JP4390840B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine represented by, for example, a pachinko gaming machine or a coin gaming machine, and more specifically, includes a variable display device having a plurality of variable display units capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information. After the display unit starts variably, when the display result of the plurality of variable display units is a combination of specific identification information on at least one hit line among the multiple hit lines, the player The present invention relates to a gaming machine that can be controlled to an advantageous specific gaming state.

  Conventionally known as this type of gaming machine includes, for example, a variable display device having a plurality of variable display units capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information, and the plurality of variable display units start variable. After that, when the display result of the plurality of variable display portions becomes a combination of specific identification information on at least one hit line among the hit lines, the specific game state advantageous to the player There was a gaming machine that could be controlled.

  In this type of gaming machine, a game control board, which is an example of a game control means for controlling a gaming state, and a plurality of variable display units are variably started and then the display results of the plurality of variable display units are derived and displayed. A display control board as an example of a variable display control means for performing variable display control is provided. For example, a game control microcomputer is mounted on the game control board. When a predetermined variable start condition is satisfied, command information necessary for display control of the plurality of variable display units is transmitted from the game control microcomputer. Output to the display control board. The display control board performs display control of the plurality of variable display units according to the command information.

  However, in this type of conventional gaming machine, in addition to the fact that the display result of the plurality of variable display units is set to the mode for generating the specific gaming state, it is determined in advance by the gaming control microcomputer. In addition, when the type of identification information of each of the plurality of variable display units shown as the display result of the variable display device is determined in advance by the game control microcomputer, and a combination of specific identification information is displayed. It has been determined in advance which of the multiple hit lines is to be displayed. Then, command information based on these determinations is output to the display control board, and the display control board performs display control according to these command information.

  For this reason, there is a problem that the processing load on the game control board (game control means) side related to display control of the variable display device is large.

  The present invention has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of reducing the processing burden on the game control means side regarding display control of a variable display device.

The present invention according to claim 1 includes a variable display device having a plurality of variable display units capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information, and after the plurality of variable display units start variably, the plurality of variable display units Is a gaming machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state that is advantageous to the player when the display result is a combination of specific identification information on at least one of the multiple winning lines. And
Game control means for controlling the gaming state of the gaming machine;
After the plurality of variable display portions is varied initiated based on a control command transmitted from the recreation control unit, and a variable display control means for performing a variable display control for deriving display the display result of the plurality of variable display portions Including
The game control means includes
Specific game state determination means for determining whether or not to set the specific game state;
A variable time determining means for determining a variable time from the start of variably starting the plurality of variable display sections until the display result of the plurality of variable display sections is derived and displayed;
As the control command, a variable time command indicating a variable time determined by the variable time determining means and a display result command for specifying a determination result of the specific gaming state determining means are variable in the plurality of variable display portions. Command transmission means for transmitting only once when starting, and transmitting a confirmation command when the variation time has elapsed,
The variable display control means includes
A hit line selection means for selecting a hit line for deriving and displaying a combination of identification information corresponding to the display result command from the plurality of hit lines;
A hit line selected by the hit line selection means based on the confirmation command transmitted from the command transmission means when a change time indicated by the change time command has elapsed since the variable display portions are variably started. A combination of identification information corresponding to the display result command is derived and displayed.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a pachinko gaming machine is shown as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a coin gaming machine or a slot machine. A variable display device having a plurality of variable display units capable of variable display, and after the plurality of variable display units starts variably, the display result of the plurality of variable display units is at least one on a plurality of hit lines The game machine can be applied to any game machine that can be controlled to a specific game state advantageous to the player when a combination of specific identification information is made on the winning line.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine 1 as an example of a gaming machine according to the present invention and a card unit 50 installed correspondingly.

The card unit 50 is provided with a card availability display lamp 151, and the player is notified by the lighting or blinking of this card availability display lamp 151 that the card unit 50 is in a usable state. This card unit 50 is installed in a state of being inserted between a plurality of pachinko gaming machines 1 installed on the gaming machine installation island, and it is connected to the left or right gaming machine indicating the connected table direction. Displayed by the instrument 153.

  When the player inserts a prepaid card in which the card balance is recorded into the card insertion slot 155, the card balance recorded in the prepaid card is read. Next, when the player performs a predetermined ball lending operation, the balance for the lending unit amount set in advance is reduced, and the hit ball for the lending unit amount is supplied to the pachinko gaming machine 1 It is rented out to dish 3.

  The card unit 50 is provided with a fraction display switch 152. By pressing the fraction display switch 152, for example, information such as a card balance or an error code when an error occurs is displayed on an information display (not shown) provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1. In the figure, reference numeral 156 denotes a card unit lock, which is configured to open the front side of the card unit 50 by inserting a predetermined key into the card unit lock 156 and performing an unlocking operation.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape. A game board 6 is detachably attached to the rear of the glass door frame 2. A hitting ball supply tray 3 is provided on the lower surface of the glass door frame 2. Under the hitting ball supply tray 3, there are provided an extra ball receiving tray 4 for storing balls overflowing from the hitting ball supply tray 3 and an operation knob 5 for a player to hit the ball. When the player operates the operation knob 5, the pachinko balls stored in the hit ball supply tray 3 can be launched one by one. In the center of the game area 7, a variable display device 8 is provided for variably starting a special symbol as an example of identification information. The variable display device 8 is provided with a variable display 10 for a normal symbol in which a normal symbol is variably displayed as the hit ball passes through the passage gate 11, and a start memory display 18. Further, below the variable display device 8, there are provided a starting electric accessory 15 having a starting opening 14, and a variable winning ball device 19 that is in an open state in which a hitting ball can be won by tilting the opening / closing plate 20. It has been. The starter electric accessory 15 is provided with movable pieces on the left and right. In addition, as general winning holes, winning holes 24 are provided at the upper portion of the variable display device 8, the left and right sides of the variable winning ball device 19, and the lower left and right sides of the game area 7, respectively. Reference numeral 26 denotes an out port that is collected as an out ball when the hit ball that has been driven does not win any of the winning holes or the variable winning ball apparatus, and 25 is a decorative lamp.

  A frame lamp (game effect LED 28a and game effect lamps 28b, 28c), a prize ball lamp 51 that is turned on when the prize ball is paid out, and a lamp ball break lamp 52 that is turned on when the ball is out of the game area 7 are provided. Speakers 27 and 27 for generating sound effects such as stereo sound are provided on the left and right above the game area 7.

  The variable display device 8 is composed of a CRT display capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of special symbols. In the central image display area 9 of the variable display device 8, a plurality of types of special symbols are scroll-displayed from top to bottom on the condition that a start winning has occurred. After that, as a result of the end of the variable display after a predetermined time has passed, if the slot of the big hit symbol is stopped and displayed on any one of a plurality of predetermined hit lines, a big hit is obtained. If it is a big hit, the opening / closing plate 20 of the variable winning ball apparatus 19 tilts and the big winning opening is opened. As a result, the first state is controlled to be advantageous to the player who can win the hit ball in the big winning opening, and the gaming state becomes the specific gaming state (big hit state) advantageous to the player.

  A count switch 23 for detecting a ball won in the variable winning ball apparatus 19 is provided inside the large winning opening of the variable winning ball apparatus 19. The special winning opening is divided into a specific winning area and a normal winning area, and a V count switch 22 for detecting a V winning is provided in the specific winning area. The winning ball that has won the specific winning area is detected by the V count switch 22 and then detected by the count switch 23. On the other hand, a normal winning ball won in the normal winning area is detected only by the count switch 23 in the large winning opening. Each time a winning ball won in the variable winning ball device 19 is detected by the count switch 23, 15 prize balls are paid out.

  The first state of the variable winning ball apparatus 19 is either when the number of hit balls that have entered the big winning opening reaches a predetermined number (for example, 9) or when a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed. When the earlier condition is established, the process is temporarily terminated and the opening / closing plate 20 is closed. Thereby, the variable winning ball device 19 is controlled to the second state which is disadvantageous for the player who cannot win a hit ball. Then, on the condition that the hit ball that has entered during the period in which the variable winning ball apparatus 19 is in the first state has made a specific winning in the specific winning area and has been detected by the V count switch 22, the variable winning ball is again detected. The repeated continuation control for setting the device 19 to the first state is executed. The upper limit number of executions of this repeated continuation control is set to 16 times, for example. In the repeated continuation control, a state in which the variable winning ball device 19 is in the first state is called a round. When the upper limit number of executions of the repeated continuation control is 16, the variable winning ball apparatus 19 can be set to the first state for 16 rounds from the first round to the 16th round.

  A warp inlet 11 is provided in each of the left side portion and the right side portion of the variable display device 8. The hit ball that has entered the warp inlet 11 flows down through the back side of the variable display device 8 and is discharged from the warp outlet 13 to the game area 7 again. For this reason, the hit ball discharged from the warp outlet 13 is in a state where it is relatively easy to win the start opening 14.

  The hit ball that has entered the warp inlet 11 is detected by the gate switch 12. On the condition that the hit ball is detected by the gate switch 12, the variable display 10 for normal symbols is variably started. If a hit ball is further detected by the gate switch 12 while the variable symbol display 10 is variably displayed, the passing ball is stored with the upper limit of “4” as the storage number. The number is displayed by the number of lit LEDs on a passage memory display (not shown).

  The normal symbol variable display 10 is composed of a seven-segment display, and identification information called a normal symbol is variably displayed. If the display result of the normal symbol variable display 10 becomes a specific display mode (for example, 7) determined in advance, it becomes “winning”. When the “winning” display result is derived on the normal symbol variable display 10, the pair of left and right movable pieces provided on the starter electric accessory 15 is opened once. As a result, the starter electric accessory 15 is opened and the hitting ball becomes easier to win. If one starting ball wins when the starting electric accessory 15 is in the open state, the movable piece closes to the original position, and the hit ball returns to a state where it is difficult to start winning. Further, if a predetermined opening period elapses after the starter electric accessory 15 is in the open state, the movable piece is closed to the original position and the open state is ended even if no start winning is generated. As will be described later, in the probability variation state, the starter electric accessory 15 is opened twice, and the opening period of one time is extended.

  The start winning ball won in the start opening 14 is detected by a start opening switch 17 provided on the game board 6. When the start winning ball is detected by the start opening switch 17, five prize balls are paid out, and the variable display device 8 is variably started based on the detection output. The start prize detected by the start port switch 17 while the variable display device 8 is variably displayed is stored with “4” as the upper limit of the stored number, and the stored number is displayed on the start storage display 18 by the number of lit LEDs. The

  When the jackpot result displayed on the variable display device 8 is constituted by a specific probability variation symbol (for example, “7” of the number symbol), after the end of the specific gaming state based on the jackpot, The probability variation state in which the probability that a big hit occurs is higher than that in the normal gaming state). In the following, jackpots with probability variation symbols are referred to as probability variation jackpots. Once the probability variation jackpot occurs once in the normal gaming state, the probability variation state is continuously controlled until at least a predetermined probability variation continuation number (for example, once or twice) has occurred. Further, if a probability variation big hit occurs during the probability variation state, the probability variation continuation count is counted again after that probability variation big hit, and then the probability variation state continues until at least the number of probability variation continuations occurs. If the jackpot that has reached the probability variation continuation count is due to a non-probability variation symbol other than the probability variation symbol, the normal gaming state in which the probability variation does not occur is returned.

  Therefore, when no restriction is placed on the continuous control of the probability variation state, the probability variation state continues indefinitely at least as long as the big hit that has reached the number of times of the probability change continues is the probability change big hit. In the case of this pachinko gaming machine 1, once the probability variation state continues to some extent, once the probability variation jackpot is continuously generated during the probability variation state in order to end the continuous control to the probability variation state, An upper limit has been set. When the big hit display mode is determined to be an uncertain change big hit based on the upper limit number of times, the continuous control of the probability variation state is forcibly terminated at that time. It is to be noted that the restriction that prohibits the big hit with the probability variation symbol is called a limiter operation.

  In the probability variation state, the probability of hitting the normal symbol increases, and the variable display period (variation time) from when the normal symbol variable display starts until the display result is derived and displayed is shortened. Further, in the probability variation state, the number of times the starter electric component 15 is opened from the normal symbol hit increases from 1 to 2, and the opening period of one time increases from 0.2 seconds to 1.4 seconds. Extended.

  Next, the structure of the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is an overall rear view showing a partial internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine with adjacent card units.

  A mechanism plate 36 is provided on the back side of the game board 6 of the pachinko gaming machine 1. A ball tank 38 is provided on the upper portion of the mechanism plate 36, and pachinko balls are supplied to the ball tank 38 from above in a state where the pachinko gaming machine 1 is installed on the gaming machine installation island. The pachinko balls in the ball tank 38 are supplied to the ball dispensing device through the guide rod 39.

  The mechanism plate 36 includes a variable display control unit 29 that performs display control of the image display area 9 via the relay board 30, a game control board 31 that is covered with a board case 32 and mounted with a game control microcomputer, and the like. A relay board 33 for relaying signals between the control unit 29 and the game control board 31, and a prize ball board 37 on which a payout control microcomputer for performing payout control of pachinko balls and the like are mounted. Further, on the mechanism plate 36, a ball hitting device 34 for launching a hit ball to the game area 7 using the rotational force of the motor, and a lamp for sending signals to the speaker 27 and the game effect lamps / LEDs 28a, 28b, 28c. A control board 35 is provided.

  FIG. 3 is a rear view of the game board 6 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as seen from the back. On the back surface of the game board 6, as shown in FIG. 3, a winning ball collective cover 40 is provided for guiding the winning balls that have won the winning holes and the winning ball devices along a predetermined winning path. The winning ball guided by the winning ball collective cover 40 is supplied to a winning ball processing device (not shown) for processing one winning ball. The winning ball processing device is provided with a winning ball detection switch 99 (see FIG. 4), and a detection signal of the winning ball detection switch 99 is sent to the game control board 31.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration in the game control board 31. FIG. 4 shows a game control board (also referred to as a main board) 31, a prize ball board 37, a lamp control board 35, a sound control board 70, a launch control board 91, and a display control board 80 as control boards.

  The winning ball board 37, the lamp control board 35, the sound control board 70, the launch control board 91, and the display control board 80 are equipped with microcomputers, and are provided with, for example, a CPU and an I / O port.

  A ball dispensing device 97 and a card unit 50 are connected to the prize ball substrate 37. Connected to the lamp control board 35 are a game effect LED 28a, a prize ball lamp 51, a ball break lamp 52, and game effect lamps 28b and 28c. An operation knob (hit ball operation handle) 5 and a drive motor 94 for driving a ball hitting hammer (not shown) are connected to the firing control board 91. The driving force of the drive motor 94 is adjusted according to the operation amount of the operation knob 5. A variable display device 8 (not shown) is connected to the display control board 80. A speaker 27 is connected to the sound control board 70.

  The game control board 31 includes a basic circuit (game control microcomputer) 53 for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to a game control program, a switch circuit 58, a solenoid circuit 59, a lamp / LED circuit 60, and an information output circuit. 64, an initial reset circuit 65, and an address decode circuit 67 are provided.

  The basic circuit 53 is a microcomputer for game control, and includes a ROM 54 for storing a game control program, a RAM 55 used as a work memory, a CPU 56 for performing control operations in accordance with a control program, and an I / O port 57. Including. The basic circuit 53 repeatedly executes the game control program that is reset periodically (for example, every 2 msec) and stored in the ROM 54 from the top.

  The initial reset circuit 65 is a circuit that resets the basic circuit 53 when the power is turned on. The basic circuit 53 initializes the pachinko gaming machine 1 in response to the initial reset pulse sent from the initial reset circuit 65. The address decode circuit 67 is a circuit that decodes the address signal supplied from the basic circuit 53 and outputs a signal for selecting any one of the I / O ports 57.

