JP5941191B1 - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention prevents confusion in effect control based on a command transmission procedure. A game control unit executes a main control process related to game control, and generates a command including information related to a game obtained by executing the main control process. When an error occurs in the gaming machine, error processing corresponding to the generated error is performed, and a command determined according to the type of the error that has occurred is generated. Then, the command generated by executing the main control process is output before the command generated in response to the occurrence of the error. [Selection] Figure 19-2

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

  The game ball includes a game control unit (main control unit) that controls a game and an effect control unit (sub control unit) that controls an effect performed in accordance with the game. Then, a command including information related to the game is sent from the game control unit to the effect control unit, and the effect control unit performs an effect based on the command received from the game control unit (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2014-46082 A JP 2014-64711 A

  If commands sent from the game control unit to the production control unit are transmitted in an arbitrary order, there is a possibility that production control will be confused. An object of the present invention is to prevent confusion in effect control based on a command transmission procedure.

The present invention that achieves the above object is realized as the following gaming machine. This gaming machine
A gaming machine that produces effects along with the game,
All running main control processing relating to a game control, the main control processing data containing information relating to a game obtained by executing (e.g., commands for control) generates, generated in one cycle of the main control process of the data, in a predetermined order for each type of data, and game control means for outputting in one cycle of the main control processing (e.g., game control unit 200),
Production control means (for example, production control unit 300) that receives data output from the game control means (for example, game control unit 200) and performs processing related to production;
The game control means (for example, the game control unit 200)
When an error occurs in the gaming machine, it performs error processing corresponding to the generated error and generates data determined according to the type of the error that has occurred,
Outputting the data generated by executing the main control process before the data generated in response to the occurrence of the error;
It is characterized by.
If comprised in this way, even if it is a case where an output process is complete | finished in the middle of outputting the produced | generated data to an effect control means, transmission of the command regarding a game will be completed by transmitting the command regarding a game previously. There is a high possibility of being. Therefore, it can suppress that the continuation of a game is prevented.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the said parenthesis in this column, supplementary explanation, etc. are attached | subjected in the description of this invention, and this invention is not reduced by these description.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the confusion of the presentation control based on the command transmission procedure can be prevented.

It is a schematic front view of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. (A) is an enlarged view showing an example of a display device arranged at the lower right of the game board, (b) is a partial plan view of the pachinko gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the control unit of the pachinko game machine of this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the game control part of this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the basic process by a game control part. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the process at the time of the power supply cutoff by a game control part. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the main control process of the game control part of this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a start port switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the gate switch process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the special symbol process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the jackpot determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the fluctuation pattern selection process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process during a stop. It is a flowchart which shows the content of a customer waiting | standby setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of normal symbol processing. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the big prize opening process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the game state setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of an electric tulip process. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the random number used by this Embodiment, (a) is a figure which shows the structural example of jackpot random number, (b) is a figure which shows the structural example of jackpot symbol random number, (c ) Is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a reach random number, and (d) is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a hit random number. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting of the fluctuation pattern used in a fluctuation pattern selection process. It is a figure which shows the structure of a command, (a) is a figure which shows the data structure of a command, (b) is a figure which shows the structure as a bit string of a command. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the command storage area in RAM. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the output process by an output control part. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an effect control part, (a) is a figure which shows a main process, (b) is a figure which shows an interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of command reception processing. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting of a mode flag. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the production | presentation selection process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process during completion | finish of the fluctuation effect of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the win production | presentation selection process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the ending effect selection process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the customer waiting command reception process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the content of effect button processing. It is a block diagram explaining the structural example of RAM of a game control part, (a) is a block diagram which shows the structure of a storage area, (b) is a block diagram which shows each structure of the memory | storage part shown to (a) It is. It is a block diagram explaining the structural example of RAM of an effect control part, (a) is a block diagram which shows the structure of a storage area, (b) is a block which shows each structure of the memory | storage part shown to (a) FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure of the random number used by a prior judgment process, (a) is a figure which shows the example of a structure of the jackpot random number in a prior judgment process, (b) is the structure of the jackpot symbol random number in a prior judgment process It is a figure which shows an example, (c) is a figure which shows the structural example of the reach random number in a prior determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the prior determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the reception process of the alerting | reporting command by an effect control part.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[Basic configuration of gaming machine]
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment.
A pachinko gaming machine 100 as an example of the gaming machine shown in FIG. 1 is configured to pay out a prize ball when a gaming ball launched by an instruction operation by a player wins. The pachinko gaming machine 100 includes a game board 110 on which game balls are launched, and a frame member 150 that surrounds the game board 110. The game board 110 is detachably attached to the frame member 150.

The game board 110 has a game area 111 for playing with a game ball on the front surface, a rail member 112 that forms a passage where a game ball launched from below rises toward the upper position of the game area 111, and a game A guide member 113 for guiding the game ball is provided on the right side of the region 111.
In the present embodiment, an image display unit 114 that displays various images for production is provided at a position of the game area 111 that is easily visible to the player. The image display unit 114 includes a display screen such as a liquid crystal display, and displays a decorative symbol for notifying the player of the determination result of the special symbol lottery as the player progresses the game, An effect image by appearance or appearance of an item or an effect image using a hold display described later is displayed.
In addition, a movable accessory 115 and a board lamp 116 used for various effects are provided on the front surface of the game board 110. The movable accessory 115 performs various effects by operating on the game board 110, and the board lamp 116 performs various effects by emitting light.

  The game area 111 is provided with a game nail and a windmill (not shown) for changing the direction in which the game ball falls. Further, in the game area 111, various bonuses relating to winning and lottery are arranged at predetermined positions. In addition, the game area 111 is provided with a discharge port 117 through which game balls launched into the game area 111 that have not been won in the winning area are discharged out of the game area 111.

  In the present embodiment, as various functions related to winning and lottery, a special symbol lottery (a jackpot lottery) starts when a game ball wins, and it is normal when a game ball passes. A start gate (hereinafter simply referred to as a gate) 124 for starting a symbol lottery (open / close lottery) is disposed on the game board 110. In FIG. 1, the gates 124 are provided on the left and right sides of the game area 111, the left gate 124 is indicated as 124L, and the right gate 124 is indicated as 124R. Moreover, the 1st starting port 121 and the 2nd starting port 122 here say the winning opening used as the operation opportunity of the predetermined 1 special symbol display. Specifically, the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 are provided with switches (a first start port switch 211 and a second start port switch 212 described later) that detect the passage of a game ball when winning a prize. It has been. And when a game ball wins the 1st starting port 121 or the 2nd starting port 122, this switch will detect the passage of a gaming ball as an opportunity to operate a special symbol display.

  The second start port 122 includes an electric tulip (opening / closing member) 123 as a normal electric accessory that is turned on and off by a pair of blades in the shape of tulip flowers that are opened and closed by an electric solenoid. In the electric tulip 123, when the blade is closed, it is difficult for the game ball to enter the second start port 122, but when the blade is opened, the entrance of the second start port 122 is expanded and the game ball is moved to the second start port 122. It is configured to be easy to enter. When the electric tulip 123 wins the normal symbol lottery, the blade opens for a specified time (for example, 0.15 to 1.8 seconds) and for a specified number of times (for example, 1 to 3 times) while lighting or blinking.

The pachinko gaming machine 100 has, as gaming states, a low probability state with a low winning probability and a high probability state with a higher winning probability than the low probability state based on the winning probability of the special symbol lottery. Then, the state is controlled to be either a low probability state or a high probability state based on a predetermined condition. In addition to the low probability state and the high probability state, it is possible to set a medium probability state in which the winning probability of the special symbol lottery is higher than the low probability state and lower than the high probability state. In this case, the pachinko gaming machine 100 is controlled to one of a low probability state, a medium probability state, and a high probability state based on a predetermined condition.
Further, the pachinko gaming machine 100 has a short time state where there are few winning opportunities at the second start port 122 and a short state when there are more winning opportunities at the second start port 122 than in the short time state. Based on a predetermined condition, the state is controlled to be either a timeless state or a timeless state. The short-time state is, for example, either extending the opening time when the electric tulip 123 is opened or closed, increasing the probability of winning the normal symbol lottery, or reducing the normal symbol variation time A gaming state controlled by one or more combinations. In the short time state, the special symbol variation time of the special symbol may be shortened.

Also, in this embodiment, as other prizes and lottery items, a lottery is performed even if a game ball wins a grand prize opening 125 as a special electric bonus that opens according to the result of the special symbol lottery. An ordinary winning opening 126 that is not present is arranged on the game board 110.
In the present embodiment, a display 130 for displaying a lottery result and the number of holds is arranged at the lower left position of the game board 110.

  Also, on the back side of the game board 110, there are a game control board for performing game control including determination of special symbol lottery, an effect control board for comprehensively controlling effects, an image control board for controlling effects by images and sounds, Various boards (not shown) such as a lamp control board for controlling the effect of the lamp and the movable accessory 115 are attached. In addition, a switching power supply (not shown) that converts the supplied 24V AC power source into a DC power source and outputs it to various boards and the like is disposed on the back surface of the game board 110.

When the player touches the handle 151 and rotates the lever 152 in the clockwise direction, the frame member 150 moves the game balls at a predetermined time interval (for example, 100 per minute) with a hitting force according to the operation angle. And a launching device (not shown) for electrically firing. In addition, the frame member 150 includes a supply device (not shown) that sequentially supplies game balls to the launching device one by one at a timing interlocked with the operation of the player's lever 152, and a game ball that the supply device supplies to the launching device. And a plate 153 for temporarily storing. For example, a payout ball by a payout unit is paid out to the plate 153.
In the present embodiment, the plate 153 is configured as an integrated upper and lower plate, but a configuration example in which the upper plate and the lower plate are separated is also conceivable. Further, a configuration example in which the handle 151 of the launcher is caused to emit light or vibrate under a predetermined condition is also conceivable.

The frame member 150 also includes a stop button 154 for temporarily stopping the launch of the game ball even when the player is touching the handle 151 of the launch device, and a game ball stored in the tray 153. A take-out button 155 for dropping and taking out the box (not shown).
Further, the frame member 150 includes a speaker 156 and a frame lamp 157 for notifying the gaming state and situation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 and performing various effects. The speaker 156 performs announcements and various effects using music, voice, and sound effects. The frame lamp 157 is composed of a light emitting body such as an LED, and performs various effects by light depending on a pattern due to lighting and blinking, a difference in emission color, and the like. In addition, about the frame lamp | ramp 157, the structural example which enables it to perform the effect which changes the irradiation direction of light can be considered.
The frame member 150 also includes a transparent plate (not shown) for separating the game board 110 from the player. For example, the transparent plate is fitted into the front frame and attached to the frame member 150 by a hinge or the like so as to be opened and closed.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the pachinko gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2A is an enlarged view showing an example of the display unit 130 arranged at the lower right of the game board 110. FIG. 2B is a partial plan view of the pachinko gaming machine 100.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the display 130 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 receives a first special symbol display 221 that operates in response to winning of the first starting port 121 and a winning of the second starting port 122. A second special symbol display 222 that operates correspondingly and a normal symbol display 223 that operates corresponding to the passage of the gate 124 are provided. The first special symbol display unit 221 displays the lottery result by stopping and displaying the special symbol based on the winning of the first start port 121 after variably displaying. The second special symbol display 222 displays the lottery result by stopping and displaying the special symbol based on the winning of the second start port 122 after variably displaying. Based on the fact that the game ball has passed through the gate 124, the normal symbol display unit 223 displays the lottery result by stopping and displaying the normal symbol after being variably displayed. In the present embodiment, the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 are each constituted by a display device in which LEDs are arranged, and the lottery result of the special symbol lottery is displayed according to the lighting mode. Similarly, the normal symbol display 223 is also composed of a display device in which LEDs are arranged, and the lottery result of the normal symbol lottery is displayed according to the lighting mode.

  In addition, the indicator 130 operates in response to the hold in the first special symbol display 221 and the first special symbol hold indicator 218 that operates corresponding to the hold in the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222. 2 a special symbol hold indicator 219 and a normal symbol hold indicator 220 that operates in response to the hold in the normal symbol indicator 223. In the present embodiment, the first special symbol hold indicator 218, the second special symbol hold indicator 219, and the normal symbol hold indicator 220 are each configured by a display device in which LEDs are arranged, and the number of holds is determined depending on the lighting mode. Is displayed.

  Here, the hold will be described. If a game ball wins in the first start port 121 or the second start port 122 during the special symbol change display operation (while the change display for one win is being performed), the special symbol is changing. In addition, the special symbol variation display operation based on the subsequent winning cannot be started. Therefore, the number of subsequent winnings is memorized up to a specified number (for example, 4), and the right to start a special symbol for the winning game ball is until the variable display operation for the previously winning game ball ends. Deferred. For normal symbols, the same processing as for special symbols is performed. The fact that such a hold has been made and the number of hold (unchanged number) are displayed on the first special symbol hold indicator 218, the second special symbol hold indicator 219 and the normal symbol hold indicator 220.

  Furthermore, the display device 130 includes a state display device 224 that displays the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100. In the present embodiment, the status indicator 224 is configured by a display device in which three LEDs are arranged. One of the three LEDs notifies whether or not the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a high probability state where the winning probability of the special symbol lottery is high. The other one is to notify by lighting whether or not the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a short time state in which it is easy to win the second starting port 122. Still another one is to notify by lighting whether or not the player is in a state advantageous to the player by making a right strike (by changing the hitting force of the game ball). Note that the status indicator 224 may be further provided with an LED to notify information related to other gaming states.

  In addition, the indicator 130 includes a round number indicator 225 for displaying the number of rounds when the big winning opening 125 is operated in the jackpot game performed according to the lottery result of the special symbol lottery. The jackpot game will be described later. The round number display 225 is configured by a display device in which LEDs are arranged, and the number of operating rounds of the big winning opening 125 in the jackpot game is displayed according to the lighting mode.

  The frame member 150 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 includes an input device for a player to input an effect. As shown in FIG. 2B, in the present embodiment, as an example of an input device, an effect button 161, an effect key 162 that is adjacent to the effect button 161 and includes a plurality of keys arranged in a substantially cross shape, Is disposed on the frame member 150. For example, consider a case where an operation for selecting one image from a plurality of images is received in the production. In this case, for example, the player operates one of the effect keys 162 including four keys arranged in a cross to indicate one of a plurality of images displayed on the image display unit 114, and the effect button 161. An operation such as selecting an instructed image can be employed by operating. In addition to the effect buttons 161 and the effect keys 162 shown in the figure, various input forms such as levers, dials, and the like can be adopted as the input device.

[Configuration of control unit]
Next, a control unit that performs operation control and signal processing in the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the control unit. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit includes a game control unit 200 that determines whether a special symbol is won or the like as main control means. Further, as sub-control means, an effect control unit 300 that comprehensively controls effects, an image / sound control unit 310 that controls effects using images and sound, and effects using various lamps and movable accessories 115 A lamp control unit 320 for controlling the payout, and a payout control unit 330 for performing payout control of the payout ball.

  The game control unit 200 as the main control means is configured by a game control board (not shown) as a main board. In addition, each of the effect control unit 300, the image / sound control unit 310, the lamp control unit 320, and the payout control unit 330, which are sub-control means, includes an effect control board, an image control board, a lamp control board (not shown), And the payout control board.

[Configuration and function of game control unit]
The game control unit 200 includes a CPU 201 that performs arithmetic processing when determining a lottery result of a special symbol lottery, a ROM 202 that stores programs executed by the CPU 201, various data, and the like, a working memory of the CPU 201, and the like. And a RAM 203 used as the above.

  The game control unit 200 controls the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 in either a high probability state or a low probability state, a time-short state or a time-short state. As a result, the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is a high probability state and a short time state, a high probability short time gaming state, a low probability state and a short time state, low probability short time gaming state, a high probability state, and a short time short state. It is one of a short-probability state with no probability, a low-probability state, and a short-probability state with a low probability. Then, the game control unit 200 switches between the high probability state and the low probability state based on a predetermined condition, and switches between the short time state and the short time state. In addition, the game control unit 200 performs control such as increasing the probability of winning the normal symbol lottery in the short time state, shortening the normal symbol variation time, and extending the opening time of the electric tulip 123 in the short time state. I do.

  The game control unit 200 performs a special symbol lottery when the game ball is won at the first start port 121 or the second start port 122. Then, a special game such as a jackpot game is performed according to the determination result of the special symbol lottery. In the special game, the game control unit 200 performs a predetermined number of rounds that maintain an open state until the special winning opening 125, which is a special electric accessory, satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, 29.5 seconds have passed or 10 game balls have been won). Control to repeat only. And the game control part 200 controls the opening-and-closing operation space | interval at the time of the jackpot big winning opening 125 opening.

In addition, the game control unit 200 performs a normal symbol lottery when the game ball passes through the gate 124. And the action | operation of an electric tulip is controlled according to the determination result of a normal symbol lottery.
In addition, the game control unit 200 holds the game ball when the game ball wins the first start port 121 or the second start port 122 during the special symbol change, or the game ball passes through the gate 124 during the normal symbol change. Set the hold that occurs.
Further, the game control unit 200 accompanies the game control such as the determination result of the special symbol lottery and the normal symbol lottery, the change information of the high probability state and the low probability state, the change information of the time short state and the short time state, the setting information of the hold, etc. Information is sent to the production control unit 300 by a command to be described later.

Further, when the game ball is won in the first start port 121, the second start port 122, the big winning port 125, and the normal winning port 126, the game control unit 200 per game ball according to the place where the game ball has won. The payout control unit 330 is instructed to pay out a predetermined number of prize balls. For example, when a game ball wins at the first start port 121, three prize balls, when a game ball wins at the second start port 122, four prize balls, and when a game ball wins the big prize port 125, thirteen prizes. When a game ball wins the ball, the normal winning opening 126, an instruction command (command) is sent to the payout control unit 330 so as to pay out 10 prize balls. Even if it is detected that the game ball has passed through the gate 124, the payout control unit 330 is not instructed to pay out the prize ball in conjunction with it.
When the payout control unit 330 pays out a prize ball in accordance with an instruction from the game control unit 200, the game control unit 200 acquires information on the number of prize balls paid out from the payout control unit 330. As a result, the number of prize balls paid out is managed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the game control unit 200 includes a first start port detection unit (first start port switch (SW)) 211 that detects a winning of a game ball to the first start port 121, as shown in FIG. , A second start port detection unit (second start port switch (SW)) 212 that detects a winning of a game ball to the second start port 122, an electric tulip opening / closing unit 213 that opens and closes the electric tulip 123, and the gate 124. A gate detection unit (gate switch (SW)) 214 for detecting the passage of the game ball is connected.
Further, the game control unit 200 has a large winning port detecting unit (large winning port switch (SW)) 215 for detecting a winning of a game ball to the large winning port 125, and the large winning port 125 is inclined to be in a closed state. A large winning opening / closing unit 216 set to the open state and a normal winning opening detecting unit (normal winning opening switch (SW)) 217 for detecting the winning of a game ball to the normal winning opening 126 are connected.

In addition, the game control unit 200 includes a first special symbol hold indicator 218 for displaying the number of unreserved reserves won in the first start port 121 during the change of the special symbol, and the second special symbol hold indicator 218 during the change of the special symbol. A second special symbol hold indicator 219 that displays the number of unchanged reserves that have been won at the start port 122, and a normal symbol hold indicator that displays the number of unchanged symbols that have passed through the gate 124 while the normal symbol is changing. 220 are connected.
Further, the game control unit 200 includes a first special symbol display 221 for displaying a special symbol variation display and a special symbol lottery result performed by winning a game ball in the first starting port 121, and a second starting port. A second special symbol display 222 that displays the result of the special symbol variation display and special symbol lottery performed by winning the game ball to 122, and the normal symbol display that displays the normal symbol variation display and the normal symbol lottery result A device 223 and a state indicator 224 for displaying the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 are connected.

  Then, detection signals detected by the first start port switch 211, the second start port switch 212, the gate switch 214, the big winning port switch 215 and the normal winning port switch 217 are sent to the game control unit 200. In addition, the control signal from the game control unit 200 includes an electric tulip opening / closing unit 213, a prize winning opening / closing unit 216, a first special symbol hold indicator 218, a second special symbol hold indicator 219, a normal symbol hold indicator 220, It is sent to the first special symbol display 221, the second special symbol display 222, the normal symbol display 223, and the status display 224. Thereby, the game control unit 200 performs various controls related to the number of payout prize balls.

  Further, a board external information terminal board 350 for transmitting various information to a host computer (not shown) installed in the hall is connected to the game control unit 200. Then, the game control unit 200 transmits the information about the number of paid-out prize balls acquired from the payout control unit 330 and the information indicating the state of the game control unit 200 to the host computer via the board external information terminal board 350. To do.

[Configuration and function of production control unit]
The effect control unit 300 includes a CPU 301 that performs arithmetic processing for controlling effects, a ROM 302 that stores programs executed by the CPU 301 and various data, a RAM 303 that is used as a work memory of the CPU 301, and the like. And a real-time clock (RTC) 304 for measuring.
The effect control unit 300 sets the contents of the effect based on, for example, the determination result of whether or not the winning in the special symbol lottery sent from the game control unit 200 and the variation pattern. At that time, in response to an operation input from the user using the effect button 161 or the effect key 162, the effect content corresponding to the operation input may be set. In this case, for example, a signal (operation signal) corresponding to an operation is received from a controller (not shown) such as the effect button 161, and the operation content identified by the operation signal is reflected in the setting of the effect.
In addition, when the game is interrupted for a predetermined period, the production control unit 300 instructs the setting of screen display for waiting for a customer as one of the productions.
Furthermore, the production control unit 300 sets the production content based on the change information of the high probability state and the low probability state received from the game control unit 200, and the change information of the short time state and the short time state.
Further, the effect control unit 300 sends a command for instructing execution of the set effect contents to the image / sound control unit 310 and the lamp control unit 320.

