JP7299460B2 - game machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko gaming machines and slot machines.

A pachinko game machine, which is a typical example of a game machine, is constructed by attaching a back mechanism board to which various control boards are attached to a frame member that holds a game board provided with a predetermined game area in an upright posture. In the process of launching the game ball into the game area with a launch intensity corresponding to the amount of operation of the launch handle that receives the player's shooting operation, and letting the game ball flow down within the game area, various openings such as a start opening and a general winning opening are performed. It is configured to perform a game in which a game ball is entered into a winning opening.

When game balls enter various winning holes, the number of winning balls corresponding to the type of the winning hole is paid out, and when the winning hole is a starting hole, the game ball enters the starting hole. When the ball is hit, a lottery is executed, and when the result of the lottery is lost, decorative patterns consisting of a plurality of rows are variably displayed, and then the decorative patterns are stop-displayed in a predetermined non-winning mode. On the other hand, when the result of the determination is a big hit, the decorative symbols made up of a plurality of rows are variably displayed, and then the decorative symbols are stopped and displayed in a predetermined winning mode, and the large screen which is normally in a closed state is displayed. It is configured to establish a special game (jackpot game) in which the winning opening is opened. In addition, a game ball (played ball) that has passed through the winning hole or the out hole and reached the rear side of the game board flows down the game ball discharge passage formed in the lower part of the frame member and is discharged to the outside of the game machine. (See Patent Document 1, for example).

A slot machine, which is a type of gaming machine, consists of a reel unit that rotates the reels, a main control device (main control board) that controls the operation of the reel unit, and a payout that pays out game media (medals) according to the result of the game. It is composed of a device, a box-shaped housing (main body member) that accommodates these devices, and a front door (opening/closing member) capable of opening and closing the front opening of the housing. In a slot machine, generally, an effective line is set by inserting a specified number of game media, and a player performs an operation to start reel rotation, such as tilting a start lever (also referred to as a "start lever"). Then, a combination determination process (also referred to as a "combination lottery process") is performed to determine a game combination (simply referred to as a "combination") or a loss, and then a plurality of reels start rotating. When a plurality of reels start rotating and reach a predetermined rotation speed, a reel rotation stop operation such as pressing a stop switch is enabled, and the player performs a reel rotation stop operation for each reel, whereby each reel can be stopped. sequentially stop rotating (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP-A-2003-93676 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-39470

Conventional gaming machines such as pachinko gaming machines and slot machines as described above have been devised in various ways to enhance game playability and play games smoothly, but there is room for further improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that allows a game to proceed smoothly.

In order to achieve such an object, the gaming machine according to the present invention comprises a board on which a plurality of connectors having a plurality of connector pins are mounted, a first case portion to which the board is fixed, and a soldering surface of the board. and a second case portion attached to the first case portion, wherein the substrate case unit includes the second case portion and the second case portion. The first case portion and the second case portion can be separated by sliding a predetermined amount with respect to one case portion, and the plurality of connectors include a specific connector and a plurality of other connectors other than the specific connector. Among a plurality of connector pins of the specific connector, a part of the connector pins soldered to the board slides by the predetermined amount. connector pins other than the part of the connector pins that are exposed to the outside of the second case part in the case of the above-mentioned cases, the parts of the other connector pins soldered to the board are hidden in the second case part. all of the plurality of connector pins of the plurality of other connectors are hidden by the second case portion and are not exposed , among all the plurality of connector pins possessed by the plurality of other connectors, a connector pin for a signal related to the start of a game and a connector pin for a signal related to a power source are provided, and the connector pin is related to the start of the game. The portion soldered to the board of the connector pin for the signal to be connected and the connector pin for the signal related to the power supply are hidden by the second case portion and are not exposed, and a pattern indicating the result of the judgment is displayed on the pattern display device. The board has a setting unit that can set setting information related to the game, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied when the power is turned on, the setting unit can change the setting information. A setting change notification sound can be output from the voice output device for a predetermined time to notify that the setting change state has ended, and a predetermined start condition is satisfied. Predetermined pattern variation display is started at a timing after the setting change notification sound is being output and the pre-startable time required from the end of the setting change state until the symbol variation display can be started has elapsed . In this case, the predetermined symbol variation display is completed after the output of the setting change notification sound is completed . In the pattern variation display when a predetermined starting condition is satisfied, the time resulting from adding the time before the start possible to the average time of the variation display time is longer than the output time of the setting change notification sound. It is characterized by setting the time value of the variable display time.

According to the present invention, it is possible to smoothly proceed with the game.

It is a front view of the pachinko game machine according to the present invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the said pachinko game machine from the back. It is a front view which shows the state which removed the glass frame from the said pachinko game machine. It is a front view showing the main control display device of the pachinko game machine. It is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko game machine. It is a functional block diagram of the main control board and effect control board of the pachinko game machine. It is a flow chart showing the main control side main processing of the pachinko game machine. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing control processing following FIG. 7 of the main processing on the main control side; FIG. It is a flow chart showing the main control side timer interrupt processing of the pachinko game machine. It is a schematic diagram which shows the performance display monitor of the said pachinko game machine. 1 is a front view of a slot machine according to the present invention; FIG. Fig. 10 is a front view showing a state in which a front door is removed from the slot machine; 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the slot machine; FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a main control board and a sub control board of the slot machine; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing game progress control processing of the slot machine. 4 is a flow chart showing main-side timer interrupt processing of the slot machine. It is the figure which looked at the board|substrate case of the said pachinko game machine from the back. It is the figure which looked at the said board|substrate case from the front. It is the perspective view which looked at the said board|substrate case from the back side. It is a figure which shows the component side of the main-control board accommodated in the said board|substrate case. It is a figure which shows the solder side of the said main-control board. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the slide mounting method of the said board|substrate case. It is a figure which shows the exposure state of a board|substrate solder surface when the said board|substrate case is slid open. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the thickness and arrangement of a plurality of lead wires connected to the main control board. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of arrangement of a plurality of lead wires extending outward from a substrate case; FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the thickness and arrangement of a plurality of lead wires connected to the main control board; FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a second example of the thickness and arrangement of a plurality of lead wires connected to the main control board; FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a third example of the thickness and arrangement of the plurality of lead wires connected to the main control board; FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a fourth example of the thickness and arrangement of the plurality of lead wires connected to the main control board; FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a fifth example of the thickness and arrangement of the plurality of lead wires connected to the main control board; It is a timing chart regarding the output of the setting change sound in the pachinko game machine. 4 is a timing chart regarding output of setting change sounds in the slot machine.

[Pachinko machine]
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As a representative example of the gaming machine according to the present invention, a pachinko gaming machine PM is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. First, the overall configuration of the pachinko gaming machine PM will be described with reference to these figures. In the following description, for convenience, the directions indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2 are referred to as the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction.

[Overall Configuration of Pachinko Machine]
First, the basic structure of the front side of the pachinko game machine PM will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko game machine PM is configured to have a square frame size corresponding to the opening front surface of the outer frame 1 forming a vertically oriented fixed holding frame configured to have the size of an outer rectangular frame, and can be opened and closed. A front frame 2 that forms a frame is mounted so that it can be horizontally opened, opened, and detached by upper and lower hinge mechanisms 3a and 3b arranged on the left edge of the front of each other, and is called a double lock provided on the right edge of the front. The outer frame 1 is always held in a closed state in which it is engaged and connected by using the locking device 4 which is attached to the outer frame 1 .

A square-shaped glass frame 5 matching the upper front area of the front frame 2 is attached to the front frame 2 so as to be horizontally opened, opened and detachable using upper and lower hinge mechanisms 3a and 3b, and a locking device 4 is used. As a result, it is always held in a closed state covering the front surface of the front frame 2.例文帳に追加A game board 20 is detachably set and held on the front side of the front frame 2, and the game area PA in front of the game board 20 is visibly viewed through the multi-layered glass 5a of the glass frame 5 which is always closed and held. It's like

Under the glass frame 5, upper and lower ball trays (upper ball tray 6 and lower ball tray 7) for storing game balls are provided. Above the glass frame 5, a production lamp 11 that emits light according to the progress of the game, and a speaker 8 that generates sound effects according to the progress of the game are provided. Here, the lower ball plate 7 is disposed to the left with respect to the left-right center of the glass frame 5 . As a result, an empty space is formed on the front right side of the lower ball tray 7, and the effect operation means 12 such as buttons, switches, dials, etc. for performing predetermined effect operations are attached to this portion.

A shooting handle 9 for shooting game balls is provided at the lower right portion of the front frame 2 . At the lower part of the front frame 2, as shown in FIG. 3, an auxiliary mechanism portion called a game auxiliary board (40) is formed behind the glass frame 5 at a position that can be vertically aligned with the game board 20. , a ball feeding mechanism 100 (see FIG. 5) for feeding the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 6 one by one, and the game balls fed from the ball feeding mechanism 100 are distributed to the game areas PA. A shooting mechanism 150 that shoots toward the ball, a ball feeding mechanism 100, a shooting control board 180 that controls the operation of the shooting mechanism 150, and the like are provided.

The game board 20 is configured with a substrate formed in a rectangular flat plate shape using a synthetic resin material such as an acrylic resin, a polycarbonate resin, or an ABS resin as a base. On the front surface of the game board 20, as shown in FIG. It is provided with an arc-shaped inner rail 22 and a rail decoration 23 formed in a curved shape that is arranged between the upper right part of the outer rail 21 and the lower part of the board surface and opens leftward, and the outer rail 21 and the inner rail. A substantially circular game area PA is defined inside surrounded by 22 and rail decorations 23. - 特許庁Further, the outer rail 21 and the inner rail 22 form a guide passage 24 for guiding the game ball launched by the shooting mechanism 150 to the game area PA. A game ball released into the game area PA from the exit opening through the guide passage 24 returns to the guide passage 24 at a position near the exit opening of the game ball in the guide passage 24, that is, at the tip of the inner rail 22. A ball return prevention valve 25 is provided to prevent this.

Although detailed illustration is omitted in FIG. 3, the game area PA includes a first start opening, a second start opening, an operation gate, a large winning opening, a general winning opening, etc., along with a large number of game nails, windmills, etc. In addition to the various prize-winning ports, a main control display device 700 whose lighting is mainly controlled by the main control board 51, which will be described later, is provided. A center accessory 26 is arranged substantially in the center of the game area PA, and a screen of an effect display device 27 is provided so as to be visible through an opening below the center accessory 26 . The center accessory 26 is provided with a movable accessory 19 that executes an effect operation according to the development of the game. The movable accessory 19 is configured with a stepping motor as a drive source. At the lower end of the game area PA, an out port 29 is provided through which game balls that have flowed down without entering various winning ports can pass. Each component provided on the game board 20 will be described below in order.

The first starting port is provided as a starting winning port corresponding to the first special symbol game, and includes a first starting port switch 61 (see FIG. 5) for detecting the entry of game balls. The entry of the game ball into the first starting port triggers the first special symbol lottery.

The second starting port (ordinary electric accessory) is provided as a starting winning port corresponding to the second special symbol game, and the second starting port switch 62 (see FIG. 5) for detecting the entry of the game ball ). The entry of the game ball into the second starting port triggers the second special symbol lottery. The second starting port is provided with a normal electric accessory solenoid 81 (see FIG. 5) for opening and closing this normal electric accessory. It can be changed to an open state in which a ball can be entered or is easily entered. Here, the second starting port has a structure in which it is difficult for a game ball to enter unless it is in an open state. On the other hand, when the second starting hole is in the open state, the ease of entering the ball into the second starting hole increases.

The operating gate is provided as a start winning opening corresponding to the normal symbol game, and includes an operating gate switch 63 (see FIG. 5) for detecting passage of the game ball. In addition, passage of the game ball to the operation gate serves as a trigger for a normal symbol lottery for determining whether or not to expand the second starting port (normal electric accessory).

The big winning opening (special electric accessory) is a horizontally rectangular winning opening (so-called attacker device) that opens when a big hit or a small hit is achieved in the lottery of the first special symbol or the second special symbol. It is formed. The big winning slot includes a big winning slot switch 64 (see FIG. 5) for detecting the entry of a game ball, and a special electric accessory solenoid 82 (see FIG. 5) for opening and closing the special electric accessory. see). The big winning opening is variable between a closed state in which a game ball cannot enter or is difficult to enter, and an open state in which a game ball can enter or is easily entered. In this example, the big winning opening is provided in the right area (right-handed area) in the game area PA. Therefore, in the special game state (jackpot game state), when the game ball is shot toward the game area PA, hitting the right side area, that is, by hitting the right side, the ball enters the big winning opening. It has become easier.

The general winning opening has a general winning opening switch 65 (see FIG. 5) for detecting the entry of game balls. Entry of a game ball into a general winning hole does not trigger a lottery of special symbols or ordinary symbols, but it does trigger winning of prize balls in the same way as other winning holes (except for the operation gate 53).

The main control display device 700 is an LED display device whose lighting is controlled by the main control board 51 which will be described later. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a main control display device 700 whose lighting is mainly controlled by the main control board 51. As shown in FIG. The main control display device 700 includes a first special symbol table device 71, a second special symbol display device 72, a first special symbol reservation lamp 73, a second special symbol reservation lamp 74, a normal symbol display device 75, and a normal symbol reservation. Various display means such as a lamp 76, a round indicator light 77, a status indicator light 78, a right hitting indicator light 79, an error indicator light 70, etc. are provided.

The first special symbol display device 71 performs variable display and fixed display of the first special symbol when the game ball has entered the first starting port. This first special symbol display device is composed of eight LED segments G to N, and the variable display of the first special symbol is expressed according to the blinking pattern of the LED segments, and the lamp stops blinking and turns on. By switching, the first special symbol is confirmed and displayed.

The second special symbol display device 72 performs variable display and fixed display of the second special symbol when the game ball enters the second starting port. This second special symbol display device is composed of eight LED segments Q to X, and the variable display of the second special symbol is expressed according to the blinking pattern of the LED segment, and the blinking of the LED segment stops and is lit. By switching to , the second special symbol is confirmed and displayed.

The first special symbol holding lamp 73 is composed of two LED segments O and P, and the lighting/blinking display of the LED segments expresses the number of operation holding balls (maximum four) of the first special symbol. Similarly, the second special symbol holding lamp 74 is composed of two LED segments Y and Z, and the lighting/blinking display of the LED segments expresses the number of second special symbol operation holding balls (up to four). The number of actuated pending balls of the first special symbol is a number related to the random number acquired based on the ball entering the first starting port during the fluctuation of the first special symbol or the second special symbol or during the execution of the special game. , indicates the number for which the obtained random number value is suspended, that is, the success/failure determination is temporarily suspended until the success/failure determination permission condition (fluctuation start condition) is satisfied for the obtained random value. In the same way, the number of operation pending balls of the second special symbol is related to the random value obtained based on the ball entering the second start port during the fluctuation of the first special symbol or the second special symbol or during the execution of the special game. It indicates the number of times the obtained random number value is suspended, that is, the success/failure determination is temporarily suspended until the success/failure determination permission condition (fluctuation start condition) is satisfied for the obtained random value. .

The normal symbol display device 75 is composed of one LED segment C, and performs variable display and fixed display of normal symbols.

The normal design reservation lamp 76 is composed of two LED segments A and B, and the lighting/blinking display of the LED segments expresses the number of normal design operation reservation balls (up to 4).

The round indicator lamp 77 is composed of a left indicator lamp 77a and a right indicator lamp 77b, and displays the number of round games (unit games) in the special game (regular number of rounds: number of times the special electric accessory operates continuously). . The left indicator light 77 is composed of two LED segments, and the right indicator light 77b is composed of seven LED segments, and the specified number of rounds of the special game is expressed by lighting display of the LED segments.

The status indicator lamp 78 is composed of two LED segments D and E, and the lighting display of the LED segments expresses the operation state of the probability variation function of the special symbol and the operation state of the probability variation function of the normal symbol. .

The right-handed instruction lamp 79 is composed of one LED segment F, and the lighting display of the LED segment indicates that the game ball should be shot toward the right side of the game area PA in a game state (a game state in which a game ball should be hit to the right). express whether or not

The error indicator lamp 70 is composed of one LED segment B, and the state of occurrence of an error in the gaming machine PM is expressed by lighting display of the LED segment.

Next, the basic structure of the back side of the pachinko game machine PM will be described. On the rear side of the front frame 2, as shown in FIG. 2, a rear set board 30 is attached, which is formed in the shape of a rectangular frame that is slightly smaller than the front frame 2 and has a window in the center that communicates with the front and rear. there is Each part of the back set board 30 includes a storage tank 33 for storing a large number of game balls supplied from the game facility side, a gutter member 34 for causing the game balls to flow down from the storage tank 33, and a game led by the gutter member 34. A prize ball payout unit 35 for putting out balls, a back side passage member 36 for causing the game balls put out from the prize ball payout unit 35 to flow down to the upper ball tray 6 or the lower ball tray 7, etc. are provided.

On the back side of the game board 20, there are a main control board 51 that controls the overall operation of the pachinko game machine PM, an effect control board 52 (see FIG. 5) that controls the overall effect, and an image corresponding to the development of the game. An image control board 53 (see FIG. 5) for controlling display and sound effects is attached. In this embodiment, the effect control board 52 and the image control board 53 form a liquid crystal unit 28 in an assembly state in which the effect display device (liquid crystal display device) 27 is integrated. On the other hand, on the back side of the back set board 30, there are a payout control board 54 for controlling the payout of game balls, and a power supply for receiving power from the game facility side and supplying power to various control boards and electric/electronic parts. A substrate 56 (see FIG. 5), an external information terminal board 58 (see FIG. 5) for outputting an external information signal (outer end signal) such as a jackpot signal to a data display or hall computer provided outside the pachinko game machine PM ) etc. are installed. In addition, in order to prevent unauthorized modification, these control boards are placed in predetermined positions on the back of the game board 20 or the back of the back set board 30 in an assembly state housed in a board case made of transparent resin having a crimping structure and a sealing structure. are placed. These control boards and electric/electronic parts of each part of the pachinko game machine PM are connected to each other via harnesses (connector cables), and the pachinko game machine PM is configured to be operable.

Next, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the pachinko game machine PM. As described above, the pachinko game machine PM is equipped with the main control board 51, the performance control board 52, the image control board 53, the payout control board 54, the launch control board 180, and the like.

The main control board 51 includes a CPU that performs various arithmetic processing related to games, a ROM that stores control programs and various data, etc., a RAM that functions as a temporary storage area and a work area and a buffer memory, peripheral boards and various devices. and an I/O port circuit for inputting and outputting signals between and, and the CPU is configured to execute main control relating to the progress of the game according to the control program stored in the ROM.

The main control board 51 includes a first starter switch 61 for detecting entry of a game ball into the first starter, a second starter switch 62 for detecting entry of a game ball into the second starter, An operating gate switch 63 for detecting passage of a game ball through the operating gate, a large winning opening switch 64 for detecting entry of a game ball into the large winning opening, and detection of entry of a game ball into the general winning opening. A general winning slot switch 65, a played ball detection switch 66 for detecting a played ball, a foul ball detection switch 67 for detecting a foul ball, etc. are electrically connected to the I/O port circuit (input port). Detected signals from various switches are input through the

Although not shown, the main control board 51 is electrically connected to a front frame open/close detection switch, a glass frame open/close detection switch, and a back set detection open/close switch. port) to input detection signals from these detection switches. The front frame open/close detection switch is a switch for detecting whether or not the front frame 2 is open with respect to the outer frame 1 (open state or closed state). is a switch for detecting whether or not the glass frame 5 is open (open or closed), and the back set open/close detection switch is a switch for detecting whether or not the back set board 30 is open. . In addition, the main control board 51 includes a first special symbol display device 71, a second special symbol display device 72, a first special symbol reservation lamp 73, a second special symbol reservation lamp 74, a normal symbol display device 75, and a normal symbol reservation lamp. 76, round indicator light 77 (see FIG. 4), status indicator light 78 (see FIG. 4), right hand indicator light 79 (see FIG. 4), error indicator light 70 (see FIG. 4) and electrically It is electrically connected to the normal electric accessory solenoid 81 and the special electric accessory solenoid 82, and outputs control signals to the main control display device 700 via the I/O port circuit (output port). Output to display means and various solenoids. Further, the main control board 51 is mounted with a performance display monitor 500, which will be described later, and outputs control signals to the performance display monitor 500 via an I/O port circuit (output port). Further, the main control board 51 is equipped with a setting change section 600 and a set value display monitor 650, which will be described later, and an instruction signal from the setting change section 600 is input via an I/O port circuit (input port). A control signal (set value display data) is generated based on the instruction signal, and the control signal is output to the set value display monitor 650 via the I/O port circuit (output port).

Between this main control board 51 and the effect control board 52, it is connected by eight parallel signal lines and one strobe line, and only in a single direction from the main control board 51 to the effect control board 52 It is communicably connected, and various production control commands are transmitted from the main control board 51 to the production control board 52 . In addition, the main control board 51 is electrically connected to the payout control board 54, and two-way communication with the payout control board 54 is possible. Also, the main control board 51 is electrically connected to the launch control board 180, and one-way communication from the main control board 51 to the launch control board 180 is possible.

The performance control board 52 includes a CPU that performs various arithmetic processing related to game performance based on the performance control command from the main control board 51, a ROM that stores performance control programs and various data, and a work area that serves as a temporary storage area. It is equipped with a RAM that functions as a buffer memory and an I/O port circuit that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and devices. is configured to run The effect control board 52 is connected to the image control board 53 so as to be capable of two-way communication, and transmits to the image control board 53 image control commands for instructing images and sounds. In addition, the production control board 52 is electrically connected to the production lamp 11 and the movable accessory 19, and provides a lamp control signal (lamp data) for controlling the production lamp 11 and a lamp control signal (lamp data) for controlling the movable accessory 19. A drive control signal (drive data) is generated and this control signal is output to each device. In addition, the effect control board 52 is electrically connected to the effect operation means 12, and inputs an operation input signal from the effect operation means 12 according to the player's operation.

The image control board 53 includes a CPU that performs various arithmetic processes related to image effects based on image control commands from the effect control board 52, a ROM that stores image control programs and various data, and a work area that serves as a temporary storage area. It is composed of a RAM that functions as a buffer memory and an I/O port circuit that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and devices. Configured to perform primary control. The image control board 53 is electrically connected to the effect display device 27, the speaker 8, etc., and reads the image data stored in the image ROM according to the instruction (image control command) from the effect control board 52. is sent to the effect display device 27, and the sound data stored in the sound ROM is read according to the instruction (image control command) from the effect control board 52, and synthesized. The acoustic data generated by this is transmitted to the speaker 8 via an amplifier (digital amplifier). In addition, the image control board 53, as a response to the image control command from the effect control board 52, transmits to the effect control board 52 a response command (ACK command) indicating that the image control command has been successfully received.

The payout control board 54 includes a CPU that performs various arithmetic processes related to the payout of prize balls based on payout control commands from the main control board 51, a ROM that stores payout control programs and various data, and a work area that serves as a temporary storage area. and a RAM that functions as a buffer memory, and an I/O port circuit that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and devices. It is configured to execute the main control related to The payout control board 54 is electrically connected to the prize ball payout unit 35 and a ball rental operation device (not shown), etc., based on a payout control command from the main control board 51, or from the ball rental operation device. Based on the operation signal, the prize ball payout unit 35 is actuated to execute control to pay out game balls to the upper ball tray 6 or the lower ball tray 7.例文帳に追加In addition, the payout control board 54 is electrically connected to a power supply board 56 that supplies power to various control boards and electrical/electronic components, and an external information terminal board 58 that outputs outer end signals to data displays, hall computers, and the like. It is connected.

The launch control board 180 includes a CPU that performs various arithmetic processes related to shooting game balls based on the launch control command from the main control board 51, a ROM that stores a launch control program and various data, and a work area that serves as a temporary storage area. and a RAM that functions as a buffer memory, and an I/O port circuit that inputs and outputs signals between peripheral boards and devices. It is configured to execute the main control related to The firing control board 180 is electrically connected to the firing handle 9, the ball feeding mechanism 100, the firing mechanism 150, etc., and synchronously controls the ball feeding mechanism 100 and the firing mechanism 150 based on the operation signal from the firing handle 9. to execute control for shooting game balls. At this time, when the main control board 51 does not detect a communication abnormality with the firing control board 180 or a disconnection short-circuit power supply abnormality, it outputs a firing permission signal to the firing control board 180 to permit the firing of the game ball. do. On the other hand, when an abnormality in communication with the launch control board 180 or a disconnection short-circuit power supply abnormality is detected, a signal for prohibiting launch is output to the launch control board 180 to prohibit shooting of the game ball.

The pachinko game machine PM configured as described above is used for games with the outer frame 1 fixedly installed on the game island of the game facility, and the front frame 2, the glass frame 5, etc. is stored in the upper ball tray 6 and the shooting handle 9 is rotated to start the game. When the shooting handle 9 is rotated, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 6 are delivered one by one to the shooting mechanism 150 by the ball feeding mechanism 100, and shot toward the game area PA by the shooting mechanism 150. be

When the game ball rolling down the game area PA enters any one of the first starting hole, the second starting hole, the big winning hole, and the general winning hole, the prize ball corresponding to the type of the winning hole is awarded. The payout unit 35 pays out to the upper ball tray 6 or the lower ball tray 7. - 特許庁In this example, the number of prize balls when winning the first start opening or the second start opening is "3", the number of prize balls when winning the big prize opening is "10", and the number of prize balls when winning the general prize opening is "3". In this case, the number of prize balls is "5". Further, when the game ball enters the first start hole or the second start hole, the lottery random number value of the special symbol game is acquired, and the random number value is temporarily stored up to a predetermined upper limit number as the reserved ball of the special symbol. Then, when a predetermined start condition (fluctuation start condition) is established, a lottery random number value related to the first reserved ball is determined for the special symbol, the symbol is determined, and the variation pattern is determined. In this mode, the special symbols are variably displayed on the first special symbol display device or the second special symbol display device, and the decorative symbols are variably displayed on the effect display device 27 . The variable display of the special symbol and the decorative symbol is synchronously stopped and displayed after the variation time corresponding to the selected variation pattern has elapsed.

When the first special symbol or the second special symbol is confirmed and displayed in a stop mode indicating a big hit, the game shifts to a special game, and the opening and closing operation of the big winning opening is started. The mode of stopping the decorative symbols indicating a big hit is, for example, a mode in which the types of three symbols match. In this embodiment, as a special game (jackpot game), one of a plurality of types of special games with different numbers of prescribed rounds is developed according to the jackpot type (jackpot pattern) won. In the special game, one or more times of opening and closing operation of the big winning mouth (special electric accessory) is regarded as one round game, and the round game is continuously executed for a specified number of rounds (for example, 16R, 8R, 2R). It is.

