JP6901849B2 - Pachinko machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine that executes an effect as the game progresses.

As a conventional technique, when drawing a moving image, a technique of drawing a frame this time based on a difference from the previous frame information is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-160776

As described in Patent Document 1, when drawing a moving image using a technique of decompressing a moving image compressed based on the information of the previous frame, the previous frame does not remain in VRAM at the time of drawing. It cannot be decompressed normally and the display is disturbed.
Therefore, when drawing the next frame of the moving image, the information of the previous frame must be left, and the memory area of the VRAM (video memory) needs to be efficiently managed.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of efficiently managing a memory area of a video memory.

The present invention employs the following solutions to solve the above problems. The wording in parentheses below is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

Solution 1: The gaming machine of the present solution starts displaying a display device for displaying an image, a video memory for storing image data for displaying an image on the display device, and displaying a new image as the image. In this case, the area securing process executing means for executing the area securing process for securing a part of the memory area of the video memory as a dedicated area for the new image, and the area when the display of the new image is terminated. It is a gaming machine including an area release processing execution means for executing an area release process for releasing the dedicated area for the new image secured by the securing process execution means.

The gaming machine of the present solution has the following configurations.
(1) A display device for displaying an image is provided. The display device is, for example, a liquid crystal display.
(2) The display device of the above (1) is provided with a video memory for storing image data for displaying an image. The video memory is, for example, a VRAM built into the VDP.

(3) When starting to display a new image (moving image A) as an image, an area securing process for securing a part of the memory area of the video memory as a dedicated area for a new image (moving image A dedicated area) is executed. To do. Here, securing (additional) means making it impossible to use a dedicated area for a new image as an area for an image other than the new image.

(4) When the display of the new image (moving image A) is finished, the area release process for releasing the dedicated area for the new image secured by the above (3) is executed. Here, the release (deletion) is to enable the dedicated area for a new image to be used as an area for an image other than the new image.

According to the present solution, when the display of a new image is started, the area allocation process is executed, and when the display of the new image is finished, the area release process is executed. Therefore, the next frame of the moving image is set. When drawing, by continuing to secure a dedicated area for a new image, the information of the previous frame can be left, and the memory area of VRAM (video memory) can be efficiently managed to draw the image. The processing can be performed without delay.

Further, according to the present solution, the area allocation process and the area release process can be executed according to the type of the reproduced moving image (if necessary), so that the finite memory area of VRAM (video memory) is effective. Can be used for.

SOLUTION: In any of the above-mentioned solving means, the gaming machine of the present solving means executes the drawing process of the image to be displayed on the display device by the area securing processing executing means or the area releasing processing executing means. It is a gaming machine characterized in that the area securing process or the area releasing process is executed before.

In the present solution, an area allocation process or an area release process is executed before the drawing process of the image to be displayed on the display device is executed (before the drawing process in VDP is executed).

According to the present solution, since the area allocation process or the area release process is executed before the drawing process is executed, the area allocation process or the area release process is not executed during the execution of the drawing process, and the drawing process is executed. Excess or deficiency of the memory area based on executing the area allocation process or area release process (the area allocation process or area release process is executed during the drawing process and a problem occurs in the drawing process). It can be avoided.

Solution 3: In any of the above-mentioned solutions, the gaming machine of the present solution has an upper control unit activated by a predetermined interruption and a lower control unit activated by the upper control unit. The lower control unit determines what kind of image is to be displayed on the display device, executes a process of generating drawing information based on the determined content, and executes the process of generating drawing information based on the determined content. Is characterized in that, in addition to executing the area securing process or the area releasing process, a transfer process of transferring the drawing information generated by the lower control unit to a device controlling the display device is executed. It is a game machine.

The following features are added to the gaming machine of the present solution.
(1) A higher-level control unit (technical task) that is activated when a predetermined interrupt (VSYNC interrupt) is triggered is provided. Since the upper control unit is activated by a predetermined interruption, it becomes a higher control unit close to the hardware.
(2) The lower control unit (planning task) activated by the upper control unit of the above (1) is provided. Since the lower control unit is started by the upper control unit, it becomes a lower control unit far from the hardware.

(3) The lower control unit of (2) above determines what kind of image is to be displayed on the display device, and generates drawing information (drawing command) based on the determined content (drawing command). Execute the construction process).
(4) The upper control unit of the above (1) executes an area securing process or an area release process, and controls the display device for drawing information generated by the lower control unit of the above (3) (3). Execute the transfer process to transfer to VDP).

According to the present solution, the memory area of the video memory can be managed more efficiently by distributing the processing between the upper control unit and the lower control unit.
Further, according to the present solution, since the lower control unit activated by the upper control unit executes the process of generating drawing information, the drawing process depends on the model of the gaming machine (common among a plurality of models). It is possible to efficiently process only the drawing process that is not performed.
Further, according to the present solution, since the upper control unit activated by the predetermined interruption executes the area securing process, the area release process, the transfer process, etc., the drawing process does not depend on the model of the gaming machine. Only (drawing processing common to a plurality of models) can be efficiently processed.

According to the present invention, the memory area of the video memory can be efficiently managed.

It is a front view of a pachinko machine. It is a rear view of a pachinko machine. It is a front view which shows the game board unit alone. It is a front view which shows the part of the game board unit enlarged. It is a block diagram which shows various electronic devices equipped in a pachinko machine. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure in an effect control device. It is a flowchart (1/2) which shows the procedure example of the CPU initialization processing. It is a flowchart (2/2) which shows the procedure example of the CPU initialization processing. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure example of the evacuation process at the time of power-off. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure example of a command reception interrupt processing. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure example of a timer interrupt process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure example of a switch input event processing. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure example of the 1st special symbol memory update processing. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure example of the 2nd special symbol memory update processing. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure example of the effect determination processing at the time of acquisition. It is a flowchart which shows the structure example of the special symbol game processing. It is a continuous figure which shows the example of the effect image corresponding to the variable display and the stop display of a special symbol. It is a continuous figure which shows the flow of the reach effect (super reach effect) executed at the time of a big hit (winning). It is a flowchart which shows the procedure example of the CPU initialization process which is executed by an effect control device. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure example of various timer interrupt processing. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure example of the effect control processing. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure example of the working memory effect management process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure example of the effect symbol management processing. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure example of the effect symbol change pre-processing. It is a flowchart which shows the configuration example of the processing at the time of operation of a variable winning device. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure example of the upper control part management process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure example of the lower control part management process. It is a figure which shows the flow from drawing command construction to image display in an effect control device. It is a figure which shows the flow of the process of the area addition and area deletion of VRAM.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter, abbreviated as “pachinko machine”) 1. Further, FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 1. The pachinko machine 1 uses a game ball as a game medium, and the player borrows the game ball from the game hall operator and plays the game with the pachinko machine 1. In the game of the pachinko machine 1, each of the game balls is a medium having a game value, and the privilege (profit) that the player enjoys as a result of the game is, for example, the game ball acquired by the player. It can be converted into a game value based on the number of. Hereinafter, the overall configuration of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

〔overall structure〕
The pachinko machine 1 mainly includes an outer frame unit 2, an integrated door unit 4, and an inner frame assembly 7 (plastic frame, game machine frame) as its main body. The integrated door unit 4 is located on the frontmost side thereof when viewed from the front facing the player. The inner frame assembly 7 is located on the back side (back side) of the integrated door unit 4, and the outer frame unit 2 is arranged so as to surround the outside of the inner frame assembly 7.

The outer frame unit 2 is a structure in which wood and metal materials are combined in a vertically long rectangular shape, and the outer frame unit 2 provides fasteners such as screws to island equipment (not shown) in the amusement park. It is fixed using. In the vertically long rectangular outer frame unit 2, wood is used for the parts corresponding to the upper and lower short sides, and metal material is used for the parts corresponding to the left and right long sides.

The integrated door unit 4 has a structure in which the saucer unit 6 is integrated at the lower position thereof. The integrated door unit 4 and the inner frame assembly 7 are attached to the island equipment via the outer frame unit 2, and each of them operates in an openable and closable manner via a hinge mechanism (not shown). The opening / closing axis of the hinge mechanism (not shown) extends in the vertical direction along the left end portion when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 1.

A unified lock unit 9 is provided inside the right edge portion (left edge portion in FIG. 2) of the inner frame assembly 7 when viewed from the front in FIG. 1. Correspondingly, locking tools (not shown) are also provided on the right side edges (back side) of the integrated door unit 4 and the outer frame unit 2. As shown in FIG. 1, in a state where the integrated door unit 4 and the inner frame assembly 7 are closed with respect to the outer frame unit 2, the unified lock unit 9 on the back side thereof together with the locking tool is the integrated door unit 4 and the inner frame assembly. It makes it impossible to open 7.

A cylinder lock 6a with a keyhole is provided on the right edge of the saucer unit 6. For example, when the manager of the amusement park inserts the dedicated key into the keyhole and twists the cylinder lock 6a clockwise, the unified lock unit 9 operates and the integrated door unit 4 can be opened together with the inner frame assembly 7. .. When all of these are opened from the outer frame unit 2 to the front side (moved like a door), the back side of the pachinko machine 1 is exposed on the front side.

On the other hand, when the cylinder lock 6a is twisted counterclockwise, only the lock of the integrated door unit 4 is released while the inner frame assembly 7 is locked, and the integrated door unit 4 can be opened. When the integrated door unit 4 is opened to the front side, the game board unit 8 is directly exposed, and in this state, the manager of the game field can remove obstacles such as ball clogging in the board surface. Further, when the integrated door unit 4 is opened, the saucer unit 6 is also opened to the front side.

Further, the pachinko machine 1 includes a game board unit 8 as a game unit. The game board unit 8 is supported by the inner frame assembly 7 behind (inside) the integrated door unit 4. The game board unit 8 can be attached to and detached from the inner frame assembly 7 with the integrated door unit 4 opened to the front side, for example. A vertically elongated circular window 4a is formed in the central portion of the integrated door unit 4, and a glass unit (without reference numeral) is mounted in the window 4a. The glass unit is, for example, a combination of two transparent plates (glass plates) cut according to the shape of the window 4a. The glass unit is attached to the back side of the integrated door unit 4 via a fixture (not shown). A game area 8a (board surface, game board) is formed on the front surface of the game board unit 8, and the game area 8a is visible to the player from the front side through the window 4a. When the integrated door unit 4 is closed, a space is formed between the inner surface of the glass unit and the board surface so that the game ball can flow down.

The saucer unit 6 has a shape that protrudes from the integrated door unit 4 to the front side as a whole, and an upper plate 6b is formed on the upper surface thereof. The upper plate 6b can store a game ball (rental ball) lent to the player and a game ball (prize ball) acquired by winning a prize. Further, in the plate receiving unit 6, a lower plate 6c is formed at a lower position of the upper plate 6b. In the lower plate 6c, a game ball further paid out with the upper plate 6b full is stored. The pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment is a so-called CR machine (a model connected to the CR unit), and the game ball borrowed by the player is a plate unit 6 (upper) from the payout device unit 172 on the back side separately from the prize ball. It is paid out to the plate 6b or the lower plate 6c).

A lending operation unit 14 is provided on the upper surface of the saucer unit 6, and a ball lending button 10 and a return button 12 are arranged on the lending operation unit 14. When the player operates the ball lending button 10 with a valuable medium (for example, a magnetic recording medium, a medium with a built-in storage IC, etc.) inserted in a CR unit (not shown), the number corresponding to a predetermined frequency unit (for example, 5 frequencies). (For example, 125) of game balls are rented out. Therefore, a frequency display unit (not shown) is arranged on the upper surface of the lending operation unit 14, and the frequency display unit displays the residual frequency of the valuable medium loaded in the CR unit. By operating the return button 12, the player can receive the return of the valuable medium having the remaining frequency. In the present embodiment, the CR machine is taken as an example, but the pachinko machine 1 may be a cash machine (a model not connected to the CR unit) different from the CR machine.

Further, on the upper surface of the saucer unit 6, an upper plate ball removing button 6d is installed in front of the upper plate 6b at the upper stage position, and a lower plate ball removing lever 6e is installed in the center thereof in front of the lower plate 6c. Is installed. The player can push the upper plate ball removal button 6d, for example, to cause the game ball stored in the upper plate 6b to flow down to the lower plate 6c. Further, the player can slide the lower plate ball removing lever 6e to the left, for example, to drop the game ball stored in the lower plate 6c downward and discharge it. The discharged game balls are received, for example, in a ball receiving box (not shown).

A handle unit 16 is installed at the lower right of the saucer unit 6. By operating the handle unit 16, the player can operate the launch control board set 174 to launch (drive) a game ball toward the game area 8a (ball launcher). The launched game ball rises from the lower edge of the game board unit 8 along the left edge, is guided by an outer band (not shown), and is thrown into the game area 8a. A large number of obstacle nails, windmills (without reference numerals in the figure) and the like are arranged in the game area 8a, and the thrown game ball flows down in the game area 8a while being guided and guided by the obstacle nails and the windmill. The configuration of the game area 8a (board surface, game board) will be described later with reference to another drawing.

[Structure on the front of the frame]
The integrated door unit 4 is provided with a left top lens unit 47 and an upper right illumination unit 49 as components for directing. Of these, the left top lens unit 47 incorporates a glass frame top lamp 46 and a left glass frame decorative lamp 48, and the upper right lighting unit 49 incorporates a right glass frame decorative lamp 50. In addition, the integrated door unit 4 is provided with left and right glass frame decorative lamps 52 so as to be connected below the left top lens unit 47 and the upper right illumination unit 49, respectively. It extends from the left and right edges of the integrated door unit 4 to the front surface of the saucer unit 6. In the integrated door unit 4, the glass frame top lamp 46, the left and right glass frame decorative lamps 48, 50, 52, etc. are arranged so as to surround the glass unit.

The various lamps 46, 48, 50, and 52 described above execute the effect by, for example, emitting light from the built-in LED (lighting or blinking, change in luminance gradation, change in color tone, etc.). Further, in the upper part of the integrated door unit 4, the speakers 54 and 55 on the glass frame are incorporated in the left top lens unit 47 and the upper right illumination unit 49, respectively. On the other hand, the outer frame speaker 56 is incorporated in the lower left position of the outer frame unit 2. These speakers 54, 55, and 56 output sound effects, BGM, voice, and the like (general sound) to execute the effect.

Further, in the center of the plate receiving unit 6, an effect switching button 45 is installed at a position in front of the upper plate 6b (operation input means). The player can switch the effect content (for example, the background screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 42) by pressing the effect switching button 45, for example, while the symbol is changing, the jackpot is confirmed, or the jackpot is being played. It is possible to generate some kind of production (notice production, probabilistic promotion production, promotion production during a major role, etc.).

Further, a jog dial 45a is installed around the effect switching button 45 so as to surround the effect switching button 45 (operation input means, rotary selector). By rotating the jog dial 45a, the player can change the effect content displayed on the liquid crystal display 42, for example.

[Backside configuration]
As shown in FIG. 2, on the back side of the pachinko machine 1, there are a power supply control unit 162, a main control board unit 170, a payout device unit 172, a flow path unit 173, a launch control board set 174, and a payout control board unit 176. , The back cover unit 178 and the like are installed. In addition to this, on the back side of the pachinko machine 1, various electronic devices (including a control computer (not shown), which constitute the power supply system and control system of the pachinko machine 1, an external terminal board 160, a power cord (power plug) 164, A ground wire (ground terminal) 166, a connection wiring (not shown), and the like are installed.

The payout device unit 172 has, for example, a prize ball tank 172a and a prize ball case (without a reference symbol), of which the prize ball tank 172a is installed on the upper edge (back side) of the inner frame assembly 7. , A game ball replenished from a replenishment route (not shown) can be stored. The game balls stored in the prize ball tank 172a are guided to the prize ball case through an upper prize ball gutter (not shown). The flow path unit 173 guides the game ball sent out from the payout device unit 172 toward the tray unit 6 on the front side.

Further, the external terminal board 160 is for connecting the pachinko machine 1 to an external electronic device (for example, a data display device, a hall computer, etc.), and from the external terminal board 160, the game progress state of the pachinko machine 1. Various external information signals (for example, prize ball information, door opening information, symbol confirmation count information, jackpot information, starting port information, etc.) indicating the maintenance status, etc. are output to external electronic devices. ..

The power cord 164 secures the power supply (electric power) required for the operation of the pachinko machine 1 by being connected to, for example, a power supply device (for example, AC24V) installed in the island equipment of the amusement park. Further, the ground wire 166 is connected to the ground terminal also installed in the island equipment to secure the ground (ground) of the pachinko machine 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the game board unit 8 alone. The game board unit 8 includes a game board 8b as a base, and a game area 8a is formed on the front side of the game board 8b. The game board 8b is made of, for example, a transparent resin plate, and the front surface of the game board 8b is parallel to the glass unit in a state where the game board unit 8 is fixed to the inner frame assembly 7. On the front surface of the game plate 8b, a game area 8a is formed inside a launch rail (without reference numeral) installed in a substantially circular shape.

In the game area 8a, a relatively large effect unit 40 is arranged at the center position thereof, and the game area 8a is largely divided into a left side portion, a right side portion, and a lower portion centering on the effect unit 40. The left side part of the game area 8a is the first game area (left-handed area) used in the normal game state (low probability non-time reduction state), and the right part of the game area 8a is the special game state (big hit game state). , Small hit game state, low probability time shortened state, high probability time shortened state, etc.) is the second game area (right-handed area, specific area). The left side portion of the game area 8a is also used in a high-probability non-time reduction state (advantageous game state). Further, in the game area 8a, a medium start winning opening 26, a starting gate 20, a normal winning opening 22, 24, a variable starting winning device 28, a first variable winning device 30, and a second variable winning device are placed around the effect unit 40. 31 etc. are distributed and installed.

Of these, the middle start winning opening 26 is arranged in the center of the lower portion of the game area 8a. The starting gate 20, the variable starting winning device 28, the second variable winning device 31, and the first variable winning device 30 are arranged in this order from the top on the right side portion of the game area 8a. Here, the first variable winning device 30 is arranged on the right side of the middle start winning opening 26, and the second variable winning device 31 is arranged on the upper right of the first variable winning device 30. Further, three ordinary winning openings 22 on the left side are arranged on the left side portion of the game area 8a, and one ordinary winning opening 24 (predetermined winning opening) on the right side is arranged below the variable start winning device 28. ..

Further, four obstacle nails are arranged above the variable start winning device 28, and a ball entry port 19a and a discharge port 19b are arranged above the obstacle nails. The entry port 19a and the discharge port 19b are connected by a connecting passage on the back side (not shown). The game ball that has entered the ball entry port 19a is decelerated and rectified through this connecting passage, and is discharged from the discharge port 19b.
Further, an out port 19c (predetermined ball entry port) is arranged on the right side of the starting gate 20. The game ball released from the discharge port 19b basically falls straight and passes through the start gate 20, but when it is flipped to the right by an obstacle nail, it enters the out port 19c.

The game ball thrown into the game area 8a enters the middle start winning opening 26, the normal winning opening 22, 24, passes through the starting gate 20, and is a variable start winning device at the time of operation in the process of its flow down. 28, the first variable winning device 30 at the time of opening operation, and the second variable winning device 31 at the time of opening operation. Here, the game ball flowing down the left side area of the game area 8a may mainly enter the middle start winning opening 26 or the normal winning opening 22. On the other hand, the game ball flowing down the right region of the game area 8a enters the ball entry port 19a and is discharged from the discharge port 19b, and mainly passes through the start gate 20 or enters the variable start winning device 28 at the time of operation. There is a possibility of entering the ball, entering the first variable winning device 30 during the opening operation, entering the second variable winning device 31 during the opening operation, or entering the normal winning opening 24. The game ball that has passed through the start gate 20 continuously flows down in the game area 8a, but the middle start winning opening 26, the normal winning opening 22, 24, the variable starting winning device 28, the first variable winning device 30, and the second variable winning opening The game ball that has entered the device 31 and the out port 19c is collected to the back side of the game board unit 8 through a through hole formed in the game board (plywood material, transparent plate, etc. constituting the game board unit 8).

Here, in the present embodiment, due to the configuration of the game area 8a (board surface), when the game ball is to be inserted into the middle start winning opening 26 or the normal winning opening 22, the area on the left side of the game area 8a (left-handed). It is necessary to hit the game ball into the area) (perform so-called "left-handed").

On the other hand, when a game ball is to be entered into the variable start winning device 28, the first variable winning device 30, the second variable winning device 31, and the normal winning opening 24, the area on the right side in the game area 8a (right-handed area). ), It is necessary to hit the game ball (perform so-called "right hit").

In the present embodiment, the variable start winning device 28 operates when a predetermined operating condition is satisfied (when a normal symbol is stopped and displayed for a predetermined stop display time in a hit manner), and the right start is performed accordingly. It enables the ball to enter the winning opening 28a (predetermined entry opening) (ordinary electric accessory). The variable start winning device 28 is provided with a tongue piece type (veloc type) opening / closing member 28b. In the state shown in the drawing, the opening / closing member 28b is in a position (retracted position) retracted from the board surface, making it impossible or difficult for the game ball to enter the right starting winning opening 28a. On the other hand, when the opening / closing member 28b moves to a position (driving position) protruding toward the front side from the board surface, the opening / closing member 28b receives the game ball flowing down from above and guides the game ball to the right start winning opening 28a (right). It is possible or easy to enter the starting winning opening 28a). The variable start winning device 28 may be a device in which the opening / closing member is displaced so as to fall forward with the lower end edge portion as a hinge to open the right starting winning opening.

The first variable winning device 30 is a predetermined first condition (for example, from the first round of the big hit game) when the specified condition is satisfied (when the special symbol is stopped and displayed in the mode of big hit or small hit). It operates when the 5th round, or the condition that it is the 7th to 16th rounds, and the condition that the small hit game is open) is satisfied, and it is possible to enter the first big winning opening 30b. (Special electric accessory, first special ball entry event generating means).

The first variable winning device 30 is a device arranged on the right side of the middle starting winning opening 26 (so-called lower attacker), and has, for example, one opening / closing member 30a. The first variable winning device 30 is a type of device in which the opening / closing member 30a slides inside the board surface (sliding type attacker). Then, the opening / closing member 30a reciprocates in the front-rear direction with respect to the board surface by the action of a link mechanism using a solenoid (not shown), for example. The opening / closing member 30a is in a closed position (closed state) in a state of protruding from the board surface toward the player, and at this time, the game ball rolls on the upper surface of the opening / closing member 30a. It is impossible or difficult to enter the ball (the first prize opening 30b is closed). Then, when the first variable winning device 30 is activated, the opening / closing member 30a is pulled into the inside of the board surface, and the first large winning opening 30b is opened (open state). During this time, the first variable winning device 30 is in a state in which the inflow of the game ball is not impossible (possible or easy), and the event of entering the first large winning opening 30b can be generated.

The second variable winning device 31 is a case where the specified conditions are satisfied (when the special symbol is stopped and displayed in the jackpot mode) as in the case of the first variable winning device 30, and is a predetermined second condition (for example,). It operates when the condition that it is the sixth round of the jackpot game) is satisfied, and enables the ball to enter the second major winning opening 31b (specific winning opening) (special electric accessory, second special entry). Sphere event generation means).

The second variable winning device 31 is a device arranged at the upper right of the first variable winning device 30 (so-called upper attacker), and has, for example, one opening / closing member 31a. The second variable winning device 31 is a type of device in which the opening / closing member 31a slides inside the board surface (sliding type attacker). Then, the opening / closing member 31a reciprocates in the front-rear direction with respect to the board surface by the action of a link mechanism using a solenoid (not shown), for example. The opening / closing member 31a is in a closed position (closed state) in a state of protruding from the board surface toward the player, and at this time, the game ball rolls on the upper surface of the opening / closing member 31a. It is impossible or difficult to enter the ball (the second prize opening 31b is closed). Then, when the second variable winning device 31 is activated, the opening / closing member 31a is pulled into the inside of the board surface, and the second large winning opening 31b is opened (open state). During this time, the second variable winning device 31 is in a state in which the inflow of the game ball is not impossible (possible or easy), and the event of entering the second large winning opening 31b can be generated.

Further, inside the second variable winning device 31, a guidance passage 31c for guiding the game ball that has entered the second variable winning device 31 is arranged. The guide passage 31c extends downward from the second large winning opening 31b, turns left from there, extends downward to the left, and then extends downward again.

A second count switch 85 is arranged upstream of the induction passage 31c, and a blade member 31d for the probability variation region and a hole 31e for the probability variation region are arranged in the middle flow of the guidance passage 31c. A discharge port 31f is arranged downstream of the above.

