JP2009195365A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to prevent significant power consumption by a driving means for rotationally driving a reel and adverse effects on the durability of a gaming machine.
When a stop operation is not performed even after one minute has elapsed from the start of reel rotation, each sub reel is rotated at a lower speed than before one minute has elapsed. In this case, the rotation is performed while maintaining a relative position such that a loss of appearance is displayed on the reel display window portion of the sub reel regardless of the position at which it stops. When 3 minutes have elapsed from the start of rotation of the reel without performing the stop operation, the reel display window portion displays a loss outcome and the sub-reel automatically stops.
[Selection] Figure 35

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachislot machine.

  Conventionally, a plurality of reels in which a plurality of symbols are arranged on the respective circumferential surfaces, and a plurality of reels corresponding to each of the reels, a part of the plurality of symbols arranged on the circumferential surface of each reel. Requests to start reel rotation based on player's operation (hereinafter referred to as “start operation”) on condition that a display window for displaying the symbol so that the player can see and a medal is inserted A start switch that outputs a signal to perform, a stop switch that outputs a signal requesting the stop of rotation of the reel according to the type of the reel, based on an operation by the player (hereinafter referred to as “stop operation”), and these start 2. Description of the Related Art A gaming machine (so-called pachislot machine) including a control unit that controls the operation of a motor based on signals output from a switch and a stop switch, and rotates and stops each reel is known. There. In such a pachi-slot, it is determined whether or not a winning is made based on a combination of symbols displayed by the plurality of display windows, and medals are paid out when it is determined that a winning is achieved.

  Currently, the mainstream pachislot machine performs an internal lottery when it detects a start operation by a player, and stops the reel rotation based on the result of the lottery and the timing of the stop operation by the player. For example, when the result related to winning is determined by the internal lottery described above (hereinafter, the result of the internal lottery is referred to as “internal winning combination”), the player performs a stop operation so that the winning is established. Even after the operation is performed, the rotation of the reel continues within a predetermined period (for example, 190 ms), and then stops. Further, if the internal winning combination related to winning is not determined, the rotation of the reel is stopped so that winning is not established. In other words, in such a game machine, a stop operation (so-called “eye push”) at an appropriate timing is required in many situations, and what combination of symbols is displayed on the display window when the rotation of the reel is stopped. Is related to the timing of the stop operation, that is, the skill of the player.

Patent Document 1 discloses a game machine that performs a so-called automatic stop in which a reel is automatically stopped when the player does not perform a stop operation for a predetermined time after the reel is rotated by a start operation. It is disclosed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-290353

  However, even in the case of automatically stopping the reel by automatic stop, compared to the case where the player performs a stop operation to stop the reel, the motor that rotates the reel must be driven for a long time. There is a problem that the driving power of the motor is remarkably consumed, and the durability of the gaming machine is affected by the heat generated by the motor.

  Furthermore, in recent years, there has been a game machine that does not provide automatic stop and the reel continues to rotate until the player does not perform stop operation. In such a game machine, the motor drive power is significantly consumed. There is a problem that the adverse effect on the durability of the gaming machine is even greater.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can prevent a significant consumption of electric power by a driving unit that rotationally drives a reel and an adverse effect on the durability of the gaming machine due to this.

  (1) In the present invention, an internal winning combination determination that determines an internal winning combination in response to a plurality of reels each having a plurality of symbols displayed on the surface, driving means for rotationally driving the reels, and a predetermined start condition. And a stop operation detecting means for detecting a stop operation, and when the predetermined start condition is satisfied, the drive means starts to rotate the reel, and the rotation speed of the reel becomes a predetermined speed and the stop When the operation detecting means detects the stop operation, the symbol display control means for controlling the driving means to stop the rotation of the reel, and the reel continues to rotate after the predetermined start condition is satisfied. A game duration measuring means for measuring a duration, a time determining means for judging whether or not the duration measured by the game duration measuring means has reached a predetermined time, and the time After the determination means determines that the duration time measured by the game duration measurement means has reached a predetermined time, the variable speed for changing the predetermined speed of the reel so as to be slower than before. And the symbol display control means gives a profit to the player when it is determined by the time determination means that the duration measured by the game duration measurement means has reached a predetermined time. In a gaming machine, wherein the reels are controlled to rotate synchronously while the symbol combinations other than the predetermined symbol combinations corresponding to the internal winning combination are aligned with the reels. is there.

  (2) In this case, the symbol display control means gives a profit to the player after it is determined by the time determination means that the duration measured by the game duration measurement means has reached a predetermined time. Each reel may be stopped so that a combination of symbols other than a predetermined symbol combination corresponding to an internal winning combination is displayed on each reel.

  According to the invention of (1), even when the predetermined start is established and the reel starts to rotate and the duration of the rotation continues reaches a predetermined time, the player does not perform the stop operation and the reel is not operated. When the is rotating, the reels are synchronized with the combination of symbols (losing symbols) other than the predetermined symbol combination corresponding to the internal winning combination that gives the player a benefit. Thus, since the rotational drive is performed at a low speed, it is possible to give the player an impression that the player will be disadvantaged if the reel stop operation is not performed, and the stop operation can be promoted. Therefore, the player can stop the reels at an early stage, and the rotation of the reels is slowed down after a predetermined time, thereby reducing the power of the driving means and improving the durability of the driving means. Can be made.

  According to the invention of (2), after the lapse of a predetermined time, each reel is displayed by displaying a combination of symbols (losing symbols) other than the predetermined symbol combination corresponding to the internal winning combination that gives a profit to the player. Since the vehicle will stop, the player who will suffer such a disadvantage if stop control is not performed at an early stage is encouraged to stop control, to reduce the power of the drive means, and to improve the durability of the drive means Can do.

  Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[External configuration]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment. The gaming machine 1 is specifically an example of a pachislot machine. The gaming machine 1 is a gaming machine that uses a gaming medium such as a card that stores information on gaming value assigned to or given to a player in addition to coins, medals, gaming balls, tokens, and the like. However, in the following description, medals are used as game media.

  Three small main reels 2, 3, 4 are provided inside the cabinet behind the frame provided at the center of the control panel of the gaming machine 1. Hereinafter, the main reel 2 is also referred to as a left reel 2, the main reel 3 is also referred to as a middle reel 3, and the main reel 4 is also referred to as a right reel 4. Each of the main reels 2 to 4 is rotated vertically, and a symbol row in which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged is drawn on the outer peripheral surface thereof. In addition, sub-reels 5, 6 and 7 larger than the main reels 2 to 4 are provided inside the cabinet above the main reels 2 to 4. Each of the sub reels 5 to 7 rotates vertically, and a symbol row in which a plurality of types of symbols for effect display are arranged is drawn on the outer peripheral surface thereof.

  A reel display window 39 serving as a display window is provided at the front of the main reels 2 to 4, and a symbol row drawn on the outer peripheral surface of each main reel 2 to 4 is displayed through the reel display window 39. It can be visually recognized in the range of three. Further, a reel display window 50 is provided in front of the sub reels 5 to 7, and the display windows 5A, 6A, and 7A formed on the reel display window 50 are passed through the outer peripheral surfaces of the sub reels 5 to 7. The drawn symbol sequence can be visually recognized within the range of three symbols.

  Each of the main reels 2 to 4 and the sub reels 5 to 7 has a reel band attached to the outer periphery of the reel drum, and the symbol row is drawn on the reel band. In addition, inside the reel drums constituting the main reels 2 to 4 and the sub reels 5 to 7, light is emitted in various colors that illuminate the pattern drawn on the reel band attached to each reel drum from behind. Reel back lamps 47a, 47b, 47c, and reel back lamps 48a, 48b, 48c made of LEDs (light emitting diodes) are provided.

  The control panel on the right side of the reel display window 39 is provided with a slot 9 for a player to insert medals. Prior to the start of the game, when a player inserts a medal from the insertion slot 9, a plurality of winning lines (not shown in FIG. 1) on the reel display window 39 and the display windows 5A to 7A of the reel display window 50 are displayed. A plurality of winning lines not shown in FIG. 1 are activated. When a combination of predetermined symbols is aligned on the activated pay line (valid line), a display combination is established.

  In the reel display window 50 on the left side of the display windows 5A to 7A, from the top, a bonus count display unit 10, medal insertion number display lamps (bet lamps) 13 to 15, a payout number display unit 16, and a stored number display unit 17 are displayed. , And game operation indicators 18 to 22 are provided. The bonus count display unit 10 is composed of a three-digit 7-segment LED, and digitally displays the number of remaining winnings that can be won in an RB (regular bonus) gaming state, which will be described later, when the bonus game is activated. The medal insertion number display lamps (bet lamps) 13 to 15 are controlled to be lit according to the number of inserted medals, and inform the player of the number of inserted medals at that time. The payout number display unit 16 is composed of a two-digit 7-segment LED and displays the number of medals paid out by winning. The stored number display unit 17 is composed of a three-digit 7-segment LED and displays the number of medals currently credited in the apparatus. The game operation indicators 18 to 22 are controlled to be turned on according to the game situation, and inform the player of the game situation at that time.

