JPH11441A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a more controlled game and adjustable display and ensure that the player knows an abnormal occurrence in the game machine. SOLUTION: In addition to a microcomputer for controlling the game, a microprocessor 92 for controlling a liquid crystal display is provided for controlling an adjustable display device. Command data D0 to D7 for controlling adjustable display are sent from a game control board 107 to the LCD control microprocessor 92. If an error occurs in the game machine, a command data which indicates the error (display process flag 07H) is sent from the game control board 107 to the LCD control microprocessor 92.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine represented by a pachinko game machine, a coin game machine or a slot machine. More specifically, a game that has a variable display device whose display state can be changed and that can be controlled to a game state advantageous to the player when the display result of the variable display device becomes a predetermined specific display mode. About the machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a game machine of this type, a variable display device whose display state can be changed is provided, for example, in a conventionally known game machine. When the result is derived and displayed, and the display result becomes a predetermined specific display mode (for example, 777), the variable winning prize ball device is set to a first state advantageous to the player, and a game advantageous to the player is provided. Some were configured to be controllable in state.

[0003]

However, in this type of conventional gaming machine, the game control and the variable display control are united with the advancement of the game content and the display content of the variable display device. It has become difficult to perform this with a control circuit.

In this type of conventional gaming machine,
For example, if an abnormality occurrence notification lamp or the like is provided and a certain abnormality occurs in the gaming machine, the abnormality occurrence notification lamp is turned on or blinks, and a display indicating that an abnormality has occurred is provided to a player or a staff at the game hall. Was composed.

[0005] However, a player who is enthusiastic about the game during the game has a drawback that even if the abnormality occurrence notification lamp is turned on or blinked, it may not be noticed.

On the other hand, in a gaming machine provided with a variable display device, during a game, a player tends to pay close attention to the variable display state of the variable display device.

The present invention has been conceived in view of the above circumstances, and can realize more advanced game control and variable display control, and the display state of the variable display device can be watched by a player during a game. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can make a player surely recognize that an abnormality has occurred in the gaming machine by using the game machine.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a variable display device capable of changing a display state, and a display result of the variable display device is a predetermined specific display mode. A game control means for controlling a game state of the game machine, a variable display control means for controlling display of the variable display device, and An information transmission unit for transmitting information relating to display control of the variable display device from a control unit to the variable display control unit, wherein the game control unit determines, when an abnormality occurs in the gaming machine, that fact Including abnormality determination means, the information transmission means, when the abnormality determination means determines that an abnormality has occurred, transmits information that an abnormality has occurred from the game control means to the variable display control means, Said Variable display control means, when receiving information indicating that the abnormality has occurred, and performs control to display by the variable display device that an abnormality has occurred.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the game control means determines that an abnormality has occurred when the abnormality determination means determines that an abnormality has occurred. Display state storage means for storing information capable of specifying the display state of the variable display device at the time, and based on the information stored in the display state storage means when the abnormal state of the gaming machine is restored. Display state return means for returning to the display state of the variable display device at the time of occurrence of an abnormality.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the second aspect, the game control means includes a game control time management means for managing progress of a game state of the gaming machine. And a variable display control time management means for managing the progress of the variable display state of the variable display device, from when the abnormal state determining means determines that an abnormality has occurred until the abnormal state is recovered. During the time, the time management operation of the game control time management means and the variable display control time management means is stopped, and the progress of the game state of the gaming machine and the variable display device The variable display state is stopped from progressing.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the gaming state of the gaming machine is controlled by the operation of the game control means, and the display of the variable display device is controlled by the operation of the variable display control means.
By the function of the information transmission means, information relating to display control to the variable display device is transmitted from the game control means to the variable display control means. By the function of the abnormality determining means, when an abnormality occurs in the gaming machine, the fact is determined.

When the abnormality determining means determines that an abnormality has occurred by the function of the information transmission means, information indicating that an abnormality has occurred is transmitted from the game control means to the variable display control means. The variable display control means, when receiving the information indicating that the abnormality has occurred, performs control for displaying the occurrence of the abnormality on the variable display device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first aspect, the function of the display state storage means when the abnormality determining means determines that an abnormality has occurred. Thus, information capable of specifying the display state of the variable display device at the time of occurrence of the abnormality is stored. When the abnormal state of the gaming machine is restored, the display state restoring means returns to the display state of the variable display device at the time of occurrence of the abnormality based on the information stored in the display state storing means.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the second aspect, the progress of the gaming state of the gaming machine is managed by the operation of the game control time management means.
The progress of the variable display state of the variable display device is managed by the function of the variable display control time management means. Then, the time management operation of the game control time management means and the variable display control time management means is stopped until the abnormal state is recovered after the abnormal state determination means determines that an abnormality has occurred, During the period from the occurrence of the abnormality to its recovery, the progress of the gaming state of the gaming machine and the progress of the variable display state of the variable display device are stopped.

[0015]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a gaming board surface of a pachinko gaming machine 150 as an example of a gaming machine according to the present invention. When the player operates the hit ball operation handle 151, the pachinko balls stored in the hit ball supply tray 152 are driven one by one into the game area 2 formed on the front surface of the game board 1.
In the game area 2, a variable display device 3 using a liquid crystal display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information is provided, and start winning holes 10a, 10b, and 10c are provided. These starting winning openings 10a, 10b, 10
Pachinko balls that win within c are detected by the start winning ball detectors 11a, 11b, and 11c, respectively.

Starting winning ball detectors 11a, 11b, 11c
, Each symbol display unit of the variable display device 3 is variably started. The variable display device 3 is formed with nine symbol display portions arranged in a matrix of 3 rows × 3 columns by the image of the liquid crystal display device, and each symbol display portion displays a predetermined plurality of symbols during the variable display. Scroll display sequentially. Then, based on the elapse of the predetermined time, the first symbol displayed on the upper left and lower right symbol display units is first stopped, and then the second row in the leftmost column (referred to as “middle left”), and then the central row Of the first and third rows (referred to as “middle upper” and “middle lower”, respectively), and the second row (referred to as “middle right”) in the rightmost column. The second symbol is stopped, and then the third symbol is displayed on the two symbol display units of the third row in the leftmost column (referred to as “lower left”) and the first row in the rightmost column (referred to as “upper right”). The symbol stops, and finally the fourth symbol displayed on the symbol display section of the second row in the center row (referred to as “middle middle”) stops.

When the display result at the time of stoppage becomes predetermined specific identification information, the opening / closing plate 6 of the variable winning ball device 4 is opened to set a first state which is advantageous for the player, and a predetermined game value is given. Make it possible. Conditions when the first symbol stops, when the first and second symbols stop, or when the first to third symbols stop, and when the next symbol stops, a combination of specific identification information is obtained. If
This is called a reach state.

As described above, the symbols displayed by the variable display device 3 are arranged in a 3 × 3 matrix.
With this matrix, three horizontal lines,
A total of eight display lines including three vertical lines and two diagonal lines are formed. In the present embodiment,
Each of the eight lines is a combination effective column, and if specific identification information (“777” in this embodiment) is stopped and displayed on this line, the first state is set. The gaming machine is controlled as described above. Also, if a symbol representing "fruit" is displayed on all the symbol display portions at the time when all nine symbols have stopped, the gaming machine will also have a big hit in this case so as to be in the first state. Controlled.

For example, if the symbol "7" is displayed on both the upper left and the middle left when the second symbol is stopped, the symbol at the lower left stop in the subsequent third symbol becomes "7". If a big hit occurs, the line from the upper left to the lower left is in the reach state. In such a case, in the variable display device 3 according to the present embodiment, a frame surrounding the symbol is provided with an effective column in the reach state in each symbol display portion of the effective line that may be in the reach state. This is displayed as a mark display frame. By displaying this display frame, the player can easily know the occurrence of the reach state and the possibility of a big hit at the time of stopping the next symbol. Watching the rows will increase the interest of the game.

As described above, in the reach state, the control for displaying the frame surrounding each symbol display portion on the activated line where the reach has occurred is also performed when the third symbol is stopped. In this case, a reach state may occur at two diagonal lines and two effective lines intersecting at the center, and when the reach state occurs, a display frame is displayed on each symbol display section on the effective column. Is done. Similarly, at this point, if all of the stopped symbols are fruit symbols, a big hit may occur if all the identification information at the time of stopping the fourth symbol is fruit. Therefore, in this case, a display frame for reach occurrence display is displayed on all the symbol display sections on the variable display device 3. By displaying the display frame indicating the occurrence of the reach in this way, the player gazes at the display on the variable display device 3 until the fourth symbol stops, and the interest of the game is further enhanced.

If a pachinko ball wins in the start winning openings 10a to 10c during the variable display of the variable display device 3, the start winning is stored, and after the variable display of the variable display device 3 is stopped, the variable is again changed based on the storage. The display device 3 is variably started. The upper limit of the starting prize memory is, for example, "4".
Stipulated. The start prize storage count is displayed on the start storage display 16.

In the above description, the number of effective combination lines is eight. However, the effective line is not limited to this, and may be, for example, one line or a plurality of other lines. In the above-described embodiment, the symbol display unit is stopped in the order of the first symbol, the second symbol, the third symbol, and the fourth symbol, but the present invention is not limited to this. Also, upper left and lower right as the first symbol, middle left, middle upper, lower middle and right middle as the second symbol, lower left, upper right as the third symbol, and the middle symbol as the fourth symbol were selected. The symbol display section that constitutes the symbol is not limited to the above embodiment. Although the display method of the identification information is the scroll display for each symbol in the above-described embodiment, the display may be a switching display instead of the scroll.

On the other hand, the variable winning prize ball device 4 is in a second state which is disadvantageous for a player who cannot normally win pachinko balls in the opening 5 because the opening 5 is closed by the opening / closing plate 6 in a normal state. However, opening of the opening / closing plate 6 results in a first state that is advantageous for a player who can win pachinko balls in the opening 5. The first state of the variable prize ball device 4 is that a condition of winning a predetermined number (for example, 10) of pachinko balls into the openings 5 or a lapse of a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds), whichever comes first, is satisfied. And the variable winning ball device 4 is switched to the second state. on the other hand,
A specific winning area 7 is formed at a predetermined position in the opening 5. If a pachinko ball that has won the variable winning ball apparatus 4 wins the specific winning area 7, the variable winning ball apparatus 4 at that time is used. After the first state ends and the second state is reached, the open / close plate 6 is opened again, and the first state is repeatedly and continuously controlled. The upper limit number of the repetition continuation control is set to, for example, 16 times. The number of winning balls that have won the variable winning ball device 4 is displayed on the winning number display 12. In the figure, reference numeral 13 denotes a solenoid for driving the opening and closing plate 6 to open and close.

The second state of the variable prize ball device 4 may be a state where it is difficult to win a hit ball instead of a state where a hit ball cannot be won at all.

The number of symbol display units is not limited to nine, but may be eight or less or ten or more. Further, the variable display of the variable display device 3 is displayed by a stop button (not shown) of the player.
May be stopped by the pressing operation of the player, or may be controlled to be stopped based on the elapse of a predetermined time or the pressing operation of the stop button of the player, whichever is earlier.

A decorative lamp 17 is provided above the variable display device 3.
Is provided. The game area 2 is further provided with decorative lamps 18 to 22 and a normal winning opening 14.
Decorative LEDs 23 are provided on both sides of the variable winning ball device 4. In the figure, reference numeral 15 denotes an out port for collecting out balls.

FIG. 2 is an overall rear view showing a partial internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine. The player operates the hit ball operation handle 15
1 (see FIG. 1) to operate the hit ball launching device 15
3 is operated, and pachinko balls are driven one by one into the game area 2 on the front side of the game board 1. The variable prize ball device 4 and the variable display device 3 provided in the game area 2 include the game control board 1 provided in the game control board box 106.
07. When a pachinko ball wins a prize area or a prize ball device, the prize ball is a prize ball processor 1
20 and a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out per winning ball. The prize ball pays out the pachinko ball in the ball tank into the hitting ball supply tray 152 (see FIG. 1) through the tank rail when the ball payout device 119 operates.
The ball payout device 119 is controlled by a payout central control board 116 in a payout control board box 115. The payout central control board 116 and the ball payout device 119 are connected via the wiring 114 and the relay terminal board 111. On the other hand, the game control board 107 and the payout central control board 116
12, via a relay terminal board 111 and a wiring 114.

Further, the game control board 107 and the board 58 provided in the LCD unit 24 in the back cover member 70 are electrically connected via the wiring 67 and the connector 66. The back cover member 70 is provided with an opening formed by a notch 71, and the back cover 63 (not shown in FIG. 2) of the LCD unit 24 is provided with an opening 65. The connector 66 is provided so as to be located.

In the figure, reference numeral 92 denotes an LCD control microcomputer, and reference numeral 61 denotes a microcomputer interface. Reference numeral 109 in the figure denotes a relay terminal board to which various lamps, LEDs, sensors, and the like are connected.
The game control board 107 is electrically connected to the game control board 107 via a wiring 110. The game control board 107 and the game machine terminal box 154 are connected by a wiring 108, and 24 V AC power is supplied to the game control board 107 via the game machine terminal box 154 and the wire 108.

