JP6485468B2 - Pachinko machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to pachinko gaming machines.

  In general, pachinko gaming machines acquire a random number for lottery when a game ball enters the starting port, and temporarily store it as a predetermined upper limit number of balls as operation holding balls. Each such operation holding ball is sequentially digested one by one every time a predetermined starting condition is satisfied, and whether or not it is a big hit is determined. If the result of the determination is a big hit, the symbols consisting of a plurality of columns are displayed in a variable manner, and then the symbols are stopped and displayed in a predetermined winning manner. Special games (big hit games) to be established.

  In this type of gaming machine, in conjunction with the display of the fluctuation of the symbol, the player's sense of expectation is given through a reach effect or a notice effect that predicts the high level of expectation of transition to special games (expected expectation of jackpot) in advance. (For example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-16106

  Many pachinko gaming machines adopting such a configuration already exist as conventional models. Therefore, in order to differentiate from the conventional models, further improvement in the amusement of the game is required.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a subject, and it aims at providing the pachinko game machine which can aim at the improvement of the interest property of a game.

  In order to achieve such an object, the pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention includes a game board in which a game area is formed, a start port provided in the game area, into which a game ball can enter, and the start port. A determination unit for determining whether or not the game ball has entered the game, a special game execution unit for executing a special game advantageous to the player if the result of the determination is a big hit, and the determination of the determination A plurality of decorative symbols showing the results are displayed in a variable manner, and a symbol display device in which a combination of the decorative symbols is stopped and displayed, and a symbol display mode determination for determining a variable display mode and a stop display mode of the plurality of decorative symbols. And the symbol display device is configured to display a combination of decorative symbols as a temporary stop display or a fixed stop display, and a plurality of decorative symbols are displayed as a temporary stop with a special symbol combination in a predetermined variation display. If this is the case, it is possible to execute a variation continuation mode suggestion effect that suggests the development of the predetermined variation display after the special symbol combination is temporarily stopped, and the predetermined variation display is terminated in the variation continuation mode suggestion effect. When it is suggested to do so, the special symbol combination during the temporary stop display is converted into a predetermined off-set symbol combination so that the fixed stop display is performed.

  According to the pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the interest of the game.

It is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. It is a rear view of a pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. It is a front view of the game board of the pachinko game machine concerning this embodiment. It is a perspective view of the reel unit of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view of the reel of the pachinko game machine based on this embodiment. It is a control block diagram of a pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of a main control board and a sub control board of a pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows a special symbol success / failure lottery table. (A) is a schematic diagram which shows a 1st special symbol stop symbol table, (B) is a schematic diagram which shows a 2nd special symbol stop symbol table. It is a schematic diagram which shows a normal fluctuation pattern table. It is a schematic diagram which shows a shortening variation pattern table. It is a schematic diagram which shows the correspondence of the arrangement | sequence of the design of each reel, and a design number. It is a schematic diagram which shows a symbol display area and an effective line. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating scenario distribution lottery. It is a schematic diagram which shows a variation production pattern lottery table. It is a schematic diagram which shows the change group lottery table classified by additional information. It is a schematic diagram which shows the variation group lottery table classified by reach. It is a schematic diagram which shows a notice scenario lottery table. It is a schematic diagram which shows a notice lottery table (for notice effect category A). It is a schematic diagram which shows a notice lottery table (for notice effect category B). It is a schematic diagram which shows a notice lottery table (for notice effect category C). It is a schematic diagram which shows a notice lottery table (for notice effect category D). It is a schematic diagram which shows a notice lottery table (for notice effect category E). It is a schematic diagram which shows a notice lottery table (for notice effect category F). It is a schematic diagram which shows a notice lottery table (for notice effect category G). It is a schematic diagram which shows a notice lottery table (for notice effect category H). It is a schematic diagram which distinguishes and shows a notice effect pattern for every attribute (weak notice / strong notice). It is a schematic diagram which shows a notice conversion table. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the specific example of a notice conversion process. It is a front view which shows a roulette display apparatus. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the effect of the roulette effect. It is a flowchart which shows the main process side main process. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing following FIG. 32 of main control side main processing. It is a flowchart which shows the main control side timer interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a starting port monitoring control process. It is a flowchart which shows a special symbol change start monitoring control process. It is a flowchart which shows a special symbol change start monitoring process. It is a flowchart which shows a special symbol control process. It is a flowchart which shows a special symbol control general purpose process. It is a flowchart which shows a special symbol change start process. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol change process. It is a flowchart which shows the special symbol stop symbol display process. It is a flowchart which shows the control process following FIG. 42 of the special symbol stop symbol display process. It is a flowchart which shows a special electric accessory control process. It is a flowchart which shows the control process following FIG. 44 of a special electric accessory control process. It is a flowchart which shows the control process following FIG. 44 of a special electric accessory control process. It is a flowchart which shows a reset start process. It is a flowchart which shows production control side main processing. It is a flowchart which shows a command analysis process. It is a flowchart which shows the variation production content determination process. It is a flowchart which shows a notice conversion process. It is a flowchart which shows production control command reception interruption processing.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A front view and a rear view of a pachinko gaming machine PM according to the present embodiment are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. First, an overall configuration of the pachinko gaming machine PM will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Basic configuration of pachinko machines]
First, the basic structure of the front side of the pachinko gaming machine PM will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine PM is configured with a rectangular frame size adapted to the front of the opening of the outer frame 1 which forms a vertically fixed holding frame configured in an outer rectangular frame size, and can be opened and closed. The front frame 2 that forms a frame is attached so that it can be opened and closed laterally and opened and removed by upper and lower hinge mechanisms 3a, 3b arranged on the left front edge of each other, and is called a double lock provided on the front right edge. The locking device 4 is always used to maintain the closed state engaged with the outer frame 1.

  The front frame 2 is assembled with a square glass frame 5 and a ball tray unit 6 that are fitted to the upper front area of the front frame 2 so as to be opened and closed laterally and detachable using hinge mechanisms 7a, 7b, 7c. The locking device 4 is always used to keep the front frame 2 in a closed state covering the front surface. In the front frame 2, the game board 20 is detachably set and held, and the game area PA in front of the game board 20 is faced through the double-layer glass of the glass frame 5 that is always held closed. Yes.

On the front side of the glass frame 5, there are provided a frame lamp (LED lamp) 10 that emits light according to the game development status, and a speaker 11 that generates sound effects according to the game development status.
The ball tray unit 6 is provided with upper and lower ball trays (an upper ball tray 8 and a lower ball tray 9) for storing game balls, and an effect that is pressed by a player at the front center of the upper ball tray 8 is provided. A button (effect switch) 15 is provided, and a launch handle 12 for performing a launch operation of the game ball is provided on the front right side of the lower ball tray 9. In the following, for convenience, the operation input means for production will be referred to as “production button 15”, but the production button (production switch) 15 in this example is an on / off operation type button switch, in the direction of operation input. Cross-type switch (cross key, cross-button) that performs the corresponding output, tilt-operated lever-type switch, rotary-operated dial switch, proximity that outputs when the player's hand approaches or touches The concept includes all operation input means such as a switch, a touch sensor, and a touch panel.

  Next, the basic structure of the back side of the pachinko gaming machine PM will be described with reference to FIG. On the back side of the front frame 2, a back set board 30 having a window 30 a communicating in the front-rear direction substantially at the center and formed in a rectangular frame shape somewhat smaller than the front frame 2 is detachably attached. In each part of the back set board 30, a storage tank 31 that stores a large number of game balls, a prize ball payout unit 33 that pays out game balls guided from the storage tank 31, and a game paid out from the prize ball payout unit 33 A prize ball passage portion 34 and the like for guiding the ball to the upper ball tray 6 are provided.

On the back side of the game board 20, a main control board 100 for comprehensively controlling the operation of the pachinko gaming machine PM, a sub-control board 200 for controlling the overall performance according to the game development status, and the like are attached. . On the other hand, on the back side of the back set board 30, a payout control board 300 that mainly performs control relating to the launching and payout of game balls, and power received from the game facility side and supplied to various control boards and electric / electronic components. A power supply board 400 and the like are attached. In order to prevent unauthorized modification, these control boards are respectively placed at predetermined positions on the back of the game board 20 or the back set board 30 in an assembled state housed in a transparent resin board case having a caulking structure and a sealing structure. Arranged. These control boards and the electrical / electronic components of each part of the pachinko gaming machine PM are connected to each other via a harness (connector cable) so that the pachinko gaming machine PM can be operated.

[Composition of game board]
Next, the configuration of the game board 20 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The game board 20 is configured based on a board formed in a rectangular flat plate shape using a synthetic resin material such as an acrylic resin, a polycarbonate resin, or an ABS resin. On the front surface of the game board 20, an outer rail 21a and an inner rail 21b are fixed in an arc shape, and a substantially circular game area PA in which a game ball can roll is defined and formed, and a windmill and a large number of game areas PA are formed in the game area PA. In addition to the game nails, there are provided various winning ports such as a first starting port 61, a second starting port 62, an operation gate 63, and a big winning port 64. The game board 20 is not shown in FIG. 3 (see FIG. 6 instead), but the first special symbol display device 71, the second special symbol display device 72, and the first special diagram hold lamp 73. Various display devices such as a second special figure holding lamp 74, a normal symbol display device 75, and a general figure holding lamp 76 are provided. A center ornament 22 is disposed substantially in the center of the game area PA, and a reel unit 80 is provided through a central opening of the center ornament 22 so as to be visible. At the lower end of the game area PA, there is provided an out port 29 through which the game balls that have tumbled down without entering each winning port are discharged to the back side of the game board 20. Hereinafter, each component provided in the game board 20 is demonstrated in order.

  The first start port 61 is provided as a start winning port corresponding to the first special symbol game, and includes a first start port switch 611 for detecting the entrance of a game ball. Entering a game ball into the first start port 61 triggers the first special symbol lottery.

  The second start port 62 is provided as a start winning port corresponding to the second special symbol game, and includes a second start port switch 621 for detecting the entrance of a game ball. Entering a game ball into the second start port 62 triggers the second special symbol lottery. The second start port 62 includes a normal electric accessory 622 and a normal electric accessory solenoid 623 for opening and closing the normal electric accessory 622. The ordinary electric accessory 622 changes between a closed state in which it is difficult for a game ball to enter the second starting port 62 and an open state in which the game ball is easier to enter than this state. Here, the second starting port 62 has a structure in which it is difficult for a game ball to enter unless the ordinary electric accessory 622 is opened. On the other hand, when the ordinary electric accessory 622 is opened, the ease of entering the second starting port 62 is enhanced.

  The operation gate 63 is provided as a start winning opening corresponding to a normal symbol game, and includes an operation gate switch 631 for detecting passage of a game ball. Note that the passing of the game ball to the operation gate 63 triggers the normal symbol lottery for determining whether or not to expand the normal electric accessory 622 of the second start port 62.

The big winning opening 64 is formed as a winning opening having a horizontal rectangular shape that is opened when the first special symbol or the second special symbol is determined to be a big or small lottery. The special prize opening 64 includes a special prize opening switch 641 for detecting the entry of a game ball, and a special electric accessory 642 called a so-called attacker device, and for opening and closing the special electric accessory 642. The large winning opening solenoid 643 is provided. The special electric accessory 642 changes between a normal state in which a game ball cannot enter or difficult to enter the grand prize opening 64 and an open state in which a game ball can enter or can easily enter. In this example, the special winning opening 64 is provided in a right side area in the game area PA. Therefore, in the special game state (big hit game state), when a game ball is launched toward the game area PA, the player hits the right area, that is, hits the right area, so as to enter the big prize opening 64. Is easy.

  The first special symbol display device 71 performs variable display and fixed display of the first special symbol when the game ball enters the first starting port 61. The first special symbol display device 71 is composed of, for example, eight LED lamps, and the fluctuation display of the first special symbol is expressed according to the blinking pattern of the lamp, and the blinking of the lamp is stopped and switched to the lighting display. The first special symbol is confirmed and displayed.

  The second special symbol display device 72 performs a variable display and a fixed display of the second special symbol when the game ball enters the second start port 62. The second special symbol display device 72 is composed of, for example, eight LED lamps, and the variation display of the second special symbol is expressed according to the blinking pattern of the lamp, and the blinking of the lamp is stopped and switched to the lighting display. The second special symbol is confirmed and displayed.

  The first special figure reservation lamp 73 and the second special figure reservation lamp 74 are each composed of, for example, two LED lamps, and the number of operation reserved balls of the first special symbol and the second special symbol is indicated by lighting / flashing display of the lamps. Express (up to 4). The number of reserved balls for operation of the first special symbol is a number related to the random number value acquired based on the ball entering the first starting port 61 during the fluctuation of the first special symbol or the second special symbol or during execution of the special game. Yes, the acquired random number value is held, that is, the number of times the determination of the success / failure is temporarily held until the acceptance / rejection determination permission condition (variation start condition) is satisfied for the acquired random number value. Similarly, the number of reserved balls for operation of the second special symbol is a random value obtained based on the ball entering the second starting port 62 during the fluctuation of the first special symbol or the second special symbol or during execution of the special game. This number indicates the number that the acquired random number value is suspended, that is, the number of times that the determination is temporarily suspended until the acceptance determination condition (variation start condition) is satisfied for the acquired random value. Yes.

  The normal symbol display device 75 is composed of, for example, two LED lamps, and performs normal symbol variation display and fixed display. For example, the regular figure holding lamp 76 is composed of four lamps, and the number of lighting of the lamp corresponds to the number of normal symbol fluctuations held (the number of normal symbol fluctuations not yet executed).

  In the vicinity of these display devices, although not shown, a round indicator for displaying the number of round games in a special game (the number of rounds: the number of times that the special electric accessory 642 continuously operates) is provided. Yes.

  The center decoration 22 is installed around the reel unit 80 and has functions such as a game ball flow path, reel protection, and decoration. The center ornament 22 is provided with a plurality of movable accessories 24 for performing a production operation according to the game development status. The movable accessory 24 includes a motor (for example, a stepping motor) as a drive source. Further, the center decoration 22 is provided with a board lamp (LED lamp) 25 that emits light according to the game development status. In the following description, for convenience, the frame lamp 10 and the panel lamp 25 are also collectively referred to as “effect lamp LP”.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the reel unit 80 includes three reels (a left reel 81A, a middle reel 81B, and a right reel 81C), and a reel case 83 that holds the reels 81A to 81C on the same axis. Composed. In the following description, the left reel 81A, the middle reel 81B, and the right reel 81C may be simply referred to as “reel 81” unless otherwise distinguished.

  The reel 81 is detachably attached to the reel case 83 in an assembled state attached to the reel base 84. As shown in FIG. 5, a photo sensor 86, a motor 87, and a backlight 88 are attached to the reel base 84.

  The reel 81 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape (drum shape) using a light-transmitting material. On the outer peripheral surface of the reel 81, a symbol display surface 82 on which a plurality of types of symbols (decorative symbols) are displayed is provided. A detected member 85 formed in a cross shape is detachably attached to the side surface of the reel 81.

  The detected member 85 is formed with four projecting pieces extending radially outward from the center thereof at intervals of 90 degrees in the circumferential direction, and the three projecting pieces having the same length have a connecting convex portion 85a. The light-shielding portion 85b is projected from one projecting piece longer than these three projecting pieces. In the rim portion 81d of the reel 81, a connection hole 81a is opened at a position aligned with the connection convex portion 85a of the detected member 85, and the detection target member is formed by fitting the connection convex portion 85a into the connection hole 81a. 85 is attached to the reel 81. At this time, the shaft hole 81c formed at the center of the reel 81 and the shaft hole 85c formed at the center of the detected member 85 are aligned to communicate with each other in the central axis direction. The reel 81 has a passage hole 81b at a position aligned with the light shielding portion 85b of the detected member 85, and the light shielding portion 85b is inserted into the passage hole 81b (the front end side of the light shielding portion 85b passes through the reel 81). It protrudes inside the reel 81 beyond the hole 81b). A photo sensor 86 for detecting the rotation of each reel 81 is attached to the reel base 84. The photo sensor 86 includes a transmissive photo sensor having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and the light shielding unit 85b of the detection target member 85 is positioned between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit as the reel 81 rotates. When light incident from the light emitting unit to the light receiving unit is blocked by the light blocking unit 85b, the initial position (reference position) of the reel 81 is detected. Therefore, the sub-control board 200 can detect the current rotational position of each reel 81 based on the initial position detected by the photosensor 86 and the input number of steps.

  The motor 87 is, for example, a two-phase unipolar stepping motor having exciting coils that form X-phase, Y-phase, X-phase, and Y-phase magnetic fields. It is comprised with the stator fixed to. Each stator is wound with a corresponding exciting coil. When an exciting current is passed through the exciting coil to generate a magnetic force, the rotor is attracted to rotate by a certain angle (one step angle). The motor 87 can be driven to rotate in the forward direction or the reverse direction by switching the energization direction. The rotation shaft 87 a of the motor 87 is fixed to the shaft hole 81 c of the reel 81 and the shaft hole 85 c of the detected member 85, and the reel 81 and the detected member 85 can rotate synchronously with the rotational drive of the motor 87. .

  Inside the reel 81, a backlight 88 on which a plurality of LEDs (not shown) are mounted is disposed. The backlight 88 illuminates the symbol display unit from the inside (back side) using a plurality of LEDs as light sources. Here, as described above, a plurality of symbols (decorative symbols) are arrayed and displayed on the symbol display surface 82 of the reel 81 along the rotation direction of the reel 81. Thereby, when the player views each reel 81 from the front side of the gaming machine, the decorative design illuminated brightly from the inside of the reel 81 by the backlight 88 can be clearly recognized.

  In the reel unit 80 configured in this manner, the reels 81 are rotated and driven by the motor 87 of each reel 81 based on a control signal (excitation signal) from the sub-control board 200, whereby the symbol display surface is rotated. The decorative symbols displayed in 82 are displayed in a variable manner. A specific example of the decorative design will be described later.

[Control configuration of pachinko machines]
Next, with reference to FIG. 6, each control board mounted in the pachinko gaming machine PM according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a control block diagram showing a control configuration of the pachinko gaming machine PM.

  The main control board 100 executes various processes related to the main control of the game by reading various control programs stored in the ROM and performing arithmetic processing based on detection information from each switch. Specifically, the main control board 100 is electrically connected to a first start port switch 611, a second start port switch 621, an operation gate switch 631, a big prize port switch 641, and the like, and detection signals from various switches. Enter. The main control board 100 includes a first special symbol display device 71, a second special symbol display device 72, a first special symbol hold lamp 73, a second special symbol hold lamp 74, a normal symbol display device 75, and a general figure hold lamp. In addition to being electrically connected to 76, it is also electrically connected to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 623 and the special electric accessory solenoids 643, 653, and transmits the generated control signal to various display means and various solenoids.

  The main control board 100 and the sub control board 200 are connected so as to be communicable only in a single direction from the main control board 100 to the sub control board 200 by a serial communication method or a parallel communication method. Various effect control commands are transmitted to the sub-control board 200. On the other hand, data cannot be transmitted from the sub control board 200 to the main control board 100, and the main control board 100 cannot be requested to transmit data.

  Based on the effect control command from the main control board 100, the sub control board 200 executes main control related to the game effect according to the control program stored in the ROM. The sub control board 200 is electrically connected to the effect lamp LP, the movable accessory 24, the effect button 15, the speaker 11, the reel unit 80, and the like. The sub control board 200 controls the reel control signal for controlling the reel unit 80, the acoustic control signal for controlling the speaker, and the effect lamp LP in the effect control process based on the effect control command from the main control board 100. A lamp control signal for controlling the movable accessory 24, a drive control signal for controlling the movable accessory 24, and the like are generated, and the control signal is transmitted to each device. The sub-control board 200 can be configured by dividing the function into a sub-main control board and a sub-sub control board.

  The payout control board 300 is connected to the main control board 100 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. The payout payout unit 33 is driven on the basis of a payout control command from the main control board 100 so as to pay out a prize ball. And the ball feeding mechanism 13 and the firing mechanism 14 are driven synchronously based on the amount of operation (rotation amount) of the launch handle 12 by the player to control the launch of the game ball.

Although not shown in detail, the power supply board 400 includes a normal power supply circuit for generating a normal power supply used by each control board based on a primary power supply supplied from a power supply facility on the amusement island, and a backup power supply. Power supply necessary for electronic / electrical components such as control boards and game machines, and a power-off monitoring circuit for monitoring power-off due to a voltage drop. Supply. A power switch for starting the power circuit is connected to the power board 400, and when the power switch is turned on on the assumption that the primary power is supplied from the power supply device of the game island, the power board A predetermined power is supplied to each control board from 400 normal power supply circuits. The power supply board 400 is configured to be able to detect that the power supply from the power supply device on the amusement island has been cut off, and when the power supply is detected, a power supply cut-off signal (NMI signal) for notifying the fact is provided. , To the sub control board 200 and the payout control board 300. The backup power supply circuit is charged when power is supplied to the gaming machine from the power supply device on the game island. The power supply board 400 is connected to a RAM clear switch (not shown) for temporarily erasing the contents stored in the RAM of the main control board 100 and setting an initial value when the gaming machine is turned on. . Note that the RAM clear switch may be connected to the main control board 100 instead of the power supply board 400, for example.

<Basic operation of pachinko machines>
The pachinko gaming machine PM configured as described above is used for games with the outer frame 1 fixedly installed on the gaming island of the gaming facility, the front frame 2, the glass frame 5 and the like closed and locked. A game is started by storing the game ball in the tray 8 and rotating the launch handle 12. When the firing handle 12 is rotated, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 8 are sent to the firing mechanism 14 one by one by the ball feeding mechanism 13 disposed on the back side of the glass frame 5, The launching mechanism 14 launches the game area PA.

  When a game ball rolling down in the game area PA enters one of the first start port 61, the second start port 62, and the big winning port 64, a winning ball corresponding to the type of the winning port is paid out. The unit 33 pays out the upper ball tray 8 or the lower ball tray 9. When a game ball enters the first start port 61 or the second start port 62, a lottery random number value of a special symbol is acquired, and the random number value is temporarily stored as a reserved ball of the special symbol up to a predetermined upper limit number. And, when a predetermined starting condition is established, whether or not a special symbol is determined, a symbol determination, a variation pattern determination for a lottery random number value related to the earliest operation holding ball, in a mode according to this determination result, The special symbol is variably displayed on the first special symbol display device 71 or the second special symbol display device 72, and the decorative symbol is variably displayed on the effect display device 70. The variation display of the special symbol and the decorative symbol is stopped and displayed synchronously after the variation time corresponding to the selected variation pattern has elapsed.

  When the first special symbol or the second special symbol is confirmed and displayed in a stop mode indicating a big hit, the game shifts to a special game that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game, and the opening / closing operation of the big prize opening 64 starts. Is done. The stop pattern of the decorative symbol indicating the big hit is, for example, a mode in which the types of three symbols match. In the present embodiment, as a special game, a round game is set to 16 times (16 rounds), a 16R special game, a round game is set to 8 times (8 rounds), and a round game is 2 times. 2R special games set in (2 rounds) are provided.

  In this embodiment, regardless of whether the transition is made to the 16R special game, the 8R special game, or the 2R special game, the probability variation of the special symbol after the special game ends until the number of times the special symbol changes reaches a predetermined end number. The function (also called “probability”) operates uniformly. In other words, the pachinko gaming machine PM according to the present embodiment is a gaming machine called a so-called “ST machine”, which is a time-changing probability changing machine with a probability changing entry rate of 100%. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is limited to a period (also referred to as “ST period”) until the probability changing function of the special symbol reaches a predetermined end number (also referred to as “ST number”). When the probability variation function of the special symbol is activated, the special symbol lottery jackpot probability shifts from the normal low probability state to the high probability state, so that a new jackpot (special game) occurs relatively early. Become.

  On the other hand, after the special game is over, a special symbol variation time shortening function (hereinafter also referred to as “short time”) may be activated in association with or independently of the special symbol probability variation function. When the special symbol variation time reduction function is activated, the average variation time of special symbols and decorative symbols tends to be shorter than usual, and the number of special symbol lotteries per unit time is improved (per jackpot per unit time). Can increase the ease of acquisition).

