JP5176243B2 - Amusement stand - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game table represented by a ball game machine (pachinko machine) and a spinning machine (slot machine).

  Conventionally, when a game ball enters a predetermined winning opening, an internal lottery regarding the success / failure is performed, and the result is combined with a stop display of a plurality of symbols displayed in a variable manner on an image display device such as a liquid crystal display device. There are known game consoles for notification (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Further, in recent game tables, various images are displayed on the image display device to improve the production, and entertain the player.

  By the way, in a game store where a game machine is installed, usually, before opening the store, the power controller is operated from off to on, the drive power is supplied to the game machine (power is turned on), and the power is operated until the store is closed. The child remains on. Therefore, while the amusement store is operating, it is normal for drive power to be continuously supplied to the game machine, but the game machine may momentarily shut off (power off) due to lightning strikes, etc. . In this case, the gaming machine immediately resumes the supply of drive power (power recovery). If a momentary power interruption occurs while an image is being displayed on the image display device, the image display on the image display device once disappears, but when the power is restored, the image display device resumes image display.

JP 2008-200302 A

  The player pays attention to the image display of the image display device or enjoys the image display, and it is desired that the image display is resumed as soon as possible when the power is restored.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a game machine that can resume image display as soon as possible.

The game table of the present invention that solves the above-described object includes image display means capable of displaying at least an image,
Image control means capable of controlling at least the image display means;
Control means capable of at least controlling the image control means by executing a plurality of tasks;
Image data storage means for storing at least image data representing an image and drawing information representing a drawing condition of the image;
A game machine equipped with
The control means is capable of executing at least a plurality of tasks in parallel by repeatedly executing a plurality of processes,
The plurality of processes include at least a task state setting process for setting a task in an execution state to an interruption state and setting a task in an interruption state to an execution state,
The control means is capable of executing at least an image information generation process,
The control means is capable of at least performing drawing information transmission processing,
The image information generation process is a process capable of generating at least image information;
The drawing information transmission process is a process capable of transmitting at least the drawing information to the image control unit based on the image information generated in the image information generation process,
One task of the plurality of tasks is a first task including at least the image information generation process and the drawing information transmission process,
The image display means is capable of at least executing a symbol variation display for stopping and displaying a symbol aspect corresponding to a result of the determination by the success / failure determination unit after starting a variation display of a plurality of symbols.
The control means is capable of at least controlling the image control means based on the design variation pattern selected by the design variation pattern selection means,
The symbol variation pattern selecting means can select at least one symbol variation pattern from a plurality of symbol variation patterns,
The plurality of symbol variation patterns include at least a third symbol variation pattern,
The third symbol variation pattern is a symbol variation pattern that performs at least symbol variation display with the second symbol variation pattern after at least symbol variation display with the first symbol variation pattern,
The image data storage means stores at least first and second image data as the image data,
The first image data is constituted by a first information amount,
The first image data is data used to display a symbol that is variably displayed according to the first symbol variation pattern;
The second image data is constituted by a second information amount smaller than the first information amount,
The second image data is data used to display a symbol that is variably displayed according to the second symbol variation pattern,
The control means transfers the image data to the image control means,
Even if the control means transfers the first image data to the image control means, the second image is replaced with the second image data on the condition that it is in a predetermined period from power-on. Transfer image data of
It is characterized by that.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, the image display can be resumed as soon as possible.

It is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the pachinko machine 100 from the front side (player side). It is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the pachinko machine 100 from the back side. It is the schematic front view which looked at the game board 102 from the front side (player side). The circuit block diagram of a control part is shown. (A) shows an example of a special symbol stop symbol, (b) shows an example of a decorative symbol, and (c) shows an example of an ordinary stop symbol. It is. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a main control part main process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a main control part timer interruption process. (A) is a flowchart of the main process which CPU404 of the 1st sub control part 400 performs, (b) is a flowchart of the strobe interruption process of the 1st sub control part 400, (c) is the 1st 6 is a flowchart of timer variable update interrupt processing of the sub-control unit 400. (A) is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing executed by the CPU 504 of the second sub-control unit 500, (b) is a flowchart showing the flow of command reception processing of the second sub-control unit 500, c) is a flowchart showing the flow of the image control unit error detection process of the second sub-control unit 500. 10 is a command table showing effect data corresponding to a command received from the first sub-control unit 400. (A) is an effect data table showing an effect set corresponding to the effect data selected in step S407 and the time since the start of the effect based on the effect data, and (b) shows the selected effect set. It is an effect set table showing corresponding image execution data and sound reproduction data. (A) is a sound reproduction data table indicating sound information corresponding to the sound reproduction data selected in step S409 and the time since the start of the operation based on the sound reproduction data, and (b) is a step S409. 3 is an image execution data table showing image information and processing contents corresponding to the image execution data selected in step 1 and the time after the execution of the operation based on the image execution data is started. It is a figure showing the definition of the information which drives the decoration symbol display apparatus 208 in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the drawing information transmission process of step S417. (A) is a figure which shows the task table produced in RAM508, and b) is a flowchart which shows the flow of a task registration process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a task switching process. It is a figure which shows an example of the parallel processing of a some task. (A) is a flowchart which shows the flow of the reading & writing process which CPU504 of the 2nd sub control part 500 performs, (b) is the flow of the display information reading process in step S502 of the same figure (a). (C) is a flowchart showing the flow of the display information writing process in step S503 in FIG. It is the figure which summarized the flow until a design is displayed on the decoration design display apparatus 208 paying attention to especially a task. It is the figure which summarized the flow until a pattern is displayed on the decoration pattern display apparatus 208 paying attention to especially pattern information and drawing information. It is a figure which shows an example when the bitmap D shown in FIG. 20 is not transferred. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a common bitmap is not stored in a ROM 506. FIG. It is a figure which shows the display information about the pattern different from the pattern shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows eight picture definitions regarding "evil agent". In the decorative symbol display device 208, it is the figure which showed the mode of an example from the start of the change display of a some symbol until it stops displaying these symbols in the aspect showing the lottery result of a special figure in steps. . It is the figure which showed the example different from the example shown in each of FIG.25 (f) and FIG.25 (g). It is a figure which shows an example of the display in the decoration symbol display apparatus 208 when the unexpected momentary power interruption such as a lightning strike occurs immediately after the variable display of a plurality of symbols is started in the decoration symbol display apparatus 208. . It is the figure which showed the mode of the other example from the stage shown to FIG.25 (e) to the stop display in the aspect showing the lottery result of a special figure in steps. It is a figure which shows an example of the display in the decoration symbol display apparatus 208 when a momentary electric power interruption arises by the fraudulent act immediately after the fluctuation | variation display of several symbols is started in the decoration symbol display apparatus 208. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example different from the example shown in FIG. FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an example corresponding to the example illustrated in FIG. 30 when a power interruption occurs immediately before the variable symbol display of the decorative symbol display device 208 is started. It is a figure which shows an example of the slot machine which can apply this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the casino machine which can apply this invention.

Hereinafter, a gaming machine (for example, a ball game machine such as a pachinko machine 100 or a spinning machine such as a slot machine) according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[Embodiment 1]
<Overall configuration>
First, the overall configuration of the pachinko machine 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the figure is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the pachinko machine 100 from the front side (player side).

  As an external structure, the pachinko machine 100 includes an outer frame 102, a main body 104, a front frame door 106, a door 108 with a ball storage tray, a launching device 110, and a game board 200 on its front side (player side). )

  The outer frame 102 is a wooden frame member having a vertical rectangular shape for fixing to an installation location (island facilities or the like) provided in a gaming machine installation sales shop.

  The main body 104 is a member that is provided inside the outer frame 102 and serves as a longitudinal rectangular gaming machine base body that is rotatably attached to the outer frame 102 via a hinge portion 112. The main body 104 is formed in a frame shape and has a space 114 inside.

  The front frame door 106 is attached to the front surface of the main body 104 on the front side of the pachinko machine 100 so as to be openable and closable with a lock function, and is configured in a frame shape so that the inner side of the front frame door 106 can be opened and closed. Is a door member having an opening 116. The front frame door 106 is provided with a transparent plate member 118 made of glass or resin at the opening 116, and a speaker 120 and a frame lamp 122 are attached to the front side. A space in which the game area 124 is provided is defined by the rear surface of the front frame door 106 and the front surface of the game board 200.

  The door 108 with a ball storage tray is a door member attached to the lower side of the main body 104 on the front surface of the pachinko machine 100 so as to have a lock function and be openable and closable. The ball storage tray-equipped door 108 is capable of storing a plurality of game balls (hereinafter simply referred to as “balls”), and an upper plate 126 provided with a passage for guiding the game balls to the launching device 110. A lower plate 128 that stores game balls that cannot be stored in the upper plate 126, a ball removal button 130 that discharges the game balls stored in the upper plate 126 to the lower plate 128 by the player's operation, A ball discharge lever 132 that discharges game balls stored in the lower plate 128 to a game ball collection container (common name, dollar box) by operation, and a game ball guided to the launching device 110 by operation of the player The ball launching handle 134 that is launched into the game area 124, the chance button 136 that changes the presentation mode of the various presentation devices 206 (see FIG. 3) by the player's operation, and the chance button 136 are made to emit light. A chance button lamp 138, a ball lending operation button 140 for instructing ball lending to a card unit (CR unit) installed in a game store, and a return operation button for instructing the card unit to return the player's balance 142, and a ball rental display unit 144 for displaying the balance of the player and the state of the card unit.

  The launching device 110 is attached to the lower side of the main body 104, and a launching rod 146 that rotates when the ball launching handle 134 is operated by the player, and a launching rod 148 that strikes the game ball at the tip of the launching rod 146. .

  The game board 200 has a game area 124 on the front surface, and is detachably attached to the main body 104 using a predetermined fixing member so as to face the space 114 of the main body 104. The game area 124 can be observed from the opening 116 after the game board 200 is mounted on the main body 104. In FIG. 1, the specific configuration of the game area 124 is not shown, and the specific configuration is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of the pachinko machine 100 of FIG. 1 viewed from the back side.

  The upper part of the back surface of the pachinko machine 100 has an opening that opens upward, a ball tank 150 for temporarily storing game balls, and a lower part of the ball tank 150 that is positioned below the ball tank 150. A tank rail 154 is provided for guiding a ball passing through the formed communication hole and dropping to the dispensing device 152 located on the right side of the back surface.

  The payout device 152 is formed of a cylindrical member, and includes a payout motor, a sprocket, and a payout sensor (not shown) inside.

  The sprocket is configured to be rotatable by a payout motor. The sprocket that temporarily passes through the tank rail 154 and flows down into the payout device 152 is temporarily retained, and the payout motor is driven to rotate by a predetermined angle. Thus, the temporarily accumulated game balls are sent one by one downward to the payout device 152.

  The payout sensor is a sensor for detecting the passage of the game ball sent out by the sprocket. When the game ball is passing, either a high signal or a low signal is passed. Either the high signal or the low signal is output to the dispensing control unit 600. The game ball that has passed through the payout sensor passes through a ball rail (not shown) and reaches the upper plate 126 disposed on the front side of the pachinko machine 100. The pachinko machine 100 The ball is paid out to the player according to the configuration.

  On the left side of the payout device 152 in the figure, a main board case 158 that houses the main board 156 that constitutes the main control section 300 (see FIG. 4) that performs overall game control processing, and processing information generated by the main control section 300 are displayed. Based on the processing information generated by the first sub-board case 162 that houses the first sub-board 160 that constitutes the first sub-control unit 400 (see FIG. 4) that performs control processing related to the production, and the first sub-control unit 400. The second sub-board case 166 that houses the second sub-board 164 that constitutes the second sub-control unit 500 (see FIG. 4) that performs control processing related to effects, and the payout control unit 600 that performs control processing related to game ball payout ( 4) and a payout board case 172 for storing a payout board 170 having an error release switch 168 for releasing an error by the operation of a game clerk. A launch board case 176 that houses a launch board 174 that constitutes a launch control unit 630 (see FIG. 4) that performs control processing, and a power management unit 660 (see FIG. 4) that supplies power to various electrical gaming machines are configured. A power supply board case 184 that houses a power supply board 182 that includes a power switch 178 that turns the power on and off by an operation of a game shop clerk and an RWM clear switch 180 that outputs an RWM clear signal to the main control unit 300 when the power is turned on; In addition, a CR interface unit 186 for transmitting and receiving signals between the payout control unit 600 and the card unit is provided.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the game board 200 as viewed from the front.

  In the game board 200, an outer rail 202 and an inner rail 204 are arranged, and a game area 124 in which a game ball can roll is defined.

  An effect device 206 is disposed in the approximate center of the game area 124. The effect device 206 is provided with a decorative symbol display device 208 substantially in the center, and around the normal symbol display device 210, the first special symbol display device 212, the second special symbol display device 214, and the ordinary device. A symbol holding lamp 216, a first special symbol holding lamp 218, a second special symbol holding lamp 220, and a high-probability medium lamp 222 are provided. Hereinafter, the normal symbol may be referred to as “general symbol” and the special symbol may be referred to as “special symbol”.

  The effect device 206 performs the effect by operating the effect movable body 224, and details thereof will be described later.

  The decorative symbol display device 208 is a display device for performing various displays used for decorative symbols and effects. In the present embodiment, the decorative symbol display device 208 is constituted by a liquid crystal display device (Liquid Crystal Display). The decorative symbol display device 208 is divided into four display areas, a left symbol display area 208a, a middle symbol display area 208b, a right symbol display area 208c, and an effect display area 208d, and the left symbol display area 208a and the middle symbol display area 208b. The right symbol display area 208c displays different decorative symbols, and the effect display area 208d displays an image used for the effect. Furthermore, the position and size of each display area 208a, 208b, 208c, 208d can be freely changed within the display screen of the decorative symbol display device 208. The decorative symbol display device 208 corresponds to an example of an image display device according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a liquid crystal display device is employed as the decorative symbol display device 208. However, the present invention is not limited to the liquid crystal display device, but may be configured to display various effects and various game information. Other display devices including a dot matrix display device, a 7-segment display device, an organic EL (ElectroLumin S3ence) display device, a reel (drum) display device, a leaf display device, a plasma display, and a projector may be adopted.

  The general map display device 210 is a display device for displaying a general map, and is configured by a 7-segment LED in this embodiment. The first special figure display device 212 and the second special figure display device 214 are display devices for displaying special figures, and in the present embodiment, are constituted by 7 segment LEDs.

  The multi-purpose hold lamp 216 is a lamp for indicating the number of general-purpose variable games (details will be described later) that are on hold. In this embodiment, the general-purpose variable games are reserved up to a predetermined number (for example, two). It is possible to do. The first special figure hold lamp 218 and the second special figure hold lamp 220 are lamps for indicating the number of special figure variable games (details will be described later) that are being held. In this embodiment, the special figure variable games are displayed. It is possible to hold up to a predetermined number (for example, four). The high-probability medium lamp 222 is a lamp for indicating that the gaming state is a high-probability state in which a big hit is likely to occur or a high-probability state. Turns on when switching to the probability state, and turns off when switching from the high probability state to the low probability state.

  In addition, a general prize opening 226, a general figure starting opening 228, a first special figure starting opening 230, a second special figure starting opening 232, and a variable winning opening 234 are provided around the effect device 206. ing.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of general winning holes 226 are arranged on the game board 200. When a predetermined ball detection sensor (not shown) detects a ball entering the general winning holes 226 (in the general winning holes 226). In the case of winning), the payout device 152 shown in FIG. 2 is driven, and a predetermined number (for example, 10) of balls are discharged as prize balls to the upper plate 126 shown in FIG. The player can freely take out the balls discharged to the upper plate 126. With these configurations, the player can pay out the winning balls to the player based on winning. The ball that has entered the general winning opening 226 is guided to the back side of the pachinko machine 100 and then discharged to the amusement island side. In this embodiment, a ball to be paid out to a player as a consideration for winning may be referred to as a “prize ball”, and a ball lent to a player may be referred to as a “lending ball”. They are called “balls (game balls)”.

  The normal start port 228 is configured by a device called a gate or a through chucker for determining whether or not a ball has passed a predetermined area of the game area 124. In this embodiment, the left side of the game board 200 is used. One is arranged. Unlike the ball that has entered the general winning opening 226, the ball that has passed through the usual starting port 228 is not discharged to the amusement island side. When a predetermined ball detection sensor detects that a ball has passed through the general map starting port 228, the pachinko machine 100 starts a general map variable game by the general map display device 210.

  In the present embodiment, only one first special figure starting port 230 is disposed at the center of the game board 200. When a predetermined ball detection sensor detects a ball entering the first special figure starting port 230, the payout device 152 shown in FIG. 2 is driven and a predetermined number (for example, three) of balls is selected as a winning ball. While discharging to the tray 126, the special figure variable game by the first special figure display device 212 is started. The ball that has entered the first special figure starting port 230 is guided to the back side of the pachinko machine 100 and then discharged to the amusement island side.

  In the present embodiment, only one second special figure starting port 232 is disposed directly below the first special figure starting port 230. In the vicinity of the second special figure start port 232, a pair of blade members 2321 that can be opened and closed by a solenoid are provided. The pair of blade members 2321 and the second special figure start port 232 are combined to form an electric tulip ( Sometimes referred to as “Den Chu” While the pair of blade members 2321 is closed, it is impossible to enter a ball, and when the universal figure display game 210 is won and the universal figure display device 210 stops and displays the symbol, the pair of blade members 2321 has a predetermined time. Opening and closing at intervals and a predetermined number of times allows the ball to enter the second special figure starting port 232. When a predetermined ball detection sensor detects a ball entering the second special figure starting port 232, the payout device 152 is driven and a predetermined number (for example, four) of balls is discharged to the upper plate 126 as prize balls. At the same time, the special figure variation game by the second special figure display device 214 is started. The ball that has entered the second special figure starting port 232 is guided to the back side of the pachinko machine 100 and then discharged to the amusement island side.

  In the present embodiment, only one variable winning port 234 is disposed below the center of the game board 200. The variable winning opening 234 includes a door member 2341 that can be opened and closed by a solenoid. The variable winning opening 234 may be called a big winning opening, and the door member 2341 and the variable winning opening 234 may be collectively called an attacker. While the door member 2341 is closed, it is impossible to enter a ball. When the special figure change game is won and the first special figure display device 212 or the second special figure display device 214 stops and displays the big hit symbol, The member 2341 opens and closes at a predetermined time interval (for example, an opening time of 29 seconds and a closing time of 1.5 seconds) and at a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times). When a predetermined ball detection sensor detects a ball entering the variable winning opening 234, the payout device 152 is driven to discharge a predetermined number (for example, 15 balls) of balls to the upper plate 126 as prize balls. The ball that entered the variable winning opening 234 is guided to the back side of the pachinko machine 100 and then discharged to the amusement island side.

  Further, a plurality of disc-shaped hitting direction changing members 236 called a windmill and a plurality of game nails 238 are arranged in the vicinity of these winning openings and start openings, and at the bottom of the inner rail 204, An out port 240 is provided for guiding a ball that has not won a prize or starting port to the back side of the pachinko machine 100 and then discharging it to the game island side.

  The pachinko machine 100 supplies the ball stored in the upper plate 126 shown in FIG. 1 by the player to the launch position of the launch rail, and sets the launch motor with strength according to the operation amount of the player's ball launch handle 134. Driven, the launcher 146 and the launcher 148 pass through the outer rail 202 and the inner rail 204 to launch into the game area 124. Then, the ball that has reached the upper part of the game area 124 falls downward while changing the advancing direction by the hitting direction changing member 236, the game nail 238, etc., and a winning opening (general winning opening 226, variable winning opening 234) or start opening (Outside the first special figure starting port 230, the second special figure starting port 232), winning out any winning port or starting port, or just passing through the normal start port 228, the out port 240 To reach.

<Directing device 206>
Next, the rendering device 206 of the pachinko machine 100 will be described.

  On the front side of the effect device 206, a warp device 242 and a stage 244 are arranged in an area where the game ball can roll, and an effect movable body 224 is arranged in an area where the game ball cannot roll. . In addition, a decorative symbol display device 208 and a shielding device 246 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a door) are disposed on the back side of the effect device 206. That is, in the effect device 206, the decorative symbol display device 208 and the shielding device 246 are positioned behind the warp device 242, the stage 244, and the effect movable body 224.

  The warp device 242 discharges the game balls that have entered the warp inlet 242a provided at the upper left of the effect device 206 to the stage 244 below the front surface of the effect device 206 from the warp outlet 242b.

