JP7348685B2 - gaming machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

In a slot machine serving as a gaming machine, a plurality of gaming states and production states are provided that differ in the degree of advantage (gaming profit) for the player during the progress of the game. For example, some slot machines adopt a specification in which a symbol combination corresponding to a bonus winning combination is displayed on an active line to shift from a normal gaming state to a bonus gaming state in which the player can easily obtain medals. Furthermore, in recent years, slot machines have become popular that employ a so-called AT (assist time) performance state in which an auxiliary performance is performed to assist the winning combination.

By the way, while the performance of acquiring medals and the like is improving year by year for slot machines that employ the AT performance mode, there is a social demand for preventing machines from acquiring a large number of medals at once. Therefore, when the net increase in number of sheets reaches a predetermined number in an advantageous section including the AT performance state, the advantageous section (AT performance state) is ended (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-189214

For example, while the AT performance state is being executed, the slot machine performs an auxiliary performance that notifies the correct operation mode depending on the winning of the selected winning type, and the player can perform the operation according to the correct operation mode. It is possible to win the selected winning combination. In the auxiliary effect, for example, an image is displayed on the liquid crystal display that associates the order of operation (first stop, second stop, third stop) with the positions of multiple stop switches (left, middle, right). . Depending on the displayed image, the development efficiency of gaming machines may be reduced.

In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide a gaming machine that can improve development efficiency.

In order to solve the above problems, the gaming machine of the present invention includes reels in which symbols are arranged, the reels start rotating in response to the operation of a start switch, and the reels rotate in response to the operation of a plurality of stop switches. The reel control means includes a reel control means for stopping, a lottery means for determining the validity of a winning combination, and an effect control means capable of displaying an image, and a layer is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of stop switches, and the effect control means is provided with a layer corresponding to each of the plurality of stop switches. The player may execute an auxiliary effect that informs the player of the order of operation of the stop switches that is advantageous to the player, and based on the execution of the auxiliary effect, a navigation image can be displayed on the liquid crystal display section, and the navigation image includes: , a first image, a second image, a third image, and a fourth image. The second image is an image arranged at a display position corresponding to a stop switch to be operated and indicating that a first stop operation is to be performed, and the second image is an image that is arranged at a display position corresponding to a stop switch to be operated, and the second image is an image that is arranged at a display position corresponding to a stop switch to be operated. An image indicating that a second stop operation is to be performed, which is placed at a display position corresponding to a stop switch to be operated for a stop operation, and the display start timing of the first image is the same as the display start timing of the second image. The timing at which the first image becomes the final display mode is later than the timing at which the second image becomes the final display mode , and the third image and the fourth image In the layer corresponding to the stop switch in which the order of operation does not matter, the image is arranged at a display position corresponding to the stop switch in which the order of operation does not matter, and is an image indicating that the order of operation does not matter, and the display of the third image The start timing is the same as the display start timing of the fourth image, and the timing at which the third image and the fourth image become the final display mode is the timing when the first image becomes the final display mode. This is earlier than the expected timing.

In order to solve the above problems, another gaming machine of the present invention includes a reel in which symbols are arranged, a start switch that starts rotating the reel in response to the operation of a start switch, and a reel that starts rotating in response to the operation of a plurality of stop switches. reel control means for stopping the rotation of the reel, a lottery means for determining the validity of the winning combination, and a performance control means capable of displaying an image, and the performance control means controls the operation order of the stop switch that is advantageous to the player. An auxiliary effect may be executed to notify the user, and a layer is provided corresponding to each of the operation orders, and a navigation image can be displayed on the liquid crystal display based on the execution of the auxiliary effect, and the navigation image includes , a first image, a second image, a third image, and a fourth image, and the first image includes the stop switch that performs the first stop operation in the layer corresponding to the first stop operation. The second image is an image arranged at a display position corresponding to the first stop operation, and the second image corresponds to the stop switch to perform the second stop operation in the layer corresponding to the second stop operation. It is an image arranged at a display position indicating that a second stop operation is to be performed, and the display start timing of the first image is the same as the display start timing of the second image, and the first image is the same as the display start timing of the second image. The timing of the final display mode is later than the timing of the final display mode of the second image, and the third image and the fourth image are displayed in the layer regardless of the order of operation. An image that is placed at a display position corresponding to the stop switch that does not care about the order of operation and indicates that the order of operation does not matter, and the display start timing of the third image is the same as the display start timing of the fourth image. Thus, the timing at which the third image and the fourth image become the final display mode is earlier than the timing at which the first image becomes the final display mode .

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve development efficiency.

FIG. 2 is an external view for explaining a schematic mechanical configuration of a slot machine. FIG. 2 is an external view of the slot machine with the front door opened for explaining the general mechanical configuration of the slot machine. It is a figure showing the symbol arrangement of the reels and the active line. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of a slot machine. FIG. It is an explanatory diagram for explaining a winning combination. It is a figure showing a winning type lottery table. It is an explanatory diagram for explaining transition of a game state. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the transition of performance states. 3 is a flowchart showing main processing of the main control board. It is a flow chart showing lottery processing of the main control board. 3 is a flowchart showing determination processing of the main control board. It is a flowchart showing game transfer processing of the main control board. It is a flowchart which shows the advantageous section update process of a main control board. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the display start timing of an index indicating the order of operations. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the display start timing of an index indicating the order of operations. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the display start timing of an index indicating the order of operations. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the display start timing of an index indicating the order of operations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in these embodiments are merely illustrative to facilitate understanding of the invention, and do not limit the invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and the drawings, elements with substantially the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals to omit redundant explanation, and elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted from illustration. do.

(Mechanical configuration of slot machine 100)
As shown in the external views of FIGS. 1 and 2, the slot machine 100 as a gaming machine includes a casing 102 with an open front, and a front surface that is rotatably arranged vertically in one end of the casing 102. An upper door 104 and a lower front door 106 are provided. A colorless and transparent symbol display window 108 made of a glass plate, a transparent resin plate, etc. is provided at the lower center of the upper front door 104, and a symbol display window 108 is provided in the housing 102 at a position corresponding to the symbol display window 108. , three reels 110 (left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, right reel 110c) are provided so as to be rotatable independently. On the outer peripheral surfaces of the left reel 110a, the middle reel 110b, and the right reel 110c, as shown in the pattern arrangement in FIG. Through the symbol display window 108, the player can visually recognize a total of nine consecutive symbols, three consecutive symbols on each of the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c located in the upper, middle, and lower rows.

An operation unit installation base 112 is formed on the upper part of the lower front door 106, and the operation unit installation base 112 is provided with a medal insertion unit 114, a bet switch 116, a start switch 118, a stop switch 120, a performance switch 122, etc. There is. The medal insertion unit 114 accepts the insertion of medals as gaming value through the medal insertion slot 114a. The bet switch 116 inserts (bets) a specified number of medals required for one game among the medals electrically stored (hereinafter simply referred to as credits) inside the slot machine 100.

The start switch 118 is constituted by a lever capable of detecting a tilting operation, for example, and detects a game start operation by a player. The stop switches 120 (stop switch 120a, stop switch 120b, stop switch 120c) are provided corresponding to the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c, respectively, and detect the player's stop operation. Note that when the stop switch 120 can be stopped, the first stop operation by the player on any of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c is referred to as a first stop. After that, operating one of the two stop switches 120 that has not been stopped is called a second stop, and after the second stop, operating the last remaining stop switch 120 is called a third stop. . The effect switch 122 is composed of, for example, a press switch and a jog dial switch rotatably arranged around the press switch, and detects the player's press operation or rotation operation.

A liquid crystal display section 124 is provided at the upper center of the front upper door 104 to display various images associated with the performance. Further, on the upper part and on the left and right sides of the upper front door 104, display lamps 126 made of, for example, high-intensity light emitting diodes (LEDs) are provided. Furthermore, speakers 128 are provided at the left and right positions of the liquid crystal display section 124 on the back surface of the upper front door 104 and at the left and right positions on the back surface of the lower front door 106, for providing auditory effects such as sound effects and musical sounds.

The operation unit installation base 112 is provided with a main credit display unit 130 and a main payout display unit 132. Further, a sub-credit display section 134 and a sub-payout display section 136 are provided between the symbol display window 108 and the operation section installation stand 112. The main credit display section 130 and sub-credit display section 134 display the number of credited medals (credit number), and the main payout display section 132 and sub-payout display section 136 display the number of medals to be paid out. .

A medal dispensing device (medal hopper) 142 is provided below the reel 110 in the housing 102 for dispensing medals from the medal discharging port 140a. Furthermore, a receiving tray section 140 for storing medals dispensed from the medal ejection port 140a is provided at the lower front surface of the lower front door 106. Further, a power switch 144 is provided inside the housing 102. The power switch 144 is operated by an administrator who manages the slot machine 100 and is used to switch between two states: a power-off state and a power-on state.