[Configuration / Function of Image / Sound Control Unit]
The image / sound control unit 310 is a CPU 311 that performs arithmetic processing for controlling the image and sound representing the content of the effect, a ROM 312 that stores programs executed by the CPU 311, various data, and the like. And a RAM 313 used as a memory or the like.
Then, the image / sound control unit 310 controls the image displayed on the image display unit 114 and the sound output from the speaker 156 based on the command sent from the effect control unit 300.
Specifically, in the ROM 312 of the image / sound control unit 310, a symbol image or background image displayed during the game on the image display unit 114, a decorative symbol for notifying the player of the lottery result, and a notice effect for the player Image data such as a character or item for displaying is stored.
The ROM 312 further stores various types of acoustic data such as music and sound output from the speaker 156 in synchronization with the image data or independently of the image data, and sound effects such as jingles. The CPU 311 selects and reads out the data corresponding to the command sent from the effect control unit 300 from the image data and the sound data stored in the ROM 312. Furthermore, image processing for background image display, symbol image display, symbol image variation, character / item display, etc., and voice processing using the read acoustic data are performed using the read image data.
Then, the image / sound control unit 310 controls screen display on the image display unit 114 based on the image data subjected to image processing. Further, the sound output from the speaker 156 is controlled by the sound data subjected to the sound processing.

[Configuration and function of lamp control unit]
The lamp control unit 320 stores a CPU 321 that performs arithmetic processing when controlling the light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 and the operation of the movable accessory 115, and programs executed by the CPU 321 and various data. A ROM 322 and a RAM 323 used as a working memory for the CPU 321 are provided.
The lamp control unit 320 controls lighting / flashing of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157, the emission color, and the like based on the command sent from the effect control unit 300. Further, the operation of the movable accessory 115 is controlled.
Specifically, the ROM 322 of the lamp control unit 320 stores lighting / flashing pattern data and emission color pattern data (light emission pattern data) of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 according to the production contents set by the production control unit 300. Data) is stored. The CPU 321 selects and reads out the light emission pattern data stored in the ROM 322 corresponding to the command sent from the effect control unit 300. The lamp controller 320 controls the light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 based on the read light emission pattern data.
The ROM 322 of the lamp control unit 320 stores operation pattern data of the movable accessory 115 corresponding to the production content set by the production control unit 300. The CPU 321 controls the operation of the movable accessory 115 based on the read operation pattern data.

[Configuration and function of payout control unit]
The payout control unit 330 includes a CPU 331 that performs arithmetic processing when controlling payout of payout balls, a ROM 332 that stores programs executed by the CPU 331, various data, and the like, and a RAM 333 that is used as a work memory for the CPU 331 and the like. And.
The payout control unit 330 controls payout of the payout ball based on the command sent from the game control unit 200.
Specifically, the payout control unit 330 acquires, from the game control unit 200, a command for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls according to the place where the game ball has won (the first start port 121 or the like). Then, the payout driving unit 334 is controlled so as to pay out the number of prize balls specified by the command. Here, the payout drive unit 334 is constituted by a drive motor that sends out the game ball from the game ball storage unit.

The payout control unit 330 includes a payout ball detection unit 335 that detects the number of prize balls actually paid out from the game ball storage unit by the payout driving unit 334, and a game ball in the storage unit (not shown). Detecting unit 336 for detecting presence / absence of storage of the game, and detecting whether or not the plate 153 for holding the game ball used when the player plays the game or the paid-out prize ball is full. A full tank detection unit 337 is connected. The payout control unit 330 receives the detection signals detected by the payout ball detection unit 335, the ball presence detection unit 336, and the full tank detection unit 337, and performs predetermined processing according to these detection signals.
Further, a frame external information terminal board 340 that transmits various types of information to the host computer installed in the hall is connected to the payout control unit 330. Then, the payout control unit 330, for example, information on the number of prize balls instructed to pay out to the payout driving unit 334, information on the number of prize balls actually paid out detected by the payout ball detection unit 335, etc. Is transmitted to the host computer via the frame external information terminal board 340. Also, similar information is transmitted to the game control unit 200.

[Functional configuration of game control unit]
Next, the functional configuration of the game control unit 200 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the game control unit 200. As shown in FIG. 4, the game control unit 200 includes a random number acquisition unit 231, a normal symbol determination unit 232, a special symbol variation control unit 233, and a special symbol determination unit 234 as functional units that execute various lottery processes. And a normal symbol fluctuation control unit 236.
In addition, the game control unit 200 includes a variation pattern selection unit 235 as a functional unit that executes a process associated with special symbol variation.
Furthermore, the game control unit 200 is a function unit that executes data processing related to operation control of various types of objects and prize balls, etc. As a function unit, a prize winning opening operation control unit 237, an electric tulip operation control unit 238, and a prize ball processing unit 239 are provided. And an output control unit 240 and a random number control unit 241.

The random number acquisition unit 231 acquires a random number value used for the special symbol lottery and a random value used for the normal symbol lottery. In the case of a random number value used for the special symbol lottery, specifically, on the condition that a game ball has won a prize at the first starting port 121 or the second starting port 122, a numerical value in a predetermined range is obtained for each type of random number. One numerical value (random number value) is selected (obtained) from the inside. The acquired random number value is used for determination by the special symbol determination unit 234. As will be described in detail later, the random numbers used in the special symbol lottery include a jackpot random number indicating whether or not the jackpot, a symbol random number indicating the type of jackpot, a variation pattern random number, a reach random number, and the like.
Further, in the case of a random number value used for the normal symbol lottery, specifically, one numerical value (random number value) is selected (acquired) from a predetermined range of values on condition that the game ball has passed through the gate 124. ) The acquired random number value is used for determination by the normal symbol determination unit 232. In addition, as a random number used for the normal symbol lottery, a symbol random number indicating a winning type, a variation pattern random number, or the like may be set in addition to a winning random number indicating whether or not the winning is made.
When the special symbol lottery is performed, the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 controls the fluctuation of the special symbol in the first special symbol indicator 221 or the second special symbol indicator 222 according to the lottery result.

  The special symbol determination unit 234 uses a random number table as shown in FIG. 17 to be described later at the start of the variation of the special symbol, and whether the lottery result of the special symbol lottery is “big hit or not” Type "," whether or not a small win if the big win is not won "or the like. That is, the special symbol determination unit 234 determines whether or not to play a special game (such as a big hit game) advantageous to the player based on the random number value for special symbol lottery acquired by the random number acquisition unit 231. The special symbol lottery is a process performed by the random number acquisition unit 231 and the special symbol determination unit 234.

  Here, the “hit” is divided into a plurality of types according to the gaming state that occurs after the end of the jackpot game. Specifically, the type of jackpot is determined depending on the combination of the short-time state or the short-time state and the high-probability state or the low-probability state. That is, the types of jackpots based on the gaming state that occurs after the end of the jackpot game are the jackpots that become the short game state with a high probability after the jackpot game ends (hereinafter, the jackpot of the short game state with a high probability), the short game state with a low probability Jackpot to become a jackpot (hereinafter referred to as a jackpot of a low probability short game state), a jackpot to be a high probability short gameless state (hereinafter a jackpot of a high probability short gameless state), a jackpot to become a low probability short gameless state (hereinafter low) There is a possibility of a jackpot of probable short gameless state). Each of these jackpots is associated with an individual special symbol, and the type of jackpot is determined according to the type of special symbol won in the special symbol lottery.

  In addition, the “bonanza” may be divided into a jackpot that can be expected to pay out a large amount of gaming balls for a long time, and a jackpot that can hardly be expected to pay out gaming balls because the jackpot game time is short. The former is called “long hit” and the latter is called “short hit”. For example, in “long win”, a round that is maintained until the open state of the grand prize opening 125 satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, 29.5 seconds have passed or 10 game balls have been won) is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times). It is. In the “short win”, a round in which the special winning opening 125 is opened for a certain time (for example, 0.1 second) is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times).

In addition, in the case of “small winning” when the big winning is not won, for example, a small winning game is performed in which the big winning opening 125 is opened for a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times) for 0.1 seconds. At the time of winning the small hit, the game state before the small win is continued even after the small hit game is completed. That is, when the game state at the time of winning the small hit is the high probability short game state, the high probability short time gaming state is continued even after the small hit game ends, and the gaming state does not shift. Similarly, when the game state at the time of winning the small hit is the low probability short-time non-game state, the low-probability short short no-game state is continued even after the small hit game ends, and the game state does not shift.
Also, “small hit” is a kind of “out of game”, and none of the above gaming states that are advantageous to the player is set.

The variation pattern selection unit 235 selects a variation pattern (variation time) of a special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display 221 or the second special symbol display 222. Specifically, the variation pattern selection unit 235 determines a variation pattern based on a determination result whether or not to play a jackpot game, a determination result whether or not to reach, and the like. Then, based on the variation pattern selected by the variation pattern selection unit 235, the special symbol variation control unit 233 controls the variation of the special symbol. Details of operations of the fluctuation pattern selection unit 235 and the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 will be described later.
Here, “reach” is an effect for causing a player to expect a big hit in a decorative pattern to be described later.

The normal symbol determination unit 232 determines whether or not the lottery result of the normal symbol is “winning” using a random number table as shown in FIG. That is, the normal symbol determination unit 232 determines whether or not to perform an auxiliary game that opens and closes the electric tulip 123 based on the random number value for normal symbol lottery acquired by the random number acquisition unit 231. When a plurality of types of winning are set in the normal symbol lottery, the normal symbol determining unit 232 determines “winning type” when the determination result is winning. The normal symbol lottery is a process performed by the random number acquisition unit 231 and the normal symbol determination unit 232.
When the normal symbol lottery is performed, the normal symbol fluctuation control unit 236 controls the fluctuation of the normal symbol by the normal symbol display unit 223 according to the lottery result.
The electric tulip movement control unit 238 opens the electric tulip 123 for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times when the normal symbol determination unit 232 determines “winning” in the normal symbol lottery, and a game ball is placed at the second start port 122. Generate a state that makes it easy to win. Further, when it is determined as “displacement”, such an open state of the electric tulip 123 is not generated.

When the special symbol determination unit 234 determines that it is a “big hit” in the special symbol lottery, the big winning mouth operation control unit 237 uses the operation pattern specified based on the type of the winning jackpot as the jackpot game. The opening operation of 125 is controlled. Also, the special winning opening operation control unit 237 opens the special winning opening 125 for a specified time and a specified number of times as a small winning game when the special symbol determining unit 234 determines “small hit” in the special symbol lottery. .
The prize ball processing unit 239 sets commands for controlling the number of prizes received for various types of winning-related items and lottery, and for controlling the payout of prize balls according to the prizes.
The output control unit 240 controls the output of control commands from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 and the payout control unit 330.
The random number control unit 241 updates various random number values that the random number acquisition unit 231 acquires at a predetermined timing.

[Basic operation of gaming machine]
Next, the basic operation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described.
When the power is turned on, the game control unit 200 of the pachinko gaming machine 100 performs initialization and initial setting of various devices as a basic process at the time of activation. And after performing a basic process, the game control part 200 repeatedly performs the main control process which is a series of processes regarding progress of a game. In addition, when the power is shut off, the game control unit 200 executes a series of power-off processing.

FIG. 5A is a flowchart illustrating an operation of basic processing by the game control unit 200.
When the power of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is turned on, the game control unit 200 first permits access to the RAM 203 (see FIG. 3) (step (hereinafter, “step” will be referred to as “S”) 101). Then, the game control unit 200 determines whether or not a RAM clear switch for clearing the RAM 203 is ON (S102).
If the RAM clear switch is OFF (No in S102), the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the backup flag relating to the operation at the time of power-off is ON (S103).
If the backup flag is ON (Yes in S103), the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the checksum created when the power is turned off is normal (S104).
If the checksum is normal (Yes in S104), the game control unit 200 next executes a return process (S105). In this return process, the game control unit 200 performs setting of sub-control means such as the effect control unit 300 accompanying the recovery from the state where the power is cut off. Specifically, the game control unit 200 is configured so that the internal state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 when the power is cut off (whether the game is a big hit game, either a high probability state or a low probability state, a short time state and a short time state) The command for setting the sub-control means is output to the effect control unit 300 so that any one of them is reflected. In this return process, the game control unit 200 turns off the backup flag.

  On the other hand, if the RAM clear switch is ON (Yes in S102), the backup flag is OFF (No in S103), and the checksum is abnormal (No in S104), then the game control unit 200 is initialized. As processing, the stored contents of the RAM 203 are cleared (S106), and the work area of the RAM 203 is set (S107). Then, the game control unit 200 outputs a command for setting (initializing) the sub control means to the effect control unit 300, and sets the sub board (sub control means) (S108). The setting of the sub board includes clearing the RAMs 303, 313, and 323 mounted on each sub board.

After the return process (see S105) is completed or after the setting of the sub-board (see S108) is finished, the game control unit 200 sets various counters and timers used for game control (S109). Then, the game control unit 200 determines whether or not the interrupt permission (S110), the interrupt prohibition (S111), the symbol random number control process (S112), the initial value random number update process (S113), and the power shutoff flag are ON. (S114) is repeatedly executed as a loop process.
Here, interrupt permission (S110) and interrupt prohibition (S111) are provided to enable execution of interrupt processing during execution of the loop processing (S110 to S114). In the present embodiment, main control processing in game control is executed by this interrupt processing. Details of the main control process will be described later.
In the symbol random number control process (S112), the game control unit 200 updates the variation pattern random number used in the special symbol lottery.
In the initial value random number update process (S113), the game control unit 200 updates initial values of various random number values used in the game control.
In the determination of the power cut-off flag, when the power cut-off flag is OFF (No in S114), the power of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is not cut off, and the game control unit 200 performs main control by interruption together with the loop processing (S110 to S114). The process is executed repeatedly. On the other hand, when the power shut-off flag is ON (Yes in S114), the game control unit 200 starts a process for shutting off the power of the pachinko gaming machine 100 (power shut-off process).

FIG. 5B is a flowchart illustrating the operation of power-off processing by the game control unit 200.
In the power-off process, the game control unit 200 first clears the setting of the output port for performing various outputs (S115). Next, the game control unit 200 creates a checksum and stores it in the RAM 203 (S116). Next, the game control unit 200 turns on the backup flag (S117), prohibits access to the RAM 203 (S118), and shifts to an infinite loop.

[Main control processing of gaming machines]
Next, main control processing of the pachinko gaming machine 100 will be described.
In the main control process, the game control unit 200 controls the game in the pachinko gaming machine 100, instructs the effect control unit 300, which is a sub-control means, to control the effect, and gives a prize ball to the payout control unit 330. Instructs payout control.

FIG. 5-3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the main control process of the game control unit 200.
The main control process includes a series of processes in game control, and is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals (for example, 4 milliseconds). In the present embodiment, the game control unit 200 generates an interrupt every predetermined time set in advance, and when the interrupt is permitted in the loop process shown in FIG. Execute main control processing. As shown in FIG. 5-3, in the main control process, a random number update process, a switch process, a symbol process, an electric accessory process, a prize ball process, and an output process are sequentially executed (S501 to S506).

  In the random number update process (S501), the game control unit 200 calls a function (subroutine) of the random number control unit 241, and updates various random number values used in the game control by the game control unit 200. Details of the setting of the random number and the update of the random value will be described later.

As the switch process (S502), a start port switch process and a gate switch process are performed.
In the start port switch process, the game control unit 200 calls the function (subroutine) of the random number acquisition unit 231, monitors the states of the first start port switch 211 and the second start port switch 212 in FIG. If this happens, a special symbol lottery process is executed. In addition, as will be described in detail later, when pre-determination processing is performed in the first start port switch 211 and the second start port switch 212, each function (subroutine) of the special symbol determination unit 234 and the variation pattern selection unit 235 is called, Execute processing for pre-determination.
In the gate switch process, the game control unit 200 calls the function (subroutine) of the random number acquisition unit 231 to monitor the state of the gate switch 214 in FIG. 3, and when the switch is turned on, for the normal symbol lottery. Execute the process.
The detailed contents of these switch processes will be described later.

As the symbol processing (S503), special symbol processing and normal symbol processing are performed.
In the special symbol process, the game control unit 200 calls the functions (subroutines) of the special symbol variation control unit 233, the special symbol determination unit 234, and the variation pattern selection unit 235, and executes the special symbol variation and the process associated with this symbol variation. To do.
In the normal symbol process, the game control unit 200 calls the functions (subroutines) of the normal symbol variation control unit 236 and the normal symbol determination unit 232, and executes the normal symbol variation and the process associated with this symbol variation.
The detailed contents of these symbol processes will be described later.

As the electric accessory process (S504), a big prize opening process and an electric tulip process are performed.
In the special prize opening process, the game control unit 200 calls a function (subroutine) of the special prize opening operation control unit 237 and controls the opening operation of the special prize opening 125 which is a special electric accessory based on a predetermined condition.
In the electric tulip process, the game control unit 200 calls the function (subroutine) of the electric tulip operation control unit 238 and controls the opening operation of the electric tulip 123 that is a normal electric accessory based on a predetermined condition.
Detailed contents of these electric accessory processing will be described later.

  In the winning ball process (S505), the game control unit 200 calls a function (subroutine) of the winning ball processing unit 239, and sets a command for controlling the number of winnings and a control for paying out a winning ball according to the winnings.

  In the output process (S506), the game control unit 200 calls a function (subroutine) of the output control unit 240, outputs a command for effect control to the effect control unit 300, and sends a command for payout control to the payout control unit 330. Output. The effect control command is generated in each processing from S502 to S504, and stored (set) in the control command storage area provided in the RAM 203. The payout control command is generated in the processing of S 505 and stored (set) in the control command storage area provided in the RAM 203. A storage area is set in the RAM 203 for each type of control command.

  The output control unit 240 sequentially checks the storage area of each control command in the RAM 203 in the output process (S506), and if the control command is stored in each storage area (that is, the control command is used in the process of S502 to S505). If a command has been generated), the control command is read and output to the output destination (the effect control unit 300 or the payout control unit 330).

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5C, output processing is performed at the end of a series of main control processing. That is, the command generated in each process of S502 to S505 is stored in the corresponding storage area of the RAM 203 in each process. After these series of processes, the output control unit 240 collectively outputs the commands generated in each process accumulated in the storage area of the RAM 203. In other words, in this embodiment, when the main control process is executed for one cycle, the command generated in the execution of the one cycle is output after the last command generation in the execution of the one cycle is performed.

  With this configuration, in the main control process, in order to output the generated command, it is only necessary to call the function of the output control unit 240 once. That is, since it is not necessary to prepare a function (subroutine) that outputs a generated command every time a command is generated, the number of control instructions can be reduced and an increase in the size of a program related to output processing can be suppressed. Further, since it is not necessary to call a function for outputting the generated command every time a command is generated, the time required for the entire output process can be shortened.

  As will be described in detail later, the RAM 203 is provided with a command storage area for storing the command generated by the main control process for each command type. The command sent from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 is, for example, 2-byte information including a code indicating the type of command and data indicating the content of the command. The data is described in another 1 byte. The code is, for example, information such as a special symbol lottery or a stop symbol related to a normal symbol lottery, a variation pattern, a hold, a preliminary determination, an operation instruction for the big prize opening 125 or the electric tulip 123, and an error notification related to the operation of the pachinko gaming machine 100 Identify the type. The data specifies the specific contents of the information specified by the code. For example, information such as the type of stop symbol in the special symbol lottery, the selected variation pattern, the number of holds, the specific contents of the operation of the special winning opening 125 (open or closed), an instruction to start or end error notification, etc. Described. Details of the configuration of the command storage area in the RAM 203 and the operation in which the output control unit 240 reads and outputs a control command from the command storage area of the RAM 203 will be described later.

[Modified example of basic operation of gaming machine]
In the operation example described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5C, the interrupt is permitted in the loop process portion of the basic process, and the main control process including a series of processes is executed as the interrupt process. However, the main control process only needs to be configured to be repeatedly executed at regular time intervals, and specific implementation means (execution procedure) is not limited to the examples shown in FIGS. It is not limited. For example, the main control process may be incorporated in a series of operations of the basic process, the elapsed time may be measured at a predetermined timing, and the process may return to the main control process every predetermined time (for example, 4 milliseconds). In addition, while incorporating the main control process in the series of operations of the basic process, as in the operation described with reference to FIG. 5A to FIG. If it occurs, it may be configured to return to the main control process incorporated in the basic process.

  When a command generated in the basic process is output, in principle, every time a command is generated, the command is stored in the command storage area of the RAM 203, and the output control unit 240 serving as the second processing means in the main control process is stored. Call and output the function. The basic process is a special process such as an initial operation that is performed when the power is turned on, and the processing procedure may vary depending on conditions such as the state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 when the power is turned on. This is to promptly output the generated command so that there is no such thing. In addition, when a command is continuously generated by a plurality of related processes, a process procedure for storing a plurality of commands in the command storage area of the RAM 203 and outputting them in response to a specific process request is adopted. May be.

[Random number update processing by game control unit]
A random number value as determination information used for various lotteries in game control such as special symbol lottery is counted by a counter and starts from a predetermined initial value, and is updated by a random number update process (S501) of the main control process shown in FIG. ) Is incremented by one each time. Then, the values at the time each lottery is performed are acquired by the start opening switch process (FIG. 6) and the gate switch process (FIG. 7), and used in the special symbol process (FIG. 8) and the normal symbol process (FIG. 13). The This random number counter is an infinite loop counter, and after the counted random number value reaches the set random number maximum value (for example, 299 for the jackpot random number shown in FIG. 17A to be described later) Return to the initial value again. In addition, since the random number update process is performed at regular intervals, if the initial value of each random number is specified, the winning value may be estimated based on the update interval and the initial value information. Therefore, after returning from the main control process to the basic process shown in FIG. 5A, the initial value of each random number is randomly changed in the initial value random number update process of S113.