<Major functional configuration of game machines>
Next, various functions of the pachinko game machine PM (mainly the main control board 51/the performance control board 52) will be described with additional reference to the functional block diagram of FIG.

The main control board 51 includes, as shown in FIG. Special game control means 5150, symbol display control means 5155, electric accessary product control means 5160, game state control means 5165, error monitoring control means 5170, main information storage means 5180, and command transmission/reception means 5190 are included. The above-mentioned means in the main control board 51 are configured by hardware such as CPU, ROM, RAM, and electronic circuits provided on the main control board 51 and software such as control programs stored in the ROM. It is a functional representation of something.

The entering ball determination means 5110 includes a first starting port switch 61, a second starting port switch 62, an operation gate switch 63, a large winning port switch 64, a general winning port switch 65, and a played ball detection switch 66 for detecting a played ball. Based on the detection signal from the foul ball detection switch 67 for detecting foul balls, it is determined whether a game ball has entered each winning hole.

The game lottery random number generation means 5120 captures the built-in random number generated by the random number generation circuit by software, and adds a special symbol soft random number to be described later, thereby generating a special symbol random number used for a special symbol lottery. Generate. Also, the game lottery random number generating means 5120 has a random number counter for generating various software random numbers by program processing of the CPU. These random number counters play a role as random number generating means for generating random numbers by software. As the software random numbers, a soft random number per special symbol added to the internal random number for generating a random number per special symbol, and an initial value to be newly updated after one period of updating of the soft random number per special symbol is completed. Soft initial value random number per special symbol for determining , special symbol stop symbol random number used to determine the winning symbol (combination of symbols that will operate the condition device) as the stop symbol of the special symbol, special symbol stop symbol random number A special symbol stop symbol initial value random number for determining the initial value for a new update after the update of one cycle is completed, a special symbol variation pattern random number for use in selecting a special symbol variation pattern, A random number per normal symbol for use in a lottery for success or failure of a normal symbol, an initial value random number per normal symbol for determining an initial value for newly updating after one cycle of updating of the random number per normal symbol is completed, Ordinary design variation pattern random numbers and the like for use in selecting the variation pattern of the normal design are included. These software random numbers are updated once each time a timer interrupt process occurs (increment, decrement, addition of prime numbers, etc.). during loop processing) is also updated using the remaining time of the interrupt cycle.

Reservation control means 5130 includes special symbol reservation control means 5131 and normal symbol reservation control means 5132 .

The special symbol retention control means 5131 is triggered by the entry of the game ball into the first start port or the second start port, and the special symbol per random number, the special symbol per symbol random number, which is the lottery random number value related to the special symbol game. A numerical value and a special symbol variation pattern random number are acquired, and the random number is managed as the operation reservation ball information of the first special symbol or the second special symbol. The special symbol retention control means 5131 stores the operation retention ball information of the first special symbol or the second special symbol up to a predetermined upper limit number (4 pieces) in the form of being combined with the ball entry order of the retention ball. Temporarily stored in 5180 first special symbol reserved storage area or second special symbol reserved storage area.

In the first special symbol reservation storage area and the second special symbol reservation storage area, the reservation 1 storage area (first reservation storage area), the reservation 2 storage area (second Reserved storage area), Reserved 3 storage area (third reserved storage area), Reserved 4 storage area (fourth reserved storage area) are provided respectively. Each reservation storage area can store a set of random numbers per special symbol, random numbers per special symbol, and special symbol variation pattern random numbers as operation retention ball information. The operation pending ball information is stored in the order of the pending 1 storage area, the pending 2 storage area, the pending 3 storage area, and the pending 4 storage area, while the pending 1 storage area, the pending 2 storage area, the pending 3 storage area, and the pending 4 storage area. Regions are digested in order (first-in, first-out principle). Further, when the hold ball information in the hold 1 storage area is digested, the hold ball information stored in the hold 2 storage area, the hold 3 storage area, and the hold 4 storage area are respectively shifted to storage areas with lower numbers, Clear the contents of the Reserved 4 storage area to zero.

In addition, the special symbol reservation control means 5131 includes a first special symbol reservation ball number counter for counting the number of operation reservation balls of the first special symbol, and a second special symbol reservation ball number counter for counting the number of operation reservation balls of the second special symbol. It has a special symbol reserved ball number counter. The special symbol reservation control means 5131 adds 1 to the corresponding counter each time one operation reservation ball of the special symbol is obtained as the update processing of the number of operation reservation balls of the special symbol, and one operation reservation ball is digested. Each time the corresponding counter is decremented by 1.

In addition, when the special symbol reservation control means 5131 updates (adds or subtracts) the number of operation reservation balls of the first special symbol or the second special symbol, the effect control command including the update information of the number of reservation balls ("symbol storage command") and temporarily stored in the command storage area of the main information storage means 5180. This one command includes information on both the number of activated balls with the first special symbol and the number of activated balls with the second special symbol. In principle, the operation reserve balls of each special symbol are digested in the order they enter the ball. , In order to adopt the so-called priority digestion, while the operation reservation ball related to the second special symbol game exists, regardless of the existence of the operation reservation ball related to the first special symbol game, the operation reservation related to the second special symbol game Configured to preferentially digest spheres. In addition, under this priority digestion, if there is an operation pending ball of the second special symbol, even if an operation pending ball of the first special symbol exists, the operation pending ball of the first special symbol is digested. will be put on hold.

The normal symbol holding control means 5132 is triggered by the entry of the game ball into the operating gate, and is a lottery random number value related to the normal symbol game, which is a random number per normal symbol, a random number per normal symbol, a normal symbol variation pattern random number. A numerical value is obtained, and the random value is managed as normal symbol operation retention ball information. The normal symbol reservation control means 5132 normally controls the operation reservation ball information of the normal symbol to a predetermined upper limit number (
4) are temporarily stored in the normal symbol reservation storage area of the main information storage means 5180 in a form that is combined with the ball entry order of the reservation ball. In addition, the normal design reservation control means 5132 has a normal design reservation ball number counter for counting the number of normal design operation reservation balls. The normal symbol reservation control means 5132 adds 1 to the corresponding counter each time one normal symbol operation reservation ball is obtained as update processing of the number of operation normal symbol reservation balls, and one operation reservation ball is digested. Each time the corresponding counter is decremented by 1.

The pre-determination means 5135 executes pre-determination for pre-reading notice targeting the operation-reserving ball with a special symbol at a predetermined pre-determination timing. As an example of the above pre-determination timing, (1) while waiting for a hit, and when the electric chew support function is not in operation, when the operation suspension ball of the first special symbol is acquired, (2) while waiting for a hit, and Either of the following: (3) when the operation suspension ball with the second special symbol is obtained while the electric chew support function is in operation; It is time to satisfy the conditions. Specifically, the preliminary determination means 5135 reads out the random number value corresponding to the operation reservation ball acquired this time from the first special symbol reservation storage area or the second special symbol reservation storage area of the main information storage means 5180, and determines whether it is correct or not. Pre-determination (property pre-determination), pre-determination of the pattern (pre-determination of the symbol), pre-determination of the variation pattern (pre-determination of the variation pattern) are sequentially executed. Although the pre-determination table used in each pre-determination is not shown, the area corresponding to the total number of random numbers is divided into a plurality of areas in each of the pre-determination table, the pre-determination table for the symbol, and the table for pre-determination of the variation pattern. A lottery ID (a number indicating the result of preliminary determination (also referred to as a "predetermination number")) is assigned to each region (determination number). Therefore, the result of this preliminary determination conforms to the result of the main lottery by the special symbol lottery processing means 5140 described later (result of determination, result of symbol determination, result of variation pattern determination). In addition, the winning/failing preliminary determination table, the symbol preliminary determination table, and the like may be the same as the winning/failure lottery table, the symbol lottery table, and the like used for the lottery when the variation is actually started. Here, the fluctuation pattern pre-determining table has the possibility that the game situation at the start of fluctuation (whether there is probability change, whether there is time saving, whether it is during the limited frequency period referring to the special table, the number of pending balls, etc.) Therefore, as described above, it is desirable to determine which of the plurality of regions the region is included in. Then, the prior determination means 5135 generates a production control command (referred to as "pre-determination command") including the information of the result of the prior determination (pre-determination number) in order, and stores this in the command storage area of the main information storage means 5180. store in

The special symbol lottery processing means 5140 includes special symbol suitability determination means 5141 , special symbol stop symbol determination means 5412 , and special symbol variation pattern determination means 5143 . The special symbol lottery processing means 5140, when the special symbol fluctuation start condition is established, determines the special symbol hit randomness stored in the first storage area (holding 1 storage area) of the special symbol holding storage area in the main information storage means 5180. A numerical value, a special symbol per pattern random number, and a special symbol variation pattern random number are read out and stored in a special symbol validity determination area, a special symbol determination area, and a special symbol variation pattern determination area of the main information storage means 5180, respectively. Here, "the special symbol fluctuation start condition is established" is, as an example, (1) not in the middle of a big hit or a small hit, (2) both the first special symbol and the second special symbol are waiting for fluctuation and (3) the presence of an operation-reserving ball in at least one of the first special symbol and the second special symbol are all satisfied, and as a result, the special symbol can start to fluctuate. It is judged to be in good condition.

The special symbol success/failure determination means 5141 reads out the special symbol winning random number value from the special symbol success/failure determination area of the main information storage means 5180, executes the success/failure determination, and the determination result corresponds to any of a big hit, a small hit, or a loss. decide whether to The result of this success/failure determination is temporarily stored in the special symbol determination flag of the main information storage means 180 (for example, big hit data "55H", small hit data "33H", loss data "00H"), and is used in subsequent processing. After that, it is cleared when the fluctuation of the special symbol stops. The special symbol success/failure determination means 5141 holds a special symbol success/failure lottery table referred to during this success/failure determination. In this special symbol success/fail lottery table, the special symbol winning random numbers are associated with the determination results of the big win, the small win and the loss, and the probability of winning the big win and the small win according to the range of the associated random numbers. is determined. Although not shown, in the win/fail lottery, in a normal state (low-probability state), a big win occurs only when the random number falls within the range of "0 to 217". On the other hand, in the variable state (high probability state), the range of the jackpot is expanded, and the jackpot is not only when the random number falls within the range of "0 to 217", but also when it falls within the range of "218 to 2170" becomes. That is, when the special symbol probability variation function is activated, the lottery probability of the big win varies from a low probability state (approximately 1/300) to a high probability state (approximately 1/30). Thus, although the range corresponding to the big win changes according to the game state, the winning probability of the big win is the same between the lottery for the first special symbol and the lottery for the second special symbol. Here, even if the special symbol per random number value does not fall within the range of the big win, it will be a small win if it falls within the predetermined range. In this example, it is configured so that there is a small hit only for the judgment of the first special symbol, but for example, by providing a small hit for the judgment of the second special symbol, Also, it may be configured so that the judgment of whether or not the first special symbol is successful has a higher probability of becoming a small hit. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the description of the "small win" is omitted except for special cases.

The special symbol stop symbol determination means 5142 determines the first special symbol or the second special symbol stop symbol based on the result of the lottery for the first special symbol or the second special symbol. The special symbol stop symbol determination means 5142 has a first special symbol stop symbol table and a second special symbol stop symbol table referred to when determining the stop symbols of the first special symbol and the second special symbol. In the special symbol stop symbol table (for big win), a plurality of kinds of stop symbols (big win symbols) are assigned to special symbol stop symbol random numbers. Each jackpot symbol is associated with the contents of the jackpot (the number of times the special symbol probability fluctuation function and the fluctuation time reduction function are operated, the operation pattern of the big winning opening, etc.). In the present embodiment, the "specific design" is a design that activates the probability variation function of the special design after the special game, and the "time saving design" is the variation time of the special design after the end of the special game. The pattern that activates the function (and the electric chew support function), and the “time saving no pattern” is a pattern that does not activate the special pattern fluctuation time reduction function (and the electric chew support function) after the special game ends. means. In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, there are three types of jackpot types: 16R jackpot (16R specific time reduction pattern), 8R jackpot (8R specific time reduction pattern), and 2R jackpot (2R specific time reduction pattern). It is The expected value of prize ball acquisition in the special game (prize ball acquisition expected value) is 16R jackpot>8R jackpot>2R jackpot. When the lottery for the first special pattern results in a big hit, the 16R jackpot is selected with a predetermined probability, whereas when the lottery for the second special pattern results in a big hit, a predetermined probability is selected. Since the 16R jackpot is selected with a higher probability than the first starting hole, winning the second starting hole is advantageous to the player in that more balls can be obtained than winning the first starting hole. On the other hand, in the special symbol stop symbol table (for loss), a single stop symbol (loss symbol) is uniquely assigned to the special symbol stop symbol random number value. In the special symbol stop symbol table (for small win), a single stop symbol (small win symbol) is uniquely assigned to the special symbol stop symbol random number value. In the case of a small hit, the game state is maintained before and after the winning lottery without triggering a change in the game state.

The special symbol variation pattern determining means 5143 determines a special symbol variation pattern based on the special symbol variation pattern random number value. Here, the special symbol variation pattern determining means 5143 holds a plurality of variation pattern tables that are referred to when selecting a special symbol variation pattern. The special symbol variation pattern determination means 5143 selects one variation pattern table from among a plurality of types of variation pattern tables based on the current variation pattern selection state and the result of the lottery. Each variation pattern table defines a plurality of variation patterns. Various fluctuation patterns have a fluctuation time determined for each of the fluctuation patterns as a termination condition of the pattern fluctuation, and it is assumed that the pattern fluctuation by the decorative pattern composed of a plurality of patterns is also executed during the fluctuation time. defined as

Further, the special symbol variation pattern determination means 5143, after selecting the variation pattern of the special symbol, instructs the effect control board 52 to start the variation of the decorative symbol, so communication with the effect control board 52 is normally performed. Effect control command (communication check command) for checking whether or not, Effect control command (variation additional information specification command) including variable additional information (information for adding or subtracting variable time), Effect including variable pattern information Generate a control command (variation pattern designation command), a performance control command (symbol designation command) including information on a character performance number (symbol group and game state), etc. (hereinafter, these commands are collectively called a “variation start command” ), which is stored in the command storage area of the main information storage means 5180 .

The normal symbol lottery processing means 5145 has normal symbol suitability determination means 5146 , normal symbol stop symbol determination means 5147 , and normal symbol variation pattern determination means 5148 . The normal symbol lottery processing means 5145, when the normal symbol variation start condition is satisfied, reads out the normal symbol random number value and the normal symbol variation pattern random value stored in the first storage area in the normal symbol reservation storage area, They are stored in the normal symbol suitability determination area and the normal symbol variation pattern determination area of the main information storage means 5180, respectively.

The normal symbol suitability determination means 5146 reads out the normal symbol hit random number value from the normal symbol suitability determination area of the main information storage means 5180, executes the suitability determination, and determines whether the determination result corresponds to hit or miss. decide. The result of this lottery is temporarily stored in the normal symbol determination flag of the main information storage means 5180, and after being used in the subsequent processing, is cleared when the fluctuation of the normal symbol stops. The normal symbol success/failure determination means 5146 holds a normal symbol success/failure lottery table referred to during this success/failure lottery, and in a normal state (low probability state), for example, a normal winning probability of "160/283" Refer to the symbol success/failure lottery table, and in the variable probability state (high probability state) of the normal symbol, the normal symbol success/failure lottery is executed with reference to the normal symbol success/failure lottery table in which the probability is, for example, ``282/283''. do.

The normal symbol stop symbol determination means 5147 refers to the symbol lottery table, and assigns a predetermined winning symbol when the result of the winning lottery is a hit, and assigns a predetermined losing symbol when the result is a loss. It's becoming

The normal symbol variation pattern determination means 5148 reads the normal symbol variation pattern random number value from the normal symbol variation pattern determination area of the main information storage means 5180, and refers to the normal symbol variation pattern table to display the normal symbol variation in the normal state. , a relatively long variation time is selected (for example, seven types of "4 seconds, 5 seconds, 6 seconds, 7 seconds, 8 seconds, 9 seconds, and 10 seconds" are uniformly selected). On the other hand, in the time-saving state (easy entry state) of normal symbols, a relatively short variation time (for example, "0.5 seconds") is selected by the operation of the variation time shortening function. In addition, in the control of the normal symbol game, in order to reduce the processing load of the CPU of the main control board 51, in the non-electric chew support state, the winning probability of the normal symbol lottery is set to "0", and the fluctuation time of the normal symbol It is also conceivable to adopt a single specification.

The special game control means 5150 determines the demonstration time for the jackpot start demonstration and the jackpot end demonstration in accordance with the jackpot pattern determined as a result of the jackpot lottery. In addition, the special game control means 5150 instructs the performance control board 52 side to execute a performance control command (referred to as a "jackpot start demo command") for instructing the execution of the jackpot start demonstration performance and the execution of the jackpot end demonstration performance. A performance control command (referred to as a “jackpot end demo command”) is generated and stored in the command storage area of the main information storage means 5180 . Incidentally, the jackpot start demonstration command also serves as an opportunity for determining the contents of a series of jackpot productions (jackpot start demonstration production, round production, and jackpot end demonstration production) developed during the special game on the production control board 52 side. . In addition, the special game control means 5150 generates an effect control command (referred to as a "round effect specification command") for instructing the start of the round effect corresponding to each round game in each round game during the special game. , is stored in the command storage area of the main information storage means 180 . This round effect designation command includes information on the current number of rounds, information on opening and closing of the big prize winning opening, and the like. In addition, regarding the above demo time, not only the jackpot pattern, but also the game state at the time of the jackpot (normal or short time, etc.) Even if the jackpot pattern is the same, the demonstration time for the jackpot start demo and the jackpot end demo may vary. You can let

In addition, the special game control means 5150 determines the demonstration time related to the small winning start demonstration and the small winning end demonstration displayed on the performance display device 27 or the like during the small winning game when the result of the winning lottery is a small winning. In addition, the special game control means 5150 includes an effect control command ("small hit start demo command") for instructing the execution of the small hit start demonstration effect, and an effect control command ("small hit start demonstration command") for instructing the execution of the small hit end demonstration effect. end demo command”) and stores it in the command storage area of the main information storage means 5180 .

The symbol display control means 5155 includes special symbol display control means 5156 and normal symbol display control means 5157 . The special symbol display control means 5156 variably displays the first special symbol on the first special symbol display device 71 according to the variation pattern (variation time) of the first special symbol, and confirms and displays the first special symbol after the variation display. Let In addition, the special symbol display control means 5156 variably displays the second special symbol on the second special symbol display device 72 according to the variation pattern (variation time) of the second special symbol, and displays the second special symbol after the variation display. Confirm display. The special symbol display control means 5156 has a special symbol game timer for managing the time (fluctuation time, fixed display time) relating to the display of the first special symbol and the second special symbol. The operating states of the first special symbol display device 71 and the second special symbol display device 72 are monitored based on the special symbol game status of the main information storage means 5180 . The special symbol display control means 5156 requests the effect control board 52 to display the decorative symbol when the fluctuation of the special symbol is stopped (that is, at the timing when the value of the special symbol game timer becomes "0"). To generate a production control command (referred to as a “variation stop command”). The normal symbol display control means 5157 causes the normal symbol display device 75 to variably display the normal symbol according to the variation pattern (variation time) of the normal symbol, and after the variation display, the normal symbol is definitely displayed. The normal symbol display control means 5157 has a normal symbol game timer for managing the time (fluctuation time, fixed display time) relating to the display of normal symbols. The operating state of the normal design display device 75 is monitored based on the normal design game status of the main information storage means 5180 .

When the result of the lottery for the special symbols is a big hit, the electric role product control means 5160 outputs a control signal to the special electric role product solenoid 82 as a special game process after the special symbols are confirmed and displayed, and the big winning opening is reached. (Special electric accessory) is opened according to a predetermined operation pattern. In the special game, one operation of the big winning mouth (special electric accessory) is one round game (unit game), and the round game is continued for a specified number of rounds (16R, 8R, 2R in this example). and execute it. Here, when the jackpot type is a so-called long open jackpot (16R jackpot or 8R jackpot in this example), the jackpot is opened for a maximum of about 30 seconds in one round game. On the other hand, when the jackpot type is a so-called short-open jackpot (2R jackpot in this example), the jackpot is opened for a maximum of about 0.7 seconds in one round game. Here, the condition for closing the big winning hole in the special game (the condition for ending the unit game) is the winning of a prescribed count number of game balls or the elapse of a prescribed number of seconds of an openable period. In addition, the opening and closing operation of the big winning opening during the openable period may be executed not only once but a plurality of times.

In addition, when the result of the lottery of special symbols is a small hit, the electric auditors control means 5160 outputs a control signal to the special electric auditors solenoid 82 as a small winning game process after the special symbols are confirmed and displayed. , to open the big prize opening (special electric accessory) only for a short period of time. A small winning game is distinguished from a big winning game consisting of a plurality of round games in that it consists of one round game. Here, when comparing the above-mentioned 2R special game and the small winning game, although they are internally different, the point that one opening and closing time (0.7 seconds) is the same and the number of opening and closing times is the same (the former is Since 1 open/close per 1 round is 2 times in 2 rounds, and the latter is 2 open/close per 1 round (2 times in 1 round), games with similar open times and open patterns are played.

In addition, the electric accessory control means 5160 outputs a control signal to the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 81 when winning the lottery for the normal symbol, and opens the second start port (normal electric accessory) for a predetermined opening time. open up. Here, the electric accessory control means 5160 opens the second starting port (ordinary electric accessory) for a very short time (for example, 0.2 seconds) in the normal state, whereas the easy-to-enter state (electric chew support state), the second starting port (ordinary electric accessory) is opened for a relatively long time (for example, 4 seconds) compared to the normal state.

The game state control means 5165 determines the game state after the end of the special game based on the type of the symbol related to the big hit when the result of the winning lottery of the special symbols is a big hit, and determines the game state after the end of the special game. Switch game state. In the following, among the various functions related to the special symbols and normal symbols, 1) the special symbol probability variation function, the special symbol variation time reduction function, and the electric chew support function are all activated. 2) The game state in which only the variable time reduction function of special symbols and the electric chew support function operate is called “time saving state”, and 3) The game state in which only the probability variation function of special symbols operates is called “latent probability variable state”. 4) A state in which all functions are not operating is called a "normal state". In addition, it can be said that the "probability variable state", the "time saving state", and the "latency probability variable state" are all advantageous game states for the player compared to the "normal state". In addition, each game state is a combination of the operating state of the special symbol game (high probability / low probability) and the operating state of the normal symbol game (with open extension / without open extension). / open extension”, (2) time saving state “low probability / open extension”, (3) latency variable state “high probability / non-open extension”, (4) normal state “low probability / non-open extension”, can also be expressed as In addition, in this embodiment, for example, because it is configured as a so-called ST machine that cuts the number of times, the game state after the end of the special game is the predetermined final number of times counted from the end of the special game. That is, until the ST number is reached, the probability variable state continues (however, if the next big hit occurs within the ST number, the probability variable state ends with the variation, and the ST number is set again after the big hit ends. ). In addition, when a small hit occurs during the ST period, the ST number is not reset to 0 (restored), and the ST number is continuously counted before and after the occurrence of the small hit. In this embodiment, the number of times of ST is set to 100 times, but of course, it may be set to another number of times. It should be noted that, when the transition to the probability variation state, the special symbol probability variation function, the special symbol variation time reduction function and the electric chew support function operate at the same time, and as long as the probability variation state continues, each function will continue. Become. In addition, when the result of the lottery of special symbols is a jackpot, the game state before the jackpot is either a normal state or a variable probability state, the normal state is during the special game, and the ST is after the special game. It will be in a constant variable state uniformly with the number of times as a limit. On the other hand, if the result of the win/loss lottery of the special symbols is a small win, if the game state before the small win is the normal state, the game state during and after the small win game also becomes the normal state. In addition, when the game state before the small hit is the probability variable state of the special symbol, the game state during the small hit game and after the small hit game also becomes the probability variable state of the special symbol.

In addition, when the special game is executed, the game state control means 5165 determines the variation pattern selection state after the special game based on the symbol type of the big hit or the small win, and the variation pattern selection state after the special game. switch. The variation pattern selection state is one of the conditions referred to when selecting the aforementioned variation pattern table. The switching timing of the variation pattern selection state is when the special game ends or when the number of termination times of the variation pattern selection state is completed. Then, the game state control means 5165 generates an effect control command (referred to as a "game state designation command") including the current game state information and the variation pattern selection state information, and stores this command in the main information storage means 5180. Store in the area.

The error monitoring control means 5170 monitors the input information of the I/O port circuit of the main control board 51, and detects a magnetic detection signal from a magnetic sensor, a disconnection short-circuit power supply abnormality signal, a radio wave detection signal from a radio wave sensor, a door/frame opening signal, and the like. to determine if the gaming machine is in an error state. When it is in an error state, in order to instruct the effect control board 52 to perform an error state effect, a effect control command ("error effect designation command") including the error information is requested. The door/frame open signal is a detection signal from the front frame open/close detection switch for detecting whether or not the front frame 2 is opened with respect to the outer frame 1, and the glass frame 5 is opened with respect to the front frame 2. A detection signal from the glass frame open/close detection switch that detects whether the back set board 30 is open or not, and a detection signal from the back set open/close detection switch that detects whether the back set board 30 is open. Also, the magnetic sensor and radio wave sensor are detection means for detecting so-called fraudulent gaming behavior.

The main information storage means 5180 stores the random number information acquired in the special symbol game and the normal symbol game, the operation reservation ball information of the special symbol and the normal symbol, the game state related to the special symbol game and the normal symbol game (probability variable state, time saving state, Easy to enter state), information on variation pattern selection state, lottery result information (big win, small win, lose), stop symbols and variation patterns related to special and normal symbols, information on special games (round number, opening time, opening mode (number of openings per round game, etc.), setting value information, status information indicating the operating state of the special symbol display devices 71 and 72, status information indicating the operating state of the special electric accessory , and is configured to temporarily store information such as effect control command data, and has a predetermined storage area for storing each piece of information.

