JP5957062B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine.

  In general, for gaming machines such as pachinko machines, the winning prize of the ball at the starting prize opening provided on the game board is a big win (also called “special prize”) / outage lottery by the built-in program, and the result of lottery In the case of jackpot, a predetermined game value is given to the player. Moreover, the gaming machine is equipped with a device for performing various effects corresponding to the lottery results. For example, the gaming machine may include an effect symbol display device such as a liquid crystal display that variably displays a special symbol for notifying an actual lottery result composed of a plurality of numbers, figures, etc. and an effect symbol composed of a video such as a character. There is something in the game board. The reason for performing the display of the effect symbol and the display of the special symbol separately is that there are legal restrictions on the effect regarding the display for the special symbol used for the actual lottery result notification. This is because it does not display a big hit or miss according to laws and regulations, and is positioned as an effect display screen for attracting players, and thus is not subject to laws and regulations related to display imposed on special symbols. Therefore, the degree of freedom of the method of expressing the effect symbol is higher than that of the special symbol, and the gaming machine manufacturer can make the effect symbol a variety of variations. In addition, the production symbol can also represent a variety of reach actions that cannot be expressed in a special symbol. In this way, by providing an effect design including an effect function separately from the special design, it is possible to perform an elaborate effect that does not get the player bored, and the game performance can be further enhanced.

  “Reach” refers to a combination of symbols (same symbols) where multiple symbol strings (usually three) are used, two symbol strings are stopped first, and the display result that has already been stopped is displayed. It is a display state that satisfies the condition (combination of jackpot symbol), and is an effect that makes expectation to stop the final stop symbol, and “reach action” is a series of effects at the time of reach.

  FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing an example of a control unit in a conventional gaming machine. As shown in the figure, the control unit mainly includes three control units: a main control unit 210, a sub-control unit 240, and a display control unit 270. Here, control units other than the main control unit may be collectively referred to as an effect control unit.

  The main control unit 210 determines reach, jackpot, probability variation, loss, etc., various commands to the sub-control unit 240 according to a random number generated internally based on the detection of the game ball by winning the start winning opening. And overall control of the gaming machine. The main control unit 210 also controls the special symbol display device 102 that displays special symbols. The sub-control unit 240 transmits a command for controlling the display control unit 270 based on the command transmitted from the main control unit 210, and controls the blinking of lamps provided in the game area, etc., and the speaker of the gaming machine Control of the sound output from the player, and control of the movable object for performance such as character figures provided in the game area etc. by controlling the rotation of the motor. The display control unit 270 controls the effect symbol display device 103 such as a liquid crystal display device based on the command transmitted from the sub control unit 240.

  Specifically, the variation mode in the effect symbol display device 103 is displayed on the screen of the effect symbol display device 103 when the main control unit 210 transmits a change pattern command (reach, jackpot, or loss). This command is selected / determined by a command for instructing the variation pattern of the effect design). The main control unit 210 transmits, to the sub-control unit 240, a variation pattern command for instructing the variation pattern of the effect symbol and an effect symbol designation command for instructing a combination of the stop symbol of the effect symbol. The sub control unit 240 transmits the change pattern command and the liquid crystal display command created from the effect designating command to the display control unit 270. Upon receiving the variation pattern command, the display control unit 270 instructs the effect symbol display device 103 to perform the specified effect operation for the variation time specified by the variation pattern command. The display control unit 270 that has received the liquid crystal display command instructs the effect symbol display device 103 to stop the effect symbol.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 23, the relationship between the combination of special symbols and the combination of effect symbols in the case of jackpot and out of case will be described. As shown in FIG. 23, the main control unit 210 takes out the jackpot symbol random number from the jackpot special symbol random number loop counter when the jackpot random number is taken out at the time of winning the start opening, that is, in the case of jackpot. There are 100 types of jackpot symbol random numbers from 0 to 99. For example, when the jackpot symbol random number “3” is extracted, the main control unit 210 displays “03” as the special symbol on the special symbol display device 102. Next, the main control unit 210 transmits an effect designating command (command ID is “B1” H) including the value “07” H corresponding to the special symbol “03” as EVENT to the sub-control unit 240. The effect designating command is converted into a liquid crystal display command by the sub-control unit 240 and transmitted to the display control unit 270. The display control unit 270 that receives the liquid crystal display command controls the effect design display device 103, and The effect symbol which is changing in the effect symbol display device 103 is stopped by the combination of “777”. The correspondence between the effect designating command and the liquid crystal display command will be described later with reference to FIG. On the other hand, the main control unit 210 takes out a deviating symbol random number from the deviating special symbol random number loop counter when the deviating random number is taken out at the time of winning the start opening, that is, in the case of deviating. There are 21 out-of-range design random numbers from 0 to 20. For example, when the off symbol random number “1” is extracted, the main control unit 210 displays “−1 (hyphen 1)” as the special symbol on the special symbol display device 102. Next, the main control unit 210 sends a special symbol “−1”, that is, an effect symbol designation command (command ID is “B1” H) including the value “0A” H corresponding to the disengaged state to the sub-control unit 240. Send. The effect designating command is converted into a liquid crystal display command by the sub-control unit 240 and transmitted to the display control unit 270. The display control unit 270 that has received the command for liquid crystal display determines an out symbol (a stop symbol in the out mode) based on the variation pattern command separately received from the sub-control unit 240, and is changing in the effect symbol display device 103. The production symbol is stopped at the stop symbol.

  Next, the correspondence relationship between the effect designating command and the liquid crystal display command will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the contents of the effect designating command transmitted from the main control unit 210 to the sub-control unit 240 and the liquid crystal display command transmitted to the display control unit 270 by the sub-control unit 240 receiving the command. In FIG. 24, a command includes a “command ID” portion (also referred to as “MODE” portion) for identifying the transmitted command itself and grasping the gaming state, and in the identified gaming state, This is a 2-byte command composed of two parts called “EVENT” part for identifying a specific control information type.

  The “command ID” portion of the effect designating command is all “B1” H, and the “EVENT” portion is any one of 11 values “00” to “0A” H. Further, the “command ID” portion of the liquid crystal display command is “B2” H or “B1” H, and the “EVENT” portion is any value from “00” to “09” H. As can be seen from this figure, regarding the special effect symbols 0 to 9 at the time of big hit, the value of the “EVENT” portion of the effect symbol designating command and the value of the “EVENT” portion of the liquid crystal display command are the same. Therefore, for example, when the jackpot symbol random number “3” is taken out at the time of jackpot, the main control unit 210 transmits an effect symbol designation command of “B1” H + “07” H (command ID + EVENT) to the sub-control unit 240. The sub-control unit 240 that has received the effect designating command (special effect design 7 designation) transmits a liquid crystal display command of “B2” H + “07” H (command ID + EVENT) to the display control unit 270. Upon receiving the liquid crystal display command, the display control unit 270 performs control to stop the effect symbol being variably displayed on the effect symbol display device 103 by a combination of “777”. As described above, the main control unit 210 changes the command ID portion indicating the gaming state and transmits it. On the other hand, at the time of detachment, the main control unit 210 transmits “B1” H + “0A” H to the sub-control unit 240 as the effect symbol designation command (special effect symbol 10 designation), and receives the effect symbol designation command. The unit 240 transmits “B1” H + “00” H to the display control unit 270 as a liquid crystal display command. In this case, the display control unit 270 performs control to stop the effect symbols being variably displayed on the effect symbol display device 103 with a combination of deviations.

  As a conventional technique, a signal line connected to a main board that issues a command signal is branched, and a plurality of sub-boards that control each control target according to the type of the received command signal are connected to each branch line. There are some (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, as a conventional technique, the sub-control unit has a command conversion table that converts commands that each device control unit cannot process among commands received from the main control unit into commands that each device control unit can process, Among the commands received from the main control unit using the command conversion table, the sub control unit converts commands that cannot be processed by each device control unit into commands that can be processed by each device control unit (for example, patents). Reference 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-70586 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-265806

