JP6640710B2 - Gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

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

  Conventionally, as a motor provided in a game machine, there is a motor that uses a stepping motor having a plurality of excitation coils to which voltage pulses are individually supplied. For example, in Patent Document 1, a voltage pulse signal is individually supplied to each excitation coil of a stepping motor according to a control signal for controlling the operation of the stepping motor. Then, the voltage pulse signal is input in parallel with each of the exciting coils, and the operation abnormality of the stepping motor is determined based on a feedback signal which is a single signal corresponding to the input state of each of the input voltage pulse signals.

JP 2011-104147 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, when a control signal for controlling the operation of an electronic component such as a stepping motor is unintentionally interrupted, the operation of the electronic component may be unstable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of operating electronic components provided in the gaming machine more stably.

(1) In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to the present invention
A gaming machine that performs a game (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 1 or the like),
A timing means (for example, a real-time clock 126);
Control means (for example, a drive mechanism 201 (various motors), a solenoid, a sensor, a second lamp unit 202, a third lamp unit 203, a fourth lamp unit 204, a fifth lamp unit 205, etc.) for controlling a plurality of electronic components. For example, effect control CPU 120, VDP 123A, dedicated IC, etc.)
Based on the control signal outputted from said control means, said output means for outputting a driving signal for driving the electronic components (e.g., a serial-parallel conversion IC91B~95B etc.) provided with a,
The timekeeping means has a timekeeping function (for example, a function of performing timekeeping using a timekeeping register corresponding to addresses 0 to 6), and has storage means (for example, a RAM register) for storing information.
Information (for example, a power saving mode setting flag) relating to a game that is not related to the timekeeping function is stored in the storage means of the timekeeping means (for example, a portion that executes step S9005 in the effect control CPU 120).
The output means stops the output of the drive signal after a predetermined period (for example, a predetermined period T in FIG. 14) has elapsed from the input of the control signal (for example, time t1 in FIG. 14) (FIG. 14: timeout function). ),
A setting terminal for setting the stop function to be enabled or disabled, and the stop function can be set to be enabled or disabled depending on a connection state of the setting terminal ;
The output state when the input control signal is output to another output means includes a first output state in which the waveform rises in a predetermined manner, and a second output state in which the waveform rises in a more gradual manner than the first output state. Can be set to any of the output states
When the control unit outputs a control signal and continuously drives the electronic component beyond the predetermined period, the control unit outputs the control signal and outputs the control signal until the predetermined period elapses (for example, from time t1 to time t1). The control signal is output again until the predetermined period T elapses).

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to avoid an operation defect of the electronic component, so that the electronic component can be more stably controlled.

(2) In the gaming machine of the above (1),
The output unit includes a conversion unit (for example, serial / parallel conversion ICs 91B to 95B) for converting a serial signal type control signal output from the control unit to a parallel signal type drive signal.

  According to the above configuration, the number of communication wires between the control unit and the output unit can be reduced.

(3) In the gaming machine of (1) or (2),
There is further provided setting means for setting the stop means to be valid or invalid (a predetermined terminal for setting the time-out function of each conversion IC to be valid or invalid, an effect control board 12, etc.).

  According to the above configuration, the setting of the function of the stopping means can be changed to valid or invalid depending on the application, so that the cost can be reduced by sharing the components.

(4) In the gaming machine according to any one of the above (1) to (3),
A first substrate provided with the control means (for example, a production control substrate 12 or the like);
A second substrate (for example, a first lamp substrate 210 or the like) provided with the output unit,
The first substrate and the second substrate are electrically connected via a wiring member (flexible, harness, etc.).

  According to the above configuration, since it is arranged on another substrate, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a control abnormality that may occur due to a wiring defect (such as disconnection or short circuit).

(5) In the gaming machine according to any one of the above (1) to (4),
The output unit controls the driving of the electronic component by outputting a PWM signal as a driving signal (for example, the driving signal is PWM-controlled by the number of Low signals, and the light emission luminance of each LED is controlled by the PWM control. The gradation is controlled by the period.).

  According to the above configuration, power efficiency can be improved by PWM control.

(6) In the gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (5),
The output means,
The output state when the input control signal is output to another output means is defined as a first output state in which a waveform rises in a predetermined manner (for example, an output state in which a normal slew rate is set as shown in FIG. 16A). The output state can be set to any one of a second output state (for example, an output state with a low slew rate setting shown in FIG. 16B) in which a waveform rises in a more gradual change mode than the first output state,
When the other output means is provided on the same substrate as the output means, the output state is set to the second output state (for example, the output means is connected in the substrate like the conversion IC 92B and the conversion IC 93B). In this case, the conversion IC 92B is set to output a low slew rate waveform).

  According to the above configuration, since the output state when outputting within the same substrate is set to the second output state, radiation of noise outside the substrate can be suppressed.

(7) In the gaming machine according to any of (1) to (5),
The output means,
The output state when the input control signal is output to another output means is defined as a first output state in which a waveform rises in a predetermined manner (for example, an output state in which a normal slew rate is set as shown in FIG. 16A). The output state can be set to any one of a second output state (for example, an output state with a low slew rate setting shown in FIG. 16B) in which a waveform rises in a more gradual change mode than the first output state,
When the other output unit is provided on another substrate connected to the substrate on which the output unit is provided via a wiring member, the first output state is set (for example, serial output). -When connected outside the board like the parallel conversion IC 94B and the serial / parallel conversion IC 95B, the conversion IC 94B is set to output a waveform having a normal slew rate.)

  According to the above configuration, the output state when outputting to another substrate connected via the wiring member is set to the first output state, so that the influence of external noise on the control signal can be suppressed.

(8) In the gaming machine according to any one of the above (1) to (7),
It further includes a movable member that performs an operation (for example, the rendering unit 300 or the like),
The output unit outputs a specific signal by a parallel communication method from specific signal output units (for example, terminals Q0 to 23 corresponding to groups 1 to 6 shown in FIG. 19) grouped into a plurality of different groups,
The output timing of the specific signal from the specific signal output unit differs for each group (for example, the PWM clock signals of groups 1 to 6 shown in FIG. 19 are shifted in cycle by 1 MHz).
Driving means for operating the movable member (for example, a motor of the driving mechanism 201) includes the specific signal output units of the same group of the output means (for example, terminals of a group belonging to the same cycle (for example, terminals Q0 to Q3)). ) Is driven based on the specific signal output from

  According to the above configuration, the emission of the noise outside the substrate can be suppressed by shifting the output cycle of the specific signal by the parallel communication method.

(9) In the gaming machine according to any one of the above (1) to (8),
The clocking unit maintains the clocking function by being supplied with electric power from outside the clocking unit (for example, the real-time clock 126 is supplied with power from a backup power supply 901 mounted on the power supply board 900).

  According to the above configuration, even when the power supply to the gaming machine is stopped, the timekeeping function and the storage means of the timekeeping means can be maintained.

(10) In the gaming machine according to any one of the above (1) to (9),
No device for storing information other than the timekeeping means is provided (for example, the storage means which is backed up by a power supply among the storage means used for effect control is the RAM of the real-time clock 126 which is backed up by the backup power supply 901). The effect control board 12 is provided with the RAM 122 but is not backed up by the power supply).

  According to the above configuration, the efficiency of the space and the power consumption in the gaming machine can be improved by integrating the time counting means and one chip including the storage means.

(11) In the gaming machine according to any one of the above (1) to (10),
The control unit is based on information (for example, a power saving mode setting flag) stored in the storage unit of the clock unit and clock information (for example, date and time information output by the real-time clock 126) by the clock function of the clock unit. The output unit (for example, serial / parallel conversion ICs 92B to 95B) is controlled (for example, a part that executes steps S9009 to S9012 in the effect control CPU 120).

  According to the above configuration, the interest in the game can be further improved.

(12) In the gaming machine according to any one of the above (1) to (10),
The control unit controls the output unit (for example, the serial / parallel conversion ICs 92B to 95B) based on the information (for example, the power saving mode setting flag) stored in the storage unit of the clock unit (for example, the effect control CPU 120). In which steps S9007 and S9008 are executed).

  According to the above configuration, the interest in the game can be further improved.

It is the front view which looked at the pachinko gaming machine from the front. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating examples of various control boards and the like mounted on the pachinko gaming machine of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific example of a register included in a real-time clock. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example etc. of the content of an effect control command. It is explanatory drawing which illustrates the random number for games counted by the main board side. It is a figure which illustrates a change category and a change pattern. It is a figure showing an example of composition of a special figure display result decision table. It is a figure showing the example of composition of a big hit type decision table. It is a block diagram showing an example of composition of a game control data holding area. (A) is a front view showing an effect unit, and (B) is a rear view. (A) is a front view showing a state where a movable part is in a tilt position, and (B) is a front view showing a state where a movable part is in a standing position. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a flow of drive control and light emission control. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a timing chart of a control signal and a drive signal. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another example of a timing chart of a control signal and a drive signal. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating still another example of a timing chart of a control signal and a drive signal. It is an image figure of the output waveform of a control signal. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a modification of connection between conversion ICs. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of a second lamp driving unit and a second lamp unit. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining phase separation of a drive signal output by serial / parallel conversion. It is a figure of an example of circuit composition of an accessory drive part and a drive mechanism. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the timer interrupt processing for game control. It is a flow chart which shows an example of special design process processing. It is a flow chart which shows an example of production control main processing. It is a flowchart which shows a power saving mode control process. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a command analysis process. It is a flowchart which shows the effect control process process. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a setting example of a determination ratio of a display mode of a hold display. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a variable display start setting process. It is a figure showing an effect pattern table at the time of hold selection. It is a timing chart which shows the relationship between a display mode change effect and the presence or absence of execution of a display mode change in the display mode change effect. It is a figure which shows a character icon selection table and a character icon selection table. It is a figure showing a change effect pattern table. It is a display screen figure which shows the example of an effect display at the time of displaying a character icon as a hold display in an effect display device. It is a display screen figure which shows the example of an effect display of the active display after displaying the character icon as a hold display in the effect display device. It is a flowchart which shows an icon effect setting process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of an effect which selects the execution timing of the display mode change effect during the hold display from a plurality of timings. It is a display screen figure of an effect display device when a battle reach effect is performed. It is a display screen figure of an effect display device when a story reach effect is performed. It is a timing chart which shows the control example of the effect effect and the movable body effect in a specific super reach effect.

[Configuration of pachinko machines]
An embodiment for implementing a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described below. First, the overall configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as an example of the gaming machine will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine viewed from the front. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration on the main board.

  A pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as a gaming machine) 1 is roughly divided into a gaming board (gauge board) 2 constituting a gaming board surface, and a gaming machine frame (base frame) for supporting and fixing the gaming board 2. And 3. A first special symbol display device 4A and a second special symbol display device 4B are provided at predetermined positions of the game board 2 (in the example shown in FIG. 1, at a lower right position of the game area 10). Each of the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B is composed of, for example, a 7-segment or dot matrix LED (light emitting diode), and identifies each of them in a special figure game which is an example of a variable display game. A special symbol (also referred to as a “special figure”), which is a plurality of types of identification information (special identification information), is variably displayed (also referred to as variable display or variable display). Hereinafter, the special symbol variably displayed on the first special symbol display device 4A is also referred to as “first special symbol”, and the special symbol variably displayed on the second special symbol display device 4B is also referred to as “second special symbol”. .

  In the vicinity of the center of the game area 10 on the game board 2, an effect display device 5 as a display means is provided. The effect display device 5 includes, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display device) or the like, and forms a display area for displaying various effect images. The display area of the effect display device 5 corresponds to the change display of the first special figure by the first special symbol display device 4A and the change display of the second special figure by the second special symbol display device 4B in the special figure game. For example, in an effect symbol display area serving as a plurality of variable display portions, for example, three, an effect symbol, which is a plurality of types of identification information (decoration identification information) each of which can be identified, is variably displayed. The variation display of the effect symbol is also included in the variation display game.

  As an example, in the display area of the effect display device 5, “left”, “middle”, and “right” effect symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R are arranged. When the fixed special symbol is stopped and displayed as a result of the variation display in the special figure game, the effect is produced in each of the effect symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R of the “left”, “middle”, and “right” in the effect display device 5. The fixed effect symbol (final stop symbol) which is the symbol variation display result is stopped and displayed.

  As described above, in the display area of the effect display device 5, a special figure game using the first special figure in the first special symbol display apparatus 4A or a special figure game using the second special figure in the second special symbol display apparatus 4B is used. In synchronization with the figure game, a plurality of types of effect symbols, each of which is identifiable, are displayed in a fluctuating manner, and a definite effect symbol as a fluctuating display result is derived and displayed (or simply referred to as “derived”). Deriving and displaying various display symbols, such as special symbols and effect symbols, means stopping the identification information of the effect symbols and the like (also called complete stop display or final stop display) and terminating the variable display. .

  Above the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B, a first reservation indicator 25A and a second reservation indicator 25B are provided. In each of the first hold display unit 25A and the second hold display unit 25B, a hold that allows the number of hold storages (number of special figure hold storages) as the number of change storage hold storage information corresponding to the special figure game to be specified. The memory display is performed.

  Here, the suspension of the variable display corresponding to the special figure game is such that the game ball passes through the first starting winning opening formed by the ordinary winning ball device 6A or the second starting winning opening formed by the ordinary variable winning ball device 6B. This occurs based on a start winning prize due to (entering). That is, a start condition (also referred to as an “execution condition”) for executing a variable display game such as a special figure game or a variable display of effect symbols is satisfied, but the variable display game based on the previously established start condition is being executed. Due to the fact that the pachinko gaming machine 1 is controlled to the big hit gaming state, when the start condition allowing the start of the variable display game is not established, the suspension of the variable display corresponding to the established start condition is performed. Done.

  A first hold display area 5D and a second hold display area 5U are set at two lower left and right locations in the display area of the effect display device 5. In the first reserved display area 5D, the first special figure reserved storage number capable of specifying the number of the first reserved storage information generated based on the first start winning is displayed by the number of spherical (circular) reserved images H. Is done. In the second reserved display area 5U, the second special figure reserved storage number capable of specifying the number of the second reserved storage information generated based on the second start winning is displayed by the number of the spherical (circular) reserved images H. Is done.

  In the first hold display area 5D, each time the first hold storage information is generated, the hold image H is displayed on the left side in such a manner that the hold image increases, and the variable display based on the first hold storage information is executed. Each time, the reserved image H at the right end corresponding to the first reserved storage information is deleted, and a display is performed in which the remaining reserved images H are shifted one by one to the right. In the second hold display area 5U, each time the second hold storage information is generated, the hold images are displayed on the right side in such a manner that the hold image H increases, and the variable display based on the second hold storage information is executed. Each time, the reserved image H at the left end corresponding to the second reserved storage information is deleted, and a display is performed in which the remaining reserved images are shifted one by one to the left.

  During the execution of the variable display corresponding to the deleted (moved, shifted) pending display from each of the first reserved display area 5D and the second reserved display area 5U, a variable corresponding display corresponding to the variable display is shown. An active display area AHA for displaying an image (hereinafter, referred to as an active image or active display) AH is formed at the center of the hold display area. In the active display area AHA, the hold image H displayed in the first hold display area 5D or the second hold display area 5U has been displayed (eg, moved (shifted) to the active display area). The active image AH is displayed in such a manner that it can be specified that the active image AH corresponds to the reserved image. The active display area AHA may be arranged at any position in the display area of the effect display device 5.

  Regarding the hold image H displayed in each of the first hold display area 5D and the second hold display area 5U, a hold display mode for changing the mode of the hold display before the variable display of the target hold storage information is executed. A change effect may be performed. In the hold display mode change effect, the display mode such as the color or shape of the hold image H is changed.

  For example, the color of the reserved image H can be changed to blue, green, and red. The hold display mode change effect is determined to be executed at a predetermined ratio, and when the change display result based on the hold storage information of the effect target is the big hit display result, the change after the change in the ratio of blue <green <red is performed. The color of the reserved image H is selected and determined (blue is the lowest selection ratio). On the other hand, when the variable display result is an off-display result, the color of the reserved image H after the change in the ratio of red <green <blue Is selected and determined (red is the lowest selection ratio). Thus, the degree of expectation to the big hit based on the color of the changed hold image H when the hold display mode change effect is executed is set to have a ratio of blue <green <red. Therefore, when the hold display mode change effect is executed, it is possible to increase the player's expectation of the big hit based on the color of the hold image after the change.

  Also for the active image AH, similarly to the suspension image H, a display mode change effect is executed, and the display mode such as the color or shape of the suspension image H is changed. With respect to such a display mode change effect of the active display, the display mode such as the color or shape after the change is determined in a mode in which the degree of expectation to the big hit can be specified with the same selection ratio as the hold display mode change mode. You. In addition, about an active display, it is not necessary to perform a display form change effect.

  Below the effect display device 5, a normal winning ball device 6A and a normal variable winning ball device 6B are provided. The normal winning prize ball device 6A forms a first starting winning opening as a starting area (first starting area) that is always kept in a fixed open state by a predetermined ball receiving member, for example. The normally variable winning ball device 6B is an electric motor having a pair of movable wing pieces that change between a normal open state, which is a vertical position, and an enlarged open state, which is a tilt position, by a solenoid 81 for a normal electric accessory shown in FIG. It has a tulip-type accessory (ordinary electric accessory) and forms a second starting winning port as a starting area (second starting area).

  A special variable winning ball device 7 is provided below the normal winning ball device 6A and the normal variable winning ball device 6B. The special variable winning ball device 7 includes a special winning opening door that is driven to be opened and closed by a solenoid 82 serving as a special winning opening door shown in FIG. 2, and a specific area that changes between an open state and a closed state by the special winning opening door. As a big winning opening as. On the surface of the game board 2, in addition to the above-described configuration, a windmill for changing the flowing direction and speed of the game ball and a number of obstacle nails are provided. At the bottom of the game area 10, there is provided an out port through which game balls that have not entered any of the winning ports are taken in.

  Speakers 8L and 8R for reproducing and outputting sound effects and the like are provided at upper left and right positions of the gaming machine frame 3, and effect LEDs 9 are provided around the gaming area 10. A decorative LED may be arranged around each structure (for example, the normal prize ball device 6A, the normal variable prize ball device 6B, the special variable prize ball device 7, etc.) in the game area 10 of the pachinko gaming machine 1. . At the lower right position of the gaming machine frame 3, a hit ball operation handle (operation knob) operated by a player or the like to fire a game ball as a game medium toward the game area 10 is provided. At a predetermined position of the gaming machine frame 3 below the gaming area 10, a stick controller 31A that can be held and tilted by a player is attached.

  In the "left", "middle", and "right" effect symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R provided in the effect display device 5, a special figure game using the first special figure in the first special symbol display device 4A is provided. In response to the start of any special figure game among the special figure games using the second special figure in the second special symbol display device 4B, the variable display of the effect symbols is started. Then, the period from the start of the variation display of the effect symbol to the end of the variation display by the stop display of the fixed effect symbol in each of the left, middle, and right effect symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R. In such a case, the effect symbol change display state may be in a predetermined reach state.

  Further, in response to the reaching state, the variation speed of the effect design is reduced, or a character image (effect image imitating a person or the like) different from the effect design is displayed in the display area of the effect display device 5. By changing the display mode of the background image, reproducing and displaying a moving image different from the effect design, or changing the change mode of the effect design, an effect operation different from before the reach state is executed. May be done. Such an effect operation such as the change of the display mode of the character image or the background image, the reproduction display of the moving image, or the change of the change mode of the effect design is referred to as a reach effect display (or simply, a reach effect). Note that in the reach effect, not only the display operation in the effect display device 5 but also the sound output operation by the speakers 8L and 8R and the lighting operation (flashing operation) of the light emitting body such as the effect LED 9 before the reach state is reached. Operation modes different from the above operation modes may be included.

  As the effect operation in the reach effect, a plurality of effect patterns (also referred to as “reach patterns”) having different operation modes (reach modes) may be prepared in advance. In each reach mode, the possibility of "big hit" (also referred to as "reliability", "big hit reliability", "expectation", or "big hit expectation") is different. That is, it is possible to vary the possibility that the variable display result is a “big hit” depending on which of the plurality of types of reach effects is executed.

  When a special symbol to be a lost symbol is stopped and displayed (derived) as a fixed special symbol in the special figure game, the variation display state of the rendering symbol does not become the reach state after the variation display of the rendering symbol is started. In some cases, a fixed effect symbol that becomes a predetermined non-reach combination may be stopped and displayed. Such an effect design variation display mode is referred to as a “non-reach” (also referred to as “normal loss”) variation display mode when the variation display result is “losing”.

  In the case where a special symbol to be a lost symbol is stopped and displayed (derived) as a fixed special symbol in the special figure game, the variation display state of the rendering symbol is in the reach state after the variation display of the rendering symbol is started. Correspondingly, after the reach effect is executed or without the reach effect, the fixed effect symbol that is a predetermined reach-loss combination may be stopped and displayed. Such a fluctuation display result of the effect symbol is referred to as a fluctuation display mode of “reach” (also referred to as “reach loss”) when the fluctuation display result is “losing”.

  After a predetermined reach effect is executed in response to the determined special symbol in the special figure game becoming a predetermined normal large hit symbol, the fixed effect symbol of the normal large hit combination (non-probable variable big hit combination) is stopped and displayed. The variable display mode of the effect symbol is referred to as a “variable display mode” (also referred to as “big hit type”) of “non-probable change” (also referred to as “normal big hit”) when the variable display result is “big hit”. Based on the fact that the fluctuation display result is "big hit" in the "big probability" big hit type, the state is controlled to the normally open big hit state, and after that, the time reduction control (time saving control) is performed. By performing the time saving control, the fluctuation display time (special figure fluctuation time) of the special symbol in the special figure game is shortened as compared with the normal state. In the time-saving control, as will be described later, the so-called electric chew support, in which the winning frequency of the ordinary symbol is increased and the winning frequency of the ordinary variable winning ball apparatus 6B is increased. In the time-saving control, a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times) of the special figure game is executed after the end of the big hit gaming state, and either of the conditions that the variable display result is “big hit” is satisfied first. Sometimes, it may be ended.

  In the case where a predetermined probability changing big hit symbol is stopped and displayed as the fixed special symbol in the special figure game, the probability variation control (probability changing control) is performed together with the time saving control after the big hitting game state ends. By performing the probable change control, the probability that the fluctuation display result (the special figure display result) becomes “big hit” in each special figure game is improved so as to be higher than that in the normal state. The probable change control may be ended when the condition that the fluctuation display result becomes “big hit” and the state is controlled again to the big hit game state after the big hit game state ends. Note that, similarly to the time saving control, when the special figure game is executed a predetermined number of times (for example, 100 times the same as the number of time savings or 90 times different from the number of the time savings) after the end of the big hitting game state, the probable change control ends. You may. In addition, even if the probable change control is ended when the “probable change fall” is determined to end the probable change control in the probable change drop lottery executed each time the special figure game is started after the end of the big hit game state. Good.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 has mounted thereon various control boards such as a main board 11, an effect control board 12, a sound control board 13, a first lamp board 210, and a second lamp board 220 as shown in FIG. The pachinko gaming machine 1 also includes a relay board 15 for relaying various control signals transmitted between the main board 11 and the effect control board 12, and a relay board 19 for relaying signals from the effect control board 12. And so on. In addition, various boards such as a payout control board, an information terminal board, a launch control board, an interface board, and a touch sensor board are arranged on a back surface of the game board 2 and the like in the pachinko gaming machine 1.