It is detected that the game ball that has entered the second variable winning device 31 is first entered by the second count switch 85. Here, when the probability variation region solenoid that operates the probability variation region blade member 31d is ON, the probability variation region blade member 31d rises and guides the game ball to the probability variation region hole 31e. On the other hand, when the probability variation region solenoid that operates the probability variation region blade member 31d is turned off, the probability variation region blade member 31d does not rise, so that the game ball passes through the upper part of the probability variation region blade member 31d. It is guided to the discharge port 31f.

[Probability variation area (specific area)]
Further, a probability variation region (without reference numeral) is provided inside the probability variation region hole 31e. The probability variation region is an region through which the game ball cannot pass when the second variable winning device 31 is in the closed state, and the probability variation region blade member 31d operates when the second variable winning device 31 is in the open state. If so, it is an area through which the game ball can pass.

The probability variation region blade member 31d operates when the second variable winning device 31 opens during the jackpot game. The operation pattern of the blade member 31d for the probability variation region is that the production region is opened for a short period (for example, 0.1 seconds) at the same time as the start of the round, and then closed for a few seconds (about 2 to 3 seconds), and then the probability variation region is opened for a long period of time. It is a pattern that opens for a long time (for example, about 20 seconds). Since the game ball does not reach the probability variation region blade member 31d in the short-term opening executed at the same time as the start of the round, the game ball is not guided to the probability variation region by this operation. Further, even if the blade member 31d for the probability variation region operates, the game ball does not pass through the probability variation region when the second variable winning device 31 is short-opened.

In the game board unit 8, the effect unit 40 is installed from the central position to the right side portion thereof. The effect unit 40 is provided with various decorative parts 40b and 40c inside the effect unit 40, in addition to the upper edge portion 40a functioning as a guide member for changing the flow direction of the game ball. The decorative parts 40b and 40c can enhance the decorativeness of the game board unit 8 by its three-dimensional modeling, and can perform a dramatic operation by emitting transmitted light by, for example, a built-in light emitting device (LED or the like). .. In addition, a liquid crystal display 42 (image display, display device) is installed inside the effect unit 40, and various effect images including an effect symbol corresponding to a special symbol are displayed on the liquid crystal display 42. Is displayed. As described above, the game board unit 8 impresses the player with the characteristics of the pachinko machine 1 based on the structure of the board surface and the decorativeness of the effect unit 40. Further, when the game board 8b is a transparent resin board (for example, an acrylic board) as in the present embodiment, various decorative bodies (including movable bodies and light emitting bodies) arranged not only on the front side but also behind the game board 8b are included. ) Can be added.

In addition, a drive source (for example, a motor, a solenoid, etc.) is attached to the inside of the effect unit 40 together with a movable body 40f for effect (for example, a decoration imitating a vehicle on which a female character is on board). The movable body 40f for the effect can perform an effect accompanied by the operation of a tangible object in addition to the effect using the image by the liquid crystal display 42 and the effect by the light emitter. By the effect using these movable bodies 40f, it is possible to exert an appealing power different from the effect using the two-dimensional image.

Further, a ball guide passage 40d is formed on the left edge portion of the effect unit 40, and a rolling stage 40e is formed on the lower edge portion thereof. The ball guide passage 40d opens diagonally upward to the left in the game area 8a, and when a game ball flowing down in the game area 8a randomly flows into the ball guide passage 40d, it passes through the inside and rolls. It is released onto the stage 40e. The upper surface of the rolling stage 40e has a smooth curved surface, where the game ball can roll freely in the left-right direction. The game ball rolled on the rolling stage 40e eventually flows down into the lower game area 8a. A ball release path 40k is formed at the center position of the rolling stage 40e, and the game ball guided from the rolling stage 40e to the ball release path 40k easily flows into the middle start winning opening 26 directly below the ball release path 40e. ..

In addition, an out opening 32 is formed in the game area 8a, and the game balls that have not entered (winned) in various winning openings are finally collected to the back side of the game board unit 8 through the out opening 32. In addition, the game area includes the normal winning openings 22 and 24, the middle starting winning opening 26, the right starting winning opening 28a, the first variable winning device 30, the second variable winning device 31, and the game ball that has entered the out opening 19c. All the game balls driven into 8a are collected on the back side of the game board unit 8. The collected game balls are discharged from the back side of the pachinko machine 1 to the outside of the frame through an out-passage assembly (not shown), and further join the replenishment route of the island equipment (not shown).

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view showing a part of the game board unit 8 (lower left position in the window 4a). That is, the game board unit 8 is provided with, for example, a normal symbol display device 33 and a normal symbol operation memory lamp 33a at a lower left position in the window 4a, as well as a first special symbol display device 34 and a second special symbol display device 35. And a game state display device 38 is provided. Of these, the normal symbol display device 33, for example, alternately lights two lamps (LEDs) to display the normal symbol in a variable manner, and turns on or off the lamps to stop and display the normal symbol. The normal symbol operation storage lamp 33a displays 0 to 4 storage numbers by, for example, a combination of turning off, turning on, and blinking two lamps (LEDs). For example, in the display mode in which both of the two lamps are turned off, the number of stored items is 0, in the display mode in which one lamp is turned on, the number of stored items is displayed, and in the display mode in which the same one lamp is blinked. Two memorized numbers are displayed, three memorized numbers are displayed in the display mode in which one lamp is lit in addition to the blinking one lamp, and four memorized numbers are displayed in the display mode in which the two lamps are blinked together. The individual is displayed, and so on. Although two lamps (LEDs) are used here, four lamps (LEDs) may be used to form the normal symbol operation memory lamp 33a. In this case, the number of working memories can be displayed by the number of lamps that are lit.

The normal symbol operation memory lamp 33a changes to the display mode after being increased one by one in the sense that each time the game ball passes through the starting gate 20, it is memorized that the passage that triggers the operation lottery has occurred. Suddenly (up to 4), each time the fluctuation of the normal symbol is started with the passage as a trigger, the display mode is changed by 1 each. In the present embodiment, when the normal symbol operation storage lamp 33a is not lit (the number of stored items is 0), the game ball passes through the start gate 20 in a state where the normal symbol can already start changing (when the stop is displayed). However, the display mode does not change. That is, the number of storages (up to 4) represented by the display mode of the normal symbol operation storage lamp 33a represents the number of passages in which the fluctuation of the normal symbol has not yet started at that time.

Further, the first special symbol display device 34 and the second special symbol display device 35 each display, for example, a variable state and a stopped state of the corresponding first special symbol or the second special symbol by a 7-segment LED (with dots). (Design display means). The first special symbol display device 34 and the second special symbol display device 35 may have a form in which a plurality of dot LEDs are arranged geometrically (for example, in a circular shape).

Further, the first special symbol operation storage lamp 34a and the second special symbol operation storage lamp 35a are each 0 to 4 depending on the display mode composed of, for example, a combination of turning off or lighting the two lamps (LEDs) and blinking. (Memory number display means). For example, in the display mode in which both of the two lamps are turned off, the number of stored items is 0, in the display mode in which one lamp is turned on, the number of stored items is displayed, and in the display mode in which the same one lamp is blinked. Two memorized numbers are displayed, three memorized numbers are displayed in the display mode in which one lamp is lit in addition to the blinking one lamp, and four memorized numbers are displayed in the display mode in which the two lamps are blinked together. The individual is displayed, and so on.

The first special symbol operation memory lamp 34a is displayed after increasing by one in the sense that each time a game ball enters the middle start winning opening 26, the game ball enters the middle starting winning opening 26. It changes to the mode (up to 4), and each time the special symbol starts to change with the ball entering, the display mode changes to the reduced one by one. Further, the second special symbol operation memory lamp 35a is increased by one in the sense that each time a game ball enters the variable start winning device 28, the game ball enters the right start winning opening 28a. (Up to 4), and each time the special symbol starts to change with the ball entering, the display mode changes to the display mode after decreasing by one. In the present embodiment, when the first special symbol operation storage lamp 34a is not lit (the number of stored items is 0), the first special symbol is already in a state where the fluctuation can be started (when the stop is displayed), and the middle start winning opening 26 The display mode does not change even if the game ball enters the ball. Further, when the second special symbol operation memory lamp 35a is not lit (the number of stored items is 0), the game ball is inserted into the variable start winning device 28 in a state where the second special symbol can already start changing (when the stop is displayed). The display mode does not change even if the ball is used. That is, the number of storages (maximum of 4) represented by the display modes of the special symbol operation memory lamps 34a and 35a is that of the incoming ball for which the first special symbol or the second special symbol has not yet started to change. It represents the number of times.

Further, the game state display device 38 includes, for example, LEDs corresponding to the jackpot type display lamps 38a, 38b, 38c, the probability fluctuation state display lamp 38d, the time saving state display lamp 38e, and the launch position designation lamp 38f, respectively. In the present embodiment, the above-mentioned ordinary symbol display device 33, ordinary symbol operation storage lamp 33a, first special symbol display device 34, second special symbol display device 35, first special symbol operation storage lamp 34a, second special The symbol operation memory lamp 35a and the game status display device 38 are mounted on the game board unit 8 in a state of being mounted on one integrated display board 89.

[Control configuration]
Next, the configuration related to the control of the pachinko machine 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing various electronic devices mounted on the pachinko machine 1. The pachinko machine 1 includes a main control device 70 (main control computer) that is the center of control operation, and the main control device 70 mainly has a function of controlling the progress of the game in the pachinko machine 1. There is. The main control device 70 is built in the main control board unit 170.

Further, the main control device 70 is equipped with a circuit board (main control board) on which a main control CPU 72, which is a central arithmetic processing unit, is mounted, and the main control CPU 72 includes a ROM 74 and a RAM (main control board) together with a CPU core and registers (not shown). It is configured as an LSI in which semiconductor memories such as RWM) 76 are integrated. Further, the main controller 70 is equipped with a random number circuit 75, an interrupt controller (interrupt CTR) 192, a parallel I / O port 79, a timer circuit (PTC) 194, and a serial communication circuit (SCU) 196. Of these, the random number circuit 75 generates hardware random numbers (for example, 0 to 65535 in decimal notation) for the jackpot determination of the special symbol lottery and the hit determination of the normal symbol lottery, and the random numbers generated here are It is input to the main control CPU 72. Further, the interrupt controller 192 receives each interrupt request (XINT interrupt, PTC interrupt, SCU interrupt) from the parallel I / O port 79, the timer circuit 194, and the serial communication circuit 196, and receives these interrupt requests. Control based on priority. In addition, the main controller 70 is equipped with peripheral ICs such as a clock generation circuit (not shown), a reset controller that monitors various states and generates a reset as needed, and these are circuit boards together with the main control CPU 72. Implemented above. A signal transmission path, a power supply path, a control bus, and the like are formed as wiring patterns on the circuit board (or inner layer portion). The I / O port of the main control device 70 may be of a serial type.

The start gate 20 described above is integrally provided with a gate switch 78 for detecting the passage of the game ball. Further, the game board unit 8 has a middle start winning opening switch 80 and a right starting winning opening corresponding to the middle starting winning opening 26, the variable starting winning device 28, the first variable winning device 30, and the second variable winning device 31, respectively. A switch 82, a first count switch 84, and a second count switch 85 are provided. The starting winning opening switches 80 and 82 are for detecting the entry of a game ball into the middle starting winning opening 26 and the variable starting winning device 28 (right starting winning opening 28a). Further, the first count switch 84 is for detecting the entry of a game ball into the first variable winning device 30 (first large winning opening) and counting the number of balls. Further, the second count switch 85 is for detecting the entry of the game ball into the second variable winning device 31 (second large winning opening 31b) and counting the number of the game balls. Further, the probability variation region switch 95 is a switch for detecting that the game ball has passed through the probability variation region arranged inside the second variable winning device 31 (detection means).

Similarly, the game board unit 8 has a first winning opening switch 86 that detects the entry of a game ball into the ordinary winning opening 22, and a second winning opening switch that detects the entry of a game ball into the ordinary winning opening 24. It is equipped with 81. Regarding the three ordinary winning openings 22 on the left side, a configuration in which a common winning opening switch 86 is used is given as an example. For example, three winning opening switches are installed to play a game ball for each ordinary winning opening 22. The incoming ball may be detected individually.

In any case, the winning detection signals of these switches are input to the main control CPU 72 via an input / output driver (not shown). Due to the configuration of the game board unit 8, in the present embodiment, the gate switch 78, the first count switch 84, the second count switch 85, the first winning opening switch 86, the second winning opening switch 81, and the probability variation area switch 95 are used. The winning detection signal is transmitted via the panel relay terminal board 87, and the panel relay terminal board 87 is provided with a wiring pattern, connection terminals, and the like for relaying each winning detection signal.

The above-mentioned ordinary symbol display device 33, ordinary symbol operation memory lamp 33a, first special symbol display device 34, second special symbol display device 35, first special symbol operation memory lamp 34a, second special symbol operation memory lamp 35a, and game. The status display device 38 controls the display operation based on the control signal from the main control CPU 72. The main control CPU 72 outputs control signals for the display devices 33, 34, 35, 38 and the lamps 33a, 34a, 35a according to the progress of the game, and controls the lighting state of each LED. Further, these display devices 33, 34, 35, 38 and lamps 33a, 34a, 35a are installed in the game board unit 8 in a state of being mounted on one integrated display board 89 as described above, and the integrated display devices 33, 34, 35, 38 and lamps 33a, 34a, 35a are installed in the game board unit 8. A control signal is transmitted from the main control CPU 72 via the panel relay terminal board 87 to the display board 89.

Further, the game board unit 8 includes a variable start winning device 28, a first variable winning device 30, a second variable winning device 31, a normal electric accessory solenoid 88 corresponding to the upstream of the probability variation region, and a first large winning opening. A solenoid 90, a second winning opening solenoid 97, and a solenoid 99 for a probability variation region are provided. These solenoids 88, 90, 97, 99 operate (excite) based on the control signal from the main control CPU 72, and open and close the variable start winning device 28, the first variable winning device 30, and the second variable winning device 31, respectively (excited). (Operate) or move the blade member 31d for the probability variation region. The solenoids 88, 90, 97, and 99 are also relayed by the panel relay terminal plate 87, and control signals are transmitted from the main control CPU 72.

In addition, a glass frame opening switch 91 is installed in the integrated door unit 4, and a plastic frame opening switch 93 is installed in the inner frame assembly 7. When the integrated door unit 4 is independently opened, a contact signal from the glass frame opening switch 91 is input to the main control device 70 (main control CPU 72), and the inner frame assembly 7 is released from the outer frame unit 2. Then, the contact signal from the plastic frame release switch 93 is input to the main control device 70 (main control CPU 72). The main control CPU 72 can detect the open state of the integrated door unit 4 and the inner frame assembly 7 from these contact signals. When the main control CPU 72 detects the open state of the integrated door unit 4 and the inner frame assembly 7, the main control CPU 72 generates a door open information signal as an external information signal.

A payout control device 92 is mounted on the back side of the pachinko machine 1. The payout control device 92 (payout control computer) controls the operation of the payout device unit 172 described above. The payout control device 92 is equipped with a circuit board (payout control board) on which the payout control CPU 94 is mounted, and the payout control CPU 94 also includes semiconductor memories such as ROM 96 and RAM (RAM) 98 together with a CPU core (not shown). It is configured as an integrated LSI. The payout control device 92 (payout control CPU 94) controls the operation of the payout device unit 172 based on the prize ball instruction command from the main control CPU 72, and executes the payout operation of the requested number of game balls. The main control CPU 72 generates a prize ball information signal as an external information signal together with the prize ball instruction command.

A payout device board 100 is installed together with a payout motor 102 (for example, a stepping motor) in a prize ball case (not shown) of the payout device unit 172, and the payout device board 100 is provided with a drive circuit for the payout motor 102. There is. The payout device board 100 specifically controls the rotation angle of the payout motor 102 based on the payout number instruction signal from the payout control device 92 (payout control CPU 94), and pays the instructed number of game balls from the prize ball case. Let me put it out. The paid-out game ball is sent to the saucer unit 6 through the payout flow path in the flow path unit 173.

Further, for example, a payout path ball out switch 104 is installed at an upstream position of the prize ball case, and a payout counting switch 106 is installed at a downstream position of the payout motor 102. Each time the prize ball is actually paid out by driving the payout motor 102, a counting signal from the payout counting switch 106 is input to the payout device board 100. Further, when the ball is broken at the upstream position of the prize ball case, the contact signal from the payout path ball out switch 104 is input to the payout device board 100. The payout device board 100 transmits the input counting signal and contact signal to the payout control device 92 (payout control CPU 94). The payout control CPU 94 can detect the actual number of payouts and the out-of-ball state based on the signal received from the payout device board 100.

Further, in the pachinko machine 1, for example, a full tank switch 161 is installed inside the lower plate 6c (the position of the back when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 1). The prize balls (game balls) actually paid out are discharged to the upper plate 6b through the flow path unit 173, but when the upper plate 6b is full of game balls, the game balls paid out more than that are described above. It flows into the lower plate 6c as described above. Further, when the lower plate 6c is filled with the game balls, the full tank switch 161 is turned on, and the full tank detection signal is input to the payout control device 92 (payout control CPU 94). In response to this, the payout control CPU 94 temporarily suspends further prize ball operations even if it receives a prize ball instruction command from the main control CPU 72, and stores the remaining number of unpaid prize balls in the RAM 98. The memory of the RAM 98 can be backed up even when the power is turned off, and even if a power failure (including a momentary power failure) occurs during the game, the information on the remaining number of unpaid prize balls will not be lost. ..

Further, on the back side of the pachinko machine 1, a firing solenoid 110 is installed together with a firing control board 108. Further, a ball feed solenoid 111 is provided in the saucer unit 6. The launch control board 108, the launch solenoid 110, and the ball feed solenoid 111 constitute the launch control board set 174 described above. Among them, the launch control board 108 is provided with a drive circuit for the launch solenoid 110 and the ball feed solenoid 111. ing. Of these, the ball feed solenoid 111 performs an operation of feeding the game balls stored in the saucer unit 6 one by one to a predetermined launch position in the launcher case. Further, the launch solenoid 110 strikes the game balls sent to the launch position, and continuously (intermittently) launches the game balls one by one toward the game area 8a as described above. The firing interval of the game balls is, for example, an interval of about 0.6 seconds (within 100 balls in 1 minute).

On the other hand, the handle unit 16 located on the front side of the pachinko machine 1 is provided with a firing lever volume 112, a touch sensor 114, and a firing stop switch 116. Of these, the firing lever volume 112 generates an analog signal proportional to the amount of operation (so-called stroke) of the firing handle by the player. Further, the touch sensor 114 detects that the player's body is touching the handle unit 16 (launching handle) from the change in capacitance, and outputs the detection signal. Then, the launch stop switch 116 generates a launch stop signal (contact signal) according to the operation of the player.

A launch relay terminal plate 118 is installed in the saucer unit 6, and each signal from the launch lever volume 112, the touch sensor 114, and the launch stop switch 116 is transmitted to the launch control board 108 via the launch relay terminal plate 118. Will be done. Further, the drive signal from the launch control board 108 is applied to the ball feed solenoid 111 via the launch relay terminal plate 118. When the player operates the firing handle, an analog signal (which may be an encoded digital signal) is generated by the firing lever volume 112 according to the amount of operation, and the firing solenoid 110 is driven based on the signal at this time. As a result, the strength with which the game ball is launched is adjusted according to the amount of operation by the player. The drive circuit of the launch control board 108 stops driving the launch solenoid 110 when the detection signal from the touch sensor 114 is off (low level) or when the launch stop signal is input from the launch stop switch 116. To do. In addition to this, when the game ball rental device connection terminal board 120 is connected to the launch relay terminal board 118 and the CR unit is not connected to the game ball rental device connection terminal board 120, the launch control board is also used. The drive circuit of 108 stops driving the firing solenoid 110.

Further, the saucer unit 6 contains a frequency display board 122 and a lending / returning switch board 123. Of these, the frequency display board 122 is provided with a display (7-segment LED for 3 digits) of the frequency display unit. Further, a switch module connected to the ball lending button 10 and the return button 12 is mounted on the lending / returning switch board 123, and when the ball lending button 10 or the return button 12 is operated, the operation signal is lent out. And, it is transmitted from the return switch board 123 to the CR unit via the game ball rental device connection terminal board 120. Further, from the CR unit, a frequency signal representing the remaining frequency of the valuable medium is transmitted to the frequency display board 122 via the game ball or the like lending device connection terminal board 120. A display circuit (not shown) on the frequency display board 122 drives the display based on the frequency signal and numerically displays the remaining frequency of the valuable medium. Further, when the valuable medium is not loaded into the CR unit or the remaining frequency of the loaded valuable medium becomes 0, the display circuit of the frequency display board 122 drives the display to display a demo (valuable medium). It is also possible to perform a display prompting the input of.

Further, the pachinko machine 1 is provided with an effect control device 124 (effect control computer) as a control configuration. The effect control device 124 is provided at a position covered by the back cover unit 178 on the back side of the pachinko machine 1. The effect control device 124 controls the effect as the game progresses in the pachinko machine 1. The effect control device 124 is also equipped with an effect control CPU 126, which is a central arithmetic processing unit, on a circuit board (composite sub-control board). The effect control CPU 126 is configured as an LSI in which a semiconductor memory such as a RAM (RWM) 130 or an eRAM 131 is built in together with a CPU core (not shown). The effect control device 124 is equipped with various functions required to realize the effect in the pachinko machine 1. For example, a VDP 152 for drawing an effect screen reproduced on the screen of the liquid crystal display 42, a driver IC 132 for controlling devices such as lamps 46 to 52 that produce visual effects, a board lamp 53, and a movable motor 57. , A voice IC 134 for controlling the speakers 54, 55, 56 that output voice, and the like are provided. The internal functional configuration of the effect control device 124 will be described in detail later with reference to another figure.

The effect control device 124 and the main control device 70 are connected to each other via, for example, a communication harness (not shown). However, communication between them is performed in only one direction from the main control device 70 to the effect control device 124, and communication in the opposite direction is not performed. The communication harness adopts a parallel format according to the bus width of various effects commands (hereinafter, referred to as "effect commands") transmitted from the main control device 70 to the effect control device 124. Alternatively, the serial format may be adopted according to the hardware configuration of each driver (I / O).

In the present embodiment, the sub-connection board 136 is installed on the inner surface of the integrated door unit 4, and the drive signals from the driver IC 132 and the voice IC 134 pass through the sub-connection board 136 to various lamps 46 to 52 and the speakers 54, 55. It is applied to 56. Further, an effect changeover button 45 and a volume adjustment switch (not shown) are connected to the sub-connection board 136, and when the player operates the effect changeover button 45 and the volume adjustment switch, their contact signals are transmitted through the sub-connection board 136. It is input to the effect control device 124. Further, a jog dial 45a is connected to the sub-connection board 136, and when the player rotates the jog dial 45a, the rotation signal is input to the effect control device 124 through the sub-connection board 136. Although an example in which the effect switching button 45 and the jog dial 45a are connected to the sub-connection board 136 is given here, when the saucer illumination board is installed, the effect switching button 45 and the jog dial 45a are connected to the saucer illumination board. You may be.

In addition, a driver board 138 is installed on the game board unit 8, and a movable motor 57 is connected to the driver board 138 in addition to the board lamp 53. The movable body motor 57 drives the movable body 40f via, for example, a link mechanism (not shown). The drive signal from the driver IC 132 is applied to the board lamp 53 and the movable motor 57 via the driver board 138, respectively.

The liquid crystal display 42 is installed on the back side of the game board unit 8, and its display screen can be visually recognized through a substantially rectangular opening formed in the game board unit 8. Further, an inverter board 158 is installed on the back side of the game board unit 8, and the inverter board 158 generates an AC power supply applied to the backlight (for example, a cold cathode tube) of the liquid crystal display 42.

In addition, a power supply control unit 162 is mounted on the back side of the inner frame assembly 7. The power supply control unit 162 has a built-in switching power supply circuit, and when external power (for example, AC24V, etc.) is taken from the island equipment through the power cord 164, necessary power (for example, DC + 34V, + 12V, etc.) can be generated from the external power. The electric power generated by the power supply control unit 162 is distributed to the main control device 70, the payout control device 92, the effect control device 124, and the inverter board 158. Further, power is supplied to the launch control board 108 via the payout control device 92, and power is supplied to the CR unit via the game ball or the like rental device connection terminal board 120. The low-voltage power for logic (for example, DC + 5V) is generated by a power supply IC (3-terminal regulator or the like) built in each device. Further, as described above, the power supply control unit 162 is grounded (grounded) to the island equipment through the ground wire 166.