[Start-up switch processing by game control unit]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of the start port switch process in the switch process shown in S502 of FIG. 5-3.
In the start port switch process, a process for winning at the first start port 121 and a process for winning at the second start port 122 are sequentially performed. Referring to FIG. 6, the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not a game ball is won at the first start port 121 and the first start port switch 211 is turned on (S601). If the first start port switch 211 is turned on, the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the unchanged hold number U1 in the winning of the first start port 121 is less than the upper limit value (S602). . In the example shown in FIG. 6, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holds U1 has reached the upper limit (No in S602), it is not possible to hold any more unchanging winnings, so the process for winning at the first start port 121 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the hold number U1 is less than the upper limit value (Yes in S602), the game control unit 200 next adds 1 to the value of the hold number U1 (S603). Then, the random number acquisition unit 231 of the game control unit 200 acquires a random number value for the lottery by the current winning and stores it in a predetermined storage area set in the RAM 203 (S604). Here, since the first starting port 121 is won, a random number value for special symbol lottery is acquired. The random value acquired at this time is a value updated by the random number update process of the preceding S501. Then, the result of the special symbol lottery is determined in the later special symbol processing by this random number value. Random numbers here include jackpot random numbers that determine jackpot, jackpot or loss, jackpot type (short or short state after the end of jackpot game, short or short state, high probability state and low probability state, long hit, short Symbol random number value that determines the winning pattern, jackpot symbol random number value, fluctuation pattern random number value for specifying the variation pattern in symbol variation, reach random number value that determines whether or not to perform with reach in the event of a loss, etc. Is included.

Next, the game control unit 200 performs a pre-determination process for giving a notice effect of a lottery result to a winning ball (holding ball) for which a special symbol variation display operation is pending (that is, an undrawn lottery). (S605). In this preliminary determination process, the lottery result is determined not at the start of symbol variation but at the start opening prize (that is, in S605). Note that this pre-determination process may be omitted in gaming machines or gaming states that do not perform a notice effect based on pre-determination. Details of the prior determination process will be described later.
Thereafter, the game control unit 200 sets a hold number increase command for notifying the effect control unit 300 of the increase in the hold number U1 in S603 in a predetermined storage area for commands set in the RAM 203 (S606). The process for winning in the first start port 121 is terminated. When the advance determination process of S605 is performed, the information on the determination result of the advance determination obtained in S605 is included in the pending number increase command.

  Next, a process for winning in the second start port 122 is performed. Referring to FIG. 6, next, the game control unit 200 determines whether or not the game ball has won the second start port 122 and the second start port switch 212 is turned on (S607). If the second start port switch 212 is turned ON, the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the unchanged hold number U2 in the winning of the second start port 122 is less than the upper limit value (S608). . In the example shown in FIG. 6, the upper limit value is four. If the number of holds U2 has reached the upper limit (No in S608), it is not possible to hold any more unchanging winnings, and the process for winning at the second start port 122 is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the holding number U2 is less than the upper limit value (Yes in S608), the game control unit 200 adds 1 to the value of the holding number U2 (S609). Then, the random number acquisition unit 231 of the game control unit 200 acquires a random value for a lottery by the current winning and stores it in a predetermined storage area set in the RAM 203 (S610). Here, since the winning of the second start port 122 is won, random numbers for special symbol lottery (big hit random number value, big hit symbol random number value, reach random number value, fluctuation pattern random number value, etc.) are acquired as in S604 above. Is done. The random value acquired at this time is a value updated by the random number update process of S501. Then, the result of the special symbol lottery is determined in the later special symbol processing by this random number value.

Next, the game control unit 200 performs a pre-determination process for giving a notice effect of a lottery result to a winning ball (holding ball) for which a special symbol variation display operation is pending (that is, an undrawn lottery). (S611). The content of this pre-determination process is the same as that of said S605. Note that this pre-determination process may be omitted in gaming machines or gaming states that do not perform a notice effect based on pre-determination.
Thereafter, the game control unit 200 sets a hold number increase command for notifying the effect control unit 300 of the increase in the hold number U2 in S609 in a predetermined storage area for commands set in the RAM 203 (S612). The process for winning in the second start port 122 is terminated. When the advance determination process of S611 is performed, the information on the determination result of the advance determination obtained in S611 is included in the pending number increase command.

[Gate switch processing by game control unit]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of the gate switch process when a game ball passes through the gate 124.
In this gate switch process, the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not the game ball has passed through the gate 124 and the gate switch 214 is turned on (S701). If the gate switch 214 is turned on, the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the unchanged holding number G is less than the upper limit value (S702). In the example shown in FIG. 7, the upper limit value is four. If the number of reserves G has reached the upper limit (No in S702), no more unchanging winnings can be reserved, and the gate switch processing is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the number of reservations G is less than the upper limit value (Yes in S702), the game control unit 200 then adds 1 to the value of the number of reservations G (S703). Then, the random number acquisition unit 231 of the game control unit 200 acquires a random number value for the lottery by the current winning and stores it in a predetermined storage area set in the RAM 203 (S704). Here, since the gate 124 is won, a random number value (such as a winning random number value) for normal symbol lottery is acquired.

  After the random number value is acquired in S704, the game control unit 200 stores a command for increasing the hold number G for notifying the effect control unit 300 of the increase in the hold number G in S703 for the command set in the RAM 203. The area is set (S705), and the winning process in the gate 124 is terminated.

[Special symbol processing by game control unit]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the contents of the special symbol processing in the symbol processing shown in S503 of FIG. 5-3.
In this special symbol process, the special symbol variation control unit 233 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the winning game flag is ON in the setting of a flag set in the RAM 203 (hereinafter, flag setting) ( S801). Here, the winning game flag is a flag that is set to identify that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the big hit game. Either the long hit game flag or the short hit game flag is set according to the type of the big hit game being executed. In the present embodiment, these are collectively called a winning game flag.

  When the winning game flag is ON, since the pachinko gaming machine 100 is already in the jackpot game, the special symbol process is terminated without starting the special symbol change (Yes in S801). On the other hand, if the winning game flag is OFF (No in S801), then the special symbol variation control unit 233 determines whether or not the current state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the special symbol variation (S802). If the special symbol is not changing (No in S802), then the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 performs processing related to the number U1 and U2 (see FIG. 6) of the special symbols that have not been changed (S803 to S806). In the present embodiment, the number of holds U1 related to winning of the first start port 121 and the number of holds U2 related to winning of the second start port 122 are distinguished, so this processing is also performed for each corresponding start port. .

Specifically, the special symbol variation control unit 233 first determines whether or not the number of holds U2 related to winning in the second start port 122 is 1 or more (S803). When the number of reservations U2 is 1 or more (Yes in S803), the special symbol variation control unit 233 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of reservations U2 (S804). On the other hand, if the holding number U2 = 0 (No in S803), the special symbol variation control unit 233 next determines whether the holding number U1 related to winning in the first start port 121 is 1 or more (S805). When the number of holds U1 is 1 or more (Yes in S805), the special symbol variation control unit 233 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of holds U1 (S806). On the other hand, if the holding number U1 = 0 (No in S805), it means that there is no winning for starting the special symbol lottery, so the special symbol change is not started, and the waiting process for waiting for customers set in another routine Is called and executed, and the process is terminated (S816).
In the present embodiment, priority is given to the processing related to the holding number U2 related to winning in the second start port 122. That is, when the number of holdings U2 is 1 or more, the processing related to the number of holdings U2 is performed, and when the number of holdings U2 = 0, the processing related to the number of holdings U1 is performed (see S803 to S806). On the other hand, regardless of whether the first start port 121 or the second start port 122 is won, it is also possible to perform control such that the hold numbers U1 and U2 are subtracted in the order of winning.

  After subtracting the reserved number U1 or the reserved number U2 in S804 or S806, the special symbol variation control unit 233 turns off the customer waiting flag set in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S807). The customer waiting flag is a flag for identifying that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the customer waiting state, and is set in the customer waiting setting process (S816, see FIG. 12).

  Next, the special symbol fluctuation control unit 233 calls and executes a jackpot determination process and a fluctuation pattern selection process by separate routines (S808, S809). Although details will be described later, the setting information for changing the special symbol displayed on the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 by the jackpot determination processing and the variation pattern selection processing (the jackpot symbol, game State, variation pattern, etc.) are determined. These pieces of information are included in a change start command sent to the effect control unit 300.

  Thereafter, the special symbol variation control unit 233 is displayed by the first special symbol display unit 221 and the second special symbol display unit 222 shown in FIG. 2 based on the setting contents determined in the jackpot determination process and the variation pattern selection process. The special symbol change is started (S810). Then, a change start command including setting information (a jackpot symbol, a gaming state, a change pattern, etc.) indicating the setting contents is generated and set in a predetermined storage area for the command set in the RAM 203 (S811). The change start command set in S811 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in S506 of FIG.

  When it is determined in S802 that the special symbol is changing (Yes in S802), or after the change start command is set in S811, the special symbol variation control unit 233 determines whether or not the variation time has elapsed (S812). ). That is, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time since the start of the variation of the special symbol in S810 has reached the variation time set in the variation pattern selection process in S809. If the variation time has not elapsed (No in S812), the special symbol variation is continued, and the special symbol processing is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, when the variation time has elapsed (Yes in S812), the special symbol variation control unit 233 first determines the variation of the special symbol in the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 as a big hit determination process in S808. It stops at the symbol determined in (S813). A change stop command for stopping a decorative design, which will be described later, is set in a predetermined storage area for the command set in the RAM 203 (S814). Then, the in-stop process of another routine is called and executed (S815). The contents of the stop process will be described later. The change stop command set in S814 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in S506 of FIG.

[Big hit judgment processing by game control unit]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of the jackpot determination process (S808 in FIG. 8).
In this jackpot determination process, the special symbol determination unit 234 of the game control unit 200 first determines a jackpot random number value in the current special symbol lottery (S901), and determines whether or not the jackpot or small hit is made (S902). , S905). Whether or not the jackpot or the jackpot is determined is whether or not the value of the jackpot random number acquired in S604 or S610 in FIG. 6 matches the value set as the jackpot winning value or the value set as the jackpot winning value It is determined by judging whether or not (see FIG. 17A).

  If the result of the random number determination in S901 is a big hit (Yes in S902), then the special symbol determination unit 234 determines a big hit symbol random number value (S903). Depending on the result of this determination, the type of jackpot (high or low probability state, short or short state, short or short state, long or short hit) is determined. Which jackpot is determined is determined by whether the value of the jackpot symbol random number acquired in S604 or S610 in FIG. 6 matches a preset value for each jackpot type (FIG. 17 ( b)).

  After the above determination, the special symbol determination unit 234 sets the symbol representing the type of jackpot determined by the determination of the jackpot symbol random number (the jackpot symbol) as setting information in a predetermined storage area set in the RAM 203 (S904). ).

  If the result of the random number determination in S901 is a small hit (No in S902, Yes in S905), then the special symbol determination unit 234 uses a symbol representing the small hit (hereinafter referred to as a small hit symbol) as setting information. A predetermined storage area set in the RAM 203 is set (S906).

  If the result of the random number determination in S901 is neither big win nor small win (No in S902 and S905), then the special symbol determination unit 234 uses the symbol indicating that the lottery is lost (hereinafter referred to as a lost symbol) as the setting information in the RAM 203. Is set in a predetermined storage area set in (S907).

[Change pattern selection process by game control unit]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of the variation pattern selection process (S809 in FIG. 8).
In this variation pattern selection process, the variation pattern selection unit 235 of the game control unit 200 first determines whether or not a big win has been won in this special symbol lottery using the determination result of S902 in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9). (S1001). If it is a big hit (Yes in S1001), the fluctuation pattern selection unit 235 reads the big hit fluctuation pattern table from the ROM 202 and sets it in a predetermined storage area set in the RAM 203 (S1002).

On the other hand, if the jackpot has not been won (No in S1001), the variation pattern selection unit 235 then determines a random value for determining whether or not to perform a so-called reach effect for causing the player to expect a jackpot. (S1003). Whether or not the reach effect is performed is determined by determining whether or not the reach random number value acquired in S604 or S610 in FIG. 6 matches a preset value (see FIG. 17C). .
As a result of the determination using the random number value, when the reach effect is performed (Yes in S1004), the variation pattern selection unit 235 reads the variation pattern table for reach from the ROM 202 and sets it in a predetermined storage area set in the RAM 203. (S1005). When the reach effect is not performed (No in S1004), the variation pattern selection unit 235 reads the variation pattern table for loss from the ROM 202 and sets it in a predetermined storage area set in the RAM 203 (S1006).
Here, the variation pattern table is a table in which a plurality of variation patterns (variation times of 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds, etc.) prepared in advance are associated with values of variation pattern random numbers (see FIG. 18).

  Next, the variation pattern selection unit 235 determines the variation pattern random value using the variation pattern random value acquired in S604 or S610 of FIG. 6 and the variation pattern table set in S1002, S1005, and S1006 (S1007). ). That is, the fluctuation pattern selection unit 235 refers to the fluctuation pattern table set in the RAM 203 and selects a fluctuation pattern corresponding to the random value of the fluctuation pattern random number. Therefore, even if the same random number value is acquired, the variation referred to depending on the state difference such as whether or not the result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit or not and whether or not a reach effect is performed if it is not a big hit Since the pattern table is different, the determined variation pattern is different.

  Thereafter, the fluctuation pattern selection unit 235 sets the fluctuation pattern selected in S1007 as a setting information in a predetermined storage area set in the RAM 203 (S1008). The setting information of the variation pattern set in S1008 is included in the variation start command set in S811 of FIG. 8, and is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in S506 of FIG. Details of the variation pattern selected in this embodiment and its setting will be described later.

[Processing during stop by game control unit]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of the suspension process (S815 in FIG. 8).
In this stop process, the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not a flag indicating that the time is short (hereinafter referred to as a short time flag) is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1101). When the time reduction flag is ON (Yes in S1101), the game control unit 200 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of lotteries (number of fluctuations) J in the time reduction state (S1102), and whether or not the number of lotteries J has become zero. (S1103). If the number of lotteries J = 0 (Yes in S1103), the time reduction flag is turned OFF (S1104). It should be noted that the operation for turning on the hourly flag and the setting of the initial value of the lottery number J are performed in a game state setting process (FIG. 15) in a special winning opening process (FIG. 14) described later.

  If the time reduction flag is OFF (No in S1101), or after the time reduction flag is turned OFF in S1104, or if the value of the number of lotteries J after subtraction in S1102 is not 0 (No in S1103), then game control The unit 200 checks whether or not a flag indicating a high probability state (hereinafter, probability variation flag) is set to ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1105). When both the probability variation flag and the previous time-short flag are ON, the high-probability short-time gaming state is established, and when the probability variation flag is ON and the time-short flag is OFF, the high-probability time-short no-game state.

  When the probability variation flag is ON (Yes in S1105), the game control unit 200 subtracts 1 from the value of the number of lotteries (number of variations) X in the high probability state (S1106), and whether or not the number of lotteries X has become 0. (S1107). If the number of lotteries X = 0 (Yes in S1107), the probability variation flag is turned OFF (S1108). Note that the operation for turning on the probability change flag and the setting of the initial value of the lottery number X are performed in a game state setting process (FIG. 15) in a special prize opening process (FIG. 14) described later.

  If the probability variation flag is OFF (No in S1105), or after the probability variation flag is turned OFF in S1108, or if the value of the number of lotteries X after subtraction in S1106 is not 0 (No in S1107), the next game control The unit 200 determines whether or not a big win has been won in this special symbol lottery (S1109). If it is a big hit (Yes in S1109), the game control unit 200 next determines whether or not the big hit type is a long win (S1110).

  Here, the determination of whether or not the jackpot is possible can be made based on the determination result of the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9). For example, if any of the symbols shown in the diagram of FIG. 17B to be described later is set, “Yes” is determined in S1109. If a lost symbol or a small bonus symbol is set in the RAM 203 by the big hit determination process, No in S1109.

  When the jackpot type is a long hit (Yes in S1110), the game control unit 200 turns on the long hit game flag (S1111). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a jackpot gaming state (long winning gaming state) in which the jackpot type is long winning. In addition, here, in the long hit, it is not distinguished whether it is a high probability state or a low probability state. Whether the state is a high probability state or a low probability state is specified by turning on a corresponding flag in a game state setting process (FIG. 15) in a special prize opening process (FIG. 14) described later.

  If the jackpot type is not long hit (No in S1110), the game control unit 200 turns on the short hit game flag (S1112). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a big hit gaming state (short winning gaming state) in which the big hit type is short hit. Similar to the case of long hit, the case of short hit does not distinguish between a high probability state and a low probability state.

  After turning on the winning game flag in S1111 or S1112, the game control unit 200 initializes the values of the lottery times J and X (S1113). In addition, when the time reduction flag is ON in S1101 and the lottery count J is not 0 in S1103, the game control unit 200 turns the time reduction flag OFF (S1114). Similarly, if the probability change flag is ON in S1105 and the number of lotteries X is not 0 in S1107, the game control unit 200 turns the probability change flag OFF (S1114).

After initializing the values of the lottery times J and X in S1113, the game control unit 200 starts an opening operation (S1117). Here, the contents of the opening operation differ depending on which of S1111 and S1112 the winning game flag is turned on. That is, according to the state of the winning game flag, one of the opening operations set in each gaming state of the long winning game and the short winning game is performed.
Thereafter, the game control unit 200 sets an opening command for performing an effect in the opening operation according to the winning game flag in the effect control unit 300 in a predetermined storage area for commands set in the RAM 203 (S1118). Then, the stopped process is terminated. This opening command is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process shown in S506 of FIG.

On the other hand, when the result of the special symbol lottery this time is not a big hit (No in S1109), the game control unit 200 determines whether or not the result of the special symbol lottery this time is a big hit (S1115). ). If it is not a small hit (No in S1115), the in-stop process is terminated.
On the other hand, if it is a small hit (Yes in S1115), the game control unit 200 starts a small hit game and ends the stopped process (S1116). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes the small hit gaming state. In the small hit game, as described above, the special winning opening 125 is opened and closed a predetermined number of times, and is ended after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[Customer waiting setting process by game control unit]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents of the customer waiting setting process (S816 in FIG. 8).
In this customer waiting setting process, the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the customer waiting flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1201). Here, the customer waiting flag is a flag that is set to identify that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a customer waiting state.

  If the customer waiting flag is ON, the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a customer waiting state, and thus the processing is terminated as it is (Yes in S1201). On the other hand, when the customer waiting flag is OFF, the game control unit 200 generates a customer waiting command and sets it in a predetermined storage area for the command set in the RAM 203 (S1202), and turns on the customer waiting flag. (S1203). The customer waiting command set in S1202 is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in S506 of FIG. The customer waiting flag is a flag that is set in a state where there is no suspension since the change of the special symbol is stopped (see FIG. 8).

[Normal symbol processing by game control unit]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the contents of the normal symbol processing in the symbol processing shown in S503 of FIG. 5-3.
In this normal symbol process, the normal symbol variation control unit 236 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the auxiliary game flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1301). Here, the auxiliary game flag is a flag that is set when a normal symbol lottery is won. The state in which the auxiliary game flag is set is a state in which the electric tulip 123 is opened in accordance with the electric tulip process (FIG. 16) described later, and it is easy to win the second start port 122 (auxiliary game state).

  When the auxiliary game flag is ON, since the auxiliary game state has already been reached and the normal symbol is stopped, the normal symbol process is terminated without starting the normal symbol variation (Yes in S1301). On the other hand, if the auxiliary game flag is OFF (No in S1301), then the normal symbol variation control unit 236 determines whether or not the current state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in the normal symbol variation (S1302). If the normal symbol is not changing (No in S1302), then the normal symbol variation control unit 236 determines whether the number G of the normal symbol remaining unchanged (see FIG. 7) is 1 or more (S1303). If the holding number G = 0 (No in S1303), it means that there is no winning for starting the normal symbol lottery, and therefore the processing is terminated without starting the normal symbol variation.

  On the other hand, when the reserved number G is 1 or more (Yes in S1303), the normal symbol variation control unit 236 subtracts 1 from the value of the reserved number G (S1304). Then, the normal symbol determination unit 232 determines a winning random number value in the current normal symbol lottery to determine whether or not the normal symbol lottery has been won (S1305). Whether or not the winner has been won is determined by determining whether or not the value of the winning random number acquired in S704 of FIG. 7 matches the value set as the winning value in the table shown in FIG. It is determined. When a plurality of types of hits are set in the normal symbol lottery, for example, when the normal symbol determination unit 232 determines that it is a hit in S1305, the normal symbol determination unit 232 next determines a random value (winning symbol random number value) related to the hit type. Identify hit types.

  Next, the normal symbol variation control unit 236 sets a normal symbol according to the result of the normal symbol lottery (S1306). That is, when the normal symbol lottery is won, a symbol representing the winning (hereinafter referred to as a winning symbol) is set as setting information in a predetermined storage area set in the RAM 203. On the other hand, when the normal symbol lottery is not won, a symbol indicating that the lottery has been lost (hereinafter referred to as a lost symbol) is set in a predetermined storage area set in the RAM 203 as setting information.

  Next, the normal symbol variation control unit 236 sets the variation time of the normal symbol (S1307). This variation time is set based on the time reduction flag set in the processing of S1104 and S1114 in FIG. 11, S1504 and S1507 in FIG. That is, when the time reduction flag is ON in the setting in S1307, it is set to a short time (for example, 1.5 seconds), and when the time reduction flag is OFF, it is set to a long time (for example, 4.0 seconds). Is done. After this setting, the normal symbol fluctuation control unit 236 starts normal symbol fluctuations in the normal symbol display 223 shown in FIGS. 2A and 3 based on the setting contents of S1307 (S1308). In addition, the fluctuation pattern of a normal symbol can also be determined by lottery. In this case, for example, when the game ball passes through the gate 124, the random number acquisition unit 231 acquires the normal pattern variation pattern random value, and in S1307, the normal symbol variation control unit 236 generates the normal symbol variation pattern random value. By determining, the variation time is set.

  After starting the change of the normal symbol in S1308 or when it is determined that the normal symbol is changing in S1302 (Yes in S1302), the normal symbol change control unit 236 determines whether or not the change time has passed (S1309). ). That is, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time from the start of the normal symbol variation in S1308 has reached the variation time set in S1307. If the fluctuation time has not elapsed (No in S1309), the normal symbol variation is continued, so that the normal symbol processing is ended as it is.

