JP5713463B2 - Slot machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine for notifying when an abnormality is detected.

  Conventionally, slot machines are widely known as one of gaming machines. In this type of slot machine, when the player inserts a prescribed number of game media such as medals and game balls, the operation of the start switch becomes effective. At this time, when the player operates the start switch, the game is started, a combination lottery is performed, and a plurality of reels each having a plurality of symbols are rotated. When the rotation speed of the reel reaches a certain speed, the operation of the stop switch provided for each reel becomes effective, and every time the player operates the stop switch, it matches the result of the lottery as much as possible. Then, the corresponding reel is stopped, and when all the reels are stopped, one game result is determined. And if the combination of symbols stopped and displayed along the active line defined in the display window of the reel corresponds to any combination, it means that the combination has won and corresponds to that combination A privilege is given to the player, and one game is completed. On the other hand, when the winning combination is not won, one game is finished without a privilege being given. In the following, one game described above is referred to as a unit game.

  In this type of gaming machine, the operating state of various built-in devices is usually monitored, and when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, the type of abnormality that has occurred is reported to a staff member of the game hall. Further, in recent years, an image display device and a sound generation device are mounted, and an effect that enhances a sense of expectation or achievement for a unit game by an image and sound has become mainstream. In such a gaming machine, for example, the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 is powered off, erroneously received a command, or otherwise controlled while an effect relating to a game is being performed by an image display device or a sound generation device. When an abnormality such as a defect occurs, the display information displayed on the image display device at that time is stored in the RAM. Then, after the abnormality is resolved, the display is resumed based on the display information stored in the RAM, so that the display content after the restoration from the abnormality is resumed from the state before the abnormality occurs instead of from the initial state. Yes.

JP 2004-201959 A

  By the way, in the conventional gaming machine, when an abnormality is detected, there are many cases in which the occurrence of the abnormality is notified by using an image display device and a sound generator that are originally provided for performing an effect during the game. Therefore, if an anomaly occurs while performing an image and sound effect, the currently occurring effect is temporarily interrupted, and the image / sound displayed / reproduced at that time is stored, and then the anomaly occurs. Control for generating an image and sound for informing the user is performed. When the abnormality is resolved, the abnormality notification image or sound that has been displayed / reproduced until then is stopped, and the stored image / sound as in the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 is stopped. It was displayed / played again. For this reason, in the conventional gaming machine, the switching control related to the effect being executed and the notification of the abnormality that has occurred is complicated.

  In addition, for example, if an abnormality occurs while playing a series of videos (so-called movies) with a relatively long time as an effect, the playback of the movie will be resumed when the abnormality is resolved, In that case, the display started again from the beginning of the video. For this reason, the player has to review the long-time video again from the beginning, which may cause the player to be bored.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and when an abnormality is detected, it is possible to easily switch from a running effect to a notification that an abnormality has occurred, and when returning to a game Another object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine capable of resuming an effect performed before the occurrence of an abnormality without repeating the same contents.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention repeatedly performs a unit game in which a game result is determined by a combination of the symbols displayed when rotation of a plurality of reels having a plurality of types of symbols is stopped. A slot machine,
An anomaly detecting means for detecting an anomaly;
Effect notification means for performing notification regarding the effect of the unit game and the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection means;
Effect signal generating means for generating an effect signal based on effect data for performing the effect by the effect notification means;
An abnormality notification signal generating means for generating an abnormality notification signal based on notification data for notification of the abnormality by the effect notification means;
When an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means, the effect notification means is caused to execute notification based on the abnormality notification signal generated by the abnormality notification signal generation means, and a predetermined effect restart condition is satisfied. And effect notification switching means for executing an effect based on the effect signal again,
The effect signal generating means includes:
The effect notification switching means continuously performs a process for generating an effect signal based on the effect data while the effect notification means executes notification based on the abnormality notification signal. Yes.

Here, the type of abnormality detected by the “abnormality detection means” and the detection method thereof are the same as those of the conventional slot machine. For example, there was a problem with the parts that make up the slot machine, the inserted medals showed movements that could not occur normally, there was a problem in paying out medals, and a role different from the winning combination was won Are detected as abnormal.
Further, the “production notification means” may be those used in conventional slot machines such as light emitting devices such as lamps and LEDs, image display devices such as LCDs and plasma displays, and sound generation devices including speakers. . In addition, as the “unit game effect”, for example, the player's expectation about shifting to a gaming state advantageous to the player (for example, a well-known bonus game, replay time, assist time, assist replay time, etc.) There are effects that enhance the player's satisfaction and achievement after the transition to an advantageous gaming state.

Also, “notification regarding abnormality” includes notification that an abnormality has occurred and notification that indicates the type of abnormality that has occurred.
Further, the “production resumption condition” is predetermined according to the type of abnormality that has occurred. One example is that the abnormality that has occurred has been resolved, and that the reset switch has been operated after the abnormality has been resolved.
Further, the “effect data” is image (still image or moving image) data for performing an effect if the “effect notifying means” is an image display device, for example, and if the sound generating device is used for performing an effect. Audio data. The “effect signal” is a signal for embodying an effect executed based on the “effect data”, and may be, for example, a video signal output to the image display device or an audio signal output to the speaker. Note that the “voice” in this specification includes not only human voices but also all kinds of sounds such as animal voices, sounds of natural phenomena, artificially created sounds, songs, and music.
The “notification data” and “abnormality notification signal” are also the same as the “effect data” and “effect signal” described above, but the contents indicate that an abnormality has occurred, It shows the type.

  According to the above-described invention, when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means, the effect notification switching means causes the effect notification means to execute notification based on the abnormality notification signal. Production of production signal based on data is continued. Then, when a predetermined effect restart condition is satisfied, the effect notification switching unit causes the effect notification unit to execute an effect based on the effect signal. In other words, while the notification about the abnormality is being performed, the presentation of what is not presented to the player is progressing, and when the presentation is resumed after the abnormality is resolved, it was performed at that time It will be presented to the player from the production.

  Therefore, the switching control related to the production / notification at the time of occurrence of the abnormality and the return from the abnormality is only the switching between the production signal and the abnormality notification signal, and control regarding the progress of the production (stopping and resuming the production) is unnecessary. , It is possible to reduce the processing load related to the switching control between the effect and the abnormality notification. In addition, when returning to the effect from the notification of the abnormality, since it resumes from the continuation of the effect that was progressing during the abnormality notification, for example, even when resuming the movie effect that displays a long-time video, It is possible to make it difficult for the player to feel bored without having to review again from the beginning.

In the present invention, the effect notification means includes an image display device,
The effect signal generating means includes:
An effect drawing data storage means for storing drawing data for displaying a moving image based on the moving image data as the effect data;
Effect rendering data update means for updating the drawing data stored in the effect rendering data storage means at a predetermined cycle based on the moving image data,
Effect image signal generating means for generating an effect image signal corresponding to the drawing data stored in the effect drawing data storage means updated by the effect drawing data update means as the effect signal; ,
The abnormality notification signal generating means is
An abnormality notification image signal generation means for generating an abnormality notification image signal corresponding to the notification image data corresponding to the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection means as the notification signal;
The effect notification switching means supplies either the effect image signal or the abnormality notification image signal to the image display device according to whether or not an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means. Features.

Here, the “effect rendering data storage unit” is, for example, a VRAM and has a storage area corresponding to each pixel of the image display device, and gradation data of the corresponding pixel is stored in each storage area. . That is, a set of gradation data for each pixel for all the pixels is one drawing data. In addition, the “effect rendering data update unit” displays the moving image on the image display device by sequentially updating the drawing data stored in the “effect rendering data storage unit” according to a predetermined frame period, for example. is there. The “effect image signal generating means” sequentially reads gradation data and the like for each pixel stored in the “effect drawing data storage means” and generates a predetermined signal (analog signal or digital signal) corresponding to the read data. This is converted and transmitted to the image display device which is the “effect notification means”.
In the above-described invention, the “process for continuously generating the effect signal based on the effect data” in the “effect signal generating means” is stored in, for example, the “effect drawing data storage means”. This corresponds to a process of sequentially updating the drawing data at a predetermined cycle by the “effect drawing data update unit”.

  According to the above-described invention, the effect drawing data update means is the effect drawing data storage means while the effect notification means performs notification based on the abnormality notification image signal generated by the abnormality notification image signal generation means. The drawing data stored in is sequentially updated. Then, when the abnormality detection means detects an abnormality, the effect notification switching means outputs the abnormality notification image signal generated by the abnormality notification image signal generation means to the image display device, and when the effect restart condition is satisfied, The effect image signal generated by the effect image signal generating means is output to the image display device. As a result, it is possible to start anomaly notification and return to the effect only by switching the image signal to be output to the image display device. When returning to the effect, for example, the video displayed at the start of the anomaly notification is reproduced from the beginning. It will never be done.

In the present invention, the effect notification means includes a sound generator,
The effect signal generating means generates effect sound signal generating means for generating an effect sound signal for causing the sound generating device to generate an effect sound based on the effect sound data which is the effect data as the effect signal. Have
The abnormality notification signal generating means generates an abnormality notification sound signal for causing the sound generator to generate an abnormality notification sound based on abnormality notification sound data corresponding to the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection means as the abnormality notification signal. Having an anomaly notification voice signal generating means for generating
The effect notification switching means switches between causing the effect signal generating means to execute the effect or to execute the notification by changing volume information included in the effect sound signal. And

Here, the “production notification switching unit” is “production audio signal” when the production notification unit causes the abnormality notification signal to be executed based on the abnormality notification signal generated by the abnormality notification signal generation unit. The volume information included is set to 0 (zero) or at least smaller than the volume information included in the “abnormality notification audio signal”. Also, in the case of “execution of the production based on the production signal again”, the volume information included in the “production audio signal” set to 0 or a value smaller than the volume information contained in the “abnormality notification audio signal” Return to the original volume.
During the performance, it is desirable to stop the generation of the “abnormality notification audio signal” by the “abnormality notification audio signal generation means”. In the above-described invention, the “process for continuously generating the effect signal based on the effect data” in the “effect signal generating means” described above is 0 or “abnormal” in the “effect sound signal generating means”. This corresponds to the process of generating the “production audio signal” including the volume information set to a value smaller than the volume information included in the “notification audio signal”.

  According to the above-described invention, the volume at which the player cannot hear or is difficult to hear while the effect notification means performs notification based on the abnormality notification sound signal generated by the abnormality notification sound signal generation means. When the production audio signal is generated and the production resumption condition is satisfied, the production audio signal is generated at the original volume of the production performed before the abnormality was detected. Thereby, for example, when the BGM is generated during the unit game, an abnormality is detected, and then when the BGM is restarted when the abnormality is resolved, the currently generated BGM production sound It is only necessary to return the volume information included in the signal to the original volume. That is, it is not necessary to perform control for stopping and resuming the BGM when the occurrence of abnormality and the effect in the normal game are restored, so that the load related to these processes can be reduced.

In the present invention, the abnormality detection means detects a plurality of types of abnormality,
The abnormality notification signal generating means is
A plurality of the abnormality notification sound signal generation means;
Voice signal synthesis means for synthesizing a plurality of abnormality notification voice signals generated in the plurality of abnormality notification voice signal generation means,
The abnormality notification audio signal synthesized by the audio signal synthesis means is supplied to the audio generator, and
In any one of the plurality of abnormality notification sound generation means, if the abnormality detection means detects a different type of abnormality, the abnormality notification sound signal is generated. The abnormality notification sound generation means is configured to cause the abnormality notification sound generation means, which is different from the abnormality notification sound generation means, to generate an abnormality notification sound signal corresponding to the different type of abnormality.

  Here, the “several abnormality notification sound signal generation means” corresponds to, for example, a plurality of channels included in a so-called sound source IC, and the “sound signal synthesis means” corresponds to a mixer built in the sound source IC. .

  According to the above-described invention, when anomalies of different types occur in duplicate, audio signals for notifying the occurrence of each anomaly are generated by the different anomaly notification audio signal generating means, and the audio signal synthesizing means After being synthesized, it is supplied to the sound generator. Thereby, since it is possible to notify the abnormality that has occurred in duplicate by voice in parallel, for example, the abnormality notification that has been performed first is ended halfway, and the notification of the abnormality that has occurred later is started. It is possible to reduce the possibility that the notification regarding the abnormality that has occurred first becomes difficult to recognize.

In the present invention, the effect data includes at least one pause information,
The effect signal generating means generates the effect signal by processing the effect data in time series, and a predetermined condition is satisfied when the pause information is recognized in the process of processing the effect data. Until the production of the production signal is stopped.

  Here, the “pause information” included in the effect data is, for example, so-called chapter information included in moving image data or audio data for performing a movie effect. In addition, as a predetermined condition for resuming the processing of the production data after temporarily stopping the processing of the production data, for example, a start switch or a stop switch that has been operated for a predetermined time from the time when the chapter information is recognized is operated. In addition, there may be a condition such that a game medium is inserted to perform the next unit game.

  According to the above-described invention, when the pause information is recognized during the processing of the effect data, the processing of the effect data is temporarily stopped until a predetermined condition is satisfied. Can be avoided when an anomaly occurs during the performance of the movie, the movie effect progresses while the notification about the abnormality is made, and the movie effect ends before the effect is resumed .

  Further, in the present invention, when the production signal is generated based on the production data corresponding to the specific production, when the specific abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit, The production of the production signal based on the production data is paused, and when the specific abnormality is resolved, the production of the production signal is resumed from the paused production data.

  According to the above-described invention, for example, when the “specific effect” is a movie effect with a long series of effect times, when a specific abnormality is detected during the movie effect, the movie effect is temporarily stopped, Announcement about abnormality is made. When the detected specific abnormality is resolved, the movie effect is resumed from the position where it was temporarily stopped. For this reason, even if the notification regarding the specific abnormality is performed, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a part of the movie effect is overlooked by the notification.

  Further, in the present invention, when the production signal is generated based on the production data corresponding to the specific production, the supply of power is stopped when the production signal is stopped. When restarted, the specific performance is re-executed from the beginning.

  According to the above-described invention, for example, when the production is interrupted because the supply of power is stopped during the above-described movie production, when the supply of power is restored, the movie production is started again from the beginning. Is executed. As a result, for example, if there is a cause of interruption that is expected to take time before re-operation is possible, such as a power failure, the suspended production will be executed from the beginning at the time of re-operation. You can enjoy it.

  As described above, according to the slot machine of the present invention, when an abnormality is detected, it is possible to easily switch from an effect being performed to a notification that an abnormality has occurred, and when returning to the game, The production performed before the occurrence of the abnormality can be resumed without repeating the same contents.

It is a front view showing the appearance of the slot machine according to the present invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the internal structure of the slot machine. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the symbol arrangement | sequence of each reel with which the slot machine is provided. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the main control circuit which controls the slot machine. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the sub control circuit which controls the slot machine. It is a functional block diagram which shows the control function of the slot machine. It is an explanatory view for explaining the contents of the payout information that determines the symbol combination and payout corresponding to the various combinations predetermined in the slot machine. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the content of the combination lottery table referred during the normal game of the slot machine. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the content of the combination lottery table referred during the normal game of the slot machine. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the content of the combination lottery table referred during the special game of the slot machine. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the probability (winning probability) by which execution of a freeze effect is determined by the freeze lottery of the slot machine. It is an explanatory view for explaining the reel stop control according to the operation sequence of the stop switch when a predetermined lottery result is obtained in the role lottery of the slot machine. FIG. 38 is a state transition diagram showing a transition of gaming state in the slot machine. In the same slot machine, it is an explanatory diagram for explaining main ones of commands transmitted from the main control circuit to the sub control circuit. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the content of the lottery table referred by various lotteries regarding the ART game of the slot machine. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the main routine which controls the progress of the game performed with the main control circuit of the slot machine. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the winning determination processing subroutine performed within the main routine. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of received command processing performed when the sub control circuit of the slot machine receives a command from the main control circuit. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of received command processing performed when the sub control circuit of the slot machine receives a command from the main control circuit. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the communication error generation process regarding the communication error of the command transmitted to the sub control circuit from the main control circuit of the slot machine. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the addition lottery process of the ART game executed during the ART game by the sub control circuit of the slot machine. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the communication error alerting | reporting process performed when the communication error of the command transmitted from the main control circuit to the sub control circuit arises in the sub control circuit of the slot machine. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the command issue process which controls especially issue of a sound command among the processes performed by the sub-control circuit of the slot machine. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the contents of processing in each part of the slot machine and commands transmitted and received between the parts. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the contents of processing in each part of the slot machine and commands transmitted and received between the parts. It is a timing chart which shows the state of the various control signals in the sound source IC mounted in the slot machine.

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

[Description of appearance structure]
An appearance of a slot machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. FIG. 1 is a front view of the slot machine 10. In FIG. 1, a front panel 20 is provided on the front surface of the casing of the slot machine 10. A display window 22 is formed substantially at the center of the front panel 20, and symbols printed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the three reels 40L, 40C, and 40R that are rotatably provided inside the slot machine 10 are displayed. Is displayed. Each of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R is provided such that the respective rotation axes are arranged on the same straight line in the horizontal direction, each having a ring shape, and 21 symbols are printed at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface thereof. A strip of reel tape is affixed. From the display window 22, when the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are stopped, among the 21 symbols printed on each reel, three symbols that are continuous along the rotation direction of each reel are visually recognized. It is possible. That is, 3 [symbol] × 3 [reel] = 9 symbols in total are stopped and displayed on the display window 22. Here, among the three consecutive symbols displayed when the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are stopped, the uppermost stop display position is the upper stage U, the middle stop display position is the middle stage M, and the lowermost figure. The stop display position is set to the lower stage L.

  The display window 22 has four winning lines that cross the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R. The four winning lines are the upper horizontal winning line L1 passing through the upper stage U of each reel, the lower stage L of the left reel 40L, the middle stage M of the middle reel 40C, and the upper stage of the right reel 40R in the display window 22. Passing through the upper right diagonal winning line L2 passing through U, the middle horizontal winning line L3 passing through the middle stage M of each reel, the upper stage U of the left reel 40L, the middle stage M of the middle reel 40C, and the lower stage L of the right reel 40R And slanting right-down diagonal winning line L4. Thus, each winning line always passes through one of the three stop display positions (upper U, middle M, and lower L) of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R.

  Each of the winning lines L1 to L4 is a reference line for determining a combination of symbols corresponding to a plurality of predetermined types (described later), and when the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are stopped, Of the four winning lines, a combination of three symbols, each of which is stopped and displayed at a stop display position through which a winning line deemed valid (hereinafter referred to as an effective line) passes, corresponds to one of the roles. When that happens, that role has won.

  In addition to the display window 22, the front panel 20 is provided with various lamps and a display for notifying the player of various information related to the unit game. Below the display window 22, bet number (betting number) display lamps 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, a credit number display 27, and an acquired number display 28 are provided in order from the left in FIG. 1. The bet number display lamps 26a, 26b, and 26c are for displaying the number of medals inserted in one game. That is, when one medal is inserted, only the bet number display lamp 26a is turned on. When two medals are inserted, the bet number display lamps 26a and 26b are turned on and three medals are inserted. The bet number display lamps 26a, 26b, and 26c are turned on. Here, when three medals are inserted into the slot machine 10, one unit game is possible, and the winning lines L1 to L4 are all valid lines. The credit number display 27 is a two-digit 7-segment display, and displays the number of medals credited (stored) in the slot machine 10 (more specifically, stored in the RAM 110 described later). . The acquired number display 28 is a two-digit 7-segment display, and displays the number of medals to be paid out to the player in the slot machine 10 according to the game result.

  A substantially horizontal operation panel unit 30 is provided below the front panel 20 described above. A medal insertion slot 32 for inserting medals into the slot machine 10 is provided on the upper right side of the operation panel 30. A medal selector (described later) provided with a medal sensor is provided inside the medal insertion slot 32. When the medal sensor detects a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 32, a medal detection signal is output. . Therefore, the number of inserted medals can be recognized by counting the number of outputs of the medal detection signal. A 1-bet switch 34 and a maximum bet switch 35 that can insert credited medals into the slot machine 10 are provided on the upper left side of the operation panel 30. The 1-bet switch 34 is a switch for inserting only one medal that is credited every time it is operated into the slot machine 10 as a game betting target. The maximum bet switch 35 is a switch for inserting, into the slot machine 10, the maximum number (specified number) of medals that are allowed to be inserted in the current unit game among the credited medals. is there.

  When three medals are inserted into the slot machine 10 from the medal insertion slot 32 or by operating the various bet switches 34 and 35, the bet number display lamps 26a, 26b and 26c are sequentially displayed every time a medal is inserted. The winning lines L1 to L4 are all set as active lines. Further, when medals are inserted by operating the various bet switches 34 and 35, the number of inserted medals is subtracted from the number of credits stored in the RAM 110, which will be described later. The value displayed in is also subtracted. When a prescribed number of medals are inserted (in this case, 3 medals) and further medals are inserted from the medal insertion slot 32, the number of inserted medals is stored in a credit stored in the RAM 110. In addition to the number, it is added to the value displayed on the credit number display 27.

  A start switch 36 is tiltably provided on the front left side of the operation panel 30. When the player inserts a prescribed number of medals into the slot machine 10 and then tilts the start switch 36, the three reels 40L, 40C, and 40R described above start to rotate all at once. As a result, the symbols printed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 40L, 40C and 40R are moved (scrolled) from the top to the bottom in the display window 22. Three stop switches 37L, 37C, and 37R are provided at the center of the front surface of the operation panel 30. Here, the left stop switch 37L corresponds to the left reel 40L, the middle stop switch 37C corresponds to the middle reel 40C, and the right stop switch 37R corresponds to the right reel 40R. The stop switches 37L, 37C, and 37R are operated by the player when the rotation speeds of the three reels 40L, 40C, and 40R reach a predetermined steady rotation speed (for example, 80 rotations / minute).

  When the player pushes the left stop switch 37L, the left reel 40L stops. When the middle stop switch 37C is pushed, the middle reel 40C stops and the right stop switch 37R is pushed. Sometimes the right reel 40R stops. At this time, each of the three reels 40L, 40C, and 40R includes the center position of any three consecutive symbols among the symbols drawn on the outer peripheral surface of each reel, and the upper stage U in the display window 22, Stop control is performed so that the center positions of the middle stage M and the lower stage L coincide with each other. Here, a position where the center of the symbol coincides with the center of the stop display position is referred to as a fixed position. In the slot machine 10, when the player operates the stop switch to stop the corresponding reel, reel stop control is performed so that each symbol always stops at a fixed position.

  A lower panel 50 on which a model name of the slot machine 10 and characters adopted as a motif are drawn is arranged below the operation panel 30. A medal payout opening 60 for paying out medals to the player is provided at a substantially lower center of the lower panel 50. That is, when the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are stopped, if the combination of the three symbols that are stopped and displayed along the active line corresponds to the small role, the medal payout installed in the slot machine 10 The device 83 (described later) is activated and the number of medals corresponding to the small combination is paid out. Then, the paid-out medals are discharged from the medal payout outlet 60 and stored in the tray 61. On the right side and the left side of the medal payout opening 60, sound transmission holes 62R and 62L are provided for allowing sounds emitted from speakers 64R and 64L (described later) housed inside the slot machine 10 to pass outside. Yes.

