JP6712927B2 - Slot machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a slot machine capable of generating a predetermined winning according to a display result of a variable display section capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information that can each be identified.

As this type of slot machine, it is common to rotate and stop the reel using a stepping motor. For example, each time the number of steps assigned to each symbol is counted, the symbol number is updated and stopped. It is proposed that the number of sliding symbols is determined according to the symbol number when the operation is performed (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-80937 A

In the slot machine described in Patent Document 1, since it is not possible to stop the reel immediately after the stop operation is detected, the number of steps when the stop operation is detected is constant at which the symbol cannot be stopped. When the number of steps is in the range, it is necessary to obtain the symbol number by adding 1 to the symbol number when the stop operation is detected, and extra processing is performed to identify the symbol number when the stop operation is performed. It will be necessary.

The present invention focuses on such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a slot machine capable of specifying a position where a stop operation is performed by a simple procedure.

In order to solve the above problems, the gaming machine according to claim 1 of the present invention is
A variable display unit is provided which can be variably displayed by moving a display band in which a plurality of types of identification information that can be identified are arranged by a stepping motor
In a slot machine in which a display result is derived by stopping the variable display of the variable display unit, and a prize can be generated according to the display result,
Derivation operation means that the player operates to derive the display result,
Basic processing execution means for executing basic processing,
An interrupt process executing means for periodically interrupting the basic process and executing the interrupt process,
The interrupt processing execution means ,
In the interrupt processing, step number updating means for updating the step number each time a drive signal is output to the stepping motor,
In the interrupt processing, each time the number of steps updated by the step number updating means reaches the specific number of steps required for one area of the plurality of areas allocated to the display area to move, Area specifying information updating means for updating the area specifying information assigned to specify the area;
In the interrupt processing, including an operation state information updating unit for updating the operation state information indicating the operation state of the derivation operation unit,
The basic processing execution means is
In the basic process, a specific event determination means for determining whether a specific event that may have occurred anomaly,
In the basic process, referring to the operation state information, derived operation acceptance determination means for determining whether or not the operation of the derivation operation means is accepted based on the operation state indicated by the operation state information,
In the basic processing, area specifying information acquisition means capable of acquiring area specifying information according to an operation of the derivation operation means,
In the basic processing, a stop control unit that specifies a stop position to stop the display band based on the region specifying information acquired by the region specifying information acquisition unit, and performs control to stop the display band at the specified stop position,
In the basic process, an interrupt setting means for setting prohibition of execution of the interrupt process,
The area specifying information acquisition means acquires the number of steps updated by the step number updating means, does not acquire the area specifying information when the acquired number of steps is within a specific range, and is outside the specific range. Area specific information to
The derivation operation acceptance determination means determines whether or not the operation of the derivation operation means has been accepted once each time the interrupt processing is executed while waiting for the operation of the derivation operation means,
The specific event determination means determines whether or not the specific event has occurred once each time the interrupt processing is executed while waiting for the operation of the derivation operation means,
The derivation operation acceptance determination means, in the state of waiting for the operation of the derivation operation means, after the interrupt processing is finished, it is determined whether or not the specific event occurs, It is determined whether the operation has been accepted.
The slot machine of Means 1 of the present invention,
A variable display section (reels 2L, 2C, 2R) that can be variably displayed by moving a display band in which a plurality of types of identification information (designs) that can be identified are moved by a stepping motor (reel motor 32L, 32C, 32R) ),
In a slot machine (slot machine 1) in which a display result is derived by stopping the variable display of the variable display section, and a prize can be generated according to the display result,
Derivation operation means (stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R) operated by the player to derive the display result,
Step number updating means (reel step number updating processing) that updates the step number (value of the symbol step number counter) every time a drive signal is output to the stepping motor (reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R),
The number of steps updated by the step number updating means is a specific number of steps (16 steps) required to move one area (one pattern) of a plurality of areas (areas for each symbol) assigned to the display band. Area specification information updating means (update processing of reel step number etc.) for updating area specification information (value of symbol number counter) assigned to specify the area of the display band each time
Area specifying information acquisition means (reel rotation stop processing) for acquiring area specifying information (value of symbol number counter) according to operation of the derivation operation means (stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R),
Based on the area identification information (value of the symbol number counter) acquired by the area identification information acquisition means, a stop position (stop symbol) for stopping the display band is specified, and control is performed to stop the display band at the specified stop position. Stop control means (reel rotation control processing),
Equipped with
In the area specifying information acquiring means (reel rotation stop processing), the number of steps (the value of the symbol step number counter) updated by the step number updating means (reel step number updating processing) is in a specific range (12 to 15). When it is, the area specifying information (value of the symbol number counter) is not acquired, and when it is out of the specific range (0 to 11), the area specifying information (value of the symbol number counter) is acquired. ..
According to this feature, when acquiring the area specifying information according to the operation of the derivation operation means, the area specifying information is not acquired when the number of steps updated by the step number updating means is within the specific range, and the specific range is not acquired. Since the area specifying information is acquired when it is outside, the area specifying information is specified by a simple procedure without performing extra processing for specifying the area specifying information according to the number of steps when the derivation operation means is operated. Can be obtained.

The variable display unit that can be variably displayed by moving the display band in the means 1 is a variable display unit that can be variably displayed by rotating the reel, or a variable display unit that can be variably displayed by moving the belt. ..

The slot machine of Means 2 of the present invention is the slot machine according to Means 1,
The specific range is characterized by being a range (12 to 15) that cannot be stopped in the area (area of the symbol) specified from the current area specifying information (value of the symbol number counter).
According to this feature, it is not possible to stop in the area specified from the area specifying information acquired when the derivation operation means is operated, and therefore it is not necessary to perform the process of correcting the acquired area specifying information.

The slot machine of Means 3 of the present invention is the slot machine according to Means 1 or 2,
Whether or not the stop control means outputs a drive signal for stopping the display band based on the step number (value of the symbol step number counter) updated by the step number updating means (update processing of the reel step number or the like) It is characterized by determining whether or not.
According to this feature, the common step number updating means is used both when the area specifying information is specified when the derivation operation means is operated and also when it is determined whether to output the drive signal for stopping the display band. Since the number of steps updated by is used, the process for updating the number of steps and the area for storing the number of steps can be reduced.

A slot machine according to means 4 of the present invention is the slot machine according to any one of means 1 to 3,
Reference position detecting means (reel sensors 33L, 33C, 33R) for detecting the reference position of the display band,
An initial value of the number of steps (value of the symbol step number counter) updated by the step number updating means (reel sensors 33L, 33C, 33R) according to the detection result of the reference position detecting means (reel step number updating processing) Means for initializing the number of steps set to (0),
It is characterized by having.
According to this feature, it is possible to match the actual position of the display band with the number of steps updated by the step number updating means.

A slot machine according to means 5 of the present invention is the slot machine according to any one of means 1 to 4,
The specific step number is a first step number (for example, 16 steps in a pattern to which 16 steps are allocated) and a second step number (for example, 18 steps in a pattern to which 18 steps are allocated) having different step numbers. Including and
The area specifying information acquisition means (reel rotation stop processing) corrects one of the first step number and the second step number (for example, 18 steps corrected 18 steps, 18 steps corrected). When 16 steps are within a specific range (for example, 12 to 15 steps or 14 to 17 steps), the area specifying information (value of the symbol number counter) is not acquired, and outside the specific range (for example, 0 to 11 steps or , 0 to 13 steps), the area specifying information is acquired.
According to this feature, whether the area corresponding to the first number of steps or the area corresponding to the second number of steps is both the area specifying information when the number of steps is outside the common specific range. Can be obtained.
The step number obtained by correcting one of the first step number and the second step number means subtracting or adding one of the first step number and the second step number.

A slot machine according to means 6 of the present invention is the slot machine according to any one of means 1 to 5,
Specific event determining means (insertion/withdrawal error check process, which determines whether or not a specific event that may have caused an abnormality (insertion/withdrawal error, change in output state of door opening detection switch 25, reel rotation error) has occurred Door open check process, rotation error check process)
Whether or not the specific event determination means occurs after the derivation operation means (stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R) is operated and until the area identification information (value of the symbol number counter) is acquired It is characterized by not judging.
According to this feature, it is possible to reduce the processing load until the area specifying information is acquired after the derivation operation unit is operated.

Note that the present invention may have only the invention specifying matters described in the claims of the present invention, and has a configuration other than the invention specifying matters described in the claims of the present invention. It may be one.

FIG. 36 is a front view of the slot machine of the embodiment to which the present invention is applied. It is a perspective view showing an internal structure of the slot machine. It is a figure which shows the symbol arrangement of a reel. It is a block diagram showing a configuration of a slot machine. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a main control part. It is a figure which shows the memory map of ROM and RAM which a main control part mounts. It is a figure which shows the detail of the memory map of ROM and RAM which a main control part mounts. It is a figure which shows the structure of a game program and a non-game program. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a game area and a non-game area. (A) is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when a non-gaming program is called from processing based on a gaming program during execution of main processing, and (b) is based on gaming program during execution of timer interrupt processing. It is a flow chart which shows a flow of processing at the time of calling a non-gaming program from processing. It is a figure which shows the area|region of RAM which a main control part initializes when 1st conditions and 2nd conditions are satisfied. It is a figure for explaining the output timing of the medal OUT signal and the security signal which the main control part outputs to the external output board. It is a figure which shows the structure of a reel motor. It is a timing chart which shows the excitation state of a reel motor. 7 is a flowchart showing the control contents of main processing executed by the main control unit. It is a flow chart which shows the control contents of the reel control processing which a main control part performs. 7 is a flowchart showing the control content of reel rotation start processing executed by the main control unit. 7 is a flowchart showing the control contents of reel rotation stop processing executed by the main control unit. It is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the allocation of the number of symbol steps and the determination range in the reel rotation stop processing. 6 is a flowchart showing the control contents of a stop control table setting process executed by a main control unit. 6 is a flowchart showing control contents of timer interrupt processing (main) executed by a main control unit. 7 is a flowchart showing the control contents of a reel step number update processing executed by the main control unit. It is a figure for explaining the time when the symbol number is acquired in the reel rotation stop processing. It is a figure showing a modification of allocation of the number of symbol steps per symbol. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship of the allocation of the number of symbol steps in a modification, and the determination range in a reel rotation stop process.

A mode for carrying out a slot machine according to the present invention will be described below based on embodiments.

An embodiment of a slot machine to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a housing 1a having a front opening and a side of the housing 1a are provided. The front door 1b is rotatably supported at its end.

Inside the housing 1a of the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, reels 2L, 2C, 2R (hereinafter, left reel, middle reel, right reel) having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer periphery are arranged. ) Are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction, and as shown in FIG. 1, three consecutive symbols among the symbols arranged on these reels 2L, 2C, 2R can be seen from the transparent window 3 provided on the front door 1b. Are arranged as follows.

As shown in FIG. 3, "red 7", "blue 7", "white 7", "BAR", "watermelon", "cherry a", and "cherry" are provided on the outer peripheral portions of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, respectively. A plurality of types of mutually distinguishable symbols such as “b”, “bell”, “replay a”, “replay b”, and “plum” are drawn in a predetermined order, 21 pieces each. The symbols drawn on the outer peripheral portions of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are displayed in upper, middle, and lower three tiers in the see-through window 3 provided substantially in the center of the front door 1b.

The reels 2L, 2C, 2R are rotated by reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R (see FIG. 4) provided correspondingly, so that the symbols on the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are continuous to the see-through window 3. While the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are stopped from rotating, three consecutive symbols are derived and displayed on the see-through window 3 as display results.

Inside the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, reel sensors 33L, 33C, and 33R that detect reference positions for the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, respectively, and a reel LED 55 that irradiates the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R from the back side are provided. , Are provided. The reel LED 55 is composed of 12 LEDs corresponding to three consecutive symbols on the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, and each symbol can be independently illuminated.

Further, the reel sensors 33L, 33C, 33R are arranged so as to output a detection signal when the lower end of the symbol region of the symbol number 0 for each reel 2L, 2C, 2R passes a predetermined position on each reel. The lower end of the symbol area of the symbol number 0 for each reel is the reel reference position.

A display area 51a of the liquid crystal display 51 (see FIG. 1) is arranged at the front side (player side) of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R of the front door 1b. The liquid crystal display 51 has a liquid crystal panel which is transparent in the state where no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal element, and through the transparent area 51b and the transparent window 3 corresponding to the transparent window 3 of the display area 51a. As a result, the reels 2L, 2C, 2R can be visually recognized from the player side.

As shown in FIG. 1, the front door 1b is provided with a medal insertion section 4 into which medals can be inserted, a medal payout opening 9 from which medals are paid out, and a credit (the number of medals stored as a gaming value owned by the player). The maximum number of bets out of the prescribed number of bets determined according to the gaming state within that range (in this embodiment, 3 as the prescribed number of RT0 to 4 which will be described later, and 2 as the prescribed number of RB). The MAXBET switch 6 that is operated when setting), and the medals stored as credits and the medals used for setting the bet number are settled (the medals used for setting the credit and the bet number are returned. Adjustment switch 10, which is operated when the game is started, start switch 7 which is operated when the game is started, and stop switches 8L, 8C and 8R which are operated when the rotations of the reels 2L, 2C and 2R are stopped respectively. The effect switches 56 used for are provided so as to be operated by the player.

In this embodiment, of the three reels 2L, 2C, 2R that have started to rotate, the reel that first stops is referred to as a first stop reel, and the stop thereof is referred to as a first stop. Similarly, the reel that stops second is called the second stop reel, that stop is called the second stop, the reel that stops third is called the third stop reel, and that stop is the third stop. Alternatively, it is called a final stop.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, on the front door 1b, a credit indicator 11 for displaying the number of medals stored as credits, the number of medals paid out by the occurrence of a prize, and the content thereof when an error occurs are shown. A game auxiliary display 12 that displays an error code, information that can identify the stop order of reels by navigation notification, which will be described later, 1 bet LED 14 that lights up to inform that the bet number is set to 1, bet number is set to 2 2BET LED 15 that lights up to notify that the number of bets is set to 3BETLED 16, that lights up to notify that a state in which medals can be inserted is turned on, and a start switch 7 operates the game. Start valid LED 18 that lights up to indicate that the start operation is valid, and lights to indicate that the weight is in a waiting state (a state in which the reels are waiting to start rotation because a certain period has not elapsed since the start of the previous game) The game display unit 13 is provided with an in-wait LED 19 and a in-replay LED 20 for notifying by lighting that the replay game is in progress.

Inside the MAXBET switch 6, a BET switch valid LED 21 (see FIG. 4) for notifying by lighting that the setting operation of the bet number by the operation of the MAXBET switch 6 is provided, the stop switches 8L, 8C, Inside the 8R, there are provided left, middle, and right stop enable LEDs 22L, 22C, and 22R (see FIG. 4) that notify by lighting that the stop operation of the reels by the corresponding stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is effective. In the interior of the effect switch 56, there is provided an effect LED 56a (see FIG. 4) for notifying by lighting that the operation of the effect switch 56 is effective.

Inside the front door 1b, as shown in FIG. 2, a reset switch 23 for detecting an error state described later and a reset operation for canceling a stopped state described later by a predetermined key operation, and a change of a set value described later. The set value display 24, which displays the set value at that time during the confirmation of the set value or the setting value, strikes at a predetermined trigger (a state in which the progress of the game is restricted until a reset operation is performed). Stop switch 36a for selecting valid/invalid of the stop function, automatic control for automatic settlement processing (processing for settlement (returning) medals stored as credits regardless of player's operation) at a predetermined timing An automatic settlement switch 36b for selecting valid/invalid of the settlement function, a flow path of medals thrown from the medal throwing section 4 side of a hopper tank 34a (see FIG. 2) described later provided inside the casing 1a. Alternatively, a flow passage switching solenoid 30 for selectively switching to one of the medal payout outlets 9 side, a put-in medal sensor 31 for detecting medals thrown into the hopper tank 34a side from the medal throwing unit 4, and a put-in medal sensor. A medal selector 29 having an insertion opening sensor 26 for detecting the insertion of a foreign object on the upstream side of 31 and a door opening detection switch 25 (see FIG. 4) for detecting the opened state of the front door 1b are provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the reel 1L, 2C, 2R, the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R (see FIG. 4), and the reel reference positions of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are respectively provided inside the housing 1a. Reel unit 2 consisting of detectable reel sensors 33L, 33C, 33R (see FIG. 4), external output substrate 1000 (see FIG. 4) for outputting an external output signal, and stores medals inserted from the medal insertion portion 4. The hopper tank 34a, the hopper motor 34b for paying out the medals stored in the hopper tank 34a from the medal payout opening 9 (see FIG. 4), and the payout sensor 34c for detecting the medals paid out by driving the hopper motor 34b ( A hopper unit 34 (see FIG. 4) and a power supply box 100 are provided.

An overflow tank 35 for storing medals overflowing from the hopper tank 34a is provided on the side of the hopper unit 34. Inside the overflow tank 35, a full tank sensor 35a (see FIG. 4) that detects that the stored medals are full is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, on the front surface of the power supply box 100, a setting key switch 37 for switching to a setting change state or a setting confirmation state, and a reset switch for canceling an error state or a stopped state in a normal state function However, in the setting change state, the reset/setting switch 38 that functions as a setting switch for changing the set value of the winning probability (ball-out rate) of the internal lottery, which will be described later, the power supply that is operated when the power is turned on/off. A switch 39 is provided.

Since the power supply box 100 is provided inside the housing 1a, and the front door 1b can be opened by a predetermined key operation carried by a clerk or the like, it is provided on the front surface of these power supply boxes 100. The set key switch 37, the reset/set switch 38, and the power switch 39 are operated only by a person having a key, such as a store clerk, and cannot be operated by the player. The same applies to the reset switch 23 detected by a predetermined key operation. In particular, since the setting key switch 37 requires the key operation after opening the front door 1b by the key operation, only the clerk in the amusement arcade who has the key to operate the setting key switch 37 It is possible to operate.

When playing a game in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, first, a medal is inserted from the medal insertion section 4 or a bet number is set by using a credit. To use the credit, the MAXBET switch 6 may be operated. When the specified number of bets set according to the gaming state is set, the pay line LN (see FIG. 1) becomes valid and the operation of the start switch 7 is valid, that is, the game can be started. Become. In this embodiment, three bets are set as the specified number of bets in RT0 to 4 described later, and two are set as the specified number of bets in RB to be described later, and the specified number of bets corresponding to these gaming states is set. When the number of bets is set, the pay line LN becomes effective. In addition, when the medals are thrown in exceeding the maximum number out of the prescribed number corresponding to the gaming state, the amount is added to the credit.

The winning line is a line set to determine whether the combination of symbols displayed on the transparent window 3 of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R is a combination of winning symbols. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, only the pay line LN set across the symbols arranged horizontally in the middle of the reel 2L, the middle of the reel 2C, the middle of the reel 2R, that is, the middle is the winning line. It is set. In this embodiment, only one pay line is applied, but a plurality of pay lines may be applied.

In addition, in the present embodiment, in order to make it easy to recognize that the winning line LN has a combination of symbols constituting the winning line, ineffective lines LM1 to 4 are set separately from the winning line LN. The ineffective lines LM1 to LM4 are not those in which the winning is determined by the combination of the symbols arranged in the ineffective lines LM1 to LM4, and the ineffective lines are formed when the combinations of the symbols constituting the specific winning are aligned in the winning line LN. By configuring a combination of symbols (for example, bell-bell-bell) that will be won when they are aligned on the pay line LN in any of LM1 to 4, it is possible to configure a specific prize on the pay line LN. This makes it easy to recognize that the combinations are complete.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper stage of the reel 2L, the upper stage of the reel 2C, the upper stage of the reel 2R, that is, the invalid line LM1 and the lower stage of the reel 2L set across the symbols arranged in the horizontal direction in the upper stage. , The lower stage of the reel 2C, the lower stage of the reel 2R, that is, the invalid line LM2 set across the symbols arranged horizontally in the lower stage, the upper stage of the reel 2L, the middle stage of the reel 2C, the lower stage of the reel 2R, that is, the right downward line. 4 types of invalid line LM3 set across the symbols, the invalid line LM3 set under the reel 2L, the lower stage of the reel 2L, the middle stage of the reel 2C, the upper stage of the reel 2R, that is, the invalid line LM4 set over the symbols arranged in the right upward direction. Is defined as.

In addition, in the present embodiment, as a winning combination, when a predetermined combination of symbols (for example, "bell-watermelon-cherry b") defined as a winning combination on the winning line LN is obtained, a predetermined symbol is obtained. When the combinations are aligned, a combination of symbols (for example, “watermelon-watermelon-watermelon”) that is an index that is easier to recognize than a predetermined symbol combination in any of the invalid lines LM1 to LM4 is aligned, and thus the invalid lines LM1 to LM4. Includes a winning combination that can be seen as a winning combination of symbols. In the following, when a predetermined symbol combination is aligned on the pay line LN, a symbol combination that is aligned on any of the ineffective lines LM1 to LM4 is referred to as an index symbol combination, and an index symbol combination is configured. The design is called an index design.

When the start switch 7 is operated in a state where the game can be started, the reels 2L, 2C, 2R rotate, and the symbols on the reels 2L, 2C, 2R continuously change. When any of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is operated in this state, the rotation of the corresponding reels 2L, 2C, 2R is stopped, and the display result is derived and displayed on the see-through window 3.

Then, all the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are stopped to complete one game, and a predetermined symbol combination (hereinafter also referred to as a combination) on the pay line LN is displayed on each reel 2L, 2C, 2R. As a result, when the game is stopped, a prize is generated, and the number of medals determined according to the prize is awarded to the player and added to the credit. When the number of credits reaches the upper limit (50 in this embodiment), the medals are paid out directly from the medal payout exit 9 (see FIG. 1). Further, on the pay line LN, when the combination of symbols accompanied by the transition of the game state is stopped as the display result of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R, the game state corresponding to the combination of the symbols is shifted. ..

In the present embodiment, the game starts when the operation of the start switch 7 is detected while the operation of the start switch 7 is valid, and the game ends when all reels are stopped. Further, the control of one unit for executing the game (game control) starts when all the controls accompanying the end of the previous game are completed, and when all the controls associated with the end of the game are completed. finish.

Further, although the present embodiment exemplifies a configuration using three reels, a configuration using only one reel, a configuration using two reels, and a configuration using four or more reels may be used. In the configuration using two or more reels, the winning determination may be made based on the combination of the display results derived to all the two or more reels. Further, in this embodiment, the variable display device is configured by a physical reel, but the variable display device may be configured by an image display device such as a liquid crystal display.

Further, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, after the game is started and the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are rotated to start changing the symbols, one of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is operated. When this is done, the rotation of the reels corresponding to the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is stopped and the symbols are stopped and displayed. The maximum stop delay time from the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R to the stop of the rotation of the corresponding reels 2L, 2C, 2R is 190 ms (milliseconds).

The reels 2L, 2C, and 2R rotate 80 times per minute, and the symbols for 80×21 (the number of symbol frames per reel)=1680 frames are changed, so a maximum of 4 symbols are drawn in 190 ms. It will be possible. That is, the symbols that can be selected as the stop symbols are the symbols displayed when the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R are operated, and the symbols that are four frames ahead of the symbols, for a total of five symbols.

Therefore, for example, when the symbols displayed in the lower row of the reel corresponding to the stop switch when any of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is used as a reference, the symbols from the symbol to four frames ahead Since the symbol can be displayed in the lower row, in each reel 2L, 2C, 2R, the symbol displayed in the middle row of the reel corresponding to the stop switch when any of the stop switches 8L, 8R is operated It is possible to display symbols arranged within 5 frames including the symbol on the pay line.

Hereinafter, the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R may be simply referred to as reels unless it is necessary to distinguish them. Further, the reel 2L may be referred to as a left reel, the reel 2C may be referred to as a middle reel, and the reel 2R may be referred to as a right reel. Further, an operation of stopping the reels 2L, 2C, 2R by operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R may be referred to as a stop operation.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the slot machine 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the slot machine 1 is provided with a game control board 40, an effect control board 90, and a power supply board 101. The game control board 40 controls the game state, and the effect control board 90 causes the game state. The effect according to is controlled, and the power supply board 101 generates drive power for the electric components that form the slot machine 1, and supplies the drive power to each unit.

The power supply board 101 is supplied with an AC100V power supply from the outside, and a DC voltage necessary for driving the electric components of the slot machine 1 is generated from the AC100V power supply, and the game control board 40 and the effect control board 90 are generated. To be supplied to. Further, the hopper motor 34b, the dispensing sensor 34c, the full tank sensor 35a, the setting key switch 37, the reset/setting switch 38, and the power switch 39 are connected to the power supply board 101.

On the game control board 40, the MAXBET switch 6, the start switch 7, the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R, the settlement switch 10, the reset switch 23, the stop switch 36a, the automatic settlement switch 36b, the insertion medal sensor 31, the door opening described above. The detection switch 25, the reel sensors 33L, 33C, 33R are connected, and the above-mentioned payout sensor 34c, full tank sensor 35a, setting key switch 37, reset/setting switch 38 are connected via the power supply substrate 101. The detection signals of these connected switches are input. Further, on the game control board 40, the credit indicator 11, the game auxiliary indicator 12, the 1 to 3 BET LEDs 14 to 16, the insertion request LED 17, the start valid LED 18, the wait LED 19, the replay LED 20, the BET switch valid LED 21, and the left, which are described above, are provided. , Middle, right stop valid LEDs 22L, 22C, 22R, set value display 24, flow path switching solenoid 30, reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R are connected, and the hopper motor 34b described above is connected via the power supply board 101. These electric components are connected to each other and are driven under the control of a main controller 41, which will be described later, mounted on the game control board 40.

On the game control board 40, a main control section 41 that directly or indirectly controls each section of the control circuit mounted on the game control board 40 while performing processing relating to the progress of the game, and an oscillation signal of a predetermined frequency are provided. A control clock generation circuit 42 that generates a control clock CCLK, a random number clock generation circuit 43 that generates a random number clock RCLK that is an oscillation signal of a predetermined frequency different from the oscillation frequency of the control clock CCLK, and a game control board. A switch detection circuit 44 that receives a detection signal input from switches connected directly to the 40 or via the power supply board 101 and transmits the detection signal to the main control unit 41, and a motor drive signal (stepping signal output from the main control unit 41 A motor drive circuit 45 for transmitting a motor phase signal) to the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R, a solenoid drive circuit 46 for transmitting a solenoid drive signal output from the main controller 41 to the flow path switching solenoid 30, and a main control The LED drive circuit 47 that transmits the LED drive signal output from the section 41 to the various displays and LEDs connected to the game control board 40, and the voltage of the power supply supplied to the slot machine 1 are monitored to reduce the voltage. When it is detected, the power failure detection circuit 48 that outputs a voltage drop signal to that effect to the main control unit 41, and the main control unit 41 when the power supply is unstable, such as when the power is turned on or off. A reset circuit 49 for supplying a system reset signal to the.

FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the main control unit 41 mounted on the game control board 40. The main control unit 41 is a one-chip microcomputer, and has an external bus interface 501, a clock circuit 502, a matching block 503, a unique information storage circuit 504, an arithmetic circuit 505, a reset/interrupt controller 506, A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 41a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 41b, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 41c, a free-run counter circuit 507, random number circuits 508a and 508b, a timer circuit 509, and an interrupt controller 510. A parallel input port 511, a serial communication circuit 512, a parallel output port 513, and an address decoding circuit 514.

The reset/interrupt controller 506 is for controlling various reset and interrupt requests generated inside or outside the main controller 41. The reset/interrupt controller 506 includes an out-of-designated area prohibition (IAT) circuit 506a and a watchdog timer (WDT) 506b. The IAT circuit 506a is a circuit for monitoring whether or not the user program is correctly executed in the designated area, and has a function of outputting an IAT generation signal when detecting that the user program is executed outside the designated area. The watchdog timer 506b has a function of generating a time-out signal for each set period.

The external bus interface 501 is a bus interface having an interface function between an external bus and an internal bus of a chip constituting the main control unit 41, an address bus, a data bus, and a direction control function of each control signal. The clock circuit 502 is a circuit that generates the internal system clock SCLK by dividing the control clock CCLK by two. The matching block 503 has a function of connecting to an external matching machine and matching the chips. The unique information storage circuit 504 is a circuit that stores a plurality of types of unique information as internal information of the main control unit 41. The arithmetic circuit 505 is a circuit that performs multiplication and division.

The CPU 41a is a control CPU that executes game control in the slot machine 1 by executing a user program (game control processing program for game control) based on the control code read from the ROM 41b. When such game control is executed, the CPU 41a reads fixed data from the ROM 41b to read fixed data, the CPU 41a writes variable data to the RAM 41c to temporarily store various data, and the CPU 41a temporarily stores to RAM 41c. A variable data read operation of reading various kinds of variable data, a reception operation in which the CPU 41a receives an input of various signals from the outside of the main control unit 41 via the external bus interface 501, the parallel input port 511, the serial communication circuit 512, and the like, the CPU 41a. A transmission operation for outputting various signals to the outside of the main control unit 41 via the external bus interface 501, the serial communication circuit 512, the parallel output port 513, and the like is also performed.

The ROM 41b stores a control code indicating a user program (game control processing program for game control), fixed data, and the like. The RAM 41c provides a work area or the like for game control. Here, at least a part of the RAM 41c may be a backup RAM backed up by a backup power supply. That is, even if the power supply to the slot machine 1 is stopped, at least a part of the content of the RAM 41c is saved for a predetermined period.

An 8-bit free-run counter is mounted as the free-run counter circuit 507. The random number circuits 508a and 508b are circuits that generate numerical data such as 8-bit random numbers and 16-bit random numbers, which are random number values having a predetermined update range. In this embodiment, the hardware random number generated by the 16-bit random number circuit 508b of the random number circuits 508a and 508b is used as a random number for internal lottery described later. The timer circuit 509 is a 16-bit programmable timer, counts down the set timer value based on the input of the control clock CCLK, and outputs an interrupt request signal to the interrupt controller when 0000H is reached. In the present embodiment, it is possible to use the timer circuit 509 to make periodic interrupt requests and time measurements.

The interrupt controller 510 is a circuit that controls an external interrupt request from the interrupt terminal and an interrupt request from a built-in peripheral circuit (for example, the serial communication circuit 512, the random number circuits 508a and 508b, the timer circuit 509). .. The parallel input port 511 has a built-in 8-bit wide input-only port. Further, the parallel output port 513 included in the main control unit 41 shown in FIG. 4 has a built-in 11-bit width dedicated output port. The serial communication circuit 512 is a circuit that performs asynchronous serial communication in input/output to/from the outside.

The address decode circuit 514 is a circuit for decoding each functional block inside the main control unit 41 and a chip select signal which is a decode signal for an external device. By the chip select signal, the internal circuit of the main control unit 41 or an external device serving as a peripheral device is selectively activated to enable access from the CPU 41a.

For example, when the main control unit 41 accesses an area of the storage area of the ROM 41b in which a program or the like is not stored, or an access prohibited area of the storage area of the RAM 41c is accessed. That is, the game progress is disabled by generating an illegal access reset when there is an access to a memory area that is not accessed in normal operation, and an unused area or operation of the ROM 41b is performed. Even if an unauthorized program is stored in an area unrelated to the above, an unused area of the RAM 41c, etc., it is possible to prevent the unauthorized program from being executed.

Further, the main control unit 41 is activated when an internal or external reset occurs. At this time, the value assigned to the ROM 41b and set in the vector table in which the start address of the interrupt process is set. Determines whether the value is an unused value or a value indicating the area where the program, etc. is actually stored.If it is neither value, it will not start and the interrupt It is possible to prevent in advance that a process that was not originally intended is executed due to occurrence or the like.

The main control unit 41 transmits various commands to the sub control unit 91 via the parallel output port 513. The command transmitted from the main control unit 41 to the sub control unit 91 is transmitted in only one direction, and the command is not transmitted from the sub control unit 91 to the main control unit 41. Further, in the present embodiment, the command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 91 via the parallel output port 513, that is, the command is transmitted as a parallel signal. However, the command is transmitted via the serial communication circuit 512. The sub-control unit 91 may be configured to transmit a command, that is, the command may be transmitted as a serial signal.

