JP5721280B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that includes a first effect and a second effect that is executed when the first effect is not executed.

  Conventionally, in gaming machines, it is known that a predetermined effect is executed as a game progresses in order to enhance the interest of the player in the game. In general, a plurality of types of effects are prepared, and the execution of the effects is started according to various triggers set in advance. For example, as a player's operation on operation means such as a stop switch, a start switch, and a chance button, the execution of the effect is started when a predetermined operation state is started. In addition, an opportunity to start the production is set in advance for each of the productions, and when an opportunity to start the production occurs, an effect corresponding to the type of the produced opportunity is selected and executed. Is done.

  In addition, some of the effects start to be performed when a predetermined operation state with respect to the operation unit is completed. In this case, while the predetermined operation state continues as the operation of the operation means, that is, until the predetermined operation state with respect to the operation means is completed, the player operates the operation means, so that the player can feel the expectation for the effect. It is known to increase. According to such an effect, when the player's expectation for the effect is sufficiently increased, the execution of the effect is started by the player ending the predetermined operation state with respect to the operation means. Can be increased.

  For example, in the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, first, when a pressed state is started as an operation of a start switch, execution of an effect of displaying an image on a liquid crystal display is started, and each reel starts to rotate. Subsequently, when a pressing state is started as an operation of a stop switch for stopping the rotation of each reel, execution of an effect for displaying another image on the liquid crystal display is started. Thereafter, when the pressing state is ended as an operation of the stop switch, execution of an effect for displaying another image on the liquid crystal display is started.

JP-A-2004-24486 (paragraphs 0073, 0077, 0079, 0080, FIG. 11 (a) to FIG. 11 (e), etc.)

  By the way, in the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1 described above, when an effect is started when the pressing state ends as an operation of the stop switch, the pressing state is started as an operation of the stop switch. If the effect that has been started as an opportunity is still being executed, the effect that is being executed is terminated unconditionally. In other words, when the execution of the effect is started when the predetermined operation state for the operation means such as the stop switch is ended, another effect started to be executed due to the occurrence of another event is being executed. For example, the other effects are unconditionally terminated.

  For this reason, for example, as an effect that starts executing when the pressing state is started as an operation of the stop switch, an effect time that is at least a predetermined time or more in advance to convey the intention of the effect designer to the player The following problems may occur when the first effect requiring the preparation is prepared. In other words, when the first effect started by pressing the stop switch is being executed and the stop switch is pressed, the first predetermined time required to convey the intention of the effect is reached. When the production ends in the middle, the intention of the production designer is not transmitted to the player, and the player's interest cannot be enhanced.

  As a method for solving the above-described problem, a predetermined operation state is set as an operation of the operation means while the first effect that requires at least a predetermined time for transmitting the intention of the effect is being executed. Even if it is finished, there can be considered a method of not starting the execution of the second effect triggered by the start of the execution of the predetermined operation state. However, in such a method, while the first effect that requires at least a prescribed time to convey the intention of the effect is being executed, the start of execution is triggered by the end of the predetermined operation state as the operation of the operation means. 2. Execution of production cannot be started. Therefore, for example, when the player finishes the predetermined operation state for the operation means when the expectation for the second effect is sufficiently increased by operating the operation means for a predetermined time or more, the predetermined operation state is ended. Since the second effect is not started, the player's interest cannot be enhanced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is a first effect that starts executing at a predetermined opportunity, and an execution start opportunity that a predetermined operation state ends due to the end of the operation of the operating means by the player. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of responding in a well-balanced manner to the mutually conflicting requirements provided by the second production.

In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to the present invention includes an operating means operated by a player in a state where a prescribed number of game media are inserted in order to execute one game, An effect means for executing the second effect and an effect control means for causing the effect means to execute the first effect and the second effect, wherein the effect control means has a predetermined operation means determined in advance. The first stage effect and the first stage effect that are executed following the start of operation of the operation means by the player in the operation state or at a predetermined opportunity before the operation means operation start. The first effect execution starting means for causing the effect means to start the execution of the first effect having two stages of effects, and when the predetermined operation state is ended by the operation end of the operation means by the player. Director The execution of the second effect is started when the first effect is being executed when the predetermined operation state ends when the player finishes the operation of the operation means. Second effect execution start means for ending execution of the first effect and starting execution of the second effect, and second effect execution suppression for suppressing the execution operation of the second effect by the second effect execution start means. The second stage performance execution suppression unit is not being completed when the first stage of the stage is being executed when the predetermined operation state is ended by the end of the operation of the operation unit by the player. On the condition that the second effect execution start means stops the start of execution of the second effect by the effect means or delays until the first stage effect ends, the first effect execution start means by the first effect execution start means. 1 production To continue with, when the operation end of the operating means by the player the predetermined operation state has been completed, on condition that effect of the first stage has been completed, according to the first demonstration execution start means The execution of the first effect is terminated, and the second effect execution start means is caused to start executing the second effect (Claim 1).

In addition, an operation duration measuring unit that counts an operation duration time during which the predetermined operation state is continued by an operation of the operation unit by a player is further provided, and the second effect execution suppression unit is configured to execute the second effect execution. the condition for stopping or delaying the start of execution of the second effect by the representation section to start means, when the operation end of the operating means by the player the predetermined operation state has been completed, before Symbol operation duration time has the also observed including that does not reach the short set predetermined time than the time required for completion of the first effect, starts execution of the second effect in the second demonstration execution starting means if reached the predetermined time causes the or (claim 2).

The operation control unit further includes an operation duration measuring unit that measures an operation duration time during which the predetermined operation state is continued by an operation of the operation unit by a player, and the effect control unit is configured to operate the operation unit by the player. to come to the predetermined operation state is terminated by termination, on condition that the operation duration time has reached a predetermined time set shorter than the time required for completion of the first effect, the first step A second effect execution suppression canceling means for canceling the operation of the second effect execution suppressing means when the effect of the second effect is ended and causing the second effect execution starting means to start the execution of the second effect by the effect means; It is good to provide (Claim 3).

In addition, it further includes an operation duration notifying unit for executing an operation duration notification effect for notifying whether or not the operation duration has reached the predetermined time, and the effect control unit is configured to operate the operation unit by a player. initiated by optionally comprise a predetermined operation duration time notification effect execution means for executing the operation duration time notification means the notification effect the operation duration time on condition that the operation state is started (claim 4).

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the predetermined operation state is ended by the player's operation end of the operation means, the game in which the operation means is set in a predetermined operation state determined in advance by the first effect execution start means. If the first effect that is started by the start of the operation of the operation means by the user or at a predetermined time before the operation of the operation means is being executed by the effect means, the second effect execution start means causes the first effect to start. Is finished and the second production by the production means is started. However, on the other hand, the first effect has the effect of the first stage and the effect of the second stage executed subsequent to the effect of the first stage, and when the predetermined operation state with respect to the operation means is finished. In addition, on the condition that the first stage effect is being executed and has not ended, the second effect execution suppressing means stops the execution of the second effect by the second effect execution starting means, or the first stage effect is The execution of the first effect is continued until delayed, and the first stage effect is completed when the predetermined operation state is ended by the end of the operation of the operation means by the player . Execution of the first effect by the first effect execution start means is terminated, and execution of the second effect by the second effect execution start means is started.

Therefore, even if the end of a predetermined operation state by the operation end of the operation means by the player, unless rendition of the first stage of the first effect is completed, the effect of the first stage of the first effect is continuously runs, if rendition of the first stage is completed, Ru second effect starts running. Therefore, when the first effect includes an indispensable effect to be surely executed and an effect that is less necessary to be executed than the indispensable effect, the essential effect is assigned to the first stage effect of the first effect. Thus, since the essential effect assigned to the first stage of the first effect is reliably executed, it is possible to easily convey the intention of the effect designer to the player.

In addition, as described above, when the predetermined operation state ends when the player finishes operating the operation means, the first effect is being executed, but if the first stage effect is ended, the second effect is performed. Since the execution suppression means does not suppress the start of execution of the second effect by the second effect execution start means, execution of the second effect by the effect means is started instead of the first effect. Therefore, the execution of the second effect can be started instead of the first effect when the predetermined operation state is ended by the operation of the operation means considered to have increased the expectation of the player. Can enhance the interest of the person.

As described above, the design for the first effect started to be executed when the operation means is started by the player who enters the predetermined operation state in advance or when the operation means is started before the operation means is started. The player's expectation for the second effect that triggers the start of execution is that the request to make it easier to convey the player's intention to the player and the end of the predetermined operation state due to the end of the operation of the operation means by the player It is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of responding to these mutually conflicting requests in a balanced manner in response to a request to execute the second performance when the price rises, thereby enhancing the interest of the player. be able to.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the predetermined operation state is ended by the operation end of the operation means by the player , the operation continuation time for the operation means timed by the operation continuation time counting means is terminated. Even when the predetermined time set shorter than the time required for performing has not been reached, the execution start of the second effect by the second effect execution starting means is stopped or delayed by the second effect execution suppressing means. . Therefore, as described above, unless the operation duration time counted by the operation duration time measuring means has reached the predetermined time, the player's sense of expectation for the second effect is not so high. Therefore, in such a case, the second effect is not executed when the first effect is being executed when the predetermined operation state is ended by the end of the operation of the operation means by the player. The first effect is continuously executed. Therefore, the interest of the player who wants to enjoy the first performance can be enhanced.

According to the invention of claim 3, when the first stage effect of the first effect is being executed at the time when the predetermined operation state is ended due to the end of the operation of the operation means by the player , the operation continuation time is the first. On the condition that the predetermined time set shorter than the time required for finishing the production has been reached, the second production execution suppression means is activated when the production of the first stage of the first production is completed. Canceled by the second effect execution suppression canceling means. Therefore, if the operation continuation time counted by the operation continuation time measuring means has reached a predetermined time, it is considered that the player's sense of expectation for the second effect of operating the operation means is increased. the operation end of the operating means when a predetermined operating condition has been completed, if effect of the first stage of the first effect is complete, without delay, the execution of the second effect by the representation section in place of the effect of the second stage Be started. Accordingly, since the constant operating conditions to which the operation duration continues at the operation means by the player if they reached the predetermined time, the player is considered to enhance the anticipation by such actions, the Since the execution of the second effect is started after the first stage of the first effect is executed at a minimum, it is possible to meet the player's expectation.

According to the invention of claim 4, operation duration time notification effect that operation duration time a predetermined operation state of the operation means by the player continues to notify whether it has reached the predetermined time, the operation by the player On condition that the predetermined operation state of the means has been started, the operation duration notification means is executed by the operation duration notification effect execution means included in the effect control means. Therefore, the player can operate the operating means after recognizing whether or not the operation duration has reached the predetermined time by the operation duration notification effect, and thus the player continues the predetermined operation state more than necessary. There is nothing. Therefore, the player can execute the second effect more smoothly and enjoy the executed second effect.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the slot machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine. It is a functional block diagram of production control means. It is a flowchart which shows a main control process. It is a flowchart which shows a reel rotation stop process. It is a flowchart which shows a sub control process. It is a flowchart which shows an operation time determination process. It is a flowchart which shows an effect command control process. 7 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the gaming machine when the operation duration of the stop switch has reached a predetermined time. It is a timing chart which shows the other example of operation | movement of a game machine when the operation continuation time of a stop switch has reached predetermined time. It is a timing chart which shows operation | movement when the operation continuation time of a stop switch has not reached predetermined time. It is a functional block diagram of the production | presentation control means concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a sub control process. It is a flowchart which shows an operation time determination process. It is a flowchart which shows an effect command control process. It is a functional block diagram of the presentation control means concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a sub control process. It is a flowchart which shows the command reception process for status notifications. It is a flowchart which shows an effect command control process. 7 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the gaming machine when the operation duration of the stop switch has reached a predetermined time. It is a timing chart which shows the other example of operation | movement of a game machine when the operation continuation time of a stop switch has reached predetermined time. It is a timing chart which shows operation | movement when the operation continuation time of a stop switch has not reached predetermined time. It is a functional block diagram of the production | presentation control means concerning 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows a sub control process. It is a flowchart which shows the command reception process for status notifications. It is a flowchart which shows an effect command control process.