The command transmitting/receiving means 5190 is configured to transmit various effect control command data stored in the command storage area of the main information storage means 5180 to the effect control board 52 by a parallel transmission method when there is a command transmission request. It is Each effect control command has a 2-byte configuration including 1-byte MODE data and 1-byte EVENT data. Bit 7 of EVENT data is set to "0". When transmitting such information as valid information, a strobe signal is output at each transmission timing of MODE and EVENT. As a general rule, the effect control commands generated in each process are transmitted one command per interrupt period according to the order set in the command storage area of the main information storage means 5180. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the effect control board 52 includes effect lottery random number generation means 5210, effect control means 5220, lamp control means 5230, role control means 5240, error effect control means 5250, sub-main information storage means 5260, command Transmitting and receiving means 5270 are included. In addition, the above-mentioned means in the effect control board 52 are configured by hardware such as CPU, ROM, RAM, and electronic circuits arranged on the effect control board 52 and software such as control programs stored in the ROM. is a functional expression of

The effect lottery random number generation means 5210 includes a random number counter for generating various software random numbers (effect lottery random numbers) by program processing of the CPU of the effect control board 52 . These random number counters play a role as random number generating means for generating random numbers by software. The software random numbers include the pre-reading lottery random number used in the lottery of the pre-reading effect, the decorative pattern random number used in the lottery of the stop pattern of the decorative pattern, the variable effect pattern random number used in the lottery of the variable effect pattern of the decorative pattern, and the advance notice effect. It includes a notice lottery random number used for lottery, a jackpot performance pattern random number used for lottery for a jackpot performance pattern, and a stage lottery random number used for stage shift lottery. These random numbers are updated using the remaining time when command analysis is not performed in the main processing of the effect control side described later (when the effect control command is not received from the main control board 51). do.

Effect generalizing means 5220 includes effect mode control means 5221, reservation information display control means 5222, prefetching notice control means 5223, fluctuation effect control means 5224, decorative pattern control means 5225, notice effect control means 5226, and jackpot effect control means 5227. .

Production mode control means 5221, based on the game state designation command from the main control board 51, the production mode ("game (Also referred to as “production mode”) transition control is executed. In the present embodiment, a plurality of types of game performance modes are set, and even if the variation pattern of the special symbols instructed from the main control board 51 is the same, the specific contents of the symbol variation performance are specified for each performance mode. It is set so that the fluctuation production pattern (details will be described later) is different. The effect display device 27 displays an effect mode notification image corresponding to the effect mode currently being stayed (in this example, a background image serving as a background display of a decorative pattern), and the background image is different for each effect mode. Since it is set, the player can recognize which production mode he is currently staying in from the type of background image.

The holding information display control means 5222 has a first holding ball number counter for counting the number of operation holding balls of the first special symbol and a second holding ball number counter for counting the number of operation holding balls of the second special symbol. have. Reservation information display control means 5222, when receiving the pattern memory number command from the main control board 51, updates (adds) the value of the corresponding counter based on the information on the number of operation reservation balls included in this command. On the other hand, when the hold information display control means 5222 receives a variation start command from the main control board 51, that is, when the operation hold ball is digested, it updates (subtracts) the value of the corresponding counter. In addition, the pending information display control means 5222, based on the values of the first pending ball number counter and the second pending ball number counter, displays the number of pending images corresponding to the number of activated pending balls of the first special symbol on the effect display device. And control to display a number of pending images corresponding to the number of operation pending balls of the second special symbol. In this example, when the operation pending ball of the special symbol is generated, while the pending image of the normal display mode is displayed, when the later-described look-ahead preview effect (hold change look-ahead effect) is executed, this look-ahead The held image targeted for is changed from a normal display mode to a special display mode.

The pre-reading notice control means 5223 executes a pre-reading determination (referred to as "pre-reading lottery") for the operation suspension ball to be the target of the pre-reading notice effect. The look-ahead notice effect is a so-called continuous notice effect that foretells the possibility of a jackpot winning or a high-expectation effect (such as a reach effect) occurring over one or more times of variable display before the operation reserve ball targeted for look-ahead is digested. is generated as an aspect of At this time, the pre-reading lottery is executed based on the information of the pre-determination result included in the pre-determination command from the main control board 51 . Here, when the pre-reading notice control means 5223 receives the pre-determination command from the main control board 51, it distinguishes between the information of the pre-determination result of the first special symbol and the information of the pre-determination result of the second special symbol, respectively. Up to a predetermined upper limit number (four), it is temporarily stored in the look-ahead information storage area of the sub-main information storage means 5260 in a manner linked with the entry order of the pending balls. This look-ahead information storage area has the same configuration as the reservation storage area of the main control board 51, and the reservation 1 storage area (first reservation storage area), the reservation 2 storage area in the order of ball entry to each starting hole. An area (second reserved storage area), a reserved 3 storage area (third reserved storage area), and a reserved 4 storage area (fourth reserved storage area) are respectively provided. Each reservation storage area can store information on the result of propriety pre-determination, information on the pre-determination result of pattern, and information on the pre-determination result of variation pattern as a set. The information of the pre-determination result is stored in the order of reservation 1 storage area, reservation 2 storage area, reservation 3 storage area, reservation 4 storage area, reservation 1 storage area, reservation 2 storage area, reservation 3 storage area, reservation 4. It is digested in order of storage area (first-in first-out principle). Further, when the information of the preliminary judgment result in the reservation 1 storage area is digested, the information of the preliminary judgment result stored in the reservation 2 storage area, the reservation 3 storage area, and the reservation 4 storage area is stored in the lower numbered storage areas. While shifting, clear the contents of the reserved 4 storage area to zero.

Variation effect control means 5224, based on the information (variation pattern information, variation additional information, etc.) included in the variation start command from the main control board 51, the variation process from the start to the stop of the variation display of the decorative pattern (production process ) is determined by lottery. Here, on the main control board 51 side, the special symbol main variation pattern (for example, "strong SP reach", etc.) is determined, while on the effect control board 52 side, the scenario of the effect display process is created based on the main variation pattern. A sub-fluctuation pattern (for example, "strong SP reach A, B..." etc.) of the decorative design defined in detail is determined. In this embodiment, non-reach effects (super-shortened variable effects, shortened variable effects, normal variable effects, etc.), ready-to-reach effects, pseudo-continuous variable effects, etc. are set as the variable effects of decorative symbols. Then, in the decorative pattern fluctuation production pattern, the decorative pattern fluctuation display mode, that is, the scenario of the series of production display process from the start of the fluctuation of the decorative pattern to the end of the fluctuation is defined, and each stage in the display process The timing for generating the advance notice effect is also stipulated as a time schedule. Also, regarding the variation production pattern of this decorative pattern, even if the variation pattern of the special pattern is the same (even if the same information variation start command is received), if the production mode during stay is different, production Variation performance patterns with different contents can be selected. That is, the variable effect pattern table is prepared for each effect mode during stay.

Here, "super-shortened variation", "shortened variation", and "normal variation" are effects in which the decorative patterns in the three rows fluctuate, and without going through the reach state even once, they become "off" with so-called loose eyes. is. In this non-reach mode variation pattern, the variation mode is different from each other in that the variation display stops in a shorter time in the "shortened variation" than in the "normal variation" and in the "ultra-shortened variation" than in the "shortened variation". . In addition, the "pseudo-continuous variation" is a variation in which the decorative symbols are temporarily stopped (pseudo-stop) during the one-time variable display of the decorative symbols, so that it appears as if the decorative symbols are displayed multiple times in a pseudo manner. It is a performance. This pseudo-continuous variation (pseudo-continuous) is configured such that the re-variation display is performed once or more, in which the re-variation is started after all the decoration symbols in the three rows are temporarily temporarily stopped (pseudo-stop). Pseudo-continuous fluctuation is displayed in the stage before the reach state is formed in the fluctuation display that develops into reach, and the more times the re-variation display (pseudo-continuous) is performed, the more likely it is to reach a big hit. It is possible. Also, in this example, the higher the number of pseudo-runs, that is, in the order of 1 pseudo-run<2 pseudo-runs<3 pseudo-runs, . . . In addition, among the three rows of decorative symbols, the left and right rows of decorative symbols are temporarily stopped in the ready state (tenpai), and the left and right decorative symbols are temporarily stopped in the non-reach state. It is set so that the degree of expectation for a big hit is higher than in the case. In addition, "N reach (normal reach)" is a state (so-called reach state) in which the same decorative pattern is stopped in two columns (typically left column, right column) among the three columns of decorative patterns, and the remaining one column If the decoration pattern (typically in the middle row) stops, it will be a big hit. "L reach (long reach)" is an effect in which the fluctuation time after the reach state is formed is longer than the above N reach. "SP reach (super reach)" is a reach production with a higher expectation of a big hit than the above N reach and L reach, and the production content develops in the middle, such as still images and videos such as animation and live action. This is the presentation that will be displayed.

The decorative symbol control means 5225 is based on the information (stop symbol information, game state information) included in the variation start command from the main control board 51 and the above-described variation effect pattern determined by the variation effect control means 5224, and the decoration is performed. The final combination of symbols to be stopped (left, middle, and right symbols) is determined by lottery. In this example, three pattern rows containing a plurality of types of decorative patterns are formed, and the decorative patterns are formed by identifying elements such as numbers. In addition, the decorative symbol control means 5225 holds a plurality of types of stop symbol pattern tables that are referred to when determining a combination of decorative symbol stop symbols (also referred to as "stop symbol patterns") by lottery. The plurality of types of tables include a stop symbol pattern table for big wins, a stop symbol pattern table for small wins, a stop symbol pattern table for ready-to-win losses, and a stop symbol pattern table for non-to-loss losses. The decorative pattern stop pattern is formed as a combination of three patterns: "a stop pattern indicating a big win (big hit pattern)", "a stop pattern indicating a small win (small win pattern)", and "a stop pattern indicating a loss". (missing pattern)”. A jackpot pattern indicating a specific jackpot (probability variable jackpot) is a combination of stop modes (for example, "7, 7, 7") in which three identical odd-numbered patterns are aligned. A jackpot pattern indicating a normal jackpot (non-probable variable jackpot) is a combination of stop modes (for example, "2, 2, 2") in which three patterns of the same even number are aligned. A winning pattern is a combination of stop patterns (for example, "1, 3, 8") in which at least one of the three patterns is a pattern with a number different from the other numbers. Here, out of the winning symbols, the reach-losing symbols are a combination of stop modes (for example, "3.1.3") in which only the middle symbols are shifted back and forth by several frames while the left and right symbols match. Become. In addition, in the case of a small winning pattern or a 2R big winning pattern even if it is a big winning pattern, there may be a combination of predetermined stop modes such as "3, 5, 7", for example. Also, when the lottery result is non-reach, a specific number called a "chance number" may be selected. Furthermore, in a pseudo-continuous effect (so-called pseudo-continuous) or the like, when performing a temporary stop display before the final stop symbol is determined and displayed, the temporary stop symbol is selected. When displaying a chance eye or a temporary stop pattern, at least one of the three patterns is displayed in a special decorative pattern that displays characters such as "CHANCE" or "NEXT (pseudo continuous fluctuation suggestive pattern)" for the numerical decorative pattern. The stop pattern of may be replaced and displayed. The stop order for stopping the decorative symbols is predetermined for each variable effect pattern described below. In this embodiment, as a general rule, the decorative symbols are stopped in the order of left symbol→right symbol→middle symbol. However, in the case of a variable production pattern with a shortened variation in which the fluctuation time is set to be extremely short, the left design, middle design, and right design are stopped almost simultaneously, and in the case of a special fluctuation production pattern, the right design → It is also possible to stop in the order of middle symbols→left symbols, and in this case, there is a tendency that the degree of expectation for a big hit becomes relatively high.

A notice performance control means 5226 draws a notice performance pattern defining the content of the notice performance executed at each stage of the variation process of the decorative pattern according to the scenario of the variation performance pattern determined by the variation performance control means 5224. decide. The notice performance patterns include performance patterns for temporarily or stepwise image display of specific character images, animations, etc., performance patterns for outputting specific sounds, performance patterns for operating movable accessories, and the like. The advance notice performance is executed in parallel with the variable display of the decorative pattern, and suggests in advance that the degree of reliability of the big win that the pattern fluctuation is stopped in the big win mode is high. The advance notice effect includes the advance notice effect executed before the ready-to-win state occurs (including when the ready-to-win state occurs) and the advance notice effect to be executed after the ready-to-win state occurs in the variation process of the decorative pattern. Each notice effect has a different hit reliability, and basically, the notice effect displayed after the occurrence of reach is relatively more expected than the notice effect displayed before the occurrence of reach. getting higher. The notice effect control means 5226 holds a notice lottery table referred to when selecting a notice effect pattern for each type of notice effect, and makes a notice according to the kind of notice effect that occurs along the scenario of the variable effect pattern. A lottery table is selected. Specific types of notice effects include, for example, comment notice effects, background notice effects, SU (step-up) notice effects, logo notice effects, mini character notice effects, group notice effects, and role notice effects. ing. This advance notice effect is basically performed by synthesizing display of one or a plurality of advance notice effects with the variable display of decorative patterns on the effect display device 27 . Therefore, even if the variable display of decorative symbols is performed by the same variable performance pattern, it is possible to generate various performance modes by combining with one or a plurality of advance notice performances.

The big-hit performance control means 5227 determines the contents of the big-hit performance (big-hit performance pattern) for notifying that the special game is in progress. The jackpot production includes a start demonstration production for informing the start of the special game, a round production for informing that the round game is in progress, and an end demonstration production for informing the end of the special game. When a jackpot start demonstration command is received from the main control board 51, the jackpot production determination means 5227 determines a jackpot production pattern (start demonstration production pattern, round production pattern, etc.) based on the information on the jackpot type stored in the sub-main information storage means 5260. pattern, end demonstration effect pattern). In this jackpot performance pattern, a jackpot start demonstration performance time, a round performance time (a performance time corresponding to the opening pattern of the big win opening), and a jackpot end demonstration performance time are set according to the jackpot type, and the times are set. A series of production contents are set along the axis. In addition, according to the jackpot performance pattern, the jackpot performance determination means 5227 executes the start demonstration performance upon receipt of the jackpot start demonstration command from the main control board 51, and each round upon receipt of the round performance designation command. A performance is executed, and the end demonstration performance is executed with the reception of the jackpot end demonstration command as a trigger. In the jackpot start demonstration effect, for example, the characters "jackpot start" are displayed on the screen to announce the start of the special game. In addition, in the round effect, for example, the number of rounds currently being executed and the number of won prize balls are displayed on the screen, and various images (animation images, etc.) that liven up the special game are displayed. Then, in the jackpot end demonstration effect, for example, the characters "jackpot end" are displayed on the screen to announce the end of the special game.

As described above, the effect control means 5220 generates image control commands related to images and sounds based on the determined effect contents (prefetch effect pattern, variable effect pattern, advance notice effect pattern, stop symbol pattern, jackpot effect pattern, etc.), This is stored in the command storage area of the sub-main information storage means 260 .

The lamp control means 5230 controls the lighting of the production lamp 11, the color of light emitted, etc. according to the content of the production set by the production generalizing means 5220. FIG. The lamp control means 5230 holds a plurality of types of lamp data (lamp pattern data) for lighting control of the effect lamp 11, reads the lamp data corresponding to the determined effect pattern, and outputs this lamp control signal ( lamp data) to the production lamp 11.

The role control means 5240 controls the driving of each movable role 19 according to the contents of the production set by the production generalizing means 5220 . The accessory control means 5240 holds a plurality of types of drive data for controlling the driving of the movable accessory 19, and outputs a drive control signal (driving data) corresponding to the determined effect pattern to the movable accessory 19 (motor driver).

The error effect control means 5250 is configured to determine an error effect pattern when an error effect designation command is received from the main control board 51, and to notify that an error state has occurred in the game machine according to the error effect pattern. there is

The sub-main information storage means 5260 is configured to temporarily store decorative pattern information, variable effect pattern information, notice effect pattern information, control command information, and the like. It has a storage area. For example, in the command storage area, the effect control command buffer for storing the effect control command from the main control board 51, the image control command buffer for storing the image control command to the image control board 53, the image control board 53 includes an ACK command buffer for storing ACK commands from. Each command buffer is composed of a ring buffer, and can store a predetermined number of effect control commands, image control commands, and ACK commands.

The command transmission/reception means 5270 is configured to receive the effect control command transmitted from the main control board 51 and store the effect control command in the effect control command buffer of the sub-main information storage means 5260 . Command transmitting/receiving means 5270 generates an interrupt based on the input of the strobe signal described above from the main control board 51, executes the reception interrupt processing of the production control command, and acquires various production control commands in this interrupt processing. It's becoming In addition, when the strobe signal is received, the command transmitting/receiving means 5270 preferentially performs the reception interrupt processing of the effect control command over other interrupt processing.

In addition, the command transmitting/receiving means 5270 is stored in the sub-main information storage means 5260 in order to instruct the execution of the effect contents (fluctuation effect pattern information, advance notice effect pattern information, decoration pattern information, etc.) set by the effect control means 5220. The received image control command is transmitted to the image control board 53 by serial communication. The image control commands are, in principle, transmitted at predetermined intervals (500 μs in this example) in the order set in the command storage area of the sub-main information storage means 5260 . As a result, the image control board 53 analyzes various image control commands transmitted from the effect control board 51, and causes the effect display device 27 to variably display the effect image including the decorative pattern according to the scenario of the variable effect pattern. , the notice effect is displayed in the form of being superimposed on the design change effect at each stage of the variable display process. Further, the command transmission/reception means 5270 receives the ACK command transmitted from the image control board 53 and stores this ACK command in the ACK command buffer of the sub-main information storage means 5260 .

<Operating process of the main control board>
Next, the procedure of operation processing in the main control board 51 will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 7 to 9. FIG. The processing on the main control board 51 side includes main control side main processing and main control side timer interrupt processing.

《Main processing on the main control side》
7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the main control side main processing of the main control board 51. FIG. In this main control side main process, after a security check of the CPU in the main control board 51 is performed by resetting when the power is turned on, the program starts, and the processes after S1 are started.

First, as an initial setting required when power is turned on, the top address is set in the stack pointer as the initial value of the stack area (S1), and access to the RAM is permitted (S2). Subsequently, a vector table storing the start address of the program to be processed when a timer interrupt occurs is set (S3), and an initial value is set in the built-in register of the CPU (S4).

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the RAM clear switch is turned on (S5). If a RAM clear switch (to be detailed later) is turned on (S5: YES), a predetermined area of the RAM is cleared to zero in S9 to be described later. On the other hand, if the RAM clear switch is not turned on (S5: NO), the value of the power-off information flag is read to determine whether or not information indicating normal power-off is stored (S6).

Here, if the power-off normal information is stored (S6: YES), a checksum is calculated for a predetermined area of the RAM (S7). Then, it is determined whether or not this checksum is 0, that is, whether or not the checksum is normal (S8). The power-on checksum calculated here includes the complement of the checksum calculated in the power-off processing described later. Sum becomes "0". In this manner, it is determined at power-on whether the information stored in the RAM before power-off is correctly backed up. At this time, if the checksum is normal (S8: YES), the process proceeds to S12, which will be described later, in order to return to the state before the power was turned off. On the other hand, if the checksum is abnormal (S8: NO), a predetermined area of the RAM is cleared to zero (S9). Next, the initialization data at power-on is set in the RAM (S10). Subsequently, in order to initialize the effect display device 27, initialize the effect lamp 11, etc., an effect control command ("effect initial command") to the effect control board 52 is requested (S11).

Next, in the power-off recovery setting process, the power-on normal information setting, the initial setting of various errors, and the communication initial setting with the payout control board 54 are performed in order in the RAM (S12). Here, as the setting of the power-on normal information, in order to save that the power was turned on correctly, the power-on normal data is stored in the power-off information flag, and the power-off occurrence information is initialized. Turn off the power off confirmation flag. Next, the data transfer source address, the data transfer destination address, and the number of transfer bytes are set, and data corresponding to the number of transfer bytes are transferred (S13). Then, the value of the special symbol game status at the time of power failure is read, and the power failure recovery process relating to the special symbol game is performed (S14).

Subsequently, a transmission request for an effect control command ("power-off return command") at the time of power-off recovery between the main control board 51 and the effect control board 52 is made (S15). This power-off recovery command includes information on inspection of communication lines, operation status of special symbols, number of probability fluctuations, number of times of time saving, number of easy-to-enter states, variation pattern selection status, and error status. Command requests that have not been sent before the power is turned off are cleared. Next, in the symbol storage number command request process, the information on the number of operation pending balls of the first special symbol and the second special symbol at the time of power off is read, and the effect control command including the information on the number of operation pending balls is requested ( S16).

Subsequently, a return setting is performed to return the normal electric accessory to the state before the power was turned off (for example, the second start port is opened) (S17). Furthermore, a return setting is performed to return the special electric accessory to the state before the power was turned off (for example, the state in which the big winning opening is open) (S18). Subsequently, the value of the special symbol mode flag is read, and the operating state of the special symbol probability variation function at the time of power failure is set (S19). In addition, the special symbol mode flag is a flag for setting the operating probability (high probability or low probability) of the special symbol game. Next, in order to activate the timer interrupt, a predetermined count value is set as the initial setting of the CTC circuit provided on the main control board 51, and the timer interrupt is generated every 4 ms (S20). Subsequently, interrupt prohibition is set to prohibit the occurrence of timer interrupt processing (S21). Then, in preparation for restarting the watchdog timer, clear word 1 ("55H") is set (S22).

Next, in order to determine whether a power failure has occurred, the value of the power failure confirmation flag is read to determine whether or not a power failure has occurred (S23). If power failure has not occurred, an initial value random number update process is executed (S24). In this initial value random number update process, the initial value random number per normal symbol, the soft initial value random number per special symbol, and the symbol initial value random number per special symbol are updated. Specifically, 1 is added to the numerical value of each counter, and when the numerical value exceeds the maximum value, the minimum value is returned to "0".

Next, interrupt permission is set to permit the generation of timer interrupt processing (S25), the above-described interrupt prohibition processing (S21) is returned to, and the loop processing of S21 to S25 is repeatedly executed. Here, the timer interrupt processing is periodically executed at predetermined intervals. Repeat the process up to If there is an interrupt request in the interrupt disabled state, the timer interrupt processing is started when the interrupt is enabled in S25. On the other hand, if the power-off confirmation flag is ON in S23, that is, if power-off has occurred, the process proceeds to S26 to execute the power-off processing described below.

Next, as power-off processing (S26 to S32), clear word 2 ("AAH") is first set to restart the watchdog timer (S26). Next, it is determined whether or not the content of the power-off information flag is power-on normal data (S27). If it is the power-on normal information (S27: Yes), power-off normal data is set in the power-off information flag (S28). On the other hand, if it is not power-on normal information (S27: No), power-off abnormal data is set in the power-off information flag (S29), and the process proceeds to S32.

Next, a checksum is calculated for a predetermined area of the RAM (excluding the checksum area) (S30). Then, the complement of the checksum data is calculated, and the resultant value of the complement is set in the checksum area of the RAM (S31). Subsequently, the RAM access prohibition setting is performed (S32), and the processing is looped until the power is turned off.

《Main control side timer interrupt processing》
Next, main control side timer interrupt processing of the main control board 51 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing timer interrupt processing of the main control board 51 . This timer interrupt processing is started by a clock pulse from the CTC circuit of the main control board 51 at regular time intervals (for example, 4 ms), and is executed by interrupting the main processing on the main control side. In addition, the term "condition device" used below means a conceptual control device, which operates when a big hit occurs in a special symbol game.

First, when this timer interrupt occurs, the contents of the register in the CPU of the main control board 51 are saved in the stack area of the RAM, and then the interrupt operating conditions are set (S51).

Next, clear word 2 (“AAH”) is set to restart the watchdog timer (S52). At this time, the watchdog timer is cleared and restarted by sequentially writing clear word 1 and clear word 2 to the WDT clear register of the CPU within a preset timeout period. That is, when the CPU is executing the program normally, the clear words 1 and 2 are set periodically so that the watchdog timer is cleared and restarted before timeout. On the other hand, if the watchdog timer times out, a user reset will occur.

Next, input processing is executed (S53). In this input process, level data generation and rise data/fall data generation are performed as check processing of the input port (I/O port circuit) in the main control board 51 . In the input process, as various switches connected to the main control board 51, various switches other than the RAM clear switch are subject to the check process. That is, the first starter switch 61, the second starter switch 62, the operation gate switch 63, the big winning switch 64, the general winning switch 65, the played ball detection switch 66, the foul ball detection switch 67, the door opening switch, Reads switch inputs such as frame open switch, back set open switch, magnetic sensor, radio wave sensor, etc., judges their status, and stores these detection data (level data, rise data, fall data). .

Next, various random number updating processes are executed (S54). In this random number update process, the normal symbol variation pattern random number and the special symbol variation pattern random number are updated. As for the normal pattern variation pattern random number, 1 is added to the numerical value of the random number counter, and when the numerical value exceeds the maximum value, it is returned to "0" which is the minimum value. On the other hand, for the special symbol variation pattern random number, a predetermined value (for example, 3511) is subtracted from the previous random number. If the subtraction result is less than 0, a predetermined value (eg, 50000) is added to the subtraction result.

Next, an initial value update type random number update process is executed (S55). In this initial value update type random number update process, the random number per normal symbol, the soft random number per special symbol and the random number per special symbol are updated. Specifically, 1 is added to the numerical value of each random number counter, and when the numerical value exceeds the maximum value, the minimum value is returned to "0". Also, when the number of the counter reaches one cycle, the corresponding initial value random number is set as the initial value.

Next, an initial value random number update process is executed (S56). In this initial value random number update process, the initial value random number per normal symbol, the soft initial value random number per special symbol, and the symbol initial value random number per special symbol are updated. Specifically, 1 is added to the numerical value of each random number counter, and when the numerical value exceeds the maximum value, the minimum value is returned to "0".

Next, timer subtraction processing is executed (S57). In this timer subtraction processing, the values of various timers used for game operation control of the gaming machine PM are subtracted and updated. For example, the values of various timers are decremented by each interrupt period (4 ms in this example). The various timers include a special symbol game timer for managing the time (fluctuation time, fixed display time) relating to the special symbol display devices 71 and 72, and the like.

Next, a second start port effective period setting process is executed (S58). In this second starting opening valid period setting process, the winning valid period and the winning invalid period of the second starting opening are determined, and the valid period data or the invalid period data of the second starting opening is set as the determination result.