  The reel display window 50 on the right side of the display windows 5A to 7A is provided with a game number display 23, a game state suggestion lamp 24, a start lamp 25, a WIN lamp 26, and an insert lamp 27 from the top. Yes. The number-of-games display unit 23 is made up of a three-digit 7-segment LED and digitally displays a predetermined number of remaining games. The gaming state suggestion lamp 24 includes a gaming state suggestion lamp 24a and a gaming state suggestion lamp 24b, and lighting control is performed according to the gaming state. The start lamp 25 blinks when the main reels 2 to 4 are operable. The WIN lamp 26 is turned on when a winning combination (internal winning combination) relating to the operation of the bonus game is determined. Further, the insert lamp 27 is lit when the insertion slot 9 can accept insertion of medals.

  The control panel on the left side of the reel display window 39 includes a 1-stored medal insertion button (1-bet button) 30, a 2-stored medal insertion button (2-bet button) 31, and a 3-storage medal insertion button (max bet button) 32. Is provided. Each of these stored medal insertion buttons 30 to 32 displays 1 to 3 medals in one game when the number of medals is displayed and credited in the stored number display unit 17. Used when betting instead of insertion.

  From the left side, a start lever 33, stop buttons (stop buttons) 34, 35, and 36, and a stored medal settlement button 37 are provided below the control panel provided with the reel display window 39.

  The start lever 33 is a lever for performing a start operation for starting a unit game (one game), and constitutes a start operation means. That is, the operation of the start lever 33 starts the rotation of the main reels 2 to 4 and the sub reels 5 to 7 all at once. That is, with the start operation as a trigger, the symbols displayed by the main reels 2 to 4 are changed.

  The left, middle, and right stop buttons 34, 35, and 36 are arranged corresponding to the left, middle, and right main main reels 2, 3, and 4, respectively, and also on the sub reels 5, 6, and 7, respectively. The operation is enabled when the rotation of the main reels 2 to 4 reaches a certain speed, and the rotation of the main reels 2 to 4 and the sub reels 5 to 7 is stopped according to the player's operation. Perform a stop operation. Each of the stop buttons 34 to 36 constitute stop operation means for stopping the change of the symbols in a plurality of rows by the main reels 2 to 4. Here, when all the main reels 2 to 4 and the sub reels 5 to 7 are rotating, the first stop operation performed after the first stop operation and the second stop operation performed after the first stop operation are performed. The stop operation performed after the stop operation and the second stop operation is referred to as a third stop operation. The first reel stop is referred to as a first stop, the second reel stop is referred to as a second stop, and the third reel stop is referred to as a third stop.

  The stored medal settlement button 37 is used to switch between playing a game by crediting medals in the apparatus or directly inserting a medal into the slot 9 and playing all medals credited inside the apparatus. Used when paying out and paying.

  A medal tray 52 is provided at the lower front portion of the gaming machine 1. The medal tray 52 stores medals paid out from the medal payout opening 53. A speaker 54 is provided to the right of the medal payout opening 53. A pair of speakers 96 and 96 are also provided on the left and right sides of the front upper portion of the gaming machine 1.

  Inside the housing of the gaming machine 1, there are a setting button (not shown) operated when setting a setting value of a payout rate and a reset button (not shown) operated when selecting a setting value of a payout rate. Is provided. The payout rate indicates the ratio of the total number of medals paid out to the total number of medals inserted into the gaming machine 1. In this example, six levels of setting values 1 to 6 are prepared.

  Here, “unit game (1 game)” means that the main reels 2 to 4 rotate in response to the player's operation on the start lever 33 and then the main game in response to the player's operation on the stop buttons 34 to 36. The rotation of the reels 2 to 4 stops, and the start of the next game is permitted until the medals are paid out according to the combination of symbols aligned on the winning line activated at this time (next time Before the game).

[Hardware configuration]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection of a main control board (main control board) 61 that controls the game processing operation of the gaming machine 1, and FIG. 3 is a sub-control that controls the rendering operation of the gaming machine 1. 6 is a block diagram showing electrical connection of a control system centering on a substrate (sub control substrate) 62. FIG.

  The control unit in the main control board 61 shown in FIG. 2 includes a microcomputer 63 as a main component, and is added with a circuit for random number sampling. The microcomputer 63 includes a CPU (main CPU) 64 that performs a control operation in accordance with a preset program, a program ROM 65 that stores various programs and fixed data, and a control RAM 66 with a backup function that serves as a work area for the CPU 64. ing.

  The CPU 64 includes a clock pulse generation circuit 67 that generates a reference clock pulse, a frequency divider 68 that divides the reference clock pulse, a random number generator 69 that generates a certain range of random numbers, and 1 of the generated random numbers. A sampling circuit 70 for specifying one is connected. Further, the CPU 64 is connected to an I / O port (input / output port) 71 that exchanges signals with various peripheral devices described later.

  The main actuators whose operation is controlled by a control signal from the microcomputer 63 include a stepping motor 45 that rotationally drives each main reel 2 to 4, various lamps (bet lamps 13 to 15, start lamp 25, WIN lamp 26, insert Lamp 27), various display units (game operation indicators 18 to 22, stored number display unit 17, bonus count display unit 10, game number display unit 23, payout number display unit 16), hopper 72 for storing medals, and the like. . These are driven by a motor drive circuit 73, each lamp drive circuit 74, each display unit drive circuit 75, and a hopper drive circuit 76, respectively. These drive circuits 73 to 76 are connected to the CPU 64 via the I / O port 71.

  Further, as main input signal generating means for generating an input signal necessary for the microcomputer 63 to generate a control signal, the operation of the inserted medal sensor 9S for detecting the medal inserted from the insertion slot 9 and the start lever 33 is performed. Detection start switch 33S, storage medal insertion buttons 30, 31, 32 detecting operation of stored medal insertion switches 30S, 31S, 32S, storage medal adjustment switch 37S detecting operation of stored medal adjustment button 37, setting button not shown There are a setting switch 56S for detecting the operation of the reset button and a reset switch 55S for detecting the operation of the reset button.

  The start switch 33S constitutes start operation detecting means for detecting that a unit game start operation has been performed by inserting a medal into the insertion slot 9 and operating the start lever 33. The random number generator 69 constitutes random number generating means for generating a random number.

  Further, as the input signal generating means, a reel position detection circuit 77 for detecting the rotational position of each main reel 2 to 4 in response to an output pulse signal from a photo sensor provided inside each main reel 2 to 4. There is. The photo sensor is included in the driving mechanism of each main reel 2 to 4 and is not shown in FIG.

  The reel position detection circuit 77 counts the number of drive pulses supplied to each of the stepping motors 45 after the rotation of the main reels 2 to 4 is started, and this count value is written in a predetermined area of the control RAM 66. Therefore, in the control RAM 66, for each of the main reels 2 to 4, a count value corresponding to the rotation position within one rotation range is stored as a reel index indicating the rotation position of the main reel. The photosensor generates a reset pulse every time the main reels 2 to 4 make one rotation. The reset pulse is recognized by the CPU 64 via the reel position detection circuit 77, and the count value of the drive pulse counted by the control RAM 66 is cleared to “0”. By this clearing process, a shift that occurs between the movement display of each symbol and the rotation of each stepping smoke 45 is eliminated every rotation.

  Here, symbol positions “0” to “17” for identifying each of the symbols arranged on the peripheral surfaces of the main reels 2 to 4 are sequentially defined in the rotation direction of the reels. Then, the reel position detection circuit 77 causes the reel index to be positioned so that the symbol corresponding to the symbol position “0” is positioned at the center line (more precisely, the center of the middle area of the reel display window 39 in FIG. 1). Is detected. For example, when the value of the symbol counter stored in the RAM 66 that counts the number of symbols by detecting the reel index becomes “0”, the symbol corresponding to the symbol position “0” is positioned at the center line, As a result, the symbol counter is associated with the symbol position. Therefore, by referring to the symbol counter, it is possible to identify the symbol located on the center line.

  A reel stop signal circuit 78 that generates a signal for stopping the corresponding main reels 2 to 4 when the stop buttons 34 to 36 are pressed, a medal detection unit 72S that counts the number of medals paid out from the hopper 72, and a payout completion (not shown) The signal generation circuit serves as input signal generation means. These are also connected to the CPU 64 via the I / O port 71. The payout completion signal generation circuit pays out medals when the actually paid out medal count value input from the medal detection unit 72S reaches the payout number data represented by the count signal input from each display unit drive circuit 75. Generates a signal to detect completion of

  The reel stop signal circuit 78 constitutes a stop operation detecting means for detecting a stop operation of a changing symbol. Further, the stepping motor 45, the motor drive circuit 73, the reel position detection circuit 77, and the microcomputer 63 are based on the symbols displayed by the main reels 2 to 4 based on the detection of the symbol stop operation performed by the reel stop signal circuit 78. The stop control means is configured to display the symbols corresponding to the internal winning combination determined from among the symbols within a predetermined symbol variation range and to stop the variation of the symbols displayed by the main reels 2 to 4. Further, the hopper 72, the medal detection unit 72S, the hopper driving circuit 76, the payout completion signal generation circuit, and the microcomputer 63 give the player a medal based on the combination of symbols stopped and displayed on the main reels 2 to 4 by the stop control means. A game medium payout means for paying out the game.