  In the prior art shown in FIG. 23, since the stop symbol in the case of jackpot is determined corresponding to the combination of the special symbols, the main control unit 210 is provided for each special symbol (100 types) in the case of jackpot. It is necessary to store in advance a design symbol designation command corresponding to the special symbol in the data area of the ROM. Therefore, the proportion of the design symbol designation command occupying the data area of the ROM is not small, and it is possible to newly store new control information and the like necessary for expanding the function (specification) of the gaming machine in the ROM. The situation is becoming difficult due to capacity limitations. Furthermore, in the case of a jackpot, the main control unit 210 needs to transmit a production symbol designation command corresponding to 100 types of special symbols to the sub-control unit 240, so the command creation processing and transmission processing by the main control unit 210 are complicated. Yes, the load on the CPU in the main controller 210 is large. On the other hand, in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, since the main control unit itself creates commands for designating the design individually and transmits them to the sub-control unit, the load on the CPU in the main control unit is large. . It is technically possible to solve these problems by upgrading the hardware resources of the main control unit to high-performance hardware resources (CPU, ROM, etc.). However, in the gaming machine industry, the hardware specifications (type of CPU that can be used, capacity of ROM, etc.) of the main control unit that collectively controls jackpots / out of play and rollout are in accordance with rules determined by public organizations. Due to restrictions, it is not possible to adopt a solution by upgrading the hardware. Therefore, it is necessary to use existing hardware resources such as ROM and CPU of the main control unit as effectively and efficiently as possible.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that improves the performance of the production control unit while reducing the control burden on the main control unit. is there.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, in the gaming machine of the present invention, a control processing procedure composed of a plurality of control processes is repeatedly executed, and a lottery result indicating whether or not a big hit is made based on establishment of a predetermined condition. A main control unit that executes a special game management process for controlling a special symbol display device that displays a special symbol based on, and an effect control unit that controls an effect control target for displaying at least an effect symbol, In the gaming machine in which the main control unit executes a command output management process for transmitting the first command and the second command to the effect control unit as commands for displaying the effect symbol, The control unit transfers the special symbol to the time set in the special symbol variation timer in the special game management processing executed first in the control processing procedure executed repeatedly. The process when the special symbol is displayed in the special game management process that is subsequently executed, the process of displaying the special symbol in a variable manner is continuously executed, and the process of displaying the special symbol in a variable manner is started. In the command output management process executed after the special game management process, based on the result of the lottery control, the special symbol is variably displayed and the effect control unit variably displays the effect symbol. Therefore, the first command in which the same variation time as the time set in the special symbol variation timer is designated, and one group is designated from among the groups of the effect symbols classified into a plurality of groups. The second command is transmitted to the effect control unit, and the effect control unit transmits the first command transmitted after the main control unit starts the variable symbol display. By receiving the command and the second command, the special symbol that the first command is the start timing of the variable display of the performance symbol to be performed over a time-varying specifying is performed by the special game management process And the end timing of the variation display of the effect symbol that is performed over the variation time specified by the first command is the variation of the special symbol performed by the special game management process. An effect symbol to be displayed is selected and displayed from one or a plurality of effect symbols included in one group specified by the second command and delayed from the display end timing. . Here, the effect control unit means a control unit other than the main control unit, and is a control unit mainly responsible for controlling the effect operation of the gaming machine.

  According to the present invention, the main control unit transmits a command for designating one group among the groups of effect symbols classified into a plurality of groups to the effect control unit. In order to select and display effect symbols to be displayed from one or more effect symbols included in the group, the main control unit responsible for display control of special symbols determines the final effect symbols to be displayed There is no need to do so, and the production control unit determines. Therefore, the ROM data area of the main control unit, which has been necessary to determine the effect design in the past, can be used to store other purposes, for example, other data, programs, etc. It can be utilized and the control burden on the main control unit can be reduced. In addition, the main control unit displays a special symbol in order to transmit a command for starting the variation display of the effect symbol to the effect control unit after starting the control to display the special symbol based on the result of the lottery. After starting the control, the command can be reliably transmitted to the effect control unit, which leads to improvement in the reliability and stability of the control process.

The example of the front external appearance of the game machine 100 of one Embodiment of this invention is shown. 4 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a control unit 300 in the gaming machine 100. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a main control unit 310. FIG. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of an internal structure of the subcontrol part 340. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a display control unit 370. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the correspondence of the combination of a special symbol and the combination of an effect symbol. It is a figure which shows an example of the correspondence of a grouping effect design designation | designated command and an effect design designation | designated command. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the determination process of the grouping effect symbol designation | designated command according to the special symbol determination flag by the main control part. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the conversion process from the grouping effect design designation | designated command by the sub control part 340 to an effect design designation | designated command. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the determination process of the stop symbol by the display control part. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the determination process of the come-off stop symbol by the display control part. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the selection process of the fluctuation pattern command by the main control part. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of a process of the fluctuation pattern command by the sub-control part. It is a figure which shows an example of command ID and EVENT of a fluctuation pattern command. It is a figure which shows an example of the fluctuation pattern command table which shows the correspondence of a fluctuation pattern command table and a fluctuation classification. It is a figure which shows an example of a middle symbol +/- 1 table. It is a figure which shows an example of the correspondence table of a special symbol determination flag, a jackpot start effect designation command, and a jackpot end effect designation command. It is a figure which shows an example of the correspondence table of the setting value of special game management status, and its content. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the game control process which the main control part 310 performs. It is a figure which shows an example of the change start / stop timing of a special symbol, and the change start / stop timing of an effect design. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of a special game management process and a normal game management process. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the control part in a game machine in a prior art. It is a figure which shows an example of the correspondence of the combination of a special symbol and the combination of effect symbol in a prior art. It is a figure which shows an example of the correspondence of the effect designating command and the liquid crystal display command in the prior art.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the location which has the same function in each drawing.

1. Example of Front Appearance of Gaming Machine FIG. 1 shows an example of the front appearance of the gaming machine 100 of this embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the gaming machine according to the present embodiment includes a gaming board 101 for installing a game machine character on the board, a special symbol display device 102, a production symbol display device 103, a first start winning opening 104, a normal symbol display device. The operation gate (left) 105, the normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106, the normal symbol display device 107, the normal electric accessory (tulip) 108 which is also the second start winning port (hereinafter referred to as the second start winning port 108) ), A first variable winning ball device 109 having an upper winning hole, a second variable winning ball device 110 having a lower winning port, a gaming machine handle 111, a special symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp) 112. Mainly equipped with a normal symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp) 113 and the like.

  The special symbol display device 102 includes, for example, a variable display device such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) display, a 7-segment LED, a dot matrix display device, etc., and variably displays special symbols such as a plurality of numbers and figures. To do. The case where the stop symbol of the special symbol display device 102 is a predetermined combination of symbols is a jackpot. In this embodiment, the special symbol display device 102 is a two-digit 7-segment LED.

  The production symbol display device 103 includes, for example, a variable display device such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT display, a 7-segment LED, a dot matrix display device, a drum variably displayed by the rotation of a motor, and the like. Is displayed in a variable manner. This embodiment is a variable display device of a liquid crystal display. A display control unit (described later) for controlling the effect symbol display device 103 includes a CPU, a program ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM, an image processing LSI (hereinafter referred to as a VDP (Video Display Processor)), a character ROM, a video RAM, and the like. Have In the present embodiment, the effect symbol display device 103 includes a variable display device that can display an image such as a background and a plurality of symbols as a moving image. In the present embodiment, a gaming machine capable of displaying various effect symbols on the effect symbol display device 103 is assumed.

  The first start winning port 104 or the second start winning port 108 detects the winning by turning on the internal special symbol start switch when the game ball launched by the player wins, and the symbol of the special symbol display device 102 is detected. Give an opportunity to change. The variation display of the special symbol of the special symbol display device 102 and the effect symbol of the effect symbol display device 103 is stopped after a predetermined variation time elapses, and the lottery result is notified and the effect is performed.

  The normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 and the normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106 pass when the game ball launched by the player passes and the normal symbol operation switch inside is turned ON. A sphere is detected, and a normal symbol change trigger of the normal symbol display device 107 is given.

  The normal symbol display device 107 variably displays a normal symbol with a 7-segment LED or the like. The second start winning port 108 is opened when the normal symbol display device 107 stops displaying (small hit) a specific normal symbol, and facilitates the winning in the second start winning port 108. The first start winning opening 104 is always open.

  When the first variable winning ball device 109 and the second variable winning ball device 110 are a combination of specific symbols determined in advance, that is, when the special symbol display device 102 has a predetermined symbol combination, In the subsequent jackpot operation, one of the opening / closing members 114 and 115 attached to the front surfaces of the first variable winning ball device 109 and the second variable winning ball device 110 performs the opening and closing operations. Which opening / closing member is opened is determined by the EVENT value of the grouping effect designating command. This will be described later.

  During the big hit, one of the opening / closing members 114 and 115 is opened almost horizontally, and the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 that receives a winning game ball is opened, and a large number of gaming balls are opened. Accept the prize. When a game ball wins the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110, the large winning opening switch inside the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 is turned ON. As a result, the gaming machine grasps the number of game balls to the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110, and the opportunity for paying out the winning balls (out balls, safe balls) associated with the winning game Is given. The opening of the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 may be either when a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses or when a predetermined number of game balls (a predetermined number of winning prize winning prizes) is the first. This is continued until the variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 is won. This single opening is called a round. Since there is no V zone (specific area), there is no continuation condition based on the passage of the V zone. Once a big hit occurs, the next time (about 30 seconds) or the predetermined number (10) wins To the next round.