  The stage 244 can roll a ball discharged from the warp outlet 242b or a ball naild by the game nail 238, etc., and the passed ball enters the first special figure starting port 230 at the center of the stage 244. A special route 244a is provided to facilitate the ball.

  In this embodiment, the effect movable body 224 includes an upper arm 224a and a forearm 224b imitating the upper arm and forearm of a human right arm, and an upper arm motor and an elbow (not shown) that rotate the upper arm 224a to the position of the shoulder A forearm motor (not shown) that rotates the forearm 224b at a position is provided. The effect movable body 224 moves in front of the decorative symbol display device 208 by the upper arm motor and the forearm motor.

  The shielding device 246 includes a lattice-like left door 246a and right door 246b, and is disposed between the decorative symbol display device 208 and the front stage 244. Belts wound around two pulleys (not shown) are fixed to the upper portions of the left door 246a and the right door 246b, respectively. That is, the left door 246a and the right door 246b move to the left and right as the belt driven by the motor through the pulley moves. In the state where the left door 246a and the right door 246b are closed, the shielding device 246 covers the inner end portions of the shielding device 246 so that it is difficult for the player to visually recognize the decorative symbol display device 208. In the state where the left door 246a and the right door 246b are opened, each inner end portion slightly overlaps the outer end portion of the display screen of the decorative symbol display device 208, but the player can visually recognize all of the display of the decorative symbol display device 208. It is. In addition, the left door 246a and the right door 246b can be stopped at arbitrary positions, respectively, for example, only a part of the decorative design so that the player can identify which decorative design the displayed decorative design is. Can be shielded. In addition, the left door 246a and the right door 246b may be configured so that a part of the decorative symbol display device 208 behind the lattice hole can be visually recognized, or the shoji part of the lattice hole is closed with a translucent lens body. The display by the decorative symbol display device 208 may be made vaguely visible to the player, or the shoji part of the holes in the lattice is completely blocked (shielded), and the decorative symbol display device 208 behind is made completely invisible. Also good.

<Control unit>
Next, the circuit configuration of the control unit of the pachinko machine 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. This figure shows a circuit block diagram of the control unit.

  The control unit of the pachinko machine 100 can be roughly classified into a main control unit 300 that controls the central part of the game and a command signal (hereinafter simply referred to as “command”) transmitted by the main control unit 300. A first sub-control unit 400 that controls the second sub-control unit 500 that controls various devices based on a command transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400, and a command transmitted by the main control unit 300 A payout control unit 600 that mainly performs control related to payout of game balls, a launch control unit 630 that controls the launch of game balls, and a power management unit 660 that controls the power supplied to the pachinko machine 100. Yes. In the present embodiment, the main control unit 300, the first sub control unit 400, and the second sub control unit 500 are composed of different circuit boards, but these three control units (300, 400, 500) are: The first sub-control unit 400 and the second sub-control unit 500 may be composed of one common circuit board different from the circuit board of the main control unit 300. It may be a thing. Therefore, the main control unit 300, the first sub control unit 400, and the second sub control unit 500 can be regarded as control means, or a combination of these three control units (300, 400, 500) is combined into one. It can also be regarded as a control means, and the combination of the first sub-control unit 400 and the second sub-control unit 500 can be regarded as one control means.

<Main control unit>
First, the main control unit 300 of the pachinko 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, a ROM 306 for storing control programs and various data, and temporary data. RAM 308 for storing data, I / O 310 for controlling input / output of various devices, counter timer 312 for measuring time and frequency, and WDT 314 for monitoring abnormalities in program processing are mounted. . Note that another storage device may be used for the ROM 306 and the RAM 308, and this is the same for the first sub-control unit 400 described later. The CPU 304 of the basic circuit 302 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output from the crystal oscillator 316 as a system clock.

  In addition, the basic circuit 302 includes a counter circuit 318 used as a hardware random number counter that changes a numerical value in the range of 0 to 65535 each time a clock signal output from the crystal oscillator 316 is received (this circuit includes two circuits). 1), the opening sensor of the front frame door 106, the opening sensor of the main body 104, the full sensor of the lower plate 128, etc., as well as the start opening, the entrance of the winning opening and the variable winning shown in FIG. A sensor circuit 322 for receiving signals output from various sensors 320 including a sphere detection sensor provided in the mouth and outputting a result of comparison and comparison with a reference voltage to the counter circuit 318 and the basic circuit 302; A drive circuit 324 for controlling the display of the first special figure display device 212 and the second special figure display device 214 and the display control of the general figure display device 210 The display circuit 326 and the various status display units 328 (for example, the general map hold lamp 216, the first special figure hold lamp 218, the second special figure hold lamp 220, the high accuracy medium lamp 222, etc.). And a drive circuit 334 for controlling various solenoids 332 for opening and closing the second special figure starting port 232, the variable prize winning port 234, and the like.

  When the ball detection sensor among the various sensors 320 detects that the ball has won the first special figure starting port 126, the sensor circuit 322 sends a signal indicating that the ball has been detected to the counter circuit 316. Output. Upon receiving this signal, the counter circuit 316 latches the value of the counter corresponding to the first special figure starting port 126 at that timing, and stores the latched value in the built-in counter value corresponding to the first special figure starting port 126. Store in the register. Similarly, when the counter circuit 316 receives a signal indicating that the ball has won the second special figure starting port 128, the counter circuit 316 latches the value at the timing of the counter corresponding to the second special figure starting port 128. The latched value is stored in a built-in counter value storage register corresponding to the second special figure starting port 128.

  Further, an information output circuit 336 is connected to the basic circuit 302, and the main control unit 300 is connected to an information input circuit 350 provided in an external hall computer (not shown) or the like via this information output circuit 336. The game information (for example, game state) of the machine 100 is output.

  In addition, the main control unit 300 is provided with a voltage monitoring circuit 338 that monitors the voltage value of the power source supplied from the power management unit 660 to the main control unit 300. The voltage monitoring circuit 338 is a voltage value of the power source. Is less than a predetermined value (9v in this embodiment), a low voltage signal indicating that the voltage has decreased is output to the basic circuit 302.

  In addition, the main control unit 300 is provided with a start signal output circuit (reset signal output circuit) 340 that outputs a start signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on. When an activation signal is input, game control is started (main control section main processing described later is started).

  The main control unit 300 includes an output interface for transmitting a command to the first sub-control unit 400 and an output interface for transmitting a command to the payout control unit 600. With this configuration, the first control unit 300 Communication with the sub-control unit 400 and the payout control unit 600 is enabled. Information communication between the main control unit 300 and the first sub-control unit 400 and the payout control unit 600 is one-way communication. The main control unit 300 sends commands and the like to the first sub-control unit 400 and the payout control unit 600. The first sub control unit 400 and the payout control unit 600 are configured such that signals such as commands cannot be transmitted to the main control unit 300.

<Sub control unit>
Next, the first sub control unit 400 of the pachinko machine 100 will be described. The first sub-control unit 400 includes a basic circuit 402 that controls the entire first sub-control unit 400 mainly based on commands transmitted from the main control unit 300. The basic circuit 402 includes a CPU 404 and 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, the number of times, and the like are mounted. 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. The basic circuit 402 is connected to a ROM 406 for storing control programs and various effects data. The ROM 406 may store the control program and various effect data in separate ROMs.

  The basic circuit 402 includes a drive circuit 416 for performing drive control of the effect movable body 224, a drive circuit 432 for performing drive control of the shield device 246, and a shield device that detects the current position of the shield device 246. A sensor 430, a chance button detection sensor 426 that detects pressing of the chance button 136, an effect movable body sensor 427 that detects the current position of the effect movable body 224, a shielding device sensor 430, a chance button detection sensor 426, and an effect movable body A sensor circuit 428 that outputs a detection signal from the sensor 427 to the basic circuit 402 is connected.

  Further, the basic circuit 402 includes various lamp drive circuits 440 for controlling various lamps 442 (for example, chance button lamp 138, game board lamp, game stand frame lamp, etc.), and various lamp drive circuits 440; A serial communication control circuit 420 that performs lighting control by serial communication is also connected.

  Next, the second sub control unit 500 of the pachinko machine 100 will be described. The second sub-control unit 500 includes a basic circuit 502 that receives the control command transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400 via the input interface and controls the entire second sub-control unit 500 based on the control command. The basic circuit 502 includes a CPU 504, an I / O 510 for controlling input / output of various devices, and a counter timer 512 for measuring time, frequency, and the like. 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. Further, the basic circuit 502 includes a ROM 506 storing a control program and data for controlling the entire second sub-control unit 500, data for image display, and a RAM 508 for temporarily storing data. It is connected. Further, a dip switch 552 for various settings and a monitor LED 553 for displaying various setting statuses are also connected to the basic circuit 502.

  Also connected to the basic circuit 502 are a sound source IC 516 for controlling the speaker 120 (and amplifier) and an image control unit 560 for displaying an image on the decorative symbol display device 208. The image control unit 560 includes a VRAM (video RAM) 561 and a GPU (graphics processing unit) 562. The GPU 562 reads the pattern information and the like stored in the ROM 506 based on a signal from the CPU 504, generates a display image using the display area (work area) of the VRAM 561, and displays the image on the decorative symbol display device 208. Note that the GPU 562 and the VRAM 561 may be configured as a single package as the image control unit 560 or may be configured separately.

  The image control unit 560 (GPU 562, VRAM 561) drives the decorative symbol display device 208, and corresponds to an example of a driving device according to the present invention. The CPU 504 of the second sub-control unit 500 controls the image control unit 560 and corresponds to an example of a control device according to the present invention.

<Discharge control unit, launch control unit, power supply management unit>
Next, the payout control unit 600, the launch control unit 630, and the power management unit 660 of the pachinko machine 100 will be described.

  The payout control unit 600 controls the payout motor 602 of the payout device 152 shown in FIG. 2 mainly based on a signal such as a command transmitted from the main control unit 300, and awards based on a control signal output from the payout sensor 604. While detecting whether or not the payout of the ball or the rental ball has been completed, communication with a card unit 608 provided separately from the pachinko machine 100 is performed via the interface unit 606.

  The launch control unit 630 outputs a control signal output from the payout control unit 600 to permit or stop the launch, or a launch intensity output circuit provided in the ball launch handle 134 to operate the ball launch handle 134 by the player. Based on the control signal instructing the launch intensity according to the amount, the launcher 146 and the launcher motor 632 driving the launcher 148 shown in FIG. The device 634 is controlled.

  The power management unit 660 converts the AC power supplied from the outside to the pachinko machine 100 into a direct current, converts it to a predetermined voltage, and supplies the predetermined voltage to the payout control unit 600 and the second sub-control unit 500. The main control unit 300, the first sub control unit 400, and the launch control unit 630 are supplied with a predetermined voltage from the payout control unit 600. The power management unit 660 also stores a power storage circuit (for example, a power supply circuit) for supplying power to a predetermined component (for example, the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300) for a predetermined period (for example, 10 days) even after the external power supply is cut off. , Capacitor). In the present embodiment, a predetermined voltage is supplied from the power management unit 660 to the payout control unit 600 and the second sub control unit 500, and the main control unit 300, the first sub control unit 400, and the launch control unit are supplied from the payout control unit 600. Although a predetermined voltage is supplied to 630, the predetermined voltage may be supplied to each control unit and each device through another power supply path.

<Type of design>
Next, using FIGS. 5A to 5C, the first special symbol display device 212, the second special symbol display device 214, the decorative symbol display device 208, and the normal symbol display device 210 of the pachinko machine 100 are stopped and displayed. The types of special maps and general maps to be described will be described.

  Fig.5 (a) shows an example of the stop symbol aspect of a special figure.

  The special figure 1 variable game is started on the condition that the first start port sensor, which is a ball detection sensor, detects that a ball has entered the first special figure start port 230, and the second special figure start port 232 has a ball. The special figure 2 variable game is started on the condition that the second start port sensor which is a ball detection sensor detects that the ball has entered. When the special figure 1 variable game is started, the first special symbol display device 212 performs “variable display of special figure 1” by repeating all lighting of seven segments and lighting of one central segment. In addition, when the special figure 2 variable game is started, the second special symbol display device 214 displays “fluctuation display of special figure 2” which repeats lighting of all seven segments and lighting of one central segment. Do. Then, when the variation time determined before the start of the fluctuation of the special figure 1 elapses, the first special symbol display device 212 stops and displays the stop symbol form of the special figure 1, and the fluctuation time determined before the start of the fluctuation of the special figure 2 When elapses, the second special symbol display device 214 stops and displays the stop symbol form of the special symbol 2. Hereinafter, a series of displays from the start of the “variable display of special figure 1 or 2” to the stop display of the special symbol form of special figure 1 or 2 may be referred to as symbol fluctuation stop display. This symbol variation stop display may be continuously performed a plurality of times. FIG. 5A shows ten types of special drawings from “Special Figure A” to “Special Figure J” as the stop symbol forms in the symbol variation stop display. In FIG. 5A, the white portions in the figure indicate the segment locations where the light is turned off, and the black portions indicate the location where the segments are turned on.

  “Special figure A” is a 15 round (15R) special jackpot symbol, and “Special figure B” is a 15R jackpot symbol. The round here represents the maximum value of the number of times of opening and closing the door member 2341 shown in FIG. Means to last 15 times. In the pachinko machine 100 according to the present embodiment, as will be described later, the determination as to whether or not the big hit in the special figure variable game is made by lottery of hardware random numbers, and the decision as to whether or not it is a special big hit is made by lottery of software random numbers. The difference between the jackpot and the special jackpot is the difference in whether the probability of winning the jackpot is high (special jackpot) or low (jackpot) in the next special figure variation game. Hereinafter, a state having a high probability of winning the jackpot is referred to as a special figure high probability state, and a state having a low probability is referred to as a special figure low probability state. In addition, after the 15R special jackpot game ends and after the 15R jackpot game ends, both shift to the time-saving state. Although the time reduction will be described in detail later, the state that shifts to the time reduction state is referred to as a normal high probability state, and the state that does not shift to the time reduction state is referred to as a normal low probability state. “Special figure A”, which is a 15R special jackpot symbol, is a special figure high probability normal figure high probability state, and “Special figure B”, which is a 15R jackpot symbol, is a special figure low probability ordinary figure high probability state. These “special drawing A” and “special drawing B” are symbols that make the pachinko machine 100 relatively advantageous to the player.

  “Special figure C” is a 2R jackpot symbol called sudden probability change, and is a special figure high probability normal figure high probability state. That is, “Special Figure C” is 2R compared to “Special Figure A” which is 15R. “Special figure D” is a 2R jackpot symbol called sudden time reduction, and is a special figure low probability normal figure high probability state. That is, “Special Figure D” is 2R compared to “Special Figure B” which is 15R.

  “Special figure E” is a 2R jackpot symbol called hidden probability change, and is a special figure high probability normal figure low probability state. "Special figure F" is a 2R jackpot symbol suddenly called normal, and is a special figure low probability normal figure low probability state. These “special drawing E” and “special drawing F” are both 2R and are in a state in which they do not shift to the time-saving state.

  “Special figure G” is the first small hit symbol, and “Special figure H” is the second small hit symbol, both of which are in the special figure low probability normal figure low probability state. The small hit here corresponds to the same as the big hit with no short time at 2R. That is, “Special Figure G” and “Special Figure H” are in the same state as “Special Figure F”, but the effects displayed on the decorative symbol display device 208 are different in both cases. By providing “G”, “Special Figure H”, and “Special Figure F”, the interest of the game is enhanced.

  In addition, “Special Figure I” is a first off symbol, and “Special Figure J” is a second off symbol, which makes the pachinko machine 100 relatively disadvantageous for the player.

  In the pachinko machine 100 according to the present embodiment, symbols other than “Special Illustration A” are prepared as 15R special jackpot symbols, and the same applies to other symbols such as 15R jackpot symbols.

  FIG. 5B shows an example of a decorative design. There are 10 types of decoration patterns of the present embodiment: “Decoration 1” to “Decoration 10”. The first start port sensor detects that a ball has won the first special figure start port 230 or the second special view start port 232, that is, the ball has entered the first special view start port 230; or On the condition that the second start port sensor detects that a ball has entered the second special symbol start port 232, the left symbol display area 208a, the middle symbol display area 208b, and the right symbol display of the decorative symbol display device 208 are displayed. Displayed in the order of “decoration 1” → “decoration 2” → “decoration 3” →... “Decoration 9” → “decoration 10” → “decoration 1” →... “Decoration display of decorative pattern” is performed. When the 15R jackpot of “Special Figure B” is notified, a symbol combination in which three same decorative symbols corresponding to the 15R jackpot are arranged in the symbol display areas 110a to 110c (for example, “decoration 1—decoration 1—decoration”). 1 ”or“ decoration 2—decoration 2—decoration 2 ”). When notifying the 15R special jackpot of “special drawing A”, a combination of three symbols of the same odd number of decorative symbols (for example, “decoration 3—decoration 3—decoration 3” or “decoration 7—decoration 7—decoration 7”). Etc.) is stopped and displayed.

  In addition, the 2R big hit called “hidden probability change” of “special drawing E”, the 2R big hit called “special drawing F” suddenly normal, or the first small hit of “special drawing G”, “special drawing H” When notifying the second small hit, “decoration 1-decoration 2—decoration 3” is stopped and displayed. Furthermore, in order to notify 2R jackpot called “sudden probability change” of “special drawing C” or 2R jackpot called “sudden time reduction of“ special drawing D ”,“ decoration 1-decoration 3—decoration 5 ”is set. Stop display.

  On the other hand, when notifying the first deviation of “Special Figure I” and the second deviation of “Special Figure J”, the symbol combinations other than the symbol combinations shown in FIG. 5B are stopped in the symbol display areas 110a to 110c. indicate.

  Here, a symbol combination of three decorative symbols for notifying that a predetermined first jackpot (for example, 15R jackpot) is started or that the lottery result is a predetermined first jackpot is a first symbol combination, a predetermined symbol Starting the second big hit (for example, 15R special big hit), or the symbol combination of three decorative symbols for notifying that the lottery result is the predetermined second big hit, the second symbol combination, the predetermined first 3 decorative symbols that start 3 big hits (eg 2R big hit), small hits (first small hit, second small hit), or that the lottery result was the third big hit or small hit The symbol combination is a third symbol combination, and the symbol combination of three decorative symbols for notifying that the lottery result has been lost (for example, the first error or the second error) is collectively referred to as a fourth symbol combination. Also, when the first symbol combination and the second symbol combination are collectively referred to as a jackpot symbol combination, and in some cases, the first symbol combination, the second symbol combination, and the third symbol combination are collectively referred to as a winning symbol combination. There is also. Further, depending on the case, the third symbol combination and the fourth symbol combination may be collectively referred to as the off symbol combination.

  FIG.5 (c) shows an example of the usual stop display symbol. In the present embodiment, there are two types of stoppage display modes of “normal map A”, which is a winning symbol, and “general symbol B”, which is a missed symbol. Based on the fact that the gate sensor, which is a sphere detection sensor, detects that the sphere has passed through the general start port 228, the general display display device 210 illuminates all seven segments and the central one segment. Repeat the lighting and perform “Fluctuation display of normal map”. Then, when notifying the winning of the common figure variable game, the “normal figure A” is stopped and displayed, and when notifying the deviation of the common figure variable game, the “normal figure B” is stopped and displayed. Also in FIG. 5C, the white portions in the drawing indicate the locations of the segments that are turned off, and the black portions indicate the locations of the segments that are turned on.

<Main control unit main processing>
Next, the main control unit main process executed by the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing of the main control unit.

  As described above, the main control unit 300 shown in FIG. 4 includes the start signal output circuit (reset signal output circuit) 340 that outputs the start signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on. The CPU 304 of the basic circuit 302 to which this activation signal has been input resets by a reset interrupt and executes the main process of the main control unit shown in FIG.

  In step S101, initial setting 1 is performed. In this initial setting 1, setting of a stack initial value (temporary setting) to the stack pointer (SP) of the CPU 304, setting of an interrupt mask, initial setting of the I / O 310, initial setting of various variables stored in the RAM 308, to the WDT 314 The operation is permitted and the initial value is set. In the present embodiment, a numerical value corresponding to 32.8 ms is set in WDT 314 as an initial value.

  In step S103, the value of the counter of WDT 314 is cleared and time measurement by WDT 314 is restarted.