In addition to this, the power supply control unit 162 is provided with a RAM clear switch 163. The RAM clear switch 163 is a switch for performing RAM clear (initialization of the entire area excluding the use prohibited area of the RAM 76), and when the RAM clear switch 163 is operated when the power is turned on, the RAM clear signal is the main control device. It is input to 70 and the payout control device 92. The RAM clear switch may be provided in the main control device 70. Further, when the RAM clear signal is not input to the payout control device 92 and the main control device 70 receives the input of the RAM clear signal, the main control device 70 transmits a RAM clear command to the payout control device 92. May be good.

The external terminal board 160 is connected to the payout control device 92, and various external information signals generated by the main control device 70 (main control CPU 72) are external from the external terminal board 160 via the payout control device 92. It is output to. The main control device 70 (main control CPU 72) and the payout control device 92 (payout control CPU 94) can output an external information signal to the outside of the pachinko machine 1 through the external terminal board 160. The signals output from the external terminal board 160 are aggregated by, for example, a hall computer (not shown) in the amusement park. Although the configuration via the payout control device 92 is given as an example here, the configuration may be such that the external information signal is directly output from the main control device 70 to the external terminal board 160.

[Internal configuration of production control device]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal functional configuration of the effect control device 124.
As described above, the effect control device 124 has a role as an effect control processor that controls the effect as the game progresses. Therefore, in addition to the effect control CPU 126, the effect control device 124 is equipped with a control ROM 180 and a watchdog timer IC (WDTIC) 188, which are necessary for the effect control device 124 to function as the effect control processor. The control ROM 180 stores a basic program for controlling the effect. The effect control CPU 126 controls the effect by accessing the control ROM 180 via a CPU bus (not shown) and executing a program stored in the control ROM 180. The watchdog timer IC188 is a timer that monitors whether the control executed by the effect control device 124 is normally performed (whether the process is completed within the estimated time), and is connected to the reset terminal of the effect control CPU 126. There is. If the signal (clear pulse) for clearing the monitoring timer of the watchdog timer IC188 is not input within a predetermined time, the watchdog timer IC188 outputs a signal (reset pulse) for resetting and activating the effect control CPU 126. To do. As a result, the effect control device 124 is forcibly reset and activated.

In addition to these, the effect control device 124 has SRAM 182, which is a storage area for backup data, a crystal oscillator 181 that generates a clock signal of a predetermined frequency, and a real-time clock (RTC) 184 that manages time. , SRAM 182, a lithium battery 186 that supplies backup power to the real-time clock 184, peripheral ICs such as an input / output driver and a counter / timer circuit (not shown) are provided. The lithium battery 186 stores the electric power and charges itself while the driving electric power is being supplied from the power supply control unit 162 to the effect control device 124. The SRAM 182 and the real-time clock 184 are connected to the lithium battery 186, and can be driven by the lithium battery 186 when the supply of the driving power from the power supply control unit 162 to the effect control device 124 is cut off. Therefore, even if the power supply from the power supply control unit 162 is cut off, the SRAM 182 and the real-time clock 184 continue to operate for a period until the lithium battery 186 is depleted (for example, about one and a half months). The SRAM 182 can retain the stored information for a while even when the power is turned off.

The effect control program is configured to store information on security, monitoring, defects, and the like that should not be easily erased in the SRAM 182. As a result, for example, when some trouble occurs in the effect control device 124, the pachinko machine 1 is collected (or inspected in the installed state), and the information held in the SRAM 182 is analyzed to proceed with the investigation of the cause of the trouble. It becomes possible.

By the way, as described above, devices such as the liquid crystal display 42, various lamps 46 to 53, and speakers 54, 55, 56 are used for the effect control executed by the effect control CPU 126 according to the program stored in the control ROM 180. Includes control of the production that was there. The flow of this effect control can be roughly divided into two stages, "overall control (reproduction instruction)" and "individual control (reproduction control)". The effect control CPU 126 first receives an effect command transmitted from the main control device 70, and indirectly instructs each device to reproduce the effect according to the content of the effect command (overall control). Next, the effect control CPU 126 generates instruction data obtained by converting the instruction content into a more specific expression suitable for each device, and relays between the effect control CPU 126 and each device. Send to (individual control). As a result, each control device 134, 152, 198, 199 controls each device based on the instruction data, and the effect reproduction (screen display, voice output, lamp emission, movable body displacement) using each device in the pachinko machine 1 is performed. Etc.) are realized.

As described above, the effect control CPU 126 has different functions depending on the stage of the effect control, and these functions are realized by properly using the resources of the effect control CPU 126. At the stage of overall control, the effect control unit 210 in the effect control CPU 126 becomes the main operating body. Further, in the stage of individual control, the display control unit 220, the voice control unit 222, the lamp control unit 224, the motor control unit 226, or the sensor control unit 228 in the effect control CPU 126 are the main operating units according to the device to be controlled. It becomes. The effect control unit 210 may be configured to directly control the control devices 134, 152, 198, and 199.

The effect control device 124 functions as an effect control processor at the stage of overall control, whereas it functions as an effect reproduction processor at the stage of individual control. Therefore, in addition to the circuit board (effect display control board) and CGROM (image / audio ROM) 190 on which the VDP 152 is mounted, the effect control device 124 also includes an audio IC 134 for controlling various devices used for reproducing the effect. It is equipped with an LED driver 198, an SMC (serial control controller) 199, and a driver IC 132.

The CGROM 190 stores the drawing material (moving image data) constituting the effect screen and the audio material (audio data) output as the effect progresses in a state of being compressed by a predetermined compression algorithm. The CGROM 190 is connected to the VDP 152 and the voice IC 134 via a CG bus (not shown).

The VDP152 is a processor dedicated to drawing an effect image, and is integrated into one chip together with the effect control CPU 126. Further, the VDP 152 has a built-in VRAM 156 (video memory) mainly used when developing a drawing material, and a drawing material decoder 157 for decompressing (decoding) the drawn drawing material in a compressed state. The VDP 152 first analyzes the instruction content transmitted from the display control unit 220, reads the necessary drawing material from the CG ROM 190 via the CG bus, and transfers it to the VRAM 156. Then, the read drawing material is decoded by the drawing material decoder 157, the effect image is drawn on the VRAM 156, and the effect image is expanded in the frame buffer (video memory) for each frame (still image per unit time). By individually driving each pixel (full-color pixel) of the liquid crystal display 42 based on the image data buffered here, the reproduction of the effect screen is realized.

The audio IC 134 is a sound generator that generates sound effects such as sound effects and BGM that are reproduced during the execution of the production, and is connected to an amplifier, an external DRAM, or a CG bus (not shown). Further, the audio IC 134 has a built-in audio material decoder 135 that decompresses (decodes) the compressed audio material. The voice IC 134 first analyzes the instruction content transmitted from the voice control unit 222, and reads out the necessary voice material from the CGROM 190 via the CG bus. Then, the read audio material is decoded on the external DRAM using the audio material decoder 135. By outputting the decoded audio to the speakers 54 and 55 on the glass frame and the outer frame speaker 56 via the amplifier, stereo 2ch or monaural 2ch audio reproduction (may be a larger number of channels) is realized. Further, the voice IC 134 adjusts the output volume of each speaker 54, 55, 56 based on the contact signal input when the volume adjustment switch is operated.

The LED driver 198 controls a lighting pattern and a brightness pattern associated with the execution of the effects of the various lamps 46 to 53 provided on the front side of the pachinko machine 1. In the LED driver 198, an address designation synchronous serial system is adopted. The LED driver 198 first controls the lighting pattern and the brightness pattern based on the instruction content transmitted from the lamp control unit 224, and transfers the drive data corresponding to the control to the driver IC 132.

The SMC 199 controls the drive pattern of the movable body motor 57, which is a drive source for the movable body 40f for effect provided inside the effect unit 40. In SMC199, a clock synchronous serial system is adopted. The SMC 199 first generates a drive pattern based on the instruction content transmitted from the motor control unit 226, and transfers this to the driver IC 132. Although the SMC 199 is used only for generating the drive pattern of the motor here, since the SMC 199 can generate not only the motor but also the lighting pattern and the brightness pattern of the lamp, the SMC 199 is applied instead of the LED driver 198 described above. However, it is also possible that the SMC 199 is configured to generate data patterns for both lamps and motors.

The driver IC 132 controls the drive voltage applied to the lamp or the motor based on the drive data transferred from the LED driver 198 or the SMC 199. The driver IC 132 includes switching elements such as PWM (pulse width modulation) ICs and MOSFETs (not shown), and switches (or duty switches) the drive voltage applied to various lamps 46 to 53 and the movable motor 57. By managing the operation, the effect reproduction using the lamp and the movable body is realized. Of the various lamps 46 to 53, the board lamp 53 is an LED built in the effect unit 40, an LED built in the variable start winning device 28, the first variable winning device 30, the second variable winning device 31, and the like. It is equivalent. Further, although an example in which the glass frame decorative lamp 52 is connected to the sub-connection board 136 is given here, the saucer illumination board is installed in the saucer unit 6, and the saucer illumination board is attached to the glass frame decoration lamp 52. It may be configured to be connected to the driver IC 132 via the driver IC 132.

In addition to this, the driver IC 132 transfers the contact signal input when the effect switching button 45 or the jog dial 45a is operated to the effect control unit 210 via the sensor control unit 228. The effect control unit 210 appropriately changes the effect content to be reproduced based on the content of the transferred contact signal.

The above is a configuration example relating to the control of the pachinko machine 1. Subsequently, the control processing executed by the main control CPU 72 of the main control device 70 will be described.

[CPU initialization (main) processing in the main controller]
When the power is turned on to the pachinko machine 1, the main control CPU 72 starts the CPU initialization process in the main control device 70. The CPU initialization process restores the game state (so-called power recovery) based on the backup information saved when the power was cut off last time, or conversely clears the backup information to restore the initial state of the pachinko machine 1. It is a process for adjusting. Further, the CPU initialization process is positioned as a main process (main control program) for guaranteeing stable gaming operation of the pachinko machine 1 after adjusting the initial state.

7 and 8 are flowcharts showing a procedure example of the CPU initialization process. Hereinafter, the processing performed by the main control CPU 72 will be described step by step.

Step S100: The main control CPU 72 first sets the start address of the stack area in the stack pointer.

Step S102: Subsequently, the main control CPU 72 sets the interrupt vector table. In this process, the main control CPU 72 sets the address of the interrupt vector table in the I register (interrupt vector register) used for interrupt control. The interrupt vector table defines the priority required to control the interrupt request generated during the execution of the CPU initialization process, and the main control CPU 72 sets the priority defined in the interrupt vector table. Based on this, multiple interrupt requests will be executed in order. The control of the interrupt process will be described in detail later.

Step S104: The main control CPU 72 saves the RAM clear signal (input signal from the RAM clear switch 163). More specifically, the values of the input port into which the RAM clear signal is input are acquired twice in succession, and the logical sum of these values is saved as the input port value.

Step S106: The main control CPU 72 executes the standby process here. This process is for securing a certain amount of standby time (for example, about several thousand ms) after the power is turned on, and checking the power off warning signal (signal indicating that the power is being cut off) during that time. It is a thing. Specifically, when the main control CPU 72 sets the loop counter for the standby time, it bit-checks the input port of the power cutoff warning signal while decrementing the value of the loop counter. The power off warning signal is input by an IC that monitors the voltage level of the drive voltage. Then, if the input of the power cutoff warning signal is confirmed before the loop counter becomes 0, the main control CPU 72 restarts the process from the beginning. Thereby, for example, it is possible to protect the system when the operation of turning on and off the main power switch (not shown) is repeatedly performed within a short time (about 1 to 2 seconds).

Step S108: Next, the main control CPU 72 permits access to the work area of the RAM 76. Specifically, the RAM protect setting value of the work area is reset (00H). As a result, after that, access to the work area of the RAM 76 is permitted.

Step S110: The main control CPU 72 refers to the RAM clear signal by checking the specific bit of the input port value saved in the previous step S104, and confirms whether or not the RAM clear switch 163 has been operated (switch ON). To do. If the RAM clear switch 163 is not operated (No), step S112 is then executed.

Step S112: Next, the main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not the backup information is stored in the RAM 76, that is, whether or not the backup valid determination flag is set. If the backup is normally completed by the process executed at the time of the previous power cutoff and the backup valid determination flag (for example, "A5H") is set (Yes), then the main control CPU 72 executes step S114. The process executed when the power is cut off will be described later using another flowchart.

Step S114: The main control CPU 72 executes a thumb check for the backup information of the RAM 76. Specifically, the main control CPU 72 thumb-checks all areas of the RAM 76 work area (user work area including the prohibited area and the stack area) except for the backup validity determination flag and the thumb check buffer. If the result of the sum check is normal (Yes), then the main control CPU 72 executes step S116.

Step S116: The main control CPU 72 clears the stored contents of a part of the RAM 76. The partial area of the RAM 76 is a work area within a predetermined range based on the address of the backup valid determination flag to be cleared when the power is restored. By keeping the valid backup information saved while clearing the stored contents in this area as it is, the main control CPU 72 can restore the state when the power is cut off (memory restoration means).

Step S118: The main control CPU 72 should transmit a power return designation effect command (command to be transmitted to the effect control device 124) and a payout command (transmit to the payout control device 92) indicating that the main control CPU 72 has returned from the power cutoff and started. Command) is set.

On the other hand, when the RAM clear switch 163 is operated when the power is turned on (step S110: Yes), when the backup valid determination flag is not set (step S112: No), or the backup information is not normal. In the case (step S114: No), the main control CPU 72 shifts to step S120.

Step S120: The main control CPU 72 clears the stored contents other than the prohibited area of the RAM 76. As a result, the work area and the stack area of the RAM 76 are all initialized, and even if valid backup information is saved, the contents are erased.
Step S122: Further, the main control CPU 72 performs initial setting of the RAM 76.

Step S124: The main control CPU sets a RAM clear designated effect command (command for the effect control device 124) and a payout command (command for the payout control device 92) indicating that the RAM clear has been started.

Step S126: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes the payout control output process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 outputs the payout command (power recovery designation) set in step S118 or the payout command (RAM clear designation) set in step S124 to the payout command buffer.

Step S128: The main control CPU 72 executes the effect control output process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 first outputs the effect command (power recovery designation) set in step S118 or the effect command (RAM clear specification) set in step S124 to the effect command buffer. The main control CPU 72 further includes various other effect commands (for example, model designation command, special symbol probability state specification command, special symbol destination determination effect command, effect command when the number of operation memories increases, and decrease in the number of operation memories) required for the effect control. Set the time effect command, the number of times cut counter remaining number command, special game state specification command, launch position specification command, etc.) and output these to the effect command buffer. At this time, the main control CPU 72 sets different values for these effect commands when the power is restored and when the RAM is cleared.

For example, when the power is restored, the value of each effect command is set based on the backup information. By transmitting these effect commands to the effect control device 124 in the subsequent effect command transmission process (step S142), the effect control device 124 is in the effect state (for example, internal) that was being executed when the power was cut off last time. The probability state, the display mode of the effect symbol, the effect display mode of the number of working memories, the sound output content, the light emitting state of various lamps, etc.) can be restored.

Step S130: The main control CPU 72 executes input port processing. In this process, the main control CPU 72 acquires the contents of each input port and stores the result of performing a predetermined operation on the value in the state flag of each input port. When this process is completed, the main control CPU 72 then proceeds to step S131 (connection symbol A → A).

Step S131: The main control CPU 72 sets the main command permission signal to a specific bit of the output port. The main command permission signal is a signal indicating to the payout control device 92 that the main control device 70 permits the command transmission to itself. When the main command permission signal is input to the payout control device 92, the payout control device 92 receives the payout command permission signal to indicate to the main control device 70 that the payout command is permitted to be transmitted. It becomes.

Step S132: The main control CPU 72 resets (OFF) the specific bit of the output port to clear the emission permission signal (specific output information clearing means). The launch permission signal is included in the backup target when the power is cut off. Therefore, when the power of the main control device 70 (pachinko machine 1) is restored, the main control CPU 72 executes the flow of power restoration in the CPU initialization process, and the state of the main control device 70 when the power is cut off based on the backup information. (Step S116), but as part of that, the launch permission signal is also returned to the state when the power was cut off.

The emission permission signal is set in a specific bit (for example, bit 0) of the specific output port buffer (for example, the buffer for the output port 3) stored in the RAM 76. However, the address of the output port buffer targeted here is located in the address space of the RAM 76, which is outside the continuous area targeted for clearing in step S116. Therefore, if, as part of the process of step S116, an attempt is made to clear the value of the specific bit of the specific address in which the launch permission signal is set in addition to the area to be cleared, the specific address is specified and then the specific address is specified. , It is necessary to perform an exceptional process of clearing only the data of a specific bit out of the 8-bit data stored at that address and maintaining the data of the remaining 7 bits, which is a part of the RAM 76. The efficiency of the process of clearing the area becomes very poor. Under such circumstances, the main control CPU 72 handles the launch permission signal in the same manner as other backup target data without clearing the launch permission signal in the previous step S116, and temporarily returns to the state when the power is cut off.

However, at the stage where the backup information is returned in the main control device 70 (step S116), communication with the payout control device 92 has not yet been established, and is the payout control device 92 started normally (main control device 92)? It has not been confirmed whether or not the instruction by the command from 70 can be accepted. When the power is cut off while the launch permission signal is ON, the launch permission signal is returned to ON, and as a result, the game ball can be launched even though the normality of the payout control device 92 is unknown. A condition will occur. Here, tentatively, the payout control device 92 is replaced with a modified product (for example, one in which the number of prize balls is modified) that does not conform to the original inspection while the power is cut off, and the main control device 70 is changed by the subsequent power return. When activated, the launch permission signal is returned to ON, which makes it possible to launch the game ball. Such a state is not preferable from the viewpoint of security.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the launch permission signal is explicitly cleared once before the main control CPU 72 transitions to the main loop, regardless of whether the activation is performed by returning the power supply or the RAM clear designation (starting). (Reset to OFF). After that, the main control CPU 72 confirms that the payout command permission signal has been input from the payout control device 92 to the main control device 70, and then sends the payout command to the payout control device 92. The control that sets the launch permission signal to ON is adopted. By performing such control, even if the game is started (restarted) by the processing of the main loop, the launch of the game ball is not permitted unless the communication between the main control device 70 and the payout control device 92 is established. , It is possible to avoid the illegal launch of the game ball when the above-mentioned fraud is committed.

Step S133: The main control CPU 72 sets the timer interrupt cycle. More specifically, the main control CPU 72 sets a value corresponding to the timer interrupt cycle (for example, 4 ms) in the counter setting register of the timer circuit 194.
Step S134: The main control CPU 72 resets the interrupt daisy chain. More specifically, the main control CPU 72 executes the RETI instruction after backing up the start address of the main loop, which will be described later, as a preliminary preparation for the interrupt process. By performing this process, it is possible to normally start the interrupt process that occurs thereafter, and to continue the process from the main loop after the interrupt process is executed.

When the above procedure is executed in the CPU initialization process, the main control CPU 72 transitions to the main loop (steps S136 to S146 described below). As long as the power supply from the power control unit 162 is maintained, the main control CPU 72 repeatedly executes the main loop from beginning to end.

Step S136, Step S138: The main control CPU 72 prohibits interruption and then executes the initial value update random number update process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 increments random numbers for updating (changing) the initial values of various software random numbers. In the present embodiment, various random numbers other than the jackpot determination random number (hardware random number) and the hit determination random number (hardware random number) corresponding to the ordinary symbol (for example, jackpot symbol random number, reach determination random number, fluctuation pattern determination random number, etc.) Is generated on the program. These software random numbers are updated by the loop counter within a predetermined range in another timer interrupt process (step S212 in FIG. 11), but the initial values of the loop counter (all) are updated every time the random number value makes a round in this process. Random numbers do not have to be the target). The initial value update random number is used to randomly change the initial value, and in step S138, the initial value update random number is updated. It should be noted that the reason why the step S138 is executed after the interrupt is prohibited in the step S136 is that the same process is executed in another timer interrupt process (step S210 in FIG. 11), so that there is duplication (conflict) with this. ) To prevent. In the present embodiment, the big hit determination random number and the hit determination random number are hardware random numbers generated by the random number circuit 75, and the update cycle thereof is faster (for example, several μs) than the timer interrupt cycle (for example, several ms). Therefore, it is not necessary to update the initial values of the big hit determination random number and the hit determination random number. The timer interrupt process will be described later with reference to another drawing.

Step S140: The main control CPU 72 executes the reception command management process. In this process, the data received from the payout control device 92 is analyzed, and the process is performed according to the result. If the received command is a payout start specification command, the main control CPU 72 outputs a payout start confirmation specification command to the payout command buffer. If not, is the received data within a predetermined range (receive command)? If it is out of the range, the payout error specification command is output to the production command buffer, and the payout radio error flag is set according to the situation.

Step S142: The main control CPU 72 executes the effect command transmission process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 transmits each effect command output to the effect command buffer to the effect control device 124.

Step S144, Step S146: The main control CPU 72 permits interruption and executes other random number update processing. The random numbers updated by this process are random numbers (reach determination random numbers, fluctuation pattern determination random numbers, etc.) that are not related to the determination of the winning type (winning type) among the software random numbers. This process is performed in the remaining time when an interrupt request is generated during the execution of the main loop and the main control CPU 72 executes various interrupt processes. The content of the interrupt process will be described later using another flowchart.

[Evacuation processing when power is turned off]
Next, a process to be executed when a power cutoff (hereinafter, abbreviated as “power cutoff”) occurs will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for the evacuation process when the power is turned off. In the main controller 70, the occurrence of power failure and the occurrence of reset are monitored by the same monitoring IC (for example, an IC mounted on a reset controller (not shown)). This monitoring IC monitors the drive voltage supplied from the power supply control unit 162, and outputs a power supply cutoff warning signal to the XINT terminal of the parallel I / O port 79 when the voltage level falls below the reference voltage. The main control CPU 72 executes an evacuation process (XINT interrupt process, backup means) when the power is turned off, triggered by an input of a power cutoff warning signal to the XINT terminal (XINT interrupt). Hereinafter, each procedure of the evacuation process when the power is turned off will be described later.

Steps S150 and S152: The main control CPU 72 reads the power cutoff detection switch input port of the parallel I / O port 79, checks a specific bit, and confirms whether or not a power cutoff warning signal has been detected. If it cannot be confirmed that the power off warning signal has been detected (No), the main control CPU 72 permits interruption, ends the power off save process, and ends the main loop of the CPU initialization process (FIGS. 7 to 8) (FIGS. 7 to 8). Returns to the program address indicated by the stack pointer). On the other hand, when it is confirmed that the power cutoff warning signal has been detected (Yes), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to the next step S154.

Step S154: In addition to the output ports corresponding to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 88, the first special winning opening solenoid 90, the second special winning opening solenoid 97, and the solenoid 99 for the probability variation region, the main control CPU 72 controls test signal terminals and commands. Clear the output port buffer corresponding to the signal.

Step S156, Step S158: Next, the main control CPU 72 adds the entire contents of the work area of the RAM 76 excluding the backup validity determination flag and the thumb check buffer in 1-byte units, and repeats the addition for the entire area until the addition is completed. ..
Step S160: When the calculation of the sum for the entire area is completed (step S158: Yes), the main control CPU 72 saves the sum result value in the sum check buffer.

Step S162: Next, the main control CPU 72 stores a valid value in the backup valid determination flag area.
Step S164: Further, the main control CPU 72 stores “00H” indicating access prohibition in the protect value of the RAM 76, and prohibits access to the work area (including the prohibited area and the stack area) of the RAM 76.

Step S166: The main control CPU 72 sets a predetermined value for counting the number of checks of the power cutoff warning signal in the loop counter.
Step S168: The main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not the power cutoff warning signal has been detected. The method of confirming the power off warning signal is the same as the method in step S150 described above. When it is confirmed that the power cutoff warning signal has been detected (Yes), the main control CPU 72 returns to the previous step S166 again. On the other hand, if it cannot be confirmed that the power cutoff warning signal has been detected (No), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to the next step S170.

Step S170: The main control CPU 72 subtracts 1 from the value of the loop counter.
Step S172: The main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not the value of the loop counter is “0”. If it cannot be confirmed that the value of the loop counter is "0" (No), the main control CPU 72 returns to step S168. On the other hand, when it is confirmed that the value of the loop counter is "0" (Yes), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to step S174.
Step S174: The main control CPU 72 shifts from the power outage save process to the CPU initialization process (FIG. 7). At this time, since the RETI instruction is not executed before the transition to the CPU initialization process, the CPU initialization process can be started with other interrupts prohibited.

