LSI (VDP) 622, a character ROM 616, and a video RAM 614. And an output port 624.

  The input port 618 receives a liquid crystal display command from the sub-control unit 340 and passes it to the CPU 620.

  The CPU 620 performs image processing and image display control according to the program stored in the program ROM 610. The program ROM 610 stores a program for image processing executed by the CPU 620, and specifically stores an image display control program that defines the contents of image display control performed by the CPU 620. Further, the program ROM 620 stores VDP 622 control data to be mapped and written in the data register of the VDP 622, various parameter values for controlling image display, and the like.

  The RAM 612 temporarily stores input / output data for the CPU 620 and data for arithmetic processing, and functions as a work area and a buffer memory. The VDP 622 develops image data such as sprite / scroll for display on the effect symbol display device 103 in accordance with the symbol update instruction from the CPU 620 in the video RAM 614, and effects symbol display via the output port 624 in accordance with the output instruction from the CPU 620. Image data is output and displayed in the display area of the device 103. The effect symbol display device 103 is an LCD, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, or the like, and visually displays a video signal of an image output from the VDP 622.

  For display control, a color palette (hereinafter referred to as a palette) in which a plurality of specific color data are arranged and set is often used. The VDP 622 of this embodiment includes four palettes that define 256 colors, processes four layers, and performs image processing by associating one palette with each layer. The VDP 622 synthesizes image data set for each of the four layers in accordance with an output instruction from the CPU 620, and outputs and displays the synthesized image data on the effect symbol display device 103.

  Specifically, the VDP 622 converts the image data into color data based on the color data of the palette specified by the image data on the video RAM 614, and the color data is converted into analog RGB video signals as the effect symbol display device 103. Output to and display. The image data here includes an index (array number) for the palette.

  The VDP 622 of this embodiment has a specification that controls each of R, G, B, and I (intensity) per pixel with 8 bits of 3 bits and 4096 colors (= 8 × 8 × 8 × 8). Have the ability to handle Since the VDP 622 performs image processing by associating palettes capable of setting 256 colors with each of the four layers, each palette displays up to 1024 colors out of 4096 colors from 256 colors × 4 layers = 1024. Is possible.

  The character ROM 616 stores image data such as sprite / scroll that the VDP 622 that has received an instruction from the CPU 620 expands in the video RAM 614. Also, four pallet data to be set in the four pallets built in the VDP 622 are stored. The image data is compressed by run length encoding, predictive encoding, Huffman encoding, and other known compression techniques, and stored in the character ROM 616.

  In the video RAM 614, the image data to be output in the display area of the effect symbol display device 103 is developed and temporarily stored by the VDP 622. In this embodiment, the image data set for each of the four layers is temporarily stored in the video RAM 614, and the four layers of image data are combined by the screen buffer on the video RAM 614 to generate combined image data.

(Game control processing procedure by the main control unit)
Next, the main procedure of the game control process executed by the CPU 422 of the main control unit 310 will be described.

  Processing related to the above-described operation of the gaming machine of this embodiment is performed according to the processing procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. The processing procedure of FIG. 7 is a game control interrupt process performed by the CPU 422 of the main control unit 310 reading and executing a game control program stored in the ROM 420. In this process, two types of interrupt processing (interrupt processing for each first predetermined period of the game control system (for example, interrupt processing every 4 msec) activated at each cycle t (for example, 4 msec and 2 msec), random number update, Interrupt processing (for example, interrupt processing every 2 msec) such as switch check every second predetermined period is operating in parallel. Note that it is possible to perform interrupt processing for each third predetermined period, interrupt processing for each fourth predetermined period, or the like so that the interrupt processing cycles do not overlap as necessary. In FIG. 7, when the gaming machine is turned on, the main control unit 310 clears the RAM 424 and performs initial setting (step 710), and then sends an initial command (for example, RAM clear) to the sub-control unit 340. Processing, initial symbol designation, initial state, etc.) are transmitted (step 712), and initial setting instructions relating to images, lamps, sounds, games, and the like are given. In addition, when power is cut off, power is restored.

  First, interrupt processing for each first predetermined period of the game control system will be described.