Furthermore, when the special symbol variation time reduction function is activated, the electric chew support function is activated. In the electric chew support function, the probability of entering the second starting port 62 is improved by the normal symbol probability variation function, the normal symbol variation time shortening function, and the normal electric accessory 622 opening extension function being activated. This is a state (also referred to as “easy entry state”). Note that when the probability variation function of the normal symbol is activated, the winning probability of the normal symbol becomes higher than the normal state. When the normal symbol variation time shortening function is activated, the normal symbol variation time is reduced. When the opening time extension function of the ordinary electric accessory 622 is activated, the opening time of the ordinary electric accessory 622 becomes longer than the normal state. In this easy-to-enter state, the possibility that the number of fluctuations of the normal symbol per fixed time will increase more than usual and the ease of entering the second start port 62 will also increase, so that the second start port 62 will be entered. The possibility that the number of balls entering will increase. Therefore, the operation of the electric chew support function increases the chances of obtaining a prize ball by entering the second start port 62 during the period, so that the game can be continued with almost no decrease in the number of possessed balls. Become.

<Main functional configuration of pachinko machines>
Next, various functions of the pachinko gaming machine PM (mainly the main control board 100 / sub control board 200) according to the present embodiment will be described with additional reference to the functional block diagram of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the main control board 100 includes a ball entry judging means 110, a game lottery random number generating means 120, a holding control means 130, a prior judgment means 135, a special symbol lottery processing means 140, a normal symbol lottery processing means 145, Special game control means 150, symbol display control means 155, electric accessory control means 160, gaming state control means 165, error monitoring control means 170, main information storage means 180, and command transmission / reception means 190 are included. Note that each of the above-described units in the main control board 100 includes hardware such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and electronic circuit provided on the main control board 100, and software such as a control program stored in the ROM. It is a functional representation of things.

  The ball entry determining means 110 determines whether or not a game ball has entered each prize opening based on detection signals from the first start opening switch 611, the second start opening switch 621, the operation gate switch 631, the big winning opening switch 641, and the like. judge.

  The game lottery random number generation means 120 takes in the built-in random number generated by the random number generation circuit by software, and adds a soft random number per special symbol to be described later to this, thereby obtaining the random number per special symbol used in the lottery determination of the special symbol. Generate. Further, the game lottery random number generation means 120 includes a random number counter for generating various software random numbers by CPU program processing. These random number counters serve as random number generation means for generating random numbers in software. As this software random number, an initial value for a new update after the completion of one cycle update of the soft random number per special symbol added to the aforementioned built-in random number for generating the random number per hit, and the soft random number per special symbol Soft initial value random number per special symbol for determining the symbol, special symbol stop symbol random number used to determine the symbol (a combination of symbols that will activate the condition device) as a special symbol stop symbol, special symbol stop symbol random number A special symbol stop pattern initial value random number for determining an initial value for a new update after the completion of one cycle update, a special symbol variation pattern random number for use in selecting a variation pattern of the special symbol, Random number per normal symbol to be used in the normal symbol winning / no-draw lottery, initial value for a new update after the completion of one cycle of random number per normal symbol Determining normal symbol per initial value random number for, and the like normal symbol variation pattern random number for use in selecting the change pattern of the normal symbol. These software random numbers are updated once every time timer interrupt processing occurs (increment, decrement, prime addition, etc.), and the timer interrupt processing is not executed for the initial value random number ( Also during the loop processing), update using the remaining time of the interrupt cycle.

  The hold control means 130 includes a special symbol hold control means 131 and a normal symbol hold control means 132.

  The special symbol hold control means 131 is a lottery random number value related to special symbol games, which is a random number value per special symbol, per special symbol, when the game ball enters the first start port 61 or the second start port 62. The design random number value and the special design variation pattern random value are acquired, and the random number value is managed as the operation reserved ball information of the first special design or the second special design. The special symbol holding control means 131 is a main information storage means that combines the action holding ball information of the first special symbol or the second special symbol up to a predetermined upper limit number (4) with the entering order of the holding balls. The first special symbol reservation storage area of 180 or the second special symbol reservation storage area is temporarily stored.

  In the first special symbol reserved storage area and the second special symbol reserved storage area, the reserved 1 storage area (first reserved storage area), reserved 2 storage area (2 A reserved storage area), a reserved 3 storage area (third reserved storage area), and a reserved 4 storage area (fourth reserved storage area). Each reserved storage area can store a random number per special symbol, a random number per special symbol, and a special symbol variation pattern random number as a set as the operating reserved ball information. The operation hold ball information is stored in the order of the hold 1 storage area, the hold 2 storage area, the hold 3 storage area, and the hold 4 storage area, while the hold 1 storage area, the hold 2 storage area, the hold 3 storage area, and the hold 4 storage. Digested in order of area (first-in first-out principle). Further, when the reserved ball information in the hold 1 storage area is digested, the hold ball information stored in the hold 2 storage area, the hold 3 storage area, and the hold 4 storage area is shifted to the lower numbered storage areas, respectively. The contents of the reserved 4 storage area are cleared to zero.

  The special symbol hold control means 131 has a first special symbol hold ball number counter for counting the number of active reserved balls of the first special symbol and a second symbol for counting the number of active hold balls of the second special symbol. It has a special symbol reserve ball number counter. The special symbol hold control means 131 adds 1 to the corresponding counter each time one special reserved action ball is acquired as an update process of the number of special reserved action balls. Each time the corresponding counter is decremented by 1.

  Further, when the special symbol holding control means 131 updates (adds or subtracts) the number of active reserved balls of the first special symbol or the second special symbol, the effect control command ("symbol storage" This is temporarily stored in the command storage area of the main information storage means 180. This one command includes information on both the number of the operation reserved balls of the first special symbol and the number of the operation reserved balls of the second special symbol. In principle, the action-reserved balls of each special symbol are digested in the order of entry, but in this embodiment, the variable special symbol is displayed with priority over the first special symbol. In order to adopt so-called preferential digestion, while there is an operation reservation ball related to the second special symbol game, regardless of the presence of the operation reservation ball related to the first special symbol game, the operation reservation related to the second special symbol game It is configured to preferentially digest spheres. In addition, under this priority digestion, if there is an operation reservation ball of the second special symbol, even if there is an operation reservation ball of the first special symbol, the operation reservation ball of the first special symbol is digested. Will be put on hold.

The normal symbol hold control means 132 is triggered by the entrance of the game ball to the operation gate 63, and is a random number value per normal symbol, a random symbol value per normal symbol, a normal symbol fluctuation pattern, which is a lottery random number value related to the normal symbol game. A random value is acquired, and the random value is managed as the operation reservation ball information of the normal symbol. The normal symbol holding control unit 132 stores the normal symbol operation holding ball information in the normal symbol holding storage area of the main information storage unit 180 in a form combined with the order of entering the holding balls up to a predetermined upper limit number (four). Memorize temporarily. Further, the normal symbol holding control means 132 has a normal symbol holding ball number counter for counting the number of normal reserved operation balls. The normal symbol hold control means 132 adds 1 to the corresponding counter each time one normal reserved actuated ball is acquired as the update processing of the number of held normal symbols of the active normal symbol. Each time the corresponding counter is decremented by 1.

  The pre-determination unit 135 executes a pre-determination for a pre-reading notice when the operation holding ball having a special symbol is acquired at a predetermined pre-determination timing. As an example of the above-mentioned pre-determination timing, (1) Waiting per hit, and when the operation holding ball of the first special symbol is acquired while the electric support function is not operating, (2) Waiting per hit, and When the operation holding ball of the second special symbol is acquired while the electric chew support function is operating, (3) When the operation holding ball of the second special symbol is acquired during the big hit or the small hit, either This is when the condition is satisfied. Specifically, the pre-determining unit 135 reads the random number value corresponding to the currently acquired operation holding ball from the first special symbol holding storage area or the second special symbol holding storage area of the main information storage unit 180, Predetermination (pre-determined / unpredictable), symbol predetermination (design predetermination), and variation pattern predetermination (variation pattern predetermination) are sequentially executed. The pre-determination table used in each pre-determination is not shown, but each of the success / failure pre-determination table, the symbol pre-determination table, and the variation pattern pre-determination table is divided into a plurality of areas corresponding to the total number of random numbers. A lottery ID (a number indicating the result of prior determination (also referred to as “preliminary determination number”)) is assigned to each area (determination number). Therefore, the result of this preliminary determination is based on the result of the main lottery by the special symbol lottery processing means 140 described later (the result of the determination, the result of the symbol determination, the result of the variation pattern determination). Note that the success / failure pre-determination table, the symbol pre-determination table, and the like may be the same as the success / failure lottery table and the symbol lottery table used for the lottery when the change is actually started. Here, in the variation pattern prior determination table, there is a possibility that the game situation at the beginning of variation (presence / absence of probability change, presence / absence of time reduction, whether or not during a limited frequency period referring to a special table, the number of held balls, etc.) may change. For this reason, as described above, it is preferable to determine which of the plurality of regions is included. Then, the preliminary determination unit 135 sequentially generates an effect control command (referred to as a “preliminary determination command”) including information on the result of the preliminary determination (preliminary determination number), and generates the command control area of the main information storage unit 180. To store.

  The special symbol lottery processing unit 140 includes a special symbol success / failure determination unit 141, a special symbol stop symbol determination unit 412, and a special symbol variation pattern determination unit 143. The special symbol lottery processing means 140, when the special symbol variation start condition is satisfied, the special symbol perturbation stored in the first storage area (hold 1 storage area) of the special symbol reservation storage area in the main information storage means 180 The numerical value, the random symbol value per special symbol, and the special symbol variation pattern random number value are read out and stored in the special symbol success / failure determination region, the special symbol determination region, and the special symbol variation pattern determination region of the main information storage unit 180, respectively. Here, “the special symbol variation start condition is satisfied” is, for example, (1) that there is no big hit or small hit, and (2) both the first special symbol and the second special symbol are waiting for fluctuation. (3) When all of the conditions of the operation holding ball exist in at least one of the first special symbol and the second special symbol are satisfied, and as a result, the special symbol can start to fluctuate. It is determined that the situation is not correct.

  The special symbol success / failure determination means 141 reads a random value per special symbol from the special symbol success / failure determination area of the main information storage means 180 and executes the determination of the success / failure, and the determination result corresponds to any one of the big hit, the small hit, and the loss. Decide what to do. The result of this determination is temporarily stored in a special symbol determination flag of the main information storage means 180 (for example, big hit data “55H”, small hit data “33H”, loss data “00H”), and is used in the subsequent processing. After that, it is cleared when the special symbol changes. The special symbol success / failure determination means 141 holds a special symbol success / failure lottery table which is referred to in the determination of success / failure.

  Here, FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing the special symbol winning / losing lottery table, where (A) is referred to in the normal state (low probability state), and (B) is referred to in the probability variation state (high probability state). The In this special symbol winning / losing lottery table, random numbers per special symbol and judgment results of big hits, small hits, and off are associated, and the winning probabilities for big hits and small hits are determined according to the associated random number range. Is determined. As can be seen from FIG. 8, in the special symbol game winning / losing lottery, in the normal state (low probability state), only when the random number value falls within the range of “0 to 217”, it is a big hit. On the other hand, in the probability variation state (high probability state), the range of the big hit is expanded, and not only when the random value falls within the range of “0 to 217” but also when the random number falls within the range of “218 to 2170”. Become. That is, when the probability variation function of the special symbol is activated, the jackpot lottery probability varies from the low probability state (about 1/300) to the high probability state (about 1/30). As described above, the range corresponding to the jackpot changes according to the gaming state, but the winning probability of winning the jackpot is equal between the winning lottery of the first special symbol and the winning lottery of the second special symbol. Here, even if the random number value per special symbol does not correspond to the big hit range, if it falls within the predetermined range, it is a small hit. In this example, it is configured so that there is a small hit only for the first special symbol success / failure determination, but for example, a small hit is also provided for the second special symbol success / failure determination. Alternatively, it may be configured such that the first special symbol determination is a small hit with a higher probability. In the following, for the convenience of explanation, the description regarding “small hit” is omitted except in special cases.

  The special symbol stop symbol determination means 142 determines the stop symbol of the first special symbol or the second special symbol based on the result of the first or second lottery determination. The special symbol stop symbol determination means 142 has a first special symbol stop symbol table and a second special symbol stop symbol table which are referred to when determining the stop symbols of the first special symbol and the second special symbol.

  FIG. 9A schematically shows an example of the first special symbol stop symbol table. In the first special symbol stop symbol table (for jackpot symbol), three types of stop symbols (big hit symbols) “A1”, “B1”, and “C1” are assigned to the special symbol stop symbol random value. . In this example, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the contents of the jackpot (the number of operations of the probability variation function and the variation time reduction function of the special symbol, the operation pattern of the big prize opening 64) are also appended to each jackpot symbol. The number of times “100 times” in parentheses means the number of times of operation of the special symbol probability variation function and variation time shortening function, that is, the ST number. In this table, the stop symbols “A1” to “C1” of the first special symbol are classified according to the type of jackpot. Specifically, the symbol “A1” is associated with the 16R specified short-lived symbol, the symbol “B1” is associated with the 8R specific short-lived symbol, and the symbol “C1” is associated with the 2R specific short-lived symbol. In this embodiment, the “special symbol” is the symbol that activates the probability variation function of the special symbol after the end of the special game, and the “temporary symbol” is the shortened variation time of the special symbol after the special game ends. The symbol that activates the function (and the electric chew support function), the “timeless no symbol” is a symbol that does not activate the variable time reduction function of the special symbol (and the electric chew support function) after the special game ends. Yes (the same applies to the second special symbol described later).

  Symbols A1 and B1 are specific symbols indicating a so-called “probability big hit” in which the gaming state after the end of the special game is shifted to a special symbol probability variation state (high probability state). The special symbol probability variation function and variation time shortening function, and the electric chew support function are limited to the period until the end without generating a big hit or until the next big hit within the ST number. Will be granted. For the pattern A1, the specified number of rounds for the special game is 16 rounds, and the maximum opening time of the big prize opening 64 in one round game is about 30 seconds. For the symbol B1, the specified number of rounds for the special game is 8 rounds, and the maximum opening time of the big winning opening 64 in one round game is about 30 seconds.

The symbol C1 shifts the gaming state after the end of the special game to the probability variation state (high probability state) of the special symbol, although the number of times and the opening time of the special winning opening 64 are different from the above “probability big hit”. This is a specific symbol indicating so-called “suddenly promising big hit”, until the number of fluctuations of the special symbol ends without generating a big hit within the ST number, or until the next big hit occurs within the ST number. For a limited time, a special symbol probability variation function, a variation time shortening function, and an electric-chu support function are provided. The specified number of rounds for the special game is two rounds, and the maximum opening time of the big prize opening 64 in one round game is about 0.7 seconds.

  On the other hand, in the first special symbol stop symbol table (for the miss symbol), a single stop symbol (miss symbol) “H1” is uniquely assigned to the special symbol stop symbol random value. Also, in the first special symbol stop symbol table (for small hit symbol), a single stop symbol (small hit symbol) “K1” is uniquely assigned to the special symbol stop symbol random value. In the case of a small hit, the game state is not triggered when the game state is changed, and the game state is maintained before and after the winning lottery.

  FIG. 9B is a diagram schematically showing an example of the second special symbol stop symbol table. In the second special symbol stop symbol table (for jackpot symbol), two types of stop symbols (big hit symbols) “A2” and “B2” are assigned to the special symbol stop symbol random value. In this example, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the contents of the jackpot (the number of operations of the probability variation function and the variation time reduction function of the special symbol, the operation pattern of the big prize opening 64) are also appended to each jackpot symbol. In this table, the stop symbols “A2” and “B2” of the second special symbol are classified according to the type of jackpot. Specifically, the symbol “A2” is associated with the 16R specific short-time symbol, and the pattern “B2” is associated with the 8R specific short-time symbol.

  Symbols A2 and B2 are specific symbols indicating so-called “probability big hits” in which the game state after the end of the special game is shifted to the special symbol probability change state (high probability state). The special symbol probability variation function and variation time shortening function, and the electric chew support function are limited to the period until the end without generating a big hit or until the next big hit within the ST number. Will be granted. For the pattern A2, the specified number of rounds for the special game is 16 rounds, and the maximum opening time of the big prize opening 64 in one round game is about 30 seconds. For the symbol B2, the specified number of rounds in the special game is 8, and the maximum opening time of the special winning opening 64 in one round game is about 30 seconds.

  In addition, in the second special symbol stop symbol table (for miss symbol), a single stop symbol (miss symbol) “H2” is uniquely assigned to the special symbol stop symbol random value.

  Here, in the present embodiment, as described above, there are three types of big hit types: 16R big hit (16R specific short-time symbol), 8R big hit (8R specific short-time symbol), and 2R big hit (2R special short-time symbol). Is provided. The expected value for winning a prize ball in the special game (the expected value for winning a prize ball) is 16R big hit> 8R big hit> 2R big hit. As can be seen from the above description, if the winning lottery of the first special symbol is a big win, the 16R big hit is selected with a probability of 30%, whereas the winning lottery of the second special symbol is selected. In the case of a big hit, the 16R big hit is selected with a probability of 70%, so that the player who wins the second starting port 62 wins more balls than the first starting port 61. It is advantageous to the player in that it can be done. In the present embodiment, the opening time of the big prize opening 64 in each jackpot game round is a fixed time such as 30 seconds (although all rounds are “long-opening rounds”), but during the same jackpot game In a given round, a “short open round” is provided that shortens the opening time of the grand prize winning opening 64 to 0.7 seconds, and even if the prescribed number of rounds is the same, a round that can substantially win a game. You may have a big hit with a small number.

The special symbol variation pattern determining means 143 determines the variation pattern of the special symbol based on the special symbol variation pattern random number value. Here, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 11, the special symbol variation pattern determination unit 143 holds a plurality of types of variation pattern tables that are referred to when selecting a variation pattern of the special symbol. The special symbol variation pattern determination unit 143 selects one variation pattern table from among a plurality of types of variation pattern tables based on the current variation pattern selection state and the result of the lottery determination. The relationship between the variation pattern selection state and the variation pattern table will be described later. Each variation pattern table defines a plurality of types of variation patterns. In each figure, “selection rate” is shown for convenience of explanation, but in actuality, a decision value (range of random values) for determining the fluctuation pattern is set according to the special symbol fluctuation pattern random value. The variation pattern is determined based on which determination value the variation pattern random value belongs to. As for the various variation patterns, the variation time is determined for each variation pattern as an end condition of the symbol variation, and it is assumed that the symbol variation by the decorative symbol composed of multiple symbols is also executed at the variation time. Is defined as In this example, for convenience of explanation, only several types of variation pattern tables and several types of variation patterns will be described as an example, but actually, in addition to the gaming state, the loss variation pattern table corresponding to the number of holdings, Fluctuation pattern table (16R big hit fluctuation pattern table, 8R big hit fluctuation pattern table, 2R big hit fluctuation pattern table, etc.), specific fluctuation display (fluctuation display of several revolutions after big hit, ST end) There may be a special variation pattern table that is referred to based on the variation display table. Depending on the type of the variation pattern table, there are cases where more than 100 types of variation patterns are included. In this example, each variation pattern table has a common specification for the first special symbol and the second special symbol lottery, but is not limited to this, and the first special symbol and the second special symbol are used. Different specifications may be used.

  Here, in this embodiment, there are two types of “normal variation state α” and “shortened variation state β” as the variation pattern selection state. Here, the normal variation state α is a state in which the variation pattern of the special symbol is selected with reference to the normal variation pattern table (FIG. 10) selected when the gaming state is the normal state. The shortened variation state β is a state in which the variation pattern of the special symbol is selected with reference to the shortened variation pattern table (FIG. 11) selected when the gaming state is the probability variation state. Hereinafter, each variation pattern table will be described in detail.

(Normal variation pattern table)
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a normal variation pattern table. The normal variation pattern table is a variation pattern table that is set when the variation pattern selection state during the current stay is the normal variation state α. The normal variation pattern table is a table that varies depending on the result of the determination (big hit / loss).

  In the normal variation pattern table for loss, the variation patterns PH1 (super shortened), PH2 (shortened), PH3 (normal), PH4 (pseudo continuous once), PH5 (pseudo continuous two times), PH6 (pseudo continuous three times) ), PH7 (Pseudo-ream 1 time → Reach), PH8 (Pseudo-ream 2 times → Reach), PH9 (Pseudo-ream 3 times → Reach), PH10 (Roulette effect → Failure), PH11 (Roulette effect → Ream continuous), PH12 (Roulette production → Reach → Button hitting production) and PH13 (Roulette production → Reach → Button blow production) are set, and one variation pattern is selected by lottery from these multiple types of variation patterns PH1 to PH13. The

The normal variation pattern table for big hits includes variation patterns PA1 (super shortened), PA2 (shortened), PA3 (normal), PA4 (pseudo continuous once), PA5 (pseudo continuous two times), PA6 (pseudo continuous three times). ), PA7 (Pseudo-ream 1 time → Reach), PA8 (Pseudo-ream 2 times → Reach), PA9 (Pseudo-ream 3 times → Reach), PA10 (Roulette effect → Failure), PA11 (Roulette effect → Ream continuous), PA12 (roulette effect → reach → button stroke effect) and PA13 (roulette effect → reach → button stroke effect) are set.
One variation pattern is selected by lottery from A1 to PA13. Note that in the normal variation pattern table for big hits, no selection rate is assigned to the variation pattern PA10 (roulette effect → failure), and the variation pattern is not selected.

(Shortened variation pattern table)
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a shortening variation pattern table. The shortened variation pattern table is a variation pattern table that is set when the variation pattern selection state that is currently staying is the shortened variation state β. The shortening variation pattern table is a table that varies depending on the result of the determination (big hit / loss).

  The shortened variation pattern table for loss includes variation patterns PH1 (super shortened), PH2 (shortened), PH3 (normal), PH4 (pseudo continuous once), PH5 (pseudo continuous two times), PH6 (pseudo continuous three times). ), PH7 (Pseudo-ream 1 time → Reach), PH8 (Pseudo-ream 2 times → Reach), PH9 (Pseudo-ream 3 times → Reach), PH10 (Roulette effect → Failure), PH11 (Roulette effect → Ream continuous), PH12 (Roulette production → Reach → Button hitting production) and PH13 (Roulette production → Reach → Button blow production) are set, and one variation pattern is selected by lottery from these multiple types of variation patterns PH1 to PH13. The In the shortened variation pattern table for loss, the selection ratio of the variation pattern PH1 (super shortened) is set higher than the normal variation pattern table for loss, and the average variation time is set. The value has been shortened.

  The shortened variation pattern table for big hits includes variation patterns PA1 (super shortened), PA2 (shortened), PA3 (normal), PA4 (pseudo continuous once), PA5 (pseudo continuous two times), PA6 (pseudo continuous three times). ), PA7 (Pseudo-ream 1 time → Reach), PA8 (Pseudo-ream 2 times → Reach), PA9 (Pseudo-ream 3 times → Reach), PA10 (Roulette effect → Failure), PA11 (Roulette effect → Ream continuous), PA12 (roulette effect → reach → button stroke effect) and PA13 (roulette effect → reach → button blow effect) are set, and one variation pattern is selected by lottery from these multiple types of variation patterns PA1 to PA13. The Note that the selection rate is not assigned to the variation pattern PA10 (roulette effect → failure) in the shortened variation pattern table for big hits, and the variation pattern is not selected.

  Here, the variation effect of the decorative symbol performed in conjunction with the variation display of the special symbol is determined based on the type (variation time) of the variation pattern of the special symbol. 10 to 11 show, as reference, the contents of the variation effect set corresponding to each variation pattern. In the figure, “super shortened”, “shortened”, and “normal” are effects in which three rows of decorative symbols fluctuate and become “disjoint” in a so-called “break” without going through the reach state. In the variation pattern in this non-reach mode, the variation mode is different from each other in that the variation display stops in a shorter time than “normal variation” and “super-short variation” is shorter than “short variation”. .