  The switch circuit 58 is a circuit that supplies signals from various switches to the basic circuit 53. The switch circuit 58 is connected to the gate switch 12, the start port switch 17, the V count switch 22, the count switch 23, and the winning ball detection switch 99.

  The information output circuit 64 is based on the data given from the basic circuit 53, probability variation information indicating that a probability variation has occurred and a probability variation state, jackpot information indicating that a big hit has occurred and a specific gaming state has occurred, In addition, the circuit is a circuit for outputting start winning information indicating the occurrence of the start winning that is effectively used for variable display of the image display area 9 to the host computer such as a hall management computer.

  The solenoid circuit 59 is a circuit that drives the solenoid 16 that operates the movable piece of the starting electric accessory 15 and the solenoid 21 that opens and closes the opening / closing plate 20 of the variable winning ball apparatus 19 according to a command from the basic circuit 53.

  The lamp / LED circuit 60 is a circuit that controls lighting and extinction of the variable display (ordinary symbol variable display) 10, the decorative lamp 25, and the start-up memory display 18.

  A command, which is an example of command information, is transmitted from the game control board 31 to the prize ball board 37, the lamp control board 35, the sound control board 70, and the display control board 80.

  The commands transmitted from the game control board 31 to the prize ball board 37 include commands as command information related to prize ball payout control and commands as command information related to ball payout control (for example, ball lending prohibition command, Lending prohibition release command, etc.).

  The command transmitted from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80 is a display control command, and a change start command for starting the change of the variable display device 8 is a command related to a special symbol among the display control commands. And a fixed symbol designation command for designating a fixed symbol (scheduled stop symbol), a symbol fixed command for designating the end of variation, and the like. This display control command is composed of two sets of 2-byte data of MODE data and EXT data each consisting of 1-byte data. The MODE data is data indicating a command type such as a change start command or a fixed symbol designation command, and the EXT data is data that specifically specifies a specific display control content among the command types indicated by the MODE data.

  The basic circuit 53 outputs a predetermined lamp control command to the lamp control board 35 based on occurrence of a big hit or winning. On the lamp control board 35, lighting control of the electrical decorative component is performed based on the lamp control command.

  The basic circuit 53 outputs a predetermined voice control command to the voice control board 70 based on occurrence of a big hit or winning. The sound control board 70 performs control to output a predetermined sound effect from the speaker 27 based on the sound control command.

  The basic circuit 53 pays out a predetermined number of prize balls based on the detection signal of the winning ball detection switch 99, the detection signal of the start port switch 17, the detection signal of the V count switch 22, and the detection signal of the count switch 23. A prize ball signal is output to the prize ball substrate 37. In the prize ball substrate 37, the ball dispensing device is controlled based on the outputted prize ball signal to perform a control for dispensing a predetermined number of prize balls.

  More specifically, for example, 15 prize balls are paid out for each winning ball for the winning ball that has won the big winning gate of the variable winning ball apparatus 19, and one for the winning ball that has won the starting winning port 14. For example, 6 prize balls are paid out for each winning ball, and for the other winning balls 24 awarded to the winning opening 24, for example, 10 prize balls are paid out for each winning ball.

  In order to control the payout of such three types of prize balls, the game control board 31 performs a control operation as follows. When a detection signal from the start port switch 17, the V count switch 22 or the count switch 23 is input, the detection signal is used as a payout number determination data used when determining the payout number of the award balls. The number of payouts is temporarily stored internally. Thereafter, if a detection signal from the winning ball detection switch 99 is input, it is determined by referring to the payout number determination data whether there is a detection signal from the start port switch 17 before the input. The game control board 31 outputs a prize ball command signal for giving a prize ball number of “6” to the prize ball board 37. On the other hand, when there is a detection signal from the winning ball detection switch 99 and there is a detection signal from the V count switch 22 or the count switch 23 before that, the game control board 31 has a prize ball of “15”. A number of prize ball command signals are output to the prize ball substrate 37. Further, when there is a detection signal from the winning ball detection switch 99, if no detection signal has been input from any of the start port switch 17, V switch 22 and count switch 23 before that, game control is performed. The board 31 outputs a prize ball command signal to the prize ball board 37 for giving a command of paying out the number of prize balls of “10”.

  The prize ball number signal sent from the game control board 31 to the prize ball board 37 is received by a payout control microcomputer (not shown) provided on the prize ball board 37. The payout control microcomputer drives the ball payout device 97 to perform control for paying out the number of prize balls specified by the prize ball number signal.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration in the display control board 80 together with a CRT 82 for realizing image display. The display control CPU 101 incorporating the RAM 101a operates in accordance with a program stored in the control data ROM 102, and receives an INT signal (also called a strobe signal or an interrupt signal) from the game control board 31 via the input buffer 105a in the input buffer circuit 105. Is input, the display control CPU 101 enters an interrupt operation state and takes in display control command data. Then, display control of an image displayed on the CRT 82 is performed according to the fetched display control command data.

  Specifically, a command according to the display control command data is given to the VDP 103. VDP 103 reads necessary data from character ROM 86. The VDP 103 generates image data to be displayed on the CRT 82 in accordance with the input data, and stores the image data in the VRAM 87. The image data in the VRAM 87 is converted into R (red), G (green), and B (blue) signals (RGB signals), converted into analog signals by the D / A conversion circuit 104, and output to the CRT 82. .

  In FIG. 5, a reset circuit 83 for resetting the VDP 103, an oscillation circuit 85 for supplying an operation clock to the VDP 103, a character ROM 86 for storing frequently used image data, and an input for inputting display control command data A buffer circuit 105 is also shown. The frequently used image data stored in the character ROM 86 is, for example, a person, animal, or an image made up of characters, figures, symbols, or the like displayed on the CRT 82.

  The display control CPU 101 has a built-in RAM 101a for storing display control command data, which will be described later. When a display control command is received from the game control board 31, a background or character determined in advance in each variation pattern. Is controlled to move and display on the screen. Note that the background and the character are switched at a predetermined timing, and the display control CPU 101 also controls them independently.

  In addition, the part that outputs display control on the game control board 31 side can output information from the inside of the game control board 31 to the outside, but cannot input information from the outside to the inside of the game control board 31. The output buffer circuit 63 is an irreversible output means. Similarly, the input buffer circuit 105 to which the display control command is input on the display control board 80 side also allows signal transmission only in the direction from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80, but from the display control board 80 side. This is an input interface having irreversibility that does not transmit a signal toward the game control board 31 side. Accordingly, there is no room for signals to be transmitted from the display control board 80 side to the game control board 31 side, and even if unauthorized modification is added to the transmission path of the display control command, the signal output by the unauthorized modification is sent to the game control board 31 side. There is no transmission. For this reason, one-way communication between the game control board 31 and the display control board 80 is secured, and an illegal signal (data) is input to the game control board 31 via the transmission path of the display control command. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent an illegal act that causes a proper control operation.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing various random counters used by the basic circuit 53 on the game control board 31 side for game control. FIG. 6 shows seven types of random counters: C_RND1, C_RND_L, C_RND_C, C_RND_R, C_RND_RCHA, C_RND_RCH, and C_RND_NR.

  C_RND1 is a random counter used to determine whether or not the result of variable symbol special display based on the start-up memory is a big hit when there is a start-up memory. This random counter is incremented and incremented by 1 every timer interrupt (specifically every 0.002 seconds), incremented and updated from 0 to the upper limit of 293, and then incremented and updated again from 0. The

  C_RND_L, C_RND_C, and C_RND_R are random counters used to determine the type of stop symbol (definite symbol) that is finally stopped and displayed in the image display area 9.

  C_RND_L is for determining the left symbol. When C_RND_L is added from 0 and added up to 14 which is the upper limit, C_RND_L is added again from 0. C_RND_L is incremented by 1 every timer interrupt, that is, every 0.002 seconds. When a reach state in which the display result is out of place is displayed, the left symbol and the right symbol are determined by the C_RND_L, thereby determining the reach symbol.

  C_RND_C is a random counter for medium symbol determination, and is added from 0 again when it is added from 0 and added up to its upper limit of 14. C_RND_C is incremented by 1 every timer interruption, that is, every 0.002 seconds, and every interruption processing surplus time.

  C_RND_R is a random symbol for determining the right symbol, is added from 0 and is added up to 14 which is the upper limit thereof, and is added again from 0. C_RND_R is incremented by one for each carry of C_RND_C described above.

  C_RND_RCHA is a random counter used to determine whether or not to display the reach state during the display of the display result of the outage when it is determined that the outage is determined based on the extracted value of C_RND1 It is. When C_RND_RCHA is added from 0 and added up to its upper limit of 1530, it is added again from 0. C_RND_RCHA is incremented by 1 for each timer interrupt described above, that is, for every 0.002 seconds, and for each extra interrupt processing time.

  C_RND_RCH and C_RND_NR are random counters for distributing the fluctuation pattern used to determine the fluctuation pattern. In particular, C_RND_RCH is a random counter used when the reach state is displayed, and C_RND_NR is a random counter used when the reach state is not displayed. Depending on whether or not the reach state needs to be displayed, either one of the counter values of C_RND_RCH and C_RND_NR is extracted, and the variation pattern is determined based on the extracted counter value, and the variation that can identify the determined variation pattern A variation start command including pattern data is output from the game control board 31 to the display control board 40. EXT data that specifies variation pattern data corresponding to each value of 0 to 7 of C_RND_RCH and EXT data that specifies variation pattern data corresponding to each value of 0 to 2 of C_RND_RCH are stored in basic circuit 53. ing.

  C_RND_RCH is added from 0 and added to 7 which is the upper limit thereof, and then added again from 0. Also, C_RND_NR is added from 0 and added to 2 which is the upper limit thereof, and then added again from 0. C_RND_RCH and C_RND_NR are incremented by 1 for each timer interrupt described above, that is, for every 0.002 seconds, and for each extra interrupt processing time.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure for determining whether or not the result of variable display of a special symbol based on the start memory is a big hit when there is a start memory.

  If there is a start win, the count value of C_RND1 is extracted. The extracted value of C_RND1 is stored in the special symbol determination bank. Here, the special symbol determination bank is a storage area for temporarily storing data of the extracted value of C_RND1 extracted according to the start winning, and is provided in the work area of the RAM 55 of the basic circuit 53. . Since up to four start winnings are stored, the special symbol determination bank is constituted by a shift register having four storage areas of bank 0 to bank 3. In the special symbol determination bank, when the start winning is detected, the data of the extracted value of C_RND1 corresponding to the start winning is stored in the order of the special symbol determination banks 0, 1, 2, and 3.

  Specifically, the maximum four extracted values of C_RND1 corresponding to the start winning are stored, but the extracted value at the oldest timing is stored in the special symbol determination bank 0, and according to the start winning, the bank 1, Extracted values are stored in the order of 2 and 3. The extracted value stored in the bank 0 of the special symbol determination banks 0 to 3 is used to determine whether or not to generate a big hit. When the determination of bank 0 is completed, the stored data of bank 0 is cleared and the stored data of banks 1, 2, and 3 are shifted toward bank 0 by one bank. Then, the big hit determination according to the start winning memory is performed by repeatedly executing such a big hit determination and data shift.

  Note that the count value of C_RND_L is also extracted at the same time when the start winning is detected, and the extracted value is stored in the left symbol determination bank. The left symbol determination bank is also provided in the work area of the RAM 55 of the basic circuit 53 in the same manner as the special symbol determination bank, and the shift having four storage areas of the left symbol determination bank 0 to the left symbol determination bank 3 is provided. It consists of registers. In the left symbol determination bank, when the start winning is detected, the extracted value data of C_RND_L corresponding to the start symbol is stored in the order of the left symbol determination banks 0, 1, 2, and 3. go.

  Next, a special symbol determination value for jackpot determination for determining the extracted value stored in the special symbol determination bank is set. Here, “7” is set as the special symbol determination value in the normal time (normal game state) other than the high probability time (probability fluctuation state). On the other hand, at the time of high probability, “7”, “11”, and “79” are set as special symbol determination values.

  Next, the set special symbol determination value and the extracted value are compared. In normal times, when the extracted value is “7”, it is determined to be a big hit, and otherwise it is determined to be out of place. . On the other hand, at a high probability, when the extracted value is “7”, “11”, or “79”, it is determined to be a big hit, and at other times, it is determined to be out of place.

  When it is determined that the jackpot is determined, the value of C_RND_L stored in the left symbol determination bank is referred to, and the jackpot symbol to be stopped at the doublet is determined based on the extracted value. On the other hand, if it is determined to be out of place, the values of C_RND_C and C_RND_R are extracted, and finally the image display area 9 is based on the extracted values and C_RND_L stored in the left symbol determination bank. The off symbol to be stopped is determined. Here, if the determined symbol is accidentally a symbol of a slot, “1” is added to the extracted value of C_RND_C, and the symbol is forcibly set as a symbol.

The above processing described with reference to FIG. 7 is performed in advance before starting the variable symbol special display.
Next, a part of the processing executed by the basic circuit 53 will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing game control main processing and interrupt processing executed by the basic circuit 53. In FIG. 8, (a) shows a game control main process, and (b) shows an interrupt process.

  Referring to (a) of FIG. 8, in the game control main process, first, a stack setting process for setting a designated address of the stack pointer is performed (S1). Next, initialization processing is performed (S2). In the initialization process, it is determined whether an error is included in the RAM 55. If an error is included, the RAM 55 is initialized and various flags are initialized. Further, in the initialization process, a process of setting a timer interruption time (for example, 0.002 seconds) that defines timing for executing an interruption process, which will be described later, to the CPU 56 is performed. As a result, timing for defining the execution timing of the first interrupt process after reset due to power-on or the like is started.

  Next, a display random number update process for determining a stop symbol is performed (S3). In the pachinko gaming machine 1, the stop symbol of the special symbol in the variable display of the variable display device 8 is determined based on the random number (counter value of the random counter). In S3, the display random number for determining the stop symbol is updated. The display random number update process continues to be repeatedly executed by an infinite loop. However, when an interrupt process described later is started, the display random number update process is temporarily stopped at the position in the program that constitutes the display random number update process. When the interrupt process ends, execution resumes from the position of the paused program.

  Next, referring to (b) of FIG. 8, the interrupt process is performed every time the timer value for the timer interrupt managed by the CPU 56 reaches the set value (the timer interrupt time set in S2 or S13). Execution starts.

  In the interruption process, first, a process for transmitting a predetermined command for generating a sound or controlling the LED lighting to the lamp control board 35 and the voice control board 70 is performed, and a hall management computer is provided via the information output circuit 64. Data output processing for transmitting data such as jackpot information, start-up information, probability variation information is performed (S4). Next, various abnormality diagnosis is performed by the self-diagnosis function provided in the pachinko gaming machine 1, and error processing is performed to generate an alarm if necessary according to the result (S5). Next, determination random number update processing for updating each random counter indicating various determination random numbers used for game control is performed (S6).

  Next, a special symbol process is performed (S7). In the special symbol process, one of a plurality of types of processing is selected and executed according to the value of the special symbol process flag. The value of the special symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state. Next, a normal symbol process is performed (S8). In the normal symbol process, a corresponding process is selected and executed in accordance with a normal symbol process flag for controlling the normal symbol variable display 10 using the 7-segment LED in a predetermined order. The value of the normal symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state.

  Next, switch processing is performed to input the states of the gate switch 12, the start port switch 17, the V count switch 22, the count switch 23, etc., and determine whether or not each winning port or variable winning ball device has been won. (S9). When a start winning is detected by the start port switch 17, a start storage process is executed in this switch process. Specifically, when a start winning is detected by the start port switch 17, a counter value of a random counter for jackpot determination is extracted at that timing, and the extracted value is stored in a special symbol determination bank for starting storage. The As a result, the start memory is stored. As described above, the special symbol determination banks for start-up memory are composed of four banks, bank 0 to bank 3, and a maximum of four start-up memories are enabled by these four banks. Therefore, when a start winning is detected and there is a memory in all the banks, the start winning is invalidated.

