JP5228214B2 - Amusement stand - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine represented by a slot machine (pachislot) and a pachinko machine.

  When a game machine (for example, a slot machine) rotates a reel by inserting a medal and operating a start lever, determines a role by internal lottery, and stops a reel by operating a stop button. When a combination of symbols predetermined according to the internal determination is displayed on the symbol display window, a combination is established. When a winning combination with payout of medals is established, a prescribed number of medals corresponding to the established winning combination are paid out.

  For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, such a gaming table includes a main control unit (main board) that performs basic control related to game progression, and a sub control unit (sub board) that performs control related to performance. In response to a lottery result performed by the main control unit (main board), the sub control unit (sub board) displays a role that is established on the liquid crystal display unit as a game effect, and a sound related to the game from the speaker Is controlled to output.

JP 2003-175156 A

  By the way, in the gaming machine having the above-described configuration, when the game is started (the start lever is operated by the player), the main control unit extracts a random number and determines the extracted random number as a lottery process. And a lottery for the role will be performed. In general, it is determined whether one of the roles having a plurality of extracted random numbers is won or not by selecting the extracted random numbers from the higher-ranking role in a predetermined order. The lottery process is terminated at the stage where the winning combination for the current determination is won. Therefore, since the processing time of the lottery process varies depending on the winning combination, the start timing of the subsequent rendering process is also caused by the winning combination, and the start of the rendering is sparse. It was.

  In addition, in gaming machines equipped with AT (assist time), by using unauthorized equipment that utilizes this characteristic, it is possible to grasp the winning combination even if it is not assist time and to obtain a medal There were concerns about being done.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and aims to provide a game machine that can prevent a sense of incongruity and prevent fraud by making the timing of starting the rendering process uniform. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, a game machine according to the present invention is configured as follows.

  The game machine (for example, the slot machine 100) according to the present invention has, as one aspect thereof, a game process (for example, a winning game) whose processing time varies depending on the result of the game lottery (for example, the result of the internal lottery process of the winning combination) Game process execution means (for example, the main control unit 300) that executes a combination internal lottery process S60, pre-reel control process S70, etc., and effect process execution means (for example, sub-control) that executes an effect process based on the lottery result 400), and the effect process execution means starts executing the game process and the fixed process time is equal to or longer than the maximum processing time required for the game process. When the time has elapsed, the effect processing is executed.

  In one aspect of the present invention, since the timing for starting the rendering process can be made uniform regardless of the lottery result, the player can be prevented from feeling uncomfortable and cheating can be prevented.

  In addition, lottery data (for example, internal lottery data for winning combination) used for a lottery determination of internal winning of a plurality of types of winning combinations, and a reel (for example, reels 110 to 110) that are provided with a plurality of types of symbols and are driven to rotate by a driving source 112), and the gaming process uses the lottery data, and a lottery process (for example, winning prize internal lottery process S60) that allows a plurality of winning combinations to be won in one lottery, Pre-stop data preparation processing (for example, pre-reel control processing S70) for preparing in advance reel stop data used for control to stop the rotationally driven reel based on the lottery result of the lottery processing. preferable. As a result, it is possible to provide a gaming machine that can win a plurality of roles in a single lottery, and in the case of winning a plurality of roles, it is possible to prepare preliminary stop data as compared to the case of winning a single role. Although it takes a lot of time for processing, it is suitable for such a game stand because the start timing of the effect processing can be made uniform regardless of the difference in processing time further expanded in this preliminary stop data preparation processing. It is applicable to.

  In addition, the game process further includes a transmission process (for example, an effect information transmission process S80) for transmitting lottery result information indicating the lottery result to the effect process execution means, and the certain period of time includes the lottery process and the event. The game process includes a first specific time that is equal to or greater than a total of the maximum processing times required for each of the pre-stop data preparation processes, and a second specific time that is a processing time required for the transmission process. The execution means executes the transmission process when the game process execution means starts executing the game process and the first specific time has elapsed, and the effect process execution means transmits the transmission process in the transmission process. When the lottery result information is received, it is preferable to execute the effect process. Thereby, regardless of the lottery result, by making the transmission timing uniform, it becomes the start timing of the effect process that does not result from the lottery result, and an effect that does not give a sense of incongruity is possible.

  The first specific time is preferably set to 100 ms or less. Since 100 ms is a time that takes into account the total of the maximum processing time such as lottery processing and advance stop preparation processing, this can give time to the processing from game processing to production processing, and control of the gaming table It is possible to set an accurate production start timing without increasing the processing performance of the part.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the predetermined time is set to 200 ms or less. Since 200 ms is the total time of the maximum processing time such as lottery processing and pre-stop preparation processing and transmission processing, this can give time to play processing and game processing. An accurate production start timing can be set without increasing the processing performance of the control unit.

  In addition, the game process further includes lottery data for use in a lottery determination of internal winnings of a plurality of types, the game process includes a lottery process for performing a lottery regarding a game using the lottery data, and the effect process includes the lottery process. It is preferable to include notification effect processing (for example, winning combination notification processing S350) for notifying the player of operation information suggesting an operation that allows the player to acquire the winning combination more advantageously than the normal game. Accordingly, the winning combination notification effect for notifying the winning combination can be executed without a sense of incongruity, and an illegal act using the winning combination notification effect can be prevented. In particular, it can be suitably applied to a game machine equipped with AT (assist time).

  Further, a predetermined timer value (for example, a timer value corresponding to 60 ms) is set, and a timer process (for example, transmission wait timer subtraction process S150) for updating the set predetermined timer value is executed, and the predetermined time It is preferable that a timing unit (e.g., the main control unit 300) for measuring time is further provided, and the effect process executing unit executes the effect process based on a time measurement result by the time measuring unit. Thereby, it is possible to accurately measure a fixed time by the timer process, and it is possible to make the start timing of the effect process uniform.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, since the timing of starting the rendering process can be made uniform, it is possible to prevent the player from feeling uncomfortable and to prevent cheating.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Overall configuration>
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a slot machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the slot machine 100, a game is started when a medal is inserted, and a medal is paid out according to the result of the game.

  The slot machine 100 includes a substantially box-shaped main body 101 and a front door 102 attached to the front opening of the main body 101. Inside the center of the main body 101 of the slot machine 100, three reels (left reel 110, middle reel 111, and right reel 112) having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface for a predetermined number of frames are stored. It is configured to be able to rotate inside. Each of the symbols is printed on the belt-like member at an appropriate interval, and the reels 110 to 112 are configured by sticking the belt-like member to a predetermined circular frame member. When viewed from the player, three symbols on the reels 110 to 112 are displayed in the vertical direction from the symbol display window 113 so that a total of nine symbols can be seen. Then, by rotating the reels 110 to 112, the combination of symbols that can be seen by the player varies. In the present embodiment, three reels are provided in the center of the slot machine 100, but the number of reels and the installation position of the reels are not limited to this.

  Further, on the outer frame of the symbol display window 113, line display LEDs (not shown) for informing an effective line and a winning line, which will be described later, are arranged by lighting control such as blinking and lighting.

  Further, in the slot machine 100, an optical sensor (not shown) including a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit is provided in the vicinity of each of the reels 110 to 112. The light projecting unit and the light receiving unit of the optical sensor. A light-shielding piece of a certain length provided on the reel passes between them. Based on the detection result of the sensor, the position of the symbol on the reel in the rotation direction is determined, and the reels 110 to 112 are stopped so that the target symbol is displayed on the winning line 114.