  A sub-control unit communication port 79 is connected to the I / O port 71, and the microcomputer 63 sends a signal to the sub-control board 62 via the sub-control unit communication port 79. The sub control board 62 shown in FIG. 3 is provided with a main control unit communication port 88 that receives this signal via the main sub relay board 97 and the sub relay board 98. Communication between the sub control unit communication port 79 and the main control unit communication port 88 is performed only in one direction from the sub control unit communication port 79 to the main control unit communication port 88 (from the main control unit communication port 88 to the sub control unit communication port 88). The control signal is not transmitted to the control unit communication port 79). In the present embodiment, the control signal (command) sent from the sub-control unit communication boat 79 to the main control unit communication port 88 is a 7-bit command type indicating the control type and a maximum 24-bit length. It consists of parameters that describe the contents of the command.

  The sub control board 62 performs a predetermined effect based on a command transmitted from the main control board 61. The control unit in the sub-control board 62 is configured with the microcomputer 81 as a main component. Similarly to the microcomputer 63 on the main control board 61, the microcomputer 81 also has a CPU (sub CPU) 82 that performs a control operation according to a preset program, a ROM 83 that stores various control programs and fixed data, and a work area of the CPU 82. And a control RAM 84 with a backup function. Also connected to the CPU 82 are a clock pulse generation circuit 85 that generates a reference clock pulse, a frequency divider 86 that divides the reference clock pulse, and an I / O port 87 that exchanges signals with each actuator. ing.

  The CPU 82 performs overall control processing of game effects according to a predetermined processing procedure. This processing procedure is stored in the ROM 83 as a sequence program. The CPU 82 is connected to the ROM 83 through the address bus disconnect circuit 89 and the data bus through the data bus disconnect circuit 90. The L level signal is output via the I / O port 87, and subsequently, the L level signal is also output via the I / O port 87 to the output enable terminals E of the disconnecting circuits 89 and 90.

  In each of the disconnecting circuits 89 and 90, when the H level signal is input to the output enable terminal E, the data output terminal is in a high impedance state, and the CPU 82 and the ROM 83 are electrically insulated. Thus, the address bus data and data bus data input from the CPU 82 to the data input terminals of the disconnecting circuits 89 and 90 are not output from the data output terminals of the disconnecting circuits 89 and 90, respectively. However, when the L level signal is input to the respective output enable terminals E, the disconnecting circuits 89 and 90 receive the address bus data and data bus data input from the CPU 82 to the respective data input terminals as they are from the data output terminals. Output. By this data output, the CPU 82 can access to read out information from the ROM 83 via the address bus and the data bus.

  A sub reel control unit 62 a is connected to the sub relay board 98. As an actuator whose operation is controlled by a control signal from the microcomputer 81, a stepping motor 101 that rotates and drives the sub reels 5 to 7 in the sub reel control unit 62a, reel back lamps 47a to 47c built in the main reels 2 to 4, respectively. There are reel back lamps 48a to 48c built in the sub reels 5 to 7 and the game state suggestion lamp 24 described above. Each stepping motor 101 is driven by a motor drive circuit 103. Further, lighting of the reel back lamps 47 a to 47 c and the game state suggestion lamp 24 is controlled by a drive signal from a lamp drive circuit 89 connected to the I / O port 87. The reel back lamps 48 a to 48 c are controlled by a drive signal from the lamp drive circuit 107. The lamp driving circuit 107 is connected to the sub relay board 98 and operates based on a command from the CPU 82.

  As an input signal generating means for generating an input signal necessary for the microcomputer 81 to generate a control signal, the rotational position of the sub reels 5 to 7 is received in response to an output pulse signal from a photosensor provided on the sub reels 5 to 7. There is a reel position detection circuit 105 for detecting the above. This photosensor is included in the drive mechanism of each of the sub reels 5 to 7 and is not shown in FIG.

  A ROM 83 is connected to the sound source IC 91 via an address bus and a data bus. The ROM 83 stores audio data in addition to the sequence program of the CPU 82, and the chip select terminal S is connected to the I / O port 87. The sound source IC 91 transmits the output of the power amplifier 92 to the speakers 54, 96, and 96 through the I / O port 87, the main control unit communication port 88, and the sub relay board 98 under the control of the microcomputer 81 to output sound. . The microcomputer 81 controls the sound source IC 91 and the word amplifier 92 in accordance with instructions input from the main control board 61 via the main sub-relay board 97, the sub-relay board 98, and the main control unit communication port 88. Sound effects such as operation sounds, stop button operation sounds, and game sounds during bonus games are output from the speakers 54, 96, and 96. In addition, sound is output from the speakers 54, 96, and 96 with a sound output pattern based on the presentation mode selected based on the game state and the internal winning combination information fetched from the main control board 61.

  The sound source IC 91 includes a control terminal C connected to the I / O port 87, a bus release control terminal Z, and a reset terminal R, and outputs sound from the speakers 54, 96, and 96 according to signals input to the control terminal C. To control. Further, when the signal input to the bus opening control terminal Z is at L level, the sound source IC 91 enables the address bus and the data bus and enables read information access to the ROM 83 using each bus. However, when the signal input to the bus opening control terminal Z is at the H level, the address bus and the data bus are set to the high impedance state, and the electrical connection between the sound source IC 91 and the ROM 83 is cut off to perform the information read access to the ROM 83. To lose. When the sound source IC 91 detects that a high level signal is input to the reset terminal R, the sound source IC 91 starts its operation.

  The address bus disconnection circuit 89, the data bus disconnection circuit 90, and the CPU 82 described above control signals input to the output enable terminal K of each isolation circuit 89, 90 and the bus release control terminal Z of the sound source IC 91. The information read access to the ROM 83 is restricted to either the CPU 82 or the sound source IC 91, and access adjustment is performed so as not to allow simultaneous access. That is, when the CPU 82 is to perform information read access to the ROM 83, an L level signal is input to the output enable terminal E of each disconnection circuit 89, 90 by this access arbitration, and the address bus between the CPU 82 and the ROM 83. And the data bus are electrically connected, and an H level signal is input to the bus opening control terminal Z of the sound source IC 91, so that the electrical connection by the address bus and data bus between the sound source IC 91 and the ROM 83 is established. I will be refused. On the other hand, when the sound source IC 91 is to perform information reading access to the ROM 83, an H level signal is input to the output enable terminal E of each of the disconnecting circuits 89 and 90 by the access arbitration, and the address bus between the CPU 82 and the ROM 83. In addition, the electrical connection by the data bus is cut off, the L level signal is input to the bus opening control terminal Z of the sound source IC 91, and the address bus and the data bus between the sound source IC 91 and the ROM 83 are electrically connected. To be.

  The bus opening control terminal Z of the sound source IC 91 and the chip select terminal S of the ROM 83 are connected to the dividing circuit 93. When the signal input to the bus release control terminal Z is at the L level and the signal input to the chip select terminal S is also at the L level, the dividing circuit 93 falls into a state where the CPU 82 cannot perform control processing and is in a runaway state. H level signals are output to the output enable terminals E of the address bus disconnection circuit 89 and the data bus disconnection circuit 90, and the address bus and data bus between the CPU 82 and the ROM 83 are electrically connected. Keep it insulated. The dividing circuit 93 divides an electrical connection path through which the CPU 82 accesses the ROM 83 when the CPU 82 falls into a state where control processing cannot be performed.

[Main tables and storage areas]
Next, various main tables and various storage areas used in the main control board 61 will be described. These tables are stored in the program ROM 65 or the like, and a storage area or the like is prepared in the control RAM 66 or the like.

  The symbol arrangement table will be described with reference to FIG.

  The symbol arrangement table represents the configuration of symbols arranged around each reel as data. FIG. 4 is a symbol arrangement table for the main reels 2, 3 and 4. In the symbol arrangement table, when the reel index is detected, the symbol located in the middle of each symbol display area is defined as symbol position “0”, and symbol positions “0” to “18” corresponding to the symbol counter described above are displayed. The symbol type corresponding to each symbol position is defined. Each symbol type is represented by 1-byte data. Therefore, based on the symbol arrangement table and the symbol counter, a symbol located in the middle of the symbol display area of each reel, a symbol adjacent to the symbol, and the like can be specified. The symbols displayed on the main reels 2, 3, and 4 are referred to as special symbols.

  In the main reels 2, 3, and 4, the position of the symbol that will eventually become the stop control position when the player performs a stop operation at a certain symbol position ranges from the symbol position when the stop button is pressed to 3 frames. It is.

  Next, the internal lottery table determination table of the main control board 61 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The internal lottery table determination table is a table for determining an internal lottery table, which will be described later, according to the gaming state. That is, the internal lottery table for the general gaming state is determined in the general gaming state, the internal lottery table for the RT gaming state is determined in the RT gaming state, and the internal lottery table for the RB gaming state is determined in the RB gaming state. It is determined. In addition, regardless of the general gaming state and the RT gaming state, when the value of the carryover combination storage area described later is 1 and there is a carryover combination, the number of lotteries described later is determined to be 20, and the carryover combination storage area value is 0. When there is no winning combination, the number of lotteries is determined to be 23. In the RB gaming state, the number of lotteries is always determined to be 4.

  Next, the internal lottery table of the main control board 61 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the internal lottery table, lottery values and data pointers assigned for each winning number are defined. Two types of data pointers are defined: a small role / replay type and a bonus type.

