JP7144855B2 - game machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a gaming machine that reproduces sound source data (audio data) (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-266709

However, in the conventional game machine, there is room for improvement in the amusement of the game because it is not possible to provide various effects with respect to the sound in the predetermined effects (ready-to-win effect, etc.).

An object of the present invention is to improve the amusement of a game.

According to a representative embodiment of the present invention, in a gaming machine provided with effect control means capable of executing game-related effects, sound source data corresponding to a phrase number and a phrase that is the number of said sound source data stored by itself a sound source storage means for storing a number, a phrase number setting means for reading the number of phrases from the sound source storage means and setting the phrase number in a phrase number confirmation area provided in a register of the effect control means ; Phrase number setting means for setting in a phrase number setting area provided in the register of the effect control means, and reproduction means for reading and reproducing the sound source data corresponding to the phrase number in response to a reproduction instruction , When the phrase number is set in the phrase number setting area, the reproducing means can read and reproduce the sound source data corresponding to the phrase number without an instruction to reproduce, and The phrase number setting means sets the phrase number corresponding to the predetermined effect to be executed when the predetermined effect is executed, and the number of phrases set by the phrase number setting means is the predetermined number of executable effects. The number of types of effects is larger than the number of types of effects, and the capacity of the phrase number confirmation area is larger than the capacity of the phrase number setting area .

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to one form of this invention, the interest of a game can be improved.

It is a perspective view of the game machine viewed from the front side. It is a front view of a game board. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the game control system of a game machine. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the production|presentation control system of a game machine. 10 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the first half of the main processing; FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the second half of the main processing; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a procedure of timer interrupt processing; 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of probability setting change/confirmation processing; It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a special figure game process. 4 is a flow chart showing a procedure of a starting port switch monitoring process; It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a special figure starting mouth switch common process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a special figure usual process. It is a flow chart showing the procedure of special figure 1 fluctuation start processing. It is a flow chart showing the procedure of special figure 2 fluctuation start processing. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a jackpot flag 1 setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a jackpot flag 2 setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a big-hit determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of special figure information setting processing. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a variation pattern setting process. 10 is a flow chart showing a procedure of 2-byte allocation processing; 10 is a flow chart showing a procedure of sorting processing; 9 is a flow chart showing the procedure of a change start information setting process; It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of normal figure game processing. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of normal figure usual processing. It is a flow chart which shows the main processing of the production control device. 9 is a flowchart showing received command check processing; 9 is a flowchart showing received command analysis processing; 10 is a flowchart showing single-shot command processing; It is a flow chart showing a look-ahead pattern system command process. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing look-ahead variation command processing; FIG. It is a flow chart which shows design system command processing. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing variable command processing; FIG. It is a flow chart which shows change production setting processing. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of hit system command processing. 2 is a configuration diagram for explaining the configuration of a sound source LSI; FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining dynamic allocation operation|movement. FIG. 4 is a diagram explaining a basic signal flow of a multi-effector; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating signal flows of a channel volume function and a panpot function in a mixer section; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of registers stored in a register bank; FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining loop processing in sequence reproduction; FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining loop processing in phrase reproduction; It is a block diagram showing the board|substrate etc. which are connected to the production|presentation control apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, and this. FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration and functions of a sound circuit (sound source LSI) according to a second embodiment; FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a modified example of the second embodiment; FIG.

[First embodiment]
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that front, back, left, and right in the description of the gaming machine refer to directions seen by the player during the game.

[General view of game machine]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a gaming machine.

The game machine 10 has an opening/closing frame attached to a frame 11 fixed to an island facility via a hinge so as to be freely opened/closed. The opening/closing frame is composed of a front frame 12 (body frame) and a glass frame 15 .

A game board 30 (see FIG. 2) is arranged on the front frame 12, and a glass frame 15 having a cover glass 14 covering the front surface of the game board 30 is attached. The cover glass 14 functions as a game visual recognition area that makes a game area 32 (see FIG. 2) formed on the game board 30 visible.

The front frame 12 and the glass frame 15 can be opened individually. For example, by opening only the glass frame 15, the game area 32 of the game board 30 can be accessed. Also, by opening the front frame 12 in a state where the glass frame 15 is not opened, it is possible to access the game control device (main board) 100 (see FIG. 3) and the like arranged on the back side of the game board 30. can be done.

Various frame-constituting members are arranged on the edge portion of the glass frame 15 around the cover glass 14 .

At the upper center and left side of the glass frame 15, decoration devices 1 capable of emitting light according to the game state are provided.
8a and 18b are provided. The decoration devices 18a and 18b accommodate lighting members such as LEDs therein, and perform light emission effects according to the game state. The illumination members arranged inside these decoration devices 18a and 18b constitute part of the frame decoration device 18 (see FIG. 4).

Upper speakers 19a are arranged at the upper right corner portion and the upper left corner portion of the glass frame 15, respectively. Two lower speakers 19b are provided in the lower part of the game machine 10 separately from the upper speakers 19a. The lower speaker 19 b is arranged at the lower left corner portion of the glass frame 15 and the lower right corner portion of the front frame 12 . These upper speaker 19a and lower speaker 19b emit sound effects, alarm sounds, notification sounds, and the like.

On the right side of the glass frame 15, a protruding effect unit 13 that extends in the vertical direction of the gaming machine 10 and protrudes forward (toward the player) is arranged. Protruding production unit 1
Reference numeral 3 denotes a performance device that performs lighting effects and the like in accordance with the progress of the game. Protruding production unit 13
The illumination member disposed inside also constitutes a part of the frame decoration device 18 (see FIG. 4).

An upper plate unit having an upper plate 21 capable of storing game balls is attached to the lower portion of the glass frame 15 . The upper plate 21 is formed in a box shape with an open top. The game balls stored in the upper tray 21 are supplied one by one to a ball shooting device (not shown).

The upper tray unit further includes a performance operation device for receiving input operations from the players, a ball lending operation device for receiving input operations from the players, and a decoration device 22 for performing light-emitting performance or the like according to the game state. .

The production operation device is an operation device in which a touch panel 25b is incorporated in the production button 25,
It is provided in the upper center of the upper tray unit so that the player can easily operate it.

By operating the effect operation device by the player, it is possible to perform an effect in which the player's operation is intervened in a special figure variation display game (game) or the like displayed on the display device 41 (see FIG. 2). For example, it is possible to select an effect pattern (effect mode), or execute an advance notice effect that gives advance notice of the result of the variable display game (game) corresponding to the starting memory. Note that the variable display game includes a special figure variable display game, and when simply referred to as a variable display game, this specification refers to a special figure variable display game.

Also, the effect pattern may be changed not only during execution of the variable display game but also by the player operating the effect operation device while the game is not being executed.

The game state when the variable display game is executed consists of a plurality of game states. The normal game state (normal state) is a game state in which no special game state occurs. In addition, the special game state is, for example, a state with a high probability of occurrence of a special result (for example, a big hit) in a time-saving state or a variable display game as a specific game state (variable state, probability variable state), a big hit state (
special game state).

Here, the probability variable state (specific game state) continues until the next big hit occurs (loop type), continues until a predetermined number of variable display games are executed (number cut type, ST), and There is one that continues until a predetermined probability fall lottery is won (fall lottery type).

Furthermore, whether or not to generate the probability variable state may be always generated when the big hit occurs without determining whether or not to generate the probability variable state by the big hit pattern random number, or a prize winning device having a specific area may be provided and specified. A variable probability state may be generated when a game ball passes through the area.

The ball lending operation device is an operation device operated by the player when borrowing game balls, and is provided on the upper right side of the upper tray unit. The ball rental operation device includes a ball rental button 27 and a return button 28.
, and a balance display unit 26 . A ball lending button 27 is a button operated by a player when borrowing a game ball, and a return button 28 is used when ejecting a prepaid card or the like from a card unit (not shown) arranged adjacent to the gaming machine 10. These are buttons operated by the player. The balance display portion 26 is a display area for displaying the balance of a prepaid card or the like.

The decoration device 22 accommodates an illumination member such as an LED inside, and is a device that performs light emission effect or the like according to the game state, and is provided in the front portion of the upper tray unit. The illumination member arranged inside the decoration device 22 constitutes a part of the frame decoration device 18 (see FIG. 4).

Beneath the glass frame 15 including the above-described upper tray unit and the like, and below the front frame 12, there are an operation handle 24 for controlling the operation of a ball shooting device (not shown) and a game ball capable of being stored. A lower plate 23 is provided.

The operating handle 24 is arranged in the lower right portion of the front frame 12 and below the right lower speaker 19b. When the player rotates the operation handle 24 , the ball shooting device shoots game balls supplied from the upper tray 21 to the game area 32 of the game board 30 . The shooting speed of the game ball shot from the ball shooting device is set to increase as the amount of rotation of the operating handle 24 increases. That is, the ball launching device has a momentum (speed) for launching the game ball into the game area.
can be changed according to the operation of the operation handle 24 by the player, and the game ball can be shot in various shooting modes with different shooting momentum. The shooting modes include left hitting (normal hitting) in which the game ball flows down on the left side of the game area 32 and right hitting in which the game ball flows down on the right side of the game area 32 .

The lower tray 23 is arranged below the upper tray unit with a predetermined gap from the upper tray unit. The lower plate 23 has a ball removal hole 23a vertically passing through the bottom surface of the lower plate 23, and an opening/closing operation portion 23b for opening and closing the ball removal hole 23a. When the player operates the opening/closing operation portion 23b to open the ball extraction hole 23a, the game balls stored in the lower tray 23 can be discharged to the outside through the ball extraction hole 23a.

[Game board]
Next, the game board 30 of the game machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board 30 provided in the game machine 10. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 30 includes a flat plate-shaped game board main body 3 that serves as an attachment base for various members.
0a. The game board main body 30a is made of wood or synthetic resin.
A game area 32 surrounded by guide rails 31 is provided on the front surface of the . The gaming machine 10
A game is played by shooting game balls from a ball shooting device into a game area 32 surrounded by guide rails 31. - 特許庁In the game area 32, windmills, obstacle nails, etc. are arranged as members for changing the flowing direction of the game ball.

At approximately the center of the game area 32, a center case (front structure) 40 is attached to form a window that serves as a display area for the variable display game. At the rear of the window formed in the center case 40, there is an effect display device (variable display device) that variably displays (variably displays) a plurality of pieces of identification information.
A display device 41 is arranged. The display device 41 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display, and is arranged so that display contents can be visually recognized from the front side of the game board 30 through the window portion of the center case 40 . The display device 41 is not limited to having a liquid crystal display, and may have a display such as an EL or a CRT.

A plurality of variable display areas are provided on the display screen (display unit) of the display device 41, and identification information (special symbols) and characters for producing a variable display game are displayed in each variable display area. In addition, images based on the progress of the game (big win display, fanfare display, ending display, etc.) are displayed on the display screen.

In addition, the center case 40 is equipped with a game ball flowing down the game area 32 .
An inflow port 40a to a warp passage 40e for guiding the game ball to the inside and a stage portion 40b on which game balls that have passed through the warp passage 40e can roll are provided. Since the stage portion 40b of the center case 40 is arranged above the starting prize opening 36 and the normal variable prize winning device 37,
A game ball rolled on the stage portion 40b is likely to enter the starting prize winning port 36 or the normal variable prize winning device 37.例文帳に追加

An upper effect unit 40c and a side effect unit 40d are provided in the upper part and the right part of the center case 40, respectively. Upper production unit 40c and side production unit 40d
constitutes a part of the board decoration device 46 (see FIG. 4) and the board rendering device 44 (see FIG. 4).

A normal pattern start gate (normal pattern start gate) 34 is provided in the game area 32 on the right side of the center case 40 . Inside the normal pattern starting gate 34, a gate switch (SW) 34a (see FIG. 3) for detecting a game ball that has passed through the normal pattern starting gate 34 is provided. When the game ball hit into the game area 32 passes through the normal pattern starting gate 34, the normal pattern fluctuation display game is executed.

A general prize winning opening 35 is arranged in the lower left game area 32 of the center case 40 , and a general winning opening 35 is also arranged in the lower right game area 32 of the center case 40 . Winning of game balls to these general winning openings 35 is achieved by a winning opening switch (SW) provided in the general winning opening 35
) 35a-35n (see FIG. 3).

In the game area 32 below the center case 40, there is provided a start winning opening (first starting winning area) 36 that provides the starting condition of the special figure fluctuation display game, and directly below it is a second starting winning opening (second A normal variable winning device 37 having a starting winning area) is provided. The normal variable winning device 37 is provided with a movable member (movable piece) 37b that converts into a state in which game balls can easily flow in by rotating in a direction in which the upper end side falls down toward the near side. When the movable member 37b is in the closed state, the game balls cannot win the normal variable winning device 37.例文帳に追加When the game ball wins the starting winning port 36 or the normal variable winning device 37, a special figure variable display game is executed as an auxiliary game.

The movable member 37b is a so-called tongue type normal electric accessory, and rotates via a normal electric solenoid 37c (see FIG. 3) when the result of the normal pattern variation display game is in a predetermined stop display mode. , and changes to an open state in which game balls tend to flow into the normal variable winning device 37 (an easy winning state advantageous to the player).

The movable member 37b is controlled by a game control device 100, which will be described later. The game control device 100 shortens the fluctuation time of the normal pattern fluctuation display game or makes the hit probability of the normal pattern fluctuation display game higher than usual, thereby increasing the frequency of occurrence of the easy-to-win state, or normal game state. By making the occurrence time of the easy winning state longer than the easy winning state generated in , a time saving state (general electric support state) is generated as the above-mentioned specific game state. In addition, the variable state (
Even in the latent probability variable state), a time-saving state (general electric support state) will occur.

In the game area 32 on the lower right side of the normal variable winning device 37, there is a large winning opening solenoid 39b (Fig. 3)
), there is provided a special variable winning device 39 having an attacker type open/close door 39c that opens the big winning opening by rotating in a direction in which the upper end side falls forward. The special variable winning device 39 converts the state of the large winning opening closed (blocked state unfavorable to the player) to an open state (special game state advantageous to the player) according to the result of the special figure variable display game, thereby winning a large prize. By facilitating the inflow of game balls into the mouth, predetermined game values (prize balls) are awarded to the player. A count switch 39a (large winning opening switch 39a, see FIG. 3) is arranged in the large winning opening as detecting means for detecting a game ball that has entered the large winning opening. In addition, a light-emitting member for illuminating the big winning opening is arranged in or near the big winning opening.

A specific area 86 (so-called V winning opening) is provided inside the second special variable winning device 39 . When the game ball enters the specific area 86 (V winning opening), the probability change state (
High probability state, specific game state) is determined. The specific area 86 may be opened for a long time only in the case of a variable probability big hit so that the game ball can easily pass through. In addition, the game control device 100 can detect passage of the game ball to the specific area 86 (V winning) through a sensor (specific area switch 72 described later) or the like. While confirming to do, it transmits information (specific area passing command etc.) indicating that there was a V prize to the effect control device 300 described later. Then, the effect control device 300 displays the V prize on the display device 4
1 and so on.

General winning port 35, starting winning port 36, normal variable winning device 37, and special variable winning device 39
When a game ball wins in the big winning hole, the payout control device 200 (see FIG. 3) discharges the number of prize balls from the payout device to the upper tray 21 according to the type of the winning winning hole. In addition, normal variable winning device 3
In the game area 32 below 7, an out port 30 for collecting game balls that did not win a prize such as a prize winning port
b is provided.

In addition, outside the game area 32 and in the lower right corner of the game board main body 30a, a special figure variation display game (a special figure 1 variation display game, a special figure 2 variation display game) and a normal figure variation display game are executed. A collective display device 50 is provided. The collective display device 50 includes display units 51 to 60 for displaying information such as the current game state.

The collective display device 50 includes a first special figure variation display unit 51 (special figure 1 indicator, lamp D1) and a second special figure variation for a variation display game composed of a 7-segment type display (LED lamp) Display unit 52 (special figure 2 indicator, lamp D2), variation display unit 53 for normal figure variation display game (normal figure indicator, lamps D10, D18), start (hold) memory number of each variation display game Storage display unit for notification (special figure 1 reservation indicator 54, special figure 2 reservation indicator 55, general figure reservation indicator 56),
have. The special figure 1 reservation indicator 54 is composed of lamps D11 and D12. special figure 2
The hold indicator 55 is composed of lamps D13 and D14. The general map holding display 56 is configured by lamps D15 and D16.

In addition, the collective display device 50 has a first game state display unit 57 (first game state display, lamp D8),
A second game state display unit 58 (second game state indicator, lamp D9) which lights up when a time saving state occurs to inform the occurrence of the time saving state, and when the game machine 10 is powered on, the probability state of a big hit becomes a high probability state. 3rd game state display unit 59 (third game state display unit, probability state display unit, lamp D17) for displaying that the number of rounds at the time of big hit (number of times of opening and closing special variable winning device 39) is displayed. A section 60 (lamps D3-D7) is provided.

In the special figure 1 indicator 51 and the special figure 2 indicator 52, the variable display game is executed by a variable display in which the identification information (for example, the central segment) is repeatedly turned on and off (blinking). In addition, the special figure 1 indicator 51 and the special figure 2 indicator 52 are not limited to such segment type display units,
It may be composed of an aggregate of a plurality of LEDs, and when performing a variable display, all LEDs provided as indicators may be all lit and all extinguished (simultaneous blinking of all LEDs), or cyclic lighting (any One LED may be turned on and off in a predetermined order every predetermined time), or a predetermined number of LEDs out of a plurality of LEDs may be lit and extinguished (blinking) or cyclically lit. Also in the normal figure display device 53, the variable display game is executed by a variable display (blinking) in which the lamps D10 and D18 are repeatedly turned on and off. In addition, the normal figure indicator 53 is also the special figure 1 indicator 5
1. It is possible to configure appropriately in the same manner as the special figure 2 display 52.

In addition, the lamp display device 80 provided on the upper part of the center case 40 is a lamp display unit (flash) that performs a variable display (blinking) that repeats lighting display and extinguishing display as a pattern (fourth special pattern).
LED) and a lamp display unit (LED
). Note that the lamp display device 80 is controlled by an effect control device 300 (described later).
The lamp display unit (LED) for notifying the start (reservation) memory number of each special figure fluctuation display game ends the display of the reservation number due to the occurrence of a big hit, but if it is not in the state of a big hit (reach described later on the display device 41 (including cases where is occurring), display the number of pending.

Next, details of the flow of the game in the gaming machine 10, the normal figure variation display game, and the special figure variation display game will be described.

In the gaming machine 10, a game is played by shooting game balls toward the game area 32 from a ball shooting device (not shown). The launched game ball flows down the game area 32 while changing the rolling direction by obstructing nails, windmills, etc. arranged at various places in the game area 32, and enters a normal figure start gate 34, a general prize winning opening 35, and a starting winning opening. 36, wins a normal variable winning device 37 or a special variable winning device 39, or flows into an out port 30b provided at the bottom of the game area 32, and is discharged from the game area 32. When game balls enter the general winning port 35, the starting winning port 36, the normal variable winning device 37, or the special variable winning device 39, the number of prize balls corresponding to the type of the winning winning port is sent through the payout device. It is discharged to the upper tray 21 .

The normal pattern starting gate 34 is provided with a gate switch 34a (see FIG. 3) for detecting a game ball that has passed through the normal pattern starting gate 34 . When the game ball passes through the normal pattern start gate 34, it is detected by the gate switch 34a, and the normal pattern variation display game is executed based on the determination result of the hit determination random number value extracted at this time.

A state where the normal pattern fluctuation display game cannot be started, for example, when the normal pattern fluctuation display game has already been played and the normal pattern fluctuation display game has not ended, or the result of the normal pattern fluctuation display game is a hit. When the variable prize winning device 37 is converted to the open state, when the game ball passes through the normal pattern start gate 34, if the normal pattern start memory number is less than the upper limit number, the memory number is added (+1).

The normal pattern start memory stores a hit judgment random value for determining the hit or miss of the normal pattern fluctuation display game, and when this hit judgment random value matches the judgment value, the normal pattern fluctuation display A game wins and a specific result mode (specific result) is derived.

The normal pattern fluctuation display game is executed by the normal pattern display device 53 provided in the collective display device 50 . The normal figure display 53 is composed of an LED that indicates a hit in the case of a lit state as normal identification information (normal figure), and indicates a deviation in the case of an off state. After a predetermined variable display time has elapsed, the result is displayed by turning on or off the LED.

When the normal pattern random number value extracted when passing the normal pattern starting gate 34 is a winning value, the normal pattern displayed on the normal pattern display device 53 stops in a winning state and becomes a winning state. At this time, by driving the general electric solenoid 37c (see FIG. 3), the movable member 37b is converted to an open state for a predetermined time (for example, 0.3 seconds), and the game balls to the normal variable winning device 37 Winning is allowed.

Winning of the game ball to the starting winning opening 36 and winning to the normal variable winning device 37 are detected by the starting opening 1 switch 36a (see FIG. 3) and the starting opening 2 switch 37a (see FIG. 3).
The game ball that has won the start prize opening 36 is detected as the start prize ball of the special figure 1 variable display game,
The game balls that have won the normal variable winning device 37 are detected as starting winning balls of the special figure 2 variable display game, and are stored up to the predetermined upper limit.

At the time of detection of the starting prize ball of the special figure variation display game, a big hit random number value, a big hit pattern random number value, each variation pattern random number value, etc. are extracted. These random numbers are stored in the special figure reservation storage area (a part of RAM) of the game control device 100 as special figure start winning memory for a predetermined number of times (for example, a maximum of 8 times). The number of memories of the special figure start winning memory is displayed on the special figure 1 reservation display 54 and the special figure 2 reservation display 55 for notifying the start winning number of the collective display device 50, and the display device 4
1 is also displayed on the display screen.

The game control device 100 executes the special figure 1 variable display game with the special figure 1 indicator 51 based on the winning to the start winning opening 36 or the first start memory. In addition, the game control device 100, based on the winning to the normal variable winning device 37 or the second start memory, the special figure 2 on the special figure 2 indicator 52
Run the floating display game.

The special figure 1 variation display game (first special figure variation display game) and special figure 2 variation display game (second special figure variation display game) are identified by the special figure 1 indicator 51 and the special figure 2 indicator 52 ( It is performed by stopping and displaying a predetermined result mode after variably displaying special symbols, special symbols). again,
In the display device 41, a decorative special figure variation display game is executed in which a plurality of types of identification information (eg, numbers, symbols, character designs, etc.) are variably displayed corresponding to each special figure variation display game.

In the decorative special symbol variation display game on the display device 41, the decorative special symbols (identification information) composed of the numbers etc. described above are left (first special symbol), right (second special symbol), middle (third special symbol ), the variable display (scroll display) is started in order, and after a predetermined time, the varying symbols are sequentially stopped, and the results of the special figure variation display game are displayed. In addition, the display device 41 performs various presentation displays such as the appearance of characters to enhance interest. Furthermore, in the decorative special symbol variation display game, as another decorative special symbol (identification information), in the lamp display unit (LED) of the lamp display device 80, the fourth special symbol ( 4th pattern) fluctuates. After a predetermined time from the start, the variable display on the lamp display stops with "lighting" in the case of a loss, and "lighting out" in the case of a big hit.

Conversely, the variable display of the lamp display unit (LED) as the fourth special pattern (fourth pattern) can be configured to stop at "lights off" in the case of a loss and "lights up" in the case of a big hit. . In addition, there is also a configuration in which a plurality of LEDs (fourth pattern LEDs) are provided as each lamp display part, one of the plurality of LEDs is lit in the case of a loss, and all the plurality of LEDs are lit in the case of a big hit. It is possible.

When the winning of the game ball to the starting winning opening 36 or the normal variable winning device 37 is made at a predetermined timing (when the jackpot random value at the time of winning detection is a jackpot value), the special figure 1 display 51 or special In the display 52 of FIG. 2, a specific result mode (special result mode) is derived from the displayed symbols as a result of the special figure variation display game, and a big hit state (special game state) is established. Correspondingly, the display mode of the display device 41 becomes a special result mode (for example, a state in which numbers such as "7, 7, 7" are aligned).

At this time, in the special variable prize winning device 39, the special prize winning port solenoid 39b (see FIG. 3) is energized, so that the special prize winning port is changed from the closed state to the open state for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds).
In other words, the big winning opening provided in the special variable winning device 39 opens wide for a predetermined time or until a predetermined number of game balls win, and during this time the player is given the privilege of being able to win a lot of game balls. be.

In addition, the special figure 1 indicator 51 and the special figure 2 indicator 52 may be configured as separate indicators or may be configured as the same indicator, but each special figure variation display game is not executed at the same time. is set to

Regarding the decorative special figure variation display game on the display device 41, the special figure 1 variation display game and the special figure 2 variation display game may be executed on separate display devices or separate display areas, or the same display may be performed. You may make it perform by a device or a display area. In this case, the decoration special figure variation display games corresponding to the special figure 1 variation display game and the special figure 2 variation display game are not executed at the same time. In addition, the special figure 2 variation display game is to be executed with priority over the special figure 1 variation display game, and there is a start memory of the special figure 1 variation display game and the special figure 2 variation display game, When the execution of the figure fluctuation display game becomes possible, the special figure 2 fluctuation display game is executed.

In the following description, when the special figure 1 variation display game and the special figure 2 variation display game are not distinguished, they are simply referred to as the special figure variation display game.

Also, although not particularly limited, the starting port 1 switch 36 in the starting winning port 36
a. The starting port 2 switch 37a, the gate switch 34a, the winning port switch 35a, and the count switch 39a in the normal variable prize winning device 37 are provided with coils for detecting magnetism, and the phenomenon that the magnetic field changes when metal comes close to the coils. Non-contact magnetic proximity sensors (hereinafter referred to as proximity switches) are used to detect game balls. Also, the glass frame 15 of the game machine 10
A microswitch with a mechanical contact is used for the glass frame open detection switch 63 provided in the etc. and the front frame open detection switch 64 (main body frame open detection switch) provided in the front frame (game frame) 12 etc. be able to.

[Game control device]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the game control system of the game machine 10. As shown in FIG. The game machine 10 is a game control device 10
0 (main board), the game control device 100 is a main control device (main board) that controls the game in general, and has a CPU section having a game microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a game microcomputer) 111. 110, an input section 120 having an input port, an output section 130 having an output port and a driver, etc., and a data bus 140 connecting between the CPU section 110, the input section 120 and the output section 130, and the like.

The CPU unit 110 includes a gaming microcomputer (CP) called an amusement chip (IC).
U) 111, and an oscillator circuit (crystal oscillator) 113 for generating an operating clock for the CPU, a timer interrupt, a reference clock for the random number generation circuit, and the like. The game control device 100 and electronic components such as solenoids and motors driven by the game control device 100 are supplied with DC32V, DC12V, and DC5 generated by the power supply device 400.
A DC voltage of a predetermined level, such as V, is supplied and enabled.

The power supply device 400 includes an ACDC converter that generates a DC voltage of 32V from a 24V AC power supply, a DC-DC converter that generates a DC voltage of a lower level such as 12V or 5V from a voltage of 32V DC, and a normal power supply unit 410. , gaming microcomputer 11
It has a backup power supply unit 420 that supplies power supply voltage to the internal RAM of 1 at the time of power failure, and a power failure monitoring circuit, and control signals such as power failure monitoring signals and reset signals that inform the game control device 100 of power failure occurrence and recovery. and a control signal generator 430 for generating and outputting the .

In this embodiment, the power supply device 400 is configured separately from the game control device 100,
The backup power supply unit 420 and the control signal generation unit 430 may be configured to be provided on a separate substrate or integrally with the game control device 100, that is, on the main substrate. Since the game board 30 and the game control device 100 are to be replaced when the model is changed, the backup power supply section 420 and the control signal generation section 43 are mounted on a board different from the power supply device 400 or the main board as in the embodiment.
By providing 0, the cost can be reduced by excluding it from the object of replacement.

The backup power supply unit 420 can be configured with one large-capacity capacitor such as an electrolytic capacitor. The backup power supply is the gaming microcomputer 111 (
In particular, the data is supplied to the built-in RAM), and the data stored in the RAM is retained even during a power failure or after the power is turned off. The control signal generation unit 430 monitors the voltage of 32 V generated by the normal power supply unit 410, for example, and when it drops below 17 V, for example, detects the occurrence of a power failure, changes the power failure monitoring signal, and changes the power failure monitoring signal after a predetermined time. to output Also, when the power is turned on or when the power is restored, the reset signal is output after a predetermined time has elapsed from that time.

Also, the game control device 100 is provided with a RAM initialization switch 112 . RAM
When the initialization switch 112 is pressed and turned on, an initialization switch signal is generated,
Based on this, the RAM 111c in the game microcomputer 111 and the RA in the payout control device 200
A process of forcibly initializing the information stored in M is performed. Although not particularly limited, the initialization switch signal is read when the power is turned on, and the power failure monitoring signal is the game microcomputer 1
It is read repeatedly in the main loop of the main program executed by 11. A reset signal is a kind of forced interrupt signal and resets the entire control system.

Also, the game control device 100 (main board) is provided with a setting key switch 93 . When the setting key switch 93 is turned on by an operator's rotating operation or the like, the probability setting value (setting value) corresponding to the setting regarding the game condition (game) can be changed. The RAM initialization switch 112 can also be used as a set value change switch that can change the probability set value according to the operator's operation. In this embodiment, the probability setting value is a setting value for setting the winning probability such as a big hit probability or a small win probability (only when there is a small win), but other game conditions other than the probability (such as production) can also be changed according to the probability setting value. Setting key switch 93 and RAM
The initialization switch 112 constitutes setting changing means (setting changing device 42) capable of changing settings (probability setting values) relating to game conditions. Instead of the RAM initialization switch 112, another switch may also serve as the set value change switch, or a unique set value change switch may be provided exclusively.

The setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 are arranged on the game control device 100 inside the game machine 10 so that they cannot be operated (inaccessible positions) unless the front frame 12 (body frame) is opened. be done. That is, general players cannot access and operate the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 .

As will be described later, when the game machine 10 is turned on (recovery from power failure, power recovery), the game machine 10 sets the probability setting value according to the ON/OFF states of the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112. It is possible to shift to various states such as a changeable setting variable state (setting change state, setting change mode) and a setting confirmation state (setting confirmation mode) in which probability setting values can be confirmed.

In the present embodiment, the probability setting value is defined, for example, in six stages, and probability setting value 1 (setting 1
), probability setting value 2 (setting 2), probability setting value 3 (setting 3), probability setting value 4 (setting 4), probability setting value 5 (setting 5), and probability setting value 6 (setting 6). In general, setting 1 is the most unfavorable setting for the player and setting 6 is the most favorable setting for the player. Settings 1 and 2 are low settings, settings 3 and 4 are intermediate settings (intermediate settings), and settings 5 and 6 are high settings.

In the probability setting change process, each time the operator presses the RAM initialization switch 112, the working setting value (setting) in the working setting value area is changed to the setting value 0 (setting 1, probability setting value 1).
→ setting value 1 (setting 2, probability setting value 2) → setting value 2 (setting 3, probability setting value 3) → setting value 3 (
Setting 4, probability setting value 4) → setting value 4 (setting 5, probability setting value 5) → setting value 5 (setting 6, probability setting value 6) → setting value 0 (setting 1) → setting value 1 (setting 2) → It is changed as follows. Thus, the RAM initialization switch 112 also functions as a set value change switch. For the convenience of explanation, work setting values 0 to 5 are provided corresponding to probability setting values 1 to 6, respectively, in the setting change state (setting change mode), but the work setting values and probability setting values are the same. They may be treated as the same by aligning them to a numerical range (ie, 0 to 5 or 1 to 6) (making the working set value and the probability set value the same numerical value).