The winning ball detection signal processed and detected by the winning ball processing unit 120 is input to the game control board 107 through the payout central control board 116. The game control board 107 stores the number of prize balls paid out according to the prize ball signal, and the prize ball number signal for instructing the number of prize balls paid out is transmitted to the payout central control board 116 side and transmitted. A control signal for paying out a number of prize balls corresponding to the prize ball number signal is transmitted from the payout central control board 116 to the ball payout device 119. The pachinko balls in the ball tank are supplied to the ball dispenser 119 through a tank rail, and the supplied pachinko balls are dispensed to the hitting ball storage dish by a predetermined number by the operation of the ball dispenser 119.

The dispensing control board box 115 is provided with an error cause display 117 so that when an abnormality occurs in the dispensing of pachinko balls by the ball dispenser 119, the type of the cause of the abnormality can be displayed. ing. Then, when the generated abnormality is repaired by the staff at the game hall, the reset button 118 is operated to reset the ball payout control program. Instead of providing the error cause indicator 117 on the payout control board box 115, an error cause indicator may be separately provided on the front side of the gaming machine, or the error cause may be displayed on the hall management computer. In the drawing, reference numeral 113 denotes wiring for connecting the game control board 107 to the speaker 98 (see FIG. 1) provided on the hitting ball supply plate 152 on the front side of the gaming machine. Reference numeral 69 denotes a winning ball set cover body.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the structure of the LCD unit constituting the variable display device. FIG.
Is a partially exploded perspective view of the LCD unit 24 as viewed from the back. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part showing a state in which the LCD unit 24 is attached to the game board 1.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, LCD unit 2
Reference numeral 4 denotes a unit base 31 having an opening 32, a CFL unit 45 mounted on the back side of the liquid crystal display panel 25 and housed in the opening 32 of the unit base 31,
The liquid crystal display panel 25 mounted on the front surface of the L unit 45 with a diffusion plate 49 for diffusing light interposed therebetween. On the front surface of the liquid crystal display panel 25, a metal holding frame 2 having an opening 29 having the same size as the display surface of the liquid crystal display panel 25 is further provided.
7 is attached to a screw hole 33 provided in the back of the opening 32 of the unit base 31 by a screw hole and a screw provided in the mounting projection 30. A mounting recess 34 is formed around the front surface of the opening 32 of the unit base 31, and the protection plate 3 is divided into an opaque portion 37 and a transparent portion 36 by screen printing from the back in the mounting recess 34.
5 is attached.

The CFL unit 45 includes a CFL board 46A.
(See FIG. 4) CFL backlight 46 attached to
Provided on the back surface of the CFL backlight 46,
A reflection plate 47 for reflecting light generated by the backlight 46 and making the light incident on the diffusion plate 49;

A substrate 25A on which a number of liquid crystal drivers for driving liquid crystal are arranged is provided around the liquid crystal display panel 25, and the ground line of the substrate 25A is connected to a holding frame 27 by a cord 28. . The connector cable 26 pulled out from the liquid crystal display panel 25 is connected to the unit base 31.
The connector pin 26A is pulled out to the back surface from an opening 38 formed on the back surface of the unit base 31, and is connected to a connector 41 of a substrate 40 which is attached to a mounting boss 39 on the back surface of the unit base 31 by a screw. The substrate 40 is an LCD (described later).
The control microcomputer 92 and the liquid crystal display panel 25 are relayed, and a volume 43 for adjusting a voltage for driving the liquid crystal display panel 25 is provided. Also on the side of the substrate 40 is a CFL backlight 46.
A connector 44 for supplying power to the CFL unit 45 is connected to a connector 48 pulled out from a board 46A of the CFL unit 45.

The rear surface of the unit base 31 is protected by a cover 50 having a concave portion 51. One side surface of the concave portion of the cover 50 is an opening 52, and a side cover 57 for attaching and detaching the CFL unit 45 is formed in the opening 52.
Are attached by screws. On the back of the cover 50,
An opening 53 facing the connector 42 provided on the back surface of the substrate 40 and a volume adjustment hole 56 facing the volume 43 are formed.

On the back surface of the cover 50, a mounting boss 54 and an engagement opening 55 are formed.
The board 58 on which the microcomputer interface 61 and the LCD control microcomputer 92 are mounted is attached with screws. A connector 59 is provided on the board 58 at a position facing the opening 53 of the cover 50, and the connector 59 is connected to the connector 42 on the back surface of the board 40 by assembling the board 58 to the cover 50. Also, the substrate 5
8, a notch 60 is formed in the center of the lower side. As shown in FIG. 4, the volume 43 on the substrate 40 is adjusted through the notch 60 and the volume adjusting hole 56 using a driver, and the brightness of the liquid crystal display panel 25 is adjusted. Can be adjusted.

By providing the light source with a volume for adjusting the brightness, the brightness of the light source is slightly suppressed at the beginning of use, and the volume is adjusted when the brightness decreases with the aging of the light source. By increasing the brightness of the light source, the display brightness of the liquid crystal display device for gaming machines can be kept constant. In addition, when installed in a game arcade, there is also an effect that the brightness of the display of each gaming machine can be kept substantially the same.

From further behind the substrate 58, the engaging claws 64
The back cover 63 having the
It is attached by engaging with. An opening 65 is formed in a part of the back cover 63 from the back surface to the side surface. A back surface of the substrate 58 facing the opening 65 is used to connect the LCD unit 24 and the game control microcomputer. Connector 62 is provided.

Referring to FIG. 4, CFL backlight 46
Is integrated with a substrate 46A and a reflection plate 47 as a CFL unit 45, and further, a connector 4 provided on a substrate 40 of the LCD unit 24 by a connector 48.
4 and detachable. Further, by inserting the CFL unit 45 into the concave portion 25B formed by the liquid crystal substrate 25A, the CFL unit 45
4, the side cover 57 is attached to the cover 50.
By removing the CFL unit 45 from the L
It can be attached to and detached from the CD unit 24. For this reason, when the CFL backlight 46 becomes dark or does not emit light due to aging with use, the
The L unit 45 can be removed from the LCD unit 24 at a time, and a new CFL unit 45 can be attached. For this reason, the entire LCD unit 24 is replaced, or complicated work is performed to
There is no need for replacement, and there is an effect that the cost and labor for maintenance are greatly reduced as compared with the conventional case.

Referring to FIG. 5, this LCD unit 24
Is attached to the game board 1 by screwing to a mounting boss 68 formed on the winning ball collecting cover body 69 so as to face the opening 1A formed in the center portion of the game board 1 from the back surface. The rear portion of the LCD unit 24 is covered by a back cover member 70 attached to the winning ball collecting cover body 69. An opening 71 is formed on the back surface of the back cover member 70, and an LCD is formed through the opening 71.
Unit 24 and microcomputer 81 for game control
Are the connector cable 67 and the connectors 66 and 62
Connected by

A decoration unit 72 is attached to the opening 1A of the game board 1. The table decoration unit 72 is mounted on the game board 1, a lamp cover (covering member) 75 provided on the upper front surface, and a liquid crystal display protruding toward the LCD unit 24 side, which can be visually recognized by a player. And an opening frame 76 having an opening 77 formed as described above. The mounting substrate 73 is formed in a window frame shape as a whole, and is configured so that light from the outside does not enter the display surface of the LCD unit 24 to make it difficult to view the display. The inner surface of the opening formed in the mounting board 73 is matte black to make the display easier to see. The lower surface of the opening is a ball rolling surface 74.

At a position away from the game board 1 by a predetermined distance,
Front glass plates 78A and 78B are arranged.

FIG. 6 shows the variable display device 3 in the pachinko game machine according to the present embodiment when the variable display device 3 is stopped and when it is stopped.
One embodiment is shown. In FIG. 6A, all the symbol display sections 79A to 79I are scrolling in each symbol display section. For example, in the symbol display section 79A, the symbols in the leftmost column among the symbols shown in FIG. 8 are scroll-displayed in order.

After a predetermined time has elapsed, the first symbol consisting of the upper left symbol 79A and the lower right symbol 79B stops as shown in FIG. 6 (B). When both the upper left symbol 79A and the lower right symbol 79B at the time of stop are “7”, the specific identification information “777” may be generated on a diagonal line from the upper left to the lower right. However, in this case, as long as the middle symbol does not stop, the specific identification information does not occur when the third symbol stops. Therefore, even if the specific identification information “777” may be generated as described above, no special display is performed if there is no possibility that a big hit will occur due to the stop of the next stage.

Next, referring to FIG. 6C, FIG.
, The second symbol consisting of the upper middle symbol 79C, the middle left symbol 79D, the middle lower symbol 79E, and the middle right symbol 79F is stopped.
In the example shown in FIG. 6C, the middle left symbol of the second symbol is the big hit symbol “7”, the middle upper symbol and the middle and lower symbol are the fruit symbol, and the middle right symbol is the outlying symbol. At this time, the lower left symbol, the middle middle symbol, and the upper right symbol are all scroll-displayed. When the identification information at the time of stopping the second symbol is as shown in FIG. 6C, in addition to the diagonal line from the upper left to the lower right, the specific identification information “777” is also displayed on the active line from the upper left to the lower left. May occur. Also in this case,
The only lines that may cause a big hit when the third symbol stops are the effective lines from the upper left to the lower left. Therefore, the mark display frames 80A, 80D, and 80H are displayed.
By performing such a display, the player can easily know the occurrence of the reach, and the interest of the game is further increased in order to check the symbol when the following symbol is stopped.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6D, the third symbol consisting of the lower left symbol and the upper right symbol is stopped. At the time when the third symbol is stopped, it is assumed that a fruit symbol is displayed on the lower left symbol and an off symbol is displayed on the upper right symbol as shown in FIG. 6D. At this point, there is no longer a possibility that the specific identification information “777” is generated on the active line from the upper left to the lower left.
Is erased. On the other hand, only at the stage where the third symbol is stopped, there is a possibility that specific identification information is aligned with a diagonal line from the upper left to the lower right, and a so-called reach state is obtained. Further, mark display frames 80I and 80B are displayed. In this way, the display frame indicating the reach line is actually changed to indicate a place where a big hit may occur when the next symbol is stopped, so that the interest of the player is further increased.

When the fourth symbol stops, it is finally determined whether or not a specific combination of identification information has occurred. Then, as shown in FIG. 6 (E), when a specific combination of identification information occurs, each mark display frame on the activated line flashes to notify the establishment of the specific combination of identification information. The mark display frame on the activated line where the specific identification information is not displayed while in the reach state is deleted.

FIG. 7 shows the progress at the time of stop of the symbol when all the symbols at the time of stop become fruit symbols and a big hit occurs. First, as shown in FIG. 7 (A), each symbol display unit starts variable display in response to a winning start. Then, as shown in FIG. 7 (B), the first symbol stops, as shown in FIG. 7 (C), the second symbol stops, and as shown in FIG. 7 (D), the third symbol stops. At this point, if all the eight stopped symbols are fruit symbols, a big hit may occur if the remaining fourth symbol is a fruit symbol. Therefore, at this point, a reach line mark display frame is displayed on all the symbol display portions as shown in FIG. 7D. Then, as shown in FIG. 7 (E), when all of the fruit symbols are aligned when the fourth symbol is stopped, the mark display frame is displayed blinking to notify the occurrence of specific identification information. If the fourth
If the fruit symbols are not aligned as a result of stopping the symbols, these mark display frames are deleted. In the reach state in which a big hit may occur due to the alignment of the fruit symbols in this way, the mark display frames are displayed on all the symbol display portions on the variable display device, and the player is not hit by the big hit. Expectations will increase further.

FIG. 8 shows the symbols displayed by the variable display device 3 at each display position in a developed figure format in accordance with the symbol display order. These symbols are a first symbol consisting of an upper left symbol 79A and a lower right symbol 79B,
A second design consisting of a middle upper design 79C, a left middle design 79D, a middle lower design 79E, a right middle design 79F, a third design consisting of an upper right design 79G, a lower left design 79H, and a fourth design consisting of a middle and middle design 79I. Consists of

The first symbol and the second symbol are respectively provided for one big hit symbol “7”, six fruit symbols, between the big hit symbol and the fruit symbol, or between the fruit symbol and the fruit symbol. There are a total of 13 symbols, including 6 missing symbols. In FIG. 8, the numbers described on the left side are symbol numbers assigned to the respective symbols in advance.
The first symbol and the second symbol are used again using this symbol number.
The pattern will be described as follows. Symbol numbers 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and A are missing symbols. Symbol numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and B are fruit symbols. The symbol number C is a big hit symbol.

Similarly, the third symbol is symbol numbers 0, 2,
4, 6, 8, A, B out of design and design number 1,
It is composed of 3, 5, 7, and 9 fruit designs and a big hit design with a design number C. The third design has one less fruit design and the first fruit design used is
It differs from the first and second symbols in that it is different from that of the symbol and the second symbol. This third
The patterns 79G and 79H are the same color and the same pattern.

The fourth symbol 79I is composed of symbols 79G and 79
Same as H, but the design of the design is different. For this reason, since the fruit design of the same design does not line up on each line, the possibility that the player misunderstands the big hit is reduced.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a game control board used in a pachinko gaming machine.