  A display device 70 composed of a liquid crystal display panel is provided above the front panel 20. The display device 70 is not limited to the above-described liquid crystal display panel, and any other image display device can be used as long as the player can visually recognize image information and text information during the game. The display device 70 displays a game history, an effect image displayed during a special game, an effect image for notifying a result of a role lottery, progress of a unit game (medal insertion → operation of a start switch 36 → reel Rotation → stop switch 37L, 37C, 37R operation → all reel rotation stop), etc. can be displayed. Above the display device 70, there is provided an upper effect lamp 72 that blinks in a pattern corresponding to the winning combination when the reels 40L, 40C, 40R are stopped and a certain winning combination is won.

[Description of internal structure]
Next, the internal structure of the slot machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The housing of the slot machine 10 includes a main body 11 that houses various devices, and a front door 12 that is attached to the main body 11 so as to be freely opened and closed. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the front door 12 is opened, and illustrates the back side (inside the casing) of the front door 12 and the inside of the main body 11. Although not shown, a limit switch for detecting the open / closed state of the front door 12 is attached to the main body 11.

  In this figure, a sub-control circuit 200 for controlling the effect of a unit game performed in the slot machine 10 is housed in a case above the front door 12 and on the back side of the display device 70 shown in FIG. It is attached in a state. In addition, the medal selector 80 described above is provided below the display window 22 to select the medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 32 shown in FIG. For example, when the external dimensions and material of the inserted medal do not meet a predetermined standard, the medal is guided to the return passage 81a connected to the medal payout opening 61 of FIG. On the other hand, when the external dimensions and materials of the inserted medals conform to a predetermined standard, the medals are sent to a storage portion 83a (a container for storing medals) of the medal payout device 83 described later. To the receiving passage 81b. The medal selector 80 includes the above-described medal sensor (not shown), and detects a medal guided to the receiving passage 81b. Further, based on the output signal from the medal sensor, it is possible to determine the moving direction of the medal, the time required for passing the medal, and the like, and whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the inserted medal. Speakers 64R and 64L are attached to the lower side of the front door 12 at positions corresponding to the sound transmission holes 62R and 62L shown in FIG.

  Next, inside the main body 11, a main control circuit 100 that controls a unit game is attached above the vertical wall surface on the back side in a state accommodated in a case. In addition, a power supply unit 82, a medal payout device 83, and a medal auxiliary storage 84 are arranged in order from the left side in FIG. The power supply unit 82 converts the input AC 100V into a plurality of types of DC voltages, and supplies them to various devices included in the slot machine 10. Further, on the front panel surface of the power supply unit 82, a power switch 82a that is a rocker switch for turning on / off the power of the slot machine 10 is provided on the upper left side. Further, a key switch 82b is provided on the right side of the power switch 82a so as to make it possible to change a so-called set value. This set value is used to set the winning probability of a bonus combination in the combination lottery described later. Generally, there are six possible settings from “1” to “6”, and the bonus combination increases as the value increases. The winning probability is high. The manager of the amusement hall can adjust the payout rate of the slot machine 10 by appropriately setting this set value. A push button type reset switch 82c is provided below the power switch 82a. This reset switch 82c is used to start control of the unit game again after resolving the detected abnormality when the control of the unit game is forcibly stopped due to detection of various abnormalities to be described later. It is operated by an amusement hall staff.

  The medal payout device 83 is a device that pays out medals when a small role is won as a result of a unit game or when a credited medal is returned to the player. Specifically, when a disk-shaped disk (not shown) provided inside the medal payout device 83 rotates, the medals stored in the storage portion 83a jump out one by one from the discharge port 83b, thereby The medal is discharged. That is, on the back surface of the front door 12, a payout passage 81c connected to the medal payout outlet 61 (and thus connected to the end of the return passage 81a) is provided, and medals formed in the payout passage 81c are provided. The medal that has jumped out from the discharge port 83b jumps into the hole 81d, so that the medal is paid out to the tray 61. In the medal payout device 83, a medal discharge sensor for detecting the passage of the discharged medal is provided in the vicinity of the discharge port 83b, and an output signal (medal discharge signal described later) of the medal discharge sensor is provided. The number of medals paid out is counted, and the time during which the medals are detected is determined to determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the medal payout.

  The medal auxiliary storage 84 is a box for receiving medals overflowing from the storage unit 83a due to a large amount of medals being stored in the storage unit 83a of the medal payout device 38. On the vertical wall surface on the back side of the medal auxiliary storage 84, two round holes 84a are formed near the opening K and one near the bottom surface. When the medal auxiliary storage 84 is placed at a predetermined position in the main body 11, the two rod-shaped electrodes 85 a attached to the main body 11 and the one rod-shaped electrode 85 b correspond to each other. The medal auxiliary storage 84 is inserted through the round hole 84a. Thus, in the slot machine 10, medals are accumulated in the medal auxiliary storage 84, and when the accumulated medals reach the position of the rod-shaped electrode 85a, the gap between the rod-shaped electrodes 85a and 85b is caused by the conductivity of the medal itself. By electrically conducting and detecting this, it is determined that the stored medal has reached the upper limit.

  An external concentrated terminal board 86 is installed in the main body and above the right inner surface. The external concentration terminal board 86 is a relay board for outputting a signal including information on a unit game performed in the slot machine 10 to various external devices. Here, “information relating to unit game” included in the signal output to the outside includes medal insertion information indicating the number of inserted medals, and medal payout information indicating the number of medals paid out from the medal payout device 83. There are special in-game information indicating that a so-called bonus game is being performed, in-game information indicating that a re-game is being performed, and abnormality occurrence information indicating that some abnormality has occurred. These various types of information are each output to various external devices by individual pulse signals.

  Here, as the various external devices, for example, a so-called hall computer that manages each gaming machine installed in the game hall, a game history display device installed as a game hall equipment corresponding to each gaming machine, etc. is there. The signal including the above-described abnormality occurrence information is detected when the front door 12 is detected to be opened, or when the above-described abnormality is detected by the medal sensor of the medal selector 80 (medal clogging, fraud etc.). When the above-mentioned abnormality is detected by the medal discharge sensor of the medal payout device 38 (there is no medal to be discharged, the medal is clogged, etc.), or the continuity between the rod-shaped electrodes 85a and 85b is detected (the medal is full), However, it does not output the type of abnormality that occurred.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the arrangement of symbols printed on the reel tape attached to the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 40L, 40C and 40R will be described. As described above, 21 symbols are printed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R. Each symbol is placed in each symbol area divided into 21 equal parts in the longitudinal direction of the reel tape. One design is printed. There are 10 types of symbols displayed in each symbol area, and a type code (not shown) is predetermined for each type. The types of symbols in this embodiment are the “red 7” symbol, the “blue 7” symbol, the “7” symbol representing the number 7 in red and blue, the “BAR” symbol with a bar-like lump motif, and the cherry motif. The red cherry, red cherry, blue cherry, black cherry, black cherry, watermelon motifs, and bell bell motifs. There are a “plum” design using a plum as a motif and a “character” design depicting a predetermined character.

  In addition, symbol numbers “1” to “21” are determined in advance in each symbol region of the reel tape attached to each of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R. As shown in FIG. Is associated with a symbol type code printed in the symbol area corresponding to the symbol number, and is stored in the ROM 108 described later. These pieces of information are referred to when the slot machine 10 identifies symbols displayed at each stop display position (upper U, middle M, lower L) of the display window 22. Hereinafter, the symbol number and the type code are collectively referred to as symbol identification information. When the reel tapes having the contents shown in FIG. 3 are attached to the outer peripheral surfaces of the corresponding reels 40L, 40C, and 40R, the symbols of symbol numbers “1” and “21” are continuous in the symbol array of FIG. become.

  When the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are rotated, the three symbols of each reel displayed in the display window 22 are scroll-displayed in a direction in which the values of three consecutive symbol numbers are increased. For example, when symbols of symbol numbers “1”, “2”, and “3” are displayed from the lower L to the upper U of the display window 22, the symbols that are displayed thereafter are symbol numbers “2”. ”,“ 3 ”,“ 4 ”→ design numbers“ 3 ”,“ 4 ”,“ 5 ”→ design numbers“ 4 ”,“ 5 ”,“ 6 ”→... When the symbol numbers “19”, “20”, and “21” are displayed, the symbol numbers, symbol numbers “20”, “21”, “1” → symbol numbers “21”, “1”, “ 2 ”→ symbol number“ 1 ”,“ 2 ”,“ 3 ”→... Three consecutive symbols from symbol numbers“ 1 ”to“ 21 ”circulate until the reel stops. Scrolled.

[Description of control circuit]
A control circuit that controls the slot machine 10 includes a main control circuit 100 and a sub control circuit 200. Here, a block diagram of the main control circuit 100 is shown in FIG. 4, and a block diagram of the sub control circuit 200 electrically connected thereto is shown in FIG. In these drawings, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

≪Description of main control circuit≫
A central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) 106 shown in FIG. 4 executes various control programs stored in the ROM 108 in accordance with various types of information input via the input / output bus 104, thereby enabling the slot machine. The unit game in 10 is controlled. The CPU 106 performs various control program processes. The ROM 108 stores a control program for controlling the entire flow of the slot machine and various data for executing the control program. The data stored in the ROM 108 includes, for example, symbol combinations corresponding to various types described later (see FIG. 7) and various types of lottery tables (described later) in addition to the symbol identification information described above. The control program stored in the ROM 108 includes a main routine program shown in FIG.

  A RAM 110 is also connected to the input / output bus 104, and the CPU 106 refers to various flags (for example, a winning flag corresponding to a winning combination by a combination lottery described later, a replay prize) in the course of performing the above-described control program processing. Flags, etc.) and values of variables (values such as symbol numbers displayed on the display window 22, number of medals inserted, number of credits, number of medals paid out, number of games in various gaming states, etc.) are temporarily stored. The RAM 110 also stores game state information indicating the game state of the slot machine 10. The game state information includes information indicating three game states of “normal game”, “RB game”, and “BB game”, and an RT state (“non-RT”, “RT1”, and “RT2” during normal game). ). and so on. In the slot machine 10, the combination lottery table used in the combination lottery is switched according to these game states. Each gaming state described above will be described in detail later.

  Various information input to the CPU 106 includes a 1-bet switch 34, a maximum bet switch 35, a start switch 36 and stop switches 37L, 37C, and 37R shown in FIG. 1, and a key switch 82b shown in FIG. There are signals output from the switch 82 c and the rod-shaped electrodes 85 b and 85 c, and these signals are input to the CPU 106 through the interface circuit 102 connected to the input / output bus 104. Further, the information input to the CPU 106 includes a random number (integer) generated by the random number generator 112 within a numerical range of 0 to 65535 (2 to the 16th power). This random number is transmitted via the input / output bus 104. Are input to the CPU 106.

  The CPU 106 controls various devices connected to the input / output bus 104 by executing the control program described above. First, the CPU 106 outputs a drive pulse to the motor drive circuit 114, and performs rotation control of the stepping motors 80L, 80C, and 80R. Each of the stepping motors 80L, 80C and 80R is provided on the inner peripheral side of the three reels 40L, 40C and 40R, and the rotation centers of the reels 40L, 40C and 40R are attached to the rotation shafts of the stepping motors 80L, 80C and 80R. ing. The motor drive circuit 114 is connected to the stepping motors 80L, 80C, and 80R, and rotates each stepping motor one step each time a drive pulse is output from the CPU 106. In addition, the CPU 106 transmits the value of the number of credits stored in the RAM 110 to the LED driving circuit 116, whereby the LED driving circuit 116 displays the number of credits corresponding to the received numerical value. Each of the 27 segments is lit. Further, when the CPU 106 pays out a medal to the player as a result of one unit game, the CPU 106 transmits the numerical value of the number of medals to the LED driving circuit 116, and thereby the LED driving. The circuit 116 lights each segment of the acquired number display 28 so as to display a number corresponding to the received numerical value.

  Further, the CPU 106 instructs the hopper driving circuit 118 to start paying out medals when the small role is won as a result of the unit game or when the credited medals are returned to the player. Accordingly, the hopper drive circuit 118 rotates the disk of the medal payout device 83 and causes the medal payout device 83 to discharge medals one by one. At this time, each time one medal is discharged from the medal discharge sensor of the medal payout device 83, one pulse signal (medal discharge signal) is transmitted to the CPU 106 via the interface circuit 102. When the CPU 106 recognizes the number of medals discharged by counting the received medal discharge signal and determines that the number of medals to be discharged has been discharged, the CPU 106 instructs the hopper drive circuit 118 to stop paying out medals. . As a result, the hopper drive circuit 118 stops the rotation of the disk in the medal payout device 83 and finishes discharging the medal. Further, the CPU 106 monitors the pulse width and output interval of the medal discharge signal. When the pulse width exceeds a predetermined time or the output interval of the medal discharge signal exceeds a predetermined time, an abnormality such as a clogged medal occurs. Judge that it was done.

  Also, an external concentrated terminal board 86 is connected to the input / output bus 104, and the CPU 106 outputs a signal including information on the unit game described above to various external devices via the external concentrated terminal board 86. Yes.

≪Description of sub control circuit≫
Next, the configuration of the sub control circuit 200 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5A, the sub control circuit 200 generates an image and sound based on an effect control unit 210 that controls an effect performed in the slot machine 10 and a command transmitted from the effect control unit 210. And an image / sound controller 230. First, in the effect control unit 210, the connection line 120 described above is connected to an interface unit (hereinafter referred to as an I / F unit) 220 of the effect control unit 210. Note that information exchanged between the main control circuit 100 and the effect control unit 210 is always in one direction from the main control circuit 100 to the effect control unit 210, and the effect control unit 210 sends information to the main control circuit 100. No information is sent. Various types of information transmitted from the main control circuit 100 to the effect control unit 210 are converted into predetermined signals by the I / F unit 220, supplied to the internal bus Bsm, and temporarily stored in the RAM 216. In addition to the I / F unit 220 described above, the sub-main CPU 212, the effect control ROM 214, the RAM 216, and the lamp drive circuit 218 are connected to the internal bus Bsm.

The effect control ROM 214 is a process for determining the content of the effect executed during the unit game by the sub-main CPU 212, various light emitting members (lamps and LEDs), which will be described later, according to the content of the determined effect or the type of abnormality that has occurred. An effect control program for driving and controlling the display device 70 and the speakers 64L and 64R, and initial data for executing the effect control program are stored.
In the RAM 216, various data generated / fluctuated in the process of executing the above-described various control programs, the flag on / off state, and the stop switch operated as a result of the role lottery transmitted from the main control circuit 100 , Information about the result of the unit game, the current game state, and the content of the abnormality that has occurred are also stored.

The lamp driving circuit 218 stores a plurality of types of lighting or blinking patterns of the upper effect lamp 72 (see FIG. 1) in advance, and the upper effect according to the lighting or blinking pattern specified by the command supplied from the sub-main CPU 212. The lamp 72 is driven.
The sub-main CPU 212 controls not only the lamp driving circuit 218 but also the image and sound control unit 230 described below to control the image and sound for performing the production or notifying the occurrence of the abnormality. A command to send is sent.

  The image / sound controller 230 controls images (still images and moving images) displayed on the display device 70 and sounds output from the speakers 64 </ b> L and 64 </ b> R according to commands output from the sub-main CPU 212. Specifically, when the sub-sub CPU 232 receives a command from the sub-main CPU 212 by executing an image / audio control program stored in the image / audio control ROM 234 connected to the internal bus Bss, the received command Accordingly, the image processing IC 238 and the sound source IC 244 connected to the internal bus Bss are controlled to display an image on the display device 70 and to generate sound from the speakers 64L and 64R. In addition, the sub-sub CPU 232 stores a command output from the sub-main CPU 212 and intermediate data generated during execution of the image / sound control program (input data or data that is not output data) in the RAM 236. Temporarily store.

  In response to the command output from the sub-sub CPU 232, the image processing IC 238 reads out image data of various objects to be displayed or movie data to be displayed for presentation from the image data ROM 240, and The drawing data corresponding to each pixel is converted and stored in each storage area of the VRAM 242 corresponding to each pixel. And based on the drawing data memorize | stored in each storage area, the liquid crystal cell of a corresponding pixel is driven, and the display apparatus 70 displays an image. Details of the VRAM 242 will be described later.

  The sound source IC 244 has a plurality of sound signal generation channels, reads out sound data designated by the sub-sub CPU 232 from the sound ROM 246, and generates sound based on the sound data from the speakers 64L and 64R. A signal is generated at a specified volume in a specified channel. The audio data, the channel to be used, and the volume are designated by a sound command transmitted from the sub-sub CPU 232 to the sound source IC 244 via the internal bus Bss. In addition, the sound source IC 244 includes a mixer that synthesizes audio signals generated in a plurality of channels, so that audio based on the audio signals generated in each channel can be generated simultaneously.

<Configuration of VRAM>
Next, the configuration of the VRAM 242 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5B is a block diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the VRAM 242. The VRAM 242 includes an effect image drawing memory 2420 in which effect image drawing data is written, an abnormality notification image drawing memory 2422 in which image drawing data for notifying the occurrence of an abnormality is written, and an effect image. It comprises a selector 2424 for outputting one of the drawing data written in the drawing memory 2420 and the abnormality notification image drawing memory 2422 to the display device 70. The effect image drawing memory 2420 and the abnormality notification image drawing memory 2422 are each provided with a storage area corresponding to each pixel constituting the screen of the display device 70. The selector 2424 selects either drawing data output from the effect image drawing memory 2420 or drawing data output from the abnormality notification image drawing memory 2422 and outputs the selected data to the display device 70.

  The effect image drawing memory 2420 and the abnormality notification image drawing memory 2422 each include an enable terminal, a write / read control terminal, an address terminal, a data input terminal, and a data output terminal. When the image processing IC 238 writes drawing data to each drawing memory, first, the enable signal input to the enable terminal is set to the high level, and the write / read control signal input to the write / read control terminal is set. Set to high level (write is specified). Then, the image processing IC 238 sequentially supplies address data designating a storage area to which drawing data is written to the address terminal, and supplies data to be written to the designated storage area to the data input terminal. When drawing data is written in one drawing memory, a low level enable signal is supplied to the other enable terminal to make the writing / reading impossible state.

  Next, when the drawing data stored in the drawing data is output to the display device 70, the image processing IC 238 sends a high-level enable signal and a low-level signal to the drawing memory to which the drawing data is to be output. By supplying a writing / reading control signal (designating reading) and sequentially changing the address data, the drawing data stored in each storage area is sequentially read. Needless to say, the image processing IC 238 supplies the selector 2424 with a switching signal for storing the drawing data to be output and for selecting the output of the drawing memory. Here, the selector 2424 selects the output of the abnormality notification image drawing memory 2422 when the switching signal is at a high level, and selects the output of the effect image drawing memory 2420 when the switching signal is at a low level.

  The image processing IC 238 normally performs image display control and sound generation control for executing the effects determined by the sub-main CPU 212 shown in FIG. For example, when performing the above-described movie effect, the display device 70 is updated by reading the content stored in the effect image drawing memory 2420 for each frame period based on the moving image data stored in the image data ROM 240. Can be displayed. At this time, for example, if any abnormality is detected in the main control circuit 100, the image control IC 238 reports an abnormality according to the command from the sub-sub CPU 232 output based on the command from the sub-main CPU 212. Drawing data for displaying an abnormality occurrence notification image is written in the image drawing memory 2422. The written drawing data is sequentially read and output to the display device 70.

  As described above, when an abnormality occurs, the drawing data written in the abnormality notification image drawing memory 2422 is output to the display device 70, but the image processing IC 238 also immediately before the occurrence of the abnormality. The drawing data for displaying the effect image that has been updated is continuously updated to the effect image drawing memory 2420. However, at this time, the switching signal is at a high level, and the selector 2424 outputs the drawing data read from the abnormality notification image drawing memory 2422 to the display device 70. For this reason, an image based on the drawing data updated in the effect image drawing memory 2420 during this time is not displayed on the display device 70. When the abnormality is resolved (when the reset switch 82c is operated after the abnormality is resolved depending on the abnormality that has occurred), the image processing IC 238 switches the switching signal to the low level, and the effect image drawing memory is sent from the selector 2424. Control is performed so that the drawing data written in 2420 is output.

  For example, if the drawing signal is a drawing memory in which the data output terminal is in a high impedance state when the enable signal is at a low level, while the drawing data is read from one drawing memory, the other drawing memory By always executing the control of setting the data output terminal to the high impedance state, the data output terminals of both the drawing memories can be wired or omitted and the selector 2424 can be omitted.

  In the configuration of FIG. 5B, the effect image drawing memory 2420 and the abnormality notification image drawing memory 2422 are configured as separate memories. For example, the display device is included in one memory. When a storage area for 70 screens can be provided, the storage area is divided into an effect image drawing area and an abnormality notification image drawing area, and drawing data is written or read depending on the contents of the address data. The drawing storage area may be switched. In this case, the function equivalent to the configuration shown in FIG. 5B can be exhibited by one drawing memory.

[Explanation of functional block diagram]
Next, a functional block diagram of the control circuit of the slot machine 10 is shown in FIG. In the following description, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. First, there are a main control circuit 100 and a sub-control circuit 200 as control circuits, and both are electrically connected. Here, from the main control circuit 100 to the sub control circuit 200, various information (details will be described later) related to the unit game in the slot machine 10 is transmitted via the connection line 120 shown in FIGS. Transmission of the various types of information is limited to one direction from the main control circuit 100 to the sub control circuit 200, and no information is transmitted from the sub control circuit 200 to the main control circuit 100.

  The main control circuit 100 is electrically connected to the operating means 300, the motor drive circuit 114, the hopper drive circuit 118, the medal payout device 83, the rod-shaped electrodes 85a and 85b, and the external concentrated terminal board 86. . The sub control circuit 200 is electrically connected to the effect notification means 600 including the speakers 64L and 64R, the display device 70, and the upper effect lamp 72R. The operation unit 300 includes a rotation instruction unit 310 including a start switch 36, a stop instruction unit 320 including three stop switches 37L, 37C, and 37R, and an insertion instruction unit 330 including a 1-bet switch 34 and a maximum bet switch 35. The key switch 82b and the reset switch 82c provided in the power supply unit 82 are provided. The operation means 300 is not limited to a switch, and any means can be applied as long as it generates an operation signal based on an operation using the limbs of the player. In addition, the effect notification means 600 is not limited to a sound or light notification of the player, but for example, a vibration generator such as a vibrator is provided inside the slot machine 10 to specify a specific part. You may make it perform the alerting | reporting recognized by a player's tactile sense by vibrating.

≪Description of main control circuit≫
The main control circuit 100 includes a role lottery means 410, a freeze effect lottery means 420, a reel control means 430, a prize determination means 440, a prize processing means 450, an abnormality detection means 460, an external signal output means 470, Game progress prohibiting means 480.