  The winning line display lamp 120 is a lamp that indicates an effective winning line. An effective winning line is determined in advance by the number of medals inserted into the slot machine 100. Of the five winning lines 114, for example, when one medal is inserted, the middle horizontal winning line is valid, and when two medals are inserted, the upper horizontal winning line and the lower horizontal winning line are added. When three medals are inserted and three medals are inserted, the five added with the right-down winning line and the upper-right winning line become effective as the winning line. Note that the number of winning lines 114 is not limited to five.

The start lamp 121 is a lamp that informs the player that the reels 110 to 112 are in a state of being able to rotate. The replay lamp 122 indicates that the current game can be replayed when winning a replaying role, which is one of the winning roles in the previous game (the number of games inserted in the previous game without the insertion of medals). It is a lamp that informs the player that it is possible to play the game with the same number of medals inserted. The notification lamp 123 is a lamp that informs the player that a specific winning combination (for example, a bonus such as BB (big bonus) or RB (regular bonus)) is won internally in an internal lottery described later. The medal insertion lamp 124 is a lamp that notifies that a medal can be inserted.
The payout number display 125 is a display for displaying the number of medals to be paid out to the player as a result of winning a winning combination. The game number display 126 is an indicator for displaying an error display at the time of inserting a medal, the number of games during the big bonus game (in the BB game), the number of winnings of a predetermined winning combination, and the like. The stored number display 127 is a display for displaying the number of medals electronically stored in the slot machine 100. The reel panel lamp 128 is an effect lamp.

  The medal insertion buttons (bet buttons) 130 and 131 are buttons for inserting a predetermined number of medals (referred to as credits) stored electronically in the slot machine 100. In this embodiment, every time the medal insertion button 130 is pressed, a maximum of three are inserted one by one, and when the medal insertion button 131 is pressed, three are inserted. The medal slot 134 is an slot for a player to insert a medal when starting a game. That is, the medal can be inserted electronically by the medal insertion button 130 or 131, or an actual medal can be inserted from the medal insertion slot 134.

  The settlement button 132 settles the medals electronically stored in the slot machine 100 and the medals that have been bet (medals that have been bet but have not yet been used in the game), and enters the medal tray 156 from the medal payout opening 155. It is a button for discharging. Here, settlement means returning a game medium (for example, a medal) used for the game to the player, and the game medium used for the game includes an electronically stored game as described above. Media and game media that have been bet but have not yet been used in the game may be included, or only electronically stored game media may be included. The medal return button 133 is a button that is pressed to remove a medal when the inserted medal is jammed.

  The start lever 135 is a lever-type switch for performing a game start operation. That is, when a desired number of medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 134 and the start lever 135 is operated, the reels 110 to 112 are rotated as a trigger, and the game is started. The stop buttons 137 to 139 are button-type switches for individually stopping the reels 110 to 112 that have started rotating by operating the start lever 135, and are provided corresponding to the reels 110 to 112. When any one of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is operated, any one of the corresponding reels 110 to 112 is stopped.

  The door key hole 140 is a hole into which a key for unlocking the front door 102 of the slot machine 100 is inserted. The medal payout exit 155 is a payout exit for paying out medals. The medal tray 156 is a container for collecting medals paid out from the medal payout opening 155. In this embodiment, the medal tray 156 employs a tray that can emit light.

  The upper lamp 150, the side lamp 151, the center lamp 152, the waist lamp 153, and the lower lamp 154 are decorative lamps for exciting games. The effect device 190 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display device 157 having a door device (shutter) 163 that can be freely opened and closed, and various information such as a small role notification is displayed on the effect device 190. The sound hole 160 is a hole for outputting the sound of a speaker provided inside the slot machine 100 to the outside. On the title panel 162, a pattern for decorating the slot machine 100 is drawn.

  In the present embodiment, as will be described later, when the game state is RT2 (bonus game) or RT3 (replay high-probability game), when the small combination 1, 2 or 3 is won internally, the above-mentioned liquid crystal display Using the device 157, a winning combination notification effect for notifying the winning small combination is executed.

<Circuit configuration of control unit>
Next, the circuit configuration of the control unit of the slot machine 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  The control unit of the slot machine 100 can be broadly divided into a main control unit 300 that performs control of the central part of the game, that is, processing related to the game progress of the slot machine 100, and a signal (control command) transmitted from the main control unit 300. ) To control various devices, that is, the sub-control unit 400 that executes processing related to effects.

<Main control unit>
First, the main control unit 300 of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The figure shows a circuit block diagram of the main control unit 300.

  The main control unit 300 includes a CPU 310 that is an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the entire main control unit 300, a data bus and an address bus for the CPU 310 to transmit and receive signals to and from each IC and each circuit, It has the structure described below. The clock correction circuit 314 is a circuit that divides the clock oscillated from the crystal oscillator 311 and supplies it to the CPU 310. For example, when the frequency of the crystal oscillator 311 is 12 MHz, the divided clock is 6 MHz. The CPU 310 operates by receiving the clock divided by the clock correction circuit 314 as a system clock.

  The CPU 310 is connected to a timer circuit 315 for setting a timer interrupt processing cycle for constantly monitoring the sensor and switch states and a motor drive pulse transmission cycle via a bus. When the power is turned on, the CPU 310 transmits the frequency dividing data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 312 to the timer circuit 315 via the data bus. The timer circuit 315 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 310 at each interrupt time. In response to this interrupt request, the CPU 310 executes monitoring of each sensor and transmission of drive pulses. For example, when the system clock of the CPU 310 is set to 8 MHz, the frequency division value of the timer circuit 315 is set to 1/256, and the data for frequency division of the ROM 312 is set to 47, the reference time for this interrupt is 256 × 47 ÷ 8 MHz = 1. 504 ms. The transmission wait timer described later has 1 interrupt time (1.504 ms), and the timer value is decremented by 1. In addition, the 4.1 second wait timer has 14 interrupt times (21.056 ms = 1.504 × 14). 1 is subtracted from the timer value.

  Further, the CPU 310 stores a ROM 312 for storing various data such as a program for controlling each IC, lottery data used for internal winning lottery, reel stop position, and temporary data. A RAM 313 is connected. Other storage means may be used for these ROM 312 and RAM 313, and this is the same in the sub-control unit 400 described later. The CPU 310 is connected to an input interface 360 for receiving an external signal. The medal insertion sensor 320, the start lever sensor 321, the stop button sensor 322, and the medal insertion button are connected via the input interface 360 at every interruption time. The state of the sensor 323, the settlement switch sensor 324, the medal payout sensor 326, the power supply determination circuit 327, and the door key sensor 328 is detected, and each sensor is monitored.

  The medal insertion sensor 320 is installed in a passage inside the medal insertion slot 134 and is a sensor for detecting a medal inserted into the medal insertion slot 134. The start lever sensor 321 is a sensor for detecting the operation of the start lever 135. The stop button sensor 322 is a sensor for detecting which stop button is pressed when any one of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is pressed. The medal insertion button sensor 323 is a sensor for detecting which medal insertion button is pressed when one of the medal insertion buttons 130 and 131 is pressed. The settlement switch sensor 324 is provided on the settlement button 132, and when the settlement button 132 is pressed once, a stored medal and a bet medal (although betted but not yet used in a game) Medals) will be settled and paid out. The medal payout sensor 326 is a sensor for detecting a payout medal. The power determination circuit 327 is a circuit for detecting the interruption of the power supplied to the slot machine 100.

  Further, an input interface 361, output interfaces 370 and 371, and a clock IC 380 are connected to the CPU 310 via the address decoding circuit 350 to the address bus. The CPU 310 exchanges signals with external devices via these interfaces.

