JP5909512B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that generates a big hit state by a lottery process resulting from a gaming operation, and more particularly to a gaming machine that can perform a bold movable effect by a movable effector.

  A ball game machine such as a pachinko machine has a symbol start opening provided on the game board, a symbol display section for displaying a series of symbol variation patterns by a plurality of display symbols, and a big winning opening for opening and closing the opening and closing plate. Configured. When the detection switch provided at the symbol start port detects the passage of the game ball, the winning state is entered, and after the game ball is paid out as a prize ball, the display symbol is changed for a predetermined time in the symbol display section. Thereafter, when the special symbol is stopped in a predetermined manner such as 7-7-7, a big hit state is established, and the big winning opening is repeatedly opened to generate a gaming state advantageous to the player.

  Whether or not to generate such a game state is determined by a jackpot lottery executed on the condition that a game ball has won at the symbol start opening, and the above symbol variation operation is based on this lottery result. It has become a thing. If the game ball is repeatedly won at the symbol start port during the symbol changing operation, the start of the production is put on hold unless the holding upper limit value (for example, four) is reached, and the number of winning prizes on hold. (Hereinafter, it may be referred to as the number of production suspensions) is displayed on a display device or the like so that it can be recognized by the player.

  By the way, when the big hit lottery result is in a winning state, an effect operation called reach action or the like is executed for about 20 seconds, and then the special symbols are aligned. On the other hand, a similar reach action may be executed even in the case of a lost state. In this case, the player pays close attention to the big hit state and pays close attention to the transition of the performance operation.

  In addition, before the lottery result is finally finalized, a notice effect is also performed in which a character appears or a movable effect body starts to rotate and notifies the invitation of a big hit state. For example, at the time of a production operation that is highly likely to reach a big hit state, the lottery result is notified with a predetermined reliability by moving the movable production body to a predetermined position and performing an appropriate operation.

JP 2009-000411 A JP 2008-259920 A JP 2008-245679 A

  However, if the operation mode of the movable effector is increased in order to enrich such a notice operation, the number of effect suspensions may be hidden due to the movable effector, and such a state where the number of effect suspensions cannot be grasped. If it continues, there is a risk of giving a player trouble in game operation. For example, if the holding upper limit value is reached, even if the game ball subsequently wins the symbol start opening, it does not contribute to the jackpot lottery operation, so even if you want to stop the gaming operation in such a state, the number of production hold is hidden If the state continues, there is a problem that the stop timing of the game operation is not known.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a gaming machine that does not hinder the player even if the operation mode of the movable effector is increased in order to realize a bold movable effect. For the purpose.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention executes a lottery process for performing a lottery determination based on a predetermined switch signal, and notifies the result of the success / failure after performing an effect operation corresponding to the result of the lottery process, A gaming machine that shifts to a gaming state advantageous to a player when the result of winning / failing is a winning state, the main control means for centrally controlling the gaming operation including the lottery process, and the main control means outputting Sub-control means that operates based on a control command to be performed, and the sub-control means includes an image control means for executing an image effect operation in the image display device as the effect operation, and the image effect operation. In addition, when the predetermined switch signal is received during the performance operation, the performance control means capable of executing the movable effect by the movable effect body is divided. Based on the first means of the main control means that holds the start of the operation and updates the number of holds, and the control command output by the main control means, the image display operation in the image display device is executed, The second means of the image control means for executing the display operation of the number of reservations updated and managed by the first means on the second hold display section based on the control command output by the main control means, and the second hold display section A third means of an image control means for erasing the display of the number of reservations in the second hold display unit corresponding to the moving operation of the movable effector that hides part or all of the display content , Regardless of display erasure of the second hold display section, the number of holds can be grasped in the first hold display section different from the second hold display section during the movable performance.

  The number information of the present invention corresponds to the hold number command in the embodiment, but is not necessarily limited. In the embodiment, the control command is transmitted through the route of the main control unit → the effect control unit → the image control unit. However, the image control unit may receive the control command directly from the main control unit. Of course. In the embodiment, the first means is configured by the main control unit, but is not necessarily limited, and the first means may be configured by an effect control unit or an image control unit.

  According to the above-described present invention, even if the operation mode of the movable effector is increased in order to realize a bold movable effect, the player's game operation is not hindered.

It is a perspective view of the pachinko machine shown in an example. It is the front view which illustrated the game board of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an effect control unit. It is drawing explaining the circuit structure of the driver circuit of a raising / lowering motor, and a sensor board | substrate. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of a main control part. It is a flowchart which shows the process outline | summary of an effect control part. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of an effect control part in detail. It is drawing explaining a movable production.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on examples. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a pachinko machine GM of the present embodiment. This pachinko machine GM includes a rectangular frame-shaped wooden outer frame 1 that is detachably mounted on an island structure, and a front frame 3 that is pivotably mounted via a hinge 2 fixed to the outer frame 1. It is configured. A game board 5 is detachably attached to the front frame 3 from the front side, not from the back side, and a glass door 6 and a front plate 7 are pivotally attached to the front side so as to be openable and closable.

  On the outer periphery of the glass door 6, an electric lamp such as an LED lamp is arranged in a substantially C shape. On the other hand, a speaker is disposed below the glass door 6.

