JP5838452B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that performs a meter effect in response to an operation by a player.

  In a slot machine as a gaming machine, a winning combination is drawn in accordance with the insertion of medals (game media) by a player and operation of a start switch, and a plurality of rotating reels with various symbols are rotated. Then, according to the lottery result and the player's operation of the stop switch, the rotating reels are sequentially stopped, and when the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is displayed on the active line that is the payout target line, a predetermined number The player will be given a gaming profit in accordance with the winning combination.

  In addition, in the slot machine, by performing an effect that suggests the winning role to the player through the display unit, the player can be prompted to display the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role on the active line, or the player can receive the winning role. It has been done to give a sense of anticipation. Furthermore, such a performance is dynamically performed, and by changing the final display on the display section indicating whether or not the winning combination has been won according to the operation by the player, the player can also win the winning combination by the player's operation. It is also reported that the player is involved in the production. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a meter effect in which a strip-shaped meter appears on the display unit, the gauge reciprocates on the meter, and the stop position of the gauge is changed according to the player's operation.

JP 2010-142403 A

  In such a slot machine, a plurality of control boards for controlling the above various game operations are provided, and each of them has a role in gaming. For example, the main control board corresponding to the master performs overall processing for proceeding with the game, and the processing result is transmitted to the peripheral control board corresponding to the slave as a command related to the game. Then, the peripheral control board performs processing assigned to each peripheral control board based on the command. A game progresses by cooperation of such a plurality of control boards.

  For example, in the meter production described above, after the main control board determines the winning combination by lottery, the sub-control board determines the stop position of the gauge (moving index) in the meter by lottery based on the determined winning combination. The liquid crystal control board displays a meter on the display unit, causes the gauge to reciprocate on the meter, and stops and displays the gauge at the determined stop position. In the meter production, many unit sections, which are units in which the gauge moves, are provided in order to enhance the visual effect of the gauge moving on the meter. However, in the configuration in which one unit section is lottery from many unit sections, a large-capacity table is required and the lottery process becomes complicated, and the information amount of commands transmitted from the sub control board to the liquid crystal control board increases. As a result, the processing load is increased.

  In addition, the sub control board must transmit a command for displaying other effects on the liquid crystal display unit at the same time as the command for displaying such meter effects, so that processing can be performed in a short time. Concentration and the increase in processing load may affect the smooth transmission and reception of commands and the smooth movement of the gauge on the meter.

  In view of such a problem, the present invention aims to reduce the processing load through simplification of the lottery process in the meter effect and to smoothly perform the meter effect by reducing the amount of information transmitted between the boards. The purpose is to provide a gaming machine capable of.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a gaming machine according to the present invention includes a first control board having command determining means for determining a command related to game effects, and command transmitting means for transmitting the determined command, Based on the command received from the control board, the gauge moves on a plurality of unit sections imitating the meter, and in response to the player's operation, the execution of the meter effect is executed in which the gauge stops in one of the unit sections And a second control board having a means, wherein the command determining means is configured to select one unit area from a plurality of unit areas in which one or a plurality of unit sections are grouped according to an operation by a player. The command transmitting means transmits an effect command including an identifier corresponding to the unit area determined by the command determining means, and the second control board has the gauge at the current position. A second meter counter indicating a unit section, and the effect execution means displays a gauge on the unit section indicated by the second meter counter and displays it on the display unit, and extracts an identifier corresponding to the unit area from the effect command; A gauge stop means for stopping the gauge in the unit section belonging to the extracted unit area is provided.

  The gauge stop means specifies the unit section where the gauge is located through the second meter counter in response to the reception of the effect command, and includes a unit area to which the specified unit section belongs and a unit area corresponding to the identifier extracted from the effect command. If they are different, the gauge may be stopped at the unit section belonging to the unit area closest to the unit section where the gauge is located among the unit sections belonging to the unit area corresponding to the identifier extracted from the effect command.

  The first control board includes a first meter counter that indicates a unit section in which the gauge is currently located, synchronized with the second meter counter, and the command determination means is configured so that the gauge is currently located through the first meter counter in accordance with a player's operation. The unit area may be identified, the identified unit area may be referred to, and the unit area may be determined in accordance with an operation by the player.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to smoothly perform the meter effect by reducing the processing load through simplification of the lottery process in the meter effect and reducing the amount of information transmitted between the boards.

It is an external view for demonstrating the schematic mechanical structure of a slot machine. It is an external view in the state which opened the front door for demonstrating the schematic mechanical structure of a slot machine. It is a figure which shows the symbol arrangement | sequence of a reel. It is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the slot machine. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an effective line and each table. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the operation | movement of meter production. It is explanatory drawing which showed the production table of the meter production which suggests winning of a bonus combination. It is the flowchart which showed the main process of the main control board. It is the flowchart which showed the sub process of the sub control board. It is the flowchart which showed the command reception process of the sub control board. It is the flowchart which showed the sub slide process of the sub control board. It is the flowchart which showed the process of the liquid crystal control board. It is the flowchart which showed the command reception process of the liquid crystal control board. It is explanatory drawing which showed typically the process of the liquid crystal control board. It is the flowchart which showed the liquid crystal slide process of the liquid crystal control board.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating the understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated. To do.

  In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiment of the present invention, first, a mechanical configuration and an electrical configuration of a slot machine (game machine) that can be played by a player will be briefly described. A typical process will be described.

(Mechanical configuration of the slot machine 100)
As shown in the external views of FIGS. 1 and 2, the slot machine 100 can be opened and closed by a casing 102 that is a substantially rectangular box, and a connecting member that is rotatable with respect to the front opening of the casing 102. A front upper door 104 attached to the front door 104, a front lower door 106 positioned below the front upper door 104 and attached to the front opening of the housing 102 so as to be openable and closable like the front upper door 104. It is located at the lower part of the door 106 and has a tray part 108 for storing medals paid out from the medal outlet 108a.

  An operation unit installation base 122 is formed in the upper part of the front lower door 106, and a medal insertion unit 124, a bet button 126, a start switch 128, a stop switch 130, and the like are disposed on the operation unit installation base 122.

  A medal insertion unit 124 located on the right side of the operation unit installation base 122 accepts insertion of a medal as a game medium through a medal insertion slot (insertion slot) 124a, and a medal selector (not shown) provided on the back surface of the front lower door 106. Send a medal to The medal selector includes a blocker (not shown) that guides medals inserted outside the insertion period during which medals can be inserted or a non-standard medal to the medal discharge port 108a, and a standard medal inserted within the insertion period. And a inserted medal detection unit 124b for detecting the passage of. Here, the medal guided to the medal discharge port 108 a is discharged to the tray portion 108. When a player inserts more medals than the prescribed number, which is the number of inserted medals necessary to start one game, the prescribed number of medals exceeds the prescribed number (for example, 50). The upper limit is electronically stored in the slot machine 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as “credit”). Here, one game refers to a series of games that can be paid out once when a medal is inserted. Here, the specified number is set to “3”.

  The bet button 126 is a push-type button switch that inputs (bets) a prescribed number of medals out of credited medals. In the present embodiment, the bet button 126 is also used for an operation of stopping the gauge moving on the meter during the meter production described later. The settlement button 132 is a push-type button switch that accepts a credited medal return (settlement) request operation.

  The start switch 128 located on the left side of the operation unit installation base 122 is formed by a lever capable of detecting a tilting operation, and detects a start operation of one game by the player. The start switch 128 can also be formed by a button switch that can detect a pressing operation.

  A colorless and transparent symbol display window 136 made of a glass plate, a transparent resin plate, or the like is provided at a substantially lower center of the front upper door 104, and a reel in a position corresponding to the symbol display window 136 in the housing 102. A unit 134 is provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the reel unit 134 has three rotating reels (left reel 134a, middle reel 134b, and right reel 134c) in which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged in each of the regions equally divided into 21, Each player is provided so as to be independently rotatable, and the player can visually recognize the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c through the symbol display window 136. The reel unit 134 starts to rotate the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c in response to the operation of the start switch 128.

