JP5445598B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which a game is played using a game ball, a game medal, or the like, and more particularly, to a gaming machine that rotates a spinning cylinder having a plurality of types of symbols drawn on its outer peripheral surface and stops the spinning cylinder.

  2. Description of the Related Art A gaming machine that plays a game by rotating a spinning cylinder on which a plurality of types of symbols are drawn and stopping and displaying predetermined symbols in a display window is widely known. In such a gaming machine, when a player inserts (bets) a game medium such as a game medal and operates a rotation start member such as a start lever, a role lottery for determining a winning combination is performed and the rotation of the spinning cylinder is performed. Is started. Subsequently, by operating a rotation stop member such as a stop button provided corresponding to the spinning cylinder, the spinning cylinder is stopped in a manner corresponding to the result of the winning lottery.

  In such a gaming machine, depending on the player, the game progresses in a good rhythm and in a short time by performing “one round push” to operate the rotating cylinder stop member approximately one lap after the rotating cylinder starts to rotate. Can be made.

  Moreover, in such a gaming machine, it is known that the operation on the rotation stop member is validated after the rotational speeds of all the spinning cylinders become a constant speed (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 3422814

  However, in the conventional gaming machine, even if it is time to perform “one round push” after the spinning cylinder starts to rotate, if the operation of the stop operation member is not activated in all the spinning cylinders, the rotation is stopped. Even if the member is operated, the spinning cylinder is not stopped, and as a result, there is a problem that the player is uncomfortable and the game entertainment is reduced.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems in conventional gaming machines, and prevents a player from deteriorating the game entertainment by advancing the game without causing discomfort to the player. With the goal.

In order to solve at least a part of the problems described above, the gaming machine of the present invention employs the following configuration. That is,
In response to the operation of the rotation start member, the rotation of the plurality of cylinders on which a plurality of symbols are drawn is started, and the operation of the plurality of rotation stop members provided corresponding to each of the plurality of cylinders is received. In the gaming machine that stops and displays a predetermined symbol combination in a predetermined display window by stopping the rotation of the rotating drum corresponding to the rotation stop member,
A role lottery means for performing a role lottery to determine the winning role;
An enabling means for enabling an operation on the rotation stop member after starting the rotation of the plurality of cylinders;
An index part that is provided in each of the plurality of spinning cylinders and is detected by a predetermined detection unit during the rotation of the spinning cylinder, thereby enabling the rotational position of the spinning cylinder to be grasped;
Based on the stop position when the rotation of the specific cylinder is stopped, a first period from the start of rotation of the specific cylinder to the detection of the index part of the specific cylinder And the index of the other rotator after the other rotator starts rotating based on the stop position when the rotation of the other rotator different from the specific rotator is stopped. A specifying means for specifying the second period until the part is detected;
The validation means includes
When the end time of the first period specified by the specifying means is later than the end time of the second period, all the operations of the plurality of rotation stop members are performed with the end of the first period as a trigger. Enable,
If the end time of the first period specified by the specifying means is earlier than the end time of the second period, the end of the first period is triggered even before the end of the second period. The operation of the rotation stop member corresponding to at least the specific rotating drum is validated.

  In such a gaming machine, the end time of “the first period from when a specific cylinder starts to rotate until the index part of the specific cylinder is detected” is “after another cylinder starts rotating. Whether it is later than or before the end time of the “second period until the index portion of the other drum is detected”, it is specified based on the end time of the first period. The operation of the rotation stop member corresponding to the rotating drum is validated. Thereby, after the rotation of a plurality of cylinders is started, the detection of the index part of the other cylinders is not completed, thereby preventing the “turning once” for a specific cylinder from being disabled, It is possible to stably enable “one round push” for a specific drum. As a result, it is possible to prevent the game entertainment from deteriorating by causing the game to proceed without causing discomfort to the player.

In addition, the gaming machine described above is
When the end time of the first period comes before the end time of the second period, the rotation start time of the specific rotating cylinder is delayed from the rotation start timing of the other rotating cylinder, A rotation control means for controlling rotation of the plurality of cylinders such that an end time of the period is later than an end time of the second period;
When the end time of the first period is earlier than the end time of the second period, the enabling means is configured to stop the rotation corresponding to the specific rotating cylinder when the first period ends. In addition to the operation of the member, the operation of the rotation stop member corresponding to the other rotating cylinder may be validated.

  According to such a gaming machine, since the second period ends before the first period, the index part of another spinning cylinder is detected at the timing when the index part of a specific spinning cylinder is detected. . Then, with this timing as an opportunity, the rotation starting member corresponding to the specific spinning cylinder and other spinning cylinders is made effective. That is, in order to enable the rotation start member corresponding to a specific cylinder and other crotch cylinders, it is only necessary to perform control based on a specific cylinder among a plurality of cylinders. Prevention of decline can be realized with simplified control as much as possible.

In addition, the gaming machine described above is
Determining means for determining a relationship between an end time of the first period and an end time of the second period;
A plurality of the other rotator are provided,
The rotation control means includes
When it is determined by the determining means that the end time of the second period is later than the end time of the first period, the end time of the second period corresponding to the spinning cylinder subjected to the determination is It is also possible to control the next rotation of the plurality of spinning cylinders so as to come before the end time of the first period.

  According to such a gaming machine, the rotation control for performing the above-described adjustment is performed only for “another cylinder that inhibits one turn of the specific cylinder” among a plurality of other cylinders. Therefore, it is possible to realize the prevention of the decline of the game entertainment with the simplified control as much as possible.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a game can be advanced without giving a discomfort to a player, and it can prevent that a game entertainment charm will decline.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. It is the perspective view which opened the front door of the present Example, and showed the internal structure of the gaming machine. It is explanatory drawing which shows the arrangement | sequence of the symbol displayed on the outer peripheral surface of the three spinning cylinders of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the electrical structure of the game machine of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed the winning line set to the gaming machine of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which matched and showed the game combination set to the gaming machine of a present Example with the symbol combination which establishes a prize of a game combination, and the privilege provided by winning establishment. It is a flowchart which shows the game control process which a main control board performs in the gaming machine of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the game control process which a main control board performs in the gaming machine of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the lottery table for normal states of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the structure of the internal winning flag of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the structure of the BB state flag etc. of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the game state setting process of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which showed notionally the lottery table for BB states of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the input operation reception process of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the rotation rotation stop process of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the rotation stop control process of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated one of the 1st stop tables of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated a mode that the left cylinder was stopped as a 1st cylinder. It is explanatory drawing which showed the relationship between the 1st stop table and 2nd stop table of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the left turning cylinder of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the index detection required time of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the rotation rotation start process of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the stop display aspect at the time of stopping the left turn cylinder 20a aiming at the standard symbol of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows "one round push" of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the problem in "normal rotation rotation start processing." It is explanatory drawing which shows notionally the index detection required time table of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the timing when the rotation stop button in the case of performing the "special rotation rotation start process" of a present Example becomes effective. It is a flowchart which shows the rotation rotation start process of this modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows the timing when the rotation stop button becomes effective when "the special rotation rotation start process" of this modification is executed.

  In order to clarify the contents of the present invention described above, an embodiment in which the configuration of the present invention is applied to the following spinning-type game machine will be described.

A. Device configuration of a spinning machine:
A-1. overall structure :
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an external appearance of a swivel-type gaming machine 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as “gaming machine 1”). As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 1 is provided with a housing 3 formed in a box shape and a front door 2 provided so as to cover the front side of the housing 3. The front door 2 has three main areas: a middle area where the game is actually played, an upper area 2u where various effects are performed according to the progress of the game, and a lower area 2d where game medals are paid out. The middle region is configured by a game state display unit 2ma for displaying a game state and an operation unit 2mb for playing a game.

  In the upper region 2u, an effect display device 10 is provided in the center, speakers 14 are provided on the left and right of the effect display device 10, and various lamps 12 are provided above the effect display device 10 and the speaker 14. It has been. The effect display device 10 is configured by a so-called liquid crystal display device, and can produce effects by displaying various images in conjunction with the progress of the game.

  A large display window 20 is provided in the center of the game state display section 2ma provided in the middle of the front door 2, and it is possible to visually recognize the rotation of the three cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c provided therein. It has become. Various display panels 22 for displaying the game state are provided on the left and right and below the display window 20.

  The operation part 2mb provided in the lower middle part of the front door 2 is formed in a shape protruding toward the front, and a game medal insertion slot 30 for inserting game medals is stored on the upper surface as credits. An insertion button 34 or the like is provided for inserting the number of game medals required for one game. Note that the storage of game medals exceeded when the number of game medals inserted into the gaming machine 1 from the game medal slot 30 exceeded a specified number (the upper limit of the number of game medals required for one game). This means storing the minutes as data, or storing the number of medals paid out as data instead of actually paying out game medals. Further, on the front surface of the operation unit 2mb, a start lever 36 for starting rotation of the spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c after the game medals are inserted and rotation of the three spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c are stopped. The rotating cylinder stop buttons 38a, 38b, 38c and the like are provided.

  In addition, the operation unit 2mb is provided with a settlement button 40 on the upper surface and a return button 42 on the front surface. Here, the settlement button 40 is a button operated when paying out game medals stored inside the gaming machine 1 to the outside. Even after the game medals are inserted, the game medals that have been inserted are paid out by operating the settlement button 40 until the start lever 36 is operated and the rotation of the spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, 20c is started. Is possible. The return button 42 is a button that is operated in order to clear a jammed game medal when a game medal inserted from the game medal slot 30 is jammed inside the gaming machine 1. Furthermore, the operation unit 2mb is provided with an effect button 43 in the center of the upper surface. The effect button 43 is used when a predetermined item is selected from a menu displayed on the effect display device 10.

  In the lower region 2d of the front door 2, there are provided a game medal payout outlet 50 through which game medals are paid out, a tray 52 for receiving the game medals paid out, and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the gaming machine 1 with the front door 2 opened. An effect display device 10 is attached to the upper part on the back side of the front door 2, and a pair of speakers 14 are attached to the left and right thereof.

  A display window 20 is provided substantially at the center of the front door 2, and a door substrate 240 described later is provided below the display window 20. Further, below the door substrate 240, the rotating cylinder stop buttons 38a, 38b, 38c and the start lever 36 are attached.

  A medal selector 106 serving as a path for game medals inserted from the game medal slot 30 is provided to the left of the spinning stop buttons 38a, 38b, and 38c. A coin shooter 108 and the like for guiding to the outlet 50 are provided. The medal selector 106 has a function of selecting game medals inserted from the game medal slot 30 mainly based on dimensions and receiving only game medals that conform to the standard dimensions. If a game medal is inserted before the player operates the start lever 36, the game medal is selected by the medal selector 106, and only those satisfying the standard are accepted into the hopper 116 and do not satisfy the standard. The medals are returned to the game medal payout exit 50 through the coin shooter 108.