Game control board 107 for pachinko machine
Is a game control microcomputer 81 as a game control means for controlling a game machine in accordance with a program for controlling various devices;
a, 11b, 11c, a specific winning ball detector 8, and a winning number detector 9
A detection circuit 91 for applying the signal to one I / O port 85;
A solenoid drive circuit 93 for driving the solenoid 13 in accordance with a command from the microcomputer 81, a lamp drive circuit 94 for driving the decorative lamps 18 to 22 in accordance with data provided from the microcomputer 81, and a Start winning prize memory display 16 and decoration LE according to the data
A segment / LED drive circuit 95 for driving the D23 and the winning number display 12;
And an amplifier 96 for driving a speaker 98 in accordance with the sound data given from 1 to generate a sound effect.

Game control microcomputer 81
In addition to the above-mentioned I / O port 85, a CPU (central processing unit) 82, a ROM (read-only memory) 83 in which a game control program is written in advance, and a RAM (writable and readable) at any time Random Access
Memory) 84, a power-on reset circuit 87 for resetting the CPU 82 when the power is turned on, and a CPU
A clock generation circuit 88 for generating a clock signal for operating the clock signal generator 82 and a clock signal generated by the clock generation circuit 88 are frequency-divided (for example, 2 ms).
ec), a reset pulse is given to the CPU
A pulse frequency dividing circuit 89 for repeatedly executing the game control program stored in the CPU 83 from the beginning;
Sound generator 86 for generating sound data to be given to amplifier 96 in accordance with a command given from
And an address decode circuit 90 for decoding an address signal given from the CPU 82 and outputting a signal for selecting one of the ROM 83, the RAM 84, the I / O port 85, and the sound generator 86. The I / O port 85 includes a detection circuit 91, a solenoid drive circuit 93, a lamp drive circuit 94, and a segment LE.
In addition to the D drive circuit 95, the LCD unit 24 is also connected.

The game control board 107 of the pachinko gaming machine includes a power supply circuit 97 connected to an AC 24 V AC power supply for generating a plurality of types of DC voltages.

Referring to FIG. 10, the electrical connection in LCD unit 24 is as follows. Cover 50
(See FIGS. 3 and 4), a liquid crystal display (LCD) 25
, An LCD power supply circuit 100, and an LCD
A volume 43 for adjusting the voltage applied from the power supply circuit 100, a CFL backlight 46, FIG.
An inverter circuit 101 provided on a substrate 40 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 for converting a +12 V DC current supplied from a power supply circuit (not shown) into an AC current and applying the AC current to the CFL backlight 46 via the connectors 44 and 48. Are provided.

The segment drivers 103 and 104 and the common driver 105 are connected to the liquid crystal display panel 25.
The segment drivers 103 and 104 are connectors 26A,
It is connected to a microcomputer interface 61 via 41. The microcomputer interface 61 and the LCD control microcomputer 92 are provided on the same substrate 58 (see FIG. 3), and are connected by a common bus formed on the substrate 58. Then, the LCD control microcomputer 92 receives display data from the game control board 107 via the connectors 62 and 66 and drives the microcomputer interface 61.

The LCD power supply circuit 100 includes a connector 42,
It is connected to the LCD control microcomputer 92 and the microcomputer interface 61 via 59. Connector 2
6A, 41 through segment drivers 103, 10
4, connected to the common driver 105.

It should be noted that the LCD power supply circuit 100 and the volume 43 have +12 V
DC voltage of + 5V, + 45V, -7V is supplied from connector 42,
59 is provided.

Referring to FIG. 9, the following signals are supplied to game control microcomputer 81 via detection circuit 91. The winning number detector 9 gives a detection signal of a winning ball that has won the variable winning ball device 4 to the microcomputer 81 via the detection circuit 91. The specific prize ball detector 8 detects a prize ball that has won the specific prize area 7 of the variable prize ball device 4 and supplies a detection signal to the microcomputer 81 via the detection circuit 91. Start winning ball detector 11
a, 11b and 11c are the starting winning openings 10a and 1
The pachinko balls that have won 0b and 10c are detected, and a detection signal is provided to the game control microcomputer 81 via the detection circuit 91.

From the game control board 107 to the LCD control microcomputer 92, an interrupt signal INT and data signals D0 to D7 for driving the LCD are provided in addition to the five power supply voltages. The power supply voltage of +12 V and GND is supplied from the LCD control microcomputer 92 to the inverter circuit 101. The LCD power supply circuit 100 has a DC voltage of +5.
V, + 45V, -7V and GND are provided. Further, the segment drivers 103 and 104 are supplied from the LCD control microcomputer 92 via the microcomputer interface 61 to the lower liquid crystal segment driver data D1 to D3.
And data D4 to D6 for the upper liquid crystal segment driver
, Basic clocks CK1 and CK2, a liquid crystal gradation display creation signal CKC, a data latch signal, a liquid crystal drive waveform creation signal CKN1, and a data sampling start signal STI. Also, the LCD power supply circuit 10 is supplied from the LCD control microcomputer 92 via the microcomputer interface 61.
0 is a liquid crystal common driver scan start signal SR2 to the common driver 106 and a scan signal shift clock CKN2 for shifting one of the plurality of common drivers included in the common driver 105 one by one.
And a frame inversion signal CKF for defining the timing of inverting the voltage applied to the segment electrodes for AC driving the LCD 25.

From the LCD power supply circuit 100 to the common driver 105, a liquid crystal common driver driving signal VC, a scanning signal shift clock CKN2, a liquid crystal common driver frame inversion signal CKFC, a liquid crystal common driver driving signal V0, a liquid crystal common driver Scan start signal DOUT
, A liquid crystal common driver drive signal V4, and GND. Rth is a thermistor terminal. Also LCD
From the power supply circuit 100 to the segment drivers 103 and 104
Are supplied with GND, a DC voltage of +5 V, a liquid crystal segment driver driving signal V3, a liquid crystal segment driver driving signal V1, and a zero bias signal ECB.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are timing charts of signals output from the LCD control microcomputer 92 for driving the LCD 25. FIG. FIG. 11 shows data transmission at a time corresponding to one horizontal period of the display screen.
2 indicates a data transmission state in one vertical period. In one vertical period shown in FIG. 12, 223 horizontal periods shown in FIG. 11 are included. This number 223 corresponds to FIG.
0 corresponds to the number of drivers for driving the LCD of the common driver 105.

Referring to FIG. 11, basic clock signal CK
1 and CK2 are clock signals of the same cycle shifted from each other by a half cycle. The cycle of this clock signal is equal to a period obtained by equally dividing one horizontal period into 184. The data latch signal and the liquid crystal drive waveform creation signal CKN1 are signals for defining the beginning of one horizontal period, and one horizontal period starts at the rise. Data sampling start signal S
TI is a signal for defining the sampling start timing of the data signals D1 to D6. By the falling of the data sampling start signal STI, the sampling of the first data of the data signals D1 to D3 and D4 to D6 in one horizontal period is started. Sampling of data is repeated hereafter at a timing defined by clock signals CK1 and CK2.

Each of the three bits of data D1 to D3 and D4 to D6 represents one of the RGB values of each pixel in eight gradations. In one horizontal period, data D1 to D3, D4 to D
6, 360 data, a total of 720 data, are transmitted. Since each pixel is composed of one segment of RGB, each of these 720 data will display 720/3 = 240 pixels on one horizontal scanning line.

The voltage applied to each segment electrode of the LCD 25 alternates between adjacent segment electrodes. That is, in a certain segment electrode, if a voltage for controlling the alignment of the molecules of the liquid crystal layer is applied to an electrode provided above the liquid crystal layer, a segment electrode adjacent to the segment electrode will It is adapted to be applied to an electrode provided on the lower side.

In FIG. 11, D1 to D3 indicate voltage data applied to the upper electrode, and D4 to D6 indicate voltage data applied to the lower electrode. These data 1 to 72
0 designates the color of each pixel in the order of R, G, B, R, G, B,.

The liquid crystal gradation display creation signal CKC is
By adjusting the voltage applied between the 25 segment electrodes,
This is for controlling the gradation of the liquid crystal display. The voltage applied to the segment electrodes is adjusted according to the duty cycle ratio of the liquid crystal gradation display creation signal CKC.
The frame inversion signal CKF is for defining the timing of inverting the voltage applied to each segment electrode when the LCD 25 is driven by the alternating current as described above.
That is, the voltage applied to each of the opposing segment electrodes is inverted at the timing defined by the rising edge or the falling edge of the frame inversion signal CKF. The reason why the LCD 25 is driven by AC is that the life of the LCD 25 is longer when AC driving is performed than when DC driving is performed. Scan signal shift clock C
When KN2 completes one cycle and enters the next cycle, one of the drivers included in the common driver 105 is shifted by one.

Referring to FIG. 12, within one vertical period, 2
Twenty-three horizontal periods are included. The image in each horizontal period is displayed by sequentially selecting the corresponding common driver according to the shift operation by CKN2. Further, the voltage applied to the segment electrodes of the LCD 25 when displaying an image in each horizontal period is inverted every horizontal period as indicated by the frame inversion signal CKF. The liquid crystal common driver scanning start signal SR2 is for defining the start of one vertical period, and its falling edge determines the start of the vertical period.

The LCD unit 24 is controlled by the game control microcomputer 81 to perform display as follows. First, at normal times, the LCD unit 24 stops and displays all nine symbols. When a winning start occurs and the variable start is performed, all the symbols rotate at a high speed (vertical scroll). This vertical scroll is a vertical scroll for each symbol display unit. After a lapse of a predetermined time, the first symbol is stopped. That is, the upper left symbol and the lower right symbol are scrolled slowly from two symbols before the scheduled stop symbol, and stopped at the scheduled stop symbol. The stop symbol is determined in advance by using a random number based on a winning start as described later.

When a predetermined time elapses after the first symbol is stopped, the second symbol
The symbol is stopped. That is, similar to the stop of the first symbol,
The left middle, upper middle, lower middle and right middle symbols are scrolled slowly from two symbols before the scheduled stop symbol and stopped at the scheduled stop symbol. After a lapse of a predetermined time, the third symbol is similarly stopped. However, in this case, if a reach line occurs when the second symbol stops, the third symbol is scrolled slowly longer (for example, for 10 seconds) than at the time of the normal stop, and then the predetermined symbol is stopped. Stop. When a new reach line is generated by stopping the third symbol, a mark display frame is displayed on each symbol display portion of the reach line, and the reach line generated when the second symbol is stopped is specified. When the identification information is displayed, the occurrence of the big hit is displayed by blinking the mark display frame of each symbol display portion of the reach line, and the reach that occurred when the second symbol was stopped. When it is determined that specific identification information is not prepared on the line by stopping the third symbol, the mark display frame is deleted. After a lapse of a predetermined time, the fourth symbol is similarly stopped. Also in this case, if a reach line occurs when the third symbol stops, the fourth symbol is scrolled slowly longer than at the time of normal stop to stop at the scheduled stop symbol.

Depending on the display result at the time of stoppage, when a specific identification information “777” is arranged in any one of the activated lines, or when all the symbols at the time of stoppage become fruit symbols, a big hit occurs. In this case, the microcomputer 81 drives the speaker 98 to generate a fanfare sound, displays a fanfare character on the display surface of the LCD unit 24 for a predetermined time, and then displays an image when the variable winning device 4 described later is opened. indicate.

While the variable winning prize ball device 4 is in the open state due to the big hit, the symbol at the time of stop is displayed on the LCD unit 24. And flashing. Then, when a pachinko ball wins in the specific winning area 7 within a predetermined period, the LCD unit 24 displays a character displayed at the time of winning a V for two seconds.

If there is a V prize, a predetermined number (for example, 10) of pachinko balls will be awarded to the variable prize ball device 4 or a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) will have elapsed, and the variable prize ball device will be temporarily set. After the 4 is closed, the variable winning ball apparatus 4 is opened again at an interval of 2 seconds. During this interval, the LCD unit 24 displays a character for displaying the number of times of opening. The upper limit of the repetition continuation number is limited to a predetermined number (for example, 16 times), and a character is displayed according to each number.

When the number of repetition continuations of the variable winning ball device 4 is 16
When the final opening is completed, the LCD unit 2
4 displays a symbol at the time of a stop and then displays an animation at the end of the big hit for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds).
Then, the symbol at the time of stop is displayed again. The symbol display at the time of stoppage ends when the next start winning is detected, and the next variable display is started. If there is no start winning even after the lapse of the predetermined time, it is considered that there is no player playing with the gaming machine, so that a demonstration display including a predetermined animation is started. .

Note that the LCD unit 24 notifies the player and the operator of the occurrence of the error by displaying an error character when the pachinko gaming machine is in an abnormal state.

Decorative LED 23 and Decorative Lamps 18-2
2 turns on, turns off, and blinks according to the game state. The speaker 98 generates a predetermined sound effect according to the game state. The solenoid 13 opens and closes the variable winning ball device 4 under the control of the microcomputer 81. The start prize storage display 16 stores and displays the number of start prizes when there is a start prize during variable display or the like. The winning number display unit 12 is one of the variable winning ball devices 4.
The number of winning pachinko balls at the opening of the round is displayed.

FIG. 13 to FIG. 16 and FIG. 19 to FIG.
10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. FIG. 13 shows a flowchart of the main program, and FIGS. 14 to 16 and FIGS.
Shows a flowchart of a subroutine program.