  The front plate 7 is provided with an upper plate 8 for storing game balls for launching, and a lower plate 9 for storing game balls overflowing or extracted from the upper plate 8 and a launch handle at the lower part of the front frame 3. 10 are provided. The launch handle 10 is interlocked with the launch motor, and a game ball is launched by a striking rod that operates according to the rotation angle of the launch handle 10.

  A chance button 11 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the upper plate 8. The chance button 11 is provided at a position where it can be operated with the left hand of the player, and the player can operate the chance button 11 without releasing the right hand from the firing handle 10. The chance button 11 does not function normally, but when the game state becomes the button chance state, the built-in lamp is turned on and can be operated. The button chance state is a game state provided as necessary.

  On the right side of the upper plate 8, an operation panel 12 for ball lending operation with respect to the card-type ball lending machine is provided, a frequency display unit for displaying the remaining amount of the card with a three-digit number, and a ball of game balls for a predetermined amount A ball lending switch for instructing lending and a return switch for instructing to return the card at the end of the game are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a guide rail 13 made of a metal outer rail and an inner rail is provided in an annular shape on the surface of the game board 5, and a central opening HO extending toward the back side is provided in the approximate center. It has been. A display device DISP composed of a liquid crystal color display is arranged at the bottom of the central opening HO. In addition, a symbol starting port 15, a big winning port 16, a normal winning port 17, and a gate 18 are arranged at appropriate positions in the game area.

  Each of these winning openings 15 to 18 has a detection switch inside, and can detect the passage of a game ball. When it is detected that a game ball has won at the symbol start opening 15, a big hit lottery process is executed and the game state is shifted to a game state advantageous to the player as long as the holding upper limit value (four in the embodiment) is not exceeded. Whether or not to do so is determined by lottery.

  In a space formed on the front surface of the display device DISP, a movable effect body AMU that executes a movable effect is disposed so as to be movable up and down. The movable effector AMU is configured to be held by the left and right lifting mechanisms ALVa and ALVb, and moves up and down at high speed along the guide shaft PL in accordance with the rotation of the lifting motors MOa and MOb that drive the lifting mechanisms ALVa and ALVb. The movable effect body AMU moves to a target position at the bottom of the display device DISP and executes an appropriate movable effect during the movable effect. On the other hand, in the standby state (origin position) located at the top, it is hidden from the player.

  A first display unit LP that specifies the number of lottery processes in the standby state is disposed on the display device DISP. The first display portion LP is composed of four LED lamps corresponding to the holding upper limit value of the embodiment. Each LED lamp is hidden from the player for a moment at the start of movement of the movable effector AMU, but at the timing when the movable effector AMU reaches the target position at the bottom of the display device DISP and executes the movable effect. The player can be recognized.

  The display device DISP is a device that variably displays a specific symbol related to the big hit state and displays a background image and various characters in an animated manner. This display device DISP has a special symbol display part Da to Dc in the center, a normal symbol display part 19 in the upper right part, and a reserved number display part (second display part) NUM in the lower center part. The number-of-holds display unit NUM displays the same number of effects on hold in synchronization with the first display unit LP, but the display contents are automatically extinguished when the movable effector AMU is lowered and executed. It is configured.

  In the special symbol display parts Da to Dc, a reach effect is executed to expect that a big hit state will be brought about by the big hit lottery, and the special symbol display parts Da to Dc and the surroundings indefinitely notify the success / failure result of the big win lottery. A notice effect is performed. The normal symbol display unit 19 displays a normal symbol. When a game ball that has passed through the gate 18 is detected, the normal symbol fluctuates for a predetermined time and is extracted at the time when the game ball passes through the gate 18. The stop symbol determined by the random number for lottery is displayed and stopped.

  For example, the symbol start opening 15 is configured to be opened and closed by an electric tulip having a pair of left and right opening and closing claws, and when the stop symbol after the fluctuation of the normal symbol display unit 19 hits and the symbol is displayed, the opening and closing claws are displayed. It is opened only for a predetermined time or until a predetermined number of game balls are detected.

  When a game ball wins the symbol start opening 15, an image effect in which the display symbols of the special symbol display portions Da to Dc change for a predetermined time is started on the condition that the timing is not being executed. The game stops at a stop symbol determined based on the jackpot lottery result corresponding to the winning timing of the game ball to 15. On the other hand, if a game ball wins the symbol start opening 15 during the image production, the big hit lottery process is put on hold unless the hold upper limit value (4 pieces) is reached, and the increased number of production holds is displayed on the first display portion LP. Displayed in synchronization with the second display section (holding number display section) NUM. When the game ball is won at the symbol start opening 15 exceeding the holding upper limit value, the game ball is simply paid out as the winning ball operation, and the big hit lottery process is not executed.

  In the special symbol display portions Da to Dc and the surroundings, a notice effect may be executed during a series of image effects. In addition, as a kind of notice effect, the movable effector AMU may descend to the position of the central opening HO. And the movable production | presentation body AMU which fell to the target position raises to the original origin position, after performing a suitable movable production | presentation.

  The big winning opening 16 is controlled to open and close by, for example, an opening / closing plate 16a that can be opened forward. When the stop symbol after the symbol change in the special symbol display portions Da to Dc is a big hit symbol such as “777”, Is started, and the opening / closing plate 16a is opened.