  The main board 11 is a control board on the main side, on which various circuits for controlling the progress of the game in the pachinko gaming machine 1 are mounted. The main board 11 is mainly directed to a sub-side control board including a function of setting a random number used in the special figure game, a function of inputting a signal from a switch or the like disposed at a predetermined position, and an effect control board 12. And a function of outputting and transmitting a control command as an example of command information as a control signal, and a function of outputting various information to a hall management computer.

  On the main board 11, for example, a game control microcomputer 100, a switch circuit 110, a solenoid circuit 111, and the like are mounted. The effect control board 12 is a sub-side control board independent of the main board 11, receives a control signal transmitted from the main board 11 via the relay board 15, and displays the effect display device 5 and the speakers 8L and 8R. , The first lamp unit 9, the second lamp unit 202, the third lamp unit 203, the fourth lamp unit 204, the fifth lamp unit 205, and various circuits for controlling the production operation by the production electric components such as the driving mechanism 201. Is installed. That is, the effect control board 12 performs a display operation in the effect display device 5, an audio output operation from the speakers 8L and 8R, the first lamp unit 9, the second lamp unit 202, the third lamp unit 203, and the fourth lamp unit 204. , A function of performing a lighting / extinguishing operation of the fifth lamp unit 205 and the like, and an operation of the driving mechanism 201, that is, a function of controlling a production electric component to execute a predetermined production operation.

  The sound control board 13 is a control board for sound output control provided separately from the effect control board 12, and outputs sounds from the speakers 8L and 8R based on commands and control data from the effect control board 12. And a processing circuit for executing audio signal processing for the purpose.

  Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes a first lamp driving unit 14. The first lamp driving unit 14 is configured to supply a driving signal to each LED of the first lamp unit 9 based on a control signal from the effect control board 12, and to turn on or off each LED individually. The first lamp driving unit 14 and the first lamp unit 9 may be mounted on the same board (a board different from the relay board 19), or may be mounted on different boards.

  Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes a second lamp driving unit 92, a third lamp driving unit 93, a fourth lamp driving unit 94, and a fifth lamp driving unit 95. The second lamp driver 92, the third lamp driver 93, and the fourth lamp driver 94 are mounted on the first lamp board 210. The fifth lamp driver 95 is mounted on the second lamp board 220.

  The second lamp drive unit 92 supplies a drive signal to each LED 202A (see FIG. 18) of the second lamp unit 202 based on a control signal supplied from the effect control board 12 via the relay board 19, and controls each LED 202A. It is configured to be turned on or off separately. The third lamp driving section 93 supplies a driving signal to each LED of the third lamp section 203 based on a control signal supplied from the effect control board 12 via the relay board 19 and the third lamp driving section 93, It is configured to turn on or off the LEDs separately. The fourth lamp drive unit 94 supplies a drive signal to each LED of the fourth lamp unit 204 based on a control signal supplied from the effect control board 12 via the relay board 19, and turns on or off each LED separately. It is configured to be. The fifth lamp driving unit 95 supplies a driving signal to each LED of the fifth lamp unit 205 based on a control signal supplied from the effect control board 12 via the relay board 19 and the fourth lamp driving unit 94, It is configured to turn on or off the LEDs separately.

  Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes an accessory driving unit 91. The accessory drive unit 91 is configured to supply a drive signal to a stepping motor or the like of the drive mechanism 201 based on a control signal from the effect control board 12 to operate the drive mechanism 201. The accessory driving unit 91 and the stepping motor in the driving mechanism 201 may be mounted on the same board (a board different from the relay board 19), or may be mounted on separate boards.

  Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes a real-time clock 126 capable of performing time measurement and outputting date and time information. The real-time clock 126 is connected to the effect control board 12, and the effect control CPU 120 mounted on the effect control board 12 inputs date and time information from the real-time clock 126, and sets the date / time information in a register bit included in the real-time clock 126. By writing the value, initialization of the real-time clock 126 can be performed. Further, the real-time clock 126 is supplied with power from a backup power supply 901 mounted on a power supply board 900 provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1, and can measure time even when power supply to the gaming machine is stopped. It is.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a register included in the real-time clock 126. As shown in FIG. 3, the registers corresponding to the addresses 0 to F are each composed of 8 bits (1 byte).

  The registers corresponding to addresses 0 to 6 are readable and writable registers, and are registers for clocking. Specifically, the value of the register corresponding to the address 0 is sequentially updated, so that the second information of the date and time information is updated. Further, by updating the value of the register corresponding to the address 1 in order, the minute information of the date and time information is updated. In addition, by updating the value of the register corresponding to the address 2 in order, the time information of the date and time information is updated. The value of the register corresponding to the address 3 is sequentially updated, so that the information of the day of the week in the date and time information is updated. The value of the register corresponding to the address 4 is sequentially updated, so that the date information of the date and time information is updated. The value of the register corresponding to the address 5 is sequentially updated, so that the month information of the date and time information is updated. Further, the year information of the date and time information is updated by sequentially updating the value of the register corresponding to the address 6. The registers corresponding to the addresses 0 to 6 are connected to, for example, a terminal and a jig for initial setting of the date and time when the gaming machine is manufactured, and are initialized by writing a value corresponding to the date and time at the time of the initial setting. Shipped with

  The register corresponding to address 7 is a readable and writable register, and is a register for RAM. Therefore, the real-time clock 126 has a built-in RAM register capable of storing 1-byte information.

  The registers corresponding to addresses 8 to A are registers for setting alarms (alarm registers). Therefore, when the date and time set in the registers corresponding to the addresses 8 to A arrive, an alarm is generated and the real-time clock 126 outputs an alarm interrupt signal. The address 8 is a register for setting information on the alarm date and time. Address 9 is a register for setting information on the date and time of the alarm. The address A is a register for setting information on the day of the week or the day of the alarm date and time.

  Note that the registers corresponding to the addresses 8 to A are used as RAM registers when the alarm interrupt is disabled by the setting of the setting register 3 for initial setting of the real-time clock 126, as described later. Is possible.

  The registers corresponding to the addresses B to C are registers (timer counters) used for timer interruption. For example, the value of the timer counter is counted down, and when the value of the timer counter becomes 0, a timer interrupt occurs, and a timer interrupt signal is output from the real-time clock 126.

  The registers corresponding to the addresses B to C are set in the timer operation disabled state and the timer interrupt disabled state by setting the setting registers 1 and 3 for initial setting of the real-time clock 126, as described later. , RAM registers.

  The registers corresponding to the addresses D to F are registers (setting registers 1 to 3) for initial setting of the real-time clock 126. Among them, the T bit provided in the setting register 1 corresponding to the address D is a setting bit for setting whether to permit or prohibit the timer operation of the timer counter. When the T bit is set to "1", the timer operation is enabled, and the registers corresponding to the addresses B to C can be used as a timer counter. When the T bit is set to "0", the timer operation is set to the disabled state, and the registers corresponding to the addresses B to C can be used as RAM registers.

  The TS bit provided in the setting register 3 corresponding to the address F is a setting bit for setting whether to permit or prohibit the timer interrupt. When this TS bit is set to "1", the timer interrupt is set to the permitted state. When the TS bit is set to “0”, the timer interrupt is set to the prohibited state.

  The AS bit provided in the setting register 3 is a setting bit for setting whether to permit or prohibit the alarm interrupt. When the AS bit is set to "1", the alarm interrupt is permitted and the registers corresponding to addresses 8 to A can be used as alarm registers. When the AS bit is set to "0", the alarm is set to the alarm disabled state, and the registers corresponding to addresses 8 to A can be used as RAM registers.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the registers corresponding to the addresses 8 to A are used as the alarm registers, the value of the AS bit of the setting register 3 may be set to “1”. When the registers corresponding to the addresses 8 to A are used as the RAM registers, the value of the AS bit of the setting register 3 may be set to “0”.

  When the registers corresponding to the addresses B to C are used as a timer counter, the value of the T bit of the setting register 1 is set to “1” and the value of the TS bit of the setting register 3 is set to “1”. Just set it. When the registers corresponding to the addresses B to C are used as RAM registers, the value of the T bit of the setting register 1 is set to “0” and the value of the TS bit of the setting register 3 is set to “0”. Just set it.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, in addition to the RAM register (1 byte) corresponding to address 7, the register (3 bytes) corresponding to addresses 8 to A and the register (2 bytes) corresponding to addresses B to C are also stored in the RAM. Since it can be set as a register, it is possible to provide a RAM area of up to 6 bytes in the real-time clock 126.

  Further, as described above, in this embodiment, by setting the values of the T bit, the TS bit and the AS bit, the register (3 bytes) corresponding to the addresses 8 to A and the addresses B to C are set. Register (2 bytes) can be individually set as a RAM register.

  A control signal (control command) transmitted from the main board 11 to the effect control board 12 is relayed by the relay board 15. The control command transmitted from the main board 11 to the effect control board 12 via the relay board 15 is, for example, an effect control command transmitted and received as an electric signal.

  FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the content of the effect control command used in the present embodiment. The effect control command has, for example, a 2-byte configuration. The first byte indicates MODE (classification of command), and the second byte indicates EXT (type of command). The first bit (bit 7) of the MODE data is always "1", and the first bit of the EXT data is "0". The command form shown in FIG. 4A is an example, and another command form may be used. In this example, the control command is composed of two control signals. However, the number of control signals constituting the control command may be one, or may be three or more.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4A, a command 8CXXH is a variable display result notification command for specifying a variable display result such as a special symbol or a decorative symbol. In the variable display result notification command, for example, as shown in FIG. 4B, different EXT data is determined according to the result of determining whether the variable display result is “losing” or “big hit” or the result of determining the type of big hit. Is set.

  The game control microcomputer 100 mounted on the main board 11 is, for example, a one-chip microcomputer, and includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 101 for storing a game control program and fixed data, and a game control work. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 102 that provides an area, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 103 that executes a game control program to perform a control operation, and updates numerical data indicating a random number value independently of the CPU 103. It is configured to include a random number circuit 104 for performing the operation and an input / output port (I / O) 105.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a random number value counted on the main board 11 side. As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, on the side of the main board 11, a random number value MR1 for determining a special figure display result, a random number value MR2 for determining a jackpot type, a random number value MR3 for determining a fluctuation category, Numerical data indicating each of the random number value MR4 for determining the display result and the random number value MR5 for determining the variation pattern is controlled to be countable. Note that other random numbers may be used to enhance the gaming effect. Such random numbers used to control the progress of the game are also called game random numbers.

  The random number circuit 104 only needs to count numerical data indicating a part or all of the random numbers MR1 to MR5. The CPU 103 updates various numerical data by software using a random counter different from the random number circuit 104, such as a random counter provided in the game control counter setting unit 154 shown in FIG. Numerical data indicating a part of MR5 may be counted.

  FIG. 6 shows a specific example of the fluctuation category and the fluctuation pattern in the present embodiment. The ROM 101 included in the game control microcomputer 100 shown in FIG. 2 stores various data used for controlling the progress of the game, in addition to the game control program. For example, the ROM 101 stores data constituting a plurality of determination tables, determination tables, setting tables, and the like prepared for the CPU 103 to perform various determinations, determinations, and settings. The ROM 101 also includes data (for example, information for specifying the contents of the control commands) constituting a plurality of command tables used for the CPU 103 to transmit control signals serving as various control commands from the main board 11, and FIG. Data that constitutes a table as shown in FIG. 6 is stored.

  FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of a special figure display result determination table stored in the ROM 101. In the present embodiment, a first special figure display result determination table 130A shown in FIG. 7A and a second special figure display result determination table 130B shown in FIG. It is prepared. The first special figure display result determination table 130A derives and displays a fixed special symbol which is a variable display result in a first special figure game (a special figure game using the first special figure) by the first special symbol display device 4A. Previously, whether to control the variable display result as a "big hit" to the big hit game state or to control the variable display result to the "small hit" to the small hit game state, to determine the special figure display result Is a table referred to for determination based on the random number value MR1 of FIG. The second special figure display result determination table 130B derives and displays a fixed special symbol that is a variable display result in a second special figure game (a special figure game using the second special figure) by the second special symbol display device 4B. Previously, whether to control the variable display result as a "big hit" to the big hit game state or to control the variable display result to the "small hit" to the small hit game state, to determine the special figure display result Is a table referred to for determination based on the random number value MR1 of FIG.

  FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of the jackpot type determination table 131 stored in the ROM 101. The jackpot type determination table 131 determines the jackpot type to be one of a plurality of types based on the random number value MR2 for determining the jackpot type when it is determined that the special map display result is to be set to “big hit” and the big hit game state is controlled. Is a table that is referred to. In the big hit type determination table 131, the first special figure display device 4A executes the first special figure game (the special figure game using the first special figure) or the second special figure display apparatus 4B executes the second special figure game. Depending on whether or not to execute (the special figure game using the second special figure), the numerical value (decision value) to be compared with the random number value MR2 for determining the jackpot type is “non-probable”, “probable”, “probable”. "Are assigned to a plurality of types of jackpots.

  The RAM 102 included in the game control microcomputer 100 shown in FIG. 2 may be a backup RAM partially or entirely backed up by a backup power supply created on a predetermined power supply board. The RAM 102 is provided with a game control data holding area 150 as shown in FIG. 9, for example, as an area for holding various data used for controlling the progress of the game in the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the like. The game control data holding area 150 shown in FIG. 9 includes a first special figure reservation storage unit 151A, a second special figure reservation storage unit 151B, a general figure reservation storage unit 151C, a game control flag setting unit 152, a game A control timer setting unit 153, a game control counter setting unit 154, and a game control buffer setting unit 155 are provided.

  The first special map holding storage unit 151A stores a special figure game in which a game ball has passed (entered) the first starting winning port formed by the normal winning ball device 6A and a first starting winning has occurred but has not yet started. The first special figure display device 4A stores the reservation data (first special figure reservation information) of the first special figure game. As an example, the first special map reservation storage unit 151A associates the winning order (the detection order of the game balls) in the first starting winning opening with the reservation number and associates the CPU 103 with a random number based on the passage (entry) of the game ball. Numerical data indicating the random number values MR1 to MR3 extracted from the circuit 104 and the like are stored as pending data (first special figure suspension information) until the storage number reaches a predetermined upper limit (for example, “4”).

  The second special figure holding storage unit 151B is a special figure game in which the game ball has passed (entered) the second starting winning opening formed by the normally variable winning ball apparatus 6B and the second starting winning has occurred, but has not yet started. The storage data (second special figure reservation information) of (second special figure game by the second special symbol display device 4B) is stored. As an example, the second special map holding storage unit 151B associates the winning order (the order in which game balls are detected) into the second starting winning opening with the hold number and associates the random number with the CPU 103 based on the passage (entry) of the game ball. Numerical data indicating the random number values MR1 to MR3 extracted from the circuit 104 and the like are stored as pending data (second special figure pending information) until the number of stored data reaches a predetermined upper limit (for example, “4”).

  It should be noted that the first special figure display device 4A holds data of the first special figure game (first special figure reservation information based on establishment of the first start condition) and the second special figure display device 4B displays the second special figure game. The hold data (second special figure hold information based on the establishment of the second start winning) may be stored in a common hold storage unit in association with the hold number.

  The general figure holding storage unit 151C stores the hold data regarding the general figure game that has not been started by the normal symbol display 20 yet, even though the game ball passing through the passing gate 41 is detected by the gate switch 21 (the general figure hold). Information). For example, the general figure storage unit 151C determines the general figure display result extracted from the random number circuit 104 and the like by the CPU 103 based on the passage of the game ball, in association with the reservation number in the order in which the game ball passed through the passage gate 41. Numerical data or the like indicating the random number value MR4 for use is stored as pending data (general-purpose pending information) until the storage number reaches a predetermined upper limit value (for example, “4”).

  In the present embodiment, the effect display device 5 is disposed on the back side of the game board 2 and can be visually recognized through an opening 2c formed in the game board 2. In addition, a frame-shaped center decoration frame 51 is provided in the opening 2 c of the game board 2. An effect unit 300 is provided between the rear surface of the game board 2 and the effect display device 5, and the effect control board 12 includes a drive mechanism 201 (various motors), a solenoid, A plurality of electronic components such as a sensor, a second lamp unit 202, a third lamp unit 203, and a fourth lamp unit 204 are connected. In FIG. 2, illustrations of these electronic components other than the drive mechanism 201 and the fifth lamp unit 205 are omitted.

  The RAM 122 mounted on the effect control board 12 stores various data (including various flags, counters, timers, and the like) used for controlling the effect operation. The display control unit 123 mounted on the effect control board 12 controls the effect image displayed on the effect display device 5 based on the control of the effect control CPU 120 (for example, based on a display control command from the effect control CPU 120). The video signal is output, and the effect image is displayed on the effect display device 5. As an example, the display control unit 123 may include a VDP (Video Display Processor) 123A (see FIG. 12), a CGROM (Character Generator ROM) 123B (see FIG. 12), a VRAM (Video RAM), and the like. For example, the effect control CPU 120 transmits a display control command specifying an effect image to be displayed on the display screen of the effect display device 5 to the display control unit 123 according to the display control data included in the effect control pattern. The display control unit 123 uses the data stored in the CGROM or the like (storage unit) in accordance with the display control command from the effect control CPU 120 to display a video signal for displaying the effect image specified by the display control command. Is output. As a result, the video signal of the effect image according to the control of the effect control CPU 120 (control based on the effect control pattern and the like) is output, and the effect image is displayed on the effect display device 5. Become.

  The I / O 125 mounted on the effect control board 12 has, for example, an input port for receiving an effect control command transmitted from the main board 11 and the like, and an output port for transmitting various signals to the outside of the effect control board 12. It is comprised including. For example, from an output port of the I / O 125, a video signal transmitted to the effect display device 5, a control signal (sound effect signal) transmitted to the audio control board 13, and a transmission to the first lamp driving unit 14 The second lamp driving unit 92 (or third lamp driving unit 93), the fourth lamp driving unit 94 (or fifth lamp driving unit 95), and the accessory driving unit 91 Control signals and the like transmitted to each are output. The control signal is supplied as a serial signal.

  In the effect control board 12, for example, the random number circuit 124 counts updatable numerical data indicating various random numbers used for controlling the effect operation. The random number used for controlling such a production operation is also referred to as a production random number.

  The ROM 121 mounted on the effect control board 12 shown in FIG. 2 stores various data tables used for controlling the effect operation in addition to the effect control program. For example, the ROM 121 stores table data configuring a plurality of determination tables prepared for the effect control CPU 120 to perform various determinations, determinations, and settings, and pattern data configuring various effect control patterns. I have.

  For example, the ROM 121 stores a hold display mode determination table that is referred to to determine the display mode of the first hold display displayed in the first hold display area 5D to any one of a plurality of types. Specifically, the ROM 121 stores a plurality of pending display mode determination tables having different types of display modes that can be determined in the pending display mode determination table, their respective determination ratios, and the like. In the pending display mode determination table, a numerical value (determined value) to be compared with a random number value MR6 (not shown) for determining the display mode of the first pending display is assigned to each of the display modes of the first pending display. . Instead of a plurality of suspension display mode determination tables, one large suspension display mode determination table including information of all the suspension display mode determination tables may be stored in the ROM 121.

  Further, for example, the ROM 121 stores a hold display mode determination table that is referred to in order to determine the display mode of the second hold display displayed in the second hold display area 5U to one of a plurality of types. I have. Specifically, the ROM 121 stores a plurality of pending display mode determination tables having different types of display modes that can be determined in the pending display mode determination table, their respective determination ratios, and the like. In the hold display mode determination table, a numerical value (determined value) to be compared with the random number value MR6 (not shown) for determining the display mode of the second hold display is assigned to each of the display modes of the second hold display. . Instead of a plurality of suspension display mode determination tables, one large suspension display mode determination table including information of all the suspension display mode determination tables may be stored in the ROM 121.

  Further, the ROM 121 stores a pending effect execution presence / absence determination table which is referred to to determine whether or not to perform the pending effect (also referred to as an effect effect or a pending change effect). Specifically, in the pending effect execution presence / absence determination table, a numerical value (decision value) to be compared with the random number value MR7 (not shown) for determining whether or not the pending effect is to be executed is provided for each of the absence and execution of the pending effect. Have been assigned. In this embodiment, the hold effect is a look-ahead notice effect in which the display mode of the hold display displayed in the first hold display area 5D is changed to the notice mode, and the hold effect displayed in the second hold display area 5U. A look-ahead notice effect in which the display mode of the display is changed to the notice mode. Note that there are a plurality of types of pending effects, and there is also a pending change effect in which a character or the like acts on the pending display in the display area of the rendering display device 5 to change the display mode of the pending display. The hold change effect also includes a hold change gassed effect in which a character or the like acts on the hold display in the display area of the effect display device 5 but does not change the display mode of the hold display.

  Further, the ROM 121 stores an active display change effect execution presence / absence determination table which is referred to to determine whether or not to execute the active display change effect (successful effect) for changing the special image including the active display. Specifically, the active display change execution presence / absence determination table is compared with a random number value MR7 (not shown) for determining whether or not to execute the active display change effect, in each of the case where the active display change effect is not executed and the case where the active display change effect is executed. Numerical values (determined values) are assigned.

  In the present embodiment, the active display change effect is an effect of changing a special image to a notice mode (main notice effect). In other words, the active display, the active display frame surrounding the active display, information according to the active display (for example, the active display or characters or images displayed around the active display frame or around the active display frame) and the like are set in the notice mode. This is an effect to be changed (main announcement effect). As described above, in the active display change effect, a common effect, a successful effect (also referred to as an active display change effect) executed when the special image is changed after executing the common effect, and a common effect are executed. A failure effect (also referred to as an active display change gaseous effect) that is executed when the special image is not changed later is included. The successful effect is an effect that acts on the special image in the display area of the effect display device 5 to change the display mode of the special image. On the other hand, the failure effect does not change the display mode of the special image by not acting on the special image in the display area of the effect display device 5, or acts on the special image in the display region of the effect display device 5 but does not affect the special image. An effect that does not change the display mode.

  Further, the active display change effect includes a first system change effect in which the mode of the special image is a change of the first system and is changed to any one of a plurality of modes, and a change of the special image in the second system. And a second system change effect for changing to any one of a plurality of modes. The first system change effect includes a common effect, a success effect, and a failure effect according to the first system change effect, and the second system change effect corresponds to the second system change effect. There are common effects, successful effects, and failed effects. In the present embodiment, the first system change effect is an effect that changes the display mode of an active display (active display displayed as a special image) in the special image, and the second system change effect is an effect in the special image. Of the active display frame (active display frame displayed as a special image).

  In addition, the ROM 121 stores the first system change reference that is referred to for determining the execution timing of the first system change effect, which is one of the active display change effects (the timing at which to execute the change). A performance execution timing determination table is stored. In the first system change effect, the rate at which the successful effect related to the first system change effect is executed differs depending on the execution timing of the first system change effect. Further, the ROM 121 stores a plurality of effect execution timing determination tables for the first system change effect, which are different from each other in the types of execution timing and the respective determination ratios which can be determined in the execution timing determination table for the first system change effect. May be. In the first system change effect execution timing determination table, a numerical value (decision value) to be compared with a random number value (not shown) for determining the first system change effect execution timing is assigned to each execution timing. I have. Also, instead of the plurality of first system change effect execution timing determination tables, one large first system change effect execution timing determination table including information of all the first system change effect execution timing determination tables is stored in ROM 121. You may memorize it.