The main routine program shown in FIG. 13 is executed, for example, once every 2 msec as described above.
This execution is started in response to the reset pulse generated once every 2 msec by the pulse dividing circuit 89 in FIG.
First, in step S (hereinafter simply referred to as S) 1, a stack setting process is performed, and in S2, it is determined whether or not a RAM error has occurred. This determination is based on the RA in FIG.
This is performed by reading the contents of the predetermined address of M84 and checking whether the value is equal to the predetermined value. At the time of program runaway or immediately after the power is turned on, the data stored in the RAM 84 is undefined, so the answer to this determination is NO, and the control proceeds to S3. In S3, initial data is written to a predetermined address of the RAM 84. Then control is S
Go to 10. Since the initial data is written in S3, when the main routine is executed thereafter, the answer to the determination in S2 is YES, and the control directly proceeds to S4.

At S4, a process of outputting predetermined data to the I / O port 85 in the game control microcomputer 81 is performed. Subsequently, in S5, a determination is made as to whether the alarm flag is set. The alarm flag is defined as S75, S61, S
This flag is set by the process of 153, and determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the winning number detector 9 or the specific winning ball detector 8. When the alarm flag is not set, the control proceeds to S6, and after the process processing is executed, the control proceeds to S7. If the alarm flag is set, the process in S6 is not executed, and the process proceeds directly to S7.

The process processing of S6 is a step for performing necessary processing according to a game process, as described later with reference to FIG.

Subsequently, in S7, a display process is performed to change the display on the variable display device 3 according to the process. In S8, a command to be issued to the LCD control microcomputer 92 (hereinafter referred to as a sub CPU) shown in FIG. 10 is set in the I / O port 85, and output to the sub CPU is performed. By this processing, a command for performing display according to the game state is given to the LCD control microcomputer 92 of the LCD unit 24.

Subsequently, in S9, switch input processing for inputting detection signals from various detectors is performed.

Next, in S10, a process of updating the count values of the random 1 counter and the random 2 counter is performed. The random 1 counter and the random 2 counter are used to determine whether or not the display result when the variable display device 3 is stopped is a combination (for example, 777) of specific identification information in which a big hit occurs. The random 1 counter is for a primary lottery described later, and the random 2 counter is for a secondary lottery described later. Also, random 2
As will be described later, the counter is also used to determine a stop symbol when a big hit is determined.

Next, the process proceeds to S11, where it is determined whether the number of resets is "0" or "other than 0". The number of resets means the number of resets in accordance with the periodic reset pulse issued from the pulse dividing circuit 89. Each time the reset is performed, the number of steps is increased by one from "0", and after reaching "7". The value becomes “0” by being further advanced. If the number of resets is 0, S12
To the sound generator 86 and the speaker 9
The data indicating the sound effect generated from No. 8 is set and S1 is set.
3 is output. The post-processing of S13 proceeds to S16.

If the number of resets is other than 0, the process proceeds to S
Proceed to 14. In S14, selection of an output data table,
A process of setting each data of the LED / lamp data is performed, and the set data is set to I by S15.
Output from the / O port 85. Based on the output data,
As described above, the decorative lamps 18 to 22, the decorative LED 23
Is displayed.

Subsequently, the flow advances to S16 for performing a prize storage area storing process described later. The post-processing of S16 proceeds to S17, in which a random 1 counter, a random 2 counter, and a random 3 counter are updated. The random 3 counter is a random counter used for determining a display symbol at the time of a loss. The process of S15 is
Time (2 m) reset by the pulse dividing circuit 89
The processing of S1 to S16 is performed within sec), and the processing is performed using the reset waiting time which is the remaining time.
Therefore, since the processing time of S1 to S16 is random, the processing time of S17 is also random, and S1
As a result of the updating process by 7, the count values of the random 1, counter 2, and random 3 counters take random values.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program for the process processing shown in S6. S
At 18, it is determined what value the process flag indicating the state of the game is set to. This process flag is set in S83, S106, S11 described later.
0, S116, S120, S124, S126, S12
8, S130, S132, S134, S135, S13
8, S139, S143, S150, S151, S15
6 are set to the respective values, and are necessary for controlling the pachinko gaming machine while maintaining a predetermined control time. As shown in FIG. 14, a program to be executed is selected according to the value of the process flag. When the process flag is "0", the normal process in S19 is performed. When the process flag is "1", the random 2 counter check process in S20 is performed, and "2".
In the case of (1), the big hit symbol setting process in S21 is performed, in the case of "3", the missing symbol setting process in S22, and in the case of "4" to "9", each symbol stop process (4) in S23. Is the first symbol stop process, 5 is the second symbol stop process, 6 is the third symbol stop process, 7 is the third symbol at the time of the reach.
A symbol stop process, 8 is a fourth symbol stop process, and 9 is a fourth symbol stop process at the time of reach. In the case of “10, 11”, a big hit check (10 out, 11
Is a big hit). In the case of "12, 13", the opening process is performed in S25 (12 is before the V winning, and 13 is after the V winning). In the case of "14," the opening is performed in S26. Post-processing is performed, and in the case of “15”, post-processing of the big hit end in S27 is performed.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the contents of the display process shown in S7. First, in S28, it is determined whether the first digit (hexadecimal) of the display process flag is 1 to 7H. If the first digit of the display process flag is 1H, a demonstration display process of S29 is performed. If it is 2H, a symbol display process of S30 is performed. If it is 3H, the big hit display process of S31 is performed. If it is 4H, S32
During the big hit, round display processing is performed. If it is 5H, the V display during the big hit in S33 is performed. If it is 6H, the big hit end display process of S34 is performed. If it is 7H, an error message display process of S35 is performed. This subroutine ends when any of the processes in S29 to S35 ends.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the display control command setting process shown in S8 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 16, first, in S36, interrupt signal INT (FIG. 10)
Game control board 107 and LCD control microcomputer 92
Is turned on). When this interrupt signal INT is ON, L
This indicates that a display control command is sent to the CD control microcomputer 92. Therefore, the LCD control microcomputer 92 accepts the display control command if the interrupt signal INT given from the game control board 107 is ON, and
If it is FF, it will be rejected. As described above, the display control command set processing may be performed only when the interrupt signal INT is input, and only the image display control processing may be performed when the interrupt signal INT is not input. There is no burden on information transmission. Further, since the information needs to be transmitted only when necessary, the game control can be effectively performed. Further, since data is fetched only when necessary, it is less likely to be immediately affected by noise generated on the transmission line.

In S37, it is determined whether the value of the data output counter for determining which data is to be transmitted is 0-9. Depending on which of the data output counter is 0-9, S38-S
47 comH set processing, com0 set processing, co
m1 set processing, com2 set processing, com3 set processing, com4 set processing, com5 set processing, co
The m6 set processing, the com7 set processing, and the processing of S47 are performed. After the processing of S38 to S46, S49
Is performed to increment the data output counter by 1, and the process proceeds to S50. On the other hand, when the value of the data output counter is 9, in S47, S38 to S46
The processing of adding all of the data of com0 to com7 set in the above and setting the lower 7 bits of the result as comC is performed. This comC is L as described later.
On the CD control microcomputer 92 side, the game control board 107
Is a checksum used to determine whether the data received from is correct. After S47, the data output counter is cleared in S48, and the control proceeds to S50.

In S50, a process of outputting the command data set by any of the processes of S38 to S47 to the LCD control microcomputer 92 is performed.

Then, in S51, a process of turning off the interrupt signal INT turned on in S36 again is performed. Accordingly, the LCD control microcomputer 92 rejects data from the game control board 107 until the next display control command set processing is executed.

FIG. 17 shows the LCD control microcomputer 92.
7 is a flowchart of a command input process executed by the command input. Referring to FIG. 17, first, in S201, it is determined whether or not interrupt signal INT from game control board 107 is ON. If it is not ON, it means that no command has been input, and this subroutine ends immediately. Interrupt signal is O
If the answer is N, the process proceeds to S202.

At S202, the input signal becomes comH
(Command header) is determined. If it is comH, the process proceeds to S203, where the data input counter is cleared and the input data spare storage area is cleared, and a command input flag is set, in preparation for the subsequent data input. After S203, the process associated with the input of comH ends.

If the input data is not comH, the process proceeds to S204. In S204, it is determined whether or not the command input flag has already been set. If the command input flag is not set, it means that the data is not input in an appropriate order, so that the input data is discarded, and the process ends immediately. On the other hand, if the command input flag is set, the process proceeds to S205 because the data is input in an appropriate procedure.

In S205, it is determined whether or not the value of the data input counter is 8. This data input counter is for counting the number of data input after comH, and can take a value of 0 to 8 according to the number of input data. The data input counter is incremented by one each time one data is stored in the input data spare storage area. Therefore, when this value is 8, it means that all data except the checksum has been input. means. Therefore, if the answer to the determination in S205 is YES, the process proceeds to S208, and the checksum verification process is performed below. On the other hand, if the data input counter is less than 8, the process proceeds to S206.

In S206, processing for storing the input data in the input data spare storage area is performed. Thereafter, in S207, a process of incrementing the data input counter by 1 is performed, and this subroutine ends.

When the process proceeds to S208, a process of adding all the data stored in the input data spare storage area and comparing the lower 7 bits of the addition result with the data input this time is performed. It is.

In S209, a determination is made as to whether or not the two data match as a result of the comparison performed in S208. If they match, the input data is considered to be correct for the time being.
And a certain process based on the already input data is performed below. On the other hand, if the data does not match, the input data may contain some errors,
The data cannot be used as is. Therefore, in this case, the process proceeds directly to S213, and the input data is not used for LCD control.

In S210, the display process flag is set to 16
A determination is made as to whether the value is 12 in radix. The case where the display process flag is 12H indicates a case where all the symbols are rotated and displayed. This will be described later. If the answer to the determination in S210 is YES, that is, if all the symbols are rotated and displayed, the process proceeds to S211 and all the data stored in the input data spare storage area are stored in the command data storage area. Is performed, and the process further proceeds to S2
Proceed to 13.

On the other hand, the display process flag is set to 16 in S210.
If it is determined that the value is not radix 12, the process proceeds to S21.
Proceeding to 2, the process of storing data other than the stop symbol data among the data stored in the input data spare storage area in the command data storage area is performed. S21
The post-processing of 2 proceeds to S213.

The reason for determining whether to use the stopped symbol data among the received data in the case where all the symbols are rotated and displayed in other cases is as follows. In the data comparison using the checksum as described above, it is temporarily determined whether there is an error in the input data. In such a case, the checksum calculated after the occurrence of the error is based on the correct data. It may happen that the calculated checksum coincides with the calculated checksum. In that case, the process proceeds from S209 to S210. In such a case, if an error has occurred in the data of the stop symbol data, the symbol display according to the stop symbol data will be performed, so if the symbol is stopped, It is not possible to use such data containing an error as it is for subsequent display control. This is because the next display symbol is determined according to the incorrect stop symbol data, so that the stopped symbol may suddenly change to another symbol. When all the symbols are rotating, even if there is an error in the stopped symbol data, no data is displayed due to the error, so that no inconvenience occurs. Therefore, S211 and S2
The processing is distinguished as shown in FIG.

In S213, since the command input has been completed or all the input commands have been discarded, the command input flag set in S203 is cleared, and preparations for the next command input are made. S2
After 13 the subroutine ends.

Of the above subroutines, S201 to S201
213 and the microcomputer 92 for controlling the LCD constitute an information transmission means, and in particular, S201 to S207, S213
And the LCD control microcomputer 92 constitute transmission error detecting means, and S208 to S212 and the LCD control microcomputer 92 constitute information selection means. Also, LCD
The control microcomputer 92 and a portion of the program executed by the microcomputer 92 other than the portion shown in FIG. 17 constitute variable display control means.

FIG. 18 shows a state in which the game control microcomputer sends the LC
Command comH given to D control microcomputer
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between meanings of .about.comC and storage areas prepared in each microcomputer, and a method of calculating a checksum. Referring to FIG. 18, an area for storing commands comH to comC is prepared in the game control microcomputer command area. Each area is
It consists of 8 bits of data D0 to D7. The meaning of each command is as follows.

The header comH is fixed to hexadecimal FF and indicates the start of command storage to the LCD control microcomputer.

[0111] com0 indicates the value of the display process flag described above. Note that bit D3 of this flag is not used.

In the 8-bit data of the command com1, D7 to D4 represent the upper left of the symbol, and D3 to D0 represent the lower right of the symbol. D7 to D4 of the command com2 indicate the upper middle of the symbol, and D3 to D0 indicate the middle left of the symbol. Command c
D7 to D4 of om3 indicate the lower middle of the symbol, and D3 to D0 indicate the middle right of the symbol. D7 to D4 of the command com4 indicate the upper right of the symbol, and D3 to D0 indicate the lower left of the symbol. D3 to D0 of the command com5 indicate the inside of the symbol, D4 indicates whether or not to display the frame of the line 8 (80H, 80I, 80G), and D6 indicates the speed at which the frame is blinked. D5 and D7 are not used. D0 to D6 of the command com6 correspond to line 1 (80A, 80C, 80
G) to 7 (80A, 80I, 80B) indicate whether or not to display frames. D7 is not used. D3 to D0 of the command com7 indicate the reach operation time. D4 to D7 are not used. The command comC is input at the end of a series of commands.
Indicates the lower 7 bits of the result of adding all data of .about.com7. D7 is not used.