  On the other hand, when a game medal is inserted from the game medal slot 30 after the start lever 36 is operated, the passage in the medal selector 106 is switched, and the game medal passes through the coin shooter 108 to play a game. Returned to medal payout exit 50. In addition, a medal sensor (not shown) is provided inside the medal selector 106, and when a game medal that satisfies the dimensional standard passes, it is detected by the medal sensor, and a signal thereof will be described later. To be supplied.

  Three spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c are provided in the approximate center of the casing 3 to which the front door 2 is attached, and a plurality of types of symbols are provided on the outer circumferential surface of each spinning cylinder as described later. It is drawn. A main control board unit 110 storing a later-described main control board 200 for controlling the entire game is provided above the spinning cylinders. Behind the spinning cylinders are described later for driving the respective spinning cylinders. A rotating substrate unit 112 in which the rotating substrate 260 to be stored is stored is provided. Further, a sub-control board 220 (to be described later) for controlling various effects performed using the effect display device 10 shown in FIG. 1, various lamps 12, the speaker 14, and the like is stored on the left side of the rotating drum. A sub-control board unit 111 is provided.

  A rear speaker 114 is provided below the three spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c, and further below that, a hopper 116 that collects game medals inserted from the game medal slot 30 and a game medal are paid out. A medal payout device 118, a power supply unit 120 in which a power supply board 280 to be described later for supplying power to the entire gaming machine 1, and the like are mounted. The game medals paid out from the medal payout device 118 pass through the coin shooter 108 and are paid out from the game medal payout outlet 50. A power switch 120 s for turning on the gaming machine 1 is also provided on the front surface of the power supply unit 120.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement of symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces of the three drums 20a, 20b, and 20c. Each spinning cylinder has 21 (No. 1 to No. 21) symbols drawn on its outer peripheral surface. In addition, the types of the drawn symbols are the same for any of the spinning cylinders, but the arrangement of the symbols is set to be different for each spinning cylinder. In FIG. 3, the reason why the 11th symbol of the left-handed cylinder is indicated as “reference symbol” will be described later.

A-2. Electrical configuration:
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an electrical configuration of the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the sub-control board 220, door board 240, rotor board 260, power supply board 280, relay board 300, etc. are connected to the gaming machine 1 so that data can be communicated, with the main control board 200 as the center. Has been configured.

  The main control board 200 is a board that manages the progress and production of the entire game performed in the gaming machine 1. On this main control board 200, CPU 201, ROM 202, RAM 203 and the like are mounted so that data can be communicated with each other via a bus, and the start lever 36 is operated from the door board 240 mounted on the front door 2. By transmitting a control command (or control signal) toward the sub-control board 220, the door board 240, the rotating board 260, etc. while receiving a signal indicating that, and performing a game control process described later, The operation of these various substrates is controlled.

  Similarly to the main control board 200 described above, the sub control board 220 includes a CPU 221, a ROM 222, a RAM 223, and the like that are connected to each other via a bus so that data can be communicated with each other. In addition, various lamps 12, various speakers 14 and 114, the effect display device 10, a rotating backlight 20 </ b> L, and the like are connected to the sub control board 220. Here, the spinning cylinder backlight 20L is a light that is provided inside each spinning cylinder 20a, 20b, 20c and illuminates a pattern (see FIG. 3) drawn on the surface of the spinning cylinder from the back side. The sub control board 220 analyzes the control command received from the main control board 200, and outputs drive signals to the various lamps 12, the various speakers 14, 114, the effect display device 10, and the rotary backlight 20L, respectively. Various performances are performed.

  On the door board 240, the medal selector 106, the insertion button 34 for inserting the stored game medals, the start lever 36 for starting the rotation of the rotating drum, and the stopping of the rotating rotating drum The spinning stop buttons 38a, 38b, 38c, the settlement button 40 for paying out the stored game medals or the inserted game medals and ending the game, various display panels 22 for displaying the game status, etc. are connected. ing. The door board 240 is connected to the main control board 200 described above so as to be able to communicate data. For this reason, when the start lever 36 provided on the front door 2, the rotating cylinder stop buttons 38a, 38b, 38c, the closing button 34, the adjustment button 40, etc. are operated, the signal is transmitted via the door board 240 to the main control board. 200 is supplied. In addition, a signal that the medal selector 106 detects the passage of the game medal by the built-in medal sensor is also supplied to the main control board 200 through the door board 240.

  On the rotating board 260, the rotating motors 24a, 24b, 24c for rotating the three rotating cylinders 20a, 20b, 20c, respectively, and the rotating sensors 26a, 26b for detecting the rotational positions of the respective rotating cylinders. , 26c, etc. are connected. The main control board 200 drives the spinning motors 24a, 24b, and 24c while detecting the rotational positions of the spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c by the spinning cylinder sensors 26a, 26b, and 26c connected to the spinning board 260. This makes it possible to stop the respective drums 20a, 20b, and 20c at desired positions. In the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, so-called stepping motors are used for the spinning motors 24a, 24b, and 24c.

  The medal payout device 118 is connected to the main control board 200 via the relay board 300, and performs an operation of paying out a predetermined number of game medals based on a control signal from the main control board 200.

  These various control boards and power consumed by the boards are supplied from a power supply board 280. In FIG. 4, a state in which power is supplied from the power supply board 280 is represented by a dashed arrow. As shown in the figure, power is directly supplied from the power supply board 280 to the main control board 200 and the sub control board 220, and various boards (door board 240, rotor board 260, relay board 300) are Electric power is supplied via the main control board 200. An AC voltage of 100 V is supplied to the power supply board 280, and this electric power is converted into a DC voltage of a specified voltage and then supplied to each control board and board.

B. Overview of the game:
Hereinafter, in the gaming machine 1 having the above-described configuration, the contents of the control performed in order to advance the game will be described. As a preparation, an outline of the game performed in the gaming machine 1 will be described.

  When starting a game, a game medal is inserted from the game medal slot 30 and the required number of game medals (a prescribed number) is inserted to start the game. In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the specified number is fixed to “3”, and when three gaming medals are inserted, the operation of the start lever 36 is validated. When game medals are stored in advance as credits, a predetermined number of game medals can be inserted by pressing the insertion button 34.

  When a prescribed number of game medals are inserted and the start lever 36 is operated, the three spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c start to rotate. As described above with reference to FIG. 3, since a plurality of symbols are drawn on each of the spinning cylinders, when the spinning cylinder rotates, these symbols are displayed in a variable manner on the display window 20. In other words, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the variable display from the first symbol to the twenty-first symbol is repeated (after the variable display to the twenty-first symbol, the variable symbol is displayed again from the first symbol). Further, as described above with reference to FIG. 1, three turning cylinder stop buttons 38 a, 38 b, and 38 c are provided on the front surface side of the front door 2 corresponding to each turning cylinder. When the rotating cylinder stop buttons 38a, 38b, 38c are pressed while the rotating cylinders 20a, 20b, 20c are rotating, the rotating cylinders corresponding to the pressed buttons stop rotating, and accordingly, the display window 20 displays a variable display. The displayed symbol is stopped and displayed as any symbol. In this way, when the rotation of the three spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c is stopped, one of the symbols is stopped and displayed on each of the spinning cylinders. In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the size of the display window 20 is set such that three symbols are displayed for each cylinder. Eventually, when the three drums 20a, 20b, and 20c are stopped and displayed, a total of nine symbols in three rows and three columns are displayed on the display window 20. In addition, a plurality of pay lines are set in advance at positions where these nine symbols are displayed.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a winning line set in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in the drawing, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the upper prize line L1, the middle prize line L2, the lower prize line L3, the diagonally upward winning line L4, and the diagonally lower right. A total of five pay lines are set for the pay line L5 in the direction. When the three spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c are stopped, some combination of symbols is obtained on these pay lines. If the symbol combination on the winning line is a symbol combination corresponding to one of the game actors, the winning of the game officer is established, and a privilege corresponding to the game officer is given to the player. The

  FIG. 6 shows the types of gaming combinations set in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the symbol combinations that establish the winning of the gaming actor, and the benefits that are given to the player when the winning of the gaming actor is established. It is explanatory drawing shown correspondingly. In FIG. 6, the type of gamer is displayed in the leftmost column, the symbol combination that establishes the winning of the gamer is displayed in the middle column, and the player when the winning of the gamer is established in the rightmost column. The privilege granted to is displayed. For example, a game combination called a bonus combination shown in the top two stages is associated with a combination of symbols called “Red Seven” and a combination of symbols called “Blue Seven”. When this symbol combination is stopped and displayed on any winning line, a gaming state called a big bonus state (hereinafter also referred to as BB state) advantageous to the player is started as a privilege. The BB state of the present embodiment is a gaming state in which a winning of a game player described later in which a game medal is paid out as a privilege is established with a higher probability than a normal gaming state (hereinafter referred to as a normal state), and after the start of the BB state. This is continued until a predetermined number (for example, 400) of game medals are paid out. Therefore, when the BB state is started, the player can acquire a large amount of game medals. In the following, the bonus combination of the symbol combination with “Red Seven” is also called “Red Seven Bonus Role”, and the bonus combination of the symbol combination with “Blue Seven” is also called “Blue Seven Bonus Role”. Are not specifically distinguished, they are simply referred to as “bonus combination”.

  In addition, in the game role called the bell role, a combination of symbols in which the three left drums 20a, 20b, and 20c are all aligned with the symbol of "Bell" is set. Fifteen game medals are set to be paid out to the player. A game combination called a watermelon role is provided with a combination of symbols in which the three spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c all have the same pattern as "watermelon". It is set so that game medals are paid out to the player. For the game role called cherry role, if the symbol of the left rotator 20a is a symbol of “cherry”, a symbol combination is set in which the symbol of the middle rotator 20b and the right rotator 20c may be any symbol. As a privilege for winning the cherry role, two game medals are set to be paid out.

  In addition, a combination of symbols in which the three spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c are all arranged in the “replay” pattern is set for the game player called the re-game player. The right to play the game again is granted without inserting a new game medal. In other words, it is possible to play the game once again, assuming that the same number of game medals that have been inserted when the re-game player wins is established. Further, the winning combination is a game that can be won only during the BB state, and the increasing role includes the “replay” symbol on the left cylinder 20a, the “bell” symbol on the middle cylinder 20b, and the right cylinder 20c. Is a symbol combination of “Replay” (hereinafter referred to as “Replay”-“Bell”-“Replay”).

