JP5131120B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine, a combination gaming machine (arranged ball gaming machine), a slot machine or the like.

  In recent years, in gaming machines, from the viewpoint of improving the efficiency of various control processes and reducing the control burden, the operation control of gaming machines is distributed to a plurality of control means, for example, the control process relating to the progress of the game is performed by the main control means. The structure which performs the effect control process which concerns on the effect in connection with progress of sub-control means (effect control means) is employ | adopted. In addition, recently, production patterns (particularly display production-related production patterns) are diversified, and the processing load of the sub-control means for performing production control tends to increase. For this reason, a plurality of sub-control means for effect control are provided, and effect control processing is performed in a distributed manner (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, as with the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, an operation for changing the contents of the ongoing performance is aimed at improving the gaming interest by further diversifying the production pattern in recent gaming machines. Some are provided with means (for example, a production button). In this type of gaming machine, it is common to reflect the operation of the operating means in a rendering operation executed using a predetermined rendering device (for example, a rendering display device, a movable accessory device, etc.). The effect operation is changed according to the operation of the operation means within the operation effective period of the operation means set according to the progress of the effect operation.

In a gaming machine having the above-described operation means, when a plurality of sub-control means for effect control are provided, the operation means is generally connected to one sub-control means among the plurality of control means. Is.
JP 200497481 A

  By the way, the operation means is connected to another sub control means (hereinafter also referred to as the first effect control means) different from the sub control means (hereinafter also referred to as the second effect control means) for performing the effect control. In gaming machines that perform presentation control processing in a distributed manner with a plurality of presentation control means, first, the first presentation control means validates the operation of the operation means when the operation means effective period when the operation of the manipulation means becomes valid is reached. And a signal to that effect is transmitted to the second effect control means. When the second effect control means receives a signal from the first effect control means, for example, a button symbol is displayed on the effect display device as an operation promotion effect. The button symbol display prompts the player to operate the operation means.

  Here, when the operation means valid period ends without the operation means being appropriately operated by the player, the first effect control means invalidates the operation of the operation means and outputs a signal to that effect to the first effect control means. 2 Transmit to the effect control means. Then, when the second effect control means receives the signal from the first effect control means, the display of the operation promotion effect on the effect display device is terminated.

  However, in the effect control related to the operation means, the display of the operation promotion image on the effect display device is terminated after invalidating the operation of the operation means. That is, the display of the operation promotion image on the effect display device is performed at a timing slightly later than the operation invalidation of the operation means. For this reason, even if the player operates the operation means while the operation promotion effect is displayed, the operation of the operation means may be invalidated internally.

  As described above, when the effect control processing is performed in a distributed manner by the plurality of effect control means, a situation may occur in which the operation of the operation means is not accurately reflected in the effect. This is a factor that lowers the accuracy of effect control based on the operation of the operation means, which is not preferable in terms of the quality of the gaming machine.

  Therefore, in view of the above points, the present invention provides a gaming machine including a first effect control unit to which an operation unit is connected and a second effect control unit that controls an effect in which the operation of the operation unit is reflected. It aims at improving the precision of the production control based on operation.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the gaming machine of the present invention, the first effect control means for performing the effect control using the first effect device and the effect control using the second effect device connected to the first effect control means. And a second effect control means connected to the first effect control means and capable of being operated by the player, the second effect control means during execution of the effect using the second effect device The effective period monitoring means for monitoring whether or not the operation effective period at which the operation of the operation means is effective has been reached, and whether or not the operation effective period has been reached, and the effective period monitoring means When it is determined that the operation effective period has started, an operation promotion effect that prompts the player to operate the operation device is started, and an operation device activation signal is transmitted to the first effect control device. Validity period start processing When the effective period monitoring means determines that the end time of the operation effective period has been reached, the operation promotion effect is ended and the operation means invalidation signal is transmitted to the first effect control means. An operation acceptance signal indicating that the operation means has been operated is transmitted between the processing means and the first effect control means from when the operation means validation signal is sent to when the operation means invalidation signal is sent. And an effect changing means for changing the effect using the second effect device when received from the effect control means. The first effect control means receives the operation means enabling signal from the second effect control means. An operation enabling means for validating the operation of the operating means when received, an operation invalidating means for invalidating the operation of the operating means when receiving the operation means invalidating signal from the second effect control means, Effective operation means And an operation acceptance signal transmitting means for transmitting an operation acceptance signal to the second effect control means when the operation means is operated between the reception of the signal and the reception of the operation means invalidation signal. It is characterized by being.

  As described above, when the first effect control unit receives the operation enabling signal transmitted from the second effect control unit that performs the effect control using the second effect device, the operation of the operation unit is enabled, When the operation invalidation signal transmitted from the effect control means is received, the operation of the operation means can be accurately reflected in the effect performed by the second effect device by invalidating the operation of the operation means. Thereby, the operation effective period of the operation means can be linked (linked) to the effect in the second effect device, and the operation of the operation means can be reliably reflected, so that the accuracy of effect control can be improved.

  Further, the first effect control means includes a time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time after the operation of the operation means is enabled by the operation enabling means, and an elapsed time measured by the time measuring means is equal to or longer than a set time of the operation effective period in advance. When the reference time set in (2) has passed and the operation means invalidation signal has not been received, the operation invalidation means can invalidate the operation of the operation means.

  According to this, when the operation effect invalidation signal transmitted from the second effect control means at the end time of the operation effective period cannot be received by the first effect control means due to the influence of noise or the like during communication. However, since the operation effective period is monitored by the timing means of the first effect control means and the operation of the operation means is invalidated, the operation of the operation means can be accurately reflected in the effect performed by the second effect device. .

  In addition, the first effect control means receives the operation means invalidation signal, and when the operation means is operated between the time when the operation means is invalidated by the operation invalidation means, An operation failure signal indicating that the operation means has been operated after the end time has elapsed can be configured to be transmitted to the second effect control means.

  In this case, since the operation failure signal can be received by the second effect control means, by reflecting the operation failure of the operation means in the effect performed by the second effect device, the player is notified of the operation means. It can be recognized that the operation was not appropriate. As a result, the precision of effect control based on the operation of the operation means can be further improved.

(First embodiment)
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. An embodiment in which the gaming machine of the present invention is applied to a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter simply referred to as a gaming machine) is shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the front portion of the gaming machine 1 includes a main body frame 2, a middle frame 3, a front frame 4, an upper plate portion 5, a lower plate portion 6, a locking device 9, a game board 20, and the like. In FIG. 1, detailed illustration of the game board 20 is omitted. Further, the middle frame 3 is not clearly shown in FIG. 1 because the front frame 4 and the like are arranged on the front side.