Next, a winning monitoring process is executed (S59). In this prize-winning monitoring process, based on the start-up data generated by the input port check in the input process (S53), the switch passage inspection of the game ball is performed a predetermined number of times. As a result of the switch passing inspection, if it is determined that the game ball has passed the switch, the number of prize balls according to the type of the winning hole is stored (update the number of unpaid balls, update the cumulative number), the number of played balls ( cumulative number), storage of the number of foul balls (accumulated number), creation of a security output request to be output to an external terminal, request for transmission of a performance control command, and the like.

As for the number of prize balls, the accumulated value of the number of prize balls paid out based on entering any of the winning holes (starting hole, big winning hole and general winning hole) (hereinafter referred to as "first cumulative number of winning balls") ) and the accumulated value of the number of prize balls paid out based on the winning in the general prize opening (hereinafter referred to as "second accumulated number of prize balls"). That is, as a result of the above switch passage inspection, when it is determined that the game ball has passed through the first starting port switch 61, the second starting port switch 62, the large winning port switch 64 or the general winning port switch 65, the winning port The number of unit prize balls corresponding to the type (the number of prize balls paid out when one game ball wins) is added to the first accumulated number of prize balls to update the first accumulated number of prize balls. In addition, as a result of the switch passing inspection, if it is determined that the game ball has passed through the general winning opening switch 65, the number of unit winning balls (1 game ball wins a prize) according to the type of the winning opening (general winning opening) The number of prize balls paid out when the game is played) is added to the second accumulated number of prize balls to update the second accumulated number of prize balls. In the present embodiment, the number of unit winning balls is set to "3" for the first start opening and the second start opening, "5" for the general winning opening, and "10" for the big winning opening. Therefore, each cumulative number of prize balls is updated in units of the number according to the unit number of prize balls (3, 5, 10). In addition, in the prize ball control process (S60) described later, in order to perform the prize ball payout process for the number of generated prize balls, the information in the storage area that stores the number of undischarged balls is matched with the number of unit prize balls described above. Update.

As for the number of played balls, the cumulative value of the number of played balls detected by the played ball detection switch 66 (hereinafter referred to as "accumulated number of played balls") is stored. That is, when it is determined that the game ball has passed through the played ball detection switch 66 as a result of the above switch passage inspection, "1" is added to the cumulative number of played balls to update the cumulative number of played balls. .

As the storage of the number of foul balls, the cumulative value of the number of foul balls detected by the foul ball detection switch 67 (hereinafter referred to as "cumulative number of foul balls") is stored. That is, when it is determined that the game ball has passed through the foul ball detection switch 67 as a result of the above switch passage inspection, "1" is added to the accumulated foul ball number to update the accumulated foul ball number.

Next, a prize ball control process is executed (S60). In this prize ball control process, a payout control command is transmitted to the payout control board 54 to instruct the number of prize balls corresponding to the type of prize based on the detection result of the above winning monitoring process, and the payout control board 54 Received data from is monitored, and a communication check with the payout control board 54 is performed.

Next, a normal symbol operation gate monitoring process is executed (S61). In this normal symbol operation gate monitoring process, the passage of the game ball to the operation gate is monitored, and when it is determined that the game ball has passed through the operation gate, a random number related to the normal symbol lottery is acquired as the operation reservation ball information, and the maximum Updating the number of operation pending balls with a limit of 4 and memorizing the random numbers related to the normal symbol lottery.

Next, a normal symbol control process is executed (S62). In this normal symbol control process, in order to perform a series of processes related to the normal symbol display device 75 or the normal electric accessory (second starting port), according to the value of the normal symbol game status, normal symbol fluctuation processing, normal symbol Stop symbol display processing, normal electric accessory operation processing, normal electric accessory operation end demonstration processing, etc. are executed. In addition, in the process during normal design fluctuation, the display pattern number data of the normal design is created (updated) in order to display the normal design in a variable display or a fixed display.

Next, normal symbol fluctuation start monitoring processing is executed (S63). In this normal symbol variation start monitoring process, the operation state of the normal symbol is monitored, and when it is determined that the condition for starting the variation of the normal symbol is satisfied, the number of normal symbol operation reserved balls is digested by one, and the normal symbol is processed. Judgment of suitability, judgment of pattern, judgment of variation pattern, setting of variation time, etc. are performed in order.

Next, a start port monitoring control process is executed (S64). In this starting opening monitoring control process, the entry of the game ball into the first starting opening and the second starting opening is monitored, and if there is a winning of the game ball, the number of reserved balls is updated and the random number storage related to the special symbol lottery is stored. , pre-reading notice effect judgment, command request for the number of symbols stored, etc. are performed in order.

Next, a special symbol control process is executed (S65). In this special symbol control process, as a series of processes related to the special symbol display devices 71 and 72, according to the value of the special symbol game status, a special symbol variation start process (S420), a special symbol variation process (S430), which will be described in detail later. ), special symbol stop symbol display process (S440), and the like are executed.

Next, a special electric accessory control process is executed (S66). In this process, when the lottery result of the special symbol is "big hit" or "small hit", as the operation process related to the special electric role product (big prize opening), the operation start and end of the special electric role product setting, update of the opening time and number of openings of the big winning opening, setting to start operation of the probability variation function, setting to start operation of the variation time reduction function, setting of the variation pattern selection state, etc. are executed in order.

Next, a special winning opening effective period setting process is executed (S67). In this big winning opening valid period setting process, the winning valid period and the winning invalid period of the big winning opening are determined, and the valid period data or the invalid period data of the big winning opening is set as a result of this determination.

Next, a special symbol variation start monitoring control process is executed (S68). In this special symbol variation start monitoring control process, when there is a first special symbol or a second special symbol operation reserved ball, the number of retained balls is digested by one, a command request for the number of symbols to be stored, and a judgment of whether the special symbol is appropriate or not. , determination of special symbols, determination of probability variation function, determination of time reduction function, setting of operation pattern of special electric role product, setting of demonstration production time, etc. are performed in order.

Next, an abnormality detection process is executed (S69). In this abnormality detection process, based on the input information in the input process (S53), the magnetic detection signal from the magnetic sensor, the disconnection short circuit power supply abnormality signal, the radio wave detection signal from the radio wave sensor, the door/frame opening signal, etc. are inspected in order. , determines whether the gaming machine is in an error state. When it is in an error state, an effect control command ("error effect designation command") including the error information is generated in order to request an error display to the effect control board 52. - 特許庁

Next, an entering ball passing time abnormality detection process is executed (S70). In this ball passing time abnormality detection process, when the ON signal of the winning detection switch is continuously detected for a predetermined time or longer, the ball passing time abnormality is set, and a production control command ("error Effect designation command"), and a security signal output request for output to an external terminal.

Next, a game state display process is executed (S71). In this game state display process, display data such as the number of times the special electric accessory (large winning opening) operates continuously (regular number of rounds), the number of operation pending balls of normal symbols and special symbols, etc. is created. In addition, display data for displaying information on the error state detected in the abnormality detection process (S69) is created. In addition, the game performance information calculated based on the count values (accumulated number of winning balls, accumulated number of played balls, accumulated number of foul balls, etc.) counted in the winning monitoring process (S59) is displayed on a performance display monitor 500 (see FIG. 5). 10) to create display data to be displayed. In this embodiment, game performance data SD is included as the game performance information. The game performance monitor 500 displays an abbreviation (identification symbol) for identifying the type of the game performance data SD and a numerical value (calculated value) indicating the calculation result of the game performance data SD.

The game performance data SD is a base performance value in a normal state (normal state) after power-on or RAM clearing, and is calculated by the following formula (A) in the normal state. The normal state means a period of low probability and no time saving state, specifically, a jackpot period, a probability variable state period, a time saving state period, and a period other than the latent probability variable state period. The first cumulative number of prize balls in the normal state is obtained by cumulatively adding the difference between the first cumulative number of prize balls at the start of the normal state and the first cumulative number of prize balls at the end of the normal state. Calculated. Similarly, the cumulative number of played balls during the normal state is calculated by cumulatively adding the difference between the cumulative number of played balls at the start of the normal state and the cumulative number of played balls at the end of the normal state. .

Game performance data SD = number of first cumulative winning balls / cumulative number of played balls x 100 (A)

Next, a steering wheel state signal inspection process is executed (S72). In this handle state signal inspection process, the touch state of the firing handle 9 is monitored based on the detection information from the touch sensor of the firing handle 9, and based on the result of this monitoring, a production control command (handle state production command) is issued. Generate.

Next, LED output processing is executed (S73). In this LED output process, special design display, normal design display, operation suspension ball number display, specified round number (number of times special electric accessories operate continuously), right-handed instruction display, error In order to perform display, display of game performance information (game performance data SD), etc., each special design display device 71, 72, normal design display device 75, special design reservation lamps 73, 74, normal design reservation lamp 76, round indicator lamp 77, right-handed indicator light 78, status indicator light 79, error indicator light 70, performance display monitor 500, etc. Output information of non-lighting data is set to the I/O port (output port) as initialization of display means. At the same time, the display data created by the special symbol control process (S65), the abnormality detection process (S69), the game state display process (S71), etc. are output to each display means.

Here, FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the performance display monitor 500 mounted on the main control board 51. As shown in FIG. This performance display monitor 500 is composed of 4-digit LED indicator lamps (dotted 7-segment LEDs) 501-504. The LED indicators 501 to 504 of each digit are composed of seven LED segments arranged in a figure-of-eight shape and one LED segment formed in a dot-point shape. Therefore, the LED indicator lamps 501 to 504 for each digit can display numerals 0 to 9, alphabetic characters, hyphens, etc. by selectively lighting eight LED segments. Here, the upper two-digit LED indicators 501 and 502 display an identification symbol (for example, "bL.") for identifying the type of the game performance data SD. On the other hand, the lower two-digit LED indicators 503 and 504 display numerical values (calculated values) indicating the calculation results of the game performance data SD. The calculated value of the game performance data SD is rounded down to the decimal point and displayed as a two-digit integer value (00 to 99) on the LED displays 503 and 504 of the lower two digits. In other words, the performance display monitor 500 displays the combinations of the identification symbols of the game performance data SD and the calculated values with four-digit LED indicators 501-504. For example, if the calculated value of the game performance data SD is "31.5", "bL.31" is displayed on the performance display monitor 500 (four-digit LED indicators 501 to 504). As a modification, the calculated value of the game performance data SD may be rounded off to the first decimal place and displayed as a two-digit integer value.

The display mode of the performance display monitor 500 differs between a situation in which the number of samples of the count data (accumulated number of played balls) has not reached a preset prescribed number and a situation in which the prescribed number has been reached. That is, in a situation where the number of samples (accumulated number of played balls) has not reached the specified number, the performance display monitor 500 becomes a blinking display mode. On the other hand, when the number of samples (accumulated number of balls played) reaches the prescribed number, the performance display monitor 500 becomes a lit display mode. An appropriate numerical value can be set as the prescribed number, but in this embodiment, for example, "60000 (shots)" is set as a numerical value corresponding to about nine hours of game play (shooting of game balls). In addition, in this embodiment, the game performance data SD is reset (zero reset) each time the cumulative number of played balls reaches a specified number (60000). In addition to the current game performance data SD (hereinafter referred to as "game performance data SD0"), the game performance data SD before the previous (one time before) reset (hereinafter referred to as "game performance data SD1"), The game performance data SD before the last reset (two times before) (hereinafter referred to as "game performance data SD2") and the game performance data SD before the reset three times before (hereinafter referred to as "game performance data SD3") , are sequentially displayed on the performance display monitor 500 as history information. In order to make each of the game performance data SD0 to SD3 identifiable, the identification code when the game performance data SD0 is displayed is set to "bL." and the identification code when the game performance data SD1, SD2 and SD3 are displayed. are respectively "b1.", "b2." and "b3.". That is, when the game performance data SD1 is displayed, it is displayed as "b1.32", for example. These game performance data SD0 to SD3 are changed from game performance data SD0→game performance data SD1→game performance data SD2→game performance data SD3→game performance data SD0→every time a predetermined time (in this example, 5 seconds) elapses. . . , and displayed on the performance display monitor 500 .

Next, a firing control signal output process is executed (S74). In this firing control signal output process, when a communication abnormality with the firing control board 180 or a disconnection short-circuit power supply abnormality is not detected, a firing permission signal is output to the firing control board 180, and shooting of the game ball is permitted. do. On the other hand, if it is desired to detect an abnormality in communication with the launch control board 180 or a disconnection short-circuit power supply abnormality, a signal for prohibiting launch is output to the launch control board 180 to prohibit shooting of the game ball.

Next, test signal output processing is executed (S75). In this test signal output process, in a performance confirmation test for determining whether or not the gaming machine is proper, various test signals indicating the operating state of the gaming machine are created and output to an external testing device.

Next, the solenoid output process is executed (S76). In this solenoid output process, the normal symbol control process (S62) and the special electric role product control process (S66) are performed in order to operate the normal electric role product and the special electric role product. ) based on the control data obtained in step 1, an excitation signal is output to each of the electric accessory solenoids 81 and 82 .

Next, an effect control command transmission process is executed (S77). In this effect control command transmission process, the effect control command specified by the pointer is read from the effect control commands stored in the command storage area (ring buffer) of the main information storage means 5180 in the above process, and this effect control command is read out. A control command is output to the performance control board 52 .

Next, external information output processing is executed (S78). In this external information output process, the operating state information of the pachinko game machine PM is output as external information to an external device such as a hall computer via the external information terminal board 58 .

Next, the contents of the saved register are restored, and the CPU of the main control board 51 is set to the interrupt enabled state (S79). As a result, the main-control-side timer interrupt processing is terminated, the main-control-side main processing is resumed, and the main-control-side main processing is executed until the next timer interrupt occurs.

If the main control board 51 detects power failure (supply voltage drop based on a predetermined threshold value) during main control side main processing or main control side timer interrupt processing, it generates a non-maskable interrupt to confirm power failure. turn on the flag. Then, after returning to the original process, the aforementioned power-off process (S26 to S32) is executed.

[Slot machine]
The basic configuration and control details of the slot machine SM as another embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described below. In the following description, the "hand determination process" means that one of a plurality of preset hand determination result numbers (consisting of one or more game hands or loss (except when no loss is set)) is selected. It means a selection act such as a lottery (also referred to as "role determination") executed using an electronic device or the like in order to randomly select one or more combination determination result numbers (winning items). Here, the winning combination determination result number means one or a plurality of gaming combinations that are allowed to be established in the game in which the winning combination determination result number is determined (selected) (also called "acceptable combination" or "winning combination"). (referred to as the name) or a loss. In addition, determination of a role is also referred to as "internal lottery" or "role lottery", and "selection" in lottery or winning is also referred to as "lottery" or "sen".

In addition, when describing "a game role is established", "a game role is established", etc., "formation" means a game role corresponding to the determined role determination result number (a game role with a payout of game medals ( A combination of symbols (corresponding symbols) that constitutes a small combination) or a game combination that does not pay out (regardless of whether it is a replay combination or a special combination) is a predetermined stop mode (for example, a mode of lining up on an effective line to be described later). It is used as a concept to indicate that it is displayed in . However, regarding the timing of establishment, for example, when the reel stop operation is performed at the timing at which the symbol corresponding to the game role can be stopped and displayed on the active line, or when the symbol corresponding to the game role is stopped on the active line The timing can be set as appropriate, such as when the symbol is displayed, when the slot machine identifies that the symbol corresponding to the game combination has been stopped and displayed on the active line, or when the identified result is stored in the storage area. .

In addition, as a game combination (simply called a "composition"), a replay combination, a small combination, and a special combination (also called a "bonus combination") can be provided. A replay role means that a game medium (game value, game medal) is not given (cannot be acquired) even if it is established, but it is possible to replay (play the next game without the player inserting a new game medium). A possible role is also called a “replay role”. A small combination is a combination that enables acquisition of a predetermined number of game media when established, and is also referred to as a “winning combination”. A bonus combination (special combination) is a special game state (also referred to as a "character") that becomes operable (settable) with the formation of the bonus combination (special combination). This is a combination that enables a game (also called a "special game" or a "bonus game (game)") in which the odds of winning a small combination are set higher than usual. The accessories include a normal accessory in which a predetermined special game can be executed only once, a first-class special accessory in which a predetermined special game can be performed 12 times (until 8 small wins are established), There is a second-class special accessory that enables a specific special game to be executed only once in the same state as if all minor winning combinations were won regardless of the result of the winning combination lottery. Below, the special role that triggers the activation of the normal role is the SB role (SB is an abbreviation for "single bonus"), and the special role that triggers the activation of the first type special role is the RB role (RB is It is also called “regular bonus”). In addition, the special role that triggers the continuous operation of the first class special role is the BB role (BB is an abbreviation for "big bonus"), and the second type special role is the opportunity to operate continuously. The special role is also called an MB role (MB stands for "middle bonus").

Further, in the following description, the game medal insertion operation (maintenance operation) into the medal insertion slot 821 (to be described later) by the player, and the regulation necessary for playing the game among the credited (stored) game medals A pressing operation of the 1-BET switch 822 or the MAX-BET switch 823 for providing a number of game medals for a game is generically called a bet operation. In addition, this betting operation, the player's pressing operation of a settlement switch 824 described later, tilting operation of a start lever (also referred to as a "start switch") 825, stop switches (also referred to as a "stop button") 826a, 826b, 826c. is generically referred to as a game operation. In general, the term "insert" in a slot machine is used in the sense of "inserting game medals into the slot machine" or in the sense of "providing game medals for use in a game." There is In the following explanation, basically, the term "insertion" is used in the former sense, and the word "bet" is used in the latter sense.

In addition, the “number of game medals to be paid out” (also referred to as “the number of game medals to be paid out”) means the number of game medals awarded to the player in one game. In addition, the act of paying out game medals includes the act of actually paying out game medals from the slot machine to the outside (also referred to as "actual payout"), and the act of electromagnetically distributing game medals as game medals stored in the slot machine. There is also an act of increasing the stored numerical value (also referred to as “stored addition payout”).

In addition, the “acquired number” of game medals (also referred to as “acquired number”) refers to the game medals acquired by the player during a predetermined period (which can be set arbitrarily, but for example, the AT period or the bonus period). means a numerical value counted as the total number of In addition, the “number of game medals difference” (also referred to as “the number of difference”) is a value (negative value) obtained by subtracting the total number of game medals bet from the total number of game medals paid out in a predetermined period. (sometimes). Although the "number of game medals won" and the "difference in the number of medals" can be used as different concepts, they are treated as synonymous below.

"Freeze" means that the execution of a predetermined control process relating to the progress of a game is delayed for a certain period of time. The freeze is set when the operation of the start lever 825 is accepted (also referred to as "freeze at the start of reel rotation"), and a freeze is set after all reels stop rotating ("freeze at reel rotation stop"). can be provided as appropriate. During the freeze period, game operations by the player are not effectively accepted. In addition, during the freeze period, a reel effect (also referred to as “reel effect”) may be performed. The spinning reel effect is a effect of rotating reels 803a, 803b, and 803c to be described later and stopping and displaying an arbitrary symbol combination, regardless of the game operation by the player.

In the following description, "push navigator" refers to a process (action) of notifying the pushing order and pushing position in order to assist establishment of the game role selected by the winning combination determination. Of push navigators, those that assist in establishing a replay role are called "RP navigators" (RP is an abbreviation for replay), those that assist in establishing a winning role (small role) are "prize navigators", and specific patterns are used. Assisting the stop display is also called "eye push navigation" (mainly performed on the side of the sub-control means). Also, if you want to distinguish between push navigation performed on the main control means side and push navigation performed on the sub control means side, the former is called "main side push navigation" ("main side RP navigation", "main side winning navigation"). , “Main side push navigation”), and the latter is also called “sub side push navigation” (“sub side RP navigation”, “sub side winning navigation”, “sub side push navigation”), or “push navigation” It may also be referred to as “rendering” (“RP navigating”, “winning navigating”, or “eye-catching navigating”).

<External configuration of the slot machine>
First, the external configuration of the slot machine SM according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the slot machine SM according to this embodiment includes a box-shaped casing 805 with an open front surface (front) and a front opening attached to the front opening of the casing 805 so as to be openable and closable. A door 802 is provided. The front door 802 is attached to the front opening of the housing 805 so that it can be horizontally opened and closed by using hinge mechanisms 806a to 806c arranged in the front part of the left side plate 805a of the housing 805 when viewed from the front. . In addition, the front door 802 is always held in a closed state in which it is engaged with the housing 805 using a locking device 804 provided on the front right edge.

11, an upper panel assembly 810, a middle panel assembly 820, a lower panel assembly 830 and a tray assembly 840 are attached to the front surface of the front door 802 in this order from the top. In the central part of the upper panel assembly 810, a display screen 811a of an image display device (also referred to as a "liquid crystal display device") 811 arranged on the back side thereof is arranged so as to face forward. , a first effect lamp 812, second effect lamps 813a and 813b, and third effect lamps 814a and 814b are arranged. A pair of upper speakers 815a and 815b are arranged on the lower left and right sides of the display screen 811a.

In the central part of the middle panel assembly 820, there is provided a display window W through which the surfaces of the three reels 803a, 803b, 803c arranged side by side in the main housing face. , a medal insertion slot 821 for inserting game medals (game media), a 1-BET switch 822 for betting one game medal within the credited range, and a game with a maximum allowable bet number (for example, 3) A MAX-BET switch 823 for betting medals at once, a settlement switch 824 for paying out bet game medals and/or credited game medals, all reels 803a, 803b, 803c (reel A start lever 825 operated to start rotation of the spinning drum), and three stop switches 826a, 826b, 826c (left side in the figure) for individually stopping the rotation of the reels 803a, 803b, 803c. stop switch 826a corresponds to reel 803a, center stop switch 826b corresponds to reel 803b, and right stop switch 826c corresponds to reel 803c), and game medals inserted from medal slot 821 and accumulated A reject switch 827 and the like are provided for returning.

Inside the medal slot 821 are a receiving passage (connected to a hopper 851 described later) through which the inserted game medals pass when the inserted game medals are validly received, and a receiving passage (connected to a hopper 851 described later) through which the inserted game medals are not accepted. It branches into a return path through which game medals pass (which leads to a game medal payout port 841, which will be described later), and a blocker 848 (see FIG. 13) is provided at the branch. This blocker 848 guides the game medals inserted into the medal slot 21 to the reception passage during the period in which the inserted game medals are effectively accepted, and is inserted into the medal slot 821 during other periods. The receiving passage and the return passage are selectively opened and the other can be closed so as to guide the game medals to the return passage. In the following description, the ON state of the blocker 848 indicates a state in which game medals inserted into the medal slot 821 are led to the receiving passage (game medal receivable state), and the OFF state of the blocker 848 indicates a medal insertion state. It shows a state in which game medals inserted into the opening 821 are led to the return path (game medal unacceptable state).

Inside the medal slot 821, three inserted medal sensors 828a, 828b, 828c (see FIG. 13) for detecting game medals are provided. The inserted medal sensor 828a detects that game medals have been inserted into the medal insertion slot 821, and is positioned upstream of the position where the blocker 848 is installed on the path along which the inserted game medals flow. is installed in The inserted medal sensor 828b detects that the game medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 821 are guided to the reception path and effectively received, and is positioned downstream of the position where the blocker 848 is installed (a hopper to be described later). 851 side). The inserted medal sensor 828c detects that game medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 821 have passed through the branching portion between the receiving passage and the return passage. (position slightly closer to the inserted medal sensor 828b).

If both the inserted medal sensor 828a and the inserted medal sensor 828b detect game medals, it means that the game medals have been inserted into the medal insertion slot 821 and that the inserted game medals have been effectively accepted. On the other hand, if the inserted medal sensor 828a detects a game medal but the inserted medal sensor 828b does not detect a game medal, the game medal is inserted into the medal slot 821, but the inserted game medal is not validly received. It means that it was returned without In addition, when the three inserted medal sensors 828a, 828b, and 828c detect the passage of the game medals in an order different from the predetermined order (the order of 828a→828c→828b), some of the inserted medal sensors detect the passage of the game medals. If is not detected, it means that an abnormal passage such as reverse flow of game medals has occurred.

The display window W is configured so that when all three reels 803a to 803c are stopped, three symbols for each reel, for a total of nine symbols, can be visually recognized by the player. A pay line 829 that horizontally connects the middle pattern display areas of the reels 803a, 803b, and 803c is a pay line that is activated by betting a specified number of game medals. It is constructed such that it can be determined whether or not a game combination is established based on the combination of symbols that are stopped and displayed. An activated winning line is also called an “activated line”.

In addition, various display lamps such as LED lamps are arranged in the slot machine SM. In this embodiment, the display lamps include a MAX-BET switch display lamp 846a, a BET number display lamp 846b, an insertable display lamp 846c, a game start display lamp 846d, a replay display lamp 846e, a status display lamp 846f, and a number display lamp. 846g, a stored number display lamp 846h, and a payout number display lamp 846j. These display lamps are configured to be controlled by a main control board 860, which will be described later.

The MAX-BET switch display lamp 846a is lit under the condition that game medals can be bet, and is arranged inside the MAX-BET switch 823. When lit, the MAX-BET switch 823 is turned on partially or entirely. It is designed to illuminate. Other indicator lamps are arranged to the side of or below the indicator window W in the middle panel assembly 820 .

The BET number display lamp 846b (hereinafter also referred to as “BET lamp 846b”) displays the number of game medals that have been bet, and is a 1-BET display that lights up when the number of game medals that have been bet is one or more. It consists of a lamp 846bC, a 2-BET display lamp 846bB that lights up when there are two or more, and a MAX-BET display lamp 846bA which lights up when there are three. The insertable display lamp 846c is lit under the condition that the game medals can be inserted, and the game start display lamp 846d is lit under the condition that the start lever 25 is operated to start the game. It is what is done. The replay display lamp 846e is lit when a replay combination described later is established in an arbitrary game and game medals are automatically bet by automatic bet processing described later.