The processes of steps S166 to S172 described above are so-called standby processes (follow-up processes) executed in preparation for shutting off the power supply from the power supply control unit 162. If the power off warning signal is continuously detected, step S166 to step S168 are repeatedly executed, so that the loop counter does not become "0". Therefore, the standby state will be continued as long as the power supply is sustained. On the other hand, if the detection of the power off warning signal is temporary (for example, detection due to a momentary power failure or the like), steps S168 to S172 are repeatedly executed, and the loop counter is subtracted with the passage of time. Suddenly, when it becomes "0", the process shifts to the CPU initialization process. That is, the main control CPU 72 first calculates the checksum and saves the result before the power supply is completely cut off, and enters the standby state, and performs other processing in the situation where the power supply is being cut off. While the standby state is maintained without execution and the upcoming power supply is cut off in a safe state, the CPU is initialized in a situation where the stable power supply is restored after a temporary power failure occurs. Move to processing and restart main processing. By executing such a standby process, it is possible to guarantee a stable gaming operation of the main control device 70 and thus the pachinko machine 1.

When the power supply from the power supply control unit 162 is cut off, the power supply source to the main control device 70 is automatically switched to the backup power supply. Since the main control device 70 is supplied with backup power from a backup power supply circuit (for example, a circuit including a capacitive element mounted on the main control device 70) (for example, a circuit including a capacitance element mounted on the main control device 70) after a power failure occurs, the stored contents of the RAM 76 are stored. It is retained without disappearing even after the power is turned off. The backup power supply circuit may be built in, for example, the power supply control unit 162.

Through the above processing, all the information stored in the work area of the RAM 76, which is the backup target (sum addition target), is stored in the RAM 76 even after the power is turned off. Further, the retained memory is restored as backup information when a power failure occurs after confirming the normality of the checksum in the previous CPU initialization process (FIG. 7).

[Command reception interrupt processing]
Next, a process to be executed when a command is received from the payout control device 92 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure example of the command reception interrupt process. The payout control device 92 transmits a command for specifying payout activation indicating that the payout of the game ball has started to the main control device 70, and various devices (for example, for example) related to payout of the prize ball as the game progresses. The command transmitted from the payout device board 100, the full tank switch 161 and the like) to the main control device 70 is relayed and transmitted. These commands transmitted by the payout control device 92 are received by the receive data register of the specific channel of the serial communication circuit 196 of the main control device 70. The main control CPU 72 executes the command reception interrupt process (SCU interrupt process) triggered by this command reception (SCU interrupt process). Hereinafter, each procedure of the command reception interrupt processing will be described step by step.

Step S180: First, the main control CPU 72 saves the values of the A register (accumulator) and the F register (flag register) used during the execution of the main loop to the save area of the RAM 76. Another value can be written to each register after the value is saved in the process of data reception interrupt processing.

Step S182: Next, the main control CPU 72 checks a specific bit of the status register to confirm whether or not there is data in the reception data register (reception FIFO). When it is confirmed that there is data in the received data register (Yes), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to the next step S184. On the other hand, if it cannot be confirmed that there is data in the received data register (No), the main control CPU 72 executes step S186.
Step S184: The main control CPU 72 stores the contents of the data register in the receive command buffer.

Steps S186 and S188: The main control CPU 72 restores the values of the A and F registers saved in step S180 to each register, permits interrupts, and then ends the command reception interrupt process to perform the CPU initialization process. Return to the main loop (FIG. 8).

[Timer interrupt processing]
Next, the timer interrupt process will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure example of the timer interrupt process. The main control CPU 72 executes a timer interrupt process (PTC interrupt process) every predetermined time (for example, several ms) based on the interrupt request (PTC interrupt) output by the timer circuit 194. Hereinafter, each procedure of the timer interrupt process will be described later.

Step S200: First, the main control CPU 72 sets the values of the AF register (accumulator / flag register pair), BC, DE, and HL register (general purpose register pair) used during the execution of the main loop into the save area of the RAM 76. Evacuate. Another value can be written to each register after the value is saved in the process of timer interrupt processing.

Step S202: Next, the main control CPU 72 permits interruption. If the interrupt is permitted here, another interrupt can be generated while the next step or later of the timer interrupt process is being executed. As described above, multiple interrupts are permitted for the timer interrupt process. The interrupt controller 192 executes the reception of the interrupt request signal, the priority control of multiple interrupts, and the like. The interrupt management by the interrupt controller 192 will be described later.

Step S204: The main control CPU 72 executes the dynamic port output process. In this process, in order to control the lighting of each lamp mounted on the integrated display board 89 by the dynamic lighting method, port output is performed in common units. More specifically, after clearing the output port, the main control CPU 72 stores the contents output to the common output request buffer corresponding to the selected common in the output port.

Step S206: The main control CPU 72 executes the port input process. In this process, in order to accurately acquire the latest switch state based on the input port information, the main control CPU 72 logically ANDs the input values of various switch signals from the parallel I / O port 79 with the inversion result values of the previous input values. Is stored in the input port-on detection flag. As a result, it is possible to grasp the accurate input state based on the change from the previous time of various switch signals by the value (ON / OFF) of the input port on detection flag. Specific examples of the various switch signals include pass detection signals from the gate switch 78 and the probability variation region switch 95, a middle start winning opening switch 80, a right starting winning opening switch 82, a first count switch 84, and a second count switch. 85, a winning detection signal from the first winning opening switch 86, the second winning opening switch 81, and the like are included.

Step S208: The main control CPU 72 executes the timer update process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 subtracts and updates counters such as various timers for external information and timers for security signals, in addition to the timer for managing the game time and the closing time of the ordinary electric accessory.

Step S210: The main control CPU 72 also executes the initial value update random number update process. The content of the process is the same as that described in the process of the CPU initialization process (step S138 in FIG. 8).

Step S212: The main control CPU 72 executes the hit symbol random number update process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 updates the value of the counter for generating various random numbers for lottery of special symbols and ordinary symbols. The value of each counter is incremented in the counter area of the RAM 76, and each loops within a specified range. The various random numbers include, for example, a jackpot symbol random number and the like.

Step S214: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes switch input event processing. In this process, among the switch signals input in the previous port input process (step S206), the gate switch 78, the middle start winning opening switch 80, the right starting winning opening switch 82, the first count switch 84, and the second count switch 85 , The event that occurred during the game is determined based on the winning detection signals from the first winning opening switch 86 and the second winning opening switch 81, and another process is executed according to each occurrence of the event. The specific contents of the switch input event processing will be described later using a further flowchart.

In the present embodiment, when a winning detection signal (ON) is input from the middle start winning opening switch 80 or the right starting winning opening switch 82, the main control CPU 72 performs an internal lottery corresponding to the first special symbol or the second special symbol, respectively. It is determined that an event that triggers (lottery trigger) has occurred. Further, when the passage detection signal (ON) is input from the gate switch 78, the main control CPU 72 determines that an event that triggers a lottery corresponding to the normal symbol has occurred. When it is determined that any of the events has occurred, the main control CPU 72 executes processing according to each event. The process executed when the winning detection signal is input from the middle start winning opening switch 80 or the right starting winning opening switch 82 will be described later with reference to another flowchart.

Step S216, Step S218: The main control CPU 72 executes the special symbol game process and the normal symbol game process. These processes are for specifically advancing the game in the pachinko machine 1. Among them, in the special symbol game processing (step S216), the main control CPU 72 controls the execution of the internal lottery corresponding to the first special symbol or the second special symbol described above, or the first special symbol display device 34 and the first. 2. The variable display or stop display by the special symbol display device 35 is determined, and the operation of the first variable winning device 30 and the second variable winning device 31 is controlled according to the display result. The details of the special symbol game processing will be described later with reference to another flowchart.

Further, in the normal symbol game processing (step S218), the main control CPU 72 determines the variation display and the stop display by the normal symbol display device 33 described above, and operates the variable start winning device 28 according to the display result. To control. For example, the main control CPU 72 stores a random number (a random number determined per normal symbol) acquired in the previous switch input event process (step S214) triggered by the passage of the start gate 20, and is in the normal symbol game process. Reads a random number value from the memory and determines whether or not it falls within a predetermined hit range (operation lottery execution means). When the random value falls within the hit range, the normal symbol is fluctuated by the normal symbol display device 33, the normal symbol is stopped and displayed in a predetermined hit mode, and then the main control CPU 72 presses the normal electric accessory solenoid 88. The variable start winning device 28 is activated by excitation (movable piece operating means). On the other hand, if the random number value is out of the hit range, the main control CPU 72 performs a stop display of the normal symbol in an out-of-order manner after the fluctuation display.

Step S220: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes the state management process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 is recovered to an abnormal winning frequency (a state in which the number of balls entered into the middle starting winning opening 26 and the normal winning openings 22 and 24 is abnormally large) and a base abnormality (to the back side of the game board unit 8). The number of game balls, that is, the total number of prize balls in each of the winning openings 22, 24, 26, 28a, 30b, and 31b is larger than the number of game balls driven into the game area 8a). Check if a high condition has occurred. When an abnormal state is detected, the main control CPU 72 causes an abnormality by outputting a security signal to the hall computer of the amusement park and by transmitting a predetermined effect control command to the effect control device 124. Notify that.

Step S222: The main control CPU 72 executes the winning opening switch process. In this process, when each input port on detection flag stored based on the winning detection signals input from the various switches 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 86 in the previous port input process (step S206) is ON, The prize ball control counters for each target are added by 1 and updated.

Step S224: The main control CPU 72 executes the prize ball payout process. Although the detailed flow is not shown, in this process, the main control CPU 72 first checks whether the payout command buffer is not empty (whether the payout command to be transmitted is set), and is not empty (the payout command is not empty). If it is set), various payout commands output to the payout command buffer are transmitted to the payout control device 92. For example, the payout command indicating the start mode when the power is turned on is set in the process of CPU initialization (step S118 and step S124 in FIG. 7) and output to the payout command buffer (step S126 in FIG. 7). However, a payout command indicating this activation mode is sent here. On the other hand, if the payout command buffer is empty, the process proceeds to the process for instructing the payout of the prize ball. The main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not the prize ball control counter is 0, and if the prize ball control counter is not 0, the payout control device 92 issues a prize ball designation payout command indicating the number of prize balls corresponding to this counter. Send to. More specifically, the prize ball designation payout command corresponding to each prize ball control counter updated in the previous step S222 is transmitted here. To transmit the payout command, the payout command permission signal is input from the payout control device 92 to the main control device 70, and the number of payout commands set in the transmission data register (transmission FIFA) is a predetermined number. When less than (more specifically, when the payout command set in the transmission FIFA in step S224 executed before the previous time has been transmitted, or when the transmission FIFA is currently being transmitted and there is space in the transmission FIFA. ) Is executed only.

Further, particularly in step S224 at the time of turning on the power, when the payout command set in the process of CPU initialization processing is normally transmitted, the main control CPU 72 turns on the launch permission signal with this as an opportunity. Specifically, the main control CPU 72 clears the payout command buffer output when the power is turned on, and turns on the emission permission signal by setting a specific bit of the output port (specific output information setting means). As a result, the launch of the game ball is permitted after confirming the normal operation after the power is turned on, and the launch permission signal is sent to the launch control board 108 via the payout control device 92, so that the game ball can be launched. It becomes a state.

Further, the main control CPU 72 outputs a prize ball content command for transmitting the content of the number of prize balls to the effect control device 124 in the prize ball payout process. When a winning detection signal is input from the first count switch 84 or the second count switch 85 corresponding to the first variable winning device 30 or the second variable winning device 31, the first profit (for example, 15 game balls) is obtained. Generate the corresponding prize ball content command. Further, when the winning detection signal is input from the second winning opening switch 81 corresponding to the normal winning opening 24, the prize ball content command corresponding to the second profit (for example, 10 game balls) is generated. The prize ball content command is transmitted to the effect control device 124 in the effect command transmission process (step S142 in FIG. 8) in the main loop.

[About the number of prize balls and the number of game balls won]
The number of prize balls at the start port of the first special symbol and the number of prize balls at the start port of the second special symbol are set to a specified number of one or more, respectively. Further, the number of prize balls may be different between the starting port of the first special symbol and the starting port of the second special symbol. Furthermore, the minimum number of prize balls is set based on the winning probability of the special symbol and the expected value of the total number of game balls acquired (the average number of balls to be obtained in a series of periods from the first hit to the end of the time reduction state). You may. Furthermore, the winning probability of the special symbol, the expected value of the total number of game balls won, the number of opening of the big winning opening, the opening time of the big winning opening, the maximum number of winning of the big winning opening, the number of winning balls of the big winning opening are predetermined. If the conditions are met, a jackpot may be set in which the number of game balls acquired by one jackpot is less than 1/4 of the maximum number of acquired game balls.

Step S228: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes external information processing. In this process, the main control CPU 72 sends an external information signal (for example, prize ball information, door opening information, symbol confirmation count information, jackpot information, start port information, security signal, etc.) to the hall computer of the amusement park through the external terminal plate 160. Is stored in the port output request buffer.

In the present embodiment, among various external information signals, for example, by outputting "big hit 1" to "big hit 5" as big hit information to the outside, an external electronic device (data display) connected to the pachinko machine 1 It is possible to provide various jackpot information to a vessel or a hall computer (external information signal output means). That is, by outputting the jackpot information by dividing it into a plurality of "big hit 1" to "big hit 5", the jackpot type (winning type) can be aggregated and managed by a hall computer (not shown) from these combinations, or internally. Occurrence of small hits (hits where the condition device does not operate) that are not classified as "big hits" even if they recognize changes in the probability state (low probability state or high probability state) and the shortened state of the symbol fluctuation time Can be aggregated and managed. In addition, based on the jackpot information, for example, a data display device (not shown) counts and displays the number of jackpot occurrences within the past several business days for each pachinko machine 1, and recognizes whether or not each machine is currently hit. Or, it is possible to recognize whether or not the symbol fluctuation time is currently shortened for each machine. In this external information processing, the main control CPU 72 controls each output state (ON or OFF set) of "big hit 1" to "big hit 5" in detail.

Step S230: Further, the main control CPU 72 executes the test signal processing. In this process, the main control CPU 72 represents various internal states (for example, normal symbol game management state, special symbol game management state, launch position designation, big hit, probability fluctuation function operating, time shortening function operating). Generate test signals and store them in the port output request buffer. With this test signal, for example, the internal state of the main control CPU 72 can be tested outside the main control device 70.

Step S232: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes the display output management process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 has a normal symbol display device 33, a normal symbol operation storage lamp 33a, a first special symbol display device 34, a second special symbol display device 35, a first special symbol operation storage lamp 34a, and a second special symbol. Performs processing necessary for managing the lighting state of the working memory lamp 35a, the game status display device 38, and the like. Specifically, in a mode corresponding to the fluctuation display and stop display of the symbol determined in the special symbol game processing (step S216) and the normal symbol game processing (step S218), the operation memory number display, the game state display, and the like. The drive signal for lighting each lamp is stored as byte data in the port output request buffer for each common.

Here, the byte data stored in the port output request buffer for each common is sequentially stored in the output port one common at a time in the dynamic port output process (step S204) each time the timer interrupt process occurs. It is output. For example, in the timer interrupt process executed next time, the byte data stored for common 1 is output to the port, and in the timer interrupt process executed one after another, the byte data stored for common 2 is output to the port. , And so on, the byte data stored in the port output request buffer for each common is processed one by one in order. As a result, each lamp constituting a predetermined display mode (a mode in which a symbol variation display, a stop display, an operation memory number display, a game state display, etc.) is sequentially driven in a common unit, and lighting control is performed by a dynamic lighting method. Will be.

Step S234: Further, the main control CPU 72 executes the solenoid output management process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 drives each drive signal of the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 88, the first special winning opening solenoid 90, the second special winning opening solenoid 97, and the solenoid 99 for the probability variation region stored in the port output request buffer. , Test signals, etc. are also stored in the port output request buffer.

Step S236: The main control CPU 72 executes the port output process. In this process, the main control CPU 72 confirms whether a value is stored in each output buffer (port output request buffer), and if the value is stored, outputs the port. For example, the drive signals of the solenoids 88, 90, 97, and 99 stored in the port output request buffer in the previous step S234 are output to the port. In this case, each drive signal is transmitted to the corresponding solenoids 88, 90, 97, 99, and each solenoid can be made to operate according to the drive signal.

In the present embodiment, an example in which the processes (game control program module) of steps S216 to S236 are executed as a part of the timer interrupt process is given, but these processes are incorporated into the main loop of the CPU and executed. There are also known programming examples.

Step S238: The control CPU 72 returns the values of the HL, DE, BC, and AF registers saved in step S200 to each register, ends the timer interrupt processing, and enters the main loop of the CPU initialization processing (FIG. 8). Return.

[Interrupt management by interrupt controller]
As described above, in the effect control device 70, during the execution of the CPU initialization process (FIG. 7), which is the main control program, the parallel that is the source of the XINT interrupt (retract when the power is turned off (FIG. 9)). I / O port 79 output interrupt request), SCU interrupt (interrupt request output by the serial communication circuit 196 that is the source of the command reception interrupt process (FIG. 10)), PTC interrupt (timer interrupt) An interrupt request output by the timer circuit 194, which is the source of the interrupt process (FIG. 11), may occur. These interrupt requests are managed / controlled by the interrupt controller 192 mounted on the effect control device 70. The interrupt controller 192 permits the acceptance of the interrupt request by the interrupt permission instruction (EI instruction) of the main control CPU 72, and prohibits the acceptance of the interrupt request by the interrupt prohibition instruction (DI instruction), that is, so-called masqueradable interrupt. Is being controlled.

Since the XINT interrupt, the SCU interrupt, and the PTC interrupt are all generated based on independent factors that do not depend on each other, it is naturally possible that a plurality of interrupt requests occur at the same time. Therefore, the interrupt controller 192 controls each interrupt request according to a predetermined priority of the interrupt request in consideration of the importance of the interrupt process, the processing efficiency, and the like.

More specifically, the priority of the interrupt request (interrupt processing) is defined in the interrupt vector table, the priority of the XINT interrupt (evacuation processing when the power is turned off) is the lowest, and the SCU interrupt (command). The priority of reception interrupt processing) is set to the highest. By setting the interrupt vector table at the beginning of the CPU initialization process (step S102 in FIG. 7), the interrupt controller 192 can perform priority control of interrupt requests generated at subsequent timings. .. Actually, after the CPU initialization process transitions to the main loop (steps S136 to S146 in FIG. 8), from the time when the interrupt is permitted (step S144 in FIG. 8) until the interrupt is prohibited (FIG. 8). When any interrupt request occurs during step S136) in 8, the interrupt controller 192 controls the received interrupt request based on the priority set in the interrupt vector table. For example, when XINT interrupt and PTC interrupt are received at the same time, the higher priority PTC interrupt (timer interrupt process) is processed first. While the timer interrupt process is being executed, the XINT interrupt is in the interrupt wait state, and after the timer interrupt process is completed, the power outage save process is executed.

Further, when the procedure example of each interrupt process is reconfirmed, in the power failure save process (FIG. 9) and the command reception interrupt process (FIG. 10), immediately before returning from each interrupt process (RETI instruction). The interrupt is permitted for the first time (immediately before executing) (step S152 in FIG. 9 and step S188 in FIG. 10), whereas in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 11), the interrupt is interrupted at the beginning of the interrupt process. Interrupts are allowed (step S202 in FIG. 11), after which the main steps are performed. That is, the interrupt controller 192 (main control CPU 72) prohibits the execution of multiple interrupts during the execution of the power-off save process and the command reception interrupt process, while the interrupt controller 192 prohibits the execution of multiple interrupts during the execution of the timer interrupt process. Allows execution of interrupts.

By controlling the interrupt request based on the priority in this way, the interrupt controller 192 enables execution of multiple interrupts in the effect control device 70.

[Switch input event processing]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure example of the switch input event processing (step S214 in FIG. 11). Hereinafter, each procedure will be described step by step.

Step S10: The main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not a winning detection signal has been input (a lottery trigger has occurred) from the middle start winning opening switch 80 corresponding to the first special symbol. When the input of the winning detection signal is confirmed (Yes), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to the next step S12 to execute the first special symbol storage update process. The specific contents of the processing will be described later using another flowchart. On the other hand, if there is no input of the winning detection signal (No), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to step S14.

Step S14: Next, the main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not a winning detection signal has been input (a lottery trigger has occurred) from the right-starting winning opening switch 82 corresponding to the second special symbol. When the input of the winning detection signal is confirmed (Yes), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to the next step S16 to execute the second special symbol storage update process. Similarly, the specific contents of the processing will be described later with reference to another flowchart. On the other hand, if there is no input of the winning detection signal (No), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to step S18.

Step S18: The main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not the winning detection signal has been input from the first count switch 84 corresponding to the first major winning opening of the first variable winning device 30. When the input of the winning detection signal is confirmed (Yes), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to the next step S20 to execute the first large winning opening counting process. In the first big winning opening counting process, the main control CPU 72 counts the number of winning balls to the first variable winning device 30 for each round during the big hit game. On the other hand, if there is no input of the winning detection signal (No), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to step S21a.

Step S21a: The main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not the winning detection signal has been input from the second count switch 85 corresponding to the second major winning opening of the second variable winning device 31. When the input of the winning detection signal is confirmed (Yes), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to the next step S21b to execute the second major winning opening counting process. In the second big winning opening counting process, the main control CPU 72 counts the number of winning balls to the second variable winning device 31 during the big hit game. On the other hand, if there is no input of the winning detection signal (No), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to step S22.

Step S22: The main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not a passage detection signal has been input from the gate switch 78 corresponding to the normal symbol. When the input of the passage detection signal is confirmed (Yes), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to the next step S24 to execute the normal symbol storage update process. In the normal symbol memory update process, the main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not the current number of normal symbol operation memories is less than the upper limit (for example, 4), and if it does not reach the upper limit, acquires a random number per normal symbol. To do. Further, the main control CPU 72 increments the number of normal symbol operation memories by one. Then, the main control CPU 72 stores the acquired random number value per normal symbol in the random number storage area of the RAM 76. On the other hand, if there is no input of the winning detection signal (No), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to step S26.

Step S26: The main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not the detection signal is input from the probability change area switch 95 corresponding to the probability change area provided inside the second variable winning device 31. When the input of the detection signal is confirmed (Yes), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to the next step S28 to execute the process when passing through the probability variation region. As the process when passing through the probability variation area, the main control CPU 72 executes a process of setting the value (01H) of the probability variation function operation flag as the game state flag in the flag area of the RAM 76 (high probability state transition means, probability variation function operation means). , Advantageous game state transition means, special state transition means). This probability fluctuation function activation flag is reset when the special symbol fluctuates a predetermined number of times (170 times) without obtaining a winning result after the end of the big hit game. In addition, the main control CPU 72 generates a probability change area passage command as a process when passing through the probability change area. The probability change area passage command is transmitted to the effect control device 124 in the effect command transmission process (step S142 in FIG. 8). The main control CPU 72 may execute the probability variation region passage processing only within a specific effective time (for example, within the time during which the probability variation region solenoid 99 is operated during the jackpot game). On the other hand, when there is no input of the detection signal (No), the main control CPU 72 returns to the timer interrupt process (FIG. 11).

[1st special symbol memory update process]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure example of the first special symbol memory update process (step S12 in FIG. 12). Hereinafter, the procedure of the first special symbol memory update process will be described step by step.

Step S30: Here, first, the main control CPU 72 refers to the value of the first special symbol operation memory number counter, and confirms whether or not the operation memory number is less than the maximum value (for example, 4). The working memory number counter represents the number (number of sets) of the big hit determination random number, the big hit symbol random number, etc. stored in the random number storage area of the RAM 76. Here, the random number storage area of the RAM 76 is divided into eight sections (for example, 2 bytes each) commonly used in the first special symbol and the second special symbol, and each section contains a jackpot determined random number and a jackpot symbol. Random numbers can be stored one by one as a set. At this time, if the value of the working memory counter corresponding to the first special symbol reaches the maximum value (No), the main control CPU 72 returns to the switch input event processing (FIG. 12). On the other hand, if the value of the working memory counter is less than the maximum value (Yes), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to the next step S31.

Step S31: The main control CPU 72 adds one first special symbol operation memory number. The first special symbol operation storage number counter is stored in, for example, the operation storage number area of the RAM 76, and the main control CPU 72 increments (+1) the value. Based on the value of the counter added here, the lighting state of the first special symbol operation storage lamp 34a is controlled in the display output management process (step S232 in FIG. 11).

Step S32: Then, the main control CPU 72 acquires the jackpot determination random number value corresponding to the first special symbol from the random number generator 75 through the sampling circuit 77 (first lottery element acquisition means, lottery element acquisition means). The random number value is acquired by designating the pin address of the random number generator 75. When the main control CPU 72 performs 8-bit processing, the address is specified twice for each byte at the upper and lower levels. When the main control CPU 72 reads the jackpot determination random number value from the designated address, it saves this as the jackpot determination random number corresponding to the first special symbol at the transfer destination address.

