JP7184570B2 - slot machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention includes a variable display section capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information each identifiable, and after variably displaying the variable display section, stops variably displaying the variable display section to derive a display result. , relates to a slot machine in which a prize can be awarded according to the display result.

A slot machine is generally provided with a variable display unit having a plurality of (usually three) reels on which a plurality of types of patterns are drawn as identification information on the outer periphery. When operated, rotation is started, and when the player operates a stop button provided corresponding to each reel, rotation is stopped within a predetermined maximum delay time range from the operation timing. . Winning occurs according to the display result derived when all the reels stop rotating.

As the types of wins, there are types such as small wins, special wins, and replay wins. Here, in winning a small winning combination, the player can obtain the benefit that a predetermined number of medals are paid out for each type of small winning combination. Winning a special role allows the player to obtain the benefit of being shifted to a game state that is advantageous to the player, such as a regular bonus or a big bonus, from the next game. Winning the replaying combination provides the advantage that the next game can be played without consuming new medals for setting the bet amount.

In such a slot machine, when the stop operation button is operated, the reels are rotated by the number of sliding frames and then stopped. are processed in a predetermined order of priority, the number of sliding frames for each reel is determined, and the stop position of the reel is set (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-101002

However, the setting process for setting the stop position of the reel (the stop position of the variable display) as described above takes time, so there is room for improvement in the case of continuously executing the setting process.

The present invention has been devised in view of such circumstances, and its object is to suitably execute the setting process when continuously executing the setting process for setting the stop position of the variable display. It is to provide a slot machine that can

(A) having a plurality of variable display units capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information each identifiable,
A display result is derived by stopping the variable display of the variable display portion after the variable display portion is variably displayed, and winning can occur according to a display result combination that is a combination of display results of a plurality of variable display portions. in a slot machine
a plurality of derivation operation means operated to derive a display result combination;
and processing means for executing a predetermined process,
The predetermined processing executed by the processing means includes a main processing and an interrupt processing that can be executed by interrupting the main processing every predetermined time if an interrupt prohibition setting for prohibiting an interrupt is not set. and includes
The processing means
In a predetermined interrupt process, it is determined whether or not there is an input based on an operation of one of the plurality of derivation operation means, and a first input based on an operation of a first derivation operation means of the plurality of derivation operation means is performed. If it is determined that there has been, in the main processing after the predetermined interrupt processing, after performing the interrupt prohibition setting, the stop position of the variable display in the first variable display portion among the plurality of variable display portions is executed, and after the first setting process is completed, the interrupt prohibition setting is canceled,
In the first interrupt process executed after the interrupt prohibition setting is canceled, it is determined whether or not there is an input based on the operation of any one of the plurality of derivation operation means, and the first of the plurality of derivation operation means is 2. When it is determined that there is a second input based on the operation of the derivation operation means, in the main processing after the first interrupt processing, the variable display on the second variable display portion among the plurality of variable display portions is stopped. for executing a second setting process for setting the position;
The processing means further determines whether or not a drive signal is output to a motor for variably displaying the plurality of variable display portions, so that the variable display of all of the plurality of variable display portions is performed. Determine whether or not it has stopped.
Note that the slot machine may be configured as follows.
Equipped with a plurality of variable display units that can variably display multiple types of identification information that can be identified by each,
A display result is derived by stopping the variable display of the variable display portion after the variable display portion is variably displayed, and winning can occur according to a display result combination that is a combination of display results of a plurality of variable display portions. In a slot machine (for example, slot machine 1),
a plurality of derivation operation means (for example, stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R) operated to derive display result combinations;
A processing means (for example, the main CPU 41a) that executes a predetermined process,
The predetermined processes executed by the processing means include a main process (for example, the main process shown in FIG. 9) and an interrupt process (for example, a 16 timer interrupt processing (main)),
The processing means
In the interrupt processing, it is determined whether or not there is an input based on the operation of any one of the plurality of lead-out operation means, and operation of the first lead-out operation means (e.g., left stop switch) of the plurality of lead-out operation means is performed. When it is determined that there is a first input (for example, detection of the ON edge of the left stop switch signal) based on Execute the first setting process (for example, reel stop sliding piece storage process) for setting the stop position of the variable display in (for example, the left reel area visible from the player side through the perspective window 3) ( For example, when the ON edge of the left stop switch signal based on the operation of the left stop switch is detected, in the main processing after the interrupt processing, reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) for setting the stop position of the left reel ),
After starting the first setting process, execution of new interrupt process is prohibited until the first setting process is completed, and after the first setting process is completed, the new interrupt process is executed (for example, , as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, after the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) is started, execution of new interrupt processing is prohibited until the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) is completed. Execute a new interrupt process after the reel stop sliding piece storage process (left) is completed),
In the new interrupt process, the presence or absence of an input based on the operation of any one of the plurality of lead-out operation means is determined, and the second lead-out operation means (for example, a middle stop switch) of the plurality of lead-out operation means is selected. ) based on the operation of (for example, the detection of the ON edge of the middle stop switch signal), in the main processing after the new interrupt processing, one of the plurality of variable display units Second setting process (for example, reel stop sliding piece storage process) for setting the stop position of the variable display in the second variable display portion (for example, the area of the middle reel visible from the player side through the perspective window 3) ) is executed (for example, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, when the ON edge of the middle stop switch signal based on the operation of the middle stop switch is detected in new interrupt processing, a new interrupt In the main processing after the load processing, the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (middle) for setting the stop position of the middle reel is executed),
Whether the processing means further outputs drive signals (eg, first to third reel motor φ0 to φ3 signals) to motors (eg, reel motors) for variably displaying the plurality of variable display units. Based on the determination of whether or not, it is determined whether or not the variable display of all of the plurality of variable display portions has stopped (for example, as shown in FIG. 14, the reel motor signal is output to the reel motor). (based on determining whether all reels have stopped).

1 is a front view of a slot machine of an embodiment to which the present invention is applied; FIG. It is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the slot machine. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a slot machine; FIG. It is a figure which shows the memory map of ROM and RAM which a main-control part mounts. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an input/output port map; It is a figure which shows an error code. 6 is a flow chart showing the control contents of a start-up process (main) performed by a main control unit; 5 is a flowchart showing the control contents of built-in register setting processing performed by a main control unit; 4 is a flowchart showing control details of main processing performed by a main control unit; 4 is a flow chart showing the control contents of a game start waiting process performed by a main control unit; FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the control contents of an input/discharge error check process performed by a main control unit; FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the details of error processing performed by a main control unit; FIG. 10 is a flowchart (part 1) showing the control contents of reel stop control processing performed by the main control unit; FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart (part 2) showing the contents of reel stop control processing performed by the main control unit; FIG. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the control contents of a setting process performed by a main control unit when a game ends; FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing control contents of timer interrupt processing (main) performed by a main control unit; FIG. 11 is a timing chart (part 1) for explaining stop setting in the reel stop control process; FIG. FIG. 11 is a timing chart (part 2) for explaining stop setting in the reel stop control process; FIG. FIG. 13 is a timing chart (part 3) for explaining stop setting in the reel stop control process; FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining output processing of a payout signal; FIG. 12 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining output processing of a payout signal; FIG. 13 is a diagram (part 3) for explaining output processing of a payout signal; FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining safety regarding interrupt prohibition; FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining setting of output data;

An embodiment for carrying out the slot machine according to the present invention will be described below.

[Slot machine configuration]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a slot machine 1 according to this embodiment. The slot machine 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a housing 1a with an open front surface and a front door 1b rotatably pivoted on a side end of the housing 1a. .

Inside the housing 1a of the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. ) are arranged in a row in the horizontal direction, and as shown in FIG. positioned so that it can be seen from

A plurality of types of mutually identifiable symbols (for example, "7", "BAR", "watermelon", "cherry", "bell", "replay", etc.) are predetermined on the outer periphery of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R. 21 of each are drawn in this order. The patterns drawn on the outer peripheries of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are displayed in three stages, upper, middle, and lower, in the see-through window 3 provided approximately in the center of the front door 1b.

The reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are rotated by reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R (see FIG. 3) provided correspondingly, respectively, so that the patterns on the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are continuously displayed on the see-through window 3. While the symbols are displayed while changing temporally, by stopping the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, three consecutive symbols are derived and displayed in the see-through window 3 as a display result.

The reels 2L, 2C, and 2R of the present embodiment use the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R to rotate the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R having a plurality of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface, so that the player can Although it is possible to perform variable display by moving a plurality of visible symbols, the means for performing variable display by moving a plurality of symbols may be other than the reel. The configuration may be such that variable display can be performed by moving a belt on which patterns are arranged.

Inside the reels 2L, 2C and 2R, there are reel sensors 33L, 33C and 33R for detecting the reference positions of the reels 2L, 2C and 2R, respectively, and reel LEDs 55 for illuminating the reels 2L, 2C and 2R from behind. is provided. The reel LEDs 55 are composed of 12 LEDs corresponding to three consecutive symbols on the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, and each symbol can be illuminated independently.

The reel sensors 33L, 33C, 33R are arranged to output a detection signal when the lower end of the symbol area of symbol number 1 passes through a predetermined position on each reel 2L, 2C, 2R. The lower end of the symbol area of symbol number 1 for each reel is the reel reference position.

A display area 51a of a liquid crystal display 51 (see FIG. 1) is arranged on the front side (player side) of the reels 2L, 2C and 2R of the front door 1b. The liquid crystal display 51 has a liquid crystal panel that is transparent when no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal element. The reels 2L, 2C and 2R can be visually recognized from the player side.

As shown in FIG. 1, the front door 1b has a medal insertion section 4 into which medals can be inserted, a medal payout opening 9 through which medals are paid out, and credits (the number of medals stored as game value owned by the player). The MAXBET switch 6, which is operated when setting the maximum bet number (MAXBET number) among the specified number of bets (BET number) determined according to the gaming state within that range, is stored as credits. Settlement switch 10 operated when settling the medals and the medals used for setting the bet amount (returning the credits and the medals used for setting the bet amount), and when starting the game (game) A start switch 7 to be operated, stop switches 8L, 8C and 8R to be operated when stopping the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C and 2R, respectively, and an effect switch 56 used for effect are provided so as to be operable by the player. ing.

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

Also, as shown in FIG. 1, on the front door 1b, a credit display 11 for displaying the number of medals stored as credits, the number of medals paid out due to the occurrence of a prize, and the content of an error is displayed. A game auxiliary display 12 displaying an error code, etc., a 1 BET LED 14 lighting to notify that the number of bets is set to 1, a 2 BET LED 15 to lighting to indicate that the number of bets is set to 2, and the number of bets set to 3. The 3BET LED 16 lights up to indicate that the medals can be inserted, the insertion request LED 17 lights up to indicate that the medals can be inserted, and the start valid LED 18 lights up to indicate that the start operation of the game by operating the start switch 7 is valid. , Waiting LED 19 that lights to indicate that the game is in a wait state (a state in which the reels are waiting for the start of rotation because a certain period of time has not passed since the start of the previous game), and lights to indicate that the replay game is in progress. A game display unit 13 provided with a replaying LED 20 is provided.

Inside the MAXBET switch 6, there is provided a BET switch valid LED 21 (see FIG. 3) for notifying by lighting that the setting operation of the number of bets by operating the MAXBET switch 6 is valid. Left, middle, and right stop effective LEDs 22L, 22C, and 22R (see FIG. 3) are respectively provided inside the 8R to notify by lighting that the stop operation of the reels by the corresponding stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is effective. Inside the performance switch 56, there is provided a performance LED 56a (see FIG. 3) for notifying by lighting that the operation of the performance switch 56 is effective.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the slot machine. Inside the front door 1b, as shown in FIG. 2, a reset switch 23 for detecting a reset operation for canceling an error state and a stop state to be described later without opening the front door 1b by operating a predetermined key; A set value display 24 that displays the set value at that point in time while the set value is being changed or is being checked, which will be described later, is in a halt state (the progress of the game is regulated until a reset operation is performed) at a predetermined opportunity. state), automatic settlement processing (payment (return) of medals stored as credits without the player's operation) at a predetermined opportunity. processing), a hopper tank 34a (described later) provided inside the housing 1a for controlling the automatic checkout switch 36b for enabling/disabling the automatic checkout function, and the flow path of the medals inserted from the medal inserting section 4. Flow path switching solenoid 30 for selectively switching to either the (see FIG. 2) side or the medal payout port 9 side, inserted medals for detecting medals thrown from the medal insertion part 4 and flowing down to the hopper tank 34a side A sensor 31, a medal selector 29 having an insertion slot sensor 26 for detecting the insertion of a foreign object on the upstream side of the inserted medal sensor 31, and a door open detection switch 25 (see FIG. 3) for detecting the open state of the front door 1b are provided. there is

Inside the housing 1a, as shown in FIG. 2, reel reference positions of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R (see FIG. 3), and the respective reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are set. Reel unit 2 consisting of detectable reel sensors 33L, 33C, and 33R (see FIG. 3), external output board 1000 (see FIG. 3) for outputting an external output signal, and medals inserted from medal insertion section 4 are stored. a hopper tank 34a, a hopper motor 34b (see FIG. 3) for dispensing the medals stored in the hopper tank 34a from the medal dispensing port 9, and a dispensing sensor 34c (see FIG. 3) for detecting the medals dispensed by driving the hopper motor 34b ( A hopper unit 34 and a power supply box 100 are provided.

At the side of the hopper unit 34, an overflow tank 35 is provided in which medals overflowing from the hopper tank 34a are stored. Inside the overflow tank 35, a full tank sensor 35a (see FIG. 3) is provided to detect when the stored medals are full.

On the front of the power box 100, as shown in FIG. 2, a setting key switch 37 for switching to a setting change state or a setting confirmation state, and normally functioning as a reset switch for canceling an error state or stop state. In the setting change state, the reset/setting switch 38 functions as a setting switch for changing the set value of the winning probability (ball payout rate) of the internal lottery, which will be described later. A switch 39 is provided.

The power supply box 100 is provided inside the housing 1a, and the front door 1b can be opened by operating a predetermined key owned by a store clerk. The setting key switch 37, the reset/setting switch 38, and the power switch 39 can be operated only by a staff member who has the keys, and cannot be operated by the player. The same applies to the reset switch 23 detected by a predetermined key operation. In particular, since the setting key switch 37 requires key operation after the front door 1b is opened by key operation, only the store clerk who has the key to operate the setting key switch 37 can operate the setting key switch 37. operation is possible.

When a game is played in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, first, medals are inserted from the medal inserting section 4 or credits are used to set the bet amount. To use the credit, the MAXBET switch 6 should be operated. When the prescribed number of bets determined according to the gaming state is set, the winning line LN (see FIG. 1) becomes effective, and the operation of the start switch 7 becomes effective, that is, the game can be started. Become. When the maximum number of medals among the specified number corresponding to the game state is exceeded, the amount is added to the credits.

A winning line is a line set for determining whether a combination of symbols displayed in the see-through windows 3 of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R is a combination of winning symbols. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, only the winning line LN set across the symbols horizontally aligned in the middle of the reel 2L, the middle of the reel 2C, and the middle of the reel 2R wins. defined as a line. Although only one pay line is applied in this embodiment, a plurality of pay lines may be applied.

In addition, in this embodiment, invalid lines LM1 to 4 (LM1 are left, middle, and right reels) are provided separately from the pay line LN in order to make it easier to recognize that the combination of symbols constituting the win is complete. LM2 is the line across the middle of the left, middle and right reels, LM3 is the line across the bottom of the left, middle and right reels, and LM4 is the bottom of the left reel and the middle of the middle reel. , which is the upper row of the right reel). Winning of invalid lines LM1-LM4 is not determined by a combination of symbols arranged on these invalid lines LM1-LM4. A combination of symbols (for example, Bell-Bell-Bell) that will result in a prize when aligned on any one of the winning lines LN of LM1 to LM4 is arranged so that the winning line LN has a specific winning pattern. This makes it easy to recognize that the combination is complete.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper stage of the reel 2L, the upper stage of the reel 2C, and the upper stage of the reel 2R, that is, the invalid line LM1 and the reel 2L are set so as to straddle the symbols horizontally arranged in the upper stage. The lower stage, the lower stage of the reel 2C, the lower stage of the reel 2R, that is, the invalid line LM2 set across the symbols horizontally arranged in the lower stage, the upper stage of the reel 2L, the middle stage of the reel 2C, the lower stage of the reel 2R, that is, The invalid line LM3 set across the symbols aligned downward to the right, the lower stage of the reel 2L, the middle stage of the reel 2C, and the upper stage of the reel 2R, that is, the invalid line set across the symbols aligned upward to the right. Four types of LM4 are defined as invalid lines LM.

Further, in this embodiment, as a winning combination, a prize is won when a predetermined combination of symbols (for example, "bell-watermelon-cherry") defined as a combination is completed on the winning line LN, and a predetermined combination of symbols is obtained. By aligning, any of the invalid lines LM1 to LM4 is aligned with a combination of symbols (for example, "watermelon-watermelon-watermelon") that is an index that is easier to recognize than a predetermined symbol combination, thereby arranging the invalid lines LM1 to LM4. It includes a winning combination that can be made to look like a prize by a combination of matching symbols. Hereinafter, a combination of symbols aligned on any of the invalid lines LM1 to LM4 when a predetermined combination of symbols aligns on the winning line LN is called a combination of symbols serving as an index, and constitutes a combination of symbols serving as an index. The pattern is called an index pattern.

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

One game ends when all the reels 2L, 2C and 2R are stopped, and a predetermined combination of symbols (hereinafter also referred to as a winning combination) is displayed on each of the reels 2L, 2C and 2R on the winning line LN. When the game stops as a result, winning occurs, and a predetermined number of medals are awarded to the player according to the winning and added to credits. Also, when the number of credits reaches the upper limit (50 in this embodiment), medals are paid out directly from the medal payout port 9 (see FIG. 1). Further, when a combination of symbols accompanied by a transition of the game state on the winning line LN stops as a result of the display of each reel 2L, 2C, 2R, the game state is shifted to a game state corresponding to the combination of symbols. .

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

Also, in this embodiment, a configuration using three reels is exemplified, but a configuration using only one reel, a configuration using two reels, or a configuration using four or more reels may be used. In the configuration using two or more reels, the winning may be determined based on the combination of the display results derived from all the two or more reels. In this embodiment, the variable display device is composed of physical reels, but the variable display device may be composed of an image display device such as a liquid crystal display.

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

The reels 2L, 2C, and 2R rotate 80 times per minute, and the symbols for 80×20 (the number of symbol frames per reel)=1600 frames fluctuate, so a maximum of 4 symbols in 190 ms. can be drawn in. In other words, the symbols that can be selected as stop symbols are the symbols displayed when the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R are operated and the symbols up to four frames ahead, that is, the symbols for a total of five frames.

Therefore, for example, when any one of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R is operated and the symbol displayed on the bottom of the reel corresponding to the stop switch is used as a reference, 4 Since the symbols up to the frame ahead can be displayed in the lower row, when one of the stop switches 8L, 8C and 8R is operated in each of the reels 2L, 2C and 2R, the reel corresponding to the stop switch wins. The symbols arranged within five frames including the symbols displayed on the line can be displayed on the winning line.

Hereinafter, the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R may be simply referred to as reels when there is no particular need to distinguish them. Also, the reel 2L may be referred to as a left reel, the reel 2C as a middle reel, and the reel 2R as a right reel. Further, an operation to stop the reels 2L, 2C, 2R by operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R may be called a stop operation.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the slot machine 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the slot machine 1 is provided with a game control board 40, an effect control board 90, and a power supply board 101. The effect is controlled according to the state, and the power supply board 101 generates drive power for the electrical components that make up the slot machine 1 and supplies it to each part.

The power supply board 101 is supplied with AC 100V power from the outside, and from this AC 100V power supply, a DC voltage necessary for driving the electric parts constituting the slot machine 1 is generated. It is designed to be supplied to Further, the power board 101 is connected with the hopper motor 34b, the dispensing sensor 34c, the full tank sensor 35a, the setting key switch 37, the reset/setting switch 38, and the power switch 39 described above.

The game control board 40 includes the MAXBET switch 6, the start switch 7, the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, the settlement switch 10, the reset switch 23, the stop switch 36a, the automatic settlement switch 36b, the inserted medal sensor 31, and the door opening. The detection switch 25 and the reel sensors 33L, 33C, and 33R are connected, and the payout sensor 34c, the full tank sensor 35a, the setting key switch 37, and the reset/setting switch 38 are connected via the power supply board 101. Detection signals of these connected switches are input. In addition, the game control board 40 includes the aforementioned credit display 11, game auxiliary display 12, 1 to 3 BET LEDs 14 to 16, input request LED 17, start valid LED 18, wait LED 19, replay LED 20, BET switch valid LED 21, left , middle and right stop effective LEDs 22L, 22C, 22R, set value indicator 24, passage switching solenoid 30, reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R are connected, and hopper motor 34b is connected via power supply board 101. These electric parts are driven based on the control of the main control section 41 mounted on the game control board 40 .

The game control board 40 is composed of a microcomputer having a main CPU 41a, a ROM 41b, a RAM 41c, and an I/O port 41d. The main control unit 41 that directly or indirectly controls each part of the control circuit mounted on the game control board 40 and the switches connected directly to the game control board 40 or through the power supply board 101 A switch detection circuit 44 takes in the detected signal and transmits it to the main control unit 41, and a motor drive signal (stepping motor phase signals φ0 to φ3) output from the main control unit 41 is transmitted to the reel motors 32L, 32C, 32R. A motor drive circuit 45, a solenoid drive circuit 46 that transmits a solenoid drive signal output from the main control unit 41 to the flow path switching solenoid 30, and an LED drive signal output from the main control unit 41 to the game control board 40 When a voltage drop is detected by monitoring the LED drive circuit 47 that transmits power to the various connected displays and LEDs and the voltage of the power supply supplied to the slot machine 1, a voltage drop signal indicating the fact is main-controlled. A power interruption detection circuit 48 that outputs to the unit 41, and a reset circuit 49 that gives a system reset signal to the main control unit 41 when the power supply is unstable such as when the power is turned on or when the power is turned off. .

The main control section 41 transmits various commands to the sub-control section 91 . A command sent from the main control section 41 to the sub-control section 91 is sent only in one direction, and no command is sent from the sub-control section 91 to the main control section 41 .