The status display lamp 846f is lit when the stored (credited) game medals are cleared, and the number of times display lamp 846g indicates, for example, when AT is set, the executable number of push-navigation ( The number is decremented by 1 each time push navigation is executed, and may be increased by a lottery or the like). A stored number display lamp 846h (hereinafter also referred to as a "CRE lamp 846h") displays the number of stored game medals while incrementing the number by one, and a payout number display lamp 846j is displayed when a minor winning combination is established. The number of game medals to be paid out is displayed while being incremented by one. The stored number display lamp 846h and the payout number display lamp 846j each have two 7-segment displays (seven segment lamps for representing numbers, a decimal point (dot)) to display upper digits and lower digits. consisting of one segment lamp representing the

The number-of-payouts display lamp 846j is also configured to display characters (alphabet letters) or numbers indicating the type of error when some kind of abnormality (error) occurs in the slot machine SM. Errors set in this embodiment include HP error, HE error, H0 error, CE error, CP error, CH error, C0 error, C1 error, FE error, E1 error, E5 error, E6 error, E7 error, etc. There is The HP error is an error when it is determined that the game medals have accumulated in the medal payout port of the medal payout device 850, and the HE error is an error when it is determined that the game medals in the medal payout device 850 are empty (hopper empty error), and the H0 error is an error when it is determined that the game medals have abnormally passed through the payout sensor. The CE error is an error when the inserted medal sensor determines that game medals have accumulated (game medal retention error), and the CP error is an error when it is determined that the inserted game medals have passed illegally. The C0 error is an error when it is determined that there is an abnormal input to the inserted medal sensor, and the C1 error is an error when it is determined that there is an abnormality in the passage of the inserted medal sensor. The FE error is an error (full error) when it is determined that the auxiliary storage 885 described later is full, and the E1 error is an error (RAM error) when the contents of the storage device (RAM) are not normal when the power is turned on. The E5 error is an error (rotational stop error) when the combination of symbols when all the reels are stopped is abnormal (corresponding symbols constituting a combination other than the establishment-allowed combination are displayed in a stopped state). E6 error is an error (set value error) when the numerical value of the set value for determining the winning combination probability is out of the range (set value error), E7 error is an error in the update state of the built-in random number used in each lottery etc. This is an error (internal random number error) when it is detected. Errors E1, E5, E6, and E7 (collectively referred to as "E system errors") can be canceled by changing the settings described later, and other errors can be canceled by operating the reset switch described later. It has become.

Further, the payout number display lamp 846j also has a function of displaying a navigation number, which will be described later, indicating the operation order (push order) of the stop switches 826a to 826c. The number-of-payouts display lamp 846j when displaying the navigation number is also called a "main-side push order indicator".

A transparent lower panel cover 831 is attached to the central portion of the lower panel assembly 830, and decorative lamps 832a and 832b are arranged at both left and right ends thereof. On the back side of the lower panel cover 831, a translucent lower panel base provided with a predetermined pattern and a lower panel illumination lamp (both not shown) are attached, and the lower panel illumination lamp is turned on. The pattern on the lower panel base is illuminated from the rear side by turning on.

The receiving tray assembly 840 is provided with a game medal payout port 841 for paying out game medals, and a game medal storage tray 842 for storing game medals facing the game medal payout port 841. An ashtray 843 is provided to the left of the game medal storage tray 842 . Further, on the left and right sides of the game medal payout opening 841, speaker openings consisting of a large number of small holes face the front surfaces of a pair of lower speakers 844a and 844b (see FIG. 13) arranged on the back side of the tray assembly 840. 845a and 845b are formed.

<Slot machine internal configuration>
As shown in FIG. 12, a medal payout device 850 for paying out game medals obtained when a predetermined winning mode is established as a result of a game is provided in the lower part of the housing 805 (on the bottom plate 805d). ing. The medal payout device 850 includes a hopper 851 that physically stores (stores) game medals that have been inserted and effectively received, a hopper motor 852 (see FIG. 13) that drives when the game medals are paid out, and a game medal. It has a medal detection sensor 853 (see FIG. 13) for detecting that medals have been paid out. An auxiliary storage 854 for storing game medals overflowing from the hopper 851 is provided in the vicinity of the medal payout device 850. A full detection sensor 855 (see FIG. 13) is provided for detecting whether or not the game medals are likely to overflow. A power supply device 880 for supplying power to various devices mounted on the slot machine SM is provided on the left side of the medal payout device 850 .

A middle plate 805f is provided in the center of the housing 805 so as to bridge the left and right side plates 805a and 805b, and the reel unit RU is provided on the middle plate 805f. The reel unit RU comprises the three reels 803a, 803b, 803c described above and three stepping motors 835a, 835b, 835c (see FIG. 13) for rotating these reels 803a to 803c, respectively. It is Each of the reels 803a to 803c is made of a light-transmitting member, and a light-transmitting reel tape on which a plurality of types of patterns are displayed is attached to the outer peripheral surface thereof. In addition, back lamps 838a, 838b, and 838c (see FIG. 13) are arranged on the inner surface side of the reels 803a to 803c, respectively. The areas 803a, 803b, and 803c are illuminated entirely from the inner surface side, or a game combination lined up on a winning line different from the predetermined symbol combination displayed stopped (for example, on the activated line 829 or on the activated line 829) , etc.), so that only a partial area of each reel 803a, 803b, 803c is illuminated.

In the upper part of the housing 805 (upper inner surface of the back plate 805e), a main control board 870 (see FIG. 13) that performs main control related to the progress of the game (including drive control of the reels 803a to 803c, combination determination processing, etc.) ) are housed in the substrate case. In addition, a sub-control board that performs various effect control (control of effect image display by the liquid crystal display device 811, control of sound generation by speakers such as the upper speakers 815a and 815b, etc.) for the purpose of improving the interest of the game according to the game situation. 870 (see FIG. 13) is provided on the rear surface of front door 802 . A reel unit board 910 (see FIG. 13), which will be described later, is attached to the reel unit RU, a door relay terminal board 920 (see FIG. 13) is attached to the rear surface of the front door 802, and an external collective terminal board 930 (see FIG. 13) are provided in the housing 805, respectively. Predetermined boards are electrically communicably connected to each other using a cable harness, and information can be transmitted between the connected boards.

<Basic operations for playing games>
In order to play a game on the slot machine SM, first, a player places a bet by actually inserting game medals into the medal slot 821, or operates either the 1-BET switch 822 or the MAX-BET switch 823 to make a credit range. The winning line 829 is activated by betting a specified number of game medals in the . In this embodiment, the prescribed number of game medals required to activate the winning line 829 is set to three in any game state. However, the specified number is not limited to this, and can be changed as appropriate, such as by setting the specified number to a different value according to the RT state or the like. Also, a plurality of winning lines may be provided, and the number of activated winning lines may be changed according to the number of game medals bet.

Next, when the player operates the start lever 825, the number of bets is determined (the betted game medals are used for the game), and the combination determination process is performed. The minimum amount of time (for example, 4.1 seconds) that must be ensured between the start of rotation of all reels in a game and the start of rotation of all reels in the next game.
) has passed, each of the reels 803a to 803c starts rotating, and the plurality of types of symbols displayed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 803a to 803c move up and down in the display window W (usually upward to the bottom). Then, when the rotation of the reels 803a to 803c reaches a predetermined speed and becomes constant speed rotation, each of the stop switches 826a to 826c is activated (the operation of the stop switch can be effectively accepted), and the player operates the stop switch 826a. is operated to stop the rotation of the reel 803a, the stop switch 826b is operated to stop the rotation of the reel 803b, and the stop switch 826c is operated to stop the rotation of the reel 803c.

Here, when it is determined that the symbol combination stopped and displayed on the activated line 829 is a predetermined winning mode (symbols corresponding to a game combination capable of obtaining a game medal), each winning mode is determined. The number of game medals corresponding to is paid out by the medal payout device 850 or added as credits.

<Connection between the control board and each device>
In this embodiment, as main control boards for controlling the slot machine PM, as shown in FIG. are collectively referred to as a sub-control board 70). In addition, as other boards, a reel unit board 910, a door relay terminal board 920, and an external collective terminal board 930 are provided. Main control related to the progress of the game (including drive control of the reels 803a to 803c, combination determination processing, etc.) is performed by a control circuit arranged on the main control board 860, and illumination by lamps such as back lamps 838a to 838c. Control and the like are configured to be performed by a control circuit arranged on the sub-main control board 870A. Further, the effect image display control by the image display device 811 and the sound generation control from the speakers such as the upper speakers 815a and 815b are mainly performed by the control circuit arranged on the sub-sub control board 870B. there is Furthermore, information can be transmitted between the main control board 860 and the sub-control board 870 only in one direction from the main control board 860 to the sub-main control board 870A.
Information can be transmitted bi-directionally between 0A and the sub-sub control board 870B.

The main control board 860 includes a main CPU that performs various arithmetic processes related to games, a main ROM that is a read-only storage device that stores control programs and the like, and a main RAM that is a storage device in which information can be written and read. (“RAM” is also referred to as “RWM”), and each drive circuit operates according to the control program stored in the main ROM, thereby controlling the progress of the game in the slot machine SM. is to be carried out. The main ROM and main RAM are non-volatile storage devices, and are configured to retain stored information even when power is not supplied.

The main CPU includes a clock pulse generator for generating a clock pulse (clock signal), a frequency divider for dividing the clock pulse generated by the clock pulse generator, a clock pulse (or a divided clock pulse) ), a random number generator for generating random numbers used for determining a winning combination, etc., and a random number capturing circuit for capturing the random numbers generated by the random number generator are connected. The clock pulse generator is composed of two oscillators, and clock signals asynchronous with each other are output from the respective oscillators. Hereinafter, a clock signal with a predetermined frequency output from one oscillator will be referred to as an internal clock, and a clock signal with a predetermined frequency (a different frequency from the internal clock, but may be the same) output from the other oscillator. is called an external clock. For example, the internal clock is used as an operating clock for the main CPU and as an update clock for random numbers used in a predetermined lottery other than determining a winning combination, and the external clock is used as an updating clock for random numbers used in determining a winning combination. The main CPU, main ROM, main RAM, frequency divider, random number generator, random number acquisition circuit, interface circuit, etc. may be mounted on one IC chip to form a one-chip microcomputer.

A main control board 860 (main CPU) controls, via the reel unit board 910, stepping motors 835a, 835b, and 835c that rotationally drive the reels 803a, 803b, and 803c, and the rotational positions of the reels 803a, 803b, and 803c. It is connected to reel sensors 837a, 837b, and 837c for detection, outputs motor signals for driving stepping motors 835a, 835b, and 835c via reel unit substrate 910, and outputs signals from reel sensors 837a, 837b, and 837c. detection signal is input via the reel unit substrate 910 . Furthermore, the main control board 860 is connected to the hopper motor 852 and medal detection sensor 853 of the medal payout device 850 and the full detection sensor 855 of the auxiliary storage 854 via the reel unit board 910, and drives the hopper motor 852. A hopper motor signal is output via the reel unit board 910, and a dull payout signal from the medal detection sensor 853 and a full detection signal from the full detection sensor 855 are input via the reel unit board 910. ing.

The main control board 860 is also connected via the reel unit board 910 to a door open/close sensor 890 that detects the open/closed state of the front door 802 . It is designed to be entered via Based on the detection signal from the door open/close sensor 890, the main CPU determines whether the front door 802 is closed (door closed) or open (door open).

In addition, the main control board 860 has a 1-BET switch 822, a MAX-BET switch 823, a settlement switch 824, a start lever 825, stop switches 826a, 826b, 826c and inserted token centers 828a, 828b via the door relay terminal board 920. , 828c, and each signal from these is input via the door relay terminal board 920. As shown in FIG. Further, the main control board 860 is connected to the display lamps 846a to 846h and 846j via the door relay terminal board 920, and outputs LED control signals for controlling the display mode of each display lamp to the door relay terminal board 920. It is designed to output through the terminal board 920 .

Furthermore, the main control board 860 is connected to the external centralized terminal board 930 via the reel unit board 910, and when a predetermined game state (for example, AT state or bonus state) occurs, a data counter or a hall A predetermined signal (also referred to as an "outer end signal") is output to a computer or the like via the reel unit board 910, and the number of times set in a predetermined game state is presented to the player by this outer end signal. It is configured so that it can be played or managed by the game store.

Power is supplied directly to the main control board 860 and the reel unit board 910 from the power supply device 880, and power is supplied to the other boards via the main control board 860 or the reel unit board 910. . The power supply device 880 is provided with a power switch, and by operating this power switch, the power supply from the power supply device 880 can be switched between supplying power and stopping the power supply. A supply voltage monitoring circuit for monitoring the voltage supply state is provided on the circuit that supplies power from the power supply 880 to the main control board 860 and on the circuit that supplies power to the sub-main control board 870A via the main control board 860. (not shown) are provided respectively. Each supply voltage monitoring circuit determines that the power supply is cut when the supply voltage drops to a predetermined voltage value, and determines that the supply voltage is a predetermined voltage value (a value different from the voltage value for power cut determination (for example, high value), but the same value may be used), it is determined that the power is turned on.

A setting key type switch 883 , a setting change switch 884 and a setting display lamp 891 are connected to the main control board 860 . The setting key type switch 883 is a switch that is operated when confirming and changing the setting of a set value that determines the degree of advantage for the player, for example, the degree (rank) of the winning combination probability, and is a setting change switch. 884 is a switch for changing the set value in a plurality of steps (six steps in this embodiment). The setting key type switch 883 and the setting change switch 884 are provided in a setting change section (not shown) mounted on the main control board 860 . Specifically, the setting change unit has a setting change key cylinder (not shown) into which a setting change key (not shown) possessed by a game clerk can be inserted and rotated. The key-type switch 883 is configured to be switched by rotating the setting change key cylinder. The setting change switch 884 is arranged in the vicinity of the setting change key cylinder and configured to be pressed by the game clerk.

The main control board 860 (setting change unit) is in a state in which the front door 802 is open (door open state) and power is not supplied (the power switch of the power supply device 880 is OFF), and the setting When the power switch is turned on while the setting change key is inserted into the setting change key cylinder of the changing section and turned clockwise by about 90 degrees, the setting change mode (setting value change) is activated. enable mode). In this setting change mode, each time the setting change switch is pressed, the setting value is switched in six stages from 1 to 6, and the switched setting value is displayed on the setting display lamp 891. FIG. When the start lever 825 is operated, the set value is determined, and when the setting change key is returned to its original position, the setting change mode is ended and the normal mode (a mode in which the game can be executed) is entered. Further, when the setting change mode is shifted to the normal mode, a setting change sound for notifying that the setting change is completed is output from a predetermined speaker (details will be described later). Further, the main control board 860 (setting change unit) confirms the setting when the setting change key inserted into the setting change key cylinder is rotated clockwise by about 90 degrees in the normal mode state. A mode (a mode in which the setting value can be confirmed) is started, and the current setting value is displayed on the setting display lamp 891 . When the setting change key is returned to its original position, the setting confirmation mode is ended and the normal mode is entered. The setting display lamp 891 is configured using a 7-segment LED capable of displaying a one-digit number.

Although not shown, a reset switch is connected to the main control board 860 . This reset switch is a switch that is operated by a game clerk or the like when a predetermined error (error other than the above E-type error) occurs in the slot machine SM and the cause of the error is removed and the error is resolved. is. By operating this reset switch, the error occurrence information stored in the main control board 860 and the sub-control board 870 is cleared, and along with this, the main control board 860 and the sub-control board 870 execute processing for error resolution. be done.

An information display lamp 892 that can be mounted on the main control board 860 is connected to the main control board 860 . The information display lamp 892 is composed of a 4-digit LED display lamp (dotted 7-segment LED), similar to the performance display monitor 500 (see FIG. 10) described in the pachinko game machine PM. 7-segment display of information about As information on the role ratio, for example, a two-digit identifier symbol indicating the type of the role ratio, etc. (role ratio, continuous role ratio, instructed role ratio, advantageous period ratio, etc.) and corresponding to the identifier symbol The information display lamp 892 can display a four-digit number or the like that is combined with a two-digit ratio to be used.

The accessory ratio indicates the ratio of the number of payouts during operation of accessories (the first special accessory, the second special accessory, and the normal accessory) to the total number of payouts, and the identifier symbol is, for example, "7Y." It is said that The continuous role ratio indicates the ratio of the number of payouts during operation of the first class special role to the total number of payouts, and the identifier symbol is, for example, "6Y.". The instructed accessory ratio indicates the ratio of the number of payouts during operation of the accessory to the total number of payouts, and the number of payouts when the instruction function is activated (during push-navigation), and the identifier symbol is, for example, "7P." . The advantageous period ratio indicates the ratio of the number of games played while staying in the advantageous section to the total number of games played, and the identifier symbol is, for example, "7U.". Note that the advantageous period ratio may be displayed in place of the instructed accessory ratio in the case of specifications that do not have an instruction function. The information display lamp 892 switches and displays the instructed accessory ratio or the advantageous period ratio, the continuous accessory ratio, and the accessory ratio every predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds).

On the other hand, the sub-main control board 70A includes a sub-main CPU that mainly performs various arithmetic processes related to performance management, a sub-main ROM that is a read-only storage device that stores control programs, etc. and a sub-main RAM, which is a storage device capable of controlling image effects and sound effects in the slot machine SM, by operating each drive circuit according to the control program stored in the sub-main ROM. Control, control related to lamp effects, and the like are performed. The sub-main ROM and sub-main RAM are non-volatile storage devices, and are configured to retain stored information even when power is not supplied. A clock pulse generator and frequency divider (not shown) are connected to the sub-main CPU. It has become.

The sub-main control board 870A (sub-main CPU) receives various signals from the main control board 860, and outputs lamps such as production lamps 812, 813a, 813b, 814a, 814b, decorative lamps 832a, 832b, and back lamps 838a to 838c. to control the lighting of the The sub-main control board 870A is configured to transmit various signals to the sub-sub control board 870B and receive various signals from the sub-sub control board 870B. Hereinafter, the signal (control signal) transmitted from the main control board 860 to the sub-main control board 870A is also referred to as "control command", and the signal (notification signal or effect signal) transmitted from the sub-main control board 870A to the sub-sub control board 870B ) is also referred to as a “drawing command”. A signal (state signal) transmitted from the sub-sub control board 870B to the sub-main control board 870A is also called a "state command".

The sub-sub control board 870B includes a sub-sub CPU that mainly performs various arithmetic processing related to control of image effects and sound effects, a sub-sub ROM that is a read-only storage device that stores control programs, etc., and information writing and reading. A sub-sub RAM that can be used as a storage device is provided, and each drive circuit etc. operates according to the control program stored in the sub-sub ROM, so that control related to image effects and sound effects etc. is performed. there is The sub-sub ROM and sub-sub RAM are non-volatile storage devices, and are configured to retain stored information even when power is not supplied.

The sub-sub control board 870B (sub-sub CPU) is configured to receive a notification signal or effect signal from the sub-main control board 870A and transmit a status signal to the sub-main control board 70A. Based on the effect command from the sub-main control board 870A, the image display device 811 is controlled to display a predetermined effect image, and the speakers 815a, 815b, 844a, 844b are controlled to generate a predetermined sound from the speakers. Let The image display device 811 is also configured to function as a push order display (also referred to as a "sub-side push order display") that displays the operation order (push order) of the stop switches 826a to 826c.

Next, various functions of the slot machine SM (mainly the main control board 860/sub control board 870) will be described with additional reference to the functional block diagram of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 14, from a functional point of view, the slot machine SM mainly consists of main control means 1100 (corresponding to the main control board 860) that performs main control relating to the progress of the game, It is configured with a sub-control means 1200 (corresponding to the sub-control board 870) that performs predetermined effect control according to the situation.

The main control means 1100 can be broadly divided into a game state management means 1110 that mainly manages the game state, a game progress management means 1130 that mainly manages the progress of the game, and a main communication control that controls communication in the main control means 1100. means 1150; Of these, the game state management means 1110 includes RT state control means 1112, replay operation control means 1113, bonus operation control means 1114, freeze control means 1115, game mode control means 1116, and random number generation/capture means 1117. ing.

The game progress management means 1130 includes received medal management means 1131, winning combination determination means 1132, effect group number determination means 1133, reel control means 1134, stop display symbol determination means 1135, payout medal management means 1136, blocker control means 1137, It has display lamp control means 1138 , push order management means 1139 , and condition device group number determination means 1140 . The above-described means in the main control means 1100 are hardware such as the main CPU, main ROM, main RAM, and electronic circuits arranged on the main control board 60 shown in FIG. It functionally represents what is configured by software such as a program.

(Each Means Constituting Gaming State Management Means 1110)
The RT state control means 1112 is configured to control the setting of a plurality of RT states (for example, three RT states of non-RT, RT1, and RT2) with different odds of winning a replay combination. The RT state control means 1112 shifts the RT state when a predetermined transition condition is met.

The replay operation control means 1113 sets a state (also referred to as "replay operation state") in which the player is allowed to play the next game without betting the game medals owned by the player when the replay combination is established. ) is configured to be set. When the regame operation state is set, information indicating that the regame operation state is in a predetermined storage area of the main RAM (also referred to as a "regame operation state flag") is set (for example, the value "1" is stored). ) is done. The set replay activation state flag is cleared (stored with a value of "0") at a predetermined time until the replay activation state is canceled.

The bonus operation control means 1114 is configured to execute predetermined processing during a period from when a predetermined bonus combination is won until the end of a bonus game which is executed when a predetermined bonus combination is established. ing. For example, when a predetermined bonus combination is won, information indicating that the predetermined bonus combination has been won (also called a "bonus winning flag") is set (for example, a value of "1" is stored) in a predetermined storage area of the main RAM. do. In addition, when a predetermined bonus combination is established, information (also referred to as a "bonus activation flag") indicating that the bonus operation is in a predetermined storage area of the main RAM is set (for example, a value of "1" is set). Remember.

Freeze control means 1115 delays the execution of control processing related to the progress of the game (for example, processing for accepting a bet operation, reel rotation start operation, reel rotation stop operation, etc.) for a predetermined time, triggered by the establishment of a predetermined condition Freeze is configured to set In this embodiment, freezing after accepting the operation of the start lever 825 (freezing at lever) and freezing after all the reels 803a to 803c stop rotating (freezing at full stop) can be executed.

The game mode control means 1116 is configured to control setting of a plurality of game modes (for example, eight game modes from game mode 0 to game mode 7). The game mode means a game state (also referred to as "main game state") mainly related to the setting state of AT, which is controlled by the main control means side separately from the RT state. This game mode control means 1116 shifts the game mode when a predetermined transition condition is satisfied.

A plurality of game modes are divided into a game mode belonging to a normal section and a game mode belonging to an advantageous section. The normal section is a period in which push navigation (winning navigation, RP navigation, and eye push navigation) is not performed. It is also a period during which no transmission is made to the means side. In addition, the normal section is also a period during which a lottery can be held to determine whether or not to move to the advantageous section.

The advantageous section is a period during which push-navigation can be performed, and is also a period during which information for determining the pushing order can be transmitted from the main control means to the sub-control means. In addition, the advantageous section is also a period during which a lottery or the like can be performed to change the performance of the advantageous section. Furthermore, in the advantageous section, a section indicator (for example, the DP segment lamp of the 7 segment lamps constituting the payout number display lamp 846j (also known as the "advantageous section lamp") is used to notify the player that it is in the advantageous section. During your stay in the advantageous section, you may try to perform prize-winning navigation at least once (in this case, if you have not performed prize-winning navigation even once, move to the normal section). may be disabled).

Also, there is an upper limit (1500 games) for the period during which the player can stay in the advantageous section continuously. Furthermore, when the upper limit is reached and the advantageous section ends, all information related to the advantageous section (for example, information such as the AT win flag) is cleared. When the upper limit is reached and the advantageous section ends, winning navigation need not be performed even once during the stay in the advantageous section. In addition, if the lottery for determining whether to move to the advantageous section or the lottery for changing the performance of the advantageous section is based on the selected combination decision result number, the result of the combination decision that does not have a set difference. The lottery for changing the performance of the advantageous section may be performed based on conditions other than the combination determination result number. At that time, it may be performed without referring to the setting value.

In this embodiment, an advantageous zone clear counter is provided to keep track of the number of games in which players have continuously stayed in the advantageous zone. set. Each time the game is completed in the advantageous interval, the value of the advantageous interval clear counter is decremented by 1, and when the counter value becomes "0", the game is forcibly shifted to the normal interval. In addition, if the advantageous section clear counter is shifted to the normal section before the value of the advantageous section clear counter reaches "0", the value of the advantageous section clear counter is cleared (set to "0"), and the normal section is changed to the advantageous section again. , the value of the advantageous section clear counter is reset to "1500".

The random number generating/fetching means 1117 is configured to generate random numbers used for various lotteries and to fetch them. In this embodiment, four (4ch: ch is an abbreviation for "channel") 16-bit random number means capable of generating a random number sequence in a numerical range up to "0 to 65535" and up to "0 to 255" It has four (4 ch) 8-bit random number means capable of generating a random number sequence with a numerical value range of up to and including each, and each of them can independently generate a random number sequence.

(Means Constituting Game Progress Management Means 1130)
The received medal management means 1131 controls the actually received game medals (which are guided to the receiving passage and detected by the inserted medal sensor 828b) among the game medals inserted from the medal slot 21 (also referred to as "inserted game medals"). It is configured to control whether the game medals (also referred to as “received game medals”) are directly bet game medals or credited game medals. In this embodiment, when the number of bets does not reach the maximum permissible number of bets (the number of bets required to execute a game (specified number "3")), the accepted game medals are directly betted. When the number of bets has reached the maximum permissible bet number and the number of credits has not reached the maximum permissible credit number (for example, "50"), the accepted game medals are the game medals to be credited. ing.

In addition, the received medal management means 1131 performs automatic betting processing (the same number of game medals as the number of bets in the previous game without reducing the number of game medals held by the player) in the game set to the replay operation state. bet status). Even in the replay operation state, if the number of credits does not reach the maximum allowable number of credits, the inserted game medals are accepted as game medals to be credited (or may not be accepted). When the number of bets reaches the maximum permissible bet number and the number of credits reaches the maximum permissible credit number, the inserted game medals are returned without being accepted.

Triggered by the operation of the start lever 825 (effective acceptance of the operation of the start lever 825), the winning combination determination means 1132 determines a plurality of winning combinations based on a preset combination determination probability (lottery set number). It is configured to perform a combination determination process (internal lottery) for selecting at least one combination determination result number from the result numbers (conditional device numbers). This winning combination determination process is performed using random numbers generated by the above-described 16-bit random number means. Specifically, when the start lever 825 is operated, the random number generated by the 16-bit random number means is captured. Then, when the winning combination determination process is performed, the acquired random number is read, and the combination determination result number is selected using the read random number.

The winning combination determination process is performed with reference to a predetermined winning combination determination table (not shown). The winning combination determination table is configured such that lottery number data corresponding to each winning combination determination result number is stored in a predetermined storage area (plurality of addresses) in the main ROM for each set value. When one or a plurality of combination determination result numbers are selected in the combination determination process, the game combination corresponding to the selected combination determination result number becomes the permissible combination in the game. Information on the winning combination associated with the selected combination determination result number is stored in a predetermined storage area of the main RAM, but the information on the winning combination stored in one game is the information on the winning of a minor combination or a replay combination. is cleared to zero after the end of the game, regardless of whether or not these small wins and replay wins are established. On the other hand, if the predetermined bonus combination is not established even if the predetermined bonus combination is won, the information regarding the winning of the predetermined bonus combination (RB combination, MB combination, BB combination) is not cleared until the predetermined bonus combination is established. stored in memory.

