JP7002300B2 - Pachinko machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

Generally, in a gaming machine, a game ball is launched toward a game area in a game board by a player's handle operation, and a lottery related to a special symbol is made on the condition that the game ball flowing down the game area enters the starting port. Is executed. Then, on the special symbol display, the special symbol is displayed in a variable manner, and the special symbol determined by the lottery is stopped and displayed, so that the player is notified of the lottery result. At this time, when a specific special symbol indicating that it is a big hit is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display, the big role game is started. In this big role game, the game ball can be put into the big prize opening, so that the player can receive a lot of prize balls.

Then, in the gaming machine, while the special symbol is displayed in a variable manner, an effect for suggesting or notifying the result of the lottery related to the special symbol is executed. In such an effect, for example, the effect of the effect is improved by causing a plurality of LEDs to emit light in various light emission patterns.

In such a gaming machine, by combining a plurality of types of output destination data to generate data of one light emission pattern, the data capacity is reduced and the LED is made to emit light in various light emission modes. Some have been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-198146

By the way, for example, when a plurality of LEDs are connected to different output ports in a lighting controller, the light emission pattern data for each LED (output port) is determined in order to determine the light emission pattern for each LED (output port). Are stored separately in the storage unit.

However, among the LEDs connected to different output ports of the lighting controller, there are some LEDs in which a plurality of LEDs emit light in the same light emitting mode. Even in such a case, the data of the light emission pattern for each LED (output port) is stored separately in the storage unit, and there is a problem that the amount of data in the storage unit increases.

In view of such problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of reducing the amount of data in the storage unit.

In order to solve the above problems, the gaming machine of the present invention determines an effect pattern according to the progress of the game, and sends a command corresponding to the determined effect pattern to the effect controller, and a first effect device. And the second effect device are connected to different output ports, and the effect controller for driving the first effect device and the second effect device, respectively, based on the command transmitted from the effect control means, and the first effect device. The effect control means is provided with a storage unit in which the data of the effect pattern with respect to the first effect device and the connection information indicating that the effect mode of the first effect device and the effect mode of the second effect device are the same are stored . When the effect pattern for the first effect device is determined, sends a command corresponding to the determined effect pattern to the effect controller as the command for the first effect device, and based on the connection information. As a command for the second effect device, a command for the first effect device is transmitted to the effect controller.

According to the present invention, the amount of data in the storage unit can be reduced.

It is a perspective view of the gaming machine which shows the state which the door is opened. It is a front view of a gaming machine. It is a block diagram of a gaming machine. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the control mode of the effect display unit, the effect accessory device, the effect lighting device, and the music output device in the sub-control board. (A) is a sequence chart when controlling the effect lighting device in the sub CPU, and (b) is for explaining the storage area of the sub RAM used when controlling the effect lighting device in the sub CPU. It is a figure. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the details of the control mode of an effect lighting apparatus. It is a figure explaining the table (data) of the illumination pattern of the comparative example. It is a figure explaining the table (data) of the illumination pattern of this embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the command transmission process by a command transmission means. It is an external view for demonstrating the schematic mechanical structure of a slot machine. It is an external view with the front door open for explaining the schematic mechanical structure of a slot machine. It is a figure which shows the symbol arrangement of a reel. It is a block diagram which showed the schematic electric structure of a slot machine.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, other specific numerical values, etc. shown in the embodiment are merely examples for facilitating the understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and the drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are designated by the same reference numerals to omit duplicate explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown. do.

In order to facilitate the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, first, the mechanical configuration and the electrical configuration of the gaming machine will be briefly described, and then specific processing on each substrate will be described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the gaming machine 100 of the present embodiment, showing a state in which the door is opened. As shown in the figure, the gaming machine 100 includes an outer frame 102 in which a surrounding space is formed by four sides assembled in a substantially rectangular shape, and an inner frame 104 that is openably and closably attached to the outer frame 102 by a hinge mechanism. The middle frame 104 is provided with a front frame 106 that is openably and closably attached by a hinge mechanism.

Similar to the outer frame 102, the middle frame 104 has a surrounding space formed by four sides assembled in a substantially rectangular shape, and the game board 108 is held in the surrounding space. Further, the front frame 106 holds a transparent plate 110 made of glass or resin. When the middle frame 104 and the front frame 106 are closed with respect to the outer frame 102, the game board 108 and the transmission plate 110 face each other substantially in parallel while maintaining a predetermined distance from the front side of the game machine 100. , The game board 108 becomes visible through the transparent plate 110.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the gaming machine 100. As shown in this figure, an operation handle 112 projecting to the front side of the gaming machine 100 is provided at the lower part of the front frame 106. The operation handle 112 is provided so that the player can rotate the operation handle 112. When the player rotates the operation handle 112 to perform a firing operation, the operation handle 112 has a strength corresponding to the rotation angle of the operation handle 112 and is not shown. A game ball is launched by the launch mechanism. The game ball launched in this way rises between the rails 114a and 114b provided on the game board 108 and is guided to the game area 116.

The game area 116 is a space formed at a distance between the game board 108 and the transmission plate 110, and is an area where the game ball can flow down or roll. A large number of nails and windmills are provided on the game board 108, and the game ball guided to the game area 116 collides with the nails and the windmills so as to flow down and roll in an irregular direction.

The game area 116 includes a first game area 116a and a second game area 116b in which the degree of entry of the game ball differs from each other according to the firing intensity of the firing mechanism. The first gaming area 116a is located on the left side of the gaming area 116 as seen from the player facing the gaming machine 100, and the second gaming area 116b is the gaming area 116 as seen from the player facing the gaming machine 100. It is located on the right side of. Since the rails 114a and 114b are on the left side of the game area 116, the game ball launched by the launch mechanism with a launch intensity lower than the predetermined intensity enters the first game area 116a and is launched with a launch intensity equal to or higher than the predetermined intensity. The resulting game ball will enter the second game area 116b.