  In the internal lottery table, the same number as the number of lotteries determined based on the internal lottery table determination table is selected first. Then, the lottery value corresponding to the current winning number is subtracted from the random number value extracted from the numerical range of “0 to 65535” (the denominator 65536). Select the data pointer for the small role / replay and the bonus. If there is no digit, “1” is added to the current winning number, and the lottery value corresponding to the winning number after the addition is further subtracted from the subtracted value. For example, the data pointer for the small role / replay and bonus corresponding to the winning number is selected. If no digit is set, “1” is added to the current winning number. Thereafter, the same processing is repeated until a digit is performed or a subtraction for the number of lotteries described later is performed. A loss when it is not performed digits hunting even if there is no winning number. Thus, the internal lottery table is a table for performing lottery for determining the data pointers for the small role / replay and the bonus. The data pointers for the small combination / replay and bonus are data for specifying the winning request flag by the internal winning combination determination table described later, and the winning request flag is data for specifying the internal winning combination. .

  FIG. 6 shows a general gaming state internal lottery table used in the general gaming state. FIG. 6 is an internal lottery table when the aforementioned setting value is 1, and the number of medals inserted in the general gaming state is 3. In the internal game state internal lottery table, in addition to the small role and replay, BB (big bonus) 1, BB2, MB (middle bonus) are also lottery.

  FIG. 7 shows an internal lottery table for the RB gaming state used in the RB (regular bonus) gaming state. FIG. 7 is an internal lottery table common to all setting values for the above-described setting values, and the number of inserted medals is 2 in the RB gaming state. In the internal lottery table for the RB gaming state, as shown in a small combination / replay internal winning combination determination table described later, the small combination of the small combination / replay data pointers 1 to 4 is won.

  FIG. 8 shows an internal lottery table for during replay time (hereinafter abbreviated as “RT”) operation. This is an internal lottery table used during RT operation. In FIG. 8, the winning numbers 1 to 16 are the same as the internal lottery table for the general gaming state and are not shown. FIG. 8 is an internal lottery table common to all set values for the above set values, and the number of inserted medals in RT is 3. In the internal lottery table for the general gaming state, the lottery value of the winning number 17 is defined as “8000”, whereas in the RT lottery table for RT operation, the lottery value of the winning number 17 is considerably larger than “40000”. It is stipulated in. That is, in the internal lottery table for RT operation, the winning probability of the small role / replay data pointer 5 of the winning number 17 (in the case of internal winning for replay described later) is larger than that of the internal lottery table for general gaming state. The structure is quite high. Therefore, during RT operation, the replay winning probability related to re-game operation is very high, so it is possible to reduce the consumption of medals compared to the case where the same number of unit games are performed in the general game state. It becomes.

  Next, the internal winning combination determination table of the main control board 61 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As the internal winning combination determination table, a small winning combination / replay internal winning combination determination table shown in FIG. 9 and a bonus internal winning combination determination table shown in FIG. 10 are prepared. In these internal winning combination determination tables, the above-described data pointers for small roles / replays and bonuses are associated with the data of the hit request flag. The winning request flag is an identifier for specifying an internal winning combination.

  In the small winning combination / replay winning symbol determination table, for example, when the small winning combination / replay data pointer is “1”, the corner cherry becomes the internal winning combination, and the small winning combination / replay data pointer is “5”. The replay related to the re-game operation is an internal winning combination. When the small combination / replay data pointer is “0”, it is “lost” without any internal winning of any combination.

  In the bonus internal winning combination determination table, two types of BBs “BB1” and “BB2” corresponding to the bonus data pointers “3” and “2”, respectively, and the bonus data pointer “1” are set. Correspondingly, MBs are respectively defined. The bonus data pointer “0” is “losing”, and no bonus is won internally.

  Next, the symbol combination table of the main control board 61 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the symbol combination table, a symbol combination relating to the provision of a privilege, a display combination corresponding to the combination, a storage area type, and a payout number of medals are defined. The display combination is data for identifying the type of combination of symbols displayed in the symbol display area where the symbols of the main reels 2, 3, and 4 are displayed.

  When cherry is displayed on the left reel 2, ANY is displayed on the middle reel 3 (“ANY” indicates any symbol. The same applies hereinafter), and ANY is displayed on the right reel 4, the display combination is determined to be a corner cherry. . Similarly, the payout number of medals corresponding to the corner cherry is 15 when the number of inserted medals is 2, and 1 when the number is 3. When cherry is displayed on the left reel 2, ANY is displayed on the middle reel 3, and ANY is displayed on the right reel 4, the display combination is determined to be middle cherry. The number of medals corresponding to the medium cherry is 15 when the number of inserted medals is 2, and 2 when the number is 3. The reel display window 39 displays symbols on the upper, middle, and lower tiers of the main reels 2, 3, and 4. The difference between the displayed symbols of the corner cherry and the middle cherry is the upper or lower portion of the symbol display area of the left reel 2. There is a difference in the display position of the cherry symbol, such as whether the cherry is displayed on the left or whether the cherry is displayed in the middle of the symbol display area of the left reel 2. Similarly, in the symbol combination table, a symbol combination related to the provision of a privilege, a display combination, a storage area type, and a payout number corresponding thereto are defined. For example, when “watermelon-watermelon-watermelon” is sequentially displayed along the effective line, the small watermelon is determined as the display combination. In FIG. 11, “−” is displayed as the number of medals paid out, which means that such a number of medals paid out cannot appear.

  When winning a replay, the replay is performed in the next game. In other words, the same number of medals as the number inserted in the game determined as the display combination are automatically inserted in the next game without being based on the player's insertion operation. Thereby, the player can play the next game without consuming medals.

  When “red 7-red 7-red 7” is sequentially displayed along the effective line in the symbol display area where the symbols of the main reels 2, 3, 4 are displayed, the display combination is determined as BB1. When BB1 is determined, the operation of the bonus game of BB1 is started. Similarly, when “blue 7-blue 7-blue 7” is sequentially displayed along the effective line in the symbol display area where the symbols of the main reels 2, 3, and 4 are displayed, the display combination is determined as BB2. . When BB2 is determined, the operation of the bonus game of BB2 is started. Similarly, when “BAR-BAR-BAR” is sequentially displayed along the effective line in the symbol display area where the symbols of the main reels 2, 3, and 4 are displayed, the display combination is determined to be MB. When the MB is determined, the operation of the MB bonus game is started.

  If the symbol combination displayed in the symbol display area of the main reels 2, 3, and 4 does not correspond to any of the symbol combinations defined in the symbol combination table, the display combination is determined to be lost. The

  Next, the bonus operation time table will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the bonus operation time table, data stored in a predetermined area of the control RAM 66 at the start of operation of the bonus game is defined. When the RB is operated, an RB operating flag in an operating flag storage area of the control RAM 66 described later is turned on, 12 is stored in the game possible number counter, and 8 is stored in the winning possible number counter. The game possible number counter is data for counting the number of unit games performed during the RB operation. The winning possible number counter is data for counting the number of times that a winning is determined during the RB operation (for example, a display combination related to a medal payout is determined). Further, when BB1 or BB2 (both are simply referred to as “BB”, the same applies hereinafter), a BB operating flag in an operating flag storage area of the control RAM 66, which will be described later, is turned on, and 345 is displayed in the bonus end number counter. Stored. The bonus end number counter is a counter for managing the total number of medals paid out during the operation of the BB.

  Next, the configuration of the internal winning combination storing area of the control RAM 66 of the main control board 61 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The internal winning combination storing area is divided into an internal winning combination storing area 1 and an internal winning combination storing area 2 shown in FIG. 13, and the internal winning combination storing area 1 and the internal winning combination storing area 2 are respectively determined as the internal winning combination determining area described above. It corresponds to the data of the hit request flag of the table. When the internal winning combination is determined, data indicating the internal winning combination is stored in the internal winning combination storing area.

  The control RAM 66 of the main control board 61 also stores a display combination storage area for storing display combination data. The structure of the display combination storage area is the same as the internal winning combination storage area shown in FIG. 13, and is divided into a display combination storage area 1 and a display combination storage area 2.

  Next, the structure of the carryover combination storage area of the control RAM 66 of the main control board 61 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the internal winning combination relating to the operation of the bonus game is determined by the internal winning combination determining table, an identifier (that is, a flag) indicating the internal winning combination is stored in the carryover combination storing area. Specifically, bit 5, bit 6, and bit 7 correspond to MB, BB1, and BB2, respectively. The identifier stored in the carryover combination storage area is cleared when the bonus game is started. That is, when an internal winning combination related to the operation of the bonus game is determined, the identifier is stored until the operation of the bonus game is started (so-called “carryover” is called, The stored identifier is called “carryover combination”). While the identifier is stored in the carryover combination storage area, the stored identifier is determined as the internal winning combination regardless of the extracted random value. In addition, since the carryover combination is determined based on the internal winning combination, it can be said to be a subordinate concept of the internal winning combination.

  Next, the configuration of the operating flag storage area of the control RAM 66 of the main control board 61 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the in-operation flag storage area, an identifier indicating the type is stored depending on whether the current operation is BB, RB, RT, or the like. Specifically, bits 0, 4, 5, 6, and 7 correspond to the RT operating flag, MB operating flag, CB (challenge bonus) operating flag, RB operating flag, and BB operating flag, respectively. is doing.

