JP2015016100A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To lighten a processing load of a processor or to save a used memory area by communalizing one portion of normal reel control processing and pseudo reel control processing in a slot machine executing a pseudo game performance.SOLUTION: Normal reel stop control means 114 creates a table for the number of sliding pieces, where a rotational position of each reel is correlated with the number of sliding pieces based on a combination lottery result by combination lottery means 108, and controls the reel so as to stop and display a pattern selected based on the rotational position of the reel in reception of stop operation and the created table for the number of sliding pieces. Likewise, in a pseudo game performance, pseudo reel stop control means 115 creates the table for the number of sliding pieces based on a result of pseudo game determination means, and controls the reel so as to falsely stop and display a pattern selected based on the rotational position of the reel in reception of the stop operation and the created table for the number of sliding pieces.

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine that displays symbols in a variable manner by rotating a reel provided with symbols, and more particularly to a slot machine that executes a pseudo game effect using reels.

  For example, a slot machine, which is a gaming machine, includes three rotatable main reels with symbols, and is configured to rotate the reels in accordance with an operation performed by the player and display the symbols in a variable manner. In the slot machine, symbols stop on the effective line along the reel arrangement, and games such as winning and paying out medals are provided according to the symbol combination displayed.

  Conventionally, each reel is provided with a stepping motor connected to a rotating shaft, and the reel control means outputs a drive pulse signal of, for example, a 1-2 phase excitation method to the stepping motor to control the rotation of the reel in one direction. Yes. The normal reel stop control means uses a stop table (sliding frame number table) created based on the result of lottery drawing, and the symbols within the specified control frame number according to the operation to the stop button as the stop operation means. Pull-in stop control is performed.

  By the way, in some slot machines and pachinko machines, there are known ones that enhance the interest of game effects by interrupting (freezing) the game and causing the rotating main reel to perform various operations. For example, according to the pachinko gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, it is shown that a winning by a symbol is not yet determined by making a temporary stop state by a vibrating motion of the reel without completely stopping the symbol in a special game. Is done.

  In addition, a slot machine that performs a so-called pseudo game effect in which a reel is rotated and temporarily stopped in the same manner as in normal gaming before a predetermined reel is rotated when a predetermined game condition is established is also known. For example, in the slot machine described in Patent Document 2, a stop table for losing is always created and used for temporary stop control in order to temporarily stop the reel at a position where the result of winning lottery is not reflected during the pseudo game effect.

JP 2002-85700 A JP 2011-67360 A

  In a slot machine that performs a pseudo game effect using a main reel, the effect of the game effect can be greatly enhanced by performing the same rotation control as in a normal game. On the other hand, in order to distinguish it from the judgment of winning or losing in normal games, on the other hand, it is not possible to stop the reels completely during the pseudo game effect or to temporarily stop the reels at a position where the result of the lottery is not reflected. It is necessary to perform a reel control process. However, it is not preferable to provide a special reel control means for performing a pseudo game effect in addition to the normal reel rotation and stop control because it increases the processing load of the processor that executes the control and complicates the program. .

  It is an object of the present invention to reduce the processing load of a processor or save a used memory area by sharing a part of a normal reel control process and a pseudo reel control process in a slot machine that performs a pseudo game effect. It is said.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention can be implemented with a predetermined number of game media inserted, and the combination of the symbols displayed when the rotation of a plurality of reels with a plurality of types of symbols is stopped. The combination of symbols based on the result of the lottery in the unit game is stopped in the slot machine that repeatedly executes the unit game whose result is determined by Normal reel stop control means for performing normal reel stop control that can be displayed, and reel control means having pseudo reel stop control means for performing pseudo reel stop control in which a combination of symbols selected in the pseudo game effect can be displayed pseudo stop The normal reel stop control means includes a rotation position of each reel based on a result of the winning lottery by the winning lottery means. The reel number table is associated with the number of frames, and the reel selected so as to stop display the symbol selected based on the rotation position of the reel when the stop operation is accepted and the created slip frame number table. In the pseudo game effect, the pseudo reel stop control means creates the sliding frame number table based on the result of the pseudo game determination means, and creates the rotation position of the reel at the time of accepting the stop operation. The reel is controlled so that the symbol selected based on the sliding frame number table is displayed in a pseudo stop manner.

  Further, in the pseudo game effect, the pseudo reel stop control means uses the sliding frame number table created for the reels of the received stop operation when the received stop operation is in a predetermined stop operation order. Instead, it is preferable to control the reel so that a specific symbol selected in advance is displayed in a pseudo stop manner.

  Further, it is preferable that the pseudo game determining means determines whether or not to perform the pseudo game effect and / or determines the content of the pseudo game effect.

  Further, it is preferable that at least one of the symbols selected for the pseudo stop display is the same as the symbol of the re-game player used in the unit game.

  Moreover, it is preferable that at least one of the symbols selected for the pseudo stop display is the same as the symbol of the small role used in the unit game.

  Further, it is preferable that the pseudo stop display is accompanied by fluctuations of the reels.

  According to the slot machine of the present invention, by sharing a part of the normal reel control process and the pseudo reel control process, it is possible to reduce the processing load of the processor or save the memory area used.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a front appearance of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the internal structure of the slot machine with the front door of FIG. 1 opened. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating one reel unit constituting the reel device. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of symbols attached to the reels and the types of the symbols. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware system configuration for controlling the slot machine. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a combination of symbols corresponding to a special combination (bonus combination). FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a combination of symbols corresponding to a replay combination (replay combination). FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a combination of symbols corresponding to the small role (bell role and cherry role). FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a transition example of the gaming state of the slot machine. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit of the slot machine. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a main game control process corresponding to the unit game of the slot machine. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the betting number setting means in the slot machine. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a result of the role lottery process in the general game of the slot machine. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a combination of a pseudo game number and a symbol associated therewith. FIG. 15A is a diagram illustrating the correspondence between symbol combinations and symbol control numbers in a table. FIG. 15B is a diagram illustrating the correspondence between other symbol combinations and symbol control numbers in a table. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of reel control processing in the slot machine. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of the pull-in control using the sliding frame number table. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a winning determination process in the slot machine. FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a medal payout control process in the slot machine. FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an update process in the slot machine. FIG. 21 is a diagram exemplifying a sliding frame number table created by using bell bell bell as a combination of stop symbols. FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a pseudo game effect process. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a pseudo reel control process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a pseudo reel control process according to the second embodiment. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a sliding frame number table created by the pseudo reel control process according to the second embodiment. FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a pseudo reel control process according to the third embodiment. FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining the rotation control of the stepping motor by the 1-2 phase excitation method. FIG. 28 is a diagram schematically illustrating the internal structure of the stepping motor. FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the waveform of the excitation data signal and the rotation speed of the reel. 30 (a) is a time chart illustrating an example of a reel rotation speed change graph and a corresponding excitation stop signal in the case of normal reel stop control. FIG. 30B is a time chart illustrating an example of a reel rotation speed change graph and a corresponding excitation stop signal in the case of pseudo reel stop control. FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating the correspondence between the value of the phase counter and the excitation phase. FIG. 32A is a diagram illustrating the time transition of the phase counter during normal reel stop control. FIG. 32B is a diagram illustrating the time transition of the phase counter during the pseudo reel stop control. FIG. 33 is a time chart showing an example of random acceleration of the reel after the pseudo game effect. FIG. 34 is a time chart showing another example of the random acceleration of the reel after the pseudo game effect. FIG. 35 is a time chart showing still another example of random acceleration of the reel after the pseudo game effect.

  Hereinafter, a slot machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The slot machine 10 can be played with a predetermined number of game media (specifically, medals) inserted, and is displayed when the rotation of the reels 40L, 40C, 40R with a plurality of types of symbols is stopped. This is a gaming machine that repeatedly executes a unit game whose result is determined by a combination of symbols. One feature of the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment is to execute a pseudo game effect that is an effect state in which the rotation of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R is controlled to be stopped when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

[Front appearance configuration of slot machine]
First, the mechanism of the slot machine 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a front appearance of the slot machine 10.

  The slot machine 10 includes a casing that is a substantially rectangular box, and the front door 20 is provided so that the opening of the casing can be opened and closed. Normally, as shown in FIG. 1, the front door 20 is locked to the housing at a position where the opening is closed.

  The front door 20 is comprised by the panel member to which the design was given for every model. The panel member of the front door 20 includes a central panel portion 30 at a middle position that is a game area for displaying symbols attached to the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R, and the reels 40L and 40C mainly below the central panel portion 30. , An operation panel 50 on which switches for performing game operations such as rotation and stop of 40R are arranged, and an upper panel on which lamps, speakers, etc. for game effects are mainly arranged above the central panel 30 A part 60 and a lower panel part 70 on which characters appearing in the game of the slot machine 10 are drawn below the operation panel part 50 are generally constituted. In addition, the front door 20 is assembled by the central panel part 30, the operation panel part 50, the upper panel part 60, the lower panel part 70, etc. which were unitized, respectively. Moreover, you may manufacture the front door 20 with one panel member by which these panel parts are comprised integrally.

  The middle panel 31 is provided with a middle panel 31 made of a resin plate such as hard acrylic. In the middle of the panel 31, a display window 32 composed of three rows of vertically-long rectangular transparent portions is formed. Through the display window 32, the slot machine 10 is capable of visually recognizing a total of nine frames of 3 rows x 3 frames on each of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R inside the housing.

  In the display window 32, a total of five lines crossing the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are set. These five lines include three horizontal lines (horizontal middle line L1, horizontal upper line L2A, horizontal lower line L2B) and two diagonal lines (diagonally lowering line L3A, Diagonally upwardly rising line L3B). In the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, regardless of the number of medals bet (hereinafter referred to as “the number of bets”), only the line L1 in the horizontal middle row is a reference line for winning determination (hereinafter referred to as an “effective line”). Set as A plurality of active lines may be selected according to the number of bets placed on the game. Alternatively, it may be determined in advance to 5 or 4 active lines, and the winning probability of the combination may be varied depending on the number of bets.

  In addition to the display window 32 described above, the middle panel 31 of the central panel section 30 is provided with various lamps and a display for notifying the player of various information relating to the game.

  For example, three operation instruction lamps 33l, 33c, and 33r are provided adjacent to the display window 32. These operation instruction lamps 33l, 33c, and 33r correspond to the stop buttons 56L, 56C, and 56R and the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R, respectively. For example, the operation instruction lamps 33l, 33c, and 33r are lit in an assist time (AT) game. This is used for notifying a player who assists the stop operation.

  Further, below the middle panel 31, bet number display lamps 34a, 34b, 34c, a credit number display 35, and an obtained number display 36 are provided.

  The bet number display lamps 34a, 34b, and 34c are lamps that display the number of medals bet on the game. That is, when one medal is bet, only the bet number display lamp 34a is lit, when two medals are bet, the bet number display lamps 34a and 34b are lit, and when three medals are bet, all bets The number display lamps 34a, 34b and 34c are lit.

  The credit number display 35 is a two-digit 7-segment numerical display, and displays the number of medals credited (also referred to as “internal storage”) on the slot machine 10. The player can freely use the medals credited to the slot machine 10, and the number of credits is managed by the RAM 103 of the main control board 100 described later.

  The acquired number display 36 is a two-digit 7-segment numerical display, and displays the number of medals to be paid out to the player when a winning combination is established in the game. Note that, as a mode of paying out medals by winning a prize, there are a case where credits are given to the inside of the slot machine 10 and a case where medals are discharged from a medal payout outlet 71 described later.

  The operation panel unit 50 provided below the central panel unit 30 has a table-like surface 50a whose upper surface is slightly inclined toward the player, and the player can place the slot machine 10 on the right side of the table-like surface 50a. A medal slot 51 is provided for inserting a medal. Inside the medal slot 51 is provided a medal selector 28 that detects inserted medals and distributes regular or irregular medals. The main control board 100 of the slot machine 10 recognizes the number of inserted medals by measuring the number of medal detection signals output from the medal selector 28.

  A bet button 52 and a max bet button 54 are provided on the left side of the table-like surface 50a of the operation panel unit 50 for the player to give an instruction to bet medals from credits. When the bet button 52 is operated, two medals credited to the slot machine 10 are bet on the game. When the max bet button 54 is operated, three of the credited medals are bet on the game. When a bet is placed by operating the bet button 52 or the maximum bet button 54, the number of bets placed on the bet is subtracted from the credit amount, and accordingly, the display value of the credit amount display 35 is also subtracted.

  When a player inserts a medal from the medal insertion slot 51 while no medals have been bet on the slot machine 10, the bet number display lamps 34a, 34b, 34c are sequentially turned on each time the medal is inserted. Medals according to the respective numbers are bet on the slot machine 10. When the number of inserted medals reaches the maximum of three, the number of credits is added each time a medal is inserted thereafter, and accordingly, the display value of the credit number display 35 is also added.

  A start lever 55 having an operation knob capable of tilting operation is provided on the left front portion of the operation panel 50. When the player operates the start lever 55 after betting medals on the slot machine 10, all the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R start to rotate at the same time. Thereby, the symbols printed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are scrolled and displayed from the top to the bottom through the display window 32.

  At the center of the front surface of the operation panel 50, there is a stop operation means 56 for performing an operation for stopping the rotation of the reels 40L, 40C, 40R by a player's pressing operation (this is referred to as a “stop operation”). Three stop buttons 56L, 56C, and 56R are provided. The left end stop button 56L corresponds to the left end reel (left reel) 40L, the center stop button 56C corresponds to the center reel (middle reel) 40C, and the right end stop button 56R corresponds to the right end reel (right reel) 40R. It corresponds to.

