JP6678977B1 - Amusement machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately control a reel while preventing an increase in a control area for performing a game control process. In a gaming machine, every time the number of steps counted by a step counter passes a unit symbol step number, The reel control means for causing the symbol number counter to count the symbol number (S444), and resetting the step counter (S441), and resetting the symbol number counter when the symbol number counted by the symbol number counter reaches a predetermined symbol number, When the symbol number is updated, the value of the updated symbol number is divided by a predetermined divisor (S446), and the unit symbol step number corresponding to the updated symbol number is determined according to the remainder of the division (S441). , S448). [Selection diagram] Fig. 12

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine that determines, by lottery, whether or not to give a gaming profit to a player.

  In a slot machine as a gaming machine, a lottery for a winning combination is performed and a plurality of reels on which various symbols are written are rotated according to bets on medals (game media) by a player and operation of a start switch. Then, the reels are sequentially stopped according to the lottery result and the operation of the stop switch by the player, and when the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is displayed on the activated line which is the line to be paid out, the predetermined number The game profit (hereinafter, simply referred to as the game profit) such as the payout of the medal is given to the player.

  In such a reel of a slot machine, a stepping motor is used as a drive source for accurately performing stop control according to a player's operation. For example, a stepping motor in which the number of steps of one rotation is set to 252 is adopted for a reel in which 21 symbols are evenly arranged. By doing so, the number of steps of one symbol can be made uniform (252/21 = 12).

  Further, when the stepping motor in which the number of steps for one rotation is set to 252 is used as it is, and 20 symbols are evenly arranged on the reel, the number of steps corresponding to 5 consecutive symbols becomes uniform. A technique for adjusting the reel stop time in this manner is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2012-187212, A

  As described above, the number of symbols arranged on the reel can be set arbitrarily. However, the stepping motor in which the number of steps is set to 252 is diverted as it is, and when the number of symbols is changed, the number of steps of one symbol becomes an indivisible value, and the number of steps must be different between the symbols.

  However, when trying to manage a plurality of symbols individually, the following problems may occur. That is, in the slot machine, the program relating to the game control processing for controlling the progress of the game must be arranged in the use area in the ROM of the main control board. However, depending on the design, if the number of steps is referred to each time, the control area for performing the game control processing becomes unnecessarily large, and the program area cannot be allocated to other processing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of appropriately controlling a reel while preventing an increase in a control area for performing a game control process.

In order to solve the above problems, the gaming machine of the present invention is a reel in which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged, a stepping motor that rotates the reel, a step counter that counts the number of steps of the stepping motor, and a reference position. In the symbol number counter for counting the symbol number that can identify the symbol in, and each time the number of steps counted by the step counter elapses the unit symbol step number, the symbol number counter is caused to count the symbol number, and, The step counter is reset, and a reel control means for resetting the symbol number counter when the symbol number counted by the symbol number counter reaches a predetermined symbol number, and the reel control means updates the symbol number. If that, based on the program, divided by the divisor included the value of the updated symbol number of the predetermined range, the removal Depending on the remainder performs a process of determining the number of units symbol steps corresponding to the symbol number after the update from a plurality of different units symbol number of steps.

The reel control means may to perform the process of determining the number of units symbol step based on the value of a predetermined bit when expressed the remainder binary number.

The reel control means may to perform the process of determining the number of units symbol steps based on the logical operation of a plurality of bit values when expressed the remainder binary number.

The reel control unit, the remainder may be to perform the process of determining the number of units symbol step based on whether a predetermined value or more.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately control the reel while preventing an increase in the control area for performing the game control processing.

FIG. 47 is an external view for explaining a schematic mechanical configuration of the slot machine. It is an external view in the state where the front door was opened for explaining the schematic mechanical configuration of the slot machine. It is a figure explaining a symbol arrangement and an effective line of a reel. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the slot machine. It is an explanatory view for explaining a winning combination. It is an explanatory view for explaining transition of a game state. It is a figure which shows a winning combination lottery table. 4 is a flowchart illustrating main processing of a main control board. 7 is a flowchart showing a reel rotation process in which the reel control means controls the rotation of three reels. It is a flow chart for explaining a flow of processing during steady rotation. It is explanatory drawing which shows the memory map of main ROM and main RAM. It is a flow chart for explaining the flow of symbol information update processing. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a program for realizing the flowchart of FIG. 12. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating arrangement | positioning of the variable of this embodiment in a work area. It is the explanatory view which extracts the setting aspect of the unit symbol step number in the symbol information update processing. It is explanatory drawing which showed the modification of symbol information update processing. It is an explanatory view showing another modification of the symbol information update processing. It is an explanatory view showing another modification of the symbol information update processing.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and the drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals to omit redundant description, and elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted. To do.

  In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, first, a mechanical configuration and an electrical configuration of a slot machine (gaming machine) that allows a player to play a game will be briefly described, and then a specific example of each board of the slot machine will be described. Processing (transition of winning combination and gaming state) and processing characteristic of this embodiment will be described, and a flowchart for realizing these will be described in detail.

(Mechanical configuration of the slot machine 100)
As shown in the external views of FIGS. 1 and 2, a slot machine 100 includes a housing 102 that is a substantially rectangular box body, and a front upper door that is openably and closably attached to a front opening of the housing 102. 104, below the front upper door 104, and similarly to the front upper door 104, located below the front lower door 106 that is attached to the front opening of the housing 102 so as to be openable and closable. And a tray portion 108 for storing the medals paid out from the medal discharge port 108a.

  An operation unit installation base 122 is formed on the upper part of the front lower door 106, and a medal insertion unit 124, a bet switch 126, a start switch 128, a stop switch 130, etc. are arranged on the operation unit installation base 122.

  A medal insertion unit 124 located on the right side of the operation unit installation base 122 accepts insertion of medals as a game medium through a medal insertion port (insertion port) 124a, and a medal selector (not shown) provided on the back surface of the front lower door 106. Send me a medal. The medal selector includes a blocker (not shown) that guides medals thrown outside the throwing period and medals that are out of the standard to the medal discharge port 108a, and medals that are thrown within the standard during the throwing period. The inserted medal detection unit 124b for detecting the passage of the player is provided. Here, the medals guided to the medal discharge port 108a are discharged to the tray section 108. If a player inserts more medals than the maximum stipulated number (for example, 3) out of a plurality of stipulated number of medals required to start one game, the maximum stipulated number will be exceeded. Additional medals are electrically stored (hereinafter simply referred to as credit) inside the slot machine 100 (main RAM 200c) with a predetermined upper limit (for example, 50).

  The bet switch 126 is a push-type button switch for betting the maximum specified number of medals out of credited medals. When the bet switch 126 is pressed while the maximum specified number of medals are credited, the maximum specified number of medals are bet and the stored number is reduced by the maximum specified number. When the bet switch 126 is pressed while the medals of less than the maximum specified number are credited, all the stored medals are bet and the number of stored medals is reduced to zero.

  The start switch 128 located on the left side of the operation section installation base 122 is composed of a lever capable of detecting a tilt operation, and detects a start operation of one game by the player. Further, the start switch 128 can also be configured by a button switch that can detect a pressing operation.

  A colorless and transparent symbol display window 136 formed of a glass plate, a transparent resin plate, or the like is provided in the substantially lower center of the front upper door 104, and a reel is provided at a position corresponding to the symbol display window 136 in the housing 102. A unit 134 is provided. In the reel unit 134, as shown in the reel symbol array of FIG. 3A, three reels 134a, 134b, and 134c in which a plurality of types of symbols are arrayed in each of 20 equally divided regions are independent of each other. Thus, the player can visually recognize the reels 134a, 134b, 134c through the symbol display window 136. The reel unit 134 starts the rotation of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c, triggered by the operation of the start switch 128.

  The stop switch 130 located at the center of the operation unit installation base 122 is a button switch provided corresponding to each of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c and capable of detecting the pressing operation of the player, and the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c. The stop operation of the player who tries to stop each is detected. Note that the three button switches related to the stop switch 130 are stop switches 130a, 130b, and 130c in order from the left according to their positions.

  In this way, the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are stopped by the stop operation through the stop switches 130a, 130b, and 130c, respectively. Here, an effective line is provided as shown in FIG. 3B so that the player can understand the stop mode. The number of effective lines is one, and specifically, of the nine symbols (3 reels x 3 levels in the upper, middle, and lower) facing the symbol display window 136, it corresponds to the symbols stopped in the middle stages of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c. The line connecting the positions to be set is set as the effective line A for determining the winning of the winning combination.