  Of course, when the spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c are stopped, a winning combination of any game player is not necessarily established. In this case, after inserting a prescribed number of game medals again, the next game is performed by operating the start lever 36 and rotating the rotating drum. In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the game progresses by repeatedly performing these operations. The progress of such a game is controlled by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200. Below, the processing content which CPU201 of the main control board 200 is performing in order to control progress of a game is demonstrated.

C. Game machine control contents:
C-1. Game control processing:
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the first half of a game control process performed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 for controlling the progress of the game in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the second half of the game control process performed by the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 in the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment. This game control process is a process that is executed after the gaming machine 1 is turned on and further initialization processing such as a checksum of the ROM mounted on the main control board 200 and the sub control board 220 is performed. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the game control process is started, a game state setting process (step 100. Steps are abbreviated as “S” hereinafter) is first performed. Although details of the game state setting process will be described later, in this process, the following process is roughly performed. In the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, as a gaming state, a big bonus state (BB state) is provided in addition to a normal gaming state (normal state), and it is easy to establish a prize for a gamer according to the gaming state. The types of gamers that can win a prize are different. In the game state setting process, the current game state is detected and it is determined whether or not the end condition is satisfied. If the end condition is satisfied, the game state is ended and the game Processing to switch the state is performed. By switching the game state in this way, it becomes possible to avoid the game becoming monotonous. Each gaming state will be described in detail later.

  Subsequent to the game state setting process, an input operation validation process is performed (S102). As described above, in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the operation of the start lever 36 is detected after a predetermined number of game medals are inserted, the spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c start to rotate. In the insertion operation validation process, processing for validating such an operation for inserting a game medal (to enable detection of a game medal insertion operation) is performed.

  When the input operation validation process is performed (S102), it is confirmed whether or not the settlement button 40 has been operated (S104). That is, before the operation of the start lever 36 described later is detected, it is possible to settle the medals including the inserted game medals. If the settlement button 40 has been operated (S104: yes), a settlement process is performed to perform a process of paying out the game medals stored as data and the inserted game medals (S106). The payout of game medals is performed by outputting a control signal indicating the number of game medals to be paid out from the main control board 200 to the medal payout device 118. When the game medals are paid out in this way, the state returns to the state before the game starts (S100), and the subsequent processing is performed.

  After performing the input operation validation process (S102), if it is determined that the checkout button 40 has not been operated (S104: no), then the input operation acceptance process is performed (S108). As will be described in detail later, in the insertion operation reception process, it is determined whether or not a specified number of game medals have been inserted, and when a specified number of game medals have been inserted, a process of setting the insertion completion flag to ON is performed. Do. The insertion completion flag is a flag indicating whether or not a specified number of game medals have been inserted, and its storage area is secured in the RAM 203 of the main control board 200. In addition, in the insertion operation reception process, when a specified number of game medals are inserted, a command (insertion completion command) indicating that the specified number of game medals has been inserted is transmitted to the sub-control board 220. To do. Upon receiving the insertion completion command, the CPU 221 mounted on the sub control board 220 grasps that a specified number of game medals have been inserted.

  When the insertion operation acceptance process is performed (S108), it is determined whether or not the insertion completion flag is set to ON, that is, whether or not a specified number of game medals have been inserted (S110). As a result, if the specified number of game medals has not been inserted (S110: no), the system waits until the specified number of game medals are inserted while confirming whether or not the settlement button 40 has been operated (S104). On the other hand, if a specified number of game medals have been inserted (S110: yes), it is determined whether or not the start lever 36 has been operated (S112). As described above, when the player operates the start lever 36, the operation signal is supplied to the main control board 200. Therefore, the main control board 200 operates the start lever 36 based on the operation signal of the start lever 36. It can be determined whether or not. As a result, when the start lever 36 is not operated (S112: no), the control waits until the start lever 36 is operated while confirming whether or not the settlement button 40 is operated (S104). On the other hand, when the start lever 36 is operated (S112: yes), the input operation invalidation process is performed (S114). In the insertion operation invalidation process, a process for invalidating the game medal insertion operation is performed. In a state where the game medal insertion operation is disabled, the game medal inserted from the game medal slot 30 is returned to the game medal outlet 50 through the coin shooter 108 without being detected as the inserted game medal. Is done. In addition, in a state where the game medal insertion operation is invalid, no game medal is inserted even when the insertion button 34 is pressed. In other words, after the start lever 36 is operated, no game medals can be inserted regardless of which operation is performed. Thus, when the process of invalidating the game medal insertion operation is completed (S114), the internal lottery process is started (S116).

  In the internal lottery process, a process of determining whether or not the winning of any of the game combinations described above with reference to FIG. It should be noted that even if one of the game actors is won in this lottery (the winning is permitted), the winning of the gaming actor is not immediately established, but by operating the rotation stop buttons 38a, 38b, 38c. If the symbol combinations corresponding to the winning game combination are not arranged on the effective winning line, it is not possible to establish a prize for the game combination. On the other hand, unless it is a game player who has been won by lottery, the combination of symbols corresponding to the effective winning line cannot be arranged no matter what timing the rotation stop buttons 38a, 38b, 38c are operated. It has become. In this sense, this lottery is called “internal lottery” because it is a lottery performed internally as a precondition for establishing a combination of symbols and establishing a winning combination for a gamer. In addition, the state of winning the internal lottery is called an internal winning state (or simply, internal winning).

  This internal lottery is performed using a dedicated table called a lottery table, and in this table, a correspondence relationship between a game combination and an internal lottery random number is set. Here, the internal lottery random number is a random number acquired when the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 receives an operation signal of the start lever 36. In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the internal lottery random number is 2-byte data and can take a random value in the range of 0-65535. The random numbers for lottery can be generated by hardware using a dedicated random number generation circuit mounted on the main control board 200, or generated by software using a random number generation program. Is also possible.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a lottery table (normal state lottery table) used during the normal state which is the most common gaming state. FIG. 9A collectively shows the range of random numbers assigned to each game combination. FIG. 9 (b) shows a rough ratio of the random number range assigned to each game combination. As shown in the drawing, in the lottery table for the normal state, random numbers from 0 to 5999 are set for “bell combination”. This indicates that when the acquired random number value is within this range, the winning combination is played as a bell. Similarly, a random value of 6000 to 7999 is set for “watermelon combination”, a random value of 8000 to 9999 is set for “cherry combination”, and 10,000 to 10499 is set for “red seven bonus combination”. A random number value is set, a random number value of 10500 to 10999 is set for “Blue Seven Bonus Role”, and a random number value of 11000 to 19999 is set for “Regame Role”. It should be noted that no game combination is set in the random number values of 20000 to 65535, and therefore, if the acquired random number value is within this range, it is “lost”.

  In the internal lottery process, as described above, it is detected that the start lever 36 has been operated to obtain an internal lottery random number, and by referring to the lottery table, which game player has won the internal winning combination, Alternatively, it is determined whether any game player has not won the game internally. Then, if any game combination is won internally, the internal winning flag of the winning game combination is set to ON. Here, the internal winning flag is a flag used for storing the result of the internal lottery, and is set to a predetermined address of the RAM 203 mounted on the main control board 200.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the internal winning flag in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the drawing, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, an internal winning flag for a bonus combination other than a bonus combination, an internal winning flag for a bonus combination of a red seven, and a bonus combination of a blue seven (bonus combination internal winning) Flag), and an area is secured for each of them. FIG. 10A is an explanatory view exemplifying a data structure of an area in which an internal winning flag of a game combination other than the bonus combination is set. As shown in the drawing, an area of 1 byte is secured in the internal winning flag of the game combination other than the bonus combination. Of the 5 low-order bits of the 1-byte area, the first bit is a bit for storing the internal winning for the bell role, and the next bit is the internal winning for the watermelon role. It is a bit for storing. Similarly, the following three bits are used for storing the internal winning combination of the cherry role, the replaying role, and the increasing role, respectively.

  FIG. 10B is an explanatory view exemplifying the data structure of an area for 1 byte in which the bonus combination internal winning flag is set. As shown in the drawing, the lower two bits of 1-byte data are used as the bonus combination internal winning flag. Of these two bits, the upper bit is a bit for memorizing the internal winning for the red seven bonus role, and the lower bit is for memorizing the internal winning for the blue seven bonus role. It is a bit to keep. In the internal lottery process (S116) shown in FIG. 7, an internal lottery random number is acquired, and referring to the lottery table, it is determined whether or not any game player is internally won, and any game If the winning combination is internal, the corresponding bit of the internal winning flag shown in FIG. 10 is set to “1” (the internal winning flag is set to ON).

  When the internal lottery process (S116) is completed, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 transmits an internal lottery result transmission command to the sub control board 220 (S118). In the internal lottery result transmission command, information indicating the result of the internal lottery performed in the previous internal lottery process (S116) (information on whether or not a game player has been won, and information on the game player if winning) Is included).

  When the internal lottery result transmission command is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 (S118), the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 subsequently starts the spinning rotation start process (S128 of FIG. 8). The details of the rotation rotation start process will be described later. In this process, after the start lever 36 is operated, it is determined whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied, and if the condition is satisfied, A process of rotating the three cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c is performed. In the rotation rotation start processing of the present embodiment, by outputting a drive signal to the rotation motors 24a, 24b, 24c provided in the respective rotation cylinders 20a, 20b, 20c, the three rotation cylinders 20a, 20b, Rotate 20c.

  When the three spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c are thus rotated, the main control board 200 performs a process of stopping the rotation of the spinning cylinder (rotating cylinder rotation stopping process) (S130). The details of the spinning rotation stop process will be described later. In this process, the result of the internal lottery performed previously (whether or not to which game player has been won internally) Based on the operation timing of 38b and 38c or the current gaming state, the stop positions of the three cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c are determined, and a process of stopping at the determined positions is performed.

  When the three cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c are stopped, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 determines whether or not any game combination is won based on the stop positions (S132). Here, “a winning combination of a game combination is established” means that the symbol combinations corresponding to the game combination are stopped and displayed on the winning line. As described above, in the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, even if one of the game players is won internally in the internal lottery process (S116), depending on the timing of pressing the rotation stop buttons 38a, 38b, 38c, The symbol combinations corresponding to the game actors are not always on the winning line. Therefore, the main control board 200 determines whether or not a winning combination of the game combination won in the internal lottery has been established after stopping the rotation of the spinning cylinder.

  In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when any of the bonus combinations (red seven bonus combination or blue seven bonus combination) is won in the internal lottery process (S116) described above, it corresponds to the winning line. Only when the symbol combination is not stopped and the winning combination of any bonus combination is not established, the internal winning of the bonus combination is carried over, and the internal winning flag corresponding to the bonus combination is turned ON after the next game. The game is played in the set state. On the other hand, if a game combination other than the bonus combination is won internally, if the symbol combination corresponding to the game combination won in that game cannot be stopped and displayed on the winning line, It will be reset without being carried over later.