  In addition, the ROM 121 stores a second system change reference that is referred to in order to determine the execution timing of the second system change effect, which is one of the active display change effects (the timing at which to execute the change). An effect execution timing determination table is stored. In the second system change effect, the rate at which a successful effect related to the second system change effect is executed depends on the execution timing of the second system change effect. Further, the ROM 121 stores a plurality of effect execution timing determination tables of the second system change effect that are different from each other in the types of execution timing and the respective determination ratios that can be determined in the execution timing determination table of the second system change effect. May be. In the second system change effect execution timing determination table, a numerical value (decision value) to be compared with a random value (not shown) for determining the second system change effect execution timing is assigned to each execution timing. I have. Also, instead of the plurality of second system change effect execution timing determination tables, one large second system change effect execution timing determination table including information of all the second system change effect execution timing determination tables is stored in ROM 121. You may memorize it.

  The effect display device 5 includes a display panel including a liquid crystal panel and a driver circuit for driving the display panel. The video signal supplied from the display control unit 123 to the effect display device 5 via the I / O 125 under the control of the effect control CPU 120 is input to the driver circuit. The driver circuit drives the display panel based on the input video signal, and causes the display panel to display an image represented by the video signal. As a result, the effect display device 5 displays various effect images.

  The display control unit 123 controls the first lamp unit 9 and the second lamp unit 202 under the control of the effect control CPU 120 in addition to the control of the effect display device 5. Here, details of the drive control for the drive mechanism 201 and the flow of the light emission control for the first lamp unit 9, the second lamp unit 202, and the like will be described later.

  The effect control CPU 120, the ROM 121, and the RAM 122 may be included in a one-chip effect control microcomputer mounted on the effect control board 12.

  The effect control board 12 has a wiring for transmitting an information signal (video signal) indicating an effect image to the effect display device 5 and a signal for transmitting an information signal (effect sound signal) indicating a command to the audio control board 13. Wiring, wiring for transmitting an information signal (light decoration signal) indicating a command to the first lamp driving unit 14, wiring for transmitting an information signal indicating a command to the relay board 19, and the like are connected. Further, the effect control board 12 has a wiring for transmitting an information signal (operation detection signal) indicating that a player's operation action on the stick controller 31A has been detected from the controller sensor unit 35A, and a game for the push button 31B. Wiring for transmitting an information signal (operation detection signal) indicating that a user's operation has been detected from the push sensor 35B is also connected.

[Structure of directing unit]
Next, the rendering unit 300 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10A is a front view showing the effect unit, and FIG. 10B is a rear view. FIG. 11A is a front view showing a state in which the movable part is at the tilt position, and FIG. 11B is a front view showing a state in which the movable part is at the upright position.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 10 and 11, the effect unit 300 is provided between the game board 2 and the effect display device 5 provided on the back side of the game board 2, and is fixed at a predetermined position. A base portion 301, a movable portion 302 rotatably provided with respect to the base portion 301, a tilt position where the movable portion 302 is tilted laterally (see FIG. 11A), and an upright position (see FIG. 11A). FIG. 11B) and a first effect motor 303 that rotates between them.

  The base portion 301 has a bearing hole 310 formed therethrough, and a guide groove 311 having an arc shape centered on the bearing hole 310 is formed around the bearing hole 310. At the lower right position of the bearing hole 310 on the back surface of the base portion 301, a first effect motor 303 for rotating the movable portion 302 is fixedly provided on the back surface, and a drive penetrating the base portion 301 and protruding forward. A rotating disk 312 is fixed to the tip of a shaft (not shown). The first effect motor 303 is a part of the drive mechanism 201.

  A shaft member 313 facing the front-rear direction is protrudingly provided at a predetermined peripheral edge of the turntable 312, and the lower end of a link member 314 is rotatably supported by the shaft member 313. Further, a detection piece 315 is protruded from the periphery of the turntable 312 on the opposite side of the shaft member 313, and the detection piece 315 is detected by a position detection sensor 316 provided below the turntable 312. The effect control CPU 120 can specify that the movable part 302 is located at the tilt position.

  The movable part 302 includes a rotating member 320, a movable member 321 provided on the front side of the rotating member 320 so as to be slidable with respect to the rotating member 320, and a movable member on the back side of the rotating member 320. 321 and a rack gear 322 that moves integrally. The movable member 321 is reciprocally movable between a first position on the rotation shaft 325 side with respect to the rotation member 320 and a second position farther from the rotation shaft 325 than the first position.

  In the present embodiment, the effect control CPU 120 executes a movable effect of moving the movable member 321 between the first position and the second position when the movable portion 302 is at the upright position. ing. The movable member 321 at least partially retreats below the display screen of the effect display device 5 when in the first position, and at least partially overlaps the front side of the display screen of the effect display device 5 in the second position. (See FIG. 1).

  The rotating member 320 is formed of a substantially plate-shaped member extending in the left-right direction. A first guide shaft 326 inserted into the guide groove 311 from the rear side, and a second guide shaft 327 projected from the upper right of the rotary shaft 325 and inserted into the guide groove 311 from the rear side are projected. I have.

  The upper end of a link member 314 is rotatably supported at the tip of a second guide shaft 327 that projects through the guide groove 311 and projects toward the front side of the base portion 301. That is, the turntable 312 and the rotating member 320 are connected via the link member 314. A coil spring 328 is provided on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft 325 to constantly bias the rotating member 320 toward the upright position.

  On the left side of the first guide shaft 326, a linear slide groove that guides the movable member 321 in the left-right direction extends in the left-right direction. Above the slide groove on the front surface of the rotating member 320, a second effect motor 330 for sliding the movable member 321 is fixedly provided. A pinion gear 331 for operating the rack gear 322 is fixed to the tip. In the present embodiment, a stepping motor is applied as the second effect motor 330. The second effect motor 330 is a part of the drive mechanism 201.

  A hook that locks the left end of a tension spring 323 for biasing the rack gear 322 is provided on the left rear surface of the rotating member 320 so as to project rearward. In addition, a position detection sensor 333 for detecting a detection piece formed at the right end of the rack gear 322 is provided on the rear surface on the right side. Can specify that the movable member 321 is located at the first position.

  The movable member 321 has a disk-shaped light emitting portion 321A and a mounting portion 321B extending rightward from the light emitting portion 321A. The light emitting unit 321A has a fifth lamp unit 205 (not shown) provided inside, and can emit light forward. Also, two bosses are provided on the back surface of the mounting portion 321B, and the bosses are inserted into the slide grooves of the rotating member 320 and fixed to the rack gear 322. A rack gear 322 disposed on the rear side of the rotating member 320 is integrated.

  The integrated movable member 321 and the rack gear 322 are guided slidably in the left-right direction with respect to the rotating member 320 because two bosses are inserted into the slide grooves. On the right side of the rack gear 322, a hook 335 is provided to protrude rearward, on the right side of a tension spring 323 whose left end is locked by the hook 332 of the rotating member 320. That is, the tension spring 323 has one end locked to the hook 332 of the rotating member 320 and the other end locked to the hook 335 of the rack gear 322, so that the movable member 321 always faces the second position. Energize.

  The movable part 302 of the rendering unit 300 thus configured is located at a tilted position as shown in FIG. 11A in the initial driving state. Then, the turntable 312 is rotated clockwise in front view by the first effecting motor 303, and the second guide shaft 327 is pulled downward by the link member 314, so that the rotation shaft 325 is centered in front view. It rotates clockwise by about 90 degrees and rotates to the upright position shown in FIG. When rotating from the tilt position to the standing position, the urging force of the coil spring 328 acts, so that the load on the first effect motor 303 is reduced. In addition, by reversely driving the first effect motor 303, the first effect motor 303 is rotated from the upright position to the inclined position.

[Details of light emission control and drive control]
Here, referring to FIG. 14, drive control for the drive mechanism 201 and light emission for the first ramp section 9, the second ramp section 202, the third ramp section 203, the fourth ramp section 204, the fifth ramp section 205, etc. The control flow and the like will be described.

  The first lamp driving section 14 converts a control signal supplied as a serial signal into a driving signal for individually driving each LED of the first lamp section 9 into a serial / parallel conversion IC 14B (hereinafter also referred to as a conversion IC 14B). ). A plurality of conversion ICs 14B may be provided according to the number of LEDs to be driven. A unique address is set in the conversion IC 14B. The address may be set in the same manner as the conversion IC 93B described later (details will be described later). The control signal supplied to the conversion IC 14B is supplied from the VDP 123A to the conversion IC 14B via the I / O 125. Each LED of the first lamp unit 9 driven by the first lamp driving unit 14 includes, for example, each structure (for example, the normal prize ball device 6A, the normal variable prize ball device 6B, the special variable prize ball device 7, etc.) in the game area 10. ) Functions as a decorative LED provided around. The effect control board 12 and the board on which the first lamp drive unit 14 is provided are electrically connected via wiring members such as a flexible cable and a harness.

  The second lamp driving unit 92 converts a control signal supplied as a serial signal from the effect control board 12 via the relay board 19 into a driving signal for individually driving each LED 202A (see FIG. 18) of the second lamp unit 202. And a serial / parallel conversion IC 92B (hereinafter, also referred to as a conversion IC 92B). A unique address is set in the conversion IC 92B. The address may be set by a method similar to that of the serial / parallel conversion IC 93B described later (details will be described later). The control signal supplied to the conversion IC 92B is supplied from the VDP 123A to the conversion IC 92B via the I / O 125 and the relay board 19. The effect control board 12 and the relay board 19 are electrically connected to the relay board 19 and the first lamp board 210 via wiring members such as a flexible cable and a harness.

  The third lamp driving unit 93 converts a control signal supplied as a serial signal into a driving signal for individually driving each LED of the third lamp unit 203. The serial-parallel conversion IC 93B (hereinafter, also referred to as a conversion IC 93B). ). A unique address is set in the conversion IC 93B (the details will be described later).

  The control signal includes a part that specifies an address. The conversion IC 92B is connected to the conversion IC 93B. When the address specified by the supplied control signal is not the same as its own address (here, the conversion IC 92B specifies the conversion IC 93B). In this case, the control signal is supplied to the conversion IC 93B as it is. As described above, the conversion IC 93B receives the control signal via the conversion IC 92B which is a conversion IC located at the preceding stage. With such a configuration, the control signal is accurately supplied to the conversion IC having the address specified by the control signal. The control signal supplied to the conversion IC 92B and the conversion IC 93B is supplied from the effect control CPU 120 to the conversion IC 92B of the second lamp drive unit 92 via the I / O 125 and the relay board 19.

  The fourth lamp driving unit 94 converts a control signal supplied as a serial signal into a driving signal for individually driving each LED of the fourth lamp unit 204. The serial / parallel conversion IC 94B (hereinafter, also referred to as a conversion IC 94B). ). A unique address is set in the conversion IC 94B. The address may be set in the same manner as in the conversion IC 93B. The control signal supplied to the conversion IC 94B is supplied from the VDP 123A to the conversion IC 94B via the I / O 125 and the relay board 19. Each LED of the second lamp unit 202, the third lamp unit 203, and the fourth lamp unit 204 driven by the second lamp driving unit 92, the third lamp driving unit 93, and the fourth lamp driving unit 94 is, for example, a game area. It functions as a part of the effect LED 9 provided in the periphery of the LED 10. Therefore, the first lamp substrate 210 is provided in a peripheral portion of the game area 10.

  The fifth lamp drive unit 95 converts a control signal supplied as a serial signal into a drive signal for individually driving each LED of the fifth lamp unit 205 by a serial / parallel conversion IC 95B (hereinafter also referred to as a conversion IC 95B). ). A unique address is set in the conversion IC 95B. The address may be set in the same manner as in the conversion IC 93B. The control signal supplied to the conversion IC 95B is supplied from the VDP 123A to the conversion IC 94B via the I / O 125 and the relay board 19. Each LED of the fifth lamp section 205 driven by the fifth lamp driving section 95 is provided in the light emitting section 321A shown in FIG. The second lamp substrate 220 itself is also provided in the light emitting section 321A, and a control signal from the fourth lamp driving section 94 is supplied via the wiring 361 shown in FIG.

  The type of control signal that the VDP 123A outputs to the conversion IC 14B, the conversion IC 92B, and the conversion IC 94B is determined by lighting data (LED lighting patterns, data indicating which LEDs are to be lighted, etc.) stored in the CGROM 123B, and the like. It is specified. The lighting data is compressed and stored in the CGROM 123B. This is because the VDP 123A is designed to use compressed data. Thereby, data can be handled efficiently. And it can suppress that a data amount becomes large.

  The VDP 123A supplies a control signal according to the lighting data to the conversion IC 14B, the conversion IC 92B, and the conversion IC 94B under the control of the effect control CPU 120 (supplies a control signal that specifies an address of a supply destination IC). . Each of the conversion IC 14B, the conversion IC 92B, and the conversion IC 94B includes a latch circuit, a shift register, and the like, and, among the control signals for specifying its own address, data signals other than the part for specifying the address (here, High or Low for each bit). Is converted into a parallel drive signal by separating a drive signal (1 bit data signal (High signal or Low signal)) into respective drive signals (1 bit data signal (High signal or Low signal)). LED) are supplied with the converted parallel drive signals at the same time. Such operations are sequentially repeated, so that the first lamp unit 9, the second lamp unit 202, the third lamp unit 203, the fourth lamp unit 204, the fourth lamp unit 204 are arranged in a manner (emission color, emission period) according to the lighting data. The five lamp unit 205 emits light.

  Note that the LED 202A (and the LED 202B) of the second lamp unit has RGB LEDs as described later. The same applies to the LEDs of other lamp units. The drive signal is generated corresponding to each of the RGB LEDs, and is individually input to each of the RGB LEDs. In this embodiment, the LED is turned on (emit light) by the Low signal. Since the drive signal is repeatedly output each time the control signal is supplied, the supply period of the Low signal becomes longer when the Low signal is continuously output. If the supply period of the Low signal (the number of times the Low signal is output) is long, the light emission period of the LED is also long, and the LED appears to emit light accordingly. In this way, the drive signal repeatedly output is PWM-controlled by the number of Low signals, and the light emission luminance of each LED (the light emission luminance of each color) is controlled by the light emission period by PWM control (that is, the period of the Low signal). Is done. For this reason, each LED 202A can individually emit color light in accordance with the repeatedly supplied control signal (by adjusting the luminance (light emission period) of each of the RGB LEDs, it is possible to express various colors). Has become).

  The accessory driving unit 91 converts a control signal supplied as a serial signal into a drive signal for individually driving each of the stepping motors (usually a plurality) included in the drive mechanism 201. The serial / parallel conversion IC 91B (hereinafter, conversion IC 91B) ), And a drive driver 91C for supplying a drive current according to the drive signal to the drive mechanism 201. A unique address is set in the conversion IC 91B. The address may be set in the same manner as the conversion IC 93B described later (details will be described later). The drive mechanism 201 is the first effect motor 303 or the second effect motor 330 shown in FIG. The accessory drive unit 91 itself is provided on the game board 2, and the motor control signal from the drive driver 91C of the accessory drive unit 91 is transmitted to the first effect motor 303 and the second effect motor 330 via wiring. Supplied. The effect control board 12 and the board on which the accessory drive unit 91 is provided are electrically connected via wiring members such as a flexible cable and a harness.

  The control signal output by the effect control CPU 120 is determined by the drive data included in the effect control pattern stored in the ROM 121 (how the motor of the drive mechanism 201 is moved, and which motor is moved). , Etc.). The lighting data and the driving data are stored in the ROM 121 uncompressed. This is because the effect control CPU 120 is designed to use uncompressed data. Thereby, data can be handled efficiently.

  The effect control CPU 120 supplies a control signal according to the drive data to the conversion IC 91B via the relay board 19. The conversion IC 91B includes a latch circuit, a shift register, and the like, and, among the control signals for specifying its own address, a data signal other than a part for specifying the address (here, 24-bit data indicating High or Low for each bit). Signal) into a drive signal (a 1-bit data signal (High signal or Low signal)) to convert a serial control signal into a parallel drive signal and convert it into a drive target (each stepping motor). The respective parallel drive signals are simultaneously supplied. By repeating such operations sequentially, the drive mechanism 201 operates in a manner according to the drive data, and drives the movable member 321.

  The sound output via the sound control board 13 is performed by the effect control CPU 120, but may be performed by the display control unit 123. Further, under the control of the effect control CPU 120, the VDP 123A generates a video signal according to the image data stored in the CGROM 123B, supplies the video signal to the effect display device 5, and displays the effect image. The image data is compressed and stored in the CGROM 123B. This is because the VDP 123A is designed to use compressed data. Thereby, data can be handled efficiently. And it can suppress that a data amount becomes large.

  The effect control board 12 supplies power to the second lamp drive unit 92 via the relay board 19 and supplies power to the second lamp unit 202 via the second lamp drive unit 92. For example, the effect control board 12 outputs VCC for the conversion IC 92B of the second lamp drive unit 92, outputs VCL1 for the LED 202A of the second lamp unit 202, and outputs VCL2 for the LED 202B. These are supplied on separate lines to the conversion IC 92B and the LEDs 202A, 202B, respectively (ie, power is supplied on separate supply lines). The effect control board 12 supplies power to the first lamp drive unit 14 via the relay board 19 and supplies power to the first lamp unit 9 via the first lamp drive unit 14. For example, the effect control board 12 outputs VCC for the conversion IC 14B of the first lamp drive unit 14 and outputs VCL1 for the LED of the first lamp unit 9. These are supplied on a separate line to each of the conversion IC 14B and the LED. The effect control board 12 supplies power to the third lamp driving unit 93, the fourth lamp driving unit 94, and the fifth lamp driving unit 95 in the same manner as the second lamp driving unit 92.

  Note that each VCC and each VCL1 (or each VCL2) supplied to each conversion IC and each LED may be generated independently of each other and supplied by separate supply lines, or at least a part may be supplied with a common voltage. You may make it.

  The effect control board 12 supplies power to the accessory driving unit 91 via the relay board 19. The accessory drive unit 91 supplies power to the drive mechanism 201 based on the power from the effect control board 12 to operate the drive mechanism 201 (power may be supplied in the form of a drive signal). For example, the effect control board 12 outputs VDD as a voltage necessary for driving the stepping motor of the driving mechanism 201, and the VDD is finally supplied to the stepping motor of the driving mechanism 201.

  The effect control board 12 outputs 5 V (VCC) as a voltage required for driving the conversion IC, and the VCC is supplied to the conversion IC 91 </ b> B of the accessory driving unit 91. For example, the effect control board 12 outputs 5 V (VCC) as a voltage required for driving the driving mechanism 201 to the conversion IC 91B.

  Note that a detection signal from the rotation position sensor provided in the drive mechanism 201 (a signal that detects the initial position of the motor that moves the movable member 321) is fed back to the effect control CPU 120.

  A plurality of serial / parallel conversion ICs (conversion ICs 14B, 91B to 95B) may be provided in accordance with the number of driving targets (control targets) (stepping motors, LEDs, etc.) and the number of terminals (for example, In the driving section 91, one or more other conversion ICs of the same type are provided in addition to the conversion IC 91B). In this case, a plurality of conversion ICs (conversion ICs of the same type) are connected in series, and a unique address is individually set. The effect control CPU 120 and the VDP 123A output a control signal that specifies the address of the conversion IC connected to the drive target. When the control signal is output, the first conversion IC among the serially connected conversion ICs first receives the control signal. If the control signal specifies the address of the first conversion IC, the first conversion IC converts the control signal into a parallel drive signal and outputs it. When the control signal does not specify the address of the first conversion IC (when the subsequent conversion IC is specified), the first conversion IC transfers the control signal to the second conversion IC as it is. Output. When the control signal from the first conversion IC specifies its own address, the conversion IC connected secondly converts the control signal into a parallel drive signal and outputs it. If it does not designate its own address, the control signal is supplied to the next connected conversion IC as described above. As a result, a control signal can be transmitted to a desired conversion IC. When there are a plurality of conversion ICs 92B, a control signal designating the address of the conversion IC 93B is supplied to the conversion IC 93B after passing through each of the plurality of conversion ICs 92B.

  With the above-described configuration, the effect control CPU 120 controls the speakers 8L and 8R via the sound control board 13 to output sound, and outputs the first sound via the display control unit 123 and the first lamp drive unit 14. The lamp unit 9 is turned on / off, the second lamp unit 202 is turned on / off via the display control unit 123 and the second lamp drive unit 92, and the display unit 123 and the third lamp drive unit 93 are turned on. The third lamp section 203 is turned on / off, the fourth lamp section 204 is turned on / off via the display control section 123 and the fourth lamp drive section 94, and the display control section 123 and the fifth lamp drive section 95 are turned on / off. The fifth lamp unit 205 is turned on / off via the accessory driving unit 91, and the driving mechanism 201 is operated to move the movable member 321, and the effect display device 5 is displayed via the display control unit 123. And or to display an effect image to the display region, to perform the various effects of.

  Next, an output method (timing) of a control signal output from the effect control board 12 will be described. As described above, the conversion ICs 91B to 95B output drive signals for driving the electronic components to be driven (the drive mechanism 201, the LED, and the like) based on the control signals output from the effect control board 12. As a method for continuously driving the electronic component, for example, when the conversion IC receives a control signal (ON signal) for outputting a drive signal, the output of the drive signal is stopped. Until receiving the control signal (OFF signal), the driving signal is continuously output.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a timing chart of the control signal and the drive signal. Referring to FIG. 13, when a control signal (ON signal) is output at time t1 and the conversion IC receives the input of the control signal, the conversion IC continues to output the LED drive signal. In this case, the LED maintains the lighting state. As described above, the LED drive signal is output as a PWM signal, but is simplified in FIG. 13 for explanation.

  However, according to the above configuration, for example, in a state where each conversion IC receives an input of a control signal (ON signal) and drives an electronic component, thereafter, the wiring of the effect control board 12 and each conversion IC is connected. If a part is disconnected or short-circuited, each conversion IC cannot receive a control signal (OFF signal), and thus continuously drives the electronic component unintentionally. This may cause a situation in which the electronic component is damaged (for example, the motor of the drive mechanism 201 is damaged).

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as the conversion ICs 91B to 95B, conversion ICs having a function (timeout function) capable of stopping the output of the drive signal after a lapse of a predetermined period after receiving the input of the control signal are used. Here, a method for continuously driving electronic components when using a conversion IC having a timeout function will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another example of the timing chart of the control signal and the drive signal. Referring to FIG. 14, at time t1, a control signal (ON signal) is output from effect control board 12, and when the conversion IC receives the input of the control signal, conversion IC outputs an LED drive signal. Next, after receiving the control signal (for example, time t1), the conversion IC stops outputting the drive signal after a predetermined period T (for example, one second) has elapsed (time t2). Note that the timing at which the control signal is output from the effect control board 12 and the timing at which the conversion IC receives the control signal are so small that they can be ignored. Therefore, the LED is turned on from time t1 to time t2, but is turned off until the conversion IC receives a control signal input (time t3).