  A liquid crystal display unit (image display unit) 138 that displays various images associated with the effect is provided substantially in the center of the upper portion of the front upper door 104. In addition, an effect lamp 142 including, for example, a high-luminance light emitting diode (LED) is provided on the upper portion and the left and right of the front upper door 104.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, at the left and right positions of the liquid crystal display unit 138 on the back surface of the front upper door 104 and the left and right positions of the inner surface on the back surface of the front lower door 106, speakers that perform auditory effects such as sound effects and musical sounds are provided. 140 is provided. Further, below the reel unit 134 in the housing 102, a medal payout device (medal hopper) 264 for paying out medals from the medal discharge port 108a is provided. The medal payout device 264 includes a medal storage unit 264a for storing medals, a payout control unit 264b for discharging the medals stored in the medal storage unit 264a from the medal discharge port 108a, and medals discharged from the medal discharge port 108a. The payout medal detection unit 264c for detecting

  Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, inside the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c, among the symbols applied to the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c, the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c corresponding to the symbol display window 136 are displayed. A reel backlight 144 (see FIG. 4) is provided to irradiate the upper, middle, and lower symbols from the back independently. Further, a reel upper light 146 that directly illuminates the front surfaces of all the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c is also provided on the upper rear surface of the symbol display window 136.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, in the operation section installation base 122, a main credit display section 152 and a main payout display section are provided on a substantially horizontal plane of a step section 122a provided between the symbol display window 136 and the stop switch 130. 154 is provided. Further, a sub credit display unit 156 and a sub payout display unit 158 are provided between the symbol display window 136 and the operation unit installation base 122. The main credit display unit 152 and the sub credit display unit 156 display the internally stored number of coins, and the main payout display unit 154 and the sub payout display unit 158 display the number of paid out medals. It should be noted that the sub-credit display unit 156 and the sub-payout display unit 158 can also display various numerical values according to the effect.

  A power switch 148 is provided at an arbitrary position inside the housing 102. The power switch 148 is composed of a switch capable of detecting a pressing operation such as a rocker switch, and is operated by an administrator who manages the slot machine 100 to switch between two states of a power-off state and a power-on state. Used.

(Electrical Configuration of Slot Machine 100)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the slot machine 100. As shown in FIG. 4, the slot machine 100 is mainly controlled by the control board. Here, as an example of the control board, a main control board 200 and a sub-control board 202 that share the functions of the control board will be described. For example, of the programs related to the progress of the game, particularly important processing such as lottery of winning combinations to be offered to the game and winning thereof is executed by the main control board 200, and other processing related to, for example, effects is performed on the sub control board 202. Running in. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, transmission of an electrical signal between the main control board 200 and the sub control board 202 is performed from the main control board 200 to the sub control board 202 from the viewpoint of fraud prevention. Limited to direction only. However, if there is no such limitation, electrically two-way communication is technically possible.

(Main control board 200)
The main control board 200 has various semiconductor integrated circuits including a main CPU 200a that is a central processing unit, a main ROM 200b that stores programs, and a main RAM (RWM) 200c that functions as a work area. Control it comprehensively. However, a backup power supply (not shown) is connected to the main RAM 200c, and even if the power is turned off, the data is not erased unless the setting is changed and the main RAM 200c is initialized. Retained.

  The main control board 200 functions by the main CPU 200a cooperating with the main RAM 200c based on a program stored in the main ROM 200b. The initializing means 300, the betting means 302, the winning lottery means 304, and the reel control means. It has functional units such as 306, a determination unit 308, a payout control unit 310, a state transition unit 312, a command determination unit 314, and a command transmission unit 316.

  The initialization means 300 performs an initialization process in the main control board 200. The betting unit 302 bets medals to be used for a game. Here, the bet is based on the case where the credited medal is inserted through the operation of the bet switch 126, the case where the medal is inserted through the medal inserting section 124, and the replay combination is displayed on the activated line A. Includes both cases of automatically inserting medals. The winning combination lottery means 304 selects one of a plurality of kinds of winning combinations including a small combination, a replay combination, a bonus combination, and a non-winning combination based on the bet of the medal and the operation of the start switch 128 by the winning combination lottery. decide.

  The reel control means 306 controls the rotation of the plurality of reels 134a, 134b, 134c according to the operation of the start switch 128, and the plurality of stop switches 130a, 130b corresponding to the rotating reels 134a, 134b, 134c, respectively. In response to the operation of 130c, the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c corresponding to the operated stop switches 130a, 130b, and 130c are stopped and controlled, respectively. Further, the reel control means 306 activates the operation of the stop switch 130 in the previous game in response to the operation of the start switch 128, and then displays the lottery result of the winning combination lottery by the player. The time until the operation is validated (which is invalidated by the completion of the operation of the stop switch 130 in the previous game) is extended from the specified time (wait time, for example, 4.1 seconds), during which the reel 134a, There may be a case where a reel effect (freezing effect) in which the rotation control of 134b and 134c is controlled in various modes is performed. Reel production does not activate any switch that should be effective for a predetermined time, suspends processing that should be executed for a predetermined time, or transmits or receives a signal of any switch that should be transmitted or received for a predetermined time. It can be realized by not doing it.

  The determination means 308 determines whether or not the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery is displayed on the activated line A. Here, displaying the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined by the winning combination lottery on the activated line A may be simply referred to as winning. The payout control means 310 pays out medals corresponding to the winning combination based on the fact that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery is displayed on the activated line A (winning). . The state transition means 312 transitions the game state based on the winning of the bonus combination and the winning of the winning combination.

  The command determination means 314 sequentially determines the commands relating to the game accompanying the operations of the bet means 302, the winning combination lottery means 304, the reel control means 306, the determination means 308, the payout control means 310, the state transition means 312 and the like. The command transmission unit 316 sequentially transmits the commands determined by the command determination unit 314 to the sub control board 202.

  The main control board 200 receives various detection signals from the inserted medal detection unit 124b, the bet switch 126, the start switch 128 and the stop switch 130, and based on the received detection signals, the bet means 302 and the winning lottery means. The 304, the reel control means 306, and the determination means 308 execute the various processes described above. Further, a main credit display unit 152 and a main payout display unit 154 are connected to the main control board 200, and the payout control unit 310 displays the number of stored medals and the number of payouts on both the display units 152 and 154. Control.

  A reel drive control unit 258 is connected to the main control board 200. The reel drive control section 258 drives the stepping motor 262 based on the rotation start signal of each reel 134a, 134b, 134c transmitted from the reel control means 306 in response to the operation signal of the start switch 128, and also the stop switch. In response to the operation signal of 130, the driving of the stepping motor 262 is stopped based on the stop signals of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c and the detection signal of the rotational position detection circuit 260, which are transmitted from the reel control means 306.

  A medal payout device 264 is connected to the main control board 200. The detection signal of the payout medal detection unit 264c is input to the main control board 200, and the payout control unit 310 counts the number of medals paid out in accordance with the detection signal and outputs from the payout control unit 264b. Control the ejection of medals.

  Further, the main control board 200 is provided with a random number generator 200d. The random number generator 200d sequentially increments the count value, loops within a predetermined total number (for example, 65536) (0 to 65535), and generates (acquires) a random number by extracting the count value at a predetermined time point. The random number generated by the random number generator 200d of the main control board 200 (hereinafter, referred to as a winning combination lottery random number) is used for determining the winning combination by the gaming profit given to the player, for example, the winning combination lottery means 304. .

(Sub-control board 202)
Similarly to the main control board 200, the sub control board 202 includes various semiconductor integrated circuits including a sub CPU 202a as a central processing unit, a sub ROM 202b storing programs and the like, a sub RAM 202c functioning as a work area, and the like. Based on the command from the main control board 200, the effect is particularly controlled. Similarly to the main RAM 200c, a backup power supply (not shown) is connected to the sub RAM 202c, and even when the power is turned off, data is retained without being erased. Note that the sub-control board 202 is also provided with a random number generator 202d like the main control board 200, and the random numbers generated by the random number generator 202d (hereinafter referred to as effect lottery random numbers) are mainly in the form of effect. Used to make a decision.

  The sub-control board 202 functions as the sub-CPU 202a cooperates with the sub-RAM 202c based on a program stored in the sub-ROM 202b to function as an initialization determining unit 330, a command receiving unit 332, an effect control unit 334, and the like. It has a functional part.

  The initialization determining means 330 executes an initialization process in the sub-control board 202. The command receiving unit 332 receives a command from another control board, such as the main control board 200, and performs processing on the command. The effect control means 334 determines the effect of the game performed by each device of the liquid crystal display unit 138, the speaker 140, and the effect lamp 142 based on the winning combination command. Specifically, the effect control unit 334 includes the image data displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 138, the effect lamp 142, the reel backlight 144, the reel upper light 146, the sub credit display unit 156, the sub payout display unit 158, and the like. The illumination data for the presentation through the illumination device is determined, and the audio data forming the audio to be output from the speaker 140 is determined. Then, the effect control unit 334 executes the effect of the determined game.

