JP5120859B2 - Amusement stand - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine represented by a slot machine (pachislot) and a pachinko machine.

  In recent years, game machines have shifted to an advantageous state (hereinafter referred to as a bonus game) in which a lot of game media can be obtained than usual when specific combinations of symbols drawn on the reels are aligned on the active line. It has become. In addition to such bonus games, there is a case where the player is notified of the result of the internal lottery as an advantageous state in which more game media can be obtained than usual. For example, a so-called AT (assist time) function has been introduced, in which a lottery result is notified by image display, and the player performs a stop operation as an index of the push operation by changing the notification ratio.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a slot machine in which a sub-control unit receives a command indicating a lottery result from a main control unit, and displays a symbol corresponding to the lottery result on a liquid crystal display unit during AT. .

JP 2003-175156 A

  During AT, the player recognizes the notification content and operates the stop button. However, even in a state where the AT is not operating nowadays, a command indicating the lottery result transmitted from the main control unit is received by attaching an unauthorized receiver inside the machine, etc. There were fraudsters to do.

  Under these circumstances, commands that indicate the lottery results may be complicated (for example, encryption), and countermeasures that prevent exploitation of commands easily may be considered. There is a problem that the burden increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game machine in which the content of a command transmitted from a main control unit to a sub control unit cannot be grasped using a simple method.

  In order to achieve the above object, the gaming machine according to the present invention, as one aspect thereof, executes a process of advancing the game based on the player's operation, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, A main control unit that grants the benefit of the game, and a sub-control unit that receives control information indicating the state of the game transmitted by the main control unit and executes an effect process, wherein the main control unit The control information transmitted to the sub-control unit is composed of an information string having a predetermined length, and the main control unit sequentially transmits a plurality of the control information at a predetermined opportunity according to the progress of the game. Information transmitted to the sub-control unit and indicating the state of each game is set in each of the plurality of control information to be transmitted, and is separated into at least two or more information strings. It is characterized by being.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the game machine which cannot grasp | ascertain the content of the command transmitted to a sub-control part from a main control part can be provided using a simple method.

It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an internal configuration of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram of a control unit of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a surface arrangement of symbols arranged on each reel of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a type of a role, a name of a role, a symbol combination corresponding to the role, a payout of a role, and remarks of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 is a state transition diagram showing a transition of the gaming state of the main control unit of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a list regarding the transmission command of the slot machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a table | surface explaining the arrangement | positioning conversion table (The arrangement | positioning conversion table 1 which performs arrangement | positioning conversion of the pattern 1) of the slot machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a table | surface explaining the return conversion table (Return conversion table 1 which performs the return conversion of the pattern 1) of the slot machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a conversion method when a continuous transmission command is converted using the arrangement conversion table 1 in the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the slot machine concerning one embodiment of the present invention, it is an arrangement schematic diagram of conversion information generated by three kinds of arrangement conversion tables. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of power-on processing of the main control unit of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the flow of the setting value change process of step S105 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the flow of the game execution process of step S108 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the flow of the winning determination process of step S308 of FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing in detail a flow of a main control unit timer interrupt process of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the flow of the command setting transmission process of step S506 of FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of a first sub control unit main process, a command process, a first sub control unit command reception interrupt process, and a first sub control unit timer interrupt process of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. . It is a flowchart which shows in detail the flow of the return conversion process of step S802 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of AT lottery processing of the slot machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of display determination processing of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. Flow of second sub-control unit main process, second sub-control unit command reception interrupt process, second sub-control unit timer interrupt process, and second sub-control unit image control process of the slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention It is a flowchart which shows. It is a schematic diagram of the game machine concerning another embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Overall configuration>
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a slot machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the slot machine 100, a game is started when a medal is inserted, and a medal is paid out according to the result of the game.

  A slot machine 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a main body 101 and a front door 102 that is attached to the front surface of the main body 101 and can be opened and closed with respect to the main body 101. Inside the center of the main body 101 (not shown), three reels (left reel 110, middle reel 111, right reel 112) having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface are stored and rotated inside the slot machine 100. It is configured to be able to. These reels 110 to 112 are rotationally driven by a driving device such as a stepping motor.

  In this embodiment, an appropriate number of symbols are printed on the belt-like member at equal intervals, and the reels 110 to 112 are configured by attaching the belt-like member to a predetermined circular cylindrical frame member. When viewed from the player, three symbols on the reels 110 to 112 are displayed in the vertical direction from the symbol display window 113 so that a total of nine symbols can be seen. Then, by rotating the reels 110 to 112, the combination of symbols that can be seen by the player varies. That is, each of the reels 110 to 112 functions as a display device that displays a plurality of combinations of symbols in a variable manner. In addition to the reel, an electronic image display device such as a liquid crystal display device can also be used as such a display device. In this embodiment, three reels are provided in the center of the slot machine 100. However, the number of reels and the installation position of the reels are not limited to this.

  Backlights (not shown) for illuminating individual symbols displayed on the symbol display window 113 are arranged on the rear surfaces of the reels 110 to 112. It is desirable that the backlight is shielded for each symbol so that the individual symbols can be illuminated evenly. In the slot machine 100, an optical sensor (index sensor; not shown) including a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit is provided in the vicinity of each of the reels 110 to 112, and the light projecting unit of this optical sensor. A light-shielding piece of a certain length provided on the reel passes between the light receiving portion and the light receiving portion. Based on the detection result of the sensor, the position of the symbol on the reel in the rotation direction is determined, and the reels 110 to 112 are stopped so that the target symbol is displayed on the winning line.

  The winning line display lamp 120 is a lamp indicating the winning line 114 that is valid. The effective pay line is determined in advance by the number of medals bet as a game medium. There are five pay lines 114. For example, when one medal is bet, the middle horizontal pay line is valid, and when two medals are betted, the upper horizontal win line and the lower horizontal pay line are added. If three are valid and three medals are bet, five lines including a right-down winning line and an upper-right winning line are valid as winning lines. The number of winning lines 114 is not limited to five. For example, when one medal is bet, the middle horizontal winning line, the upper horizontal winning line, the lower horizontal winning line, the right Five lines, the down line and the upper right line, may be valid as the winning lines.

  The notification lamp 123 is, for example, a lamp that informs the player that a specific winning combination (specifically, a bonus) has been won internally in an internal lottery to be described later or that a bonus game is in progress. The game medal insertable lamp 124 is a lamp for notifying that the player can insert a game medal. The replay lamp 122 informs the player that the current game can be replayed (the medal need not be inserted) when winning a replay which is one of the winning combinations in the previous game. It is a lamp. The reel panel lamp 128 is an effect lamp.

  The bet buttons 130 to 132 are buttons for inserting a predetermined number of medals (referred to as credits) stored electronically in the slot machine 100. In this embodiment, each time the bet button 130 is pressed, a maximum of 3 cards are inserted, 2 when the bet button 131 is pressed, and 3 when the bet button 132 is pressed. It has become so. Hereinafter, the bet button 132 is also referred to as a MAX (max) bet button. The game medal insertion lamp 129 lights up the number of lamps corresponding to the number of inserted medals, and when a prescribed number of medals are inserted, the game start is informed that the game can be started. The lamp 121 is turned on.

  The medal slot 141 is an slot for a player to insert a medal when starting a game. That is, the medal can be inserted electronically by the bet buttons 130 to 132, or an actual medal can be inserted (insertion operation) from the medal insertion slot 141. is there. The stored number display 125 is a display for displaying the number of medals stored electronically in the slot machine 100. The game information display 126 is a display for displaying various types of internal information (for example, the number of medals paid out during a bonus game) as numerical values. The payout number display 127 is a display for displaying the number of medals to be paid out to the player as a result of winning a winning combination. In the present embodiment, the stored number display unit 125, the game information display unit 126, and the payout number display unit 127 are configured by a 7 segment (SEG) display unit.

  The start lever 135 is a lever type switch for starting the rotation of the reels 110 to 112. That is, when a desired medal number is inserted into the medal insertion slot 141 or when the bet buttons 130 to 132 are operated and the start lever 135 is operated, the reels 110 to 112 start to rotate. The operation on the start lever 135 is referred to as a game start operation.

  The stop button unit 136 is provided with stop buttons 137 to 139. The stop buttons 137 to 139 are button-type push switches for individually stopping the reels 110 to 112 that have started rotating by operating the start lever 135, and are provided in association with the reels 110 to 112. . Hereinafter, the operation on the stop buttons 137 to 139 is referred to as a stop operation, the first stop operation is referred to as a first stop operation, the next stop operation is referred to as a second stop operation, and the last stop operation is referred to as a third stop operation. Note that a light emitter may be provided in each of the stop buttons 137 to 139, and when the stop buttons 137 to 139 can be operated, the light emitter can be turned on to notify the player.

  The medal return button 133 is a button that is pressed to remove a medal when the inserted medal is jammed. The payment button 134 is a button for adjusting the medals electronically stored in the slot machine 100 and the bet medals and discharging them from the medal payout exit 155. The door key hole 140 is a hole into which a key for unlocking the front door 102 of the slot machine 100 is inserted.

  Below the stop button unit 136 is provided a title panel 162 for displaying the model name and pasting various types of certificate. At the lower part of the title panel 162, a medal payout opening 155 and a medal tray 161 are provided.