  That is, the slot machine 10 stops the reel 40L when the stop button 56L is operated with respect to the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R rotated by the tilting operation of the start lever 55, and the reel 40C is stopped when the stop button 56C is operated. When the stop button 56R is operated, the reel 40R is configured to stop.

  In addition, during the unit game, the standby process is performed so that the time interval for starting the rotation of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R at the start of the tilting operation of the start lever 55 is secured at least 4.1 seconds, for example. Further, in the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, even when a pseudo game effect to be described later is being executed, a standby process similar to that during a normal game is performed (step S215 in FIG. 22). Further, at the time of acceleration from the start of rotation of the reels 40L, 40C, 40R until reaching a constant speed rotation (for example, 80 rotations / minute), a stop operation to the reels 40L, 40C, 40R by the stop buttons 56L, 56C, 56R is accepted. It is invalidated.

  The upper panel portion 60 positioned above the central panel portion 30 is provided with an image display device 61 formed of, for example, a color liquid crystal display at the central portion. The image display device 61 displays, for example, an animation developed as the game progresses as an effect image. The display device provided in the slot machine may not be the image display device 61 but may be a dot matrix type display device, for example. Further, the game history and the internal lottery result information may be directly displayed with characters, symbols, or the like, or such information may be coded and displayed. That is, as the display device, any type of display means suitable for the application and purpose can be used.

  The upper panel portion 60 is provided with an upper lamp 62 and corner lamps 63L and 63R. For example, when the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are stopped and any combination is established, the upper lamp 62 and the corner lamps 63L and 63R are turned on and blinked in a pattern corresponding to the combination, thereby establishing the combination. Produce visually.

  The upper panel 60 is provided with stereo speakers 64L and 64R. For example, with the effect image of the moving image displayed by the image display device 61, the effect sound effect is output via the speakers 64L and 64R.

  A medal payout outlet 71 and a tray 72 are provided in the lower panel portion 70 located below the central panel portion 30. The medal payout opening 71 is formed as an opening for paying out the medal released by the medal payout device 83 housed inside the housing of the slot machine 10 to the tray 72.

  Speakers 73L and 73R are provided on the left and right sides of the lower part of the lower panel 70. For example, when any combination is established in the game, sound effects linked to lighting and blinking of effect lamps such as the upper lamp 62 and the corner lamps 63L and 63R are output via the speakers 73L and 73R.

[Internal structure of slot machine]
FIG. 2 is a view showing the internal structure of the slot machine 10 with the front door 20 opened. As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 10 includes a rectangular box-shaped casing 80, and the casing 80 is closed and locked by the front door 20 during the game.

  A reel device 40 that rotatably supports the three reels 40L, 40C, and 40R is provided on the horizontal frame in the housing 80 so as to face the central panel portion 30 of the front door 20. In the reel device 40, the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are provided such that their rotation axes coincide with one horizontal straight line. The reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are driven to rotate independently by stepping motors 41L, 41C, and 41R fixed to the frame of the reel device 40, respectively.

  FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing one reel unit 45 constituting the reel device 40. In the reel device 40, the reel unit 45 shown in FIG. 3 has the same configuration for each of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R. Here, the reel unit for the left reel 40L will be described as a representative.

  The skeleton that forms the cylindrical reel 40L is integrally formed of a relatively lightweight plastic. This skeleton body is connected to a boss portion 401 having a shaft hole into which a drive shaft of the stepping motor 41L is inserted, a plurality of arm portions 402 extending radially around the boss portion 401, and a tip portion of the arm portion 402. A concentric first ring portion 403 centered on the boss portion 401, a second ring portion 404 having the same diameter as the first ring portion 403 and positioned parallel to the first ring portion 403 at a predetermined interval, and a first ring portion 403 And a connecting portion 405 for connecting the second ring portion 404 at a plurality of locations. Further, one arm portion 402 is formed with a tongue-shaped light shielding piece 406 extending toward the inside of the reel 40L. In the outer peripheral region including the first ring portion 403, the second ring portion 404, and the connecting portion 405 that connects these cylindrical skeletons, for example, a strip shape on which a plurality of designs as shown in FIG. 4 are printed. The reel tape 42L is wound around the entire circumference and mounted.

  The reel unit 45 has a substantially plate-like base frame body 451, and the base end portion of the stepping motor 41L is fixed to one surface side of the base frame body 451 with a bolt or the like (not shown). A back lamp unit 452 is provided in front of the base frame body 451, and three light emitting elements (back lamps) 452a, 452b, 452c are mounted in the vertical direction corresponding to the positions of symbols to be stopped and displayed. In addition to the back lamp unit 452, a photosensor 43L for detecting the rotation reference position of the reel 40L is provided obliquely below the stepping motor 41L. The photo sensor 43L detects the light blocked by the light shielding piece 406 passing between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion, and outputs a rotation reference position detection signal (light shielding detection method). Note that the photosensor 43L may be a method (reflection detection method) that detects the light shielding piece 406 by receiving reflected light.

  The shaft hole of the boss 401 of the skeleton body is fitted and fixed to the drive shaft 41La of the stepping motor 41L, whereby the reel 40L is attached to the stepping motor 41L so as to be rotationally driven. Although details will be described later, in this embodiment, stepping motors 41L, 41C, and 41R each having a rotation of 504 steps are used as the rotational drive source of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R. In the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, the total number of symbols assigned to each reel 40L, 40C, 40R is 20 frames. If the stepping motor makes one rotation, the number of steps is 504, and if the outer periphery of the reel is engraved with the minimum movable unit of one step described above, 25 steps are allocated to each of the 16 frames of 20 frames. 26 steps are assigned to each of the remaining four frames.

  FIG. 4 shows an arrangement example of symbols attached to the left reel 40L, the middle reel 40C, and the right reel 40R. Symbol positions assigned to the left reel 40L, the middle reel 40C, and the right reel 40R are assigned symbol position numbers “0” to “19” that increase by 1 along the direction in which the reel rotates. In addition, a type code is assigned to each type of symbol. A symbol arrangement table in which symbol position numbers and type codes are associated with each reel 40L, 40C, 40R is stored in the ROM 102 of the main control board 100 described later.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, as a symbol attached to the reel, those having a motif of “bell”, “watermelon”, numerals “7”, “cherry” and the like are generally used. However, these symbol motifs are only traditionally used, and can be appropriately selected according to the type, theme, character, etc. of the slot machine.

  Referring to FIG. 2 again, at the bottom of the housing 80, a medal is provided with a power unit 82 for supplying power to various devices and devices mounted in the slot machine 10 and a hopper capable of storing a plurality of medals. The dispensing device 83 is accommodated. Further, the main control board 100 is fixed to the upper portion of the back plate of the housing 80 so as not to be removable from the housing 80. The main control board 100 as main control means mainly controls the progress of the game in the slot machine 10.

  On the back side of the front door 20, an upper panel unit 22 including speakers 21 </ b> L and 21 </ b> R is provided on the upper stage. The upper panel unit 22 is configured as a unit including the above-described image display device 61, the upper lamp 62, the corner lamps 63L, 63R and the like on the front side in addition to the speakers 21L, 21R. Further, the sub control board 200 is fixed to the back side of the upper panel unit 22. The sub control board 200 as the sub control means mainly controls the effect of the game based on the command transmitted from the main control board 100.

  A selector 28 that distributes and detects medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 51 is provided in the middle step on the back side of the front door 20. Below the selector 28, a chute 24 that guides medals determined by the selector 28 to the hopper of the medal payout device 83, and a medal payout outlet 71 on the front that is determined to be an unauthorized medal or a foreign object. And a medal return path 25 is provided. In addition, the above-described speakers 26L and 26R are provided in the lower part of the rear side of the front door 20, respectively.

[System configuration of slot machine]
Next, the overall system configuration of the slot machine 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a hardware system configuration for controlling the slot machine 10. The main control board 100 is a control circuit board that mainly controls the progress of the game, and includes a CPU (central processing unit) 101, a ROM (read-only nonvolatile memory) 102, a RAM (read / write work memory) 103, It has. When the CPU 101 of the main control board 100 executes arithmetic processing according to a program stored in the ROM 102, game progress and overall system control in the slot machine 10 are executed.

  Connected to the signal input port of the main control board 100 are switches for game operations such as the start lever 55, stop buttons 56L, 56C, 56R, the bet button 52 and the max bet button 54 shown in FIG. Then, contact signals such as a rotation start signal and a stop operation signal from these switches are input to the main control board 100 by interruption processing of a predetermined cycle, and the operation performed by the player is recognized by the CPU 101. The medal selector 28 is connected to the main control board 100. The medal selector 28 outputs a medal detection signal indicating that the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 51 is genuine to the main control board 100.

  Further, the main control board 100 is connected to display units such as the bet number display lamps 34 a, 34 b, 34 c, the credit number display unit 35, and the acquired number display unit 36. The CPU 101 of the main control board 100 lights up the bet number display lamps 34a, 34b, 34c according to the bet number of medals bet by the bet button 52 or the max bet button 54 or the like. Further, the CPU 101 converts information such as the number of credits stored in the RAM 103 and the number of paid-out medals into numeric segment codes as needed, and displays them on the credit number display 35 and the acquired number display 36.

  The main control board 100 is also connected to a motor drive circuit 500 that rotationally drives stepping motors 41L, 41C, and 41R coupled to the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R. The motor drive circuit 500 is a drive pulse signal for accelerating and controlling the rotation of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R based on an excitation data signal transmitted from a reel control means 113 (described later) provided on the main control board 100. , And an excitation stop signal for stopping the rotation of the reels 40L, 40C, 40R is output to the stepping motors 41L, 41C, 41R. Further, the photosensors 43L, 43C, and 43R are connected to the main control board 100 so that signals (rotation reference position detection signals) indicating the rotation reference positions of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are input to the main control board 100. .

  Further, a medal payout device 83 is connected to the main control board 100 via a payout control board 300. The medal payout device 83 has a hopper that can store medals and a payout mechanism that discharges medals stored in the hopper. The main control board 100 outputs a payout command signal to the payout control board 300 when paying medals to the player by winning or the like, and the payout control board 300 operates the medal payout device 83 to count the medals one by one. While releasing. The medals released from the medal payout device 83 are discharged from the medal payout outlet 71 to the tray 72.

  The role lottery means 108 provided in the main control board 100 generates a random number, for example, in the range of 0 to 65535, and performs a table of lotteries based on the acquired random number. Further, the main control board 100 is provided with a pseudo game determination means 109 described later. The pseudo game determination unit 109 is an independent determination unit that is different from the role lottery unit 108, but the content related to the execution of the pseudo game effect may be determined based on the role lottery result of the role lottery unit 108. The role lottery means 108 and the pseudo game determination means 109 can acquire a random number by using a hardware random number generator, and obtain a random number by so-called software random number processing by arithmetic processing of the CPU 101 and perform lottery processing. Also good.

  The main control board 100 also includes an external output timer means 151. Further, signal output means 150 is connected to the main control board 100. The signal output means 150 is a means for setting an external signal generated by the main control board 100 to a state where it can be output. The external signal is a data signal composed of data of a predetermined bit length such as 8 bits or 16 bits, for example, and the internal state of the slot machine 10 assigned in advance to each bit of the external signal indicates each bit data. It is shown in a state of H (high voltage) or L (low voltage). For example, in a game in which a small combination is won during the internal winning of the BB combination, a possible combination set in the condition device flag is a BB combination or a small combination. In this case, the signal output means 150 sets the condition device flag information in a state in which it can be output as an external signal in the order of the winning small combination and BB combination. Further, the signal output means 150 may be a parallel output port that is set in a state in which data of each bit of the external signal can be output.

  The signal output means 150 is connected to a predetermined external connection communication means (not shown) suitable for the signal output means 150 so that an external signal is output via the external communication connection means. . In principle, since no communication means is connected via the signal output means 150, information indicating the internal state of the slot machine 10 is not output to the outside. However, when performing a type test of a slot machine by a third party testing organization or grasping the operating state of each gaming machine in a hall computer, a predetermined external communication connection means is connected to the signal output means 150, and an exception is made. Thus, a signal indicating the internal state of the slot machine can be output to these devices.

  The signal output means 150 according to the present embodiment sets an external signal in a state where an external signal can be output in a normal unit game in which a pseudo game effect to be described later is not executed. It is configured not to set it in a state where output is possible.

  Further, the signal output means 150 is connected to an external output timer means 151 provided on the main control board 100. The external output timer means 151 is an output enabling means that allows the signal output means 150 to be set in a state in which an external signal can be output during the time measurement operation. That is, when the CPU 101 of the main control board 100 generates an external signal and turns on the external output timer means 151, the external output timer means 151 starts a measuring operation for a predetermined time, and during that time, the signal output means 150 outputs an external signal. Made possible. Here, “output is enabled” means that an external signal is actually output only when the predetermined external connection communication means described above is connected to the signal output means 150.

  Next, the sub control board 200 is a control circuit board including a CPU 201, a ROM 202, and a RAM 203. The CPU 201 receives commands and game progress information transmitted from the main control board 100, and executes arithmetic processing according to programs stored in the ROM 202 in accordance with these various commands. Performs control related to game effects.

  The sub control board 200 is provided on the back surface side in a state of being connected to the image display device 61 described above. Further, lamps such as the upper lamp 62 and corner lamps 63L and 63R, speakers 64L, 64R, 73L, and 73R, and the like are connected to the sub-control board 200 through a wire harness wired to the front door 20. .