  Next, at time t3, the control signal (ON signal) is output from the effect control board 12, and when the conversion IC receives the input of the control signal, the conversion IC outputs an LED drive signal. Then, in order to keep the LED in the lighting state (that is, to continuously drive the electronic component beyond the predetermined period T), the effect control board 12 starts the control signal from the time t3 when the control signal is output. At time t4 before the period T elapses, the control signal is output again. The conversion IC receives the control signal at a time t4 before a predetermined period T has elapsed from the time t3 when the control signal is input, and thus continues to output the drive signal without stopping the output. Similarly, effect control board 12 outputs the next control signal at time t6 (time t7, time t8) before a predetermined period T has elapsed from time t5 (time t6, time t7) at which the previous control signal was output. Therefore, the LED can be kept in the lighting state continuously after time t3.

  In the example of FIG. 14, each time interval (for example, time t3 to time t4, time t4 to time t5, and the like) from when the effect control board 12 outputs the control signal to when the next control signal is output is set. Although the same configuration has been described, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Specifically, when the LED is to be driven continuously, the effect control board 12 satisfies the condition that the control signal is output again after the output of the control signal until the predetermined period T elapses. If so, the time intervals may not be the same.

  As described above, in order to continuously drive the electronic components when using the conversion IC having the timeout function, it is important to keep the output of the control signal (ON signal) to the conversion IC uninterrupted. Become. Therefore, the effect control board 12 is an output for complementarily outputting the control signal in case that the effect control CPU 120 or the VDP 123A that outputs the control signal cannot output the control signal due to a hang-up or the like. A circuit (or software program) may be provided. For example, this output circuit has a function of continuously outputting a control signal stored in an output buffer of the RAM 122.

  This timeout function may be configured to be enabled or disabled. Specifically, when a predetermined terminal of each conversion IC is grounded, the timeout function is set to be valid, and when the predetermined terminal is grounded via a resistor, the function is set to be invalid. . Note that the present invention is not limited to such a configuration that is fixedly set as hardware. For example, a command from the effect control board 12 (the effect control CPU 120 and the VDP 123A) (a setting command for enabling or disabling the timeout function, for example, Depending on whether the input of the terminal is at the H level or the L level), each conversion IC may enable or disable the function.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing still another example of the timing chart of the control signal and the drive signal. Referring to FIG. 15, from time t1 to time t4, since the control signal (ON signal) is output from VDP 123A at regular intervals, the LED remains lit during this period. Here, it is assumed that after the VDP 123A outputs the control signal at time t4, it hangs up and cannot output the control signal. In this case, the output circuit continues to output the control signal (ON signal) remaining in the output buffer as a buffer signal after time t5. Specifically, the output circuit outputs the buffer signal again before the predetermined period T elapses after outputting the buffer signal. Thus, even if the VDP 123A that outputs the control signal mainly hangs up, the lighting state of the LED can be maintained. Note that the output circuit has a function of detecting that the VDP 123A has hung up.

  Next, a method of setting a signal output waveform shape when a control signal and a clock signal are supplied (output) from one conversion IC to another conversion IC will be described. As described above, the conversion IC 93B and the conversion IC 95B that are not directly connected to the relay board 19 receive the control signal and the clock signal via the conversion IC 92B and the conversion IC 94B, respectively.

  Here, the conversion IC 92B and the conversion IC 93B are provided on the same substrate (first lamp substrate 210), but the conversion IC 94B and the conversion IC 95B are mounted on different substrates (first lamp substrate 210 and second lamp substrate 220). Is provided. That is, the conversion IC 92B and the conversion IC 93B are electrically connected within the same substrate, and the conversion IC 94B and the conversion IC 95B are electrically connected outside the substrate. Specifically, the first lamp board 210 and the second lamp board 220 are connected by a wiring member such as a cable. When the conversion ICs are connected within the board, the waveform attenuation rate is smaller and the external noise resistance is higher than when the conversion ICs are connected outside the board (via a cable or the like). For this reason, in order to reduce unnecessary radiation noise, as shown in FIG. 16, the waveform shape is changed between the connection inside the board and the connection outside the board.

  FIG. 16 is an image diagram of a signal output waveform. Referring to FIG. 16, each conversion IC converts the output waveform when the input control signal and clock signal are output to another conversion IC to a normal slew rate (FIG. 16A) or a low slew rate (FIG. 16A). FIG. 16B) can be set. Each conversion IC is provided with a setting terminal SE (see FIGS. 18 and 20) for setting a through output of a clock signal to be output and a slew rate of a through output of a control signal to be output. When the setting terminal SE is set to L (low) (see FIG. 18), the through output of the clock signal and the control signal is set to a normal slew rate output, and the setting terminal SE is set to H (high) (see FIG. 20). Then, the slew output of the clock signal and the control signal is set to a low slew rate output.

  The output waveform of the normal slew rate is an output waveform whose waveform rises in a change mode at least equal to that of the input signal (control signal and clock signal). Specifically, when the normal slew rate is set, the slope (the amount of voltage change per unit time) of the rising portion of the signal output to the other conversion ICs corresponds to the rising portion of the input signal. It is more than the inclination. The output waveform of a low slew rate is an output waveform whose waveform rises in a more gradual change mode than the output waveform of a normal slew rate. Specifically, when the low slew rate is set, the slope of the rising portion of the signal output to another conversion IC is smaller than the slope of the rising portion of the input signal.

  In the output waveform of the high slew rate, the signal is rapidly switched from the OFF signal to the ON signal and from the ON signal to the OFF signal, and at this moment, a spike-like current flows through the conversion IC and the like. Such a sudden change in the current causes an induced voltage to be generated according to the parasitic inductance of a circuit such as a conversion IC, thereby causing noise. On the other hand, in the low slew rate output waveform, the switching from the OFF signal to the ON signal and from the ON signal to the OFF signal is slower than in the high slew rate output waveform, and the current flowing to the conversion IC or the like at this moment can be reduced. . Therefore, a low slew rate output waveform can suppress the occurrence of noise as compared to a high slew rate output waveform. can do. However, when the signal is affected by noise from the outside, the ON signal may not be recognized by the conversion IC or the like under the influence of the noise in the low slew rate output waveform. However, with a high slew rate output waveform, there is a high possibility that an ON signal can be recognized by a conversion IC or the like even when affected by noise, as compared with a low slew rate output waveform. In other words, the low slew rate output waveform has a feature that it is difficult to radiate noise to the outside, but is susceptible to external noise. On the other hand, the high slew rate output waveform has a characteristic that it easily radiates noise to the outside, but is resistant to external noise.

  Therefore, when the conversion IC 92B and the conversion IC 93B are connected within the substrate like the conversion IC 92B and the attenuation of the waveform is small and the external noise resistance is high, the conversion IC 92B that outputs a control signal to the conversion IC 93B outputs a waveform with a low slew rate. With this setting, the amount of high-frequency noise generated due to the rise of the signal can be reduced. On the other hand, when the conversion IC 94B and the conversion IC 95B are connected outside the board like the conversion IC 94B and the waveform is greatly attenuated and easily affected by external noise, the conversion IC 94B that outputs a control signal to the conversion IC 95B outputs a waveform having a normal slew rate. By doing so, resistance to external noise is increased.

  Here, each conversion IC may have a function of compensating an output waveform for the input control signal, clock signal, and data input from the DATA / I terminal. That is, in general, the clock signal and the control signal output from the effect control board 12 and the like are output as rectangular waves when they are output, but the transmission loss due to wiring until reaching each conversion IC is large. In some cases, for example, a clock signal or control signal having a waveform that has collapsed from the original rectangular wave may be input. Therefore, the conversion IC does not simply output the input clock signal and control signal as it is, but converts the input clock signal and control signal in a state in which the original rectangular wave has collapsed into the original rectangular wave. May be provided with a function of compensating for a waveform close to and outputting the result. In this case, if the output of the normal slew rate is set by the setting of the setting terminal SE, the output is compensated for a waveform having a large rising or falling slope, so that the output in a state closer to the original rectangular wave is output. A signal can be output, and the influence of external noise can be reduced. However, if the slope of the rise or fall is large, the amount of voltage change is increased instantaneously, and there is a possibility that the radiation of radio waves to the outside of the substrate increases.

  On the other hand, if the output of the low slew rate is set by the setting of the setting terminal SE, the output is compensated to a waveform having a smaller rising or falling slope, so that the output is compared with the output of the normal slew rate. Although it is weaker against the influence of external noise, the instantaneous voltage change amount can be reduced, and the increase in radio wave radiation outside the substrate can be suppressed.

  It should be noted that the function of compensating the output waveform may be set to be valid or invalid, and the function of compensating the output waveform may be entirely invalidated. The function of compensating the output waveform may be realized outside the conversion IC by providing an amplifier circuit or the like outside the conversion IC.

  Further, in the above-described normal slew rate output setting, compensation is performed so that the rising and falling slopes of the output waveform are larger than the rising and falling slopes of the input waveform. May be such that the input waveform is output as it is without compensating the output waveform (that is, the output waveform has a rising edge equivalent to the rising edge of the input waveform in a predetermined mode). In this case, in the output setting of a low slew rate, a waveform whose slope is smaller than the rising edge of the input waveform may be output.

  Even when the conversion ICs are connected within the board, for example, as shown in FIG. 17, the control signal is received from another conversion IC that has received the control signal via the relay board 19. When the signal is branched and output to a plurality of conversion ICs, the conversion IC receiving the control signal is set so as to output a waveform having a normal slew rate. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the connection between the conversion ICs.

  Referring to FIG. 17A, conversion IC 92B is provided on the same substrate (first lamp substrate 210) as conversion IC 93B and conversion IC 94B. However, unlike the example of FIG. 12, the conversion IC 92B is electrically connected to the conversion IC 93B and the conversion IC 94B in the board. More specifically, the conversion IC 92B branches the control signal and supplies the control signal to the conversion IC 93B and the conversion IC 94B. Therefore, the branch loss makes it easy for the waveform of the control signal output from the conversion IC 92B to be attenuated, so that it is easily affected by external noise. Therefore, in such a case, by setting the conversion IC 92B to output a waveform having a normal slew rate, the resistance to external noise is increased.

  Referring to FIG. 17B, conversion IC 92B is provided on the same substrate (first lamp substrate) as conversion IC 93B, and conversion IC 94B is provided on third lamp substrate 230. Here, the conversion IC 92B is electrically connected to the conversion IC 93B inside the board, but is electrically connected to the conversion IC 94B outside the board. More specifically, as in the case of FIG. 17A, the conversion IC 92B branches the control signal and supplies the control signal to the conversion IC 93B and the conversion IC 94B. Therefore, also in this case, by setting the conversion IC 92B so as to output a waveform having a normal slew rate, the resistance to external noise is increased.

  In FIG. 17A, for example, in a configuration in which the conversion IC 92B is connected to the conversion IC 93B and the conversion IC 94B is connected to the conversion IC 93B (a configuration in which each conversion IC is connected in series), the control is performed. Since the signal waveform is hardly attenuated and hardly affected by external noise, the conversion IC 92B and the conversion IC 93B may be set to output a waveform with a low slew rate.

  Next, a specific circuit configuration example of the second lamp driving unit 92 and the second lamp unit 202 will be described. As described above, the second lamp driving section 92 includes the serial / parallel conversion IC 92B, and FIG. 18 shows an example of the circuit configuration thereof.

  The second lamp driving section 92 includes a connector 17A, and is connected to the outside by the connector 17A. The connector 17A has eight terminals. The first and fourth terminals are grounded. The second terminal is connected to an external data line to which a control signal is supplied. The third terminal is connected to an external clock line to which a clock signal for synchronizing the control signal is supplied. Each line is connected to an output terminal of a control signal and a clock signal (synchronous signal supplied from the effect control board 12) in the serial / parallel conversion IC 92B of the second lamp drive unit 92. The fifth terminal and the sixth terminal are connected to an external power supply line (a line via the relay board 19 or a line from the effect control board 12), and a voltage of VDD (12V) is applied. You. That is, two terminals (a total of four terminals are used because a grounded terminal is also required) is used for power supply. Normally, the current value of the current that can be passed to the connection terminal is determined (for example, up to 1 A), but the current value for driving the LED 202A of the second lamp unit 202 is large (for example, 1.5 A). ) Two terminals are secured to secure the current value of the current for driving the LED 202A. The seventh terminal is connected to an external power supply line to which VCC (voltage for driving the serial / parallel conversion IC 92B or the like) is supplied, and the eighth terminal is grounded. VCL and VCC are supplied in different systems and are not shared (that is, a power line for supplying power to the LED 202A and a power line for supplying power to the serial / parallel conversion IC 92B are separate). . For this reason, even if a large current flows through the LED 202A, it does not affect the VCL, so that the resistance value of the resistor R2 can be smaller than that of the resistor R1, and the light emission luminance of the LED 202A can be increased. Of course, VCL and VCC may be shared without being supplied by separate systems.

  The fifth and sixth terminals are connected to the power supply line L1. The power supply line L1 drops VDD (12V) supplied via the fifth and sixth terminals to VCC (5V) by the power supply IC 541C, and sets the same as VCL1 in the second lamp drive unit 92 (such as a serial / parallel conversion IC 92B). And an output supplied to the LED 202A and an output supplied to the LED 202B as VCL2 without being stepped down by the power supply IC 541C. That is, LEDs (LEDs 202A and 202B) driven at different voltages by separating outputs supplied by the power supply IC 541C can be provided in the second lamp unit 202.

  Here, the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 18 uses a serial / parallel conversion IC 92B in which an LED 202A driven by VCL1 (5V) and an LED 202B driven by VCL2 (12V) are used in combination. Therefore, the serial / parallel conversion IC 92B is connected to an ESD (Electro-Static Discharge) protection terminal SCR with a high drive voltage VCL2 (12 V). Thus, in the circuit configuration, a voltage of 12 V or more can flow through the serial / parallel conversion IC 92B to the ESD protection terminal SCR, so that circuit damage due to high voltage due to electrostatic discharge can be avoided.

  A noise filter may be provided on the output of VCL1 of the power supply IC 541C to remove noise. In the middle of the output of VCL1 of the power supply IC 541C, one end of the capacitor C1 is connected, and the other end of the capacitor C1 is grounded. With such a circuit configuration, the potential of VCL1 is stabilized.

  A noise filter may be provided on the output of VCL2 of the power supply IC 541C to remove noise. In the middle of the output of VCL2 of the power supply IC 541C, one end of the capacitor C2 is connected, and the other end of the capacitor C2 is grounded. With such a circuit configuration, the potential of VCL2 is stabilized.

  A noise filter may be provided at the output of VCC to remove noise. In the middle of the output of VCC, one end of the capacitor C3 is connected, and the other end of the capacitor C3 is grounded. With such a circuit configuration, the potential of VCC is stabilized.

  The second lamp driving section 92 includes a serial / parallel conversion IC 92B. The DATA terminal and the CLK terminal of the serial / parallel conversion IC 92B are connected to the second terminal and the third terminal of the connector 17A by a data line L4 and a clock line L5. As a result, the control signal is input from the second terminal of the connector 17A to the DATA terminal of the serial / parallel conversion IC 92B via the data line L4, and the clock signal is serially transmitted from the third terminal of the connector 17A via the clock line L5. -Input to the CLK terminal of the parallel conversion IC 92B. The amplifiers A1 and A2 are connected to the data line L4 and the clock line L5, respectively, and the pull-up resistors R5 and R6 are connected to the data line L4 and the clock line L5, respectively. As a result, a High signal or a Low signal as a control signal and a clock signal can be accurately transmitted to the serial / parallel conversion IC 92B. Note that the protection circuit HK is also connected to the data line L4 and the clock line L5. The protection circuit HK is a circuit that protects the second lamp driving unit 92 from electrostatic discharge, and includes a protection element S1 including a diode array and the like. VCL2 (12 V) is also applied to the protection element S1. The protection circuit HK also has a capacitor C5 between VCL2 and ground and connected to the protection element S1.

  Terminals ADR0 to ADR4 of the serial / parallel conversion IC 92B are terminals for setting an address of the serial / parallel conversion IC 92B. Here, since the terminals ADR0 to ADR4 are all grounded, “00000” is set as the address. By connecting at least one of ADR0 to ADR4 to an LDO terminal or the like, a portion corresponding to that terminal is set to “1”. In this way, an address is set (for example, when the terminal ADR0 is connected to an LDO terminal or the like, the address is "10000").

  From the terminals Q0 to Q23 of the serial / parallel conversion IC 92B, a drive signal obtained by converting the control signal is output. The terminals Q0 to Q20 are connected to respective cathodes of the RGB LEDs included in the LED 202A. The anode of each of the RGB LEDs included in the LED 202A is connected to the output of the power supply IC 541C, and VCL1 is applied. Therefore, when a Low signal is output as a drive signal, a current flows through the LED connected to the terminal to which the Low signal has been output, and the LED emits light. The terminals Q21 to Q23 are connected to the respective cathodes of the RGB LEDs included in the LED 202B. The anode of each of the RGB LEDs included in the LED 202B is connected to the output of the power supply IC 541C, and VCL2 is applied. Therefore, when a Low signal is output as a drive signal, a current flows through the LED connected to the terminal to which the Low signal has been output, and the LED emits light.

  The terminal LDO and the terminal DVDD of the serial / parallel conversion IC 92B output a predetermined voltage. Terminal LDO and terminal DVDD are grounded via capacitors C5 and C6. Further, the terminal R_Iref is grounded via the resistor R1, and is connected to the capacitors C5 and C6. In the serial / parallel conversion IC 92B used in this embodiment, when a Low signal is output as a drive signal to at least one of the terminals Q0 to Q23, a current flowing through the LED (when a plurality of LEDs emit light, (The sum of the currents flowing through the LEDs) flows from the terminal R_Iref to the ground via the resistor R1. The current value of the current (current flowing through each LED) depends on the resistance value of the resistor R1. Conventionally, the terminal R_Iref has been directly grounded. However, when the terminal R_Iref is directly grounded, the LED is driven at a constant current using the internal resistance of the serial / parallel conversion IC 92B as a reference resistance. Therefore, when the output current is fixed to 20 mA, about 30% due to the variation of the internal resistance. There is a possibility that the current value has an error, and the light emission of the LED may be sparse. Therefore, since the resistor R1 is connected to the terminal R_Iref and the LED is driven at a constant current using the resistor R1 as a reference resistor as in the present embodiment, when the output current is fixed at 20 mA, the resistance value of the resistor R1 is set. Can be suppressed to about 3% error, and the light emission of the LED can be stabilized.

  Each terminal VDD of the serial / parallel conversion IC 92B is connected to the output of the seventh terminal of the connector 17A, and VCC1 is applied. Terminal VREF is grounded via capacitor C7. Each terminal VDD is also grounded via capacitors C8 to C11 (this stabilizes the voltage applied to each terminal VDD). The terminal GND is grounded.

  The terminal DATA0 is connected to the terminal DATA of the next conversion IC (for example, the serial-parallel conversion IC 93B of the third lamp driving unit 93 shown in FIG. 12) connected in series along the supply route of the control signal, and The signal (when the address does not specify the serial / parallel conversion IC 92B) is supplied to the next conversion IC. The terminal CLK is connected to the terminal CLK of the next conversion IC, and the clock signal is supplied to the next conversion IC. Other terminals are grounded.

  The serial / parallel conversion IC 92B operates according to the clock signal supplied from the terminal CLK, and supplies the clock signal from the terminal CLK0 to the next conversion IC. When the control signal supplied from the terminal DATA specifies its own address, the serial / parallel conversion IC 92B latches 24-bit information (High signal or Low signal) indicated by the control signal one bit at a time, The information latched from Q0 to Q23 is output as a drive signal (High signal or Low signal). In addition, since the drive signal is output for each control signal that is repeatedly supplied, the light emission luminance of the RGB LEDs is adjusted according to the number of times the Low signal is supplied (the light emission luminance is controlled by the PWM control). When the High signal is supplied, the LED is turned off. The emission color and emission brightness of each LED 202A are adjusted according to the emission brightness of RGB and the presence or absence of emission. By adjusting the predetermined control signal, each LED 202A can be turned on or off with a desired emission color and emission brightness. The current flowing through the LED 202A during light emission (sum of the current flowing through each LED) flows to the ground via the resistor R1. Since the current value of the current flowing through the LED 202A depends on the resistance R1, the larger the resistance R1, the smaller the current value, and the lower the light emission luminance of the LED 202A. In this embodiment, since the power supply lines for VCL1 and VCL2 are shared, the potential of VCL2 may not be stable when a large current flows through LED 202A (particularly, the potential may drop). For this reason, the resistance value of the resistor R1 is set to a large value (here, the resistance value of the resistor R1 is set to 6 kΩ, but may be another resistance value), and the light emission luminance of the LED 202A (by one drive signal) Instead of lowering the light emission luminance when the light is emitted, the current flowing through the LED 202A may be reduced to stabilize the potential of the VCL1 (this makes it possible to stabilize the operation of the serial / parallel conversion IC 92B). In this embodiment, the output of the power supply line L1 is branched by the power supply IC 541C, the capacitor C1 is connected to the power supply line for supplying VCL1, and the capacitor C2 is connected to the power supply line for supplying VCL2. Thereby, the potentials of VCL1 and VCL2 can be stabilized (especially, the potential of VCL1 can be stabilized, and the operation of the serial / parallel conversion IC 92B can be stabilized).

  Further, in the serial / parallel conversion IC 92B according to the present embodiment, the change timing of the drive signal output from the terminals Q0 to Q23 is dispersed by using the built-in CR oscillation circuit. Specifically, FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the phase separation of the drive signal output by the serial / parallel conversion. Since the built-in CR oscillation circuit shown in FIG. 19 transmits a 6 MHz clock signal, the drive signal is separated into six layers as a 1 MHz PWM clock signal, and the output of 24 channels (terminals Q0 to Q23) of the serial / parallel conversion IC 92B is output. The terminals are divided into six groups, one group and four channels, and the change timing of the drive signal is dispersed.

  The group 1 is a PWM clock signal of a drive signal output from the terminals Q0 to Q3, the group 2 is a PWM clock signal of a drive signal output from the terminals Q4 to Q7, and the group 3 is a PWM signal of a drive signal output from the terminals Q8 to Q11. The group 4 outputs the PWM signal of the driving signal output from the terminals Q16 to Q19, the group 4 outputs the PWM signal of the driving signal output from the terminals Q16 to Q19, and the group 6 outputs the signal from the terminals Q20 to Q23. Each corresponds to the PWM clock signal of the drive signal. The periods of the PWM clock signals of each group are shifted by 1 MHz. When converting a serial signal to a parallel signal, the serial / parallel conversion IC 92B can shift the output cycle of the parallel signal in units of a group, thereby suppressing radio wave emission (noise generation) from the serial / parallel conversion IC 92B to the outside. It is an IC with built-in functions.

  However, when a motor or the like is driven, if the cycle is shifted during rotation of the motor, the control accuracy is reduced. Therefore, it is necessary to limit the connection to terminals belonging to the same cycle (for example, terminals Q0 to Q3). On the other hand, a device such as an LED that does not involve an operation is less affected by a cycle shift than drive control of a motor or the like, and thus can be used freely without limiting the terminals of a group to be used. If the output terminal of the serial / parallel conversion IC 92B is 12 channels (terminals Q0 to Q11) instead of 24 channels (terminals Q0 to Q23), one group may be divided into three groups with four channels.