[Control operation of main control board]
Next, control performed by the main CPU 64 of the main control board 61 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, a main process performed by the main CPU 64 of the main control board 61 will be described with reference to FIGS. The main CPU 64 turns on the power and applies a voltage to the reset terminal to generate a reset interrupt, and sequentially performs the reset interrupt processing stored in the program ROM 65 based on the occurrence of the reset interrupt. It is configured as follows.

  When the power is turned on, first, the main CPU 64 performs an initialization process (step S1). In this process, a process of restoring the register data and execution address stored in the control RAM 66 when the power is shut off is performed. In this initialization process, the input of the setting switch 56S is checked, and if it is determined that the setting switch 56S is on, the setting value is changed. Specifically, any one of the set values “1” to “6” is stored in the set value storage area of the control RAM 66 based on the human power of the reset switch 55S and the start switch 33S.

  Next, the main CPU 64 clears the designated storage area in the control RAM 66 (step S3). In this process, data stored in various storage areas of the control RAM 66 is cleared. The automatic stop flag to be described later is also cleared in step S3. Next, the main CPU 64 performs a bonus operation monitoring process described later (step S3). In this process, a process for starting the operation of a necessary bonus game is performed. Next, the main CPU 64 performs medal acceptance / start check processing (step S4). In this process, the insertion number counter and the like are updated based on the input check of the insertion medal sensor 9S and the input of the start switch 33S is checked. Next, the main CPU 64 extracts a random number value and stores it in the random value storage area (step S5). In this process, random number values are extracted by the random number generator 69 and the sampling circuit 70 and stored in the random number storage area of the control RAM 66.

  Next, the main CPU 64 performs an internal lottery process described later (step S6). In this process, an internal winning combination is determined by lottery. Next, the main CPU 64 sets a start command in the communication data storage area in the control RAM 66 (step S7). The start command includes data such as an internal winning combination and a gaming state.

  Next, the main CPU 64 sets a reel rotation start command for informing the start of rotation of the main reels 2, 3 and 4 (step S8), and requests the rotation start of all reels (step S9). When the start of rotation of all reels is requested, processing for starting rotation of the main reels 2, 3 and 4 is performed in an interrupt process described later.

  Next, the main CPU 64 sets a value of 32200 in the automatic stop counter (step S10). The automatic stop counter is a counter that manages the time from when all the reels start to rotate by the start operation (step S9) to when the reels are automatically stopped. This automatic stop counter is a down counter which is decremented by 1 every 1.173 ms as will be described later. The value becomes 0 in about 3 minutes, and the reel is automatically stopped.

  Next, the main CPU 64 performs a reel stop control process described later (step S11). In this process, a process for stopping the rotation of all the main reels 2, 3, 4 is performed.

  Next, the main CPU 64 refers to the symbol combination table (FIG. 11), and performs a process of determining a display combination and the like based on a symbol combination displayed along a predetermined effective line (step S12). In this process, a combination of symbols specified in the symbol combination table and a symbol combination displayed in the symbol display area of the main reels 2, 3 and 4 (a combination of three symbols arranged along one of the effective lines) ) Is compared with each other to determine whether or not they match. When they match, the corresponding display combination and medal payout number are determined, and each display combination storage area and the payout number counter are updated. If they do not match, the data stored in each display combination storage area is “0”, and the display combination is lost. In this way, when the rotation of all the reels is stopped by the stop control, whether or not a winning is determined is determined based on the combination of symbols displayed in the symbol display area of the main reels 2, 3 and 4. A privilege is given to the person.

  Next, the main CPU 64 sets a display command in the communication data storage area in the control RAM 66 (step S13). The display command includes data such as the determined display combination that is transmitted when all the main reels 2, 3, and 4 are stopped.

  Next, the main CPU 64 performs medal payout processing (step S14). In this process, the hopper 72 is controlled and the credit counter is updated based on the payout number counter. Next, the main CPU 64 updates the bonus end number counter based on the payout number (step S15). In this process, on the condition that the bonus end number counter is 1 or more, a value corresponding to the payout number is subtracted from the counter.

  Next, the main CPU 64 determines whether or not the BB or MB operating flag is on (step S16). When determining that the BB or MB operating flag is on, the main CPU 64 performs a bonus end check process described later (step S17). In this process, a process for ending the operation of the bonus game is performed based on determination of whether or not various counters stored in the control RAM 66 are updated to 0 when the bonus game is operated. When the BB and MB operating flag is off, the main CPU 64 performs RT game number control processing described later (step S18). In this process, the number of RT games is managed. Then, after step S17 or S18, bonus operation check processing described later is performed (step S19). In this process, a process for starting the operation of the bonus is performed based on the determined type of display combination. And after the above process, it returns to step S2.

  Next, the bonus operation monitoring process (step S3) will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the main CPU 64 determines whether or not the BB operating flag is ON and the BB is operating (step S41). When the BB operating flag is ON, the RB operating flag is ON and the RB operating flag is ON. Whether or not is operating is determined (step S42). When the RB operating flag is off and the RB is not operating, the RB operating process is performed based on the bonus operating table (FIG. 13) (step S43). In the RB operation processing, processing such as turning on the RB operation flag is performed.

  If the BB operating flag is off and the BB is not operating (N in step S41), it is determined whether the MB operating flag is on and the MB is operating (step S44). If the MB operating flag is on and the MB is operating, the CB operating flag is turned on (step S45). Thus, CB operates during MB.

  Next, an internal lottery process (step S6) will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the main CPU 64 determines the type of the lottery table and the number of lotteries based on the current gaming state based on the aforementioned internal lottery table determination table (FIG. 5) (step S61). And the process which changes the internal lottery table to be used into the internal lottery table determined at step S61 is performed (step S62). Next, the main CPU 64 sets the extracted random number value (stored in step S6) stored in the random value storage area as a determination random number value, and sets 1 as the initial value of the winning number (step S63). .

  Then, with reference to the internal lottery table (FIG. 6, FIG. 7 or FIG. 8), a lottery value based on the winning number is acquired (step S64). Then, the lottery value is subtracted from the determination random number value, and it is determined whether or not a digit is obtained by this subtraction (step S65). If a digit has been entered, the winning number for which the digit has been obtained is acquired as a winning number, and the process proceeds to step S69.

  If no digit is entered, “1” is added to the above-described winning number, and “1” is subtracted from the number of lotteries described above (step S66), thereby determining whether or not the number of lotteries has become zero. (Step S67). If the number of lotteries is not 0, the process returns to step S64, and the lottery value is again subtracted from the determination random number value, and it is determined whether or not a digit has been obtained by this subtraction (step S65). When it becomes 0, 0 is acquired as the winning number.

  These processes are repeated until a digit is performed (Y in Step S65) or until the number of lotteries becomes 0 (Y in Step S67). In this case, in the second and subsequent processes, the lottery value is subtracted from the random number data by further subtracting the lottery value from the remainder of the previous lottery value subtraction result. Thus, the original random number data value is reduced each time a repeated subtraction. Further, each time the above process is repeated, the number of lotteries decreases by one.

  When the winning number is acquired as described above, the data pointers for the small role / replay and bonus corresponding to the acquired winning number are acquired (steps S69 and S68). Then, the winning request flag is acquired based on the acquired data pointer for the small combination / replay with reference to the internal winning combination determination table for small combination / replay (FIG. 9) (step S70). Next, the winning request flag is stored in the internal winning combination storing area 1 (FIG. 13) (step S71).

  Next, it is determined whether the value of the carryover combination storage area (FIG. 14) is 0, that is, whether there is no carryover combination (step S72). If the value of the carryover combination storage area is 0 and there is no carryover combination, it is determined whether or not the bonus data pointer acquired in step S64 is 0 (step S73). When the bonus data pointer is 1 or more and BB or MB is internally won (N in step S73), the bonus internal pointer determining table (FIG. 10) is referred to and the bonus data pointer is determined based on the bonus data pointer. A request flag is acquired, and the acquired hit request flag is stored in the carryover combination storage area (step S74). That is, the address of the carryover combination storage area is set and stored. After the above processing, the logical sum of the carryover combination storing area and the internal winning combination storing area 2 is stored in the internal winning combination storing area 2 (step S75).

  Next, it is determined whether the CB operating flag is on and the CB is operating (step S76). When the CB operating flag is ON and CB is operating, bits 1 to 3 of the internal winning combination storing area 1 are set ON (step S79). As a result, when the CB is in operation, the corner cherries, medium cherries, bells, and watermelons can be awarded at any time.

  In other words, CB is a bonus game that is executed only for one game, and only the left reel 2 of the three main reels is controlled to stop within the range of 0 to 1 frame from the stop start position, almost as the player is aiming for. Stop control can be performed. Then, in the CB, each bit of the corner cherry, middle cherry, bell, and watermelon is turned on by turning on the bit of the internal winning combination storing area 1 described later for each of the corner cherry, middle cherry, bell, and watermelon small roles. Since the winning combination is won internally, the player can easily win these small combinations by pushing the left reel 2.

  Next, the reel stop control process (step S11) will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the main CPU 64 determines whether or not a valid stop button has been pressed (step S81). When there is no valid stop button pressing operation, the automatic stop counter is set to 0, and it is determined whether or not the time for automatic stop has elapsed (step S82). When the automatic stop counter reaches 0 and the time for automatic stop has elapsed, an automatic stop flag, which is a flag indicating that automatic stop is to be executed, is turned on (step S83).