In the LCD control microcomputer input data preliminary storage area, an area corresponding to commands com0 to com7 and an area corresponding to comC are prepared. All of com0 to comC are temporarily stored in the corresponding spare storage area. When checking the checksum,
All the data of com0 to com7 stored in the spare storage area are added, and the lower 7 bits are obtained.
The obtained lower 7 bits are compared with the contents stored in the spare storage area prepared for comC, and if they match, the data of com0 to com7 are stored in the microcomputer command data storage area for LCD control. Is stored. If they do not match, it means that the obtained command data contains some error. Therefore, the data stored in the spare storage area is not processed, and is cleared when the next comH is input. Therefore, as a result, the data is discarded. In this manner, data can be transferred from the game control microcomputer to the LCD control microcomputer.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of the switch input process shown in S9. First, in S52, a process of inputting detection signals of various detectors from the I / O port 85 is performed. Next, S5
By 3, 10 count switch (winning number detector) 9
Is determined whether or not is turned on. If the answer to the determination is NO, the process proceeds to S54, where the process of clearing the ON counter of the 10-count switch is performed, and the process proceeds to S55. The ON counter of the 10-count switch is incremented by one in S58, which will be described later, and is used to determine whether or not it is the timing of the winning determination in S59. In S55, a determination is made as to whether the alarm flag B has been set. If the alarm flag has been set, the process proceeds to S56; otherwise, the process proceeds to S67. The alarm flag B is an alarm flag that is set when the process proceeds to S61 described later, and is a flag indicating that the 10-count switch has been continuously turned on for more than a predetermined time. When the alarm flag B is set, the winning number detector 9 (10-count switch) may be disconnected, short-circuited, or jammed.

If the alarm flag B has been set, the alarm flag B is cleared in S56. Further, a process of setting the value temporarily stored in another storage area in S61 described later to the display process flag again is performed on the display process flag. S61 is a process performed when it is determined that any error has occurred. When an error occurs, it is necessary to display a screen notifying the occurrence of the error by using the variable display device as described above. Therefore, it is necessary to temporarily set a value for displaying an error screen in this display process flag.
In this case, when the error is repaired, it is necessary to operate the gaming machine again from the state before the error occurred, so the value of the display process flag at the time of the error occurrence is temporarily stored, and thus the display process flag is again stored. The display screen before the occurrence of the error can be restored. S
The post-processing of 56 proceeds to S67.

If the answer to S53 is YES, the process proceeds to S57, where it is determined whether the value of the ON counter of the 10-count switch is the maximum value. If it is the maximum value, the process proceeds to S67, but if it is not the maximum value, the process proceeds to S58. In S58, 1
A process of incrementing the ON counter of the 0 count switch by 1 is performed. Subsequently, in S59, it is determined whether or not the value of the 10-count switch is a predetermined value (for example, 3). If the value is 3, it is determined that there is a prize in the 10-count switch, and the process proceeds to S62. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S60. The reason why it is determined that a prize has been won only when the ON counter of the 10-count switch reaches 3 will be described later. In S60, it is determined whether or not the ON counter of the 10-count switch is at the maximum value (for example, 1450 corresponding to 2.9 seconds).
In the case of the maximum value, the ON counter of the 10-count switch has been kept ON for a predetermined time or more, so that the winning number detector 9 may be short-circuited or jammed as described above. Conceivable. Therefore S61
The alarm flag B is set, and the process of storing the present value of the display process flag in another storage area for temporary storage prepared in advance is performed. In the display process flag, an error occurs in the winning number detector. A value (07 in hexadecimal) for designating a display screen for indicating that the operation has been performed is set. As a result, the screen is switched from the current display state to the error screen. The once stored current value of the display process flag is set to the display process flag again in the process of S56 as described above, and the display screen is restored. The post-processing of S61 proceeds to S67.

When a pachinko ball wins in the variable winning ball device 4 and is detected by the winning number detector 9, a detection pulse having a predetermined pulse width is derived from the winning number detector 9, and the game control microcontroller is used. Given to the computer. In this case, every time the subroutine of the switch input process is executed during the time of the pulse width of the detection pulse, the determination of YES is continuously performed in S58. Each time the ON counter of the 10 count switch is counted up,
The count value is a predetermined value (for example, 3) as described above.
Is reached for the first time, a YES determination is made in S59, and it is determined that a prize has been won. On the other hand, there is a case where the output from the winning number detector 9 is instantaneously determined to be ON due to noise caused by static electricity or the like. Is a pulse signal whose pulse width is almost zero. Therefore, the determination in S53 is performed once at the same timing as the timing when such noise is input, and S5 is performed.
Even if the value of the ON counter is incremented by 1 by 8,
In the case of 59, it is determined that the
It is not determined that the count switch has detected a pachinko ball. Then, when the subsequent switch input processing is executed, the noise falls, so the determination in S53 is NO, and as a result, the ON counter of the 10-count switch is cleared in S54. Therefore, there is no possibility that the 10 count switch is erroneously determined to be ON due to noise.

If it is determined in S59 that a prize has been won, the process proceeds to S62. In S62, a determination is made as to whether alarm flag A is set.
The alarm flag A is a flag that is set in S153 as described later with reference to FIG. 30. When there is no winning in the variable winning ball device 4 during the current opening of the variable winning ball device 4, Is set to That is, the alarm flag A is for detecting occurrence of a shift from a predetermined detection position or the like due to improper operation of the winning number detector 9. If the decision result in S62 is NO, the process proceeds to S64, but if YES, the process is S63.
Proceed to. In S63, since the pachinko ball is detected by the 10-count switch, it is determined that there is no shift from the detection position in the winning number detector, and the alarm flag A is cleared. As the display process flag, the value of the display process flag once stored in the process of S153 described later is set to the display process flag again. The post-processing of S63 is S64
Proceed to.

Subsequently, in S64, it is determined whether or not the process flag is 12 or more. Process flag is 1
The case of two or more is a case where the variable prize ball device 4 is being opened or after being opened (including an interval), as already described with reference to FIG. If the answer to the determination in S64 is NO, the control proceeds directly to S67,
If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to S65, and the variable winning ball device 4
It is determined whether or not the number of winnings is equal to the maximum allowed value (for example, 10). If it is the maximum, it is not necessary to add the winning detected this time, and the process directly proceeds to S67. If it is not the maximum yet, the process proceeds to S66, where the winning number is incremented by 1, and the process proceeds to S67.

In S67, it is determined whether or not a V switch (specific winning ball detector 8) for detecting a pachinko ball winning a specific winning area is ON. ON
If so, the process proceeds to S71. If not, the process proceeds to S68 to clear the contents of the V-switch ON counter. In S69, it is determined whether or not the alarm flag C that is set when the V switch is kept ON for a predetermined time or more is set. If not set, the process proceeds to S85,
If it is set, the process proceeds to S70. S70
Since the V switch has been turned off, the alarm flag C is cleared. Since the value (07H) for the display screen indicating the occurrence of the error in S75 is set in the display process flag, the value indicating the display screen before the occurrence of the error once stored in S75 again in S70. Set. The post-processing of S70 proceeds to S85.

On the other hand, when the process proceeds to S71, V
It is determined whether the value of the ON counter of the switch is the maximum value. If so, this subroutine ends immediately. If the value is not the maximum value, the process proceeds to S72, where the value of the ON counter of the V switch is incremented by one. Subsequently, in S73, V
The value of the ON counter of the switch is a predetermined value (for example, 3)
Is determined, whether or not it should be determined that there is a prize is determined. If the result of the determination is that the value of the ON counter has not yet reached the predetermined value, the process proceeds directly to S74. Is performed when it is determined that the pachinko ball has been won. By performing the processing of S67, S71, S72, and S73 in this manner, erroneous determination of the V switch due to noise or the like can be prevented as in the case of the 10-count switch. On the other hand, when the process proceeds to S74, it is determined in S74 whether the value of the ON counter of the V switch is the maximum allowable value. If not, the process proceeds to S85. If it is the maximum value, the process proceeds to S75. In S75, the alarm flag C is set because it is considered that some abnormality has occurred in the V switch since the V switch has been kept ON for a predetermined time or longer. A value (07H) for displaying an error screen is set in the display process flag, and prior to that, the current value of the display process flag is stored in an area for temporary storage. The once stored present value of the display process flag is set to the display process flag again after the error is restored in S70 as described above. S75
After this, the subroutine ends.

When the process proceeds from S73 to S76,
At 76, a determination is made as to whether any of the alarm flags A, B, C has been set. If set, this subroutine ends immediately without performing the processing described later. As a result, the V winning and the starting winning during the alarm are invalidated. The process proceeds to S77 during the setting.

In S77, it is determined again whether or not the process flag is 12 or more. That is, a determination is made as to whether the current gaming state is during opening or after opening. If it is determined that it is neither open nor after open, the process proceeds directly to S85. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is during opening or after opening, the process proceeds to S78, and after S78, processing such as when a V prize is won while the variable prize ball device is open is performed.

First, in S78, it is determined whether or not the number of pachinko balls that have won the variable prize ball device during the opening of the variable prize ball device this time is an allowable maximum value (for example, 10). . If it is determined that the maximum value has been reached, the process proceeds directly to S85, but if it has not yet reached the maximum value, the process proceeds to S79 and the winning number is incremented by one.

Subsequently, in S80, it is determined whether or not the V winning flag is set. The V prize flag indicates that the specific prize area 7 is set while the variable prize ball device 4 is being opened once.
This is prepared to determine whether or not a pachinko ball has been won. If this flag has already been set, the process directly proceeds to S85 because there is no need to set it again. If yes, go to S85; if not, go to S85
Go to 81. As a result, even if there is a V prize at the time of the final opening, the variable prize ball device is not further opened.

In S81, it is determined whether or not the process flag is "12". If the process flag is 12, it means that the variable prize ball device 4 is being opened and the pachinko ball has not yet won a prize in the specific prize area 7, so the processing is executed at S.
At 83, the process flag is set to 13 (indicating that the winning is completed and V winning), and data indicating the V winning sound (sound effect) generated from the speaker 98 is set. In addition, a value (05H) indicating the screen displayed at the time of the V winning is set in the display process flag, and a value indicating the time for displaying the V display screen is set in the display process timer. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S84, the V winning flag is set, and the process proceeds to S85.

On the other hand, when it is determined in S81 that the process flag is not 12, it is further determined in S82 whether the process flag is 14. The case where the process flag is 14 means that after the opening of the variable winning ball device 4 is completed, before the time set as the V reception time elapses. The reason why the V reception time is valid only for a predetermined time after the opening of the variable winning ball device 4 is that the pachinko ball that has won the variable winning ball device 4 immediately before the closing of the variable winning ball device 4, This is because there is a possibility that after the opening of the variable prize ball device 4, the specific prize area may be won, and at least within a predetermined time after the end of the opening, it is necessary to validate such a prize in the specific prize area. . If the answer to the determination in S82 is YES, the process proceeds to S84, where the V winning flag is set, and
The value (14H to F4H) corresponding to the value of the release counter is set in the display process flag, and the round display time is set in the display process timer.

In S85 and below, the starting winning openings 10a to 10
A determination is made as to whether or not there is a winning in c. S8
The processing of 5 to S90 includes three start winning ball detectors 11a to
11c, once for each, a total of three times.

First, in S85, it is determined whether or not the starting winning ball detector is ON. If it is not ON, the corresponding ON counter is cleared in S86 and the process proceeds to S90. If it is ON, in S87, it is determined whether or not the value of the corresponding ON counter is a predetermined value (for example, 3), thereby determining whether or not it is determined to be a winning. If the value has not yet been determined to be a winning, the process proceeds directly to S90. If the value is determined to be a prize, in S88,
A determination is made as to whether the already stored start storage number is a predetermined maximum value (for example, 4). If it is already the maximum, there is no room for further storage, so the process proceeds directly to S90. If it is not the maximum yet, the process proceeds to S89, in which the number of starting memories and the number of winning prizes are each 1
Is incremented by one. Subsequently, in S90, it is determined whether or not the check has been completed for all the winning prize ball detectors. If not, the process returns to S85.
And the processing from S85 onward is repeated. This subroutine is completed when the check has been completed for all the start winning ball detectors.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program for performing the LED / lamp data setting process performed in S14 of FIG. S
At 91, it is determined whether or not any of the alarm flags A, B, and C is set. If the alarm flag is set, the process proceeds to S93, where the data at the time of the alarm is set and the solenoid 13 is set. Data for turning off is set. The set data is output in S15 of FIG. The data at the time of the alarm is data for lighting or blinking the state of the alarm on the decoration lamps 18 to 22, the decoration LED 23, and the like. Further, since the data for turning off the solenoid 13 is set and output, the open / close plate 6 of the variable winning ball device 4 is closed, and the second state is disadvantageous for the player.