In the winning combination determination process, the probability that each combination determination result number is selected (handling combination probability) can be set arbitrarily. Also, the combination determination probability can be configured so as to be changeable in accordance with the aforementioned set value set by a game clerk or the like. In this embodiment, there are 6 stages of setting values from setting 1 to 6. The winning combination determination result number changes the winning combination probability according to the set value, and the combination winning probability does not change even if the set value changes. is provided. Hereinafter, setting such that the combination probability is changed according to the set value is referred to as "providing a set difference". It is possible to arbitrarily decide whether or not to provide a setting difference for each combination determination result number. As an example, there is no setting difference for the combination determination result number that is the trigger for the lottery that affects the payout rate (the ratio of the number of payouts to the number of game medals provided for the game) in the slot machine SM. For the combination determination result number that does not serve as a trigger, there is no need to provide a setting difference.

The effect group number determination means 1133 is configured to perform a process of associating the effect group number with the combination determination result number selected by the combination determination process. In the present embodiment, a plurality of combination determination result numbers that cause a game advantage or disadvantage (influence on paid balls) or cause a difference in the number of game medals paid out (acquired number) due to differences in the order of pressing , after being divided into several groups, a common performance group number is associated with each group. On the other hand, the difference in the order of pressing does not affect the advantage or disadvantage of the game (there is no effect on the number of balls paid out). For the win determination result number corresponding to the winning of a small win in which there is no difference in the number (acquired number) or the number of game medals that can be acquired is small (e.g., below the prescribed number of bets), the individual win determination results A different effect group number is associated with the number.

Triggered by the operation of the start lever 825 (the operation of the start lever 825 is effectively accepted), the reel control means 1134 confirms that the minimum playing time has passed, and then the reels 803a to 803c. After all the reels that have started to rotate are in a constant speed rotation state, the stop switches 826a, 826b, and 826c are sequentially operated (each operation of the stop switches 826a to 826c is effectively accepted ), the corresponding reels 803a to 803c are sequentially stopped from rotating.

The rotation stop control of each of the reels 3a to 3c is based on each stop table (not shown) that is set (set) according to the combination determination result selected by the combination determination process. order, operation timing, etc.). Each of the reels 803a to 803c is stopped within a predetermined allowable stop time (for example, 190 milliseconds) from the timing when the stop switches 826a, 826b, and 826c are operated (in this embodiment, within the maximum number of sliding frames of 5 frames).

That is, when a predetermined game combination is selected as an establishment-permissible combination as a result of the combination determination process, the symbols corresponding to the selected game combination are stopped on the activated line 829 as long as possible within the allowable stop time. As shown, the reels 803a to 803c are controlled to stop so that the symbols corresponding to any of the playing combinations are not stopped and displayed on the activated line 829 in the case of a loss. In addition, if a replay role or a small role is won during the winning carryover of the special role, or if there is a case where the special role and the replay role or the small role are duplicated, the replay role, the special role, the small role Reel rotation stop control may be performed to give priority to a replay combination (a small combination may be given a higher priority than a special combination).

The stop display symbol determination means 1135 determines which symbols are stopped and displayed by the reels 803a to 803c based on the timing at which the stop switches 826a to 826c are operated, and also determines which symbols are stopped and displayed on the activated line 829. It is configured to determine whether or not the game combination has been established based on the combination of symbols determined to be true (which may be different from the symbol combination actually stopped and displayed).

A payout medal management means 1136 adds the number of game medals corresponding to the small winning combination established when the minor winning combination is established, to the credit amount when the credit amount does not reach the maximum credit allowable number. Thus, when the number of credits reaches the maximum allowable number of credits, the actual payout by driving the medal payout device 850 is performed to pay out the medals. In addition, when the payout operation (press operation of the payout switch 824) is effectively accepted, the payout medal management means 1136 removes the number of game medals that have been bet or the number of game medals that have been credited to the medal payout device. 850 is driven and refunded.

The blocker control means 1137 outputs a blocker signal for controlling the above-described blocker 848 so as to switch the blocker 848 between an ON state (a state in which game medals can be accepted) and an OFF state (a state in which game medals cannot be accepted). is configured to When the blocker 848 is turned off, the game medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 821 are led to the return path and returned. However, the insertion of game medals is detected by the inserted medal sensor 828a.

The display lamp control means 1138 controls the above-described various display lamps (MAX-BET display lamp 846a, BET lamp 846b, insertable display lamp 846c, game start display lamp 846d, replay display lamp 846e, status display lamp 846f, number of times The display lamp 846g, the CRE lamp 846h, the payout number display lamp 846j) and the information display lamp 892 are configured to control lighting and extinguishing. When the number-of-payouts display lamp 846j is to function as a main-side push-order annunciator, the number-of-payments display lamp 846j is controlled by the push-order management means 1139. FIG.

The pressing order management means 1139 selects an instruction number (any one of 0 to 6) corresponding to the pressing order to be notified according to the result of determination of the winning combination determined by the winning combination determination process. The instruction number 0 is selected when the pressing order is not reported, and the instruction numbers 1 to 6 are selected when the pressing order is desired to be reported. In this embodiment, the instruction number 1 is "left center right", the instruction number 2 is "left right center", the instruction number 3 is "center left right", the instruction number 4 is "center right left", and the instruction number 5 is "right left center". , instruction number 6 are associated with the pressing order of "right, middle, left".

Further, the pressing order management means 1139 is configured to perform push-navigation (main-side push-navigation) by causing the payout number display lamp 846j to function as a main-side push-order annunciator and notifying the selected instruction number. there is This push-navigation uses two 7-segment lamps (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "7-segment") provided in the payout number display lamp 846j to notify the instruction number. For example, "=" is displayed in the left 7 segments, and the numerical value of the instruction number (for example, "2" for the instruction number 2) is displayed in the right 7 segments. The “=” displayed in the left 7 segment is for distinguishing from when the payout number is displayed on the payout number display lamp 846j. When the instruction number 0 is selected, the payout number display lamp 846j is not displayed. Alternatively, "0" may be displayed in both the left 7-segment and the right 7-segment, or "0" may be displayed in only one of the left and right 7-segments.

The condition device group number determination means 1140 is configured to determine a condition device group number used for selecting a winning value in various lotteries according to the effect group number determined by the effect group number determination means 1133. there is

(Means Constituting Main Communication Control Means 1150)
The control command transmission means 1151 is configured to transmit control commands including various information related to games at predetermined timings. For example, as the control command to be transmitted before the start lever 825 is operated, a control command including information indicating which game mode is set (also referred to as "game mode command"), which RT state is set There is a control command (also called "RT command") containing information indicating whether or not the player is playing, and a control command (also called "operating state command") containing information indicating the operating state of the replay. In addition, as the control command to be transmitted when the start lever 825 is operated, for example, a control command including instruction number information (also referred to as an "instruction number command"), a control command including effect group number information ( Also called "effect group number command"). In addition, when the start lever 825 is operated, a control command including information on set values, a control command including information on the values of various counters, a control command including information for instructing the contents of effects to be executed by the sub-control means, etc. The transmission may be triggered by the operation of the start lever 825, or by other triggers.

In addition, the control command transmitting means 1151 is triggered by the fact that the minimum playing time has passed, and the control command (" (also referred to as a full reel rotation start command). Furthermore, when the first stop operation (operation of the stop switch for stopping the first reel) is accepted, a control command containing information indicating that the first stop operation has been accepted ("first stop acceptance command"), and when the first reel stop (reel stop corresponding to the first stop operation) is triggered, a control command including information on the first reel stop (also called "first stop command") is transmitted. ). Similarly, when the second stop operation (operation of the stop switch for stopping the second reel) is accepted, a control command containing information indicating that the second stop operation has been accepted ("second stop (Also referred to as "receiving command") is transmitted, and when the second reel stop (stop of the reel corresponding to the second stop operation) is triggered, a control command including information on the second reel stop ("second stop command" ). Similarly, when the third stop operation (operation of the stop switch for stopping the third reel) is accepted, a control command containing information indicating that the third stop operation has been accepted ("third stop acceptance command"), and with the third reel stop (reel stop corresponding to the third stop operation) as a trigger, a control command containing information on the third reel stop (also referred to as a "third stop command") ). Furthermore, before determining the stop symbol, a control command including information on stopping all reels (also referred to as "all stop command"), after determining the stop symbol, a control command including information on the number of payouts of game medals ("payout number command). Further, at a predetermined timing after all reels are stopped, a control command (also referred to as a "combination result command") including information on the combination determination result (bonus condition device and winning replay condition device) is transmitted. Communication between the main control means 1100 and the sub-control means 1200 (sub-main control means 1200A) is possible only in one direction from the former to the latter.

The outer end signal transmission means 1152 is configured to transmit an outer end signal to an external device such as a data counter or hall computer when a predetermined game state is reached. In the present embodiment, when staying in a predetermined game mode in an advantageous section and when a predetermined combination determination result is selected, a predetermined number of game medals are paid out twice (successively). When this occurs, an outer end signal is output. The outer end signal may be output when a predetermined bonus combination is established or when AT is set.

The sub-control means 1200 mainly controls the sub-main control means (also referred to as "first sub-control means") 1200A that mainly manages (instructs) the lamp effects, the image effects and the sound effects, and the image effects and the sound effects. (execution) sub-control means (also referred to as “second sub-control means”) 1200B.

1200 A of sub-main control means are provided with the performance management means 1210 and the sub-main communication control means 1230, if divided roughly. Effect management means 1210 includes game effect management means 1211, notification effect management means 1212, and lamp effect control means 1213. Sub-main communication control means 230 includes control command reception means 1231, effect command transmission means 1232, and status command A receiving means 1233 is provided. The above-described means in the sub-main control means 1200A are hardware such as a sub-main CPU, sub-main ROM, sub-main RAM, electronic circuits, etc., and sub-main ROM, which are arranged on the sub-main control board 870A shown in FIG. It functionally represents what is configured by software such as a control program stored in the .

(Each means constituting production management means 1210)
The game effect management means 1211 mainly controls the execution timing of the image and sound effects (also referred to as “game effects”) executed by the sub-sub control means 1200B, mainly for the purpose of improving the interest and playability of the game. It is configured to manage based on control commands from means 1100 . Game effects include, for example, a continuous effect, a single effect, an assist effect, and the like.

A continuous effect is a effect that continues over a plurality of game periods. Mainly, the image display device 811 is used to display images that form a continuous story over a plurality of game periods, For example, an effect image or the like that symbolizes staying in a predetermined game mode is displayed. In addition, when performing continuous production or single-shot production described below, production using production lamps 812, 813a, 813b, 814a, 814b and decorative lamps 832a, 832b is performed, or speakers 815a, 815b, 844a, 844b are used. It is also possible to perform a combination of performances.

A one-shot effect is an effect that is executed sporadically, for example, when a specific situation occurs in the process of progressing a game. For example, when each reel is rotated, an effect may be given in which an image indicating the degree of expectation of winning of the game combination is displayed by the image display device 811 . Also, when the number of AT games is added in the main control means 1100, the value of the number of AT games added (for example, characters such as "+10") is displayed on the display screen 811a of the image display device 811. Production is also an example of one-shot production.

The assist effect is a effect for assisting the player, and in this embodiment, the push navigation effect is mainly performed according to the information of the instruction number transmitted by the navigation number command from the main control means 1100 . This push-navigation effect (sub-side push-navigation) uses the image display device 811 as a sub-side push-order indicator to show the player the push order (correct push order) corresponding to the navigation number on the display screen 811a. It is a one-shot production displayed in In this embodiment, the RP navigation effect (sub-side RP navigation) corresponding to the above-mentioned RP navigation, the prize-winning navigation effect (sub-side prize-winning navigation) corresponding to the prize-winning navigation, and the sight-pressing navigation effect ( It is designed to execute sub-side push navigation).

As a specific aspect of the push navigation effect (RP navigation effect, winning navigation effect) that notifies the pressing order, a mode of displaying a number indicating the corresponding pressing order (for example, in the case of the pressing order of "left first", "1" is displayed at the bottom left of the display screen 811a, and in the case of the pressing order of "middle left and right", the numbers indicating the pressing order are arranged in the order of "2, 1, 3" from the left side at the bottom of the display screen 811a. notification mode) is an example. When the first to third push orders are displayed, when the player operates the first stop switch according to the displayed first push order, the display of the first push order is erased, and the displayed second push order is displayed. When the player operates the second stop switch according to the pressing order, the display of the second pressing order is erased, and when the player operates the third stop switch according to the displayed third pressing order, the third pressing order is displayed. The display may be turned off.

Further, when the player operates the stop switch in an order different from the displayed order of pressing, the pressing order navigation effect may be terminated immediately. Furthermore, when displaying the pressing order, the voices "Naka", "Hidari", and "Migi" are output from the speakers 815a, 815b, etc., in association with the next operation to be performed. may

The notification effect management means 1212 is mainly for the purpose of notifying the player of information about the game, and mainly controls the execution timing of the image and sound effects (hereinafter referred to as "notification effect") executed by the sub-sub control means 1200B. It is configured to be managed based on control commands from control means 1100 . For example, an error notification effect that notifies that an error has occurred with text information such as "error occurred", or an image that is being prepared when power is restored, such as "image being prepared". The production etc. which notify with character information are mentioned. In addition, in order to prevent the player from being excessively immersed in the game (immersion), an effect of displaying an image containing character information (also referred to as a "caution image") to call the player's attention is also notified. An example of performance.

The lamp effect control means 1213 is configured to control various lighting effects using the effect lamps 812, 813a, 813b, 814a, 814b, decorative lamps 832a, 832b, and back lamps 838a to 838d. In addition, it is configured to perform a suggestive effect, which will be described later.

(Means Constituting Sub-Main Communication Control Means 1230)
The control command receiving means 1231 is configured to receive control commands from the main control means 1100 and store them in a predetermined storage area such as a sub-main RAM (for example, a command buffer for received control commands).

The effect command transmission means 1232 is configured to transmit effect commands including various information regarding effects (for example, effect commands including image information, etc.) to the sub-sub control means 1200B based on the control command from the main control means 1100. ing.

The state command receiving means 1233 receives a state command from the sub-sub control means 1200B (for example, a state command including information that an effect command reception error has occurred), and receives a predetermined storage area such as a sub-main RAM (for example, command buffer for received status commands).

In contrast to the sub-main control means 1200A configured as described above, the sub-sub-control means 1200B is roughly divided into an effect execution control means 1250 and a sub-sub-communication control means 1270. Effect execution control means 1250 includes game effect execution control means 1251 and notification effect execution control means 1252 , and sub-sub communication control means 1270 includes effect command reception means 1271 and state command transmission means 1272 . The above-described means in the sub-sub control means 1200B are hardware such as a sub-sub CPU, sub-sub ROM, sub-sub RAM, and electronic circuits arranged on the sub-sub control board 870B shown in FIG. 13, and a control program stored in the sub-sub ROM. It functionally represents what is configured by software such as.

(Each means constituting production execution control means 1250)
The game effect execution control means 1251 is configured to control the image display device 811, the speakers 815a and 815b, etc. based on the effect command from the sub-main control means 1200A, and execute the game effect described above.

The notification effect execution control means 1252 is configured to control the image display device 811, the speakers 815a and 815b, etc. based on the effect command from the sub-main control means 1200A, and execute the above-described notification effect.

(Means Constituting Sub-Sub Communication Control Means 1270)
The effect command receiving means 1271 is configured to receive effect commands from the sub-main control means 1200A and store them in a predetermined storage area such as a sub-sub RAM (for example, a command buffer for received effect commands).

The state command transmission means 1272 is configured to transmit the above-mentioned state command to the sub-main control means 1200A.

Transmission of the control command from the above-described control command transmission means 1151, transmission of the effect command from the effect command transmission means 1232, and transmission of the state command from the state command transmission means 1272 are all performed by a serial communication method (parallel communication method). communication method may be used). Each of the transmitting means 1151, 1232, and 1272 has the same configuration, and includes a command buffer (also called "CB") as a storage area for temporarily storing commands to be transmitted, writing and reading of commands to be transmitted. and a command transmission unit for transmitting commands by serial communication.

The CB has a plurality of storage areas distinguished by respective addresses, and is configured to be able to store 1-byte command data in each storage area. The command processing unit generates command data to be transmitted, writes it to the address area indicated by the write pointer of the CB, reads the previously written command data from the address area indicated by the read pointer of the CB, and transfers it to the command. It is configured to write to the TDR (transmission data register) of the transmitter. The command transmission unit is configured to transfer command data written in the TDR to a TSR (transmission shift register), convert it to serial there, and transmit it.

When the parallel communication method is used, previously written command data is read from the address area indicated by the read pointer of the CB, and the command data is sent to a predetermined output port (output port for sending to the sub-control means). configured to send by writing to One command in this embodiment is normally composed of 2 bytes (a checksum is composed of 1 byte). The communication system is asynchronous (asynchronous), and has a 1-bit stop bit and a 1-bit parity bit (even parity) (the communication system and command structure can be changed as appropriate).

[Main control processing]
15 and 16, especially the game progress control process and the main side timer interrupt process among the control processes performed by the main control means 1100 of the slot machine SM will be described below.

<Game Progress Control Processing>
The game progress control process is a basic process repeatedly executed during the game, and as shown in FIG. Decision processing is performed (step S102). In this combination determination process, a combination determination result (winning item) is selected based on a random value generated by a 16-bit random number means. Information on the result of determination of the winning combination is stored in a predetermined storage area of the main RAM.

After performing the winning combination determination process, a game mode common start process is performed (step S103). This game mode common start time process is a process that is performed in common during a stay in any game mode (details are omitted). After the game mode common start time processing, the game mode specific start time processing is performed (step S104). The process at the start of each game mode is a general term for each process at the start that is performed separately for each set game mode (details are omitted).

After completing the game mode start process, the process proceeds to step S105. In this step S105, it is determined whether or not a freeze flag (flag for managing whether or not to freeze) is ON. Here, if the freeze flag is ON, the freeze is performed for a predetermined set time (step S106), the freeze flag is cleared after the freeze is executed (step S107), and the process proceeds to step S108. On the other hand, when the freeze flag is not ON, the process of steps S106 and S107 is skipped, and the process advances to step S108 to perform push-navigation processing (process of executing push-navigation according to the winning combination determination result number, etc.).

After the push-navigation process ends, the reel start process is performed (step S109). Specifically, it manages the rotation state from the start of rotation of each reel to the constant speed state. Next, the reel stopping process is performed (step S110). Specifically, when the operation of the stop switch is accepted, the position where it can be stopped is determined according to the timing of acceptance (push position and order of push) and the result of the winning combination, and the time from deceleration to stop of the reel is determined. Perform processing to manage the rotation state. After the spinning reel stop processing is performed, game mode-specific end processing (processing performed for each set game mode after the reels are stopped) is performed (step S111). This end processing by game mode is a general term for each end processing performed separately for each set game mode (details are omitted). When the end processing for each game mode is finished, the game mode common end processing (processing that is commonly performed after stopping the reels regardless of the set game mode) is performed (step S112), and the process returns to step S1.

<Main-side timer interrupt processing>
Next, main-side timer interrupt processing will be described. In the present embodiment, processing such as reading of each game operation signal output in response to a game operation such as a bet operation performed by the player, detection (confirmation) of the signal level, transmission of each control command, reel drive control, etc. is performed by main-side timer interrupt processing that is executed at predetermined intervals (for example, 2.235 milliseconds). In this main-side timer interrupt processing, as shown in FIG. 16, first, interrupt initial processing (saving of registers, prohibition of interrupts, etc.) is performed (step MT11). is determined (step MT12). Here, if power interruption is detected, power interruption processing is performed (step MT25). In the power-off processing, save of registers, save of stack pointer, save of interrupt status, and the like are performed. In addition, processing such as holding of information on the combination determination result and information on the game state (including information on the AT) stored in a predetermined storage area, calculation and storage of the checksum, and the like are also performed.

On the other hand, if power-off is not detected, the interrupt counter value is updated (decremented by "1") (step MT13), and timer measurement is performed (step MT14). This timer measurement is to perform subtraction or addition processing of the timer value of an arbitrary timer set in the game progress control processing described above. Next, the input port is read (step MT15). In reading the input port, the signal level of each game operation signal input to the input port is read and stored, and the signal level is determined.

Next, reel driving control processing for controlling the driving of the reels 803a to 803c (rotation acceleration, deceleration, constant speed maintenance, stop maintenance, etc.) is performed (step MT16). In this reel drive control process, reel drive pulse output indicating the timing of switching the output phase (excitation phase) of the stepping motor according to the reel drive state (stopped, waiting for reel rotation, accelerating, constant speed, decelerating, etc.) Processing such as updating the counter value and acquiring, updating, and outputting reel driving pulse data for driving the stepping motor is performed. In the next step MT17, it is determined whether or not the reel drive control process has been executed for all reels. If not executed, the process returns to step MT16 and the reel drive control process is executed again. On the other hand, when all the reels are executed, port output processing for exciting output of reels, hopper motors, blockers, etc. is performed (step MT18), and furthermore, control for transmitting control commands stored in the control command buffer (CB) is performed. Command transmission processing is performed (step MT19).

Next, in step MT20, the outer end signal (external signal) data stored in the predetermined storage area is read out and the outer end signal is output. Next, LED display is performed to cause the display lamps 846a to 846h and 846j and the information display lamp 892 to perform predetermined display (step MT21). In this LED display, for example, the number-of-payout display lamp 846j is caused to perform the following display. In other words, when no error (except E type error) has occurred, the payout number "0 to 9" is displayed based on the payout number of game medals, or the numerical value "1 to 6" is displayed based on the setting value. display it. Furthermore, when the pressing order is to be notified, the display mode of the navigation number "=1" to "=6" is displayed. Also, when an error (except E system error) occurs, an error display is executed based on the value of the error number.

Next, the process proceeds to step MT22 to perform error management. In this error management, first, an error check is performed. In this error check, it is determined whether or not an H0 error has occurred, whether or not a CE error has occurred, whether or not a CP error has occurred, whether or not a CH error has occurred, and whether or not a C0 error has occurred. Determines whether an error has occurred, determines whether a C1 error has occurred, determines whether an E6 error has occurred, determines whether an E7 error has occurred, and further determines whether an E6 error or When the E7 error occurs, an error is displayed on the number-of-payout display lamp 46j, and processing such as stopping the execution of the game is performed. If an E-system error occurs, the error can be recovered by executing the above-described setting change process. After this error check, if an error occurs, the output request set upon error detection is processed to transmit error information to the sub-control means 1200 . After executing this error management process, the process of updating the random numbers used for determining the hand etc. is performed (step MT23), the interrupt recovery process (restore of the register, interrupt permission, etc.) is performed (step MT24), and the interrupt return is performed. do.

Characteristic portions of the gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine PM and slot machine SM) according to the present invention will be described below. It should be noted that the contents (characteristic configuration) described below can be applied to both the pachinko game machine PM and the slot machine SM.

<Sliding open/close type circuit board case>
First, with additional reference to FIGS. 17 to 23, the substrate case CU1 shown in these figures will be described. In the following description, for convenience, this substrate case CU1 is used as the pachinko game machine PM.
Although described as a board case for housing the main control board 51, it is not limited to this. In addition, in the following description, for convenience of explanation, the directions of up and down, left and right, front and back are defined based on the state of FIG. The directions of the arrows shown in FIG. 17 is a view of the board case CU1 viewed from the rear, FIG. 18 is a view of the board case CU1 viewed from the front, FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the board case CU1 viewed from the rear, and FIG. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the soldering surface of the main control board 51; FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram for explaining the sliding mounting method of the board case CU1; It is a figure which shows the exposure state of a board|substrate solder surface when CU1 is slid open.

The main control board 51 is configured by using a rectangular printed wiring board as a board, and as shown in FIG. number) has been implemented. Further, although not shown in detail, electronic devices such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM, and electronic/electrical parts such as resistors are mounted on the component surface. A display monitor 650 (see FIG. 5) is also mounted (the set value display monitor 650 may not be installed on the main control board 51). The main control board 51 is screwed and fixed to the inner surface side of the board case CU1 (top case 2200 to be described later) using a plurality of screws.

The setting change section 600 is configured with a setting key type switch 610 and a setting change switch 620 . The setting key type switch 610 confirms and sets the setting value that determines the degree of winning probability (rank) in a predetermined success or failure lottery that affects the payout rate, such as a success or failure lottery of special symbols. A setting change switch 620 is a switch operated to change a setting value, and is a switch for changing a setting value in a plurality of steps (six steps in this embodiment). The setting key type switch 610 has a setting change key cylinder 611 which can be rotated by inserting a setting change key (not shown) possessed by a game clerk. It is configured to be switched by rotating the setting change key cylinder 611 . The setting change switch 620 has a setting change button 621 that is pressed by the game clerk, and is configured to be switched by pressing the setting change button 621 . The setting change section 600 (setting key type switch 610, setting change switch 620) may be provided on a board other than the main control board 51, or may be provided on a part other than the board.

The main control board 51 (setting change unit 600) indicates a state in which the front frame 2 is opened with respect to the outer frame 1 (a state in which the front frame open/close detection switch detects the open state of the front frame 2, hereinafter referred to as "front frame open (referred to as "setting change key operation"), and in a state in which power is not supplied to the main control board 51, and the setting change key is inserted into the setting change key cylinder 611 and viewed from the rear clockwise ("setting change key operation direction”) and the setting change switch 620 is turned on (the setting change button 621 is pressed). (a mode in which setting values can be changed) is started. In this setting change mode, each time the setting change switch 620 (setting change button 621) is pressed, the setting value is switched in six stages from 1 to 6, and the switched setting value is displayed on the setting value display monitor 650. . Then, when the setting change key is returned to its original position, the setting value is fixed, the setting change mode is ended, and the normal mode (a mode in which a game can be played) is entered. However, if the front frame is not open at this time, the normal mode is not entered (details will be described later). Further, when the setting change mode is shifted to the normal mode, a setting change sound for notifying that the setting change is completed is output from a predetermined speaker (details will be described later). Further, the main control board 51 (the setting change section 600) is in a state where the front frame is open, power is not supplied to the main control board 51, and a setting change key is inserted into the setting change key cylinder 611. is turned about 90 degrees in the setting change key operation direction (however, the setting change switch 620 is in the OFF state), when power is supplied, the setting confirmation mode (a mode in which the setting value can be confirmed) is activated. Then, the current set values are displayed on the set value display monitor 650 . When the setting change key is returned to its original position, the setting confirmation mode is ended and the normal mode is entered. In the pachinko game machine PM, even if the setting change key cylinder 611 is rotated by the setting change key after the power is supplied, and the setting key type switch 610 is turned on, the setting change mode and the setting confirmation mode can be changed. The setting value is not displayed on the setting value display monitor 650 without transition. The set value display monitor 650 is configured using a 7-segment LED capable of displaying a one-digit number.