Step S33: Next, the main control CPU 72 acquires the jackpot symbol random number value corresponding to the first special symbol from the jackpot symbol random number counter area of the RAM 76. The acquisition of this random number value is also performed by designating the address of the jackpot symbol random number counter area. When the main control CPU 72 reads the jackpot symbol random number value from the designated address, it saves this as a jackpot symbol random number corresponding to the first special symbol at the transfer destination address.

Step S34: Further, the main control CPU 72 sequentially acquires a reach determination random number and a variation pattern determination random number as random numbers related to the variation condition of the first special symbol from the variation random number counter area of the RAM 76 (acquisition of variation pattern determination element). Means, element acquisition means). Similarly, the acquisition of these random number values is performed by designating the address of the random number counter area for fluctuation. Then, when the main control CPU 72 acquires the reach determination random number and the variation pattern determination random number from the designated address, they save them at the transfer destination address.

Step S35: The main control CPU 72 transfers the saved jackpot determination random number, jackpot symbol random number, reach determination random number, and variation pattern determination random number to the random number storage area corresponding to the first special symbol, and transfers these random numbers to an empty section in the area. (Memory means, lottery element storage means). An order (for example, first to fourth) is set for the plurality of sections, and if all the first to fourth sections are empty at this stage, each random number is stored in order from the first section. Alternatively, if the first section is already filled and the other second to fourth sections are empty, each random number is stored in order from the second section. The random number storage area is read out in a FIFO (First In First Out) format.

Step S36: Next, the main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not the current special game management status (game state) is a big hit. If it is not during the jackpot (No), the main control CPU 72 executes the following steps S37 and S38. If the jackpot is in progress (Yes), the main control CPU 72 skips steps S37 and S38 and proceeds to step S38a. The reason why this determination is made in the present embodiment is that the pre-reading effect is not performed for the ball entering during the big hit.

Step S37: In a case other than during the jackpot (step S36: No), the main control CPU 72 executes the acquisition-time effect determination process for the first special symbol. In this process, the result of the internal lottery is determined in advance (before the start of fluctuation) based on the big hit determination random number and the big hit symbol random number of the first special symbol acquired in the previous steps S32 to S34, respectively, and the effect content is determined accordingly. It is for making a judgment (so-called "look-ahead"). The specific contents of the processing will be described later with reference to another flowchart.

Step S38: After returning from the acquisition-time effect determination process, the main control CPU 72 then sets the upper byte (for example, “B8H”) of the special figure destination determination effect command for the first special symbol. This high-order byte data describes that the command type is "for special figure destination determination effect regarding the first special symbol". Since the lower byte of the special figure destination determination effect command is set in the previous acquisition effect determination process (step S37), here, by synthesizing the upper byte with the lower byte, for example, a command having a length of one word. Will be generated.

Step S38a: Next, the main control CPU 72 sets an effect command when the number of operating memories increases with respect to the first special symbol. Specifically, the one-word length obtained by adding the increased working memory number (for example, "01H" to "04H") to the lower byte with respect to the preceding value (for example, "BBH") of the upper byte indicating the type of the command. Generate a production command. At this time, for the lower byte, by setting the second digit to "0" by default, the value indicates that the value is "the result (change information) due to the increase in the number of working memories". That is, if the lower byte is "01H", it means that the number of working memories this time is "01H" as a result of increasing by one from the number of working memories "00H" up to the previous time. Similarly, if the lower byte is "02H" to "04H", it is increased by one from the previous working memory numbers "01H" to "03H", and as a result, the working memory number this time is "02H" to "04H". It means that it became "04H". The preceding value "BBH" is a value indicating that the effect command this time is a working memory number command for the first special symbol.

Step S39: Then, the main control CPU 72 executes the effect command output setting process with respect to the first special symbol. This process is for transmitting the special figure destination determination effect command generated in step S38, the operation memory increase effect command generated in step S38a, and the start opening winning sound control command to the effect control device 124. It is a thing.
Then, when the above procedure is completed, the main control CPU 72 returns to the switch input event processing (FIG. 12).

[Second special symbol memory update process]
Next, FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a procedure example of the second special symbol memory update process (step S16 in FIG. 12). Hereinafter, the procedure of the second special symbol memory update process will be described step by step.

Step S40: The main control CPU 72 refers to the value of the second special symbol operation memory number counter, and confirms whether or not the operation memory number is less than the maximum value. Similarly to the above, the second special symbol operation storage number counter represents the number (number of sets) of the jackpot determination random number, the jackpot symbol random number, etc. stored in the random number storage area of the RAM 76. At this time, if the value of the second special symbol operation memory counter reaches the maximum value (for example, 4) (No), the main control CPU 72 returns to the switch input event processing (FIG. 12). On the other hand, if the value of the second special symbol operation memory counter is still less than the maximum value (Yes), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to the next step S41 or later.

Step S41: The main control CPU 72 adds one second special symbol operation memory number (increments the value of the second special symbol operation memory number counter). Similar to the previous step S31 (FIG. 13), the lighting state of the second special symbol operation memory lamp 35a is controlled in the display output management process (step S232 in FIG. 11) based on the value of the counter added here. Will be.

Step S42: Then, the main control CPU 72 acquires the jackpot determination random number value corresponding to the second special symbol from the random number generator 75 through the sampling circuit 77 (second lottery element acquisition means, lottery element acquisition means). The method of acquiring the random number value is the same as that of step S32 (FIG. 13) described above.

Step S43: Next, the main control CPU 72 acquires the jackpot symbol random number value corresponding to the second special symbol from the jackpot symbol random number counter area of the RAM 76. The method of acquiring the random number value is the same as that of step S33 (FIG. 13) described above.

Step S44: Further, the main control CPU 72 sequentially acquires the reach determination random number and the variation pattern determination random number related to the variation condition of the second special symbol from the variation random number counter area of the RAM 76 (variation pattern determination element acquisition means, element acquisition). means). The acquisition of these random numbers is also performed in the same manner as in step S34 (FIG. 13) described above.

Step S45: The main control CPU 72 transfers the saved jackpot determination random number, jackpot symbol random number, reach determination random number, and variation pattern determination random number to the random number storage area corresponding to the second special symbol, and transfers these random numbers to an empty section in the area. To memorize as a set (memory means). The storage method is the same as in step S35 (FIG. 13) described above.

Step S45a: Next, the main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not the current game management status (game state) is a big hit. Then, if it is not during the big hit (No), the main control CPU 72 executes the following steps S46 and S47. On the contrary, if the jackpot is in progress (Yes), the main control CPU 72 skips steps S46 and S47 and proceeds to step S48. The reason why this judgment is made in the present embodiment is that the effect of pre-reading is not performed for the incoming ball that also occurs during the big hit.

Step S46: When it is not during the jackpot (step S45a: No), the main control CPU 72 then executes the acquisition-time effect determination process for the second special symbol. In this process, the result of the internal lottery is determined in advance (before the start of fluctuation) based on the big hit determination random number and the big hit symbol random number of the second special symbol acquired in the previous steps S42 to S44, respectively, and the effect content is determined accordingly. It is for judging. The details of the specific processing will be described later.

Step S47: After returning from the acquisition-time effect determination process, the main control CPU 72 then sets the upper byte (for example, “B9H”) of the special figure destination determination effect command. This high-order byte data describes that the command type is "for special figure destination determination effect regarding the second special symbol". Similarly, since the lower byte of the special figure destination determination effect command is set in the previous acquisition effect determination process (step S46), here, for example, one word is combined with the lower byte. A long command will be generated.

Step S48: Next, the main control CPU 72 sets an effect command when the number of operating memories increases with respect to the second special symbol. Here, a one-word length production command in which the number of operating memories after the increase (for example, "01H" to "04H") is added to the lower byte with respect to the preceding value (for example, "BCH") of the upper byte indicating the type of the command. To generate. Similarly, for the second special symbol, by setting the second digit of the lower byte to "0" by default, it is possible to indicate that the value is "the result (change information) due to the increase in the number of working memories". it can. The preceding value "BCH" is a value indicating that the current effect command is a working memory number command for the second special symbol.

Step S49: Then, the main control CPU 72 executes the effect command output setting process with respect to the second special symbol. As a result, preparations are made for transmitting the special symbol destination determination effect command, the operation memory number increase effect command, the start opening winning sound control command, and the like to the effect control device 124 with respect to the second special symbol.
Then, when the above procedure is completed, the main control CPU 72 returns to the switch input event processing (FIG. 12).

[Production judgment processing at the time of acquisition]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a procedure example of the effect determination process at the time of acquisition. The main control CPU 72 executes this acquisition-time effect determination process in the first special symbol memory update process and the second special symbol memory update process (step S37 in FIG. 13 and step S46 in FIG. 14) (preliminary determination). means). As described above, this process is executed for each of the first special symbol (when the ball enters the middle start winning opening 26) and the second special symbol (when the ball enters the variable start winning device 28). Therefore, the following description may correspond to the process related to the first special symbol or the process related to the second special symbol. Hereinafter, the content of the process will be described according to each procedure.

Step S50: The main control CPU 72 sets the lower bytes (for example, “00H”) of the special figure destination determination effect command (first determination information). The byte data set here represents the standard value (at the time of deviation) of the command.

Step S52: Next, the main control CPU 72 loads the jackpot determination random number as the first determination random number value. The random number to be loaded here is stored in the RAM 76 in the first special symbol memory update process (step S35 in FIG. 13) or the second special symbol memory update process (step S45 in FIG. 14). ..

Step S54: Then, the main control CPU 72 determines whether or not the loaded random number is outside the range of the hit value (here, the lower limit value or less) (lottery result destination determination means, advance determination means). Specifically, the main control CPU 72 sets the comparison value (lower limit value) in the A register, and subtracts the loaded random number value from this comparison value. The comparison value (lower limit value) is predetermined according to the winning probability of the internal lottery in the pachinko machine 1. Next, the main control CPU 72 determines whether or not the calculation result is 0 or a positive value from the value of the flag register, for example. As a result, if the loaded random number is out of the range of the hit value (Yes), the main control CPU 72 proceeds to step S80.

Step S80: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes the deviation pattern information pre-determination process (variation pattern destination determination means). In this process, the main control CPU 72 generates a fluctuation pattern destination determination command for the fluctuation time at the time of disconnection. The fluctuation pattern destination determination command generated here reflects prior determination information regarding the fluctuation time (or fluctuation pattern number) when the "time reduction function" is activated. For example, if the current state is when the "time reduction function" is activated, the main control CPU 72 corresponds to the "out-of-reach variation (non-reduction variation time)" based on the loaded reach determination random number. Determine if it exists. As a result, when the fluctuation time corresponds to the "out-of-reach fluctuation (non-shortening fluctuation time)", the main control CPU 72 generates a fluctuation pattern destination determination command corresponding to the "time reduction / medium non-shortening fluctuation time". In the case of reach variation, the "reach group (type of reach)" may also be determined from the reach mode random number, and the variation pattern destination determination command may be generated from the result. On the other hand, when the fluctuation time does not correspond to the "out-of-reach fluctuation (non-shortening fluctuation time)", the main control CPU 72 generates a fluctuation pattern destination determination command corresponding to the "time reduction / medium reduction fluctuation time". Alternatively, if the current state is when the "time reduction function" is not operating (low probability state), the main control CPU 72 corresponds to the "normally out-of-reach fluctuation" based on the loaded reach determination random number. Judge whether or not. As a result, when the fluctuation time corresponds to the "normally out of reach fluctuation", the main control CPU 72 generates a fluctuation pattern destination determination command corresponding to the "normally out of reach fluctuation time". On the other hand, when the fluctuation time does not correspond to the "normal deviation reach fluctuation", the main control CPU 72 generates a fluctuation pattern destination determination command corresponding to the "normal deviation fluctuation time". Further, the fluctuation pattern destination determination command generated here is set in the transmission buffer in the effect command output setting process (steps S39 and S49). In this process, the main control CPU 72 may generate a variation pattern destination determination command for the variation pattern at the time of a small hit in the same manner as the above-described processing at the time of loss.

When the above procedure is executed, the main control CPU 72 ends the acquisition-time effect determination process after executing the determination result management process in step S82, and calls the caller's first special symbol memory update process (FIG. 13) or the second special symbol. The process returns to the memory update process (FIG. 14). On the other hand, in the determination in step S54 above, if the loaded random number is not outside the range of the hit value but within the range (step S54: No), the main control CPU 72 then proceeds to step S56.

Step S56: The main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not the probability state schedule flag based on the first determination result is set. The probability state schedule flag based on the pre-determination result is set when the winning value is among the jackpot determination random numbers stored so far, although the fluctuation has not been started yet. Specifically, if there is a winning value in the jackpot determination random numbers stored so far, and if the jackpot symbol random number that is paired with this corresponds to the "probability variation area passable symbol", the probability state is planned. For example, "A0H" is set in the flag. This value represents a flag value for setting a high probability state as a schedule in the preliminary determination (pre-reading determination) of the jackpot determination random number acquired after the jackpot determination random number. On the other hand, if there is a winning value in the jackpot determination random numbers stored so far, and the jackpot symbol random number paired with this random number corresponds to the "non-probability (normal) symbol", the probability state For example, "01H" is set in the schedule flag. This value represents a flag value for setting a normal (low) probability state as a schedule in the preliminary determination (pre-reading determination) of the jackpot determination random number acquired after the jackpot determination random number. If the winning value does not yet exist in the jackpot determination random numbers stored so far, the flag value is reset (00H). Further, the value of the probability state schedule flag is stored in the flag area of the RAM 76, for example. In addition, although an example in which the advance hit determination is strictly performed using the "probability state schedule flag" is given here, when the advance hit determination is simply performed based on the current probability state, this step S56 and subsequent steps. Step S58, step S60, step S62, step S76 and the like may be omitted.

If the probability state schedule flag is not yet set (step S56: No), the main control CPU 72 then executes step S66.

Step S66: In this case, the main control CPU 72 then sets the low probability (normal time) comparison value in the A register. The low-probability comparison value is also predetermined according to the low-probability winning probability of the pachinko machine 1.

Step S68: Next, the main control CPU 72 loads the “current probability state flag”. This probability state flag indicates whether or not the current internal state has a high probability (during probability change), and is stored in the flag area of the RAM 76. If the current probability state is high probability (during probability change), the value "01H" is set as the state flag, and if the current probability state is low probability (normal), the value of the state flag is reset ("00H"). ").

Step S70: Then, the main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not the loaded current special symbol probability state flag does not represent a high probability (≠ 01H), and as a result, if it represents a high probability (No). ), Then step S64 is executed.

Step S64: The main control CPU 72 sets a comparison value for high probability. As a result, the low-probability comparison value set in step S66 above is rewritten. The high-probability comparison value is predetermined according to the high-probability winning probability of the pachinko machine 1.

In this way, when the probability state schedule flag based on the previous determination result has not been set yet and the current internal state has a high probability, the comparison value is rewritten for the high probability time, and then the next step S72. Will be executed. On the other hand, when it is confirmed in the previous step S70 that the current probability state flag does not represent a high probability (Yes), the main control CPU 72 skips step S64 and executes the next step S72.

Step S72: The main control CPU 72 determines whether or not the random number loaded in the previous step S52 is out of the range of the winning value (lottery result destination determination means). That is, the main control CPU 72 subtracts the jackpot determination random number value from the comparison value set for each state. Then, the main control CPU 72 similarly determines from the value of the flag register whether or not the operation result is a negative value (<0), and as a result, if the loaded random number is out of the range of the hit value (Yes). ), The main control CPU 72 executes the deviation pattern information pre-determination process (step S80). On the other hand, if the loaded random number is not outside the range of the hit value but within the range (No), the main control CPU 72 then proceeds to step S74.

Step S74: The main control CPU 72 executes the jackpot symbol type determination process. This process is for determining the jackpot type (winning type) at that time based on the jackpot symbol random number that is paired with the jackpot determination random number. For example, the main control CPU 72 loads the jackpot symbol random numbers for each symbol stored in the first special symbol storage update process (step S35 in FIG. 13) or the second special symbol memory update process (step S45 in FIG. 14). Then, the calculation using the comparison value is executed in the same manner as in step S54, and from the result, it is determined whether the jackpot type corresponds to the “probability-changing region passable symbol” or the “probability-variable region passable symbol”. The main control CPU 72 stores the determination result at this time as a special symbol destination determination value, and proceeds to the next step S76.

Step S76: Then, the main control CPU 72 sets the value of the probability state schedule flag based on the first determination result. Specifically, when the special symbol destination determination value stored in the previous step S74 represents a “probability variation region passage difficult symbol”, the main control CPU 72 sets the value “01H” in the probability state schedule flag. On the other hand, when the special symbol destination determination value represents "probability variation region passable symbol", the main control CPU 72 sets the value "A0H" in the probability state schedule flag. As a result, in the next and subsequent processes, it is determined that "flag set has been completed" in step S56.

Step S78: The main control CPU 72 sets the special symbol destination determination value stored in the previous step S74 as a lower byte of the special symbol destination determination effect command. For the special symbol destination determination value, for example, "01H" is set when it corresponds to "a symbol which is difficult to pass through the probabilistic region", and "A0H" is set when it corresponds to "a symbol which can pass through the probabilistic region". In any case, by setting the data for the lower byte here, the standard lower byte data "00H" set in the previous step S50 is rewritten.

Step S79: Next, the main control CPU 72 executes the jackpot fluctuation pattern information pre-determination process (variation pattern destination determination means). In this process, the main control CPU 72 generates the above-mentioned fluctuation pattern destination determination command for the fluctuation time at the time of a big hit. The fluctuation pattern destination determination command generated here reflects, for example, prior determination information regarding the reach variation time (or variation pattern number) at the time of a big hit. Further, the fluctuation pattern destination determination command generated here is set in the transmission buffer in the effect command output setting process (steps S39 and S49).

The above is the procedure before the probability state schedule flag is set based on the first determination result (before the internal first hit). On the other hand, when the probability state schedule flag is set through the previous step S76, the following procedure is executed. However, when the advance hit determination is performed only by the current probability state, it is not necessary to execute the following steps S56, S58, step S60, step S62, and step S76.

Step S56: When the main control CPU 72 confirms that the value has already been set in the probability state schedule flag (Yes), the main control CPU 72 then executes step S58.

Step S58: The main control CPU 72 first sets the comparison value for low probability (normal time) in the A register.

Step S60: Next, the main control CPU 72 loads the “probability state schedule flag”. The probability state schedule flag is for setting the probability state in a planned manner in the subsequent subsequent determination based on the immediately preceding earlier determination result, and is stored in the flag area of the RAM 76. If the probability state based on the previous judgment result is scheduled to shift to a high probability (probability change), "A0H" is set as the value of the probability state schedule flag, and conversely, the probability state based on the previous judgment result is set. If is scheduled to return to a low probability (normal), "01H" is set as the value of the probability state schedule flag.

Step S62: Then, the main control CPU 72 confirms whether or not the loaded probability state schedule flag does not represent a high-probability schedule (≠ 01H), and as a result, if it represents a high-probability schedule (). No), then step S64 is executed, and the comparison value for high probability is set.

In this way, if the probability state schedule flag based on the first determination result is already set and the value is for a high probability, the comparison value is rewritten for the high probability time, and then the next step S72 or later. Will be executed. On the other hand, when it is confirmed in the previous step S62 that the probability state schedule flag does not represent a high-probability schedule but represents a normal (low) probability schedule (Yes), the main control CPU 72 steps. S64 is skipped and the next step S72 and subsequent steps are executed. As a result, in the present embodiment, the jackpot determination in advance can be performed in consideration of the subsequent changes in the internal state (normal probability state → high probability state, high probability state → normal probability state) based on the first determination result. ..

When the above procedure is completed, the main control CPU 72 returns to the first special symbol memory update process (FIG. 13) or the second special symbol memory update process (FIG. 14).

[Special symbol game processing]
Next, the details of the special symbol game process executed in the timer interrupt process (FIG. 11) will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a configuration example of the special symbol game processing. The special symbol game processing includes execution selection processing (step S1000), special symbol fluctuation pre-processing (step S2000), special symbol fluctuation processing (step S3000), special symbol stop display processing (step S4000), and variable winning device at the time of big hit. The configuration includes a group of subroutines (program modules) for the management process (step S5000) and the small hit variable winning device management process (step S6000). Hereinafter, the basic flow of the special symbol game processing will be described along with each processing.

Step S1000: In the execution selection process, the main control CPU 72 selects the jump destination of the process to be executed next (any of steps S2000 to S5000) from the “jump table”. For example, the main control CPU 72 sets the program address of the process to be executed next as the jump destination address, and sets the end of the special symbol game process in the stack pointer as the return destination address.

Which process is selected as the next jump destination depends on the progress of the processes performed so far (special symbol game management status). For example, if the special symbol has not yet started the variation display (special symbol game management status: 00H), the main control CPU 72 selects the special symbol variation preprocessing (step S2000) as the next jump destination. On the other hand, if the special symbol change preprocessing has already been completed (special symbol game management status: 01H), the main control CPU 72 selects the special symbol changing process (step S3000) as the next jump destination, and the special symbol is changing. If the processing is completed (special symbol game management status: 02H), the processing during display of special symbol stop display (step S4000) is selected as the next jump destination. In the present embodiment, the jump destination address is specified in the "jump table" to select the process, but apart from such a selection method, a "process flag", a "process selection flag", or the like is used. There is also a known programming example in which the CPU selects the process to be executed next. In such a programming example, the CPU performs each process as a whole, and in the first step thereof, the flag is referred to one by one for conditional branching (continuation / return). However, in the selection method of the present embodiment, the main control is performed. There is no need for the CPU 72 to call each process one by one.

Step S2000: In the special symbol variation preprocessing, the main control CPU 72 performs an operation of adjusting the conditions for starting the variation display of the special symbol. More specifically, the main control CPU 72 first reads out (consumes) the lottery random numbers (big hit determination random numbers, big hit symbol random numbers) stored in the random number storage area of the RAM 76 in order from the first section. , Move (shift) the remaining random numbers one by one to the previous section. In addition, the value of the working memory counter of the special symbol for which the lottery random number is read is subtracted by one. Then, an internal lottery is performed for this special symbol using the read random numbers, and the variation pattern and the stop symbol are determined according to the lottery result.

Step S3000: In the special symbol changing process, the main control CPU 72 controls the drive of the first special symbol display device 34 or the second special symbol display device 35 while counting the fluctuation timer. Specifically, an ON or OFF drive signal (1 byte data) is output for each segment and dot (No. 0 to No. 7) of the 7-segment LED. The pattern of the drive signal changes with the passage of time, thereby displaying the variation of the special symbol.

Step S4000: In the process during special symbol stop display, the main control CPU 72 controls the drive of the first special symbol display device 34 or the second special symbol display device 35. Here as well, an ON or OFF drive signal is output for each segment and dot of the 7-segment LED, but the pattern of the drive signal is constant, and a stop display of a special symbol is performed.

Step S5000: The jackpot variable winning device management process is selected when the special symbol is stopped and displayed in the jackpot mode in the previous special symbol stop display processing. When the special symbol is stopped and displayed in the form of a big hit, an opportunity occurs to shift from the normal state up to that point to the big hit gaming state (a special gaming state advantageous for the player). During the jackpot game, the jump destination is set in the jackpot variable winning device management process in the previous execution selection process (step S1000), and the variable display of the special symbol is not performed. In the jackpot variable winning device management process, until the first winning opening solenoid 90 or the second winning opening solenoid 97 counts the number of balls entered for a certain period of time (for example, 29 seconds or 0.1 seconds or 10 game balls). ), It is excited over a preset number of continuous operations (for example, 16 times), whereby the first variable winning device 30 and the second variable winning device 31 open and close in a predetermined pattern. During this period, by intensively winning the game balls to the first variable winning device 30 and the second variable winning device 31, the player is given an opportunity to collectively win a large number of prize balls (special game). Execution means). The opening / closing pattern of the first variable winning device 30 and the second variable winning device 31 is defined in advance according to the type of the first special symbol or the second special symbol (winning type, winning symbol) that is stopped and displayed at the time of winning. ing. Further, the opening and closing operation of the first variable winning device 30 and the second variable winning device 31 at the time of a big hit is referred to as "round", and if the number of continuous operations is 16 times in total, these are referred to as "16 rounds". May be generically referred to.

When the big winning opening opening pattern (number of rounds, number of opening / closing operations per round, opening time, etc.) is set in the jackpot variable winning device management process, the main control CPU 72 is the first variable winning device 30 or the first variable winning device 30 for one round. 2 The value of the round number counter is incremented by 1 each time the opening / closing operation of the variable winning device 31 is completed. The value of the round number counter is stored in the count area of the RAM 76, for example, with the initial value set to 0. Further, the main control CPU 72 generates a round number command indicating the value of the round number counter. The round number command is transmitted to the effect control device 124 in the effect command transmission process (step S142 in FIG. 8). When the value of the round number counter reaches the set number of continuous operations, the main control CPU 72 ends the jackpot game (major role) only for that round.