In the slot machine 100, when a game can be started and a prescribed number of medals are bet, the active line A becomes effective and the operation on the start switch 118 becomes effective. Here, bets can be made by inserting medals that have been credited through the operation of the bet switch 116, by inserting medals through the medal inserter 114, and by placing a replay combination, which will be described in detail later, on the active line A. This includes any case where medals are automatically inserted based on the situation. Further, the active line A is a line for determining whether or not a winning combination has been won, and in this embodiment, there is only one active line A. As shown in FIG. 3(b), the active line A is the middle row of the left reel 110a, the middle row of the middle reel 110b, and It is set as a line connecting the positions corresponding to the symbols that stop at the top of the right reel 110c. The invalid line is used to determine the winning combination when it is difficult to understand the winning combination only by the symbol combination displayed on the active line A, and displays other symbol combinations that make it easier to understand the winning combination. In this embodiment, five invalid lines B1, B2, B3, C1, and C2 shown in FIG. 3(b) are assumed.

Then, when the start switch 118 is operated by the player, the game is started, the left reel 110a, the middle reel 110b, and the right reel 110c are rotated, and a winning type lottery is executed. Thereafter, the corresponding left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c are respectively stopped in accordance with the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c. Then, if a winning combination that can receive a medal payout is won based on the lottery result of the winning type lottery and the combination of symbols displayed on the active line A, a medal payout will be executed, and the winning type that can receive a medal payout will be executed. If the player does not win or wins but does not win, the game ends when the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c all stop.

In the present embodiment, the above-mentioned one game includes the insertion of medals through the medal insertion unit 114, the insertion of credited medals through the operation of the bet switch 116, or the replay combination displayed on the active line A. After one of the automatic insertions of medals is performed based on this, the rotation of the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c is controlled in response to the player's operation of the start switch 118, and a winning type lottery is executed. The left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel corresponding to the operated stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c are selected according to the lottery results of the winning type lottery and the operation of the plurality of stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c by the player. 110c is controlled to stop, and when a winning combination that can receive a payout of medals is won, it refers to the game until the payout of the medals is executed. In addition, if the winning type for which medals can be paid out is not won, or if the player wins but does not win, one game ends when the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c all stop. However, the start of one game may be read as the operation of the start switch 118 by the player instead of the above-mentioned insertion of medals or winning of the replay combination. Further, the number of times such one game is repeated is defined as the number of games.

(Electrical configuration of slot machine 100)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the slot machine 100. As shown in FIG. 4, the slot machine 100 includes a main control board 200 (main control unit) that controls the progress of the game, and a sub-control board 202 (sub-control unit) that controls effects according to the progress of the game. A control board is provided that includes a control board. Further, transmission of electrical signals between the main control board 200 and the sub-control board 202 is limited to only one direction from the main control board 200 to the sub-control board 202 from the viewpoint of fraud prevention and the like.

(Main control board 200)
The main control board 200 has a semiconductor integrated circuit including a main CPU 200a as a central processing unit, a main ROM 200b storing programs etc., a main RAM 200c functioning as a work area, etc., and controls the entire slot machine 100 in an integrated manner. . Note that even if the power is turned off, the data in the main RAM 200c is retained without being erased unless the settings are changed and the RAM is cleared.

The main control board 200 also includes an initialization means 300, a bet means 302, a winning type lottery means 304, and a reel control means, which function when the main CPU 200a cooperates with the main RAM 200c based on a program stored in the main ROM 200b. 306, determination means 308, payout control means (gaming value giving means) 310, game state control means 312, performance state control means 314 (count value updating means, end control means), command transmission means 316, and other functional units.

The main control board 200 receives various detection signals from the inserted medal detection unit 114b that detects the insertion of medals into the medal slot 114a, the bet switch 116, the start switch 118, and the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c. The main CPU 200a executes various processes based on the received detection signal.

The initialization means 300 executes initialization processing in the main control board 200. The betting means 302 bets medals for use in games. Based on the operation of the start switch 118, the winning type lottery means 304 performs a winning type lottery to determine the validity of the winning combination, more specifically, the validity of the winning type including the winning combination, as will be described in detail later.

The reel control means 306 controls the rotation of the left reel 110a, the middle reel 110b, and the right reel 110c in response to the operation of the start switch 118, and controls the rotation of the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c, respectively. In response to the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, the corresponding left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c are controlled to stop.

Further, a reel drive control section 150 is connected to the main control board 200. The reel drive control unit 150 drives the stepping motor 152 based on rotation start signals of the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c transmitted from the reel control means 306 in response to the operation signal of the start switch 118. do. In addition, the reel drive control unit 150 detects stop signals for each of the left reel 110a, the middle reel 110b, and the right reel 110c and the rotational position detection circuit 154, which are transmitted from the reel control means 306 in response to the operation signal of the stop switch 120. Based on the signal, driving of the stepping motor 152 is stopped.

The determining means 308 determines whether the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination has been displayed on the active line A. Here, the display of a symbol combination corresponding to a winning combination on the active line A may simply be called winning. The payout control means 310 pays out medals in the number (value amount) corresponding to the winning combination based on the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination being displayed on the active line A (winning). Further, a medal payout device 142 is connected to the main control board 200, and the payout control means 310 dispenses medals while counting the number of medals to be paid out.

The game state control means 312 refers to the result of the winning type lottery and the determination result of the determination means 308, and shifts the game state to one of a plurality of types of game states. Further, the performance state control means 314 refers to the result of the winning type lottery, the determination result of the determination means 308, and the transition information of the game state, and shifts the performance state to one of a plurality of types of performance states.

The command transmitting means 316 sends commands related to the game along with the operations of the betting means 302, the winning type lottery means 304, the reel control means 306, the determination means 308, the payout control means 310, the game state control means 312, the performance state control means 314, etc. are sequentially determined, and the determined commands are sequentially transmitted to the sub-control board 202.

Further, the main control board 200 is provided with a random number generator (random number generation means) 200d. The random number generator 200d sequentially increments the count value, loops it within a predetermined numerical range, and obtains a random number by extracting the count value at a predetermined time point. The random numbers generated by the random number generator 200d of the main control board 200 (hereinafter referred to as winning type lottery random numbers) are used to determine the gaming profit to be given to the player, for example, the winning type lottery means 304 to determine the winning type. .

(Sub control board 202)
Further, like the main control board 200, the sub control board 202 has various semiconductor integrated circuits including a sub CPU 202a which is a central processing unit, a sub ROM 202b in which programs etc. are stored, a sub RAM 202c which functions as a work area, etc. , particularly controls the presentation based on commands from the main control board 200. Further, like the main RAM 200c, the sub-RAM 202c is also connected to a backup power source (not shown), so that even if the power is cut off, data is retained without being erased. Note that the sub control board 202 is also provided with a random number generator (random number generation means) 202d, like the main control board 200, and the random numbers (hereinafter referred to as performance lottery random numbers) generated by the random number generator 202d are generated by the main control board 202. It is used to determine the mode of presentation.

In addition, in the sub control board 202, the sub CPU 202a operates an initialization determining means 330, a command receiving means 332, an effect controlling means 334, etc., which function by cooperating with the sub RAM 202c based on the program stored in the sub ROM 202b. It has a functional part.

The initialization determining means 330 executes initialization processing in the sub control board 202. The command receiving means 332 receives commands from other control boards, such as the main control board 200, and processes the commands. The performance control means 334 receives the detection signal from the performance switch 122, and determines the performance of the game to be performed on each device of the liquid crystal display section 124, the speaker 128, and the performance lamp 126 based on the received command. Specifically, the production control means 334 controls the image data displayed on the liquid crystal display section 124 and the electricity for production through illumination devices such as the production lamp 126, the sub-credit display section 134, and the sub-payout display section 136. Decoration data is determined, and at the same time, audio data constituting the audio to be output from the speaker 128 is determined. Then, the performance control means 334 executes the determined game performance. Note that the production also includes auxiliary production. In the winning type lottery, when a selected winning type in which a correct winning combination (a specific winning combination) and an incorrect winning combination overlap is won, the correct answer of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, which is the winning condition for the correct winning combination, is used as an auxiliary performance. This is a performance that notifies you of the operation mode. With this auxiliary performance, the player can easily display the symbol combination corresponding to the correct winning combination on the active line A. A performance state in which such an auxiliary performance is executed is called an AT (assist time) performance state. In addition, a so-called ART gaming state may be used in which an AT performance state and an RT (replay time) gaming state in which the probability of winning a replay combination is high are proceeded in parallel.

In the following, notifications managed by boards other than the main control board 200, including the sub-control board 202, such as the liquid crystal display section 124, the production lamp 126, the speaker 128, the sub-credit display section 134, and the sub-payout display section 136, will be described. The means may be referred to as other notification means. On the other hand, notification means managed by the main control board 200, such as the main credit display section 130 and the main payout display section 132, are sometimes referred to as main notification means (instruction monitor). In addition, the main notification means and other notification means capable of executing the auxiliary performance may be collectively referred to as auxiliary performance notification means. The performance state control means 314 causes the auxiliary performance notification means to execute the auxiliary performance in the AT performance state.