  The main body frame 2 is an assembly of wooden plate-like bodies in a substantially rectangular frame shape, and constitutes an outer frame of the gaming machine 1. The middle frame 3 is made of plastic, is fitted inside the main body frame 2, and is pivotally supported at the left end so as to be openable and closable with respect to the outer frame 2. The middle frame 3 is composed of a frame body portion that occupies about 2/3 of the upper side and a lower plate portion that occupies about 1/3 of the lower side. The game board 20 and the front frame 4 are provided so as to overlap each other on the front side of the frame body part, and the upper plate part 5 and the lower plate part 6 are provided on the front side of the lower plate part. The lower plate portion is provided with a launcher unit (not shown) constituting launching means for launching a game ball onto the game board 20, and a ball feeder (not shown) for supplying the game ball to the launcher unit.

  The front frame 4 is disposed on the front side of the middle frame 3 and is supported at the left end of the middle frame 3 so as to be opened and closed. The front frame 4 is made of plastic, and a circular opening 4a is formed in order to make the board surface of the game board 20 arranged on the back side visible. A substantially rectangular transparent plate frame (not shown) including a transparent plate such as a glass plate corresponding to the opening 4a is attached to the back surface of the front frame 4. Lamps such as LEDs (not shown) are provided around the game board 20 in the front frame 4. These lamps are turned on / off or blinking as the game progresses in order to enhance the gaming effect.

  The upper plate part 5 is provided on the lower side of the front frame 4 and is supported at the left end of the middle frame 3 so as to be opened and closed. The upper dish part 5 includes a dish outer edge part 5a, a discharge port 5b for discharging game balls from the inside of the gaming machine 1, and a ball release button 5c for discharging the game balls of the upper dish part 5 to the lower dish part 6. It has. An effect button 5d (operation means), a ball lending button 5e, and the like are provided on the upper surface of the dish outer edge portion 5a. The effect button 5d is provided so as to protrude from the upper surface of the outer edge 5a of the dish, and moves downward when the player presses it, and upwards by elastic means (for example, a spring member) (not shown) by releasing the press. It is configured as a moving push button.

  The lower plate part 6 is provided below the upper plate part 5. A discharge port 6 a for discharging game balls from the inside of the gaming machine 1 to the lower plate portion 6 is provided in the approximate center of the lower plate portion 6. An ashtray 7 is provided at the left end of the lower dish portion 6. At the right end of the lower plate part 6, a launching handle 8 is provided for a player to operate a launching device unit (not shown). The firing handle 8 is provided with a touch switch 8a as contact detection means for detecting that the player is touching. On the left side surface of the launch handle 8, a launch stop switch 8b that is operated by the player to temporarily stop the launch of the game ball is disposed.

  The locking device 9 is provided at the center of the right end of the middle frame 3 and is used to lock the front frame 4 when it is closed.

  Further, the gaming machine 1 is provided with speakers 10a to 10d for generating sound effects and the like corresponding to the gaming state. The speakers 10 a to 10 d are composed of upper speakers 10 a and 10 b provided at the upper part of the gaming machine 1 and lower speakers 10 c and 10 d provided at the lower part of the gaming machine 1. Further, a prepaid card unit 13 (CR unit) is mounted on the left side of the gaming machine 1.

  Next, the surface structure of the game board 20 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board 20. The game board 20 is a substantially rectangular wooden plate-like body and is detachably attached to the middle frame 3, and its back side is covered by a back mechanism board (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 2, a substantially circular game area 21 is formed on the game board 20 by an outer rail 22 and an inner rail 23 provided on the surface (board surface) of the game board 20. In the game area 21, there are a central device 24, a normal symbol operating gate 27, a large winning device (special electric accessory) 33, a starting port 28, left winning ports 34 and 35, right winning ports 36 and 37, and a first decorative member. 50, game devices such as the second decorative member 60 are disposed. In addition, a number of obstacle nails are arranged in the game area 21 in consideration of the position balance with each gaming device.

  The central device (center accessory) 24 is disposed at a substantially central portion of the game area 21 and includes an effect display device 25. In the present embodiment, a large liquid crystal display device is used as the effect display device 25, and various effect displays are performed in the display area of the effect display device 25.

The big winning device 33 is arranged below the central device 24 in the game area 21. The first decorative member 50 is disposed on the left side of the big prize device 33 in the game area 21, the second decorative member 60 is arranged on the right side of the big prize device 33 in the game area 21, and the decorative members 50, 60 are so-called side. Make up decorations. In addition, the left winning holes 34 and 35 are integrated with the first decorative member 50, and the right winning holes 36 and 37 are integrated with the second decorative member 60.

  The normal symbol operating gate 27 is provided on the left side of the central device 24. Inside the normal symbol operating gate 27, a normal symbol operating gate detection switch 27s (see FIG. 3) for detecting the passage of the game ball is provided. When the game ball passes through the normal symbol operating gate 27, the normal symbol starts to fluctuate.

  The start port 28 is provided below the central position of the central device 24. The start port 28 is a first start port provided on the upper side, in which two entrance ports formed with a game ball receiving port for receiving a game ball flowing down on the surface of the game board 20 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. 28a and a second start port 28b provided on the lower side.

  The first start port 28a is a normal start port configured as a fixed start port in which the size of the game ball receiving port does not change and the possibility of entering the game ball is constant. It is possible. On the other hand, the second start port 28b is a so-called tulip type and has a pair of wing pieces on the left and right, and the upper end gap between the pair of wing pieces serves as a game ball receiving port. The pair of wing pieces are each opened and closed by tilting in the left-right direction. With this opening and closing action, the second start port 28b is the size of the game ball receiving port of the pair of wing pieces. It is configured as a variable start port in which changes. The second start port 28b is in a state where the possibility of entering is high when the pair of blade pieces is opened, and is in a state where the possibility of entering is low when the pair of blade pieces is closed. When the normal symbol is stopped and displayed as a combination of symbols, the pair of wing pieces are opened to expand the game ball receiving port of the second start port 28b, and the second start port 28b is a normal electric accessory. Function as.

  Inside the start port 28, a start port entrance detection switch 28s (see FIG. 3) for detecting the entrance of a game ball, and a start port solenoid 28c (see FIG. 3) for operating a pair of wing pieces. Is provided. When the pair of wing pieces are opened to the left and right, the size of the game ball receiving port of the second start port 28b is enlarged from the normal time, and the second start port 28b has a possibility of entering a game ball. It becomes an open state that becomes larger. On the other hand, when the pair of wing pieces are erected, the size of the game ball receiving port of the second start port 28b is slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball (one game ball can pass). The second start port 28b is in a normal state (closed state) in which the possibility of entering a game ball is reduced. As the game balls enter the start ports 28a and 28b, the special symbols described later start to fluctuate.

  The big prize device 33 is disposed below the start port 28. Here, the special winning device 33 includes a special winning opening 33a opened in a belt shape, an opening / closing plate 33b for opening / closing the special winning opening 33a, and a large winning opening solenoid 33c (for operating the opening / closing plate 33b). 3) and an incoming ball detection switch 33s (see FIG. 3) for detecting an incoming game ball.

  A left winning opening 34 and 35 and a right winning opening 36 and 37 are provided on the upper left side and the upper right side of the big winning device 33. Each of these winning openings is provided with a winning opening entering detection switch (not shown).