  The sound hole 181 is a hole for outputting the sound of a speaker provided inside the slot machine 100 to the outside. The side lamps 144 provided on the left and right portions of the front door 102 are decorative lamps for exciting games. An effect device 160 is disposed above the front door 102, and a sound hole 143 is provided above the effect device 160. The effect device 160 includes a shutter (shielding device) 163 including two right shutters 163a and a left shutter 163b that can be opened and closed in a horizontal direction, and a liquid crystal display device 157 (not shown) disposed on the back side of the shutter 163. When the right shutter 163a and the left shutter 163b are opened outward in the horizontal direction in front of the liquid crystal display device 157, the display screen of the liquid crystal display device 157 (not shown) is displayed in front of the slot machine 100 (game). The structure appears on the person side).

  In addition, even if it is not a liquid crystal display device, it should just be comprised so that various effect images and various game information can be displayed, for example, a multi-segment display (7-segment display), a dot matrix display, an organic EL display, a plasma display , A reel (drum), or a display device including a projector and a screen. Further, the display screen has a rectangular shape and is configured so that the player can visually recognize the entire display screen. In the case of this embodiment, the display screen is rectangular, but may be square. In addition, a decorative object (not shown) may be provided on the periphery of the display screen, and a part of the peripheral edge of the display screen may be hidden by the decorative object, so that the display screen looks irregular. In the present embodiment, the display screen is a flat surface, but may be a curved surface.

<Internal configuration>
2 is a view showing an internal configuration of the slot machine 100, FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective view of the slot machine 100 showing a state in which the front door 102 is opened, and FIG. FIG. 5C is an enlarged perspective view of the door relay board 170 disposed on the door 102, and FIG. 10C shows the vicinity of the medal payout device 180 in the state disposed on the main body 101 when the front door 102 is opened. It is the front view which expanded.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, a reel unit 115 is provided in the center of the main body 101. The reel unit 115 is provided with reels 110 to 112 rotatably. Also, below the reel unit 115, medals for paying out to the player are stored, a medal paying device 180 for paying out the stored medals, and medals that cannot be stored in the medal paying device 180 (medal paying device). A medal auxiliary storage 182 for storing medals overflowing from 180) is provided. Further, on the lower side of the main body 101, a setting key switch 184 for changing the game mode setting of the slot machine 100 and confirming the changed setting, and powering on and off the slot machine 100 are provided. A power switch 186 is provided.

  Further, the main body 101 has a power supply device 188 that generates power to be supplied to each electrical circuit of the slot machine 100 (for example, a main control unit 300, a first sub control unit 400, and a second sub control unit 500 described later). In addition, a power supply circuit board 189 that converts a voltage generated by the power supply device 188 into a predetermined voltage for use in each electric circuit is provided. Note that the power supply device 188 and the power supply circuit board 189 are preferably disposed in a place where it is difficult to manually operate (for example, the lower back side of the main body 101) so that they cannot be easily touched.

  On the back surface (opening side) of the front door 102, a door relay substrate 170 is disposed below the symbol display window 113. The door relay board 170 is provided with a reset switch 172, a setting change switch 174, a setting value display 176, and a harness 178 (see FIG. 5B).

  The reset switch 172 is a push button type switch, and the error of the slot machine 100 can be canceled by pressing the reset switch 172 (short-term pressing).

  The setting change switch 174 is also a push button type switch similar to the reset switch 172. The procedure for changing the setting by the setting change switch 174 will be described later.

  The set value display 176 is a display such as a 7-segment LED. The set value display 176 can display the game modes (hereinafter also referred to as set values) 1 to 6 set by the setting change switch 174 in numbers. When the set value display 176 is turned on (set key OFF → ON) when the set key is inserted into the set key switch 184 in the power-on state (power ON), the currently set game mode (for example, Since 1) is displayed as a number, it can be used to check the currently set game mode.

  The harness 178 is composed of a plurality of harnesses. The harness 178 is electrically connected to connectors provided in the main control unit 300 (details will be described later), the setting key switch 184, the power switch 186, and the like.

  Next, on the lower side of the main body 101, as shown in FIG. 5C, a medal payout device 180, a medal auxiliary storage 182, a setting key switch 184, a power switch 186, and a power device 188. A power circuit board 189 is provided. A space provided below the main body 101 and in which the medal payout device 180 and the like are disposed is referred to as a power supply box 103.

  In the medal payout device 180 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a hopper), medals inserted from the medal insertion port 141 by the player are stored through the medal selector 195. The medal payout device 180 communicates with the medal payout outlet 155. Therefore, as a result of the game, medals paid out from the medal payout device 180 are paid out to the player from the medal payout exit 155.

  The medal auxiliary storage 182 is a box-shaped device that is configured so that overflowing medals that cannot be stored in the medal payout device 180 fall into the opening of the medal auxiliary storage 182 and temporarily store medals. . The medals in the medal auxiliary storage 182 are collected by a store clerk of the game store.

  The setting key switch 184 is a key switch that is electrically turned on / off by inserting and rotating a predetermined setting key (not shown). Specifically, when a predetermined setting key is inserted into the setting key switch 184 and rotated to the right, the setting key switch sensor 381 provided in the setting key switch 184 detects the ON state, and when rotated to the left, the setting key switch sensor 381 detects an OFF state.

  The power switch 186 is a toggle switch that is electrically connected to the power supply device 188. With the power switch 186, the slot machine 100 can be turned on (power ON) or shut off (power OFF).

  Here, an operation procedure for changing the setting will be described. By inserting a setting key (not shown) into the setting key switch 184 and turning it clockwise (setting key OFF → ON), the power switch 186 is changed from the power-off state (power OFF) to the power-on state (power ON). The setting change becomes valid (setting change processing is started), and each time the setting change switch 174 is pressed, the game mode (also referred to as setting or setting value) changes in order from 1 to 6, and is set to a predetermined game mode. can do. By operating the start lever 135, the set value set at that time is confirmed. Finally, the setting change process is completed by turning the setting key counterclockwise (setting key ON → OFF).

  The setting key switch 184 is not limited to a key switch, and other switches may be used. Further, the power switch 186 is not limited to a toggle switch, and for example, a push switch or the like is preferably used.

  The setting key switch 184 and the power switch 186 are not limited to those provided in the power supply box 103. For example, a dedicated box may be provided and disposed therein, or used in the slot machine 100. It is also preferable to provide on a control board (for example, a board of the main control unit 300).

<Circuit configuration of control unit>
Next, the circuit configuration of the control unit of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a circuit block diagram of the control unit.

  The control unit of the slot machine 100 can be broadly divided into main effects according to a main control unit 300 that controls the progress of the game and a command signal (hereinafter simply referred to as “command”) transmitted by the main control unit 300. And a second sub-control unit 500 that controls various devices based on a command transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400.

<Main control unit>
First, the main control unit 300 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The main control unit 300 includes a basic circuit 302 that controls the entire main control unit 300. The basic circuit 302 includes a CPU 304, control program data, lottery data used in the internal lottery of a winning combination, and reel stop. A ROM 306 for storing a position, a RAM 308 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 310 for controlling input / output of various devices, and a counter timer 312 for measuring time and frequency It is installed. Note that other storage devices may be used for the ROM 306 and the RAM 308, and this is the same for the first sub-control unit 400 and the second control unit 500 described later. The CPU 304 of the basic circuit 302 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined cycle output from the crystal oscillator 314b as a system clock. Further, when the power is turned on, the CPU 304 transmits the frequency division data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 306 to the counter timer 312. The counter timer 312 sets the interrupt time based on the received frequency division data. An interrupt request is transmitted to the CPU 304 at every interrupt time. In response to this interrupt request, the CPU 304 monitors each sensor and transmits a drive pulse. For example, when the clock signal output from the crystal oscillator 314b is set to 8 MHz, the frequency division value of the counter timer 312 is set to 1/256, and the data for frequency division of the ROM 306 is set to 47, the interrupt reference time is 256 × 47 ÷ 8 MHz. = 1.504 ms.

  The basic circuit 302 includes a random number generation circuit 316 that is used as a hardware random number counter that fluctuates a numerical value in the range of 0 to 65535, and a start signal output circuit 332 that outputs a start signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on. When the activation signal is input from the activation signal output circuit 332, the CPU 304 starts game control (starts a main control unit main process described later).

  Further, the basic circuit 302 is provided with a sensor circuit 320, and the CPU 304 is inserted from various sensors 318 (a bet button 130 sensor, a bet button 131 sensor, a bet button 132 sensor, and a medal slot 141 every interruption time). Medal medal acceptance sensor, start lever 135 sensor, stop button 137 sensor, stop button 138 sensor, stop button 139 sensor, settlement button 134 sensor, medal medal payout sensor paid out from medal payout device 180, index sensor for reel 110, The status of the index sensor of the reel 111, the index sensor of the reel 112, the setting change switch sensor, the setting key switch sensor, etc.) is monitored.

  When the sensor circuit 320 detects the H level of the start lever sensor, a signal indicating this detection is output to the random number generation circuit 316. Receiving this signal, the random number generation circuit 316 latches the value at that timing and stores it in a register that stores the random value used for the lottery.

  Two medal acceptance sensors are installed in the internal passage of the medal insertion slot 141 and detect whether or not a medal has passed. Two start lever 135 sensors are installed inside the start lever 135 and detect a start operation by the player. The stop button 137 sensor, the stop button 138 sensor, and the stop button 139 sensor are installed in each of the stop buttons 137 to 139, and detect the operation of the stop button by the player.