(Table used in main control board 200)
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining winning combinations, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a winning type lottery table.

In the slot machine 100, as will be described in detail later, a plurality of types of gaming states and performance states are provided, and the gaming state and performance state are changed according to the progress of the game. In the main control board 200, a plurality of winning type lottery tables and the like corresponding to gaming states managed and controlled by the gaming state control means 312 are stored in the main ROM 200b. The winning type lottery means 304 draws a corresponding winning type lottery table into the main ROM 200b according to the current setting value (indicating the ease of obtaining a gaming profit in stages) stored in the main RAM 200c and the current gaming state. Based on the extracted winning type lottery table, it is determined which winning type lottery random number acquired in response to the operation signal of the start switch 118 corresponds to which winning type in the winning type lottery table.

Here, the winning combinations constituting the winning types extracted in the winning type lottery table include a replay winning combination, a minor winning combination, and a bonus winning combination. The replay combination is a combination that allows the player to play the game again without making a new bet for medals when a symbol combination corresponding to the replay combination is displayed on the active line A. A small winning combination is a winning combination in which a symbol combination corresponding to the small winning combination is displayed on the active line A, so that a predetermined number of medals can be paid out according to the symbol combination. In addition, for a bonus role, the symbol combination corresponding to the bonus role is displayed on the active line A, thereby changing the gaming state managed by the gaming state control means 312 to a bonus gaming state (a gaming state during RBB operation, which will be described later). This is a role that can be transitioned to.

As for the winning combinations in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, winning combinations "Replay 1" to "Replay 6" are provided as replay combinations. In addition, as small prizes, winning prizes "small prize 1" to "small prize 44" are provided. In addition, a winning combination "RBB" is provided as a bonus combination. In FIG. 5, one or more symbols constituting each winning combination are associated with each of the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c.

Here, in this embodiment, when the stop switch 120 is operated by the player, if the symbols constituting the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination that can be won are on the active line A, the reel control means At step 306, stop control is performed so that the symbol stops on the active line A. In addition, when the stop switch 120 is operated, the symbols constituting the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination that can be won are not on the active line A, but four symbols in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the reel 110 are displayed. If the number of symbols is within the range corresponding to the winning combination (draw-in range), the reel control means 306 sets the number of symbols that are apart from each other as the number of sliding symbols, and activates the symbols constituting the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination. Stop control is performed so that the rotation is maintained for the number of sliding frames so as to be drawn onto line A, and then stopped. In addition, if there are multiple symbols on the reels 110 that correspond to winning combinations that can be won, and all of them are within the pull-in range of the reels 110, any of the symbols will be placed on the active line A according to a predetermined priority order. It is determined whether to draw the symbol upward, and stop control is performed so that the rotation is maintained for the number of sliding pieces so as to draw the prioritized symbol onto the active line A and then stopped. Note that when the stop switch 120 is pressed and a symbol that constitutes a symbol combination corresponding to a winning combination other than a winning combination that can be won is on the active line A, the reel control means 306 controls the symbol combination to A so-called kicking process is also executed in parallel to prevent the line from stopping on the effective line A. In addition, as will be described later, if the winning combination included in the winning type has an operation mode (operation order and operation timing) set as a winning condition, the reel control means 306 controls the winning combination according to the player's operation mode. Stop control is performed so that the symbol combination corresponding to the symbol combination can be displayed on the active line A.

For example, the symbols constituting the symbol combinations corresponding to the winning combinations "Replay 1" to "Replay 3" and the winning combinations "Small combination 1" to "Small combination 6" are displayed on each reel 110 by the above-mentioned stop control. , are arranged so that they can always be displayed on the effective line A. Such a winning combination may be expressed as PB=1. On the other hand, for example, the symbols constituting the symbol combinations corresponding to the winning combinations "Replay 4" to "Replay 6", the winning combinations "Small combination 7" to "Small combination 32", and the winning combination "RBB" are displayed on each reel 110. Due to the above-mentioned stop control, since the images are not necessarily arranged so as to be displayable on the effective line A, so-called dropouts may occur. Such a winning combination may be expressed as PB≠1.

As shown in FIG. 6, the winning type lottery table is divided into a plurality of winning areas, and depending on each gaming state, the winning type to be drawn differs, and the presence or absence of non-winning (loss) differs depending on each gaming state. In FIG. 6, the winning areas (winning types) allocated to each gaming state (non-internal gaming state (non-internal), RBB internal gaming state (RBB internal), RBB operating gaming state (RBB operating)) are represented by "◎" or "○", but in reality, a winning type lottery table corresponding to each of a plurality of gaming states is stored in the main ROM 200b. In addition, "◎" indicates that it is an advantageous section lottery winning type in which a lottery related to an advantageous section (for example, AT lottery described later) can be held, and "○" indicates that a lottery related to an advantageous section cannot be held. This indicates that it is a winning type in which an advantageous section lottery is not possible.

In the winning type lottery table, each divided winning area is associated with a predetermined number (winning range value) that is a numerical value indicating the winning range, and the winning type. The total number of winning type lottery random numbers (65536) is obtained by summing up the numbers placed in the winning areas. Therefore, the probability that each winning type is determined is the value obtained by dividing the number associated with the winning area by the total number of winning type lottery random numbers. The winning type lottery means 304 sequentially obtains numbers from among the plurality of winning areas in the winning type lottery table, starting from the one with the highest number, based on the gaming state at that time, and uses the numbers as a winning type lottery random number. When the value after subtraction becomes less than 0, the winning type associated with the winning area at that time is determined as the lottery result of the winning type lottery. In addition, if the numbers of all the winning areas of winning area 1 and above are subtracted from the winning type lottery random number, and the value after subtraction is 0 or more, the winning type of winning area 0 is "lose". This is the lottery result.

Here, we will supplement the winning combination "RBB" that constitutes the winning type "RBB". The predetermined type 1 special accessory RB is an accessory that increases the number of combinations of symbols related to winnings for each specified number, or increases the probability that a conditional device related to winnings for each specified number will operate, and is predetermined. It is said to be able to operate when the game is played and continue to operate until the result of the game is obtained not more than 12 times. Here, the condition device is a device whose operation is a necessary condition for displaying a combination of symbols related to winning, replay, accessory, or operation of the accessory continuous operation device, A winning flag is a flag that is activated when a player wins a computer-based lottery held in a gaming machine. And, the accessory continuous activation device (winning combination "RBB") related to the first type special accessory that constitutes the winning type "RBB" is a device that can continuously operate the first type special accessory RB. This refers to a device that operates when a specific combination of symbols is displayed and ends the operation in a predetermined case.

According to the winning type lottery table in FIG. 6, for example, winning area 0 is associated with the winning type "Lose", and if you win in this winning type, the symbol corresponding to any of the winning combinations shown in FIG. The combination is also not displayed on the active line A, and no medals are paid out. However, as will be described later, if the RBB internal winning flag is carried over to the next game, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "RBB" may be displayed on the active line A due to the winning type "Lose". It becomes possible.

In addition, the winning area 1 is associated with the winning type "1 piece ALL" which includes the winning combinations "Small win 9" to "Small win 37" overlappingly, and the winning area 2 is associated with the winning combination "Small win 9" to "Small win 37". The winning type "Small win ALL" which includes "Small win 1" to "Small win 44" overlappingly is associated. Furthermore, the winning area 3 is associated with the winning type "fake 1 ticket" which includes the winning winning combinations "minor winning combination 21" to "minor winning winning 24" overlappingly. In addition, the winning area 4 is associated with a winning type "7 in a set, 1 piece" which includes the winning winning combinations "minor winning combination 21", "minor winning combination 22", and "minor winning winning combination 37" overlappingly. Furthermore, the winning area 5 is associated with a winning type "weak cherry" which includes the winning winning combinations "minor winning combination 33" and "minor winning winning combination 34" overlappingly. In addition, the winning area 6 is associated with the winning type "Strong Cherry" which includes the winning combinations "Small Win 9" to "Small Win 12", "Small Win 35", and "Small Win 36" overlappingly. There is. Furthermore, the winning area 7 is associated with the winning type "Watermelon" which includes the winning winning combinations "minor winning combination 38" and "minor winning winning combination 39" overlappingly. Furthermore, the winning area 8 is associated with the winning type "Strong Bell" which includes the winning winning combinations "Small Win 1", "Small Win 4", and "Small Win 5" overlappingly. In addition, the winning area 9 is associated with the winning type "Reach" which includes the winning combinations "Small Win 1" to "Small Win 6" and "Small Win 40" to "Small Win 44" overlappingly. There is.

In addition, in the winning areas 10 to 21, there are correct hands with a payout number of 10 pieces (winning hands "Small role 1" to "Small role 6") and incorrect hands with a payout number of 1 piece (winning role "Small role 6"). Selected winning types (winning types "batting order bell 1" to "batting order bell 12") in which winning combinations "9" to "minor winning combination 32" are duplicated are associated with each other.