(Command output management process (step 714))
The main control unit 310 transmits, to the sub-control unit 340, a variation pattern command and an effect symbol designation command prepared in a special game management process (step 716) described later and prepared in the command storage area of the RAM 424. First, it is determined whether there is a command to be transmitted. If there is a command to be transmitted, the command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 340. If there is no command to be output, this processing ends as it is. As will be described later, when command transmission is performed, the command is next to “interrupt processing every first predetermined period” in which special symbol variation start processing in special game management processing (step 716) described later is performed. It is transmitted in the command output management process (step 714) in the “interrupt process for each first predetermined period” that is started. Therefore, the command related to the control of the effect symbol is transmitted by the command output management process after one interruption (after 4 msec in the present embodiment) during a predetermined period after the process of starting the variation of the special symbol is started. Become. In addition, when the process procedure which moves this command output management process to the next process of the special game management process (step 716) which will be described later is adopted, the command related to the control of the effect symbol starts the process of changing the special symbol. Then, during a predetermined period, it is transmitted by the command output management process in the same interrupt.

  The sub-control unit 340 that has received the variation pattern command and the effect symbol designation command transmits the variation pattern command and the liquid crystal display command to the display control unit 370. Upon receiving the variation pattern command and the liquid crystal command, the display control unit 370 performs variation control of the effect symbol of the effect symbol display device 103 for a predetermined change time, and then stops at the symbol designated by the effect symbol designation command.

  Here, the contents of the effect designating command and the liquid crystal display command will be described using a table.

  FIG. 8 is a table showing the contents of a command (effect designating command) transmitted from the main control unit to the sub-control unit and a command (liquid crystal display command) transmitted from the sub-control unit receiving the command to the display control unit. is there. In the table, the command includes a “command ID” part (also referred to as “MODE” part) for identifying the transmitted command itself and grasping the gaming state, and in the identified gaming state, This is a 2-byte command composed of two parts called “EVENT” part for identifying a specific control information type.

  The “command ID” portion of the effect designating command is all “B1” H (hexadecimal number), and the “EVENT” portion is any one of 11 values “00” to “0A” H. . Further, the “command ID” portion of the liquid crystal symbol designation command is “B2” H or “B1” H, and the “EVENT” portion is any value from “00” to “09” H. As can be seen from FIG. 8, regarding the special effect symbols 0 to 9 at the time of determining the jackpot, the value of the “EVENT” portion of the effect symbol designating command and the value of the “EVENT” portion of the liquid crystal display command are the same. Therefore, for example, when the special effect symbol 7 is designated at the time of determining the jackpot, the main control unit transmits an effect symbol designation command of “B1” H + “07” H (command ID + EVENT) to the sub-control unit 340. The sub-control unit 340 that has received the effect designating command transmits a liquid crystal display command of “B2” H + “07” H (command ID + EVENT) to the display control unit 370. Receiving the command for liquid crystal display, the display control unit 370 stops the effect symbol that is being variably displayed on the effect symbol display device 103 by the combination of “777”. On the other hand, with respect to the special effect design 10 designation at the time of determining the deviation, the production design designation command is “B1” H + “0A” H, and the liquid crystal display command is “B1” H≡ + “00” H. In this case, the effect design stops with a combination of detachment.

  The contents of the variation pattern command (command ID + EVENT) are, for example, “A0” H or “A1” H + “37” H to “7B” H in the case of big hit, and “A0” in the case of deviation. "H +" 01 "H to" 36 "H.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the reason why the command output management process (step 714) is placed in the first half of the interrupt process for each first predetermined period is that the second predetermined period, which will be described later, has a high processing priority. Since each interrupt is likely to occur in the second half of the interrupt process for each first predetermined period, the command output management process (step 714) having a long processing time is performed in the second half of the interrupt process for each first predetermined period. If it is placed in the portion, there is a high possibility that it will be interrupted by an interrupt every second predetermined period in the middle of the process, and the command output management process (step 714) is likely to be aborted in the middle of the process. is there. Therefore, in order to avoid the problem as much as possible, the command output management process (step 714) is placed in the first half of the interrupt process for each first predetermined period, preferably in the first part of the interrupt process for each first predetermined period. Thus, the execution timing of the command output management process (step 714) and the interrupt timing for each second predetermined period are prevented from overlapping as much as possible.