  In step S105, whether or not the low voltage signal is ON, that is, the voltage value of the power supply that the voltage monitoring circuit 338 supplies to the main control unit 300 via the second sub control unit 500 by the power supply control unit 660. Is less than a predetermined value (9v in this embodiment), it is monitored whether or not a low voltage signal indicating that the voltage has dropped is output. Then, when the low voltage signal is on (when the CPU 304 detects that the power supply is cut off), the process returns to step S103, and when the low voltage signal is off (when the CPU 304 does not detect that the power supply is cut off), the step is performed. The process proceeds to S107. Even when the predetermined value (9 V) is not yet reached immediately after the power is turned on, the process returns to step S103, and step S105 is repeatedly executed until the supply voltage becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined value.

  In step S107, initial setting 2 is performed. In this initial setting 2, a process for setting a numerical value for determining a cycle for executing a main control unit timer interrupt process, which will be described later, in the counter timer 312 and a predetermined port of the I / O 310 (for example, a test output port, A process of outputting a clear signal from the output port to the first sub control unit 400, a setting for permitting writing to the RAM 308, and the like are performed.

  In step S109, it is determined whether or not to return to the state before the power is shut off (before the power interruption). The pachinko machine 100 may be momentarily shut off due to lightning strikes, fraudulent acts, and the like. If the state before power interruption is not restored (when the basic circuit 302 of the main control unit 300 is set to the initial state), the process proceeds to initialization processing (step S113).

  Specifically, first, a RAM clear signal that is transmitted when an RWM clear switch 180 provided on the power supply board 182 shown in FIG. 2 is operated by a store clerk or the like is on (indicating that there has been an operation). If the RAM clear signal is ON (RAM clear is necessary), the process goes to step S113 to set the basic circuit 302 to the initial state. move on. On the other hand, when the RAM clear signal is OFF (when the RAM clear is not necessary), the power status information stored in the power status storage area provided in the RAM 308 is read, and the power status information is information indicating suspend. It is determined whether or not. If the power status information is not information indicating suspend, the process proceeds to step S113 to set the basic circuit 302 to an initial state. If the power status information is information indicating suspend, a predetermined area of the RAM 308 is set. A checksum is calculated by adding all the 1-byte data stored in (for example, all areas) to a 1-byte register whose initial value is 0, and the calculated checksum results in a specific value (for example, 0) (whether or not the checksum result is normal). When the checksum result is a specific value (eg, 0) (when the checksum result is normal), the process proceeds to step S111 to return to the state before the power interruption, and the checksum result is a specific value. If the value is other than 0 (for example, 0) (if the result of the checksum is abnormal), the process proceeds to step S113 to set the pachinko machine 100 to the initial state. Similarly, when the power status information indicates information other than “suspend”, the process proceeds to step S113.

  In step S111, power recovery processing is performed. When the power supply is instantaneously interrupted by lightning, this power recovery process is usually performed, and the pachinko machine 100 quickly returns to the power-off state. In this power recovery process, the value of the stack pointer stored in the stack pointer save area provided in the RAM 308 at the time of power failure is read out and reset to the stack pointer (this setting). In addition, the value of each register stored in the register save area provided in the RAM 308 at the time of power interruption is read out and reset in each register, and then the interrupt permission is set. Thereafter, as a result of the CPU 304 executing the control program based on the reset stack pointer and registers, the pachinko machine 100 returns to the state when the power is turned off. That is, the processing is restarted from the instruction next to the instruction (predetermined in steps S115 and S117) performed immediately before branching to the timer interrupt process (described later) immediately before the power interruption. A RAM 308 mounted on the basic circuit 302 in the main control unit 300 shown in FIG. 4 is provided with a transmission information storage area. In step S111, a power recovery command is set in the transmission information storage area. This power recovery command is a command indicating that the power has been restored to the state at the time of power-off, and is transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400 in step S233 in the timer interrupt process of the main control unit 300 described later.

  In step S113, initialization processing is performed. In this initialization process, interrupt prohibition setting, stack initial value setting to the stack pointer (this setting), initialization of all storage areas of the RAM 308, and the like are performed. Further, here, a normal return command is set in the transmission information storage area provided in the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300. This normal return command is a command indicating that the initialization process (step S113) of the main control unit 300 has been performed, and in the same way as the power recovery command, in step S233 in the timer interrupt process of the main control unit 300, 1 is transmitted to the sub-control unit 400.

  In step S115, after setting for prohibition of interruption, a basic random number initial value update process is performed. In this basic random number initial value update process, two initial value generation random number counters for generating the initial values of the ordinary figure winning random number counter and the special figure random value counter, the ordinary figure timer random number value, and the special figure timer, respectively. Two random number counters for generating each random number value are updated. For example, if the range of values that can be taken as normal timer random numbers is 0 to 20, a value is acquired from a random number counter storage area for generating a normal timer random value provided in the RAM 308, and 1 is added to the acquired value. Then, it is stored in the original random number counter storage area. At this time, if the result of adding 1 to the acquired value is 21, 0 is stored in the original random number counter storage area. Other initial value generation random number counters and random number counters are similarly updated. Further, after this basic random number initial value update process is completed, an interrupt permission is set and the process proceeds to step S117.

  In step S117, effect random number update processing is performed. In this effect random number update process, a random number counter for generating an effect random number used by the main control unit 300 is updated. The RAM 308 of the main control unit 300 has a special figure 1 notice lottery random number counter for generating a special figure 1 notice lottery random number value that can take a value in the range from 0 to 127, and a special figure that can take a value in the range from 0 to 127. 2 A special figure 2 notice lottery random number counter for generating a notice lottery random number value is provided. In step S117, the values of these counters are updated.

  The main control unit 300 repeatedly executes the processes of step S115 and step S117 except during a timer interrupt process that starts at predetermined intervals.

<Main control unit timer interrupt processing>
Next, the 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 shown in FIG. 4 includes a counter timer 312 that generates a timer interrupt signal at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, about once every 2 ms), and the main control is triggered by this timer interrupt signal. The part timer interrupt process is started at a predetermined cycle.

  In step S201, 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 S203, the WDT 314 is periodically changed to the initial value (32.8 ms in this embodiment) so that no WDT interruption occurs (so as not to detect a processing abnormality). In the embodiment, the restart is performed once every about 2 ms, which is the period of the main control unit timer interrupt.

  In step S205, input port state update processing is performed. In this input port status update process, the detection signals of the various sensors 320 shown in FIG. 4 are input via the input port of the I / O 310 to monitor the presence or absence of the detection signals, and each of the various sensors 320 is partitioned in the RAM 308. Store in the provided signal state storage area. If the detection signal of the sphere detection sensor is described as an example, information on the presence / absence of the detection signal of each sphere detection sensor detected in the timer interruption process (about 4 ms before) is stored in the RAM 308 for each sphere detection sensor. This information is read out from the previous detection signal storage area partitioned and stored in the RAM 308 in the previous detection signal storage area partitioned for each sphere detection sensor, and the previous timer interrupt processing (about 2 ms before) ) Is read from the current detection signal storage area provided for each sphere detection sensor in the RAM 308, and this information is read out from the previous detection signal storage area described above. To remember. Further, the detection signal of each sphere detection sensor detected this time is stored in the above-described current detection signal storage area.

  Further, in step S205, the information on the presence or absence of the detection signal of each sphere detection sensor stored in each storage area of the above-mentioned detection signal storage area, the previous detection signal storage area, and the current detection signal storage area is compared. It is determined whether or not the information on the presence or absence of detection signals for the past three times in the ball detection sensor matches the winning determination pattern information. This main control unit timer interrupt process that is repeatedly started at a very short interval of about 2 ms while one game ball passes one ball detection sensor is started several times. For this reason, every time the main control unit timer interrupt process is activated, in step S205 described above, a detection signal indicating that the same game ball has passed the same ball detection sensor is confirmed. As a result, a detection signal indicating that the same game ball has passed the same ball detection sensor is stored in each of the detection signal storage area, the previous detection signal storage area, and the current detection signal storage area. That is, when the game ball starts to pass through the ball detection sensor, there is no detection signal before the previous time, there is a previous detection signal, and there is a detection signal this time. In the present embodiment, in consideration of erroneous detection of the sphere detection sensor and noise, it is determined that there is a prize when the detection signal is stored twice continuously after no detection signal. The ROM 306 of the main control unit 300 shown in FIG. 4 stores winning determination pattern information (in this embodiment, information indicating that there is no previous detection signal, that there is a previous detection signal, and that there is a current detection signal). In this step S205, information on the presence or absence of detection signals for the past three times in each sphere detection sensor is predetermined winning determination pattern information (in this embodiment, no previous detection signal, previous detection signal, current detection signal present). In the case of the general winning port 226, the variable winning port 234, the first special figure starting port 230, and the second special figure starting port 232, or the ordinary drawing starting port 228. Is determined to have passed. In other words, it is determined that there has been a winning at these winning ports 234, 230 and the starting ports 230, 232, 228. For example, when the information on the presence / absence of the detection signals for the past three matches with the above-described winning determination pattern information in the general winning opening sensor for detecting the winning at the general winning opening 226, there is a winning at the general winning opening 226. If the information on the presence / absence of detection signals for the past three times does not match the above-described winning determination pattern information, the subsequent general winnings are performed. The process branches to the subsequent process without performing the process associated with winning the prize to the mouth 226. Note that the ROM 306 of the main control unit 300 stores winning determination clear pattern information (in this embodiment, information indicating that there is a detection signal before the previous time, no previous detection signal, and no current detection signal). After it is determined that there has been a single win, it is not determined that there has been a win until the information on the presence or absence of detection signals for the past three times matches the winning determination clear pattern information in each ball detection sensor, and the winning determination is cleared. If it matches the pattern information, it is next determined whether or not it matches the winning determination pattern information.

  In step S207 and step S209, basic random number initial value update processing and basic random number update processing are performed. In these basic random number initial value update processing and basic random number update processing, the value of the initial value generation random number counter performed in step S115 is updated, and then the normal winning random number value used in the main control unit 300, Two random number counters for generating the special figure 1 random value and the special figure 2 random value are updated. For example, if the range of values that can be taken as a random number value for a normal winning number is 0 to 100, a value is acquired from a random number counter storage area for generating a normal winning random number value provided in the RAM 308, and 1 is added to the acquired value. Then, it is stored in the original random number counter storage area. At this time, if the result of adding 1 to the acquired value is 101, 0 is stored in the original random number counter storage area. If it is determined that the random number counter has made one round as a result of adding 1 to the acquired value, the value of the initial value generating random number counter corresponding to each random number counter is acquired and stored in the storage area of the random number counter. set. For example, a value is acquired from a random number counter for generating a regular winning random number that fluctuates in a numerical range of 0 to 100, and a result obtained by adding 1 to the acquired value is stored in a predetermined initial value storage area provided in the RAM 308. If the value is equal to the previously set initial value (for example, 7), the value is acquired as an initial value from the initial value generation random number counter corresponding to the random number counter for generating the random number for winning the normal number, The initial value set this time is stored in the above-described initial value storage area in order to determine that the random number counter for generating the winning random number value has made one round next time, in addition to setting it in the random number counter for generating the winning random value Keep it. Further, apart from the above-described initial value storage area for determining that the random number counter for generating the random number for winning the normal signal has made one round next, it is determined that the random number counter for generating the special figure random number has made one round. An initial value storage area is provided in the RAM 308. In the present embodiment, the counter for acquiring the random number value of FIG. 1 and the counter for acquiring the random value of FIG. 2 are separately provided, but the same counter may be used.

  In step S211, effect random number update processing is performed. In this effect random number update process, a random number counter for generating an effect random number used by the main control unit 300 is updated. Here, the random number counter for generating the effect random number performed in step S117 is updated. The values of the special figure 1 notice lottery random number counter and the special figure 2 notice lottery random number counter described above are updated in this step S211.

  In step S213, timer update processing is performed. In this timer update processing, the normal symbol display symbol update timer for timing the time for the symbol to be changed / stopped on the normal symbol display device 210, and the time for the symbol to be changed / stopped to be displayed on the first special symbol display device 212 are timed. Special symbol 1 display symbol update timer for performing, special symbol 2 display symbol update timer for measuring the time for the symbol to be changed and stopped on the second special symbol display device 214, a predetermined winning effect time, a predetermined opening time Various timers including a timer for measuring a predetermined closing time, a predetermined end effect period, and the like are updated.

  In step S215, winning prize counter update processing is performed. In this winning opening counter update process, when winning holes 234, 230 and starting holes 230, 232, 228 are won, the RAM 308 stores the winning ball number storage area provided for each winning hole or for each starting hole. The value is read out, 1 is added, and the original prize ball number storage area is set.

  In step S217, a winning acceptance process is performed. In this winning acceptance process, if there is a winning at the first special figure starting port 230 and the number of the special figure 1 variable games on hold is less than four, it corresponds to the first special figure starting port 230. The value is acquired from the counter value storage register of the counter circuit 318 as a special figure 1 winning random value. Further, the value is acquired as a special figure 1 random value from the random number counter for generating the special figure 1 random value, and stored in the random value storage area provided in the RAM 308 together with the special figure 1 winning random value. Further, when there is a prize at the first special figure starting port 232 and the number of the special figure 2 variable games held is less than four, the counter circuit 318 corresponding to the second special figure starting port 232 A value is acquired from the counter value storage register as a special figure 2 winning random value. Further, a value is acquired as a special figure 2 random value from the random number counter for generating the special figure 2 random value, and stored in the random value storage area provided in the RAM 308 together with the special figure 2 winning random value. Furthermore, when it is detected that the ball has passed through the general figure starting port 228, and the number of the general figure variable games held is less than two, a random number counter for generating a normal figure winning random number value at that timing Is obtained as a random number value for winning a normal figure, and stored in a random number value storage area provided in the RAM 308 different from that for the special figure. Further, in this winning acceptance process, the first special figure starting port 230, the second special figure starting port 232, the ordinary drawing starting port 228, or the variable winning port 234 are awarded (balls) by a predetermined ball detection sensor. When detected, transmission information to be transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400 includes the first special figure starting port 230, the second special figure starting port 232, the general figure starting port 228, and the variable winning port 234 winning ( Set the winning acceptance information indicating the presence or absence of (entering).

  In step S219, a payout request number transmission process is performed. The output schedule information and the payout request information output to the payout control unit 600 shown in FIG. 4 are composed of 1 byte, and strobe information (indicating that data is set when turned on) in bit 7; Bit 6 indicates power-on information (when ON, indicates that the command is transmitted for the first time after power-on), bits 4-5 indicate the current processing type (0-3) for encryption, and bits 0-3 Indicates the number of payout requests after encryption processing.

  In step S221, a normal state update process is performed. This normal state update process performs one of a plurality of processes corresponding to the normal state. For example, in the normal state update process in the middle of the normal symbol display (the above-described general symbol display symbol update timer value is 1 or more), the 7-segment LED constituting the normal symbol display device 210 is repeatedly turned on and off. Turns off drive control. By performing this control, the normal symbol display device 210 performs a usual fluctuation display (ordinary figure fluctuation game).

  Also, in the normal state update process at the timing when the normal symbol change display time has elapsed (the timing at which the value of the general symbol display symbol update timer has changed from 1 to 0), if the hit flag is on, the hit symbol is displayed. The normal symbol display device 210 is controlled so that the 7-segment LED constituting the normal symbol display device 210 is turned on / off, and when the hit flag is off, the normal symbol display device 210 is configured to display the off symbol. 7 segment LED on / off drive control is performed. Further, the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300 is provided with a setting area for performing various settings in various processes, not limited to the normal state update process. Here, the above-described lighting / extinguishing drive control is performed, and the setting area is set to indicate that the normal stop display is being performed. By performing this control, the normal symbol display device 210 determines the symbol of either the winning symbol (the common symbol A shown in FIG. 5C) or the off symbol (the universal symbol B shown in FIG. 5C). Display. Thereafter, information indicating the stop period is set in a storage area of a normal stop time management timer provided in the RAM 308 in order to maintain the display for a predetermined stop display period (for example, 500 msec). With this setting, the symbol that has been confirmed and displayed is stopped and displayed for a predetermined period, and the player is notified of the result of the normal game.

  Further, if the result of the usual figure variable game is a hit, the usual figure hit flag is turned on as will be described later. When the usual figure hit flag is on, in the usual figure state update process at the timing when the predetermined stop display period ends (when the usual figure stop time management timer value changes from 1 to 0), The normal operation is set in the setting region, and the blade member 2321 is opened to the solenoid (332) for opening and closing the blade member 2321 of the second special figure starting port 232 for a predetermined opening period (for example, 2 seconds). And a signal indicating the open period is set in the storage area of the blade open time management timer provided in the RAM 308.

  In the usual state update process that starts at the timing when the predetermined opening period ends (the timing when the value of the blade opening time management timer is changed from 1 to 0), the blade member has a predetermined closing period (for example, 500 milliseconds). A signal for holding the blade member 2321 in the closed state is output to the open / close drive solenoid (332) of 2321, and information indicating the closing period is set in the storage area of the blade closing time management timer provided in the RAM 308.

  Further, in the normal state update process that starts at the timing when the predetermined closing period ends (when the value of the blade closing time management timer is changed from 1 to 0), the non-operating state is set in the setting area of the RAM 308. To do. Further, if the result of the usual figure variable game is out of play, the usual figure out flag is turned on as will be described later. When the usual figure off flag is on, even in the usual figure state update process at the timing when the above-mentioned predetermined stop display period ends (when the value of the usual figure stop time management timer is changed from 1 to 0), In the setting area of the RAM 308, normal operation inactive is set. In the general state update process in the case where the general map is not operating, nothing is done and the process proceeds to the next step S223.

  In step S223, a general drawing related lottery process is performed. In this general map-related lottery process, the open / close control of the general map variable game and the second special map start port 232 is not performed (the state of the general map is not in operation), and the pending general map variable game is not held. When the number is 1 or more, it is decided whether to win or not to win the result of the variable figure game by random lottery based on the random number value stored in the random number value storage area. When the winning judgment is made and the winning is made, the winning flag provided in the RAM 308 is set to ON. If unsuccessful, turn off the winning flag. Regardless of the result of the hit determination, next, the value of the random number counter for generating the normal figure timer random value is acquired as the normal figure timer random number value, and a plurality of fluctuation times are obtained based on the acquired general figure timer random number value. One time is selected for variably displaying the normal map on the general map display device 210, and this variable display time is stored as a normal map variable display time in a general map variable time storage area provided in the RAM 308. In addition, the number of pending general figure variable games is stored in the usual figure pending number storage area provided in the RAM 308, and from the number of pending custom figure variable games each time a hit determination is made. The value obtained by subtracting 1 is re-stored in the usual figure number-of-holds storage area. Also, the random number value used for the hit determination is deleted.

  Next, the special figure state update process for each of the special figure 1 and the special figure 2 is performed. First, the special figure state update process (the special figure 2 state update process) for the special figure 2 is performed (step S225). In the special figure 2 state update process, one of the following eight processes is performed in accordance with the state of the special figure 2. For example, in the special figure 2 state update process in the middle of the special figure 2 fluctuation display (the value of the above-mentioned special figure 2 display symbol update timer is 1 or more), the 7-segment LED constituting the second special symbol display device 214 is turned on. Performs lighting / extinguishing drive control that repeatedly turns off. By performing this control, the second special symbol display device 214 performs the variable display of the special figure 2 (special figure 2 variable game).