  The bet button 130 sensor, the bet button 131 sensor, and the bet button 132 sensor are installed in each of the medal insertion buttons 130 to 132, and the medals stored electronically in the RAM 308 are inserted as inserted medals into the game. Detecting the case input operation. The settlement button 134 sensor is provided on the settlement button 134. When the settlement button 134 is pressed once, the medals stored electronically are settled. The medal payout sensor is a sensor for detecting a medal paid out by the medal payout device 180. The setting change switch sensor is provided in the setting change switch 174 and detects that the setting change switch 174 has been pressed. The setting key switch sensor is provided in the setting key switch 184. The setting key switch sensor detects that the setting key has been inserted into the setting key switch 184, and the setting value can be changed by the setting change switch 174. Each of the above sensors may be a non-contact type sensor or a contact type sensor.

  The index sensor of the reel 110, the index sensor of the reel 111, and the index sensor of the reel 112 are installed at predetermined positions on the mounting bases of the reels 110 to 112, and each time a light shielding piece provided on the reel frame passes through L Become a level. When detecting this signal, the CPU 304 determines that the reel has made one rotation, and resets the rotational position information of the reel to zero.

  The main control unit 300 is provided in a drive circuit 322 for driving a stepping motor provided on the reels 110 to 112, a drive circuit 324 for driving a solenoid provided in a medal selector 195 for selecting inserted medals, and a medal payout device 180. A drive circuit 326 for driving a motor, and various lamps 338 (a winning line display lamp 120, a notification lamp 123, a game medal insertion possible lamp 124, a re-game lamp 122, a game medal insertion lamp 129, a game start lamp 121, a stored number indicator 125, a game information display 126, and a payout number display 127) are provided.

  In addition, an information output circuit 334 is connected to the basic circuit 302, and the main control unit 300 is slotted into an information input circuit 652 provided in an external hall computer (not shown) or the like via the information output circuit 334. The game information (for example, game state) of the machine 100 is output.

  In addition, the main control unit 300 includes an output interface for transmitting a command to the first sub control unit 400 and enables communication with the first sub control unit 400. The information communication between the main control unit 300 and the first sub control unit 400 is one-way communication, and the main control unit 300 can transmit a signal such as a command to the first sub control unit 400, but the first sub control A signal such as a command cannot be transmitted from the unit 400 to the main control unit 300.

<Sub control unit>
Next, the first sub control unit 400 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The first sub control unit 400 includes a basic circuit 402 that receives the control command transmitted from the main control unit 300 via the input interface and controls the entire first sub control unit 400 based on the control command. Yes. This basic circuit 402 is equipped with a CPU 404, a RAM 408 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 410 for controlling input / output of various devices, and a counter timer 412 for measuring time, frequency, and the like. doing. The CPU 404 of the basic circuit 402 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output from the crystal oscillator 414 as a system clock. In addition, the first sub-control unit 400 stores a ROM 406 in which a control program and data for controlling the entire first sub-control unit 400, data for controlling the lighting pattern of the backlight, various displays, and the like are stored. Provided.

  The CPU 404 transmits the frequency division data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 406 to the counter timer 412 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The counter timer 412 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency dividing data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 404 at each interrupt time. The CPU 404 controls each IC and each circuit based on the interrupt request timing.

  The first sub-control unit 400 is provided with a sound source IC 418, and speakers 272 and 277 are connected to the sound source IC 418 via an output interface. The sound source IC 418 controls sound output from the amplifiers and speakers 272 and 277 in accordance with a command from the CPU 404. The sound source IC 418 is connected to an S-ROM (sound ROM) in which audio data is stored. The audio data acquired from the ROM is amplified by an amplifier and output from the speakers 272 and 277.

  The first sub-control unit 400 is also provided with a drive circuit 422. Various lamps 420 (upper lamp, lower lamp, side lamp 144, title panel 162, etc.) are connected to the drive circuit 422 via an input / output interface. Is connected.

  In addition, the CPU 404 transmits and receives signals to the second sub control unit 500 via the output interface. The second sub control unit 500 of the slot machine 100 controls the liquid crystal display device 157, the shutter 163, and the like. Note that the second sub-control unit 500 may be configured by a plurality of control units such as a control unit that controls the liquid crystal display device 157 and a control unit that controls the shutter 163.

  Next, the second sub control unit 500 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The second sub-control unit 500 receives a control command transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400 via the input interface, and includes a basic circuit 502 that controls the entire second sub-control unit 500 based on the control command. The basic circuit 502 includes a CPU 504, a RAM 508 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 510 for controlling input / output of various devices, and a counter for measuring time, frequency, and the like. A timer 512 is mounted. The CPU 504 of the basic circuit 502 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output from the crystal oscillator 514 as a system clock. The second sub control unit 500 is provided with a ROM 506 that stores a control program and data for controlling the entire second sub control unit 500, data for image display, and the like.

  The CPU 504 transmits the frequency division data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 506 to the counter timer 512 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The counter timer 512 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 504 for each interrupt time. The CPU 504 controls each IC and each circuit based on the interrupt request timing.

  The second sub-control unit 500 is provided with a drive circuit 530 for driving the shutter 163, and the shutter 163 is connected to the drive circuit 530 via an output interface. The drive circuit 530 outputs a drive signal to a stepping motor (not shown) provided in the shutter 163 in response to a command from the CPU 504.

  The second sub-control unit 500 is provided with a sensor circuit 532, and a shutter sensor 538 is connected to the sensor circuit 532 via an input interface. The CPU 504 monitors the state of the shutter sensor 538 every interruption time.

  The second sub control unit 500 is provided with a VDP 534 (video display processor), and a ROM 506 and a VRAM 536 are connected to the VDP 534 via a bus. The VDP 534 reads out image data and the like stored in the ROM 506 based on a signal from the CPU 504, generates a display image using the work area of the VRAM 536, and displays the image on the effect image display device 157.

<Pattern arrangement>
Next, the symbol arrangement applied to each of the reels 110 to 112 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a diagram in which the arrangement of symbols applied to each reel (left reel 110, middle reel 111, right reel 112) is developed in a plane.

  A plurality of types (10 types in the present embodiment) of symbols shown on the right side of the figure are arranged on the reels 110 to 112 by a predetermined number of frames (21 frames of numbers 0 to 20 in the present embodiment). . Also, symbol numbers 0 to 20 shown at the left end of the figure are numbers indicating symbol arrangement positions (symbol positions) on the reels 110 to 112. For example, “BB1 symbol” is placed on the number 0 frame on the left reel 110, “Replay 2 symbol” is placed on the number 0 frame on the middle reel 111, and “Cherry symbol” is placed on the number 0 frame on the right reel 112. Has been.

<Type of role>
Next, the types of roles of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a diagram showing the type of a combination (including an operating combination), the name of the combination, the symbol combination corresponding to the combination, the payout of the combination and the remarks.

  The role of the slot machine 100 can be broadly divided into a special role (bonus role) and a general role. The special combination (bonus combination) of this embodiment includes special combination 1 (BB1), special combination 2 (BB2), and special combination 3 (RB). In addition, the general combination of the present embodiment includes replay combination 1 (replay 1) to replay combination 2 (replay 2), small combination 1 (bell 1) to small combination 4 (bell 4), small combination 5 ( Watermelon) and small part 6 (cherry). Needless to say, the type of combination is not limited to this, and can be arbitrarily adopted.

  Special combination 1 and special combination 2 (BB1 and BB2: big bonus) are special combinations (operating combinations) in which a BB game (special game: bonus game state or RT2 mode shown in FIG. 6) is started by winning. The corresponding winning symbol combinations are BB1 “BB1 symbol-BB1 symbol-BB1 symbol” and BB2 “BB2 symbol-BB2 symbol-BB2 symbol”.

  In addition, for special combination 1 and special combination 2, the flag is carried over. That is, when the special combination 1 (BB1) or special combination 2 (BB2) is won internally, a flag indicating this (hereinafter referred to as BB flag) is set (stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300). However, even if the special game 1 (BB1) or the special game 2 (BB2) is not won in the game, the flag indicating the internal winning is maintained until winning, and the special game 1 or after the next game is maintained. No. 2 is in an internal winning state (bonus internal winning state or RT1 mode shown in FIG. 6), and the symbol combinations corresponding to the internal winning combination are ready to win.

  Special combination 3 (RB: regular bonus) is a special combination (operating combination) in which an RB game (special game: bonus game state shown in FIG. 6 or RT2 mode) is started by winning. In the present embodiment, the corresponding symbol combination is RB “RB symbol-RB symbol-RB symbol”. In the present embodiment, the special combination 3 (RB) is also carried over as in the special combination 1 (BB1) and special combination 2 (BB2) described above.

  Re-playing role 1 (replay 1) and re-playing role 2 (replay 2) are the roles that can play a game without inserting medals (game media) in the next game by winning a prize. Not done. The combination corresponding to the replaying role 1 is “replay 1 symbol-replay 1 symbol-replay 1 symbol”, and the combination corresponding to the replaying role 2 is “replay 2 symbol-replay 2 symbol-replay 2 symbol”.