If the alarm flag has not been set, the process proceeds to S92, where the LED / lamp data of the corresponding address is set according to the value of the process flag.
The set data is output in S15 of FIG.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program for performing the sound data setting process performed in S12 of FIG. First, in S94, it is determined whether any of the alarm flags A, B, and C is set. If it has been set, the process proceeds to S96, and the sound data at the time of the alarm of the corresponding address is set according to the type of the set alarm flag. If it is not set, the process proceeds to S95, and according to the value of the display process flag,
The sound data of the corresponding address is set. The data set here is output in S13 of FIG.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of the winning storage area storing process shown in S16 of FIG. By S97, the starting winning number is “0”.
Is determined. This starting prize is
In step S89 described above, “1” is added by one.
“1” is subtracted by 99 at a time. The start winning number is "0"
In this case, the subroutine program is terminated as it is, but if the starting winning number is not 0, the process proceeds to S98, in which the processing of storing the values of the random 1 counter and the random 2 counter in the corresponding area of the starting winning storage area. Done. The start prize storage area has a plurality (four in the present embodiment) for storing the value of each random 1 counter and the value of the random 2 counter according to the number of start prize storage.
Has an area for storing the count value.

Next, the flow proceeds to S99, where a process of subtracting "1" from the starting winning number as described above is performed, and the process is repeated at S97.
Return to The processing of S97 to S99 is repeatedly performed until the number of winning starts becomes "0". By the winning storage area storing process, the value of the random 1 counter and the value of the random 2 counter corresponding to the start winning are stored in the respective winning storage areas.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of the normal processing shown in S20 of FIG. First, in S100, it is determined whether or not there is a winning memory. The winning memory is incremented by "1" at S89 described above and decremented by "1" at S113 described later.

If there is no winning storage, the process proceeds to S101, the primary lottery flag is set to "out", and the subroutine program is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if there is a prize memory, the process proceeds to S102, where the count value of the random 1 counter stored in area 1 of the prize storage area and the count value of the current random 1 counter are added. A determination is made as to whether the primary lottery has been won based on the value. Area 1 of the prize memory area
Is an area storing the oldest count value among the count values stored in S98. The determination process in S102 is performed based on the oldest count value. In S102, the oldest count value is added to the count value of the current random 1 counter, and the loss of the primary lottery is determined based on the addition result. The randomness is further improved as compared with the case where the hit or miss is determined based only on the count value of the random 1 counter.

Subsequently, the flow advances to S103 for determining whether or not the result of the primary lottery is a hit. If it is determined that it is not a hit, the process proceeds to S104, the primary lottery flag is set to "out", and the process proceeds to S106. On the other hand, if it is determined that a hit has occurred, the process proceeds to S105, where the primary lottery flag is set to “hit”, and the process proceeds to S106. In S106, a process of setting the process flag to "1" is performed. As a result, when the process processing of S6 (FIG. 13) is executed next time, the check processing of the random 2 counter shown in S20 of FIG. 14 is executed. 02H is set in the display process flag. This value indicates the stop symbol display screen. The reason why the display process flag is set to 02H when there is a start winning prize is that, for example, when a demo display screen is displayed, a stop symbol screen is displayed, and then the screen is switched to a screen according to a game state. That's why. After S106, this subroutine ends.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of the check processing of the random 2 counter shown in S20 of FIG. First, in S107, it is determined whether or not the primary lottery flag is “hit”. If it is not "hit", the process is directly S112.
Proceed to. On the other hand, if it is "hit", the processing is S
Proceed to 108.

At S108, area 1 of the winning storage area
Is determined as to whether or not the value of the random 2 counter stored in is stored in the second lottery. In this determination result S109, it is determined whether or not the secondary lottery has won. If not, the process proceeds to S109.
The routine proceeds to 111, where "outside" is set in the primary lottery flag, and the routine proceeds to S112. In S112, a process of setting the process flag to 3 is performed, and the process proceeds to S113. By setting the process flag to 3, when the process process of S6 of FIG. 13 is executed next time, the out-of-design symbol setting process shown in S22 of FIG. 14 is executed.

On the other hand, if the secondary lottery is determined to be a hit in S109, the process proceeds to S110, and the big hit symbol number (9 × 10) is determined based on the value of the random 2 counter stored in the area 1 of the winning storage area. A value indicating which column of “777” is to be displayed in the display area of No. 9 or a value indicating that all the symbols are fruit symbols is set, and the process flag is set to “2”. By setting the process flag to “2”, the next time the process is executed, the big hit symbol setting process shown in S21 of FIG. 14 is executed. The post-processing of S110 proceeds to S113.

In step S113, a process of subtracting "1" from the number of stored starting winnings is performed. Next, the process proceeds to S114, in which a process of shifting the start winning storage area by one is performed. As described above, the start winning storage area has a plurality of (four) areas for storing the count values of the random 1 counter and the random 2 counter, respectively, corresponding to the start winning numbers. Of these areas, the oldest count value is stored in area 1, the second oldest count value is stored in area 2, the third oldest count value is stored in area 3, and the newest count value is stored in area 4. Is stored. By this S114, the count value stored in area 2 is shifted and stored in area 1 by one. Similarly, the count value stored in area 3 is shifted by one in area 2 and stored. Similarly, the count value stored in area 4 is also shifted by one to area 3 and stored, and area 4 is further cleared. After S114, this random 2 check processing ends.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a subroutine of the big hit symbol setting process performed in S21 of FIG. This subroutine is executed when the process flag is set to "2". First, S1
At 15, the big hit symbol when the variable display device 3 is stopped is set based on the big hit symbol number set in S110. Note that the value of the random 3 counter is also used in the set of the big hit symbols. In other words, if the big hit symbol number has the content of stopping “777” on any of the eight activated lines, the stop symbol on the line corresponding to that number is set to “777”, but other symbols are set. Random 3 for determining the stop symbol on the display
The value of the counter is used. In addition, in the case of the content in which the fruit design is stopped in all the design display portions, the value of the digit which is not the value corresponding to the fruit design is changed to the value corresponding to the fruit design by referring to the value of the random 3 counter. (For example, by changing the value of the digit to the value of the closest fruit design), the fruit design is stopped in all the design display portions. Further, in S116, a value indicating the big hit is set to the big hit flag. “4” is set in the process flag. The first symbol stop waiting time (for example, 5 seconds) is set in the process timer.
Further, a value (12H) indicating a rotating state of all symbols is set in the display process flag. In addition, the display process timer stores the basic rotation time of all symbols (for example, 5
Second) is set. By setting the process flag to “4”, when the next process is executed, the stop process of the first symbol is executed among the symbol stop processes shown in S23 of FIG. . Further, the first symbol stop waiting time is a waiting time until the first symbol stops after elapse of the basic rotation time after the variable start, and the stop control is performed in the subsequent first symbol stop process according to the time set in S116. Done.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of the lost symbol set shown in S22 of FIG. This processing is executed when the process flag is set to “3”, that is, when it is determined that the result of the primary lottery or the secondary lottery is out of order.

First, in S117, a lost symbol (stop symbol number indicating a combination of stopped symbols displayed on the variable display device 3) corresponding to each digit is set based on the value of the random 3 counter. Next, in S118,
It is determined whether the first to fourth symbols satisfy the combination of the big hit symbols. If it is not a big hit symbol, the process directly proceeds to S120. If it is a big hit symbol, the process proceeds to S119, and the symbol number on the line which is a combination of the big hit symbol among the third symbol and the fourth symbol. Is performed, and the process proceeds to S120. In this way, by adding 1 to the symbol number on the line which is a combination of the big symbol of the third symbol and the fourth symbol, the symbol at the time of stop is forcibly shifted by 1 to become a lost symbol.

In step S120, the process flag is set to "4", the display process flag is set to "12H", the value indicating the first symbol stop waiting time (for example, 5 seconds) is set in the process timer, and the rotation is set in the display process timer. A time (for example, 5 seconds) is set. After the variable start, the first symbol is stopped after the elapse of the basic rotation time and the stop waiting time set in S120.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart of a subroutine of each symbol stop process executed in S23 of FIG.

First, in S121, it is determined whether or not the process timer has expired. If not finished, this subroutine immediately ends without doing anything.
If the process has been completed, the process proceeds to S122, and a symbol stop process according to the value of the process flag is performed in S122 and thereafter. In this way, the process is waited until the process timer expires, and the symbol stop control is executed only after the process timer expires, so that after the variable start, the first symbol is stopped until the first symbol is stopped. A predetermined waiting time is set until the second symbol is stopped, further until the third symbol is stopped after the second symbol is stopped, and until the fourth symbol is stopped after the third symbol is stopped. Become.

In step S122, a process of setting data representing a sound effect (symbol stop sound) to be generated from the speaker 98 when the symbol is stopped is performed. This data is output in S13 shown in FIG. Subsequently, in S123, it is determined whether or not the process flag is “4”. If the process flag is "4", it is necessary to set the time from when the first symbol is stopped to when the second symbol is stopped, so that "5" is set in the process flag in S124, and The second symbol stop waiting time (for example, 1 second) is set in the timer. Then, the subroutine ends.

If the process flag is not "4", S
Proceeding to 125, a determination is made as to whether the process flag is "5". When the process flag is "5", the process proceeds to S126, and when the process flag is other than "5", the process proceeds to S129. When the process flag is "5", after stopping the second symbol, it is necessary to set a waiting time from the stop of the second symbol to the stop of the third symbol,
First, "6" is set in the process flag, and the third symbol stop waiting time (for example, 1 second) is set in the process timer.
Is set.

After S126, the process proceeds to S127, where
3 (upper and lower horizontal lines), 4, 6 (left and right vertical lines)
Is determined whether or not the symbol is in the reach state. If it is reach, the process proceeds to S128, the process flag is further set to “7”, and the process timer
3rd symbol stop wait time during reach (reach operation time)
(For example, 8 to 10 seconds) is set. By the process of S128, at the time of the reach, the time from the stop of the second symbol to the stop of the third symbol is longer than in the normal state. The reach operation time is selected and set from 13 types of time according to the type of stop symbol. If the lines 1, 3, 4, and 6 are not values indicating reach in S127, nothing is performed and this subroutine ends.

If the process flag is not "5", S
Proceeding to 129, a determination is made as to whether the process flag is "6" or "7". If the process flag is “6” or “7”, “6”
Otherwise, in cases other than “7”, the flow proceeds to S133.
If the process flag is “6” or “7”,
After stopping the third symbol, it is necessary to set a waiting time from the stop of the third symbol to the stop of the fourth symbol, so that "8" is first set in the process flag, and the fourth timer is stopped in the process timer. A waiting time (for example, 1 second) is set.

After S130, the process proceeds to S131, where line 2,
A determination is made as to whether or not the symbols 5 (horizontal and vertical lines at the center), 7 and 8 (diagonal lines descending and rising to the right) are in the reach state. S1 if reach
In step 32, the process flag is further set to "9", and the fourth symbol stop waiting time (reach operation time) (for example, 8 to 10 seconds) at the time of the reach is set in the process timer.
By the process of S132, the time from the stop of the third symbol to the stop of the fourth symbol is longer than the normal time at the time of the reach. The reach operation time is 1 depending on the type of stop symbol.
The time is selected and set from three types of time. If it is determined in S131 that the lines 2, 5, 7, and 8 are not in the reach state, the subroutine ends immediately.

In step S129, the process flag is set to "6".
However, if it is determined that it is not “7”, the processing is S13
Proceeding to 3, a determination is made as to whether the big hit flag is a value representing a big hit. If it is not a big hit, the process proceeds to S134, where "10" is set in the process flag, and the process timer is set to a waiting time (for example, 1).
Second) is set, and this subroutine ends. On the other hand, when the value indicating the big hit is set in the big hit flag, the process proceeds to S135, and the process flag is set to “11”.
Is set, and the time before the first opening (for example, 10 seconds) is set in the process timer. S134, S13
5, the process flags are "10" and "11", respectively.
Is set, the big hit check process S24 shown in FIG. 14 is executed at the time of the next execution of the process process. In addition, since the waiting time is set in the process timer in S134, when the variable display device 3 is stopped, the missing symbol is stopped and displayed only for the waiting time, so that the player can confirm the missing symbol. Further, since the initial opening wait time is set in the process timer in S135, the variable prize ball device 4 is set after the time before the first opening after the symbol of the variable display device 3 is stopped.
The opening operation of the opening / closing plate 6 is started.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of the jackpot check process shown in S24 of FIG. This jackpot check process is executed when the process flag is set to either “10” or “11”.

First, in S136, it is determined whether or not the process timer has expired. If it has not been completed, the jackpot check process is immediately terminated. If the process timer has expired, the process proceeds to S137 and S1
The processing below 37 is performed. As described above, no processing is performed until the process timer expires, so that the waiting time set in S134 and S135 in FIG.
The processes below 37 are not executed.

In S137, it is determined whether or not a value indicating a big hit is set in the big hit flag. When the value indicating the big hit is not set in the big hit flag, the process proceeds to S138, "0" indicating the normal process is set in the process flag, and this subroutine ends. On the other hand, if the big hit flag is set to a value representing a big hit, the process proceeds to S139, where the process flag is set to a value of "12" indicating open, and the process timer is set to an open time (for example, 30 seconds). , The value of the release counter is set to 1. In addition, data indicating an open sound generated by the speaker 98 according to the type of big hit is set. As the big hit, the case where "7" is displayed on all the symbol display portions, the case where "777" is displayed on any of the effective columns, and the fruit symbol is displayed on all the symbol display portions as described above Are displayed. There are three types, and different open sounds are selected according to the respective big hits. After S139, this subroutine ends.