  Next, an example of the circuit configuration of the accessory driving unit 91 is shown in FIG. The accessory drive unit 91 has a circuit configuration shown in FIG. Note that the circuit configuration of FIG. 20 is basically the same as the circuit configuration of FIG. 18, and thus different parts will be described. The same serial-parallel conversion IC 92B and serial-parallel conversion IC 91B can be used, and a driving driver 91C and a driving mechanism (for example, a motor) 201 are used instead of the LED 202A. 18 and FIG. 20, the connectors connected to the outside are the same. That is, the accessory driving unit 91 includes the connector 17A, and is connected to the outside by the connector 17A. The connector 17A has eight terminals. The fifth and sixth terminals are connected to an external power supply line to which VCL (voltage for driving the drive driver 91C and the like) is supplied, and the seventh terminal is used for driving VCC (serial / parallel conversion IC 91B and the like). Voltage) is supplied to an external power supply line to which voltage is supplied, and the eighth terminal is grounded. In FIG. 20, VCL and VCC are supplied in different systems and are not shared (that is, a power supply line for supplying power to the drive driver 91C and a power supply line for supplying power to the serial / parallel conversion IC 91B are provided separately). Separate). Therefore, even if a large current flows through the driving driver 91C, it does not affect the VCL. Therefore, the resistance value of the resistor R2 can be made smaller than the resistance R1, and the amount of current supplied to the driving driver 91C can be increased.

  The accessory drive unit 91 converts a control signal supplied as a serial signal by the serial / parallel conversion IC 91B into each drive signal for individually driving each of the stepping motors (usually a plurality) of the drive mechanism 201, and the drive signal The drive driver 91C supplies the drive mechanism 201 with an output voltage for driving the drive mechanism 201 based on the drive voltage.

  Next, an operation (operation) of the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. On the main board 11, the CPU 103 that has executed the game control main process receives the interrupt request signal from the CTC and receives the interrupt request, and executes the game control timer interrupt process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed in S15 shown in FIG. 21 as a special symbol process process. In the special symbol process process, the CPU 103 first executes a start winning determination process (S101).

  Next, the operation of the effect control board 12 will be described. In the effect control board 12, when the power supply voltage is supplied from the power supply board or the like, the effect control CPU 120 is activated to execute the effect control main process as shown in the flowchart of FIG. When the effect control main process shown in FIG. 23 is started, the effect control CPU 120 first executes a predetermined initialization process (S71), clears the RAM 122, sets various initial values, and mounts the effect control board 12 on the effect control board 12. The register setting and the like of the CTC (counter / timer circuit) performed are performed.

  The effect control CPU 120 executes an RTC setting process for initial setting the real-time clock 126 (S71A). In this embodiment, initial setting information of the real-time clock 126 is stored in a program management area provided in the ROM 121 mounted on the effect control board 12. Then, in the RTC setting process of step S71A, the effect control CPU 120 reads the initial setting information from the program management area of the ROM 121, and reads the setting registers 1 to 3 (see FIG. 3) of the real-time clock 126 according to the read initial setting information. By setting the value of each bit, the initial setting of the real-time clock 126 is performed. In this embodiment, by setting the value of the AS bit of the setting register 3 to “0” in the RTC setting process of step S71A, the register (3 bytes) corresponding to the addresses 8 to A is set as the RAM register. It shall be set to be usable. By setting the value of the T bit of the setting register 1 to “0” and setting the value of the TS bit of the setting register 3 to “0”, the registers (2 bytes) corresponding to the addresses B to C are stored in the RAM. It shall be set to be usable as a register. Therefore, in this embodiment, in addition to the RAM register (1 byte) corresponding to address 7, the register (3 bytes) corresponding to addresses 8-A and the register (2 bytes) corresponding to addresses BC are also stored in the RAM. By being set to be usable as a register, a 6-byte RAM area is set in the real-time clock 126.

  Further, as described later, in this embodiment, it is possible to control the power saving mode in which the brightness of the lamps and LEDs provided in the gaming machine is reduced and displayed during the display of the customer waiting demonstration or during a predetermined power saving time period. If it is in the power saving mode, a power saving mode setting flag indicating that it is in the power saving mode is set. In this embodiment, a power saving mode setting flag is set in a RAM register in the real-time clock 126.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the timer interrupt flag is turned on (S72). The timer interrupt flag is set to an on state every time a predetermined time (for example, 2 milliseconds) elapses based on, for example, a register setting of the CTC. At this time, if the timer interrupt flag is off (S72; No), the process of S72 is repeatedly executed and the process stands by.

  Further, on the side of the effect control board 12, an interrupt for receiving an effect control command or the like from the main board 11 is generated separately from the timer interrupt generated every time a predetermined time elapses. This interrupt is, for example, an interrupt generated when the effect control INT signal from the main board 11 is turned on. When an interrupt is generated due to the effect control INT signal being turned on, the effect control CPU 120 automatically sets the interrupt to be disabled. It is desirable to issue a prohibition command (DI command). The effect control CPU 120 executes, for example, a predetermined command reception interrupt process in response to an interrupt caused by the effect control INT signal being turned on. In this command reception interrupt processing, a control to be a production control command or the like is performed from a predetermined input port that receives a control signal transmitted from the main board 11 via the relay board 15 among input ports included in the I / O 125. Capture the signal.

  The effect control command captured at this time is stored in an effect control command receiving buffer provided in the effect control buffer setting unit 194, for example. For example, when the effect control command has a two-byte configuration, the first byte (MODE) and the second byte (EXT) are sequentially received and stored in the effect control command receiving buffer. After that, the effect control CPU 120 sets the interruption permission, and then ends the command reception interruption processing.

  If the timer interrupt flag is on in S72 (S72; Yes), the timer interrupt flag is cleared and turned off (S73), and a command analysis process is executed (S74). In the command analysis process executed in S74, for example, after reading out various effect control commands transmitted from the game control microcomputer 100 of the main board 11 and stored in the effect control command receiving buffer, the readout is performed. Settings, controls, and the like corresponding to the effect control commands are performed.

  After executing the command analysis processing in S74, an effect control process processing is executed (S75). In the effect control process processing of S75, various operations such as an operation of displaying an effect image in the display area of the effect display device 5, an operation of outputting sound from the speaker 8, a light emitting operation of the first lamp unit 9, and a driving operation of an effect model are performed. With respect to the control content of the rendering operation using the rendering device, determination, determination, setting, and the like are performed in accordance with the rendering control command and the like transmitted from the main board 11.

  Following the effect control process process of S75, an effect random number update process is executed (S76), and the effect random number counted by the random counter of the effect control counter setting unit 193 is shown as various random numbers used for effect control. The numerical data is updated by software.

  Subsequent to the effect random number updating process of S76, the effect control CPU 120 executes a power saving mode control process of setting whether or not to enter the power saving mode and performing display control during the power saving mode (S77).

  Then, the process returns to S72. The various random numbers updated in S76 and used for the effect control include various random numbers such as MR6 to MR12 in addition to the random numbers for determining a fixed symbol described later.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the power saving mode control processing (step S77) in the effect control main processing. In the power saving mode control process, the effect control CPU 120 first checks whether or not the effect symbol change display is currently being executed and the customer waiting demonstration display is being executed (step S9001). If the customer waiting demonstration is being displayed (Y in step S9001), the effect control CPU 120 checks whether or not an operation for a power saving mode setting request has been performed (step S9002). In this embodiment, for example, a switch is provided on the back side of the gaming machine for requesting the setting of the power saving mode. Then, a power saving mode setting request operation signal is input, and it can be determined that the power saving mode setting request operation has been performed. Note that, in this embodiment, a case is shown in which a game shop clerk or the like is configured to be able to set whether or not to enter the power saving mode. The user may be able to set whether or not to enter the power saving mode.

  If the power saving mode setting request operation has been performed, effect control CPU 120 performs control to display a power saving mode setting screen for setting whether or not to enter the power saving mode on effect display device 5 (step S9003). . By operating a game clerk in accordance with the power saving mode setting screen, an operation to set the power saving mode or cancel the power saving mode can be performed. When the operation to set the power saving mode is performed (Y in step S9004), the effect control CPU 120 sets a power saving mode setting flag in a RAM register in the real-time clock 126, and controls the power saving mode (step S9004). Step S9005). On the other hand, when an operation to cancel the power saving mode is performed (N in step S9004), the effect control CPU 120 resets the power saving mode setting flag set in the RAM register in the real-time clock 126, The power saving mode ends (step S9006).

  Next, effect control CPU 120 checks whether or not the power saving mode setting flag is set (step S9007). If the power saving mode setting flag is set (that is, if it is in the power saving mode), the effect control CPU 120 controls the effect display device 5 to display a lamp or an LED with luminance according to the power saving mode ( Step S9008). Specifically, by outputting a control signal for displaying a lamp or an LED with luminance according to the power saving mode to the serial / parallel conversion ICs 92B to 95B or the like, a state in which the lamp or LED is displayed with a luminance lower than usual is displayed. Switch to

  By executing the processing of steps S9007 and S9008, if the power saving mode is set during the customer waiting demonstration display, the state is switched to a state in which the lamps and LEDs are displayed at a lower brightness than normal, and the power saving state is set. Can be switched.

  If it is not during the customer waiting demonstration display (N in step S9001), effect control CPU 120 checks whether or not the power saving mode setting flag is set (step S9009). If the power saving mode setting flag is set (that is, if it is in the power saving mode), the effect control CPU 120 reads the current date and time information from the real-time clock 126 (step S9010). It is confirmed whether or not the current time is within a predetermined power saving time zone based on the read date and time information (step S9011). If the power saving time period, the effect control CPU 120 controls the effect display device 5 to display a lamp or an LED with luminance according to the power saving mode (step S9012). Specifically, by outputting a control signal for displaying a lamp or an LED with luminance according to the power saving mode to the serial / parallel conversion ICs 92B to 95B or the like, a state in which the lamp or LED is displayed with a luminance lower than usual is displayed. Switch to

  By executing the processing of steps S9009 to S9012, even if the customer waiting demonstration display is not performed, the lamp or LED is displayed with a lower brightness than usual when the predetermined power saving time period is reached during the power saving mode. To a power saving state.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the timekeeping means (the real-time clock 126 in this example) is provided, and the timekeeping means uses a timekeeping register (in this example, a time register corresponding to addresses 0 to 6). Clocking function) and storage means (in this example, a RAM register) for storing information. In addition, information relating to a game that is not related to the timekeeping function (a power saving mode setting flag in this example) is stored in the storage means of the timekeeping means. Therefore, it is possible to control the game by effectively utilizing the storage means of the timekeeping means.

  Further, in this embodiment, the timekeeping means maintains the timekeeping function by being supplied with electric power from outside the timekeeping means (in this example, the real-time clock 126 is connected to the backup power supply 901). Therefore, even when the power supply to the gaming machine is stopped, the timekeeping function and the storage means of the timekeeping means can be maintained.

  Further, in this embodiment, no device for storing information other than the clocking means is provided. More specifically, in this embodiment, the only storage unit that is backed up by power among the storage units used for effect control is the RAM register of the real-time clock 126 that is backed up by the backup power supply 901. A RAM 122 is provided on the control board 12, but the power is not backed up. For this reason, the space in the gaming machine and the efficiency of power consumption can be improved by integrating the time counting means and one chip including the storage means.

  Further, in this embodiment, the control unit is configured to store information (in this example, a power saving mode setting flag) stored in the storage unit of the timekeeping unit and time information (in this example, a real-time clock in this example) by the timekeeping function of the timekeeping unit. The output unit (in this example, the serial / parallel conversion ICs 92B to 95B) is controlled based on the date and time information output by 126 (see steps S9009 to S9012). Therefore, the interest in the game can be further improved.

  In this embodiment, the control means outputs the output means (in this example, the serial / parallel conversion ICs 92B to 95B) based on the information (the power saving mode setting flag in this example) stored in the storage means of the time keeping means. (See steps S9007 and S9008). Therefore, the interest in the game can be further improved.

  In this embodiment, the case has been described in which the brightness of the lamp or LED is controlled by controlling the serial / parallel conversion ICs 92B to 95B based on the power saving mode setting flag and the date and time information. I can't. For example, the effect display device 5 (liquid crystal display device) and the speakers 8L and 8R are controlled based on the power saving mode setting flag and the date and time information to control the brightness of the effect display device 5 (liquid crystal display device), The volume of 8R may be controlled.

  Further, for example, the serial / parallel conversion IC 91B and the like are controlled based on the information set in the RAM register of the real-time clock 126 and the date and time information output by the real-time clock 126, and the driving means such as a motor is controlled. Is also good.

  Further, in this embodiment, the case where the power saving mode setting flag is set in the RAM register of the real-time clock 126 as the information regarding the game has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such a mode. For example, information that can specify a background screen is stored in the RAM register of the real-time clock 126 as game-related information, and the background screen displayed on the effect display device 5 or the background color is changed based on this information. You may.

  Also, for example, as information on the game, the effect display device 5 (liquid crystal display device), the set value of the brightness of the lamp and LED, and the set value of the volume of the speakers 8L and 8R are stored in the RAM register of the real-time clock 126, and this setting is performed. Based on the value, the luminance of the effect display device 5, the lamp, the LED, or the volume of the speakers 8L, 8R may be changed.

  In addition, for example, information such as the number of times of change and the number of consecutive games may be stored in the RAM register of the real-time clock 126 as information on the game, and various effects may be displayed based on the information.

  In S74 of FIG. 23, the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 25 is executed as the command analysis processing. FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed in S75 of FIG. 23 as the effect control process process. In the effect control process process shown in FIG. 26, the effect control CPU 120 first executes a winning effect effect determination process (S150).

  First, the determination processing for determining the display mode of the hold display when the additional display is performed in the first hold display area 5D will be described. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a setting example of the determination ratio of the display mode of the hold display. It is assumed that the ROM 121 stores seven types of suspension display mode determination tables corresponding to the variation categories. FIG. 27A shows the hold display mode selected when the change category is “PA1 (shortened / non-reach loss)” or the change category “PA2 (non-reach (loss)”) among the above seven types. It is a setting example (H-TBL1) of the determination ratio of the display mode of the hold display by the determination table. FIG. 27B is a setting example of the determination ratio of the display mode of the hold display by the hold display mode determination table selected when the change category is “PA3 (normal reach (losing))” among the above seven types ( H-TBL2). FIG. 27C shows the setting of the determination ratio of the display mode of the hold display by the hold display mode determination table selected when the change category is “PA4 (super reach α (loss))” among the above seven types. It is an example (H-TBL3).

  FIG. 27D shows a setting example of the determination ratio of the display mode of the hold display by the hold display mode determination table selected when the change category is “PA5 (super reach β (losing)”) among the above seven types. 27 (E) shows the hold display by the hold display mode determination table selected when the change category is “PB3 (normal reach (big hit)”) among the above seven types. 27 (F) is a setting example (H-TBL5) of the determination ratio of the mode, and FIG.27 (F) shows the hold selected when the change category is “PB4 (super reach α (big hit)”) among the above seven types. 27 (H-TBL6) is a setting example (H-TBL6) of the determination ratio of the display mode of the hold display according to the display mode determination table. 22 is a setting example (H-TBL7) of the determination ratio of the display mode of the hold display according to the hold display mode determination table selected when “H.

  According to FIG. 27, the display mode of the hold display is determined by each of the tables (A) to (G). The types of the display modes to be determined are the normal display mode, the first specific display mode, The second specific display mode is roughly classified into three. The normal display mode is “sphere”. The first specific display mode is an icon-shaped display mode using “characters” (also referred to as a character icon). The second specific display mode is an icon-shaped display mode (also called a character icon) using a “character” composed of a “human character”. An example of a "sphere" is shown in FIG. Examples of the “character icon” are shown in FIGS. 31 and 33. Examples of the “character icon” are shown in FIGS. 31 and 34. Icon-shaped reserved displays such as “character icons” and “character icons” are used for production as reserved displays of a specific display mode of a type different from the normal display mode using a general “sphere”.

  The pending display of “sphere” is displayed as “red sphere”, “yellow sphere”, “blue sphere”, and “white sphere” in each table of FIG. In the hold display of the “sphere”, for example, red and yellow are more likely to be determined when reaching, and blue and white (initial color) are more difficult to determine than when not reaching. Also, in the case of a reach, a hot reach (for example, a super reach) is more likely to determine red and yellow, and a blue and white are less likely to be determined than a non-hot reach (for example, normal reach). ing. Alternatively, according to FIGS. 6 and 27, when the special figure display result is “big hit”, red and yellow are more likely to be determined than when the special figure display result is “losing”, and blue and white are determined. It is hard to be done. In other words, the display mode of red or yellow has a higher degree of expectation that a hot effect is executed and the degree of expectation of a big hit than the display mode of blue or white. More specifically, the degree of expectation that a hot effect is executed and the degree of expectation of a big hit are high in the order of red, yellow, blue, and white.

  The display mode of the hold display of the character icon is displayed as "character" in each table of FIG. When the character is determined to be “character”, the newly added and displayed hold display is set to the character icon display mode (normal display mode). Either the display mode change effect or the change corresponding display mode change effect can be executed.

  The display mode of the character icon on-hold display is displayed as "CHARA-CLA" in each table of FIG. When the character is determined to be “Character”, the hold display newly added and displayed is set to the display mode (normal display mode) of the character icon. Either the display mode change effect or the change corresponding display mode change effect can be executed.

  According to the table of FIG. 27, as understood with reference to the determination ratio of the random number value MR6, the higher the expectation of the big hit is, the higher the fluctuation display is, the more the hold display by the character icon or the hold display by the character icon is selected. Rate is high. In this example, also, the higher the degree of expectation of the big hit, the higher the ratio of selection of the hold display by the character icon than selection by the character icon.

  After performing the winning effect determination process of S150 shown in FIG. 26, any of the following processes of S170 to 177 is performed according to the value of the effect process flag provided in the effect control flag setting unit 191 or the like, for example. Select and execute.

  The variable display start waiting process in S170 is a process executed when the value of the effect process flag is “0” which is the initial value. The variable display start waiting process is performed based on whether or not the first variation start command (or the second variation start command), the variation pattern designation command, the variable display result notification command, and the like transmitted from the main board 11 are received. The processing includes determining whether to start the variable display of the decorative symbol on the display device 5 or the like. When it is determined that the variable display of the decorative symbol is started, the value of the effect process flag is updated to “1”.

  The variable display start setting process in S171 is a process executed when the value of the effect process flag is “1”. The variable display start setting process is performed in response to the start of the variable display of the special symbol in the special figure game by the first special symbol display device 4A or the second special symbol display device 4B. In order to perform variable display and various other staging operations, a process of determining a fixed decorative symbol according to a variation pattern of a special symbol, a type of display result, etc., and shifting a first hold display or a second hold display to activate A process of displaying a special image representing information corresponding to the active display corresponding to the first hold display or the second hold display in the display area AHA, various effects, and effect modes of various effects (for example, an active display which is a main notice effect) A change effect, and a process of determining the active display change effect). After that, the value of the effect process flag is updated to “2”.

  The variable display effect process in S172 is a process executed when the value of the effect process flag is “2”. In the variable display effect processing, the effect control CPU 120 sets the effect control pattern based on the effect control pattern determined in the variable display start setting processing in accordance with the timer value of the effect control process timer provided in the effect control timer setting unit 192. Then, various control data are read out, and various effect controls (for example, variable display control of decorative symbols during variable display of decorative symbols) are performed. Specifically, the effect control CPU 120 controls the video signal (effect image) to be output to the effect display device 5 to be displayed on the screen based on the read control data, and outputs the effect sound signal to the sound control board 13. Then, various effect controls such as control for outputting effect sound from the speaker 8 and control for outputting an illumination signal to the first lamp drive unit 14 to turn on / off / blink the first lamp unit 9 are executed.

  After performing such effect control, for example, in response to reading of an end code indicating the end of variable display of a decorative symbol from the effect control pattern, or receiving a symbol confirmation command transmitted from the main board 11, etc. Then, the fixed decorative symbol as the final stop symbol which is the variable display result of the decorative symbol is completely stopped and displayed. If the final decorative symbol is completely stopped and displayed in response to the end code being read from the effect control pattern, when the variable display time corresponding to the variation pattern designated by the variation pattern designation command has elapsed, Even without relying on the effect control command from the main board 11, the effect decorative board 12 can autonomously derive and display the determined decorative symbol to determine the variable display result. When the fixed decoration symbol is completely stopped and displayed, the value of the effect process flag is updated to “3”.

  The waiting process per special figure in S173 is a process executed when the value of the effect process flag is “3”. In this special figure hit waiting processing, effect control CPU 120 determines whether or not a hit start designation command transmitted from main board 11 has been received. Then, when the hit start designation command is received, if the hit start designation command designates the start of the big hit game state, the value of the effect process flag is set to “6” corresponding to the big hit medium effect process. Update to On the other hand, when the hit start designation command is received, if the hit start designation command designates the start of the small hitting game state, the value of the effect process flag is set to a value corresponding to the small hit medium effect process. Is updated to “4”. Also, when the effect control process timer times out without receiving the hit start designation command, it is determined that the special figure display result in the special figure game is "losing", and the value of the effect process flag is the initial value. Update to "0".

  The small hit middle production process in S174 is a process executed when the value of the production process flag is “4”. In the small hit effect production process, the effect control CPU 120 sets, for example, an effect control pattern or the like corresponding to the effect content in the small hit game state, reads out various control data based on the set contents, and changes the variable in S172. In the same manner as the effect processing during display, various effect controls in the small hitting game state are executed by outputting a video signal, an effect sound signal, an illumination signal, and the like. In the small hit middle production process, for example, in response to receiving a hit end designation command from the main board 11, the value of the production process flag is updated to “5” which is a value corresponding to the small hit end production. .

  The small hit end effect process in S175 is a process executed when the value of the effect process flag is “5”. In the small hit end effect processing, the effect control CPU 120 sets an effect control pattern or the like corresponding to, for example, the end of the small hit game state, reads out various control data based on the set contents, and changes the variable in S172. As in the case of the during-display effect processing, various effect controls are performed at the end of the small hitting game state by outputting a video signal, an effect sound signal, an illumination signal, and the like. After that, the value of the effect process flag is updated to the initial value “0”.

  The big hit production process in S176 is a process executed when the value of the production process flag is “6”. In the big hit effect production process, the effect control CPU 120 sets, for example, an effect control pattern or the like corresponding to the effect contents in the big hit game state, reads out various control data based on the set contents, and performs variable display in S172. Similarly to the effect processing, various effect controls in the big hit game state are executed by outputting a video signal, an effect sound signal, an illumination signal, and the like. In addition, in the big hit production process, the value of the production process flag is updated to “7” corresponding to the ending production process, for example, in response to receiving a hit end designation command from the main board 11.

  The ending effect process of S177 is a process executed when the value of the effect process flag is “7”. In the ending effect processing, the effect control CPU 120 sets an effect control pattern or the like corresponding to, for example, the end of the big hit game state, reads out various control data based on the set contents, and performs the variable display effect in S172. In the same manner as the processing, various effect control at the end of the big hit game state is executed by outputting a video signal, an effect sound signal, an illumination signal, and the like. After that, the value of the effect process flag is updated to the initial value “0”.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the process executed in S171 of FIG. 26 as the variable display start setting process. In the variable display start setting process shown in FIG. 28, the effect control CPU 120 first reads the EXT data in the variable display result notification command transmitted from the main board 11, for example, so that the special figure display result is “losing”. It is determined whether or not it becomes (S522). When it is determined that the special figure display result is “losing” (S522; Yes), the designated fluctuation pattern is read by reading the EXT data in the fluctuation pattern designation command transmitted from the main board 11, for example. This is a non-reach variation pattern (ie, “PA1-1”, “PA2-1”, “PA2-2”, and “PA2-3” in FIG. 6) corresponding to the case where the variable display mode of the decorative symbol is “non-reach”. It is determined whether or not (S523).