The I/O port 41d includes output ports 0 to 9, and the main control unit 41 can output control signals for the left, middle, and right reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R from the output ports 0 and 1. be. Control signals for the left/middle/right stop valid LEDs 22L, 22C, and 22R and a control signal for the passage switching solenoid 30 can be output from the output port 2. FIG. A control signal for the hopper motor 34b and an external output signal can be output from the output port 3 . Control signals for credit display 11, game auxiliary display 12, 1-3 BET LEDs 14-16, insertion request LED 17, start valid LED 18, wait LED 19, replay LED 20, and BET switch valid LED 21 are output from output port 4 and output port 5. It is possible. A test signal can be output from the output port 6 . An external output signal can be output from the output port 7 .

The main control unit 41 repeatedly loops the processing according to the control state until the detection state of the various switches connected to the game control board 40 as the main process changes, and according to the change in the detection state of the various switches Perform a gradual migration process. Further, the main control unit 41 executes timer interrupt processing (main) at regular time intervals (about 0.56 milliseconds in this embodiment). Note that the execution interval of the timer interrupt process (main) is set to a time longer than the sum of the time taken for the process to be repeated according to the control state in the main process and the execution time of the timer interrupt process (main). This means that at least one cycle of processing that is always repeated according to the control state will be performed between the current and next timer interrupt processing (main).

A production switch 56 is connected to the production control board 90, and a detection signal of the production switch 56 is inputted. In addition, production devices such as a liquid crystal display 51, production effect LEDs 52, speakers 53 and 54, and reel LEDs 55 are connected. It is designed to be driven. In addition, in this embodiment, the sub-control unit 91 mounted on the effect control board 90 controls the output of the effect devices such as the liquid crystal display 51, the effect LED 52, the speakers 53 and 54, and the reel LED 55. However, in addition to the sub-control unit 91, an output control unit that directly controls the output of the production device is mounted on the production control board 90 or another board, and the sub-control unit 91 is based on the command from the main control unit 41. The output pattern of the production device may be determined, and the output control unit may control the output of the production device based on the output pattern determined by the sub-control unit 91. In such a configuration, the sub-control unit 91 and the output control unit The output control of the production device is performed by both of the units. Further, in this embodiment, the liquid crystal display 51, the effect LED 52, the speakers 53 and 54, and the reel LED 55 are exemplified as the effect device, but the effect device is not limited to these. A device, a mechanically driven role item, or the like may be applied as a production device.

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

Sub-control unit 91 receives a command transmitted from the game control board 40, performs various controls for effecting, directly or indirectly each part of the control circuit mounted on the effect control board 90 Control.

The slot machine 1 of this embodiment has a configuration in which the payout rate of medals changes according to the set value. More specifically, the payout rate of medals is changed by using a winning probability corresponding to a set value in a lottery such as an internal lottery that affects the degree of advantage for a player. The set value consists of 6 stages from 1 to 6, with 6 being the highest payout rate, and 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 decreasing the value in order, lowering the payout rate. That is, when 6 is set as the set value, the degree of advantage for the player is the highest, and as the value decreases in the order of 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1, the degree of advantage decreases stepwise.

In order to change the setting value, it is necessary to turn on the power of the slot machine 1 after turning on the setting key switch 37 . When the setting key switch 37 is turned on and the power is turned on, the setting value read from the RAM 41c is displayed on the setting value display 24, and the setting value can be changed by operating the reset/setting switch 38. Transition to the modified state. When the reset/setting switch 38 is operated in the setting change state, the display value displayed on the setting value display 24 is updated one by one (when the operation is further performed from the setting value 6, the setting value is changed to 1). return). Then, when the start switch 7 is operated, the displayed value is determined as the set value. Then, when the setting key switch 37 is turned off, the determined display value (set value) is stored in the RAM 41c of the main control section 41, and the state shifts to a state in which the game can proceed.

In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, a prescribed number of bets that can be set according to the gaming state is determined, and the game is performed on the condition that the prescribed number of bets determined according to the gaming state is set. can be started. In this embodiment, the winning line LN is activated at the time when the prescribed number of bets corresponding to the gaming state is set.

In this embodiment, when all the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are stopped, the activated pay line (in this embodiment, the pay line LN is always activated. The winning line LN is simply called a winning line), and a winning is achieved when a combination of symbols called a combination is aligned on the winning line. The combination may be a combination of the same symbols, or may be a combination including different symbols.

The types of wins are determined according to the gaming state, but they can be broadly divided into small wins that involve the payout of medals and repeat wins that allow the next game to be started without the need to set the bet amount. There are a game role (replay) and a special role (bonus) accompanied by a transition to a game state advantageous to the player. In the following, the small combination and the replay combination are collectively referred to as a general combination. In order to generate a prize for each combination determined according to the game state, it is necessary that the internal lottery is won and the win flag for the combination is set in the RAM 41c. In the internal lottery, the main control unit 41 determines whether or not to allow the winning of each combination before the display results of all the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are derived (specifically, the start switch 7 is detected using random numbers. Of the winning flags for each of these roles, the winning flags for the minor and replaying roles are valid only in the game in which the flag is set, and are invalid in the next game, but the winning flag for the special role is , is valid until a combination of winning combinations allowed by the flag is completed, and becomes invalid in a game in which the combination of winning winning combinations is complete. That is, once the winning flag of the special role is won, even if the combination of winning roles allowed by the flag cannot be arranged, the winning flag is not invalidated and is carried over to the next game. becomes.

In addition, in the internal lottery, there is a general role that overlaps with the special role (hereinafter referred to as a duplicate winning role), and if the duplicate winning role is won in the internal lottery, the special role will also overlap. The combination of symbols forming the duplicate winning combination stops on the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R, suggesting that the special combination may have been won. It has become.

In addition, in the internal lottery, only when the stop operation is performed in a predetermined stop order, the symbols that make up the winning combination are aligned with the winning line LN and stopped to generate a winning combination. A replay combination (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a push-up combination), a small combination and a replay combination (which can be stopped by aligning the symbols that make up the combination with the winning line LN regardless of the stop order to generate a prize) (sometimes referred to as a non-push order) can be elected.

In addition, in the internal lottery, as a role that can be won, a special role (special small role or special replay role) that is different from the normal role is included, and by winning the special role in the internal lottery, the prescribed A right controlled by an assist time (hereinafter referred to as AT) (hereinafter referred to as AT right) can be won over the number of games.

In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the main control unit 41 informs the operation mode of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R that are advantageous to the player according to the result of the internal lottery by the lighting mode of the game auxiliary display 12. It is possible to control the assist time (hereinafter referred to as AT), which is the notification period during which the notification can be performed. elapse of the number of games, and a predetermined symbol combination stops on the reels 2L, 2C, 2R after winning the right of AT, etc.), the main control unit 41 starts controlling the AT. , AT. Then, when the AT is controlled, by winning the navigation target role (corresponding role among the above-mentioned push order roles) according to the game state, the navigation notification is executed, which is advantageous for the player. In addition to notifying the operation modes (push order, operation timing) of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R, by transmitting a command that can specify the operation mode that is advantageous to the player to the sub-control unit 91, the liquid crystal A navigation effect using the display device 51 or the like is executed. By operating the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R in an operation mode notified by the navigation notification and the navigation effect, it is possible to ensure that the pushing order winning combination in the internal lottery wins. In this embodiment, the main control unit 41 can execute navigation notification and execute navigation effect by satisfying certain conditions even in a normal state in which AT is not controlled.

Next, the stop control of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R performed by the main control section 41 will be described. The main control unit 41 updates the winning number, the table index stored in the ROM 41b, and the table creation data when the reels start rotating and when the reels stop and there are reels that are still rotating. Create a stop control table for each rotating reel by referring to it. Then, when the operation of any one of the stop switches 8L, 8C, and 8R corresponding to the rotating reel is effectively detected, the stop control table of the corresponding reel is referred to, and the referred stop control table is slipped. Based on the number of frames, control is performed to stop the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, 2R corresponding to the operated stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R.

In this embodiment, a value of 0 to 4 is defined as the number of sliding frames, and it is possible to draw in a maximum of 4 symbols and stop the reels after detecting a stop operation. In other words, the stop position of the pattern can be designated from a maximum of 5 frames including the stop operation position where the stop operation is detected. In addition, since it is necessary to move the reel by one symbol to move the reel by one symbol, it is possible to draw in a maximum of four symbols and stop the reel after detecting the stop operation. Including the operating position, the design stop position can be specified from a maximum of 5 patterns.

In this embodiment, when any winning combination is won, when the stop operation is performed, the winning combination can be stopped on the winning line within the range of drawing up to 4 frames at maximum. If possible, control is performed to stop the winning combination, and control is performed to stop without matching the winning combination within the pull-in range of a maximum of four frames.

If a special role and a small role are won at the same time, such as when a small role is won while the special role is carried over from before the previous game, when the stop operation is performed, the maximum winning line will be displayed. If it is possible to align and stop the winning small winning combinations within the 4-frame pull-in range, control is performed to align and stop the winning small winning combinations within the maximum 4-frame winning range on the winning line. If it is not possible to pull in, if it is possible to align and stop the winning special roles within the winning range of a maximum of 4 frames on the winning line, control is performed to align and stop the special roles, and the winning role is not won. , control is performed to stop without aligning within the pull-in range of four frames. That is, in such a case, priority is given to the control of aligning the small winning combination on the winning line over the special winning combination, and the special winning combination can be won only when the small winning combination cannot be drawn. When the special win and the small win can be pulled in at the same time, only the small win is pulled in, and the small win does not line up on the winning line at the same time as the special win. In addition, when the special combination and the minor combination are won at the same time, the control for aligning the special combination on the winning line is given priority over the small combination, and only when the special combination cannot be pulled in, the small combination is placed on the winning line. Alignment control may be performed.

Further, in this embodiment, when the special role and the replay role are won at the same time, such as when the replay role is won while the special role has been carried over from before the previous game, the stop operation is performed. At the time of winning, control is performed to align the symbols of the replay combination within a draw-in range of a maximum of four frames on the winning line and stop them. In this case, the symbols constituting the replay combination or the symbols constituting the replay combination to be won at the same time are arranged within 5 symbols, ie within 4 frames, for any of the reels 2L, 2C and 2R. , it can always be stopped at an arbitrary position within the retraction range of 4 frames, so when the special role and the replay role are won at the same time, regardless of the operation timing of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R by the player. Therefore, all the replaying roles are guaranteed to win a prize. That is, in such a case, the control for aligning the replay combination on the winning line is given priority over the special combination, and the replay combination always wins. When the special combination and the replay combination can be pulled in at the same time, only the replay combination is pulled in, and the special combination does not line up on the winning line at the same time as the replay combination.

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

[Regarding the memory area and program of the main control part]
FIG. 4 is an address map of a memory area used by the main controller 41. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the memory area used by the main control unit 41 includes a memory area (0000H to EFFFH) allocated to the ROM 41b and a memory area (F000H to FFFFH) allocated to the RAM 41c.

The memory area of the ROM 41b consists of a program/data area (0000H to 2FBFH) in which programs and fixed data are stored, and other areas (2FC0H to EFFFH). Other areas include a ROM comment area in which arbitrary data such as the program title and version can be set, and a vector table area in which the upper address of the CALLV instruction subroutine and the start address of the timer interrupt processing (main) are set. , an HW parameter area in which parameters for setting the internal functions of the main control unit 41 in terms of hardware are set, and an unused area in which access is prohibited.

The memory area of the RAM 41c consists of a usable area (F000H to F400H) that can be used as a work and other areas (F401H to FFFFH). The other area includes an internal function register area (FE00H to FEACH) in which a group of registers for controlling each function installed in the main control section 41 is stored.

The program/data area in the ROM 41b includes a game program area for storing a game program related to the progress of the game, a game data area for storing game data used by the game program, an unused area 1, and a a non-game program area for storing non-game programs not used, a non-game data area for storing non-game data used by the non-game program, and an unused area 2 .

It should be noted that the progress of the game means the progress of a series of processes that constitute the game, and in the case of a slot machine, at the stage where the number of bets is set and the game can be started, the game is started and the reels are rotated. a step of stopping the reels and deriving the display result; and a step of giving a value such as a medal according to the display result.

Note that, in the above description, the front and back of the storage area indicates the size relationship of the address values assigned to the storage area, and the smaller address is the front, and the larger address is the rear. For this reason, a storage area allocated behind one storage area corresponds to a storage area having a larger address value than that of one storage area, and a storage area allocated ahead of one storage area corresponds to , a storage area having an address value smaller than that of one storage area.

The RAM 41c includes a game RAM area used as work by the game program, an unused area 3, a stack area where the game program saves data, a non-game RAM area used by the non-game program as work, an unused area 4, It also includes a stack area where the non-game program saves data.

The game RAM area is composed of areas AD. Here, areas A to D are referred to as total initialization target areas, areas B to D are referred to as initialization target areas at the end of setting change, areas C to D are referred to as initialization target areas at the end of bonus, and area D is referred to as This area is called an area to be initialized at the end of the game. The entire initialization target area is an area that is initialized by performing a predetermined operation when a RAM error occurs. The area to be initialized at the end of setting change is an area to be initialized when the setting change is finished. The area to be initialized at the end of the bonus is an area to be initialized at the end of the bonus. The game end initialization target area is an area that is initialized each time a game ends.

Hereinafter, the game program area, the game data area, and the game RAM area may be collectively referred to as the game area, and the non-game program area, the non-game data area, and the non-game RAM area may be collectively referred to as the non-game area. . Also, the unused areas 1 and 2, the unused areas 3 and the unused areas 4 may be collectively referred to as unused areas.

[Instructions used by the program]
The program executed by the main control unit 41 includes a main routine that manages the progress of the entire program and subroutines that are called during execution of other programs.

It also includes a CALL instruction (call instruction) as an instruction for causing the main control unit 41 to execute the program stored in the program/data area. A CALL instruction is an instruction to call and execute a subroutine stored at an address specified in a main routine or subroutine. When calling a subroutine by a CALL instruction, the main control unit 41 stores the address of the caller in the stack area, and calls and executes the subroutine stored at the designated address. When the subroutine ends, the RET instruction (return instruction) returns to the caller address stored in the stack area, that is, the program of the caller main routine or subroutine that executed the CALL instruction.

An LD instruction is included as an instruction for reading data stored in the program/data area in the main control unit 41 . The LD instruction is an instruction to read 1-byte data stored at an address specified in a main routine or subroutine to a specified register. The main control unit 41 reads the data stored at the address specified by the LD instruction, and stores the read data in the register specified by the LD instruction. On the other hand, the LDW instruction is an instruction to read 2-byte data stored at an address specified in a main routine or subroutine to a specified register.

Here, the game program is a program related to the progress of the game, and is a program for executing a process that hinders the progress of the game if the process based on the program is not executed. On the other hand, the non-game program is a program that does not relate to the progress of the game, and even if it is called from the game program and returns to the game program without executing the processing based on the program, the game can be progressed. It is a program for executing processing.

[I/O port]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an input/output port map. The I/O port 41d includes input ports 0-2 and output ports 0-8. Detection signals of various connected devices are input from each input port. Various control signals, test signals, and external output signals can be output from each output port. Eight types of signals (D0 to D7 in FIG. 5) can be input or output from each input port or each output port. For example, the main control unit 41 detects left, middle, and right stop switch signals from D0 to D2 of input port 0 based on the operation of the left, middle, and right stop switches. For example, left reel motor signals (φ0-φ3) can be output from output port 0 D0-D3. As a result, the left reel motor can be driven, and the left reel is rotated or stopped. The signals shown in FIG. 5 are merely examples, and other signals may be output, and the signals may be input/output from any port.

[Error code]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing error codes. The error command, as shown in FIG. 6, contains error codes E1 to E8 that can specify the type of abnormality that has occurred. E1 is an overflow error indicating that the overflow tank 35 is full, E2 is a hopper empty error indicating that the hopper tank 34a is empty, and E3 is a medal. This is a clogging error, and indicates that a foreign object has been detected near the medal payout port 9. E4 is a medal payout error, and reel rotation processing, etc. are being performed, and payout is not normally performed. E5 is a medal insertion error, indicating that the inserted medal sensor 31 has detected abnormal passage of medals; E6 is a reel rotation error, indicating that the reel E7 is an abnormal prize winning error, indicating that winning of a winning combination that is not permitted by internal lottery has been detected; E8 is a RAM error; It indicates that it has been detected that the data in the RAM 41c is not normal.

[Contents of control of various processes]
Control contents of various processes performed by the main control unit 41 executing the game program and the non-game program will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 16. FIG.

[Startup process (main)]
First, the start-up process (main), which is the start-up process performed by the main control unit 41, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the control contents of the activation process (main) performed by the main control unit. The start processing (main) is a main routine included in the game program.

When the power supply to the slot machine 1 is started, the main control unit 41 is activated in a state in which the timer interrupt is disabled due to the occurrence of a reset, and performs various processes according to the programs stored in the ROM 41b. .

As shown in FIG. 7, when the main control unit 41 is activated, activation processing (main) is performed. In the start-up process (main), first, the timer interrupt is disabled (Sa1). Hereinafter, setting timer interrupts to be disabled is also referred to as setting interrupts to be disabled, and setting timer interrupts to the enabled state is also referred to as setting interrupts to be enabled.

Next, all output ports are initialized (Sa2). At that time, first, output ports 3 and 4 are initialized, then output ports 1 and 2 are initialized, then output ports 5 and 6 are initialized, and finally output port 7 is initialized. Make initial settings for Initialization of the output port means turning off the signal output from the output port. That is, when some signal is being output, the output of that signal is stopped by the initial setting of the output port.

Here, the output instruction to the output port can be performed in units of 1 byte (8 bits) or 2 bytes (16 bits). As shown in FIG. 5, eight types of signals are output from each output port. When an output command is issued with each bit set to 0 for one port, 00H (8-bit 0 data) is set for the output port and the output command is issued. When performing an output command with each bit set to 0 for two adjacent ports, 0000H (16-bit 0 data) is set for the output port and the output command is performed.

In this manner, a signal output command can be issued to two adjacent ports at once. In this embodiment, for example, by issuing an output instruction to two ports of output ports 3 and 4, initial setting of two ports can be performed at the same time.

The reason why the output port is initialized here is to prevent various devices from malfunctioning. When the slot machine 1 is activated, various devices malfunction if a signal is output from the output port in an ON state due to the influence of noise or the like. In particular, a popper motor control signal is output from D7 of the output port 3, and there is a risk that a malfunction will drive the hopper motor and pay out medals. For this reason, in the present embodiment, initial setting is performed from the output ports 3 and 4 first. By doing so, malfunction of the hopper motor can be prevented as much as possible.

Next, built-in register setting processing (Sa3) is performed. The built-in register is a register for setting functions in the main CPU 41a. By the built-in register setting processing, set values are set in multiple areas that need to be set at the start of control.

Next, an initial setting process (Sa4) is performed. The initial setting process is started with the timer interrupt disabled in step Sa1. In the initial setting process, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the RAM 41c. If there is an abnormality in the RAM 41c, all areas to be initialized (areas A to D) are initialized.

If it is determined that there is no abnormality in the RAM 41c, the input port 2 is referenced to determine whether or not the setting key switch 37 is in the ON state. If it is determined that the setting key switch 37 is ON, setting change processing is performed. In the setting change process, the reset/setting switch 38 and the start switch 7 are operated in a predetermined procedure to confirm the set value, and the setting key switch 37 is turned off. is terminated, and the game is shifted to a state in which the game can be progressed. In the setting change process, when starting the setting change process, a setting command (start) indicating the start of the setting change process is transmitted to the sub-controller 91, and when ending the setting change process, A setting command (end) indicating the end of the setting change process is issued. When the setting change process is completed, the area to be initialized (areas B to D) upon completion of setting change is initialized.

If it is determined that the setting key switch 37 is not in the ON state, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the RAM 41c. When it is determined that there is no abnormality in the RAM 41c, the output buffer for outputting the external output signal is cleared. Also, a reel error counter, which is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c and counts the number of reel rotation errors detected in the main process, is cleared. After that, by setting the address at the time of power failure to the stack pointer SP based on the contents stored in the RAM 41c, the stack pointer is restored to the state at the time of power failure, and port input processing is performed three times in succession.

Port input processing includes input state data (input data indicating the current input state of various switches, input data indicating the current input state of the various switches input to the parallel input port 511, such as detection signals of various switches, and This is a process of updating the confirmed data indicating that the confirmed data is changed from the previous time). Port input buffers 0 to 2 for storing input state data of various switches are provided in a predetermined area of the game RAM area of the RAM 41c. It is stored in predetermined bits of a port input buffer predetermined for each type. In the port input process, the detection states (ON state or OFF state) of various switches connected to input ports 0 to 2 of the parallel input port 511 are stored as input data in predetermined bits of the port input buffer. In addition, the detected state (ON state or OFF state) of the port input processing of the previous time and this time is compared, and if the input data of this time and the previous time are in the same state, the detected state of the input data of this time is displayed. On the other hand, if the current input data and the previous input data are in different states, the previous determination data are maintained. Further, when the determined data changes from the OFF state to the ON state by comparing the current and previous determined data, ON edge data indicating that the determined data has changed from the OFF state to the ON state is output to the port input buffer 0. to 2, and when the defined data changes from the ON state to the OFF state, OFF edge data indicating that the defined data has changed from the ON state to the OFF state is stored in the predetermined bits of the port input buffers 0 to 2. store in bits. The input data, fixed data, and edge data of various switches stored in the port input buffer can be referred to from game programs and non-game programs.

The reason why the port input process is performed three times in succession is as follows. For example, assume that the switch was in the OFF state before power failure. Suppose that the switch is pressed while the power is off and continues to be pressed (for example, the switch is stuck on something and kept pressed). In such a case, the detection signal is input in the ON state when the power is restored from the interruption. In addition, since the state changes from the OFF state to the ON state when compared before and after the power failure, an ON edge is detected. However, there is actually a large time difference before and after the power failure, and it is inappropriate to detect this as an ON edge. In order to prevent this, the port input process is performed three times in succession when power is restored. When the ON state of the switch continues after the power is restored, the ON edge is not detected by performing the port input processing three times in succession. As a result, it is possible to prevent unintended input state data from being created. For example, it is possible to prevent unintentional stopping of the reel due to the stop switch being kept pressed after the power failure.