  Further, the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300 includes a 15R big hit flag, a 2R big hit flag, a first small hit flag, a second small hit flag, a first off flag, a second off flag, a special figure probability variation flag, and a normal figure. A flag for each probability variation flag is prepared. In the special figure 2 state update process starting at the timing when the special figure 2 fluctuation display time has elapsed (the timing when the special figure 2 display symbol update timer value has changed from 1 to 0), the 15R big hit flag is on, and the special figure probability fluctuation When the flag is also on and the normal figure probability fluctuation flag is on, the special figure A, 15R jackpot flag shown in FIG. 5A is on, the special figure probability fluctuation flag is off, and the common figure probability fluctuation flag is on. When the special figure B, 2R big hit flag is on, the special figure probability fluctuation flag is on, and the general figure probability fluctuation flag is also on, the special figure C, 2R big hit flag is on, the special figure probability fluctuation flag is off, When the probability fluctuation flag is on, the special figure D, 2R jackpot flag is on, the special figure probability fluctuation flag is on, and when the common figure probability fluctuation flag is on, the special figure E, 2R jackpot flag is on, special chart Probability flag is off, normal When the rate fluctuation flag is also off, the special figure F, when the first small hit flag is on, the special figure G, when the second small hit flag is on, the special figure H, and the first off flag are on. In such a case, the 7-segment LED constituting the second special symbol display device 214 is controlled to be turned on / off so that the special figure I and the second off flag are turned on, respectively, so that the special figure I is in the respective mode. A setting indicating that the special figure 2 stop display is in progress is made in the setting area of the RAM 308. By performing this control, the second special symbol display device 214 has a 15R special jackpot symbol (special symbol A), a 15R jackpot symbol (special symbol B), a sudden probability variation symbol (special symbol C), and a sudden time-short symbol symbol (special symbol). D), hidden probability variation (special E), suddenly normal (special F), first small hit (special G), second small hit (special H), first off symbol (special) Any one of the symbols I) and the first off-set symbol (special symbol J) is confirmed and displayed. After that, information indicating the stop period is set in the storage area of the special figure 2 stop time management timer provided in the RAM 308 in order to maintain the display for a predetermined stop display period (for example, 500 milliseconds). With this setting, the specially displayed special figure 2 is stopped and displayed for a predetermined period, and the result of the special figure 2 variable game is notified to the player. In addition, if the time reduction number stored in the time reduction number storage unit provided in the RAM 308 is 1 or more, 1 is subtracted from the time reduction number, and if the subtraction result becomes 1 to 0, the special figure probability is changing. If not (details will be described later), the time reduction flag is turned off. Further, the hourly flag is also turned off during the big hit game (in the special game state).

  In addition, in order to execute the general command rotation stop setting transmission process in the command setting transmission process (step S233), 4H is additionally stored as transmission information (general information) in the transmission information storage area described above, and the variable display is stopped. The special figure 2 identification information indicating that is special figure 2 is additionally stored in the RAM 308 as information to be included in command data, which will be described later, and the processing is terminated.

  If the result of the special figure 2 variable game is a big hit, as will be described later, the big hit flag is turned on at the start of the special figure 2 variable game. When the jackpot flag is on, in the special figure 2 state update process at the timing when the predetermined stop display period ends (the timing when the special figure 2 stop time management timer value changes from 1 to 0), the RAM 308 In the setting area, the special figure 2 is in operation and waits for a predetermined winning effect period (for example, 3 seconds), that is, a period during which an image for notifying the player that the big win by the decorative symbol display device 208 is started is displayed. Therefore, information indicating the winning effect period is set in the storage area of the special figure 2 standby time management timer provided in the RAM 308. Further, 5H is additionally stored as transmission information (command type) in the transmission information storage area described above in order to execute the general command winning effect setting transmission process in the command setting transmission process (step S233).

  Further, in the special figure 2 state update process that starts at the timing when the predetermined winning effect period ends (the timing when the value of the special figure 2 standby time management timer changes from 1 to 0), a predetermined release period (for example, 29 seconds) Or until a winning of a predetermined number of game balls (for example, 10 balls) is detected in the variable winning opening 234.) The door is connected to the solenoid (332) for opening and closing the door member 2341 of the variable winning opening 234 shown in FIG. A signal for holding the member 2341 in the open state is output, and information indicating the open period is set in the storage area of the door open time management timer provided in the RAM 308. Further, 7H is additionally stored as transmission information (command type) in the above-described transmission information storage area in order to execute the general command big prize opening release setting transmission process in the command setting transmission process (step S233).

  In the special figure 2 state update process that starts at the timing when the predetermined opening period ends (the timing when the door opening time management timer value changes from 1 to 0), the predetermined closing period (for example, 1.5 seconds) A signal for holding the door member 2341 in a closed state is output to a solenoid (332) for opening and closing the door member 2341 of the variable prize opening 234, and a closing period is stored in a storage area of a door closing time management timer provided in the RAM 308. Set the information indicating. Further, 8H is additionally stored as transmission information (command type) in the above-described transmission information storage area in order to execute the general command big prize closing closing transmission process in the command setting transmission process (step S233).

  In addition, in the special figure 2 state update process that is started at the end timing, the opening / closing control of the door member 2341 is repeated a predetermined number of times (in this embodiment, 15 rounds or 2 rounds). ) That is, the effect standby in the storage area of the effect standby time management timer provided in the RAM 308 in order to set to wait for the period during which the image for informing the player that the big hit by the decorative symbol display device 208 is ended is displayed. Set information indicating the period. Also, if the normal probability fluctuation flag is set to ON, at the same time as the end of the big hit game, the time reduction number 100 is set in the time reduction number storage unit provided in the RAM 308, and the time reduction flag provided in the RAM 308 is set. Turn on. If the usual time probability variation flag is set to OFF, the time reduction number is not set in the time reduction number storage unit, and the time reduction flag is not turned ON. The short time here means that the pachinko machine 100 is in an advantageous state for the player in order to shorten the time from the end of the big hit in the special figure variable game to the start of the next big hit. If the short time flag is set to ON at this time, it is a normal high probability state. In the ordinary high probability state, compared to the ordinary low probability state, if the common figure variable game is hit, there is a high possibility that the variation time will be shortened. Also, the fluctuation time of the normal figure variable game is shorter in the normal figure high probability state than in the normal figure low probability state. Further, in the normal high-probability state, the opening time in one opening of the pair of blade members 2321 of the second special start port 232 tends to be longer than in the normal low-probability state. In addition, the pair of blade members 2321 are more likely to open in the normal figure high probability state than in the usual figure low probability state. In addition, as described above, the hourly flag is set to off during the big hit game (in the special game state). Therefore, the normal low probability state is maintained during the big hit game. This is because if the game is in a high probability state during a big hit game, a large number of games will be placed in the second special figure starting port 232 until a predetermined number of game balls are entered during the big win game. There is a problem that a ball enters and the number of game balls that can be acquired during a big hit increases, resulting in an increase in euphoria. This is to solve this problem.

  Furthermore, 6H is additionally stored as transmission information (command type) in the above-described transmission information storage area in order to execute the general command end effect setting transmission process in the command setting transmission process (step S233).

  Also, in the special figure 2 state update process that starts at the timing when the predetermined end production period ends (when the production standby time management timer value changes from 1 to 0), the special figure 2 is not activated in the setting area of the RAM 308. Set medium. Furthermore, if the result of the special figure 2 variable game is out of place, the out-of-game flag is turned on as described later. In the case where the miss flag is on, even in the special figure 2 state update process at the timing when the predetermined stop display period described above ends (the timing when the special figure 2 stop time management timer value changes from 1 to 0), In the setting area of the RAM 308, special figure 2 inactive is set. In the special figure 2 state update process when the special figure 2 is not in operation, nothing is done and the process proceeds to the next step S227.

  Subsequently, special figure state update processing (special figure 1 state update process) for special figure 1 is performed (step S227). In the special figure 1 state update process, each process described in the special figure 2 state update process is performed according to the state of the special figure 1. Each process performed in the special figure 1 state update process is the same as the process in which “special figure 2” in the contents described in the special figure 2 state update process is replaced with “special figure 1”. Omitted. The order of the special figure 2 state update process and the special figure 1 state update process may be reversed.

  When the special figure state update process in step S225 and step S227 is completed, a special figure related lottery process for each of special figure 1 and special figure 2 is performed. Also here, first, the special figure related lottery process (special figure 2 related lottery process) for special figure 2 is performed (step S229). In the special figure 2 related lottery processing, the special figure 1 variable game, the special figure 2 dynamic game, and the variable winning opening 234 are not controlled (the state of both the special figure 1 and the special figure 2 is inactive), In addition, when the number of the special figure 2 variable games on hold is 1 or more, among the lottery using the jackpot determination table, the high probability state transition determination table, the timer number determination table, etc., the jackpot determination is first performed. Do. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the special figure 2 winning random number value stored in the random value storage area in step S217 is within the numerical range of the lottery data for the special figure starting port in the jackpot determination table. When the random number value is within the numerical range of the lottery data for the special figure 2 starting opening, it is determined that the special figure 2 variable game is won, and information indicating that the big hit flag storage area provided in the RAM 308 is a big hit is set. (Here, setting the jackpot information in the RAM 308 is setting the jackpot flag to ON). When the big hit flag is set to ON, the pachinko machine 100 according to the present embodiment is in a state that is relatively advantageous to the player after the special figure 2 variable game (for example, a state in which the player can enter the variable winning opening 234). Become. On the other hand, if the special figure 2 winning random number value is outside the numerical range of the special figure 2 starting point lottery data, it is determined that the special figure 2 variable game is out of play and the big hit flag storage area provided in the RAM 308 is out of place. (Here, setting the out-of-order information in the RAM 308 is setting the jackpot flag off). When the big hit flag is set to OFF, the pachinko machine 100 according to the present embodiment is in a relatively unfavorable state for the player (for example, a state where it is not possible to enter the variable winning opening 234). Or continue to be relatively unfavorable. Note that the number of the special figure 2 variable game being held is stored in the special figure 2 variable number storage area provided in the RAM 308. Each time a hit determination is made, the special figure 2 variable game being held is stored. The value obtained by subtracting 1 from the number is stored again in this special figure 2 reserved number storage area. In addition, the random number value used for the hit determination is deleted.

  If the big hit flag is set to ON, the probability variation transition determination is performed next. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the special figure 2 random value stored in the random value storage area in step S217 is within the numerical range of the transition determination data, and the special figure 2 random value is within the numerical range of the transition determination data. In some cases, information indicating that the special big hit game is started is set in the storage area of the probability variation (probability variation) flag provided in the RAM 308. (Here, setting the special jackpot game start information in the RAM 308 is referred to as setting the probability variation flag to ON). On the other hand, when the special figure 2 random number value is outside the numerical range of the lottery data, information indicating that the big hit game is started is set in the storage area of the probability variation flag (here, the information on the big hit game start) Is set in the RAM 308, the probability variation flag is set to OFF).

  Regardless of the result of the big hit determination, the process for determining the timer number is performed next. Specifically, the value of the random counter for generating the special figure timer random value described above is acquired as the special figure timer random value. For each value of the big hit flag, a timer number corresponding to a numerical range of timer random numbers including a special-purpose timer random number value is selected and stored in a predetermined timer number storage area provided in the RAM 308. Further, the fluctuation time corresponding to the timer number is stored in the above-mentioned special figure 2 display symbol update timer as the special figure 2 fluctuation display time, and the general command rotation start setting transmission process is performed in the command setting transmission process (step S233). In order to execute it, 1H is additionally stored as transmission information (command type) in the transmission information storage area described above, and then the process ends.

  Subsequently, a special figure related lottery process (special figure 1 related lottery process) for special figure 1 is performed (step S231). The special figure 1 related lottery process is the same as the process in which “special figure 2” in the contents described in the special figure 2 related lottery process is replaced with “special figure 1”, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  The jackpot lottery result derived by the special figure 2 lottery process (step S229) or the special figure 1 lottery process (step S231) is an advantageous lottery result for the player. This is a disadvantageous lottery result.

  Even if the start condition of the special figure 2 variable game and the start condition of the special figure 1 variable game are satisfied at the same time by the main control unit 300 performing the special figure 2 related lottery process before the special figure 1 related lottery process. Since the special figure 2 variable game is changing first, the special figure 1 variable game does not start changing. Further, the notification of the result of the jackpot determination of the special figure variable game by the decorative symbol display device 208 is performed by the first sub-control unit 400, and the lottery result of the lottery based on the winning at the second special figure starting port 232 is notified. However, it is performed in preference to the notification of the lottery result of the lottery based on the winning at the first special figure starting port 230.

  In step S233, command setting transmission processing is performed, and various commands are transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400. Note that the output schedule information transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400 is composed of 16 bits in the present embodiment, bit 15 is strobe information (indicating that data is set when ON), bit 11 -14 are command types (in this embodiment, commands such as basic command, symbol variation start command, symbol variation stop command, winning effect start command, end effect start command, jackpot round number designation command, power recovery command, RAM clear command, etc. Information that can specify the type), bits 0 to 10 are composed of command data (predetermined information corresponding to the command type).

  Specifically, the strobe information is turned on and off in the command transmission process described above. If the command type is a symbol variation start command, the command data includes information such as the value of the 15R jackpot flag or 2R jackpot flag, the value of the special figure probability variation flag, the timer number selected in the special figure related lottery process, and the like. In the case of the symbol variation stop command, the value of the 15R jackpot flag, the 2R jackpot flag, the value of the special figure probability variation flag, and the like are included. In the case of a jackpot round number designation command, the value of the special variation probability flag, the number of jackpot rounds, and the like are included. When the command type indicates a basic command, device information in the command data, presence / absence of winning at the first special figure starting port 230, presence / absence of winning at the second special figure starting port 232, winning of the variable winning port 234 Includes presence or absence.

  In the general command rotation start setting transmission process described above, the value of the 15R big hit flag and 2R big hit flag, the value of the special figure probability variation flag, the special figure related lottery process, and the special figure stored in the RAM 308 as command data 2. Information indicating the timer number selected in the related lottery process, the number of the first special figure variable game or the second special figure variable game held, etc. is set. In the above-described general command rotation stop setting transmission process, information indicating the values of the 15R big hit flag, 2R big hit flag, special figure probability variation flag, etc. stored in the RAM 308 is set in the command data. In the above-described general command winning effect setting transmission process, the command data stored in the RAM 308, the effect control information output to the decorative symbol display device 208, various lamps 442, and the speaker 120 during the winning effect period, the special figure probability variation Information indicating the value of the flag, the number of the first special figure variable game or the second special figure variable game held, etc. is set. In the above-described general command end effect setting transmission process, command control data stored in the RAM 308, effect control information output to the decorative symbol display device 208, the various lamps 442, and the speaker 120 during the effect standby period, the special figure probability variation Information indicating the value of the flag, the number of the first special figure variable game or the second special figure variable game held, etc. is set. In the general command big prize opening release transmission process described above, the number of big hits stored in the RAM 308 in the command data, the value of the special figure probability fluctuation flag, the first special figure fluctuation game or the second special figure fluctuation held. Information indicating the number of games is set. In the above-mentioned general command big prize opening closing setting transmission process, the number of big hit rounds stored in the RAM 308 in the command data, the value of the special figure probability fluctuation flag, the first special figure fluctuation game or the second special figure fluctuation held Information indicating the number of games is set. In step S233, general command special figure hold increase processing is also performed. In this general command special figure pending increase process, special figure identification information (information showing special figure 1 or special figure 2) stored in the transmission information storage area of the RAM 308, command notice information (preliminary notice information, false) Set either advance notice information or no advance notice information).

  In the first sub-control unit 400, it is possible to determine the production control according to the change of the game control in the main control unit 300 by the command type included in the received output schedule information, and it is included in the output schedule information. Based on the information of the command data, the contents of effect control can be determined.

  In step S235, an external output signal setting process is performed. In the external output signal setting process, the game information stored in the RAM 308 is output to the information input circuit 350 separate from the pachinko machine 100 via the information output circuit 336 shown in FIG.

  In step S237, device monitoring processing is performed. In this device monitoring process, the signal states of the various sensors stored in the signal state storage area in step S205 are read, and the presence or absence of a front frame door opening error or a bottom pan full error is monitored. Device information indicating whether or not there is a front frame door open error or a lower plate full error is set in the transmission information to be transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400 when a lower plate full error is detected. Also, the various solenoids 332 shown in FIG. 4 are driven to control the opening / closing of the second special figure starting port 232 and the variable winning port 234, or the normal symbol display device 210, the first symbol display device 210, Display data to be output to the first special figure display device 212, the second special figure display device 214, the various status display units 328, and the like is set in the output port of the I / O 310. Further, the output schedule information set in the payout request number transmission process (step S219) is output to the first sub-control unit 400 via the output port (I / O 310).

  In step S239, it is monitored whether or not the low voltage signal is on. Then, when the low voltage signal is on (when power supply cutoff is detected), the process proceeds to step S243, and when the low voltage signal is off (when power supply cutoff is not detected), the process proceeds to step S241.

  In step S241, timer interrupt end processing is performed. In this timer interrupt end process, the value of each register temporarily saved in step S201 is set in each original register, interrupt permission is set, etc., and then the main control unit main process shown in FIG. Return to.

On the other hand, in step S243, a specific variable or stack pointer for returning to the power-off state at the time of power recovery is saved in a predetermined area of the RAM 308 as return data, and power-off processing such as initialization of input / output ports is performed. After that, the process returns to the main process of the main control unit shown in FIG.
<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. 5B is a flowchart of the strobe interrupt process of the first sub control unit 400. FIG. 6C is a flowchart of the timer variable update interrupt process of the first sub control unit 400.

  First, in step S301 in FIG. 9A, various initial settings are performed. When the power is turned on, the initial setting in step S301 is executed. In this initial setting, initial setting of the I / O port 410 shown in FIG. 4, initialization processing of a storage area in the RAM 408, and the like are performed.

  In step S303, it is determined whether or not the timer variable is 2 or more. This process is repeated until the timer variable becomes 2. When the timer variable becomes 2 or more, the process proceeds to step S305.

  In step S305, 0 is substituted into the timer variable.

  In step S307, command processing is performed. The CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400 determines whether a command has been received from the main control unit 300.

  In step S309, effect control processing is performed. For example, when there is a new command in S307, processing such as reading the effect data corresponding to this command from the ROM 406 is performed, and when the effect data needs to be updated, the effect data is updated.

  In step S311, when the pressing of the chance button 138 shown in FIG. 1 is detected, the effect data updated in step S309 is changed to effect data corresponding to the pressing of the chance button 138.

  In step S313, if there is a command to the various lamps 442 shown in FIG. 4 in the effect data read in S309, this command is output to the various lamp drive circuits 440 via the serial communication control circuit 420.

  In step S315, if there is a command to the shielding device 246 shown in FIG. 3 or 4 in the effect data read in S309, this command is output to the drive circuit 432 shown in FIG.

  In step S317, if there is a command to the effect movable body 224 shown in FIG. 3 or 4 in the effect data read out in S309, this command is output to the drive circuit 416 shown in FIG.

  In step S319, if there is a control command to be transmitted to the second sub-control unit 500 in the effect data read in S309, the control command is set to be output, and the process returns to step S303.

  Next, the command reception interrupt process of the first sub-control unit 400 will be described using 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 S351 of the command reception interrupt process, the command output from the main control unit 300 is stored as an unprocessed command in a command storage area provided in the RAM 408.

  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 16 ms). Execute in the cycle.

In step S361 of the first sub control unit timer interrupt process, 1 is added to the value of the timer variable storage area of the RAM 408 described in step S303 in the first sub control unit main process shown in FIG. Is stored in the timer variable storage area. Accordingly, in step S303, the value of the timer variable is determined to be 2 or more every 32 ms (16 ms × 2).
<Processing of Second Sub-Control Unit 500>
The process of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing executed by the CPU 504 of the second sub control unit 500. FIG. 7B is a flowchart showing the flow of command reception processing of the second sub control unit 500. FIG. 8C is a flowchart showing the flow of image control unit error detection processing of the second sub control unit 500.

  The second sub control unit 500 of the present embodiment executes various tasks under an operating system (OS) dedicated to the second sub control unit 500. The three processes of the main process shown in FIG. 9A, the command reception process shown in FIG. 9B, and the image control unit error detection process shown in FIG. 9C constitute the main task.

  First, in step S401 in FIG. 9A, various initial settings are performed. When the power is turned on, the main task is called by the OS, and the initial setting in step S401 located at the head of the main task is executed. In this initial setting, initial setting of the I / O port 510 shown in FIG. 4, initialization processing of a storage area in the RAM 508, and the like are performed.

  Further, the decorative symbol display device 208 shown in FIG. 3 and the like switches the display image (frame) at every predetermined time (here, 1/30 seconds: about 33 ms). That is, the VRAM 561 shown in FIG. 4 is provided with two display areas, a display area A and a display area B (frame buffer), and other storage areas. The display area A and the display area B are both storage areas for temporarily storing image data of an image (one-frame image) to be displayed on the decorative symbol display device 208. Either one is designated as a drawing area. When the image data of the display area not designated as the drawing area is displayed as an image on the decorative design display device 208, the image data is developed (stored) in the display area designated as the drawing area. It is a possible configuration (double buffering method). With such a configuration, by switching (swapping) the designation of the drawing area between the display area A and the display area B, the image to be displayed on the decorative symbol display device 208 can be continuously switched. The basic circuit 502 of the second sub-control unit 500 shown in FIG. 4 is provided with an interval timer that counts up the set time by a signal from the crystal oscillator 514. In the initial setting in step S401, A predetermined interval period length (here, 33 ms) is set as the set time, and the interval timer is started (for example, cleared to 0). In the initial setting process S401, when a signal indicating that a predetermined control unit (for example, the first sub-control 400) has output a control command is received, the command reception process (FIG. 9B) is called. Set.