  As a result of the determination process in S132, if it is determined that a winning combination of any game combination is established (S132: yes), first, it is determined whether or not the gaming combination in which a winning combination is established is a bonus combination. (S136). As described above with reference to FIG. 6, the bonus combination is a game combination in which a winning combination is established when “red seven” or “blue seven” symbols are arranged on the winning line. If it is determined that the bonus combination winning is established (S136: yes), after setting the internal winning flag of the bonus combination OFF (S138), the BB state flag is set ON (S140). Here, the BB state flag is a flag indicating that the gaming state is an advantageous gaming state for the player called the above-described big bonus state (BB state). As will be described in detail later, in the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, the game progresses while switching the gaming state (BB state / normal state) in accordance with the setting (ON / OFF) of the BB state flag. The BB state flag is set to a predetermined address of the RAM 203 mounted on the main control board 200.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying the data structure of an area for 1 byte in which the BB state flag and the like are set. In the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, one bit of 1-byte data at a predetermined address on the RAM 203 is used as the BB status flag. In the process of S140, “1” is set to the bit corresponding to the BB state.

  On the other hand, if the winning game combination is not a bonus combination (S136: no), it is next determined whether or not the game combination is a re-game combination (S146). If the winning of the re-gamer is established (S146: yes), the re-game flag is set to ON (S148). Here, the re-game flag is a flag for storing that the re-game player has won a prize. If this re-game flag is set to ON, a game medal is automatically re-inserted even if it is not inserted by the player in the next insertion operation acceptance process (S108 in FIG. 7) (the insertion completion flag is set). Set to ON). Further, after the game in which the game medals are automatically re-inserted is finished, the re-game flag is returned to OFF. Such a re-game flag is also set to a predetermined address of the RAM 203 mounted on the main control board 200, similarly to the BB state flag described above. In the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the lower bit of the bit for which the BB state flag is set is set in the re-game flag.

  When the winning game player is not a re-game player (S146: no), although any game player has been won (S132: yes in FIG. 7), the game player is a bonus player. Since it is not a re-game player, it is determined that it is another game player. Accordingly, a process of paying out the number of game medals corresponding to the winning game player is performed (S150). That is, if the winning game is a bell role or an increasing role, 15 game medals are paid out, if it is a watermelon role, 10 game medals are paid out, if it is a cherry role, 2 game medals are paid out Perform processing. This process is performed by obtaining the number of game medals to be paid out inside the main control board 200 and then outputting a control signal from the main control board 200 to the medal payout device 118.

  When the game medals are paid out in this way, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 performs a payout number counting process (S152). As described above, the BB state of this embodiment is set to end when the upper limit number of game medals (for example, 400 in the BB state) is paid out, so that it is paid out after the start of the BB state. It is necessary to count the number of game medals (number of payouts). Therefore, in the payout number counting process, first, it is determined whether or not the current gaming state is the BB state. If it is determined that the BB state is in effect, the number of game medals paid out in the processing of S150. Is added to the number of payouts (the number of payouts). On the other hand, when it is determined that the BB state is not in effect, the payout number counting process is terminated without performing the payout number addition process. When the payout number counting process is thus performed, the process returns to the head of the game control process shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and the above-described processes after the game state setting process (S100 in FIG. 7) are performed.

  The above describes the processing when the normal rotation of the spinning cylinder is stopped (S130) and when a winning combination of any game player is established (S132: yes). On the other hand, if no winning of any game combination has been established (S132: no), the process when any of the above-mentioned winning combinations is established is skipped and the process returns to the beginning of the game control process. The above-described processing after the gaming state setting processing (S100 in FIG. 7) shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is performed.

C-2. Game state setting process:
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a game state setting process performed in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. As described above, the game state setting process is executed at the beginning of the game control process shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 by the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 (S100 in FIG. 7).

  When the game state setting process is started, first, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 refers to the game state flag shown in FIG. 11 and determines whether or not the BB state flag is set to ON (S180). . As described above, the BB state flag is a flag indicating that the gaming state is set to the BB state. As a result, when it is determined that the BB state flag is set to ON (S180: yes), it is determined whether the BB state end condition is satisfied (S182). In the present embodiment, the number of game medals paid out after the start of the BB state is set as the end condition for the BB state, and when the number of game medals paid out reaches a first predetermined number (for example, 400). The BB state is set to end. In the game control process described above with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the number of game medals paid out is counted (S152 in FIG. 8), and the number of game medals paid out after the start of the BB state becomes the first predetermined number. When it reaches, it can be detected immediately. If it is not yet detected that the number of game medals has reached the first predetermined number, it is determined that the end condition for the BB state is not satisfied (S182: no), and the BB state is continued. Therefore, the lottery table for the BB state is selected (S184). Hereinafter, the lottery table for the BB state will be described.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing a lottery table for the BB state used during the BB state. FIG. 13A shows a range of random numbers assigned to the game combination, and FIG. 13B shows a rough ratio of the random number ranges assigned to the game combination. . In the lottery table for the BB state shown in FIG. 13, the “bonus part”, “bell part”, “watermelon part”, “cherry part”, which are set in the normal state lottery table described above with reference to FIG. The “replaying game” game role is not set, and the “increasing role” is set. Random values that are more than half of the total are set for “Increase role”. As described above with reference to FIG. 6, when the “increasing combination” win is established, 15 game medals are paid out, so that the “increasing combination” winning is established with a high probability during the BB state, and the winning is established. Each time, 15 game medals are paid out.

  When the winning combination is repeatedly won and the first predetermined number of game medals are paid out with the progress of the BB state using the above-mentioned BB state lottery table, the determination processing in S182 of FIG. 12, the end of the BB state It is determined that the condition is satisfied (S182: yes), the BB state flag is set to OFF to end the BB state (S186), and a BB state end command is transmitted to the sub control board 220 (S188). . The CPU 221 of the sub-control board 220 recognizes that the BB state has ended by receiving the BB state end command. When the BB state end command is transmitted, the normal state lottery table shown in FIG. 9 is selected to start the normal state (S190), and then the gaming state setting process is ended, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. Return to the game control process.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the processing of S180 that the BB state flag is not set to ON (S180: no), the normal state is being selected, so the normal state lottery table shown in FIG. 9 is selected (S190). ). Note that a lottery table (not shown) in which no bonus combination is set is selected as an internal winning game combination after the bonus combination is won internally until the bonus combination is won. As a result, when the bonus combination is won internally, another bonus combination is not won.

C-3. Input operation acceptance processing:
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the input operation accepting process according to this embodiment. This process is a process performed in the game control process shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 after the above-described input operation validation process (via a process for determining whether or not the settlement button has been operated) (FIG. 7). 7 S108).

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the insertion operation accepting process is started, first, it is determined whether or not the re-game flag is set to ON (S200). As a result, when the re-game flag is set to ON (S200: yes), after setting the re-game flag to OFF (S201), the insertion completion flag is set to ON (S202). That is, when the re-game flag is set to ON, the re-gamer is in a state where a winning combination has been established, so that it is necessary to make the game medal insertion complete even if the game medal insertion operation is not performed. is there. Therefore, the insertion completion flag is set to ON without performing the processing related to the insertion of the game medal performed when the determination process of S200 in the insertion operation reception process is a negative determination. When returning to the game control process shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 in this state, it is determined that the insertion completion flag is ON (S110: yes), and the operation of the start lever 36 is awaited. As a result, when the re-gamer is won, the game can be advanced without performing a game medal insertion operation. After the insertion completion flag is set to ON (S202), an insertion completion command indicating that a prescribed number of game medals have been inserted is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 (S204), and FIG. 7 and FIG. Return to the game control process shown. Upon receiving the insertion completion command, the CPU 221 mounted on the sub control board 220 grasps that a specified number of game medals have been inserted.

  If it is determined in the determination process of S200 that the re-game flag is OFF, that is, if it is determined that the re-game player has not won a prize in the previous game (S200: no), a game is played from the game medal slot 36. It is determined whether or not a medal has been inserted (whether or not a game medal has been detected) (S206). As a result, when a game medal is detected (S206: yes), whether or not the insertion completion flag is set to ON, that is, a prescribed number (three in this embodiment) of game medals has already been inserted. (Hereinafter, also referred to as “game medals have been inserted”) is determined (S208). If the game medal has not yet been inserted (S208: no), “1” is added to the value of the insertion counter (S210). The insertion counter is a counter for counting the number of inserted game medals, and its storage area is secured at a predetermined address of the RAM 203 mounted on the main control board 200. When “1” is added to the value of the insertion counter (S210), as a result, it is determined whether or not the value of the insertion counter has become “3”, that is, whether or not a prescribed number (three) of game medals have been inserted. Judgment is made (S212). When the prescribed number (three) of game medals are inserted, that is, when the insertion of game medals is completed (S212: yes), the value of the insertion counter is set to “0” in preparation for counting the next number of inserted medals. After returning (S214), the closing completion flag is set to ON to enable the operation of the start lever 36 (S216). Subsequently, an insertion completion command indicating that a prescribed number of game medals have been inserted is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 (S218), and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIGS. Upon receiving the insertion completion command, the CPU 221 mounted on the sub control board 220 grasps that a specified number of game medals have been inserted.

  On the other hand, when “1” is added to the insertion counter, but the value of the insertion counter has not reached “3”, that is, even if the game medals inserted from the game medal insertion slot 36 are combined, the prescribed number is reached. If not (S212: no), the insertion operation acceptance process is terminated without setting the insertion completion flag to ON, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIGS.

  If a game medal is detected (S206: yes), if the game medal has already been inserted (S208: yes), "1" is added to the value of the storage counter (S226). The storage counter is a counter for counting the number of game medals inserted from the game medal slot 30 in a state where the game medals have been inserted. In other words, the storage counter is a counter for storing game medals inserted from the game medal slot 30 as credits in a state where the insertion of game medals has been completed. As will be described in detail later, the game medals stored in the storage counter are transferred (inserted) to the insertion counter when the insertion button 34 is operated. Note that the storage area of the storage counter is secured at a predetermined address in the RAM 203 of the main control board 200. When “1” is added to the value of the storage counter (S226), the input operation accepting process is terminated, and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIGS.