  An index sensor 325 is connected to the input interface 361. The index sensor 325 is installed at a predetermined position on the mounting base of each of the reels 110 to 112, and becomes a high level every time the light shielding piece provided on the reels 110 to 112 passes through the index sensor 325. When detecting this signal, the CPU 310 determines that the reel has made one rotation, and resets the rotational position information of the reel to zero.

  The output interface 370 includes a reel motor driving unit 330 that controls a motor for driving a reel, a hopper motor driving unit 331 for driving a motor of a hopper (medal payout device), and a game lamp 340 (specifically, Are a winning line display lamp 120, a start lamp 121, a re-game lamp 122, a notification lamp 123, a medal insertion lamp 124, etc., and a 7-segment (SEG) display 341 (a payout number display 125, a game information display 126, A storage number display device 127, a 7-segment display device, etc.) are connected.

  A random number generation circuit 317 is connected to the CPU 310 via a data bus. The random number generation circuit 317 is an increment counter capable of incrementing a value within a certain range based on a clock oscillated from the crystal oscillator 311 and the crystal oscillator 316 and outputting the count value to the CPU 310, which will be described later. Used for various lottery processes, including internal lottery for winning positions.

  An output interface 371 for transmitting a command (for example, a start command or an effect information command described later) to the sub-control unit 400 is connected to the data bus of the CPU 310. Information communication between the main control unit 300 and the sub control unit 400 is a one-way communication, and the main control unit 300 transmits a command to the sub control unit 400. Cannot be sent.

<Sub control unit>
Next, the sub-control unit 400 of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure shows a circuit block diagram of the sub-control unit 400.

  The sub-control unit 400 is an arithmetic processing unit that controls the entire sub-control unit 400 based on a main control command or the like transmitted from the main control unit 300, and the CPU 410 transmits and receives signals to and from each IC and each circuit. It has a data bus and an address bus for performing, and has a configuration described below. The clock correction circuit 414 is a circuit that corrects the clock oscillated from the crystal oscillator 411 and supplies the corrected clock to the CPU 410 as a system clock.

  Further, a timer circuit 415 is connected to the CPU 410 via a bus. The CPU 410 transmits the frequency dividing data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 412 to the timer circuit 415 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The timer circuit 415 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 410 at each interrupt time. The CPU 410 controls each IC and each circuit based on the interrupt request timing.

  Further, the CPU 410 temporarily stores a ROM 412 in which commands and data for controlling the entire sub-control unit 400, line lighting LED lighting patterns and data for controlling various displays, and the like are stored. A RAM 413 for storage is connected via each bus.

  Further, an input / output interface 460 for transmitting and receiving external signals is connected to the CPU 410. The input / output interface 460 is disposed on the outer frame of the symbol display window 113 and controls lighting such as blinking and lighting. Are connected to a line display LED 420 for informing an active line or a winning line, a door sensor 421 for detecting opening / closing of the front door 102, and a reset switch 422 for initializing information stored in the RAM 413.

  An input interface 461 for receiving a main control command from the main control unit 300 is connected to the CPU 410 via a data bus, and a command received via the input interface 461 (for example, a start command or effect information described later). Based on the command, etc., an effect process that excites the entire game is executed. A sound source IC 480 is connected to the data bus and address bus of the CPU 410. The sound source IC 480 controls sound according to a command from the CPU 410. The sound source IC 480 is connected to a ROM 481 that stores sound data. The sound source IC 480 amplifies the sound data acquired from the ROM 481 by the amplifier 482 and outputs the sound data from the speaker 483. The CPU 410 is connected to an address decoding circuit 450 for selecting an external IC, similar to the main control unit 300, and the input interface for receiving a command from the main control unit 300 is connected to the address decoding circuit 450. 461, a clock IC 423, an output interface 472 for outputting signals to the 7-segment display 440, and the like are connected.

  The CPU 410 can acquire the current time by connecting the clock IC 423. The 7-segment display 440 is provided inside the slot machine 100 so that, for example, predetermined information set in the sub-control unit 400 can be confirmed by an attendant of a game store or the like. Further, a demultiplexer 419 is connected to the output interface 470. The demultiplexer 419 distributes the signal transmitted from the output interface 470 to each display unit and the like. In other words, the demultiplexer 419 performs upper lamp 150, side lamp 151, center lamp 152, waist lamp 153, lower lamp 154, reel panel lamp 128, title panel lamp 170, payout strobe 171 in accordance with data received from CPU 410. To control. The title panel lamp 170 is a lamp that illuminates the title panel 162, and the payout exit strobe 171 is a strobe type lamp installed inside the medal payout exit 155. The CPU 410 performs signal transmission to the door / liquid crystal screen control unit 490 via the demultiplexer 419. The door / liquid crystal screen control unit 490 is a control unit that controls the liquid crystal display device 157 and the door device 163.

<Pattern arrangement>
FIG. 4 is a diagram in which the arrangement of symbols applied to each of the reels 110 to 112 is developed in a plane. As shown in the figure, each reel 110-112 has a plurality of types of symbols arranged in a predetermined number of frames (here, 21 frames). A frame is a unit of a region where one symbol is arranged. In the symbol display window 113, three frames out of 21 frames are displayed.

  Numbers 0 to 20 shown at the left end of FIG. 4 indicate at which position on the reel each symbol is arranged, that is, an arrangement number (an identifier for identifying each frame, and the rotation position of the reel is Managed by this arrangement number). There is a one-to-one correspondence between the arrangement number and the symbol. For example, the replay 2 symbol is assigned to the number 0 frame on the left reel 110, and the BB1 symbol and the right reel 112 number are assigned to the number 1 frame on the middle reel 111. A replay 1 symbol is arranged in each of the two frames. The symbol is not limited to the symbol shown in FIG. 4, and any identifier can be adopted as long as it is an identifier that can distinguish one symbol from another symbol, and numbers, English letters, figures, illustrations, etc. can be adopted. .

<Type of winning prize>
Next, the types of winning combinations of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The figure shows the types and names of winning combinations, symbol combinations corresponding to each winning combination, payouts, and remarks (game state transition destination, operation of condition device (flag)).

  The winning combination of this embodiment is roughly classified into a special role (special role 1, special role 2, special role 3) and a small role (small role 1, small role 2, small role 3, small role 4, small role). 5) and re-games (re-game 1 and re-game 2).

  In the present embodiment, the “winning combination” includes not only a combination with a medal payout (small combination 1 to 5) but also an operating combination without a medal payout (special combination 1 to 3, replaying combination). Meaning. Therefore, the “winning” in the present embodiment includes the case where the symbol combination of the operating combination is displayed on the activated winning line. For example, when the recombination winning (replay) winning or the special winning winning is made. Means that the replay symbol combination and the special combination symbol combination are displayed on the activated pay line.

  “Big Bonus (BB1, 2)” is a special role (operating role) in which a big bonus game (BB game) which is a special game is started by winning. In the case of this embodiment, the corresponding symbol combinations are BB1 “BB1 symbol-BB1 symbol-BB1 symbol” and BB2 “BB2 symbol-BB2 symbol-BB2 symbol”. In the present embodiment, the flag carryover is performed for BB1 and BB2. In other words, when BB1 to BB2 are won internally, a flag indicating this is set (stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 313 of the main control unit 300), but even if BB1 and BB2 are not won in the game, a prize is won. The state where the flag is kept is maintained until the next game, and it is assumed that BB1 and BB2 are being internally won even after the next game. BB1 and BB2 are collectively referred to as BB.