  The sub-control board 200 reads image data selected as needed from the image data memory, generates a video signal that is a composite of the synchronization signal, the luminance signal, and the color signal, and sends a moving image based on the video signal to the image display device 61. Control the display.

  The sub-control board 200 drives the lamps such as the upper lamp 62 and the corner lamps 63L and 63R to turn on and blink, and reads voice data such as announcements and musical sounds from the voice data memory and converts them into sound signals. Based on the generated sound signal, the speakers 64L, 64R, 73L, and 73R are sounded.

  The effect lottery means 208 provided in the sub-control board 200 provides a game effect effect corresponding to information such as a role lottery result transmitted from the main control board 100 according to the numerical range to which the acquired random number belongs in the effect lottery table. Select a pattern. Such a lottery performed on the sub-control board 200 is referred to as an “effect lottery”. The effect lottery means 208 not only selects a game effect pattern, but also determines whether or not to perform a specific game effect, and the lottery result by the role lottery means 108 of the main control board 100. A lottery (AT lottery) for notifying the player of the result of the stop operation order (push order) is also performed.

  Further, the effect lottery means 208 of the sub-control board 200 can acquire a random number using a hardware random number generator, and obtains a random number by a so-called software random number process by a calculation process of the CPU 201 and performs a lottery process. May be.

[Role used for slot machine games]
Next, a role provided for the game of the slot machine 10 will be described. Here, FIGS. 6-8 is a figure which illustrates the combination of the symbol corresponding to a combination and each combination. Among these, FIG. 6 shows a special combination (bonus combination) to be shifted to a special game state advantageous to the player, and FIG. 7 shows a re-game combination that allows the next game to be performed without inserting a medal. (Replay combination) is shown, and FIG. 8 shows a small combination in which a player pays out medals by winning.

  FIG. 6 shows a “BB role” to be shifted to a special role BB (Big Bonus) special game (hereinafter referred to as “BB game”) and an RB (Regular Bonus) special game (hereinafter referred to as “RB game”). “RB combination” to be shifted to the state of “.”). The BB game state is a game state in which a high-probability game with a higher probability of winning a small role than a general game continues a plurality of times, and ends when a predetermined maximum payout number (for example, 419) is paid out. . In the RB game state, a high-probability game with a high probability of winning a small role continues, and a predetermined number of games (for example, 12 games) is consumed, or a predetermined number (for example, 8 times) of a small role is won. The gaming state that ends with

  These special roles (BB role, RB role) are bonus-type roles that can carry over the winning state by the role lottery means 108 to the next game. That is, even if the special combination is not established in the game, if the combination is established in the subsequent game, the corresponding special game state can be entered. In addition, a role lottery is performed in a general game in which the winning state of the special role is carried over (the internal winning flag of the BB role or the RB role is turned on). It is also possible that there are usually cases where the winning combination of the winning prize is duplicated. In the state where the internal winning flag of such a combination of winning features and winning prizes is on, a priority order may be provided for the winning combination such as, for example, preferentially pulling in and controlling the symbols relating to the replaying combination.

  FIG. 7 shows a plurality of types of re-game players (re-games A to L). Among these, the replay A is a “normal replay” that is established when three replay symbols are aligned with the middle active line (line L1). Since the replay symbols of the reels 40L, 40C, 40R are arranged on the reel tape within an interval of 5 frames, which is the maximum number of sliding frames, the replay symbols are all drawn in and controlled so that the replay A is established. It is a possible symbol arrangement.

  Replays B to F are “chance replays” in which symbol combinations including replay symbols on the left and right are associated with each other. When one of these symbol combinations is aligned with the active line, the game shifts to a state of RT2 that is slightly advantageous to the player, for example. The replay symbols of the left and right reels 40L and 40R are symbols that can be pulled in as described above. In addition, since each of the symbols of the bell, red seven, blue seven, black bar, and white bar of the middle reel 40C is arranged within an interval of five frames, one of the symbols is controlled to be drawn as a stop symbol. Thus, the symbol arrangement is such that any one of the replays B to F can be established.

  The re-game G is a re-game player associated with a symbol combination of “red seven (red 7) assortment” that requires pressing (stop operation) at a predetermined timing. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, it is also a role that becomes a trigger for transition to the state of RT3 in which an advantageous game in which the probability of a re-game role is high and medals are not reduced is possible.

  The re-games H to K are re-games in which symbol combinations that are partly common to “red seven uniforms” are associated. That is, when the red seven symbols are successfully pressed to the right or middle reels 40R and 40C, the expectation for the establishment of “red seven uniform (replay G)” can be increased. In addition, the symbol combinations of the replays H to K do not include the replay symbols, but when these symbols are aligned on the horizontal middle line L1, three replay symbols are displayed on the horizontal lower line L2B at the same time. It is a symbol arrangement. For this reason, even if the replay symbols are not arranged on the active line, the player can visually recognize the formation of the re-gamer.

  The replay game L is a replay game combination in which a red seven, replay, and red seven symbol combination is associated. For example, when the red seven symbol display for the left and right reels 40L and 40R is successfully pushed by reverse pinching, the reach of “red seven uniform” is obtained. The re-playing combination that can be established by displaying the symbol of the reach between the red seven symbols on the active line is either the re-game G or the re-game L. At this point, by making the player aim for the red seven symbol of the middle reel 40C, it is possible to increase the expectation of the formation of the red game G combination of “red seven uniform”.

  FIG. 8 shows symbol combinations for a plurality of types of small roles (Bell A to W and Cherry A to C). In the bell small role (bell role), the bell symbols are aligned on the effective line when the stop operation order of the stop buttons 56L, 56C, 56R (also referred to as “stop operation order” or simply “push order”) is correct. It has a bell A and bells B to W which are displayed in a different pattern when the push order is incorrect. Note that the correct answer / incorrect answer in the pressing order is associated with the lottery result by the role lottery means 108. Further, normally, the number of medals to be paid out is set more in the bell A when the pushing order is correct than in the bells B to W when the pushing order is incorrect. A combination of symbols corresponding to the roles B to W other than the bell A in which the bell symbols are aligned is referred to as “baraque bell”, “bell spilled eyes”, or simply “spilled eyes”.

  As will be described later, in this embodiment, the bells B to W that are displayed with different symbols when the push order is incorrect are also a role for the transition of the RT state in the general game. Also, the bells R to W associated with a specific symbol combination have a one-to-one correspondence with any one of the role lottery results “6” to “11” by the role lottery means 108 (see FIG. 13). . That is, conversely, when a specific symbol combination related to the bells R to W is displayed on the active line, the internal lottery result corresponds to the specific symbol combination (the character lottery result “ 6 ”to“ 11 ”) is notified to the player.

  Cherry A, B, C is a combination in which medals are paid out at the same time, and only the left reel 40L wins with a specific symbol display (Cherry A, B), or the left reel 40L and the middle reel 40C specific Win a prize on the symbol display (Cherry C).

[Game state provided in the slot machine]
FIG. 9 illustrates a game state transition flow controlled by the main control board 100 of the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment. Note that the RT state transition flow in FIG. 9 is merely an example, and the lottery probability of each gaming state may be changed, the number of RT states may be increased or decreased, and the transition condition between gaming states may be appropriately changed. .

  As described above, the gaming state in the unit game of the slot machine 10 is roughly classified into a “general gaming state” and a “special gaming state” in which an RB role or a BB role is established. In view of the difference in the winning probability of the re-gamer, there are at least five more RT states (non-RT and RT1 to RT4) in the general gaming state. That is, the general game shifts from “non-RT” and “RT1” in which the winning probability of the re-gamer is relatively low, “RT3” in which the winning probability of the re-gamer is relatively high, and from non-RT1 to RT3. It belongs to one of the RT states of “RT2” in the middle or “RT4” in which the special role is internally won.

  With reference to FIG. 9, the RT state in the general game provided in the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment will be described.

  First, the general game immediately after the end of the special game state such as the BB game or the RB game is in the RT1 state in which the internal winning probability of the re-gamer is 1 / 7.3, for example. Here, when the general game in the state of RT1 is performed, for example, when a bell combination including any of bell A and bells B to W is won simultaneously, stop buttons 56L and 56C are selected according to the lottery result. , 56R correct answer and incorrect answer push order are associated with each other. As described above, when the stop buttons 56L, 56C, and 56R are operated in the order in which the corresponding correct answers are pressed, it is highly possible that the bell symbol is aligned with the effective line and the role of the bell A is won. On the other hand, in the case where the pressing order of the stop operation is incorrect, the symbol of “Barakebell” bell spilling is displayed on the effective line, and any of the corresponding bells B to W is established.

  In the state of RT1, if such a bell role spilling due to an incorrect push order is displayed on the active line, the game shifts to a non-RT state. There is no change in the replay winning probability when transitioning from RT1 to non-RT, but as shown in FIG. 9, non-RT is closer to RT3, which is more advantageous to the player than RT1. .

  When a general game in a non-RT state is being performed, for example, when replaying players A to F are simultaneously elected, and symbols related to replaying B to F (chance replay) are displayed on the active line The game shifts from the non-RT to the RT2 state. Note that the symbol related to the chance replay or the symbol related to the normal replay may be displayed on the active line in accordance with the pressing order by the player. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the state of RT2 is also a chance state that can be shifted to the state of RT3 that is advantageous to the player when, for example, the red game G of “seven red match” is established.

  However, on the other hand, if the bell role is simultaneously won in the state of RT2, and if the design of the bell role spilling is displayed on the active line due to the stop operation of the incorrect push order, the game changes from RT2 to the non-RT state. It falls.

  When the state of RT2 is maintained and the combination of the re-game G of “Red Sevens” is established, the game shifts to the state of RT3 that is advantageous to the player. When shifting to such an advantageous gaming state, a so-called bound stop reel operation effect may be performed in which the red seven symbol stops on the active line with vibration. Further, when the stop buttons 56L, 56C, 56R are operated from the right to the left, for example, “reverse pressing” is performed, and when the eye pressing is successful, the reel may be bound and stopped. Furthermore, even if the game is out of the internal winning of “Red Seven Complete (Replay G)”, that is, if the result is a lottery result that cannot be transferred to RT3 (for example, replays H to K wins), the player is reversed. It may be possible to raise the expectation by performing a so-called “gase reel operation effect” in which the reels are vibrated and stopped each time a red seven symbol is displayed after a challenge. Also, for example, when the re-play L is an internal winning, each time the player performs a stop operation (reverse pinching push) in the order of the right reel 40R and the left reel 40L and approaches the reach of “red seven uniform”, Gase reel operation effect may be performed.

  The RT state transition control shown in FIG. 9 is executed by the main control board 100 as described above. In parallel with this, the sub-control board 200 controls AT and the like in the game in progress. In the AT game, for example, the correct pressing order associated with the lottery result by the role lottery means 108 is notified to the player by the lighting of the operation instruction lamps 33l, 33c, 33r and the image displayed on the image display device 61. The Note that the AT does not necessarily report only the correct answer push order, but for example, by notifying the push order of the incorrect answer of the bell role, which is a transition condition from RT1 to non-RT, finally the RT3 is sent to RT3. As a result, it is possible to notify the push order that is advantageous to the player, such as navigating the state transition.

  The notification of the pressing order by the AT is executed in a predetermined number of games after the end of the BB game which is a special game, for example. Further, for example, AT may be executed by lottery by the effect lottery means 208 of the sub-control board 200, or AT may be executed when a predetermined start condition is satisfied. The executed AT continues for a predetermined number of games (for example, one set is 30 games). If another AT wins during the AT state, another set (for example, 30 games) of the AT state continues. Such AT execution lottery results (AT execution rights) can also be stocked.

  In this way, basically, one execution right of AT is acquired by lottery by the effect lottery means 208, whereby one set (for example, 30 games) of AT is executed. You may perform AT lottery of whether another set of AT by the effect lottery means 208 is performed during the AT state or at the end of the AT. The probability that one set of AT states will continue after the end of one set of AT states is referred to as “AT continuation rate”.

  In addition to the gaming state described above, the slot machine 10 also has a special effect state such as a pseudo game effect using the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R and a freeze effect that temporarily stops the progress of the game.

[Control means of slot machine]
Next, the control means provided in the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment and the operation thereof will be described. The overall control in the slot machine 10 is performed by the cooperation of the control means provided in the main control board 100 and the sub control board 200 described above. In FIG. 10, the main control means provided in the slot machine 10 is shown in blocks. Each control unit shown in FIG. 10 is realized by the CPU 101 of the main control board 100 and the CPU 201 of the sub-control board 200 performing arithmetic processing, but some of them can be configured by hardware. Hereinafter, each control means will be described with reference to a flowchart and the like.

(Game control means)
First, the game control means 110 provided on the main control board 100 generates a bet number setting means 111, a reel control means 113, a winning determination means 120, a medal payout control means 121, and an update processing means 122, which are generated by calling a subroutine. In addition, each control means such as a command transmission means is integrated to control the progress of the unit game performed in the slot machine 10.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart corresponding to a unit game performed in the slot machine 10 and shows a flow of main game control processing executed by the game control means 110.

(Bet number setting means)
In the waiting state for starting the game, the betting number setting means 111 is activated (step S10). Here, the game start standby state is a state after the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are stopped and the winning determination is made, and waiting for the next bet operation. FIG. 12 shows a detailed flowchart of the bet number setting process by the bet number setting means 111.