In the figure, “pseudo-ream” is a variation that makes it appear as if a fluctuating display is made a plurality of times by temporarily displaying a decorative symbol (pseudo stop) during a single fluctuating display of a decorative symbol. Production. This pseudo-continuous (pseudo-continuous variation) is configured to execute a re-variation display for starting re-variation once or more after all three rows of decorative symbols are pseudo-temporarily stopped (pseudo-stop). In this example, there are prepared a variation pattern that does not develop to reach after the occurrence of the pseudo-continuity and a variation pattern that develops to reach after the occurrence of the pseudo-continuity. In the variable display that develops to reach, the pseudo display is executed and displayed before the reach state is formed, and the higher the number of re-change display (pseudo series), the higher the expectation of the big hit expectation can be expected. It is like that. Also, in this example, “pseudo-continuous once” means that one re-variable display (pseudo-continuous) is performed, and “pseudo-continuous twice” means that two re-variable displays (pseudo-continuous) are performed. That is, “pseudo-continuous 3 times” means that re-variable display (pseudo-continuous) is performed three times. In this example, the larger the number of pseudo-runs, that is, the big hit expectation is set in the order of pseudo-run 1 <pseudo-run 2 <pseudo-run 3. In addition, among the three rows of decorative symbols, the left row and right row decorative symbols are temporarily stopped in the reach state (tempe), and the left row and right row decorative symbols are temporarily stopped in the non-reach state. It is set so that the expected degree of jackpot is higher than the case.

  In the figure, “reach” is a state in which the same decorative symbol is stopped in two columns (generally the left column and the right column) of three decorative symbols (reach state, tempered state), and the remaining one column ( If a different decorative symbol stops in the middle row (generally), it will be “off”, and if the same decorative symbol stops in the remaining one column (generally the middle row), it will be a “big hit”. is there. In the figure, “Pseudo-ream once → reach” is a variation effect that develops to reach after a pseudo-ream occurs once, and “Pseudo-ream 2 → reach” develops to reach after a pseudo-ream occurs twice. The fluctuating effect, “pseudo-continuous 3 times → reach”, is a fluctuating effect that develops to reach after the pseudo-ream occurs three times.

  In the drawing, the “roulette effect” is an effect of notifying the development destination after the temporary stop display when the decorative symbol is temporarily stopped and displayed with a specific appearance (chance symbol combination described later). In the figure, “roulette effect → failure” is a variable effect in which the variable display is terminated without any continuation of the pseudo-ream and the development of reach after the roulette effect is executed. In the figure, “roulette effect → pseudo-continuation” is a variation effect in which the pseudo-continuation continues after the roulette effect is executed. In the figure, “roulette effect → reach → repeated button effect” is a variable effect that develops reach after the roulette effect is executed and generates a button effect instructed to repeatedly press the effect button. In the figure, “roulette production → reach → button blow production” is developed to reach after the roulette production is executed, and a button production in which the operation of the production button is instructed (one operation) is generated. It is a fluctuating production. The specific contents of this roulette effect will be described later. Here, the effect content for each variation pattern shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 exemplifies a typical variation effect executed in the variation pattern, and the variation effect shown in the effect content is necessarily executed. Not necessarily. At this time, it is possible to avoid monotonous variation effects by associating a plurality of effect contents to be selected on the sub-control board 200 side with one variation pattern selected on the main control board 100 side. In addition, the variation effect lottery mode on the sub-control board 200 side is changed according to the game state and the effect mode, and the change pattern and the effect content have a one-to-one relationship in a certain game state or effect mode. Or the variation pattern and the production content may have a one-to-many relationship.

In the above description, the variation pattern table for losing is expressed as a single table. However, if the result of the lottery is lost, the number of reserved balls (0 to 3) for the special symbol is displayed. A different variation pattern table may be selected accordingly. In other words, by using a variation pattern table according to the number of reserved balls for special symbols, the higher the number of reserved balls, the higher the proportion of relatively short fluctuation times that are selected. The smaller the variation time, the higher the ratio of selecting the variation time. Although not shown, in the shortened variation pattern table, in the variation when the number of reserved memories of the second special symbol becomes 0, the variation pattern table for losing the second special symbol (number of retained memories = 0) ( For example, using the variation pattern PH3 (10 seconds) (selection rate 100%), the efficiency of entering the game ball into the electric Chu (second start port 62) during the variation is increased, and the second special symbol The fluctuation may not be interrupted.

Further, the special symbol variation pattern determining means 143 selects the special symbol variation pattern and then instructs the sub control substrate 200 to start the variation of the decorative symbol, so that the communication with the sub control substrate 200 is normally performed. Effect control command (communication inspection command) for confirming whether or not, effect control command (variation additional information designation command) including variation additional information (information for adding / subtracting variation time), effect including variation pattern information A control command (variation pattern designation command), an effect control command (symbol designation command) including information on the character production number (symbol group and game state), etc. are generated (hereinafter, these commands are collectively referred to as a “variation start command”. This is stored in the command storage area of the main information storage means 180.

  The normal symbol lottery processing unit 145 includes a normal symbol success / failure determination unit 146, a normal symbol stop symbol determination unit 147, and a normal symbol variation pattern determination unit 148. When the normal symbol variation start condition is satisfied, the normal symbol lottery processing unit 145 reads the normal symbol random number value and the normal symbol variation pattern random value stored in the first storage area in the normal symbol holding storage area, They are stored in the normal symbol success / failure determination area and the normal symbol variation pattern determination area of the main information storage unit 180, respectively.

  The normal symbol success / failure determination unit 146 reads out a random value per normal symbol from the normal symbol success / failure determination area of the main information storage unit 180 and executes the determination of success / failure, and determines whether the determination result corresponds to hit or miss. decide. The result of this lottery lottery is temporarily stored in the normal symbol determination flag of the main information storage unit 180, and after being used in the subsequent processing, it is cleared when the variation of the normal symbol is stopped. The normal symbol success / failure determination means 146 holds a normal symbol success / failure lottery table which is referred to at the time of the success / failure lottery. In the normal state (low probability state), for example, the normal symbol hit / decision unit 146 Referring to the symbol winning / losing lottery table, in the probability variation state (high probability state) of the normal symbol, for example, referring to the normal symbol winning / losing lottery table with a probability of “282/283”, the normal symbol winning / losing lottery is executed. To do.

  The normal symbol stop symbol determination means 147 refers to the symbol lottery table and assigns a predetermined winning symbol when the result of the winning / failing lottery is a win, and allocates a predetermined off symbol when the result is wrong. It has become.

  The normal symbol variation pattern determination unit 148 reads the normal symbol variation pattern random number value from the normal symbol variation pattern determination area of the main information storage unit 180, and refers to the normal symbol variation pattern table to display the variation display of the normal symbol in the normal state. In, a relatively long variation time is selected (for example, seven types of “4 seconds, 5 seconds, 6 seconds, 7 seconds, 8 seconds, 9 seconds, and 10 seconds” are uniformly selected). On the other hand, in a short time state (easy to enter) of a normal symbol, a relatively short variation time (for example, “0.5 seconds”) is selected by the operation of the variation time shortening function. In the control of the normal symbol game, in order to reduce the processing load of the CPU of the main control board 100, in the non-electric Chu support state, the winning probability of the normal symbol lottery is set to “0” or the variation of the normal symbol It is also possible to adopt a specification with a single time.

When the result of the lottery determination is a big hit, the special game control means 150 determines a demonstration time related to the big hit start demo and the big hit end demo according to the determined big hit symbol. Further, the special game control means 150 instructs the sub control board 200 side to execute an effect control command (referred to as a “hit start demo command”) for instructing execution of the jackpot start demonstration effect, and to execute the jackpot end demo effect. An effect control command (referred to as “big hit end demo command”) is generated and stored in the command storage area of the main information storage means 180. Note that the jackpot start demo command also serves as an opportunity for the sub-control board 200 to determine the contents of a series of jackpot effects (a jackpot start demonstration effect, a round effect, and a jackpot end demo effect) that are developed during the special game. . The special game control means 150 generates an effect control command (referred to as a “round effect designation command”) for instructing the start of a round effect corresponding to each round game in each round game during the special game. This is stored in the command storage area of the main information storage means 180. This round effect designation command includes information on the current number of rounds and information on opening and closing of the big prize opening 64. Regarding the above demonstration time, not only the big hit symbol, but also the same big hit symbol depending on the gaming state at the time of the big hit (normally or during short time etc.), the demo time related to the big hit start demo and the big hit end demo is different. It may be allowed.

  In addition, when the result of the lottery determination is a small hit, the special game control means 150 determines a demonstration time related to the small hit start demonstration and the small hit end demo displayed on the effect display device 70 or the like during the small hit game. The special game control means 150 also provides an effect control command (“small hit start demo command”) for instructing execution of a small hit start demo effect and an effect control command (“small hit for start of a small hit end demo effect). An end demo command ") is generated and stored in the command storage area of the main information storage means 180.

  The symbol display control means 155 includes a special symbol display control means 156 and a normal symbol display control means 157. The special symbol display control means 156 displays the first special symbol on the first special symbol display device 71 according to the variation pattern (variation time) of the first special symbol, and confirms and displays the first special symbol after the variation display. Let Further, the special symbol display control means 156 displays the second special symbol on the second special symbol display device 72 in accordance with the variation pattern (variation time) of the second special symbol, and displays the second special symbol after the variation display. Confirm display. The special symbol display control means 156 has a special symbol game timer for managing the time (variation time, fixed display time) related to the display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol. The operating states of the first special symbol display device 71 and the second special symbol display device 72 are monitored based on the special symbol game status in the main information storage means 180. The special symbol display control means 156 requests the sub-control board 200 to confirm the decorative symbol display when the special symbol fluctuation is stopped (that is, when the value of the special symbol game timer becomes “0”). An effect control command (referred to as “variation stop command”) is generated. The normal symbol display control means 157 variably displays the normal symbol on the normal symbol display device 75 in accordance with the variation pattern (variation time) of the ordinary symbol, and displays the regular symbol after the variation display. The normal symbol display control means 157 has a normal symbol game timer for managing the time (variation time, fixed display time) related to the display of the normal symbol. The operating state of the normal symbol display device 75 is monitored based on the normal symbol game status of the main information storage means 180.

  If the result of the special symbol winning / losing lottery is a big win, the electric accessory control means 160 outputs a control signal to the special electric accessory solenoid 643 as a special game process after the special symbol is confirmed and displayed. The object 642 is opened according to a predetermined operation pattern. In the special game, one operation of the special electric accessory 642 is defined as one round game (unit game), and the round game is continuously executed for the specified number of rounds (16R, 8R, 2R in this example). Is. The electric accessory control means 160 holds a big prize opening opening counter for storing the number of operations of the special electric accessory 642 (that is, the number of rounds being executed). Here, when the big hit type is a so-called 16R big hit (symbols A1, A2) or 8R big hit (symbols B1, B2), the big winning opening 64 is opened for about 30 seconds at the maximum in one round game. On the other hand, when the big hit type is a so-called 2R big hit (symbol C1), the big winning opening 64 is opened for about 0.7 seconds at the maximum in one round game. Here, the closing condition of the special winning opening 64 in the special game (unit game ending condition) is a lapse of a winning period of a specified count number of game balls or a specified number of seconds. Moreover, the opening / closing operation | movement of the special winning opening 64 in the openable period may have a case where it is performed not only once but multiple times.

In addition, when the result of lottery determination of the special symbol is a small hit, the electric accessory control means 160 outputs a control signal to the special electric accessory solenoid 643 as a small hit game process after the special symbol is determined and displayed. The special electric accessory 642 is opened for a short period of time. The small hit game is distinguished from the big hit game constituted by a plurality of round games in that the small hit game is constituted by one round game. Here, when the 2R special game and the small hit game described above are compared, although they are internally different, the point of the same opening / closing time (0.7 seconds) and the number of times of opening / closing are the same (the former is Since one opening and closing per round is twice in two rounds, and the latter is common in two opening and closing per round twice, a game with an approximate opening time / opening pattern is developed.

  In addition, when the winning combination of normal symbols is won, the electric accessory control means 160 outputs a control signal to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 623 to open the ordinary electric accessory 622 for a predetermined opening time. Here, the electric accessory control means 160 opens the ordinary electric accessory 622 for an extremely short time (for example, 0.2 seconds) in the normal state, whereas it is normally electric in the easy to enter state (electric chew support state). The accessory 622 is opened for a relatively long time (for example, 4 seconds) compared to the normal state.

  The game state control means 165 determines the game state after the end of the special game based on the type of the symbol related to the jackpot when the result of the lottery of the special symbol is a jackpot, and after the special game ends Switch gaming state. In the following, among the functions related to the special symbol and the normal symbol described above, the gaming state in which 1) the probability variation function of the special symbol, the variation time shortening function of the special symbol, and the electric chew support function all operate is referred to as “probability variation state” 2) A gaming state in which only the special symbol variation time shortening function and the electric chew support function are activated is referred to as a “short-time state”, and 3) a gaming state in which only the special symbol probability variation function is activated is a “latency probability variation state”. 4) A state in which all functions are not activated is referred to as a “normal state”. It should be noted that the “probability change state”, “time-short state”, and “latency probability change state” are all advantageous game states for the player as compared to the “normal state”. Each game state is a combination of a special symbol game operation state (high probability / low probability) and a normal symbol game operation state (with open extension / no open extension). / Open extension ", (2) Short time state is" Low probability / Open extension ", (3) Latency probability change state is" High probability / Non-open extension ", (4) Normal state is" Low probability / Non-open extension ", It can also be expressed as Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, since it is a so-called ST machine that cuts the number of times, the gaming state after the end of the special game has a predetermined number of times that the number of changes in the special symbol is counted from the end of the special game, In other words, the probability variation state continues until the number of STs is reached (however, if the next big hit occurs within the number of STs, the probability variation state ends with the variation, and the number of STs is set again after the big hit ends. ) When the small hit is made during the ST period, the ST number is not reset (revived) to 0, and the ST number is continuously counted before and after the small hit occurs. In the present embodiment, the ST number is set to 100 times, but it is needless to say that the ST number may be set to another number. In addition, when changing to the probability variation state, the probability variation function of the special symbol, the special symbol variation time shortening function, and the electric chew support function operate simultaneously, and each function will continue as long as the probability variation state continues. Become. If the result of the special symbol winning lottery is a big hit, regardless of whether the game state before the big hit is the normal state or the probable change state, the special state is the normal state and after the special game the ST The number of times is limited and the probability is changed uniformly. On the other hand, if the result of the special symbol winning / losing lottery is a small hit, if the game state before the small hit is the normal state, the game state during the small hit game and after the small hit game is also in the normal state. In addition, when the gaming state before the small hit is the special symbol probability changing state, the gaming state during the small hit game and after the small hit game is also the special symbol probability changing state.

In addition, when the special game is executed, the game state control means 165 determines the variation pattern selection state after the special game based on the big hit or the small hit symbol type, and the variation pattern selection state after the special game. Switch. The variation pattern selection state is one of the conditions referred to when selecting the above variation pattern table. The switching timing of the variation pattern selection state is when the special game ends or when the end number of times of the variation pattern selection state has expired. In the present embodiment, as described above, there are two types of variation pattern selection states: “normal variation state α” and “shortened variation state β”. In addition, since each variation pattern selection state has already been described, redundant description is omitted here. In this embodiment, regardless of which jackpot symbol (A1, B1, C1, A2, B2) is selected, (1) Immediately after the end of the special game, when the number of changes is within the ST period (100 times) Stay in the shortened fluctuation state β, (
2) After the end of the ST number, that is, after the 101st execution as the number of executions, stay in the normal fluctuation state α. Of course, the period until the first hit occurs normally stays in the fluctuation state α. Then, the gaming state control unit 165 generates an effect control command (referred to as “gaming state designation command”) including the current gaming state information and variation pattern selection state information, and stores this command in the main information storage unit 180. Store in the area.

  The error monitoring control unit 170 monitors input information of the I / O port circuit 104 and inspects a magnetic detection signal by a magnetic sensor, a disconnection short circuit power supply abnormality signal, a radio wave detection signal by a radio wave sensor, a door / frame opening signal, and the like. Then, it is determined whether or not the gaming machine is in an error state. If it is in an error state, an effect control command including the error information (“error effect designation command”) is requested to indicate an error state effect to the sub-control board 200. Although not shown in FIG. 6, the door opening switch is a detecting unit for detecting whether or not the glass frame 5 is opened, and the frame opening switch is a detecting unit for detecting whether or not the front frame 2 is opened. The back set release switch is a detecting means for determining whether or not the back set board 30 is open. Further, the magnetic sensor and the radio wave sensor are detection means for detecting a so-called fraudulent gaming act.

  The main information storage means 180 stores random number value information acquired in special symbol games and normal symbol games, operation holding ball information of special symbols and normal symbols, game states related to special symbol games and normal symbol games (probability change state, time reduction state, Information on easy entry), information on variation pattern selection status, result information on winning / failing lottery (big hit, small hit, loss), information on stop and variation patterns on special symbols and regular symbols, information on special games (round) Number, release time, release mode (number of releases per round game), etc.), status information indicating the operating state of the special symbol display devices 71 and 72, status information indicating the operating state of the special electric accessory 642, production control command It is configured to temporarily store data information and the like, and has a predetermined storage area for storing each information.

  The command transmission / reception means 190 is configured to transmit various effect control command data stored in the command storage area of the main information storage means 180 to the sub-control board 200 by the parallel transmission method when a command transmission request is made. Has been. Each effect control command has a 2-byte structure including 1-byte MODE data and 1-byte EVENT data. Bit 7 of the MODE data is “1” in order to distinguish MODE and EVENT. Bit 7 of the EVENT data is “0”. When these pieces of information are transmitted as valid, strobe signals are output at the transmission timings of MODE and EVENT. In principle, the effect control command generated in each process is transmitted for each interrupt period in accordance with the order set in the command storage area of the main information storage unit 180.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the sub-control board 200 includes production lottery random number generation means 210, production control means 220, reel control means 230, lamp control means 240, accessory control means 250, audio control means 260, error production control means. 270, sub information storage means 280, and command transmission / reception means 290. Note that each of the above-described means in the sub-control board 200 is configured by hardware such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and electronic circuit arranged on the sub-control board 200 and software such as a control program stored in the ROM. Is a functional expression.

The effect lottery random number generation means 210 includes a random number counter for generating various software random numbers (effect lottery random numbers) by CPU program processing. These random number counters serve as random number generation means for generating random numbers in software. This software random number includes pre-read lottery random numbers used for lottery of pre-read effects, decorative design random numbers used for lottery of decorative symbols, variable effect pattern random numbers used for lottery of decorative design variation effects, For example, a preliminary lottery random number used for the lottery, a big hit effect pattern random number used for the lottery of the big hit effect pattern, a stage lottery random number used for the transition lottery of the effect stage, and the like are included. The update time of these random numbers is updated using the remaining time when no command analysis is performed in the effect control side main process described later (when no effect control command is received from the main control board 100). To do.

  The effect supervision means 220 includes an effect mode control means 221, a hold information display control means 222, a prefetch notice control means 223, a change effect control means 224, a decorative symbol control means 225, a notice effect control means 226, and a big hit effect control means 227. .

  The effect mode control means 221 controls the transition of the effect mode in accordance with the game state designation command from the main control board 100 and takes consistency with the game state and the variation pattern selection state managed on the main control board 100 side. Execute. In the present embodiment, a normal effect mode Mα and a probability change effect mode Mβ are included as two types of effect modes, and even if the variation pattern of the special symbol instructed from the main control board 100 is the same, each effect mode The variation effect patterns (details will be described later) for specifying the specific contents of the symbol variation effect are set differently.

  The holding information display control means 222 includes a first reserved ball number counter for counting the number of activated reserved balls of the first special symbol, and a second reserved ball number counter for counting the number of activated reserved balls of the second special symbol. Have. When the holding information display control means 222 receives the symbol storage number command from the main control board 100, the holding information display control means 222 updates (adds) the value of the corresponding counter based on the information on the number of the operation holding balls included in the symbol storage number command. . On the other hand, the hold information display control means 222 updates (subtracts) the value of the corresponding counter when receiving the change start command from the main control board 100, that is, when the operation hold ball is consumed. Further, the hold information display control means 222 performs a control for emitting an effect hold lamp (not shown) in a predetermined display mode based on the values of the first hold ball number counter and the second hold ball number counter.

  The prefetching notice control means 223 performs a prefetching determination (referred to as “prefetching lottery”) with respect to the operation holding ball that is the target of the prefetching notice effect. The pre-reading notice effect is a so-called continuous notice effect that predicts the possibility of a big win or a high expectation effect (for example, a reach effect) over one or a plurality of fluctuation displays before the action-holding ball to be pre-read is consumed. It is generated as one aspect. At this time, the pre-read lottery is executed based on the information on the prior determination result included in the prior determination command from the main control board 100. Here, when the pre-reading notice control means 223 receives a pre-determination command from the main control board 100, the pre-determination command information of the first special symbol and the pre-determination result information of the second special symbol are distinguished, respectively. Up to a predetermined upper limit number (4), it is temporarily stored in the pre-reading information storage area of the sub information storage means 280 in a form combined with the order of entering the operation holding balls. This pre-read information storage area has the same configuration as the reserved storage area of the main control board 100, and in the order of entering the start ports 61 and 62, the reserved 1 storage area (first reserved storage area), A hold 2 storage area (second hold storage area), a hold 3 storage area (third hold storage area), and a hold 4 storage area (fourth hold storage area) are provided. Each reserved storage area can store information on the result of prior determination, information on the design prior determination result, and information on the variation pattern prior determination result as a set. The information of the prior determination result is stored in the order of the hold 1 storage area, the hold 2 storage area, the hold 3 storage area, and the hold 4 storage area, while the hold 1 storage area, the hold 2 storage area, the hold 3 storage area, and the hold 4 Digested in order of storage area (first-in first-out principle). In addition, when the information on the predetermination result of the hold 1 storage area is digested, the information on the predetermination result stored in the hold 2 storage area, the hold 3 storage area, and the hold 4 storage area is stored in the lower number storage areas. While shifting, the contents of the reserved 4 storage area are cleared to zero. The specific content of the prefetch notice effect will be described later.

  Based on the information (variation pattern information, variation additional information, etc.) included in the variation start command from the main control board 100, the variation effect control means 224 is a variation process (effect process) from the variation start to the stop in the variation display of the decorative symbol. ) Is determined by lottery. Here, a main variation pattern (for example, “strong SP reach” or the like) of a special symbol is determined on the main control board 100 side, whereas on the sub control board 200 side, an effect display process scenario is created based on the main variation pattern. A sub-variation pattern (for example, “strong SP reach A, B...”, Etc.) of the decorative design defined in detail is determined. In the present embodiment, as described above, the non-reach effect (super shortened change effect, shortened change effect, normal change effect, etc.), reach effect, quasi-continuous change effect, etc. are set as the decorative effect change effect. The decorative design variation effect pattern defines a variation display mode of the decorative symbol, that is, a series of effect display process scenarios from the start of variation to the end of variation of the decorative symbol, and each stage in the display process. The timing for generating a notice effect is also defined as a time schedule. In addition, even if the variation pattern of the special symbol is the same (even when the variation start command of the same information is received), the decoration design variation effect pattern is mutually produced if the effect mode during the stay is different. Variation production patterns having different contents can be selected. That is, the variation effect pattern table is prepared for each effect mode during stay.

  The decoration symbol control means 225 is based on the information (stop symbol information, game state information) included in the variation start command from the main control board 100 and the above-described variation effect pattern determined by the variation effect control means 224. The final combination of symbols (left symbol, middle symbol, right symbol) is determined by lottery. Although details will be described later, in this example, three symbol rows including a plurality of types of decorative symbols are configured, and these decorative symbols are formed by identification elements made up of numbers, letters, and the like, for example. The decorative symbol control means 225 holds a plurality of types of stop symbol pattern tables that are referred to when a combination of stop symbols of decorative symbols (also referred to as “stop symbol pattern”) is determined by lottery. As the plural types of tables, there are a stop symbol pattern table for big hits, a stop symbol pattern table for small hits, a stop symbol pattern table for non-reach, a stop symbol pattern table for non-reach. The combination of the stop symbol of the decorative symbol is formed as a combination of three decorative symbols. The combination of the stop symbol indicating the big hit (referred to as “big hit symbol combination”) and the combination of the stop symbol indicating the small hit (“small hit symbol”). And a combination of stop symbols indicating a disengagement (referred to as a “combination symbol combination”).

  FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a symbol row (decoration symbol arrangement) of each reel 81. The decorative symbol control means 225 manages the decorative symbol of each reel 81 with the symbol number, and specifies the combination of decorative symbols by the combination of symbol numbers. In the present embodiment, symbol numbers “0” to “13” are set. The reel control means 230, which will be described later, controls the rotational drive of the three rows of reels 81 to display a variety of decorative symbols in each symbol row, and then the combination of the decorative symbols selected in the above lottery Are stopped on each active line (determined stop display or temporary stop display). In the present embodiment, when each reel 81 is rotated in the forward rotation direction, each decorative symbol has symbol numbers “0” → “1” → “2” →... → “12” → “13”. It is displayed in order on the active line in order. On the other hand, when each reel is rotated in the reverse direction, each decorative symbol circulates to the effective line in the order of symbol number “13” → “12” → “11” →... → “1” → “0”. Is displayed. Hereinafter, the symbol sequence of the left reel is also referred to as “left symbol sequence”, the symbol sequence of the middle reel is also referred to as “middle symbol sequence”, and the symbol sequence of the right reel is also referred to as “right symbol sequence”.

  The decorative symbols in each symbol row are largely divided into valid symbols used as a display of the result of determination of reach, reach effect, and notice effect, and blank symbols not used as a display of result of reach determination, reach effect, notice effect, etc. Separated. In each symbol row, effective symbols and blank symbols are alternately arranged, in the order of "effective symbol"-> "blank symbol"-> "valid symbol"-> "blank symbol"-> "valid symbol"-> ... Fluctuation is displayed.

  In the present embodiment, the effective symbols are roughly classified into a winning effective symbol forming a jackpot symbol combination or a small hit symbol combination and a special effective symbol forming a chance symbol combination. In this embodiment, “Mighty 7”, “White 7”, “Red 7”, “Blue 7”, “BAR”, “REG”, and the like are set as the winning symbols. Basically, when the same type of winning symbols of the same type are displayed on the activated line in a fixed stop display, the player is informed that the jackpot has been won. Here, “Mighty 7” is a decorative symbol (also referred to as a BIG symbol) that is set to a size that “White 7” faces on the three effective stop lines, upper, middle, and lower. They are arranged in symbol numbers 2 to 4 in the symbol row (not arranged in the middle symbol row). “Mighty 7” and “White 7” can be combined with any of “Red 7” and “Blue 7” to form a jackpot symbol combination. In this embodiment, “Dora”, “Cure”, “Chance”, etc. are set as special effective symbols. This special effective symbol is used as a temporary stop symbol that is temporarily displayed on the effective line, and functions as a chance symbol combination (also referred to as “special eye”) that triggers the execution of a roulette effect described later.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, a symbol imitating an asterisk is set as the blank symbol. The blank symbols are arranged between the upper and lower effective symbols in each symbol row.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a display area for decorative symbols. In the center of the center ornament 22 described above, a symbol display area 29 is provided so that the three rows of reels 81 can be visually recognized. In the symbol display area 29, the three rows of reels 81 can display three decorative symbols, upper, middle, and lower. The player can basically visually recognize only the three decorative symbols that face the symbol display area 29. In the symbol display area 29, five effective lines called so-called fibrin are set. In the present embodiment, the first effective line L1 extending horizontally in the center of the symbol display area 29, the second effective line L2 extending horizontally above the first effective line L1, and horizontally below the first effective line L1. A third effective line L3 extending, a fourth effective line L4 extending obliquely from the upper left corner to the lower right corner of the symbol display area 29, and a fifth effective line L5 extending obliquely from the lower left corner of the symbol display area 29 to the upper right end And are set. Therefore, a decorative symbol on the second effective line L2 is displayed in the upper part of the symbol display area 29, a decorative symbol on the first effective line L1 is displayed in the middle part of the symbol display area 29, and the lower part of the symbol display area 29 Displays a decorative pattern on the third effective line L3.

  In the present embodiment, as a combination of decorative symbols, when three winning symbols of the same type are stopped and displayed on any of the effective lines L1 to L5, the combination of decorative symbols (for example, “red” 7-red 7-red 7 "," blue 7-blue 7-blue 7 ", etc.) are jackpot symbol combinations. On the other hand, in the combination of decorative symbols stopped and displayed on each of the effective lines L1 to L5, when at least one type of decorative symbol is included, the combination of the decorative symbols (for example, “Red 7-BAR-REG” ”,“ Blue 7-Blank-Blue 7 ”, etc.) are off symbol combinations. However, on any active line, any decorative pattern of “Mighty 7—White 7—Mighty 7”, “Mighty 7—Red 7—Mighty 7”, “Mighty 7—Blue 7—Mighty 7”. When the combination is stopped and displayed, the combination of the decorative symbols is a jackpot symbol combination. Here, when “Dracure-Chance” is temporarily stopped as a combination of decorative symbols on any active line, a roulette that suggests or notifies the development after the temporary stop is displayed (variation continuation mode). Production begins. Details of the roulette effect will be described later.

The notice effect control means 226 draws a notice effect pattern that defines the contents of the notice effect that is executed at each stage of the decorative symbol change process according to the change effect pattern scenario determined by the change effect control means 224. Determined by The notice effect pattern includes an effect pattern (reel action) that rotates each reel in a special manner, an effect pattern that lights the effect lamp LP and the movable accessory 24 in a specific light emission mode, and an effect pattern that outputs a specific sound. A production pattern for operating the movable accessory 24 is included. The notice effect is executed in parallel with the variation display of the decorative symbol and suggests in advance that the jackpot reliability that the symbol variation stops in the jackpot mode is high. The notice effect includes a notice effect that is executed before the reach state occurs (including when the reach occurs) in the process of changing the decorative symbol, and a notice effect that is executed after the reach state occurs. Each of the notice effects has different jackpot reliability, and basically, the notice effect that is displayed after the occurrence of reach is relatively higher than the notice effect that is displayed before the reach occurs. It is high. The notice effect control means 226 holds the notice lottery table that is referred to when selecting the notice effect pattern for each kind of notice effect, and the notice corresponding to the type of the notice effect generated according to the scenario of the variable effect pattern. A lottery table is selected. A specific type of notice effect will be described later. This notice effect is basically performed by synthesizing display of one or more notice effects with a variable display of decorative symbols. For this reason, even in the case of decorative display variation display using the same variation production pattern, various production modes can be generated by combining with one or a plurality of notice productions. In the present embodiment, the notice conversion process for replacing the notice effect pattern after the notice lottery process is performed in order to prevent the same notice effect pattern from occurring continuously over a plurality of variable displays. Is set (details will be described later).

  The big hit effect control means 227 determines the contents of the big hit effect (hit hit effect pattern) for notifying that the special game is being played. The jackpot effect includes a start demonstration effect for notifying the start of a special game, a round effect for notifying that a round game is in progress, and an end demonstration effect for notifying the end of a special game. When the big hit effect determining means 227 receives the big hit start demonstration command from the main control board 100, the big hit effect pattern (start demo effect pattern, round effect pattern) is based on the information of the big hit type stored in the sub information storage means 280. , End demo production pattern) is determined. In this jackpot production pattern, a jackpot start demonstration production time, a round production time (production time according to the opening pattern of the big prize opening 64) and a jackpot end demonstration production time are set according to the type of jackpot. A series of production contents are set along the time axis. The jackpot effect determining means 227 executes the start demonstration effect in response to the reception of the jackpot start demo command from the main control board 100 according to the jackpot effect pattern, and receives each round effect designation command as an opportunity. An effect is executed, and an end demo effect is executed when a jackpot end demo command is received.

  As described above, the production control unit 220 generates the image control command related to the image and the sound based on the determined production content (prefetching production pattern, variation production pattern, notice production pattern, stop design pattern, jackpot production pattern, etc.) This is stored in the command storage area of the sub information storage means 280.

  The reel control means 230 controls the rotation of each reel 81 by controlling the motor of the reel unit 80 according to the effect contents (decoration pattern stop pattern, variation effect pattern, etc.) set by the effect control means 220.

  The lamp control means 240 controls the lighting of the effect lamp LP, the light emission color, and the like according to the effect contents set by the effect control means 220.

  The accessory control means 250 controls the driving of each movable accessory 24 according to the effect contents set by the effect supervision means 220.

  The sound control means 260 controls the sound output of the speaker 11 in accordance with the effect contents set by the effect control means 220.

  The error effect control means 270 is configured to determine an error effect pattern when an error effect designation command is received from the main control board 100 and to notify the gaming machine that an error state has occurred according to the error effect pattern. Yes. In addition, when an abnormality signal is received from the stage devices connected to the sub-control board 200 (rotation abnormality such as step-out of the reel unit 80, operation abnormality of the movable accessory 24, abnormality of the speaker 11, etc.) May be notified.

  The sub information storage means 280 is configured to temporarily store decorative symbol information, variable effect pattern information, notice effect pattern information, control command information, and the like, and a predetermined storage for storing each information. Has an area.

  The command transmission / reception means 290 is configured to receive the effect control command transmitted from the main control board 100 and store the effect control command in the effect control command buffer of the sub information storage means 280. The command transmission / reception means 290 generates an interrupt based on the input of the strobe signal from the main control board 100 and executes an effect control command reception interrupt process (described later in detail). In this interrupt process, various command control commands are sent. To get. When the command transmission / reception means 290 receives the strobe signal, the command transmission / reception means 290 receives the effect control command reception interrupt process preferentially over other interrupt processes (interrupt processes with a priority level less than 7 described later). ing.

[Various productions]
In the pachinko gaming machine PM having such a configuration, as described above, various effects are controlled and executed by the sub-control board 200 according to the progress of the game. Below, (1) Fluctuation effect, (2) Notice conversion process, and (3) Roulette effect, which are mainly controlled by the effect control unit 220, will be described in detail.

[Variation production]
First, the fluctuating effect of decorative symbols will be described. Here, FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the scenario distribution lottery of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the contents of the symbol variation effect (including the notice effect and the reach effect) are divided into three levels and drawn. In other words, by using a hierarchical structure such as the first to third layers, a lottery is executed in the order of the first layer → the second layer → the third layer (breaking from the upper layer pattern to the lower layer pattern). The content of the notice effect and the content of the reach effect are finally determined by going down. Specifically, the basic pattern of the variation effect is determined in the first hierarchy, the scenarios of the notice effect and the reach effect are determined based on the basic pattern in the second hierarchy, and the notice specified in each scenario in the third hierarchy. The specific contents of production and reach production are determined. Now, the contents of processing in each layer will be described in order.

<First layer: Sub-variable lottery>
First, in the first hierarchy, a variation effect pattern (sub variation pattern) of a decorative symbol is determined by lottery based on a variation pattern (main variation pattern) of a special symbol. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a variation effect pattern lottery table. In the variation effect pattern table, a selection rate is assigned so that one of a plurality of types of variation effect patterns can be selected with respect to the variation pattern of the special symbol. In the figure, “selection rate” is shown for convenience, but in actuality, a decision number (range of lottery random values) for determining a variation effect pattern is set according to the obtained lottery random value. The variation effect pattern is determined on the basis of which decision number the lottery random number value belongs to.

In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, one variation effect pattern is associated with one variation pattern, but actually one or more variation effect patterns are associated with one variation pattern. ing. Specifically, when the result of the determination is wrong, the decorative design variation effect patterns PEH1 to PEH13 are associated with the special symbol variation patterns PH1 to PH13. On the other hand, when the result of the determination is a big hit, the decorative symbol variation effect patterns PEA1 to PEA13 are associated with the special symbol variation patterns PA1 to PA13.

  Subsequently, based on the determined variation effect pattern, a lottery for distributing to each variation group (variation group by additional variation information, variation group by reach) is performed.

  FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a variation group lottery table classified by additional information. In the additional information-specific variation group lottery table, a selection rate is assigned so that one of a plurality of types of additional information-specific variation groups can be selected for the determined variation effect pattern. In the figure, “selection rate” is shown for convenience, but in actuality, a determination number (range of lottery random values) for determining a variation group for each additional information according to the obtained lottery random value. Is set, and the variation group for each additional information is determined on the basis of which decision number the lottery random number value belongs to. In the additional information-specific variation group lottery table, the additional information-specific variation group is distributed based on the determined variation effect pattern. The variation group classified by additional information in this example mainly functions as a pseudo continuous variation pattern that prescribes the effect of the pseudo continuous variation effect.

  In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, one variation group for each additional information is associated with one variation effect pattern, but actually, one variation effect pattern is classified into one or more additional information patterns. A variation group is associated. Specifically, as the variation group for each additional information when the result of the determination is wrong, “no pseudo-continuous A” for the variable effect pattern PEH1, “no pseudo-continuous B” for the variable effect pattern PEH2, For the effect pattern PEH3, “pseudo-continuous once A” for the variation effect pattern PEH4, “pseudo-continuous twice A” for the variation effect pattern PEH5, and for the variation effect pattern PEH6 “Pseudo-ream 3 times A”, “pseudo-ream 1 B” for the variation effect pattern PEH7, “pseudo-ream 2 times B” for the variation effect pattern PEH8, and “pseudo-ream 3 times” for the variation effect pattern PEH9 “B”, “pseudo continuous once C” for the variable effect pattern PEH10, “pseudo continuous twice C” for the variable effect pattern PEH11, and “pseudo” for the variable effect pattern PEH12. Communicating one D "," pseudo-continuous once E "it is associated to variations effect pattern 13. On the other hand, as a variation group for each additional information when the result of the determination of success / failure is a big hit, “no pseudo-continuation A” for the variation effect pattern PEA1, “no pseudo-continuation B” for the variation effect pattern PEA2, and a variation effect pattern “Pseudo-continuous C” for PEA3, “Pseudo-continuous A once” for variable effect pattern PEA4, “Pseudo-continuous A twice” for variable effect pattern PEA5, “Pseudo-continuous A” for variable effect pattern PEA6 “Sequential 3 times A”, “Pseudo-sequential once B” for the variation effect pattern PEA7, “Pseudo-sequential twice B” for the variation effect pattern PEA8, and “Pseudo three times B” for the variation effect pattern PEA9. , “Pseudo-continuous twice C” for the variable effect pattern PEA11, “pseudo-continuous D once” for the variable effect pattern PEA12, and “pseudo-continuous” for the variable effect pattern PEA13. Times E "is associated. As will be described in detail later, the outlier variation effect patterns PEH10 to PEH13 and the jackpot variation effect patterns PEA11 to PEA13 represent a roulette effect (a roulette effect performed in the pseudo first series) performed during temporary stop display of special eyes. Since it is the accompanying variation effect pattern, at least one execution of the pseudo-series is defined.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a reach-specific variation group lottery table. In the reach-by-reach variation group lottery table, a selection rate is allocated so that any one of a plurality of types of reach-by-reach variation groups can be selected for the determined variation effect pattern. In the figure, “selection rate” is shown for convenience, but in actuality, a determination number (range of lottery random value) for determining a reach-specific variation group according to the acquired lottery random value is shown. The reach-specific variation group is determined on the basis of which determination random number the set random number value belongs to.

  In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, one variation group by reach is associated with one variation effect pattern, but actually one or more variation groups by reach are associated with one variation effect pattern. Are associated. Specifically, as a variation group by reach when the result of the determination of success / failure is out of place, “non-reach (super shortened)” for the variation effect pattern PEH1, and “non-reach (short)” for the variation effect pattern PEH2. , “Non-reach (normal)” for the variation effect pattern PEH3, “Non-reach (pseudo 1)” for the variation effect pattern PEH4, “Non-reach (pseudo 2)” for the variation effect pattern PEH5, “Non-reach (pseudo 3)” for pattern PEH6, “reach (pseudo 1)” for variation effect pattern PEH7, “reach (pseudo 2)” for variation effect pattern PEH8, and variation effect pattern PEH9 “Reach (pseudo 3)”, for the variation effect pattern PEH10, “non-reach (roulette: x)”, for the variation effect pattern PEH11 Non-Reach (roulette: Continued) "," Reach for the fluctuation effect pattern PEH12 (roulette: barrage) "," Reach for the fluctuation effect pattern PEH13 (roulette: blow) "is associated with. On the other hand, as a variation group by reach when the determination result is a big hit, “non-reach (super shortened)” for the variation effect pattern PEA1, “non-reach (short)” for the variation effect pattern PEA2, and variation “Non-reach (normal)” for the effect pattern PEA3, “Non-reach (pseudo 1)” for the change effect pattern PEA4, “Non-reach (pseudo 2)” for the change effect pattern PEA5, and the change effect pattern PEA6 “Non-reach (pseudo 3)”, “reach (pseudo 1)” for the variation effect pattern PEA7, “reach (pseudo 2)” for the variation effect pattern PEA8, and “ “Reach (pseudo 3)”, “non-reach (roulette: continued)” for the variation effect pattern PEA11, and “reach” for the variation effect pattern PEA12. Ji (Roulette: barrage) "," Reach for the fluctuation effect pattern PEA13 (roulette: blow) "is associated with.

  In the above two types of variation group lottery tables, as described above, one variation group (additional information variation group, reach variation group) is associated with one variation effect pattern (that is, 1 The variation production pattern and each variation group are substantially the same. Therefore, in the following, unless otherwise specified, the variation effect pattern and each variation group may be collectively referred to as a “variation effect pattern”.

<Second layer: Notice scenario lottery / SP scenario lottery>
In the second hierarchy, a lottery is performed for distributing scenarios of various effects (notice scenario, SP scenario) based on the variation effect pattern selected in the first hierarchy. In the present embodiment, only the notice scenario lottery will be described as the second-level lottery, and the description of the SP scenario lottery will be omitted.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a notice scenario lottery table. In the notice scenario lottery table, a selection rate is assigned so that any one of a plurality of kinds of notice scenarios (ID numbers) can be selected for the determined variation effect pattern. In the figure, “selection rate” is shown for convenience, but in actuality, a determination number (range of lottery random values) for determining a notice scenario is set according to the acquired lottery random value. The notice scenario is determined based on which decision number the lottery random number value belongs to. The notice scenario includes a category of notice effects that can be generated at each stage in the display process (referred to as “notice effect category”) in accordance with a time schedule of a series of effect display processes from the start of change to the end of change of decorative symbols. ) Is stipulated. A notice effect category is a time schedule of a series of effect display processes from the start of change to the end of change of decorative symbols, and one or more recreation effects are grouped as a group (group) according to the timing of the occurrence, the contents of the effect, etc. It is a thing. In the present embodiment, “start action” is set in the notice effect category A, “start sound” is set in the notice effect category B, and “starting role” is set in the notice effect category C as a plurality of kinds of notice effect categories. "Starting SU (Step Up)" is set for the notice effect category D, "Fluctuating" is set for the notice effect category E, and "Floating character" is set for the notice effect category F. Is set, “Roulette” is set for the notice effect category G, and “Stop action” is set for the notice effect category H. The notice effect categories A to H are distributed according to the time schedule of the decorative symbol variation display process. Basically, in the above-described eight types of notice effect categories A to H, the expectation effect category that appears at a timing close to the start of fluctuation has a lower expectation level of the big hit, and the notice effect category that appears at a timing close to the end of the change is a big hit It is set so that the degree of expectation is high. The individual contents of the notice effect categories A to H will be described later. Note that FIG. 18 shows the lottery results only as “execution” and “non-execution”, but the result of the ID of 1 which is the lottery result is the notice that is executed in the categories A to H of the notice scenario. Data is stored with contents including the type of performance, and as a lottery result in the case of “execution”, a lottery result including the type of notice to be implemented is obtained.

  Here, as described above, the description of the SP scenario lottery is omitted, but the reach that can occur at each stage in the display process is included in the SP scenario according to the time schedule of the variable display process after the reach development. The type of production is determined.

<3rd tier: notice lottery / SP reach lottery>
In the third hierarchy, an individual lottery for the notice effect and the reach effect is performed based on each variable group selected in the first hierarchy. In the third hierarchy, individual lottery of the notice effect patterns is performed for each of the notice effect categories A to H selected in the second hierarchy, and the reach effect pattern is targeted for each reach effect selected in the second hierarchy. An individual lottery will be held.

  19 to 26 are schematic diagrams showing various notice lottery tables. Each notice lottery table defines one or more notice effect patterns for each type of notice effect. In the figure, for the sake of convenience, numerical values used for lottery are omitted, but in practice, a determination number (range of lottery random values) for determining a notice effect pattern is set according to the acquired lottery random value. The notice effect pattern is determined on the basis of which decision number the lottery random number value belongs to. In addition, although the illustration of the notice effect pattern of each notice effect is omitted, when the determination result is a big hit, the selection rate increases in the order of ID0 <ID1 <ID2 <. If the result of the above is out of order, the selectivity is low in the order of ID0> ID1> ID2>. Therefore, the notice effect pattern of each notice effect is set so that the big hit expectation is increased by one step in the order of ID0 <ID1 <ID2 <.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a notice lottery table for the notice effect category A. The notice effect category A is set as a notice effect category related to the start action. In this notice effect category A, the first action, the second action, and the seven mighty are set as the kinds of the notice effect. The first action is a notice effect that suggests or notifies the jackpot expectation degree according to the movement of each reel 81 at the start of the variable display. Similarly, the second action is a notice effect that suggests or notifies the jackpot expectation degree according to the movement of each reel 81 (movement different from the first action) at the start of the variation display. Mighty 7 strike is a notice effect that strikes whether the left and right reels 81 stop at Mighty 7 (BIG symbol). In FIG. 5A, a notice effect pattern of the first action is defined for each lottery ID, “No effect” for ID0, “Half-frame up” for ID1, and “Ruffle” for ID2.
Is set. In (B) in the figure, the notice effect pattern of the second action is defined for each lottery ID, “No effect” for ID0, “Left slip” for ID1, “Left center slip” for ID2, ID3 is set to “left middle right slip”. In the figure (C), a notice effect pattern of 7 mighty is defined for each lottery ID, “No effect” for ID0, “Left (Gase)” for ID1, and “Left (OK) for ID2. ) / Right (Gase) ”and“ Left (OK) / Right (OK) ”are set in ID3.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of types of notice effects (first action, second action, and mighty 7 strokes) included in the notice effect category A are not executed in combination in the same variable display. As the data corresponding to the ID shown in the execution result of the notice scenario lottery, the kind of notice effect corresponding to “execution” is determined in advance, and only one of the notice effects is executed in the variable display. ing. In addition, as a method (variation example) of the notice lottery in which only “execution” and “non-execution” are determined in the scenario lottery and detailed data is not retained, (1) the first action is not won in the notice lottery 2nd action notice lottery, and if the 2nd action notice lottery is not won, a lottery of 7 hits might be held, or (2) the notice lottery of each notice effect is performed individually, One of the notice effect patterns may be determined by lottery from the notice effect patterns won in the notice lottery.

  FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a notice lottery table for the notice effect category B. The notice effect category B is set as a notice effect category related to the start sound. In this notice effect category B, a fluctuation start sound is set as the kind of notice effect. The fluctuation start sound is a notice effect that suggests or notifies the jackpot expectation degree according to the type of voice (voice sound) output from the speaker at the start of the fluctuation display. In (A), the notice effect pattern of the fluctuation start sound is defined for each lottery ID, “No effect” for ID0, “Voice 1” for ID1, “Voice 2” for ID2, and ID3. Is set to “voice 3”, and ID 4 is set to “voice 4”.

  FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing a notice lottery table for the notice effect category C. The notice effect category C is set as a notice effect category related to the starting character. In the notice effect category C, a change start effect is set as the kind of notice effect. The variation start character effect is a notice effect that suggests or notifies the jackpot expectation degree according to the light emission color of the lamp of the movable character 24 driven at the start of the variation display. In (A), the notice effect pattern of the variable start effect is defined for each lottery ID, “No effect” for ID0, “Blue” for ID1, “Yellow” for ID2, and ID3. Is set to “green”, and ID4 is set to “red”.

  FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing a notice lottery table for the notice effect category D. The notice effect category D is set as the notice effect category regarding the start SU (step-up). In this notice effect category D, a change start SU is set as the kind of notice effect. The variation start SU is an effect that changes the effect mode (sound of the speaker 11) step by step according to a predetermined order from the start of the change display, and the number of stages to develop (finally developed effect mode). It is a notice effect that suggests or informs the degree of expectation of jackpot according to. In (A), the notice start effect pattern of the change start SU is defined for each lottery ID, “No effect” for ID0, “Voice 1” for ID1, and “Voice 1 → Voice 2” for ID2. ID3 is set to “voice 1 → voice 2 → voice 3”.

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing a notice lottery table for the notice effect category E. The notice effect category E is set as a notice effect category regarding fluctuation. In this notice effect category E, the backlight SU, the backlight button, and the stop notice are set as the kinds of the notice effect. The backlight SU is an effect in which the emission color of the backlight 88 of each reel 81 is changed stepwise in accordance with a predetermined order during the variation display, and the number of stages to be developed (finally developed emission color). It is a notice effect that suggests or informs the degree of expectation of jackpot according to. The backlight button is an effect that changes the emission color of the backlight 88 of each reel 81 in a stepwise manner in response to an operation (continuous hitting) of the effect button 15 during the change display. This is a notice effect that suggests or reports the expected degree of jackpot according to the developed luminescent color. A stop notice is a notice that one or more stop symbols (stop outcomes) are announced in advance during the change display, and the jackpot expectation is indicated or notified according to the number of notifications and the content of the announcement. Production. In the figure, a notice effect pattern of the backlight SU is defined for each lottery ID. “No effect” for ID0, “blue” for ID1, “blue → yellow” for ID2, ID3 Is set to “blue → yellow → green”, and “blue → yellow → green → red” is set to ID4. In the drawing (B), a notice effect pattern of the backlight button is defined for each lottery ID, “No effect” for ID0, “Blue” for ID1, “Blue → Yellow” for ID2, and ID3. Is set to “blue → yellow → green”, and “blue → yellow → green → red” is set to ID4. In (C) in the figure, a notice effect pattern for notice of stoppage is defined for each lottery ID, “No effect” for ID0, “Left” for ID1, “Right” for ID2, and ID3. “Middle left”, “Middle right” is set in ID4, and “Left and right” is set in ID5.

  FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing a notice lottery table for the notice effect category F. The notice effect category F is set as a notice effect category related to a changing feature. In the notice effect category F, a changing-purpose effect effect is set as the kind of notice effect. The changing role effect is a notice effect that suggests or notifies the jackpot expectation degree according to the emission color of the lamp of the movable accessory 24 driven during the change display. In FIG. 5A, a notice effect pattern of the changing medium effect is defined for each lottery ID, “No effect” for ID0, “White” for ID1, “Blue” for ID2, and ID3. Is set to “yellow”, ID4 is set to “green”, and ID5 is set to “red”.

  FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram showing a notice lottery table for the notice effect category G. The notice effect category G is set as a notice effect category related to roulette. In this notice effect category G, a roulette effect is set as the kind of notice effect. The roulette effect is a jackpot expectation (the game after the temporary stop is displayed) according to the final result of the roulette executed when the above-mentioned chance symbol combination (“Drake Cure-Chance”) is temporarily stopped. It is a notice effect that suggests or informs (development). In (A), a notice effect pattern for roulette effect is defined for each lottery ID. “No effect” for ID0, “×” for ID1, “continued” for ID2, and “continuation” for ID3. “One shot” is set for ID4.

Here, in the notice lottery process of the roulette effect, unlike the notice lottery process of the other notice effect, the variable effect pattern (sub) selected by the sub-variable lottery of the first hierarchy is used instead of the lottery method using the lottery random number. The notice effect pattern is uniquely determined according to the variation pattern. The reason for this is that the roulette effect, which will be described in detail later, is closely related to the contents of the fluctuating effect of the decorative pattern (such as temporary stop display of special eyes, reach development, continuation of pseudo-continuations, conversion to a disjoint symbol combination, etc.). For this reason, if the notice effect pattern is determined in a form separated from the change effect pattern selected in the sub-variation lottery, there is a risk that a flaw may occur between the contents of the change effect and the roulette effect. Therefore, in the notice lottery process of the roulette effect, it is uniquely determined according to the variation effect pattern selected in the first layer sub-variation lottery. Specifically, when PEH10 is selected as the variable effect pattern, “ID1: ×” is uniquely selected as the notice effect pattern, and when PEH11 and PEA11 are selected as the variable effect pattern, the notice effect pattern "ID2: continued" is uniquely selected, and when PEH12 and PEA12 are selected as the variable effect pattern, "ID3: continuous hit" is uniquely selected as the notice effect pattern, and PEH1 is selected as the variable effect pattern.
3, when “PEA13” is selected, “ID4: blow” is uniquely selected as the notice effect pattern. As a result, the jackpot expectation degree of each notice effect pattern is substantially the same as the jackpot expectation degree of the corresponding variation effect pattern. Details of the roulette effect will be described later.

  FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram showing a notice lottery table for the notice effect category H. The notice effect category H is set as a notice effect category related to the stop action. In this notice effect category H, a bound effect is set as the kind of notice effect. The bounce effect is a notice effect that suggests or notifies the jackpot expectation degree according to the number of reels 81 that bounce up and down by a predetermined number of frames at the end of the change display. In FIG. 5A, a notice effect pattern of a bound effect is defined for each lottery ID. “No effect” for ID0, “left” for ID1, “left and right” for ID2, and “left and right” for ID3. “Left / Right Middle” is set.

  As a result, a scenario of a series of effect display processes from the start of change to the stop of change of the decorative symbols is determined by the scenario distribution lottery using the hierarchical structure such as the first to third layers, and the display The specific content (effect pattern) of the notice effect and the SP reach effect generated at each stage in the process is determined.

[Advance conversion process]
Next, the notice conversion process in this embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, a notice conversion process is set in order to prevent the same notice effect pattern from occurring continuously in a plurality of variable displays. In the present embodiment, a specific notice effect pattern (a notice effect pattern belonging to a “weak notice” described later) among a plurality of kinds of notice effect patterns is a target of the notice conversion process.

  First, before describing the specific content of the notice conversion process, attributes of the notice effect pattern defined in the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the notice effect pattern is classified into two types of attributes (weak notice / strong notice) according to the level of expectation of jackpot. That is, the notice effect pattern is classified into a weak notice (weak notice attribute) in which the big hit expectation is set relatively low and a strong notice (strong notice attribute) in which the big hit expectation is set relatively high. .

  FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram showing the notice effect pattern separately for each attribute (weak notice / strong notice). In the drawing, each notice effect pattern is classified into “weak notice” or “strong notice” for each notice effect category (type of notice effect).

  In the notice effect category A (start action), as described above, the first action, the second action, and the Mighty 7 turn are set as the kinds of the notice effect. Here, “half-frame up” and “rattle” belong to the weak notice as the notice action pattern of the first action. As the notice effect pattern of the second action, “left slip” and “left middle slip” belong to the weak notice, and “left middle right slip” and “reel lock” belong to the strong notice. As a notice effect pattern of 7 mighty hits, “Left (Gase)” belongs to weak notice, and “Left (OK) / Right (Gase)” and “Left (OK) / Right (OK)” belong to strong notice.

  In the notice effect category B (start sound), as described above, the change start sound is set as the kind of the notice effect. As the notice effect pattern of the change start sound, “Voice 1” and “Voice 2” belong to the weak notice, and “Voice 3” and “Voice 4” belong to the strong notice.

  In the notice effect category C (starting character), as described above, the variable starting character effect is set as the kind of notice effect. As the notice effect pattern of the change start character effect, “blue” and “yellow” belong to the weak notice, and “green” and “red” belong to the strong notice.

  In the notice effect category D (start SU), as described above, the change start SU is set as the kind of notice effect. As the notice effect pattern of the change start SU, “voice 1” and “voice 1 → voice 2” belong to the weak notice, and “voice 1 → voice 2 → voice 3” belong to the strong notice.

  In the notice effect category E (during change), as described above, the backlight SU, the backlight button, and the stop notice are set as the kinds of the notice effect. As the notice effect pattern of the backlight SU, “blue” and “blue → yellow” belong to the weak notice, and “blue → yellow → green” and “blue → yellow → green → red” belong to the strong notice. As the notice effect pattern of the backlight button, “blue” and “blue → yellow” belong to the weak notice, and “blue → yellow → green” and “blue → yellow → green → red” belong to the strong notice. As the notice effect pattern of the stop notice, “left” and “right” belong to the weak notice, and “left and right”, “middle right”, and “left and right” belong to the strong notice.

  As described above, in the notice effect category F (variable character), the variable character effect is set as the kind of notice effect. As the notice effect pattern of the changing role effect, “white”, “blue”, and “yellow” belong to the weak notice, and “green” and “red” belong to the strong notice.

  In the notice effect category G (roulette), as described above, the roulette effect is set as the kind of the notice effect. As the notice effect pattern of the roulette effect, “×” belongs to the weak notice, and “continuation”, “continuous hit”, and “one blow” belong to the strong notice.

  In the notice effect category H (stop action), as described above, the bounce effect is set as the kind of the notice effect. “Left”, “middle left” and “middle left and right” belong to the strong notice as the notice effect pattern of the bound effect.

  Next, specific contents of the advance notice conversion process in this embodiment will be described. The notice conversion process is based on the contents of the preset notice conversion table when the notice effect pattern selected in the notice lottery of the current variable display matches the notice effect pattern executed in the previous variable display. In this case, the selected notice effect pattern is replaced with another notice effect pattern.

  In the notice conversion process, a specific notice effect pattern among the above-described plural kinds of notice effect patterns is to be converted. The specific notice effect pattern means a notice effect pattern belonging to a weak notice. That is, the notice effect pattern to be converted in the notice conversion process is only the notice effect pattern belonging to the weak notice among the plural kinds of notice effect patterns. Therefore, even if the same notice effect pattern as the previous notice effect pattern is selected, if the notice effect pattern belongs to the weak notice, it is subject to conversion. Not subject. However, even if the notice effect pattern belongs to the weak notice, the notice effect pattern (ID1: X) of the roulette effect is excluded from the conversion target. The reason for this is that the roulette effect is an effect closely related to the contents of the decorative symbol variation effect (special eye temporary stop display, reach development, pseudo-continuous continuation, conversion to an off symbol combination, etc.). If it is converted to the notice effect pattern other than the notice effect pattern in the form separated from the change effect pattern selected in the change lottery, the roulette effect is displayed even though the special eye is temporarily displayed in the change effect. This is because a situation that does not occur occurs.

In the present embodiment, the previous conversion process is executed when the previous determination result of the fluctuation display is “out of” and the current fluctuation display determination result is “out”. . In other words, if the same notice effect pattern is continuously generated and becomes “out of” in any variation display, the player's expectation and uplifting feeling when the notice effect pattern occurs is reduced, and the game is more interesting. In principle, the same notice effect pattern is not continuously generated because of the decrease. Therefore, if the result of the determination of whether or not the current variation display is “big hit”, even if the same notification effect pattern as that executed in the previous variation display is selected, the above notice conversion process is performed. Do not execute. As a result, when the same notice effect pattern is generated continuously, it is possible to create a game that is determined to be a big hit due to the occurrence of breaking the law.

  Here, information relating to the history of the notice effect pattern (referred to as “forecast history information”) is stored in a notice history information storage area provided in the sub information storage means 280. The notice history information may be information that can specify at least the notice effect pattern (weak notice notice pattern) executed in the previous variation display. Therefore, the notice history information storage area stores the notice effect pattern information selected in the notice lottery process (if the notice conversion process is performed, the notice effect pattern information after being converted by the notice conversion process). Temporarily stored as notice history information. Then, in the notice conversion process, with reference to the notice history information, whether or not the notice effect pattern selected in the notice lottery of the current fluctuation display matches the notice effect pattern executed in the previous fluctuation display. Determine.

  In this embodiment, the notice effect pattern subjected to the notice conversion is a different notice effect pattern different from the notice effect pattern executed in the previous variation display (the notice effect pattern selected in the current notice lottery). Converted. The other notice effect patterns are notice effect patterns belonging to “weak notice”, similar to the notice effect pattern subjected to the notice conversion. That is, the attribute “weak notice” is maintained before and after the conversion of the notice effect pattern. Note that the correspondence relationship before / after conversion of the notice effect pattern is defined in the notice conversion table described below.

  FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram showing a notice conversion table in the present embodiment. The notice conversion table shows the correspondence between the notice effect pattern before conversion and the notice effect pattern after conversion for each of the notice effect categories A to H.

  In the notice conversion process in the notice effect category A, when the notice effect pattern to be converted is “half-frame up” or “rattling” of the first action, it is converted to “left slip” of the second action, and the conversion target When the notice effect pattern is “left slip” or “left middle slip” of the second action, it is converted to “Left (Gasse)” of Mighty 7 and the conversion target notice effect pattern is “Left” of Mighty 7. (Gase) ”is converted to“ half frame up ”of the first action.

  In the notice conversion process in the notice effect category B, when the notice effect pattern to be converted is “voice 1” or “voice 2” of the change start sound, it is converted to “voice 1 → voice 2” of the change start SU. . In the notice conversion process, the notice effect category is also converted (the notice effect category B is converted to the notice effect category D). Here, the notice effect category B is a sound-based notice effect, and it is difficult to affect the pattern fluctuation, so the effect measure itself is converted into a longer notice effect category. As a result, the sound system changes from a single sound system notice effect to a sound system notice effect that steps up (chance up) step by step, so it differs depending on what voice sound is generated and how far the voice sound is stepped up. It becomes easy to experience as a production.

  In the notice conversion process in the notice effect category C, when the notice effect pattern to be converted is “blue” of the change start effect effect, it is converted to “yellow” of the change start effect effect, and the notice effect pattern to be converted is converted. Is changed to “blue” of the change start character effect.

  In the notice conversion process in the notice effect category D, when the notice effect pattern to be converted is “voice 1” of the change start SU, it is converted to “blue” of the backlight SU, and the notice effect pattern to be converted starts changing. In the case of “voice 1 → voice 2” of the SU, it is converted to “blue → yellow” of the backlight SU. In the notice conversion process, since the sound system step-up notice (auditory information effect) is converted to the light-emitting step-up notice (visual information effect), it becomes easy to experience as a different effect based on the player's hearing and vision. .

  In the notice conversion process in the notice effect category E, if the notice effect pattern to be converted is “blue” or “blue → yellow” of the backlight SU, it is converted to “left” of the stop notice and the notice of conversion object When the production pattern is “blue” or “blue yellow” of the backlight button, it is converted to “right” of the stop notice, and when the notice effect pattern to be converted is “left” of the stop notice, When it is converted to “blue” of the backlight SU and the notice effect pattern to be converted is “right” of the stop notice, it is converted to “blue” of the backlight button.

  In the notice conversion process in the notice effect category F, when the notice effect pattern to be converted is “white” of the changing character effect, it is converted to “none” of the changing character effect, and the notice effect pattern to be converted is If it is “blue” for the changing role effect, it is converted to “white” for the changing role effect. If the notice effect pattern to be converted is “yellow” for the changing feature effect, it is changing. It is converted to “Blue” for the effect production.

  Note that the notice effect patterns of the notice effect categories G and H are both set as not subject to the notice conversion. That is, as described above, the roulette effect (notice effect category G) is an effect closely related to the fluctuating effect of the decorative design. Therefore, if the notice effect pattern is converted in a form separated from the contents of the fluctuating effect. This is because there is a risk that a flaw may occur between the contents of the fluctuating effects and the contents of the notice effects after conversion. Also, in the notice effect category H, only the notice effect pattern of the strong notice that is set with a relatively high expectation degree of the big hit is set (since the notice effect pattern of the weak notice is not set), the notice conversion It is excluded from.

  In this way, in the notice conversion table, the notice effect pattern to be converted to the notice conversion and the notice effect pattern after conversion are set in a one-to-one correspondence relationship. The converted notice effect pattern is uniquely determined according to the target notice effect pattern.

  Next, a specific example of the advance notice conversion process in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram for explaining a specific example of the notice conversion process.

  First, as shown in FIG. 29, in the previous fluctuation display (the Nth fluctuation display), “half-frame up” is used as the notice effect pattern of the first action, “voice 1” is provided as the notice effect pattern of the change start sound, and fluctuation. It is assumed that “red” is executed as the notice effect pattern of the starting accessory effect, “blue” is executed as the notice effect pattern of the backlight SU, and “left” is executed as the notice effect pattern of the bounce effect. The above notice effect pattern executed in the previous variation display is temporarily stored in the notice history information storage area of the sub information storage means 280 as the notice history information.

Next, at the start of the current variation display (N + 1th variation display), the above-described scenario distribution lottery is performed. In this example, as a result of the scenario distribution lottery, an individual lottery (notice lottery process) corresponding to the notice scenario is performed. Specifically, in each notice lottery process, “half-up” as the notice effect pattern of the first action “voice 2” as the notice effect pattern of the change start sound, and “red” as the notice effect pattern of the change start feature effect. “Blue” is selected as the notice effect pattern for the backlight SU, and “Continued” is selected as the notice effect pattern for the roulette effect. Here, with reference to the above-mentioned notice history information, the notice effect pattern executed in the previous variation display is compared with the notice effect pattern selected in the notice lottery process of the variation display. As a result of comparison, among the notice effect patterns selected in the notice lottery process for the variable display, “first action notice effect pattern (half frame up)”, “variable start character effect notice effect pattern (red)” Further, it is determined that “the notice effect pattern of the backlight SU (blue)” matches the notice effect pattern executed in the previous variation display. At this time, the notice effect pattern “red” of the change start character effect belongs to “strong notice” in which the jackpot expectation is set to be relatively high, and thus is not subject to the notice conversion as described above. On the other hand, the notice action pattern “half frame up” of the first action and the notice effect pattern “blue” of the backlight SU belong to “weak notice” in which the big hit expectation is set to be relatively low. It becomes a target. Therefore, in the current notice conversion process, the notice action pattern “half frame up” of the first action is converted into the notice effect pattern “left slip” of the second action according to the contents of the notice conversion table. Further, the notice effect pattern “blue” of the backlight SU is converted into the notice effect pattern “left” of the stop notice according to the contents of the notice conversion table. Finally, as the notice effect pattern to be executed in the variation display, the notice effect pattern “second left” of the second action, the notice effect pattern “voice 2” of the change start sound, and the change start character effect The notice effect pattern “red”, the notice effect pattern “left” for the stop notice, and the notice effect pattern “continue” for the roulette effect are set. The finally set notice effect pattern is stored as the latest notice history information, and is used in the next noticed lottery process (notice conversion process) for variable display.

[Roulette production]
Next, the roulette effect in this embodiment will be described. The roulette effect is triggered by the temporary stop display of the decorative symbol with a special eye (chance symbol combination), and suggests subsequent game development (variation continuation mode) depending on the result of the roulette. Or it is a notice effect to inform. As described above, the chance symbol combination is a symbol combination constituted by a specific outcome (special effective symbol) of “Dracure-Chance”. Therefore, in this embodiment, the roulette effect is executed when “Dracure-Chance” is temporarily stopped and displayed on any of the effective lines L1 to L5 as the chance symbol combination.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 30, the game area PA is provided with a roulette display device 90 as an accessory imitating a bat. The roulette display device 90 is provided with four display portions 91 to 94 in a portion corresponding to a bat blade. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 90, the roulette display device 90 includes a first display unit 91 that displays character information “x” and a second display unit that displays character information “continue”. 92, a third display section 93 on which the character information “continuous hit” is displayed, and a fourth display section 94 on which the character information “stroke” is displayed.

A pearl ink printing sheet (or half vapor deposition sheet) is used on the front side of each display unit 91 to 94, and the above-mentioned character information is engraved as fine irregularities on the back side (not shown). ) Is provided. With such a configuration, when the LED lamps (LED substrates) (not shown) provided in the display units 91 to 94 do not emit light, the extraneous light is reflected from the front of the pearl ink printed sheet. When the information is difficult to see and the LED lamps (LED boards) provided in the display units 91 to 94 emit light, the light behind the pearl ink printed sheet becomes partially stronger, so Character information is visible. For this reason, each display unit 91 to 94 emits light one by one in order, so that one character information such as “one stroke”, “continuous hit”, “continue”, “x” attached to each display unit 91 to 94 is provided. It is possible to perform a roulette effect having these four options by sequentially displaying and displaying the light. Note that the roulette display device 90 may be constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal display device, a dot matrix LED display device, or the like.

  During the execution of the roulette effect, the three rows of decorative symbols are temporarily stopped and displayed with special eyes (chance symbol combinations) on any of the effective lines L1 to L5. The temporary stop display time of the special eye is used as an effect scale for roulette production. In addition, since the section from the temporary stop display of the special eye to the re-variable display is configured as the first pseudo series (pseudo first series), it can be said that the roulette effect is an effect performed in the pseudo first series.

  In a state where each reel 81 is temporarily stopped, the backlight 88 of each reel 81 is controlled to be turned off or off, and the visibility of the decorative design (symbol display area 29) is lowered to achieve the main effect (roulette effect). You can attract the attention of players. For example, instead of lowering the visibility of the entire symbol display area 29 (all effective lines), the backlight 88 is lit only on the first effective line L1, or some reels 81 (the middle rail 81B or Only the left and right reels 81A and 81C) may be controlled to turn on the backlight 88. Further, in order to reduce the visibility of the decorative design (symbol display area 29), the emission color of the backlight 88 may be converted into a special emission color (such as a color with low brightness or saturation).

  In the present embodiment, depending on the result of the roulette effect performed during the temporary stop display of the special eye, the subsequent game development (whether or not the variable display continues, or what variable display mode is developed) ) Is suggested. When the roulette is finally stopped on the first display unit 91 (when the stop result is “×”), immediately after the temporary stop display of the special eye is ended, the variable display is immediately ended and “missed” is displayed. It is suggested that When the roulette is finally stopped at the second display unit 92 (when the stop result is “continuation”), the temporary display of the special eye is ended, and then the change display is restarted (the change display is changed again). (Beginning) suggests that the continuation continues. When the roulette is finally stopped at the third display section 93 (when the stop result is “continuous hit”), after the temporary stop display of the special eye is finished, the change display is resumed and reach (button repeated hit) It is suggested that it develops into (direction). When the roulette is finally stopped at the fourth display unit 94 (when the stop result is “blow”), after the temporary stop display of the special eye is finished, the change display is resumed and reach (button blow) It is suggested that it develops into (direction).

  Here, when the result of the roulette effect is “x”, the special eye during the temporary stop is converted into a predetermined break at the timing when the roulette stops at the first display unit 91 (the chance during the temporary stop). The symbol combination is converted into a predetermined symbol pattern combination), and the symbol symbol combination is displayed in a fixed stop state. “Convert special eyes to predetermined breaks” is determined by the above-mentioned stop symbol lottery by sending the decorative symbols temporarily displayed with special eyes (chance symbol combinations) at high speed in the forward or reverse direction. It means to change to a predetermined broken pattern (combination symbol combination).

  If the result of the roulette effect is “continuous hit” or “one blow”, that is, if it is suggested that it will develop into “reach” as a subsequent development, a temporary stop display is displayed before the roulette stops. By converting the combination of decorative symbols into a reach state (tempered state), the result of the roulette effect may be quickly reflected in the variation display mode of the decorative symbols.

In addition, in the present embodiment, a roulette effect is produced even when a command communication failure occurs by repeating a predetermined sound effect at a temporary stop of a special eye, a roulette start / fluctuation / stop, etc. It is configured so that it can be taught to the player what kind of development is being made. Specifically, when the special eye is displayed as a temporary stop, the speech “Dora, Kyua, Chans” is output as a speech, or when the roulette starts, the speech “Roulette start” is output as a speech. Or when the roulette stops at “continue”, the speech “Still More” is output, when the roulette stops at “One Strike”, the speech “Ikuyo” is output, When stopping at “x”, it is preferable to output the speech “sorry ~” by voice.