  The “regular bonus (RB)” is a special combination (operating combination) in which a regular bonus game (RB game) is started by winning. In the present embodiment, the corresponding symbol combination is RB “RB symbol-RB symbol-RB symbol”. In the present embodiment, flag carryover is performed for RB as well as BB1 and BB2 described above.

  “Position (Bell 1, Bell 2, Bell 3, Watermelon, Cherry)” is a winning combination in which a predetermined number of medals are paid out by winning, and in the case of this embodiment, the corresponding symbol combination is “BB1”. "Bell design-Bell design", Bell 2 is "BB2 design-Bell design-Bell design", Bell 3 is "RB design-Bell design-Bell design", Watermelon is "Watermelon design-Watermelon design-Watermelon design", Cherry is “Cherry design-ANY design-ANY design”. The corresponding payout numbers are 15 for the bells 1 to 3, 5 for the watermelon, and 1 for the cherry as shown in FIG. In the case of “cherry symbol-ANY symbol-ANY symbol”, the symbol of the left reel 110 may be “cherry symbol”, and the symbol of the middle reel 111 and the right reel 112 may be any symbol.

  “Re-playing combination (replay 1, replay 2)” is a winning combination (operating combination) that allows a player to play a game without inserting a medal (game medium) in the next game. Do not do. In other words, the game can be played as if the same number of medals as the number of medals inserted in the previous game are inserted without inserting medals. In the case of the present embodiment, the corresponding symbol combination is “Replay 1 symbol-Replay 1 symbol-Replay 1 symbol” and Replay 2 is “Replay 2 symbol-Replay 2 symbol-Replay 2 symbol”.

  It is needless to say that the type of winning combination is not limited to the winning combination shown in FIG.

<Game state>
Next, the gaming state of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the transition of the gaming state.

  The gaming state of the slot machine 100 is a normal gaming state (also referred to as RT0), a special role internal winning (the above-mentioned BB1, BB2, and RB are internally winning. Also referred to as RT1), a bonus game (the above-mentioned BB game) , RB game status (also referred to as RT2), and re-game fluctuation game (also referred to as RT3).

  RT0 (normal gaming state) is a gaming state that is set after initial setting or after RT3 ends (however, internal special wins for special roles 1 to 3 are not made). RT1 is a gaming state that is set when a special combination (BB1, BB2, RB) is internally won in the gaming state of RT0 or RT3, and the gaming state of RT1 is maintained unless the internal winning special combination is won.

  RT2 is a bonus game state, and is a game state that is set when a special winning combination is won. In the case of BB1 winning or BB2 winning, BB game is started, and in the case of RB winning, RB game is started, and the number of medals to be paid out is a prescribed number (in this embodiment, 300 for BB game and 105 for RB game). ) Exceeds BB game or RB game, and the game state is set to RT3. RT2 is a gaming state in which more medals can be obtained compared to RT0, and is the most advantageous gaming state for the player. Here, advantageous means, for example, the degree of expectation that the acquisition of game media such as medals used for games can be expected as a whole, the degree of use of game media such as medals used for games, and the like.

  RT3 is a gaming state that is set when RT2 is finished, and in this embodiment, the gaming state of RT3 that has been set is maintained for 100 games unless a special combination is won internally. Further, in the set RT3, when the special combination is won internally, the gaming state of RT1 described above is set. When 100 games have been consumed in RT3, the re-game variation game is ended and the game state of RT0 is set. As will be described later, only the internal winning probability of the re-gamer is set higher in RT3 than in RT0 (normal gaming state), and the gaming state is more advantageous to the player than RT0.

  As will be described in detail later, when the internal winnings are made to the small roles 1 to 3 in RT2 and RT3, the winning combination notification effect for notifying the internal winning small role is executed, so RT2 and RT3 are the small roles 1 It is in a gaming state that makes it easy to win ~ 3.

<Internal lottery data for winning roles>
Next, the internal lottery data of the winning combination described above will be described with reference to FIG. The slot machine 100 includes internal lottery data for winning combinations for each gaming state.

  Here, when the internal lottery of the winning combination is outlined, the range of random values (for example, 0 to 65535) acquired at the time of the internal lottery is divided into several regions (regions corresponding to the size of each winning probability) in advance. Each area is associated with winning or losing. For example, in the internal lottery data in the normal gaming state (RT0) shown in FIG. No. 1 special role 1 (BB1) is assigned. Two special roles 2 (BB2) are assigned. These pieces of information are stored in the ROM 312 as a winning combination lottery table. In the internal lottery of the winning combination, whether or not the internal winning of the winning combination is determined according to which range the acquired random number value belongs. The internal winning state is managed by turning ON / OFF an internal winning flag whose storage area is set in the RAM 313. The internal winning flag is valid only for one game except when it becomes a flag carry-over target (in this embodiment, a special combination), and turns OFF when the game ends.

  There are two types of internal winning types: single and one winning combination in one internal lottery, and one winning combination in multiple internal winnings in one internal lottery. . For example, no. No. 1 is independent, meaning that special role 1 (BB1) was won internally. 11 is an overlap, meaning that special combination 1 (BB1) and small combination 1 (Bell 1) were simultaneously won internally.

  The internal winning probability (a numerical value obtained by dividing the range of random number values assigned to each lottery data (No) by the total random number value (65536 in this embodiment)) is generally within the range of a predetermined payout rate. It can be set in six stages from setting 1 to setting 6 according to the business of the amusement store. FIG. 7 illustrates an arbitrary one stage (setting N), and other settings are omitted. As a result of the internal lottery process, when any winning combination is won internally, there is a possibility that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination won internally stops on the winning line 114 in which the symbol combination is activated.

  In RT1, there are three types of internal winning probabilities according to the special combination flag that has been won internally, and an internal lottery is performed using the corresponding internal winning probabilities.

  In RT2, the internal winning probabilities of the small roles 1 to 3 are set higher than those of RT0, and the probabilities of internal winning of the small roles 1 to 3 are 21650/655376 (≈1 / 3), respectively. In RT2, there is a high possibility that one of the small roles 1 to 3 is won internally. In this embodiment, as described above, when the internal winning is made to the small roles 1 to 3 in RT2, since the winning combination is notified, the player performs a stop operation according to the notification, It is easy to win small roles 1-3.

  Also, in RT3, only the internal winning probability of the replaying combination (replay 1, replay 2) is higher than in RT0. For example, the probability of internal winning of re-gamer 1 in the state of RT0 is 8000/65536, whereas the probability of internal winning of re-gamer 1 in the state of RT3 is 39570/65536, The probability that the re-gamer 2 is internally won in the state of RT0 is 860/65536, whereas the probability that the re-gamer 1 is internally won in the state of RT3 is 4000/65536. Also, in RT3, in the same way as RT2, when the internal winnings are given to the small roles 1 to 3, the winning combination is notified, so the player performs a stop operation according to the notification, It is easy to win small roles 1-3.

<Main processing>
Next, the main process of the main control unit 300 that is basic control of the game will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of main processing of the main control unit 300.

  Basic control of the game is performed mainly by the CPU 310 of the main control unit 300, and the processing of step S20 to step S130 is repeatedly executed unless a power-off or the like is detected.

  In step S10, when the power is turned on, first, various initialization processes are performed. As a result, information stored in the RAM 313 of the main control unit 300 is cleared. After the process of step S10 is completed, the process proceeds to step S20.