Further, the main control unit 41 receives the detection states of various switches connected to the game control board 40 from the parallel input port 511. Then, the main control unit 41 executes a main process that shifts stepwise according to the detection states of various switches input from the parallel input port 511. Further, the main control unit 41 can interrupt the main process when an interrupt occurs and execute the interrupt process. In this embodiment, the timer circuit 509 executes a time-out, that is, the timer interrupt process (main) is executed at regular time intervals (about 0.56 ms in this embodiment). Further, the main control unit 41 is set so as to automatically prohibit other interrupts during execution of the interrupt process, and when a plurality of interrupts occur at the same time, a predetermined order is set. Has set the interrupt to be executed with priority. If another interrupt factor occurs during the execution of the interrupt process and the interrupt factor continues even after the interrupt process ends, the interrupt will occur at the end of the interrupt process. The prohibition is automatically lifted, and a new interrupt will be generated at that time. Note that other interrupts are set to be automatically prohibited during execution of the interrupt process, and the interrupt prohibition is not automatically released when the interrupt process is completed. Other interrupts may be prohibited by the program at the start, and the interrupt prohibition may be canceled by the program at the end of the interrupt process.

The main control unit 41 repeatedly loops the processing according to the control state until the detection states of the various switches connected to the game control board 40 change as the main processing, and responds to the change of the detection states of the various switches. Execute the process of shifting in stages. Further, the main control unit 41 executes a timer interrupt process (main) at regular time intervals (about 0.56 ms in this embodiment). Note that the execution interval of the timer interrupt process (main) is set to a time longer than the sum of the time during which the process repeated according to the control state in the main process completes and the execution time of the timer interrupt process (main). As a result, between the present time and the next timer interrupt process (main), the process that repeats in accordance with the control state must be completed at least once.

A production switch 56 is connected to the production control board 90, and a detection signal of the production switch 56 is input. Also, production devices such as a liquid crystal display 51, a production effect LED 52, speakers 53 and 54, a reel LED 55, etc. are connected, and these production devices are controlled by a sub-control unit 91 mounted on a production control board 90, which will be described later. It is designed to be driven based on. In this embodiment, the sub-control unit 91 mounted on the effect control board 90 controls the output of the effect devices such as the liquid crystal display 51, the effect effect LEDs 52, the speakers 53 and 54, and the reel LEDs 55. However, in addition to the sub control unit 91, an output control unit that directly controls the output of the production device is mounted on the production control substrate 90 or another substrate, and the sub control unit 91 is based on the command from the main control unit 41. The output pattern of the rendering device may be determined, and the output control unit may control the output of the rendering device based on the output pattern determined by the sub control unit 91. In such a configuration, the sub control unit 91 and the output control unit may be used. The output control of the rendering device is performed by both the units. In addition, in the present embodiment, the liquid crystal display 51, the effect LED 52, the speakers 53 and 54, and the reel LED 55 are illustrated as the production device, but the production device is not limited to these, and, for example, a mechanically driven display. A device or a mechanically driven role object may be applied as the production device.

The effect control board 90 is composed of a microcomputer including a sub CPU 91a, a ROM 91b, a RAM 91c, and an I/O port 91d, and controls the effect, and a liquid crystal display 51 connected to the effect control board 90. Display control circuit 92 for performing display control, effect effect LED 52, LED drive circuit 93 for performing drive control of reel LED 55, audio output circuit 94 for performing audio output control from speakers 53, 54, power-on or A reset circuit 95 that gives a reset signal to the sub CPU 91a when an initialization command from the sub CPU 91a is not input for a certain period of time, and a switch detection circuit 96 that detects a detection signal input from switches connected to the production control board 90. , A clock device 97 that outputs time information including date information and time information, and a power supply voltage supplied to the slot machine 1 are monitored, and when a voltage drop is detected, a voltage drop signal indicating that is sent to the sub CPU 91a. An electric power failure detection circuit 98 that outputs the signal and other circuits are mounted.

The sub CPU 91a receives a command transmitted from the game control board 40, performs various controls for performing an effect, and directly or indirectly controls each part of the control circuit mounted on the effect control board 90. ..

The reset circuit 95 is set to have a lower voltage for releasing the reset signal than the reset circuit 49 that gives the system reset signal to the main control unit 41 in the game control board 40, and the sub-control unit 91 controls the main control when the power is turned on. It is designed to be activated earlier than the unit 41. On the other hand, the power failure detection circuit 98 is set to have a lower voltage for outputting the voltage drop signal than the power failure detection circuit 48 for outputting the voltage drop signal to the main control unit 41 in the game control board 40. In, the sub control unit 91 detects the power failure at a stage later than the main control unit 41, and performs the power interruption process (sub) described later.

Like the main control unit 41, the sub control unit 91 has an interrupt function, generates an interrupt when receiving a command from the main control unit 41, and acquires the command transmitted from the main control unit 41. , Execute the command reception interrupt process to store in the buffer. Further, the sub-control unit 91 generates an interrupt each time the number of inputs of the system clock reaches a fixed number, that is, at a fixed time interval (about 2 ms), and executes a timer interrupt process (sub) described later. Further, unlike the main control unit 41, the sub control unit 91 interrupts the process even if the timer interrupt process (sub) is being executed when the interrupt is generated based on the reception of the command. The command reception interrupt process is executed at 1, and the command reception interrupt process is executed with the highest priority even if the interrupts that trigger the timer interrupt process (sub) occur simultaneously. Further, the backup power supply is also supplied to the sub control unit 91 at the time of power failure, and the data stored in the RAM 91c is retained while the backup power supply is supplied.

In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the payout rate of medals changes according to the set value. Specifically, the payout rate of medals is changed by using the winning probability according to the set value in the lottery such as the internal lottery, the navigation stock lottery, and the additional lottery, which will be described later, which affects the advantage to the player. The set value is made up of 6 levels from 1 to 6, where 6 is the highest payout rate, and the smaller the value is in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, the lower the payout rate. That is, when 6 is set as the set value, the advantage is the highest for the player, and as the value decreases in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, the advantage decreases in stages.

In order to change the set value, it is necessary to turn on the setting key switch 37 and then turn on the power of the slot machine 1. When the setting key switch 37 is turned on and the power is turned on, the setting value read from the RAM 41c is displayed as a display value on the setting value display 24, and the setting value can be changed by operating the reset/setting switch 38. Transition to change state. When the reset/setting switch 38 is operated in the setting change state, the display value displayed on the setting value display 24 is updated by 1 (when the setting value 6 is further operated, it is changed to the setting value 1). Return). When the start switch 7 is operated, the display value is set as the set value. Then, when the setting key switch 37 is turned off, the confirmed display value (setting value) is stored in the RAM 41c of the main control unit 41, and the game is allowed to proceed.

It should be noted that, when the setting key switch 37 is turned on and the power is turned on, the door open detection switch 25 may detect the opening of the front door 1b, and the setting change state may be set. Of course, with such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the settings from being illegally changed while the front door 1b is not opened. Further, in the configuration in which the setting change state is entered on condition that the detection corresponding to the opening of the front door 1b is performed, the opening door detection switch 25 corresponds to the opening of the front door 1b after the setting change state. It is preferable to maintain the setting change state even if the detection is stopped, so that even if the front door 1b is temporarily closed during the setting change, the operation for shifting to the setting change state again can be performed. It is not necessary and the setting change operation does not become complicated. Further, after the start switch 7 is operated and the set value is confirmed after the setting is changed, when the setting key switch 37 is turned off, the door open detection switch 25 detects the opening of the front door 1b. It may be configured to end the setting change state and shift to a state in which the game can be advanced on the condition that the front door 1b is not opened even in such a configuration. It is possible to prevent the settings from being changed.

Further, in order to confirm the set value, after the game is over, the setting key switch 37 may be turned on after the number of bets has not been set. When the setting key switch 37 is turned on in such a situation, the setting value read out from the RAM 41c is displayed on the setting value display 24, so that the setting value is confirmed. In the setting confirmation state, the game cannot proceed, and by setting the setting key switch 37 to the off state, the setting confirmation state ends, and the game returns to a state in which the game can proceed.

After the game, when the setting key switch 37 is turned on in a state where the bet number is not set, it is required that the door open detection switch 25 detects that the front door 1b is opened. In addition, the configuration may be changed to the setting confirmation state, and with such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the setting value from being illegally confirmed while the front door 1b is not opened. In addition, in the configuration that shifts to the setting confirmation state on the condition that the detection corresponding to the opening of the front door 1b has been performed, after the shift to the setting confirmation state, the front door 1b is opened by the door opening detection switch 25. It is preferable to maintain the setting confirmation state even if it is not detected, so that even if the front door 1b is temporarily closed during the setting confirmation, the operation for shifting to the setting confirmation state again can be performed. It is not necessary and the setting confirmation operation does not become complicated. Further, after the start switch 7 is operated and the set value is confirmed after the setting confirmation state, the door open detection switch 25 detects the opening of the front door 1b when the setting key switch 37 is turned off. It may be configured to end the setting confirmation state and return to a state in which the game can be progressed on condition that the front door 1b is not opened even in such a configuration. It is possible to prevent the set value from being confirmed.

In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 determines whether or not the voltage drop signal from the power interruption detection circuit 48 is detected every time the timer interrupt processing (main) is executed. When the determination processing is performed and it is determined that the voltage drop signal is detected in the power failure determination processing, the power interruption processing (main) for setting the data for determining whether the data of the RAM 41c is normal at the next recovery is performed. Execute.

Then, the main control unit 41 restores the processing state of the main control unit 41 to the state before the power interruption based on the data stored in the RAM 41c, provided that the data in the RAM 41c is normal at the time of its activation. However, when the data in the RAM 41c is not normal, it is determined that the RAM is abnormal, the RAM abnormality error code is set in the register, the RAM abnormality error state is controlled, and the progress of the game is disabled.

The error state must be released until a normal error state is released by a reset operation (operation of the reset/setting switch 38 or the reset switch 23) and the above-mentioned setting change state, and a new set value is set. There is no special error state, and the RAM abnormal error state is a special error state. Once the RAM abnormal error state is controlled, it shifts to the setting change state and is released until a new set value is set. Never be done.

The sub control unit 91 also determines whether or not the voltage drop signal from the power failure detection circuit 98 is detected in the timer interrupt process (sub), and when it is determined that the voltage drop signal is detected, When returning next time, an electric power interruption process (sub) for setting data for determining whether the data in the RAM 91c is normal is executed.

Then, the sub-control unit 91 restores the processing state of the sub-control unit 91 to the state before the power interruption based on the data stored in the RAM 91c on condition that the data in the RAM 91c is normal at the time of its activation. However, if the data in the RAM 91c is not normal, it is determined that the RAM is abnormal and the RAM 91c is initialized. In this case, unlike the main control unit 41, the RAM 91c is only initialized and the execution of the effect is not disabled.

Even if the sub-control unit 91 determines that the data in the RAM 91c is normal at the time of its activation, if the sub-control unit 91 receives a setting command, which will be described later, indicating that the main control unit 41 has changed to the setting change state, the sub-control unit 91 is activated. The RAM 91c is also initialized when neither a later-described return command nor a setting command indicating that the control state of the main control unit 41 has been returned is received even after a lapse of a certain time thereafter. Also in this case, the RAM 91c is only initialized and the execution of the effect is not disabled.

Next, the initialization of the RAM 41c of the main controller 41 will be described. The usable area of the storage area of the RAM 41c of the main control unit 41 is divided into a game RAM area, an unused area 4, and a non-game RAM area (see FIG. 7B). Furthermore, the game RAM area is divided into special work, important work, general work, unused area 3, and game stack area. The special work is a work that stores data that is not initialized even if the setting value is changed, and stores software random numbers, setting values, data indicating a gaming state, and the like. Important work is a work in which inconvenient data is stored if initialized at the end of a specific game state (RB, BB), LED display data, input port, output port input/output data, game time A time counter and the like are stored. The general work is a work in which data that can be initialized at the end of a specific game state is stored, and a stop symbol, the number of medals paid out, and the like are stored. The unused area 3 is a work that is not used by any program. The game stack area is an area where the data saved from the register of the main control unit 41 during the execution of the game program described later is stored.

In the present embodiment, the main control unit 41, when the data of the RAM 41c is destroyed at the time of starting with the setting key switch 37 being ON, when the data of the RAM 41c is being started at the time of starting with the setting key switch 37 being ON. When not initialized, when the setting change state is finished, when a specific game state (RB, BB) is finished, when one game is finished, each initial condition is established when five initialization conditions are satisfied. Five types of initialization are performed in which the areas to be initialized are different according to the initialization conditions.

Initialization 0 is initialization performed when the data in the RAM 41c is destroyed at the time of startup with the setting key switch 37 in the ON state. In initialization 0, all usable areas are initialized. .. Initialization 1 is initialization performed when the data in the RAM 41c is not destroyed at the time of startup with the setting key switch 37 in the ON state. In initialization 1, in the game RAM area other than special work, non-operation All areas of the game RAM area are initialized. Initialization 2 is initialization that is performed after the setting change state has been completed by starting with the setting key switch 37 in the ON state. In initialization 2, the special work and game stack area (in use) in the game RAM area is used. Areas other than) are initialized. Initialization 3 is initialization performed at the end of a specific game state. In initialization 3, general work, unused area 3 and game stack area (unused) in the game RAM area are initialized. Initialization 4 is initialization performed at the end of one game. In initialization 4, the unused area 3 and the game stack area (unused) of the game RAM area are initialized. Incidentally, the storage area of the data indicating the set value and the game state is assigned to the special work, and when the data of the RAM 41c is not destroyed at the time of starting with the setting key switch 37 in the ON state, that is, the data of the RAM 41c. When the setting is changed normally, the setting value and data indicating the game state are held. A storage area of a timer counter, which will be described later, is assigned to an important work, and is retained without being initialized at the end of the game or at the end of a specific game state.

In addition, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment, when performing the above-described initialization, specifies the start address and the end address as the RAM addresses to be initialized, so that one byte from the specified start address. After overwriting the data of 0 with 0, the logical sum of the 1-byte data is calculated, and if the calculation result is 0, the process of moving to the next address is repeated until the specified end address is reached. , Initializes the RAM area in the specified address range.

When the main control unit 41 in the present embodiment is activated by the occurrence of a reset, the main control unit 41 sets the activation time. In the startup setting, the status flag included in the main control unit 41 is initialized. The status flag is data that holds the state of the operation result or execution result of an instruction, and particularly includes an interrupt master permission flag that sets prohibition/permission of interrupt. Since the initial value of the interrupt master permission flag is a value indicating prohibition of interrupts, the main control unit 41 is activated in a state where interrupts are prohibited. After that, after setting various functions by referring to the HW parameters described later, when a reset occurs according to the program stored in the program/data area, it is activated in the interrupt-disabled state and then first executed. Start the initialization process.

In the initial setting process, the main control unit 41 first determines whether or not the setting key switch 37 is in the ON state at the time of startup after setting the interrupt to be disabled, and the setting key switch 37 is turned on at the time of startup. If it is determined that the state is the state, the process proceeds to the setting change process, and the RAM 41c is initialized at the start of the setting change process. At this time, if the data in the RAM 41c is normal, by holding the special work and initializing the other areas, a part of the control state (setting value, game state, etc.) before the change is set even after the setting is changed. On the other hand, if the data in the RAM 41c is not normal, the data in the RAM 41c can be surely corrected by initializing all the usable areas including the special work. It has become.

After the RAM 41c is initialized, the interrupt is set to allow, the set value is updated by 1 in the range of 1 to 6 each time the reset/setting switch 38 is operated, and after ON of the start switch 7 is detected, The setting value when the ON of the setting key switch 37 is detected is stored in the RAM 41c, and the setting changing process is ended.

In this way, the main control unit 41 starts up in a state where the initial value of the interrupt master permission flag is prohibition of interrupts and interrupts are prohibited, and even in the initial setting process after activation, first, Since the interrupt is set to be prohibited and the subsequent initial setting process is executed, it is possible to prevent an unintended interrupt from occurring.

In addition, the main control unit 41, after the setting change process is completed, executes a main process for performing processing step by step according to the progress of the game for each game unit. In the main process, the RAM 41c is initialized for each game unit, and the RAM 41c is also initialized at the end of the setting change process. Then, after the setting change process is completed, the main process is started from the stage before the process of initializing the RAM 41c in the main process, and the initialization of the RAM 41c is completed after the setting change process and the game unit. It is possible to perform the initialization of the RAM 41c for each of them in a common process.

The main control unit 41 of this embodiment initializes a predetermined area of the RAM 41c by executing a game area initialization process in the setting change process and the main process. In the game area initialization process, the capacity of the initialization target RAM is calculated by specifying the start address and end address of the initialization target RAM, and the capacity of the initialization target RAM is calculated from the start address of the initialization target RAM. By sequentially clearing the minute area, the area of the designated initialization target RAM in the game RAM area is initialized.

By specifying the start address and end address of the initialization target RAM, the start address is set as the initial value of the specified address, and after the data of the specified address is cleared, the specified address is updated to the next address. The region from the start address to the end address of the initialization target RAM may be initialized by repeatedly executing the specified address until the end address is reached.

In the non-gaming area initialization process of the present embodiment, the initialization target RAM is cleared by sequentially clearing the RAM area for the capacity of the initialization target RAM from the start address of the initialization target RAM (the start address of the unused area 4). The area from the start address to the end address, that is, the unused area 4 and the non-game RAM area are initialized.

By specifying the start address and end address of the initialization target RAM, the start address is set as the initial value of the specified address, and after the data of the specified address is cleared, the specified address is updated to the next address. The region from the start address to the end address of the initialization target RAM may be initialized by repeatedly executing the specified address until the end address is reached.

In addition, in the non-game area initialization processing of the present embodiment, by setting the start address of the unused area 4 as the start address of the initialization target RAM, all areas of the unused area 4 and the non-game RAM area are initialized. However, the non-game area initialization process may be such that at least a part of the non-game RAM area is initialized, and a part of the non-game RAM area is initialized. However, a part of the non-gaming RAM area and the unused area 4 may be initialized.

Further, in the present embodiment, in the game area initialization processing and the non-game area initialization processing, the 1-byte data stored at the designated address is overwritten with 0 to be cleared, and then the logic of the 1-byte data is set. The sum is calculated, and it is determined whether or not the calculation result is 0. If the calculation result is not 0, the 1-byte data is again overwritten with 0 to clear it, and Although the data is cleared, the 1-byte data stored at the designated address may be overwritten with 0 and only cleared.

In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, a specified number of bets that can be set according to the gaming state (RT0 to RT4, RB) (3 in RT0 to 4 and 2 in RB in this embodiment) is set. Therefore, it is possible to start the game on condition that the bet number of the prescribed number determined according to the gaming state is set. In the present embodiment, the pay line LN is activated at the time when a specified number of bets is set according to the gaming state.

In the present embodiment, when all the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are stopped, the activated winning line (in the present embodiment, all the winning lines are always activated. The prize-winning line that has been made into is simply called the prize-winning line). The winning combination may be a combination of the same symbols or a combination including different symbols.

The type of winning combination is determined according to the game state, but it can be broadly divided into small winning combinations with payout of medals and the next game that can start the next game without setting the bet number. There are a gaming role and a special role accompanied by a transition to a gaming state that is advantageous to the player. Below, the small winning combination and the re-playing combination are collectively referred to as a general winning combination. In order for the winning of each winning combination determined according to the gaming state to occur, it is necessary to win the internal lottery described later and set the winning flag of the winning combination in the RAM 41c. Of the winning flags for each of these winning combinations, the winning flags for the small winning combination and the replaying winning combination are valid only in the game in which the flags are set, and are invalid in the next game, but the winning flags for the special winning combinations are The flag is valid until the combination of the allowed combinations is prepared by the flag, and is invalid in the game in which the combination of the allowed combinations is prepared. That is, once the winning flag of a special winning combination is won, even if the combination of winning combinations allowed by the flag cannot be aligned, the winning flag is not invalidated and carried over to the next game. Becomes

Next, the internal lottery of this embodiment will be described. In the internal lottery, the main control unit 41 determines whether or not the winning of each winning combination described above is permitted before the display results of all reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are derived (specifically, the start switch 7 Is detected). In the internal lottery, first, when the start switch 7 is detected, a random number value for the internal lottery (an integer of 0 to 65535) is acquired. Specifically, the value generated by the random number circuit 508b and stored in the random number value register of the random number circuit 508b is set in the lottery work assigned to the RAM 41c. Then, for each winning combination determined according to the gaming state (RT0 to 4, RB), numerical data stored in the lottery work and each winning combination determined according to the current gaming state, the bet number, and the set value. Whether or not the winning is allowed is determined according to the number of determination values.

In the internal lottery, the number of judgment values determined corresponding to the winning combination of the internal lottery, the current game state and the set value is sequentially applied to the random number value for the internal lottery (numerical data stored in the lottery work). It is determined that the winning combination has been won when the addition is made and the result of the addition overflows. Therefore, the winning combination is won with a probability (the number of judgment values/65536) according to the size of the number of judgment values.

Then, the winning number indicating the result of the internal lottery is set in the RAM 41c. The winning number is used for setting an internal winning flag, navigator notification, command creation, stop control of reels 2L, 2C, 2R, and the like.

Further, when it is determined that one of the winning combinations is won, the winning flag corresponding to the winning combination determined based on the winning number is set in the internal winning flag storing work assigned to the RAM 41c. The internal winning flag storage work is composed of a 2-byte storage area. The upper byte of the internal winning flag storage work is allocated as the special combination storing work in which the special combination winning flag is set, and the lower byte is the general combination winning combination. It is assigned as a general role storing work for which a flag is set. For more details, when a special role is won, the winning flag of the special role indicating that the special role is won is set in the special role storing work, and when the general role is won, the general role is won. The winning flag of the general role indicating that is set in the general role storing work. If none of the winning combinations and combinations of winning combinations are won, the special winning combination storing work and the general winning combination storing work are cleared.

Next, stop control of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R will be described. The main control unit 41 displays the winning number and the table index and table creation data stored in the ROM 41b when the reel starts rotating, when the reel stops, and when there is still a reel still spinning. With reference to this, a stop control table is created for each spinning reel. When one of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R corresponding to the rotating reel is effectively detected, the stop control table of the corresponding reel is referred to, and the reference stop control table is slipped. Control is performed to stop the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R corresponding to the operated stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R based on the number of frames.

In this embodiment, a value of 0 to 4 is set as the number of sliding symbols, and it is possible to pull in a maximum of 4 symbols and stop the reel after detecting the stop operation. That is, the stop position of the symbol can be specified from a maximum of 5 frames including the stop operation position where the stop operation is detected. Also, since it is necessary to move one frame to move the reel for one symbol, it is possible to pull in a maximum of four symbols and stop the reel after detecting the stop operation, and the stop is detected. Including the operation position, the stop position of the symbol can be specified from the range of maximum 5 symbols.

In the present embodiment, when one of the winning combinations has been won, when the stop operation is performed, it is possible to stop all the winning combinations within the withdrawal range of a maximum of four frames on the winning line. If possible, control is performed to stop them in line with each other, and a winning combination that has not been won is controlled to stop within the pull-in range of a maximum of four frames without being aligned. When a special role and a small role are won at the same time, such as when the special role has been carried over from before the previous game, when the special role and the small role are won at the same time, when the stop operation is performed, the maximum on the winning line If it is possible to stop all the winning combinations within the pull-in range of 4 frames, it will be controlled to stop all of them, and the winning combinations within the maximum pull-in range of 4 frames will be selected. If you can not pull in, if you can stop the special winning combination with a maximum pull-in range of 4 frames on the winning line, it will be controlled to stop it, and the winning combination will not be won. In the pull-in range of 4 frames, control is performed to stop without aligning. That is, in such a case, the control of aligning the small winning combination on the winning line is prioritized over the special winning role, and the special winning combination can be won only when the small winning combination cannot be drawn. In addition, when a special combination and a small combination can be drawn in at the same time, only the small combination is drawn in, and the small combination is not aligned with the special combination on the winning line. Also, when a special role and a small role are elected at the same time, the control of aligning the special role on the winning line is prioritized over the small role, and the small role is placed on the winning line only when the special role cannot be drawn. You may control to align.

Further, in the present embodiment, the stop operation is performed when the special game and the re-game combination are simultaneously won, such as when the re-game combination is won while the special combination is carried over from the previous game. At this time, control is performed to align and stop the symbols of the re-play combination within the pull-in range of up to 4 frames on the pay line. In this case, the symbols constituting the re-gaming combination or the symbols constituting the re-gaming combination to be won at the same time are arranged within 5 symbols, that is, within an interval of 4 frames for any of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R. Since it can be stopped at any position within the pull-in range of 4 frames, regardless of the operation timing of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R by the player when the special combination and the re-game combination are simultaneously elected. Instead, all re-playing players will be awarded. That is, in such a case, the control of aligning the re-gaming combination on the pay line is prioritized over the special combination, and the re-gaming combination is always won. In addition, when the special combination and the re-gaming combination can be drawn in at the same time, only the re-playing combination is drawn in, and the special combination cannot be arranged on the pay line at the same time as the re-playing combination.

In this embodiment, the reel stop control is performed by using the stop control table that can specify the number of sliding pieces for each timing when the stop operation is performed. The stop position is specified from the table and the stop control is performed to stop the reel at the specified stop position. The stop position that can be stopped at the timing when the stop operation is performed is searched without using the stop control table or the stop position table. A configuration for performing stop control to stop the reel at a specified stop position, stop control using a stop control table, stop control using a stop position table, and stop without using a stop control table or stop position table A configuration may be used in which stop control by searching and specifying a stop position is also used, or a configuration in which stop control is performed by partially changing the stop control table or the stop position table.

In this embodiment, the main control unit 41 measures the game time, which is the time elapsed from the start of the rotation of the reel, that is, the time elapsed each time the rotation of the reel is started, after the start of the game. When the game start operation is performed with the specified number of bets set by the insertion of medals after the end of one game and the game start operation is enabled, the reel rotation start of the previous game is started. If the game time when the timing is started from the time point is the specified time (4.1 seconds in this embodiment) or more, that is, if the specified time has elapsed from the reel rotation start time of the previous game, the wait is not generated. At that point, the rotation of the reel for the game in the game is started. On the other hand, after the end of one game, when the game start operation is performed with the specified number of bets set by inserting medals and the game start operation is enabled, the reel rotation start of the previous game is started. If the game time that started timing from the time is less than the specified time, that is, if the specified time has not elapsed since the reel rotation start time of the previous game, wait is generated and the reel starts to rotate at that time. Instead, the process waits until the game time when the timing starts from the reel rotation start time of the previous game reaches the specified time, and the reel rotation starts when the specified time is reached.

In the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 controls to output an external output signal indicating a game state, an error occurrence state, and the like. These external output signals are output to a hall device such as a hall computer through an external output board 1000 and an information providing terminal board of a game shop (hall) in which the slot machine 1 is installed.

The main control unit 41 has a medal IN signal indicating the number of medals used for setting the bet number, a medal OUT signal indicating the number of medals awarded to the player due to the occurrence of winning, and a gaming state of RB (regular bonus). RB signal indicating that, a BB signal indicating that the gaming state is BB (Big Bonus), an ART signal indicating the start of ART described later, a door opening signal indicating that the front door 1b is open, which will be described later. A setting change signal indicating that the mode is changed to the setting change mode, a throw-in error signal indicating an abnormality of the medal selector, and a payout error signal indicating an abnormality of the hopper unit 34 are output.

The external output board 1000 is provided with a relay circuit, a parallel/serial conversion circuit, a terminal for each output signal, and a connector to be electrically connected to the circuit of the information providing terminal board. Among the signals output from the game control board 40, the medal IN signal, the medal OUT signal, the RB middle signal, the BB middle signal, and the ART signal are directly output as pulse signals to the information providing terminal board via the relay circuit. .. On the other hand, the door open signal, the setting change signal, the closing error signal, and the payout error signal are converted by the parallel/serial conversion circuit into security signals that are serial signals that can be individually identified, and information is provided. Output to the terminal board.

Next, a command transmitted from the main control unit 41 to the sub control unit 91 will be described.

In the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 instructs the sub control unit 91 to input a number-of-coins command, a credit command, a game state command, an ART state command, an internal winning command, a pushing order command, a freeze command, an ART lottery result command, Reel acceleration information command, acceleration completion command, stop operation command, sliding frame number command, stop command, game end command, prize determination command, payout start command, payout end command, standby command, stop command, error command, return command , Multiple commands including a setting command, a setting confirmation command, a door command, and an operation detection command are transmitted. These commands consist of 1-byte type data indicating the type of command and 1-byte extension data indicating the content of the command, and the sub-control unit 91 can determine the type of command from the type data.

The inserted number command is a command that can specify the number of inserted medals, that is, the number of medals used to set the bet number, and is a state from the end of the game (after setting change) to the start of the game, when power is restored. , Or when a medal is inserted in a state where the specified number of bets has not been set, or when the bet number is set by operating the MAXBET switch 6. Further, since the thrown-in command is transmitted when the bet-number setting operation is performed, it is possible to specify that the bet-number setting operation has been performed by receiving the thrown-number command.

The credit command is a command that can specify the number of medals stored as credits, which is a state from the end of the game (after the setting change) to the start of the game, and in the state where the bet number of the specified number is set, Sent when medals are inserted and credits are added.

The game state command is a command that can specify the game state (RT0 to 4, RB) of the game, and is transmitted when the start switch 7 is operated to start the game.

The ART status command is a command that can specify whether AT is in progress, whether ART is in progress, the number of games remaining until reaching a prescribed number of games described later, the number of games remaining in the precursory period, and the number of games remaining in ART. , When the game starts and is sent after the game state command.

The internal winning command is a command that can specify the internal lottery result, and is transmitted when the start switch 7 is operated to start the game and after the ART state command. The internal winning command includes a first internal winning command capable of specifying whether or not a special role is won, and a second internal winning command capable of specifying whether or not a general role is won, After the first internal winning command is sent, the second internal winning command is sent.

The push order command is a command that can specify the stop order, and is when the start switch 7 is operated to start the game, after the internal winning command is transmitted, and when the reels are stopped. Each time control is performed, it is transmitted after the stop command is transmitted. In addition, in a game in which navigation notification described below is executed, a push order command that can specify a stop order that is advantageous to the player is transmitted from the start of the game, and in a game in which navigation notification described below is not executed, an advantageous stop Until the order is confirmed, a push order command that cannot identify the stop order that is advantageous to the player is transmitted, and from the time when the favorable stop order is determined, a push order command that can identify the stop order that is advantageous to the player is transmitted. It

The game state command, the ART state command, and the internal winning command are transmitted when the start switch 7 is operated to start the game. By receiving these commands, the start switch 7 is operated to start the game. Can be specified.

The freeze command is a command that can specify whether or not the game is controlled to a freeze state in which the progress of the game is delayed for a predetermined period in the game, and the type of the freeze command is controlled when the game is started. And, it is transmitted after transmitting the internal winning command.

The ART lottery result command is a command that can specify whether or not an ART lottery or an additional lottery described below has been won, the number of games of the ART that has been won, or the number of games to be added, and when the game starts, the ART lottery result command It is transmitted after the internal winning command is transmitted in the game in which the lottery or the additional lottery is performed.

The reel acceleration information command is a command that can specify that the rotation of the reel starts with the progress of the game, and is transmitted when the rotation of the reel starts with the progress of the game. Since it is also sent when starting the rotation of the reel with the end of the freeze state, the start of the freeze state is specified by the freeze command, and the reel acceleration information command is received. It is possible to specify not only the start of rotation of the reel but also the end of the frozen state.

The acceleration completion command is a command that can specify that the acceleration of the reel accompanying the start of the game has been completed, and after starting the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R when the game is started, first of all Sent when the reels 2L, 2C, 2R rotate at a constant speed.

The stop operation command is a command that can identify the reel to be stopped, that is, the left reel, the center reel, or the right reel, and the area number of the stop operation position of the corresponding reel. It is transmitted every time the accompanying stop control is performed.

The sliding frame number command is a command that can specify whether the reel to be stopped is the left reel, the middle reel, or the right reel, and the number of sliding frames to move from the stop operation of the corresponding reel to the stop. That is, every time stop control associated with the stop operation of each reel is performed, it is transmitted after the corresponding stop operation command is transmitted.

The stop command is a command that can specify the reel to be stopped, that is, the left reel, the center reel, or the right reel, and the area number of the stop position of the corresponding reel, and the stop control accompanying the stop operation of each reel. Is transmitted every time when the corresponding slide frame number command is transmitted.

Each of the stop operation command, the number of sliding frames command, and the stop command can specify whether the reel to be stopped is the left reel, the middle reel, or the right reel, and is accompanied by the stop operation of each reel. Since it is transmitted every time stop control is performed, by receiving these commands, it is possible to specify that one of the reels has been stopped and the reel to be stopped.