<Description of role lottery means>
The role lottery means 410 determines whether or not one or more of the predetermined roles are won by performing the role lottery. Hereinafter, the winning role is also referred to as a winning role. The predetermined roles described above are roughly classified into three types: small roles, replay (also called replay) roles, and bonus roles (special roles). A small combination is a combination in which a predetermined number of medals are paid out to the player when winning a prize, and a plurality of types of small combinations are determined according to corresponding symbol combinations. The re-game player is a player who can play a game again (also called re-game or replay) without inserting medals only for the next unit game when winning. The effective line in the re-game is the same as the effective line in the unit game won by the re-game player.

  The bonus combination is a combination in which a special game in which a possibility that a medal can be obtained in each game is high will be started from the next unit game until a predetermined end condition is satisfied if a winning is made during the normal game. The special games in the slot machine 10 include a big bonus game (hereinafter referred to as BB game) and a regular bonus game (hereinafter referred to as RB game) depending on the end conditions. In the BB game, when the number of medals paid out exceeds a predetermined number (here, 300), the end condition is satisfied, and the game returns to the game (the normal game) before the transition to the special game. In the RB game, when the unit game is played a predetermined number of times (for example, 12 times) or the number of times the small role is won becomes a predetermined number of times (for example, 8 times), the RB game end condition is satisfied and the normal game is returned. A winning combination that starts a BB game upon winning a prize is called a BB winning combination, and a winning combination that starts an RB game is called an RB winning combination.

  The role lottery means 410 extracts the random number generated by the random number generator 112 shown in FIG. 4 when the start switch 36 is operated by the player, and the random number and a plurality of types stored in the ROM 108. Of the lottery tables (see FIG. 8 to FIG. 10), the lottery for determining whether one or a plurality of winning combinations is successful is performed based on the winning lottery table corresponding to the current gaming state. In this combination lottery table, a value (0 to 65535) within a numerical range that can be generated by the random number generator 112 is appropriately assigned to each combination to be selected. Then, the random number value extracted from the random number generator 112 is compared with the value assigned to each combination in the combination lottery table, and the combination assigned the same value as the random number is determined as the winning combination. If it is determined and not assigned to any combination, it will be out of place.

  The types of winning combinations that can be the lottery target will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 shows the content of the payout information in which the name of each winning combination, the symbol combination that the winning combination will win, and the number of medals (payout) to be paid out to the player when winning the winning combination are associated with each other. ing. This payout information is stored in the ROM 108 of the main control circuit 100 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, each combination that can be won in the slot machine 10 is associated with a symbol combination made up of symbols drawn on the left reel 40L, the middle reel 40C, and the right reel 40R. This symbol combination means a symbol combination that is stopped and displayed along any one of the effective lines L1 to L4, and is referred to when a winning determination means 430 described later makes a winning determination. Moreover, when these symbol combinations are stopped and displayed along the active line, it means that the corresponding combination has won, and a privilege corresponding to each combination is given to the player.

  For example, when the BB combination wins, the above-mentioned BB game is started from the next unit game. In FIG. 7, two types of BB roles, BB role a and BB role b, are shown, but these roles differ only in the corresponding symbol combinations, and the contents of the BB game to be performed There is no difference. When the re-game player wins, the next unit game becomes a re-game as a privilege. When a small role wins, the number of medals corresponding to the type of the small role won as a bonus is paid out to the player. More specifically, when the small role 1 wins, one medal is paid out. When any of the small roles 2a to 2c wins, three medals are paid out, and the small role 3 wins. In this case, 6 medals are paid out.

  In FIG. 7, the symbol combination of the small role 2 a is indicated as “ANY-Bell-ANY”, but the symbol “ANY” of the left reel 40 </ b> L and the right reel 40 </ b> R may be any symbol. . Accordingly, when the “bell” symbol of the middle reel 40C stops at the upper stage U, the symbol combination “ANY-Bell-ANY” is stopped and displayed on the active line L1, so that the small role 2a receives a single prize. 3 medals will be paid out. On the other hand, when the “bell” symbol of the middle reel 40C is stopped at the middle stage M, it can be considered that the symbol combinations of the symbol combinations “ANY-Bell-ANY” are stopped on the effective lines L2, L3, and L4, respectively. Therefore, the small role 2a has won three times, and 3 medals × 3 = 9 medals will be paid out.

  Further, in this case, for the left reel 40L and the right reel 40R, the symbol combination “bell-bell-bell” is stopped and displayed on the effective line in accordance with the stop position of the “bell” symbol on the middle reel 40C. Reel stop control is performed. For example, when the small reel 2a is determined as a winning combination in the role lottery, if the left reel 40L is operated first, the reel stop control is performed so that the “bell” symbol on the left reel 40L stops at the upper stage U. I do. Thus, even if the “bell” symbol of the middle reel 40C stops at either the upper stage U or the middle stage M, the symbol combination “bell-bell-bell” is stopped and displayed on either the effective line L1 or L4. Is possible. Further, when the right reel 40R is first operated, the reel stop control is performed so that the “bell” symbol of the right reel 40R stops at the upper stage U.

  Next, the contents of the role lottery table stored in the ROM 108 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show the contents of the role lottery table referenced during the normal game, and FIG. 10 shows the contents of the role lottery table referenced during the special game (RB game or BB game). Show. 8A and 9B, (a) when the RT state is “non-RT”, (b) when the RT state is “RT1”, and (c) when the RT state is “RT2”, respectively. The contents of the referred lottery table are shown.

  The combination lottery table associates random values (0 to 65535) that can be generated by the random number generator 112 with the lottery results, and the random number extracted from the random number generator 112 indicates which of the combination lottery tables One lottery result (lottery result number) is derived depending on whether it belongs to the numerical value range. The winning combination corresponding to the derived lottery result number is the winning combination. However, if the lottery is associated with the derived lottery result number, it means that no winning combination has been won (has been lost). The number of numbers included in the numerical value range corresponding to each lottery result number is referred to as a set number. For example, the set number of the lottery result number “1” (BB role a) is 65535-65428 + 1 = 108. Also, a value obtained by dividing the number for each lottery result number by 65536 is the winning probability of the winning combination corresponding to the lottery result number.

  For example, in the case of the non-RT role lottery table shown in FIG. 8A, when the extracted random number is a value included in the range of “0” to “41736”, the lottery result number “16” is The result of the lottery is lost. If the extracted random value is a value included in the range of “65319” to “65427”, the lottery result number “2” is derived, and the result of the winning combination lottery is that the winning combination BB is b. . Further, when the extracted random value is a value included in the range of “51377” to “54652”, the lottery result number “8” is derived, and the small combination 2a, the small combination 2b, and the small combination 2c are duplicated. Will be won. When the extracted random number value is a value included in the range of “41737” to “50718”, the numerical value ranges corresponding to the lottery result numbers “10” to “15” shown in FIG. Among them, a lottery result number corresponding to the corresponding numerical range is derived, and a plurality of re-game players including re-game players a and b are won in duplicate.

  Further, in the case of the RT1 role lottery table shown in FIG. 8B, the numerical range regarding each number from the lottery result numbers “1” to “9” is exactly the same as that of the role lottery table in FIG. However, the numerical range in which any re-playing role is a winning role has been greatly expanded. That is, as shown in FIG. 9 (b), when any one of the lottery result numbers “10” to “15” is derived, a plurality of re-game players including the re-game players g and b are won in succession. When any of the lottery result numbers “16” to “21” is derived, a plurality of re-game players including the re-game players b and c are won in duplicate. Here, although not shown in FIG. 7, the symbol combination corresponding to the re-game player g is “Plum-Plum-Bell”. Since the numerical value range from the lottery result numbers “10” to “21” is 1 to 50718, the winning probability of the overall re-gamer is 50718 / 65536≈1 / 1.292. As a result, it can be said that RT1 is in an advantageous state for the player because the winning probability of the re-gamer is significantly increased.

  Also in the role lottery table for RT2 shown in FIG. 8C, the numerical range regarding each number from lottery result numbers “1” to “9” is exactly the same as the role lottery table for non-RT and RT1. . Further, as shown in FIG. 9C, when any of the lottery result numbers “10” to “15” is derived, a plurality of re-game players including the re-game players a and b are won in succession. When any of the lottery result numbers “16” to “21” is derived, a plurality of re-game players including the re-game players b and c are won in duplicate. Since the numerical value range from the lottery result numbers “10” to “21” is 5071 to 50718, the winning probability of the entire re-gamer is 45648 / 65536≈1 / 1.436. That is, the winning probability of the re-gamer in RT2 is lower than that in RT1, but can be said to be significantly higher than that in non-RT.

  Next, in the role lottery table for RB game and BB game shown in FIG. 10, only the small role is targeted for the role lottery, and the special role and the re-game character are not targeted. Also, the numerical value range that causes the loss is greatly reduced (0 to 743), and the numerical value range of the small role 2a that does not miss is set to be the widest (1402 to 64807). Therefore, it can be said that the small combination 2a is very easy to win, and it is advantageous for the player during the special game in addition to RT1.

<Explanation of freeze production lottery means>
The freeze effect lottery means 420 performs a random effect lottery (hereinafter referred to as a freeze lottery) to perform a freeze effect when a predetermined lottery result is obtained in a role lottery during a normal game (except during an ART game described later). To decide. Here, the freeze effect means that when the bet switches 34 and 35, the start switch 36, or the stop switches 37L, 37C, and 37R are operated, medals are usually inserted according to those operations. This is an effect in which the reels rotate or the reels are to be stopped, and the control is not performed.

  The freeze effect lottery means 420 performs the freeze lottery when the small role 1 is won or lost in the role lottery, and the win probability of the freeze effect for each lottery result (the freeze effect is determined to be performed). Probability) is different. In addition, there are a high probability state in which the winning probability of the freeze effect is high and a low probability state in which the probability of winning the freeze effect is low. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, in the low probability state, the winning probability of the freeze effect when the small role 1 is determined as the winning combination in the role lottery is 1/200, but in the high probability state 1 / 10. Further, in the low probability state, the winning probability of the freeze effect when lost in the role lottery is 1/1000, but is 1/30 in the high probability state.

  The freeze effect lottery means 420 performs the transition between the low probability state and the high probability state described above according to the symbol combination displayed when all reels are stopped. Specifically, a specific display that is stopped and displayed when the player is unable to win the small role 1 even though the small role 1 is won in the role lottery (when the small role 1 is missed). When the symbol combination (bell-plum-watermelon) is stopped and displayed along any winning line, the probability state is shifted. That is, when the specific symbol combination is stopped and displayed in the low probability state, the state is shifted to the high probability state, and when the specific symbol combination is stopped and displayed in the high probability state, the state is shifted to the low probability state.

  The condition for shifting from the low probability state to the high probability state or in the opposite direction is not limited to the case where a specific symbol combination is stopped and displayed. Alternatively, a transfer lottery based on random numbers may be performed and won. In addition, the opportunity to perform the transfer lottery may be appropriately determined every time a unit game is performed, such as when a specific lottery result is obtained in the role lottery, or when a predetermined symbol combination is stopped and displayed.

<Description of reel control means>
The reel control means 430 performs control related to the rotational drive of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R. That is, when the reel rotation start signal transmitted from the start switch 36 is received, the stepping motors 42L, 42C, and 42R are driven via the motor drive circuit 114. Thus, after the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are rotated, when a reel stop signal is transmitted from the stop switches 37L, 37C, and 37R, the reels corresponding to the transmitted stop switch are controlled to stop.

  When a reel stop signal is transmitted from the stop switches 37L, 37C, 37R, the reel control means 430 stops the rotation of the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch within 190 milliseconds. That is, assuming that the steady rotation speed is 80 revolutions / minute and the number of symbols per reel is 21, from the rotation position of the reel when the stop switch is operated to the maximum 5 symbols rotation In addition, the symbols constituting the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination (see FIG. 7) can reach the stop display position (hereinafter referred to as the position of the effective line) through which the effective line passes. When the winning symbol reaches the position of the effective line, the reel is stopped.

  Here, the rotation position of the reel is a position from the reference position when the position in the rotation direction of the reel, for example, the position when the symbol of the symbol number “21” is at the fixed position of the middle stage M is used as the reference position. Say. In addition, when another reel is already stopped and the winning symbol of that reel is stopped at any valid line position, the winning symbol on the reel to be stopped is the same effective line position. The reel is stopped after moving (turning) within the above-described range so as to stop. For example, when the winning symbol on the left reel 40L is stopped at the upper stage U and the stop control of the right reel 40R is performed, the winning symbol on the right reel 40R is set to the upper stage U (position of the effective line L1) or the lower stage L. Of the (position of the effective line L4), it is stopped to either one that can be stopped.

  On the other hand, if the winning symbol does not reach the position of the effective line even if the corresponding reel is rotated by five symbols, the reels are stopped so that a combination that is not a winning combination does not win. In this case, even if any combination is won in the combination lottery, since the combination of symbols corresponding to the combination is not stopped and displayed along the active line, the combination is not won. Hereinafter, such a game result is referred to as “missing”. In addition, the symbol combination that is stopped and displayed when the winning combination is missed is called “spilled eye” (the outcome that is stopped and displayed when missed). Therefore, the above-mentioned “bell-plum-watermelon” is a small part 1 spilled eye.

  Here, when the symbol arrangement of each reel shown in FIG. 3 is considered on the premise of the above-described reel stop control, the “bell” symbol and the “plum” symbol in all reels indicate what kind of stop switch from the arrangement interval. Even if it operates with timing, it can be stopped in any of the upper stage U, the middle stage M, and the lower stage L. The same applies to the “watermelon” symbol for the right reel 40R. Therefore, according to the payout information shown in FIG. 7, the small combination 2a (design combination: ANY-Bell-ANY), the re-playing combination a (design combination: plum-plum-plum), the re-playing combination b (design combination) : Plum-Plum-Watermelon), Re-playing role c (Pattern combination: Plum-Plum-Bell) and Re-playing role g (Pattern combination: Plum-Bell-Plum) There is no loss by control. On the other hand, for combinations other than the combinations described above, even if the reel stop control described above is performed, depending on the operation timing of the stop switch, the combinations include symbols that cannot be stopped at the position of the effective line. It has become. In other words, there is a possibility of missing.

  In addition, when the result of the lottery is lost, the reel control unit 420 determines that the symbol combination corresponding to any combination is along the active line, no matter what timing the stop switches 37L, 37C, 37R are operated. The reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are stopped so as not to be stopped. When the reel control means 420 performs such reel stop control, when a winning combination is won in the winning lottery, the winning combination wins within a predetermined allowable range, or it cannot be done. Has stopped each reel so that a role other than the winning role will not win. Furthermore, when the result of the role lottery is lost, each reel is stopped so that no winning combination is won.

  The winning lottery results are erased when one unit game is completed, but the special winning combination is maintained until the winning special winning combination is won. That is, when a winning combination is determined as a winning combination, the winning flag state corresponding to the winning combination stored in the RAM 110 in FIG. 3 is turned on (“1”), and each winning combination is supported. The state of the winning flag to be performed is basically turned off when the unit game ends. However, once the winning flags of the BB combination a, the BB combination b, and the RB combination are turned on, they remain on until the winning combination is won (hereinafter, this state is referred to as “bonus flag carry over”). Also called "medium"). In other words, while the winning state (the ON state of the winning flag) is maintained, the reel control unit 420 stops each reel so that the special combination won within a predetermined allowable range is won.

  When a bonus combination or a re-playing combination is won in the bonus flag carry-over, the winning combination or the special combination being carried over can be awarded. In this case, the reel control means 420 performs reel stop control for preferentially stopping the winning symbol of the selected small role or replaying character at the position of the effective line rather than the winning symbol of the special role. In addition, when a small role or re-playing role is won in the role lottery while the bonus flag is being carried over, the reel stop control is performed so that the special feature being carried over is preferentially won, contrary to the reel stop control described above. You may decide to do it.

  In addition to the above, there may be a case where a plurality of winning combinations are duplicated and won by one winning lottery. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C, when any of the lottery result numbers “6” to “8” is derived in the role lottery during the normal game, a plurality of small roles 2 are won. It is made a role. Further, when any of the lottery result numbers “10” to “15” is derived in the non-RT (see FIG. 8A), any of the lottery result numbers “10” to “21” in RT1 or RT2. When KA is derived (see FIGS. 8B and 8C), a plurality of re-game players are won. In such a case, the reel control means 430 switches the content of the reel stop control according to the operation order of the stop switches 37L, 37C, and 37R.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 12, when the lottery result number “5” is derived in the role lottery during the normal game, the winning combination is only the small role 2a, and the stop switches 37L, 37C, and 37R are arranged in any order. The reel stop control is performed so that the “bell” symbol of the middle reel stops at the middle stage M even if operated at. As a result, the small role 2a wins a triple and becomes nine payouts. On the other hand, when one of the lottery result numbers “6” to “8” is derived, a plurality of small roles 2 including the small portion 2a are won, and the stop switches 37L, 37C, and 37R are derived. When an operation pattern pre-assigned to the lottery result number assigned is performed, the “bell” symbol on the middle reel 40C is stopped at the middle stage M, and the small role 2a is triple-winned. On the other hand, when the operation pattern other than the operation pattern assigned to the derived lottery result number is operated, the “bell” symbol on the middle reel 40C is stopped at the upper stage U, and the small role 2a is awarded a single prize. Yes.

  Here, the operation patterns described above are patterns in which the left stop switch 37L is operated first among the six operation sequences (left → middle → right and left → right → middle), and the middle stop switch 37C is operated first. Three patterns are prepared: a pattern (middle → left → right and middle → right → left) and a pattern in which the right stop switch 37R is first operated (right → left → middle and right → middle → left).

  Note that the number of lottery results 2 for which a plurality of small roles 2 including the small role 2a are won is increased to five, and for one of the lottery result numbers, two operation orders for operating the middle stop switch 37C first are performed. (Middle → Left → Right and Middle → Right → Left) are assigned, and the remaining four lottery result numbers are left → middle → right, left → right → middle, right → left → middle and right → middle → The left four operation orders may be assigned one by one (so-called five-choice push order ART). When any of these five lottery result numbers is derived, when the stop switch is operated in the operation sequence assigned to the derived lottery result number, the small role 2 is awarded three times, When the stop switch is operated in a sequence other than the above, the small combination 2 is awarded a single prize (so-called 5-choice push order ART).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9A, when any of the lottery result numbers “10” to “15” is derived during the non-RT, a plurality of re-game players including re-game players a and b are obtained. Will be elected. In this case, the reel control means 430 performs stop control of each reel so that one of the re-game players a or b wins according to the operation order of the stop switches 37L, 37C, and 37R. That is, each of the lottery result numbers “10” to “15” is associated with a unique operation order (advantageous operation order), and the reel control unit 430 derives stop switches 37L, 37C, and 37R. When the player is operated in the advantageous operation order corresponding to the lottery result number, the re-gamer a wins a prize. When the player is operated in an operation order other than the advantageous operation order (non-advantageous operation order), the re-gamer b wins. Stop each reel so that.

  Next, when any of the lottery result numbers “10” to “15” is derived during RT1, as shown in FIG. 9 (b), a plurality of re-games including re-games g and b. Will be elected. In this case, the reel control means 430 wins the re-game player g when the stop switches 37L, 37C, and 37R are operated in the advantageous operation order, and receives the re-game player b as the win when the stop switch 37L, 37C, 37R is operated in the non-advantageous operation sequence. In this way, stop control of each reel is performed. Further, when any of the lottery result numbers “16” to “21” is derived, a plurality of re-game players including the re-game players b and c become the winning combinations. In this case, the reel control means 430 wins the re-game player b when the stop switches 37L, 37C, and 37R are operated in the advantageous operation sequence, and receives the re-game player c when the non-advantage operation sequence is operated. In this way, stop control of each reel is performed.

  Furthermore, when any of the lottery result numbers “10” to “15” is derived during RT2, as shown in FIG. 9C, a plurality of re-game players including re-game players a and b are displayed. Become a winning role. In this case, the reel control means 430 wins the re-gamer a when the stop switches 37L, 37C, and 37R are operated in the advantageous operation order, and receives the re-gamer b when the non-advantageous operation is operated. In this way, stop control of each reel is performed. Further, when any of the lottery result numbers “16” to “21” is derived, a plurality of re-game players including the re-game players b and c become the winning combinations. In this case, the reel control means 430 wins the re-game player b when the stop switches 37L, 37C, and 37R are operated in the advantageous operation sequence, and receives the re-game player c when the non-advantage operation sequence is operated. In this way, stop control of each reel is performed.

  As described above, since the re-playing roles a, b, c, and g do not occur, when the lottery result numbers “10” to “15” are derived in the role lottery during the non-RT, RT1 and RT2 Sometimes, when the lottery result numbers “10” to “21” are derived in the role lottery, one of the re-game players always wins (see FIG. 9). Here, comparing the combination lottery tables in various RT states shown in FIG. 8, the probability that any re-playing combination wins in non-RT is about 1 / 7.296, whereas in RT1, it is about It is 1 / 1.292 and about 1 / 1.436 at RT2. Therefore, since RT1 and RT2 have a higher probability of winning a re-gamer than the non-RT (same as the probability of winning a re-gamer in the role lottery), it is possible to draw a lottery with less medals. It will be said that it is in a gaming state advantageous to the player because many opportunities to perform are obtained.

  In the example of the reel stop control according to the operation sequence of the stop switch shown in FIG. 8, when a plurality of re-playing roles are won in duplicate, all winning flags corresponding to the respective re-playing roles are turned on. However, instead, one corresponding winning flag prepared in advance may be turned on. For example, when the lottery result number “10” (numerical range: 48535 to 50718) shown in FIG. 9A is derived, the three winning flags respectively corresponding to the re-game players a, b, and d are turned on. Instead of this, one winning flag (also referred to as a duplicate winning flag) that means that the re-game players a, b, and d are won in duplicate may be prepared in advance and turned on. . In addition, when the duplicate winning flag is turned on, the re-game player a wins when the stop switch is operated in the advantageous operation sequence, and the re-game player b wins when the stop switch is operated in the non-advantage operation sequence. Such reel stop control is performed.

  In addition, a plurality of symbol combinations and an operation order that determines which of the plurality of symbol combinations is to be stopped and displayed may be associated with one re-gamer. For example, in FIG. 9A, a lottery result number “10” (numerical range: 48535 to 50718) is associated with one re-game player A re-game player A, and re-game player A is elected. “Plum-Plum-Watermelon”, “Plum-Plum-Plum”, and “Black Cherry-Blue 7-Character” are associated with each other as symbol combinations that can be stopped and displayed. When the lottery result number “10” is derived and the stop switches 37L, 37C, 37R are operated in the order of left → middle → right, the symbol combination “plum-plum-watermelon” is valid. When the stop display is performed along the line and the operation is performed in the other order, the reel stop control is performed to stop and display the symbol combination of “plum-plum-plum” along the effective line.