  The effect includes an effect executed by the main control board 200 such as the reel effect described above and an effect executed by the sub control board 202. The effect executed by the sub-control board 202 is a liquid crystal display section 138, a speaker 140, an effect lamp 142, a reel backlight 144, a reel upper light 146, a sub-credit display section 156, a sub-payout display section as the game progresses. It is a visual and audible expression means provided through 158 and the like, which can give a story to the game and suggest the result of the winning lottery with a more dynamic image. In such an effect, for example, an effect suggesting that the bonus game is won can be performed over a plurality of games to enhance the player's expectation. In addition, even if you have not won any winning combination, it is possible to make the player have an expectation of a high payout and to prevent the player from getting tired even though he or she has not been won. It will be possible. By interlocking the main control board 200 and the sub-control board 202, various game characteristics can be constructed. Hereinafter, the main game modes will be described in detail.

(Table used in main control board 200)
In the slot machine 100, a plurality of game states are provided, and the game states transit as the game progresses. Then, in the main control board 200, a plurality of winning combination lottery tables and the like corresponding to the gaming states managed by the state shifting means 312 are stored in the main ROM 200b. The winning combination lottery means 304 extracts and extracts the corresponding winning combination lottery table from the main ROM 200b according to the current game state stored in the main RAM 200c (a game state based on the presence or absence of a bonus combination described later). Based on the winning combination lottery table and the current set value, it is determined which winning combination or non-winning prize in the winning combination lottery table the winning combination lottery random number acquired in response to the operation signal of the start switch 128 corresponds to. Here, the set value indicates the ease of obtaining the game profit in stages, and the higher the value of the set value, the easier the game profit is obtained. The set value is generally determined by the hall-side administrator at least at the start of the game, and the player cannot acquire or change the set value during the game.

  Here, the winning combinations extracted in the winning combination lottery table include a replay combination, a small combination, and a bonus combination. The state in which the symbol combinations corresponding to such a winning combination are displayed on the activated line A is called display or winning, and the state until the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is displayed is displayed. The winning state is set. When the symbol combination corresponding to the replay combination is displayed on the activated line A, the replay combination among the winning combinations is a combination in which the player can execute one game again without making a new bet on the medal. The small winning combination is a winning combination in which a symbol combination corresponding to the small winning combination is displayed on the activated line A so that a predetermined number of medals can be paid out in accordance with the symbol combination. The bonus combination is a winning combination in which the symbol combination corresponding to the bonus combination is displayed on the activated line A so that the game state managed by the state transition unit 312 can be shifted to the bonus game state. . The gaming profits given to the winning combination and the player will be described below.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a winning combination, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a transition of a gaming state.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, as winning combinations, as shown in FIG. 5, winning combinations “replay”, “bell”, and “big bonus (hereinafter referred to as“ BB ”)” are provided. Of these, the winning combination "Replay" corresponds to the replay combination, the winning combination "Bell" corresponds to the small combination, and the winning combination "BB" corresponds to the bonus combination.

(Role of replay)
As a result of the winning combination lottery, when the winning combination "Replay" is won, the symbol "Replay" written on each reel 134a, 134b, 134c, which is the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "Replay" shown in FIG. When the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "replay" is displayed on the activated line A, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "replay" is displayed on the activated line A. As described above, the player does not make a bet, and one game (replay) is performed again. ) Can be executed.

  Here, in the present embodiment, when the stop switch 130 is pressed by the player, when the symbols constituting the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination are on the activated line A, the reel control means 306 is used. The stop control is performed so that the symbol stops on the activated line A. Further, when the stop switch 130 is pressed, the symbols constituting the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination are not on the activated line A, but in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of each reel 134a, 134b, 134c. When it exists within the range (drawing range) corresponding to the four symbols, the reel control means 306 sets the number of symbols that are distant as the number of sliding symbols, and forms a symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination. The stop control is performed so as to stop after maintaining the rotation for the number of sliding pieces so as to draw the design on the effective line A. In addition, when there are a plurality of symbols corresponding to the winning combination in each reel 134a, 134b, 134c and all are within the pull-in range of each reel 134a, 134b, 134c, according to a predetermined priority order. Which symbol is drawn on the effective line A is determined, and stop control is performed so as to stop after maintaining the rotation for the number of sliding symbols so that the prioritized symbol is drawn on the effective line A. In addition, when the stop switch 130 is pressed, when the symbols constituting the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination other than the winning combination are on the activated line A, the reel control means 306 changes the symbol. A so-called kick-off process for preventing the stop on the effective line A is also executed in parallel.

  Then, on each of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c, the symbols constituting the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "Replay" are arranged so as to be always displayed on the activated line A by the above stop control ( (See FIGS. 3 and 5). Specifically, the symbols composing the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “Replay” are separated from each other by only a maximum of four symbols in each reel 134a, 134b, and 134c, so the stop control is always performed on the effective line A. Can be displayed on. In this way, when the winning combination “Replay” is won, the symbol combinations corresponding to these winning combinations “Replay” are always displayed on the activated line A. In this way, when the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “Replay” is displayed on the activated line A, the next one game can be started without inserting a medal.

(Small role)
Further, as a result of the winning combination lottery, when the winning combination "Bell" is won, the symbol "Bell A" written on each reel 134a, 134b, 134c, which is the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "Bell". Can be displayed on the activated line A, and when the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “bell” is displayed on the activated line A, the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination (here, 9) is the player. Be paid to. Here, the symbols "bell A" forming the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "bell" are separated from each other by only the maximum four symbols in each reel 134a, 134b, 134c (FIGS. 3 and 5). Similarly to the winning combination “Replay”, the winning control can always be displayed on the activated line A by the stop control.

(Bonus part)
As a result of the winning combination lottery, when the winning combination "BB" is won, the symbol "red" written on each reel 134a, 134b, 134c, which is the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "BB" shown in FIG. 7 ”can be displayed on the activated line A, and when the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination“ BB ”is displayed on the activated line A, the gaming state is set to the bonus gaming state, and the next one game (hereinafter, After that, the game can be executed in the bonus game state until a predetermined number (for example, 297) of medals are paid out. In each reel 134a, 134b, 134c, the symbol "red 7" is arranged so that it may not be displayed on the activated line A even with the above stop control (see FIGS. 3 and 5). ). Therefore, even if the winning combination “BB” is won, the player cannot always display the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “BB” on the activated line A.

  When one of the winning combinations described above is won, the internal winning flags corresponding to the respective winning combinations are established (ON), and the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are respectively selected according to the establishment status of the internal winning flag. Stop control will be performed. At this time, although the small winning combination is won, the symbol combination corresponding to the small winning combination cannot be displayed on the activated line A within the one game, if the internal winning flag is reached after the end of the one game. Is turned off. In other words, the winning right of a small win is limited to only one game in which a small win is won, and the right cannot be carried over to the next game. In addition, when the internal winning flag corresponding to the winning combination "Replay" which is the replay role is established, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "Replay" is always displayed on the activated line A, and the next medal is required without a medal. After the processing required for playing the game is performed, the internal winning flag is turned off. On the other hand, when the winning combination “BB” is won, the BB internal winning flag is established (ON), and the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “BB” is displayed on the activated line A. The BB internal winning flag is carried over across games.

(Transition of game state)
Here, the BB internal winning flag will be specifically described together with the transition of the game state. When the BB internal winning flag is established, as shown in (1) of FIG. 6, the gaming state managed by the main control board 200 is a winning combination “bonus” depending on the establishment status of the BB internal winning flag. From the bonus non-established gaming state not winning "BB" to the bonus established gaming state corresponding to the preparation state of the bonus gaming state, the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are stopped based on the bonus established gaming state. At this time, when the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “BB” cannot be displayed on the activated line A, the BB internal winning flag is carried over to the next game as it is (the bonus winning game state is maintained). In the next and subsequent games, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "BB" can be displayed on the activated line A. Then, when the player displays the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “BB” on the activated line A, the game state shifts from the bonus-established game state to the bonus game state as shown in (2) of FIG. To do. Further, in the bonus game state, when more than a predetermined number (for example, 297) of medals are paid out, the game state shifts from the bonus game state to the bonus non-established game state as shown in (3) of FIG. . However, as indicated by the dashed arrow in (4) of FIG. 6, in the game in which the winning combination “BB” is established in the bonus non-established gaming state, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “BB” is placed on the activated line A. When it is displayed, it goes directly to the bonus game state without passing through the bonus-established game state.