  On the other hand, when the fluctuation time is over (Yes in S1309), the normal symbol fluctuation control unit 236 stops the fluctuation of the normal symbol in the normal symbol display unit 223 (S1310). Then, the normal symbol variation control unit 236 determines whether or not the determination result in S1305 is a win (S1311). If it is a win (Yes in S1311), the auxiliary game flag is turned ON (S1312). On the other hand, if it is off (No in S1311), the normal symbol process is terminated without turning on the auxiliary game flag.

[Large winning mouth processing by game control unit]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the contents of the big prize opening process in the electric accessory process shown in S504 of FIG. 5-3.
In this special winning opening process, the special winning opening operation control unit 237 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the winning game flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1401). If the winning game flag is OFF, there is no prize winning in the big prize opening 125, and the big prize opening process is terminated (No in S1401). On the other hand, if the winning game flag is ON (Yes in S1401), then the special winning opening operation control unit 237 opens in the operation control at the time of the big hit started by the pachinko gaming machine 100 being stopped (FIG. 11) It is determined whether or not the operation is in progress (S1402).

  When the pachinko gaming machine 100 is opening (Yes in S1402), the next prize opening operation control unit 237 determines whether or not a predetermined time (opening time) for performing the opening operation has elapsed. (S1403). If the opening time has not elapsed, the opening operation at the special winning opening 125 is continued, and the special winning opening process is terminated (No in S1403). On the other hand, if the opening time has elapsed (Yes in S1403), the special winning opening operation control unit 237 then sets the operation of the special winning opening 125 (S1404) and initializes the winning number C (C = 0). Then, the value of the number R of rounds of operation of the big prize opening 125 is incremented by 1 from the current value (S1406), and the big prize opening 125 is started (opened) (S1407).

  In the operation setting of S1404, the operation pattern of the special winning opening 125 and the number of rounds (operation round number) operated by the operation pattern are set. As the case where the big prize opening 125 is operated, there are a case where it is a big win per long or short in a special symbol lottery and a case where it is a small win. The operation pattern and the number of rounds are variously set according to the hit type. In the jackpot game, it is stipulated that the winning prize opening 125 is continuously operated a plurality of times (a plurality of rounds). As an example, in the case of a long hit, for example, 15 rounds (15R) are operated, and 29.5 seconds are released once in one round. In the case of a short hit, for example, 15 rounds (15R) are operated, and one round is performed once for 0.1 seconds. In the case of a small hit, for example, one round (1R) is operated, and 0.1 second is released 15 times in this round. Here, when the operation with short hits and the operation with small hits are compared in the above examples, both 0.1 seconds of opening is performed 15 times. That is, the action of the big winning opening 125 that can be seen by the player is the same in the case of short win and small win, and the short win and the small win are distinguished only from the action of the big winning opening 125 on the game board 110. I can't do it.

  As another example, 15 rounds (15R) are activated per long, 29.5 seconds are released once per round, 2 rounds (2R) are activated per short, and 0 are rounded per round. .9 seconds are opened twice, and with a small hit, one round (1R) is operated, and 0.9 seconds is opened twice in this round. In this case as well, when the operation with short hits and the operation with small hits are compared, both 0.9 seconds are released twice, and the action of the big prize opening 125 that can be seen by the player is in the case of short hits. It is the same in the case of small hits.

  The law stipulates that the cumulative opening time of the special winning opening 125 must be set within 1.8 seconds for a small hit. On the other hand, in the case of a big hit (long hit or short win), the big winning opening 125 must be continuously opened a plurality of times. Therefore, when trying to make it difficult to visually distinguish the operation with a small hit and the operation with a short hit as described above, within the range that satisfies the cumulative open time within 1.8 seconds in one operation, An operation mode in which the big prize opening 125 is opened two or more times is set, and in the short win, the same number of rounds as the number of small hits is set.

  Next, the special winning opening operation control unit 237 determines whether or not the opening time in the operation pattern set in S1404 has elapsed (S1408). If the open state at the big prize opening 125 has not passed the opening time (No in S1408), the big prize opening operation control unit 237 then sets the number C of winning prizes to the big prize opening 125 to a predetermined number (for example, 9). It is determined whether or not (S1409). When the opening time has not elapsed and the winning number C is less than the specified number, the operation state (opening state) of the large winning opening 125 is continued, so the large winning opening process is terminated (No in S1409). ). On the other hand, if the opening time has elapsed (Yes in S1408) or the winning number C reaches the specified number (Yes in S1409), the special winning opening operation control unit 237 finishes operating the special winning opening 125 (closing). (S1410).

  Next, the special winning opening operation control unit 237 determines whether or not the number R of rounds of operation of the special winning opening 125 has reached the maximum value set in S1404 (S1411). If the maximum value has not been reached, the remaining operations are performed, and the special winning opening process is terminated (No in S1411).

If the number of rounds R of the operation of the special winning opening 125 reaches the maximum value (Yes in S1411), the special winning opening operation control unit 237 then starts an ending operation (S1412). Here, the content of the ending operation corresponds to the state of the winning game flag among the ending operations set in the long hit game and the short hit game.
Thereafter, the special winning opening operation control unit 237 sets an ending command for performing an effect in the ending operation corresponding to the winning game flag in the effect control unit 300 in a predetermined storage area for commands set in the RAM 203 ( S1413). This ending command is transmitted to the effect control unit 300 by the output process shown in S506 of FIG.

  Next, the special winning opening operation control unit 237 resets the round number R of the operation of the special winning opening 125 to 0 (S1414), and then performs an ending operation in which an elapsed time from the start of the ending operation is set in advance. It is determined whether the power time (ending time) has elapsed (S1417). If the ending time has not elapsed, the ending operation is continued, and thus the big prize opening process is terminated (No in S1417). On the other hand, if the ending time has elapsed (Yes in S1417), the special winning opening operation control unit 237 then performs a game state setting process by the game control unit 200 (S1418), then turns off the winning game flag, The big prize opening process is terminated (S1419). The contents of the game state setting process will be described later.

  If it is determined in S1402 that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is not opening (No in S1402), the special winning opening operation control unit 237 determines whether or not it is ending (S1415). If the ending is in progress (Yes in S1415), the operations after S1417 are executed.

On the other hand, if the pachinko gaming machine 100 is not ending (No in S1415), the special winning opening operation control unit 237 next determines whether or not the special winning opening 125 is operating (opening) (S1416). If it is not in operation (No in S1416), the operation after S1405 is executed. If it is in operation (Yes in S1416), the operation after S1408 is executed.
The effect performed in the small hit game described above is the same as the effect performed in the short hit game, and it is not possible to distinguish short hit and small hit from the effect.

[Game state setting process]
FIG. 15 shows the contents of the game state setting process (S1418) performed by the game control unit 200, which is executed when the ending time has elapsed (Yes in S1417).
When the game state setting process is performed, as a premise, the winning game flag is set to ON in S1401 of FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, the game control unit 200 first determines the type of the hit (S1501, S1502, S1503, S1506). These determinations can be made based on the types of symbols set as setting information in the RAM 203 in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9), for example. Since these determinations are substantially the same as S902, S903, and S905 in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9), the determination results of S902, S903, and S905 may be used.

If it is a small hit (Yes in S1501), the gaming state (internal state of the pachinko gaming machine 100) is not changed, so the gaming state setting process is terminated.
If the winning type is a big hit with a low probability short-time gaming state (No in S1501, Yes in S1502 and S1503), the game control unit 200 turns on the short-time flag (S1504). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes the low gaming state when the probability is low. In addition, the game control unit 200 sets an initial value of the lottery count J (S1505) and ends the game state setting process. The initial value of the lottery number J is 100 in the illustrated example. Therefore, if the lottery in the low probability short game state is performed 100 times, the low probability short game state is ended and the low probability short short game state is entered.

  On the other hand, if the winning type is a big hit in the low probability short-time no-game state (No in S1501, Yes in 1502, No in S1503), the game control unit 200 ends the process without turning on both the short-time flag and the probability change flag. To do. Therefore, the setting of the game state of the RAM 203 for the game after the jackpot becomes a low probability short time no game state.

  When the winning type is a big hit in the short probability gaming state with a high probability (No in S1501, S1502, Yes in S1506), the game control unit 200 turns on the hourly flag (S1507) and sets the initial value of the number of lottery times J. (S1508). In this case, the initial value of the number of times of lottery J is 10,000 in the illustrated example. Further, the game control unit 200 turns on the probability change flag (S1509), and sets an initial value of the number of lotteries X (S1510). The initial value of the number of times of lottery X is 10,000 in the illustrated example. As a result, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a high probability and short gaming state. If the lottery in the high probability short game state is performed 10,000 times, the high probability short game state is terminated and the low probability short short game state is entered.

  On the other hand, when the winning type is a big hit with a high probability short-time non-game state (No in S1501, S1502, and S1506), the game control unit 200 turns on only the probability variation flag (S1509), and the initial value ( 10000 times) is set (S1510). Thereby, the setting of the gaming state in the RAM 203 becomes a high probability short time no gaming state. Then, if the lottery in the high probability short-time non-game state is performed 10,000 times, the high-probability short-time non-game state is finished and the low-probability short-time non-game state is entered.

[Electric tulip processing by game control unit]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the contents of the electric tulip process in the electric accessory process shown in S504 of FIG. 5-3.
In the electric tulip process, the electric tulip operation control unit 238 of the game control unit 200 first checks whether or not the auxiliary game flag is ON in the flag setting of the RAM 203 (S1601). When the auxiliary game flag is OFF, the electric tulip 123 is not released, and thus the electric tulip process is terminated (No in S1601). On the other hand, if the auxiliary game flag is ON (Yes in S1601), the electric tulip operation control unit 238 determines whether the electric tulip 123 is operating (S1602).

  When the electric tulip 123 is not in operation (No in S1602), the electric tulip operation control unit 238 sets the operation pattern of the electric tulip 123 (S1603), and operates the electric tulip 123 with the set operation pattern (S1604). . Here, the operation pattern is set based on the time reduction flag set in the processes of S1104 and S1114 in FIG. 11, S1504 and S1507 in FIG. For example, when the time reduction flag is OFF at the time of setting in S1603, an operation pattern that opens once with an opening time of 0.15 seconds is set, and when the time reduction flag is ON, 1.80 seconds are released. An operating pattern that opens three times in time is set. Thus, normally, when the time reduction flag is ON (when it is in the time reduction state), the electric tulip 123 is opened a plurality of times for a long time, and the winning support that makes it easy to win the second start port 122 (electricity chewing support). Is done. A plurality of operation patterns (types of auxiliary games) of the electric tulip 123 when the time flag is ON or OFF are prepared, and the operation is performed according to the type determined in the normal symbol processing (see FIG. 13). You may comprise so that a pattern may be set.

  When it is determined in S1602 that the electric tulip 123 is in operation (Yes in S1602), or after the electric tulip 123 is operated in S1604, the electric tulip operation control unit 238 passes the open time in the set operation pattern. It is determined whether it has been done (S1605). If the opening time has not elapsed, the operation state (open state) of the electric tulip 123 is continued, and thus the electric tulip process is terminated (No in S1605). On the other hand, if the opening time has elapsed (Yes in S1605), the electric tulip operation control unit 238 sets the auxiliary game flag to OFF and ends the electric tulip process (S1606).

[Random number judgment method]
Here, a determination method using random numbers performed in the jackpot determination process (FIG. 9), the variation pattern selection process (FIG. 10), the normal symbol process (FIG. 13), etc. will be described in detail.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a random number (determination table) used in the special symbol lottery and the normal symbol lottery in the present embodiment.
FIG. 17A shows a configuration example of a jackpot random number used in the special symbol lottery, FIG. 17B shows a configuration example of the jackpot random number used in the special symbol lottery, and FIG. 17C shows a special symbol lottery. A configuration example of reach random numbers used, and FIG. 17 (d) each show a configuration example of hit random numbers used in normal symbol lottery.

  Referring to FIG. 17 (a), as the determination value of the jackpot random number, the jackpot in which the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 after the jackpot game becomes a low probability state (hereinafter, the jackpot in the low probability state) and the gaming state after the jackpot game Are set to two types of jackpots (hereinafter, jackpots of high-probability states) and small hits. The range of values of random numbers (big hit random numbers) is 300 from 0 to 299 in all cases. In the case of a special symbol lottery in a low probability state (a jackpot lottery), only one winning value is set, and the winning probability is 1/300. In the case of a special symbol lottery in a high probability state, 10 winning values are set, and the winning probability is 10/300 (= 1/30). That is, in the example shown in the figure, if the winning symbols 121 and 122 are won in the high probability state and the special symbol lottery is performed, the winning probability is 10 times that in the case where the special symbol lottery is performed in the low probability state. Further, three winning values are set regardless of the low probability state or the high probability state, and the winning probability is 3/300 (= 1/100).

  Referring to FIG. 17 (b), five types of jackpot symbols are prepared: low probability symbol A, low probability symbol B, high probability symbol A, high probability symbol B, and latent symbol symbol. Here, the low-probability symbol A and the low-probability symbol B are symbols representing a jackpot in a low-probability state, and among these, the low-probability symbol A is a long-spot (a jackpot in a low-probability gaming state) and a low-probability symbol. B represents a short win (a big hit in a low no-game state with a low probability). The high-probability symbol A and the high-probability symbol B are symbols that represent a jackpot of a high-probability state. Among these symbols, the high-probability symbol A is a long-spot (a jackpot for a high-probability short-time gaming state), and the high-probability symbol B is a short-spot Each win (a big hit with a high probability short and no game state) is represented. The latent symbol is a symbol representing that it is a big hit in a high probability short-time no-game state. Therefore, the high probability symbol B and the latent probability symbol have the same gaming state after the jackpot game, but the latent probability symbol is a condition for performing a latent effect that does not clearly notify the player that the probability state is high. Therefore, it is provided separately from the high probability symbol B. The range of values of random numbers (big hit symbol random numbers) is 250 from 0 to 249. In addition, in the jackpot symbol random number, a winning value is set for each of the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 that trigger the special symbol lottery.

In the low probability pattern A, 35 values are assigned as winning values in both the first start port 121 and the second start port 122. Therefore, the probability of winning with the low probability symbol A when winning a jackpot is 35/250 (= 7/50).
In the low probability symbol B, 15 values are assigned as winning values for both the first start port 121 and the second start port 122. Therefore, when winning the jackpot, the probability of winning with the low probability symbol B is 15/250 (= 3/50).

In the high probability symbol A, 25 values are assigned as winning values when winning in the first start port 121. Therefore, the probability of winning with the high-probability symbol A is 25/250 (= 1/10) in the case of winning the jackpot in the special symbol lottery started by winning the first starting port 121.
On the other hand, 175 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the second start port 122. Therefore, the probability of winning with the high-probability symbol A is 175/250 (= 7/10) in the case of winning the jackpot in the special symbol lottery started by winning the second starting port 122.

In the high probability symbol B, 75 values are assigned as winning values when winning in the first start port 121. Therefore, the probability of winning with the high-probability symbol B in the special symbol lottery started by winning the first starting port 121 is 75/250 (= 3/10).
On the other hand, 25 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the second start port 122. Therefore, the probability of winning with the high-probability symbol B in the special symbol lottery started by winning the second starting port 122 is 25/250 (= 1/10).

In the latent symbol, 100 values are assigned as winning values when winning at the first start port 121. Therefore, the probability of winning in the latent symbol when winning a big win in the special symbol lottery started by winning the first starting port 121 is 100/250 (= 2/5).
On the other hand, the winning value in the latent symbol is not assigned to the second starting port 122, and when winning in the second starting port 122, it is not won in the latent symbol.

  As described above, in the example shown in FIG. 17B, the jackpot when winning the first start port 121 has a probability of becoming a jackpot (high probability symbol B, latent probability symbol) of the high probability short-time non-game state. The probability that the jackpot when winning the second start port 122 is high is a jackpot (high probability symbol A) in the short game state with high probability is high. In this way, by making the winning probabilities of the jackpot types different when winning at the first start port 121 and when winning at the second start port 122, various game characteristics can be provided. Further, the arrangement of the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 in the game board 110 is devised so that it is easy to aim at either the first start port 121 or the second start port 122 in a specific state (mode). By configuring the above, it is possible to encourage the player to participate in more aggressive games.

Next, the determination of reach random numbers will be described.
Referring to FIG. 17 (c), the range of random number values is 250 from 0 to 249, and 22 random numbers are assigned to the lottery result (with reach) for performing the reach effect, and the reach effect is not performed. 228 random numbers are assigned to the result (no reach). In other words, in the illustrated example, when a special symbol lottery is not won, a reach effect is performed with a probability of 22/250 (= 11/125). Here, the reach effect is an effect performed in the image display unit 114 when the special symbol changes. Hereinafter, the effect at the time of the special symbol change that does not perform the reach effect is referred to as an effect without reach, and the reach effect is also referred to as an effect with reach correspondingly.

  In many cases, when the special symbol changes, the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222 (hereinafter referred to as special symbol displays 221 and 222 if not distinguished from each other) are linked with display control. In the image display unit 114, an effect using a decorative design is performed. The decorative design is configured, for example, by displaying three rows of symbols composed of a number sequence in which numbers 1 to 9 are continuously written in the vertical direction. Then, at the same time when the special symbol display on the special symbol indicators 221 and 222 is started, the decorative symbol displayed on the image display unit 114 starts scrolling. In addition, at the same time that the special symbol is stopped and displayed, the decorative symbol is also stopped. Generally, when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit, three identical numbers are arranged on a straight line extending horizontally or diagonally in the stop display of the decorative symbol. An effect using a decorative symbol performed in accordance with the variation display of the special symbol is referred to as a variation effect.

In the production with reach, the following operation is performed on the decorative design as a variation production. First, when the decorative symbol scrolling stops and each symbol is stopped and displayed, first, any two symbols (sequence) stop first. At this time, the same number is stopped and displayed on a straight line extending horizontally or diagonally. Next, the last row gradually slows down the scroll speed, giving the player a sense of expectation that three identical numbers will be aligned on a straight line. In such an effect with reach, there may be a so-called super reach effect in which various characters appear or a story develops before the last one column of scrolling stops. In addition, the above-described variation effect performed together with the reach effect is also referred to as a reach variation effect.
On the other hand, in the non-reach effect, the design is stopped and displayed in a state where the same numbers are not aligned on a straight line extending horizontally or diagonally without producing an effect that gives the player a sense of expectation as in the effect with reach.

As described above, the reach random number is used to determine whether the effect with reach or the effect without reach is performed in the image display unit 114 when the result of the determination of the jackpot random number is out of order. A reachable effect appears with a probability, so that the player is appropriately expected.
In addition, when a big win is won, a reachable effect is always performed, and finally the decorative symbols are stopped and displayed in a state where the same numbers are aligned on a straight line extending horizontally or diagonally. On the other hand, in the case of winning with a small win or a loss effect, the decorative symbols are stopped and displayed in a state where the same numbers are not aligned on the straight line.

Next, the determination of the winning random number used for the normal symbol lottery will be described.
Referring to FIG. 17D, the range of the random number value is 10 from 0 to 9, and one value is assigned as the winning value when the time-short flag is OFF, and as the winning value when the time-short flag is ON. Nine values are assigned. Therefore, when the game ball passes through the gate 124 and the normal symbol lottery is performed in the timeless state, it is won with a probability of 1/10. On the other hand, if the game ball passes through the gate 124 and the normal symbol lottery is performed in the short-time state, the player wins with a probability of 9/10.
In addition, although not particularly illustrated, it is possible to set a plurality of hits with different contents of the auxiliary game (open pattern of the electric tulip 123) performed when it is determined that the normal symbol lottery is won. In this case, for example, the winning symbol random number for specifying the winning type in the normal symbol lottery is set in the same manner as the jackpot symbol random number for specifying the winning symbol type in the special symbol lottery (see FIG. 17B). Then, the game control unit 200 acquires the random number value of the winning design random number together with the random number value of the winning random number in the gate switch process (see FIG. 7) by the random number acquiring unit 231, and is acquired by the normal symbol determining unit 232. The hit type is specified based on the random value.
Note that the random number range, winning value ratio, and winning value shown in the configuration example of each random number in FIG. 17 are merely examples, and are not limited to the illustrated values.

[Setting example of fluctuation pattern]
Next, an example of setting a variation pattern used in the variation pattern selection process shown in FIG. 10 will be described.
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a setting example (variation pattern table) of variation patterns used in the variation pattern selection process shown in FIG.
In the example illustrated in FIG. 18, three types of variation patterns A to C are set as variation patterns when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit (in the case of Yes in S1001 in FIG. 10). In addition, six types of variation patterns D to I are set as variation patterns when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is out of place (in the case of No in S1001 in FIG. 10). The fluctuation time is 90 seconds for the fluctuation pattern A, 60 seconds for the fluctuation pattern B, 30 seconds for the fluctuation pattern C, 60 seconds for the fluctuation pattern D, 30 seconds for the fluctuation pattern E, 15 seconds for the fluctuation pattern F, and 15 seconds for the fluctuation pattern G. 13 seconds, the fluctuation pattern H is set to 7 seconds, and the fluctuation pattern I is set to 3 seconds. That is, the variation pattern of the special symbol determines the determination result in the special symbol lottery and the variation time of the special symbol.

  The variation patterns D to F are variation patterns that are selected when the reach effect is performed (in the case of Yes in S1004 in FIG. 10), and the variation patterns G to I are when the reach effect is not performed (FIG. 10 in the case of No in S1004). Special symbol variations due to variation patterns with reach effects such as variation patterns D to F are also referred to as reach variations. Since the reach effect is always performed when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit, the presence or absence of the reach effect is not referred to when the variation patterns A to C are selected.

  Further, among the variation patterns G to I, when the variation pattern G has a holding number of 0, when the variation pattern H has one or two holding numbers, the variation pattern I has a holding number of three or four. It is set as a variation pattern to be selected for each of the individual patterns. That is, the average time of the special symbol variation is set to be shorter as the number of pending determinations in the special symbol lottery is larger.