(Special game management process (step 716))
The main control unit 310 performs control related to the game such as symbol variation and accessory control by special game management processing.
The reach random number (reach type (reach type ( Random numbers for determining normal reach, long reach, etc.), design random numbers read from the design random number loop counter (random numbers for determining stop symbols), and the first start winning port 104 or the second starting winning port Based on the jackpot random number (random number for determining whether to win or miss) of the winning ball to 108 or the jackpot random number stored in the holding memory of the holding ball, the main control unit 310 performs an effect design designation command, a variation pattern Commands and special symbols (left) and special symbols (right) stop symbols, etc. To store that area. In). The system of the design symbol designation command has already been described in the command output management process (step 714).

  Further, during the big hit operation, the main control unit 310 instructs the upper and lower big prize opening operation solenoids 446 to open the first variable winning ball apparatus 109 or the second variable winning ball apparatus 110 for a predetermined time. For this purpose, the big winning opening opening data and the big winning opening closing data are stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424.

  Further, the main control unit 310 controls variation of the special symbol (left) and the special symbol (right) for a predetermined variation time via the special symbol display output port 432 and stores it in a predetermined area on the RAM 424. Stop at each of the special symbols (left) and special symbols (right). Each stop symbol is displayed on a special symbol display device 102 of 7 segments consisting of two digits.

  Thus, in step 716, the main control unit 310 does not control the special symbol by sending a special symbol designation command to another control unit, but the special symbol is output via the special symbol display output port 432. Control directly.

  The main control unit 310 starts a process of directly changing the special symbol to change it (for example, as a control related to the special game management process (step 716), a special symbol variation timer is set or the special symbol display device 102 is set. In the command output management process (step 714) of the interrupt process to be generated next (for example, after 4 msec), the change pattern command is sent to the sub-control unit 340. And an effect symbol designation command indicating the effect symbol corresponding to the special symbol. Here, the effect symbol variation time specified by the variation pattern command and the variation time set in the special symbol variation timer are set to the same value. The timing is synchronized with a predetermined time (for example, 4 msec), that is, with a time difference corresponding to the interrupt period of the game control system. That is, although depending on the processing speed of the sub-control unit 340, as shown in FIG. 9, the timing at which the effect symbol shifts from the stopped state to the variation state (variation start timing) is a special symbol (left special symbol and right special symbol). Lags behind the timing of transition from the stop state to the fluctuation state (for example, after 4 msec). Similarly, the timing at which the effect symbol shifts from the variation state to the stop state (stop timing) is delayed from the timing at which the special symbol shifts from the variation state to the stop state (for example, after 4 msec).

  In this way, the special symbol is the “main” symbol, and the direct symbol is “subordinate” (subordinate to the special symbol), since the special symbol is changed and fixed after the special symbol starts to change and the special symbol is confirmed. It becomes clear that it is a design for production).

  Here, the relationship between the special symbol and the effect symbol in the case of jackpot and loss is explained using the figures. As shown in FIG. 10, for example, when the jackpot random number is a jackpot, when the jackpot symbol random number (100 patterns of 0 to 99) acquired from the jackpot special symbol random number loop counter is “3”, the main control unit 310 “03” is displayed as a special symbol on the special symbol display device 102. Then, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 8, the main control unit 310 creates an effect designating command (command ID value is “B1” H including the value “07” H corresponding to the special design “03” as an EVENT value). ) To the sub-control unit 340. Subsequently, the sub control unit 340 transmits a liquid crystal display command (command ID value is “B2” H) that similarly includes “07” H as an EVENT value to the display control unit 370. Receiving the command for liquid crystal display, the display control unit 370 stops the effect symbol that is being variably displayed on the effect symbol display device 103 by the combination of “777”. On the other hand, when the jackpot random number is lost, when the lost symbol random number (21 types from 0 to 20) acquired from the lost special symbol random number loop counter is “1”, the main control unit 310 applies a special symbol to the special symbol display device 102. “−1 (hyphen 1)” is displayed as a symbol. Then, main control unit 310 transmits an effect symbol designation command (command ID value is “B1” H) including the value “0A” H corresponding to special symbol “−1” as an EVENT value to sub-control unit 340. . Subsequently, the sub control unit 340 transmits a liquid crystal display command (the command ID value is “B1” H and the EVENT value is “00” H) to the display control unit 370. The display control unit 370 that has received the command for liquid crystal display stops the offending design corresponding to the variation pattern command received from the main control unit 310 via the sub control unit 340 for the effect design that is changing on the effect design display device 103. Let

(Normal game management processing (step 718))
At the start of normal symbol variation due to the passage of the sphere of the normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 (or normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106), the main control unit 310 is based on the small hit random number on the RAM 424. Prepares stop symbol data for normal symbols. This process is performed when it is determined that the normal symbol change is started while the main control unit 310 performs the normal game management process.