The game end command is a command that can specify that the game has ended, and is transmitted when the player depresses the stop switch to stop the third stop reel and releases the stop switch.

The winning determination command is a command that can specify the presence or absence of a winning, a combination of symbols arranged on the winning line LN, the type of winning, and the number of medals to be paid out at the time of winning, so that the player stops the third stop reel. It is when the stop switch is pushed down and the stop switch is released, which is transmitted after the game end command is transmitted.

The game end command and the winning determination command are both transmitted when the player presses the stop switch to stop the third stop reel and then releases the stop switch. Therefore, by receiving these commands It is possible to specify that all the operations required to progress one game have ended.

The payout start command is a command for notifying the start of payout of medals, and is transmitted when the payout of medals is started by winning or winning the credit (including medals used for setting the bet number). The payout end command is a command for notifying the end of payout of medals, and is transmitted when the payout of medals by winning and settlement of credits is completed.

The standby command is a command indicating a transition to the standby state, and when one game is finished and the estimated termination time (60 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed without transition of the bet number, the credit is set. Sent after the payout of medals by the settlement of the medals (including medals used for setting the bet number) is completed and the payout end command is transmitted.

The stop command is a command indicating the occurrence or cancellation of the stop state, and when the ending production waiting time has elapsed after the end of the BB, the stop command indicating the occurrence of the stop state is transmitted, and the reset operation is performed. When the stopped state is released, a stopped command indicating the release of the stopped state is transmitted.

The error command is a command that indicates the occurrence or cancellation of an error condition and the type of error condition, and when an error is determined and the error condition is controlled, the error command indicating the occurrence of the error condition and its type is sent and reset. When the operation is performed and the error state is released, an error command indicating release of the error state is transmitted.

The return command is a command indicating that the main control unit 41 has returned to the control state before the power failure, and is transmitted when the main control unit 41 returns to the control state before the power failure when the main control unit 41 is activated.

The setting command is a command that indicates the start or end of the setting change state and the setting value after the setting change.The setting command indicating the start of the setting change state is sent at the time of shifting to the setting change state, and when the setting change state ends. A setting command indicating the end of the setting change state and the setting value after the setting change is transmitted. Further, since the control state of the main control unit 41 is initialized along with the transition to the setting change state, it is possible to specify that the control state of the main control unit 41 has been initialized by the setting command indicating the setting start. ..

The setting confirmation command is a command that indicates the start or end of the setting confirmation state. When the setting confirmation state is entered, the setting confirmation command indicating the setting confirmation start is transmitted, and when the setting confirmation state ends, the setting confirmation end is set. A confirmation command is sent.

The door command is a command indicating the detection state of the door open detection switch 25, that is, on (open state)/off (closed state), and at the time of power-on, at the end of one game (after the game, the bet number of the next game). Before the setting can be started) and when the detection state of the door opening detection switch 25 changes (on to off, off to on).

The operation detection command is a command indicating the detection state (on/off) of the operation switches (MAXBET switch 6, start switch 7, stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R), and is transmitted at regular time intervals.

Of these commands, commands other than the operation detection command are generated in the main processing, temporarily stored in the command queue provided in the RAM 41c, and transmitted in the command transmission processing of the timer interrupt processing (main) thereafter.

On the other hand, the operation detection command is generated based on the detection state of the switch every time the command transmission process of the timer interrupt process (main) is executed 10 times, and is temporarily stored in the command queue provided in the RAM 41c. Is transmitted in the command transmission process of the timer interrupt process (main) thereafter.

Next, the control of the production executed by the sub control unit 91 based on the command transmitted from the main control unit 41 to the production control board 90 will be described. The sub control unit 91 executes a command reception interrupt process when receiving a command from the main control unit 41. In the command reception interrupt process, the command acquired from the command transmission line is stored in the reception buffer provided in the RAM 91c.

In the timer interrupt process (sub), the sub-control unit 91 determines whether or not an unprocessed command is stored in the reception buffer. If an unprocessed command is stored, the sub-control unit 91 is the earliest. The control pattern table stored in the ROM 91b is referred to based on the command received at the stage, and the liquid crystal display 51, the effect LED 52, the speakers 53 and 54, the reel LED 55, and the like are referred to based on the control content registered in the control pattern table. Performs output control of various performance devices. In the control pattern table, for each of a plurality of types of effect patterns, the display pattern of the liquid crystal display 51 corresponding to the type of command, the lighting mode of the effect effect LED 52, the output modes of the speakers 53 and 54, the lighting mode of the reel LED 55, and the like. The control patterns of these effect devices are registered, and when the sub control unit 91 receives a command, the sub control unit 91 selects the control pattern corresponding to the effect pattern set in the RAM 91c in the game of the control pattern table. Of these, the control pattern corresponding to the type of the received command is referred to, and the output control of the effect device is performed based on the control pattern. As a result, an effect according to the effect pattern and the progress of the game is executed.

If a new command is received during execution of an effect triggered by the reception of a certain command, the sub-control unit 91 stops the effect based on the control pattern being executed, and changes to the newly received command. The effect based on the corresponding control pattern is executed. That is, even if the effect is not completed to the end, when a new command is received, the effect being executed will be canceled and a new command will be canceled unless the received new command is a command that triggers a new effect. The effect based on the command will be executed.

When the internal winning command is received, the effect pattern is selected at a selection rate according to the internal lottery result indicated by the internal winning command, and is set in the RAM 91c. The selection rate of the effect pattern is registered in the effect table stored in the ROM 91b, and when the sub-control unit 91 receives the internal winning command, the sub control unit 91 creates the effect table according to the result of the internal lottery indicated by the internal winning command. By referring to the registered selection rate, one of the effect patterns is selected from a plurality of effect patterns according to the selected rate, and the selected effect pattern is set in the RAM 91c as the effect pattern of the game. Therefore, even if the same command is received, a different control pattern is selected depending on the effect pattern selected when the internal winning command is received, and as a result, different effects may be performed depending on the effect pattern.

In the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 provides a notification period in which navigation notification can be performed in which the stop order that is advantageous to the player according to the internal lottery result is notified by the lighting mode of the game auxiliary display device 12. It is possible to control the assist time (hereinafter referred to as AT).

When the main control unit 41 is controlling the AT, the navigation target is executed by winning the navigation target winning combination according to the game state, and the player is notified based on the winning number of the winning navigation notification winning combination. The liquid crystal display 51 and the like are notified by notifying the stop order that is advantageous to the player and transmitting a push order command that can specify the stop order that is advantageous to the player based on the winning number to the sub-control unit 91. The navigation effect using is executed. In addition, in the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 can execute the navigation notification and execute the navigation effect by satisfying a certain condition even in the normal state in which the AT is not controlling.

FIG. 6 is an address map of the memory area used by the main control unit 41. As shown in FIG. 6, the memory area used by the main control unit 41 includes a memory area (0000H to 7FFFH) assigned to the ROM 41b and a memory area (F000H to FFFFH) assigned to the RAM 41c.

The memory area of the ROM 41b includes a program/data area (0000H to 26FFH) in which programs and fixed data are stored, a ROM comment area (2700H to 277FH) in which arbitrary data such as the title and version of the program can be set, and A vector table area (2780H to 27A7H) in which the upper address of the subroutine of the CALLV instruction and the start address of the timer interrupt processing (main) are set, and a parameter for setting the internal function of the main control unit 41 by hardware. HW parameter area (27A8H to 27FFH) in which is set and an unused area (2800H to 7FFFH) in which access is prohibited.

The parameters set in the HW parameter area in the ROM 41b include the final address (HPRGEND) of the ROM area used in the program/data area, the start address (HRAMSTAT) and the final address (HRAMEND) of the RAM area for which access is prohibited.

The memory area of the RAM 41c is a usable area (F000H to F400H) that can be used as a work and an internal function register area (F4B0H to F4B0H to F4B0H to) that stores a group of registers for controlling each function installed in the main control unit 41. F6FFH) and unused areas (F401H to F4AFH, F700H to FFFFH) whose access is prohibited.

FIG. 7 is an address map of the program/data area in the ROM 41b of the main control unit 41 and the usable area in the RAM 41c.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the program/data area in the ROM 41b includes a game program area in which a game program relating to the progress of a game is stored, a game data area in which game data used by the game program is stored, and It includes a use area 1, a non-game program area in which a non-game program that is not related to the progress of a game is stored, a non-game data area in which non-game data used by the non-game program is stored, and an unused area 2. ..

It should be noted that the progress of the game is to proceed a series of processes constituting the game. In the case of a slot machine, the stage where the bet number is set and the game can be started, the game is started and the reels are rotated. This is to proceed with the step of allowing the reels to be stopped, the step of deriving the display result by stopping the reel, and the step of giving a value such as a medal or the like according to the display result.

A game program area related to the progress of the game and a non-game program not related to the progress of the game are separately allocated, and are rearwardly allocated in the storage area of the ROM 41b of the game program area and the non-program area. Since the unused area 1 of at least 16 bytes or more is allocated to the area before the non-program area, the storage area for the game program area related to the progress of the game and the non-game program not related to the progress of the game Can be easily specified according to the difference.

Further, while the game program area and the game data area, and the non-game program area and the non-game data area are respectively allocated to continuous areas, the game program area and the game data area related to the progress of the game and the non-related non-related to the progress of the game. Since the game program and the non-game data area are allocated to the areas which are not continuous across the unused area 1 of at least 16 bytes, the game program area and the game data area related to the progress of the game and the progress of the game It is possible to easily specify the non-gaming program and the non-gaming data area that are not related, according to the difference in the storage area.

In the above description, “before and after the storage area” refers to the magnitude relationship of the address values assigned to the storage area. The smaller address is the front and the larger address is the rear. Therefore, the storage area allocated behind the one storage area corresponds to a storage area having an address value larger than that of the one storage area, and the storage area allocated ahead of the one storage area is , A storage area having an address value smaller than that of the first storage area.

Further, the game program may be assigned to the rear side of the non-game program area, and the unused area may be assigned to the front of the game program assigned to the rear side of the non-game program area. It is possible to easily specify the game program area related to the progress of the game and the non-game program not related to the progress of the game according to the difference in the storage area.

Further, the game program area and the non-gaming program area may be allocated to areas adjacent to each other with the unused area 1 interposed therebetween. Even with such a structure, the game program area related to the progress of the game The non-gaming program that is not related to the progress of the game can be easily specified according to the difference in the storage area.

Further, since 0 values are stored in all areas in the unused areas 1 and 2 of the program/data area of the ROM 41b, a game program area and a game data area, a non-game program area and a non-game data, The unused areas 1 and 2 can be easily distinguished from each other, and even if the unused areas 1 and 2 store illegal data, they can be easily found.

Incidentally, 1 may be stored in all areas in the unused areas 1 and 2 of the program/data area of the ROM 41b. Even in such a structure, the game program area and the game data area, and the non-game The program area and non-gaming data can be easily distinguished from the unused areas 1 and 2, and even if the unused areas 1 and 2 contain illegal data, they can be easily found. ..

Further, as long as the game program area and the non-gaming program area are allocated to separate areas, the game program area and the non-gaming program area may be arranged to be adjacent to each other. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to easily specify the game program area related to the progress of the game and the non-game program not related to the progress of the game according to the difference in the storage area.

Further, both the game program area and the non-gaming program area are designed to start from an address (0H) having the same lower four digits when the address is expressed in binary, and the program/data area of the ROM 41b. Of these, the game program area related to the progress of the game and the non-game program area not related to the progress of the game can be easily distinguished from other areas.

Further, in both the game program area and the non-gaming program area, when the address is represented by a binary number, not only the address with the same lower four digits starts from 0, but when the address is represented by a hexadecimal number, the lower one digit value is displayed. Since it starts from the same address (0H) of 0, the game program area and the non-gaming program area can be easily distinguished from other areas not only when the address is expressed in binary but also when expressed in hexadecimal. can do.

It should be noted that both the game program area and the non-gaming program area start from addresses having the same lower N (N is a natural number of 1 or more) digits, regardless of whether the addresses are expressed in binary or hexadecimal. With such a configuration, it is possible to easily distinguish the game program area and the non-gaming program area from other areas. For example, the value of the lower N (N is a natural number of 1 or more) digits is 1 The same effect can be obtained with the configuration starting from the address.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the usable area of the RAM 41c includes a game RAM area used as a work by the game program, a non-game RAM area used as a work by the non-gaming program, and an unused area 4. The game RAM area includes a special work, an important work, a general work, an unused area 3 and a game stack area in which a game program saves data, and a non-gaming RAM area includes a game. It includes an area where the program can be referred to, an area where the game program cannot be referred to, and a non-game stack area where the non-game program saves data. In the present embodiment, the game stack area and the non-game stack area are individually provided in different areas, but one stack area shared by the game program and the non-game program may be provided.

The unused area 3 is an area in which neither the game program nor the non-gaming program is used, and is an area which is a surplus to the game RAM area having a predetermined capacity.

The unused area 4 is an area of 16 bytes or more that neither the game program nor the non-gaming program uses. Since the game RAM area and the non-game RAM area are allocated to the areas which are not continuous with the unused area 4 interposed therebetween, the game RAM area used by the game program related to the progress of the game and the non-related non-progress of the game. The non-gaming RAM area used by the gaming program and the non-gaming RAM area can be easily specified according to the difference in the storage area.

In the following, the game program area, the game data area and the game RAM area may be collectively referred to as a game area, and the non-gaming program area, the non-gaming data area and the non-gaming RAM area may be collectively referred to as a non-gaming area. .. Further, the unused area 1 and the unused area 2, the unused area 3 and the unused area 4 may be collectively referred to as an unused area.

Based on the parameter set in the HW parameter area, the main control unit 41 permits access to the usable area of the RAM 41c when the area of the program/data area of the ROM 41b for which access is prohibited is accessed. When an area other than the program/data area of the ROM 41b is accessed, an area other than the usable area of the RAM 41c is accessed, That is, since an illegal access reset is generated when an access is made to a memory area that is not accessed in normal operation, the progress of the game is disabled, so an unused area of the ROM 41b and an area unrelated to the operation Even if an unauthorized program is stored in the unused area of the RAM 41c, it is possible to prevent the unauthorized program from being executed.

In particular, in the present embodiment, a game program area and a non-gaming program area are assigned to the program/data area of the ROM 41b that is permitted to be accessed by the program, and are in front of the non-gaming program area behind the game program area. The unused area 1 is assigned to the area, and based on the parameter set in the HW parameter area, a block including the area from the start address of the game program area to the final address of the non-gaming program in the program/data area While the access to the area (area from the game program area to the non-game data area) is collectively set to allow, the other area, that is, the game program, the game data, the non-game program in the program/data area, Since access to the area after the non-gaming data in which the non-gaming data is not stored is prohibited, it is possible to prevent unintended control by the malicious program or the unauthorized data.

Further, in the program/data area of the ROM 41b that is permitted to be accessed by the program, a game area is assigned to the rear of the non-game program area, and an unused area is provided in the area before the game program area behind the non-game program area. Is assigned, and based on the parameters set in the HW parameter area, access to a group of areas including the area from the start address of the non-gaming program area to the end address of the gaming program in the program/data area is collectively performed. Then, even if the access to other areas is prohibited while the permission is set, the unintentional control by the unauthorized program or the unauthorized data can be prevented.

A game program area and a non-game program area are assigned to the program/data area, an unused area 1 is assigned to an area before the non-game program area behind the game program area, and the program/data is also assigned. Of the area, one area including the game program area (area from the game program area to the game data area), one area including the non-gaming program (area from the non-gaming program area to the non-gaming data area) The configuration may be such that access is set to be permitted and access to other areas is prohibited. Even with such a configuration, the program/data area is not stored in the area where the game program or the non-game program is stored. Access is prohibited, it is possible to prevent unintended control by an unauthorized program or unauthorized data. Further, in the program/data area of the ROM 41b that is permitted to be accessed by the program, a game area is assigned to the rear of the non-game program area, and an unused area is provided in the area before the game program area behind the non-game program area. Are allocated, and a group of areas including the game program area in the program/data area (areas from the game program area to the game data area), a group of areas including non-gaming programs (from the non-gaming program area to the non-gaming area) It may be configured such that access to each area up to the data area is permitted and access to other areas is prohibited. Even in such a configuration, a game program or a non-game in the program/data area Since access to the area where the program is not stored is prohibited, it is possible to prevent unintended control by an unauthorized program or unauthorized data.

Further, in the above, the area itself that allows access in the program/data area is set, but by setting the area that is prohibited in the program/data area, the area that is indirectly allowed is set. It may be configured to be.

Based on the parameters set in the HW parameter area, the main control unit 41 determines whether the user program is executed in an area other than the designated area where the program running is permitted, that is, the user program is executed in a normal operation. When the user program is executed in the non-existing area, the IAT circuit 506a outputs the IAT generation signal to disable the progress of the game. Therefore, the unused area of the ROM 41b and an area unrelated to the operation, and the unallocated area of the RAM 41c. Even if an unauthorized program is stored in the used area or the like, it is possible to prevent the unauthorized program from being executed.

In particular, in the present embodiment, a game program area and a non-gaming program area are assigned to the program/data area of the ROM 41b that is permitted to be accessed by the program, and are in front of the non-gaming program area behind the game program area. The unused area 1 is assigned to the area, and the IAT circuit 506a permits the program running for each of the game program area and the non-gaming program area in the program/data area based on the parameter set in the HW parameter area. While setting as a designated area, program running is prohibited in other areas, that is, in areas of the program/data area where game programs and non-gaming programs are not stored. It is possible to prevent the control from being performed.

Further, in the program/data area of the ROM 41b that is permitted to be accessed by the program, a game area is assigned to the rear of the non-game program area, and an unused area is provided in the area before the game program area behind the non-game program area. Is assigned, and based on the parameters set in the HW parameter area, the IAT circuit 506a sets each of the game program area and the non-gaming program area in the program/data area as a designated area for permitting program running. Thus, even if the program running in the other area is prohibited, it is possible to prevent the unintended control by the illegal program or the illegal data.

Incidentally, a game program area and a non-game program area are assigned to the program/data area, an unused area 1 is assigned to an area before the non-game program area behind the game program area, and an HW parameter area is also assigned. Based on the parameters set in, the area of the program/data area including the area from the start address of the game program area to the end address of the non-gaming program (area from the game program area to the non-gaming data area) With respect to the above, the IAT circuit 506a may collectively set as a designated area for permitting program running, and program running in other areas may be prohibited. Even in such a configuration, the program/data area of Since the program running in the area where the game program or the non-gaming program is not stored is prohibited, it is possible to prevent unintended control by the unauthorized program or the unauthorized data. Further, in the program/data area of the ROM 41b that is permitted to be accessed by the program, a game area is assigned to the rear of the non-game program area, and an unused area is provided in the area before the game program area behind the non-game program area. Is assigned, and based on the parameters set in the HW parameter area, a group of areas (from the game program area) including the area from the start address of the non-gaming program area to the last address of the game program in the program/data area Even if the IAT circuit 506a collectively sets the non-gaming data area as a designated area for permitting the program running and prohibits the program running in other areas, it is caused by an illegal program or illegal data. It is possible to prevent unintended control.

Further, in the above, the area itself for permitting program running is set in the program/data area, but by setting the area for prohibiting program running in the program/data area, program running is indirectly allowed. The area may be set.

The program executed by the main control unit 41 includes a main routine that manages the progress of the entire program and a subroutine that is called during the execution of another program.

Further, a CALL instruction is included as an instruction for causing the main control unit 41 to execute the program stored in the program/data area.

The CALL instruction is an instruction to call and execute a subroutine stored at an address designated in a main routine or a subroutine. When the subroutine is called by the CALL instruction, the main control unit 41 stores the caller's address in the stack area and calls and executes the subroutine stored at the specified address. Then, after the end of the subroutine, the address of the caller stored in the stack area, that is, the program of the main routine or the subroutine of the caller that executed the CALL instruction is restored.

Further, the CALL instruction includes a normal CALL instruction and a special CALLV instruction which is a special CALL instruction. A normal CALL instruction is an instruction that calls an subroutine by specifying an upper address and a lower address that are specified by specifying both an upper address and a lower address, whereas a CALLV instruction specifies only a lower address. By doing so, it is an instruction for calling a subroutine by specifying an address by a preset upper address and a specified lower address in the vector table area of the ROM 41b, and calling the subroutine with a smaller amount of data compared to a normal CALL instruction. It becomes possible.

The RST instruction is an instruction for calling and executing a subroutine stored in a specific address corresponding to a specified value by specifying a value corresponding to a plurality of predetermined specific addresses, and is the normal CALL described above. It is possible to call a subroutine with a smaller amount of data than an instruction or a CALLV instruction. When the subroutine is called by the RST instruction, the main control unit 41 stores the caller's address in the stack area and calls and executes the subroutine stored at the specific address corresponding to the designated value. Then, after the end of the subroutine, the process returns to the caller's address stored in the stack area, that is, the caller's main routine or subroutine that executed the RST instruction.

The jump instruction is an instruction to move to the program stored at the address specified in the main routine or subroutine. The main control unit 41 moves to the program stored at the address designated by the jump instruction, and executes the destination program. In this case, unlike the CALL instruction and the RST instruction, even if the program after the movement ends, it does not return to the original program.

Further, the main control unit 41 includes an LD instruction as an instruction to read the data stored in the program/data area. The LD instruction is an instruction to read the data stored at the address designated in the main routine or the subroutine into the designated register. The main control unit 41 reads the data stored at the address designated by the LD instruction and stores the read data in the register designated by the LD instruction.

Of the game programs stored in the ROM 41b, particularly frequently used subroutines are stored in an area of the game program area of the ROM 41b where the head address has a specific value (for example, 00H). On the other hand, in the vector table area of the ROM 41b, a specific value is set as the higher address of the subroutine called by the CALLV instruction. Then, the main control unit 41 specifies only the lower address by using the CALLV instruction when calling a subroutine in which the upper address of the start address has the specific value, and thus the specific value set in the vector table area as the upper address is specified. The lower address specified as the lower address is specified, and the subroutine stored in the upper and lower addresses is called and executed. For this reason, the upper address that constitutes a part of the address used when calling a particularly frequently used subroutine in the game program is preset in the vector table as a specific value, and based on the specific value set in the vector table. Address is specified, the subroutine can be called with a smaller amount of data compared to the normal CALL instruction that calls the program by specifying both the upper address and the lower address. When calling these subroutines, It is possible to reduce the waste of the program for specifying the address.

In addition, a subroutine with a high frequency of use among the non-gaming programs stored in the ROM 41b is stored in an area of the non-gaming program area of the ROM 41b where the start address has a specific value, and the CALLV instruction is stored in the vector table area of the ROM 41b. By setting a specific value as the upper address of the subroutine to be called by, and when the main control unit 41 calls the subroutine in which the upper address of the start address has the specific value, only the lower address is specified by using the CALLV instruction, thereby Even when configured to call and execute, subroutines can be called with a smaller amount of data compared to a normal CALL instruction that calls a program by specifying both the upper address and the lower address. It is possible to reduce the waste of the program for specifying the address when calling.

Further, the upper address used when calling with the CALLV instruction may be set not in the vector table area but in a specific register of the main control unit 41.

In addition to the CALLV instruction, a part of the address is specified by using the value stored in the vector table area, the value set in a specific register, or the like, and the remaining part of the address is designated, so that the subroutine If the special CALL instruction is used to specify the storage address of, the waste of the program for designating the address when calling the subroutine can be reduced. Also, by assigning identification values having a smaller data amount than the addresses to each of the plurality of areas forming the vector table area, setting the storage address of the subroutine in each of the plurality of areas, and specifying the identification values, Even with a configuration using a special CALL instruction that can specify the storage address of the subroutine stored in the area corresponding to the value, it is possible to reduce the waste of the program for specifying the address when calling the subroutine. ..

In addition, game data that is particularly frequently used among the game data stored in the ROM 41b is stored in a region of the game data region of the ROM 41b where the start address has a specific value, and a special LD is stored in the vector table region of the ROM 41b. By setting a specific value as the upper address of the data to be read by the instruction, and when the main control unit 41 calls the game data in which the upper address of the start address has the specific value, a special LD instruction is used to specify only the lower address. , Even when these game data are read out, it is possible to call the game data with a smaller data amount as compared with a normal LD instruction for reading data by designating both the upper address and the lower address. It is possible to reduce the waste of the program for designating the address when reading the game data.

Further, among the non-gaming data stored in the ROM 41b, the non-gaming data that is particularly frequently used is stored in the non-gaming data area of the ROM 41b in which the top address has a specific value, and in the vector table area of the ROM 41b. A specific value is set as the upper address of the data to be read by the special LD command, and when the main control unit 41 calls the non-gaming data in which the upper address of the start address is the specific value, only the lower address is used by using the special LD command. Even if it is configured to read out these non-gaming data by designating, the non-gaming data is called with a smaller amount of data compared to a normal LD command that designates both the upper address and the lower address to read the data. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the waste of the program for designating an address when reading these non-game data.

Further, even in these cases, the upper address used when calling with a special LD instruction may be set in a specific register of the main control unit 41 instead of in the vector table area.

In addition, part of the address can be specified using the value stored in the vector table area, the value set in a specific register, etc., and the data storage address can be specified by specifying the remaining part of the address. With a configuration that uses a special LD instruction that makes it possible to reduce waste of a program for designating an address when reading data. In addition, by assigning an identification value having a smaller data amount than an address to each of the plurality of areas that make up the vector table area, setting a storage address of data in each of these multiple areas, and specifying the identification value, Even with a configuration using a special LD instruction that can specify the storage address of the data stored in the area corresponding to the value, it is possible to reduce the waste of the program for designating the address when reading the data. ..

The main control unit 41 is activated by the system reset by the input of the system reset signal, the WDT reset by the WDT 506b, and the illegal access reset described above. At this time, the value set in the vector table area, that is, The upper address of the subroutine of the CALLV instruction and the start address of the timer interrupt process (main) are values indicating the area in which the program etc. are actually stored in the program area, or FFFFH (in the unused vector table area If the value set in the vector table area is neither a value indicating an area outside the area in which the program is set nor FFFFH, it does not start up. It is possible to prevent in advance processing that is not originally intended to be executed due to an interrupt or the like.

The game program is a program relating to the progress of the game, and is a program for executing a process that hinders the progress of the game unless the process based on the program is executed. On the other hand, the non-gaming program is a program that is not related to the progress of the game, and it is possible to proceed with the game even when the game program is called and the processing based on the program is not executed and the game program is returned to. It is a program for executing processing.

As shown in FIG. 8, the game program includes a game-only program included only in the game program, and a common determination program and a common general-purpose program included in both the game program and the non-game program.

The game dedicated program includes, for example, a game start waiting process, an internal lottery process, a reel control process, a game end time setting process, an external output 1 process, an initial setting process, an electric power interruption process, and an error process. In the game start waiting process, the number of bets is set by inserting medals after the end of the control of one game, and the game is started by operating the start switch 7 after the set number of bets is set. The internal lottery process is a process of performing an internal lottery and setting a winning flag, and the reel control process is to start the rotation of the reel and operate the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R. It is a process to stop the reels in the game end setting process, it is determined whether or not a prize has been generated according to the stop position of the stopped reels, payout of medals, re-game settings, game state The external output 1 process is a process for controlling the output of the medal IN signal, the medal OUT signal, the RB middle signal, the BB middle signal, and the RT middle signal among the external output signals. , The initial setting process is a process for making the game possible when the power is turned on (backup abnormality confirmation, register initialization, etc.), and the power interruption process is the state before the power interruption after the power interruption occurs. Error processing is processing for enabling recovery, and various kinds of abnormalities (medal insertion abnormality, foreign matter detection inside the medal selector 29, reel rotation abnormality, medal payout abnormality, foreign matter detection near the payout opening, RAM abnormality). , Setting value abnormality, empty hopper tank 34a, overflow tank 35 full tank detection, etc.) are processes for disabling the game. Although not shown in particular, the game program also includes the above-described processing related to the AT (such as lottery related to AT and control related to navigation notification).

The common determination program in the game program includes, for example, an insertion determination process and a payout determination process. The insertion determination process is a process of determining whether or not the medal is normally passed by the insertion medal sensor 31, and is a process that is executed in a state in which a medal can be inserted for setting a bet number or the like. The payout determination process is a process of determining whether or not the medal is normally passed by the payout sensor 34c, and is executed in a state in which the payout of the medal is permitted at the time of winning a small winning combination or when the credit is settled. Is.

The common general-purpose program in the game program is a process that is called and executed from a plurality of types of processes that form the game program. For example, a counter update process, a port input process, a data conversion process, an LED display process, a data setting process, Includes command setting processing. The counter update process is a process for updating the specified counter value, the port input process is a process for acquiring the input state of the specified port, and the data conversion process is input using game data. Is a process for converting and outputting the data, the LED display process is a process for setting a specified value to be displayed on the LED, and the data setting process is a process for setting the specified data. The command setting process is a process of setting the specified command in the command queue.

In particular, the game program, when the abnormality is detected as described above, the cancellation condition according to the type of abnormality (random number abnormality, RAM abnormality, backup abnormality, setting value abnormality, reset setting value, In the case of an error other than the above, it includes an error process that disables the progress of the game until the reset operation) is established.

As shown in FIG. 8, the non-gaming program includes a non-gaming dedicated program included only in the non-gaming program, and a common determination program and a common general-purpose program that are the same as the game program.

The non-game dedicated program is, for example, test signal output processing, foreign matter detection processing, door monitoring processing, external output 2 processing, inserted medal error determination processing, payout medal error determination processing, power failure determination processing, normal command transmission processing, power interruption Includes hour command transmission processing. The test signal output process is a process for outputting a test signal generated in association with the result of the game, and the foreign substance detection process is a process for detecting a foreign substance in the medal passage by the slot sensor 26, The door monitoring process is a process for detecting the opening of the front door 1b, and the external output 2 process is a security signal (door opening signal, setting change signal, closing error signal, payout error signal) of the external output signals. The input medal error determination process is a process for performing output control, and detects the backward flow of inserted medals, the detection of clogging of medals in the medal selector 29, and the detection of foreign substances in the medal selector 29 in the inserted medal error determination process. The payout medal error determination process is a process for performing backflow detection of payout medals, detection of clogging of medals near the payout opening, and detection of foreign matter near the payout opening based on the detection status of the payout sensor 34c. The power failure determination process is a process for determining whether or not the voltage drop signal from the power failure detection circuit 48 is detected, and the normal time command transmission process is the command setting of the game dedicated program and the non-game dedicated program. This is a process for transmitting the first one command set among the commands set in the command queue by the process to the sub control unit 91, and the command transmission process during power interruption is set in the command queue. This is a process for transmitting all the existing commands to the sub control unit 91.

The common general-purpose program in the non-gaming program is a process that is called and executed from a plurality of types of processes that make up the non-gaming program, and similar to the common general-purpose program in the gaming program, for example, counter update processing, port input processing, It includes data conversion processing, LED display processing, data setting processing, and command setting processing.

The non-gaming program includes a process of determining whether or not a predetermined detection status is based on the detection status of the detection means (the insertion port sensor 26, the full tank sensor 35a, the door opening detection switch 25) that are not related to the progress of the game.

Further, the non-gaming program functions as a detection means relating to the progress of the game in a specific control state among a plurality of control states (game start waiting process, internal lottery process, reel control process, game end time setting process). In other control states, the detection means (for example, the inserted medal sensor 31, the payout sensor 34c) functioning as the detection means not related to the progress of the game is based on the detection status in the control state not related to the progress of the game. Processing for determining whether or not a predetermined detection situation (for example, detection processing of inserted medals and detection processing of paid-out medals for detecting an abnormality due to detection of insertion of medals during reel rotation or payout of medals) Including. It should be noted that such a determination process corresponds to a common determination program because it is the same as the process of determining whether or not a predetermined detection situation is based on the detection situation in the control state related to the progress of the game in the game program. ..

Among the processes included in the game program, the external output 1 process, the process of counting the number of inserted medals in the game start waiting process, the process of switching the flow path switching solenoid 30, the payout number of medals in the game end setting process. A process that is not directly related to the progress of the game, such as a process of counting, a process of detecting that the hopper tank 34a is empty, a process of updating a software random number, a process related to AT, a process of transmitting an internal winning command, etc. If so, all or part of these processes may be included in the non-gaming program. On the other hand, if the processing included in the non-gaming program is indirectly related to the progress of the game, all or a part of these processing may be included in the gaming program.