Instead of operating the RAM initialization switch 112 (setting value change switch), the setting key switch 93 may be rotated to a predetermined position to change the probability setting value. Moreover, the probability setting value is not limited to six levels. The performance display device 152, which is a 4-digit 7-segment type (8-segment type including dot Dp) display, displays the probability setting values for display corresponding to the selected working setting values 0 to 5, for example. etc.

The gaming microcomputer 111 includes a CPU (central processing unit: microprocessor) 111a
, a read-only ROM (read-only memory) 111b and an RA that can be read and written at any time
M (random access memory) 111c.

The ROM 111b non-volatilely stores constant information (programs, fixed data, determination values of various random numbers, etc.) for game control. The RAM 111c is used as a work area for the CPU 111a during game control and as a storage area for various signals and random numbers. can be held and stored. An electrically rewritable non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM may be used as the ROM 111b or RAM 111c.

Further, the ROM 111b stores a variation pattern table for determining a variation pattern (variation mode) that defines, for example, the execution time of the special figure variation display game, the content of the effect, the presence or absence of the occurrence of the ready-to-win state, and the like. The fluctuation pattern table is a table for the CPU 111a to refer to the fluctuation pattern random numbers 1 to 3 stored as start memory to determine the fluctuation pattern. In addition, the variation pattern table includes a winning variation pattern table selected when the result is a loss, a big hit variation pattern table selected when the result is a big hit, and the like. Furthermore, these pattern tables include tables for determining the second half fluctuation pattern, which is the fluctuation pattern after reaching the reach state (second half fluctuation group table, second half fluctuation pattern selection table, etc.), fluctuation before reaching the reach state Tables for determining the first half variation pattern (first half variation group table, first half variation pattern selection table, etc.) are included.

Here, reach (reach state) means that the display device has a display device whose display state can be changed, the display device derives and displays a plurality of display results at different times, and the plurality of display results are determined in advance. A game state (special game state) in which the game state is advantageous to the player when the special result mode is reached.
In the gaming machine 10, at a stage where some of the plurality of display results are not yet derived and displayed
A display state in which a display result that has already been derived and displayed satisfies the conditions for becoming a special result mode. In other words, the ready-to-reach state means that even when the variable display control of the display device progresses and reaches the stage before the display result is derived and displayed, the display conditions for the special result mode are not met. It refers to a display mode that does not exist. And, for example, a state in which variable display is performed using a plurality of variable display areas while maintaining a state in which the special result modes are uniform (so-called full rotation reach) is also included in the reach state. In addition, the reach state is a display state at the time when the display control of the display device progresses and reaches the stage before the display result is derived and displayed, and is determined before the display result is derived and displayed. It means a display state when at least some of the display results of a plurality of variable display areas that are present satisfy the conditions for the special result mode.

Therefore, for example, the decoration special figure variation display game displayed on the display device corresponding to the special figure variation display game changes the plurality of identification information for a predetermined time in each of the left, middle, and right variation display areas on the display device. After displaying, when the variable display is stopped in the order of left, right, and middle to display the result mode, the condition for the special result mode is satisfied in the left and right variable display areas (for example, The state in which the variable display is stopped with the same identification information) is the reach state. In addition, when the variable display of all the variable display areas is temporarily stopped, any two of the left, middle, and right variable display areas satisfy the condition for the special result mode (for example, the same identification information This state (excluding the special result mode) may be set as the ready-to-win state, and the remaining one variable display area may be variably displayed from the ready-to-win state.

The ready-to-win state includes a plurality of ready-to-win effects, and the systems (types) of ready-to-win effects with different possibilities (different expectations) of deriving a special result mode (jackpot mode) are normal reach (N reach), Special 1 reach (SP1 reach), Special 2 reach (SP
2 reach), special 3 reach (SP3 reach), and premier reach.
The degree of expectation (expected value) of the ready-to-win performance is set to increase in the order of no reach<normal reach<special 1 reach<special 2 reach<special 3 reach<premier reach. Also, the ready-to-win state is included in the variable display mode at least when the special result mode is derived in the special figure variable display game (when the game becomes a big hit). That is, it may be included in the variation display mode when it is determined that the special result mode is not derived in the special figure variation display game (when it becomes a loss). Therefore, the state in which the ready-to-win state has occurred is a state with a high possibility of winning a big hit compared to the case in which the ready-to-win state has not occurred.

In addition, the degree of expectation of the production (notice) suggests the probability that the production will be a big hit when the production is selected, the selection rate of the production when it is a big hit, and the production when it is not a big hit (when it is lost). It can be calculated based on the selectivity or the like.

The CPU 111a executes a game control program in the ROM 111b to generate a control signal (command) for the payout control device 200 or the effect control device 300, or to generate and output a drive signal for a solenoid or a display device, and output the game machine. 10 overall control. In addition, although not shown, the gaming microcomputer 111 generates a jackpot random number for determining a jackpot in a special figure variation display game, a jackpot pattern random number for determining a jackpot pattern, and a small hit pattern for determining a small hit pattern. Pattern random numbers (only if there is a small hit), fluctuation pattern random numbers, etc. for determining the fluctuation pattern in the special figure fluctuation display game (including the execution time of the fluctuation display game in various reach and fluctuation display without reach) A random number generation circuit for generation and an oscillation signal from the oscillation circuit 113 (
A clock generator is provided for generating a timer interrupt signal with a predetermined cycle (for example, 4 msec (milliseconds)) for the CPU 111a based on the original clock signal) and a clock for giving the update timing of the random number generation circuit.

In addition, the CPU 111a uses the ROM 111b in processing related to the special figure variation display game.
Any one variation pattern table is acquired from among a plurality of variation pattern tables stored in the . Specifically, the CPU 111a, the game result of the special figure fluctuation display game (big hit or lose), the probability state of the special figure fluctuation display game as the current game state (normal probability state or high probability state), the number of starting memories Any one variation pattern table is selected and acquired from among a plurality of variation pattern tables based on the above. Here, the CPU 11
1a constitutes variation distribution information acquiring means for acquiring any one variation pattern table among a plurality of variation pattern tables stored in ROM 111b when executing a special figure variation display game.

The payout control device 200 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input interface, an output interface, etc., and drives a payout motor 91 of the payout unit in accordance with a prize ball payout command (command or data) from the game control device 100 to produce a prize ball. control to pay out
Further, the payout control device 200 drives the payout motor 91 of the payout unit based on the ball rental request signal from the card unit 600, and performs control for paying out the rental balls.

The input unit 120 of the game control device 100 includes a radio wave sensor 62 (board radio wave sensor) that detects the emission of radio waves to the game machine, a gate switch 34a of the normal figure start gate 34, a start opening 1 in the first start winning opening 36 It is connected to the switch 36a, the starting port 2 switch 37a in the second start winning port 37 (normal variable winning device), the winning port switch 35a of the general winning port 35, and the large winning port switch 39a of the special variable winning device 39. The high level supplied from the switch is 11
An interface chip (proximity I/F) 121 is provided for inputting a negative logic signal such as V and a low level of 7V and converting it into a positive logic signal of 0V-5V.

Further, the interface chip (proximity I/F) 121 is connected to the specific area switch 72 , the remaining ball outlet switch 73 and the out ball detection switch 74 . Specific area switch 72
, detects passage of a game ball (V winning) to a specific area 86 (V winning opening). The remaining ball discharge port switch 73 detects game balls that have passed through the remaining ball discharge port for discharging game balls from the special variable winning device 39 . The out-ball detection switch 74 may detect only game balls passing through the out port 30b, or may detect all game balls that have been shot into the game area and finished playing.

The output of the proximity I/F 121 is supplied to the second input port 123, the third input port 124, or the fourth input port 126 and read into the game microcomputer 111 via the data bus 140. Among the outputs of the proximity I/F 121, the detection signals of the gate switch 34a, the starting port 1 switch 36a, the starting port 2 switch 37a, the prize winning port switch 35a, and the big winning port switch 39a are input to the third input port 124. .

Among the outputs of the proximity I/F 121 , the detection signal of the radio wave sensor 62 and the abnormality detection signal output when an abnormality of the sensor or switch is detected are input to the second input port 123 .

Among the outputs of the proximity I/F 121 , the detection signal of the specific area switch 72 , the remaining ball outlet switch 73 , or the out ball detection switch 74 is input to the fourth input port 126 .

Further, the second input port 123 receives the detection signal of the fraud detection magnetic sensor switch 61 provided on the front frame 12 of the gaming machine 10 or the like, and the glass frame opening detection signal provided on the glass frame 15 of the gaming machine 10 or the like. Switch 63, a signal from the front frame open detection switch 64 (main body frame open detection switch) provided on the front frame 12 (main body frame), etc., vibration sensor 6 for detecting vibration of game machine 10
5 is input.

Also, the second input port 123 takes in the setting key switch signal from the setting key switch 93 and supplies it to the game microcomputer 111 via the data bus 140 .

In addition, among the outputs of the proximity I/F 121, the output to the third input port 124 is also supplied from the game control device 100 through the relay board 70 to a test fire test device (not shown). Further, among the outputs of the proximity I/F 121, the detection signals of the starting port 1 switch 36a and the starting port 2 switch 37a are configured to be input to the gaming microcomputer 111 in addition to the third input port 124.

As described above, the proximity I/F 121 has a signal level conversion function. In order to enable such a level conversion function, the proximity I/F 121 is supplied with a voltage of 12 V in addition to a voltage of 5 V required for normal IC operation from the power supply device 400. It's becoming

The data held by the third input port 124 is processed by the enable signal CE when the gaming microcomputer 111 decodes the address assigned to the third input port 124.
It can be read by asserting 2 (changed to valid level). The same applies to the second input port 123, the fourth input port 126, and the first input port 122, which will be described later.

In addition, the input unit 120 receives a frame radio fraud signal output from the payout control device 200, a payout busy signal, a status signal indicating payout abnormality, a shoot ball cut switch signal indicating a shortage of game balls before payout, and an overflow. Overflow switch signal, touch switch signal based on the input of the touch switch provided on the operation handle 24, RAM initialization switch 1
A first input port 122 is provided for taking in signals from 12 and supplying them to the gaming microcomputer 111 via a data bus 140 . The overflow switch signal is a signal that is output when it is detected that the lower tray 23 is filled with a predetermined amount or more of game balls (that the tray is full). The frame radio wave illegal signal is a signal output based on the detection of radio waves by a frame radio wave sensor provided on the front frame 12 (body frame). This is a signal indicating whether or not

Further, the input unit 120 is provided with a Schmidt buffer 125 for inputting signals such as a power failure monitoring signal and a reset signal from the power supply device 400 to the game microcomputer 111 and the like. It has the function of removing noise from
A power failure monitoring signal from the power supply device 400 is once input to the first input port 122 and taken into the gaming microcomputer 111 via the data bus 140 . That is, they are treated as signals equivalent to the signals from the various switches described above. This is because the number of terminals for receiving signals from the outside provided in the gaming microcomputer 111 is limited.

On the other hand, the reset signal RST noise-removed by the Schmidt buffer 125 is directly input to the reset terminal provided in the game microcomputer 111, and the output section 13
0 to each port. In addition, by outputting the reset signal RST directly to the relay board 70 without going through the output unit 130, the test-firing test signal held in the port (not shown) of the relay board 70 for output to the test-firing test apparatus is turned off. is configured as

Also, the reset signal RST may be configured to be output to the test-firing test apparatus via the relay board 70 . Note that the reset signal RST is applied to the ports 122 and 123 of the input section 120.
, 124. The data set to each port of the output section 130 by the game microcomputer 111 immediately before the reset signal RST is input must be reset to prevent malfunction of the system. This is because the data read by the game microcomputer 111 from the port is discarded when the game microcomputer 111 is reset.

The output unit 130 is provided with a Schmidt buffer 132 arranged on a communication path from the game microcomputer 111 to the effect control device 300 and a communication path from the game microcomputer 111 to the payout control device 200 . Data is transmitted from the game control device 100 to the effect control device 300 and the payout control device 200 by serial communication. In addition, it is made into the one-way communication which made it impossible to input a signal to the game control apparatus 100 from the production control apparatus 300 side.

In addition, the output unit 130 is connected to the data bus 140 and transmits data for notifying the special symbol pattern information of the variable display game to a test firing test device of an accredited organization (not shown), a signal indicating the probability state of the big hit, and the like via the relay board 70. A buffer 133 for output is configured to be mountable. The buffer 133 is a component that is not mounted on a game control device (main board) of a pachinko game machine as an actual machine (mass-produced product) installed in amusement arcades. A detection signal of a switch that does not need to be processed, such as a starting switch, output from the proximity I/F 121 is supplied to the test firing test apparatus via the relay board 70 without passing through the buffer 133 .

On the other hand, detection signals such as those from the magnetic sensor switch 61 and the radio wave sensor 62, which cannot be directly supplied to the test-firing test device, are temporarily taken into the gaming microcomputer 111 and processed into other signals or information. An error signal indicating that it is not possible is supplied from the data bus 140 through the buffer 133 and the relay board 70 to the test-firing apparatus.

The relay board 70 is provided with a port that takes in the signal output from the buffer 133 and supplies it to the test firing test apparatus, a connector that relays the signal line of the detection signal of the switch that does not pass through the buffer, and the like. there is The game microcomputer 11 is connected to the port on the relay board 70.
A chip enable signal CE output from 1 is also supplied, and signals of ports selectively controlled by the signal CE are supplied to the test-firing apparatus.

The output unit 130 also includes a solenoid (universal electric solenoid) 37c connected to the data bus 140 for opening the normal variable winning device 37, a large winning opening solenoid 39b (large winning opening solenoid) for opening the special variable winning device 39, A second output port 134 is provided for outputting opening/closing data for the lever solenoid 86b that operates the lever to open the specific area 86. As shown in FIG.

The output unit 130 also includes a third output port 135 for outputting ON/OFF data of the segment line to which the anode terminals of the LEDs are connected in accordance with the content to be displayed on the collective display device 50 , and the collective display device 50 . ON/ON of the digit line to which the cathode terminal of the LED of
A fourth output port 136 is provided for outputting OFF data.

Also, the output unit 130 outputs information related to the gaming machine 10 such as jackpot information to the external information terminal 71 .
A fifth output port 137 is provided for outputting to. The external information terminal 71 is provided with a photorelay, and can be connected to, for example, an external device (information collection terminal, game hall internal management device (hall computer), etc.) installed in the game parlor, so that information on the game machine 10 can be sent to an external device. It is ready to be fed to the device. Also, a firing permission signal is output from the fifth output port 137 to the payout control device 200 via the Schmitt buffer 132 .

Further, the output unit 130 includes a general-purpose solenoid 37 output from a second output port 134.
A first driver (driving circuit) 138a that receives an open/close data signal for the large winning opening solenoid 39b and the like to generate and output a solenoid drive signal, and a current supply side of the collective display device 50 output from the third output port 135 A second driver 138b for outputting an ON/OFF drive signal for the segment line, a third driver 138c for outputting an ON/OFF drive signal for the digit line on the current drawing side of the collective display device 50 output from the fourth output port 136, Fifth output port 13
7 outputs to an external information terminal 71 an external information signal to be supplied to an external device such as a management device.
A driver 138d is provided.

DC 32V is supplied from the power supply device 400 as a power supply voltage to the first driver 138a so as to drive a solenoid that operates at 32V. Also, the collective display device 50
DC 12V is supplied to the second driver 138b that drives the segment line. The third driver 138c, which drives the digit lines, draws current from the digit lines according to display data, so the power supply voltage may be either 12V or 5V.

A second driver 138b that outputs 12 V supplies a current to the anode terminal of the LED via a segment line, and a third driver 138c that outputs a ground potential draws current from the cathode terminal via a digit line. L selected sequentially with
A power supply voltage flows through the ED to light it up. The fourth driver 138d, which outputs the external information signal to the external information terminal 71, is supplied with DC 12V to give the external information signal a level of 12V. The buffer 133, the second output port 134, the first driver 138a, etc. may be provided on the output section 130 of the game control device 100, that is, not on the main board but on the relay board 70 side.

Further, the output unit 130 is provided with a photocoupler 139 for transmitting information such as the identification code and program of each gaming machine to the external inspection device 500 . photocoupler 13
9 is configured to allow two-way communication so that the game microcomputer 111 can transmit and receive data to and from the inspection device 500 by serial communication. It should be noted that since the transmission and reception of such data is performed using a serial communication terminal of the game microcomputer 111 as in a normal general-purpose microprocessor, ports such as the input ports 122, 123, and 124 are not provided.

Furthermore, the output unit 130 receives serial data (control data, lighting pattern data, character code, etc.) output from the second output port 134, and outputs a performance display device 152 (status display device). A driver 150 is provided for driving. In this embodiment, the performance display device 152 consists of a plurality (four) of 7-segment type (8-segment type including dots Dp) indicators (LED lamps), and the driver 150 is an LED driver. is not limited to

The performance display device 152 is provided on the game control device 100 (main board).
It may be provided in other places. For example, the performance display device 152 can display a display probability setting value, a role ratio, a ball output rate, and the number of discharged balls as the performance display.

Here, the number of discharged balls is the number of game balls discharged from the game area 32 (also called the number of out balls).
is the sum of the number of game balls that have passed through the winning hole (the number of winning prizes) and the number of game balls that have passed through the out hole 30b. The number of ejected balls is counted by counting the signal of the out ball detection switch 74 etc.
can be obtained by In this embodiment, the winning openings include a general winning opening 35, a starting winning opening 36 (first starting winning opening, starting opening 1), a normal variable winning opening 37 (second starting winning opening, starting opening 2
), and a special variable winning device 39 (large winning opening).

The ball output rate is the ratio (percentage) of the total number of prize balls to the number of discharged balls (or the number of fired balls),
Number of acquired balls / number of discharged balls) x 100 (%). That is, the ball output rate is the number of winning balls (total number of prize balls) per 100 discharged balls.

For example, the role ratio is the total number of prize balls (total number of prize balls) obtained by entering a prize slot for a predetermined period (for example, from the power-on of the gaming machine 10 to the present). It is the ratio (%) (=so-called continuous role ratio) of the number of prize balls (number of winning balls by role) obtained by winning the big prize mouth. In addition, the role ratio may be the ratio of the number of prize balls (during the big win state and the small win state) obtained by winning the big prize hole out of the total number of prize balls (= big prize hole ratio). , or the ratio of the number of prize balls obtained by winning the big winning opening and the normal variable winning device 37 (second start winning opening) (= the so-called role ratio (total role ratio )).

[Production control device]
Next, the configuration of the production control device 300 (sub board) will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 4
2 is a block diagram of an effect control system of the gaming machine 10. FIG.

The effect control device 300 is an amusement chip (IC
), and a VDP (Video Display Processor) 312 as a graphic processor that performs image processing for video display on the display device 41 according to commands and data from the main control microcomputer 311. , and a sound source LSI 314 for controlling sound output in order to reproduce various melodies and sound effects from the speaker 19 .

The main control microcomputer 311 stores programs executed by the CPU and various data.
A program ROM 321 consisting of a ROM (programmable read only memory), a RAM 322 that provides a work area, and an Fe that can retain memory contents even if power is not supplied during a power failure.
A RAM 323 is connected to an RTC (real-time clock) 338 that forms a timekeeping means for generating information indicating the current date and time (year/month/day, day of the week, time, etc.). A RAM that provides a work area is also provided inside the main control microcomputer 311 .

A WDT (watchdog timer) circuit 324 is connected to the main control microcomputer 311 . The main control microcomputer 311 analyzes commands from the game microcomputer 111 , determines the content of the effect, instructs the VDP 312 on the content of the output video,
It performs processing such as instructing playback sound to, lighting decorative lamps, driving control of motors and solenoids, and managing performance time.

The VDP 312 is provided with a RAM 312a that provides a work area, and a scaler 312b that enlarges and reduces images. The VDP 312 also includes an image ROM 325 storing character images and video data, and an ultra-high-speed VRAM (video RAM) used to develop and process image data such as characters read from the image ROM 325. ) 326 are connected.

Although not particularly limited, the main control microcomputer 311 and the VDP 312 are configured to transmit and receive data in parallel. By transmitting and receiving data in parallel, commands and data can be transmitted in a shorter time than in the case of serial transmission.

From VDP 312 to main control microcomputer 311, a vertical synchronizing signal VSYN for synchronizing the image of display device 41 with lighting of decoration lamps provided on glass frame 15 and game board 30 is transmitted.
C. Synchronization signal STS that provides data transmission timing is input. Note that VDP312
to the main control microcomputer 311. Interrupt signals INT0 to n to notify the processing status such as the end of drawing to the VRAM and a wait to notify that it is waiting for reception of commands and data from the main control microcomputer 311 A signal WAIT or the like is also input.

The effect control device 300 is provided with a signal conversion circuit 313 that generates a video signal to be transmitted to the display device 41 by the LVDS (small amplitude signal transmission) method. Video data, a horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC and a vertical synchronization signal VSYNC are input from the VDP 312 to the signal conversion circuit 313 , and the video generated by the VDP 312 is sent to the display device 41 via the signal conversion circuit 313 . Is displayed.

An audio ROM 327 storing audio data is connected to the sound source LSI 314 . The main control microcomputer 311 and the tone generator LSI 314 are connected via an address/data bus 340 . Also, an interrupt signal INT is sent from the tone generator LSI 314 to the main control microcomputer 311.
is entered. The effect control device 300 is provided with an amplifier circuit 337 including an audio power amplifier for driving the upper speaker 19 a provided on the glass frame 15 and the lower speaker 19 b provided on the front frame 12 . The generated sound is output from the upper speaker 19a and the lower speaker 19b through the amplifier circuit 337. FIG.

Also, the effect control device 300 is provided with an interface chip (command I/F) 331 for receiving commands transmitted from the game control device 100 . Command I/F3
Via 31, received decoration special figure pending number command, decoration special figure command, variation command, stop information command, etc. transmitted from game control device 100 to production control device 300 as production control command signal (production command). . The game microcomputer 111 of the game control device 100 is DC5
V, and since the main control microcomputer 311 of the effect control device 300 operates at DC 3.3V, the command I/F 331 is provided with a signal level conversion function.

In addition, the effect control device 300 includes a board decoration LED control circuit 332 that drives and controls a board decoration device 46 having LEDs (light emitting diodes) provided on the game board 30 (including the center case 40), A frame decoration LED control circuit 333 for driving and controlling a frame decoration device (for example, the frame decoration device 18 or the like) having an LED (light emitting diode) provided, and a game board 3
0 (including the center case 40).
A board production movable body control circuit 334 is provided for driving and controlling a movable accessory that enhances the production effect in cooperation with the production display in the game. Note that the board decoration device 46 includes the lamp display device 8 described above.
0 may be included.

These control circuits 332 to 334 that drive and control lamps, motors, solenoids, etc. are connected to the main control microcomputer 311 via an address/data bus 340 . A frame effect movable body control circuit for driving and controlling a frame effect device such as a motor provided in the glass frame 15 may be provided.

Furthermore, the effect control device 300 includes a effect button switch 25a built into the effect button 25 provided on the glass frame 15, a touch panel 25b provided on the surface of the effect button 25, and a motor inside the board effect device 44. A function of detecting the on/off state of the production accessory switch 47 (production motor switch) that detects the initial position etc. and inputting a detection signal to the main control microcomputer 311, and a volume control switch provided in the production control device 300 A switch input circuit 336 is provided for detecting the state of 335 and inputting a detection signal to the main control microcomputer 311 .

The normal power supply unit 410 of the power supply device 400 is the effect control device 300 having the configuration as described above.
32 VDC for driving motors and solenoids, 12 VDC for driving motors and LEDs, 32 VDC for driving motors and solenoids, and 12 VDC for driving motors and LEDs. DC5, which is the power supply voltage of the command I/F 331
In addition to V, it is configured to generate a voltage of DC 15V for driving motors, LEDs, and speakers.

Furthermore, when using an LSI that operates at a low voltage such as 3.3V or 1.2V as the main control microcomputer 311, a DC- A DC converter is provided in the performance control device 300 . In addition, DC-
A DC converter may be provided in the normal power supply unit 410 .

The reset signal generated by the control signal generator 430 of the power supply device 400 is supplied to the main control microcomputer 311 to reset the device. In addition, VDP 312 (VDRESET signal), tone generator LSI 314
, an amplifier circuit 337 (SNDRESET signal) for driving a speaker, and control circuits 332 to 334 (IORESET signal) for driving and controlling lamps, motors, etc., to reset them. In addition, the effect control device 300 includes a cooling FA for cooling various parts of the game machine 10
N45 is connected, and cooling FAN45 drives in the state where the power supply of production control device 300 was turned on.

Next, game control performed in these control circuits will be described. Game control device 1
The CPU 111a of the 00 game microcomputer 111 extracts a random value for determining a hit in a normal game based on the input of the game ball detection signal from the gate switch 34a provided in the normal game starting gate 34, and stores it in the ROM 111b. It is compared with the judgment value that is set, and the hit or miss of the normal pattern fluctuation display game is judged.

Then, after the identification symbols are variably displayed for a predetermined period of time on the normal pattern display device 53, the normal pattern fluctuation display game is displayed in a stopped manner. If the result of the normal pattern fluctuation display game is a hit, a special result mode is displayed on the normal pattern display device 53, the general electric solenoid 37c is operated, and the movable member 37b of the normal fluctuation prize winning device 37 is held for a predetermined time (for example, , 0.3 seconds) The opening control is performed as described above. That is, the game control device 100 serves as conversion control execution means for performing conversion control of the conversion member (movable member 37b). In addition, when the result of the normal pattern variation display game is a loss, the normal pattern display device 53 is controlled to display the result mode of the loss.

In addition, based on the input of the detection signal of the game ball from the starting opening 1 switch 36a provided in the starting winning opening 36, the starting winning prize (starting memory) is stored, and based on the starting memory, the special figure 1 fluctuation display game big hit determination The random number for use is extracted and compared with the determination value stored in the ROM 111b to determine the hit or miss of the special figure 1 variable display game.

In addition, based on the input of the game ball detection signal from the start port 2 switch 37a provided in the normal variable winning device 37, the start memory is stored, and based on the start memory, the random value for judging the big hit of the special figure 2 variable display game is extracted and compared with the determination value stored in the ROM 111b to determine the hit or miss of the special figure 2 variation display game.

And CPU111a of the game control apparatus 100 outputs the control signal (production|presentation control command) containing the determination result of a special figure 1 fluctuation display game and a special figure 2 fluctuation display game to the production|presentation control apparatus 300. FIG. Then, after the identification symbols are variably displayed for a predetermined time on the special figure 1 display device 51 and the special figure 2 display device 52, a special figure variation display game that is stopped and displayed is displayed. That is, the game control device 100 controls the progress of the variable display game based on the winning of the game ball flowing down the game area 32 to the starting winning area (first starting winning opening 36, normal variable winning device 37). form.

Also, the effect control device 300 displays a decoration special figure variation display game corresponding to the special figure variation display game on the display device 41 based on the control signal from the game control device 100 . Furthermore, based on the control signal from the game control device 100, the effect control device 300 performs processing such as setting the effect state, outputting sounds from the speakers 19a and 19b, and controlling light emission of various LEDs. In other words, the effect control device 300 serves as effect control means for controlling effects related to games (such as variable display games).

Then, when the result of the special figure variation display game is hit, the CPU 111a of the game control device 100 displays the special result mode on the special figure 1 indicator 51 and the special figure 2 indicator 52, and generates a special game state. Let In the process of generating the special game state, the CPU 111a
For example, the opening/closing door 39c of the special variable winning device 39 is opened by the large winning opening solenoid 39b, and control is performed to enable the inflow of game balls into the large winning opening.

Then, either a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls enter the big winning opening, or a predetermined openable time (for example, 27 seconds or 0.05 seconds) elapses after the opening of the big winning opening. 1 round (R) is to open the big winning opening until the condition is achieved, and this is continued (repeated) control (cycle game) for a predetermined number of rounds (for example, 15 times, 11 times or 2 times). I do. That is, the game control device 100 serves as a large winning opening opening/closing control means for controlling opening and closing of the large winning opening when the stop result mode becomes the special result mode. In addition, when the result of the special figure fluctuation display game is lost, the special figure 1 display device 51 and the special figure 2 display device 52 are controlled to display the result mode of the loss.

Further, the game control device 100 can generate a high-probability state as a game state after the special game state ends based on the result mode of the special figure variation display game. The high probability state (variable state) is
It is a state in which the probability of a hit result in the special figure variation display game is higher than in the normal probability state. In addition, even if it becomes a high probability state based on the result mode of any special figure variation display game of the special figure 1 variation display game and the special figure 2 variation display game, the special figure 1 variation display game and the special figure 2 variation display game Both are high probability states.

Further, the game control device 100 can generate a time-saving state (specific game state) as a game state after the special game state ends based on the result mode of the special figure variation display game. In the time reduction state, control is performed to put the normal figure fluctuation display game and the normal fluctuation prize winning device 37 in the time reduction operation state, and the normal fluctuation prize winning device 37 per unit time is higher than when the normal fluctuation prize winning device 37 is in the normal operation state. is controlled so that the opening time of the is substantially increased, so it becomes a general electricity support state.
In addition, even in the high-probability state (normal probability state) except for the latent probability state, the normal power supply support is performed in a time-saving state.

For example, in the time saving state, the execution time of the above-mentioned normal pattern fluctuation display game (normal pattern fluctuation time)
to a second variable display time that is shorter than the normal first variable display time (eg, 10000 msec becomes 1000 msec). In addition, in the time saving state, the execution time of the special figure variation display game (special figure variation time) is also shortened than usual, and the time shortening variation of the special figure variation display game is also performed.

In addition, in the time-saving state, the normal pattern stop time to display the results of the normal pattern fluctuation display game is the first
A second stop time (eg 704 msec) shorter than the stop time (eg 1604 msec)
It is possible to control so that

In addition, in the time saving state, when the normal fluctuation display game results in a win and the normal fluctuation winning device 37 is opened, the opening time (general electric opening time) is the first opening time (for example, 100 msec) in the normal state. It is possible to control the second opening time (for example, 1352 msec) to be longer.

In addition, in the time saving state, the number of openings of the normal fluctuation prize winning device 37 (the number of openings of the general electric power) is greater than the first number of openings (for example, 2 times) for one hit result of the normal figure fluctuation display game. It is possible to set the second number of openings to (eg, 4 times). In addition, in the time-saving state, it is possible to make the probability of a winning result in the normal pattern variation display game (normal pattern probability) higher than the normal probability (low probability) in the normal operation state.

In the time saving state, the normal fluctuation winning device 37 is in the open state by changing one or more of the normal pattern fluctuation time, the normal pattern stop time, the normal pattern open number of times, the normal pattern open time, and the normal pattern probability. Make the conversion time longer than usual. Thus, in the time-saving state, winning to the normal variable prize winning device 37 becomes easier than in the normal game state, and the number of executions of the special figure variable display game per unit time can be increased more than in the normal game state. It is also possible to set a plurality of types of time-saving states with different things to be changed. Also, in the normal operating state, the movable member 3
It may be set so as not to open 7b (normal pattern probability is 0). Alternatively, either the first opening mode or the second opening mode may be selected when a win is achieved. In this case, the selection probabilities of the first open mode and the second open mode may be different. Also, the high probability state and the time saving state can be generated independently of each other, both can be generated at the same time, or only one of them can be generated.

[Transitional state at power-on]
As described above, it shifts to four states (modes) depending on the ON/OFF states of the RAM initialization switch 112 and the setting key switch 93 when the power is turned on.

When the power is turned on, if the RAM initialization switch 112 and the setting key switch 93 are turned on, the setting variable state (setting change state, setting change mode) in which the probability setting value (setting value) can be changed is entered. (see A1027-A1036 in FIG. 5B and FIG. 6B).