Further, the game area 116 is provided with a general winning opening 118, a first starting opening 120, and a second starting opening 122 into which a game ball can enter, and these general winning openings 118, the first starting opening 120, and the first starting port 122 are provided. 2 When a game ball enters the starting port 122, a predetermined prize ball is paid out to the player. The number of prize balls may be any number as long as it is one or more, and the number of prize balls to be paid out at each of the general winning opening 118, the first starting port 120, and the second starting opening 122 may be different. , The same number of prize balls may be set. At this time, it is also possible to set the number of prize balls that the game ball enters and pays out to the first starting port 120 to be smaller than the number of prize balls that the game ball enters and pays out to the second starting port 122. be.

A first starting area is provided in the first starting port 120, and a second starting area is provided in the second starting port 122. Then, when the game ball enters the first starting port 120 or the second starting port 122 and the game ball enters the first starting area or the second starting area, any one of a plurality of special symbols provided in advance is used. A lottery is held to determine the special symbol of 1. Each special symbol is associated with various game benefits such as whether or not a player can execute a major role game that is advantageous to the player, and what kind of game state the subsequent game state is to be. Therefore, when the game ball enters the first start port 120 or the second start port 122, the player obtains a predetermined prize ball and at the same time obtains an opportunity to acquire the right to receive various game benefits. It becomes.

Further, the movable piece 122b is provided in the second starting port 122 so as to be openable and closable so that the ease of entry of the game ball into the second starting port 122 changes according to the state of the movable piece 122b. It has become. Specifically, when the movable piece 122b is in the closed state, it is impossible for the game ball to enter the second starting port 122. On the other hand, when the game ball passes through the approach area in the gate 124 provided in the game area 116, a lottery of ordinary symbols is performed, and when the winning is won by this lottery, the movable piece 122b is in an open state for a predetermined time. Is controlled by. As described above, when the movable piece 122b is opened, the movable piece 122b functions as a saucer for guiding the game ball to the second starting port 122, and the game ball can easily enter the second starting port 122. Here, it is determined that when the second starting port 122 is in the closed state, it is impossible for the game ball to enter the second starting port 122, but the second starting port 122 is in the closed state. Even in a certain case, the game ball may be configured to be able to enter the ball at a constant frequency.

Further, the game area 116 is provided with a large winning opening 128 into which a game ball can enter. An opening / closing door 128b is provided in the large winning opening 128 so that the opening / closing door 128b can be opened / closed. Normally, the opening / closing door 128b closes the large winning opening 128, making it impossible for a game ball to enter the large winning opening 128. It has become. On the other hand, when the above-mentioned big role game is executed, the opening / closing door 128b is opened, and the game ball can enter the big winning opening 128. Then, when the game ball enters the large prize opening 128, the predetermined prize ball is paid out to the player.

At the bottom of the game area 116, a game ball that has not entered any of the general winning opening 118, the first starting opening 120, the second starting opening 122, and the large winning opening 128 is played from the gaming area 116. A discharge port 130 for discharging is provided on the back surface side of the board 108.

The gaming machine 100 is provided with an effect display device 200 composed of a liquid crystal display device, an effect accessory device 202 composed of a drive device, and lamps controlled in various light emitting modes as effect devices for producing an effect while the game is in progress. The effect lighting device 204, the music output device 206 including the speaker, and the effect operation device 208 that accepts the operation of the player are provided.

The effect display device 200 includes an effect display unit 200a including an image display unit for displaying an image, and the effect display unit 200a can be visually recognized from the front side of the game machine 100 at a substantially central portion of the game board 108. It is arranged. As shown in the figure, the effect symbols 210a, 210b, and 210c are variablely displayed on the effect display unit 200a, and the player is notified of the large winning combination lottery result by the stop display mode of each of the effect symbols 210a, 210b, 210c. Will be executed.

The effect accessory device 202 is arranged in front of the effect display unit 200a and is normally retracted to the back side of the game board 108. However, during the variable display of the above effect symbols 210a, 210b, 210c, etc. It moves to the front of the display unit 200a to give the player a feeling of expectation of a big hit.

The effect lighting device 204 is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), which is provided on the effect accessory device 202, the game board 108, or the like, and emits various light according to the image or the like displayed on the effect display unit 200a. Be controlled. The effect lighting device 204 may be a light bulb, a laser, a cold cathode tube, or the like.

The music output device 206 is provided at the upper position of the front frame 106 and the lowest position of the outer frame 102, and various music is directed toward the front side of the gaming machine 100 according to the image displayed on the effect display unit 200a. Is output.

The effect operation device 208 is composed of a button that accepts a player's pressing operation and a rotation operation unit (for example, a jog dial) that accepts a player's rotation operation, and is substantially at the center position in the width direction of the game machine 100. It is provided below the transmission plate 110. The effect operation device 208 is enabled according to an image or the like displayed on the effect display unit 200a, and when the player's operation is received within the operation valid period, various effects are executed according to the operation. ..

Further, behind the production operation device 208, there is a prize ball paid out from the game machine 100 and an upper plate 132 to which the game ball rented from the game ball lending device is guided, and when the upper plate 132 is filled with the game balls. , The game ball will be guided to the lower plate 134. Further, on the bottom surface of the lower plate 134, a ball extraction hole (not shown) for discharging the game ball from the lower plate 134 is formed. This ball pulling hole is normally closed by an opening / closing plate (not shown), but by sliding the ball pulling knob 134a in the left-right direction in the figure, the opening / closing plate slides integrally with the ball pulling knob 134a. However, it is possible to eject the game ball below the lower plate 134 from the ball extraction hole.

Further, on the game board 108, the first special symbol display 160, the second special symbol display 162, and the first special symbol are held at a position outside the game area 116 and visible to the player. A display 164, a second special symbol hold display 166, a normal symbol display 168, a normal symbol hold display 170, and a right-handed notification display 172 are provided. Each of these indicators 160 to 172 is a device for displaying various situations related to the game.

(Internal configuration of control means)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a control means for controlling the progress of the game. The main control board 300 controls the basic operation of the game. The main control board 300 includes a main CPU 300a, a main ROM 300b, and a main RAM 300c. Based on the input signals from each detection switch and timer, the main CPU 300a reads out the program stored in the main ROM 300b and performs arithmetic processing, directly controls each device and display, or produces the result of arithmetic processing. Send commands to other boards accordingly. The main RAM 300c functions as a data work area during arithmetic processing of the main CPU 300a.