  The first decorative member 50 is provided with a plurality of LEDs, and a combination of these LEDs constitutes a normal symbol display portion 51, a general symbol hold display portion 52, and a special symbol hold display portion 53. Similarly, the second decorative member 60 is provided with a plurality of LEDs, and a special symbol display unit 61 is configured by a combination of these LEDs. Further, the first decorative member 50 and the second decorative member 60 have effects other than the LEDs constituting the normal symbol display portion 51, the universal symbol hold display portion 52, the special symbol hold display portion 53, and the special symbol display portion 61. Various LED / lamps 262 (see FIG. 3) are provided.

  The normal symbol display part 51 is comprised from one LED, and a normal symbol is displayed by this LED. In the normal symbol display unit 51, the normal symbol variation display and stop display are performed. In the normal symbol display unit 51, the normal symbol starts to change when the game ball passes through the normal symbol operating gate 27, and after a predetermined time has passed, the normal symbol hits and stops display in the normal symbol display mode or the dismissed normal symbol display mode. Is done. Then, when the normal symbol is stopped and displayed in the preset normal symbol display mode, the second start port 28b is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 0.1 second).

  In the present embodiment, a random number for determining whether or not a normal symbol is provided is prepared. This random number for determining whether or not a normal symbol is used determines whether or not the second starting port 28b is activated when the game ball passes through the normal symbol operating gate 27. This is used to determine whether or not a normal symbol is appropriate. The normal symbol success / failure random number is set in advance with a hit value, and the normal symbol success / failure determination random number acquired at the timing when the game ball passes the normal symbol operation gate 27 matches the win value. Determined. When it is determined to be a winning, the normal symbol that is stopped and displayed on the normal symbol display unit 51 is determined as the display mode of the winning normal symbol. On the other hand, when it is determined to be out (when the acquired normal symbol success / failure random number does not match the winning value), the normal symbol stopped and displayed in the normal symbol display unit 51 is determined as the display mode of the out of normal symbol. Is done. Note that the normal symbol success / failure determination and the normal symbol stop symbol determination are performed by a CPU 200a of the main control board 200 described later.

  Here, normal symbol holding will be described. The normal symbol hold display section 52 displays the normal symbol hold number, and the number of game balls that have passed through the normal symbol operation gate 27 can be held up to the maximum hold number (four in this embodiment). Each time the next normal symbol win / fail determination is made and the normal symbol variation display is started, the number of unstarted times (the number of reservations) is consumed, and the number of normal symbol reservations is decreased by one. The general-purpose hold display unit 52 includes two LEDs, and can display the number of holds with an upper limit of four by combining turning off, lighting, and blinking of the two LEDs. The normal symbol holding and holding digest are performed by a CPU 200a of the main control board 200 described later. Along with the holding of the normal symbol, the random number for determining whether or not the normal symbol is stored is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM of the main control board 200.

  Next, the special symbol will be described. The special symbol functions as a lottery symbol indicating the result of the special symbol success / failure determination. The special symbol display unit 61 is composed of seven LEDs, and special symbols are displayed by these LEDs. Each LED constituting the special symbol display unit 61 can be turned on and off, and a plurality of special symbol display modes can be displayed by a combination of turning on and off the LEDs. And, among the combinations of special symbols displayed by 7 LEDs, a specific combination is set as a combination of a winning special symbol (big winning symbol), and a combination other than the winning special symbol is removed and a special symbol (outgoing symbol) ) Is set. In this embodiment, the special symbol variation display is performed by blinking display in which each LED is repeatedly turned on and off. In the special symbol display unit 61, when the game ball enters the start port 28, the special symbol starts to fluctuate, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the special symbol is stopped and displayed in a combination of a big hit symbol or a combination of missed symbols. The special symbol display control is performed by the CPU 200a of the main control board 200.

  Here, the holding of special symbols will be described. The special symbol hold display section 53 includes two LEDs, and can display the number of holds with an upper limit of four by combining turning off, lighting, and blinking of the two LEDs.

  The number of game balls that have entered the starting port 28 can be reserved until the maximum number of reserved symbols (4 in this embodiment) is reached as the number of special symbols held, and the next special symbol determination is made. Each time the variable display starts, the number of unstarted times (the number of reservations) is consumed, and the number of special symbol reservations decreases by one. Note that special symbols are reserved and digested by a CPU 200a of a main control board 200 described later.

  In this embodiment, a special symbol success / failure determination random number is prepared in order to determine whether or not to start a special game (big hit game) when a game ball enters the start opening 28. Has been. When the special symbol is reserved (the game ball enters the start port 28), a special symbol success / failure determination random number is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM of the main control board 200.

  These special symbol success / failure determination random numbers are set in advance with a hit value for determination of success / failure determination, and the special symbol success / failure determination random numbers acquired at the timing when the game ball enters the start port 28 match the winning value. It is determined to be a big hit. When the result of the special symbol success / failure determination is a big hit, the special symbol stopped and displayed in the special symbol display unit 61 is determined as a combination of the big hit symbols, while when the special symbol success / failure determination is out (acquired When the special symbol success / failure determination random number does not match the winning value), the special symbol that is stopped and displayed in the special symbol display unit 61 is determined to be a combination of symbols.

  Further, the special symbol success / failure determination, the determination of the variation pattern of the special symbol, and the determination of the special symbol stop symbol are performed by a CPU 200a of the main control board 200 described later.

  In a special game (a big hit game) that is started by stopping and displaying the big hit symbol on the special symbol display unit 61, the big prize winning device 33 is activated, and a predetermined game is entered according to the game ball entering the big prize opening 33a. A number of prize balls (for example, 15 prize balls for one incoming ball) are paid out. Specifically, when the special game (big hit game) is started, the CPU 200a of the main control board 200 as the big hit game execution means continuously operates the big prize device (special electric accessory) 33, and the big prize port 33a. Are continuously opened. With the start of the operation of the special winning device 33, the special winning opening 33a is opened and a gaming ball is received. This game ball receiving state is ended when a predetermined end condition is satisfied, and the open big winning opening 33a is closed. As the predetermined end condition, when the opening time of the big winning opening 33a after the start of the game ball receiving state reaches a predetermined time (30 seconds in this embodiment) or after the start of the gaming ball receiving state, A case where the number of game balls that have entered the ball 33a reaches a predetermined number (10 in this embodiment) can be exemplified.

  In the case where one round is from the start to the end of the game ball receiving state, the special game is ended when a predetermined number of rounds are performed. In the big winning device 33, after a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) has passed since the game ball receiving state is finished, the big winning port 33a is opened to enter the game ball receiving state again, and the next round starts. The game ball accepting state in which one round is from the start to the end is repeatedly continued until a predetermined number of continuous rounds (15 rounds in this embodiment) is completed.

  In the gaming machine according to the present embodiment, after the special game (big hit game) is finished, a specific game (so-called short-time game and probability variable game) in which the variable time shortening function, the open time extending function, and the probability varying function are activated is started. Multiple types of jackpots are set in the special symbol success / failure determination. If the result of the special symbol success / failure determination is a normal jackpot (the special symbol stop symbol is a normal jackpot symbol), after the special game is over, When the result of the special symbol success / failure determination is the probability variation big hit (the special symbol stop symbol is the probability variation big hit symbol), the probability variation game is started after the special game ends.