(Winning role lottery table)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a winning combination lottery table used when determining a winning combination lottery random number. In the winning combination lottery table, a plurality of winning regions are sectioned, and the winning combination to be selected in the lottery may differ depending on each gaming state. FIG. 7 shows a winning area (winning combination) assigned to each of the gaming states (non-bonus winning gaming state, bonus winning gaming state, bonus gaming state) by “◯”. Therefore, a winning area in which "○" is not written indicates that it is not assigned to that gaming state. In each partitioned winning area, a predetermined number (winning range value), which is a numerical value indicating the winning range, is associated with a winning combination, and the number of all winning areas assigned for each gaming state. The total of the winning combination lottery random numbers (65536). Therefore, the probability that each winning combination is determined is a value obtained by dividing the number associated with the winning area by the total number of the winning combination lottery random numbers. Based on the game state at that time, the winning combination lottery means 304 sequentially obtains the number from the one having the highest number among the plurality of winning regions in the winning combination lottery table, and obtains the number as the winning combination lottery random number. When the subtracted value becomes less than 0, the winning combination associated with the winning area at that time is set as the lottery result. The procedure of the lottery can be applied to other lottery.

  In addition, the winning combination targeted for the lottery differs depending on each game state. For example, in FIG. 7, when the bonus non-established game state and the bonus established game state are compared, the former draws a winning combination “BB”, whereas the latter draws a winning combination “BB”. Not not. This is because, in the latter case, since the winning combination “BB” has already been won, the winning combination “BB” cannot be repeatedly won. In the latter case, the winning probability of the winning combination “replay” is set higher than in the former case. Further, according to the bonus game state of FIG. 7, the lottery for the winning combination “BB” is not repeated, and the lottery for the winning combination “Replay” is not performed. In addition, since the winning combination "bell" is set to be won with a high probability, the expected number of coins that indicates the average number of coins that can be acquired in one game is higher than in the non-bonus game state and the bonus game state. It's getting higher. In addition, the winning area 0 of the winning combination lottery table is associated with "unwinning", and when "unwinning" is determined by the winning combination lottery, the symbol combination corresponding to any winning combination shown in FIG. Is not displayed on the activated line A, and medals are not paid out. However, in the bonus-established gaming state (BB internal winning flag is ON), when "unwinning" is determined by the winning combination lottery, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "BB" can be displayed on the activated line A.

  Hereinafter, specific processing in the main control board 200 will be described based on a flowchart.

(Main processing of main control board 200)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the main processing of the main control board 200. Here, first, along with the main processing of the main control board 200, an outline of one game after initialization will be described. Although detailed description is omitted, when each process is performed, the switches (the bet switch 126, the start switch 128, the stop switches 130a, 130b, and 130c) used in each process are activated at the start of the process. , Invalidated at the end of processing.

(Step S100)
When the slot machine 100 is powered on via the power switch 148 and becomes in the energized state, the initialization means 300 executes the initialization process in preparation for the start of the game. The initialization means 300 generates backup data as needed while the power is turned on, and holds the backup data in the main RAM 200c. Therefore, even if an unexpected power failure occurs, it is possible to restore the state before power failure by using the retained backup data in this initialization processing. For example, even if an unexpected power interruption occurs during the rotation of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c, the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are restarted after the returning operation. Therefore, in the initialization processing, basically, the main RAM 200c is not initialized (RAM clear).

(Step S200)
Further, when the bet number is changed, the command determining means 314 generates a throw command indicating the changed bet number and the stored number, and the command transmitting means 316 outputs the generated throw command to the sub-control board 202. Send to.

(Step S300)
Next, the winning combination lottery means 304 validates the game start operation for the start switch 128 and shifts to the operation waiting state of the start switch 128. Here, the winning combination lottery means 304 operates the start switch 128 from the winning combination lottery random number updated by the random number generator 200d of the main control board 200 in response to the player's operation of the start switch 128. The winning random number of 1 is obtained. Then, the winning combination lottery means 304 determines which winning region the acquired winning combination lottery random number corresponds to, based on the winning combination lottery table shown in FIG. 7 and the currently set gaming state. The winning combination or non-winning of the determined winning area is determined as the lottery result. In addition, after the lottery result is determined in response to the operation of the start switch 128, the command determination means 314 generates a winning combination command including the lottery result (winning combination or non-winning) of the winning combination lottery, the gaming state, and the like. Then, the command transmitting unit 316 transmits the generated winning combination command to the sub control board 202. In addition, the state transition means 312 transitions the gaming state from the bonus non-established gaming state to the bonus established gaming state based on winning the winning combination “BB” in the bonus non-established gaming state.

(Step S400)
When the start switch 128 is operated, the reel control means 306 drives the stepping motor 262 to rotate the reels 134a, 134b, 134c. In this reel rotation processing, when a predetermined time (4.1 seconds, for example) elapses from the start of rotation of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c in the previous game (wait), the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c in the game concerned. Start spinning. Then, the reel control means 306 validates the stop switches 130a, 130b, 130c when all of the reels 134a, 134b, 134c are in the normal rotation, and accepts the operation of the stop switches 130a, 130b, 130c by the player. , Stop control of any of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c corresponding to the operation. Further, when any one of the stop switches 130a, 130b, 130c is operated, the command determination means 314 outputs a stop command (first stop command, second stop command) indicating information on the operated stop switch 130a, 130b, 130c. A stop command, a third stop command) is generated each time the operation is performed, and the command transmission unit 316 sequentially transmits the generated stop commands to the sub control board 202. An example of the reel rotation processing S400 will be described later in detail.

(Step S500)
Next, the determination means 308 determines which of the predetermined symbol combinations displayed on the activated line A shown in FIG. 3B corresponds to a predetermined combination, and determines the game state according to the symbol combination. Various processes required for change and replay are executed. Further, the command determination means 314 generates a winning command including the symbol combination displayed on the activated line A and the payout number of medals when the symbol combination corresponding to the small winning combination is displayed on the activated line A. The command transmitting means 316 transmits the generated winning command to the sub control board 202. In addition, the state transition means 312 transitions the gaming state from the bonus established gaming state to the bonus gaming state based on the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination “BB” being displayed on the activated line A in the bonus established gaming state. .

(Step S600)
Subsequently, based on the determination result in step S500, for example, when the symbol combination corresponding to the small winning combination is displayed on the activated line A, the payout controlling unit 310 executes the payout process of the medals corresponding to the small winning combination. When the symbol combination corresponding to the replay combination is displayed on the activated line A, the process for betting the next game is automatically executed. Further, the state transition means 312 transitions the gaming state from the bonus gaming state to the bonus non-established gaming state when a predetermined number of medals are paid out in the bonus gaming state. As described above, the payout control unit 310 performs various processes corresponding to the symbol combinations displayed on the activated line A, and ends the one game. In addition, when the payout process of the medal is performed, the command determination means 314 generates a payout command indicating that the payout process has been performed, and the command transmission means 316 transmits the generated payout command to the sub-control board 202. .

  One game is executed through a series of processes from step S200 to step S600. After that, the main loop from step S200 to step S600 is repeated.

(Reel rotation processing S400)
Here, as a processing example of the reel rotation processing S400, a program in which the reel control unit 306 controls the rotation of the three reels 134a, 134b, and 134c (standby, acceleration, steady rotation, stop) will be given. The reel rotation process S400 functions as a subroutine. Therefore, the value of each register is saved before the reel rotation processing S400 is executed, and after the execution, the value is restored to the register. Here, an example will be described in which, for all three reels 134a, 134b, and 134c, the number of steps of the stepping motor 262 is advanced by 1 to update the states of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c.

  Here, the states of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are represented by three parameters of the motor phase, the number of steps, and the currently appearing symbol number (symbol number). Of these, the motor phase indicates the operation of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c, that is, standby, acceleration, steady rotation, and stop. It should be noted that here, the operations such as waiting, accelerating, steadily rotating, and stopping are mentioned, but further deceleration may be included. Hereinafter, the reel rotation process will be specifically described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a reel rotation process in which the reel control means 306 controls the rotation of the three reels 134a, 134b, and 134c. Here, the processing related to the features of the present embodiment will be described in detail, and the description of the configuration unrelated to the features of the present embodiment will be omitted.

  The reel control means 306 first acquires the motor phase (S410). Then, the reel control means 306 determines whether or not the motor phase indicates the standby (S411). As a result, if the motor phase is on standby (YES in S411), the reel control means 306 returns from the reel rotation processing S400, and if not in standby (NO in S411), the reel control means 306 takes such action. It is determined whether or not the motor phase indicates that the motor is in steady rotation (S412). As a result, if the motor phase is in steady rotation (YES in S412), the reel control means 306 executes processing in steady rotation, which is processing corresponding to steady rotation (S413), and if not in steady rotation. (NO in S412), the reel control means 306 determines whether or not the motor phase indicates that the motor phase is stopped (S414). As a result, if the motor phase is stopped (YES in S414), the reel control means 306 executes a stopped process that is a process of stopping the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c (S415), and if not stopped. (NO in S414), the reel control unit 306 executes the accelerating process which is a process of accelerating the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c (S416). Of the processing during steady rotation S413, the processing during stop S415, and the processing during acceleration S416, the processing during steady rotation S413 will be described in detail below.