  As in the prior art, the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 may have V zones (not shown) therein. When the V zone exists, the first variable winning ball is passed when at least one game ball passes through the specific area while the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 that is operating the jackpot is opened. When the specific area switch inside the ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 is turned ON, the gaming machine is given an opportunity to generate a right for the next round. In this way, the round continues from 1R → 2R →... And continues up to the maximum round (for example, 6 rounds or 15 rounds).

  The gaming machine handle 111 has a touch sensor on the surface and is provided with a stop button (stop firing) 116. The touch sensor detects that the player has gripped the gaming machine handle 111, and in this state the gaming machine When the variable resistor inside the gaming machine handle 111 detects that the handle 111 is rotated clockwise 117 or counterclockwise 118, the ball launching device is given an opportunity to continuously launch gaming balls. The player turns the gaming machine handle 111 clockwise 117 or counterclockwise 118 to adjust the launching route of the game ball launched onto the game board 101. Further, when the player presses the stop button 116, the launching of the game ball of the ball launcher is stopped.

  The special symbol operation memory indicator lamp 112 stores information on each ball that has won the first starting winning port 104 or the second starting winning port 108 during the change of the special symbol on each RAM on the main control unit described later. Lights in conjunction with storing in the hold memory for each sphere (hereinafter referred to as sphere hold), and notifies the number of times that the symbol (special symbol) can be varied continuously. The number of times may be displayed on the effect symbol display device 103. Also, a winning ball to the first starting winning opening 104 or the second starting winning opening 108 that is the target of the holding of the ball is referred to as a holding ball.

  The normal symbol operation memory indicator lamp 113 stores information on each sphere that has passed through the normal symbol operation gate (left) 105 or the normal symbol operation gate (right) 106 during the variation of the normal symbol in each RAM on the main control unit. Lights in conjunction with storing in the holding memory for each ball, and notifies the number of times that the symbol (ordinary symbol) can be continuously varied. The number of times may be displayed on the effect symbol display device 103.

  The objects, nails, and the like installed on the game board 101 are covered with a glass plate, and a game ball that has been launched from the space secured between the glass plate and the game board 101 falls.

  Note that the gaming machine 100 may include a special symbol variation time reduction switch (not shown) that is an optical touch sensor attached to the gaming board 101. When the special symbol change time reduction switch is present, the player hands the special symbol change time reduction switch through the glass plate while the special symbol display device 102 and the production symbol display device 103 are variably displaying the special symbol and the production symbol. The special symbol variation time shortening switch that detects this is turned on, and the variation display of the special symbol display device 102 and the effect symbol display device 103 can be immediately stopped or shortened and stopped.

  The gaming machine 100 also includes an effect changeover switch 120. The player can display a favorite effect screen on the effect symbol display device 103 by operating the effect changeover switch 120 or can control the operation of the effectable movable object.

2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a control unit 300 in the gaming machine 100. As shown in the figure, the control unit 200 is mainly composed of three control units: a main control unit 310, a sub-control unit 340, and a display control unit 370. In order to prevent illegal acts and to restrict legal restrictions, each control unit is usually mounted on a separate board for each function, and is connected directly or indirectly so that communication is possible. The main control unit 310 transmits a command and controls the entire gaming machine according to a random number generated internally based on detection of a game ball by winning at the first start winning opening 104 or the second starting winning opening 108. I do. In the present embodiment, in particular, the main control unit 310 transmits a variation pattern command and a grouped effect design designation command to the sub-control unit 340. The main control unit 310 further controls the special symbol display device 102.

  The sub-control unit 340 converts the grouping effect designating command transmitted from the main control unit 310 into an effect designating command and transmits it to the display control unit 370, and also controls blinking of lamps provided in the game area and the like. Control of sound output from the speaker of the gaming machine, and control of the movable object for performance such as character figures provided in the game area and the like by controlling the rotation of the motor. Further, the sub control unit 340 transmits the variation pattern command to the display control unit 370. The display control unit 370 controls the effect symbol display device 103 such as a liquid crystal display device based on the variation pattern command and the effect symbol designation command transmitted from the sub-control unit 340.

  Next, an example of each configuration / function of the main control unit 310, the sub control unit 340, and the display control unit 370 will be described in detail.

2-1 Example of main controller configuration / function
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the internal configuration of the main control unit 310.

  The main control unit 310 includes a CPU 422, a ROM 420, a RAM 424, a special prize opening solenoid output port 428, a normal electric accessory solenoid output port 430, a special symbol display output port 432, a normal symbol display output port 434, and a special symbol operation memory display. Lamp port 436, normal symbol operation memory display lamp port 438, sub-control command output port (transmitting variation pattern command, grouped effect symbol designating command, etc.) 440, payout control command output port 442, external information output port 444 and an input port 426 are provided.

  Details of the variation pattern command will be described later.

  The main control unit 310 receives various switches (a special symbol start switch 410, a normal symbol operation switch 412, a special prize opening switch 414, other switches 418, and a specific area switch 416 when mounted, via an input port 426. Data is input from the special symbol variation time reduction switch 119) and processed.

  The main control unit 310 is connected to the special symbol display device 102, the special symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp) 112, the normal symbol display device 107, the normal symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp) via the output ports 428 to 438, 444. ) 113, the special prize opening solenoid 446, the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 448, and the external information output unit 454 are directly controlled. On the other hand, the main control unit 310 transmits a sub-control command (variation pattern command, grouped effect design designation command, etc.) to the sub-control unit 340 to control the sub-control unit 340 by command transmission. Further, the main control unit 310 transmits a command to the payout control unit 450 to perform payout control of prize balls. Details of control of command transmission to the sub-control unit 340 by the main control unit 310 according to the present embodiment will be described later.

  Next, various switches input by the main control unit 310 via the input port, components of the main control unit 310, and control targets of the main control unit will be described in detail.

  The special symbol start switch 410 is turned on when a game ball that is launched by the player and wins the first start winning port 104 or the second start winning port 108 passes through this switch, and the special symbol display device detects the winning. An opportunity for 102 symbol variations is given.

  The normal symbol operation switch 412 is turned on when a game ball that has been launched by the player and passed through the normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 and the normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106 passes this switch. The normal symbol display device 107 is given an opportunity to change the normal symbol.

  The big winning opening switch 414 is turned on when a game ball that has won the variable winning ball device 109 passes through this switch in the subsequent big hit operation, and the main control unit 310 detects the winning of the game ball. Do.

  The other switches 418 are turned on when a game ball that has won a prize other than the first start winning opening 104, the second starting winning opening 108, and the variable winning ball apparatus 109 passes this switch. The control unit 310 detects a winning of a game ball.

  When the specific area switch 416 is mounted, the switch is turned on when a game ball that has passed the specific area while the variable winning ball device 109 is opened passes through this switch, and the main control unit 310 Detect the next round's right occurrence. When the special symbol variation time reduction switch 119 is installed, the switch forcibly stops the variation display of the special symbol display device 102 or the production symbol display device 103 immediately or forcibly stops. It is possible to make it.

  The CPU 422 is a circuit that controls the entire main control unit.

  The ROM 420 stores a program for the main control unit 310 for controlling the gaming machine. Specifically, the ROM 420 stores, for example, a game control program that realizes the processes of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8, 12, 19, and 21 that define the contents of the game control process performed by the CPU of the main control unit 310. To do. The ROM 420 further stores various parameter values for controlling the gaming machine such as a variation pattern command transmitted to the sub-control unit 340.

  In this embodiment, as will be described later, the main control unit 310 determines a grouped effect designating command to be transmitted to the sub-control unit 340 in accordance with a special symbol determination flag stored in the RAM 424.

  The RAM 424 temporarily stores input / output data for the main control unit 310, data for arithmetic processing, various counters including a random number counter related to the game, and the like. It has a memory and further has a probability state storage area for storing the current gaming state (probability state).

  The special symbol display device 102 displays special symbols such as a plurality of numbers and figures. The normal symbol display device 107 displays normal symbols such as a plurality of numbers and figures. The special symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp) 112 notifies the number of times that the special symbol can be continuously changed. The normal symbol operation memory display lamp (holding lamp) 113 notifies the number of times that the normal symbol can be continuously changed.

  The big winning opening solenoid 446 is one of the components in the variable winning ball device 109, and when the big hit is made, the main opening / closing member 114 attached to the front of the variable winning ball device 109 is controlled in the big hit operation thereafter. Open based on an instruction from the unit 310.

  The ordinary electric accessory solenoid 448 opens the ordinary electric accessory 108 based on an instruction from the main control unit 310 when the ordinary symbol display device 107 stops displaying the normal symbol of the small hit.

  The payout control unit 450 receives a payout control command from the main control unit 310 and receives a prize to the prize ball payout device 452 when the special symbol start switch 410, the big prize opening switch 414, the other switch 418, or the like is detected. Instructs to pay out the ball.