  Further, various commands are transmitted from a predetermined control unit (for example, the first sub control unit 400) to the second sub control unit 500 in step S319 shown in FIG. In step S401, when the second sub control unit 500 receives a command from the first sub control unit 400, a setting for starting a command reception process described later is performed. Further, when a specific abnormality is detected, such as when the temperature of a predetermined device (for example, the image control unit 560 or the decorative design display device 208) exceeds a predetermined temperature, a specific abnormality is detected such as an image control unit error detection process described later. Set the process to start.

  In step S403, task registration processing is performed. The task registration process will be described in detail later, but one task is registered in one task registration process.

  In step S407, command processing is performed.

  FIG. 10 is a command table showing effect data corresponding to a command received from a predetermined control unit (for example, the first sub-control unit 400).

  This command table is stored in the ROM 506, and effect data is also stored in the ROM 506. An effect start command, an effect stop command, and the like are transmitted from the predetermined control unit (first sub control unit 400) to the second sub control unit 500. The transmitted various commands are stored in a command storage area provided in the RAM 508 as unprocessed commands in a command reception process described later. In step S407, effect data corresponding to the unprocessed command stored in the command storage area is selected from the ROM 506 with reference to the command table shown in FIG. 10, and the selected effect data is stored in a predetermined area (for example, area A) in the RAM 508. To store. For example, when the received command is “production start 01”, “production data 1” is selected, and the “production data 1” is stored in the area A of the RAM 508. The effect data also includes symbol variation pattern information that defines the variation pattern of the symbol displayed on the decorative symbol display device 208. Therefore, the second sub-control unit 500 that selects the effect data in step S407 corresponds to an example of the symbol variation pattern information selection unit according to the present invention. The pattern variation pattern will be described later.

  In step S409, effect control processing is performed.

  FIG. 11A is an effect data table showing effect sets corresponding to the effect data selected in step S407 and the time since the start of the effect based on the effect data.

  This effect data table is stored in the ROM 506, and the effect set is also stored in the ROM 506. In the main process of the second sub-control unit 500 shown in FIG. 9A, steps S407 to S419 are repeatedly executed every predetermined time (33 ms) when the decorative symbol display device 208 switches the display image (frame). The number of executions of step S407 to step S419 corresponds to the number of frames of the decorative symbol display device 208, and the number of frames of the decorative symbol display device 208 is counted by a counter provided in the RAM 508.

  In step S409, first, an effect data table shown in FIG. 11A shows an effect set corresponding to the effect data selected in step S407 and the time (corresponding to the number of frames) after starting the effect based on the effect data. The selected production set is stored in a predetermined area (for example, area B) of the RAM 508. For example, in the case where the effect data selected in step S407 is “effect data 1” and the effect based on the “effect data 1” is 80th frame, the value of the area B in the RAM 508 is not updated. When the number of frames elapses and the 150th frame is reached, the “effect set 112” is stored in the area B of the RAM 508. By doing so, the value of the region B becomes “production set 112”, and the “production set 112” is used from 150 frames.

  FIG. 11B is an effect set table showing image execution data and sound reproduction data corresponding to the selected effect set.

  This effect set table is stored in the ROM 506, and image execution data and sound reproduction data are also stored in the ROM 506. In step S409, subsequently, image execution data and sound reproduction data corresponding to the selected effect set are selected from the ROM 506 with reference to the effect set table shown in FIG. 11B, and the selected image execution data is stored in the RAM 508. The selected sound reproduction data is stored in a predetermined area (for example, area D) of the RAM 508 while being stored in a predetermined area (for example, area C). For example, when the value of area B is “production set 112”, the image execution data is “image execution data 112”. By storing the “image execution data 112” in area C, the value of “area C” is It becomes “image execution data 112”. The sound reproduction data is “sound reproduction data 112”. By storing the “sound reproduction data 112” in the area D, the value of “area D” becomes “sound reproduction data 112”.

  In addition, although the example which selects predetermined information (For example, the production | presentation set shown in FIG.11 (b) etc.) from ROM506 was shown, it is not limited to this, From predetermined time (for example, at the time of initial setting) from ROM506 to RAM508 The predetermined information may be expanded, and the predetermined information expanded in the RAM 508 may be used after the predetermined time.

  In step S411, sound information generation processing is performed.

  FIG. 12A is a sound reproduction data table showing sound information corresponding to the sound reproduction data selected in step S409 and the time from the start of the operation based on the sound reproduction data.

  This sound reproduction data table is stored in the ROM 506, and sound information is also stored in the ROM 506. For example, the sound information represents a phrase, and the sound reproduction data represents a music composed of a plurality of phrases.

  As described above, steps S407 to S419 are repeatedly executed, and the operation based on the sound reproduction data corresponds to the execution of step S411. The time from the start of the operation is the number of frames of the decorative symbol display device 208. Equivalent to. In addition, since the sound information selected in step S411 is transmitted in the next step S413, reproduction is performed. Therefore, the time from the start of the operation is regarded as the time from the start of reproduction. In the sound reproduction data table of FIG. 12A, the reproduction start time is described. In step S411, sound information corresponding to the sound reproduction data selected in step S409 and the reproduction start time (corresponding to the number of frames) is selected from the ROM 506 with reference to the sound reproduction data table shown in FIG. The recorded sound information is stored in a predetermined area (for example, area G) of the RAM 508. For example, if the sound reproduction data selected in step S409 is “sound reproduction data 112” and the reproduction based on the “sound reproduction data 112” is 77th frame, the value of the region G is updated. If the number of frames elapses and the 78th frame is reached, “silence” is stored in the area G. When the number of frames further elapses and the 120th frame is reached, “Sound 2003” is stored in the region G. By doing so, the value of the region G becomes “sound 2003”, “silence” is used from the 78th frame to the 119th frame, and the “sound 2003” is used from the 120th frame.

  In step S413, the value of the area G in the ROM 506 is transmitted to the sound control unit 516 shown in FIG. That is, the sound information shown in FIG. Note that the sound reproduction data remains stored in the area D of the ROM 506.

  In step S415, image information generation processing is performed.

  FIG. 12B is an image execution data table showing image information and processing contents corresponding to the image execution data selected in step S409 and the time from the start of the operation based on the image execution data.

  This image execution data table is stored in the ROM 506, and image information and processing contents are also stored in the ROM 506.

  Here, first, information for driving the decorative symbol display device 208 in the present embodiment is defined.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the definition of information for driving the decorative symbol display device 208 in the present embodiment.

  The decorative symbol display device 208 displays the decorative symbol shown in FIG. 5B and various effect symbols used for the effect. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 13A, the combination of the decorative design shown in FIG. 5B and the effect design may be simply referred to as a design. Further, as will be described in detail later, the decorative design is composed of two images. On the other hand, there are cases where the production pattern is composed of a plurality of patterns or a pattern. In any of these cases, the pattern constituting the effect pattern is composed of a plurality of images. In the following description, a unit constituting a pattern is referred to as an image.

  The pattern information shown in FIG. 13B is made up of bitmap information representing a bitmap (pattern and color) and model information representing a model (shape). Both bitmaps and models can be regarded as images, each of bitmap information and model information corresponds to an example of image data, and picture information obtained by collecting each piece of information corresponds to an example of image information according to the present invention. . Only the bitmap information of the bitmap information and the model information may be an example of the image information referred to in the present invention.

  The drawing information shown in FIG. 13B includes position information about the pattern, size information about the pattern, information pasted to the model of the bitmap, and pattern definition information.

  A plurality of types of pattern information and drawing information are stored in the ROM 506 shown in FIG. Therefore, the ROM 506 corresponds to an example of an image information storage device according to the present invention. The pattern information is transferred (transmitted) from the ROM 506 to a predetermined area (for example, display area A, display area B, or other storage area) of the VRAM 561. On the other hand, the drawing information is once transferred (transmitted) to the RAM 508 and then transmitted from the RAM 508 to the image control unit 560 (for example, the GPU 562 and the VRAM 561).

  Hereinafter, the pattern information and the drawing information may be collectively referred to as display information.

  The image information shown in FIG. 12B indicates which picture information is used from among a plurality of types of pattern information stored in the ROM 506 shown in FIG. 4 or a plurality of types of drawing information stored in the ROM 506. Of these, it is information indicating which drawing information is to be used. There are two types of processing contents: transfer and playback. In this embodiment, the transfer means transferring the picture information stored in the ROM 506 to the VRAM 561 shown in FIG. 4 or transferring the drawing information stored in the ROM 506 to the RAM 508. In the present invention, only transferring the pattern information to the VRAM 561 shown in FIG. 4 is referred to as transfer. On the other hand, the reproduction means that the drawing information transferred to the RAM 508 is transmitted to the image control unit 560 (for example, the GPU 562).

  The operation based on the image execution data here corresponds to the execution of step S415, and the time from the start of the execution of the operation corresponds to the number of frames of the decorative symbol display device 208. In step S415, image information and processing contents corresponding to the image execution data selected in step S409 and the time (corresponding to the number of frames) from the start of execution of the operation based on the image execution data are shown in FIG. ) And the selected image information is stored in a predetermined area (for example, area E) of the RAM 508, and the selected processing content is stored in a predetermined area (for example, the area F) of the RAM 508. ). For example, the image execution data selected in step S409 is “image execution data 111” corresponding to the “production set 111”, and when the execution of the operation based on the “image execution data 111” is started (time of the 0th frame) ), “Image information 2001” to “image information 2155” and “transfer” are selected from the ROM 506, and the image information is stored in the area E and “transfer” is stored in the area F. Further, as shown in FIG. 11A, when “image execution data 111” is selected according to “effect set 111”, “image execution data 521” is also selected at the same time. At the time when the execution of the operation based on the “image execution data 521” is started (at the 0th frame), “image information 2001” and “playback” are selected from the ROM 506, and “image information 2001” is stored in the area E. At the same time, “play” is stored in area F. “Image information 2001” specifies drawing information. At the time of the 0th frame, the value of the region G is “image information 2001” to “image information 2155”, and the value of the region F is “image information”. The picture information designated by the information 2001 is “transfer” and “reproduction”, and the other drawing information or picture information is “transfer”.

  In step S417, a drawing information transmission process is executed.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of the drawing information transmission process in step S417.

  In this drawing information transmission processing, processing is performed in units of images. Both the pattern information and the drawing information shown in FIG. 13B include information on one or a plurality of images. In other words, the picture information includes bitmap information and model information, and the drawing information includes information about pasting the bitmap onto the model and picture definition information. These various types of information (bitmap information, model information, pasting information, and pattern definition information) are information in units of images. The display image displayed on the decorative symbol display device 208 is composed of a combination of a bitmap and a model, and a bitmap and a model are prepared for each display image. Hereinafter, image unit information (information combining a bitmap and a model) included in the pattern information is referred to as unit image information, and image unit information included in the drawing information is referred to as drawing image information. Called. As described above, since both the bitmap and the model can be regarded as images, the unit image information corresponds to an example of the image information referred to in the present invention. Note that the display image displayed on the decorative symbol display device 208 is composed of a combination of a bitmap image and a model image. In addition, information (position information and size information) about the pattern included in the drawing information is referred to as drawing pattern information in order to distinguish it from the drawing image information.

  In the drawing information transmission process, first, unit image information corresponding to the drawing image information to be transmitted is written in a predetermined area (for example, display area A, display area B, or other storage area) of the VRAM 561 (transfer is performed). It is determined (whether or not completed) (step S4171). The drawing image information scheduled to be transmitted is transferred to the RAM 508 in the form included in the drawing information based on the value (image information) of the area G in the RAM 508 during the read & write process described later. In the RAM 508, a BM information transfer completion flag is prepared for each bitmap (BM), and a model information transfer completion flag is also prepared for each model. As will be described later, when transfer of one bitmap included in the bitmap information to the VRAM 561 is completed, a BM information transfer completion flag corresponding to the bitmap is turned on. When the transfer of one model included in the model information to the VRAM 561 is completed, the model information transfer completion flag corresponding to the model is turned on. On the RAM 508, the BM information transfer completion flag and the model information transfer completion flag are associated with each image displayed on the decorative symbol display device 208. In step S4171, determination processing is performed with reference to both the BM information transfer completion flag and the model information transfer completion flag that are associated with each other.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the pattern information is directly transferred from the ROM 506 to the VRAM 561 without going through the RAM 508, but the pattern information may be transferred from the ROM 506 to the VRAM 561 via the RAM 508.

  The drawing image information included in the drawing information is associated on the RAM 508 for each image formed by a combination of one or more bitmaps and one or more models. That is, the drawing image information is associated with the unit image information on the RAM 508. If all of the BM information transfer completion flag and the model information transfer completion flag that are associated with each other are turned on (transfer of the unit image information to the VRAM 561 is complete), the drawing image information to be transmitted is transmitted from the RAM 508 to the GPU 562. (Step S4172), the transmitted drawing image information is deleted from the RAM 508 (step S4173), and the process proceeds to step S4175. If the drawing pattern information included in the drawing information including the drawing image information to be transmitted remains on the RAM 508, the drawing pattern information is also transferred from the RAM 508 to the GPU 562 in step S4172. In step S4173, the drawing pattern information is deleted from the RAM 508 together with the transmitted drawing image information. The GPU 562 causes the decorative symbol display device 208 to display an image based on the unit image information transferred to the display area of the VRAM 561 according to the transmitted drawing image information and drawing pattern information.

  If at least one of the associated BM information transfer completion flag and model information transfer completion flag is in an off state (transfer of unit image information to the VRAM 561 is incomplete), the drawing image information to be transmitted is displayed as a transmission failure drawing. The image information is set (step S4174), and the process proceeds to step S4175. In the RAM 508, a transmission failure flag is prepared for each drawing image information scheduled to be transmitted. In step S4174, when the drawing image information scheduled to be transmitted is set as the transmission failure drawing image information, this transmission failure flag is turned on. Means that. The drawing image information set in the transmission failure drawing image information is not transmitted to the GPU 562 in the current drawing information transmission process. That is, in the present embodiment, the image control unit 560 does not display on the decorative symbol display device 208 unless drawing information is transmitted.

  In step S4175, it is determined whether there is drawing image information whose transmission failure flag is in the off state in RAM 508. If there is drawing image information, the process returns to step S4171, and if there is no drawing image information, this drawing information transmission is performed. Processing ends. Here, the drawing image information set as the transmission failure drawing image information is described as being not transmitted to the image control unit 560 (for example, the GPU 562) in the current drawing information transmission process. Unless otherwise specified, the image control unit 560 generally does not transmit the failed drawing image information or drawing pattern information. For example, when the determination in S 4171 is NO, the drawing image information used in the determination in S 4171 among the drawing image information scheduled to be transmitted may be deleted from the RAM 508. In this way, step S4174 becomes unnecessary.

  In step S419 shown in FIG. 9, a synchronization determination process is performed. It waits in this synchronization determination process until the count-up of the interval timer for which the interval period length (33 ms) is set in step S401 reaches the interval period length (33 ms). When the count-up of the interval timer reaches the interval period length (33 ms), it is determined that the decorative symbol display device 208 is synchronized with the timing for switching the display image (frame). If it is determined that synchronization has been achieved, an interval timer for determining whether synchronization has been achieved is started (for example, cleared to 0) in the next synchronization determination processing (step S419), and the above-described display area of the VRAM 561 is displayed. The designation of the drawing area is switched (swap) between A and display area B, and the process returns to step S407. Thereafter, the processing from step S407 to step S419 is repeatedly executed. However, in various tasks including the main process, the task is switched by the OS every 2 ms, although details will be described later. Accordingly, when 2 ms elapses, the main process is temporarily interrupted, another registered task is executed, and then the main process is executed from the step at which it was temporarily interrupted. Note that task switching prohibition is set when step S407 of the main process is executed, task switching permission is set before step S417 is completed and step S419 is executed, and execution from step S407 to step S417 is performed. Some tasks may not be switched.

  Next, command reception processing of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, in step S401 in the main process, when the second sub control unit 500 receives a command from the first sub control unit 400, a setting for starting this command reception process is performed. For this reason, when the second sub-control unit 500 receives a command from the first sub-control unit 400, the OS activates this command reception process. In step S451, the command output by the first sub-control unit 400 is processed as an unprocessed command. Is stored in a command storage area provided in the RAM 508.

  Furthermore, the image control unit error processing of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, in step S401 in the main process, there is a setting for starting the image control unit error detection process when the temperature in a predetermined device (for example, the image control unit 560, the decorative design display device 208) exceeds a predetermined temperature. Has been done. If the temperature in a predetermined device (for example, the image control unit 560 or the decorative symbol display device 208) exceeds a predetermined temperature, the predetermined device may ignite, so an error command is sent from the GPU 562 shown in FIG. 4 to the CPU 504. Sent. When the CPU 504 receives this error command, the OS activates the image control unit error detection process, and the image control unit error process is performed in step S461. In the image control unit error process in step S461, the power supply to the predetermined apparatus is forcibly cut off.

  Next, the task registration process in step S403 of the main process will be described. FIG. 15A is a diagram showing a task table created in the RAM 508, and FIG. 15B is a flowchart showing a flow of task registration processing.

  In the task table shown in FIG. 15A, in addition to the “main task” including the main process shown in FIG. The “read & write task” reads predetermined information (for example, display information such as pattern information and drawing information) from the ROM 506 shown in FIG. 4, writes predetermined types of information (for example, pattern information) to the VRAM 561, A predetermined type of information (for example, drawing information) is a task to be written in the RAM 508. More specifically, the read & write task transfers a predetermined type of information to a predetermined storage area of the VRAM 561. Here, when the predetermined storage area is set as the other storage area of the VRAM 561, the GPU 562 displays information on the predetermined type of information stored in the other storage area at a predetermined cycle (for example, every 33 ms). It is stored (drawn) in the display area A or B as necessary. 15A also shows task A, task B,... Task E, and some of these tasks correspond to the OS. Tasks are registered in the task table in order from the top.

  The ROM 506 shown in FIG. 4 stores arguments for each task. First, when calling the main process shown in FIG. 9A, which is the “main task”, the OS starts the task registration process shown in FIG. 15B with the following four arguments. The arguments used here are: (1) ROM 506, head address where main processing program is stored, (2) “main task” ID (identification information), (3) “main task” maximum priority Degree ("6"), and (4) Specify the shared state of the RAM 508 for a predetermined task (for example, a task that called the registration process to register the main task as a task. Here, the OS or a predetermined task of the OS) “Independence”. The maximum priority is higher as the number is higher, and its maximum value is 10. The priority in the task table shown in FIG. 15A represents the frequency with which the CPU 504 executes a task.

  There are two types of sharing states in the RAM 508: “shared” and “independent”. In the present embodiment, the RAM sharing state is “shared” between the “main task” and the “read & write task”. When these two tasks are viewed from other tasks (such as “task A”), the RAM sharing state is “independent”. For example, if “main task” writes “1” at address 100 of RAM 508, the value is “1” when “read & write task” reads address 100 of RAM 508 thereafter. For example, even if “task A” other than the two reads 100 address of the RAM 508, the value is not always “1”. More specific description will be given below. Here, reading / writing of data with respect to RAM508 is performed via OS, and the physical address of RAM508 is demonstrated as the 0-65535 address.

  "Task A" is assigned to the OS at the time of task registration, for example, physical addresses 1024 to 2047 as virtual RAM. Therefore, when “task A” designates address 0 (virtual address) of the RAM 508, the physical address becomes address 1024.

  For the “main task”, virtual RAM is assigned to the OS, for example, physical addresses 4098 to 5121 at the time of task registration. Therefore, if the “main task” designates the 0 address (virtual address) of the RAM 508, the physical address is 4098.

  For the “read & write task”, virtual RAM is assigned to the OS, for example, physical addresses 4098 to 5121 at the time of task registration. Therefore, if the “read & write task” designates the RAM address 0 (virtual address), the physical address is 4098.

