JP5484437B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

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

In general, for gaming machines such as pachinko machines, the winning prize of the ball at the starting prize opening provided on the game board is a big win (also called “special prize”) / outage lottery by the built-in program, and the result of lottery In the case of jackpot, a predetermined game value is given to the player. Moreover, the gaming machine is equipped with a device for performing various effects corresponding to the lottery results. For example, the gaming machine may include an effect symbol display device such as a liquid crystal display that variably displays a special symbol for notifying an actual lottery result composed of a plurality of numbers, figures, etc. and an effect symbol composed of a video such as a character. There is something in the game board. The reason for performing the display of the effect symbol and the display of the special symbol separately is that there are legal restrictions on the effect regarding the display for the special symbol used for the actual lottery result notification. This is because it does not display a big hit or miss according to laws and regulations, and is positioned as an effect display screen for attracting players, and thus is not subject to laws and regulations related to display imposed on special symbols. Therefore, the degree of freedom of the method of expressing the effect symbol is higher than that of the special symbol, and the gaming machine manufacturer can make the effect symbol a variety of variations. In addition, the production symbol can also represent a variety of reach actions that cannot be expressed in a special symbol. In this way, by providing an effect design including an effect function separately from the special design, it is possible to perform an elaborate effect that does not get the player bored, and the game performance can be further enhanced. Note that “reach” uses multiple symbol rows (usually 3 rows) and 2
This is a display state that satisfies the condition that the display result that is already stopped and displayed is a combination of winning symbols (the same symbol) (a combination of jackpot symbols), and the symbol pattern of the column is stopped first. It is a production that brings expectations to the stop, and “reach action”
It is a series of productions during reach.

The above gaming machine is a big hit when three rows of symbols stop at the same symbol. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a gaming machine having three rows of symbols. Therefore, a gaming machine is disclosed that aims to greatly increase the jackpot combination without significantly increasing the jackpot symbol. In this gaming machine, the display mode displayed on the other display units excluding one of the plurality of display units of the display device is one of a plurality of jackpot symbols.
When the symbol is the same as the symbol of the type (in the case of reach), the symbol displayed on the remaining one display is a common symbol that is valid in common with the jackpot symbol displayed on the other display It is also judged as a big hit. Therefore, in this gaming machine, in addition to the stop symbol “777”, there is a common display mode (in this case, the symbol “A”) that is effective for all jackpot display modes, such as “77A”. Even if displayed, the combination is a big hit.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing an example of a control unit in a conventional gaming machine. As shown in the figure, the control unit mainly includes three control units: a main control unit 210, a sub-control unit 240, and a display control unit 270. Here, control units other than the main control unit may be collectively referred to as an effect control unit. The main control unit 210 determines reach, jackpot, probability variation, loss, etc., various commands to the sub-control unit 240 according to a random number generated internally based on the detection of the game ball by winning the start winning opening. And overall control of the gaming machine. The main control unit 210 also controls the special symbol display device 102 that displays special symbols. The sub-control unit 240 transmits a command for controlling the display control unit 270 based on the command transmitted from the main control unit 210, and controls the blinking of lamps provided in the game area, etc., and the speaker of the gaming machine Control of the sound output from the player, and control of the movable object for performance such as character figures provided in the game area etc. by controlling the rotation of the motor. The display control unit 270 controls the effect symbol display device 103 such as a liquid crystal display device based on the command transmitted from the sub control unit 240.

Specifically, the variation mode in the effect symbol display device 103 is displayed on the screen of the effect symbol display device 103 when the main control unit 210 transmits a change pattern command (reach, jackpot, or loss). This command is selected / determined by a command for instructing the variation pattern of the effect design). The main control unit 210 includes a variation pattern command for instructing the variation pattern of the effect design,
An effect designating command for instructing a combination of stop symbols of the effect symbols is transmitted to the sub-control unit 240. The sub control unit 240 transmits the change pattern command and the liquid crystal display command created from the effect designating command to the display control unit 270. Upon receiving the variation pattern command, the display control unit 270 instructs the effect symbol display device 103 to perform the specified effect operation for the variation time specified by the variation pattern command. The display control unit 270 that has received the liquid crystal display command instructs the effect symbol display device 103 to stop the effect symbol.