(Processing during steady rotation S413)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the process S413 during steady rotation. The reel control means 306 first determines whether or not to output one-phase excitation of the 1-2-phase excitation as the next excitation of the stepping motor 262 (S420). This is because the number of times of processing is halved by advancing the processing only in one of the 1-2 phase excitation. As a result, if the one-phase excitation is to be output (YES in S420), the reel control means 306 determines whether or not the index signal is detected (S421). The index signal is a signal output by the semicircular light-shielding plate fixed to the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c at any one of the predetermined timings of turning the index sensor from off to on and from on to off. Is. As a result, if the index signal is detected, that is, if it is determined that the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c have made one rotation (YES in S421), the reel control means 306 determines whether the index flag is ON. The determination is made (S422). Here, the index flag is a flag that is turned on when the index signal is acquired after the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c reach the speed of steady rotation. As a result, if the index flag is ON (YES in S422), the reel control means 306 determines whether the rotation error detection counter is less than the lower limit time (S423). As a result, if the rotation error detection counter is less than the lower limit time (YES in S423), it is determined to be a rotation error, the process related to the rotation error is executed (S424), and the reel rotation process S400 returns. If the index flag is OFF (NO in S422), and if the rotation error detection counter is equal to or longer than the lower limit time (NO in S423), the reel control means 306 performs the processing without executing the rotation error processing S424. Proceed. Here, the rotation error detection counter is a counter for determining a so-called timeout, during which the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are rotating, a predetermined time elapses without detecting an edge.

  Here, the lower limit time is determined for the following reason. Normally, when the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are stopped, the time counted by the rotation error detection counter becomes equal to or more than the upper limit time and the time-out occurs. However, when the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are stopped near the index sensor or vibrating near the index sensor, the index signal continues to be output or switches in a short time to cause a rotation error. The detection counter may not be counted normally. Here, if the rotation error detection counter is less than the lower limit time, it is determined that the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are stopped or vibrating in the vicinity of the index sensor, and the rotation error is determined.

  Next, the reel control means 306 clears the rotation error detection counter (S425). Here, since the index signal is detected, the rotation error detection counter is cleared (reset to 0) to avoid the time-out. During steady rotation, the rotation error detection counter is constantly updated as described later. Therefore, during steady rotation, the rotation error detection counter must be cleared every time an index signal (edge) is detected.

  Then, the reel control means 306 determines whether or not the index flag is ON (S426). As a result, if the index flag is ON (YES in S426), the reel controller 306 determines whether the stop request flag is ON (S427). Here, the stop request flag is a flag that is turned on when any of the stop switches 130a, 130b, and 130c is appropriately operated during steady rotation. As a result, if the stop request flag is not ON (NO in S427), and if the index flag is not ON (NO in S426), the reel control means 306, the initial value of the step counter (number of unit symbol steps) Is set (S428), the initial value (upper limit number of symbols) of the symbol number counter is set (S429), and the process is returned from the reel rotation process S400. Here, the step counter is a counter for counting the number of steps of the stepping motor 262 (incrementing or decrementing one by one according to a change in step), and the symbol number counter counts the currently appearing symbol number (every time the symbol changes. It is a counter that increments or decrements by one. The currently appearing symbol number is a number sequentially assigned to each symbol in order to identify the symbol currently appearing at the reference position (for example, on the activated line A), and the position of each symbol can be identified. Further, the unit symbol indicates one symbol of a plurality of symbols, and the number of steps of the unit symbol is the number of steps of the stepping motor 262 corresponding to the rotation of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c by the unit symbol, and the upper limit. The number of symbols (number of symbols) is the number of unit symbols corresponding to one rotation of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c.

  If the index signal is not detected in step S421 (NO in S421), the reel control means 306 increments and updates the rotation error detection counter in order to identify an error due to timeout (S430). Then, the reel control means 306 determines whether the rotation error detection counter is equal to or longer than the upper limit time (S431). As a result, if the rotation error detection counter is equal to or longer than the upper limit time (YES in S431), it is determined that the rotation error has occurred, processing relating to the rotation error is executed (S432), and the reel rotation processing S400 is resumed. Is less than the upper limit time (NO in S431), the reel control means 306 shifts the processing to the symbol information updating processing S433 without executing the rotation error processing S432.

  Here, the upper limit time is determined for the following reason. When the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are stopped, the time counted by the rotation error detection counter becomes equal to or more than the upper limit time and the time-out occurs. Here, if the rotation error detection counter is equal to or longer than the upper limit time, it is determined that the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are stopped or out of synchronization, and it is determined that there is a rotation error.

  If it is determined in step S420 that one-phase excitation is not to be output (NO in S420), or if it is determined in step S427 that the stop request flag is ON (YES in S427), the reel. The control means 306 performs a symbol information updating process for updating the symbol information on the reels 134a, 134b, 134c (S433). The symbol information update processing S433 will be described later in detail.

  Subsequently, the reel control means 306 determines whether or not the stop request flag is ON (S434). As a result, if the stop request flag is ON (YES in S434), the reel control means 306 compares the symbol number requested to be stopped with the currently appearing symbol number described later (S435). Then, the reel control means 306 determines whether or not the symbol number requested to be stopped is equal to the currently appearing symbol number (S436). As a result, if the symbol number requested to stop and the currently appearing symbol number are equal (YES in S436), the reel control means 306 determines whether or not the index flag is ON (S437). As a result, if the index flag is ON (YES in S437), the reel control means 306 resets the stop request flag (S438), updates the motor phase from steady rotation to stop (S439), and the reel concerned. The process returns from the rotation process S400. If the stop request flag is not turned on in step S434 (NO in S434), or the symbol number requested to be stopped in step S436 and the currently appearing symbol number are not equal (NO in S436), or step If the index flag is OFF in S437 (NO in S437), the process returns from the reel rotation process S400.

  Hereinafter, before explaining the symbol information update processing S433, the technology as a premise thereof will be described. In this embodiment, the stepping motor 262 is used in which the total number of steps (total number of steps) is 252 for each rotation of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c. This is because if the number of symbols is 21, 252 is a multiple of 21, so that the number of steps of the unit symbol can be treated equally. In this embodiment, since the stepping motor 262 is operated by 1-2 phase excitation, the resolution is improved and the number of steps can be counted by 504 which is twice 252. Therefore, in the following example, the total number of steps is treated as 504.

  Here, an example in which the number of steps divisible by 21 corresponds to one rotation of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c, for example, the number of steps is 504, has been described, but the number of steps is not limited to 21. Other than the above, for example, it is not divisible by 20, 16, but the number of steps divisible by at least 4 may correspond to one rotation.

  Of the three parameters of the motor phase, the number of steps, and the currently appearing symbol number, the number of steps is counted by the step counter, and the currently appearing symbol number for identifying the symbol that is currently appearing is the symbol number counter. Is counted by. The reel control means 306 causes the step counter to count the number of steps, and the number of steps counted by the step counter causes the symbol number counter to count the symbol number each time the number of unit symbol steps, which is the number of steps in the unit symbol, elapses. At the same time, the step counter is reset, and when the symbol number counted by the symbol number counter reaches a predetermined upper limit number of symbols, the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c are assumed to have rotated once, and the symbol number counter is reset.

  If the total number of steps of one rotation of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c is 504, and the number of symbols of the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c is 21, the unit symbol step number is 504/21 = 24, so the reel The control unit 306 updates the symbol number counter by causing the step counter to count 24, and also initializes the step counter. Further, the reel control means 306 resets the symbol number counter when the currently appearing symbol number counted by the symbol number counter reaches 21, which is the upper limit symbol number.

  In this embodiment, the number of symbols is set to 20. Therefore, the value obtained by dividing 504 which is the total number of steps by 20 which is the number of symbols is not an integer. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in 20 frames, the number of unit symbol steps is 12 in 12 frames, and the number of unit symbol steps is 8 in 8 frames, and the number of steps is proportionally divided for each symbol. Specifically, the number of unit symbol steps is sequentially changed to 26 → 24 → 26 → 24 → 26 for each symbol for five symbols, and the combination is repeated four times. Thus, in 20 frames, the number of unit symbol steps can be 26 when 3 × 4 times = 12 frames, and the number of unit symbol steps is 24 when 2 × 4 times = 8 frames. Therefore, the reel control means 306 updates the currently appearing symbol number by counting 26 or 24 according to the symbol (symbol number), and initializes the number of steps. Further, the reel control means 306 resets the symbol number counter when the currently appearing symbol number counted by the symbol number counter reaches 20, which is the upper limit symbol number.