  Further, in the present embodiment, after the change display is started and before the chance symbol combination (special eye) is temporarily displayed, the power supply to the gaming machine PM is caused by a power failure or the like. When the supply is cut off), after the power supply is restored, at the end of the decorative symbol fluctuation display (the first fluctuation display at the time of power interruption recovery), the preset combination for return is confirmed and stopped, The chance symbol combination (special eye) is not temporarily stopped during the variable display. The above-mentioned return symbol combination is a symbol combination that is confirmed and stopped at the end of the fluctuation display at the time of power-off recovery, and the return symbol combination when the determination result is a big hit (return big hit symbol combination) ) And a return symbol combination (return off symbol combination) when the determination result is out of place. As return big hit symbol combinations, different return symbol combinations are prepared depending on the type of big hit (16R big hit, 8R big hit, 2R big hit) and the like. In addition, only a single symbol combination (for example, “BAR-cure-blank”) is prepared as the return failure symbol combination.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the result of the roulette effect is “×”, and when the chance symbol combination (special eye) being temporarily displayed is converted into the predetermined off symbol combination (uneven eye), the predetermined off symbol design is displayed. For example, the combination is configured not to be an error display symbol combination, an initial symbol combination, or the like. Here, the error display symbol combination is a symbol combination (for example, “blank-white 7-blank”) displayed when a predetermined error occurs in the gaming machine. The initial symbol combination is a symbol combination for initial display (for example, “Mighty 7-Cure-Chance”, “Dracure-Mighty 7”) set for each model of gaming machine. By excluding error display symbol combinations, initial symbol combinations, etc. as predetermined off-set symbol combinations (breaks), for example, an unexpected momentary interruption (such as a power failure that is difficult for a player to notice) has occurred. It is also possible to prevent an illusion that an error has occurred in the gaming machine.

  Next, an example of a roulette effect will be described. FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a roulette effect. In the drawing, only the decorative symbols located on the first effective line L1 are illustrated for the sake of space.

  As shown in (A) in the figure, the decorative symbol variation display is started. At this time, none of the display units 91 to 94 of the roulette display device 90 is lit and displayed, and any character information attached to the display units 91 to 94 cannot be visually recognized.

  As shown in (B) in the figure, the chance symbol combination (“Dracure-Chance”) is temporarily stopped and displayed at a predetermined timing during the fluctuation display. At the same time, the sound “Dora, Kyua, Chans” is output from the speaker 11 as a sound production.

  As shown in (C) in the figure, the roulette effect is started when the chance symbol combination is temporarily stopped and displayed. At the same time, as a sound effect, a sound “Roulette start” is output from the speaker 11. In the illustrated example, the character information “x” on the first display unit 91 is displayed in a light-emitting manner with the start of the roulette effect.

  As shown in (D) in the figure, the roulette moves to the next display section (second display section 92), and the character information “continuation” on the second display section is displayed in a light-emitting manner.

  As shown in (E) in the figure, the roulette moves to the next display section (third display section 93), and the character information “continuous hit” on the third display section 93 is displayed by light emission.

  As shown in (F) in the figure, the roulette moves to the next display unit (fourth display unit 94), and the character information “one blow” on the fourth display unit 94 is displayed in a light-emitting manner. Thereafter, the light emission display of each display unit 91 to 94 is sequentially switched in the order of “×” → “continuation” → “continuous hitting” → “one blow” →..., And the roulette effect advances. In addition, at the timing when the roulette enters the stop stage (timing at which the roulette changes gradually slows down), it is possible to gradually increase the fluctuation of the decorative pattern during the temporary stop display so that the result of the roulette effect is heard. Good. In addition, at the timing when the roulette enters the stop stage, it may be determined whether or not the decorative symbol that is temporarily displayed is started to change again.

  As shown in (G) in the figure, when the roulette finally stops at the first display unit 91 (by displaying the character information “X” on the first display unit 91 in a light-emitting manner), This suggests that the pseudo-ream does not continue and does not develop into reach, and the fluctuation display immediately ends and becomes “out of”. At the same time, “sorry” voice is output from the speaker 11 as a sound production.

  As shown in (H) in the figure, at the timing when the roulette effect ends (timing immediately after the roulette finally stops at the first display unit 91), the chance symbol combination (special eye) during temporary stop display is predetermined. Is converted into an out-of-order symbol combination (separated pattern), and the out-of-order symbol combination (out-of-order item) is confirmed and stopped (notified that the result of the variation display is “out-of-range”). In this way, at the end of the roulette effect, the decorative symbol combination is immediately converted from the chance symbol combination to the predetermined off symbol combination, so that the player is clearly informed that the game result is “out of”. Therefore, the inconvenience that it becomes difficult for the player to understand the current game situation can be solved.

<Processing on the main control board>
Next, the procedure of operation processing in the main control board 100 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The process on the main control board 100 side includes a main control side main process and a main control side timer interrupt process.

<Main control side main processing>
32 to 33 are flowcharts showing the main process on the main control side of the main control board 100. In this main process on the main control side, after a CPU security check is performed by reset at power-on, the program starts and the processes after S1 are started.

  First, as an initial setting required when the power is turned on, a head address is set as an initial value of the stack area in the stack pointer (S1), and RAM access is permitted (S2). Subsequently, a vector table storing a start address of a program to be processed when a timer interrupt occurs is set (S3), and an initial value is set in a built-in register of the CPU (S4).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the RAM clear switch is turned on (S5). If the RAM clear switch is on (S5: YES), the entire area of the RAM is cleared to zero in S9 described later. On the other hand, when the RAM clear switch is not turned on (S5: NO), the value of the power-off information flag is read to determine whether or not the information on normal power-off is stored (S6).

Here, if the information indicating that the power is off normally is stored (S6: YES), a checksum is calculated for a predetermined area of the RAM (S7). Then, it is determined whether or not this checksum is 0, that is, whether or not the checksum is normal (S8). Note that the checksum at power-on calculated here includes the complement of the checksum calculated in the power-off process described later, so if it has been backed up normally, Sam becomes “0”. In this way, it is determined when the power is turned on whether the information stored in the RAM before the power is turned off is correctly backed up. At this time, if the checksum is normal (S8: YES), the process proceeds to S12, which will be described later, in order to return to the state before the power interruption. On the other hand, if the checksum is abnormal (S8: NO), the entire area of the RAM is cleared to zero (S9). Next, initialization data at power-on is set in the RAM (S10). Subsequently, in order to initialize the reel unit 80 and the effect lamp LP, an effect control command (“effect initial command”) is requested to the sub-control board 200 (S11).

  Next, in the power-off recovery setting process, the power-on normal information setting, the various error initial settings, and the communication initial settings with the payout control board 300 are sequentially performed in the RAM (S12). Here, as the setting of the power-on normal information, in order to save that the power was correctly turned on, the power-on normal data is stored in the power-off information flag and the information on the occurrence of power-off is initialized. Turn off the power-off confirmation flag. Next, a data transfer source address, a data transfer destination address, and a transfer byte number are set, and data corresponding to the transfer byte number is transferred (S13). Then, a special symbol game status value at the time of power-off is read, and a power-off recovery process related to the special symbol game is performed (S14).

  Subsequently, a transmission request for an effect control command (“power-off recovery command”) at the time of power-off recovery between the main control board 100 and the sub-control board 200 is made (S15). The power-off recovery command includes information related to the inspection of the communication line, the special symbol operating state, the probability variation count, the time reduction count, the easy-to-enter state count, the variation pattern selection status, and the error status. It should be noted that the command requests for untransmitted before the power is turned off are cleared. Next, in the symbol memory number command request process, the information on the number of suspended balls in the first special symbol and the second special symbol at the time of power-off is read, and an effect control command including the information on the number of suspended balls is requested ( S16).

  Subsequently, a return setting is made to return the ordinary electric accessory 622 to a state before the power is turned off (for example, the second start port 62 is opened) (S17). Further, a return setting is made to return the special electric accessory 642 to a state before the power is cut off (for example, the big prize opening 64 is opened) (S18). Subsequently, the value of the special symbol mode flag is read, and the operation state of the probability variation function of the special symbol when the power is turned off is set (S19). The special symbol mode flag is a flag for setting the operation probability (high probability or low probability) of the special symbol game. Next, in order to start a timer interrupt, a predetermined count value is set as an initial setting of the CTC circuit, and a timer interrupt is generated every 4 ms (S20). Subsequently, interrupt prohibition is set to prohibit generation of timer interrupt processing (S21). Then, as a preparation for restarting the watchdog timer, clear word 1 (“55H”) is set (S22).

  Next, in order to determine the occurrence of a power interruption, the value of the power interruption confirmation flag is read to determine whether or not a power interruption has occurred (S23). If no power interruption has occurred, an initial value random number update process is executed (S24). In this initial value random number update process, the initial value random number per normal symbol, the soft initial value random number per special symbol, and the symbol initial value random number per special symbol are updated. Specifically, the numerical value of each counter is incremented by 1, and when the numerical value exceeds the maximum value, it is returned to “0” which is the minimum value.

Next, interrupt permission is set so as to allow the generation of the timer interrupt process (S25), the process returns to the above-described process for prohibiting the interrupt (S21), and the loop process of S21 to S25 is repeatedly executed. Here, the timer interrupt process is periodically executed at predetermined intervals, but using the remaining time from the completion of the previous interrupt process until the next interrupt process occurs, S21 to S25. Repeat the process up to. If there is an interrupt request in the interrupt disabled state, timer interrupt processing is started when the interrupt is enabled in S25. On the other hand, if the power-off confirmation flag is turned on in S23, that is, if a power-off has occurred, the process proceeds to S26 to execute the power-off process described below.

  Next, as power-off processing (S26 to S32), first, clear word 2 (“AAH”) is set to restart the watchdog timer (S26). Next, it is determined whether or not the content of the power-off information flag is power-on normal data (S27). If it is power-on normal information (S27: Yes), power-off normal data is set in the power-off information flag (S28). On the other hand, if the power-on normal information is not found (S27: No), the power-off abnormality data is set in the power-off information flag (S29), and the process proceeds to S32.

  Next, a checksum is calculated for a predetermined area of the RAM (excluding the checksum area) (S30). Then, a complement for the checksum data is calculated, and the result value of this complement is set in the checksum area of the RAM 103 (S31). Subsequently, RAM access prohibition is set (S32), and the process loops until the power is turned off.

《Main control timer interrupt processing》
Next, the main control side timer interruption process of the main control board 100 will be described. FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing timer interrupt processing of the main control board 100. This timer interrupt process is started by a clock pulse from the CTC circuit every predetermined time (for example, 4 ms), and is executed by interrupting the main process on the main control side. In addition, as the terms used below, the terms “condition device” and “actual accessory continuous actuating device” mean a conceptual control device, and “condition device” means a big hit in a special symbol game. The “actual accessory continuous actuating device” is capable of operating the special electric accessory 642 continuously a plurality of times.

  First, when this timer interrupt occurs, the contents of the register in the CPU are saved in the stack area of the RAM, and then an interrupt operation condition is set (S51). Next, a clear word 2 (“AAH”) is set to restart the watchdog timer (S52). At this time, the clear word 1 and the clear word 2 are sequentially written in the CPU's WDT clear register within a preset time-out period, whereby the watchdog timer is cleared and restarted. That is, when the CPU is executing the program normally, the clear words 1 and 2 are periodically set, so that the watchdog timer is cleared and restarted before time-out. On the other hand, when the watchdog timer times out, a user reset occurs.

  Next, input processing is executed (S53). In this input process, information of switches other than the RAM clear switch is read as various switches connected to the main control board 100. That is, input information such as the first start port switch 611, the second start port switch 621, the operation gate switch 631, the big prize port switch 641, the door opening switch, the frame opening switch, the back set opening switch, the magnetic sensor, the radio wave sensor, etc. Is read, and after the state is determined, the detection information is stored.

  Next, various random number update processes are executed (S54). In these various random number update processes, the normal symbol variation pattern random number and the special symbol variation pattern random number are updated. As for the normal symbol variation pattern random number, 1 is added to the numerical value of the random number counter, and when the numerical value exceeds the maximum value, it is returned to “0” which is the minimum value. On the other hand, for the special symbol variation pattern random number, a predetermined value (for example, 3511) is subtracted from the previous random number. When the subtraction result is less than 0, a predetermined value (for example, 50000) is added to the subtraction result.

Next, initial value update type random number update processing is executed (S55). In this initial value update type random number update process, the random numbers per ordinary symbol, the soft random numbers per special symbol, and the symbol random numbers per special symbol are updated. Specifically, 1 is added to the numerical value of each random number counter, and when the numerical value exceeds the maximum value, it is returned to “0” which is the minimum value. Further, when the counter value makes one round, the corresponding initial value random number is set as the initial value.

  Next, an initial value random number update process is executed (S56). In this initial value random number update process, the initial value random number per normal symbol, the soft initial value random number per special symbol, and the symbol initial value random number per special symbol are updated. Specifically, 1 is added to the numerical value of each random number counter, and when the numerical value exceeds the maximum value, it is returned to “0” which is the minimum value.

  Next, timer subtraction processing is executed (S57). In this timer subtraction process, the values of various timers used for game operation control of the pachinko gaming machine PM are subtracted and updated. For example, the values of various timers are subtracted by an interrupt cycle (4 ms in this example). The various timers include special symbol game timers for managing the time (variation time, fixed display time) related to the special symbol display devices 71 and 72.

  Next, a second start port effective period setting process is executed (S58). In the second starting port effective period setting process, the winning effective period and the winning invalid period of the second starting port 62 are determined, and the effective period data or invalid period data of the second starting port 62 is set as the determination result.

  Next, a winning monitoring process is executed (S59). In this winning monitoring process, a game ball switch passage test is performed based on the detection information of the first starting port switch 611, the second starting port switch 621, the operation gate switch 631, and the big winning port switch 641 in the input process (S53). As a result, if it is determined that the game ball has passed through each switch, a transmission request for an effect control command including information indicating that the game ball has passed through each switch is made.

  Next, a prize ball control process is executed (S60). In this prize ball control process, a payout control command is transmitted to the payout control board 300 to instruct the number of prize balls corresponding to the type of winning prize, and the received data from the payout control board 300 is monitored to pay out the payout control board 300. Perform communication inspection with.

  Next, normal symbol operation gate monitoring processing is executed (S61). In this normal symbol operation gate monitoring process, the passage of the game ball to the operation gate 63 is monitored, and when it is determined that the game ball has passed through the operation gate 63, a random number related to the normal symbol lottery is acquired as the operation holding ball information. In addition to updating the number of suspended balls for a maximum of 4 balls, random numbers related to normal symbol lottery are stored.

  Next, normal symbol control processing is executed (S62). In this normal symbol control process, since a series of processes related to the normal symbol display device 75 or the ordinary electric accessory 622 is performed, the normal symbol changing process, the normal symbol stop symbol displaying process, according to the value of the normal symbol game status The processing during normal electric accessory operation, the processing during normal electric accessory operation end demonstration, etc. are executed. In the normal symbol changing process, the display pattern number data of the normal symbol is created (updated) so that the normal symbol is variably displayed or fixedly displayed.

  Next, normal symbol variation start monitoring processing is executed (S63). In this normal symbol variation start monitoring process, when the normal symbol operation state is monitored and it is determined that the normal symbol variation start condition is satisfied, the normal symbol operation holding ball number is digested by one, and the normal symbol variation is monitored. Determination, determination of design, determination of variation pattern, setting of variation time, and the like are performed in order.

Next, the start port monitoring control process is executed (S64). In this start port monitoring control process, the winnings of the game balls to the first start port 61 and the second start port 62 are monitored, and when there is a winning game ball, the number of reserved balls is updated and the special symbol lottery is concerned. Random number storage, prefetching notice effect determination, command memory number command request, etc. are performed in order.

  Next, a special symbol control process is executed (S65). In this special symbol control process, as a series of processes related to the special symbol display devices 71 and 72, according to the value of the special symbol game status, a special symbol variation start process (S420) and a special symbol variation process (S430) which will be described later in detail. ), Special symbol stop symbol display processing (S440), and the like.

  Next, a special electric accessory control process is executed (S66). In this process, when the lottery result of the special symbol is “big hit” or “small hit”, as the operation process related to the special electric accessory 642, the operation start and end setting of the special electric accessory 642, Update of the opening time and the number of times of opening the winning opening 64, the operation start setting of the probability variation function, the operation start setting of the variation time shortening function, the setting of the variation pattern selection state, etc. are executed in order.

  Next, a special winning opening valid period setting process is executed (S67). In this big winning opening effective period setting process, the winning effective period and the winning invalid period of the big winning opening 64 are determined, and the effective period data or invalid period data of the large winning opening 64 is set as the determination result.

  Next, a special symbol variation start monitoring control process is executed (S68). In this special symbol variation start monitoring control process, when there is an operation holding ball of the first special symbol or the second special symbol, the number of the holding balls is digested, and a command request for the number of stored symbols, whether the special symbol is successful or not is determined. The determination of the special symbol, the determination of the probability variation function, the determination of the time shortening function, the setting of the operation pattern of the special electric accessory, the setting of the demonstration performance time, etc. are performed in order.

  Next, an abnormality detection process is executed (S69). In this abnormality detection process, based on the input information in the input process (S53), the magnetic detection signal by the magnetic sensor, the disconnection short circuit power supply abnormality signal, the radio wave detection signal by the radio sensor, the door / frame opening signal, etc. are inspected in order. Then, it is determined whether or not the gaming machine is in an error state. If it is in an error state, an effect control command (“error effect designation command”) including the error information is generated to request the sub output control board 200 to display an error.

  Next, an entrance passage time abnormality detection process is executed (S70). In this incoming ball passing time abnormality detection process, when the ON signal of the winning detection switch is continuously detected for a predetermined time or more, the incoming ball passing time abnormality is set, and an effect control command (“error” A request for a production designation command ") and a request for outputting a security signal for output to an external terminal are made.

  Next, a game state display process is executed (S71). In this game state display process, display data such as the number of times that the special electric accessory 642 is continuously operated (the number of specified rounds), the number of reserved balls for normal symbols and special symbols, and the like are created. Moreover, display data for displaying the information on the error state detected in the abnormality detection process on the status indicator lamp of the main control board 100 is created.

  Next, an LED output process is executed (S72). In this LED output process, the special symbol control process (S65), in order to display special symbols and normal symbols, display the number of reserved balls, the number of times that the special electric accessory is operated continuously, display an error, etc. The display data created in the abnormality detection process (S69), the game state display process (S71), etc. are used as the special symbol display devices 71 and 72, the normal symbol display device 75, the special symbol hold lamps 73 and 74, and the general figure hold. In addition to outputting to the lamp 76, the status indicator lamp of the main control board 100, etc., the display in these various display devices is initialized.

  Next, a firing control signal output process is executed (S73). In this firing control signal output process, when no communication abnormality with the payout control board 300 or disconnection short circuit power supply abnormality is detected, a fire permission signal is output to the payout control board 300, and the launch of the game ball is permitted. To do. On the other hand, when an abnormality in communication with the payout control board 300 or an abnormality in the short circuit power supply is detected, a firing prohibition signal is output to the payout control board 300, and the launch of the game ball is prohibited.

  Next, a solenoid output process is executed (S74). In this solenoid output process, in the normal symbol control process (S62) and the special electric accessory control process (S66) to operate each electric accessory 622, 642. Based on the acquired control data, an excitation signal is output to each of the electric accessory solenoids 623 and 643.

  Next, an effect control command transmission process is executed (S75). In the effect control command transmission process, the effect control command designated by the pointer is read out from the effect control commands stored in the command storage area (ring buffer) of the main information storage means 180 in the process described above. A control command is transmitted to the sub-control board 200.

  Next, external information output processing is executed (S76). In the external information output process, the operating state information of the gaming machine is output as external information to an external device such as a hall computer via the external terminal board.

  Next, the contents of the saved register are restored, and the CPU is set to an interrupt enabled state (S77). As a result, the main control side timer interrupt process is terminated, the process returns to the main control side main process, and the main control side main process is executed until the next timer interrupt occurs.

  If the main control board 100 detects a power-off (a decrease in supply voltage based on a predetermined threshold) during the main control-side main process or interrupt process, a non-maskable interrupt is generated and the power-off confirmation flag is turned on. To do. Then, after returning to the original process, the above-described power-off process (S26 to S32) is executed.

≪Special design game processing≫
Next, a series of processes related to the special symbol game in the main control timer interrupt process will be described. The process related to the special symbol game includes the above-described start port monitoring control process (S64), special symbol control process (S65), special electric accessory control process (S66), special symbol variation start monitoring control process (S68), etc. Is applicable.

(Start-up port monitoring control process)
First, the start port monitoring control process (S64) will be described. FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing details of the start port monitoring control process (S64).

  First, it is determined whether or not a game winning at the first start port 61 has been detected (S201). When the winning to the first start port 61 is detected (S201: YES), it is determined whether or not the number of the operation reserved balls of the first special symbol is less than the upper limit number of 4 (S202).

  When the number of reserved balls for the first special symbol is less than 4 (S202: YES), as a lottery random value for the first special symbol game, a random value per special symbol, a random symbol value per special symbol, a special symbol Fluctuation pattern random values are acquired, and each random value is stored in the first special symbol reservation storage area (hold n storage area) of the main information storage means 180 according to the order of entry (S203). Then, as an update of the number of reserved balls for operation of the first special symbol, the value of the first special symbol reserved ball number counter is incremented by 1 (S204), and the winning check of the first start port 61 is completed.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a game winning in the second starting port 62 has been detected (S205). When a winning at the second starting port 62 is detected (S205: YES), it is determined whether or not the number of operation reserved balls of the second special symbol is less than the upper limit number of 4 (S206). When the number of reserved balls in the second special symbol is less than 4 (S206: YES), a random number per special symbol, a random symbol value per special symbol, a special symbol, as a lottery random value related to the second special symbol game Fluctuation pattern random values are acquired, and each random value is stored in the second special symbol reservation storage area (hold n storage area) of the main information storage means 180 according to the order of entry (S207). Then, as the update of the number of reserved balls for operation of the second special symbol, the value of the second special symbol reserved ball number counter is incremented by 1 (S208), and the winning check at the second start port 62 is finished.

  Subsequently, whether or not the number of reserved balls for operation of the first special symbol or the second special symbol has been updated, that is, whether or not the number of reserved balls for operation of the first special symbol or the second special symbol has been added in S204 or S208. Is determined (S209). When there is an update of the number of balls with an operating reserve (S209: YES), a symbol memory number command including information on the number of balls with an operating reserve of the first special symbol and the second special symbol is generated, and this is stored as main information storage means. The command is stored in the command storage area 180 (S210).

  Next, the state of the gaming machine is confirmed, and it is determined whether it is a prior determination timing (S211). If it is a prior determination timing (S211: YES), a random number value per special symbol is read from the random number buffer in the reserved n storage area, and a prior determination is made (S212). Then, a validity pre-judgment command including information on the pre-judgment result (pre-judgment pre-judgment number) is generated and stored in the command storage area of the main information storage unit 180 (S213).

  Further, the symbol random number value per special symbol is read from the symbol random number buffer in the reserved n storage area, and symbol preliminary determination is performed (S214). Then, a symbol pre-determination command including this pre-determination result information (symbol pre-determination number) is generated and stored in the command storage area of the main information storage means 180 (S215). Further, the special symbol variation pattern random number value is read from the variation pattern random number buffer in the reserved n storage area, and the variation pattern prior determination is performed (S216). Then, a variation pattern advance determination command including information on the prior determination result (variation pattern advance determination number) is generated and stored in the command storage area of the main information storage unit 180 (S217).

(Special symbol variation start monitoring control process)
Next, the special symbol variation start monitoring control process (S68) will be described. FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing details of the special symbol fluctuation start monitoring control process (S68).

  In this special symbol fluctuation start monitoring control process (S68), a special symbol fluctuation start monitoring process to be described later is applied to the special symbol side satisfying the fluctuation start condition among the first special symbol and the second special symbol. (S310) is executed. When both the first special symbol and the second special symbol satisfy the variation start condition, the process on the second special symbol side is preferentially executed as described above.