Then, when the big hit game is finished, the main control CPU 72 changes the state (high probability state, time shortened state) after the big hit game is finished based on the game state flag (probability fluctuation function operation flag, time reduction function operation flag) ( High probability time reduction state transition means, advantageous game state transition means, special state transition means). In the "high probability state", the probability fluctuation function is activated, and the winning probability in the internal lottery becomes, for example, about 10 times higher than usual (specific game state transition means, high probability state transition means, high probability state setting means). Further, in the "time reduction state", the time reduction function is activated, the operation lottery of the normal symbol is highly probable, the fluctuation time of the normal symbol is shortened, and the opening time of the variable start winning device 28 is extended. The number of times of opening increases (so-called electric chew support is performed). It should be noted that the "high probability state" and the "time reduction state" may be shifted to only one of them in terms of control, or may be shifted according to both of them.

Step S6000: The variable winning device management process at the time of a small hit is selected when the special symbol is stopped and displayed in the small hit mode in the previous process during the special symbol stop display. For example, when the special symbol is stopped and displayed in the mode of small hit, an opportunity occurs to shift from the normal state up to that point to the small hit game state. During the small hit game, the jump destination is set in the small hit variable winning device management process in the previous execution selection process (step S1000), and the variable display of the special symbol is not performed. In the small hit game, although the first variable winning device 30 opens and closes a predetermined number of times (for example, twice) in a predetermined opening time (for example, 0.1 seconds), most of the winnings in the first big winning opening occur. do not.

[Example of production image]
Next, the effect image actually displayed on the liquid crystal display 42 in the pachinko machine 1 will be described with some examples. As described above, when the big hit internal lottery is performed in the pachinko machine 1, the fluctuation pattern (variation time) is determined under the control of the main control CPU 72, and the fluctuation display by the first special symbol and the second special symbol is performed. (Design display means). However, since the first special symbol and the second special symbol itself are lit / blinking by the 7-segment LED, they lack the apparent appealing power. Therefore, in the pachinko machine 1, a variable display effect using an effect symbol is performed.

The effect symbols include, for example, a left effect symbol, a middle effect symbol, and a right effect symbol, which are displayed side by side on the screen of the liquid crystal display 42 (see FIG. 1). ). Each production pattern is, for example, a design of a picture card with a character attached to the numbers "1" to "9". Here, the left effect symbol, the middle effect symbol, and the right effect symbol all form a symbol sequence in which the numbers are arranged in descending order of "9" to "1". Such a symbol sequence is displayed in a variable manner so as to flow (scroll) in the vertical direction in each of the left area, the middle area, and the right area on the screen.

FIG. 17 is a continuous view showing an example of an effect image corresponding to the variable display and the stop display of the special symbol. It should be noted that here, regarding the fluctuation of the special symbol at the time of non-winning (missing), an example of the variation display effect and the stop display effect (result display effect) performed by using the effect symbol is shown. This variable display effect is performed between the time when the special symbol (here, the first special symbol is used, but the second special symbol may be used) starts the variable display and the time when the stop display (including the fixed stop) is performed. It corresponds to a series of productions. Further, the stop display effect is an effect of expressing the stop display of the special symbol and the result of the internal lottery at that time as a combination of the effect symbols. Here, first, before explaining the specific contents of the control process, the basic flow of the variation display effect and the stop display effect for each variation adopted in the present embodiment will be described.

[Before fluctuation display]
In FIG. 17 (A): For example, in a state before the first special symbol starts to fluctuate (a state in which the demonstration effect is not in progress), a large row of three effect symbols is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display 42. ing. At this time, the effect symbol is also stopped and displayed in accordance with the stop display of the first special symbol or the second special symbol.

[Memory display effect]
Further, in the pre-variation display area X1 at the lower part of the screen of the liquid crystal display 42, markers (reference numerals M1 and M2 are added in the drawings) indicating the operating memory numbers of the first special symbol and the second special symbol are displayed. ing. Each of the markers M1 and M2 represents the number of working memories of the first special symbol and the second special symbol (the number of displayed numbers of the first special symbol operating memory lamp 34a and the second special symbol operating memory lamp 35a). Therefore, the number of displayed items increases or decreases in accordance with the change in the number of working memories during the game.

Further, in the markers M1 and M2, the marker M1 corresponding to the first special symbol is displayed as, for example, a circle (○) in order to facilitate visual discrimination, and the marker M2 corresponding to the second special symbol is, for example, a heart. It is displayed as a figure of. In the illustrated example, all four markers M1 are lit and displayed to indicate that the number of working memories of the first special symbol is four, and all the markers M2 are hidden (indicated by a broken line). Indicates that the number of working memories of the second special symbol is 0 (memory display effect).

Further, during the variable display of the effect symbols, for example, the fourth symbol (reference numerals Z1 and Z2 are attached in the figure) is displayed on the upper right of the screen of the liquid crystal display 42. The fourth symbols Z1 and Z2 are "fourth effect symbols" following the left, middle, and right effect symbols, and are displayed in a variable manner in synchronization with the change display of the effect symbols. It should be noted that the fourth symbols Z1 and Z2 are merely colored simple marks (for example, a figure of "□"), and for example, a variable display can be expressed by changing the display color. The fourth symbol Z1 corresponds to the first special symbol, and the fourth symbol Z2 corresponds to the second special symbol.

Further, the fourth symbols Z1 and Z2 are stopped and displayed in a mode corresponding to the detachment (for example, a white display color). This is for objectively clarifying that the stop display effect is correctly performed and that the pachinko machine 1 is operating normally. Therefore, if the actual result of the internal lottery is not "missing" but any "big hit", the fourth symbols Z1 and Z2 are stopped and displayed in the corresponding modes (for example, blue display color, red display color, etc.). Will be done.

[Start of variable display production]
In FIG. 17 (B): For example, in synchronization with the start of fluctuation of the first special symbol, the variation display effect is started by scrolling and fluctuating the three symbol rows on the display screen of the liquid crystal display 42 (symbol effect). Execution means). That is, in synchronization with the start of fluctuation of the first special symbol, the row of the left effect symbol, the middle effect symbol, and the right effect symbol scrolls (flows) in the vertical direction on the display screen of the liquid crystal display 42 to display the variation. The production starts. Further, the markers M1 and M2 are displayed in the pre-variation display area X1 of the band-shaped portion in the lower portion of the liquid crystal display 42 before the start of the fluctuation, but are displayed in the lower left portion of the liquid crystal display 42 after the start of the fluctuation. It moves to the changing display area X2 by the pedestal image, and continues to be displayed until the change of the special symbol (effect symbol) is stopped and displayed (memory image display maintenance effect). In the figure, the variable display of the effect symbol is simply indicated by a downward arrow. In addition, during the variable display, each effect symbol is displayed in a transparent state (transparent display), so that the background image (background image) of the effect symbol is displayed in an easily visible state on the display screen at this time. Has been done.

The background image in this case represents, for example, a landscape in which a female character dressed in a yukata sits on a chaise longue and relaxes as if it were cool in the evening. Such a background image expresses that the stay mode in the production is, for example, a "normal mode". In the present embodiment, the "normal mode" corresponds to a normal state in which the time saving function is inactive and the probability variation function is also inactive. In addition to this, various modes are provided for the production, and background images with different landscapes and scenes are prepared for each mode (state display production execution means). The difference between these modes may correspond to an internal "time reduction state" or a "high probability state". Although not particularly shown here, the advance notice effect may be performed by displaying an image of a character, an item, or the like on the display screen, for example.

Further, during the variable display of the effect symbol, the fourth symbol Z1 is variablely displayed on the upper right of the screen of the liquid crystal display 42, and the fourth symbol Z1 expresses the variable display by changing the display color.

[Stop the left symbol]
In FIG. 17 (C): For example, when a certain amount of time (about half of the fluctuation time) elapses, the left effect symbol first stops fluctuating. In this example, it means that the effect symbol representing the number "8" has stopped at the left side position of the screen. Note that the background image is not shown here (the same applies thereafter).

[Example of production when the number of working memories decreases]
Here, as shown in FIG. 17 (B) above, the number of working memories of the first special symbol decreases by one as the fluctuation starts, so that the number of markers M1 displayed is increased accordingly. It has been reduced by one. For example, if there are four working memory numbers by then, only one of the earliest (oldest) stored number displays in the marker M1 is moved to the changing display area X2, and the effect consumed by the internal lottery is also combined. Will be done. As a result, it is possible to teach the player that the working memory number has been consumed for the first special symbol in terms of production.

Then, in the example of FIG. 17 (C), the marker M1 at the head in the storage order moves to the changing display area X2, so that the remaining three displays in the pre-changing display area X1 are displayed. The three markers M1 remaining on the screen are shifted in one direction (to the left in this case) by one each. As a result, the context of the change in the number of working memories is accurately expressed in the production, and the player is told that "the working memory is consumed and reduced by one" and "the working memory is consumed and the special symbol is displayed." Can be taught intuitively and in an easy-to-understand manner.

[Video A]
Further, in the illustrated example, as the moving image A, a moving image of a bird flying from the left side of the screen to the right side of the screen is displayed.

[Right production pattern stop]
In FIG. 17 (D): Following the left effect symbol, the right effect symbol stops changing. In this example, it means that the effect symbol representing the number "3" has stopped at the middle position of the screen. Since it has already been confirmed that the reach state does not occur at this point, it is almost clear from the appearance that this fluctuation is a non-reach (normal) fluctuation. Here, reach fluctuations due to slip patterns, etc. are excluded. The "slip pattern" is, for example, once the production symbol representing the number "7" is stopped, then the symbol row slides by one symbol and the production symbol representing the number "8" is stopped, thereby developing into reach. It is to do. Alternatively, once the effect symbol representing the number "9" is stopped, the effect symbol representing the number "8" is stopped by sliding the symbol sequence in the opposite direction by one symbol, and as a result, a pattern that develops into reach is also possible. is there. In addition, when a character appears on the screen and the right effect symbol sequence is changed again after the effect symbol representing a completely distant number such as "5" is temporarily stopped, the number "8" is displayed. There is also a pattern in which the production pattern stops and develops into reach.

[Video B]
Further, in the illustrated example, as the moving image B, a moving image in which stars fly from the upper side of the screen to the lower side of the screen is displayed.

[Stop display effect]
In FIG. 17 (E): The last middle effect symbol is stopped in synchronization with the stop display of the first special symbol. If the result of this internal lottery is non-winning and the first special symbol is stopped and displayed in the non-winning (missing) mode, the production symbol is also stopped and displayed in the non-winning (missing) mode. Will be That is, in the illustrated example, it means that the effect symbol representing the number "1" has stopped at the middle position of the screen. In this case, the combination of the effect symbols is "8"-"1"-"3". Since it is an outlier, it is expressed in the production that this change corresponds to the usual "outlier". At this time, the fourth symbol Z1 is stopped and displayed in a mode corresponding to the detachment (for example, a white display color).

Further, when the stop display effect is performed, the marker M1 that has moved to the changing display area X2 and continued to display is also hidden. Therefore, it is possible to intuitively and easily teach the player that "the change of the special symbol has been completed".

The above is an example of a variable display effect and a stop display effect (at the time of non-winning) performed by using the effect symbol for each change. Through such an effect, the player can have a sense of expectation for winning, and finally, the result of the internal lottery can be clearly taught in the effect.

Further, although the above-mentioned example is for a non-winning case, at the time of a big hit (winning), after the reach effect is executed during the variable display effect, the effect symbol is stopped and displayed in the mode of the big hit in the stop display effect. At this time, the stop display mode of the effect symbol basically corresponds to the winning symbol (stop display mode of the first special symbol display device 34 or the second special symbol display device 35) internally selected by the main control CPU 72. Is selected.

[Example of production at the time of big hit]
FIG. 18 is a continuous diagram showing the flow of the reach effect (super reach effect) executed at the time of a big hit (winning). Here, in addition to the reach effect, a variable display effect, a stop display effect, and a notice effect are included. In addition, an example of the advance notice effect (pre-reach advance notice effect, post-reach advance notice effect) executed during the variable display effect will be described.

In the following reach effect, for example, after the first special symbol display device 34 performs the fluctuation display according to the fluctuation pattern at the time of the jackpot, the first special symbol is the mode of the jackpot (for example, "self", "yo" of the 7-segment LED. , "Mouth", "Snake", "F", "E", "L", "Γ", etc.) is executed until it is stopped and displayed (reach effect execution means). In FIG. 18, each effect symbol is shown simply by a number. Further, the markers M1 and M2, the fourth symbols Z1 and Z2, the pre-variation display area X1 and the in-variation display area X2 are not shown (the same applies to the following drawings). Hereinafter, the explanation will be given along with the flow of the production.

[Variable display effect]
In FIG. 18 (A): For example, in substantially synchronization with the start of fluctuation of the first special symbol, the rows of the left effect symbol, the middle effect symbol, and the right effect symbol are arranged in the vertical direction (for example, from above) on the screen of the liquid crystal display 42. The variable display effect is started by scrolling to the bottom).

[Preliminary notice before reach occurs (1st stage)]
In FIG. 18 (B): Next, in the relatively early stage of the variable display effect, the first stage pre-reach advance notice effect using the character's picture image (picture card) is performed. This pre-reach advance notice effect is a notice effect in which the mode changes stepwise from the first stage to a plurality of stages (for example, the second to fifth stages) according to a predetermined order. The pattern image used in this pre-reach advance notice effect is located in front of the effect pattern that is variablely displayed on the screen, and is displayed so as to appear from the left edge of the screen, for example (other modes of appearance). It may be.). In addition, the "pre-reach notice" here means to give a notice of the possibility of reach or the possibility of a big hit before any of the effect symbols is stopped and displayed. By executing such a "pre-reach advance notice effect", it is possible to obtain an effect that gives the player a sense of expectation that "it may develop into reach = the possibility of a big hit increases".

[Pre-reach notice production (second stage)]
In FIG. 18 (C): After the first stage mode of the pre-reach advance notice effect is executed, the change of the pre-reach advance notice effect mode is subsequently advanced to the second stage. Here, as the second stage notice effect before the occurrence of reach, an effect using a picture image of a character different from the previous one is performed. Specifically, another picture image additionally appears from the right edge of the screen, and is displayed so as to overlap the front of the previously displayed picture image. Further, the pattern image displayed at this time is larger in size than the previously displayed pattern image. Then, the character represented by the picture image emits a line (for example, "become a reach"), which is also produced by acoustic output.

The pre-reach advance notice effect (second stage) using such a second pattern image goes one step further from the pre-reach advance notice effect (first stage) performed in FIG. 18 (B) above. It's an advanced type. The mode of "pre-reach notice production" that develops in this way is generally referred to as "step-up notice" or the like. Here, an example is given in which the second-stage pattern image appears in the pre-reach advance notice effect, but in an effect mode in which the third-stage, fourth-stage, and fifth-stage pattern images appear one after another and are displayed. There may be. Further, for example, each time the third-stage, fourth-stage, and fifth-stage picture images appear and are displayed one after another, the size may be expanded. Even at this stage, the variable display of the effect pattern is continued. In any case, it is possible to suggest to the player that there is a high possibility (expectation) of a big hit due to this change by advancing the change of the mode of the pre-reach advance notice effect to more stages. (For example, progressing to the 5th stage suggests the maximum degree of expectation.)

[Stop of left effect design]
In FIG. 18 (D): The variable display of the left effect symbol is stopped in the middle of the variable display effect. At this point, the effect symbol representing the number "5" is stopped at the position on the left side of the screen.

[Occurrence of reach state]
In FIG. 18 (E): Then, following the left effect symbol, for example, the variable display of the right effect symbol is stopped. At this point, since the effect symbol representing the number "5" is stopped at the position on the right side of the screen, the reach state of "5"-"changing"-"5" has occurred. Then, an image emphasizing one line in the reach state is also displayed on the screen. In addition, a production such as "reach!" Is output at the same time.

After the reach state occurs, the reach effect at the time of winning is executed (however, the result of winning has not been displayed yet at this point). In the reach effect, only the effect symbols corresponding to the tempered numbers (here, "5") are displayed on the screen, and the others are not displayed. At this time, the effect symbols may be displayed in a reduced state at each of the four corners of the screen.

[Notice production after reach occurs (1st time)]
In FIG. 18 (F): After a while after the reach state occurs, for example, a post-reach notice effect (first time) is performed in which images representing "heart" figures form a group and pass diagonally on the screen. .. In this case, since the image of the "heart group" is suddenly displayed on the screen as if flowing, it is possible to enhance the visual appeal to the player. By executing the advance notice effect after the occurrence of such a visually lively reach notice, it is possible to obtain an effect of giving the player a greater sense of expectation.

[Progress of reach production]
In FIG. 18 (G): Following the advance notice effect after the first reach occurs, for example, images representing the numbers "2" to "6" are displayed on the screen in a state of forming a three-dimensional column, and the columns are displayed. From the beginning (front), the images of numbers are erased from the screen in the order of "2", "3", "4", and so on. Such an effect is also performed for the purpose of suggesting (implying) or reminding the player that the number "5" is a "big hit" if it remains unerased until the end. Further, when the number "4" is erased and "5" remains in front of the screen, it means a "big hit", and when the number "5" is also erased, it means "off". In the case of deviation, for example, the number "6" is displayed on the screen after the number "5" is erased. Therefore, during this period, as the images are erased in the order of the numbers "2", "3", and "4", the player's sense of tension and expectation also increases. Then, if the number "4" is actually erased on the screen and the production progresses with the number "5" remaining on the screen, the possibility of a "big hit" increases, so the player feels nervous. Also increases at once.

[Notice production after reach occurs (second time)]
In FIG. 18 (H): When the reach production is approaching the final stage, the image of the character is suddenly displayed on the screen as if it were split into a large copy, and the character utters some kind of dialogue (or silently). After the reach occurs, a notice production (second time) will be performed. At this point, for example, the content of the reach effect is that "if the number" 5 "remains unerased, the possibility of a big hit of" 5 "-" 5 "-" 5 "increases". Therefore, by making a large image of the character appear at this timing, it is possible to obtain an effect that gives the player a sense of expectation that "it may be a big hit".

As a reach effect different from the above, for example, there is a development that "the numbers" 2 "to" 4 "are erased, and if the number" 5 "is left unerased at the end, it becomes a big hit". When the image of the character appears at such a timing, the effect of giving the player a sense of expectation that "the big hit may finally be near" can be obtained.

[Stop display effect]
In FIG. 18 (I): Then, the final middle effect symbol stops. In this example, by displaying the effect symbol representing "5" in the center of the screen, it is possible to convey to the player that it is a big hit.

In FIG. 18 (J): Then, for example, the stop display effect as the effect symbol is performed substantially in synchronization with the stop display of the first special symbol. The stop display effect of the effect symbol is performed, for example, in a state where the left, middle, and right effect symbols are restored to their initial sizes. By performing such a stop display effect, it is possible to teach the player that the final winning type has been determined in the effect. Conversely, by performing an unclear stop display effect on the effect, it is possible to keep the player from not disclosing to the player which winning symbol was won.

If the result of the internal lottery is non-winning, the first special symbol, which is the subject of this change, is stopped and displayed as a missed symbol, so that the effect symbol is also stopped and displayed in the same manner. In this case, by displaying numbers "4" and "6" other than "5" in the center of the screen, unfortunately, an effect is performed to inform that the change did not result in a big hit. It should be noted that such an effect is executed as an "outlier reach effect".

Next, an example of a control method for concretely realizing the above effect will be described. The above-mentioned variable display effect, reach effect, notice effect, memory display effect, and large-feature effect during the jackpot game are all controlled through the control process executed by the effect control device 124.

[CPU initialization process (main) process in the effect control device]
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a procedure example of the CPU initialization process executed by the effect control device 124. FIG. 19A shows the entire CPU initialization process, and FIG. 19B shows the process executed in the main loop among the CPU initialization processes.

The CPU initialization process is a process for adjusting the initial state of the pachinko machine 1 by clearing various information in the effect control device 124, and more specifically, when the effect control device 124 is started (more specifically, to the pachinko machine 1). It is executed by the effect control CPU 126 when the power is turned on, or when the effect control device 124 is restarted for some reason). By executing the CPU initialization process, the realization of a stable effect in the pachinko machine 1 is guaranteed.

FIG. 19A is a flowchart showing a procedure example of the CPU initialization process executed by the effect control device 124. Hereinafter, the processing executed by the effect control CPU 126 will be described step by step.

Step S300: The effect control CPU 126 releases the reset of the CPU. In order to guarantee the normal operation of the effect control device 124, the effect control CPU 126 resets the CPU after the power is turned on to the effect control device 124 until the output voltage rises normally to the operation guarantee level and the peripheral circuits are stabilized. During that time, the reset state is continued. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the program from operating in a state where the effect control device 124 is not stable. When the reset of the CPU is released, the execution of the control program in the effect control device 124 is started with this as an opportunity.

Step S310: The effect control CPU 126 executes the system initialization process. In the system initialization process, initial settings related to hardware, system operation settings, and the like are performed as initial settings required before various interrupt processes corresponding to the substance of the effect control are started. In the system initialization process, for example, in addition to the settings related to access to each register and I / O port of the effect control CPU 126 and each device connected to the effect control CPU 126, the RAM 130 (main memory) and the command buffer are cleared. Will be.

The area of the RAM 130 that is cleared in the system initialization process is not constant, and varies depending on the situation at the time of starting the effect control device 124. For example, when the power is restored after a temporary power failure occurs during the execution of the game, the checksum normality is checked using the checksum value stored in the SRAM 182 and calculated at the time of the power failure. If it is confirmed and the checksum is normal (backup is successful), the target area of the checksum is not cleared. Since the information about the game is stored in the target area of the checksum, the effect is restarted in the same state as when the power is turned off by excluding this area from the clear target of the RAM 130. Further, when the effect control device 124 is restarted (reset start) by detecting the runaway of the control program and activating the watchdog timer, there is a possibility that an incomplete part may occur in the data. , The RAM 130 is cleared including the target area of the checksum. As a result, the effect that was being reproduced before the restart is once cleared, and the effect is constructed from scratch based on the effect command transmitted from the main control device 70 after the restart. Furthermore, if it is confirmed that the checksum is not normal (backup has failed), or if garbled data in the RAM 130 is detected, a serious problem may have occurred. A wider area will be cleared than in any of the above cases.

Step S320: The effect control CPU 126 executes the task execution pre-processing. Here, the "task" refers to an individual process executed due to the occurrence of an interrupt. In the task execution pre-processing, preparations for executing the task are performed. For example, the effect control device 124 is provided with a plurality of LED lamps (hereinafter, referred to as “status LEDs”) that can be visually recognized from the back side of the pachinko machine 1, and the effect control device 124 uses these LED lamps. The internal state is notified by a plurality of lighting patterns, and the initial state of the status LED is set in the task execution preprocessing. In addition, the frequency of the command input / output port required for receiving the effect command transmitted from the main control device 70 is set, the RTC184 is set up, the interrupt is permitted, and the like. When the task execution pre-processing is completed, the status LED lights up in a manner indicating the completion of the initialization processing, various effect commands can be received, and the state shifts to a state in which various interruptions can occur.

The effect control device 124 has different types such as a timer interrupt that is periodically executed at regular intervals, an event interrupt that occurs due to the occurrence of a predetermined event on the effect control device 124, and the like. Various interruptions can occur. A priority is set in advance for each interrupt, and when an interrupt occurs, the effect control CPU 126 controls the interrupt according to the priority and executes the corresponding interrupt process.

Step S330: The effect control CPU 126 executes the effect control main process. In the effect control main process, among the controls executed as the game progresses, other processes that are not executed in various tasks are performed. The contents of the effect control main process will be further described later.

As shown in FIG. 19A, the effect control main process is incorporated in an infinite loop, and when the effect control CPU 126 finishes executing the effect control main process once, a predetermined execution interval is set. The execution of the next effect control main process is restarted from. Therefore, unless the power supply to the pachinko machine 1 is maintained and the effect control device 124 is restarted, the effect control CPU 126 continues to repeatedly execute the effect control main process. Further, during the execution of the effect control main process, various interrupts are generated triggered by various factors, and the effect control CPU 126 executes the process according to each interrupt generated. In these processes, image display control on the liquid crystal display 42, audio output control on the speakers 54 to 56, drive control of the lamps 46 to 53 and the movable motor 57, etc. are performed, and the effect control device 124 is directly or directly. By controlling each indirectly connected device, the effect content is constructed and the effect is embodied.

As described above, the infinite loop in FIG. 19A corresponds to the main loop in the effect control device 124, and the effect control main process is literally positioned as the main process executed in the effect control device 124.