  The external information output unit 454 is a substrate for providing information from the CPU 422 of the main control unit 310 to the information display device 201. The information display device 201 is electrically connected to the gaming machine via the external information output unit 454 of the gaming machine. The CPU 422 of the main control unit 310 can output to the information display device 201 a signal for knowing the stop of symbol variation, the big hit state, etc. via the external information output unit 454. Examples of the signal include a jackpot signal, a winning number signal, a start signal, a time reduction signal, and a door opening signal.

2-2 Example of Configuration / Function of Sub-Control Unit FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing the internal configuration of the sub-control unit 340.
Similar to the main control unit 310, the sub control unit 340 includes a CPU 514, a RAM 512, a ROM 510, various input ports 516, and various output ports 518. The ROM 510 stores a program for the sub control unit 340. In the present embodiment, the ROM 510 stores a program that realizes the processing of the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  The sub-control unit 340 receives a sub-control command (variation pattern command, grouped effect design designation command) transmitted from the main control unit 310, and produces the grouped effect design designation command according to the program stored in the ROM 510. Convert to symbol designating command. As a conversion method, for example, by referring to a correspondence table between a grouping effect designating command and an effect designating command, one effect among a plurality of effect designating commands corresponding to one grouping effect designating command is provided. There is a method of selecting a designating command. Next, the sub control unit 340 transmits the selected effect designating command to the display control unit 370. Further, the sub-control unit 340 performs blinking control of the lamp display device 520, generation control of the sound effect output from the sound effect generation device 522, control of the effect movable object 524, and the like. In this way, the sub-control unit 340 reduces the load on the main control unit 310 by specially performing control related to effects such as liquid crystal display, lamp lighting, generation of sound effects, and control of effectable movable objects.

  The lamp display device 520 is a display device for lamps related to the game, and selectively turns on / off a plurality of lamps according to an instruction from the sub-control unit 340. The sound effect generator 522 generates sound related to the game. The effect movable object 524 is an effect character figure or the like provided in a game area whose rotation is controlled by a motor or the like.

  The sub-control unit 340 receives an input from the effect change switch 120. By operating the effect changeover switch 120, the player can display a favorite effect screen on the effect symbol display device 103, or can control the operation of the effect movable object 524. In this way, the player can participate in the effect surface of the gaming machine by operating the effect changeover switch 120.

2-3 Example of Configuration / Function of Display Control Unit FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing an internal configuration of the display control unit 370.
In particular, the display control unit 370 receives the variation pattern command and the effect symbol designation command transmitted from the sub-control unit 340, and varies the effect symbol of the effect symbol display device 103 according to the variation pattern command and the effect symbol designation command. It has a function of stopping or receiving a notice designation command and displaying a notice.

  In FIG. 5, the control circuit configuration of the display control unit 370 of this embodiment includes an input port 618 that receives a variation pattern command and an effect symbol designation command, a CPU 620, a program ROM 610, a RAM 612, an image processing LSI (VDP) 622, a character. A ROM 616, a video RAM 614, and an output port 624 are included.

  In the present embodiment, the ROM 610 stores a program that realizes the processing of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

  The input port 618 receives the variation pattern command and the effect symbol designation command from the sub-control unit 340 and passes them to the CPU 620.

  The CPU 620 performs image processing and image display control according to the program stored in the program ROM 610. The program ROM 610 stores a program for image processing executed by the CPU 620, and specifically stores an image display control program that defines the contents of image display control performed by the CPU 620. Further, the program ROM 620 stores VDP 622 control data to be mapped and written in the data register of the VDP 622, various parameter values for controlling image display, and the like.

  The RAM 612 temporarily stores input / output data for the CPU 620 and data for arithmetic processing, and functions as a work area and a buffer memory. The VDP 622 develops image data such as sprite / scroll for display on the effect symbol display device 103 in accordance with the symbol update instruction from the CPU 620 in the video RAM 614, and effects symbol display via the output port 624 in accordance with the output instruction from the CPU 620. Image data is output and displayed in the display area of the device 103. The effect symbol display device 103 is an LCD, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, or the like, and visually displays a video signal of an image output from the VDP 622.

  For display control, a color palette (hereinafter referred to as a palette) in which a plurality of specific color data are arranged and set is often used. This embodiment VDP 622 incorporates four palettes that define 256 colors, processes four layers, and performs image processing by associating one palette with each layer. The VDP 622 synthesizes image data set for each of the four layers in accordance with an output instruction from the CPU 620, and outputs and displays the synthesized image data on the effect symbol display device 103.

  Specifically, the VDP 622 converts the image data into color data based on the color data of the palette specified by the image data on the video RAM 614, and the color data is converted into analog RGB video signals as the effect symbol display device 103. Output to and display. The image data here includes an index (array number) for the palette.

  The character ROM 616 stores image data such as sprite / scroll that the VDP 622 that has received an instruction from the CPU 620 expands in the video RAM 614. Also, four pallet data to be set in the four pallets built in the VDP 622 are stored.

  In the video RAM 614, the image data to be output in the display area of the effect symbol display device 103 is developed and temporarily stored by the VDP 622.

3. Example of determination process of grouping effect designating command according to special symbol determination flag by main control unit The relationship between the combination of special symbols and the combination of effect symbols in the case of jackpot and losing will be described using FIG. . As shown in FIG. 6, the main control unit 310 extracts the jackpot symbol random number from the jackpot special symbol random number loop counter when the jackpot random number is extracted at the time of winning the start opening, that is, in the case of a jackpot. There are 100 types of jackpot symbol random numbers from 0 to 99. Further, there are 100 combinations of special symbols corresponding to the jackpot symbol random number from 00 to 99. Further, there are six special symbol determination flags 00H to 05H corresponding to the special symbol combinations of 00 to 99. Here, the correspondence between the special symbol combination and the special symbol determination flag can be arbitrarily determined based on the gaming characteristics of the gaming machine. In this table, when the jackpot symbol random number “3” is extracted, the main control unit 310 displays “03” as the special symbol on the special symbol display device 102 and also displays the special symbol determination flag stored in the RAM 424 as a special symbol. A value corresponding to the symbol “03”, that is, “01” H is read out. Next, the value “02” H obtained by adding 1 to “01” is set as the EVENT value of the grouping effect designating command.

  On the other hand, the main control unit 310 takes out a deviating symbol random number from the deviating special symbol random number loop counter when the deviating random number is taken out at the time of winning the start opening, that is, in the case of deviating. There are 21 out-of-range design random numbers from 0 to 20. For example, when the off symbol random number “1” is extracted, the main control unit 310 displays “−1 (hyphen 1)” as a special symbol on the special symbol display device 102. Next, the main control unit 310 transmits a special symbol “−1”, that is, a grouping effect designating command including the value “00” H corresponding to the disengaged state as EVENT to the sub-control unit 340. The grouped effect designating command is converted into an effect designating command by the sub-control unit 340 and transmitted to the display control unit 370. The display control unit 370 that has received the effect designating command determines an out symbol (a stop symbol in the out mode) based on the variation pattern command separately received from the sub-control unit 340, and is changing in the effect symbol display device 103. The production symbol is stopped at the stop symbol. A method for determining a stop symbol in the case of detachment will be described later.

  The reason why the value obtained by adding 1 to the special symbol determination flag at the time of the big hit is set as the EVENT value of the grouping effect designating command is that the EVENT value of the grouping effect designating command at the time of losing is “00” H. Therefore, to avoid duplication with it.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of the above processing.

  In S800, main controller 310 performs a jackpot determination. If the jackpot is determined in S802, the process proceeds to S804. In step S804, the main control unit 310 extracts a jackpot symbol random number from the jackpot special symbol random number loop counter. In step S806, the main control unit 310 determines a special symbol combination based on the extracted jackpot symbol random number. In S808, main controller 310 reads the value of the special symbol determination flag corresponding to the determined combination of special symbols. In step S810, the main control unit 310 sets a value obtained by adding 1 to the value of the read special symbol determination flag as the EVENT value of the grouping effect symbol designation command. In step S812, the main control unit 310 transmits the grouped effect design designation command to the sub-control unit 340.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S802 that it is out of the range, the process proceeds to S814. In step S814, the main control unit 310 extracts the out symbol random number from the out symbol special symbol random number loop counter. In step S816, the main control unit 310 determines a special symbol combination based on the extracted symbol random number. In S818, main controller 310 sets “00” H as the EVENT value of the grouping effect designating command. In step S812, the main control unit 310 transmits the grouped effect design designation command to the sub-control unit 340.

4). Example of Conversion Process from Grouping Effect Symbol Designation Command to Effect Symbol Designation Command by Sub Control Unit The correspondence relationship between the grouping effect symbol designation command and the effect symbol designation command will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 shows a correspondence relationship between the grouping effect designating command transmitted from the main control unit 310 to the sub-control unit 340 and the effect designating command transmitted from the sub-control unit 340 receiving the command to the display control unit 370. FIG. In FIG. 7, a command includes a “command ID” portion (also referred to as a “MODE” portion) for identifying the transmitted command itself and grasping the gaming state, and in the identified gaming state, This is a 2-byte command composed of two parts called “EVENT” part for identifying a specific control information type.