Next, with reference to FIG. 30, the relationship between the combination of special symbols and the combination of effect symbols in the case of a jackpot and a loss is described. As shown in FIG. 30, the main control unit 210 takes out the jackpot symbol random number from the jackpot special symbol random number loop counter when the jackpot random number is taken out at the time of winning the start opening, that is, in the case of jackpot. The jackpot design random number is 0-99.
There are 100 ways. For example, when the jackpot symbol random number “3” is extracted, the main controller 210
Displays “03” as a special symbol on the special symbol display device 102. Next, the main control unit 2
10 transmits an effect symbol designation command (command ID is “B1” H) including the value “07” H corresponding to the special symbol “03” as EVENT to the sub-control unit 240. The effect designating command is converted into a liquid crystal display command by the sub-control unit 240 and transmitted to the display control unit 270. The display control unit 270 that receives the liquid crystal display command controls the effect design display device 103, and The effect symbol which is changing in the effect symbol display device 103 is stopped by the combination of “777”. The correspondence between the effect designating command and the liquid crystal display command will be described later with reference to FIG. On the other hand, the main control unit 210 takes out a deviating symbol random number from the deviating special symbol random number loop counter when the deviating random number is taken out at the time of winning the start opening, that is, in the case of deviating. There are 21 out-of-range design random numbers from 0 to 20. For example, when the off symbol random number “1” is extracted, the main control unit 210 displays “−1 (hyphen 1)” as the special symbol on the special symbol display device 102. Next, the main control unit 210 sends a special symbol “−1”, that is, an effect symbol designation command (command ID is “B1” H) including the value “0A” H corresponding to the disengaged state to the sub-control unit 240. Send. The effect designating command is converted into a liquid crystal display command by the sub-control unit 240 and transmitted to the display control unit 270. The display control unit 270 that has received the liquid crystal display command determines an out symbol (a stop symbol in the out mode) based on the variation pattern command separately received from the sub-control unit 240, and produces the effect symbol display device 103.
The effect design which is changing is stopped at the stop design.

Next, the correspondence relationship between the effect symbol designation command and the liquid crystal display command will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating the contents of the effect designating command transmitted from the main control unit 210 to the sub-control unit 240 and the liquid crystal display command transmitted to the display control unit 270 by the sub-control unit 240 that has received the command. According to FIG. 31, the command includes a “command ID” part (sometimes referred to as a “MODE” part) for identifying the transmitted command itself and grasping the gaming state, and in the identified gaming state, "EV" for identifying the specific control information type
This is a 2-byte command composed of two parts called “ENT” part.

The “command ID” part of the production design designation command is all “B1” H, and “EVENT”
The part is one of 11 values “00” to “0A” H. Further, the “command ID” portion of the liquid crystal display command is “B2” H or “B1” H, and “EVENT”
The part is a value from “00” to “09” H. As can be seen from this figure, regarding the special effect symbols 0 to 9 at the time of big hit, the value of the “EVENT” portion of the effect symbol designating command and the value of the “EVENT” portion of the liquid crystal display command are the same. Therefore, for example, when the jackpot symbol random number “3” is extracted at the time of jackpot, the main control unit 210 sets “B1” H + “
07 ”H (command ID + EVENT) effect symbol designation command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 240 (special effect symbol 7 designation), and the sub-control unit 240 that has received the effect symbol designation command“ B ”
2 ”H +“ 07 ”H (command ID + EVENT) command for liquid crystal display is displayed control unit 2
70. Upon receiving the liquid crystal display command, the display control unit 270 performs control to stop the effect symbol being variably displayed on the effect symbol display device 103 by a combination of “777”.
As described above, the main control unit 210 changes the command ID portion indicating the gaming state and transmits it.
On the other hand, at the time of detachment, the main control unit 210 uses “B1” H + “0A” as an effect designating command.
“H” is transmitted to the sub-control unit 240 (special effect design 10 designation), and the sub-control unit 240 that has received the effect design designation command displays “B1” H + “00” H as the liquid crystal display command. Send to. In this case, the display control unit 270 performs control to stop the effect symbols being variably displayed on the effect symbol display device 103 with a combination of deviations.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-21281

As described above, the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes three symbol rows, and in order to increase the jackpot combination, for example, the symbol “A” is effective in common with the jackpot symbol. It is a thing. However, Patent Document 1 is a gaming machine that has a plurality of vertical and horizontal multiple rows, for example, three vertical rows and three horizontal rows, and changes the symbols in either the vertical direction or the horizontal direction. The gaming machines that are jackpots by stopping at the jackpot symbol (including five bonus jacks, including common symbols that are valid for jackpot symbols in order to increase jackpot combinations) are disclosed. It has not been. In other words, there is no disclosure about increasing the line that leaves a potential for jackpots when reaching.