In addition, winning areas 22 to 28 contain winning types "BAR Replay 1" to "BAR Replay 7" (hereinafter, these seven winning types are (sometimes simply abbreviated as "BAR Replay") is associated with the winning type. In addition, the winning areas 29 and 30 are associated with the winning types ``Normal Replay 1'' and ``Normal Replay 2,'' which include the winning combinations ``Replay 1'', ``Replay 2'', and ``Replay 4'' overlappingly. There is.

Furthermore, the winning areas 31 to 34 are associated with winning types "RBB1" to "RBB4" in which the winning combination "RBB" is included alone or in combination with other small winning combinations.

If you win a winning type that includes multiple winning combinations, the winning conditions regarding which symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination will be preferentially displayed on the active line A, such as stop The order in which the switches 120a, 120b, and 120c are operated is set.

In the following explanation, the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c that stop the reels in the order of the left reel 110a, the middle reel 110b, and the right reel 110c will be referred to as "batting order 1", and The operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c to stop the reels in order is called "batting order 2", and the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c to stop the reels in order of the middle reel 110b, left reel 110a, right reel 110c is called "batting order 2". 3", and the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c to stop the reels in the order of the middle reel 110b, right reel 110c, and left reel 110a is "batting order 4", and the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c is set as "batting order 4", and the reels are stopped in the order of the right reel 110c, the left reel 110a, and the middle reel 110b. The operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c to stop the reels is defined as "batting order 5", and the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c to stop the reels in the order of right reel 110c, middle reel 110b, and left reel 110a is "batting order 6". ”.

For example, in a non-internal gaming state, if the winning type "batting order bell 1" in the winning area 10 is won and the correct operation mode (batting order 1) is performed, the winning combination is a correct winning combination with a payout number of 10 coins. Stop control is performed so that the symbol combination corresponding to "minor combination 1" is preferentially displayed on the active line A. In addition, when the operation is performed according to batting order 2, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "Small combination 21", which is an incorrect combination with one payout number, is preferentially displayed on active line A with a probability of 1/2. If the stop control is performed so that the winning combination is executed in the batting order 3 to 6, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "Small combination 9", which is an incorrect combination with a payout of 1 piece, takes priority over the active line A. The stop control is performed so that it is displayed with a probability of 1/4.

Note that the winning probability (number) of each winning type in the winning areas 10 to 21 is set to be equal. Since the player usually cannot know which winning type he has won, by providing the winning areas 10 to 21 as described above, it is difficult to win the correct combination. Furthermore, as described above, even if the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c are operated in a batting order in which an incorrectly solved combination is displayed preferentially, the symbol combination corresponding to the incorrectly solved combination is not necessarily displayed on the active line A. Therefore, depending on the operation mode, spillage may occur (PB≠1).

In addition, when winning any of the winning types mentioned above, the internal winning flag corresponding to each winning type is established (turned on), and the stop control of each reel 110 is performed according to the establishment status of this internal winning flag. The Rukoto. At this time, if you win a winning type that includes a minor winning combination, but the symbol combination corresponding to these winning combinations cannot be displayed on the active line A in the game, after the game ends. The internal election flag is turned off. In other words, the right to win a minor prize is limited only to the game in which the winning type that includes the minor prize is won, and the right cannot be carried over to the next game. On the other hand, if you win a winning type that includes the winning combination "RBB", the RBB internal winning flag is established (turned on), and the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "RBB" is on the active line A. The RBB internal winning flag is carried over across games until it is displayed. Furthermore, if the internal winning flag corresponding to a winning type that includes a replay combination is established, the symbol combination corresponding to one of the replay combinations included in that winning type will always be on the active line A. After the process necessary to play the next game without requiring medals is performed, the internal winning flag is turned off.

(Transition of gaming state)
Here, the transition of the gaming state will be explained using FIG. 7. Here, a plurality of gaming states are prepared, such as a non-internal gaming state, an RBB internal gaming state, and an RBB operating gaming state. As will be described later, each gaming state is changed depending on winning, winning (activation), and termination of a bonus combination.

The non-internal gaming state is a gaming state that corresponds to an initial state among a plurality of gaming states. In such a non-internal gaming state, the probability of winning a replay combination is set to approximately 1/7.3. Furthermore, in the non-internal gaming state, the winning combination "RBB" is determined with a predetermined probability (for example, about 1/30).

The gaming state control means 312 changes the gaming state in response to winning of the winning combination "RBB". For example, in a game in which the winning combination "RBB" is won, when a symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "RBB" is displayed on the active line A, the gaming state control means 312 changes the gaming state to the RBB active gaming state. Transfer (1).

In the RBB active gaming state, the winning probability of the replay combination is set to 0. In this RBB operating gaming state, the winning type "1 piece ALL" is set in the winning area 1 and the winning type "small win ALL" is set in the winning area 2 as the winning types that can be won. If you win the winning type "1 piece ALL", a symbol combination corresponding to any of the winning combinations "Small role 9" to "Small role 37" will be displayed on the active line A, and you will win the winning type "Small role ALL". Then, the stop control is executed so that the symbol combination corresponding to any of the winning combinations "Small Win 1" to "Small Win 6" is displayed on the active line A. Here, due to the configuration of such small winning combinations, the expected number of coins to be acquired per unit game in the gaming state during RBB operation is lowered.

When the termination condition of the RBB active gaming state is met, that is, when the number of acquired coins reaches a predetermined number, the gaming state control means 312 shifts the gaming state to a non-internal gaming state (2).

On the other hand, in a game in which the winning combination "RBB" is won, if the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "RBB" cannot be displayed on the active line A, the gaming state control means 312 controls the gaming state within the RBB. A transition is made to a medium game state (special game state) (3).

In the RBB internal medium game state, the winning probability of the replay combination is set to approximately 1/5.9. Further, in the RBB internal medium game state, there is no possibility of winning the winning type "losing". In other words, if the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "RBB" could not be displayed on the active line A in a winning game with the winning combination "RBB", after that, the winning combination "RBB" would be smaller than the winning combination "RBB". Since the replay combination is controlled to stop on the active line A with priority, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "RBB" cannot be displayed on the active line A. Therefore, once the gaming state shifts to the RBB internal medium gaming state, the RBB internal medium gaming state will be maintained without any subsequent gaming state transition. Here, while maintaining the RBB internal medium gaming state, an AT effect state is realized in the RBB internal medium gaming state.

Here, in the RBB internal medium game state, multiple types of correct combinations are won without overlapping each other, so it is possible to increase the chances of winning the correct combination, and as a result, for example, in the RBB internal medium game By performing the auxiliary performance in the AT performance state, medals can be easily obtained. On the other hand, in the RBB active gaming state, multiple types of correct winning combinations are won over and over again, so there are fewer opportunities to win the correct winning combination, so the correct winning combination is more likely to win than in the AT production state in other gaming states. This makes it difficult for players to increase the number of medals they own. Therefore, while the RBB active gaming state has the function of having a higher probability of winning winning combinations than the RBB internal playing state, in terms of medal acquisition performance, the RBB operating gaming state is the same as the RBB internal mid gaming state. It is possible to realize the specifications (accelerator RBB) that are inferior.

(Transition of production state)
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the transition of the effect state on the main control board 200. Hereinafter, the performance states (non-AT performance state, AT performance state) that are transitioned by the performance state control means 314 in the main control board 200 will be described in detail.

Here, in order to comprehensively and uniformly determine whether or not the gaming state with high medal acquisition performance is biased, a game section having performance related to the instruction function, that is, an auxiliary performance (instruction function) is executed. A game section that is advantageous to the player, including a game section, etc., is defined as an advantageous section (specific section). In addition, in the advantageous section, when the auxiliary effect is activated as a result of a lottery etc. related to the activation of the auxiliary effect on the main control board 200, the main control board 200 is designed to identify the content of the instruction. This is a game period in which instruction information may be transmitted to peripheral boards such as the sub-control board 202 only when displayed on the notification means. Furthermore, a game section different from the advantageous section is defined as a non-advantageous section. Therefore, the performance state (non-AT performance state, AT performance state) belongs to either the advantageous section or the non-advantageous section which are the game sections. In this embodiment, the non-AT performance state belongs to the non-advantageous section, and the AT performance state belongs to the advantageous section.

The non-AT performance state corresponds to an initial state of the performance states. The performance state control means 314 performs an AT lottery in the non-AT performance state when any of the winning types "Strong Cherry", "Watermelon", and "Strong Bell" is determined by the winning type lottery. The AT lottery is a lottery that determines transition to the AT performance state, and the performance state control means 314 performs the AT lottery with different probabilities for each winning type determined by the winning type lottery. When the AT lottery is won, the performance state control means 314 shifts the performance state to the AT performance state after a predetermined number of portent games have elapsed (1). Further, the performance state control means 314 shifts the performance state to an AT performance state and also to an advantageous section.