  Next, a display random number update process similar to S3 is performed (S10). Next, winning ball signal processing with the winning ball substrate 37 is performed (S11). That is, when a prize ball number request signal is input from the prize ball board 37, the basic circuit 53 selects a prize ball command (prize ball number designation signal) to be output to the prize ball board 37. Next, a prize ball command output process for outputting the selected prize ball command is performed (S12). The prize ball substrate 37 drives and controls the ball payout device 97 based on the prize ball number designation signal.

  Next, a timer interrupt time setting process is performed (S13). In S13, a process for setting the timer interruption time (for example, 0.002 seconds) as described above is performed in the same manner as in S2. After S13, this interrupt process ends. As a result, at the end of this interrupt process, the timer interrupt time is set by S13, and the timing for defining the execution timing of the next interrupt process is started. Therefore, the time for timer interruption is counted every time the interruption process is completed, and the interruption process is executed every time the timer interruption time elapses thereafter. When this interrupt process is completed, the execution of the main process program described above is resumed from the position where it was temporarily stopped.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the special symbol process. The special symbol process is a process executed in S7 of FIG. In this special symbol process, after any one of S300 to S307 is executed according to the value of the special symbol process flag, the display control data processing of S308 is executed. By executing the special symbol process, the variation of the special symbol is controlled and the control in the big hit state is performed. Here, the special symbol process flag is a flag that specifies a process to be executed when variable display of each special symbol is executed.

  In FIG. 9, special symbol process flag values are shown as PF1 to PF8 on the left shoulders of steps S300 to S307. The special symbol variable display operation is divided into a plurality of processes, and is controlled to a state corresponding to the process designated by the data of the special symbol process flag.

  The special symbol variation waiting process (S300) determines whether or not there is a start prize (whether or not there is a start memory), and when there is no start prize, a demonstration screen which is a standby screen for waiting for a customer The command information for displaying the (demo screen) is set, and when there is a start winning, the special symbol process flag is updated to enable the transition to the special symbol determination process. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The special symbol determination process (S301) is a process of extracting data related to the start memory and determining in advance whether or not to make a big hit. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The symbol variation setting process (S302) is a process for setting a stop symbol and a variation pattern. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The symbol determination setting process (S303) is a process of outputting a symbol determination command for ending the variable display (to end the special symbol change) to the display control board 80. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The jackpot display process (S304) is a process of outputting a command for notifying the player that a jackpot has occurred to the display control board 80. Details are omitted here.

  The big winning opening opening start process (S305) is a process of releasing the attacker of the variable winning ball apparatus 19 and outputting a display control command for starting a big hit to the display control board 80. Details are omitted here.

  The large winning opening opening process (S306) outputs a display control command for displaying the number of rounds to the display control board 80, and also counts the opening time during one round and the number of winning balls during one round. Is counted (10 counts) to determine whether or not a V prize has occurred. When one round is completed, the solenoid 21 for opening the big prize opening is made in a non-excited state by the processing for opening the big prize opening, and the variable winning ball apparatus 19 is closed. Details are omitted here.

  The big hit end process (S307) is a process executed when the big hit state is ended, and it is determined by this process whether or not the probability variation state is set. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The display control data process (S308) is a process for outputting the display control command data set in the various processes (S300 to S307) to the display control board 80. This display control data processing (S307) is always executed when the special symbol process is executed regardless of the value of the special symbol process flag. Details of the display control data processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the special symbol variation waiting process. In the special symbol variation waiting process, it is first determined whether or not there is a winning (starting memory) (SB1). If there is no winning (starting memory), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (SB2). If the predetermined time has not elapsed since the last time the demo screen was switched and displayed, the process ends without updating the special symbol process flag. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed, the demo screen is switched (SB3). Specifically, a display control command for switching the demonstration screen is set. In this pachinko gaming machine 1, when a predetermined memory does not exist and a special symbol cannot be changed after a predetermined time has elapsed, a predetermined demonstration screen is displayed in the image display area 9. The As this demonstration screen, two types of screen 1 and screen 2 are prepared as will be described later with reference to FIG. 19, and both screens are later displayed every time a predetermined time elapses as long as the start memory does not exist. Can be switched alternately. Thereafter, if the start-up memory exists, a determination of YES is made in SB1, the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to a value “2” that can execute the special symbol determination process (SB4), and the process ends.

  The display control command set in SB3 is output to the display control board 80 in the display control data process (S307) that shifts after the special symbol variation waiting process is completed.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the special symbol determination process. In the special symbol determination process, it is first determined whether the probability variation flag is turned on, that is, whether the pachinko gaming machine 1 is being controlled to a high probability state (SA1). If it is controlled to the high probability state, the special symbol determination value data at the time of high probability, that is, the state of probability variation is set as the big hit determination data (SA3). Specifically, the special symbol determination value data in the case of the probability variation state is “7”, “11”, “79”.

  On the other hand, when not controlled to the high probability state, the special symbol determination value data at the time of low probability, that is, not in the high probability state is set as big hit determination data (SA2). Specifically, the special symbol determination value data at the normal time is “7”.

  After SA2 or SA3, processing for clearing the big hit flag is performed (SA4). As a result, the memory of the previous big hit state is cleared. Next, it is determined whether or not the jackpot determination random number stored in the special symbol determination bank 0 matches the special symbol determination value data set in SA2 or SA3 (SA5). In SA5, when the determination is made based on the high probability special symbol determination value data, one determination is performed using one selected special symbol determination value data among the plurality of special symbol determination values. Each of the plurality of special symbol determination values constituting the high-probability special symbol determination value data has a predetermined order used for determination, and is used for determination in SA5 in order from the special symbol determination value in the first order. . The special symbol determination value used for the determination in SA5 is sequentially updated by the processing of SA7 described later, whereby determination for all of the high probability special symbol determination value data is performed.

  When it is determined by SA5 that the stored data of C_RND1 in the special symbol determination bank 0 matches the special symbol determination value, a big hit is generated, and the process proceeds to SA6 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined by SA5 that the stored data of C_RND1 in bank 0 for special symbol determination is not the special symbol determination value, the special symbol determination data used for the determination in SA5 is the data of the special symbol determination value in the next order. Processing to set as a value is performed (SA7). Here, each of the low probability special symbol determination value data and the high probability special symbol determination value data includes data called a determination end code in addition to the special symbol determination value. When the low probability special symbol determination value data is set for determination in SA5, a determination end code is always set in SA7. On the other hand, if the special symbol determination value data at high probability is set for determination in SA5, after the determination using the special symbol determination value in the last order is made in SA5, in SA7, the determination end code Is set.

  After SA7, it is determined whether or not the special symbol determination value data set in SA7 is a determination end code (SA8). If it is determined that it is not a determination end code, the process returns to SA5 in order to make a big hit determination using the next special symbol determination value set in SA7. Thereby, in the case of a high probability, the big hit determination by a plurality of special symbol determination values is repeatedly performed.

  If it is determined by SA5 that the stored data of C_RND1 in the special symbol determination bank 0 matches the special symbol determination value, a big hit flag is set to generate a big hit (SA6). Next, processing for setting a reach flag is performed (SA11). Here, the reach flag is a flag set when the reach state is displayed. By setting the reach flag, the reach state is displayed before the final display result is derived and displayed.

  If it is determined by SA8 that the code is a determination end code, all of the jackpot determinations using the special symbol determination value are completed, and it is determined to make a mistake. In this case, in the following SA9 and SA10, it is determined whether or not the reach state is to be displayed before the display result of deviation is derived and displayed.

  First, the counter value of C_RND_RCHA is extracted (SA9), and then whether or not the reach state is to be displayed is determined based on the extracted value (SA10). For example, when the extracted value of C_RND_RCHA is any one of “0” to “104”, it is determined to display the reach state, and when it is any one of “105” to “1530”, the reach state is determined. Is determined not to be displayed. If it is determined to display the reach state, a reach flag is set (SA11).

  After the reach flag is set in SA11 or NO is determined in SA10, the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to a value that can be transferred to the symbol variation process (SA12), and the process ends.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the symbol variation setting process. In this symbol variation setting process, first, it is determined whether or not the output timer has been set (SC1). The output timer is set in SC7, which will be described later, after command data specifying a special symbol variation pattern (such as a variable display period) is set in the output data storage area. If the output timer is not set, it is determined whether the reach flag is set. The reach flag is set in SA11. When it is determined that the reach flag is set, the value of the reach fluctuation distribution random counter C_RND_RCHA is extracted (SC3). When it is determined that the reach flag is not set, normal fluctuation distribution is performed. The value of the random counter for use C_RND_NR is extracted (SC4). Thereafter, a variation pattern is set based on the value of the random counter extracted in either SC3 or SC4 (SC5).

  The variation pattern set in the basic circuit 53 of the game control board 31 does not specifically specify the display aspect, but simply specifies whether or not the variable display period and the reach state need to be displayed. . When the display control board 40 receives this variation pattern, the display control board 40 uniquely determines an effect mode corresponding to the variation pattern.

  Next, variation pattern data that can identify the set variation pattern is set in the output data storage area (SC6). The output data storage area is an area for storing command data output to the display control board 40. The command data set in the output data storage area is output to the display control board 80 as a change start command in the display control data processing shown in S307 of FIG. Next, an output timer corresponding to the variation pattern is set (SC7). For example, when the variable display period specified by the variation pattern is 29.5 seconds, the time corresponding to the variable display period is set as the output timer. The game control board 31 starts subtraction update of the output timer from the time when the variation pattern data set in the output data storage area is output to the display control board 40, and the timer value of the output timer becomes 0. At that time, the process flag is updated by SC17 described later, and the process proceeds to a big hit start process or a special symbol variation waiting process.

  After the output timer corresponding to the fluctuation pattern is set, it is determined whether or not both the big hit flag and the limiter operation flag are set (SC8). Here, the limiter operation flag is a flag that is set in SD13 of FIG. 14 to be described later when it becomes necessary to operate the probability variation limiter. When the big hit flag is set and the limiter operation flag is set, it is necessary to perform control so that the probability variation big hit does not occur. For this purpose, a special symbol table at the time of the limiter operation is set (SC10). On the other hand, when at least one of the big hit flag and the limiter operation flag is not set, since it is not necessary to control so as not to generate the probability variation big hit, the special symbol table at the normal time is set (SC9). .

  Here, the special symbol table is a table that defines a correspondence relationship between the count value of the random symbol for determining the stop symbol (C_RND_L, C_RND_C, C_RND_R) and the type of the special symbol. In the special symbol table at the normal time, all kinds of special symbols including the probability variation symbol are associated with the count value of the random counter for determining the stop symbol. On the other hand, in the special symbol table at the time of the limiter operation, special symbols excluding the probability variation symbols are associated with the count value of the random counter for determining the stop symbol.

  After the special symbol table is set in SC9 or SC10, special symbol data is extracted from the set special symbol table (SC11). Specifically, when the jackpot flag is set, the jackpot is based on the extracted value of C_RND_L already stored in the left symbol determination bank 0 and the special symbol table set in SC9 or SC10. The symbol is determined. On the other hand, when the big hit flag is not set, the count values of C_RND_C and C_RND_R are extracted, and the extracted values and the extracted value of C_RND_L already stored in the left symbol determination bank 0 and the special value at the normal time Based on the symbol table, the off symbol is determined. When the big hit flag is not set and the reach flag is set, the left and right symbols are determined by the extracted value of C_RND_L. The stop symbol determined in SC11 is a final symbol derived and displayed as a variable display result.

  Next, the fixed symbol data determined in SC11 is set in the output data storage area (SC12). Next, a process of shifting the data of the special symbol determination bank and the left symbol determination bank is executed (SC13). That is, the data in bank 0 is discarded and each data in banks 1 to 3 is shifted to the next bank. Thus, in the case of the special symbol determination bank, the next data (the extracted value of C_RND1 newly shifted to bank 0) is used for the big hit determination process.

  Next, the data stored in the special symbol determination bank 3 is cleared (SC14). This is because it is no longer necessary to hold the stored data in the special symbol determination bank 3 before the data shift due to the data shift by the SC 13, and thus, the extracted value of C_RND 1 corresponding to the new start winning is specially set. It can be stored in the symbol determination bank 3.

  Next, a process of clearing the stored data of the left symbol determination bank 3 is performed (SC15). This is because it is no longer necessary to hold the stored data of the left symbol determination bank 3 before the data shift due to the data shift by SA13, and thus the extracted value of C_RND_L corresponding to the new start winning is left. It can be stored in the symbol determination bank 3.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the output timer is 0 (SC16). When the timer value of the output timer is not 0, it can be determined that the variation of the special symbol is continued in the variable display device 8 because the variable display period corresponding to the variation pattern has not ended. Therefore, in this case, the symbol variation setting process is terminated without performing the process of updating the process flag. As a result, when the special symbol process (see FIG. 9) is executed again, this symbol variation setting processing is executed again, and it is determined that the output timer has been set in SC1, and the output timer is again set in SC16. It is determined whether or not the timer value is zero. If the timer value of the output timer is 0, it can be determined that the condition for deriving and displaying the display result by terminating the variable display of the special symbol in the variable display device 8 is satisfied. Is updated to a value that can execute the symbol determination setting process (SC17).

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the symbol determination setting process. In the symbol determination setting process, first, it is determined whether or not the output timer has been set (SC18). Here, the output timer is a timer that measures a waiting period after a symbol determination command (to be described later) is output to the display control board 80. Since the display control command is not output during the standby period timed by the output timer, the fixed symbol that is stopped and displayed in response to the reception of the symbol fixed command is displayed in the image display area 9 of the variable display device 8. It is in a state where it is continuously displayed for the period.

  If the output timer has not been set, the variable display is terminated (the special symbol variation is terminated), and a symbol confirmation command for displaying the confirmed symbol is set in the output data storage area (SC19). The output data storage area is an area for temporarily storing command data output to the display control board 80. The command data set in the output data storage area is output to the display control board 80 in the display control data processing shown in S308 of FIG. Next, a predetermined timer value is set in the output timer (SC20). The timer value set here is a value corresponding to the waiting period.

  This output timer uses each process (S300 to S307) in order to take timing with display control on the display control board 80 side such as counting the variable display period (fluctuation time) in addition to the above-described continuous display period of the fixed symbol. ) In the required process. Note that the time (update) of the set output timer is performed by display control data processing (S308).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the output timer has become 0 (SC21). If the timer value of the output timer is not 0, the process ends without updating the special symbol process flag. In this case, in the display control data process (S308) executed after the symbol confirmation setting process, the symbol confirmation command set in SC19 is output to the display control board 80, and the output timer is updated. After that, when the process proceeds to the special symbol process process again, the process proceeds to the symbol determination setting process again because the special symbol process flag has not been updated. In such a case, it is determined in SC18 that the output timer has been set, and it is determined again in SC21 whether the timer value of the output timer is 0 or not. If the timer value of the output timer is 0, the fixed symbol continuation display period has ended, so that a determination of YES is made in SC21 and the value of the special symbol process flag can execute the jackpot display processing. It is updated to “5” or a value “1” that can execute the special symbol variation waiting process (SC22). Specifically, when the big hit flag is set, the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to “5”, and when the big hit flag is not set, the value of the special symbol process flag is “1”. Updated to

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the big hit end process. In the jackpot ending process, the symbol confirmation setting process shown in FIG. 9 is finished, and then the jackpot display process (S304), the big prize opening opening process (S305), and the big prize opening opening process (S306) are finished. In this case, the special symbol process flag value is updated to “8”.