  The stop switch 130 located in the center of the operation unit installation base 122 is a button switch provided corresponding to each of the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c and capable of detecting a player's pressing operation. A player's stop operation to stop each of the reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c is detected. The three button switches related to the stop switch 130 are particularly called stop button switches 130a, 130b, and 130c.

  A liquid crystal display unit (display unit) 138 for displaying various images associated with effects is provided at the approximate center of the upper portion of the front upper door 104. In addition, an effect lamp 142 made up of, for example, a high-intensity light emitting diode (LED) is provided on the upper or left and right sides of the front upper door 104.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, speakers that produce auditory effects such as sound effects and musical sounds are provided at the left and right positions of the liquid crystal display unit 138 on the back surface of the front upper door 104 and the inner surface left and right positions on the back surface of the front lower door 106. 140 is provided. Further, below the reel unit 134 in the housing 102, a medal payout device (medal hopper) 264 for paying out medals from the medal discharge port 108a is provided. The medal payout device 264 includes a medal storage unit 264a for storing medals, a payout control unit 264b for discharging medals stored in the medal storage unit 264a from the medal discharge port 108a, and medals discharged from the medal discharge port 108a. And a medal detection unit 264c. Specifically, the payout control unit 264b is rotatably supported by the main body exterior of the payout control unit 264b, and a plurality of medal insertion holes are arranged in the circumferential direction in which medals dropped from the medal storage unit 264a are inserted one by one from above. And a disc motor (not shown) for rotating the disc. The medals inserted in the medal insertion holes are rotated one by one through the pushing mechanism. The medals are successively ejected one by one by sequentially inserting the next medals into the medal insertion holes vacated by the ejection.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the rear side of the reel unit 134 corresponds to the symbol display window 136 among symbols provided on the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c. A reel backlight 144 (see FIG. 4) is provided for individually irradiating the upper, middle and lower symbols of each rotating reel (which can be the target of an effective line) from the back side. In addition, a reel upper light 146 that directly irradiates the front of all of the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c is also provided on the upper rear surface of the symbol display window 136.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, in the operation unit installation base 122, a main credit display unit 152 and a main payout display unit are provided on a substantially horizontal plane of the step unit 122 a provided between the symbol display window 136 and the stop switch 130. 154 is provided. Further, a sub credit display unit 156 and a sub payout display unit 158 are provided between the symbol display window 136 and the operation unit installation base 122. The main credit display unit 152 and the sub credit display unit 156 display the number of credits, and the main payout display unit 154 and the sub payout display unit 158 display the number of paid out medals. Note that the sub-credit display unit 156 and the sub-payout display unit 158 can also display various numerical values associated with effects.

(Electrical configuration of the slot machine 100)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the slot machine 100. As shown in FIG. 4, the slot machine 100 is mainly controlled by a main control board 200, a sub control board (first control board) 202, and a liquid crystal control board (second control board) 204. Here, among the programs related to the progress of the game, a particularly important process such as a lottery of a winning combination to be used for a game and winning the prize is executed on the main control board 200, and other processes related to effects, for example, are performed on the sub-control board. 202 and the liquid crystal control board 204.

(Main control board 200)
The main control board 200 has various semiconductor integrated circuits including a main CPU 200a that is a central processing unit, a main ROM 200b that stores programs, a main RAM 200c that functions as a work area, and the like, and comprehensively controls the entire slot machine 100. To do. The main control board 200 functions by the main CPU 200a cooperating with the main RAM 200c based on a program stored in the main ROM 200b. The initialization means 300, the betting means 302, the lottery means 304, the reel rotating means 306, Reel stop means 308, determination means 310, and payout means 312 are provided. The operation of this functional unit will be described in detail later. However, a backup power supply (not shown) is connected to the main RAM 200c, and data is retained without being erased even when the power is turned off.

  In the main control board 200, various detection signals are received from the inserted medal detection unit 124b, the bet button 126, the start switch 128, the stop switch 130, and the checkout button 132. Based on the received detection signals, the main CPU 200a has various types. Execute the process. Further, a main credit display unit 152 and a main payout display unit 154 are connected to the main control board 200, and the payout means 312 controls the display of the number of credits and payouts of medals on both display units 152 and 154. To do.

  In addition, a reel drive control unit 258 is connected to the main control board 200. The reel drive control unit 258 drives the stepping motor 262 based on the rotation start signal of the rotating reel transmitted from the main control board 200 based on the operation signal of the start switch 128, and based on the operation signal of the stop switch 130. The driving of the stepping motor 262 is stopped based on the stop signal of the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c and the detection signal of the rotation position detection circuit 260 transmitted from the main control board 200.

  The medal payout device 264 is connected to the main control board 200. A detection signal from the payout medal detection unit 264c is input to the main control board 200. The payout unit 312 counts the number of medals to be paid out according to the detection signal, and the medal from the payout control unit 264b. Control the discharge of water.

  The main control board 200 is provided with a random number generator 256. The random number generator 256 sequentially increments the count value, loops within a predetermined numerical range, and extracts the count value at a predetermined time point to obtain a random number. The random number generated by the random number generator 256 is used to determine a gaming benefit to be given to the player, in particular, a winning combination (winning lottery random number).

(Table used in main control board 200)
In the slot machine 100, a plurality of game states are provided during the progress of the game, and a plurality of winning combination tables corresponding to these game states and set values are stored in the main ROM 200b. The lottery means 304 extracts a corresponding winning combination table from the main ROM 200b in accordance with the current gaming state and setting value stored in the main RAM 200c, and uses the extracted winning combination table as an operation signal for the start switch 128. It is determined which winning combination lottery random number acquired in response corresponds to which winning combination or lose in the winning combination table.

  Here, the winning combination extracted from each winning combination table includes a replay combination, a small combination, and a bonus combination. The state in which the symbol combinations corresponding to such winning combinations are aligned on the active line is called display (winning), and the state until winning the winning combination and displaying the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is displayed internally. Winning status. Among the winning combinations, the replay combination is a combination in which one game can be executed again without placing a new bet of medals when the symbol combination corresponding to the replay combination is displayed on the active line. The combination of symbols corresponding to the small combination is displayed on the active line, whereby a predetermined number of medals can be paid out. The bonus combination is a winning combination that can shift the gaming state from the normal gaming state to the bonus gaming state by displaying the symbol combination corresponding to the bonus combination on the active line. Here, the normal gaming state refers to a winning combination table in which a winning combination probability of a small combination is set so that a medal is substantially reduced as the game progresses (the winning for normal gaming state described later). A game state using a role table. On the other hand, the bonus game state is a winning combination table (bonus gaming state winning combination table described later) in which the winning probability of a small combination is set so that medals substantially increase when determining a winning combination. The game state to be used. In the following, the gaming benefits given to the winning combination and the player will be described.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the effective line and each table. FIG. 5A shows an effective line in the present embodiment. Here, there are five effective lines. Specifically, among the nine symbols facing the symbol display window 136, the positions corresponding to the symbols that stop at the middle stage of the left reel 134a, middle reel 134b, and right reel 134c are connected. Line B, the upper stage of the left reel 134a, the middle stage of the middle reel 134b, the line B1 connecting the positions corresponding to the symbols stopped at the lower stage of the right reel 134c, the lower stage of the left reel 134a, the middle stage of the middle reel 134b, the right reel 134c The line B2 connecting the positions corresponding to the symbols that stop on the upper stage, the line C1 connecting the positions corresponding to the symbols that stop on the upper stage of the left reel 134a, the middle stage of the middle reel 134b, the upper reel, and the left reel 134a. The line C2 connecting the positions corresponding to the symbols to be stopped at the lower stage, the middle stage of the middle reel 134b, and the lower stage of the right reel 134c. Each is set as a valid line.