  In step S20, processing related to medal insertion is performed. Here, it is checked whether or not a medal has been inserted, and the winning line display lamp 120 is turned on according to the number of inserted medals (the number of medals bet). It is not necessary to insert medals when winning the re-gamer in the previous game.

  In step S20, subsequent to the process related to medal insertion, a process related to the game start operation is performed. Here, it is checked whether or not the start lever 135 has been operated. If it is determined that the start lever 135 has been operated, the number of inserted medals (the number of medals bet) is determined. In step S20, a start command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 400. The sub-control unit 400 recognizes that the start lever 135 has been operated by receiving this start command. After the process of step S20 is completed, the process proceeds to step S30.

  In step S30, a transmission wait timer is set. Here, the transmission wait timer is a timer for uniformizing the timing of transmitting an effect information command, which will be described later, and the initial value of the transmission wait timer is set in response to the start command transmission described above. In the present embodiment, a timer value 40 corresponding to 60 msec (a time equal to or greater than the sum of the maximum processing times described later) is set as the initial value of the transmission wait timer. The value of the transmission wait timer is decremented by 1 in one interrupt time (1.504 ms), and when it becomes 0, an effect information command is transmitted. After the process of step S30 ends, the process proceeds to step S40.

  In step S40, an effective winning line is determined according to the bet number of medals determined in step S20. After the process of step S40 ends, the process proceeds to step S50.

  In step S50, the random number generated by the random number generator 311 is acquired based on acceptance of the start operation. After the process of step S50 is completed, the process proceeds to step S60.

  In step S60, an internal lottery of the winning combination is performed using the random number value acquired in step S50 and the lottery data of the winning combination lottery table stored in the ROM 312 (the internal lottery data of the winning combination described above). As a result of the internal lottery, when any winning combination is won internally, the winning combination flag is internally turned ON. Here, in the winning lottery internal lottery process, a determination is made as to which of the winning combinations the random number value obtained in step S50 falls within the random number range (for example, 0 to 65535) of the winning combination lottery table. Processing is sequentially repeated from the role associated with one (for example, 0) of the table to the role associated with the other (for example, 65535), and the obtained random number value is the current determination target. Since the lottery process is terminated at a stage corresponding to the winning combination area, the processing time required for the winning combination internal lottery process varies depending on the winning combination. For example, in the case where the winning combination determination process is sequentially performed from 0 to 65535 in the winning combination lottery table, when the combination assigned near 0 in the winning combination lottery table is used as the lottery result, the minimum processing time is required. However, when the winning combination divided near 65535 is used as the lottery result, the maximum processing time is required. Thus, the processing time required for the winning combination internal lottery process in step S60 varies depending on the result of the internal lottery. After the process of step S60 ends, the process proceeds to step S70.

  In step S70, a pre-reel control process for preparing reel stop data for stopping the reels 110 to 112 in advance based on the internal lottery result or the like is performed. Specifically, in the pre-reel control process, an avoidance process for avoiding an erroneous winning of a non-winning, a pull-in number preparing process for preparing the number of pull-ins for a winning combination, and a stop table expanding process for expanding a stop table corresponding to the winning combination. The pre-reel control process performs avoidance processing, pull-in processing, and stop table expansion processing that take into account all winning combinations. Therefore, in the case where there are a plurality of winning combinations in step S60, compared to the case where only one combination is won. It takes a lot of processing time. That is, the processing time required for the advance reel control processing in step S70 differs depending on the result of the internal lottery. After the process of step S70 is completed, the process proceeds to step S80.

  In step S80, an effect information command is transmitted to sub-control unit 400. The effect information command includes information indicating an internal lottery result in step S60, information indicating a gaming state (for example, information indicating RT3) updated in step S140 described later, and the like. The sub-control unit 400 receives the effect information command to grasp the game state and the like as a result of the internal lottery. The effect information transmission process in step S80 will be described later in detail. After the process of step S80 ends, the process proceeds to step S90.

  In step S90, rotation of all reels 110 to 112 is started by reel rotation start processing. In step S90, a 4.1 second timer is set. Here, the 4.1 second timer is a timer that measures the time from the start of reel rotation of the game to the start of reel rotation of the next game. When the reel rotation starts, the initial value of the 4.1 second timer is set. set. In the present embodiment, a timer value 195 corresponding to 4.1 seconds is set as the initial value of the 4.1 second timer. The value of the 4.1 second timer is decremented by 1 at 14 interrupt times (21.056 ms), and when it reaches 0, the reel rotation start in the next game is allowed. After the process of step S90 ends, the process proceeds to step S100.

  In step S100, the stop buttons 137 to 139 can be received, and the rotation of the reels 110 to 112 corresponding to the pressed stop buttons 137 to 139 is stopped by the reel stop control process. At this time, the reels 110 to 112 are stopped based on the reel stop data of the stop table developed in step S70. In the present embodiment, after the start lever 135 is operated, the time for which the stop buttons 137 to 139 are valid is the random number acquisition in step S50, the winning combination internal lottery process in step S60, and the pre-reel control process in step S70. The total processing time is about 60 ms, which is more than the sum of the maximum processing times, about 40 ms for the production information transmission processing in step S80, and about 530 ms for one reel rotation, so a total time of about 630 ms is required. In the present embodiment, the reel is configured to reach a predetermined constant speed (for example, 80 rpm) when the reel makes one rotation.

  In step S100, a stop command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 400. That is, for the first stop operation, the first stop command indicating the stop position of the first stop reel, for the second stop operation, the second stop command indicating the stop position of the second stop reel, the third For the stop operation, a third stop command indicating the stop position of the third stop reel is transmitted. The sub-control unit 400 receives the first stop command, the second stop command, and the third stop command, thereby grasping the reel stop operation and the reel stop position. After the process of step S100 is completed, the process proceeds to step S110.

  In step S110, the winning determination of the symbols stopped when the stop buttons 137 to 139 are pressed is performed. Here, it is determined that the winning combination has been won when the winning symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination won or the flag carryover winning combination is displayed (displayed) on the active line. For example, if “replay 1 symbol-replay 1 symbol-replay 1 symbol” is aligned on the active line, it is determined that a replay 1 winning is achieved. In step S110, a display determination command indicating the result of winning determination and the type of winning combination is transmitted to the sub-control unit 400. The sub-control unit 400 receives the display determination command (for example, the replay 1 winning command) to grasp the winning determination result and the type of winning combination. After the process of step S110 is completed, the process proceeds to step S120.

  In step S120, a payout process is performed. In this payout processing, if any winning combination with a medal payout (dividend) is won, the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is paid out. After the process of step S120 is completed, the process proceeds to step S130.

  In step S130, a game state control process is performed. In the game state control process, control for changing the game state is performed. For example, when a BB win is made in the current game, preparation is made so that the BB game can be started from the next game. In the final game of the BB game, the next time Prepare to be able to start re-game fluctuation game from this game. The gaming state control process in step S130 will be described in detail later. After the process of step S130 is completed, the process returns to step S20.

<Production information transmission processing>
Next, the effect information transmission process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the effect information transmission process in step S80 of FIG.

  In step S81, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the transmission wait timer set in step S30 is zero. When the transmission wait timer is 0, the process proceeds to step S82, and when not, the process returns to step S81.

  In step S82, since the transmission wait timer becomes 0, the effect information command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 400. That is, in this embodiment, even if there is a change in the processing time of the above-described winning combination internal lottery process (step S60) and the advance stop control process (step S70), after a certain time (60 ms) has elapsed since the start lever operation. An effect information command is transmitted. As a result, the sub-control unit 400 can make the start timing of the effect process executed after receiving the effect information command uniform. Since the present embodiment is characterized in that the start timing of the effect process is made uniform in this way, regarding the control for making the start timing of the effect process uniform, after explaining the process of the sub-control unit 400 described later, This will be described again in detail using the time chart. After the process of step S82 is completed, the process proceeds to step S83.