  As described above, with respect to other lottery result numbers as well, a plurality of symbol combinations and symbol combinations that are stopped and displayed according to the operation order are determined for one re-playing gamer. Reel stop control similar to that shown in b) can be performed.

<Explanation of winning determination means>
The winning determination unit 440 includes a gaming state control unit 442. When all of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are stopped, the winning determination unit 440 determines whether or not a winning combination has been won, and the gaming state control unit 442 includes The game state transition control described above is performed according to the result of the winning determination. The winning determination means 440 stores a type code corresponding to the symbol number of each reel shown in FIG. 3, and recognizes each symbol combination that is stopped and displayed along each of the effective lines L1 to L4. Then, with reference to the payout information shown in FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not some combination has won. In addition, after the judgment, the lottery result (excluding the selected special role) is cleared, and when the winning special role is won, the winning state of the special role is cleared (non-winning state). To do).

  The game state control means 442 controls the transition of the game state (“normal game”, “RB game”, “BB game”) according to the winning of the special role and the establishment of the special game end condition. In other words, when the RB combination wins in the “normal game” state, the state shifts to the “RB game” state, and when the BB combination a or BB combination b wins, the state shifts to the “BB game” state. In the “RB game” state, when the unit game is played 12 times or the small role is won 8 times, the state is shifted to the “normal game” state. Further, when 300 medals are paid out in the “BB game” state, the state is shifted to the “normal game” state.

  Further, the game state control means 442 shifts from the current RT state to another RT state when a predetermined condition is satisfied during the normal game. Here, with reference to the state transition diagram shown in FIG. 13, conditions for transition of the RT state and transitions of the RT state will be described. In this figure, the game state in the initial state immediately after power-on is “normal game”, and the RT state is “non-RT”. When the re-gamer a wins in this state, the game state control means 442 shifts the RT state to “RT1”. That is, in the combination lottery table shown in FIG. 8A, when any of the lottery result numbers “10” to “15” is derived and the stop switches 37L, 37C, and 37R are operated in an advantageous operation order. The RT state shifts to “RT1” (see FIG. 9A).

  In addition, when the re-game player g wins in “RT1”, the RT state shifts to “RT2”. That is, in the combination lottery table shown in FIG. 8B, when any of the lottery result numbers “10” to “15” is derived and the stop switches 37L, 37C, and 37R are operated in an advantageous operation order. The RT state shifts to “RT2” (see FIG. 9B). On the other hand, when the re-game combination c wins or when the small combination 2a wins a single, the RT state shifts to “non-RT”. That is, when any of the lottery result numbers “16” to “21” is derived and the stop switches 37L, 37C, and 37R are operated in an unfavorable operation order in the role lottery table shown in FIG. (I.e., winning of re-gamer c), or one of the lottery result numbers “6” to “8” is derived, and the “bell” symbol on the middle reel 40C is stopped in the operation order in which it stops at the upper stage U. When the switches 37L, 37C, and 37R are operated (see FIG. 12), the RT state shifts to “non-RT”. When the re-game player b wins in “RT1”, the RT state is not shifted and the “RT1” state is maintained.

  Next, when the re-game player a wins in “RT2”, the RT state shifts to “RT1”. That is, in the combination lottery table shown in FIG. 8C, when any of the lottery result numbers “10” to “15” is derived and the stop switches 37L, 37C, and 37R are operated in an advantageous operation order. The RT state shifts to “RT1” (see FIG. 9C). On the other hand, when the re-game combination c wins or when the small combination 2a wins a single, the RT state shifts to “non-RT”. That is, when any of the lottery result numbers “16” to “21” is derived and the stop switches 37L, 37C, and 37R are operated in an unfavorable operation order in the role lottery table shown in FIG. (I.e., winning of re-gamer c), or one of the lottery result numbers “6” to “8” is derived, and the “bell” symbol on the middle reel 40C is stopped in the operation order in which it stops at the upper stage U. When the switches 37L, 37C, and 37R are operated (see FIG. 12), the RT state shifts to “non-RT”. When the re-game player b wins in “RT2”, the RT state is not shifted and the “RT2” state is maintained.

<Explanation of winning process means>
When the winning determination unit 440 determines that any of the small roles has won, the winning processing unit 450 drives a medal payout device 83 (see FIG. 2) provided in the slot machine 10 to win a prize. Control for paying out the number of medals corresponding to the small combination (see FIG. 7) is performed. That is, when the small combination wins, the medal payout device 83 starts to be driven, the number of medal discharge signals output from the medal discharge sensor of the medal payout device 83 is counted, and is determined in the payout information shown in FIG. When the number of medals is discharged, the driving of the medal payout device 83 is stopped.

<Description of abnormality detection means>
The abnormality detection means 460 determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the slot machine 10, and when determining that an abnormality has occurred, the abnormality detection means 460 displays an error code corresponding to the abnormality in the acquired number display 28 shown in FIG. In addition, information indicating an abnormality that has occurred is transmitted to the sub-control circuit 200. Further, when the abnormality that has occurred is resolved by an attendant at the game hall, abnormality cancellation information indicating that fact is transmitted to the sub-control circuit 200.

  Here, the types of abnormalities detected by the abnormality detecting means 460 include equipment failures, fraudulent acts, and those requiring confirmation by an attendant at the game hall. Specifically, normal reading and writing to the RAM 110 cannot be performed, medals flowing down the medal selector 80 have moved in the opposite direction, the result of the winning lottery and the type of winning winning combination are different. The front door is full of medals, the medals discharged from the medal payout device 83 are clogged in the middle, there are no medals stored in the medal payout device 83, and the medal in the medal auxiliary storage 84 has reached the upper limit. Items such as 12 open are detected as abnormal. In addition to these listed items, items that were conventionally regarded as abnormal may be detected.

<Description of external signal output means>
When an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means 460, the external signal output means 470 indicates that a signal including the above-described abnormality occurrence information, that is, an abnormality has occurred, until the abnormality is resolved by a game attendant or the like. Is output to an external game history display device or hall computer via the external concentration terminal board 86. In addition to the abnormality occurrence signal, the external signal output means 470 is a medal insertion signal that is turned on every time a medal is inserted, a medal payout signal that is turned on every time a medal is paid, and a BB game is started. BB game signals that are turned on until the end of the game, RB game signals that are turned on from the start of the RB game to the end, and regame signals that are turned on until the end of the regame Also output other information about.

  The type of signal output to the outside by the external signal output means 470 is not limited to that described above, and a signal including various types of information output from the conventional slot machine via the external concentrated terminal board is output. You may do it. As such a signal, for example, there is a signal (ART execution signal) indicating that an ART game to be described later is started. Further, instead of or in addition to the abnormality occurrence signal, information (for example, error code) indicating the type of abnormality that has occurred may be output. For example, when transmitting an error code, the error code may be transmitted as serial data or may be transmitted as parallel data.

<Explanation of game progression prohibition means>
The game progress prohibiting means 480 prohibits the progress of the unit game according to the abnormality detected by the abnormality detecting means 460. For example, the unit game is prevented from proceeding by invalidating the bet switches 34 and 35, the start switch 36, and the stop switches 37L, 37C, and 37R that return the inserted medals to the tray 61 without receiving them.

≪Description of sub control circuit≫
The sub-control circuit 200 mainly includes an effect control means 510, an effect signal generation means 520, a notification data storage 530, a communication error detection means 535, an effect notification switching means 550, and a special game execution means 560. ing.

<Description of production control means>
The effect control means 510 includes an effect data storage means 512 and an effect lottery means 514. The effect notification means 600 controls the effects executed during the unit game. The effect data storage means 512 stores image (moving image or still image) data, sound, musical sound and sound effect data, and blink pattern data of the upper effect lamp 72 for executing various effects as effect data. The effect lottery means 514 determines the content of the effect to be executed by lottery according to the result of the role lottery transmitted from the main control circuit 100 and the game state. Thereby, various signals based on the image (moving image or still image) data, sound effect or musical sound data, and blinking pattern data corresponding to the content of the effect determined by the effect lottery means 514 are generated by the effect signal generating means 520 described later. The

<Description of production signal generation means>
The effect signal generation means 520 performs the effect by the effect notification means 600 based on the effect data corresponding to the effect content determined by the effect lottery means 514 among the effect data stored in the effect data storage means 512. The production signal is generated. Further, the effect signal generation means 520 generates effect image signal generation means 522 for generating an image signal for displaying an image on the display device 70 based on the image data described above, and the speaker 64L based on the sound data described above. , 64R, production sound signal generation means 524 for generating a sound signal for generating sound.

  Further, the image signal generation means 522 displays effect drawing data storage means 5220 that temporarily stores effect drawing data for each pixel constituting the screen of the display device 70, and displays a moving image as an effect image. In this case, effect drawing data update means 5222 for updating the drawing data stored in the effect drawing data storage means 5220 at a predetermined cycle (for example, according to a preset frame rate) based on the moving image data for effects. Have. The image signal generation unit 522 generates an image signal for each pixel based on the drawing data every time the rendering data for presentation is updated.

  The effect drawing data storage means 5220 corresponds to the effect image drawing memory 2420 shown in FIG. 5B, and the effect drawing data update means 5222 is the image processing IC 238 shown in FIG. It is equivalent to. Further, the effect sound signal generation means 524 described above corresponds to the sound source IC 244 shown in FIG.

<Description of Notification Data Storage Unit>
The notification data storage unit 530 provides image (video or still image) data, audio, musical sound and sound effect data for notifying that an abnormality has occurred for each type of abnormality that can be detected by the abnormality detection unit 450. Flashing pattern data of the upper effect lamp 72 is stored as notification data. The effect data storage means 512 and the notification data storage means 530 described above correspond to the image data ROM 240 and the sound ROM 246 shown in FIG.

<Description of communication error detection means>
The communication error detection means 535 determines whether or not the sub-control circuit 200 can receive various information about the unit game transmitted from the main control circuit 100 without missing in the course of one unit game. to decide. Based on this determination, it is detected that an abnormality has occurred in communication between the main control circuit 100 and the sub control circuit 200. Here, main information transmitted from the main control circuit 100 to the sub-control circuit 200 during one unit game will be described with reference to FIG. Information transmitted from the main control circuit 100 to the sub control circuit 200 is transmitted in the form of a command. One command is composed of 1-byte identification information for identifying the command and 1-byte transmission information indicating the content of information corresponding to the command.

  The list of commands shown in FIG. 14 shows main information transmitted to the sub-control circuit 200 every time one unit game is performed. In addition to this, for example, an abnormality detection unit 460 generates an abnormality. Is detected, the content of the abnormality is transmitted to the sub-control circuit 200 by a command. In FIG. 14, the transmission information is 8-bit information of Bits 0 to 7. When any numerical value is transmitted in binary, Bit 0 is LSB (Least Significant Bit) and Bit 7 is MSB (Most Significant Bit). Become.

(Contents of main commands)
The contents of various commands shown in FIG. 14 will be described below. Note that “H” given to a two-digit value indicating the following identification information means that the two-digit value is expressed in hexadecimal.
(1) Set value command (identification information: 82H)
As described above, the current setting value (any one of 1 to 6) set by the key switch 82b shown in FIG.
(2) Game state 1 command (identification information: 83H)
During the BB game, information indicating which of the BB game a and the BB game b is performed is transmitted. If the value of Bit 0 of the transmission information is “1”, it indicates that BB game a is being played, and if the value of Bit 1 is “1”, BB game b is being played. When neither BB game is in progress, the values of both bits are “0”.

(3) Game state 2 command (identification information: 84H, 94H)
Using Bit 0 to 4 of the transmission information, the current game state is a re-game, MB game (a so-called second-type special feature continuous action device), CB game (a so-called second-type special feature), Information indicating whether the game is a BB game or an RB game is transmitted. The game state corresponds to each of Bits 0 to 4 (see FIG. 14), and the game state corresponding to the bit whose value is “1” indicates the current game state. In the slot machine 10, since no MB game or CB game is played, the value of the corresponding bit is always “0”. The gaming state 2 command is transmitted twice during one unit game. The identification information of the gaming state 2 command transmitted first is 84H, and the identification information of the gaming state 2 command transmitted second time is 94H. It has become.

(4) RT status command (identification information: 85H, 95H)
Information indicating the current RT state is transmitted by a 2-digit binary number using Bit 0 to 1 of the transmission information. That is, if the value is “00”, it indicates non-RT, if it is “01”, it indicates RT1, and if it is “10”, it indicates RT2. The RT state command is also transmitted twice between the end of one unit game and the end of the next unit game, and the identification information of the RT state command transmitted first is 85H and is transmitted the second time. The identification information of the RT state command to be executed is 95H.

(5) Freeze probability state command (identification information: 86H, 96H)
In the freeze effect lottery performed in the main control circuit 100 using the freeze lottery table shown in FIG. 11, information indicating the current freeze effect winning probability state is transmitted using Bit 0 of the transmission information. When the value of Bit 0 is “0”, the win probability of the freeze effect is in a low probability state, and when it is “1”, it is in a high or low probability state. The freeze probability state command is also transmitted twice during one unit game, the identification information of the freeze probability state command transmitted first is 86H, and the identification information of the freeze probability state command transmitted second time is 96H. ing. Bit 1 is not used in the transmission information in the freeze probability state command with the identification information of 86H, but in the transmission information in the freeze probability state command with the identification information of 96H, the freeze effect is produced when the value of Bit 1 is “0”. It indicates that the lottery has been lost, and “1” indicates that it has won the freeze effect lottery.

(6) Medal insertion command (identification information: 90H)
The number of medals inserted into the slot machine 10 is transmitted in binary numbers using Bit 0 to 1 of the transmission information. Further, when medals are inserted using the bet switches 34 and 35 shown in FIG. 1, the values of Bits 5 to 7 are “000”, and when medals are inserted from the medal insertion slot 32, Bits 5 to 7 are set. The value of “111” is “111”.
(7) Start switch acceptance command (identification information: 93H)
This command is transmitted as information indicating that the start switch 36 is operated when a prescribed number of medals are inserted into the slot machine 10 and the operation of the start switch is enabled. At the same time, the number of medals inserted at the time of operating the start switch 36 is transmitted in binary notation using Bits 0 to 1 of the transmission information.

(8) Small role / replaying role lottery result number command (identification information: 97H)
The lottery result number derived by the role lottery is transmitted in binary numbers using Bits 0 to 4 of the transmission information. However, the lottery result numbers transmitted by this command are limited to those that win the small combination or re-playing combination and those that lose. Therefore, the lottery result number that can be transmitted by this command during the special game is any one of “1” to “4” (see FIG. 10), and “4” to “ 16 ”(see FIG. 8A), and any of“ 4 ”to“ 22 ”(see FIGS. 8B and 8C) during RT1 or RT2.

(9) Special role lottery result number command (identification information: 98H)
When a lottery result number having a winning combination of BB combination a, BB combination b or RB combination is derived by combination drawing using Bit 0 to 1 of the transmission information, the lottery result number is transmitted in binary. Therefore, information is transmitted by this command only during a normal game, and the content of the transmission information is “1” when BB combination a is determined as a winning combination, and BB combination b is determined as a winning combination. It is “2” when the winning combination is determined as the winning combination and “3” when the winning combination is determined as the winning combination (see FIGS. 8A to 8C).
(10) Rotation start command (identification information: 9BH)
This command is transmitted as information indicating that all reels 40L, 40C, 40R have started to rotate. That is, transmission of this command itself means the start of rotation of all reels, and in the transmission information of this command, the values of Bits 0 to 7 are all fixed to “0”.

(11) Reel stop acceptance command (identification information: 9EH to A0H)
This command is transmitted as information indicating that the stop switch corresponding to the rotating reel is operated. That is, when the left stop switch 37L is operated while the corresponding reel is rotating, a left reel stop acceptance command (identification information: 9EH) is transmitted, and when the middle stop switch 37C is operated. A middle reel stop acceptance command (identification information: 9FH) is transmitted, and when the stop switch 37R is operated, a right reel stop acceptance command (identification information: A0H) is transmitted.
Further, when a reel stop acceptance command corresponding to each stop switch is transmitted, information on the corresponding reel rotation position and reel stop control is also transmitted by the transmission information. Specifically, symbol numbers (“1” to “21”) of symbols that are located in the middle M of the stop switch display window 22 when the stop switch is operated using Bits 0 to 4 of the transmission information. Any one (see FIG. 3) is transmitted in binary. Also, using Bits 5 to 7, after the stop switch is operated, the distance to be moved by the reel stop control (so-called number of sliding frames) is transmitted in binary before the corresponding reel stops. The numerical range of the number of sliding frames is “0” to “5”.

(12) Reel stop command (identification information: A1H)
This command is transmitted as information indicating that each time the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch stops. Therefore, this command is transmitted three times per unit game. In the transmission information of this command, the values of Bits 0 to 7 are all fixed to “0”.
(13) Operation symbol 1 command (identification information: A4H)
When all the reels are stopped, if a symbol combination corresponding to the BB combination is displayed along any of the effective lines L1 to L4, the symbol combination corresponds to the BB combination a or the BB combination b Information indicating whether or not Specifically, when it corresponds to the BB combination a, the value of Bit 0 of the transmission information is “1”, and when it corresponds to the BB combination b, the value of Bit 1 is “1”.

(14) Operation symbol 2 command (identification information: A5H)
When all reels are stopped, information indicating which combination the symbol combination displayed along any of the effective lines L1 to L4 corresponds to is transmitted using Bits 0 to 4 of the transmission information To do. That is, for each bit of Bit0 to Bit4, the re-playing role, MB role, CB role, BB role, and RB role correspond in order from Bit0, and the symbol combinations corresponding to these roles are valid lines L1 to L4. When displayed along any of them, the value of the bit corresponding to the role is “1”. In the slot machine 10, since the MB combination and the CB combination are not provided, the value of the corresponding bit is always “0”.

(15) Medal payout start command (identification information: A6H)
Using Bits 0 to 3 of the transmission information, the number of medals to be paid out when the small combination wins is transmitted in binary. In the case of the slot machine 10, “1” (when winning a small role 1), “3” (when winning a single small role 2a), “6” (when winning a small role 3) or “9” (small role 2a triple winning) Time).
(16) Unit game end command (identification information: A9H)
Information indicating that a predetermined gaming state or RT state has ended is transmitted using Bits 0 to 2 of the transmission information. Specifically, when the BB game end condition is satisfied, the value of Bit0 is “1”, and when the transition condition from RT1 or RT2 to non-RT is satisfied, the value of Bit1 is “1”, and the RB game ends. When the condition is satisfied, the value of Bit2 is “1”.

(When to send each command)
The 16 types of commands described above are basically transmitted from the main control circuit 100 to the sub-control circuit 200 in the order of the numbers in parentheses. However, each reel stop acceptance command is in the order in which the stop switch is operated. The transmission order is changed accordingly. Each command is transmitted in response to an operation performed by the player on the slot machine 10. For example, when a unit game is being played, if the third (last) stop switch is operated, more precisely, the player's finger is released from the last pressed stop switch. Thus, (13) the operation symbol 1 command and (14) the operation symbol 2 command are transmitted when the pressed state is released. When a small combination wins in the unit game, (15) a medal payout start command is continuously transmitted. Regardless of whether or not a small role has been won, a (16) unit game end command, (1) set value command, (2) game state 1 command, (3) game state 2 command, (4) RT state command And (5) Freeze probability state commands are transmitted sequentially.

  Next, when a medal inserted into the medal slot 32 is detected or when the bet switches 34 and 35 are operated, (6) a medal insertion command is transmitted. When the number of inserted medals reaches the specified number and the start switch 36 is operated, (7) start switch acceptance command, (3) gaming state 2 command, (4) RT state command, (5) freeze A probability state command, (8) a small combination / re-game combination lottery result number command, and (9) a special combination lottery result number command are sequentially transmitted.

  Here, for the (3) gaming state 2 command, (4) RT state command, and (5) freeze probability state command transmitted again after the start switch 36 is operated, the last pressed stop switch is released. The transmission information having the same content as that when it was transmitted is transmitted again. In addition, the identification information of the commands (3) to (5) transmitted when the last pressed stop switch is released is 84H, 85H, 86H in order, and again after the start switch 36 is operated. The identification information of the transmitted commands (3) to (5) is 94H, 95H, and 96H in this order.

  When (9) special combination lottery result number command is transmitted, (10) rotation start command is continuously transmitted. At this time, 4.1 seconds have elapsed since the start switch 36 was operated in the previous unit game. If the time has not elapsed, a rotation start command is transmitted when 4.1 seconds have elapsed. Each time the stop switch is activated and each stop switch is operated, a corresponding (11) reel stop acceptance command is transmitted, and every time the corresponding reel stops (12) reel stop. A command is sent.

  As a result, when the command transmitted from the main control circuit 100 to the sub control circuit 200 is completed, the last stop switch is pressed and the pressed state is released, as described above, (13) Operation symbol 1 command And (14) Commands after the operation symbol 2 command are sequentially transmitted.

(Check number)
The check number is a number given in advance to a command that is to be checked by the communication error detection unit 535 to determine whether or not it has been received from the 16 types of commands shown in FIG. In the slot machine 10, (3) a gaming state 2 command, (4) an RT state command, (5) a freeze probability state command, (8) a small role / re-game role lottery result number command, and (11) a reel stop acceptance A check number is assigned to the command. The check number is assigned so that the value increases in accordance with the order transmitted from the end of one unit game to the end of the next unit game. Here, in the present embodiment, the period of “one unit game” related to the command transmitted from the main control circuit 100 to the sub control circuit 200 is set to (16) after receiving the unit game end command, (16) Until a unit game end command is received.

  In addition, two check numbers are assigned to commands ((3) gaming state 2 command, (4) RT state command and (5) freeze probability state command) transmitted twice during one unit game. Yes. Furthermore, for the left reel stop acceptance command, the middle reel stop acceptance command, and the right reel stop acceptance command, a check number corresponding to each command is not given, and a check number is determined according to the operation sequence of the stop switch. Yes.

  The communication error detection means 535 determines whether or not each command to which a check number is assigned has been received from the main control circuit 100, and based on the number of times the command has not been received, It is determined whether an abnormality (communication error) has occurred in communication with the circuit 200.

<Description of Abnormality Notification Signal Generation Unit>
The abnormality notification signal generation means 540 produces an effect based on the notification data corresponding to the type of abnormality detected by the abnormality detection means 450 or the communication error detection means 535 among the notification data stored in the notification data storage means 530. A notification signal for notifying the abnormality detected by the notification unit 600 is generated. The abnormality notification signal generation unit 540 includes an abnormality notification image signal generation unit 542 that generates an image signal for displaying an image on the display device 70 based on the image data included in the notification data described above, and the notification described above. An abnormality notification audio signal generation unit 544 that generates an audio signal for generating audio from the speakers 64L and 64R based on the audio data included in the data is included.