  When a valid stop button is pressed (Y in step S81), or when the automatic stop flag is turned on (step S83), the pressing operation of the corresponding stop button 2, 3 or 4 is invalidated (step S84). ). Then, 4 is set as the number of checks (step S85).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the automatic stop flag is on and automatic stop should be performed (step S86). If the automatic stop flag is off and it is not time to automatically stop, the symbol position having the highest priority is searched for within the range of the number of checks described above from the symbol position corresponding to the symbol counter (step S87). ). In other words, each symbol within the range that can be drawn from the symbol position corresponding to the symbol counter has a priority, and the symbol position with the highest priority is searched here. On the other hand, when the automatic stop flag is on and automatic stop is to be performed, after the automatic stop flag is turned off, the highest priority order within the range of the number of checks described above from the symbol position corresponding to the symbol counter described above. A low symbol position is searched (step S88). The symbol position with the lowest priority is the symbol position of the symbol combination that is “lost”.

  As described above, when the symbol position is searched within the range of the number of checks from the symbol position corresponding to the symbol counter, the number of sliding symbols is determined based on the result of this search (step S89). Next, the main CPU 64 proceeds to stop control position waiting (step S90). For example, if the determined number of sliding symbols is “2” and the stop start position is “18”, the stop control position is determined to be “1”. When the stop control position is determined, a process for stopping the rotation of the reel is performed based on the stop control position in an interrupt process described later. It should be noted that the number of sliding symbols and the stop control position are in an equivalent relationship because when one is determined, the other is also determined. Then, a reel stop command for notifying that the reel has been stopped is set (step S91), and it is determined whether there is a stop button for which the pressing operation is effective (step S92). Then, if the pressing operation is a valid stop button, it returns to the step S81.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 21, the bonus end check process (step S17) will be described.

  First, the main CPU 64 determines whether or not the RB operating flag is on and the RB is operating (step S101). If the RB operating flag is off, it is determined whether or not the bonus end number counter is 0 (step S102). When the bonus end number counter is 0, it means that the maximum number of acquired medals as a BB end condition has been reached, and therefore processing for BB / MB end to end BB is performed (step S105). Specifically, the BB operating flag in the aforementioned operating flag storage area of the control RAM 66 is turned off, and the bonus end number counter is cleared.

  Also, when the RB operating flag is on and the RB is operating, or when the bonus end number counter is 1 or more, the BB is operating or the MB is operating but the MB end condition This is a case where the maximum number of acquired medals has not been reached. In this case, the main CPU 64 determines whether or not a winning is achieved (step S103). When determining that a winning is achieved, the main CPU 64 determines whether or not the bonus end number counter is 0 (step S104). If the bonus end number counter is 0, BB / MB end processing is performed to end BB or MB (step S105). Specifically, the BB operating flag or the like in the aforementioned operating flag storage area of the control RAM 66 is turned off, and the winning possible number counter and the possible gaming number counter are cleared. Then, it is determined whether or not the BB has ended (step S106). If the BB has ended, an RT operating flag indicating that the RT is operating is set to ON (step S107). Also, 100 is set to the value of the RT game number counter for managing the number of RT games (step S108). That is, RT starts at the end of the BB bonus game and continues for 100 games. Since the processing at the end of BB / MB (step S105) is performed, a bonus end command for notifying the end of the bonus game is set in the communication data storage area in the control RAM 66 (step S109).

  On the other hand, if the bonus end number counter is not 0 (N in step S104), the winning possible number counter is decremented by 1 (step S110). The possible winning number counter and determines whether the 0 (step S111). When the winning possible number counter is 0, processing at the end of RB is performed (step S114), and RB is ended.

  If the winning count counter is not 0 (N in step S111), or if no winning is achieved (N in step S103), the game possible count counter is decremented by 1 (step S112), and the possible winning count is determined. If the counter is 0 (Y in step S113), RB end time processing is performed (step S114), and RB is ended.

  Next, the RT game number control process (step S18) will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the main CPU 64 determines whether or not the RT operating flag is on and the RT is operating (step S131). The RT in-operation flag is on, and when RT is in operation, 1 is subtracted from the value of the RT game number management counter that is a counter for managing the number of RT games (step S132). This is because RT is digested by one game. Then, it is determined whether the value of the RT game number counter reaches 0 (step S133). As described above, since RT continues in principle for 100 games (step S108), when RT is digested to 100 games and the value of the RT game number counter reaches 0, RT operation indicating that RT is operating. The middle flag is set to OFF (step S134), and RT is terminated.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 23, the bonus operation check process (step S19) will be described.

  First, the main CPU 64 determines whether or not the display combination is MB (step S151). When determining that the display combination is MB, the main CPU 64 performs MB operation processing based on the bonus operation table (FIG. 12) (step S152).

  When the display combination is not MB, the main CPU 64 determines whether or not the display combination is BB (step S153). When the main CPU 64 determines that the display combination is BB, the main CPU 64 performs BB operation processing based on the bonus operation table (FIG. 12) (step S154). Further, since the BB operates, the value of the carryover combination storage area is cleared (step S155). Further, the RT operating flag is set to OFF (step S156). In other words, BB winning is a condition for ending RT. In addition, a bonus start command for notifying the start of the bonus game is set in the communication data storage area in the control RAM 66 (step S157).

  On the other hand, if the display combination is not BB, it is determined whether or not the display combination is replay (step S158). If the display combination is replay, the value of the inserted number counter is copied to the automatic insertion counter (step S158). S159). The insertion number counter is a counter that manages the number of inserted medals, and the automatic insertion counter is a counter that manages the number of medals automatically inserted. Thereby, in the next game, it is possible to play a game without inserting medals.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 24, an interrupt process with a period of 1.1173 ms, which is performed under the control of the main CPU 64 of the main control board 61 will be described.

  First, the main CPU 64 saves the register (step S181). Next, the main CPU 64 performs input port check processing (step S182). Specifically, the main CPU 64 checks the input of signals from each switch. Next, the main CPU 64 performs an input state command setting process (step S183). The input state command is a command for notifying the sub control board 62 of the input state of the start lever 33 and the stop buttons 34, 35, and 36. Here, the input of the start lever 33 and the stop buttons 34, 35, and 36 is checked. Line and set the input status command. Next, the main CPU 64 performs communication data transmission processing (step S184). Specifically, as described above, various commands set in the communication data storage area in the control RAM 66 are transmitted to the sub-control board 62 by this processing.

  Next, the main CPU 64 performs a reel control process (step S185). Specifically, if a reel rotation start request is made, the main reels 2, 3, and 4 are started to rotate at a constant speed. If the stop control position is determined, the rotation is decelerated and stopped after the symbol counter of the reel is updated to the same value as the stop control position. For example, if the symbol counter is “0” and the stop control position is “4”, the reel rotation is stopped when the symbol counter is updated to “4”.

  Next, the main CPU 64 determines whether or not the value of the automatic stop counter set to the initial value in step S10 is 0 (step S186). If the value of the automatic stop counter is not 0, the value of the automatic stop counter is updated so that 1 is subtracted (step S187). That is, the initial value of the automatic stop counter is 322200, and the interrupt process is performed every 1.1173 ms. Therefore, the automatic stop counter becomes 0 in about 3 minutes from the start of the reel rotation.

  Next, the main CPU 64 performs lamp / 7 SEG drive processing (step S190). Specifically, the main CPU 64 performs processing such as lighting of the bet lamps 9a, 9b, and 9c based on the insertion number counter and displaying the number of payouts on the information display unit 18. Next, the main CPU 64 performs timer management processing (step S191) and restores the register (step S192). When this process ends, the interrupt process with a cycle of 1.1173 ms ends.

[Tables used on the sub control board]
FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of the symbol arrangement table of the sub reels 5, 6, 7.

  The symbol arrangement table is stored in the ROM 83. In the symbol arrangement table, when the reel index is detected, the symbol located in the middle stage of each symbol display area is set as symbol position “0”, and the sub reels 5, 6, 4 are used as in the case of the main reels 2, 3, 4. 7 (left reel 5, middle reel 6, right reel 7) The symbol positions “0” to “20” corresponding to the symbol counter and the symbol type corresponding to each symbol position are defined. Each symbol type is represented by 1-byte data. Therefore, based on the symbol arrangement table and the symbol counter, a symbol located in the middle of the symbol display area of each reel, a symbol adjacent to the symbol, and the like can be specified. The symbols on the sub reels 5, 6, and 7 are referred to as decorative symbols.

  FIG. 26 is a comparison table between the special symbols of the main reels 2, 3, 4 and the decorative symbols of the sub reels 5, 6, 7, and the data is stored in the ROM 83. That is, information on what symbol position the sub reels 5, 6 and 7 are stopped at when the variable display is controlled to stop is transmitted from the main control board 61 to the sub control board 62 by the reel stop command. The stop symbol positions of the sub reels 5, 6, and 7 are determined by the stop symbol positions of the main reels 2, 3, and 4. FIG. 26 shows the correspondence between the two, in which the combination of symbols on the main reels 2, 3, 4 and the combination of symbols on the sub reels 5, 6, 7 correspond one-to-one. For example, when the left reel 2 has a cherry symbol, the middle reel 3 has an ANY symbol, and the left reel 4 has an ANY symbol, the left reel 5 has a cherry symbol, the middle reel 6 has an ANY symbol, and the left reel 4 shows ANY symbols. Therefore, by referring to the comparison table of FIG. 26 according to the combination of the stop symbols of the main reels 2, 3 and 4 notified by the command from the main control board 61 as described later, the sub reels 5, 6 and 7 A combination of stop symbols can be determined. In addition, what is illustrated in FIG. 26 is only a part of the correspondence relationship between the special symbol and the decorative symbol.