  In the above, the process when the game medal inserted from the game medal slot 30 is detected (S206: yes) has been described. On the other hand, when the game medal is not detected (S206: no), first, it is determined whether or not the insertion completion flag is set to ON, that is, whether or not the game medal has been inserted. (S220). As a result, when the insertion of the game medal is not completed (S220: no), it is determined whether or not the operation of the insertion button 34 is detected (S222). As a result, when the operation of the input button 34 is detected (S222: yes), the values of the storage counter and the input counter are updated (S224). In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the insertion button 34 is operated in a state where the insertion of the game medal is not completed and the game medal is stored in the storage counter, the game stored in the storage counter The medals are inserted until the number of game medals inserted reaches a specified number. That is, in the process of S224, since the value of the input counter has not reached “3” (S220: no), if the value of the storage counter is not “0”, the value of the input counter reaches “3”. Is added.

  As a result, when the insertion counter value reaches “3”, that is, when the insertion of the game medal is completed (S212: yes), the insertion counter value is set to “0” in preparation for the next insertion number counting. Returning to (S214), the loading completion flag is set to ON to enable operation of the start lever 36 (S214), and then a loading completion command is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 (S218). Here, in the process of S224, the number added to the value of the insertion counter is subtracted from the value of the storage counter. Accordingly, when the storage counter value becomes “0” before the insertion counter value reaches “3”, for example, the insertion counter value is “0” and the storage counter value is “2”. In this case, when “2” is added to the value of the input counter and “2” is subtracted from the value of the storage counter, the value of the input counter becomes “2” and the value of the storage counter becomes “0”. Since the value of the insertion counter has not reached “3” (S212: no), the input operation acceptance process is terminated without setting the input completion flag to ON, and the game control shown in FIGS. Return to processing.

C-4. Revolving rotation stop processing:
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the spinning cylinder rotation stop process performed in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. As described above, the spinning cylinder rotation stop process is executed by the main control board 200 in the game control process shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 (S130 in FIG. 8).

  When the spinning rotation stop process is started, first, a process of extracting the first stop table is performed according to the result of the internal lottery (S116 in FIG. 7) performed prior to this process (S250). Here, the stop table is a dedicated table that is referred to when stopping the cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c. As will be described in detail later, when the player operates the spinning cylinder stop buttons 38a, 38b, and 38c, any of the symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surface of the spinning cylinder (see FIG. 3) is displayed on the display window 20. Whether to display and stop the cylinders 20a, 20b, 20c is preset in the stop table. As described above, when a game player is won by internal lottery (the internal win flag is set to ON), if the rotation stop buttons 38a, 38b, 38c are operated at an appropriate timing, the game It is necessary to stop each of the spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c so that the symbol combinations corresponding to the winning combinations are aligned on the winning line. On the other hand, for gamers who have not won the game internally, no matter what timing the rotation stop buttons 38a, 38b, 38c are operated, the corresponding combination of symbols is not aligned on an effective winning line. It is necessary to stop the cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c. Therefore, different stop tables are provided depending on which game combination is won internally.

  In addition, such a stop table includes a first stop table that is referred to when all of the rotating drums 20a, 20b, and 20c are rotating, and a second stop table that is referred to when any one of them has already stopped. And are set. Therefore, in S250 immediately after the rotation rotation stop process is started, the first stop table is first extracted according to the result of the internal lottery. For example, if it is determined that the “watermelon combination” has been won internally, the first stop table set for the case where the “watermelon combination” has been internally won is extracted. Of course, if none of the game combinations are won internally, the first stop table set for losing is extracted.

  When the first stop table is selected in this way (S250), it is determined whether any of the rotation stop buttons 38a, 38b, 38c has been operated (S256). As described above, when the player operates the spinning cylinder stop buttons 38a, 38b, and 38c, the operation signal is supplied to the main control board 200. Therefore, the main control board 200 stops the spinning cylinder based on the operation signal. It can be determined whether or not the buttons 38a, 38b, and 38c have been operated. If none of the spinning cylinder stop buttons is operated (S256: no), the process waits until it is operated.

  On the other hand, when any of the rotation stop buttons is operated (S256: yes), the operated rotation stop button is invalidated (S258), and when the rotation stop button is operated, It is detected at which rotational position the corresponding rotating cylinder was located (S260). As described above, the rotation sensors 26a, 26b, and 26c are provided corresponding to the rotation cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c (see FIG. 4), and the rotation positions of the rotation cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c can be detected. It is. Further, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the number of symbols among a plurality of symbols (see FIG. 3) drawn on the corresponding rotating cylinder is displayed at a predetermined reference position when the rotating cylinder stop button is operated. The rotation position of the rotating drum is detected based on what has been. Here, the reference position is a special position predetermined in order to relatively detect the rotational position of each spinning cylinder. In the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, any spinning cylinder is located in the middle of the display window 20. The position is set to the reference position.

  In this way, when the rotational position of the rotating cylinder where the rotating cylinder stop button has been operated is detected, a process (rotating cylinder stop control process) for stopping the rotating cylinder at an appropriate position is started (S262). The detailed contents of the rotating cylinder stop control process will be described later.

  When the spinning cylinder stop control process is performed and the spinning cylinder for which the spinning cylinder stop button has been operated is stopped, it is determined whether or not all of the three spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c have been stopped (S264). If there is a rotating spinning cylinder without operating the spinning cylinder stop button yet (S264: no), the process returns to S256 and waits until an effective rotating cylinder stop button is operated. Then, the series of processes described above are executed. If it is determined that all the spinning cylinders have been stopped while repeating these processes (S264: yes), the spinning cylinder rotation stop process in FIG. 15 is terminated and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIGS. To do.

  Next, when the rotation stop button is operated in the above-described rotation rotation stop processing (FIG. 15), the rotation stop control processing (S262) performed to stop the corresponding rotation drum at an appropriate position. ) Will be explained.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of the rotation stop control process executed in the rotation rotation stop process. When the rotation stop control process is started, first, it is determined whether or not the rotation cylinder to be stopped is the first rotation cylinder (S300). Here, the first spinning cylinder refers to the spinning cylinder that stops first among the three spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c. That is, since the three spinning cylinder stop buttons 38a, 38b, and 38c may be operated in any order, the order in which the three spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c are stopped can take various orders. Therefore, among the three spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c, the first spinning cylinder that stops is referred to as a “first spinning cylinder”, and the second spinning cylinder that stops second is the “second spinning cylinder” and stops third. The cylinder is called the “third cylinder” for distinction. And when it is judged that the 1st drum is stopped (S300: yes), referring to the 1st stop table extracted immediately after the start of the rotation rotation stop process (S250 of FIG. 15), The stop position of the first cylinder is determined based on the rotation position (S260 in FIG. 15) of the first cylinder at the time of the detected cylinder stop button operation (S302). In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the symbol (stop symbol) to be stopped and displayed at the reference position is determined as the stop position of the rotating drum.

  FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating one of the first stop tables set in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment. In the stop table, the relationship between the rotation position of the rotating cylinder when the rotating cylinder stop button is operated and the time from when the rotating cylinder stop button is operated until the rotating cylinder is stopped (stop time) is set. Has been. As described above, in this embodiment, the rotational positions of the spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c are detected by the symbols displayed at the reference position. Therefore, in FIG. The numbers of symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surfaces 20b and 20c (corresponding to the numbers assigned to the symbol array in FIG. 3) are set. Further, as described above, when the operation of the rotating cylinder stop button is validated, the corresponding rotating cylinder is rotating at a constant speed (S252 of FIG. 15: yes), so if the stop time is determined, During that time, it is also determined how many frames will be rotated in the pattern drawn on the rotator. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 17, instead of the stop time, the “sliding frame number” indicating how many frames are rotated (slid) to stop the rotating cylinder after the rotating cylinder stop button is operated. "Is set. Therefore, by referring to such a stop table, the number of sliding symbols corresponding to the symbol displayed at the reference position when the rotating cylinder stop button is operated can be read to determine the stop symbol.

  As an example, a case where the left cylinder 20a is stopped as the first cylinder will be described. When the player operates the left rotation stop button (left stop button) 38a, as shown in FIG. 18, the 11th “Red Seven” symbol is displayed at the middle position (reference position) of the display window 20. Suppose that it is displayed. In this case, referring to the first stop table in FIG. 17, “2” is set as the number of sliding frames for the symbol “Red Seven” of No. 11. For this reason, the symbol “Replay” of No. 13 is slid by two symbols and determined as a stop symbol to be displayed at the reference position. In FIG. 18, the rotating direction of the rotating drum is indicated by a white arrow, and the symbol surrounded by a broken-line circle represents a stop symbol.

  Here, the stop time set in the stop table is 190 msec at the maximum, and during this 190 msec, the spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c are rotated by four frames as a pattern. In other words, when the rotating cylinder stop button is operated, it stops from the symbols (5 symbols including the symbol at the reference position) within 4 frames at the maximum from the symbol displayed at the reference position at that time. The design will be determined. Correspondingly, in the stop table (FIG. 17), a numerical value of 0 to 4 is set as the number of sliding frames according to the design of the reference position.

  Thus, the stop position of the rotating drum is determined by the stop time (number of sliding frames) set in the stop table. Therefore, if the stop table is set appropriately in advance, the combination of symbols corresponding to the internal winning game combination will be relatively easily aligned on the effective winning line. It is possible to stop each of the cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c so that the symbol combinations are never aligned on an effective winning line.

  When the stop position of the first cylinder is determined as described above, the first cylinder is stopped at the determined position (S304). Subsequently, a first cylinder stop command indicating that the first cylinder is stopped is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 (S305). When the CPU 221 mounted on the sub control board 220 receives the first cylinder stop command, the CPU 221 recognizes that the first cylinder is stopped. When the first cylinder stop command is transmitted, the second stop table is extracted according to the symbol stopped and displayed on the first cylinder (S306), and the cylinder stop control process in FIG. The process returns to the rotating cylinder rotation stop process shown in FIG. Here, the relationship between the first stop table and the second stop table will be supplementarily described.

  FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the first stop table and the second stop table. As described above, the first stop table is a table that is referred to when the first cylinder is stopped, that is, when all of the cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c are rotating. It is set as a target. On the other hand, the second stop table is a table that is referred to when stopping the second cylinder and the third cylinder, and the first cylinder already stopped has three cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c. Depending on which one of the two cylinders, the remaining two cylinders other than the first cylinder are set as targets. In addition, as described above, in order to establish a winning combination for a game player who has won an internal winning, the corresponding symbol combinations must be aligned on the winning line. It is necessary not to align with any of the lines. For this reason, which symbol is stopped and displayed on the second or third cylinder may be influenced by the symbols displayed on the already stopped first cylinder. Accordingly, a plurality of second stop tables are prepared according to the symbols stopped and displayed on the first cylinder, and in S306 of FIG. 16, an appropriate one is displayed depending on which symbol is stopped and displayed on the first cylinder. The second stop table is extracted. As described above, the stop position of each of the cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c depends on the game player who is won internally, so that both the first stop table and the second stop table are internally won. Each is set according to the role.