The main control board 300 has a general winning opening detection switch 118s for detecting that a game ball has entered the general winning opening 118, and a first starting port for detecting that a game ball has entered the first starting port 120. The detection switch 120s, the second start port detection switch 122s for detecting that the game ball has entered the second start port 122, the gate detection switch 124s for detecting that the game ball has passed through the gate 124, and the large winning opening 128 A large winning opening detection switch 128s for detecting that a game ball has entered is connected, and a detection signal is input to the main control board 300 from each of these detection switches.

Further, on the main control board 300, a normal electric accessory solenoid 122c that operates the movable piece 122b of the second starting port 122 and a large winning opening solenoid 128c that operates the opening / closing door 128b that opens and closes the large winning opening 128 are provided. It is connected, and the main control board 300 controls the opening and closing of the second starting port 122 and the large winning opening 128.

Further, the main control board 300 includes a first special symbol display 160, a second special symbol display 162, a first special symbol hold display 164, a second special symbol hold display 166, a normal symbol display 168, and a normal symbol display. The symbol hold indicator 170 and the right-handed notification indicator 172 are connected, and the display control of each of these indicators is performed by the main control board 300.

Further, the gaming machine 100 of the present embodiment is started mainly by a special game started by the entry of the gaming ball into the first starting port 120 or the second starting opening 122 and by the gaming ball passing through the gate 124. It is roughly divided into ordinary games that are played. The main ROM 300b of the main control board 300 stores various programs for advancing special games and normal games, as well as data and tables required for various games.

Further, a payout control board 310 and a sub control board 330 are connected to the main control board 300.

The payout control board 310 controls to launch the game ball and controls to pay out the prize ball. The payout control board 310 also includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and is connected to the main control board 300 so as to be able to communicate in both directions. A game information output terminal board 312 is connected to the payout control board 310, and various information on the game progress output from the main control board 300 is transmitted via the payout control board 310 and the game information output terminal board 312. , It will be output to the hall computer of the game store.

Further, a payout motor 314 for paying out the game ball stored in the storage unit to the player as a prize ball is connected to the payout control board 310. The payout control board 310 controls the payout motor 314 based on the payout number designation command transmitted from the main control board 300 to control the player to pay out a predetermined prize ball. At this time, the number of game balls paid out is detected by the payout ball counting switch 316s, and it is possible to know whether or not the prize balls to be paid out have been paid out to the player.

Further, a plate full tank detection switch 318s for detecting the full tank state of the lower plate 134 is connected to the payout control board 310. The plate full tank detection switch 318s is provided in a passage that guides the game ball to be paid out as a prize ball to the lower plate 134, and each time the game ball passes through the passage, a game ball detection signal is sent to the payout control board 310. It is designed to be entered.

Then, when a predetermined amount or more of the game balls are stored in the lower plate 134 and the tank is full, the game balls stay in the passage toward the lower plate 134, and the plate full tank detection switch 318s is directed toward the payout control board 310. , The game ball detection signal is continuously input. When the game ball detection signal is continuously input for a predetermined time, the payout control board 310 determines that the lower plate 134 is in a full tank state, and transmits a plate full tank command to the main control board 300. On the other hand, if the continuous input of the game ball detection signal is interrupted after the dish full tank command is transmitted, it is determined that the full tank state has been canceled, and the dish full tank release command is transmitted to the main control board 300.

Further, the payout control board 310 is provided with a launch control circuit 320 that controls the launch of the game ball. The payout control board 310 is provided with an operation handle 112, and is connected to a touch sensor 112s for detecting that the player touches the operation handle 112 and an operation volume 112a for detecting the operation angle of the operation handle 112. ing. Then, when a signal is input from the touch sensor 112s and the operation volume 112a, the launch control circuit 320 controls to energize the launch solenoid 112c provided in the game ball launcher to launch the game ball.

The sub-control board 330 mainly controls each effect such as during a game or during standby. The sub control board 330 includes a sub CPU 330a, a sub ROM 330b, and a sub RAM 330c, and communicates with the main control board 300 in one direction from the main control board 300 to the sub control board 330 from the viewpoint of fraud prevention. Can be connected. The sub CPU 330a reads out the program stored in the sub ROM 330b based on the command transmitted from the main control board 300, the input signal from the timer, and the like, performs arithmetic processing, and executes and controls the effect. At this time, the sub RAM 330c functions as a data work area during the arithmetic processing of the sub CPU 330a.

Specifically, the sub-control board 330 performs image display control for displaying an image on the effect display unit 200a. The sub ROM 330b stores a large amount of image data such as a pattern and a background displayed on the effect display unit 200a, and the sub CPU 330a reads the image data from the sub ROM 330b into a VRAM (not shown) to display the effect display unit 200a. Control the image display. Further, the sub-control board 330 performs drive control of the effect accessory device 202, light emission control of the effect lighting device 204, and music output control of outputting music from the music output device 206.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining a control mode of the effect display unit 200a, the effect accessory device 202, the effect lighting device 204, and the music output device 206 on the sub control board 330. The sub CPU (control means) 330a provided on the sub control board 330 functions as the effect determination unit 332, the effect execution unit 334, and the command transmission unit 336 in cooperation with the program and the sub RAM 330c stored in the sub ROM 330b. .. The effect determining means 332 decodes a command transmitted from the main control board 300, and determines an effect pattern (content indicating a series of effects) corresponding to the command. The effect executing means 334 defines an effect mode (for example, a light emission mode for the effect lighting device 204) of each device such as the image IC 340a, the accessory controller 342, the lighting controller 344, and the music IC 346a, which correspond to the determined effect pattern. The created table (data) is read from the sub ROM 330b, and the read table is analyzed. The command transmitting means 336 transmits a command to each device such as the image IC 340a, the accessory controller 342, the lighting controller 344, and the music IC 346a based on the analysis result of the effect executing means 334 to execute the effect (for example, the effect lighting). Make device 204 emit light).