In the AT performance state, by executing an auxiliary performance when all selected winning types are won, it is possible to obtain a large number of medals while suppressing consumption of medals. In the AT effect state, the game progresses by managing the number of sets with a predetermined number of consecutive games (for example, 40 games) as one set. In addition, although 40 games are illustrated here as a set unit of the AT effect state, the number of continuous games can be set to any other number, the number of continuous games can be varied by lottery, etc., or the number of continuous games can be changed by lottery etc. may be added sequentially. When the performance state shifts to the AT performance state, the performance state control means 314 subtracts 1 from the number of sets stocked (held) at that time and sets the number of continuous games to 40 games. Furthermore, in the AT performance state, the performance state control means 314 performs an additional lottery for adding the number of sets based on the winning type determined by the winning type lottery.

Then, when the number of remaining sets is 0 and the number of continuous games has elapsed (when a predetermined end condition is met), the performance state control means 314 shifts the performance state to a non-AT performance state (2).

In addition, in the advantageous section, among the winning modes in which the correct winning combination would be missed if there is no auxiliary performance, in the selection winning type where the correct winning combination has the maximum payout (in this case, 10 coins), there will be assistance to assist the winning of the correct winning combination. When performing a performance (an auxiliary performance in which the maximum number of coins to be paid out can be obtained), the effect must be notified by, for example, lighting the section display 160.

In addition, in the non-advantageous section, it is possible to vary the winning probability for each winning type depending on the setting value, but the probability that determines the transition to the performance state with auxiliary performance (AT performance state) for the same winning type must not be different for each setting value. On the other hand, in the advantageous section, both the winning probability of the winning type and the probability of determining the transition (or addition) to the performance state with auxiliary performance (AT performance state) for the same winning type differ depending on the setting value. It is possible to do so.

In addition, an advantageous section is defined when the value counted in the advantageous section reaches a predetermined value (for example, the number of games played (number of games played) reaches 1500, or the number of coins acquired (net increase) exceeds 2400. termination on the basis of For example, if the number of staying games in an advantageous section reaches 1500 games, which presentation state is the current presentation state, and whether an auxiliary presentation that can obtain the maximum number of payouts was performed in the advantageous section of 1500 games? Regardless of whether or not, the performance state control means 314 forcibly ends the advantageous section that has been continuing until then and moves it to a non-advantageous section (2), and updates the information (related to the instruction function) updated in the advantageous section (2). Perform AT initialization processing to reset all variables that affect performance.

Hereinafter, specific processing in the main control board 200 and the sub control board 202 will be explained based on a flowchart.

(Main processing of main control board 200)
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the main processing of the main control board 200. Here, first, an outline of one game after initialization will be explained along with the main processing of the main control board 200, and then details of each processing will be explained. Further, here, processing related to the features of this embodiment will be explained in detail, and explanations of configurations unrelated to the features of this embodiment will be omitted. Further, although a detailed explanation is omitted, when each process is executed, the switches used in each process (bet switch 116, start switch 118, stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c) are activated at the start of the process. , is invalidated at the end of processing.

(Step S100)
When the slot machine 100 is powered on via the power switch 144 and becomes energized, the initialization means 300 executes initialization processing in preparation for starting a game. The initialization means 300 generates backup data at any time while the power is on, and holds the backup data in the main RAM 200c. Therefore, even if an unexpected power outage occurs, in this initialization process, the retained backup data can be used to restore the state before the power outage. For example, even if an unexpected power cut occurs while the reels 110 are rotating, each reel 110 will start rotating again after the recovery operation. Therefore, in the initialization process, the main RAM 200c is basically not initialized (RAM cleared).

(Step S200)
Next, the betting means 302 bets medals through the player's operation of the bet switch 116 or the insertion of medals into the medal insertion section 114. Further, the command transmitting means 316 generates an input command indicating that the operation has been performed, and transmits the generated input command to the sub control board 202.

(Step S300)
Next, the winning type lottery means 304 validates the game start operation on the start switch 118 and shifts to a state of waiting for the start switch 118 to be operated. Here, the winning type lottery means 304 calculates the winning type lottery random number updated by the random number generator 200d of the main control board 200 in response to the player's operation of the start switch 118. 1. Obtain the winning type lottery random number. Then, the winning type lottery means 304 determines one winning type lottery table corresponding to the currently set gaming state from the winning type lottery table shown in FIG. It is determined which winning area corresponds to the winning type lottery table determined, and the winning type or non-winning of the determined winning area is determined as the lottery result. Further, when the winning combination "RBB" is determined in the winning type lottery, the gaming state control means 312 shifts the gaming state from the non-internal gaming state to the RBB internal gaming state.

In addition, after the lottery result is determined according to the operation of the start switch 118, the command transmitting means 316 generates a winning type command that includes the lottery result of the winning type lottery (winning type or non-winning), information regarding the gaming state, etc. Then, the generated winning type command is sent to the sub control board 202. This lottery process S300 will be described in detail later.

(Step S400)
When the start switch 118 is operated, the reel control means 306 drives the stepping motor 152 to rotate the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c. In this reel rotation process, when a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) has elapsed from the start of rotation of the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c in the previous game (wait), the left reel in the game When the left reel 110a, the middle reel 110b, and the right reel 110c all rotate at a constant speed, the process moves to step S500.

(Step S500)
Subsequently, the reel control means 306 activates the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, and upon receiving the player's operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, the reel control means 306 activates the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel corresponding to the operation. One of the reels 110c is controlled to stop.

Further, when any one of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c is operated, the command transmitting means 316 sends a stop command (a first stop command, a second stop command, A stop command, a third stop command) is generated every time an operation is performed, and the generated stop commands are sequentially transmitted to the sub-control board 202.

(Step S600)
Next, the determining means 308 determines which predetermined combination the symbol combination displayed on the active line A shown in FIG. 3(b) corresponds to (the winning winning combination). According to the symbol combination, if it is in an advantageous period and a small winning combination has been won, the net increase number counter is updated. In addition, the gaming state control means 312 changes the gaming state from the RBB internal mid-game state if the symbol combination displayed on the active line A corresponds to the winning combination "RBB" in the RBB internal mid-game state. Shifts to gaming state while RBB is in operation. In addition, the command transmitting means 316 generates a winning command that includes the symbol combination displayed on the active line A, the number of medals to be paid out when a symbol combination corresponding to a minor winning combination is displayed on the active line A, etc. , sends the generated winning command to the sub control board 202. This determination process S600 will be described in detail later.

(Step S700)
Also, based on the symbol combination displayed on the active line A (stopping mode of the reels 110), for example, when a symbol combination corresponding to a small winning combination is displayed on the active line A, the payout control means 310 controls the small winning combination. A payout process for medals corresponding to the winning combination is executed, and when a symbol combination corresponding to the replay winning combination is displayed on the active line A, processing for placing a bet for the next game is automatically executed. Further, when the medal payout process is performed, the command transmitting means 316 generates a payout command indicating that the payout process has been performed, and transmits the generated payout command to the sub control board 202.

(Step S800)
When a predetermined number of medals are paid out in the RBB operating gaming state, the gaming state control means 312 shifts the gaming state from the RBB operating gaming state to a non-internal gaming state. Further, the performance state control means 314 changes the performance state and changes between an advantageous section and a non-advantageous section. Furthermore, when the gaming state or performance state is changed, the command transmitting means 316 generates a game transition command including the changed gaming state or performance state, etc., and transmits the generated game transition command to the sub-control board 202. do. In this way, when the game transfer process S800 ends, the one game ends. This game transfer process S800 will be described in detail later.

One game is executed through a series of processes from step S200 to step S800. Thereafter, steps S200 to S800 will be repeated.

(Lottery process S300)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the lottery process in step S300. Here, processing related to the features of this embodiment will be explained in detail, and explanations of configurations unrelated to the features of this embodiment will be omitted.

(Step S301)
First, the performance state control means 314 performs a winning type lottery.

(Step S302)
The performance state control means 314 determines whether the current performance state is an AT performance state. As a result, if the current performance state is an AT performance state, the process moves to step S303, and if it is not an AT performance state, that is, if it is a non-AT performance state, the process moves to step S304.

(Step S303)
The performance state control means 314 performs an additional lottery for adding the number of sets based on the winning type determined in step S301, and ends the lottery process S300.

(Step S304)
The performance state control means 314 performs an AT lottery based on the winning type determined in step S301, and ends the lottery process S300. Here, if the AT lottery is won, the performance state control means 314 also determines the number of portent games before shifting to the AT performance state.

(Determination process S600)
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the determination process in step S600. Here, processing related to the features of this embodiment will be explained in detail, and explanations of configurations unrelated to the features of this embodiment will be omitted.

(Step S601)
The determining means 308 determines the winning combination based on the symbol combination displayed on the active line A.

(Step S602)
The determining means 308 determines whether the replay combination has won, based on the determination result in step S601. As a result, if the replay combination has won, the determination process S600 is ended, and if the replay combination has not won, the process moves to step S603.