  The “command ID” portion of the grouped effect designating command is all “B1” H, and there are seven “EVENT” portions of “00” H to “06” H. On the other hand, the “command ID” portion of the effect designating command is all “B1” H, and there are 11 “EVENT” portions of “00” H to “0A” H.

  For example, when the main control unit 310 reads the special symbol determination flag “01” H at the time of the big hit, the main control unit 310 sends a grouping effect designating command (“B1” H + “02” H) to the sub-control unit 340. Send to. The sub-control unit 340 that has received the grouping effect designating command randomly selects one value from “02” H, “04” H, “06” H, “08” H, or The value is selected according to the probability of selection (there is a bias), and the value is set as the EVENT value of the effect designating command. If “04” H is selected and set as the EVENT value, the sub-control unit 340 transmits an effect symbol designation command (“B1” H + “04” H) to the display control unit 370. The display control unit 370 that has received the effect symbol designation command controls the effect symbol display device 103 to stop the effect symbol at “444”. On the other hand, at the time of detachment, the main control unit 310 transmits a grouping effect designating command (“B1” H + “00” H) to the sub-control unit 340 and receives the grouping effect designating command. Transmits the effect designating command (“B1” H + “00” H) to the display control unit 370 in the same manner. The display control unit 370 that has received the effect designating command determines an outage stop symbol by a process described later.

  Note that the EVENT value of the grouped effect designating command also designates which of the first variable winning ball device 109 and the second variable winning ball device 110 is to be released in the case of a big hit. For example, when the EVENT values of the group effect designating command are “01” H and “02” H, the second variable prize ball device 109 is opened, and the EVENT values are “03” H and “04” H. , “05” H, “06” H, the first variable winning ball apparatus 110 is opened.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an outline of the above processing.

  In S900, the sub control unit 340 receives the grouped effect designating command from the main control unit 310. In step S902, the sub control unit 340 selects one effect symbol designation command based on the conversion correspondence table between the grouped effect symbol designation command and the effect symbol designation command. In step S904, the sub control unit 340 transmits the selected effect designating command to the display control unit 370.

5. Stop Symbol Determination Processing by Display Control Unit The stop symbol determination processing by the display control unit will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of stop symbol determination processing by the display control unit.

  In S1000, the display control unit 370 receives the variation pattern command from the sub control unit 340. In step S1002, the display control unit 370 receives an effect symbol designation command from the sub control unit 340. In step S1004, the display control unit 370 checks the EVENT value of the received effect designating command, and determines whether the effect designating command specifies a jackpot or a miss. Specifically, when the EVENT value of the effect symbol designation command is “01” H to “0A”, the jackpot designation is made, and the process proceeds to S1006. In S1006, the display control unit 370 determines a stop symbol based on the EVENT value of the received effect symbol designation command, controls the effect symbol display device 103, and stops at the stop symbol. Specifically, the display control unit 370 checks the EVENT value of the effect designating command, and when the EVENT value is “01” H to “07” H, stops “111” to “777”, respectively. Determine as a symbol. When the EVENT value is “09” H, both “111” and “222” are determined as stop symbols (referred to as “double hit”), and when the EVENT value is “0A” H. , “777” and “888” are determined as stop symbols.

  The above is the process of determining the jackpot stop symbol at the time of jackpot.

  On the other hand, when the EVENT value of the effect symbol designating command is “00” H, since it is a miss designation, the process proceeds to S1008, and a miss stop symbol determination process described below is performed. At the time of detachment, the display control unit 370 finally determines the detachment stop symbol.

  In explaining the determination process of the come-off stop symbol by the display control unit 370, first, the variation pattern command related to the decision of the come-off stop symbol will be explained.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the variation pattern command selection process by the main control unit 310. FIG. 13 shows an example of processing of a variation pattern command by the sub-control unit 340, and FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an overview of the variation pattern command. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a variation pattern command table that is stored in the ROM 610 of the display control unit 370 and indicates a correspondence relationship between the variation pattern command table and the variation type.

  In FIG. 12, a jackpot determination process is performed in S1200. The jackpot determination processing method is the same as S800 in FIG. If it is determined in S1202 that the main control unit 310 is a big hit, the process proceeds to S1204. In step S1204, the main control unit 310 refers to the variation pattern command table corresponding to the internal state (during normal variation, probability variation, etc.) from the variation pattern command table at the time of the big hit. In step S1205, one variation pattern command is selected randomly or at a certain frequency from the variation pattern command table referenced by the main control unit. In step S1208, the main control unit 310 transmits the selected variation pattern command to the sub control unit 340. On the other hand, if it is determined in S1202 that the main control unit 310 is out, the process proceeds to S1210, and the variation pattern command table corresponding to the internal state is referred to from among the variation pattern command tables at the time of decoupling. Next, as in the case of jackpot, in S1206, a variation pattern command is selected, and in S1208, the variation pattern command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 340.

  In FIG. 13, in S <b> 1300, the sub control unit 340 receives the above-described variation pattern command from the main control unit 310. In step S1302, the sub control unit 340 transmits the received variation pattern command to the display control unit 370. Referring to FIG. 14, the main control unit 310 sends one change from the change pattern commands including the command ID value “A0” H and the EVENT values “01” H to “72” H to the sub-control unit 340. The pattern command is transmitted (S1300), and the sub control unit 340 transmits the variation pattern command to the display control unit 370 (S1302).

  Now, returning to FIG. 11, the process for determining the stoppage stop symbol will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the determination process of the stop stop symbol by the display control unit 370.

  In step S1100, the display control unit 370 analyzes the variation pattern command received in step S1000 in FIG. 10 and determines whether the variation pattern indicated by the variation pattern command is reach variation or normal variation. The normal variation is a non-reach variation pattern that does not involve reach, and each symbol varies in a monotonically scrolling manner. Referring to FIG. 15, the command ID value of the variation pattern command is common to “A0” H, and the EVENT values are “01” H to “04” H, “05” H to “24” H, “25” H. To “72” H. A variation pattern command having an EVENT value of “01” H to “04” H is assigned a variation pattern number of 1 to 4, and in this case, the variation pattern is a non-reach variation. In addition, a variation pattern command with an EVENT value of “05” H to “24” H is assigned with a variation pattern number of 5 to 36. In this case, the variation pattern is used for various reach notifications for notifying a deviation after reach variation. It is a fluctuation. Furthermore, the variation pattern command having an EVENT value of “25” H to “72” H is assigned a variation pattern number of 37 to 114. In this case, the variation pattern is a reach variation for notifying the jackpot after the reach variation. It is.

  In S1104, the display control unit 370 performs a lottery process to determine whether the left symbol is an even symbol or an odd symbol. The probability of selecting an even symbol and the probability of selecting an odd symbol are arbitrary. For example, the probability that an even symbol is selected at a ratio of 2 to 1 may be set higher than the probability that an odd symbol is selected. If an even number symbol is selected as a result of the lottery, the process proceeds to S1106. If an odd number symbol is selected, the process proceeds to S1108.

  In S1106, the display control unit 370 draws the left symbol from 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8, while in S1108, the left symbol is drawn from 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9.

  In step S1110, the display control unit 370 analyzes the variation pattern command and determines whether the variation pattern instructed by the variation pattern command is reach variation or normal variation. The normal variation is non-reach variation without reach, and each symbol is monotonically scrolled and fluctuated.

  If it is determined in S1110 that the EVENT value of the variation pattern command is “05” H to “24” H (in the case of reach), the process proceeds to S1102, and the EVENT value is “01” H to “04” H. If it is determined that there is a non-reach case, the process advances to step S1126.

  In S1102, the display control unit 370 sets the same symbol as the left symbol lottery selected in S1106 or S1108 as the right symbol. That is, the same symbol as the previously determined symbol is set.

  In step S1114, the display control unit 370 analyzes the variation pattern command and determines whether the variation pattern indicated by the variation pattern command is a normal reach variation or a super reach variation (also referred to as a special reach variation). Here, the normal reach variation is, for example, the reach variation of a simple movement that does not change the size or stop position of the effect design to be displayed, while the super reach variation is the size of the effect design itself to be displayed, Reach fluctuation of complex movements, such as changing the position of the effect design to be displayed and interrupting display of other effect images accordingly, aiming to increase the expectation of jackpot for the player It is. Although not explicitly shown, the variation pattern commands of the variation pattern numbers 5 to 36 include those instructing the super reach variation. Therefore, if a variation pattern command instructing normal reach variation is received, the process proceeds to S1116, and if a variation pattern command instructing super reach variation is received, the process proceeds to S1122.

  In S1116, the display control unit 370 performs a lottery drawing of the middle symbols.

  In step S1118, the display control unit 370 determines whether the middle symbol drawn in step S1116 is the same as the left symbol drawn in step S1106 or S1108. If they are the same, the process proceeds to step S1120.