The image IC 340a is also called VDP (Video Display Processor), reads image data specified by a command transmitted from the command transmission means 336 from the image ROM 340b to the image RAM (VRAM) 340c, and sequentially displays the image data as an effect. Output to unit 200a. The image RAM 340c has different layers, and each layer can hold different image data. Then, the image IC 340a superimposes the image data held on the plurality of layers, and the superposed image data is output to the effect display unit 200a.

The accessory controller 342 turns on or off the FET (Field Effect Transistor) that drives the effect accessory device 202 according to the command transmitted from the command transmission means 336. Therefore, the effect accessory device 202 operates only when the effect mode for the effect accessory device 202 is determined. Since the effect device 202 is a temporary effect accompanied by a physical operation that raises the expectation of a big hit for the player, it is compared with the image data, the illumination pattern described later, and the music data. The frequency with which the character pattern is determined is low.

The lighting controller 344 controls the light emission of the LED, which is the effect lighting device 204, according to the command transmitted from the command transmission means 336.

The music IC 346a reads the music data specified by the command transmitted from the command transmission means 336 from the music ROM 346b to the music IC 346a, and sequentially outputs the music data to the speaker which is the music output device 206. The music IC 346a has a plurality of music buffers (buffers), and each music buffer can hold different music data. Then, the music IC 346a superimposes the music data held in the plurality of music buffers, and the superimposed music data is output to the music output device 206.

Here, a series of functional units such as a sub CPU 330a, a sub RAM 330c, an image IC 340a, an image ROM 340b, an image RAM 340c, an accessory controller 342, a lighting controller 344, a music IC 346a, and a music ROM 346b are SoC (System-on-a-Chip). It is integrated in one integrated circuit. However, which functional unit is integrated in the SoC can be arbitrarily set. Further, each functional unit such as the sub CPU 330a, the sub RAM 330c, the image IC 340a, the image ROM 340b, the image RAM 340c, the accessory controller 342, the lighting controller 344, the music IC 346a, and the music ROM 346b are integrated as different integrated circuits and electrically connected. It may be.

Further, the sub-control board 330 has a detection signal from the press detection switch 208s that detects that the effect operation device 208 has been pressed, and the rotation detection switch 209s that detects that the effect operation device 208 has been rotated. Is entered. When a detection signal is input from the press detection switch 208s or the rotation detection switch 209s, various effects such as displaying an image on the effect display unit 200a are executed.

A power supply board (not shown) is connected to each board, and power is supplied from a commercial power source to each board via the power supply board.

(Control of production lighting device 204)
FIG. 5A is a sequence chart for controlling the effect lighting device 204 in the sub CPU 330a, and FIG. 5B is a storage of the sub RAM 330c used for controlling the effect lighting device 204 in the sub CPU 330a. It is a figure for demonstrating an area. Note that FIG. 5A is an excerpt of a part of the processing executed by the effect determining means 332, the effect executing means 334, and the command transmitting means 336.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the effect determining means 332 executes the control table setting process every predetermined interrupt cycle (for example, 33.3 ms) (S11). When a command is received from the main control board 300 in the control table setting process (S11), the effect determining means 332 decodes the received command. Then, the effect determining means 332 determines the effect pattern corresponding to the command. After that, when it is necessary to change the effect pattern, the effect determination means 332 starts the table of the illumination pattern (sub ROM 330b) in which the light emitting mode of the effect lighting device 204 corresponding to the determined effect pattern is defined. The address) is written in the table analysis storage area 350 of the sub RAM 330c shown in FIG. 5 (b). If there is no change in the effect pattern, the effect determination means 332 may not execute the control table setting process.

The effect executing means 334 executes the table analysis process (S21) and the command conversion process (S22) every predetermined interrupt cycle (for example, 16.67 ms). In the table analysis process, the effect executing means 334 analyzes the table of the illumination pattern determined by the effect determining means 332 with reference to the table analysis storage area 350 of the sub RAM 330c, and is necessary for generating the luminance based on the analysis result. Various information is retained, and in the luminance generation process (not shown), the light emitting mode of the effect lighting device 204 is determined based on the retained various information. Here, the light emitting mode defines modes related to LED light emission, such as LED lighting, blinking, and extinguishing, LED light emitting color, and luminance value (luminance stage). Further, in the command conversion process, the effect executing means 334 emits light in the light emission mode (luminance value) determined in the table analysis process (S21) so as to cause the effect lighting device 204 to emit light in the light emission mode determined in the table analysis process (S21). ) Is converted into a command (data) that can be analyzed by the lighting controller 344, and the converted command is written in the command storage area 352 of the sub RAM 330c. If there is no change in the light emitting mode, the effect executing means 334 writes the same light emitting mode (command) in the command storage area 352 of the sub RAM 330c.

The command transmission means 336 executes the command transmission process (S31) every predetermined interrupt cycle (for example, 16.67 ms or less, preferably shorter than the interrupt cycle of the effect executing means 334). In the command transmission process (S31), the command transmission means 336 refers to the command written in the command storage area 352 of the sub RAM 330c, and transmits the command to the lighting controller 344. If the light emitting mode is not changed, the command transmitting means 336 transmits the same light emitting mode (command) to the lighting controller 344.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the details of the control mode of the effect lighting device 204. As shown in FIG. 6, the effect lighting device 204 is provided with a plurality of LEDs including the first LED 204a and the second LED 204b. Although the first LED 204a and the second LED 204b are connected to different output ports in the lighting controller 344, they are controlled to emit light in the same light emitting mode. As a result, it is possible to execute an effect that gives a strong impact to the player, or it is possible to execute a well-balanced effect by simultaneously emitting LEDs separated from the left and right. The first LED 204a and the second LED 204b may be composed of a plurality of LED groups connected to the same output port.

Therefore, in the sub CPU 330a, it is necessary to transmit a command for each of the first LED 204a and the second LED 204b to the lighting controller 344. Then, as for the command for the first LED 204a and the second LED 204b, the same command is always transmitted from the sub CPU 330a to the lighting controller 344, and the lighting controller 344 causes the first LED 204a and the second LED 204b to emit light in the same light emitting mode.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a table (data) of the illumination pattern of the comparative example. As shown in FIG. 7, in the sub ROM330b of the comparative example, as a table of the illumination pattern for the first LED 204a, a light emitting table 360a, a blinking table 360b, a pattern 1 table 360c, a pattern 2 table 360d, a pattern 3 table 360e, and a pattern A table having a plurality of illumination patterns such as 4 tables 360f is stored.