  In the above description, the process performed when the rotating cylinder to be stopped is the first rotating cylinder (S300 in FIG. 13: yes) has been described. However, when the rotating cylinder to be stopped is not the first rotating cylinder, that is, already If any of the spinning cylinders is stopped (S300: no), it is determined whether or not the rotating cylinder to be stopped is the second spinning cylinder (S308). And when it is judged that it is the 2nd cylinder (S308: yes), referring to the 2nd stop table extracted by S306, rotation of the 2nd cylinder at the time of the rotation stop button operation detected previously After determining the stop position of the second cylinder based on the position (S260 in FIG. 15), similarly to the case of the first cylinder described above (S310), the second cylinder is stopped at the determined position (S310). S312). Subsequently, a second cylinder stop command indicating that the second cylinder has been stopped is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 (S313). When the CPU 221 mounted on the sub control board 220 receives the second cylinder stop command, the CPU 221 grasps that the second cylinder is stopped.

  On the other hand, when the symbol to be stopped is not the second cylinder (S308: no), that is, when the first cylinder and the second cylinder have already been stopped and the third cylinder is stopped. Referring to the second stop table, the stop position of the third cylinder is determined based on the rotation position (S260 in FIG. 15) of the third cylinder at the time of operating the cylinder stop button detected previously (S314). ). Since stop information (stop time) of both the second and third cylinders as shown in FIG. 17 is set in the second stop table, the stop position of the third cylinder is determined. Also refer to the second stop table. When the third cylinder is stopped at the position thus determined (S316), a third cylinder stop command indicating that the third cylinder is stopped is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 (S317). When the third drum stops, all the drums stop, the symbol combination is stopped and displayed, and one game is completed. Accordingly, in the third torso stop command, information indicating the result of the game (whether or not any game player has won a prize and the type of the game player if a win has been established) (hereinafter referred to as game result information). Also called). The CPU 221 mounted on the sub-control board 220 receives the reception of the third cylinder stop command, indicates that the third cylinder has been stopped (one game has been completed), and the result of the game. To grasp. When the third rotation stop command is transmitted, the rotation stop control process of FIG. 16 is terminated, and the process returns to the rotation rotation stop process shown in FIG.

  As described above, in the spinning rotation stop process, an appropriate stop table is extracted according to the game player who is won internally, and any of the spinning stop buttons 38a, 38b, 38c is operated. Each of the spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c is stopped at an appropriate position by determining the stop position with reference to the stop table based on the rotation position at the time of operating the button of the corresponding spinning cylinder. Further, when each cylinder is stopped, first to third cylinder stop commands are transmitted to the sub-control board 220.

  When all the cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c are stopped, after returning to the game control process shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, if any winning of a game combination is established (S132: yes) Then, after setting a flag according to the established game combination (S136 to S148 in FIG. 8) or paying out a game medal (S150 to S152), the process returns to the top of the process again to set the game state The series of processes described above following the process are repeated. If no winning combination is established (S132: no), the process returns to the top of the process and the above-described series of processes following the game state setting process are repeated.

  As described above, when the CPU 201 mounted on the main control board 200 performs the game control process, a lottery table is selected for each game, and an internal lottery is performed based on the lottery table. The spinning cylinder is stopped according to the lottery result.

C-5. Spinner rotation start processing:
Next, the rotation rotation start process will be described. As a preparation for this, first, the configuration of the rotation cylinder will be described. Since each of the spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c has the same configuration, the following description will be made taking the left spinning cylinder 20a as an example.

  FIG. 20A is a perspective view showing the configuration of the left cylinder 20a, and FIG. 20B is a side view showing the configuration of the left cylinder 20a. As shown in FIG. 20, a revolving motor 24a is fixed to a plate-like base member 23a attached inside the casing of the gaming machine 1, and a rotating shaft 25a of the revolving motor 24a (stepping motor) is attached to the rotating shaft 25a. The center part of the rotating drum 20a is fixed. Therefore, when the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 drives the rotating drum motor 24a, the left rotating drum 20a rotates downward in a front view, and as a result, the symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surface of the left rotating drum 20a are variably displayed ( The display is repeatedly displayed in the order of symbols 1 to 21 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 20B, an index member 27a having a shape protruding from the center of the rotating cylinder 20a to the outer peripheral side is fixed inside the rotating cylinder 20a. Since the index member 27a is fixed to the rotating drum 20a, it rotates together with the rotating drum 20a. A rotation sensor 26a is fixed at a position where the index member 27a of the base member 23a passes when rotating. Specifically, the rotating cylinder sensor 26a is configured by a photosensor disposed at a position where the light emitting element and the light receiving element face each other, and passes through between the light emitting element and the light receiving element when the index member 27a rotates. Is provided. When the index member 27a passes between the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the cylinder sensor 26a and the light receiving element is blocked from receiving the infrared light emitted from the light emitting element, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 causes the index member 27a to It is determined that 27a has passed the drum sensor 26a.

  In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the index member 27a is in a position immediately after passing the rotation sensor 26a (when the rotation sensor 26a detects the passage of the index member 27a), No. 1 shown in FIG. Is displayed at the “reference position (on the winning line L2)”. That is, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 detects the passage of the index member 27a by the rotation sensor 26a after the rotation speed of the rotation cylinder reaches a predetermined constant speed. The rotational position of the trunk can be grasped, and it is possible to identify which symbol has reached the “reference position”. Specifically, in accordance with the rotation time of the rotating drum 20a after the rotating drum sensor 26a detects the passage of the index member 27a (the number of pulses of the drive signal transmitted to the rotating drum motor 24a), the “reference position” is set. Identify a design. In other words, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 grasps the symbol at the “reference position” if the passing of the index member 27a is not detected by the rotating sensor 26a after the rotating speed of the rotating cylinder reaches a constant speed. The rotation of the rotating drum cannot be stopped at an appropriate stop position (position based on the stop table described above with reference to FIGS. 17 and 19).

  FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing “index detection time” in the present embodiment. The “index detection required time” is a time necessary for the passage of the index member 27 to be detected by the rotation sensor 26 at a constant speed after the rotation starts. The “number” in FIG. 21 indicates the number of the symbol at the “reference position” (see FIG. 3), and “start” indicates the rotation start position of the rotating cylinder, that is, ”Shows the symbols that are stopped. Further, “constant speed” in FIG. 21 indicates the timing at which the rotating drum reaches a constant speed after starting to rotate. In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, it takes two frames (two symbols) of rotation time to reach a constant speed after the spinning cylinder starts rotating. Since the rotational speed of the rotating cylinder changes until the rotating cylinder reaches a constant speed, even if the index member 27 passes through the rotating cylinder sensor 26 until then, the passage of the index member 27 is not detected effectively. In FIG. 24 to FIG. 26 and FIG. 28 described later, “number” indicates the number of the symbol at the “reference position”, and “start” indicates the rotation start position of the rotating cylinder (before the rotating cylinder rotates, “ The symbol “stopped” is indicated at the “reference position”, and “constant speed” indicates the timing at which the rotating drum reaches a constant speed after starting to rotate.

  “Index member 27 position”, “reference symbol position”, “rotational speed at a constant speed of each cylinder (constant speed)”, “acceleration until each cylinder reaches a constant speed”, etc. are set to be constant. Therefore, the “index detection time” can be obtained based on the rotation start position of the rotating cylinder (the previous rotation stopping position of the rotating cylinder). For example, as shown in FIG. 21A, the “index detection required time” is a time for which the rotating drum rotates by two frames at the shortest time and a time for which the rotating drum rotates by 22 frames at the longest. Of course, since the rotation start position of each of the spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c varies depending on the result of the previous game, the “index detection required times” of the respective spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c are usually different from each other. In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, after the rotation of the spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c is started, the index members 27 for all the spinning cylinders are detected (after the “index detection required time” has elapsed). ), Enabling the spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c to be stopped by enabling the spinning cylinder stop buttons 38a, 38b, and 38c.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the rotation rotation start process of this embodiment. The spinning rotation start process is executed by the main control board 200 in the game control process shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 (S128 in FIG. 8).

  When the spinning rotation start process is started, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 first determines whether or not the game time has elapsed (S400). In the gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, the minimum time that must elapse from the start of the previous game to the start of the next game (start of rotation of the spinning cylinder) (inter-game time: for example, a wait time of 4.1 seconds) Is set, and in the process of S400, it is determined whether or not the time between games has elapsed. If the inter-game time has not elapsed (S400: no), the process directly returns to the game control process shown in FIGS.

  On the other hand, if the time between games has passed (S400: yes), the longer one of the “index detection required time” of the middle cylinder 20b and the “index detection required time” of the right cylinder 20c is left. It is determined whether or not it is longer than the “index detection time” in the rotating drum 20a (S402). As will be described in detail later, in the determination processing in S402, it is determined whether to execute “normal rotation rotation start processing” or “special rotation rotation start processing”.

  As a result of the determination process of S402, when it is determined that the “normal rotation rotation start process” is executed (S402: no), the rotation of all the rotation cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c is started simultaneously (S404). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the rotational speeds of all the cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c have reached a constant speed (S406). That is, as described above with reference to FIG. 21, it is necessary to rotate two frames in order for the rotation speed of the rotating cylinder to reach a constant speed. It is determined whether or not the corresponding drive signal has been transmitted to all the rotary motors 24a, 24b, and 24c.

  When the rotational speeds of all the spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, 20c reach a constant speed (S406: yes), it is determined whether or not the spinning sensor 26 of each spinning cylinder 20 detects the index member 27 (S408). . The CPU 201 of the main control board 200, after the rotation sensor 26 of the rotation cylinder 20 detects the index member 27, for the rotation cylinder, the rotation time from that point (number of pulses of the drive signal transmitted to the rotation motor 24a) ), The symbol at the “reference position” (displayed) can be grasped. When the detection of the index member 27 is completed by the rotation sensor 26 for all the rotation cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c, the symbols at the “reference position” of all the rotation cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c can be grasped. (S408: yes) Since the spinning cylinder can be stopped based on the stop table, all the spinning cylinder stop buttons 38a, 38b, and 38c are made effective and the spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c can be stopped (S414). . When the “normal spinning rotation start process” is executed in this way (S404 to S414), the spinning cylinder rotation start process is terminated and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIGS.

  As described above, in the “normal spinning cylinder rotation start process”, the rotations of all the spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c are started simultaneously, and the rotational speeds of all the spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c become constant. When the detection of the index member 27 is completed by the rotation sensor 26 for all the rotation cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c, and the symbols at the “reference position” can be grasped, all the rotation stop buttons 38a, 38b, Enable 38c.