  After the opening / closing plate 16a of the big prize opening 16 is opened, the opening / closing plate 16a is closed when a predetermined time elapses or when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls wins. In such an operation, the special game is continued up to 15 times, for example, and is controlled in a state advantageous to the player. In addition, when the stop symbol after the change of the special symbol display parts Da to Dc is a specific symbol of the special symbols, a privilege that the game after the end of the special game is in a high probability state is given.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an overall circuit configuration of the pachinko machine GM of the present embodiment. A one-dot broken line arrow in the figure mainly indicates a DC voltage line.

  As shown in the figure, this pachinko machine GM includes a power supply board 20 that receives AC 24V and outputs various DC voltages, a system reset signal SYS, etc., a main control board 21 that plays a central role in game control operations, and a main control board. An effect control board 22 that executes a lamp effect and a sound effect based on the control command CMD received from the control board 21; an image control board 23 that drives the display device DISP based on the control command CMD ′ received from the effect control board 22; Based on a control command CMD "received from the main control board 21, a payout control board 24 for controlling the payout motor M to pay out the game ball, and a launch control board 25 for firing the game ball in response to the player's operation, , It is structured around.

  However, in this embodiment, the control command CMD output from the main control board 21 is transmitted to the effect control board 22 via the command relay board 26 and the effect interface board 27. Further, the control command CMD ′ output from the effect control board 22 is transmitted to the image control board 23 via the effect interface board 27, and the control command CMD ″ output from the main control board 21 is the main board relay board. 28 is transmitted to the payout control board 24. The effect interface board 27 and the effect control board 22 are directly connected by a connector without using a cable.

  The main control board 21, the effect control board 22, the image control board 23, and the payout control board 24 are each equipped with a computer circuit including a one-chip microcomputer. Thus, the circuits mounted on the control boards 21 to 24 and the operations realized by the circuits are collectively referred to as a function. In this specification, the main control unit 21, the effect control unit 22, and the image control unit 23 are used. , And the payout control unit 24. All or part of the effect control unit 22, the image control unit 23, and the payout control unit 24 is a sub-control unit.

  By the way, the pachinko machine GM is roughly divided into a frame side member GM1 surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 3 and a board side member GM2 fixed to the back of the game board 5. The frame side member GM1 includes a front frame 3 on which a glass door 6 and a front plate 7 are pivotally attached, and a wooden outer frame 1 on the outside thereof. Is fixedly installed. On the other hand, the board side member GM2 is replaced in response to the model change, and a new board side member GM2 is attached to the frame side member GM1 instead of the original board side member. All except the frame side member GM1 is the panel side member GM2.

  3, the frame side member GM1 includes a power supply board 20, a payout control board 24, a launch control board 25, a frame relay board 32, an external terminal board OT, and a ball lending machine UT. Interface board IF, and these circuit boards are respectively fixed at appropriate positions of the front frame 3. On the other hand, on the back of the game board 5, a main control board 21, an effect control board 22, and an image control board 23 are fixed together with the display device DISP and other circuit boards. And the frame side member GM1 and the board | substrate side member GM2 are electrically connected by the connection connectors CN1-CN4 concentratedly arranged in one place.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the power supply board 20 is connected to the main board relay board 28 through the connection connector CN2, and is connected to the power supply relay board 30 through the connection connector CN3. The main board relay board 28 outputs the system reset signal SYS, the RAM clear signal, the voltage drop signal, the backup power supply, DC12V, and DC32V received from the power board 20 to the main controller 21 as they are. Similarly, the power relay board 30 also outputs the system reset signal SYS received from the power board 20 and the AC and DC power supply voltages to the effect interface board 27 as they are. The production interface board 27 outputs the received system reset signal SYS to the production control unit 22 and the image control unit 23 as they are.

  On the other hand, the payout control board 24 is directly connected to the power supply board 20 without going through the relay board, and receives the same system reset signal SYS, RAM clear signal, voltage drop signal, backup power supply as the main control unit 21 receives. Directly with other power supply voltages.

  Here, the system reset signal SYS output from the power supply board 20 is a signal indicating that the AC power supply 24V is supplied to the power supply board 20, and the one-chip microcomputer or other IC element of each of the control units 21 to 24 by this signal. The power is reset. The RAM clear signal received from the power supply board 20 by the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 24 is a signal that determines whether or not to initialize all areas of the built-in RAM of the one-chip microcomputer of each control unit 21 and 24. Thus, it has a value corresponding to the ON / OFF state of the initialization switch operated by the staff.

  The voltage drop signal received from the power supply board 20 by the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 24 is a signal indicating that the AC power supply 24V has started to drop. By receiving this voltage drop signal, each control unit 21, In 24, a necessary termination process is started prior to a power failure or business termination. The backup power source is a DC 5V DC power source that retains data in the built-in RAM of the one-chip microcomputer of the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 24 even after the AC power source 24V is shut off due to business termination or power failure. Therefore, the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 24 can resume the game operation before power-off after power-on (power backup function). This pachinko machine is designed to retain the stored contents of the RAM of each one-chip microcomputer for at least several days.