  In this jackpot ending process, it is first determined whether or not the output timer has been set (SD1). Here, the output timer is a timer that measures a jackpot end notification continuation period in which the image display for jackpot end notification is continued. If the output timer has not been set, the display data at the end of the jackpot is set in the output data storage area (SD2). Next, the output timer is set to a value corresponding to the jackpot end notification continuation period (SD3). Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the output timer is 0 (SD4). If the timer value of the output timer is not 0, the special symbol process flag value is not updated and the jackpot ending process is once ended. In this case, the display control data processing (S308) is executed next, so that the big hit end display data set in the output data storage area in SD2 is output to the display control board 80, and the output timer is set. Updated. After that, when the special symbol process is executed again, the special symbol process flag is not updated, so the process shifts to the big hit end processing again. It is determined that the output timer has been set in SD1 and output in SD4. It is determined whether the timer value of the timer is zero. If the timer value of the output timer is 0 at this time, the process of loading the left stop symbol is executed because the jackpot end notification continuation period has ended (SD5). The left stop symbol is a left symbol stopped as a fixed symbol in the image display area 9 at that time, and is a symbol corresponding to the fixed symbol data set in SC12.

  Next, the type of the loaded left stop symbol is determined, and it is determined whether the left symbol is a probability variation symbol (SD6). If it is determined that the symbol is a probable variation, a probability variation flag is set (SD7). As a result, the gaming state is changed to a probability variation state. Next, the count value of the probability variation counter is updated by 1 (SD8).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in SD6 that it is not a probability variation symbol, the probability variation flag is cleared (SD10), and the probability variation counter is cleared (SD11). Further, the limiter operation flag is cleared (SD12). Thereafter, the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to a value “1” that can execute the special symbol variation waiting process (S300), and the jackpot ending process ends.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the display control data processing. In the display control data processing, first, an output data storage area is referred to (SX1), and it is determined whether a display control command to be output is stored (SX2). If the display control command to be output is not stored, the process proceeds to SX11 described later.

  On the other hand, for example, when a display control command such as a change start command is stored in the output data storage area and then the display control data processing is performed, a determination of YES is made in SX2. Of the stored 2-byte 1-unit command data, the first MODE data of the first byte is set as output command data (SX3). Next, display control data output processing is executed (SX4). By executing the display control data output process, the MODE data set in SX3 is output to the display control board 80. Details of the display control data output process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, EXT data in the second half of the second byte of command data stored in units of 2 bytes is set as output command data (SX5). Next, an output standby process is executed (SX6). The output waiting process is a process for adjusting the time so that the second byte of EXT data is output after a predetermined period after the output of the first byte of MODE data is completed. Details will be described later with reference to FIG. Note that this output standby processing can be omitted depending on the performance of the display control CPU 101 on the display control board 80 side. That is, the first byte of MODE data and the second byte of EXT data may be continuously transmitted. After the output standby process is completed, a display control data output process (SX7) for outputting the EXT data set in SX5 is executed.

  Next, the type of the output display control data is determined, and it is determined whether or not the display control data is other than the fixed symbol designation command (SX8). The fixed symbol designation command is a command for designating a fixed symbol, and is a command set in the output data storage area in the SC12. When the output display control data is other than the fixed symbol designation command, the output timer set in any one of the processes S300 to S302 and S304 to S307 of the special symbol process processing excluding the symbol determination setting process (S303). The timer value is updated (SX11). Thereby, for example, when the output display control command is a change start command, the timing of the output timer set corresponding to the change pattern in SC7 is started, and the variable display period on the game control board 31 side is started. Is timed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in SX8 that it is a confirmed symbol designation command, it is determined whether or not all the confirmed symbol designation commands have been output (SX9). The fixed symbol designation command needs to output a total of three symbols in order to designate a fixed symbol (scheduled stop symbol) for each left middle right symbol. If all these three confirmed symbol designation commands are output, the process ends after the timer value of the output timer is updated in SX11. If not, the next certain symbol designation command is output. Is set (SX10), and then the timer value of the output timer is updated in SX11, and then the process ends. In this case, when the process shifts to the display control data process again, the next fixed symbol designation command is still stored in SX2, and the process of outputting the fixed symbol designation command is executed in SX3 to SX7. Then, when the output of the third confirmed symbol designation command is completed, a determination of YES is made in SX9.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the output standby process. In this output standby process, first, an output standby counter is set (SX100). The output standby counter is a counter for setting a wait time between data outputs after transmitting the second byte of EXT data after transmitting the first byte of MODE control data of 2 bytes. Next, the output standby counter is subtracted and updated (-1) (SX101). Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the output standby counter is 0 (SX102). If the output standby counter is not 0, the process proceeds to SX101 again. Then, when the output standby counter reaches 0, the output standby process ends. Note that the wait time from the transmission of the MODE data to the transmission of the EXT data, that is, the count value of the output standby counter is set according to the performance of the display control board 80 that is the receiver of the output data as described above. Is done.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining display control data output processing. In the display control data output process, first, output data (output command data) is set in the output port (SY1). Next, the INT signal indicating that the output data signal is valid is set to ON (SY2). Next, an output standby counter is set (SY3). The output standby counter here determines a period for transmitting 1-byte data, that is, a period for maintaining the ON state of the INT signal. The count value of the output standby counter varies depending on the performance of the display control board 80 on the output data receiver side.

  Next, the value of the output standby counter is subtracted and updated (-1) (SY4). Next, it is determined whether or not the value of the output standby counter is 0 (SY5). If the value of the output standby counter is not 0, the process proceeds to SY4 again. Then, when the value of the output standby counter becomes 0, the INT signal is set to OFF (SY6), and the display control data output process ends.

  18 to 21 are explanatory diagrams for explaining display control commands. The display control command is composed of a total of 2 bytes of data including MODE data composed of 1 byte data and EXT data composed of 1 byte data. Of these, MODE data is data that designates the type of display control data. On the other hand, the EXT data is data that specifically designates a specific display control content among the command types indicated by the MODE data. FIG. 18 shows a change start command specified by the MODE data “80H”. FIG. 19 shows special screen command data designated by the MODE data “81H”. FIG. 20 shows fixed symbol designation command data designated by the MODE data “90H” to “92H”. FIG. 21 shows command data for designating a big hit screen designated by the MODE data “82H”.

  First, referring to FIG. 18, eleven types of commands for specifying the display control contents by EXT data “00H” to “0AH” are prepared as the change start commands. Among these, the fluctuation start command corresponding to the EXT data “00H” to “02H” is data of the normal fluctuation pattern 1 to the normal fluctuation pattern 3 that specifies that the reach state is not displayed. The other command data includes a normal reach fluctuation pattern 1 to a normal reach fluctuation pattern 4, a super reach fluctuation pattern 1, a super reach fluctuation pattern 2, a super reach fluctuation pattern 3, and a full-rotation fluctuation pattern that specify that the reach state is to be displayed. Command data. As shown in the figure, a display time (variable display period) is designated by each change start command.

  Normal fluctuation pattern 1 to normal fluctuation pattern 3 are distributed according to the count value of the normal fluctuation distribution random counter shown in FIG. Specifically, the normal fluctuation distribution random counter C_RND_NR is updated in the range of 0 to 2 as shown in FIG. 6, but the value of the normal fluctuation distribution random counter C_RND_NR is extracted in the SC4. Are selected from the normal fluctuation pattern 1 to the normal fluctuation pattern 3 shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, other fluctuation patterns with reach are distributed according to the count value of the random counter for reach fluctuation distribution shown in FIG. Specifically, the reach fluctuation distribution random counter C_RND_RCHA is updated in the range of 0 to 7 as shown in FIG. 6, but the value of the reach fluctuation distribution random counter C_RND_RCHA is extracted in the SC3. Corresponding to the extracted values 0 to 7, the normal reach fluctuation pattern 1 to the normal reach fluctuation pattern 4, the super reach fluctuation pattern 1 to the super reach fluctuation pattern 3, and the full rotation fluctuation pattern shown in FIG. 18 are selected.

  Although various variation patterns corresponding to each variation start command are shown in the figure, the specific effects corresponding to each variation pattern are actually uniquely determined on the display control board 80 side. That is, the information instructed by the change start command is only information on the variable display period. Therefore, as long as the two types of information are followed, it is possible to freely design an effect pattern corresponding to each of the EXT data “00H” to “0AH” and store the design data in the ROM on the display control board 80 side. An example of the variation pattern designed according to the above two types of information is shown in the display content column corresponding to each EXT data shown in the figure. Therefore, for example, the reach of the total rotation variation pattern corresponds to the EXT data “0AH”, but as long as the contents of the “display time (variable display period) T11” designated by the EXT data “0AH” are followed, It is also possible to adopt a variation pattern based on the reach production.

  When a specific display time (variable display period) is designated by a change start command, the display time itself may be designated as a command instead of being designated by the EXT data shown. For example, when the variable display period is 10 seconds, “0AH” that specifies the time may be used as the EXT data.

  Next, referring to FIG. 19, as special screen command data, four types of commands for specifying the display control contents by EXT data “00H” to “03H” are prepared. The power-on screen designated by the EXT data “00H” is data for designating a screen to be displayed in the image display area 9 when the pachinko gaming machine is turned on. Thereby, when the power of the pachinko gaming machine is turned on, a screen with 4 for the left symbol, 4 for the middle symbol, and 5 for the right symbol is displayed. When it is determined that there is no start memory in the customer waiting standby screen 1 specified by the EXT data “01H” and the customer waiting standby screen 2 specified by the EXT data “02H” in the special symbol fluctuation waiting process of FIG. It is a demonstration screen displayed alternately. For example, the customer waiting standby screen 1 is a jackpot display screen, and the customer waiting standby screen 2 is a missed display screen. In SB3 of FIG. 10, a display control command composed of 2 bytes of MODE data “81H” and EXT data “00H” or “01H” is set. The error screen specified by the EXT data “03H” is data for specifying a screen to be displayed in the image display area 9 when an error occurs in the pachinko gaming machine.

  Next, referring to FIG. 20, as the fixed symbol designation command data, command data designated by MODE data “90H”, “91H”, and “92H” for the left symbol, middle symbol, and right symbol, respectively. Is prepared. And a definite symbol is designated by EXT data “00H” to “0EH”. For example, “90H 00H” designates that the left symbol is a numeric symbol “0”, and “91H 01H” designates that the middle symbol is a numeric symbol “1”. Then, “92H 0EH” designates that the determined symbol for the right symbol is “E” for the English symbol.

  Next, referring to FIG. 21, as the big hit screen designation command data, a plurality of types of commands for designating the display control contents by EXT data “00H” to “30H” are prepared. For example, the EXT data “00H” specifies to display the big hit start screen, and the EXT data “01H” specifies to display the big hit first round screen. When a big hit occurs, these commands are output to the display control board 80 in order from the higher order command.

  FIG. 22 is a timing chart for explaining the relationship between the display control command output timing and the variation of the left middle right symbol. When starting the change of the special symbol, first, the change start command “80HxxH” specified by the MODE data “80H” is output from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80. Note that “80H xxH” is any command from “80H 00H” to “80H 0AH” illustrated in FIG. At the timing when this change start command is received by the display control board 80, the simultaneous change of the special symbol is started. As described above, the presence / absence of reach and the variable display period are specified by the type of the change start command. Based on the command, the display control board 80 determines reach contents, presence / absence of jackpot notice effect, and the like.

  Thereafter, when a predetermined time elapses after the simultaneous change of the special symbol is started by outputting the change start command, the three determined symbols corresponding to the left middle right symbols from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80 are displayed. The specified commands are output in order. The figure includes a left symbol design command 1 “90H XXH”, a middle symbol design symbol designation command 2 “91H XXH”, and a right symbol design symbol designation command 3 “92H XX”. It is shown that “H” is output in that order. “XXH” is any one of “00H” to “0EH” shown in FIG. On the display control board 80 side, based on this fixed symbol designation command, the type of the fixed symbol that is finally derived and displayed as the display result is determined.

  As the variation pattern of each symbol, for example, a pattern in which the acceleration variation is changed to the low-speed variation through the high-speed variation, and the fixed symbol is stopped and displayed through the shaking variation. In the timing chart shown in the figure, the left symbol is first switched from the low speed fluctuation to the fluctuation fluctuation, and then the low speed fluctuation is changed to the fluctuation fluctuation in the order of the right symbol and the middle symbol. In addition, a predetermined notice (a big hit notice, a reach notice, etc.) is displayed by an effect method by changing the character or background in the middle of acceleration fluctuation. Furthermore, display for various reach effects is started from the stage when the right symbol is switched from high speed fluctuation to low speed fluctuation.

  A symbol confirmation command is output from the game control board 31 when the variation time Tn specified by the variation start command has elapsed since the simultaneous variation of symbols has started. As a result, the fluctuation of the symbol ends, and the confirmed symbol is stopped and displayed.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 22, from the game control board 31 side to the display control board 80, regarding the change of the special symbol, “change start time”, “determined symbol”, “symbol determined time” Only three types of information are output. The display control board 80 uniquely determines the contents of reach production and the presence / absence of a notice in accordance with these three types of information.

  In addition, since the change start command is output at the timing when the variable display device 8 is variably started, and the symbol confirmation command is output at the timing when the display result is derived and displayed, the display control on the display control board 80 side is performed by these commands. The CPU 101 can specify the variable start time and the time when the display result is derived and displayed. Furthermore, the change start command includes data that can specify a change pattern such as the variable display period and the presence / absence of reach, and the display control CPU 101 can also specify the change pattern in addition to the variable start time by the command. .

  FIG. 23 is a timing chart for explaining display control command data output timing and display control command data capture timing on the display control board 80 side. As described above, the timer interruption time on the game control means (basic circuit 53) side is 2 ms. A display control command is output during the timer interruption time of 2 ms.

  First, the basic circuit 53 starts outputting 1-byte (D0 to D7) MODE data in accordance with the timer interrupt, and switches the INT signal from the invalid state to the valid state. On the display control board 80 side, MODE data is fetched at the timing when the INT signal is switched from the invalid state to the valid state. Thereafter, when a predetermined time elapses, the INT signal is switched from the valid state to the invalid state. Subsequently, output of 1-byte (D0 to D7) EXT data is started, and the INT signal is disabled for a predetermined waiting time, and then switched to a valid state. On the display control board 80 side, EXT data is taken in at the timing of switching to the effective state.

  In this way, the basic circuit 53 of the game control board 31 does not continuously output the same display control command data to the display control board 80, but provides display control by providing a predetermined waiting time. In consideration of the data reception performance on the substrate 80 side, the display control command data is output only once in a manner that the display control substrate 80 side can recognize. Thereby, the processing load when the basic circuit 53 outputs the display control command data to the display control board 80 can be reduced.

  FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram for explaining various random counters used for display control on the display control board 80 side. FIG. 24 shows four types of random counters D_RND_Z1, D_RND_Z2, D_RND_L1, and D_RND_L2.

  D_RND_Z <b> 1 and D_RND_Z <b> 2 are random counters for determining the type of stop symbol other than the fixed symbol designated by the game control board 31. D_RND_Z1 is incremented and updated one by one in display random number processing 1 described later, and is incremented and updated from 0, and is incremented and updated up to 14, which is the upper limit, and then incremented and updated again from 0. D_RND_Z2 is incremented and updated one by one in display random number processing 2 to be described later, and is incremented and updated from 0 to the upper limit of 14, and then incremented and updated again from 0.