  The game control unit 200 determines whether or not the variation pattern random value (see S604 and S610 in FIG. 6) acquired when the game ball wins the start ports 121 and 122, the determination result shown in the setting example in FIG. The variation pattern of the special symbol is determined based on conditions such as the number of holds. Then, the information of the determined variation pattern of the special symbol is included in the variation start command and is sent from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300. As will be described later, in the effect control unit 300, an effect corresponding to a change time specified based on information of a change pattern included in the change start command (executable during the change time) as an effect when the special symbol changes Is selected and executed.

Although not shown, the variation pattern A is selected at the highest rate among the variation patterns A to C selected when the determination result of the special symbol lottery is a big hit, and the variation at the next highest rate. It can be set so that the pattern B is selected and the variation pattern C is selected at the lowest rate.
In the example shown in FIG. 18, there is no distinction between the case where the game ball wins the first start port 121 and the case where the game ball wins the second start port 122, but the first start port 121 and the second start port 121 It is also possible to vary the setting of the variation pattern depending on which of 122 is won.

[Command structure and transmission method]
Here, the configuration and transmission method of commands output from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 will be described.
FIG. 19A is a diagram illustrating a command configuration. 19A shows the data structure of the command, and FIG. 19A shows the structure of the command as a bit string.

  As shown in FIG. 19A, a command output from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 is composed of 1 command as 2-byte data. This command is composed of a 1-byte “code portion” as a first data portion and a 1-byte “data portion” as a second data portion. In the “code part”, a code indicating a command type is described, and in the “data part”, data indicating a command value is described. This command is transmitted from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 using asynchronous synchronization by one serial signal. More generally, the “code” that is the first data part has a size of a bit (a is an integer of 2 or more), and the value of the leading 1 bit is specified as either 1 or 0. The “data” as the second data part has a size of n × a bits (n is an integer of 1 or more), and the value of the first 1 bit is different from the value of the first 1 bit of the first data part. Specific to the value.

  Since start-stop synchronization is used, a 1-bit start bit (indicated by “S” in the figure) is provided at the head of each of the “code part” and “data part” that constitutes the command, and is added at the end. Is provided with one end bit (indicated by “E” in the figure). Each of the “code part” and “data part” constituting the command is provided with one parity bit (bit indicated as “P” in the figure).

  As shown in FIG. 19A, both the “code part” and “data part” constituting the command have a data size of 1 byte (8 bits). When transmitted, the “code portion” and the “data portion” are each provided with a start bit, an end bit, and a parity bit. Therefore, it is not easy for the effect control unit 300 that receives a command to identify whether the received data string is a “code part” or a “data part” of the command from the outline of the data string. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a flag for identifying the “code portion” and the “data portion” is set. Specifically, the value of the specific portion of the 8-bit value constituting the “code portion” is different from the value of the portion corresponding to the specific portion of the “code portion” among the 8-bit values constituting the “data portion”. Like that.

  In the example shown in FIG. 19B, the first 1 bit of each “code part” and “data part” is used as a flag. That is, in the 8-bit value constituting the “code part”, the first 1-bit value is “1”, and in the 8-bit value constituting the “data part”, the first 1-bit value is “0”. And Thereby, the production control unit 300 can identify whether the data string is a “code part” or a “data part” by examining the value of the first bit following the start bit of the received data string. The specific value of the flag is merely an example, and a value different from the above value may be used as long as the “code portion” and the “data portion” can be identified. In this embodiment, the “code part” and “data part” are each an 8-bit data string, but the same applies to other data sizes (a bits (a is an integer of 2 or more)). The “code part” and the “data part” can be identified by this method.

  Here, since the value of the first 1 bit of the “code part” is specified as “1”, the range of values that the “code part” can take is from 10000000B (= 80H) to 11111111B (= FFH). There are 128 pieces. Note that the letter “B” attached to each value indicates binary notation, and the letter “H” indicates hexadecimal notation. In addition, since the value of the first 1 bit of the “data part” is specified as “0”, the range of values that the “data part” can take is 128 from 00000000B (= 00H) to 01111111B (= 7FH). It is a piece. That is, according to the configuration shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, 128 types of commands that can take 128 types of values can be set. Then, by associating each code value with each command storage area of the RAM 203 (see FIG. 3) of the game control unit 200, each command generated is associated with the command storage area. Will be stored.

  By the way, in the pachinko gaming machine 100, many types of effects are executed according to the gaming state, the determination result of the special symbol lottery, and the like. Therefore, a large number of commands are prepared for the commands for effect control. In particular, the “data portion” that is a value indicating the specific content of the command may be insufficient with the above 128 (for example, a command specifying a variation pattern of a special symbol). On the other hand, the “code part” indicating the type of command is usually smaller than the above 128. Therefore, it is conceivable to use a part of the bit string of the “code part” to describe the value of the “data part”.

  For example, consider the case where the last 1 bit of the “code part” is used to describe the value of the “data part”. Hereinafter, each bit in the 8-bit bit string constituting the “code portion” and the “data portion” is referred to as a first bit to an eighth bit. Separately from the bit string that constitutes the “code part”, the code value that actually indicates the type of command is called the “code value”, and separately from the bit string that constitutes the “data part”, the actual command value is The indicated data value is referred to as a “data value”. Then, the code value is described using the first bit to the seventh bit in the bit string of the “code part”, and the data value is all of the bit string of the “data part” (from the first bit to the eighth bit). ) And the 8th bit of the “code part”.

  With this configuration, the possible range of the code value is that the value of the first bit is specified as “1”, and the total size is 7 bits. ) Up to 64). The possible range of the data value is 128 values represented by 8 bits of the “data part” in which the value of the first bit is specified as “0” and the value “0” of the 8th bit of the “code part”. , “1”, and 256. Therefore, it is possible to set a command having 256 kinds of values as data values. Since the value of the first bit of the “data portion” is specified as “0”, the specific range of the data value is from 000000000000B (= 000H) to 001111111B (= 07FH), 100000000B (= 100H) to 101111111B ( = 17FH).

  According to another view, the method of describing a data value using a part of the above “code part” is the same for commands having two types of codes that differ only in the value of the eighth bit in the “code part”. This means that it is handled as a command of the type. For example, in the example in which the code value of the command for specifying the variation pattern is 11011000B (= D8H), if a method of describing a data value using a part of the “code part” is used, A command in which the value 11011001B (= D9H) in which the value of the eighth bit of the value 11011000B (= D8H) is “1” is set as the value of the “code part” is also used as a command for specifying the variation pattern.

  Note that the above configuration in the case where a data value is described using a part of the “code portion” is merely an example, and the specific number of bits and value are not limited to the above configuration example. For example, the data value may be described using the seventh bit and the eighth bit of the “code portion”. More generally, a data value is described using predetermined bits constituting the “code part” and bits constituting the “data part”, and using bits constituting the remaining part of the “code part”. A code value is described. The size of the “code part” and “data part” is a bit, and the size of data used to describe the data value in the “code part” is b bits (b is smaller than a-1 and is an integer of 1 or more). Then, the size of the data value is (a + b) bits.

  Further, as a means for increasing the number of data values that can be handled, it is conceivable to increase the bit string of the “data part” describing the data value. For example, it is conceivable to prepare “data part 1” and “data part 2” as bit strings describing data values. In this case, if each bit string is 8 bits, a data value can be described by a bit string of 16 bits in total. In order to identify “data part 1” and “data part 2”, if the second bit of the 8-bit bit string is used as a flag, for example, the first bit and the second bit of “data part 1” Can be set to “00B”, and the first bit and the second bit of “data portion 2” can be set to “01B”. The first bit has a value “0” as a flag for identifying the “code portion”. That is, in the case of such a data configuration, the data value described in the “data part” including “data part 1” and “data part 2” is the first bit and the ninth bit of the 16-bit bit string. The value of the bit is “0” representing the “data portion”. More generally, when a data value is described by a plurality of “data parts” of the same size, if the size of each “data part” is a bit, “data part” A value representing that is described.

  With this configuration, the range of values that the “data portion 1” can take is 64 from 00000000B (= 00H) to 00111111B (= 3FH), and the range of values that the “data portion 2” can take is Since there are 64 from 01000000B (= 40H) to 01111111B (= 7FH), the total is 4096 (= 64 × 64). Here, the first bit is used as a flag for distinguishing between “code part” and “data part” (“data part 1” and “data part 2”), and “data part 1” and “data part” The second bit is used as a flag for identifying “2”, but a flag for identifying four types of bit strings may be set using the first and second bits. For example, the value of the first and second bits of the “code part” is “11B”, and the value of the first and second bits is “00B”, “01B”, and “10B”. It is possible.

[Configuration Example for Command Output in RAM of Game Control Unit]
FIG. 19B is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a command storage area in the RAM 203.
19-2, the RAM 203 of the game control unit 200 has a command storage area (storage area) to which individual commands generated by various processes such as the main control process shown in FIG. 5-3 are allocated. Have In the example shown in FIG. 19B, 31 command storage areas from area 1 to area 31 are set in the RAM 203. Here, the command allocation to each command storage area does not necessarily have a one-to-one correspondence. For example, a plurality of commands that are not generated at the same time can be assigned to the same command storage area. In the example shown in FIG. 19-2, a plurality of commands are assigned to area 1, area 9, area 12, area 19, area 20, area 21, area 22, area 23, and area 30, and other commands. One command is assigned to each storage area.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 19B, a command relating to power-on is assigned to the area 1. Commands relating to power-on include a command for controlling power-on at the time of RAM clear and a command for controlling power-on at the time of recovery. Since these commands are generated in different scenes, they are not generated at the same time, and are all assigned to the area 1.

  In the areas 2 to 4, three commands related to winning at the first starting port 121 (described as “starting port 1 winning” in the figure) are assigned. One of the commands related to winning at the first starting port 121 is a command (in the figure, "Special Fig. 1") showing a determination (prefetching) result in advance determination (see S605 in FIG. 6) based on winning at the first starting port 121. "Design pre-read"), and is assigned to region 2. The other one is a command (denoted as “Special Figure 1 Variation Pattern Prefetch” in the figure) indicating the variation pattern prefetching (preliminary determination) result specified together with the determination result, and is assigned to the region 3. Another one is a command ("Special figure 1 hold (+1)" in the figure) indicating that the number of special symbol lottery reservations has been updated (in this case, the value is increased by 1) based on the winning at the first starting port 121. And is assigned to the area 4.

  In the areas 5 to 7, three commands related to winning at the second start port 122 (described as “start port 2 winning” in the figure) are assigned. One of the commands related to winning at the second starting port 122 is a command ("special figure 2 pattern look-ahead" in the figure) showing the determination result in the prior determination based on winning at the second starting port 122 (see S611 in FIG. 6). And is assigned to the area 5. The other one is a command (shown as “special figure 2 variation pattern prefetch” in the figure) indicating the prefetch result of the variation pattern specified together with the determination result, and is assigned to the region 6. Another one is a command ("Special figure 2 hold (+1)" in the figure) indicating that the number of special symbol lottery reservations has been updated (in this case, the value is increased by 1) based on the winning at the second starting port 122. And is assigned to the area 7.

  In the areas 8 to 10, five commands related to the normal symbol lottery (in the figure, “Temporary Map Hold”, “Typical Map Type”, “Typical Map Confirmation”, “Typical Map Open / Close”, and “Typical Map Hold” are described. ) Is assigned. Of the normal symbol lottery commands, one of the “general symbol hold” commands indicates that the number of normal symbol lotteries has been updated (in this case, the value is increased by 1) based on the fact that the game ball has passed through the gate 124. It is a command (denoted as “general map hold (+1)” in the figure) and is assigned to area 8. The “ordinary symbol type” command designates a normal symbol representing the determination result in the normal symbol lottery, and indicates that the variable symbol display on the normal symbol indicator 223 is started (denoted as “normal symbol variation start” in the diagram). And is assigned to area 9. The “general symbol confirmation” command is a command that indicates that the normal symbol display 223 is stopped and displayed in the normal symbol lottery and the normal symbol representing the determination result of the normal symbol lottery is fixed (“normal symbol confirmation” in the figure). And is assigned to the area 9. The “open / close map” command is a command (indicated as “open / close of normal train”) indicating that the electric tulip 123, which is a normal electric accessory, is operated (auxiliary game) based on the determination result of the normal symbol lottery. Yes, assigned to area 9. Another one of the “pending custom map” commands is a command indicating that the number of holdings has been updated (in this case, the value is decreased by 1) due to the normal symbol lottery process (in the figure, “pending general drawing (- 1) ”and assigned to the area 10.

  Here, in the normal symbol lottery process, the normal symbol variation display, the normal symbol stop display, and the operation of the electric tulip 123 by the auxiliary game are sequentially executed as a series of operations. Then, the normal symbol variation display based on the fact that another game ball has passed through the gate 124 during the operation of the electric tulip 123 is not started (see FIG. 13). For this reason, the above three types of commands “general map type”, “general map confirmation”, and “general power open / close” are not generated at the same time. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 19-2, these three types of commands are assigned to the same command storage area (area 9).

  In the areas 11 to 14, nine commands related to special symbol lottery (in the figure, described as “special figure variation” and “special figure special electricity”) are assigned. Of the commands related to the special symbol lottery, one of the “special diagram change” commands is a command (indicating whether the current gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 100 (high probability state or low probability state, short time state or short time state). In the figure, it is described as “gaming state”) and is assigned to the area 11. Another one of the “special symbol change” commands is a command (specifying a special symbol representing the determination result of the special symbol lottery in the special symbol lottery and indicating that the special symbol display units 221 and 222 have started the variable display ( In the figure, it is described as “special drawing designation”) and is assigned to the area 12. Still another special symbol variation command is a command for specifying a variation pattern of special symbol variation performed in the special symbol lottery (described as “variation pattern” in the figure), and is assigned to the region 13. Still another of the “special figure change” commands is a command (in the figure, “special figure hold (in the figure) indicating that the number of holds has been updated (here, the value is decreased by 1) due to the special symbol lottery process being performed. -1) "), and is assigned to the area 14.

  On the other hand, one of the “special drawing special electric power” commands is a command indicating that the pachinko gaming machine 100 is in a customer waiting state (denoted as “customer waiting” in the figure), and is assigned to the area 12. Another one of the “Special Figure Special Electric” commands is a command (in the figure, “Special Electric, Special Bonus Games”) indicating that the special winning combination 125 is operated based on the determination result of the special symbol lottery. And is assigned to the area 12. Still another special command special command is a command (denoted as “big jack OP” in the figure) indicating that the opening operation of the jackpot game has been started, and is assigned to the area 12. Still another special command special command is a command (denoted as “big jack ED” in the figure) indicating that the jackpot game ending operation has started, and is assigned to the area 12. Still another one of the “special symbol special power” commands is a command that indicates that the special symbol indicators 221 and 222 are stopped and the special symbol representing the determination result of the special symbol lottery is confirmed (“special symbol” in the figure). “Determined” and assigned to the area 12.

  Here, in the special symbol lottery process, the change display of the special symbol, the special symbol stop display, and the operation of the special winning opening 125 by the special game are sequentially executed as a series of operations. Then, during the execution of the special game, the special symbol variation display based on the winning of another game ball is not started (see FIG. 8). In the jackpot game, the opening operation, the operation of the big prize opening 125, and the ending operation are sequentially executed as a series of operations. Therefore, the “special drawing designation” command and the five types of “special drawing special electricity” commands in the above “special figure change” command are not generated at the same time. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 19-2, these six types of commands are assigned to the same command storage area (area 12).

  In the areas 15 to 18, four commands related to switch detection (described as “switch passing” in the figure) are assigned. One of the commands related to the switch detection is a command indicating that the game ball has passed through the left gate 124 </ b> L of the game area 111 (described as “pass left gate” in the figure), and is assigned to the area 15. Another command related to the switch detection is a command indicating that the game ball has passed through the gate 124R on the right side of the game area 111 (denoted as “pass right gate” in the figure), and is assigned to the area 16. . Still another command related to the switch detection is a command (denoted as “passing through the start port SW2 (electric chew)” in the figure) indicating that a game ball has won the second start port 122, and is assigned to the area 17 It has been. Still another command related to the switch detection is a command indicating that a game ball has won the big winning opening 125 (denoted as “big winning opening winning” in the figure), and is assigned to the area 18.

  In the areas 19 to 30, a command related to an error (described as “error” in the figure) is assigned. As an error detected by the game control unit of the pachinko gaming machine 100, for example, a full error indicating that the payout ball is full in the tray 153 (see FIGS. 1 and 2B), the front frame of the frame member 150, Door open error indicating that is in an open state, payout error indicating that it is no longer possible to pay out game balls by the payout unit, and various detection switches such as the gate switch 214 and the start port switches 211 and 212 are not connected There is a switch disconnection error or the like indicating that In the example shown in FIG. 19B, these errors are assigned to areas 19 to 23, respectively. In addition, for each error, a command indicating that each error has occurred (described as “˜error start” in the figure) and a command indicating that each error has been resolved (described as “˜error end” in the figure). Are assigned to the same command storage area.

  In addition, various control items and error items are set in accordance with the specifications and functions of the pachinko gaming machine 100, and the error is resolved depending on the command according to the control item, the command indicating that an error has occurred, and the type of error. A command or the like indicating that may be generated. These commands can be appropriately assigned to the command storage area. In the example illustrated in FIG. 19B, commands relating to various errors are individually assigned to the areas 24 to 30. Further, a command (denoted as “winning notification designation” in the figure) for detecting and notifying a specific winning is assigned to the area 31.

As described above, in the command storage area provided in the RAM 203 of the game control unit 200, one or more types of commands are associated with one command storage area. In the main control process shown in FIG. 5C, the game control unit 200 stores the generated command in the command storage area associated with the command.
Here, in the main control process, not every command is necessarily generated every time one cycle of the process is executed. For example, when there is no winning at the first starting port 121 or the second starting port 122, the above-mentioned commands relating to winning at the starting ports 121 and 122 and the “special figure change” command are not generated. Of the commands related to the normal symbol lottery, the “open / close map” command and the “special drawing special electricity” command are not generated unless it is time to operate these electric accessories. In addition, a command related to the occurrence of an error is not generated unless an error has occurred.
Therefore, when the output process of the main control process (see S506 in FIG. 5-3) is performed, commands are usually stored in some command storage areas of the command storage area provided in the RAM 203. In other command storage areas, no commands are stored.

[Command output operation]
FIG. 19C is a flowchart illustrating the contents of output processing by the output control unit 240.
In the present embodiment, the output control unit 240 pays attention to the command storage areas of the RAM 203 shown in FIG. 19-2 in order from the top (in order of area numbers), and outputs the commands stored in the command storage areas. .

  As shown in FIG. 19-3, the output control unit 240 of the game control unit 200 firstly, among the command storage areas provided in the RAM 203, the head command storage area (area 1 in the example shown in FIG. 19-2). (S221), it is checked whether a command is stored (S222). If a command is stored (Yes in S222), the output control unit 240 reads out the stored command and outputs it to the effect control unit 300 (S223).

  If no command is stored in the focused command storage area (initially area 1) (No in S222), or after outputting the command stored in the command storage area in S223, the output control unit 240 Then, it is checked whether there is a command storage area of the next area number (S224). When there is a next command storage area (Yes in S224), the output control unit 240 pays attention to the command storage area (S225), returns to S222, confirms the presence / absence of a command (S222), and outputs (S223). repeat. Then, if the last command storage area (area 31 in the example shown in FIG. 19-2) has been processed, there is no command storage area of the next area number (No in S224), and the output process ends. To do.

[Set command output order]
In the main control process, when a command is generated in each process described with reference to FIG. 6 to FIG. That is, commands are generally stored in the command storage area in the order in which the commands are generated.
On the other hand, as described with reference to FIG. 19C, in the output process by the output control unit 240, the command storage areas are stored in a fixed order (in the order of area numbers in the above example). Output the command. In other words, the commands are output in a predetermined specific order regardless of the order in which the commands are generated. This is because it may be desirable to transmit specific commands to the effect control unit 300 in a specific order in order to prevent confusion in the effect control of the effect control unit 300 based on the command. That is, as will be described in detail later, the effect control unit 300 executes effect control based on commands in the order received from the game control unit 200, and therefore, the confusion such as inconsistency in effect control due to the difference in the order of receiving commands. This may need to be prevented.
A specific command output order setting example will be described below with reference to FIG.

As a first specific example, the relationship between the output order of a command related to a special symbol lottery determination and a command related to a prior determination will be described.
Referring to FIG. 19-2, among the commands related to the special symbol lottery, a “special symbol designation” command including information on the determination result and indicating that the special symbol variation display has been started is assigned to the region 12. Further, a “variation pattern” command for specifying a variation pattern in the special symbol variation is assigned to the region 13.

  On the other hand, the “special figure 1 symbol prefetching” command including information on the predetermination result based on the winning at the first starting port 121 is assigned to the region 2 and includes the information on the variation pattern by the prefetching. The “pattern prefetch” command is assigned to the area 3. In addition, the “special figure 2 pattern prefetching” command including information on the pre-determination result based on the winning at the second starting port 122 is assigned to the area 5 and includes information on the fluctuation pattern by the prefetching. 'Command is assigned to area 6.

  As described above, the command for the determination of the special symbol lottery and the change and stop of the special symbol are stored in the assigned command rather than the command for the pre-determination and the pre-reading of the variation pattern performed based on the winning at the start ports 121 and 122. The area number of the area is large. Therefore, it is output later in the output process shown in FIG. By setting the output order in this way, it is possible to prevent the effect control from being confused when these commands are generated in the main control process of the same cycle.