On the other hand, in the prior art shown in FIG. 30, since the stop symbol in the case of jackpot is determined corresponding to the combination of special symbols, the main control unit 210 has a special symbol in the case of jackpot (
It is necessary to store in advance a design symbol designation command corresponding to each special symbol in the data area of the ROM every 100 types). Therefore, the proportion of the design symbol designation command occupying the data area of the ROM is not small, and it is possible to newly store new control information and the like necessary for expanding the function (specification) of the gaming machine in the ROM. The situation is becoming difficult due to capacity limitations. Furthermore, in the case of a jackpot, the main control unit 210 needs to transmit a production symbol designation command corresponding to 100 types of special symbols to the sub-control unit 240, so the command creation processing and transmission processing by the main control unit 210 are complicated. Yes, the load on the CPU in the main controller 210 is large. Since the main control unit itself creates commands for designating presentation symbols and transmits them to the sub-control unit, the load on the CPU in the main control unit is large. It is technically possible to solve these problems by upgrading the hardware resources of the main control unit to high-performance hardware resources (CPU, ROM, etc.). However, in the gaming machine industry,
Hardware specifications of the main control unit that collectively controls jackpots / out of play and rollout (available C
Since the PU type, ROM capacity, etc.) are limited by rules determined by public authorities, solutions based on hardware upgrades cannot be adopted. Therefore, it is necessary to use existing hardware resources such as ROM and CPU of the main control unit as effectively and efficiently as possible.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that includes a plurality of jackpot active lines and includes a common symbol that is effective in common for all jackpot symbols in order to increase the jackpot combination.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine in which an effect control unit executes a final determination process of a stop symbol of an effect symbol in order to effectively use hardware resources of a main control unit.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, in the gaming machine of the present invention, the effect symbol display device is provided with an effect symbol display region of three columns in the vertical direction and three columns in the horizontal direction (the effective line of the jackpot is five lines). It fluctuates in either the vertical direction or the horizontal direction (see FIG. 2). And at the time of big hit, it stops with the combination of a predetermined symbol. The predetermined symbol includes a common symbol effective for all jackpot symbols (hereinafter referred to as “almighty symbol”, abbreviated as “(ALL) symbol”) (see FIG. 14). The main control unit has a function of transmitting, to the effect control unit, grouped effect symbol designating commands obtained by classifying a plurality of effect symbol designating commands into a plurality of groups. On the other hand, the effect control unit has a function of determining an effect symbol designating command for designating a stop symbol at the time of a big hit and a reach line designating command indicating the arrangement of the stop symbol based on the grouped effect designating command designation . Here, the effect control unit means a control unit other than the main control unit, and is a control unit mainly responsible for controlling the effect operation of the gaming machine.

  More specifically, in the gaming machine of the present invention, the main control unit is based on the value of a special symbol determination flag (a flag indicating information on the jackpot symbol, which will be described later in detail) stored in the RAM. The EVENT value of the grouping effect designating command is determined. Next, the main control unit transmits a grouping effect designating command including the EVENT value to the sub-control unit. On the other hand, the sub-control unit includes a conversion correspondence table between the EVENT value of the received grouped effect designating command and the EVENT value of the effect designating command transmitted to the display control unit. The sub-control unit analyzes the EVENT value of the received grouped effect designating command, refers to the conversion correspondence table, and includes a plurality of EVENT values corresponding to one EVENT value (the EVENT value of the grouped effect designating command). One EVENT value is selected from (the EVENT value of the effect designating command), and the effect designating command including the selected EVENT value is transmitted to the display control unit. The display control unit that has received the effect symbol designation command controls the effect symbol display device to make a jackpot symbol (for example, 111 to 888, (ALL) 11 to (ALL) corresponding to the EVENT value included in the effect symbol designation command. ) Causes the effect symbol display device to stop the symbol at 88) and to perform related operations.