  The operation of the betting number setting unit 111 will be described with reference to FIG. The betting number setting means 111 determines whether or not the established combination flag relating to the re-game combination is turned on in the game (step S101). The established combination flag relating to the re-gamer is set to ON when the re-gamer is established in the previous game (step S126 in FIG. 18). When the winning combination flag relating to the re-game is set on (step S101: YES), the winning combination flag is cleared to off (step S102), and the process proceeds to the subsequent game control process. That is, when a re-game player is established, the player can play the next game without inserting a medal (bet operation).

  When the bet number setting means 111 detects the operation of the bet button 52 (step S103: YES) in a state where the winning combination flag relating to the re-gamer is not set in the game (step S101: NO), the credit remains. If it has been set (step S104: YES), “1” is subtracted from the credit number variable (step S105). Then, “1” is added to the bet number variable in the RAM 103 (step S107).

  Further, when the medal selector 28 detects the insertion of a regular medal in the standby state for starting the game (step S106: YES), the bet number setting means 111 changes the bet number variable every time the inserted medal is detected. Add (step S107). Then, the bet number variable is added (step S107) until the bet number of medals reaches the specified number desired by the player (maximum “3”) (step S108: YES).

  Further, when detecting the operation of the maximum bet button 54 (step S103: YES), the betting number setting means 111 subtracts “3” from the credit number variable when there is a credit (step S104: YES) (step S105). ), The bet number variable is set to “3” (step S107).

  Through such processing, a prescribed number of 1-3 medals are bet on the game.

  Referring to FIG. 11 again, when the player has tilted the start lever 55 and the game control means 110 detects a rotation start signal in a state where the bet number of medals has reached the specified number (step S11: YES), a lottery drawing The means 108 is activated (step S12).

(Role lottery means)
The part lottery means 108 performs a part table lottery process based on a random number acquired from a hardware random number generator or the like.

  In the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, for example, one of the lottery results shown in FIG. 13 is obtained by the lottery process of the role lottery means 108 in step S12. Here, the “role lottery result number” refers to a number indicating the result of the lottery by the role lottery means 108. FIG. 13 illustrates the role lottery results including the internal winning of the roles in the general gaming state (role lottery results “1” to “13”) and losing (role lottery results “0”). Each of the lottery results “0” to “13” is sequentially assigned with a total of 14 numerical ranges (not shown) dividing the random numbers 0 to 65535, and the width of each assigned numerical range corresponds to the winning probability. Yes. The association between the result lottery result and the random number is stored in the ROM 102 of the main control board 100 as a role lottery table. Since the winning probability of the combination differs in each gaming state, a plurality of combination lottery tables are managed in the ROM 102 for each gaming state.

  According to the embodiment of FIG. 13, if the random number acquired in response to the operation of the start lever 55 belongs to the numerical range of the winning lottery result “1”, the BB winning combination is an internal winning. When the random number falls within the numerical range of the winning lottery result “2”, the RB winning combination is an internal winning. Similarly, when the random number belongs to the numerical range of the winning lottery result “3”, the re-game A is won internally, and when the random number belongs to the numerical range of the winning lottery result “4”, the re-play A and the re-games G to L are determined. At the same time, it is in a winning state. Hereinafter, for a small combination such as a bell combination, the internal winning is determined based on the combination lottery result corresponding to the acquired random number.

  Further, there are cases where a plurality of winning combinations are won simultaneously, and winning combinations are simultaneously won, and stop operation order (pushing order) is associated according to the result lottery result. For example, for the replay combination, as shown in FIG. 13, in the case of the combination lottery result “4”, “replay A” and “forward press” of the normal replay are associated with each other, and “replays G to L” “Reverse pressing or other operation order (that is, other than forward pressing)” is associated. In addition, as in the case of the winning lottery result “5”, there may be a winning lottery result in which the pressing order is not associated with the plurality of chance replays won simultaneously.

  Regarding the bell combination, in the present embodiment, the bell A has the largest number of payouts, so that the stop operation order associated with the bell A is set to “push order correct answer”, and the bells B to W are displayed with the symbols separated. The stop operation order associated with is “wrong answer in the pressing order”. For example, in the case of the lottery result “6”, the push order of the left middle right forward direction is set as the correct push order that the bell A can win. That is, if the stop operation is performed in the middle left and right when the winning lottery result “6” is won internally, it is highly likely that the bell A with the bell symbol will win, and any of the bells B to R in the other operation order. The symbol combination (bell role spilled) is displayed on the active line.

  Note that the result of the role lottery by the role lottery means 108 is transmitted to the sub-control board 200 as a role lottery result command.

(Pseudo game decision means)
Next, the pseudo game determining means 109 will be described. The pseudo game determination unit 109 is another determination unit different from the above-described combination lottery unit 108 that performs combination lottery. The pseudo game determination unit 109 is activated in step S13 after the combination lottery process shown in FIG. 11 is performed. Note that the pseudo game determination process may be performed immediately after the reel rotation start operation by the start lever 55, that is, prior to the winning lottery process.

  The pseudo game determination unit 109 determines, for example, any one of “0”, “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, and “5”. The determined pseudo game number is stored in the pseudo game number flag of the RAM 103. Here, FIG. 14 shows an example of a combination of a pseudo game number and a symbol associated therewith. As shown in FIG. 14, each pseudo game number “1” to “5” is associated with one symbol combination or a plurality of symbol combinations. These association data are stored in advance in the ROM 102 of the main control board 100.

  Here, in the example shown in FIG. 14, the combination of symbols is not associated with the pseudo game number “0”. That is, in the present embodiment, when the pseudo game determining means 109 determines the pseudo game number “0”, the pseudo game effect “described later” is not performed in the unit game, and the pseudo game numbers “1” to “5” are set. When any of the above is determined, a pseudo game effect is performed.

  In addition, the symbol combination matched in FIG. 14 is also a symbol combination selected for the pseudo stop display in the pseudo game effect. Here, the “pseudo stop display” is a display mode of a pattern that makes it appear as if the reel is shaken and fluctuated. A game effect in which such a pseudo stop display is executed is referred to as a “pseudo game effect”. In addition, the symbol selected for the pseudo stop display in the pseudo game effect is referred to as a “pseudo stop symbol”.

  According to FIG. 14, the pseudo stop symbol of the pseudo game number “1” is the same as the symbol of the BB combination used in the unit game. In addition, the pseudo stop symbol of the pseudo game number “2” is the same as the bell symbol of the small role (Bell A), and the pseudo stop symbol of the pseudo game number “3” is the replay symbol of the re-game player (Re game A). The same. However, it is not necessary to completely match the combination of the symbol of the combination used in the unit game with the combination of the pseudo stop symbol. In addition, the symbol combination having the pseudo game number “4” matches the symbol combination of the lower replay matches of the replays H to K (see FIG. 7). Further, as in the case where the pseudo game number “5” is determined, a combination of a plurality of types of symbols such as black bar, black bar, black bar and replay / replay / replay corresponds to one pseudo game number. Good.

Although details will be described later, a number called “provisional lottery result number” shown in FIG. 14 is determined based on the pseudo game numbers “1” to “5” determined by the pseudo game determination means 109. (Step S212 in FIG. 22). Note that the role lottery means 108 and the pseudo game determination means 109 are independent and independent determination means, but a symbol corresponding to the winning combination of the role lottery means 108 may be selected as a pseudo stop symbol. A combination of symbols related to any combination in a unit game that is out of the range may be selected as a combination of pseudo-stop symbols, or a combination of symbols that does not correspond to a combination used in a unit game is selected as a combination of pseudo-stop symbols. May be.
Further, the pseudo game determination unit 109 may determine the contents related to the execution of performing the pseudo game effect when a specific combination lottery result is obtained. Specifically, for example, in the case where the bells A to W whose role lottery number is “12” is won internally, whether or not the pseudo game determination means 109 performs the pseudo game effect on the condition that the result is a specific role lottery result. A lottery to determine or a lottery to determine the number of executions of the pseudo game effect may be performed. Furthermore, you may determine the content regarding execution of a pseudo game effect in a different ratio according to a role lottery result. Specifically, for example, when the bells A to W whose role lottery number is “12” have won internally, the probability of executing the pseudo game effect is halved, and the cherry A to C whose role lottery number is “13” May be determined so that the probability of executing the pseudo game effect is 1/10.

  In step S14 of the game control process shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 101 of the main control board 100 determines the pseudo game number determined by the pseudo game determination means 109. In the present embodiment, when the determined pseudo game number is “0”, the pseudo game effect is not performed, and when the pseudo game number is “1” to “5”, the pseudo game effect described later is performed. The process shifts to a pseudo game effect process by means 130 (step S25).

  When the pseudo game number stored in the pseudo game number flag is “0”, any one of the numbers “0” to “13” of the role lottery result by the role lottery means 108 determined in step S12 described above is the role of the RAM 103. The lottery number flag is set (the number of the winning lottery result is set) (step S15).

  Then, as a result of the role lottery by the role lottery means 108, if any of the winning combinations is won internally, a winning combination flag or a condition device flag corresponding to the winning lottery result number indicating the winning lottery result is set (step S16). ). Here, the condition device flag is a flag indicating the types of combinations that can be established in the game, including combinations that can be carried over. The condition device flag may also serve as a flag (winning combination flag) indicating a winning combination that cannot be carried over.

  That is, in step S16, when the number of the result lottery result set in the combination lottery number flag is “3” to “5”, it is determined that the re-game player is internally won, and the selected re-game player is related to the winning game. The winning combination flag is set on. Similarly, when the number of the result lottery is “6” to “13”, it is determined that the internal winning of the small role such as the bell role or the cherry role is made, and the winning combination flag related to the selected small role is turned on. Is set.

  When the number of the combination lottery result set in the combination lottery number flag is “1” or “2”, it is determined that the winning combination of the BB combination or the RB combination has been won. At this time, it is set to ON until the condition device flag relating to the selected special combination is established.

  The winning combination flag or condition device flag is a flag for storing the type of the winning combination in accordance with the winning lottery results “1” to “13”, and is set to ON by winning by the winning lottery means 108. Is cleared off (established in step S133 in FIG. 18). In the case of a winning role such as a small role or a re-playing role that cannot be carried over to other unit games, the winning combination flag will be displayed at the end of the unit game in which no winning was made in addition to the winning of that role. Is cleared to off (step S134 in FIG. 18).

Next, the CPU 101 sets the symbol control number in the symbol control flag based on the symbol lottery result by the symbol lottery means 108 (step S17). The symbol control number is set in order to create a sliding frame number table used for normal reel stop control. The symbol control number is determined according to the symbol combination based on the combination lottery result with reference to the correspondence table as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, for example.
The symbol control number “6” in FIG. 15A corresponds to the symbol combinations of the replays H to K in the lower stage replay shown in FIG. 7, but the symbol notation is simplified in FIG. 15A. The symbol control number “7” in FIG. 15A shows only the bell bell bell as the representative symbol of the bell role, but actually corresponds to each bell role from the role lottery result numbers “6” to “12”. Corresponding symbol control numbers (not shown in FIG. 15A). In the example shown in FIG. 13, if the combination lottery result number is “6”, the symbol combinations of bells A, B to Q, and R correspond, and if the combination lottery result number is “7”, The symbol combinations of bells A, B to Q, and S correspond.
Also, the symbol control number “8” corresponds to the symbol combination of cherries A to B shown in FIG. 8, but the symbol notation is also omitted.
Further, the symbol control number does not necessarily have to be uniquely determined from the winning lottery result. For example, as shown in FIG. 15B, in the normal game in which the BB role is internally elected, when the replay A is internally elected, the white bar / white bar / white bar and the replay / replay / replay are all stopped. The symbol control number “11” set as a possible symbol combination is determined.

(Weight means)
Next, the weight unit 124 monitors the passage of, for example, 4.1 seconds, which is a predetermined wait time (step S18). That is, in step S18, the timer measurement started at the same time as or immediately before the rotation of the reels 40L, 40C, 40R in the most recent unit game or pseudo game effect (this timer measurement start of the weight means 124 is referred to as "reset"). It is monitored whether a predetermined wait time has elapsed. Regardless of whether or not the normal unit game or the pseudo game effect is being executed, the weight unit 124 proceeds with the process until 4.1 seconds elapses from the start of the previous rotation of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R. Stop and wait. When the standby process for 4.1 seconds is completed (step S18: YES), for example, a wait time of 4.1 seconds is reset (step S19). Needless to say, if the predetermined wait time has already exceeded at the time of determination in step S18, the standby process is not performed. Thereafter, a rotation start command is transmitted to the sub control board 200.

  Next, the CPU 101 of the main control board 100 generates an external signal indicating information on a result lottery result by the role lottery means 108 and turns on the external output timer means 151 (step S20). As a result, the external output timer means 151 starts a measuring operation for a predetermined time, and during that time, a state in which the external signal can be output by the signal output means 150 is set. Note that the external output timer means 151 is not turned on during execution of the pseudo game effect (step S217 in FIG. 22), and the output is not possible.

  As described above, even if the signal output means 150 is set in a state in which output is possible, an external signal indicating the internal state of the slot machine 10 is not output to the outside during normal times. When the signal output means 150 is ready to be output while the external output timer means 151 is on, an external signal is output to the outside by connecting a predetermined external communication connection means (not shown). .

(Reel control means)
Next, the reel control means 113 controls the rotation and stop of the reels 40L, 40C, 40R according to the rotation start signal from the start lever 55 and the stop operation signal from the stop buttons 56L, 56C, 56R (step S21). ). In the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment, the reel control unit 113 includes a normal reel stop control unit 114 and a pseudo reel stop control unit 115. The normal reel stop control means 114 performs normal reel stop control in which a combination of symbols based on a result lottery result can be stopped and displayed in a unit game, whereas the pseudo reel stop control means 115 is a symbol selected in the pseudo game effect. Pseudo reel stop control is performed so that a combination of the above can be displayed as a pseudo stop. Details of the normal reel stop control means 114 and the pseudo reel stop control means 115 will be described later.