In the present embodiment, the CPU 41a of the main control unit 41 calls the non-gaming program in the processing based on the gaming program, executes the processing based on the non-gaming program, and after the processing based on the non-gaming program ends, as shown in FIG. , Returns to the processing based on the game program.

As shown in FIG. 9, in principle, the CPU 41a refers to the game data in the game data area to execute the processing based on the game program when executing the processing based on the game program, and uses the game RAM area as work. , It is possible to refer to and update the contents of the game RAM area. In addition, in principle, the CPU 41a refers to the game data in the non-gaming data area to execute the processing based on the non-gaming program when executing the processing based on the non-gaming program, and uses the non-gaming RAM area as work. It is possible to refer to and update the contents of the non-gaming RAM area.

Further, the CPU 41a does not refer to the non-gaming data area and does not update the non-gaming RAM area when executing the processing based on the game program, but can refer to the non-gaming RAM area. When executing the processing based on the non-gaming program, the gaming data area is not referred to and the gaming RAM area is not updated, but it is possible to refer to the gaming RAM area.

Further, the processing based on the game program can refer only to a specific area necessary for the game program (for example, an area for setting an error flag indicating detection of abnormality) in the non-game RAM area. The processing based on the game RAM area can refer only to a specific area required for the non-gaming program (for example, an internal winning flag setting area, a game state setting area, an RT setting area, etc.). Further, a specific area in the non-gaming RAM area where processing based on the game program can be referred to and a specific area in the gaming RAM area where processing based on the non-gaming program can be referenced are assigned to consecutive address areas. Although preferable, a part or all of the address area may be allocated to discontinuous address areas.

As described above, in this embodiment, a game program area in which a game program related to the progress of a game is stored, a game data area in which the game data referred to by the game program is readably stored, and work data referred to by the game program. Is a non-gaming program area in which a non-gaming program area in which a non-gaming program, which is a program called by a gaming program and which is readable and writable and which is called by a gaming program, is stored and a non-gaming program refers to A non-gaming data area in which data is readably stored and a non-gaming RAM area in which work data referred to by a non-gaming program is stored in a readable and writable manner are separately allocated, so a gaming program, The game data and the work data of the game program, and the non-gaming program, the non-gaming data, and the work data of the non-gaming program can be easily specified according to the difference in the storage area.

Further, by dividing the game program area and the game data area from the non-game program area and the non-game data area, it is possible to manage the area occupied in the ROM 41b compactly according to the respective functions. It becomes easier to identify the relevant data.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is possible to refer to the non-gaming RAM area when executing the game program, and it is possible to refer to the game RAM area when executing the non-gaming program. When executing the game program, the data used by the non-game program can be easily used, and when executing the non-game program, the data used by the game program can be easily used. On the other hand, when executing the game program, it is impossible to update the non-game RAM area, and when executing the non-game program, it is impossible to update the game RAM area, so the game program Does not affect the processing of the non-gaming program, and the non-gaming program does not affect the processing of the gaming program.

Further, in this embodiment, the processing based on the game program can refer only to a specific area required for the game program (for example, an error flag setting area indicating abnormality detection) in the non-gaming RAM area. The process based on the non-gaming program can be referred to only a specific area (for example, an internal winning flag setting area, a game status setting area, an RT setting area, etc.) necessary for the non-gaming program in the game RAM area. Therefore, since the data that the game program can refer to in the non-gaming RAM area and the data that the non-gaming program can refer to are limited to a specific area, the reference destination of the game program or the non-gaming program can be easily specified. be able to.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment can call the non-gaming program from the processing based on the gaming program during execution of the main processing, and as shown in FIG. As shown, it is possible to call the non-gaming program from the processing based on the gaming program during execution of the timer interrupt processing.

As shown in FIG. 10A, when calling the non-gaming program from the main processing based on the game program, in the game program, the start address of the non-gaming program to be called is set in a specific area, and the common calling process is executed. Execute 1. The common call process 1 is a process included in the game program. In the common call process 1, the register of the game program is saved in the game stack area and the stack pointer (SP, address indicating the current position of the game stack area). Is saved in the SP save area of the game RAM area, and the timer interrupt is disabled by setting the value of the interrupt master enable flag to a value indicating interrupt disabled, and then set in a specific area. Call the non-gaming program at the specified address.

On the other hand, based on the called non-gaming program, the stack pointer (non-SP, address indicating the current position of the non-gaming stack area) of the non-gaming program is set, and the processing of the non-gaming program is executed. After that, the game program of the calling source, that is, the common calling process 1 is returned to.

After returning to the common call process 1, the common call process 1 releases the prohibition of the timer interrupt by setting the value of the interrupt master permission flag to a value indicating the interrupt permission, and saves the game stack area and SP. Based on the data saved in the area, the stack pointer of the register and the game program is returned to the state before calling the non-game program, and the process ends.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the game program calls the non-gaming program, the common calling process 1 sets the interruption to be prohibited, and when the non-gaming program returns to the game program, the interruption is interrupted. Since the prohibition is released, the interrupt can be set to be prohibited during the period in which the non-gaming program is being executed.

Incidentally, when the non-gaming program is called from the main processing based on the gaming program, the non-gaming program first sets the interruption to be prohibited, then executes various processes, and the last of the non-gaming program is executed. It is also possible to cancel the prohibition of interrupts. With such a structure, it is possible to set the prohibition of interrupts for the period during which the non-gaming program is executed, as in the present embodiment. Further, since the prohibition and cancellation of the interruption are set by the non-gaming program, it is not necessary to set and cancel the prohibition of the interruption in the common calling process 1 of the gaming program, and the capacity of the gaming program can be reduced. ..

As shown in FIG. 10B, when the non-gaming program is called from the timer interrupt processing based on the game program, the start address of the non-gaming program to be called is set in a specific area in the game program, and common. Call processing 2 is executed. In the common call processing 2, the register of the game program is saved in the game stack area, and the stack pointer (SP, address indicating the current position of the game stack area) is saved in the SP save area of the game RAM area, and then specified. Call the non-gaming program at the address set in the area.

On the other hand, the called non-gaming program sets the stack pointer of the non-gaming program, executes the processing of the non-gaming program, and then returns to the common calling processing 2 of the calling source.

After returning to the common calling process 2, the common calling process 2 sets the register and the stack pointer of the game program to the state before calling the non-game program based on the data saved in the game stack area and the SP save area. Return and finish.

In this way, unlike the common call processing 1, the common call processing 2 does not set and release the timer interrupt, but as described above, the main control unit 41 does not interrupt other interrupts during execution of the timer interrupt processing. Since the execution of the interruption process is prohibited, the interruption can be prohibited during the period in which the non-gaming program is executed.

In the present embodiment, the game program executes the common calling process 1 and the common calling process 2 so that the register actually used by the game program when the non-gaming program is called and the non-gaming program is executed Regardless of whether or not there is a process to save and protect all areas of the register, when returning to the game program, you can reliably return from the state when the non-gaming program was called ..

Incidentally, without executing the common calling process 1 and the common calling process 2, the value of the register used by the game program immediately before calling the non-gaming program from the process based on the game program in the game program is protected, and the non-gaming program is protected. After all the processing based on the above, the value of the register protected at the first stage of returning to the game program may be restored, and by such a configuration, the register before calling the non-gaming program Since the protection process is performed and the register restoration process is performed after returning from the non-gaming program, the data stored in the register by the non-gaming program does not affect the gaming program.

Also, when the non-gaming program is called, the non-gaming program first saves the stack pointer and the register of the gaming program, and restores the stack pointer and the register of the gaming program at the end of the non-gaming program. Also, with such a configuration, when returning to the game program, it is possible to surely return from the state at the time when the non-gaming program is called, as well as in the present embodiment, and the game program The capacity can be reduced.

The main control unit 41 of the present embodiment can mainly execute a timer interrupt process (main) that interrupts and executes the main process at a constant interval (interval of about 0.56 ms). The timer interrupt process (main) is a process executed by an interrupt generated according to the count of the timer circuit 509, and the address where the program of the timer interrupt process (main) is stored is the vector table. It is set as the value corresponding to the timer interrupt of. Then, when the timer interrupt occurs, the process from the address is executed. Further, other interrupts are automatically prohibited during execution of the timer interrupt process (main).

In the present embodiment, the timer interrupt process (main) is included in the game program, while the power interruption determination process, the power interruption command transmission process, the normal time command transmission process executed in the timer interruption process (main), The door monitoring process is included in the non-gaming program, and the main control unit 41 sets interrupt prohibition in the timer interrupt process (main), saves the stack pointer and the register of the gaming program, and then executes these. The non-gaming program of is called. Also, when returning from these non-gaming programs to the timer interrupt processing (main), the stack pointer and the register of the gaming program are restored to the state before the calling of the non-gaming program, and the subsequent processing is performed. Ready to run. Since the main control unit 41 is set to prohibit other interrupts during execution of the interrupt process, the subsequent process is executed in the interrupt prohibited state even after returning from the non-gaming program. To do.

In addition, the non-gaming program that is executed in the timer interrupt processing (main), the power outage determination processing, the power-off command transmission processing, the normal-time command transmission processing, and the door monitoring processing need to be executed before these non-gaming programs. Processes other than certain processes (for example, port input process and motor phase signal output process that need to be executed before the branch of the timer interrupt), that is, whether they are performed before or after the non-gaming program has an influence on control. It is supposed to be executed before any processing that does not exist.

The main control unit 41 of the present embodiment is capable of executing a game program related to the progress of the game and a non-game program that is a program called by the game program and is not related to the progress of the game. It is possible to execute the main process based on the program and interrupt the main process at predetermined time intervals to execute the timer interrupt process (main) based on the game program. It is also possible to call and execute a non-gaming program from (main).

With such a configuration, in the main control unit 41, a malfunction may occur due to the timer interrupt process (main) being executed while the non-gaming program is being executed.

On the other hand, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment can execute a game program related to the progress of the game and a non-gaming program that is a program called by the game program and is not related to the progress of the game. It is possible to execute the main process based on the game program, and to interrupt the main process at predetermined time intervals to execute the timer interrupt process (main) based on the game program. In a configuration in which the non-gaming program can be called and executed from the timer interrupt processing (main) as well, when calling the non-gaming program from the main processing, after interrupts of other processing are set to be prohibited, While calling the non-gaming program, when calling the non-gaming program from the timer interrupt process (main), that is, when calling the non-gaming program in a situation where it is unlikely that an interrupt will occur, interrupt the other processes. Since the non-gaming program is called without setting the prohibition, it is possible to reduce the program capacity related to the prohibition of the interruption while preventing the malfunction due to the interruption being executed during the execution of the non-gaming program. ..

The timer interrupt processing (main) executed by the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment is processing by a game program, for example, LED dynamic display processing, control signal output processing, and the like, and processing by a non-game program, for example, normal time. It is configured by a plurality of processes including a command transmission process and a process such as a command transmission process at the time of power failure, and among a plurality of processes constituting the timer interrupt process (main), a process by a predetermined game program In particular, since the non-gaming program is called before the processing that causes no problems even if these non-gaming programs are executed first or later, that is, a plurality of processes constituting the timer interrupt process (main) Since the non-gaming program is called as early as possible, for example, even if the timer interrupt process (main) does not end for some reason and the next timer interrupt occurs and a double interrupt occurs It is possible to prevent other interrupts from being executed while the non-gaming program is being executed.

The main control unit 41 of this embodiment is capable of executing a game program and a non-gaming program, and a game stack area for saving data used by the game program and a non-game stack area for saving data used by the non-gaming program. , Has a RAM 41c provided separately, and the main control unit 41 saves the data used by the game program and the data used by the non-gaming program into the stack areas provided separately, respectively. Management becomes easier. Especially, the data used by the game program saved by the occurrence of the timer interrupt and the data used by the non-game program executed during the execution of the timer interrupt process are mixed and stored in one stack area. Since it does not occur, stack management does not become complicated.

When executing the non-gaming program, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment saves the register value used in the game program in the game stack area, and then calls the non-gaming program to perform the processing in the non-gaming program. By executing and executing the processing in the non-gaming program, the saved register value is restored, so the value of the register used by the gaming program is prevented from being changed as the non-gaming program is executed. it can.

When calling a non-game program from a process based on the game program, the call common process 1 or the call common process 2 for saving the value of the register used in the game program to the game stack area is called. The program capacity can be reduced by sharing the program for executing the non-gaming program in the processing.

In this embodiment, when calling a non-game program from a process based on the game program in the main process, the call common process 1 is executed, while a non-game program is called from a process based on the game program in the timer interrupt process. In this case, the call common process 2 different from the call common process 1 is executed to save the value of the register used in the game program in the game stack area. However, in the main process, the process based on the game program is executed. A common calling common process may be executed when calling the non-gaming program from, or when calling the non-gaming program from the process based on the game program in the timer interrupt process.

The main control unit 41 of the present embodiment is configured to call and execute the non-gaming program from both the main process and the timer interrupt process (main), and the non-gaming program is executed from the main process. When calling, set the interruption of other processing to be prohibited and call the non-gaming program, while when calling the non-gaming program from the timer interruption processing (main), set the interruption of other processing to be prohibited. The main control unit 41 calls the non-gaming program without calling the non-gaming program. The processing may be interrupted.

In such a configuration, the main control unit 41 prohibits interruption of other processing not only when calling the non-gaming program from the main processing but also when calling the non-gaming program from the timer interruption processing (main). Therefore, similar to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent a malfunction due to an interrupt being executed during execution of the non-gaming program.

In particular, when the timer interrupt process (main) is executed, the interrupt prohibition is set, and when the timer interrupt process (main) ends, the interrupt prohibition is released. Interruption of other processing will be prohibited during execution, but even in this case, when interrupting the non-gaming program from the timer interrupt processing (main), the interruption of other processing is prohibited again, so Even if the interrupt prohibition setting is canceled due to a cause, it is possible to prevent a malfunction due to an interrupt being executed while the non-gaming program is being executed.

In addition, as described above, when the timer interrupt process (main) is executed, the interrupt prohibition is set, and when the timer interrupt process (main) ends, the interrupt prohibition is released. It is a configuration that the interruption of other processing is prohibited during execution of (main), but when the interruption of other processing is prohibited again when the non-gaming program is called from the timer interruption processing (main) , By setting the prohibition of the interruption of other processing set at the time of calling the non-gaming program even after the non-gaming program ends, the non-gaming is executed even while the timer interruption processing (main) is being executed. It is possible to prevent the prohibition of interrupt from being released by the execution of the program.

Next, initialization of the RAM 41c of the main controller 41 will be described with reference to FIG.

The main control unit 41 of the present embodiment initializes the game RAM area, the unused area 4, and the non-gaming RAM area when it is determined that the storage content of the RAM 41c is destroyed at the start of the setting change process. That is, initialization 0 is performed to initialize all the usable areas.

In addition, at the start of the setting change process, when it is determined that the storage contents of the RAM 41c is not destroyed, the area excluding the special work, the unused area 4, and the non-gaming RAM area in the game RAM area are initialized. That is, the initialization 1 for initializing the area other than the special work in the usable area is performed.

At the end of the setting change process, important work, general work, unused area 3, and game stack area (unused) in the game RAM area are initialized, that is, special work and game stack area in the game RAM area. Initialization 2 is performed to initialize areas other than (in use).

Further, at the end of a specific game state and at the end of one game, initialization 3 for initializing a general work, an unused area 3 and a game stack area (unused) in the game RAM area is performed.

Further, at the end of one game, which is not the end of a specific game state, an initialization 4 for initializing an unused area 3 and a game stack area (unused) in the game RAM area is performed.

As described above, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment performs initialization 0 to 4 when the predetermined condition is satisfied, and when the first condition is satisfied as the predetermined condition, the main control unit 41 determines that one of the usable areas of the RAM 41c. At least a part of the game RAM area in which the data used by the game program is stored, and when the second condition is satisfied as the predetermined condition, at least a part of the game RAM area and the usable area of the RAM 41c Initialize at least a part of the non-gaming RAM area used by the non-gaming program.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, as a first condition, at the end of one game, an unused area 3 and a game stack area (unused) which are a part of the game RAM area in the usable area. Is initialized, but the non-gaming RAM area in the usable area is not initialized. In addition, as a first condition, at the end of a specific game state, general work, unused area 3, game stack area (unused), which is a part of the game RAM area of the usable area, is initialized, The non-gaming RAM area in the possible area is not initialized. Also, as the first condition, after the setting change state is completed, the important work, the general work, the unused area 3, and the game stack area (unused) which are part of the game RAM area in the usable area are initialized. However, the non-gaming RAM area in the usable area is not initialized.

On the other hand, as a second condition, when there is no abnormality in the RAM when the setting change state is started, important work, general work, unused area 3, which is a part of the game RAM area of the available area, The game stack area (unused) and the game stack area (used) are initialized, and all areas of the non-game RAM area are initialized. Further, when the setting change state is started, if the RAM is abnormal, all areas of the game RAM area of the usable area are initialized and all areas of the game RAM area are initialized.

The main control unit 41 of this embodiment is capable of executing a game program related to the progress of the game and a non-game program that is a program called by the game program and is not related to the progress of the game. It has a ROM 41b for storing a program.

In such a configuration, when a game program and a non-gaming program are mixed in one ROM 41b, it is difficult to determine which program is related to the progress of the game.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the ROM 41b includes a game program area in which a game program is stored and a non-game program area in which a non-game program is stored, and the game program area and the non-game program are included. Since the areas and are allocated separately, the game program and the non-gaming program can be easily specified according to the difference in the storage areas.

Further, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment is used as a work of the game program, and is used as a work RAM area for storing data used by the game program, and is used as a work of the non-gaming program, and stores data used by the non-gaming program. The RAM 41c including a non-gaming RAM area to be used is provided, and since the gaming RAM area and the non-gaming RAM area are separately allocated in the RAM 41c, the data used by the gaming program and the non-gaming program are used. The data and data can be easily specified according to the difference in the storage area, and the main controller 41 initializes at least a part of the game RAM area when the first initialization condition is satisfied, and When the initialization condition of 2 is satisfied, at least a part of the game RAM area is initialized, and at least a part of the non-gaming RAM area is initialized, so that the data used by the game program stored in the RAM 41c is used. Of the data used by the non-gaming program, appropriate data can be initialized according to the situation.

As a first initialization condition, the main control unit 41 of this embodiment initializes an unused area 3 and a game stack area (unused) which are a part of the game RAM area when one game ends. , As a first initialization condition, when a special game state (BB) is finished and one game is finished, general work which is a part of the game RAM area, unused area 3 and game stack Initialize the area (unused), as the first initialization condition, when the setting change is completed and the main processing is started, the important work, the general work area, which is a part of the game RAM area, the Since the use area 3 and the game stack area (unused) are initialized, it is possible to initialize appropriate data depending on the situation.

Further, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment, as a second initialization condition, when there is no abnormality in the RAM at the start of setting change, important work, general work, unused area that is a part of the game RAM area 3. Initialize the game stack area (unused) and the game stack area (in use), and in the non-game RAM area, the area referenced by the game program, the area not referenced by the game program, and the non-game stack area ( Unused) and non-game stack area (in use), that is, all areas of the non-gaming RAM area are initialized, and as the second initialization condition, when there is an abnormality in the RAM at the start of setting change, the game RAM area Of these, special work, important work, general work, unused area 3, game stack area (unused) and game stack area (in use), that is, all areas of the game RAM area are initialized, and non-gaming RAM area Of the areas referenced by the game program, areas not referenced by the game program, non-gaming stack area (unused) and non-gaming stack area (in use), that is, to initialize all areas of the non-gaming RAM area Of the data used by the game program stored in the RAM 41c and the data used by the non-game program, appropriate data can be initialized depending on the situation.

The main controller 41 of the present embodiment is configured to initialize a part of the game RAM area when the first initialization condition is satisfied. When the initialization condition is satisfied, at least a part of the game RAM area may be initialized, and all the areas of the game RAM area may be initialized.

Further, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment is configured to initialize a part of the game RAM area and initialize all areas of the non-game RAM area when the second initialization condition is satisfied. However, the main control unit 41 initializes at least a part of the game RAM area when the second initialization condition is satisfied, and initializes at least a part of the non-gaming RAM area. If it is good, all the areas of the game RAM area may be initialized, all the areas of the non-gaming RAM area may be initialized, or at least a part of the non-gaming RAM area may be initialized. The game RAM may be initialized, or all areas of both the game RAM area and the non-game RAM area may be initialized.

Since the main control unit 41 of this embodiment configures a program for initializing the game RAM area and a program for initializing the non-gaming RAM area as separate programs, the game program is a non-gaming RAM area. Since the initialization is not required, the capacity of the game program can be reduced. In addition, a program for initializing the game RAM area can be shared when the first initialization condition is satisfied and when the second initialization condition is satisfied. Further, since a program for initializing the game RAM area is provided as a game program and a program for initializing the non-gaming RAM area is provided as a non-gaming program, the gaming program initializes the non-gaming RAM area or the non-gaming program is the gaming RAM. It is possible to prevent the gaming program from affecting the non-gaming program and the non-gaming program from affecting the gaming program without initializing the area.

As a first initialization condition, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment performs the game end time process setting in the main process, and then determines that it is not the end time of the specific game state, that is, one game ends. By setting the start address of the initialization target RAM at the end of the game and executing the game area initialization process, a predetermined area of the game RAM area is initialized, so that the game progresses for each game unit. A part of the unnecessary game RAM area can be initialized.

The main control unit 41 of the present embodiment is activated when the setting key switch 37 is ON, and when the setting change process is started, that is, the setting change operation is performed, the second initialization condition is satisfied. When, the game area initialization processing is executed to initialize a predetermined area of the game RAM area, and the non-game area initialization processing is executed to initialize a predetermined area of the non-game RAM area. Thus, both the game RAM area and the non-game RAM area can be initialized based on the setting change operation (initialization operation) by the game shop staff.

The game RAM area of the RAM 41c of the present embodiment includes an unused area 3 that is not used when performing control based on the game program or when performing control based on the non-game program, and the first initialization condition Since the unused area 3 is initialized both when the above condition is satisfied and when the second initialization condition is satisfied, it is possible to prevent illegal data from being stored in the unused region 3.

In the present embodiment, the unused area 3 is initialized both when the first initialization condition is satisfied and when the second initialization condition is satisfied, but at least when the first initialization condition is satisfied. If the unused area 3 is initialized when either one of the conditions of the second initialization condition is satisfied, it is possible to prevent illegal data from being stored in the unused region 3. In addition, if the first initialization condition includes a plurality of conditions, and if the unused area 3 is initialized when at least one of the conditions is satisfied, illegal data is stored in the unused area 3. Can be prevented. The same applies even if the second initialization condition includes a plurality of conditions.

The main control unit 41 of the present embodiment is used as a work of a game program, a game RAM area for storing data used by the game program, and a non-game program used as work of a non-gaming program for storing data used by the non-gaming program. A game RAM area and a RAM 41c including the RAM 41c are provided. The RAM 41c has a configuration capable of holding data stored in the RAM 41c for a predetermined period even when power supply to the slot machine 1 is stopped by a backup power source. When the power supply to the slot machine 1 is started, the control unit 41 starts the initialization process, and determines whether the stored contents of the RAM are normal based on the data stored in the RAM 41c held by the backup power supply. If it is determined to be normal, the control is restarted based on the data stored in the RAM 41c.

In such a configuration, when the power supply to the slot machine 1 is started, whether or not the storage content of the RAM is normal based on the data stored in both the game RAM area and the non-game RAM area of the RAM 41c. When determining whether or not it is too heavy to restart the control based on the data stored in the RAM 41c.

On the other hand, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment starts the initial setting process when the power supply to the slot machine 1 is started, and the RAM in the game RAM area of the RAM 41c held by the backup power source. Parity, based on the destruction diagnosis data stored in the game RAM area, it is determined whether or not the storage content of the RAM is normal, and if determined to be normal, the data and non-game stored in the game RAM area. The control is restarted based on the data stored in the RAM area, and whether or not the non-game data stored in the non-gaming RAM area that does not hinder the progress of the game is normal. By omitting the determination, it is possible to reduce the load when resuming the control while ensuring that the game can proceed normally.

The game RAM area of the RAM 41c of the present embodiment includes an unused area 3 that is not used when performing control based on the game program or when performing control based on the non-game program. When the power supply to the slot machine 1 is started, the unit 41 executes the initial setting process, and in the initial setting process, calculates the RAM parity of the game RAM area including the unused area 3, and the calculated RAM Since it is determined whether or not the stored contents of the game RAM area are normal based on the parity, it is possible to prevent illegal data from being stored in the unused area 3.

The main control unit 41 of the present embodiment executes the initial setting process when the power supply to the slot machine 1 is started, and in the initial setting process, determines whether or not the storage content of the RAM 41c is destroyed. , If the stored contents of the RAM 41c are determined to be destroyed, the RAM abnormality flag is set to control the error processing, and thereafter, the error state is maintained without automatically recovering, while the setting key switch 36 is set. When the power supply to the slot machine 1 is started in the ON state, the setting change process is controlled, the game area initialization process is executed to initialize the game RAM area, and the non-game area is initialized. Initialize the non-gaming RAM area by executing the process, that is, both the gaming RAM area and the non-gaming RAM area are initialized as the error state is released, so either the gaming RAM area or the non-gaming RAM area It is possible to prevent the game from proceeding with some abnormality.

When the power supply to the slot machine 1 is started, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment sets the RAM abnormality flag when it is determined that the storage content of the RAM 41c is destroyed in the initialization process. Then, the setting key switch 36 is in the ON state, power supply to the slot machine 1 is started, and the setting change process is executed to cancel the error state. Although the RAM area and the non-gaming RAM area are both initialized, the main control section 41 destroys the stored contents of the RAM 41c in the initial setting process when the power supply to the slot machine 1 is started. If it is determined that the game RAM area and the non-game RAM area are both initialized, the error processing may be controlled. In such a configuration, when controlling the error processing, both the game RAM area and the non-game RAM area are initialized. Therefore, similar to the present embodiment, either the game RAM area or the non-game RAM area is abnormal. It is possible to prevent the game from proceeding with the occurrence of. In addition, both the game RAM area and the non-game RAM area may be initialized when it is determined that the stored contents of the RAM 41c are destroyed and when the setting change process is executed thereafter. Even with the configuration, it is possible to prevent the game from proceeding with an abnormality occurring in either the game RAM area or the non-game RAM area.

The main control unit 41 of the present embodiment executes the power interruption process when the power supply to the slot machine 1 is stopped and the power failure detection circuit 48 detects the decrease of the power supply voltage, and in the power interruption process, the RAM 41c. By prohibiting access to both the game RAM area and the non-gaming RAM area, you can use the non-gaming RAM area that is out of the judgment target whether the data is destroyed at the next startup. Therefore, it is possible to prevent illegal data from being stored.

Next, the main control unit 41 is an abnormality that does not hinder the progress of the game (for example, an abnormality due to detection of insertion or payout of medals during reel rotation, detection of insertion of medals during payout processing). Control when outputting a security signal in the case of detecting (abnormality due to) is described with reference to FIG.

The insertion error during the reel control process and the payout process may occur, for example, when a foreign substance is inserted from the medal insertion slot 4, when a foreign substance is present in the medal flow path, or during the reel control process and the payout process. Regardless, the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 4 is detected when it flows down to the hopper tank 34a side. Further, the payout error during the reel control process is detected, for example, when a medal is paid out at a timing other than the payout timing.

In FIG. 12A, the start operation, the reel rotation start, the first stop, the second stop, the third stop, and the payout indicate the respective timings during the game progress. Specifically, the start operation indicates the timing when the operation of the start switch 7 is detected. The reel rotation start indicates the timing when the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R start rotating. The first stop indicates the timing at which the stop operation first performed while all the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are still spinning is detected. The second stop indicates a state in which the rotation of any one of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R has already stopped and the two reels are rotating, that is, the timing when the second stop operation is detected. The third stop indicates a state in which the rotation of two reels has already stopped and one reel is rotating, that is, the timing at which the third stop operation is detected. The payout indicates the timing of the payout process of medals.

The abnormality detection indicates the timing of detecting an abnormality that does not hinder the progress of the game. The medal payout detection indicates the timing at which the paid-out medal is detected by the payout sensor 34c. The medal OUT signal is a signal indicating that one medal has been paid out by outputting one pulse. The security signal indicates the output status of a signal (for example, an insertion error signal or a payout error signal) indicating that an abnormality that does not hinder the progress of the game has occurred.

FIG. 12A shows an abnormality that does not hinder the progress of the game during the reel control process, and a medal payout detection, a medal OUT signal, and a security signal output when a winning with a medal payout occurs. It is the figure which showed the timing. In this embodiment, as shown in the figure, when an abnormality that does not hinder the progress of the game is detected during the reel control processing, the security signal is not output immediately after the abnormality is detected, but after the payout processing is completed. In addition, the security signal is output before the output of the medal OUT signal is completed. Thereby, the paid-out medals can be recognized in a situation where an abnormality occurs during the reel control process. That is, it is possible to recognize the game value provided in the situation where the abnormality occurs.

Further, as is known in the art, when an abnormality is detected during a game, if the abnormality is notified after the game is over, if an abnormal signal is output after the process related to the game is finished, the "abnormality during the game" will be given. There is no distinction between "abnormality immediately after the end of the game". However, in this embodiment, when an abnormality is detected at a predetermined timing within the period from the start of the game to the end of the addition of the game medium, the medal OUT signal is output after the end of the addition of the game medium. Start outputting security signals before completion. Thereby, for example, the hall computer of the amusement store analyzes the output timing of the medal OUT signal and the security signal collected by the collection unit, and the security signal is output before the output of the medal OUT signal is completed. By detecting "," it is possible to distinguish not "the abnormality immediately after the game" but "the abnormality during the game".

In FIG. 12A, the medal OUT signal is output after the payout process is completed. For example, as shown in FIG. 12B, the medal OUT signal is output every time the medal payout is detected. A signal may be output. Even in such a case, if the output of the security signal is started before the output of the medal OUT signal is completed, for example, the output of the medal OUT signal corresponding to the detection of the final medal payout is detected. The output of the security signal may be started at the timing.

Next, a configuration of the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R and a control method for exciting the reel motors will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R. The reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R are hybrid type stepping motors, and are composed of a stator 32b and a rotor 32a facing the stator 32b. The rotor 32a has a large number of gear-shaped salient poles (not shown), in which permanent magnets magnetized in the same direction as the rotation shaft are incorporated. The reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R receive pulse signals output from the motor drive circuit 45 under the control of the main control unit 41, and the excitation phases φ1 to φ4 of the stator 32b are excited according to a predetermined procedure. Each time one pulse is received, the rotor 32a rotates by a predetermined angle (one step).

FIG. 14A is a timing chart showing a control method at the time of starting the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R. In the figure, φ1 to φ4 indicate each excitation phase, “ON” indicates the excitation state, and “OFF” indicates the demagnetization state. At the time of starting the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R, the main control unit 41 starts excitation in the rotational direction by a 1-2 phase excitation method, which will be described later, starting from the stop phase from a state in which only the stop phase is excited. Specifically, for example, when the stop phase is (φ3, φ4), from the state where (φ3, φ4) is excited, (φ4), (φ4, φ1), (φ1)... ~φ4 is alternately excited with one phase, two phases, and one phase.

If the excitation is started with a phase different from the stop phase as the starting point, the permanent magnet of the rotor 32a is suddenly attracted to the excitation phase, and the reel vibrates at the start of rotation. In this embodiment, since the excitation is started with the stop phase as the starting point, the reel integrally connected to the rotor 32a can be smoothly started.

FIG. 14B is a timing chart showing a control method when the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R are rotating and stopped.

First, during rotation, that is, until the condition for stopping the reels is satisfied, the reel motor is driven by the 1-2 phase excitation method to rotate each reel 2L, 2C, 2R. For example, a pulse signal indicating that φ1 to φ4 is excited is turned ON/OFF at the timing shown in FIG. 14B, and (φ4, φ1), (φ1), (φ1, 2 phase, 1 phase, 2 phase, 1 phase in the order of φ2), (φ2), (φ2, φ3), (φ3), (φ3, φ4), (φ4), (φ4, φ1)... .Phi.1 to .phi.4 are alternately excited every two phases and one step to rotate the rotor 32a, thereby rotating the reels 2L, 2C, 2R.

Next, when the condition for stopping the spinning reel is satisfied, the process proceeds to reel stop control. For example, when the condition for stopping the reels is satisfied during the period shown in FIG. 14B as the stop condition satisfaction step, up to the time point Ta at which the two-phase excitation in the 1-2 phase excitation method is performed. Wait, then shift to stop control.