  When the special symbol success / failure determination is a normal big hit (the special symbol stop symbol is a normal big hit symbol), after the end of the special game (big hit game), the variable time shortening function and the opening that extends the opening time of the second start port 28b. The time extension function is activated and a short-time game is started. The variation time shortening function and the opening time extension function are activated or stopped by the control of the CPU 200a of the main control board 200. The variation time shortening function includes a normal symbol variation time shortening function for shortening the ordinary symbol variation time. And a special symbol variation time shortening function for shortening the special symbol variation time. The variable time shortening function and the open time extending function operate until the next special game is started after the special game ends or until the number of times the special symbol fluctuates reaches a predetermined number (100 times in this example). .

  When the special symbol win / loss determination is a probable big hit (a special symbol stop symbol is a probable big hit symbol), after the special game (big hit game) ends, the probability variation function starts to operate and a probable variable game is started. The probability variation game is realized by the control of the CPU 200a of the main control board 200. In this probability variation game, in addition to the variable time shortening function and the open time extension function, the probability of the special symbol success / failure determination, that is, the special symbol is a big hit. There is a normal probability variation state in which the probability variation function that changes (improves) the probability of stopping display with symbols is activated, and a latent probability variation state in which only the probability variation function is activated without the variation time shortening function and the open time extension function. Is set. The probability variation function operates until the next special game starts after the special game ends.

  Next, the effect symbols displayed on the effect display device 25 will be described. In the display area of the effect display device 25, an effect symbol display unit 25a for displaying effect symbols is provided. The effect symbol of the effect symbol display unit 25a is displayed in conjunction with the change display and stop display of the special symbol of the special symbol display unit 61.

  The effect symbol display unit 25a is composed of three symbol display areas including a right symbol display area in which the right symbol is displayed, a middle symbol display area in which the middle symbol is displayed, and a left symbol display area in which the left symbol is displayed. Yes. Each symbol display area has a symbol variation direction set in a direction substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction of these display areas, in this case, in the vertical direction (vertical direction). Each symbol display area can display symbols consisting of “1” to “9”.

  The effect symbol starts to be displayed when the special symbol starts to be changed. When the special symbol is stopped and displayed in any of the symbols, the effect symbol is stopped and displayed in accordance with the stop symbol of the special symbol. In the production symbol, the display pattern of even symbols with the same three digits corresponds to the normal jackpot symbol of the special symbol, and the display mode of odd symbols with the same three digits corresponds to the probability change jackpot symbol of the special symbol, and other symbols are displayed. The mode corresponds to the off-design symbol. The determination of the variation pattern of the effect symbol and the stop symbol is performed by the CPU 260a of the sub-control board 260 based on a command transmitted from the CPU 200a of the main control board 200.

  The gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment is configured so as to be able to perform reach display using effect symbols. Reach display is a state in which the effect symbols other than the effect symbol that will be the final stop symbol are stopped in a state that matches the combination of the jackpot symbols (the symbols that make up the jackpot symbol are stopped and displayed) In this case, the effect display is performed in a state where the possibility of a big hit is continuing before all the effect symbols are stopped and displayed. For example, it is assumed that when the effect symbols stop in the order of the left symbol, the right symbol, and the middle symbol, and all of these display symbols are aligned with the same symbol, it is a big hit. At this time, the state where the left symbol and the right symbol other than the middle symbol as the final stop symbol are stopped at the same symbol is referred to as a reach state. Reach display based on performance symbols is a case where it is determined that a special symbol is determined to be a hit (special reach), or a case where it is determined that a special symbol is determined to be a disapproval (decreased reach). Done.

  Next, the electronic control device of the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the electronic control device.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the electronic control device includes a main control board 200 and sub-control boards 230, 260, and 280 connected to the main control board 200. The sub control board includes a payout control board (prize ball control board) 230, a sub control board 260, and an effect display control board 280.

  Each control board 200, 230, 260, 280 is supplied with power from a main power supply (not shown). Further, a system reset signal is transmitted to each control board 200, 230, 260, 280 when the power is turned on. Note that the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment includes a backup power supply unit (not shown) that supplies an operating voltage to the main control board 200 and the payout control board 230 when the power is turned off. 200 and RAM data of the payout control board 230 are held.

  The main control board 200 constitutes a main control means that controls the progress of the game, and transmits a command signal (command data) instructing processing contents to each of the sub control boards 230, 260, and each sub control board 230, Reference numerals 260 and 280 are configured to perform various controls based on the command signal.

  The CPU 200a of the main control board 200 includes a CPU core, a built-in RAM (hereinafter also simply referred to as “RAM”), a built-in ROM (hereinafter also simply referred to as “ROM”), etc., and the RAM is controlled by a control program stored in the ROM. As an area, it controls the overall operation of the gaming machine 1 (basic progress control of the game). In addition, the main control board 200 is configured by a CPU 200a as a main body to determine whether or not the special symbol is determined by a determination program stored in the ROM. Further, the CPU 200a of the main control board 200 determines a specific variation pattern from the variation pattern table of the special symbol stored in the ROM when executing the special symbol validity determination. Note that the control cycle of the CPU 200a of the main control board 200 of this embodiment is set to 4 ms.

A panel input relay board 201 and a panel output relay board 202 are connected to the main control board 200. The board input relay board 201 is connected with a normal symbol operation gate detection switch 27 s, a start entrance ball detection switch 28 s, and a grand prize entrance entrance detection switch 33 s so that these signals are input to the main control board 200. It is configured. The board output relay board 202 is connected to the normal symbol display section 51, the special symbol display section 61, the start opening solenoid 28c, and the big prize opening solenoid 33c, and a control signal is output from the main control board 200.

  The payout control board 230 includes a CPU having the same configuration as the CPU 200 a of the main control board 200. The discharge control board 230 is connected to the launch control board 250, the CR unit 13, and the like. From the main control board 200 to the payout control board 230, commands such as a prize ball instruction signal for instructing a prize ball payout, a game start permission signal for instructing a game start permission, and various launch control commands are transmitted. Various launch control commands include ball feed permission / prohibition, launch permission / prohibition, game start permission, and the like.

  The sub control board 260 is provided with arithmetic circuit components having a CPU 260a, ROM, RAM, input / output ports (not shown), and the like, and is connected to the main control board 200 at the input / output ports. The CPU 260a of the sub-control board 260 is configured to perform effect control of the decoration effect device. Examples of the effect effect device include various lamp devices, sound effect output devices (speakers 10a to 10d) and movable accessories (not shown). )).