After performing port input processing, if it is determined that the reset/setting switch 38 is not in the ON state, after transmitting a return command indicating that the control state before power failure has been restored to the sub-controller 91, all The register is restored to the state before the power failure stored in the RAM 41c, the interrupt permission setting is performed (Sa5), the initial setting process is terminated, and the timer interrupt process (main) is started. It returns to the processing in the main processing that was being executed before the power supply to the was stopped.

On the other hand, if it is determined that there is an abnormality in the RAM 41c, all the areas to be initialized (areas A to D) are initialized. After that, the interrupt permission setting is performed, a RAM error error code (E8) indicating that there is an abnormality in the RAM 41c is prepared in a predetermined register, the initial setting process is terminated, and the error process is started. In the error processing, the error state is controlled until it is specified that the condition for canceling the error state corresponding to the error code (E8) is established. When the error code (E8) of the RAM error is prepared in a predetermined register and the state is shifted to the error state, by turning on the power switch 39 while the setting key switch 37 is ON, the state is shifted to the setting change state. By resetting all the game RAM areas (areas A to D), the data abnormality in the RAM 41c can be reliably resolved and the error state can be released.

[Built-in register setting processing]
An internal register setting process performed by the main control unit 41 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the control contents of the built-in register setting process performed by the main control unit. The built-in register setting process is included in the game program, and is a subroutine called in the start process (main) included in the game program.

The built-in register is a register for setting functions in the main CPU 41a. As for the built-in register, a built-in register area is provided in the RAM 41c. In this embodiment, an area from FE00H to FEACH is provided as an internal register area. For built-in registers, for example, settings related to interrupts and settings related to communication functions are performed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the built-in register area has seven areas from the first area to the seventh area. The main CPU 41a sets set values in a plurality of areas that need to be set when starting control. In the present embodiment, setting values are set in each of the second, third, fourth and sixth areas as a plurality of areas that need to be set.

A set value is set in the built-in register area by an LD instruction capable of setting 1-byte data or an LDW instruction capable of setting 2-byte data. At that time, first, the address corresponding to the area that needs to be set is read by the LD instruction. Then, the set value is set in the area corresponding to the address by the LD instruction or the LDW instruction. Also, by adding the difference value to the read address (reference address), the set value can be set in the area corresponding to the address after the address by the difference value. Although a specific example will be described later, the latter method of setting the setting value requires less capacity for the command than the former method, so that the capacity of the program can be reduced.

Also, there is a limit to the difference value that can be specified. For example, if only a maximum of 50 can be specified as the difference value, only a region 50 addresses ahead of the read reference address can be set. Therefore, when it is desired to set a set value using a difference value, it is desirable to read a reference address so as to cover a plurality of settable areas as much as possible. A description will be given below along the flowchart.

As shown in FIG. 8, first, in step Sb1, an LD instruction capable of setting 1-byte data corresponds to the second area among the second, third, fourth, and sixth areas that require setting of set values. Read the address into a predetermined register. The address read here is the top address (FE01H) of the second area, which will be used as the reference address hereinafter. The second area is an area corresponding to the smallest address (FE01H) among the second, third, fourth and sixth areas, and is an area in which 1-byte data can be set.

Also, the reference address (FE01H) is 21H (33) away from the farthest sixth area. In the present embodiment, since the maximum difference value that can be specified is 50, it is possible to set a setting value for the sixth area also by an LD command using the difference value. Here, if the reference value is set for the fourth area, the LD command using the difference value cannot be used for the second and third areas. Further, if the address range of the first area is wide, there is a possibility that the LD instruction using the difference value cannot be used for the sixth area when the reference value is set in the first area.

In this way, by setting the reference value in the second area corresponding to the smallest address (FE01H) among the second, third, fourth, and sixth areas, the LD instruction using the difference value enables the Since the capacity is small, data can be set efficiently.

Next, in step Sb2, data A, which is 1-byte data, is set in the second area based on the reference address (FE01H). Specifically, using the LD instruction, data A (eg, 150) is stored in the area pointed to by the reference address stored in the predetermined register (that is, the first area).

Then, in step Sb3, data is set in the third and fourth areas. The third area is an area in which 1-byte data specified by address FE02H can be set. The fourth area is an area in which 1-byte data specified by address FE03H can be set. That is, the third area is an area specified by an address obtained by adding a difference value of 1 to the reference address. Since both the third and fourth areas are 1-byte areas, by setting 2-byte data to the start address of the third area, both the third and fourth areas can be set. can be set. That is, when setting the setting value, 2-byte data can be set so that the setting value is set in each of the third area corresponding to FE02H and the fourth area corresponding to FE03H, which is the address next to FE02H.

Specifically, using an LDW instruction that can set 2-byte data, data B (for example, 12) is stored in the third area based on the address (FE02H) calculated using the difference value (1) with respect to the reference address. is set, and data C (for example, 56) is set in the fourth area. The LDW instruction sets data B+data C×FFH (=12+56×FFH) to an address obtained by adding 1, which is the difference value, to the reference address stored in the predetermined register. As a result, 12 (data B) can be set in the third area, and 56 (data C) can be set in the fourth area one byte ahead by multiplying 56 by FFH.

Here, a capacity of 3 bytes is required in order to perform the process of reading the address to the predetermined register by the LD instruction. In order to set data in the area indicated by the address set in the predetermined register by the LD instruction, a capacity of 2 bytes is required. That is, in order to set 1-byte data in a certain area, a capacity of 5 bytes (3 bytes+2 bytes) is normally required. Also, in order to set 1-byte data in each of the two areas, a capacity of 10 bytes (5 bytes×2) is required.

On the other hand, as described above, when 1-byte data is set for each of the two areas by the LDW instruction using the difference value, a capacity of 4 bytes is required. In this case, the process of reading the address by the LD instruction as described above is unnecessary. That is, compared to the above method that does not use the difference value, it is possible to save 6 bytes (10 bytes - 4 bytes) of data capacity. By setting the data in the third and fourth areas based on the addresses calculated using the difference values in this way, it is possible to set the data in the third and fourth areas rather than directly specifying the addresses and setting the set values in the third and fourth areas. The capacity of the program can be saved. Also, data can be collectively set for a plurality of areas.

Similarly, for other areas, the LD instruction is used to set 1-byte data, and the LDW instruction is used to set 2-byte data. In step Sb4, data D is also set for the sixth area based on the address calculated using the difference value with respect to the reference address. The sixth area is an area in which 1-byte data specified by address FE22H can be set. Since the difference value from the reference address is 21H (=FE22H-FE01H), data is stored in the sixth area based on the address (FE22H) calculated using the difference value (21H) with respect to the reference address using the LD instruction. Set D.

When the set values are set in all of the second, third, fourth and sixth areas to which the set values should be set in steps Sb1 to Sb4, the built-in register setting process is finished. This returns to the activation process (main). When the start-up process (main) is completed, the last process (main process) before power failure is performed. Game control is started by shifting to the main process. In this way, by starting the control of the game after setting the set values in all of the second, third, fourth, and sixth areas to which the set values should be set, the setting of the set values to be set is not completed. The game control does not start with

In the startup process (main), the internal register setting process (Sa3) is executed after the interrupt prohibition setting (Sa1) is executed, and the interrupt permission setting (Sa5) is executed after the internal register setting process is executed. be. In this way, since the execution of interrupt processing is prohibited until the set values are set in all of the second, third, fourth, and sixth areas to which the set values should be set, the interrupt processing is executed during the setting of the set values. Unintended control is not performed by

In the start-up process (main), the output port is initialized (Sa2) before setting values in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th areas by the built-in register setting process (Sa3). By doing so, it is possible to prevent an unintended signal from being output from the output port.

[Main processing]
The control contents of the main processing performed by the main control unit 41 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the control contents of the main processing performed by the main control unit. The main process is repeatedly executed for each unit of game. One cycle of the main process corresponds to one game unit. Also, the main process is included in the game program and includes a plurality of processes. Hereinafter, processes that are not specifically indicated as being included in the non-game program are included in the game program. Some of the game programs called by the game program call non-game programs.

As shown in FIG. 9, the main control unit 41 first performs interrupt prohibition setting (Sc1). Next, the set RAM initialization area is cleared (Sc2). The set RAM initialization area is the RAM initialization area (area D) at the end of the game set at Sc36 or the RAM initialization area (areas C, D) at the end of the bonus set at Sc38. be. Thus, the area D is cleared when one game is over, and the area C is cleared in addition to the area D when the bonus is over when one game is over. After clearing the RAM initialization area, a game end command capable of specifying that one game has ended is transmitted to the sub control unit 91 (Sc3).

Next, RT information output processing included in the non-game program is performed (Sc4). In the RT information output process, information on the game state of the slot machine 1 set in a predetermined area of the game RAM area is referred to, and information on the game state (for example, the state of RT) is output from the output port 7 as an external output signal. Set to output.

In step Sc5, multiple interrupt wait processing is performed to wait until the specified number of timer interrupts are performed. Here, when the specified number of times is 1, it is referred to as a one-time interrupt waiting process. For example, in the one-time-interrupt waiting process, the timer interrupt is set to be enabled, and the timer interrupt process (main) (hereinafter also referred to as "interrupt process") is performed once. When it is identified that the timer interrupt process (main) has been performed once, the one-time interrupt wait process ends. By performing the one-interrupt wait process, the process performed after the one-interrupt wait process is performed in a state in which the maximum time is secured until the next timer interrupt process (main) is performed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a timer interrupt from being unintentionally performed during a series of processes performed after the one-interrupt wait process.

In the multiple interrupt waiting process (Sc5), an interrupt waiting process is performed 24 times (13.44 ms) so that the external output signal output by the RT information output process is output. After the multiple interruption waiting process is performed, the game start waiting process is performed (Sc6), and the process from the end of the control of the previous game to the start of the next game is performed. In the game start waiting process, processing is performed to set the number of bets according to the insertion of medals, etc. When the operation of the start switch 7 is detected in a state where the specified number of bets is set, the next game is started. Start processing.

Then, internal lottery processing for determining whether or not to allow the occurrence of winning (internal lottery) is performed (Sc7). In the internal lottery process, winning is allowed based on preset values (1 to 6) in the slot machine 1 and random numbers for the internal lottery acquired at the same time as the start of the game by detection of the start switch 7. An internal lottery is held to determine whether or not to allow the derivation of display results.

After that, after performing ball output control processing (Sc8) for AT lottery and the like, interrupt prohibition setting is performed (Sc9), and winning information output processing included in the non-game program is performed (Sc10). After performing the winning information output process, the interrupt is permitted (Sc11). In the winning information output process, by referring to the lottery result of the internal lottery set in a predetermined area of the game RAM area, data that can specify the winning status of the special role in the internal lottery and the winning status of the general role are sent to the non-game program. is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c so that it can be referred to from test signal output processing described later. The winning status of the special combination and the winning status of the general combination set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c by the winning information output process are referred to in the later-described test signal output process, and are output as test signals. ing.

Next, in step Sc12, command transmission processing at the time of game start is executed, and multiple interrupt waiting processing (Sc13) is executed. In the command transmission process at the start of a game, a control state command group including a plurality of commands that can specify various control states at the start of a game and a game start command that can specify that a game has started are sub-controlled. It is transmitted to the unit 91 . Also, by executing the multiple interrupt waiting process (waiting for 133 ms), the command can be transmitted in the interrupt process.

After executing the game start command process in the step of Sc13, the external output signal process (Sc14) is executed. After performing the external output signal processing in the step of Sc14, refer to the one game time management timer set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c to measure the elapsed time from the start of reel rotation in the previous game. , based on the one-game-time management timer, it is determined whether or not a specified time (4.1 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed from the start of reel rotation in the previous game (Sc15). Then, when it is determined that the specified time for one game has not passed, it waits until the specified time for one game passes based on the one-game time management timer, and plays one game based on the one-game time management timer. After the specified time has passed, the process proceeds to Sc16. If it is determined in the step of Sc15 that the prescribed time for one game has passed, the process proceeds to Sc16. The one-game-time management timer is set to 0 when a specified time (4.1 seconds in this embodiment) of one game has elapsed from the start of rotation of the reels in the game. Based on whether the management timer is 0 or not, it is possible to determine whether or not one game regulation time has elapsed.

In the step of Sc16, the interrupt prohibition setting is performed, and reel rotation start processing is performed (Sc17). In the reel rotation start process, a normal acceleration pattern for controlling the rotation of the reels at a predetermined speed for gaming is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c as an excitation pattern for controlling the excitation of the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R. The rotation of the reels is started by controlling the excitation of the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R based on the excitation pattern.

Next, reel rotation start command transmission processing is performed for transmitting to the sub-controller 91 a reel rotation start command that can be specified to start rotation control of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R (Sc18). After the reel rotation start command transmission process is performed, a reel stop control process for performing reel stop control is performed (Sc19). In the reel stop control process, it is determined whether or not the reels under rotation control are rotating at a predetermined constant speed. An excitation pattern for accelerating the reels to constant speed rotation is set, and all the reels under rotation control are controlled to rotate at constant speed rotation. On the other hand, when all the reels under rotation control are rotating at a constant speed, the reception of the stop operation of the reels under rotation control is enabled, and the stop operation by the stop switch is waited. Then, when a valid stop operation is detected for a reel on which a stop operation is valid (detection of ON edge data for a stop switch on which a stop operation is valid), a reel on which a valid stop operation is performed. , the reel stop control is performed to stop the reel at a predetermined stop position based on the information set in the reel stop initial setting process. Such reel stop control is repeatedly performed for the reels under rotation control to stop the rotation of all the reels, thereby ending the reel stop processing.

Then, after the reel stop processing is finished, the winning determination processing (Sc20) is performed. In the winning determination process, it is determined whether or not a winning has occurred based on the results of the internal lottery and the symbol combinations stopped on the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R. Then, after performing the winning determination process in the step of Sc20, an input payout error check process for determining whether or not an abnormality related to the insertion of medals from the medal insertion unit 4 or an abnormality related to the payout of medals from the hopper is detected. (Sc21).

In the inserted payout error check process, a payout error flag indicating that an abnormality has been detected in the transition of the signal of the payout sensor 34c (hereinafter also referred to as a medal payout signal or a payout signal) and a signal of the inserted medal sensor 31 (hereinafter referred to as a medal payout signal) are checked. , a medal insertion signal, or an insertion signal) is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c. If so, perform error handling. In the error processing, based on the error flag, the error code (E4, E5) is controlled to be displayed on the game auxiliary display 12, and the error state is controlled until it is specified that the condition for canceling the error state is established. I do. When the condition for canceling the error state is satisfied, the error processing is terminated, an error execution flag indicating that the error processing has been executed is set in a predetermined register, and the input/disbursement error check processing is terminated.

After performing the input/disbursement error check process (Sc21), the process of waiting for one interruption is performed (Sc22), and the game waits until the interruption process is performed. After the interrupt processing is performed, the interrupt prohibition setting is performed (Sc23), and the role ratio monitor data processing included in the non-game program is performed (Sc24). After performing the role ratio monitor data processing, an interrupt permission setting is performed (Sc25). After the one-time interrupt waiting process is performed, the role ratio monitor data process (Sc24) is performed so that the maximum amount of time is secured until the next timer interrupt process (main) is performed. , the data processing for role ratio monitoring can be performed, and it is possible to prevent unintentional timer interruption during the data processing for role ratio monitoring.

In the role ratio monitor data processing, each state counting process included in the non-game program is performed, and a predetermined period of time (for example, a period of 6000 games before the current game, or a period of 175000 games before the current game) is performed. During the period of , the data regarding the number of medals to be paid out in the section controlled to be advantageous to the player (advantageous section, etc.) is updated.

Next, a fraudulent winning determination process (Sc26) is performed. In the fraudulent winning determination process, whether or not fraudulent winning has occurred is determined based on the result of the internal lottery and the symbol combinations stopped on the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R. After that, RT-related processing (Sc27) is performed. In the RT-related processing, when the combination of RT transition symbols accompanied by the transition of the RT state is stopped on the reels, the reel is updated to the RT state. Next, a bonus end check process (Sc28) for judging a bonus end condition is executed, and a game state setting process (Sc29) is executed. In the game state setting process, other than the process executed in the bonus end check process, bonus start condition determination process, various data update process, and the like are executed. Next, an AT state management process (Sc30) for judging the end of an advantageous section, which is executed at the end of the game, etc., is executed, and a command transmission process (Sc31) for transmitting an RT information command is executed.

Next, a medal payout process of paying out the number of medals corresponding to the winnings generated as a result of the game is performed (Sc32). In the medal payout process, a predetermined number of medals that are predetermined for each winning combination are awarded to the player according to the winning that occurs, the number of medals to be awarded is added to the credits, and the credits reach the upper limit ( In this embodiment, when 50) is reached, the hopper motor 34b is driven and the medals not added to the credits are paid out from the medal payout opening 9. FIG. After the medal payout process is performed, a payout end command transmission process (Sc33) for transmitting a payout end command is carried out.

Then, the setting process at the time of game completion is performed (Sc34), and it is determined whether or not the symbol combination of the replay combination is stopped on the reels 2L, 2C, 2R. is a process of setting the number of bets for replaying in the next game (in this embodiment, 3 is set as a replay medal in a replay counter set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c); , a process of setting a replay flag in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c, a process of controlling the replay LED 20 to the ON state (lighting state), and the like. Then, an advantageous section related process (Sc35) is executed for initializing the RAM at the end of the advantageous section, setting the signal during the advantageous section, and the like.

Then, the RAM initialization area (area D) at the end of the game is set (Sc38). When the bonus ends, the RAM initialization area (areas C and D) at the time of bonus end is set (Sc38), and the process returns to Sc1. If the bonus has not ended, the process returns to Sc1 with the RAM initialization area (area D) at the end of the game set. Also, as described above, the area set in Sc36 or Sc38 is cleared in Sc2.

After returning to step Sc1, steps Sc1 to Sc38 are repeated. When the main process completes one unit of game control, the main process is repeatedly executed for each unit of game.

Thus, the main processing performed by the main control unit 41 of the present embodiment is included in the game program, and processing included in the non-game program, such as RT information output processing, winning information output processing, role ratio monitor Data processing etc. are called.

Further, when performing various processes according to the non-game program, the main control unit 41 performs various processes according to the non-game program by calling the non-game program from the game program using the above-described CALL command or the like. Upon completion of each process according to the non-game program, the caller game program is returned to.

[Game start waiting process]
The control contents of the game start waiting process performed by the main control unit 41 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the game start waiting process performed by the main control unit. The game start waiting process is included in the game program and is a subroutine called in the main process included in the game program.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the game start waiting process, first, a credit number command transmission process (Sd1) for transmitting a credit number command is executed. Next, display processing for displaying the number of inserted medals is performed (Sd2), and the 1 to 3 BET LEDs 14 to 16 corresponding to the number of inserted medals in the slot machine 1 are controlled to be in the ON state (lighting state).

After that, an error code (E1: overflow error) that can specify that the hopper tank 34a is full is prepared in a predetermined register, and a predetermined port input buffer is referred to, based on the determined data of the full tank sensor 35a. to determine whether or not the hopper tank 34a is full (Sd3). If it is determined in step Sd3 that the hopper tank 34a is full, error processing is performed (Sd4). In the error processing, the game is controlled to an error state in which progress of the game is disabled. Also, an error command capable of specifying the error code (E1) prepared in a predetermined register is transmitted to the sub-controller 91, and the error code (E1) is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c and can be referred to in other processes. set as a valid error flag. Also, it controls to display the error code (E1) on the game auxiliary display 12 . After that, the error state is controlled until it is specified that the condition for canceling the error state according to the error code (E1) prepared in the predetermined register is established. When the error code (E1) is set in the register and the error state is entered, it waits until the finalized data of the full tank sensor 35a becomes OFF, and the finalized data of the full tank sensor 35a becomes OFF. , an error command (cancel) for canceling the error state is transmitted to the sub-controller 91, the error process is terminated, and the process proceeds to step Sd5.

When it is determined in step Sd3 that the hopper tank 34a is not full, and when the error processing in step Sd4 ends, the value of the replay counter set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c is stored in a predetermined register. Read (Sd5). In the replay counter, a value corresponding to the result of the previous game is set by the game end setting processing in the previous main processing, and the replay is granted when the replay combination wins in the previous game. In this case, while a numerical value (for example, 3) corresponding to the specified number of bets required to play the game is set, if replay was not granted in the previous game, 0 is set.

Thereafter, the replay counter of the RAM 41c is cleared (Sd6), and it is determined whether or not the value of the replay counter read in step Sd5 is greater than 0, that is, whether or not a replay is provided (Sd7), When the replay is provided, medal insertion execution processing is performed (Sd8). In the medal insertion execution process, the value of the replay counter is set to the number of bets (BET number), and the 1 to 3 BETLEDs 14 to 16 are set to the ON state (lighting state) to reach the specified number of bets (in this embodiment, 3) is set. Also, it transmits to the sub-controller 91 a number-of-insertions command capable of specifying the number of medals used for setting the number of bets.

When it is determined in step Sd7 that the value of the replay counter is 0, that is, replay is not granted, and after medal insertion execution processing is performed due to replay being granted in step Sd8, A medal cleaning permission setting process is performed (Sd9). In the medal maintenance permission setting process, the credit value set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c is referred to, and if the credit value does not reach the maximum value (50 in this embodiment), A medal maintenance permission flag indicating that the insertion of medals is permitted is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c.

After the medal maintenance permission setting process is performed in step Sd9, the process of waiting for one interruption is performed (Sd10). By performing the one-interrupt waiting process, the timer interrupt process (main) is performed and the detection state of various switches, the lighting state of LEDs, various timers, etc. are updated. Subsequent processing (for example, medal insertion/payout error check processing, medal insertion signal processing, operation input acceptance processing) can be performed in a state where the detection state is updated.

In step Sd10, after the one-time interrupt waiting process is performed and the one-time interrupt process is performed, the input/disbursement error check process is performed (Sd11). Then, based on whether an error execution flag is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c, it is determined whether or not error processing has been executed in the error check processing (Sd12).