That is, the gaming machine of the present invention varies in a reel pattern in which each of a plurality of rows is in a predetermined symbol arrangement, the variation of the plurality of rows is stopped, and the combination of symbols stopped in the plurality of rows is predetermined. A control unit (general name of 340 and 370 in FIG. 3) for notifying a jackpot by displaying a symbol and controlling an effect symbol display device (103 in FIG. 3) having an effect symbol display area having a plurality of effective lines of the jackpot One of the plurality of reel patterns of the reel patterns other than the final stop symbol row is provided with one common symbol effective for all jackpot symbols (see FIG. 14). the common pattern is varied reel pattern in which the common pattern is provided, by stopping the effective line of the jackpot, all symbol rows is the combination of symbols of the jackpot when stopped La Down the, and wherein also increase than the number of the combinations of the jackpot line when said common symbol is not stopped on the pay line of the jackpot.

  In addition, the gaming machine of the present invention has a main control unit (310 in FIG. 3) for controlling the entire gaming machine and a big win when a predetermined symbol is displayed, and an effect symbol display area having a plurality of effective jackpot lines. And an effect control unit (general name of 340 and 370 in FIG. 3) for controlling the effect symbol display device (103 in FIG. 3), and the jackpot stop symbol is effective in common for all jackpot symbols A symbol (see FIG. 14) is included, and the common symbol is provided in a stop symbol other than the final stop symbol, and the common symbol stops at a position corresponding to two or more lines among a plurality of jackpot active lines. In the gaming machine, when the big hit, the main control unit, according to the special symbol determination flag (see FIG. 7) corresponding to the special symbol for notifying the lottery result (see FIG. 7), a plurality of groups (grouping effect design finger of FIG. 9). A command (grouped effect design designation command in FIG. 9) for designating one group from the stop symbol groups of the design symbols categorized in the command EVENT value is transmitted to the effect control unit. Selects one or more jackpot stop symbols (see the directing symbol designation command in FIG. 9) from one or more stop symbols included in one group specified by the command, and arrangement of jackpot stop symbols It is characterized by determining.

  According to the present invention, in the case of jackpot, it is possible to simultaneously arrange different jackpot symbol combinations on a plurality of jackpot active lines. As described above, in the present invention, since there are a plurality of jackpot effective lines and the common symbols that are effective in common to all jackpot symbols are included, the entertainment of the gaming machine is further enhanced.

Further, according to the present invention, the main control unit transmits a grouped effect design designation command including a plurality of effect design designation commands to the effect control unit, while the effect control unit receives the received grouped effect design designation command. One effect designating command is selected from the plurality of effect designating commands indicated by. In other words, according to the present invention, the main control unit determines the stop symbol for the big hit effect rather than the main control unit, so the main control unit conventionally required to determine the stop symbol. The ROM data area can be used for storing other purposes, for example, other data, programs, and the like, so that the ROM can be used effectively. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the conventional processing of the main control unit required for determining the stop symbol at the time of big hit, and it is possible to simplify the processing contents by the main control unit.

The example of the front external appearance of the game machine 100 of one Embodiment of this invention is shown. It is a figure which shows the effect symbol display area of the effect symbol display apparatus in one Embodiment of this invention. 4 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a control unit 300 in the gaming machine 100. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a main control unit 310. FIG. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of an internal structure of the subcontrol part 340. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a display control unit 370. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the correspondence of the combination of a special symbol and the combination of an effect symbol. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the determination process of the grouping effect symbol designation | designated command according to the special symbol determination flag by the main control part. It is a figure which shows an example of the correspondence of a grouping effect design designation | designated command and an effect design designation | designated command. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the conversion process from the grouping effect design designation | designated command by the sub control part 340 to an effect design designation | designated command. It is a figure which shows an example of a reach line designation | designated command. It is a figure which shows an example of the arrangement | positioning figure of a jackpot line. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the determination process of the stop symbol by the display control part. It is a figure which shows the reel pattern which fluctuates in the effect symbol display area of the effect symbol display device 103. It is a figure for demonstrating the pattern which becomes a big hit through a triple reach. It is a figure for demonstrating the pattern which becomes a big hit through a double reach. It is a figure for demonstrating the pattern which becomes a double jackpot through a triple reach. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the selection process of the fluctuation pattern command by the main control part. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of a process of the fluctuation pattern command by the sub-control part. It is a figure which shows an example of command ID and EVENT of a fluctuation pattern command. It is a figure which shows an example of the fluctuation pattern command table which shows the correspondence of a fluctuation pattern command table and a fluctuation classification. It is a figure for demonstrating the content of the fluctuation pattern command which shows the fluctuation pattern which deviates through a normal reach fluctuation. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between a fluctuation pattern command and a reach line designation | designated command. It is a figure which shows an example of the correspondence table of a special symbol determination flag, a jackpot start effect designation command, and a jackpot end effect designation command. It is a figure which shows an example of the correspondence table of the setting value of special game management status, and its content. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the game control process which the main control part 310 performs. It is a figure which shows an example of the change start / stop timing of a special symbol, and the change start / stop timing of an effect design. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of a special game management process and a normal game management process. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the control part in a game machine in a prior art. It is a figure which shows an example of the correspondence of the combination of a special symbol and the combination of effect symbol in a prior art. It is a figure which shows an example of the correspondence of the effect designating command and the liquid crystal display command in the prior art.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the location which has the same function in each drawing.