  The small roles 1 to 6 are roles in which a predetermined number of medals (in this embodiment, 10 for small roles 1 to 4, 5 for small roles 5, and 1 for small role 6) are paid out by winning. The symbol combination corresponding to the small role 1 (Bell 1) is "Bell symbol-Bell symbol-Bell symbol", and the symbol combination corresponding to the small role 2 (Bell 2) is "BB1 symbol-Bell symbol-Bell symbol", The symbol combination corresponding to the small role 3 (bell 3) is “BB2 symbol-bell symbol-bell symbol”, and the symbol combination corresponding to the small role 4 (bell 4) is “RB symbol-bell symbol-bell symbol”. is there. Further, the symbol combination corresponding to the small role 5 (watermelon) is “watermelon symbol-watermelon symbol-watermelon symbol”, and the symbol combination corresponding to the small role 6 (cherry) is “cherry symbol-ANY-ANY”. Here, “ANY” indicates that any symbol may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the small combinations 2 to 4 are set as three-choice small combinations. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, in the left reel 110, the BB1 symbol, the BB2 symbol and the RB symbol are arranged at positions exceeding the reel pull-in range (the BB1 symbol, the BB2 symbol and the RB symbol are spaced by 7 frames). The small roles 2 to 4 are roles that cannot be aimed at the same time. For this reason, in this embodiment, when a predetermined condition is satisfied and an AT (assist time) state is established and an internal winning is made to any of the small roles 2 to 4, an internal winning combination is notified. . Specifically, on the screen of the effect image display device 157, the BB1 symbol, BB2 symbol or RB symbol which is one of the symbol combinations of the winning combination is displayed to notify the player of the winning combination internally. It has become. In addition, when the 3 choice small roles are missed, that is, when the internal winning is one of the small roles 2 to 4, but the winning combination cannot be won, "Replay 2 design-Bell design-Bell design "(Hereinafter referred to as a symbol combination when the three-choice small combination is missed) is stopped and displayed. In a re-gaming high probability state (RT3 mode), which will be described later, when a symbol combination at the time of missing the three-choice small role is displayed, there is a transition of the gaming state, and a transition is made to the normal gaming state (RT0 mode).

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the re-gamer 2 (Replay 2) is internally won, an AT lottery process is performed, and when winning the AT lottery, an AT of a predetermined number of games is awarded. . That is, in a state where the player is not in the AT, when the re-game 2 (Replay 2) is internally won and the AT lottery is won, the game will be in the AT state for a predetermined number of games from the next game, and any of the small roles 2 to 4 will be internally won Will be notified of the winning combination. When the AT lottery is won in the AT state, the number of AT continuous games is added to the predetermined number of games.

  Here, the internal winning probability of the combination will be described.

  For the internal winning probability of each combination, the numerical data corresponding to the range of the lottery data associated with each combination is represented by the numerical data in the range of random values acquired in the internal lottery described later (in this embodiment, 65536). It is calculated by dividing by. The lottery data is divided into several numerical ranges in advance, and each combination and lose is associated with each numerical range. In a winning combination internal lottery process to be described later, it is determined whether the random value obtained as a result of executing the internal lottery is a value corresponding to the lottery data corresponding to any of the combinations, and the internal winning combination is determined. Actually, in this lottery data, settings 1 to 6 are prepared in which the winning probabilities of at least one combination are different, and a clerk of the game shop can arbitrarily select and set any set value. .

<Type of game state of main control unit>
Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the types of gaming state in the main control unit 300 of the slot machine 100 will be described. This figure is a state transition diagram showing the transition of the gaming state of the main control unit 300.

  In the present embodiment, the gaming state of the main control unit 300 of the slot machine 100 includes a normal gaming state (RT0 mode), a bonus internal winning state (RT1 mode), a bonus gaming state (RT2 mode), and a replay high probability. It can be roughly divided into a state (RT3 mode).

<Normal gaming state (RT0 mode)>
The content of the normal gaming state (RT0 mode) is not particularly limited. For example, the result of the internal lottery is largely lost, and the total number of medals that can be obtained during the game when the player has played multiple times is In this embodiment, a bonus internal winning state (RT1 mode), a bonus gaming state (RT2 mode), and a re-gaming high probability state (RT3 mode) are described below. A game state other than.

  In this normal gaming state (RT0 mode), when the special combination 1 to 3 (BB1, BB2, RB) is won internally, the bonus internal winning state (RT1 mode) is entered. In addition, when 32 games are consumed in the normal gaming state (RT0 mode), the game shifts to the re-gaming high probability state (RT3 mode). In addition, when the re-gaming high probability state (RT3 mode) is completed, the normal gaming state (RT0 mode) is entered.

<Bonus internal winning status (RT1 mode)>
This bonus internal winning state (RT1 mode) refers to a gaming state in which the symbol combinations corresponding to special roles 1 to 3 (BB1, BB2, RB) can be displayed on an effective winning line. This bonus internal winning state (RT1 mode) shifts to the case where internal winning is made in special roles 1 to 3 (BB1, BB2, RB) in the normal gaming state (RT0 mode) or the replay high probability state (RT3 mode). . Also, when the symbol combinations corresponding to the special combinations 1 to 3 (BB1, BB2, RB) are displayed on the valid winning line, the process is ended, and the bonus game state (RT2 mode) described below is entered.

<Bonus game state (RT2 mode)>
The content of the bonus game state (RT2 mode) is not particularly limited, but it is a game state in which the player is more profitable than the normal game state. In this embodiment, the total number of medals earned during the game is inserted during the game. A game state that exceeds the total number of medals won. The bonus game state (RT2 mode) is displayed on the winning line where the symbol combinations corresponding to the special roles 1 to 3 (BB1, BB2, RB) are valid in the special combination (bonus combination) internal winning state (RT1 mode). Migrate to the case. Further, the bonus game state (RT2 mode) is determined when a predetermined number of medals exceeding a predetermined number (for example, 240 for BB game and 104 for RB game) are paid out during the game. The process is finished, and a transition is made to a re-game high probability state (RT3 mode) described below.

<Replay high probability state (RT3 mode)>
The content of the re-game high probability state (RT3 mode) is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the internal winning probability of the re-gamer is raised higher than the internal winning probability of the re-gamer in the normal game state (RT0 mode). It is a gaming state that changes. Therefore, the re-game high probability state (RT3 mode) of the present embodiment has a higher probability that the game can be continued without inserting medals, and is therefore more advantageous to the player than the normal game state (RT0 mode). It is in a gaming state. The re-game high probability state (RT3 mode) is shifted to when the bonus game state (RT2 mode) is completed. Further, the re-gaming high probability state (RT3 mode) is ended when the symbol combination at the time of missing the third role and small role is displayed on an effective winning line, and shifts to the normal gaming state (RT0 mode).

<Send command>
Next, a data configuration of a command (also referred to as a transmission command) transmitted from the main control unit 300 to the first sub control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a list relating to a transmission command in the present embodiment, and shows an external trigger, a command name, values of upper and lower bytes, and contents of lower bytes. Note that the values of the upper and lower bytes in FIG. 7 are shown in hexadecimal notation.

  In this embodiment, the transmission command is composed of 2 bytes (16 bits), the upper 1 byte (upper byte) is the command type, and the lower 1 byte (lower byte) is the command data (predetermined information corresponding to the command type). ). The first sub control unit 400 can determine the effect control according to the change of the game control in the main control unit 300 according to the command type included in the received command, and information on the command data included in the command Based on this, it is possible to determine the contents of the effect control.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the value of the upper byte is “01H”, it indicates a setting change command, and the lower byte includes command data indicating that the setting is being changed or the setting change has been completed. In the case of a setting change command, the external trigger is a power-on & setting change operation. Therefore, when the power is turned on and the setting change operation is performed, information indicating that the setting is being changed or the setting change has been completed is set in the setting change command. The set change command is transmitted from the main control unit 300 to the first sub control unit 400.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the production information command is transmitted from the main control unit 300 to the first sub control unit 400 a plurality of times (eight times in the present embodiment) when the start lever operation is accepted. It is a command. Specifically, the production information command whose upper byte value is “15H” includes command data indicating six-stage setting values (1 to 6) in the lower byte, and production information whose upper byte value is “16H”. The command includes command data indicating the value of the gaming state (specifically, the gaming state shown in FIG. 6) in the lower byte, and the effect information command having the upper byte value of “17H” has the RT remaining in the lower byte. Command data indicating the value of the number of times (lower order) is included, and an effect information command whose upper byte value is “18H” includes command data indicating the value of the remaining RT number (upper order) in the lower byte, An effect information command having a value of “19H” includes command data indicating the value of the conditional device A (internal lottery result regarding the special role) in the lower byte, and an effect information command having an upper byte value of “1AH” The command data indicating the value of the condition device B (internal lottery result regarding the general combination) is included in the place byte, and the production information command whose upper byte value is “1BH” is the number of acquired medals (bonus game) Command data indicating the tenth and first place values of the number of acquired medals in the state), and the production information command whose upper byte value is “1CH” is the number of acquired medals in the lower byte (in bonus game state) Command data indicating the hundreds value of the number of acquired medals is included.

  Here, the RT remaining number means the remaining number of games in the RT state. For example, when the remaining RT number is 1000, the value of the upper byte is “03E8H” in hexadecimal notation. “17H”, “E8H” is set in the lower byte of the effect information command, and “03H” is set in the lower byte of the effect information command of “18H”.

  In the present embodiment, the production information command is continuously transmitted from the main control unit 300 to the first sub-control unit 400 when the start lever operation is accepted, so the production information command is also referred to as a continuous transmission command (abbreviated to a continuous transmission command). Say.

  Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 7, each command of the continuous transmission command holds the contents of independent command data (for example, the production information command whose upper byte value is “15H” In this embodiment, different from this, each command of a continuous command to be transmitted does not hold the contents of independent command data. Specifically, the bit string of the lower byte in each command of the continuous command (also referred to as a continuous command before conversion) in which the contents of command data are set is converted based on a predetermined conversion rule, and converted Each command of the command (also referred to as a continuous transmission command after conversion) is sequentially transmitted from the main control unit 300 to the first sub control unit 400.