Next, when the power is turned on, if the setting key switch 93 is turned on but the RAM initialization switch 112 is turned off, the setting confirmation state (setting confirmation mode) in which the probability setting value can be confirmed is entered (Fig. 5B A1031-A1036 and FIG. 6B).

When the power is turned on, although the setting key switch 93 is off, the RAM initialization switch 11
2 is turned on, transition to the RAM initialization state (RAM clear mode);
AM initialization processing (RAM clearing processing) is executed to initialize the RAM 111c (see A1042-1044 in FIG. 5B).

If the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 are off when the power is turned on, the normal power recovery state (normal power recovery mode) is entered and the power is simply restored.

[Control of game control device]
The control of the gaming machine that performs such games will be described below. First, the control executed by the game microcomputer (game microcomputer) 111 of the game control device 100 will be described. The control processing by the game microcomputer 111 mainly consists of main processing shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B and timer interrupt processing shown in FIG. 9 which is performed at predetermined time intervals (for example, 4 msec).

[Main processing (game control device)]
First, the main processing will be explained. 5A and 5B are flowcharts showing the procedure of main processing by the game control device 100. FIG. Main processing is started when the power is turned on. In addition, in the flowchart of the processing executed by the game control device 100, the code (number) of the step is expressed as "A****".

As shown in FIG. 5A, when starting the main process, the game control device 100 first executes a process of prohibiting an interrupt (A1001). Furthermore, a stack pointer setting process is executed to set a stack pointer, which is the top address of the area where the values of registers and the like are saved when an interrupt occurs (A1002).

Subsequently, the register bank 0 is designated as the register bank to be used (A1003), and the upper address of the RAM head address is set in a predetermined register (A1004). For example, if the RAM address ranges from 0000h to 01FFh, 00h is set as the upper address.

Next, the game control device 100 outputs a signal for prohibiting the firing and sets the firing permission signal to the prohibited state (A1005). When at least one of the game control device 100 and the payout control device 200 outputs a signal for prohibiting the shooting, the shooting permission signal is set to the prohibited state, and the shooting of the game ball is prohibited. After that, the game control device 100 reads the states of the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 (A1006). That is, signals from the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 are read.

Furthermore, the game control device 100 sets a power delay timer (A1007). A game control device 1 serving as main control means by setting a predetermined initial value in a power delay timer
00 to perform various controls according to the instructions from the sub-control means (e.g., payout control device 200 and effect control device 300) to wait until the program is normally started (e.g., 3
seconds) is set. As a result, when the power is turned on, if the game control device 100 starts up first and the command is sent to the slave control device before the slave control device (for example, the payout control device 200 or the effect control device 300) starts up, the slave control device can avoid missing commands. That is, the game control device 100 delays the activation of the main control means (game control device 100) when the power is turned on, and the sub-control devices (payout control device 200, effect control device 3
00 etc.) for setting a predetermined waiting time for waiting for activation.

In addition, the power supply delay timer clocks time using a storage area that is not subject to RAM validity determination (checksum calculation) (RAM area not subject to validity determination, registers, or the like). As a result, when calculating check data such as the checksum of the RAM area,
Since it is not necessary to perform calculation while excluding the AM region, it is possible to prevent the control from becoming complicated when the power is turned on.

By reading the states of the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 before the standby time starts, the operation of the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 can be reliably detected. That is, if the states of the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 are read after the standby time has elapsed, the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 are operated after the standby time has elapsed, or the power is turned on. It is necessary to keep operating the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 until the waiting time elapses. However, by reading the state before the start of the standby time, even without performing such troublesome operations, a situation in which the operation of the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 performed when the power is turned on can be prevented. can be prevented.

When the power delay timer is set (A1007), the game control device 100 executes the timing of the waiting time and the process of monitoring the occurrence of a power failure during the waiting time (from A1008 to A
1010).

When the power failure monitoring process is started, the game control device 100 first reads the power failure monitoring signal input from the power supply device 400 via the port and the data bus, and determines whether or not a power failure has occurred. (A1008). If a power failure occurs (the result of A1008 is "Y"), wait until the game machine is powered off.

If the game control device 100 does not have a power failure (result of A1008 is "N")
, the power-on delay timer is updated by -1 (A1009), and it is determined whether or not the value of the timer is 0 (A1010). If the timer value is not 0 (the result of A1010 is "N"), that is, if the standby time has not expired, the process returns to step A1008.

That is, the game control device 100 serves as power failure monitoring means for monitoring the occurrence of power failure during a predetermined waiting time. As a result, it is possible to cope with a power failure that occurs during the period in which the activation of the game control device 100, which constitutes the main control means, is delayed, and it is possible to appropriately deal with troubles at the time of turning on the power. Note that access to the RAM is not permitted until the standby time is over, and the memory contents of the previous power shutdown are still retained, so backup processing, etc. will be performed when a power failure occurs here. No need. Therefore, even if a power failure occurs during the standby time, there is no need to back up the RAM, and the burden of control can be reduced.

On the other hand, if the value of the timer is 0 (the result of A1010 is "Y"), the game control device 100
), that is, when the standby time is over, access to a readable and writable RWM (read/write memory) such as RAM or EEPROM is permitted (A1011), and off data is output to all output ports (no output state). (A1012).

Next, the game control device 100 sets a serial port (a port pre-installed in the game microcomputer 111, which is used for communication with the effect control device 300 and the payout control device 200 in this embodiment) (A1013 ).

Further, the driver 150 that drives the performance display device 152 (status display device) may be initialized here. The game control device 100 writes a command including control data corresponding to the content of the initial settings to the transmission buffer of the second output port 134 (serial communication circuit) and transmits the command to the driver 150 . For example, the game control device 100 sets the duty ratio in initial setting. The duty ratio corresponds to the brightness of each LED (each segment) of performance display device 152 . The game control device 100 sets the number of digits to be used for the performance display device 152 in the initial setting. In this embodiment, the number of digits used is four.

Next, the game control device 100 generates a CTC (Counter/Timer C) that generates a timer interrupt signal and a random number update trigger signal (CTC) in the game microcomputer 111 (clock generator).
ircuit) Activate the circuit (A1014). Incidentally, the CTC circuit is provided in the clock generator in the gaming microcomputer 111 . The clock generator includes a frequency dividing circuit that divides the oscillation signal (original clock signal) from the oscillation circuit 113, and a CP based on the frequency-divided signal.
For U111a, there is provided a CTC circuit that generates a signal CTC that provides a timer interrupt signal with a predetermined period (for example, 4 milliseconds) and a random number update trigger that is supplied to the random number generation circuit.

Then, the game control device 100, RAM (here RAM111c) indicating the abnormality of RA
The M abnormality flag is set (A1015). Here, a flag indicating an anomaly is temporarily set in a predetermined register.

Next, the game control device 100 determines whether or not the value of the power failure inspection area 1 in the RWM is normal power failure inspection area check data (A1016). And if it is normal (A101
6 is "Y"), it is determined whether or not the value of power failure inspection area 2 in RWM is normal power failure inspection area check data (A1017).

Furthermore, the game control device 100, if the value of the power failure inspection area 2 is normal (result of A1017 is "Y"), a checksum for calculating a checksum of a predetermined area (for example, game control work area) in the RWM Calculation processing is executed (A1018), and it is determined whether or not the calculated checksum matches the checksum at power-off (A1019). If the checksums match (the result of A1019 is "Y"), the RAM is normal, indicating that the RAM is abnormal.
Clear the abnormal flag (A1020). After that, the process proceeds to step A1021.

In addition, the game control device 100, if it is determined that the check data in the power failure inspection area is not normal data (the result of A1016 is "N", or the result of A1017 is "N"), if the checksum does not match (the result of A1019 is "N"), the process proceeds to step A1021 without clearing the RAM abnormality flag.

Next, the game control device 100 uses the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112
are on (A1021). When both switches are on (the result of A1021 is "Y"), the game control device 100 shifts to the setting variable state (setting change mode), and executes the process during probability setting change in steps A1027-A1037. .

When at least one of the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 is off (the result of A1021 is "N"), the game control device 100 resets the RAM (RAM
111c) is determined whether or not the RAM abnormality flag indicating the abnormality is set (A102).
2). If the RAM abnormality flag is not set (the result of A1022 is "N"), it is determined whether or not the probability setting changing flag is set (A1023). If the probability setting changing flag is not set (result of A1023 is "N"), step A103
1-Probability setting confirmation process in A1037 (setting confirmation state, setting confirmation mode), RAM initialization process (RAM clear process) in steps A1041-1044, or step A1
041, A1045, and A1046 are executed when the power is turned on (when the power is restored).

Game control device 100, when the probability setting changing flag is set (A1023
result is "Y"), a command of main abnormality error notification for notifying that there is an abnormality in the game control device 100 (main board, main board) is transmitted to the effect control device 300 (A1024)
. The effect control device 300 that has received the command of the main abnormality error notification is the game control device 10
0 anomaly is notified.

Subsequently, the game control device 100 displays the 7-segment display data when the game is stopped ("E1
error display data) is output to the driver 150 of the performance display device 152 so as to be displayed on the performance display device 152 (A1025). Then, ON data of a security signal for notifying the abnormality to an external device (playground internal management device (hall computer), information collection terminal, etc.) is output to the external information terminal 71 (A1026). Here, even if the information about the big win remains in the RAM 111c, other signals to the external information terminal 71 such as the big win signal are kept off. After that, the processing of steps A1025 and A1026 is repeated to wait, and the setting change operation (setting key switch 93 and RAM initialization switch 1) is performed again.
12) and wait for the power to be turned on. It should be noted that, while waiting to repeat the processing of steps A1025 and A1026 and waiting, the interrupt remains prohibited (A1001), timer interrupt processing that can execute special figure 1, 2 game processing and general figure game processing (FIG. 7) cannot be executed, games (special figure fluctuation display game, normal figure fluctuation display game) cannot be executed.

In this way, setting change operations (setting key switch 93 and RAM initialization switch 112
If the probability setting changing flag is set even though the two ON operations are not executed, it is assumed that there is an abnormality, and the processing of A1024 to A1026 is executed. For example, if the power is turned off and restarted while the probability setting is being changed (before the setting change is completed), the probability setting changing flag may be set even though the setting change operation is not performed. be.

On the other hand, the game control device 100, even when the RAM abnormality flag is set (A102
The result of 2 is "Y"), the main abnormality error notification command for notifying that there is an abnormality in the game control device 100 (main board) is transmitted to the effect control device 300 (A1024), and the 7 segments when the game is stopped. Display data (error display data of "E1" in FIG. 9C) is output to the driver 150 of the performance display device 152 (A1025), and in order to inform the external device of the RAM abnormality, the security signal ON data is sent to the external device. Output to the information terminal 71 (A1026). It should be noted that, in the same manner as described above, even if the information about the big win remains in the RAM 111c, other signals to the external information terminal 71 such as the big win signal are kept off. Then step A10
25 and A1026 are repeated to wait.

When both the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 are on (the result of A1021 is "Y"), the game control device 100 starts the process of changing the probability setting (during the variable setting state). First, it is determined whether or not the RAM abnormality flag is set (A1027). If the RAM error flag is set (the result of A1027 is "Y
”), since it is unclear whether the probability setting value is correct, the probability setting value stored in the probability setting value area of the RAM 111c is cleared to the initial value (for example, the minimum setting value “1”), and then (A1028 ), set the probability setting changing flag indicating that the probability setting is being changed (
A1029). If the RAM error flag is not set (the result of A1027 is "N
'), the probability setting change flag is set without clearing the probability setting value (A1029).
Next, a command during probability setting change is transmitted to the production control device 300 (production control board) (A1
030), the process proceeds to step A1034. In addition, the effect control device 300 that has received the command of changing the probability setting notifies the fact that the probability setting is being changed on the display device 41 or the like.

In the game control device 100, at least one of the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 is off (the result of A1021 is "N"), and the RAM abnormality flag is not set (the result of A1022 is "N"). ), and if the probability setting changing flag is not set (the result of A1023 is "N"), it is determined whether or not the setting key switch 93 is on (A1031). When the setting key switch 93 is on (the result of A1031 is "Y"), the RAM initialization switch 112 is off, and the probability setting confirming (setting confirming state) process starts. A probability setting confirming flag indicating that the setting is being confirmed is set (A1032). Then, the production control device 30
0 (effect control board) (A1033), and the process proceeds to step A1034. In addition, the effect control device 300 that has received the command for changing the probability setting notifies the fact that the probability setting is being confirmed on the display device 41 or the like.

After step A1030 or step A1033, the game control device 100 executes the processing of steps A1034 to A1040 as common processing during probability setting change and during probability setting confirmation.

The game control device 100 first saves 128 ms (predetermined time) in the security signal control timer area in order to output the security signal during probability setting change and probability setting confirmation (A1034). The counting of the security signal control timer and the output of the security signal are executed in the probability setting change/confirmation process (FIG. 6B) described later. The counting of the security signal control timer and the output of the security signal are executed in the external information editing process (A1321). The security signal is output for at least 50 ms during the probability setting change and the probability setting confirmation.

Next, the game control device 100 permits interruption (A1035). As a result, timer interrupt processing (FIG. 7) can be executed. Then, it is determined whether or not the setting key switch 93 is off (A1036). If the setting key switch 93 is on (the result of A1036 is "N"), it is determined whether or not a power failure has occurred (A1037). If no power failure has occurred (the result of A1037 is "N"), the process returns to step A1036. on the other hand,
If a power failure has occurred (the result of A1037 is "Y"), steps A1055-A10
61 is executed when a power failure occurs.

In this way, as long as the setting key switch 93 is on and no power failure has occurred, the setting variable state (setting change state, setting change mode) in which the probability setting value can be changed, or the probability setting value can be confirmed. The setting confirmation state (setting confirmation mode) is continued.

On the other hand, the game control device 100, when the setting key switch 93 is off (A1036
The result is "Y"), prohibits the interruption (A1038), and transmits a command to end the notification to the effect control device 300 (effect control board) (A1039). In addition, the effect|presentation control apparatus 300 which received the command of the information completion|finish complete|finishes the information that it is during probability setting confirmation or probability setting change.

Next, the game control device 100 determines whether or not the probability setting changing flag is set, that is, whether or not the probability setting is being changed (A1040). If the probability setting changing flag is set (the result of A1040 is "Y"), that is, if the probability setting has been changed so far, RAM initialization processing (described later) of steps A1042 to A1044 is executed. do. On the other hand, if the probability setting changing flag is not set (the result of A1040 is "N"), that is, if the probability setting has been confirmed until now, when the power is turned on after step A1045 (when the power is restored) normal processing.

When the setting key switch 93 is off (the result of A1031 is "N"), the game control device 100 determines whether the RAM initialization switch 112 is on (A1041).
. When the RAM initialization switch 112 is on (result of A1041 is "Y"), RA
In M111c, the RAM area other than the probability setting value area for storing the probability setting value is set to 0.
Clear (A1042). That is, the game information stored in the RAM 111c is cleared to 0, except for the probability set values stored in the probability set value area. Furthermore, the above-mentioned probability setting changing flag is also cleared here. In addition to the probability setting value area, it is also possible to configure such that the stack area and unused area are not cleared, and the work area and stack area related to the performance information and its display (performance display) are not cleared. . The performance information is derived based on the number of prize balls obtained by winning. be.

Next, the game control device 100 saves the initial value at the time of RAM initialization in the area to be initialized (A1043). And, the command at the time of RAM initialization is transmitted to production control device 300 (production control board) (A1044), it moves to the processing of step A1047.

On the other hand, the game control device 100, when the RAM initialization switch 112 is off (A1
041 result is "N"), the setting key switch 93 and the RAM initialization switch 112 are both off, so normal power-on (power recovery) processing is started, and power failure recovery processing is executed ( A1045). For example, the initial value at the time of restoration from power failure (at the time of power restoration) is saved in the area to be initialized. In addition, the above-mentioned probability setting confirming flag is also cleared here. Next, the command at the time of power failure recovery corresponding to the processing number prepared for rationally executing the special game processing described later is transmitted to the production control device 300 (production control board) (A1046), step A10
47 is processed.

In addition, the command for RAM initialization transmitted in the process of step A1044 and the command for power failure recovery transmitted in the process of step A1046 include a model designation command indicating the type of game machine, special figures 1 and 2 pending Decoration special figure 1 reservation number command and decoration special figure 2 reservation number command indicating the number, probability information command indicating the presence or absence of probability state (high probability state or low probability state) and time saving state, special figure fluctuation in predetermined production mode It includes a number-of-effects information command indicating the number of times the display game has been executed, and a power failure recovery command indicating that the power has been turned on.

Furthermore, the command for RAM initialization and the command for power failure recovery include a setting value information command (probability setting value information commands) are included. The game control device 100 only needs to transmit the setting value information command to the production control device 300 only once when the power is restored (turned on), and thereafter, the production control device 300 refers to the setting value information stored by itself. You can control the production.

The command for RAM initialization includes a RAM initialization command (RAM clear command). The effect control device 300 that has received the RAM initialization command is, for example,
A customer waiting demonstration is displayed on the display device 41, and RAM
Notification of initialization (RAM clearing) is performed for 30 seconds. Further, the command for restoration from power failure includes a screen designation command for designating the display contents of the screen of the display device 41 . In addition, the command for specifying the screen is during normal processing for both special figures 1 and 2 (when neither fluctuating nor hitting)
, is a customer waiting demo command, otherwise it is a recovery screen command.

After step A1044 or step A1046, the game control device 100 activates and sets the random number generation circuit (A1047). Specifically, a predetermined register (C
The CPU 111a sets a code (designated value) for activating the random number generation circuit in the TC update permission register). Also, the bit permutation pattern of the hard random number (here, the jackpot random number) generated by the hardware of the random number generating circuit is set.

The bit permutation pattern is a method of permuting the bit arrangement of the extracted random numbers (arrangement before bit transposition in the upper row) in a predetermined order and storing it as a different bit arrangement (arrangement after bit transposition in the lower row). is a pattern that defines

In this embodiment, by replacing the bits of the random number according to the bit permutation pattern, the regularity of the random number can be broken and the secrecy of the random number can be enhanced. The bit transposition pattern may be a single fixed pattern, or may be selected from a plurality of prepared patterns. In addition, the user may be able to set them arbitrarily.

After that, the game control device 100 extracts the value of a predetermined register (soft random number registers 1 to n) in the random number generation circuit when the power is turned on, and corresponding various initial value random numbers Initial value (big hit design initial value random number), initial value of small hit design random number that determines the small hit design (small hit design initial value random number) (only if there is a small hit), hit random number that determines the hit of the general design Initial value (hit initial value random number), initial value of falling lottery random number used in falling lottery (falling lottery initial value random number), etc.) is saved in a predetermined area of RWM as a start value (A1048),
Allow interrupts (A1049). The random number generation circuit in the CPU 111a used in this embodiment is configured so that the initial value of the soft random number register changes each time the power is turned on. By doing so, the regularity of the random numbers generated by the software can be broken, making it difficult for the player to acquire illegal random numbers.

Subsequently, the game control device 100 executes an initial value random number update process for updating the values of various initial value random numbers and destroying the regularity of the random numbers (A1050). Although not particularly limited, in the present embodiment, the jackpot random numbers, jackpot pattern random numbers, hit random numbers, and falling lottery random numbers are configured to be generated using random numbers generated in a random number generation circuit. there is however,
The jackpot random number is a so-called "high-speed counter" that is updated based on a clock with a speed equal to or higher than the operating clock of the CPU. CTC output with the same period (CTC of timer interrupt processing (
It is a "slow counter" that is updated based on a CTC (CTC2)) that is different from CTC0).

In addition, in the jackpot pattern random number, winning pattern random number, and falling lottery random number, the so-called "initial value change method" is used to change the start value using each initial value random number (generated by software) each time the random number goes around. ing. Note that each random number may be updated by a counter with +1 or 1, or may be updated by a random method in which all values within a range appear separately without duplication until one round is completed. In other words, the jackpot random numbers are random numbers updated only by hardware, and the jackpot pattern random numbers, winning random numbers, and falling lottery random numbers are random numbers updated by hardware and software.

Subsequently, the game control device 100 prohibits interruption (A1051), and executes performance display editing processing for editing performance information and its display (performance display) (A1052). Here, performance information (accessory ratio, payout rate, etc.) may be calculated. Also, when the RAM abnormality flag is set in the register, the work area and stack area related to the performance information and its display (performance display) may be cleared (if not cleared in step A1042). After that, the interrupt is permitted (A1053). As a result, timer interrupt processing (FIG. 7) can be executed.

Next, the game control device 100 determines whether or not a power outage has occurred (A1054).
If no power failure has occurred (the result of A1054 is "N"), the process returns to step A1050. As a result, the processing of steps A1050 to A1054 is repeated until a power failure occurs.

When a power failure occurs (the result of A1054 is "Y"), the game control device 100 starts the process at the time of power failure, temporarily prohibits interrupts (A1055), and outputs off data to all output ports ( 1056). After that, the power failure inspection area check data 1 is saved in the power failure inspection area 1 (A1057), and the power failure inspection area check data 2 is saved in the power failure inspection area 2 (A
1058). Further, checksum calculation processing is executed to calculate the checksum when the RWM is powered off (A1059), and the calculated checksum is saved (A1060).
. Finally, a process of prohibiting access to the RWM is executed (A1061), and the game machine waits until the power is cut off.

In this way, by saving the check data in the power failure inspection area and calculating the checksum when the power is shut off, it is possible to check whether the information stored in the RWM before the power shutoff has been correctly backed up. A decision can be made at the time of re-insertion.

[Timer interrupt processing]
Next, timer interrupt processing will be described. FIG. 6A is a flowchart showing the procedure of timer interrupt processing (interrupt processing program). Timer interrupt processing is started when a periodic timer interrupt signal generated by the CTC circuit in the clock generator is input to the CPU 111a. When a timer interrupt occurs in the game microcomputer 111, timer interrupt processing is started.

When the timer interrupt process is started, the game control device 100 first designates register bank 1 as the register bank to be used (A1301), and sets the upper address of the RAM top address in a predetermined register (A1302). By switching from the register bank 0 used in the main process to the register bank 1 at the start of the timer interrupt process, it becomes equivalent to saving the registers used in the main process. Note that when the timer interrupt process is started, the interrupt is automatically disabled.

Next, the game control device 100 receives inputs from various sensors and switches, takes in signals,
That is, an input process for reading the state of each input port is executed (A1303). Next, based on the probability setting changing flag and the probability setting checking flag, it is determined whether the probability setting is being changed or the probability setting is being checked (A1304). If the probability setting is being changed or the probability setting is being confirmed (result of A1304 is "Y"), probability setting change/confirmation processing for changing or confirming the probability setting value is executed (A1305).

If the game control device 100 is neither changing the probability setting nor confirming the probability setting (A130
4 result is "N"), based on the output data set in various processes, output for driving control of actuators such as solenoids (for example, big winning opening solenoid 39b) and driving control of LEDs (light emission control) Processing is executed (A1306). Note that when a firing prohibition signal is output in the processing of step A1005 in the main processing, a firing permission signal is output by performing this output processing, and the firing permission signal can be set to a permission state.

Next, the game control device 100 executes a payout command transmission process for outputting the command set in the transmission buffer in various processes to the payout control device 200 (A1307), further random number update process 1 (A1308), random number update Process 2 (A1309) is executed. After that, monitor whether or not there is a normal signal input from the starting port 1 switch 36a, the starting port 2 switch 37a, the winning port switch 35a, and the big winning port switch 39a, and monitor errors (front frame and glass frame open) (A1310
).

Next, the game control device 100 determines whether abnormal ejection of game balls is occurring in the big winning opening (A1311). If the abnormal discharge occurrence flag is set by the abnormal discharge monitoring process (A1318), which will be described later, it can be determined that abnormal discharge is occurring. If the abnormal discharge is occurring (the result of A1311 is "Y"), the processing from step A1315 onwards is executed.

The game control device 100, when abnormal discharge is not occurring (the result of A1311 is "N")
, Special figure game processing for performing processing related to the special figure variation display game is executed (A1312). Details of the special figure game processing will be described later.

Next, the game control device 100 executes normal pattern game processing for performing processing related to the normal pattern fluctuation display game (A1313). A segment LED editing process is executed to drive the segment LED provided in the gaming machine 10 to display the special figure variation game and various information related to the game so as to display desired content (A1314).

Furthermore, the game control device 100 executes magnet fraud monitoring processing for checking the detection signal from the magnetic sensor switch 61 and determining whether or not there is an abnormality (A1315). Furthermore, the radio wave fraud monitoring process (board radio wave fraud monitoring process) is executed to check the detection signal from the radio wave sensor 62 of the game board to determine whether or not there is an abnormality (A1316).

Thereafter, the game control device 100 executes vibration fraud monitoring processing for monitoring fraud due to vibration based on the input from the vibration sensor 65 (A1317). Next, an abnormal ejection monitoring process for monitoring abnormal ejection from the big winning opening is executed (A1318). In the abnormal discharge monitoring process, abnormal discharge of the special variable prize winning device 39 is performed based on inputs from the special variable prize winning device 39 from the large winning prize opening switch 39a, the specific area switch 72 (V winning prize opening switch), and the remaining ball discharge port switch 73. is monitored, and an abnormal discharge flag is set when abnormal discharge occurs. It should be noted that the game ball that has passed through the large winning opening switch 39a of the special variable winning device 39 is the specific area switch 7
2 (V winning opening switch) or the remaining ball discharge opening switch 73 is discharged.

Next, the game control device 100 executes external information editing processing for setting signals to be output to various external devices in the output buffer (A1319). Then, performance display monitor control processing for controlling the display of the performance display device 152 is executed (A1320). After that, the timer interrupt processing ends.

When the timer interrupt processing returns, the restoration of the interrupt disabled state and the restoration of the register bank designation are automatically performed. Alternatively, a process of returning the designation of the register bank to the register bank 0 may be performed.

[Probability setting change/confirmation process]
Next, the details of the probability setting change/confirmation process (A1305) in the timer interrupt process will be described. FIG. 6B is a flowchart showing the procedure of probability setting change/confirmation processing. In the probability setting change/confirm process, the probability setting value can be changed or confirmed.

The game control device 100 first determines whether the probability setting value is within the normal range (A2
401). The probability setting value here is stored in the probability setting value area of the RAM 111c.

Game control device 100, when the probability setting value is within the normal range (the result of A2401 is "
Y"), set the probability set value display data corresponding to the probability set value (A2402), and output it to the performance display device 152 via the driver 150 (A2404). If the probability setting value is not within the normal range (the result of A2401 is "N"), set the light-off data as the probability setting value display data (A2403), and output it to the performance display device 152 via the driver 150 (A
2404).

Here, the probability setting value display data is data of probability setting values for display displayed on the performance display device 152, and is stored in the probability setting value display data area. In addition, in order to prevent confusion among hall officials, etc., if the probability setting values are different but the same big hit probability (and small win probability), the display probability setting value is associated with the big win probability (and small win probability). can be the same. That is, the same display probability setting value may mean the same big win probability (and small win probability).

Next, the game control device 100 updates the security signal control timer by -1 if it is not 0 (A2405). The security signal control timer is set to 1 in step A1034.
28 ms (predetermined time). Subsequently, the external information terminal 71 outputs ON data of a security signal for informing an external device (game hall internal control device (hall computer), etc.) of the abnormality.
(A1026). Here, other signals to the external information terminal 71 such as the jackpot signal are kept off.

After that, the game control device 100 determines whether or not the probability setting changing flag is set (A2407). If the probability setting changing flag is not set (A2407
result is "N"), that is, if the probability setting is being confirmed, the probability setting change/confirmation process is terminated without doing anything.

Game control device 100, when the probability setting changing flag is set (A2407
result is "Y"), that is, if the probability setting is being changed, it is determined whether or not it is the first timer interrupt process after power-on (A2408). If it is the first timer interrupt process after power-on (the result of A2408 is "Y"), the probability setting change/confirmation process is terminated. This is to prevent the probability setting value from being unintentionally updated when the RAM initialization switch 112 is kept pressed.

If the game control device 100 is not the first timer interrupt process after turning on the power (A240
8 is "N"), it is determined whether or not there is an input from the RAM initialization switch 112 (A2
409). If there is no input from the RAM initialization switch (the result of A2409 is "N"), the probability setting change/confirmation process is terminated.

When there is an input from the RAM initialization switch 112, the game control device 100 (A2409
result is "Y"), the work set value in the work set value area (in the RAM 111c or register) is updated by +1 in the range of 0 to 5, and the probability in the probability set value area corresponding to the work set value The set values 1 to 6 are updated by +1 (A2410). As a result, the RAM initialization switch 112
Each time is operated, the probability setting value in the probability setting value area is updated by one. After that, the probability setting change/confirmation process is terminated. When entering the setting change mode, a value corresponding to the probability setting value read from the probability setting value area (1 subtracted value) may be stored.

In the above description, each time the RAM initialization switch 112 is operated, the probability setting value in the probability setting value area is directly updated corresponding to the update of the working setting value. The probability setting value (setting value for work) during setting change is stored in the area, and when the setting key switch 93 is turned off and the setting change operation is completed (the result of A1036 is "Y").
”), a value corresponding to the work set value in the work set value area may be stored in the probability set value area for the first time. In this way, if a power failure occurs while changing settings (A1037
result is "Y"), the probability setting value (probability setting value stored in the probability setting value area) used for game control, performance control, etc. can be prevented from being changed by an unintended value.

[Special game processing]
Next, the details of the special figure game process (A1312) in the above timer interrupt process will be described. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the procedure of special game processing. In the special figure game processing, monitoring of the input of the starting port 1 switch 36a and the starting port 2 switch 37a, control of the entire processing relating to the special figure variation display game, and setting of the display of the special figure are performed.

The game control device 100 first executes a starting opening switch monitoring process for monitoring the winning of the starting opening 1 switch 36a and the starting opening 2 switch 37a (A2601). In the starting opening switch monitoring process, when a game ball wins in a starting winning opening 36 or a normal variable winning device 37 forming a second starting winning opening, various random numbers (such as a jackpot random number) are extracted, and special figure fluctuation display is performed based on the winning. A game result pre-determination is performed to determine a game result based on a prize winning at a stage before the start of the game. note that,
The details of the starting port switch monitoring process will be described later.

Next, the game control device 100 executes a big winning opening switch monitoring process (A2602).
In the big winning opening switch monitoring process, detection of game balls by the count switch 39a provided in the special variable winning device 39 is monitored. The details of the big winning opening switch monitoring process will be described later.

Next, the game control device 100 updates the special figure game processing timer by -1 if it is not 0 (1
is subtracted) (A2603). The special figure game processing timer is clocked by the interrupt period (4 msec) of the timer interrupt processing by -1 update. In addition, the minimum value of the special figure game processing timer is set to 0. Next, it is determined whether or not the special figure game processing timer is 0 (A2604). When the special figure game processing timer is not 0 (the result of A2604 is "N"), the process proceeds to step A2619.

The game control device 100, when the special figure game processing timer is 0 (the result of A2604 is "
Y"), that is, if the time is up or has already timed up, the special game sequence branch table to be referred to for branching to the process corresponding to the special game process number is set in the register (A2605). . Furthermore, the branch destination address of the process corresponding to the special figure game process number is acquired using the special figure game sequence branch table (A2606).
Subsequently, a subroutine call is made according to the special game processing number, and game branch processing is executed according to the special game processing number (A2607).

If the game processing number is "0" at step A2607, the game control device 100
To monitor the start of fluctuation of the special figure fluctuation display game, set the start of fluctuation of the special figure fluctuation display game, set the effect, and set the information necessary for processing during the special figure fluctuation. Execute (A2608). In addition, the detail of a special figure usual process is later mentioned in FIG.