  D_RND_L1 is a random counter used to determine a hit line for displaying a confirmed symbol based on a confirmed symbol designation command transmitted from the game control board 31 side. For example, if the confirmed symbol based on the confirmed symbol designation command is a jackpot combination (for example, 777), the hit line for displaying the jackpot combination is determined by this D_RND_L1. On the other hand, when the confirmed symbol based on the confirmed symbol designation command is a combination of deviations (for example, 123), a hit line for displaying the combination of deviations is determined by this D_RND_L1. D_RND_L1 is incremented and updated one by one in display random number processing 1 to be described later, is incremented and updated from 0, and is incremented and updated to 20 which is the upper limit thereof, and then incremented and updated again from 0.

  D_RND_L2 is a random counter used to determine the number of hit lines displayed in the image display area 9. D_RND_L2 is incremented and updated one by one in display random number processing 2 described later, and is incremented and updated from 0, and is incremented and updated up to 20 which is the upper limit thereof.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining a display control main process executed by the display control CPU 101 of the display control board 80. In the display control main process, first, a process of initializing the RAM 101a, I / O, VDP and the like is executed (S601). Subsequently, an INT interrupt process is executed (S602). Details of the INT interrupt processing will be described later with reference to FIG. Next, display random number update processing 1 is executed (S603). By executing the display random number update process 1, addition updating of D_RND_Z1 and D_RND_L1 shown in FIG. 24 is performed. Next, the process proceeds to S602, and the processes of S602 and S603 are repeatedly executed.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart for explaining timer interrupt processing. A timer interrupt occurs every 2 ms, for example. At the time of the timer interruption that occurs every 2 ms, the timer interruption process shown in the figure is executed and display control is performed. In the timer interrupt process, first, a display control process process is executed (S701). The display control process is a process for performing various displays in the image display area 9 according to the value of the display control special symbol process flag. Details will be described later with reference to FIG. Next, display random number update processing 2 is executed (S702), and D_RND_Z2 and D_RND_L2 shown in FIG. 24 are added and updated.

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining the INT interrupt processing. In the INT interrupt process, first, it is determined whether or not a command reception completion flag is set (S501). The command reception completion flag is a flag that is set in S512 or S515 described later when reception of one unit of display control command is completed. If the command reception completion flag is not set, the process proceeds to S503. If it is determined that the command reception completion flag is set, the command reception flag is reset (S502), and then the process proceeds to S503. To do. The command reception flag is a flag that is set in S506 (to be described later) when the INT signal is switched from the invalid state (off state) to the on state (valid state), and indicates that display control command data is being received. It is a flag to show.

  In S503, it is determined whether or not the INT signal is in an on state (valid state). If the INT signal is not on, the process ends. If the INT signal is on, it is determined whether the command receiving flag is set on (S504). If the command receiving flag is already set to ON, the process proceeds to S507 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that the command reception flag is not yet set to ON, the pointer is cleared (pointer = 0) (S505), and then the command reception flag is set and the command reception completion flag is reset. Processing is performed (S506). The pointer shown in S505 is for designating the address of the display control command storage area for storing the received data when one of the two bytes constituting the display control command data is received. Is.

  Next, a process of saving the received data in the display control command storage area indicated by the pointer is executed. For example, when the processing of S507 is executed after the pointer is cleared in S505, the first byte of the display control command data is saved in the head area of the display control command storage area. .

  Next, it is determined whether or not the stored data is a symbol variation start command (S508). If it is determined that it is a symbol variation start command, a process of updating the pointer by 1 is executed (S510), and it is then determined whether or not the pointer after the addition update is 2 (S511). ). As described above, since the symbol variation start command is composed of a pair of data of MODE data and EXT data, if the value of the pointer after the addition update in S510 is 2, the display control command is already displayed. The second byte of EXT data is stored in the storage area, and one unit of symbol variation start command is stored. Therefore, if it is determined in S511 that the pointer value is 2, a command reception completion flag is set (S512), and the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in S511 that the value of the pointer has not yet reached 2, the process ends without setting the command reception completion flag.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the display control command received in S508 is not a symbol variation start command, it is determined whether or not the type is a confirmed symbol designation command (S509). If it is not a confirmed symbol designation command, the process proceeds to S510 described above, but if it is determined to be a confirmed symbol designation command, a process of updating the pointer by 1 is executed in S513. Next, it is determined whether or not the pointer value after the addition update is 6 (S512). As described above, a total of three defined symbol designating commands are output corresponding to the left, middle, and right symbols, and each command is composed of a pair of data of MODE data and EXT data. If the value of the pointer after the addition update in S514 is 6, it means that all of the three confirmed symbol designation commands have been received. Therefore, in this case, a command reception completion flag is set (S515), and the process ends. On the other hand, when the value of the pointer has not reached 6, since the reception of all the confirmed symbol designation commands has not been completed, the processing is terminated without setting the command reception completion flag.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining the display control process. In this display control process, after the command process (S800) is executed, each process of S801 to S805 is executed according to the value indicated by the display control process flag. In FIG. 28, special symbol process flag values are shown as PF1 to PF5 on the left shoulders of steps S801 to S805.

  Command processing (S800) is processing for determining the type of the received display control command and updating the value of the display control process flag to a value corresponding to the type of the display control command. Details will be described later with reference to FIG. The variation display process (S801) is a process of setting the variation content of the symbol. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The symbol determination process (S802) is a process for ending variable display of symbols, the big hit display process (S803) is a process for performing display control during the big hit state, and the display screen process (S804) is a demonstration. The error display process (S805) is a process for displaying that information when the gaming machine is in an error state. Detailed description of these S802 to S805 will be omitted.

  FIG. 29 is a flowchart for explaining command processing. In the command processing, first, it is determined whether or not a command reception completion flag is set (S901). If the command reception completion flag is not set, the process ends. If the command reception completion flag is set, it is determined whether there is a command reception flag (S902). If there is a command receiving flag, the process ends. If there is no command receiving flag, the contents of the received command are determined in S903, S905, S907, and S909. That is, if it is determined that the command is a change start command (YES in S903), the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to a value that can execute the change display process (S904), and the process ends. If it is determined that the content of the received command is a symbol determination command (YES in S905), the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to a value at which symbol determination processing can be executed (S906), and the process ends. . If it is determined that the received command is a jackpot command (YES in S907), the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to a value at which the jackpot display process can be executed (S908), and the process ends. .

  If it is determined that the content of the received command is a display screen command (YES in S909), the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to a value that allows display screen processing (S910), and the process ends. . If it is determined that the received command is neither a change start command nor a symbol confirmation command, neither a big hit command nor a display screen command, the value of the special symbol process flag is updated to a value that can execute error display processing ( S911), the process ends. The case where the value of the special symbol process flag is updated in S911 is a case where the received command is an uncontrollable command (for example, garbled data).

  FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the count value extracted from D_RND_L1 and D_RND_L2 and the hit line. FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram showing the position of the hit line in the image display area 9 of the variable display device 8. The display control CPU 101 on the display control board 80 side determines the hit line as follows.

  When the extracted value of the random counter D_RND_L1 is 0, as shown in FIG. 30, the hit line 1 becomes a hit line for displaying the fixed symbol, and the fixed symbol is arranged on the hit line indicated by 1 in FIG. Display controlled. When the extracted value of the random counter D_RND_L2 is any of 0 to 7, it is determined that only the hit line 1 is displayed as shown in FIG. 30, and only the hit line indicated by 1 in FIG. Appears in the image display area 9.

  When the extracted value of D_RND_L1 is 1 or 2, the hit line indicated by 2 in FIG. 31 is the hit line on which the fixed symbol is displayed. When the extracted value of D_RND_L2 is any one of 8 to 13, display control is performed so that two hit lines indicated by 1 and 2 in FIG. 31 appear in the image display area 9.

  When the extracted value of D_RND_L1 is any one of 3 to 5, the line indicated by 3 in FIG. 31 is a hit line on which the fixed symbol is displayed. When the extracted value of D_RND_L2 is any one of 14 to 16, display control is performed so that three hit lines 1, 2, and 3 in FIG. 31 appear. In this way, the position of the hit line where the confirmed symbol is displayed is determined based on the extracted value of D_RND_L1 according to the table of FIG. 30, and displayed in the image display area 9 based on the extracted value of D_RND_L2 according to the table shown in FIG. The number of hit lines is determined.

  As described above, since the number of hit lines and the hit line for displaying the fixed symbol are determined not on the game control board 31 side but on the display control board 80 side, the basic circuit 53 of the game control board 31 side is determined. The control burden can be reduced. Also, by changing only the control program on the display control board 80 side without changing any control program on the game control board 31 side, the number of hit lines can be increased or decreased, and the development burden can be reduced. The control contents described above will be described later with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a symbol setting table for storing data for displaying special symbols displayed in the image display area 9. If a confirmed symbol (scheduled stop symbol) is determined by a fixed symbol designation command (see FIGS. 20 and 22), it is determined which of the 1 to 6 hit lines shown in FIG. The determined symbol data is stored in the symbol data storage location corresponding to the determined hit line.

  For example, when the line 3 shown in FIG. 31 is determined to be the hit line for displaying the fixed symbol and the fixed symbol is determined to be “7”, the first byte and the second row in the first row and the first column in FIG. The symbol code corresponding to the jackpot symbol “7” is stored in the 5th byte in the 2nd column and the 9th byte in the 3rd row and the 3rd column, and in other symbol data storage locations, a stop symbol to be described later with reference to FIG. The symbol data determined by the setting process is stored.

  FIG. 33 is a flowchart for explaining the variable display process. This variation display process is a process executed in S801 of FIG. In the variable display process, a fixed symbol setting process (S1001), a stop symbol setting process (S1002), and a display line setting process (S1003) are executed in order. The fixed symbol setting process (S1001) will be described with reference to FIG. 34, the stop symbol setting process (S1002) will be described with reference to FIG. 35, and the display line setting process (S1003) will be described with reference to FIG. .

  FIG. 34 is a flowchart for explaining the fixed symbol setting process. In the fixed symbol setting process, first, the stop symbol display setting table is cleared (S1101). Thereby, the previous symbol data stored in the stop symbol display setting table shown in FIG. 32 is cleared, and the final symbol data can be stored. Next, the value of D_RND_L1 is extracted (S1102). Next, a hit line for stopping and displaying a confirmed symbol is determined among the hit lines shown in FIG. 31 based on the extracted value of D_RND_L1, and the stop symbol display setting table corresponding to the determined hit line is stored in the storage area of the stop symbol display setting table. The symbol data based on the confirmed symbol designation command is set (S1103), and the confirmed symbol setting process ends.

  FIG. 35 is a flowchart for explaining the stop symbol setting process. In the stop symbol setting process, first, an address of a stop symbol display setting table (symbol setting table) is designated (S1201). As shown in FIG. 32, the stop symbol display setting table has nine 3 × 3 symbol data storage areas. In S1201, first of all, the first symbol data storage area among the nine symbol data storage areas. The address of the storage area is specified. Next, it is determined whether or not symbol data has already been set at the designated address (S1202). If the symbol data has already been set, the address value is updated to a value designating the address of the next storage area (S1203), and again in the symbol data storage area specified by the updated address in S1202. It is determined whether or not symbol data has already been set. By executing S1202 and S1203, a symbol data storage area in which symbol data is not stored is detected. In this case, NO is determined in S1202 and the value of D_RND_Z1 is extracted (S1204). Subsequently, the symbol data is determined based on the extracted value of D_RND_Z1, and the determined symbol data is set in the symbol data storage area corresponding to the designated address (S1205). Next, based on the symbol data set in S1205, it is determined whether or not a jackpot arrangement occurs (S1206). This determination is performed to determine whether or not a symbol that will be a big hit (for example, a scrambled symbol) is obtained as a result of setting a new symbol in S1205. Originally, the shifted symbol is stored in the symbol data storage table. It is to check whether the combination of symbols of the big hit happens to happen despite the schedule. If it is determined that the unscheduled jackpot arrangement is established, D_RND_Z2 is extracted (S1207), and the symbol data based on the extracted value is temporarily replaced with the symbol data stored at the designated address and set. As a result, when an unscheduled jackpot symbol combination is established, it is adjusted so that the symbol combination is forcibly removed.

  Next, the address value designating the symbol data storage area is updated (S1208). Next, the updated address value is referred to, and it is determined whether or not symbol data has been set in all symbol data storage areas (S1209). If there is a symbol data storage area for which symbol data has not yet been set, a NO determination is made in S1209, and the process is temporarily terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in S1209 that the symbol data has been set in all symbol data storage areas, the all symbols set flag is set (S1210), and the stop symbol setting process ends. The all symbols set flag is a flag indicating that the symbol data storage processing in the symbol data storage table has been completed.

  FIG. 36 is a flowchart for explaining the display line setting process. In the display line setting process, first, the value of D_RND_L1 already extracted in S1102 is read (S1301), and then the value of D_RND_L2 is extracted (S1302). Next, the hit line number determined based on D_RND_L1 (see FIG. 31) and the hit line number determined based on the value of D_RND_L2 are compared, and the hit line number is greater than the number of appearing lines. It is determined whether it is larger (S1303). If the hit line number is larger than the number of appearance lines, the number of display lines is set based on the extracted value of D_RND_L1 (S1306). On the other hand, if NO is determined in S1303, it is determined whether or not the arrangement based on the symbol designated by the confirmed symbol designation command is a jackpot arrangement (S1304). In the case of an out-of-order arrangement, the number of display lines is set based on the extracted value of D_RND_L1 in S1306. On the other hand, in the case of a big hit arrangement, the number of display lines is set based on the extracted value of D_RND_L2 (S1305). By executing the processing of S1303 to S1306, the number of lines is likely to increase in the case of big hits compared to the case of loss. After the number of display lines is set in S1305 or S1306, the display line setting process ends.

  In this display line setting process, when the number of hit lines to be displayed is determined, depending on the arrangement relationship of the symbols other than the fixed symbol set in the stop symbol setting process described above, the line other than the hit line where the fixed symbol is displayed There is a possibility that a reach state is established in the hit line. For example, referring to FIG. 31, when the hit line for displaying the fixed symbol is determined to be 1 and the number of hit lines to be displayed is determined to be 6, the fixed symbol set in the stop symbol setting process If there is a combination that matches two big hit symbols of the same type in the hit line other than line number 1 among the symbols other than, the reach state is established in the hit line other than the hit line on which the confirmed symbol is displayed. It will be. In this way, it is possible to display the reach state on a hit line different from the hit line for displaying the definite symbol, and this can widen the range of effects.

  FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance pattern of special symbols displayed separately in the image display area 9 and the hit line at each appearance stage. First, as shown in FIG. 37A, the identification information (special symbol) is variably started by the left middle right variable display unit (identification information generation unit) 203. In that state, the hit line is one side.

  Next, FIG. 37B shows a state in which two pieces of identification information (special symbols) are generated separately from the left variable display unit 203 and two special symbols (generation identification information) 201 are displayed. . In this state, the hit line is a total of two hit lines, one horizontal row and one vertical row.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 37 (c), one symbol is separated from the middle variable display portion 203 and one special symbol is displayed. In this state, there are three hit lines, one in the horizontal direction, one in the vertical direction, and one in the two diagonal directions. Next, a state where two symbols are separated from the right variable display unit 203 and two special symbols are displayed is shown in FIG. In this state, there are a total of five hit lines: one in the horizontal direction, two in the vertical direction, and two on the diagonal diagonal.

  FIG. 37E shows a state in which one symbol is further separated from the middle variable display unit 203 and two extracted symbols are displayed from this state. In this state, there are six hit lines, one in the horizontal direction, three in the vertical direction, and two on the diagonal diagonal.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 37, after the three variable display sections are variably started in the mode of FIG. 37A in which only one hit line is formed, a plurality of hit lines are formed. Since the number of hit lines is increased and the number of hit lines can be increased, a greater sense of expectation can be given to the player. In particular, as described with reference to FIG. 36, the number of lines is more likely to increase in the case of a big hit than in the case of a loss, so that the player's expectation is not betrayed.

  FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating a screen example of variable display by the image display area 9. As shown in FIG. 38 (a), at the time of variable start, identification information (special symbols) is variably displayed on the three variable display sections 203. The number of hit lines at this time is one, and the line number is 1 shown in FIG. Thereafter, an image in which the character 202 shoots the left variable display portion 203 is displayed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 38B, the symbol 201 that is changing upward is separated from the left variable display portion 203 and displayed.

  Furthermore, when the character 202 shoots the left variable display portion 203 once again and the middle variable display portion 203, the changing symbol is displayed above the left variable display portion 203 as shown in FIG. Two symbols are displayed, and one symbol that is changing is displayed separately above the middle variable display portion 203. In this state, a total of two hit lines, one in the horizontal direction and one in the vertical direction, are generated.

  After that, if the character 202 fires the middle variable display unit 203 again and further fires the right variable display unit 203 twice, as shown in FIG. Two symbols appear, and two symbols that fluctuate above the right variable display unit 203 appear. As a result, a total of 8 hit lines of 3 in the horizontal direction, 3 in the vertical direction, and 2 in the oblique direction are generated.

  In this manner, after the special symbol variable display is started, the number of symbols that are changing in the middle of the display is sequentially increased, so that the number of hit lines is increased and the player's expectation is enhanced.

  Thereafter, all the special symbols are stopped, and the state shown in FIG. At this time, the confirmed symbols based on the confirmed symbol designation command transmitted from the game control board 31 are arranged on a hit line determined on the display control board 80 side. For example, in FIG. 38 (e), the determined symbols are arranged in the hit line number 3 shown in FIG. Furthermore, if all the special symbols are stopped as described above, the symbol display frame corresponding to the hit line determined on the display control board 80 side is emphasized as shown in FIG. Displayed. Thereby, the player can easily identify the confirmed symbol.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 38 (f), the number of symbols and the arrangement of the variable display portions return to the state shown in FIG. 38 (a) at the start of the change, and the confirmed symbols received in advance from the game control board 31. The display result based on the confirmed symbol according to the specified command is displayed.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 38, after the three variable display sections are variably started in the mode of FIG. 38A in which only one hit line is formed, a plurality of hit lines are formed. When the display result is displayed and then the display result is displayed, the player can enjoy the change in the display state and the display result is derived and displayed. Again, it becomes easy to identify that the display result has been derived and displayed because it is in the variable start mode.

  FIG. 39 is a specific example in which the character 202 inflates soap bubbles, and the number of appearing soap bubbles hits and the lines are different. At the beginning of the variable display, as shown in FIG. 39A, when two special symbols 201 are displayed and then the character 203 inflates a soap bubble, identification information (special symbol) is contained in the soap bubble. It is displayed and the number of special symbols increases. FIG. 39 (b) shows a state where the number of special symbols is five, and FIG. 39 (c) shows a state where the number of special symbols is increased to eight. If it will be in the state shown by this FIG.39 (c), the display control which shows a definite symbol will be made. Specifically, the display is highlighted so that three of the eight soap bubbles are surrounded by the black frame shown in the figure, thereby showing three definite symbols. Thereby, the player can easily identify the confirmed symbol. At this time, the determined symbols based on the determined symbol designation command transmitted from the game control board 31 are arranged on the hit line determined on the display control board 80 side. For example, in FIG. 39 (c), the confirmed symbol is 7 and is arranged in the hit line number 3 shown in FIG. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 39 (d), only the confirmed symbol “7” is displayed in the image display area 9 according to the confirmed symbol designation command received in advance from the game control board 31, and the other soap bubble symbols are Disappear.

  FIG. 40 is a diagram showing a display screen of the image display area 9. FIG. 40 shows a specific example in which the number of hit lines sequentially increases due to the separation of special symbols that are changing. As shown in FIG. 40 (a), if only the left, middle and right symbols start to change in a state where only one horizontal hit line is configured, and reach the left and right symbols, the state shown in FIG. 40 (b) is obtained. Thus, a predetermined symbol (6 in FIG. 40) of the middle symbols is temporarily stopped. As a result, the display state is once changed. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 40 (c), the two symbols are split from the middle symbol that is stopped. One of the symbols moves below the left stop symbol, and accordingly, the left stop symbol moves upward. On the other hand, the other symbol of the split symbol moves above the right stop symbol, and accordingly, the right stop symbol moves downward. As a result, as shown in FIG. 40 (d), special symbols are displayed in the image display area 9 in two rows and three columns, and the hit line increases from one horizontal line to two diagonal diagonal lines. . Note that the symbol pattern to be split is different from the special symbols that are stopped to the left and right so that the player can easily identify the type of the symbol.

  Thereafter, the middle symbol starts to change again, and as shown in FIG. 40 (e), the middle symbol is once again stopped and displayed. Next, as shown in FIG. 40 (f), the middle symbol is split again, and as shown in FIG. 40 (g), the hit line is changed from two diagonal diagonal lines to two diagonal diagonal lines and one horizontal line. Increase to 3 books. FIG. 40 (g) shows the reach state established by two diagonal diagonals and one horizontal. Thereafter, for example, as shown in FIG. 40 (h), when "7" is derived and displayed on the middle symbol, a big hit is generated by one horizontal hit line. At this time, the confirmed symbol [7] based on the confirmed symbol designation command transmitted from the game control board 31 is in a state of being arranged on a hit line determined on the display control board 80 side.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 40 (i), the display state of the image display area 9 is set to a display state constituted by one horizontal hit line at the time of variable start, and the confirmed symbol received from the game control board 31 in advance. Only three confirmed symbols are displayed in the image display area 9 according to the designation command.

  FIG. 41 shows a modification of the display content shown in FIG. After reaching the three-line reach state shown in FIG. 40 (g), only the middle symbol is scroll-displayed. However, in the display example shown in FIG. 41, the winning symbol “7” is placed on one horizontal hit line. When passing, the jackpot symbol that is lined up on one side hit line is displayed from the back side to the front side of the other symbol (striped pattern), and then when the jackpot symbol “7” passes, As shown in 41 (b), the reach design of the horizontal line is displayed on the back side of the other design (design shown by the stripe pattern). With the display shown in FIG. 41, the player can easily recognize that the big hit symbol has passed as the middle symbol, and the player's expectation for the big hit can be improved.

  FIG. 42 is a diagram for explaining another display example in which the number of hit lines is increased and displayed during the variation of the special symbol. FIG. 42A shows the display state of the special symbol before the change is started. In this display state, the hit line is limited to one horizontal line. A part of the symbol following the hit line is displayed on the top and bottom of one hit line. In the display state, the change of the special symbol is started as shown in FIG. After that, when the left symbol and the right symbol are stopped and the reach state is displayed, as shown in FIG. 42 (c), the symbol is reduced and displayed in the scroll direction. The number increases to 5 in total, 2 diagonals and 3 horizontals. Note that the number of hit lines may be increased by reducing the symbol interval from the beginning without reducing the size of the symbol. In FIG. 42A, a part of the symbols arranged above and below the effective line is displayed, but a part of the symbols may not be displayed.

  After the number of hit lines increases as shown in FIG. 42 (c), all symbols are stopped and displayed as shown in FIG. 42 (d). In FIG. 42 (d), large hits are arranged on diagonal diagonal hit lines. After that, the display state of the image display area 9 becomes the display state before the start of the change, and the diagonal diagonal jackpot arrangement is changed to the jackpot with respect to the initial effective line of the horizontal row, and as shown in FIG. A display result based on the confirmed symbol based on the confirmed symbol designation command transmitted from the control board 31 is derived and displayed.

  FIG. 43 is a diagram for explaining a display example when the reach line is changed during the change of the symbol. As shown in FIG. 43 (a), after reach is established in the two horizontal hit lines, the vertical position of the right symbol is switched as shown in FIG. 43 (b). As a result, the reach line is changed to two diagonal diagonal lines. If the reel arrangement of the right symbol and the reel arrangement of the left symbol are the same, reach cannot be established on the diagonal line as shown in FIG. 43 (b), but as shown in FIG. 43 (a). By changing the positions, it is possible to form reach lines on diagonal diagonal lines after reach is established.

  FIG. 44 shows an example of a screen on which the reach state is displayed. As shown in FIG. 44 (a), after 7 and 6 are stopped and displayed as the left symbols, then 9 and 8 are stopped and displayed as the right symbols, and after reaching the display state where reach is not established, The symbol 8 at the bottom of the symbol is replaced with the symbol 7 once passed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 44 (b), a reach line with the symbol 7 is formed in the diagonal line.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 45 to 56. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that, in the first embodiment, three confirmed symbol designation commands are output for each symbol, but in the second embodiment, one confirmed symbol is output. The point is that the type of all confirmed symbols is designated by the designation command.

  FIG. 45 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a random counter used by the basic circuit 53 in the second embodiment. FIG. 45 shows four types of random counters C_RND1, C_RND_K, C_RND_Z, and C_RND_RCH.

  Compared to FIG. 6 described as the first embodiment, the jackpot determination random counter C_RND1 is used in the second embodiment in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  C_RND_K is a random counter that is used to determine whether or not the jackpot is to be a promiscuous jackpot when it is determined to be a jackpot by the extracted value of C_RND1. In the second embodiment, the probability variation symbol indicating the probability variation jackpot is set to one type of the number symbol “7”, and the big hit symbol indicating the normal jackpot other than the probability variation jackpot is determined to be one type of the number symbol “0”. It has been. Therefore, if it is determined that the probability variation big hit is determined by this C_RND_K, the big hit symbol is uniquely determined to be the number symbol “7”, and if it is determined that the normal big hit is normally determined, the big hit symbol is accordingly a number. It is uniquely determined to the symbol “0”. For this reason, this C_RND_K is also configured as a counter that determines the type of jackpot symbol. This random counter is alternately updated to 0 and 1 every 0.002 seconds.

  C_RND_Z is a random counter that is used to determine the type of a symbol to be a definite symbol when it is determined to be a symbol by the extracted value of C_RND1. This random counter is incremented by one for every carry of C_RND1.

  C_RND_RCH is a random counter for variation pattern distribution used for determining a variation pattern. Unlike the first embodiment, the C_RND_RCH counter value defines both fluctuation patterns in the two cases of displaying the reach state and not displaying the reach state. C_RND_RCH is added from 0 and added up to 11 which is the upper limit thereof, and then added again from 0. C_RND_RCH is incremented by 1 every timer interrupt, that is, every 0.002 seconds, and every interrupt processing surplus time.

  FIG. 46 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a confirmed symbol designation command according to the second embodiment. The fact that it is a fixed symbol designation command is indicated by MODE data “90H” as in the first embodiment. When the EXT data of this fixed symbol command command is “00H”, it is normally designated to be a big hit and the fixed symbol to be 0, and when it is “01H”, it is assumed to be a probable big hit and the fixed symbol is 7 Is specified. Further, in the case of “02H”, it is designated that the symbol is to be removed and the fixed symbol is 4, and in the case of “03H”, it is designated that the symbol is to be detached and the final symbol is 5. ", It is designated to be off and 6 as the confirmed symbol. Whether or not to make a big hit is determined based on the value of the big hit determination random counter C_RND1, and whether or not to make a positive change is determined based on the value of the random change determination random counter C_RND_K. Further, the type of the symbol that is lost is determined based on the value of the random symbol C_RND_Z. Specifically, if the extracted value of the random symbol display random counter is 0, the confirmed symbol is set to 4, if it is 1, the confirmed symbol is set to 5, and if it is 2, the confirmed symbol is set to 6. The

  Thus, in the second embodiment, the number of confirmed symbol designation commands is reduced as compared with the first embodiment, so that the game control burden of the basic circuit 53 is reduced.

  FIG. 47 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a change start command in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, a plurality of types of change start commands are defined as in the first embodiment, and a variable display period (display time) and a change pattern are specified by each change start command. The basic circuit 53 determines which of a plurality of types of variation patterns based on the extracted value of the motion distribution random counter C_RND_RCH, and sends a variation start command to the display control board 80 according to the determination result. Output. FIG. 47 also shows the correspondence between the extracted value of the motion distribution random counter C_RND_RCH and the variation pattern. Note that the extracted value shown in parentheses of the motion distribution random counter C_RND_RCH indicates a distribution mode when the display result is a big hit, and values other than parentheses indicate that the display result is out of place. This shows the distribution mode. Action setting table defining the correspondence between the extracted value and the fluctuation pattern shown in parentheses of the random counter for motion distribution C_RND_RCH, and the extracted values and fluctuations other than the parentheses of the random counter for motion distribution C_RND_RCH Both the off-time operation setting table that defines the correspondence with the pattern are stored in the ROM 54 of the basic circuit 53. This jackpot operation setting table or loss operation setting table is set in SC102 or SC103, which will be described later with reference to FIG. It should be noted that the fluctuation pattern for which the extracted value of the random counter for motion distribution is not shown is a command that is not used.

  The change start command in the second embodiment is indicated by MODE data “80H” as in the first embodiment, and the detailed specification content is specified by EXT data. For example, when the extracted value of the motion distribution random counter C_RND_RCH is 0, the normal fluctuation pattern 1 or the normal reach fluctuation pattern 1 is selected. Whether the normal fluctuation pattern 1 or the normal reach fluctuation pattern 1 is selected depends on whether or not the extracted value of the big hit determination random counter is the big hit determination value. If it is a big hit determination value, the normal reach fluctuation pattern 1 with reach is selected, and if not, the normal fluctuation pattern 1 with no reach is selected. For example, when the normal variation pattern 1 is selected, a variation start command “80H 00H” for designating the display time T1 is also set. On the other hand, when the normal reach fluctuation pattern 1 is selected, a fluctuation start command “80H 03H” for designating the display time T4 is also set.

  FIG. 48 is a flowchart for explaining the special symbol determination process 2. Compared with FIG. 11 shown as the special symbol determination process of the first embodiment, in this special symbol determination process 2, it can be seen that steps SA9 to SA11 related to the setting of the reach flag are deleted. This is because, in the second embodiment, whether or not to reach the reach state is determined by the value of the motion distribution random counter C_RND_RCH extracted in SC 105 described later.

  Since the special symbol determination process 2 is the same as the special symbol determination process already described with reference to FIG. 11 except that SA9 to SA11 are deleted, the detailed description of the special symbol determination process 2 beyond this is as follows. Omitted.

  FIG. 49 is a flowchart for explaining the symbol variation setting process 2. This symbol variation setting process 2 is a process executed in place of the symbol variation setting process of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the symbol variation setting process 2, it is first determined whether or not the output timer has been set (SC101). If the output timer has not been set, it is determined whether or not the big hit flag has been set. (SC102). When the big hit flag is set in SA6 of FIG. 48, the above-mentioned big hit operation setting table is set (SC103), and when the big hit flag is not set, the above-mentioned lost time operation setting table is set. (SC104).

  Next, the value of the random counter for fluctuation distribution C_RND_RCH is extracted (SC105), and the fluctuation pattern is set as shown in FIG. 47 using the operation setting table set in either SC103 or SC104. (SC106).

  Next, variation pattern data capable of specifying the set variation pattern is set in the output data storage area (SC107), and an output timer corresponding to the variation pattern is set (SC108). Next, it is determined whether or not the jackpot flag is set (SC109). If the jackpot flag is set, the value of C_RND_K is extracted (SC110), and if the jackpot flag is not set, C_RND_Z Are extracted (SC111). Then, based on the value extracted in SC110 or SC111, special symbol data for designating a confirmed symbol is extracted (SC112). For example, when the big hit flag is set and the value of C_RND_K is extracted, it is determined in this SC 112 whether to make a probable big hit or a normal big hit, and the type of big hit symbol. In addition, when the value of C_RND_Z is extracted because the big hit flag is not set, the type of shift symbol is determined in this SC112.