<First Embodiment>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Overview of slot machine)
An outline of the configuration of the slot machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a front view of the slot machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine.

  The slot machine 1 (corresponding to the “gaming machine” of the present invention) in the present embodiment is a player's start switch 9 and stop switches 10L, 10M, on condition that a prescribed number of game media such as medals are inserted. One game is executed based on the operation of 10R, and is configured as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example. That is, in this slot machine 1, the front surface of the box-shaped housing whose front surface is opened is closed by the front panel 2 so that it can be opened and closed, and the operation plate 3 is disposed at a substantially central height position of the front panel 2. In addition, a front plate 4 is disposed above the operation plate 3.

  The front plate 4 is provided with a horizontally-long rectangular display window 5. Inside the display window 5, left, middle, and right reels 6L, 6M, and 6R that variably display a plurality of types of symbols in a predetermined order are disposed.

  A predetermined number of symbols are provided in a predetermined arrangement on the peripheral surfaces of the left, middle and right reels 6L, 6M, 6R. The plurality of symbols provided on the peripheral surfaces of the left, middle, and right reels 6L, 6M, and 6R include a plurality of different types of symbols. Each reel 6L, 6M, 6R is formed by affixing a reel tape on which a plurality of types of symbols are printed on the peripheral surface of the reel. When the reels 6L, 6M, 6R rotate, a plurality of types of symbols provided on the peripheral surfaces of the reels 6L, 6M, 6R are variably displayed on the display window 5 in a predetermined order. When the reels 6L, 6M, and 6R stop rotating, a total of three symbols are displayed for each of the reels 6L, 6M, and 6R, one on each of the upper, middle, and lower stages of the display window 5. Is set to That is, when all the reels 6L, 6M, 6R are stopped, a total of nine symbols arranged in three columns and three rows are stopped and displayed on the display window 5.

  In addition, each reel 6L, 6M, 6R is connected to a reel motor composed of a stepping motor so that each reel 6L, 6M, 6R can be driven to rotate independently.

  Further, the operation panel 3 has a bet switch 7 for instructing to insert one medal from each of the credit medals stored inside as owned by the player, and the maximum insertion per game (game) from the credit medals. Maximum bet switch 8 for instructing the insertion of the number of medals (set to 3), lever-shaped start switch 9 for rotating each reel 6L, 6M, 6R to start variable display of each symbol, left Left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, 10R for stopping the variable display of each symbol by stopping the rotation of the middle / right reels 6L, 6M, 6R, for example, a settlement switch 11 for paying out credit medals, for example A chance switch 12 and a medal slot 13 used when the player participates in the production are provided. In the present embodiment, the number of medals inserted (specified number) required for one game (one game) is set to one of three types. Each reel 6L, 6M, 6R forms a variable display row for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols, and each stop switch 10L, 10M, 10R corresponds to each reel 6L, 6M, 6R. Is provided. When the chance switch 12 is operated by the player, for example, an effect of informing the result of the role lottery is executed.

  Each of the bet switch 7, the maximum bet switch 8, the stop switches 10L, 10M, and 10R, the settlement switch 11, and the chance switch 12 is arranged inside a button-like operation unit and an operation unit for operation of the operation unit by the player. And a sensor for detecting a detection piece that moves with the sensor piece. That is, the bet switch 7 includes a bet switch sensor 7a, the maximum bet switch 8 includes a maximum bet switch sensor 8a, and the left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, and 10R are for left / middle / right stop switches, respectively. Sensors 10La, 10Ma, and 10Ra are provided, the payment switch 11 is provided with a payment switch sensor 11a, and the Chang switch 12 is provided with a chance switch sensor 12a.

  In addition, the operation unit is always biased by a spring in a direction opposite to the pressing direction of the operation unit by the player so that the sensor does not detect the detection piece when the operation unit is not operated by the player. Then, when an operation part of each button-like switch such as a “stop switch” provided with a button-like operation part is pushed in by the player, the operation state of each button-like switch such as “stop switch” becomes a pressed state. Further, the detection piece moves as the player pushes the operation unit, and the detected detection piece is detected by the sensor. After that, when the player releases the hand and the pressing state for each button-like switch such as the “stop switch” is finished, the button-like operation unit is moved back to the initial position by the urging force of the spring, so that the detection piece is Since it is no longer detected by the sensor, the detection state of the detection piece by the sensor ends.

  The start switch 9 includes a lever-like operation unit and a start switch sensor 9a that detects a detection piece that moves in accordance with the operation of the operation unit by the player. The start switch 9 is substantially the same as the button switch such as the “stop switch” described above except for the relationship between the operation state of the lever-like operation unit by the player and the detection state of the detection piece by the start switch sensor 9a. It has the composition of.

  That is, in the present embodiment, when the lever-like operation portion of the start switch 9 is pushed downward by the player, the operation state with respect to the start switch 9 becomes a pressed state. Then, the detection piece moves as the player pushes the lever-shaped operation unit, and the detected detection piece is no longer detected by the start switch sensor 9a, and the detection state of the detection piece by the start switch sensor 9a ends. . After that, when the player releases his / her hand and the pressing state on the start switch 9 is finished, the lever-like operation part is moved back to the initial position by the biasing force of the spring, so that the detection piece is detected by the start switch sensor 9a. Is done.

  The relationship between each sensor and the detection piece is not limited to the above example. That is, the relationship between each sensor and the detection piece is such that when the operation unit provided in each switch is operated by the player, the detection state of the detection piece by the sensor is different from that when the operation unit is in the initial position. I just need it. If it does in this way, it can detect that the operation part of each switch was operated by the player. Therefore, the relationship between the sensor and the detection piece can be changed as appropriate.

  In addition, a video or the like is displayed in the approximate center above the front plate 4 to notify the player of winning or winning, or to provide an effect of notifying the operation mode of each stop switch 10L, 10M, 10R. A liquid crystal display 14 is provided. The liquid crystal display 14 includes a liquid crystal control board 14a provided with a liquid crystal display (LCD) drive circuit, and various images are displayed on the liquid crystal display 14 by being driven by the liquid crystal control board 14a. In addition, upper and lower speakers 15 are provided on the left and right sides of the liquid crystal display 14 for performing effects such as music and voice.

  Further, a lower panel 18 on which a decorative image or the like is displayed is provided below the operation panel 3, and a medal payout opening 20 and a medal paid out from the payout opening 20 are received below the lower panel 18. A saucer 21 is provided. In addition, on the left and right sides of the lower panel 18 are provided lower speakers 16 for performing effects such as music and voice.

  In addition, a support frame that supports each of the reels 6L, 6M, and 6R is fixed to a rear wall in the casing, and each of the reels 6L, 6M, and 6R is supported by the support frame and disposed in the casing. Has been. A hopper unit 40 for discharging medals to the payout opening 20 is disposed below the support frame in the housing. Further, on the back side near the medal insertion slot 13, a medal selector for selecting whether or not the medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 13 is genuine and guiding only the regular medal to the hopper unit 40 is disposed. Yes.

  In addition, a medal passage is provided on the back surface of the front panel 2. The medals excluded as non-regular medals in the medal selector and medals paid out from the hopper unit 40 are discharged to the payout outlet 20 through the medal passage. In FIG. 2, the insertion sensor 31 is provided in a medal selector disposed in the vicinity of the medal insertion slot 13 inside the casing, and detects the medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 13 one by one. . The payout sensor 32 is provided at the exit of the hopper unit 40 and detects medals paid out to the payout outlet 20 one by one.

  Further, an upper lamp portion 22 is provided on the upper peripheral portion of the front panel 2, and lower lamp portions 23 are provided on the left and right sides of the lower panel 18 of the front panel 2. Each of the lamp units 22 and 23 includes a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode or an organic EL, or a general light bulb, and performs effects such as notifying a player of winning or winning.

  In the slot machine 1, a main control board 52 on which a main CPU 51 that controls at least the progress of the game is mounted, and an effect control according to the progress of the game is performed based on information transmitted from the main control board 52. A sub control board 62 on which the sub CPU 61 is mounted is provided separately, and various data are transmitted from the main control board 52 to the sub control board 62 in one-way in a command format.

  The RAM 53 of the main control board 52 temporarily stores data related to the game of the slot machine 1, and various storage areas for storing various data are formed in the RAM 53. The ROM 54 of the main control board 52 stores various data in advance, and stores a game machine program (a program for the slot machine 1) including preset data such as a lottery table.

  The main CPU 51 of the main control board 52 has an interrupt function such as a timer interrupt, and executes a game machine program stored in the ROM 54 to perform processing related to the progress of the game. The main CPU 51 also includes data related to the lottery result in the role lottery process by the lottery means (not shown), data related to the operation of the operation tool operated by the player such as the stop switches 10L, 10M, 10R, and the like. Various data indicating information relating to the progress of the game on the main control board 52 and the operation status of the switches and sensors are transmitted to the sub CPU 61 of the sub control board 62 in a command format.

  Various data are transmitted from the main control board 52 to the sub control board 62 through the I / O port in the command format at the timing of the timer interrupt process executed in the main CPU 51 about every 1.8 milliseconds. The

  The RAM 63 of the sub control board 62 temporarily stores various data, and various storage areas for storing various data are formed in the RAM 63. The ROM 64 of the sub control board 62 stores various data for production, various programs, and the like. Further, the sub CPU 61 of the sub control board 62 has an interrupt function such as a timer interrupt, and various data related to the slot machine 1 transmitted from the main CPU 51 (the lottery result in the lottery process by the lottery means, each stop switch) 10L, 10M, 10R, data related to whether operating devices such as the start switch 9 have been operated, etc.) by executing the program stored in the ROM 64, the effects related to the game executed for the player Determine the contents.

  In addition, various effect devices such as the liquid crystal display 14, the speakers 15 and 16, and the lamp units 22 and 23 are connected to the sub control board 62 through an I / O port included in the sub control board 62. Then, a control signal (effect command) based on the content of the effect determined in the sub CPU 61 is output to each effect device. Then, according to the effect command output from the sub control board 62, effects based on the contents determined by the sub CPU 61 are executed in each effect device.

  It should be noted that the effect command set in the output buffer of the sub control board 62 based on the content determined in the sub CPU 61 at the timing of the timer interrupt process executed in the sub CPU 61 approximately every 1.2 milliseconds. The signal is output from the control board 62 to each effect device via the I / O port.

  In the slot machine 1 configured as described above, for example, the following game is executed.