If the game processing number is "1" at step A2607, the game control device 100
And the setting of the stop display time of the special figure, the processing during the special figure fluctuation which performs the setting of the information necessary for performing the processing during the special figure display is executed (A2609). For example, in the special figure fluctuation process, set the necessary information such as a symbol stop command indicating the stop of the special symbol and the stop display time corresponding to the stop symbol pattern, and set the processing number "2" related to the special figure display process Set and save in the special game processing number area.

If the game processing number is "2" at step A2607, the game control device 100
To set a fanfare command according to the type of the big win, set a fanfare time according to the opening pattern of the big win for each big win, and perform processing during the fanfare/interval if the game result of the special figure fluctuation display game is a big win. Executes special figure display processing for setting necessary information etc. (A2610). For example, in special figure display processing, if the result of the special figure variation display game is a big hit, necessary information such as a fanfare command and fanfare time is set, and processing number "3" related to fanfare/interval processing is set. and save it in the special game processing number area. If the result of the special figure variation display game is not a big hit, the processing number "0" relating to the special figure normal processing is set and saved in the special figure game processing number area.

If the game processing number is "3" at step A2607, the game control device 100
Fanfare/interval processing for setting the opening time of the big winning opening, updating the number of openings, and setting information necessary for performing the processing during the opening of the big winning opening is executed (A2611). For example, in the fanfare/interval processing, the necessary information such as the round command corresponding to the round of the round game to be executed and the opening time of the big winning opening are set, and the processing number "4" related to the processing during the opening of the big winning opening is set. Set and save in the special game processing number area.

If the game processing number is "4" at step A2607, the game control device 100
If the jackpot round is not the final round, the interval command is set, while if it is the final round, the processing of setting the ending command, and the processing of setting the information necessary for the processing of the remaining balls of the big winning gate, etc. Open the big winning gate. Intermediate processing is executed (A2612). For example, in the large winning opening open process, necessary information such as an interval command and an ending command is set, the processing number "5" relating to the large winning opening remaining ball processing is set, and saved in the special game processing number area.

If the game processing number is "5" at step A2607, the game control device 100
If the jackpot round is the final round, the process of setting the time for the remaining balls in the jackpot to be discharged, and the jackpot remaining ball processing to set the information necessary to perform the jackpot end processing. Execute (A2613). For example, in the process during the opening of the big winning opening, if it is not the final round, the interval time is saved in the special game processing timer area, and the processing number "3" related to the fanfare/interval processing is set in the special game processing number area. Save. If it is the final round, the ending time is saved in the special game processing timer area, the processing number "6" relating to the jackpot end processing is set, and saved in the special game processing number area.

If the game processing number is "6" at step A2607, the game control device 100
Execute the jackpot end processing to set the information necessary for executing the special figure normal processing (A
2614). For example, in the jackpot end process, based on the probability fluctuation determination data corresponding to the stop pattern number (jackpot pattern number) of the special figure fluctuation display game, the probability state after the jackpot state and the general electric support state after the jackpot state ( Time saving state) and other necessary information is set, the processing number "0" related to the special figure normal processing is set and saved in the special figure game processing number area. The probability fluctuation judgment data includes the probability state (high probability / low probability) after the end of the jackpot state, and the number of continuous games (time reduction fluctuation number, electric support number) in the general electric support state (time saving state) after the jackpot state. ) information is included.

When the processing based on the special figure game processing number is completed, the game control device 100 prepares the special figure 1 variation control table for controlling the variation of the special figure 1 indicator 51 (A2615), then the special figure 1 indicator 51 is executed (A2616). Then, after preparing the special figure 2 variation control table for controlling the variation of the special figure 2 indicator 52 (A2617), the symbol variation control process related to the special figure 2 indicator 52 is executed (A2618).

[Starting port switch monitoring process]
Next, the details of the start-up switch monitoring process (A2601) in the special game process will be described. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the starting port switch monitoring process.

The game control device 100 first prepares a prize-winning monitoring table for the starting prize-winning port 36 (starting port 1) (A2701), executes hardware random number acquisition processing (A2702), and executes the starting prize-winning port 36.
(A2703). If there is no winning to the starting winning port 36 (
If the result of A2703 is "N"), the processing after step A2709 is executed. On the other hand, if there is a prize to the start winning port 36 (the result of A2703 is "Y"), it is determined whether it is during the special figure time saving (during the general electricity support state) (A2704).

When the game control device 100 determines that it is not during the special figure time saving (during the general electricity support state) (A
If the result of step A2704 is "N"), the processing after step A2707 is executed. On the other hand, if it is during the special figure time saving (during the general electricity support state) (the result of A2704 is "Y"), prepare the right-handed instruction notification command as the production command (A2705), and execute the production command setting process ( A2706). In the effect command setting process, the effect command is written in the serial transmission buffer, and the effect command is transmitted to the effect control device 300. - 特許庁

That is, if it is in the general electricity support state (time saving state), regardless of the probability state (high probability state/low probability state) of the variable display game, the right-handed instruction notification command is prepared and the production command setting process is executed. . In the case of this embodiment, it is easier to win a prize in the starting prize-winning port 36 with a left-handed hit, and a right-handed hit in the normal variable prize-winning device 37 does not win a prize. Moreover, the game ball does not pass through the normal figure start gate 34 unless it is hit to the right. Therefore, in the general electricity support state (time saving state), right-handed hitting is more advantageous than left-handed hitting, but if there is a prize at the start winning opening 36 during the general electricity support state (that is, during the general electricity support state In the case of hitting to the left), a hitting to the right instruction notification command is transmitted to the production control device 300, and the production control device 300 instructs to hit to the right (
warning) is executed by the display device 41 or the like.

Next, the game control device 100 prepares a table for setting information on suspension by the starting winning opening 36 (starting opening 1) (A2707), and then executes special figure starting opening switch common processing (A2
708). Then, a winning monitoring table for the second starting winning opening (ordinary variable winning device 37) is prepared (A2709), hardware random number acquisition processing is executed (A2710), and whether or not there is a winning to the second starting winning opening is determined. Judge (A2711). If there is no prize to the 2nd start prize gate (
When the result of A2711 is "N"), the starting port switch monitoring process is terminated.

On the other hand, the game control device 100 determines whether or not the normal electric accessory (normal variable prize winning device 37) is in operation when there is a prize to the second start prize winning port (the result of A2711 is "Y"). That is, it is determined whether or not the normal variable winning device 37 is in an open state in which the game ball can win (A2712). When the normal electric accessory is in operation (the result of A2712 is "Y"
), the process proceeds to step A2714.

On the other hand, the game control device 100, when the normal electric accessory is not in operation (the result of A2712 is "N"), determines whether the normal electric fraud is occurring (A2713). When the number of fraudulent winnings to the normal variable winning device 37 is equal to or greater than the number of fraudulent occurrence determinations (for example, 5), it is determined that general electrical fraud is occurring. The normal variable winning device 37 cannot win a game ball when it is closed, and can win a game ball only when it is open. Therefore, if a game ball wins in the closed state, it means that some kind of abnormality or dishonesty has occurred, and if there is a game ball won in such a closed state, the number is counted as the number of fraudulent wins. Then, when the number of fraudulent prizes thus counted is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (upper limit value) for determination of fraud occurrence, it is determined that fraud is occurring.

The game control device 100 prepares a table for setting information on suspension by the second starting winning port (normal variable winning device 37) when the electric fraud is not occurring (the result of A2713 is "N") (A2714). , Executes the special figure starting opening switch common processing (A2715), and ends the starting opening switch monitoring processing. Also, when it is determined at A2713 that the electric power irregularity is occurring (the result of A2713 is "Y"), the start port switch monitoring process is terminated. That is, the second
Prevents further generation of starting memories.

[Common process for special figure start switch]
Next, the special figure start switch common processing in the start switch monitoring process (A2708, A
2715) will be described in detail. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the special figure starting port switch common processing. Special figure starting opening switch common processing, when there is an input of starting opening 1 switch 36a or starting opening 2 switch 37a, is processing that is performed in common for each input.

First, the game control device 100 outputs information about the number of winnings to the monitored starter switch 36a and the starter 2 switch 37a to a management device outside the gaming machine 10. is loaded (A2901), the loaded value is updated by +1 (A2902), and it is determined whether or not the output count overflows (A2903). If the output count does not overflow (the result of A2903 is "N"),
Save the updated value in the starting signal output count area of RWM (A2904), step A
2905 processing is performed. On the other hand, if the output count overflows (result of A2903 is "Y"), the process proceeds to step A2905. In this embodiment, a value from "0" to "255" can be stored in the starting signal output frequency area. Then, when the loaded value is "255", the updated value becomes "0" by +1 update, and it is determined that the number of outputs overflows.

Next, the game control device 100, of the starting port 1 switch 36a and the starting port 2 switch 37a, whether or not the update target special figure holding number (starting memory number) corresponding to the monitoring target starting port switch is less than the upper limit (A2905). If the special figure pending number to be updated is not less than the upper limit (the result of A2905 is "N"), the special figure start opening switch common processing is terminated. Also, if the number of special figures pending to be updated is less than the upper limit (the result of A2905 is "Y"), the number of special figures pending to be updated (the number of special figures 1 pending or the number of special figures 2 pending) + 1 update Then (A2906), the target starting gate winning flag is saved (A2907).

Next, the game control device 100 calculates the address of the random number storage area corresponding to the starting switch to be monitored and the special figure reservation number (A2908), and stores the jackpot random number prepared in step A2805 as the RWM jackpot random number. Save in area (A2909). Next, the jackpot symbol random number of the starting switch to be monitored is extracted and prepared (A2910), and saved in the jackpot symbol random number storage area of the RWM (A2911).

Next, the game control device 100 saves the variation pattern random numbers 1 to 3 in the corresponding RWM variation pattern random number storage area (A2912), and executes special figure reservation information determination processing (A2
913). In the special figure reservation information determination process, the pre-reading stop symbol command corresponding to the stopped symbol information based on the saved jackpot random numbers and jackpot random numbers, and the first half variation number based on the saved variation pattern random numbers 1 to 3 (pre-reach variation number) And set the look-ahead variation pattern command corresponding to the second half variation number (number of post-reach variation) as a production command. Then, prepare the decorative special figure reservation number command corresponding to the starting opening switch to be monitored and the number of special figure reservations as a production command (A2914), execute the production command setting process (A2915), and common the special figure starting opening switch End the process.

Here, the game control device 100 (RAM 111c) extracts a predetermined random number based on the inflow of the game ball into the starting winning port 36 or the starting winning region of the normal variable winning device 37, and becomes the execution right of the variable display game. It constitutes a start memory means for storing a predetermined number as an upper limit as a start memory. again,
The starting memory means (game control device 100) stores various random values extracted based on the winning of the game ball into the first starting winning port (starting winning port 36) as the first starting memory up to a predetermined number as the upper limit. , various random numbers extracted based on the winning of the game ball to the second starting winning port (normal variable winning device 37) are stored as the second starting memory up to a predetermined number as the upper limit.

[Special normal processing]
Next, the details of the special figure normal processing (A2608) in the special figure game processing will be described.
FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the special figure normal processing.

The game control device 100 first determines whether or not the special figure 2 reservation number (second start memory number) is 0 (A3201). When the special figure 2 reservation number is 0 (the result of A3201 is "Y"), it is determined whether the special figure 1 reservation number (first start memory number) is 0 (A3206). Then, if the number of special figures 1 pending is 0 (the result of A3206 is "Y"), it is determined whether the customer waiting demonstration has started (A3211), and if the customer waiting demonstration has not started (A3211 is "N"), the customer waiting demonstration flag is set in the customer waiting demonstration flag area (A3212).

Subsequently, the game control device 100 prepares a customer waiting demo command as an effect command (
A3213), effect command setting processing is performed (A3214), and the process proceeds to step A3215. On the other hand, in step A3211, if the customer waiting demonstration has already started (A32
The result of 11 is "Y"), and set "0" related to special figure normal processing as the processing number (A3215
), save the processing number in the special game processing number area (A3216), and clear the fluctuation symbol discrimination flag area (A3217). Then, the fraud monitoring period flag is saved in the large winning opening fraud monitoring period flag area (A3218), and the special figure normal processing is terminated.

In addition, the game control device 100, if the special figure 2 reservation number is not 0 (the result of A3201 is "N
”), execute the special figure 2 fluctuation start process (A3202), prepare the decoration special figure reservation number command (decoration special figure 2 reservation number command) corresponding to the special figure 2 reservation number as a production command (A3203
), and effect command setting processing is executed (A3204). Then, the processing shift setting processing during the special figure fluctuation of the special figure 2 is executed (A3205), and the special figure usual processing is terminated.

In addition, the game control device 100, if the special figure 1 reservation number is not 0 (the result of A3206 is "N
”), execute the special figure 1 fluctuation start process (A3207), prepare the decoration special figure reservation number command (decoration special figure 1 reservation number command) corresponding to the special figure 1 reservation number as a production command (A3208
), and effect command setting processing is executed (A3209). Then, the processing transition setting processing during special figure fluctuation of special figure 1 is executed (A3210), and the special figure usual processing is ended.

In this way, by performing the check of the special figure 2 reservation number before the special figure 1 reservation number check, if the special figure 2 reservation number is not 0, special figure 2 fluctuation start processing (A3202) is executed The Rukoto. That is, the special figure 2 variation display game is preferentially executed over the special figure 1 variation display game. That is, the game control device 100 is the second start storage means (game control device 100)
If there is a second starting memory in the second starting memory, priority control means for executing the variable display game based on the second starting memory preferentially over the variable display game based on the first starting memory.

[Special figure 1 fluctuation start process]
Next, the details of the special figure 1 fluctuation start process (A3207) in the special figure usual process will be described. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the special figure 1 fluctuation start process. The special figure 1 fluctuation start process is a process performed at the start of the special figure 1 fluctuation display game.

The game control device 100 saves the special figure 1 fluctuation flag indicating the type of the special figure fluctuation display game to be executed (here, special figure 1) in the fluctuation symbol discrimination area (A3401). Subsequently, a jackpot flag 1 setting process for setting deviation information and jackpot information to the jackpot flag 1 for determining whether or not the special figure 1 variation display game is a jackpot is executed (A3402). The details of the jackpot flag 1 setting process will be described later.

Next, the game control device 100 executes a special figure 1 stop symbol setting process related to the setting of the special figure 1 stop symbol (symbol information) relating to the special figure 1 variable display game (A3403). In the special figure 1 stop design setting process, the stop design number at the time of loss or at the time of the big hit and the loss stop design pattern or the big hit stop design pattern corresponding to this stop design number are saved. Then, a decoration special figure command corresponding to the stop symbol pattern is prepared as a production command, and production command setting processing is executed. In addition, it acquires and saves round number information (round upper limit value) corresponding to the stop design number and probability fluctuation determination data corresponding to the stop design number.

Furthermore, the game control device 100 executes a special figure information setting process for setting special figure information which is a parameter for setting a variation pattern (A3404).

Subsequently, the game control device 100 prepares a special figure 1 variation pattern setting information table, which is a table in which information for referring to various information regarding the setting of the variation pattern of the special figure 1 variation display game is set (A3405 ).

After that, the game control device 100 executes a variation pattern setting process for setting a variation pattern (variation pattern number) which is a variation mode in the special figure 1 variation display game (A3406).
. Next, the game control device 100 executes a fluctuation start information setting process for setting the information of the fluctuation start of the special figure 1 fluctuation display game (A3407), and ends the special figure 1 fluctuation start process. In the fluctuation start information setting process, the fluctuation time value corresponding to the fluctuation pattern (variation pattern number) is acquired and saved in the special figure game processing timer area. Then, a variation command (MODE, ACTION) corresponding to the variation pattern number is prepared as an effect command, and effect command setting processing is performed. Also, in the fluctuation start information setting process, the special figure pending number related to the special figure type (special figure 1 or special figure 2) of the special figure variation display game to be started is updated by -1 (decrease by 1).

[Special figure 2 fluctuation start process]
Next, the details of the special figure 2 fluctuation start process (A3202) in the special figure usual process will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of special figure 2 fluctuation start processing. The special figure 2 variation start process is a process performed at the start of the special figure 2 variation display game, and the same process as the special figure 1 variation start process shown in FIG. 11 is performed for the second start memory. It is something to do.

The game control device 100 first determines the type of special figure variation display game to be executed (here, special figure 2).
To save the special figure 2 fluctuation flag indicating to the fluctuation symbol discrimination area (A3501). Subsequently, a big hit flag 2 setting process for setting deviation information and big hit information to the big hit flag 2 for determining whether or not the special figure 2 variation display game is a big hit is executed (A3502).

Next, the game control device 100 executes a special figure 2 stop symbol setting process related to the setting of the special figure 2 stop symbol (symbol information) relating to the special figure 2 fluctuation display game (A3503). Furthermore, the special figure information setting processing which sets the special figure information which is the parameter in order to set fluctuation pattern is executed (A3504). Subsequently, prepare a special figure 2 variation pattern setting information table, which is a table in which information for referring to various information regarding the setting of the variation pattern of the special figure 2 variation display game is set (A3505).

After that, the game control device 100 executes a variation pattern setting process for setting the variation pattern of the special figure 2 variation display game (A3506). Finally, the fluctuation start information setting process for setting the information of the fluctuation start of the special figure 2 fluctuation display game is executed (A3507), and the special figure 2 fluctuation start process is ended.

[Big hit flag 1 setting process]
Next, the details of the jackpot flag 1 setting process (A3402) in the special figure 1 fluctuation start process will be described. FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the jackpot flag 1 setting process.

The game control device 100 first saves the deviation information in the jackpot flag 1 area (A36
01). Next, the jackpot random number is loaded from the RWM special figure 1 jackpot random number storage area (for the reserved number 1), prepared (A3602), and the special figure 1 jackpot random number storage area (for the reserved number 1) is cleared to 0. (A3603). It should be noted that the reservation number 1 use is an area that stores information (random numbers, etc.) about the special figure start memory of which digestion order is the first (here the first among the special figures 1). After that, according to whether or not the prepared big-hit random number coincides with the big-hit judgment value, big-hit determination processing is executed to determine whether or not the game is a big-hit (A3604).

When the determination result of the big hit determination process (A3604) is a big hit (the result of A3605 is "Y"), the game control device 100 overwrites the big hit flag 1 area where the losing information is saved in step A3601 with the big hit information. Save (A3606) and end the jackpot flag 1 setting process. On the other hand, if the judgment result of the big hit judgment process (A3605) is not a big hit (A
The result of 3605 is "N"), and the jackpot flag 1 setting process is terminated. Thus, in the present embodiment, the result of the special figure 1 variable display game is either "big hit" or "loss".

[Big hit flag 2 setting process]
Next, the details of the jackpot flag 2 setting process (A3502) in the special figure 2 fluctuation start process will be described. FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the big hit flag 2 setting process.
This process performs the same process as the big hit flag 1 setting process shown in FIG. 13 for the second start memory.

The game control device 100 first saves the deviation information in the jackpot flag 2 area (A37
01). Next, load the jackpot random number from the RWM special figure 2 jackpot random number storage area (for the number of reservations 1), prepare (A3702), and clear the special figure 2 jackpot random number storage area (for the number 1 reservation) to 0. (A3703). It should be noted that the reservation number 1 use is an area that stores information (random numbers, etc.) about the special figure start memory of which digestion order is the first (here, the first among the special figures 2). After that, according to whether or not the prepared big-hit random number coincides with the big-hit judgment value, big-hit judgment processing is executed to judge whether or not the game is a big-hit (A3704).

When the determination result of the big hit determination process (A3704) is a big hit (the result of A3705 is "Y"), the game control device 100 overwrites the big hit flag 2 area where the loss information is saved in step A3701 with the big hit information. Save (A3706) and end the jackpot flag 2 setting process. On the other hand, if the judgment result of the big hit judgment process (A3704) is not a big hit (A
If the result of 3705 is "N"), the process of setting the big hit flag 2 is finished while the deviation information is saved in the big hit flag 2. As described above, in the present embodiment, the result of the special figure 2 variation display game is either "big hit" or "loss".

[Jackpot determination process]
Next, the big hit determination process in the big hit flag 1 setting process and the big hit flag 2 setting process (
A3605, A3704) will be described in detail. FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the big hit determination process. It should be noted that the big hit determination process is a process common to the big hit determination process in other processes performed during the timer interrupt process, and is also performed in step A3004 of the special figure reservation information determination process.

The game control device 100 first sets the lower limit judgment value of the big hit judgment value (A3801), and judges whether or not the value of the target big hit random number is less than the lower limit judgment value (A3802). A big hit means that the big hit random number matches the big hit determination value. The jackpot judgment value is a series of multiple values, and when the jackpot random number is equal to or greater than the lower limit judgment value, which is the lower limit value of the jackpot judgment value, and below the upper limit judgment value, which is the upper limit value of the jackpot judgment value , is determined to be a jackpot.

The game control device 100, when the value of the target jackpot random number is less than the lower limit judgment value (A380
The result of 2 is "Y"), set a failure (other than a big hit) as the judgment result (A3807), and end the big hit judgment processing.

In addition, the game control device 100, when the value of the jackpot random number is not less than the lower limit judgment value (A3
The result of 802 is "N"), and it is determined whether or not the probability of occurrence of a big hit is in a high probability state (variable probability state) (A3803). Then, if it is in a high-probability state (the result of A3803 is "Y"
), and sets the upper limit judgment value in the high probability (A3804). On the other hand, if it is not in the high probability state (the result of A3803 is "N"), the upper limit determination value for low probability is set (A3805).

After setting the upper limit judgment value of the value of the jackpot random number, the game control device 100 determines whether or not the target jackpot random number value is greater than the upper limit judgment value (A3806). If the value of the jackpot random number is greater than the upper limit judgment value (the result of A3806 is "Y"), the judgment result is set to be a failure (other than the jackpot) (A3807). On the other hand, if the value of the jackpot random number is not greater than the upper limit judgment value (
The result of A3806 is "N"), and a big hit is set as the judgment result (A3808). When the determination result is set, the big hit determination process is terminated.

[Special figure information setting process]
Next, special figure information setting processing (A340
4, A3504) will be described in detail. FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the special figure information setting process. In this embodiment, the probability state (low probability/high probability, with/without time saving) does not directly affect the distribution of fluctuations, but the production mode managed by the game control device 100 affects the distribution of fluctuations. One production mode is set from a plurality of production modes according to the probability state, the presence or absence of the time saving state, the progress of the special figure fluctuation display game, and the like.

The game control device 100 first sets the first half variation group selection pointer table (A
4201), acquire the first half variation group selection pointer corresponding to the production mode information (A4
202). Next, set the first half variation group selection offset table (A4203)
, To acquire the offset data corresponding to the target special figure reservation number (special figure 1 reservation number or special figure 2 reservation number) and the stop design pattern (A4204).

Next, the game control device 100 adds the first half variation group selection pointer and the offset data (A4205), and saves the value obtained by the addition in the variation distribution information 1 area (A4206
). As a result, in the fluctuation distribution information 1 area, the fluctuation distribution information 1 generated based on the type of stop symbol, the number of reservations, and the presentation mode is saved. This fluctuation distribution information 1 is a table pointer for distributing the first half fluctuation (variation mode before the start of reach), and is used for selecting a fluctuation group later. However, although it depends on the specifications of the model, when the number of holds is large, the fluctuation time is shortened only in the case of loss, so in cases other than loss, the number of holds does not affect the distribution of the first half fluctuation. A variation group includes multiple variation patterns, and when determining a variation pattern, first select a variation group, and then select one variation pattern from this variation group. ing.

Next, the game control device 100 sets the second half variation group selection pointer table (A
4207), acquire the second half variation group selection pointer corresponding to the presentation mode information (A4
208). Next, set the second half fluctuation group selection offset table (A4209)
, Acquire the offset data corresponding to the target special figure pending number and the stop symbol pattern (A42
10).

Next, the game control device 100 adds the second half variation group selection pointer and the offset data (A4211), and saves the value obtained by the addition in the variation distribution information 2 area (A4212
), to end the special figure information setting process. As a result, in the fluctuation distribution information 2 area, the fluctuation distribution information 2 generated based on the type of stop symbol, the number of reservations, and the presentation mode is saved. This fluctuation distribution information 2 is a table pointer for distributing fluctuations in the second half (types of reach (including no reach)), and is used later to select a fluctuation group. However, only in the case of loss, the rate of reach changes according to the number of holds (the rate of reach is lower when the number of holds is large), so in cases other than losses, the number of holds is distributed in the second half as a result. does not affect

[Variation pattern setting process]
Next, variation pattern setting processing (A
3406, A3506) will be described in detail. FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the variation pattern setting process.

The fluctuation patterns are the first half fluctuation pattern, which is the fluctuation mode from the start of the special figure fluctuation display game to the reach state, and the second half fluctuation pattern, which is the fluctuation form from the reach state to the end of the special figure fluctuation display game. First, the second half fluctuation pattern is set, and then the first half fluctuation pattern is set.

The game control device 100 first sets the variable group selection address table (A430
1) Acquire the address of the second half fluctuation group table corresponding to fluctuation distribution information 2, prepare it (A4302), and load fluctuation pattern random number 1 from the target fluctuation pattern random number 1 storage area (for reserved number 1) , prepare (A4303). In this embodiment, the structure of the second half variation group table is different for winning and losing. Specifically, the size is 1 byte for winning, and 2 bytes for losing. Since the probability of winning is lower than the probability of losing, and even 1 byte is sufficient, the size of the winning is 1 byte from the viewpoint of saving the data capacity. Therefore, only the lower value of the 2-byte variation pattern random number 1 is used at the time of winning. In addition, since the probability of losing is higher than the probability of winning, and it is desired to produce more diverse effects, the size for losing is set to 2 bytes.

Then, the game control device 100 determines whether the result of the special figure variation display game is a loss (A4304), and if it is a loss (the result of A4304 is "Y"), performs 2-byte distribution processing (A4305). Then, the process proceeds to step A4307. If it is not lost (result of A4304 is "N"), sorting processing (A4306) is performed and step A
The processing of 4307 is performed.

Next, the game control device 100 acquires the address of the second half variation selection table (second half variation pattern selection table) obtained as a result of the allocation, prepares (A4307), and stores the target variation pattern random number 2 storage area (holding (for formula 1) to load the variation pattern random number 2 and prepare (A4308). Then, the allocation process is executed (A4309), the second half variation number obtained as a result of the allocation is acquired, and saved in the second half variation number area (A4310). Through this processing, the second half variation pattern is set.

Next, the game control device 100 sets the first half variation group table (A4311), and calculates the table selection pointer based on the variation allocation information 1 and the second half variation number (A4312). Then, the address of the first half fluctuation selection table (first half fluctuation pattern selection table) corresponding to the calculated pointer is obtained and prepared (A4313), and the fluctuation pattern random number from the target fluctuation pattern random number 3 storage area (for reserved number 1) 3 is loaded and ready (A4314). after that,
Perform the allocation process (A4315), acquire the first half variation number obtained as a result of the allocation, save it in the first half variation number area (A4316), and end the variation pattern setting process. By this processing, the first half variation pattern is set, and the variation pattern of the special figure variation display game is set. That is, the game control device 100 serves as variation pattern setting means for setting a variation pattern, which is a game execution mode, from among a plurality of variations.

[2-byte distribution processing]
Next, the details of the 2-byte allocation process (A4305) in the variation pattern setting process will be described. FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the procedure of 2-byte allocation processing. 2
The byte distribution process is a process for selecting the second half variation selection table of the special figure variation display game from the second half variation group table based on the variation pattern random number 1.

The game control device 100 first checks whether or not the head data of the selection table (second half variation group table prepared in A4302) is a code without sorting (that is, "0") (A4401). Here, the second half fluctuation group table stores predetermined sorting values in association with at least one second half fluctuation selection table.
In the second half fluctuation group table that defines only the second half fluctuation selection table that becomes "no reach" (for example, some fluctuation group tables when the result is lost), there is no need for sorting, so the sorting value is "0" , that is, a code without sorting is specified at the top.

Then, if the leading data of the selection table (second half variation group table) is a code without sorting (the result of A4402 is "Y"), the game control device 100 updates the address of the data corresponding to the sorting result. (A4407) to end the 2-byte allocation process. On the other hand, if the top data of the selection table (second half fluctuation group table) is not a code without sorting (the result of A4402 is "N"), one sorting specified first in the selection table (second half fluctuation group table) Get the value (A4403).

Subsequently, a new random value is calculated by subtracting the distribution value obtained in step A4403 from the random value prepared in step A4303 (value of variation pattern random number 1) (A4404)
, it is determined whether the calculated new random number value is smaller than "0" (A4405). If the new random number is not smaller than "0" (the result of A4405 is "N"), the address of the next distribution value is updated (A4406), and then the process proceeds to step A4403. The following processing is performed. That is, the distribution value specified next in the selection table (second half fluctuation group table) is acquired (A4403), and then the previous step A4405
Calculate a new random number by subtracting the sorting value from the random number that has already been judged (A44
04), and it is determined whether or not the calculated new random number value is smaller than "0" (A4405).

In step A4405, the above process is judged to be smaller than "0" (A4
Execute until the result of 405 is "Y"). As a result, any one of the second half fluctuation selection tables is selected from at least one second half fluctuation selection table defined in the selection tables (second half fluctuation group tables). Then, if it is determined in step A4405 that the new random number is smaller than "0" (the result of A4405 is "Y"), the data address corresponding to the sorted result is updated (A4407), and 2 bytes End the sorting process.

[Distribution process]
Next, distribution processing (A4306, A4309, A43
15) will be described in detail. FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing the procedure of sorting processing. In the distribution process, based on the fluctuation pattern random number 2, the second half fluctuation pattern of the special figure fluctuation display game is selected from the second half fluctuation selection table (second half fluctuation pattern group), or based on the fluctuation pattern random number 3, the first half fluctuation selection table ( It is a process for selecting the first half variation pattern of the special figure variation display game from the first half variation pattern group).

The game control device 100 first selects the target selection table (the second half variation group table prepared in A4302, the second half variation selection table prepared in step A4307, or the first half variation selection table prepared in step A4313). is a code for no sorting (that is, "0") (A4501). Here, the second half variation group table, the second half variation selection table, and the first half variation selection table are predetermined in association with at least one second half variation selection table, second half variation pattern (second half variation number), or first half variation pattern (first half variation number). However, in the case of a selection table that does not require sorting, the sorting value "0", that is, a code indicating no sorting is specified at the head.

Then, the game control device 100, when the top data of the target selection table (the second half variation group table, the second half variation selection table, or the first half variation selection table) is a code without sorting (the result of A4502 is "Y"), The address of the data corresponding to the sorting result is updated (A4507), and the sorting process ends. On the other hand, if the head data of the target selection table (second half variation group table, second half variation selection table, first half variation selection table) is not a code without sorting (the result of A4502 is "N"), the target selection table (
One sorting value initially specified in the second half fluctuation group table, the second half fluctuation selection table, or the first half fluctuation selection table is obtained (A4503).

Subsequently, the game control device 100 subtracts the sorting value obtained in step A4503 from the random numbers prepared in steps A4303, A4308, and A4314 (variation pattern random number 1, variation pattern random number 2, and variation pattern random number 3). to calculate a new random number (A45
04), and it is determined whether the calculated new random number value is smaller than "0" (A4505).
Then, if the new random number value is not smaller than "0" (the result of A4505 is "N"),
After updating to the address of the next distribution value (A4506), the process moves to step A4503 and the subsequent processes are performed.

That is, the distribution value specified next in the target selection table (second half fluctuation group table, second half fluctuation selection table, first half fluctuation selection table) is acquired (A4503), and then the randomness determined in the previous step A4505 A new random number value is calculated by subtracting the distribution value from the numerical value (A4504), and it is determined whether or not the calculated new random number value is smaller than "0" (A4505). In step A4505 of the above process, the new random number is set to "0
” (the result of A4505 is “Y”). As a result, at least one second half fluctuation selection table, second half fluctuation pattern (second half fluctuation number), or first half fluctuation pattern (first half Any one of the second half variation selection table, second half variation pattern (second half variation number), and first half variation pattern (first half variation number) is selected from among the variation numbers).