  Next, the fixed symbol data determined in SC112 is set in the output data storage area (SC113), and then the process of shifting the data of the special symbol determination bank in which the value of C_RND1 is stored is executed (FIG. SC114). That is, the data in bank 0 is discarded and each data in banks 1 to 3 is shifted to the next bank. As a result, the next data (the extracted value of C_RND1 newly shifted to bank 0) is used for the big hit determination process. Next, the data stored in the special symbol determination bank 3 is cleared (SC115). As a result, the extracted value of C_RND1 corresponding to the new start winning can be stored in the special symbol determination bank 3. In the second embodiment, the left symbol determination bank as in the first embodiment is not used.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the timer value of the output timer is 0 (SC116). When the timer value of the output timer is not 0, it can be determined that the variation of the special symbol is continued in the variable display device 8 because the variable display period corresponding to the variation pattern has not ended. Therefore, in this case, the symbol variation setting process is terminated without performing the process of updating the process flag. As a result, when the special symbol process is executed again, this symbol variation setting process is executed again. It is determined in SC101 that the output timer has been set, and in SC116, the timer value of the output timer is set to 0 again. It is determined whether or not. When the timer value of the output timer is 0, it can be determined that the variable display of the special symbol in the variable display device 8 is finished and the display result is derived and displayed. The value is updated to a value at which the big hit start process or the special symbol variation waiting process can be executed (SC117), and the process ends.

  FIG. 50 is an explanatory diagram for explaining various random counters used on the display control board 80 side in the second embodiment. FIG. 50 shows D_RND_P, D_RND_K, and D_RND_SAI unique to the second embodiment, in addition to the random counters D_RND_Z1 and D_RND_Z2 shown in FIG. 24 corresponding to the first embodiment.

  D_RND_P is a fixed symbol display position determining random counter for determining a position for displaying a fixed symbol. This random counter is incremented and updated one by one in the display random number processing 1 and is incremented and updated from 0 to the upper limit of 2 and then incremented and updated again from 0.

  D_RND_K is a used counter (number of symbols) determining random counter for determining the number of symbols of one reel. This random counter is incremented and updated one by one in the display random number process 1, and is incremented and updated from 0 to the upper limit of 5 and then incremented and updated again from 0.

  D_RND_SAI is a re-reach area number determination random counter for determining the number of re-reach areas described later. This random counter is incremented and updated one by one in the display random number processing 2, and is incremented and updated from 0 to the upper limit of 3 and then incremented and updated again from 0.

  FIG. 51 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the correspondence between the extracted value of the used reel (number of symbols) determination random counter D_RND_K and the number of symbols of one reel determined thereby. In the second embodiment, the number of symbols for one reel is determined based on the extracted value of the used reel (number of symbols) determination random counter D_RND_K and the type of the determined symbol. As shown in the figure, when the confirmed symbol is an outlier symbol, the number of symbols on one reel is one of five symbols, eight symbols, and ten symbols. In the case where the confirmed symbol is a symbol for probability variation, the number of symbols on one reel is any one of 2 symbols, 5 symbols, 8 symbols, and 10 symbols. When the confirmed symbol is a jackpot symbol other than the probable variation symbol, the number of symbols per reel is one of one symbol, two symbols, five symbols, and eight symbols. Which of the number of symbols is determined is determined based on the extracted value of D_RND_K. For example, if the confirmed symbol is an outlier symbol, the number of symbols for 1 reel is set to 5 symbols according to the extracted value 0 of D_RND_K, and the number of symbols for 1 reel is set to 8 symbols according to the extracted values 1 to 2. The number of symbols per reel is determined to be 10 symbols according to the values 3 to 5. When the confirmed symbol is a probable big hit symbol, the number of symbols for one reel is set to 2 according to the extracted value 0, the number of symbols for one reel is set to 5 according to the extracted values 1 to 2, and the extracted values 3 to 4 are used. The number of symbols per reel is 8 symbols, and according to the extracted value 5, the number of symbols per reel is 10 symbols.

  As can be easily understood from the corresponding relationship shown in the figure, the number of symbols per reel is designed such that the definite symbols are reduced in the order of “out of”, “big hit”, and “probable big hit”. Thus, the smaller the number of symbols per reel, the greater the player can expect from the big hit. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the display contents of the reel and the big hit probability from being different from each other.

FIG. 52 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the reels displayed in the image display area 9.
As shown in FIG. 46, the basic circuit 53 on the game control board 31 side determines any one of 0, 4 to 7 as a fixed symbol. That is, the symbols recognized by the basic circuit 53 are only six symbols 0, 4-7. A reel composed of symbols recognized by the basic circuit 53 is shown in FIG. On the other hand, the display control CPU 101 on the display control board 80 side is configured to be able to perform display control by including symbols other than symbols recognized by the basic circuit 53 in one reel. The reels that can be selectively controlled by the display control CPU 101 are shown in (1) to (5) of FIG. (1) shows the case where the number of symbols per reel is 1, (2) shows the case where the number of symbols per reel is 2, and (3) the number of symbols per reel is 5 Shows the case. Further, (4) shows the case where the number of symbols per reel is 8, and (5) shows the case where the number of symbols per reel is 10. In this way, the display control CPU 101 can independently display symbols that the basic circuit 53 does not recognize. Among these symbols, “0” and “7” are jackpot symbols, and the other symbols are all off symbols. Of the jackpot symbols of “0” and “7”, “7” is a probability variation symbol. As described with reference to FIG. 51, the big hit expectation degree increases as the number of symbols per reel decreases, and increases as the number of symbols increases.

  The change in the number of symbols arranged on one reel as described above is performed in association with the start of fluctuation, and is returned to the original reel arrangement when the symbols are determined. In this way, it is possible to distinguish between the case where the display control board 80 (the display control CPU 101) performs the production independently and the case where it does not.

  FIG. 53 is a flowchart for explaining the display symbol setting process. The display symbol setting process is a process executed by the display control CPU 101 on the display control board 80 side. In this display symbol setting process, first, a confirmed symbol designation command output from the game control board 31 side is extracted (S2101). Next, based on the extracted confirmed symbol designation command, it is determined whether or not the confirmed symbol is an off symbol (S2102). As shown in FIG. 46, when the EXT data is any of “02H to 04H”, it is determined that the symbol is out of position. In this case, the reel is set by the reel arrangement setting value at the time of loss (S2103). Transition. More specifically, the out-of-reel reel arrangement determination value is a determination value corresponding to “specific symbol = out of the determination” shown in FIG.

  If it is determined in S2102 that the confirmed symbol is a winning symbol, that is, as shown in FIG. 47, if the EXT data is “00H” or “01H”, the type of the confirmed symbol is based on the EXT data. Is determined to be a numerical symbol “0” (S2104). If the confirmed symbol type is the numeric symbol “0”, the reel is set based on the jackpot reel arrangement determination value because it is not a probability variable symbol (S2105). The jackpot reel arrangement determination value is specifically a determination value corresponding to “determined symbol = hit” among the determination values shown in FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined that the confirmed symbol is not “0”, that is, since the confirmed symbol is the probability variation symbol “7”, the reel is set by the reel variation determination value at the probability variation (S2106). Specifically, the reel arrangement determination value at the time of probability variation is a criterion value corresponding to “determined symbol = probability variation” among the determination values shown in FIG.

  After the reel is set in any of S2103, S2105, or S2106, the value of the fixed symbol display position determining random counter D_RND_P is extracted (S2107), and then the stop symbol is determined based on the extracted value. It is set to which of the left, middle and right reels the character display indicating this is to be displayed (S2108). For example, when it is determined to set to the left reel, as shown in the left symbol of FIG. 56 (h), a character 580 indicating that the symbol is a confirmed symbol is displayed.

  Next, the values of the symbol display random counters D_RND_Z1 and D_RND_Z2 are extracted (S2109). The symbol display random counters D_RND_Z1 and D_RND_Z2 are random counters for determining a stop symbol other than the fixed symbol. Next, whether or not the symbols corresponding to the extracted values of D_RND_Z1 and D_RND_Z2 are within the range of the reel set in any of S2103, S2105, and S2106, that is, exists in the reel for which the symbol is set. It is determined whether or not to perform (S2110). If it exists, the process proceeds to S2112. If it does not exist, the extracted values of D_RND_Z1 and D_RND_Z2 are adjusted so that the symbols exist in the set reel (S2111). Next, a character symbol other than the fixed symbol is set (S2112), and the process ends. Note that the character symbols other than the confirmed symbols are symbols other than the confirmed symbols shown in FIG. 56 (h). Specifically, after starting the change of the special symbol, when the temporary display result is derived and displayed, the symbol is stopped together with the fixed symbol. For example, “6”, “5”.

  FIG. 54 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the correspondence relationship between the number of re-reach areas determined by the re-reach determination random counter D_RND_SAI and the determined symbol. In this second embodiment, even if the display mode is once out of reach, the display area of the symbol is divided into a plurality of areas and then displayed in the plurality of areas. Reach may be established in some of these areas. This reach is called re-reach. The number of re-reach areas is determined as shown on the basis of the extracted value of D_RND_SAI and the type of the fixed symbol. For example, when the confirmed symbol is an outlier symbol, the number of re-reach areas is determined to be 0 according to the extracted values 0 to 2 of D_RND_SAI, and the number of re-reach areas is determined to be 1 according to the extracted value 3. Here, when the number of re-reach areas is set to 0, re-reach is not established. When the definite symbol is a probable variation symbol, the number of re-reach regions is set to 2 according to the extraction value 0 of D_RND_SAI, and the number of re-reach regions is set to 3 according to the extraction values 1 to 3. Furthermore, when the confirmed symbol is a winning symbol other than the probability variation symbol, the number of re-reach areas is set to 2 according to the extracted value 1 of D_RND_SAI, and the number of re-reach areas is set to 3 according to the extracted values 2 to 3. Since the number of re-reach areas is set as described above, the probability that a larger number of re-reach areas is set is higher in the case of big hit, and in particular, the number of re-reach areas is more likely in the probability variation big hit than in the case of normal big hit. The probability of setting many increases. For this reason, the more the number of re-reach areas is displayed, the more the player can expect a variable display.

  FIG. 55 is a flowchart for selecting the re-reach setting process. The re-reach setting process is a process executed by the display control CPU 101 on the display control board 80 side.

  In this re-reach setting process, first, a confirmed symbol designation command is extracted (S2201). Next, based on the extracted confirmed symbol designation command, it is determined whether or not the confirmed symbol is a missing symbol (S2202). If the symbol is a missing symbol, a re-reach area is set according to the judgment value at the time of loss (S2203). Here, the determination value at the time of detachment is specifically a determination value corresponding to “determined symbol = displacement” shown in FIG.

  If it is determined that the confirmed symbol is not a missing symbol, it is determined whether or not the confirmed symbol is 0 (S2204). If the confirmed symbol is 0, a re-reach area is set based on the big hit determination value (S2205). Here, the big hit determination value is specifically a determination value corresponding to “determined symbol = big hit” shown in FIG. If it is determined in S2204 that the confirmed symbol is not 0, that is, if it is determined that the confirmed symbol is the probability variation symbol “7”, the re-reach area is set based on the probability variation hit judgment value (S2206). Here, the probability change determination value is specifically a determination value corresponding to “determined symbol = probability variation” shown in FIG.

  After the re-reach area is set in any one of S2203, S2205, and S2206, the re-reach setting process ends.

  FIG. 56 is a diagram showing a display screen displayed in the image display area 9 as the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, for example, after the left middle right symbol starts simultaneous fluctuation, as shown in FIG. 56 (a), the display mode of detachment is temporarily stopped. It should be noted that “7” in the display result of the loss is a fixed symbol determined by the basic circuit 53 of the game control board 31. “5” and “6” are symbols set as character symbols in S2112 of FIG. Next, as shown in FIGS. 56 (b) to 56 (g), a re-reach effect is performed. As shown in FIG. 56B, the display state of “657” is split into three. That is, here, an effect corresponding to the number of re-reach areas = 3 shown in FIG. 54 is provided.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 56 (c), reach by “6” and “7” is established in the split regions 9A and 9C split left and right among the split regions 9A to 9C. In addition, about the center division | segmentation area | region 9B, it is set as the display state of detachment. Thereafter, the display mode is changed as shown in FIG. 56D for the three split regions 9A to 9C. Here, the split region 9B “653” with the lowest expected degree of big hit is displayed the smallest, and the next highest expected split region 9A “6 ↓ 6” is displayed with a medium size, with the highest expected degree. A large split region 9C “7 ↓ 7” is displayed. “↓” indicates that the symbol is scrolled in that direction. Next, as shown in FIG. 56 (e), all symbols stop in each split region. Each split region is sequentially moved and displayed clockwise in FIGS. 56 (e) and 56 (f). At the time of this movement display, the size of each split region is sequentially changed. When the predetermined time has elapsed, as shown in FIG. 56 (g), the movement display is stopped and the largest split region 9C is selected. Next, as shown in FIG. 56 (h), the display contents are switched, and only the split region 9C displayed the largest in FIG. 56 (g) is displayed in the image display region 9, and the character 580 is confirmed. Displayed in the part. This display indicates to the player that the confirmed symbol is “7”. The character 580 is erased after being displayed for a certain period of time. In addition, this fixed symbol is a symbol based on the fixed symbol designation command transmitted from the game control board 31 side.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 57 to 62. In the third embodiment, only the data designating either the out-of-game or the big hit is transmitted as the definite symbol designating data.

  FIG. 57 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a random counter used by the basic circuit 53 on the reach control board 31 side. Compared to FIG. 45 described as the second embodiment, in the third embodiment, the same random counter as in the second embodiment is used except that C_RND_Z is not used. That is, a big hit determination is made by C_RND1, a probability variation determination is made by C_RND_K, and a variation pattern is distributed by C_RND_RCH.

  In particular, in the third embodiment, when it is determined that the probability variation jackpot is determined by the probability variation determination random counter C_RND_K, for example, after the end of the specific gaming state based on the jackpot or during the specific gaming state, By making the display (display consisting of 7 segments) a predetermined mode, it is notified that the probability is changed. Therefore, depending on the display control by the display control board 80 side, it is not notified that the probability is changed. Instead of this, after the end of the specific gaming state, a display control command indicating that the probability is changed is output to the display control board 80, or a display control command indicating that the probability is changed during the big hit round. A predetermined extraction screen may be output to the display control board 80 and displayed in the image display area 9.

  FIG. 58 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a confirmed symbol designation command. As shown in the figure, the MODE data “90H” indicates that the command is a definite symbol designation command. Further, it is designated by EXT data “00H” that the confirmed symbol is a big hit symbol 0, and it is designated by EXT data “01H” that the confirmed symbol is an outlier symbol 1.

  FIG. 59 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a change start command. In the third embodiment, one of the variation patterns 1 to 5 is selected based on the extracted value of the motion distribution random counter C_RND_RCH. In the figure, the extraction value in parentheses is the extraction value that is adopted when it is determined to be a big hit, and is adopted when it is determined that the extraction values other than parentheses are out of sync. Extracted value. For example, when it is determined to be a big hit based on the extracted value of the big hit determination random counter, and the extracted value of the random counter for motion distribution is 0, the variation pattern 1 is selected. When the variation pattern 1 is selected, “80H 00H” is set as the variation start command. By this change start command, it is instructed that the change pattern is 1 and the variable display period is T1.

  As shown in FIG. 59, the adoption rate of the variation pattern when it is determined to be the big hit increases in the order of the variation patterns 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. On the other hand, the adoption rate of the variation pattern when it is determined to be out of order increases in the order of the variation patterns 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 on the contrary. Therefore, the degree of expectation of jackpot increases in the order of the variation patterns 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

  FIG. 60 is a timing chart for explaining the correspondence between display control commands and symbol variations.