  FIG. 8 is an example of an arrangement conversion table (the arrangement conversion table 1 that performs arrangement conversion of pattern 1) that specifically shows the conversion rules described above. In the following description, the bit string with the upper byte value of the continuous transmission command being “15H” is A, the bit string “16H” is B, the bit string “17H” is C, the bit string “18H” is D, “19H ", The bit string" 1AH "is F, the bit string" 1BH "is G, and the bit string" 1CH "is H. Then, each bit value of the lower byte in the continuous transmission command before conversion is expressed using the above A to H. For example, a value (bit value) set in bit 3 of the lower byte of the bit string whose upper byte value is “15H” is expressed as “A3” for convenience. Similarly, the value (bit value) set in bit 0 of the lower byte of the bit string whose upper byte value is “16H” is expressed as “B0” for convenience.

  In the present embodiment, based on the arrangement conversion table, the lower-order bit string of the continuous command before conversion is rearranged, and the lower-order bit string (also referred to as conversion information) after rearrangement is included. A transmission command is generated, and the generated continuous transmission command after conversion is transmitted.

  According to the arrangement conversion table 1 shown in FIG. 8, for example, in the continuous command before conversion, the value (denoted as A0) set in bit 0 of the lower byte of the bit string whose upper byte value is “15H” is In the continuous transmission command after conversion, the value of the upper byte is arranged in bit 5 of the lower byte of the bit string of “15H”. Similarly, in the continuous transmission command before conversion, the value (denoted as A6) set in bit 6 of the lower byte of the bit string whose upper byte value is “15H” is the upper byte in the continuous transmission command after conversion. It is arranged in bit 0 of the lower byte of the bit string whose byte value is “16H”. In this embodiment, the contents of the lower byte are set to 7 bits from bit 0 to 6 (before conversion), and bit 7 (before conversion) is used as a check bit (see FIG. 8).

  As a result, when the low-order bit string of the continuous transmission command (continuous transmission command before conversion) is rearranged using the arrangement conversion table 1, the continuous transmission command (continuous transmission command before conversion, continuous conversion after conversion) The bit string of the lower byte of the (send command) is as shown in FIG. Here, FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing a conversion method when the continuous transmission command is converted by using the arrangement conversion table 1. For example, after the conversion, the 6-stage setting value is included not only in the effect information command whose upper byte value is “15H” but also in the effect information command whose upper byte value is “16H”. After the conversion, the gaming state is included not only in the effect information command whose upper byte value is “16H” but also in the effect information command whose upper byte value is “17H”. As described above, in the present embodiment, the content conventionally included in one command of the continuous transmission command is separated and rearranged into two or more commands.

  From the above, in this embodiment, even if such a continuous command is exploited in an unauthorized manner, the lower byte of the continuous command is not information indicating a single data content. It is difficult to grasp the contents. As a result, in the present embodiment, the slot machine 100 is configured such that the content of the command transmitted from the main control unit 300 to the first sub control unit cannot be grasped while using a simple method.

  On the other hand, when the first sub-control unit 400 receives all of the converted continuous commands, it generates a pre-conversion continuous command from the converted continuous command using the return conversion table. It is possible to grasp the contents of the previous continuous command. FIG. 9 shows a return conversion table (return conversion of pattern 1) for returning to the original continuous command (continuous transmission command before conversion) when the continuous transmission command is arranged and converted using the arrangement conversion table 1. This is the return conversion table 1).

  According to the return conversion table 1 shown in FIG. 9, for example, in the continuous command after conversion, the value set in bit 0 of the lower byte of the bit string whose upper byte value is “15H” is the continuous command before conversion. In FIG. 5, the value of the upper byte is returned to bit 5 of the lower byte of the bit string of “15H”. Similarly, in the continuous command after conversion, the value set in the lower byte bit 6 of the bit string whose upper byte is “15H” is the same as the value of the upper byte in the continuous command after conversion is “1CH”. Is returned to bit 6 of the lower byte of the bit string.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the main control unit 300 holds the arrangement conversion table, performs arrangement conversion of continuous transmission commands, and transmits the continuous transmission commands subjected to arrangement conversion to the first sub-control unit 400, while the first Since the sub-control unit 400 holds the return conversion table corresponding to the arrangement conversion table and performs return conversion of the received continuous command, the data content of the original continuous command can be grasped.

  In this embodiment, since a plurality of (specifically, three) conversion patterns are provided, any one conversion pattern is selected by a predetermined method, and the continuous transmission command is selected using the selected conversion pattern. Conversion (placement conversion and return conversion) is performed. FIG. 11 is an arrangement schematic diagram of conversion information generated by three types of arrangement conversion tables. 11A is a schematic layout diagram of conversion information generated by the layout conversion table 1 that performs pattern 1 conversion. FIG. 11B illustrates conversion information generated by the layout conversion table 2 that performs pattern 2 conversion. FIG. 11C is a schematic layout diagram, and is a schematic layout diagram of conversion information generated by the layout conversion table 3 that performs pattern 3 conversion.

  In this embodiment, regardless of which conversion pattern is used, as shown in FIG. 11, the contents conventionally included in one command are separated and rearranged into two or more commands. Yes. Specifically, in the case of the arrangement conversion table 1, the bit strings “15H” and “1AH” are separated and rearranged in an L shape so as to straddle two commands. The bit string of “15H” is separated and rearranged in an L shape so as to straddle six commands. In the case of the arrangement conversion table 3, the bit string “15H” is separated and rearranged in a cross shape.

  Although not shown in FIG. 11, the conversion information generated by the arrangement conversion table 1 is the return conversion table 1 that performs the return conversion of the pattern 1, and the conversion information generated by the arrangement conversion table 2 is the return of the pattern 2. The conversion information generated by the return conversion table 2 that performs conversion and the arrangement conversion table 3 generates a continuous command before conversion by the return conversion table 3 that performs return conversion of the pattern 3.

<Power-on processing>
Next, a power-on process executed by the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 when the slot machine 100 is turned on will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of power-on processing.

  When the power switch 186 of the slot machine 100 is turned on, the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 executes a power-on process described below.

  In step S101, various initial processes (initialization processes) are performed.

  In step S102, it is determined whether or not at least a part of the RAM 308 is abnormal. If there is an abnormality in the RAM 308, the process proceeds to step S103, and if there is no abnormality, the process proceeds to step S104. There are various methods for detecting an abnormality in the RAM 308. For example, the same information is stored in the two first storage areas and the second recording area, and after the power is turned on, the first storage area is stored. As an example, a method of comparing the stored information with the information stored in the second storage area and determining that the two are different from each other is an example.

  In step S103, RAM error processing is performed. In this RAM error processing, preparation is made to clear the storage areas of all the RAMs 308 except for the used stack area, preparation for sending an error occurrence command to the first sub control unit 400, or the like.

  In step S104, it is determined whether the setting key switch 184 is in an ON state. When the setting key switch 184 is in the ON state, the process proceeds to step S105, and when it is in the OFF state, the process proceeds to step S106.

  In step S105, a setting value change process (details will be described later) is performed.

  In step S106, it is determined whether forced RAM clear is in an ON state. More specifically, the forced RAM clear is set to the ON state when the power is turned on and the reset button of the reset switch 172 is pressed for a long time (for example, pressed for 5 seconds). When the forced RAM clear is in the ON state, the process proceeds to step S107. When the forced RAM clear is in the OFF state, the process proceeds to step S109.

  In step S107, an initial state game start process is performed. In this initial state game start process, “setting value storage area” and “storage area excluding stack area used when clearing RAM 308” are cleared, automatic settlement and whether or not there is a stop, etc., whether or not internal winning is set, A control command is transmitted to the first sub control unit 400.

  In step S108, game execution processing (details will be described later) is performed.

  In step S109, the slot machine 100 is restored to the state before the power was cut off by the restoration process, and the game execution process described later is resumed.

<Setting value change processing>
Next, the setting value changing process will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the setting value changing process in step S105 of FIG.

  In step S <b> 201, the set value (game mode) currently set is displayed on the set value display 176.

  In step S202, the RAM 308 is initialized (RAM clear).

  In step S <b> 203, a setting change command (also referred to as a setting change enable state command) indicating that the setting can be changed (setting change processing is in progress) is transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400.

  In step S204, it is determined whether or not the setting change switch 174 has been pressed. If the setting change switch 174 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S205. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S206.

  In step S205, the set value displayed on the set value display 176 is updated based on the set value changing operation. The setting value is updated by adding 1 to the currently set values 1 to 6 each time the setting change switch 174 is pressed, and returning to 1 when the set value exceeds 6. repeat.

  In step S206, it is determined whether or not the start lever 135 has been operated. If the start lever 135 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S207. If not, the process proceeds to step S204 to continue the process of specifying whether or not the setting value can be changed.

  In step S207, the setting value currently displayed on the setting value display 176 (the setting value changed with the changing operation, the setting value originally set without the changing operation) is stored in the setting value storage area of the RAM 308. Confirm the set value.

  In step S208, it is determined whether or not the setting key switch 184 has been switched from ON to OFF. If the setting key switch 184 is turned off, the process proceeds to step S209. If not, the process of step S208 is repeated to wait for the setting key switch 184 to be turned off.

  In step S209, a setting change command (also referred to as a setting change end command) indicating that the setting change enable state has ended is transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400, and the process ends.

<Game execution processing>
Next, the game execution process will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the game execution process in step S108 of FIG. The CPU 304 repeatedly executes a game execution process described below unless a power-off is detected.

  In step S301, processing related to medal insertion is performed. Here, it is checked whether or not medals have been inserted, and the winning line display lamp 120 is turned on according to the number of medals inserted. It is not necessary to insert medals when winning the re-gamer in the previous game.