Then, when the game control device 100 determines in step A4505 that the new random number value is smaller than "0" (the result of A4505 is "Y"), it updates the address of the data corresponding to the sorted result. (A4507), the sorting process ends.

[Variation start information setting process]
Next, the fluctuation start information setting process (A
3407, A3507) will be described in detail. FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the change start information setting process.

The game control device 100 first clears the random number storage area for the target variation pattern random numbers 1 to 3 (A4601). Next, the first half variation time value table is set (A4602), and the first half variation time value corresponding to the first half variation number is acquired (A4603). Furthermore, the second half fluctuation time value table is set (A4604), and the second half fluctuation time value corresponding to the second half fluctuation number is acquired (A4
605).

Then, the game control device 100 adds the first half fluctuation time value and the second half fluctuation time value (A460
6), save the added value in the special game processing timer area (A4607). Thereafter, a variation command (MODE) corresponding to the first half variation number is prepared (A4608), a variation command (ACTION) corresponding to the second half variation number is prepared as an effect command (A4609), and effect command setting processing is performed (A4610). ). Next, the special figure reservation number corresponding to the fluctuation pattern discrimination flag is updated by -1 (A4611), and the address of the random number storage area corresponding to the fluctuation pattern discrimination flag is set (A4612). Next, the random number storage area is shifted (A4613), the free area after the shift is cleared (A4614), and the fluctuation start information setting process ends.

Information about the start of the special figure variation display game is set by the above processing. i.e.
The game control device 100 serves as determination means for determining various random numbers stored in the start storage means (game control device 100). Also, the game control device 100 serves as variation pattern determination means capable of determining the variation pattern of the identification information to be executed in the variation display game based on the determination information in the start memory.

Then, the information on the start of these special figure fluctuation display games is later transmitted to the production control device 300, and the production control device 300 receives the information on the start of the special figure fluctuation display game, and responds to the determined fluctuation pattern. Set the detailed production contents in the decoration special figure fluctuation display game. Information on the start of these special figure fluctuation display games includes a decoration special figure reservation number command including information on the number of starting memories (number of reservations), a decoration special figure command including information on the stop pattern, and a variation of the special figure fluctuation display game A variation command containing information about a pattern and a stop information command containing information about extension of stop time are mentioned, and a command is transmitted to production control device 300 in this order. In particular, by transmitting the decoration special figure command earlier than the variation command, the processing in the production control device 300 can be efficiently advanced.

[General map game processing]
Next, the details of the general-purpose game process (A1310) in the timer interrupt process will be described. FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the general-purpose game process. In the general-purpose game processing, the input of the gate switch 34a is monitored, and the overall processing related to the general-purpose variation display game is controlled.
Set the display of the normal map, etc.

The game control device 100 first executes a gate switch monitoring process for monitoring an input from the gate switch 34a (A7601).

Subsequently, the game control device 100 executes general electric winning switch monitoring processing for monitoring input from the starting port 2 switch 37a (A7602).

Next, the game control device 100 updates the normal game processing timer by -1 if it is not 0 (1
is subtracted) (A7603). In addition, the minimum value of the general-purpose game processing timer is set to zero. Then, the game control device 100 determines whether or not the value of the normal game processing timer has become 0 (A7604).

The game control device 100, when the value of the normal game processing timer is 0 (the result of A7604 is "Y"), that is, when the time has expired or has already timed up, the normal game processing number A general-purpose game sequence branch table to be referred to for branching to the corresponding process is set in the register (A7605).

Furthermore, the game control device 100 acquires the branch destination address of the process corresponding to the general-purpose game processing number based on the set general-purpose game sequence branch table (A7606). Then, a subroutine call is made according to the general-purpose game processing number, and game branch processing is executed according to the general-purpose game processing number (A7607).

If the game processing number is "0" at step A7607, the game control device 100
Monitor the start of fluctuation of the normal pattern fluctuation display game, set the start of fluctuation of the normal pattern fluctuation display game, set the effect, and set the information necessary for processing during normal pattern fluctuation. Execute (A7608). The details of the general/universal pattern normal processing will be described later with reference to FIG. 22 .

In addition, if the game processing number is "1" at step A7607, the game control device 100 executes normal pattern fluctuation processing for setting information necessary for performing normal pattern display processing ( A7609). For example, in the process during normal map fluctuation, in order to shift to the process during normal map display, set "2" as the game processing number and save it in the normal map game processing number area, Save in the processing timer area.

Further, if the game processing number is "2" at step A7607, if the result of the normal figure fluctuation display game is a hit, the game control device 100 Setting of the open time and processing during the normal diagram display, such as setting of information necessary for performing processing during the normal diagram per execution (A7610). For example, in the normal pattern display processing, when the result of the normal pattern variation display game is a hit, in order to shift to the normal pattern winning process, "3" is set as the game processing number and the normal pattern game processing number area is set. On the other hand, in the case of a failure, in order to shift to the normal game process, the game process number is set to "0" and saved in the normal game process number area.

Further, if the game processing number is "3" at step A7607, the game control device 100 continues the processing during normal game winning, or sets information necessary for performing normal electric remaining ball processing. Processing during drawing is executed (A7611). For example, in the normal per game process, after setting for opening the normal variation winning device 37 for a predetermined number of times, "4" is set as the game process number to shift to the normal electric remaining ball process. Save in normal game processing number area.

In addition, when the game processing number is "4" at step A7607, the game control device 100 executes normal electric remaining ball processing for setting information necessary for performing normal per pattern end processing (A7612 ). For example, in the normal electric remaining ball processing, in order to shift to the end processing for the normal game, set "5" as the game processing number and save it in the normal game processing number area, and the normal game ending time Save in the processing timer area.

In addition, when the game processing number is "5" at step A7607, the game control device 100 executes normal pattern per end processing for setting information necessary for performing normal pattern normal processing (A7608). (A7613). For example, in the end processing for the general pattern, in order to shift to the normal processing for the general pattern, "0" is set as the game processing number and saved in the general pattern game processing number area.

After that, the game control device 100 prepares a normal pattern fluctuation control table for controlling the normal pattern fluctuation by the normal pattern display device 53 (A7614). After that, a symbol variation control process relating to control of variation of the normal symbol by the normal symbol display 53 is executed (A7615), and the normal symbol game process is terminated.

On the other hand, the game control device 100, when the value of the normal game processing timer is not 0 (A7604
result is "N"), that is, if the time has not expired, the processing from step A7614 onwards is executed.

[Usually normal processing]
Next, the details of the general-purpose normal processing (A7608) in the general-purpose processing will be described.
FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the general/universal figure normal processing.

The game control device 100 first determines whether or not the normal pattern reservation number is 0 (A7901).
. When the number of general patterns pending is 0 (the result of A7901 is "Y"), the general pattern normal processing transition setting process 1 is executed (A7923), and the general pattern normal processing is terminated. Normal figure normal process transition setting process 1
Then, in order to shift to the normal game process, the game process number is set to "0" and saved in the normal game process number area.

In addition, the game control device 100, when the number of normal pattern reservations is not 0 (the result of A7901 is "
N"), load the hit random number from the RWM hit random number storage area (for the reserved number 1),
Load the hit pattern random number from the general pattern random number storage area (for the number of reservations 1) (A7902)
. And, the random number storage area per normal pattern (for the number of reservations 1) and the random number storage area per normal pattern (for the number of reservations 1
) is cleared to 0 (A7903). In addition, whether or not the probability of a hit result in the normal pattern fluctuation display game is higher than normal (in a high probability state), that is, the time saving state (
(A7904). In addition, the probability per normal pattern in the high probability is 250/251, and the probability per normal pattern in the low probability is 0/251.

If the game control device 100 is not in the normal pattern high probability (the result of A7904 is "N"), it sets the low probability lower limit judgment value (here, 251) which is the lower limit judgment value in the normal pattern low probability (A7905
), if it is in the normal pattern high probability (the result of A7904 is "Y"), set the high probability lower limit judgment value (here 1) which is the lower limit judgment value in the normal pattern high probability (A7906), step A7907 to process.

The game control device 100 determines whether or not the hit random number is equal to or greater than the upper limit determination value (here, 251) (A7907). It should be noted that the upper limit judgment value here is common during normal pattern high probability and during normal pattern low probability. If the hit random number is greater than or equal to the upper limit judgment value (the result of A7907 is "Y"), that is,
If not, the process proceeds to step A7909. If the winning random number is less than the upper limit judgment value (the result of A7907 is "N"), it is determined whether the winning random number is less than the lower limit judgment value (A7908).

The game control device 100 hits when the random number is less than the lower limit judgment value (the result of A7908 is "
Y"), that is, in the case of a miss, save the miss information in the hit flag area (A7909)
. Furthermore, the losing stop pattern number is set as the normal stop symbol number (A7910), the losing pattern information is saved in the normal stop symbol information area (A7911), and the process proceeds to step A7915.

The game control device 100, if the hit random number is not less than the lower limit judgment value (the result of A7908 is "
N"), that is, in the case of a hit, the win information is saved in the hit flag area (A7912), the hit stop design number corresponding to the loaded hit design random number is set (A7913), and the hit corresponding to the hit stop design number is set. The stop design information is saved in the normal design stop design information area (A7914), and the process proceeds to step A7915. It should be noted that there may be several types of hit stop symbols.

Next, the game control device 100 saves the stop symbol number in the normal pattern stop symbol area (A791
5) Save the stop pattern number in the test signal output data area (A7916). Next, the general pattern command corresponding to the information related to the general pattern variation display game (especially the hit/loss information of the general pattern variation display game) is prepared as a production command (A7917), and the production command setting process is executed. (A7918). Then, shift the random number storage area per normal pattern (A7919),
After clearing the free space after the shift to 0 (A7920), update the number of normal map reservations by -1 (A7
921).

That is, with the execution of the normal pattern fluctuation display game related to the oldest normal pattern reservation number 1, the positions of the normal pattern reservation numbers 2 to 4 that are reserved after the normal pattern reservation number 1 are advanced one by one.
By this process, the values for the general pattern holding number 2 to the general pattern holding number 4 in the general pattern random number storage area are moved from the general pattern holding number 1 to the general pattern holding number 3 in the general pattern random number storage area. It will be done. Then, the value for the normal pattern reservation number 4 in the normal pattern random number storage area is cleared, and the normal pattern reservation number is decremented by 1.

Next, the game control device 100 executes the process transition setting process during normal figure fluctuation (A7922),
Terminate normal normal processing. In the normal pattern fluctuation process transition setting process, in order to shift to the normal pattern fluctuation process, "1" is set as the game processing number and saved in the general pattern game processing number area, and the normal pattern fluctuation time is set. Save in the game processing timer area.

[Control of production control device]
Below, the control (process) which the production|presentation control apparatus 300 performs by the program for production|presentation control is demonstrated.

[Main processing (production control device)]
First, the details of the main process executed by the effect control device 300 will be described. Figure 23
2 is a flowchart showing a procedure of main processing (main program) executed by the effect control device 300. FIG. The main processing is executed by the main control microcomputer 311 (production microcomputer) when the gaming machine 10 is powered on. In addition, in the flowchart of the processing executed by the effect control device 300, the code (number) of the step is expressed as "B****".

When the execution of the main process is started, the effect control device 300 first prohibits an interrupt (
B0001). Next, the CPU 311 and VDP 312 are initialized (B0002, B
0003), and allow interrupts (B0004). When the interruption is permitted, the game control device 1
00, it becomes possible to execute the command reception interrupt process for receiving the command sent from 00.

Next, the effect control device 300 permits generation of display data to be displayed on the display device 41 or the like (B0005), and sets a random number seed used for random number generation (B0006). Then, the initial value at power-on is saved in the area to be initialized (B0007).

Subsequently, the effect control device 300 clears the WDT (watchdog timer) (B0
008). The WDT is activated by the CPU initial setting (B0002) described above, and the CPU 311
to see if it's working properly. If the WDT is not cleared after a certain period, the WDT times out and the CPU 311 is reset.

After that, the effect control device 300 executes RTC read processing for reading time information from the RTC (real time clock) 338 (B0009).

In the RTC reading process, time information may be read from the RTC 338 at predetermined intervals (for example, every two hours), and it is not necessary to read time information each time the process proceeds to step B0009. When power is turned on to the effect control device 300 (that is, power is turned on to the gaming machine 10), the RTC reading process may be executed only once (by changing the position of the RTC reading process, for example, steps B0003 and B0004 may be executed between). Effect control device 300 sets a time timer (clock means) for measuring time in the timer area in the RAM,
RT only once when time information is read from RTC 338 at a predetermined cycle or when the power is turned on
When the time information is read from the C338, the time timer (clocking means) may be adjusted so as to match the time of the RTC338. And the production|presentation control apparatus 300 may perform various processes using the timer for time. By doing so, the number of times of processing for reading the time from the RTC 338 can be reduced, and the load on the CPU 311 is reduced.

Next, the effect control device 300 detects the operation signal of the effect button 25 by the player (signal of the effect button switch 25a or the touch panel 25b), or changes the effect content (setting) according to the detected signal. A production button input process is executed (B0010). continue,
A hall/player setting mode process for accepting operations such as changing the brightness of LEDs and liquid crystals and sound volume by the person in charge of the game hall (game parlor) or the player is executed (B0011). In the hole/player setting mode process, the player can customize the effect according to the effect points described later.

Next, the effect control device 300 executes effect point control processing for adding and clearing effect points (B0012). In the production point control process, production points are added when the production or operation to which the production points are to be added is executed. For example, information including performance point information is displayed on the display device 41 as a QR code (registered trademark). For example, the effect control device 300 can display a QR code (registered trademark) on the display device 41 in the hall/player setting mode process.

Next, the effect control device 300 executes random number update processing for updating the random number such as the effect random number (B0013), analyzes the received command received from the game control device 100, and executes the corresponding received command check processing. (B0014). Details of the received command check process will be described later with reference to FIG.

Subsequently, the effect control device 300 executes customer waiting demonstration editing processing for editing and controlling the content of the customer waiting demonstration displayed on the display device 41 (B0015), and changes the power saving state of the gaming machine 10 waiting for customers. The power saving control process to be controlled is executed (B0016).

Next, the production control device 300 updates various data in accordance with the content to be displayed on the display device (display means) such as the display device 41, or sets the drawing to be displayed on the display device 41 in the display frame buffer. effect display edit processing is executed (B0017). The drawing data set at this time can update the image of the display device 41 without any problem if the drawing data can be completed by the VDP 312 within 1/30 second (approximately 33.3 msec) of the frame period. Then, the drawing preparation for the display frame buffer is completed, and drawing command preparation end setting is executed (B0018).

Subsequently, the effect control device 300 determines whether or not it is the frame switching timing (B
0019). If it is not the frame switching timing (the result of B0019 is "N"), the processing of B0019 is repeated until the frame switching timing comes. Instruct screen drawing (B0
020). Since the frame period of this embodiment is 1/30 second, for example, when periodic V blanking (image update) is performed twice every 1/60 second (1/2 of the frame period), the frame is switched. . Note that the image may not be updated every 1/60th of a second, and the interval may be increased.

In addition, the effect control device 300 executes sound control processing for controlling the sound output from the speaker 19 (B0021).

In addition, the effect control device 300 executes decoration control processing for controlling decoration devices (the board decoration device 46 and the frame decoration device 18) made up of LEDs and the like (B0022). In the decoration control process, for example, brightness control (light emission control) of a decoration device such as an LED is executed.

Furthermore, the effect control device 300 executes movable body control processing for controlling the effect device (board effect device 44) such as an electric accessory driven by a motor and a solenoid (B0023). In the movable body control process, for example, a performance for driving a motor is set.

And the production|presentation control apparatus 300 returns to the process of B0008, after finishing the process of above-mentioned B0023. Thereafter, the processing from B0008 to B0023 is repeated.

[Receive command check processing]
Next, details of the received command check process (B0014) in the above-described main process (FIG. 23) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the received command check process executed by the effect control device 300. As shown in FIG.

The effect control device 300 first loads the value of the command reception counter in the command reception counter area of the RAM as the command reception number in order to check the number of commands received from the game control device 100 (B1101). Then, it is determined whether or not the number of received commands is 0 (B1102). If the number of received commands is 0, that is, if there is no command received from the game control device 100 (the result of B1102 is "N"), there is no command to be analyzed, so the received command check process is terminated.

On the other hand, the effect control device 300, if the command reception number is not 0, that is, if the command is received from the game control device 100 (the result of B1102 is "Y"), the command reception counter of the command reception counter area After subtracting the value for the number of commands received (B1103
), and copy the contents of the receive command buffer in the RAM to the command area for analysis (B11
04). Here, since the received command buffer is a ring buffer, there is no problem even if the number of received commands is subtracted before copying the contents in the buffer to the command area. Also, even if a new command is received during copying, the data will not be overwritten.

Then, the effect control device 300 updates the command reading index by +1 (adds only 1) within the range of 0 to 31 (B1105). The received command buffer holds 32 received commands.
It is configured to store up to Received commands are stored in the received command buffer in the order of command read indexes 0 to 31. Here, the received commands are read in order of index and copied to the command area for analysis. At the timing when copying to the command area for analysis is completed, the storage area of the received command buffer corresponding to the read command read index is cleared.

The effect control device 300 determines whether or not the copy of the commands for the number of received commands loaded in the process of step B1101 is completed (B1106), and if the copy is not completed (the result of B1106 is "N ”), and the processing from steps B1104 to B1106 is repeated.

When the command transmitted from the game control device 100 is received by the performance control device 300, the contents of the received command are stored in the received command buffer and at the same time the command reception counter value of the command reception counter area is added and updated. Although 32 commands can be stored in the received command buffer, the received commands are analyzed separately in a command area for analysis. Then, when the content of the received command is copied to the command area for analysis, the received command buffer and the command reception counter value are cleared. In this way, it is possible to prepare for receiving a large amount of commands by constantly securing an empty area in the received command buffer without performing direct analysis.

Subsequently, when the copy is completed, the effect control device 300 (the result of B1106 is "Y
”), loads the contents of the received command in the command area for analysis (B1107), and executes received command analysis processing for analyzing the contents (B1108). Details of the received command analysis process will be described later with reference to FIG. Also, the address of the command area for analysis is updated (B1109). After that, it is determined whether or not the analysis of the commands corresponding to the number of received commands loaded in the processing of step B1101 has been completed (B1110). The processing from B1107 to B1110 is repeated. When the analysis is completed (the result of B1110 is "Y"), the received command check process is terminated.

[Receive command analysis processing]
Next, details of the received command analysis processing (B1108) in the received command check processing (FIG. 24) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 25 shows the performance control device 30
10 is a flow chart showing the procedure of received command analysis processing executed by .0.

The effect control device 300 first separates the upper byte of the received command as a MODE section and the lower byte as an ACTION section (ACT section) (B1201). Commands transmitted from the game control device 100 to the effect control device 300, MODE section (MODE command) and A
It consists of a CTION section (ACTION command), and is normally transmitted continuously from a MODE section indicating the type of command. Therefore, the upper and lower order of the received command are M
It consists of an ODE section and an ACTION section in this order.

Next, the effect control device 300 determines whether or not the MODE section is within the normal range (B12
02). That is, it is determined whether or not the MODE portion indicating the type of command is a value that can be taken (a value assigned as a command specification indicating the type). Then, if the MODE part is within the normal range (the result of B1202 is "Y"), it is similarly determined whether or not the ACTION part is within the normal range (B1203). That is, it is determined whether or not it is a value (a value assigned as a command specification indicating the content) that can be taken by the ACTION section indicating the content of the command (specific effect instruction, etc.). Then, when the ACTION part is within the normal range (B1203
(B1204). That is, it is determined whether or not the value of the ACTION section is a value that can be taken by the type of command specified by the MODE section. Then, if the combination is correct (the result of B1204 is "Y"), the command processing corresponding to the command system is executed in the processing after B1205.

The effect control device 300 first determines whether or not the value of the MODE portion is within the range of the variation command (B1205). In addition, the variation system command is a command for commanding a variation pattern of a decorative special design, for example, there is a variation command (A3407). If the MODE part indicates a variable command (the result in B1205 is "Y"), the variable command process is executed (B1206), and the received command analysis process ends.

Effect control device 300, when the MODE section does not represent a variable command (B12
The result of 05 is "N"), then it is determined whether or not the MODE part is within the range of the jackpot command (
B1207). The jackpot commands are commands for instructing operations related to the performance during the jackpot (display of a fanfare screen, round screen, etc.). A round command (A2611) for commanding an interval screen, an interval command (A2612) for commanding an interval screen, an ending command (A2612) for commanding an ending screen
A2612), etc. Then, when the MODE part indicates a jackpot command (B1
The result of 207 is "Y"), the big hit system command processing is executed (B1208), and the received command analysis processing ends.

Effect control device 300, when the MODE section does not represent a big hit system command (B1
The result of 207 is "N"), then it is determined whether or not the MODE part is within the range of the pattern-based command (
B1209). The symbol system commands include, for example, decoration special symbol commands (A3403, A3503) corresponding to the stop symbol pattern. Then, if the MODE part indicates a pattern-based command (the result of B1209 is "Y"), the pattern-based command process is executed (B1210
), and terminates the received command analysis process.

Effect control device 300, when the MODE section does not represent the pattern system command (B12
09 result is "N"), then it is determined whether or not the MODE part is within the range of single-shot commands (B
1211). If the MODE part indicates a single-shot command (the result of B1211 is "Y"), single-shot command processing is executed (B1212), and the received command analysis processing ends.

If the MODE part does not represent a single-shot command, the effect control device 300 (B12
11 result is "N"), then it is determined whether or not the MODE part is within the range of the look-ahead symbol system command (B1213). The look-ahead symbol system command includes, for example, a look-ahead stop symbol command (A2
913). Then, when the MODE part indicates a look-ahead symbol command (B121
The result of 3 is "Y"), the look-ahead pattern-based command processing is executed (B1214), and the received command analysis processing ends.

Effect control device 300, when the MODE section does not represent the look-ahead symbol system command (
The result of B1213 is "N"), then it is determined whether or not the MODE part is within the range of the prefetch variation command (B1215). A look-ahead variation command includes, for example, a look-ahead variation pattern command (A2913). If the MODE part indicates a prefetch variation command (result of B1215 is "Y"), prefetch variation command processing is executed (B1216), and the received command analysis processing is terminated.

On the other hand, the production control device 300, if the MODE part does not represent a prefetch variation command (the result of B1215 is "N"), may have received an unexpected command (for example, a command used only during the test mode). Therefore, the received command analysis process is terminated. Also, if the MODE part is out of the normal range (the result of B1202 is "N"), if the ACTION part is out of the normal range (the result of B1203 is "N"), or the AC for the MODE part
Even if the TION part is not a correct combination (the result of B1204 is "N"), the received command analysis process is terminated.

[Single-shot command processing]
Next, with reference to FIG. 26, details of the one-shot command processing (B1212) in the received command analysis processing (FIG. 25) described above will be described. FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing the procedure of single command processing executed by the effect control device 300. As shown in FIG.

The effect control device 300 first determines whether or not the MODE section represents a model designation command indicating the type of gaming machine (B1301). Then, if the MODE part indicates a model designation command (the result of B1301 is "Y"), a model setting process for setting the type of gaming machine is executed (B
1302), the one-shot command processing ends.

If the MODE part does not represent the model designation command, the effect control device 300 (B1
If the result of 301 is "N"), then it is determined whether or not the MODE part indicates a RAM initialization command (B1303). And if the MODE part represents a command for RAM initialization (
If the result of B1303 is "Y"), RAM initialization setting processing for notifying RAM initialization is executed (B1304), and the one-shot command processing ends.

Effect control device 300, when the MODE part does not represent the command of RAM initialization (the result of B1303 is "N"), then determines whether the MODE part represents a power failure recovery command (B1305 ). Then, when the MODE part indicates a power failure recovery command (B13
05 result is "Y"), the power failure restoration setting process is executed (B1306), and the one-shot system command process ends.

If the MODE part does not represent the power failure recovery command, the effect control device 300 (B1
If the result of 305 is "N"), then it is determined whether or not the MODE part indicates a customer waiting demo command (B1307). Then, if the MODE part indicates a customer waiting demo command (B130
7 is "Y"), the customer waiting demonstration setting process is executed (B1308), and the single command process is terminated.

If the MODE part does not indicate the customer waiting demo command, the effect control device 300 (B
The result of 1307 is "N"), then it is determined whether the MODE part represents the decoration special figure 1 reserved number command (B1309). Then, if the MODE part represents the decoration special figure 1 reservation number command (the result of B1309 is "Y"), execute the special figure 1 reservation information setting process (B1310),
Ends single-shot command processing.

Effect control device 300, if the MODE part does not represent the number of decoration special figure 1 reservation command (the result of B1309 is "N"), then whether the MODE part represents the number of decoration special figure 2 reservation command (B1311). Then, when the MODE part represents the decoration special figure 2 reservation number command (the result of B1311 is "Y"), the special figure 2 reservation information setting process is executed (B131
2) End the one-shot command processing.

Effect control device 300, when the MODE part does not represent the decoration special figure 2 reservation number command (the result of B1311 is "N"), then determines whether the MODE part represents the probability information command (B1313). Then, when the MODE part represents a probability information command (B1
The result of 313 is "Y"), the probability information setting process is executed (B1314), and the single command process ends.

If the MODE part does not represent the probability information command, the effect control device 300 (B1
The result of 313 is "N"), then it is determined whether or not the MODE part indicates an error/illegal command (B1315). In addition, as error/fraud commands, for example, fraud occurrence command, fraud release command, state off command, state on command, magnet fraud notification command (magnetism error command), board radio wave fraud notification command (board radio wave error command) be.
As fraud occurrence commands, there are commands indicating the occurrence of fraudulent winning based on the signals of the starting port 1 switch 36a, the starting port 2 switch 37a, the winning port switch 35a, and the big winning port switch 39a. The fraud cancellation command is a command indicating the cancellation of fraud. In the winning slot switch/state monitoring process (A1310), occurrence of fraudulent prize winning and fraud cancellation are monitored, and a fraud occurrence command and fraud cancellation command can be transmitted. As a state ON command, the generation of a signal from the glass frame open detection switch 63 (glass frame open error) or the front frame open detection switch 64
Signal generation from (body frame open detection switch) (body frame open error, front frame open error)
There is a command that indicates A state off command also indicates that no error has occurred. A state ON command and a state OFF command may be sent in the winning hole switch/state monitoring process (A1310). When there is detection (magnet fraud) from the magnetic sensor switch 61, a magnet fraud notification command is transmitted in magnet fraud monitoring processing (A1315). When there is detection (radio fraud) from the radio wave sensor 62, a board radio fraud notification command is transmitted in radio fraud monitoring processing (A1316).

Then, if the MODE part indicates an error/illegal command (result of B1315 is "Y"), error/illegal setting processing for reporting or canceling the notification of error or illegality is executed (
B1316), the one-shot command processing is terminated. In the error/invalidity setting process, settings are made so that an error or invalidity notification sound is generated.

Effect control device 300, if the MODE part does not represent an error / illegal command (the result of B1315 is "N"), then the MODE part is a command for effect mode switching (processing during special figure display etc.) is determined (B1317). Then, when the MODE part indicates a command for switching the production mode (the result of B1317 is "Y"), the production mode switching setting process is executed (B1318), and the one-shot system command process is terminated.

Effect control device 300, when the MODE part does not represent the command for effect mode switching (the result of B1317 is "N"), then whether the MODE part represents the number of out balls command indicating the number of out balls It is determined whether or not (B1319). Then, if the MODE part indicates the number of out-balls command (the result of B1319 is "Y"), the processing when the number of out-balls is received is executed (B1
320), ending the one-shot command processing.

Effect control device 300, when the MODE section does not represent the out ball number command (B
If the result of 1319 is "N"), then it is determined whether or not the MODE part indicates a count command (large winning opening count command) (B1321). Then, when the MODE part indicates a command for counting the big winning opening switch (the result of B1321 is "Y"), the count information setting process is executed (B1322), and the one-shot system command process ends.

If the MODE section does not indicate a count command, the effect control device 300 (B
If the result of 1321 is "N"), it is determined whether or not the MODE part represents a setting value information command (probability setting value information command) (B1323). The setting value information command is executed in step A of FIG. 6B.
It is included in the command 1046 for recovery from power failure and the command for RAM initialization transmitted in the process of step A1044. Then, when the MODE part represents a setting value information command (
The result of B1323 is "Y"), the set value reception processing is executed (B1324), and the one-shot command processing ends. In the setting value reception processing, the setting value (probability setting value) is stored in a storage unit such as a RAM, and necessary processing is executed.

If the MODE section does not represent the set value information command, the effect control device 300 (B
If the result of 1323 is "N"), it is determined whether or not the MODE part represents a setting change command (B1325). As a setting change command, for example, a probability setting change command (A
1030). Then, when the MODE part indicates a setting change command (B13
25 is "Y"), the setting change information setting process is executed (B1326), and the one-shot command process ends. In the setting change system information setting process, the contents of the setting change system command are stored, and the process corresponding to the command is executed. For example, when a command indicating that the probability setting is being changed is received, in the setting change related information setting process, a setting change in progress display is displayed on the display device 41 to inform the player that the setting is being changed.

If the MODE section does not represent a setting change command, the effect control device 300 (
If the result of B1325 is "N"), it is determined whether or not the MODE part indicates a setting confirmation type command (B1327). As a setting confirmation command, for example, a command during probability setting confirmation (
A1033). When the MODE part indicates a setting confirmation command (B1
The result of 327 is "Y"), the setting confirmation system information setting process is executed (B1328), and the one-shot system command process is terminated. In the setting confirmation system information setting process, the contents of the setting confirmation system command are stored, and the process corresponding to the command is executed. For example, when the probability setting confirming command is received, in the setting confirmation system information setting process, a setting confirming display is displayed on the display device 41 to notify the player that the setting is being confirmed.

Next, it is determined whether or not the MODE portion indicates a symbol stop command (B1329). It should be noted that the symbol stop command, for example, there is a special figure 1 symbol stop command (decoration special figure 1 stop command) and a special figure 2 symbol stop command (decoration special figure 2 stop command). and MODE
If the part represents a command to stop the pattern (the result of B1329 is "Y"), the effect control device 3
00 then determines whether or not the command in the MODE section is a normal command (B13
30).

If the command in the MODE section is a normal command (result of B1330 is "Y")
, The effect control device 300 sets the stop mode of the corresponding special figure (B1331), sets the game state flag to the normal state after all symbols have stopped (B1332), and ends the single-shot command processing. In the process of B1332, as an example, the game state flag is set to a normal state, but depending on the timing at which this process is executed, the game state flag may be changed to a "fluctuation", "big hit", or "small hit" flag. is set.

On the other hand, if the MODE section does not indicate a symbol stop command (the result of B1329 is "N
”), or if the command in the MODE part is not normal (result of B1330 is “N”)
, the effect control device 300 ends the single-shot command processing.

In addition, the effect control device 300 may execute processing for commands not described in FIG. 26 . For example, the effect control device 300 receives a starting winning command indicating that the starting winning port 36 and / or normal variable winning device 37 has won from the game control device 100, and from the speaker in response to the starting winning command A starting winning sound may be generated to inform the player of the starting winning.

[Prefetching pattern command processing]
Next, referring to FIG. 27, the details of the prefetch symbol system command process (B1214) in the received command analysis process (FIG. 25) described above will be described. FIG. 27 shows the production control device 30
0 is a flow chart showing the procedure of a look-ahead symbol system command process executed by 0. FIG.