  First, when the insertion sensor 31 detects the insertion of a medal from the medal insertion slot 13, or when the bet switch 7 or the maximum bet switch 8 is operated to instruct the insertion of a credit medal, the bet number is set. Then, when the start switch 9 is operated after the prescribed number of bets has been set, first, a random number lottery for determining whether or not to win is performed by lottery means provided in the main control board 52. All reels 6L, 6M, 6R start to rotate.

  Thereafter, when one of the three stop switches 10L, 10M, 10R is operated, the rotation of any one of the reels 6L, 6M, 6R corresponding to the operated stop switch is stopped. . Then, when the operation on all the three stop switches 10L, 10M, 10R is completed, the rotation of all the three reels 6L, 6M, 6R is stopped. At this time, when a predetermined symbol stops at a predetermined position, a winning is won, and a predetermined number of medals are paid out to the player by the hopper unit 40, or the next game is played without consuming the medal owned by the player. A predetermined benefit such as an executable replay is given to the player. Instead of paying out medals, credit medals may be stored inside.

  Further, information related to the game such as a lottery result by the lottery means of the main control board 52 is transmitted to the sub control board 62 in a command format. In the sub control board 62, based on the received command from the main control board 52, it is determined by each effect device in an effect mode set in advance corresponding to the game situation such as the progress of the game or the lottery result of the lottery means. Production is performed. That is, the sub-control board 62 performs effects such as displaying moving images on the liquid crystal display 14, generating music from the speakers 15 and 16, and blinking the lamp units 22 and 23 simultaneously or individually. The

(Production control means)
The effect control means 65 configured on the sub control board 62 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the effect control means. The effect control means 65 is configured such that various programs stored in the ROM 64 included in the sub-control board 62 are executed by the sub CPU 61, or that the RAM 63 forms storage means for temporarily storing various data. Composed.

  The slot machine 1 of the present embodiment is executed when the stop state of the stop switch last operated by the player among the three left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, 10R is started. An effect A (first effect) and an effect B (second effect) executed when the stop switch is pressed are ended. The production A has a first stage production that the player always wants to execute and a second stage production that is executed following the first stage production. When the production A is started, An image corresponding to the effect A is displayed on the liquid crystal display 14. In the first stage of production A, a moving image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 14 for a specified time (for example, 12 seconds), and in the second stage of production A, the liquid crystal display 14 is displayed for a certain time (for example, 6 seconds). (Second), a still image is displayed. In addition, the effect A is configured such that an effect of the effect designer can be transmitted to the player by executing the effect of the first stage. When the production B is started, an image corresponding to the production B is displayed on the liquid crystal display 14. In addition, in the second stage effect of the effect A, instead of displaying a still image, a moving image subsequent to the moving image of the first step effect may be reproduced on the liquid crystal display 14.

In addition, the slot machine 1 has an operation duration time during which the pressing state of the stop switch last operated by the player among the three left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, and 10R is continued. Predetermined time (for example, 6 seconds) set to be shorter than the required time (18 seconds) required for the completion of (first stage effect (12 seconds) + second stage effect (6 seconds)) The operation continuation time notification effect for notifying whether or not has been reached is further provided. When the operation duration notification effect is started, for example, the remaining time until the operation duration reaches a predetermined time is displayed on the liquid crystal display 14. In the present embodiment, since it is a criterion for determining the length of the operation duration described above, the predetermined time is set shorter than the specified time until the first stage of the effect A ends as described above. ing.

  In the present embodiment, the production command is output to the liquid crystal display 14 by the production control means 65, whereby the production A and the production B and the operation duration notification production are executed on the liquid crystal display 14. The effect control means 65 has the following functions.

(1) First Effect Execution Start Unit The first effect execution start unit 651 causes the liquid crystal display 14 to start the execution of the effect A at a predetermined opportunity. In the present embodiment, two left / middle / right reels 6L, 6M, 6R are operated by operating two stop switches among the three left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, 10R. When two of the reels have already stopped rotating, the stop switch that was last operated by the player to stop the rotation of the remaining one reel is started. In addition, the execution of the effect A by the liquid crystal display 14 is started by the first effect execution start means 651.

  Of the three left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, and 10R, when the stop switch that was last operated by the player was started, the stop switch was started. A “stop operation start command” to notify this is transmitted from the main control board 52 to the sub control board 62. Then, when the “stop operation start command” is received by the sub control board 62, the effect command for starting the execution of the effect A on the liquid crystal control board 14a of the liquid crystal display 14 by the first effect execution start means 651 is sub. By transmitting from the control board 62, execution of the effect A is started in the liquid crystal display 14.

(2) Operation continuation time measuring means The operation continuation time measuring means 652 is a predetermined operation as an operation to the stop switch operated last by the player among the three left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, 10R. The operation continuation time during which the state continues is counted. In the present embodiment, the time during which the stop switch is pressed when the first effect execution start means 651 starts executing the effect A is counted by the operation duration time measuring means 652 as the operation duration time.

  The operation duration measuring means 652 has the following functions.

(2-1) Operation Continuation Timer The operation continuation timer 652a functions as a storage means for storing the operation continuation time. Among the three left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, and 10R, the player The value corresponding to the operation continuation time during which the pressed state of the stop switch operated last is continued is stored. The operation continuation timer 652a is formed using a predetermined storage area of the RAM 63 of the sub control board 62.

(2-2) Operation continuation time initial setting means The operation continuation time initial setting means 652b is one of the three left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, 10R that is pressed by the player lastly operated. When the state is started, an initial value is set in the operation continuation timer 652a. A “stop operation start command” notifying that the pressing state of the stop switch has been started is transmitted from the main control board 52 to the sub control board 62. When the “stop operation start command” is received by the sub control board 62, the operation continuation time initial setting means 652b sets an initial value in the operation continuation timer 652a.

(2-3) Operation continuation time update means The operation continuation time update means 652c indicates that the stop switch operated last by the player among the three left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, 10R is After an initial value is set in the operation continuation timer 652a by the operation continuation time initial setting means 652b, the value stored in the operation continuation timer 652a is updated by a constant value at a constant time interval. is there.

  In the present embodiment, among the three left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, and 10R, the operation duration initial setting means 652b is set when the pressing state of the stop switch last operated by the player is started. As a result, “0” is set as the initial value in the operation continuation timer 652a. Then, for each timing of the timer interrupt process executed in the sub CPU 61, a value corresponding to, for example, 1.2 milliseconds, which is the execution interval of the timer interrupt process, is stored in the operation continuation timer 652a. The value is added by the operation duration update means 652c.

  In the present embodiment, the initial value set by the operation duration initial setting means 652b is added to the operation continuation timer 652a by a constant value at fixed time intervals by the operation duration update means 652c. Although the operation continuation time is measured, the initial value set by the operation continuation time initial setting means 652b in the operation continuation timer 652a is subtracted by a constant value at fixed time intervals by the operation continuation time updating means 652c. Thus, the operation continuation time may be timed. That is, of the three left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, 10R, if the operation continuation time from the start of the pressing state of the stop switch last operated by the player can be measured, The duration may be timed in any way.

(3) Second effect execution start means The second effect execution start means 653 is predetermined as an operation for the stop switch last operated by the player among the three left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, 10R. When the operation state is finished, the liquid crystal display 14 starts to execute the effect B. In the present embodiment, when the stop switch is pressed when the first effect execution start unit 651 starts the execution of the effect A, the second effect execution start unit 653 performs the effect B by the liquid crystal display 14. Execution starts.

  In the present embodiment, if the effect A is being executed by the liquid crystal display 14 when the stop switch operated last by the player is finished, the second effect execution start means 653 The liquid crystal display 14 finishes the execution of the effect A and starts the execution of the effect B. That is, when the stop state of the stop switch when the execution of the effect A is started by the first effect execution start unit 651 is finished, a “stop operation end command” for notifying that the stop state of the stop switch has ended is issued. And transmitted from the main control board 52 to the sub-control board 62. When the “stop operation end command” is received by the sub control board 62, the effect command for starting the execution of the effect B on the liquid crystal control board 14a of the liquid crystal display 14 by the second effect execution start means 653 is sub. By transmitting from the control board 62, execution of effect B is started in the liquid crystal display 14. At this time, if the effect A is being executed on the liquid crystal display 14, the effect command instructing the execution of the effect B is received from the sub-control board 62 by the liquid crystal control board 14a. The effect A being executed on the display unit 14 is terminated. Then, instead of the effect A being executed, the effect B is executed on the liquid crystal display 14.

(4) Second effect execution suppression means The second effect execution suppression means 654 is predetermined as an operation for the stop switch last operated by the player among the three left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, 10R. If the first effect execution start means 651 has started the execution of the effect A by the liquid crystal display 14 when the operation state is finished, it is determined whether or not the first stage of the effect has ended. . In the present embodiment, when the stop state of the stop switch when the execution of the effect A is started by the first effect execution start means 651 is finished, the elapsed time from the start of the execution of the effect A is Whether or not a specified time (for example, 12 seconds) necessary for the production of the first stage production to end has been reached is determined by the second production execution suppression means 654.

Specifically, the second effect execution suppression means 654 determines that the elapsed time after the start of execution of the effect A has not reached the specified time, that is, the elapsed time after the start of execution of the effect A. If the specified time required to complete the first stage of production for recognizing the intention of the designer of production A is not reached, it is determined that the first stage of production of production A is being executed and has not been completed. . Then, the second effect execution suppression means 654 is provided on condition that the effect of the first stage of effect A is being executed and not ended when the stop switch pressed last operated by the player is ended. The second effect execution start means 653 stops or delays the start of the execution of the effect B by the liquid crystal display 14 , and the second effect execution start means 653 is provided on condition that the first stage effect of the effect A has ended. The execution of production B is started. Therefore, if the elapsed time since the start of the production A has not reached the specified time, even if the stop state of the stop switch when the production A is started to be executed by the first production execution start means 651, If the execution of the effect B by the liquid crystal display 14 is not started by the second effect execution opening means 653 and the elapsed time from the start of the effect A has reached the specified time, the second effect execution opening means 653 The execution of effect B by the liquid crystal display 14 is started.

  Further, the second effect execution suppression means 654 is when the predetermined operation state is ended as an operation on the stop switch operated last by the player among the three left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, 10R. In addition, the operation duration time counted by the operation duration measuring means 652 is the time required for the production A to end (for example, 18 seconds: first stage production (12 seconds) + second stage production (6 It is also determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 6 seconds) set shorter than the second)) has been reached. In the present embodiment, the operation duration time counted by the operation duration time counting means 652 when the stop switch is pressed when the first effect execution start means 651 starts the execution of the effect A is a predetermined time. Is determined by the second performance execution suppression means 654.

  Then, when the stop state of the stop switch last operated by the player is finished, the second effect execution suppression means 654 has reached the predetermined time for the operation continuation time during which the stop switch is continuously pressed. On the condition that there is not, the second effect execution start means 653 stops the execution start of the effect B by the liquid crystal display 14. Therefore, if the operation continuation time of the stop switch after the execution of the effect A has not reached the predetermined time, the pressing state of the stop switch when the effect A starts to be executed by the first effect execution start means 651. Even when the operation is finished, the second effect execution opening means 653 does not start the execution of the effect B by the liquid crystal display 14.

  The second effect execution suppression means 654 has the following functions.