  The “main task” and the “read & write task” have the same physical address range of the virtual RAM assigned to the OS. If the same address (virtual address) of the RAM 508 is designated, the physical address is also set to the same address. Become. Matching the range of the physical addresses of the virtual RAM is referred to as “shared” here. In the “main task” and “read & write task” in which the RAM sharing state is “shared”, the values written in the RAM 508 can be known from each other, and information sharing is possible when necessary.

  On the other hand, “main task” and “task A”, or “read & write task” and “task A” have the same physical address range of the virtual RAM allocated to the OS, and the same address (virtual Even if (address) is specified, the physical address becomes a different address. The fact that the range of the physical address of the virtual RAM does not match is referred to as “the RAM sharing state is independent”. In the “main task” and “task A” in which the RAM sharing state is “independent”, or in the “read & write task” and “task A”, the values written in the RAM 508 cannot be known, but each task The degree of independence is improved, and the influence of one task can be prevented from being affected by the other task.

  In the task registration process shown in FIG. 15B, an argument stored in the ROM 506 of any one task is acquired. For example, in the case of “read & write task”, as the four arguments, (1) the first address in ROM 506 storing a read & write processing program to be described later based on “read & write task”; (2) ID (identification information) of “read & write task”, (3) maximum priority (“3”) of “read & write task”, and (4) a predetermined task (for example, read & write) This is “supply” that specifies the shared state of the RAM 508 for the task that called the registration process to register the task as a task (in this case, the main task). A task program (such as a read & write process program) stored in the ROM 506 is expanded in the RAM 508. Based on the obtained four arguments, the start address of the task program stored in the RAM 508, the task ID (identification information), the maximum priority of the task, and the shared state of the RAM 508 for the main task are shown in FIG. It is newly registered in the task table shown in a) (step S4031).

  Subsequently, “suspend” is set as an initial value in the state of the task registered this time in the task table shown in FIG. 15A (step S4032), and the priority of the task registered this time in the task table is set. The maximum priority is copied each time (step S4033), and the task registration process ends. “Suspend” in the state of a task here means a state in which processing of a task in the “execution” state is temporarily stopped in order to execute processing of another task.

  Next, a task switching process executed by the CPU 504 of the second sub control unit 500 will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of task switching processing.

  As described above, task switching by the OS is performed when 2 ms elapses after the task is executed. It is also performed when data is read or written. When data is read or written, it is necessary to wait for a read permission or write permission response from the read destination or the write destination device, and the OS waits for this response while waiting for another response. Switch tasks to execute. Furthermore, even when a task being executed shifts to a process waiting state, the task may self-report task switching to the OS, and task switching by the OS may be performed.

  In the task switching process, first, in the task table shown in FIG. 15A, the state of the task corresponding to the task being executed is set to “suspended” (step S471).

  Subsequently, the state of the task with the highest priority in the task table is set to “execution” (step S472). Here, when there are tasks having the same priority, among the tasks having the same priority, the state of the task having the newest registration order is set to “execution”. That is, as described above, since tasks are registered in the task table in order from the top, among the tasks having the same priority, the state of the task described at the bottom of the task table is set to “execution”. It will be.

  In step S473 following step S472, the priority of the task set to “execute” is decremented by one.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the priority of the task table is 0 for all tasks (step S474). If the priority is 0 for all tasks, the priority of all tasks in the task table is registered in the task table. The maximum priority of the task corresponding to each is copied (step S475), and the process proceeds to step S476. On the other hand, if it is not 0 for all tasks, the process directly proceeds to step S476. For tasks that have been executed so far and will be interrupted when task switching is performed, the position immediately before the interruption (referred to as the previous interruption position) on the program is registered in the task table, and then the state is changed to “interrupt”. Transition. In step S476, the position next to the previous interruption position on the program of the task set to “execute” is registered as a return value in the task table, and the task switching process is terminated. The task newly set to “execute” resumes processing from this return value.

  A specific example of the task switching process described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of parallel processing of a plurality of tasks.

  FIG. 17A shows an example of a task table formed in the RAM 508, and FIG. 17B shows a plurality of tasks executed based on the task table shown in FIG. Parallel processing is shown. FIG. 4B is a diagram in which time elapses from the left side to the right side of the figure.

  The priorities of the task table at the start in this example are “3” for task A, “2” for task B, and “1” for task C. In the task switching process shown in FIG. 16, the state of task A is set to “execute” in step S472 (see also the task table shown in FIG. 17A), and the priority of task A is decremented by 1 in step S473. Becomes “2”. When task A is executed and 2 ms (t in FIG. 17B) elapses, the task switching process is performed again. In the task switching process here, there are two tasks with a priority “2” (task A and task B). Therefore, in step S472, among tasks A and B, the status of task B with the newest registration order (the one listed below the task table) is set to “execution”, and in step S473, the task B The priority of B is decremented by 1 and becomes “1”. When 2 ms elapses after the task B is executed, the task switching process is performed again. This time, the task A having the only priority “2” is set to “execute”. In the next task switching process, since the priority of any task is “1”, the state of task C with the newest registration order is set to “execution”. In the subsequent task switching process, among tasks A and B, both of which have a priority of “1”, the state of task B with the new registration order is set to “execution”. In the next task switching process, when the task A having a priority of “1” is set to “execute” and the priority of the task A is minus 1, the priority of any task is also set to “0”. In step S475, the maximum priority of each task registered in the task table is copied to the priority of the corresponding task, the priority of task A is “3”, and the priority of task B is “3”. 2 ”and the priority of task C is“ 1 ”. Thereafter, the parallel processing from the start until now is repeated.

  Next, a read & write process based on the “read & write task” will be described. FIG. 18A is a flowchart showing the flow of read & write processing executed by the CPU 504 of the second sub-control unit 500.

  In the reading & writing process, first, it is determined whether or not there is unwritten display information (pattern information, drawing information) (step S501), and this step S501 is repeated until unwritten display information appears. Executed. As described above, in the RAM 508, a BM information transfer completion flag is prepared for each bitmap (BM), and a model information transfer completion flag is prepared for each model. In step S504 to be described later, when transfer of one bitmap included in the bitmap information to the VRAM 561 is completed, a BM information transfer completion flag corresponding to the bitmap is turned on. When the transfer of one model included in the model information to the VRAM 561 is completed, the model information transfer completion flag corresponding to the model is turned on. The RAM 508 also has a drawing information transfer completion flag. In step S504, when the drawing information is transferred to the RAM 508, the drawing information transfer completion flag is turned on. As described above, in the image information generation process shown in FIG. 9A, the area G of the RAM 508 stores information specifying design information and drawing information to be used, and the area F of the RAM 508 stores “transfer”. Or “playback” information is stored. When the information “transfer” is stored in the area F of the RAM 508 and the BM information transfer completion flag, the model information transfer completion flag, or the drawing information transfer completion flag is off, there is unwritten display information. The display information reading process is executed (step S502), the display information writing process is further executed (step S503), and the process proceeds to step S504.

  In step S504, as described above, when transfer of one bitmap included in the bitmap information from the ROM 506 to the VRAM 561 is completed, the BM information transfer completion flag corresponding to the bitmap is turned on. When the transfer of one included model from the ROM 506 to the VRAM 561 is completed, the model information transfer completion flag corresponding to the model is turned on. Further, when the transfer of the drawing information from the ROM 506 to the RAM 508 is completed, the drawing information transfer completion flag is turned on. When the execution of step S504 is completed, the process returns to step S501.

  FIG. 18B is a flowchart showing the flow of the display information reading process in step S502 of FIG.

  In the display information reading process, the image information not transferred to the VRAM 561 or the drawing information not transferred to the RAM 508 is read with reference to the region G and the region F of the RAM 508 (step S5021). Reading in step S 5021 means that the head address on the ROM 506 of the untransferred pattern information or drawing information stored in the ROM 506 is written in the register of the basic circuit 502 of the second sub-control unit 500. .

  FIG. 18C is a flowchart showing the flow of the display information writing process in step S503 in FIG.

  In this display information writing process, first, it is determined whether or not the writing destination is the VRAM 561. That is, in step S502, if the information in which the head address is written in the register of the basic circuit 502 is a pattern information as a result of referring to the area G of the RAM 508, the write destination is the VRAM 561, and if the information is drawing information, the write is written. The destination is the RAM 508. If the writing destination is the VRAM 561, the second sub-control unit 500 sets the writing destination address of the drawing area which is a predetermined area (for example, the display area A, the display area B, or other storage area) of the VRAM 561 to be the writing destination. Is written in the register of the basic circuit 502, and the picture information is transferred to the write destination address (step S5032). In step S5032, the pattern information is sequentially transferred from the ROM 506 to the VRAM 561 without passing through the RAM 508 in units of images. That is, the image data is sequentially transferred for each unit image information including the bitmap information and the model information. The CPU 504 of the second sub control unit 500 that executes step S5032 corresponds to an example of a transfer processing unit according to the present invention. On the other hand, if the write destination is the RAM 508, the write destination address of the RAM 508 serving as the write destination is written to the register of the basic circuit 502 of the second sub-control unit 500, and the drawing information is transferred to the write destination address ( Step S5033). That is, in this step S5033, drawing information is transferred from the ROM 506 to the RAM 508. Thus, it is the “read & write task” that transfers the pattern information to the VRAM 561. On the other hand, as described above, the drawing information is transmitted from the RAM 508 to the image control unit 560 (for example, the VRAM 561 and the GPU 562) is a “main task”, and based on the transmission of the drawing information to the GPU 562, the image control unit Reference numeral 560 displays on the decorative symbol display device 208. In the present embodiment, the acquisition of information necessary for the image control unit 560 to display the decoration symbol display device 208 is divided into a “read & write task” and a “main task”.

  In the above description, only the pattern information of the pattern information and the drawing information shown in FIG. 13 corresponds to an example of the image information according to the present invention, and step S5032 for transferring the pattern information from the ROM 506 to the VRAM 561 is executed. The CPU 504 of the second sub-control unit 500 that corresponds to an example of the transfer processing means according to the present invention, but both the pattern information and the drawing information, that is, the display information corresponds to an example of the image information according to the present invention. The CPU 504 of the second sub-control unit 500 that executes step S5032 and step S4172 in the drawing information transmission process shown in FIG. 14 may correspond to an example of the transfer processing unit referred to in the present invention. Further, the process including step S5033 may correspond to an example of a transfer processing unit referred to in the present invention.

  Next, display of a picture on the decorative design display device 208 will be described.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram summarizing the flow until the design is displayed on the decorative design display device 208, particularly focusing on the task.

  As described above, the ROM 506 of the second sub-control unit 500 stores a plurality of picture information. The picture information is information composed of bitmap information and model information, but the ROM 506 shown in FIG. 19 shows only a plurality of bitmaps represented by the bitmap information. The ROM 506 also stores a plurality of drawing information, which is not shown in FIG.

  In the basic circuit 502 of the second sub-control unit 500, the main task constituting the process shown in FIG. 9 and the read & write task constituting the process shown in FIG. 18 are registered in the task table shown in FIG. Are working in parallel.

  The picture information is transferred to the VRAM 561 of the image control unit 560 provided in the second sub-control unit 500 by the read & write task (see step S5032 shown in FIG. 18C), and a bit is stored in a predetermined area of the VRAM 561. Maps and models are deployed. Further, drawing information is transferred to the GPU 562 of the image control unit 560 by the main task (see step S4172 shown in FIG. 14). The GPU 562 displays the design based on the design information transferred to the display area of the VRAM 561 on the decorative design display device 208 according to the transmitted drawing information.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram summarizing the flow until the design is displayed on the decorative design display device 208, paying particular attention to the design information and the drawing information.

  FIG. 20A shows display information stored in the ROM 506 of the second sub-control unit 500. The display information shown in FIG. 20A includes picture information and drawing information. The pattern information consists of bitmap information and model information. The bitmap information shown in FIG. 20 (a) includes bitmaps C, D, and E each depicting a character's face. Bitmap C is a bitmap depicting the face of a young lord, Bitmap D is a bitmap depicting an elderly face, and Bitmap E is a bitmap depicting a princess's face. The model information includes a line drawing shape A representing a cube and a line drawing shape B representing a triangular pyramid. The drawing information includes position information about the pattern, size information about the pattern, and information about pasting a bitmap onto the model. Note that the drawing information does not include pattern definition information described later. The position information shown in FIG. 20A includes a position A that instructs to display a picture at the center and a position B that instructs to display the picture at the right end. The size information has a size A for instructing to display a picture with a size of 1.5 times, and a size B for instructing to display a design with a size of 0.5 times. The pasting information includes pasting A for instructing to paste the bitmap C on the left side of the shape A, pasting B for instructing to paste the bitmap D on the right side of the shape A, and bitmap E. It has a pasting C for instructing to be pasted on the upper surface of the shape A. Each information includes information other than that described here. For example, the bitmap information includes bitmaps other than the bitmaps C, D, and E, and the pasting information includes information that instructs to paste the bitmap onto the shape B.

  FIG. 20B shows a decorative symbol display device 208. As described above, the pattern information is transferred from the ROM 506 to the display area of the VRAM 561 of the second sub-control unit 500 by the read & write task or the like (see step S5032 shown in FIG. 18C). Here, the picture information having the bitmap information composed of the bitmaps C, D, and E and the model information composed of the shape A is transferred to the VRAM 561. In addition, drawing information is transmitted from the RAM 508 to the GPU 562 of the image control unit 560 by a read & write task (see step S5032 shown in FIG. 18C). Here, drawing information having position information consisting of position A, size information consisting of size A, and pasting information consisting of pasting A, B, and C is transmitted to GPU 562. The GPU 562 synthesizes a picture based on the picture information transferred to a predetermined area of the VRAM 561 according to the received drawing information. The decorative symbol display device 208 shown in FIG. 20B shows the pattern 1 synthesized in this way. The design 1 displayed on the decorative design display device 208 is one, and the design 1 is a cube displaying bitmaps C, D, and E on the surface. That is, it consists of four images (a line drawing representing a face of a young lord, an elderly face, a princess's face, and a cube). From the information point of view, the pattern 1 shown in FIG. 20B is composed of a bitmap C, a bitmap D, a bitmap E, a shape A, a position A, a size A, and a pasting A. It has been done.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example when the bitmap D illustrated in FIG. 20 is not transferred.

  FIG. 21A shows the image control unit 560 of the second sub-control unit 500. At the timing when step S4171 of the drawing information transmission process shown in FIG. 14 is executed, the display area of the VRAM 561 of the image control unit 560 is read from the ROM 506 by the read & write task, from the bitmaps C and E, and the common bitmap. The pattern information including the bitmap information and the model information including the shape A is transferred to the VRAM 561, but the bitmap D is not transferred. The common bitmap is a patternless and one-color image stored in the ROM 506. Corresponding to the common bitmap, the drawing information includes information indicating that the common bitmap is to be pasted on the vacant surface of the shape A. In the RAM 508 of the second sub-control unit 500, the BM information transfer completion flag corresponding to the bitmap C, the BM information transfer completion flag corresponding to the bitmap E, and the BM information transfer completion flag corresponding to the common bitmap are ON. The BM information transfer completion flag corresponding to the bitmap D is in an off state. As a result, step S4172 of the drawing information transmission process shown in FIG. 14 is executed, and the GPU 562 of the image control unit 560 stores the position information consisting of the position A and the size information consisting of the size A shown in FIG. , And drawing information having pasting information including pasting A and C is transmitted. The pasting information transmitted here does not include the pasting B corresponding to the untransferred bitmap D. On the other hand, in step S4172, based on the fact that the BM information transfer completion flag corresponding to the common bitmap is in the ON state, an instruction is given to paste the common bitmap onto the vacant surface of the shape A in the pasting information. Information (common pasting) to be transferred to the GPU 562. As a result, the GPU 562 uses the common bitmap instead of the bitmap C, the bitmap E, the shape A, and the non-transferred bitmap D, and synthesizes the pattern according to the transmitted drawing information (synthesis A). reference).

  FIG. 21B shows a decorative symbol display device 208. In the decorative symbol display device 208 shown in FIG. 21B, the pattern 2 synthesized by the image control unit 560 is displayed, and a common bitmap is originally displayed where the bitmap D is displayed. ing. The common bitmap is not limited to the bitmap D and is an image used instead of the bitmap that has not been transferred. By transferring this common bitmap to the VRAM 561 in preference to the images used for the original effects such as the bitmaps C, D, and E (images depicting the faces of the characters), the common bitmap is transferred. It can be used in place of an untransferred bitmap. The patternless and single color common bitmap has a smaller data capacity than the bitmaps C, D and E on which the faces of the characters are drawn. There is no delay so long as transfer becomes a problem. Note that the common bitmap is not limited to a pattern and a single color image, but may be an image having a data capacity smaller than that of an image used for an original effect.

  In this way, when there is an untransferred bitmap, a common bitmap is displayed instead of the untransferred bitmap, thereby displaying a design that is significantly different from the planned design. It is possible to prevent the player from being disadvantaged and unpleasant feelings and misunderstandings.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the common bitmap is not stored in the ROM 506.

  FIG. 22A shows the image control unit 560 of the second sub-control unit 500, and FIG. 22B shows the decorative symbol display device 208. In the example shown in FIG. 22 as well, the bitmap D has not been transferred to the VRAM 561 at the timing when step S4171 of the drawing information transmission process shown in FIG. Since the common bitmap is not stored in the ROM 506, the common bitmap is not transferred to the VRAM 561. Further, on the GPU 562 of the image control unit 560, the position information including the position B instructing to display the pattern at the right end as shown in FIG. The drawing information including the size information including the instructed size B and the pasting information including the pasting A and C is transmitted to the GPU 562. The pasting information transmitted here does not include the pasting B corresponding to the untransferred bitmap D, and further does not include the common pasting here. The GPU 562 uses the bitmap C, the bitmap E, and the shape A to synthesize a picture according to the received drawing information (see synthesis B), and the decorative design display device 208 synthesizes the picture with the image control unit 560. The picture 3 is displayed. In the decorative symbol display device 208 shown in FIG. 22B, no image is originally displayed at the place where the bitmap D is displayed. Moreover, the pattern 3 shown in FIG.22 (b) is displayed smaller on the right side than the pattern 2 shown in FIG.21 (b).

  FIG. 23 is a diagram showing display information about a pattern different from the pattern shown in FIG.

  The decorative symbol display device 208 shown in FIG. 23A shows “decoration 6” and “decoration 7” which are the decorative symbols shown in FIG. The effect picture shown in FIG. 23A is composed of eight pictures.

  FIG. 23B is a diagram showing each of the eight pictures constituting the effect picture shown in FIG. The production pattern shown in FIG. 23 (a) includes a “main body” pattern, a “claw” picture, a “right eyebrow” picture, a “left eyebrow” picture, a “claw” picture, a “hand” picture, a “forefoot sandals” picture, and It is composed of a “hindfoot sandals” pattern.

  FIG. 23C is a diagram illustrating display information including pattern information and drawing information. Each of the eight patterns such as the “main body” pattern and “髷” pattern shown in FIG. 23B is configured by a bitmap (BM) and a model. A bitmap is a rectangular image composed of a pattern and a color. A model means a shape. Furthermore, the “body” pattern is composed of “face outline”, “right eye”, “left eye”, “nose”, “mouth”, “ear”, “hair”, and “torso”. A model is available.

  Further, “decoration 6” and “decoration 7”, which are the decoration symbols shown in FIG. 5A, are each configured by a bitmap and a model.

  Both bitmaps and models can be viewed as images.

  The drawing information shown in FIG. 23C includes position information about the pattern, size information about the pattern, information pasted to the model of the bitmap, and pattern definition information. The position information and the size information are the same as those shown in FIG.

  A part of the bitmap pasting information to the model is shown in FIG. Pasting A is information instructing to paste a pattern of a predetermined region in the face outline BM at a predetermined position of the face outline shape. That is, it is information that instructs to paste the face outline BM in accordance with the face outline shape. Paste information includes paste for “6”, paste for “7”, paste for “left eye”, paste for “right eye”, paste for “right eyebrow”, FIG. 23 (c), “left eyebrow”, “nose”, “mouth”, “ear”, “ear”, “hair” Pasting, pasting about “heel”, pasting about “torso”, pasting about “hand”, pasting about “front foot sandals”, and pasting about “back foot sandals” are also prepared.

  The picture definition information includes a picture definition of “decoration 6”, a picture definition of “decoration 7”, and eight picture definitions related to “bad actor”. The picture definition information is information that defines the correspondence between the bitmap and the model.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram showing eight picture definitions related to “bad actor”.