Production control device 300, first, whether or not the latest pending information is the information of special figure 1 suspension (special figure 1 start memory), for example, the decoration special figure reservation number command received at the latest is the number of decoration special figure 1 reservation It is determined whether or not it is a command (B1601). If the latest pending information is the information of the special figure 1 pending (the result of B1601 is "Y"), the look-ahead pattern system command (look-ahead stop design command) to the special figure 1 look-ahead pattern command area corresponding to the number of special figure 1 reservations Save (B1602).

Production control device 300, if the latest pending information is not the information of the special figure 1 pending (the result of B1601 is "N"), that is, the decoration special figure pending number command received at the latest is the decorative special figure 2 pending number command In the case, save the look-ahead symbol system command (look-ahead stop symbol command) in the special figure 2 look-ahead symbol command area corresponding to the special figure 2 reservation number (B1603).

After steps B1602 and B1603, the effect control device 300 sets a look-ahead variation command reception waiting flag indicating that the look-ahead variation command is waiting for reception (B160
4). This is because the look-ahead symbol system command and the look-ahead variation system command are set, and therefore the game control device 100 transmits the look-ahead variation system command following the look-ahead design system command. After that, the look-ahead symbol system command processing is terminated.

[Prefetching variation command processing]
Next, referring to FIG. 28, the details of the look-ahead variation-related command processing (B1216) in the received command analysis processing (FIG. 25) described above will be described. FIG. 28 shows the production control device 30
10 is a flow chart showing the procedure of prefetch variation command processing executed by .0.

Production control device 300, first, look-ahead variation system command (look-ahead variation pattern command)
(B1701). If the above-mentioned prefetch variation-related command reception waiting flag (B1604) is set, it can be determined that reception of a prefetch variation-related command is waiting. If the prefetch variation command is not waiting to be received (the result of B1701 is "N"), the prefetch variation command processing is terminated. If the prefetch variation command is waiting for reception (the result in B1701 is "Y"), the prefetch variation command reception wait flag is cleared (B1702).

Next, the effect control device 300 (sub board) is the design of the latest pending information (special figure 1 or special figure 2)
(B1703), and acquire the sub-internal prefetch variation command MODE part corresponding to the prefetch variation command MODE part (B1703).
B1704). Next, a look-ahead variation ACT conversion table is set (B1705), and sub-internal look-ahead variation command ACT corresponding to the ACTION part (ACT part) of the look-ahead variation command
part is obtained (B1706).

Next, the effect control device 300 determines whether both the converted MODE section and ACT section (that is, the sub-inside look-ahead variation command MODE section and ACT section) are other than 0 (B1707).
. If the command is normal (effective), it is converted to a value other than 0. MODE part after conversion, A
If the CT part is both other than 0 (the result of B1707 is "Y"), the MODE part after conversion and the A
The command after conversion composed of the CT part is saved in the latest pending information and the prefetching variation command area (special figure 1 prefetching variation command area or special figure 2 prefetching variation command area) corresponding to the number of reservations (B1708). Then, the read-ahead command consistency check process is executed (B170
9) Determine whether the combination of the MODE part and the ACT part after conversion is normal (B1710
).

It should be noted that the time of the first half variation corresponding to the MODE part changes depending on the number of suspensions when the variation display game is started. When the pending change display game is started, if there is no other pending, the first half variation is longer, and if there is a new pending and the number of pending is large, the first half is shorter. Therefore, even if the time value of the first half variation changes, the MODE part of the received prefetch variation system command is converted into the sub internal prefetch variation command MODE part so that the internal command of the performance control device 300 can be handled in the same way.

Also, since the type of reach is not related to the number of reservations, the second half variation corresponding to the intra-sub prefetch variation command ACT section does not depend on the number of reservations. However, since there are different types of leeches of the same system,
If the ACT part (the value of the second half variation) of the look-ahead variation command is not converted, the effect control device 30
If 0 is used as it is, the number increases and the check becomes difficult. For example, even in normal reach,
There are types such as normal reach-1 stop failure and normal reach +1 stop failure.
Therefore, by converting the ACT portion indicating the reach of the same system to the same intra-sub prefetch variation command ACT portion, the number is reduced and the load of check processing such as prefetch command matching check processing is reduced.

Next, the effect control device 300, if at least one of the converted MODE section and ACT section (that is, the sub-inside look-ahead variation command MODE section and ACT section) is 0 (the result of B1707 is "N"), or , if the combination of the MODE part and the ACT part after conversion is not normal (B171
If the result of 0 is "N"), it is determined that there is an abnormality in the converted command, and the read-ahead variation command processing is terminated.

If the combination of the MODE section and the ACT section after conversion is normal, the effect control device 300 (B
The result of 1710 is "Y"), load the prefetch target pending information (latest pending information) from the prefetching variation command area (B1711), and execute the prefetch lottery process for the latest pending prefetch effect (B1712). As the look-ahead effect, for example, there are a continuous notice effect (including chance look-ahead effect), a look-ahead zone effect, and a pending change notice. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the latest hold look-ahead effect (hold change notice, etc.) is generated (B1713). When the latest pending look-ahead effect occurs (the result of B1713 is "Y"), point information corresponding to the selected look-ahead effect is set (B1714).

Next, the effect control device 300 determines whether or not the generated look-ahead effect (suspension change notice, etc.) is an effect that starts immediately (B1715). If the look-ahead effect to be generated is an effect that starts immediately (the result of B1715 is "Y"), the display corresponding to the selected look-ahead effect is set (B1716). If the look-ahead effect that occurs is not the effect that starts immediately (B1715
result is "N"), the display corresponding to the look-ahead effect at the time of hold shift (when the hold display is moved, when the number of holds is decreased) is set and saved (B1717). Then, the read-ahead variation command processing ends.

On the other hand, the effect control device 300, if the latest pending prefetch effect does not occur (the result of B1713 is "N"), or if the generated prefetch effect is not an immediate start effect (B171
If the result of 5 is "N"), leave it as it is. Terminates look-ahead variation command processing.

[Processing of pattern-based commands]
Next, with reference to FIG. 29, details of the pattern-based command processing (B1210) in the received command analysis processing (FIG. 25) described above will be described. FIG. 29 is a flow chart showing the procedure of symbol-based command processing executed by the effect control device 300. As shown in FIG.

The effect control device 300 receives the pattern system command (decoration special figure 1 command or decoration special figure 2
command) to set the special figure type corresponding to the MODE part (B1801). The special figure classification is special figure 1 or special figure 2. Then, the MODE part and the ACTION part (ACT
part), and save it in a predetermined area such as RAM (B180
2). Here, in special figure 1 and special figure 2, since the distribution ratio of the design changes, using the table for each MODE, the design classification is set. It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the design type is a lost design, a 4R probability variation jackpot design (4R-A1, design 1), a 4R normal jackpot design (4R-A2
, Pattern 2), 8R variable jackpot pattern (8R-A1, pattern 3), 8R normal jackpot pattern (8R-
A2, pattern 4), 12R probability variation jackpot pattern (12R-A1, pattern 5), 12R normal jackpot pattern (12R-A2, pattern 6).

[Processing of variable commands]
Next, with reference to FIG. 30, details of the variable command processing (B1206) in the received command analysis processing (FIG. 25) described above will be described. FIG. 30 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the variable command process executed by the effect control device 300. As shown in FIG.

Effect control device 300, special figure type (special figure 1
Or special figure 2) determines whether it is undetermined (B1901). If the special figure type is undetermined (the result of B1901 is "Y"), end the variation system command processing. If the special figure type is not undetermined (the result of B1901 is "N"), check the combination of the received variation system command and symbol system command (B1902), whether the variation system command and symbol type are inconsistent is determined (B1903). Here, the inconsistency means a contradiction in effecting, for example, when a winning variation command is received but a jackpot symbol symbol command is received. When the fluctuation system command and the symbol type are inconsistent (the result of B1903 is "Y")
, to terminate the variable command processing.

Effect control device 300, when the variation system command and the symbol type are not inconsistent (the result of B1903 is "N"), determines the variation pattern type from the variation system command (variation command) (B1
904), a variable effect setting process for setting a variable effect that is a variable effect is executed (B19
05). It should be noted that there are multiple effects for the same variable command. Subsequently, the game state flag indicating the game state (P machine state) is set to be during special figure fluctuation (B1906), and if the number of read-ahead effects such as continuous effects is 0, it is updated by -1 (B1907).

[Variation effect setting process]
Next, with reference to FIG. 31, details of the variable effect setting process (B1905) in the variable command process (FIG. 30) described above will be described. FIG. 31 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the variable effect setting process executed by the effect control device 300. As shown in FIG.

The production control device 300 first determines whether or not the variation pattern type is reachless variation (variation that does not reach the reach state) (B2001). If the variation pattern type is no reach variation (the result of B2001 is "Y"), the number of production points, model code,
Set the first half notice distribution group address table corresponding to special figure type, production mode, setting information (setting value) (B2002), corresponding to the MODE part of the variation command (variation command) and the number of reservations of special figure type Acquire the address of the first half advance notice distribution group table (B2003
). In the case of non-reach fluctuation, the higher the number of reservations, the shorter the fluctuation time, so the address of the table corresponding to the number of reservations is obtained.

Production control device 300, if the variation pattern type is not a reach-less variation (the result of B2001 is "N"), that is, if there is a reach variation, the number of production points, the model code, the special figure type, the production mode, A first half advance notice distribution group address table corresponding to the symbol type and setting information (setting value) is set (B2004), and the variable command (variable command) M
The address of the first half advance notice allocation group table corresponding to the ODE part and the variation pattern type is obtained (B2005).

Effect control device 300, after steps B2003 and B2005, performs a lottery for notice that appears during the first half fluctuation (before reach) (B2006). Subsequently, the number of production points, the model code, the special type, the production mode, the pattern type, and the setting information (setting value) are set (B2007), and the ACT of the variation system command is set. The address of the second half advance notice distribution group table corresponding to the part is obtained (B2008), and a lottery for the advance notice that appears during the second half fluctuation (during reach) is performed (B2009). After that, the content of the variation effect corresponding to the MODE part and the ACT part of the variation command (variation command) is determined (B2010).
In addition, you can see the fluctuation time and main reach contents from the fluctuation system command.

Next, the effect control device 300 determines the content of the effect (notice effect) corresponding to the lottery result of the notice (B2011). After that, the stop pattern of the decorative special figure variable display game is determined according to the content of the variable performance such as the reach performance and the notice performance (B2012). Here, the decoration stop pattern is specifically determined, such as determining a loose pattern in the case of a missing pattern.

Next, the effect control device 300 performs display setting of variable effect (B2013), and performs display setting of notice effect (B2014). Subsequently, the display setting of the pending decrease corresponding to the special figure type is performed, for example, the display that the pending display corresponding to the decorative special figure that changes this time is reduced is set (B201
5). Subsequently, a sound number that determines the mode of presentation (sound output mode) by the sound of the speaker and a decoration number that determines the mode of presentation by the light emission of the decoration device are set (B2016). The decoration device (board decoration device 46, frame decoration device 18) has a plurality of decorative light emitting units (decoration LEDs, etc.), and emits light in a light emission mode (color of each LED, light emission timing, etc.) determined by the decoration number. .

Note that it is also possible to set the voice number and decoration number based on setting information (setting values) as well as the effect content. In this way, the player can enjoy guessing the setting information (set value) of the gaming machine 10 from the light emission mode of the decoration device, that is, the light emission mode of the decorative light emitting unit (LED).

Next, the production control device 300 performs the display setting of the decoration special figure fluctuation corresponding to the special figure type (B
2017), in addition to the above-described first to third special symbols that fluctuate on the display device 41, the display setting of the fourth symbol variation relating to the fourth special symbol (fourth symbol, identification information) is performed (B2018). note that,
The fourth pattern variation is the lamp display unit 1 of the above-described lamp display device 80 provided other than the display device 41.
, 2 (LED), or may be executed on the display screen of the display device 41 .

[Processing of winning commands]
Next, with reference to FIG. 32, the details of the winning command processing (B1208) in the received command analysis processing (FIG. 25) described above will be described. FIG. 32 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the winning system command processing executed by the effect control device 300. As shown in FIG.

The effect control device 300 first determines whether or not the MODE part of the received hit system command indicates fanfare (B2101). If the MODE part of the win-related command indicates fanfare (the result of B2101 is "Y"), that is, if the win-related command is a big win fanfare command (or a small win fanfare command if there is a small win), fanfare effect is set. A fanfare effect setting process is executed (B2102).
The fanfare command includes information on the upper limit of the number of rounds for this big hit. Subsequently, the game state flag indicating the current game state (P machine state) of the game machine 10 is set to fanfare in progress (B2103), and the win system command processing is terminated. In addition, the round number upper limit value can also be obtained from the symbol type determined from the symbol system command (decorative special symbol command corresponding to the stop symbol pattern).

If the MODE part of the received hit-related command does not represent fanfare (the result of B2101 is "N"), the effect control device 300 determines whether the MODE part of the hit-related command represents a round ( B2104). If the MODE part represents a round (the result of B2104 is "Y"), that is, if the hit system command is a round command (or if there is a small hit, the open command during the small hit), the effect control device 300 performs a round effect. Setting processing is executed, the game state flag indicating the current game state (P machine state) of the gaming machine 10 is set to in-round (B2105, B2106), and the win-related command processing is terminated.

When the MODE part of the received hit-related command does not represent a round (the result of B2104 is "N"), the effect control device 300 determines whether the MODE part of the hit-related command represents an interval ( B2107). When the MODE part represents an interval (B2107
result is "Y"), that is, when the hit system command is the interval command, the effect control device 300 executes the interval effect setting process, and the game indicating the current game state (P machine state) of the game machine 10 The status flag is set to "interval" (B2108, B2109), and the winning system command processing is terminated. (In addition, when there is a small win and the big winning opening is opened only once with the small win, that is, when the small win is one round, there is no interval command.)

If the MODE part of the received hit command does not indicate an interval (B2107
result is "N"), the effect control device 300 determines whether or not the MODE part of the hit system command indicates the ending (B2110). When the MODE part indicates the ending (B21
10 result is "Y"), that is, when the hit system command is an ending command (or a small win end screen command if there is a small win), the effect control device 300 sets the ending effect for setting the ending effect. Execute the process, and the current gaming state of the gaming machine 10 (P
(B2111, B2112), and set the game state flag indicating the machine state to "ending" (B2111, B2112)
Terminates hit command processing.

If the MODE part of the received hit command does not indicate the ending (B2
If the result of 110 is "N"), the effect control device 300 ends the winning command process without executing any process.

[Structure of sound source LSI]
Next, the configuration of the tone generator LSI 314 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 33 shows the sound source L
3 is a configuration diagram for explaining the configuration of SI 314; FIG. The sound source LSI 314 converts sound source information (phrase data, sound source data, voice data) such as various melodies (songs) and effect sounds (error notification sound, start-up winning sound) related to production to an internal decoder unit 721 (sound source A sound source generating means for generating a sound by assigning it to a channel of the reproducing means). In addition, the sound source reproducing means includes:
In addition to the decoder section 721, a mixer section 731 (described later), an amplifier circuit 337, and a speaker 19 may be included.

The sound source LSI 314 has a CPUI as an interface with the main control microcomputer 311.
/F 701 (CPU interface), a command storage unit 702 (command register) in which control commands are written, and a voice that collectively controls processing operations for producing voice data in accordance with various commands stored in the command storage unit 702. process control module 70
3 (sound control module). Also, the sound source LSI 314 includes a main generator 704 that performs processing for generating an audio signal from audio data, a multi-effector 705 that performs processing for processing the audio signal generated by the main generator 704,
and an audio signal I/F 706 that supplies an audio signal processed by the multi-effector 705 to the amplifier circuit 337 . Audio processing control module 703 and main generator 7
04 and the multi-effector 705 are connected to the voice ROM 327 via a memory I/F 707 (memory interface).

The tone generator LSI 314 is connected to the audio ROM 327 as shown in FIG. Voice R
The OM 327 stores various melodies (songs) corresponding to the presentation mode (sound output mode) of the gaming machine 10.
Information about sound sources of sounds such as sound effects and sound effects is stored as sound data (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “phrase data”).

The main control microcomputer (CPU) 311 of the effect control device 300 is the phrase number (that is, voice number) of the voice data (phrase data) used in various effects of one special figure fluctuation display game.
can be set according to various effects (B2016 of the variable effect setting process). In addition, the main control microcomputer (CPU) 311, at the execution timing of various effects, sets the phrase number and the start time as a start setting for starting reproduction of the phrase of the phrase number (that is, voice number, plural) corresponding to the various effects. Write necessary information such as commands to the registers of the command storage unit 702 (B0
021 sound control processing). The start command is, for example, a command indicating virtual track number x (command to register QTRK, which will be described later), a command for setting playback (value of register QPLAY_x, which will be described later=1), and the like. The virtual track number x may be selected from available virtual tracks (unused virtual tracks) in ascending order of number. Also, both the sound source LSI 314 and the main control microcomputer (CPU) 311 are appropriately set to the virtual track number x (
command to register QTRK) can be set.

The sound source LSI 314 can configure a plurality of "virtual tracks".
1 or the like (for example, the channel of the decoder section 721 and the input channel of the mixer section 731), one of the channels is assigned to reproduce the phrase data.

A "virtual track" is virtually constructed by a register (memory) such as the command storage unit 702 that stores various commands for executing playback of phrase data in the voice ROM 327. It consists of control commands and the like for specifying The control command consists of a command for determining the phrase number of the phrase to be reproduced. In this embodiment, the tone generator LSI 314 can construct up to 128 virtual tracks.

Details of each configuration of the tone generator LSI 314 will be described below.

[CPU I/F (CPU interface)]
The CPU I/F 701 transmits and receives various control commands and status information between the main control microcomputer 311 and the tone generator LSI 314 . The CPU I/F 701 is configured to support a plurality of read/write methods. As a read/write method, for example, either a parallel interface or an asynchronous serial interface can be used.

[Command storage (command register)]
A command storage unit 702 includes an audio processing control module 703, a main generator 704
and registers used in the multi-effector 705 and the like. This register includes a control register for transmitting and receiving control commands via the audio processing control module 703, the audio processing control module 703, the main generator 704 and the multi-effector 7
There are registers for storing status information from 05, flags, and the like. Note that the control commands stored in the control register are internal to the tone generator LSI 314 (especially the audio processing control module 70).
3), but can also be written from the main control microcomputer 311 if necessary.

A plurality of banks are set in the address space of the command storage unit 702 . In this embodiment, seven banks (register banks 0 to 6) are set.

When the parallel interface is selected in the CPU I/F 701,
The plurality of register banks includes register banks (for example, register banks 0 to 5) to which registers related to processing for reproducing phrase data are assigned, and control of interrupt processing separate from processing for reproducing phrase data. It is divided into register banks (eg register bank 6). Information to the control registers of register bank 6 is not stored in a FIFO (queue) and is directly readable/writable by the audio processing control module 703 .

When the serial interface is selected, information for all control registers is temporarily stored in FIFO by the audio processing control module 703 after being sent from the main control microcomputer 311 when data is read. Similarly, when data is read, the voice processing control module 703 temporarily stores the data in the FIFO, and then transfers the data to the main control microcomputer 311 .

An example of registers stored in the command storage unit 702 will be described later.

[Voice processing control module (sound control module)]
The audio processing control module 703 includes a collective control section 711 (collective controller) and an operation control section 712 (sequencer section) as functional blocks, and performs reproduction control according to the set reproduction order of a plurality of phrases. The collective control unit 711 and the operation control unit 712 are composed of arithmetic processing circuits and the like, but they do not necessarily correspond to the physical configuration in a one-to-one correspondence, and they are redundantly composed of the same arithmetic processing circuits and the like. good too.

The collective control unit 711 controls the collective control code (
DBC) are read out sequentially. DBC is a command for collectively setting a plurality of registers in the command storage unit 702 and controlling the operation control unit 712 . The DBC data is registered in an external ROM such as the voice ROM 327 in association with the DBC code.

The collective control unit 711 reads DBC from an external ROM such as the voice ROM 327 and stores it in the command storage unit 702 .

In this embodiment, up to 8192 DBCs can be registered in the voice ROM 327 . The batch control unit 711 can read any four different DBCs at maximum from these 8192 DBCs at once, and can simultaneously execute commands set in the four DBCs.

The operation control unit 712 is a sequencer, and implements an automatic performance function that processes sounds based on commands set in the command storage unit 702 . A plurality of operation control units 712 are provided, and read sequence data corresponding to the sequence code from an external ROM such as the voice ROM 327, and write the designated sequence data to the address of the register designated by the sequence code. In this embodiment, a 16-channel sequencer (operation control unit 71
2) can be provided.

The sequence code includes specification of pronunciation for starting/stopping playback of phrase data and specification of timing for setting registers. The designated phrase data is reproduced based on the sequence data corresponding to the sequence code.

In this embodiment, up to 8192 sequence codes can be registered in the voice ROM 327 . From these 8192 sequence codes, the collective control unit 711
You can set the playback order of up to 8 different sequences at once. A sequence means phrase reproduction corresponding to one sequence code.

Based on the sequence data corresponding to the sequence code received from the external ROM such as the voice ROM 327 via the memory I/F 707, the operation control unit 712 performs phrase playback processing, voice volume adjustment and pan processing, effect processing, pause processing, and so on. It is possible to control audio playback processing such as /resume, infinite loop, set number of loops, and the like. Therefore, the sequence data consists of the phrase number of the phrase to be played, the virtual track number (virtual track number)
, volume data, etc.

[Main generator]
The main generator 704 includes a decoder unit 721 that generates an audio signal from the information (phrase data, sound source data, audio data) of the sound source designated to start playing, and the generated audio signal can be used for music playback, sound effects, etc. A tone generation section 722 (tone generator section) for generating a periodic waveform is provided as a functional block. A main generator 704 generates an audio signal from the phrase data. The decoder unit 721 and the tone generation unit 722 are composed of arithmetic processing circuits and the like, but they do not necessarily correspond to the physical configuration in a one-to-one correspondence. good.

The main generator 704 performs reproduction start, reproduction stop, pause, halfway reproduction from the pause position, and
Repeated reproduction (loop reproduction), reproduction fade-out, phrase data switching processing, monaural reproduction, stereo reproduction, continuous reproduction, and error handling processing can be executed.

The decoder unit 721 decodes encoded phrase data (for example, compressed phrase data), and has a predetermined number (up to 32) of channels corresponding to phrase data to be decoded. The decoder unit 721 has a maximum of 32 channels,
Simultaneous reproduction of 32 channels of phrase data is possible. In addition, in the dynamic allocation described later, the channels to be used (for example, 6 channels) out of 32 channels as appropriate
can be set.

The tone generator 722 generates a sine wave,
A periodic signal is generated for which a waveform "type" such as a triangular wave, a sawtooth wave, a rectangular wave, etc., a waveform "amplitude", a "frequency", etc. are determined.

The tone generator 722 can generate a plurality of tones (monotonic tones) based on the generated periodic signal. The tone generator 722 is capable of executing mix processing, effect processing, and the like for audio reproduction of up to 16 channels. As a result, the sound source LSI3
14 can perform multiple sound source reproduction (tone generation) simultaneously.

In the fixed allocation described later, the virtual tracks and the channels (maximum 16) of the tone generation unit 722 are not allocated to the tone generation unit 722, and the tone generation unit 722 only assigns the tones ( monotone) can be generated.

When reproduction is selected by the control parameter from the main control microcomputer 311, the tone generator 722 selects one of the 32 mixing channels to be subjected to mixing processing and effect processing, as in the case of phrase data. minutes.
Also, playback start, playback pause, and playback resume are set.

The tone generator 722 has a normal operation for reproducing sound control codes supplied from an external ROM such as the voice ROM 327, and an operation without an external ROM. In normal operation, 16 tones can be generated by sound control code (SCC) downloaded from an external ROM such as voice ROM 327 in which phrase data is stored.

In this embodiment, the tone generator 722 is activated at boot time (when the tone generator LSI 314 starts up,
Since it is used only in special cases such as when the power of the effect control device 300 is turned on, it is basically treated as not used.

The main generator 704 further sets the information of the sound source to be reproduced (phrase data, sound source data, audio data) to each of a plurality of virtual tracks, and the virtual track set with the information of the sound source to be reproduced is transferred to the sound source reproducing means (decoder). 721, etc.), and a fixed allocation unit 724, which statically (one-to-one) allocates virtual tracks to the channels of the sound source reproduction means (decoder 721, etc.). Hereinafter, the channel of the decoder 721 (sound source reproduction means) is referred to as a reproduction channel. Also, the function of dynamic allocation is sometimes called the ZAQ function. Note that the dynamic allocation unit 723 and the fixed allocation unit 724
may be provided in the audio processing control module 703 instead of the main generator 704 . The dynamic allocator 723 and the fixed allocator 724 constitute an allocator 725 .

The dynamic allocation unit 723 and the fixed allocation unit 724 are composed of arithmetic processing circuits and the like, but they do not necessarily correspond to physical configurations one-to-one. may The dynamic allocator 723 and the fixed allocator 724 may not be distinguished, and the allocator 725 may have both dynamic and fixed allocator functions.

Note that the dynamic allocation unit 723 and the fixed allocation unit 724 are alternatively enabled, and when one is enabled, the other is disabled and does not function. Information as to which of the dynamic allocation unit 723 and the fixed allocation unit 724 is enabled is stored in a memory (storage unit) such as the voice ROM 327, for example. The main generator 704 (which may be the audio processing control module 703) reads information as to whether or not to enable either the dynamic allocation unit 723 or the fixed allocation unit 724, and determines whether the dynamic allocation unit 723 or the fixed allocation unit 724 Enable one. Note that the main control microcomputer 311 may instruct the sound source LSI 314 by means of a control command which of the dynamic allocation section 723 and the fixed allocation section 724 should be enabled depending on the situation.

- Dynamic Allocation Unit The operation of the dynamic allocation unit 723 will be described below. The number of dynamic allocation units 723 is 128 (N
A predetermined number (L) of virtual tracks are used from the number of virtual tracks. The dynamic allocation unit 723 dynamically allocates virtual tracks to a predetermined number (M) of reproduction channels out of maximum 32 reproduction channels of the decoder unit 721 and uses them. The dynamic allocation unit 723 uses the decoder unit 7
21 allocated reproduction channels that do not contribute to phrase reproduction are extracted. Of the allocated and usable playback channels, those that do not contribute to phrase playback are referred to as "unused playback channels." Note that the number of virtual tracks (N) is greater than the number of reproduction channels of the decoder section 721 (M≦32).

In addition, the dynamic allocation unit 723 refers to a register (for example, ZAQSET_TRK_x described later) that specifies the range of virtual track numbers (areas to be used) of virtual tracks to be used from 128 virtual tracks (virtual track areas). , a predetermined number (L) of virtual tracks are used as the area to be used. The dynamic allocation unit 723 refers to a register (for example, ZAQSET_DECCH_x to be described later) that designates a predetermined number (M) of reproduction channels from a maximum of 32 reproduction channels of the decoder unit 721, and selects a predetermined number (M) of reproduction channels. ) playback channel. In this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, the dynamic allocation unit 723 uses six reproduction channels (M=6) by allocating virtual tracks. This corresponds to six output channels (EL0, ER0, EL1, ER1, ZU, which will be described later) from the mixer section 731
B0, ZUB1), but the number of playback channels used by the dynamic allocation unit 723 may be other than 6 (for example, it may be less than 6 or the maximum number of 32).

As an example, the dynamic allocation unit 723 can operate in the following five modes #1 to #5.

(dynamic allocation mode #1)
When a start command (start setting information) for starting playback of phrase data (audio data) is written in the command storage unit 702, the dynamic allocation unit 723 activates the main generator 704.
assigns the virtual track to be played back to the unused playback channel, if there is an unused playback channel. If there is no unused playback channel, the dynamic allocation unit 723 forcibly stops playback of the phrase data being played, releases the playback channel, and assigns a virtual track to be played back to the released playback channel. assign.

As an example of assignment processing when there are no unused playback channels, if a virtual track with a larger number than the virtual track number for which the phrase data playback start command is set is being played, the virtual track with the larger number is assigned. Forcibly stop the playback of the phrase data set in the track, release the playback channel assigned to this virtual track, and make the virtual track with the command to start playback newly set as released and unused. Assign to playback channel. As a result, playback of the phrase data set in the virtual track newly specified to start playback is started. It should be noted that the virtual track for which reproduction of phrase data is forcibly stopped does not have to be a virtual track with a larger number than the number of the virtual track to which the reproduction start command is newly set.

If there is no unused playback channel, the dynamic allocation unit 723 may not reproduce the phrase data set in the virtual track for which the playback start command is specified as a playback channel allocation error. Similarly, when there is no unused playback channel and there is no virtual track that can be forcibly stopped, the phrase data set in the virtual track designated by the command to start playback may not be played back. As a result, the phrase data being reproduced is not forcibly stopped, and the player does not feel uncomfortable.

(Dynamic allocation mode #2)
Next, dynamic allocation mode #2 in dynamic allocation section 723 will be described using FIG. 34A and 34B are schematic diagrams for explaining the allocation operation in the dynamic allocation unit 723. FIG. The dynamic allocation unit 723 classifies L virtual tracks out of 128 (N) virtual tracks as use target regions to be allocated to channels of the decoder unit 721 (sound source reproduction means). In addition, the virtual tracks (128-L) other than the area to be used are classified as areas not to be used. Then, the dynamic allocation unit 723 sets sound source information (phrase data, sound source data, sound data) in the virtual track of the usage target area. The number of virtual tracks (L) constituting the use target area is the number of channels (
M, for example, 6) or less (L≦M).

As a result, the number of channels (M) of the decoder unit 721 (sound source reproducing means) is not insufficient for the L virtual tracks of the area to be used, and the reproduction of phrase data is not forced to stop. . In dynamic allocation mode #2, under certain conditions, for example, when phrase data (audio data) is used to generate an error or fraud notification sound,
This can be used to prevent the number of channels (M) of the decoder section 721 (sound source reproduction means) from becoming insufficient.

When an error/fraud is detected in the gaming machine 10, error/fraud related commands include, for example, a fraud occurrence command, a fraud release command, a state off command, a state on command, a magnet fraud notification command (magnetic error command), board signal irregularity notification command (
A board radio wave error command) or the like is issued, and an error/incorrect setting process (B1316) is executed, thereby generating an error or incorrect notification sound.

For example, the dynamic allocation unit 723 does not use all of the maximum 128 virtual tracks, and the number of available playback channels (M, for example, 6 channels) of the decoder unit 721 (sound source playback means) The corresponding continuous virtual tracks (six) are set as the area to be used (example of FIG. 34A). The dynamic allocation unit 723 may set discontinuous virtual tracks in the virtual track area as the area to be used (example in FIG. 34B).

The dynamic allocation unit 723 sets the number (L) of virtual tracks forming the target area to be at most equal to the number (M) of reproduction channels of the decoder unit 721 (sound source reproducing means). Also, the playback channel is set to be released after the playback of the phrase data already being played back (referred to as the first-arrival phrase) is completed. In this case, when a command to start playback of new phrase data (called a late-arriving phrase) is set in the virtual track, the playback channels that have finished playing are released in order, and the playback channels that have finished playing are released. A late arrival phrase is assigned. Therefore, in the dynamic allocation mode #2, there is no forced stop during reproduction of phrase data.

(Dynamic allocation mode #3)
When the number of reproduction channels of the decoder unit 721 is changed, the dynamic allocation unit 723 changes the number of virtual tracks forming the use target area in the virtual track area according to the changed number of reproduction channels. . In this mode, for example, due to a failure of the speaker 19, etc.,
When the number of playback channels contributing to playback is less than the set number, the number of virtual track areas in the area to be used is also decreased. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the first-arrival phrase being reproduced is forcibly stopped and the second-arrival phrase is started to be reproduced when the number of virtual track areas in the area to be used exceeds the number of reproduction channels. .