(Step S603)
When the symbol combination displayed on the active line A is a symbol combination corresponding to a minor winning combination, the performance state control means 314 obtains the payout number corresponding to the minor winning combination.

(Step S604)
The performance state control means 314 determines whether the advantageous section flag is on. The advantageous section flag is a flag for determining whether the section is an advantageous section, and is turned on when the section is shifted to an advantageous section, and turned off when the section is shifted to a non-advantageous section. As a result, if the advantageous section flag is on, the process moves to step S605, and if the advantageous section flag is off, the determination process S600 is ended.

(Step S605)
The performance state control means 314 sets the value of the net increase number counter for managing the net increase in the number of medals acquired during the advantageous section (the count value related to the number of paid out medals corresponding to the winning combination won in the advantageous section) in step S603. Add the obtained number of payout coins.

(Step S606)
The performance state control means 314 obtains the number of medals betted in step S200.

(Step S607)
The production state control means 314 subtracts the number of inserted coins acquired in step S606 from the value of the net increase number counter, and updates the net increase number counter. Note that steps S603 to S607 are count value updating processing, and the performance state control means 314 that executes the count value updating processing functions as a count value updating means.

(Game transfer process S800)
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the game transfer process in step S800. Here, processing related to the features of this embodiment will be explained in detail, and explanations of configurations unrelated to the features of this embodiment will be omitted.

(Step S801)
The performance state control means 314 executes AT management processing for managing the AT performance state. For example, the performance state control means 314 may shift to the AT performance state when the AT lottery is won in the non-AT performance state and the number of portent games has elapsed, or in the AT performance state, subtract the number of continuous games, or When the number of sets is 0 and the number of continuous games is 0, the game is caused to shift to a non-AT performance state.

(Step S802)
The performance state control means 314 executes an advantageous section update process for managing advantageous sections, and ends the game transition process S800. The advantageous section update process S802 will be explained below.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the advantageous section update process in step S802. Here, processing related to the features of this embodiment will be explained in detail, and explanations of configurations unrelated to the features of this embodiment will be omitted.

(Step S802-1)
The performance state control means 314 determines whether the advantageous section flag is on. As a result, if the advantageous section flag is on, the process moves to step S802-4, and if the advantageous section flag is not on, the process moves to step S802-2.

(Step S802-2)
The presentation state control means 314 determines whether or not the AT presentation state has been entered in step S801. As a result, if the state has been shifted to the AT performance state, the process moves to step S802-3, and if the state has not been shifted to the AT performance state, the relevant advantageous section update process S802 is ended.

(Step S802-3)
The performance state control means 314 turns on the advantageous section flag and ends the advantageous section update process S802.

(Step S802-4)
The performance state control means 314 adds 1 to a game number counter for counting the number of staying games staying in the advantageous section.

(Step S802-5)
The performance state control means 314 determines whether the value of the game number counter is 1500 or more. As a result, if the value of the number of games counter is 1500 or more, the process moves to step S802-8, and if the value of the number of games counter is not 1500 or more, the process moves to step S802-6.

(Step S802-6)
The performance state control means 314 determines whether the value of the net increase number counter is 2401 or more, that is, whether the value of the net increase number counter exceeds 2400 (specific value). As a result, if the value of the net increase number counter is 2401 or more, the process moves to step S802-8, and if the value of the net increase number counter is not 2401 or more, the process moves to step S802-7.

(Step S802-7)
The performance state control means 314 determines whether the AT performance state has been shifted to the non-AT performance state in step S801. As a result, if the state has been shifted to the non-AT performance state, the process moves to step S802-8, and if the state has not been shifted to the non-AT performance state, the advantageous section updating process S802 is ended.

(Step S802-8)
The performance state control means 314 performs AT initialization processing to reset all the information (all variables that affect the performance related to the instruction function) updated in the advantageous section. As a result, the performance state control means 314 shifts to a non-advantageous section.

(Step S802-9)
The performance state control means 314 turns off the advantageous section flag.

(Step S802-10)
The performance state control means 314 resets (0) the values of the game number counter and the net increase number counter, and ends the advantageous section update process S802. Note that steps S802-5 to S802-10 are termination control processing, and the presentation state control means 314 that executes the termination control processing functions as an termination control means.

As described above, in the advantageous section, the game number counter that counts the number of staying games in the advantageous section is incremented by 1 for each game (step S802-4), and if the value of the game number counter becomes 1500 or more (step (YES in S802-5), AT initialization processing is performed (step S802-8). As a result, the advantageous section (AT performance state) is forcibly terminated on the condition that the number of staying games in the advantageous section reaches 1500 games.

In addition, in the advantageous section, the net increase number counter that counts the net increase in the number of coins in the advantageous section is updated every game (steps S602 to S607), and if the value of the net increase number counter becomes 2401 or more (YES in step S802-6) ), AT initialization processing is performed (step S802-8). As a result, the advantageous section (AT performance state) is forcibly terminated on the condition that the number of acquired coins (net increase in acquisition) in the advantageous zone exceeds 2400 coins.

Here, in this embodiment, when the replay combination wins in the advantageous section (YES in step S602), the net increase number counter is not updated (steps S603 to S607 are skipped). If the replay combination wins, the net increase number is 0, so the value of the net increase number counter will not change whether or not the processes of steps S603 to S607 are executed. Therefore, when the replay combination wins in the advantageous section, the processing load can be reduced by not updating the net increase number counter (by not executing the processes in steps S603 to S607).

On the other hand, even if the replay combination wins in the advantageous section and the net increase number counter is not updated, the end control process (steps S802-5 to S802-10) is executed. In other words, it is determined whether the number of acquired coins (net increase in acquisition) in the advantageous section exceeds 2400 coins (step S802-6 is executed). In this way, even if the replay combination is won and the net increase number counter is not updated, the termination control process is executed, thereby ensuring the fairness of the game. Also, depending on whether or not the replay combination has won, it is determined whether or not to execute the process (step S802-6) for determining whether the number of coins acquired in the advantageous section (net increase in acquisitions) exceeds 2,400. In this case, the processing load increases and the code capacity of the program increases accordingly. Therefore, the process can be shared by executing the same process as when other winning combinations have won, without having to decide whether or not to execute the process in step S802-6 depending on whether the replay combination has won or not. This reduces the processing load and prevents the code capacity from increasing.

Further, in this embodiment, the payout process S700 is executed before the AT management process S801 and the advantageous section update process S802. In the payout process S700, since medals are actually paid out, the processing time becomes long. Therefore, by executing the payout process S700 before the AT management process S801 and the advantageous area update process S802, and executing the AT management process S801 and the advantageous area update process S802 while the medals are actually being paid out. , the start timing of the next game can be brought forward.

It is also possible to perform the count value update process (steps S602 to S607) to update the value of the net increase number counter within the advantageous section update process (S802), but in this case, it corresponds to the winning combination determined in the determination process S600. The number of coins to be paid out must be stored even while the payout process (S700) and the AT management process (S801) are being executed, which increases the memory area. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the count value update process (steps S603 to S607) is executed in the determination process (S600), and after the payout process (S700) and the AT management process (S801) are executed, the advantageous section is By performing the update process (S802), a memory for storing the number of payout coins corresponding to the winning combination becomes unnecessary, and the memory capacity can be reduced.

It is also possible to execute the AT management process (S801) within the determination process (S600), but in this case, it is necessary to also provide the AT initialization process (S802-8) within the determination process (S600). Code capacity (data capacity) increases. In this embodiment, since the advantageous section update process (S802) is executed after the AT management process (S801) is executed, the AT initialization process (S802-8) can be integrated into the advantageous section update process (S802). , it is possible to prevent the code capacity (data capacity) from increasing.

As described above, by executing the main processing of this embodiment in the above-described order, the AT management processing and advantageous section update processing can be efficiently executed.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. It is clear that those skilled in the art can come up with various changes and modifications within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. be done.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the main control board 200 and the sub-control board 202 are arranged to share the functional parts for playing the game, but the functional parts of the main control board 200 are transferred to the sub-control board 202. The functional parts of the sub-control board 202 may be arranged on the main control board 200, or all the functional parts can be arranged on one control board.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the payout process S700 is executed before the AT management process S801 and the advantageous section update process S802. However, one or both of the AT management process S801 and the advantageous section update process S802 may be executed before the payout process S700.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, only one type of AT performance state is provided, but it is possible to provide multiple types of AT performance states, such as a specialized zone for adding on the number of continuous games in the AT performance state, for example. Good too.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the game is played using medals as the gaming value, but the gaming value may be electrical information (so-called medalless). In this case, when a winning combination is won, the amount of value corresponding to the winning combination may be given to the player in the form of electrical information.

In addition, in the embodiment described above, processing related to the AT performance state is performed in the AT management processing (specific state management processing). Processing may be performed to turn off the signal transmitted in the test indicating that the RBB is in operation and the game state is in progress.