Further, in the sub ROM330b of the comparative example, as a table of the illumination pattern for the second LED204b, a light emitting table 370a, a blinking table 370b, a pattern 1 table 370c, a pattern 2 table 370d, a pattern 3 table 370e, a pattern 4 table 370f, etc. Data of multiple illumination patterns is stored.

The table of the illumination pattern for the second LED 204b is the same table as the table of the illumination pattern for the first LED 204a.

Then, the effect determining means 332 determines, as the illumination pattern of the first LED 204a, one of the tables of the illumination pattern for the first LED 204a stored in the sub ROM 330b based on the determined effect pattern, and determines the illumination pattern. The start address of the pattern table is written in the table analysis storage area 350 of the sub RAM 330c. Further, the effect executing means 334 uses the determined effect pattern as an illumination pattern for the second LED 204b, which is the same table as the table for the illumination pattern for the first LED 204a. The start address of the determined and determined illumination pattern table is written in the table analysis storage area 350 of the sub RAM 330c.

Then, the effect executing means 334 generates a command of each light emitting mode of the first LED 204a and the second LED 204b with reference to the table analysis storage area 350 of the sub RAM 330c, and the command transmitting means 336 sends the generated command to the lighting controller. By transmitting to 344, the first LED 204a and the second LED 204b are made to emit light in the same light emitting mode via the lighting controller 344.

However, even though the first LED 204a and the second LED 204b emit light in the same light emitting mode, if the table of the illumination pattern of each of the first LED 204a and the second LED 204b is stored in the sub ROM 330b, the data of the sub ROM 330b is stored. There was a problem that the amount would be huge.

Therefore, in the sub ROM 330b of the present embodiment, instead of the table of the illumination pattern for the second LED 204b, the connection information 370 indicating that a plurality of LEDs are associated with each other is stored. Here, the connection information 370 shows that the first LED 204a and the second LED 204b emit light in the same light emitting mode.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a table (data) of the illumination pattern of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the sub ROM 330b of the present embodiment has a light emitting table 360a, a blinking table 360b, a pattern 1 table 360c, and a pattern 2 table 360d as a table of the illumination pattern for the first LED 204a, as in the comparative example. , Pattern 3 table 360e, pattern 4 table 360f, and other tables with a plurality of illumination patterns are stored.

Further, the sub ROM 330b is not provided with a table of illumination patterns for the second LED 204b, and instead, the connection information 370 is stored.

Then, the effect determining means 332 determines, as the illumination pattern of the first LED 204a, one of the tables of the illumination pattern for the first LED 204a stored in the sub ROM 330b based on the determined effect pattern, and determines the illumination pattern. The start address of the pattern table is written in the table analysis storage area 350 of the sub RAM 330c. Information indicating that the table of the illumination pattern indicated by the head address written in the table analysis storage area 350 is the table of the illumination pattern for the first LED 204a is also written in the table analysis storage area 350 at the same time. At this time, the effect determining means 332 does not determine the illumination pattern for the second LED 204b.

Then, the effect executing means 334 generates a command of the light emitting mode of the first LED 204a with reference to the table analysis storage area 350 of the sub RAM 330c, and writes the generated command in the command storage area 352 of the sub RAM 330c.

After that, the command transmission means 336 transmits the command written in the command storage area 352 of the sub RAM 330c to the lighting controller 344 as a command for the first LED 204a. As a result, the first LED 204a emits light in a light emitting mode corresponding to the determined illumination pattern.

Further, the command transmitting means 336 refers to the connection information 370 stored in the sub ROM 330b, and determines whether or not there is an LED that emits light in the same light emitting mode as the first LED 204a. Then, when it is determined that the second LED 204b is an LED that emits light in the same light emitting mode as the first LED 204a, the command transmitting means 336 uses the command for the first LED 204a written in the command storage area 352 of the sub RAM 330c as a command for the second LED 204b. , Is transmitted to the lighting controller 344. As a result, the second LED 240b emits light in the same light emitting mode as the first LED 204a.

In this way, by storing the connection information 370 indicating that the first LED 204a and the second LED 204b emit light in the same light emitting mode in the sub ROM 330b, the first LED 204a and the second LED 204b connected to different output ports of the lighting controller 344 are the same. It is not necessary to store the table of the illumination pattern of the second LED 204b in the sub ROM 330b when the light is emitted in the light emitting mode of the above, and the amount of data in the sub ROM 330b can be reduced.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a command transmission process by the command transmission means 336.

(Step S300)
The command transmission means 336 identifies the LED corresponding to the command written in the command storage area 352 of the sub RAM 330c.

(Step S302)
The command transmitting means 336 determines whether or not there is an LED that emits light in the same light emitting mode as the LED specified in step S300, based on the connection information 370. As a result, if there is an LED that emits light in the same light emitting mode as the LED corresponding to the command, the process is transferred to step S304, and if there is no LED that emits light in the same light emitting mode as the LED corresponding to the command, the process is transferred to step S306. ..

(Step S304)
The command transmitting means 336 identifies an LED that emits light in the same light emitting mode as the LED specified in step S300, based on the connection information 370 stored in the sub ROM 330b.

(Step S306)
The command transmission means 336 transmits a command for the LED specified in step S300 and step S304 to the lighting controller 344, and ends the command transmission process.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can come up with various modifications or modifications within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. Will be done.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, as a gaming machine, a symbol determining means for determining one from a plurality of types of symbols including a jackpot symbol, and a symbol display when a predetermined fluctuation time elapses after the symbol is determined. Of the symbol display means for displaying a symbol on the unit, the large role game execution means for executing a large role game composed of a plurality of round games when the jackpot symbol is displayed on the symbol display unit, and the round game in the large role game. During a preset specific round game, when a game ball that has entered a large winning opening enters a specific area, a game profit giving means that grants a predetermined game profit and a production execution means that executes a production during a major role game. The pachinko machine equipped with the above is illustrated, but not only in such a case, but also for the winning combination lottery means for determining one of multiple types of winning combinations by the winning combination lottery based on the operation of the start switch, and for the operation of the start switch. Correspondingly, it is operated based on the lottery result of the winning combination lottery means according to the operation of the stop switch corresponding to the rotating rotary reel by controlling the rotation of a plurality of rotary reels in which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged. It can also be applied to a slot machine provided with a reel control means for stopping and controlling each of the rotary reels corresponding to the stop switch, and an effect control means for executing one of a plurality of types of effects. Hereinafter, the slot machine 600 will be described in detail.