  Next, the “special spinning cylinder rotation start process” (the process in the case of S402: yes) will be described. As preparations thereof, “one-round press which is one of the operation modes of the rotation stop button by the player” and The “problem in the normal rotation rotation starting process when performing one turn” will be described.

  Some gaming machines identify internal lottery results (internal winning gamers, etc.) by stopping the spinner with the aim of stopping and displaying a specific symbol of a specific spinner at a specific position. There are gaming machines that can do this. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the winning of a game combination from being missed (hereinafter also referred to as “missing a winning establishment”) even though any of the game combinations is won internally. In the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, aiming to stop and display the 11th symbol of the left cylinder 20a at the “reference position”, the left cylinder 20a is first stopped (as the first cylinder). It is possible to discriminate among the winning game players by winning the internal winnings. In this way, since the 11th symbol of the left cylinder 20a is a symbol that serves as a guide for distinguishing the internal lottery result, the 11th symbol of the left cylinder 20a is also referred to as a “reference symbol” below.

  FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a stop display mode when the counterclockwise cylinder 20a is stopped aiming at the reference symbol of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 23, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the left cylinder 20a is first stopped (as the first cylinder), the “reference symbol” (the symbol of No. 11 Red Seven) is the reference position. When the rotation stop button 38a is operated when it is in the vicinity (in the display window or the like) (hereinafter simply referred to as “target aiming”), it is counterclockwise in the stop display mode corresponding to the game player who is won internally. The trunk 20a stops. Specifically, if the winning combination for the bell role or replay role is won, or if neither of the gaming roles is won internally (losing), the 13th symbol is stopped and displayed at the “reference position”. Is done. Also, if the watermelon combination or bonus combination is won internally, the 14th symbol is stopped and displayed at the “reference position”. In addition, in the case of winning the cherry role internally, the eleventh symbol (reference symbol) is stopped and displayed at the “reference position”. Of course, the reason why such a stop display mode is employed is that the first stop table described above with reference to FIG. 17 is appropriately set according to the internal lottery result. Since the internal lottery result can be discriminated in this way, the player operates the rotation stop button 38a at the timing to stop and display the “reference symbol” at the “reference position”.

  In addition, in the gaming machine having the “reference symbol” as described above, the player can aim at the “reference symbol” almost one lap after the rotation of the rotating cylinder starts, so-called “one round push”. Game becomes possible. That is, as shown in FIG. 24, when the “reference symbol” is stopped and displayed, the symbols around the “reference symbol” are displayed at the reference position (in this embodiment, the 11th symbol, the 13th symbol, the 14th symbol). In the next game, the “reference symbol” will appear at the reference position approximately one lap after the spinning cylinder starts to rotate. Therefore, in a continuous game, the player operates the rotation stop button 38a aiming at the “reference symbol” approximately one lap after the rotation of the rotation starts, while suppressing the missed winning establishment, The game progresses with good rhythm and in a short time. In the present embodiment, operating the rotating cylinder stop button 38a aiming at the “reference symbol” almost one round after the rotation of the rotating cylinder starts is expressed as “pressing one rotation”.

  Here, when the “normal rotation start process” (S404 to S414) is executed when the player performs the above-mentioned “one round push”, the following problems may occur.

  FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing a problem in the “normal spinning cylinder rotation start process”. FIG. 25 shows a state in which the 14th symbol is stopped and displayed at the “reference position” of the left rotating cylinder 20a, and the 1st symbol is stopped and displayed at the reference position of the middle rotating cylinder 20b (or the right rotating cylinder 20c). The state is shown. In such a state, when the “normal spinning cylinder start processing” is performed and the rotation of the left rotating cylinder 20a and the middle rotating cylinder 20b (or the right rotating cylinder 20c) starts simultaneously (S404 in FIG. 22), the left rotating cylinder Even if the “guide symbol” reaches the “reference position” after the rotating cylinder sensor 26a detects the index member 27a in 20a (S408: yes in FIG. 22), the rotating cylinder 20b (or the right rotating cylinder 20c) rotates. If the cylinder sensor 26b (or the rotation sensor 26c) does not detect the index member 27b (or the index member 27c) (S410: no in FIG. 22), the rotation stop buttons 38a, 38b, and 38c are not activated. Therefore, even if the player attempts to “push one turn” to the left turn cylinder 20a, the left turn cylinder 20a is not stopped, so that the player's game rhythm is disrupted and the player feels uncomfortable. .

  In this way, the time from when the middle cylinder 20b (or the right cylinder 20c) starts to rotate until the cylinder sensor 26b (or the cylinder sensor 26c) detects the index member 27b (or the index member 27c) (time). When the index detection time of the cylinder sensor 26b or the rotation sensor 26bc) is longer than the time (index detection required time) from when the left rotation cylinder 20a starts to rotate until the rotation sensor 26a detects the index member 27a. If “normal rotation rotation start processing” is executed, there is a possibility that “pressing once” cannot be performed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even in such a case, in order to perform the “special rotating cylinder rotation start process” that enables “one-turn pressing”, in the process of S402 in FIG. It is determined whether the longer “index detection time” of the right cylinder 20c is longer than the “index detection time” of the left cylinder 20a.

  FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing an “index detection required time table” of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 26, the “index detection required time” (the number of symbols in the symbol) corresponding to the symbol stopped and displayed at the “reference position” is set at a predetermined address of the ROM 202 mounted on the main control board 200. In addition, an “index detection required time table” is stored in advance. In the process of S402 in FIG. 22, first, the “index detection required time table” is referred to, and the “index detection required time” corresponding to the symbol stopped and displayed at the “reference position” of each of the cylinders 20a, 20b, 20c is grasped. To do.

  Next, the “index detection required time” of the middle cylinder 20b and the “index detection required time” of the right cylinder 20c are compared, and the longer “index detection required time” (hereinafter referred to as “longest required time”). Grasp). That is, if the “index detection time” of the left cylinder 20a is longer than at least one of the “index detection time” of the middle cylinder 20b and the “index detection time” of the right cylinder 20c, “ Since there is a possibility that a problem that “push once” cannot be performed, the above-mentioned “longest required time” is grasped. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the “index detection required time” of the left cylinder 20a is longer than the “longest required time”.

  As a result, when the “longest required time” is not longer than the “index detection required time” of the left cylinder 20a (S402: no), it is possible to “push one turn” even if rotation of all the cylinders is started simultaneously. Therefore, the above-mentioned “normal spinning rotation start process” is executed (S404 to S414). On the other hand, when the “longest required time” is longer than the “index detection required time” of the left cylinder 20a (S402: yes), the rotation of all cylinders is started simultaneously, and then the all cylinders stop button is simultaneously pressed. If enabled, the rotation stop button 38a corresponding to the left rotation cylinder 20a is enabled after the timing of “pressing once”, and “pressing once” may become impossible (see FIG. 25), “special rotation rotation start processing” is executed.

  In this process, first, the rotations of all the cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c are started simultaneously (S420). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the rotational speeds of all the cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c have reached a constant speed (S422). When the rotational speeds of all the spinning cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c reach a constant speed (S422: yes), it is determined whether or not the index member 27a is detected by the spinning cylinder sensor 26a of the left spinning cylinder 20a ( S424). As a result, if it is determined that the index member 27a has been detected (S424: yes), the left cylinder 20a can be stopped based on the stop table, and therefore the operation of the rotation cylinder stop button 38a corresponding to the left cylinder 20a is operated. It is made effective and the left cylinder 20a can be stopped (S426).

  Thus, when the operation of the rotating cylinder stop button 38a corresponding to the left rotating cylinder 20a is validated (S426), it is determined whether or not the rotating cylinder stop button 38a corresponding to the left rotating cylinder 20a has been operated (S427). ). In other words, even before the index members 27b and 27c of the middle cylinder 20b and the right cylinder 20c are detected by the cylinder sensors 26b and 26c, the left cylinder 20a is placed on the left cylinder 20a so that the left cylinder 20a can be stopped. It is determined whether or not the corresponding rotating cylinder stop button 38a has been operated. As a result, when the rotating cylinder stop button 38a corresponding to the left rotating cylinder 20a is operated (S427: yes), a process of stopping the left rotating cylinder 20a (left rotating rotation stop process) is performed (S428).

  In the left rotation rotation stop processing, a part of the rotation rotation rotation stop processing described above with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16 is performed. Specifically, first, the first stop table is extracted according to the internal lottery result (corresponding to S250 in FIG. 15), and the rotating cylinder stop button 38a corresponding to the left rotating cylinder 20a is invalidated (corresponding to S258). Subsequently, the rotational position of the left rotating cylinder 20a when the rotating cylinder stop button 38a is operated is detected (corresponding to S260), and the stop position is determined with reference to the extracted first stop table (FIG. 16). S302 equivalent). Then, the left cylinder 20a is stopped at the determined stop position (corresponding to S304). Thereafter, a first cylinder stop command is transmitted to the sub-control board 220 (corresponding to S305), and a second stop table is extracted according to the internal lottery result and the stop position of the left cylinder 20a (corresponding to S306). When the main cylinder rotation start process is finished in a state where the left cylinder 20a is stopped as described above and the cylinder rotation stop process shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 is performed, the second stop table has already been extracted. Therefore, the process of extracting the first stop table (S250 in FIG. 15) is omitted.

  When the left cylinder 20a is thus stopped (S428), or when the rotation cylinder stop button 38a corresponding to the left cylinder 20a is not operated (S427: no), the cylinder sensor 26b of the middle cylinder 20b is turned on. It is determined whether or not the index member 27b has been detected, and whether or not the rotation sensor 26c of the right rotation cylinder 20c has detected the index member 27c (S429). When the detection of the index members 27b and 27c of the middle cylinder 20b and the right cylinder 20c is completed, it becomes possible to grasp the symbols at the “reference position” of the middle cylinder 20b and the right cylinder 20c (S429: yes) Since the middle cylinder 20b and the right cylinder 20c can be stopped based on the stop table, the cylinder stop button 38b corresponding to the middle cylinder 20b and the cylinder stop button 38c corresponding to the right cylinder 20c are provided. It is made effective and the middle cylinder 20b and the right cylinder 20c can be stopped (S430). When the “special spinning rotation start process” is executed in this manner (S420 to S430), the spinning cylinder rotation start process is terminated and the process returns to the game control process shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the timing at which the rotating cylinder stop button becomes effective when the “special rotating cylinder rotation start process” of the present embodiment is executed. As is apparent from a comparison between FIG. 25 and FIG. 27, in the gaming machine 1 of the present embodiment, the “longest required time” of the other spinning cylinder (the middle spinning cylinder 20b or the right spinning cylinder 20c) is that of the left spinning cylinder 20a. If it is longer than the “index detection time”, even if the symbol at the “reference position” of the middle cylinder 20b and the right cylinder 20c cannot be grasped, the symbol at the “reference position” of the left cylinder 20a. Is enabled, only the rotating cylinder stop button 38a corresponding to the left rotating cylinder 20a is enabled. That is, even if the symbols at the “reference position” of the middle cylinder 20b and the right cylinder 20c are not graspable, the symbol at the “reference position” can be grasped at the left cylinder 20a. At the timing of “turning once” when “” reaches the “reference position”, the spinning cylinder stop button 38a corresponding to the left circular cylinder 20a is enabled. As a result, it is possible to cause the player to perform the “one-round push” stably, and to prevent the player from deteriorating the game entertainment by advancing the game without causing discomfort to the player. It becomes.