  When it is determined in S523 that the pattern is the non-reach variation pattern (S523; Yes), the combination of the final decorative symbols constituting the final non-reach combination is determined (S524). As an example, in the process of S524, first, numerical data indicating a random value for determining a left confirmed symbol, which is updated by a random counter or the like provided in the effect control counter setting unit 193, is extracted and stored in advance in the ROM 121 or the like. By referring to a predetermined left determined symbol determination table or the like, the left determined decorative symbol stopped and displayed in the “left” effect symbol display area 5L in the display area of the effect display device 5 is determined among the determined decorative symbols.

  Next, numerical data indicating a random number value for determining a right determined symbol updated by a random counter or the like provided in the effect control counter setting unit 193 is extracted, and a predetermined right determined symbol determination table stored in advance in the ROM 121 or the like. And the like, among the determined decorative symbols, the right determined decorative symbol stopped and displayed in the “right” rendered symbol display area 5R in the display area of the effect display device 5 is determined. At this time, the symbol number of the right determined decorative symbol may be determined so as to be different from the symbol number of the left determined decorative symbol by setting or the like in the right determined symbol determining table. Subsequently, numerical data indicating a random value for determining a medium-fixed symbol to be updated by a random counter or the like provided in the effect control counter setting unit 193 is extracted, and a predetermined medium-fixed symbol determination table stored in advance in the ROM 121 or the like. And the like, to determine the middle fixed decoration symbol that is stopped and displayed in the “medium” effect symbol display area 5C in the display area of the effect display device 5 among the fixed decoration symbols. In the process of S524, it is sufficient to determine the non-reach combination confirmed decorative symbol that becomes the predetermined chance symbol symbol in response to the case where the variable symbol notice is being executed.

  When it is determined in S523 that the pattern is not the non-reach variation pattern (S523; No), the combination of the fixed decorative symbols that are the final stop symbols constituting the reach combination is determined (S525). As an example, in the process of S525, first, numerical data indicating a random value for determining a left and right fixed symbol, which is updated by a random counter or the like provided in the effect control counter setting unit 193, is extracted and stored in advance in the ROM 121 or the like. By referring to a predetermined left and right fixed symbol determination table, among the determined decorative symbols, the symbols which are stopped and displayed together in the "left" and "right" effect symbol display areas 5L, 5R in the display area of the effect display device 5. A decorative pattern having the same number is determined. Further, it extracts numerical data indicating a random value for determining a medium-determined symbol which is updated by a random counter or the like provided in the effect control counter setting unit 193, and extracts a predetermined medium-determined symbol determination table stored in advance in the ROM 121 or the like. By reference, etc., among the determined decorative symbols, the middle determined decorative symbol stopped and displayed in the “medium” rendered symbol display area 5C in the display area of the effect display device 5 is determined.

  When it is determined in S522 that the special figure display result is not “losing” (S522; No), if the special figure display result is “big hit” and the big hit type is “probable”, or if the special figure display result is “ It is determined whether the case is "small hit" or other cases (S526). When it is determined to be "striking" or "small hit" (S526; Yes), a final decorative symbol which is a final stop symbol corresponding to the case of "slipping" or "small hit", for example, an opening chance eye. Are determined (S527). In this case, numerical data indicating a random number for determining a chance eye updated by a random counter or the like provided in the effect control counter setting unit 193 is extracted, and a predetermined chance eye determination table stored in advance in the ROM 121 or the like. , Etc., the combination of the fixed decorative symbols constituting any of the opening chance eyes may be determined.

  When it is determined in S526 that it is "non-probable" or "probable" other than "probable" or "small hit" (S526; No), the combination of the definitive decorative symbols to be the final stop symbol constituting the big hit combination is determined. (S528). As an example, in the process of S528, first, numerical data indicating a random number value for determining a jackpot determined symbol, which is updated by a random counter or the like of the effect control counter setting unit 193, is extracted, and then a predetermined value stored in the ROM 121 or the like in advance is extracted. The symbols which are stopped and displayed in the "left", "medium", "right" effect symbol display areas 5L, 5C, 5R on the screen of the effect display device 5 by referring to the big hit fixed symbol determination table. A decorative pattern having the same number is determined. At this time, a decision may be made that a different decorative symbol is to be a determined decorative symbol according to whether the jackpot type is “non-probable” or “probable”, whether or not there is a promotion effect during the big hit.

  If it is specified that the time is not short in the processing of S513 in the command analysis processing of FIG. 25 (S155: NO), after executing any of the processing of S524, S525, S527, and S528, the suspension digestion processing is executed. (S531). Specifically, an active display corresponding to the change is displayed in the active display area AHA (in other words, a special image including the active display corresponding to the change is displayed). For example, when the change of the decorative symbol is started in conjunction with the first special figure game (when the variable display of the current decorative symbol is linked with the first special figure game), the first reserved display area 5D is displayed. The active display corresponding to the hold display displayed on the right end is displayed in the active display area AHA (a special image including the active display corresponding to the hold display displayed on the right end of the first hold display area 5D is displayed). . More specifically, effect control CPU 120 uses an effect control pattern for moving the active display corresponding to the hold display displayed on the right end of first hold display area 5D to active display area AHA and displaying the active display. By setting the pattern as a pattern and transmitting a display control command specified by the display control data included in the set effect control pattern to the VDP or the like of the display control unit 123, the right end of the first reserved display area 5D Is displayed in the active display area AHA. Note that the active display in the active display area AHA may be displayed in the same manner as the hold display, or may be displayed in a display mode corresponding to the hold display but different from the hold display. The same applies to the case where the change of the decorative symbol is started in conjunction with the second special figure game.

  Further, in the process of S531, when there is a hold display in addition to the held hold display (active display) in the first hold display area 5D, the effect control CPU 120 displays the other hold display in the first hold display area. When the display is shifted in 5D and there is a hold display in addition to the active display in the second hold display area 5U, the other hold display is shifted in the second hold display area 5U.

  After executing the processing of S531, the effect execution setting processing is executed (S532). The effect execution setting process (S532) includes a process of determining whether or not to execute an active display change effect for the active display corresponding to the change when the suspended display is determined to be “sphere”. The process of determining the type of the active display change effect, the process of determining the effect mode of the active display change effect when executed, the process of determining the execution timing of the active display change effect when executed, and the results of these processes A process for setting (or resetting) the effect control pattern based on the process is included.

  The effect execution setting process (S532) includes a display mode change effect execution timing selection process when the newly appearing and holding display is determined to be an icon-shaped display mode such as a character icon or a character icon. It further includes a display mode change effect type selection process, an icon effect setting process for executing the change mode selection process, a process for setting (or resetting) an effect control pattern based on the results of these processes, and the like.

  The display mode change effect execution timing selection processing is an execution timing of a display mode change effect (hold display mode change effect or change corresponding display mode change effect) corresponding to the hold storage in which the hold display is performed in the form of a character icon or a character icon. Is a process of selecting and determining. As shown in FIGS. 29B and 29C, the execution timing of such a hold display is, for example, during the hold display after the first hold display shift after the hold display corresponding to the hold storage appears. And the timing during active display corresponding to the hold storage.

  The display mode change effect type selection processing selects and determines the type of the display mode change effect (hold display mode change effect or change corresponding display mode change effect) of the hold display or active display of the icon shape of “character” or “character”. Processing. As shown in FIGS. 29 (D) and (E), the type of such a display mode change effect is selectively determined to be any of the first change effect to the fourth change effect.

  The change mode selection processing selects and determines the effect mode of the hold display or the active display of the display mode change effect (hold display mode change effect or change corresponding display mode change effect) of the display of the icon shape of “character” or “character”. Processing. As shown in FIGS. 29 (F) to (M) and the like, the display mode change effect of the character icon (the hold display mode change effect or the change corresponding display mode change effect) is displayed as “no change” and “opportunity”. And "hot heat" display. The effect mode of the character icon display mode change effect (pending display mode change effect or change corresponding display mode change effect) is selected and determined to be "no change", "two" display, or "three" display. You.

  After executing the processing of S532, the execution setting of the effect during other variable display is performed (S533). As an example, in the process of S533, the execution setting of “one-shot notification effect” for immediately notifying (conclusively notifying) that the variable display result becomes “big hit” by the big hit notification sound or the big hit notification light emission may be performed. . Examples of the jackpot notification sound are an alarm sound, a chime sound, a siren sound, and the like. One example of the big hit notification light emission is light emission of a flash lamp. In the process of S533, regardless of whether or not the variable display result is "big hit", for example, it may be set so that an effect in a predetermined mode is executed for liveliness. For example, it may be set so that an effect in which the first lamp unit 9 emits light is executed.

  After executing the process of S533, an initial value of the effect control process timer provided in the effect control timer setting unit 192 is set, for example, corresponding to the variation pattern specified by the variation pattern designation command (S534). Subsequently, a variable display etc. start setting process for performing setting for starting a variation of a decorative symbol or the like in the effect display device 5 is executed (S535). For example, the effect display device is transmitted by transmitting a display control command specified by the display control data included in the effect control pattern set as the use pattern in the effect execution setting process of S532 to the VDP or the like of the display control unit 123. The sound output from the speaker 8 is transmitted to the sound control board 13 by transmitting to the sound control board 13 a setting for starting the change of the decorative design on the screen of the display 5 and a sound signal specified by the sound control data included in the effect control pattern. For starting the light emission in the first lamp unit 9 by, for example, transmitting the setting for starting or transmitting an illumination signal specified by the lamp control data included in the effect control pattern to the first lamp driving unit 14. Make settings.

  After executing the processing of S535, the command stored in the first start winning reception command buffer 194A or the second start winning reception command buffer 194B is digested (S536). Specifically, when the variable display of the decoration symbol is started in conjunction with the first special figure game, the effect control CPU 120 is the smallest command among the commands associated with the first start winning reception command buffer 194A. The command (one set) stored in the area corresponding to the buffer number is deleted, and the command stored in the area corresponding to the buffer number larger than the buffer number of the deleted command (first starting port winning designation command). When the variable display of the decorative symbol is started in conjunction with the second special figure game, the command is stored in the second start winning reception command buffer. Among the commands, the command (one set) stored in the area corresponding to the smallest buffer number is deleted and deleted. The command stored in the area corresponding to the larger buffer number than the buffer number of the command, shifts while maintaining the winning order.

  In the process of S536, the information stored in the first prefetch notice buffer 194C or the second prefetch notice buffer 194D provided in the RAM 122 or the like is also deleted or shifted in accordance with the deletion or shift of the command. Thereafter, the value of the effect process flag is updated to “2”, which is a value corresponding to the effect process during variable display (S537), and the variable display start setting process ends.

  Here, the effect execution setting process (S532) will be described in detail. First, a process of determining whether or not to execute an active display change effect for an active display corresponding to the change, and a process of determining the type of active display change effect when it is determined to execute the active display change effect (which active The process of determining whether to execute the display change effect) will be described.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an effect pattern table at the time of holding selection. In particular, FIG. 29A shows a setting example of the determination ratio by the active display change effect execution presence / absence determination table. 29 (B) to 29 (M) show display mode change effect execution timing selection processing and display mode change effect type selection when the hold display is determined to be an icon-shaped display mode such as a character icon or a character icon. It is various data tables used for a process and the icon effect setting process which performs a change mode selection process.

  More specifically, in the setting example of FIG. 29A, when the display mode of the hold display is determined to be “sphere”, whether to execute the active display change effect and the type of the active display change effect (which It is a setting example of the determination ratio of the effect form of the active display change effect when executing the active display change effect. In the active display change effect execution presence / absence determination table, numerical values (decision values) to be compared with the random number value MR7 (not shown) for determining whether or not to execute the active display change effect are “executed” and “not executed”. Are assigned at a determined ratio as shown in FIG. Further, in the “executed” of the active display change effect execution presence / absence determination table, a numerical value (determined value) to be compared with the random number value MR7 for determination (not shown) includes “first system change effect” and “ Each of the "second system change effect" and the "first system change effect and the second system change effect" is assigned with a determination ratio as shown in FIG. In addition, the first system change effect includes a plurality of types of effect modes with similar effect modes. The second system change effect includes a plurality of types of effect modes with similar effect modes. Specifically, the first system change effect is an effect that affects the display mode of the active display, and the second system change effect is an effect that operates on the display mode of the active display frame. The target that acts in the second system change effect is different.

  Note that “executed” and “first system change effect” indicate that the first system change effect is performed as an active display change effect, and “executed” and “second system change effect” indicate that the second system change effect is performed. The “active” and “first system change effect and second system change effect” indicate that the effect is performed as an active display change effect, and “active system change effect” indicates that both the first system change effect and the second system change effect are active display changes. Indicates that it will be performed as an effect. "No execution" indicates that no active display change effect is performed. Further, the variation pattern 1-X represents the variation pattern PA1-1 shown in FIG. 6, and the variation pattern PA2-X represents one of the variation patterns PA2-1, PA2-2, and PA2-3 shown in FIG. , The variation pattern PA3-X represents one of the variation patterns PA3-1 and PA3-2 shown in FIG. 6, and the variation pattern PA4 is the variation pattern PA4-1, PA4-2, PA4-3, Represents any of PA4-4. The same applies to the variation patterns PA5-X, PB4-X, and PB5-X.

  Here, returning to FIG. 28 again, the variable display start setting processing will be continuously described. In the effect execution setting process (S532), effect control CPU 120 selects a character icon or a character icon from the hold display mode determination table shown in FIG. 27 as the hold display newly displayed. At this time, for example, as described with reference to FIGS. 29B to 29M, a process for realizing a display mode change effect with the effect contents selected and determined is executed. For example, when the display mode change effect timing is selected and determined as being on hold according to FIG. 29 (B) or FIG. 29 (C), after the hold display is shifted in accordance with the hold exhaustion in the variable display to be started from now on, As described above, a setting process for executing a display mode change effect with the effect contents selected and determined is performed.

  On the other hand, in the effect execution setting process (S532), when the display mode change effect timing is selected and determined as active display in FIG. 29 (B) or FIG. 29 (C), the active display corresponding to the hold storage to be effected Until is executed, the data specifying the effect contents selected and determined as described above is associated with the data of the buffer number in the first start winning reception command buffer 194A corresponding to the hold storage to be effected. In addition to storing the active-mode change effect designation data for designating execution of the display-mode change effect, the data for specifying the effect content selected and determined as described above is stored in the display-mode change effect provided in the RAM 122. It is stored in the effect storage area. Then, in step S532 of the effect execution setting process, the effect control CPU 120 determines whether or not the variable display to be started is a variable display corresponding to the pending storage of the effect target specified by the change effect specifying data during active display. Is determined, and when it is determined that the display is a variable display corresponding to the hold storage of the production target, the display form change during the active display is performed based on the data specifying the production content stored in the display form change production storage area. Perform the production.

  By performing the processing as described above, in the effect execution setting process (S532), the display mode of the hold display is selected by the character icon or the character icon, and when the display mode change effect is executed, the display mode is changed. The effect execution setting process (S532) during the first hold display after the appearance of the hold display to be changed or during the active display when the variable display based on the hold storage corresponding to the hold display is executed. , A display mode change effect is executed.

  In the effect execution setting process (S532), the effect control CPU 120 determines the active display change effect execution presence / absence determination table and the random number value MR7 for the active display change effect execution presence / absence determination for the suspended display displayed as “sphere”. And whether or not to execute the active display change effect, based on the change pattern (variable display pattern) of the change (variable display) specified by the change pattern specifying command, It is determined which of the plurality of active display change effects is to be executed.

  The effect control CPU 120 first determines whether or not to execute the active display change effect, and when it is determined that “execution is performed”, the “first system change effect”, the “second system change effect”, or the “first system change effect”. And second system change effect "may be determined.

  FIG. 30 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the display mode change effect and the presence or absence of execution of the display mode change in the display mode change effect. FIG. 30A shows an example in which the display mode change effect is executed after the display mode change effect is executed for the hold display or the active display. FIG. 30B illustrates an example in which the display mode change effect is not executed after the display mode change effect is executed for the hold display or the active display.

  FIG. 31 shows a character icon selection table and a character icon selection table. FIG. 31A shows a character icon selection table, and FIG. 31B shows a character selection table.

  In the character icon selection table of FIG. 31 (A), a character icon consisting of the character “Caution” in the normal display mode selected as the display when the hold display appears, and the effect selection of FIGS. 29 (F) to (I) A character icon consisting of the character "Opportunity" selectable as the first change display at the time of the display mode change effect by the table, and the second change at the time of the display mode change effect by the effect selection tables of FIGS. 29 (F) to (I). A character icon consisting of the character "hot" which can be selected for display is set to be selectable. The degree of expectation of these character icons to the big hit has a relationship of “attention” <“opportunity” <“hot fever”.

  In the character icon selection table of FIG. 31 (B), the character icon of “one person” in the normal display mode selected as the display at the time of appearance of the hold display and the effect selection tables of FIGS. 29 (J) to (M) are shown. 29 can be selected as the second change display at the time of the display mode change effect by using the "two" character icon selectable as the first change display at the time of the display mode change effect and the effect selection tables of FIGS. 29 (J) to (M). And three "three" character icons are set to be selectable. The degree of expectation of these character icons to the big hit has a relationship of “1 person” <“2 people” <“3 people”.

  Next, a description will be given of a change effect pattern table in which data for selecting the effect patterns of the above-described first to fourth change effects is set. The change effect pattern table is stored in the RAM 122.

  FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a change effect pattern table. In the change effect pattern table, an effect pattern when a change effect is selected during the hold display and a change effect during the active display are selected for each of the first to fourth change effects. The effect pattern at the time is shown. The selection for performing the change effect during the hold display and the selection for performing the change effect during the active display are made using the data tables of FIGS. 29B to 29E.

  Next, an example of an effect display when a character icon is displayed as the hold display will be described. FIG. 33 is a display screen diagram illustrating an effect display example when the character icon 61 is displayed as the hold display on the effect display device 5.

  When a new first hold storage occurs and a hold display mode using character icons is determined using the hold display mode determination table as shown in FIG. 27, first, as shown in FIG. A display is shown in which a hold display by the character icon 61 of “caution” display, which is a normal display mode, appears in the first hold display area 5D.

  The timing of the change effect is selected and determined as “on hold display” in the change effect timing selection table at the time of character hold display in FIG. 29B, and the change effect type is determined by the character hold change effect type selection table in FIG. 29D. Is selected as the “first change effect”, during the hold display after the first hold shift after the hold display by the character icon 61 displaying the “caution” appears, as shown in FIG. As shown, as the display mode change effect, a first change effect in which the blue arrow acts downward with respect to the hold display by the character icon 61 of “Caution” display is executed.

  When the display after the first change effect is selected and determined to be "hot" display in the change selection table during the first change effect suspension display of FIG. 29 (F), the first change effect is displayed as shown in FIG. 33 (C). Display Form by Change Effect After the change effect is performed, the hold display by the character icon 61 is changed from the “caution” display to the “hot heat” display in the first hold display area 5D. As described above, when the hold display by the character icon 61 changes, the player's expectation of the jackpot for the hold display can be increased, and the interest of the game can be improved.

  Next, a description will be given of an effect display example when a character icon is displayed as the active display after the hold display. FIG. 34 is a display screen diagram showing an effect display example of the active display after the character icon 62 is displayed as the hold display on the effect display device 5.

  When a new first hold storage is generated and a hold display mode using character icons is determined using the hold display mode determination table as shown in FIG. 27, first, as shown in FIG. A display is displayed in which the hold display by the character icon 62 of the “single” display, which is the normal display mode, appears in the first hold display area 5D. In the state of FIG. 34A, after the hold display by the character icon 62 of “single person display” appears and is displayed, the previous hold display is digested, and “1” is displayed as the hold display for performing the next variable display. A state in which the hold display by the character icon 62 of “person” display is shown.

  Then, the timing of the change effect is selected and determined as “actively displayed” in the change effect timing selection table during character hold display in FIG. 29 (C), and the change effect is changed according to the character hold change effect type selection table in FIG. 29 (E). When the effect type is selected and determined as “fourth change effect”, the active display corresponding to the hold display by the character icon 62 displaying “one person” as shown in FIG. In the AHA, this is performed by the character icon 62 of “single” display, and as shown in FIG. 34B, as a display mode change effect, a red arrow is displayed horizontally on the active display by the character icon 62 of “one” display. A fourth change effect acting from the direction is executed.

  Then, when the display after the third change effect is selected and determined to be “three” display by the change selection table during the fourth change effect active display of FIG. 29 (M), as shown in FIG. 34 (C), After the execution of the change effect by the fourth change effect, the hold display by the character icon 62 is changed from the “one” display to the “three” display in the active display area AHA. As described above, when the active display by the character icon 62 changes, it is possible to increase the player's sense of expectation of the big hit for the current variable display, and it is possible to improve the interest of the game.

  Next, an icon effect included in the effect execution setting process (S532) for setting an effect when a hold display using character icons and character icons is performed using the various data tables of FIGS. 29 (B) to (M). The setting process will be described.

  FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing the icon effect setting process. The processing for setting an effect when performing the hold display or the active display by the character icon and the character icon using the various data tables of FIGS. 29B to 29M is described above in the effect execution setting process (S532). As described above in connection with the processing contents related to the above, in FIG. 35, in order to clarify the flow of the setting of the effect at the time of performing the hold display or the active display by the character icon and the character icon, the specific icon effect setting process The processing will be described.

  In the table shown in FIG. 27, when the character icon or the reserved display mode of the character icon is selected and determined, an icon effect setting process is executed. In the icon effect setting process, the effect control CPU 120 executes the following process. First, a random value MR10 is extracted, and a change effect timing selection table shown in FIG. 29 (B) or FIG. 29 (C) is used according to the character icon or character icon selected in the table of FIG. Then, one of "on hold display" and "active display" is selected and determined as the execution timing of the display mode change effect (S700).

  Next, the random number value MR11 is extracted, and the change shown in FIG. 29D or FIG. 29E is made according to the change production execution timing of “on hold display” or “active display” selected and determined in S700. By using the effect type selection table, “first change effect” or “second change effect” is selected and determined for “on hold display”, and “third change effect” or “third change effect” for “active display”. "4th change effect" is selected and determined (S701).

  Next, it is determined whether or not “first change effect” is selected and determined in S701 (S702). When it is determined in S702 that “first change effect” has been selected and determined, it is determined whether “on hold display” has been selected and determined in S700 (S703). When it is determined in step S703 that “on hold display” is selected and determined, a random value MR12 is extracted to execute the first change effect during the hold display, and the first change effect hold shown in FIG. Using the change selection table during display, one of “No change”, “Opportunity” display, and “Intense heat” display is changed according to the display result (big hit, loss) after the first change effect. (S704), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S703 that “on hold display” is not selected and determined (when active display is selected and determined), the random number value MR12 is used to execute the first change effect during active display. Using the change selection table during the first change effect active display of FIG. 29 (G), “no change”, “opportunity”, and “hot heat” are displayed in accordance with the display result (big hit, loss). One of them is selected and determined as the display change mode after the first change effect (S705), and the process ends.