  In step S21 of the game control process shown in FIG. 11, the reel control means 113 performs a reel control process as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

When the start lever 55 is operated in the state where a medal is bet on the unit game (step S11 in FIG. 11: YES) and the weight means 124 confirms that a predetermined wait time has elapsed (step S18 in FIG. 11: YES), the reel control is performed. The means 113 creates a sliding frame number table based on the symbol control number set in the symbol control flag (S111). Here, the “sliding frame number table” is a control data table created for each reel 40L, 40C, 40R, and the created sliding frame number table is stored in the working area of the RAM 103. In the sliding frame number table, at least the rotational position of the reel and the number of sliding frames are associated with each other. Here, the “reel rotation position” in the sliding frame number table may be, for example, the symbol position shown in FIG. The “sliding frame number” refers to a number indicating the amount of rotation of the reel from the stop operation until the reel actually stops by the number of symbols on the symbol. The number of sliding frames is set to a maximum number of sliding frames allowed in the slot machine 10 (this is referred to as “specified control frame number”), for example, a frame number of 5 frames or less.
The sliding frame number table may be created during the acceleration of the rotation of the reel, that is, before the reel can be stopped.

  The reel control unit 113 outputs a drive pulse signal that rotates all the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R all at once, and performs acceleration control that shortens the pulse width stepwise (step S112). When the number of rotations of each of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R reaches a predetermined value, for example, 80 rotations / minute (step S113: YES), the reels are controlled at a constant speed with a constant drive pulse signal period (step S114).

  When the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R reach the constant speed rotation control, the reel control unit 113 permits the stop operation by the stop buttons 56L, 56C, and 56R (step S115). When a stop operation signal due to the operation of the stop button is received for the rotating reel (step S116: YES), the reel is stopped with reference to the sliding frame number table according to the timing of the stop operation. A symbol is determined (step S117).

  Here, an example of determination of the stop symbol by the normal reel stop control means 114 included in the reel control means 113 and pull-in control using the sliding frame number table will be described with reference to FIG.

  The normal reel stop control means 114 creates a sliding frame number table as shown in FIG. 17 for each of the reels 40L, 40C and 40R according to the result lottery result by the role lottery means 108. The example of FIG. 17 is a case where the number of the result lottery result is “6” and the bells A to F are simultaneously won (see FIG. 13). In the role lottery result “6”, the correct answer (bell bell bell) and the incorrect answer are associated with each other. When the push order is correct, the symbol control number “7” referred to in the correspondence table of FIG. ”(Bell bell bell) is created. When the pushing order is incorrect, so-called kicking control is executed so that the result is a result of not displaying the bell A (bell spilling eyes).

  In the example of FIG. 17, in the sliding frame number table in the case of correct pushing order, each symbol position number and the symbol symbol in the direction in which the symbol moves starting from the symbol position number (in the direction in which the symbol position number increases) The number of frames is set. The sliding frame number table in the case of incorrect answer for the pressing order includes each symbol position number and the red seven, blue seven, black bar, and white bar related to the other symbols B to Q that are selected at the same time starting from the symbol position number. The number of frames up to the symbol is set. The sliding frame number table is created based on the result of the winning lottery by the winning lottery means 108, but the data of the number of sliding symbols may be stored in the ROM 102 in advance.

  Then, the normal reel stop control means 114 accepts a stop operation in the correct answer push order (left middle right push) set when the winning lottery result is “6”, and at that time, it passes the middle line L1. For example, if the symbol is a cherry symbol with symbol position number “16”, the symbol three symbols ahead (the bell symbol with symbol position number “19”) referenced in the sliding frame number table in the correct pressing order is used as the stop symbol. Determine (see FIG. 17A).

  On the other hand, the normal reel stop control means 114 accepts a stop operation in the order of pushing the incorrect answer set when the winning lottery result is “6”, and the symbols passing through the middle line L1 at that time are, for example, the same symbols. In the case of the cherry symbol of position number “16”, the symbol two symbols ahead (the white bar symbol of symbol position number “18”) referred to in the sliding frame number table at the time of incorrect pressing order is determined as the stop symbol. (See FIG. 17B).

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 16, when a stop operation signal from the stop buttons 56L, 56C, 56R is accepted (step S116: YES) and the stop symbol is determined (step S117), the normal reel stop control means 114 determines. The reel is controlled to stop at a position where the stopped symbol and the effective line exactly coincide with each other (step S118). The details of the normal reel stop control executed during the unit game and the pseudo reel stop control executed during the pseudo game effect will be described later including the differences between them.

  The reel control means 113 repeatedly executes normal reel stop control from step S116 to S118 until all the reels 40L, 40C, 40R stop (step S119). When receiving a stop of one reel, a new sliding slip number table for the remaining reels is created according to the symbol to be stopped and the result of lottery drawing, or created at the start of reel rotation. The sliding frame number table may be updated.

(Winning determination means)
Next, the winning determination means 120 activated in step S22 of the game control process shown in FIG. 11 will be described. The winning determination means 120 determines a winning based on a combination of symbols displayed on the active line when all the reels 40L, 40C, 40R are stopped. Here, FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a winning determination process by the winning determination means 120.

  The winning determination unit 120 first clears and initializes the winning combination flags for all the combinations managed by the RAM 103 (step S121). Subsequently, the winning determination means 120 refers to the reel control flag of the RAM 103 for each of the reels 40L, 40C, 40R, and recognizes the stop symbol displayed on the active line (line L1, etc.) (step S122). The winning determination means 120 may recognize a symbol on the effective line based on the number of steps of the drive pulse signal sent from the reel rotation reference position.

  Further, the winning determination means 120 refers to the symbol (symbol combination) table (for example, FIGS. 6, 7 and 8) of the ROM 102, and any of the symbol combinations of the reels 40L, 40C and 40R stopped on the active line is selected. It is checked whether or not it matches the combination corresponding to the combination. The winning determination means 120 determines that the corresponding combination is established (wins) when the display mode of the symbol on the active line matches a combination of symbols corresponding to any combination.

  For example, when the winning determination means 120 determines that a small combination has been established (step S123: YES), the winning combination flag relating to the small combination is set on (step S124). Further, when it is determined that the re-gamer has been established (step S125: YES), the established combination flag relating to the re-gamer is set on (step S126).

  When the winning determination means 120 determines that the condition device flags for the BB combination are on and the symbols are aligned and the BB combination is established (step S127: YES), the winning combination flag for the BB combination is set to on (step S128). ), The BB state flag is set to ON (step S129). Similarly, when it is determined that the RB combination has been established (step S130: YES), the established combination flag relating to the RB combination is set on (step S131), and the RB state flag is set on (step S132).

  The winning determination means 120 clears the winning combination flag of the winning combination when it is determined that the small combination or replaying combination is won, and the special combination that is established when it is determined that the special combination (BB combination, RB combination) is established. Is cleared (step S133). On the other hand, if the winning combination other than the special combination cannot be carried over, such as a small combination or a re-playing combination, and the winning combination is not won, the winning combination flag is cleared (step S134). Furthermore, when the winning determination means 120 determines that the predetermined transition condition for the RT state shown in FIG. 9 is satisfied (step S135: YES), the RT state flag in the RAM 103 is updated to a value indicating the transition destination state. (Step S136).

  The information on the result of the winning determination by the winning determining means 120 is transmitted to the sub-control board 200 as a winning determination result command.

(Medal payout control means)
Next, in step S23 of the main game control process shown in FIG. 11, the medal payout control means 121 is activated when the winning determination means 120 determines, for example, a small role winning. Here, FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a medal payout control process by the medal payout control means 121.

  There are two methods for paying out medals to be paid to a player when winning a small role: internal storage as credits, and payment of medals from a medal payout outlet 71 to a tray 72. In the slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment, priority is given to internal storage in credits, that is, normally, the number of medals to be paid out is added to the credits, but the added credits exceed a predetermined upper limit (for example, 50). Sometimes, more medals than that are discharged from the medal payout opening 71.

  When the medal payout control means 121 wins a small role, the medal payout number (hereinafter referred to as “PCNT”) in the RAM 103 is calculated by multiplying the number of payouts corresponding to the winning small role by the number of active lines having the same pattern. ”) (Step S141). If PCNT is greater than or equal to zero in step S142, that is, if there is a payout (step S142: YES), it is determined whether or not the credit number variable is the upper limit (full) of 50 cards (step S143).

  When the credit number variable is full (step S143: YES), the medal payout control means 121 operates the medal payout device 83 to release one medal (step S144). Then, PCNT is subtracted by “1” (step S146), and the process returns to step S142. When the credit number variable is not full (step S143: NO), the medal payout control means 121 adds “1” to the credit number variable (step S145), and subtracts “1” from PCNT (step S146). The process returns to S142. The medal payout control means 121 repeats the processing from steps S142 to S146 for paying out medals one by one until PCNT becomes zero.

(Update processing means)
Next, the update processing means 122 will be described. The update processing means 122 performs update processing including transition to the next game in step S24 in the game control processing shown in FIG. Here, FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing processing by the update processing means 122.

  When the BB state flag relating to the BB game is ON (step S151: YES), the update processing means 122 adds the number of medals paid out by winning in the game to a payout total counter (hereinafter referred to as “DCNT”). Integration is performed (step S152). When the DCNT exceeds, for example, 419 cards corresponding to the maximum payout number, which is the BB game end condition (step S153: YES), the BB state flag related to the BB game is turned off (step S154), and the DCNT is cleared. (Step S155).

  When the RB state flag relating to the RB game is ON (step S156: YES), the update processing means 122 adds “1” to the game number counter (hereinafter “GCNT”) (step S157). Further, when a small combination is established in the game and the formed combination flag is on (step S158: YES), “1” is added to the small combination winning number counter (hereinafter “WCNT”) (step S159).

  When the GCNT corresponding to the number of RB games exceeds 12 games, for example, or when the WCNT corresponding to the number of small roles exceeds 8 times, for example (step S160: YES), the update processing means 122 The flag is turned off (step S161), and GCNT and WCNT are cleared (step S162).

  When the game state is changed between the non-RT, RT1 to RT4 or the general game and the special game described above with reference to the flag relating to the game state (step S163: YES), the update processing unit 122 changes the game state. The combination lottery table corresponding to the gaming state is read from the ROM 102 and set in the combination lottery means 108 (step S164).

(Production control means)
Next, various control means provided in the sub control board 200 will be described. The effect control means 210 of the sub-control board 200 mainly controls the effects performed along with the progress of the game of the slot machine 10 together with the control means described below.

  The effect control means 210 performs effects by using lights such as the upper lamp 62 and the corner lamps 63L and 63R, the speakers 64L and 64R, according to the content of the command transmitted from the main control board 100 and its timing. An effect by sound using 73L and 73R, and an effect by image or character using the image display device 61 are controlled.

  For example, when receiving the rotation start command from the main control board 100, the effect control unit 210 displays a predetermined or selected effect image on the image display device 61 to attract the player's interest in the reel rotation operation. To produce a Further, the effect control means 210 selects an effect pattern to be effected on the image display device 61 or the like according to the result of the lottery executed by the main control board 100 and the current game progress state. An effect image or effect pattern may be selected by a lottery process of the effect lottery means 208 described below.

  For example, when the production control means 210 receives an internal winning combination lottery result command of “Red Seven Complete (Re-Game G)” from the main control board 100, the production pattern or red that causes the player to aim for the red Seven symbol. An effect pattern that prompts the user to “reversely press” the seven symbols may be selected and displayed on the image display device 61 or the like.

(Direction lottery means)
The effect lottery means 208 provided in the sub-control board 200 is activated every time a command is received from the main control board 100 or when a specific rotation start command or a role lottery result command is received. The effect lottery means 208 acquires a random number at a predetermined timing, refers to the effect lottery table stored in the ROM 202, and selects the effect content corresponding to the numerical range to which the acquired random number belongs.

  In addition to the lottery for selecting an effect pattern (effect lottery), the effect lottery means 208 determines whether or not to notify the role lottery result transmitted from the main control board 100 (role notification lottery) Further, a lottery (AT lottery) for determining whether or not to perform an AT effect that assists the player in the operation, such as a stop operation order, may be performed.

(AT control means)
The AT control means 212 provided in the sub-control board 200 selects an effect pattern corresponding to the association between the combination indicated by the combination lottery result command and the stop operation order from the plurality of effect patterns related to the AT. An effect pattern and an AT effect image related to the execution of these ATs may be selected by lottery by the effect lottery means 208.

  When the AT execution conditions are satisfied, the AT control unit 212 should receive a rotation stop command transmitted from the main control board 100 each time the stop button 56L, 56C, 56R is stopped, and stop next. An AT effect image for notifying the reel is displayed on the image display device 61.

  Next, a plurality of embodiments of the slot machine according to the present invention will be described. The slot machine 10 according to the embodiment includes a pseudo game effect means 130 that executes a pseudo game effect when a predetermined condition is satisfied. For this purpose, the reel control means 113 of the slot machine 10 includes, in addition to the normal reel stop control means 114 for executing the normal reel stop control capable of stopping and displaying the combination of symbols based on the result of the winning lottery of the winning lottery means 108. There is a pseudo reel stop control means 115 for executing a pseudo reel stop control in which the combination of symbols selected in the game effect can be displayed in a pseudo stop manner.