(4-1) First Stage Continuation Timer The first stage continuation timer 654a functions as a storage unit that stores an elapsed time, and an effect A by the liquid crystal display 14 is executed by the first effect execution start unit 651. A value corresponding to the elapsed time from the start is stored. The first stage continuation timer 654a is formed using a predetermined storage area of the RAM 63 of the sub control board 62.

(4-2) Elapsed Time Initial Setting Unit The elapsed time initial setting unit 654b is initially set in the first stage continuation timer 654a when the first effect execution start unit 651 starts the execution of the effect A by the liquid crystal display 14. Set the value.

(4-3) Elapsed Time Update Unit The elapsed time update unit 654c is a value stored in the first stage continuation timer 654a after the first effect execution start unit 651 starts the execution of the effect A by the liquid crystal display 14. Is updated by a certain value at certain time intervals so as to reach a specified value which is a value corresponding to the elapsed time after the execution of the effect A reaches the specified time.

(4-4) Elapsed Time Determination Unit The elapsed time determination unit 654d is a predetermined operation as an operation for the stop switch last operated by the player among the three left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, and 10R. When the state ends, it is determined whether or not the value stored in the first stage continuation timer 654a has reached the specified value, so that the elapsed time from the start of the execution of the effect A becomes the specified time. It is determined whether or not it has been reached. In the present embodiment, the value stored in the first stage continuation timer 654a is a specified value when the stop switch is pressed when the first effect execution start means 651 starts executing the effect A. Is determined by the elapsed time determination means 654d. If the value stored in the first stage continuation timer 654a does not reach the specified value, it is determined that the first stage effect of effect A is being executed and has not ended.

  A “stop operation end command” for notifying that the stop switch has been pressed is transmitted from the main control board 52 to the sub control board 62. When the “stop operation end command” is received by the sub-control board 62, the elapsed time determination unit 654d determines whether or not the value stored in the first stage continuation timer 654a has reached the specified value. The

  In this embodiment, when the production A is started, the elapsed time initial setting means 654b sets a value corresponding to the specified time as the initial value in the first stage continuation timer 654a. Then, at each timing of the timer interrupt process executed in the sub CPU 61, a value corresponding to, for example, 1.2 milliseconds, which is the execution interval of the timer interrupt process, is stored in the first stage continuation timer 654a. Is subtracted by the elapsed time update means 654c. Therefore, when the elapsed time from the start of the production A reaches the specified time, the value stored in the first stage continuation timer 654a becomes “0” which is the specified value. Therefore, the elapsed time determination unit 654d determines whether or not the value stored in the first stage continuation timer 654a has reached “0”, so that the elapsed time from the start of execution of the effect A It is determined whether the specified time has been reached.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the initial value set by the elapsed time initial setting means 654b in the first stage continuation timer 654a is subtracted by a constant value at fixed time intervals by the elapsed time update means 654c. Although the elapsed time is measured, the initial value set by the elapsed time initial setting means 654b is added to the first stage continuation timer 654a by a constant value at fixed time intervals by the elapsed time update means 654c. The elapsed time may be timed by. That is, the elapsed time may be measured in any way as long as the elapsed time since the execution of the effect A can be measured. The initial value set in the first stage continuation timer 654a by the elapsed time initial setting means 654b is set based on the execution interval of the timer interrupt process executed in the sub CPU 61 and the size of the specified time. .

(4-5) First operation duration determination means The first operation duration determination means 654e, when the first switch execution start means 651 finishes pressing the stop switch when the effect A is started. It is determined whether or not the operation continuation time in which the stop switch is pressed as measured by the operation continuation time counting means 652 has reached a predetermined time. A “stop operation end command” notifying that the pressing state of the stop switch has ended is transmitted from the main control board 52 to the sub control board 62, and the “stop operation end command” is sent to the sub control board 62. When received, the first operation duration determination unit 654e determines whether or not the value stored in the operation continuation timer 652a of the operation duration measurement unit 652 has reached a value corresponding to a predetermined time. . The value corresponding to the predetermined time stored in the operation continuation timer 652a is determined based on the execution interval of the timer interrupt process executed in the sub CPU 61.

(5) Second effect execution suppression canceling means The second effect execution suppression canceling means 655 is an operation on the stop switch last operated by the player among the three left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, 10R. When the predetermined operation state ends, the operation duration time counted by the operation duration time measuring means 652 is the time required for the effect A to end (for example, 18 seconds: first stage effect (12 seconds) ) + Second stage effect (6 seconds)), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 6 seconds) set shorter than the second stage has been reached. In the present embodiment, the operation duration time counted by the operation duration time counting means 652 when the stop switch is pressed when the first effect execution start means 651 starts the execution of the effect A is a predetermined time. Is determined by the second effect execution suppression canceling means 655.

  The second effect execution suppression canceling means 655 is performing the first stage effect of the effect A when the stop switch is pressed when the effect A starts to be executed by the first effect execution starting means 651. And the second effect execution suppression means 654 when the first stage effect being executed is completed on condition that the operation duration time counted by the operation duration time measuring means 652 has reached a predetermined time. Release the operation. Therefore, when the stop state of the stop switch when the execution of the effect A is started by the first effect execution start means 651 is finished, the operation continuation time during which the stop state of the stop switch continues has reached a predetermined time. Then, even if the elapsed time from the start of execution of the effect A has not reached the specified time and the first stage effect of the effect A is being executed, the second stage is performed if the first stage effect is completed. The operation of the effect execution suppression unit 654 is canceled, and the second effect execution start unit 653 starts the execution of the effect B by the liquid crystal display 14 instead of the effect of the second stage of the effect A.

  The second effect execution suppression canceling means 655 has the following functions.

(5-1) Second operation duration determination unit The second operation duration determination unit 655a, when the first switch execution start unit 651 finishes pressing the stop switch when the production A is started. It is determined whether or not the operation continuation time in which the stop switch is pressed as measured by the operation continuation time counting means 652 has reached a predetermined time. Similar to the first operation duration determination unit 654e described above, a “stop operation end command” for notifying that the pressing state of the stop switch has ended is transmitted from the main control board 52 to the sub control board 62. When the “stop operation end command” is received by the sub control board 62, whether or not the value stored in the operation continuation timer 652a of the operation continuation time measuring means 652 has reached a value corresponding to a predetermined time. Is determined by the second operation duration determination means 655a. Similarly to the first operation duration determination unit 654e described above, the value corresponding to the predetermined time stored in the operation continuation timer 652a is determined based on the execution interval of the timer interrupt process executed in the sub CPU 61. Is done.

  It is to be noted that the effect control means 65 is an operation duration determination means for determining whether or not the operation duration time during which the pressing state of the stop switch, which has been timed by the operation duration time counting means 652 has continued, has reached a predetermined time. Further, the operation duration determination unit may be used in common by the second effect execution suppression unit 654 and the second effect execution suppression release unit 655.

(6) Operation duration notification effect execution means The operation duration notification effect execution means 656 is an operation for the stop switch last operated by the player among the three left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, 10R. As described above, the liquid crystal display 14 is caused to execute the operation duration notification effect described above on condition that a predetermined operation state is started. In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal display 14 is operated by the operation duration notification effect executing means 656 on the condition that the pressing state of the stop switch when the effect A is started by the first effect execution starting means 651 is started. The execution of the operation duration notification effect is started.

  A “stop operation start command” notifying that the pressing state of the stop switch has been started is transmitted from the main control board 52 to the sub control board 62. Then, on the condition that the “stop operation start command” is received in the sub-control board 62, the operation duration notification effect execution means 656 starts the execution of the operation duration notification effect by the liquid crystal display 14.

  As described above, of the three left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, and 10R, the stop switch that is last operated by the player functions as the “operation means” of the present invention. Further, the liquid crystal display 14 functions as the “production unit” and the “operation duration notification unit” of the present invention.

(Operation)
Next, an example of the operation in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The operations described below are the various functions and means described above, and the description is omitted, but other operations are realized by the main CPU 51 of the main control board 52 and the sub CPU 61 of the sub control board 62 executing various programs. It is a process executed by the function. In addition, various processes executed in the following processes are set to ON (ON) or OFF (OFF), values are set to various flags, and processes for updating counter values are well-known techniques. Therefore, detailed description thereof is omitted.

1. Main Control Process The main control process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the main control process. The main control process is a process executed on the main control board 52.

  When the power of the slot machine 1 is turned on, the state of the RAM 53 provided in the main control board 52 is checked, it is determined whether or not an error has occurred in the memory, and various initial settings are performed.

  Next, each memory check is completed, and if there is no abnormality, it is determined whether or not a prescribed number (three) of medals has been set as the bet number (step S100), and waits until the prescribed number of medals are inserted. (NO in step S100). If a prescribed number of medals are set (YES in step S100), the process waits until the start switch 9 is operated (NO in step S101). If the start switch 9 is operated (YES in step S101), the main control is performed. A role lottery process is performed by a lottery means (not shown) configured on the substrate 52 (step S102).

  Then, rotation of each reel 6L, 6M, 6R is started (step S103), and each stop switch 10L, 10M, 10R corresponding to each of the rotating reels 6L, 6M, 6R is operated. A reel rotation stop process described later is executed (step S104).

  When the rotation of all the reels 6L, 6M, 6R is stopped, the stop symbol determination process is executed by the symbol determination means (not shown) provided on the main control board 52 (step S105). Subsequently, post-determination processing such as a medal being paid out from the hopper unit 40 is executed as necessary (step S106), and the processing ends.

2. Reel rotation stop processing The reel rotation stop processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the reel rotation stop process.

  First, it waits until there is a stop operation of each stop switch 10L, 10M, 10R for each reel 6L, 6M, 6R that is rotating (NO in step S200), and stops to any one of each stop switch 10L, 10M, 10R. If there is an operation (YES in step S200), it is determined whether or not there is only one reel currently rotating, that is, whether or not the operated stop switch has been operated last (step S201).

  If there is not only one reel currently rotating (NO in step S201), a process of stopping the rotation of the reel corresponding to the stop switch that has been stopped is executed (step S205). On the other hand, if only one reel is currently rotating (YES in step S201), a stop operation for the last stop switch among the left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, and 10R is started, that is, A “stop operation start command” notifying that the pressing state of the stop switch has been started is transmitted from the main control board 52 to the sub control board 62 (step S202).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the pressing state of the stop switch has been completed (step S203), and the process waits until the pressing state ends (NO in step S203). If the pressing state ends (in step S203). YES), a “stop operation end command” notifying that the pressing state of the stop switch has ended is transmitted from the main control board 52 to the sub control board 62 (step S204). Next, a process of stopping the rotation of the reel corresponding to the stop switch that has been operated to stop is executed (step S205).

  Then, the processes from step S200 to step S205 are repeatedly executed until all reels 6L, 6M, 6R stop (NO in step S206), and if the rotation of all reels 6L, 6M, 6R stops (YES in step S206). ), The process returns to the main control process of FIG.

3. Sub Control Process The sub control process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the sub-control processing. The sub control process is executed on the sub control board 62. Further, various data are transmitted from the main control board 52 to the sub control board 62 in a command format. In the sub control process described with reference to FIG. 6, “stop operation start command” and “stop operation end” are performed. The case where the “command” is received by the sub control board 62 will be described as an example, and the description of the processing when the other command transmitted from the main control board 52 is received by the sub control board 62 will be omitted. To do.