  In step S83, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the 4.1 second wait timer set in step S90 is zero. 4. When the timer value of the 1-second wait timer is 0, the reel rotation is allowed to start, so that the process is terminated. Otherwise, the process returns to step S83.

<Game state control processing>
Next, the gaming state control process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the gaming state control process in step S130 of FIG.

  In step S131, it is determined whether or not the gaming state is a bonus game. If the gaming state is a bonus game, the process proceeds to step S132; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S134.

  In step S132, a payout counter that counts medals paid out during the bonus game is updated. After the process of step S132 is completed, the process proceeds to step S133.

  In step S133, it is determined whether or not the value of the payout counter has exceeded a predetermined value. Here, the predetermined value is 300 in the case of a BB game by BB1 or BB2 winning, and 105 in the case of an RB game by RB winning. When the value of the payout counter exceeds the predetermined value, the bonus game is ended, so the process proceeds to step S139. When the value of the payout counter is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S134.

  In step S134, it is determined whether the special combination (BB1, BB2, RB) has been won internally. When the special combination is won internally, the process proceeds to step S135. When the special combination is not won internally, the process proceeds to step S136.

  In step S135, since the special combination is won internally, a flag (also referred to as a bonus flag) corresponding to the special combination won internally is set. Specifically, the BB1 flag is set when BB1 is internally won, the BB2 flag is set when BB2 is internally won, and the RB flag is set when RB is internally won. The internal lottery data in RT1 is selected based on the flag corresponding to the special combination (see FIG. 7). In the present embodiment, once the bonus flag is set, the bonus flag is not set again until it is reset. After the process of step S135 is completed, the process proceeds to step S139.

  In step S136, it is determined whether or not a special combination (BB1, BB2, RB) has been won. When the special combination is won, the process proceeds to step S137, and when the special combination is not won, the process proceeds to step S138.

  In step S137, since the special combination is won, a bonus game corresponding to the won special combination is set, and the corresponding bonus flag is reset. Specifically, when winning BB1 or BB2, the BB game is set and the BB1 flag or BB2 flag is reset, and when winning RB, the RB game is set and the RB flag is reset. The After the process of step S137 is completed, the process proceeds to step S139.

  In step S138, it is determined whether or not the prescribed number of games (100 games) for re-game variation games has been consumed. When the specified number of games for the re-game variation game has been consumed, the gaming state of RT3 is terminated, so the process proceeds to step S139. When the specified number of games for the re-game change game has not been consumed, the process proceeds to step S141.

  In step S139, since there is a game state transition, a waiting time is set in accordance with the game state transition. Specifically, an initial value corresponding to the gaming state to be transferred is set in the waiting time timer. After the process of step S139 is completed, the process proceeds to step S140.

  In step S140, game state update processing is performed. For example, when the bonus game is in progress (RT2), the game state is shifted to the re-game changing game (RT3). After the process of step S140 is complete | finished, it progresses to step S141.

  In step S141, a game setting command indicating the set gaming state is transmitted to the sub-control unit 400. The sub-control unit 400 grasps the game state by receiving this game setting command. After the process of step S141 is completed, the process proceeds to step S142.

  In step S142, a waiting time process is performed. Specifically, based on the timer value of the waiting time timer, it is determined whether or not the waiting time set in step S139 has elapsed. When the waiting time set has elapsed, the process is terminated. As a result, synchronization can be established between the processes of the main control unit 300 and the sub control unit 400 at the time of transition of the gaming state, so that there is no hesitation between the progress of the game and the progress of the performance. For example, when winning a special role (when shifting to a bonus game), the sub-control unit 400 executes a bonus blessing effect indicating that a special role has been won, but the main control unit 300 Until the blessing is finished, the start of the next game (start lever operation) can be prevented.

<Main controller timer interrupt processing>
Next, timer interrupt processing of the main control unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of timer interrupt processing of the main control unit 300. In the present embodiment, the main control unit 300 includes a hardware timer that generates a timer interrupt at a predetermined cycle (once every 1.504 ms as described above), and the main control unit 300 is triggered by this timer interrupt. Execute timer interrupt processing.

  In step S150, 1 is subtracted from the transmission wait timer. That is, the transmission wait timer is decremented by 1 with one interrupt. After the process of step S150 is completed, the process proceeds to step S160.

  In step S160, other timer update processing is performed. For example, for a 4.1 second timer, 1 is subtracted every 14 interrupts (21.056 ms). The timer value is also updated in this step for the waiting time timer. After the process of step S160 is completed, the timer interrupt process is terminated.

<Processing of sub-control unit>
Next, the processing of the sub control unit 400 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing interrupt processing and main processing of the sub-control unit 400 of the slot machine 100.

  First, interrupt processing will be described with reference to FIG. The sub-control unit 400 includes a hardware timer that generates a timer interrupt at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, once every 2 ms), and the CPU 410 executes interrupt processing in response to this timer interrupt.

  In step S210, it is determined whether a control command from main control unit 300 has been received. If a control command is received from the main control unit 300, the process proceeds to step S220. If a control command is not received from the main control unit 300, the process ends.

  In step S220, the control commands received from the main control unit 300 are sequentially stored without overwriting a predetermined area (referred to as a command storage area) in the RAM 413, and the process is terminated.

  Next, the main process will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 410 of the sub-control unit 400 repeatedly executes the process (steps S310 to S390) in FIG.

  In step S310, it is determined whether or not at least one control command (for example, an effect information command or a display determination command) is stored in the command storage area. If the control command is stored, the process proceeds to step S320. If the control command is not stored, the process returns to step S310.

  In step S320, a control command is acquired from the command storage area, and its content is determined. The acquired control command is deleted from the command storage area. After the process of step S320 is completed, the process proceeds to step S330.

  In step S330, an effect control process is performed according to the determination result of step S320. The effect control process in step S330 will be described later in detail. After the process of step S330 is completed, the process proceeds to step S380.

  In step S380, it is determined whether there is output of control data (also referred to as effect control data). Specifically, based on the result of the effect process of the effect control process in step S330 corresponding to the determination result in step S302 (set effect data), the device driver of the sub-control unit 400 or the door / liquid crystal screen control unit It is determined whether or not to output control data (production control data) for causing 490 to execute the production. When there is an output of control data (effect control data), the process proceeds to step S390, and when there is no output of control data (effect control data), the process returns to step S310.

  In step S390, control data is output to the device driver of the sub-control unit 400 or the door / liquid crystal screen control unit 490. As a result, an effect process is executed via the device (for example, a speaker, a lamp, etc.), the door device 163, or the liquid crystal display device 157 of the sub-control unit 400. Note that after the process of step S390 is completed, the process returns to step S310.

<Production control processing>
Next, the effect control process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the effect control process in step S330 of FIG.

  In step S340, a game number update process is performed. Specifically, when the gaming state is RT3, every time a start command transmitted from the main control unit 300 is received, 1 is added to the game number counter for counting the number of games in RT3 and updated. The game state is determined based on information indicating the game state of the effect information command transmitted from the main control unit 300, and the game number counter is set to 0 when the game state shifts from RT2 to RT3. After the process of step S340 ends, the process proceeds to step S350.