If it is determined in step Sd12 that error processing has been executed in the error check processing, the process returns to step Sd10, and the processing of steps Sd10 to Sd12 is performed again. After that, each process of steps Sd10 to Sd12 is performed in a state where no abnormality is detected in the transition of the medal payout signal or the transition of the medal insertion signal, and in the state where the error execution flag is not set, the process of step Sd12 is performed. Processing will be performed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step Sd12 that the error execution flag has not been set, medal insertion signal processing is performed (Sd13). In the medal insertion signal processing, the state of medal insertion is determined based on the transition of the medal insertion signal. Then, when normal insertion of medals is detected, the bet amount is set and medals are accepted as credits, and the medal insertion signal processing is terminated. On the other hand, when an abnormal insertion of medals is detected, an error code (E5) is prepared and error processing is performed. After that, the error state is canceled and the error processing is terminated, thereby terminating the medal insertion signal processing.

After the medal insertion signal processing is performed in step Sd13, the operation of various switches is validated, and by operating the switch whose operation is validated, the operation input reception processing for accepting the operation by the switch is performed. (Sd14).

In the operation input reception process, if the credit set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c is 1 or more while the medal is not passing based on the transition of the medal insertion signal, the operation by the MAXBET switch 6 is accepted. Activate. Further, when the medal is not passing based on the transition of the medal insertion signal, and the number of bets set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c is the specified number, acceptance of operation by the start switch 7 is validated. Further, when medals are not passing based on the transition of the medal insertion signal, acceptance of operations by the adjustment switch 10 and the setting key switch 37 is validated.

In the operation input acceptance process, when the operation of the start switch 7 is detected while the operation of the start switch 7 is valid, a start flag indicating that the start switch 7 has been operated is set in a predetermined register. After that, the channel switching solenoid 30 is turned off, and the process of switching the medal channel to the medal payout port 9 side is performed. Further, when the operation of the setting key switch 37 is detected while the operation of the setting key switch 37 is valid, the setting value display processing for displaying the setting value on the setting value display 24 is performed. Further, when the operation of the settlement switch 10 is detected while the operation of the settlement switch 10 is valid, the settlement processing of returning the medals stored in the credit to the player is performed. In addition, when the operation of the MAXBET switch 6 is detected while the operation of the MAXBET switch 6 is valid, the number of medals up to the prescribed number is set as the bet amount within the possible range based on the credits. A process of subtracting the set number of medals from the credit is performed. After performing a process corresponding to the switch or the like whose operation has been detected, the operation input acceptance process is terminated.

Here, for example, when the settlement switch 10 and the setting key switch 37 are operated at the same time, the following processing is performed. Between the settlement switch 10 and the setting key switch 37, the setting key switch 37 has higher processing priority. Therefore, first, it is determined whether or not the setting key switch 37 is in the ON state, and if the setting key switch 37 is in the ON state, the setting change state is entered. If the setting key switch 37 is OFF, it is determined whether or not the settlement switch 10 is ON. If the settlement switch 10 is ON, settlement processing is performed.

Assume that when the settlement switch 10 and the setting key switch 37 are operated at the same time, the setting change state is entered and the setting change state is ended. If the settlement switch 10 is still in the ON state when the setting change state ends, settlement processing is performed. If the settlement switch 10 is in the OFF state when the setting change state ends, no settlement processing is performed.

A processing method other than the above is also conceivable. For example, it may be determined whether or not the settlement switch 10 and the setting key switch 37 are in the ON state at the same time, and if they are in the ON state at the same time, neither processing may be performed. In this case, after waiting for one of them to turn ON, the one turned ON is processed. However, the process can be simplified by performing the process with the higher priority as described above rather than performing the process of determining whether or not they are in the ON state at the same time.

After performing the operation input acceptance process in step Sd14, it is determined whether or not a valid operation of the start switch 7 has been detected based on the start flag (Sd15). If it is determined that the start flag is not set in the predetermined register and the effective operation of the start switch 7 is not detected, the process returns to step Sd10, and Sd10 is repeated until the effective operation of the start switch 7 is detected. ˜Sd15 are repeated.

In step Sd16, when it is determined that a start flag is set in a predetermined register and a valid operation of the start switch 7 is detected, a random number for internal lottery is acquired from the random number circuit 42 and stored in the RAM 41c. Set in a predetermined area. After that, the medal insertion state data that can specify the set number of bets is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c (Sd17), the start valid LED 18 is set to the OFF state (extinguishing state) (Sd18), and the token maintenance permission flag is set. It clears from the predetermined area of the RAM 41c (Sd19), controls to clear the display of the number of payouts on the game auxiliary display 12 (Sd20), and terminates the game start waiting process.

[Loading/discharging error check process]
The control contents of the input/discharge error check process performed by the main control unit 41 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the control contents of the input/discharge error check process performed by the main control unit. The insertion/payout error check process is included in the game program, and is a subroutine called in the main process or game start waiting process included in the game program.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the input/disbursement error check process, first, in step Se1, a sensor error flag stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c is obtained. The sensor error flag includes a payout error flag and an input error flag. If either the payout error flag or the insertion error flag is set to ON, the sensor error flag will be in the ON state. Further, when both the payout error flag and the input error flag are set to OFF, the sensor error flag is in the OFF state.

The payout error flag is a flag indicating that an abnormality (medal payout error) in transition of the signal (medal payout signal) of the payout sensor 34c has been detected. The insertion error flag is a flag indicating that an abnormality in the transition of the signal of the inserted medal sensor 31 (a medal insertion signal) (a medal insertion error) has been detected.

If the acquired sensor error flag is set to ON (YES at Se2), the process proceeds to Se3. On the other hand, if the acquired sensor error flag is set to OFF (NO at Se2), the process proceeds to Se16.

In step Se3, first, an error code (E5) indicating that a medal insertion error has been detected is set in a predetermined register. Then, in step Se4, when the payout error flag is in the OFF state, the process proceeds to Se6. On the other hand, in step Se4, if the payout error flag is ON, an error code (E4) indicating that a medal payout error has been detected is set in a predetermined register, and the process proceeds to Se6. That is, when a medal payout error is detected, an error code (E4) is set in a predetermined register, and when a medal insertion error is detected, an error code (E5) is set in a predetermined register.

Then, an all reel stop LED off process (Se6) is executed. The all-reel-stop LED-off process is a process of setting to turn off all of the stop effective LEDs that light up to indicate that the reel stop operation is effective. Then, the channel switching solenoid OFF process (Se7) is executed. The channel switching solenoid OFF process is a process of setting the channel switching solenoid 30 to the OFF state. Then, based on the error code set in the predetermined register, the error number is set (Se8), and error processing (Se9) is executed.

After executing the error processing, the interrupt prohibition setting is performed (Se10), and the sensor error flag is obtained from a predetermined area of the RAM 41c (Se11). The acquired error flag is updated by canceling the payout error or insertion error canceled by the error processing (Se12), and stored in a predetermined area of the updated sensor error flag RAM 41c (Se13).

Next, in the step of Se14, an interrupt permission setting is performed, an error execution flag indicating that error processing has been executed is set to ON state (Se15), and the input/disbursement error check processing is terminated.

On the other hand, when the acquired sensor error flag is set to OFF (Se2 is NO), in step Se16, the error execution flag is set to OFF, and the input/disbursement error check process is terminated.

[Error handling]
The details of error processing performed by the main control unit 41 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 12 . FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the details of error processing performed by the main control unit. The error processing is included in the game program, and is a subroutine that is called in the main processing, insertion/payout error check processing, and the like included in the game program.

As shown in FIG. 12, in error processing, first, an error number (error code) set before error processing is executed is stored. For example, when the error process is called from the input/disbursement error check process, the error code E4 or E5 is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c as an error flag that can be referred to in other processes.

In step Sf2, error start command transmission processing is executed to transmit an error command that can specify an error code. In step Sf3, an error factor corresponding to the error code is acquired, and in step Sf4, error number display processing is performed to control the error code to be displayed on the game auxiliary display 12. FIG. After that, the error state is controlled until it is specified that the condition for canceling the error state according to the error code prepared in the predetermined register is met (Sf5).

For example, when an error code (E4) is prepared in a predetermined register and the error state is shifted to, the condition for canceling the error state is that the detection state of the payout sensor 34c is OFF and the reset/setting switch 38 Alternatively, it waits until it is established that the reset switch 23 is turned on. In addition, when an error code (E5) is prepared in the register and the error state is shifted to, the detection state of the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c must be OFF and the reset/setting switch must be in the OFF state as conditions for canceling the error state. 38 or the reset switch 23 is on standby.

If the condition for canceling the error state is satisfied (YES in Sf5), the process proceeds to Sf6 to perform a one-interrupt wait process. Then, the input buffers 1 and 2 are acquired (Sf7), and based on the acquired input buffers 1 and 2, it is determined whether or not the payout sensor, inserted medal sensor, and full tank sensor are normal (Sf8). If it is judged normal in Sf8, the process proceeds to Sf9. On the other hand, if it is determined in Sf8 that it is not normal, the process returns to Sf6, and steps Sf6 to Sf8 are repeated until it is determined that it is normal in Sf8.

In step Sf9, the ON edge state of the input buffer 0 is acquired, and the reset/set state is waited until the reset/set switch 38 or reset switch 23 becomes the ON edge state (until the operation is performed) (NO in Sf10). When the switch 38 or the reset switch 23 is in the ON edge state (YES in Sf9), the process proceeds to Sf11.

In the step of Sf11, the payout number display data is stored, the error number is cleared (Sf12), and the error cancellation command transmission process (Sf13) is executed. In the error cancellation command transmission process, an error cancellation command for canceling the error state is transmitted. In step Sf14, one-time interrupt waiting processing is performed, and the error processing ends.

[Reel stop control process]
The contents of the reel stop control process performed by the main control unit 41 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart (Part 1) showing the control contents of the reel stop control process performed by the main control section. The reel stop control process is included in the game program, and is a subroutine called in the main process included in the game program.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the reel stop control process, first, an all reel stop LED OFF process for setting to turn off all of the effective stop LEDs is executed (Sg1). In step Sg2, the process of waiting for one interrupt is executed. In the one-interrupt wait process, the process waits until the timer interrupt process (main) is performed once. In step Sg3, interrupt permission setting is performed.

In step Sg4, the above-described payout/insert error check process is executed. As a result, when an insertion/payout error (medal insertion error or medal payment error) occurs (YES in Sg5), the process returns to step Sg2, and the processing of Sg2 to Sg5 is repeated. When the input/disbursement error is canceled, the process proceeds to step Sg6. In other words, in the state where the input/disbursement error has occurred, it is not possible to proceed to the steps after Sg6.

If no insertion/payout error has occurred (NO in Sg5), the process proceeds to step Sg6. In step Sg6, if no reel rotation error has occurred (NO in Sg6), the process proceeds to step Sg10. On the other hand, if a reel rotation error has occurred (YES in Sg6), all reel stop LED off processing (Sg7) is executed, the error code (E6) of the reel rotation error is set, and error processing is performed. (Sg9) is executed. In the error processing, the rotation of all the reels is stopped, and the game is put into a disabled error state and waits. After that, the error processing is terminated by canceling the error state by the reset operation. After the error processing is completed, the process returns to step Sg2, the processes from Sg2 to Sg9 are repeated, and if no reel rotation error occurs, the process proceeds to step Sg10. That is, in a state where a reel rotation error has occurred, it is not possible to proceed to steps after Sg10.

At step Sg10, an internal winning signal output timer is obtained. When the internal winning signal output timer reaches 0 at step Sg11 (YES at Sg11), the process proceeds to step Sg12, and steps Sg10 and Sg11 are repeated until the internal output timer reaches 0 at step Sg11 (Sg11). The internal winning signal output timer is a timer that becomes 0 when a predetermined time (two seconds has elapsed) has passed since the internal winning signal was output. Therefore, it is not possible to proceed to the next process (Sg12) until two seconds have passed since the internal winning signal was output.

Incidentally, before the step of Sg10, a process of disabling the stop switch during reel stop control may be inserted. For example, when the stop control of a certain reel is started, processing may be performed to wait for the maximum stop delay time (190 ms) until the rotation of the reel is stopped. However, in the present embodiment, such a process is not included. Therefore, as will be described later, when a plurality of stop switches are operated almost simultaneously, if there is a deviation even by one interruption, the reel stop sliding piece storage process (Sg32 ) can be executed, and a plurality of reels can be stopped almost simultaneously.

In step Sg12, interrupt prohibition is set. Next, the effective stop LED state address that can specify the state of the effective stop LED is read (Sg13), and the rotation speed state data is acquired (Sg14). The rotation speed state data is information that can specify whether or not each reel motor under rotation control is rotating at a constant speed. Based on the rotation speed state data, it is specified for each reel whether or not the rotation state of the reel under rotation control is in a constant speed state, and whether all the reels under rotation control are rotating at a constant speed. It is determined whether or not (Sg15).

Then, in the step of Sg15, when it is determined that at least one reel is not rotating at a constant speed and all the reels under rotation control are not rotating at a constant speed, Sg1 , repeats steps Sg1 to Sg15, and waits until all the reels under rotation control are rotated at a constant speed. On the other hand, when it is determined in step Sg15 that all the reels under rotation control are rotating at a constant speed, acceptance of the stop operation is valid for all the reels under rotation control.

In Sg16, the stop effective LED state data is set to OFF, and if the reel has already been accelerated (YES in Sg17), reel acceleration command transmission processing (Sg18) for transmitting a reel acceleration end command is executed, and the process proceeds to Sg19. move on. On the other hand, if the reel has not been accelerated (NO at Sg17), the process proceeds to Sg19 without executing the reel acceleration command transmission process.

Next, the payout number display data is stored (Sg19), the ON edge state of the input buffer is obtained (Sg20), and after reading the stop effective LED state address, only the effective stop switch operation state is obtained (Sg21). , it is determined whether or not there has been a valid stop switch operation (stop operation) (Sg22). Whether or not there is a valid stop switch operation is determined by checking that the stop valid LED is ON and the stop switch signal is ON edge in any of the stop switches.

If it is determined in step Sg22 that the effective stop switch has not been operated, the stop effective LED state data is stored in the output buffer 2 (Sg23), and the output port 2 output processing (Sg24) is performed. Then, the process returns to step Sg2, repeats steps Sg2 to Sg24, and waits until a valid stop switch operation is detected. Thereafter, if a valid stop switch operation is detected in step Sg22 (YES in Sg22), the process proceeds to step Sg25.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart (part 2) showing the control contents of the reel stop control process performed by the main control section. As shown in FIG. 14, in step Sg25, reels to be stopped are set. At that time, it is determined whether or not a valid stop switch operation is detected in the order of the left stop switch, the middle stop switch, and the right stop switch, and the reel corresponding to the first determined stop switch is to be stopped. Become. That is, when there are a plurality of reels to be stopped, the reels are preferentially selected in the order of the left reel, the middle reel, and the right reel. Next, the interrupt permission setting is performed (Sg26), the output buffer 2 is cleared, and the output port 2 output process (Sg27) is executed.

Next, in step Sg28, interrupt prohibition setting is performed. Then, in step Sg29, based on the symbol step number counter set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c, the symbol step number of the reel for which the stop operation has been detected is acquired. In step Sg30, it is determined whether or not the number of symbol steps is within the determination range set in the predetermined area of the RAM 41c. If the number of symbol steps is within the predetermined determination range (YES in Sg30), the process proceeds to step Sg32. On the other hand, if the number of symbol steps is not within the determination range (NO in Sg30), the interrupt permission setting is performed (Sg31), the process returns to step Sg28, and steps Sg28 to Sg31 are repeated until the number of symbol steps is within the predetermined determination range. repeat. When interrupt permission is set in step Sg31, interrupt processing is executed, and the design step number counter is updated in the interrupt processing.

The number of symbol steps is the number of steps corresponding to one symbol among the number of steps for one rotation of the reel motor. For example, 16 steps (or 17 steps) are assigned per symbol. When 16 steps are assigned, the lower end of the pattern is 0 steps and the upper end is 15 steps. The symbol step number counter is a counter for counting the number of symbol steps of a symbol passing through a predetermined judging position on the reel. In the case of the 16 step pattern, 0 to 15 are counted. In the present embodiment, the number of symbol steps is obtained in 11 steps, which are common steps, regardless of whether the symbol is a 16-step symbol or a 17-step symbol. That is, the determination range is only 11 steps. That is, the number of symbol steps other than 11 is determined to be out of the determination range. Note that the determination range may be set to 0 to 11 steps, or the determination range may be different between the 16-step pattern and the 17-step pattern.

If the number of symbol steps is within the determination range (YES at Sg30), the reel stop sliding piece storing process (step Sg32) is executed while the interrupt prohibition setting is maintained. In the reel stop sliding piece storage process, the value of the symbol number counter set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c is acquired, and the value of the symbol number counter is stored as the symbol number when the stop operation is performed (also called the symbol number at the time of operation). ) is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c. In this embodiment, each of the 20 symbols arranged on one reel is assigned a consecutive number (0 to 19) as a symbol number in advance with reference to the symbol at the reel reference position, and the symbol number counter is , is a counter for counting the symbol number (also referred to as the operating symbol number) of the symbol positioned at a predetermined determination position.

Also, referring to the stop control table set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c, the number of sliding symbols corresponding to the timing at which the stop operation is performed is specified based on the pattern number at the time of operation, and the number of sliding symbols is stored in the RAM 41c. Set in a predetermined area. In addition, a stop request is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c in order to stop the corresponding reel at a position corresponding to the number of sliding frames, that is, at the symbol of the pattern number corresponding to the number of sliding frames, and the reel is decelerated. Start braking control to stop.

After the reel stop sliding frame number setting process is executed in step Sg32, a reel stop reception command transmission process (Sg33) that can specify that the reel stop has been received is executed, and a slide that can specify the number of sliding frames is executed. A frame number command transmission process (Sg34) is executed, and a reel stop position command transmission process (Sg35) capable of specifying the reel stop position is executed.

Next, after the winning flag is masked (Sg36), the winning prediction process (Sg37) is executed. The winning prediction process is to execute a process corresponding to part of the winning determination process before the symbol combination is derived. Next, a reel stop command transmission process (Sg38) that can specify that the reels are stopped is executed.

Next, in step Sg39, it is determined whether or not the reel to be stopped is the final stop (third stop). If it is the final stop (YES in Sg39), proceed to Sg40. On the other hand, if it is not the final stop (NO in Sg39), that is, if it is the first stop or the second stop, return to Sg2 until reel stop sliding frame number setting processing is executed for all reels ( until the final stop), the processing of Sg2 to Sg39 is repeated.

In addition, if the timing of the original interrupt processing is included in the period when the interrupt prohibition setting is performed, the interrupt processing will be executed at the next timing when the interrupt permission setting is performed. be done. For example, after the reel stop sliding frame number setting process is executed, when the interrupt permission setting is performed, at the setting timing, the sliding frame number and the stop control flag set in the reel stop sliding frame number setting process Based on this, braking control for decelerating and stopping the relevant reel is started.

If it is determined in step Sg39 that it is the final stop, the payout number display data is cleared (Sg40), and reel motor state data is acquired (Sg41). Based on the acquired reel motor state data, it is determined whether or not all the reel motors are in the OFF state (Sg42). If all the reel motors are not in the OFF state (NO in Sg42), the process waits until all the reel motors are in the OFF state. If all the reel motors are turned off (YES in Sg42), the process proceeds to Sg43. The reel motor state data is data that can specify the output state of the first to third reel motor φ0 to φ3 signals and the flow path switching solenoid signal.

In step Sg43, an input/disbursement error check process is executed. In the step of Sg44, the input buffer 0 is obtained, and it is determined whether or not the stop switch is in the depressed state (that is, the ON state continues) (Sg45). If the stop switch is pressed down (YES in Sg45), the processing of Sg43 to Sg45 is repeated until the stop switch is released, and if the stop switch is released (NO in Sg45). ends the reel stop control process.

[Setting processing at the end of the game]
The control contents of the setting process at the end of the game performed by the main control unit 41 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 15 . FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the control details of the setting process performed by the main control unit when the game ends. The setting process at the end of the game is included in the game program, and is a subroutine called in the main process included in the game program.

As shown in FIG. 15, in the setting process at the end of the game, first, a winning flag is obtained (Sh1). The winning flag is a flag that is set when a winning occurs and can specify the type of winning. Next, based on the winning flag, it is determined whether or not a replay winning has occurred (Sh2). If replay winning has occurred (YES at Sh2), proceed to Sh3, and if replay winning has not occurred (NO at Sh2), proceed to Sh8.

If replay winning has occurred (YES in Sh2), the number of bets (3 in this embodiment) is acquired (Sh3), and the acquired number of bets is stored in the replay counter (Sh4). , the acquired BET number is stored in the payout signal counter (Sh5).

In step Sh6, a replay flag is set to ON, which can identify that replay is being performed. Then, in step Sh7, a process of controlling the replay LED 20 to the ON state (lighting state) is executed, and the process proceeds to Sh10.

On the other hand, if no replay winning has occurred (NO at Sh2), the replay flag is set to OFF (Sh8). Then, in step Sh9, a process for turning off the replaying LED 20 is executed, and the process proceeds to Sh10.

In step Sh10, bonus-related processing is executed. In the bonus-related processing, setting processing for controlling the gaming state to a bonus is performed at the start of the bonus, and processing for transmitting a bonus command is performed at the end of the bonus.

[Timer interrupt processing (main)]
The control contents of the timer interrupt process (main) performed by the main control unit 41 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the control contents of timer interrupt processing (main) performed by the main control unit. Note that the timer interrupt process (main) is a subroutine included in the game program.

As shown in FIG. 16, in the timer interrupt processing (main), first, after all front registers and back registers are exchanged (Si1), interrupts are disabled (Si2) and set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c. obtains the value of the voltage drop state counter that is currently running (Si3). Then, the input port to which the voltage drop signal is input from the power failure detection circuit 48 is referred to (Si4), and it is determined whether or not the voltage drop signal is input (Si5). When the voltage drop signal is input, it is determined whether or not the voltage drop state counter has reached a predetermined upper limit (4 in this embodiment) (Si6), and the voltage drop state counter reaches the upper limit. If the value has been reached, power-off processing (main) is performed (Si7).

In the power-off process (main), all the front registers and back registers are exchanged, and the values of all the registers provided in the main control unit 41 are saved by storing them in the game stack area of the game RAM area in a predetermined order. , the current address of the game stack area indicated by the stack pointer SP is saved by storing it in a predetermined area of the game RAM area. It should be noted that a predetermined area of the game RAM area, including a game stack area of the game RAM area where the main control unit 41 stores register values and a predetermined area of the game RAM area where the value of the address indicated by the stack pointer SP is stored, is backed up. It is backed up by a power source, and even if the power supply to the slot machine 1 is stopped, as long as power is supplied by the backup power source, the memory contents of the game RAM area are preserved.