  In step S301, a process related to a game start operation is performed. Here, it is checked whether or not the start lever 135 has been operated. If it is determined that the start lever 135 has been operated, the number of medals used in the game is determined. In step S301, the first sub control unit 400 is prepared to transmit a start lever reception command indicating that the start lever 135 has been operated. The first sub-control unit 400 recognizes reception of the start lever operation by receiving this start lever reception command.

  In step S302, a valid pay line 114 is determined according to the number of medals determined in step S301.

  In step S303, the random number generated by the random number generation circuit 316 is acquired based on the start operation.

  In step S304, an internal lottery of a winning combination is performed using the random number acquired in step S303 and the winning combination lottery table stored in the ROM 306. As a result of the internal lottery, when any winning combination is won internally, the flag of the winning combination is turned on internally. Moreover, in this step S304, it prepares for transmitting the production information command including the result of the internal lottery to the first sub-control unit 400. The first sub-control unit 400 grasps the state of the game including the result of the internal lottery by receiving this effect information command.

  In step S305, based on the internal lottery result in step S304, a plurality of stop position data selection tables defined for each of the reels 110 to 112 are referred to, and any one reel stop control table is selected.

  In step S306, rotation of all reels 110 to 112 is started based on the start operation.

  In step S307, the rotation of the reels 110 to 112 corresponding to the pressed stop buttons 137 to 139 is stopped. At this time, the reels 110 to 112 are stopped based on the reel stop control table selected in step S305. In step S307, preparation for transmitting a stop command to the first sub-control unit 400 is made. That is, for the first stop operation, the first stop command indicating the stop position of the first stop reel, for the second stop operation, the second stop command indicating the stop position of the second stop reel, the third For the stop operation, preparation is made to transmit a third stop command indicating the stop position of the third stop reel. The first sub-control unit 400 receives the first stop command, the second stop command, and the third stop command, thereby grasping the reel stop operation and the reel stop position, and executing an effect according to the command. To do.

  In step S308, the winning determination of the symbols stopped when the stop buttons 137 to 139 are pressed is performed. Here, it is determined that a winning combination has been won when a winning symbol combination corresponding to an internally winning winning combination or a winning combination with a flag carryover is arranged (displayed) on the activated winning line 114. . For example, if “watermelon symbol-watermelon symbol-watermelon symbol” is aligned on the activated winning line 114, it is determined that the small role 5 (watermelon) symbol is won. In step S308, the first sub-control unit 400 is prepared to transmit a display determination command indicating the result of the winning determination and the type of winning combination. By receiving this display determination command, the first sub-control unit 400 grasps the result of winning determination and the type of winning combination.

  In step S309, if a winning combination with a payout has been won, the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is paid out.

  In step S310, game state control processing is performed. In this gaming state control process, control for shifting the gaming state is performed. For example, in the case of a BB (Big Bonus) winning, a bonus gaming state is prepared so that it can be started from the next time. Prepare to start the normal gaming state.

  As described above, one game is completed, and thereafter, the game progresses as the CPU 304 repeats the game execution process.

<Winning determination process>
Next, the winning determination process will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the winning determination process in step S308 of FIG.

  In step S401, it is determined whether or not a bell combination (specifically, any one of small combinations 1 to 4 (bells 1 to 4)) is won. If it has won the bell role, the process proceeds to step S402, and if not, the process proceeds to step S405.

  In step S402, 1 is added to the number of winning bells indicating the number of times winning the bell role. The number of winning bells managed by the main control unit 300 is initialized by a setting change process (specifically, a RAM clear process in step S202 of the setting change process).

  In step S403, the added number of winning bells is divided by the number of conversion patterns. In this embodiment, since three conversion patterns (patterns 1 to 3) are provided, specifically, division by three is performed.

  In step S404, a remainder when the number of winning bells is divided by the number of conversion patterns is calculated, and a conversion pattern is set from the remainder. For example, when the number of conversion patterns is 3, pattern 3 is selected when the remainder is 0, pattern 1 is selected when the remainder is 1, and pattern 2 is selected and set when the remainder is 2. Thus, in this embodiment, the conversion pattern is determined using the number of winning bells.

  In step S405, other processing is performed.

<Main control unit timer interrupt processing>
Next, a main control unit timer interrupt process executed by the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of the main control unit timer interrupt process.

  The main control unit 300 includes a counter timer 312 that generates a timer interrupt signal at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, about once every 1.5 ms), and the main control unit timer is triggered by this timer interrupt signal. Interrupt processing is executed at a predetermined cycle.

  In step S501, a timer interrupt start process is performed. In this timer interrupt start process, a process of temporarily saving each register value of the CPU 304 to the stack area is performed.

  In step S502, the WDT is periodically updated (so that the count value of the WDT 314 exceeds the initial setting value (32.8 ms in the present embodiment) and no WDT interruption occurs (so as not to detect a processing abnormality). In the embodiment, the restart is performed once in about 1.5 ms which is the period of the main control unit timer interrupt.

  In step S503, input port state update processing is performed. In this input port state update process, the detection signals of the sensor circuits 320 of the various sensors 318 are input via the input ports of the I / O 310 to monitor the presence or absence of the detection signals, and each of the various sensors 318 is partitioned in the RAM 308. Store in the provided signal state storage area.

  In step S504, various game processes are performed. Specifically, an interrupt status is acquired (various interrupt statuses are acquired based on signals from various sensors 318), and processing according to this status is performed (for example, the interrupt statuses of the acquired stop buttons 137 to 139). Based on the stop button reception process).

  In step S505, timer update processing is performed. Various timers are updated for each time unit.

  In step S506, command setting transmission processing (details will be described later) is performed, and various commands are transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400. That is, each command prepared for transmission in each step of the game execution process of FIG. 14 is transmitted.

  In step S507, an external output signal setting process is performed. In this external output signal setting process, game information stored in the RAM 308 is output to an information input circuit 652 separate from the slot machine 100 via the information output circuit 334.

  In step S508, device monitoring processing is performed. In this device monitoring process, first, the signal states of the various sensors 318 stored in the signal state storage area in step S503 are read, and the presence / absence of errors relating to medal insertion abnormality and medal payout abnormality is monitored, and when an error is detected. Performs error handling. Furthermore, the medal selector 195 (medal blocker in which a solenoid provided in the medal selector 195 operates), various lamps 338, and various 7-segment (SEG) indicators are set according to the current gaming state.

  In step S509, it is monitored whether or not the low voltage signal is on. Then, when the low voltage signal is on (when power supply shutoff is detected), the process proceeds to step S511. When the low voltage signal is off (power supply shutoff is not detected), the process proceeds to step S510.

  In step S510, various processes for ending the timer interrupt end process are performed. In this timer interrupt end process, the value of each register temporarily saved in step S501 is set in each original register.

  On the other hand, in step S511, a specific variable or stack pointer for returning to the power-off state at the time of power recovery is saved as a return data in a predetermined area of the RAM 308, and power-off processing such as initialization of input / output ports is performed. Do.

<Command setting transmission processing>
Next, command setting transmission processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of command setting transmission processing in step S506 of FIG.

  In step S601, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction information command setting instruction. If there is an instruction information command setting instruction, the process proceeds to step S602; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S608.

  In step S602, transmission target bit information is set. Specifically, the command type is set in the upper byte and the bit information of the command data is set in the lower byte, and an effect information command (consecutive command) before conversion is generated.

  In step S603, it is determined whether or not the bit information has been set. If the bit information setting is completed, the process proceeds to step S604. If not, the process returns to step S602.

  In step S604, an arrangement conversion table corresponding to the conversion pattern is acquired. For example, when the conversion pattern is pattern 1, the arrangement conversion table 1 is acquired, and when the conversion pattern is pattern 2, the arrangement conversion table 2 is acquired.

  In step S605, based on the acquired arrangement conversion table, the effect information command before conversion is arranged and converted, and the bit information after arrangement conversion is set. Specifically, the bit information set in the upper byte is left as it is, and the bit information of the command data set in the lower byte is rearranged to generate a converted effect information command (continuous transmission command).

  In step S606, it is determined whether or not the bit information setting is completed. If the bit information setting is completed, the process proceeds to step S607. Otherwise, the process returns to step S605.

  In step S607, 1 is set to the bit position as the check bit. Specifically, in the presentation information command before conversion, since bit 7 of the lower byte is the position of the check bit, 1 is set to the bit position after conversion of the check bit position (shaded portion in FIG. 11). To do.

  In step S608, other command setting processing is performed.

  In step S609, the set command is transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400. When the effect information command is set, the converted effect information command is sequentially transmitted eight times.

  In this embodiment, after setting a plurality of effect information commands (effect information commands after conversion), a method of sequentially transmitting a plurality of effect information commands is adopted. After setting the effect information command, the set effect information command (converted effect information command) may be transmitted.

<Processing of First Sub-Control Unit 400>
The process of the first sub control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A is a flowchart of main processing executed by the CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400. FIG. 4B is a flowchart of command processing of the first sub-control unit 400, and FIG. 4C is a flowchart of command reception interrupt processing of the first sub-control unit 400. FIG. 4D is a flowchart of the timer interrupt process of the first sub control unit 400.

  When the power is turned on, an initialization process is first executed in step S701. In this initialization processing, initialization of input / output ports, initialization processing of a storage area in the RAM 408, and the like are performed.

  In step S702, it is determined whether or not the timer variable is 10 or more. This process is repeated until the timer variable becomes 10, and when the timer variable becomes 10 or more, the process proceeds to step S703.

  In step S703, 0 is assigned to the timer variable.

  In step S704, command processing (details will be described later) is performed. In the command processing, it is determined whether or not a command is received from the main control unit 300.