  More specifically, when a game ball is newly won at the first starting port 121 or the second starting port without a hold based on winning at the starting ports 121 and 122, a special symbol lottery is immediately performed after winning. A determination is made and a special symbol variation is started. In this case, based on the winning of the same game ball, the “design pre-read” command and the “variation pattern pre-read” command, the “special pattern designation” command, and the “variation pattern” command are generated in the main control process of the same cycle. there is a possibility. At this time, if the “special drawing designation” command and the “variation pattern” command are output prior to the “design prefetching” command and the “variation pattern prefetching” command, the effect control unit 300 receives the “special drawing designation” received earlier. After the production based on the command and the “variation pattern” command, the production based on the “design prefetch” command and the “variation pattern prefetch” command is performed, which may cause confusion in the production control. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, commands for special symbol lottery determination and special symbol variation and stop are preliminarily determined based on winning to the start ports 121 and 122 and variation pattern prefetching. The output order is set to output after the command.

As a second specific example, the relationship between the output order of a command related to a hold based on winning at the start ports 121 and 122 and a command related to updating the number of holds based on the determination of a special symbol lottery will be described.
Referring to FIG. 19-2, the “Special Figure 1 Hold (+1)” command including information on the right to receive a special symbol lottery determination (holding occurrence) based on the winning at the first start port 121 is the area 4 Assigned to. In addition, a “Special Figure 2 Hold (+1)” command including information on the right to receive a special symbol lottery determination (holding occurrence) based on a winning at the second starting port 122 is assigned to the area 7. On the other hand, the “special figure hold (−1)” command including the update (decrease) information on the number of hold based on the special symbol lottery process being performed is assigned to the area 14.

  As described above, the command related to the occurrence of the hold based on the winning at the start ports 121 and 122 has a smaller area number of the assigned command storage area than the command related to the update of the hold number based on the determination of the special symbol lottery. Therefore, it is output first in the output process shown in FIG. By setting the output order in this way, it is possible to prevent the effect control from being confused when these commands are generated in the main control process of the same cycle.

  More specifically, when a game ball is newly won at the first starting port 121 or the second starting port without a hold based on winning at the starting ports 121 and 122, a special symbol lottery is immediately performed after winning. A determination is made and a special symbol variation is started. In this case, based on the winning of the same game ball, the “special figure 1 hold (+1)” command or the “special figure 2 hold (+1)” command and the “special figure hold (−1)” command have the same cycle. It may be generated by the main control process. At this time, if the “special drawing hold (−1)” command is output prior to the “special drawing 1 hold (+1)” command or the “special drawing 2 hold (+1)” command, the production control unit 300 first. On the basis of the received “special drawing hold (−1)”, although there is no hold, an effect accompanying a decrease in the number of holds will be performed, which may cause confusion in effect control. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the output order is set so that the command including the information on the occurrence of the hold is output before the command including the information on the update (decrease) of the hold number. .

  In the above specific example, the relationship between the “special figure 1 hold (+1)” command, the “special figure 2 hold (+1)” command, and the “special figure hold (−1)” command has been described. The same applies to the command related to the suspension of the right to receive the lottery determination. Referring to FIG. 19-2, a “general map hold (+1)” command is assigned to area 8 and a “general map hold (−1)” command is assigned to area 10, respectively. The command storage area to which the “command” is assigned has a smaller area number. Therefore, it is output first in the output process shown in FIG.

As a third specific example, the relationship between a command related to pre-determination based on winning at the start ports 121 and 122 and a command related to determination of special symbol lottery will be described.
The special symbol lottery is performed when the game ball wins the first start port 121 or the second start port 122. The command related to pre-determination and holding based on winning in the first starting port 121 and the command related to pre-determining and holding based on winning in the second starting port 122 are separately generated and individually assigned commands. Stored in the storage area. In the example shown in FIG. 19-2, commands relating to advance determination and holding based on winning in the first starting port 121 are assigned to the areas 2 to 4, and relating to prior determination and holding based on winning in the second starting port 122. Commands are assigned to areas 5-7. This is because a game ball wins at the first start port 121 and the second start port 122 almost simultaneously, and a command relating to pre-judgment and hold based on winning at the first start port 121 and a win to the second start port 122 This is because both the pre-judgment based on the command and the command related to the hold may be generated in the main control process of the same cycle.

  On the other hand, since the special symbol lottery process is sequentially executed for each process based on winning of one game ball, a plurality of the same commands related to the special symbol lottery based on the winning of a plurality of game balls are executed in the same cycle. It is not generated by the main control process. In other words, while the process based on winning of one game ball is being executed, the execution of that process is prioritized, and the special symbol lottery process based on other game balls (holding) is not executed. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 19-2, only one set of commands related to the special symbol lottery (“special variation” command) is assigned to the areas 11 to 14 regardless of the number of the start ports 121 and 122. Yes.

As a fourth specific example, a mutual relationship between a plurality of commands related to a prior determination based on winning at the start ports 121 and 122 will be described.
Referring to FIG. 19-2, commands relating to prior determination based on winning at the first start port 121 ("special figure 1 pattern prefetch" command, "special figure 1 variation pattern prefetch" command, "special figure 1 hold (+1)" Each “command” is assigned to a continuous command storage area (areas 2, 3, 4).

  When the game ball wins the first start port 121, as shown in FIG. 6, on the basis of this win, the number of holdings is updated (S603), a random value as determination information is acquired (S604), and a pre-determination process ( A series of processing such as S605) is executed. The above three commands are generated by this series of processing. That is, these commands are closely related commands generated based on the establishment of the same generation condition that one game ball has won the first start port 121. Here, when a command is output from the game control unit 200, another command generated based on a generation condition unrelated to these commands is inserted between these closely related commands. There is a possibility that confusion will occur in the production control by the production control unit 300. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the output order is set so that each of the commands related to the advance determination based on the winning to the first start port 121 is continuously output.

  In the above specific example, the command related to the advance determination based on the winning to the first starting port 121 has been described, but the same applies to the command related to the prior determination based on the winning to the second starting port 122. Therefore, these commands are also assigned to consecutive command storage areas (areas 5, 6, and 7) and set so that the output order is continuous.

  Moreover, the same setting is applicable not only to the setting of the output order in the command related to the prior determination based on the winning to the start ports 121 and 122 but also to the output order of a plurality of closely related commands. For example, among the commands related to the normal symbol lottery, the “general symbol hold (+1)” command and the “normal symbol variation start” command satisfy the same generation condition that one game ball has passed one gate 124. Therefore, the commands are assigned to consecutive command storage areas (areas 8 and 9), and the output order is set to be continuous. In addition, since the “general symbol hold (−1)” command is generated on the condition that the determination of the normal symbol lottery is performed, the command is closely related to the “normal symbol variation start” command, so that the continuous command storage is performed. Assigned to the area (area 10), the output order is set to be continuous.

  Similarly, among the commands related to the special symbol lottery, the “gaming state” command, the “special drawing designation” command, and the “variation pattern” command have one game ball having one start port (the first start port 121 or Since the commands are generated based on the establishment of the same generation condition that the second start port 122) has been won, it is assigned to consecutive command storage areas (areas 11, 12, 13) so that the output order is continuous. Is set. In addition, since the “special figure hold (−1)” command is generated on the condition that the determination of the special symbol lottery is performed, it is closely related to the “special figure designation” command, so that the continuous command storage area Assigned to (area 14), the output order is set to be continuous.

  In the example shown in FIG. 19B, each command related to the advance determination based on winning in the first start port 121 and each command related to the prior determination based on winning in the second start port 122 is stored in a continuous command. It is assigned to a region (regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7). Accordingly, when the winning at the first starting port 121 and the winning at the second starting port 122 occur almost simultaneously, and these commands are generated by the main control processing in the same cycle, two sets based on each winning Commands are output continuously.

Furthermore, as the mutual relationship of the plurality of commands related to the prior determination based on winning at the start ports 121 and 122, the output order of each command is also specifically set.
Referring to FIG. 19-2, among the command storage areas (areas 2, 3, and 4) of the three commands related to the pre-judgment based on winning to the first start port 121, the “special figure 1 hold (+1)” command Region 4 is located last. That is, it is set so that the “Special Figure 1 Hold (+1)” command is output last. Thereby, when the “special figure 1 hold (+1)” command is received, the effect control unit 300 can specify two commands corresponding to the “special figure 1 hold (+1)” command.

  In the pachinko gaming machine 100, it is possible to set whether to perform a pre-determination or pre-reading of a variation pattern or not depending on the gaming state and the winning start ports 121 and 122. For example, the pre-determination based on the winning at the first start port 121 can be a specification that is performed only when the gaming state is a low probability short-time non-game state. That is, prior determination based on winning in the first starting port 121 is not performed in the high probability state or the short time state. In such a specification, when the “special figure 1 hold (+1)” command is received, if the “special figure 1 symbol prefetch” command and the “special figure 1 fluctuation pattern prefetch” command are received immediately before this command, It can be seen that the preliminary determination has been made based on the winning of the game ball that is the generation condition of the “special figure 1 hold (+1)” command. Then, it is possible to specify which pending information the pre-determination result and the variation pattern prefetch information included in the “special symbol 1 symbol prefetching” command and the “special symbol 1 variation pattern prefetching” command. On the other hand, when the “special figure 1 hold (+1)” command is received, if the “special figure 1 symbol pre-read” command and the “special figure 1 variation pattern pre-read” command are not received immediately before, the “special figure 1 pre-read” command is received. It can be seen that the preliminary determination was not made based on the winning of the game ball that was the generation condition of the “hold (+1)” command.

  On the other hand, among the three commands related to the pre-judgment based on the winning at the first starting port 121, the output order so that the “special figure 1 hold (+1)” command is output first (the order in which the command storage areas are arranged) Suppose that is set. In this case, after receiving the “special figure 1 hold (+1)” command, the production control unit 300 waits for reception of the next command, and if the received command is not identified, whether or not a prior determination has been performed. It cannot be recognized. For this reason, the control becomes complicated as compared with the case where the “special figure 1 hold (+1)” command is output first. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the “special figure 1 hold (+1)” command is the last among the commands related to the pre-judgment based on the winning to the first starting port 121 (that is, the “special figure 1 symbol pre-read” command and The output order is set so that the “special figure 1 variation pattern prefetch” command is output first).

  Note that, according to the procedure of the start port switch process shown in FIG. 6, when a winning at the first start port 121 is detected, the number of holds is first updated (increased), and then the preliminary determination process is performed. (See S601 to S605). Therefore, in the command generation, the “special figure 1 hold (+1)” command is first generated, and then the “special figure 1 symbol prefetch” command and the “special figure 1 variation pattern prefetch” command are generated. However, in this embodiment, as described above, the commands are output in a predetermined order according to the purpose of control regardless of the order of command generation.

  In the above specific example, the command related to the advance determination based on the winning at the first start port 121 has been described, but the same applies to the command related to the prior determination based on the winning at the second start port 122. Therefore, in these commands, the “special figure 2 pattern prefetch” command and the “special figure 2 variation pattern prefetch” command are preceded by the “special figure 2 variation pattern prefetch” command in accordance with the allocated command storage area (areas 5, 6, and 7). The output order is set so that the “suspend (+1) in FIG. 2” command is output later.

As a fifth specific example, the relationship of the output order of commands related to special symbol lottery and commands related to normal symbol lottery will be described.
Referring to FIG. 19-2, commands related to special symbol variation in the special symbol lottery (“game state” command, “special diagram designation” command, “variation pattern” command, “special diagram hold (−1)” command) Assigned to areas 11, 12, 13, and 14 (Since five "special figure special electricity" commands are assigned to the same area 12 as the "special figure designation" command that is a "special figure change" command, they are not generated at the same time. (Omitted). Also, commands related to the normal symbol lottery (“common symbol hold (+1)” command, “normal symbol variation start” command, “normal symbol hold (−1)” command) are assigned to the areas 8, 9, and 10. (The “normal symbol confirmation” command and the “general symbol open / close” command are assigned to the same area 12 as the “ordinary symbol variation start” command, and are not generated at the same time, so are omitted).

  As described above, the command related to the special symbol lottery has a larger area number of the allocated command storage area than the command related to the normal symbol lottery. Therefore, it is output later in the output process shown in FIG. By setting the output order in this way, it is possible to prevent the effect control from being confused when these commands are generated in the main control process of the same cycle.

  For example, there is an effect that is executed at the start of normal symbol variation or special symbol variation, and the “normal symbol variation start” command and “special symbol designation” command are the main control processes in the same cycle. Consider the generated case. In this case, the output order of the commands is specified depending on which of the execution as the effect based on the normal symbol variation and the execution as the effect based on the special symbol variation is prioritized. In other words, the effect control unit 300 executes effects based on the commands in the order in which the commands are received. Therefore, if the commands are output in the order shown in FIG. 19-2, the effect control unit 300 shifts to the effect based on the “special symbol designation” command immediately after starting the effect based on the “ordinary symbol variation start” command. . Therefore, when giving priority to execution as an effect based on special symbol variation, as shown in FIG. 19-2, the output order is set so that the command related to the special symbol lottery is output after the command related to the normal symbol lottery. .

As a sixth specific example, the relationship between the output order of commands related to games and commands related to errors will be described.
Referring to FIG. 19-2, various commands for notifying the effect control unit 300 of information related to the game are assigned to the areas 2 to 18. On the other hand, commands relating to errors are assigned to areas 19 to 30.

  Thus, the command related to the game has a smaller area number of the allocated command storage area than the command related to the error. Therefore, it is output first in the output process shown in FIG. Usually, the cycle of the main control process has a sufficient time margin for completing the output of all the commands generated in the main control process. However, if the main control process is terminated in the middle of the output process due to some cause such as a failure, if the information related to the game is not transmitted to the effect control unit 300, the effect control by the effect control unit 300 is affected. It may interfere with continuation. On the other hand, since the information regarding the error may be transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the next main control process cycle, even if the main control process ends during the transmission of the command, the effect on the operation of the effect control unit 300 is small. Therefore, in this embodiment, the output order is set so that a command related to a game is output preferentially over a command related to an error.

[Operation of production control unit]
Next, the operation of the effect control unit 300 will be described.
FIG. 19-4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the effect control unit 300.
The operation of the effect control unit 300 includes a main process shown in FIG. 19-4 (a) and an interrupt process shown in FIG. 19-4 (b). Referring to FIG. 19-4 (a), the production control unit 300 first performs initial setting at the time of activation (S1901), sets the cycle of the CTC (Counter / Timer Circuit) (S1902), and then sets the cycle. Accordingly, the interrupt process is accepted while updating various random numbers used in the production control (S1903).

  The interrupt process is periodically performed according to the cycle set in S1902. Referring to FIG. 19-4 (b), in this interruption process, the effect control unit 300 receives a command from the game control unit 200 and performs a command reception process (S1911). In this command reception process, the effect content (effect pattern) is selected. In addition, the effect control unit 300 performs effect button processing for accepting an operation of the effect button 161 and the like by the player (S1912). Thereafter, the effect control unit 300 performs command transmission processing for transmitting a command including information on the selected effect pattern to the image / sound control unit 310 and the lamp control unit 320 (S1913). As a result, effects such as image display on the image display unit 114, sound output, operation of the movable accessory 115, light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 are performed.

[Command reception processing by the production control unit]
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the contents of the command reception process (S1911 in FIG. 19-4 (b)).
In this command reception process, the production control unit 300 first determines whether or not the received command is a command for increasing the number of holds (holding number increase command) (S2001). This pending number increase command is set in the start port switch process shown in FIG. 6 in the game control unit 200 (S606, S612), and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (S506) shown in FIG. 5-3. Command.
If the received command is a command for increasing the number of holds (Yes in S2001), the effect control unit 300 adds 1 to the value of the number of holds held in the RAM 303 (S2002), and sets the value of the number of holds after the addition. The indicated hold number command is set in the RAM 303 (S2003).

If the received command is not a pending number increase command (No in S2001), the effect control unit 300 determines whether the received command is a change start command (S2004). This variation start command is a command set in the special symbol process shown in FIG. 8 in the game control unit 200 (S811) and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process shown in FIG. 19-3.
When the received command is a change start command (Yes in S2004), the effect control unit 300 executes an effect selection process (S2005). When a change start command is received, a random number value for effect control used in the effect selection process is acquired. This random value is a random value that is periodically updated in S1903 of the main process shown in FIG. 19-4 (a). Details of the effect selection process will be described later.

When the received command is not a change start command (No in S2001 and S2004), the effect control unit 300 determines whether the received command is a change stop command (S2006). This variation stop command is a command that is set in the special symbol process shown in FIG. 8 in the game control unit 200 (S814) and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process shown in FIG. 19-3.
When the received command is a change stop command (Yes in S2006), the effect control unit 300 executes a process during end of change effect (S2007). Details of the process during the end of the variation effect will be described later.

When the received command is not the change start command and the change stop command (No in S2001, S2004, and S2006), the effect control unit 300 determines whether or not the received command is an opening command for starting the opening in the jackpot effect. (S2008). This opening command is a command that is set in the stop process shown in FIG. 11 (S1118) and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process shown in FIG. 19-3.
When the received command is an opening command (Yes in S2008), the effect control unit 300 executes a hit effect selection process (S2009). Further, when the opening command is received, a random value for effect control used in the hit effect selection process may be acquired. This random value is a random value that is periodically updated in S1903 of the main process shown in FIG. 19-4 (a). Details of the winning effect selection process will be described later.

If the received command is not a variation start command, variation stop command, or opening command (No in S2001, S2004, S2006, and S2008), the effect control unit 300 determines whether the received command is an ending command for starting the ending in the jackpot effect. It is determined whether or not (S2010). This ending command is a command that is set in the special prize opening process shown in FIG. 14 (S1413) and transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (S506) shown in FIG. 19-3.
When the received command is an ending command (Yes in S2010), the effect control unit 300 executes an ending effect selection process (S2011). Further, when an ending command is received, a random number value for effect control used in the ending effect selection process may be acquired. This random value is a random value that is periodically updated in S1903 of the main process shown in FIG. 19-4 (a). Details of the ending effect selection process will be described later.

  If the received command is not a change start command, a change stop command, an opening command, or an ending command (No in S2001, S2004, S2006, S2008, and S2010), the effect control unit 300 then shifts the received command to a customer waiting state. Customer waiting command reception processing is executed (S2012). Details of the customer waiting command reception process will be described later.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a setting example of the mode flag.
When an effect is performed by the effect control unit 300, various effect patterns are selected and executed based on the set effect mode. This effect mode is determined by a mode flag set in the RAM 303. Here, the mode flag is set to any value from 0 to 4, and five types of effect modes from A mode to E mode are assigned to each mode flag. The mode flag is set according to the lottery result of the special symbol lottery or the number of lotteries of the special symbol lottery.

Mode flag 1 for jackpot of high probability symbol A, mode flag 2 for jackpot of low probability symbol A, mode flag 3 for jackpot of high probability symbol B and low probability symbol B, jackpot of latent symbol symbol and A mode flag 4 is assigned to each small hit. Here, the types of these symbols are the same as those shown in FIG. No mode flag 0 is assigned to any of them. In mode flags 1 to 4, mode flag 0 is set by executing special symbol lottery a predetermined number of times.
Further, in the example shown in FIG. 21, the parameter M (M value) used in the process during the end of the changing effect is set individually for each mode except the A mode. As will be described later, the value of the parameter M undergoes special symbol variation, and is decremented by 1 each time it stops.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the contents of the effect selection process (S2005) of FIG.
In this effect selection process, the effect control unit 300 first analyzes the received variation start command (S2201). Further, the effect control unit 300 refers to the current mode flag of the pachinko gaming machine 100 from the setting of the RAM 303 (S2202), and subtracts 1 from the value of the number of holds held in the RAM 303 (S2203). Then, the effect control unit 300 is based on various setting information (information about jackpot type, gaming state after jackpot game, variation pattern, etc.) obtained from the analysis result of the change start command and the effect mode determined by the mode flag. Then, an effect pattern (fluctuation effect pattern) of symbol variation by an image displayed on the image display unit 114 in the effect mode is selected (S2204). Finally, the effect control unit 300 reads from the ROM 302 image data and sound data used for the effect by the selected effect pattern, and sets a change effect start command instructing the start of execution of the selected effect in the RAM 303 together with these data. Then, the effect selection process ends (S2205).

  In the selection process of the effect pattern of the symbol variation in S2204, the effect mode, the variation pattern, and the effect random number (one of the random numbers updated in S1903 in FIG. 19-4, and the effect random number value is acquired when the variation start command is received. The production pattern is determined based on the above. Based on the effect pattern determined here, the decorative symbol variation display, the background effect, and the notice effect are determined. The decorative symbol variation display is an effect display performed by the image display unit 114 in accordance with the special symbol variation display performed by the first special symbol display 221 or the second special symbol display 222. In this variable display of decorative symbols, a reach effect or the like is executed.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the contents of the changing effect end process (S2007) of FIG.
In this variation effect end process, the effect control unit 300 first analyzes the received variation stop command (S2301). Further, the effect control unit 300 refers to the current mode flag of the pachinko gaming machine 100 from the setting of the RAM 303 (S2302). Then, the production control unit 300 determines whether or not the lottery result of the special symbol lottery is based on the information indicating the type of the symbol when the special symbol variation obtained from the analysis result of the variation stop command is stopped (big hit or small hit). It is determined whether or not (S2303). If it is any hit (Yes in S2303), the mode flag set in the RAM 303 is changed based on the setting example shown in FIG. 21 according to the type of the hit (S2304).

  On the other hand, if the lottery result of the special symbol lottery is not successful (No in S2303), the effect control unit 300 next checks whether or not the value of the mode flag is 0 (S2305). When the mode flag is not 0 (No in S2305), the effect control unit 300 subtracts 1 from the parameter M (S2306), and checks whether the value of M has become 0 (S2307). That is, the value of the parameter M is decremented by 1 each time a variation stop command is received (that is, every time a special symbol variation stops), unless it is 0 when the variation stop command is received. If the value of M becomes 0 (Yes in S2307), the effect control unit 300 sets the mode flag to 0 (S2308).