By initializing each output port, the drive of the hopper motor 34b and the rotation of the reels 2L, 2C, and 2R are stopped, and the output of control signals to various switches is stopped. Then, the parity adjustment data of the RAM 41c is calculated so that the exclusive OR of all the storage areas of the RAM 41c (including the unused area and the unused stack area) becomes 0, and the parity adjustment data is stored in the RAM 41c. A predetermined area is set, access to the RAM 41c is prohibited, and loop processing is started. The loop processing waits while monitoring the output status of the voltage drop signal. In this state, when the voltage drop signal is no longer input, the recovery of the voltage is determined, and the program is started from the startup process (main). On the other hand, if the voltage drops while the voltage drop signal is being input, the operation is stopped internally.

By the above processing, when the power supply of AC100V is stopped, the power interruption process (main) is executed, the value of the register before the power interruption is saved in the game stack area of the game RAM area, and the game Since the contents of the predetermined area of the game RAM area of the RAM 41c including the stack area are also held by the supply of the backup power, in the startup process (main) executed when the power supply to the slot machine 1 is restarted, , it is possible to return to the control state before the power failure. Furthermore, it is possible to identify whether the stop operation was effective in the control state before the power failure.

Next, if it is determined in step Si5 that the voltage drop signal has not been input, and if it is determined in step Si6 that the voltage drop state counter has not reached the upper limit value, the process proceeds to step Si8, where the voltage drops. Update the state counter. When proceeding from step Si5 to step Si8, the current value is maintained by adding 0 to the voltage drop counter, while when proceeding from step Si5 to step Si8, the voltage Update the degraded state counter to add 1.

Then, the detected states of various switches are input from the input port, and port input processing is performed to generate input data, fixed data, and edge data (ON edge data and OFF edge data) (Si9). After that, the value of the flag register in which the calculation result is stored among the registers provided in the main control unit 41 is saved by storing it in the game stack area of the game RAM area in a predetermined order (Si10), and then the non-game program (Si11). After that, the value of the flag register saved in the game stack area in the step of Si10 is sequentially read out from the game stack area in the reverse order of saving and set in the flag register, thereby performing non-game related processing. The flag register is restored to the state (Si12).

In the non-game related processing, first, the value of the current address of the game stack area indicated by the stack pointer SP used by the calling game program is stored in a predetermined area of the non-game RAM area and saved. After that, a predetermined value of the non-game stack area as the value of the stack pointer SP (stored in a predetermined area of the non-game RAM area as an address indicated by the stack pointer SP for the non-game program at the end of the previous non-game program) The stack pointer SP is set for the non-gaming program by setting the current value). Then, the values of all the registers provided in the main control unit 41 including the above flag register are saved by storing them in a predetermined order in the non-game stack area of the non-game RAM area specified by the stack pointer SP. After that, sensor monitoring processing for detecting abnormalities in the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c and payout sensor 34c, test signal output processing for outputting test signals generated in relation to game results, and various timers used by non-game programs are updated. A non-game-related timer update process and a role ratio monitor output data selection process for selecting output data to be displayed on the role ratio monitor are sequentially performed. In addition, in the sensor monitoring process, when an abnormality related to the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c or the payout sensor 34c is detected, sensor error reference data capable of specifying the type of detected abnormality is stored in a predetermined area of the non-game RAM area of the RAM 41c. It is designed to be set. Then, the values of the registers stored in the non-game stack area and saved when the non-game related processing is started are sequentially read out from the non-game stack area in the reverse order of saving, and the values corresponding to the order are read out. By setting the register, all the registers are returned to the state when the non-game related processing was started. After that, by setting the value of the stack pointer SP saved in a predetermined area of the non-game RAM area when the non-game related processing is started, to the stack pointer SP, the stack is restored to the state when the non-game related processing is started. The pointer SP is returned to end the non-game related processing.

After restoring the flag register in the step of Si12, refer to the sensor error reference data set by the non-game related processing in the step of Si11 (Si13), and set by the non-game related processing in this timer interrupt. A logical sum of the sensor error reference data and the sensor error reference data set by the non-game related processing in the previous timer interrupt is calculated (Si14). Then, a sensor error flag that is set in a predetermined area of the game RAM area of the RAM 41c and that can specify whether or not an abnormality related to the inserted medal sensors 31a to 31c and the payout sensor 34c is detected is calculated in step Si14. Update based on disjunction. By performing steps Si13 to Si15, if it is specified that an abnormality has been detected based on the sensor error reference data, it is determined whether the sensor error flag is in a state indicating that an abnormality has been detected. The sensor error flag is updated to indicate that the abnormality is detected regardless of whether the abnormality is detected. On the other hand, when it is specified that no abnormality is detected based on the sensor error reference data, the state of the sensor error flag is maintained. That is, when it is specified that an abnormality is detected based on the sensor error reference data, the content of the sensor error reference data is reflected in the sensor error flag, and the abnormality is detected based on the sensor error reference data. If it is specified that the error has not occurred or that the abnormality has been resolved, the contents of the sensor error reference data are not reflected in the sensor error flag.

After updating the sensor error flag in step Si15, the register of the watchdog timer (WDT) provided inside the main control unit 41 is cleared (Si16). After that, the value of the branch counter provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c for branching the processing included in the timer interrupt is read into a predetermined register and updated by adding a predetermined value (1 in this embodiment). , the updated value is set as the value of the branch counter in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c (Si17). In the process of updating the branch counter, when the branch counter is 0 to 2, 1 is added, and when the branch counter is 3, it is initialized and reset to 0. Update. That is, the value of the branch counter loops in the order of 0→1→2→3→0 . . . each time the timer interrupt process (main) is executed. The value of the branch counter is referenced in each process executed in the timer interrupt process (main). control is branched.

After updating the branch counter in step Si17, it is determined whether or not the branch counter is 4 (Si18). , a counter update process (Sj19) for updating various predetermined timers set in a predetermined area of the RAM 41c, indicators such as various LEDs connected to the output port (credit indicator 11, game auxiliary indicators 12, 1 ~ 3 BET LEDs 14-16, input request LED 17, start valid LED 18, waiting LED 19, replaying LED 20, etc.) is set and transmitted for dynamically lighting the lighting state according to the setting by each process such as the main process. LED dynamic display processing (Si20) for controlling is performed.

When it is determined in step Si18 that the branch counter is not 4, and after the LED dynamic display processing is performed in step Si20, a medal insertion signal indicating that medals have been inserted among external output signals and medals are paid out. Inserted payout signal transmission processing (Si21) for updating the output setting of the medal payout signal indicating that the medal payout signal will be performed and transmitting it to the outside of the slot machine 1 (Si21), security signals (door open signal, setting change signal, The security signal transmission processing (Si22) is performed to update the output setting of the input error signal and the payout error signal) and transmit it to the outside of the slot machine 1.

Next, after performing output port 3 output processing (Si23) for transmitting external output signals, command transmission processing (Si24) for transmitting various commands such as door commands and operation end commands set in the command queue. sequentially. After that, according to the progress of the game, etc., the excitation patterns of the reel motors 32L, 32C, and 32R are set, and reel control processing is performed to control the rotation and stop of the reels (Si25). and output port 2 output processing (Si26) for transmitting , and MAXBETLED signals, and output port 7 output processing (Si27) for transmitting information on the gaming state as an external output signal.

Next, reel motor output data is created (Si28). The reel motor output data is 2-byte data for outputting the reel motor signal and flow path switching solenoid signal to the output ports 0 and 1 . Based on the reel motor output data, output port 0, 1 output processing (Si29) for outputting a reel motor signal and flow path switching solenoid signal is performed, and the created reel motor output data is stored as reel motor state data.

Then, all front registers and back registers are exchanged (Si30), interrupt permission is set (Si31), the timer interrupt processing (main) is ended, and the timer interrupt processing (main) is started. return to the main processing when

[Stop setting in reel stop control process]
Next, the stop setting (reel stop sliding piece storing process) in the reel stop control process explained with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 will be specifically explained using the timing charts shown in FIGS. FIG. 17 explains the situation when the left stop switch is operated. FIG. 18 explains the situation when the left stop switch and middle top switch are operated with a one-interruption lag. FIG. 19 illustrates the situation when the left stop switch and middle stop switch are pressed simultaneously.

First, the processing when the left stop switch is operated will be described. FIG. 17 is a timing chart (No. 1) for explaining the stop setting in the reel stop control process. In the description of FIG. 17, it is assumed that all reels are rotating at a constant speed and none of the stop switches is operated. For convenience of explanation, only the states of the left stop switch and the middle stop switch are illustrated.

As described above, the port input process (Sj9) is executed in the interrupt process (timer interrupt process (main)). As a result, when the stop switch (left, middle, right stop switch) is operated, the stop switch signal (left, middle, right stop switch signal) is input to the input port 0, and the port input buffer 0 receives these signals. A signal detection state is stored.

The port input buffer 0 stores stop switch signal data detected in the current interrupt process, ON edge data of the stop switch signal, and the like. The ON edge data of the stop switch signal is data indicating that the current input is in the ON state (the ON edge is detected) while the previous input was in the OFF state.

For example, if the left stop switch signal was input in the OFF state in the previous interrupt processing, and the left stop switch signal was input in the ON state in the current interrupt processing, the left stop switch signal is input in the current interrupt processing. The ON edge is detected and the ON edge data of the left stop switch signal is stored in the port input buffer 0 .

Before t1 in FIG. 17, all the reels are rotating at a constant speed, so stop control processing is executed in the main processing. Then, in the one-interrupt waiting process (Sg2), it enters a standby state and waits for the execution of the interrupt process.

Assume that execution of interrupt processing is started at t1. At t2, boat input processing is executed to determine whether or not the ON edge of the stop switch has occurred. At t2, none of the stop switches are operated. Therefore, the ON edge of any stop switch is not detected in the input determination.

When the interrupt process ends, the reel stop control process in the main process is resumed at t3. Since the ON edge was not detected in the most recent interrupt processing, it is determined in the reel stop control processing that there has been no effective stop switch operation (NO in Sg22), and again, the process waits for one interrupt in step Sg2. Processing is performed.

Assume that the left stop switch is operated at t4. Assume that the interrupt process is executed at t5. The interrupt process executed at t5 is the interrupt process subsequent to the interrupt process executed at t1. In this embodiment, interrupt processing is executed every 0.56 ms, so the interval between t1 and t5 is 0.56 ms.

At t6, boat input processing is executed to determine whether or not the ON edge of the stop switch has occurred. In the input determination, the ON edge of the left stop switch is detected based on the operation of the left stop switch at t4.

When the interrupt process ends, the reel stop control process in the main process is resumed at t7. In the interrupt processing, the ON edge of the left stop switch signal based on the operation of the left stop switch was detected, so in the main processing after the interrupt processing, the reel stop sliding piece storage processing for setting the stop position of the left reel ( Sg32) is executed. Here, the reel stop sliding piece storage processing for setting the stop position of the left reel is also called "reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left)", and the reel stop sliding piece storage processing for setting the stop position of the middle reel. is also called "reel stop sliding piece storage processing (middle)", and the reel stop sliding piece storage processing for setting the stop position of the right reel is also called "reel stop sliding piece storage processing (right)".

Then, after the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) is started, until the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) is completed, execution of new interrupt processing is prohibited (interrupt prohibition setting in Sg28). is being used). After the reel stop sliding piece storing process (left) is completed, the left reel is not stopped at the final stop, so the process returns to Sg2 to perform the one-interrupt waiting process. As a result, at t8, interrupt processing becomes executable.

Assume that the interrupt process is executed at t9. In the input determination at t10, the ON edge of the left stop switch is not detected because the left stop switch is in the depressed state (maintains the ON state). Also, since the middle and right stop switches have not been operated, the ON edges of the middle and right stop switches are not detected either.

Then, in the reel stop control process which is restarted after the interrupt process is completed and the main process is returned to at t11, since the ON edge of the stop switch signal was not detected (NO in Sg22), the process returns to Sg2, Wait for one interrupt. Then, at t12, interrupt processing is executed. Thereafter, the process is repeated until the ON edge of the stop switch signal is detected, and the detection of the ON edge of the stop switch signal is waited. In the example of FIG. 17, since no new stop switch operation is performed, the processing from t12 to t15 and the processing from t15 to t18 are the same as the processing from t9 to t12.

Next, the processing when the left stop switch and the middle stop switch are operated with a one-interruption lag will be described. FIG. 18 is a timing chart (Part 2) for explaining the stop setting in the reel stop control process. Also in the explanation of FIG. 18, it is assumed that all reels are rotating at a constant speed and none of the stop switches is operated. For convenience of explanation, only the states of the left stop switch and the middle stop switch are shown, and the explanation of the parts common to FIG. 17 is omitted.

The situation from t1 to t7 in FIG. 18 is the same as the situation from t1 to t7 in FIG. That is, when the left stop switch is operated at t4, the ON edge of the left stop switch is detected in the input determination at t6, whereby the reel stop sliding piece storing process (left) is executed in the reel stop control process. Interrupts are disabled at the same time. After the reel stop sliding piece storing process (left) is completed, the interrupt process can be executed at t9.

In FIG. 18, unlike the situation in FIG. 17, it is assumed that the middle stop switch is operated at t8. When a new interrupt process is executed at t10, the ON edge of the middle stop switch signal based on the operation of the middle stop switch is detected at t11. The ON edge of the middle stop switch signal is detected with a shift of one interrupt from the ON edge of the left stop switch signal. Since the left stop switch continues to be depressed, the ON edge of the left stop switch is not detected, and the middle stop switch is not operated, so the ON edge of the middle stop switch is not detected either.

At t12, the reel stop control process is resumed after returning to the main process. After the reel stop sliding piece storage process (left) is executed, in the main process after the new interrupt process, it is determined whether or not a reel rotation error has occurred (Sg6). If a reel rotation error has occurred, error processing (Sg9) is executed.

When a reel rotation error occurs, error processing cannot be terminated unless the error state is canceled. Therefore, the reel stop sliding piece storing process (middle) cannot be executed based on the new interrupt process. When it is determined that no reel rotation error has occurred (the reel is rotating normally), it is possible to execute reel stop sliding piece storage processing (middle) based on new interrupt processing.

If the reels are rotating normally (YES in Sg6), it is determined whether or not a valid stop switch has been operated (Sg22). In step Sg22, since the ON edge of the middle stop switch signal is detected (YES in Sg22), reel stop sliding piece storage processing (middle) for setting the stop position of the middle reel is executed (Sg32). . Also, during the reel stop sliding piece storing process (middle), the interrupt is prohibited, and after the reel stop sliding piece storing process (middle) is completed, the interrupt process can be executed at t13. Since subsequent processing is the same as in FIG. 17, description thereof is omitted.

As described above, after the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) is started, new interrupt processing is prohibited until the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) is completed. , the reel stop sliding piece storing process (middle) based on the operation of the middle stop switch is not executed. Further, even if the ON edges of both the left stop switch signal and the middle stop switch signal are detected in the interrupt process, the left stop switch is processed and the middle stop switch is not processed (Sg25). ), the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) and the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (middle) are not executed at the same time. By doing so, the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (middle) based on the operation of the middle stop switch is executed before the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) based on the operation of the left stop switch is completed. can be prevented.

Also, in the main processing after the new interrupt processing, it is determined whether or not a reel rotation error has occurred, and if a reel rotation error has occurred, the reel stop sliding piece is stored based on the new interrupt processing. If it is determined that the reel rotation error has not occurred without executing the process (middle), the reel stop sliding piece storing process (middle) is executed based on the new interrupt process. By doing so, it is possible to ensure that the reel stop sliding piece storing process (middle) based on the operation of the middle stop switch is executed on condition that the rotation of the reel is normal. Thus, when the reel stop sliding piece storing process for setting the reel stop position is continuously executed, the reel stop sliding piece storing process can be preferably executed.

Further, as described above, when the ON edge of the left stop switch signal is detected (t6) in the predetermined interrupt processing (t5) when both the left reel and the middle reel are rotating, a predetermined interrupt In the main process (t7) after the loading process, the reel stop sliding piece storing process (left) is executed. Further, when the ON edge of the middle stop switch signal is detected (t11) in the interrupt processing (t10) after the predetermined interrupt processing, in the main processing (t12) after the interrupt processing, reel stop slip Execute frame storage processing (middle).

In this way, when the ON edge of the left stop switch signal and the middle stop switch signal is detected with a delay even in one interrupt process, the left reel and the middle reel can be stopped, so the reels are quickly stopped. be able to.

Further, in step Sg35, after the reel stop sliding piece storing process (left) is completed, the reel stop command transmission process is executed. Then, in the reel stop command transmission process, a reel stop position command indicating the stop position of the left reel set by the reel stop sliding piece storage process (left) is output.

Execution of the interrupt process is prohibited until the setting for outputting the reel stop position command indicating the stop position of the left reel is completed by the reel stop command transmission process (interrupt prohibition is set in Sg28). ). By doing so, the processing based on the operation of the new stop switch is not performed before the transmission of the reel stop position command is completed.

Further, when executing the reel stop command transmission process, a transmission process for transmitting a plurality of commands is executed. Specifically, a command transmission process (Sg33) when accepting a reel stop for transmitting a command when accepting a reel stop, a sliding frame number command transmission process (Sg34) for transmitting a sliding frame number command, and a reel stop command transmission A reel stop command transmission process (Sg38) is executed for each.

Further, execution of interrupt processing is prohibited until the setting for outputting these commands is completed (interrupt prohibition is set in Sg28). In this way, it is possible to prevent unintended commands from being output due to interrupt processing and to prevent large transmission intervals between commands before the setting for outputting a plurality of commands is completed.

Further, when executing the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (middle) (Sg32), the stop position of the middle reel is set based on the left reel stop position set by the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left). do. In this way, the stop position of the middle reel is set based on the stop position of the left reel, so that the derived symbol combinations are diversified.

Also, in the example described above, the stop of the left reel is the first stop, and the stop of the middle reel is the second stop. and any reel may be the second stop. In addition, not only the combination of the first stop and the second stop, but also the combination of the second stop and the third stop will result in the movement as described with reference to FIG.

Further, for example, even if the stop of the middle reel is the third stop and the symbol combination is derived by stopping the middle reel, after starting the reel stop sliding piece storing process (middle), the reel Execution of new interrupt processing is prohibited (interrupt prohibition is set in Sg28) until the stop sliding frame storage processing (middle) is completed (Sg32). In this way, since other processes are not executed while the reel stop sliding piece storing process is being executed, it is possible to quickly stop the reels.

Next, the processing when the left stop switch and the middle stop switch are pressed simultaneously will be described. FIG. 19 is a timing chart (part 3) for explaining the stop setting in the reel stop control process. Also in the explanation of FIG. 19, it is assumed that all reels are rotating at a constant speed and none of the stop switches is operated. For convenience of explanation, only the states of the left stop switch and the middle stop switch are shown, and the explanation of the parts common to FIG. 17 is omitted.

In FIG. 19, unlike the situation in FIG. 17, it is assumed that the left stop switch and the middle stop switch are simultaneously operated at t4. In this case, the ON edges of the left stop switch signal and the middle stop switch signal are detected (t6) in interrupt processing (t5) executed after the operation. In the main process (t7) after this interrupt process, only valid stop switch operation states are extracted (Sg21).

When the ON edges of both the left stop switch signal and the middle stop switch signal are detected, the left reel is to be stopped (Sg25). As a result, reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) (Sg34) is executed. On the other hand, since the middle reel is not to be stopped, the reel stop sliding piece storing process (middle) is not executed.

In this case, the ON state of the intermediate stop switch signal is also detected in the next interrupt process (t10). However, since the ON state is detected twice consecutively, the middle stop switch signal is not detected as an ON edge. Therefore, in the main processing (t12) after this interrupt processing, it is not extracted as a valid stop switch operation state (Sg21), and the middle stop switch operation is not determined as a valid operation ( NO at Sg22).

However, if the ON edges of the left stop switch signal and the middle stop switch signal are detected in error even in one interrupt process, the left reel and the middle reel can be stopped, so that the reels can be stopped quickly. .

After that, at t13, it is assumed that the pressed states of the left stop switch and the middle stop switch are released. Then, at t18, it is assumed that the left stop switch and the middle stop switch are simultaneously pressed (simultaneously operated) again.

In this case, in the next interrupt processing (t19), the ON edges of both the left stop switch signal and the middle stop switch signal are detected (t20). In the main process (t21) after this interrupt process, since the reel stop sliding piece storage process (left) has already been executed for the left reel, it is not extracted as a valid stop switch operation state. On the other hand, since the middle reel does not execute the reel stop sliding piece storage process (middle), it is extracted as a valid stop switch operation state.

Therefore, in step Sg22, it is determined that the operation of the middle stop switch is valid (NO in Sg22). As a result, the reel stop sliding piece storing process (middle) is executed.

As described above, when the ON edge of the left stop switch signal and the ON edge of the left stop switch signal are detected in the predetermined interrupt processing when both the left reel and the middle reel are rotating, the predetermined interrupt processing is performed. In the main processing after the load processing, the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) is executed, but the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (middle) is not executed. In this state, assume that the ON edge of the left stop switch signal and the ON edge of the left stop switch signal are detected in subsequent interrupt processing. In this case, since the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) has already been executed, in the main processing after the interrupt processing, the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (middle) is executed, while the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) is not executed. Thus, when the left stop switch and the middle stop switch are operated at the same time, the rotating reel is stopped, so the operability of the stop switches is not impaired.

Next, an example in which the left reel is stopped and the middle reel is rotating will be described, unlike the example in which both the left reel and the middle reel are rotating as described above. In this case, assume that the left stop switch and the middle stop switch are simultaneously pressed at t4.

In the interrupt processing (t5) in this case, the ON edge of the left stop switch signal and the ON edge of the left stop switch signal are detected (t6). In the main process (t7) after the interrupt process, since the left reel is stopped, it is not extracted as a valid stop switch operation state. On the other hand, since the middle reel is rotating, it is extracted as a valid stop switch operating state. As a result, the reel stop sliding piece storing process (middle) is executed.