(Mechanical configuration of slot machine 600)
As shown in the external views of FIGS. 10 and 11, the slot machine 600 can be opened and closed by a housing 602 which is a substantially rectangular box body and a connecting member which can rotate with respect to the front opening of the housing 602. The front lower door 604, which is located below the front upper door 604 and is attached to the front opening of the housing 602 so as to be openable and closable, and the front lower door 606, which is located below the front upper door 604. It is located at the lower part of the door 606 and is provided with a saucer portion 608 for storing medals paid out from the medal ejection port 608a.

An operation unit installation table 622 is formed on the upper part of the front lower door 606, and a medal insertion unit 624, a bet switch 626, a start switch 628, a stop switch 630, an effect switch 632, etc. are arranged on the operation unit installation table 622. ing.

The medal insertion unit 624 located on the right side of the operation unit installation table 622 accepts the insertion of medals as a game medium through the medal insertion slot 624a, and medals are inserted into the medal selector (not shown) provided on the back of the front lower door 606. To send. The medal selector includes a blocker (not shown) that guides medals inserted outside the insertion period or non-standard medals to the medal outlet 608a, and medals within the standard inserted during the insertion period. A throw-in medal detection unit 624b for detecting the passage of the above is provided. Here, the medal guided to the medal ejection port 608a is ejected to the saucer portion 608. When a player inserts medals in excess of the specified number of medals inserted to start one game, a predetermined number of medals (for example, 50) exceeding the specified number of medals are inserted. ) Is electrically stored inside the slot machine 600 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a credit). The above 1 game will be described in detail later.

Further, here, the specified input number is set to "3" or "2". If the number of medals required to execute one game can be arbitrarily selected from a plurality of specified input numbers, the maximum number among the plurality of specified input numbers is called the maximum specified input number, and the minimum number is used. Is called the minimum specified input number. If the specified input number can be selected from 1 to 3, the maximum specified input number is "3" and the minimum specified input number is "1".

The bet switch 626 is a push-type button switch for inserting (betting) a specified number of medals among the credited medals. If the bet switch 626 is pressed while more than the specified number of medals are credited, one game can be started and the number of credited medals is reduced by the specified number of inserted medals.

The start switch 628 located on the left side of the operation unit installation table 622 is composed of a lever capable of detecting the tilting operation, and detects the start operation of one game by the player. Further, the start switch 628 can also be configured by a button switch capable of detecting a pressing operation.

A colorless and transparent design display window 636 made of a glass plate, a transparent resin plate, or the like is provided in the lower center of the front upper door 604, and a reel is provided at a position corresponding to the design display window 636 in the housing 602. A unit 634 is provided. As shown in the reel symbol arrangement of FIG. 12, the reel unit 634 has three rotary reels (left reel 634a, middle reel 634b, right) in which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged in each region equally divided into 21. The reels 634c) are provided independently and rotatably, and the player can visually recognize the left reel 634a, the middle reel 634b, and the right reel 634c through the symbol display window 636. The reel unit 634 starts the rotation of the left reel 634a, the middle reel 634b, and the right reel 634c, triggered by the operation of the start switch 628.

The stop switch 630 located at the center of the operation unit installation table 622 is a button switch provided corresponding to each of the left reel 634a, the middle reel 634b, and the right reel 634c, and is a button switch capable of detecting the pressing operation of the player. The stop operation of the player who tries to stop each of the reel 634a, the middle reel 634b, and the right reel 634c is detected. The three button switches related to the stop switch 630 are particularly called stop button switches, and are referred to as a stop button switch 630a, a stop button switch 630b, and a stop button switch 630c in order from the left according to their positions.

The effect switch 632 is composed of a push-type button switch and a jog dial switch rotatably arranged around the push-type button switch, and detects a player's pressing operation and rotation operation. The effect switch 632 is mainly used during the effect, and the effect mode can be changed by the operation of the player.

A liquid crystal display unit 638 that displays various images accompanying the effect is provided in the upper center of the front upper door 604. Further, on the upper portion and the left and right of the front upper door 604, for example, an effect lamp 642 composed of a high-luminance light emitting diode (LED) is provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, a speaker that produces an auditory effect by sound effects, musical sounds, etc. at the left and right positions of the liquid crystal display unit 638 on the back surface of the front upper door 604 and the inner surface left and right positions on the back surface of the front lower door 606. 640 is provided. Further, below the reel unit 634 in the housing 602, a medal payout device (medal hopper) 764 for paying out medals from the medal discharge port 608a is provided. The medal payout device 764 has a medal storage unit 764a for storing medals, a payout control unit 764b for discharging medals stored in the medal storage unit 764a from the medal discharge port 608a, and medals discharged from the medal discharge port 608a. It is provided with a payout medal detection unit 764c for detecting. Specifically, the payout control unit 764b is rotatably supported by the exterior of the main body of the payout control unit 764b, and has a plurality of medal insertion holes in the circumferential direction into which medals dropped from the medal storage unit 764a are fitted one by one from above. It is equipped with an arranged disc (not shown) and a disc motor (not shown) that rotates the disc, and the disc is rotated to insert medals into the medal fitting holes one by one through an extrusion mechanism. In addition to discharging to the outside, the next medals are sequentially fitted into the medal fitting holes vacated by the discharging, so that the medals are continuously discharged one by one.