  Also, as shown in the symbol combination table of FIG. 5B, in this embodiment, as a winning combination, “Replay”, “Bell”, “Watermelon”, “Big Bonus” (hereinafter referred to as “BB”). ”And“ Regular Bonus (hereinafter referred to as “RB”) ”in total five types of winning combinations are provided. Among these, the winning role “Replay” corresponds to the above-mentioned replay role, the winning role “Bell”, the winning role “Watermelon” corresponds to the above-mentioned small role, and the winning role “BB” and the winning role “RB” correspond to the above-mentioned bonus role. It corresponds to.

  When an internal winning is won for any winning combination, an internal winning flag corresponding to each winning combination is established (ON), and the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, The stop control of each of the reels 134c is performed. At this time, if the winning combination “Bell” and the winning combination “Watermelon” were won internally, but the symbol combination corresponding to these internal winning combinations could not be displayed on the active line in that one game, In the game, the internal winning flag is turned OFF (however, in this embodiment, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “bell” can be displayed on the active line). That is, the right of internal winning of a small role is limited to only the game, and the right cannot be carried over to the next one game (hereinafter simply referred to as “next game”).

  On the other hand, when the winning combination “BB” or the winning combination “RB” is won internally, the BB internal winning flag or the RB internal winning flag is established (ON), and the BB internal winning flag or the RB internal winning flag is set. The stop control of each of the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c is performed in accordance with the establishment status of. At this time, if the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “BB” or the winning combination “RB” cannot be displayed on the active line, the BB internal winning flag or the RB internal winning flag is carried over to the next game as it is. Thus, in the game after the next time, it becomes possible to display the symbol combinations corresponding to the winning combination “BB” and the winning combination “RB” on the effective line. In addition, when the internal winning flag corresponding to the winning combination “Replay” that is the replaying role is established, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role “Replaying” is displayed on the active line, and the next game can be played without requiring a medal. The internal winning flag is turned off after the processing necessary for performing the processing is performed.

  The normal gaming state winning combination table shown in FIG. 5C is used when determining the winning combination lottery random number in the normal gaming state. Here, the area corresponding to the total number of winning lottery random numbers (65536) is divided into a plurality of winning areas, and for each winning area, the winning combination and the winning ratio of each of the plurality of winning areas are indicated by relative numbers. The winning range value (numerical value) is associated. For example, the winning area “1” is associated with the winning combination “Replay” and the winning range value “8978”. Since the winning combination lottery random numbers are provided from 0 to 65535, the probability that the winning combination “Replay” is internally won is 8978/65536. The same association is made for the other winning areas 2 to 6. The lottery means 304 sequentially acquires a winning range value from a plurality of winning areas in the normal gaming state winning combination table, subtracts the winning range value from the winning combination lottery random number, and the subtraction value is less than 0. Then, the winning combination associated with the winning area at that time is used as the lottery result.

  The bonus game state winning combination table shown in FIG. 5D determines the winning combination random numbers in the bonus gaming state set by winning the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “BB” or the winning combination “RB”. It is used in cases. According to the bonus game state winning combination table, the internal winning probability of the winning combination “Bell” is determined as the normal gaming state winning combination table (FIG. 5 (c)). It is set higher than (see). Here, the winning combination table has been described with reference to the normal gaming state winning combination table and the bonus gaming state winning combination table, but the winning combination table is not limited to this, and the internal winning state used in the internal winning gaming state Various winning combination tables such as a winning combination table are used according to the gaming state.

(Sub-control board 202)
Similar to the main control board 200, the sub control board 202 has various semiconductor integrated circuits including a sub CPU 202a that is a central processing unit, a sub ROM 202b that stores programs, a sub RAM 202c that functions as a work area, and the like. Based on the command from the control board 200, the effect is controlled. Further, the sub control board 202 functions by the sub CPU 202a cooperating with the sub RAM 202c based on the program stored in the sub ROM 202b. The initialization unit 330, the command receiving unit 332, the command determining unit 334, and the command transmission. Means 336 and sub-slide means 338 are provided. Similarly to the main RAM 200c, a backup power source (not shown) is connected to the sub RAM 202c, and even when the power is turned off, data is retained without being erased. The sub-control board 202 is also provided with a random number generator 256 as in the case of the main control board 200, and the random number generated by the random number generator 256 is mainly used to determine the mode of production (production. Lottery random number).

  The initialization unit 330 executes an initialization process in the sub control board 202. The command receiving means 332 receives commands from other control boards such as the main control board 200 and performs processing for the commands. The command determining unit 334 determines a command related to the game effect, and the command transmitting unit 336 transmits the determined command.

  Here, the production is provided through the liquid crystal display unit 138, the speaker 140, the production lamp 142, the reel backlight 144, the reel upper light 146, the sub credit display unit 156, the sub payout display unit 158 and the like as the game progresses. It is a visual and auditory expression means that can give a story to the game and can suggest a lottery result of the winning combination with a more dynamic image. In particular, with respect to the bonus combination described above, the BB internal winning flag and the RB internal winning flag can be carried over over a plurality of games. A feeling can be heightened. In addition, even if none of the winning roles has been won, it is possible to make the player have a high dividend expectation through the production as if the player has been won, so that the player will not get bored. It becomes. However, an image including a still image and a moving image displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 138 has a huge data capacity and a processing load associated with the display, and therefore is separately controlled via the liquid crystal control board 204.

  There are the following effects that suggest the lottery result of the winning combination described above. For example, the winning combination may not always display the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination on the active line only by appropriately stopping the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c. When a player wins a winning combination, the player performs an effect suggesting the winning combination before performing a stop operation, thereby prompting the player to display the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination on the active line. In addition, if the player cannot grasp whether or not the bonus combination is won only by the symbol combination displayed on the active line, an effect that suggests whether or not the bonus combination is won is performed and the bonus combination is given. Have a sense of expectation of winning. Here, a meter effect corresponding to an effect suggesting whether or not a bonus combination has been won will be described as an example.

(Processing of meter production)
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the meter effect. In the present embodiment, as an effect suggesting the lottery result of the winning combination, in particular, the main control board 200, the sub-control board 202, and the liquid crystal control board 204 are linked, and for example, a meter effect is executed. Here, as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), the meter effect is such that the gauge 384 is one cell at a time on a plurality of unit sections (sections where the gauge 384 can be stopped) simulating the meter 380. By moving, it reciprocates on the meter 380 as indicated by a broken line arrow, and the gauge 384 is stopped in one of the unit sections 382 in accordance with the player's operation, suggesting that the bonus combination is won. When the main control board 200 receives an operation of the start switch 128 by the player, the main control board 200 transmits a lottery result based on the operation of the start switch 128 to the sub control board 202, and the sub control board 202 performs a meter effect based on the lottery result. When it is determined whether or not to execute the meter effect, the meter effect is started through the liquid crystal control board 204. Further, when the sub control board 202 receives an operation of the bet button 126 by the player through the main control board 200 during the meter effect, the player is notified of the result of the meter effect corresponding to the operation.