  The eight picture definitions shown in FIG. 24 are information specifying the correspondence between the bitmap and the model for each of the eight pictures constituting the character design picture with the evil character as the motif shown in FIG. is there. In addition, in the picture definition of “main body” which is one of these eight picture definitions, the correspondence between eight bitmaps and models constituting the “main body” is defined.

  Then, the characteristic point in the pachinko machine 100 of this embodiment is demonstrated.

  FIG. 25 shows, in a step-by-step manner, an example of the decorative symbol display device 208 from the start of variable display of a plurality of symbols until the plurality of symbols are stopped and displayed in a manner representing a lottery result of a special diagram. It is a figure.

  In the same figure (a), the change of three symbols is started, and in the same figure (b), in the left symbol display area 208a, the symbol “decoration 7” shown in FIG. A state is shown in which the image of the frog character that is attached and prepared is stopped and displayed in a combined manner. That is, the symbol “decoration 7” is displayed at the right corner of the image of the frog character. The decorative symbol shown in FIG. 5B corresponds to an example of a first identification symbol having a relatively high identification ability that can be identified by the player. The player identifies the number 7 from the design “decoration 7”. Further, the image of the frog character is an image that is displayed only when the symbol “decoration 7” is displayed. Therefore, the image of the samurai character is an image representing the same content (number 7) as the “decoration 7” symbol. Those who are used to the game of the pachinko machine 100 see the “decoration 7” symbol. Even if it is not, the number 7 can be identified simply by looking at the image of the character. However, a person unfamiliar with the game of the pachinko machine 100 cannot identify the number 7 only by looking at the image of the puppet character. The image of the samurai character corresponds to an example of a decorative pattern having a relatively low discrimination ability.

  In the same figure (c), in the right symbol display area 208c, the “decoration 7” symbol shown in FIG. 5 (b) is combined with the image of the frog character prepared in association with the symbol. A state of being stopped and displayed in the form is shown, and FIG. 4D shows a state in which the characters “reach” for notifying that the state has reached the reach state are displayed.

  The symbol variation pattern from (a) to (d) in the figure was a variation pattern of symbols in each symbol display region of the left symbol display region 208a, the middle symbol display region 208b, and the right symbol display region 208c. In the same figure (e) and (f), unlike the pattern variation pattern, in the small area at the upper right of the display screen 2080, a simple numeral 7 without any decoration is stopped and displayed on the left and right, and the center is shown. The pattern has changed to a changing pattern. Here, in order to distinguish from the design of “decoration 7”, it is assumed that no decoration is given as mere number 7, but the mere number 7 is more decorative than the design of “decoration 7”. In the following, a low-decoration degree or a low designability will be referred to as “non-decoration”. The symbol variation patterns from (a) to (d) correspond to an example of the first symbol variation pattern according to the present invention, and the symbol variation patterns in (e) and (f) of FIG. This corresponds to an example of the second symbol variation pattern according to the present invention.

  Here, the pattern information indicating the combination pattern of the “decoration 7” pattern and the image of the frog character stored in the ROM 506, and the non-decorative simple number 7 pattern information also stored in the ROM 506. And the information amount (data capacity) is different, and the information amount of the non-decorative simple number 7 pattern information is much smaller than the information amount of the combined pattern pattern information. Also, when the information amount of the pattern information of “decoration 7” is compared with the information information of the simple number 7 of non-decoration, the information amount of “decoration 7” is more than the information amount of simple number 7 of non-decoration. Less than the amount. The combination pattern of the “decoration 7” symbol and the image of the frog character, or the “decoration 7” symbol, corresponds to an example of the first image according to the present invention. This corresponds to an example of the second image referred to in the present invention.

  A predetermined effect image using a character or the like is displayed at the center of the display screen 2080 shown in FIG. Here, a combination pattern of the “decoration 7” symbol and the image of the frog character and a combination of the “decoration 8” symbol and the image of the frog character are displayed in large size, and each of them swings left and right ( The effect image that is fluctuating) is displayed. Note that the image of the samurai character is an image that is displayed only when the symbol “decoration 8” is displayed, and the relationship between the image of the samurai character and the symbol “decoration 8” is This is the same as the relationship between the character image and the “decoration 7” symbol.

  FIG. 5 (f) shows a state in which the combination pattern of “decoration 7” disappears and the combination pattern of “decoration 8” remains among the two combination patterns displayed so far.

  In FIG. 5G, the combination symbol “decoration 7” is stopped and displayed in the left symbol display area 208a and the right symbol display area 208c, and the combination symbol “decoration 8” is stopped and displayed in the middle symbol display area 208b. It is reported that the lottery result of the special drawing was lost.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example different from the examples shown in FIG. 25 (f) and FIG. 25 (g).

  In the upper part of FIG. 26, unlike FIG. 25 (f), the combination picture of “decoration 8” disappears and the combination picture of “decoration 7” remains as (f ′). In addition, unlike FIG. 25 (g), in the lower part of FIG. 26, the combined design of “decoration 7” is stopped and displayed in all of the left symbol display area 208a, the middle symbol display area 208b, and the right symbol display area 208c. The state in which it is notified that the lottery result of the special figure was a big hit is shown as (g ′). That is, it is a big hit when the combination of symbols displayed in the plurality of symbol display areas is a specific combination.

  FIG. 27 shows an example of display on the decorative symbol display device 208 when an unexpected momentary power interruption such as a lightning strike occurs immediately after the decorative symbol display device 208 starts the variable display of a plurality of symbols. FIG.

  In FIG. 27 (a), as in FIG. 25 (a), fluctuations in three symbols are started. At this time, no instantaneous power interruption occurs, but before the symbol fluctuations in the left symbol display area 208a stop. In addition, an instantaneous power interruption occurs, and the display of the decorative symbol display device 208 disappears once. FIG. 27 (b) is a diagram showing the decorative symbol display device 208 immediately after power is restored, and the left symbol display area 208a is stopped. If power interruption does not occur, in step S5032 shown in FIG. 18, the pattern information representing the combined pattern of the “decoration 7” pattern and the image of the frog character shown in FIG. 25B is transferred from the ROM 506 to the VRAM 561. However, in step S5032, the pattern information representing the simple number “7” without any decoration is read from the ROM 506 in place of the pattern information representing the combined pattern. FIG. 27B shows a state in which the non-decorative simple number “7” image is stopped and displayed in the left symbol display area 208a. As described above, the pattern information representing the non-decorative simple number “7” image has a smaller amount of information (data capacity) than the pattern information representing the combined pattern, and therefore the transfer from the ROM 506 to the VRAM 561 is short. In time, the image display on the decorative symbol display device 208 is resumed as soon as possible. That is, the display completion time from the start of the transfer from the ROM 506 to the VRAM 561 to the completion of the drawing on the decorative symbol display device 208 is the pattern information that represents the simple number 7 image that represents the combined pattern. Shorter than information. Moreover, the non-decorative simple numerical image shown in FIG. 27B or the like is a second identification pattern having a relatively high identification ability to be identified by the player. It is secured.

  FIG. 27C shows a state in which the non-decorative simple number “7” is also stopped and displayed in the right symbol display area 208c. Here, the reach state is also established, but here, as shown in FIG. 25D, the character “reach” for notifying that the reach state has been reached is not displayed, and the transfer process to the VRAM 561 is not performed. Save as much as possible. However, since the pattern information representing the character “reach” has a small amount of information, the transfer process to the VRAM 561 may be executed to display the character “reach”.

  In this example, the symbol variation pattern in each symbol display region of the left symbol display region 208a, the middle symbol display region 208b, and the right symbol display region 208c is maintained, and there is no switching of the symbol variation pattern. ) And (f) are not displayed.

  In FIG. 9D, the non-decorative simple number 7 image is stopped and displayed in the left symbol display area 208a and the right symbol display area 208c, respectively, and the non-decorative simple numeral 8 is displayed in the middle symbol display area 208b. The state in which the image is stopped and displayed is shown, and it is notified that the lottery result of the special figure is a loss.

  On the other hand, in the same figure (e), unlike the same figure (d), the non-decorative simple number 7 image stops in the left symbol display area 208a, the middle symbol display area 208b, and the right symbol display area 208c. It is displayed, and it is shown that the special drawing lottery result is notified that it was a big hit.

  In the example shown in FIG. 27A to FIG. 27D or FIG. 27E described above, an undecorated simple numerical image that is ready for image drawing in a short period from power-on is displayed as a character. Because it is displayed as a notification image of the lottery result instead of the combination pattern used, it is possible to display the notification image quickly, and when an unexpected power outage such as thunder occurs during the variation of the pattern, However, it is possible to quickly tell the player whether the current gaming situation is proceeding in an advantageous direction or an unfavorable direction. Therefore, it may be possible to minimize anxiety given to the player.

  Also, in the example shown in FIGS. 27A to 27D or FIG. 27E, the symbol variation shown in the small area in the upper right of the display screen 2080 shown in FIGS. 25E and 25F. This is an example in which the symbol changes with the same symbol variation pattern as the pattern. In this way, even if an unexpected power interruption such as lightning occurs, the reduced symbol for reach is displayed as a normal symbol for a predetermined period after the power is turned on. There is no need to prepare, and it may be possible to prevent the usage capacity of the VRAM 561 and the ROM 506 from being increased unnecessarily.

  In the example shown in FIG. 27, the period until the symbol variation display ends, that is, the period until a plurality of symbols are stopped and displayed in a manner representing the lottery result, corresponds to an example of the predetermined period according to the present invention. To do. However, in the aspect in which the symbol variation pattern is switched when the reach state is established, the symbol information having a smaller amount of information than the original symbol information is transferred to the VRAM 561 for a period until the symbol variation pattern is switched, and the symbol variation is changed. After the pattern is switched, the original picture information may be transferred.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 27 (f) to 27 (g), a special symbol variation pattern in which a non-decorative simple numerical image is varied while being oscillated left and right (swaying variation) may be used. By doing this, even if it is a non-decorative simple stop display of numbers, the display is emphasized, and a clear change in symbol can be shown to the player. This special symbol variation pattern is a symbol special variation pattern with a premier appearance that appears only while symbol information having a smaller amount of information than the original symbol information is transferred to the VRAM 561, and is referred to in the present invention. This corresponds to an example of a symbol special variation pattern. In this way, by using a special symbol variation pattern, it is possible to show a rare special symbol variation stop display that is difficult to witness to a player who has been interrupted, forgetting the discomfort associated with the interruption In some cases, it is possible to improve interests.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram showing, in a step-by-step manner, another example from the stage shown in FIG. 25 (e) to the stop display in a mode representing the special drawing lottery result.

  In FIG. 28A, as in FIG. 25E, the symbol variation pattern is switched, the symbol is varied in a small area on the upper right of the display screen 2080, and a predetermined effect using a character or the like in the center of the display screen. It is a figure which shows a mode that the image is displayed. In FIG. 28 (b) following FIG. 28 (a), the decorated symbols of the numbers swing left and right in the left symbol display area 208 a, the middle symbol display area 208 b, and the right symbol display area 208 c. The situation is changing. Here, the combination of the symbols of the decorated numbers swinging left and right is a combination of symbols for notifying that the lottery result of the special figure is lost.

  In the figure (c), among the decorated number symbols shown in the figure (b), the decorated number symbols displayed in the middle symbol display area 208b are changed, and the left symbol display area 208a is changed. In the middle symbol display area 208b and the right symbol display area 208c, the symbol “decoration 7” is stopped and displayed, and it is shown that the lottery result of the special symbol is a big hit.

  On the other hand, in the same figure (d), the decorated number symbol displayed in the middle symbol display area 208b does not change, and the decorated number swinging left and right in FIG. It is displayed and a state in which it is notified that the lottery result of the special figure is a loss is shown.

  In addition, in the left symbol display area 208a, the middle symbol display area 208b, and the right symbol display area 208c, the symbols swing left and right. It can be said that the pattern variation pattern is different from the pattern variation pattern described so far.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of display on the decorative symbol display device 208 when a momentary power interruption occurs due to cheating immediately after the decorative symbol display device 208 starts the variable display of a plurality of symbols. is there.

  In the reach state shown in FIG. 25 (d), even when the front frame door 106 is opened and some sort of fraud is performed and the power is cut off, the pachinko machine 100 immediately recovers power, and in this case, FIG. As shown to (a), the error display of the character image which shows that the door is open is performed on the decorative design display apparatus 208. FIG. When the reach state is established, the design variation pattern is switched as shown in FIG. 28A, and a predetermined effect image using a character or the like is displayed at the center of the display screen. As shown in b), the decorated number symbols swing left and right in each of the left symbol display area 208a, middle symbol display area 208b, and right symbol display area 208c, but the amount of information is small when power is restored. The pattern information representing the non-decorative simple numeric image is transferred to the VRAM 561, and the non-decorative simple numeric image swings left and right on the display screen of the decorative symbol display device 208. In this example, even after a character image indicating that the door is open is displayed, a screen on which a non-decorative simple numerical image is oscillating, which would otherwise not be displayed, is displayed. Therefore, even if a store clerk at an amusement store overlooks a character image indicating that the door is open, it may be possible to discover that an abnormality has occurred only in the pachinko machine 100.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example different from the example shown in FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 30, the background of the mountain road from the start of variable display of a plurality of symbols to the decorative symbol display device 208 until the plurality of symbols are stopped and displayed in a manner representing the lottery result of the special figure. The image continues to be displayed on the full display screen 2080. In FIG. 30A, three symbol variations start, and a girl character appears below the right symbol display area 208c. In FIG. 6B, the combination design of the “decoration 7” design and the image of the frog character is stopped and displayed in the left design display area 208a, and the girl character moves toward the middle design display area 208b. come. In the same figure (c), in the right symbol display area 208c, the combination symbol of the “decoration 7” symbol and the image of the frog character is stopped and the girl character is displayed below the middle symbol display area 208b. Is done. In FIG. 4D, the character “reach” for notifying that the reach state has been reached is displayed, and the girl character displayed so far disappears. In FIG. 5E, the symbol variation pattern is switched, the symbol variation is performed in a small area in the upper right of the display screen 2080, and a combination pattern of “decoration 7” and “decoration 8” using characters in the center of the display screen, respectively. ”Is displayed, and as shown in FIG. 5F, after the combination pattern of“ decoration 8 ”is displayed out of these two combination patterns, in FIG. The number symbols decorated in the symbol display areas 208a to 208c are stopped and displayed together with the background image of the mountain road that has been displayed ("decoration 7"-"decoration 8"-"decoration 7"), and the special drawing lottery result Has been reported to have lost.

  FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an example corresponding to the example illustrated in FIG. 30 when power interruption occurs immediately before the decorative symbol display device 208 starts the variable display of a plurality of symbols.

  In the example shown in FIG. 30, the background image continues to be displayed on the entire display screen 2080, but in this example, the entire image including the background image is displayed as a reduced image. This reduced image corresponds to an example of the second image referred to in the present invention, and the original image of the reduced image corresponds to an example of the first image referred to in the present invention. The ROM 506 stores both picture information representing a reduced image and picture information representing an original size image. Further, in this example, an undecorated simple numeral image is displayed instead of the combined pattern with the character image. As described above, the non-decorative simple numeric image has a smaller amount of pattern information than the combined pattern, and the reduced image also has a smaller amount of information than the original image, so transfer from the ROM 506 to the VRAM 561 is not possible. The image display on the decorative symbol display device 208 is resumed as soon as possible in a short time. Further, in this example, as shown in FIG. 6E, the left, middle, and right simple numerical images temporarily stopped and displayed in FIG. 9D swing left and right (sway fluctuation). That is, re-variation was started, and in FIG. 8 (f), the left, middle and right mere number images temporarily stopped and displayed in FIG. 6 (d) were again stopped and displayed again, and the special drawing lottery result was lost. Is notified. On the other hand, in the same figure (g), the "middle" image of the left middle right image temporarily stopped and displayed in the same figure (d) is changed, and the non-decorative simple number "7" in all the left middle right. "Is stopped and displayed, and it is notified that the lottery result of the special figure was a big hit.

  In the example shown in FIG. 30 as well, for a predetermined period after the power is turned on, a reduced image or a non-decorative simple number image ready for image drawing in a short period of time is used instead of a combination pattern using an original size image or character. Will be displayed as a notification image of the lottery result, so it will be possible to quickly display the notification image, even if an unexpected power outage such as thunder occurs during the suspension of special figure fluctuation games, It is possible to promptly tell the player whether the game situation is proceeding in an advantageous direction or an unfavorable direction. Therefore, it may be possible to minimize anxiety given to the player.

  Note that the substitute image with a small amount of information (data capacity) is also displayed as a character (for example, see FIG. 29A) indicating the error content in error. Further, the symbol variation operation (symbol variation pattern) by the substitute image may be limited to only the fluctuation variation. In addition, when the symbol variation start condition is satisfied before the period during which the substitute image can be displayed, the condition that the display with the substitute image can be performed (for example, the power is restored to the VRAM 561). You may make it start the fluctuation | variation of a symbol on the condition that transfer was completed. In addition, it is preferable to display a specific character (mini character) if possible during the pattern variation by the substitute image. Furthermore, it is preferable to reduce the display area of the decorative symbol display device 208 by a predetermined means such as the shielding device 246 during the symbol variation by the substitute image (for example, the symbol variation shown in FIG. 31). The gaming state is normally displayed as a background image, but may be indicated by character information when the power is turned on (when power is restored). In addition, the notification that the power is turned on (for example, a character display such as “Recovering” by the decorative symbol display device 208) is started earlier than the start of the symbol variable period by the substitute image. Further, when the symbol is changing at the end of the displayable period by the substitute image, the symbol change by the substitute image may be continued until the change of the symbol is stopped. Furthermore, the specific image may be an image having an identification image element and a decoration image element, and the substitute image may be an image including the identification image element. Moreover, you may alert | report that it is the period which displays a symbol for a substitute. Moreover, you may make it display a substitute symbol only in the predetermined | prescribed symbol area | region among several symbol area | regions. Further, the substitute image may be a symbol displayed even during a big hit. Further, the substitute image may be an image that uses fewer colors than the specific image. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which no fluctuating sound or stop sound is emitted during the variation of the symbol by the substitute image. Further, a normal symbol with a large amount of information may be displayed when the stop symbol display condition is satisfied. Further, it is preferable not to update the image during the transfer of the substitute image to the VRAM 561, and it is preferable to complete the transfer before the loop in the second sub-control unit main process shown in FIG. 9A.

  In FIG. 25, description has been made on the decoration 7 (symbol 7 in FIG. 23A), the image of the frog character, and the simple number 7 of the non-decoration. Both the configured first decorative symbol 7 and the second decorative symbol 7 (here, referred to as a decorative symbol for convenience) that is a non-decorative mere numeral 7 may be regarded as the decorative symbol 7. Further, the above-described decoration 7 displayed without the image of the frog character is the third decoration symbol 7, and the image of the frog character displayed without the above-mentioned decoration 7 is the fourth decoration symbol 7. It is good. These first to fourth decorative symbols 7 all indicate the decorative symbol 7 alone. For example, the upper part of the decorative symbol display device 208 confirms the detachment by a combination of predetermined decorative symbols including the first decorative symbol 7. In the lower part of the decorative symbol display device 208, a contradictory display such as a decisive display of a big hit by a combination of predetermined decorative symbols including the second decorative symbol 7 may never be performed.

  In summary, the predetermined decorative design is configured to take a plurality of modes. Here, a mode having a high discriminating power by displaying a symbol including characters and numerals is a specific mode, and a mode having a low discriminating power by displaying a pattern other than a symbol including characters and numerals is a first mode. Further, the specific aspect is configured by a plurality of colors, the contour of the specific aspect is designed, the outline of the symbol in the specific aspect is designed, or the symbol in the specific aspect An aspect with a particularly high decorativeness, such as a design such as a predetermined pattern being applied to the inside of the outline of the film, is used as the second aspect, and the decorativeness is lower than the second aspect (for example, the number of colors is small). A specific aspect may be the third aspect, which is a single color, the continuity of the above-described outline is high, and the pattern inside the above-described outline is monotonous or solid. In the third aspect, the amount of difference information stored in the image information storage device varies depending on the high designability such as the number of colors, the complexity of the pattern, and the complexity of the contour shape. In this case, the first decorative design is a combination of the second mode and the first mode, the second decorative design is the third mode, the third decorative design is the second mode, The decorative pattern 4 is the first mode. In such a way of division, if the first image configured with a predetermined amount of information is the first decorative design, the second image configured with an information amount smaller than the predetermined amount of information is One, plural, or both of the second to fourth decorative symbols correspond to each other. If the first image is the third decorative design, one or both of the second decorative design and the fourth decorative design correspond to the second image. When the first image is the fourth decorative design, one or both of the second decorative design and the fourth decorative design correspond to the second image.