(First embodiment)
The normal reel stop control means 114 is a normal reel stop control means provided in a general slot machine. That is, the normal reel stop control means 114 creates a sliding frame number table in which the rotational positions of the reels 40L, 40C, 40R and the number of sliding frames are associated with each other based on the result of the winning lottery by the winning lottery means 108, The reel is controlled so as to stop display the symbol selected based on the rotation position of the reel at the time of accepting the stop operation and the generated sliding frame number table.

  As described above, when the pseudo game number determined by the pseudo game determination unit 109 is “0”, the pseudo game effect is not executed (step S14 in FIG. 11: “0”), and the lottery result of the combination lottery unit 108 Is set in the role lottery number flag (step S15 in FIG. 11). When any winning combination is won internally, the corresponding winning combination flag or condition device flag is set (step S16 in FIG. 11).

  Based on the result lottery result, the symbol control number is set in the symbol control flag (step S17 in FIG. 11). The symbol control number is used as a number for creating a sliding frame number table normally used for reel stop control.

  The normal reel stop control means 114 creates a sliding frame number table for every reel 40L, 40C, 40R based on the symbol control number set in the symbol control flag (step S111 in FIG. 16). As described above, the “sliding frame number table” is a control data table in which the number of sliding frames equal to or less than a specified control frame number (for example, 5 frames) is assigned to the symbol position number that is the rotational position of the reel. . Here, in FIG. 21, when the symbol control number “7” (see FIG. 15A) is selected as a result of the lottery drawing, an implementation of the sliding frame number table created as a combination of bell, bell, bell and stop symbol is performed. An example is shown.

  The normal reel stop control means 114 stops the stop symbol selected on the basis of the rotation position of the corresponding reel 40L, 40C, 40R and the created sliding frame number table when accepting the stop operation to the stop buttons 56L, 56C, 56R. As shown, an excitation stop signal is output to the stepping motor of the reel.

  On the other hand, the pseudo game determination means 109 activated in step S13 of the game control process of FIG. 11 is a means for determining whether or not to perform a pseudo game effect and / or determining the contents of the pseudo game effect. As already described, the pseudo game determining means 109 determines the pseudo game numbers “0” to “5” according to the result of the role lottery by the role lottery means 108 or by a lottery process different from the role lottery means 108. .

  “Determining whether or not to perform a pseudo game effect” means that if the pseudo game number determined by the pseudo game determination means 109 is “0” (step S14 in FIG. 11: “0”), the pseudo game effect is executed. If the pseudo game numbers are “1” to “5” (step S14 in FIG. 11: “1” to “5”), it means that the pseudo game effect is executed.

  “Determining the contents of the pseudo game effect” means that depending on the execution conditions of the pseudo game effect, that is, the determined pseudo game numbers “1” to “5”, the combination of the pseudo stop symbols and the mode of the stop operation It also means determining the method of pseudo stop control (Examples 2 and 3 to be described later).

  In one embodiment, the pseudo game determining unit 109 may select a symbol corresponding to the winning combination by the winning lottery unit 108 as a pseudo stop symbol. For example, when the re-game A is won internally (number “3” as a result lottery result shown in FIG. 13), the pseudo game number “3” is determined (see FIG. 14). As a result, the combination of the pseudo stop symbols becomes replay / replay / replay, which is the same as the combination of the symbols of the re-gamer A used in the unit game (see FIG. 7). Similarly, when Bell A is won internally (numbers “6” to “12” in the result lottery results shown in FIG. 13), the pseudo game number “2” is determined (see FIG. 14). As a result, the combination of the pseudo stop symbols becomes the bell bell bell, which is the same as the small role symbol used in the unit game.

  In another embodiment, the pseudo game determining means 109, for example, the replay / replay / replay of the pseudo game number “3” or the pseudo game number “2” when the winning lottery means 108 does not win any of the winning combinations. Bell bell bell may be selected as a combination of false stop symbols.

  In still another embodiment, the pseudo game determination unit 109 may select a combination of symbols that does not correspond to a combination used in a unit game as a combination of pseudo stop symbols. Regardless of the lottery result by the winning lottery means 108, it may be determined whether or not to perform a pseudo game effect by an independent lottery process, or a pseudo game number may be determined.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the pseudo game effect process according to this embodiment. When the pseudo game numbers determined by the pseudo game determination unit 109 are “1” to “5”, the pseudo game effect unit 130 is activated (step S25 in FIG. 11). The pseudo game effect means 130 first sets the determined pseudo game numbers “1” to “5” in the pseudo game command (step S211).

  As illustrated in FIG. 14, the pseudo game effect means 130 sets the temporary role lottery result number in the temporary role lottery result number flag in accordance with the pseudo game numbers “1” to “5” (step S212). For example, when the pseudo game number is “1”, the temporary lottery result number “1” of white bar, white bar, and white bar is set. This is the same as the role lottery result number “1” of the BB role. Similarly, when the pseudo game number is “2”, a bell-bell bell temporary lottery result number “6” is set. In addition, when the pseudo game number is “4”, the provisional lottery result number “4” corresponding to the eight pseudo stop symbol combinations in the lower replay set is set. When the pseudo game number is “3”, the temporary play lottery result number “3” of replay / replay / replay is set.

  The pseudo game effect means 130 provisionally sets the corresponding winning combination flag or condition device flag based on the temporary role lottery result number which is the determination result by the pseudo game determination means 109 (step S213). At this time, the pseudo game effect means 130 can substitute the same processing means (subroutine) as the processing for setting the corresponding winning combination flag or condition device flag based on the winning lottery result number in normal reel stop control. .

  Next, the pseudo reel stop control means 115 sets the symbol control number in the symbol control flag based on the temporary character lottery result number set in the temporary character lottery result number flag (step S214). As shown in FIG. 14, the combination of symbols to be pseudo-stopped corresponds to the temporary lottery result number, and the symbol control number to which the symbol combination to be pseudo-stopped is further shown in the correspondence table shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B. Set with reference to.

  For example, when the pseudo game determining means 109 determines the pseudo game number “3” and the combination of the pseudo stop symbols having the temporary lottery result number “3” is replay / replay / replay, the symbol control number “3” Is set. In addition, when the pseudo game determining means 109 determines the pseudo game number “2” and the bell / bell / bell with the temporary lottery result number “6” is a combination of the pseudo stop symbols, the symbol control number “7”. Is set.

  The symbol control flag uses the same storage area of the RAM 103 as the symbol control flag used by the normal reel stop control means 114 in the unit game. The symbol control number used by the pseudo reel stop control means 115 is also set to create a sliding frame number table in the same manner as the normal reel stop control means 114.

  Next, in the pseudo game effect, the weight unit 124 monitors the elapse of, for example, 4.1 seconds, which is a predetermined wait time (step S215). Regardless of whether or not the normal unit game or the pseudo game effect is being executed, the weight means 124 continues the process until the previous rotation of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R or 4.1 seconds elapses. Stop and wait. Then, when the waiting process of 4.1 seconds is completed (step S215: YES), the weight unit 124 resets the wait time of 4.1 seconds (step S216). Needless to say, if the wait time of 4.1 seconds has already exceeded at the time of the determination in step S215, the standby process is not performed.

  Here, under the condition that the pseudo game effect is executed, after the wait time of 4.1 seconds is reset, it is not set to a state where an external signal can be output (step S217). That is, in step S217, the off state of the external output timer means 151 is continued, whereby information determined regarding the pseudo game effect is not output as an external signal, and information on the result lottery result temporarily set in step S213 ( The winning combination flag or condition device flag information) is not output.

  The slot machine 10 according to the present embodiment employs a configuration in which the pseudo reel control process substitutes a part of the normal reel control process, but the role lottery result temporarily set during the pseudo game effect in this way. For game information such as, external output is restricted. In addition, during the pseudo game effect, information related to the pseudo game effect is not output to the outside as an external signal. This maintains the existing communication environment with respect to the amount of external signal information and the frequency of external output, thus ensuring a margin for communication with the hall computer or test equipment, etc. It can be avoided.

  Next, in step S218, the pseudo game effect means 130 executes a pseudo reel control process. Here, FIG. 23 illustrates a flowchart showing details of the pseudo reel control process according to the first embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 23, the pseudo reel stop control means 115 of the present embodiment creates a sliding frame number table based on the symbol control number set in the symbol control flag (step S311). The sliding frame number table used by the pseudo reel stop control means 115 uses the same storage area of the RAM 103 as the sliding frame number table used by the normal reel stop control means 114 and has the same data structure. That is, in the sliding frame number table, at least the symbol position number that is the rotational position of the reel and the number of sliding frames are associated with each other. By making the control process common to the normal reel stop control, the working area of the RAM 103 can be saved and the processing load on the CPU 101 can be reduced.

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 15A, for example, when the symbol control number “3” is set in the symbol control flag, a sliding frame number table for creating a pseudo stop of replay, replay, and replay is created, and symbol control is performed. When the number “7” is set, a sliding frame number table for falsely stopping the bell, bell, bell is created. Although not shown in the flowchart, the rotation of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R may be started, and the sliding frame number table may be created during the acceleration control thereof.

  Referring back to FIG. 23, in the pseudo game effect, the reel control means 113 outputs a drive pulse signal that rotates all the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R all at once, and performs acceleration control to shorten the pulse width stepwise (step). S312). When the number of rotations of each of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R reaches a predetermined value, for example, 80 rotations / minute (step S313: YES), the reels are controlled at a constant speed with a constant drive pulse signal period (step S314). .

  When the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R reach the constant speed rotation control, the reel control unit 113 permits the stop operation by the stop buttons 56L, 56C, and 56R (step S315). When a stop operation signal due to the operation of the stop button is received for the rotating reel (step S316: YES), the reel is referred to the generated sliding frame number table according to the timing of the stop operation. Is determined (step S317).

  For example, an example will be described in which a symbol control number “2” is set and a sliding frame number table is created for pseudo-stopping bell bell bell. Here, FIG. 21 shows an embodiment of the sliding frame number table for bell bell bell.

In the example of FIG. 21, the pseudo reel stop control means 115 accepts a first stop operation by, for example, the left stop button 56L, and the symbol passing through the middle line L1 at that time is, for example, the symbol of symbol position number “7”. In this case, the symbol ahead of the four frames referred to in the sliding frame number table for the left reel 40L (the bell symbol of the symbol position number “11”) is determined as the pseudo stop symbol of the left reel 40L.
Further, the pseudo reel stop control means 115 accepts the second stop operation by the center stop button 56C, for example, and when the symbol passing through the middle line L1 at that time is, for example, the symbol of the symbol position number “16”, The symbol ahead of the three frames referred to in the sliding frame number table for the middle reel 40C (the bell symbol of the symbol position number “19”) is determined as the pseudo stop symbol of the middle reel 40C.
Further, the pseudo reel stop control means 115 accepts the third stop operation by the right stop button 56R, for example, and when the symbol passing through the middle line L1 at that time is, for example, the symbol of the symbol position number “18”, The symbol ahead of the three frames referred to in the sliding frame number table for the right reel 40R (the bell symbol of the symbol position number “1”) is determined as the pseudo stop symbol of the right reel 40R.

  Thereby, the pseudo reel stop control means 115 creates a sliding frame number table based on the result of the pseudo game determination means 109, and based on the rotation position of the reel at the time of accepting the stop operation and the created sliding frame number table. The reel is controlled so that the selected symbol is displayed on the line L1 in a pseudo-stop manner with fluctuations in the swing (step S318). Then, the pseudo reel stop control means 115 repeatedly executes the pseudo reel stop control from step S316 to S318 until all the reels 40L, 40C, 40R are pseudo stopped (step S319).

  In addition, when one reel is stopped, the remaining symbols are changed according to the symbol to be pseudo-stopped with its fluctuation and the determination result by the pseudo game determining means 109 (in some cases, the reel that has been first stopped). A new sliding frame number table may be created, or the sliding frame number table created at the start of reel rotation may be updated.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 22, after the pseudo reel control process is completed, the pseudo game determination update process is executed (step S219). In the update process of the pseudo game determination, the pseudo game number is updated. If the pseudo game number is updated to “0”, the process shifts to a normal game control process from step S15 shown in FIG. If the pseudo game number is updated to “1” to “5”, the pseudo game effect process in step S25 shown in FIG. 11 is repeated. The pseudo game effect may be executed a predetermined number of times, or may be updated in accordance with a pseudo stop symbol (pseudo stop appearance) displayed in a swinging manner. For example, when the pseudo stop symbol is replay, the pseudo game effect may be executed again when the start lever 55 is turned on. Further, the pseudo game number may be updated according to the pressing order in which the stop operation is performed in the pseudo game effect.

  It should be noted that, after the completion of one pseudo game effect, the pseudo game number may be determined again by returning to the pseudo game determination process (step S13 in FIG. 11) without performing the update process of the pseudo game determination in step S219.

Moreover, although it is applicable also to the 2nd-4th Example demonstrated below, you may clear the sliding frame number table created by the pseudo game production for every pseudo stop of a reel, and the same symbol control as a result lottery result When pseudo stop control is performed with a number (for example, replay / replay / replay), the table may be used as it is for normal game pull-in control without clearing the sliding frame number table.
In addition, based on the result of the pseudo stop symbol or the like displayed in a swinging manner, the AT may be used as a lottery opportunity, an extension opportunity, or a specific game start opportunity advantageous to the player.