1. Example of Front Appearance of Gaming Machine FIG. 1 shows an example of the front appearance of the gaming machine 100 of this embodiment. In FIG. 1, a gaming machine according to the present embodiment includes a gaming board 101 for installing an accessory of a gaming machine on a board surface, and a special symbol display device 10.
2. Production symbol display device 103, first start winning prize port 104, normal symbol display device operation gate (
Left) 105, Normal symbol display device operating gate (Right) 106, Normal symbol display device 107, Second
Ordinary electric accessory (tulip) 108 (hereinafter referred to as the second start winning opening 1)
It is called 08. ), First variable winning ball device 109 having an upper prize winning opening, second variable winning ball apparatus 110 having a lower winning prize opening, a gaming machine handle 111, a special symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp) 112, normal It mainly includes a symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp) 113 and the like.

The special symbol display device 102 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube).
There are variable display devices such as a display, 7-segment LED, dot matrix display device, and the like, and variably displays special symbols such as a plurality of numbers and figures. The case where the stop symbol of the special symbol display device 102 is a predetermined combination of symbols is a jackpot. In this embodiment, the special symbol display device 102 is a two-digit 7-segment LED.

The production symbol display device 103 includes, for example, a variable display device such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT display, a 7-segment LED, a dot matrix display device, a drum variably displayed by the rotation of a motor, and the like. Is displayed in a variable manner. This embodiment is a variable display device of a liquid crystal display. A display control unit (described later) for controlling the effect symbol display device 103 includes a CPU, a program ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM, an image processing LSI (hereinafter referred to as a VDP (Video Display Processor)), a character ROM, and a video RA.
M and the like. In the present embodiment, the effect symbol display device 103 includes a variable display device that can display an image such as a background and a plurality of symbols as a moving image. In the present embodiment, a gaming machine capable of displaying various effect symbols on the effect symbol display device 103 is assumed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2A, the effect symbol display device 103 includes an effect symbol display area of three columns in the vertical direction and three columns in the horizontal direction. , A total of 5 lines, 3 vertical lines and 2 diagonal lines.

The first start winning port 104 or the second start winning port 108 detects the winning by turning on the internal special symbol start switch when the game ball launched by the player wins, and the symbol of the special symbol display device 102 is detected. Give an opportunity to change. The variation display of the special symbol of the special symbol display device 102 and the effect symbol of the effect symbol display device 103 is stopped after a predetermined variation time elapses, and the lottery result is notified and the effect is performed.

Normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 and normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 10
6 is that when the game ball launched by the player passes, the internal normal symbol operation switch is turned on.
When it becomes N, the passing ball is detected, and an ordinary symbol change trigger of the ordinary symbol display device 107 is given.

The normal symbol display device 107 variably displays a normal symbol with a 7-segment LED or the like. In the second start winning opening 108, the normal symbol display device 107 stops displaying a specific normal symbol (small hit).
In this case, it is opened to facilitate winning in the second start winning opening 108. The first start winning opening 104 is always open.

The first variable winning ball device 109 and the second variable winning ball device 110 include a special symbol display device 10.
When the two stop symbols become a predetermined combination of symbols, that is, when the jackpot is won, in the subsequent jackpot operation, the first variable winning ball device 109 and the second variable winning ball device 110 One of the opening and closing members 114 and 115 attached to the front surface of the door performs opening and closing operations. Which opening / closing member is opened is determined by the EVENT value of the grouping effect designating command. This will be described later.