  The meter 380 is also provided with a unit region 386 in which one or a plurality of unit sections 382 are grouped. For example, in FIG. 6, three unit sections 382 indicated by cross hatching located at the center of the meter 380 are set as red unit areas 386, and two units indicated by hatching located on both sides of the red unit area 386 are provided. The section 382 is defined as a yellow unit area 386, and each of the two unit sections 382 shown in white outside the yellow unit area 386 is defined as a blue unit area 386. Specifically, blue unit areas 386 are associated with the unit sections “0” and “1”, and yellow unit areas 386 are associated with the unit sections “2” and “3”. “4”, “5”, and “6” are associated with a red unit area 386, and unit sections “7” and “8” are associated with a yellow unit area 386, and the unit section “9” ”And“ 10 ”are associated with a blue unit region 386. In the meter effect, it is suggested whether or not the bonus combination is won by the color of the unit area 386 to which the unit section 382 that has finally stopped belongs. For example, when the gauge 384 stops at the unit section 382 belonging to the red unit area 386, it indicates that the bonus combination is won. When the gauge 384 stops at the unit section 382 belonging to the yellow unit area 386, the retry is determined and the blue Stopping at the unit section 382 belonging to the unit area 386 indicates that there is a high possibility that the bonus combination is not won. Here, the retry is to carry over the result of the meter effect to the next game without notifying in the game, and when the gauge 384 stops in the yellow unit area 386 indicating the retry, the meter effect is temporarily interrupted and the next game is stopped. , The reciprocation of the gauge 384 on the meter 380 is executed again.

  The sub slide means 338 uses the value of the sub meter counter (first meter counter) 340 indicating the unit section 382 where the gauge 384 that is reciprocatingly moved on the meter 380 in the meter effect is a predetermined slide cycle (for example, , 0.25 sec), and the current position of the gauge 384 is updated. Then, the command determination means 334 sends a command to be transmitted to the sub control board 202 based on the player's operation, the value of the sub meter counter 340 when the operation is performed, and the effect table for executing the meter effect. decide. Hereinafter, an effect table for executing the meter effect will be described in detail.

(Table used in sub-control board 202)
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an effect table for a meter effect that suggests winning of a bonus combination. A plurality of the effect tables are prepared according to whether or not the bonus combination is won and, if the bonus combination is won, whether the bonus combination is BB or RB. Here, FIGS. 7A and 7B are effect tables when BB is won, and FIGS. 7C and 7D are effect tables when RB is won. 7 (e) and FIG. 7 (f) are effect tables when the bonus combination is not won. The table is also varied depending on whether or not the above-described retry can be selected. Here, FIGS. 7 (a), 7 (c), and 7 (e) are retryable performance tables, and FIGS. 7 (b), 7 (d), and 7 (f) cannot be retried. It is a great production table. The plurality of effect tables are stored in the sub ROM 202b. When receiving the operation signal of the start switch 128, the command determining means 334 extracts a corresponding effect table from the sub ROM 202b based on the winning combination and the possibility of retry.

  Specifically, when the command determining means 334 receives an operation signal of the bet button 126 during the meter effect, the command determining means 334 acquires an effect lottery random number according to the received timing, and receives an operation signal from the plurality of unit sections 382. One unit section 382 in which the gauge is located at the time of reception is specified. And the command determination means 334 specifies which unit area 386 the effect lottery random number indicates in the column shown in the vertical direction in FIG. 7 corresponding to the specified unit section 382 of the effect table, and the unit area Let 386 be the lottery result. For example, after the BB is won, when the player operates the bet button 126 and the gauge 384 is positioned in the unit block “3”, an effect table (retry) when the BB shown in FIG. 7A is won. Is selected, and the yellow unit area 386 is selected with a probability of 30720/32768 based on the effect lottery random number acquired in response to the player's operation and the numerical value shown in the unit section “3” of the effect table The red unit region 386 is selected with a probability of 2048/32768. In the above effect table, when the bonus combination is not won, the red unit area 386 for determining the bonus combination is not selected as the unit area 386. In addition, even after winning the bonus combination, the probability that the yellow unit area 386 is selected between BB and RB is different, and the expectation that either BB or RB is winning is changed according to the number of retries continued. Can do. Here, the production table of the meter production has been described, but the production table is not limited to this, and various production tables are used for each production opportunity.

(LCD control board 204)
The liquid crystal control board 204 is connected to the sub control board 202, a liquid crystal CPU 204a as a central processing unit, a liquid crystal ROM 204b storing programs and image data, a liquid crystal RAM 204c functioning as a work area, and a work area for image control. The liquid crystal display unit 138 is controlled by bidirectional communication with the sub-control board 202. The liquid crystal control board 204 functions by the liquid crystal CPU 204a cooperating with the liquid crystal RAM 204c based on the program stored in the liquid crystal ROM 204b. The initialization means 360, the command receiving means 362, the effect executing means 364, and the gauge stop Means 366 are provided.

  The initialization unit 360 executes an initialization process on the liquid crystal control board 204. The command receiving unit 362 receives commands from other control boards such as the sub control board 202 and performs processing on the commands. The effect execution means 364 displays various effects on the liquid crystal display unit 138 based on the received command. For example, the effect execution means 364 uses the value of the liquid crystal meter counter (second meter counter) 370 indicating the unit section 382 where the gauge 384 that is reciprocatingly moved on the meter 380 in the meter effect is the predetermined slide period ( (E.g., every 0.25 sec), the current position of the gauge 384 is updated, the gauge 384 is positioned at that position, and the meter 380 is displayed. The gauge stop means 366 stops the gauge 384 in the meter effect based on a command in accordance with the player's operation.

  A plurality of types of commands are transmitted and received between the sub control board 202 and the liquid crystal control board 204. For example, an image command for specifying an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 138, or an effect command for causing the liquid crystal display unit 138 to perform a specific effect process. When the liquid crystal control board 204 receives, for example, an image command from the sub control board 202, the liquid crystal display data is extracted from the liquid crystal ROM 204b based on the image command, and an image based on the liquid crystal display data is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 138. Further, when the liquid crystal control board 204 receives an effect command from the sub control board 202, it extracts partial image data for executing the effect from the liquid crystal ROM 204b based on the effect command, and an image (layer) based on the partial image data. And the image (layer) based on the liquid crystal display data are combined and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 138 every frame period (for example, 33 msec).

  In the present embodiment, attention is particularly paid to a command related to a meter effect transmitted from the sub control board 202 to the liquid crystal control board 204. When executing such a meter effect, the sub control board 202 faithfully draws a unit section 382 where the meter effect gauge 384 stops from a plurality of unit sections 382, and information for specifying the unit section 382 is provided. Transmission from the sub control board 202 to the liquid crystal control board 204 not only requires a large capacity table, but also increases the processing load. In the present embodiment, the information amount of the lottery result is reduced while maintaining the number of unit sections 382 so as not to impair the visual effect of the meter effect, and thus the processing load spent on the lottery is reduced. Hereinafter, specific processing in the main control board 200, the sub control board 202, and the liquid crystal control board 204 will be described.

(Main processing of main control board 200)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing main processing of the main control board 200. Here, first, an outline of one game will be described along the main process of the main control board 200, and then the details of each process will be described.

(Step S100)
First, the initialization unit 300 prepares for the start of the game, and if necessary, clears the main RAM 200c (RAM clear), and set values (for example, six levels 1 to 6) indicating expected values of the ratio of the payout number to the inserted number ) Initialization processing such as setting processing is executed. This initialization process is performed only when the power is turned on, when the set value is changed, when the RAM is cleared, and the connection status and operating status of various devices including the reel unit 134 are confirmed. In addition, the initialization unit 300 generates backup data while the power is turned on, and stores the backup data in the main RAM 200c. If an unexpected power failure occurs, the initialization unit 300 stores the backup data. Use the backup data to execute the process to return to the state before the power was turned off.

(Step S200)
Next, the betting means 302 accepts the insertion of a prescribed number of medals from the medal insertion unit 124 or accepts the operation of the bet button 126 in a situation where the prescribed number of credits are stored, thereby completing the betting of the medals. Then, the operation shifts to the operation waiting state of the start switch 128. Further, the betting means 302 transmits a throwing command indicating that the operation has been performed to the sub-control board 202. When the operation of the start switch 128 is detected, the process proceeds to the next step S300.