Next, an example in which the middle reel is stopped and the left reel is rotating will be described. In this case, assume that the left stop switch and the middle stop switch are simultaneously pressed at t4.

In the interrupt processing (t5) in this case, the ON edge of the left stop switch signal and the ON edge of the left stop switch signal are detected (t6). In the main process (t7) after the interrupt process, since the middle reel is stopped, it is not extracted as a valid stop switch operation state. On the other hand, since the left reel is rotating, it is extracted as a valid stop switch operating state. As a result, the reel stop sliding piece storing process (left) is executed.

In this manner, even if the ON edges of a plurality of stop switch signals are detected in the same interrupt process, the reel stop sliding piece storing process of the rotating reel is executed, so that the operability is not impaired.

Next, the process of acquiring the number of symbol steps will be described. For example, assume that the ON edge of the left stop switch signal is detected in interrupt processing. In the main process after the interrupt process, the step number of the left reel is acquired in step Sg29. Then, when the position of the left reel is within a predetermined range (11 steps in this embodiment) of the number of steps for each symbol on the left reel (YES at Sg30), the symbol number corresponding to the symbol is acquired. , Reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) is executed based on the obtained symbol number.

In the above process, the processes of steps Sg28 to Sg31 are repeatedly executed until the position of the left reel is within a predetermined range for the number of steps for each symbol on the left reel. In this embodiment, the player waits until the position of the 11th step is reached, and when the position of the 11th step is reached, the symbol number is obtained, and based on the obtained symbol number, reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) is performed. will be executed. Even if the ON edge of the intermediate stop switch signal is detected during this period, the ON edge of the intermediate stop switch signal is not accepted. By doing so, the reel stop sliding piece storing process can be executed at the position of the 11th step.

When the start switch 7 is operated and the internal lottery process (Sc7) is executed, a process for outputting an internal lottery signal is executed in the lottery information output process (Sc10). The internal winning signal is output for a predetermined time (two seconds in this embodiment). That is, the internal winning signal is controlled to be output for two seconds based on the operation of the start switch 7 .

Also, the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R are not enabled while the internal winning signal is being output. Specifically, in the reel stop control process, the internal winning signal output timer is acquired (Sg10), and the next processing is performed until the internal winning signal output timer becomes 0 in step Sg11 (that is, until 2 seconds have elapsed). unable to proceed. Therefore, even if the stop switch is operated, it is not determined (Sg22) whether or not there is a valid stop switch operation.

When two seconds have passed since the internal winning signal was output, the internal winning signal output timer becomes 0 (YES in Sg11), and the next processing can be performed. As a result, it becomes possible to determine whether or not there is a valid stop switch operation (Sg22), and when the ON edge of the stop switch is detected, it is possible to execute reel stop sliding piece storage processing (Sg32). become able to. That is, the operation of the stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R is validated on the condition that two seconds have elapsed since the internal winning signal was output. By doing so, the contents of the internal winning signal can be confirmed by the external device (testing device), and then the reels can be stopped.

Next, the output of reel motor signals will be described. The reels are driven by outputting reel motor signals (first to third reel motor φ0 to φ3 signals) to the reel motors. Thereby, the rotation of the reel can be started or the reel can be stopped.

In the reel stop control process, when the reel stop sliding piece storing process (Sg32) is executed for all reels, that is, when it is determined that the final stop is reached in step Sg39 (YES in Sg39), the reel The reel motor state based on the motor signal is obtained (Sg41).

Then, based on the obtained reel motor state data, it is determined whether or not all the reel motors are in the OFF state (Sg42). That is, it is determined whether or not all the reels have stopped based on whether or not a reel motor signal is being output to the reel motor. By doing so, it is possible to determine that the reel has stopped based on the output status of the reel motor signal.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, output port 0 and output port 1 output a reel motor signal and a channel switching solenoid signal. Signals other than these signals are not output from output port 0 and output port 1 .

The channel switching solenoid 30 is a solenoid of a blocker that switches the channel of inserted medals. The passage switching solenoid 30 is set to the ON state in the medal insertion signal processing in the game start waiting processing. Moreover, it is set to the OFF state based on the operation of the start switch 7 being detected in the operation input acceptance process. That is, when the rotation of the reel is started based on the operation of the start switch 7, the output of the flow path switching solenoid signal is stopped. During the reel stop control process, the output of the flow path switching solenoid signal is always stopped.

Therefore, in the processing (Sg42) for determining whether all the reel motors are in the OFF state, the passage switching solenoid signal is always in the OFF state. As described above, output port 0 and output port 1 are configured to output only the reel motor signal and the flow path switching solenoid signal. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is determined that all the reel motors are in the OFF state based on the reel motor state data set based on the output states of output port 0 and output port 1 (YES in Sg42). I am trying to do

Specifically, the reel motor state data is 2-byte data (16-bit data) corresponding to the output states of the first to third reel motor φ0 to φ3 signals and flow path switching solenoid signals. When any of these signals are output, each corresponding bit becomes 1. Conversely, when none of the signals are output, all the bits are 0, so the reel motor state data is 0. That is, when all the reel motors are in the OFF state, all the bits corresponding to the reel motor signals become 0, and the bits corresponding to the flow path switching solenoid signals also become 0. As a result, the reel motor state data becomes 0. become.

Therefore, in the determination of step Sg42, when the reel motor state data is 0, it is determined that all the reel motors are in the OFF state (YES in Sg42), and when the reel motor state data is not 0, all reel motors are turned off. A process of not determining that the reel motor is in the OFF state (NO in Sg42) is performed. Thus, it is determined whether or not all the reels have stopped based on determining whether or not signals are being output from the output ports 0 and 1. FIG.

For example, at the time of judgment of Sg42, if the signal output from the output ports 0 and 1 includes a signal to be in the ON state, the signal states of the first to third reel motors φ0 to φ3 are checked one by one. It becomes necessary to acquire and determine whether all of these data are 0. However, if all the signals output from the output ports 0 and 1 are in the OFF state as described above, whether the reel motor state data generated based on the output states of the output ports 0 and 1 is 0 or not. By determining whether or not, it is possible to determine whether or not all the reels have stopped. In this way, by appropriately arranging the signals output from the output ports 0 and 1, it is possible to appropriately handle empty ports, while not hindering the determination of whether or not all the reels have stopped.

[Output processing of payout signal]
The slot machine 1 of this embodiment outputs an external output signal indicating a game state, an error occurrence situation, and the like. These external output signals are output from the game control board 40 under the control of the main control unit 41, and are output to external devices such as hall computers and data display terminals installed corresponding to the slot machine 1. .

However, external devices such as old hall computers take a relatively long time to detect external output signals. In order to ensure that such an external device can detect the external output signal, the signal is output for a certain period of time or longer. For example, the time during which the payout signal and the insertion signal are output is at least 50 ms, as will be described later. Also, when a replay win occurs, the payout signal is output for 250 ms.

For example, if the next game start operation is not validated while a payout signal is being output after a replay win has occurred, the player will have to wait 250 ms until the next game starts. During this time, even if the start operation is performed, the game does not start, and the player may feel uncomfortable. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when a replay win occurs, regardless of whether or not the output of the payout signal based on the replay win has been completed, the start operation is valid in the game following the game in which the replay win occurred. I tried to make it A detailed description will be given below with reference to FIGS. 20 to 22. FIG.

FIG. 20 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining the output processing of the payout signal. When a replay win occurs, a payout signal is transmitted based on the replay win. Also, based on the replay win, the number of BETs (number of bets) is automatically set in the next game (automatic BET). As a result, the next game can be played without consuming new medals for setting the number of bets. Also, an input signal is transmitted based on the set number of bets.

As shown in FIG. 20, in the main processing, multiple interrupt waiting processing (Sc5), game start waiting processing (Sc6), reel stop control processing (Sc19), setting processing at the end of the game (Sc34), etc. are executed. be done. Further, when the timer interrupt process (main) is executed, the input payout signal transmission process (Si21), the output port 3 output process (Si23), and the like are executed.

When a replay win occurs, in the setting process at the end of the game, numerical data corresponding to the BET number set in the game is obtained (Sh3), and numerical data corresponding to the obtained BET number is stored in the replay counter. Store (Sh4), and store the acquired BET number in the payout signal counter (Sh5).

In the present embodiment, the number of bets is "3", so "3" is stored in the replay counter and the payout signal counter. The replay counter is a counter used for determining whether or not there is a replay winning in the game start waiting process. Therefore, in the game start waiting process, the number of bets may be acquired again and the replay counter may be set. However, by simultaneously setting the replay counter and the payout signal counter in the setting process at the end of the game as described above, the processing load can be reduced, and the number of medals can be set efficiently.

After the setting process at the end of the game is completed, the process returns to the main process and shifts to the next game. Then, the interrupt process is executed by executing the interrupt multiple times waiting process (Sc5). A payout signal is output in the interrupt process. That is, in the setting process at the end of the game, after "3" is stored in the payout signal counter (Sh5), the interruption process is executed, whereby it is possible to specify that the number of payouts is "3". A payout signal is output.

Specifically, in the interrupt process, an input/payout signal transmission process (Si21) is executed. Then, in the input/payout signal transmission process, the payout signal generation process (Sj3) is executed. In the payout signal generation process, payout signal data is created based on the payout signal counter. Then, in the output port 3 output process (Si23), the output of the payout signal is started based on the payout signal data.

After the output of the payout signal is started by the interruption process, the game start waiting process (Sc6) is executed. In the game start waiting process, a replay counter is acquired (Sd5). As described above, when a replay win occurs in the previous game and "3" is stored in the replay counter, "3" is stored in the replay counter. As a result, in step Sd7, it is determined that the replay counter value>0 (YES in Sd7), and medal insertion execution processing (Sd8) is executed. In the medal insertion execution process, the number of bets is set to "3" based on the value of the replay counter.

In this way, setting the number of bets is performed after starting output of the payout signal. By doing so, the progress of the game is not hindered by quickly outputting the payout signal, which is the information output to the outside that takes a long time to transmit.

In the game start waiting process described above, when the interrupt process is executed after "3" is stored in the number of bets (Sd8), an insertion signal that can specify that the number of insertions is "3" can be output. becomes. However, the insertion signal cannot be output while the payout signal is being output. The reason is that the following processing is executed.

When the interrupt process is executed, the input/payout signal transmission process (Si21) is executed. In the input payout signal transmission process, when the payout signal is being transmitted (when the payout pulse is in operation (Sj1 is YES)), the input signal generation process (Sj2) is not executed. On the other hand, when the payout signal is not being transmitted (Sj1 is NO)), the input signal generating process (Sj2) is executed. When the input signal generation process (Sj2) is executed, the input signal can be output in the output port 3 output process (Si23). In this way, the input signal cannot be output while the payout signal is being output, and the input signal can be output when the payout signal is not being output.

FIG. 21 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining the output processing of the payout signal. FIG. 21A is a diagram for explaining changes in the number of bets, the replay counter, and the payout signal counter at the time of winning a replay. As shown in FIG. 21A, when the game is started by the start operation, "3" is set as the BET number. When a replay win occurs, as described with reference to FIG. 20, "3" set as the bet number is stored in the replay counter and the payout counter in steps Sh3 to Sh5 of the setting process at the end of the game. .

Also, the number of bets set based on the replay counter is always "3" in the present embodiment. Therefore, for example, the replay counter may be a flag that sets ON when a BET is placed and OFF when a BET is not placed. However, in this embodiment, the replay counter is set as 1-byte data that can be set from 0 to 255 (00H to FFH). By doing so, for example, even if the specification of the software of the slot machine is changed and the number of bets set by winning a replay becomes "2" or another value, it is possible to cope with the specification change. becomes easier.

FIG. 21B is a diagram for explaining an area for storing a payout signal counter in the game RAM area. As described with reference to FIG. 4, the game RAM area has areas AD. Of these areas, areas C and D (areas to be initialized at the end of the bonus) are initialized at the end of the bonus (Sc38, Sc2). Also, the area D (area to be initialized at the end of the game) is initialized each time one game is completed (Sc36, Sc2).

In this embodiment, the payout signal counter is stored in the area A of the game RAM. The area A is an area which is not initialized by either the process of initializing the area D of the game RAM at the end of the game or the process of initializing the areas C and D of the game RAM at the end of the bonus.

If the payout signal counter is stored in the area C or the area D, the payout signal counter is cleared by clearing the areas C and D of the game RAM (Sc2) after the bonus is finished (YES in Sc37). There is a risk of being Therefore, by setting the payout signal counter to the area A, it is possible to prevent the output of the payout signal from being unintentionally stopped due to the initialization process of the game RAM.

FIG. 22 is a diagram (part 3) for explaining the output processing of the payout signal. The period during which the payout signal is output is determined to be constant according to the number of medals paid out (the value of the payout signal counter). When the number of payouts is 1, a pulse signal with an output time of 50 ms is output once as the payout signal. When the number of payouts is 2 or more, a period of 50 ms during which no signal is output (signal OFF state) is provided between pulse signals.

For example, when a replay win occurs, the value of the payout signal counter is 3, so the payout signal output is a 50 ms pulse signal output (signal ON state), a 50 ms signal OFF state, and a 50 ms pulse signal output. (signal ON state), 50 ms signal OFF state, and 50 ms pulse signal output (signal ON state) (total 250 ms). In other words, when a replay win occurs, it takes 250 ms from the start of the output of the payout signal to the completion of the output of the signal.

On the other hand, the period during which the input signal is output is determined to be constant according to the number of BETs. Similarly to the payout signal, when the number of bets is 1, the input signal also outputs a pulse signal with an output time of 50 ms as the input signal once. When the number of bets is 2 or more, a period of 50 ms during which no signal is output (signal OFF state) is provided between pulse signals. For example, when a replay win occurs, the number of BETs is set to 3 by automatic BET. As a result, as in the above case, three pulse signals are output as the input signal, and it takes 250 ms from the start of the output of the input signal to the completion of the output of the signal. Hereinafter, the signal output state will be specifically described using timing charts.

FIG. 22(A) is a timing chart showing output states of the payout signal and the input signal when a replay win occurs. As shown in FIG. 22(A), it is assumed that a replay winning occurs at t1. The output of the payout signal is started based on the occurrence of the replay winning. Further, when a replay win occurs, regardless of whether or not the output of the payout signal based on the replay win is completed, the start operation is validated in the game following the game in which the replay win occurred.

Here, if a replay occurs, it is assumed that after waiting for completion of the output of the payout signal based on the replay winning, the start operation in the next game is validated. For example, in the setting process at the end of the game explained with reference to FIG. 20, it is assumed that the process of waiting until the output of the payout signal is completed is inserted after step Sh5. In this way, even if the replay wins, the game does not start even if the start operation is performed for 250 ms, which may make the player feel uncomfortable. However, by activating the start operation immediately after winning the replay as in the present embodiment, the game can be progressed quickly without making the player feel stressed.

Next, suppose that the output of the payout signal is completed at t2, which is 250 ms after t1. Assume that a start operation is performed at t3. As a result, the output of the input signal is started, and the output of the input signal is completed at t4 after 250 ms have elapsed.

FIG. 22(B) is a timing chart for explaining the case where the start operation is performed before the output of the payout signal is completed. As shown in FIG. 22(A), it is assumed that a replay winning occurs at t1. The output of the payout signal is started based on the occurrence of the replay winning. Also, the start operation in the next game is validated. Here, unlike the situation in FIG. 22(A), in FIG. 22(B), it is assumed that the start operation is performed at t2 before the output of the payout signal is completed.

In this way, the input signal is output based on the start operation, and if the start operation is performed before the output of the payout signal is completed, the input signal is output after the output of the payout signal is completed (t3). to start. At t4, 250 ms after t3, the output of the input signal is completed. By delaying the output of the input signal in this manner, the output timing of the input signal and the output signal of the payout signal do not overlap. easier.

On the other hand, when outputting the payout signal at t1, the payout signal is output without confirming the output of the input signal. That is, when outputting the input signal, the output state of the payout signal is checked, and if the payout signal is not output, the input signal is output, and when outputting the payout signal, the output state of the input signal is checked. A payout signal is output without confirmation.

The reason why this is done is as follows. When the output of the input signal is started based on the start operation, the time until the output of the input signal is completed (250 ms) is longer than the time until the output of the payout signal is started after winning a prize. short. That is, when the output of the payout signal is started, the output of the input signal has already been completed, so there is no need to check the output state of the input signal when the payout signal is output. By omitting the confirmation of the output state of the input signal in this way, the processing load can be reduced.

Also, during the output of the payout signal, when the transition condition is satisfied, the game is controlled to a specific state. For example, the transition condition is an error occurrence and the specific state is an error state. Also, the transition condition is the setting confirmation operation, and the specific state is the setting confirmation state.

For example, when it is determined that an error has occurred in the input/disbursement error check process (Sd11), an error process (Se9) is executed. Further, in the operation input acceptance process (Sd14), when the setting confirmation operation is detected, the setting confirmation state is entered. In the present embodiment, when the output of the payout signal is started, the process of waiting until the output is completed is not performed. Therefore, even while the payout signal is being output, the error processing (Se9) and the operation input reception processing (Sd14) can be executed, and the setting confirmation state and the error state can be controlled.

By doing so, the progress of the control is not hindered, and even if the control is in an error state, etc., the output of the payout signal continues until the output of the payout signal is completed. is not communicated to the outside.

In addition, in the setting process at the end of the game, if a replay win occurs (YES at Sh2), the LED during replay is set to ON (Sh7), and if no replay win occurs (NO at Sh2), The replaying LED is set to OFF (Sh9). Also, the setting process at the end of the game is a process that is executed for each game regardless of the game state under control (for example, normal state, bonus, AT).

In this way, whether or not replay winning occurs is determined for each game, and when replay winning occurs, the LED during replay is turned on, and when replay does not occur, the LED during replay is extinguished. By doing so, it is possible to output the occurrence status of replay winnings based on the status of each game.

[Safety of interrupt prohibition]
Next, safety regarding interrupt prohibition will be described. In this embodiment, an interrupt process can be executed while the main process is being executed. Further, among the data stored in the RAM 41c, there is data that is updated both in the main process and in the interrupt process. For example, when such data is acquired from the RAM 41c in the main process and the data is about to be updated, an interrupt process may be executed to update the data. In this way, data may be updated by unintended interrupt processing, resulting in data inconsistency.

For this reason, when updating such data in the main process, the interrupt prohibition setting is performed so that the data is not updated by the interrupt process. Data security is ensured by disabling interrupts in this way. However, in software development for slot machines, the following problems may occur when there is a change in program specifications.

For example, when a subroutine calls another subroutine with a call instruction (CALL instruction), the places where the subroutines are written may be far from each other in the program. In such a case, there is a case where the called subroutine sets the interrupt prohibition, and immediately after returning to the calling subroutine by the return instruction, the data that can be updated by the interrupt processing is acquired. Even if this is done, the data will not be updated by an unintended interrupt process, but it is very difficult to understand because the locations where the programs are described are far from each other. Also, if the program specification is changed and the called subroutine is deleted, unintended interrupt processing may occur. Safety is not guaranteed.

In this embodiment, in order to improve the maintainability of the program when the specifications are changed by ensuring such safety, the callee program waits for one interrupt, and the caller program also performs an interrupt wait process. I'm trying to set up a prohibition on loading. Details will be described below with reference to FIG. 23 .

FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining the safety of interrupt prohibition. As shown in FIG. 23, the main process includes input/disbursement error check process and error process. The error process is called by a call instruction (CALL instruction) in the input/disbursement error check process, and returns to the input/disbursement error check process by a return instruction (RET instruction). That is, the input/disbursement error check process is the calling program, and the error processing is the called program. In the input/discharge error check process, a process of acquiring and updating the sensor error flag is performed. The sensor error flag is data updated in the main process as described above and also updated in the interrupt process.

As described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, when it is determined that an error has occurred after the input/disbursement error check process is started, an error process (step Se9) is executed. The error process is called by the CALL command of the input/disbursement error check process. In the error processing, when the error cancellation condition is satisfied and the error is cancelled, the error cancellation command transmission processing (Sf13) is executed. Then, after the one-interrupt waiting process (Sf14) is executed, the RET command returns to the input/disbursement error check process.

In this way, in the error processing, the error clearing command is transmitted before the error processing ends, and the RET command is used to complete the transmission of the command. processing is running. As a result, the next process can be executed after the error cancellation command has been reliably transmitted.

When returning to the insertion/disbursement error check process, interruption prohibition setting (Se10) is performed. The sensor error flag updating process (Se11 to Se13) is performed in a state in which the interrupt is disabled. When the sensor error flag updating process is completed, interrupt permission setting (Se14) is performed.

In the process of updating the sensor error flag, the sensor error flag is acquired. Since the sensor error flag is data updated in interrupt processing, the value of the sensor error flag may fluctuate when an unintended interrupt occurs. The reason why the interrupt prohibition setting is performed in this way is to prevent the sensor error flag from being updated while the sensor error flag is being acquired.

In addition, the one-interrupt waiting process (Sf14) is executed in the process immediately before the interrupt prohibition setting (Se10). Since the interrupt processing is executed by the one-time interrupt waiting processing, immediately after the interrupt processing is executed, the interrupt prohibition setting (Se10) and the sensor error flag update processing (Se11 to Se13) are executed. It will be. The time from the execution of the interrupt process to the execution of the sensor error flag update process is shorter than the time from the execution of the interrupt process to the execution of the next interrupt process. Therefore, no interrupt occurs during the process of updating the sensor error flag.

However, in this way, not only the one-interrupt waiting process is performed in the error process, but also the execution of the interrupt process is prohibited in the input/disbursement error check process. processing can be reliably prevented. In addition, as described above, it is desirable to take such two-fold measures in order to improve program maintainability in software development for slot machines. As a result, unintended problems can be prevented even when the program is modified, and the maintainability of the program can be improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, after returning from the error processing to the input/disbursement error check processing, the updating processing (Se11 to Se13) of the sensor error flag is executed without calling other processing by the CALL instruction. As a result, it is possible to quickly update the sensor error flag after completing the error processing.

In the present embodiment, the sensor error flag update process is executed in the insertion/payout error check process, which is the game program. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the update processing of the sensor error flag may be performed by a non-game program. Specifically, the updating process (Se11 to Se13) of the sensor error flag may be defined as a subroutine of the non-game program, and the subroutine may be called by the CALL command by the insertion/payout error check process. The non-game program is not interrupted during execution of the program. Therefore, no interrupt processing occurs during the update processing of the sensor error flag.