(Dynamic allocation mode #4)
The dynamic allocation unit 723 sets the number of playback channels capable of sound source playback according to the number of virtual tracks forming the use target area set in the virtual track area. In this mode,
When virtual tracks are assigned to reproduction channels (M), which are fewer than the number of reproduction channels (32) that can be used by the decoder unit 721, and sound is currently being generated, the melody and effects used for presentation When the types of sound sources used for sounds (that is, the number of phrase data) increase rapidly, the number of reproduction channels (M) to which virtual tracks are assigned is increased. As a result, when the number of virtual tracks that make up the area to be used in the virtual track area exceeds the number of playback channels currently in use, the first-arrival phrase being played is forcibly stopped, and the second-arrival phrase is no longer played. It is possible to prevent a situation that may be started.

(Dynamic allocation mode #5)
The dynamic allocation unit 723 changes the sound source information (phrase data, sound source data, voice data) according to the number (L) of virtual tracks forming the use target region in the virtual track region. In this mode, for example, the number of playback channels that can be played back by the decoder unit 721 (3
2), the number of sound source information (phrase data, sound source data, sound data) is displayed in the virtual track area when sound is currently being generated using playback channels (M) less than is limited to match the number (L) of virtual tracks that constitute the . The dynamic allocation unit 723 or the main control microcomputer (CPU) 311 of the effect control device 300 limits the number of sound source information (the number of phrase numbers). As a result, if the number of virtual tracks exceeds the number of playback channels currently in use, the first-arriving phrase being played will be forcibly stopped by the second-arriving phrase, and the second-arriving phrase will start playing. can be prevented.

・Fixed Allocation Unit The fixed allocation unit 724 uses only a predetermined number of virtual tracks out of a maximum of 128 virtual tracks, and fixes the allocation of the playback channels of the decoder unit 721 to the predetermined number of virtual tracks (fixed allocation unit). mode). In this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, the number of playback channels to which the fixed allocation unit 724 allocates virtual tracks is 6, so the number of virtual tracks that can be allocated when operating in the fixed allocation mode is also set to 6. It is That is, in this embodiment, the fixed allocation unit 724 allocates six playback channels to six virtual tracks on a one-to-one basis.

Whether to use the dynamic allocation mode or the fixed allocation mode described above depends on the production control device 30
0 may be set by the hall/player setting mode (B0011). Further, the dynamic allocation modes #3, #4, and #5 described above are executed by a control command from the main control microcomputer 311, and even if the virtual track number of the area to be used is set by the main control microcomputer 311, good.

[Multi effector]
The multi-effector 705 performs mixing processing and effect processing on the audio signal from the main generator 704 and outputs the processed audio signal to the audio signal I/F 706 .
As shown in FIG. 33, the multi-effector 705 includes a mixer section 731 that mixes the audio signal from the main generator 704 and the digital audio input signal, and an effector section 732 that performs various effect processing.

FIG. 35 is a diagram explaining the basic signal flow of the multi-effector 705. As shown in FIG. Each function of the multi-effector 705 is implemented by each configuration shown in FIG. The multi-effector 705 includes an input selector 751 and mixers 752, 754, 756, 758.
, an insertion Gx block (IGX) 753, and a send/return Gx block (S
RGX) 755 and a master Gx block (MGX) 757 . Mixer section 731
consists of a plurality of mixers 752,754,756,758. Effector section 732
consists of IGX753, SRGX755 and MGX757.

The IGX 753 applies effect processing to the audio signal of a single phrase. SRGX
755 applies effect processing to the signal mixed on the Gx bus, which is a bus for effect processing. The MGX757 has a 3-band equalizer 361 , an acoustic total linear equalizer 362 and a compressor 363 . The acoustic total linear equalizer 362 has a function of correcting the acoustic characteristics of the sound system of the gaming machine 10, and can correct the amplitude and phase of the audio signal. Also, the acoustic total linear equalizer 362 can reduce phase distortion and make the amplitude characteristic nearly flat in accordance with the phase characteristic and amplitude characteristic of the housing of the gaming machine 10 .

35, the multi-effector 705 includes a mixer section 731 and an effector section 7
32, a channel mix function that mixes the audio signals reproduced in the reproduction channel, a channel volume function that sets the reproduction volume for each phrase data set in the virtual track, and a horizontal and vertical volume when reproducing the phrase data. Functions such as adjusting the balance (called panpot), adjusting the level to the Gx bus for effect processing, and adjusting the total volume after mixing the sounds from all playback channels can be performed.

FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating the signal flow of the channel volume function and panpot function in the mixer section 731 (especially the mixers 752 and 754). The mixer unit 731 inputs up to 32 channels from each audio signal of the decoder unit 721, the tone generation unit 722, and the audio input, mixes them into 6 channels,
It can be output as each audio output signal of UB0 and ZUB1. EL0, ER0, EL
1, ER1 is a signal assuming vertical and horizontal sound image localization by four speakers, and ZUB0
, ZUB1 are two mono signals. For example, the audio output signals of EL0, ER0, EL1, and ER1 are respectively processed by subsequent stages (mixers 756, 758, MGX 757, etc.), and then output to the left upper speaker 19a, the right upper speaker 19a, and the left lower speaker. 19b, the sound is output from the lower speaker 19b on the right side. Also, for example, ZUB0,
The ZUB 1 receives the left and right upper speakers 19a or the left and right lower speakers 1 after undergoing post-processing.
9b is output as voice. Note that dedicated speakers may be provided for ZUB0 and ZUB1.

The signal input to the mixer section 731 is controlled by various channel volumes (primary volume, secondary volume,
Next volume, ZUB0 volume, ZUB1 volume) and up/down/left/right pan pots (left/right pan, up/down pan) are distributed into 6 signals, EL0, ER0, EL1, ER1, Z
It is mixed as 6-channel audio signals of UB0 and ZUB1.

For the panpot function, a 4-channel mode assuming sound image localization using four speakers and a 3-channel mode assuming sound image localization using three speakers are set. An effector section 732 can be connected to the mixer section 731 , and input/output signals are exchanged between the mixer section 731 and the effector section 732 . Gx as a bus for effect processing
When a bus is used, the signal input to the mixer section 731 is divided into four signals according to the send level sent to the Gx bus, and mixed as four channel signals of Gx buses 0-3.

[Audio signal I/F (digital audio interface)]
The audio signal I/F 706 is connected to the amplifier circuit 337 and the multi-effector 70
5 is output to the amplifier circuit 337 as a digital audio signal. Also, the audio signal I/F 706 inputs a digital audio signal via an audio device such as a codec (not shown). In the present embodiment, 24-bit/up to 6-channel digital audio signals can be input/output.

[Memory I/F (memory interface)]
Memory I/F 707 stores phrase data, sequence data, DBC, sound source LS
It is possible to access an external memory in which data necessary for sound generation control of the tone generator in I314 is stored. The external memory includes external ROM such as voice ROM 327 .

[Description of registers set in each configuration of sound source LSI]
Next, an example of the register of the command storage unit 702 for operating the tone generator LSI 314 will be described. FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of registers stored in one register bank of the command storage unit 702. As shown in FIG. Register values (control commands, etc.)
It can be set by itself, and can also be set by the main control microcomputer (CPU) 311 of the effect control device 300 .

In the register bank shown in FIG. 37, W indicates writable and R indicates readable. ● in the SeqW column indicates a register that can be written by the operation control unit 712 . Similarly, ● in the column of IndW indicates a register whose write value is independent depending on the write path. ● in the column of TG indicates a register that can be written and accessed in the tone generating section 722 at the time of booting (when the sound source LSI 314 is activated, when the effect control device 300 is powered on). A register without ● in TG indicates that it can be read at boot time, but cannot be written to change its value. Also, the RB column indicates the number of the register bank.

QN_xy represents a phrase number register. In QN_xy, x represents a virtual track number (virtual track number), and y represents a sequential number, which is the playback order when phrases are played back consecutively. The phrase data of the number specified in this register is selected from a maximum of 8192 phrases registered in the external ROM such as the voice ROM 327, and reproduced on the virtual track number x according to the sequential number y.

QL_xy represents a phrase loop register. The number of times (the number of repetitions of reproduction) of the designated phrase data is set in this register.

BP0_x represents a panpot register that sets the volume balance in the left-right direction when reproducing phrase data.

BP1_x represents a panpot register that sets the volume balance in the vertical direction when reproducing phrase data.

BV1_x represents a volume register for setting the primary volume when reproducing phrase data.

BV2_x represents a volume register for setting the secondary volume when reproducing phrase data.

BV3_x and BV4_x represent registers for setting sub-volumes when reproducing phrase data.

EARGAIN_x represents an ear gain register for setting the gain of the ear component when using the virtual surround function.

GXBUS0V_x, GXBUS1V_x, GXBUS2V_x, GXBUS3V_x
, EARGAIN_x, and SW3DPAN_x represent registers for setting processing in the multi-effector 705 .

LOOQ_x represents a register for setting a playback operation of continuously playing back the phrase specified by QN_xy for the number of phrases indicated by QNUM_x in a loop for the number of times equal to the value of LOOQ_x.

PVUP_x is a register for volume setting and pan setting, and when set to 1, the setting of each register related to volume setting and pan setting is enabled. PVUP_
QL_xy, BP0_x, BP1_x, BV1_x, BV2_ when x=1 is set
x, BV3_x, BV4_x, GXBUS0V_x, GXBUS1V_x, GXBUS2
V_x, GXBUS3V_x, EARGAIN_x, SW3DPAN_x, LOOQ_x
(
set).

QTRK is assigned a virtual track number (number x). When registering a stereo phrase, data is designated to virtual tracks of QTRK n and QTRK n+1.
Therefore, QTRK=127 cannot be specified for phrase data to be stereo-reproduced.

QPLAY_x represents a register for setting that the phrase specified by QN_xy is continuously reproduced for the number of phrases indicated by QNUM_x on the virtual track of virtual track number x. When 1 is written to the QPLAY_x register, the phrase specified by QN_xy is written to QNUM_x on the virtual track of number x specified by QTRK.
The number of phrases indicated by is played back continuously.

QPLAY_PRI represents a register for setting priority for reproduction of either the first-arriving phrase that is already being reproduced or the later-arriving phrase instructed this time. When a phrase playback start command is issued by the QPLAY_x register, if the virtual track with the virtual track number x is being played and QPLAY_PRI is set to 1, for example,
The later-arriving phrase can be preferentially reproduced.

PNRCL reflects the setting of the virtual track indicated by QTRK in the register. If 1, the values of QNUM_x, QPLAY_PRI, QPLAY_x are ignored.

QNUM_x represents a register for designating the number of phrases to be continuously reproduced. for example,
When the value of QNUM_x is 1, the phrases specified by QN_x0 and QN_x1 are reproduced continuously. For example, when the value of QNUM_x is 7, eight phrases designated by QN_x0 . . . QN_x7 are reproduced continuously.

TVx represents a register for setting the total volume of audio to be output.

3CH represents a register for setting pan mode switching. When 3CH=1, the L1/R1 panpot (volume balance) is fixed in the middle, and when 3CH=0,
The L1/R1 panpot reflects the contents of the BP0_x register.

ECLR represents a register for setting the ear gain setting to the initial value. ECLR=
When 1, the EARGAIN setting for all virtual tracks is set to the initial value.

BCLR represents a register for initializing bus settings. When BCLR=1, the Gx bus settings of all virtual tracks are set to initial values.

SRCN_xy, SRCL_xy, SRLT_x, TRG_x, SROT_x, SRT
M_x and SRSC_x represent registers for setting sequence playback control. where x
is a sequence system number (sequencer number, 0 to 15), which is a sequencer channel number, and y is a sequential number.

SRCN_xy represents a register that sets a sequence code. One code selected from a maximum of 8192 codes registered in the external ROM is set.

SRCL_xy represents a register that sets the loop count for repeating each sequence (each sequence code).

SRLT_x represents a register that sets the number of loops for the entire sequence.

TRG_x represents a register for enabling/disabling the off-trigger of sequence x;
If it is, it is valid, and if it is 0, it is invalid. Off-trigger is the process of stopping the progress of steps in a sequence until a particular virtual track is stopped.

SROT_x represents a register for setting the off-trigger channel of the operation control unit 712 (sequencer). For example, SROT_x can store the virtual track number of the particular virtual track mentioned above that corresponds to the off-trigger.

SRTM_x represents a register that sets the timer value of the operation control unit 712 (sequencer). If the timer value SRTM_x=0, proceed to the next step of the sequence (sequence code step).

SRSC_x represents a register that sets the stop channel of the operation control unit 712 (sequencer). SRSC_x is used to stop and resume playback for each sequencer channel at the same timing for virtual tracks. The value of the SRSC_x register is used to specify the virtual track of interest. A bit in the SRSC_x register corresponds to each virtual track. A virtual track whose bit is 0 is asymmetric. One virtual track is subject to the stop channel function. SRSC if the sequencer is stopped or paused
Stop or pause playback of each virtual track specified by _x=1. When the sequencer resumes playback, it resumes playback of each virtual track specified by SRSC_x=1.

SRRCL represents a register for setting to reflect the internal setting of the operation control unit 712 (sequencer) of number x indicated by SRCH to the current value of the register.

SRCH selects which system (
sequencer channel) to specify whether to execute the sequence. S.
RCH designates a sequence system number x (sequencer number, 0 to 15), which is the sequencer channel number.

SRS_x represents a register for setting playback start, pause, end, and playback restart of the operation control unit 712 (sequencer). 0 is set to end, 1 is to start playback, 2 is to pause, and 3 is to resume playback.

SRNUM_x sets the value n, from SRCN_x0 to SRCN_n, SRNUM
This is a register for setting continuous playback of only the range (y=0 to n) specified by _x.

ZAQSET_TRK_x represents a register for setting the range of virtual track numbers used in dynamic allocation. In the dynamic allocation mode #2 (described above), this range of virtual track numbers may be used as an area to be used containing a predetermined number (L) of virtual tracks. A range of virtual track numbers may be set within the target area.

ZAQSET_DECCH_x is the number of decoder channels (
It represents a register for setting the number of channels (M) of the decoder unit 721 . For example, the number of decoder channels M is six.

ZAQSETCH represents a register for setting the ZAQ set number x for executing dynamic allocation, ie, the ZAQ set set channel. ZAQSET_TRK_x and ZAQSET_DECCH_x when ZAQSETCH is written are taken in as the value of ZAQ set x indicated by ZAQSETCH.

As ZAQ set 0, allocation of virtual tracks and channels (decoder channels: maximum 32) may be set for the decoder section 721 . For example, in this embodiment, in dynamic allocation mode #1, ZAQ set 0 has virtual tracks 0 to 127 and playback channel 0.
~5 are assigned. Also, in dynamic allocation mode #2, for example, ZAQ set 0
are assigned virtual tracks 0-4 and playback channels 0-5. In dynamic allocation, virtual tracks may be controlled by dividing up to 16 groups (ZAQ set 0 to
15 available).

The ZAQ set can also be used to set virtual track and channel (tone channel: maximum 16, audio input: maximum 6) assignments for tone generator 722 and audio input. For example, ZAQ set 1 may set the allocation of virtual tracks and tone channels (up to 16) for the tone generator 722 . As described above, since the maximum audio signal input to the mixer section 731 is 32 channels (FIG. 36), channels that are not used as decoder channels among these 32 channels can be used for the tone generation section 722 and audio input. , 128 virtual tracks that are not used for phrase reproduction can be used.

On the other hand, in fixed assignment, virtual tracks 0 to 5 and playback channels 0 to 5 are assigned to ZAQ set 0, for example. As another example, ZAQ set 0 has virtual tracks 0 to
31, and playback channels 0-31 are assigned. For this reason, in the fixed allocation, the tone generator 722 (virtual tracks 106-121), the audio input (virtual tracks 122-12
7) cannot be assigned a playback channel.

DBCN_x represents a register for setting a batch control code (DBC) to be executed.

SAT_x represents a register for setting a timer function for waiting execution of DBC.

SA_STS_x represents a register for setting the execution status of DBCs that are executed up to four times, where 0 is stopped or paused and 1 is running.

RB is a register for setting a register bank number.

DEVEN is a register for indicating device enable and for setting whether or not to enable a command for the tone generator LSI 314 .

ID is the ID of the sound source LSI 314, and the main control microcomputer 311 is the sound source LSI 31
4 ID is used to read out.

[Operation of sound source LSI]
The tone generator LSI 314 has the configuration shown in FIG. 33, and by setting commands such as control commands in the above-described command storage unit 702, a phrase reproduction function, a sequential phrase reproduction function, a sequence reproduction function, and the like are used to generate sound. It is possible. In addition, the sound signal generated by these sound generating processes can be subjected to sound generation processing using a tone generation function, a mixer function, an effector function, and the like.

The sequence playback function and phrase playback function will be described below. The phrase reproduction function includes a sequential phrase reproduction function.

・Sequence playback function The sound source LSI 314 is capable of automatic performance by controlling the phrase playback function, volume/pan, effect function, etc., according to the sequence data registered in the external ROM such as the voice ROM 327 by the operation control unit 712. . The tone generator LSI 314 is also capable of chain-reproducing a plurality of sequences (sequence chain function). A maximum of 16 systems (16 channels) can be executed simultaneously for sequence reproduction.

In the sequence playback function, the operation control unit 712 reads out the sequence code from the external ROM such as the voice ROM 327, and writes the command in the sequence data (data string) of the sequence code to the address of the command storage unit 702 specified by the sequence code. .
The content of the sequence code consists of specification of pronunciation such as playback start/stop of phrase data, and specification of timing for setting these registers. Phrase data can be played automatically by setting the registers according to the sequence code.

For sequence reproduction, SRCN_xy, SRCL_xy, SRCL_xy,
This is done by setting in SRLT_x, SRCH=x, SRNUM_x, SRS_x=1, and so on. Also, regarding the sequencer (operation control unit 712) of the sequence system number x, the stop of the sequence reproduction is executed by setting SRCH=x and SRS_x=0.

Regarding the sequencer (operation control unit 712) of the sequence system number x, the sequence reproduction control is performed when 1 is written to SRS_x in the register shown in FIG.
xy, SRCL_xy, SRLT_x, TRG_x, SROT_x, SRTM_x, SR
The setting of SC_x is executed by taking it into the operation control unit 712 as the set value of the sequencer channel indicated by SRCH=x. Note that the main control microcomputer (CPU) 31
1 may set the sequence system number x instead of the phrase number as the voice number (B2016 of the variable effect setting process). In addition, the main control microcomputer (CPU) 311, at the execution timing of various effects, sets a sequence system number, a sequence start command, etc. as a start setting for starting the reproduction of the sequence (may be plural) corresponding to the various effects. Necessary information is written in the registers (SRCH, SRS_x, etc.) of the command storage unit 702 (B0021).

For example, when 1 is written to the SRS_x register, it means that the sequence is being reproduced.
SRCN_xy, SRCL_xy for the sequencer channel specified by SRCH
, SRLT_x, TRG_x, SROT_x, SRTM_x, and SRSC_x are set, and playback is started from the first sequence code. Note that when 0 (stop) or 2 (pause) is written to the SRS_x register, the sequence reproduction is stopped.

Also, in sequence reproduction, phrase data designated by a predetermined sequence code can be loop-reproduced.

FIG. 38 is a diagram for explaining loop processing in sequence reproduction. In loop processing,
When the playback of the sequence corresponding to one sequence code reaches the end of each sequence data, the value of SRCL_xy is read as the loop count of each sequence, and loop playback is performed for the specified number of times. After the last sequence is looped by the value of SRCL_xy (SRCL_xn), loop processing is performed using the value of the SRLT_x register as the loop count of the entire sequence.

In FIG. 38, the sequence data corresponding to the sequence code specified in SRCN_x0 is loop-reproduced for the value specified in SRCL_x0. It is shown that the playback order is designated such that the data is loop-reproduced by the value designated in SRCL_x1. The sequence data of each sequence code is SRNU
It is sequentially reproduced within the range designated by M_x+1, and the total number of loops can be designated by SRLT_x.

In this manner, the tone generator LSI 314 can automatically play sequence data composed of predetermined phrase data according to sequence reproduction control.

・Phrase playback function The sound source LSI 314 selects a phrase corresponding to a phrase number from up to 8192 phrase data registered in an external ROM such as the voice ROM 327 by the main generator 704, sets it to a virtual track, and sets it to a playback channel. Automatic performance can be performed by allocating. In addition, the sound source LSI 314 can automatically execute reproduction on/off control such as reproduction start/stop, pause/resume, etc., and an infinite loop or a loop with a designated number of times.

For phrase reproduction, QN_xy, QL_xy, LOOQ_
This is done by setting in x, QNUM_x, QPLAY_x, and so on.

FIG. 39 is a diagram for explaining loop processing in phrase reproduction. The main generator 704 outputs Q when 1 is written to QPLAY_x in the register shown in FIG.
In one virtual track (virtual track number x) designated by TRK, it is possible to designate that phrases designated by QN_xy are reproduced consecutively for the number of phrases indicated by QNUM_x (sequential phrase reproduction function). Also, each phrase can be specified to be loop-played the number of times specified in QL_xy. Furthermore, the total number of loops can be specified by LOOQ_x.

In addition, the main generator 704 fades out when pausing/stopping phrase reproduction in order to prevent noise from being generated due to abrupt changes in the audio output level when the reproduced sound of phrase data is interrupted during phrase reproduction. It can be stopped later. In the case of stereo phrases, fade-out is performed for each of the decoder channels of both the L side channel and the R side channel.

Also, the main generator 704 refers to the information in the register QPLAY_PRI,
At the time of switching phrase data, it is possible to give priority to reproduction of either the first-arriving phrase that is already being reproduced or the later-arriving phrase whose reproduction is instructed this time.

If the main generator 704 gives priority to the first-arriving phrase, when the command to start reproducing the phrase data is issued, if all the set virtual tracks are stopped, the first-arriving phrase to which the command was issued Start playing. On the other hand, if any of the virtual tracks is being reproduced, the next-arriving phrase is reproduced after waiting until the first-arriving phrase reaches the end.

Thus, the tone generator LSI 314 can automatically play predetermined phrase data according to phrase reproduction control.

When giving priority to the later-arriving phrase, the main generator 704 starts to reproduce the instructed later-arriving phrase regardless of whether the virtual track is being reproduced when a phrase data playback start command is issued. . In this case, the processing for starting the playback of the late-arriving phrase is executed when the last decoding of the first-arriving phrase is completed. has started. in this case,
There is a case where decoding of the first frame of the later-arrived phrase is completed and speech generation becomes possible before speech generation of the last frame of the first-arrived phrase is completed. In such a case, the first frame of the later-arrived phrase may be voice-generated before the last frame of the first-arrived phrase is completely voice-generated.

The sound source LSI 314 performs the following direct sounding processing by the decoder unit 721, sounding processing by the decoder unit 721 by the operation control unit 712, sounding processing by the decoder unit 721 by DBC, and sounding processing by the DBC by the DBC. Tone generator 7
22 pronunciation processing becomes possible.

(Direct pronunciation processing by the decoder section)
In direct pronunciation processing by the decoder section 721, the following steps 1 to 5 are executed.
1. Main control microcomputer 311
is the phrase number setting corresponding to the phrase data in the external ROM and the playback start setting (
writing the start command).
2. Subsequently, an allocation unit 725 provided in the main generator 704 (or the audio processing control module 703) or the like extracts unused reproduction channels from the reproduction channels and allocates the phrase data of the virtual track to be reproduced to the unused reproduction channels. to control pronunciation. Note that virtual tracks can be assigned to unused playback channels by dynamic assignment.
3. Subsequently, the decoder unit 721 reads phrase data corresponding to the phrase number from an external ROM such as the voice ROM 327 via the memory I/F 707 .
4. Subsequently, the decoder section 721 decodes the encoded phrase data (compressed data, etc.) and sends the PCM data obtained by decoding to the multi-effector 705 .
5. The multi-effector 705 performs processing such as adjusting the volume to the required volume and sound effect processing,
Sound is produced through an audio system such as the amplifier circuit 337 and the speaker 19 via the audio signal I/F 706 .

(Sound generation processing of the decoder section by the operation control section)
In sound generation processing of the decoder section by the operation control section 712 (sequencer section), the following steps 1 to
6 is executed.
1. The main control microcomputer 311 sets the sequence system number x (sequence number) to be executed and the start setting for starting the sequence reproduction to the register related to the sequencer reproduction in the command storage unit 702 .
2. Subsequently, the operation control unit 712 of the audio processing control module 703 sequentially reads the sequence code corresponding to the set sequence system number x from the external ROM such as the audio ROM 327 according to a predetermined format, and the sequence data (data string) of the sequence code. )
is written in a predetermined register of the corresponding register bank of the command storage unit 702 .
3. Subsequently, an allocation unit 725 provided in the main generator 704 (or the audio processing control module 703) or the like extracts unused playback channels from the playback channels, and assigns the phrase number and playback start setting included in the sequence data to the virtual track. to assign virtual tracks to unused playback channels to control sound generation. Note that virtual tracks can be assigned to unused playback channels by dynamic assignment.
4. Subsequently, the decoder unit 721 reads phrase data corresponding to the phrase number from an external ROM such as the voice ROM 327 via the memory I/F 707 .
5. Subsequently, the decoder section 721 decodes the encoded phrase data (compressed data, etc.) and sends the PCM data obtained by decoding to the multi-effector 705 .
6. The multi-effector 705 performs processing such as adjusting the volume to the required volume and sound effect processing,
Sound is produced through an audio system such as the amplifier circuit 337 and the speaker 19 via the audio signal I/F 706 . Then, steps 2 to 5 are repeated thereafter.

(Sound generation processing of decoder unit by DBC)
In the sound generation processing of the decoder unit 721 by the collective control code (DBC), the following steps 1 to 6
is executed.
1. The main control microcomputer 311 sets a DBC number in a register related to DBC in the command storage unit 702 and sets to start batch control reproduction based on the DBC.
2. The collective control unit 711 of the audio processing control module 703 sequentially reads out the data string corresponding to the set DBC number according to a predetermined format, and stores the command in the data string in a predetermined register of the corresponding register bank of the command storage unit 702. Write.
3. Subsequently, an allocation unit 725 provided in the main generator 704 (or the audio processing control module 703) or the like extracts unused playback channels from the playback channels, and assigns the phrase number and playback start setting included in the data string to the virtual track. to assign virtual tracks to unused playback channels to control sound generation. Note that virtual tracks can be assigned to unused playback channels by dynamic assignment.
4. Subsequently, the decoder unit 721 reads phrase data corresponding to the phrase number from an external ROM such as the voice ROM 327 via the memory I/F 707 .
5. Subsequently, the decoder section 721 decodes the encoded phrase data (compressed data, etc.) and sends the PCM data obtained by decoding to the multi-effector 705 .
6. The multi-effector 705 performs processing such as adjusting the volume to the required volume and sound effect processing,
Sound is produced through an audio system such as the amplifier circuit 337 and the speaker 19 via the audio signal I/F 706 .

(Pronunciation processing of tone generator by DBC)
The following steps 1 to 3 are executed in the pronunciation processing by the tone generation section 722 .
1. The main control microcomputer 311 sets a DBC number in a register related to DBC in the command storage unit 702 and sets to start batch control reproduction based on the DBC.
2. The collective control unit 711 of the audio processing control module 703 sequentially reads out the data string corresponding to the set DBC number according to a predetermined format, and stores the command in the data string in a predetermined register of the corresponding register bank of the command storage unit 702. Write.
3. Subsequently, the tone generation unit 722 assigns tone channels based on the ZAQ set (which may be assigned by the assignment unit 725), voice waveforms, frequencies, Settings such as volume and start/stop settings are executed, waveforms are generated according to sound generation settings for virtual tracks, and sound is generated.

[Other Forms of Sound Source LSI]
The sound source LSI 314 includes the board decoration LED control circuit 332 and the frame decoration LED control circuit 33 described above.
3, an LED that drives the LED included in the board decoration device 46 or the frame decoration device 18
A driver and a peripheral interface for outputting the LED driver may be further provided. The peripheral interface is connected to an externally connected LED driver. By controlling the lighting of the LED driver connected to the port according to the LED sequence, a variety of effects can be achieved in the same manner as in the case of the sound generating process described above.

[Actions and effects of the first embodiment]
In the gaming machine 10 according to the first embodiment, a predetermined sound is generated by sound source generating means (for example, sound source LSI 314). The sound source generation means consists of a sound source reproduction means capable of reproducing sound sources of M channels (for example, the decoder section 721, the mixer section 731, etc.) and N virtual tracks which are provided more than M and designate sound sources. It has a track area and allocation means (for example, allocation section 725) for allocating sound source information specified in the virtual track area to channels of sound source reproduction means (for example, decoder section 721, mixer section 731, etc.). The sound source generating means (for example, the sound source LSI 314) classifies the N virtual tracks into use target areas to be allocated to the sound source reproducing means and non-use target areas other than the use target areas. The sound source generating means allocates the information of the sound source to the area to be used, and sets the number (L) of virtual tracks to be the area to be used so that it is M or less.

According to such a gaming machine 10, the lack of the number of channels (M) of the sound source reproduction means (for example, the decoder section 721 and the mixer section 731) for the L virtual tracks in the area to be used is eliminated. There is no need to forcibly stop playback of phrase data due to shortage.

The sound source generation means (sound source LSI 314) can configure a plurality of "virtual tracks", and any one of a plurality of channels of the sound source reproduction means for reproducing phrase data related to the production is assigned to this "virtual track". channels can be assigned, the process of reproducing the phrase data can be performed efficiently.

In the gaming machine 10 according to the first embodiment, the predetermined sound generated by the sound source generator (for example, the sound source LSI 314) includes a specific notification sound unrelated to game-related effects.

Note that when an error/illegal operation is detected in the gaming machine 10, error/unauthorized setting processing (B1316) is executed to generate a notification sound specific to the error or the illegal operation.

For example, when a notification sound indicating an error/injustice is suddenly generated, the sound source reproduction means (
For example, if there are no unused playback channels (playback channels) of the decoder unit 721, mixer unit 731, etc.), the playback of phrase data in one of the playback channels is forcibly stopped, and the playback channel released by the stop is used. , an error or fraud notification sound to be reproduced is generated.

Therefore, if the phrase data that is forcibly stopped is, for example, a main melody or sound effect for a production, the melody or sound effect that the player consciously listens to is suddenly interrupted. Since the notification sound of error or injustice is heard, the user feels a sense of incongruity, which leads to a decrease in interest. In addition, it is difficult to recognize whether or not the sound is a notification sound.

Therefore, in the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment, a use target area (and a non-use target area) is set in the virtual track area. The number of virtual tracks constituting the area to be used is set at most equal to the number of playback channels, and the playback channels are set to be released after playback of phrase data is completed.

Therefore, the reproduction channel being reproduced is not forcibly stopped, and an error or illegality notification sound is generated together with sounds such as melodies and sound effects for presentation. As a result, the player can listen to the notification sound without any sense of incongruity while superimposing it on the melody and sound effects.

Also, for example, one of the M playback channels is set to be always released, and a virtual track set with an error or illegal notification sound is assigned to this always-released playback channel. You may do so. By doing so, the first-arriving phrase during reproduction of the main melody for the production and the sound effect for notifying the game state is not interrupted by the second-arriving phrase such as an error or fraud notification sound. It is generated together with a main melody for the game and an effect sound for notifying the game state. As a result, the player can listen to the notification sound without any sense of incongruity while superimposing it on the melody and effect sound, and furthermore, it becomes easier for the player to pay attention to the notification sound.