  First, it is determined whether or not a command from the main control board 52 has been received (step S300). If not received (NO in step S300), an effect command control process described later is executed (step S307) and again. Then, it is determined whether or not a command from the main control board 52 has been received (step S300). If a command from the main control board 52 is received (YES in step S300), it is determined whether or not the received command is a “stop operation start command” (step S301).

  If the received command is a “stop operation start command” (YES in step S301), the operation continuation time measurement by the operation continuation time measuring means 652 is started (step S302). Then, an effect command for causing the liquid crystal display 14 to execute effect A is stored in the temporary memory by the first effect execution start means 651 (step S303), and an initial value is set in the elapsed time initial setting means 654b in the first stage continuation timer 654a. Is set (step S304). Subsequently, an effect command control process to be described later is executed (step S307), and it is determined again whether a command from the main control board 52 has been received (step S300).

  On the other hand, if the received command is not a “stop operation start command” (NO in step S301), it is determined whether or not the received command is a “stop operation end command” (step S305). If the received command is a “stop operation end command” (YES in step S305), an operation time determination process described later is executed (step S306).

  Subsequently, an effect command control process to be described later is executed (step S307), and it is determined again whether a command from the main control board 52 has been received (step S300). On the other hand, if the received command is not the “stop operation end command” (NO in step S305), the description command control process, which will be described later, is executed after the process corresponding to the received command is executed although the description is omitted. Is executed (step S307), and it is determined again whether or not a command from the main control board 52 has been received (step S300).

4). Operation Time Determination Process The operation time determination process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation time determination process.

  First, whether or not the operation continuation time counted by the operation continuation time measuring means 652 has reached a predetermined time (for example, 6 seconds) is determined by the first operation continuation time determining means 654e and the second operation execution suppressing means 654. It is determined by the second operation duration determination means 655a of the 2 effect execution suppression cancellation means 655 (step S400). If the second operation duration determination unit 655a determines that the operation duration has reached the predetermined time (NO in step S400), an effect command for causing the liquid crystal display 14 to execute the effect B is canceled the second effect execution suppression. The data is stored in the temporary memory by means 655 (step S401), and the process returns to the sub-control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, if the first operation duration determination unit 654e determines that the operation duration has not reached the predetermined time (YES in step S400), the second presentation execution suppression unit 654 produces an effect on the liquid crystal display 14. The process of storing the effect command for executing B in the temporary memory (step S401) is skipped, and the process returns to the sub-control process of FIG.

5). Effect Command Control Process The effect command control process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the effect command control process.

  First, it is determined whether or not the effect command is stored in the temporary memory (step S500). If the effect command is not stored (NO in step S500), the process returns to the sub-control process of FIG.

  If the effect command is stored in the temporary memory (YES in step S500), it is determined whether or not the stored effect command is an effect command for effect A (step S501). If the effect command for effect A is stored (YES in step S501), the contents of the temporary memory are set in the output buffer by the first effect execution start means 651 (step S503), and the sub-command of FIG. Return to control processing. The contents of the temporary memory (effect command for effect A) is set in the output buffer, so that the effect command is output from the output buffer to the liquid crystal display 14. Then, the liquid crystal display 14 executes an effect corresponding to the effect command output from the output buffer.

  If the effect command for effect A is not stored in the temporary memory (NO in step S501), that is, if the effect command for effect B is stored, the second effect execution is suppressed. The elapsed time determining means 654d of the means 654 determines whether or not the value stored in the first stage continuation timer 654a is “0” (step S502). If the value stored in the first stage continuation timer 654a is not “0” (NO in step S502), the elapsed time from the start of the production A has reached a specified time (for example, 12 seconds). Since the first stage effect is being executed and has not ended, the second effect execution suppression means 654 delays the start of the execution of the effect B by the second effect execution start means 653, that is, step S503 is skipped. Returning to the sub-control processing of FIG.

  On the other hand, if the value stored in the first stage continuation timer 654a is “0” (YES in step S502), the elapsed time from the start of execution of the effect A has reached the specified time. Since the first stage of the effect has been completed, the second effect execution suppression means 654 is deactivated by the second effect execution suppression canceling means 655 and the contents of the temporary memory (for effect B are used by the second effect execution starting means 653). ) Is set in the output buffer (step S503), and the process returns to the sub-control process of FIG. Then, by setting the contents of the temporary memory (effect command for effect B) in the output buffer, the effect command is output from the output buffer to the liquid crystal display 14 and is output from the output buffer in the liquid crystal display 14. The production corresponding to the production command is executed.

  The production command stored in the temporary memory is set in the output buffer, so that the stored contents of the temporary memory are cleared (initialized).

  In addition, in step S400 of the operation time determination process of FIG. 7, if the operation duration time has not reached the predetermined time, an effect command for causing the liquid crystal display 14 to execute effect B even when the stop switch is pressed is ended. The process (step S401) stored in the temporary memory by the second effect execution suppression canceling means 655 is skipped by the second effect execution suppression means 654. Therefore, since it is always determined NO in step S500 of the effect command control process of FIG. 8, the execution of effect B by the liquid crystal display 14 is surely suppressed by the second effect execution suppression means 654.

  In addition, in step S301 of the sub-control process of FIG. 6, on condition that it is determined that the “stop operation start command” has been received (YES in step S301), the operation duration notification effect executing means 656 causes the liquid crystal display 14 may be configured to be set in the output buffer in step S503 of the effect command control process of FIG.

(Specific example of operation when the stop switch is operated (1))
A specific example of the operation when the last stop switch is operated will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the gaming machine when the operation duration of the stop switch has reached a predetermined time.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the last stop switch is operated, the production A is started. And when the operation continuation time when the hand is released from the stop switch has reached the predetermined time, if the first stage effect of the effect A is being executed, the execution start of the effect B is once delayed. The Subsequently, after the first stage effect of the effect A is completed by being executed for a predetermined time, an effect B is started in place of the second step effect of the effect A.

(Specific example of operation when the stop switch is operated (2))
A specific example of the operation when the last stop switch is operated will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing another example of the operation of the gaming machine when the operation duration of the stop switch has reached a predetermined time.

  This operation example is different from the above-described specific example (1) in that the operation duration time of the stop switch has reached a predetermined time and the first stage effect of the effect A is produced when the hand is released from the stop switch. It has already been completed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, when the hand is released from the stop switch, the start of the execution of the effect B is not delayed by the second effect execution suppressing means 654, so that the second stage effect of the effect A ends. The execution of effect B is started.

  Note that when the execution of the effect B is started by a predetermined trigger (end of pressing the stop switch), for example, the reproduction of a moving image different from the effect A is started on the liquid crystal display 14.

(Specific example of operation when the stop switch is operated (3))
A specific example of the operation when the last stop switch is operated will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing an operation when the operation continuation time of the stop switch has not reached the predetermined time.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when the last stop switch is operated, the production A is started. Then, since the operation continuation time when the hand is released from the stop switch has not reached the predetermined time, the execution of the effect B by the second effect execution starting means 653 is stopped by the second effect execution suppressing means 654, and the effect After the first stage effect of A is finished, the second stage effect is continuously executed.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11, when the performance A is started by a predetermined trigger (start of pressing a stop switch), the liquid crystal display 14 starts to play a predetermined moving image. Then, when the moving image is played back for a specified time (first stage effect) and the still image is displayed for a certain period of time (second stage effect), the effect A ends. However, for example, the still image of the second stage effect of the effect A may be continuously displayed on the liquid crystal display 14 until another execution start trigger of the effect occurs.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the stop state of the stop switch last operated by the player among the three left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, and 10R ends, the first effect is produced. If the effect A started to be executed by the execution start means 651 is being executed by the liquid crystal display 14, the second effect execution start means 653 ends the effect A and starts executing the effect B by the liquid crystal display 14. The However, on the other hand, Exercise A has a first stage effect and a second stage effect that is executed subsequent to the first stage effect, and when the pressing state for the stop switch ends, On the condition that the first stage effect is being executed and has not ended, the second effect execution suppression means 654 stops or delays the execution start of the effect B by the second effect execution start means 653.

  Therefore, even if the pressing state with respect to the stop switch is ended, if the first stage effect of the effect A is not ended, the first step effect of the effect A is continuously executed. Therefore, when the production A includes an essential production that is surely executed and an production that is less necessary to be executed than the essential production, the essential production is assigned to the first stage production of the production A. Since the essential production assigned to the first stage of production A is reliably executed, it is possible to easily convey the intention of the production designer to the player.

  In addition, as described above, when the pressing state with respect to the stop switch is finished, if the effect A is being executed but the effect of the first stage is ended, the second effect execution suppressing means 654 causes the second effect to be performed. Since the execution start of the effect B by the execution start means 653 is not suppressed, the execution of the effect B by the liquid crystal display 14 is started instead of the effect A. Therefore, since the execution of the production B can be started instead of the production A when the pressing state of the stop switch, which is considered to increase the player's expectation, is finished, the player's interest is enhanced. Can do.

  As described above, the request to make it easier for the player to convey the intention of the designer with respect to the first production that starts to be executed at a predetermined opportunity, and the end of the predetermined operation state with respect to the operation means, is set as the execution start opportunity. Provided is a slot machine 1 capable of appropriately responding in a balanced manner to these mutually conflicting requests in response to a request to execute a second effect when a player's expectation for the two effects is sufficiently increased. As a result, the interest of the player can be enhanced.

  Further, when the pressing state with respect to the stop switch ends, the operation continuation time with respect to the stop switch timed by the operation continuation time measuring means 652 is the time required for the effect A to end (for example, 18 seconds: When the predetermined time (for example, 6 seconds) shorter than the first stage effect (12 seconds) + second stage effect (6 seconds) has not been reached, the second effect execution suppression means 654 causes the second effect The execution start of the effect B by the effect execution start means 653 is stopped. Therefore, as described above, if the operation duration time counted by the operation duration time measuring unit 652 does not reach the predetermined time, the player's expectation for the production B operating the stop switch is not so high. Therefore, in such a case, when the effect A is being executed when the pressing state of the stop switch is finished, the effect A is continuously executed without the effect B being executed. Therefore, the interest of the player who wants to enjoy the production A can be enhanced.

  In addition, as described above, the predetermined time that is the criterion for determining the operation continuation time is a specified time (from the start of the execution of the first stage effect of the effect A to the end of the first stage effect ( For example, the time is set to be shorter than 12 seconds (for example, 6 seconds). Therefore, before the first stage production of the production A is finished, the execution of the second stage production should be started after the first stage production, or the execution of the production B is started following the first stage production. Since it is possible to determine whether or not to perform, smooth processing can be realized in the effect control means 65 (second effect execution suppression means 654).

  In addition, when the first stage effect of the effect A is being executed when the stop switch is pressed, the operation duration time is set shorter than the time required for the effect A to end. On the condition that the predetermined time has been reached, the operation of the second effect execution suppression means 654 is canceled by the second effect execution suppression release means 655 when the effect of the first stage of effect A is completed. Therefore, if the operation continuation time counted by the operation continuation time measuring means 652 has reached a predetermined time, it is considered that the player's sense of expectation for the production B that operates the stop switch is increased. Even if the first stage effect of the effect A is being executed when the switch is pressed, the liquid crystal display can be used instead of the second stage effect without delay if the first stage effect ends. 14 is started. Therefore, when the operation continuation time during which the stop switch is being pressed has reached a predetermined time, it is considered that the player has increased the expectation by such an action, so the first stage of the production A Since the execution of the production B is started after the production of at least is executed, it is possible to meet the player's expectation.