  First, it is determined whether a big hit or a small hit is being made (S301). Subsequently, whether both the first special symbol and the second special symbol are waiting for change, that is, whether the first special symbol game status and the second special symbol game status are both “00H (waiting for change)”. It is determined whether or not (S302).

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the number of retained balls in the second special symbol is “0” (S303). If the number of retained balls is not “0” (S303: NO), the second special symbol is determined. It is assumed that the symbol variation start condition is satisfied, and after setting the address of the second special symbol variation start monitoring table (addresses of various tables used in the subsequent processing and the address of the RAM storage area) (S304) Then, the process proceeds to the special symbol fluctuation start monitoring process (S310) on the second special symbol side. That is, in the present embodiment, when there is an operation holding ball of the second special symbol, the operation holding ball of the second special symbol is given priority regardless of the presence or absence of the operation holding ball of the first special symbol. Digested. Details of this special symbol variation start monitoring process (S310) will be described later with reference to FIG.

  On the other hand, when the number of reserved balls for operation of the second special symbol is “0” (S303: YES), it is determined whether or not the number of reserved balls for operation of the first special symbol is “0” (S305). . If the number of reserved balls is not “0” (S305: NO), it is assumed that the first special symbol variation start condition is satisfied, and the address of the first special symbol variation start monitoring table (hereinafter referred to as “the first special symbol variation start monitoring table”). After setting the addresses of the various tables used in the processing and the addresses of the RAM storage area (S306), the process proceeds to the special symbol variation start monitoring process (S310) on the first special symbol side.

  Note that if the variation start conditions of the first special symbol and the second special symbol are not satisfied (S301: YES, S302: NO, S305: YES), the special symbol variation start monitoring process (S310) is skipped. .

(Special symbol fluctuation start monitoring process)
Next, the special symbol variation start monitoring process (S310) will be described. FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing details of the special symbol variation start monitoring process (S310).

  In the special symbol fluctuation start monitoring process (S310), the first special symbol fluctuation start monitoring table or the second special symbol fluctuation start monitoring table set in S304 or S306 described above is referred to The special symbol side process will be executed, but the processing method is the same on the first special symbol side and the second special symbol side, so the first special symbol side process is the exception unless otherwise specified. Whether or not there is a process on the second special symbol side will be described as a group without distinction.

  First, 1 is subtracted from the number of reserved balls on the special symbol side that is the subject of the current fluctuation start (S311). Then, a symbol memory number command including information on the number of suspended balls of the first special symbol and the second special symbol after the subtraction is generated and stored in the command storage area of the main information storage means 180 (S312). Subsequently, the special symbol holding storage area on the side of the special symbol subject to the start of the current change is accessed, and the random number value per special symbol and the special symbol stored in the first reserved storage area (holding 1 storage area) In order to sequentially read the design random number value and the special design variation pattern random value, and use these random number values for the special symbol success / failure determination process (S320), the symbol determination process (S330), and the variation pattern selection process (S423) described later, Transfer to the special symbol success / failure determination area, special symbol determination area, and special symbol variation pattern determination area of the main information storage means 180 (S313). Further, as the update of the hold storage area, the hold ball information stored in the hold 2 storage area to the hold 4 storage area is shifted to the lower hold storage area, and the hold 4 storage area is cleared to zero (S314).

Subsequently, a special symbol success / failure determination process is executed (S320). In the special symbol success / failure determination process (S320), first, a special symbol success / failure lottery table is acquired. At this time, if the gaming state is a special symbol probability changing state, a high-probability lottery table is obtained, and if the gaming state is a normal state, a low-probability lottery table is obtained. Next, a random value per special symbol is read from the special symbol success / failure determination area of the main information storage unit 180. Then, referring to the special symbol success / failure lottery table, the special symbol success / failure determination is executed based on the random number value per special symbol. Further, values corresponding to the determination result (big hit data “55H”, small hit data “33H”, and loss data “00H”) are stored in the special symbol determination flag of the main information storage unit 180.

  Subsequently, a symbol determination process is executed (S330). In the symbol determination process (S330), a special symbol stop symbol and character effect number (variable added symbol information) are determined according to the result of the determination. Then, the stop symbol and the character effect number of the special symbol determined this time are stored in the symbol storage area of the main information storage unit 180. Note that the character effect number includes the determined stop symbol type (six jackpot / small jackpot symbols A1 to C1, A2 to B2, and K1), and the operation status of the special symbol and the normal symbol probability variation function (special symbol). (4 patterns of probability variation ON / special symbol probability variation OFF / normal symbol probability variation ON / normal symbol probability variation OFF), one of 24 patterns in total is determined. If the result of the determination is wrong, the character effect number “0” is determined.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the result of the determination is a small hit (S341), and whether or not the result of the determination is a big win (S342). If the result of the determination is a small hit (S341: YES), the process proceeds to S347, and if the result of the determination is out of order (S341: NO, S342: NO), the process proceeds to S349.

  On the other hand, if the determination result is a big hit (S341: NO, S342: YES), the probability of the special symbol as the gaming state after the special game based on the symbol type (big bonus type) determined in S330 It is determined whether or not to activate the variable function (S343). That is, when the symbol type (big hit type) indicates a specific symbol, it is determined to provide a probability variation function, and when the symbol type indicates a normal symbol, the probability variation function is determined. Decide not to grant. This determination result is stored in the probability variation determination flag of the main information storage unit 180.

  Further, based on the symbol type (big hit type) determined in S330, the number of times of operation of the variable time reduction function is determined as the gaming state after the special game (S344), and the number of times of operation of the electric chew support function is determined. (S345). This determination result (the operation time information of the variation time shortening function, the operation frequency information of the electric chew support function) is stored in the time information storage area and the easy-to-enter number storage area of the main information storage unit 180.

  Subsequently, the operation pattern of the special electric accessory 642 is set based on the symbol type (big hit type) determined in S330 (S346). Specifically, as the operation pattern of the special electric accessory 642, the specified number of round games (in this example, 16 rounds, 8 rounds, 2 rounds), the maximum opening time of the big prize opening 64 (in this example, 30 rounds) Seconds, 0.7 seconds).

  Next, based on the symbol type determined in S330 and the current game state, the variation pattern selection state after the special game or after the small hit game is set (S347). Subsequently, based on the symbol type determined in S330, a demonstration performance time (a hit start demo time and a hit end demo time) of the special game or the small hit game is set (S348). Next, the special symbol success / failure determination region and the special symbol / symbol determination region of the main information storage unit 180 used in the above-described special symbol success / failure determination processing (S320) and symbol determination processing (S330) are cleared (S349). Then, the special symbol game status on the special symbol side to be changed this time is changed from “00H (standby)” to “01H (change start)” (S350).

(Special symbol control processing)
Next, the special symbol control process (S65) will be described. FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing details of the special symbol control process (S65).

  First, it is determined whether or not the special electric accessory 642 is inactive, that is, whether or not the special electric accessory game status is “00H (waiting for winning)” (S401). Subsequently, when the special electric accessory 642 is not operating (S401: YES), it is determined whether or not the second special symbol game status is not "00H (standby)" (S402).

  When the second special symbol game status is not “00H (standby)” (S402: YES), the second special symbol control table (used in the subsequent processing) is executed to execute the processing related to the second special symbol. The addresses of the various tables and the addresses of the RAM storage areas are set (S403), and the process proceeds to the special symbol control general-purpose process (S410). On the other hand, when the second special symbol game status is “00H (standby)” (S402: NO), the first special symbol control table (in the subsequent processing) is executed to execute the process related to the first special symbol. The addresses of various tables to be used and the addresses of the RAM storage areas are set (S404), and the process proceeds to the special symbol control general-purpose process (S410).

  In the special symbol control general-purpose process (S410) described below, the first special symbol control table or the second special symbol control table set in S403 or S404 described above is used, and the special subject to change this time is used. The process on the symbol side will be executed, but the processing method is the same on the first special symbol side and the second special symbol side, so is it the process on the first special symbol side unless otherwise specified? A description will be given collectively without distinguishing whether the processing is on the second special symbol side. Details of this special symbol control general-purpose process (S410) will be described later with reference to FIG.

(Special design control general-purpose processing)
Subsequently, special symbol control general-purpose processing is executed (S410). FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing details of the special symbol control general-purpose process (S410).

  In this special symbol control general-purpose processing (S410), branch processing (S411 to S414) is executed to shift to processing according to the special symbol game status values ("01H", "02H", "03H"). First, it is determined whether or not the special symbol game status on the special symbol side subject to the current variation is not 0 (S411). If the special symbol game status is not “00H” (S411: YES), it is determined whether or not the special symbol game status is “01H (change start)” (S412). If the special symbol game status is “01H” (S412: YES), the process proceeds to a special symbol variation start process (S420). Details of this special symbol variation start process (S420) will be described later with reference to FIG. On the other hand, in the case of NO in S412, it is determined whether or not the special symbol game status is “02H (changed)” (S413). When the special symbol game status is “02H” (S413: YES), the process proceeds to the special symbol changing process (S430). Details of the special symbol variation processing (S430) will be described later with reference to FIG. If NO in S413, it is determined whether or not the special symbol game status is "03H (stopped symbol display)" (S414). If the special symbol game status is “03H” (S414: YES), the process proceeds to a special symbol stop symbol display process (S440). Details of the special symbol stop symbol display processing (S440) will be described later with reference to FIGS.

(Special symbol variation start processing)
Next, the special symbol variation start process (S420) will be described. FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing details of the special symbol variation start process (S420).

First, a special symbol variation pattern table is acquired based on the result of the lottery determination and the variation pattern selection state (S421). Subsequently, a special symbol variation pattern random value is read from the special symbol variation pattern determination area of the main information storage unit 180 (S422). Then, with reference to the special symbol variation pattern table, one of a plurality of types of variation patterns is selected based on the special symbol variation pattern random value (S423).

  Next, a variation time corresponding to the variation pattern selected this time is set (S424). As a special symbol variation start setting, the variation time is stored in the special symbol game timer of the symbol display control means 165 (S425), and a variation start command to the sub-control board 200 is generated (S426). As the variation start command, in order to start the symbol variation effect in the effect display device 70, a communication inspection command, a variation addition symbol information designation command, a variation pattern designation command, and a symbol designation command are generated in order, and this is generated as main information storage means It is stored in the command storage area of 180.

  Subsequently, the contents of the special symbol variation pattern determination area of the main information storage unit 180 used for determining the variation pattern are cleared (S427). Then, the special symbol game status is changed from “01H (change start)” to “02H (change)” (S428).

(Special symbol change processing)
Next, the special symbol variation processing (S430) will be described. FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing details of the special symbol changing process (S430).

  First, a special symbol display pattern number switching process is executed in order to perform a special symbol variable display (S431). In this display pattern number switching process (S431), special pattern display pattern number data is generated for each predetermined switching time. The display pattern number data is output to the first special symbol display device 71 or the second special symbol display device 72 in the LED output process (S73) in order to display the variable special symbols in a variable manner or in a definite manner.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the special symbol game timer has reached "0 (timeout)", that is, whether or not the special symbol variation time has ended (S432). When the variation time of the special symbol is completed (S432: YES), a special symbol stop symbol to be fixedly displayed on the first special symbol display device 71 or the second special symbol display device 72 is set (S433). Subsequently, a change stop command for instructing the sub-control board 200 to confirm and display the decorative symbol is generated and stored in the command storage area of the main information storage unit 180 (S434).

  Next, “500 (ms)” is stored in the special symbol game timer as a fixed display time (S435). Note that the “determined display time” is a time for definitely stopping and displaying the stopped symbol when the special symbol is suspended. Then, the special symbol game status is changed from “02H (fluctuating)” to “03H (stopping symbol display)” (S436).

(Special symbol stop symbol display processing)
Next, the special symbol stop symbol display processing (S440) will be described. 42 to 43 are flowcharts showing details of the special symbol stop symbol display processing (S440).

  First, it is determined whether or not the special symbol game timer has become “0 (timeout)”, that is, whether or not the fixed display time of the special symbol (stop symbol) has ended (S441). When the special symbol fixed display time is over (S441: YES), the special symbol game status is changed from "03H (stopped symbol display)" to "00H (standby)" (S442).

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the winning / failing determination data stored in the special symbol determination flag of the main information storage means 180 is the big hit data “55H” (S443). When the hit / decision determination data is jackpot data (S443: YES), the special symbol probability variation function is deactivated (S444), the special symbol variation time reduction function is deactivated (S445), and the electric support function is activated. Stop (S446) is performed in order. Specifically, “00H (not actuated)” is set in the special symbol mode flag, and “00H” is set in the time reduction number counter and the easy-to-enter number counter to clear to zero.

  Next, as a special game start demo setting process, a start demo display time is set, and an effect control command (big hit start demo command) for instructing start of the start demo effect is generated (S447). Subsequently, the number of executions of the variation pattern selection state (variation pattern selection state number counter) is cleared to zero (S448). Also, the special electric accessory game status is changed from “00H (waiting for winning)” to “01H (special game)” (S449). Then, “00H” is set to clear the contents of the success / failure determination flag (S450).

  On the other hand, if the determination data is not big hit data (S443: NO), it is determined whether or not the special symbol probability variation function is in operation (S451). When the special symbol probability variation function is in operation (S451: YES), 1 is subtracted from the probability variation counter of the main information storage means 180 as the digest of the current special symbol variation (step S452). . Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the probability variation counter is zero (step S453). When the probability variation counter is zero (S453: YES), the operation of the special symbol probability variation function is stopped (S454). If the probability variation counter after subtraction is not zero (S453: NO), S454 is skipped and the process proceeds to S455.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the special symbol variation time reduction function is in operation (S455). If the special symbol variation time reduction function is in operation (S455: YES), the time-count counter of the main information storage means 180 is decremented by 1 as the digest of the current special symbol variation (step S456). . Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the time reduction counter is zero (step S457). If the hourly number counter is zero (S457: YES), the special symbol variable time reduction function is deactivated, assuming that the number of times of termination of the special symbol time-short state has been reached (S458). If the time-count counter after subtraction is not zero (S457: NO), S458 is skipped and the process proceeds to S459.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the electric chew support function is in operation (S459). When the electric chew support function is in operation (S459: YES), 1 is subtracted from the easy-to-enter state counter of the main information storage unit 180 as the digest of the number of changes in the special symbol this time (step S460). . Next, it is determined whether or not the easy-to-enter state counter is zero (step S461). If the easy entry state number counter is zero (S461: YES), the operation of the electric chew support function is stopped (S462), assuming that the end number of easy entry states has been reached. If the easy-to-enter state counter after subtraction is not zero (S461: NO), S462 is skipped and the process proceeds to S463.

  Next, 1 is subtracted from the variation pattern selection state number counter of the main information storage means 180 (S463). Then, the variation pattern selection state is updated (S464). Specifically, referring to the variation pattern selection state number counter of the main information storage unit 180, it is determined whether or not the number of executions of the current variation pattern selection state has reached a preset end number. If it has been reached, the state is switched to the next specified variation pattern selection state. On the other hand, if the end count has not been reached, the current variation pattern selection state is maintained.

  Next, an effect control command (game state designation command) including the current gaming state information and the variation pattern selection state information updated in the above-described S451 to S464 is generated and stored in the command storage area of the main information storage unit 180. (S465). On the side of the sub control board 200, setting and updating of the effect mode is executed based on the information of the game state designation command.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the small hit data “33H” is stored in the special symbol determination flag (S466). When the small hit data is stored (S466: YES), as the start demo setting process of the small hit game, the start demonstration display time is set, and an effect control command (small hit) that instructs the start of the start demonstration effect Start demo command) is generated (S467). Subsequently, the special electric accessory game status is changed from “00H (waiting for winning)” to “02H (small winning game)” (S468). Then, “00H” is set to clear the contents of the success / failure determination flag (S469).

  On the other hand, if the small symbol data “33H” is not stored in the special symbol determination flag (S466: NO), that is, if the shift data “00H” is stored in the special symbol determination flag, S467 to S469 are executed. skip. Note that when the special symbol determination flag is outlier data, the process of clearing the contents of the flag was not performed because “00H” was originally stored as outlier data.

(Special electric accessory control processing)
Next, the special electric accessory control process (S66) will be described. 44 to 46 are flowcharts showing details of the electric accessory control process (S66).

  First, it is determined whether or not the special electric accessory game status is “01H (special game)” (S501). If the special electric accessory game status is “01H” (S501: YES), the special game process is executed in the subsequent processes. In this special game process, first, it is determined whether or not the special electric accessory 642 is operating (S502). When the special electric accessory 642 is not operating (S502: NO), it is determined whether or not it is the operation start time of the special electric accessory 642 (S503). The operation start time of the special electric accessory 642 is a timing at which the operation of the special electric accessory 642 is started in each round game.

  When it is the operation start time of the special electric accessory 642 (S503: YES), an effect control command (round effect designation command) is generated to start the round effect, and this is stored in the command of the main information storage unit 180. Store in the area (S504). On the sub-control board 200 side, a round effect corresponding to each round game in the special game is executed based on information of the round effect designation command (information such as the current number of rounds). Then, the operation of the special electric accessory 642 is started (S505), and the processing of S506 to S510 is executed as the processing during the operation of the special electric accessory 642.

  As a process during the operation of the special electric accessory 642, it is determined whether or not the maximum number of game balls has been won in the big prize opening 64 (S506), and the operation time (opening time) of the special electric accessory 642 is determined. It is determined whether or not it has elapsed (S507). At this time, when the game ball has won the maximum number of winnings in the big winning opening 64 (S506: YES) or when the operation time of the special electric accessory 642 has elapsed (S507: YES), the special electric accessory 642 The operation is stopped (S507). Then, it is determined whether or not the number of continuous actuations of the special electric accessory 642 has reached a predetermined number of rounds (S509). If the number of continuous operations has not reached the specified number of rounds (S509: NO), the number of continuous operations of the special electric accessory 642 is incremented by 1 (S510).

  On the other hand, when the number of continuous operations of the special electric accessory 642 has reached the specified number of rounds (S509: YES), the process proceeds to S511, and the end demonstration display time is set as the special game end demonstration setting process. At the same time, an effect control command (big hit end demo command) for instructing start of the end demo effect is generated (S511).

Subsequently, the variable time reduction number information set in S344 is stored in the time reduction number counter (S512). Further, the easy entry state number information set in S345 is stored in the easy entry state number counter (S513).

  Subsequently, referring to the content of the probability variation determination flag set in S343, it is determined whether or not the operation of the condition device is an operation based on a specific symbol (so-called probability variation symbol) (S514). When the operation of the condition device is based on the specific symbol (S514: YES), the operation time data “64H” is stored in the probability variation counter of the main information storage means 180, and the operation of the special symbol probability variation function is started. (S515). On the other hand, when the condition device is not operated by the specific symbol (S514: NO), the non-operating data “00H” is stored in the probability variation counter, and S515 is skipped.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the variation time shortening number information stored in the time reduction number counter is variation time shortening function operation data (data other than “00H”) (S516). If it is the variation time shortening function operation data (S516: YES), the operation of the special symbol variation time shortening function is started (S517). On the other hand, when it is not the fluctuation time shortening function operation data (S516: NO), S517 is skipped.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the easy entry state number information stored in the easy entry state number counter is electric Chu support function operation data (data other than “00H”) (S518). If it is the electric Chu support function operation data (S518: YES), the operation of the electric Chu support function is started (S519 to S521). That is, the normal symbol probability variation function operation start (S519), the normal symbol variation time reduction function operation start (S520), and the normal electric accessory 622 open extension function operation start (S521) are executed in order. On the other hand, if it is not the electric Chu support function operation data, S519 to S521 are skipped.

  Next, the variation pattern selection state determined in S347 is switched to (S522). Subsequently, an effect control command (game state designation command) including the game state information after the special game and the variation pattern selection state information set in S512 to S522 described above is generated and stored in the main information storage unit 180. Store in the command storage area (S523). On the sub-control board 200 side, the effect mode after the special game is set based on the information of the game state designation command. Then, the special electric accessory game status is changed from “01H (special game)” to “00H (waiting for winning)” (S524).

  On the other hand, when the special electric accessory game status is not “01H (special game)” (S501: NO), the process proceeds to S530 and whether the special electric accessory game status is “02H (small hit game)”. It is determined whether or not (S530). When the special electric accessory game status is “02H” (S530: YES), the small hit game processing is executed in the subsequent processing.

  In the small hit game processing, first, it is determined whether or not the special electric accessory 642 is operating (S531). When the special electric accessory 642 is not operating (S531: NO), the operation of the special electric accessory 642 is started (S532). On the other hand, when the special electric accessory 642 is operating (S531: YES), S532 is skipped.

  Subsequently, as a process during the operation of the special electric accessory 642, it is determined whether or not the game ball has won a predetermined winning number (maximum winning number) at the big winning opening 64 (S533), and the special electric accessory 642 is determined. It is determined whether or not the operating time (opening time) has elapsed (S534). At this time, when the game ball has won the predetermined number of winnings in the big winning opening 64 (S533: YES) or when the operation time of the special electric accessory 642 has passed (S534: YES), the special electric accessory 642 The operation is stopped (S535).

  Subsequently, as the end demo setting process for the small hit game, the end demo display time is set, and an effect control command (small hit end demo command) for instructing the start of the end demo effect is generated (S536). Next, the variation pattern selection state determined in S347 is switched to (S537). Subsequently, an effect control command (game state designation command) including the variation pattern selection state information after the special game set in S537 is generated and stored in the command storage area of the main information storage unit 180 ( S538). This gaming state designation command is used on the sub-control board 200 side to determine the transition trigger of the production mode, to specify the destination production mode. Then, the special electric accessory game status is changed from “01H (special game)” to “00H (waiting for winning)” (S539).

<Processing on the sub control board>
Next, the procedure of the operation process in the sub control board 200 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The processing on the sub-control board 200 side includes a reset start process (including an effect control side main process) that is executed when the CPU is reset, such as when the power is turned on, and an effect control side timer interrupt process that is activated at regular intervals. And a reception interruption process of an effect control command activated due to a strobe signal from the main control board 100.

<Reset start processing>
First, the reset start process of the sub control board 200 will be described. FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing a reset start process of the sub control board 200. In this reset start process, the program is started by any of the resets caused by power-on, resets caused by various abnormalities, and resets caused by WDT (during runaway detection). Starts, and the processing after S601 is started.

  First, as an initial setting required when the power is turned on, a head address is set as an initial value of the stack area in the stack pointer (S601). Then, all interrupt processing is prohibited until various initial settings are completed (S602).

  Subsequently, as basic settings related to hardware, an initial value is set in a built-in register provided in the CPU, and an I / O port circuit is initialized (S603). Further, the memory area in the RAM is initialized (S604). Here, an initial value is set for a variable with an initial value, and initialization by zero clear is performed for a variable without an initial value. Further, the CPU appropriately develops the control program stored in the ROM in the RAM.

  Subsequently, interrupts other than the production control command reception interrupt process are prohibited (S605). Next, among various errors set in advance for each model, a process for setting the type of error to be valid for the model is performed (S606). Furthermore, a turn-off request is made to turn off the effect lamp LP (the frame lamp 10, the panel lamp 25) (S607). Then, a watchdog timer is activated to monitor the CPU runaway (S608).

  Subsequently, an effect control side main process is executed as the main process of the game effect (S609). Details of the effect control side main process (S609) will be described later with reference to FIG. Note that when the process shifts to the production control side main process in S609, it is not normally possible to return from the main process to the reset start process, but in the unlikely event that the process returns to this process due to a program bug or the like. The mode is shifted to a low power consumption mode (sleep mode) in which power consumption is lower than that during normal operation.

《Direction control side main processing》
Next, the effect control side main process (S609) of the sub control board 200 will be described. FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing the effect control side main process (S609).

  First, an address (start address where the program is expanded) for starting a check as to whether or not the control program is correctly expanded in the RAM in the production control side main process is acquired (S611). Subsequently, all interrupts are permitted (activation of various interrupt processes is permitted) (S612).