[Output data settings]
Next, the difference in the output data setting process between the main side setting process and the interrupt side setting process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining setting of output data.

The main-side setting process is a process executed in the main process, and is a process of setting output data. For example, this corresponds to the process of setting output data performed in the reel stop control process (Sc19) of the main process. On the other hand, the interrupt side setting process is a process executed in the timer interrupt process (main), and is a process of setting output data. For example, this corresponds to the process of setting output data performed in the security signal transmission process (Si22) of the timer interrupt process (main).

Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 24 is a schematic representation to facilitate understanding of the flow of processing for setting the output data. LED data A and B shown below may be any LED data output from output ports 0 to 8, and signal data C and D may be any signal data output from the output port. and output buffers A and B may be any of the output buffers used to output output ports 0-8.

Hereinafter, in the main side setting process, the setting process of the LED data A and the setting process of the LED data B are performed. In addition, in the interrupt side setting process, the LED data C setting process and the LED data D setting process are executed. In the present embodiment, setting data to OFF is also referred to as "clear", and setting data to ON is simply referred to as "setting".

As shown in FIG. 24, in the main-side setting process, first, interrupt prohibition setting is performed (Sm1). The LEDA, B data is data updated by interrupt processing. Therefore, during the execution of the main-side setting process, there is a possibility that unintended lighting of the LED may occur based on temporarily set data. Further, if the data to be updated is signal data, there is a risk that an unintended signal may be output based on temporarily set data. By setting the interrupt prohibition in this way, it is possible to prevent the unintended turning on or off of the LED and the output of the signal.

Next, the LED data A and the LED data B are collectively set to OFF (Sm2). LED data A and LED data B are data corresponding to each bit in 1-byte LED data. For example, the LED data A is ON when the first bit of the LED data is 1, the LED data A is OFF when the first bit of the LED data is 0, and the second bit of the LED data is 1. LED data B is turned ON at this time, and LED data B is turned OFF when the second bit of the LED data is 0. Therefore, by setting the LED data to 0, the LED data A and the LED data B are collectively set to OFF, which facilitates the processing.

In step Sm3, if the condition for validating LED data A is satisfied (Sm3 is YES), LED data A is set to ON (Sm4), and the process proceeds to step Sm5. On the other hand, if the validation condition for the LED data A is not satisfied (Sm3 is NO), the process proceeds to step Sm5.

In step Sm5, if the condition for validating the LED data B (LED lighting condition) is established (YES in Sm5), the LED data B is set to ON (Sm6), and the process proceeds to step Sm7. On the other hand, if the condition for validating the LED data B is not satisfied (NO in Sm5), the process proceeds to step Sm7.

In step Sm7, LED data A and LED data B are set in output buffer A. In step Sm8, the interrupt permission setting (Sm8) is performed, and the main side setting process ends. When interrupt processing is executed by the interrupt permission setting, LEDA and LEDB are turned on or off based on the data set in the output buffer A. FIG.

In this way, in the main-side setting process, after setting the output data (LED data A and B) collectively to the OFF setting, when the output condition (validation condition of the LED data A and B) is met, the output data is output. This is a process for setting data ON. Then, LEDA and LEDB are turned on or off based on the LED data A and LED data B set by the main side setting process. In this way, in the main-side setting process, the output data can be easily set to OFF by collectively making settings.

In this embodiment, the LED data A and B are set in the output buffer A, and the LEDs A and B are turned on or off by output port output processing based on the output buffer A. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of setting the LED data A and B in the output buffer A, the LEDs A and B may be turned on or off by output port output processing based on the LED data A and B.

Next, the interrupt side setting process will be described. In the interrupt setting process, signal data C and signal data D are collectively set to ON (Sn1). Signal data C and signal data D are data corresponding to each bit in 1-byte signal data. For example, the signal data C is ON when the first bit of the signal data is 1, the signal data C is OFF when the first bit of the signal data is 0, and the second bit is 1. When the signal data D is ON, the signal data D is OFF when the second bit of the signal data is 0. Therefore, by setting the signal data to FFH, the signal data A and the LED data B are collectively set to ON, which facilitates processing.

In step Sn2, if the invalidation condition (signal stop condition) of signal data C is satisfied (Sn2 is YES), signal data C is set to OFF (Sn3), and the process proceeds to step Sm4. On the other hand, if the invalidation condition for the signal data C is not satisfied (Sn2 is NO), the process proceeds to step S4.

In step Sn4, if the invalidation condition for signal data D is satisfied (Sn4 is YES), signal data D is set to OFF (Sn5), and the process proceeds to step Sn6. On the other hand, if the validation condition for the signal data D is not satisfied (Sn4 is NO), the process proceeds to step Sn6.

In step Sn6, the signal data C and signal data D are set in the output buffer B, and the interrupt side setting process is terminated. When the interrupt side setting process is completed, the signal C and the signal D are output based on the data set in the output buffer B in the output process of the output port executed in the interrupt process.

In this way, the interrupt side setting process sets the output data (signal data C and D) collectively to ON, and then outputs the output data when the output condition (validation condition of the signal data C and D) is not satisfied. is set to OFF. Then, the signal C and the signal D are output based on the signal data C and the signal data D set by the interrupt side setting process. In this way, in the interrupt-side setting process, the ON setting of the output data is facilitated by collectively performing the setting.

Further, it is determined whether or not the invalidation condition is established for each of the signal data C and the signal data D, and when the invalidation condition for the signal data C is established, the signal data C is set to OFF, and the next establishment is determined. When the invalidation condition of the signal data D is satisfied, the signal data D is set to OFF.

For example, there is a method of holding the judgment result of the invalidation condition each time the invalidation condition is judged, and turning off the signal data collectively after all the judgments are completed. However, if this is done, it becomes necessary to hold the determination result of the invalidation condition each time. As described above, by setting the signal data to OFF each time the invalidation condition is satisfied, it is not necessary to hold the determination result of the invalidation condition each time.

In this embodiment, the signal data C and D are set in the output buffer B, and the signal C and the signal D are output by output port output processing based on the output buffer B. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of setting the signal data C and D in the output buffer B, the signals C and D may be output by output port output processing based on the signal data C and D. FIG.

As described above, the data processing can be simplified by first setting the output data to ON or OFF and updating the output data as necessary when the conditions are satisfied. For example, if there is 1-byte data containing a plurality of signal data, and each signal data corresponds to each bit in the 1-byte data (including 8-bit signal data), the 1-byte data can be rewritten to FFH. , all signal data can be set to ON. All signal data can be set to OFF by rewriting the 1-byte data to 00H.

As commands used by the program, commands for setting data to OFF (clearing) are more complete than commands for setting data to ON. For example, it is possible to set the data to OFF (00H) or ON (FFH) by reading the contents of the register holding the data of 00H or FFH to the register holding the 1-byte data. On the other hand, regarding the data OFF setting, the data can be cleared (00H) in one execution by executing the clear instruction, so the processing capacity is reduced.

For this reason, it is desirable from the viewpoint of reducing the processing capacity to set the data to OFF once and then to set it to ON as necessary. Therefore, in the interrupt-side setting process, the output data is first set to ON, and when the conditions are satisfied, the output data is set to OFF. This makes the program even simpler. On the other hand, if ON is set first in the main process, an erroneous signal may be output due to the execution of the interrupt process. Therefore, in the main-side setting process, the output data is first set to OFF, and the output data is set to ON when the establishment condition is met. This can prevent an erroneous signal from being output.

[Structure of the slot machine of the present embodiment and its effects]
Next, the configuration and effects of the slot machine of this embodiment will be described.

(1-1) having a plurality of variable display units capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information each identifiable,
A display result is derived by stopping the variable display of the variable display portion after the variable display portion is variably displayed, and winning can occur according to a display result combination that is a combination of display results of a plurality of variable display portions. In a slot machine (for example, slot machine 1),
a plurality of derivation operation means (for example, stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R) operated to derive display result combinations;
A processing means (for example, the main CPU 41a) that executes a predetermined process,
The predetermined processes executed by the processing means include a main process (for example, the main process shown in FIG. 9) and an interrupt process (for example, a 16 timer interrupt processing (main)),
The processing means
In the interrupt processing, it is determined whether or not there is an input based on the operation of any one of the plurality of lead-out operation means, and operation of the first lead-out operation means (e.g., left stop switch) of the plurality of lead-out operation means is performed. When it is determined that there is a first input (for example, detection of the ON edge of the left stop switch signal) based on Execute the first setting process (for example, reel stop sliding piece storage process) for setting the stop position of the variable display in (for example, the left reel area visible from the player side through the perspective window 3) ( For example, when the ON edge of the left stop switch signal based on the operation of the left stop switch is detected, in the main processing after the interrupt processing, reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) for setting the stop position of the left reel ),
After starting the first setting process, execution of new interrupt process is prohibited until the first setting process is completed, and after the first setting process is completed, the new interrupt process is executed (for example, , as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, after the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) is started, execution of new interrupt processing is prohibited until the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) is completed. Execute a new interrupt process after the reel stop sliding piece storage process (left) is completed),
In the new interrupt process, the presence or absence of an input based on the operation of any one of the plurality of lead-out operation means is determined, and the second lead-out operation means (for example, a middle stop switch) of the plurality of lead-out operation means is selected. ) based on the operation of (for example, the detection of the ON edge of the middle stop switch signal), in the main processing after the new interrupt processing, one of the plurality of variable display units Second setting process (for example, reel stop sliding piece storage process) for setting the stop position of the variable display in the second variable display portion (for example, the area of the middle reel visible from the player side through the perspective window 3) ) is executed (for example, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, when the ON edge of the middle stop switch signal based on the operation of the middle stop switch is detected in new interrupt processing, a new interrupt In the main processing after the load processing, the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (middle) for setting the stop position of the middle reel is executed),
The processing means further determines, in the main processing after the new interrupt processing, whether or not the variable display of the variable display unit is normal (for example, reel rotation error), and the variable display is normal. If it is determined that it is not, the second setting process is not executed based on the second input determined in the new interrupt process, and if it is determined that the change display is normal, the new interrupt process is performed. The second setting process is executed based on the second input determined in (for example, in the main process after the new interrupt process, it is determined whether or not a reel rotation error has occurred, and if the reel rotation error is If it has occurred, do not execute the reel stop sliding frame storage processing (middle) based on the new interrupt processing, and if it is determined that a reel rotation error has occurred, reel stop sliding based on the new interrupt processing Execute frame storage processing (middle)).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, when the ON edge of the left stop switch signal based on the operation of the left stop switch is detected, in the main processing after the interrupt processing, the left reel After executing the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) for setting the stop position of the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left), after starting the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left), a new Prohibit the execution of interrupt processing, execute a new interrupt processing after the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) is completed, and in the new interrupt processing, the middle stop switch signal based on the operation of the middle stop switch When the ON edge is detected, in the main processing after the new interrupt processing, the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (middle) for setting the stop position of the middle reel is executed. By doing so, the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (middle) based on the operation of the middle stop switch is executed before the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) based on the operation of the left stop switch is completed. can be prevented. Also, in the main processing after the new interrupt processing, it is determined whether or not a reel rotation error has occurred, and if a reel rotation error has occurred, the reel stop sliding piece is stored based on the new interrupt processing. If it is determined that the reel rotation error has not occurred without executing the process (middle), the reel stop sliding piece storing process (middle) is executed based on the new interrupt process. By doing so, it is possible to ensure that the reel stop sliding piece storing process (middle) based on the operation of the middle stop switch is executed on condition that the rotation of the reel is normal. Thus, when the reel stop sliding piece storing process for setting the reel stop position is continuously executed, the reel stop sliding piece storing process can be preferably executed.

(1-2) The processing means
After completing the first setting process, output a first stop command (for example, a reel stop position command) indicating the stop position of the variable display in the first variable display section set by the first setting process (for example, , as shown in FIG. 14, after completing the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left), output a reel stop position command indicating the stop position of the left reel set by the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left)) ,
Execution of interrupt processing is prohibited until the setting for outputting the first stop command is completed (for example, as shown in FIG. 14, a reel stop position command indicating the stop position of the left reel is output. Execution of interrupt processing is prohibited until the setting is completed).

For example, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, after the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) is completed, the left reel stop position set by the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) is indicated. Execution of interrupt processing is prohibited until the setting for outputting a reel stop position command and outputting a reel stop position command indicating the stop position of the left reel is completed. Therefore, a new process based on the operation of the stop switch is not performed before the transmission of the reel stop position command is completed.

(1-3) The processing means
When outputting the first stop command, a plurality of commands including the first stop command are output (for example, a reel stop acceptance command, a reel stop position command, a sliding frame number command, a reel stop command),

Execution of interrupt processing is prohibited until the setting for outputting the plurality of commands is completed (for example, interrupt processing is prohibited until the setting for outputting the plurality of commands is completed, as shown in FIG. 14). execution).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, when outputting a reel stop position command, a reel stop acceptance command, a sliding frame count command, and a reel stop command are output, and a plurality of these commands are output. Execution of interrupt processing is prohibited until the setting for interrupt processing is completed. In this way, it is possible to prevent unintended commands from being output due to interrupt processing and to prevent large transmission intervals between commands before the setting for outputting a plurality of commands is completed.

(1-4) The processing means, in the second setting process, may change the second variable display section based on the stop position of the variable display in the first variable display section set in the first setting process. Set the display stop position (for example, as shown in FIG. 13, in the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (middle), based on the left reel stop position set by the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left), Set the stop position of the middle reel.).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, in the reel stop sliding piece storing process (middle), based on the stop position of the left reel set by the reel stop sliding piece storing process (left), the middle Set the stop position of the reel. In this way, the stop position of the middle reel is set based on the stop position of the left reel, so that the derived symbol combinations are diversified.

(1-5) Even if the display result combination is derived by stopping the variable display on the second variable display section, the processing means may perform the second setting process after starting the second setting process. Execution of new interrupt processing is prohibited until the setting processing is completed (for example, as shown in FIG. 14, even if the symbol combination is derived by stopping the left reel, the reel stop sliding frame After the storage processing (middle) is started, execution of new interrupt processing is prohibited until the reel stop sliding frame storage processing (middle) is completed).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, even if the symbol combination is derived by stopping the middle reels, after the reel stop sliding piece storing process (middle) is started, the reels Execution of new interrupt processing is prohibited until the stop sliding piece storage processing (middle) is completed. In this way, since other processes are not executed while the reel stop sliding piece storing process is being executed, it is possible to quickly stop the reels.

(1-6) The processing means determines that there are the first input and the second input in interrupt processing when both the first variable display section and the second variable display section are performing variable display. In this case, in the main processing after the interrupt processing, the first setting processing is executed while the second setting processing is not executed (for example, as shown in FIG. 19, both the left reel and the middle reel are When the ON edge of the left stop switch signal and the middle stop switch signal is detected in the interrupt processing during rotation, the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) is executed in the main processing after the interrupt processing. On the other hand, the reel stop sliding piece storing process (middle) is not executed.).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, the ON edges of the left stop switch signal and the middle stop switch signal are detected in the interrupt processing when both the left reel and the middle reel are rotating. In this case, in the main processing after the interrupt processing, the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) is executed, but the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (middle) is not executed. However, if the ON edges of the left stop switch signal and the middle stop switch signal are detected in error even in one interrupt process, the left reel and the middle reel can be stopped, so that the reels can be stopped quickly. .

(1-7) The processing means
When it is determined that there is the first input in predetermined interrupt processing when both the first variable display portion and the second variable display portion are performing variable display, the main display after the predetermined interrupt processing is performed. In the process, the first setting process can be executed (for example, as shown in FIG. 17, in a predetermined interrupt process when both the left reel and the middle reel are rotating, the ON edge of the left stop switch signal is detected, in the main processing after a predetermined interrupt processing, reel stop sliding frame storage processing (left) is executed),
When it is determined that there is the second input in interrupt processing after the predetermined interrupt processing, the second setting processing can be executed in the main processing after the interrupt processing (for example, FIG. As shown in 17, when the ON edge of the intermediate stop switch signal is detected in the interrupt processing after the predetermined interrupt processing, in the main processing after the interrupt processing, reel stop sliding piece storage processing (intermediate ).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, when the ON edge of the left stop switch signal is detected in predetermined interrupt processing when both the left reel and the middle reel are rotating, a predetermined In the main processing after the interrupt processing, reel stop sliding frame storage processing (left) is executed, and in the interrupt processing after the predetermined interrupt processing, when the ON edge of the middle stop switch signal is detected, In the main processing after the interrupt processing, reel stop sliding piece storing processing (middle) is executed. As described above, when the ON edge of the left stop switch signal and the middle stop switch signal is detected in error even in one interrupt process, the left reel and the middle reel can be stopped, so the reels can be stopped quickly. can be done.

(1-8) The processing means
When it is determined that the first input and the second input are made in a predetermined interrupt process when both the first variable display section and the second variable display section are performing variable display, the predetermined interrupt process is performed. In the main processing after the processing, while the first setting processing is executed, the second setting processing is not executed (for example, as shown in FIG. 19, when both the left reel and the middle reel are rotating When the ON edge of the left stop switch signal and the ON edge of the left stop switch signal are detected in the predetermined interrupt processing, in the main processing after the predetermined interrupt processing, reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) is performed. While executing, reel stop sliding frame storage processing (middle) is not executed),
executing the second setting process in the main process after the predetermined interrupt process when it is determined that the first input and the second input are present in the interrupt process after the predetermined interrupt process; , the first setting process is not executed (for example, as shown in FIG. 19, the ON edge of the left stop switch signal and the ON edge of the left stop switch signal are detected in the interrupt process after the predetermined interrupt process). If so, in the main processing after the interrupt processing, the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (middle) is executed, but the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) is not executed).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, in predetermined interrupt processing when both the left reel and the middle reel are rotating, the ON edge of the left stop switch signal and the ON edge of the left stop switch signal When an edge is detected, in the main processing after the predetermined interrupt processing, the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) is executed, but the reel stop sliding piece storage processing (middle) is not executed. Further, when the ON edge of the left stop switch signal and the ON edge of the left stop switch signal are detected in the interrupt processing after the predetermined interrupt processing, the reel stop sliding piece is stored in the main processing after the interrupt processing. While the process (middle) is executed, the reel stop sliding piece storage process (left) is not executed. Thus, when the left stop switch and the middle stop switch are operated at the same time, the rotating reel is stopped, so the operability of the stop switches is not impaired.

(1-9) The processing means
When it is determined that the first input and the second input are made in the interrupt processing when the variable display on the first variable display portion is stopped and the second variable display portion is on the variable display, the interrupt processing is performed. In the main processing after the loading processing, the second setting processing is executed (for example, as shown in FIG. 19, in the interrupt processing when the left reel is stopped and the middle reel is rotating, the left stop switch When the ON edge of the signal and the ON edge of the left stop switch signal are detected, the reel stop sliding piece storing process (middle) is executed in the main process after the interrupt process),
When it is determined that the first input and the second input are made in the interrupt processing when the variable display on the second variable display portion is stopped and the first variable display portion is on the variable display, the interrupt processing is performed. In the main processing after the loading processing, the first setting processing is executed (for example, as shown in FIG. 19, in the interrupt processing when the middle reel is stopped and the left reel is rotating, the middle stop switch When the ON edge of the signal and the ON edge of the left stop switch signal are detected, the reel stop sliding piece storing process (left) is executed in the main process after the interrupt process).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, in interrupt processing when the left reel is stopped and the middle reel is rotating, the ON edge of the left stop switch signal and the ON edge of the left stop switch signal When an edge is detected, in the main processing after the interrupt processing, the reel stop sliding frame storage processing (middle) is executed, and in the interrupt processing when the middle reel is stopped and the left reel is rotating, the middle When the ON edge of the stop switch signal and the ON edge of the left stop switch signal are detected, the reel stop sliding piece storing process (left) is executed in the main process after the interrupt process. In this manner, even if the ON edges of a plurality of stop switch signals are detected in the same interrupt process, the reel stop sliding piece storing process of the rotating reel is executed, so that the operability is not impaired.

(1-10) The processing means
When it is determined in the interrupt process that the first input has been made, in the main process after the interrupt process, the position of the variable display in the first variable display part is set to the identification information of each of the first variable display parts. Acquire an identification number (e.g., pattern number) corresponding to the identification information when the position of a common step (e.g., 11 steps) in a range (e.g., number of steps of each design) corresponding to (e.g., design) is reached Then, the first setting process is executed based on the identification number (for example, when the ON edge of the left stop switch signal is detected in the interrupt process as shown in FIG. 14, the main process after the interrupt process is executed). , when the position of the left reel reaches a predetermined number of steps in the number of steps for each symbol on the left reel, the symbol number corresponding to the symbol is obtained, and reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) is performed based on the symbol number. ),
After it is determined that there is the first input, the second input is not accepted even if there is the second input until the position of the variable display on the first variable display unit becomes the position of the common step ( For example, as shown in FIG. 14, after the ON edge of the left stop switch signal is detected, until the position of the left reel reaches the position of the 11th step, even if the ON edge of the middle stop switch signal is detected, the middle stop is not performed. It does not accept the ON edge of the switch signal).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, when the ON edge of the left stop switch signal is detected in the interrupt process, the position of the left reel is set to the left reel position in the main process after the interrupt process. When it reaches the 11th step position in the number of steps of each symbol, the symbol number corresponding to the symbol is acquired, reel stop sliding piece storage processing (left) is executed based on the symbol number, and the left stop switch signal is turned ON After the edge is detected, the ON edge of the middle stop switch signal is not accepted even if the ON edge of the middle stop switch signal is detected until the position of the left reel reaches the position of the 11th step. By doing so, the reel stop sliding piece storing process can be executed from the position of the 11th step.

(1-11) further comprising start operation means (for example, a start switch 7) for starting the variable display in the plurality of variable display portions;
The processing means
Based on the operation of the start operation means, control is performed to output a specific signal (for example, internal winning signal) for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) (for example, as shown in FIG. 13, the start switch 7 is operated). Based on, control is performed to output an internal winning signal for 2 seconds),
Validate the operation of the plurality of derivation operation means on the condition that the predetermined time has elapsed (for example, as shown in FIG. 13, stop switches 8L, 8C, 8R are activated on the condition that two seconds operation).