(External information processing (step 720))
In order to transmit game state information from the main control unit 310 to the outside of the gaming machine (mainly the hall computer 202 or the information display device 201) via the external information output unit 454, the main control unit 310 performs external information processing. Information to the outside.

(Solenoid control processing (step 721))
The main control unit 310 opens or closes the first variable winning ball device 109 and the second variable winning ball device 110 based on the big winning opening opening data and the big winning opening closing data stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424. To instruct the upper and lower prize winning solenoids 446 to do so. In addition, the main control unit 310 instructs the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 448 to open or close the second start winning opening 108.

(Other random number update process (step 722))
In step 722 during the remaining interrupt processing time for the first predetermined period, the main control unit 310 updates random numbers other than the jackpot random number and the jackpot special symbol random number (reach random number, loss symbol random number, etc.).

  Next, interrupt processing for each second predetermined period will be described.

(Win lottery random number update process (step 730))
The main control unit 310 updates the big hit random number loop counter and the big hit special symbol random number for the special prize by, for example, incrementing (+1) the big hit random number loop counter on the RAM 424 every 2 msec. At the same time, the main control unit 310 updates the small hit random number for normal symbols by incrementing (+1) the small hit random number loop counter on the RAM 424. In the present embodiment, the loop counter means a counter that cyclically updates a value from 0 to a predetermined maximum value.

(Input processing (step 732))
When the main control unit 310 detects the winning ball to the first starting winning port 104 or the second starting winning port 108 with the special symbol start switch 410, the main control unit 310 reads the big hit random number from the big hit random number loop counter and stores it on the RAM 424. . When the special symbol start switch 410 detects that the ball has won the first start winning port 104 or the second start winning port 108 during the special symbol change, the main control unit 310 detects the big hit random number from the big hit random number loop counter. Then, the jackpot special symbol random number is read and stored in the holding memory of the holding ball on the RAM 424 (holding of the ball). Each time this step is repeatedly executed during the special symbol variation, the value of each big hit random number is continuously stored in the holding memory of the holding ball on the RAM 424 for a plurality of holding balls.

  Further, when the main control unit 310 detects the passage of the sphere of the normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 (or the normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106), the main control unit 310 calculates a small hit random number from the small hit random number loop counter. Read and store on RAM 424.

  Further, the main control unit 310 detects the winning at the first starting winning port 104 or the second starting winning port 108 by the special symbol starting switch 410, and the first variable winning ball at the time of the big hit operation by the big winning port switch 414. The winning detection to the device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110, the first starting winning port 104, the second starting winning port 108, the first variable winning ball device 109, the second variable winning by the switch 418, etc. The result of winning detection to other winning ports other than the ball device 110 is stored on the RAM 424. In particular, when a winning is detected in the first variable winning ball device 109 and the second variable winning ball device 110, the main control unit 310 also increments (+1) the big winning counter on the RAM 424. It is controlled so that it is not counted except during the big hit (in the normal state). Further, the main control unit 310 sets a V flag on the RAM 424 when the specific area switch 416 detects a game ball that has passed through the specific area. Further, when the main control unit 310 detects that the special symbol variation time reduction switch 119 is turned ON, the main control unit 310 sets a special symbol variation time reduction switch flag.

(Prize ball payout management process (step 734))
In the input process (step 732), the special symbol start switch 410 stored in the RAM 424 detects the first start winning port 104 or the second start winning port 108, and the big winning operation by the big winning port switch 414 is performed. The first variable winning ball device 109, the first variable winning ball device 109, the second variable winning ball device 110, the second starting winning port 108 by the switch 418, the first variable winning ball device 109, For each result of winning detection to other winning ports other than the second variable winning ball device 110, the main control unit 310 displays the number of payout balls corresponding to each preset number of winning balls on the RAM 424. To remember.
The main control unit 310 instructs the prize ball payout device 452 to pay out a prize ball by a command output based on the number of prize balls paid out stored in the RAM 424.