  In step S705, an effect control process is performed. For example, if there is a new command in step S704, the effect data corresponding to this command is read from the ROM 406, and if the effect data needs to be updated, the effect data is updated. In the present embodiment, when an AT flag, which will be described later, is set, an AT effect is set. In addition, when an internal winning is performed for any of the small roles 2 to 4 during execution of the AT effect, a navigation effect is performed, and the symbol of the small winning combination internally is displayed on the screen of the effect image display device 157.

  In step S706, if there is a command to the sound source IC 418 in the effect data read in step S705, this command is output to the sound source IC 418.

  In step S707, if there is a command to the various lamps 420 in the effect data read in step S705, this command is output to the drive circuit 422.

  In step S708, if there is a control command to be transmitted to the second sub control unit 500 in the effect data read in step S705, the control command is set to be output, and the process returns to step S702. As a result, the set control command is transmitted to the second sub-control unit 500.

  Next, command processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5B is a flowchart showing in detail the command processing in step S704 in FIG.

  In step S801, it is determined whether there is an unprocessed command in the command storage area of the RAM 408. If there is an unprocessed command, the process proceeds to step S802. If not, the command process ends.

  In step S802, return conversion processing (described later in detail) is executed.

  In step S803, the process jumps to a process corresponding to the received unprocessed command. For example, when an effect information command is received, the process jumps to an AT lottery process (details will be described later). When a display determination command is received, the process jumps to display determination processing (details will be described later).

  Next, the command reception interrupt process of the first sub-control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. This command reception interrupt process is a process executed when the first sub-control unit 400 detects a strobe signal output from the main control unit 300. In step S901 of the command reception interrupt process, the command output from the main control unit 300 is stored in the command storage area provided in the RAM 408 as an unprocessed command.

  Next, the first sub control unit timer interrupt process executed by the CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. The first sub-control unit 400 includes a hardware timer that generates a timer interrupt at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, once every 2 ms). Execute in the cycle.

  In step S1001, 1 is added to the value of the timer variable storage area of the RAM 408 described in step S702 in the first sub-control unit main process shown in FIG. Therefore, in step S702, the value of the timer variable is determined to be 10 or more every 20 ms (2 ms × 10).

  In step S1002, an effect random number update process is performed.

<Return conversion processing>
Next, the return conversion process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the return conversion process in step S802 of FIG.

  In step S1101, it is determined whether an effect information command has been received. If an effect information command has been received, the process proceeds to step S1102, and if not, the return conversion process ends.

  In step S1102, it is determined whether all effect information commands have been received. In this embodiment, since the production information command is continuously transmitted eight times, it is determined whether or not all of the production information commands have been received. If all the effect information commands have been received, the process proceeds to step S1103. If not, the return conversion process is terminated.

  In step S1103, a return conversion table corresponding to the conversion pattern is acquired. For example, when the conversion pattern is pattern 1, the return conversion table 1 is acquired, and when the conversion pattern is pattern 2, the return conversion table 2 is acquired. Note that the first sub-control unit 400 determines a conversion pattern in a display determination process described later.

  In step S1104, based on the acquired return conversion table, the converted effect information command is return converted, and the return converted bit information is set. Specifically, the bit information of the command content set in the lower byte is restored and converted without changing the bit information set in the upper byte, and an effect information command (consecutive sending command) before conversion is generated.

  In step S1105, it is determined whether the bit information setting is completed. When the bit information setting is completed, the process proceeds to step S1106. Otherwise, the process returns to step S1104.

  In step S1106, it is determined whether or not the received effect information command is a normal value. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the effect information command is a normal value based on whether or not 1 is set in the bit position as the check bit. That is, in all the pre-conversion effect information commands, if 1 is set in bit 7 of the lower byte, it is determined that the received effect information command is a normal value. As described above, in this embodiment, since the data check using the check bit is performed, for example, even if a command garble due to static electricity occurs, an error due to the command garble can be grasped. If the received effect information command is a normal value, the return conversion process is terminated. If the received effect information command is not a normal value, the process proceeds to step S1107.

  In step S1107, the error flag is set to ON. When the error flag is ON, in the effect control process (step S705), a process that does not set a new effect based on the winning combination is performed.

  In this embodiment, a method of performing a return conversion process of the effect information command after collectively receiving a plurality of effect information commands (effect information commands after conversion) is adopted. After receiving the effect information command, the received effect information command (effect information command after conversion) may be returned and converted.

<AT lottery processing>
Next, the AT lottery process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the AT lottery process.

  In step S1201, it is determined whether or not the re-game player 2 (replay 2) has been won. Specifically, the determination is made based on the contents of the condition device B of the received effect information command. If replay 2 is won, the process proceeds to step S1202, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1204.

  In step S1202, an AT grant lottery is executed.

  In step S1203, if an AT grant lottery is won as a result of the AT grant lottery, a predetermined number of games (for example, five games, etc.) are assigned, so the number of games assigned to the AT stock game count is calculated. to add.

  In step S1204, it is determined whether there is an AT stock game number (AT stock game number> 0). If there is an AT stock game number, the process proceeds to step S1205. If not, the AT lottery process is terminated.

  In step S1205, it is determined whether there is an AT flag. The AT flag is flag information for determining whether or not to perform a navigation effect in the AT state. If there is an AT flag, the navigation effect is set in the effect control process (step S705). If there is an AT flag, the AT lottery process is terminated, and if there is no AT flag, the process proceeds to step S1206.

  In step S1206, the AT flag is set. That is, if there is an AT stock game number but no AT flag (when AT is given in a non-AT state), the AT flag is set.

<Display judgment processing>
Next, the display determination process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the display determination process.

  In step S1301, based on the received display determination command, it is determined whether or not a win for a bell combination (specifically, any of small combinations 1 to 4 (bells 1 to 4)) is won. If it has won the bell role, the process proceeds to step S1302, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1305.

  In step S1302, 1 is added to the number of winning bells indicating the number of times winning the bell role. Note that the number of winning bells managed by the first sub-control unit 400 is initialized by receiving a setting change command (specifically, a setting change enable state command).

  In step S1303, the added number of winning bells is divided by the number of conversion patterns. In this embodiment, since three conversion patterns (patterns 1 to 3) are provided, specifically, division by three is performed.

  In step S1304, a remainder when the number of winning bells is divided by the number of conversion patterns is calculated, and a conversion pattern is set from the remainder. For example, when the number of conversion patterns is 3, pattern 3 is selected when the remainder is 0, pattern 1 is selected when the remainder is 1, and pattern 2 is selected and set when the remainder is 2. Thus, in this embodiment, the conversion pattern is determined using the number of winning bells.

  In step S1305, other processing is performed.

  In the present embodiment, each of the main control unit 300 and the first sub control unit 400 determines a conversion pattern, and thus it is necessary to synchronize between the main control unit 300 and the first sub control unit 400. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the conversion pattern is determined based on the number of times the player has won the bell role. Of course, the conversion pattern may be synchronized by another method. For example, any information that can be shared by both the main control unit 300 and the first sub control unit 400, such as the number of winnings of other roles and the time from when the reels are completely stopped to the start operation, may be used.

<Processing of second sub-control unit>
The process of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A is a flowchart of main processing executed by the CPU 504 of the second sub-control unit 500. FIG. 7B is a flowchart of command reception interrupt processing of the second sub control unit 500. FIG. 8C is a flowchart of the timer interrupt process of the second sub control unit 500. FIG. 4D is a flowchart of the image control process of the second sub control unit 500.

  First, the main process of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the power is turned on, an initialization process is first executed in S1401. In this initialization process, input / output port initialization, storage area initialization in the RAM 508, and the like are performed.

  In step S1402, it is determined whether or not the timer variable is 10 or more. This process is repeated until the timer variable becomes 10, and when the timer variable becomes 10 or more, the process proceeds to step S1403.

  In step S1403, 0 is assigned to the timer variable.

  In step S1404, command processing is performed. The CPU 504 of the second sub control unit 500 determines whether a command has been received from the CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400.

  In step S1405, effect control processing is performed. For example, when there is a new command in step S1404, processing such as reading effect data corresponding to the command from the ROM 506 is performed, and when update of the effect data is necessary, effect data update processing is performed.

  In step S1406, if there is a shutter control command in the effect data read in step S1405, shutter control corresponding to this command is performed.

  In step S1407, if there is an image control command in the effect data read in step S1405, image control corresponding to this command is performed (details will be described later), and the process returns to step S1402.

  Next, the command reception interrupt process of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. This command reception interrupt process is a process executed when the second sub control unit 500 detects the strobe signal output from the first sub control unit 400.

  In step S1501 of the command reception interrupt process, the command output from the first sub control unit 400 is stored as an unprocessed command in a command storage area provided in the RAM 508.

  Next, the second sub control unit timer interrupt process executed by the CPU 504 of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. The second sub-control unit 500 includes a hardware timer that generates a timer interrupt at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, once every 2 ms), and a timer interrupt process is performed in response to this timer interrupt. Execute in the cycle.

  In step S1601, 1 is added to the value of the timer variable storage area of the RAM 508 described in step S1402 in the second sub-control unit main process shown in FIG. Therefore, in step S1402, the value of the timer variable is determined to be 10 or more every 20 ms (2 ms × 10).

  In step S1602, various update processes for updating the production random number and the like are performed.

  Next, the image control processing of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6D is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the image control process in step S1307 in FIG.