During the big hit, one of the opening / closing members 114 and 115 is opened almost horizontally, and the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 that receives a winning game ball is opened, and a large number of gaming balls are opened. Accept the prize. When a game ball wins the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110, the large winning opening switch inside the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 is turned ON. As a result, the gaming machine grasps the number of game balls to the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110, and the opportunity for paying out the winning balls (out balls, safe balls) associated with the winning game Is given. First variable winning ball device 109 or second
The opening of the variable winning ball device 110 is either a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) or a predetermined number (
This is continued until a predetermined number of game balls are awarded to the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110. This single opening is called a round. Since there is no V zone (specific area), there is no continuation condition based on the passage of the V zone. Once a big hit occurs, the next time (about 30 seconds) or the predetermined number (10) wins To the next round.

As in the prior art, the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 is:
Each may have a V zone (not shown). When the V zone exists, the first variable winning ball is passed when at least one game ball passes through the specific area while the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 that is operating the jackpot is opened. When the specific area switch inside the ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 is turned ON, the gaming machine is given an opportunity to generate a right for the next round. In this way, the round continues from 1R → 2R →... And continues up to the maximum round (for example, 6 rounds or 15 rounds).

The gaming machine handle 111 has a touch sensor on the surface, and a stop button (stop firing) 11
6, the touch sensor detects that the player has grasped the gaming machine handle 111, and in this state, the gaming machine handle 111 is rotated clockwise 117 or counterclockwise 118. When the internal variable resistor detects, it gives the ball launcher an opportunity to continuously launch game balls. The player turns the gaming machine handle 111 clockwise 117 or counterclockwise 118.
To adjust the launch route of the game ball to be launched on the game board 101. Further, when the player presses the stop button 116, the launching of the game ball of the ball launcher is stopped.

The special symbol operation memory indicator lamp 112 stores information on each ball that has won the first starting winning port 104 or the second starting winning port 108 during the change of the special symbol on each RAM on the main control unit described later. Lights in conjunction with storing in the hold memory for each sphere (hereinafter referred to as sphere hold), and notifies the number of times that the symbol (special symbol) can be varied continuously. The number of times may be displayed on the effect symbol display device 103. Also, a winning ball to the first starting winning opening 104 or the second starting winning opening 108 that is the target of the holding of the ball is referred to as a holding ball.

The normal symbol operation memory indicator lamp 113 has a normal symbol operation gate (left) 10 during the fluctuation of the normal symbol.
5 or the information of each sphere that has passed through the normal symbol operation gate (right) 106 is lit in conjunction with storing it in the holding memory for each sphere in the RAM of the main control unit, and the symbol (normal Symbol) Announces the number of possible fluctuations. The number of times may be displayed on the effect symbol display device 103.

The objects, nails and the like installed on the game board 101 are covered with a glass plate, and a game ball that has been launched from the space secured between the glass plate and the game board 101 falls.

Note that the gaming machine 100 may include a special symbol variation time reduction switch (not shown) that is an optical touch sensor attached to the gaming board 101. When the special symbol change time reduction switch is present, the player hands the special symbol change time reduction switch through the glass plate while the special symbol display device 102 and the production symbol display device 103 are variably displaying the special symbol and the production symbol. , The special symbol change time reduction switch that detects it is turned on, and the special symbol display device 1
02 and the variation display of the effect symbol display device 103 can be stopped immediately or can be shortened and stopped.

The gaming machine 100 also includes an effect changeover switch 120. The player operates the effect changeover switch 120 to display a desired effect screen on the effect symbol display device 103,
Alternatively, it is possible to control the operation of the production movable object.

2. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the control unit 300 in the gaming machine 100. As shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the control unit 200 mainly includes a main control unit 310, a sub control unit 340, and a display control unit 370.
It is comprised from these three control parts. In order to prevent fraud and to restrict legal restrictions, each control unit is usually mounted on a separate board for each function, and is connected directly or indirectly so that communication is possible. The main control unit 310 transmits a command and controls the entire gaming machine according to a random number generated internally based on detection of a game ball by winning at the first start winning opening 104 or the second starting winning opening 108. I do. In the present embodiment, in particular, the main control unit 310 transmits a variation pattern command and a grouped effect design designation command to the sub-control unit 340. The main control unit 310 further controls the special symbol display device 102.