(Special game management process and normal game management process)
FIG. 11 shows a series of processing contents including the special game management process (step 716) and the normal game management process (step 718) of FIG.

  In step 1110, the main control unit 310 checks the big hit flag, and if the big hit flag is ON, the big hit is being hit, so the big hit process (step 1134) is performed, and the process proceeds to step 1140. When the big hit flag is OFF and the special symbol change timer on the RAM 424 is 0, that is, neither big hit nor special symbol change, the big hit random number (the first start winning prize port 104 or the first start winning port 104 or the 2), whether the first winning prize opening 104 or the second starting winning prize 108 is stored in the RAM 424. If it is determined that the special symbol variation starts with the reservation of the winning ball or the holding ball, the process proceeds to step 1112.

  In step 1112, the main control unit 310 determines a special symbol variation special prize to be started based on the jackpot random number related to the special symbol variation stored in the RAM 424. When it is determined that the big hit random number does not match the value of the special prize, the special prize flag on the RAM 424 is turned OFF, and when it is determined that it matches the value of the special prize, the special prize flag is turned ON.

  Here, when the probability variation flag is ON (at the time of probability variation), the number of special prize values for determining a special prize is increased to increase the special prize probability. For example, “7” is set as the value of the special prize at the normal time (normal game state), but “3”, “7”, “11”, “15” as the value of the special prize at the time of the probability variation. , “82” is set. If the hour / middle flag is ON, the hour / hour variation counter on the RAM 424 is decremented (−1), and if the hour / hour variation counter is 0 as a result, the hour / middle flag is turned OFF.

  In step 1114, when the determination result in step 1112 is a special prize, the main control unit 310, like the jackpot random number, stores the jackpot special symbol random number loop counter (100 values from 0 to 99. 100 values shown in FIG. 10). From the above, a plurality of symbols to be stopped and displayed on the special symbol display device 102 and the effect symbol display device 103 are determined. On the other hand, in the case of loss, a plurality of symbols to be stopped and displayed on the special symbol display device 102 are determined from the loss symbol random numbers (21 values of 0 to 20; see FIG. 10) read from the loss special symbol random number loop counter. To do. That is, the main control unit 310 suspends the special symbol combination to be stopped, the command ID value (“B1” H) of the effect symbol designation command, and the EVENT value (“00” H to “0A” H). ) And is stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424.

  In step 1116, the main control unit 310 determines a variation pattern of the effect symbol variation based on the determination of the special prize, the reach random number, and the symbol random number, and stores it in a predetermined area on the RAM 424.

  In step 1118, main controller 310 stores special symbol variation instruction data instructing special symbol variation in a predetermined area on RAM 424.

  When the information required for the special symbol variation is stored, in step 1120, the main control unit 310 determines the normal rendering time (seconds) in accordance with the rendering symbol variation uniquely determined from the command ID value of the variation pattern command. The special symbol variation timer for monitoring the variation of the special symbol, and the special symbol variation time shortening switch timer for monitoring the ON / OFF of the special symbol variation time shortening switch, the normal presentation time ( Second). Note that the normal performance time (seconds) is unique to each command ID value of the variation pattern command, and the number of seconds differs for each EVENT value of the variation pattern command.

  Similarly, in step 1140, the main control unit 310 checks whether the small hit random number related to the normal symbol variation is stored in the RAM 424 as the processing target, and checks the normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 or the normal symbol. If it is determined that the normal symbol variation start associated with the passage of the sphere of the display device operation gate (right) 106, the process proceeds to step 1142.

  In step 1142, the main control unit 310 determines a small hit for the normal symbol variation to be started based on the small hit random numbers related to the normal symbol variation stored in the RAM 424. When it is determined that the small hit random number does not match the small hit value, the small hit flag on the RAM 424 is turned OFF, and when it is determined that the small hit random value matches the small hit value, the small hit flag is turned ON.

  Here, when the probability variation flag is ON or the hour / medium flag is ON, the number of small hit values for determining the small hit is increased to increase the small hit probability.