FIG. 19B is a flowchart showing a procedure example of the effect control main process executed by the effect control device 124. Hereinafter, the processing executed by the effect control CPU 126 will be described step by step.

Step S340: The effect control CPU 126 executes the voltage control monitoring process. In the voltage control monitoring process, the effect control CPU 126 performs a monitoring process for canceling the interruption of the 5V signal supplied to the external driver in a fixed time. If a voltage is applied to the lamp or the movable body at the same time, the lamp or the movable body may generate excessive heat due to the inrush current, leading to malfunction or failure. Therefore, the timing of applying the voltage (timing of releasing the signal) is shifted to disperse the inrush current, and the lamp, the movable body, and the like are protected from heat generation.

Step S350: The effect control CPU 126 executes the watch dock clear process. In addition to being equipped with a watchdog timer IC188 connected to the effect control CPU 126 and a watchdog timer using the built-in function of the effect control CPU 126, the effect control device 124 is equipped with a watchdog timer by a control program. There is. That is, in the effect control device 124, a total of three watchdog timers, including two watchdog timers on the hardware and one watchdog timer on the software, are operating, and each watchdog timer has a different monitoring time. , Whether or not the timer interrupt is normally generated (whether or not the timer interrupt process executed by the timer interrupt is executed normally) is monitored.

After completing the above procedure, the effect control CPU 126 returns to the main loop of the CPU initialization process ((A) in FIG. 19) and executes the effect control main process again. The effect control main process is executed at substantially constant intervals when the effect control device 124 is in a normal state. For example, in the normal state, the effect control main process is called every 33.3 ms (while returning from the timer interrupt process that is separately executed), and the process of each step goes through in the meantime. Therefore, when each of the steps S340 and S350 of the effect control main process completes without delay, the effect control CPU 126 performs the standby process in the remaining time until the next effect control main process is called, and waits for the start process during that time. Transition to the (sleep) state. With the exhaustion of the remaining time, the effect control CPU 126 ends the standby process, returns to the main loop, and calls the next effect control main process.

[Timer interrupt processing in the effect control device]
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a procedure example of various timer interrupt processes (VSYNC interrupt process, frame interrupt process, phase interrupt process) that are periodically executed at regular intervals in the effect control device 124. The effect control unit 210 generates various timer interrupts in a predetermined interrupt cycle (for example, 512 μs to 33.3 ms cycle) during execution of the main loop in FIG. 19 (A), and timer interrupts corresponding to the interrupts. The interrupt process is executed at regular intervals.
Hereinafter, the processing executed by the effect control CPU 126 will be described step by step.

FIG. 20 (A) is a flowchart showing a procedure example of the VSYNC interrupt process. The VSYNC interrupt is an interrupt of an image signal generated at the timing of switching the effect image displayed on the liquid crystal display 42, and is generated once at 16.6 ms intervals (60 times per second). The effect control CPU 126 executes the VSYNC interrupt process when the VSYNC interrupt occurs.
The VSYNC interrupt is generated by inputting a VSYNC signal periodically output from the VDP of the effect control device 124 to the effect control CPU 126 to the effect control CPU 126.

Step S1300: The effect control CPU 126 sets the VSYNC interrupt monitoring flag (sets the flag value to "1"). The VSYNC interrupt monitoring flag is a flag used for confirming whether or not the VCYNC interrupt is normally generated, and is stored in the RAM 130.
Step S1302: The effect control CPU 126 executes the VSYNC interrupt control process. In the VSYNC interrupt control process, various tasks executed due to the VSYNC interrupt are controlled.

Step S1304: The effect control CPU 126 executes a process of waking up the upper control unit (a process of calling the upper control unit management process). By executing this process, the operation of the upper control unit starts (the program of the upper control unit management process starts to be executed). Since the VSYNC interrupt occurs every 16.6 ms, the upper control unit wakes up every 16.6 ms. The details of the management process of the upper control unit will be described later.
When the above procedure is completed, the effect control CPU 126 returns to the main loop ((A) in FIG. 19).

In FIG. 20 (B): It is a flowchart which shows the procedure example of a frame interrupt process. The frame interrupt is an interrupt that occurs twice as often as the above-mentioned VSYNC interrupt, that is, once at 16.6 ms intervals (60 times per minute). The effect control CPU 126 executes the frame interrupt process when the frame interrupt occurs.

Step S1310: The effect control CPU 126 sets the frame interrupt monitoring flag (sets the flag value to “1”). The frame interrupt monitoring flag is a flag used to confirm whether or not frame interrupt has occurred normally, and is stored in the RAM 130.
Step S1312: The effect control CPU 126 executes the frame interrupt control process. In the frame interrupt control process, various tasks executed due to the frame interrupt process are controlled.
When the above procedure is completed, the effect control CPU 126 returns to the main loop ((A) in FIG. 19).

FIG. 20 (C): It is a flowchart which shows the procedure example of a phase interrupt process. The phase interrupt process is an interrupt for controlling the internal device of the effect control device 124, and is generated once at 512 μs intervals (1920 times per minute). The effect control CPU 126 executes the phase interrupt process when the phase interrupt occurs.

Step S1320: The effect control CPU 126 sets the phase interrupt monitoring flag (sets the flag value to “1”). The phase interrupt monitoring flag is a flag used to confirm whether or not the phase interrupt has occurred normally, and is stored in the RAM 130.
Step S1322: The effect control CPU 126 executes the phase interrupt control process. In the phase interrupt control process, various tasks executed due to the phase interrupt are controlled.
When the above procedure is completed, the effect control CPU 126 returns to the main loop ((A) in FIG. 19).

In this way, in any timer interrupt process, the interrupt monitoring flag for each timer interrupt is first set, and then various tasks executed due to the interrupt are controlled.

[Production control processing]
As described above, the effect control device 124 has a function as an effect control processor and a function as an effect display processor, and realizes these two functions by allocating different resources of the effect control CPU 126 to each of them. .. The effect control CPU 126 as the effect control processor receives the effect command transmitted from the main control device 70, and transmits an effect reproduction command instructing the reproduction of the effect according to the contents. Further, the effect control CPU 126 as the effect reproduction processor operates each device (by the liquid crystal display 42) by giving more specific instructions to each device based on the content of the effect reproduction command transmitted from the effect control processor. Controls screen display, audio output by speakers 54, 55, 56, light emission by various lamps 46 to 52 and board lamp 53, displacement of various movable bodies by movable body motor 57, etc.), and realizes directing reproduction on pachinko machine 1. Let me.

Therefore, for convenience of explanation, in the following description, the operation subject when the effect control CPU 126 functions as the effect control processor is expressed as "effect control unit 210", and the effect control CPU 126 functions as the effect display processor. The operating subject of the case is appropriately expressed as "display control unit 220", "voice control unit 222", "ramp control unit 224", or "motor control unit 226" depending on the content.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a procedure example of the effect control process. This effect control process is executed, for example, as a part of the VSYNC interrupt control process (step S1302) in FIG. 20 (A).

The effect control process includes command reception process (step S400), working memory effect management process (step S401), effect symbol management process (step S402), lamp effect management process (step S404), sound effect management process (step S406), The configuration includes a group of subroutines for the effect random number update process (step S408) and other processes (step S410). Hereinafter, the basic flow of the effect control process will be described along with each process.

Step S400: In the command reception process, the effect control unit 210 receives the effect command transmitted from the main control CPU 72. Further, the effect control unit 210 analyzes the received effect commands and stores them in the command buffer area of the RAM 130 for each type. The effect commands transmitted from the main control CPU 72 include, for example, a special symbol destination determination effect command, a (special symbol) operation memory increase effect command, a (special symbol) operation memory decrease effect command, and a start opening winning sound. Control command, demo production command, lottery result command, fluctuation pattern command, fluctuation start command, stop symbol command, symbol stop command, status specification command, round number command, error notification command, jackpot end production command, count cut counter value command , Fluctuation pattern destination judgment command, stop display time end command, probability change area passage command, prize ball content command, etc.

Step S401: In the operation memory effect management process, the effect control unit 210 controls the execution of the memory display effect and the look-ahead advance notice effect using the markers M1 and M2. The contents of the working memory effect management process will be described later with reference to another drawing.

Step S402: In the effect symbol management process, the effect control unit 210 controls the contents of the variable display effect and the stop display effect using the effect symbol, and during the opening / closing operation of the first variable winning device 30 or the second variable winning device 31. Control the content of the production (effect execution means). Further, in this process, the effect control unit 210 selects an effect pattern of various advance notice effects (pre-reach advance notice effect, post-reach advance notice effect, etc.). Specifically, the effect control unit 210 indicates the effect content to the display control unit 220 (for example, the number of working memories of each of the first special symbol and the second special symbol, the operation memory effect pattern number, and the like. The look-ahead notice effect pattern number, change effect pattern number, change notice effect number, background pattern number, etc.) are transmitted. In response to this, the display control unit 220 gives a specific drawing instruction to the VDP 152 based on the content of the received effect reproduction command, and controls the display operation by the liquid crystal display 42. The contents of the effect symbol management process will be described later with reference to another drawing.

Step S404: In the lamp effect management process, the effect control unit 210 first transmits an effect reproduction command instructing the lamp control unit 224 to indicate the effect content. In response to this, the lamp control unit 224 relays the LED driver 198 based on the content of the received effect reproduction command and outputs a specific drive signal to the driver IC 132, and various lamps 46 to 52, the board lamp 53, etc. Is driven (lighting or extinguishing, blinking, brightness gradation change, etc.).

Step S406: In the sound effect management process, the effect control unit 210 first transmits an effect reproduction command instructing the voice control unit 222 to indicate the effect content. In response to this, the voice control unit 222 instructs the voice IC 134 of the specific output content based on the content of the received effect reproduction command, and the speakers 54, 55, 56 give a sound (sound effect) according to the effect content. , BGM, etc.) are output.

Step S408: In the effect random number update process, the effect control unit 210 updates various effect random numbers in the counter area of the RAM 130. The production random numbers include, for example, random numbers used for advance notice selection, random numbers used for a normal background change lottery (production lottery), and the like.

Step S410: In other processes, for example, the effect control unit 210 first transmits an effect reproduction command instructing the motor control unit 226 to indicate the content of the effect. In response to this, the motor control unit 226 gives an instruction of specific control contents to the SMC 199 based on the contents of the received effect reproduction command. Further, the SMC 199 creates an operation pattern of the movable body 40f based on an instruction from the motor control unit 226, outputs a control signal corresponding to the operation pattern to the driver IC, and drives the movable body 40f. The movable body 40f operates by using the movable body motor 57 as a drive source, and produces an effect in synchronization with the display of the image by the liquid crystal display 42 or independently.

Through the above-mentioned effect control process, the effect control unit 210 can comprehensively control the effect content in the pachinko machine 1. Next, the contents of the working memory effect management process executed in the effect control process will be described.

[Working memory production management process]
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a procedure example of the working memory effect management process. Hereinafter, the contents will be described with reference to a procedure example.

Step S700: First, the effect control unit 210 confirms whether or not a effect command for increasing the number of operating memories has been received from the main control CPU 72. Specifically, the effect control unit 210 accesses the command buffer area of the RAM 130 and confirms whether or not the effect command is saved when the number of working memories increases. When it is confirmed that the effect command for increasing the number of working memories is saved (step S700: Yes), the effect control unit 210 executes step S702. If it cannot be confirmed that the effect command for increasing the number of working memories is saved (step S700: No), the effect control unit 210 does not execute step S702.

Step S702: The effect control unit 210 executes the effect selection process when the number of working memories increases. In this process, the effect control unit 210 selects an effect for displaying the markers M1 and M2 corresponding to the first special symbol and the second special symbol.

Step S704: The effect control unit 210 confirms whether or not the effect command when the number of operation memories is reduced has been received from the main control CPU 72. Specifically, the effect control unit 210 accesses the command buffer area of the RAM 130 and confirms whether or not the effect command is saved when the number of working memories is reduced. When it is confirmed that the effect command is saved when the number of working memories is reduced (step S704: Yes), the effect control unit 210 executes step S706. If it cannot be confirmed that the effect command is saved when the number of working memories is reduced (step S704: No), the effect control unit 210 does not execute step S706.

Step S706: The effect control unit 210 executes the effect selection process when the number of working memories is reduced. In this process, the effect control unit 210 slides the markers M1 and M2 corresponding to the first special symbol and the second special symbol, and changes the marker corresponding to the lottery element consumed by the internal lottery from the pre-variation display area X1. Select the effect to be moved to the middle display area X2. The storage marker moved to the variable display area X2 selects an effect to be erased at the end of the fluctuation.
When the above procedure is completed, the effect control unit 210 returns to the effect control process (FIG. 21).

[Production design management process]
FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a procedure example of the effect symbol management process. The effect symbol management process includes execution selection process (step S500), effect symbol change pre-process (step S502), effect symbol change process (step S504), effect symbol stop display process (step S506), and variable winning device operation. The configuration includes a group of subroutines for processing (step S508). Hereinafter, the basic flow of the effect symbol management process will be described along with each process.

Step S500: In the execution selection process, the effect control unit 210 selects the jump destination of the process to be executed next (any of steps S502 to S508). For example, the effect control CPU 126 sets the program address of the process to be executed next as the jump destination address, and sets the end of the effect symbol management process in the "jump table" as the return destination address. Which process is selected as the next jump destination depends on the progress of the processes performed so far. For example, if the variation display effect has not been started yet, the effect control unit 210 selects the effect symbol change pre-processing (step S502) as the next jump destination. On the other hand, if the effect symbol change pre-processing has already been completed, the effect control unit 210 selects the effect symbol change process (step S504) as the next jump destination, and if the effect symbol change process is completed, the effect symbol change process is completed. As the next jump destination, the effect symbol stop display processing (step S506) is selected. Further, the variable winning device operation process (step S508) includes a case where the large hit variable winning device management process (step S5000 in FIG. 16) is selected in the main control CPU 72 or a small hit variable winning device management process (FIG. 16). When step S6000) in the middle is selected, it is selected as the jump destination. In this case, steps S502 to S506 are not executed.

Step S502: In the effect symbol variation preprocessing, the effect control unit 210 performs an operation of adjusting the conditions for starting the variation display effect using the effect symbol. Further, in this process, the effect control unit 210 selects the content of the reach effect according to various conditions (lottery result, winning type, fluctuation pattern, etc.), and the effect pattern for the advance notice effect (other than the look-ahead advance notice effect pattern). Select a pre-reach notice pattern, a post-reach notice pattern, etc.). In addition, the effect control unit 210 also controls the demonstration effect when the pachinko machine 1 is in a so-called customer waiting state. The specific contents of the processing will be described later using another flowchart.

Step S504: In the effect symbol changing process, the effect control unit 210 generates control information instructed to the display control unit 220 as needed. For example, when performing an effect using the effect switching button 45 during execution of a variable display effect using an effect symbol, the effect control CPU 126 monitors whether or not the effect button is operated by the player, and an effect according to the result. The control information of the content (button effect) is instructed to the display control unit 220.

Step S506: In the process of displaying the stop display of the effect symbol, the effect control unit 210 controls the content of the stop display effect using the effect symbol and the moving image in an manner according to the result of the internal lottery. That is, the effect control unit 210 instructs the display control unit 220 to end the variable display effect and execute the stop display effect. In response to this, the display control unit 220 actually ends the variable display effect that has been executed so far in the display screen of the liquid crystal display 42, and executes the stop display effect. As a result, the stop display effect is executed substantially in synchronization with the stop display of the special symbol, and the result of the internal lottery can be instructed (disclosure, notification, notification, etc.) to the player in an effect (design effect execution). means). At the time of a small hit, the stop display effect can be executed in a manner similar to or similar to the loss.

Step S508: In the process when the variable winning device is operated, the effect control unit 210 controls the effect content during the small hit or the big hit (special game effect execution means). In this process, the effect control unit 210 selects the content of the effect during the major role according to various conditions (for example, the winning type). For example, in the case of a 16-round big hit, the effect control unit 210 selects a 16-round large-duty effect pattern as the effect content to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 42, and instructs the display control unit 220 of this. As a result, the display screen of the liquid crystal display 42 displays an image of the effect during the important role, and the content of the effect changes as the round progresses.

[Pre-processing for effect pattern fluctuation]
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a procedure example of the effect symbol variation preprocessing. Hereinafter, a procedure example will be described.

Step S600: The effect control unit 210 confirms whether or not a demo effect command has been received from the main control CPU 72. Specifically, the effect control unit 210 accesses the command buffer area of the RAM 130 and confirms whether or not the demo effect command is saved. As a result, when it is confirmed that the demo effect command is saved (Yes), the effect control unit 210 executes step S602.

Step S602: The effect control unit 210 executes the demo selection process. In this process, the effect control unit 210 selects a demo effect pattern. The demo effect pattern defines the content of the effect indicating that the pachinko machine 1 is in a so-called waiting state for customers.

When the above procedure is completed, the effect control unit 210 returns to the address at the end of the effect symbol management process. Then, the effect control unit 210 returns to the effect control process as it is, and in the subsequent display output process (step S404 in FIG. 21) and the lamp drive process (step S406 in FIG. 21), the content of the demo effect is displayed based on the demo effect pattern. Control.

On the other hand, if it is confirmed in step S600 that the demo effect command is not saved (No), the effect control unit 210 then executes step S604.

Step S604: The effect control unit 210 confirms whether or not the fluctuation this time is out of order (non-winning). Specifically, the effect control unit 210 accesses the command buffer area of the RAM 130 and confirms whether or not the lottery result command at the time of non-winning is saved. As a result, when it is confirmed that the lottery result command at the time of non-winning is saved (Yes), the effect control unit 210 executes step S612. On the contrary, when it is confirmed that the lottery result command at the time of non-winning is not saved (No), the effect control unit 210 executes step S606. It is also possible to confirm whether or not the fluctuation this time is out of order based on the fluctuation pattern command and the stop symbol command in addition to the lottery result command. That is, if the current fluctuation pattern command corresponds to the out-of-order normal variation or the out-of-reach variation, it can be determined that the current variation is out of order. Alternatively, if the stop symbol command this time specifies a non-winning symbol, it can be determined that the fluctuation this time is out of order.

Step S606: If the lottery result command is other than non-winning (missing) (step S604: No), then the effect control unit 210 confirms whether or not this fluctuation is a big hit. Specifically, the effect control unit 210 accesses the command buffer area of the RAM 130 and confirms whether or not the lottery result command at the time of a big hit is saved. As a result, when it is confirmed that the lottery result command at the time of the big hit is saved (Yes), the effect control unit 210 executes step S610. On the contrary, when it is confirmed that the lottery result command at the time of big hit is not saved (No), only the lottery result command at the time of small hit remains. In this case, the effect control unit 210 executes step S608. .. It is also possible to confirm whether or not the current fluctuation is a big hit based on the fluctuation pattern command or the stop symbol command. That is, if the current fluctuation pattern command corresponds to the jackpot fluctuation, it can be determined that the current fluctuation is a jackpot. Further, if the stop symbol command of this time corresponds to the jackpot symbol, it can be determined that the fluctuation of this time is a jackpot.

Step S608: The effect control unit 210 executes a small hit time variation effect pattern selection process. In this process, the effect control unit 210 determines the effect pattern number at that time based on the variation pattern commands (for example, "C0H00H" to "D0H7FH") received from the main control CPU 72. The effect pattern number is prepared in advance corresponding to the variation pattern command, and the effect control unit 210 refers to the effect pattern selection table (not shown) and selects the effect pattern number corresponding to the variation pattern command at that time. Can be done. The effect pattern number may be prepared as a pair with the variation pattern command, or a plurality of effect pattern numbers may be prepared for one variation pattern command.

Further, when the effect pattern number is selected, the effect control unit 210 refers to an effect table (not shown), and changes the effect pattern variation schedule (variation time, reach type, and reach occurrence timing) corresponding to the variation effect pattern number at that time. Determine the mode of stop display. In addition, all the types of effect symbols determined here correspond to "combination of symbols at the time of small hit".

The above procedure corresponds to a "small hit", but when it corresponds to a big hit, the effect control unit 210 confirms that it is a "big hit" in step S606 (Yes). In this case, the effect control unit 210 executes step S610.

Step S610: The effect control unit 210 executes the jackpot variation effect pattern selection process. In this process, the effect control unit 210 determines the effect pattern number at that time based on the variation pattern commands (for example, "E0H00H" to "F0H7FH") received from the main control CPU 72. In the jackpot effect pattern selection process, the process may be further branched according to the jackpot stop symbol.

In the case of non-winning, the following procedure is executed. That is, when the effect control unit 210 confirms that there is a deviation in step S604 (Yes), the effect control unit 210 then executes step S612.

Step S612: The effect control unit 210 executes the effect time variation effect pattern selection process. In this process, the effect control unit 210 determines the effect pattern number at the time of disconnection based on the variation pattern command (for example, "A0H00H" to "A6H7FH") received from the main control CPU 72. The effect pattern numbers at the time of disconnection are classified into "outlier normal fluctuation", "time saving outlier variation", "outlier reach variation", etc., and further, a fine reach variation pattern is defined in "outlier reach variation". Which effect pattern number the effect control unit 210 selects is determined by the variation pattern command transmitted from the main control CPU 72.

When the effect pattern number at the time of disconnection is selected, the effect control unit 210 refers to an effect table (not shown), and the variation schedule of the effect symbol corresponding to the variation effect pattern number at that time (variation time, presence / absence of reach occurrence, reach occurrence). In this case, the reach type and reach occurrence timing) and the mode of stop display (for example, "7"-"2"-"4", etc.) are determined.

When any of the above steps S608, S610, and S612 is executed, the effect control unit 210 then executes step S614.

Step S614: The effect control unit 210 executes the advance notice selection process (notice effect execution means). In this process, the effect control unit 210 selects the content of the advance notice effect to be executed during the variable display effect this time by lottery. The content of the advance notice effect is determined based on, for example, the result of the internal lottery (winning or non-winning) and the current internal state (normal state, high probability state, time reduction state). The notice effect is to give a notice to the player that a reach state may occur during the variable display effect, or to give a notice that there is a possibility of a big hit in the end. Therefore, the selection ratio of the advance notice effect is set low at the time of non-winning, but the selection ratio of the advance notice effect is set relatively high in order to raise the expectation of the player at the time of winning. Here, the moving images A and B shown in FIGS. 17C and 17D are executed as a kind of such advance notice effects.

When the above procedure is completed, the effect control unit 210 returns to the effect symbol management process (end address). As a result, in the subsequent processing during effect symbol variation (step S504 in FIG. 23), the variation display effect and the stop display effect are executed based on the actually selected variation effect pattern (effect execution means), and various types are executed. The advance notice effect is executed based on the advance notice effect pattern.

[Processing when the variable winning device is activated]
FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a configuration example of processing when the variable winning device is operated. The variable winning device operating time processing is a subroutine of execution selection processing (step S902), variable winning device operation pre-processing (step S904), variable winning device operating processing (step S906), and variable winning device operation post-processing (step S908). It is a configuration including a (program module) group. Here, first, the basic flow of the processing at the time of operating the variable winning device will be described along with each processing.

Step S902: In the execution selection process, the effect control unit 210 selects the jump destination of the process to be executed next (any of step S904 to step S908) from the "jump table". For example, the effect control unit 210 sets the program address of the process to be executed next as the jump destination address, and sets the end of the variable winning device operating process as the return destination address in the stack pointer.

Which process is selected as the next jump destination depends on the progress of the processes performed so far. For example, if the variable winning device operation pre-processing has not been started yet, the effect control unit 210 selects the variable winning device operation pre-processing (step S904) as the next jump destination. If the variable winning device operation pre-processing has already been completed, the effect control unit 210 selects the variable winning device operating process (step S906) as the next jump destination. Further, if the process during operation of the variable winning device is completed, the effect control unit 210 selects the post-processing after operating the variable winning device (step S908) as the next jump destination.

Step S904: In the variable winning device operation pre-processing, the effect control unit 210 executes a process of selecting the content of the effect to be executed during the big hit game or the small hit game. For example, in the case of winning with a winning type (normal symbol) that does not shift to the high probability state after the end of the big hit game, a process of selecting an effect in which the ally character is defeated by the enemy character is executed. In addition, in the case of winning with a winning type (probability variation symbol) that shifts to a high probability state after the end of the jackpot game, a process of selecting an effect in which the ally character wins the enemy character is executed.

Step S906: In the process during operation of the variable winning device, the effect control unit 210 generates control information instructed to the display control unit 220 as needed. For example, when performing an effect using the effect switching button 45 during the execution of the jackpot effect, the effect control unit 210 monitors whether or not the effect button is operated by the player, and the effect content (button effect) according to the result. The control information of is instructed to the display control unit 220. Further, in the process during the operation of the variable winning device, when the probability change area passing command is received during the big hit game, the process of selecting the effect indicating that the V prize has occurred is executed, while the probability change area during the big hit game is executed. When the passing command is not received, the process of selecting the effect indicating that the V prize has not occurred is executed.