Further, in the winning type lottery, when a selected winning type in which the correct winning combination and the incorrect winning combination overlap is won, an indicator may be displayed to allow the player to understand the correct operating mode. The indicators that can be used to determine the correct operation mode are the numerical values that indicate the order of operation, that is, the numerical value "1" indicates that the first stop operation is performed, the numerical value "2" indicates that the second stop operation is performed, and the numerical value "2" indicates that the third stop operation is performed. The display position in the image corresponding to the installation position shown in FIG. 1 where the stop switch 120a, 120b, 120c to be operated is installed (image left position, image middle position, (right position in the image) (hereinafter, the display position corresponding to the stop switch may be simply referred to as the "stop switch display position").

14 to 17 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the display start timing of indicators indicating the order of operations. As described above, as shown in FIG. 14(a), after the start switch 118 is operated and before the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c become effective, the effect control means 334 displays the correct operation as a navigation image. Display indicators that allow you to understand the situation. Specifically, after operating the start switch 118, the production control means 334 includes an index including a numerical value "1" indicating that the first stop operation is to be performed, an index containing a numerical value "2" indicating that the second stop operation is to be performed, and , an index including the numerical value "3" indicating that a third stop operation is to be performed is simultaneously started to be displayed, and the display is completed before the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c becomes effective. At this time, as explained using FIG. 14, the index including the numerical value "1" indicating that the first stopping operation is to be performed is the index containing the numerical value "2" indicating that the second stopping operation is to be performed, and An indicator that occupies a larger area on the screen than an index that includes the number "3" that indicates that the third stop operation is to be performed, and that includes the number "2" that indicates that the second stop operation is to be performed, indicates that the third stop operation is to be performed. The area occupied on the screen is larger than the index including the number "3" indicating. However, the indicator including the numerical value "2" and the indicator including the numerical value "3" may occupy the same area on the screen. Furthermore, even when there are three correct operation modes, the production control means 334 includes a numerical value "1" indicating that the first stop operation is performed after the start switch 118 is operated, as shown in FIG. 14(b). The display of the index and the index including a symbol (for example, "-") regardless of the stop order is started at the same time, and the display is completed before the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c becomes effective. The display may be completed at the same time. Note that at this time, an index including the numerical value "1" indicating that the first stop operation is to be performed occupies a larger area on the screen than a symbol that does not care about the order of stop. Here, the start of display indicates the appearance of the indicator, and the completion of display indicates that the indicator has changed its display mode (display position and shape) and has reached its final display mode. For example, at the start of display, the index appears in a size 1/10 of the final display format, gradually increases in size as time passes, and reaches the final display format when the display is completed.

Further, depending on the index, the display completion timing may be set to be different from other indexes. For example, as shown in FIG. 15(a), after the start switch 118 is operated and before the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c become effective, the effect control means 334 grasps the correct operation mode as a navigation image. Display possible indicators. Specifically, after operating the start switch 118, the production control means 334 includes an index including a numerical value "1" indicating that the first stop operation is to be performed, an index containing a numerical value "2" indicating that the second stop operation is to be performed, and , an index including the numerical value "3" indicating that a third stop operation is to be performed is simultaneously started to be displayed, and the display is completed before the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c becomes effective. However, in FIG. 15(a), unlike in FIG. 14(a), the production control means 334 uses the numerical value "2" indicating that the second stop operation is to be performed before the operations of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c become effective. '' and the index containing the numerical value "3" indicating that the third stop operation is to be performed, and then the display of the index containing the numerical value "1" indicating that the first stop operation is to be performed is completed. That is, the indicator including the numerical value "1" indicating that the first stop operation is to be performed is completed displaying when the indicator including the numerical value "2" indicating that the second stop operation is to be performed and the indicator including the numerical value "2" indicating that the third stop operation is to be performed. It is slower than the indicator including the number "3" is completely displayed. In addition, at this time, the index containing the numerical value "1" indicating that the first stop operation is performed is the same as the index containing the numerical value "2" indicating that the second stop operation is to be performed, and the numerical value "2" indicating that the third stop operation is to be performed. The area occupied on the screen is larger than the index containing "3", and the index containing the number "2" indicating that the second stop operation is to be performed is larger than the index containing the number "3" indicating that the third stop operation is to be performed. , occupies a large area on the screen. However, the indicator including the numerical value "2" and the indicator including the numerical value "3" may occupy the same area on the screen.

Furthermore, when the first stop operation is completed, the index containing the number "1" indicating that the first stop operation is to be performed is deleted, and the index containing the number "2" indicating that the second stop operation is to be performed and the third stop operation are deleted. Only the index containing the numerical value "3" indicating that it is to be operated remains. In this case, the index containing the numerical value "2" indicating that the second stopping operation is to be performed after the first stopping operation, and the index containing the numerical value "3" indicating that the third stopping operation is to be performed, are respectively the same as those for the first stopping operation. The size of the index is changed to the size of the index including the numerical value "1" indicating that the previous first stop operation is to be performed, and the index including the numerical value "2" indicating that the second stop operation is to be performed. The effect control means 334 transforms the index including the numerical value "2" indicating that the second stopping operation is to be performed after completing the transformation of the index that includes the numerical value "3" indicating that the third stopping operation is to be performed after the first stopping operation. Complete. That is, the deformation of the index containing the numerical value "2" indicating that the second stop operation is to be performed is completed later than the transformation of the index containing the numerical value "3" indicating that the third stop operation is to be performed. Note that the indicator including the numerical value "2" indicating that the second stop operation is to be performed occupies a larger area on the screen than the indicator including the numerical value "3" indicating that the third stop operation is to be performed. Therefore, in the second stop operation as well as in the first stop operation, the player can understand the correct operation mode based not only on the numerical value of the index but also on the size of the index, and according to the correct operation mode, the player can select the stop switch 120b. , the stop switch 120a in this order, the selected winning combination can be won.

Furthermore, even when there are three correct operation modes, the production control means 334 includes a numerical value "1" indicating that the first stop operation is performed after the start switch 118 is operated, as shown in FIG. 15(b). An indicator and an indicator including a symbol (for example, "-") that can be stopped in any order are started to be displayed simultaneously, and before the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c become effective, a symbol that can be stopped in any order (for example, "-") is displayed. -''), then the indicator including the numerical value "1" indicating that the first stop operation is to be performed is completed. Note that at this time, an index including the numerical value "1" indicating that the first stop operation is to be performed occupies a larger area on the screen than a symbol that does not care about the order of stop. Here, the start of display indicates the appearance of the indicator, and the completion of display indicates that the indicator has changed its display mode (display position and shape) and has reached its final display mode. For example, at the start of display, the index appears in a size 1/10 of the final display format, gradually increases in size as time passes, and reaches the final display format when the display is completed.

Furthermore, after the start switch 118 is operated and before the operations of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c become effective, the effect control means 334 displays the operation order of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c, which are earlier in operation order, as a navigation image. After the indicator that can be grasped is started to be displayed on the liquid crystal display section 124, it is also possible to start displaying on the liquid crystal display section 124 an index that allows the operator to grasp the order of operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, which are operated later. However, various cases can be considered for the display start timing, as shown in FIG. 16.

For example, as shown in FIG. 16(a), the production control means 334 displays a numerical value "2" indicating that a second stop operation is to be performed after completing the display of the index that includes a numerical value "1" indicating that the first stop operation is to be performed. After the display of the index including the numerical value "2" indicating that the second stop operation is to be performed is completed, the display of the index including the numerical value "3" indicating that the third stop operation is to be performed is started to be displayed. Further, as shown in FIG. 16(b), the effect control means 334 displays a numerical value "2" indicating that a second stop operation is to be performed at the same time as the display of the index including the numerical value "1" indicating that the first stop operation is to be performed is completed. It is also possible to start displaying an indicator including a numeric value ``3'' indicating that a third stop operation is to be performed, and to start displaying an indicator that includes a numeric value ``3'' indicating that a third stop operation is to be performed at the same time as the indicator that includes a numeric value ``2'' indicating that a second stop operation is to be performed is completed. can.

In this way, after the indicator including the number "1" indicating that the first stop operation is to be performed is completed, the indicator including the number "2" indicating that the second stop operation is to be performed is started to be displayed, By starting to display the indicator including the number ``3'' indicating the third stop operation after completing the display of the indicator including the numeric value ``2'' indicating that the player will perform the third stop operation, the player can display the numeric value indicating the order of operations. Not only that, but you can intuitively (visually) understand the order of operations (operate the one that started displaying first) based on the fact that the display started first. It is possible to avoid erroneous operations (loss of gaming profits) than when displaying the information.