  In step 1144, the main control unit 310 determines a normal symbol to be stopped and displayed on the normal symbol display device 107 from the small hit determination result. For example, the small hit determination is “small hit flag ON”, and the stop symbol data of the normal symbol uniquely determined from the small hit determination result is “7” H. The main control unit 310 stores the normal symbol stop symbol data in a predetermined area on the RAM 424.

  In step 1146, the main control unit 308 stores the normal symbol variation instruction data for instructing the normal symbol variation in a predetermined area on the RAM 424.

  When the information required for the normal symbol variation is stored, in step 1148, the main control unit 310 sets a normal symbol variation timer for monitoring the normal symbol variation to a predetermined value.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the main control unit 310 executes the special game management process (step 716) based on the information required for the special symbol variation stored in the predetermined area on the RAM 424 to perform the special symbol variation. The process starts (S1118 in FIG. 11). Similarly, the main control unit 310 executes normal game management processing (step 718) based on the information required for normal symbol variation stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424 and starts normal symbol variation (FIG. 11). S1146). After that (for example, after 4 msec or more), command output management processing (step 714) is executed, and an effect symbol designation command, a variation pattern command, and the like are transmitted to the sub-control unit 340. Subsequently, the sub-control unit 340 that receives the effect designating command or the like transmits a liquid crystal display command or the like to the display control unit 370.

  The process of FIG. 11 is called again from the process of FIG. 7 by the interrupt process. In steps 1110 and 1122, the main control unit 310 turns off the jackpot / medium flag and the symbol variation timer is not 0, that is, the jackpot is not a big jackpot. If it is determined that the change is in progress, the process proceeds to step 1124. In step 1124, the main control unit 310 subtracts the special symbol variation timer by the interrupt cycle T (for example, 4 msec). In step 1110 and step 1122, if the jackpot, special symbol variation start, or special symbol variation is not occurring, the main control unit 310 advances the process to step 1130.

  In step 1126, it is determined whether the special symbol variation timer is 0. If the special symbol variation timer is 0, in step 1128, the special symbol is displayed using the stop symbol stored in the predetermined area on the RAM 424 in step 1114. Stop.

  When the symbol change timer is 0, that is, when the symbol is not changing, the main control unit 310 checks the special prize flag (step 1130). If the special prize flag is ON, the main control unit 310 sets the big hit flag in step 1132. The information of the jackpot start command (command ID value is “90” H) is stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424. This command is transmitted to the display control unit 370 via the sub control unit 340 in the command output management process (step 714) of FIG. This command is a command for displaying a big hit start screen on the effect symbol display device 103.

  Further, at step 1132, the main control unit 310 sets a round counter (counter for counting the number of rounds during the big hit operation) and a release timer (a timer for measuring the opening time of the big winning opening during one round) on the RAM 424 as predetermined. Set to the value, set the interval timer (the timer that measures the closing time of the big winning opening between rounds) to a predetermined value (several seconds), and V flag (the flag that is turned on when the game ball passes the specific area) ) Is turned OFF, and the big prize opening counter (counter that counts the number of game balls won in the big prize opening during one round) is set to zero. Specifically, the round counter is set to 15 rounds, the release timer is set to 30 seconds, and the process proceeds to step 1140.

  If it is determined in step 1126 that the symbol variation timer is not 0, main controller 310 advances the process to step 1140. Further, the main control unit 310 checks the special prize flag (step 1130), and if the special prize flag is OFF, the main control unit 310 advances the process to step 1140.

  When the main control unit 310 determines that the normal symbol variation timer is not 0, that is, that the normal symbol variation is in progress (step 1140 → step 1150), the main control unit 310 subtracts the normal symbol variation timer by an interrupt cycle T (for example, 4 mec) (step 1152).

  When the normal symbol variation timer becomes 0, the main control unit 310 stores normal symbol stop instruction data for instructing the normal symbol variation stop in a predetermined area on the RAM 424 (step 1154 → step 1156).