(Second embodiment)
Next, the pseudo game presentation means 130 and the pseudo reel stop control means 115 according to the second embodiment will be described. The pseudo game effect means 130 executes the pseudo reel control process shown in step S218 of FIG. 22 as in the first embodiment. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing details of the pseudo reel control process according to the second embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 24, in the second embodiment, start lever 55 is operated (step S11 in FIG. 11: YES), and execution of the pseudo game effect is confirmed (steps S14 in FIG. 11: “1” to “5”). ) After the weight means 124 confirms that the predetermined wait time of 4.1 seconds has elapsed (step S215 in FIG. 22: YES), the pseudo reel stop control means 115 sets the symbol control number set in the symbol control flag. Based on this, a sliding frame number table is created (step S411).

  For example, in the game with the pseudo game number “5” determined by the pseudo game determination means 109, black bar / black bar / black bar and replay / replay / replay are selected as a combination of symbols that can be pseudo-stopped (see FIG. 14). ), A symbol control number “10” for creating a sliding frame number table in which both symbol combinations can be pseudo-stopped is set (see FIG. 15B). The sliding frame number table created and used by the pseudo reel stop control means 115 uses the same storage area of the RAM 103 as the sliding frame number table used by the normal reel stop control means 114. By making the control process common to the normal reel stop control, the working area of the RAM 103 can be saved and the processing load on the CPU 101 can be reduced.

Then, the reel control means 113 outputs a drive pulse signal that rotates all the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R all at once, and performs acceleration control that shortens the pulse width stepwise. When the number of rotations of each of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R reaches a predetermined value, for example, 80 rotations / minute, the reels are controlled at a constant speed with a constant drive pulse signal period (step S412).
Note that the pseudo reel stop control means 115 may create the above-mentioned sliding frame number table during acceleration of the reels 40L, 40C, 40R, that is, before the stop operation can be accepted.

When the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R reach the constant speed rotation control, the reel control unit 113 permits the stop operation by the stop buttons 56L, 56C, and 56R.
When the received stop operation is in a predetermined stop operation order, the pseudo reel stop control means 115 is selected in advance without using the sliding frame number table created for the reel that is the target of the received stop operation. The reel is controlled so that a specific symbol is displayed in a pseudo stop manner.

  Specifically, the pseudo reel stop control means 115 determines to which stop button 56L, 56C, 56R the first stop operation has been performed (step S413). For example, when the target of the first stop operation is the predetermined right reel 40R (step S413: YES), the pseudo reel stop control means 115 executes the pseudo reel stop control for a specific symbol (step S414).

The “pseudo reel stop control for a specific symbol” is to control the reel so that a specific symbol such as a black bar selected in advance is displayed in a pseudo stop manner.
When the pseudo reel stop control means 115 receives the first stop operation to the right stop button 56R, for example, the pseudo reel stop control means 115 specifies a black bar or the like without using the already created sliding frame number table illustrated in FIG. Is selected as a pseudo stop symbol. Then, regardless of the timing of the stop operation on the stop button 56R, the black bar symbol is drawn into the middle line L1 exceeding the specified number of control frames, and is fluctuated to display a pseudo stop.
Such a specific symbol selected as the pseudo stop symbol may be determined in advance, or may be determined according to a pseudo game number determined by the pseudo game determination unit 109.

  When the stop operation is in the predetermined stop operation order (step S413: YES), the pseudo reel stop control means 115 is not shown in the figure, but the slip that has already been created is also in the second stop and the third stop. Without using the frame number table, pseudo reel stop control is performed on the corresponding reel so that a specific symbol such as a black bar is displayed pseudo stop for each stop operation (steps S414 to S415). On the other hand, if the stop operation is not in the predetermined stop operation order (step S413: NO), the pseudo reel stop control means 115 uses the sliding frame number table already created according to the stop operation timing for each stop operation. The corresponding reel is controlled to be pseudo-reel stopped so that symbols within a predetermined number of control frames are displayed in a pseudo-stop manner (steps S416 to S417).

  In another aspect of the second embodiment, the pseudo reel stop control means 115 creates a sliding frame number table based on the result of the pseudo game determination means 109 only for the reel corresponding to the predetermined stop operation means, and performs a predetermined stop. The reel may be controlled so that the symbol selected based on the rotational position of the reel and the created sliding frame number table is displayed in a pseudo stop state when a stop operation is accepted by the operating means.

  Specifically, the “predetermined stop operation means” is, for example, the left stop button 56L and the center stop button 56C, and the “stop operation means that is not the predetermined stop operation means” is, for example, the right stop button 56R. is there. In the case of this example, the pseudo reel stop control means 115 can accept the stop of the reels for the left reel 40L and the middle reel 40C corresponding to the left and center stop buttons 56L and 56C as predetermined stop operation means. The sliding frame number table is created before (step S411 in FIG. 24), but the sliding frame number table is not created for the right reel 40R corresponding to the right stop button 56R which is not the predetermined stop operation means. For example, FIG. 25 illustrates the first stop sliding frame number table created in step S411 when the symbol control number “7” is set, and the sliding frame number table for the right reel 40R is generated. Not. Once the predetermined stop operation is accepted, the sliding frame number table is not created in the pseudo game effect.

Further, when a first stop operation to the right stop button 56R, for example, which is not a predetermined stop operation means is received, the reel is controlled so that a specific symbol such as a black bar selected in advance is pseudo-stop displayed. The structure to do may be sufficient.
In this aspect, when the first stop operation is performed on the right stop button 56R for the predetermined right reel 40R (step S413: YES), the pseudo reel stop control means 115 targets a specific black bar symbol. Since the pseudo reel stop control is executed (step S414), the sliding frame number table for the right reel 40R is not used. As in this embodiment, by not creating a sliding frame number table for reels that are not targeted by the predetermined stop operation means, the processing program executed by the CPU 101 is simplified, and the processing load is reduced to increase the calculation execution speed. You can speed up.

(Third embodiment)
Next, the pseudo game presentation means 130 and the pseudo reel stop control means 115 according to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing details of the pseudo reel control process according to the third embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 26, in the third embodiment, start lever 55 is operated (step S11 in FIG. 11: YES), and execution of the pseudo game effect is confirmed (steps S14 in FIG. 11: “1” to “5”). ) After the weight means 124 confirms that a predetermined wait time of 4.1 seconds has elapsed (step S215 in FIG. 22: YES), the pseudo reel stop control means 115 creates a sliding frame number table (step S511). Also in this embodiment, the sliding frame number table is created in the same storage area of the RAM 103 with the same configuration as the sliding frame number table used by the normal reel stop control means 114.

  In the pseudo game effect, the reel control means 113 outputs a driving pulse signal that rotates all the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R all at once, and performs acceleration control that shortens the pulse width stepwise. When the number of rotations of each of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R reaches a predetermined value, for example, 80 rotations / minute, the reels are controlled at a constant speed with a constant drive pulse signal period (step S512).

When the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R reach the constant speed rotation control, the reel control unit 113 permits the stop operation by the stop buttons 56L, 56C, and 56R.
Then, the pseudo reel stop control unit 115 selects a specific symbol combination such as a black bar, a black bar, and a black bar as a combination of the pseudo stop symbols without using the sliding frame number table created in step S511. Then, in response to a stop operation to the stop buttons 56L, 56C, 56R, the black bar symbols of the reels 40L, 40C, 40R are displayed in a pseudo stop on the middle line L1, and are fluctuated (steps S513 to S514). .

  As another mode of the third embodiment, when a predetermined stop operation order is used, the first specific symbols such as black bar, black bar, black bar, etc. are displayed in a pseudo stop state without using the sliding frame number table, and the predetermined stop is performed. When not in the operation order, the second specific symbols such as replay, replay, and replay may be displayed in a pseudo stop state without using the sliding frame number table.

  As yet another aspect of the third embodiment, the pseudo reel stop means 115 may display a pseudo symbol such as a black bar on any of the rotating reels during the stop operation. That is, when any one of the stop buttons 56L, 56C, and 56R is stopped, a specific symbol may be displayed in a pseudo-stop manner on a reel that does not correspond to the stop button.

Further, as still another aspect of the third embodiment, the pseudo reel stop means 115 is configured such that when the stop operation is performed in a predetermined order, a black bar or the like is set in any of the reels rotating during the stop operation. A specific symbol may be displayed in a pseudo stop state. That is, for example, when a predetermined stop button 56R on the right, for example, is operated for the first stop, a specific black bar symbol may be displayed on the left reel 40L not corresponding to the pseudo stop display.
Further, for example, even when the player operates the stop buttons 56R, 56C, and 56L by reversely pressing the middle right and left, according to each stop operation, the pseudo reel stop control is performed in the order of the left middle and right reels 40L, 40C, and 40C. Finally, a specific black bar / black bar / black bar symbol combination may be pseudo-stop displayed on all reels.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, as a fourth embodiment, the control to the stepping motor in the pseudo reel stop control will be described in detail in comparison with the normal reel stop control.

  FIG. 27 is a view for explaining the principle of the rotation control of the stepping motor by the 1-2 phase excitation method adopted by the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment.

  The stepping motor directly connected to the reel rotation shaft is a four-phase (φ0 to φ3) stepping motor. During the rotation of the stepping motor, the excitation coils 411 to 414 of each phase φ0 to φ3 have drive pulse signals (excitation data signals for acceleration and constant speed rotation that are sequentially shifted by π / 2 (unit: radians)). One embodiment) is provided. Each drive pulse signal has a pulse width equivalent to 3 / 4π for one cycle. With such a 1-2 phase excitation method, the eight excitation phases of φ0, φ0 · φ1, φ1, φ1, φ2, φ2, φ2, φ3, φ3, φ3, φ0 are sequentially circulated and excited. Thus, the stepping motor and reel rotate in one direction.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram schematically showing the internal structure of the stepping motor 41 of the present embodiment. A rotating rotor 410 is provided at the center of the stepping motor 41, and, for example, S poles M, M,... On the stator surrounding the outer side of the rotor 410, fixed exciters E0, E1, E2, E3,... Facing the rotating magnetic poles M, M,.

  The stator of the stepping motor 41 is provided with a total of eight exciting coils 411 to 418 corresponding to the phases φ0 to φ3 at positions where the angle is changed every 45 ° with the rotor 410 as the center. The excitation coils 411 and 415 related to the φ0 phase are each configured with a magnetic circuit so as to excite a predetermined number of fixed exciters E0 to the N pole. Similarly, a magnetic circuit is configured to excite a predetermined number of fixed exciters E1 to N poles in the excitation coils 412 and 416 related to the φ1 phase, and a predetermined number of excitation coils 413 and 417 related to the φ2 phase. The magnetic circuit is configured to excite the fixed exciter E2 to the N pole, and the magnetic circuit is configured to excite a predetermined number of fixed exciters E3 to the N pole in the excitation coils 414 and 418 related to the φ3 phase. Is done.

  The pitch of the fixed exciters E0 to E3 is the same as that of the rotating magnetic pole M. However, with reference to the φ0 phase fixed exciter E0, the φ1 phase fixed exciter E1 is arranged at a position close to the fixed exciter E0 by a phase corresponding to a quarter pitch thereof. Further, the φ2 phase fixed exciter E1 is arranged at a position closer to the fixed exciter E0 by a phase corresponding to 1/2 pitch, and the φ3 phase fixed exciter E1 further corresponds to 3/4 pitch. It is arranged at a position close to the fixed exciter E0 by the phase.

  As described above, the positions of the fixed exciters E0 to E3 are displaced by ¼ pitch so that, for example, when the φ0 phase is excited, the S pole of the rotating magnetic pole M and the fixed exciter E0. When the rotor 410 rotates to a position where the N pole attracts and the φ0 phase and the φ1 phase are excited in the next step, the two phases of the S pole of the rotating magnetic pole M and the fixed exciters E0 and E1 The rotor 410 of the stepping motor 41 is controlled to rotate in one direction step by step so that the rotor 410 rotates to a position where the N pole is balanced and attracted. According to such a 1-2 phase excitation method, it is possible to suppress power consumption while ensuring sufficient rotation torque of the reel.

  The reel control means 113 also includes a phase counter 116 that stores the excitation phases of the stepping motors 41L, 41C, 41R that drive the reels 40L, 40C, 40R. In the 1-2 phase excitation system, there are a total of 8 excitation phases of φ0, φ0 / φ1, φ1, φ1, φ2, φ2, φ2, φ3, φ3, φ3, φ0 in each of the four-phase stepping motors. The corresponding value (see FIG. 31) is stored in the phase counter 116.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the waveform of the excitation data signal output from the reel control means 113 and the rotation speed of the reel. The excitation data signal generated by the reel control means 113 is converted into a drive pulse signal or excitation stop signal whose signal amplitude is current amplified by the motor drive circuit 500, and is output to the corresponding stepping motors 41L, 41C, 41R. Here, the “drive pulse signal” refers to an aspect of an excitation data signal for accelerating or rotating the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R. The “excitation stop signal” is another aspect of the excitation data signal for braking and stopping the reels 40L, 40C, 40R.

  There are two more types of excitation stop signals used in the slot machine 10 of the present embodiment. In order to “normally stop” the reels 40L, 40C, 40R, all phases of the stepping motors 41L, 41C, 41R (that is, all of φ0 to φ3). In order to “pseudo-stop” the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R, the all-phase excitation stop signal (first excitation phase pattern) that simultaneously excites the phases 40, 40C, 40R. , 41C, 41R, there are two-phase excitation stop signals (second excitation phase patterns) that simultaneously excite only two predetermined adjacent phases (for example, φ0 and φ1).