Further, in the gaming machine 10 according to the first embodiment, the sound source generating means (for example, the sound source LSI 31
In 4), when the number of channels capable of reproducing the sound source in the sound source reproducing means is changed, the number of virtual tracks constituting the use target region in the virtual track region is changed according to the changed number of channels. good.

As a result, for example, when one of the speakers (the upper speaker 19a and the lower speaker 19b) becomes unable to generate sound due to some cause such as a failure, and the number of reproducible reproduction channels decreases, the number of virtual tracks constituting the use target area is reduced. By reducing the number, it is possible to prevent any first-arriving phrase being forcibly terminated due to the reproduction of a later-arriving phrase.

In the gaming machine 10 according to the first embodiment, the sound source generating means may set the number of channels that the sound source reproducing means can reproduce the sound source in accordance with the number of virtual tracks forming the use target area.

As a result, for example, by adding a playback channel that does not always contribute to the generation of sound and increasing the number of playback channels, the number of virtual tracks that make up the use target area of the virtual track area will increase to the number of currently used playback channels. When exceeding the number of channels, the number of channels of the sound source reproduction means can be increased. As a result, it is possible to prevent any first-arrival phrase being reproduced from being forcibly terminated in order to reproduce a later-arrived phrase.

In the gaming machine 10 according to the first embodiment, the sound source generator may change the sound source information according to the number of virtual tracks forming the use target area.

As a result, the number of sound source information (phrase data) to be reproduced can be changed so as to match the number of virtual tracks forming the use target area of the virtual track area. For example, by deleting the phrase data corresponding to the bass sound among the melodies related to the presentation, the number of virtual tracks to which this phrase data is assigned can be saved. As a result, the number of virtual tracks exceeds the number of playback channels currently in use.
It is possible to prevent any of the first-arrival phrases being reproduced from being forcibly terminated.

In the gaming machine 10 according to the first embodiment, the sound source generating means (for example, the sound source LSI 314) instructs the sound source reproducing means to start playback when there is no unused channel to which the sound source information specified in the virtual track area is assigned. The sound source specified for the specified virtual track may not be reproduced.

As a result, when there are no unused playback channels, or when there are no unused playback channels and there is no virtual track that can be forcibly stopped, the sound source information (phrase data) currently being played will be forcibly terminated. This can be prevented, and the player does not feel uncomfortable.

[Second embodiment]
A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 40 to 42 . Configurations other than those described below may be the same as those of the first embodiment. In addition, in the following embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the configuration having the same function as in the first embodiment, and overlapping descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[Production control device of the second embodiment]
FIG. 40 is a block diagram showing an effect control device 300 and a board connected thereto, which constitute the gaming machine 10 of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 40, the gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment includes a power supply device 400, a game control device 100 (game control means, not shown here), and an effect control device 30.
0 (effect control means), the effect control device 300 includes a board surface relay board 915 and a frame relay board 91
6. The cooling fan 45, the LVDS board 918, the ROM board 920, etc. are connected via harnesses and connectors (CN).

The production control device 300 is connected to the power supply device 400, and has a DC power supply (32V, 15V, 12V
V, 5V), a power failure monitoring signal (5V), and a reset signal (5V) are input. Moreover, the analysis port 955 grade|etc., can be connected to the production|presentation control apparatus 300 now.

The effect control device 300 is provided with a voltage generator 800 (voltage generator). The voltage generator 800 generates 1.05 V, 1.5 V,
It produces an output voltage of 3.3V.

The board surface relay board 915 connects the board surface motor driver 44a (part of the board effect device 44), the board surface motor sensor 47a (the effect accessory switch 47), and the board surface decoration LED driver 46a (part of the board decoration device 46). A relay board for transmitting and receiving signals. In addition, the board surface relay board 9
15, a DC power supply (32V, 15V,
12V, 5V) are supplied.

Frame relay board 916 includes frame motor driver 44b (part of frame effect device), effect button switch 25a, frame motor sensor 47b, first frame speaker (upper speaker 19a), second frame speaker (lower speaker 19b), frame It is a relay board for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the decoration LED driver (a part of the frame decoration device 18). In addition, the effect control device 30
DC power (12 V, 5 V) is supplied from the power supply device 400 via 0.

The cooling FAN 45 receives a DC power supply (12V
) is supplied.

The LVDS board 918 is a relay board that relays the effect control device 300 and the display device 41 . The LVDS board 918 is supplied with DC power (32 V, 12 V, 5 V) from the power supply device 400 via the effect control device 300 . Also, the LVDS substrate 918 includes the voltage generator 8
A DC power supply (3.3 V) is supplied from 00 and the DC power supply is output to the display device 41 .

A power generation circuit 919 can be provided on the LVDS substrate 918 . Power generation circuit 9
19 converts the DC power (32V) supplied from the power supply device 400 into DC power (12V) and outputs it to the display device 41 (LED backlight 917). As a result, the power supply generation circuit 919 can be designed according to the standard of the display device 41 to be connected, and even when the display device 41 is replaced, it is not necessary to modify the effect control device 300 simply by replacing the LVDS board 918. Therefore, the display device 41 can be easily replaced.

The ROM board 920 includes an image ROM 325 and outputs image information stored in the image ROM 325 to the VDP 312 (video display processor). A DC power supply (3.3 V) is supplied from the voltage generator 800 to the ROM board 920 .

The effect control device 300 includes a first VDP-RAM 923 (storage means) and a second VDP-R
An AM 924 (storage means) is provided. First VDP-RAM 923 and second VDP-
The RAM 924 is a storage medium that temporarily stores image information (moving and still images) decoded by the VDP 312, and operates when a DC power supply (1.5 V) is supplied from the voltage generator 800. FIG.

VDP312 (general-purpose port 942) which comprises production control device 300 performs transmission and reception of a signal with the exterior by a signal of 3.3V. However, the built-in host CPU that constitutes the VDP 312
(CPU 311, image processing means, VDP core, arithmetic processing means) operate at 1.05 V,
The DRAM I/F 940 connected to the first VDP-RAM 923 (storage means) and the second VDP-RAM 924 (storage means) operates at 1.5V. Therefore, the VDP 312 operates by being supplied with DC power (1.05 V, 1.5 V, 3.3 V) from the voltage generator 800 .

As the input side of the VDP 312, the effect control device 300 includes a level conversion circuit 9 that performs level conversion (5.0 V → 3.3 V) of the signal of the power supply 400 (power failure monitoring signal, reset signal)
21, level conversion of the signal of the game control device 100 (production command) (5.0V → 3.3V)
level conversion circuit 922 for performing level conversion (5.0
V → 3.3 V), level conversion circuit 929 for level conversion (5.0 V → 3.3 V) of signals from effect button switch 25a and frame motor sensor 47b.
is provided.

In addition, as the output side of the VDP 312, the effect control device 300 includes a board relay board 915 (
Level conversion (3
. 3V→5.0V), level conversion circuit 925, frame relay board 916 (frame motor driver 44b, production button switch 25a, frame motor sensor 47b) level conversion (3.3V→5.0V) level conversion circuit 928 to perform level conversion (3.3V→5.
0V) is provided.

Furthermore, for two-way communication of the VDP 312, the production control device 300 includes a board decoration LE
Level shift of signals transmitted bidirectionally by the D driver 46a and the I2C communication method (3.3
V ⇔ 5.0 V) and a frame decoration LED driver (decoration device 18
a) and level shift (3.3V ⇔ 5.0V
) is provided.

Direct current power (15V) from the power supply device 400 is supplied to the effect control device 300, and VD
An amplifier circuit 337 (first amplifier circuit 930, second amplifier circuit 931) is provided for amplifying sound source data (audio data) output from P312. The first amplifier circuit 930 is
The amplified sound source data is output to the first frame speaker (upper speaker 19a), and the second amplifier circuit 9
31 outputs the amplified sound source data to the second frame speaker (lower speaker 19b).

The effect control device 300 is provided with a protection circuit 933 that stabilizes the LVDS signal output from the VDP 312 .
LVDS signal (3.3V) is output to .

In addition, the production control device 300 includes a watchdog timer circuit 324 that monitors the operation of the VDP 312, a PROM 321 that stores programs executed by the VDP 312 and various data.
, a FeRAM 323 capable of retaining memory contents even if power is not supplied in the event of a power failure, a volume control switch 335, and the like. Also, the LVDS substrate 918 includes the level shift circuit 9
A real-time clock circuit 338 is provided connected to the high voltage (5V) side of 32.

VDP312, CPU3 which analyzes the production command which is transmitted from game control control equipment 100
11 (built-in host CPU), RAM 322 (built-in CP
U work memory), CPU I/F for transmitting and receiving data in the CPU 311 and VDP 312
937, HOST CPU I/F 938, VDP 31 for transmitting data in PROM 321 to CPU 311 and for outputting various commands (display list, motor command, lamp command, sound command) obtained by CPU 311 analyzing production commands
2 initialization.

The VDP 312 includes a general-purpose port 942 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the outside, a CG bus I/F 941 for reading image information from the image ROM 325, a first VDP-RAM 923 and a second VDP-R.
It has a DRAM I/F 940 that transmits and receives image information (moving and still images) to and from the AM 924 .

The VDP 312 has a controller 943 that outputs motor control data based on motor commands and LED control data based on lamp commands. Controller 9
43 generates motor control data based on the motor command and outputs it to board motor driver 44a, board motor sensor 47a, frame motor driver 44b and frame motor sensor 47b in a mutually distinguishable form.

Further, the controller 943 decodes the lamp command based on the lamp decoder 944 to generate LED control data, which is sent to the board decoration LED driver 46a and the frame decoration LE.
They are output to the D driver 18a (a part of the frame decoration device 18) in a mutually identifiable form.

The VDP 312 has an audio ROM 327 that stores sound source data (audio data). A sound circuit 961 (sound decoder, corresponding to the sound source LSI 314), based on the sound command transmitted from the CPU 311 via the HOST CPU I/F 938,
The sound source data of M327 is selected, read out, decoded, and output (reproduced) under sound quality adjustment by the volume control switch 335 . Note that the sound command includes a phrase number. Then, the sound source data output by the sound circuit 961 is sent to the post effector 9
45 and the amplifier circuit 337 to output to the first frame speaker (two upper speakers 19a) and the second frame speaker (two lower speakers 19b). The internal configuration of the sound circuit 961 of the second embodiment may be different from that of the tone generator LSI 314 of the first embodiment. Also, if the sound source data is not encoded data (compressed data, etc.) (linear PCM, etc.), the sound circuit 961 can output the sound source data without decoding.

The VDP 312 has an image processing circuit that performs image processing based on the display list. The image processing circuit stores image ROM 325 or VRAM based on the display list.
A preloader circuit 946 that reads out image information from 326 (storage means), and a VRAM 326 (or first VDP-RAM 923, second VDP-RAM 924) that stores the read image information.
and the VRAM 326 (or the second VDP
-RAM 924), a drawing circuit 948 for drawing image information in the frame buffer, a geometry engine 949 for setting the coordinates of the image information, a VRAM 326 (or the first VRAM
DP-RAM 923, second VDP-RAM 924), an index table circuit 950 that allocates storage areas, and a display circuit 951 that displays and outputs frame buffer data stored in VRAM 326 (or first VDP-RAM 923, second VDP-RAM 924). Display A, display B, display C), frame buffer data, etc. are output to the output selection circuit 95
2, and a data transfer circuit 953 for transmitting and receiving data in the image processing circuit.
4 to exchange data with each other.

VDP 312 has address bus 935 and data bus 936 . Address bus 935 includes HOST CPU I/F 938, system control register 939, DRAM I/F
940, CG bus I/F 941, general-purpose port 942, controller 943, voice ROM 3
27, graphics decoder 947, data transfer circuit 953, preloader circuit 946,
Addresses are transmitted and received between the display circuit 951 and the drawing circuit 948 . data bus 93
6, HOST CPU I/F 938, DRAM I/F 940, VRAM 326, CG bus I/F 941, controller 943, audio ROM 327, graphics decoder 947
, data transfer circuit 953 , preloader circuit 946 , display circuit 951 and drawing circuit 948 .

In this embodiment, the first VDP-RAM 923 and the second VDP-RAM 924 are DRA
It has a common address bus 959a and data bus 959b that connect to MI/F 940 . The first VDP-RAM 923 can access the upper 8 bits of the image information (16 bits) via the data bus 959b, and the second VDP-RAM 924 can access the data bus 959b.
The lower 8 bits of the image information can be accessed via the .

Here, in the image information (16 bits), one address is associated with moving image (upper 8 bits) data and still image (lower 8 bits) data. Therefore, the video data is the first VD
Still image data is stored in the second VDP-RAM 924 .

As a result, when the display circuit 951 designates one address for reading, the first VDP
Since the moving image data stored in the -RAM 923 and the still image data stored in the second VDP-RAM 924 can be read at the same time, image information (moving image data, still image data) to the display device 41 transfer speed can be improved.

[Functional block diagram of sound circuit]
FIG. 41 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration and functions of the sound circuit 961 (sound source LSI 314).

The sound circuit 961 includes an initial setting unit 963 for initializing the sound circuit 961, a reproducing unit 964 for reproducing sound source data in the audio ROM 327, a phrase number confirmation area 966 for storing the number of phrases, and setting (storing) of phrase numbers. ), and a phrase number setting area 967 for
Prepare. The reproducing unit 964 is composed of a controller (sound processing control module), a decoder (main generator), a multi-effector, and the like. A phrase number confirmation area 966 and a phrase number setting area 967 are included in a register section 970 (command register) consisting of various registers and correspond to a phrase number register and a phrase number register, respectively. Note that the phrase number confirmation area 966 and the phrase number setting area 967 are, for example, CPU 3
11 or the system control register 939 may be provided outside the sound circuit 961 .

The initial setting unit 963 (initial setting circuit unit) receives a reset signal input to the VDP 312 or writes a reset command to the register unit 970 during initial setting of the VDP 312 by the CPU 311 (B0003 in FIG. 23). Initialize circuit 961 (
reset) and perform initial setup. The initial setting unit 963 reads the header information of the voice ROM 327 into the register unit 970 as initial setting. The header information includes audio RO
It contains the number of phrases corresponding to the number of sound source data recorded in M327. In particular, the initial setting unit 963 stores (stores) the number of phrases in the phrase number confirmation area 966 (phrase number register) of the register unit 970 . Thus, the initial setting unit 963 functions as phrase number setting means.

After setting the number of phrases by the initial setting section 963 (phrase number setting means), the CPU 311 sets the phrase number in the phrase number setting area 967 included in the register section 970 (B0021 in FIG. 23). The phrase number corresponds to the voice number (B2016) set in the variable effect setting process (FIG. 31). The CPU 311 sets a phrase number (sound number) corresponding to the predetermined effect to be executed when the predetermined effect (ready-to-win effect in this embodiment) is executed (B2016). The phrase number may be set in the phrase number setting area 967 by the playback section 964 when the playback section 964 executes automatic performance after setting the number of phrases by the initial setting section 963 . Thus, the CPU 311 or the reproducing unit 964 constitutes phrase number setting means.

The phrase number setting area 967 (phrase number register) uses 16 bits, and the value stored as the phrase number is hexadecimal "0000h" to "FFFFh" (1
0 to 65535 in decimal). On the other hand, the phrase number confirmation area 966 (phrase number register)
is stored with a value of "0000h" at the time of initialization (reset), but since the number of phrases cannot be 0, a value other than "0000h" is set by subsequent initialization. Therefore, the maximum number of phrases stored in the phrase number confirmation area 966 is "10000h" in hexadecimal (65536 in decimal). Therefore, preferably, the phrase number confirmation area 966 uses 17 bits, which is more than the phrase number setting area 967, and the capacity (bit number, bit size) of the phrase number confirmation area 966 is equal to the capacity of the phrase number setting area 967. be larger than For the number of phrases less than the maximum value, 0 is stored in the most significant bit of the 17 bits instead of an undefined value, so that the number of phrases does not become an erroneous value due to noise or the like.

After the phrase number is set in the phrase number setting area 967, the playback section 964 (playback circuit section) reads and plays back the sound source data (audio data) corresponding to the phrase number in response to the playback instruction. The reproduction unit 964 reproduces the sound source data and outputs it to the amplifier circuit 337 and the speakers (upper speaker 19a and lower speaker 19b). The reproducing unit 964 constitutes reproducing means. For example, after setting a phrase number in the phrase number setting area 967, the CPU 311 (B0021 in FIG. 23) or the playback unit 964 writes a playback command to the register unit 970 and executes the playback instruction. Note that the playback unit 964 uses the phrase number setting area 9
When a phrase number is set in 67, playback may be started without an instruction to play back.

The voice ROM 327 records (stores) a phrase number of a predetermined effect (in this embodiment, a ready-to-win effect) and sound source data in a form associated with each other. For example, the phrase number of the sound source data may be included in the header portion of the sound source data. Also, the order recorded in the voice ROM 327 (the order in which the sound source data addresses are large or small) may be used as the phrase number.

Further, in this embodiment, the phrase numbers and the music titles of the sound source data may be stored in advance in a memory such as the PROM 321 in association with each other. As a result, the CPU 311 can display the music name corresponding to the selected phrase number on the display device 41 .

In this embodiment, the number of phrases corresponds to the number of sound source data recorded in the voice ROM 327, and if all the sound source data are songs, the number of songs recorded in the voice ROM 327 (the number of stored songs). It should be noted that the sound source data may be sound effects or voices of lines instead of music.

The number of phrases in the confirm phrase number area 966 can be used in a variety of situations. For example, CPU
311 can display the number of phrases as the number of songs recorded in the voice ROM 327 on the display device 41,
Players can be notified. Alternatively, when the reproduction unit 964 automatically performs the sound source data in the sound ROM 327 in order, it is preferable in terms of control if the number of songs recorded in the sound ROM 327 is grasped in advance from the number of phrases in the phrase number confirmation area 966. . Also, for example, CP
U311 determines the number of unplayed or unselected sound source data (phrases), the number of played or selected sound source data and the number of phrases (here, voice ROM 327
number of recorded songs), and can be displayed on the display device 41.

In this embodiment, the number of phrases set by the initial setting unit 963 (sound ROM 3
27 recorded songs) is greater than the number of types of executable predetermined effects. Here, the predetermined effect is a ready-to-win effect. For example, there are 5 types (systems) of reach effects, normal reach (N reach), special 1 reach (SP1 reach), and special 2, as in the first embodiment.
Reach (SP2 Reach), Special 3 Reach (SP3 Reach), and Premier Reach are fine. The number of phrases set by the initial setting unit 963, that is, the number of songs recorded in the voice ROM 327 is 10 songs.
It corresponds to the reach songs A to J (reach sounds A to J) that can be used in the reach performance.

As an example, the CPU 311 sets the phrase number (audio number) to 0 for N reach.
and 1, 2 and 3 for SP1 reach, 4 and 5 for SP2 reach, 6 and 7 for SP3 reach, 8 and 9 for Premier reach one of
It may be selected and set by lottery (B2016). The reproduction unit 964 reads and reproduces the sound source data corresponding to the set phrase number. In this way, since the number of phrases is larger than the number of types of predetermined effects that can be executed, the range of selection of phrases is widened for the types of predetermined effects. Then, in relation to (accompanied by) the predetermined effect, a variety of sound effects are possible, and the interest in the game can be improved. In this example, one phrase can be selected from a group of different phrases (ready-to-win songs) for each type of ready-to-win effect as the predetermined effect.

Also, as an example, the CPU 311 sets any of 0 to 5 for N reach, any of 1 to 6 for SP1 reach, and 2 to 7 for SP2 reach as a phrase number (voice number). , any one of 3 to 8 for SP3 reach, and any one of 4 to 9 for premier reach may be selected and set by lottery (B2016). The reproduction unit 964 reads and reproduces the sound source data corresponding to the set phrase number. Even in this way, the range of selection of phrases is widened with respect to the type of predetermined effect (reach effect),
Diverse predetermined performances can be made to improve the interest of the game.

The range of phrase numbers that can be selected by lottery for each type of ready-to-win effect may be determined based on set value information (probability set value). In this way, the set probability value can be estimated from the selected phrase (ready-to-win song), and the interest in the game can be improved. In addition, in the hall/player setting mode process (B0011), a phrase number (
voice number) range, or a range of phrase numbers that can be used in the entire ready-to-win effect may be set.

It should be noted that it is also possible to configure the predetermined effect to be a big hit round effect, but in this configuration, for example, the CPU 311 sets one of 0 and 1 for the 4R probability variable jackpot as a phrase number (sound number), and 4R normal One of 2 and 3 for the jackpot, one of 4 and 5 for the 8R variable jackpot, one of 6 and 7 for the 8R normal jackpot, one of 8 and 9 for the 12R variable jackpot, One of 10 and 11 may be selected and set by lottery for the 12R normal jackpot (B
2016). There are six types of round performances of big wins corresponding to 4R variable probability big win, 4R normal big win, 8R variable probability big win, 8R normal big win, 12R variable probability big win and 12R normal big win. On the other hand, the number of phrases set by the initial setting unit 963, that is, the voice ROM
327 contains 12 songs, for example, 12 phrase numbers 0 to 11 (phrase 0
~ 11) is a hit song A ~ L (jackpot sound A ~
L). The number of phrases (here, 12) is greater than the number (here, 6) of types of executable predetermined effects (big hit round effects). The reproduction unit 964 reads out the sound source data corresponding to the set phrase number and reproduces it as a music piece to be used in the jackpot round.

It is also possible to configure the predetermined effect to be a dialogue sound generation effect in which a dialogue reading sound is generated. one of 0 and 1 for the second serif, one of 2 and 3 for the second serif, one of 4 and 5 for the third serif, and one of 6 and 7 for the fourth serif. ,
One of 8 and 9 may be selected and set by lottery for the fifth line (B2016). The types of dialogue sound generation effects are the first dialogue, the second dialogue, the third dialogue, the fourth dialogue,
There are five types of effects corresponding to the fifth line. On the other hand, the number of phrases set by the initial setting unit 963, that is, the reading sound of the lines recorded in the voice ROM 327 is ten. , corresponds to the dialogue reading sounds A to L that can be used in dialogue sound generation production. The number of phrases (here, 10) is greater than the number (here, 5) of types of executable predetermined effects (dialogue sound generating effects). playback unit 9
64 reads out the sound source data corresponding to the set phrase number and reproduces it as a dialogue reading sound. In this way, the first to fifth dialogues are each read aloud by either one of the two speech reading sounds, and the two speech reading sounds are each the two characters displayed on the display device 41. (for example, enemy and ally characters). Also, the lines to be read may be displayed as character images on the display device 41 .

It should be noted that the dialogue sound generating effect and the ready-to-win effect are examples of predetermined effects that can suggest the degree of expectation for a big hit.

<Modification>
As a modification, as shown in FIG. 42, the sound source data (phrases) may be data for each part of one piece of music. may be mixed and played simultaneously. For example, each part has an instrumental part (accompaniment part)
a piano sound portion, a guitar sound portion, a bass sound portion, a drum sound portion, a singing portion, and the like. The singing part may be further divided into parts for each singer who sings, and in the case of chorus, it may be further divided into a soprano part, an alto part, a tenor part and a bass part. Note that the playback unit 9
64 can change the volume (loudness of sound) for each sound source data (part).

In this case, the CPU 311 sets 0 for N reach, all 0 to 2 for SP1 reach, all 0 to 4 for SP2 reach, and S
Set all 0 to 6 for P3 reach and all 0 to 9 for premier reach (B2016). Then, the reproduction unit 964 generates the sound source data of part A with phrase number 0 for N reach, the sound source data of parts A to C with phrase numbers 0 to 2 for SP1 reach, and the phrase number for SP2 reach. 0 to 4 parts A to E sound source data, SP3
The sound source data of parts A to G of phrase numbers 0 to 6 for reach and the sound source data of parts A to J of phrase numbers 0 to 9 for premier reach are simultaneously reproduced and output.
Here, part A is set as a basic part (singing part, etc.) that is reproduced in all reach effects. The PROM 321 stores the types of effects (N reach, SP1 reach, SP2 reach, S
P3 reach, premier reach) and the phrase number (sound number) used for the type of effect may be associated and stored, and the CPU 311 may set one or more phrase numbers according to the type of effect.

In such a modification, the higher the expectation of the big hit of the predetermined effect (ready-to-win effect), the greater the number of reproduced sound source data (parts), the richer the tone, and the more interesting the game becomes. In addition, as mentioned above, the expectation of the reach production jackpot is N reach < SP1 reach <
SP2 reach<SP3 reach<Premier reach increases in this order.

In addition, as described above, a special figure variation display game (first variation display game) with N reach,
In the special figure fluctuation display game (second fluctuation display game) that becomes SP reach, the sound source data (music part) played in relation to the second fluctuation display game, which has a higher degree of expectation than the first fluctuation display game. The number is greater than the number of sound source data reproduced in relation to the first variable display game. As a result, the highly anticipated variable display game can be flashy, and the interest in the game can be improved.

The CPU 311 uses 0 and 1 as phrase numbers (voice numbers) for N reach, 2 and 3 for SP1 reach, 4 and 5 for SP2 reach, and 6 for SP3 reach. By setting 7 and 8 and 9 for Premier Reach (B2016), the reproducing unit 964 may simultaneously reproduce and output the two sound source data corresponding to the phrase number. By doing so, the tone color can be changed for each type of predetermined effect (ready-to-win effect), and the interest in the game is improved.

Also, the sound source data may include sound effects other than music. The sound effects and the like here may include a dialogue reading sound. In this modified example, the sound effects and the like are used at the same time as the music. It does not necessarily have to be used at the same time as the music. Even if the same ready-to-win effect occurs in the special figure variation display game, the number of sound effects, etc., generated in this special figure variation display game may be different between the case of a big hit and the case of loss. That is, the greater the number of sound effects and the like that are reproduced together with the music, the higher the expectation of a big hit in the special figure variation display game. Conversely, the higher the degree of expectation that the special figure variation display game will be a big hit, the greater the number of sound effects and the like that are reproduced together with the music.

For example, the sound effect is used as a sound effect at the time of development from N reach to SP reach (at the time of chance up) or as a confirmed sound (single sound is also possible) as a confirmation effect of a big hit. A confirmation sound as a jackpot confirmation effect may be generated as an operation effect by operating the effect button 25 (operation unit, operation means). The operation effect in this case may be a special operation effect (back operation effect) that does not involve an operation prompting display prompting the player to operate the effect button 25 on the display device 41 .

Also, the sound effect may be generated for each single performance together with music in a continuous performance such as a step-up performance or a pseudo-continuous performance in which related performances (single performances) are continuous. Here, the step-up effect is a effect in which a single effect (secondary effect) set in multiple stages is sequentially executed from a lower stage (step) to a predetermined stage (step). The pseudo-continuous effect is an effect in which a pseudo-variation (single effect) of changing and temporarily stopping identification information is performed a predetermined number of times in one variable display game.

<Other Modifications>
A phrase number confirmation area 966 may be provided for each predetermined effect such as a ready-to-win effect, a big win effect, and a dialogue sound generation effect, and the number of sound source data used for each type of effect may be stored as the number of phrases. In this case, the audio ROM 327 records (stores) the phrase number of each predetermined effect and the sound source data in a corresponding format.

Also, the sound source data (phrases) may be stored in another ROM such as the image ROM 325 instead of the voice ROM 327 .

[Actions and effects of the second embodiment]
In the second embodiment, the gaming machine 10 includes sound source storage means (for example, voice ROM 327) that stores the number of phrases and sound source data corresponding to the phrase number, reads out the number of phrases from the sound source storage means, and confirms the number of phrases. Phrase number setting means (for example, the initial setting section 963 of the sound circuit 961) to be set in the area, and phrase number setting means (for example, CPU
311), and reproducing means (for example, a sound circuit 961) for reading and reproducing sound source data corresponding to the phrase number in response to a reproduction instruction after the phrase number is set in the phrase number setting area. Phrase number setting means (for example, CPU 311) sets a phrase number corresponding to the predetermined effect to be executed when a predetermined effect (for example, ready-to-win effect) is executed. The number of phrases set by the number-of-phrases setting means is greater than the number of types of executable predetermined effects.

According to the gaming machine 10 as described above, the range of selection of the phrase number corresponding to the predetermined effect is widened, and a variety of effects can be performed by the sounds executed in association with (accompanied by) the predetermined effect. Therefore, the amusement of the game can be improved.

In the second embodiment, the capacity (number of bits, bit size) of the phrase number confirmation area is larger than the capacity (number of bits, bit size) of the phrase number setting area. Therefore, the number of phrases can be preferably set in the number-of-phrases confirmation area.

In the second embodiment, it is possible to execute a variable display game (for example, a special figure variable display game) that variably displays identification information based on the establishment of the starting condition (for example, winning in the start winning opening 36 or the normal variable winning device 37). , in a gaming machine capable of generating a special game state capable of giving a game value to a player when the result of a variable display game is a special result (for example, a big win), a sound source storage means (for example, (sound ROM 327) and reproduction means (for example, sound circuit 961) for reading and reproducing sound source data. A variable display game
A first variation display game (for example, a special figure variation display game with N reach), a second variation display game different from the first variation display game (for example, a special figure variation display game with SP reach),
including. The number of sound source data (for example, parts of music) reproduced by the reproducing means in relation to the second variable display game is greater than the number of sound source data to be reproduced in relation to the first variable display game.

Therefore, for example, in the second variable display game in which the expectation of a special result (for example, a big win) is higher than in the first variable display game, the variable display game can be livened up, and the interest in the game can be improved. In addition, the sound effects are different in different variable display games, so that the players are not bored and the amusement of the game can be improved.

Sound source data is data of each part of one piece of music. Therefore, the higher the degree of expectation for a special result (for example, a big win) in the variable display game, the richer the tone, the more exciting the variable display game, and the more the game becomes more interesting.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its technical idea, and it is clear that these are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. is. For example, it is possible to combine multiple embodiments. Also, for example, the present invention can be applied to other types of gaming machines (slot machines, etc.). The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all changes within the scope of the claims and equivalent meanings and contents.

10 game machine 25 effect button 30 game board 32 game area 36 first start winning opening (first start winning area)
37 normal variable winning device (second starting winning area)
39 Special Variable Winning Device 40 Center Case 41 Display Device 50 Collective Display Device (LED)
100 Game control device (main board)
200 Payout control device 300 Effect control device (sub board)
327 voice ROM
701 CPU I/F (CPU interface)
702 Command storage unit (command register)
703 Audio processing control module (sound control module)
704 main generator 705 multi-effector 706 audio signal I/F (digital audio interface)
707 memory I/F (memory interface)
711 Collective control unit (collective controller)
712 Operation control unit (sequencer unit)
721 Decoder Section 722 Tone Generation Section (Tone Generator Section)
731 mixer section 732 effector section 751 input selector 752 mixer 961 sound circuit 964 playback section 966 phrase number confirmation area 967 phrase number setting area

Claims (1)

In a gaming machine equipped with an effect control means capable of executing a game-related effect,
sound source storage means for storing sound source data corresponding to phrase numbers and the number of phrases that is the number of sound source data stored by itself ;
phrase number setting means for reading the number of phrases from the sound source storage means and setting them in a phrase number confirmation area provided in a register of the effect control means ;
Phrase number setting means for setting the phrase number in a phrase number setting area provided in the register of the effect control means ;
reproducing means for reading and reproducing the sound source data corresponding to the phrase number in response to a reproduction instruction ;
The reproducing means is capable of reading and reproducing the sound source data corresponding to the phrase number without a reproduction instruction when the phrase number is set in the phrase number setting area,
The phrase number setting means sets the phrase number corresponding to the predetermined effect to be executed when the predetermined effect is to be executed,
The number of phrases set by the number-of-phrases setting means is greater than the number of types of the predetermined effects that can be executed ,
A gaming machine , wherein the capacity of the phrase number confirmation area is larger than the capacity of the phrase number setting area .

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