  On the other hand, the effect control unit 22 and the image control unit 23 are not provided with the power supply backup function described above. However, the system reset signal SYS is commonly supplied to the effect control unit 22 and the image control unit 23, and the power reset operation is realized at a timing substantially synchronized with the other control units 21 and 24.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main control unit 21 receives switch signals such as the symbol start port 15, the big winning port 16, the normal winning port 17, and the gate 18 via the game board relay board 29. The main control unit 21 outputs a solenoid signal for opening and closing a gaming member such as an electric tulip via the game board relay board 29 and outputs a lighting signal to the first display unit LP. As described above, the first display portion LP is composed of four LED lamps, and displays the number of effects on hold for the jackpot lottery in the hold state.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the effect interface board 27 includes a command relay board 26, a power supply relay board 30, a frame relay board 31, an effect control board 22, a lamp connection board 34, and an image control board 23. And the inverter board 33.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the effect control unit 22 stores a one-chip microcomputer 40 that executes processing such as a sound effect, a lamp effect, a notice effect by a movable effector, and data transfer, and a control program for the one-chip microcomputer 40. EPROM 41 to be played, an audio reproduction output circuit 42 for reproducing and outputting an audio signal based on an instruction from the one-chip microcomputer 40, and an audio memory 43 for storing compressed audio data which is original data of the audio signal to be reproduced And a watchdog timer WDT.

  The one-chip microcomputer 40 includes a parallel input / output port PIO. The parallel port PIO outputs drive data for rotating the elevating motors MOa and MOb constituting the movable effect body AMU, together with the control command CMD 'and the strobe signal STB'. As shown in the figure, the output drive data is supplied to the motors MOa to MOb via the driver circuit 45. Each of the motors MOa to MOb is a stepping motor.

  Here, the elevating motors MOa and MOb constitute an elevating mechanism ALV that reciprocates the movable effector AMU in the vertical direction. Further, an origin detection sensor PH is provided in association with the lifting motors MOa to MOb, and the detection switch signal SN is input to the parallel port PIO via the sensor substrate SENS.

  The watchdog timer WDT is reset by a clear pulse periodically supplied from the one-chip microcomputer 40. When the clear pulse is interrupted due to a program runaway or the like, a reset signal RESET is output. As a result, the one-chip microcomputer 40 is forcibly reset to the initial state, and the program runaway state is solved.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control command CMD and the strobe signal (interrupt signal) STB output from the main control board 21 are sent to the one-chip microcomputer 40 of the effect control board 22 via the buffer 48 of the effect interface board 27. Is supplied. The interrupt signal STB is supplied to the interrupt terminal INT of the one-chip microcomputer. And the presentation control part 22 acquires the control command CMD by the reception interruption process started by the strobe signal STB.

  In addition to (a) error notification and other notification control commands, the control command CMD acquired by the effect control unit 22 includes (b) control for specifying an outline of various effect operations resulting from winning at the symbol start opening. Commands (variation pattern commands) are included. Here, the outline of the production operation specified by the variation pattern command includes the production total time from the production start to the production end, and the result of winning or failing in the big hit lottery. In addition to these, the change pattern command including the presence or absence of the reach effect or the notice effect may be specified, but even in this case, the specific content of the effect content is not specified.

  Therefore, when the effect control unit 22 acquires the variation pattern command CMD, the effect lottery is subsequently performed, and the effect outline specified by the acquired variation pattern command is further specified.

  For example, the specific contents of the reach effect and the notice effect are determined. Then, in accordance with the determined specific game content, a lamp effect by blinking the LED group and a sound effect preparation operation by the speaker are performed, and the image control unit 23 is synchronized with the effect operation by the lamp and the speaker. The control command CMD ′ relating to the performed image effect is output. Further, during the advance notice operation using the movable effect body AMU, an appropriate movable effect is executed after the elevating motors MOa and MOb are rotated.

  In order to realize an image effect synchronized with various effect operations including such a movable effect, the effect control unit 22 sends a control command CMD ′ to the effect interface together with a strobe signal (interrupt signal) STB ′ for the image control unit 23. Output toward the substrate 27. When the notification control command related to the display device or other control commands is received, the effect control unit 22 outputs the control command to the effect interface board 27 together with the interrupt signal STB ′. .

  Corresponding to the configuration of the effect control board 22, the effect interface board 27 is configured to receive an 8-bit control command CMD 'and a 1-bit interrupt signal STB'. These data CMD ′ and STB ′ are output to the image control board 23 via the buffer circuit 46 as they are. The effect interface board 27 receives a lamp driving signal output from the effect control unit 22 and supplies the signal to the LED lamp group via the lamp connection board 34. As a result, a lamp effect corresponding to the control command CMD output from the main control unit 21 is realized.

  FIG. 5A is a circuit diagram showing a connection relationship between the driver circuit 45 mounted on the effect control board 22 and the lifting motor MOa. For convenience, only the driver circuit 45 for the lift motor MOa is shown, but the driver circuit 45 for the lift motor MOb has the same configuration.