The setting change switch 620 in the setting change section 600 is also configured to function as a RAM clear switch. That is, when the power is turned on while the setting change switch 620 (the setting change button 621) is pressed to start the setting change mode, the main control board 51 selects at least Clear the information on the game state (normal state, variable probability state, time saving state, information such as latent probability variable state). Also, at this time, the setting value is updated to the setting value (for example, setting 1) at which the payout rate is the lowest. On the other hand, the information of the game performance data SD (SD0 to SD3) displayed on the performance display monitor 500 is not cleared. In other words, the information of the game performance data SD0 to SD3 is not cleared when the pachinko game machine PM is powered off or when the RAM is cleared, and is carried over after the power is restored (after the power is turned on). As a result, the reliability of the information of the game performance data SD (SD0 to SD3) can be ensured. A dedicated RAM clear switch may be provided instead of using the setting change switch 620 also as the RAM clear switch.

As shown in FIG. 21, on the soldering surface 51b of the main control board 51, board-side ends (indicated by small black squares in the figure) of the respective terminals (connector pins) of each connector are soldered to the printed circuit. Protrudes when connected. Terminals of the connector CN1 are hereinafter referred to as terminals PN1 to PN12, and terminals of the connector CN2 are hereinafter referred to as terminals PN21 to PN32. In FIG. 21, only these terminals PN1 to PN12 and PN21 to PN32 among the terminals of each connector are numbered.

The board case CU1 includes a bottom case 2100 detachably attached to the back surface of the game board 20 and a top case 2200 detachably attached to the bottom case 2100. The top case 2200 is attached to the bottom case 2100. An engaging coupling mechanism 2300 is provided at the right end of the case aligned in the closed state. The bottom case 2100 and the top case 2200 are combined and integrated in a closed state in which their openings face each other. Both the bottom case 2100 and the top case 2200 are formed by molding means such as injection molding using a colorless and transparent resin material (for example, polycarbonate), and are configured so that the inside of the substrate case CU1 can be visually recognized even from the outside.

The bottom case 2100 is generally formed in a rectangular box shape with an open rear surface, and bottom side slide engaging portions 2102 (see FIG. 22) protruding rearward are provided on upper and lower side walls 2101 (see FIG. 22). ) are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction.

The top case 2200 is formed in the shape of a rectangular box with an open front as a whole, and is configured to be slidably mounted on the bottom case 2100 in the left-right direction (also referred to as “sliding direction”). The upper and lower side edges of the top case 2200 are formed with concave groove-shaped top side grooves 2202 that open to the front side along the left-right direction and can receive the bottom side slide engaging portions 2102 of the bottom case 2100 . In addition, a top side slide engagement portion 2203 that can be engaged with the bottom side slide engagement portion 2102 of the bottom case 2100 is formed in the top side groove portion 2202 .

In order to assemble the top case 2200 to the bottom case 2100, as shown in FIG. 22, the top case 2200 is opposed to the bottom case 2100 in the front-rear direction with the top case 2200 slightly shifted to the left, and the top side groove of the top case 2200 is fitted. By inserting the bottom-side slide engaging portion 2102 of the bottom case 2100 into the portion 2202 and sliding the top case 2200 rightward (hereinafter also referred to as “closing direction”), the bottom-side slide engaging portion 2102 and the top case 2200 are slidably moved. The side slide engaging portion 2203 is engaged. As a result, the bottom case 2100 and the top case 2200 are integrated in a closed state with their openings facing each other. On the other hand, the integrated bottom case 2100 and top case 2200 slide the top case 2200 in the left direction (hereinafter also referred to as "opening direction") with respect to the bottom case 2100, and the bottom-side slide engaging portion 2102 and the top By releasing the engagement with the side slide engaging portion 2203, the separation becomes possible. Hereinafter, the position of the top case 2200 with respect to the bottom case 2100 when the bottom case 2100 and the top case 2200 are integrated in the closed state will be referred to as the "closed position". Further, the position of the top case 2200 relative to the bottom case 2100 when the top case 2200 is slid in the opening direction from the closed position so that the top case 2200 can be separated from the bottom-side slide engaging portion 2102 is the "open position." called.

When the top case 2200 is slid to the open position with respect to the bottom case 2100, the main control board 51 attached to the top case 2200 also moves with respect to the bottom case 2100. portion is exposed to the bottom case 2100 side. FIG. 23 shows an example of the exposure state at this time. In the illustrated example, of all the connectors mounted on the component surface 51a of the main control board 51, part of the component surface side of the connector CN1 and part of the component surface side of the connector CN2 are exposed. More specifically, of the terminals PN1 to PN12 (see FIG. 21) of the connector CN1, half of the terminals PN1 to PN6 are exposed, and the remaining terminals PN7 to PN12 are not exposed. Further, of the terminals PN21 to PN32 (see FIG. 21) of the connector CN2, half of the terminals PN21 to PN26 are exposed, and the remaining terminals PN27 to PN32 are not exposed.

The engagement connection mechanism 2300 engages and connects the bottom case 2100 and the top case 2200 that are integrated at the closed position with each other using a crimping member (not shown), thereby connecting the top case 2100 to the bottom case 2100 . The case 2200 is regulated so as not to slide in the opening direction. The bottom case 2100 and the top case 2200 engaged and connected by the engagement connection mechanism 2300 are separated from each other by performing a predetermined operation such as partially cutting the connection portion between the engagement connection mechanism 2300 and the board case CU11. 2200 can be slid to the open position and separated from the bottom case 2100 .

The top case 2200 is formed with connector insertion/extraction openings (not shown) penetrating the front and back corresponding to the mounting positions of the connectors (including the connectors CN1 to CN5) of the main control board 51, and the main control board 51 is the top. In the state attached to the case 2200, each connector of the main control board 51 is exposed to the outside through the connector insertion/removal port (see FIG. 19), and the production control board 52, the image control board 53, the payout control board 54, etc. and the harness ( electrical connection is possible via a connector cable).

Also, in the top case 2200, openings (not shown) corresponding to the setting change section are formed corresponding to the mounting positions of the setting change section 600 (the setting key type switch 610 and the setting change switch 620) of the main control board 51. With the main control board 51 attached to the top case 2200, the setting change section 600 is exposed to the outside through the opening corresponding to the setting change section (see FIG. 19). A small door 2210 (see FIG. 17) is attached to the top case 2200 so as to cover the setting change section 600 facing rearward from the opening corresponding to the setting change section (not shown in FIG. 19). ). When operating the setting change section 600 (setting key type switch 610 and setting change switch 620), the small door 2210 is swung upward to expose the setting change section 600. FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 19, in the board case CU1 housing the main control board 51, the height of the setting key insertion surface of the key cylinder 611 in the setting key type switch 610 in the front-rear direction (from the component surface of the main control board 51) height) and the height in the front-rear direction of the same plane region with the largest area on the outer surface (rear surface) of the top case 2200 (hereinafter also referred to as “maximum surface region 2220”). It is lower than the height of the latter.

The board case CU1 configured as described above and housing the main control board 51 is attached to the rear side of the game board 20 with the bottom case 2100 on the front side and the top case 2200 on the rear side. When the substrate case CU1 is attached to the back side of the game board 20, at least one of the setting key type switch 610 and the setting change switch 620 is positioned on the open end side of the front frame 2 (left and right sides of the pachinko game machine PM). The hinge mechanism 3a, 3b of the left and right edges of the pachinko game machine PM than the side of the edge that is opened). side of the provided edge).

[Countermeasures against illegal acts on control boards]
The connector mounted on the main control board 51 includes the main control board 51, other control boards (effect control board 52, image control board 53, payout control board 54, etc.) and various switches (first starting port switch 62 and second 2 start port switch 63, activation gate switch 63, etc.). Therefore, there is a possibility that fraudulent acts such as illegally accessing the terminals of the connector, reading or falsifying signal information, or generating and inputting false signal information to the terminals may be attempted. In addition, there is a possibility that the setting change unit 600 (the setting key type switch 610 and the setting change switch 620) mounted on the main control board 51 may be illegally operated to change the set value to a higher ball payout rate. There is also

When such fraudulent activity is committed, the player who knows about the fraud gains an unfair profit and the amusement center suffers damage, and conversely, the player who does not know about the fraud suffers damage. The amusement store side makes a profit. Therefore, it is a challenge to take countermeasures against fraud such as making it difficult to execute such fraud or making it easier to notice when fraud has been committed. The present invention has the following features as countermeasures against fraud.

(A1) The board case CU1 is of a slide opening/closing type.
As an opening/closing method of the substrate case CU1, a method in which the top case 2200 swings and opens/closes with respect to the bottom case 2100 may be employed in addition to the slide opening/closing method described above. However, in the case of this rocking open/close type, when the top case 2200 is rocked in the opening direction with respect to the bottom case 2100, the number of connectors that can be accessed illegally is greater than in the case of the slide open/close type. Become. Therefore, in the pachinko game machine PM, the substrate case CU1 is of a slide opening/closing type, and the number of connectors that can be illegally accessed even if the top case 2200 is slid to the open position with respect to the bottom case 2100 is reduced. It makes tampering with the connector pins difficult to perform.

(A2) The number of connectors exposed in the open position is limited.
In the substrate case CU1, the connector exposed when the top case 2200 is slid to the open position with respect to the bottom case 2100 (specifically, the portion on the solder side of the connector, hereinafter also referred to as the "connector portion") is the connector. There are only two of CN1 and CN2,
Other connectors are configured so as not to be exposed. Therefore, even if it is possible to access the terminals of the connectors CN1 and CN2, it is difficult to access the terminals of the other connectors. Therefore, it becomes difficult to carry out a fraudulent act. As a modification, the number of connectors exposed at the open position may be limited to one. By limiting the number of exposed connectors to one, tampering becomes even more difficult.

(A3) Some terminals of the connector exposed in the open position are hidden.
In the substrate case CU1, the connectors CN1 and CN2 are partially exposed when the top case 2200 is slid relative to the bottom case 2100 to the open position. However, even when the connectors CN1 and CN2 are exposed, some of their terminals are hidden. That is, of the terminals PN1 to PN12 of the connector CN1, half of the terminals PN1 to PN6 are exposed, but the remaining terminals PN7 to PN12 are hidden behind the bottom case 2100 and are not exposed. Similarly, of the terminals PN21 to PN32 of the connector CN2, half of the terminals PN21 to PN26 are exposed, but the remaining terminals PN27 to PN32 are hidden behind the bottom case 2100 and are not exposed. Even if the connectors CN1 and CN2 are exposed, it is possible to make it difficult for fraudulent acts to occur by hiding some of the terminals so that they are not exposed. Specifically, for example, a signal input or output to the main control board 51 through an exposed connector (eg, connector CN1) is transmitted to all of a plurality of predetermined terminals (eg, PN1 to PN8). It is a signal whose content cannot be grasped unless it is illegally accessed, and it is effective when some of the plurality of predetermined terminals (for example, PN7 and PN8) are hidden and not exposed terminals. achievable. The number of terminals that are hidden and not exposed is preferably at least half of all the terminals that the connector has. If so, it is a sufficient anti-fraud measure. That is, at least half of all the terminals of the exposed connector may be hidden and not exposed, or at least one terminal may be hidden and not exposed. Also, if the exposed terminals of the connector include a terminal (also referred to as "1 pin") that serves as a reference for assigning pin numbers, at least this 1 pin may not be exposed. Since pin 1 is often responsible for communication of important signals, it is possible to make it difficult for fraudulent acts to occur by adopting a configuration in which pin 1 is not exposed.

(A4) The signal communicated through the connector exposed in the open position is not a signal related to game start.
In the board case CU1, the connectors CN1 and CN2 exposed when the top case 2200 is slid to the open position with respect to the bottom case 2100 are not used for communication of signals related to game start. It is configured. Here, the signal related to the start of the game is a signal that triggers the start of the game or a signal that notifies the start of the game. This includes the detection signal from the first starter switch 61 that detects the ball, the detection signal from the second starter switch 62 that detects the ball entering the second starter, and the like. Such a signal related to the start of the game serves as an opportunity to execute a lottery (first special symbol lottery or second special symbol lottery) that greatly affects the acquisition of game value (game ball), so it is subject to fraud. It is easy to say. Therefore, in the pachinko game machine PM, the exposed connectors CN1 and CN2 are configured not to be used for communication of signals related to the start of the game, thereby preventing fraudulent activity with respect to the signals related to the start of the game. making it difficult.

(A5) Signals communicated through the connector exposed in the open position are not payout-related signals.
In the substrate case CU1, the connectors CN1 and CN2 exposed when the top case 2200 is slid to the open position with respect to the bottom case 2100 are configured not to be used for communication of signals related to dispensing. there is Here, the signal related to the payout is a signal that instructs the payout of the game value or a signal that triggers the payout of the game value. Payout control commands output to the payout control board 54, control signals for controlling the opening and closing of the big winning opening (special electric accessory), and the like correspond to this. Such payout-related signals are directly linked to the acquisition of game values (game balls), and thus are likely to be the target of fraud. Therefore, in the pachinko game machine PM, the exposed connectors CN1 and CN2 are configured not to be used for communication of signals related to payout, thereby making fraudulent actions with respect to signals related to payout difficult. .

(A6) Signals communicated through the connector exposed in the open position are not power related.
In the substrate case CU1, the connectors CN1 and CN2 exposed when the top case 2200 is slid to the open position with respect to the bottom case 2100 are configured not to be used for communication of signals related to the power supply. there is Here, the signal related to the power supply is a signal for detecting power interruption, a signal for detecting power supply on, and the like. Signals for detecting power-off and power-on of supplied power correspond to this. Since the settings can be changed by turning off and turning on the power, such power-related signals are also likely to be subject to fraudulent acts. Therefore, in the pachinko game machine PM, the exposed connectors CN1 and CN2 are configured so as not to be used for communication of signals related to the power supply, thereby preventing fraudulent behavior with respect to the signals related to the power supply and further fraudulent behavior related to setting changes. making it difficult to do.

(A7) Signals communicated through the connector exposed in the open position are not signals related to the effect board.
In the board case CU1, the connectors CN1 and CN2 exposed when the top case 2200 is slid to the open position with respect to the bottom case 2100 are configured so as not to be used for communication of signals related to the effect board. ing. Here, the signal related to the effect board is a signal that is communicated with the effect board, such as a signal that instructs the effect (including error notification) by image, lamp light, speaker sound, etc. Pachinko game machine PM In other words, for example, the effect control command or the like output from the main control board 51 to the effect control board 52 corresponds to this. Such signals related to the effect board are not directly related to the acquisition of game value, but by illegally falsifying the signals, etc., the effect is executed in a game state different from the actual state, and cheating is performed. It can be used to hide the presence of Therefore, it is likely to be the target of fraudulent acts. Therefore, in the pachinko game machine PM, the exposed connectors CN1 and CN2 are configured so as not to be used for communication of signals related to the performance board, thereby making it difficult for fraudulent actions to be performed with respect to the signals related to the performance board. ing.

(A8) Signals communicated through the connector exposed in the open position are not signals used for testing.
In the substrate case CU1, the connectors CN1 and CN2 exposed when the top case 2200 is slid to the open position with respect to the bottom case 2100 are configured so as not to be used for communication of signals used for testing. ing. Here, the signals used for testing refer to the signals used in the model test conducted for the authentication of the model of the game machine, and the signals used to confirm the operation and control contents of the game machine in the manufacturing process. In the pachinko game machine PM, the test signal output in the test signal output process corresponds to this. Signals used in such tests can be used to understand the specifications of the gaming machine by analyzing the contents of the signals. Therefore, it is likely to be the target of fraudulent acts. Therefore, the pachinko game machine PM is configured so that the exposed connectors CN1 and CN2 are not used for communication of the signals used in the test, thereby making it difficult for fraudulent acts to occur with respect to the signals used in the test. ing.

(A9) When the front door is closed, the setting change mode is not entered.
In the main control board 51 (setting change section 600; setting key type switch 610 and setting change switch 620), the front frame open state in which the front frame 2 is opened with respect to the outer frame 1 is used to shift to the setting change mode. It is one of the conditions. Therefore, when the front frame 2 is closed with respect to the outer frame 1 (when the front frame open/close detection switch detects the closed state of the front frame 2, hereinafter referred to as "front frame closed state"), the setting change mode is entered. It is configured so that it does not migrate and the settings cannot be changed. Regular setting changes by the gaming arcade are made with the front frame open. On the other hand, if an attempt is made to change settings illegally, the attempt may be made with the front frame closed. Therefore, the pachinko game machine PM is configured so as not to shift to the setting change mode when the front frame is closed, thereby making it difficult for fraudulent acts related to the setting change to occur. Even if the front frame 2 is open with respect to the outer frame 1, if the back set board 30 is closed (the back set open/close detection switch detects the closed state of the back set board 30), the setting is changed. It may be configured not to shift to mode. Also, the state in which the front frame 2 is open with respect to the outer frame 1 (the state in which the front frame open/close detection switch detects the open state of the front frame 2) and, at the same time, the state in which the glass frame 5 is open with respect to the front frame 2. In the case of (a state in which the glass frame open/close detection switch detects the open state of the glass frame 5), the specification may be such that setting change and setting confirmation are permitted. By adopting such a specification, it is possible to inspect the setting function without performing an extra operation such as closing the glass frame 5 in the operation check at the time of producing the pachinko game machine PM, which improves convenience. expensive. In addition, even if board surface maintenance work in amusement arcades or the like is performed with the glass frame 5 removed, settings can be changed and set confirmation work can be performed in parallel with the board surface maintenance work. highly sexual.

(A10) When the front door is closed, the setting change mode is not changed to the playable mode.
In the main control board 51 (setting change section 600; setting key type switch 610 and setting change switch 620), when the setting key is returned to its original position after setting change in the setting change mode, the normal mode in which the game can be executed is entered. However, at this time, if the front frame is not in the open state, the game is not shifted to the normal mode, so that the game cannot be played. Since normal setting changes by the game arcade are performed with the front frame open, the front frame is naturally open even when the setting key is returned to its original position after the setting change. On the other hand, if you try to change the setting illegally, it may be attempted with the front frame closed, in which case the front frame may be closed when you return the setting key to its original position after changing the setting. . Therefore, the pachinko game machine PM is configured not to shift from the setting change mode to the normal mode when the front frame is closed, thereby making it difficult for fraudulent acts related to the setting change to occur.

(A11) A switch for changing settings is provided at a position closer to the pivot end side than the open end side of the front door.
When the substrate case CU1 is attached to the back side of the game board 20, at least one of the setting key type switch 610 and the setting change switch 620 is closer to the pivoted end side than the open end side of the front frame 2. It is installed so that it is positioned in place. When trying to gain unauthorized access to the setting key type switch 610 or the setting change switch 620, the person who makes such an attempt can do so by inserting a tool such as a wire from the open end side of the front frame 2 or inserting his/her hand. It is thought that there are many. In that case, if these switches 610 and 620 are provided near the open end side of the front frame 2, unauthorized access to them is likely to occur. Therefore, in the pachinko game machine PM, at least one of the setting key type switch 610 and the setting change switch 620 is configured to be positioned closer to the pivoted end side than the open end side of the front frame 2. This makes it difficult for fraudulent acts related to setting changes to occur.

(A12) The operating direction of the key member when changing the setting is the direction of twisting toward the pivot end side of the front door.
In the setting change section 600, the setting change key operation direction (setting change key operation direction) for changing the setting is clockwise when viewed from the rear, that is, the direction in which the front frame 2 is twisted toward the pivoted end portion. When attempting to illicitly operate the setting key type switch 610, it is considered that the person doing the act often inserts a tool such as a wire into the open end side of the front frame 2 or inserts his or her hand. In this case, if the operation direction of the setting key inserted into the setting key type switch 610 is set in the direction of twisting toward the open end of the front frame 2, the setting key can be easily operated. Therefore, in the pachinko game machine PM, the setting key operation direction is configured to be the direction of twisting toward the pivot end of the front frame 2, thereby making it difficult for fraudulent acts related to setting changes to occur.

(A13) The insertion surface of the key member when changing settings is lower than the cover surface of the substrate case.
In the board case CU 1 housing the main control board 51 , the setting key insertion surface of the key cylinder 611 in the setting key type switch 610 is provided at a position lower than the maximum surface area 2220 of the top case 2200 . When attempting to illegally operate the setting key type switch 610 , it is considered that the person who does so often approaches the setting key insertion surface of the key cylinder 611 from the rear side of the top case 2200 . In that case, if the setting key insertion surface of the key cylinder 611 is provided at a recessed position lower than the maximum surface area 2220 of the top case 2200, it becomes difficult to approach the setting key insertion surface. Therefore, the pachinko game machine PM is configured such that the setting key insertion surface is located at a position lower than the maximum surface area 2220 of the top case 2200, thereby making it difficult for fraudulent acts related to setting changes to occur.

(A14) A switch for detecting the open/close state of the front door is provided at a position closer to the pivot end side than the open end side of the front door.
In the main control board 51 (setting change section 600; setting key type switch 610 and setting change switch 620), the front frame open state in which the front frame 2 is opened with respect to the outer frame 1 is used to shift to the setting change mode. It is one of the conditions. However, when attempting to change the setting illegally, the attempt may be made in the front frame closed state in which the front frame 2 is closed with respect to the outer frame 1 . At that time, it is conceivable that the front frame open/close detection switch is illegally accessed to output a detection signal indicating that the front frame is open when the front frame is actually closed. In that case, if the front frame open/close detection switch is provided near the open end of the front frame 2, unauthorized access is likely to occur. Therefore, in the pachinko game machine PM, the front frame open/close detection switch is configured to be positioned closer to the pivot end side than the open end side of the front frame 2, thereby enabling the front frame open/close detection switch to Makes unauthorized access difficult.

The characteristic configurations (A1) to (A8) related to the substrate case CU1 for countermeasures against fraudulent activity described above include substrates other than the main control substrate 51 in the pachinko game machine PM, the effect control substrate 52, the image control substrate 53, and the payout control. A similar effect can be obtained by applying the same to a substrate case that houses the substrate 54 and the like. In addition, the same applies to board cases for housing various boards in the slot machine SM, the main control board 860, the sub-control board 870 (the sub-main control board 870A, the sub-sub-control board 870B), the reel unit board 910, and the like. It is possible to obtain the effect of In addition, the signal related to the start of the game when applying the characteristic configurations (A4) to (A8) to the slot machine SM (in particular, the board case for the main control board 860) indicates the operation state of the start lever 825. A signal corresponds to this, and a signal related to payout corresponds to a hopper motor signal output from the main control board 860 to the hopper motor 852 of the token payout device 850 via the reel unit board 910 . In addition, the signal related to the power source corresponds to a signal for detecting the power-off or power-on of the power supplied from the power supply device 880 to the main control board 860, and the signal related to the effect board Control commands and the like output from the control board 860 to the sub-control board 870 (sub-main control board 870A) correspond to this. In the slot machine SM, if the signal related to the effect board transmitted from the main control board 860 to the sub-control board 870 is tampered with, the effect such as push navigation is not correctly displayed, and the illicit acter becomes unfair. potential profits. Therefore, in the slot machine SM, by configuring the exposed connector not to be used for the communication of the signal related to the effect board, it becomes possible to make it difficult for the fraudulent act to be performed with respect to the signal related to the effect board. Signals used for testing include signals output from the slot machine SM in the type test conducted for type certification of the slot machine SM, and confirmation of the operation and control details of the slot machine SM during the manufacturing process. A signal or the like output from the slot machine SM in order to do so corresponds to this.

In addition, the characteristic configurations (A9) to (A13) related to the setting change unit 600 for countermeasures against fraud described above are the setting change unit (setting key type switch 883, setting key type switch 883, setting The same effect can be obtained by applying the same to the change switch 884). Note that when the characteristic configurations (A10) to (A12) are applied to the slot machine SM, the board case for housing the main control board 860 has the same configuration as the characteristic configurations (A1) to (A8), and the It is assumed that the board case is attached to the front door 802 side. Furthermore, the setting change switch 884 of the slot machine SM may function as a RAM clear switch. In this case, the game state information to be cleared from the RAM includes information such as the RT state, the AT state, and the advantageous section. Further, it is preferable not to clear the information regarding the character product ratio displayed on the information display lamp 892 even if the RAM clearing operation is performed. Furthermore, it is possible to obtain the same effect by applying the above-described characteristic configuration (A14) to the slot machine SM as well. Note that the door open/close sensor 890 corresponds to the switch for detecting the open/closed state of the front door when the characteristic configuration (A14) is applied.

<Lead wire thickness and arrangement>
Various boards provided in the gaming machine are electrically connected via a plurality of connector cables (lead wires). The leads provide paths for various signals communicated between boards. In particular, lead wires connected to the main control board (the main control board 51 in the case of the pachinko game machine PM, the main control board 860 in the case of the slot machine) serve as an important path for signals relating to the progress of the game. Therefore, there is a possibility that fraudulent actions may be attempted, such as illegally accessing such leads to read or tamper with signal information, or generating and inputting false signal information to the leads. Therefore, a problem is to make it difficult to carry out such fraudulent actions with respect to lead wires. In addition, if noise is added to the signal communicated via the lead wire, correct information cannot be transmitted, and there is a possibility that the game cannot proceed smoothly. Therefore, another issue is how to make the lead wires less susceptible to noise. In the present invention, as anti-malpractice measures and anti-noise measures for the lead wires, there are some characteristics regarding the thickness and arrangement of the lead wires.