  When the game control board 31 receives a change start command for the display control board 80, the variable display period Tn is specified based on the command, and the change of the symbol is started. Further, the effect display pattern in the middle of the variation of the symbol is uniquely determined on the display control board 80 side in accordance with the variation start command, and the effect display uniquely determined when the variation start section a ends from the start of the variation. Is started.

  Further, following the change start command, a confirmed symbol designation command is received. On the display control board 80 side, it is recognized by this fixed symbol designation command whether the display result is a big hit or not.

  Immediately before the end of the variable display period Tn specified by the change start command, a fixed command waiting section b is set as shown in the figure. The display control board 80 waits for the symbol confirmation command to be transmitted from the game control board 31 in the confirmation command waiting section b. When the symbol confirmation command is transmitted, the display result designated by the certain symbol designation command is derived and displayed.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 60, the change start command is output at the timing when the variable display device 8 is variably started, and the symbol confirmation command is output at the timing when the display result is derived and displayed. Thus, the display control CPU 101 on the display control board 80 side can specify the variable start time and the time when the display result is derived and displayed. Furthermore, the change start command includes data that can specify the change pattern, and the display control CPU 101 can specify the change pattern in addition to the variable start time by the command.

  61 is an explanatory diagram for describing a specific example of the variation patterns 1 to 5 illustrated in FIG. 60. The display control board 80 sets, for example, the following display contents based on the change start command output from the game control board 31.

  When the EXT data is “00H”, the symbols are displayed in the order of A, A, and A. When the EXT data is “01H”, the symbols are displayed in the order of A, B, and A. As understood from the correspondence between the extracted value of the motion distribution random counter C_RND_RCH and the variation pattern shown in FIG. 59, the jackpot expectation value increases in the order of the variation pattern 1 to the variation pattern 5. As a result, the big hit expectation is higher in the display of the symbols A, B, and C corresponding to the variation pattern 5 than in the display of the symbols A, A, and A corresponding to the variation pattern 1.

  FIG. 62 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a display screen displayed in the image display area 9 as the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the symbol that is variably displayed is one of symbols A to C that appear by the action of the character. In addition, the missed hit is indicated by ○ ×.

  FIG. 62A shows the previous variable display result. This display result is “x”, indicating that it is out of place. For example, when a variable display is possible based on the start-up memory, the display screen is switched to display contents as shown in FIG. Here, a display effect is provided in which the character 640 hides the design with the curtain 641. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 62 (c), the character 640 moves down the curtain 641, and a symbol appears there. Next, as shown in FIG. 62 (d), after the character 640 pulls up the curtain 641 again, an operation of lowering the curtain is performed as shown in FIG. 62 (e). Thereby, the symbol B is displayed. Thereafter, similarly, after the variable display by the variation pattern 5 (see FIGS. 59 and 61) shown in FIGS. 62 (f) and 62 (g) is made, as shown in FIG. 62 (h), the game control board The display result according to the fixed symbol designation command received in advance from 31 is shown. In FIG. 62 (h), “◯” is displayed, indicating that it is a big hit.

As described above, in the third embodiment, the symbols are sequentially displayed by raising and lowering the curtain 641, and the expectation of the jackpot varies depending on the display order and the type of display. Can be increased step by step.
Next, modifications and feature points of the embodiment described above are listed below.
(1) “Command information capable of specifying the determination result of the identification information determining means can be output to the variable display control means, and the command information capable of specifying the determination result of the variable display period determining means is variably displayed. As the command information output by the “command information output means that can be output to the control means”, a variation start command and a confirmed symbol designation command are taken as examples. From the game control board 31 at a timing different from the variation start command and the confirmed symbol designation command. It was configured to output to the display control board 80. However, instead of this, for example, the fixed symbol data may be included in the change start command, and the variable display period and the fixed symbol may be designated by one command.
(2) The reach state includes a variable display device having a plurality of variable display units capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information. After the plurality of variable display units start variably, the display of the plurality of variable display units In the gaming machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state advantageous to the player when the result is a combination of specific identification information on at least one hit line among the multiple hit lines, In a stage where a part of the display result of the variable display unit is not yet derived and displayed, the display result that has already been derived and displayed is the specific result on at least one hit line of the plurality of hit lines. A display state that satisfies the conditions for a combination of identification information.

  In other words, the reach state is a combination of the specific identification information even when the variable display control of the variable display device progresses and reaches a stage before the display result is derived and displayed. A display mode that does not deviate from the display condition. For example, the reach state includes a state in which variable display by the plurality of variable display units is performed while maintaining a state where the combination of the specific identification information is aligned.

The reach state is a display state at the time when the variable display control of the variable display device progresses to reach a stage before the display result is derived and displayed, and before the display result is derived and displayed. It means a display state in a case where at least a part of the determined display results of the plurality of variable display sections satisfies a condition for combining the specific identification information. In addition, some reach is likely to generate a big hit when it appears compared to a normal reach. Such a specific reach is called super reach.
(3) Although A, B, and C in FIG. 61 are used as symbols, they may indicate the development of production display. For example, in a high jump in track and field, “A-run, B-jump, cross over C-bar” and “○ -jump over, x-failure” indicate “A-prepare run, B-run, C- As in the case of “jump”, the confirmed symbol itself may be configured as a part of the result of the production.
(4) The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

Specific examples of means for solving the problem

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 includes a variable display device including a plurality of variable display units capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information, and after the plurality of variable display units start variably, display results of the plurality of variable display units are A gaming machine is configured that can be controlled to a specific gaming state advantageous to the player when a combination of specific identification information is obtained on at least one winning line among a plurality of winning lines.

  The variable display device 8 constitutes a variable display device having a plurality of variable display portions capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information. 37 to 44 and 56, a plurality of variable display portions of the variable display device 8 are shown. The identification information is composed of special symbols. A specific example of a plurality of types of identification information variably displayed on the variable display section is shown in FIG. 52, for example. The plurality of hit lines are constituted by 1 to 6 in FIG. And the combination of the said specific identification information is comprised by the aspect that three big hit symbols (for example, 7) are arranged in any of the hit lines. The specific game state is configured by the big hit state.

  The game control board 31 (basic circuit 53) constitutes game control means for controlling the gaming state of the gaming machine. The variable display control means for performing variable display control for deriving and displaying the display results of the plurality of variable display sections after the plurality of variable display sections are variably started by the display control board 80 (display control CPU 101). Variable display control means capable of controlling the display of the combination of the identification information on any of the book hit lines is configured.

  The specific game state determination means for determining whether or not to enter the specific game state is configured by SA5 and SA6 in FIGS. SC11 in FIG. 12 and SC112 in FIG. 49 constitute identification information determining means for determining a combination of identification information to be derived and displayed as display results in the plurality of variable display sections in accordance with the determination of the specific gaming state determining means. Yes. SC15 in FIG. 12 and SC106 in FIG. 49 determine a variable display period for determining a variable display period from when the plurality of variable display sections are variably started until display results of the plurality of variable display sections are derived and displayed. Means are configured. By the display control data processing step shown in FIG. 15, command information that can specify the determination result of the identification information determination unit can be output to the variable display control unit, and the determination result of the variable display period determination unit is displayed. Command information output means capable of outputting identifiable command information to the variable display control means is configured. Command information that can specify the determination result of the identification information determination means is configured by the fixed symbol designation command. Command information that can specify the determination result of the variable display period determination means is configured by the change start command.

  34, the hit line selection means for selecting the hit line for deriving and displaying the combination of the identification information determined by the identification information determination means from the plurality of hit lines is formed. ing. In FIG. 22 or 60, the variable display control means variably starts the plurality of variable display sections based on the command information (variation start command) output from the command information output means. Has been. Further, according to FIGS. 38 (e), 39 (c), and 40 (h), the variable display control means determines the identification information determined by the identification information determination means for the hit line selected by the hit line selection means. It is disclosed that a combination of these is derived and displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 40 (g), the variable display control means starts to variably start the plurality of variable display sections, and then also on a hit line different from the hit line selected by the hit line selection means. Reach status can be displayed. That is, in FIG. 40G, “7” two horizontal aligned lines are the hit lines selected by the hit line selecting means, and not only in that direction but also in the diagonal hit lines, The reach state by “6” and “8” is displayed. The process for performing such control is executed in the stop symbol setting process shown in FIG.

  In addition, the variable display control means is provided by the identification information determining means on the hit line selected by the hit line selecting means, as shown in the emphasis frame in FIG. 38 (e) or 39 (c), for example. When the determined combination of identification information is derived and displayed, a predetermined identification display effect that can identify that the combination of identification information is a display result of the plurality of variable display units is performed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 38, the mode of the variable display section at the start of the variation is the first mode shown three side by side, and only one hit line is formed. Thereafter, the variable display portion is increased to a second mode of 3 rows and 3 columns as shown in FIG. 38D, and a plurality of hit lines are formed. And when a display result is decided, as shown in Drawing 38 (f), it returns to the 1st mode. As a result, “the variable display control means starts a plurality of variable display units displayed in a predetermined first mode, and then changes the plurality of variable display units to a second type different from the first mode. And switching the plurality of variable display units to the first mode when displaying the display results of the plurality of variable display units is disclosed. The variable display control means starts variably starting the plurality of variable display parts displayed in the first mode in which only one hit line is formed, and then the plurality of hit display lines are moved to the plurality of variable display parts. “Switching to the first mode when the variable display control is continued by switching to the formed second mode and displaying the display results of the plurality of variable display units” is disclosed. Has been. Further, as described above, the variable display control means can control to increase the number of the hit lines after variably starting the plurality of variable display units.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the command information output means changes the predetermined command information (variation start command) at a timing (timing in accordance with the start of variation) related to the timing of variably starting the plurality of variable display units. The variable display control unit can output predetermined command information (symbol confirmation command) at a timing (timing for ending the fluctuation) related to a timing for deriving and displaying the display results of the plurality of variable display units. Can be output to the means.

  18, 47, and 59 show a plurality of types of variation patterns specified by the variation start command. Control programs and image data for effect display such as display contents in the reach state corresponding to these fluctuation patterns are stored in the ROM 102, VDP 103, and character ROM 86 on the display control board 80 side. An effect display corresponding to various variation patterns is performed according to the control program. Thereby, it is disclosed that the variable display control means can perform the effect display in any of a plurality of predetermined effect patterns after the variable display units are variably started. Has been. In addition, the command information (variation start command) output at a timing related to the timing of variably starting the plurality of variable display units includes information (reach presence / absence, variable display period) necessary for specifying the effect pattern. Variation pattern data that can be specified, etc.).

  As shown in FIG. 5, the input buffer circuit 105 is provided on the display control board 80, and the output buffer circuit 63 is provided on the game control board 31. As a result, information is transmitted between the game control means and the variable display control means by one-way communication from the game control means to the variable display control means. As described above with reference to FIG. 23, the basic circuit 53 outputs the same type of display control command only once in a manner that can be recognized by the display control CPU 101 on the display control board 80 side. Thus, it is disclosed that the command information output means outputs the same type of command information only once in a manner recognizable by the variable display control means.

Effects of specific examples of means for solving the problem

With respect to claim 1, eliminates the need to manage per line in Yu skill control means side, thereby, possible to reduce the game control unit side of the processing burden related to the display control of the variable display device and that Do.

It is a whole front view which shows the pachinko game machine of an example of the game machine with which the card unit was adjacent. It is a whole rear view which shows the partial internal structure of the pachinko game machine with which the card unit was adjacent. It is a rear view of the game board of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a block diagram which shows a part of circuit structure in a game control board. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit circuit structure in a display control board with CRT which implement | achieves an image display. It is a figure which shows the various random counters which the basic circuit by the side of a game control board uses for game control. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process sequence which determines whether it becomes a jackpot as a result of the variable display of the special symbol based on the starting memory when there exists a starting memory. It is a flowchart which shows the game control main process and interruption process which are performed by the basic circuit. It is a flowchart for demonstrating special symbol process processing. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the special symbol fluctuation waiting process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a special symbol determination process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a symbol fluctuation | variation setting process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a symbol determination setting process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating jackpot end processing. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a display control data process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an output standby process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a display control data output process. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a display control command. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a display control command. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a display control command. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a display control command. It is a timing chart for demonstrating the relationship between the output timing of a display control command, and the fluctuation | variation of a left middle right design. It is a timing chart for demonstrating the output timing of display control command data, and the data taking-in timing of the display control command by the display control board side. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the various random counters used for display control by the display control board side. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the display control main process which CPU for display control of a display control board performs. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a timer interruption process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating INT interruption processing. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a display control process process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating command processing. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the relationship between the counter value of a random counter, and a hit line. It is explanatory drawing which shows the position of the hit line in the image display area of a variable display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the symbol setting table which stores the display data of the special symbol displayed on an image display area. It is a flow chart for explaining change display processing. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a fixed symbol setting process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a stop symbol setting process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a display line setting process. It is a figure which shows the example of the appearance pattern of the special symbol isolate | separated and displayed in an image display area, and the hit line in each appearance stage. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of the variable display in an image display area. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of the variable display in an image display area. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of the variable display in an image display area. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the modification of the display content shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example of a display displayed by increasing the number of hit lines during the change of a special symbol. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a display in the case of changing a reach line in the middle of the change of a special symbol. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a screen of an image area | region. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the random counter which a basic circuit uses. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a display control command. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a display control command. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the special symbol determination process 2. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining symbol variation setting processing 2; It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the various random counters used by the display control board | substrate side. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the correspondence of the extraction value of a use reel determination random counter, and the number of symbols of 1 reel determined by it. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the reel displayed on an image display area. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a display symbol setting process. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the correspondence of the area number of the re-reach determined by the random counter for re-reach determination, and a definite symbol. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a re-reach setting process. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of an image display area. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the various random counters used for game control by the game control board side. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a display control command. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a display control command. It is a timing chart for demonstrating the correspondence of a display control command and the fluctuation | variation of a symbol. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a display control command. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen of an image display area.

Explanation of symbols

  9 Image display area, 31 Game control board, 53 Basic circuit, 56 CPU, 63 Output buffer circuit, 80 Display control board, 101 Display control CPU, 101a RAM, 102 Control data ROM, 103 VDP, 105 Input buffer circuit

Claims (1)

Including a variable display device having a plurality of variable display units capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information, and after the variable display units start variably, the display results of the plurality of variable display units are on a plurality of hit lines A gaming machine that can be controlled to a specific gaming state advantageous to the player when a combination of specific identification information is obtained on at least one hit line of
Game control means for controlling the gaming state of the gaming machine;
After the plurality of variable display portions is varied initiated based on a control command transmitted from the recreation control unit, and a variable display control means for performing a variable display control for deriving display the display result of the plurality of variable display portions Including
The game control means includes
Specific game state determination means for determining whether or not to set the specific game state;
A variable time determining means for determining a variable time from the start of variably starting the plurality of variable display sections until the display result of the plurality of variable display sections is derived and displayed;
As the control command, a variable time command indicating a variable time determined by the variable time determining means and a display result command for specifying a determination result of the specific gaming state determining means are variable in the plurality of variable display portions. Command transmission means for transmitting only once when starting, and transmitting a confirmation command when the variation time has elapsed,
The variable display control means includes
A hit line selection means for selecting a hit line for deriving and displaying a combination of identification information corresponding to the display result command from the plurality of hit lines;
A hit line selected by the hit line selection means based on the confirmation command transmitted from the command transmission means when a change time indicated by the change time command has elapsed since the variable display portions are variably started. A gaming machine, wherein a combination of identification information corresponding to the display result command is derived and displayed.

Images