  In step S350, a winning combination notification process is performed. As will be described in detail later regarding the winning combination notification process, effect data for executing the above-described winning combination notification effect is set. After the completion of step S350, the process proceeds to step S360.

  In step S360, other effect processing is performed. For example, effect data for executing effects such as a congratulatory effect congratulating the winning of a special role or a replay time effect in a re-game variation game is set. After the process of step S360 ends, the effect control process ends.

<Winning role announcement production>
Next, the winning combination notification process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the winning combination notification process in step S350 of FIG.

  In step S351, it is determined whether or not the gaming state is RT2 or RT3. Whether the gaming state is RT2 or RT3 is determined based on information indicating the gaming state of the effect information command transmitted from the main control unit 300. When the gaming state is RT2 or RT3, the process proceeds to step S352, and when the gaming state is neither RT2 nor RT3, the process is terminated.

  In step S352, it is determined whether or not the small combination 1 has been internally won. Whether or not the small combination 1 has been internally won is determined based on the internal winning information of the effect information command transmitted from the main control unit 300. When the internal combination is won for the small combination 1, the process proceeds to step S353. When the internal combination is not selected for the small combination 1, the process proceeds to step S354.

  In step S353, since the small winning combination 1 is internally won during RT2 or RT3, the small combination 1 notification effect data is set to perform the winning combination notification effect. As a result, on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 157, an effect image (for example, an image of a symbol combination corresponding to the small role 1) that suggests an internal winning for the small role 1 is displayed. After the process of step S353 is completed, the process proceeds to step S354.

  In step S354, it is determined whether the small combination 2 has been won internally. Whether or not the small combination 2 has been internally won is determined based on the internal winning information of the effect information command transmitted from the main control unit 300. If the small combination 2 is won internally, the process proceeds to step S355, and if the small combination 2 is not internally won, the process proceeds to step S356.

  In step S355, since the small winning combination 2 is internally won during RT2 or RT3, the small combination 2 notification effect data is set to perform the winning combination notification effect. As a result, on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 157, an effect image (for example, an image of a symbol combination corresponding to the small role 2) that suggests an internal winning for the small role 2 is displayed. After the process of step S355 is completed, the process proceeds to step S356.

  In step S356, it is determined whether or not the small combination 3 is won internally. Whether or not the small combination 3 has been internally won is determined based on the internal winning information of the effect information command transmitted from the main control unit 300. If the small winning combination 3 is won internally, the process proceeds to step S357. If the small winning combination 3 is not internally won, the processing is terminated.

  In step S357, since the small winning combination 3 is internally won during RT2 or RT3, the small combination 3 notification effect data is set to perform the winning combination notification effect. As a result, on the screen of the liquid crystal display device 157, an effect image (for example, an image of a symbol combination corresponding to the small combination 3) that suggests an internal winning for the small combination 3 is displayed. After the process of step S357 is completed, the process is terminated.

  FIG. 15 shows an effect image of the winning combination notification effect executed during RT3. FIG. 15A is an image showing the start of the re-game variation game, and FIG. 15B is an effect image of the winning combination notification effect when the small combination 1 is internally won during RT3. As shown in FIG. 15B, when the small combination 1 is won internally during RT3, the symbol combination “BB1 symbol-bell-bell” corresponding to the small combination 1 is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 157. The player can grasp that the small role 1 has been won internally.

  Note that the number of remaining games of RT3 shown in the effect images of FIGS. 15A and 15B is the number of games (game number counter) counted in the game number update process (step S701) of the effect control process of FIG. Value) is displayed. In addition, although the effect image of the winning combination notification effect shown in FIG. 15 (b) was the effect image during RT3, it is substantially the same during RT2, and the symbol combinations corresponding to the small combinations 1 to 3 that were won internally are shown. It is displayed as an effect image.

<Time chart>
FIG. 16 is a time chart summarizing the operations of the main control unit 300 and the sub control unit 400 described above. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, when the start lever 135 is operated (step S20), the main control unit 300 sets an initial value (60 ms in this embodiment) to the transmission wait timer (step S30). When the set value of the transmission wait timer becomes 0 (step S81), an effect information command is transmitted (step S82). That is, the processing time required for the winning combination internal lottery process (step S60) and the pre-reel control process (step S70) varies depending on the winning combination. Although not uniform, in the present embodiment, the main control unit 300 holds a transmission wait timer, and the transmission wait timer manages the transmission timing of the production information command to be uniform. Regardless of the processing time of step S60) or the pre-reel control process (step S70), the effect information command is always transmitted after a predetermined time T1 has elapsed since the start lever operation.

  Here, the fixed time T1 (60 ms in the present embodiment) is set to a time equal to or longer than the time (TA + TB) obtained by adding the maximum processing time TA of the winning combination internal lottery process and the maximum processing time TB of the pre-reel control process. However, preferably, the value of the predetermined time T1 is set to a value of 100 ms or less. This is because TA + TB does not exceed 100 ms in consideration of the maximum processing time of the winning combination internal lottery processing and the maximum processing time of the pre-reel control processing in the current gaming machine processing specifications.

  As a result, the sub-control unit 400 can start the effect process after a predetermined time T2 from the start lever operation. Strictly speaking, since the interrupt process of the sub-control unit 400 is performed every 2 ms, there is a possibility that the timing of receiving the production information command is shifted by 2 ms at the maximum, and the timing of starting the rendering process is shifted by a maximum of 2 ms. Since this deviation time is very small compared to the magnitudes of the fixed time T1 and the fixed time T2, in this embodiment, the time T2 from the start lever operation to the start of execution of the effect process is fixed. The value of the constant time T2 is preferably a value of 200 ms or less, considering the command transmission time (about 40 ms) in addition to the constant time T1. This is because the preferred constant time T1 does not exceed 200 ms even if the command transmission time is taken into consideration.

  As described above, according to the slot machine 100 of the present embodiment, the timing of the execution start of the rendering process can be made uniform by the management of the transmission wait timer included in the main control unit 300. While not causing a sense of incongruity, it is possible to prevent cheating. That is, since the player can always view the production at the same timing regardless of the internal lottery result of the winning combination, the game can be advanced at the same pace without causing a sense of incongruity. In addition, since the production always starts at the same timing regardless of the internal lottery result of the winning combination, it is possible to reliably prevent an illegal act of grasping the internal lottery result of the winning combination from the start timing of the rendering.

<Other embodiments>
In the above embodiment (first embodiment), in order to make the timing at which the sub-control 400 starts the production process uniform, the main control unit 300 holds the transmission wait timer, and the transmission wait timer sends the production information command. Although the transmission timing is uniform, another form may be adopted. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the sub-control unit 400 holds an effect weight timer, the effect wait timer measures a certain time T3 after receiving the start command, and the effect process is started after the elapse of the certain time T3. (Second Embodiment). In this case, as shown in FIG. 17, the effect control data is output to the effect device after a lapse of a certain time T4 after the start command operation, and therefore the “execution process start timing” in the present invention includes the above embodiment. The start timing of the effect process itself described in the first embodiment is also included, and the start timing of the output of the effect control data for the effect device in the effect process is also included.

  18 to 23 are flowcharts showing the flow of processing of the main control unit 300 and the sub control unit 400 of the second embodiment. In the following description, only processing steps different from those of the first embodiment will be described, and with respect to the other processing steps, the same processing is denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of main control unit main processing according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of effect information transmission processing in step S80A of FIG. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the flow of main control unit timer interrupt processing according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 18, in the second embodiment, since the sub-control unit 400 holds the production wait timer, there is no transmission wait timer process (step S30) of the first embodiment (see FIG. 8). In the effect information transmission process of S80A, as shown in FIG. 19, there is no transmission wait timer determination process (step S81) (see FIG. 9). Also, as shown in FIG. 20, there is no transmission wait timer subtraction process (step S150) in the main control unit timer interrupt process (see FIG. 11).