  Various LEDs and lamps 262 (various lamp devices) are connected to the sub-control board 260 via a decorative drive board 261. The various LEDs / lamps 262 are for enhancing the gaming effect, and these lamps are turned on / off or blinking in accordance with the progress of the game to enhance the gaming effect. An amplifier board 263 is connected to the sub control board 260. Speakers 10 a to 10 d are connected to the amplifier substrate 263. From the speakers 10a to 10d, various musical pieces, voices, and the like are output in accordance with the progress of the game. Furthermore, a volume setting switch 264 and an effect button 5d are connected to the sub control board 260. Based on various commands from the CPU 200a of the main control board 200, the CPU 260a of the sub-control board 260 selects / executes various LED / lamp lighting / flashing patterns and outputs sound effect data output from the speakers 10a to 10d. Performs selection / output processing.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the sub control board 260 and the effect display control board 280. The sub-control board 260 is provided with a sound source IC 260b and a sound source ROM 260c, and the sound source ROM 260c stores music sound data used for symbol variation effects and jackpot effects. From the CPU 260a of the sub-control board 260 to the sound source IC 260b, a sound effect designation signal for designating sound data (music) to be output according to the progress of the game, and a sound volume when outputting the sound data (music) A volume designation signal for designating is transmitted.

  An effect display control board 280 is connected to the sub control board 260. The effect display control board 280 is provided with arithmetic circuit components (not shown) having a CPU 280a, a RAM, a ROM, an input / output port, etc. (not shown), and is connected to the sub-control board 260 at the input / output port. The effect display control board 280 is configured such that the CPU 280a performs display control of the effect display device 25 using the RAM as a work area according to a control program stored in the ROM. Further, the effect display control board 280 is provided with a VDP (video display processor) 280b and a CGROM 280c. The effect display device 25 is connected to the VDP 280b, and the image data of the effect symbol displayed on the effect display device 25 is stored in the CGROM 280c.

  From the main control board 200 to the sub-control board 260, a main control command (a command for designating an effect pattern, a command for determining the result of success / failure, a command for designating the number of rounds of a big hit game, etc.) indicating the progress of the game is transmitted. The From the sub control board 260 to the effect display control board 280, various effect commands instructing execution of various effect displays in accordance with the game progress status specified based on the main control command are transmitted. The CPU 280a of the effect display control board 280 determines a specific display mode in the effect display device 25 based on the effect command, outputs an effect display designation signal for designating the display mode to the VDP 280b, and performs the operation on the effect display device 25. Controls the effect display.

  As described above, the CPU 280a of the effect display control board 280 is responsible for the control related to the display effect (effect using the symbol displayed on the effect display device 25) in the effect control, and the CPU 260a of the sub-control board 260 performs the display effect. It is configured to perform production control related to decoration production other than (production using a lamp, production using sound, etc.). As described above, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the CPU 260a of the sub control board 260 and the CPU 280a of the effect display control board 280 are configured to perform the effect control processing in a distributed manner. The CPU 260a corresponds to the first effect control means of the present invention, and the CPU 280a of the effect display control board 280 corresponds to the second effect control means of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the effect display device 25 corresponds to the second effect device of the present invention, and various lamp devices as the decoration effect device correspond to the first effect device of the present invention.

  Here, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the player operates the effect button 5d, the effect display on the effect display device 25 is changed (for example, the effect symbol is changed or different from the effect symbol). It is configured so that other effect symbols can be additionally displayed. Of the various effects performed using the effect display device 25, in one or more effects, a button effect period in which the effect can be changed based on the operation of the effect button 5d within the execution period. Is preset. Corresponding to this button effect period, the effect button 5d is preset with an operation effective period during which the operation becomes effective, and only when the effect button 5d is operated within the operation effective period. Can give change. The operation effective period (button effect period) can be arbitrarily set, and can be set, for example, within a predetermined period during the variation display of the special symbol or within a predetermined period during the predetermined round game in the big hit game. The effect button 5d corresponds to the operating means of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, a button effect period (operation valid) is added to an effect pattern (fluctuation pattern) that defines the display effect (design variation effect) aspect (effect variation effect) using the effect symbol and the execution period of the effect. Period) is set in advance. Then, the CPU 280a of the effect display control board 280 that performs effect display control determines the start timing (start timing) and end timing (end timing) of the button effect period (operation effective period) according to the progress of the display effect (design variation effect). to decide.

  In addition, when the CPU 280a of the effect display control board 280 determines that the start time of the button effect period is informed, the CPU 280a notifies the player that the effect button 5d has become effective, and determines that the end time of the button effect period is determined. In addition, the notification to the effect that the effect button 5d to the player has become effective is ended. Here, the CPU 280a of the effect display control board 280 measures the elapsed time from the start time of the button effect period in order to determine the end time of the preset button effect period. The CPU 280a of the effect display control board 280 monitors the button effect period by measuring the elapsed time from the start time of the button effect period.

  On the other hand, since the effect button 5d is connected to the sub control board 260 as described above, the CPU 260a of the sub control board 260 also needs to grasp the button effect period (operation effective period). For this reason, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the button effect period designation signal for designating the start time and the end time of the button effect period is transmitted from the CPU 280a of the effect display control board 280 to the CPU 260a of the sub control board 260. As a “button effect period designation signal”, an effect button validation signal (operation means validation signal) that designates the start of a button effect period (operation valid period) and an effect that designates the end of a button effect period (operation valid period) A button invalidation signal (operation means invalidation signal) is provided.

  Thus, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, in addition to signal transmission from the sub control board 260 to the effect display control board 280, signal transmission from the effect display control board 280 to the sub control board 260 can be performed. Thus, bidirectional communication is performed between the sub control board 260 and the effect display control board 280. The CPU 280a of the effect display control board 280 corresponds to the effective period monitoring means, the effective period start processing means, the effective period end processing means, and the effect changing means of the present invention.

  The CPU 260a of the sub-control board 260 enables or disables the operation of the effect button 5d based on the button effect period designation signal transmitted from the CPU 280a of the effect display control board 280. When the effect button 5d is operated within the button effect period (operation valid period), the CPU 260a of the sub control board 260 transmits a button effect designation command (operation acceptance signal) to the CPU 280a of the effect display control board 280. Is configured to do.

  Further, the CPU 260a of the sub-control board 260 measures the elapsed time after receiving the effect button activation signal from the CPU 280a of the effect display control board 280. Then, the CPU 260a of the sub control board 260 determines whether or not a reference time (predetermined time set as the button effect period + α) set so that the measured elapsed time is equal to or longer than the button effect period has elapsed. It is like that.

  That is, the CPU 260a of the sub control board 260 also monitors the button effect period separately from the CPU 280a of the effect display control board 280. Here, α in the above-mentioned reference time is a ROM or the like of the sub control board 260 in advance as a correction term for adjusting a time lag between the button effect period in the CPU 280a of the effect display control board 280 and the button effect period in the CPU 260a of the sub control board 260. Is remembered. The CPU 260a of the sub-control board 260 corresponds to the operation validation means, operation invalidation means, operation acceptance signal transmission means, and time measurement means of the present invention.