  In addition, on the condition that the operation continuation time notification effect for notifying whether or not the operation continuation time during which the stop switch is pressed has reached a predetermined time has been started, It is executed by the liquid crystal display 14 by the operation duration notification effect executing means 656. Therefore, the player can operate the stop switch after recognizing whether or not the operation duration has reached a predetermined time by the operation duration notification effect, so that the stop switch is pressed more than necessary. Never continue. Accordingly, the player can execute the effect B more smoothly and enjoy the executed effect B.

Second Embodiment
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  This embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above in that when the effect A is being executed by the liquid crystal display 14 when the pressing state of the stop switch last operated by the player is finished, the stop is performed. If the operation continuation time until the switch is pressed does not reach a predetermined time (for example, 6 seconds), the execution start of the effect B by the second effect execution start unit 653 is delayed by the second effect execution suppression unit 654. However, after the effect A is ended, the effect B whose execution start has been delayed is started to be executed by the second effect execution starting means 653. Since other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, the following description will focus on differences from the first embodiment described above, and configurations and operations similar to those in the first embodiment described above. The description of the configuration and operation thereof will be omitted by citing the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the present embodiment, the second effect execution suppression means 654 further includes a second stage continuation timer 654f, and the second effect execution suppression release means 655 further includes a long press flag 655b. ing. FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of the effect control means according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The second stage continuation timer 654f functions as a storage unit for storing the elapsed time, and is a value corresponding to the elapsed time from the start of execution of the effect A by the liquid crystal display 14 by the first effect execution start unit 651. Is memorized. The second stage continuation timer 654f is formed using a predetermined storage area of the RAM 63 of the sub control board 62.

  When the first effect execution start means 651 starts the effect A by the liquid crystal display 14, the elapsed time initial setting means 654b sets the initial value to the second stage continuation timer 654f. The value stored in the second stage continuation timer 654f after the start of execution of the effect A by the liquid crystal display 14 by the first effect execution start means 651 is the elapsed time from the start of execution of the effect A. Is updated by the elapsed time updating means 654c by a constant value at regular time intervals so as to reach a value corresponding to when the effect A is finished.

  In the present embodiment, when the execution of the effect A is started, the elapsed time initial setting means 654b sets the second stage continuation timer 654f as an initial value, which corresponds to the time required for the effect A to end. Value is set. Then, at each timing of the timer interrupt process executed in the sub CPU 61, a value corresponding to, for example, 1.2 milliseconds, which is the execution interval of the timer interrupt process, is stored in the second stage continuation timer 654f. Is subtracted by the elapsed time update means 654c. For this reason, when the elapsed time from the start of the execution of the effect A reaches the required time necessary for the end of the effect A, the value stored in the second stage continuation timer 654f becomes “0”. Therefore, the elapsed time determination unit 654d determines whether or not the value stored in the second-stage continuation timer 654f has reached “0”, so that the elapsed time from the start of execution of the effect A Then, it is determined whether or not the required time required for the production A to end has been reached.

  The long press flag 655b is set to ON / OFF depending on whether or not the operation continuation time counted by the operation continuation time measuring means 652 has reached a predetermined time (for example, 6 seconds). That is, when the operation state has reached the predetermined time when the stop switch is pressed when the first effect execution start unit 651 starts the execution of the effect A, the second operation duration determination unit 655a If determined, the long press flag 655b is set to ON. The long press flag 655b is formed by allocating any one bit of each bit forming flag storage means (not shown) formed by a 1-byte area of the RAM 63 of the sub-control board 62, for example. Therefore, the state of the long press flag 655b can be set by setting ON / OFF of the bit.

  Next, processing different from the above-described first embodiment will be described.

1. Sub-Control Processing The sub-control processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a sub-control process according to the second embodiment.

  First, it is determined whether or not a command from the main control board 52 has been received (step S300A). If not received (NO in step S300A), an effect command control process described later with reference to FIG. 15 is executed. (Step S309A) It is determined again whether a command from the main control board 52 has been received (Step S300A). If a command is received from the main control board 52 (YES in step S300A), it is determined whether or not the received command is a “stop operation start command” (step S301A).

  If the received command is a “stop operation start command” (YES in step S301A), the operation duration time measurement by the operation duration time measuring means 652 is started (step S302A), and the effect A is executed on the liquid crystal display 14. The effect command to be performed is stored in the temporary memory by the first effect execution start means 651 (step S303A). Further, initial values are set by the elapsed time initial setting means 654b in each of the first stage continuation timer 654a and the second stage continuation timer 654f (steps S304A and S305A). Subsequently, the effect command control process of FIG. 15 is executed (step S309A), and it is determined again whether or not a command from the main control board 52 has been received (step S300A).

  On the other hand, if the received command is not a “stop operation start command” (NO in step S301A), it is determined whether or not the received command is a “stop operation end command” (step S306A). If the received command is a “stop operation end command” (YES in step S306A), an effect command for causing the liquid crystal display 14 to execute effect B is stored in the temporary memory by the second effect execution start means 653 (step S307A). ), An operation time determination process described later with reference to FIG. 14 is executed (step S308A).

  Subsequently, the effect command control process of FIG. 15 is executed (step S309A), and it is determined again whether or not a command from the main control board 52 has been received (step S300A). On the other hand, if the received command is not a “stop operation end command” (NO in step S306A), the description command is omitted, but the processing according to the received command is executed, and then the effect command control of FIG. Processing is executed (step S309A), and it is determined again whether or not a command from the main control board 52 has been received (step S300A).

2. Operation Time Determination Process The operation time determination process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation time determination process according to the second embodiment.

  First, the long press flag 655b of the second effect execution suppression releasing unit 655 is set to OFF (step S400A), and the operation duration time counted by the operation duration time counting unit 652 reaches a predetermined time (for example, 6 seconds). Is determined by the first operation duration determination means 654e of the second effect execution suppression means 654 and the second operation duration determination means 655a of the second effect execution suppression release means 655 (step S401A). If the second operation duration determination unit 655a determines that the operation duration has reached the predetermined time (NO in step S401A), the long press flag 655b of the second effect execution suppression release unit 655 is set to ON ( In step S402A, the process returns to the sub-control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, if the first operation duration determination unit 654e determines that the operation duration has not reached the predetermined time (YES in step S401A), the second effect execution suppression unit 654 turns on the long press flag. The set process (step S402A) is skipped and the process returns to the sub-control process of FIG.

3. Effect Command Control Process The effect command control process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the effect command control process according to the second embodiment.

  First, it is determined whether or not the effect command is stored in the temporary memory (step S500A). If the effect command is not stored (NO in step S500A), the process returns to the sub-control process of FIG.

  If the effect command is stored in the temporary memory (YES in step S500A), it is determined whether or not the stored effect command is an effect command for effect A (step S501A). If the effect command for effect A is stored (YES in step S501A), the contents of the temporary memory are set in the output buffer by first effect execution start means 651 (step S505A), and the sub-command of FIG. Return to control processing. Therefore, by setting the contents of the temporary memory (effect command for effect A) in the output buffer, the effect command is output from the output buffer to the liquid crystal display 14 when the stop switch is pressed. Then, the liquid crystal display 14 executes an effect corresponding to the effect command output from the output buffer.

  If the effect command for effect A is not stored in the temporary memory (NO in step S501A), that is, if the effect command for effect B is stored, the second effect execution is suppressed. The elapsed time determination means 654d of the means 654 determines whether or not the value stored in the first stage continuation timer 654a is “0” (step S502A). If the value stored in the first stage continuation timer 654a is not “0” (NO in step S502A), the elapsed time from the start of performance A has reached a specified time (for example, 12 seconds). Since the first stage effect is being executed and has not ended, the second effect execution suppressing means 654 delays the start of the execution of the effect B by the second effect execution starting means 653, that is, step S505A is skipped. Returning to the sub-control processing of FIG.

  On the other hand, if the value stored in the first stage continuation timer 654a is “0” (YES in step S502A), it is determined whether or not the long press flag 655b is on (step S503A). . If long press flag 655b is on (YES in step S503A), the elapsed time from the start of performance A has reached the specified time, the first stage of the performance has ended, and the operation on the stop switch Since the duration has reached the predetermined time, the second effect execution suppression means 654 is deactivated by the second effect execution suppression release means 655, and the contents of the temporary memory (for effect B) are canceled by the second effect execution start means 653. Is set in the output buffer (step S505A), and the process returns to the sub-control process of FIG.

  By setting the contents of the temporary memory (the production command for production B) in the output buffer, the production command is output from the output buffer to the liquid crystal display 14 after the production of the first stage of production A, and the liquid crystal display In the device 14, an effect corresponding to the effect command output from the output buffer is executed. On the other hand, if long press flag 655b is off (NO in step S503A), the operation continuation time for the stop switch has not reached the predetermined time, and the value stored in second stage continuation timer 654f is “ It is determined whether or not 0 ″ (step S504A).

  If the value stored in second stage continuation timer 654f is not “0” (NO in step S504A), the elapsed time from the start of execution of effect A is the time required to end the effect ( For example, the second stage effect of the effect A is not being executed and has not ended, so the second effect execution suppressing unit 654 delays the start of the execution of the effect B by the second effect execution starting unit 653. That is, step S505A is skipped, and the process returns to the sub-control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, if the value stored in second stage continuation timer 654f is “0” (YES in step S504A), the elapsed time from the start of execution of effect A has reached the required time. Since A has ended, the execution suppression state of the effect B by the second effect execution suppression means 654 ends, and the second effect execution start means 653 stores the contents of the temporary memory (effect command for effect B) in the output buffer. Once set (step S505A), the process returns to the sub-control process of FIG. Therefore, by setting the contents of the temporary memory (effect command for effect B) in the output buffer, the effect command is output from the output buffer to the liquid crystal display 14 after the effect of the second stage of effect A, In the liquid crystal display 14, the effect corresponding to the effect command output from the output buffer, that is, the effect B is executed.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be achieved.

<Third Embodiment>
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  This embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above in that it is executed in the liquid crystal display 14 based on a status notification command output from the liquid crystal control board 14a of the liquid crystal display 14 to the sub control board 62. It is a point to determine whether or not the first stage of the production A is finished. Since other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, the following description will focus on differences from the first embodiment described above, and configurations and operations similar to those in the first embodiment described above. The description of the configuration and operation thereof will be omitted by citing the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in the present embodiment, the second effect execution suppression means 754 includes a first stage end flag 754a, a state notification command determination means 754b, an end flag setting means 754c, an end flag determination means 754d, One operation duration determination means 754e is provided. FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram of the effect control means according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The first stage end flag 754a is set to ON or OFF depending on whether or not the first stage effect of effect A is being executed on the liquid crystal display 14. The first stage end flag 754a is assigned, for example, any one of the bits forming the flag storage means (not shown) formed by the 1-byte area of the RAM 63 of the sub-control board 62. The state of the first stage end flag 754a can be set by setting ON / OFF of the bit.