  In step S1120, the display control unit 370 resets the symbol one symbol ahead or one symbol ahead of the selected middle symbol as the middle symbol. That is, in this step, when the same middle symbol as the left symbol is selected by chance in S1116, a process of forcibly shifting the middle symbol by one is performed in order to avoid the jackpot display state.

  Returning to S1110, the display control unit 370 proceeds to S1126 in the case of normal fluctuation (non-reach), and draws the right symbol.

  In S1128, the display control unit 370 determines whether or not the right symbol drawn in S1126 is the same as the left symbol drawn in S1106 or S1108. If they are the same, the process proceeds to S1130.

  In S1130, display control unit 370 resets the symbol one symbol before the right symbol as the right symbol. That is, in this step, when the same right symbol as the left symbol is selected by chance in S1126, a process of forcibly shifting the right symbol by one is performed to avoid the reach state. In the lottery, the reach state may be avoided by performing the lottery except for the symbols that are initially determined.

  In S1132, the display control unit 370 draws a middle symbol (final stop symbol).

  Returning to S1114, if it is determined in S1114 that there is a super reach fluctuation, the medium symbols are displayed using the middle symbol ± 1 table (super reach final stop symbol forced control table) stored in the ROM 610 shown in FIG. decide. That is, when it is determined that the change is a super reach change, ± 1 information is obtained from the middle symbol ± 1 table according to the change pattern number (see FIG. 15) of the received change pattern command. In S1124, in the case of +1, the symbol that has advanced one symbol variation from the right symbol (= left symbol) is set to the middle symbol (final stop symbol), and in the case of -1, 1 from the right symbol (= left symbol). Set the symbol in front of the symbol to the middle symbol (final stop symbol). According to FIG. 16, for example, when the variation pattern number is 11, the symbol one symbol before the right symbol (= left symbol) is set as the middle symbol, and when the variation pattern number is 12, the right symbol (= = The symbol which has advanced one symbol variation from the left symbol) is set as the middle symbol. In the present embodiment, control is performed so as to shift one symbol, but control may be performed so as to shift two symbols.

  The above is the determination process of the stoppage stop symbol by the display control unit 370 at the time of disconnection.

6). Example of recovery process of jackpot effect based on special symbol determination flag by main control unit In the above-described embodiment, the value of the special symbol determination flag stored in RAM 424 of main control unit 310 is used to determine a stop symbol at the time of jackpot However, the value of the special symbol determination flag can be used for other purposes. For example, a recovery process using a special symbol determination flag can be performed when the power is restored after the main power of the gaming machine is turned off due to a sudden power failure or the like. When the main power of the gaming machine is turned off, control data such as a special symbol determination flag stored in the RAM 424 of the main control unit 310 and a special game management status indicating the current gaming state is backed up and held by an attached battery. ing. Therefore, when the power is restored, the jackpot start effect and the jackpot end effect can be performed based on the value of the held special symbol determination flag. By referring to the special symbol determination flag and the special game management status, the jackpot operation is in progress (the effect symbol display device 103 performs the jackpot effect, and the first variable winning ball device or the second variable winning ball device performs the opening / closing operation. Even if the main power supply of the gaming machine is turned off while the game is in progress, the jackpot effect that was in progress can be restored. FIG. 17 shows a correspondence table of special symbol determination flags, jackpot start presentation designation commands and jackpot end presentation designation commands, and FIG. 18 shows a correspondence table of special game management status setting values and their contents. According to these tables, for example, it is assumed that the main power is turned off when the value of the special game management status is “03” H, that is, in the jackpot start effect state. Thereafter, if the value of the special symbol determination flag when the main power is restored is “00” H, the main control unit 310 transmits a jackpot start effect designation command (“90” H + “00” H). Further, for example, it is assumed that the main power is turned off when the value of the special game management status is “07” H, that is, in the jackpot end effect state. Thereafter, if the value of the special symbol determination flag when the main power is restored is “00” H, the main control unit 310 transmits a jackpot end effect designation command (“92” H + “00” H). Therefore, even if the main power is turned off during the jackpot operation, the jackpot operation can be resumed when the main power supply is subsequently restored.

7). An example of game control processing by the main control unit An example of game control processing executed by the CPU 422 of the main control unit 310 will be described with reference to the drawings.
The processing procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 19 is a game control interrupt process performed when the CPU 422 of the main control unit 310 reads and executes a game control program stored in the ROM 420. In this processing, two types of interrupt processing (interrupt processing for each first predetermined period of the game control system (for example, interrupt processing every 4 msec)), random number update and switch, which are started every cycle (for example, 4 msec and 2 msec) Interrupt processing (for example, interrupt processing every 2 msec) for each second predetermined period such as check is running in parallel. Note that it is possible to perform interrupt processing for each third predetermined period, interrupt processing for each fourth predetermined period, or the like so that the interrupt processing cycles do not overlap as necessary. In FIG. 19, when the gaming machine is powered on, the main control unit 310 clears the RAM 424 and performs initial setting (S1910), and then sends an initial command (for example, RAM clear processing) to the sub control unit 340. , Initial symbol designation, initial state, etc.) are transmitted (S1912), and initial setting instructions relating to images, lamps, sounds, games, and the like are given. In addition, when power is cut off, power is restored.

  Next, an interrupt process for each first predetermined period of the game control system will be described.

7-1 Command output management process (S1914)
The main control unit 310 transmits, to the sub-control unit 340, the variation pattern command and the grouped effect designating command that are created in the special game management process (S1916) described later and prepared in the command storage area of the RAM 424. First, it is determined whether there is a command to be transmitted. If there is a command to be transmitted, the command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 340. If there is no command to be output, this processing ends as it is. As will be described later, when command transmission is performed, the command is started after “interrupt processing for each first predetermined period” in which the special symbol change start processing in the special game management processing (S1916) is performed. It is transmitted in the command output management process (S1914) in the “interrupt process for each first predetermined period”. Therefore, the command related to the control of the effect symbol is transmitted by the command output management process after one interruption (after 4 msec in the present embodiment) during a predetermined period after the process of starting the variation of the special symbol is started. Become. In addition, when the process procedure which moves this command output management process to the next process of the special game management process (S1916) to be described later is adopted, the command related to the control of the effect symbol starts the process of changing the special symbol. Will be transmitted by the command output management process in the same interrupt during the predetermined period.

  Receiving the variation pattern command and the grouped effect designating command, the sub-control unit 340 converts the grouped effect designating command into the effect designating command and transmits the variation pattern command and the effect designating command to the display control unit 370. To do. The display control unit 370 that has received the variation pattern command and the effect symbol designation command controls variation of the effect symbol of the effect symbol display device 103 for a predetermined variation time. Next, in the case of a big hit, the effect symbol designation command is In the case of detachment, the designated jackpot symbol is stopped, and as described above, the symbol is stopped at the losing symbol determined based on the contents of the variation pattern command.

  Note that the reason why the command output management process (S1914) is placed in the first half of the interrupt process for each first predetermined period is that an interrupt for each second predetermined period, which will be described later, has a high processing priority. Since it is highly likely to occur in the second half of each interrupt process, if the command output management process (S1914) having a long processing time is placed in the second half of the interrupt process for each first predetermined period, This is because there is a high possibility of being interrupted by an interrupt every second predetermined period, and the command output management process (S1914) is likely to be aborted in the middle of the process. Therefore, in order to avoid the problem as much as possible, the command output management process (S1914) is placed in the first half of the interrupt process for each first predetermined period, preferably in the first part of the interrupt process for each first predetermined period. Thus, the execution timing of the command output management process (S1914) and the interrupt timing for each second predetermined period are prevented from overlapping as much as possible.

7-2 Special game management process (S1916)
The main control unit 310 performs control related to the game such as symbol variation and accessory control by special game management processing.

  The reach random number (reach type (reach type ( Random numbers for determining normal reach, long reach, etc.), design random numbers read from the design random number loop counter (random numbers for determining stop symbols), and the first start winning port 104 or the second starting winning port Based on the jackpot random number of the winning ball to 108 (random number for determining whether to win or miss) or the jackpot random number stored in the holding memory of the holding ball, the main control unit 310 performs a variation pattern command, grouping Areas dedicated to each command on the RAM 424 and special symbols (left) and special symbols (right), stop symbols, etc. Hereinafter, stored in that given area.). The grouping effect designating command system has already been described with reference to FIG.

  Further, during the big hit operation, the main control unit 310 receives the big prize opening data and the big prize opening closing data for instructing the big prize opening operation solenoid 446 to release the variable prize ball device 109 for a predetermined time. The data is stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424.

  Further, the main control unit 310 controls variation of the special symbol (left) and the special symbol (right) for a predetermined variation time via the special symbol display output port 432 and stores it in a predetermined area on the RAM 424. Stop at each of the special symbols (left) and special symbols (right). Each stop symbol is displayed on a special symbol display device 102 of 7 segments consisting of two digits.