  However, as described above, when attempting to manage a plurality of unit symbol step numbers (26, 24) individually, the following problems occur. That is, generally, in the slot machine, the program relating to the game control processing for controlling the progress of the game must be arranged in the use area (control area 4.5 kbytes + data area 3.0 kbytes) in the ROM of the main control board. .

  Specifically, in the main control board 200, the main CPU 200a cooperates with the main RAM 200c based on a program stored in the main ROM 200b, whereby the initializing means 300, the betting means 302, the winning lottery means 304, and the reel control. It functions as means 306, determination means 308, payout control means 310, state transition means 312, command determination means 314, command transmission means 316, etc., and controls the progress of the game. Programs for executing these functional units are arranged in predetermined areas (use areas) of the main ROM 200b and the main RAM 200c.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a memory map of the main ROM 200b and the main RAM 200c. Here, a memory space of 0000h to 2FFFh (12 kbytes) is allocated to the main ROM 200b, and a memory space of F000h to F1FFh (512 bytes) and F200h to F3FFh (512 bytes) is allocated to the main RAM 200c. Further, the use area is defined in both the main ROM 200b and the main RAM 200c.

  A use area is allocated to the memory space of 0000h to 1DF3h of the main ROM 200b. Specifically, in the memory space (control area) limited to 0000h to 11FFh (4.5 kbytes), the initialization means 300, the bet means 302, the winning combination lottery means 304, the reel control means 306, the determination means 308, and the payout control. The instruction code of the program for executing the game control processing for controlling the progress of the game by causing the means 310, the state transition means 312, the command determination means 314, and the command transmission means 316 to function is stored, and 1200h to 1DF3h (3.0 kbyte). The data used for the program of the game control processing is stored in the memory space (data area) limited to). A comment area is assigned to the memory spaces 1E00h to 1EFFh, and a program management area is assigned to the memory spaces 2FC0h to 2FFFh. The instruction code of the program is written in assembler language. Here, the program is composed of an instruction code, can be read by a computer, and can realize a predetermined process in cooperation with data and a work area.

  A use area is allocated to the memory space of F000h to F1FFh of the main RAM 200c. Specifically, the work area of the game control processing is assigned to the memory space of F000h to F13Fh, and is used for variable management such as a timer, a counter, and a flag. In the memory space of F1C0h to F1FFh, the stack area for the game control processing is assigned. Further, the main CPU 200a is provided with an internal register.

  As described above, in the main CPU 200a, the storage capacity of the used area is predetermined, and for example, as shown in FIG. 11, the control area is limited to 4.5 kbytes and the data area is limited to 3.0 kbytes. There is. Therefore, even if an attempt is made to increase the variation of the game control processing in order to improve the game playability, the storage capacity of the game control processing in the control area may be limited and may not be added. Also, when a winning type including a winning combination with a large gaming profit (selecting winning combination) is won, the operation mode of the stop switch, which is the winning condition of the selected winning combination, is notified, so that the corresponding winning combination can be handled. The so-called AT effect state in which the AT (assist time) is executed, in which the player can easily display the symbol combination on the activated line, and the so-called reel effect in which the reel unit 134 is rotated in various modes. When the main CPU 200a manages, the storage capacity of the game control process may be further limited in the control area.

  Here, in the symbol information updating process S433, by reducing the number of bytes of the program code, the reels 134a, 134b, 134c are appropriately controlled while preventing an increase in the control area for performing the game control process.

  Here, as the instruction code, a command prepared for the LEM50A-P (product name) sold by LETech is used. The LEM50A-P is a microprocessor equipped with a Z80 CPU called NC80EX, which is commonly used in the gaming machine industry (has a high market share).

(Symbol information update process S433)
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of the symbol information update processing S433. The reel control means 306 acquires the number of steps from the step counter (S440) and updates the number of steps (S441). Specifically, the reel control means 306 decrements the number of steps by 1, and determines whether the number of steps becomes negative, that is, whether the number of steps is counted by the number of unit symbol steps, and the number of steps is only the number of unit symbol steps. If it has been counted, the number of steps is updated to "25" which is the unit symbol step number "26" minus the calculation convenience "1".

  Subsequently, the reel control means 306 determines whether or not the currently appearing symbol number needs to be updated, that is, whether or not the number of steps has been counted by the number of unit symbol steps (S442). As a result, if it is necessary to update the currently appearing symbol number (YES in S442), the reel control means 306 acquires the currently appearing symbol number from the symbol number counter (S443), and updates the currently appearing symbol number (S443). S444). Specifically, the reel control means 306 decrements the currently appearing symbol number by 1, and determines whether or not the currently appearing symbol number is negative, that is, whether or not the currently appearing symbol number is counted by the upper limit number of symbols, and the currently appearing symbol is present. If the number is counted by the upper limit number of symbols, the currently appearing symbol number is set to "19" by subtracting "1" of the calculation convenience from the upper limit number of symbols "20". Then, the reel control means 306 sets the updated currently appearing symbol number in the symbol number counter (S445).

  Then, the reel control means 306 updates the step number again according to the currently appearing symbol number. Specifically, the reel control means 306 divides the currently appearing symbol number by a predetermined divisor, here, 5 (S446), and whether or not the value of bit 0 of the remainder (remainder) obtained by the division is 0, That is, it is determined whether it is an even number (S447). As a result, if the value of bit 0 is not 0, that is, if it is 1 (NO in S447), the reel control means 306 sets the number of steps to "1", which is a calculation convenience from the number of unit symbol steps "24". The subtracted value "23" is updated again (S448). Then, the reel controller 306 sets the updated step number in the step counter (S449).

  The reason why the number of steps is updated again is as follows. That is, as described above, the step number 504 of the stepping motor 262 is not divisible by 20. Therefore, among 20 frames, the number of unit symbol steps is set to "26" for 12 frames and the number of unit symbol steps is set to "24" for 8 frames. Then, the ratio of the symbol having the unit symbol step number of "26" and the symbol having the unit symbol step number of "24" is 3: 2, and thus "26" when the remainder divided by 5 is an even number, When the number is an odd number, it is set to "24", whereby the proportional division of "26" and "24" can be realized. Therefore, in the present embodiment, first, "26" is set as the number of steps, and if the remainder obtained by dividing the currently appearing symbol number by 5 is an odd number, it is replaced with "24". In this way, while maintaining the regularity of the change in the unit symbol step number for each symbol, the unit symbol step number is “26” for 12 frames out of 20 frames, and the unit symbol step number is “24” for 8 frames. Is possible.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a program for realizing the flowchart of FIG. 12, and FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the arrangement of variables of the present embodiment in the work area. In FIG. 14, the variables are arranged in reel units instead of parameter units. Specifically, the variables are collectively (continuously) assigned in the order of the first reel 134a, the second reel 134b, and the third reel 134c. Within each reel, variables relating to parameters such as motor phase (_SMC_PHS), number of steps (_STE_CNT), and current appearance symbol number (_FIG_NUM) are assigned in that order. Therefore, the motor phase of the first reel 134a, the number of steps, the current appearance symbol number, the motor phase of the second reel 134b, the number of steps, the current appearance symbol number, the motor phase of the third reel 134c, the number of steps, the current appearance symbol number It will be arranged in order.

  "SMCPROC" in the first line of FIG. 13 indicates the start address of the symbol information update processing S433. “LD A, (IY + @ STE_CNT_OFS)” on the second line indicates the value of the IY register (the start address of the variable) and the address of the number of steps (_STE_CNT) and the address of the motor phase (_SMC_PHS) shown in FIG. This indicates that the address obtained by adding the offset value @STE_CNT_OFS (here, 1), that is, the content indicated by the address of the step number is set in the A register. The command on the second line corresponds to step S440 in FIG.

  "DCPLD A, 26-1" on the third line of FIG. 13 is the predetermined number of steps when the value of the A register is decremented by 1 and the carrier is generated (becomes negative) by the decrement (26- Indicates that the value of 1) is set. Here, the predetermined number of steps is set to 26-1, when the number of unit symbol steps is 26, the number of steps changes with a value between 0 and 25. “LD E, A” on the fourth line indicates that the value of the A register is set in the E register. Here, the number of steps is saved in the E register in order to open the A register. “JR NC, SMC_ROT07” on the fifth line indicates that the carrier moves to SMC_ROT07 if no carrier is generated. The command on the third and fourth lines corresponds to step S441 in FIG. 12, and the command on the fifth line corresponds to step S442 in FIG.