(Step S300)
Next, the lottery means 304 acquires one winning lottery random number at the time when the start switch 128 is operated from the winning combination lottery random number updated by the random number generator 256 according to the operation of the start switch 128. Then, the lottery means 304 determines one winning combination table corresponding to the currently set gaming state from a plurality of winning combination tables including the winning combination tables shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D. At the same time, it is determined which winning area in the determined winning combination table the acquired winning combination lottery random number corresponds to, and the winning combination or lose in the determined winning area is determined as the lottery result. In addition, after the lottery result is determined in accordance with the operation of the start switch 128, the lottery means 304 sends a winning combination command including a lottery result (winning combination or loss) of the internal lottery and information on the gaming state to the sub control board 202. Send to. Furthermore, the sub-control board 202 performs an effect suggesting the lottery result of the internal lottery according to the winning combination command. If the effect is a meter effect, the lottery means 304 can accept the player's operation of the bet button 126 before the reel stop means 308 shown in step S500 accepts the operation of the stop button switches 130a, 130b, 130c. When the bet button 126 is operated by the player, a meter operation command is transmitted to the sub-control board 202 according to the operation. As shown in the process of step S <b> 200, the betting means 302 completes the betting according to the operation of the bet button 126. However, after the lottery means 304 accepts the operation of the start switch 128 in step S300, the operation of the bet button 126 becomes unnecessary until the one game is completed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the bet button 126 that has finished its role in one game is used for the stop operation of the gauge 384 in the meter effect, so that the existing operation unit can be used effectively, and a separate operation unit is not provided. Realizes meter production.

(Step S400)
When the lottery process is completed as described above, the reel rotating unit 306 next drives the stepping motor 262 to rotate the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c. In this reel rotation process, when a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) elapses from the start of rotation of the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c in the previous one game, the left reel 134a, middle The rotation of the reel 134b and the right reel 134c is started, and the operation of the stop button switches 130a, 130b, and 130c is validated when the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c all rotate at a constant speed.

(Step S500)
Subsequently, when the reel stop means 308 receives an operation of the stop button switches 130a, 130b, 130c by the player in a state where the stop button switches 130a, 130b, 130c are activated, the reel stop means 308 corresponds to the rotary reel corresponding to the operation. (One of the left reel 134a, the middle reel 134b, and the right reel 134c) is stopped according to a predetermined stop control. In addition, the reel stop means 308 responds to the operation of the stop button switches 130a, 130b, and 130c with a first stop command, a second stop command, and a third stop command each indicating that the operation has been performed. The data is sequentially transmitted to the sub control board 202.

(Step S600)
Next, the determination unit 310 determines the symbol combination displayed on the active line shown in FIG. 5A, and executes various processes required for changing the game state and replaying according to the symbol combination. To do. In addition, the determination unit 310 sends a winning command including a symbol combination displayed on the active line or a payout command including a payout number of medals when a symbol combination corresponding to the small role is displayed on the active line to the sub-control board 202. Send.

(Step S700)
Subsequently, based on the determination result in step S600, for example, when the symbol combination corresponding to the small role is displayed on the active line, the payout unit 312 executes a medal payout process corresponding to the small role, When the symbol combination corresponding to the replay combination is displayed on the line, a process for automatically betting the next game is executed. In this way, the payout means 312 performs various processes corresponding to the symbol combinations displayed on the active line, and ends the one game. Further, when the medal payout process is performed, the payout unit 312 transmits a payout command indicating that the payout process has been performed to the sub-control board 202.

  A series of games from insertion of medals to payout by winning shown in steps S200 to S700 are defined as one game, and thereafter, such one game is repeated.

(Sub-processing of sub-control board 202)
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a sub process of the sub control board 202.

(Step S1100)
First, when the power is turned on, the initialization unit 330 initializes the sub RAM 202c and the like, and executes an initialization process for permitting an interrupt.

(Step S1150)
Next, the command receiving unit 332 determines whether a command from the main control board 200 has been received. As a result, if a command has not been received, the process proceeds to step S1250. If a command has been received, the process proceeds to step S1200.

(Step S1200)
If it is determined in step S1150 that a command has been received, the command receiving unit 332 executes various processes based on the received command.

(Step S1250)
Next, the sub slide means 338 determines whether or not the sub slide counter has reached a predetermined slide cycle. As a result, if the sub-slide counter has not reached the predetermined slide cycle, the processing from step S1150 is repeated, and if the slide cycle has been reached, the processing proceeds to step S1300. The sub-slide counter is a counter that measures the time since the gauge 384 moved the unit section 382 last time in the meter effect.

(Step S1300)
If it is determined in step S1250 that the sub-slide counter has reached a predetermined slide cycle, the sub-slide unit 338 executes a process of moving the gauge 384 on the meter 380 in the meter effect to the adjacent unit section 382. The process from step S1150 is repeated.

(Detailed processing of command reception processing S1200)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the command reception process in step S1200.
Here, processing for commands related to the features of the present embodiment will be described in detail, and descriptions of configurations unrelated to the features of the present embodiment will be omitted.

(Step S1201)
First, the command receiving means 332 determines whether or not the received command is a winning combination command. As a result, if the received command is a winning combination command, the process proceeds to step S1202, and if it is not a winning combination command, the process proceeds to step S1205.

(Step S1202)
If it is determined that the command received in step S1201 is a winning combination command, the command determining unit 334 acquires one rendering lottery random number from the rendering lottery random number updated by the random number generator 256, and the winning combination and rendering are performed. Whether to execute the meter effect based on the lottery random number and the number of retries (the upper limit number of retries) when the meter effect is executed are determined. Here, when execution of the meter effect is determined, the command determining means 334 turns on the meter effect flag. In addition, since the meter effect is an effect that suggests winning of a bonus combination that can be carried over over a plurality of games, the meter effect should be part of a continuous effect where the effect is continued over a plurality of games. Can do. Therefore, for example, the meter effect may be executed in the third game of the continuous effect executed over five games. In this case, the meter effect flag is turned ON in the third game. In addition, since the lottery of the unit area 386 must be drawn by retrying while the meter effect flag is ON, even if the decision to execute the meter effect is not made in step S1202, the process of step S1203 is performed. Carried out.

(Step S1203)
Next, the command determination means 334 determines whether or not the meter effect flag is ON. As a result, if the meter effect flag is ON, the process proceeds to step S1204, and if the meter effect flag is OFF, the process proceeds to step S1205.

(Step S1204)
If it is determined in step S1203 that the meter effect flag is ON, the command determining unit 334 acquires one effect lottery random number from the effect lottery random numbers updated by the random number generator 256, and uses the effect lottery random number as the effect lottery random number. Based on this, the unit section 382 (start unit section) for starting the meter effect is determined, and a meter effect start command that is an effect command including a numerical value corresponding to the start unit section is generated. For example, when the unit section “3” in FIG. 6 is determined as the start unit section, the gauge 384 in the meter effect starts to move from the unit section “3” on the meter 380. Then, the command transmission unit 336 transmits the generated meter effect start command to the liquid crystal control board 204. Here, the unit unit 382 that displays the liquid crystal control board 204 and the gauge 384 first is combined according to the start unit unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the start unit unit is predetermined on both substrates, such as the unit unit “0”. You may keep it. By doing so, it is not necessary to include a numerical value corresponding to the start unit section in the meter effect start command.

  Further, the command determining means 334 sets a numerical value corresponding to the determined start unit section in the submeter counter 340 and turns on the sub inversion flag. Here, the sub inversion flag is a flag indicating the direction in which the gauge 384 in the meter effect travels on the meter 380 (here, the right direction when the sub inversion flag is ON and the left direction when the sub inversion flag is OFF). The sub meter counter 340 counted by the sub control board 202 is synchronized with the liquid crystal meter counter 370 on the liquid crystal control board 204, and the current position of the gauge 384 is determined in a lottery (steps S1208, S1209, S1214) of the unit area 386 described later. Is provided for reference.