  Next, the effect display control process of the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the symbol variation effect process performed by the CPU 260a of the sub control board 260 in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM. Here, the symbol variation effect is an effect mainly based on the variation display of the effect symbol in the effect display device 25, which is performed in association with the display variation of the special symbol. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the symbol variation effect display control process performed by the CPU 280a of the effect display control board 280 according to the control program stored in the ROM accompanying the execution of the symbol variation effect process shown in FIG. . Here, the symbol variation effect processing (FIG. 5) by the CPU 260a of the sub control board 260 (hereinafter simply referred to as the sub control board 260) and the CPU 280a of the effect display control board 280 corresponding thereto (hereinafter simply referred to as the effect display control board 280). And the symbol variation effect display control process (FIG. 6).

  First, as a pre-process of the symbol variation effect display control process, the sub control board 260 receives an effect pattern designation command from the CPU 200a of the main control board 200 (hereinafter simply referred to as the main control board 200), and designates the special symbol stop information. Receive commands. Then, it is determined whether or not the stop symbol of the special symbol specified by the special symbol stop information specifying command is a jackpot symbol. If it is determined that the stop symbol of the special symbol is a jackpot symbol, the production symbol is stopped. When the symbol is set as a winning symbol and it is determined that the symbol is not a big bonus symbol, the stop symbol of the effect symbol is set as a missed symbol. Thereafter, an effect pattern designation command and a stop symbol designation command are transmitted to the effect display control board 280. The pre-process of the symbol variation effect display control process is performed at a stage prior to S100 in FIG. 5, and the flowchart shown in FIG. This corresponds to the part related to the effect (button effect) accompanied by the operation of the button 5d.

  Here, the effect pattern designation command is a command for designating the effect pattern (design variation effect mode and execution time) corresponding to the special symbol variation pattern (special symbol variation time). The special symbol stop information designation command is a command for designating a special symbol stop symbol (big hit symbol, missed symbol). The stop symbol designation command is a command for designating the type of stop symbol of the effect symbol.

  The production pattern designation command is a configuration in which the production pattern designation command received from the main control board 200 is transmitted as it is, or the sub control board 260 separately produces the production pattern designation command based on the production pattern designation command received from the main control board 200. Any one of the configurations for creating the command and transmitting the created command can be employed.

  After the pre-processing of the symbol variation effect display control process is performed on the sub control board 260, the effect display control board 280 receives an effect pattern designation command and a stop symbol designation command from the sub control board 260, as shown in FIG. Is received (S200), the effect display device 25 starts the change effect display (design change effect) using the effect symbol (S201). The effect display mode (effect display pattern) performed by the effect display device 25 is specified by an effect pattern designation command.

  The effect display control board 280 determines whether or not it is time to validate the operation of the effect button 5d (S202). As described above, the operation effective period during which the effect button 5d is valid is set in advance in the effect execution period (effect pattern) specified by the effect pattern designation command, and in S202, the effect button is accompanied with the progress of the effect. It is determined whether or not the production button operation start timing for starting the operation effective period of 5d has come.

  As a result of the determination process in S202, when it is determined that it is not the timing to activate the effect button 5d (S202: NO), the standby state is set until the timing to enable the effect button 5d. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is time to activate the effect button 5d (S202: YES), the player is notified that the effect button 5d has been activated (S203). In the present embodiment, a button design imitating the design of the effect button 5d is displayed in the display area of the effect display device 25 as an operation promotion effect informing the effect button activation. The notification of the effect button activation is not limited to the display of the button symbol, but, for example, a predetermined character and balloon may be displayed, and a line prompting the operation of the effect button 5d may be displayed in the balloon.

  Then, the effect display control board 280 starts measuring the elapsed time after displaying the button symbol on the effect display device 25 (S204). Also, an effect button enabling signal (operation means enabling signal) for instructing the start of the operation effective period of the effect button 5d is transmitted to the sub-control board 260 (S205). Further, the effect display device 25 displays a button effect design (S206). As a button effect design, a predetermined character and balloon can be displayed if a notice effect is performed, and “A reach”, “B reach”, and “C reach” are displayed if an effect that develops reach is performed. Thus, a reach selection image that allows the player to select one reach effect mode from among a plurality of reach effect modes can be displayed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the sub-control board 260 determines whether or not an effect button enabling signal (operation means enabling signal) has been received from the effect display control board 280 (S100). As a result, when it is determined that the effect button enabling signal has not been received (S100: NO), the symbol variation effect process is terminated, and when it is determined that the effect button enabling signal has been received ( (S100: YES), the input of the operation signal of the effect button 5d is validated (S101). By the process of S101, the operation of the effect button 5d is validated. Then, the sub control board 260 transmits a button operation enabling signal for notifying that the input of the operation signal of the effect button 5d has been enabled to the effect display control board 280 (S102), and the operation signal of the effect button 5d Time measurement after the input is validated is started (S103).

  Next, the sub control board 260 determines whether or not the operation signal of the effect button 5d is turned on, that is, whether or not the player has operated the effect button 5d (S104). As a result, when it is determined that the operation signal of the effect button 5d is not ON (S104: NO), the process proceeds to S109. On the other hand, when it is determined that the operation signal of the effect button 5d is turned on (S104: YES), it is determined whether or not the operation of the effect button 5d by the player satisfies a predetermined operation condition (S105). . The operation condition can be arbitrarily set such that the effect button 5d is pressed once, the effect button 5d is pressed twice, the effect button 5d is pressed a predetermined number of times or more. .

  As a result of the determination process of S105, when it is determined that the operation of the effect button 5d does not satisfy the predetermined operation condition (S105: NO), the process proceeds to S109. On the other hand, when it is determined that the operation of the effect button 5d satisfies the predetermined operation condition (S105: YES), the button effect designation that instructs to perform the button effect (the effect button 5d has been operated). A command (operation acceptance signal) is transmitted to the effect display control board 280 (S106). Then, the input of the operation signal of the effect button 5d is invalidated (S107), and the button operation invalidation signal for notifying that the input of the operation signal of the effect button 5d is invalidated is transmitted to the effect display control board 280 (S108). ). The operation of the effect button 5d is invalidated by the process of S107.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the effect display control board 280 determines whether or not the button operation enabling signal transmitted from the sub control board 260 has been received (S207). As a result, when it is determined that the button operation enabling signal has not been received, the standby state is maintained until the button operation enabling signal is received. On the other hand, if it is determined that the button operation enabling signal has been received, it is determined whether a button effect designation command has been received from the sub control board 260 (S208). As a result, when it is determined that the button effect designation command has been received (S208: YES), the button symbol displayed in the display area of the effect display device 25 in S203 is deleted (S209). Then, as a button effect accompanying the reception of the button effect designation command, a symbol variation effect (button effect symbol variation) reflecting the operation of the effect button 5d is performed (S210). As a button effect design variation, for example, when a character and a balloon are displayed to perform a notice effect in S206, a predetermined line such as a notice valid can be displayed in the balloon. Alternatively, if a reach selection image that allows a player to select one reach effect mode from among a plurality of reach effect modes in order to develop a reach development, the specific selected in the reach select image The symbol variation effect display can be developed according to the reach effect mode.