  If it is determined in S702 that “first change effect” has not been selected and determined in S701, it is determined whether or not “second change effect” has been selected and determined in S701 (S706). If it is determined in S706 that the “second change effect” has been selected and determined, it is determined whether or not “on hold display” has been selected and determined in S700 (S707).

  When it is determined in step S707 that “on hold display” is selected and determined, the random number value MR12 is extracted to execute the second change effect during the hold display, and the second change effect hold shown in FIG. Using the change selection table during display, one of “No change”, “Opportunity” display, and “Intense heat” display is changed according to the display result (big hit, loss), after the second change effect. (S708), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S707 that “on hold display” is not selected and determined (when active display is selected and determined), the random number value MR12 is used to execute the second change effect during active display. Using the change selection table during the second change effect active display of FIG. 29 (I), the display of “no change”, “opportunity”, and “heat” is displayed according to the display result (big hit, loss). One of them is selected and determined as the display change mode after the second change effect (S709), and the process ends.

  When it is determined in S706 that the “second change effect” has not been selected and determined, it is determined whether or not the “third change effect” has been selected and determined in S701 (S710). When it is determined in S710 that “third change effect” has been selected and determined, it is determined whether or not “pending display” has been selected and determined in S700 (S711). When it is determined in S711 that “on hold display” is selected and determined, the random number value MR12 is extracted to execute the third change effect during the hold display, and the third change effect hold shown in FIG. Using the change selection table during display, one of “no change”, “two people” display, and “three people” display is changed according to the display result (big hit, loss) after the third change effect. The selection is determined as the mode (S712), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S711 that “on hold display” is not selected and determined (when active display is selected and determined), the random number value MR12 is output to execute the third change effect during active display. Is extracted, and "no change", "two", "three" are displayed according to the display result (big hit, loss) using the third change effect active display change selection table of FIG. 29 (K). Is determined as the display change mode after the third change effect (S713), and the process ends.

  If it is determined in S710 that “third change effect” has not been selected and determined in S701, it is determined whether or not “fourth change effect” has been selected and determined in S701 (S714). If it is determined in S714 that “fourth change effect” has been selected and determined, it is determined whether or not “on hold display” has been selected and determined in S700 (S715). When it is determined in S715 that “on hold display” is selected and determined, a random number value MR12 is extracted to execute the fourth change effect during the hold display, and the fourth change effect hold in FIG. Using the change selection table during display, one of “no change”, “two” display, and “three” display is changed according to the display result (big hit, loss) after the fourth change effect. The mode is selected and determined (S716), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S715 that “pending display” is not selected and determined (when active display is selected and determined), the random number value MR12 is executed to execute the fourth change effect during active display. Is extracted, and "no change", "two", and "three" are displayed in accordance with the display result (big hit, loss) using the change selection table during the fourth change effect active display of FIG. 29 (M). Is determined as the display change mode after the fourth change effect (S717), and the process ends.

  By the icon effect setting process described above, the effect using the character icon or the character icon is set, and the variable display effect process (S172) is executed based on the setting in the process. Such a suspended display mode change effect and a change corresponding display mode change effect as shown in FIG. 34 are executed.

[Modification of display mode change effect by icon display]
Next, various modifications of the above-described active display effects will be described.

  (A) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 29 (B) to (M), and FIGS. 33 and 34, a total of one timing during the hold display and one timing during the active display is used. The example has been described in which the display mode change effect of changing the display mode of the character icon display or the character icon display can be executed at any one of the timings. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 36, the execution timing of the display mode change effect during the hold display may be selectable from a plurality of timings.

  FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an effect of selecting the execution timing of the display mode change effect during the hold display from a plurality of timings. FIG. 36A shows a first hold display area 5D and an active display area AHA for explaining the timing of the display mode change effect. FIG. 36B shows a modification of the character hold display change effect timing selection table shown in FIG. 29B. FIG. 36 (C) shows a modification of the character hold display change effect timing selection table shown in FIG. 29 (C).

  With reference to FIG. 36 (A), in this modification, at one of a total of three timings, that is, two timings during the hold display and one timing during the active display, character icon display, Alternatively, a display mode change effect of changing the display mode of the character icon display can be executed. The two display mode change effect execution timings during the hold display are, for example, numbered “2” in the hold display areas numbered “1” to “4” in the first hold display area 5D. When the hold display is made in the display area where the hold display corresponding to the second oldest hold storage is made (during the first hold display), the first oldest hold storage numbered "1" is displayed. And when the hold display is displayed in the corresponding display area where the hold display is performed (during the second hold display).

  In this modification, as described above, the display mode change effect is executed at one selected timing from the three timings during the first hold display, the second hold display, and the active display. In this modification, when the hold display is performed in the character icon display, the timing is selected using the character hold display change effect timing selection table of FIG. 36 (B). In the table of FIG. 36B, the rate at which the change of the display mode of the character icon is selected during the active display is set lower than during the hold display, as in the table of FIG. 29B. On the other hand, in this modification, when the hold display is performed in the character icon display, the timing is selected using the character hold display change effect timing selection table of FIG. In the table of FIG. 36C, the rate at which the change of the display mode of the character icon is selected during the hold display is set lower than in the active display, as in the table of FIG. 29C. With such a setting, in this modification, the same effect as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained. Further, in this way, the effect becomes more varied and the effect of the effect can be further improved.

  In addition, when the hold display is performed in the character icon display, the selection ratio is set higher as the hold display is closer to the hold display area where the hold display appears. Thereby, when the hold display is performed in the character icon display, when the display mode change effect is executed at the timing during the first hold display, and when the display mode change effect is executed at the timing during the second hold display. Thus, the selection ratios of the “no change”, “opportunity” display, and “hot heat” display may be made different (for example, the higher the selection ratio, the lower the selection ratio of “hot heat” display).

  In this modification, an example has been described in which, for example, a display mode change effect can be executed for a part (two) of the four hold display areas during the hold display. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the display mode change effect may be made executable during the hold display for all the hold display areas. Further, as for the active display, a period during which the execution of the active display is continued is divided into a plurality of periods, and each of the plurality of periods is set as a period during which the display mode change effect can be executed. The period in which the effect is performed may be selectable. In this way, the effect becomes more varied and the effect of the effect can be further improved.

  The timing at which the display mode change effect is executed includes those described in the above-described embodiment and modified examples, and includes a plurality of timings during a suspended display period and a variable display period corresponding to the target suspended storage. Any timing may be set as long as it is executed at any timing.

  (B) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 31 and the like, an example is shown in which the display mode of the character icon changes due to the display mode change effect when the hold display is performed with a character icon. When the icon is displayed, the display mode of the character icon changes due to the display mode change effect. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As a modified example of the change pattern of the display mode change effect, for example, when the hold display is performed by the character icon, the character icon is changed to the character icon by the display mode change effect at a predetermined ratio. An effect that changes to another icon may be performed. Further, when the hold display is performed by a character icon, an effect of changing the character icon to another icon such as a character icon by a display mode change effect may be performed at a predetermined ratio. By performing such an effect, the player can be noticed that a change in the display mode of the specific display (display mode of the icon) or a change in the type of the specific display (type of the icon) occurs. Interest can be further improved.

  In this modification, as the icon after the change, for example, a character icon, and an icon display that can be displayed when the hold display appears, such as a character icon, may be used. A specific icon display may be used.

  (C) In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the display mode change effects as shown in FIGS. 30 to 36 can be executed during either the hold display or the active display. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the display mode change effect may be executable at both timing during the hold display and during the active display.

  (D) In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the display mode change effects as shown in FIGS. 30 to 36 can be executed at any one of the timings during the hold display period and the active display period. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the display mode change effect may be performed stepwise at a plurality of times during the hold display period and the active display period. In this case, for example, the change mode of the icon display may be selected in a plurality of steps, and the icon display may be selected and set so that the icon display can be changed stepwise at a plurality of times.

  (E) In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the hold display or the active display as the target of the display mode change effect as shown in FIGS. 30 to 36 is displayed in the form of an icon. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the hold display or the active display as the target of the display mode change effect may be a display mode different from the display mode of the normal display (for example, “sphere”), and is not limited to the icon shape. . Therefore, even if the hold display or the active display hold display that is the target of the display mode change effect is a sphere, the display mode is different from the display mode such as the shape and color acquired by the normal display (for example, the size is different, the color is different). Are different).

  (F) When there are a plurality of types of the hold display or the active display (for example, the type of the icon display selected at the time of the hold appearance display) to be the target of the display mode change effect as shown in FIGS. Among the plurality of timings during the display period and during the active display period, a type in which the display mode change effect is not executed at all during the hold display period may be included, and the display mode change effect is executed at all during the active display period. Types that are not performed may be included.

  (G) In the above-described embodiment, the hold display as shown in FIG. 30 to FIG. 36 is executed at the time of the start winning (holding storage) as shown in FIG. Although an example in which only the display mode at the time of appearance display is selected and determined has been described, at the time of such a start winning prize (at the time of hold storage), during the hold display or active display as shown in FIGS. The final display mode (no change, “opportunity”, “hot fever”, “two people”, “three people”, etc.) after the change display effect may be selected and determined.

  (H) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 27, the display mode of the hold display as the execution target of the display mode change effect as shown in FIGS. , The character icon, and the color of the character icon and the color of the character icon may also be selected and determined, as in the above-mentioned “sphere”. That is, the display mode of the hold display as the execution target of the display mode change effect may be such that a combination of the icon shape and the icon color can be selected and determined. The same icon may be set so that the degree of expectation for a big hit differs depending on the selected color.

  (I) The display mode change effect of the icon display described above may be executed on condition that the number of reserved items is equal to or more than a predetermined number such as three or four.

  (J) The icon display during the hold display and the icon display during the active display need not be completely the same. For example, while the icon display during the hold display is displayed in a first color such as white, the icon display during the active display is displayed in a second color such as black, and the icon display during the hold display is different from the icon display during the hold display. The display mode from the icon display during the active display may be partially different. Also, as for the character icons, the characters of the icons on hold display are displayed in Mincho font, the characters of the icons in active display are displayed in block type, etc. . The number of character icons may be the same, but the gender may be different, for example, the icons on hold display are displayed by male characters, and the icons on active display are displayed by female characters.

  (K) In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the hold display and the active display are displayed on the same display unit (the effect display device 5). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the hold display may be displayed on the first effect display device, and the active display may be displayed on the second effect display device.

  (L) In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the hold display and the active display are displayed using different display areas. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and switching display may be performed using the same display area. Good (for example, a display in which the active display area is not displayed when the hold display is displayed, and a display in which the hold display area is not displayed when the active display is performed).

  (M) In the above-described embodiment, the effect (type) of the effect of changing the display mode may be different depending on the display mode of the icon display (character icon, character icon). For example, a dedicated display mode change effect corresponding to the display mode (effect mode) of the icon display may be provided, and the effect may be executed.

[Direction example using movable members]
Next, an effect example using the movable member 321 will be described. FIG. 37 is a display screen diagram of the effect display device 5 when the battle reach effect is executed. FIG. 38 is a display screen diagram of the effect display device 5 when the story reach effect is executed.

  The battle reach effect and the story reach effect are executed by the effect control CPU 120. The battle reach effect and the story reach effect are a plurality of types of special reach effects (supermarkets) in which the ratio selected when a jackpot display result is set is higher than a normal reach effect called a normal reach among the reach effects. (Reach production). For example, the reach effect performed in the super reach α (big hit) of the fluctuation category “PB4” illustrated in FIG. 6 is a battle reach effect, and the reach performed in the super reach β (big hit) fluctuation category of the fluctuation category “PB5”. The production is a story reach production. Furthermore, in these super reach effects, the jackpot expectation degree is set, for example, in a relationship of battle reach effect <story reach effect. In addition, the big hit expectation degree of battle reach production and story reach production may be the opposite relation.

  Each of the battle reach effect and the story reach effect is an effect in which the effect display by the image display of the effect display device 5 and the effect operation of the movable member 321 are combined.

  The battle reach effect shown in FIG. 37 will be described. In the variation display of the effect symbol, the variation display of the effect symbol is simultaneously started in the “left”, “middle”, and “right” effect symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R, for example, “left”, “right”. In accordance with a predetermined stop order such as "", "medium", the variation display of the effect symbols is sequentially stopped in the effect symbol display areas 5L, 5R, 5C, and finally the effect symbols are stopped in all the effect symbol display areas. Then, when the display result is derived and displayed, the variable display ends.

  After the variation symbol display is started all at once, as shown in FIG. 37 (A), when the same symbol stops at the stage where the “left” and “right” rendering symbol display areas 5L and 5R are stopped, the reach is reached. State. The variable display up to the timing of reaching the reach state is executed in an effect mode of the normal variable display, which is not different between the normal reach and the super reach. The normal reach and the super reach have different production modes after reaching the reach state.

  When the battle reach effect is executed as the reach effect, as shown in FIG. 37 (B), the effect symbols in the “left”, “middle”, and “right” effect symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R are reduced. The message is displayed in the small symbol display format at the upper right corner of the screen, and a message image 53 indicating the characters "Battle Reach" is displayed at the center of the screen. Thereby, it is notified that the battle reach effect is executed.

  In the battle reach effect, as shown in FIGS. 37 (C) to (E), a moving image in which the ally character 61a (the ally side of the player) and the enemy character 62a (the enemy side of the player) battle (battle). A battle effect (display including a sound effect at the time of the battle and a music sound at the time of the battle) that displays the image is executed.

  In the battle reach effect, when the change display result is a big hit display result, a victory effect image display in which the ally character 61a wins is displayed as shown in FIG. 37 (E), and further, as shown in FIGS. 37 (D) and (E). As shown in the drawing, an image in which the particle effect image 71 is superimposed and displayed on the victory effect image is displayed, and the movable member 321 operates at the upright position to execute the victory effect appearing in front of the display area of the effect display device 5. Is done.

  On the other hand, in the battle reach effect, when the fluctuation display result is a loss display result, a defeat effect of displaying an image in which the ally character 61a is defeated is performed, and the particle effect image 71 as shown in FIGS. The effect using the movable member 321 is not executed.

  More specifically, in the battle production, after the display in which the ally character 61a and the enemy character 62a appear as shown in FIG. 37 (C), the ally character 61a and the enemy character 61a are displayed as shown in FIG. 37 (D). A moving image in which a battle with 62a is performed is displayed. For example, FIG. 37 (D) shows a scene in which an ally character 61a attacks an enemy character 62a. As shown in FIG. 37 (D), in a battle effect, in a scene where the ally character 61 a attacks (a scene suggesting victory), a particle effect image as a effect effect display is displayed in a lower central portion of the screen of the effect display device 5. With the appearance of 71, a particle effect effect superimposed and displayed on the victory effect display is performed. When the ally character 61a wins, as shown in FIG. 37 (E), a victory effect is executed in which an image capable of specifying that the ally character 61a has defeated the enemy character 62a and the ally character 61a has won is displayed. Is done. In the victory effect, furthermore, as shown in FIG. 37 (E), when the movable member 321 moves to the upright position, a movable body operation effect that appears in the central area of the display area of the effect display device 5 is generated. Is done. Then, the appearing movable member 321 is caused to emit light.

  As shown in FIG. 37 (E), when the movable member 321 appears and moves to the standing position due to the movable body operation effect, the number of appearances of the particle effect image 71 to be superimposed and displayed around the movable member 321 increases. Thus, a moving image showing a display mode in which the display range of the particle effect image 71 is enlarged is displayed. The moving image is an effect executed using the particle effect image 71 in order to enhance the effect based on the operation of the movable member 321 and is called an operation effect effect. With such an operation effect effect, an effect in which the operation mode of the movable member 321 and the display mode of the particle effect image 71 are related is executed. By performing such an effect, it is possible to perform an effect in which the operation of the movable body and the effect effect display of the display unit are linked.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 37 (F), the jackpot display result (same symbol stop) is derived and displayed in the effect symbol displayed in the small symbol format, and the message image 55 in which the character “Congratulations” is displayed is displayed. , Is displayed at the center of the screen as a reach result effect, which is an effect indicating the result of the reach state. As a result, the fact that the player has won the battle reach effect (a big hit) is notified. After that, as shown in FIG. 37 (G), the effect symbol in which the big hit display result is displayed in the small symbol format is returned to the original size and the original position as shown in FIG. 38 (A) and displayed. A stop symbol effect in which a message image 74 in which the character "big hit" is displayed is displayed below the effect symbol.

  On the other hand, in the battle reach effect, when the fluctuation display result is a loss display result, the above-described defeat effect is executed, and the loss display result is derived and displayed in the effect symbol displayed in the small symbol format. The original size and the original position are restored and displayed.

  Next, the story reach effect shown in FIG. 38 will be described. After the effect symbols are simultaneously displayed, the "left" and "right" effect symbol display areas 5L and 5R stop and reach a state as shown in FIG. 38 (A). When the story reach effect is executed, first, the effect symbols in the effect symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R of "left," "middle," and "right" are reduced as shown in FIG. The message is displayed in the small symbol display format at the upper right corner of the screen, and a message image 54A indicating the characters "first half of the story" is displayed at the center of the screen. Thereby, it is notified that the story reach effect is executed.

  The story reach effect is an effect in which a moving image (story moving image) having a story like a specific story is displayed, for example. In this example, the story reach effect has a two-part structure of a first half and a second half. The story reach production is when the story is not completed and the production is completed halfway and the display result is derived and displayed.When the story continues to the end and the production is completed and the jackpot display result is derived and displayed. There is.

  In addition, when the variable display result is an out-of-display result, an effect in which the story reach effect ends in the first half is executed, and when the variable display result is the big hit display result, the story reach effect is continued from the first half to the second half, and then ended. The effect which continues until may be performed.

  Further, the story reach production may be set such that the production is performed so that the effect of performing the production to the end has a higher expectation of a big hit than the case where the production is completed in the first half. . Also, the story reach effect may be a one-part configuration that is not divided into the first half and the second half.

  After the message image 54A is displayed, a moving image developed according to the story corresponding to “first half of the story” is displayed. When the “first half of the story” is completed and the “second half of the story” is subsequently executed, a message image 54B indicating the characters “second half of the story” is displayed in the center of the screen as shown in FIG. You. Thereby, it is notified that the story reach effect is continuously executed. Note that, in the story reach effect, an image such as the message images 54A and 54B notifying that the effect is the story reach effect may not be displayed.

  After the message image 54B is displayed, a moving image developed according to the story corresponding to “story second half” is displayed. In the story reach effect, when the change display result is a big hit display result, a flame effect image 73 is superimposed on a black image 72 as shown in FIG. 38E, and as shown in FIG. 38 (E), the movable member 321 moves to the standing position, and a story-complete effect that appears in front of the display area of the effect display device 5 is executed.

  On the other hand, in the story reach effect, when the variable display result is an out-of-display result, a story uncompleted effect capable of specifying that the story is not completed is performed, and the black image 72 as shown in FIGS. The effect using the flame effect image 73 and the movable member 321 is not executed.

  Specifically, in the story-complete effect, as shown in FIG. 38 (D), the entire display area of the effect display device 5 is changed to a black black image 72, and in the lower center area of the screen of the effect display device 5, The effect of causing the flame effect image 73 as the effect display to appear and superimposing the flame effect image 73 on the black image 72 is performed. In the story completion effect, as shown in FIG. 38 (E), the movable member 321 further moves to the upright position, so that the movable body operation effect appears in the central area of the display area of the effect display device 5. Is done. Then, the appearing movable member 321 is caused to emit light.

  As shown in FIG. 38 (E), when the movable member 321 appears and moves to the standing position due to the movable body operation effect, the flame of the flame effect image 73 to be superimposed and displayed around the movable member 321 becomes large, and the flame becomes large. A moving image showing a display mode in which the display range of the effect image 73 is enlarged is displayed. The moving image is an effect that is executed using the flame effect image 73 to enhance the effect based on the operation of the movable member 321, and is called an operation effect effect as in the case of FIG. 37. With such an operation effect effect, an effect in which the operation mode of the movable member 321 and the display mode of the flame effect image 73 are related is executed. By performing such an effect, it is possible to perform an effect in which the operation of the movable body and the effect effect display of the display unit are linked.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 38 (F), the jackpot display result (same symbol stop) is derived and displayed in the effect symbol displayed in the small symbol format, and the message image 55 in which the character “Congratulations” is displayed is displayed. , Is displayed at the center of the screen as a reach result effect, which is an effect indicating the result of the reach state. This informs that the story reach effect has been completed. After that, as shown in FIG. 38 (G), the effect symbol in which the big hit display result is displayed in the small symbol format is returned to the original size and the original position as shown in FIG. 38 (A) and displayed. A stop symbol effect in which a message image 74 in which the character "big hit" is displayed is displayed below the effect symbol.

  In the story reach effect, the effect image is displayed in the same manner as the battle reach effect. However, unlike the battle reach effect, the entire display area of the effect display device 5 is a black image, and the effect image is superimposed on the black image. This makes it possible to display the effect image even more emphasized, and to execute an image display having a higher effect than the battle reach effect. As a result, it is possible to enhance the precious feeling (premier feeling) of the story reach production in which the degree of expectation for the big hit is set higher than the battle reach production.

  On the other hand, in the story reach production, when the fluctuation display result is a deviation display result, the above-mentioned story uncompleted production is executed, and the deviation display result is derived and displayed in the production symbol displayed in the small symbol format, and the production symbol is displayed. Is returned to the original size and the original position and displayed.

  In addition, the movable member 321 may be configured such that the disk-shaped portion can be rotated by a driving unit such as a motor driven and controlled by the effect control CPU 120. When the disk-shaped portion of the movable member 321 is configured to be rotatable in such a manner, as shown in FIG. 37 (E) or FIG. 38 (E), the movable member 321 operates to the upright position to display the effect. Control may be performed to rotate the disc-shaped portion when it appears, or when it appears, in front of the display area of the device 5. In this case, an image for operating an effect image such as the particle effect image 71 of FIG. 37E and the flame effect image 73 of FIG. 38E is produced in accordance with the rotation of the movable member 321. May be performed. By doing so, it is possible to further enhance the effect produced by using the movable member 321 and the effect image.

  In addition, the movable member 321 is not limited to the rotating operation, and a part or all of the constituent members perform a deforming operation such as opening and closing or contracting by a driving unit such as a solenoid driven by the effect control CPU 120. In the case of such a configuration, in a specific effect scene, display is performed on the effect display device 5 in accordance with the deformation operation of the movable member positioned in front of the display area of the effect display device 5. The effect control which displays the image which operates the effect image to be performed may be performed.

  Next, a control example of an effect effect and a movable body effect in a specific super reach effect such as a battle reach effect and a story reach effect will be described using a timing chart.

  FIG. 39 is a timing chart illustrating a control example of an effect effect and a movable body effect in a specific super reach effect. FIG. 39 (A) shows a control example of an effect effect and a movable body effect in a battle reach effect as shown in FIG. FIG. 39 (B) shows an example of control of the effect effect and the movable body effect in the story reach effect as shown in FIG.

  First, with reference to FIG. 39A, a control example of an effect effect and a movable body effect in a battle reach effect executed by the effect control CPU 120 will be described. When the battle reach effect is executed, during the period from the start of the variable display of the effect symbol (special symbol) to the occurrence of the reach state, the effect symbol is displayed in the effect mode of the normal variable display as shown in FIG. Is displayed on the effect display device 5.