Further, although not shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, inside each of the rotary reels 634a, 634b, and 634c, among the symbols applied to the left reel 634a, the middle reel 634b, and the right reel 634c, the symbol display window is displayed. Reel backlight 644 that illuminates the upper, middle, and lower symbols of each rotating reel 634a, 634b, 634c corresponding to 636 (which can be the target of the effective line that is the target of payout) independently from the back surface. (See FIG. 13) is provided. Further, a reel upper light 646 that directly illuminates the front of all of the left reel 634a, the middle reel 634b, and the right reel 634c is also provided on the upper part of the back surface of the symbol display window 636.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, in the operation unit installation table 622, the main credit display unit 652 and the main payout display unit are on the substantially horizontal plane of the step portion 622a provided between the symbol display window 636 and the stop switch 630. 654 is provided. Further, a sub-credit display unit 656 and a sub-payout display unit 658 are provided between the symbol display window 636 and the operation unit installation table 622. The number of credits is displayed on the main credit display unit 652 and the sub-credit display unit 656, and the number of medals paid out is displayed on the main payout display unit 654 and the sub-payout display unit 658. The sub-credit display unit 656 and the sub-payout display unit 658 can also display various numerical values associated with the effect.

Further, a power switch 648 is provided at an arbitrary position in the housing 602. The power switch 648 is composed of a switch such as a rocker switch that can detect a pressing operation, and is operated by an administrator who manages the slot machine 600 to switch between two states, a power off state and a power on state. Used.

In this embodiment, in the above one game, a medal is inserted through the medal insertion unit 624, a credited medal is inserted through the operation of the bet switch 626, or a replay combination is displayed on the valid line. After any of the automatic insertion of medals based on the above is performed, a plurality of rotating reels 634a, 634b, 634c are rotationally controlled and a winning combination lottery is executed according to the operation of the start switch 628 by the player, and the winning combination is won. In response to the lottery result of the winning combination lottery and the operation of the plurality of stop button switches 630a, 630b, 630c by the player, the rotating reels 634a, 634b, 634c corresponding to the operated stop button switches 630a, 630b, 630c are stopped and controlled, respectively. If a winner is awarded a medal that can be paid out, the game is played until the medal is paid out. In addition, if the winning combination that can receive the medal payout is not won, or if the winning combination is won but the prize is not won, one game ends when all the rotating reels 634a, 634b, and 634c are stopped. However, the start of one game may be read as the operation of the start switch 628 by the player instead of inserting the above medal or winning the replay combination. Further, the number of times such one game is repeated is defined as the number of games.

(Electrical configuration of slot machine 600)
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the slot machine 600. As shown in FIG. 13, the slot machine 600 is mainly controlled by a control board. Here, as an example of the control board, the main control board 700 and the sub control board 702, which share the functions of the control board, will be described. For example, among the programs related to the progress of the game, particularly important processing such as lottery of the winning combination to be used for the game and its winning is executed on the main control board 700, and other processing related to the production, for example, is performed on the sub control board 702. Is running on. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the transmission of electrical signals between the main control board 700 and the sub control board 702 is one from the main control board 700 to the sub control board 702 from the viewpoint of fraud prevention and the like. Limited to direction only. However, if there is no such limitation, bidirectional communication is technically possible.

(Main control board 700)
The main control board 700 has various semiconductor integrated circuits including a main CPU 700a which is a central processing unit, a main ROM 700b in which programs and the like are stored, and a main RAM 700c which functions as a work area, and controls the entire slot machine 600 in an integrated manner. do. However, a backup power supply (not shown) is connected to the main RAM 700c, and even if the power is turned off, the data will not be erased unless the settings are changed and the initialization process of the main RAM 700c is executed. Be retained.

Further, the main control board 700 functions by the main CPU 700a cooperating with the main RAM 700c based on the program stored in the main ROM 700b, the initialization means 800, the betting means 802, the winning combination lottery means 804, and the reel control means. It has functional units such as 806, determination means 808, payout control means 810, state transition means 812, command determination means 814, and command transmission means 816.

The initialization means 800 executes an initialization process on the main control board 700. The betting means 802 bets medals for use in the game. Here, the bet is based on the case where the credited medal is inserted through the operation of the bet switch 626, the case where the medal is inserted through the medal insertion unit 624, and the case where the replay combination is displayed on the valid line. Includes any case of automatic input. The winning combination lottery means 804 determines one of a plurality of types of winning combinations including a small winning combination, a replay winning combination, a bonus winning combination, and a loss by winning combination lottery based on the bet of the medal and the operation of the start switch 628. do.

The reel control means 806 controls the rotation of the plurality of rotary reels 634a, 634b, 634c according to the operation of the start switch 628, and the plurality of stop button switches 630a corresponding to the rotating rotary reels 634a, 634b, 634c, respectively. , 630b, 630c, the rotary reels 634a, 634b, 634c corresponding to the operated stop button switches 630a, 630b, 630c are stopped and controlled, respectively. Further, the reel control means 806 enables the operation of the stop switch 630 in the previous game in response to the operation of the start switch 628, and then the stop switch 630 by the player to display the lottery result of the winning combination lottery. The time until the operation is enabled (disabled by the completion of the operation of the stop switch 630 in the previous game) is extended from the specified time, during which the rotary reels 634a, 634b, and 634c are rotated in various modes. Reel production (freeze production) may be performed. In the reel effect, any switch that should be originally enabled is not enabled for a predetermined time, the processing that should be originally executed is suspended for a predetermined time, and the signal of any switch that should be originally transmitted / received is transmitted or received for a predetermined time. It can be realized by not having it.

The determination means 808 determines whether or not the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery is displayed on the valid line. Here, the display of the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery on the valid line may be simply referred to as winning. The payout control means 810 pays out as many medals as the number corresponding to the winning combination based on the fact that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery is displayed on the valid line (winning). .. The state transition means 812 transitions the gaming state based on the winning or winning of the bonus combination.

The command determination means 814 sequentially determines commands related to the game associated with the operations of the bet means 802, the winning combination lottery means 804, the reel control means 806, the determination means 808, the payout control means 810, the state transition means 812, and the like. The command transmitting means 816 sequentially transmits the commands determined by the command determining means 814 to the sub-control board 702.