(Step S1205)
Next, the command receiving means 332 determines whether or not the received command is a meter operation command and the meter effect flag is ON. As a result, if the received command is a meter operation command and the meter effect flag is ON, the process proceeds to step S1206, and if the received command is not a meter operation command or the meter effect flag is OFF. Then, the process proceeds to step S1212.

(Step S1206)
If it is determined that the command received in step S1205 is a meter operation command and the meter effect flag is ON, the command determination unit 334 causes the random number generator 256 to respond to the reception of the meter operation command. From the updated production lottery random number, obtain the production lottery random number of 1 when the meter operation command is received, and obtain the value (current position of the gauge 384) when the meter operation command of the submeter counter 340 is received. To do.

(Step S1207)
Subsequently, the command determination unit 334 determines whether or not the number of retries is zero. As a result, if the number of retries is 0, the process proceeds to step S1208. If the number of retries is not 0, the process proceeds to step S1209.

(Step S1208)
If it is determined in step S1207 that the number of retries is 0, the command determination means 334 determines whether or not the bonus combination is won from the plurality of non-retryable performance tables shown in FIG. If the bonus combination is BB or RB, one production table is extracted, and one unit area 386 is obtained based on the production lottery random number obtained in step S1206 and the value of the submeter counter 340. And a meter effect lottery result command which is an effect command including an identifier corresponding to the determined unit region 386 is generated. And the command transmission means 336 transmits the produced | generated meter production | presentation lottery result command to the liquid crystal control board 204, and moves a process to step S1210.

(Step S1209)
If it is determined in step S1207 that the number of retries is not 0, the command determining means 334 determines whether or not a bonus combination is won from a plurality of retryable performance tables shown in FIG. If the bonus combination is BB or RB, one production table is extracted, and one unit area 386 is defined based on the production lottery random number obtained in step S1206 and the value of the submeter counter 340. A meter effect lottery result command that is an effect command including an identifier corresponding to the determined unit region 386 is generated. Then, the command transmission means 336 transmits the generated meter effect lottery result command to the liquid crystal control board 204. In addition, the command determining unit 334 subtracts 1 from the number of retries (decrement), and moves the process to step S1210.

(Step S1210)
Subsequently, the command determination unit 334 determines whether the determined unit region 386 is red or blue. As a result, if the unit area 386 is red or blue, the result of the meter effect is determined in the game, and the process proceeds to step S1211 to end the meter effect. If the unit area 386 is yellow, Since the next game must also have a meter effect by retry, the meter effect flag is not turned OFF (it remains ON), and the process proceeds to step S1212.

(Step S1211)
If it is determined in step S1210 that the unit area 386 is red or blue, the command determining means 334 turns off the meter effect flag and prohibits the meter effect in the next game. Here, although the position of the gauge 384 on the meter 380 in the meter effect is managed by the sub meter counter 340, in the lottery based on the effect table, the unit area 386 having a smaller absolute number than the unit area 382, not the unit area 382. Is determined. Therefore, the storage capacity required for the table can be reduced, and the processing load spent on the lottery can be reduced. Further, between the sub control board 202 and the liquid crystal control board 204, by transmitting only a small amount of information by the unit area 386 without transmitting a large amount of information by the unit section 382, the transmission load is also suppressed. Meter production can be performed smoothly.

(Step S1212)
Next, the command receiving means 332 is the first stop command indicating that the received command is the first stop button switch among the stop button switches 130a, 130b, 130c, and the meter effect flag is set. It is determined whether it is ON. As a result, if the received command is the first stop command and the meter effect flag is ON, the process proceeds to step S1213, and the received command is not the first stop command, or the meter effect flag is OFF. If there is, the process proceeds to step S1217. After the player operates the start switch 128, the player can operate the stop button switches 130a, 130b, and 130c without performing the operation related to the meter effect (the operation of the bet button 126) even if the meter effect is started. it can. Here, even when the stop button switches 130a, 130b, and 130c are operated in this way, the meter effect is executed in the same manner as when the bet button 126 is operated.

(Step S1213)
If it is determined that the command received in step S1212 is the first stop command and the meter effect flag is ON, the command determination means 334 receives the first stop command and the random number generator One effect lottery random number at the time when the first stop command is received is acquired from the effect lottery random number updated by 256, and the value at the time when the first stop command in the submeter counter 340 is received (of the gauge 384) Get the current position.

(Step S1214)
Next, the command determining means 334 determines whether or not the bonus combination is won from the plurality of performance tables that cannot be retried shown in FIG. 7, and if the bonus combination is selected, whether the bonus combination is BB. One effect table is extracted according to whether it is RB, one unit area 386 is determined based on the effect lottery random number obtained in step S1213 and the value of the submeter counter 340, and corresponds to the determined unit area 386. A meter effect lottery result command that is an effect command including the identifier is generated. Then, the command transmission means 336 transmits the generated meter effect lottery result command to the liquid crystal control board 204. Further, the command determining means 334 turns off the meter effect flag and prohibits the meter effect in the next game.

(Step S1215)
Subsequently, the command determination unit 334 determines whether the determined unit region 386 is red or blue. As a result, if the unit area 386 is red or blue, the process proceeds to step S1216. If the unit area 386 is yellow, the process proceeds to step S1217.

(Step S1216)
If it is determined in step S1215 that the unit area 386 is red or blue, the command determination unit 334 turns off the meter effect flag, ends the meter effect in the game, and performs the meter effect in the next game. Ban. Here, when the result of the meter effect is originally notified by the bet button 126, the meter effect is forcibly ended by operating any one of the stop button switches 130a, 130b, and 130c. Here, even when the meter effect is forcibly terminated by any of the stop button switches 130a, 130b, 130c, the lottery is performed in the same manner as the bet button 126, but the lottery may not be performed. The predetermined unit area 386 may be forcibly determined.

(Step S1217)
Next, the command receiving unit 332 performs various other processes for the received command (for example, a throw command, a winning combination command, first to third stop commands, a winning command, a payout command, etc.), for example, a liquid crystal display unit 138. Processing for generating an image command for specifying an image to be displayed on the LCD panel and transmitting it to the liquid crystal control board 204 is performed, and the command reception processing is terminated. Since such processing is irrelevant to the features of the present embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

(Detailed processing of sub-slide processing S1300)
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the sub-slide process in step S1300.

(Step S1301)
First, the sub slide means 338 adds 1 to the value of the sub meter counter 340 (increment). With the sub meter counter 340, the unit section 382 in which the gauge 384 on the meter 380 is displayed is also managed on the sub control board 202 side.

(Step S1302)
Next, the sub slide means 338 determines whether or not the value of the sub meter counter 340 exceeds the upper limit value of the sub meter counter 340, here, 10. As a result, if the value of the submeter counter 340 exceeds the upper limit value, the process proceeds to step S1303, and if it is equal to or lower than the upper limit value, the sub slide process S1300 ends.

(Step S1303)
If it is determined in step S1302 that the value of the sub meter counter 340 has exceeded the upper limit value, in other words, the end of the meter 380 has been reached, the sub slide means 338 sets the value of the sub meter counter 340 to 0. And the sub inversion flag is inverted (OFF if ON, ON if OFF).

(Processing of liquid crystal control board 204)
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing of the liquid crystal control board 204. Here, various images are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 138 in accordance with commands from the sub-control board 202.

(Step S2100)
First, when the power is turned on, the initialization unit 360 initializes the liquid crystal RAM 204c and the like, and executes an initialization process for permitting an interrupt.

(Step S2150)
Next, the command receiving unit 362 determines whether a command from the sub control board 202 is received. As a result, if a command has not been received, the process proceeds to step S2250. If a command has been received, the process proceeds to step S2200.

(Step S2200)
If it is determined in step S2150 that a command has been received, the command receiving unit 362 executes various processes based on the received command.