The abnormality notification image signal generation unit 542 includes abnormality notification drawing data storage unit 5220 that temporarily stores drawing data for abnormality notification for each pixel constituting the screen of the display device 70. The abnormality notification image signal generation unit 542 generates an image signal for each pixel of the display device 70 based on the abnormality notification drawing data stored in the abnormality notification drawing data storage unit 5220.
The abnormality notification drawing data storage unit 5440 corresponds to the abnormality notification image drawing memory 2422 shown in FIG.

  The abnormality notification sound signal generation unit 544 generates a sound signal for generating sound from the speakers 64L and 64R based on the abnormality notification sound data stored in the notification data storage unit 530. More specifically, the abnormality notification audio signal generation unit 544 includes a first abnormal audio signal generation unit 5440 and a second abnormal audio signal generation unit 5442 that generate separate audio signals based on separate audio data. Yes. Furthermore, the audio signal mixing unit 524, the first abnormal audio signal generation unit 5440, and the second abnormal audio signal generation unit 5442 mixed with each other and output to the speakers 64L and 64R. Means 5444 are provided. As described above, since the two audio signal generating means are provided, even when a plurality of abnormalities occur at the same time, the respective abnormalities can be notified by voice in parallel.

  It should be noted that the production sound signal generation means 524, the first abnormal sound signal generation means 5440, and the second abnormal sound signal generation means 5442 described above are included in the sound source IC 244 shown in FIG. The audio signal mixing unit 5444 corresponds to a “mixer” included in the sound source IC 244.

<Description of production notification switching means>
The effect notification switching means 550 switches the image signal and audio signal output to the effect notification means 600 between those generated by the effect signal generation means 520 and those generated by the abnormality notification signal generation means 540. . When the image signal output to the effect notification unit 600 is switched from the effect image signal to the abnormality notification image signal by the effect notification switching unit 550 during the execution, the effect drawing data update unit 5222 The drawing data stored in the effect drawing data storage unit 5220 is continuously updated while the abnormality notification image signal is output to the effect notification unit 600.

In addition, when the sound signal is switched from effect to abnormality notification, the effect notification switching unit 550 does not switch the signal to be output but rather adjusts the volume of the audio signal generated by each audio signal generation unit. Switch. For example, when the sound generated from the speakers 64L and 64R is switched to a sound for notifying abnormality, the volume of the sound signal for the effect is set to “0” (zero), and the sound for the effect cannot be heard by the player or the like. Like that.
As a result, when the production signal is output, the audio signal output to the production notification unit 600 is switched from the production audio signal to the abnormality notification audio signal by the production notification switching unit 550. However, while the abnormality notification audio signal is being output to the effect notification means 600, the effect sound signal may be continuously generated.

<Description of special game execution means>
The special game execution means 560 controls a special game (hereinafter referred to as ART game). The ART game is a game in which the operation mode of the stop switches 37L, 37C, and 37R in which a result of a unit game advantageous to the player is obtained is notified.
For example, in a normal game during an ART game, when any of the lottery result numbers “6” to “8” is derived in the role lottery, the small role 2a wins a triple prize (the “bell” symbol of the middle reel 40C is The stop switch operation order (see FIG. 12) is notified. Thus, when the current RT state is “RT1” or “RT2”, if the player operates the stop switch in accordance with the notified operation sequence, not only the small role 2a wins a triple prize but also “ It is possible to avoid the single winning of the small combination 2a (see FIG. 13) that will shift to “RT”.

In addition, when any of the lottery result numbers “10” to “15” is derived in the role lottery when the current RT state is “non-RT”, the advantageous operation order in which the re-gamer a wins ( 9 (a)) is notified. Thereby, when the player operates the stop switch in accordance with the notified operation order, the process proceeds to “RT1” (see FIG. 13).
Also, when any of the lottery result numbers “10” to “15” is derived in the role lottery when the current RT state is “RT1”, the advantageous operation sequence in which the re-gamer g wins (see FIG. 9 (b)) is notified. Thereby, when the player operates the stop switch in accordance with the notified operation sequence, the process proceeds to “RT2” (see FIG. 13). Further, when any of the lottery result numbers “16” to “21” is derived in the role lottery, an advantageous operation order (see FIG. 9B) in which the re-gamer b wins is notified. As a result, the winning of the re-gamer c that shifts to “non-RT” is prevented, and the state of “RT1” is maintained.

  Further, when any of the lottery result numbers “10” to “15” is derived in the role lottery when the current RT state is “RT2”, the advantageous operation sequence in which the re-gamer a wins (see FIG. 9 (c)) is notified. Thereby, when the player operates the stop switch in accordance with the notified operation order, the process proceeds to “RT1” (see FIG. 13). Further, when any of the lottery result numbers “16” to “21” is derived in the role lottery, an advantageous operation order (see FIG. 9C) in which the re-gamer b wins is notified. As a result, the winning of the re-gamer c that shifts to “non-RT” is prevented, and the state of “RT2” is maintained.

  Here, the first operation performed on the stop switch is also referred to as a first stop operation, the second operation performed as a second stop operation, and the last operation performed as a third stop operation. In addition, as a mode for notifying the operation order of the stop switch, a known notification mode may be appropriately adopted. For example, after the start switch 36 is operated, a notification image indicating the type of stop switch (left / middle / right) corresponding to the first to third stop operations may be displayed on the display device 70, or left / middle / Each of the right stop switches is provided with a corresponding lamp, and after the start switch 36 is operated, the lamp corresponding to the stop switch to be first stopped is lit. You may make it light the lamp | ramp corresponding to the stop switch which should be operated next. Moreover, you may make it alert | report the operation order of a stop switch in parallel by several alerting | reporting aspects.

  Further, the special game execution means 560 performs random lottery (stock lottery) according to the probability of the stock lottery table shown in FIG. Here, the winning probability of the stock lottery is higher when winning the small role 3 than when winning the small role 1, and when winning in the ART game than when not playing the ART game (non-ART game) The probability is high. Furthermore, the winning probability of the stock lottery also varies depending on the result of the freeze effect lottery performed in the main control circuit 100. In the freeze lottery table shown in FIG. The winning probability of the stock lottery shown in FIG. 15A increases to 10 times the current winning probability. This high probability state continues until the winning probability of the freeze lottery becomes a low probability state. When the stock lottery is won, the special game executing means 560 adds “1” to the value of the stock number ST stored in the RAM 216. When the value of the stock number ST is 1 or more, if “RT1” is entered, one set (30 games) of ART games is started.

  Further, when the special game executing means 560 wins the small role 1 in the role lottery or loses during the ART game, the probability of the extra lottery table shown in FIG. Random lottery (additional lottery). Here, the winning probability of the extra lottery is very low during the “non-RT” (1/5000), but the winning probabilities in the “RT1” and “RT2” are ½ each. 1/5, which is extremely high. Further, when winning the small role 1, the winning probabilities increase in the order of “non-RT” (1/500), “RT2” (1/100), “RT1” (1/10). When the winning lottery is won, the special game executing means 560 adds the number of games (30 games) for one set of ART games to the number of remaining games of the ART games.

  In this embodiment, only one stock is generated at the time of winning, but the number of stocks to be generated (including “0”) is determined by lottery so that a plurality of stocks are generated at a time. Good.

[Description of control processing]
Next, various controls performed in the control circuit described above will be described in detail with reference to flowcharts.

≪Description of control processing in main control circuit≫
First, a description will be given of the control processing of the main routine executed by the CPU 106 of the main control circuit 100 with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This main routine shows a control process for a unit game in which one game is a period from when a player inserts a game medium until the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are rotated and stopped.

  When the power of the slot machine 10 is turned on, the CPU 106 performs a predetermined initialization process, checks whether each part of the main control circuit 100 is abnormal, and sets initial values of various flags and control data stored in the RAM 110. (Step S10). At this time, if the reading / writing to the RAM 110 cannot be performed normally, the CPU 106 transmits RAM abnormality information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the RAM 110 to the sub-control circuit 200, and that the RAM abnormality has occurred. Is displayed on the acquired number display 28, and an abnormality occurrence signal is output to an external game history display device or management computer via the external concentration terminal board 86.

  Next, the CPU 106 transmits a setting value command (identification information: 82H) using the setting value (any one of 1 to 6) set in the slot machine 10 as transmission information to the sub-control circuit 200 (step S12). ). If the BB game is in progress, a game state 1 command (identification information: 83H) having the type of BB game a or b as transmission information is transmitted to the sub-control circuit 200 (step S14). Next, a game state 2 command (identification information: 84H, check number: 1) is transmitted to the sub-control circuit 200 with the transmission information indicating whether the current game state is re-game, BB game, or RB game. (Step S16). Also, an RT status command (identification information: 85H, check number: 2) having the current RT status type as transmission information is transmitted to the sub-control circuit 200 (step S18). Furthermore, a freeze probability state command (identification information: 86H, check number: 3) having the type of winning probability state (low probability state or high probability state) of the freeze lottery as transmission information is transmitted to the sub-control circuit 200 (step) S20).

  Next, the CPU 106 determines whether or not the re-game winning flag stored in the RAM 110 is turned off (step S22). The re-game winning flag is a flag that is turned on when a re-game player wins in the previous game. If it is determined that the re-game winning flag is off (YES), the CPU 106 determines whether or not a medal for starting a unit game has been inserted (step S24), and determines that it is not inserted (NO). In this case, the determination process in step S24 is repeated until a medal is inserted. On the other hand, if it is determined that a medal has been inserted (YES), a process according to the inserted medal is performed, and a medal insertion command (identification information: 90H) using the number of inserted medals as transmission information is It transmits to the control circuit 200 (step S26).

  That is, when the bet switch 34 or 35 is operated by the player, the CPU 106 determines that the value of the number of credits stored in the RAM 110 is the value of the number of medals (hereinafter referred to as the inserted number) corresponding to the operated bet switch. In the case above, the value of the inserted number is subtracted from the value of the number of credits stored in the RAM 110. Then, the CPU 106 adds the value of the inserted number to the value of the bet number stored in the RAM 110, and according to the value of the bet number after the addition, the bet number display lamps 26a, 26b, 26c shown in FIG. Update the lighting status of. At the same time, a medal insertion command using the inserted number representing the value of the bet as transmission information is transmitted to the sub-control circuit 200 via the connection line 120 shown in FIGS.

  When the bet switch 34 or 35 is not operated, the CPU 106 determines whether or not a medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 32. When a medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 32 is detected by the medal sensor of the medal selector 80 installed inside the medal insertion slot 32, the value of the bet number stored in the RAM 110 is “1”. And a medal insertion command having the inserted number representing the value of the bet number as transmission information is transmitted to the sub-control circuit 200. Furthermore, although not included in the list of commands shown in FIG. 14, when an abnormality is detected with respect to the inserted medal by the medal sensor, the medal insertion abnormality information indicating that is displayed as the rod-shaped electrodes 85a and 85b. When the electrical continuity is recognized between the medals, the medal full information is transmitted to the sub-control circuit 200 by a corresponding command. Then, an error code corresponding to each abnormality is displayed on the acquired number display 28 and an abnormality occurrence signal is output to an external game history display device or management computer via the external concentration terminal board 86.

  After performing the above-described medal insertion process, the CPU 106 next determines whether or not the value of the bet number stored in the RAM 110 has reached the specified number (three) (step S28), and has not reached the specified number. If it is determined (NO), the process returns to step S24, and if it is determined that it has been reached (YES), it is determined whether or not the start switch 36 is operated by the player (step S30). In the state where the number of inserted medals has reached the prescribed number (step S28, YES), when a medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 32, the CPU 106 inserts into the value of the number of credits stored in the RAM 110. Add the number of medals awarded.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 106 determines in step S12 described above that the re-game winning flag is on (NO), the process proceeds to step S26, and the inserted number of medals inserted in the previous game is set as transmission information. A medal insertion command is transmitted to the sub-control circuit 200. In this case, since the re-game is performed, the determination result in step S28 is YES, and the process proceeds to step S30 to determine whether or not the start switch 36 is operated by the player. Thereby, in the next game in which the re-game player wins, it is possible to play the game again without newly inserting medals or consuming the credited medals. Note that the number of bets in the re-game is the number of bets placed in the previous game stored in the RAM 110.

  In step S30, the CPU 106 determines whether or not a game start signal output when the start switch 36 is operated by the player has been received. If it is determined that the game start signal has not been received and the start switch 36 has not been operated by the player (NO), the process returns to step S22 again. In this way, the process of steps S22 → S24 → S26 → S28 (steps S22 → S26 → S28 in the case of replaying) is repeated until the start switch is operated by the player.

  In step S30, when the CPU 106 receives the game start signal and determines that the start switch 36 has been operated by the player (YES), the CPU 106 determines that the final medal inserted to perform one game. A start switch reception command (identification information: 93H) is transmitted to the sub-control circuit 200 using the number of the transmissions as transmission information (step S32). Then, after the re-game winning flag is turned off, a random number is acquired from the random number generator 112 shown in FIG. 4 to perform a role lottery process (step S34). In other words, a role lottery table corresponding to the current gaming state is selected from the role lottery tables stored in the ROM 108, and based on the selected role lottery table and the random numbers for lottery acquired from the random number generator 112. To draw a role.

  Next, the CPU 106 transmits a gaming state 2 command (identification information: 94H, check number: 4) for transmitting the transmission information transmitted in step S16 to the sub-control circuit 200 (step S36). Further, an RT state command (identification information: 95H, check number: 5) for retransmitting the transmission information transmitted in step S18 and a freeze probability state command (identification for retransmitting the transmission information transmitted in step S20) Information: 96H, check number: 6) is transmitted to the sub control circuit 200, respectively (steps S38 and S40).

  Then, the CPU 106 transmits, to the sub-control circuit 200, a command using the lottery result number derived as a result of the lottery drawing as transmission information. In other words, when a lottery result number for winning a small role or re-playing role or a lottery result number for losing is derived, a small role / replaying role lottery result number command using the lottery result number as transmission information (Identification information: 97H, check number: 7) is transmitted to the sub-control circuit 200 (step S42). In addition, during a normal game, when a lottery result number having a special role as a winning combination is derived, a special role lottery result number command (identification information: 98H) having the lottery result number as transmission information is sent to the sub-control circuit 200. (Step S44). Thereby, in the sub-control circuit 200, a process such as performing a lottery for determining the content of the effect to be executed is performed based on the received information regarding the result of the lottery.

  Next, the CPU 106 determines whether 4.1 seconds have elapsed since the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R started rotating in the previous game (step S46). If it is determined that 4.1 seconds have not yet elapsed (NO), the determination process in step S46 is repeated until 4.1 seconds have elapsed. If it is determined that 4.1 seconds have elapsed (YES), the CPU 106 starts reel rotation control for rotating the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R (step S48). That is, the CPU 106 first starts outputting drive pulses to the motor drive circuit 114 (see FIG. 6), drives the stepping motors 80L, 80C, and 80R, and rotates the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R all at once. Further, in order to notify that the reels 40L, 40C, 40R have started to rotate, the CPU 106 transmits a rotation start command (identification information: 9BH, check number: 8) to the sub-control circuit 200 (step S50).

  When the reel rotation speed reaches a predetermined steady rotation speed (for example, about 80 rotations / minute), the stop switches 37L, 37C, and 37R can be operated, and the CPU 106 selects the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch. Perform stop control. That is, when it is first determined that the left stop switch 37L has been operated (YES in step S52), a left reel stop acceptance command (identification information: 9EH) is transmitted to the sub control circuit 200 (step S54). If it is determined that the middle stop switch 37C has been operated (step S52, NO and S56, YES), a middle reel stop acceptance command (identification information: 9FH) is transmitted to the sub-control circuit 200 (step S58). ). Further, when it is determined that the right stop switch 37R has been operated (step S56, NO and S60, YES), a right reel stop acceptance command (identification information: A0H) is transmitted to the sub control circuit 200 (step S62). ). As a result, the sub-control circuit 200 performs control related to effects and various notifications, such as switching the contents of the effect being executed, triggered by reception of stop operation information (reel stop acceptance command).

  In the determination processing in steps S52, S56, and S60, when a stop switch corresponding to a reel that has already stopped is operated, the result of the determination processing corresponding to that stop switch is NO. Also, in the processing of steps S54, S58, and S62, the check number of the reel stop acceptance command to be transmitted is “9” for the reel stop acceptance command corresponding to the stop switch that is operated first, and the stop that is operated next. The reel stop acceptance command corresponding to the switch is “10”, and the reel stop acceptance command corresponding to the last operated stop switch is “11”.

When the command transmission process in step S54, S58 or S62 is performed, the CPU 106 next turns on / off the respective winning flags (the lottery result number derived by the winning lottery) for the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch. Then, reel stop control is performed according to the timing when the stop switch is operated (step S64). The contents of this reel stop control are the same as the reel stop control performed by the reel control means 420 shown in FIG. In addition, when a plurality of small combinations 2 including a small combination 2a are selected as a winning combination during a normal game, or when a plurality of replaying combinations are selected as a winning combination, according to the operation sequence of stop switches The content of the reel stop control is switched (see FIGS. 9 and 12).
Also,

  The CPU 106 transmits a reel stop command (identification information: A1H) to the sub-control circuit 200 each time the reel is stopped by the reel stop control in step S64 (step S66). Then, it is determined whether or not all the reels are stopped (step S68). When it is determined that there is still a reel that is still rotating (NO), the process returns to step S52. If it is determined in step S60 that the right stop switch 37R has not been operated (NO), the process immediately proceeds to step S68.

  If the CPU 106 determines that all reels have been stopped (YES) in the determination process of step S68, the CPU 106 next determines whether or not a winning combination has been won, and a game state transition process according to the determination result. A winning determination process is performed (step S70). That is, the CPU 106 recognizes each symbol combination stopped and displayed on the active lines L1 to L4, and determines whether or not any winning combination has been won based on the payout information shown in FIG. At this time, if it is determined that a winning combination has been won, the reel stop abnormality information is transmitted to the sub-control circuit 200 if the winning combination is not winning as compared with the result of the winning lottery. Then, an error code corresponding to the reel stop abnormality is displayed on the acquired number display 28 and an abnormality occurrence signal is output to an external game history display device or management computer via the external concentrated terminal board 86.

As a result of the winning determination process, when it is determined that the RB combination or BB combination has won during the normal game, the game state is changed from “normal game” to “RB game” or “BB game”. Transition. When it is determined that the re-game player has won a prize in the “normal game”, the ON / OFF state of the re-game winning flag stored in the RAM 110 is turned on, and the winning re-game player and the current RT state are determined. In response to this, a transition is made to another RT state. Further, when the gaming state is “RB gaming” or “BB gaming”, it is determined whether or not the termination condition of the special game being executed is satisfied. If the termination condition is satisfied, the gaming state is set to “normal”. Update to “Game”. When it is determined that the small combination has won, the payout number (see FIG. 7) corresponding to the winning small combination is stored in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 110 for the next payout process. In addition, the CPU 106 clears the result of the role lottery stored in the RAM 110. However, if the BB combination or the RB combination is won, the winning state is maintained until the combination is won, and when the combination is won, the selected state is cleared. This realizes carry-over of the bonus flag.
In addition, when the symbol combination “bell-plum-watermelon” is stopped and displayed on the active line due to missing the small role 1, if the probability state in the freeze lottery is the low probability state, the high probability state Fluctuate. On the other hand, when the state is a high probability state, the state is changed to a low probability state. The detailed contents of the above-described winning determination process will be described later with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  As described above, when the winning determination and the gaming state transition control are performed, the CPU 106 transmits information indicating whether or not a winning combination has been won to the sub-control circuit 200. First, when the BB winning combination is won, the CPU 106 transmits an operation symbol 1 command (identification information: A4H) indicating which symbol combination of the BB winning a and the BB winning b is stopped and displayed along the active line. (Step S72). Next, the CPU 106 operates the operation symbol 2 command (identification information: A5H, check number :) indicating whether the symbol combination corresponding to any of the re-playing role, the BB role or the RB role is stopped and displayed along the active line. 12) is transmitted (step S74). Here, when the result of the unit game is any small role winning or losing, all the bits in the transmission information of the operation symbol 2 command are “0”.

  Next, the CPU 106 determines whether or not the small role has won as a result of the winning determination process in step S70 (step S76). When it is determined that the small role has won (YES), a predetermined storage area of the RAM 110 is determined. The payout process (step S78) for paying out the number of medals paid out to the player is performed. In this payout processing, the medal payout device 83 can be driven by the hopper drive circuit 118 to discharge the medals from the medal payout outlet 60. The number of medals to be discharged is set to the number of credits stored in the RAM 110. It is also possible to add and credit. The CPU 106 that performs the payout processing in step S78 corresponds to the winning processing means 450 shown in FIG. Next, the CPU 106 transmits a medal payout start command (identification information: A6H) indicating the number of medals to be paid out to the sub-control circuit 200 (step S80). Then, when the various game states are ended, the CPU 106 transmits a unit game end command (identification information: A9H) indicating that to the sub-control circuit 200 (step S82). As a result, the CPU 106 returns to the process of step S12 again. In this way, by repeating the control process shown in the main routine, the player can continue and repeat the unit game.

<Description of winning determination process>
The detailed contents of the winning determination process in step S70 of the main routine shown in FIG. 16 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, when all of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are stopped, the CPU 106 recognizes the symbol combinations that are stopped and displayed along the effective lines L1 to L4 (step S100). Then, the CPU 106 refers to information indicating the current gaming state stored in the RAM 110, and determines whether or not the current gaming state is “normal game” (step S102). Hereinafter, the case where it is determined that the game is not in the normal game (that is, during the special game) and the case where it is determined that the game is in the normal game will be described separately.

(1) When it is determined that a special game is in progress In the determination process of step S102, when the CPU 106 determines that the current game state is not a normal game (NO), the CPU 106 performs a winning process during a special game (step S104). ). First, the CPU 106 determines whether or not a small role has won in a special game currently being executed. When it is determined that any small role has won, based on the payout information shown in FIG. The number of medals to be paid out corresponding to the winning small combination is stored in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 110. Next, the CPU 106 determines whether or not an end condition for the special game currently being executed is satisfied. That is, if the game is in the BB game, it is determined whether or not the total number of medals paid out during the BB game has exceeded 300. If it is during the RB game, it is determined whether the unit game during the RB game has been performed 12 times, or whether any small role has won 8 times.

  When the CPU 106 determines that the condition for ending the special game currently being executed is satisfied, the CPU 106 updates the information indicating the game state stored in the RAM 110 to “normal game”, and further indicates the RT state. The information is updated to “non-RT”, and the process of step S104 ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the special game end condition is not satisfied, the process of step S104 is ended while maintaining the game state and the RT state. When the winning process during the special game in step S104 is completed, the CPU 106 determines that a winning flag other than the special combination is turned on among the winning flags corresponding to each combination stored in the predetermined storage area of the RAM 110. If there is, it is turned off (step S106). Thereby, the CPU 106 ends the winning determination process shown in FIG. 17, and proceeds to the process of step S72 of FIG.