  If the mode flag is 0 in S2305 (Yes in S2305), if the value of the parameter M is not 0 in S2307 (No in S2307), or after setting the mode flag to 0 in S2308, or in S2304 After changing the mode flag, the effect control unit 300 sets a change effect end command for instructing the end of the design change effect in the RAM 303, and ends the change effect end process (S2309). Here, referring to FIG. 21, when the mode flag is changed in S2304, the effect mode after the end of the change effect is an effect mode corresponding to the winning type. When the mode flag is 0 in S2305 and when the mode flag is set to 0 in S2308, the effect mode after the end of the change effect is the A mode. If the value of parameter M does not become 0 in S2307, the previous production mode is continued.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the contents of the hit effect selection process (S2009) of FIG.
In this winning effect selection process, the effect control unit 300 first analyzes the received opening command (S2401), and selects an effect pattern (winning effect pattern) according to the contents of the effect mode based on the mode flag (S2402). . Then, the effect control unit 300 reads out image data and sound data used for the effect by the selected effect pattern from the ROM 302, and sets a hit effect start command for instructing the selected effect in the RAM 303 together with these data. The effect selection process is terminated (S2403). As a result, the performance during the big hit is determined. In the selection of the winning effect pattern (S2402), a determination based on a random value acquired at the time of command reception may be performed.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the contents of the ending effect selection process (S2011) of FIG.
In this ending effect selection process, the effect control unit 300 first analyzes the received ending command (S2501), and selects an effect pattern (ending effect pattern) according to the contents of the effect mode based on the mode flag (S2502). . Then, the effect control unit 300 reads out image data and sound data used for the effect by the selected effect pattern from the ROM 302, and sets an ending effect start command for instructing the selected effect in the RAM 303 together with these data. The effect selection process is terminated (S2503). In the selection of the ending effect pattern (S2502), the determination may be made based on the random value acquired when the command is received.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the contents of the customer waiting command reception process (S2012) of FIG.
The effect control unit 300 determines whether a customer waiting command for shifting to the customer waiting state has been received (S2601). When the customer waiting command is received (Yes in S2601), the effect control unit 300 starts measuring the elapsed time (S2602), and turns on the measurement flag held in the RAM 303 (S2603). On the other hand, when the received command is not a customer waiting command (No in S2601), the effect control unit 300 determines whether or not the measurement flag held in the RAM 303 is ON (S2604). If the measurement flag is OFF (No in S2604), the customer waiting command reception process is terminated.

  When the measurement flag is ON (Yes in S2604 or after being turned ON in S2603), the effect control unit 300 next determines whether or not the measurement time has reached a predetermined time-up time (S2605). . If the time is not up (No in S2605), the customer waiting command reception process is terminated. On the other hand, when the time is up (Yes in S2605), the effect control unit 300 turns off the measurement flag held in the RAM 303 (S2606), and sets a customer waiting effect command for performing the customer waiting effect in the RAM 303. The customer waiting command reception process is terminated (S2607).

  When the command reception process is completed as described above, the RAM 303 is set with any one of a variation effect start command, a variation effect end command, a hit effect start command, an ending effect start command, and a customer waiting effect command.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the contents of the effect button process (S1912 in FIG. 19-4 (b)).
In this effect button process, the effect control unit 300 first determines whether or not an operation means such as the effect button 161 by the player has been operated (S2701). Here, the operation of the operation means includes turning on the effect button 161 and turning it on when the center key and the surrounding keys of the effect key 162 are pressed. In addition, when an operation device other than the effect button 161 and the effect key 162 such as a touch panel is provided in the pachinko gaming machine 100, this includes detecting the operation of the device. The effect control unit 300 receives an operation signal from the controller of these devices and detects that an operation has been performed.

  If the operation means such as the effect button 161 is operated (Yes in S2701), the effect control unit 300 sets an effect button command including information indicating the operation content of the operation means in the RAM 303, and ends the effect button process. (S2702).

  Thereafter, the effect control unit 300 performs a command transmission process (S1913) of FIG. 19-4 (b), and the command set in the RAM 303 by the command reception process and the effect button process described above is displayed in the image / sound control unit 310. And transmitted to the lamp controller 320. Then, the image / sound control unit 310 and the lamp control unit 320 display an image on the image display unit 114, sound output, operation of the movable accessory 115, light emission of the panel lamp 116 and the frame lamp 157 based on the received command. Is controlled to execute the set effect.

[Advance notice based on prior judgment]
Next, a notice effect based on prior determination according to the present embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 6, the game ball is won at the first start port 121 (see FIG. 1) and the first start port switch 211 (see FIG. 3) is turned on. And when the game ball is won at the second start port 122 (see FIG. 1) and the second start port switch 212 (see FIG. 3) is turned ON, the special symbol determination unit 234 and the variation at the time of symbol variation Prior to the determination by the pattern selection unit 235 (see S808 and S809 in FIG. 8), a preliminary determination (prefetching) of the lottery result of the special symbol lottery is performed (see S605 and S611 in FIG. 6).

  Further, in the present embodiment, based on the result of the above prior determination, a notice effect (suggest effect) for indicating the determination result to the player is performed. This notice effect is executed at the time of a symbol change for another winning ball that is performed prior to a symbol change for the winning ball (holding ball) for which a prior determination has been made. In the present embodiment, the upper limit of the number of holding balls is four per one start port (first start port 121 or second start port 122) (see FIG. 6). In addition, priority is given to the digestion of the reserved balls in the second start port 122. In this case, for example, when a preliminary determination is made for the reserved ball with the second start port 122, the maximum variation including the current variation (referred to as the variation) is included before the symbol variation for the reserved ball is performed. In this case, the symbols of the four winning balls are changed. In the notice effect related to the reserved ball that has been determined in advance, if multiple symbol changes are made before the symbol change for the reserved ball, even if the notice effect that spans the multiple symbol changes is performed good.

[Configuration of the RAM of the Game Control Unit and the RAM of the Production Control Unit for Performing the Advance Effect]
In order to execute such a notice effect based on the prior determination, the RAM 203 of the game control unit 200 and the RAM 303 of the effect control unit 300 in the present embodiment have the following configurations.
FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example as a storage unit related to the prior determination of the RAM 203 (see FIG. 3) of the game control unit 200 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 28A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the storage area 204, and FIG. 28B is a block diagram showing the configuration of each storage unit shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 28A, the RAM 203 includes a storage area 204 as a special symbol holding storage area for storing the jackpot random number acquired by the jackpot random number lottery. This storage area 204 has eight storage units corresponding to the maximum number of reservations of the first start port 121 and the number of reservations of the second start port 122 (when the upper limit value of each reservation number is 4). . Specifically, the storage area 204 includes a first storage unit 204a, a second storage unit 204b, a third storage unit 204c, a fourth storage unit 204d, a fifth storage unit 204e, a sixth storage unit 204f, and a seventh storage. Part 204g and eighth storage part 204h.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 28 (b), each of these storage units 204a to 204h includes an area for storing the number of fluctuations N when winning the jackpot, and a winning start port (first start port 121 or And an area in which information indicating the second start port 122) is stored. Each of the storage units 204a to 204h includes an area for storing the acquired jackpot random number, an area for storing a design random number, and an area for storing a reach random number. That is, each of the storage units 204a to 204h stores a jackpot random number, a design random number, and a reach random number.

  Here, each random number is stored in order from the first storage unit 204a. More specifically, for example, when no random number is stored in any of the first storage unit 204a to the eighth storage unit 204h, the acquired random number is stored in the first storage unit 204a. Further, for example, when random numbers are already stored in the first storage unit 204a to the fourth storage unit 204d, the acquired random number is stored in the fifth storage unit 204e.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example as a storage unit related to the prior determination of the RAM 303 (see FIG. 3) of the effect control unit 300 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 29A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the reserved storage areas 305 and 306, and FIG. 29B is a block diagram showing the configuration of each storage unit shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 29A, the RAM 303 includes a first reserved storage area 305 and a second reserved storage area 306 as a reserved status storage area for storing a status where the reserved ball is held. The first holding storage area 305 and the second holding storage area 306 correspond to holding for winning in the first starting port 121 and holding for winning in the second starting port 122, respectively. Have. Specifically, the first reserved storage area 305 includes a first storage unit 305a, a second storage unit 305b, a third storage unit 305c, and a fourth storage unit 305d. The second reserved storage area 306 includes a first storage unit 306a, a second storage unit 306b, a third storage unit 306c, and a fourth storage unit 306d.

  As shown in FIG. 29 (b), each of these storage units 305a to 305d and 306a to 306d has a hold flag storage area for turning ON / OFF the hold flag, and a notification flag storage for turning ON / OFF the notification flag. And a region. The hold flag is a flag for identifying the presence or absence of a hold ball for each of the storage units 305a to 305d and 306a to 306d. That is, for example, when the number of holds due to winning at the first start port 121 is 3, the hold flag is turned ON in the three hold flag storage areas of the first to third storage units 305a, 305b, and 305c. The notification flag is a flag for identifying the presence / absence of a notification command of a pre-read result to be described later for each reserved ball. That is, for example, when a pre-determination process (see S605 and S611 in FIG. 6 and FIG. 30 to be described later) is performed on the above-described three reserved balls and a notification command is set for the third reserved ball, The notification flag is turned on in the notification flag storage area of the storage unit 305c.

  That is, the RAM 203 and the RAM 303 function as a storage unit that stores hold information that is start information based on establishment of a predetermined start condition with a predetermined number as a limit in the game control unit 200 and the effect control unit 300. In addition, the game control unit 200, based on the hold information that is the start information, before the determination of the special symbol determination unit 234 triggered by the establishment of the start condition corresponding to the start information, It is a prior determination means which performs the prior determination process regarding whether to transfer to. The effect control unit 300 is an effect control unit that performs a notice effect for giving a notice (improvement) of a preliminary determination result.

  Although not particularly illustrated, the RAM 203 has an area for storing prior determination information (hereinafter referred to as a prior determination information storage area) separately from the configuration illustrated in FIG. The advance determination information is information obtained by the advance determination process (see S605 and S611 in FIG. 6) based on each of the above random numbers. The content of the pre-determination information is the same as the information obtained as various determination results in the special symbol processing (see FIG. 8), and specifically, the type of winning (big hit, small hit, off) and big hit In this case, the type of jackpot and the content of the production are information for indicating whether the production is a reachable production or a non-reach production. The pre-determination information stored in the pre-determination information storage area is unique or independent from the hold information corresponding to the winning ball (holding ball) subjected to the pre-determination process (hereinafter referred to as hold information). At the timing, it is included in the pending number increase command and the change start command and sent from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300.

[Configuration example of random numbers used in pre-judgment processing]
Next, the prior determination process (see S605 and S611 in FIG. 6) will be described in detail.
First, a determination method using random numbers in the prior determination process will be described.
FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of random numbers used in the pre-determination process in the present embodiment. 30A shows a configuration example of a jackpot random number in the preliminary determination process, FIG. 30B shows a configuration example of the jackpot symbol random number in the preliminary determination process, and FIG. 30C shows a reach in the preliminary determination process. A configuration example of random numbers is shown respectively.

Referring to FIG. 30A, the jackpot random number in the prior determination process has the same configuration as the jackpot random number in the jackpot determination process shown in FIG. In other words, two types of game states of the pachinko gaming machine 100 are set: a jackpot with a low probability state and a jackpot with a high probability state. The range of random numbers is 300 from 0 to 299 in all cases. The winning probability in the prior determination is 1/300 in the low probability state and 10/300 (= 1/30) in the high probability state.
In addition, the determination as to whether or not a small hit is made when there is a shift in the special symbol lottery has the same configuration as the random number shown in FIG. That is, the winning probability per small is 3/300 (= 1/100) regardless of the low probability state or the high probability state.

  Referring to FIG. 30B, the jackpot symbol random number in the prior determination process has the same configuration as the jackpot symbol random number in the jackpot determination process shown in FIG. That is, as a type of jackpot based on a special symbol triggered by winning the first starting port 121, a jackpot of low probability symbol A, a jackpot of low probability symbol B, a jackpot of high probability symbol A, a jackpot of high probability symbol B Five types of jackpots and jackpots of latent patterns are prepared. In addition, as a type of jackpot based on a special symbol triggered by winning the second starting port 122, a jackpot of low probability symbol A, a jackpot of low probability symbol B, a jackpot of high probability symbol A, a jackpot of high probability symbol B Four types of jackpots are available.

  The range of the random number value is 250 from 0 to 249, regardless of whether the first starting port 121 or the second starting port 122 is won. In addition, for the high probability symbol A and the high probability symbol B, different winning values are set depending on whether the first starting port 121 is won or the second starting port 122 is won, and the winning probabilities are different. .

  Referring to FIG. 30 (c), the reach random number in the prior determination process has the same configuration as the reach random number in the variation pattern selection process shown in FIG. 17 (c). That is, the range of random number values is 250 from 0 to 249, 22 random numbers are assigned to the lottery result (with reach) for performing the reach effect, and 228 to the lottery result (without reach) for the reach effect. Random number values are assigned. Therefore, when the special symbol lottery is not a big hit, it is determined by the prior determination that the reach effect is performed with a probability of 8.8 / 100 (= 22/250).

[Preliminary judgment processing by game control unit]
FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the contents of the pre-determination process (S605 and S611 in FIG. 6) according to the present embodiment.
In the flowchart shown in FIG. 31, the game control unit 200 determines whether or not the internal state is a high probability state (S3101). If the game control unit 200 determines that the internal state is a high probability state (Yes in S3101), the start port switch process (FIG. 6). It is determined how many times the jackpot lottery right acquired in (see) corresponds to the right of the jackpot lottery after the current high probability state is shifted.

  That is, if the winning of the jackpot that the gaming state after the jackpot game becomes a high probability state (in the example shown in FIG. 30B, the jackpot of the high probability symbol A and the jackpot of the high probability symbol B) is confirmed, the jackpot is won. The number N of fluctuations at that time is set to the reference number M. For example, when the jackpot of the high probability symbol A is won by the 200th jackpot lottery (special symbol fluctuation display) after turning on the power, the data “200” is stored in the RAM 203, and accordingly When the internal state is high probability, it becomes a short game state. Therefore, the jackpot lottery performed at the 201st time after turning on the power corresponds to the first jackpot lottery after shifting to the high probability short-time gaming state, and similarly, the jackpot lottery performed at the 210th time The lottery corresponds to the tenth jackpot lottery after shifting to the high probability short-time gaming state. In this way, it is calculated how many jackpot lotteries the right of the jackpot lottery acquired by the start port switch process (see FIG. 6) corresponds to the high probability short-time gaming state. Specifically, the game control unit 200 obtains the calculated value Z by subtracting the reference number M from the variation number N (S3102).

Then, the game control unit 200 determines whether or not the calculated value Z is equal to or less than the predetermined number X (S3103). The predetermined number of times X here is the upper limit number of times that a big hit random number is determined based on the high probability state hit determination table (see FIG. 30A).
Here, for example, if the winning state where the gaming state after the jackpot game becomes the high probability short-time gaming state is won, then the jackpot random number is determined based on the hit determination table for the high probability state with the upper limit being 100 times. Think about the case. In this case, the predetermined number of times X is set to 100, and it is determined whether or not the calculation value Z is 100 or less.
That is, whether the jackpot random number acquired by the start switch processing (see FIG. 6) is determined based on the hit determination table for the high probability state, or for the low probability state when the high probability short-time gaming state ends. Here, it is determined whether the determination is made based on the winning determination table (see FIG. 30A).

For example, suppose that the winning jackpot of the high-probability symbol A (the long win that becomes the short game state at the high probability) is won by the 200th jackpot lottery (number of fluctuations N = 200) after the power is turned on. Thereafter, 98 jackpot lotteries were performed after entering the high-probability short-lived gaming state, and in a situation where the jackpot has not been won yet, the number of changes N = 299 hold A, the number of changes N = 300 hold B, Assume that the hold C with the number of fluctuations N = 301 is stored in the RAM 203. At this time, since the reference number M = 200 is set, the hold A is the calculated value Z = 99, the hold B is the calculated value Z = 100, and the hold C is the calculated value Z = 101. Therefore, hold A and hold B are determined as “YES” in S3103, and hold C is determined as “NO” in S3103.
In this way, the processing of S3102 and S3103 makes it possible to make a jackpot determination based not on the current internal state but on the internal state at the time of special symbol processing. Therefore, an accurate determination result can be derived even when the gaming state changes from the high probability state to the low probability state.

If the game control unit 200 determines that the calculated value Z is equal to or less than the predetermined number of times X (Yes in S3103), then the jackpot for changing the internal state after the jackpot game to a low probability state (in FIG. It is determined whether or not the prior determination information relating to “big hit” is stored before the start port switch process (see FIG. 6) is started (S3104). This is because if such a holding ball is put on hold first, the gaming state becomes a low probability state when digesting the holding ball put on hold in the start port switch process (see FIG. 6). It is.
Therefore, if it is determined No in S3104, a hit determination table for a high probability state (during probable change) is selected (S3106), and if Yes is determined in S3104, it is for a low probability state (normal time). A winning determination table is selected (S3107).

On the other hand, when the current gaming state is a low probability state (No in S3101), or when it is determined that the calculated value Z exceeds the predetermined number X even if the current gaming state is a high probability state (S3103). No) performs the following process. That is, the game control unit 200 stores in the advance determination information storage area of the RAM 203 the advance determination information related to the jackpot for changing the gaming state after the jackpot game to a high probability state (in FIG. 31, described as “the jackpot with probability change”). Then, it is determined whether or not it is stored before the start port switch process (see FIG. 6) is started (S3105). For example, in S605 of the start port switch process (see FIG. 6), when a random number as the hold information is stored in the sixth storage unit 204f (see FIG. 28) of the storage area 204, the first storage unit 204a to the fifth storage unit 204f. As the advance determination information corresponding to the hold related to the hold information stored in the storage unit 204e (see FIG. 28), the advance determination information related to one of the jackpots that are in a high probability state is stored in the advance determination information storage area. Determine whether or not. That is, it is determined whether there is a reserve sphere that is digested earlier than the currently generated reserve sphere in the start port switch process (see FIG. 6) changes the internal state to the high probability state. This is because if such a holding ball exists first, the internal state becomes a high probability state when digesting the holding ball generated this time in the start port switch process.
Therefore, if it is determined No in S3105, the hit determination table for the low probability state (normal time) is selected (S3107), and if it is determined Yes, the hit for the high probability state (probability change) is selected. A determination table is selected (S3106).

  Although not shown in detail, in S3104 and S3105, it is preliminarily determined that the jackpot for changing the gaming state after the jackpot game to a high probability state and the jackpot for changing the gaming state after the jackpot game to a low probability state When stored in the storage area, the game control unit 200 makes the above determination (S3104, S3105) based on the prior determination information related to the reserved ball to be digested later among these two jackpots.

  As described above, the processing of S3104 and S3105 makes it possible to determine the jackpot based on the internal state during the special symbol processing. Therefore, even when the internal state changes from the high probability state to the low probability state, or when the internal state changes from the low probability state to the high probability state, an accurate prior determination result can be derived.

  Thereafter, the game control unit 200 determines each random number based on the selected determination table (S3108), and stores the determination result as prior determination information in the prior determination information storage area (S3109). Then, it is determined whether or not the determination result is a big hit or a small win (S3110), and if it is a big win or a small win (Yes in S3110), the game control unit 200 notifies the prefetch result notification command (FIG. Then, the notification command is simply set in the command storage area (see FIG. 19-2) set in the RAM 203 (S3111), and the preliminary determination process ends. If the determination result in S3110 is out of place (No in S3110), the game control unit 200 sets the normal command in the command storage area set in the RAM 203 (S3112), and the preliminary determination process ends. To do. The normal command is a command for displaying only the number of holds without notifying the result of the prior determination (prefetching) in a hold display effect described later. These set commands are included in the pending number increase command (see S606 and S612 in FIG. 6), and are transmitted to the effect control unit 300 in the output process (see FIG. 19-3).

  Here, the determination in S3108 is a random number value (see S604 and S610 in FIG. 6) acquired according to the winning of the game ball to the start ports 121 and 122, and a determination table used in the jackpot determination process (see FIG. 17). ) And a determination table having the same configuration. That is, the determination itself after selecting the determination table used in S3106 and S3107 is the same as the determination in the jackpot determination process (see S901 in FIG. 9). Therefore, in this embodiment, the jackpot determination process subroutine (see S808 in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9) used in the special symbol process (see FIG. 8) is called to determine the random number in the above-described prior determination.

  With this configuration, in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to prepare a processing function (subroutine) for determining a random number separately from the jackpot determination process in order to determine a random number in the prior determination process. Therefore, the number of control instructions can be reduced, and an increase in the size of the program related to the jackpot determination process and the prior determination process can be suppressed. Further, as described above, when the determination table used for the pre-determination is configured similarly to the determination table used for the jackpot determination, the determination table used for the jackpot determination may also be used for the pre-determination.

  It is also conceivable to employ control not shown in FIG. 31 in the prior determination process. For example, if it is out of place (No in S3110), it is determined whether or not a reach effect is performed during the change, and a reach command is set when it is determined that a reach effect is performed. good. In addition, when it is determined in advance that it is a big hit (Yes in S3110), a type of jackpot (a jackpot symbol) may be determined in advance.

  Further, here, only the prior determination (whether or not a big win) related to the special symbol lottery has been described, but in the present embodiment, the variation pattern when the special symbol variation display and stop display are performed is also pre-read (preliminary determination). I do. The selection of the variation pattern in the special symbol lottery is performed by selecting a variation pattern selection random number (see S604 and S610 in FIG. 6) and a variation pattern table (see FIG. 18) acquired according to the winning of the game ball to the start ports 121 and 122. (See S809 in FIG. 8 and FIG. 10). Therefore, even in the prefetching of the variation pattern, it is selected using the random number value for variation pattern selection acquired at the time of winning and the prefetch table having the same configuration as the variation pattern table used in the variation pattern selection processing of the special symbol processing. The variation pattern can be prefetched.

  In this case, in order to prefetch the variation pattern selected in the variation pattern selection processing, the variation pattern selection processing subroutine (see S809 in FIG. 8 and FIG. 10) used in the special symbol processing (see FIG. 8) is called and used. be able to. Further, regarding the prefetch table used for prefetching of the variation pattern selection, the variation pattern table used in the variation pattern selection processing of the special symbol processing may be used. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the number of control instructions relating to the prefetching of the variation pattern selection and to suppress an increase in the program size.