The sub-control unit 340 converts the grouped effect designating command transmitted from the main control unit 310 into an effect designating command and transmits it to the display control unit 370, and also controls blinking of lamps provided in the game area and the like. Control of sound output from the speaker of the gaming machine, and control of the movable object for performance such as character figures provided in the game area and the like by controlling the rotation of the motor. Further, the sub control unit 340 transmits a change pattern command, a reach line designation command (details will be described later), and the like to the display control unit 370. Display control unit 370
Controls the effect symbol display device 103 such as a liquid crystal display device based on a variation pattern command, an effect symbol designation command, a reach line designation command, etc. transmitted from the sub-control unit 340.

Next, an example of each configuration / function of the main control unit 310, the sub control unit 340, and the display control unit 370 will be described in detail.

2-1 Example of main controller configuration / function
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing the internal configuration of the main control unit 310.

The main control unit 310 includes a CPU 422, a ROM 420, a RAM 424, a special winning opening solenoid output port 428, a normal electric accessory solenoid output port 430, a special symbol display output port 432, a normal symbol display output port 434, and a special symbol operation memory display. A light port 436,
Normal symbol operation memory indicator lamp port 438, sub-control command output port (sends variation pattern command, grouping effect symbol designation command, etc.) 440, payout control command output port 442, external information output port 444, input port 426 Is provided.

  Details of the variation pattern command will be described later.

The main control unit 310 receives various switches (a special symbol start switch 410, a normal symbol operation switch 412, a special prize opening switch 414, and other switches 41 via an input port 426.
8 and, if installed, data is input from the specific area switch 416 and the special symbol variation time reduction switch 119) for processing.

The main control unit 310 is connected to the special symbol display device 1 via the output ports 428 to 438, 444.
02, special symbol operation memory indicator lamp (hold lamp) 112, normal symbol display device 107, normal symbol operation memory indicator lamp (hold lamp) 113, big prize opening solenoid 446, normal electric accessory solenoid 448, external information output unit 454 Control directly. On the other hand, the main control unit 310 transmits a sub-control command (variation pattern command, grouped effect design designation command, etc.) to the sub-control unit 340 to control the sub-control unit 340 by command transmission. Further, the main control unit 310
Transmits a command to the payout control unit 450 to perform payout control of prize balls. Details of control of command transmission to the sub-control unit 340 by the main control unit 310 according to the present embodiment will be described later.

Next, various switches input by the main control unit 310 via the input port, components of the main control unit 310, and control targets of the main control unit will be described in detail.

The special symbol start switch 410 is turned on when a game ball that is launched by the player and wins the first start winning opening 104 or the second start winning opening 108 passes this switch.
Winning is detected and an opportunity for symbol variation of the special symbol display device 102 is given.

The normal symbol operation switch 412 is turned on when a game ball that has been launched by the player and passed through the normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 and the normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106 passes this switch. The normal symbol display device 107 is given an opportunity to change the normal symbol.

When the jackpot switch 414 is a jackpot, in the subsequent jackpot operation,
When the game ball that has won the variable winning ball device 109 passes this switch, the main control unit 310 detects the winning of the game ball.

As the other switches 418, the first start winning opening 104 and the second starting winning opening 108 are used.
When a game ball that has won a prize other than the variable winning ball device 109 passes this switch, the main control unit 310 detects the winning of the game ball.

When the specific area switch 416 is mounted, the switch is turned on when a game ball that has passed the specific area while the variable winning ball device 109 is opened passes through this switch, and the main control unit 310 Detect the next round's right occurrence. When the special symbol change time shortening switch 119 is mounted, the switch is displayed on the special symbol display device 102 by the player.
It is possible to forcibly stop the fluctuation display of the production symbol display device 103 or to stop it by shortening it.

  The CPU 422 is a circuit that controls the entire main control unit.

The ROM 420 stores a program for the main control unit 310 for controlling the gaming machine. Specifically, the ROM 420 stores, for example, a game control program that realizes the processes of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8, 18, 26, and 28 that define the contents of the game control process performed by the CPU of the main control unit 310. To do. The ROM 420 further stores various parameter values for controlling the gaming machine such as a variation pattern command transmitted to the sub-control unit 340.

In the present embodiment, as will be described later, the main control unit 310 determines a grouped effect designating command to be transmitted to the sub-control unit 340 in accordance with a special symbol determination flag stored in the RAM 424.