  After executing the button effect design variation, it is determined whether or not a button operation invalidation signal from the sub-control board 260 has been received (S211). As a result, if it is determined that the button operation invalidation signal has not been received (S211: NO), the standby state is maintained until the button operation invalidation signal is received. On the other hand, if it is determined that the button operation invalidation signal has been received (S211: YES), the symbol variation effect display is terminated and the effect display control process is terminated (S212). Here, in preparation for a case where the button symbol is not erased from the effect display device 25 for some reason, it may be determined in S212 whether or not the button symbol is erased as a final confirmation. In this case, if it is determined that the button symbol is not erased, the button symbol may be erased.

  If it is determined in S208 that the button effect designation command has not been received (S208: NO), it is determined whether or not it is the timing to disable the effect button 5d (effect button operation end timing). Is determined (S213). In the present embodiment, the determination as to whether or not it is the timing to invalidate the effect button 5d is set as the button effect period (operation effective period), the elapsed time from the display of the button symbol on the effect display device 25. It is determined by whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) has passed. As described above, since the effect pattern includes the button effect period (operation effective period) (set in advance), the button effect period (operation effective) is determined by the effect pattern designation command received in S200. Period) can be specified.

  As a result of the determination process of S213, when it is determined that it is not the timing to invalidate the effect button 5d (S213: NO), the process returns to S208. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is the timing to invalidate the effect button 5d (S213: YES), the button design that has been displayed in S203 is deleted as the operation valid period of the effect button 5d ends (S214). Then, an effect button invalidation signal (operation means invalidation signal) for instructing the end of the operation valid period of the effect button 5d is transmitted to the sub control board 260 (S215).

  Next, in the sub control board 260, as shown in FIG. 5, when it is determined that the operation signal of the effect button 5d is not ON as a result of the determination process in S104 (S104: NO), and in S105 As a result of the determination process, if it is determined that the operation of the effect button 5d does not satisfy the predetermined operation condition (S105: NO), whether or not an effect button invalidation signal (operation means invalidation signal) has been received. Is determined (S109). As a result, when it is determined that the effect button invalidation signal has not been received (S109: NO), the sub control board 260 cannot receive the effect button invalidation signal due to noise during communication (signal state). Since the input of the operation signal of the effect button 5d is enabled (the operation of the effect button 5d is enabled), the elapsed time after the reference time (predetermined time + α set as the button effect period) is used. It is determined whether or not it has passed (S110).

  As a result of the determination process of S110, when it is determined that the elapsed time since the input of the operation signal of the effect button 5d has been validated has not passed the reference time (S110: NO), the process returns to S104. On the other hand, if it is determined that the reference time has passed (S110: YES), a situation is assumed in which the effect button invalidation signal cannot be received by the sub control board 260 due to noise or the like during communication. Based on the monitoring result of the button production period, the operation signal input of the production button 5d is invalidated (operation of the production button 5d is invalidated) (S107).

  If it is determined that the effect button invalidation signal has been received as a result of the determination process in S109 (S109: YES), whether or not an operation signal for the effect button 5d has been input after receiving the effect button invalidation signal. Is determined (S111). That is, it is determined whether or not the player has operated the effect button 5d after receiving the effect button invalidation signal from the effect display control board 280 and before invalidating the input of the operation signal of the effect button 5d. To do. As a result, when there is no input of the operation signal of the effect button 5d, the input of the operation signal of the effect button 5d is invalidated (S107), and when the operation signal of the effect button 5d is input, the effect button An effect button operation unachieved command (operation failure signal) for notifying that the input of 5d has failed (improper timing) is transmitted to the effect display control board 280.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the effect display control board 280 transmits an effect button invalidation signal to the sub control board 260 (S215), and then determines whether or not an effect button operation unreachable command (operation failure signal) has been received. Determination is made (S216). As a result, when it is determined that the effect button operation unreached command has not been received (S216: NO), the process proceeds to the above-described processing of S211. On the other hand, when it is determined that the effect button operation unreachable command has been received (S216: YES), the player is notified that the operation of the effect button 5d has failed (S217). Here, as notification that the operation of the effect button 5d was unsuccessful, for example, an effect button operation unachieved symbol which is a symbol meaning invalid notice or a symbol indicating promotion failure is displayed on the effect display device 25. Can be done. Then, after the effect button operation unachieved symbol is displayed, the process proceeds to S211 described above.

  In this embodiment, according to the progress of the effect display on the effect display device 25, various LED / lamps 262 (see FIG. 3) are turned on and blinking, and various sound effects from the speakers 10a to 10d (see FIG. 3). Is output. In addition, various LEDs are displayed in accordance with the execution of the above-described button effects (button symbol display, button effect symbol display, button effect symbol variation display based on the operation of the effect button 5d, effect button operation unachieved symbol display). The lamp 262 is turned on and blinking, and various sound effects are output from the speakers 10a to 10d.

  In the gaming machine having the above-described configuration, the operation of the effect button 5d is invalidated after erasing the button design that is the operation promotion effect from the effect display device 25 at the end timing of the effect button effective period. Although the button symbol is displayed on the display device 25, the operation of the effect button 5d is not invalidated. In addition, at the start timing of the effect button effective period, after the button design is displayed on the effect display device 25, the operation of the effect button 5d is validated before the button design is displayed on the effect display device 25 as in the past. In addition, the operation of the effect button 5d is not activated. If the operation of the effect button 5d is activated before the button symbol is displayed on the effect display device 25 as in the prior art, the substantial button effect period is shortened, and a disadvantageous situation for the player occurs. Will be.

  As described above, the sub control board 260 performs the effect button enable signal (operation enable signal) and the effect button disable signal (the effect button disable signal) transmitted from the effect display control board 280 that performs effect control using the effect display device 25. When the operation invalidation signal) is received, the operation signal of the effect button 5d can be accurately reflected on the effect performed by the effect display device 25 by enabling and disabling the operation signal of the effect button 5d. Thereby, since the button effect period (operation effective period) of the effect button 5d can be linked (linked) to the effect in the effect display device 25 and the operation of the operation means can be reliably reflected, the accuracy of the effect control is improved. be able to.

  In addition, even if the effect button activation signal transmitted from the effect display control board 280 at the end time of the button effect period is not received by the sub control board 260 due to noise or the like during communication, the sub control board 260 Since the button effect period (operation effective period) is monitored and the operation signal of the effect button 5d is invalidated, the operation of the effect button 5d can be accurately reflected in the effect performed by the effect display device 25.

  In addition, when the effect button 5d is operated during the period from the reception of the effect button invalidation signal from the effect display control board 280 to the invalidation of the input of the operation signal of the effect button 5d, the effect display control board. Since 280 is configured to receive the effect button operation unreachable command from the sub-control board 260, the operation failure of the effect button 5d can be reliably reflected in the effect performed on the effect display device 25, and the player can On the other hand, it can be recognized that the operation of the effect button 5d is not appropriate. Thereby, the precision of the presentation control based on the operation of the presentation button 5d can be further improved.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the hardware configuration of the sub control board 260 and the effect display control board 280 is different from that of the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the effect control related to sound is performed by the sub-control board 260, but in the second embodiment, the effect control related to sound is performed by the effect display control board 280. Yes.