  Further, as another aspect of the drive pulse signal, in order to generate “fluctuation fluctuation” in the reels 40L, 40C, 40R during the pseudo game effect, a second phase composed of the two predetermined phases (for example, φ0 and φ1) is used. There is a drive pulse signal that repeats excitation between the excitation phase pattern and a third excitation phase pattern (for example, φ0) different from the excitation phase pattern.

  The phase counter 116 described above stores excitation phases in the corresponding stepping motors 41L, 41C, and 41R. For this phase counter 116, the reel control means 113 (the normal reel stop control means 114 and the pseudo reel stop control means 115) controls the excitation of the stepping motor by arbitrarily designating, updating or correcting the excitation phase. That is, the phase counter 116 outputs the excitation phase information designated or updated by the reel control means 113 to the motor drive circuit 500 as an excitation data signal, and the motor drive circuit 500 responds based on this excitation data signal. A drive pulse signal or excitation stop signal is output to the stepping motors 41L, 41C, 41R. Thus, as the reel control means 113 designates, updates or corrects the excitation phase for each phase counter 116, the corresponding stepping motors 41L, 41C, 41R are excited and driven with the designated excitation phase. It is configured as follows.

  The reel control means 113 controls the rotational positions of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R by sequentially updating the excitation phases stored in the phase counters 116 every interruption processing of a predetermined cycle. In other words, the reel control means 113 performs acceleration control so that the pulse width of the drive pulse signal is gradually or stepwise reduced when the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R start to rotate. When the number of rotations of each of the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R reaches a predetermined value of, for example, 80 rotations / minute, the reels are controlled at a constant speed with a constant pulse period of the drive pulse signal.

  With such a configuration, the normal reel stop control means 114 creates a sliding piece number table based on the result of the winning lottery by the winning lottery means 108, and the rotation position of the reel at the time of accepting the stop operation and the created sliding piece. The reel is controlled to stop so that the symbol selected based on the number table is stopped.

  Here, FIG. 30A illustrates a change in the rotation speed when the reel is normally stopped by the normal reel stop control, and a time chart of the excitation stop signal (first excitation phase pattern) to the stepping motor. Is done. FIG. 30B illustrates a change in rotational speed when the reel is pseudo-stopped by pseudo-reel stop control, and a time chart of excitation stop signals (second and third excitation phase patterns) to the stepping motor. Is done.

  In the unit game in which the pseudo game effect is not executed, when the stop operation is performed, the normal reel stop control means 114 is the first consisting of all the excitation phases (four phases) of the stepping motor as shown in FIG. The reel is braked by exciting the stepping motor with one excitation phase pattern.

On the other hand, when a stop operation is performed in the pseudo game effect, the pseudo reel stop control means 115 is composed of two predetermined adjacent phases of the stepping motor as shown in FIG. 30 (b), for example, from φ0 and φ1 phases. The reel is braked by designating the second excitation phase pattern to the phase counter 116 of the reel. When a second excitation phase pattern different from the first excitation phase pattern is designated in the phase counter 116, for example, φ0 and φ1 phase excitation coils corresponding to the second excitation phase pattern are excited in the stepping motor of the reel. .
Thus, while the normal stop control is four-phase excitation for the stepping motor, the control method is different in that the pseudo stop control in the pseudo game effect is two-phase excitation via the phase counter.

  Here, FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating the correspondence between the value of the phase counter 116 and the excitation phase. FIG. 32A illustrates the time transition of the phase counter 116 during normal reel stop control, and FIG. 32B illustrates the time transition of the phase counter 116 during pseudo reel stop control.

  The reel control unit 113 rotates the reel in one direction by sequentially updating the phase counter 116 so that the value of the phase counter 116 increases every interruption processing of a predetermined period. In the normal reel stop control exemplified in FIG. 32A, after the stop operation, the value of the phase counter 116 is held at, for example, “2” (φ0 · φ1), and the first excitation phase pattern of four-phase excitation is output. Is done. As a result, the reel is braked, and the reel stops at a position where the center of the stop symbol and the middle line L substantially coincide.

  On the other hand, in the pseudo reel stop control illustrated in FIG. 32B, after the stop operation, the value of the phase counter 116 is “2” (φ1 · φ2), and the value of the phase counter 116 is “2”. (Φ0 · φ1). By designating the excitation phase in which the position of the center of the pseudo stop symbol and the line L coincide with each other as the second excitation phase pattern, the target symbol is displayed on the line L in a pseudo stop manner.

Here, the normal reel stop control means 114 considers that the reel has stopped by maintaining the excitation of all phases as the first excitation phase pattern for the first excitation time (for example, 200 milliseconds) (actually, The reel is stopped within a time shorter than the first excitation time). On the other hand, in the simulated game effect, the pseudo reel stopping means 115 maintains the adjacent two-phase excitation, which is the second excitation phase pattern, for a second excitation time (for example, 30 milliseconds) shorter than the first excitation time. Then, it is managed that the reel is in a braking state at that position.
The reason why the first excitation time in the normal game is longer than the second excitation time in the pseudo game effect is that it is necessary to display the winning result in the normal game, and to ensure a reliable stop of the reel. is there. On the other hand, in the pseudo game effect, it is not necessary to display the winning result, and this is to notify the player at an early stage that the game is different from the normal game due to fluctuations in the design.

More specifically, in the pseudo game effect, the pseudo reel stop means 115 maintains the excitation of the second excitation phase pattern for the second excitation time in the stepping motor for the second excitation phase pattern and the third excitation phase. By outputting a drive pulse signal that repeats excitation alternately with the phase pattern at a predetermined cycle, the reel is shaken and fluctuated.
For example, the second excitation phase pattern can be an excitation phase of φ0 · φ1, and the third excitation phase pattern can be an excitation phase of φ0, for example. In the example of FIG. 32B, when the second excitation phase pattern is φ0 · φ1 and the excitation phase of the third excitation phase pattern is φ0, the values “2” and “1” of the phase counter 116 are used. And are periodically and alternately updated.

  It should be noted that the second excitation phase pattern and the third excitation phase pattern only need to have different excitation phases, and a common phase may exist in part. Specifically, for example, when the second excitation phase pattern composed of two predetermined phases is φ0 · φ1, the excitation phase of the third excitation phase pattern may be φ1. In this case, the φ1 phase is common between the second excitation phase pattern and the third excitation phase pattern. Further, the number of phases constituting the third excitation phase pattern is arbitrary and may include two or more phases. For example, when the second excitation phase pattern is φ0 · φ1, the third excitation phase pattern may be, for example, φ2 · φ3, φ3 · φ0, or φ2, · φ3 · φ0. Good. Furthermore, the phase counter 116 may have a pattern in which the values are separated such as “2” (φ0 · φ1) and “5” (φ2).

In addition, in the drive pulse signal of a predetermined period output in the fluctuation fluctuation of the pseudo game effect, the pulse time width for exciting the third excitation phase pattern is longer than the pulse time width for exciting the second excitation phase pattern. It is preferable that it is set.
Specifically, for example, the pulse time width for exciting the second excitation phase pattern is 10 milliseconds, whereas the pulse time width for exciting the third excitation phase pattern is 390 milliseconds. it can. In this case, the predetermined period of the drive pulse signal that causes fluctuations in fluctuation is 400 milliseconds.

Note that when the reel control means 113 starts rotation of the reel after being normally stopped in the first excitation phase pattern, as shown in FIG. Correction processing is performed on the phase counter 116 based on a certain rule.
As described above, the drive pulse signal output by the 1-2 phase excitation method is the excitation phase through eight steps of φ0, φ0 · φ1, φ1, φ1, φ2, φ2, φ2, φ3, φ3, and φ3 · φ0. Changes, and this is repeated as one cycle. While the reel is driven to rotate, the value of the phase counter 116 is updated every time the excitation phase changes by one step.

When the reel is normally stopped by the first excitation phase pattern, the rotor inside the stepping motor advances several steps before the reel is stopped by inertial force. For this reason, there is usually an error between the excitation phase indicated by the phase counter 116 held immediately before braking (referred to as “immediate phase”) and the excitation phase at the position after the reel has actually stopped. . Therefore, if the rotation of the stepping motor is started by continuing the value of the immediately preceding phase of the phase counter 116 as it is, there is a risk that the rotation will not start smoothly, or sudden acceleration or step-out will be caused.
In order to avoid such inconvenience at the start of rotation, the phase counter 116 is corrected at the start of rotation of the reel after the normal stop with the first excitation phase pattern. In the example of FIG. 32A, the value of the phase counter 116 of the immediately preceding phase is “2” (φ0 · φ1), and “1” (φ0) obtained by decrementing this value is the value of the phase counter 116 at the start of rotation. It is corrected to. As a result, the stepping motor starts to rotate smoothly from the excitation phase φ0.

  On the other hand, the reel control means 113 does not perform correction processing on the phase counter 116 for the reel at the start of rotation of the reel immediately after the pseudo game effect, which is pseudo-stopped with the second excitation phase pattern. That is, after pseudo-stopping with the second excitation phase pattern, as illustrated in FIG. 32B, the tapping motor has already been excited according to the excitation phase indicated by the phase counter 116. This is because it is not necessary to dare to correct the phase counter 116 at the start of rotation of the reel.

  Although not shown in the flowcharts referred to in the first to fourth embodiments, in any case of the first to fourth embodiments, the reel 40L, Before accelerating 40C and 40R, it is preferable that the following random acceleration control is executed.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 33, after the rotation start operation to the start lever 55 is performed during the fluctuation fluctuation of the pseudo game effect, the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R swing at random times t1, t2, and t3, respectively. After the fluctuation is continued, rotation of each reel may be started with a time difference. That is, the start of reel rotation waits for a random time.

  As another example, as shown in FIG. 34, the rotation of the left reel 40L is started after a random time t11 has elapsed after the rotation start operation to the start lever 55 is performed during the fluctuation fluctuation of the pseudo game effect. Rotation of the middle reel 40C starts after a lapse of a random time t12 since the left reel reaches a constant speed, and rotation of the right reel 40R starts after a lapse of a random time t13 after the middle reel reaches a constant speed. Such control may be used.

  As another example, as shown in FIG. 35, after the rotation start operation to the start lever 55 is performed during the fluctuation fluctuation of the pseudo game effect, the reels 40L, 40C, and 40R are simultaneously rotated, The control may be such that rotation is started all at once after the above symbols are aligned with the stop symbols (outcomes) of the previous game.

  By performing such random acceleration control after completion of the pseudo game effect, it is possible to prevent the result of the pseudo game effect from assisting the next game.

  In the above-described embodiment, among the pseudo game numbers “0” to “5” determined by the pseudo game determination unit 109, the pseudo game numbers in which the pseudo game effects are executed are “1” to “5”. A lottery for a pseudo game effect may be drawn for some of the results, or a lottery may be performed including the results of combinations of other symbols. In addition, the described embodiment is merely an example, and it goes without saying that, for example, it is not necessary to employ a part of the symbol combination illustrated in the figure or a corresponding symbol control number in implementing the invention.

10 Slot machine 32 Display window 40 Reel device 40L, 40C, 40R Reel 41, 41L, 41C, 41R Stepping motor 43L, 43C, 43R Photo sensor 45 Reel unit 52, 54 Bet button 55 Start lever 56L, 56C, 56R Stop button 61 Image display device 71 Medal payout opening 72 Receptacle 100 Main control board 108 Role lottery means 109 Pseudo game determination means 110 Game control means 111 Multiplication number setting means 113 Reel control means 114 Normal reel stop control means 115 Pseudo reel stop control means 116 Phase counter 120 Winning determination means 121 Medal payout control means 122 Update processing means 124 Weight means 130 Pseudo game effect means 150 Signal output means 151 External output timer means 200 Sub control board 208 Effect Lottery means 210 Production control means 500 Motor drive circuit

Claims (6)

A unit game that can be executed in a state where a predetermined number of game media are inserted and in which a result is determined by a combination of the symbols displayed when the rotation of a plurality of reels with a plurality of types of symbols is stopped is repeatedly executed. A slot machine,
A role lottery means for performing a role lottery for determining a role in the unit game;
In the unit game, a normal reel stop control means for performing a normal reel stop control capable of stopping and displaying a combination of symbols based on the result of the combination lottery, and a pseudo in which a combination of symbols selected in the pseudo game effect can be displayed in a pseudo stop state. Reel control means having pseudo reel stop control means for performing reel stop control,
The normal reel stop control means creates a sliding frame number table in which the rotation position of each reel and the number of sliding frames are associated with each other based on the result of the winning lottery by the winning lottery means. Controlling the reel to stop and display the symbol selected based on the rotation position of the reel and the sliding frame number table created;
In the pseudo game effect, the pseudo reel stop control means creates the sliding piece number table based on the result of the pseudo game determination means, and the rotation position of the reel at the time of accepting the stop operation and the created sliding piece number table. A slot machine that controls the reel so as to display a symbol selected based on the pseudo stop display.   In the pseudo game effect, the pseudo reel stop control means does not use the sliding frame number table created for the reels that are the target of the received stop operation when the received stop operation is in a predetermined stop operation order. 2. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the reel is controlled so that a specific symbol selected in advance is displayed in a pseudo stop manner.   The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the pseudo game determining means determines whether or not to perform the pseudo game effect and / or determines the content of the pseudo game effect.   The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the symbols selected for the pseudo-stop display is the same as the symbol of the re-gamer used in the unit game.   The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the symbols selected for the pseudo stop display is the same as the symbol of the small part used in the unit game.   The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the pseudo stop display is accompanied by fluctuations of the swing of the reel.

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