  In step S1701, an instruction to transfer image data is issued. Here, the CPU 504 first swaps the designation of the display areas A and B in the VRAM 536. As a result, an image of one frame stored in the display area not designated as the drawing area is displayed on the effect image display device 157. Next, the CPU 504 sets ROM coordinates (transfer source address of the ROM 506), VRAM coordinates (transfer destination address of the VRAM 536), and the like in the attribute register of the VDP 534 based on the position information table and the like, and then the image from the ROM 506 to the VRAM 536. Set an instruction to start data transfer. The VDP 534 transfers the image data from the ROM 506 to the VRAM 536 based on the command set in the attribute register. Thereafter, the VDP 534 outputs a transfer end interrupt signal to the CPU 504.

  In step S1702, it is determined whether or not a transfer end interrupt signal from VDP 534 is input. If a transfer end interrupt signal is input, the process proceeds to step S1703. If not, a transfer end interrupt signal is input. Wait for it.

  In step S1703, parameters are set based on the production scenario configuration table and attribute data. Here, in order to form a display image in the display area A or B of the VRAM 536 based on the image data transferred to the VRAM 536 in step S1701, the CPU 504 sets information on image data (coordinate axes and image sizes of the VRAM 536). , VRAM coordinates (arrangement coordinates, etc.) are instructed to the VDP 534. The VDP 534 performs parameter setting in accordance with the attribute based on the instruction stored in the attribute register.

  In step S1704, a drawing instruction is performed. In this drawing instruction, the CPU 504 instructs the VDP 534 to start drawing an image. The VDP 534 starts drawing an image in the frame buffer in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 504.

  In step S1705, it is determined whether or not a generation end interrupt signal from the VDP 534 is input based on the end of image drawing. If the generation end interrupt signal is input, the process proceeds to step S1706. If not, the generation end interrupt signal is determined. Wait for input.

  In step S1706, a scene display counter that is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 508 and counts how many scene images have been generated is incremented (+1), and the process ends.

  As described above, according to the gaming machine of the present embodiment (for example, the slot machine 100), the process for advancing the game is executed based on the player's operation, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The main control unit (for example, the main control unit 300) that gives a predetermined profit to the player and the control information (for example, command) that indicates the state of the game transmitted by the main control unit are received and the effect process is executed A sub-control unit (such as the first sub-control unit 400), and the control information transmitted from the main control unit to the sub-control unit is an information string of a predetermined length (for example, The main control unit sequentially transmits a plurality of the control information at a predetermined timing (for example, when a start lever is received) according to the progress of the game. And sending to the sub-control unit When the information indicating the state of each game (for example, command data corresponding to each command type) is set in each of the plurality of control information to be transmitted (for example, the value of the upper byte is “15H”). ”To“ 1CH ”), at least two or more information strings are separated (for example, the value of the upper byte is 2 out of“ 15H ”to“ 1CH ”). It is arranged separately in a bit string of lower bytes of two or more commands).

  With such a configuration, in the slot machine of the present embodiment, it is possible to make it difficult to perform an illegal act of grasping the game state from the control information (command) while using a simple method.

  In addition, the information indicating the state of each game is separated into at least two or more information strings by an arrangement conversion table (for example, arrangement conversion tables 1 to 3) that arranges and converts the configuration of the information string. And when the sub-control unit receives all of the plurality of control information transmitted at the predetermined opportunity from the main control unit, the sub-control unit relates to the state of each game from the received plurality of control information. Information is acquired based on a return conversion table (for example, return conversion tables 1 to 3) for returning to the original configuration of the information sequence.

  In this case, the sub-control unit can grasp information on the game state while making it difficult to perform an illegal act of grasping the game state using a simple method.

  The arrangement conversion table and the return conversion table each include a plurality of conversion patterns, and the main control unit is configured to convert the plurality of conversion patterns based on a predetermined value of the control information transmitted to the sub control unit. And the sub-control unit updates the plurality of conversion patterns based on the value of the predetermined control information received from the main control unit. Preferably, the return conversion table of the updated conversion pattern is selected.

  In this case, since a predetermined conversion law is updated at any time, it is possible to further improve security and make it more difficult to perform an illegal act of grasping the state of the game from the control information (command).

  Further, it is preferable that the information related to the game state includes variable information whose value changes according to the progress of the game (for example, the number of remaining RTs, the number of all-time medals acquired).

  In this case, since variable information exists, it is possible to make it more difficult to grasp the state of the game even if it is exploited.

  In addition, it is preferable that the information related to the game state includes information related to a winning combination lottery process related to the predetermined profit.

  In this case, an illegal act of exploiting information related to a lottery process for a winning combination, which is important for a game, can be made difficult.

  Further, it is preferable that the control information includes check information in the information string, and the sub-control unit determines validity of the received control information based on the check information of the received control information.

  In this case, an illegal act of grasping the game state from the control information (command) can be made difficult, and the validity of the data of the control information (command) can be verified.

  In the above-described embodiment, the winning of the bell role is determined for each game and the conversion pattern is set. However, the conversion pattern may not be set for each game. For example, the conversion pattern may be set when the power is turned on or when a DIP switch is pressed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the main control unit 300 and the first sub-control unit 400 perform conversion pattern setting synchronization processing to perform command layout conversion and return conversion, but this is another method. Thus, command arrangement conversion and return conversion may be performed. For example, the encryption key may be transmitted from the main control unit 300 to the first sub control unit 400 together with the command, and the command layout conversion and return conversion may be performed. In this case, since the command encrypted based on the encryption key is transmitted from the main control unit 300 to the first sub control unit 400, the first sub control unit 400 encrypts based on the transmitted encryption key. This command is used to restore the converted command.

  In the above embodiment, the production information command after conversion is set to production information (including check bits), but in addition to this, dummy information and empty information (bit 0) may be set. Good. For example, in the above-described embodiment, eight effect information commands are transmitted, but if the number of effect information commands exceeding this (for example, 10) is transmitted, the converted effect information command includes a dummy. Information and empty information (bit 0) can also be set.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, “a plurality of types of symbols are provided and rotated and driven, a start switch that instructs rotation start of the plurality of reels, and an operation of the start switch in advance. Lottery means for determining whether or not internal winning of a plurality of types of determined roles is achieved by lottery, a stop switch provided corresponding to each of the plurality of reels, and individually stopping rotation of the reels; Based on the lottery result and the stop operation of the stop switch, the stop control means for performing stop control related to the stop of rotation of the reel within a predetermined pull-in range, and the stop control by the stop control means are predetermined. The symbol combination that is stopped and displayed on the active line is a symbol combination determined corresponding to the winning combination internally by the lottery means. Determining means for determining whether or not to win a winning combination depending on whether or not, a payout means for paying out a game medium as a payout when winning a winning combination according to the determination by the determining means, and information relating to the game Although the present invention is applied to the slot machine 100 including a notification unit for notification and a notification control unit that determines a notification mode to be notified by the notification unit, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, it can be applied to other game machines such as pachinko machines.

  For example, the gaming table according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 23, “a launching device 1010 that launches a ball into a predetermined game area 1002 and a winning opening 1006 configured to allow a ball launched from the launching device 1010 to enter. A detecting means 1008 for detecting a ball that has entered the winning opening; a payout means 1012 for paying out a ball when the detecting means 1008 detects a ball; and a variable display device for variably displaying a predetermined symbol (identification information) The main display of the pachinko machine 1000 "is provided with a display 1004, and the variable display device 1004 displays a stop after the symbols are changed after the winning ball enters the winning opening and notifies the game state transition. You may apply with respect to the continuous transmission command exchanged between a control part and a sub-control part.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the gist of the present invention. Such modifications and changes can be made, and those accompanying such modifications and changes are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Further, the actions and effects described in the embodiments of the invention only list the most preferable actions and effects resulting from the present invention, and the actions and effects according to the present invention are described in the embodiments of the present invention. It is not limited to what was done.

100 slot machine 110, 111, 112 reel 113 symbol display window 114 winning line 130, 131, 132 medal insertion button 135 start lever 137, 138, 139 stop button 300 main control unit 400 first sub control unit 500 second sub control unit 157 Liquid crystal display device 272, 277 Speaker

Claims (6)

Based on the player's operation, a process for advancing the game is executed, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a main control unit that gives a predetermined profit to the player, and a game state transmitted by the main control unit And a sub-control unit that receives the control information and executes the production process,
The control information transmitted from the main control unit to the sub control unit is:
It consists of an information string of a predetermined length,
The main control unit sequentially transmits a plurality of the control information to the sub control unit at a predetermined opportunity according to the progress of the game,
When the information indicating the state of each game is set in each of the plurality of control information to be transmitted, at least two information sequences are arranged separately in the gaming table. . The information indicating the state of each game is arranged separately into at least two or more information strings by an arrangement conversion table that arranges and converts the configuration of the information strings.
The sub-control unit
When all of the plurality of control information transmitted at the predetermined opportunity is received from the main control unit, information on the state of each game is received from the received plurality of control information in the original information sequence. 2. The game table according to claim 1, wherein the game table is acquired based on a return conversion table for returning to the configuration. The arrangement conversion table and the return conversion table each include a plurality of conversion patterns,
The main control unit updates the plurality of conversion patterns based on a value of the predetermined control information transmitted to the sub control unit, selects the arrangement conversion table of the updated conversion pattern,
The sub-control unit updates the plurality of conversion patterns based on the value of the predetermined control information received from the main control unit, and selects the return conversion table of the updated conversion pattern. The game table according to claim 2.   The game table according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the information relating to the state of the game includes variable information whose value changes as the game progresses.   5. The gaming table according to claim 1, wherein the information relating to the game state includes information relating to a winning combination lottery process related to the predetermined profit. The control information includes check information in the information column,
The game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sub-control unit determines validity of the received control information based on check information of the received control information.