  FIG. 7 shows a schematic configuration of the sub control board 260 and the effect display control board 280 of the second embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 4 of the first embodiment. In the configuration of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the sound source IC 260 b and the sound source ROM 260 c are not provided on the sub-control board 260 as compared with the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4. In the effect display control board 280, the function of the sound source IC is built in the VDP 280b, and a sound source ROM 280d is provided in addition to the CGROM 280c. The speakers 10a to 10d are connected to the effect display control board 280. The CPU 280a of the effect display control board 280 of the second embodiment is configured to control the sound effect using the speakers 10a to 10d in addition to the display effect using the effect display device 25. For this reason, in the second embodiment, in addition to the effect display device 25, the speakers 10a to 10d (sound effect output devices) also correspond to the second effect device of the present invention.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the effect control related to the sound is performed on the effect display control board 280, so that the CPU 260a on the sub control board 260 sends the game display to the CPU 280a on the effect display control board 280 in addition to the effect command. A voice command for instructing voice production in accordance with the progress status is output.

  As described above, in the case where the effect display control board 280 performs the effect control related to the sound in addition to the display control, the button effect period (operation effective period) of the effect button 5d is completely linked not only to the display effect but also to the sound effect. (Linked), the operation of the effect button 5d can be reliably reflected in the display effect and the sound effect.

  Further, as in the second embodiment, in the case where the production display control board 280 performs production-related production control, the CPU 260a of the sub-control board 260 needs to grasp sound-related settings (such as the current volume). In addition, a signal line for transmitting sound-related settings as a feedback signal from the CPU 280a of the effect display control board 280 to the CPU 260a of the sub-control board 260 is required. For this reason, if the button effect period designation signal (the effect button validation signal, the effect button invalidation signal) is transmitted using the signal line for transmitting the feedback signal, the button effect period designation signal is transmitted. Therefore, it is not necessary to newly provide a signal line.

(Other embodiments)
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this, Unless it deviates from the range described in each claim, it is not limited to the description word of each claim, and those skilled in the art Improvements based on the knowledge that a person skilled in the art normally has can be added as appropriate to the extent that they can be easily replaced.

  For example, the sub-control board 260 is also configured to change the effect of a decoration effect device (lamp device, sound effect output device, movable accessory, etc.) different from the effect display device 25 based on the operation of the effect button 5d. You can also. Even in such a configuration, when the sub control board 260 receives the effect button enabling signal transmitted from the effect display control board 280, the effect button 5d is activated and the effect button disabling signal is received. When the effect button 5d is operated (when the operation signal of the effect button 5d is turned on), the effect button 5d is operated by changing the effect of the decoration effect device different from the effect display device 25. It is possible to accurately reflect the effect on the effect display device 25 and the effect on the decoration effect device.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the appearance button 5d of the appearance type (so-called push button type) is illustrated as an aspect of the operation means, but it is possible to detect the operation by the player and change the effect. For example, the form of the operating means is not particularly limited. For example, instead of the appearance type effect button 5d, a contact type detection sensor that detects that a player's finger has touched may be adopted, or a non-contact type detection sensor using a photoelectric element may be adopted. it can.

  In each of the above embodiments, the sub control board 260 and the effect display control board 280 are configured by two independent boards, but these boards 260 and 280 may be configured by a single board.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the button effect period (operation effective period) is included in the effect pattern (variation pattern) that defines the mode and execution period of the display effect (design variation effect) using the effect display device 25 (effect symbol). However, the button effect period (operation effective period) may be configured so that the CPU 280a of the effect display control board 280 uniquely sets the button effect period (operation valid period).

  For example, the CPU 260a of the sub control board 260 that has received the main control command from the CPU 200a of the main control board 200 transmits an effect pattern designation command corresponding to the main control command to the CPU 280a of the effect display control board 280. Then, the CPU 280a of the effect display control board 280 sets a button effect period (operation effective period) in accordance with the effect pattern based on the effect pattern (effect mode or execution period) specified by the effect pattern designation command. Thereby, the CPU 280a of the effect display control board 280 can uniquely set the button effect period (operation effective period) according to the progress of the effect using the effect display device 25. In this case, the CPU 280a of the effect display control board 280 includes an operation valid period setting means for setting a button effect period (operation valid period).

  Even in such a configuration, when the sub control board 260 receives the production button validation signal and the production button invalidation signal transmitted from the production display control board 280, the operation of the production button 5d is validated and invalidated. Thus, the operation of the effect button 5d can be accurately reflected in the effect display performed by the effect display device 25, and the accuracy of the effect control based on the operation of the operation means can be increased.

1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. It is a front view of a game board. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of an electronic controller. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the sub control board of 1st Example, and an effect control board. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a design change effect process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a design fluctuation effect display control process. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the sub control board and effect control board of 2nd Example.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Game machine, 5d ... Production | presentation button (operation means), 10a-10b ... Speaker (1st production device, 2nd production device), 25 ... Production display device (2nd production device), 200 ... Main control board, 260 ... Sub-control board (first effect control means, operation validation means, operation invalidation means, operation acceptance signal transmission means, timing means, operation failure signal transmission means), 262 ... various LEDs and lamps (first effect device), 280 ... effect display control board (second effect control means, effective period monitoring means, effective period start processing means, effective period end processing means, effect changing means).

Claims (1)

First effect control means for performing effect control using the first effect device;
A second effect control means connected to the first effect control means and performing effect control using the second effect device;
An operation means connected to the first effect control means and operable by a player;
The second effect control means includes:
During execution of the production using the second production device, it is monitored whether or not the operation effective period start time when the operation of the operation means is effective, and whether or not the operation effective period end time is reached. An effective period monitoring means for monitoring
When it is determined by the effective period monitoring means that the operation effective period has started, an operation promotion effect is started to prompt the player to operate the operating means, and an operation means enabling signal is sent to the first effective means. Effective period start processing means for transmitting to one effect control means;
An effective period for ending the operation promotion effect and transmitting an operation means invalidation signal to the first effect control means when the effective period monitoring means determines that the operation effective period has ended. Termination processing means;
An operation acceptance signal indicating that the operation means has been operated is transmitted from the operation means validation signal to the first effect control means until the operation means invalidation signal is sent. when receiving from 1 presentation control means is configured to and a presentation changing means that changes the effect using the second effect device,
The first effect control means includes:
An operation enabling means for enabling an operation of the operating means when the operating means enabling signal is received from the second effect control means;
An operation invalidation means for invalidating the operation of the operation means when the operation means invalidation signal is received from the second effect control means;
An operation of transmitting the operation acceptance signal to the second effect control unit when the operation unit is operated between the reception of the operation unit validation signal and the reception of the manipulation unit invalidation signal. An acceptance signal transmission means ;
A timing means for measuring the elapsed time since the operation of the operation means is validated by the operation validation means ,
The operation invalidating means when the elapsed time measured by the time measuring means has passed a reference time set in advance not less than a set time of the operation valid period and the operation means invalidation signal has not been received. The gaming machine is characterized by invalidating the operation of the operation means .

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