  In addition, if the second image information is transferred instead of the first image information on condition that the power is on for a predetermined period, the second image represented by the second image information is displayed. An enlarged image may be displayed.

  As mentioned above, although the example which applied this invention to the pachinko machine (bullet ball game machine) was demonstrated in detail, the game stand of this invention is not restricted to this, For example, a medal and a game ball (pachinko ball) are used. The present invention can also be applied to a spinning machine (slot machine) to be used.

  FIG. 32 shows an example of a slot machine to which the present invention can be applied.

  A slot machine 900 shown in FIG. 32 includes a main body 901 and a front door 902 that is attached to the front surface of the main body 901 and can be opened and closed with respect to the main body 901. Inside the center of the main body 901 (not shown in FIG. 32), three reels (left reel 910, middle reel 911, right reel 912) having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface are stored. It is configured to rotate inside. These reels 910 to 912 are rotationally driven by a driving means such as a stepping motor.

  In the slot machine 900 shown in FIG. 32, an appropriate number of symbols are printed on the belt-like member at equal intervals, and the reels 910 to 912 are configured by affixing the belt-like member to a predetermined circular cylindrical frame material. . When viewed from the player, the symbols on the reels 910 to 912 are generally displayed three in the vertical direction from the symbol display window 913 so that a total of nine symbols can be seen. Then, by rotating the reels 910 to 912, the combination of symbols that can be seen by the player varies. That is, each of the reels 910 to 912 functions as a display unit that displays a combination of a plurality of types 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 means. Further, in the slot machine 900 shown in FIG. 32, three reels are provided in the center of the slot machine 900, but the number of reels and the installation position of the reels are not limited to this.

  A backlight (not shown in FIG. 32) for illuminating individual symbols displayed on the symbol display window 913 is disposed on the back surface of each reel 910 to 912. It is desirable that the backlight is shielded for each symbol so that the individual symbols can be illuminated evenly. In the slot machine 900, an optical sensor (not shown) including a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit is provided in the vicinity of each of the reels 910 to 912. The light projecting unit and the light receiving unit of the optical sensor. A light shielding piece of a certain length provided on the reel passes between the two. Based on the detection result of this sensor, the position of the symbol on the reel in the rotation direction is determined, and the reels 910 to 912 are stopped so that the target symbol is displayed on the winning line.

  The winning line display lamp 920 is a lamp indicating a winning line 914 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 914. 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 914 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 923 is, for example, a lamp that informs the player that a specific winning combination (specifically, a bonus) has been won internally in the internal lottery or that a bonus game is in progress. The game medal insertable lamp 924 is a lamp for notifying that the player can insert a game medal. The replay lamp 922 notifies the player that the current game is replayable (the medal need not be inserted) when winning a replay that is one of the winning combinations in the previous game. It is a lamp. The reel panel lamp 928 is an effect lamp.

  The bet buttons 930 to 932 are buttons for inserting a predetermined number of medals (referred to as credits) stored electronically in the slot machine 900. In the slot machine 900 shown in FIG. 32, every time the bet button 930 is pressed, a maximum of three cards are inserted one by one. When the bet button 931 is pressed, two cards are inserted and when the bet button 932 is pressed. Three cards are inserted. Hereinafter, the bet button 932 is also referred to as a MAX bet button. Note that the game medal insertion lamp 929 lights up a number of lamps corresponding to the number of inserted medals, and when a specified number of medals are inserted, a game start is informed that a game start operation is possible. The lamp 921 is turned on.

  The medal slot 934 is an slot for the player to insert a medal when starting a game. In other words, the medal can be inserted electronically by the bet buttons 930 to 932, or an actual medal can be inserted (insertion operation) from the medal insertion slot 934. is there. The stored number display 925 is a display for displaying the number of medals electronically stored in the slot machine 900. The game information display 926 is a display for displaying various internal information (for example, the number of medals paid out during the bonus game) as numerical values. The payout number display 927 is a display for displaying the number of medals to be paid out to the player as a result of winning a winning combination.

  The start lever 935 is a lever type switch for starting the rotation of the reels 910 to 912. That is, when a desired medal number is inserted into the medal insertion slot 934 or when the start lever 935 is operated by operating the bet buttons 930 to 932, the reels 910 to 912 start rotating. The operation on the start lever 935 is referred to as a game start operation. In this slot machine 900, based on the operation of the start lever 935, an internal lottery process for performing lottery to determine which of the multiple types of winning combination is won is executed. It is determined whether the player is in a relatively advantageous state or a relatively unfavorable state.

  The stop button unit 936 is provided with stop buttons 937 to 939. The stop buttons 937 to 939 are button-type switches for individually stopping the reels 910 to 912 that have started rotating by operating the start lever 935, and are associated with the reels 910 to 912. Hereinafter, the operation on the stop buttons 937 to 939 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 inside each stop button 937 to 939. When the stop button 937 to 939 can be operated, the light emitter can be turned on to notify the player.

  The medal return button 933 is a button that is pressed to remove a medal when the inserted medal is clogged. The payment button 934 is a button for adjusting the medals electronically stored in the slot machine 900 and the bet medals and discharging them from the medal payout exit 955. Door key hole 940 is a hole into which a key for unlocking front door 902 of slot machine 900 is inserted. The medal payout exit 955 is a payout exit for paying out medals.

  The sound hole 960 is a hole for outputting the sound of a speaker provided inside the slot machine 900 to the outside. Side lamps 944 provided at the left and right portions of the front door 902 are decorative lamps for exciting games. A rendering device 990 is disposed above the front door 902. The effect device 990 includes a door (shutter) member 963 including two right doors 963a and 963b that can be opened and closed in a horizontal direction, and a liquid crystal display device 957 (illustrated) disposed on the back side of the door member 963. When the two right doors 963a and 963b are opened in the horizontal direction in front of the liquid crystal display device 957, the display screen of the liquid crystal display device 957 (not shown) is displayed in front of the slot machine 900 (player). 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, it consists of a dot matrix display, an organic EL display, a plasma display, or a projector and a screen. A display device or the like may be used. Further, the display screen has a rectangular shape and is configured so that the player can visually recognize the entire display screen. In the slot machine 900 shown in FIG. 32, the display screen is a rectangular flat surface, but may be a square flat surface. 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. Furthermore, the display screen may have a curved surface.

  In the slot machine 900 shown in FIG. 32, the technical idea of the present invention can be applied to the display on the liquid crystal display device 957. Further, when an electronic image display device such as a liquid crystal display device is mounted in place of the reels 910 to 912, the technical idea of the present invention can be applied to the display in the electronic image display device.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to an arrange ball game machine, a ball ball game machine, and a pinball machine. In addition, the present invention is a gaming machine (for example, a casino machine, a video game machine, an encapsulated pachinko gaming machine) that can be played with the input of gaming media, and a gaming machine that uses the gaming media itself for gaming (for example, It may be applied to a medal dropping game machine). Here, “inserting game media” means “betting”, and “bet” is also agreed. “Input of game media” includes “input of currency” and “input of electronic money”. A casino machine is a casino in which a game can be started by inserting a currency, and when a lottery result is won, a symbol set in association with the corresponding selection result is stopped, and a payout as a bonus to a player is performed. Machine.

  FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of a casino machine to which the present invention can be applied.

  The casino machine 950 shown in FIG. 33 also includes two right and left doors 951a and 951b that can be opened and closed in the horizontal direction, and a liquid crystal display device 951c disposed on the back side thereof, and this liquid crystal display device 951c. The technical idea of the present invention can also be applied to the display in.

  Lastly, it is noted that it relates to the present invention.

(Appendix 1)
Conventionally, a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine has a symbol display device capable of displaying a plurality of symbols, and when the symbol of the symbol display device is in a specific mode that is a combination of predetermined symbols, the player A game state advantageous to the game is generated.

  The display control unit of such a game machine is equipped with a CGROM (character generator ROM), a VRAM (video RAM), a display control computer (processing device), a VDP (video display processor), and the like. The display control computer performs overall control for forming the display target image, and the VDP receives image data stored in advance in the CGROM from the display control computer in accordance with a command from the display control computer and develops it on the VRAM. Then, the image is drawn on the VRAM to form a display image, the image data formed on the VRAM is read, and an arbitrary image is displayed on the display device. However, in the above method, there is a possibility that a distorted image is displayed when the transfer of the image data is not completed at a predetermined timing.

  In order to solve such a problem, conventionally, image data used for a subsequent display image is transferred from the CGROM to the VRAM during the remaining period of the display image formation time of each frame period.

  However, even with the above method, there is a problem in that necessary image data cannot be received before the VDP displays an image on the display device, and a disordered image is frequently displayed.

To resolve this issue,
A game control device capable of executing a lottery process for deriving a lottery result including a first lottery result advantageous to a player and a second lottery result disadvantageous to the player than the first lottery result;
An image display device for displaying a predetermined image;
A driving device (for example, an image control IC, VRAM) for driving the image display device;
A control device (for example, a microcomputer) for controlling the driving device;
An image information storage device (for example, ROM) storing image information (for example, bitmap) necessary for driving the image display device,
A transfer process for transferring the image information from the image information storage device to the driving device;
The control device can execute a drawing process for instructing the drive device to draw an image;
The first image information necessary for displaying the first image on the image display device and the second image information necessary for displaying the second image on the image display device are the image information. Is stored in the image information storage device as
By configuring the second image information with an information amount that is smaller than the information amount that constitutes the first image information, the transfer process can change the second image information from the first image information. Can be transferred from the image information storage device to the driving device in a short period of time,
The drawing process is capable of instructing the driving device to draw the second image instead of the first image on condition that the power is turned on for a predetermined period.
The gaming table, wherein the first image and the second image are images for notification of the lottery result. ]
If it is. According to this game table, a power outage due to lightning, etc. may occur during the game, and even after the power is restored, the game situation and lottery results may be notified to the player. There are cases where it can be informed that the game can be continued from the situation. In addition, there may be a case where it is possible to reduce a player's anxiety that a change from the game situation before the power failure, for example, information necessary to advance the game at the time before the power failure has been deleted.

(Appendix 2)
In the game stand described in Appendix 1,
A symbol display device that stops and displays a symbol aspect corresponding to the lottery process after starting the variable display of a plurality of symbols,
The display of a plurality of symbols by the symbol display device is configured by displaying an image corresponding to each symbol on the image display device,
The gaming table, wherein the first image and the second image are images corresponding to specific symbols of the plurality of symbols.

  According to the game table in Appendix 2, the game is restored immediately after the game with the symbol is restored, so the information necessary for the game to proceed before the power failure has been erased. It may be possible to reduce the player's anxiety about whether or not there is.

(Appendix 3)
In the game stand described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2,
Design variation pattern information selection means for selecting predetermined symbol variation pattern information from a plurality of symbol variation pattern information;
Design variation display control means for variably displaying a symbol in a symbol variation pattern corresponding to the symbol variation pattern information selected by the symbol variation pattern information selection means,
The specific symbol variation pattern information among the plurality of symbol variation pattern information includes first symbol variation pattern information and second symbol variation pattern information,
When the symbol variation display control means variably displays a symbol based on the specific symbol variation pattern information, the symbol variation display control means displays the symbol based on the first symbol variation pattern information, and then displays the second symbol. Based on the variation pattern information, the symbol is variably displayed.
When the specific symbol is variably displayed based on the first symbol variation pattern information, the first image is displayed as an image corresponding to the specific symbol,
A gaming table, wherein when the specific symbol is variably displayed based on the second symbol variation pattern information, the second image is displayed as an image corresponding to the specific symbol.

  According to the game table of appendix 3, it is not necessary to prepare only a dedicated symbol for power recovery, and it is necessary to greatly increase the capacity of image information by diverting image information with a small amount of information that is normally used. May be lost.

(Appendix 4)
In the game stand according to any one of appendices 2 to 3,
The specific symbol includes an identification pattern having an identification function for identifying the plurality of symbols, and a decorative pattern that decorates the symbol,
The gaming table, wherein the first image and the second image are images corresponding to the identification pattern.

  According to the game table of appendix 4, it is not necessary to prepare only a dedicated symbol for power recovery, and it is necessary to significantly increase the capacity of image information by diverting image information with a small amount of information that is normally used. May be lost.

(Appendix 5)
In the game stand according to any one of appendices 1 to 4,
The gaming table is characterized in that the symbol display device displays the symbols in a variable manner based on special symbol variation pattern information selected only during the predetermined period from power-on.

  According to the game table of Supplementary Note 5, if the image is generated based on image information with a small amount of information, and the variation operation based on the normal symbol variation pattern is performed, the situation during the variation may be unclear, In some cases, it is possible to show a player a clear change in symbol by performing a change operation suitable for an image generated from image information with a small amount of information. In addition, a player may be given a premier feeling only when power is turned on, and the interest may be improved even in an abnormal state such as power interruption or power recovery.

(Appendix 6)
In a game stand that derives lottery results with different player benefits,
An image display device for displaying a predetermined image;
A driving device for driving the image display device;
An image information storage device storing image information necessary for driving the image display device;
A transfer processing means for transferring the image information from the image information storage device to the driving device, and a control device for controlling the driving device;
The image information storage device is configured by a predetermined amount of information, and includes first image information representing a first image displayed on the image display device when the lottery result is notified, and the predetermined amount of information. Configured with a small amount of information, and storing second image information representing a second image displayed on the image display device when notifying the lottery result,
Even when the transfer processing means transfers the first image information from the image information storage device to the driving device, the first image information is provided on the condition that it is in a predetermined period from power-on. A game table, wherein the second image information is transferred instead of the game table.

  Here, since the amount of information of the second image information is smaller than that of the first image information, the transfer processing means causes the image information storage device to transfer the drive device with a shorter time than the first image information. Forwarded.

  Further, the second image may be an image representing the same content as the content represented by the first image.

  Further, the image information storage device is a notification image displayed on the image display device when notifying the lottery result, and the image display is started after transfer from the image information storage device to the driving device is started. First image information representing a first image with a relatively long display completion time until drawing on the apparatus is completed, and a second image that is the notification image and has a relatively short display completion time The second image information to be expressed may be stored. Also in this case, the second image may be an image representing the same content as the content represented by the first image.

  Further, when the lottery result is notified, it may be any time as long as it is within a predetermined period having a certain amount of time.

(Appendix 7)
In the game stand described in Appendix 7,
The image display device is configured to stop and display the plurality of symbols in a form representing the lottery result after starting the variable display of the plurality of symbols.
Even when the transfer processing means transfers the first image information from the image information storage device to the drive device as image information representing a specific symbol of the plurality of symbols, the predetermined number of times from power-on A game table, wherein the second image information is transferred instead of the first image information on condition that the period is in progress.

  The predetermined period may be a period until the symbol variation display ends, that is, a period until the symbols are stopped and displayed in a manner representing the lottery result, and the symbol variation pattern is switched. It may be a period until.

(Appendix 8)
In the game stand described in Appendix 7,
Select predetermined symbol variation pattern information from among a plurality of symbol variation pattern information including specific symbol variation pattern information in which symbols are variably displayed according to the second symbol variation pattern after the symbols are variably displayed according to the first symbol variation pattern A pattern variation pattern information selection means for
The control device controls the driving device based on the symbol variation pattern information selected by the symbol variation pattern information selection means,
The transfer processing means transfers the first image information from the image information storage device to the drive device as image information representing a symbol that fluctuates according to the first symbol variation pattern information, and the second symbol variation pattern. A game table, wherein the second image information is transferred from the image information storage device to the driving device as image information representing a symbol that varies according to the information.

  According to the gaming machine described in appendix 8, the first image information is transferred from the image information storage device to the driving device as image information representing a symbol that fluctuates according to the first symbol variation pattern information. However, the second image information is transferred instead of the first image information on condition that the power is on for a predetermined period.

(Appendix 9)
In the game stand according to any one of appendices 6 to 8,
The image information storage device represents, as the first image information, information representing an image in which an identification pattern with a relatively high identification ability identified by a player and a decorative pattern with a relatively low identification ability are combined. A game table characterized by storing information representing an image made up of only the identification picture of the identification picture and the decorative picture as the second image information.

  In the image information storage device, the first image information includes a combination of a first identification pattern having a relatively high identification ability identified by a player and a decorative pattern having a relatively low identification ability. The second image information includes an image including a second identification picture having a relatively high identification ability but a degree of decoration lower than that of the first identification picture. The information to represent may be memorize | stored.

  Here, the image including the second identification pattern may be an image including only the second identification pattern, or may be an image including another pattern.

(Appendix 10)
In the game stand according to any one of appendices 6 to 9,
Design variation pattern information selecting means for selecting predetermined symbol variation pattern information from a plurality of symbol variation pattern information including symbol special variation pattern information selected only during the predetermined period;
The gaming machine is characterized in that the control device controls the driving device based on the symbol variation pattern information selected by the symbol variation pattern information selection means.

  According to this aspect, during the predetermined period, the second image is variably displayed according to the symbol special pattern information.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Pachinko machine 208 Decoration symbol display apparatus 2080 Display screen 300 Main control part 304 CPU
306 ROM
308 RAM
400 First sub-control unit 500 Second sub-control unit 502 Basic circuit 504 CPU
506 ROM
508 RAM
560 Image Control Unit 561 VRAM
562 GPU

Claims (5)

Image display means capable of displaying at least an image;
Image control means capable of controlling at least the image display means;
Control means capable of at least controlling the image control means by executing a plurality of tasks;
Image data storage means for storing at least image data representing an image and drawing information representing a drawing condition of the image;
A game machine equipped with
The control means is capable of executing at least a plurality of tasks in parallel by repeatedly executing a plurality of processes,
The plurality of processes include at least a task state setting process for setting a task in an execution state to an interruption state and setting a task in an interruption state to an execution state,
The control means is capable of executing at least an image information generation process,
The control means is capable of at least performing drawing information transmission processing,
The image information generation process is a process capable of generating at least image information;
The drawing information transmission process is a process capable of transmitting at least the drawing information to the image control unit based on the image information generated in the image information generation process,
One task of the plurality of tasks is a first task including at least the image information generation process and the drawing information transmission process,
The image display means is capable of at least executing a symbol variation display for stopping and displaying a symbol aspect corresponding to a result of the determination by the success / failure determination unit after starting a variation display of a plurality of symbols.
The control means is capable of at least controlling the image control means based on the design variation pattern selected by the design variation pattern selection means,
The symbol variation pattern selecting means can select at least one symbol variation pattern from a plurality of symbol variation patterns,
The plurality of symbol variation patterns include at least a third symbol variation pattern,
The third symbol variation pattern is a symbol variation pattern that performs at least symbol variation display with the second symbol variation pattern after at least symbol variation display with the first symbol variation pattern,
The image data storage means stores at least first and second image data as the image data,
The first image data is constituted by a first information amount,
The first image data is data used to display a symbol that is variably displayed according to the first symbol variation pattern;
The second image data is constituted by a second information amount smaller than the first information amount,
The second image data is data used to display a symbol that is variably displayed according to the second symbol variation pattern,
The control means transfers the image data to the image control means,
Even if the control means transfers the first image data to the image control means, the second image is replaced with the second image data on the condition that it is in a predetermined period from power-on. Transfer image data of
A game stand characterized by that. The game stand according to claim 1 ,
The plurality of tasks includes a second task in which the control unit transfers the image data to the image control unit,
The second task is a task different from the first task.
A game stand characterized by that. The game stand according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The image data is data including at least the pattern, color, and shape of the image,
The drawing information is information including at least a display position and a display size of the image.
A game stand characterized by that. Of claims 1 to 3 a gaming table according to any one,
The control means is capable of executing at least control according to a command received from a main control means including at least the success / failure determination means,
The control means is constituted by a substrate different from the main control means,
The image control means is composed of a substrate different from the main control means and the control means.
A game stand characterized by that. Of claims 1 to 4 a gaming table according to any one,
The gaming machine characterized in that the size of the symbol variably displayed by the second symbol variation pattern is smaller than the size of the symbol variably displayed by the first symbol variation pattern .