  In this embodiment, each of the motors MOa to MOb is constituted by a two-phase excited stepping motor, and each driver circuit 45 is constituted by a Darlington-connected transistor Tr and a damper diode Dp. Of the drive data Φ1 to Φ4 stored in the drive table DRV, the drive data indicated by the pointers PTa and PTb is supplied to the corresponding motors MOa to MOb every predetermined time. The motor MOa and the motor MOb cooperate with the movable effector AMU by receiving the drive data Φ1 to Φ4 indicated by the pointers PTa and PTb, which are circulated and updated in the reverse direction, and rotating in the reverse direction. It is raised and lowered.

  FIG. 5B is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of the sensor substrate SENS. The sensor substrate SENS is composed of an origin detection sensor PH and its attached circuit. Specifically, the origin detection sensor PH is a photo interrupter having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, the light emitting portion is constituted by a photodiode, and the light receiving portion is constituted by a phototransistor. A power supply voltage Vcc is supplied to each of the photodiode and the phototransistor through a current limiting resistor, and the voltage at the collector terminal of the phototransistor is output as the detection switch signal SN.

  And between the light emission part and the light-receiving part, a part (light-shielding piece) of the movable effector AMU standing by at the origin position is positioned to block the inspection light of the photodiode. Therefore, as long as the movable effect body AMU is located at the origin position, the detection switch signal SN is at the H level, but when the movable effect body AMU leaves the origin position, the detection switch signal SN is at the L level (FIG. 5C). reference). Since this detection switch signal SN is supplied to the input terminal of the parallel input / output port PIO, the effect control board 22 positions the movable effect body AMU at the origin position based on the H / L level of the detection switch signal SN. It is possible to grasp whether or not.

  Next, the steady operation of the main control unit 21 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The main control unit 21 performs overall control of the entire operation of the pachinko machine GM by executing the timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 6 every predetermined time (2 mS).

  In the following, when a timer interrupt occurs, random number generation processing is performed (ST11). The random number generation processing includes update processing of the winning counter RG and the big hit counter CT used in the lottery processing in the normal symbol processing ST18 and the special symbol processing ST22.

  In step ST11, the winning counter RG and the big hit counter CT are updated by increment (+1) processing within a predetermined numerical value range, respectively, and the updated counter values are the hit determination random number value and the big hit determination random number, respectively. It is used as a numerical value in the lottery process. Specifically, the value of the winning counter RG is used in the winning lottery process in the normal symbol process (ST18) when the game ball passes through the gate 18, and the value of the big hit counter CT is determined by the game ball. When it passes through the start port 15, it is used for the big hit lottery process in the special symbol process (ST22).

  When the random number generation process (ST11) as described above is completed, a timer subtraction process is performed for the timer that manages the time of each gaming operation (ST12). The timer to be subtracted manages the opening time of the special winning opening 16 and other game effect times.

  When the timer subtraction process is completed, switch signals of various switches including the symbol start port 15 and the detection switch of the gate 18 are inputted and stored (ST13). FIG. 6B illustrates the symbol start opening check process which is a part of the switch input management process.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (b), first, the symbol start port 15 is checked (ST30), and if the detection switch of the symbol start port 15 is in the ON state, the performance hold at this stage is determined from the value of HORYU in the work area. The number is determined (ST31).

  If the number of production suspensions is less than 4, the value of HORYU indicating the number of production suspensions is incremented (ST32), and a random number for determination in the big hit lottery process is acquired and stored in the storage area RND of the work area. (ST33). Further, the random value for the jackpot symbol is also obtained in the same manner, stored in the storage column ZU of the work area, and the process ends (ST34).

  When the switch input process is completed as described above, an error management process is performed (ST14). The error management process means a determination as to whether an abnormality has occurred inside the device, such as whether or not the supply of game balls has stopped or the game balls are clogged. Next, after creating a control command for the payout control unit 33 (ST15), the control command generated at this stage is transmitted to the corresponding sub-control unit (ST16).

  Subsequently, the normal symbol processing is performed on the condition that the current operation mode is not the hit mode (ST18). The normal symbol process means a determination as to whether or not to operate an ordinary electric accessory. Specifically, when it is determined that the game ball is passing the gate based on the switch input result in step ST13, the winning counter RG updated in the random number generation process (ST11) is compared with the winning winning value. Done. If the comparison result is a winning state, the operation mode is changed to the winning operation mode. Further, if it is hit, processing for the operation of the ordinary electric accessory is performed (ST20).

  Next, a necessary control command is transmitted to the corresponding sub-control unit (ST21), and special symbol processing is performed (ST22). The special symbol process is a determination of whether or not to operate a special electric accessory such as the big prize opening 16, and is a process including a big hit lottery process. FIG. 6C illustrates a variation start process that is a part of the special symbol process. In the change start process, the number of effects on hold is determined from the value of HORYU in the work area (ST35). As shown in FIG. 6 (b), when a game ball wins the symbol start opening 15, the value of HORYU is incremented, so that it is a value other than zero (ST32).

  Accordingly, if HORU ≠ 0 at this stage, it means that a winning at the symbol start port 15 has occurred, so after decrementing the production holding number HORYU (ST36), it is stored in the processing of steps ST33 and ST34. The jackpot random number value RND and the jackpot symbol random number value ZU are read from the storage area (ST37).