The reel stop control is performed by all-phase excitation stop control, as shown in FIG. In the all-phase excitation stop control, when the reel motor is driven by the 1-2 phase excitation method, it starts from a time point Ta at which the state of exciting one phase is changed to the state of exciting two phases, and all phases are excited. The control is such that the state to be held is held for a predetermined hold time (T1+T2). For example, as shown in FIG. 14B, the state of exciting (φ1, φ2, φ3, φ4) is held from the time of transition from the state of exciting (φ1) to the state of exciting (φ1, φ2). Hold only time T1+T2. As a result, the rotor 32a of each reel motor that has been rotating at high speed is suddenly braked. After that, the rotor 32a of the reel motor rotates several steps (four steps in this embodiment) by the inertial force and stops. Since the number of steps required for the rotor 32a of the reel motor to stop changes depending on the characteristics (weight, size, electromechanical properties) of the reel and the reel motor, the characteristics are not set in the reel stop control. It is preferable to perform the all-phase excitation stop control with the corresponding number of steps.

After the all-phase excitation stop control is executed for T1+T2 (Tc), φ1 and φ2 are demagnetized, and the voltage applied to the reel motor is the normal value (High state) while maintaining the excitation state of the stopped phases φ3 and φ4. Lower (Low state). Even after the rotor 32a is stopped, the excitation state of the stop phases φ3 and φ4 is maintained at a voltage lower than the normal value because the phase difference between the holding torque and the detent torque and the shift due to the influence of friction cause the rotor 32a to move. This is for preventing deviation from the holding torque stable point of the stop phases φ3 and φ4. As a result, it is possible to prevent the reel from slightly moving after being temporarily stopped and from shifting the angular position of the rotor 32a when the reel motor is started next time from the angular position when stopped.

The excitation state of the stop phases φ3 and φ4, which is maintained even after the rotor 32a is stopped, is for a predetermined time (30 seconds in this embodiment, without the start operation of the next game, and shifts to the standby state (demonstration). It is canceled when the same timing as that) elapses (Td). That is, after the rotor 32a is stopped, if a predetermined time elapses without starting the next game, φ1 to φ4 are all demagnetized. For this reason, for example, since heat is generated due to the excitation phase being continuously excited for a long time, no burden is placed on the components or the like constituting the stepping motor, and thus it is possible to prevent deterioration of these components. In addition, in the present embodiment, the excitation state is released at the timing when the state in which the start operation of the next game is not performed continues for the predetermined time and shifts to the standby state (demonstration effect). While the symbols arranged on the reels can be kept in a state in which they are unlikely to shift, it is possible to reduce the load on the components of the stepping motor in a state where it is unlikely that the player is playing the game.

Next, the control content of the timer counter updating process executed by the main control unit 41 will be described. In the present embodiment, the value of the timer counter assigned to the RAM 41c is periodically updated, and when a specific value (0) is reached, the passage of time is specified. Conventionally, when measuring a plurality of types of time intervals, the timer value is set and updated within the plurality of types of processing that require timekeeping, and the programs for updating the plurality of types of timer values are respectively processed. Since it has to be provided inside, it has been a factor of increasing the program capacity. In addition, since a plurality of types of timer counters are assigned as a data group for each process in which they are used, it is necessary to read the values of unrelated addresses in order to collectively update them in one process. there were.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, the area for storing a plurality of types of timer counter values is set in the area of the RAM 41c to which consecutive addresses are assigned according to a predetermined rule, and the timer value stored at the specified address is Since the updating process is repeatedly executed while changing the specified address for the area where multiple types of timer counter values are stored by adding a constant to the current specified address, multiple types of timer values are updated. It is possible to reduce the program capacity as compared with the case where the processing of individually designating a plurality of types of addresses and updating the value of the address is performed by each processing.

It should be noted that the process of updating the timer value stored in the specified address is repeatedly executed while changing the specified address for the area in which the plural types of timer counter values are stored by performing a predetermined calculation. The value may be updated. For example, by adding a constant to the current designated address and changing the designated address for the area in which multiple types of timer counter values are stored The timer value may be updated, or a value corresponding to the number of processes with respect to the reference address (for example, in the case of a 1-byte counter, the number of processes is 1 +1, the number of processes is +2, the number of processes is 2). In the case of 3, the configuration may be such that a plurality of types of timer values are updated by repeatedly adding and subtracting +3...) While changing a designated address for an area in which a plurality of types of timer counter values are stored.

Further, only a part of the timer counter included in the main control unit 41 sets a timer value in an area to which consecutive addresses are assigned according to a predetermined rule of the RAM 41c, and updates the timer value stored in the designated address. A configuration may be used in which a plurality of types of timer values are updated by repeatedly performing while changing a designated address for an area in which a plurality of types of timer values are stored by performing a predetermined calculation.

Further, in the present embodiment, a separate timer counter is provided for each type of period to be measured, but for example, one timer counter may be shared for a plurality of types of periods in which the periods to be measured do not overlap.

Further, in the present embodiment, as the processing executed by the main control unit 41, depending on the progress status of the game and the timer interruption processing (main) which regularly performs a predetermined processing regardless of the progress status of the game. The main control unit 41 sets the initial value to the timer counter when the timing condition is satisfied in the main process, and the main process that performs a different process stepwise, and a plurality of types in the timer interrupt process (main). Since the timer value is updated and it is not necessary to provide a process for updating multiple types of timer values in each process that constitutes the main process, the program capacity for updating multiple types of timer values is reduced. be able to.

In the present embodiment, the timer interrupt process (main) is executed by periodically interrupting the main process. However, the timer interrupt process is executed in a regular manner regardless of the progress of the game. The main control unit 41 may be configured to perform both a regular process for performing the given process and a main process for performing different processes stepwise according to the progress of the game. By setting the initial value to the timer counter when the timing condition is satisfied in the process and updating the multiple types of timer values in the regular process, multiple types of timer values can be set in each process that constitutes the main process. Since it is not necessary to provide a process for updating, it is possible to reduce the program capacity for updating a plurality of types of timer values.

Further, in the present embodiment, in the time counter updating process, the value of the specified address is updated on condition that the value of the specified address is not 0, and the timer value may be updated to an abnormal value. It can be prevented.

Further, in the present embodiment, in the time counter updating process, the same number of processes as the number of timer counters to be updated is set, and the process of updating the timer value is repeatedly executed for the set number of processes. The number of timer counters to be updated can be easily managed. For example, when a plurality of types of timer counters having different update intervals are provided, the type of timer value to be updated can be arbitrarily set according to the number of processes to be set. it can.

The number of processes, that is, the number of timer counters to be updated may be set in the program or may be set by reading the value set in the table.

Also, without setting the number of processes first, the timer counter to be updated last is set in advance, and the process of updating the timer value is repeatedly executed until the address of the timer counter is reached. A specific end value (for example, FFh) may be stored at the next address of the timer counter to be updated, and the process of updating the timer value may be repeatedly executed until the value read from the specified address reaches the specific end value. good.

Further, in this embodiment, a 1-byte timer counter and a 2-byte timer counter are provided, and a process for updating a 1-byte timer value and a process for updating a 2-byte timer value are separately provided. Therefore, the capacity of the program and the capacity occupied by the timer value in the RAM 41c can be reduced as compared with the case where the processing of updating the 1-byte timer value and the processing of updating the 2-byte timer value are made common.

In this embodiment, a 2-byte timer counter is provided to measure a relatively long time corresponding to an initial value exceeding 1 byte. However, for example, timer counters with different update intervals, for example, a timer Interrupt processing (main) By providing a first timer counter that updates once every four times and a second timer counter that updates once every fourteen times, it is possible to perform relative processing without providing a 2-byte counter. It may be configured to measure a long time interval, and by doing so, it is not necessary to provide a process for updating the 1-byte timer value and a process for updating the 2-byte timer value. It is possible to reduce the program capacity related to updating.

Further, in this embodiment, a plurality of types of timer counters are assigned to the special work that is not initialized in the RAM 41c according to the progress of the game, and are not initialized in accordance with the progress of the game. Despite the progress of the game, it is possible to measure the time of the period that crosses the timing when a part of the RAM 41c is initialized according to the progress of the game.

In particular, in the present embodiment, not only the timer counter that may cross the timing when one game ends in the measurement period, that is, the timing when a part of the RAM 41c is initialized according to the progress of the game, The timer counter, which does not cross the timing when a part of the RAM 41c is initialized according to the progress, is also stored in the area allocated to the special work together with the other timer counters, so that the timer counter can be easily managed. Along with this, a timer counter whose measurement period does not cross over the timing when a part of the RAM 41c is initialized according to the progress of the game, and the timing when a part of the RAM 41c is initialized during the measurement period as the game progresses The application of the timer counter can be easily changed by a later design change such as changing to a timer counter that may cross over. In addition, as described above, if one timer counter is shared for a plurality of types of periods in which the periods to be measured do not overlap, a part of the RAM 41c may cross the timing of initialization as the game progresses. It is possible to measure the measurement period and the measurement period that does not cross over the timing when a part of the RAM 41c is initialized according to the progress of the game, with one timer counter.

When the reel effect flag described later is set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment performs the reels 2L, 2C, 2R based on the reel effect flag in a normal game. There is no special variation mode (for example, predetermined symbol alignment, reel micro-vibration, reel reverse rotation, reel low-speed rotation, partial rotation that does not rotate other reels while rotating some reels). However, by varying the reels in these special variation modes, a situation that is advantageous to the player (for example, being controlled by ART described later, possibility of winning in ART lottery, possibility of winning a predetermined combination) It is possible to suggest. In this embodiment, a plurality of types of first reel effect and second reel effect can be executed as the reel effect.

The first reel effect is an effect of stopping the reels 2L, 2C, 2R at a specific position, that is, aligning a predetermined symbol with the pay line LN, and in the present embodiment, as the first reel effect, the reels 2L, 2C, 2R. After a slight vibration for a predetermined period, a red 7 line-up effect of aligning and stopping "Red 7-Red 7-Red 7" on the pay line LN and after vibrating the reels 2L, 2C, 2R for a predetermined period , Blue 7-blue 7-blue 7-blue 7” on the pay line LN, and a blue 7-line effect that is stopped.

The second reel effect is an effect that does not stop the reel at a specific position, and in the present embodiment, as the second reel effect, a minute reel vibration is performed to slightly vibrate the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R for a predetermined period. A slight vibration effect, a reverse rotation effect in which the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are reversely rotated in a direction opposite to the rotation direction in the normal game for a predetermined period, and a reel 2L, 2C, 2R is used in a normal game. Low speed rotation effect of rotating at a low speed slower than the rotation speed of.

When a predetermined lottery target combination (strong cherry, weak cherry, watermelon, common bell in this embodiment) is won in the internal lottery, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment is controlled by the ART (RT0 to AT). The ART lottery for deciding whether or not to control the state) is performed. In the ART lottery, the proportion according to the type of the predetermined lottery target winning combination (in the present embodiment, the proportion of winning in the order of common bell, weak cherry, watermelon, and strong cherry is set to be higher). You can win the ART lottery. When winning the ART lottery, a precursory period lottery is performed to determine the length of the period (precursor period) until the control of the ART is started, and the counting of the precursory periods determined in the precursory period lottery is started. At the same time, the ART start production lottery for determining the type of the ART start production executed when starting the control of the ART is performed, and the ART start production flag capable of specifying the type of the ART start production determined in the ART start production lottery Is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c. Then, when the precursor period determined by the precursor period lottery has elapsed, the control of the ART start effect is started, and the reel effect flag corresponding to the reel effect type specified based on the ART start effect flag is set to the RAM 41c. And the reel effect determined by the ART start effect lottery in the reel control process described later is executed based on the reel effect flag.

In the ART start effect lottery, depending on the type of ART won in the ART lottery, one of the above-mentioned first reel effects, that is, the red 7 set effect and the blue 7 set effect, is won. The higher the degree of advantage for the player with respect to the winning ART is, the higher the ratio of blue 7 complete effects that can be selected. As a result, it is suggested that when the blue 7 set effect is executed as the ART start effect, it is more likely to be controlled to the ART which is more advantageous to the player than when the red 7 set effect is executed. On the other hand, even if the red 7 matching effect is executed, there is a possibility that the player will be controlled by the ART, which is highly advantageous to the player. Therefore, it is expected that the ART will be controlled by the ART starting effect. It can enhance the feeling.

Further, when a predetermined lottery target combination (strong cherry, weak cherry, watermelon, common bell in the present embodiment) is won in the internal lottery, a predetermined area of the RAM 41c is referred to for the above-mentioned ART start effect lottery. It is determined whether or not the reel effect flag based on it is set, and if the reel effect flag is not set, it is determined whether or not to execute the ART possibility suggestion effect that suggests the possibility of winning the ART lottery. Perform ART possibility suggestion lottery. In the ART possibility suggestion effect lottery, any one of the above-mentioned second reel effect, that is, the micro-vibration effect, the reverse rotation effect, and the low-speed rotation effect can be selected at a rate according to the result of the ART lottery. When the ART possibility suggestion effect lottery is won, a reel effect flag capable of specifying the type of reel effect won in the ART possibility suggestion effect lottery is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c. Then, in the subsequent reel control process, the reel effect determined in the ART possibility suggesting effect lottery is executed as the ART possibility suggesting effect.

On the other hand, when a predetermined lottery target combination (strong cherry, weak cherry, watermelon, common bell in the present embodiment) is won in the internal lottery, if the reel production flag is set, ART possibility suggestion production is performed. By maintaining the state in which the reel effect flag based on the ART start effect lottery is set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c without performing the lottery, the ART possibility suggestion effect is restricted from being executed, and the ART start effect effect lottery is performed. The reel effect determined by is preferentially executed.

In the present embodiment, in a game in which a predetermined lottery target combination (strong cherry, weak cherry, watermelon, common bell in the present embodiment) is won in the internal lottery, if the reel effect flag is not set, While the ART possibility suggestion effect lottery is performed, when the reel effect flag is set, the ART possibility suggestion effect lottery is not performed. However, in the internal lottery, a predetermined lottery target combination (in the present embodiment, is selected). , Strong cherry, weak cherry, watermelon, common bell), the ART possibility suggesting effect may be uniformly executed regardless of whether the reel effect flag is set or not. In the configuration, in the case where the ART possibility suggestion effect lottery is won and the reel effect flag is not yet set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c, the reel effect flag is set based on the lottery result in the ART possibility suggestion effect lottery. On the other hand, if the reel possibility flag is already set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c even though the player has won the ART possibility suggestion effect lottery, the reel effect flag is generated in association with winning the ART possibility suggestion effect lottery. By maintaining the reel effect flag that has already been set without setting, the game won in the ART possibility suggestion effect lottery executes the reel effect determined by the ART start effect lottery described above. In the case of a game in which the winning possibility is selected, the execution of the reel effect associated with winning the ART possibility suggestion effect lottery is restricted, and the reel effect determined by the ART start effect effect lottery can be preferentially executed.

In addition, in the ART possibility suggestion production lottery, in the case where the ART lottery performed in association with the winning of the predetermined lottery target combination that triggered the ART possibility suggestion production lottery is won, the reverse rotation production is performed. Alternatively, the rate at which the low-speed rotation effect can be selected is set higher than that when the ART lottery is not won, and the ratio at which the reverse rotation effect can be selected when the ART lottery is won is: It is set higher than the rate at which the low speed rotation effect can be selected. As a result, the reel effect (micro-vibration effect, reverse rotation effect, low-speed rotation effect) is performed as the ART possibility suggesting effect, which suggests that the possibility of being controlled by the ART is high and is executed. It is possible to suggest a high possibility of being controlled by ART according to the type of effect (in the present embodiment, it is possible that ART is controlled in the order of slight vibration effect, low speed rotation effect, and reverse rotation effect). It is possible to increase the expectation of being controlled by ART in the ART possibility suggesting effect.

In the present embodiment, the first reel effect is an effect of aligning a predetermined symbol combination on the pay line LN after the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are slightly vibrated for a predetermined period, but at least the reels 2L, 2C, 2R may be stopped at a specific position, that is, a reel may be temporarily stopped at a specific position, and only the reels 2L, 2C, 2R may be stopped at a specific position, or the reels 2L, 2C, 2R may be stopped. A special variation mode that is not performed in a normal game over a predetermined period (for example, predetermined symbol alignment, reel micro-vibration, reel reverse rotation, reel low speed rotation, reel partial rotation, control without changing the reel for a predetermined period) After the control, the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are stopped at a specific position, and the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are stopped at a specific position. Effect, a plurality of reels 2L, 2C, 2R in which the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are stopped at a specific position after the reels are changed in a part or all of the changing manners of the reels constituting the second reel effect It may be an effect of sequentially stopping at a specific position.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the second reel effect is an effect in which the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are rotated at a predetermined constant speed rotation after being subjected to slight vibration, reverse rotation, or low speed rotation for a predetermined period. Any effect that does not stop the reel at a specific position, that is, an effect that causes the reel to fluctuate in a predetermined fluctuation mode without setting a stop control table, is a special fluctuation mode that is not performed in a normal game ( As a mode of starting fluctuation after controlling the reel for a predetermined period without fluctuation, a mode of fluctuation in a direction different from normal, a mode of fluctuation at a speed different from the normal speed, etc. The effect may be changed in a combination of modes such as rotation, low-speed reel rotation, and partial reel rotation.

In the internal lottery, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment, when a predetermined lottery target winning combination (strong cherry, weak cherry in the present embodiment) is won, a period until the stop operation of the spinning reel is activated. It is possible to perform a stop freeze that suggests that it is highly possible that a predetermined hand (strong cherry in this embodiment) has been won, by delaying for a predetermined time, and as the stop freeze, the first stop operation is performed. A first stop freeze that delays the period until the next stop operation is activated, i.e. the second stop operation is activated, and a second stop operation is performed when the second stop operation is performed and the next stop The second stop freeze that delays the operation, that is, the period until the third stop operation is validated, and the third stop freeze that performs both the first stop freeze and the second stop freeze are included.

When a predetermined lottery target combination (strong cherry, weak cherry in this embodiment) is won in the internal lottery, the main control unit 41 refers to a predetermined area of the RAM 41c and reels based on the ART start effect lottery described above. Performs a freeze lottery to determine whether the production flag is set, and if the reel production flag is not set, determine whether to perform stop freeze and the type of stop freeze when performing stop freeze. If any stop freeze is won in the freeze lottery, a stop freeze flag that can specify the type of stop freeze won in the freeze lottery is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c. In the subsequent reel control process, the stop freeze is executed at a predetermined timing based on the stop freeze flag.

On the other hand, when the predetermined lottery target combination (strong cherry, weak cherry in this embodiment) is won in the internal lottery, and the reel effect flag is set, the freeze lottery is not performed and the stop freeze flag is set. By not setting the area in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c, execution of the stop freeze is restricted, and the reel effect determined by the ART start effect lottery is preferentially executed.

In this embodiment, in the game in which a predetermined lottery target combination (strong cherry, weak cherry in this embodiment) is won in the internal lottery, if the reel effect flag is not set, the freeze lottery is performed. In the case where the reel effect flag is set, the freeze lottery is not performed, but in the game in which the predetermined lottery target winning combination (strong cherry, weak cherry in this embodiment) is won in the internal lottery, The freeze effect may be uniformly executed regardless of whether or not the reel effect flag is set. In such a configuration, the freeze lottery is won and the reel effect flag is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c. If not, the stop freeze flag is set on the basis of the lottery result in the freeze lottery, while if the reel lottery flag is set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c although the freeze freeze lottery is won. By not setting the freeze flag, if the game won in the freeze lottery is a game in which the reel effect determined by the ART start effect lottery is executed, it follows that the freeze lottery is won. The execution of the stop freeze is limited, and only the reel effect determined by the ART start effect lottery can be executed.

Further, in the freeze lottery, the first stop freeze is performed at a predetermined ratio according to the type of the winning combination (in this embodiment, strong cherry or weak cherry) in the internal lottery that triggered the freeze lottery. The second stop freeze or the third stop freeze can be selected, and when the strong cherry is elected as the predetermined role, the first stop freeze, the second stop freeze, or the second stop freeze is selected. Three stop freezes are selected, the third stop freeze can be selected at a higher rate than the second stop freeze, and the second stop freeze can be selected at a higher rate than the first stop freeze. When the weak cherry is elected, the first stop freeze, the second stop freeze, or the loss can be selected, and the first stop freeze is selected at a higher rate than the second stop freeze. It can be done. This suggests that a predetermined combination (in this embodiment, strong cherry) is highly likely to be won by performing the stop freeze, and a predetermined combination depending on the type of the stop freeze to be executed. It is possible to suggest that there is a high probability of winning (in this example, it is more likely that the strong cherry was won in the order of the first stop freeze, the second stop freeze, and the third stop freeze). , It is possible to increase the expectation that the ART lottery will be conducted under more advantageous conditions.

In this embodiment, as described later, the strong cherry is won in the internal lottery, so that the combination of the symbols of the corner cherry 1 can be stopped on the pay line LN, while the weak cherry is won, the corner cherry 2 is won. Although the combination of symbols can be stopped on the pay line LN, the stop operation is performed in the stop order with the left reel as the first stop, so that any combination of symbols of the corner cherry 1 and the corner cherry 2 is the prize line LN. When the player stops, the "cherry" first stops in the lower row of the left reel, and the player identifies whether the strong cherry or the weak cherry is won in the internal lottery based on the stop mode. You can't do it. On the other hand, when the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment wins the freeze lottery, when the stop operation is performed at different ratios depending on whether the strong cherry is won or the weak cherry is won. Since the stop freeze is executed in the first place, it is possible to increase the expectation of the possibility that the strong cherry is won depending on the mode in which the stop freeze is executed.

Next, the main process executed by the main control unit 41 after the initial setting process or the setting changing process will be described. The main process is repeatedly executed for each game of one unit. Then, one cycle of the main processing corresponds to one unit of the game. The main processing in this embodiment is included in the game program.

As shown in FIG. 15, in the main process, a game start waiting process (Sa1) that waits until the game starts, an internal lottery process (Sa2) that performs an internal lottery accompanying the start of the game, a reel 2L, Reel control processing (Sa3) for controlling 2C and 2R to rotate and stop, game end setting processing (Sa4) for performing various settings when all reels 2L, 2C and 2R are stopped and the game ends. Is sequentially and repeatedly executed.

In the game start waiting process, the main control unit 41 first prohibits interrupts, sets the final address of the RAM to be initialized (the final address of the game stack area (unused)), and sets the specified address. The area of the RAM 41c shown is cleared. At this time, if the main process is started after the setting change process, when the setting change process is finished, the special work of the usable area is stored as the start address of the RAM to be initialized. The address next to the final address of the area is set, and in the game start waiting process, the final address of the game stack area (unused) is set as the final address of the RAM to be initialized, and the special address in the game RAM area is set. Areas other than the work and game stack area (in use) (important work, general work, unused area 3, stack area (unused)) are initialized. Further, at the end of the game that is not in a specific game state, the start address of the RAM to be initialized at the end of the game (the start address of the unused area 3) is set in the game end setting process (Sa4), and the game starts. In the waiting process (Sa1), since the final address of the RAM to be initialized (the final address of the game stack area (unused)) is set, the unused area 3 and the game stack area (unused) of the usable area are set. Will be initialized. Also, at the end of the specific game state, and at the end of the game, in the game end time setting process (Sa4), the start address of the RAM to be initialized at the end of the specific game state (special in the game RAM area The address next to the final address of the area where the work is stored is set, and in the game start waiting process, the final address of the RAM to be initialized at the end of the specific game state (game stack area (unused)) Since the final address) is set, the general work, the unused area 3, and the game stack area (unused) in the game RAM area are initialized.

Then, after clearing a predetermined area of the RAM 41c, the interruption is permitted, the bet number is set in a standby state, the prescribed number of bets is set according to the gaming state, and the start switch 7 is operated. The process to start the game is executed with.

Next, in the internal lottery process (Sa2), whether to allow the winning of each of the above-mentioned winning combinations based on the random number value for the internal lottery latched at the same time as the game is started by the detection of the operation of the start switch 7 (that is, the display result) Processing (internal lottery) is performed.

Next, in the reel control process (Sa3), the reel rotation start process for starting the rotation of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R based on the operation of the start switch 7, the result of the internal lottery in the step of Sa2 and the player Reel rotation stop processing for stopping the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R is executed in response to the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R being detected.

Next, in the game end setting process (Sa4), depending on the display result derived to each reel 2L, 2C, 2R at the time when it is determined that the rotation of all reels 2L, 2C, 2R has stopped in the step of Sa3. Processing for determining whether or not a winning has occurred. Then, when it is determined that a prize has been generated, processing such as addition of credits and payout of medals is performed based on the number of payouts corresponding to the prize. When a winning occurs, after the payout of medals and the like are completed, a process of setting a game state is executed in preparation for the next game. In addition, when the winning does not occur, after the reel is stopped, the process of setting the game state is executed in preparation for the next game.

In the process of setting the game state, it is determined whether or not the specific game state is over, and if it is not the end of the specific game state, the initial address of the initialization target RAM at the end of the game is set. If it is the end of the specific game state, the start address of the initialization target RAM at the end of the specific game state is set. Then, returning to the step of Sa1, the processes of Sa1 to Sa4 are sequentially and repeatedly executed.

In the main process, a command storing process that generates commands according to the progress of the game and sets them in the command queue is executed. It is adapted to be transmitted to the sub control unit 91 by the command transmission process.

Next, the reel control process executed by the main control unit 41 in the main process will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 20. The reel control process is a process for rotating and stopping the reels 2L, 2C, 2R, and responds to a reel rotation start process for starting the rotation of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R and an operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R. The reel rotation stop processing for stopping the corresponding reels 2L, 2C, 2R is included, and is executed after the internal lottery processing in the main processing. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the reel control process executed by the main control unit 41, and FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the reel rotation start process executed by the main control unit 41 in the reel control process. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the control content of the reel rotation stop processing executed by the main control unit 41 in the reel control processing, and FIG. 19 is a relationship between the allocation of the number of symbol steps and the determination range in the reel rotation stop processing. FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining and FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the control content of the stop control table setting process executed by the main control unit 41 in the reel control process.

As shown in FIG. 16, in the reel control process, first, a reel rotation start process described later is executed (Sb1) to start the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R. Then, after the reel rotation start process is completed and the process returns to the reel control process, whether or not to perform a stop freeze for delaying the period until the stop operation of the spinning reel is validated for a predetermined time is stopped. The determination is made based on the freeze flag (Sb2). When it is determined to perform the stop freeze, the timing specified based on the stop freeze flag, that is, if the stop freeze is the first stop freeze, it is after the first stop operation is performed, and the second stop freeze is performed. If it is, after the second stop operation is performed, and if it is the third stop freeze, delay processing is performed when the first stop operation is performed and after the second stop operation is performed. Execute (Sb3).

In the delay process, the RAM 41c is set in a predetermined area, and the elapsed time from when a valid stop operation is detected based on the value of the valid timer at which time counting is started is delayed by a predetermined delay in step Sb28 described later. It is determined whether or not the time has been reached, and if the value of the valid timer has not reached the predetermined delay time, the process waits until the value of the valid timer reaches the predetermined delay time. Then, when the value of the valid timer reaches a predetermined delay time, the delay process is ended and the process returns to the reel control process. When it is determined that a predetermined delay time has elapsed based on the value of the valid timer that starts timing when a valid stop operation is detected, the delay process is terminated to enable the valid stop operation. Even if the period in which the reel rotation stop processing is executed after the operation is detected varies depending on the number of sliding frames (0 to 4) when the corresponding reel is stopped, the period varies depending on the variation. Since the execution period of the delay process varies, the process after the delay process can be executed at a uniform timing after the effective stop operation is detected. As a result, on the side of the sub-control unit 91, when performing a predetermined effect during the stop freeze, it is possible to perform an effect that matches the end timing of the stop freeze being executed on the side of the main controller 41.

In the delay process of the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not a predetermined delay time has elapsed based on the activation timer that starts time measurement in step Sb29. It suffices if the configuration is such that it can determine whether or not the predetermined delay time has been reached based on the elapsed time from the time when it is detected. The time may be measured.

After the delay processing is executed in the step Sb3 or after it is determined that the stop freeze is not executed in the step Sb2, the timer interrupt waiting processing is executed (Sb4). In the timer interrupt waiting process, the timer interrupt is set to enable and the process waits until the timer interrupt process (main) is performed once.

After the timer interrupt waiting process in the step Sb4 is completed, the insertion/withdrawal error check process is executed (Sb5). In the insertion/payout error check process, an abnormality of the medal selector (hereinafter referred to as an insertion error) based on the output of the insertion medal sensor 31 and an abnormality of the hopper unit 34 based on the output of the payment sensor 34c (hereinafter referred to as a payout error). ) Is detected. Then, when at least one of the input error and the output error is detected in the input/output error check process (Sb6), the input/output error flag that can specify that the input error or the output error has occurred is set (Sb7). ).

After the insertion/withdrawal error flag is set in step Sb7, or after it is determined in step Sb6 that neither the insertion error nor the withdrawal error has occurred, door opening check processing is executed (Sb8) to open the door. It is determined whether the output state of the detection switch 25 has changed. When it is determined that the output state of the door open detection switch 25 is changing (Sb9), the door command is set in the command queue of the RAM 41c (Sb10). The door command set in step Sb10 is transmitted to the sub control unit 91 by the normal command transmission process executed in the next timer interrupt process (main).

After setting the door command in step Sb10 or after determining in step Sb9 that the output state of the door open detection switch 25 has not changed, the rotation error check process is executed (Sb11). In the rotation error check process, the reels under rotation control are determined based on the value of the reel step counter updated in the timer interrupt process (main) to be described later and whether or not the rotation abnormality flag is set in the process. This is a process for determining whether or not an abnormality related to rotation has occurred. Among the reels in the rotation control for which the stop operation has not been completed, the reel reference position is not detected and the reel reference position is detected last time without being detected. If there is a reel in which the number of reel steps from the predetermined number exceeds 400 (in the present embodiment, 400 steps, which is set to a value larger than 336 steps required for the reel to make one round), When the reel reference position is detected by the sensors 33L, 33C, 33R and the value of the reel step number counter does not reach the number of steps required for the reel to make one round (336 steps in this embodiment), etc. If it is determined that a reel rotation abnormality (hereinafter referred to as a rotation error) has occurred, and if it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, a rotation error flag that can identify the reel having the abnormality is set in the RAM 41c. Is set in a predetermined area.

Then, after the rotation error check process in step Sb11 is completed, if it is determined that a rotation error has occurred in any reel under rotation control based on the rotation error flag (Sb12), the rotation control is performed. The stop operation of the reel inside is invalidated (Sb13), the rotation abnormality flag set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c is erased (Sb14), and 1 is added to the error counter set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c. (Sb15), it is determined whether or not the value of the error counter is less than a predetermined value (3 in this embodiment) (Sb16). When it is determined that the value of the error counter is not less than the predetermined value, that is, when the reel is not normally rotated and the rotation error is detected a predetermined number of times (three times in the present embodiment) continuously, , Error processing is executed (Sb17). In the error processing, rotation of all reels under rotation control is stopped, and the rotation error flag set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c is updated so that the reel whose rotation is stopped by the error processing can be specified. At the same time, the game is controlled in an error state that disables the game so that it does not progress, and the game stands by. After that, when the error state is released by the reset operation, the error processing is ended, the error counter is initialized and set to 0 (Sb18).

After it is determined in step Sb16 that the value of the error counter is less than the predetermined value, or after the error counter is initialized in step Sb18, the reel in which the rotation error has occurred is identified based on the rotation error flag. At the same time, the rotation error flag is cleared, the specified excitation pattern of the reel is cleared once, and the reel start pattern is newly set to excite the reel motor. The acceleration process for accelerating the rotation again is executed again (Sb19). After that, a reel reacceleration command that can specify that the corresponding reel has been accelerated again is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c (Sb20), and the process returns to the step Sb4. After that, when the restarted reel is normally rotated, no rotation error is detected in the rotation error check process, and it is determined in step Sb12 that no rotation error has occurred. ..