Before describing the characteristic configuration and its effect, preferred embodiments regarding lead wire thickness and arrangement will be described with additional reference to FIGS. 24 and 25. FIG. FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the thickness and arrangement of a plurality of lead wires LL1 to LL14 connected to the board-side connector CN11 (see FIG. 25) mounted on the main control board MC1 through the harness-side connector CN13. is. FIG. 25 shows lead wires LL8 to LL10 extending from the harness side connector CN13 to the outside of the substrate case CU2, and lead wires LL15 to LL18 extending to the outside of the substrate case CU2 from another harness side connector CN14. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of arrangement|positioning. The harness-side connector CN14 is a connector connected to another board-side connector CN12 mounted on the main control board MC1, and the board case CU2 is a board case that houses the main control board MC1. The main control board MC1 corresponds to the main control board 51 in the pachinko game machine PM and the main control board 860 in the slot machine SM.

As shown in FIG. 24, the connector CN13 has 14 lead wires LL1 to LL14. Among them, the lead wires LL6 to LL7 are lead wires related to the input of the power supply, the lead wires LL8 to LL10 are lead wires related to the start of the game, and the lead wires LL11 to LL12 are connected to the external terminal board. lead wire. Other lead wires LL1 to LL5, LL1
3 to LL14 are lead wires related to other signals. The lead wires related to the input of the power supply are lead wires, ground wires, etc. for supplying power to the main control board MC1. The lead wires related to the start of the game are the lead wires and ground wires for the signals that trigger the start of the game. Lead wires connected to the first starter switch 61 and the second starter switch 62 that output a signal that triggers the start of pattern fluctuation correspond to this. This corresponds to a lead wire or the like connected to a switch (hereinafter referred to as a "start lever switch") that outputs a detection signal of the operation state of the start lever 825 that triggers the start of fluctuation of 803a to 803c. The lead wire connected to the external terminal plate is a signal wire, ground wire, etc. for transmitting predetermined information to the hall computer or the like via the external terminal plate. Lead wires connected to the external information terminal board 58 through the substrate 54 correspond to this, and in the case of the slot machine SM, lead wires connected to the external centralized terminal board 930 through the reel unit payout control board 54 correspond to this. correspond to

As shown in FIG. 24, the thickness of the lead wires LL8 to LL10 related to the start of the game is the thinnest among the 14 lead wires LL1 to LL14 (there are other lead wires of approximately the same thickness). (including when there is). Here, the thickness of the lead wire is the apparent thickness (diameter) obtained by adding the thickness of the outer coating to the diameter of the core wire of the lead wire. May be. The thickness of the lead wires LL8 to LL10 is the thinnest not only among the lead wires LL1 to LL14 of the connector CN13 but also among all the lead wires connected to the main control board MC1. In addition, the lead wires LL11 to LL12 connected to the external terminal plate have substantially the same thickness as the lead wires LL8 to LL10 related to the start of the game, and are adjacent to the lead wires LL8 to LL10 related to the start of the game. placed in position. Here, "substantially the same thickness" means that the thickness is the same to the extent that it is impossible to distinguish which one is thicker by appearance. They are in the same thickness category. In addition, the lead wires LL6 to LL7 related to the input of the power supply are arranged at positions not adjacent to the lead wires LL8 to LL10 related to the start of the game.

Further, as shown in FIG. 25, the lead wires LL8 to LL10 related to the start of the game, extending from the harness side connector CN13 to the outside of the board case CU2, are bundled together by a binding member BR1. As the tying tool BR1, in addition to a tying band made of resin and a tying tape having a hook-and-loop fastener, a variety of things such as a protective tube made of rubber or cloth, a rubber band, a wire, a string, etc. are used as long as they can be bundled. be able to. Also, lead wires other than the lead wires LL8 to LL10 may be bundled together. In addition, as shown in FIG. 25, on the front side of the bundled lead wires LL8 to LL10 (on the side away from the main control board MC1 with respect to the lead wires LL8 to LL10), there is a wiring harness side connector CN14 to the outside of the board case CU2. The lead wires LL15 to LL18 extending out are arranged so as to partially overlap the lead wires LL8 to LL10. It should be noted that the number of lead wires overlapping with the lead wires LL8 to LL10 related to the start of the tied game may be set to an arbitrary number of one or more. Other lead wires extending from the harness-side connector CN13 to the outside of the board case CU2 may be arranged so as to overlap the lead wires LL8 to LL10 associated with the start of the game.

[Characteristic configuration related to lead wire thickness and arrangement]
Next, characteristic configurations and their effects regarding the thickness and arrangement of the lead wires will be described. Further, another example of the lead wire thickness and arrangement will be described with additional reference to FIGS. The present invention has the following characteristics regarding the thickness and arrangement of the lead wires.

(B1) Of the lead wires connected to the main control board, the lead wire related to game start-up is the thinnest.
The thickness of the lead wires LL8 to LL10 related to game start shown in FIG.
3 is the thinnest not only among the 14 lead wires LL1 to LL14 possessed by 3, but also among all the lead wires connected to the main control board MC1. A lead wire related to the start of a game is used for communication of a signal or the like that triggers the start of a predetermined game process that affects the ball payout rate, so it is likely to be the target of fraud. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the lead wire related to the start of the game is made the thinnest so that it is difficult to identify, thereby making it difficult to execute fraudulent acts on the lead wire related to the start of the game. In addition, by thinning the lead wire, problems such as disconnection of the lead wire are more likely to occur when a fraudulent act is carried out. Therefore, when a lead wire related to the start of a game is cheated, problems such as wire breakage are likely to occur, and it is easy to discover that cheating has been done due to such a problem. Incidentally, in the example shown in FIG. 26, the connector CN13 has 14 lead wires LL21 to LL34, of which the lead wires LL24 to LL26 are lead wires related to the start of the game. The lead wires LL24 to LL26 related to the start of the game are configured to be the thinnest among the lead wires LL21 to LL34.

(B2) Among the lead wires connected to the main control board, there are a plurality of lead wires having approximately the same thickness as the lead wires related to the start of the game except for the lead wires related to the start of the game.
In the example shown in FIG. 24, the lead wires LL4 to LL5 and LL11 to LL12 are configured to have substantially the same thickness as the lead wires LL8 to LL10 related to game start. By making these lead wires LL4 to LL12 substantially the same thickness, it becomes difficult to identify which lead wires LL8 to LL10 are related to the start of the game. Therefore, it becomes difficult to carry out fraudulent acts with respect to the lead wire related to the start of the game. In the example shown in FIG. 27, the connector CN13 has 14 lead wires LL35 to LL48, of which the lead wires LL42 to LL44 are lead wires related to game start. Lead wires LL39 to LL40 and LL46 to LL47 other than the lead wires LL24 to LL26 related to the start of the game have substantially the same thickness as the lead wires LL24 to LL26.

(B3) Among the lead wires connected to the main control board, a lead wire having substantially the same thickness as the lead wire related to the start of the game is arranged adjacent to the lead wire related to the start of the game.
In the example shown in FIG. 24, the lead wires LL11 to LL12 are configured to have substantially the same thickness as the lead wires LL8 to LL10 related to the start of the game, and are arranged adjacent to the lead wires LL8 to LL10. . By arranging the lead wires LL11 to LL12 having substantially the same thickness as the lead wires LL8 to LL10 related to the start of the game, it is difficult to identify which lead wires LL8 to LL10 are related to the start of the game. Become. Therefore, it becomes difficult to carry out fraudulent acts with respect to the lead wire related to the start of the game. In the example shown in FIG. 28, the connector CN13 has 14 lead wires LL49 to LL62, of which the lead wires LL58 to LL60 are the lead wires related to game start. The lead wires LL56 to LL57 and LL61 to LL62, which are arranged adjacent to the lead wires LL24 to LL26 related to the start of the game, are configured to have substantially the same thickness as the lead wires LL58 to LL60.

(B4) Among the lead wires connected to the main control board, the lead wires connected to the start of the game and the lead wires connected to the external terminals are configured to have approximately the same thickness.
In the example shown in FIG. 24, the lead wires LL8 to LL10 related to the start of the game and the lead wires LL11 to LL12 connected to the external terminal board are configured to have approximately the same thickness. By making the lead wires LL8 to LL10 related to the start of the game and the lead wires LL11 to LL12 connected to the external terminal plate substantially the same thickness, it is possible to make it difficult to distinguish between them. In addition, the lead wires LL11 to LL12 connected to the external terminal board are used to output a predetermined signal to an external device such as a hall computer. appears, so it is relatively easy to understand. Therefore, in this embodiment, the lead wires LL8 to LL10 related to the start of the game and the lead wires LL11 to LL12 connected to the external terminal plate are configured to have substantially the same thickness, thereby making it difficult to distinguish between them. In addition, it is possible to detect at an early stage when a fraudulent act is performed on the lead wires LL11 to LL12 connected to the external terminal board. In the example shown in FIG. 29, the connector CN13 has 14 lead wires LL63 to LL76. It is a lead wire to be connected. The lead wires LL67 to LL69 related to the start of the game and the lead wires LL66 and L73 connected to the external terminals are constructed to have approximately the same thickness.

(B5) The lead wires related to the start of the game are bound.
In the example shown in FIG. 25, the lead wires LL8 to LL10 related to the start of the game, extending from the connector CN13 to the outside of the board case CU2, are bound by the binding member BR1. By bundling, it becomes difficult to illegally access the lead lines LL8 to LL10 related to the start of the game. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for the lead lines LL8 to LL10 related to the start of the game to be cheated.

(B6) Another lead wire is arranged on the front side of the lead wire related to the start of the tied game.
In the example shown in FIG. 25, on the front side of the bundled lead wires LL8 to LL10 (the side away from the main control board MC1 with respect to the lead wires LL8 to LL10), the harness side connector CN14 extends out of the board case CU2. The lead wires LL15 to LL18 are arranged so as to partially overlap the lead wires LL8 to LL10. Arranging other lead wires LL15 to LL18 in front of the bundled lead wires LL8 to LL10 makes it difficult to illegally access the lead wires LL8 to LL10 related to the start of the game. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for the lead lines LL8 to LL10 related to the start of the game to be cheated.

(B7) Among the lead wires connected to the main control board, the lead wire related to the start of the game is not arranged adjacent to the lead wire related to the input of the power supply.
In the example shown in FIG. 24, the lead wires LL8 to LL10 related to the start of the game are arranged at the lower left in the drawing, and the lead wires LL6 to LL7 related to the input of power are arranged at the upper right in the drawing, and they are not adjacent to each other. is configured as By arranging the lead wires LL8 to LL10 related to the start of the game away from the lead wires LL6 to LL7 related to the input of the power supply, the lead wires LL8 to LL10 related to the start of the game are connected to the power supply. It is possible to reduce the influence of noise from the leads LL6-LL7 related to the input. Therefore, erroneous input to the lead lines LL8 to LL10 related to the start of the game due to the influence of noise is prevented, and the game can be smoothly progressed. In the example shown in FIG. 30, the connector CN13 has 14 lead wires LL77 to LL90. It is a lead wire related to The lead wires LL77 to LL90 related to the start of the game are arranged at the bottom right in the figure, and the lead wires LL77 to LL78 related to the input of the power supply are arranged at the upper left in the figure, so that they are not adjacent to each other. . The characteristic configuration regarding the thickness and arrangement of the lead wires described above is not limited to the relationship between a plurality of lead wires in one connector, but is also applicable to the relationship between lead wires between a plurality of connectors. .

<Setting change sound>
In the pachinko game machine PM and the slot machine SM, after the setting change by the setting change section is completed (also referred to as "after the operation of the setting change section is completed"), that is, when the setting change mode is shifted to the normal mode, the setting change is completed. A predetermined process (hereinafter referred to as "setting change end notification process") is started to notify that the setting change is completed. done”) is output from a predetermined speaker. Since this setting change sound plays an important role in informing that the setting change has been completed normally, it must be output so as to be clearly audible. On the other hand, when the setting change is completed and the normal mode is entered, the game can be started. Therefore, if the game is started immediately after the setting change is completed, the setting change sound may interfere with the game. Therefore, it is important to give sufficient consideration to the start timing and end timing of the setting change sound. The output of the setting change sound in the pachinko game machine PM and the slot machine SM will be described below with additional reference to FIGS. FIG. 31 is a timing chart regarding the output of setting change sound in the pachinko game machine PM, and FIG. 32 is a timing chart regarding the output of the setting change sound in the slot machine SM.

In the pachinko game machine PM, as shown in FIG. 31, after the setting change by the setting change unit is completed (after the operation of the setting change unit is finished) and after a predetermined waiting time has passed, the setting change end notification process is started and the setting is performed. Start outputting the modified sound (for example, output the sound from the speaker 8). The waiting time is set so that the setting change sound can be heard reliably. In other words, since the setting change sound is a sentence such as ``The setting change has been completed'', if the output of the setting change sound is started at the same time as the operation of the setting change section is finished, the contents can be understood without being able to hear the beginning of the sentence. may not be possible. Therefore, in the pachinko game machine PM, such a standby time is provided in order to ensure that the setting change sound can be heard from the beginning. Although the waiting time can be set as appropriate, it is preferable to secure a time sufficient to perform at least one interrupt process such as a timer interrupt process. That is, after the operation of the setting change unit is completed, the setting change process is started after processing of at least one interrupt, and the output of the setting change sound is started. Note that if the start of outputting the setting change sound is delayed, the timing at which it can be confirmed that the setting change has been completed normally is delayed. Therefore, it is preferable to start outputting the setting change sound immediately after the standby time has elapsed.

The setting change sound is output for a predetermined period of time (for example, 1 second, hereinafter also referred to as "change sound output time T1" if it is longer than 0 hours) and then stopped (change The waiting time may be included in the sound output time T1.) In the pachinko game machine PM, in addition to the setting change sound, the effect lamp 11 or the like is turned on to notify that the setting change is completed. The notification of the end of the setting change by this lamp is started substantially at the same time as the output of the setting change sound (the start timing may be shifted), but the end timing is set to be later than the end timing of the setting change sound. This is because if the setting change sound lasts for a long time, it may become annoying and interfere with playing the game, whereas the notification by a lamp or the like is less likely to interfere with the game. By providing means for notifying the end of the setting change in addition to the sound, it is possible to more reliably notify the end of the setting change.The setting change end notifying means is separate from the setting change sound. It is not limited to the production lamp 11, but may be various lamps of the main control display device 700 or the production display device 27. However, a lamp that suggests that a situation advantageous to the player has occurred, such as If a lamp is provided to indicate that a big win has been confirmed, it is preferable not to use such a lamp as a means for announcing the end of the setting change, as the player may misunderstand that an advantageous situation has occurred. It is because there is a nature.

After the setting change by the setting change section is completed (after the operation of the setting change section is finished), the game can be started. In FIG. 31, the game is started immediately after the setting change, and the game ball enters the starting winning opening (here, the first starting opening or the second starting opening) at the earliest possible time on design, and the starting opening switch ( It shows the case where the first starter switch 61 or the second starter switch 62) is actuated. When the starting port switch operates, the special symbol (first special symbol or second special symbol) starts to fluctuate when the starting port switch is switched from ON to OFF. The variation of this special pattern is a specific time (for example, 5 seconds when there is a reserved ball, 20 seconds when there is no ball, etc., hereinafter referred to as "1 game time T2") according to the result of the lottery of special symbols. Terminate after continuing. In addition, when the special symbols change, an effect by the effect display device 27 or the like is also executed. In addition, the time (for example, 1 second) required until the pattern variation becomes possible after the operation of the setting change section is completed is referred to as "pre-variation start time T3".

When the special symbol changes and the accompanying performance is executed, the player pays attention to it. At this time, if the setting change sound continues all the time, it may be offensive and interfere with the game. Therefore, in the pachinko game machine PM, the change sound output time T1 from the start to end of output of the setting change sound is the result of adding the time before the change start T3 to the one game time T2 from the start to stop of the special symbol change. It is set shorter than the time, so that the output of the setting change sound is finished at least at the end of one game. In addition, by doing so, it is possible for the player to grasp that the special symbol is changed and the accompanying effect is being performed within at least (T3+T2-T1) time. In addition, even if the manager of the game parlor (hall) activates the starter switch immediately after changing the settings to change the special symbols in order to check the operation of the pachinko game machine PM, the setting change is not permitted. Completion can be confirmed by the setting change sound, and it is possible to confirm that the performance of one game is operating normally after the setting change sound is finished. It should be noted that how long one game time T2 is depends on the result of the lottery for special symbols. Therefore, in the pachinko game machine PM, the following time can be set as one game time T2 (specific time).

The first is to set one game time T2 to be the longest one game time in design. The longest one-time playing time in terms of design means the longest time from when the special symbols start to stop to when the special symbols change, according to the specifications of the pachinko game machine PM. For example, this corresponds to the variation time (for example, 2 minutes) of special symbols when pseudo-continuous variation is performed.

The second is to set one game time T2 as the average time of a plurality of games in which the game results are lost. The average time of a plurality of games in which the game result is lost is, for example, the result of the lottery result of the special symbol among the games in which the game is continuously played for a certain period of time (for example, 8 hours), and as a result, the special symbol has changed. The time obtained by totaling the symbol fluctuation time (for example, 5 seconds to 2 minutes) of the game in which the game was lost, and dividing the total time by the number of games in which the result of the special symbol lottery was a loss. means

The third is to set one game time T2 as the average time of a plurality of games in which the game result is special game winning. The average time of a plurality of games in which the game result is a special game winning is, for example, that the game is played continuously for a certain period of time (for example, 8 hours), and as a result, among the games in which the special symbols have changed, the special symbol lottery The symbol variation time (for example, 30 to 90 seconds) of the game in which the result of the special symbol was a big hit is totaled, and the totaled time is divided by the number of games in which the result of the lottery of special symbols was a big hit. means the time it takes.

In the slot machine SM, as shown in FIG. 32, after the setting change by the setting change unit is completed (after the operation of the setting change unit is finished) and after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed, a setting change end notification process is started to change the setting. Sound output is started (for example, sound is output from the speakers 815a and 815b). For the same reason as the pachinko game machine PM, the standby time is set to the same extent (detailed explanation is omitted).

The setting change sound is output for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second, hereinafter referred to as "change sound output time T11") from the start and then stopped (the change sound output time T11 may include the standby time). In the slot machine SM, similarly to the pachinko game machine PM, decoration lamps 832a, 832b and the like are turned on separately from the setting change sound to inform that the setting change is completed. The start timing and end timing of notification of the end of setting change by this lamp are set in the same manner as in the pachinko game machine PM. The setting change end notification means other than the setting change sound is not limited to the decorative lamps 832a and 832b, and may be various lamps controlled by the main control board 860 or the image display device 811. However, for the same reason as the pachinko game machine PM, if the machine is equipped with a lamp that suggests that an advantageous situation has occurred for the player, for example, a lamp that indicates that a big win has been confirmed, this It is preferable not to use such a lamp as means for informing completion of setting change.

After the setting change by the setting change section is completed (after the operation of the setting change section is finished), the game can be started. In FIG. 32, immediately after the setting is changed, a specified number of game medals are betted (maintenance) to allow the game to be started in the earliest design possible time, the start lever 825 is operated, and the start lever switch is turned on. It shows a case where the reels 803a to 803c start to oscillate (rotate), the stop switches 826a to 826c are operated, and all the reels stop. In general, slot machines do not allow the reels of the next game to start changing until 4.1 seconds have passed since the start lever switch relating to the winning combination lottery of the previous game was activated. This time, it is assumed that this 4.1 seconds is not included in the shortest possible design time, that is, 4.1 seconds have already passed by the time the setting change is completed. However, if this 4.1 second measurement is cleared by the setting change and a new measurement is started after the setting change, the earliest possible design time including this 4.1 second may be When the start lever switch is actuated, the reels 803a to 803c start to fluctuate (rotate) triggered by the switching of the start lever switch from ON to OFF (however, if freezing is performed, the fluctuation starts after freezing. ). The fluctuation of the reels 803a to 803c ends according to the result of the winning lottery, the operation timing of the stop switches 826a to 826c, and the like. Also, when the reels 803a to 803c are changed, an effect by the image display device 811 or the like is also executed. In the slot machine SM, the symbol fluctuation time (for example, 3 seconds, including the freeze time) from the timing when the start lever switch is switched from ON to OFF until the reels 803a to 803c stop fluctuating is called "1 game time T12". called. Further, the time (for example, 2 seconds) required until the pattern variation becomes possible after the operation of the setting change section is completed is referred to as "pre-variation start time T13".

When the reels 803a to 803c fluctuate and an accompanying effect is executed, the player pays attention to it. At this time, if the setting change sound continues all the time, it may be offensive and interfere with the game. Therefore, in the slot machine SM, the change sound output time T11 from the start to the end of outputting the setting change sound is the result of adding the time before the change start T13 to the one game time T12 from the start to stop of the change of the reels 803a to 803c. so that the output of the setting change sound is finished at least at the end of one game. In addition, by doing so, it is possible for the player to grasp that the reels are changed and the accompanying effect is being performed at least within the time (T13+T12-T11). In addition, in order to confirm the operation of the slot machine SM, the manager of the amusement arcade immediately after changing the setting, bets a specified number of game medals, operates the start lever switch to move the reels, and operates the stop switch. To confirm completion of a setting change by a setting change sound even when reels are stopped, and to confirm that a performance of one game is normally operated after the setting change sound is finished. becomes possible. It should be noted that how long one game time T12 is depends on the result of the winning combination lottery or the like. Therefore, in the slot machine SM as well as in the pachinko game machine PM, the following time can be set as one game time T12.

The first is to set one game time T12 as the longest one game time in design. The longest playing time by design is the time when the time from when the start lever switch is switched from ON to OFF until the reels 803a to 803c stop is the longest according to the specifications of the slot machine SM. means. For example, this corresponds to the time (for example, 30 seconds) until the reels stop when the longest freeze (for example, 20 seconds) is performed, such as when winning the BB combination. It is assumed that the stop switches 826a to 826c are operated in the shortest possible design time (same below).

The second is to set one game time T12 as the average time of a plurality of games in which the game results are lost. The average time of a plurality of games in which the game result is lost is, for example, the number of games in which the game is played continuously for a certain period of time (for example, 8 hours), and as a result, the result of the winning combination lottery is lost among all the games. Symbol variation time (for example, 3 seconds to 12 seconds) is totaled, and the time obtained by dividing the totaled time by the number of games in which the result of the combination lottery is lost means the time. In the slot machine SM, in a game in which the result of the winning combination lottery is lost, reel control is performed to kick away the winning symbol, and in a game in which the result of the winning combination lottery is to win the re-playing role, the symbol corresponding to the winning re-playing role is performed. Since reel control is performed to draw in, the symbol fluctuation time varies depending on the result of the winning lottery.

The third is to set one game time T12 as the average time of a plurality of games in which the game result is special game winning. The average time of a plurality of games in which the game result is a special game winning is, for example, that the game is played continuously for a certain period of time (for example, 8 hours), and as a result, among all the games, the result of the role lottery is a big hit (for example, BB It means the time obtained by totaling the symbol variation time (for example, 3 seconds to 30 seconds) of the game that was the win of the role, and dividing the total time by the number of games in which the result of the role lottery was a big hit. do.

According to the pachinko game machine PM and the slot machine SM configured as described above, even if the game is started immediately after the setting change is completed, the setting change sound is finished when the player confirms the result of the game. Therefore, the game result can be confirmed without being disturbed by the setting change sound. Therefore, the player can enjoy the pattern variations and effects from the first game after the setting change. In addition, in order to confirm the operation of the gaming machine, the manager of the gaming parlor can confirm that the setting change has been completed even if the special symbols and reels are changed by performing a predetermined procedure immediately after changing the setting. can be confirmed by the setting change sound, and after the setting change sound ends, it is possible to confirm that the performance of one game is operating normally.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment (including modifications), and can be appropriately improved within the scope of the present invention. . In addition, an appropriate combination of the constituent elements described in the above embodiments and modifications, or part of the constituent elements described in the above embodiments and modifications are deleted or converted by well-known and commonly used techniques, etc. It is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, the present invention can be similarly applied to gaming machines other than pachinko gaming machines and slot machines, such as majang ball gaming machines, arrange ball machines, casino machines, etc., to obtain similar effects. Furthermore, the same effect can be obtained by applying the same to a game machine that uses information recorded on an electronic recording medium as a game value.

PM pachinko game machine PA game area 1 outer frame 2 front frame 5 glass frame 20 game board 500 performance display monitor 600 setting change unit 700 main control display device SM slot machine 802 front door 803a, 803b, 803c reel 805 housing 825 start lever 826a, 826b, 826c Stop switch 892 Information display lamp 2100 Bottom case 2200 Top case CU1, CU2 Board case CN1 to CN5, CN11 to CN14 Connector PN1 to PN12, PN21 to PN32 Terminal LL1 to LL18, LL21 to LL90 Lead wire

Claims (1)

a board on which a plurality of connectors having a plurality of connector pins are mounted;
a first case portion to which the substrate is fixed;
a second case portion that covers the solder surface of the substrate and is attached to the first case portion;
The substrate case unit is configured such that the first case portion and the second case portion can be separated by sliding the second case portion relative to the first case portion by a predetermined amount,
The plurality of connectors are composed of a specific connector and a plurality of other connectors other than the specific connector,
Among the plurality of connector pins of the specific connector, some of the connector pins are not connected to the second case portion when the portion of the connector pins soldered to the board slides by the predetermined amount. and a portion of the connector pin other than the part of the connector pin soldered to the substrate is hidden by the second case portion and is not exposed,
all of the plurality of connector pins of the plurality of other connectors, wherein portions soldered to the board of all of the plurality of connector pins are hidden behind the second case portion and are not exposed;
Among all the plurality of connector pins possessed by the plurality of other connectors, a connector pin for a signal related to the start of a game and a connector pin for a signal related to a power supply are included and related to the start of the game. portions of the signal connector pins and the signal connector pins related to the power supply soldered to the substrate are hidden behind the second case portion and are not exposed;
The pattern indicating the result of the pass/fail judgment can be variably displayed and stopped on the pattern display device,
The board has a setting unit capable of setting setting information related to a game,
When a predetermined condition is satisfied when power is turned on, the setting unit can shift to a setting change state in which the setting information can be changed,
A setting change notification sound for notifying that the setting change state has ended can be output from a voice output device for a predetermined period of time,
By satisfying a predetermined starting condition, after the pre-startable time required from the end of the setting change state to the start of the symbol variation display being possible while the setting change notification sound is being output has passed. When the predetermined symbol variation display is started at the timing , the predetermined symbol variation display is finished after the output of the setting change notification sound is completed,
The time obtained by adding the time before the start possible to the average time of the variable display time in the multiple times of pattern variable display in which the result of the judgment is wrong within a predetermined period is longer than the output time of the setting change notification sound. A game machine characterized by setting a time value of a variable display time in symbol variable display when a predetermined starting condition is satisfied so as to increase the time.

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