  Next, a big hit lottery process is performed based on the read random number value RND to determine whether or not the big hit state is set (ST38). In addition, the variation pattern command is determined by lottery including the identification of the stop symbol after the variation operation (ST39). The variation pattern command is a control command for effect operation transmitted to the effect control unit 22, and defines a symbol variation operation in the image control unit 23. This variation pattern command is stored in the command buffer by specifying the total time of effect operations such as reach effects as well as the success / failure result of the big win lottery. The stored variation pattern command is transmitted to the effect control unit 22 at the timing of subsequent step ST25.

  If the winning state is achieved by the big win lottery process (ST38) of the special symbol process (ST22), the operation mode is changed to the operation mode during the big win, and the process for the operation of the special electric accessory such as the big prize opening is performed (ST24).

  Next, the variation pattern command generated in the process of step ST39 (FIG. 6C), the hold number command for specifying the effect hold number HORYU, and the like are transmitted to the effect control unit 22 (ST25). Next, the number of production suspensions stored in HORYU of the work area is displayed on the first display unit LP, and the timer interruption is finished (ST26). As a result, the process returns to the process of the main routine (not shown). However, when the predetermined time (2 mS) has elapsed, the process of step ST11 is started again, so the processes of steps ST11 to ST26 are repeated every 2 mS. It will be.

  7 to 8 are flowcharts for explaining the operation content of the effect control unit 22 that operates in response to a control command from the main control unit 21.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the operation of the effect control unit 22 includes a main process (a) started after power-on, a timer interrupt process (b) activated every 4 mS, and a movable effect body activated every 2 mS. A timer interrupt process (c) for controlling the operation of the AMU and a reception interrupt process (d) activated by the strobe signal STB are executed.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, in the main process, after the initial setting inside the one-chip microcomputer 40 is executed (ST41), the necessary initial setting is executed for the audio reproduction output circuit 42 (ST42). Thereafter, the CPU of the one-chip microcomputer 40 is set to the interrupt permitting state (ST43), and a timer interrupt at an interval of 4 mS is waited (ST44).

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the interrupt flag INT is set every time a timer interrupt occurs at intervals of 4 ms (ST49). Therefore, in the process of step ST44 of the main process, the interrupt flag INT is repeatedly set to 1. Will be checked. When the interrupt flag INT = 1, the received command analysis process is executed (ST46) after resetting the interrupt flag (ST45).

  The received command includes a change pattern command, a notice effect command, a notification control command, a hold number command, and the like. Therefore, in the received command analysis process, as shown in FIG. 7D, first, it is determined whether or not a variation pattern command is newly received (ST54). An effect lottery that specifically specifies the contents is executed (ST56). Then, an initial setting process is executed for the production scenario to be executed (ST57). In addition, when a notice effect command is received, initial setting is made for the notice effect scenario (ST55, ST57). The notice effect includes an effect of rotating the movable effect body AMU. The effect scenario initially set in this way is advanced at intervals of 4 mS in the main process together with other lamp effect processes (ST47 to ST48).

  When the production control unit 22 receives the hold number command, it transfers it to the image control unit 23 as it is. Then, the image control unit 23 that has received the hold number command updates the display content of the second display unit NUM and displays the effect hold number together with the first display unit LP.

  Incidentally, in parallel with the main process shown in FIG. 7A, the timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 7C is executed every 2 mS. When a timer interrupt occurs at intervals of 2 mS, it is first determined whether or not it is time to start the movable effect of the movable effector AMU (ST50). If it is the start timing of the movable effect, after setting the motor operation flag FLG to 1 (ST51), the pointer PT is initialized (ST52) to specify the corresponding column of the rotation control table TBL (see FIG. 9). ). In this embodiment, since each row of the rotation control table TBL is composed of N bytes, the initial value of the pointer PT is set to START-N corresponding to the first row (START address) of the corresponding column. The

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the rotation control table TBL specifies the movable effect of the movable effector AMU, that is, the rotation operation of the elevating motors MOa and MOb, and the total number of rotation steps (STP) and drive data. The update cycle (REN) and the operation status value (STS) are specified for each row with a total length of N bytes.

  As shown in the figure, this rotation control table TBL stores 7 × N bytes of management data for 7 rows, and after executing the moving effect of each row indicated by the pointer PT one after another, EOF (end of file) It is stipulated that data is detected and the movable performance is finished.

  The operation status (STS) value is 8 bits long in this embodiment, and the upper 4 bits are used to rotate the elevating motors MOa and MOb in the forward direction (downward rotation F) or in the reverse direction (upward rotation R). Or whether the stationary state (S) is maintained. Further, the lower 4 bits of the operation status specify an instruction command to be transmitted to the image control unit 23, and a lighting erasure command (A) for erasing the number of production suspensions displayed on the second display unit NUM, A relighting command (B) for relighting the second display portion NUM is stored in place.

  For example, according to the management data in the first row, the drive data Φ1 to Φ4 of the drive table DRV shown in FIG. 5 should be updated in the forward direction (F) every 8 ms and this forward rotation should be continued for 10 steps. (Initial rotation operation). Note that FIG. 9B shows a standby state before the descent operation of the elevating motors MOa and MOb is started, and the number of effect suspensions = 2 is displayed on the first display portion LP and the second display portion NUM. That is, when the movable effector AMU is located at the origin position (standby state) in FIG. 9B, the display content (the number of effect reservations) on the first display unit LP is visible. However, when the movable effector AMU moves to the target position (FIG. 9D shows the movable effect completion state), a part or all of the display content of the first display unit LP is hidden.