Further, in the rotation error check process in the step Sb11, if the rotation error flag is not set and it is not specified that the rotation error has occurred for all reels under the rotation control (Sb12), the timer allocation is executed. The reel speed state flag is updated (Sb21), and then the reel speed state flag updated in the timer interrupt process (main) and set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c is acquired (Sb22). Based on the flag, it is specified for each reel whether or not the rotation state of the reels under rotation control is a constant speed state, and it is determined whether or not all reels under rotation control are rotated at a constant speed rotation. (Sb23). Then, if it is determined in step Sb23 that at least one of the reels is not rotating at constant speed rotation and all reels under rotation control are not rotating at constant speed rotation, Sb4 Returning to the step, the steps Sb4 to Sd23 are repeatedly executed, and the process waits until all reels under rotation control are rotated at a constant speed. The reel speed state flag is updated in a timer interrupt process (main) described later, and each reel motor under rotation control rotates at a constant speed state at the time when the timer interrupt process (main) is performed. It is information that can specify whether or not

After returning to the step of Sb4 and repeatedly executing the steps of Sb4 to Sd23 and waiting, all the reels under rotation control are processed by the timer interrupt process (main) executed in the timer interrupt waiting process of the step of Sb4. By updating the reel speed state flag so that it can be specified that the rotation state is the constant speed state, in the step of Sb23 executed thereafter, all reels under rotation control are rotated at the constant speed rotation. Will be determined.

On the other hand, in the step Sb23, when it is determined that all the reels under the rotation control for which the stop operation has not been completed are rotated at the constant speed rotation, whether or not the rotation start flag is set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c. Based on whether or not it is the first time that all the reels have been rotated at the constant speed, it is determined whether or not it is the first time (Sb24), the rotation start flag is set, and all the reels are rotated at the constant speed. When it is determined that it is the first time that the rotation has been performed, the acceleration completion command that can specify that the control for accelerating to the constant speed rotation is completed for all reels is set in the command queue of the RAM 41c. (Sb25), the rotation start flag is erased from the predetermined area of the RAM 41c (Sb26).

When it is determined that it is not the first time that all the reels are rotated at the constant speed in the step of Sb24, that is, the reel whose rotation is being controlled once reaches the constant speed rotation, but the rotation error is generated in the step of Sb12. Is detected and is accelerated again in step Sb19, and thus the constant speed rotation is reached again, or when the rotation start flag is erased in step Sb26, the valid timer set in the RAM 41c is set. When it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (Sb27), the acceptance of the stop operation is set to be valid for all reels for which rotation control is performed (Sb28). If the acceptance of the stop operation has already been set to be valid for the reel that is performing the rotation control, the valid state is maintained. If it is determined in step Sb27 that the predetermined time has not elapsed based on the valid timer, steps Sb4 to Sb27 are repeatedly executed, and the process waits until the predetermined time elapses.

Then, after the acceptance of the stop operation is set to be valid in step Sb28, it is determined whether or not the valid stop operation is detected in the state where the acceptance of the stop operation is valid for the reel whose rotation is being controlled (Sb29). .. That is, when the port input data of the stop switch is in the same state in the timer interrupt processing (main) of a predetermined number of times consecutively (two times in this embodiment), it is set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c, and the input data of this time and the previous time are set. Refer to the history of the confirmed data that indicates the same state, and if there is one of the stop switches during rotation control that has changed the confirmed data from the off state to the on state, the confirmed data is turned off. For the stop switch that has changed to the on state, it is determined that a valid stop operation has been detected. As a result, effective operation of the stop switch is detected, provided that the on state of the stop switch is continuously detected for a certain period (at least about 2.24 ms) for a certain period of time. It is possible to prevent the on state from being erroneously detected by the noise of.

In the present embodiment, it is detected that the finalized data of the stop switch is changed from the off state to the on state while the stop operation is valid for the reel whose rotation is being controlled, that is, the continuous predetermined number of times. In the timer interrupt process (main), when the on state of the port input data is detected, it is determined that a valid stop operation has been detected for the reel whose rotation is being controlled. A configuration may be adopted in which a valid stop operation is detected by detecting the on state of the port input data of the stop switch in (main).

When it is determined in step Sb29 that a valid stop operation is not detected, the process returns to step Sb4, the steps Sb4 to Sb29 are repeatedly executed, and the process waits until a valid stop operation is detected. After that, when a valid stop operation is detected in step Sb29, the timer interrupt is prohibited in step Sb21, and after the stop operation related process 1 is executed (Sb30), the timer interrupt is permitted. (Sb31), and the stop operation related process 2 is executed (Sb32). In the stop operation-related process 1, the process of setting the stop enable LED corresponding to the stop switch on which the stop operation is performed to be turned off, the enable timer set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c is initialized, and the process is enabled in step Sb28. The process of starting the measurement of the elapsed time after the stop operation is detected is performed. Further, in the stop operation-related process 2, a process of invalidating the acceptance of the reel stop operation corresponding to the valid stop operation detected in step Sb29 is performed. By setting the timer interrupt to be enabled in the step Sb31, the original timing of the timer interrupt is included in the period in which the timer interrupt is set to be disabled in the steps Sb21 to Sb30. If the timer interrupt is set to enable in step Sb31, the timer interrupt process (main) is executed while the original timer interrupt timing is included in the period. If not, then the timer interrupt process (main) is executed at the timer interrupt timing.

Then, after the stop operation related process 2 is completed in the step Sb32, a reel rotation stop process described later is executed (Sb33) to stop the reel corresponding to the effective stop operation detected in the step Sb29. Take control. After that, a stop control table setting process, which will be described later, is executed (Sb34), and the stop control table is set for the remaining reels that are being controlled for rotation. After the stop control table setting process is executed, it is determined whether or not the reel in which the stop operation is detected is stopped in step Sb29 (Sb35), and when it is determined that the reel is not stopped, It waits until the reels stop, and when it is determined that the reels are stopped, it is determined whether or not all reels 2L, 2C, 2R have been stopped by a valid stop operation (Sb36), If all reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are not stopped, the process returns to step Sb2, and the control of steps Sb2 to Sb36 is executed for the remaining reels that are not stopped.

Then, when a valid stop operation is performed for all reels 2L, 2C, 2R and it is determined in step Sb35 that all reels 2L, 2C, 2R have stopped, after executing the timer interrupt waiting process. (Sb37), the insertion/withdrawal error check processing is executed (Sb38). In the insertion/withdrawal error check process, the insertion error and the withdrawal error are detected as in the step Sb5. Then, if at least one of a deposit error and a dispense error is detected in the deposit/withdrawal error check processing in the step Sb38, or if the deposit/withdrawal error flag is set in the step Sb7, a deposit/withdrawal error occurs. It is determined that the error has occurred (Sb39), and error processing is executed (Sb40). In the error processing, the game is controlled in an error state in which it is disabled so that the game does not progress, and the game waits. After that, the error processing is terminated by canceling the error state by the reset operation.

In the present embodiment, when the insertion/withdrawal error flag is set in step Sb7 and it is determined in step Sb39 that an insertion/withdrawal error has occurred, error processing is executed in step Sb40, that is, reel 2L. If a charging/dispensing error is detected during the rotation control of 2C, 2R, after all reels 2L, 2C, 2R are stopped, an error process based on the detection of the charging/dispensing error is executed. In the configuration, the main control unit 41 may be configured to execute an error process when a deposit/withdrawal error is detected by the deposit/withdrawal error check process. Further, regarding an error other than the insertion/withdrawal error, the error process may be performed when the error is detected, or the error process may be performed after the reel rotation control is completed.

After it is determined in step Sb39 that the insertion/withdrawal error has not occurred, or after the error processing in step Sb40 is completed, it is determined whether the stop switch for the third stop is in operation, that is, the stop switch for the third stop. It is determined whether or not the confirmation data of the stop switch is in the off state after the pressing of is stopped (Sb41), and if the stop switch is in operation, wait until the operation is completed. .. Then, after the final data of the stop switch is in the off state and it is determined that the stop switch is not being operated, the stop of all reels 2L, 2C, 2R is completed, and it is specified that the game ends. Possible game end commands are set in the command queue (Sb42). The game end command set in step Sb42 is transmitted to the sub control unit 91 by the normal command transmission process executed in the next timer interrupt process (main). Further, in the present embodiment, the confirmed data of the stop switch for the third stop is in the off state, that is, the off state of the port input data is detected in the continuous predetermined number of times of the timer interrupt processing (main). In the configuration, it is determined that the stop switch for the third stop is not in operation. However, when the off state of the port input data of the stop switch is detected in one timer interrupt process (main), the stop switch is stopped. The configuration may be such that it is determined that the above operation has been completed.

After setting the game end command in the step Sb42, it is determined whether or not the special role is won in the game in which the reel control process is executed (Sb43), and when it is determined that the special role is won, The operation end delay process is executed (Sb44), and the process waits until a predetermined time elapses from the start of the operation end delay process. Then, when the predetermined time elapses, the operation end delay process ends, and the process returns to the reel control process. By executing the operation end delay process, the process after the operation end delay process is delayed for a predetermined time.

Then, after the operation end delay process in step Sb44 is completed, or after it is determined in step Sb43 that no special winning combination has been won, the reel control process is ended and the process returns to the main process.

Next, the reel rotation start processing executed by the main controller 41 in the reel control processing will be described.

As shown in FIG. 17, in the reel rotation start processing, it is determined whether or not the above-described reel effect flag is set by referring to a predetermined area of the RAM 41c (Sc1). When it is determined in step Sc1 that the reel effect flag is not set, the wait time counter set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c is referred to, and the wait time from the reel start time in the previous game ( In this embodiment, it is determined whether about 4.1 seconds) has elapsed (Sc2). Then, if it is determined that the predetermined wait time has not elapsed, it waits until the wait time elapses, and when the wait time elapses, the wait time counter is initialized (Sc3), and a new wait time is set. Start timing of wait time. The wait time counter is updated each time the timer interrupt process (main) is performed, so that the elapsed time from the start of reel rotation in the previous game is measured.

After the wait time counter is initialized in the step Sc3, an acceleration request for setting the excitation pattern of the reel motor for starting all the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R and accelerating them to a predetermined constant speed rotation is stored in the RAM 41c. It is set in a predetermined area (Sc4). In the reel control process including the reel control rotation start process, by setting an acceleration request and various requests for setting a reel excitation pattern described later, the subsequent timer interrupt process (main) responds to the various requests. When the excitation states of the respective excitation phases of the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R are sequentially updated with the excitation pattern, rotation and the like are performed in a manner according to the various demands. For example, when an acceleration demand is set. , The reel is accelerated from a stopped state to a constant speed rotation, and thereafter, is rotated at a constant speed state, and when a post-reel production acceleration request is set, the reel in the reel production finished state Is accelerated to a constant speed state, and then is rotated in a constant speed state, and if a stop speed request is set, the reel rotating in the constant speed state is decelerated and set in the reel rotation stop processing described later. When the micro-vibration request is set, the reel is moved so as to vibrate vertically.

Then, after the acceleration request is set for all reels in step Sc4 and the acceleration of all reels 2L, 2C, 2R is started, a stop control table setting process described later for all reels 2L, 2C, 2R is performed. Is executed (Sc5), and a stop control table capable of specifying the number of sliding frames for each timing when the stop operation is performed for each reel 2L, 2C, 2R is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c. Thereby, the stop control table of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R is set during the acceleration control of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R by the timer interrupt process (main).

In step Sc5, after performing the stop control table setting process, a rotation start flag that can specify that the rotation of the reel is started based on the operation of the start switch 7 is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c. (Sc6), the process returns to the reel control process.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step Sc1 that the reel effect flag is set, it is determined whether the reel effect type is the first reel effect based on the reel effect flag (Sc7). If it is a one-reel effect, control of the first reel effect is executed (Sc8). In the control of the first reel effect, a fine vibration request for setting an excitation pattern of the reel motor for slightly vibrating the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R for a predetermined period is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c, and the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are controlled. After starting the micro-vibration control, a stop control table setting process to be described later is executed to stop the combination of symbols according to the type of reel effect specified based on the reel effect flag on the pay line LN. After the stop control table is set and a predetermined period of time has passed after the control of the minute vibrations of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R was started, the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are stopped according to the set stop control table. Then, with the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R stopped, the first reel effect is ended when a predetermined time elapses.

After finishing the first reel effect, like the step of Sc3, the wait time counter is initialized (Sc9), and the control for starting each reel 2L, 2C, 2R and accelerating to constant speed rotation is started. The time to be performed is randomly determined, and the determination result is set as a random acceleration start time in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c (Sc10). Then, it is determined whether or not the random acceleration start timing has been reached for each reel 2L, 2C, 2R (Sc11).

If it is determined in step Sc11 that the random acceleration start timing has been reached for any reel, the reel motor excitation pattern is set to start and accelerate the reel to a predetermined constant speed rotation. The acceleration request to be set is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c to start acceleration (Sc14). Then, it is determined whether or not the setting for starting the acceleration is completed for all reels 2L, 2C, 2R (Sc15), and if there is a reel for which the setting for starting the acceleration is not completed, the process returns to the step of Sc11 It is determined whether or not the random acceleration start time has been reached for the reels that have not been set to start acceleration.

When it is determined in step Sc11 that the random acceleration start timing has not been reached for any reel, it is determined whether or not the stop control table has been set for each reel 2L, 2C, 2R (Sc12). If the stop control table has not been set, the stop control table setting process described below is executed for all reels 2L, 2C, and 2R as in step Sc5 (Sc13). Set the stop control table for 2R. After that, the process returns to the step of Sc11, and then it is determined whether or not the random acceleration start time has been reached for each reel 2L, 2C, 2R (Sc11).

By the steps of Sc11 to Sc15, the stop control table is set for all reels during the acceleration control of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R. Further, the start timing of the rotation of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R is randomly delayed by sequentially starting the acceleration of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R based on the random acceleration start time, and the subsequent reels 2L, 2C are then delayed. The positional relationship between the reels 2R can be made random, and the positional relationship between the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R can be prevented from becoming a reference for the timing of the stop operation in the game.

If it is determined in step Sc15 that the acceleration of all reels 2L, 2C, 2R has been started, the process proceeds to step sc6, and the rotation start flag is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c (sc6). , And returns to the reel control process.

When it is determined in step Sc1 that the reel effect flag is set, and when it is determined in step Sc7 that the type of reel effect is not the first reel effect, that is, the type of reel effect is In the case of a two-reel effect, after executing a stop control table setting process to be described later for all reels 2L, 2C, and 2R (Sc16), similarly to the step of Sc4, the second reel effect control is executed ( Sc17). In the second reel effect, the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are changed in the above-described special change mode specified based on the reel effect flag. Then, when the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are being changed or stopped in a special changing manner, and the predetermined time has elapsed, the second reel effect is ended.

After the second reel effect is finished, the wait time counter is initialized (Sc18) as in the step of Sc3, and each reel 2L accompanying the end of the second reel effect, according to the aspect of the second reel effect, A post-reel production acceleration request for setting an excitation pattern of the reel motor for accelerating the 2C and 2R states to a predetermined constant speed rotation is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c to start acceleration to the constant speed rotation ( Sc19) and Sc6, the rotation start flag is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c, and the process returns to the reel control process.

Next, the reel rotation stop processing executed by the main controller 41 in the reel control processing will be described.

As shown in FIG. 18, in the reel rotation stop process, first, the timer interrupt is set to be prohibited (Sd1), and then, based on the symbol step number counter set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c, the reel control process is performed. In step Sb28, the number of symbol steps of the reel whose stop operation has been detected is acquired (Sd2), and it is determined whether or not the number of symbol steps is within a predetermined determination range (0 to 11 steps) (Sd3).

As shown in FIG. 19, the number of symbol steps is the number of steps corresponding to one symbol of the number of steps for one revolution of the reel motor (336 steps in this embodiment). In this embodiment, 16 steps are assigned to one symbol by uniformly assigning 336 steps for one rotation of the reel motor to 21 symbols arranged on one reel, and one symbol is assigned to one symbol. The lower end is 0 step (1st step) and the upper end is 15 steps (16th step). And the symbol step number counter is a predetermined determination position of the reel (in this embodiment, the position of the uppermost end of the symbol region corresponding to the symbol positioned in the middle stage when each reel 2L, 2C, 2R is stopped, FIG. 23). Is a counter for counting the number of symbol steps of the symbol passing through, and a counter capable of counting 0 to 16 steps for each reel 2L, 2C, 2R is set as a step number counter in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c. Any of the symbol step number counters is updated in the reel step number etc. update processing described later.

Further, as shown in FIG. 19, a determination range and a non-determination range are set for the number of symbol steps. The determination range is a symbol having a symbol number specified on the basis of the value of the symbol number counter at the time when the value of the symbol step number counter is acquired, and a predetermined stop position with the number of sliding symbols 0 (in the present embodiment, the reel. It is the range of the number of symbol steps that can be stopped at the middle position), and in the present embodiment, 0 to 11 (1st to 12th steps) on the front side in the rotation direction of the reel among the 16 steps assigned to one symbol. Eyes) Range of steps. On the other hand, the non-judgment range is a symbol having a symbol number specified based on the value of the symbol number counter at the time when the value of the symbol step number counter is acquired, a predetermined stop position with the number of sliding symbols of 0 (this embodiment). In the range of the number of symbol steps that cannot be stopped at the reel middle position), in the present embodiment, 12 to 15 steps (the 13th step) on the rear side in the rotation direction among the 16 steps assigned to one symbol. To the 16th step).

In the step of Sd3, when it is determined that the number of symbol steps is not within the predetermined determination range (0 to 11 steps), once the timer interrupt is set to permit (Sb4), the process returns to the step of Sb1. The steps Sd1 to Sd4 are repeatedly executed, and the process waits until it is determined that the number of symbol steps is within the predetermined determination range. In addition, after the timer interrupt is set to be prohibited in the step Sd1, the timer interrupt is set to be enabled in the step Sb4, so that the timer interrupt is set to be disabled in the steps Sd1 to Sd4. If the original timer interrupt timing is included in the period of, the timer interrupt process (main) is executed when the timer interrupt is set to enable in step Sd4, and The symbol step number counter is updated in the reel step number updating process in the timer interrupt process (main). On the other hand, if the original timer interrupt timing is not included in the period, then the timer interrupt process (main) is executed when the timer interrupt is set to enable again, and the symbol step Update the number counter.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step Sd3 that the number of symbol steps is within the predetermined determination range, the state in which the timer interrupt is set to be prohibited in step Sd1 is maintained, and the process proceeds to step Sd5 to RAM 41c. The value of the symbol number counter set in the predetermined area is acquired, and the value of the symbol number counter is set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c as the symbol number when the stop operation is performed (hereinafter, referred to as the operation symbol number). Set (Sd6).

The symbol number counter is located at the above-described predetermined determination position (in this embodiment, the uppermost position of the region corresponding to the middle stage of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R in the see-through window 3, see FIG. 23). Is a counter for counting the symbol numbers, and one symbol number counter for each reel 2L, 2C, 2R is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c, and any symbol number counter will be described later, such as a reel step number updating process. Will be updated in.

After that, a sliding frame number setting process for setting the sliding frame number when stopping the corresponding reel is executed (Sd7). In the sliding frame number setting process, the stop control table corresponding to the reel in which the stop operation is detected in step Sb28 of the reel control process is specified from the stop control table set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c by the stop control table setting process. Then, with reference to the stop control table, the number of sliding symbols corresponding to the timing at which the stop operation is performed is specified based on the operating symbol number, and the number of sliding symbols is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c. Further, a stop speed request is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c in order to stop the corresponding reel at a position corresponding to the number of sliding pieces, that is, a symbol having a symbol number corresponding to the number of sliding pieces, and the corresponding reel is decelerated. Start braking control.

The number of sliding symbols and the stop request set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c are then referred to in a process related to reel motor rotation control in the timer interrupt process (reel rotation control process described later), so that the number of sliding symbols is determined. When the symbol of the corresponding symbol number is located at the reel stop position and the number of symbol steps of the symbol reaches a predetermined number of steps (11 steps in this embodiment), the reel motor is excited in all phases. The reel will be stopped at the symbol corresponding to the number of sliding pieces. In the present embodiment, it is possible to specify the symbol number of the symbol to be stopped on the reel based on the number of sliding symbols, and the symbol step number for the symbol to which the symbol number is assigned becomes the predetermined step number. The reel motor is excited in all phases and the reel is stopped at a symbol corresponding to the number of sliding pieces, but the number of reel steps to be stopped by the reel can be specified based on the number of sliding pieces. Alternatively, the reel motor may be stopped at a stop position corresponding to the number of sliding pieces by exciting the reel motor in all phases in a predetermined number of steps.

After the sliding frame number setting process is executed in step Sd7, the timer interrupt is set to permit (Sd8). When the timer interrupt is set to be enabled in the step Sd8, and the original timer interrupt timing is included in the period in which the timer interrupt is set to be disabled in the steps Sd1 to Sd8. In step Sd8, when the timer interrupt is set to enable in the step Sd8, the timer interrupt process (main) is executed, and in the timer interrupt process (main), the sliding frame number setting process (Sb7) is executed. Braking control for decelerating and stopping the corresponding reel is started based on the set number of sliding symbols. On the other hand, if the original timer interrupt timing is not included in the period, then the timer interrupt process (main) is executed at the timer interrupt timing to start the braking control of the corresponding reel. To do.

Then, after the timer interrupt is set to be permitted in step Sd8, the stop position setting process is executed (Sd9). In the stop position setting process, the symbol number of a symbol (hereinafter, referred to as a stop position symbol) at a position to stop the reel based on the number of sliding symbols and the operation symbol number identified in the sliding symbol number setting process of Sd6, a predetermined slip It is possible to specify the reel that is performing stop control to stop at the number of frames, specify the reel and stop position symbol number of the stop operation command, and the number of sliding frames specified in the sliding frame number setting process. The sliding frame number commands are set in the command queue, and these commands are transmitted at the next timer interrupt.

After executing the stop position setting process in step Sd9, refer to the reel control state flag that is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c by the reel rotation control process in the timer interrupt process (main) and can specify the reel control state. Then, (Sd10), it is determined whether or not the braking control for decelerating and stopping the reel for which the stop control is performed is executed (Sd11). If the braking control is executed, the reel rotation is performed. The stop process is ended and the process returns to the reel control process. If it is determined that the braking control is not executed, the processing waits until the braking control is executed, and when it is determined that the braking control is executed, the reel rotation stop processing is ended and the reel control processing is executed. Return.

Next, the stop control table setting process executed by the main control unit 41 in the reel control process will be described.

As shown in FIG. 20, in the stop control table setting process, first, it is determined whether or not there is a reel that is not stopped, that is, whether or not there is a reel that has not been subjected to a valid stop operation and whose rotation control is continued. It is determined (Se1). Then, if there is a reel that has not stopped, the timer interrupt waiting process is executed (Se2), the timer interrupt is set to enable, and after waiting until the timer interrupt process (main) is performed once, , After setting the timer interrupt to prohibit (Se3), the stop control table setting process is performed for one reel whose rotation control is continued (Se4), and the number of sliding symbols for each timing when the stop operation is performed is determined. A stop control table that can be specified is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c.

Then, after the stop control table setting process for one reel is completed, it is determined whether or not the stop control table setting process has been performed for all unstopped reels (Se5), and the stop control table setting process is performed. If there is an unstopped reel remaining, the process returns to the step of Se2 to execute the timer interruption waiting process, and then the step of Se3 is performed, and then the stop control table setting for the remaining one reel is performed in the step of Se4. Perform processing to set the stop control table.

Then, if it is determined in step Se5 that the stop control tables have been set for all unstopped reels, or if it is determined in step Se1 that there are no unstopped reels, the stop control table setting process is performed. Upon completion, the process returns to the reel control process.

As described above, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment executes the reel control process after the start of the game to start the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R, and then the stop operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R. Is waited for, and when the effective operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is detected, the control for stopping the rotation of the corresponding reel at the predetermined stop position is stopped for the rotation of all reels. It is configured to determine whether or not a specific event that may have caused an abnormality has occurred while the rotation control of at least one or more reels is being performed.

In such a configuration, after the stop operation is performed during the rotation of the reel, during the period of performing the stop control for stopping the rotation of the reel, it is determined whether an event related to the abnormality occurs, Extra processing is performed during the period in which the stop control is performed, and there is a possibility that the target reel of the stop control may stop at an unintended stop position.

On the other hand, in the reel control process, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment performs the reel rotation start process for starting the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R, and then the effective stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R. A reel rotation stop process of stopping the rotation of the corresponding reel by waiting until the operation is detected and detecting the effective stop operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R, and starting the reel rotation. After the processing, during the period of waiting until the effective operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is detected, the abnormality determination processing for determining whether or not a specific event that may have caused an abnormality has occurred is executed. Therefore, in a state in which the reel occupies most of the rotation, the specific event can be determined, but the rotation of the reel is stopped by the reel rotation stop processing after the effective operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is detected. Since the abnormality determination process is not executed during the period up to, the load during the process related to the reel stop is reduced, and extra processing is performed during the reel stop control, so that the reel targeted for stop control does not reach the unintended position. It is possible to prevent the reel from stopping.

In the reel control process, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment waits for one of the abnormality determination processes while waiting for the operation of the effective stop switch 8L, 8C, 8R after the reel rotation start process to be detected. By executing the insertion/withdrawal error check process as described above, it is determined based on the output of the insertion medal sensor 31 whether or not there is a possibility that an abnormality related to the insertion of medals from the medal insertion portion 4 has occurred. In the state that occupies most of the inside, the abnormality related to the insertion of the medal can be determined as a specific event, but the reel rotation is stopped by the reel rotation stop processing after the effective operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is detected. Since the insertion/withdrawal error check process is not executed during the period until the start of the reel, the load during the process related to the reel stop is reduced. It is possible to prevent the reel from stopping at an unintended position.

In the reel control process, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment waits for one of the abnormality determination processes while waiting for the operation of the effective stop switch 8L, 8C, 8R after the reel rotation start process to be detected. By executing the insertion/withdrawal error check process as described above, it is determined based on the output of the withdrawal sensor 34c whether or not there is a possibility that an abnormality regarding the payout of medals by the hopper unit 34 has occurred. In the state of occupying, the abnormality related to the payout of medals can be determined as a specific event, while the reel rotation is stopped by the reel rotation stop processing after the effective operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is detected. During the period, since the insertion/withdrawal error check process is not executed, the load during the process related to the stop of the reel is reduced, and extra processing is performed during the stop control of the reel, so that the target reel of the stop control is at an unintended position. It is possible to prevent the reel from stopping.

In the reel control process, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment waits for one of the abnormality determination processes while waiting for the operation of the effective stop switch 8L, 8C, 8R after the reel rotation start process to be detected. By executing the rotation error check process as described above, it is determined whether or not there is a possibility that an abnormality relating to the rotation of the reel has occurred based on the outputs of the reel sensors 33L, 33C, 33R. In the occupied state, the abnormality related to the rotation of the reel can be determined as a specific event, while the period from the detection of the effective operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R to the stop of the rotation of the reel by the reel rotation stop processing. In this case, since the rotation error check process is not executed, the load during the process related to the stop of the reel is reduced.Therefore, extra processing is performed during the stop control of the reel, so that the reel targeted for the stop control does not reach the intended position. Can be prevented from stopping.

In the reel control process, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment waits for one of the abnormality determination processes while waiting for the operation of the effective stop switch 8L, 8C, 8R after the reel rotation start process to be detected. By executing the door opening check process as described above, it is determined whether or not the output state of the door opening detection switch 25 has changed. Therefore, in a state where most of the reels are rotating, the door opening detection switch 25 is a specific event. While it is possible to determine whether or not the output state of the reel has changed, in the period from when the effective operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is detected to when the reel rotation is stopped by the reel rotation stop processing, Since the door open check processing is not executed, the load during processing related to reel stop is reduced, and extra processing is performed during reel stop control, causing the reel to stop at a position unintended by the reel subject to stop control. It can be prevented.

The main control unit 41 of the present embodiment executes the reel control process in the main process, while periodically executing the timer interrupt process (main) during the execution of the main process, and executes the reel control process in the reel control process. After performing the reel rotation start processing for starting the rotation of 2L, 2C, 2R, the timer interruption processing (main) is performed during the period waiting until the effective operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is detected. Each time it is executed, the abnormality determination processing is executed to determine whether or not a specific event has occurred, so abnormality determination is performed during the period waiting until an effective operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is detected. The processing load can be reduced because the processing does not have to be executed all the time.

In the reel control process, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment detects the effective stop operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R after performing the reel rotation start process for starting the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R. Thus, the reel rotation stop processing for stopping the rotation of the corresponding reel and the control for stopping the reels are repeatedly performed until the rotation of all reels is stopped. If there is still a reel still spinning after being stopped, the abnormality determination process is executed during the period until the effective stop operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is detected. It is possible to determine a specific event while reducing the load of.

Further, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment is configured to execute the insertion/withdrawal error check process, the rotation error process, and the door opening check process as the abnormality determination process, and after the reel rotation stop process is performed to stop the reels. If there is a reel still spinning, the abnormality determination process is executed during the period until the effective stop operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is detected, so the load during reel stop control is reduced. At the same time, it is possible to determine whether or not there is a change in the output state of the door open detection switch 25, as a specific event, an abnormality related to inserting a medal, an abnormality related to payout of a medal, an abnormality related to rotation of a reel.

When the effective stop operation is detected in the reel control process, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment stops the rotation of the corresponding reel, and then there is still a reel whose rotation is being controlled. Is executed every time the timer interrupt process (main) is executed, and it is determined whether or not the stop operation is performed until a predetermined time elapses after the previous stop operation is detected. Without waiting, after the lapse of the predetermined time, whether the acceptance of the next stop operation is set to be valid and the abnormality determination processing and the stop operation are performed every time the timer interrupt processing (main) is executed It is configured such that the control for stopping the corresponding reels is repeated until the rotation of all reels is stopped by waiting while executing the determination as to whether or not a valid stop operation is detected. Since the abnormality determination process is executed even in the period after the operation is detected until the reception of the next stop operation is validated and the determination whether the stop operation is performed is not performed, The specific event can be determined even in the period.

Particularly, in the reel control process, when the acceptance of the next stop operation is validated, after the valid stop operation is detected, the acceptance of the next stop operation is validated based on the validation timer. It is determined whether or not a predetermined period of time has passed, and if the predetermined period of time has passed, the acceptance of the next stop operation is validated, so a valid stop operation is detected and the reel stops. Although the time until it is changed depends on the number of sliding pieces at the time of stop (0 to 4 in this embodiment), the next stop after the effective stop operation is detected regardless of the number of sliding pieces. It is possible to keep the period until the acceptance of the operation valid. Then, the main control unit 41 determines the abnormality every time the timer interrupt process (main) is executed, even during the period after the valid stop operation is detected until the acceptance of the next stop operation is validated. Since the process is executed, the specific event can be determined even in the period.

In addition, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment is configured to execute insertion/withdrawal error check processing, rotation error processing, and door opening check processing as abnormality determination processing, and does not determine whether or not a stop operation has been performed. Since the abnormality determination process is executed during the period as well, whether or not a medal insertion abnormality, a medal payout abnormality, a reel rotation abnormality, or an output state of the door opening detection switch 25 has changed as a specific event during the period. It can be determined whether or not.

The main control unit 41 of the present embodiment executes the reel control process in the main process, while periodically executing the timer interrupt process (main) during the execution of the main process, and executes the reel control process in the reel control process. After performing reel rotation start processing to start rotation of 2L, 2C, and 2R, stop each time timer interrupt processing (main) is executed during a period of waiting until a valid stop operation is detected. Since it is determined whether or not an operation is detected, it is not necessary to constantly determine whether or not a stop operation is detected during the period of waiting until a valid stop operation is detected, so the processing load can be reduced. ..

Further, as described above, in the reel control process, the main control unit 41 executes the reel rotation start process before effectively setting the acceptance of the stop operation by the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in the reel control process. In the reel rotation start process, a reel control is performed by using a reel, and after the reel control is finished, a stop control table setting process is performed to perform a stop control for each reel 2L, 2C, 2R. Is a configuration for setting.

In such a configuration, since the stop control table is set after the reel effect is finished, the setting of the stop control table may not be in time when the reel shifts to a predetermined constant speed rotation without stopping after the reel effect. However, the activation of the stop operation may be delayed.