(2) When it is determined that a normal game is in progress In the determination process of step S102 described above, when the CPU 106 determines that the current game state is “normal game” (YES), the result of the unit game in the normal game is determined. Process. First, the CPU 106 determines whether or not any re-game player has been established based on the symbol combination recognized by the process of step S100 (step S108). Then, when any re-playing combination is established (YES), the CPU 106 turns on the state of the re-game winning flag stored in the RAM 110 (step S110). The on / off state of the replay winning flag is referred to in the determination process in step S22 in the main routine of FIG.

  Next, when the CPU 106 determines in the determination processing of step S108 that no re-game combination has been established (NO), it is next determined whether or not any small combination has won (step S112). Then, when the CPU 106 determines that any of the small combination 1, small combination 2a or small combination 3 has won a prize (YES), based on the payout information shown in FIG. The payout number is stored in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 110 (step S114). In step S112, when the CPU 106 determines that none of the small roles has been won (NO), it is determined whether or not a special role (BB role a, BB role b or RB role) has been won ( Step S116). When the CPU 106 determines that the special combination has won (YES), a special combination winning process is performed (step S118). In this special role winning process, first, the winning flag corresponding to the winning special role is turned off, an end condition corresponding to the winning special role is set, and the game state stored in the RAM 110 is changed to “ The game state is updated to the game state (“BB game” or “RB game”) corresponding to the special combination won from the “normal game”.

  Thus, when the process according to the result of the unit game (the process of step S110, S114 or S116) is performed, “1” is added to the value of the variable CNT stored in the RAM 110 (step S120). The value of the variable CNT indicates the number of unit games performed after the ART execution signal indicating that the ART game has been started is output to the outside by the process of step S130 described later. When the CPU 106 determines that the special combination has not won (NO) in the determination process of step S118, the process proceeds to the process of step S120 as it is. When the process of step S120 is completed, the CPU 106 performs transition control of the RT state according to the current RT state and the type of winning combination. The following description will be divided into three cases, when the current RT state is “non-RT”, “RT1”, and “RT2”.

(2-1) When the current RT state is “non-RT” First, the CPU 106 determines whether or not the value of the variable RT stored in the RAM 110 is “0” (step S122). Here, the value of RT indicates the current RT state, “0” means “non-RT”, “1” means “RT1”, and “2”. Indicates “RT2”. When the value of RT is “0” (non-RT), the determination result is YES, and it is determined whether or not the re-gamer a has won a prize in the current unit game (step S124). When it is determined that the re-game player a has not won (NO), the process proceeds to the above-described step S106 without performing the transition to the RT state. On the other hand, when it is determined that the re-gamer a has won (YES), the RT value stored in the RAM 110 is updated from “0” to “1” (RT1) (step S126). It is determined whether or not the CNT value described above exceeds 30 (step S128).

  If the CPU 106 determines that the value of CNT exceeds 30 (step S128, YES), it outputs an ART execution signal to the outside via the external concentrated terminal board 86 (step S130). Then, the value of CNT is cleared to “0” (step S132), and the process proceeds to step S106 described above. As described above, when the RT state shifts from “non-RT” to “RT1”, the CPU 106 considers that the ART game has started in the sub-control circuit 200 and outputs the ART execution signal to the outside. On the other hand, when the CPU 106 determines that the value of CNT does not exceed 30 (NO) in the determination process of step S128, the process immediately proceeds to the process of step S106, and the RT state changes from “non-RT” to “RT1”. No ART execution signal is output even after transition.

(2-2) When the current RT state is “RT2” When the CPU 106 determines that the RT value is not “0” (NO) in the determination process of step S122 described above, the RT value is next set to “2”. (RT2) is determined (step S134). If the RT value is “2” (YES), it is determined whether or not the re-gamer a has won a prize in the current unit game (step S136). If it is determined that the re-gamer a has won (YES), the process proceeds to step S126 described above, and the RT value stored in the RAM 110 is updated from “2” to “1” (RT1). Then, the determination process in step S128 is performed. If the CNT value exceeds 30, the process proceeds to the process in step S130 and an ART execution signal is output, and then the CNT value is cleared by the process in step S132. The process of step S106 is performed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S128 that the value of CNT does not exceed 30, the process immediately proceeds to step S106.

  When the CPU 106 determines that the re-gamer a has not won (NO) in the determination process of step S136, the symbol combination of the small combination 2a is then stopped and displayed only on the active line L1 (small combination) It is determined whether or not 2a has won a single prize (step S138). When the CPU 106 determines that the small role 2a has won a single prize (YES), the RT value stored in the RAM 110 is updated from “2” to “0” (non-RT) (step S140). The process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, in the determination process of step S138, when the CPU 106 determines that the small combination 2a has not won a single prize (NO), it is next determined whether or not the re-playing combination c has won (step S142). When it is determined that the re-gamer c has won (YES), the process proceeds to step S140, the value of RT is updated from “2” to “0”, and the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, when it is determined that the re-gamer c has not won (NO), the process immediately proceeds to step S106.

  As described above, even when the current RT state is “RT2”, as in the case of “non-RT”, when the re-game player a wins, the process shifts to “RT1”. When the small combination 2a has won a single prize or when the re-playing combination c has won, the process shifts to “non-RT”.

(2-3) When the current RT state is “RT1” When the CPU 106 determines that the RT value is not “2” (NO) in the determination process of step S134 described above, the current RT state is “RT1”. (RT = 1). Therefore, the CPU 106 first determines whether or not the re-gamer g has won a prize in the current unit game (step S146). When it is determined that the re-gamer g has won (YES), the RT value stored in the RAM 110 is updated from “1” to “2” (RT2) (step S148), and then the processing of step S106 is performed. Migrate to

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the re-playing role g has not won (NO), the process proceeds to the above-described determination process of step S138, and it is determined whether or not the small role 2a has won a single winning character. When the CPU 106 determines that 2a has won a single prize (YES), the process proceeds to step S140, and the RT value stored in the RAM 110 is updated from “1” to “0”. If the CPU 106 determines that the small combination 2a has not won a single prize in the determination process in step S138 (NO), the process proceeds to the determination process in step S142 to determine whether or not the re-game player c has won a prize. to decide. When the CPU 106 determines that the re-gamer c has won (YES), the process proceeds to step S140, and the RT value stored in the RAM 110 is updated from “1” to “0”. When the process of step S140 is completed or when the CPU 106 determines that the re-game player c has not won (NO) in the determination process of step S142, the process immediately proceeds to the process of step S106.

  As described above, when the current RT state is “RT1”, when the re-playing role g wins, the process shifts to “RT2”. Move to “non-RT”.

≪Description of control processing in sub control circuit≫
Next, the contents of various processes executed in the sub-control circuit 200 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Here, FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 are flowcharts showing the contents of received command processing performed when various commands shown in FIG. 14 are received from the main control circuit 100. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing detailed contents of the communication error generation process performed in the above-described reception command process. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the contents of the extra lottery process for determining whether or not to add a predetermined number of games to the remaining number of games in the ART game during the ART game. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the contents of a communication error notification process for notifying that a communication error has been detected by the communication error occurrence process described above. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the contents of command issue processing executed when various commands are transmitted from the sub-main CPU 212 to the sub-sub CPU 232 shown in FIG.

<Description of received command processing>
First, the contents of the received command process will be described with reference to FIGS. Normally, the sub-main CPU 212 periodically executes the reception command processing shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 to determine whether various commands have been received from the main control circuit 100. When the reception command process is started, first, the sub-main CPU 212 determines whether or not a set value command has been received (step S200). That is, it is determined whether or not the identification information of the received command is “82H”. If it is determined that it is “82H” (YES), transmission information (information indicating the setting value) of the received setting value command The process according to is performed (step S202). For example, when the stock lottery table and the extra lottery table shown in FIG. 15 are prepared for each set value (1 to 6), each lottery table corresponding to the received set value is selected. Then, the sub-main CPU 212 ends the reception command processing shown in FIG. 18 and performs other processing.

  If it is determined in step S200 that the sub-main CPU 212 has not received the set value command (NO), it is next determined whether or not a gaming state 1 command has been received (step S204). That is, it is determined whether or not the identification information of the received command is “83H”. If it is determined that it is “83H” (YES), the transmission information (BB game a or b) of the received gaming state 1 command is determined. The process according to the type of information) is performed (step S206). For example, when the BB game is started by winning the BB combination a and when the BB game is started by winning the BB combination b, the contents of the performance to be executed are different. The production corresponding to is executed. Then, the sub-main CPU 212 ends the reception command processing shown in FIG. 18 and performs other processing.

  If it is determined in step S204 that the sub-main CPU 212 has not received a gaming state 1 command (NO), it is then determined whether or not a gaming state 2 command has been received (step S208). That is, it is determined whether or not the identification information of the received command is “84H” or “94H”. If it is determined that it is “84H” or “94H” (YES), the received gaming state 2 command Processing according to the transmission information (information indicating the type of re-game, RB game, or BB game) is performed (step S210). For example, the content of the effect performed using the speakers 64L and 64R, the display device 70, and the upper effect lamp 72 is switched according to the gaming state indicated by the received transmission information.

  Next, the sub-main CPU 212 adds “1” to the value of the communication error check counter stored in the RAM 216 (step S212). The value of this communication error check counter is a value for checking whether or not a specific command among the various commands transmitted from the main control circuit 100 has been normally received. Since this value is cleared each time the unit game ends as will be described later, when the process of step S212 is performed for the first time (the game state 2 command transmitted by the process of step S16 in FIG. 16). When received), the value of the communication error check counter is “1”. Then, the sub-main CPU 212 determines whether or not the value of the communication error check counter matches the check number assigned to the received command (step S214).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the game state 2 command has a check number “1” (game state 2 command with identification information “84H”) or “4” (game state 2 with identification information “94H”). Command) is assigned in advance, and in the process of step S214, it is determined whether the value of the communication error check counter is “1” or “4”. When the sub-main CPU 212 determines that the value of the communication error check counter is “1” or “4” (YES), the sub-main CPU 212 ends the reception command processing shown in FIG. 18 and performs other processing. . On the other hand, when it is determined that the value of the communication error check counter is neither “1” nor “4” (NO), the communication error generation process shown in FIG. 20 is performed (step S216). This communication error occurrence process will be described in detail later. When the communication error occurrence process shown in FIG. 20 is completed, the sub-main CPU 212 ends the reception command process shown in FIG. 18 and performs other processes.

  If it is determined in step S208 that the sub-main CPU 212 has not received the gaming state 2 command (NO), it is then determined whether an RT state command has been received (step S218). That is, it is determined whether or not the identification information of the received command is “85H” or “95H”. Processing according to the information (information indicating the type of non-RT, RT1, or RT2) is performed (step S220). For example, processing such as updating the current RT state stored in the RAM 216 and switching the winning probability in the extra lottery (see FIG. 15B) is performed.

  Next, the sub-main CPU 212 adds “1” to the value of the communication error check counter stored in the RAM 216 (step S222), and the value after the addition matches the check number assigned to the RT state command. Whether or not (step S224). That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the RT state command has “2” (RT state command with identification information “85H”) or “5” (RT state command with identification information “95H”) as a check number. Since it is assigned in advance, in the process of step S224, it is determined whether or not the value of the communication error check counter is “2” or “5”.

  When the sub-main CPU 212 determines that the value of the communication error check counter is “2” or “5” (YES), the sub-main CPU 212 ends the reception command processing shown in FIG. 18 and performs other processing. . On the other hand, when it is determined that the value of the communication error check counter is neither “2” nor “5” (NO), the communication error generation process shown in FIG. 20 is performed (step S226). When the communication error generation process shown in FIG. 20 is completed, the sub-main CPU 212 ends the reception command process shown in FIG. 18 and performs other processes.

  If it is determined in step S218 that the sub-main CPU 212 has not received an RT state command (NO), it is next determined whether or not a freeze probability state command has been received (step S228). That is, it is determined whether the identification information of the received command is “86H” or “96H”, and if it is determined that it is “86H” or “96H” (YES), the received freeze probability state command Processing according to transmission information (information indicating a low probability state or a high probability state) is performed (step S230).

  For example, when the main control circuit 100 is won by a lottery based on the freeze lottery table shown in FIG. 11, the freeze effect executed by the sub-control circuit 200 is a rare freeze effect or a normal freeze effect. Is determined with a probability corresponding to the probability state. In the high probability state, the selection of the rare freeze effect is set so that the selection probability of the rare freeze effect is higher than that in the low probability state. Switch probabilities.

  Next, the sub-main CPU 212 adds “1” to the value of the communication error check counter stored in the RAM 216 (step S232), and the value after the addition matches the check number assigned to the freeze probability state command. It is determined whether or not to perform (step S234). That is, as shown in FIG. 14, in the freeze probability state command, the check number is “3” (freeze probability state command with identification information “86H”) or “6” (freeze probability state command with identification information “96H”). Command) is assigned in advance, in the process of step S234, it is determined whether or not the value of the communication error check counter is “3” or “6”.

  If the sub-main CPU 212 determines that the value of the communication error check counter is “3” or “6” (YES), the sub-main CPU 212 ends the reception command processing shown in FIG. 18 and performs other processing. . On the other hand, when it is determined that the value of the communication error check counter is neither “3” nor “6” (NO), the communication error generation process shown in FIG. 20 is performed (step S236). When the communication error generation process shown in FIG. 20 is completed, the sub-main CPU 212 ends the reception command process shown in FIG. 18 and performs other processes.

  If it is determined in step S228 that the sub-main CPU 212 has not received the freeze probability state command (NO), it is next determined whether or not a medal insertion command has been received (step S238). That is, it is determined whether or not the identification information of the received command is “90H”. If it is determined that it is “90H” (YES), the transmission information of the received medal insertion command (the number of inserted medals) And, according to the bet switch or the medal insertion type from the medal insertion slot), for example, a medal insertion sound generation process is performed (step S240). Then, the sub-main CPU 212 ends the reception command process shown in FIG. 18 and proceeds to another process.

  If it is determined in step S238 that the sub-main CPU 212 has not received a medal insertion command (NO), it is then determined whether a start switch acceptance command has been received (step S242). That is, it is determined whether or not the identification information of the received command is “93H”, and if it is determined to be “93H” (YES), the transmission information of the received start switch reception command (when the unit game starts) Processing according to the information indicating the number of inserted medals is performed (step S244). For example, when the net increase number in the special game is displayed, the value is updated to a value obtained by subtracting the medal insertion number from the displayed net increase number. When the process of step S244 is performed, the sub-main CPU 212 ends the received command process shown in FIG. 18 and proceeds to another process.

  If it is determined in step S242 that the sub-main CPU 212 has not received a start switch reception command (NO), it is determined whether or not a small role / regame combination lottery result number command has been received. (Step S246). That is, it is determined whether or not the identification information of the received command is “97H”, and if it is determined that it is “97H” (YES), transmission information of the received small role / replaying game lottery result number command Processing according to (a small combination or replay combination determined as a winning combination, or information indicating the type of loss) is performed (step S248). For example, processing such as lottery using various lottery tables related to the ART game shown in FIG. 15 and selection of effects to be performed is performed.

  Next, the sub-main CPU 212 adds “1” to the value of the communication error check counter stored in the RAM 216 (step S250), and assigns the value after the addition to the small role / regame role lottery result number command. It is determined whether or not it matches the given check number (“7”) (step S252). If it is determined that the value of the communication error check counter is “7” (YES), the reception command process shown in FIG. 18 is terminated and other processes are performed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the value of the communication error check counter is not “7” (NO), the communication error generation process shown in FIG. 20 is performed (step S254). When the communication error generation process shown in FIG. 20 is completed, the sub-main CPU 212 ends the reception command process shown in FIG. 18 and performs other processes.

  If it is determined in step S246 that the sub-main CPU 212 has not received the small role / replaying game lottery result number command (NO), whether or not the special role lottery result number command has been received next. Is determined (FIG. 19, step S256). That is, it is determined whether or not the identification information of the received command is “98H”. If it is determined that it is “98H” (YES), the transmission information of the received special combination lottery result number command (in the winning combination) A process for performing an effect corresponding to the determined special role type) is performed (step S258). When the process of step S258 is performed, the sub-main CPU 212 ends the reception command process shown in FIG. 19 and proceeds to another process.

  If the sub-main CPU 212 determines in the determination process of step S256 that the special combination lottery result number command has not been received (NO), it is then determined whether or not a rotation start command has been received (step S260). . That is, it is determined whether or not the identification information of the received command is “9BH”. If it is determined that it is “9BH” (YES), it is determined that the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R have started to rotate. Processing is performed (step S262). For example, processing such as lottery using various lottery tables related to the ART game shown in FIG. 15 and selection of effects to be performed is performed.

  Next, the sub-main CPU 212 adds “1” to the value of the communication error check counter stored in the RAM 216 (step S264), and the value after the addition is a check number (“8” assigned to the rotation start command). ]) Is determined (step S266). If it is determined that the value of the communication error check counter is “8” (YES), the reception command process shown in FIG. 19 is terminated and other processes are performed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the value of the communication error check counter is not “8” (NO), the communication error generation process shown in FIG. 20 is performed (step S268). When the communication error generation process shown in FIG. 20 is completed, the sub-main CPU 212 ends the reception command process shown in FIG. 19 and performs other processes.

  If it is determined in step S260 that the sub-main CPU 212 has not received a rotation start command (NO), any of the left reel stop reception command, the middle reel stop reception command, or the right reel stop reception command is selected. Whether or not is received is determined (step S270). That is, it is determined whether the identification information of the received command is “9EH”, “9FH”, or “A0H”, and if it is determined to be either (YES), the received reel stop acceptance Processing according to the command is performed (step S272). For example, processing such as generation of a stop operation sound, switching of the contents of the effect, determination of the operation sequence of the stop switch, and the like are performed.

  Next, the sub-main CPU 212 adds “1” to the value of the communication error check counter stored in the RAM 216 (step S 274), and the value after the addition is a check number assigned to the reel stop acceptance command (“ 9 ”to“ 11 ”) is determined (step S276). Here, as described above, the check number for the reel stop acceptance command corresponds to the operation order. Therefore, in the process of step S276, the check number of the reel stop acceptance command received first after receiving one rotation start command is “9”, and the check number of the reel stop acceptance command received next is “10”. When the check number of the last received reel stop acceptance command is set to “11” and the value matches the value of the communication error check counter when each reel stop acceptance command is received, the process determines YES in step S276. You may go.

  Alternatively, when the identification number of the received command is “9EH”, “9FH”, or “A0H”, the value of the communication error check counter is within the range of “9” to “11”. If so, a process may be performed in which the determination result in step S276 is YES.

  As a result, if the determination result in step S276 is YES, the reception command process shown in FIG. 19 is terminated and other processes are performed. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S276 is NO, the communication error generation process shown in FIG. 20 is performed (step S278). Thereafter, the reception command process shown in FIG. Do.

  If it is determined in step S270 that the sub-main CPU 212 has not received any reel stop acceptance command (NO), it is next determined whether or not a reel stop command has been received (step S280). . That is, it is determined whether or not the identification information of the received command is “A1H”. If it is determined that it is “A1H” (YES), the reel corresponding to the operated stop switch is stopped. When the above processing is performed (step S282), the reception command processing shown in FIG. 19 is terminated and other processing is performed.

  If it is determined in step S280 that the sub-main CPU 212 has not received the reel stop command (NO), the detailed description will be omitted, but the sub-main CPU 212 will hereinafter execute the operation symbol 1 command (identification number). : A4H) and operation symbol 2 command (identification number: A5H) are sequentially determined. If it is determined that they have been received, each of the received commands is the same as when various commands are received. Processing according to the transmission information is performed. When the operation symbol 2 command is received, “1” is added to the value of the communication error check counter and compared with the check number (“12”). If they do not match, the communication error occurrence processing shown in FIG. I do.

  If neither the operation symbol 1 command nor the operation symbol 2 command is received, the sub-main CPU 212 determines whether or not a unit game end command has been received (step S284). That is, it is determined whether or not the identification information of the received command is “A9H”, and when it is determined that it is “A9H” (YES), the transmission information of the received unit game end command (completed game state ( A process according to information indicating the type of BB game, RB game, or RT state) is performed (step S286). For example, the BB game, RB game or RT effect that has been performed so far is terminated, and the effect is switched to the effect corresponding to the “non-RT” state of the normal game.

  Next, the sub-main CPU 212 adds “1” to the value of the communication error check counter stored in the RAM 216 (step S288), and the value after the addition is a check number assigned to the unit game end command (“ 14 ") is determined (step S290). When it is determined that the value of the communication error check counter is “14” (YES), the value of the communication error check counter is cleared to “0” (step S294), and the received command processing shown in FIG. Exit. On the other hand, when it is determined that the value of the communication error check counter is not “14” (NO), the communication error occurrence process shown in FIG. 20 is performed (step S292), and then the process proceeds to step S294. Then, the value of the communication error check counter is cleared, and the reception command processing shown in FIG.

<Description of communication error generation processing>
Next, referring to FIG. 20, when the value of the communication error check counter does not match the value of the check number given to the received command (for example, steps S214 and S224 in FIGS. 18 and 19). The contents of the communication error generation process executed when the determination results of S234, 252, S266, S276, and S290 are NO) will be described.

  First, the sub-main CPU 212 adds “1” to the value of the communication error occurrence counter stored in the RAM 216 (step S300). Here, a communication error occurrence counter is provided corresponding to each command that is a check target of communication error (that is, a command with a check number), and when a communication error of the corresponding command occurs In addition, “1” is added to the value. That is, if the value of the communication error check counter does not match the value of the check number given to the received command, it is handled that a communication error has occurred.

  For example, when the rotation start command (check number: 8) is received (FIG. 19, step S260, YES), the value of the communication error check counter does not become “8” (FIG. 19, step S266, NO). This means that the command (check role / regamer lottery result number command (check number: 7)) to be checked immediately before the rotation start command could not be received normally, so the communication error check counter This means that “1” has not been added to the value of (the communication error check counter value has not been set to “7”).

  Then, the sub-main CPU 212 corrects the value of the communication error check counter to the original value (step S302). That is, based on the identification information of the received command, the value of the check number assigned to the command is recognized and used as the value of the communication error check counter. In addition, the left / middle / right reel stop acceptance command is corrected to “9”, “10”, or “11” according to the received order because a check number unique to each command is not defined. Next, the sub-main CPU 212 determines whether or not the value of the communication error occurrence counter corresponding to the received command has become a predetermined value or more (step S304). When the sub-main CPU 212 determines that the value of the communication error occurrence counter is less than the predetermined value (NO), the communication error occurrence process in FIG. On the other hand, when the sub-main CPU 212 determines that the value of the communication error occurrence counter is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (YES), the state of the communication error flag stored in the RAM 216 is turned on next. It is determined whether or not (step S306). This communication error flag is a flag for determining whether or not to notify that a communication error has occurred by a communication error notification process to be described later. When the communication error flag is turned on, the occurrence of a communication error is notified. It will be.

  If the sub-main CPU 212 determines that the communication error flag is turned off (NO) in the determination process in step S306, the communication error flag is turned on (step S308) to notify the occurrence of the communication error. A display timer value for designating time is set (step S310). On the other hand, when the sub-main CPU 212 determines that the communication error flag has already been turned on (YES) in the determination process of step S306, the process immediately proceeds to the process of step S310, and again the display timer. Reset the value of. Then, when the process of step S310 is performed, the communication error generation process of FIG.