  The status notification command determination means 754 b determines the content of the status notification command output from the liquid crystal control board 14 a of the liquid crystal display 14 to the sub control board 62. The liquid crystal control board 14a is equipped with a CPU having an interrupt function such as a timer interrupt, and a status notification for notifying the status of the liquid crystal control board 14a every time a timer interrupt process is executed at a predetermined interval. Command is output from the liquid crystal control board 14a to the sub-control board 62. Whenever the timer interrupt process is executed at a predetermined interval in the sub control board 62, the status notification command output from the liquid crystal control board 14a is received via the I / O port of the sub control board 62. . The state notification command includes a “first stage end command” for notifying that the first stage of the stage of the stage A has been finished.

  The end flag setting unit 754c sets the first step end flag 754a to ON when the state notification command determination unit 754b determines that the state notification command is the “first step end command”. .

  The end flag determination means 754d determines the state of the first stage end flag 754a.

  The first operation duration determination unit 754e is configured to stop the time measured by the operation duration measurement unit 652 when the first switch execution start unit 651 finishes pressing the stop switch when the production A is started. It is determined whether or not the operation continuation time during which the switch is pressed has reached a predetermined time. The first operation duration determination unit 754e has the same configuration as the first operation measurement time determination unit 654e shown in FIG. 3, and thus detailed description of the configuration is omitted.

  Next, processing different from the above-described first embodiment will be described.

1. Sub Control Processing The sub control processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a sub control process according to the third embodiment.

  First, it is determined whether or not a command from the main control board 52 has been received (step S300B). If not received (NO in step S300B), an effect command control process described later with reference to FIG. 19 is executed. (Step S306B) It is determined again whether a command from the main control board 52 has been received (Step S300B). If a command is received from the main control board 52 (YES in step S300B), it is determined whether or not the received command is a “stop operation start command” (step S301B).

  If the received command is a “stop operation start command” (YES in step S301B), the operation duration measurement by the operation duration measurement unit 652 is started (step S302B). Then, the effect command for causing the liquid crystal display 14 to execute effect A is stored in the temporary memory by the first effect execution start means 651 (step S303B), the effect command control process of FIG. 19 is executed (step S306B), and again. Then, it is determined whether or not a command from the main control board 52 has been received (step S300B).

  On the other hand, if the received command is not a “stop operation start command” (NO in step S301B), it is determined whether or not the received command is a “stop operation end command” (step S304B). If the received command is a “stop operation end command” (YES in step S304B), the operation time determination process of FIG. 7 is executed (step S305B).

  Subsequently, the effect command control process of FIG. 19 is executed (step S306B), and it is determined again whether or not a command from the main control board 52 has been received (step S300B). On the other hand, if the received command is not the “stop operation end command” (NO in step S304B), the description command control in FIG. 19 is performed after the process corresponding to the received command is executed although the description is omitted. Processing is executed (step S306B), and it is determined again whether or not a command from the main control board 52 has been received (step S300B).

2. Status Notification Command Reception Processing The status notification command reception processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a state notification command receiving process according to the third embodiment. The status notification command reception process is executed every time a timer interrupt process is executed at predetermined intervals in the sub-control board 62. In addition, various data are transmitted from the liquid crystal control board 14a to the sub-control board 62 in a command format. In the status notification command reception process described with reference to FIG. The case where it is received by the sub-control board 62 will be described as an example, and the description of processing when other status notification commands transmitted from the liquid crystal control board 14a are received by the sub-control board 62 will be omitted. To do.

  First, it waits until a status notification command is received from the liquid crystal control board 14a (NO in step S600). If the status notification command is received (YES in step S600), the received status notification command is received. Whether or not it is a “first stage end command” is determined by the state notification command determination means 754b (step S601).

  If the received status notification command is “first stage end command” (YES in step S601), the first stage end flag 754a is set on by the end flag setting means 754c (step S602), and the state is again displayed. It is determined whether or not a notification command has been received (step S600). On the other hand, if the received status notification command is not the “first stage end command” (NO in step S601), the description is omitted, but the process corresponding to the received status notification command is executed. Then, it is determined again whether or not a status notification command has been received (step S600).

3. Effect Command Control Process The effect command control process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an effect command control process according to the third embodiment.

  First, it is determined whether or not the effect command is stored in the temporary memory (step S500B). If the effect command is not stored (NO in step S500B), the process returns to the sub-control process of FIG.

  If the effect command is stored in the temporary memory (YES in step S500B), it is determined whether or not the stored effect command is an effect command for effect A (step S501B). If the effect command for effect A is stored (YES in step S501B), the contents of the temporary memory are set in the output buffer by first effect execution start means 651 (step S504B), and the sub-command of FIG. Return to control processing. Therefore, by setting the contents of the temporary memory (effect command for effect A) in the output buffer, the effect command is output from the output buffer to the liquid crystal display 14 when the stop switch is pressed. Then, the liquid crystal display 14 executes an effect corresponding to the effect command output from the output buffer.

  Further, if the effect command for effect A is not stored in the temporary memory (NO in step S501B), that is, if the effect command for effect B is stored, the second effect execution is suppressed. The end flag determining means 754d of the means 754 determines whether or not the state of the first stage end flag 754a is on (step S502B). If the state of the first stage end flag 754a is not on (NO in step S502B), the second stage of execution is suppressed by the second stage of execution execution means 754 because the stage A of stage A of the stage of production A is not being completed. The execution start of the effect B by the start means 653 is delayed, that is, step S504B is skipped, and the process returns to the sub-control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, if the state of the first stage end flag 754a is on (YES in step S502B), the first stage end flag 754a is set off by the end flag setting means 754c. If the state of first stage end flag 754a is on (YES in step S502B), the first stage effect of effect A has ended, and in step S401 of the operation time determination process in FIG. Since the effect command for effect B is stored in the memory, the operation continuation time for the stop switch has reached a predetermined time. Therefore, the operation of the second effect execution suppression means 754 is canceled by the second effect execution suppression release means 655, and the contents of the temporary memory (effect command for effect B) are set in the output buffer by the second effect execution start means 653. Then (step S504B), the process returns to the sub-control process of FIG.

  By setting the contents of the temporary memory (the production command for production B) in the output buffer, the production command is output from the output buffer to the liquid crystal display 14 after the production of the first stage of production A, and the liquid crystal display In the device 14, an effect corresponding to the effect command output from the output buffer is executed.

  In step S400 of the operation time determination process in FIG. 7, if the operation duration time has not reached the predetermined time, an effect command for causing the liquid crystal display 14 to execute effect B even when the stop switch is pressed is ended. The process (step S401) stored in the temporary memory by the second effect execution suppression canceling means 655 is skipped by the second effect execution suppression means 754. Accordingly, since it is always determined NO in step S500B of the effect command control process of FIG. 19, the execution of effect B by the liquid crystal display 14 is surely suppressed by the second effect execution suppression means 754.

(Specific example of operation when stop switch is operated (4))
A specific example of the operation when the last stop switch is operated will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 20 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the gaming machine when the operation duration of the stop switch has reached a predetermined time.

  As shown in FIG. 20, when the last stop switch is operated, the production A is started. And when the operation continuation time when the hand is released from the stop switch has reached the predetermined time, if the first stage effect of the effect A is being executed, the execution start of the effect B is once delayed. The Subsequently, if the first stage end command is output from the liquid crystal control board 14a as the first stage effect of the effect A ends, the execution of the effect B is started instead of the second stage effect of the effect A. The

(Specific example of operation when stop switch is operated (5))
A specific example of the operation when the last stop switch is operated will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is a timing chart showing another example of the operation of the gaming machine when the operation duration of the stop switch has reached a predetermined time.

  This operation example is different from the above-described specific example (4) in that the operation duration time of the stop switch has reached a predetermined time, and when the hand is released from the stop switch, the first stage effect of the effect A It has already been completed. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 21, when the hand is released from the stop switch, the execution start of the effect B is not delayed by the second effect execution suppressing means 754, so that the second stage effect of the effect A ends. The execution of effect B is started.

(Specific example of operation when stop switch is operated (6))
A specific example of the operation when the last stop switch is operated will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 22 is a timing chart showing the operation when the operation continuation time of the stop switch has not reached the predetermined time.

  As shown in FIG. 22, when the last stop switch is operated, the production A is started. Since the operation continuation time when the hand is released from the stop switch has not reached the predetermined time, the execution of the effect B by the second effect execution starting means 653 is stopped by the second effect execution suppressing means 754, After the first stage effect of A is finished, the second stage effect is continuously executed.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be achieved.

<Fourth embodiment>
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  This embodiment is different from the above-described third embodiment in that the production A is being executed by the liquid crystal display 14 when the stop state of the stop switch last operated by the player is finished. If the operation continuation time until the switch is pressed does not reach a predetermined time (for example, 6 seconds), the execution start of the effect B by the second effect execution start unit 653 is delayed by the second effect execution suppression unit 654. However, after the effect A is ended, the effect B whose execution start has been delayed is started to be executed by the second effect execution starting means 653. Since other configurations and operations are the same as those in the third embodiment described above, the following description will focus on differences from the third embodiment described above, and configurations and operations similar to those in the third embodiment described above. The description of the configuration and operation thereof will be omitted by citing the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 23, in the present embodiment, the second effect execution suppression means 754 further includes a second stage end flag 754f, and the second effect execution suppression release means 655 further includes a long press flag 655b. Yes. FIG. 23 is a functional block diagram of the effect control means according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  The second stage end flag 754f is set to ON or OFF depending on whether or not the effect A is being executed on the liquid crystal display 14. Further, the second stage end flag 754f is assigned with any one of the bits forming the flag storage means (not shown) formed by the 1-byte area of the RAM 63 of the sub control board 62, for example. The state of the second stage end flag 754f can be set by setting ON / OFF of the bit.

  In the present embodiment, the state notification command includes a “second stage end command” for notifying that the second stage effect of effect A has been completed. When the state notification command determination unit 754b determines that the state notification command is the “second stage end command”, the end flag setting unit 754c sets ON to the second stage end flag 754f. Note that the state of the second stage end flag 754f is determined by the end flag determination means 754d.

  As described with reference to FIG. 12 in the second embodiment described above, the long press flag 655b is a predetermined time for the operation duration time counted by the operation duration time measuring unit 652 in the operation time determination process of FIG. ON or OFF is set depending on whether or not (for example, 6 seconds) has been reached.

  Next, processing different from the above-described third embodiment will be described.

1. Sub-Control Processing The sub-control processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing sub-control processing according to the fourth embodiment.

  First, it is determined whether or not a command from the main control board 52 has been received (step S300C). If not received (NO in step S300C), an effect command control process described later with reference to FIG. 26 is executed. (Step S307C) It is determined again whether or not a command from the main control board 52 has been received (Step S300C). If a command from the main control board 52 is received (YES in step S300C), it is determined whether or not the received command is a “stop operation start command” (step S301C).

  If the received command is a “stop operation start command” (YES in step S301C), the operation duration time measurement by the operation duration time measuring means 652 is started (step S302C). Then, an effect command for causing the liquid crystal display 14 to execute effect A is stored in the temporary memory by the first effect execution start means 651 (step S303C), the effect command control process of FIG. 26 is executed (step S307C), and again. Then, it is determined whether or not a command from the main control board 52 has been received (step S300C).