The main control board 700 receives various detection signals from the input medal detection unit 624b, the bet switch 626, the start switch 628, and the stop switch 630, and based on the received detection signals, the bet means 802 and the winning combination lottery means. The 804, the reel control means 806, and the determination means 808 execute the various processes described above. Further, a main credit display unit 652 and a main payout display unit 654 are connected to the main control board 700, and the payout control means 810 displays the number of medals credits and the number of payouts to both display units 652 and 654. Control.

Further, a reel drive control unit 758 is connected to the main control board 700. The reel drive control unit 758 drives and stops the stepping motor 762 based on the rotation start signals of the rotary reels 634a, 634b, and 634c transmitted from the reel control means 806 in response to the operation signal of the start switch 628. Drive of the stepping motor 762 based on the stop signals of the left reel 634a, the middle reel 634b, and the right reel 634c and the detection signals of the rotation position detection circuit 760 transmitted from the reel control means 806 in response to the operation signal of the switch 630. To stop.

Further, a medal payout device 764 is connected to the main control board 700. A detection signal of the payout medal detection unit 764c is input to the main control board 700, and the payout control means 810 counts the number of medals to be paid out according to the detection signal from the payout control unit 764b. Control the ejection of medals.

Further, the main control board 700 is provided with a random number generator 700d. The random number generator 700d sequentially increments the count value, loops it within a predetermined total number (for example, 65536) (0 to 65535), and generates (acquires) a random number by extracting the count value at a predetermined time point. The random numbers generated by the random number generator 700d of the main control board 700 (hereinafter referred to as the winning combination lottery random number) are used for the game profit given to the player, for example, the winning combination lottery means 804 for executing the winning combination lottery. Will be.

(Sub-control board 702)
Further, the sub control board 702 has various semiconductor integrated circuits including a sub CPU 702a which is a central processing device, a sub ROM 702b in which a program or the like is stored, a sub RAM 702c which functions as a work area, and the like, like the main control board 700. , In particular, the effect is controlled based on the command from the main control board 700. Further, like the main RAM 700c, a backup power supply (not shown) is connected to the sub RAM 702c, and even when the power supply is turned off, the data is retained without being erased. The sub-control board 702 is also provided with a random number generator 702d as in the main control board 700, and the random numbers generated by the random number generator 702d (hereinafter referred to as effect lottery random numbers) mainly represent the mode of the effect. Used to determine.

Further, the sub control board 702 includes initialization determination means 830, command receiving means 832, effect control means 834, etc., in which the sub CPU 702a functions by cooperating with the sub RAM 702c based on the program stored in the sub ROM 702b. It has a functional part.

The initialization determination means 830 executes the initialization process on the sub-control board 702. The command receiving means 832 receives a command from another control board such as the main control board 700, and processes the command. The effect control means 834 receives the detection signal from the effect switch 632, and determines the effect of the game performed by each device of the liquid crystal display unit 638, the speaker 640, and the effect lamp 642 based on the winning combination command. Specifically, the effect control means 834 includes image data displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 638, an effect lamp 642, a reel backlight 644, a reel upper light 646, a sub credit display unit 656, a sub payout display unit 658, and the like. The lighting data for the production through the lighting device is determined, and the audio data constituting the sound to be output from the speaker 640 is determined. Then, the effect control means 834 executes the effect of the determined game.

The effect includes an effect executed by the main control board 700 such as the reel effect described above, and an effect executed by the sub control board 702. As the game progresses, the effect executed by the sub control board 702 includes a liquid crystal display unit 638, a speaker 640, an effect lamp 642, a reel backlight 644, a reel upper light 646, a sub credit display unit 656, and a sub payout display unit. It is a visual and auditory expression means provided through 658 and the like, and can give a story to the game and suggest the result of the winning combination lottery with a more dynamic image. In such an effect, for example, an effect suggesting winning of a bonus game can be performed over a plurality of games to raise the expectation of the player. In addition, even if you have not won any of the winning roles, you can give the player a sense of expectation of a high payout through the production as if you were also winning, so that the player will not get bored. It will be possible.

In the slot machine 600, the effect control means 834 functions as the effect determination means 332, the effect execution means 334, and the command transmission means 336 described above, and the effect lamp 642 functions as the effect lighting device 204 described above.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case of controlling the light emitting mode of the effect lighting device 204 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when controlling an effect device related to an effect such as an effect display device 200, an effect accessory device 202, and a music output device 206 that operate in the same effect mode, a table of effect patterns for one effect device ( Data) is stored in the storage unit, and connection information 370 indicating the correspondence relationship between the effect devices operating in the same effect mode is stored in the storage unit, and when the effect pattern for one effect device is determined, the connection is performed. Based on the information 370, the command of the effect pattern for one effect device may be transmitted to the effect controller as a command for the other effect device. At this time, the effect device may be a combination of different types of devices as well as a combination of the same type of devices.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the first LED 204a and the second LED 240b always emit light in the same light emitting mode has been described as an example, but for example, only when a specific gaming state or a specific effect is executed. , The first LED 204a and the second LED 240b may emit light in the same light emitting mode, and in such a case, the connection information 370 may be used.

204 Directing lighting device (directing device)
330, 702 Sub control board 330a, 702a Sub CPU (effect control means)
330b, 702b Sub ROM (storage unit)
330c, 702c sub RAM
332 Direction determination means 334 Effect execution means 336 Command transmission means 344 Lighting controller (effect controller)
642 Production lamp (production device)
834 Production control means

Claims (1)

An effect control means that determines an effect pattern according to the progress of the game and sends a command corresponding to the determined effect pattern to the effect controller.
An effect controller in which the first effect device and the second effect device are connected to different output ports and drive the first effect device and the second effect device, respectively, based on the command transmitted from the effect control means.
It is provided with a storage unit in which the data of the effect pattern for the first effect device and the connection information indicating that the effect mode of the first effect device and the effect mode of the second effect device are the same are stored . ,
The effect control means is
When the effect pattern for the first effect device is determined, the command corresponding to the determined effect pattern is transmitted to the effect controller as the command for the first effect device, and the command is transmitted to the effect controller, and the command is based on the connection information. A gaming machine characterized in that a command for the first effect device is transmitted to the effect controller as a command for the second effect device.

Images