[Control operation of sub-control circuit]
Next, the control performed by the sub control board 62 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In the processing described below, a multi-thread, multi-task operating system is adopted as an OS (operating system) that executes processing. That is, a certain task group and another task group execute processing while preemption (preemption) of the execution right.

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining processing executed when the gaming machine 1 is turned on.

  When the gaming machine 1 is powered on, the sub CPU 82 performs an initialization process (step S301). Specifically, an error check of the control RAM 84, a task system initialization, and the like are performed. Next, the sub CPU 82 performs ramp control task activation (step S302) described later, sound control task activation (step S303) described later, and sub reel control task activation (step S304) described later. These are timer interrupt synchronous task groups that perform interrupt processing every time a certain time elapses due to the timer. Next, the sub CPU 82 activates a main board communication task described later (step S305). This is a command reception interrupt task group that performs interrupt processing when a command is received from the main control board 61.

  The lamp control task activated in step S302 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the sub CPU 82 performs predetermined initialization processing on lamp-related data such as the reel back lamps 47a to 47c and the reel back lamps 48a to 48c (step S321). Next, the sub CPU 82 waits for an event of 2 ms (step S322). That is, other tasks are executed until a 2 ms interrupt event message is received. Next, the sub CPU 82 executes the next task of the timer interrupt synchronous task group (step S323). That is, the sound control task described later is executed here.

  As described above, when the process jumps to the sound control task and returns to the lamp control task after executing the sound control task, the lamp control task is restarted from the process of retrieving the lamp data from the lamp storage area (step S324). The lamp data is effect data for lighting and driving lamps such as the reel back lamps 47 a to 47 c and the reel back lamps 48 a to 48 c as effects, and the lamp storage area exists in the ROM 83. Then, the extracted lamp data is analyzed (step S325), and a lamp lighting control process for lighting each lamp for production is performed (step S326).

  The sound control task activated in step S303 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the sub CPU 82 performs predetermined initialization processing on sound-related data output from the speakers 54, 96, and 96 (step S351). Next, the sub CPU 82 executes the next task of the timer interrupt synchronous task group (step S352). Specifically, a sub reel control task to be described later is executed. After jumping to the sub-reel control task in this manner and returning to the sound control task after executing the sub-reel control task, the sound control task is restarted from the process of retrieving the sound data from the lamp storage area (step S353). The sound data is effect data for outputting sound from the speakers 54, 96, and 96, and a sound storage area exists in the ROM 83 (actual sound data exists in the sound source IC 91). Then, the extracted sound data is analyzed (step S354), and sound output control processing for outputting sound from the speakers 54, 96, 96 is performed (step S355).

  The sub reel control task activated in step S304 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the sub CPU 82 performs a predetermined initialization process on data related to the sub reels 5 to 7 (step S371). Next, the sub CPU 82 executes the next task in the task group for the timer interrupt process (step S372). That is, the next lamp control task is executed (FIG. 28).

  When jumping to the lamp control task from step S372 and returning to the sub reel control task after executing the lamp control task, the sub CPU 82 determines whether or not the special effect control flag is on (step S373). The special effect control flag is a flag indicating that a special effect, which will be described in detail later, is executed. Then, the special effect timer is updated (1 is subtracted) (step S374). The special effect timer is a counter that manages a waiting time until the special effect is executed. Next, the sub CPU 82 determines whether or not the value of the special effect timer is 0 (step S375). When the value of the special effect timer is 0, since the waiting time until the special effect is executed has elapsed, the special effect control flag is turned on (step S376), and the execution of the special effect is declared. Then, effect reel data corresponding to the special effect is set (step S377). The effect reel data is effect data for executing an effect performed by driving the sub reels 5, 6, and 7, and is control data for the stepping motor 101.

  When the special effect control flag is on and a special effect is to be performed (Y in step S373), when the special effect timer is not 0 and the waiting time until the special effect has not elapsed (N in step S375) When the effect reel data corresponding to the special effect is set (step S377), the effect reel data of the sub reels 5, 6 and 7 are taken out from the effect reel storage area of the ROM 83 (step S378). That is, when a special effect is to be performed (Y in step S373, S377), effect reel data for the special effect is extracted, and when not, necessary effect reel data is extracted. Then, the effect data of the extracted sub reels is analyzed (step S379), and sub reel control processing for rotating the sub reels 5 to 7 for the effect is performed (step S380).

  The main board communication task activated in step S305 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The sub CPU 82 first initializes a transmission message queue that receives a command transmitted from the main control board 61 (step S391). Then, it is checked whether there is a command received in the transmission message queue (step S392), and it is determined whether a command different from the previous command is received (step S393). If a command different from the previous command is received, game information is created from the command (step S394). Specifically, game information is created from the parameters of the command. For example, in the case of a reel stop command, the main reel 2, 3 or 4 is in the first stop, the second stop, or the third stop, and the stop control position is any position from “0” to “18”. Game information about whether or not the number of sliding symbols is. Then, the game information is stored in the game data storage area of the control RAM 84 (step S395), a reception command analysis process described later is performed (step S396), and the process returns to step S392. The received command analysis process is a process for analyzing the received command.

  The received command analysis process (step S396) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the sub CPU 82 determines whether or not it is a start command reception (step S411), and when it is a start command reception, performs a start command reception process described later (step S412). If it is not at the time of receiving the start command, it is determined whether or not it is at the time of receiving the reel rotation start command (step S413), and if it is at the time of receiving the reel rotation start command, processing at the time of receiving the reel rotation start command is performed (step S414). . In the reel rotation start command reception processing, the effect reel data of the sub reels used when starting the rotation of the sub reels 5 to 7 in order to start the rotation of the sub reels 5 to 7 is registered. If it is not at the time of receiving the reel rotation start command, it is determined whether or not it is at the time of receiving the reel stop command (step S415). S416). In the reel stop command reception process, the stop control positions of the sub reels 5 to 7 are determined. When it is not at the time of receiving the reel stop command, it is determined whether or not it is at the time of receiving the display command (step S417), and when it is at the time of receiving the display command, a predetermined display command receiving time process is performed (step S418). The above-described special effect timer is reset and the special effect control flag is turned off in the display command reception process.

  When it is not at the time of receiving the display command, it is determined whether or not it is at the time of receiving the bonus start command (step S419), and when it is at the time of receiving the bonus start command, a predetermined bonus start command receiving process is performed (step S420). . If it is not when a bonus start command is received, it is determined whether or not a bonus end command is received (step S421). If a bonus end command is received, predetermined bonus end command reception processing is performed. (Step S422). If it is not at the time of bonus end command reception, it is determined whether or not it is an input state command reception (step S423), and if it is an input state command reception, a predetermined input state command reception process is performed (step S423). S424). In the process at the time of receiving the input state command, the control of the fluctuation and stop of the sub reels 5 to 7 in the special effect is performed. If it is not at the time of receiving the input state command, processing corresponding to the other received command is executed (step S425).

  The start command reception process (step S412) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the sub CPU 82 performs various game number counter update processing (step S441). Next, a value of 30000 is set in the special effect timer (step S442). Since the special effect timer is decremented by 1 every 2 ms, the value of the special effect timer becomes 0 in 1 minute after receiving the start command, and the special effect is executed.

  Next, the sub CPU 82 performs an effect number lottery process (step S443). Here, an effect number for specifying effect data is determined by a predetermined lottery based on the game information of the internal winning combination notified by the start command. Next, the sub CPU 82 performs sub reel stop mode determination processing (step S444). Here, a stop table for stopping control of the sub reels 5 to 7 is determined. Thereby, it is determined at which position the sub reels 5 to 7 are stopped. Next, the sub CPU 82 performs sound / backlamp effect data determination processing (step S445). Here, each effect data of sound data and lamp data is determined based on the determined effect number. Next, the sub CPU 82 registers the effect data at the start operation by pressing the start lever 33 based on the registered effect number (step S446).

  The reel stop command reception process (step S416) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The reel stop command indicates which of the main reels 2 to 4 is stopped depending on the parameter, and the stopped symbol position of the stopped main reels 2, 3 or 4 is “0” to “18”. In addition to the number of sliding frames from 0 to 3, the sub-control board 62 is also informed of whether or not the automatic stop flag is established (ON).

  The sub CPU 82 determines whether or not an automatic stop flag has been established (step S501). When the automatic stop flag is established and automatic stop is performed, it is determined whether a bonus is established (step S502), that is, whether a carryover combination is present. Since the internal winning combination is notified by the start command and the display combination is notified by the display command, it can be determined whether there is a carryover combination.