  "LD A, (IY + @ FIG_NUM_OFS)" in the sixth line of FIG. 13 is the value of the IY register (start address of the variable), the address of the currently appearing symbol number (_FIG_NUM) and the motor phase address shown in FIG. (_SMC_PHS) and an offset value @FIG_NUM_OFS (2 in this case) are added, that is, the content indicated by the address of the currently appearing symbol number is set to the A register. Here, "LD A, (qq + v)" which is a command used to read a variable stored in a predetermined address used in the sixth line of FIG. 13 to a predetermined register of the main CPU 200a is different from mere "LD". , V is a numerical value other than 0 to 7 among the numerical values represented by 8 bits (either -128 to -1 or 8 to 127), the "LD A, (qq + v)" is "LD A. , (Qq + d) ”, and the length of the command itself (command length) is 3 bytes, but if any of 0 to 7, the command length of the“ LD A, (qq + v) ”is 2 bytes. Can be shortened to An IX register or an IY register is used for qq. Such a command is often used mainly when the BC register, the DE register, and the HL register cannot be used. The command on the sixth line corresponds to step S443 in FIG.

  "DCPLD A, 20-1" on the 7th line of FIG. 13 is a predetermined number of symbols when the value of the A register is decremented by 1 and carrier is thereby generated (minus) (20- Indicates that the value of 1) is set. Here, the predetermined number of symbols is set to 20-1, because when the upper limit number of symbols is 20, the number of steps changes with a value between 0 and 19. "LD (IY + @ FIG_NUM_OFS), A" on the 8th line indicates the contents of the A register, the value of the IY register (the start address of the variable), the address (_FIG_NUM) of the currently appearing symbol number shown in FIG. 14, and the motor. The address (_SMC_PHS) of the phase and the offset value @FIG_NUM_OFS (2 in this case) are added, that is, it is set to the address of the currently appearing symbol number. Here, "LD (qq + v), A" which is a command for updating the variable stored in the predetermined address used in the eighth line of FIG. 13 with the value of the predetermined register of the main CPU 200a is simply "LD , V is a numerical value other than 0 to 7, the “LD (qq + v), A” is treated as “LD (qq + d), A”, and the length of the command itself (command length) is 3 Although it is a byte, if it is any of 0 to 7, the command length of the "LD (qq + v), A" can be shortened to 2 bytes. The commands on the seventh and eighth lines correspond to steps S444 and S445 in FIG.

  "DIV D, A, 5" on the ninth line in FIG. 13 indicates that the remainder (remainder) obtained by dividing the value of the A address (currently appearing symbol number) by 5 (predetermined divisor) is set in the D register. . The command on the ninth line corresponds to step S446 in FIG. “JBIT Z, 0, D, SMC_ROT07” on the 10th line indicates that if bit 0 of the D register is 0, then it moves to “SMC_ROT07”. The command on the 10th line corresponds to step S447 in FIG. “LD E, 24-1” on the 11th line indicates that a predetermined number of steps (here, 24) different from 26 is set in the E register. The command on the 11th line corresponds to step S448 in FIG. "SMC_ROT07:" on the 12th line indicates the destination address of "JR NC, SMC_ROT07" on the 5th line. "LD (IY + @ STE_CNT_OFS), E" on the 13th line is the contents (number of steps) of the E register, and the value of the IY register (start address of the variable) is the address of the currently appearing symbol number shown in FIG. 14 ( _STE_CNT) and the motor phase address (_SMC_PHS) offset value @STE_CNT_OFS (here, 1) is added, that is, the value of the address of the number of steps is updated. The command on the 13th line corresponds to step S449 in FIG.

  Here, a down counter that decrements the numerical value by 1 is used to count the number of steps and the currently appearing symbol number. This is because there are many commands (for example, "DCPLD") for determining the occurrence of zero or carrier (having good usability), and the command length can be shortened by using such a command. However, the counter is not necessarily limited to the down counter, and an up counter that increments the numerical value by 1 may be used. In that case, when the number of steps reaches the unit symbol step number, and when the currently appearing symbol number reaches the upper limit symbol number. , Each up counter may be reset to 0.

  Further, here, in step S441, regardless of the currently appearing symbol number, the number of steps is temporarily fixedly updated (for example, the unit symbol step number = 26), and then according to the currently appearing symbol number, the D register If bit 0 is not 0 (if it is 1), the example in which the unit symbol step number is rewritten to 24 again has been described. However, not limited to such a case, depending on the currently appearing symbol number, if bit 0 of the D register is 0, the unit symbol step number is 26, and if bit 0 of the D register is not 0 (if 1 is 1 ), A procedure of setting the number of unit symbol steps to 24 can also be adopted.

  As described above, here, the reel control means 306 causes the symbol number counter to count the currently appearing symbol number each time the number of steps counted by the step counter has passed the unit symbol step number, and resets the step counter. If the current appearance symbol number is updated, assuming that the current appearance symbol number counted by the symbol number counter reaches a predetermined upper limit symbol number, and the current appearance symbol number is updated, the updated current appearance symbol number is predetermined. Of the number of unit symbol steps, here, the number of unit symbol steps is determined from 24 and 26 according to the remainder.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram in which the setting manner of the unit symbol step number in the symbol information update processing S433 is extracted. For example, as the number of steps of the stepping motor 262 advances, the currently appearing symbol number is incremented in the order of 0, 1, 2, ..., 18, 19. When the present appearance symbol number is divided by 5, the remainder is incremented in the order of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 as shown in FIG. 15, and this is repeated 4 times. When the remainder is represented by a binary number, it is incremented in the order of 000b, 001b, 010b, 011b, 100b as shown in the 3-bit display (bit 2, bit 1, bit 0) of FIG. Will be repeated. With respect to bit 0 (least significant bit) of such 3-bit display, a process of alternately repeating 0 and 1 is repeatedly executed four times. Therefore, in FIG. 15, for the currently appearing symbol numbers 0 to 19, bit 0 is "0b", "1b", "0b", "1b", "0b", "0b", "1b", " 0b "," 1b "," 0b "," 0b "," 1b "," 0b "," 1b "," 0b "," 0b "," 1b "," 0b "," 1b "," 0b " Becomes Needless to say, even in the 8-bit (1 byte) display in which the upper 5 bits of the 3 bits are fixed to 0, the switching mode of the bit 0 is the same. Here, according to bit 0, if bit 0 is “0b”, the unit symbol step number is “26”, and if bit 0 is “1b”, the unit symbol step number is “24”.

  Here, when the currently appearing symbol number is updated, the updated currently appearing symbol number is divided by a predetermined divisor, here, 5 and the unit symbol step number is calculated according to the remainder from a plurality of different unit symbol step numbers. With the configuration for determining, the determination of the currently appearing symbol number can be performed at the bit level. In this way, the instruction code of the program is minimized to prevent an increase in the control area for performing the game control process, while the number of unit symbol steps of each symbol is approximately equal, particularly, here, "26" for each symbol. It is possible to appropriately control the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c by alternately arranging "24" and regularly setting every five symbols.

(Modification 1)
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the symbol information update processing S433. In the example of FIG. 16, when the currently appearing symbol number is updated, the reel control means 306 divides the updated currently appearing symbol number by a predetermined divisor, here, 5 and the number of different unit symbol steps, Here, the number of unit symbol steps is determined from 25 and 26 according to the remainder.

  For example, as the number of steps of the stepping motor 262 advances, the currently appearing symbol number is incremented in the order of 0, 1, 2, ..., 18, 19. When the present appearance symbol number is divided by 5, the remainder is incremented in the order of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 as shown in FIG. 16, and this is repeated 4 times. When the remainder is represented by a binary number, it is incremented in the order of 000b, 001b, 010b, 011b, 100b as shown in the 3-bit display of FIG. 16, and this is repeated four times. Bit 2 (most significant bit) of the 3-bit display is "1" for every 5 symbols. Therefore, in FIG. 16, for the currently appearing symbol numbers 0 to 19, bit 2 is “0b”, “0b”, “0b”, “0b”, “1b”, “0b”, “0b”, “ 0b ”,“ 0b ”,“ 1b ”,“ 0b ”,“ 0b ”,“ 0b ”,“ 0b ”,“ 1b ”,“ 0b ”,“ 0b ”,“ 0b ”,“ 0b ”,“ 1b ” Becomes Even in the 8-bit (1 byte) display in which the upper 5 bits of the 3 bits are fixed to 0, the switching mode of the bit 2 is the same. Here, based on bit 2, if bit 2 is “0b”, the unit symbol step number is “25”, and if bit 2 is “1b”, the unit symbol step number is “26”.

  Even with such a configuration, it is possible to determine the currently appearing symbol number in bits, while minimizing the instruction code of the program and preventing an increase in the control area for performing game control processing, the number of steps for each symbol is roughly It is possible to properly control the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c by setting them uniformly and regularly in units of five symbols.