[Preliminary production by production control unit]
In the pachinko gaming machine 100, when a game ball wins further to the starting port during a special symbol change and a holding ball is generated, the first special symbol hold display on the display 130 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Display according to the number of holdings is performed by the device 218 and the second special symbol holding display 219. Further, in addition to the display by the display device 130, the pachinko gaming machine 100 performs an effect (holding display effect) for displaying information (presence / absence, number of holds, etc.) regarding the reserved ball on the image display unit 114 as a part of the effect display. There is. Furthermore, when a preliminary determination is made regarding the holding ball as described above, a notice effect that informs or suggests the determination result can be performed. In order to perform this notice effect, the effect control unit 300 performs the notification command reception process.

  As described above, the notification command and the normal command are sent from the game control unit 200 to the effect control unit 300 in the pending number increase command. Therefore, in the command reception process (see S1911 in FIG. 19-4 (b) and FIG. 20), when the pending number increase command is received, the effect control unit 300 sets the pending number addition and the pending number command (S2001). In addition, the notification command or the normal command is extracted from the pending number increase command and stored in the RAM 303.

[Notification command acceptance processing]
FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the contents of notification command reception processing by the effect control unit 300.
After the processing at the time of reception of the above-described hold number increase command, the effect control unit 300 determines whether or not the notification command extracted from the hold number increase command is stored in the RAM 303 (S3201). When it is determined that the notification command is stored (Yes in S3201), the effect control unit 300 stores the storage areas (first to fourth storage units 305a to 305d and first to fourth storage units) corresponding to the current reserved ball in the RAM 303. In any of 306a to 306d), the hold flag and the notification flag are turned ON. If a normal command is extracted from the hold count increase command instead of the notification command, only the hold flag is turned ON (S3202). If the notification command is not stored (No in S3201), the notification command reception process is terminated.

  Next, the effect control unit 300 determines whether the notification flag is ON in any of the first to fourth storage units 305a to 305d and the first to fourth storage units 306a to 306d of the RAM 303 (S3203). ). When it is determined that the notification flag is ON in any of the storage units 305a to 305d and 306a to 306d (Yes in S3203), the effect control unit 300 next determines whether the variation time T is greater than the predetermined value K. It is determined whether or not (S3204). If it is determined that the variation time T is greater than the predetermined value K (Yes in S3204), a notification effect command for performing a notification effect (notification effect) is set (S3205), and a notification command reception process is performed. Exit.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the notification flag is not ON in any of the first to fourth storage units 305a to 305d and the first to fourth storage units 306a to 306d (No in S3203), the fluctuation time T is a predetermined value K. When it is determined that it is the following (No in S3204), the effect control unit 300 sets a normal effect command for performing a normal effect that does not notify the prefetch result (S3206), and ends the notification command receiving process.

  Note that these commands are for informing the player of the number of holds in the effect control process, and individual information for each hold ball (whether the hold ball is the first start port 121 or the second start port 122) , And the number of the holding ball at each starting port). The notification effect command also includes information indicating which of the first to fourth storage units 305a to 305d and the first to fourth storage units 306a to 306d has the notification flag turned on.

  More specifically, the variation time T referred to here is a time during which the special symbol varies due to the jackpot determination process (see FIG. 9), and can also be referred to as a variation time related to the variation. Further, the predetermined value K is a value larger than the time (scale) necessary for performing the notice effect. For example, when the scale of the notice effect to be executed is 3 seconds, a value of 4 seconds may be adopted as the predetermined value K. This is because the notice effect cannot be performed during the symbol change unless the fluctuation time T is longer than the scale of the notice effect to be executed. Therefore, even when the notification flag is ON in any of the first to fourth storage units 305a to 305d and the first to fourth storage units 306a to 306d, the variation time T is equal to or less than the predetermined value K. Is set not a notification effect command but a normal effect command (see S3203, S3204, and S3206).

  Note that the variation time T is not necessarily limited to one special symbol variation time (a time during which a special symbol variation relating to one winning ball (holding ball) is performed). That is, as the fluctuation time T, a time during which the symbol fluctuation is performed a plurality of times (two or three times when the upper limit of the number of holdings is four) can be set. In other words, the time obtained by adding a plurality of fluctuation times is the value of T. In this case, the effect is performed as a notice effect (so-called continuous notice) performed over a plurality of symbol variations.

  When the notice effect spans multiple symbol variations, not only the lower limit of the overall variation time T is guaranteed as shown in S3104 of FIG. In order for the length of the fluctuation time T not to be excessive, it is necessary to limit the fluctuation time in the symbol fluctuation that is the target of the notice effect.

[Technical features of the present embodiment]
As described above, in this embodiment, the commands generated in the main control process by the game control means are output to the effect control unit 300 in the order determined in advance for each data type. That is, a gaming machine that achieves the above-mentioned purpose is
A gaming machine that produces effects along with the game,
Game control means (for example, game control unit 200) that executes main control processing related to game control and generates data (for example, control commands) including information related to the game obtained by executing the main control processing; ,
Storage means (for example, RAM 203) for storing the data generated by the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200);
Output means (for example, output control unit 240) for outputting the data stored in the storage means (for example, RAM 203) in a predetermined order;
Production control means (for example, production control unit 300) that receives data output from the output means (for example, output control unit 240) and performs processing related to production;
It is characterized by providing.
If comprised in this way, since the data (command) produced | generated by the main control process and containing the information regarding a game can be transmitted to an effect control means in a specific order, effect control based on the data transmission procedure is possible. Confusion can be prevented.
More specifically, in the above gaming machine,
The storage means (for example, the RAM 203) has a storage area set for each data,
The game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) stores the data generated in the main control process in the storage area (for example, the RAM 203) associated with the generated data,
The output means (for example, the output control unit 240) checks whether or not data is stored in a predetermined order for each storage area of the storage means (for example, the RAM 203), and stores the data. Data is read from the stored storage area and output.
If comprised in this way, data can be output in the order defined regarding the storage area for every data in a memory | storage means. As a result, data (commands) including information related to the game generated in the main control process can be transmitted to the effect control means in a specific order, thereby preventing confusion in effect control based on the data transmission procedure. Can do.
Other inventions that achieve the above object
A gaming machine that produces effects along with the game,
A main control process related to game control is executed, data including information related to a game obtained by executing the main control process is generated (for example, a control command), and the generated data is stored for each type of data. Game control means (for example, game control unit 200) for outputting in a predetermined order;
An effect control means (for example, an effect control unit 300) that receives data output from the game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) and performs an effect-related process;
It is characterized by providing.
If comprised in this way, since the data (command) produced | generated by the main control process and containing the information regarding a game can be transmitted to an effect control means in a specific order, effect control based on the data transmission procedure is possible. Confusion can be prevented.

◆ Other gaming machines that achieve the above objectives
A main control process related to game control is executed, data including information related to a game obtained by executing the main control process is generated (for example, a control command), and the generated data is stored for each type of data. Game control means (for example, game control unit 200) for outputting in a predetermined order;
Production control means (for example, production control unit 300) that receives data output from the game control means (for example, game control unit 200) and performs processing related to production;
The game control means (for example, the game control unit 200)
In accordance with the establishment of the starting condition (for example, winning to the first starting port 121 or the second starting port 122), it is determined whether or not to shift to a special gaming state (for example, jackpot game) advantageous to the player, Generate data that includes information about the judgment results,
Depending on the determination result, the symbol indicating the determination result is stopped and displayed on the symbol display (for example, the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222) after the symbols are variably displayed. At the same time, it generates data including information related to the change display and stop display of the symbol (for example, change pattern information),
According to the establishment of the start condition, the right to receive the determination is stored in a storage means (for example, the RAM 203) up to a predetermined number, and data including information on the right (for example, hold information) is generated,
Regarding the rights stored in the storage means, before making the determination, make a preliminary determination as to whether or not to shift to the special gaming state, and generate data including information on the result of the preliminary determination,
Outputting the data including the information on the determination result after the data including the information on the result of the prior determination;
It is characterized by.
If comprised in this way, based on establishment of the same production | generation conditions (For example, winning to the 1st starting port 121 or the 2nd starting port 122 by the same game ball), in the main control process of 1 cycle, the determination result of Even when data including information and data (command) including information on the prior determination result is generated, the determination result information can always be transmitted to the effect control means after the prior determination result information. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the confusion in effect control based on the data transmission procedure.
More preferably, in the above gaming machine,
The game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) outputs data including information related to the symbol change display and stop display after data including information on the result of the prior determination.
If comprised in this way, the data containing the information regarding the change display and stop display of a pattern produced | generated in relation to the data containing the information of a determination result will be surely sent to an effect control means after the information of a prior determination result. Since it can transmit, the confusion of the presentation control based on the data transmission procedure can be prevented.

◆ Other gaming machines that achieve the above objectives
A gaming machine that produces effects along with the game,
A main control process related to game control is executed, data including information related to a game obtained by executing the main control process is generated (for example, a control command), and the generated data is stored for each type of data. Game control means (for example, game control unit 200) for outputting in a predetermined order;
Production control means (for example, production control unit 300) that receives data output from the game control means (for example, game control unit 200) and performs processing related to production;
The game control means (for example, the game control unit 200)
Whether to shift to a special gaming state (for example, jackpot game) advantageous to the player up to a predetermined number in accordance with the establishment of the starting condition (for example, winning to the first starting port 121 or the second starting port 122) The right to receive the determination as to whether or not is stored in the storage means (for example, the RAM 203), and data including information on the right (for example, the hold information) is generated,
Based on the right stored in the storage means, it is determined whether or not to shift to a special gaming state advantageous to the player, and data including information on the determination result is generated,
In accordance with the determination result, after the symbols are variably displayed on the symbol display (for example, the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222), the symbol indicating the determination result is stopped and displayed. And generating data including information on the change display and stop display of the symbol,
Updating the right information stored in the storage means on the condition that the determination has been made, and generating data including update information related to the right,
Outputting the data including the information on the right before the data including the update information on the right;
It is characterized by.
According to this configuration, the start condition is satisfied in a state where the right to receive the determination as to whether or not to shift to the special game state advantageous to the player based on the establishment of the start condition is not stored in the storage means. Data including the information on the right to receive this determination and the update information on this right are included as a result of the determination based on this right is made and the information on the right to receive this determination is updated. Even if the data is generated in one cycle of the main control process, the right information to be determined before the update information on the right can always be transmitted to the effect control means. It is possible to prevent confusion in effect control based on the transmission procedure.

◆ Other gaming machines that achieve the above objectives
A gaming machine that produces effects along with the game,
A main control process related to game control is executed, data including information related to a game obtained by executing the main control process is generated (for example, a control command), and the generated data is stored for each type of data. Game control means (for example, game control unit 200) for outputting in a predetermined order;
Production control means (for example, production control unit 300) that receives data output from the game control means (for example, game control unit 200) and performs processing related to production;
The game control means (for example, the game control unit 200) continuously outputs a plurality of data whose generation conditions have a specific relationship.
With this configuration, when a generation condition has a specific relationship and a plurality of closely related data (commands) are generated in one cycle of main control processing, the generation condition always has a specific relationship. Since it is possible to continuously transmit a plurality of closely related data to the effect control means without inserting other data that does not have, it is possible to prevent confusion in effect control based on the data transmission procedure .
More preferably, in the above gaming machine,
The game control means (for example, the game control unit 200)
A special gaming state (for example, jackpot game) advantageous to the player up to a predetermined number at the time of winning, with the winning of the game ball at the starting port (for example, the first starting port 121 or the second starting port 122) The right to receive the determination as to whether or not to transfer to is stored in the storage means (for example, the RAM 203), and data including information on the right (for example, the hold information) is generated,
With the winning of a game ball at the starting opening, the symbols are changed with respect to the symbol display (for example, the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222) based on the right by the winning. After the display, the specific symbol is stopped and displayed, and data including information regarding the variation display and the stop display of the symbol (for example, information of the variation pattern) is generated.
In response to the winning of the game ball at the start opening, at the start of the display of the variation of the symbol, it is determined whether or not to shift to a special gaming state advantageous to the player, and data including information on the determination result is generated. ,
Triggered by the winning of a game ball at the start opening, at the time of winning, a preliminary determination is made as to whether or not to shift to the special gaming state, and data including information on the result of the preliminary determination is generated.
In response to the winning of a game ball at the start opening, when winning, pre-reading regarding the variable display on the symbol display based on the right by the winning, and generating data including information on the result of the pre-reading,
Continuously outputting data including information on the result of the prior determination, data including information on the result of the prefetching, and data including the information on the right;
It is characterized by.
If comprised in this way, it will be produced | generated according to one production | generation condition, and the data containing the information of the result of a predetermination which are closely related, the data containing the information of the result of prefetching, the data containing the information of the right, Can always be continuously transmitted to the effect control means, so that confusion in effect control based on the data transmission procedure can be prevented.

◆ Other gaming machines that achieve the above objectives
A gaming machine that produces effects along with the game,
A main control process related to game control is executed, data including information related to a game obtained by executing the main control process is generated (for example, a control command), and the generated data is stored for each type of data. Game control means (for example, game control unit 200) for outputting in a predetermined order;
Production control means (for example, production control unit 300) that receives data output from the game control means (for example, game control unit 200) and performs processing related to production;
The game control means (for example, the game control unit 200)
Whether to shift to a special gaming state (for example, jackpot game) advantageous to the player up to a predetermined number in accordance with the establishment of the starting condition (for example, winning to the first starting port 121 or the second starting port 122) The right to receive the determination as to whether or not is stored in the storage means (for example, the RAM 203), and data including information on the right (for example, the hold information) is generated,
Based on the right stored in the storage means, it is determined whether or not to shift to a special gaming state advantageous to the player, and data including information on the determination result is generated,
In accordance with the determination result, after the symbols are variably displayed on the symbol display (for example, the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222), the symbol indicating the determination result is stopped and displayed. And generating data including information on the change display and stop display of the symbol,
In accordance with the establishment of the start condition, before the determination is made, a preliminary determination is made as to whether or not to shift to the special gaming state, and data including information on the result of the preliminary determination is generated.
Outputting data including information on the result of the prior determination before data including the information on the right;
It is characterized by.
If comprised in this way, the production | presentation control means can identify the information of the result of the prior determination corresponding to the received right information at the time of receiving the data (command) containing the right information. In addition, in a gaming machine that may or may not be pre-determined depending on the gaming state and start conditions, it is possible to determine the presence / absence of pre-determination result information corresponding to data including right information. . As a result, it is necessary to wait for the data including the information of the corresponding pre-determination result to be sent after the data including the right information is compared with the case where the data including the right information is received first. Therefore, it is possible to avoid complicated production control.

◆ Other gaming machines that achieve the above objectives
A gaming machine that produces effects along with the game,
A main control process related to game control is executed, data including information related to a game obtained by executing the main control process is generated (for example, a control command), and the generated data is stored for each type of data. Game control means (for example, game control unit 200) for outputting in a predetermined order;
Production control means (for example, production control unit 300) that receives data output from the game control means (for example, game control unit 200) and performs processing related to production;
The game control means (for example, the game control unit 200)
A special gaming state that is advantageous to the player up to a predetermined number for each starting opening, triggered by a winning of a game ball for any of a plurality of starting openings (for example, the first starting opening 121 or the second starting opening 122) The right to receive the determination as to whether or not to shift to the jackpot game (for example, RAM 203) is stored in the storage means (for example, RAM 203), and data including the right information (for example, hold information) is generated for each start port. And
Based on the right stored in the storage means, making the determination, and generating data including information of the determination result,
In accordance with the determination result, after the symbols are variably displayed on the symbol display (for example, the first special symbol display 221 and the second special symbol display 222), the symbol indicating the determination result is stopped and displayed. And generating data including information on the change display and stop display of the symbol,
In response to a winning of a game ball for any one of a plurality of start openings, before the determination is made, a prior determination is made as to whether or not to shift to the special gaming state, and the advance determination is performed for each start opening. Generate data containing the resulting information,
Outputting each generated data in the predetermined order;
It is characterized by.
If constituted in this way, the production control means, regarding the generation of the right to make a determination that may be made for each start opening and the prior determination, respectively, by winning game balls simultaneously for a plurality of start openings Then, data is generated for each start port and transmitted to the effect control unit. And regarding the determination performed sequentially according to a predetermined priority order, only one set of data is always generated and transmitted to the effect control unit. Thereby, the data including the information on the right to be judged and the data including the information on the result of the prior judgment can be sent to the effect control means at an appropriate timing. Is not sent to the effect control means in the main control process of one cycle. For this reason, it is possible to prevent confusion in effect control based on the data transmission procedure.

◆ Other gaming machines that achieve the above objectives
A main control process related to game control is executed, data including information related to a game obtained by executing the main control process is generated (for example, a control command), and the generated data is stored for each type of data. Game control means (for example, game control unit 200) for outputting in a predetermined order;
Production control means (for example, production control unit 300) that receives data output from the game control means (for example, game control unit 200) and performs processing related to production;
The game control means (for example, the game control unit 200)
A special gaming state (for example, a big win game) advantageous to the player in accordance with the establishment of the first starting condition (for example, the digestion of the right to receive a determination based on winning in the first starting port 121 or the second starting port 122) ) To generate data including information on the first determination result that is the result of the determination,
In response to the establishment of the second start condition (for example, the game ball has passed through the gate 124), a specific game that easily satisfies the first start condition (for example, an auxiliary game that opens the electric tulip 123) is performed. And generating data including information on the second determination result, which is the result of the determination,
Outputting the data including the information of the first determination result after the data including the information of the second determination result;
It is characterized by.
If comprised in this way, in the production performed when the production control means is triggered by acquisition of the information of the first determination result or the information of the second determination result, the data including the information of the first determination result and the second determination result When data including information is generated in one cycle of main control processing, it is possible to specify which trigger is prioritized for rendering, and thus preventing confusion in rendering control based on the data transmission procedure Can do.

◆ Other gaming machines that achieve the above objectives
A gaming machine that produces effects along with the game,
A main control process related to game control is executed, data including information related to a game obtained by executing the main control process is generated (for example, a control command), and the generated data is stored for each type of data. Game control means (for example, game control unit 200) for outputting in a predetermined order;
Production control means (for example, production control unit 300) that receives data output from the game control means (for example, game control unit 200) and performs processing related to production;
The game control means (for example, the game control unit 200)
When an error occurs in the gaming machine, it performs error processing corresponding to the generated error and generates data determined according to the type of the error that has occurred,
Outputting the data generated by executing the main control process before the data generated in response to the occurrence of the error;
It is characterized by.
If comprised in this way, even if it is a case where an output process is complete | finished in the middle of outputting the produced | generated data to an effect control means, transmission of the command regarding a game will be completed by transmitting the command regarding a game previously. There is a high possibility of being. Therefore, it can suppress that the continuation of a game is prevented.

In addition, in this embodiment, it has been proposed that a function for determining a random value used in special symbol lottery is prepared as a subroutine and used for determining a random value in advance determination. That is, a gaming machine that achieves the above-mentioned purpose is
A gaming machine that produces effects along with the game,
Game control means (for example, game control unit 200) for executing processing related to game control;
Production control means (for example, production control unit 300) that performs processing related to production based on game control by the game control means (for example, game control unit 200),
The game control means (for example, the game control unit 200)
Determination information used to determine whether or not to shift to a special gaming state advantageous to the player, when a game ball is won at the starting port (for example, the first starting port 121 or the second starting port 122). Determination information acquisition means (for example, random number acquisition unit 231),
Storage means (for example, RAM 203) for storing the right to receive the determination and the determination information up to a predetermined number;
Based on the right stored in the storage unit, a processing unit that performs processing using determination information (for example, a random number value) is called, and the player uses the determination information stored in the storage unit together with the right. Determination means (for example, special symbol determination unit 234) for determining whether or not to shift to a special game state (for example, jackpot game) advantageous to
In response to the winning of a game ball at the starting port (for example, the first starting port 121 or the second starting port 122), the processing unit used in the determination by the determining unit (for example, the special symbol determining unit 234) is called, Pre-determination means (for example, game control unit 200) that makes a pre-determination as to whether or not to shift to a special gaming state advantageous to the player, using the determination information acquired by the determination information acquisition unit triggered by the winning. )When,
It is characterized by providing.
If comprised in this way, in order to perform the determination of the random number in the prior determination process, it is not necessary to prepare a processing function for determining the random number separately from the jackpot determination process. In addition, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the program related to the prior determination process.

The pachinko gaming machine 100 (see FIG. 1) is an example of a gaming machine. The game control unit 200 (see FIG. 3) is an example of a game control unit. The production control unit 300 (see FIG. 3) is an example of production control means. The output control unit 240 (see FIG. 4) is an example of an output unit. The RAM 203 (see FIG. 3) is an example of a storage unit. The command storage area (see FIG. 19-2) is an example of a storage area.
While the present embodiment has been described in detail above, the above description is merely an example of the present invention in all respects and is not intended to limit the scope thereof. Needless to say, the present invention includes various improvements and modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention should be construed only by the claims. Moreover, the term used in this specification is used by the meaning normally used in the said field unless there is particular mention. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

100 ... Pachinko machine 200 ... Game control unit (game control means)
203 ... RAM (storage means)
240 ... output control unit (output means)
300 ... Production control unit (production control means)

Claims (1)

A gaming machine that produces effects along with the game,
A main control process related to game control is executed, data including information related to a game obtained by executing the main control process is generated, and all the data generated in one cycle of the main control process Game control means for outputting in one cycle of the main control process in a predetermined order for each;
Receiving the data output from the game control means, providing the effect control means for performing processing related to the effect,
The game control means includes
When an error occurs in the gaming machine, it performs error processing corresponding to the generated error and generates data determined according to the type of the error that has occurred,
Outputting the data generated by executing the main control process before the data generated in response to the occurrence of the error;
A gaming machine characterized by

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