  The management data in the second row stipulates that the drive data Φ1 to Φ4 of the drive table DRV are updated in the forward direction every 4 mS of the double speed at the initial rotation, and this forward rotation is continued for 70 steps. Yes. Since the lighting erase command (A) is defined in the management data in the subsequent third row, first, the lighting erase command is transmitted to the image control unit 23, and then the drive data Φ1 to Φ4 of the drive table DRV are stored. The forward rotation is updated every 4 mS, and this forward rotation is continued for 20 steps.

  FIG. 9C illustrates a state before the start of forward rotation in the second row. Immediately after this, the second display unit NUM receives the lighting erase command (A). 23 is turned off. Although the first display portion LP is hidden, the elevating motors MOa and MOb rotate at a high speed of one step at 4 mS, so that the concealed state is eliminated in an instant.

  Thereafter, after the movable effector AMU reaches the target position, the management data in the fourth row is used. Since the operation status value on the fourth line defines the stationary state (S), the updating process (refer to ST71 in FIG. 8) that is -2 every 2 mS is continued 1000 times to perform a stationary operation for 2 seconds. Is realized.

  FIG. 9D illustrates the stationary state of the movable effector AMU, and the display content of the second display unit NUM has already disappeared, but the number of effect suspensions continues in the first display unit LP. It is displayed. Therefore, even if the movable effector AMU lowered to the target position executes a bold movable effect based on a rotary motor (not shown) for movable effects, the display content of the second display unit NUM is hidden. Thus, there is no inconvenience that the player cannot grasp the number of production suspensions.

  When the movable effect of about 2 seconds by the movable effector AMU is finished, the drive data Φ1 to Φ4 of the drive table DRV are updated in the reverse direction (R) every 4 mS based on the management data in the subsequent fifth row. The reverse rotation is continued for 20 steps. Thereafter, the management data on the sixth line is selected prior to the timing at which the first display portion LP is concealed by the passage of the movable effector AMU. Since the relighting command (B) is defined in the management data on the sixth line, the relighting command is transmitted to the image control unit 23, and then the drive data Φ1 to Φ4 of the drive table DRV are reversed every 4 mS. The direction is updated and the reverse rotation is continued for 70 steps. And the image control part 23 which received the relighting command (B) relights the 2nd display part NUM, and displays the number of production suspension.

  In the management data in the subsequent 7th row, it is defined that the drive data Φ1 to Φ4 of the drive table DRV should be updated in the reverse direction every low speed 8 mS, and this reverse rotation should be continued to the upper limit value (20 steps). Has been. Therefore, by executing such reverse rotation, the movable effect body is recovered to the origin position. When the origin detection switch is turned on (H level) during the reverse rotation up to 20 steps, the rotation operation is stopped at that timing (see FIG. 5C).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the motor processing (ST53) for realizing the above operation. In FIG. 8, the motor operation flag FLG defines whether or not the motor processing operation is in progress, and the status flag STS manages the rotation direction of the elevating motors MOa and MOb and the presence or absence of transmission of the control command A / B. The variable STP manages the number of rotation steps, and the variable REN manages the data update timing. The initial values of FLG, STP, REN, and STS are set to zero when the power is turned on.

  If it demonstrates based on the above, a motor process will be started repeatedly every 2 mS, and it will be determined first whether the motor operation flag FLG is 1 (ST61). As described with reference to FIG. 7C, the motor operation flag FLG is set to 1 at the start of the movable effect (ST51). Therefore, if FLG = 0 in the determination of step ST61, it is determined that the current timing is not the execution timing of the movable effect, and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the motor operation flag FLG = 1, it is determined whether or not the variable STP is zero (ST62). The variable STP is decremented every time the elevating motors MOa and MOb are driven to rotate by one step (ST78), thereby managing the number of rotation steps. Therefore, when the variable STP = 0, it means that a single rotation operation has been completed.

  Therefore, the pointer PT is updated to “+ N” in order to start the next one-segment rotation operation (ST63). Note that “+ N” is because the data in each row of the rotation control table TBL is N bytes long, and the pointer PT is initially set to TBL-N at the start of the movable effect (ST52).

  Next, the rotation control table TBL data indicated by the updated pointer PT is initialized to the corresponding variable (ST64). Specifically, with respect to a rotation operation that starts from now on, a total number of rotation steps is initially set in a variable STP, and a data update cycle is initially set in a variable REN. The status flag STS stores a status value that defines the rotation direction of the lifting motors MOa and MOb and whether or not a control command is transmitted.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the initialized variable STP is not EOF (ST65). If STP = EOF, it means that the movable effect has been completed, so the motor operation flag FLG is set to 0. At the same time, clear data is output to the driver circuit 45 (see FIG. 4), and the motor process is terminated (ST66). As a result, the elevating motors MOa and MOb are not driven.

  On the other hand, if STP ≠ EOF, the lower 4 bits of the status flag STS are determined to determine whether it is time to send a command to the image control unit 23 (ST67). Then, depending on the value of the lower 4 bits, either the operation is performed, the relighting command is transmitted (ST68), or the lighting erase command is transmitted (ST69).