  On the other hand, if the received command is not a “stop operation start command” (NO in step S301C), it is determined whether or not the received command is a “stop operation end command” (step S304C). If the received command is a “stop operation end command” (YES in step S304C), an effect command for causing the liquid crystal display 14 to execute effect B is stored in the temporary memory by the second effect execution start means 653 (step S305C). ), The operation time determination process of FIG. 14 is executed (step S306C).

  Subsequently, the effect command control process of FIG. 26 is executed (step S307C), and it is determined again whether or not a command from the main control board 52 has been received (step S300C). On the other hand, if the received command is not a “stop operation end command” (NO in step S304C), the description command control in FIG. 26 is executed after the process corresponding to the received command is executed although the description is omitted. Processing is executed (step S307C), and it is determined again whether or not a command from the main control board 52 has been received (step S300C).

2. Status Notification Command Reception Processing The status notification command reception processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a state notification command receiving process according to the fourth embodiment. In the present embodiment, various data are transmitted from the liquid crystal control board 14a to the sub-control board 62 in a command format. In the status notification command receiving process described with reference to FIG. The case where the “first stage end command” and the “second stage end command” are received by the sub-control board 62 will be described as an example, and other status notification commands transmitted from the liquid crystal control board 14a are sub-control boards 62. The description of the processing when received at is omitted.

  First, it waits until a status notification command is received from the liquid crystal control board 14a (NO in step S600C). If a status notification command is received (YES in step S600C), the received status notification command is received. Whether or not it is a “first stage end command” is determined by the state notification command determination means 754b (step S601C).

  If the received status notification command is a “first stage end command” (YES in step S601C), the first stage end flag 754a is set on by the end flag setting means 754c (step S602C), and the state is again displayed. It is determined whether or not a notification command has been received (step S600C). On the other hand, if the received status notification command is not the “first stage end command” (NO in step S601C), it is determined whether or not the received status notification command is the “second stage end command”. It is determined (step S603C). If the received status notification command is “second stage end command” (YES in step S603C), the second stage end flag 754f is set to ON by the end flag setting means 754c (step S604C), and the state is again displayed. It is determined whether or not a notification command has been received (step S600C).

  On the other hand, if the received status notification command is not the “second stage end command” (NO in step S603C), the description is omitted, but the process corresponding to the received status notification command is executed. Then, it is determined again whether or not a status notification command has been received (step S600C).

3. Effect Command Control Process The effect command control process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an effect command control process according to the fourth embodiment.

  First, it is determined whether or not the effect command is stored in the temporary memory (step S500C). If the effect command is not stored (NO in step S500C), the process returns to the sub-control process of FIG.

  If the effect command is stored in the temporary memory (YES in step S500C), it is determined whether or not the stored effect command is an effect command for effect A (step S501C). If the effect command for effect A is stored (YES in step S501C), the contents of the temporary memory are set in the output buffer by first effect execution start means 651 (step S506C), and the sub-command of FIG. Return to control processing. Therefore, by setting the contents of the temporary memory (effect command for effect A) in the output buffer, the effect command is output from the output buffer to the liquid crystal display 14 when the stop switch is pressed. Then, the liquid crystal display 14 executes an effect corresponding to the effect command output from the output buffer.

  If the effect command for effect A is not stored in the temporary memory (NO in step S501C), that is, if the effect command for effect B is stored, the second effect execution is suppressed. The end flag determining means 754d of the means 754 determines whether or not the state of the first stage end flag 754a is on (step S502C). If the state of the first stage end flag 754a is not on (NO in step S502C), the second stage of execution is suppressed by the second stage of execution execution means 754 because the stage A of stage A of the stage of production A is not being completed. The execution start of the effect B by the start means 653 is delayed, that is, step S506C is skipped, and the process returns to the sub-control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, if the state of the first stage end flag 754a is on (YES in step S502C), it is determined whether or not the long press flag 655b is on (step S503C). If long press flag 655b is on (YES in step S503C), the elapsed time from the start of performance A has reached the specified time, the first stage of the performance has ended, and the operation on the stop switch Since the duration has reached the predetermined time, the second effect execution suppression unit 655 releases the operation of the second effect execution suppression unit 754, and the second effect execution start unit 653 releases the contents of the temporary memory (for effect B). ) Is set in the output buffer (step S506C), and the process returns to the sub-control process of FIG.

  By setting the contents of the temporary memory (the production command for production B) in the output buffer, the production command is output from the output buffer to the liquid crystal display 14 after the production of the first stage of production A, and the liquid crystal display In the device 14, an effect corresponding to the effect command output from the output buffer is executed. On the other hand, if long press flag 655b is off (NO in step S503C), the operation continuation time for the stop switch has not reached the predetermined time, and end flag determination unit 754d of second effect execution suppression unit 754 It is determined whether or not the state of the second stage end flag 754f is on (step S504C).

  If the state of second stage end flag 754f is off (NO in step S504C), the second stage of execution of effect A is not executed and the second stage of execution is suppressed by second effect execution suppression means 754. The execution start of the effect B by the start means 653 is delayed, that is, step S506C is skipped, and the process returns to the sub-control process of FIG.

  On the other hand, if the state of the second stage end flag 754f is on (YES in step S504C), the first stage end flag 754a and the second stage end flag 754f are set off by the end flag setting means 754c ( Step S504C). If the state of the second stage end flag 754f is on (YES in step S504C), since the effect A has ended, the execution suppression state of the effect B by the second effect execution suppression means 754 ends. 2 The contents of the temporary memory (effect command for effect B) is set in the output buffer by the effect execution start means 653 (step S506C), and the process returns to the sub-control process of FIG. Therefore, by setting the contents of the temporary memory (effect command for effect B) in the output buffer, the effect command is output from the output buffer to the liquid crystal display 14 after the effect of the second stage of effect A, In the liquid crystal display 14, an effect corresponding to the effect command output from the output buffer is executed.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the same effects as those of the above-described third embodiment can be obtained.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications other than those described above can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, among the three left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, and 10R, the stop switch operated last by the player functions as the operation means of the present invention. The means is not limited to this, but other operating instruments operated by the player such as the bet switch 7, the maximum bet switch 8, the start switch 9, the settlement switch 11, and the chance switch 12 function as the operating means of the present invention. It may be.

  In the embodiment described above, the effect A is executed when the pressing state of the stop switch last operated by the player among the three left / middle / right stop switches 10L, 10M, and 10R is started. However, the execution start trigger for the production A is not limited to this, and the production A may be started when the start switch 9 is operated, or the lottery means by lottery means The production A may be started when the process is executed. That is, if the execution start trigger is different from “when the predetermined operation state is ended as the operation of the operation means” which is the trigger for starting the execution of the effect B, no matter how the execution start trigger of the effect A is set. Good.

  Further, the predetermined operation state of the present invention is not limited to the operation in which the operation means is continuously maintained in the predetermined state, such as the above-described “long press”. For example, a state in which the operating unit is continuously operated a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined time or a state in which the operating unit is continuously operated at a specific timing may be set as the predetermined operating state of the present invention.

  The effects A and effects B and the operation duration notification effect are not limited to the liquid crystal display 14 and are executed by various effect devices such as the speakers 15 and 16 and the lamp units 22 and 23. Alternatively, each effect may be executed by combining a plurality of effect devices. Further, the effect A, the effect B, and the operation duration notification effect may be executed by different effect devices. For example, as the operation duration notification effect, when the operation duration reaches a predetermined time, the lamp units 22 and 23 can be turned on or a sound can be emitted from the speakers 15 and 16.

  Also, the interrupt processing execution interval, the production time of each production, and the like are not limited to the above values, and may be set to optimum values as appropriate.

  In the above-described embodiment, the slot machine 1 is described as an example of the gaming machine of the present invention. However, the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine or a gaming machine (so-called parrot) in which a slot machine and a pachinko machine are combined. If the present invention is applied to such a gaming machine, a pachinko ball as a gaming medium may be adopted. Further, a video game by executing a computer program may be adopted as the gaming machine of the present invention. Further, the display means of the present invention may be configured by sequentially displaying a plurality of symbols on an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT. Further, the number of variable display columns may be two or more, and an optimal number of variable display columns may be appropriately configured according to the game mode.

  The present invention can be widely applied to gaming machines having a first effect and a second effect that is executed when the first effect is not executed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Slot machine (game machine), 10L, 10M, 10R ... Stop switch (operation means), 14 ... Liquid crystal display (production | presentation means, operation duration notification means), 65 ... Production control means, 651 ... 1st production execution Start means, 652 ... Operation duration measuring means, 653 ... Second effect execution start means, 654, 754 ... Second effect execution suppression means, 655 ... Second effect execution suppression release means, 656 ... Operation duration notification effect execution means

Claims (4)

Operation means operated by the player in a state where a prescribed number of game media are inserted in order to execute one game;
Production means for executing the first production and the second production;
Effect control means for causing the effect means to execute the first effect and the second effect,
The production control means includes
The first stage effect and the first stage are triggered by the start of operation of the operation means by a player who is in a predetermined operation state determined in advance or by a predetermined opportunity before the operation of the operation means is started. First effect execution starting means for causing the effect means to start execution of the first effect having a second stage effect executed following the stage effect;
When the predetermined operation state is ended by the player's operation of the operation means being ended, the effect means starts execution of the second effect, and when the player finishes the operation of the operation means, the predetermined operation state is started. If the first effect is being executed when the operation state is finished, the second effect execution starting means for causing the effect means to end the execution of the first effect and start the execution of the second effect;
Second effect execution suppression means for suppressing the execution operation of the second effect by the second effect execution start means ,
The second effect execution suppression means is
When the predetermined operation state is ended by the player's operation end of the operation means, the second effect execution start means is provided with the effect on the condition that the first stage effect is being executed and has not ended. The execution of the second effect by the means is stopped or the execution of the first effect by the first effect execution start means is continued by delaying until the first stage of the effect is ended,
When the predetermined operation state is ended by the player's operation end of the operation means, the first effect execution start means by the first effect execution start means is provided on the condition that the first stage effect is ended . Ending execution and causing the second effect execution start means to start executing the second effect. An operation continuation time measuring means for measuring an operation continuation time during which the predetermined operation state is continued by operation of the operation means by a player;
The second effect execution suppression means is
As a condition for causing the second effect execution start means to stop or delay the start of execution of the second effect by the effect means, the operation is performed when the predetermined operation state is ended by the player's operation end of the operation means. Including that the duration has not reached the predetermined time set shorter than the time required for the end of the first effect,
2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein if the predetermined time has been reached, the second effect execution start unit starts execution of the second effect. An operation continuation time measuring means for measuring an operation continuation time during which the predetermined operation state is continued by operation of the operation means by a player;
The production control means includes
When the predetermined operation state is ended by the player's operation end of the operation means, the operation continuation time has reached a predetermined time set shorter than the time required for the end of the first effect. As a condition, when the first stage effect is finished, the second effect execution suppression means is deactivated, and the second effect execution start means causes the effect means to start executing the second effect. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising an effect execution suppression canceling unit. An operation duration notification means for performing an operation duration notification effect for notifying whether or not the operation duration has reached the predetermined time;
The production control means includes
An operation duration notifying effect executing means for causing the operation duration notifying effect to be executed on the condition that the predetermined operation state is started by the player starting the operation of the operation means. The gaming machine according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that

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