(Step S2250)
Next, the effect execution means 364 determines whether or not the liquid crystal slide counter has reached a predetermined slide cycle. As a result, if the liquid crystal slide counter has not reached the predetermined slide cycle, the processing from step S2150 is repeated, and if the slide cycle has been reached, the processing proceeds to step S2300. The liquid crystal slide counter is a counter that measures the time since the gauge 384 moved the unit section 382 last time in the meter effect.

(Step S2300)
If it is determined in step S2250 that the liquid crystal slide counter has reached a predetermined slide cycle, the effect execution means 364 moves the gauge 384 on the meter 380 in the meter effect to the adjacent unit section 382 and displays the same. And the processing from step S2150 is repeated.

(Detailed processing of command reception processing S2200)
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the command reception process in step S2200. Here, processing for commands related to the features of the present embodiment will be described in detail, and descriptions of configurations unrelated to the features of the present embodiment will be omitted.

(Step S2201)
First, the command receiving unit 362 determines whether or not the received command is an image command. As a result, if the received command is an image command, the process proceeds to step S2202, and if not, the process proceeds to step S2203.

(Step S2202)
If it is determined that the command received in step S2201 is an image command, the command receiving unit 362 extracts liquid crystal display data from the liquid crystal ROM 204b based on the image command, and temporarily stores it in the VRAM 204d.

(Step S2203)
Next, the command receiving means 362 determines whether or not the received command is a meter effect start command. As a result, if the received command is a meter effect start command, the process proceeds to step S2204. If not, the process proceeds to step S2205.

(Step S2204)
If it is determined that the command received in step S2203 is a meter effect start command, effect execution means 364 extracts a numerical value corresponding to the start unit section from the meter effect start command, and a numerical value corresponding to the start unit section. Is set in the liquid crystal meter counter 370, and the liquid crystal inversion flag and the gauge movement flag are turned ON. Here, the liquid crystal inversion flag is a flag indicating the direction in which the gauge 384 in the meter effect travels on the meter 380 (here, the right direction when the liquid crystal inversion flag is ON and the left direction when the liquid crystal inversion flag is OFF). The movement flag is a flag for controlling the movement and stop of the gauge 384. Thus, the meter effect is started, and the gauge 384 starts to move on the meter 380. With this configuration, it is possible to synchronize both the start unit section of the sub meter counter 340 of the sub control board 202 and the start unit section of the liquid crystal meter counter 370 and the count-up timing. In addition, when the meter effect starts, the effect execution means 364 displays “Please press the bet button” or the like on the liquid crystal display unit 138, and the player operates the bet button 126 to stop the movement of the gauge 384. Can be encouraged.

  The operation of the meter effect will be described with reference to FIG. 6 again. The unit section 382 is composed of 11 squares from 0 to 10, and the gauge 384 moves through the 11 square unit sections 382. The liquid crystal meter counter 370 is incremented by 1 from 0 to 10, and when it exceeds 10, it is reset to 0 and the liquid crystal inversion flag is inverted. Therefore, for example, the gauge 384 moves from 0 to 10 in the right direction (liquid crystal inversion flag ON), then continues to move from 10 to 0 in the left direction (liquid crystal inversion flag OFF), and repeats left and right reciprocation. Become. As described with reference to FIG. 6, although the number of unit sections 382 included in each unit area 386 is different, the ratio between the arrangement of unit areas 386 and the unit sections 382 included in the unit area 386 is symmetrical. Yes. This is to eliminate the left-right bias with respect to the meter effect in which the gauge 384 reciprocates left and right. Here, for convenience of explanation, the number of unit sections 382 on the meter 380 is 11 squares, but the number is not limited, and any numerical value can be used, and the number of unit sections 382 in the unit region 386 can be used. In addition, the arrangement of the unit areas 386 can be arbitrarily determined.

(Step S2205)
Next, the command receiving means 362 determines whether or not the received command is a meter effect lottery result command. As a result, if the received command is a meter effect lottery result command, the process proceeds to step S2206. If not, the process proceeds to step S2212.

(Step S2206)
If it is determined that the command received in step S2205 is a meter effect lottery result command, the gauge stop means 366 receives the meter effect lottery result command and displays the meter effect of the liquid crystal meter counter 370 and the liquid crystal inversion flag. The value at the time of receiving the lottery result command is acquired and substituted into the stop unit section counter 372 and the stop inversion flag, and the identifier corresponding to the unit region 386 is extracted from the meter effect lottery result command. Here, the stop unit section counter 372 is a counter that counts the unit sections 382 where the gauge 384 finally stops, and the stop reversal flag indicates that the gauge 384 is on the meter 380 when the gauge 384 is stopped in the meter effect. In this case (here, the right direction when the stop inversion flag is ON and the left direction when the stop inversion flag is OFF).

(Step S2207)
Subsequently, the gauge stop means 366 determines whether or not the unit area 386 to which the value of the stop unit section counter 372 belongs matches the unit area 386 extracted from the meter effect lottery result command. As a result, if the unit areas 386 do not match, the process proceeds to step S2208. If the unit areas 386 match, the process proceeds to step S2211.

(Step S2208)
If it is determined in step S2207 that the unit areas 386 do not match, the gauge stop means 366 adds (increments) 1 to the value of the stop unit section counter 372.

(Step S2209)
Next, the gauge stop means 366 determines whether or not the value of the stop unit section counter 372 exceeds the upper limit value of the liquid crystal meter counter 370, here, 10. As a result, if the value of the stop unit partition counter 372 exceeds the upper limit value, the process proceeds to step S2210, and if it is equal to or lower than the upper limit value, the process from step S2207 is repeated.

(Step S2210)
If it is determined in step S2209 that the value of the stop unit partition counter 372 exceeds the upper limit value, in other words, the end of the meter 380 is reached, the gauge stop means 366 determines the value of the stop unit partition counter 372. Is reset to 0, the stop inversion flag is inverted (OFF if ON, ON if OFF), and the process from step S2207 is repeated.

(Step S2211)
If it is determined in step S2207 that the unit areas 386 match, the gauge stop unit 366 turns off the gauge movement flag and ends the meter effect. By turning off the gauge movement flag in this manner, the gauge 384 stops at the unit section 382 specified by the stop unit section counter 372 and the stop inversion flag in the liquid crystal slide processing S2300 described later. That is, the gauge 384 stops at the unit section 382 in the unit area 386 indicated by the meter effect lottery result command. Specifically, when the meter effect lottery result command is received, if the gauge 384 is already included in the target unit area 386, it stops at that position, and if not included, the target unit area It moves to the unit section 382 closest to the present location among 386 and stops.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 14A, when the gauge 384 moves to the right (liquid crystal inversion flag ON) and is positioned in the unit section “7”, the meter effect lottery result command is received and the meter effect lottery is performed. When the result command indicates a red unit area 386 (bonus confirmation), the gauge 384 once moves to the unit section “10” as shown in FIG. 14B and then as shown in FIG. 14C. Then, it stops at the unit section “6” that is the red unit area 386 shown by cross hatching in FIG. If the bonus combination is won, the red unit area 386 may stop in this way. However, if the bonus combination is not won, the red unit area 386 is not selected. Therefore, even if the player operates the bet button 126 in the red unit area 386 on the meter 380, the player moves to the yellow unit area 386 or the blue unit area 386 and stops.

  In this way, the gauge 384 is stopped in the unit area 386 drawn by the sub-control board 202, and the meter effect that suggests that the player has won the bonus combination is completed. Here, between the sub control board 202 and the liquid crystal control board 204, the transmission load is suppressed by transmitting only a small amount of information by the unit area 386 without transmitting a large amount of information by the unit section 382. Therefore, the meter effect can be smoothly performed without impairing the visual effect of the meter effect. Also, the gauge 384 moves to the unit area 386 determined by the lottery by moving the gauge 384 to the unit area 382 closest to the unit area 382 at the time when the meter effect lottery result command is received. As a result, the difference between the position of the gauge 384 when operated by the player and the position of the gauge 384 when stopped by the player can be minimized, and the uncomfortable feeling given to the player can be suppressed. However, the unit section 382 where the gauge 384 stops is not limited to this, and various stop modes such as a predetermined unit section 382 in the unit region 386 and a unit section 382 determined by lottery are possible. .