D. Modified example:
Next, a modified example of the present invention will be described. In the present modification, the rotating cylinder rotation start process (FIG. 22) is different from the above-described embodiment.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the rotation rotation start process of this modification. When the spinning rotation start process of this modification is started, the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 first determines whether or not the game time has elapsed (S500). If the time between games has not elapsed (S500: no), the process directly returns to the game control process shown in FIGS.

  On the other hand, if the game time has elapsed (S500: yes), it is determined whether or not the “longest required time” is longer than the “index detection required time” in the left cylinder 20a (S502). Also in the rotation rotation start process of this modification, if the “longest required time” is not longer than the “index detection required time” of the left rotation cylinder 20a (S502: no), the “normal rotation rotation start process” is executed. If the “longest required time” is longer than the “index detection required time” of the left cylinder 20a (S502: yes), a “special rotary rotation start process” is executed.

  When the “longest required time” is not longer than the “index detection required time” of the left cylinder 20a, that is, when the “normal cylinder rotation start process” is executed (S502: no), all the cylinders 20a, The rotations 20b and 20c are started simultaneously (S504). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the rotational speed of the left cylinder 20a has reached a constant speed (S506). If the rotational speed of the left cylinder 20a has reached a constant speed (S506: yes), the counterclockwise rotation It is determined whether or not the symbol at the “reference position” of the trunk 20a can be grasped (S508). When the symbol at the “reference position” of the left turning cylinder 20a can be grasped (S508: yes), all the turning cylinder stop buttons 38a, 38b, and 38c are activated and the rotating cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c are stopped. Enable (S510). As described above, when the “longest required time” is not longer than the “index detection required time” of the left cylinder 20a, it is already at the timing when the index member 27a of the left cylinder 20a is detected by the rotary sensor 26a. The index members 27b and 27c of the rotating cylinder 20b and the right rotating cylinder 20c are detected by the rotating sensors 26b and 26c. Accordingly, it is determined only whether or not the index member 27a of the left cylinder 20a is detected by the cylinder sensor 26a, and all the cylinder stop buttons 38a, 38b, and 38c are validated at this timing. In this way, the rotation stop button 38a corresponding to the left rotation cylinder 20a is activated at a timing at which the symbol at the “reference position” of the left rotation cylinder 20a can be grasped. At the timing of “pressing once”, the rotating cylinder stop button 38a corresponding to the left rotating cylinder 20a is enabled. As a result, it is possible to perform “pressing once”.

  On the other hand, when the “longest required time” is longer than the “index detection required time” of the left cylinder 20a (S502: yes), when the rotation of all the cylinders is started simultaneously, the index member 27a of the left cylinder 20a is rotated. At the timing detected by the sensor 26a, at least one index member of the middle cylinder 20b and the right cylinder 20c is not detected by the cylinder sensor (see FIG. 25). That is, also in this case, all the rotation stop buttons 38a are executed at the timing when the above-described “normal rotation rotation start processing” is executed and the index member 27a of the left rotation cylinder 20a is detected by the rotation sensor 26a. , 38b, 38c, it becomes impossible to stop at least one of the middle cylinder 20b and the right cylinder 20c at a position based on the stop table. Therefore, when the “longest required time” is longer than the “index detection required time” of the left cylinder 20a (S502: yes), the “special rotating rotation start process” is executed.

  In this process, first, a difference (difference time) between the “longest required time” grasped in the process of S502 and the “index detection required time” of the left cylinder 20a is calculated (S520). Subsequently, the rotation of the middle cylinder 20b and the right cylinder 20c is started (S522), and the measurement of the difference time calculated in the process of S520 is started (S524). When the difference time has elapsed after the rotation of the middle cylinder 20b and the right cylinder 20c is started (S526: yes), the rotation of the left cylinder 20a is started (S528). Thereafter, as in the processing of S506 to 510 of the embodiment (normal rotation start processing), all the rotation cylinders reach a constant speed (S506: yes), and the index member 27a of the left rotation cylinder 20a rotates. If detected by the cylinder sensor 26a (S508: yes), all of the rotating cylinder stop buttons 38a, 38b, and 38c are made effective so that the rotating cylinders 20a, 20b, and 20c can be stopped (S510).

  FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing the timing at which the spinning cylinder stop button becomes effective when the “special spinning cylinder rotation start process” of the present modification is executed. As is clear from comparison between FIG. 25 and FIG. 29, when the “longest required time” is longer than the “index detection required time” of the left turn cylinder 20a, the left turn cylinder 20a is replaced with the middle turn cylinder 20b and the right turn cylinder. From 20c, the rotation is delayed by the difference time. In this way, at the timing at which the symbol at the “reference position” of the left cylinder 20a can be grasped, the symbols at the “reference position” of the middle cylinder 20b and the right cylinder 20c can be grasped. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the timing at which the symbol at the “reference position” can be grasped only for the left spinning cylinder 20a, and at this timing, all the spinning cylinder stop buttons 38a, 38b, and 38c are made valid. In this way, the rotation stop button 38a corresponding to the left rotation cylinder 20a is activated at a timing at which the symbol at the “reference position” of the left rotation cylinder 20a can be grasped. At the timing of “pressing once”, the rotating cylinder stop button 38a corresponding to the left rotating cylinder 20a is enabled. As a result, it is possible to cause the player to perform the “one-round push” stably, and to prevent the player from deteriorating the game entertainment by advancing the game without causing discomfort to the player. It becomes.

  Further, in order to validate all the turning cylinder stop buttons 38a, 38b, and 38c, it is only necessary to determine whether or not the symbol at the “reference position” can be grasped only for the left rotating cylinder 20a among all the rotating cylinders. . Therefore, it is possible to reduce the processing load on the CPU 201 of the main control board 200 when all the spinning cylinder stop buttons 38a, 38b, and 38c are validated.

  As mentioned above, although the Example and the modification were demonstrated about this invention, this invention is not limited to this, Unless it deviates from the range described in each claim, it is not limited to the description word of each claim, Improvements based on the knowledge that a person skilled in the art normally has can also be added as appropriate to the extent that those skilled in the art can easily replace them.

  For example, in the above-described modification, when the “longest required time” of the other rotating cylinder is longer than the “index detection required time” of the left rotating cylinder 20a, the “longest required time” of the other rotating cylinder and the left rotating cylinder Although the rotation of the left cylinder 20a is delayed by the time difference from the “index detection time” of 20a, the rotation of the left cylinder 20a is delayed from the start of rotation of the other cylinder, the cylinder rotates by several frames from the difference time. A configuration may also be adopted in which the rotation of the left rotating cylinder 20a is started after being delayed from the start of rotation of the other rotating cylinder by a longer time. In such a case, the symbol at the “reference position” of the left turn cylinder 20a can be grasped, and the middle turn is made faster by the time of rotating several frames than the timing at which the turn stop buttons 38a, 38b, 38c are activated. The symbols at the “reference position” of the cylinder 20b and the clockwise cylinder 20c can be grasped. As a result, the middle cylinder 20b and the right cylinder 20c can be more reliably stopped at positions based on the stop table.

  In the above-described embodiment, the “reference symbol” is drawn on the left cylinder 20a. However, the “reference symbol” may be drawn on the middle cylinder 20b or the right cylinder 20c. .

  The present invention can be used for a gaming machine used in a game hall.

    DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cylinder-type game machine (game machine), 27 ... Index member (index part), 200 ... Main control board, 201 ... CPU (role lottery means, validation means, identification means, judgment means, rotation control means), 220 ... sub-control board, 221 ... CPU.

Claims (3)

In response to the operation of the rotation start member, the rotation of the plurality of cylinders on which a plurality of symbols are drawn is started, and the operation of the plurality of rotation stop members provided corresponding to each of the plurality of cylinders is received. In the gaming machine that stops and displays a predetermined symbol combination in a predetermined display window by stopping the rotation of the rotating drum corresponding to the rotation stop member,
A role lottery means for performing a role lottery to determine the winning role;
An enabling means for enabling an operation on the rotation stop member after starting the rotation of the plurality of cylinders;
An index part that is provided in each of the plurality of spinning cylinders and is detected by a predetermined detection unit during the rotation of the spinning cylinder, thereby enabling the rotational position of the spinning cylinder to be grasped;
Based on the stop position when the rotation of the specific cylinder is stopped, a first period from the start of rotation of the specific cylinder to the detection of the index part of the specific cylinder And the index of the other rotator after the other rotator starts rotating based on the stop position when the rotation of the other rotator different from the specific rotator is stopped. A specifying means for specifying the second period until the part is detected;
The validation means includes
When the end time of the first period specified by the specifying means is later than the end time of the second period, all the operations of the plurality of rotation stop members are performed with the end of the first period as a trigger. Enable,
If the end time of the first period specified by the specifying means is earlier than the end time of the second period, the end of the first period is triggered even before the end of the second period. As a gaming machine, the operation of the rotation stop member corresponding to at least the specific rotating drum is validated. In the gaming machine according to claim 1,
When the end time of the first period comes before the end time of the second period, the rotation start time of the specific rotating cylinder is delayed from the rotation start timing of the other rotating cylinder, A rotation control means for controlling rotation of the plurality of cylinders such that an end time of the period is later than an end time of the second period;
When the end time of the first period is earlier than the end time of the second period, the enabling means is configured to stop the rotation corresponding to the specific rotating cylinder when the first period ends. The game machine characterized by enabling the operation of the rotation stop member corresponding to the other rotator along with the operation of the member. In the gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2,
Determining means for determining a relationship between an end time of the first period and an end time of the second period;
A plurality of the other rotator are provided,
The rotation control means includes
When it is determined by the determining means that the end time of the second period is later than the end time of the first period, the end time of the second period corresponding to the spinning cylinder subjected to the determination is The gaming machine, wherein the next rotation of the plurality of cylinders is controlled so as to be before the end time of the first period.

Images