  Next, after the value of the variable REN for managing the data update cycle of the drive data Φ1 to Φ4 is updated by −2 (ST70), it is determined whether or not the value of the variable REN is zero (ST71). Note that the value of the variable REN is set to -2 because the motor process is started every 2 mS.

  If the value of the updated variable REN is not zero, the process proceeds to step ST77. On the other hand, when REN = 0, it means that the update timing of the drive data Φ1 to Φ4 has been reached, so the data update cycle defined in the rotation control table TBL is reset in the variable REN (ST72).

  Next, the upper 4 bits of the status flag STS are determined (ST73), and the rotation directions of the elevating motors MOa and MOb are specified. Then, when it is to be rotated in the forward direction, the pointers PTa and PTb that specify the corresponding column of the drive table DRV shown in FIG. 5 are updated in the forward direction (ST74), and when it is to be rotated in the reverse direction, the pointer is updated. PTa and PTb are updated in the reverse direction (ST75). On the other hand, when the upper 4 bits of the status flag STS define the still operation, the values of the pointers PTa and PTb are maintained at the values so far.

  Then, the motor drive data Φ1 to Φ4 indicated by the updated or maintained pointers PTa and PTb are stored in the output buffer (ST76). Further, each motor MOa, MOb is updated by decrementing the variable STP by -1 in correspondence with the subsequent rotation of step ST77 by one step (ST78).

  Finally, the drive data Φ1 to Φ4 stored in the output buffer are output to the driver circuit 45 (see FIG. 4), and the process ends (ST77). As a result, the elevating motors MOa and MOb rotate by one step angle when the updated driving data is received, and are maintained at the same rotational position in the driving state otherwise.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described in detail, the concrete description content does not specifically limit this invention. For example, in the embodiment, the transmission timing of the lighting erasure command A and the relighting command B is defined in the rotation control table TBL, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration.

  For example, the position of the movable effector AMU may be grasped based on the number of drive data Φ1 to Φ4 supplied to the elevating motors MOa and MOb, and necessary control commands A / B may be transmitted at an appropriate timing. Alternatively, it is also simple to transmit the lighting erasure command A at the start of the movable effect and transmit the relighting command B at the end of the movable effect. Specifically, the lighting erase command A is transmitted in response to the initial pointer setting (ST52) (ST52a in FIG. 7C), and the relighting command B is transmitted in correspondence with the processing in step ST66. It is sufficient (ST66a in FIG. 8).

  Further, it is not always necessary to know the position of the movable effector AMU based on the drive data Φ1 to Φ4. For example, the necessary command A / B is transmitted based on the detection switch signal SN of the origin detection switch PH. good. For simplicity, as shown in parentheses in FIG. 5C, when the detection switch signal SN falls, the lighting erase command A is transmitted, and when the detection switch signal SN rises, the relighting command B is transmitted. good. It is also preferable to transmit a necessary control command A / B after a predetermined time from this time or after a predetermined number of rotations of the lifting motors MOa and MOb with reference to the falling or rising time of the detection switch signal SN. It is.

  Furthermore, in the embodiment, the control command A / B is transmitted from the effect control unit 22 to the image control unit 23 to control the display operation of the second display unit NUM, but instead, the detection of the origin detection switch PH is detected. The switch signal SN may also be transmitted to the image control unit 23, and the image control unit 23 may control the second display unit NUM based on the detection switch signal SN.

  In the embodiment, the display of the first display unit LP is concealed in response to the movement of the movable effector AMU. However, the display position of the first display unit LP is changed to move the movable effector AMU. Nevertheless, it is also preferable to adopt a configuration in which the display content is not concealed.

  In the embodiment, the display content of the second display unit NUM is appropriately erased or re-lit, but it is also preferable to change the display position of the second display unit NUM instead. The change of the display position includes a change outside the frame of the display area. It is also preferable to temporarily change the display position and display mode of special symbols and other symbols displayed on the display device DISP in response to the movement of the movable effect unit AMU.

GM gaming machine AMU movable effector LP first display part NUM second display part ST26 first means ST68 third means ST69 third means

Claims (1)

A lottery process for performing a lottery determination based on a predetermined switch signal is executed, and a result of the lottery process corresponding to the result of the lottery process is passed to notify the result of the success / failure. A gaming machine that transitions to an advantageous gaming state,
Comprising main control means for centrally controlling game operations including the lottery process, and sub-control means for operating based on control commands output by the main control means,
The sub-control unit is divided into an image control unit that executes an image effect operation in the image display device as the effect operation, and an effect control unit that can execute a movable effect by a movable effect body in accordance with the image effect operation. And
When the predetermined switch signal is received during the performance operation, the first means of the main control means updates and manages the number of holds by holding the start of the performance operation based on the switch signal;
Based on the control command output from the main control means, the image control apparatus executes the image effect operation, and the main control means outputs the hold number display operation updated by the first means. Based on the second means of the image control means executed in the second hold display unit,
A third means of an image control means for erasing the display of the number of holds on the second hold display unit in response to the moving operation of the movable effector that hides part or all of the display content of the second hold display unit; Configured with
A gaming machine configured to be able to grasp the number of holdings in a first holding display unit different from the second holding display unit during a movable effect regardless of display erasure of the second holding display unit.

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