  According to the reception command process shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 and the communication error generation process shown in FIG. 20, when a command to which a check number is assigned is transmitted from the main control circuit 100, the command is transferred to the sub-control circuit. 200, it is determined whether or not the signal has been normally received, and based on the determination result, notification is made that an abnormality (missing command) has occurred in the communication performed between the main control circuit 100 and the sub control circuit 200. be able to. As a result, it is possible to detect an illegal act of changing the current gaming state to a state advantageous to the player by intentionally deleting the command transmitted from the main control circuit 100 to the sub-control circuit 200. There is sex.

  For example, as described above, during the ART game, the auxiliary control circuit 200 performs an ART game extra lottery based on the extra lottery table shown in FIG. According to the extra lottery table, the winning probability when the result of the role lottery is lost is 1/2 when the RT state is “RT1”, and 1/5 when the RT state is “RT2”. When it is “non-RT”, it is 1/5000. Also, considering the probability of adding up including the probability of winning in the role lottery, 1/131072 for “RT1”, about 1 / 64.62 for “RT2”, and “non-RT” for “non-RT” It becomes about 1/7851.

  Here, for example, after the RT state is changed from “non-RT” to “RT1” and the ART game is started, and the re-game player c wins, the RT state is changed from “RT1” to “non-RT” during the ART game. ”(See FIG. 13). In this case, since the RT state command informs the sub-control circuit 200 that the RT state has shifted to “non-RT”, the sub-control circuit 200 loses the role lottery. The winning probability in the extra lottery varies from 1/2 to 1/5000. However, if the sub-control circuit 200 cannot receive the RT state command at this time due to some fraudulent act, the sub-control circuit 200 still has the winning probability at “RT1” even after shifting to “non-RT”. An additional lottery will be held. That is, the probability of losing in the winning lottery increases to approximately 1 / 1.57 (see FIG. 8A) while maintaining the winning probability at the time of losing in the extra lottery. Therefore, every time a unit game is played, an ART game is added with a probability of about 1 / 3.14.

  As described above, if a command (information) transmitted from the main control circuit 100 to the sub-control circuit 200 is lost, there is a possibility that an advantageous state that does not normally occur may be entered. In particular, when the command is transmitted from the main control circuit 100 due to the operation of the start switch 36, the stop switches 37L, 37C, 37R, the bet switches 34, 35, etc., the person who performs the fraudulent action loses the command. There is also a problem that the timing becomes easy to measure. Therefore, in this embodiment, among the commands transmitted from the main control circuit 100 to the sub control circuit 200, a check number is assigned to the main command, and the process shown in FIGS. The control circuit 200 monitors whether or not it has been received normally.

  Further, in the above example of the ART game extra lottery, the reception of the RT state command in the sub-control circuit 200 is prevented to make the player advantageous. However, the condition for the extra lottery is A specific result (winning or loss of small role 1) was obtained. Therefore, if the sub-control circuit 200 is prevented from receiving the small role / re-gamer lottery result number command, the player will not receive any benefit because the extra lottery itself is not performed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the RT control command (identification information: 95H) is also added to the sub control circuit in response to a trigger (operation of the start switch 36) when the small control / replaying game lottery result number command is transmitted from the main control circuit 100. 200. As a result, even if an attempt is made to disturb the reception of the RT state command in the sub-control circuit 200 by an unauthorized act, there is a high possibility that the reception of the small role / replaying game lottery result number command will be simultaneously disturbed. It can be made difficult to benefit from.

  Similarly, regarding the freeze probability state command, as described above, if the freeze lottery is won when the win probability of the freeze lottery is high, the winning probability of the stock lottery shown in FIG. . Thus, for example, the result of the freeze lottery is transmitted to the sub-control circuit 200 when the start switch 36 is operated, and the winning probability state (low probability state or high probability) of the freeze lottery is triggered when the last stop switch is operated. (Situation) is simply transmitted, there is a case where the winning probability of the stock lottery advantageous to the player can be maintained by deleting the command for transmitting the winning probability state of the freeze lottery. For this reason, the winning probability state of the freeze lottery is transmitted not only when the last stop switch is operated (identification number: 86H) but also when the start switch 36 is operated ( Identification number: 96H). In addition, the freeze probability state command with the identification number 96H transmits the winning probability state of the freeze lottery and the result of the freeze lottery together. As a result, even if the freeze probability state command with the identification number 86H is lost, the original winning probability state is transmitted by the freeze probability state command with the identification number 96H, and the freeze probability state command with the identification number 96H is lost. In such a case, the chance to increase the winning probability of the stock lottery will be lost, so that it is possible to make it difficult to receive the benefits of such fraud.

  If an abnormality is detected in the communication between the main control circuit 100 and the sub control circuit 200 by performing the processing shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, an abnormality signal indicating that the abnormality has occurred is generated. 4 may be output from the external concentrated terminal board 86 shown in FIG. As a method for realizing this, for example, when the communication error flag is turned on by the process of step S308 of FIG. 20, the sub-main CPU 212 relates to the operation sequence of the stop switches in the role lottery of the main control circuit 100. When the lottery result (for example, the small role 2a of the lottery result number “5” in FIGS. 8A to 8C) is derived with the winning combination as the winning combination, a predetermined operation order (for example, Notify forward press (left → middle → right)). As a result, when the lottery result number “5” is derived in the main control circuit 100, if the stop switch is operated in a predetermined order (in this case, forward pressing), the main control circuit 100 and the sub-control Assuming that an abnormality has occurred in communication with the circuit 200, an abnormality signal indicating that fact is output from the external concentrated terminal board 86 to the outside. Here, when the lottery result number “5” is derived, the main control circuit 100 determines that an abnormal signal is output when the number of times that the stop switch is operated in a predetermined order exceeds the predetermined number. May be output. In addition, when the lottery result number “5” is derived, the stop switch is operated in the predetermined operation order even though the predetermined operation order is not notified, A known so-called penalty for ART may be imposed on the player.

  In the communication error occurrence process shown in FIG. 20, the predetermined value to be compared with the value of the communication error occurrence counter in the determination process in step S304 may be made different depending on the type of command to be compared. For example, for the reasons described above, a predetermined value corresponding to an RT state command that is likely to be a target to be deleted may be set to a value larger than a predetermined value corresponding to another command. By setting the predetermined value in this way, it is possible to make it difficult to report a communication error due to an accidental missing command that is not an illegal act. In addition, a communication error flag may be individually provided for each command, and the communication error flag corresponding to the command determined in step S304 may be turned on in step S308. Further, the value of the display timer set by the process of step S310 may be determined in advance corresponding to each command, and a value corresponding to the communication error flag that is turned on may be set in step S310. . Further, in the process of step S310, in addition to or instead of setting the time of the display timer, an error message or error code corresponding to a command with the communication error flag turned on may be notified. .

  Further, for example, as indicated by a broken line in the functional block diagram of FIG. 6, when the operation unit 300 is operated by supplying each signal output from the operation unit 300 to the sub-control circuit 200, It may be determined whether or not the command is missing depending on whether or not the corresponding command is received from the main control circuit 100. For example, when a signal is output from the start switch 36, whether a start switch acceptance command is received from the main control circuit 100, or when a signal is output from each of the stop switches 37L, 37C, 37R, left / middle / Whether or not a right reel stop acceptance command has been received, and whether or not a medal insertion command has been received when signals are output from the bet switches 34 and 35 (including the medal sensor provided in the medal selector). It may be determined whether or not the command is missing.

  Also, for example, when the BB game and the RB game are ended, when the effect content is switched from the next unit game, when a unit game end command with transmission information indicating the end of various game states is missing (accidental Whether or not due to fraud), the end of various gaming states may be determined based on the transmission information of other commands. For example, the transmission information of the game state 2 command (identification number: 94H) transmitted from the main control circuit 100 when the start switch 36 is operated is stored for the previous and current unit games, and the two are compared. When Bit3 (BB game) or Bit4 (RB game) changes from “1” to “0”, it is determined that the corresponding Bit game has ended, and the next unit game is switched to the effect during the normal game. It may be.

<Description of extra lottery processing>
Next, the contents of the ART game extra lottery process performed by the sub-control circuit 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This extra lottery process is a process included in the process corresponding to the small combination / re-game combination lottery result number command in step S248 of the received command process shown in FIG. First, the sub-main CPU 212 determines whether an ART game is currently being executed (step S400). This determination is turned on when the RT state shifts from “non-RT” to “RT1” when the value of the stock number ST stored in the RAM 216 is “1” or more, and then 30 games are played. The ART flag, which is turned off when set, is set in advance, and the determination is made based on the on / off state of the ART flag.

  If the sub-main CPU 212 determines that the ART game is not being played (NO) in the determination process in step S400, the extra lottery process in FIG. 21 is terminated and the process proceeds to another process. On the other hand, when it is determined that the ART game is being performed (YES), the transmission information of the small role / re-game character lottery result number command is referred to, and the result of the character lottery performed in the main control circuit 100 is small. It is determined whether or not the combination 1 is determined as a winning combination or lost (step S402). When the sub-main CPU 212 determines that the winning combination other than the small combination 1 is determined as the winning combination (NO), the addition lottery process in FIG. 21 is terminated and the process proceeds to another process.

  If the sub-main CPU 212 determines in the determination process of step S402 that the small role 1 has been determined to be a winning combination or has lost (YES), then before receiving the start switch acceptance command It is determined whether the transmission information of the received RT status command (identification number: 85H) and the transmission information of the RT status command (identification number: 95H) received after reception of the start switch reception command do not match (step) S404). When the sub-main CPU 212 determines that both transmission information matches (NO), based on the transmission information of the RT state command (identification number: 85H) received before receiving the start switch acceptance command, An extra lottery is performed (step S406). Then, the sub-main CPU 212 ends the addition lottery process in FIG. 21 and performs other processes.

  On the other hand, when the sub-main CPU 212 determines in the determination process of step S404 that both pieces of transmission information do not match (YES), the communication error occurrence counter of the RT state command stored in the RAM 216 is determined. “1” is added to the value (step S408). Then, the sub-main CPU 212 performs an ART game extra lottery based on the transmission information of the RT state command (identification number: 95H) received after receiving the start switch acceptance command (step S410), and the extra lottery process of FIG. To complete other processing.

  As described above, when the transmission information of the RT state command transmitted before and after the start switch acceptance command is different, it is transmitted at the same opportunity (operation of the start switch 36) as the small role / replaying game lottery result number command. Based on the transmission information of the RT state command (identification number: 95H), an extra lottery is performed for the ART game. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the command transmitted from the main control circuit 100 to the sub control circuit 200 will be altered to a state advantageous to the player due to an illegal act of deleting the command.

  When the ART game end condition is a transition from “RT1” or “RT2” to “non-RT”, and the ART game is terminated by the transition to “non-RT”, the contents of the production are displayed from the next unit game. In the case of switching, when a unit game end command with transmission information indicating the end of the RT game is missing (whether accidental or due to fraud), the ART is transmitted based on the transmission information of other commands. The end of the game may be determined.

  For example, during the ART game, the transmission information of the RT state command (identification number: 95H) is stored for the previous and current unit games, and the RT value is changed from “1” or “2” by comparing both. When changing to “0”, it may be determined that the state has shifted to “non-RT” and the ART game may be terminated. However, in this case, the sub control circuit 200 does not end the ART game immediately, but based on transmission information (that is, information indicating “non-RT”) sent by the RT state command (identification number: 95H). Then, the lottery is added to the ART game, and when the unit game is finished, the ART game effect is ended, and the next unit game is switched to the effect during the normal game. Thus, by switching the production according to the game state in accordance with the end and start of the unit game, it is possible to prevent the player from feeling uncomfortable. It should be noted that when the extra lottery based on the above-mentioned RT state command (identification number: 95H) is won, after the unit game is over, the added ART game may be continued. Nor.

  As described above, the gaming state 2 command, the RT state command, and the freeze probability state command are respectively sent to the sub control circuit 200 when the last stop switch is operated and when the start switch 36 is operated. Although it has been transmitted, the number of transmissions may be increased by another transmission trigger (for example, at the time of medal insertion operation or at the time of the first / second stop operation). In addition, the number of times of transmission is set to one time, and the transmission trigger is not limited to the operation of the start switch 36, but includes the medal insertion operation and the first and second stop operations as appropriate. You may make it transmit a command again according to an opportunity.

<Description of communication error notification processing>
Next, the content of the communication error notification process performed in the sub control circuit 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This communication error notification process is a process periodically executed by the sub-sub CPU 232 (see FIG. 5). First, the sub-sub CPU 232 determines whether or not the communication error flag is turned on (step S450). Here, when the communication error flag is turned on by the process of step S308 of the communication error occurrence process shown in FIG. 20, the communication error flag is turned on from the sub-main CPU 212 to the sub-sub CPU 232 at the same time. Information to that effect shall be transmitted. Thereby, the sub-sub CPU 232 turns on / off the communication error flag stored in the predetermined storage area of the RAM 236.

  Further, when a predetermined error canceling operation is performed on the slot machine 10 by an attendant at the game hall or the like, the sub-main CPU 212 turns off the communication error flag and transmits the fact to the sub-sub CPU 232. As a result, the sub-sub CPU 232 turns off the state of the communication error flag stored in the RAM 236.

  When the sub-sub CPU 232 determines that the communication error flag is turned off (NO) in the determination process of step S450, the communication error notification process of FIG. 22 is terminated and other processes are performed. On the other hand, when the sub-sub CPU 232 determines that the communication error flag is on (YES), a communication error occurs in the abnormality notification image drawing memory 2422 shown in FIG. The drawing data of the communication error image indicating that it has been written is written (step S452). Then, the sub-sub CPU 232 selects the drawing data written in the abnormality notification image drawing memory 2422 by the selector 2424 shown in FIG. 5B and outputs it to the display device 70. As a result, the above-described communication error image is displayed on the screen of the display device 70.

  Next, the sub-sub CPU 232 determines whether a movie effect is currently being executed (step S456). When the sub-sub CPU 232 determines that the movie effect is being executed (YES), the rendering data for movie effect is updated in the effect image drawing memory 2420 shown in FIG. 5B (movie image). (Playback of (moving image)) is paused (step S458). In addition, with the pause of the update of the drawing data, the playback processing of the movie sound that has progressed simultaneously is also paused.

  On the other hand, when the sub-sub CPU 232 determines that the movie effect is not being executed (NO) in the determination process of step S456, the drawing data of the effect image drawing memory 2420 is received from the main control circuit 100. Based on the transmission information of various commands, the drawing data is updated to display an image corresponding to the effect selected by the sub-main CPU 212. That is, the drawing data for displaying the communication error image is output to the display device 70 by the process of step S454, but if the movie production is not in progress (step S456, NO), the communication error image is displayed. During this time, the drawing data in the effect image drawing memory 2420 is continuously updated in accordance with the command from the main control circuit 100.

  As a result, for example, the extra lottery process shown in FIG. 21 is also added when the small role 1 is won or lost in the role lottery during the ART game even while the communication error image is displayed. When a lottery is performed and the player wins, the number of games for one set is added to the remaining number of ART games. Further, for the above-described case, when a communication error occurs during the ART game, the drawing data for notifying the operation sequence of the stop switch from which the result of the unit game advantageous to the player can be obtained by the process of step S460. Although the update process is performed, an image (operation order notification image) based on the drawing data obtained by the update process is not displayed on the display device 70. Here, as a notification mode of the operation order, in addition to a mode of displaying a notification image on the display device 70, for example, as described above, a lamp corresponding to each stop switch is provided, and these are set according to the player's operation. In the case where the operation order is notified also by sequentially turning on, only the notification of the operation order using the lamp is continuously performed while the communication error occurs (while the abnormality notification is performed). You may do it. In addition, when displaying the remaining number of games on the display device 70 during the ART game, if the winning lottery is won while the communication error is occurring, the communication error is resolved and the operation order notification is started again. In addition, the remaining number of games with the added amount added may be displayed.

  When the process of step S458 or S460 described above is performed, the sub-sub CPU 232 next determines whether or not the communication error has been canceled (step S462). When the sub-sub CPU 232 determines that the state of the communication error flag stored in the RAM 236 is on (NO), the communication error notification process in FIG. 22 is terminated and the process proceeds to another process. . On the other hand, when the sub-sub CPU 232 determines that the communication error flag is off, that is, the communication error is canceled (YES) in the determination processing in step S462, the drawing is performed by the processing in step S458 described above. It is determined whether or not the data update and the sound reproduction based on the sound data are paused (step S464).

  If the sub-sub CPU 232 determines that the movie effect is temporarily stopped (YES) in the determination process of step S464, the drawing data stored in the effect image drawing memory 2420 (that is, the image display of the movie effect is displayed). (Drawing data) is restarted (step S466). Next, the sub-sub CPU 232 switches the drawing data in the abnormality notification image drawing memory 2422 selected by the selector 2424 to the drawing data in the effect image drawing memory 2420 (step S468). As a result, the drawing data written in the effect image drawing memory 2420 is output to the display device 70, and the communication error image displayed so far on the screen of the display device 70 is immediately switched to the movie effect image. At this time, the sub-sub CPU 232 resumes the reproduction process for the sound of the movie effect.

  On the other hand, when the sub-sub CPU 232 determines that the movie effect is not temporarily stopped (NO) in the determination process in step S464, the process immediately proceeds to step S468. Then, the drawing data in the abnormality notification image drawing memory 2422 selected by the selector 2424 is switched to the drawing data in the effect image drawing memory 2420. Thereby, the rendering image display drawing data updated by the process of step S460 is output to the display device 70, and the communication error image displayed until then is switched to the rendering image. When the sub-sub CPU 232 finishes the process of step S468, the sub-sub CPU 232 ends the communication error notification process of FIG. 22 and proceeds to another process.

  In the communication error notification process of FIG. 22 described above, when a communication error occurs during the production of a movie production such as a movie production, the production is paused and a notification that a communication error has occurred is generated. However, when the communication error is canceled, the production is resumed from the paused content. For this reason, during the occurrence of a communication error, for example, a movie effect does not progress, and the player does not miss the contents of the movie.

  In addition, an effect that is not a movie effect is not presented to the player by the selector 2424 even during a communication error, but the content of the effect is proceeding as usual. As a result, when the communication error is canceled, the contents of the effect can be switched only by performing the switching control by the selector 2424, so that the effect contents can be switched in a short time and the processing associated with the switching of the effect can be performed. The load can be greatly reduced.

  In the communication error notification process of FIG. 22, when a communication error occurs during the movie presentation, the movie presentation is paused at that time. For example, when a power failure occurs during the movie presentation, When the power of 10 is turned off, the movie effect may be started again from the beginning when the power is turned on. Further, when the communication effect is resolved and the movie effect is resumed, the resume position may be a position that is back a predetermined time from the paused position. In addition, when a series of movie effects are executed by continuously playing a plurality of moving image files, the moving image files may be resumed from the beginning when they were paused. Furthermore, when a plurality of pieces of designation information for designating a resume position are set in advance in one video file and the movie production is resumed, the movie production is started from the position designated by the designation information immediately before the paused position. You may resume.

<Description of command issue processing>
Next, a flow of command issue processing executed when various commands are transmitted from the sub-main CPU 212 to the sub-sub CPU 232 shown in FIG. 5A will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the sub-main CPU 212 determines whether or not the command issued to the sub-sub CPU 232 is a sound command (step S500). Here, the sound command is a command for designating the content or volume of sound to be generated. In addition to the sound command, the sub-main CPU 212 transmits an image command to the sub-sub CPU 232. In this image command, for each of the effect image and the abnormality notification image, any one of an image for specifying the content of the image to be displayed, an effect image signal, and an abnormality notification image signal There is one for switching whether to output a signal to the display device 70.

  If the sub-main CPU 212 determines in step S500 that the command to be issued is not a sound command (NO), the command is issued to the sub-sub CPU 232 (step S502). Then, the command issuing process shown in FIG. 23 is terminated and other processes are performed. Thus, the image command is transmitted to the sub-sub CPU 232 regardless of the occurrence of the abnormality, and processing based on the image command is performed. On the other hand, when the sub-main CPU 212 determines that the command to be issued is a sound command (YES), it is next determined whether or not the command to be issued is a volume command for specifying a volume ( Step S504). If it is a volume command (YES), the sub-main CPU 212 stores the volume value designated by the volume command in the RAM 216 of FIG. 5A (step S506).

  Next, the sub-main CPU 212 determines whether or not the state of the issue prohibition flag stored in the RAM 216 is on (step S508). This issuance prohibition flag indicates whether or not in principle a command issuance to the sub-sub CPU 232 should be prohibited. This issuance prohibition flag is turned on when some abnormality information is transmitted from the main control circuit 100, and turned off when the above-described abnormality release information is transmitted.

  If the sub-main CPU 212 determines that the issue prohibition flag is off (NO) in the determination processing in step S508, the process proceeds to step S502, and the volume command is transmitted to the sub-sub CPU 232. . Then, the command issuing process shown in FIG. 23 is terminated and other processes are performed. On the other hand, when the sub-main CPU 212 determines that the issue prohibition flag is turned on (YES), it is next determined whether or not the volume command to be transmitted is for an error channel. Judgment is made (step S510). Here, the error channel refers to a channel predetermined as a channel for generating an abnormality notification audio signal among a plurality of audio signal generation channels included in the sound source IC 244 illustrated in FIG. . The error channel corresponds to the first abnormality notification audio signal generation unit 5440 and the second abnormality notification audio signal generation unit 5442 shown in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S510 that the sub-main CPU 212 is a volume command for an error channel (YES), the process proceeds to step S502, where the issue prohibition flag is on (step S508: YES). Even if it exists, the volume command is transmitted to the sub-sub CPU 232. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S510 that the volume command is not for an error channel (NO), the volume command is discarded and the command issuing process shown in FIG. 23 is terminated.

  When the sub-main CPU 212 determines that the sound command to be transmitted to the sub-sub CPU 232 is not a volume command (NO) in the determination processing of step S504 described above, the issue prohibition flag stored in the RAM 216 is set next. It is determined whether or not the state is on (step S512). If it is determined that the issue prohibition flag is off (NO), the process proceeds to step S 502, and a sound command other than the volume command is transmitted to the sub-sub CPU 232. On the other hand, when the sub-main CPU 212 determines that the issue prohibition flag is turned on (YES) in the determination processing in step S512, the sound command other than the volume command to be transmitted next is transmitted. It is determined whether the command is for the BGM channel or the error channel (step S514).

  If it is determined that the command is not for the BGM channel or the error channel (NO), the command issuing process shown in FIG. 23 is immediately terminated and other processes are performed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the command is for the BGM channel or the error channel (YES), the process proceeds to step S502, and the sound command other than the volume command is transmitted to the sub-sub CPU 232.