  Next, a device initialization operation is executed (S613). This initialization operation is an operation mode that is executed only once when the pachinko gaming machine PM is turned on (at the start of resetting). In order to control the operation of the movable accessory 24 by a device such as a motor or a solenoid. It is executed for the purpose of confirming the position information necessary for. At the end of the initialization operation, the movable accessory 24 returns to a preset initial position (reference position).

  Subsequently, the watchdog timer is cleared to restart the watchdog timer (S614). At this time, when the CPU is executing the program normally, the watchdog timer is cleared and reset by writing a predetermined clear word into the CPU's WDT clear register within the preset timeout period. Be started. On the other hand, when the watchdog timer times out, a user reset occurs.

  Subsequently, input port check processing is executed (S615). In this input port check process, reading of the I / O port circuit (input port) is monitored every time an interrupt occurs, and if the input port status is all “1” in multiple times (for example, four times), a signal When the level is “1 (H level)” and all are “0”, the signal level is “0 (L level)”, otherwise the signal level is not changed (this determines the input signal).

  Subsequently, an error effect management process is executed (S616). In this error effect management process, error effects by various devices are started based on the error effect pattern set in the subsequent command analysis process (S620). Further, in the error presentation management process, an initial value (error presentation time) is set in the error management timer to manage the progress of the error presentation. This error management timer is subtracted and updated at a cycle of 16 ms in the production control side timer interruption process. When the error management timer times out, the error presentation is ended.

  Subsequently, the effect button monitoring control process is executed (S617). In this effect button monitoring control process, when the button notice effect is incorporated during the display of the variation of the symbol, the input state of the effect button 15 within the operation effective time is monitored, and information regarding the input state of the effect button 15 is retained. To do.

  Next, device management processing is executed (S619). In this device management process, when there is an operation request for various devices (reel unit 80, effect lamp LP, accessory 24) in a command analysis process (S620) described later, a plurality of types of control pattern data stored in the ROM. The control pattern data corresponding to the production number is specified from among the above, and the control of the target device is started. Each control pattern data (control command) is output at regular intervals in the production control side timer interruption process, so that the operation of the target device is performed.

  Subsequently, command analysis processing (S620) is executed. In this command analysis processing, it is monitored whether or not an effect control command is stored in the command storage area of the sub information storage means 280. If an effect control command is stored, this command is read out, and the read effect control command is read. An effect control process corresponding to the type is executed. Details of the command analysis processing (S620) will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Then, it is determined whether command analysis (effect control command analysis) has been executed during the current loop processing (S621). If it is immediately after command analysis (S621: YES), the process returns to S614 and proceeds to the next loop process. On the other hand, when the command analysis is not executed (S621: NO), that is, when the command buffer is empty, the effect lottery random number update process is executed until a predetermined time elapses (S622). In the present embodiment, “16 ms”, which is half the minimum unit (32 ms) for switching control of the reel 81 and the lamp LP, is set as the predetermined time. In the effect lottery random number update process, various effect lottery random numbers such as a prefetch notice lottery random number, a decorative design random number, a variable effect pattern random number, and a notice effect pattern random number are updated. Specifically, 1 is added to the numerical value of each random number counter, and when the numerical value exceeds the maximum value, the value is returned to the minimum value.

(Command analysis processing)
Next, command analysis processing (S620) will be described. FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing details of the command analysis processing (S620). In this command analysis process, it is monitored whether or not the effect control command from the main control board 100 is stored in the command storage area of the sub information storage means 280, and the effect control corresponding to the type of the stored effect control command is performed. Execute the process.

  First, it is determined whether or not a gaming state designation command is stored in the command storage area of the sub information storage means 280 (S631). When the game state designation command is stored (step S631: YES), the process proceeds to the effect state transition process (S632). In the effect state transition process (S632), a process of changing the effect mode is executed based on the change pattern selection state information included in the game state designation command and the number of change display times counted from the end of the special game.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a hold related command is stored in the command storage area of the sub information storage unit 280 (S633). Here, the hold related commands include a symbol memory number command and a prior determination command. When the hold related command is stored (S633: YES), the process proceeds to the hold information management process (S634). In the hold information management process (S634), the symbol storage number command or the advance determination command is read from the sub information storage means 280, and the prefetch determination is executed based on the information of the advance determination result. And processing for updating the display mode (display color, etc.).

  Next, it is determined whether or not a symbol variation related command is stored in the command storage area of the sub information storage means 280 (S635). Here, the symbol variation related commands include a variation start command and a variation stop command. When the symbol variation related command is stored (step S635: YES), the routine proceeds to variation effect content determination processing (S636). In this variation effect content determination process (S636), if the received symbol variation related command is a variation start command, processing for starting the symbol variation effect is executed, and the received symbol variation related command is a variation stop command. In some cases, a process for ending the symbol variation effect being executed is executed. Details of the variation effect content determination process (S636) will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a big hit effect related command is stored in the command storage area of the sub information storage means 280 (S637). Here, the jackpot effect-related commands include a jackpot start demonstration effect command, a round effect designation command, and a jackpot end demonstration effect command. When the big hit effect related command is stored (step S637: YES), the process proceeds to the big hit effect content determination process (S638). In this jackpot effect content determination process (S638), a process for executing a start demonstration effect, a round effect, and an end demonstration effect is performed.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a small hit effect related command is stored in the command storage area of the sub information storage means 280 (S639). Here, the small hit effect-related commands include a small hit start demonstration effect command and a small hit end demonstration effect command. When the small hit effect related command is stored (step S639: YES), the process proceeds to the small hit effect content determination process (S640). In the small hit effect content determination processing (S640), processing for executing the small hit start demonstration effect and the small hit end demonstration effect is performed.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not an error effect designation command is stored in the command storage area of the sub information storage means 280 (S641). When this error effect designation command is stored (S641: YES), the process proceeds to an error effect content determination process (S642). In this error effect content determination process (S642), an error effect designation command is read from the sub information storage means 280, and an error effect pattern for notifying an error state is determined by lighting the effect lamp LP, the sound of the speaker 11, or the like. .

  If the effect control command is not stored in the command storage area of the sub information storage means 280 (S631: NO, S633: NO, S635: NO, S637: NO, S639: NO, S641: NO), do nothing. The command analysis process ends.

(Variation production content determination process)
Next, the variation effect content determination process (S636) will be described. FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing details of the variation effect content determination process (S636). In this variation effect content determination process, as the above-described scenario distribution lottery, the first hierarchy lottery process (S703 to S705), the second hierarchy lottery process (S706 to S707), and the third hierarchy (S708 to S709). The lottery process is performed in order.

  First, it is determined whether or not a change start command is stored in the sub information storage unit 280 (S701). If a variation start command is stored (S701: YES), the contents of this variation start command (variation pattern designation command, variation additional information designation command, symbol designation command) are analyzed and included in the contents of this command. Information indicating a variation pattern (variation time), a special symbol (stop symbol), a variation addition time, a gaming state, etc. is acquired (S702). This acquired information is stored in the variation effect content determination area of the sub information storage means 280.

  Subsequently, a variation effect pattern lottery process is executed (S703). In this variation effect pattern lottery process, a variation effect pattern table is acquired based on the information (mainly variation pattern information) acquired in S702, and a lottery random number value is acquired from the effect lottery random number generating means 210 to obtain a plurality of types. From among the fluctuation effect patterns, one of the fluctuation effect patterns is determined by lottery. The variation effect pattern number determined here is temporarily stored in the variation effect pattern information storage area of the sub information storage means 280.

  Next, the additional information-specific variation group lottery process is executed (S704). In the additional information-specific variable group lottery process, the variable information-specific variable group lottery table is acquired based on the variable effect pattern selected in S703, and the lottery random number value is acquired from the effect lottery random number generating means 210 and added. A variation group by information is decided by lottery.

  Subsequently, reach-specific variation group lottery processing is executed (S705). In this reach-by-reach variation group lottery, a reach-by-reach variation group lottery table is obtained based on the variation effect pattern selected in S703, and a lottery random number value is obtained from the effect lottery random number generator 210 to obtain a reach-by-reach variation group. Is determined by lottery.

Next, a notice scenario lottery process is executed (S706). In the notice scenario lottery process, the notice scenario lottery table is acquired based on the variation effect pattern selected in S703, and the lottery random value is obtained from the effect lottery random number generator 210 to determine the notice scenario by lottery. .

  Subsequently, SP scenario lottery processing is executed (S707). In this SP scenario lottery, an SP scenario lottery table is acquired based on the variation effect pattern selected in S703, and a lottery random number value is acquired from the effect lottery random number generator 210, and the SP scenario is determined by lottery.

  Next, a notice lottery process is executed (S708). In this notice lottery process, a notice lottery table corresponding to each kind of notice effect specified according to the scenario is acquired based on the notice scenario selected in S706 and lottery randomness is generated from the effect lottery random number generator 210. The numerical value is acquired, and the notice effect pattern (variation of the notice effect) is determined by lottery. The notice effect pattern number determined here is temporarily stored in the notice effect pattern information storage area of the sub information storage means 280.

  Subsequently, SP reach lottery processing is executed (S709). In the SP reach lottery process, the reach effect lottery table for each effect defined along the scenario is acquired based on the SP scenario selected in S707, and the lottery random number value is acquired from the effect random number generator 210. Then, a reach production pattern (variation of reach production) is determined by lottery.

  Then, the scenario of a series of effect display processes from the start of change to the stop of the decoration symbol is determined by scenario distribution lottery (S703 to S709) using a hierarchical structure such as the first to third layers. At the same time, specific contents (variations) of the notice effect and reach effect that occur at each stage in the display process are determined.

  Next, a notice conversion process is executed (S710). In this notice conversion process, for each notice effect category A to H, it is determined whether or not the notice effect pattern selected in S708 matches the notice effect pattern executed in the previous variation display. When the notice effect pattern exists, the notice effect pattern is replaced with another notice effect pattern according to the contents of the notice conversion table. Details of the notice conversion process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Subsequently, a notice history information update process is executed (S711). In this advance notice history information update process, the advance notice pattern selected in S708 (however, if the advance notice pattern is converted in S710, the notice effect pattern after conversion) is used as the advance notice information in the sub information storage means 280. Temporarily store in the history information storage area.

  Subsequently, a stop symbol lottery process is executed (S712). In the stop symbol lottery process, the decorative symbol stop pattern table is acquired based on the information (mainly special symbol information) acquired in S702 and the variable effect pattern selected in S703, and the effect lottery random number generating means A lottery random number value is acquired from 210, and a stop symbol pattern specifying a combination of stop symbols of a decorative symbol (left symbol, middle symbol, right symbol) is determined by lottery. The stop symbol pattern number determined here is temporarily stored in the fixed stop symbol information storage area of the sub information storage means 280.

Further, in the stop symbol lottery process (S710), when “pseudo continuous once” to “pseudo continuous three times” are set as the variation group classified by additional information selected in S704, the decorative symbol is temporarily stopped. A temporary stop symbol pattern specifying a symbol combination (left symbol, middle symbol, right symbol) is determined by lottery. The temporary stop symbol pattern number determined here is temporarily stored in the temporary stop symbol information storage area of the sub information storage means 280. If the roulette effect pattern is included in the one or more notice effect patterns selected in S708, a “chance symbol combination (special eye)” is used as the temporary stop symbol combination of the pseudo first series. Is determined. The temporary stop symbol pattern number determined here is temporarily stored in the temporary stop symbol information storage area of the sub information storage means 280 in the same manner as described above.

  Next, as the update processing of the prefetch information storage area set in the sub information storage means 280, the prior determination information (hold information used for prefetch lottery) stored in the hold 2 storage area to the hold 4 storage area is used as the lower hold storage area. While shifting to (hold 1 storage area to hold 3 storage area), the hold 4 storage area is cleared to zero (S713).

  Subsequently, a prefetch lottery process is executed (S714). In this pre-read lottery process, based on the pre-determined information (holding information) updated and set in S713, the pre-read lottery is executed individually for various pre-read effects (for example, hold change pre-read effects), and the pre-read effects are executed The pre-reading effect pattern is determined along with the availability.

  Then, based on the various effect information acquired in S703 to S714, a control command (variation effect start command) required to start the decoration symbol change is generated, and this control command is set in the command storage area of the sub information storage unit 280. (S715).

  On the other hand, when the change start command is not stored (S701: NO), it is determined whether or not the change stop command is stored in the sub information storage unit 280 (S716). When the variable stop command is stored (S716: YES), the content of the variable stop command is analyzed, and the symbol stop information included in the content of this command is acquired (S717).

  Then, a control command (variation effect stop command) required to stop changing the decorative symbol is generated, and this control command is set in the command storage area of the sub information storage means 280 (S715).

  If the symbol variation related command (variation start command, variation stop command) is not stored in the command storage area of the sub information storage means 280 (S701: NO, S716: NO), the processing is terminated as it is.

(Preliminary conversion process)
Next, the notice conversion process (S710) will be described. FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing details of the advance notice conversion process (S710).

First, based on the information of the change start command acquired in S702, it is determined whether or not the result of the determination is “out of” (S731). When the result of the determination is “out of” (S731: YES), one of the plurality of notice effect categories A to H is set as a notice effect category to be determined (S732). Here, the notice effect category A is set as the first determination target. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the notice effect pattern to be determined is stored in the notice effect pattern information storage area of the sub information storage unit 280 (S733). If the notice effect pattern is stored (S733: YES), it is determined whether or not the notice effect pattern belongs to “weak notice” (S734). When the notice effect pattern belongs to “weak notice” (S734: YES), the notice effect pattern is stored in the notice history information storage area of the sub information storage unit 280 in the notice effect pattern executed in the previous variation display. It is determined whether or not it agrees with (notice effect pattern) (S735). When the notice effect pattern matches (S735: YES), the notice effect pattern is replaced with another notice effect pattern according to the contents of the notice conversion table (S736). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the determination has been completed for all the notice effect categories A to H (S737). If the determination has not been completed for all the notice effect categories A to H (S737: NO), the notice effect category to be determined is switched to the next notice effect category (S738). For example, if the notice effect category to be judged is “notice effect category A”, it is switched to “notice effect category B”, and if the notice effect category to be judged is “notice effect category B”, it is changed to “notice effect category C”. If the notice effect category to be switched and determined is “notice effect category C”, the notice effect category D is changed. And after switching a notice effect category in this way, it returns to said S733 and advances the process after S733 again. On the other hand, when the determination is finished for all the notice effect categories A to H (S737: YES), the notice conversion process is finished.

《Reception interrupt processing of production control command》
Next, the reception control process of the effect control command will be described. FIG. 52 is a flowchart showing an effect control command reception interrupt process. In this effect control command reception interrupt process, as described above, an interrupt is generated based on the input of the strobe signal from the main control board 100, and various effect control commands are acquired in this interrupt process. It is like that. The effect control command includes 1-byte MODE data and 1-byte EVENT data, and is transmitted from the main control board 100 to the sub-control board 200 in the order of MODE data and EVENT data. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, MODE data is also referred to as “first command”, and EVENT data is also referred to as “second command”.

  First, when an interrupt based on the strobe signal from the main control board 100 is generated, it is determined whether or not the input value of the effect control command is confirmed (S901). Specifically, the command data is read up to five times, and the input value is determined when the same value is read twice. This is because the reading of the effect control command may fail due to noise or the like, and the input value is not finalized until the same value is read twice.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the command received this time is the first command (MODE), in other words, whether the command is the first command (MODE) or the second command (EVENT) (S902). If the command received this time is the first command (S902: YES), the first command is temporarily stored in the temporary area (S903). Then, the effect lottery random number is acquired from the effect lottery random number generation unit 210, and this random number information is temporarily stored in the effect lottery random number storage area of the sub information storage unit 280 (S904). Note that the production lottery random number is acquired when the production control command is received. The production control command is transmitted at a physically irregular timing, such as when a game ball starts winning or when a special symbol changes. Therefore, it is to prevent periodicity from being obtained at the acquisition time by using it as an opportunity. In this way, by making the production lottery random number acquisition time irregular, it is difficult to cause inconveniences such as the same production being unnaturally repeated in various production lotteries.

On the other hand, when the command received this time is the second command (S902: NO), it is determined whether or not the first command has already been received (S905). That is, it is determined whether or not the effect control command is received in the order of the first command (MODE) → the second command (EVENT), and it is confirmed whether there is no contradiction in the combination of the effect control commands. If there is no contradiction in the combination of effect control commands (S905: YES), the address indicated by the light pointer (writing pointer) is acquired (S906). Subsequently, the first command and the second command are stored in the effect control command buffer (ring buffer) of the sub information storage unit 280 according to the address indicated by the light pointer (S907). The saved command data is read out in the command analysis process (S620) in the main process, and the effect control process corresponding to the type of effect control command is executed. Next, the address indicated by the write pointer is updated (S908). Further, the command data (first command) temporarily stored in S903 is cleared (S909). Then, the effect control command reception interrupt process is terminated, and the process returns to the original process before the interrupt.

[effect]
The main effects achieved in the present embodiment are summarized as follows.

  (1) When it is suggested that the change display is not continued as a result of the roulette effect performed during the temporary stop of the special symbol combination, the game is immediately converted from the chance symbol combination to the predetermined symbol combination. Can be clearly taught to the player, so that the inconvenience that it becomes difficult for the player to understand the current gaming situation can be solved, and the effect of roulette production can be avoided. As a result, it is possible to improve the interest of the game.

  (2) Even if the reel unit does not operate correctly due to a command communication failure, etc., it should be originally suggested to the player by accompanying the execution of sound and lamp effects. The result of the roulette effect (that the fluctuation display is not continued) can be identified.

  (3) When the specific notice effect pattern selected in the notice lottery of the variable display is the same as the notice effect pattern executed in the previous variable display, the specific notice effect pattern selected is determined in advance. By converting to other notice effect patterns, the same notice effect pattern can be prevented from occurring continuously in multiple display variations. As a result, it is possible to improve the fun of the game.

  (4) In the notice conversion process, the notice effect pattern of “weak notice” selected in the notice lottery of the variable display is converted into another notice effect pattern of “weak notice” (the attribute of the notice effect pattern is changed). It is possible to generate a notice effect pattern according to the development situation of the game while maintaining the randomness of appearance to some extent, by replacing it with other notice effect patterns while maintaining). No notice effect pattern is generated, and there is no possibility of causing a problem such as making the player feel uncomfortable or distrustful.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment and modification, If it is a range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, it can improve suitably. In addition, the components described in the above embodiments and modified examples are appropriately combined, or some of the components described in the above described embodiments and modified examples are deleted or converted by known / conventional techniques, etc. These are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, the notice conversion process is performed when the notice effect pattern is the same in two consecutive variable displays. However, the present invention is not limited to this structure. The notice conversion process may be executed when the notice effect pattern is the same in three or more consecutive variable displays.

In the above-described embodiment, for each of the notice effect categories, it is determined whether or not the notice effect pattern executed in the previous change display matches the notice effect pattern selected in the current change display. When the notice effect pattern matches even in one notice effect category, the notice effect pattern has been replaced with another notice effect pattern. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The notice effect pattern may be replaced only when the notice effect patterns match in a plurality of (for example, three or more) notice effect categories. Further, even if the notice effect patterns match in one or a plurality of notice effect categories, it may be determined that the replacement is not necessary as long as it looks like a different effect mode as a whole. Specifically, if the reach type is different between the previous fluctuation display and the current fluctuation display, or if the previous fluctuation display is reachable and the current fluctuation display is not reachable, the player is reaching. However, since the impression of the other notice effects tends to be low, the notice conversion process may be canceled. In addition, during the execution of a pre-reading effect (continuous notice effect with a high expectation actuated hold ball as a trigger hold) across multiple variable displays, there is an actuated hold ball that is a big hit in one or more actuated hold balls In such a case, the notice conversion process may be canceled in the change display before the high-expected degree (or jackpot) operating ball is digested. In other words, if weak notices (gase notices) continue in multiple fluctuation displays, it can create a game where the expectation of jackpots for the next and subsequent fluctuation displays improves (the jackpot is confirmed) due to the breaking of the law. it can. In addition, when replacing the notice effect pattern of the button effect, it is preferable to replace it with a notice effect pattern other than the button effect. In other words, if a player participation type notice effect pattern is continuously generated but ends in a gusset, the player may feel uncomfortable, and thereafter the willingness to operate the effect button may be reduced. Because there is.

  In the above-described embodiment, the notice effect pattern before conversion and the notice effect pattern after conversion are associated in a one-to-one relationship (that is, there is only one type of conversion pattern). In that case, although the situation where the same notice effect pattern is continued can be avoided, there is a possibility that some notice effect patterns (gasse notices) occur frequently and become “disconnected”, so the notice conversion process. Prepare a counter that counts the number of executions of the event, and decide the converted notice effect pattern from the notice conversion table that stores multiple kinds of notice effect patterns according to the count value (using the count value as an offset value) You may comprise. Note that instead of the counter, the converted notice effect pattern may be determined by random number lottery.

  In the above-described embodiment, the notice effect pattern is classified into “weak notice” and “strong notice”, and the notice effect pattern belonging to the weak notice is the target of the notice conversion. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The notice effect pattern is further classified into a plurality of attributes such as “weak notice”, “medium notice” and “strong notice”, and the notice effect pattern belonging to “weak notice” is subject to notice conversion or “weak notice”. Alternatively, a notice effect pattern belonging to “medium notice” may be a target of notice conversion. If the game state is normal (low probability state) or if the path to the big hit is long, the notice effect patterns of all attributes (including “strong notice”) are subject to notice conversion. You may comprise so that neither notice production pattern may generate | occur | produce continuously.

  In the above-described embodiment, the notification conversion process is performed only when the result of the determination of whether or not the variation display is “out of”. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Even when the result is “big hit”, the notice conversion process may be executed.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, it is configured as a roulette effect having four options. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and there may be two or three roulette effect options, and five or more options. It is good also as a structure which has. Further, as a result of the roulette effect, for example, other options such as “confirm big hit”, “next fluctuation display is intense heat”, “existence of intense heat holding ball” may be prepared. In addition, when the display result of the roulette is “×”, the position of the temporarily stopped (swing fluctuation) reel is gradually shifted when the visibility of the symbol display area is lowered, and the roulette In synchronization with the result display timing (ramp return timing), the predetermined off-set symbol combination (separated pattern) may be confirmed and stopped. As the effect, the total performance time in the variable display can be shortened. In addition, if the player has to wait for the waiting time for the conversion even though the roulette display result has been determined to be “out of”, there is a risk that the interest of the game will be reduced. is there.

  In the above-described embodiment, the drum rotary reel unit has been described as an example of a decorative symbol display device. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a liquid crystal display device or a dot matrix LED display device is used. For example, other display devices may be applied.

PM Pachinko machine PA Game area 1 Outer frame 2 Front frame 5 Glass frame 20 Game board 61 First start port 62 Second start port 64 First prize port 80 Reel unit (design display device)
81 reel 100 main control means 140 special symbol lottery processing means 141 special symbol success / failure judgment means (win / fail judgment means)
150 Special game control means (special game execution means)
200 Sub-control board 220 Production control means (notice conversion means)
224 Fluctuation effect control means (symbol display mode determination means)
225 decoration design control means (design display mode determination means)
226 Notice effect control means (notice effect pattern holding means, notice effect pattern selection means)

Claims (1)

A game board in which a game area is formed;
A start opening provided in the game area and into which a game ball can enter;
A success / failure determination means for performing the determination of success / failure triggered by a game ball entering the start opening;
A special game execution means for executing a special game advantageous to the player when the result of the determination is a big hit;
A plurality of decorative symbols that show the results of the determination of success or failure are variably displayed and a combination of decorative symbols is stopped and displayed.
A symbol display mode determining means for determining a variation display mode and a stop display mode of a plurality of decorative symbols,
The symbol display device is configured such that a combination of decorative symbols is displayed as a temporary stop display or a fixed stop display,
When a plurality of decorative symbols are temporarily stopped and displayed as a special symbol combination in a predetermined variation display, a variation continuation mode suggesting effect that suggests development of the predetermined variation display after the special symbol combination is temporarily stopped is executed. Is possible,
When it is suggested that the predetermined variation display is terminated in the variation continuation suggestion effect, the special symbol combination being temporarily stopped is converted into a predetermined off symbol combination, and the fixed stop display is performed. This is a pachinko game machine.