Since the process flag is set to "0" in S138, when the next process is executed, the normal process shown in S19 in FIG. 14 is executed. On the other hand, in S139, the process flag is set to “1”.
When “2” is set, in the next execution of the process processing, the processing of the open processing S25 shown in FIG. 14 is executed. Further, since the release time is set in the process timer, the release in S25 is performed only for a predetermined time.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of a subroutine of the opening process performed in S25 of FIG. In this process, the process flag is set to “12” or “1”.
3 ".

First, in step S140, big hit information for notifying the occurrence of a big hit to a hall management computer or the like (not shown) and solenoid ON data for turning on the solenoid 13 to open the opening / closing plate 6 are set. You. This data is output in S4 of FIG.

Subsequently, in S141, it is determined whether or not the number of pachinko balls that have won the variable prize ball device 4 is a predetermined maximum number (for example, 10). If not, the process proceeds to S142,
Further, in S142, it is determined whether or not the process timer has expired. If the processing has not been completed yet, this subroutine ends in order to continue opening the variable winning ball apparatus 4 as it is. On the other hand, if it is determined in S141 that the winning number is the maximum, or if the process timer has expired in S142, that is, if it is determined that the predetermined opening time has expired, the variable winning ball device 4 is opened. Since it is necessary to end the processing once, the processing is S1
Proceed to 43.

In S143, the process flag is set to "14", and the process timer is set to the above-described V reception time (for example, 2 seconds, but the reception of the V prize is not performed in the last opening). Since the process flag is set to “14”, if a valid V winning is detected during the current opening and during the V reception time set in S143, S150 of post-opening processing described later.
, The process flag is set to "12" again, and the processing during opening is repeated. The post-processing of S143 proceeds to S144, and it is determined whether or not the V winning flag is set. If it is set, in S145, a process of setting the display process flag to a value corresponding to the value of the release counter (14H to F4H, 10-digit hexadecimal value) is performed.
As a result, a round display screen corresponding to the number of times of opening is displayed in the round-medium-big-hit display process described later. The round display time for displaying the round display screen is set in the display process timer, and the subroutine ends. On the other hand, if the V winning flag has not been set, the process proceeds to S146, where only the process of setting the round display time in the display process timer is performed, and the subroutine ends.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of the post-opening process shown in S26 of FIG. This process is executed when the process flag is “14”. First, in S147, data for turning off the solenoid 13 is set to close the open / close plate 6 of the variable winning ball device 4. Next, it is determined in S148 whether the process timer has expired. If the process timer has not expired, this subroutine ends without performing the processing of S149 and subsequent steps. Only after the program is repeatedly executed and the process timer expires, the process proceeds to S149.
A determination is made as to whether the winning flag has been set. Since the V winning flag is not set during the opening of the variable winning ball apparatus 4 and during the subsequent V reception time and during the last opening, the V winning flag is not set.
Go to 51. In S151, "15" is set in the process flag, and the end display time (for example, 5.5 seconds) is set in the process timer in order to end the repetition continuation control according to the big hit, and the process proceeds to S152. Since the process flag is set to “15”, the next time the process process of FIG. 14 is executed, the big hit end process of S27 is executed.

On the other hand, if the V winning flag is set, the process proceeds from S149 to S150, and a process for repeatedly opening the variable winning ball device 4 is performed. That is, the process flag is set to a value "12" indicating that the opening is being performed, and the next opening time of the opening / closing plate 6 is set to the process timer. Further, the opening number counter is incremented by one, an opening sound corresponding to the type of big hit is set, and the process proceeds to S152. The value of the opening number counter is used to check the maximum opening number of the repetition continuation control as described above.

In S152, the variable winning ball device 4
A determination is made as to whether or not the winning number detected during the opening of the game is zero. If the value is 0, the winning number detector 9 may be shifted from a predetermined detection position due to fraud or the like, and the process proceeds to S153, the alarm flag A is set, and the process proceeds to S154. If the winning number is not 0, it is not necessary to set an alarm flag, and the process directly proceeds to S154.

In S154, both the winning number and the V winning flag are cleared, and this subroutine ends.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of the big hit end processing performed in S27 of FIG. This process is executed when the process is “15”. In S155, it is determined whether or not the process timer set in S151 in FIG. 30 has expired. If not, the subroutine ends immediately, and the process proceeds to S156 only after the process timer expires. In S156, the opening count counter is cleared to end the repetition continuation control, and the big hit information OFF output is set to notify the hall management computer of the end of the big hit. After the temporary lottery flag and the big hit flag are both cleared, the process flag is set to "0" and the subroutine ends. "0" in the process flag
Is set, the next time the process processing of FIG. 14 is executed, the normal processing of S19 will be executed.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of the demonstration display process performed in S29 of the display process process shown in FIG. This process is executed when the value of the first digit of the display process flag is “1H”.

First, in S157, a determination is made as to whether or not the display process timer has expired. If not, this subroutine ends immediately. Processing is not started until the display process timer expires in S15.
Proceed to 8. This display process timer is set in S16 described later.
1, or set in S165 of FIG. 33 as the time corresponding to the display when setting the display screen.

In S158, the display process flag is set to 16
A determination is made as to whether the number is "51". 51H is the maximum possible value of the display process flag in the demonstration display process. Therefore, if the display process flag is 51H, the process proceeds to S159, where the first value, that is, the display process flag of 01H is set. If the display process flag is not 51H, the process proceeds to S160, where 10 is added to the value of the display process flag in hexadecimal. The post-processing of S159 and S160 is S
Proceed to 161.

The display process flag is set to 01H when the start winning is not detected at least once while the normal processing shown in FIG. 14 is being executed for a predetermined time. More specifically, in S165 of the symbol display subroutine described later, 01H is set in the display process flag, and the time corresponding to the value of the display process flag is set in the display process timer. Similarly, S16
Even when the value is 1, processing for setting the time corresponding to the value of the display process flag in the display process timer is performed. That is, in S157, the current demonstration display is executed until the display process timer set in S165 or S161 expires, and when the process timer expires, the value of the display process flag is incremented by 10 in hexadecimal in S160, and the next is displayed. The display of the stage is executed, and the process of setting the display time of the new stage is executed in S161. The display process timer is 01H, 11
The values of H, 21H, 31H, 41H, and 51H are repeatedly obtained, and the demonstration display is repeatedly performed.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of the symbol display processing. This processing is performed in S of FIG.
30. In S28,
This is executed when the value of the first digit of the display process flag is “2” in hexadecimal. The value of the first digit of the display process flag becomes “2H”, for example, due to the processing such as S106 of the normal processing shown in FIG.

First, in S162, it is determined whether or not the display process timer has expired. This display process timer is determined by S165, S173,
The timer is set in S175, S177, S179, and the like. If the display process timer has not expired, the process proceeds to S166. However, if the display process timer has expired, the process proceeds to S163, and a determination process as to whether or not to shift to the following demonstration display is performed. Done.
First, in S163, it is determined whether or not the big hit flag has a value indicating a big hit. In the case of a big hit, the subroutine ends immediately because the transition to the demonstration display should not be performed. If the big hit flag is not big hit, the process proceeds to S164. In S164, in order to determine whether or not there is a winning start within a predetermined time, a determination is made as to whether or not a demonstration display transition timer for defining the predetermined time has expired.
If not finished, this subroutine ends immediately. However, if the demo display transition timer has expired, it is necessary to transition to demonstration display. Therefore, the process of shifting to the demonstration display is performed in S165. In S165, as described above, the value (01) indicating the demo display process is set in the display process flag.
H) is set. Then, a predetermined time is set in the display process timer so that the value of the display process flag is set to 01H, and this subroutine ends. Since the value of 01H is set in the display process flag in S165, S2 is set in the next display process.
9, a demonstration display process (see FIG. 15) is executed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S162 that the display process timer has not expired, a determination is made in S166 as to whether or not the display process timer is to be terminated as a result of further subtracting one from the display process timer. If it is determined that the processing is to be ended, the process proceeds to S167. If not, the subroutine ends immediately. In S167, it is determined whether or not the value of the display process flag is 02H. 02H indicates that a normal stop symbol should be displayed as described above. If the answer to the determination in S167 is YES, the process proceeds to S168; otherwise, the process proceeds to S172.

Steps S172 and subsequent steps are processing for controlling symbol fluctuation from variable display to stop. First, in S172, it is determined whether or not the value of the display process flag is 12H. 12H shows a state in which all the symbols fluctuate as described above. If the answer to the determination in S172 is YES, in S173, the display process flag is set to 22H, and a process of setting the first symbol stop waiting time (for example, 1 second) to the display process timer is performed. After S173, this subroutine ends.

If the answer to the determination in S172 is NO, the process proceeds to S174, where it is determined whether or not the display process flag is 22H. 22H is a value indicating the state where the first symbol has stopped. If the display process flag is 22H, 32H is further set in the display process flag in S175, and the second symbol stop waiting time (for example, 1 second) is set in the display process timer. After S175, this subroutine ends.

If the answer to the determination in S174 is NO, the process proceeds to S176. In S176, a determination is made as to whether the value of the display process flag is 32H. When the display process flag is 32H, it means that the second symbol has stopped. S1
If the answer to the determination at 76 is YES, the process is S177
Then, a value of 42H is set in the display process flag, and the third symbol stop waiting time (for example, 1 second) is set in the display process timer.

Further, in S178, it is determined whether or not the symbols of the lines 1, 3, 4, and 6 are in the reach state at the time when the second symbol is stopped among the eight effective lines of the variable display device 3. . If it is not in the reach state, this subroutine ends immediately. If it is in the reach state, the process proceeds to S179. In S179, a value (62H) indicating that the vehicle is in the reach state until the third symbol is stopped is set in the display process flag. Also,
Display data for displaying a mark display frame as shown in FIG. 6C is set on the line determined to be in the reach state in S178. Further, the operation time during reach (for example, 8 to 10 seconds) is set in the display process timer. There are thirteen reach operation times according to the number of symbols to be displayed. The reach operation time is for stopping symbols over a longer time than the third symbol stop waiting time set in S177. After S179, this subroutine ends.

If the answer to the determination in S176 is NO, the process proceeds to S180. In S180, the value of the display process flag is 42H (see S177) or 62H (S
179) is determined. If the answer to the determination is YES, the process proceeds to S18
The process proceeds to S184, otherwise the process proceeds to S184.

In S181, after the third symbol is stopped, 02H (stop symbol display) is first set to the display process flag in order to perform processing until the fourth symbol is stopped. The fourth symbol stop waiting time (for example, 1 second) is set in the display process timer. Subsequently, in S182, the third
With the symbols stopped, a determination is made as to whether the lines 2, 5, 7, 8 are in the reach state. If the answer to the determination is NO, this subroutine ends immediately, but if it is YES, the process proceeds to S183. S
At 183, 52H is set to the display process flag to perform the reach operation until the fourth symbol stops. In addition, among the lines 2, 5, 7, and 8, the mark display frames of the lines determined to be in the reach state in S182 are displayed as shown in FIGS. 6D and 7D. Display data is set. Further, a value indicating a reach operation time (for example, 8 to 10 seconds) is set in the display process timer. After S183, this subroutine ends.

On the other hand, the process proceeds from S180 to S184 only when the value of the big hit flag is 52H. This is because the symbol display process is executed only when the first digit of the display process flag is 2H, and the value of the second digit of the display process flag can take only values from 0H to 6H. That is, S184 is performed only when the third symbol is stopped and any of the lines 2, 5, 7, and 8 is in the reach state. In S184, it is determined whether or not the big hit flag has a value indicating the big hit. If the answer is NO, S1
At step 85, a value (02H) representing stop symbol display is set in the display process flag, and furthermore, a process of clearing the frame display data of the line displayed at the time of the reach and erasing the mark display frame is performed. After S185, this subroutine ends.

On the other hand, if the answer to the determination in S184 is YES
If so, the control shifts to S186 to perform a process corresponding to the big hit. In S186, 02H is set to the display process flag to perform the stop symbol display. Further, in order to display the mark display frame on the line that becomes a big hit, a process of setting the frame display data is performed, and further, frame blinking speed data for blinking the frame is set. Since the blinking speed of the mark display frame is changed and displayed at the time of the big hit, the display mode changes between the reach state and when the big hit is determined, and the player can easily know the occurrence of the big hit. be able to. Further, the display process timer is set with a waiting time (character appearance waiting time, for example, 2 seconds) until the start of the character screen for displaying the occurrence of the big hit on the screen, and this subroutine ends.

On the other hand, if the display process timer has not expired and the display process flag is 02H, the answer to the determination in S167 is YES, and the process proceeds to S168. In S168, the following three types of processing are performed according to the value of the process flag. The display process flag becomes 02H when the process flag is any one of 0 (normal process), 11 (big hit check process), and 15 (big hit end process). First, in the case of 0, the process proceeds to S169, and a demo display shift timer (for example, 5 minutes)
Is set. This timer is used to determine whether to shift to the demonstration display in S164 as described above. After S169, this subroutine ends.

When the process flag is 11, S170
Sets the display process flag to 03H. This 0
The value 3H is a value indicating the start of the screen display at the time of a big hit. A character change time (for example, 2 seconds) is set in the display process timer. This character change time is set to measure the time until the character is changed in order to change the character displayed on the screen when a big hit occurs.