  When the bonus is established, the stop table for losing when the bonus is established is determined as a stop table used for stop control of the sub reels 5 to 7 (step S503). This stop table for losing is a stop table for stopping the combination of symbols that will be lost, but this combination of symbols that will be lost is a reach, and informs the player that there is a carryover combination To do.

  When the bonus is not established, the stop table for losing when the bonus is not established is determined as a stop table used for stop control of the sub reels 5 to 7 (step S504). This stop table for losing is a stop table for stopping a combination of symbols that will be lost, but does not display the above reach.

  As described above, when the automatic stop flag is established, the stop table is determined according to whether the bonus is established or not, and the sub-reel is determined based on the determined stop table for loss and the reception timing of the reel stop command. Stop control positions 5 to 7 are determined (step S505). Thereby, the outcome of the sub reels 5 to 7 in the case of performing automatic stop is determined.

  On the other hand, when the automatic stop flag is not established (N in step S501) and it is not time to perform automatic stop, the stop table based on the internal winning combination notified by the start command and the reel stop command Based on the reception time, the stop control positions of the sub reels 5 to 7 are determined (step S506). Here, the outcomes of the sub reels 5 to 7 corresponding to the player's stop operation are determined based on the stop table based on the internal winning combination determined in the sub reel stop mode determination process (step S444).

  Then, the effect data (lamp data, sound data, effect reel data) corresponding to the stop control positions of the sub reels 5 to 7 determined as described above are determined (step S507).

  Here, with reference to FIG. 35 to FIG. 37, specific contents of effects by the sub reels 5 to 7 in the special effects described above will be described.

  (1) to (4) in FIGS. 35 and 36 explain the display of the decorative symbols on the reel display window 50 in the sub reels 5 to 7 over time in that order. As with the reel display window 39 of the main reels 2 to 4, the reel display window 50 is a game that extends the decorative symbols of the sub reels 5 to 7 to the upper, middle, and lower three levels (range of three decorative symbols). It is an area that is displayed so that it can be visually recognized by a person, and serves as a display window.

  First, (1) shows a display example of decorative symbols on the sub reels 5 to 7 in a stopped state before the start of one game. When the player operates the start lever 33 in this state, as shown in (2), the change display (current change) of the sub reels 5 to 7 is started (the decorative symbol moves in the direction of the arrow in the figure). This is performed by a reel rotation start command reception process (step S414).

  As described above, when one minute elapses without the player performing a stop operation from the start of the variable display, the value of the special effect timer becomes 0 and the special effect flag is turned on (Y in step S375, S376). ), The special effect starts (On the other hand, when the player performs a stop operation within one minute, the special effect timer is reset by the display command reception process (step S418), and the special effect flag is turned off. ).

  The special effect performed here is, as shown in (3), the fact that the sub reels 5 to 7 are rotated at a lower speed (lower speed fluctuation) than in the case of the current fluctuation in (2) to change the design. It is. In this case, the sub reels 5, 6, and 7 rotate at a low speed while maintaining a predetermined position. FIG. 37 shows an example of the relative positions of the sub reels 5, 6, and 7 in that case. In this example, the sub reels 5, 6, and 7 maintain their relative positions so that the symbol position 20 of the left reel 5, the symbol position 18 of the middle reel 6, and the symbol position 0 of the left reel 7 are aligned. Rotate as is. The rotation of the sub reels 5 to 7 in the special effect is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 37, but the sub reels 5 such that the loss display is displayed on the reel display window 50 regardless of the position at which the reels are stopped. Rotate while maintaining 6 and 7 relative positions.

  Such special effects continue as long as the player's stop operation is not performed. However, after 3 minutes have passed since the start of the variable display without the player performing the stop operation, as shown in (4), automatic The sub reels 5 to 7 are stopped by the stop. In this case, the outcome of the loss is displayed on the sub reels 5 to 7 by the stop table for loss (steps S501 to S504).

  According to the gaming machine 1 described above, after the start command is received by the sub control board 62, the special effect timer is set to 0 in one minute (steps S442, S374, S375), and the special effect control flag is turned on. A special effect is executed (steps S376 and S377). In this special effect, the sub reels 5 to 7 are rotated at a lower speed than before one minute has passed, and the reel display window portion 50 maintains a relative position so that a missed appearance is displayed regardless of where the sub reels are stopped. (See FIGS. 35 to 37).

  Therefore, this gives the player the impression that if the player does not perform the reel stop operation, the player will be given the disadvantage of stopping at a lost symbol, and the player can be prompted to perform the stop operation. In this way, the player can stop the reels early, and the rotation of the sub reels 5 to 7 becomes low speed after 1 minute, thereby reducing the power of the stepping motor 101 and the stepping motor. The durability of 101 can be improved.

  When the player does not perform the reel stop operation and 3 minutes have elapsed from the start of the game, the automatic stop counter is set to 0 and the automatic stop flag is turned on (steps S10, S82, S83, S186, S187). Since the reels 2 to 4 and the sub reels 5 to 7 are stopped due to a loss pattern (Y in step S86, S88, FIG. 34), if the stop control is not performed early, the player who will suffer such a disadvantage is stopped. Control can be promoted, the power of the stepping motors 45 and 101 can be saved, and the durability of the stepping motors 45 and 101 can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the main reels 2 to 4 and the sub reels 5 to 7 are automatically stopped when 3 minutes have passed without the player performing a stop operation from the start of the variable display. You may make it continue the low-speed fluctuation | variation of FIG. 35 (3) until a player performs stop operation, without performing an automatic stop.

  In this case, even if the player who did not obtain the desired profit from the game harassed to return home without rotating the reels 2-7, the sub reels 5-7 would rotate at a low speed. By doing so, the power of the stepping motor 101 can be reduced and the durability of the stepping motor 101 can be improved.

  In addition, as described above, the control for performing the low speed rotation in the state where the lost symbols are aligned after one minute has been performed only for the sub reels 5 to 7, but the same control may be performed for the main reels 2 to 4. .

It is a top view which shows the external appearance of the game machine which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical connection of a game machine. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical connection of the sub control board of a game machine. It is explanatory drawing of the symbol arrangement | positioning table of a special symbol. It is explanatory drawing of an internal lottery table determination table. It is explanatory drawing of the internal lottery table for general game states. It is explanatory drawing of the internal lottery table for RB game states. It is explanatory drawing of the internal lottery table for RT game states. It is explanatory drawing of the internal winning combination determination table for a small combination and replay. It is explanatory drawing of the internal winning combination determination table for bonuses. It is explanatory drawing of a symbol combination table. It is explanatory drawing of the table at the time of a bonus action | operation. It is explanatory drawing of an internal winning combination storing area. It is explanatory drawing of the carryover combination storage area. It is explanatory drawing of the operating flag storage area. It is a main flowchart by control of main CPU. It is a main flowchart by control of main CPU. It is a flowchart of a bonus operation | movement monitoring process. It is a flowchart of an internal lottery process. It is a flowchart of a reel stop control process. It is a flowchart of a bonus end check process. It is a flowchart of RT game number control processing. It is a flowchart of a bonus operation check process. It is a flowchart of the interruption process by control of main CPU. It is a symbol arrangement | positioning table of a decoration symbol. It is a comparison table of a special design and a decoration design. It is a flowchart of the process performed at the time of power activation. It is a flowchart of a lamp control task. It is a flowchart of a sound control task. It is a flowchart of a sub reel control task. It is a flowchart of the main board | substrate communication task. It is a flowchart of a received command analysis process. It is a flowchart of a process at the time of start command reception. It is a flowchart of a process at the time of reel stop command reception. It is explanatory drawing explaining a special effect. It is explanatory drawing explaining a special effect. It is explanatory drawing explaining a special effect.

Explanation of symbols

1 gaming machine 2 main reel 3 main reel 4 main reel 5 sub reel 6 sub reel 7 sub reel 33 start lever 34 stop button 35 stop button 36 stop button

Claims (2)

A plurality of reels each having a plurality of symbols displayed on the surface;
Drive means for rotationally driving the reel;
An internal winning combination determining means for determining an internal winning combination in response to a predetermined start condition;
Stop operation detecting means for detecting the stop operation;
When the predetermined start condition is satisfied, the driving unit starts rotating the reel, and when the rotation operation of the reel reaches a predetermined speed and the stop operation is detected by the stop operation detecting unit, the driving is performed. A symbol display control means for controlling the means to stop the rotational drive of the reel;
A game duration measuring means for measuring a duration during which the reel continues to rotate after the predetermined start condition is satisfied;
Time determining means for determining whether or not the duration time measured by the game duration measuring means has reached a predetermined time;
After the time determination means determines that the duration time measured by the game duration measurement means has reached a predetermined time, the predetermined speed of the reel is varied so as to be slower than before. Speed variable means;
With
The symbol display control means corresponds to an internal winning combination that gives a profit to the player when it is determined by the time determination means that the duration measured by the game duration measurement means has reached a predetermined time. Control is performed to rotate the reels in synchronization with the reels in a state where the symbol combinations other than the predetermined symbol combinations are aligned with the reels.
A gaming machine characterized by that.   The symbol display control means is a predetermined corresponding to an internal winning combination that gives a profit to the player after it is determined by the time determination means that the duration measured by the game duration measurement means has reached a predetermined time. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein each of the reels is stopped so that a combination of symbols other than the combination of symbols is displayed on each reel.

Images