(Modification 2)
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing another modification of the symbol information update processing S433. The example of FIG. 17 is different in that the total number of steps in the stepping motor 262 is 336 instead of 504. When the currently appearing symbol number is updated, the reel control means 306 divides the updated currently appearing symbol number by a predetermined divisor, here, 5 and a plurality of different unit symbol step numbers, here, 17 and 16 Therefore, the number of unit symbol steps is determined according to the remainder.

  For example, as the number of steps of the stepping motor 262 advances, the currently appearing symbol number is incremented in the order of 0, 1, 2, ..., 18, 19. When the present appearance symbol number is divided by 5, the remainder is incremented in the order of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 as shown in FIG. 17, and this is repeated 4 times. When the remainder is represented by a binary number, it is incremented in the order of 000b, 001b, 010b, 011b, 100b as shown in the 3-bit display of FIG. 17, and this is repeated four times. Bit 2 (most significant bit) of the 3-bit display is "1" for every 5 symbols. Therefore, in FIG. 17, for the currently appearing symbol numbers 0 to 19, bit 2 is “0b”, “0b”, “0b”, “0b”, “1b”, “0b”, “0b”, “ 0b ”,“ 0b ”,“ 1b ”,“ 0b ”,“ 0b ”,“ 0b ”,“ 0b ”,“ 1b ”,“ 0b ”,“ 0b ”,“ 0b ”,“ 0b ”,“ 1b ” Becomes Even in the 8-bit (1 byte) display in which the upper 5 bits of the 3 bits are fixed to 0, the switching mode of the bit 2 is the same. Here, based on bit 2, if bit 2 is “0b”, the unit symbol step number is “17”, and if bit 2 is “1b”, the unit symbol step number is “16”.

  Even with such a configuration, it is possible to determine the currently appearing symbol number in bits, while minimizing the instruction code of the program and preventing an increase in the control area for performing game control processing, the number of steps for each symbol is roughly It is possible to properly control the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c by setting them uniformly and regularly in units of five symbols.

(Modification 3)
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing another modified example of the symbol information update processing S433. In the example of FIG. 18, since the stepping motor 262 is controlled by one-phase excitation, the total number of steps is 252, which is different. When the current appearance symbol number is updated, the reel control means 306 divides the updated current appearance symbol number by a predetermined divisor, here, 5 and a plurality of different unit symbol step numbers, here, 12 and 13 Therefore, the number of unit symbol steps is determined according to the remainder.

  For example, as the number of steps of the stepping motor 262 advances, the currently appearing symbol number is incremented in the order of 0, 1, 2, ..., 18, 19. When the present appearance symbol number is divided by 5, the remainder is incremented in the order of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 as shown in FIG. 18, which is repeated 4 times. When the remainder is represented by a binary number, it is incremented in the order of 000b, 001b, 010b, 011b, 100b as shown in the 3-bit display of FIG. 18, and this is repeated four times. Bit 3 of such 3-bit display becomes "1" for every 5 symbols, and bit 1 repeats the values of 0b, 0b, 1b, 1b, 0b. In FIG. 18, bit 2 is “0b”, “0b”, “0b”, “0b”, “1b”, “0b”, “0b”, “0b”, for the currently appearing symbol numbers 0 to 19. "0b", "1b", "0b", "0b", "0b", "0b", "1b", "0b", "0b", "0b", "0b", "1b". Also, for the currently appearing symbol numbers 0 to 19, bit 1 is "0b", "0b", "1b", "1b", "0b", "0b", "0b", "1b", "1b". , “0b”, “0b”, “0b”, “1b”, “1b”, “0b”, “0b”, “0b”, “1b”, “1b”, “0b”. Even in the 8-bit (1 byte) display in which the upper 5 bits of the 3 bits are fixed to 0, the switching modes of the bit 2 and the bit 1 are the same. Here, based on bit 2 and bit 1, if any bit is “1b”, the unit symbol step number is 13, and if any bit is “0b”, the unit symbol step number is 12. .

  In this way, the reel control means 306 may determine the unit symbol step number based on the logical operation of the values of a plurality of bits when the divisor is represented by a binary number.

  Further, the reel control means 306 may determine the number of unit symbol steps based on whether or not the remainder is a predetermined value, for example, 2 or more. In this case, the byte length of the program code can be reduced by using a compare instruction or the like.

  Even with such a configuration, it is possible to determine the currently appearing symbol number in bits, while minimizing the instruction code of the program and preventing an increase in the control area for performing game control processing, the number of steps for each symbol is roughly It is possible to properly control the reels 134a, 134b, and 134c by setting them uniformly and regularly in units of five symbols.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and it should be understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention. To be done.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, when the symbol number is updated, the reel control means 306 divides the updated symbol number by a predetermined divisor, and from two different unit symbol step numbers, for example, 24 and 26. The example has been described in which the number of unit symbol steps is determined according to the remainder. However, not limited to such a case, depending on the total number of steps of the stepping motor 262 and the number of symbols, the reel control unit 306 updates the symbol number after the symbol number is updated, and divides the updated symbol number by a predetermined divisor. You may decide the number of unit symbol steps from 3 or more different unit symbol steps, for example, 24, 25, and 26 according to a remainder.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the symbol number is updated, the reel control means 306 divides the updated symbol number by a predetermined divisor, and from a plurality of different unit symbol steps, a predetermined surplus bit Although the example of deciding the unit symbol step number according to the above has been described, it is not limited to such a case, for example, the unit symbol step number is changed only by a predetermined value, and the unit symbol step number according to the remainder itself. May be determined.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the number of symbols is 20, the total number of steps is, for example, 504, the unit number of symbol steps is 26, 24, 26, 24, 26, 26, 24, 26. , 24, 26, 26, 24, 26, 24, 26, 26, 24, 26, 24, 26. Here, if the regularity is maintained, the number of symbols can be arbitrarily changed. For example, when the number of symbols is 16, the total number of steps is, for example, 504, and the predetermined symbol number is represented by a binary number without dividing the updated symbol number by a predetermined divisor. Based on the value of the bit (for example, bit 0), the number of unit symbol steps corresponding to the updated symbol number may be determined from a plurality of different unit symbol step numbers (for example, 31, 32). For example, if bit 0 is “0b”, it is “31”, and if it is “1b”, it is “32”, and the number of unit symbol steps is 31, 32, 31, 32, 31, 32, 31, 32, 31. , 32, 31, 32, 31, 32, 31, 32 regularly change. Also, based on the value of a predetermined bit (for example, bit 1) when the symbol number is represented by a binary number, corresponding to the updated symbol number from a plurality of different unit symbol step numbers (for example, 31, 32) The number of unit symbol steps to be performed may be determined. For example, if bit 1 is “0b”, it is “31”, and if it is “1b”, it is “32”. 31, 31, 32, 32, 31, 31, 32, 32, 31, 31, 32, 32 , 31, 31, 32, 32 will be regularly changed.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the main control board 200 and the sub control board 202 are arranged so as to share the function part for performing the game, but the function part of the main control board 200 is assigned to the sub control board 202. Alternatively, the functional units of the sub-control board 202 may be arranged on the main control board 200, or all the functional units may be arranged on one control board.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the bonus game has been described as the game profit, but the present invention is not limited to such a case, and the AT effect state described above and the winning probability of the replay combination are set to be higher than the normal game. An RT (replay time) game, or an ART game in which the AT and RT games described above are simultaneously advanced, may be provided to increase the chance of winning a winning combination for the consumption of medals by suppressing the consumption of medals.

  The processes performed by the main control board 200 and the sub-control board 202 do not need to be performed in chronological order according to the order described in the flowchart, and may include processing in parallel or by a subroutine.

100 slot machines (game machines)
134a, 134b, 134c Reel 200a Main CPU
200b main ROM
200c main RAM
262 Stepping motor 306 Reel control means

Claims (4)

With a reel in which multiple types of symbols are arranged,
A stepping motor for rotating the reel,
A step counter for counting the number of steps of the stepping motor,
A symbol number counter that counts the symbol number that can specify the symbol at the reference position,
Every time the number of steps counted by the step counter elapses as the unit symbol step number, the symbol number counter is caused to count the symbol number, and the step counter is reset, and the symbol number counted by the symbol number counter is predetermined. Reel control means for resetting the symbol number counter when the number of symbols is reached,
Equipped with
When the symbol number is updated, the reel control means divides the value of the updated symbol number by a divisor included in a predetermined range based on a program, and a plurality of different units according to the remainder of the division. A gaming machine that performs a process of determining a unit symbol step number corresponding to the updated symbol number from the symbol step number . The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the reel control means performs a process of determining a unit symbol step number based on a value of a predetermined bit when the remainder is represented by a binary number. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the reel control means performs a process of determining a unit symbol step number based on a logical operation of a plurality of bit values when the remainder is represented by a binary number. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the reel control means performs a process of determining the number of unit symbol steps based on whether or not the remainder is a predetermined value or more.

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