However, delaying the start of displaying an index that includes the number ``2'' indicating that the second stop operation is to be performed or the display start of an indicator that includes the number ``3'' indicating that the third stop operation is to be performed is not possible at the same time. This causes a delay in the completion of the display of an index including the numerical value "2" indicating that the third stop operation is to be performed or the completion of the display of the index including the numerical value "3" indicating that the third stop operation is to be performed. Then, the time from the completion of the display of the index including the numerical value "3" indicating that the third stop operation is to be performed until the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c becomes effective is as shown in FIGS. 16(a) and 16(b). It is abbreviated as . Therefore, after understanding all the correct operation batting orders (which stop switch 120a, 120b, 120c is used for the first stop operation, second stop operation, and third stop operation, respectively), For the player who starts the operation, the time from when he or she understands all the correct operation batting orders to when the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c becomes effective is shortened, and there is a risk that preparations for the first stop operation will not be in time. . If this happens, the progress of the game will slow down as a result, and there is a possibility that the game profits that should have been obtained will be lost. Furthermore, if you try to forcibly start operating the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c earlier even though the display of the indicator including the number "3" indicating that the third stop operation is to be performed is delayed, an erroneous operation may occur. The possibility of

On the other hand, a person (player) has very high dynamic visual acuity, and can accurately recognize even the slightest deviation in the start of display of the indicator on the liquid crystal display section 124. Therefore, after starting to display on the liquid crystal display section 124 an index that allows the user to grasp the order of operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, which are operated in the earlier order, the effect control means 334 displays the indicator for the stop switch 120a, which is operated later, before the display is completed. , 120b, and 120c are displayed on the liquid crystal display section 124.

For example, as shown in FIG. 16(c), the effect control means 334 may perform two stops between the time it starts displaying the index including the numerical value "1" indicating the first stop operation and the time it completes the display. The indicator including the number "2" indicating that the second stop operation is to be performed is started to be displayed, and the third stop operation is performed during the period from the start of displaying the index including the number "2" indicating that the second stop operation is to be performed until the display is completed. It is also possible to start displaying an index including the numerical value "3". Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 16(d), the effect control means 334 performs two stops between the time when the indicator including the numerical value "1" indicating the first stop operation is started and the display is completed. This is the period from the start of displaying the indicator including the number "2" indicating that the second stop operation is to be performed until the display is completed, and the first stop operation Simultaneously with the completion of the display of the index including the numerical value "1" indicating that the third stop operation is to be performed, it is also possible to start displaying the index including the numerical value "3" indicating that the third stop operation is to be performed. In addition, as shown in FIG. 16(e), the effect control means 334 performs two stops from the start of displaying the index including the numerical value "1" indicating the first stop operation until the display is completed. This is the period from the start of displaying the indicator including the number "2" indicating that the second stop operation is to be performed until the display is completed, and the first stop operation It is also possible to start displaying the indicator including the numerical value "3" indicating that the third stop operation is to be performed before the display of the indicator including the numerical value "1" indicating that the third stop operation is to be performed is completed.

In this way, after starting to display an indicator including the number ``1'' indicating that the first stop operation is to be performed, an indicator including the number ``2'' indicating that the second stop operation is to be performed may be started to be displayed. By starting to display the indicator including the number ``2'' indicating that the third stop operation is to be performed, and then starting to display the indicator including the number ``3'' indicating that the third stop operation is to be performed, as shown in FIGS. 16(a) and 16(b) Similarly, the player can intuitively (visually) understand the order of operations (operate the one that started displaying first) not only by the numbers indicating the order of operations, but also by the fact that the display started first. This makes it possible to avoid erroneous operations compared to simply displaying numerical values indicating the order of operations.

In addition, before the indicator including the number "1" indicating that the first stop operation is to be performed starts displaying the indicator containing the number "2" indicating that the second stop operation is to be performed, or the second stop operation is performed. By starting to display the indicator including the numeric value ``3'' indicating that the third stop operation is to be performed before the indicator including the numeric value ``2'' indicating that the third stop operation is to be performed is completed, as a result, the third stop operation is not performed. Since the display of the indicator including the numerical value "3" indicating the third stop operation can be completed early, the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c becomes effective from the completion of the display of the indicator including the numerical value "3" indicating the third stop operation. This will give you enough time to complete the process. In this case, even if a player starts operating the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c after understanding all the correct operation batting orders, he or she cannot operate the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c after understanding all the correct operation batting orders. Sufficient time can be secured until the first stop operation becomes effective, making it possible to sufficiently prepare for the first stop operation and appropriately avoid erroneous operations.

Furthermore, even when there are three correct operation modes, erroneous operations can be similarly avoided. For example, as shown in FIG. 17A, after completing the display of the index including the numerical value "1" indicating that the first stop operation is to be performed, the effect control means 334 may display a symbol ( For example, indicators including "-" will start to be displayed at the same time. In addition, as shown in FIG. 17(b), the effect control means 334 displays a symbol regardless of the stop order regarding other stop switches at the same time as the display of the index including the numerical value "1" indicating that the first stop operation is to be performed is completed. It is also possible to start displaying the included indicators at the same time. In addition, as shown in FIG. 17(c), the production control means 334 controls other stop switches from the time when the index including the numerical value "1" indicating that the first stop operation is performed until the display is completed. It is also possible to start displaying indicators including symbols regardless of the order in which they are stopped.

In this way, by starting to display the indicator including the numerical value "1" indicating that the first stop operation is to be performed, and then starting to display the indicator including the symbol that does not care about the stop order regarding other stop switches, the player can: In addition to numerical values indicating the order of operations, the order of operations can be determined based on the fact that the display started first (the one that started displaying first is operated first), so simply display the numerical value indicating the order of operations. In some cases, it is possible to avoid erroneous operations (loss of gaming profits). Then, the display start and display completion of such indicators are made to correspond to each of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, and to each of the order of operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, which are correct operation modes. By managing multiple layers, it is possible to further improve development efficiency.

Further, each process performed by the main control board 200 and the sub-control board 202 described above does not necessarily need to be performed in chronological order according to the order described in the flowchart, and may include processing in parallel or by a subroutine.

100 Slot machine (gaming machine)
304 Winning type lottery means 306 Reel control means 308 Judgment means 310 Payout control means (game value giving means)
312 Game state control means 314 Performance state control means (count value updating means, end control means)

Claims (2)

Reels with arranged symbols,
reel control means that starts rotating the reel in response to operation of a start switch and stops rotation of the reel in response to operation of a plurality of stop switches;
a lottery means for determining the validity of the winning role;
A production control means capable of displaying an image;
Equipped with
A layer is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of stop switches,
The performance control means is
An auxiliary effect may be executed to notify the player of the order of operation of the stop switches that is advantageous to the player,
A navigation image can be displayed on a liquid crystal display based on execution of the auxiliary effect,
The navigation image includes a first image, a second image, a third image, and a fourth image,
The first image is an image indicating that a first stop operation is to be performed, which is arranged at a display position corresponding to the stop switch that is to be operated the first stop in the layer corresponding to the stop switch that is to be operated the first stop. ,
The second image is an image indicating that a second stop operation is to be performed, which is arranged at a display position corresponding to the stop switch that is to perform the second stop operation in the layer that corresponds to the stop switch that is to perform the second stop operation. ,
The display start timing of the first image is the same as the display start timing of the second image,
The timing at which the first image becomes the final display mode is later than the timing at which the second image becomes the final display mode ,
The third image and the fourth image are arranged in the display position corresponding to the stop switch in which the order of operation does not matter, in the layer corresponding to the stop switch in which the order of operation does not matter, and the order of operation does not matter. This is an image showing
The display start timing of the third image is the same as the display start timing of the fourth image,
In the gaming machine, the timing at which the third image and the fourth image become the final display mode is earlier than the timing at which the first image becomes the final display mode . Reels with arranged symbols,
reel control means that starts rotating the reel in response to operation of a start switch and stops rotation of the reel in response to operation of a plurality of stop switches;
a lottery means for determining the validity of the winning role;
A production control means capable of displaying an image;
Equipped with
The performance control means is
An auxiliary effect may be executed to notify the player of the order of operation of the stop switches that is advantageous to the player,
A layer is provided corresponding to each of the operation orders,
A navigation image can be displayed on a liquid crystal display based on execution of the auxiliary effect,
The navigation image includes a first image, a second image, a third image, and a fourth image,
The first image is an image indicating that the first stop operation is to be performed, which is arranged at a display position corresponding to the stop switch that performs the first stop operation in the layer corresponding to the first stop operation;
The second image is an image indicating that a second stop operation is to be performed, which is arranged at a display position corresponding to the stop switch that performs the second stop operation in the layer that corresponds to the second stop operation;
The display start timing of the first image is the same as the display start timing of the second image,
The timing at which the first image becomes the final display mode is later than the timing at which the second image becomes the final display mode ,
The third image and the fourth image are images indicating that the order of operations does not matter, and are arranged at display positions corresponding to the stop switches, which do not matter in the order of operations, in the layer where the order of operations does not matter;
The display start timing of the third image is the same as the display start timing of the fourth image,
In the gaming machine, the timing at which the third image and the fourth image become the final display mode is earlier than the timing at which the first image becomes the final display mode .

Images