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a timer interrupt process flow of the sub-control unit 400 according to the second embodiment. The sub-control unit 400 includes a hardware timer that generates a timer interrupt at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, once every 2 ms), and the CPU 410 executes timer interrupt processing in response to this timer interrupt.

  In step S410, 1 is subtracted from the production wait timer. In other words, the production wait timer is decremented by 1 with one interrupt. After the process of step S410 is completed, the process proceeds to step S420.

  In step S420, other timer update processing is performed. After the process of step S420 is completed, the timer interrupt process is terminated.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing of the sub-control unit 400 of the second embodiment, and FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of effect control processing in step S330A of FIG.

  As shown in step S370 of FIG. 22, in the second embodiment, it is determined whether or not the effect weight timer is 0. When the effect weight timer becomes 0, the process proceeds to step S380, where control data (effect control data) is output. It is determined whether or not there is. Here, the production wait timer is a timer for uniform production processing (specifically, production control data output processing). As will be described later, the initial value of the production weight timer is set when a start command is received. To do. In this embodiment, a timer value 70 corresponding to 140 msec is set as the initial value of the effect wait timer. Note that the value of the production wait timer is decremented by 1 at one interruption time (2 ms), and when it becomes 0, production control data is output (steps S380 and S390).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 23, in the effect control process, it is determined in step S331 whether or not a start command transmitted from the main control unit 300 has been received. When the start command is received, the process proceeds to step S332. In step S332, an effect weight timer is set (see FIG. 13). Thus, in the second embodiment, when a start command is received, an initial value is set in the effect wait timer.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the timing of the production control data output to the production device of the production process can be made uniform by managing the production weight timer included in the sub-control unit 400. It is possible to prevent a person from feeling uncomfortable and to prevent cheating.

  In the above embodiment, a predetermined initial value is set in a timer (transmission wait timer, production wait timer) when the start lever is operated, and then the timer value is subtracted and updated every elapse of a predetermined time to obtain a desired constant value. Although the time is measured, the method for measuring the fixed time is not limited to this. For example, without setting a predetermined initial value to a timer (transmission wait timer, production wait timer), the timer value is updated by adding or subtracting every predetermined time, and whether or not the timer value has reached a predetermined threshold value Then, a desired fixed time may be measured. In this case, the timer value is reset when the timer value reaches a predetermined threshold value.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the winning combination notification effect is executed in the gaming state of RT2 and RT3, but it may be a specification having a gameability different from this. For example, (1) The winning combination notification effect may be executed only during RT3. (2) In principle, the winning combination notification effect is executed only during RT3. When winning, the winning combination notification effect may be executed even during RT2. In the case of (2), the sub-control unit 400 sets the special notification flag when receiving the effect information command and grasps that the special role is won during RT3, while in RT2 When the special notification flag is set, the winning combination notification effect is executed. The special notification flag is initialized after RT2. In the case of (2), it is possible to add value to the special combination won during RT3, and to provide a well-rounded game.

  In addition, the control unit of the slot machine 100 according to the above embodiment has the configuration including the main control unit 300 and the sub control unit 400 in order to reduce the processing load. Good. That is, the game process and the effect process may be executed by one control unit.

  In the first embodiment, the transmission wait timer is set so that the presentation information command is transmitted after the preliminary reel control process is completed. However, when the processing time required for the preliminary reel control process can be regarded as substantially the same (for example, the stop table) If the processing time of the pre-reel control process according to the winning lottery internal lottery process result is considered to be substantially constant, such as the number of expansions always being one), after the winning lottery internal lottery process, based on the transmission wait timer An effect information command may be transmitted. In this case, it is preferable that the transmission wait timer is set to be equal to or longer than the maximum processing time required for the winning combination internal lottery process.

  In the winning combination notification effect in the above embodiment, an image of the symbol combination corresponding to the internal winning small combination is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 157 to directly notify the winning combination. Alternatively, an image (for example, a copied character) reminiscent of an internal winning combination may be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 157 to indirectly notify the winning combination.

  Further, in the winning combination notification effect in the above embodiment, information on the eye-opening is notified as operation information that suggests an operation that the player can acquire the winning combination more advantageously than the normal game. Information regarding a predetermined pressing order may be notified. In this case, it is possible to win an internal winning prize by following a predetermined pressing order of the stop buttons 137 to 139 (for example, middle → left → right). In addition, as operation information that suggests an operation that allows the player to acquire the winning combination more advantageously than a normal game, both information related to pressing and information related to pressing order may be notified.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the gist of the present invention. Such modifications and changes can be made, and those accompanying such modifications and changes are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Further, the actions and effects described in the embodiments of the invention only list the most preferable actions and effects resulting from the present invention, and the actions and effects according to the present invention are described in the embodiments of the present invention. It is not limited to what was done.

It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a main control unit of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a sub-control unit of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a view showing an arrangement of symbols applied to each reel of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing the type and name of the winning combination of the slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, the symbol combination corresponding to each winning combination, payout, and remarks. FIG. 3 is a transition diagram of the gaming state of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of internal lottery data of the winning combination of the slot machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of main processing of the main control unit of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of the production information transmission process of step S80 of FIG. 8 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the flow of the game state control process of step S130 of FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of timer interrupt processing of the main control unit of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. (A) It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the interruption process of the sub-control part of the slot machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. (B) It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the main process of the sub-control part of the slot machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the flow of the production | presentation control process of step S330 of FIG.12 (b). It is a flowchart which shows in detail the flow of the winning combination alerting | reporting process of step S350 of FIG. It is an example of the effect image of the winning combination notification effect of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a time chart showing operations of a main control unit and a sub control unit of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a time chart showing operations of a main control unit and a sub control unit of a slot machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of main processing of a main control unit of a slot machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the flow of the effect information transmission process of step S80A of FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process flow of a main control unit of a slot machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. 20 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process flow of the sub-control unit of the slot machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. 20 is a flowchart showing a main process flow of a sub-control unit of a slot machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the flow of the presentation control process of step S330A of FIG.

Claims (1)

A game process execution means for executing a game process having a different processing time according to a result of a lottery relating to a game;
Effect processing execution means for executing effect processing based on the lottery result,
The effect processing execution means
When the game process execution means starts executing the game process and the fixed process time that is equal to or longer than the maximum process time required for the game process has elapsed, the effect process is executed ,
Lottery data used for internal lottery winning / failing lottery of multiple types of roles;
A reel provided with a plurality of types of symbols and driven to rotate by a drive source;
The game process is
Using the lottery data, a lottery process capable of winning a plurality of roles in one lottery,
Based on a lottery result by the lottery process, a preliminary stop data preparation process for preparing in advance reel stop data to be used for control to stop the reel driven by rotation,
Transmission processing for transmitting lottery result information indicating the lottery result to the effect processing execution means,
The predetermined time is
A first specific time that is equal to or more than a total of the maximum processing times required for each of the lottery process and the preliminary stop data preparation process, and a second specific time that is a processing time required for the transmission process;
Including
The game process execution means includes
When the game process execution means starts executing the game process and the first specific time has elapsed, the transmission process is executed,
The effect processing execution means
The game machine characterized by executing the effect process when the lottery result information transmitted in the transmission process is received .