(Step S2212)
Next, the command receiving unit 362 performs various other processes for the received command, and ends the command receiving process S2200. Since such processing is irrelevant to the features of the present embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

(Detailed processing of the liquid crystal slide processing S2300)
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the liquid crystal slide processing in step S2300.

(Step S2301)
First, the effect execution means 364 determines whether or not the gauge movement flag is OFF, the value of the liquid crystal meter counter 370 matches the value of the stop unit section counter 372, and the liquid crystal inversion flag matches the stop inversion flag. judge. As a result, if not all conditions are satisfied, the process proceeds to step S2302, and if all conditions are satisfied, the process proceeds to step S2305.

(Step S2302)
In step S2301, if the gauge movement flag is ON, the value of the liquid crystal meter counter 370 does not match the value of the stop unit section counter 372, or the liquid crystal inversion flag does not match the stop inversion flag, the effect is executed. The means 364 adds (increments) 1 to the value of the liquid crystal meter counter 370. Thus, the unit section 382 in which the gauge 384 on the meter 380 is displayed can be managed on the liquid crystal control board 204 side. Further, the sub meter counter 340 and the liquid crystal meter counter 370 on the sub control board 202 are synchronized through the meter effect start command. Here, when the gauge movement flag is turned off, the increment of the liquid crystal meter counter 370 is stopped after stopping in the final unit section 382.

(Step S2303)
Next, the effect execution means 364 determines whether or not the value of the liquid crystal meter counter 370 exceeds the upper limit value of the liquid crystal meter counter 370, here 10. As a result, if the value of the liquid crystal meter counter 370 exceeds the upper limit value, the process proceeds to step S2304. If the value is equal to or less than the upper limit value, the process proceeds to step S2305.

(Step S2304)
If it is determined in step S2303 that the value of the liquid crystal meter counter 370 exceeds the upper limit value, in other words, the end of the meter 380 has been reached, the effect execution unit 364 resets the value of the meter counter to zero. Then, the liquid crystal inversion flag is inverted (OFF if ON, ON if OFF).

(Step S2305)
Subsequently, the effect execution means 364 extracts image data in which the gauge 384 is superimposed on the unit section 382 specified by the value of the liquid crystal meter counter 370 and the liquid crystal inversion flag from the liquid crystal ROM 204b while the meter effect is being executed. The liquid crystal display data held in the VRAM 204d is combined and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 138, and the liquid crystal slide processing S2300 is terminated. When the meter effect is completed, that is, when the value of the liquid crystal meter counter 370 matches the value of the stop unit section counter 372 and the liquid crystal inversion flag matches the stop inversion flag, the effect execution means 364 has the gauge 384 Based on the stopped unit region 386, an index indicating the result of the meter effect is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 138. For example, when the gauge 384 stops in the red unit area 386, the character string “bonus confirmation” is displayed superimposed on the background indicating victory, and when the gauge 384 stops in the yellow unit area 386, the character string “ When “1 time” is displayed and the gauge 384 stops in the blue unit region 386, the character string “failure” is superimposed on the background indicating the loss.

  As described above, with the gaming machine 1 described above, it is possible to reduce the processing load through simplification of the lottery process in the meter effect, and to smoothly perform the meter effect by reducing the amount of information transmitted between the boards. It becomes.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to this embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Is done.

  For example, in the embodiment described above, the sub-control board 202 is the first control board, the liquid crystal control board 204 is the second control board, and commands are simplified for commands transmitted from the sub-control board 202 to the liquid crystal control board 204. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the main control board 200 is used as the first control board, the sub control board 202 is used as the second control board, and the main control board 200 transmits to the sub control board 202. A similar configuration can be applied between substrates having a display function on one side, such as a command to be executed. In the present embodiment, the slot machine 100 has been described as a gaming machine, but the present invention can also be applied to a pachinko machine.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a plurality of unit regions 386 are arranged symmetrically on the meter has been described as a meter effect. However, a plurality of unit regions 386 are arranged in a predetermined order, and a plurality of combinations are arranged. Various arrangements can be adopted such as an arrangement repeated twice. In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the gauge 384 reciprocates left and right on the meter 380 has been described. However, when the meter 380 moves in one direction from the one end and reaches the other end, Various movement modes such as repeated movement in the same direction from one end can be adopted. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the gauge 384 is positioned in one unit section 382 of the meter has been described. For example, the gauge may be replaced with the top of the bar, and the meter may be displayed with the bar.

  In the above-described embodiment, the movement of the gauge 384 is stopped in response to an operation input through the player's bet button 126. However, the operation input is not limited to this, and the start switch 128, other operation units, Alternatively, a dedicated effect button or the like for performing a newly provided effect may be used.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the winning combination of the bonus combination is suggested by the meter effect has been described, but various gaming profits such as the winning combination and the gaming state may be suggested. The winning combination with the winning probability set by the so-called replay time (RT), which increases the lottery opportunities for winning roles by setting the winning probability higher than normal, and increasing the lottery opportunities for winning roles, and the operation sequence and operation timing of stop switches When winning, the so-called assist time (AT) that makes it easy to win the winning combination by notifying the operation order and operation timing of the stop switch, suggesting ART etc. that gives RT and AT to the player at the same time May be.

  Further, the processes performed by the main control board 200, the sub control board 202, and the liquid crystal control board 204 described above do not necessarily have to be performed in chronological order according to the order described in the flowcharts. May be included.

100 ... slot machine (game machine)
138 ... Liquid crystal display (display)
200 ... main control board 202 ... sub control board (first control board)
204 ... Liquid crystal control board (second control board)
332, 362 ... Command receiving means 334 ... Command determining means 336 ... Command transmitting means 338 ... Sub slide means 340 ... Sub meter counter 364 ... Effect executing means 366 ... Gauge stop means 370 ... Liquid crystal meter counter 372 ... Stop unit section counter 380 ... Meter 382 ... Unit section 384 ... Gauge 386 ... Unit area

Claims (3)

A first control board having command determining means for determining a command relating to the effect of the game, and command transmitting means for transmitting the determined command;
Based on the command received from the first control board, the gauge moves on a plurality of unit sections simulating a meter, and a meter effect is performed in which the gauge stops in one of the unit sections according to the player's operation A second control board having an effect execution means for performing,
A gaming machine equipped with
The command determining means determines one unit area from a plurality of unit areas obtained by grouping one or a plurality of the unit sections according to an operation by a player,
The command transmission means transmits an effect command including an identifier corresponding to the unit area determined by the command determination means,
The second control board is:
A second meter counter indicating the unit compartment where the gauge is currently located;
The effect execution means displays the gauge on the display unit by positioning the gauge in the unit section indicated by the second meter counter,
A gaming machine comprising gauge stop means for extracting an identifier corresponding to the unit area from the effect command and stopping the gauge in a unit section belonging to the extracted unit area.   The gauge stop means specifies a unit section where the gauge is located through the second meter counter in response to reception of the effect command, and corresponds to a unit region to which the specified unit section belongs and an identifier extracted from the effect command. When the unit area is different from the unit area belonging to the unit area corresponding to the identifier extracted from the effect command, the gauge is stopped at the unit area belonging to the unit area closest to the unit area where the gauge is located. The gaming machine according to claim 1. The first control board is:
A first meter counter that is synchronized with the second meter counter and indicates a unit compartment where the gauge is currently located;
The command determining means specifies a unit section where the gauge is currently located through the first meter counter according to a player's operation, refers to the specified unit section, and determines a unit area according to the operation by the player. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

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