On the other hand, in the reel control process, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment executes the reel rotation start process before validly setting the acceptance of the stop operation by the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R, and In the reel rotation start process, a reel effect is executed. As the reel effect, a first reel effect that stops the reel at a specific position and a second reel effect that does not stop the reel at a specific position are executed. When it is possible to execute the first reel effect in the reel rotation start process, the stop control table setting process is executed after the end of the first reel effect to stop all reels 2L, 2C, 2R. When the control table is set and the second reel effect is executed, stop control table setting processing is executed before executing the second reel effect, and stop control is performed for all reels 2L, 2C, and 2R. Since the table is set, when the first reel effect is executed, when terminating the first reel effect, the control for accelerating the reel to rotate at a constant speed until the stop operation is validated. Even if the stop control table is set after the end of the first reel effect, the control for accelerating is also performed. Therefore, the setting of the stop control table may delay the activation of the stop operation more than necessary. On the other hand, when the second reel effect is executed, that is, when the control for accelerating the reel to rotate at a constant speed after the end of the second reel effect requires less control than the first reel effect, By setting the stop control table before the end of the second reel effect, that is, by completing the setting of the stop control table before the end of the second reel effect, the stop operation is enabled by the setting of the stop control table. Can be prevented from being delayed.

Further, in the case where the first reel effect is executed, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment executes the stop control table setting process after the end of the first reel effect, and each reel 2L, 2C in the game. Since the stop control table for performing the stop control for 2R is set, the area of the RAM 41c for setting the stop control table for stopping the reel according to the first reel effect and the stop control for stopping the reel in the game The area of the RAM 41c for setting the table can be a common predetermined area.

In the present embodiment, the main controller 41 stops the reels 2L, 2C, 2R at the end of the first reel effect so that the predetermined symbols are aligned with the pay line LN, and then accelerates the reels to a constant speed. When doing, the reels 2L, 2C, 2R are randomly delayed and sequentially started to rotate, but as the first reel effect, a configuration in which a predetermined symbol combination is stopped without being aligned with the pay line LN In addition, the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are not controlled to delay the start of rotation at random, and the reels that are in a stopped state at the end of the first reel effect are uniformly timed as at the time of normal start of rotation. It may be configured to be started and accelerated to a constant speed rotation. Even in such a configuration, when the first reel effect is executed, the stop control is performed after the end of the first reel effect. By setting the table, the setting of the stop control table does not delay the activation of the stop operation more than necessary.

Further, in the present embodiment, when executing the first reel effect, the main control unit 41 executes the stop control table setting process after the end of the first reel effect, and all the reels 2L, 2C, 2R. Regarding the configuration of setting the stop control table, it is sufficient if the configuration of setting the stop control table for the game is started at least after the control of the reels using the stop control table is finished in the first reel effect. , For example, by starting the stop control table setting process for the game when the control for stopping the combination of the predetermined stop symbols on the pay line LN is finished even during the first reel effect, the first reel The stop control table may be set in parallel with the effect control.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the second reel effect is executed, the main control unit 41 executes the stop control table setting process before starting the second reel effect, so that all of the game is performed for a game. The configuration is such that the stop control table is set for the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, but the main control unit 41 may be configured to execute the stop control table setting process at least before the end of the second reel effect. The stop control table may be set while the reel effect is being executed, that is, in parallel with the control of the second reel effect.

Further, in the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 refers to the table index and the table creation data stored in the ROM 41b in the stop control table setting process, and the timing at which the stop operation is performed for each spinning reel. By setting another number of sliding symbols in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c so that it can be specified, a stop control table is created and set in advance before the stop operation is performed on the spinning reel. The setting process may be a process of setting the stop control table in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c in advance before the stop operation of the spinning reel becomes effective, and the stop control table stored in the ROM 41b is set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c. A configuration in which the stop control table is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c by duplicating it into a storage medium, and the stop control table stored in the ROM 41b in a compressed state is expanded and set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c to set the stop control table A configuration for setting the stop control table in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c by copying or expanding a part of the stop control table stored in the ROM 41b into a predetermined area of the RAM 41c and setting the table. A process of searching and identifying a stop position where a stop operation can be performed and setting the stop position in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c according to the timing when the stop operation is performed is performed for all the stop operation timings without referring to the index and the table creation data. In this way, a stop control table is created and set in advance in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c. After setting a reference stop control table stored in the ROM 41b in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c, a part of the stop control table is set. The stop control table may be created by changing it according to the game situation or the like, and may be set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c in advance, or the stop control table may be created and set by combining these configurations. ..

In the reel rotation start process of the reel control process, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment determines whether or not the reel effect is performed, and when it is determined that the reel effect is not performed, all the reels 2L, 2C. , 2R is started to control to accelerate to a predetermined constant speed rotation, and then a stop control table setting process is executed to set a stop control table for each reel 2L, 2C, 2R. Since the stop control table is set before the 2R becomes the constant speed rotation, after the reels 2L, 2C, 2R become the constant speed rotation, the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R can be quickly activated. ..

In the embodiment, the main control unit 41 starts control to accelerate all the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R to a predetermined constant speed rotation when it is determined that the reel effect is not performed in the reel rotation start process. After that, the stop control table is set for each of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R. However, when it is determined that the reel effect is not performed, the rotation of all the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is started, and then the predetermined control is performed. It suffices that the stop control table is set for the reels under rotation control until the reels are controlled to rotate at a constant speed. If it is determined that the reel effect is not performed, the stop control table under rotation control is changed. A configuration for executing control to accelerate all reels 2L, 2C, and 2R to a predetermined constant speed rotation after setting, a control for accelerating the reels to a predetermined constant speed rotation, and a reel stop control table during rotation control It may be configured to execute the processing for setting the.

As the reel effect, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment can execute a second reel effect in which the variation mode when accelerating the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is different from the normal game, and the reel control process. In the reel rotation start process in step 1, when the second reel effect is executed, the stop control table setting process is executed before the end of the second reel effect, and the stop control table for all reels 2L, 2C, 2R. Is set, the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R can be promptly validated even if the reel is rotated at a constant speed immediately after the end of the second reel effect.

In the reel control process, when the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment determines that all the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R have started to rotate, and then all of the reels have been accelerated to become the constant speed rotation, After starting the rotation of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R in the reel control process while setting an acceleration completion command that can specify that the acceleration of the reel is completed and transmitting it to the sub-control unit 91. When the rotation error check processing is executed and any reel rotation abnormality is detected, the re-acceleration manual processing is executed to accelerate the corresponding reel again, and then it is determined that the reel is rotated at a constant speed. In this case, the acceleration completion command is not set and the command is not transmitted. Therefore, when the acceleration completion command is received on the sub-control unit 91 side, it is not the completion of the acceleration again due to the abnormal rotation of the reel, but the start of the game. It is possible to specify that the first acceleration is completed, and the sub-control unit 91 causes the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R to rotate at a constant speed for the first time based on the acceleration completion command (for example, the first effect). The instruction of the stop operation) can be executed.

In the game in which a predetermined lottery target combination (strong cherry, weak cherry, watermelon, common bell in the present embodiment) is won in the internal lottery, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment is based on the lottery result of the internal lottery. When the player wins the ART lottery to be performed, the reel effect is executed as the ART start effect in the game after the precursor period elapses, that is, the predetermined lottery is performed by the internal lottery in the game before the game in which the reel effect is executed. Since the reel effect can be executed in response to the winning of the lottery target winning combination, the ART lottery is performed as a specific condition established in the game before the game in which the reel effect is executed, that is, the internal lottery is predetermined. When the winning target of the lottery is won, the trend after the game can be paid attention.

In the present embodiment, the specific condition established in the game prior to the game in which the reel effect is executed is that a predetermined lottery target winning combination is won in the internal lottery prior to the game in which the reel effect is executed. However, it suffices that the condition is satisfied in the game prior to the game in which the reel effect is executed. For example, a predetermined number of games have been played before the game in which the reel effect is executed, or the game in which the reel effect is executed. A combination of predetermined symbols in a plurality of games prior to the game is stopped on the pay line LN, and winning of a lottery executed independently of the internal lottery in the game prior to the game that executes the reel effect And so on. Further, the reel effect may be executed when a predetermined number of games have passed after the specific condition is satisfied, or the reel effect is executed when another condition is satisfied after the game where the specific condition is satisfied. It may be configured.

In addition, in the present embodiment, when the ART lottery is won, the reel effect is executed as the ART start effect in the game after the precursor period has elapsed, and the reel is placed at a specific position as the reel effect. Although the first reel effect to be stopped is applied, the second reel effect that does not stop the reel at a specific position may be applied as the reel effect, or such a configuration is also applicable. By establishing that a predetermined lottery target winning combination is won in the internal lottery, it is possible to draw attention to the trend after the game.

In the internal lottery, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment performs an ART possibility suggestion effect lottery in a game in which a predetermined lottery target combination (strong cherry, weak cherry, watermelon, common bell in this embodiment) is won. , When the ART possibility suggestion effect lottery is won, it is possible to execute the reel effect as the ART possibility suggestion effect in the game, so that the predetermined lottery target combination is won in the internal lottery as the predetermined condition. The trend of can be paid attention.

In the present embodiment, the ART possibility suggestion production lottery is performed based on the predetermined lottery target winning combination in the internal lottery, and when the ART possibility suggestion production lottery is won, the ART possibility suggestion production lottery is performed. In the game in which the internal lottery triggered by the above is performed, the reel effect is executed as the ART possibility suggesting effect. However, the reel effect as the ART possibility suggesting effect is a predetermined condition in the game in which the reel effect is performed. It suffices that it is executed based on the fact that the condition is established, and that it is executed based on the condition other than the internal lottery being established (such as the result of winning the ART lottery).

Further, in the present embodiment, when the ART possibility suggestion production lottery is won, the reel production is executed as the ART possibility suggestion production in the game won in the ART possibility suggestion production lottery. As the effect, the second reel effect that does not stop the reel at the specific position is applied, but the first reel effect that stops the reel at the specific position may be applied as the reel effect. Even with such a configuration, if a predetermined lottery target combination is won in the internal lottery, it is possible to draw attention to the trend after the game.

When the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment wins the ART lottery performed based on the fact that a predetermined lottery target combination (strong cherry, weak cherry, watermelon, common bell in the present embodiment) is won in the internal lottery In the game, the reel effect can be executed as the ART start effect after the precursor period has elapsed, and the ART possibility suggestion effect effect lottery is performed in the game in which the predetermined lottery target winning combination is won in the internal lottery. When the ART possibility suggestion production lottery is won, reel production can be executed as the ART possibility suggestion production in the game, and the ART start production is executed in the game won in the ART possibility suggestion production lottery. In this case, since the execution of the ART possibility suggestion effect is limited and only the ART start effect is executed, the reel effect is preliminarily set based on the fact that a predetermined lottery target winning combination is won in the internal lottery as a specific condition. In a situation where it is decided to be executed, the reel effect based on the fact that a predetermined lottery target winning combination is won in the internal lottery is further limited as a predetermined condition, and the control accompanying the execution of the reel effect becomes complicated. It never becomes.

Further, as described above, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment executes the stop control table setting process in the reel control process to set the stop control table for performing the stop control for each reel 2L, 2C, 2R. It is a configuration that does.

With such a configuration, when one reel is stopped while the plurality of reels are rotating, after the reel that has been stopped is stopped, the stop control table is further set for the remaining reels. In this case, after one reel is stopped, the settings of the stop control tables for the remaining reels may not be in time, or the activation of the stop operation may be delayed.

On the other hand, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment executes the stop control table setting process when a valid stop operation is detected in the reel control process, and the remaining rotation control is still performed. When the stop control table is set for the reels and then it is determined that not all reels are stopped, the control for detecting the stop operation is performed for the remaining reels. When the stop switch corresponding to that reel is operated, the stop control table is set for the other reels under rotation control before the reel corresponding to the stop switch is stopped. It is possible to prevent the effectiveness of the stop switch from being delayed.

In the stop control table setting process executed in the reel control process, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment determines whether there is an unstopped reel. The process of setting the stop control table for one of the reels is sequentially performed for all the reels that have not been stopped, so that one of the reels is controlled during rotation control of the three reels 2L, 2C, 2R. When the corresponding stop switch is operated, the reel stop control table for the other two rotation controls is set before the reel corresponding to the stop switch is stopped, and one of the reel stop control tables is controlled during the rotation control of the two reels. When the stop switch corresponding to the reel is operated, the reel stop control table for the other reel under rotation control is set before the reel corresponding to the stop switch is stopped. It is possible to prevent the delay of activation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R by setting the control table.

The main control unit 41 of the present embodiment executes the reel control process in the main process, while periodically executing the timer interrupt process (main) during execution of the main process. The configuration is such that a table setting process is executed to set a stop control table for the reels under rotation control. In the control table setting process, the process waits until the timer interrupt process (main) is executed, and the timer interrupt process ( Each time (main) is executed, the control for setting the stop control table for one reel under rotation control is repeatedly executed to set the stop control table for all reels under rotation control. Control is not complicated because the timer interrupt process (main) is unintentionally executed during the period in which the setting process is performed.

In this embodiment, the main control unit 41 sets the stop control table for one reel under rotation control every time the timer interrupt process (main) is executed in the control table setting process executed in the reel control process. By repeating the control for setting the stop control table for all reels under rotation control, the processing for setting the stop control table is executed separately for each reel under rotation control. The process of setting the stop control table for all reels under rotation control may be divided into a plurality of processes so that one process is completed in a time period less than the time interval in which the process (main) is executed. For example, the process of setting the stop control table for one reel under rotation control is divided into a plurality of stages, and the timer interrupt process (main) is executed every time one stage is completed, and then the process of the next stage is executed. The stop control table may be set for all reels under rotation control by repeatedly performing control for executing. Even in such a configuration, the control does not become complicated because the timer interrupt process (main) is executed at an unintended timing during the period in which the stop control table setting process is performed.

The main control unit 41 of this embodiment performs a freeze lottery when a predetermined lottery target combination (strong cherry, weak cherry in this embodiment) is won in the internal lottery, and a stop freeze is won in the freeze lottery. In this case, when the stop switch corresponding to one of the reels is operated during the rotation control of the plurality of reels, a delay process for delaying the activation of the stop switch corresponding to the reels under the other rotation control is delayed. It is possible to execute, and in the reel control process, when the stop operation by the effective stop switch is detected, the reel corresponding to the stop operation is controlled to be stopped, and the other reels under the rotation control are stopped. After performing the control table setting process, when performing the delay process, that is, when performing the delay process based on winning the freeze lottery, before starting the delay process, the reels in the other spin control are started. Since the stop control table is set, the operation of the stop switch can be promptly validated after the end of the delay process.

Next, the timer interrupt process (main) executed by the main control unit 41 by interrupting the start process and the game process at predetermined intervals will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 21, in the timer interrupt process (main), first, the timer interrupt is prohibited (Sf1), and the register in use is saved in the stack area (Sf2). It should be noted that other interrupts are automatically prohibited during execution of the timer interrupt process (main), and other interrupts are also prohibited by executing the program in step Sf1. This will doubly prohibit other interrupts, which can prevent other interrupts from being duplicated during the execution of the timer interrupt process (main).

After saving the registers in the step Sf2, a power failure determination process is executed (Sf3). In the power failure determination process, it is determined whether or not the voltage drop signal is input from the power failure detection circuit 48. If the voltage drop signal is input, it is determined whether or not the voltage drop signal was also input in the previous power failure determination process. It is determined whether or not the voltage drop signal has been input in the previous power failure determination process, it is determined that there is a power failure, and the power failure flag indicating that effect is set.

After the power failure determination process in step Sf3, it is determined whether or not the power failure flag is set (Sf4). If the power failure flag is not set, the process proceeds to Sf5 and the power failure flag is set. For that, the power interruption process (main) is executed. In the power interruption process (main), the process of setting the destruction diagnosis data (5A(H) in this embodiment), the process of initializing all the output ports, and all the storage areas (the unused area and the unused area) of the RAM 41c. RAM parity adjustment data is calculated and set so that the exclusive OR of (including the used stack area) becomes 0, and after the processing of prohibiting access to the RAM 41c is executed, the voltage drops and the CPU 41a Wait until you stop.

If it is determined in step Sf4 that the power failure flag has not been set, a port input process for inputting detection data of various switches from the input port (Sf5) and whether or not there is a change in the detection state of the switches A switch input determination process (Sf21) for making a determination, a request to send an operation detection command, and the like is executed.

Next, the branch counter for identifying the timer interrupt to be executed in the timer interrupt processing (main) from the four types of timer interrupts 1 to 4 is updated so as to be incremented by 1 (Sf7). In the step of Sf7, 1 is added when the branch counter value is 0 to 2 and updated to 0 when the counter value is 3. That is, the branch counter value loops in the order of 0→1→2→3→0... Every time the timer interrupt process (main) is executed. Then, the value of the branch counter is referred to in each process executed in the timer interrupt process (main), and for example, a predetermined control is executed when the branch counter reaches a predetermined value. Control will be branched.

After updating the timer interrupt branching counter in step Sf7, time counter update processing (Sf8) for updating various time counters, setting and sending a lighting signal for dynamically lighting various LEDs and other indicators LED dynamic display processing (Sf9) for performing the above, external output signal updating processing (Sf10) for updating and transmitting the output setting of the external output signal, and various commands such as door commands and operation end commands set in the command queue. A command transmission process (Sf11) for performing transmission etc. is sequentially executed.

After that, the reel rotation control processing for controlling the rotation of the reel is performed by setting the excitation patterns of the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R according to the progress of the game and the like (Sf12). In the reel rotation control process, an address of a specific area of the ROM 41b is designated based on various requests such as an acceleration request set in the reel control process of the above-mentioned main process according to the progress status of the game and the like. At the address of the specific area of the ROM 41b, the excitation phase (φ1, φ2, φ3, φ4) of the reel motor according to the reel control mode (acceleration, post-reel production acceleration, constant speed rotation, stop, slight vibration, etc.). The excitation pattern for sequentially exciting the and the update timing of the excitation pattern are stored. Then, when it is determined that the update timing has been reached based on the reel step number counter and the symbol step number counter updated by the reel step number update processing described later, the address of the specific area to be designated is stored in the RAM 41c. Set in a predetermined area. An excitation pattern specified by the address designated and set by the reel rotation control process is referred to in a motor phase signal output control described later, and a drive signal corresponding to the excitation pattern is supplied to each reel motor 32L, 32C, 32R. By being output, the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R are rotated, stopped, etc. in a predetermined control mode. For example, when a stop request is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c in the reel rotation stop processing described above, the predetermined area of the RAM 41c is referred to based on the fact that the stop request is set, and it is applicable. Specify the number of sliding pieces when stopping the reel. Then, the symbol number of the symbol to be stopped at a predetermined stop position (in the present embodiment, the middle position of the reel) is specified based on the number of sliding pieces, and the value of the symbol number counter becomes the symbol number, and the symbol step When the value of the number counter reaches a predetermined all-phase excitation control start step (in the present embodiment, each symbol is the 12th step), an address of a specific area designated in response to a stop request is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c. Set to. After that, the address is referred to in the motor phase signal output control, and the drive signal corresponding to the excitation pattern specified from the address is output to the corresponding reel motor, whereby the reel motor is stopped.

In the reel rotation control process, a reel step number counter (for each reel 2L, 2C, 2R) set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c is executed by executing a reel step number updating process described later. Is a counter for counting the number of steps from the reel reference position in the present embodiment. In this embodiment, it is possible to count 0 to 400 steps, and is set to a value larger than 336 steps required for the reel to make one turn. ), a symbol step number counter (a counter for counting the symbol steps at the time of the timer interruption at the determination position described later, and in the present embodiment, it is possible to count 0 to 16 steps, and one symbol per reel. It is set to a value larger than the number of steps (16 steps in the present embodiment), and a symbol number counter (a counter for counting the symbol numbers of symbols located on the pay line LN at the time of the timer interruption). While performing the updating process, a reel speed state flag capable of specifying whether or not the reel rotation state is the constant speed state is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c.

After the reel rotation control processing is executed in the step Sf12, the port output processing for performing processing such as transmitting a control signal to the solenoid drive circuit 46 (Sf13), in the reel rotation control processing in the step Sf12 described above. A motor phase signal output process of outputting a motor phase signal for exciting each excitation phase of each reel motor to the respective reel motors 32L, 32C, 32 with the designated excitation pattern is executed (Sf14).

After that, the registers saved in step Sf2 are returned to the state at the start of the timer interrupt processing (main) (Sf15), the timer interrupt is set to enable (Sf16), and the timer interrupt processing (main) is performed. ) Is ended, and the main processing when the timer interrupt processing (main) is started is returned to.

Next, the reel step number update processing, which is one of the processing executed by the main control unit 41 in the reel rotation control processing of the timer interrupt processing (main), will be described with reference to FIG.

In the timer interrupt process (main) described above, the main control unit 41 starts the rotation of each reel motor 32L, 32C, 32R by the reel rotation process, and then the predetermined update timing (corresponding to the excitation pattern) ( For example, when the reel is rotated at a constant speed, each time a timer interrupt is executed, when the reel is under acceleration control, each time a timer interrupt is executed a predetermined number of times according to the acceleration situation, etc. ), each reel 2L, 2C, 2R, the reel step number update processing is executed, and the reel step number counter, the symbol step number counter, and the symbol number counter are updated.

As shown in FIG. 22, in the process of updating the reel step number, etc., first, after adding 1 to the reel step number counter and the symbol step number counter of one reel (the left reel in this embodiment) (Sg1, Sg2) , It is determined whether or not the value of the symbol step number counter has reached 16 which means that the number of symbol steps has reached one round (Sg3).

When it is determined that the value of the symbol step number counter has reached 16 in the step of Sg3, the symbol step number counter is initialized and set to 0 (Sg4), and 1 is added to the symbol number counter of the left reel ( Sg5). Then, it is determined whether or not the value of the symbol number counter has reached 21 which is the total number of symbols per reel, that is, whether or not the left reel has made one round (Sg6), and the value of the symbol number counter is 21. If it has reached, the symbol number counter is initialized and set to 0 (Sg7).

Then, when the symbol number counter of the left reel is initialized in the step of Sg7, or when it is determined that the symbol number counter of the left reel has not reached 21 in the step of Sg6, the symbol step of the left reel in the step of Sg3 When it is determined that the number counter has not reached 16, it is determined whether or not the reel reference position is detected by the reel sensor 33L of the left reel (Sg8), and it is determined that the reel reference position is detected in step Sg8. In the case, whether or not the step number counter of the left reel has reached 336, which means that the reel has made one round (Sg9), is the symbol step number counter of the left reel cycled once and initialized to 0? Whether or not (Sg10), the symbol number counter of the left reel is initialized by going through one cycle, and whether or not it is 0 (Sg11) is sequentially determined.

Then, in the step of Sg9, the step number counter has reached 336, in the step of Sg10, the symbol step number counter is 0, and in the step of Sg11, it is determined that the symbol number counter is 0, the left reel. It is determined whether or not the reel motor 32L is excited in the excitation pattern corresponding to the constant speed state, that is, whether the left reel is in the constant speed state (Sg12), and in the step Sg12, the excitation pattern is set to the constant speed state. If it is determined that the reel corresponds to the state, the reel speed state flag that is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c and that can specify the speed state of the left reel can specify that the reel is in the constant speed state. To a different value (Sg14).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step Sg9 that the step number counter has not reached 336, if it is determined in step Sg10 that the symbol step number counter is not 0, it is determined in step Sg11 that the symbol number counter is not 0. In the case of, if the reel makes one round and the reel reference position is detected, the number of symbol steps or the symbol number is not one round, or the reel reference position is not detected. Since the number of steps exceeding the number of steps required for the reel to make one round is counted by the number of reel steps, there is a mismatch between the count value of each step by each counter and the actual reel rotation state. Since there is a possibility that the rotation of the left reel is abnormal, a rotation abnormality flag that can specify that the rotation of the reel is abnormal is set in the RAM 41c (Sg16). After that, the symbol step number counter and the symbol number counter of the left reel are initialized and set to 0 (Sg17, Sg18).

Then, if it is determined in step Sg12 that the excitation pattern does not correspond to the constant speed state, or after the symbol number counter is initialized in step Sg18, the reel speed state flag is set to the non-constant speed state of the left reel. The fact that there is is updated to a identifiable value (Sg19).

After the reel speed state flag is updated in step Sg13 or step Sg19, the reel step number counter for the left reel is initialized and set to 0 (Sg14), and the reel step number etc. update processing for the left reel is completed. .. After that, the reel step number counter, the symbol step number counter, and the symbol number counter are updated by performing the reel step number updating process for the middle right reel.

As described above, in the reel step number update processing, the reel step number counter is incremented by 1 each time the excitation pattern of each reel motor 32L, 32C, 32R is updated, and the reel sensor 33L, 33C, 33R is used to reel the reel step number counter. Initialization is performed every time the reference position is detected, and the number of steps of the reel when the reel reference position is detected is set to 0 step (first step), and 336 steps are performed corresponding to the update of the excitation pattern of the reel motor. Is counted as the number of reel steps.

Further, the symbol step number counter is incremented by 1 every time the excitation patterns of the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R are updated, and when 16 steps are reached by the addition, and the reel sensors 33L, 33C, 33R. When the reel reference position is detected by, when it is a value other than 0, it is initialized, that is, when the reel reference position is detected (when the lower end of the symbol area of the symbol number 0 is at the reference position) By setting the number of steps of the reel motor as 0 step (first step) and initializing the symbol step number counter every 16 steps, the lowest end of each symbol is set as 0 step (first step) of the area, and the reel motor 16 steps are counted as the number of symbol steps in response to the update of the excitation pattern.

In addition, the symbol number counter is incremented by 1 each time the symbol step number counter is initialized, and when the number reaches 21 by the addition, the reel reference position is detected by the reel sensors 33L, 33C, 33R. Sometimes, when it is a value other than 0, it is initialized, that is, when the reel reference position is detected (when the symbol with the symbol number 0 is at the reference position), the symbol number is set to 0, and the symbol for each 21 symbols. By initializing the number counter, the value of the symbol number counter when the symbol number 0 symbol is passing the reference position for each reel is set to 0, and the symbol number is changed corresponding to the excitation pattern of the reel motor. Count.

With these, when the reel reference position is detected by the reel sensors 33L, 33C, 33R, the reel step number counter, the symbol step number counter, and the symbol number counter become initial values, and the step of the reel motor from the reel reference position. According to the number, the number of reel steps, the number of symbol steps, and the symbol number are counted.

As described above, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment, in the reel rotation stop process of the main process, detects the timer interrupt process (main) when the effective operation of the stop switch is detected for the reel whose rotation is being controlled. Based on the symbol step number counter of the reel updated by the reel step number update processing, the symbol number at the stop operation position is acquired, and control is performed to stop the corresponding reel. Then, when acquiring the symbol number which is the stop operation position in the reel rotation stop processing, the value of the symbol step number counter is in the determination range (0 to 11 steps in this embodiment) and is not the determination range (this embodiment). In the example, it is not in 4 steps of 12 to 15 steps), that is, the symbol number is acquired on the condition that the value of the symbol step number counter is not within a predetermined specific range, that is, the symbol step number counter. If the value is not in the specific range, while the symbol number at that time is obtained, if the value of the symbol step number counter is not in the specific range, the value of the symbol step number counter is outside the specific range. Waiting that, when the value of the symbol step number counter is out of a specific range, the symbol number is acquired.

The number of symbol steps in which the main control unit 41 does not acquire the symbol number is the reel motor of the reel after starting the control of all-phase excitation for the corresponding reel when the reel motor is all-phase excited and stopped. The number of steps is equal to or greater than the number of steps rotated by inertial force until the rotor stops, and in the present embodiment, the specific range is a range of 4 steps of 12 to 15 of the symbol step number counter.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 23(a), the position of the uppermost end of the region corresponding to the middle stage of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R in the see-through window 3 is set as the determination position, and the symbol step for the symbol located at the determination position The number is counted by the symbol step number counter, and the symbol number of the symbol located at the determination position is counted by the symbol number counter, and when the stop switch is operated, the value of the symbol step number counter is the non-determination range. In the case where it is not within the specific range (12 to 15 steps in this embodiment) but is within the determination range, the value of the symbol number counter at that time is acquired as the symbol number which is the stop operation position. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 23B, when the stop switch is operated, the value of the symbol step number counter falls within a specific range (12 to 15 steps in this embodiment) which is a non-determination range. In some cases, the value of the symbol number counter at that time is not acquired as the stop operation position, and waits until the number of symbol steps at the determination position falls outside a specific range (0 to 11 steps in this embodiment). , Then, the reel is further rotated, the symbol that passes the determination position becomes the next symbol, the symbol number counter is updated, and the value of the symbol step number counter is outside the specific range (in the present embodiment, When it becomes a value within the judgment range (0 to 11 steps) (0 step in this embodiment), the value of the symbol number counter at that time is acquired as the symbol number which is the stop operation position.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the reel motor is rotated by the inertial force for 4 steps and stopped after the all-phase excitation stop control is started, the reel motor is stopped at the determination position (FIGS. 23A and 23B). When the value of the symbol step number counter for the symbol passing through the reference) is within the non-judgment range, that is, within the specific range, when starting the all-phase excitation stop control and stopping the reel motor concerned, , The symbol specified based on the value of the symbol number counter when starting the all-phase excitation stop control cannot be stopped at the middle position of the reel with the number of sliding symbols being 0. For example, as shown in FIG. 23(b), the value of the symbol number counter is 10, the value of the symbol step number counter is 12 to 15, and the symbol step number at the determination position is the 13th to 16th steps. At that time, if the stop operation is performed, if all-phase excitation stop control is started at any timing within the range of the symbol step number, the value of the symbol step number counter crosses 15 Positions after 0, that is, at a position where at least a part of the symbol area of the symbol number 11 spans the middle area of the reel, the reel is stopped, and the symbol number counter when the stop operation is performed. It is not possible to stop the symbol of the symbol number 10 specified based on the value at the middle position of the reel. That is, at least one frame is set as the number of sliding frames for the symbol of the symbol number specified based on the value of the symbol number counter when the stop operation is performed, and symbols other than the symbol number are located at the middle position of the reel. It will be stopped.

On the other hand, when the value of the symbol step number counter for the symbol passing through the determination position (see FIGS. 23(a) and (b)) is within the determination range, that is, outside the specific range, the all-phase excitation stop control is started. When the reel motor is to be stopped, the symbol specified based on the value of the symbol number counter at the time of starting the all-phase excitation stop control is stopped at the middle position of the reel with the number of sliding symbols being 0. be able to. For example, as shown in FIG. 23(a), the value of the symbol number counter is 10, the value of the symbol step number counter is 0 to 11, and the symbol step number at the determination position is the 1st to 12th step. When, when the stop operation is performed, when the value of the symbol step number counter becomes 11, that is, when the symbol step number at the stop position is the final value of the symbol step number of one symbol, all phases By starting the excitation stop control, it is possible to stop the reel at the position where the value of the symbol step number counter is 15, that is, the symbol with the symbol number 10 at the middle position of the reel. That is, the symbol having the symbol number specified based on the value of the symbol number counter when the stop operation is performed can be stopped at the middle position of the reel with the number of sliding symbols 0.

In this way, by setting the symbol number acquired when the value of the symbol step number counter is within the judgment range, that is, outside the specific range, as the stop operation position, the reel is stopped at the middle position based on the symbol number. When designating the symbol that can be made, it is possible to stop the symbol of the symbol number in which range the symbol step number is obtained, that is, the symbol of the symbol number can be stopped at the middle position of the reel. The symbol number can be used to identify the reel stop position without considering whether or not it is.

In a conventional slot machine, a reel can be rotated and stopped by using a stepping motor as a reel motor, and the number of symbol steps assigned to each symbol arranged on the reel is counted, and the number of symbol steps is calculated. It is a configuration that updates the symbol number based on it and determines the number of sliding pieces according to the symbol number when the reel stop operation is performed, and it is not possible to stop the reel immediately after the stop operation is detected. From, if the number of symbol steps when the stop operation is detected is the number of steps within a certain range that cannot be stopped with the symbol, the value obtained by adding 1 to the symbol number when the reel stop operation is performed Is acquired as the symbol number when the stop operation is detected.

In such a configuration, depending on the number of symbol steps when the stop operation is detected, it is necessary to add 1 to the symbol number when the stop operation is detected to obtain the symbol number, and the stop operation is performed. An extra process is required to specify the symbol number at that time.