For example, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, based on the operation of the start switch 7, control is performed to output the internal winning signal for 2 seconds, and when 2 seconds have passed, the control is stopped. Enables the operation of the switches 8L, 8C and 8R. By doing so, the contents of the internal winning signal can be confirmed by the external device (testing device), and then the reels can be stopped.

(1-12) The processing means supplies drive signals (eg, first to third reel motor φ0 to φ3 signals) to motors (eg, reel motors) for starting variable display in the plurality of variable display units. ) is output, it is determined whether or not the variable display of all the plurality of variable display portions has stopped (for example, as shown in FIG. 14, for the reel motor It is determined whether or not all the reels have stopped based on determining whether or not the reel motor signal is being output).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, it is determined whether reel motor signals (first to third reel motor φ0 to φ3 signals) are output to the reel motors. to determine whether or not all the reels have stopped. By doing so, it is possible to determine that the reel has stopped based on the output status of the reel motor signal.

(1-13) The processing means
The drive signal for the motor and the drive signal (for example, flow switching solenoid signal) for the blocker solenoid (for example, flow switching solenoid 30) that switches the flow path of the inserted game media are sent to a specific port (for example, output port 0). , 1) (for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a reel motor signal and a channel switching solenoid signal are output from output ports 0 and 1),
When starting the variable display on the plurality of variable display units, the output of the drive signal to the solenoid is stopped (for example, as shown in FIG. 14, the flow path switching solenoid stop outputting the signal),
Based on determining whether or not a signal is being output from the specific port, it is determined whether or not the variable display of all of the plurality of variable display portions has stopped (for example, as shown in FIG. 12, the output port It is determined whether or not all the reels have stopped based on whether or not signals are output from 0 and 1).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 14, when the reel motor signal and the flow path switching solenoid signal are output from the output ports 0 and 1 to start the rotation of all the reels, the flow It is determined whether or not all the reels have stopped based on whether or not the output of the path switching solenoid signal is stopped and whether or not the signal is being output from the output ports 0 and 1 is determined. By doing so, it is possible to appropriately handle empty ports, while not hindering the determination of whether or not all the reels have stopped.

(2-1) The processing means
An out signal (e.g., payout signal) is output based on the occurrence of a replay winning (e.g., replay winning) that allows the next game to be started without using the game value (e.g., medals) owned by the player ( For example, as shown in FIG. 22, a payout signal is output based on the occurrence of a replay win),
When the replay winning occurs, regardless of whether or not the output of the out signal based on the replay winning is completed, the operation of the start operation means is performed in the game following the game in which the replay winning occurred. Activate (for example, as shown in FIG. 22, when a replay win occurs, regardless of whether or not the output of the payout signal based on the replay win has been completed, start in the game following the game in which the replay win occurred) operation).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, a payout signal is output based on the occurrence of a replay win. Regardless, the start operation is validated in the game next to the game in which the replay winning has occurred. By doing so, the progress of the game can be advanced quickly.

(2-2) The processing means
outputting an IN signal (for example, a closing signal) based on the operation of the start operation means (for example, outputting a closing signal based on the start operation, as shown in FIG. 22);
If the start operation means is operated before the output of the OUT signal is completed, the output of the IN signal is started after the output of the OUT signal is completed (for example, as shown in FIG. 22, the output of the payout signal is If the start operation is performed before the output is completed, the output of the insertion signal is started after the output of the payout signal is completed).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, the insertion signal is output based on the start operation, and if the start operation is performed before the output of the payout signal is completed, the payout signal is output. is completed, the input signal is started to be output. By delaying the output of the input signal in this manner, the output timing of the input signal and the output signal of the payout signal do not overlap. easier.

(2-3) The processing means
When outputting the IN signal, the output state of the OUT signal is checked, and if the OUT signal is not output, the IN signal is output (for example, an input signal is output as shown in FIG. 22). When doing so, the output state of the payout signal is checked, and if the payout signal is not output, the input signal is output),
When outputting the out signal, the out signal is output without checking the output state of the in signal (for example, as shown in FIG. 22, when outputting the payout signal, the input signal is output output a payout signal without checking the state).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, when outputting the input signal, the output state of the payout signal is checked, and if the payout signal is not output, the input signal is output and the payout When outputting the signal, the payout signal is output without checking the output state of the input signal. Since the payout signal is not output while the input signal is being output, the processing load can be reduced by omitting confirmation of the output state of the input signal.

(2-4) The processing means
A first initialization process (eg, a process of clearing the area D of the game RAM at the end of the game (Sa2 ))When,
A second initialization process for initializing the storage area in the storage means when control to an advantageous state (for example, bonus state) advantageous to the player is completed (for example, when the bonus is completed, areas C and D of the game RAM are initialized). (Sa2)) to clear the
The output data of the out signal is set in a storage area (for example, area A of the game RAM area) in the storage means that is not initialized by either the first initialization process or the second initialization process ( For example, as shown in FIG. 21(B), a game RAM not initialized by either the process of clearing the area D of the game RAM at the end of the game or the process of clearing the areas C and D of the game RAM at the end of the bonus. The output data of the payout signal is set in the area A of the RAM).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21(B), either the processing of clearing the area D of the game RAM at the end of the game or the processing of clearing the areas C and D of the game RAM at the end of the bonus. The output data of the payout signal is set in the area A of the game RAM which is not initialized even by . By doing so, it is possible to prevent the output of the payout signal from being unintentionally stopped by the game RAM clearing process.

(2-5) The processing means sets the bet amount for starting the game based on the occurrence of the replay winning, after starting the output of the out signal (for example, as shown in FIG. , the setting of the number of bets for starting a game based on the occurrence of a replay winning is executed after starting the output of a payout signal).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, the setting of the number of bets for starting a game based on the occurrence of a replay winning is executed after the output of the payout signal is started. In this way, the progress of the game is not hindered by quickly outputting the payout signal, which is the information output to the outside that takes a long time to transmit.

(2-6) The processing means
Controlling to a specific state (for example, error state, setting change state) when a transition condition (for example, error occurrence, setting change operation) is established during the output of the out signal,
Even when controlled to the specific state, the output of the out signal is continued until the output of the out signal is completed (for example, as shown in FIG. 10, even when controlled to the error state) , the output of the payout signal is continued until the output of the payout signal is completed).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, when an error occurs while the payout signal is being output, control is performed in an error state. Even if the payout signal is output, the output of the payout signal is continued until the output of the payout signal is completed, so that erroneous information is not transmitted to the outside.

(2-7) When the replay win occurs, the processing means acquires the bet number (for example, the BET number) set in the game in which the replay win occurs, and The corresponding numerical data (for example, 3) are stored in a storage area for setting the number of bets (for example, a replay counter) and a storage area for outputting the out signal (for example, a payout signal counter). (for example, as shown in FIG. 20, when a replay win occurs, the number of bets set in the game in which the replay occurred is acquired, and numerical data corresponding to the acquired number of bets is stored in the replay stored in the counter and the payout signal counter).

For example, in the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 20, when a replay win occurs, the number of bets set in the game in which the replay occurred is acquired, and a numerical value corresponding to the acquired number of bets is obtained. Data is stored in a replay counter and a payout signal counter. By doing so, it is possible to efficiently set the number of medals.

(2-8) Even if the bet amount is set to a predetermined number (for example, 3), the storage area for setting the number of bets based on the replay winning prize stores data other than numerical data corresponding to the predetermined number. Numerical data (0 to 2, 4 to 255, for example) can be stored (for example, as shown in FIG. , which can store numbers from 0 to 255).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21(A), the replay counter can store a numerical value from 0 to 255 even when the number of bets is set to 3. . By doing so, even if the specification of the software of the slot machine is changed, it becomes easy to deal with the specification change.

(2-9) The processing means determines for each unit game whether or not the replay winning has occurred, regardless of the game state under control (for example, normal state, bonus, or AT). When the replay win occurs, the lighting means (for example, a replay LED) is turned on, and when the replay win does not occur, the lighting means is extinguished (for example, as shown in FIG. 15). Furthermore, regardless of the gaming state under control, it is determined for each game whether or not a replay win has occurred, and when a replay win has occurred, the replay LED is turned on, and the replay is started. If it does not occur, the replaying LED is extinguished.).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, regardless of the game state under control, it is determined for each game whether or not replay winning has occurred. When replay occurs, the replay LED is lit, and when replay does not occur, the replay LED is extinguished. By doing so, it is possible to output the occurrence status of replay winnings based on the status of each game.

(3-1) The main process is called by a first process (for example, input/payout error check process) and a call instruction (for example, CALL instruction) in the first process, and is called by a return instruction (for example, RET instruction). and a second process (for example, error handling) that returns to the first process,
The second process includes an interrupt wait process (for example, a one-time interrupt wait process) that waits until an interrupt process is executed and proceeds to the next process on condition that the interrupt process is executed. ,
The processing means prohibits the execution of an interrupt process when executing a predetermined process after returning from the second process in the first process (for example, as shown in FIG. 23, an input/payout error check In the processing, after returning from the error processing, the execution of the interrupt processing is prohibited when executing the processing for acquiring the sensor error flag).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23, the main process is called by the input/disbursement error check process and the CALL instruction in the input/disbursement error check process, and returns to the input/disbursement error check process by the RET instruction. Error processing includes waiting until interrupt processing is executed, and progresses to the next processing on the condition that the interrupt processing is executed. In the process, after returning from the error process, when executing the process of acquiring the sensor error flag, the execution of the interrupt process is prohibited. In this manner, not only is the one-interrupt waiting process performed in the error process, but the execution of the interrupt process is also prohibited in the input/discharge error check process, so that unintended interrupt process can be reliably prevented. By doing so, it is possible to prevent unintended problems from occurring even when modifying the program in the development of the slot machine, and to improve the maintainability of the program.

(3-2) In the second process, the processing means transmits a command (for example, an error clearing command) before ending the second process, and transmits the return instruction so as to complete the transmission of the command. (For example, as shown in FIG. 23, in error processing, an error cancellation command is transmitted before ending the error processing, and the error cancellation command In order to complete the transmission, a one-time interrupt waiting process is executed before returning to the insertion/disbursement error check process by the RET command).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23, in the error processing, an error cancellation command is transmitted before the error processing is terminated, and an input payout command is executed by the RET instruction so that the transmission of the error cancellation command is completed. Before returning to the error check process, the process of waiting for one interrupt is executed. By doing so, the next process can be executed after the error cancellation command is reliably transmitted.

(3-3) The predetermined process is a process of acquiring predetermined information (for example, a sensor error flag) updated in the interrupt process (for example, as shown in FIG. 23, the predetermined process is a This is a sensor error flag update process for obtaining updated sensor error flags).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23, the predetermined process is a sensor error flag update process for obtaining a sensor error flag updated in the interrupt process. Since execution of interrupt processing is prohibited after returning from error processing, the sensor error flag is not updated while the sensor error flag is being acquired.

(3-4) The predetermined process is a process that is executed by calling a non-game program different from the game program related to the progress of the game by a call command in the first process (for example, as shown in FIG. 23). (2) The predetermined process is a process executed by calling a non-game program different from the game program relating to the progress of the game by a CALL command in the insertion/payout error check process).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23, the predetermined process is executed by calling a non-game program different from the game program relating to the progress of the game with a CALL command by the insertion/payout error check process. processing. By doing so, no interruption occurs during the execution of the non-game program.

(3-5) After returning from the second process to the first process, the processing means executes the predetermined process without calling other processes by the call instruction (for example, as shown in FIG. , after returning from the error processing to the input/disbursement error check processing, the predetermined processing is executed without calling other processing by the CALL instruction).

For example, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23, after returning from the error processing to the input/disbursement error check processing, a predetermined processing is executed by a CALL command without calling other processing. By doing so, it is possible to quickly execute the predetermined process after the error process is completed.

(4-1) The processing means
In the interrupt processing, output processing (for example, output port output processing) for outputting output data set in a storage area in the storage means;
In the main processing, main side setting processing for setting the output data (for example, LED data A setting processing, LED data B setting processing);
In the interrupt processing, it is possible to execute interrupt-side setting processing (for example, LED data C setting processing, LED data D setting processing) for setting the output data,
In the main-side setting process, after clearing the setting of the output data, the output data is set when an output condition (for example, a condition for validating LED data A or a condition for validating LED data B) is satisfied. (For example, as shown in FIG. 24, the main-side setting process sets the LED data A and B to OFF, and then sets the LED data A when the condition for validating the LED data A A is set to ON, and the LED data B is set to ON when the condition for validating the LED data B is satisfied),
The interrupt-side setting process sets the output data when the output conditions (for example, a validating condition for signal data C and a validating condition for signal data D) are not satisfied after setting the output data. (For example, as shown in FIG. 24, the interrupt side setting process is the signal data C when the activation condition of the signal data C is not satisfied after the signal data C and D are set to ON.) is set to OFF, and the setting of the signal data D is set to OFF when the condition for validating the signal data D is not satisfied).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, in the main side setting process, after setting the LED data A and B to OFF, the activation condition for the LED data A is satisfied. In this process, the LED data A is set to ON when the activation condition of the LED data B is satisfied, and the LED data B is set to ON when the condition for validating the LED data B is satisfied. In addition, the interrupt side setting processing turns ON the signal data C and D, then turns OFF the setting of the signal data C when the conditions for enabling the signal data C are not satisfied, and enables the signal data D. This is processing for setting the signal data D to OFF when the condition is not satisfied. In this way, data processing can be simplified by first setting the output data to ON or OFF, and then updating the output data as necessary when the establishment condition is satisfied. In addition, since the instruction to set data OFF is more complete than the instruction to set data ON, in the interrupt setting process, the output data is first set to ON, and when the establishment condition is satisfied, the output data is turned ON. By setting to OFF, the program can be simplified. On the other hand, if such processing is performed in the main processing, an erroneous signal may be output due to the execution of interrupt processing. Therefore, in the main-side setting process, by first setting the output data to OFF and then setting the output data to ON when the establishment condition is satisfied, it is possible to prevent an erroneous signal from being output.

(4-2) The processing means
In the output process, a plurality of signals (for example, signal C and signal D) are output based on the output data set by the interrupt side setting process (for example, as shown in FIG. 24, by the interrupt side setting process Output signal C and signal D based on signal data C and signal data D set to ON),
In the interrupt-side setting process, the output data corresponding to the plurality of signals are collectively set (for example, as shown in FIG. 24, in the interrupt-side setting process, the signal data corresponding to the signals C and D are C and signal data D are collectively set to ON).

For example, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, signals C and D are output based on signal data C and signal data D that are set to ON by the interrupt side setting process. , the signal data C and the signal data D corresponding to the signals C and D are collectively set to ON. By doing so, the ON setting of the signal data C and the signal data D is facilitated.

(4-3) The processing means
In the output process, a plurality of signals (for example, signal A and signal B) are output based on the output data set by the main-side setting process (for example, as shown in FIG. LEDA and LEDB are turned on or off based on the received LED data A and LED data B),
In the main side setting process, the output data corresponding to the plurality of signals are collectively cleared (for example, as shown in FIG. 24, in the main side setting process, LED data A and LED data corresponding to LEDA and LEDB are cleared). B are collectively set to OFF).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, LEDA and LEDB are turned on or off based on the LED data A and LED data B set by the main side setting process. LED data A and LED data B corresponding to LEDB are collectively set to OFF. By doing so, the OFF setting of the LED data A and the LED data B is facilitated.

(4-4) The processing means
For each of the plurality of signals output in the output process, it is determined whether or not the output condition is established (for example, as shown in FIG. 24, for each of signal data C and signal data D , determine whether the invalidation condition is satisfied),
After updating the output data based on one output condition, the output data is updated based on the output condition next to the one output condition (for example, as shown in FIG. 24, the signal data C invalidation condition is established, the signal data C is set to OFF, and when the next establishment condition, that is, the invalidation condition for the signal data D is established, the signal data D is set to OFF).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, it is determined whether or not the disabling condition for signal data C and signal data D is satisfied, and the disabling condition for signal data C is determined. When it does, the signal data C is set to OFF, and when the invalidation condition of the signal data D, which is the next satisfaction condition, is satisfied, the signal data D is set to OFF. By doing so, it is not necessary to hold the determination result of the invalidation condition each time.

(4-5) The processing means prohibits execution of interrupt processing during the main-side setting processing (for example, as shown in FIG. 24, interrupt prohibition is set during the main-side setting processing).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, interrupt prohibition setting is performed during main-side setting processing, so that unintended signals can be prevented from being output.

(5-1) The storage means is provided with an area from a start address to an end address as a storage area (for example, built-in register area) for function setting in the processing means (for example, As shown, the RAM 41c has an area from FE00H to FEACH as a built-in register area for function setting in the main CPU 41a),
The processing means sets set values in a plurality of areas (for example, the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th areas) of the storage areas (for example, the 1st to 7th areas) for setting the function at the start of control. At this time, data that can specify a reference address (eg, FE01H) corresponding to a predetermined area (eg, second area) among the plurality of areas is read, and a set value (eg, , data A) are set, and then a set value (eg, data B) is set in a specific area (eg, third area) based on an address calculated using a difference value (eg, 1) with respect to the reference address. For example, as shown in FIG. After reading out data that can specify the reference address (FE01H) corresponding to the second area, and setting data A in the second area based on the reference address, the difference value (1) is used for the reference address. Data B is set in the third area based on the address (FE02H) calculated by the above).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the RAM 41c is provided with an area from FE00H to FEACH as a built-in register area for function setting in the main CPU 41a. When setting values in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th areas of the built-in register area at the start, specify the reference address (FE01H) corresponding to the 1st area of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th areas. After reading available data and setting data A in the second area based on the reference address, data B is set in the third area based on the address (FE02H) calculated using the difference value (1) with respect to the reference address. set. By setting the data in the third area based on the address calculated using the difference value in this way, the capacity of the program can be reduced more than setting the set value in the third area by directly designating the address. can.

(5-2) The predetermined area is an area corresponding to the smallest address (for example, FE01H) among the plurality of areas (for example, as shown in FIG. , 4 and 6 areas corresponding to the smallest address (FE01H)).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the second area is the area corresponding to the smallest address (FE01H) among the second, third, fourth, and sixth areas. Data can be efficiently set when data is set in the area based on the address calculated using the address.

(5-3) When setting the set value, the processing means may store an area (eg, third area) corresponding to a predetermined address (eg, FE02H) and an address next to the predetermined address (eg, FE03H). 2-byte data (for example, 12+FFH×56) is set so as to set the setting value in each of the areas (for example, the fourth area) corresponding to (for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the main CPU 41a sets the setting value 2-byte data (12+FFH× 56)).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, when setting the set value, the main CPU 41a uses the third area corresponding to the predetermined address (FE02H) and the address next to the predetermined address (FE03H). 2-byte data (12+FFH×56) is set so as to set a set value in each of the fourth areas corresponding to . By doing so, data can be collectively set for a plurality of areas.

(5-4) The processing means starts game control (for example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the main The CPU 41a starts controlling the game by setting the set values in all of the first to fifth regions to which the set values should be set).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the main CPU 41a sets the set values in all of the second, third, fourth, and sixth areas to which the set values should be set, so that the Start controlling. By doing so, the game control is not started in a situation where the setting of the setting values to be set is not completed.

(5-5) The processing means prohibits the execution of interrupt processing until setting values are set in all of the plurality of areas to which setting values should be set (for example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8). , the main CPU 41a prohibits the execution of interrupt processing until setting values are set in all of the second, third, fourth, and sixth areas to which setting values should be set).

For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the main CPU 41a waits until setting values are set in all of the second, third, fourth, and sixth areas to which setting values should be set. Prohibit execution of processing. By doing so, unintended control is not performed due to the execution of interrupt processing during the setting of the set values.

(5-6) The processing means initializes a port (for example, an output port) before setting the set values in the plurality of areas (for example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the main CPU 41a Initialize the output port before setting the set values in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th areas).

For example, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the main CPU 41a initializes the output ports before setting the set values in the second, third, fourth and sixth areas. By doing so, it is possible to prevent an unintended signal from being output from the output port.

[Modification]
Although the main embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible. Modifications of the above embodiments applicable to the present invention will be described below.

[On-chip register setting processing]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, there are seven areas from the first area to the seventh area. A set value was set for each region. However, the setting is not limited to this, and the area that needs to be set may be any area out of all the areas, and may be set for all areas.

[Regarding reel stop control processing]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, the stop of the left reel is the first stop, and the stop of the middle reel is the second stop. of reels may be the first stop, and any reel may be the second stop. Further, the combination of the first stop and the second stop is not limited to the combination of the second stop and the third stop.

1 slot machine, 2L, 2C, 2R reels, 7 start switch, 8L, 8C, 8R stop switch, 41 main control unit, 91 sub control unit.

Claims (1)

Equipped with a plurality of variable display units that can variably display multiple types of identification information that can be identified by each,
A display result is derived by stopping the variable display of the variable display portion after the variable display portion is variably displayed, and winning can occur according to a display result combination that is a combination of display results of a plurality of variable display portions. in a slot machine
a plurality of derivation operation means operated to derive a display result combination;
and processing means for executing a predetermined process,
The predetermined processing executed by the processing means includes a main processing and an interrupt processing that can be executed by interrupting the main processing every predetermined time if an interrupt prohibition setting for prohibiting an interrupt is not set. and includes
The processing means
In a predetermined interrupt process, it is determined whether or not there is an input based on an operation of one of the plurality of derivation operation means, and a first input based on an operation of a first derivation operation means of the plurality of derivation operation means is performed. If it is determined that there has been, in the main processing after the predetermined interrupt processing, after performing the interrupt prohibition setting, the stop position of the variable display in the first variable display portion among the plurality of variable display portions is executed, and after the first setting process is completed, the interrupt prohibition setting is canceled,
In the first interrupt process executed after the interrupt prohibition setting is canceled , it is determined whether or not there is an input based on the operation of any one of the plurality of derivation operation means, and the first of the plurality of derivation operation means is 2. When it is determined that there is a second input based on the operation of the derivation operation means, in the main processing after the first interrupt processing, the variable display on the second variable display portion among the plurality of variable display portions is stopped. for executing a second setting process for setting the position;
The processing means further determines whether or not a drive signal is output to a motor for variably displaying the plurality of variable display portions, so that the variable display of all of the plurality of variable display portions is performed. A slot machine that determines whether or not it has stopped.

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