If the process flag is 15, S171
And the display process flag is set to 06H.
The value of 06H is a value indicating the display start at the end of the big hit. At the time of the big hit end display, the display process flag is set to 02 by S199 as described later with reference to FIG.
Set to H. Therefore, at the end of the big hit, the stop symbol is displayed once. Then, by setting the display process flag to 06H in S171, the once displayed stop symbol is erased after a predetermined screen change. In the display process timer, a time (for example, 3.5 seconds) for changing and erasing the screen is set. After S171, this subroutine ends.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of the jackpot display process performed in S31 of FIG. This process is executed when the first digit of the display process flag is 3H. More specifically, when the display process flags are 03H, 13H, and 23H, the big hit display process is executed.

First, in S187, it is determined whether or not the display process timer has expired. If it is determined that the process has been completed, the display process flag is set to 2 in S188.
A determination is made as to whether it is 3H. If the answer is YES, the process proceeds to S190; otherwise, the process proceeds to S189. In S189,
A process of adding 10H to the value of the display process flag is performed, and the process proceeds to S191. On the other hand, in S190, 04H is set in the display process flag, and the process proceeds to S191. S19
In step 1, a process for setting a predetermined time corresponding to the value of the display process timer is performed, and the subroutine ends.

The symbol display by the big hit display process is as follows. First, when the display process flag is 03H, the first screen of the big hit display screen is displayed as described above. When the time corresponding to the display process timer assigned to the first screen expires, S18
At 9, 10H is added to the value of the display process flag, and 13
H. When the display process flag is 13H, a screen display in the middle of the big hit display screen is performed. Then, when the time allotted to the screen on the way elapses, the big hit display process is performed next, so that S189
Then, 10H is further added to the display process flag, and the display changes to the last screen of the big hit screen. After the last screen of the big hit display, the process proceeds from S188 to S190, and the display process flag is set to 04H. 04H is a value indicating a screen for the first round display of the round display screen of the repetition continuation control. By setting this value in the display process flag, the next time the display process is executed, the first round of the big hit round display process S32 in FIG.
The display of the round is performed.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of the big hit round display process.
“Round” indicates the number of times the repeat continuation control is released.
This big hit round display process is executed when the first digit of the display process flag is 4H, as shown in FIG. First, in S192, a determination is made as to whether the display process timer has expired. If the processing has been completed, 02H is set in the display process flag in S193, and this subroutine ends. If the display process timer has not expired, this subroutine ends without performing any processing.
That is, by the round display process during the big hit, FIG.
Until the display process timer set in S191 of FIG. 4 or S145 of FIG. 29 expires, round display is performed according to the value of the display process flag at that time. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the display process flag is set to 02H in S193, so that the normal stopped symbol display is performed. Further, 04H is set in the display process flag in S190 of FIG.
5, the value corresponding to the value of each release counter (14H to F4
Since H) is set, each time the variable winning prize ball device 4 is released, a round display corresponding to the number of times of release is performed for a predetermined time, and a stop symbol display is performed again.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of the big hit V display process performed in S33 of FIG. This process is executed only when the first digit of the display process flag is 5H. The display process flag is set to 05H when it is detected that a V prize has occurred first during opening of the variable prize ball device other than the last round, as shown in S83 of FIG. First, in S83, the V display time (for example, 2 seconds) is set in the display process timer. In S194, it is determined whether or not the display process timer has expired. The process proceeds to S195 only after the display process timer has expired, and 02H is set in the display process flag. That is, since the display process flag is set to 05H in S83 of FIG. 19, the screen displayed at this time is a screen for notifying the player of the V winning, but the display continues for the same time. This is the V display time set in the display process timer in S83 of FIG. When the V display time is over, the display process flag is set to 02H in S195, and the display screen again becomes the stopped symbol display screen.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of the big hit end display processing executed in S34 of FIG. This subroutine is executed when the first digit of the display process flag is 6H. The reason why 06H is set in the display process flag is as shown in FIG.
171. Thereafter, the big hit end display process is repeated, and every time the set display process timer expires, the value of the display process flag is added by 10H, and when it finally reaches 76H, the normal stop symbol display process is started. Processing for shifting is performed.

In the big hit end display processing, first, at step S19.
In S6, it is determined whether the display process timer set in S171 or S198 described later has expired. If not completed, this subroutine is immediately terminated, and the processing from S197 onward is performed only after the display process timer expires, and the big hit end display processing proceeds.

In S197, it is determined whether the value of the display process flag is the maximum value, that is, 76H. If not, the process goes to S19.
In step 8, 10H is added to the display process flag, a predetermined time corresponding to the value of the display process flag is set in the display process timer, and the subroutine ends. On the other hand, the value of the display process flag is 76H
If so, the process proceeds to S199, where the value of the display process flag is set to 02H and the demonstration display transition timer is set.

Therefore, as described above, S1 in FIG.
When the display process flag is set to 06H at 71, the big hit stop symbol screen once displayed at the end of the big hit changes to the big hit end screen which is switched every time a predetermined time elapses. The stop symbol screen at the time of occurrence will be displayed again.

As described above, in the pachinko gaming machine of this embodiment, the microcomputer for controlling the game and the microcomputer for controlling the variable display device are separated from each other. Data required for display control of the variable screen can be transmitted to the microcomputer for use in the display.
Therefore, it is not necessary for the game control microcomputer to perform fine control for variable display, and more advanced game control can be executed relatively easily. Further, the microcomputer for variable display control can freely control the display of the variable display device based on data received from the microcomputer for game control. Therefore, there is an effect that the display on the screen can be made more various.

Hereinafter, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. (1) A plurality of combinations of symbols displayed by the variable display device 3 may be prepared and switched using a symbol switch, or automatically switched based on a day of the week or the like. In this case, a symbol display for notifying the player of the type of the big hit symbol or the fruit symbol currently displayed by the variable display device 3 may be provided.

(2) The image data for the combination of symbols in (1) is, for example, a memory cassette, a memory card,
Alternatively, the information may be stored in a storage means that can be detachably attached to the gaming machine using a ROM (read only memory), or may be transmitted from the hall management computer to each gaming machine.

(3) The variable display device 3 may be configured to display, for example, an image of boxing, and to provide a predetermined game value when a boxer on the player side wins. Is also good.

(4) In the embodiment, data is transmitted only in one direction from the game control computer to the variable display device. However, the data transmission is also possible from the variable display device to the game control computer. It may be suitable for.

(5) In the embodiment, when a transmission error occurs, the transmission data is simply discarded. However, an alarm process may be performed.

(6) The type of the variable display device 3 is not limited to the liquid crystal display device as in the embodiment, and may be, for example, a drum, a dot matrix LED, a segment LED,
EL, plasma, CRT or the like may be used.

[0201]

Specific Example of Means for Solving the Problems The game control microcomputer 81 for controlling the gaming state of the gaming machine is constituted by the game control microcomputer 81. The LCD control microcomputer 92 constitutes variable display control means for controlling the display of the variable display device. The wiring between the game control board 107 and the LCD control microcomputer 92, the connectors 62 and 66, and the display control command set subroutine program allow the game control means to send the variable display device to the variable display control means. The information transmission means for transmitting the information relating to the display control is configured. S61, S75, S153, and S5 constitute abnormality determining means for determining when an abnormality has occurred in the gaming machine.

When the abnormality determining means determines that an abnormality has occurred (when the determination of YES is made in S5), the information transmitting means provides information (display process flag) indicating that an abnormality has occurred. 07H command data)
Is transmitted from the game control means to the variable display control means (S39). The variable display control means, when receiving the information indicating that the abnormality has occurred, performs control for displaying the occurrence of the abnormality on the variable display device (control for displaying an error character).

Display state storage means for storing information capable of specifying the display state of the variable display device at the time of occurrence of the abnormality when the abnormality determination means determines that an abnormality has occurred in S61, S75, and S153. Is configured. S
63, S70, S56, a display process processing subroutine program, and a display control command set subroutine program, when the abnormal state of the gaming machine is restored, based on the information stored in the display state storage means, A display state return means for returning to the display state of the variable display device is configured.

A game control time management means for managing the progress of the game state of the gaming machine is constituted by a subroutine program of various process processes shown in FIG. 14 having a function of managing a process timer. The variable display control time management means for managing the progress of the variable display state of the variable display device is constituted by a subroutine program of various display processes shown in FIG. 15 having a function of managing the display process timer. .

The time management operation between the game control time management means and the variable display control time management means is performed from when the abnormal state determination means determines that an abnormality has occurred to when the abnormal state is recovered. Is stopped (Y at S5)
If ES is determined, S6 is not executed, and
Since the display process flag is set to 07H, the display process other than S35 is not executed).

[0206]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, by providing variable display control means in addition to the game control means to perform role sharing, more advanced game control becomes possible and more advanced. Variable display control is also possible. In addition, when an abnormality occurs in the gaming machine, the fact is displayed by the variable display device, so that the occurrence of the abnormality is displayed using the variable display device that the player is gazing at during the game. Thus, the player can more reliably recognize that an abnormality has occurred.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, when an abnormal state occurs in the gaming machine and the abnormal state is restored, the abnormal state In order to return to the display state of the variable display device, the variable display control can be advanced from that point, and the player can enjoy the variable display continuously from the variable display state at the time of occurrence of the abnormality.

According to the present invention described in claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 2, if an abnormality occurs in the gaming machine, the period from when the abnormality is recovered to the time when the abnormality is recovered is reduced. Because the progress of the game state and the progress of the variable display state of the variable display device are stopped, when the abnormality is recovered, the game progresses from the game state at the time of occurrence of the abnormality and the variable display state at the time of occurrence of the abnormality Since the variable display control proceeds from the first step, the game control and the variable display control do not become inconsistent with each other, and can be restarted from the state at the time of occurrence of both abnormalities in step.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a gaming area of a pachinko gaming machine as an example of a gaming machine according to the present invention and a liquid crystal display device for a gaming machine and other various devices provided in the gaming area.

FIG. 2 is a rear view showing a partial internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of an LCD unit constituting the variable display device.

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a rear portion of the LCD unit.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of the game board, showing a state in which the LCD unit is attached to the game board.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a display mode of the variable display device.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a display mode of the variable display device.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing various symbols displayed on each display unit of the variable display device.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control circuit used in a pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram showing a connection state of a game control microcomputer and a gaming machine liquid crystal display device.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart of one horizontal period of an LCD drive signal.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart of one vertical period of an LCD drive signal.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a main routine of a program for explaining the operation of the control circuit shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program for process processing.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of a display process.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of a display control command setting process.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of a command input process performed by the LCD control microcomputer.

FIG. 18 shows an example of a game control microcomputer to LC.
It is a schematic diagram which shows the data transmission method to a D control microcomputer.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of a switch input process.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of LED / lamp data set processing.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of a sound data setting process.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of a winning storage area storing process.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of a normal process.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of a check process of a random 2 counter.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of a big hit symbol setting process.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of a lost symbol setting process.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of each symbol stop process.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of a big hit check process.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of processing during opening.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of post-open processing.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of a big hit end process.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of a demonstration display process.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of a symbol display process.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of a big hit display process.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of a big hit round display process.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of a big hit V display process.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart of a subroutine program of a big hit end display process.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a game board, 3 is a variable display device, 4 is a variable winning ball device,
7 is a specific winning area, 8 is a specific winning ball detector, 9 is a winning number detector, 10a to 10c are starting winning openings, 11a to 11
c is a start winning ball detector, 24 is an LCD unit, 25 is a liquid crystal display panel, 61 is a microcomputer interface, 79A
-79I is a symbol display section, 80A-80I are mark display frames,
81 is a game control microcomputer as an example of game control means, 92 is an LCD control microcomputer as one example of variable display control means, 62 and 66 are connectors, 10
Reference numeral 7 denotes a game control board.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A variable display device whose display state can be changed, and when the display result of the variable display device becomes a predetermined specific display mode, it can be controlled to a gaming state advantageous to a player. A game control device for controlling a game state of the game machine; a variable display control device for controlling display of the variable display device; and the variable display device from the game control device to the variable display control device. Information transmission means for transmitting information related to display control of the game machine, wherein the game control means includes an abnormality determination means for determining the occurrence of an abnormality in the gaming machine, the information transmission means, When the determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred, information about the occurrence of an abnormality is transmitted from the game control unit to the variable display control unit, and the variable display control unit determines that the abnormality has occurred. A game machine that controls the variable display device to display that an abnormality has occurred when information indicating that the abnormality has occurred is received. 2. A display state storage for storing information capable of specifying a display state of the variable display device at the time of occurrence of an abnormality when the abnormality determination means determines that an abnormality has occurred. Means, and display state return means for returning to the display state of the variable display device at the time of occurrence of the abnormality based on information stored in the display state storage means when the abnormal state of the gaming machine is restored. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A game control time managing means for managing progress of a game state of the gaming machine, and a variable display control time for managing progress of a variable display state of the variable display device. Time management between the game control time management means and the variable display control time management means from when the abnormal state determination means determines that an abnormality has occurred to when the abnormal state is recovered. Stop the operation, from the occurrence of the abnormality to its recovery,
The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the progress of the gaming state of the gaming machine and the progress of the variable display state of the variable display device are stopped.