On the other hand, the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment is provided with stepping motors as the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R, and is configured to rotate and stop the reels 2L, 2C, 2R. The main control unit 41 is a symbol step number counter (or a reel step number counter) that is updated at each predetermined update timing determined according to an excitation pattern for changing the excitation state of the stepping motor, and the symbol step number. The counter is provided with a symbol number counter that is updated every time a predetermined number of steps (16 steps in this embodiment) assigned to one symbol of the reel by the counter is counted, and an effective reel stop operation is provided. When performed, the stop position corresponding to the stop operation is specified based on the symbol number acquired from the symbol number counter, and the reel rotation stop process of stopping the reel at the stop position is executed, In the reel rotation stop processing, when the value of the symbol step number counter is within a specific range (range of 12 to 15 in the present embodiment), the symbol number is not acquired, and the symbol number is out of the specific range (this implementation). In the example, when it becomes 0), the value of the symbol number counter is acquired as a symbol number, so extra processing for specifying the symbol number according to the symbol step number when the reel is stopped, For example, when the value of the symbol step number counter is in a specific range, the symbol number is obtained by a simple procedure without performing a process of obtaining a value obtained by adding 1 to the value of the symbol number counter as the symbol number. You can

In the present embodiment, the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R are used to rotate the reels 2L, 2C, 2R each having a plurality of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface, so that a plurality of symbols visible to the player can be obtained. Although it is a configuration capable of performing variable display for moving, means for performing variable display for moving a plurality of symbols may be other than reels, for example, a belt having a plurality of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface. It may be configured such that variable display can be performed by moving the display.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 executes an updating process such as the reel step number for each predetermined update timing determined according to the excitation pattern for changing the excitation state of the stepping motor, and the symbol The number of steps counter is updated, and the symbol number counter is updated each time a predetermined number of steps (16 steps in this embodiment) assigned to one symbol of the reel is counted by the symbol step number counter. However, the reel step number counter for counting the number of steps from the reel reference position is updated at each predetermined update timing determined according to the excitation pattern for changing the excitation state of the stepping motor. The design number counter may be updated each time a predetermined number of steps (16 steps in this embodiment) assigned to each symbol is counted.

In the reel rotation stop process, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment, when the value of the symbol step number counter is within a specific range (in the present embodiment, within the range of 4 steps of 12 to 15), the symbol It is a configuration in which the symbol number is not acquired from the number counter, and the specific range is a predetermined stop of the symbol of the symbol number specified based on the symbol number counter when the value of the symbol step number counter is within the range. Since it is a range where it can not be stopped at the position, when the stop operation is performed, by using the symbol number acquired in the reel rotation stop process, the symbol specified by the symbol number cannot be stopped at the stop position. Since such a case does not occur, it is not necessary to correct the acquired symbol number.

In the present embodiment, the main control unit 41, in the reel rotation stop processing, when the value of the symbol step number counter is in a specific range (in the present embodiment, the range of 12 to 15), obtains the symbol number. However, when it is out of the specific range (when it becomes 0 in this embodiment), the value of the symbol number counter is acquired as the symbol number. However, the main control unit 41 performs the reel rotation stop process. In, in the range where the value of the symbol step number counter is outside the specific range, the value of the symbol number counter may be acquired as the symbol number when the value of the symbol step number counter is out of the specific range at least. The value of the symbol number counter may be acquired as the symbol number when it becomes a specific value (for example, 11 out of 0 to 11). In such a configuration, when the symbol number is acquired according to the stop operation, the value of the symbol number counter is acquired as the symbol number when the number of symbol steps is a specific value, so when the reel is stopped. Extra processing to specify the symbol number according to the number of symbol steps, for example, when the value of the symbol step number counter is within a predetermined range, a value obtained by adding 1 to the symbol number counter is acquired as the symbol number. The symbol number can be acquired by a simple procedure without performing the above.

Further, in such a configuration, the value of the symbol step number counter is a specific value within a range outside the specific range, the symbol number specified from the current symbol number counter when the symbol step number counter is updated next time. The number of symbol steps that makes it impossible to stop the reel in the symbol area, that is, a value within the range of the number of symbol steps that can stop the symbol with the symbol number specified based on the symbol number counter at a predetermined stop position. Of the values that are updated at the end, the symbol number when the value of the symbol step number counter becomes a specific value one step before that is updated from a value outside the specific range to a value within the specific range. Since the symbol number is obtained from the counter, when the value of the symbol step number counter is out of one specific range, the symbol step number counter does not acquire the symbol number from the symbol number counter at that time, There is no need to wait until it is out of the specific range to obtain the next symbol number, and it is possible to prevent the timing at which the stop operation is performed and the region of the symbol to be stopped from largely deviating.

The main control unit 41 of the present embodiment is configured to identify the symbol number based on the symbol step number counter when the reel is stopped, and is updated by the reel step number updating process in the reel rotation control process. Based on the symbol step number counter, it is determined whether or not to output a drive signal for stopping the reel, and when it is specified that the excitation timing of the reel motor excitation pattern has been determined based on the symbol step number counter. Since the drive signal for stopping the reel on which the stop operation is performed is output, whether or not to output the drive signal for stopping the reel motor even when the symbol number is specified when the stop operation is performed Also in the case of determination, since the symbol step number updated by the common reel step number updating process is used, it is possible to reduce the process for updating the step number used for the process and the area for storing the step number.

In the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 is configured to identify the symbol number based on the symbol step number counter and determine whether to output the reel motor drive signal based on the symbol step number counter. The symbol number may be specified based on the reel step number counter updated by the reel step number updating process, and whether the reel motor drive signal is output may be determined. Even with such a configuration, similarly to the configuration of the present embodiment, when the symbol number is specified when the stop operation is performed, it is determined whether to output the drive signal for stopping the reel motor. Also in this case, by using the common reel step number and other reel step number update processing, it is possible to reduce the process for updating the step number used in the process and the area for storing the step number.

The main control unit 41 of the present embodiment includes reel sensors 33L, 33C, 33R for detecting the reel reference position for each of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R. Since the symbol step number counter is set to the initial value in response to the reel reference position being detected by 33L, 33C, 33R, the actual position of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R and the reel step number and the like are updated by the updating process. It is possible to match the value of the symbol step number counter.

Further, in the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 sets the reel step number counter to an initial value in response to the reel reference position being detected by the reel sensor 33L, 33C, 33R in the reel step number updating processing. Therefore, it is possible to match the actual positions of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R with the value of the reel step number counter updated by the updating process of the reel step number and the like.

The main control unit 41 of the present embodiment determines whether or not an insertion/withdrawal error, a change in the output state of the door opening detection switch 25, or a reel rotation error has occurred as a specific event that may have caused an abnormality. The error check process, the door opening check process, and the rotation error check process can be executed, and at least in the reel control process, after the valid operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is detected, the symbol number in the reel rotation stop process. In the period until the value of the counter is acquired, it is not determined whether a specific event has occurred, so it is possible to reduce the processing load until the value of the symbol number counter is acquired after a stop operation has been performed. it can.

In this embodiment, the main control unit 41 can execute a main process and a timer interrupt process (main) that performs various processes by interrupting the main process at predetermined time intervals, and the timer interrupt process (main). In the main process, it is determined that all reels that are performing rotation control are rotating at a constant speed while the process for rotating the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is executed. It is a configuration for executing a process for validating acceptance of a stop operation.

With such a configuration, if the timer interrupt process (main) is executed during the determination of whether or not to accept the stop operation in the main process, the rotation state of the reel used for the determination changes. There is a possibility that accurate determination cannot be performed.

On the other hand, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment executes the reel control process in the main process, and performs the stop operation on the condition that it is determined that the speed state of the reel under rotation control is the constant speed state. Drive for rotating and stopping the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R by executing reel rotation control processing and motor phase signal output processing in the timer interrupt processing (main) while executing processing for validating acceptance of In the timer interrupt process (main), the signal output is performed, and the reel step number update process is executed to identify whether or not the speed state of the reel whose rotation is being controlled is the constant speed state. After setting the speed status flag and disabling the timer interrupt in the main process, acquire the reel speed status flag for at least one reel with the timer interrupt disabled, and obtain the reel speed. Since the acceptance of the reel stop operation is enabled on the condition that the reel is specified to be in the constant speed state based on the state flag, the timer interrupt is performed during the process of acquiring the reel speed state flag in the main process. Is executed and the setting of the reel speed state flag is not changed, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the acceptance of the stop operation is validated.

The main control unit 41 of the present embodiment includes reel sensors 33L, 33C, 33R for detecting the reel reference position for each of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R, and in the timer interrupt process (main), the reel motor is used. In the reel step number update processing executed each time a drive signal of 32L, 32C, 32R is output, the symbol step number counter and the reel step number counter are updated. In the reel step number update processing, the reel sensor When the reel reference position is detected by 33L, 33C, 33R, it is determined whether or not the value of the reel step number counter and the value of the symbol step number counter are normal, and the value of the reel step number counter and the symbol step number. When it is determined that the counter value is a normal value (in this embodiment, the reel step number counter is 336 steps, the symbol step number counter is 0 step), the reel speed state flag is set to the corresponding reel speed state. Since it is possible to identify that the constant speed state, it is possible to accept the stop operation while the reel position specified based on the reel step number counter or the symbol step number counter deviates from the actual reel position. Can be prevented from being activated.

The main control unit 41 of the present embodiment includes reel sensors 33L, 33C, 33R for detecting the reel reference position for each of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R, and in the timer interrupt process (main), the reel motor is used. In the reel step number update processing executed each time a drive signal of 32L, 32C, 32R is output, the symbol step number counter and the reel step number counter are updated, and the reel sensor number update processing is performed. When the reel reference position is detected by 33L, 33C, 33R, it is determined whether or not the value of the reel step number counter and the value of the symbol step number counter are normal, and the value of the reel step number counter or the symbol step number. When it is determined that at least one of the counter values is not a normal value (in the present embodiment, the reel step number counter is 336 steps, the symbol step number counter is 0 step), the reel speed state flag is applicable. Since it is possible to identify that the speed state of the reel is not a constant speed state, once even after the reel speed state flag is set to be able to specify the constant speed state, based on the reel step number counter or the symbol step number counter. It is possible to prevent the stop operation from being effectively accepted when the position of the specified reel deviates from the actual position of the reel.

In this embodiment, when the reel reference position is detected, it is determined whether or not the value of the reel step number counter and the value of the symbol step number counter are normal, and the value of at least one of the counters is When it is determined that it is not a normal value, the reel speed state flag is configured to be updated so that it can be specified that the speed state is not a constant speed state, but for either one of the reel step number counter and the symbol step number counter Only, it is determined whether or not the value is normal, and when it is determined that the value is not a normal value, the reel speed state flag is updated to be able to specify that the speed state is not the constant speed state. May be. Even with such a configuration, the same operational effects as the configuration of the present embodiment are achieved.

In the reel control process of the main process, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment sets the timer interrupt to the prohibition state, and sets the reel speed state flag for all reels under the rotation control in the state where the timer interruption is prohibited. With reference to this, it is determined whether or not all reels under rotation control are rotated at constant speed rotation, and if all reels under rotation control are rotated at constant speed rotation, the stop operation is stopped. Execution of timer interrupt is enabled because the acceptance is enabled, that is, the execution of the timer interrupt is prohibited during the period in which the process of referring to the reel speed status flag is executed for all reels even if there are multiple reels under rotation control. Can be banned efficiently.

In the reel control process of the main process, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment sets the timer interrupt to the prohibition state, and sets the reel speed state flag for all reels under the rotation control in the state where the timer interruption is prohibited. After performing the process of referencing, the timer interrupt is maintained in the prohibited state, and the process of determining whether or not the reel is rotated at the constant speed state based on the reel speed state flag is performed. Execution of the timer interrupt is prohibited and the reel speed status flag is changed not only during the processing that refers to the speed status flag but also during the processing that determines whether the reel is in the constant speed status based on the referenced reel speed status flag. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not to accept the stop operation acceptance.

In the reel rotation stop process of the main process, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment sets the timer interrupt to be prohibited, and when the timer interrupt is prohibited, the number of reel steps of the timer interrupt process (main), etc. Since the value of the symbol step number counter updated by the updating process is obtained, it is possible to prevent the timer interrupt from being executed during the process of obtaining the value of the symbol step number counter and changing the symbol step number counter.

In this embodiment, the main control unit 41 can execute a main process and a timer interrupt process (main) that performs various processes by interrupting the main process at predetermined time intervals, and the timer interrupt process (main). In, while updating information about the position of the reel such as the reel step number counter, the symbol step number counter, and the symbol number counter, the reel position when the stop operation is performed is specified in the main process.

With such a configuration, in the main process, when the timer interrupt is executed during the process of specifying the position of the reel when the stop operation is performed, the reel used for specifying the position of the reel. The information regarding the position of the reel may be updated and changed, and the position of the reel when the stop operation is performed may not be accurately specified.

On the other hand, in the reel rotation control process of the timer interrupt process (main), the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment outputs a drive signal for rotating and stopping the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R. Executed, each time the excitation state of the reel motor is changed by the drive signal, update processing such as the number of reel steps is executed to update information about the position of the reel such as the symbol number counter, while the reel control processing of the main processing When the reel stop operation is performed, at least one piece of information about the reel position is referred to in the state where the timer interrupt is set to be prohibited, and the stop operation is performed based on the information about the reel position. Since the stop position at which the reel is stopped is specified, the timer interrupt is not executed during the process of referring to the information about the reel position, and the information about the reel position is not changed. It is possible to accurately specify the position of the reel when the reels are removed.

In this embodiment, as the information about the position of the reel, the symbol number, that is, the information capable of specifying the area of the symbol on the reel is used, but as the information about the position of the reel, the drive signal of the reel motor is output. Alternatively, the number of reel steps or the number of symbol steps updated each time may be used.

Further, in the present embodiment, the reel step number counter, the symbol step number counter, and the symbol number counter are configured to count the value assigned with 0 as a starting point, but a value other than 0 (for example, 1) is assigned as a starting point. The configuration may be such that the counted values are counted. Also, the reel step number, the symbol step number, and the symbol number are not limited to those that are added to the starting point value, but the reel step number, the symbol step number, and the symbol number are specified by subtracting from the starting point value. You can do it. The value added or subtracted each time it is updated may exceed 1.

In the reel rotation control process of the timer interrupt process (main), the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment executes a process of outputting a drive signal for rotating and stopping the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R, and the drive. Each time the excitation state of the reel motor is changed by a signal, the reel step number update processing is executed to update the symbol number counter or the like that can specify the symbol number as information about the reel position, while the reel control of the main processing is performed. In the process, when the reel stop operation is performed, with the timer interrupt set to prohibit, the value of the symbol number counter is referenced, and the stop operation is performed based on the value of the symbol number counter. Since the stop position for stopping the reel is specified, a timer interrupt is executed during the process of referring to the value of the symbol number counter, and the symbol number counter is not changed, so when the stop operation is performed The position of the reel can be accurately specified.

In the reel rotation stop processing of the main processing, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment determines whether or not the value of the symbol step number counter is within the determination range, that is, whether or not it is outside the specific range. And the second process of acquiring the value of the symbol number counter when it is determined that it is within the determination range and not outside the specific range, the result of the first process, the number of symbol steps When it is determined that the value of the counter is out of the specific range, by permitting execution of the timer interrupt, as a result of the first process, it is determined that the value is out of the specific range, that is, when the symbol number is acquired If it is determined that the timer interrupt execution is not permitted, execution of the timer interrupt remains prohibited, which affects the output of the drive signals of the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R. It can be prevented.

In the reel rotation stop process of the main process, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment is the first process of determining whether the value of the symbol step number counter is outside the specific range, and the outside of the specific range. If it is determined that it is not, it is possible to execute the second process of acquiring the value of the symbol number counter, and as a result of the first process, it is determined that the value of the symbol step number counter is out of the specific range. In the case where the execution of the timer interrupt is permitted, the main control section 41 determines the value of the symbol step number counter is a specific value (for example, 11) and the first processing, When it is determined to be a specific value, the second process of acquiring the value of the symbol number counter can be executed, and as a result of the first process, it is determined that the value of the symbol step number counter is not a specific value. In this case, the timer interrupt may be permitted to be executed. In such a configuration, when it is determined that the result is not the specific value as the result of the first processing, that is, when it is determined that it is not the time to acquire the symbol number, execution of the timer interrupt is permitted, so the timer interrupt is performed. It is possible to prevent the output of the drive signals of the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R from being affected by the execution of the process being prohibited.

In the reel rotation stop process of the main process, the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment acquires the value of the symbol number counter when the reel stop operation is performed in the state where the timer interrupt is prohibited, and then the timer Maintaining the state of prohibiting interruption, the number of sliding symbols is specified based on the acquired value of the symbol number counter, that is, the stop position for stopping the reel is specified, so the value of the symbol number counter is acquired. Not only during processing, but also during processing to specify the stop position to stop the reel based on the acquired value of the symbol number counter, execution of the timer interrupt is prohibited, so the reel motor is not specified in the stop position. It is possible to prevent the stop control from being delayed due to the progress of the driving of. That is, temporarily, after acquiring the value of the symbol number counter, once permitting the execution of the timer interrupt, and then specifying the number of sliding symbols based on the value of the symbol number counter, in the symbol number counter Even if the value is acquired, the timer interrupt may be executed in the state where the number of sliding symbols is not set.In such a case, the number of sliding symbols is set in the timer interrupt. Since the reel stop control is not started, the timer interrupt is executed after the timer interrupt is finished and the number of sliding symbols is set based on the value of the symbol number counter. While the reel stop control is started, the symbol number counter when the reel stop operation is performed while maintaining the state in which the execution of the timer interrupt is prohibited as in the present embodiment After acquiring the value of, by performing a series of processes until the number of sliding pieces is specified based on the value of the symbol number counter, in the next timer interrupt that acquired the value of the symbol number counter, the symbol number It is possible to start the reel stop control based on the number of sliding symbols set based on the above.

In this embodiment, the number of symbols arranged on one reel is 21 symbols, the reel motor requires 336 steps to complete one round, and 16 steps per symbol are evenly applied to all 21 symbols on one reel. By allocating, it is possible to make one round of 21 symbols when the reel makes one round, but the number of symbols on one reel is 20 symbols, that is, the number of steps required to make one round of the reel is even. As the number of symbols that cannot be divided, it may be possible to have a configuration in which 20 symbols can be made to make one round when the reel makes one round. In such a configuration, it is preferable that the number of steps to be assigned to one symbol is 16 steps and 18 steps, that is, the number of steps to be assigned to one symbol is either an even number or an odd number.

Even in such a configuration that the number of symbols of one reel is the number of symbols that cannot be evenly divided into the number of steps required to rotate the reel once, the reels are stopped by applying the all-phase excitation stop control of the present embodiment. In this case, since the reel motor is rotated by the inertial force for 4 steps and stopped after the all-phase excitation stop control is started, in order to stop the reel motor at a predetermined number of steps at a predetermined position, Four steps before the final step number among the symbol step numbers assigned to the symbol, the all-phase excitation stop control is started.

Here, assuming that the number of steps assigned to one symbol for one reel is a mixture of an even number and an odd number, when the reel is rotationally controlled by the 1-2 phase excitation method of the present embodiment, there is one The number of steps at which all-phase excitation stop control should be started to stop the design at a predetermined position (position where the region of the design matches the upper, middle, or lower region of the transparent window 3) Then, depending on the difference in the number of steps assigned to one symbol, there may be a case where one phase is excited and a case where two phases are excited. For example, as shown in FIG. 24(a), in a configuration including a symbol in which the number of steps assigned to one symbol for one reel is 16 steps, 17 steps, 12 steps for the symbol 1 to which 16 steps are assigned. Regarding the step 3 excited by the second phase of the eye, the symbol 3 to which 17 steps are assigned, the step excited by the second phase of the 46th step becomes the start timing of the all-phase excitation control, while 17 steps are assigned. With respect to the design 2, the step of being excited in the 1st phase of the 29th step is the timing of all-phase excitation.

In this way, in a configuration in which even and odd numbers of steps assigned to one symbol are mixed for one reel, the step that is the start timing of the all-phase excitation stop control is one phase due to the difference in the number of steps assigned to one symbol. There are two cases, one for exciting with and the other for exciting with two phases. Since the force for staying at the current position is different between the one-phase exciting step and the two-phase exciting step, the reel is stopped. If the common all-phase excitation control is applied to achieve this, the amount by which the reel operates due to inertia changes, and the movement until the reel actually stops varies.

On the other hand, when the number of steps to be assigned to one symbol for one reel is unified by either an even number or an odd number, when the reel is rotationally controlled by the 1-2 phase excitation method of the present embodiment, With respect to the number of steps to start the all-phase excitation stop control in order to stop a certain symbol at a predetermined position, regardless of the difference in the number of steps assigned to one symbol, it is only when excited in the same phase. For example, as shown in FIG. 24(b), the number of steps assigned to one symbol for one reel is unified to an even number, and the number of steps assigned to one symbol for one reel is 16 steps and 18 steps. In the configuration including, for the design 1 to which 16 steps are assigned, the step to be excited in the 2nd phase of the 12th step, and also for the design 3 to which 16 steps are also assigned, the step to be excited in the 2nd phase of the 46th step Is the start timing of the all-phase excitation control, and also for the symbol 2 to which 18 steps are assigned, the step excited in the first phase of the 29th step becomes the timing of all-phase excitation.

In this way, in a configuration in which the number of steps assigned to one symbol for one reel is unified by either an even number or an odd number, regardless of the difference in the number of steps assigned to one symbol, the start timing of all-phase excitation stop control and It is only when the steps are excited in the same phase, and the force to stay at the current position is the same in any step, so even when applying the common all-phase excitation control to stop the reels. It is possible to suppress a change in the amount of movement of the reel due to inertia and reduce variations in movement until the reel actually stops.

Since the number of steps required until the reels stop varies depending on the characteristics (weight, size, electromechanical properties) of the reels and reel motors, etc. By performing the all-phase excitation stop control with a number, the same effect can be obtained.

In this way, the number of symbols on one reel is 20 symbols, that is, the number of steps required to make one round of the reel cannot be equally divided, and it is possible to make one round of 20 symbols when the reel makes one round. In such a configuration, as in the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 executes reel rotation stop processing when a valid reel stop operation is performed, and the value of the symbol step number counter is within a specific range ( When it is in the non-judgment range), the symbol number is not acquired, and when it goes out of the specific range (judgment range), the value of the symbol number counter is acquired as the symbol number. For one of the symbols with different step numbers, when the value of the symbol step number counter is in the first specific range (first non-determination range) corresponding to the symbol, the symbol number is acquired. Without, when it goes out of the first specific range (first determination range), the value of the symbol number counter is acquired as the symbol number, while other symbols in which the number of steps assigned to one symbol is different Regarding, when the value of the symbol step number counter is the second specific range (second non-determination range) in which the first specific range is corrected by an operation such as addition or subtraction, the symbol number is acquired. Without, the second specific range (the second non-judgment range), when it is configured to acquire the value of the symbol number counter as the symbol number, the symbol number when the stop operation is performed Whether the value of the counter is the symbol number corresponding to the first specific range or the symbol number corresponding to the second specific range, the specific range in which the value of the symbol step number counter is common The value of the symbol number counter can be acquired when the value is other than (a specific range including the common number of steps).

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 25( a ), a reel of 20 symbols in which the number of steps required to make one round of the reel cannot be equally divided, and a symbol to which 16 steps are assigned, 18 In the configuration in which the symbols to which the steps are assigned are arranged, the symbols to which the 16 steps are assigned are similar to the present embodiment (see FIG. 19) in the first specific range (12 in the number of 16 symbol steps). 15 to 15) is a non-judgment range, and the outside of the first specific range (0 to 11) is a judgment range, while the symbols to which 18 steps are allocated are the first specific range (12 to 15). ) Is added by 2 steps (difference between 16 steps and 18 steps) and corrected, and the second specific range (14 to 17) is set as the non-determination range, and the second specific range (0 to 13) is excluded. ) As the determination range, whether the symbols are assigned 16 steps as the number of symbol steps or the symbols to which 18 steps are assigned, both have a common value of the symbol number counter. To obtain the value of the symbol number counter when it is outside the range (a specific range consisting of four steps in which the reel cannot be stopped with the symbol corresponding to the value of the symbol number counter when the stop operation is performed) You can

Further, as shown in FIG. 25(b), for example, in a reel of 20 symbols, in a configuration in which a symbol assigned with 16 steps and a symbol assigned with 18 steps are arranged, 18 steps are assigned. Regarding the symbols, the third specific range (14 to 17) is set as the non-determination range, and the outside of the third specific range (0 to 13) is set as the determination range, while the symbols to which 16 steps are assigned Is the fourth specific range (12 to 15) obtained by subtracting the difference between the 16th step and the 18th step and correcting the third specific range as a non-judgment range, and is outside the fourth specific range (0 ~ 13) as the determination range, similarly to the above-mentioned example, with respect to any of the symbols, a specific range in which the value of the symbol number counter is common (the symbol number when the stop operation is performed) The value of the symbol number counter can be acquired when the value is other than the specific range consisting of 4 steps in which the reel cannot be stopped with the symbol corresponding to the value of the counter.

In the above example, a specific range for one of the symbols to which 16 steps are assigned as the number of symbol steps or the symbols to which 18 steps are assigned (the symbol number counter when the stop operation is performed) The specific range consisting of 4 steps in which the reel cannot be stopped in the symbol corresponding to the value of) is corrected by adding or subtracting, and is a specific range for the other symbol. The specific range for the symbol having the smaller number of symbol steps assigned to is applied as a specific range for other symbols without correction, for example, even if the symbol has 16 steps, 18 Even in the case of the pattern of steps, a specific range (12 to 15 or 12 to 170) and a range outside the specific range (0 to 11) are set with 11 as a common specific step. Is also good. In such a configuration, for the symbols to which 16 steps are assigned as the number of symbol steps and the symbols to which 18 steps are assigned, when the value of the symbol step number counter is outside the common specific range (0 to 11), It becomes possible to perform the stop control for acquiring the symbol number value and stopping the reel by a common process. In addition, the common specific step is a step in which the symbol can be stopped at a predetermined position with the number of sliding symbols 0 in any of the symbols in which the number of steps assigned to one symbol is different. It is the last value of the judgment range of the symbol with the smallest number of steps assigned to (the step before the last four steps).

In this way, a reel having a number of symbols that cannot be evenly divided into the number of steps required for one reel to make one revolution, and one of symbols having a different number of steps assigned to one symbol is a symbol step. When the value of the number counter is in the first specific range (first non-judgment range) corresponding to the symbol, the symbol number is not acquired and is out of the first specific range (first judgment range) When the value becomes, the value of the symbol number counter is acquired as the symbol number, while for other symbols in which the number of steps assigned to one symbol is different, the value of the symbol step number counter is the first specific range. When it is the second specific range (second non-determination range) that is corrected by adding or subtracting, the symbol number is not acquired, and it is outside the second specific range (second non-determination range). When it becomes, the value of the symbol number counter is acquired as the symbol number, but the value of the symbol step number counter is based on whether or not it is a specific value. May be

As such a configuration, for example, for one of the symbols having a different number of steps assigned to one symbol (for example, a symbol to which 16 steps are assigned), the value of the symbol step number counter is the symbol concerned. When it is the first specific value (first determination value, for example, 11 steps) corresponding to, the value of the symbol step number counter is acquired as the symbol number, and a value other than the first specific value (for example, When it is 0 to 10 steps and 12 to 15 steps), the value of the symbol number counter at that time is not acquired, and when it becomes the first specific value thereafter, the value of the symbol number counter is acquired as the symbol number. On the other hand, for other symbols (for example, symbols to which 18 steps are assigned) of the symbols having different number of steps assigned to one symbol, the value of the symbol step number counter is the first specific value. When it is the second specific value corrected by addition or subtraction (for example, 13 steps by adding 2 steps of the difference between 16 steps and 18 steps), the value of the symbol step number counter is acquired as the symbol number. , When the value is a value other than the second specific value (for example, 0 to 12 steps and 14 to 17 steps), the value of the symbol counter at that time is not acquired, and then becomes the second specific value. At this time, the value of the symbol number counter may be acquired as the symbol number. With such a configuration, the value of the symbol number counter when the stop operation is performed is the first specific value. Whether it is the symbol number corresponding to the value or the symbol number corresponding to the second specific value, the value of the symbol step number counter is in a common specific range (the value of the symbol number counter at that point). It is not possible to stop the symbol specified on the basis of the number of sliding symbols at a predetermined position, and the value of the symbol number counter is acquired immediately before the last 4 steps of the symbol step number). You can

Further, for example, for any of the symbols having a different number of steps assigned to one symbol, this is a step in which the symbol can be stopped at a predetermined position with the number of sliding symbols being 0, and the step assigned to one symbol. The final value of the determination range of the symbol with the smallest number (for example, in the configuration including the symbol to which 18 steps are assigned and the symbol to which 16 steps are assigned, 0 to 11 steps in the symbol to which 16 steps are assigned) ( For example, 11 steps) as a common specific value, when the common specific value, the value of the symbol step number counter is acquired as a symbol number, when it is a value other than the common specific value, then The value of the symbol number counter is not acquired, and when it becomes a common specific value after that, the value of the symbol number counter may be acquired as the symbol number. With such a configuration, For any of the symbols having different numbers of steps assigned to one symbol, when the value of the symbol number counter when the common judgment range stop operation is performed is a common specific value, the symbol number counter The value of can be obtained.

In the example shown in FIG. 24, the reel step number is counted from 1 as a starting point, but as in the above embodiment, the reel step number may be counted from 0 as a starting point.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and modifications and additions within the scope of the present invention are included in the present invention. Needless to say.

In the above embodiment, the example in which the present invention is applied to the slot machine in which the bet number is set by using the medal and the credit as the game value is explained, but the slot in which the bet number is set by using the game ball as the game value. It may be applied to a machine or a fully credit type slot machine in which bets are set by using only credits as a gaming value. When the game ball is used as the game value, for example, one medal can be made to correspond to five game balls, and when the bet number is set to 3 in the above embodiment, 15 game balls are used. This is equivalent to setting the bet number using.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the use of any one of a plurality of types of gaming values such as medals and gaming balls, and, for example, a plurality of types of gaming values such as medals and gaming balls can be used together. May be That is, it is possible to set the bet number and play the game by using any of a plurality of types of gaming values such as medals and gaming balls, and a plurality of types of gaming such as medals and gaming balls due to the occurrence of a prize. You may apply the slot machine which can pay out any of the value.

1 slot machine 2L, 2C, 2R reel 6 MAXBET switch 7 start switch 8L, 8C, 8R stop switch 41 main controller 91 sub controller

Claims (1)

A variable display unit is provided which can be variably displayed by moving a display band in which a plurality of types of identification information that can be identified are arranged by a stepping motor,
In a slot machine in which a display result is derived by stopping the variable display of the variable display unit, and a prize can be generated according to the display result,
Derivation operation means that the player operates to derive the display result,
Basic processing execution means for executing basic processing,
An interrupt process executing means for periodically interrupting the basic process and executing the interrupt process,
The interrupt processing execution means ,
In the interrupt processing, step number updating means for updating the step number each time a drive signal is output to the stepping motor,
In the interrupt processing, each time the number of steps updated by the step number updating means reaches the specific number of steps required for one area of the plurality of areas allocated to the display area to move, Area specifying information updating means for updating the area specifying information assigned to specify the area ;
In the interrupt processing, including an operation state information updating unit for updating the operation state information indicating the operation state of the derivation operation unit,
The basic processing execution means is
In the basic process, a specific event determination means for determining whether a specific event that may have occurred anomaly,
In the basic process, referring to the operation state information, derived operation acceptance determination means for determining whether or not the operation of the derivation operation means is accepted based on the operation state indicated by the operation state information,
In the basic processing, area specifying information acquisition means capable of acquiring area specifying information according to an operation of the derivation operation means,
In the basic processing, a stop control unit that specifies a stop position to stop the display band based on the region specifying information acquired by the region specifying information acquisition unit, and performs control to stop the display band at the specified stop position,
In the basic process, an interrupt setting means for setting prohibition of execution of the interrupt process,
The area specifying information acquisition means acquires the number of steps updated by the step number updating means, does not acquire the area specifying information when the acquired number of steps is within a specific range, and is outside the specific range. get the area specific information to,
The derivation operation acceptance determination means determines whether or not the operation of the derivation operation means has been accepted once each time the interrupt processing is executed while waiting for the operation of the derivation operation means,
The specific event determination means determines whether or not the specific event has occurred once each time the interrupt processing is executed while waiting for the operation of the derivation operation means,
The derivation operation acceptance determination means, in the state of waiting for the operation of the derivation operation means, after the interrupt processing is finished, it is determined whether or not the specific event occurs, A slot machine that determines whether an operation has been accepted .