  In this way, in the special game management process (S1916), the main control unit 310 does not control the special symbol by sending a special symbol designation command to another control unit, but sets the special symbol display output port 432. The display drive signal is transmitted to the special symbol display device 102 side via this, and the special symbol is directly controlled.

  The main control unit 310 starts a process of directly controlling and changing the special symbol (for example, as a control related to the special game management process (S1916), a special symbol variation timer is set or the special symbol display device 102 side In the command output management process (S1914) of the interrupt process that occurs next (for example, after 4 msec), the sub-control unit 340 is subjected to the change pattern command, The grouping effect designating command corresponding to the special symbol as shown in FIG. 6 is transmitted. Here, the effect symbol variation time specified by the variation pattern command and the variation time set in the special symbol variation timer are set to the same value. The timing is synchronized with a predetermined time (for example, 4 msec), that is, with a time difference corresponding to the interrupt period of the game control system. That is, depending on the processing speed of the sub-control unit 340, as shown in FIG. 20, the timing at which the effect symbol shifts from the stop state to the variation state (variation start timing) is a special symbol (left special symbol and right special symbol). Lags behind the timing of transition from the stop state to the fluctuation state (for example, after 4 msec). Similarly, the timing at which the effect symbol shifts from the variation state to the stop state (stop timing) is delayed from the timing at which the special symbol shifts from the variation state to the stop state (for example, after 4 msec).

  In short, the control of starting the change of the effect symbol after the change of the special symbol is started and stopping the effect symbol after the special symbol is stopped is performed.

7-3 Normal game management processing (S1918)
At the start of normal symbol variation due to the passage of the sphere of the normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 (or normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106), the main control unit 310 is based on the small hit random number on the RAM 424. Prepares stop symbol data for normal symbols. This process is performed when it is determined that the normal symbol change is started while the main control unit 310 performs the normal game management process.

7-4 External information processing (S1920)
In order to transmit game state information from the main control unit 310 to the outside of the gaming machine via the external information output unit 454, the main control unit 310 transmits information to the outside by performing external information processing.

7-5 Solenoid control processing (S1922)
The main control unit 310 opens / closes the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 based on the big winning opening opening data and the big winning opening closing data stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424. To the special winning opening solenoid 446. In addition, the main control unit 310 instructs the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 448 to open or close the second start winning opening 108.

7-6 Other random number update processing (S1924)
The main control unit 310 updates random numbers (reach random numbers, missed design random numbers, etc.) other than the jackpot random numbers and the jackpot special symbol random numbers in S1924 during the remaining time of the interrupt processing for the first predetermined period.

  Next, interrupt processing for each second predetermined period will be described.

7-7 per lot random number update process (S1930)
The main control unit 310 updates the jackpot random number for jackpot and the jackpot special symbol random number by incrementing (+1) the jackpot random number loop counter on the RAM 424 every cycle of 2 msec, for example. At the same time, the main control unit 310 updates the small hit random number for the normal symbol by incrementing (+1) the small hit random number loop counter on the RAM 424. In the present embodiment, the loop counter means a counter that cyclically updates a value from 0 to a predetermined maximum value.

7-8 Input processing (S1932)
When the main control unit 310 detects the winning ball to the first starting winning port 104 or the second starting winning port 108 with the special symbol start switch 410, the main control unit 310 reads the big hit random number from the big hit random number loop counter and stores it on the RAM 424. . When the special symbol start switch 410 detects that the ball has won the first start winning port 104 or the second start winning port 108 during the special symbol change, the main control unit 310 detects the big hit random number from the big hit random number loop counter. Then, the jackpot special symbol random number is read and stored in the holding memory of the holding ball on the RAM 424 (holding of the ball). Each time this step is repeatedly executed during the special symbol variation, the value of each big hit random number is continuously stored in the holding memory of the holding ball on the RAM 424 for a plurality of holding balls.

  Further, when the main control unit 310 detects the passage of the sphere of the normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 (or the normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106), the main control unit 310 calculates a small hit random number from the small hit random number loop counter. Read and store on RAM 424.

  Further, the main control unit 310 detects the winning at the first starting winning port 104 or the second starting winning port 108 by the special symbol starting switch 410, and the first variable winning ball at the time of the big hit operation by the big winning port switch 414. The winning detection to the device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110, the first starting winning port 104, the second starting winning port 108, the first variable winning ball device 109, the second variable winning by the switch 418, etc. The result of winning detection to other winning ports other than the ball device 110 is stored on the RAM 424. In particular, when a winning detection is made to the first variable winning ball device 109 and the second variable winning ball device 110, the main control unit 310 also increments (+1) the big winning counter on the RAM 424. The big prize counter is controlled so that it is not counted except during the big hit (in a normal state or the like).

  If the specific area switch 416 is mounted, the main control unit 310 sets a V flag on the RAM 424 when detecting a game ball that has passed through the specific area. Further, when the special symbol variation time shortening switch 119 is mounted, the main control unit 310 sets a special symbol variation time shortening switch flag when detecting that the switch is turned on.

7-9 Prize ball payout management processing (S1934)
In the input process (S1932), the first symbol at the time of a big hit operation by the big prize opening switch 414, the prize detection to the first winning prize opening 104 or the second starting prize opening 108 by the special symbol start switch 410 stored in the RAM 424. Detection of winning in the variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110, and the first starting winning port 104, the second starting winning port 108, the first variable winning ball device 109 or the first by the switch 418. For each result of winning detection to other winning ports other than the two variable winning ball devices 110, the main control unit 310 stores the number of payout balls corresponding to each preset number of winning balls on the RAM 424. Remember.

  The main control unit 310 instructs the prize ball payout device 452 to pay out a prize ball by a command output based on the number of prize balls paid out stored in the RAM 424.

7-10 Special Game Management Process and Normal Game Management Process FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a series of processing contents including the special game management process (S1916) and the normal game management process (S1918) of FIG.
In S2110, the main control unit 310 checks the big hit flag, and if the big hit flag is ON, the big hit is being hit, so the big hit process (S2134) is performed, and the process proceeds to S2140. When the big hit flag is OFF and the special symbol change timer on the RAM 424 is 0, that is, neither big hit nor special symbol change, the big hit random number (the first start winning prize port 104 or the first start winning port 104 or the 2), whether the first winning prize opening 104 or the second starting winning prize 108 is stored in the RAM 424. If it is determined that the special symbol change starts with the reservation of the winning ball or the holding ball, the process proceeds to S2112.

  In step S2112, the main control unit 310 determines the jackpot of the special symbol variation to be started based on the jackpot random number related to the special symbol variation stored in the RAM 424. When it is determined that the jackpot random number does not match the jackpot value, the special prize flag on the RAM 424 is turned OFF, and when it is determined that the jackpot random number matches the jackpot value, the special prize flag is turned ON.

  Here, when the probability variation flag is ON (at the time of probability variation), the number of jackpot values for jackpot determination is increased to increase the jackpot probability. For example, “7” is set as the jackpot value in the normal time (normal game state), but “3”, “7”, “11”, “15” is set as the jackpot value when the probability variation is changed. , “82” is set. When the hour / middle flag is ON, the hour / hour variation counter on the RAM 424 is decremented (−1).

  In S2114, when the determination result in S2112 is a big hit, the main control unit 310, like the big hit random number, stores the big hit special symbol random number loop counter (100 values from 0 to 99. See FIG. 6). ) Determines the EVENT value of the grouped effect designating command to be transmitted to the sub-control unit 340 based on the combination of the stopped symbols of the special symbol display device 102 and the special symbol determination flag stored in the RAM 424. On the other hand, in the case of detachment, the combination of stop symbols of the special symbol display device 102 is determined from the detachment symbol random numbers (21 values from 0 to 20; see FIG. 6) extracted from the detachment special symbol random number loop counter. That is, the main control unit 310 sets any one of the combinations of special symbols to be stopped and the command ID (“B1” H) and EVENT (“00” H to “06” H) of the grouping effect designating command. ) And is stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424.

  In step S <b> 2116, the main control unit 310 determines a variation pattern command for effect design variation based on the jackpot determination, the reach random number, and the design random number, and stores them in a predetermined area on the RAM 424.

  In S2118, main control unit 310 stores special symbol variation instruction data instructing special symbol variation in a predetermined area on RAM 424.

  When the information required for the special symbol variation is stored, in S2120, the main control unit 310 determines a normal rendering time (seconds) corresponding to the rendering symbol variation that is uniquely determined from the command ID of the variation pattern command. Then, a special symbol variation timer for monitoring the variation of the special symbol is set to a normal performance time (seconds). The normal performance time (seconds) is unique to each command ID of the variation pattern command, and the number of seconds differs for each event of the variation pattern command.