  In the effect display device 5, when the reach state occurs, as shown in FIGS. 37B and 37C, a message image 53 is displayed and a moving image such as a battle effect corresponding to the battle reach effect is displayed. Is done. The timing at which the effect display device 5 changes the image display of the battle effect to the image display of the victory effect as shown in FIGS. 37 (D) and (E) is at the turning point of the first change of the video relating to the battle reach effect ( This is the time of the video cut). At the timing of the first video change node (first video change node) related to the battle reach effect, the particle effect image is displayed on the battle effect image as shown in FIGS. The particle effect effect of displaying an image in which the image 71 is superimposed and displayed on the effect display device 5 and the movable body operation effect of operating the movable member 321 are executed in a cooperative manner.

  The timing at which the movable member 321 moves to the standing position and the image display of the victory effect changes to the image display of the reach result effect in the effect display device 5 as shown in FIGS. It is a time when the second change of the video related to the effect is a turning point (a break in the video cut). At the timing of the second video change point (second video change point) related to the battle reach effect, the particle effect image 71 is superimposed on the image of the winning effect as shown in FIG. Operation effect effects such as images to be displayed are executed in the effect display device 5.

  Then, when the motion effect effect and the movable body motion effect are completed, the reach display result is notified by the image display of the reach result effect as shown in FIG. Thereafter, when the reach result effect is completed, a stop symbol effect as shown in FIG. 37 (G) is executed on the effect display device 5, so that a display in which the stop symbol of the effect symbol is determined is performed, and the variable display is performed. finish.

  As described above, in the battle reach effect, at the timing of the turning point of the change of the video relating to the reach effect, the effect effect display such that the particle effect image 71 is superimposed on the black image 72 is executed. Further, in the battle reach effect, an effect is performed in which a movable body effect such as the movable member 321 and an effect effect display are linked at a timing of a change of a video relating to the reach effect.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 39 (B), a control example of the effect effect and the movable body effect in the story reach effect executed by the effect control CPU 120 will be described. When the story reach effect is executed, during the period from the start of the variable display of the effect symbol (special symbol) to the occurrence of the reach state, the effect symbol is displayed in a normal variable display effect mode as shown in FIG. Is displayed on the effect display device 5.

  In the effect display device 5, when the reach state occurs, the message images 54A and 54B are displayed as shown in FIGS. 38B and 38C, and a moving image such as a story moving image corresponding to the story reach effect. An image is displayed. The timing at which the effect display device 5 changes the image display of the story effect from the image display of the story effect to the image display of the story completion effect as shown in FIGS. 38 (D) and 38 (E) is a turning point of the first change of the video relating to the story reach effect. It is time to be a break in video cuts. At the timing of the first video change point (first video change node) related to the story reach effect, the flame effect image is displayed on the black image 72 as shown in FIGS. The flame effect effect of displaying an image in which the 73 is superimposed and displayed on the effect display device 5 and the movable body operation effect of operating the movable member 321 are executed in a cooperative manner.

  The timing at which the movable member 321 moves to the upright position as shown in FIGS. 38 (E) and (F) in the effect display device 5 and the image display of the story completion effect changes to the image display of the reach result effect is determined by the story. This is a time when the second change of the video related to the reach effect is a turning point (a break in the video cut). At the timing of the second video change point (second video change point) related to the story reach effect, the flame effect image 73 is superimposed on the black image 72 as shown in FIG. A motion effect effect such as a running image is executed in the effect display device 5.

  Then, when the motion effect effect and the movable body motion effect are completed, the reach display is displayed on the effect display device 5 by displaying an image of the reach result effect as shown in FIG. Thereafter, when the reach result effect is completed, a stop symbol effect as shown in FIG. 38 (G) is executed on the effect display device 5, so that a display for determining the stop symbol of the effect symbol is performed, and a change display is performed. finish.

  As described above, in the story reach effect, at the timing of the change of the video relating to the reach effect, the effect effect display such that the flame effect image 73 is superimposed on the black image 72 is executed. Further, in the story reach effect, an effect is performed in which a movable body effect such as the movable member 321 and an effect effect display are linked at a timing when a change in the video related to the reach effect is achieved.

  In the battle reach effect shown in FIGS. 37 and 39 (A) and the story reach effect shown in FIGS. 38 and 39 (B), specifically, the following processing is executed in the effect control CPU 120. This is achieved by:

  When a variation pattern designation command in which a variation pattern of a super reach of a type for executing a battle reach effect is designated among the variation pattern designation commands of the super reach as the variation pattern designation command is received by the effect control board 12, the effect control is performed. In the variable display start setting process (S171), the CPU 120 performs image display control of the effect display device 5 for performing a battle reach effect and operation control of the movable member 321 as shown in FIG. 37 and FIG. Is selected from a plurality of types of effect control data stored in advance and set (stored) in the RAM 122. The battle reach effect is different when the fluctuation display result is a big hit display result and when it is a loss display result, so a fluctuation pattern specification command or display result specification command that can specify the fluctuation display result was received. At times, the effect control CPU 120 analyzes the received command contents to recognize the fluctuation display result, and selects effect control data according to the fluctuation display result. Then, the effect control CPU 120 starts the variation display of the effect symbol, and in the variable display effect process (S172), uses the effect control data set to execute the battle reach effect, and performs the movable body effect process and the effect. By executing the effect display processing and the like, the image display control of the effect display device 5 and the operation control of the movable member 321 are performed, and the battle reach effect as shown in FIGS. 37 and 39A is executed.

  As the variation pattern specifying command, among the super reach variation pattern specifying commands, a variation pattern designating command in which a type of super reach variation pattern of executing the story reach effect is designated is received by the effect control board 12, the effect control is performed. In the variable display start setting process (S171), the CPU 120 performs image display control of the effect display device 5 for performing a story reach effect and operation control of the movable member 321 as shown in FIGS. 38 and 39B. Is selected from a plurality of types of effect control data stored in advance and set (stored) in the RAM 122. The story reach effect is different when the fluctuation display result is a big hit display result and when it is a loss display result, so a fluctuation pattern specification command or display result specification command that can specify the fluctuation display result was received. At times, the effect control CPU 120 analyzes the received command contents to recognize the fluctuation display result, and selects effect control data according to the fluctuation display result. Then, the effect control CPU 120 starts the variable display of the effect symbol, and in the variable display effect process (S172), uses the effect control data set to execute the story reach effect, and performs the movable body effect process and the effect. By executing the effect display processing and the like, the image display control of the effect display device 5 and the operation control of the movable member 321 are performed, and the story reach effect as shown in FIGS. 38 and 39B is executed.

  When a movable body effect can be executed in a plurality of types of effect displays, such as a battle reach effect shown in FIGS. 37 and 39 (A) and a story reach effect shown in FIGS. 38 and 39 (B). Depending on which type of effect display is performed, an effect effect display in a mode in which an effect image is superimposed on a black image, and an effect effect display in a mode in which an effect image is superimposed on an effect image. Since the effect display in different modes can be displayed, it is possible to enhance the effect by linking the operation of the movable body and the effect display of the display means.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 37 (E) and 39 (A), a specific type of effect display such as a battle reach effect in which a movable body effect for operating a movable body such as the movable member 321 is executed. In this case, it is possible to execute an effect in which the effect display in a specific mode such as the particle effect image 71 in FIGS. 37 (D) and (E) is superimposed on a specific type of effect display such as the display of a winning effect image. Therefore, it is possible to link the specific type of effect display in which the movable body effect is executed and the effect effect display on the display means such as the effect display device 5, and the operation of the movable body by the specific type of effect display It is possible to further enhance the production effect by linking the production effect display with the display means.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 38 (E) and 39 (B), a specific type of effect display such as a story reach effect in which a movable object effect for operating a movable member such as the movable member 321 is executed is executed. 38, the effect display in a specific mode such as the flame effect image 73 in FIGS. 38 (D) and (E) is added to the predetermined image displayed in the entire display area of the effect display device 5 such as the black image 72. Since the effect of superimposing and displaying is executable, it is possible to link the predetermined effect of the predetermined type in which the movable body effect is executed and the effect effect display on the display means such as the effect display device 5 in addition to the effect. Thus, it is possible to enhance the attraction of the game by emphasizing the movable body effect.

  In addition, the effect of linking (coordinating) the movable body and the effect display, such as the battle reach effect and the story reach effect described above, may be executed in the reach effect other than the super reach, and may be executed in the effect other than the reach effect. May be.

  Also, an example is described in which the effect of linking (coordinating) the movable body and the effect display, such as the battle reach effect and the story reach effect described above, is performed at a timing that is a turning point of the change in the image related to the effect. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be executed at a timing other than the timing at which the change of the video related to the effect, such as the timing after a predetermined time elapses from the start of the effect execution.

  Also, as the effect effect display in the effect of linking (coordinating) the movable body and the effect effect display as in the above-described battle reach effect and story reach effect, the particle effect image and the flame effect image have been described as examples. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and another type of effect display such as an effect image in which light is emitted may be used.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 37 and FIG. 38, it is possible to display the effect display in different modes according to which of the two types of effect display, the battle reach effect and the story reach effect, is performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be possible to display different types of effect display depending on which effect display is performed among three or more types of effect displays.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 37 and FIG. 38, different types of effect displays, such as battle reach effects and story reach effects, are displayed depending on which effect display is performed. When possible, an example was shown in which the effect display mode was changed depending on whether or not to display the black image 72. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as an example in which the mode of the effect display is different, any type of effect display displays a black image, but the type of effect display such as an effect image may be different. In this case, the type of the effect display is different as long as any one of the components of the effect display such as the shape, color, display range, and brightness of the image of the effect display is different.

  Further, as for the effect of linking (coordinating) the movable body and the effect effect display as in the above-described battle reach effect and story reach effect, images of the effect effect display as shown in FIGS. 37 and 38 are displayed first. Not only the effect of operating the movable body later, but also an effect of performing the image display of the effect effect display and the operation of the movable body at the same timing may be used, and the image of the effect effect display after operating the movable body first May be used.

  Further, as an effect using the black image 72 as in the story reach effect described above, an example in which the black image 72 is displayed on the entire display area of the effect display device 5 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, control may be performed to display the black image 72 in a partial display area of the effect display device 5 such as an area for displaying an effect image.

  Further, as an effect in which a movable body such as the movable member described above and an effect effect display such as an effect image are linked, the movable body is operated in each of a plurality of types of effect display in which the state of the effect display is different. In the case of performing an effect, an effect of displaying an effect image display as an effect display of a different type in association with the operation of the movable body may be performed according to the state of the effect display for operating the movable body. Good. For example, in the following effect display situations, different types of effect image display may be executed. (A) When displaying the effect image display in response to operating the movable body before the reach state is reached during the fluctuation display of the effect symbol. (B) When displaying an effect image display in response to operating the movable body at the time of a temporary stop in the pseudo series. (C) When displaying an effect image display in response to operating the movable body during execution of normal reach. (D) When displaying an effect image display in response to operating the movable body during the execution of the super reach effect. (E) When the effect image display is displayed in response to operating the movable body at the time of the development of the effect during the execution of the super-reach of the advanced effect format in which the effect content evolves. (F) Corresponding to operating the movable body when performing a lottery effect again (for example, an effect of drawing a lottery to determine whether a large hit or a non-positive big hit) after notifying that the big hit display result has been obtained. To display the effect image display. (G) When displaying the effect image display in response to operating the movable body during the performance of the big hit gaming state. (H) When displaying an effect image display in response to operating a movable body during a customer waiting demonstration displayed when a game is not being played. It is sufficient that at least two of the effect image displays executed in a plurality of types of effect display situations as described above are different.

Next, main effects obtained by the above-described embodiment will be described.
(1) The gaming machine according to the above embodiment is:
A gaming machine that performs a game (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 1 or the like),
Control means (for example, a drive mechanism 201 (various motors), a solenoid, a sensor, a second lamp unit 202, a third lamp unit 203, a fourth lamp unit 204, a fifth lamp unit 205, etc.) for controlling a plurality of electronic components. For example, effect control CPU 120, VDP 123A, dedicated IC, etc.)
Output means (for example, serial / parallel conversion ICs 91B to 95B) for outputting a drive signal for driving the electronic component based on a control signal output from the control means;
The output unit stops the output of the drive signal after a lapse of a predetermined period (for example, the predetermined period T in FIG. 14) from the input of the control signal (for example, time t1 in FIG. 14) (FIG. 14: Timeout) Function),
When the control unit outputs a control signal and continuously drives the electronic component beyond the predetermined period, the control unit outputs the control signal and outputs the control signal until the predetermined period elapses (for example, from time t1 to time t1). The control signal is output until the predetermined period T elapses).

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to avoid an operation defect of the electronic component, so that the electronic component can be more stably controlled.

(2) In gaming machines,
The output unit includes a conversion unit (for example, serial / parallel conversion ICs 91B to 95B) for converting a serial signal type control signal output from the control unit to a parallel signal type drive signal.

  According to the above configuration, the number of communication wires between the control unit and the output unit can be reduced.

(3) In gaming machines,
There is further provided setting means for setting the stop means to be valid or invalid (a predetermined terminal for setting the time-out function of each conversion IC to be valid or invalid, an effect control board 12, etc.).

  According to the above configuration, the setting of the function of the stopping means can be changed to valid or invalid depending on the application, so that the cost can be reduced by sharing the components.

(4) In gaming machines,
A first substrate provided with the control means (for example, a production control substrate 12 or the like);
A second substrate (for example, a first lamp substrate 210 or the like) provided with the output unit,
The first substrate and the second substrate are electrically connected via a wiring member (flexible, harness, etc.).

  According to the above configuration, since it is arranged on another substrate, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a control abnormality that may occur due to a wiring defect (such as disconnection or short circuit).

(5) In gaming machines,
The output unit controls the driving of the electronic component by outputting a PWM signal as a driving signal (for example, the driving signal is PWM-controlled by the number of Low signals, and the light emission luminance of each LED is controlled by the PWM control. The gradation is controlled by the period.).

  According to the above configuration, power efficiency can be improved by PWM control.

(6) In gaming machines,
The output means,
The output state when the input control signal is output to another output means is defined as a first output state in which a waveform rises in a predetermined manner (for example, an output state in which a normal slew rate is set as shown in FIG. 16A). The output state can be set to any one of a second output state (for example, an output state with a low slew rate setting shown in FIG. 16B) in which a waveform rises in a more gradual change mode than the first output state,
When the other output means is provided on the same substrate as the output means, the output state is set to the second output state (for example, the output means is connected in the substrate like the conversion IC 92B and the conversion IC 93B). In this case, the conversion IC 92B is set to output a low slew rate waveform).

  According to the above configuration, since the output state when outputting within the same substrate is set to the second output state, radiation of noise outside the substrate can be suppressed.

(7) In gaming machines,
The output means,
The output state when the input control signal is output to another output means is defined as a first output state in which a waveform rises in a predetermined manner (for example, an output state in which a normal slew rate is set as shown in FIG. 16A). The output state can be set to any one of a second output state (for example, an output state with a low slew rate setting shown in FIG. 16B) in which a waveform rises in a more gradual change mode than the first output state,
When the other output unit is provided on another substrate connected to the substrate on which the output unit is provided via a wiring member, the first output state is set (for example, conversion is performed). When connected outside the board like the IC 94B and the conversion IC 95B, the conversion IC 94B is set to output a waveform having a normal slew rate.)

  According to the above configuration, the output state when outputting to another substrate connected via the wiring member is set to the first output state, so that the influence of external noise on the control signal can be suppressed.

(8) In gaming machines,
It further includes a movable member that performs an operation (for example, the rendering unit 300 or the like),
The output unit outputs a specific signal by a parallel communication method from specific signal output units (for example, terminals Q0 to 23 corresponding to groups 1 to 6 shown in FIG. 19) grouped into a plurality of different groups,
The output timing of the specific signal from the specific signal output unit differs for each group (for example, the PWM clock signals of groups 1 to 6 shown in FIG. 19 are shifted in cycle by 1 MHz).
Driving means for operating the movable member (for example, a motor of the driving mechanism 201) includes the specific signal output units of the same group of the output means (for example, terminals of a group belonging to the same cycle (for example, terminals Q0 to Q3)). ) Is driven based on the specific signal output from

  According to the above configuration, the emission of the noise outside the substrate can be suppressed by shifting the output cycle of the specific signal by the parallel communication method.

(9) In gaming machines,
The gaming machine performs a variable display and can be controlled to an advantageous state (for example, a jackpot gaming state or the like) advantageous to the player,
Hold storage means (for example, the first special figure hold storage section 151A, the second special figure hold storage section 151B, the first start winning command reception command buffer 194A, the second hold state storage section) for storing the variable display that has not yet started as the hold storage. Start winning prize reception command buffer 194B etc.)
On-hold display means (for example, effect display device 5, RAM 102, first on-hold display area 5D, second on-hold display area 5U, and the like) capable of displaying the on-hold storage stored by the on-hold storage means as on-hold display (for example, on-hold display). )When,
During the execution of the fluctuation display, a fluctuation corresponding display means (for example, effect control CPU 120, S532 in FIG. 28, etc.) capable of performing a fluctuation corresponding display (for example, an active display) corresponding to the fluctuation display,
A change in the hold display mode (for example, a change during the hold display in FIG. 33) that changes the mode of the hold display before the change display of the target hold storage is executed, and a mode of the change corresponding display during the execution of the change display 34, and at least one of the display mode changes (for example, the change during active display in FIG. 34) in the suspended display period and the variable display period corresponding to the target suspended storage. And display mode changing means (for example, effect control CPU 120, S532 in FIG. 28, icon effect setting processing in FIG. 35, S172 in FIG. 26, and the like) which can be executed at any one of the timings of FIG. Prepared,
The display mode changing means includes a first specific display (for example, a character icon display in FIG. 31 (A)) and a second specific display (character in FIG. 31 (B)) in which the type of display to be changed is different from the normal display. (The icon display), the selection ratio of the timing for executing the display mode change is different (as shown in FIGS. 29B and 29C, the character icon display is a change effect during the hold display). The execution ratio is high, the character icon display has a high change effect execution ratio during the active display, and the ratio at which the display mode actually changes during the change effect execution is held as shown in FIGS. The display of the icon is the same between the display during the active display and the display during the active display. Aspects different frequency of changes, the rate of selecting or changing a display form in either an in active display and pending displays different.).

  According to the above configuration, the player can pay attention to the type of display of the change target and the timing of the change of the display mode with respect to the change of the hold display mode and the change corresponding to the display mode. Interest can be improved.

Next, modifications, feature points, and the like of the above-described embodiment will be enumerated below.
(1) The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, various types of device including the device configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1, the data configuration, the processing shown in the flowchart, and the display operation of the effect image in the display area of the effect display device 5 are provided. The production operation and the like can be arbitrarily changed and modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  (2) When the display mode of the active display displayed in the active display area AHA is a special mode, any one of the hold display displayed in the first hold display area 5D and the second hold display area 5U is performed. A hold change effect may be executed, and if any of the hold displays displayed in the first hold display area 5D and the second hold display area 5U has a hold display displayed in a special mode, the first hold display area is displayed. 5D, any of the hold displays displayed in the second hold display area 5U, or the active display, may perform a hold change effect or an active display change effect.

  (3) Either the first system change effect or the second system change effect may be an effect that changes the color of the active display in the active display mode. In this case, for example, the first suspension display area 5D, the second suspension display area 5U first, such as a first system transition effect in which the shape is changed or a second system transition effect in which the line thickness of the active display frame is changed. The color of the big hit is higher than the color of the hold display displayed in the hold display displayed in the hold display area 5D and the second hold display area 5U (for example, in the case of the hold display displayed in blue, The color in the display mode of the active display may be changed so that the display mode is a color such as yellow or red).

  (4) For example, in the setting example of the determination ratio by the active display change effect execution presence / absence determination table in FIG. 29, the ratio of the active display change effect of the variation pattern “PA4-X” is “executed” and “not executed”. 45% (the sum of the first system change effect 15%, the second system change effect 10%, the first system change effect and the second system change effect 20%) versus 55%, such as "executed" and "not executed" , May be set for each of them. For example, as in the variation pattern “PA1-X” in FIG. 29, the ratio between “executed” and “unexecuted” is 0% to 100%. The ratio according to the embodiment may be set such that one of the plurality is set as 0%.

  (5) In the probability change control, a game machine may be provided in which a specific area is provided in advance in the special winning opening, and the game machine is controlled to the probability change state based on a game ball passing through the specific area. For example, based on the random number value MR2 for determining the jackpot type, the game ball enters a specific area within the jackpot due to being assigned to a plurality of jackpot types such as “non-probable”, “probable”, and “probable”. A gaming machine that controls the game state so that it is easy to play and controls the game state to be in a stable state based on the passing of the game ball through the specific area.

  (6) A game score for use in a game is given using a frequency, which is a game value of a size specified from information recorded on a game recording medium such as a prepaid card or a membership card, and is given. The present invention is also applied to a gaming machine (enclosed gaming machine) in which a player plays a game by hitting a gaming ball enclosed in a gaming machine into a gaming area using a gaming score or a gaming score awarded by winning a game. Can be applied.

  (7) In the above-described embodiment, the “ratio (ratio, probability)” is exemplified. However, the “ratio (ratio, probability)” is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, a value within a range of 0% to 100%. Among them, a value including 0%, a value including 100%, and a value not including 0% and 100% may be used.

  (8) In the above-described embodiment, an example of the probable change state control in which the fluctuating display result is derived and displayed as the probable change big hit, and after the end of the big hit game state, the state is unconditionally controlled to the probable change state. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When the detection means detects that the game ball has passed through a specific area provided in the special winning opening of the special variable winning ball device 7, the control device is controlled to a probable change state. Type-variable state control may be performed.

  (9) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the effect control CPU 120 (and the VDP 123A) outputs the control signal has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, in addition to the effect control CPU 120 (and the VDP 123A), a dedicated IC having the above-described control signal output function may be provided in the effect control board 12 and output by the dedicated IC. .

  (10) It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  1 Pachinko gaming machine, 151A 1st special figure hold storage unit, 151B 2nd special figure hold storage unit, 194A First start winning reception command buffer, 194B Second start winning reception command buffer, 5 effect display device, 102 RAM 5D first hold display area, 5U second hold display area, 120 effect control CPU, 126 real-time clock, 900 power supply board, 901 backup power supply, AHA active display area.

Claims (1)

A gaming machine for playing games,
Timing means,
Control means for controlling a plurality of electronic components;
Based on the control signal outputted from said control means, and an output means for outputting a driving signal for driving the electronic component,
The timekeeping means has a timekeeping function and has storage means for storing information,
In the storage means possessed by the timekeeping means, information about the game not related to the timekeeping function is stored,
The output means,
A stop function for stopping the output of the drive signal after a predetermined period has elapsed since the control signal was input,
A setting terminal for setting the stop function to be enabled or disabled, and the stop function can be set to be enabled or disabled depending on a connection state of the setting terminal ;
The output state when the input control signal is output to another output means includes a first output state in which the waveform rises in a predetermined manner, and a second output state in which the waveform rises in a more gradual manner than the first output state. Can be set to any of the output states
When outputting the control signal and continuously driving the electronic component beyond the predetermined period, the control means outputs the control signal again after the predetermined period elapses after outputting the control signal. A gaming machine characterized by output.