  When the normal symbol variation timer is 0, that is, when the normal symbol is not varying, the main control unit 310 checks the small hit flag (step 1158), and when the small hit flag is ON, the main control unit 310 reads the normal electric accessory 108. Is stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424 to instruct the ordinary electric accessory operating solenoid 448 to be released for a predetermined time (step 1160). When the probability variation flag is ON, the open state time of the ordinary electric accessory 108 is set longer than the normal time. This makes it easier for the ball to enter the second start winning opening 104 during probability change.

  The above is the contents of a series of processes that combine the special game management process (step 716) and the normal game management process (step 718).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the main control unit of the gaming machine directly controls the special symbol in hardware. In addition, according to the present embodiment, the main control unit of the gaming machine performs control to change and determine the effect symbol after the start of variation of the special symbol and determination of the symbol of the special symbol.
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the control system related to the special symbol and the production control target can be shared by the relationship between the main control unit and the sub-control unit, and further, the control process executed by the main control unit The configuration of the procedure can be clarified and the reliability and stability of the control process can be improved. That is, it can be clarified that the special symbol is the “main” symbol, and the effect symbol is, for example, the “slave” symbol (the symbol for the effect subordinate to the special symbol) as the effect control. The reason is that the target directly controlled by the main control unit, which is the center of control of the gaming machine, is a special symbol, while the effect symbol that is displayed as an image, the effect notification by the effect sound and the indicator lamp is a command of the main control unit. This is because it is controlled by the operating sub-control unit and is in a subordinate position. This prevents a special symbol in the “main” position from being displayed due to the occurrence of some abnormality, so that it is possible to avoid starting a stunning auxiliary operation in the “secondary” position. Does not cause confusion.

  This embodiment is illustrative and not restrictive. Therefore, modifications other than the present embodiment are possible. As long as the modification is within the scope of the technical idea indicated by the claims, the modification is within the technical scope of the present invention.

100 gaming machine 101 game board 102 special symbol display device 103 production symbol display device 104 first start winning opening 105 normal symbol display device operation gate (left)
106 Normal symbol display device operation gate (right)
107 Normal symbol display device 108 Normal electric accessory (tulip) (second starting prize opening)
109 First variable winning ball apparatus 110 having a top prize opening 110 Second variable winning ball apparatus 111 having a bottom prize opening 111 Game machine handle 112 Special symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp)
113 Normal symbol operation memory indicator lamp (hold lamp)
119 Special symbol change time shortening switch 120 Effect changeover switch 201 Information display device 202 Hall computer 203 Out ball detection device 310 Main control unit 340 Sub control unit 370 Display control unit 410 Special symbol start switch 412 Normal symbol operation switch 414 Big prize opening switch 416 Specific area switch 418 Other switch 420 ROM
422 CPU
424 RAM
426 Input port 428 Upper and lower large prize opening solenoid output port 430 Normal electric accessory solenoid output port 432 Special symbol display output port 434 Normal symbol display output port 436 Special symbol operation memory indicator light port 438 Normal symbol operation memory display Light port 440 Sub-control command output port (send design symbol designation command, variation pattern command, etc.)
442 Payout control command output port 444 External information output port 446 Upper and lower large prize opening solenoid 448 Normal electric accessory solenoid 450 Payout control unit 452 Prize ball payout device 510 ROM
512 RAM
514 CPU
516 Various input ports 518 Various output ports 520 Lamp display device 522 Sound effect generator 524 Production movable object 610 Program ROM
612 RAM
614 Video RAM
616 Character ROM
618 Input port 620 CPU
622 LSI for Image Processing (VDP)
624 output port

Claims (1)

A main control means for repeatedly executing a control processing procedure composed of a plurality of control processing steps each time without resetting every predetermined period;
Sub-control means for controlling a production control target based on a command from the main control means;
In a gaming machine comprising
The plurality of control processing steps include: a special game management process for processing display control of a special symbol display device on which a special symbol is displayed; and a command output management process for processing output of the command to the sub-control means. Including
The control processing procedure is a program configuration in which the command output management processing is arranged prior to the special game management processing,
Said main control unit, when trigger for varying display the special symbol is generated, in said control procedure is repeatedly performed every time before SL when running the control procedure at a certain times The special symbol variation display control is started by starting transmission of a display drive signal to the special symbol display device in the special game management process, and then the control at a time later than the certain time. gaming machine and outputs the command to start the control of the presentation control object to said sub-control means in the previous SL command output management processing when running the procedure.

Images