  When the special symbol variation time reduction switch 119 is installed, a special symbol variation time reduction switch timer for monitoring ON / OFF of the switch is set.

  Similarly, in S2140, the main control unit 310 checks the small hit random number related to the normal symbol variation stored in the RAM 424 as the processing target, and checks the normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 or the normal symbol display. If it is determined that the normal symbol variation start associated with the passage of the sphere of the device operation gate (right) 106, the process proceeds to S2142.

  In step S <b> 2142, the main control unit 310 performs a small hit determination of the normal symbol variation to be started based on the small hit random numbers related to the normal symbol variation stored in the RAM 424. When it is determined that the small hit random number does not match the small hit value, the small hit flag on the RAM 424 is turned OFF, and when it is determined that the small hit random value matches the small hit value, the small hit flag is turned ON.

  Here, when the probability variation flag is ON or the hour / medium flag is ON, the number of small hit values for determining the small hit is increased to increase the small hit probability.

  In S2144, the main control unit 310 determines a normal symbol to be stopped and displayed on the normal symbol display device 107 from the small hit determination result. For example, the small hit determination is “small hit flag ON”, and the stop symbol data of the normal symbol uniquely determined from the small hit determination result is “7” H. The main control unit 310 stores the normal symbol stop symbol data in a predetermined area on the RAM 424.

  In step S2146, the main control unit 308 stores normal symbol variation instruction data for instructing normal symbol variation in a predetermined area on the RAM 424.

  When the information required for the normal symbol variation is stored, in step S2148, the main control unit 310 sets a normal symbol variation timer for monitoring the normal symbol variation to a predetermined value.

  Referring back to FIG. 19, the main control unit 310 executes special game management processing (S1916) based on the information required for special symbol variation stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424, and starts variation of the special symbol. (S2118 in FIG. 21). Similarly, the main control unit 310 executes normal game management processing (S1918) based on the information required for normal symbol variation stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424 to start normal symbol variation (FIG. 21). S2146). After that (for example, after 4 msec or more), command output management processing (S1914) is executed, and a variation pattern command, a grouped effect design designation command, and the like are transmitted to the sub-control unit 340. Subsequently, the sub-control unit 340 that has received the variation pattern command, the grouped effect design designation command, etc. transmits the variation pattern command, the effect design designation command, etc. to the display control unit 370.

  The process of FIG. 21 is called again from the process of FIG. 19 by the interrupt process. In S2110 and S2122, the main control unit 310 has the special prize flag OFF and the symbol variation timer is not 0, that is, the symbol variation is not being hit and the special symbol variation is in progress. If it is determined that, the process proceeds to S2124. In S2124, the main control unit 310 subtracts the special symbol variation timer by an interrupt cycle T (for example, 4 msec). In S2110 and S2122, if the jackpot, the special symbol variation start, or the special symbol variation is not in progress, the main control unit 310 advances the process to S2130.

  In S2126, it is determined whether the special symbol variation timer is 0. If the special symbol variation timer is 0, in S2128, the special symbol is stopped at the stop symbol stored in the predetermined area on the RAM 424 in S2114.

  When the symbol change timer is 0, that is, when the symbol is not changing, the main control unit 310 checks the special prize flag (S2130). When the special prize flag is ON, the main control unit 310 sets the special prize flag to ON in S2132. Then, the information of the jackpot start effect designation command (command ID is “90” H, see FIG. 17) is stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424. This command is transmitted to the display control unit 370 via the sub control unit 340 in the command output management processing (S1914) of FIG. This command is a command for displaying a big hit start screen on the effect symbol display device 103.

  Further, in S2132, the main control unit 310 sets predetermined values for the round counter (counter for counting the number of rounds during the jackpot operation) and the release timer (the timer for measuring the opening time of the big winning opening during one round) on the RAM 424. And set the interval timer (timer for measuring the closing time of the big winning opening between rounds) to a predetermined value (several seconds), and the big winning counter (the number of game balls won in the big winning opening during one round) Is set to 0. Specifically, the round counter is set to 15 rounds, the release timer is set to 30 seconds, and the process proceeds to S2140.

  If the specific area switch 416 is mounted, the V flag (a flag that is turned on when the game ball passes through the specific area) is turned OFF.

  If it is determined in S2126 that the symbol variation timer is not 0, main controller 310 advances the process to S2140. In addition, the main control unit 310 checks the special prize flag (S2130), and if the special prize flag is OFF, the process proceeds to S2140.

  When determining that the normal symbol variation timer is not 0, that is, that the normal symbol variation is in progress (S2140 → S2150), the main control unit 310 subtracts the normal symbol variation timer by the interrupt cycle T (for example, 4 msec) (S2152).

  When the normal symbol variation timer becomes 0, the main control unit 310 stores normal symbol stop instruction data for instructing the normal symbol variation stop in a predetermined area on the RAM 424 (S2154 → S2156).

  When the normal symbol variation timer is 0, that is, when the normal symbol is not varying, the main control unit 310 checks the small hit flag (S2158), and when the small hit flag is ON, the main control unit 310 turns the normal electric accessory 108 on. The small hit processing instruction data for instructing the ordinary electric accessory actuating solenoid 448 to be released for a predetermined time is stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424 (S2160). When the probability variation flag is ON, the open state time of the ordinary electric accessory 108 is set longer than the normal time. This makes it easier for the ball to enter the second start winning opening 104 during probability change.

  The above is a series of processing contents in which the special game management process (S1916) and the normal game management process (S1918) in FIG. 19 are combined.

  8). As described above, according to the present invention, since the main control unit does not determine the stop symbol of the effect symbol at the time of the big hit, the main control unit used to determine the stop symbol in the past is determined by the effect control unit. The ROM data area can be used for other purposes, for example, for storing other data, programs, etc., so that the ROM can be used effectively.

100 gaming machine 101 game board 102 special symbol display device 103 production symbol display device 104 first start winning opening 105 normal symbol display device operation gate (left)
106 Normal symbol display device operation gate (right)
107 Normal symbol display device 108 Normal electric accessory (tulip) (second starting prize opening)
109 Variable winning ball device 111 having a big winning opening 111 Game machine handle 112 Special symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp)
113 Normal symbol operation memory indicator lamp (hold lamp)
119 Special symbol change time shortening switch 120 Effect changeover switch 200, 300 Control unit 210, 310 Main control unit 240, 340 Sub control unit 270, 370 Display control unit 410 Special symbol start switch 412 Normal symbol operation switch 414 Big prize opening switch 416 Specific area switch 418 Other switch 420 ROM
422 CPU
424 RAM
426 Input port 428 Large winning opening solenoid output port 430 Normal electric accessory solenoid output port 432 Special symbol display output port 434 Normal symbol display output port 436 Special symbol operation memory indicator port 438 Normal symbol operation memory indicator port 440 Sub control command output port (sends grouping effect designating command, variation pattern command, etc.)
442 Dispensing control command output port 444 External information output port 446 Large prize opening solenoid 448 Normal electric accessory solenoid 450 Dispensing control unit 452 Prize ball dispensing device 510 ROM
512 RAM
514 CPU
516 Various input ports 518 Various output ports 520 Lamp display device 522 Sound effect generator 524 Production movable object 610 Program ROM
612 RAM
614 Video RAM
616 Character ROM
618 Input port 620 CPU
622 LSI for Image Processing (VDP)
624 output port

Claims (1)

For controlling a special symbol display device that repeatedly executes a control processing procedure composed of a plurality of control processings and displays a special symbol based on a lottery result indicating whether or not a big hit is made based on establishment of a predetermined condition A main control unit that executes special game management processing and an effect control unit that controls at least an effect control target for displaying the effect symbol, and the main control unit serves as a command for displaying the effect symbol. In a gaming machine that executes a command output management process for transmitting a first command and a second command to the effect control unit,
The main control unit performs a variable display of the special symbol over a time set in the special symbol fluctuation timer in the special game management process executed first in the control processing procedure that is repeatedly executed. From the special game management process when the special game management process executed subsequently is continued to execute the process of variably displaying the special symbol, and the process of variably displaying the special symbol is started. In the command output management process to be executed later, the special symbol is variably displayed based on the lottery result, and the special symbol is variably displayed by the special control unit. The first command in which the same variation time as the time set in the symbol variation timer is designated, and one group out of the effect symbol groups classified into a plurality of groups. Sending a second command to specify up to the presentation controller,
The production control unit receives the first command and the second command that are transmitted after the main control unit starts the variable symbol variation display, and thereby the variation time specified by the first command The start timing of the variation display of the effect symbol performed over a period of time is delayed from the start timing of the variation display of the special symbol performed by the special game management process, and over the variation time specified by the first command. The end timing of the variation display of the effect symbol performed in the above is delayed from the end timing of the variation display of the special symbol performed by the special game management process, and is included in one group specified by the second command A game machine, wherein an effect symbol to be displayed is selected from one or more of the effect symbols to be displayed.

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