  Thus, even if it is determined that some abnormality has occurred in the main control circuit 100 (that is, when the issue prohibition flag is on), commands other than sound commands (for example, image commands) Then, it is transmitted from the sub-main CPU 212 to the sub-sub CPU 232 (step S500, YES → S502). Even if the sound command is an error channel command, it is transmitted to the sub-sub CPU 232 (step S510, YES → S502). Further, among the sound commands for the BGM channel, sound commands other than the volume command (for example, a command for changing to a different BGM) are transmitted to the sub-sub CPU 232 even if the issue prohibition flag is on. (Step S514, YES → S502).

<Description of the flow of various commands when an abnormality is detected>
Next, with reference to FIGS. 24 to 26, the flow of various commands transmitted and received between the respective parts when an abnormality is detected in the main control circuit 100, and the control contents corresponding to those commands will be described. 24 and 25 are used to explain the contents of commands transmitted and received among the main control circuit 100, the sub-main CPU 212, the sub-sub CPU 232, and the sound source IC 244, and the contents of processing based on each command. It is explanatory drawing.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the state of the audio signal generated in each channel of the sound source IC 244 in time series by the processing shown in FIGS. 24 and 25. In this figure, a state where processing for generating an audio signal is performed in each channel is represented by hatching, and a change in volume of the audio signal is represented by a broken line. The channels of the sound source IC 244 include first to third channels that generate audio signals based on commands transmitted from the main-sub CPU 212. Among these channels, the first and second channels are channels (hereinafter referred to as abnormality notification channels) used to generate an audio signal for notifying when abnormality is detected, and the error channel described above. It is equivalent to. The first and second channels also correspond to the first abnormality notification audio signal generation unit 5440 and the second abnormality notification audio signal generation unit 5442 shown in FIG.

  The third channel is a channel (hereinafter referred to as an effect channel) used to generate an audio signal generated as an effect when a unit game is performed in the slot machine 10, and is used for the BGM described above. It is equivalent to the channel. Further, it corresponds to the production audio signal generation means 524 shown in FIG. The sound generated as an effect includes sound effects generated when the operation means 300 shown in FIG. 6 is operated, or according to the process or result of the unit game (so-called start sound, stop sound, tempering sound, winning prize) Sound effects, etc.) and BGM corresponding to the gaming state (especially BGM flowing during BB gaming, RB gaming, etc.) and the like.

  In addition to the first to third channels, the sound source IC 244 has a channel (hereinafter referred to as a sub management channel) that is independently controlled by the sub-sub CPU 232 regardless of a command from the main-sub CPU 212. . In this channel, an audio signal that is not affected by the gaming state is generated. For example, audio signals associated with a series of moving images (movies) displayed as effects are generated in the sub management channel.

  The control content described with reference to FIGS. 24 to 26 is that the medal inserted from the medal slot 32 when the BGM is played in a state where the game is normally performed is the inside of the slot machine 10. , The medal insertion abnormality is detected by the medal sensor of the medal selector 80, and then the front door 12 is opened. The control content when it is detected that the door has been opened is shown. In the following, the above-described medal insertion abnormality is referred to as CF.

  First, in FIG. 26, in a normal gaming state, a BGM audio signal is generated on the third channel, and on the sub-management channel, the audio signal is generated according to the control of the sub-sub CPU 232. Is set to “100” including the first and second channels. However, the master volume is set to “79” even during normal operation. The master volume is a volume that uniformly acts on the audio signal generated in all channels. When the maximum volume is set to “100”, the audio signal generated in each channel is set to the channel. Playback is performed at the volume set in. On the other hand, when the master volume is less than “100”, playback is performed at a volume smaller than the volume set for each channel according to the value. Therefore, the production sound such as BGM is generated at a volume slightly lower than the maximum volume (volume value “100”) set in the third channel even in a normal gaming state.

  At this time, if the main control circuit 100 detects CF (FIG. 24, step M1), the CPU 106 sends medal insertion abnormality information (CF command) to the sub control circuit 200 (more specifically, the sub-main CPU 212). ) Is transmitted (step M2). Thereby, the sub-main CPU 212 starts a process when a medal insertion abnormality occurs (step Sm1). That is, the sub-main CPU 212 turns on the issuance prohibition flag stored in the RAM 216 and turns on the display device 70 to display an image (CF notification image) for notifying that the CF has occurred. (CF image display command) is transmitted to the sub-sub CPU 232 (step Sm2). 23, since the CF image display command is not a sound command in the command issuing process shown in FIG. 23, the determination result in step S500 is NO, and the process proceeds to step S502, where the CF image display command is sent to the sub-sub CPU 232. Sent.

  Upon receiving the CF image display command, the sub-sub CPU 232 performs control for displaying the CF notification image (step Ss1). First, the sub-sub CPU 232 outputs to the image processing IC 238 shown in FIG. 5A a command for displaying an image for informing that a CF has occurred (not shown). As a result, the image processing IC 238 stores drawing data for displaying the CF notification image in the abnormality notification image drawing memory 2422 shown in FIG. 5B based on the image data stored in the image data ROM 240. expand. Further, the image processing IC 238 outputs a high-level switching signal to the selector 2424 shown in FIG. 5B, and draws the rendering data in the effect image rendering memory 2420 that has been output to the display device 70 until then. The drawing data is switched to the abnormality notification image drawing memory 2422.

  Note that while the drawing data written in the abnormality notification image drawing memory 2422 is being output to the display device 70, the image processing IC 238 is displayed on the display device 70 until then with respect to the effect image drawing memory 2420. I continue to update the drawing data of the movie I was playing.

  Next, the sub-sub CPU 232 outputs a sound command for setting the volume of the audio signal generated by the sub management channel to “0” to the sound source IC 244 (step Ss2). As a result, the sound source IC 244 continues to generate the audio signal in the sub management channel, but the volume of the generated audio signal is set to “0” and the sound based on the audio signal generated in the sub management channel, for example, a movie Control is performed so that the player cannot hear the voice accompanying the (step Sg1).

  When the sub-main CPU 212 transmits a CF image display command to the sub-sub CPU 232 in the process of step Sm2, next, the volume of the BGM audio signal generated in the third channel is set to “0”. A command (BGM volume minimum command) is transmitted to the sub-sub CPU 232 (step Sm3). As a result, the sub-sub CPU 232 transmits a sound command for setting the volume of the sound signal (that is, the BGM sound signal) generated in the third channel to “0” to the sound source IC 244 (step Ss3). The sound source IC 244 controls the BGM volume to “0” (step Sg2).

  Next, the sub-main CPU 212 transmits a command for maximizing the master volume (master volume maximum command) to the sub-sub CPU 232 (step Sm4). Thereby, the sub-sub CPU 232 transmits a sound command for setting the master volume to “100” to the sound source IC 244 (step Ss4), and the sound source IC 244 controls the master volume to “100” (step Sg3). Thus, by setting the master volume to “100”, it is possible to reproduce an alarm sound (CF alarm sound) for notifying that a CF to be generated thereafter is generated at a higher volume.

  Next, the sub-main CPU 212 transmits a command (CF alarm sound generation command) for outputting the CF alarm sound from the speakers 64L and 64R to the sub-sub CPU 232 (step Sm5). The CPU 232 transmits a sound command for generating a sound signal of a CF warning sound to the sound source IC 244 (step Ss5). The sound source IC 244 that has received this sound command generates a sound signal of the CF warning sound based on the sound data corresponding to the CF warning sound stored in the sound ROM 246 shown in FIG. 5A (step Sg4). ).

  The generation of the audio signal is performed on a channel that does not generate an audio signal (that is, an empty channel) among the first and second channels. When both the channels are vacant, they are generated by a predetermined channel (here, the first channel) (see FIG. 26A). Furthermore, when audio signals are generated in both channels, the audio signal being generated in the channel in which the audio signal generation is started first is terminated, and the audio signal of the CF alarm sound is output. Generate. Further, as a specific example of the CF warning sound, a melody specific to the CF warning sound is repeatedly generated, simply that an abnormality has occurred, or specifically that a CF has occurred in Japanese or in a plurality of languages. Thus, what is repeatedly notified can be considered.

  Then, when the sub-main CPU 212 transmits the CF alarm sound generation command to the sub-sub CPU 232 by the process of step Sm5, the state of the issue prohibition flag stored in the RAM 216 shown in FIG. Then, other processing is performed (step Sm6). The sound signal of the CF alarm sound generated by the sound source IC 244 is released from the CF (more strictly, the abnormality notification is stopped) by operating the reset switch 82c shown in FIG. Until it is generated repeatedly.

  In this state, when it is detected in the main control circuit 100 that the front door 12 is opened (step M3), the CPU 106 transmits door opening abnormality information (door opening command) to the sub control circuit 200. (Step M4). Thereby, the sub-main CPU 212 starts processing when the front door 12 is opened (step Sm7). First, the sub-main CPU 212 sends a command (door opening image display command) for displaying an image (opening occurrence image) for notifying the opening of the front door 12 on the display device 70 to the sub-sub CPU 232. Transmit (step Sm8).

  When the sub-sub CPU 232 receives the door opening image display command, the sub-sub CPU 232 performs control for displaying the door opening occurrence image (step Ss6). That is, the sub-sub CPU 232 outputs a command for displaying an image (opening notification image) for notifying that the front door 12 is opened to the image processing IC 238 shown in FIG. Abbreviation). As a result, the image processing IC 238 displays the drawing data for displaying the door opening notification image based on the image data stored in the image data ROM 240 as the abnormality notification image drawing memory 2422 shown in FIG. Expand to. As a result, the drawing data developed in the abnormality notification image drawing memory 2422 is sequentially output to the display device 70.

  Next, the sub-main CPU 212 outputs a command (door abnormal sound generation command) for outputting a sound (door abnormal sound) for notifying that the front door 12 is open from the speakers 64L and 64R. This is transmitted to the sub CPU 232 (step Sm9), whereby the sub-sub CPU 232 transmits a sound command for generating a sound signal of an abnormal door sound to the sound source IC 244 (step Ss7). The sound source IC 244 that has received the sound command generates a sound signal of the abnormal door sound based on the sound data corresponding to the abnormal door sound stored in the sound ROM 246 shown in FIG. 5A (step Sg5). ). Here, since the CF warning sound signal has already been generated in the first channel by the processing in step Sg4, the door abnormal sound signal is generated in the empty second channel (FIG. 26B). reference). As described above, since the CF warning sound signal and the door abnormal sound signal are generated in separate channels, the CF alarm sound and the door abnormal sound can be generated at the same time. .

  Moving to FIG. 25, it is confirmed that there is no abnormality in the medal selector 80 shown in FIG. 2 by an attendant at the game hall, and when the reset switch 82c is operated, the CPU 106 of the main control circuit 100 eliminates the CF. Abnormal release information (CF release command) indicating that the CF has been released is transmitted to the sub-control circuit 200 (step M5). Thereby, the sub-main CPU 212 starts processing when the CF is released (step Sm10). First, the sub-main CPU 212 transmits a command (CF alarm sound stop command) to stop the CF alarm sound to the sub-sub CPU 232 in order to stop the CF alarm sound (step Sm11).

  When the sub-sub CPU 232 receives the CF alarm sound stop command, the sub-sub CPU 232 transmits a sound command for stopping the process of generating the sound signal of the CF alarm sound to the sound source IC 244 (step Ss8). The sound source IC 244 that has received this sound command ends the process of generating the CF warning sound signal and stops the CF warning sound generated from the speakers 64L and 64R (step Sg6). Next, the sub-main CPU 212 executes a CF release image display command for displaying an image (CF release image) indicating that the CF has been released from the opening notification image currently displayed on the display device 70. The data is transmitted to the sub CPU 232 (step Sm12).

  Thereby, the sub-sub CPU 232 performs control for displaying the CF release image on the display device 70 (step Ss9). First, the sub-sub CPU 232 outputs a command for displaying the CF release image to the image processing IC 238, so that the image processing IC 238 performs the CF release image based on the image data stored in the image data ROM 240. The drawing data for displaying is expanded in the abnormality notification image drawing memory 2422. Then, the image processing IC 238 sequentially outputs the developed drawing data to the display device 70, and when the CF release image is displayed on the display device 70 for a predetermined time, the image processing IC 238 again displays the door opening notification image. The processing for displaying on 70 is performed.

  Next, when various commands transmitted during the unit game are transmitted from the main control circuit 100 after the issue prohibition flag is turned on by the sub-main CPU 212 in step Sm6 described above, the sub-main CPU 212 Accordingly, control relating to image display and sound generation is performed. For example, in response to various commands transmitted from the main control circuit 100 (step M6), the sub-main CPU 212 sets the original volume of the BGM that is generating the audio signal (actually, the volume is set by the process of step Sg2). Suppose that a process of fading (lowering) is required (step Sm13). For example, when an effect with an image is performed in parallel with BGM, if the character appearing in the effect says a speech, the volume of the BGM may be lowered so that the speech is easy to hear.

In this case, since the door abnormal sound is currently generated, the BGM volume is set to “0” by the process of step Sg2 of FIG. 24, so the player cannot hear the BGM, but those abnormalities are resolved. When this is done, the value of the volume command related to BGM is always stored and updated in the RAM 216 so that the BGM is immediately reproduced at the original volume (step Sm14).
That is, as shown in the command issuance process of FIG. 23, if the command transmitted from the sub-main CPU 212 to the sub-sub CPU 232 is a sound command (FIG. 23, step S500, YES), if it is a command related to volume (FIG. 23, step S504, YES) First, although the volume value is stored in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 216 (see FIG. 23, step S506, FIG. 26D), the BGM channel (third In the case of a volume command for (channel), it is not transmitted to the sub-sub CPU 232 (FIG. 23, step S510, NO → return).

On the other hand, if the volume command is for an error channel (first or second channel) (FIG. 23, step S510, YES), it is transmitted to the sub-sub CPU 232 (FIG. 23, step S502).
If the command to be transmitted from the sub-main CPU 212 to the sub-sub CPU 232 is a sound command related to other than the sound volume (FIG. 23, step S504, NO), if it is a command for the first to third channels, It is transmitted to the sub-sub CPU 232 (the figure, step S514, YES → S502). Here, examples of the sound command for the BGM channel other than the sound volume include a command for changing the BGM music to be reproduced.

  Next, when it is detected in the main control circuit 100 that the door opening state has been released due to the game door 12 being closed by an attendant of the game hall, etc., the CPU 106 of the main control circuit 100 determines that the door opening state has been reached. Abnormality cancellation information (door opening cancellation command) indicating that it has been canceled is transmitted to the sub-control circuit 200 (step M7). Thereby, the sub-main CPU 212 starts processing when the door-open state is released (step Sm15). First, the sub-main CPU 212 considers that the effect resumption condition is satisfied when all the abnormal states are eliminated, and updates the state of the issue prohibition flag stored in the RAM 216 to off (step Sm16). Next, the sub-main CPU 212 transmits an effect image display command to the sub-sub CPU 232 in order to switch the opening notification image displayed on the display device 70 to the original effect image (step Sm17).

  When the effect image display command described above is received, the sub-sub CPU 232 first performs control for displaying the effect notification image (step Ss10). That is, the sub-sub CPU 232 outputs a command for displaying an effect notification image to the image processing IC 238. As a result, the image processing IC 238 ends the writing of the drawing data to the abnormality notification image drawing memory 2422. Further, the image processing IC 238 outputs a low-level switching signal to the selector 2424, and the drawing data of the abnormality notification image drawing memory 2422 that has been output to the display device 70 until then is stored in the effect image drawing memory 2420. Switch to drawing data. Thereby, while the CF notification image and the door opening notification image are displayed on the display device 70, the rendering data for rendering the effect image that has been updated in the rendering image rendering memory 2420 is output to the display device 70 again. Will come to be.

  Next, the sub-sub CPU 232 outputs, to the sound source IC 244, a sound command for restoring the sound volume of the audio signal generated by the sub management channel (that is, setting the sound volume setting value to “100”) to the sound source IC 244. (Step Ss11). The sound source IC 244 sets the volume of the audio signal in the sub management channel that has been generated to “100” even after the volume is set to “0” by the process of step Sg1 described above (step Sg7). Thereby, the sound based on the sound signal generated in the sub management channel can be heard from the speakers 64L and 64R.

  When the sub-main CPU 212 transmits the effect image display command to the sub-sub CPU 232 in the process of step Sm17, the sub-main CPU 212 then stops the generation of the door abnormal sound generated in the second channel (door abnormality). A sound stop command) is transmitted to the sub-sub CPU 232 (step Sm18). As a result, the sub-sub CPU 232 transmits a sound command for terminating the generation of the sound signal of the door abnormal sound in the second channel to the sound source IC 244 (step Ss12), and the sound source IC 244 transmits the sound signal of the door abnormal sound. The generation ends (step Sg8).

  Next, the sub-main CPU 212 transmits a command for returning the master volume to the normal volume (master volume normal command) to the sub-sub CPU 232 (step Sm19), whereby the sub-sub CPU 232 sends to the sound source IC 244. A sound command for setting the master volume to “79” is transmitted (step Ss13). The sound source IC 244 that has received this sound command controls the master volume to “79” (step Sg9).

  Further, the sub-main CPU 212 reads out the volume setting value stored in the RAM 216 by the process of step Sm14 in order to generate the BGM at the original volume, and controls the BGM volume to the read setting value (BGM). (Volume control command) is transmitted to the sub-sub CPU 232 (step Sm20). Here, as shown in FIG. 26D, it is assumed that the set value of the volume stored in the RAM 216 when the door is released is “20”. Accordingly, the sub-sub CPU 232 transmits a sound command for generating a BGM audio signal having a volume of “20” to the sound source IC 244 (step Ss14). Then, the sound source IC 244 that has received this sound command generates an audio signal such that the volume of the BGM that has been set to “0” until then becomes “20” (step Sg10).

  For example, when displaying a long-time movie as an effect on the display device 70, the image processing IC 238 reads out the moving image data corresponding to the movie to be displayed from the image data ROM 240, and sequentially stores the effect image drawing memory according to the moving image data Drawing data is written in the unit 2420 in units of one screen, and the drawing data is updated every predetermined frame period. Here, as described above, even if some abnormality occurs during the display of the movie, the drawing data written to the effect image drawing memory 2420 is updated every predetermined frame period. For such a case, it is preferable to include pause information (chapter information) at some places in the moving image data.

  Then, when the image processing IC 238 reads the suspension information in the process of processing the moving image data in time series as described above, the state of the issue prohibition flag stored in the RAM 216 is referred to. If the issuance prohibition flag is off, the drawing data update is continued as it is, but if it is on, the image processing IC 238 draws the drawing data for one screen that is currently being updated to render the effect image drawing. When writing to the memory 2420 is completed, the update of the drawing data is temporarily stopped. The audio signal corresponding to this movie is generated by the sub-management channel of the sound source IC 244. The sound source IC 244 reads the pause information when the image processing IC 238 reads the pause information, and the update of the drawing data is paused. The generation of the audio signal is temporarily stopped at the position corresponding to the position. When the issuance prohibition flag is turned off, the drawing data update and the generation of the audio signal are resumed from the position where the issuance is temporarily stopped.

  In this way, pause information is included in the moving image data in advance, and when an abnormality occurs during the processing of the moving image data, the update of the drawing data and the generation of the audio signal are paused when the pause information is recognized. As a result, for example, when a movie is displayed as an effect, an abnormality occurs and the movie is paused at a predetermined position even when the update of the movie image is continued during the notification. Can be made. For this reason, when the abnormality is resolved and the display of the movie is resumed, the movie has not already been finished (it has been displayed to the end).

10 slot machine 37L, 37C, 37R stop switch 40L, 40C, 40R reel 64L, 64R speaker 70 image display device 72 upper effect lamp 80 medal selector 82c reset switch 83 medal payout device 85a, 85b rod-shaped electrode 86 external concentrated terminal board 100 main Control circuit 106 CPU
108 ROM
110, 216, 236 RAM
200 Sub Control Circuit 210 Production Control Unit 212 Sub-Main CPU
214 Production control ROM
230 Image / Audio Control Unit 232 Sub-Sub CPU
234 Video / audio control ROM
238 Image processing IC
240 Image data ROM
242 VRAM
244 Sound source IC
246 Sound ROM
300 Operation means 310 Rotation instruction means 320 Stop instruction means 330 Insertion instruction means 410 Role lottery means 420 Freeze effect lottery means 430 Reel control means 460 Abnormality detection means 470 External signal output means 480 Game progress prohibition means 510 Effect control means 512 Effect data storage Means 514 Effect lottery means 520 Effect signal generation means 522 Effect image signal generation means 524 Effect sound signal generation means 530 Notification data storage means 535 Communication error detection means 540 Abnormality notification signal generation means 542 Abnormality notification image signal generation means 544 Abnormality notification audio signal Generation means 550 Effect notification switching means 560 Special game execution means 2420 Effect image drawing memory 2422 Abnormality notification image drawing memory

Claims (2)

A slot machine in which a unit game in which a game result is determined is repeatedly performed by a combination of the symbols displayed when rotation of a plurality of reels with a plurality of types of symbols is stopped,
An anomaly detecting means for detecting an anomaly;
Effect notification means for performing notification regarding the effect of the unit game and the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection means;
Effect signal generating means for generating an effect signal based on effect data for performing the effect by the effect notification means;
An abnormality notification signal generating means for generating an abnormality notification signal based on notification data for notification of the abnormality by the effect notification means;
When an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means, the effect notification means is caused to execute notification based on the abnormality notification signal generated by the abnormality notification signal generation means, and a predetermined effect restart condition is satisfied. And effect notification switching means for executing an effect based on the effect signal again,
The effect data includes at least one pause information,
The effect signal generating means includes:
A process for generating an effect signal by continuously processing the effect data in time series while the effect notification means performs notification based on the abnormality notification signal by the effect notification switching means. row have, in the course of processing the effect data, when it recognizes the temporary stop information, slot machine, characterized in that for temporarily stopping the generation of the effect signal until a predetermined condition is satisfied. A slot machine in which a unit game in which a game result is determined is repeatedly performed by a combination of the symbols displayed when rotation of a plurality of reels with a plurality of types of symbols is stopped,
An anomaly detecting means for detecting an anomaly;
Effect notification means for performing notification regarding the effect of the unit game and the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection means;
Effect signal generating means for generating an effect signal based on effect data for performing the effect by the effect notification means;
An abnormality notification signal generating means for generating an abnormality notification signal based on notification data for notification of the abnormality by the effect notification means;
When an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means, the effect notification means is caused to execute notification based on the abnormality notification signal generated by the abnormality notification signal generation means, and a predetermined effect restart condition is satisfied. And effect notification switching means for executing an effect based on the effect signal again,
The effect signal generating means includes:
By the presentation broadcast switching means, even while the effect informing means is performing the notification based on the abnormality notification signal, it has row processing to generate an effect signal based on the effect data continuously,
When producing a production signal based on production data corresponding to a specific production, if a specific abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means, the production of the production signal based on the production data is paused. A slot machine , wherein when the specific abnormality is resolved, the production of the production signal is resumed from the temporarily produced production data .

Images