Step S908: In the post-operation processing of the variable winning device, the effect control unit 210 executes an effect of transmitting the mode of the transition destination to the player during the end time of the variable winning device. For example, the effect control unit 210 executes a coast mode rush effect or a fireworks rush rush effect depending on whether or not a winning symbol or a probability variation region has passed. Specifically, when the probability change area passing command is received during the big hit game, the process of selecting the effect indicating that the fireworks rush is entered is executed, and the probability change area passing command is not received during the big hit game. In that case, a process of selecting an effect indicating that the player is entering the coastal mode is executed.
When the above procedure is completed, the effect control unit 210 returns to the effect symbol management process (FIG. 23).

[Upper control unit management process]
FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a procedure example of the upper control unit management process. Hereinafter, each procedure will be described.

Here, the upper control unit and the lower control unit will be described.
The higher-level control unit is a part in charge of higher-level processing in the effect control CPU 126 (effect control unit 210), and is activated when a predetermined interrupt (VSYNC interrupt) is triggered.
On the other hand, the lower control unit is a part in charge of lower processing in the effect control CPU 126 (effect control unit 210), and is activated by the upper control unit.

The details of the upper control unit and the lower control unit are as follows.
The upper control unit executes a process of setting the VDP 156 for displaying the effect image / moving image on the liquid crystal display.
The lower control unit determines what kind of effect image / moving image is to be displayed on the liquid crystal display, and executes a process of setting information (drawing command / moving image information) related to the determined effect image / moving image.

Step S910: The upper control unit of the effect control CPU 126 confirms whether or not the liquid crystal display update cycle is reached. In this process, the determination content is different when the process of switching the frame rate (FPS) is adopted. For example, if the frame rate value set in the frame rate switching process (FPS switching process) is 30 FPS, it is determined as affirmative (Yes) at 16.6 ms × 2 (33.3 ms), and the frame rate value is 60 FPS. If there is, it is determined to be affirmative (Yes) at 16.6 ms × 1. When the process of not switching the frame rate (FPS) is adopted, if the initial value of the frame rate is, for example, 30 FPS, 16.6 ms × 2 (33.3 ms) is determined as affirmative (Yes). ..

As a result, when it is confirmed that the liquid crystal display update cycle is reached (Yes), the upper control unit of the effect control CPU 126 executes step S912. On the other hand, when it cannot be confirmed that the liquid crystal display update cycle is reached (No), the upper control unit of the effect control CPU 126 returns to the VSYNC interrupt process ((A) in FIG. 20).

Step S912: The upper control unit of the effect control CPU 126 confirms whether or not the command construction is completed. Specifically, in this process, it is determined whether or not the command is stored in the command buffer for transmitting (notifying) to the lower control unit among the command buffers. When changing the frame rate, if the selected frame rate is 60 FPS, the command is constructed in 16.6 ms, so the command constructed in the previous 16.6 ms is referred to. On the other hand, when the selected frame rate is 30 FPS, since the command is constructed in 33.3 ms, the command constructed in 16.6 ms two times before is referred to.

As a result, when it is confirmed that the command construction is completed (Yes), the upper control unit of the effect control CPU 126 executes step S914. On the other hand, when it cannot be confirmed that the command construction is completed (No), the upper control unit of the effect control CPU 126 returns to the VSYNC interrupt process ((A) in FIG. 20).

Step S914: The upper control unit of the effect control CPU 126 confirms whether or not the drawing is completed. Specifically, the upper control unit of the effect control CPU 126 confirms whether or not drawing by VDP is completed (whether or not drawing is in progress).

As a result, when it is confirmed that the drawing is completed, that is, when it is confirmed that the drawing is not in progress (Yes), the upper control unit of the effect control CPU 126 executes step S916. On the other hand, when it cannot be confirmed that the drawing is completed, that is, when it is confirmed that the drawing is in progress (No), the upper control unit of the effect control CPU 126 returns to the VSYNC interrupt process ((A) in FIG. 20). To do.

Step S916: The upper control unit of the effect control CPU 126 executes the display switching process. The specific contents of the display switching process are as follows.

The VDP includes a register that determines the area starting from the address of the VRAM to be output to the liquid crystal display 42 (liquid crystal panel), and the display switching process here is a process of rewriting the register.

The frame buffer for storing an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 42 reserves two areas in VRAM for "drawing" and "display", and an image for which drawing has not been completed is displayed. It prevents it from being stolen.

Then, the display switching process is specifically a process of switching between the above-mentioned "for drawing" and "for display".
For example, if the area starting from "0" of VRAM is used as the frame buffer of "No. 1" and the area starting from "100" is reserved in VRAM as the frame buffer of "No. 2", first, "No. 1" is reserved. "Address 0" is set in the register for display, and drawing is performed at "Address 100" of "2". Then, when the drawing of "No. 2" is completed, "Address 100" of "No. 2" is set in the register for display, and drawing is performed at "Address 0" of "No. 1".

Step S918: The upper control unit of the effect control CPU 126 confirms whether or not there is an increase or decrease in the moving image.
Specifically, the upper control unit of the effect control CPU 126 increases or decreases the number of moving images based on the moving image information saved in the moving image information saving process (step S934) of the lower side control unit management process (FIG. 27). Determine if it exists.

As a result, when it is confirmed that there is an increase or decrease in the moving image (Yes), the upper control unit of the effect control CPU 126 executes step S920. On the other hand, when it cannot be confirmed that there is an increase or decrease in the moving image (No), the upper control unit of the effect control CPU 126 executes step S922.

Step S920: The upper control unit of the effect control CPU 126 executes a process of adding or deleting a moving image area (area securing process executing means, area releasing processing executing means).

Here, when adding the moving image area, which area of the arbitrary area of the VRAM is to be added is determined in the moving image information saving process (step S934) of the lower control unit management process (FIG. 27). Can be done. Then, in this process, since it is guaranteed that the VDP is not being drawn in the previous step S914, at this timing, which memory area of the VRAM is to be added (secured) to the VDP is notified. There is.

By executing such an area addition process, when the effect control CPU 126 (upper control unit) starts displaying a new image as an image, a part of the memory area of the VRAM (video memory) is newly added. It is possible to execute an area allocation process for allocating a dedicated area for an image (area allocation process execution means).

Further, by executing the deletion process of such an area, the effect control CPU 126 (upper control unit) releases the already reserved dedicated area for the new image when the display of the new image is terminated. The area release process can be executed (area release process execution means).

Further, the effect control CPU 126 (upper control unit) executes an area securing process or an area releasing process before the drawing process (drawing process for one frame) of the image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 42 is executed (the area allocation process or the area release process). Area allocation processing execution means, area release processing execution means).

Step S922: The upper control unit of the effect control CPU 126 executes a process of transferring the drawing command to the VDP. The drawing command to be transferred is a drawing command generated in the drawing command construction process (step S932) of the lower control unit management process (FIG. 27).

Step S924: The upper control unit of the effect control CPU 126 executes a process of transmitting a drawing start instruction. According to this instruction, the VDP starts drawing, and the liquid crystal display 42 reproduces the moving image.

Step S926: The upper control unit of the effect control CPU 126 executes a process of waking up the lower control unit (a process of calling the lower control unit management process). By executing this process, the operation of the lower control unit starts (the program of the lower control unit management process starts to be executed). The details of the lower control unit management process will be described later.
When the above procedure is completed, the upper control unit of the effect control CPU 126 transitions to the standby (sleep) state and returns to the VSYNC interrupt process ((A) in FIG. 20).

[Lower control unit management process]
FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a procedure example of the lower control unit management process. Hereinafter, each procedure will be described.

Step S930: The lower control unit of the effect control CPU 126 executes a process of determining the effect content to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 42. Since the effect content has already been determined by the effect control process (FIG. 21), the lower control unit of the effect control CPU 126 is set on the liquid crystal display 42 based on the content determined by the effect control process (FIG. 21). Determine the production content to be displayed.

Step S932: The lower control unit of the effect control CPU 126 executes a process of constructing a drawing command. As the drawing command, the drawing command corresponding to the effect content determined in step S930 is stored in advance in the control ROM 180 or the like, and the lower control unit of the effect control CPU 126 reads the corresponding drawing command from the control ROM 180 and draws. Build a command.

Step S934: The lower control unit of the effect control CPU 126 executes a process of storing moving image information. This process is a process of saving information for determining "whether or not there is an increase or decrease in moving images". For example, when constructing a video drawing command in the next frame, the information that there is a video to be added in this process is saved, and the information that the already added area may be deleted, or the next frame. Does not build a video drawing command, but saves information such as the fact that the already added area may be deleted because the already added area is not needed.

Here, the lower control unit of the effect control CPU 126 may calculate in this step whether or not to add (secure) a new area to any area of the VRAM moving image development area.
Specifically, it is calculated whether or not the area of the moving image A to be deleted (opened) is equal to or greater than the area of the moving image B to be added (secured), and if it is equal to or larger than the area of the moving image B to be added (secured), The deleted (opened) area of the moving image A is added (secured) as the area of the moving image B. On the contrary, when the area of the moving image A to be deleted (opened) is not equal to or larger than the area of the moving image B to be added (secured), the area that can be added (secured) as the area of the moving image B in the area for developing the moving image of VRAM To calculate (search). Further, the area of the deleted (opened) moving image A that is not added (secured) this time is calculated (retained) as a candidate for the area to be added (secured) of the moving image after the next frame.
It should be noted that such a calculation method is merely an example, and the calculation method for adding (securing) / deleting (opening) a moving image area is not limited to such a calculation method.

In addition, since such a calculation would increase the amount of calculation if the entire area for VRAM video development is calculated (because the processing becomes heavy), the area for VRAM video development can be divided and calculated. The amount of calculation can be reduced.

Specifically, when the area for developing a moving image of VRAM is divided into a plurality of areas (for example, pages 0 to 7) and the previously drawn moving image information is added (secured) to page 0. First calculates whether or not the video information to be drawn this time can be added (secured) to the area of the video information drawn earlier, and if it cannot be added (secured), the area of the video information drawn earlier It is calculated whether or not there is an area in page 0 excluding the above where the moving image information to be drawn this time can be added (secured). Then, when it is determined that there is an area that can be added (secured), a new area is added (secured) to that area, and when it is determined that there is no area that can be added (secured), the next to page 0. The same calculation is performed on page 1 of. Then, the search process for such an area is repeatedly executed until an area that can be added (secured) is found. As described above, by adopting the method of dividing and calculating the area for developing the moving image of VRAM, the amount of calculation for adding (securing) the area can be reduced.
It should be noted that such a calculation method is merely an example. For example, another calculation method such as the following can be adopted.

[Another pattern of the method of dividing the area and calculating]
Another pattern of calculation method is when allocating a plurality of divided areas to the production group set by the lower control unit and calculating the addition (securing) of the area for video development according to the selection of the video information. In addition, it is a method of executing the calculation by referring to the page of the corresponding production group.
For example, when page 0 is set as the effect group of the background effect and the moving image information of the background effect is selected, the calculation of adding (securing) the area is performed on the page 0 set as the effect group of the background effect. ..
In this way, by setting the production group on each page, it becomes easier to understand in which production group the area is insufficient at the time of development (during debugging) (the problem occurred due to the lack of area). The amount of calculation for adding (securing) an area can be reduced.

When the above procedure is completed, the lower control unit of the effect control CPU 126 transitions to the standby (sleep) state and returns to the upper control unit management process (FIG. 26).

By executing such processing, the effect control CPU 126 (lower control unit) determines what kind of image is to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 42, and draws a drawing command (drawing) based on the determined content. The process of generating information) (drawing command construction process) is executed, and the effect control CPU 126 (upper control unit) executes the area allocation process or the area release process, and also executes the drawing command generated by the lower control unit. , VDP (device that controls the liquid crystal display 42) is executed.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a flow from drawing command construction to image display in the effect control device.

With the VSYNC interrupt as an opportunity, the upper control unit wakes up the lower control unit, starts transferring the drawing command (starts drawing), switches the display, and constructs the drawing command in the lower control unit. As for the drawing command, the command corresponding to the production content is read from the ROM or the like and constructed.
An example of such a procedure will be described below.

[G1] When the first VSYNC interrupt occurs in the effect control device 124, the [G2] upper control unit wakes up the lower control unit. [G3] The lower control unit constructs a command for the first frame.

[G4] When the next VSYNC interrupt occurs in the effect control device 124, the [G5] upper control unit starts transferring the drawing command of the first frame to the VDP of the effect control device 124, and [G6] ] The upper control unit wakes up the lower control unit. [G7] The lower control unit constructs a drawing command for the second frame. [G8] The VDP of the effect control device 124 that has received the drawing command starts drawing the first frame (during drawing).

[G9] When the next VSYNC interrupt occurs in the effect control device 124, the [G10] upper control unit executes the display switching process (frame rate switching process) of the first frame and [G11] upper control. The unit starts transferring the drawing command of the second frame to the VDP of the effect control device 124. [G12] The VDP of the effect control device 124 that has received the drawing command starts drawing the second frame (during drawing).

By executing such drawing processing, the liquid crystal display device 42 displays [G13] "-1st frame (the frame before the 1st frame)" and [G14] "0th frame (1st frame)". "Frame in front of you") "and [G15]" First frame "are displayed in sequence.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a flow of processing for adding and deleting an area of VRAM.

When drawing a moving image of an IP stream compressed by RM5, which is a kind of moving image compression format, decompression is performed based on the information of the previous frame and the difference information reserved in advance in VRAM. For example, when drawing the second frame, the information of the first frame must remain.
If this area is added or deleted directly when the drawing command is constructed, the drawing may not be performed normally because the previous frame may be being drawn while the drawing command is being constructed. In addition, the following are assumed as the causes of such a situation.

Since the upper control unit performs drawing completion determination processing (processing of S914 in FIG. 26) and drawing surface start instruction (processing of S924 in FIG. 26), drawing is executed by the lower control unit (processing of S924 in FIG. 26). This is because it is not possible to know whether or not it has been completed.

The reason why drawing may not be performed normally is as follows.
When drawing a moving image in a frame buffer (for example, a frame buffer for drawing of two frame buffers), the processing flow is as follows: (1) Add (securing) an area for saving the decompressed moving image in an arbitrary area. → (2) Save the decompressed video in the added (secured) arbitrary area → (3) Draw the video in the frame buffer based on the saved video.
The arbitrary area is an arbitrary area in the memory area of the VRAM, preferably an area other than the frame buffer, and may be a part of the frame buffer.

Then, the process of (1) above is executed by the upper control unit in the process of "adding an area (see G25 in FIG. 29)", and the processes of (2) and (3) above are performed by the upper control unit. By instructing the VDP (effect control device) in the process of "starting transfer (see G27 in FIG. 29)", the VDP "draws" in response to the instruction from the upper control unit (see G30 in FIG. 29). .) ”Is executed.

Here, it is necessary to execute the above-mentioned processes (2) and (3) on the premise that the above-mentioned process (1) has been completed. The next decompression is performed based on the difference information from the moving image saved in the added (secured) arbitrary area.

Then, at the stage where the lower control unit is executing the processing, for example, processing such as step S930 (effect determination), step S932 (drawing command construction), and step S934 (movement information storage) in FIG. 27 is executed. If the lower control unit deletes (opens) the area at the stage, whether or not the lower control unit is in the middle of the processes (2) and (3) above (that is, the drawing is completed). Since it is not possible to grasp (whether or not), there is a possibility that the area is deleted (opened) in the middle of the processes (2) and (3) above. In this case, a situation occurs in which the moving image cannot be drawn in the frame buffer. The above is the reason why drawing may not be performed normally.
Therefore, it is necessary to avoid the execution of addition (securing) / deletion (opening) of the area at the stage where the lower control unit that cannot grasp the completion of drawing is executing the process.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the determination of the moving image to be drawn is executed when the command of the lower control unit is constructed, but the addition and deletion of the VRAM area is executed before the start of drawing. That is, the lower control unit only performs the process of saving the moving image information (process of S934 in FIG. 27), and the upper control unit performs the drawing completion determination process (process of S914 of FIG. 26) and the drawing surface. By issuing a start instruction (process of S924 in FIG. 26), the VRAM area is added and deleted.
An example of such a procedure will be described below.

[G21] When the first VSYNC interrupt occurs in the effect control device 124, the [G22] upper control unit raises the lower control unit. [G23] The lower control unit determines that only the moving image A (for example, see (C) in FIG. 17) is used, and constructs a drawing command for the first frame related to the moving image A.

[G24] When the next VSYNC interrupt occurs in the effect control device 124, the [G25] upper control unit adds (secures) a dedicated area for the moving image A to the memory area of the VRAM of the VDP of the effect control device 124. Execute the process. [G26] As a result, a dedicated area for the moving image A is added (secured) to the memory area of the VRAM of the VDP.

Further, the [G27] upper control unit starts transferring the drawing command of the first frame of the moving image A to the VDP of the effect control device 124, and the [G28] upper control unit wakes up the lower control unit. Let me. [G29] The lower control unit determines that only the moving image B (for example, see (D) in FIG. 17) is used, and constructs a drawing command for the second frame related to the moving image B. [G30] The VDP of the effect control device 124 that has received the drawing command for the first frame of the moving image A starts drawing the first frame of the moving image A (during drawing). In the process of [G27], the upper control unit saves the decompressed moving image in the added (secured) arbitrary area for the VDP of the effect control device 124, and the frame buffer is based on the saved moving image. In response to this instruction, the VDP of the effect control device 124 sent an instruction to "draw a moving image to", and in the process of [G30], "saved the decompressed moving image in an arbitrary area added (secured) and saved it." Draw a video in the frame buffer based on the video ".

[G31] When the next VSYNC interruption occurs in the effect control device 124, the [G32] upper control unit deletes (releases) the dedicated area of the moving image A from the memory area of the VRAM of the VDP of the effect control device 124. In addition to executing the process, the [G33] upper control unit executes a process of adding (securing) a dedicated area of the moving image B to the memory area of the VRAM of the VDP of the effect control device 124. [G34] As a result, the dedicated area of the moving image A is deleted (released) from the memory area of the VRAM of the VDP, and the dedicated area of the moving image B is added (secured) to the memory area of the VRAM of the VDP.
In the illustrated example, the moving image A is described by displaying only one frame, but by setting a large number of frames to be displayed, the moving image A can be displayed by the set number of frames.

Further, the [G35] upper control unit executes a process of starting the transfer of the drawing command of the second frame of the moving image B to the VDP of the effect control device 124. Although not particularly shown, the VDP of the effect control device 124 that has received the drawing command for the second frame of the moving image B starts drawing the second frame of the moving image B.
Note that the processes of FIGS. 28 and 29 are processes at 60 FPS because the commands are constructed for each VSYNC interrupt.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, there are the following effects.
(1) According to the present embodiment, when the display of a new image is started, the area allocation process is executed, and when the display of the new image is finished, the area release process is executed. By continuing to secure a dedicated area for a new image when drawing the frame of, the information of the previous frame can be left, and the memory area of VRAM (video memory) can be efficiently managed. The image drawing process can be performed without delay.

(2) According to the present embodiment, the area allocation process and the area release process can be executed according to the type of the reproduced moving image (if necessary), so that the memory area of the finite VRAM (video memory) can be used. It can be used effectively.

(3) According to the present embodiment, since the area allocation process or the area release process is executed before the drawing process is executed, the area allocation process or the area release process is not executed during the execution of the drawing process, and the drawing is performed. Excess or deficiency of memory area based on executing area allocation processing or area release processing during processing (area allocation processing or area release processing is executed during drawing processing, causing problems in drawing processing. That) can be avoided.

(4) According to the present embodiment, the memory area of the video memory can be managed more efficiently by distributing the processing between the upper control unit and the lower control unit.

(5) According to the present embodiment, since the lower control unit activated by the upper control unit executes the drawing command construction process, it is possible to efficiently process only the drawing process depending on the model of the gaming machine. it can.

(6) According to the present embodiment, since the upper control unit activated by the VSYNC interrupt executes the area securing process, the area release process, the transfer process, etc., the drawing process does not depend on the model of the gaming machine. Can be processed efficiently.

(7) The effect control CPU 126 of the present embodiment switches to a wake-up state based on the occurrence of some wake-up factor (interruption, etc.), and executes a task process (upper-level control unit) that executes a specified process when the wake-up state occurs. , Lower control unit) is provided. Then, the following processes (A) to (C) are executed in the process of interrupting the VSYNC from the VDP to the effect control CPU 126.
(A) “Waking up the lower control unit” to wake up the lower control unit.
(B) “Transfer start” in which the drawing command constructed by the upper control unit is transferred to the VDP when there is a drawing command constructed by the lower control unit that has woken up.
(C) "Display switching" for switching the image currently displayed by the upper control unit.

Then, in the VSYNC interrupt process, there is a lower control unit whose wake-up factor is "lower control unit wake up", and the lower control unit constructs a drawing command for the frame to be drawn by VDP. Execute "Build".
Further, the VDP of the effect control device 124 executes the drawing process based on the transferred drawing command.

Then, based on such a premise, the following processing is executed for drawing a moving image.
Frames related to moving images are compressed and stored in VRAM, and when the "drawing process" performed by VDP is executed, the previous frame information remains in VRAM (temporarily saved in VRAM). It must be drawn based on the difference information between the previous frame and the current frame.
Further, in order to execute such drawing processing, (1) "addition of area" for securing a VRAM area for storing the information of the previous frame and (2) "addition of area" in the processing of the VSYNC interrupt. "Delete area" is performed to delete the previous frame information secured in. However, the processes (1) and (2) above are executed before the "drawing process" is performed. The reason for this is that the next frame may be being drawn during command construction, etc., so drawing is being performed by executing the processes (1) and (2) above before the drawing process, which is not always drawing. This is to prevent excess and deficiency of the area.
Then, in the present embodiment, since such processing is executed, the memory area of the video memory can be efficiently managed, and as a result, the drawing process of the moving image can be executed without delay.

The present invention can be variously modified and implemented without being limited to the above-described embodiment. The mode of production and various numerical values given in one embodiment are merely examples, and are not limited to the above-mentioned contents.

Further, although the present invention has been described in the example of being applied to a pachinko machine, it may be applied to a pachislot machine (rotating machine, slot machine). Here, the pachislot machine is a lever-shaped start switch, a button-shaped stop switch, and a plurality of rotations that start rotation based on the operation of the start switch and stop the rotation based on the operation of the player's stop switch. A winning combination lottery that determines whether or not a predetermined winning combination is won based on the operation of the start switch in a state where a reel and a sufficient number of medals or game balls as a game medium are inserted to start the game. And rotate multiple rotary reels, stop the rotating rotary reel corresponding to the operated stop switch based on the operation of the stop switch, and connect the predetermined symbol positions of each stopped rotary reel. Based on the combination of symbols displayed on the line, a winning judgment is made as to whether or not the winning combination won by the winning combination lottery has been won, and based on the result of the winning determination, the game medium and the replay are given to the player. It refers to a gaming machine that gives benefits such as games, accessories, and continuous operation devices for accessories.

The images given in the other production examples are just examples, and these can be appropriately deformed. Further, the structure, board surface configuration, specific numerical values, etc. of the pachinko machine 1 are preferable examples including those shown in the figure, and it goes without saying that these can be appropriately deformed.

1 Pachinko machine 8 Game board unit 8a Game area 20 Start gate 28 Variable start winning device 33 Normal symbol display device 33a Normal symbol operation memory lamp 34 1st special symbol display device 35 2nd special symbol display device 34a 1st special symbol operation memory Lamp 35a Second special symbol operation memory lamp 38 Game status display device 42 LCD display 45 Effect switching button 70 Main control device 72 Main control CPU
74 ROM
76 RAM
124 Production control device 126 Production control CPU
130 RAM
152 VDP
156 VRAM
180 control ROM
182 SRAM

Claims (1)

A display device that displays images and
A video memory for storing image data for displaying an image on the display device, and
When starting to display a new image as the image, an area securing process executing means for executing an area securing process for securing a part of the memory area of the video memory as a dedicated area for the new image, and
When the display of the new image is terminated, the area release processing execution means for executing the area release process for releasing the dedicated area for the new image secured by the area reservation process execution means, and the area release process execution means .
A higher-level control unit that is activated when a predetermined interrupt occurs,
It is provided with a lower control unit activated by the upper control unit.
The lower control unit
Execute the process to generate drawing information,
The upper control unit
A gaming machine characterized in that, in addition to executing the area securing process or the area releasing process, a transfer process for transferring the drawing information generated by the lower control unit is executed.

Images