The RAM 424 temporarily stores input / output data for the main control unit 310, data for arithmetic processing, various counters including a random number counter related to the game, and the like. It has a memory and further has a probability state storage area for storing the current gaming state (probability state).

The special symbol display device 102 displays special symbols such as a plurality of numbers and figures. The normal symbol display device 107 displays normal symbols such as a plurality of numbers and figures. The special symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp) 112 notifies the number of times that the special symbol can be continuously changed. The normal symbol operation memory display lamp (holding lamp) 113 notifies the number of times that the normal symbol can be continuously changed.

The big winning opening solenoid 446 is one of the components in the variable winning ball apparatus 109, and when the big hit is made, the main opening / closing member 114 attached to the front surface of the variable winning ball apparatus 109 is controlled in the subsequent big hit operation. It opens based on the instruction from the unit 310.

The ordinary electric accessory solenoid 448 opens the ordinary electric accessory 108 based on an instruction from the main control unit 310 when the ordinary symbol display device 107 stops and displays the small hit ordinary symbol.

The payout control unit 450 receives a payout control command from the main control unit 310 and receives a prize to the prize ball payout device 452 when a winning detection is detected by the special symbol start switch 410, the big prize opening switch 414, the other switch 418, or the like. Instructs to pay out the ball.

The external information output unit 454 receives information from the CPU 422 of the main control unit 310 as the information display device 2.
It is a substrate for providing to 01. The information display device 201 is an external information output unit 45 of the gaming machine.
4 is electrically connected to the gaming machine. The CPU 422 of the main control unit 310 can output to the information display device 201 a signal for knowing the stop of symbol variation, the big hit state, etc. via the external information output unit 454. Examples of the signal include a jackpot signal, a winning number signal, a start signal, a time reduction signal, and a door opening signal.

2-2 Example of Configuration / Function of Sub-Control Unit FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing the internal configuration of the sub-control unit 340.
The sub-control unit 340 is similar to the main control unit 310 in that the CPU 514, the RAM 512, and the ROM 5
10 and various input ports 516 and various output ports 518. The ROM 510 stores a program for the sub control unit 340. In this embodiment, the ROM 510 is shown in FIG.
The program which implement | achieves the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 19 is memorize | stored.

The sub-control unit 340 receives a sub-control command (variation pattern command, grouped effect design designation command) transmitted from the main control unit 310, and produces the grouped effect design designation command according to the program stored in the ROM 510. Convert to symbol designating command.
As a conversion method, for example, by referring to a correspondence table between a grouping effect designating command and an effect designating command, one effect among a plurality of effect designating commands corresponding to one grouping effect designating command is provided. There is a method of selecting a designating command. Then
The sub-control unit 340 transmits the selected effect symbol designation command and reach line designation command to the display control unit 370. The sub-control unit 340 controls the blinking of the lamp display device 520,
Generation control of the sound effect output from the sound effect generation device 522, control of the movable object for production 524, and the like are performed. In this way, the sub-control unit 340 reduces the load on the main control unit 310 by specially performing control related to effects such as liquid crystal display, lamp lighting, generation of sound effects, and control of effectable movable objects.

The lamp display device 520 is a display device for lamps related to the game, and the sub-control unit 340.
A plurality of lamps are selectively turned on / off in response to the instruction. The sound effect generator 522 generates sound related to the game. The effect movable object 524 is an effect character figure or the like provided in a game area whose rotation is controlled by a motor or the like.

The sub-control unit 340 receives an input from the effect change switch 120. The player
By operating the effect changeover switch 120, a desired effect screen can be displayed on the effect symbol display device 103, or the operation of the effect movable object 524 can be controlled. In this manner, the player can participate in the effect surface of the gaming machine by operating the effect changeover switch 120.

2-3 Example of Configuration / Function of Display Control Unit FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing the internal configuration of the display control unit 370.
In particular, the display control unit 370 receives the variation pattern command, the production symbol designation command, the reach line designation command, etc. transmitted by the sub-control unit 340, and receives the variation pattern command,
In accordance with the effect designating command, the reach line designating command, etc., the effect design of the effect design display device 103 is changed or stopped, or a function for displaying the notice designating command by receiving the notice designating command is displayed.

In FIG. 6, the control circuit configuration of the display control unit 370 of the present embodiment includes an input port 618 that receives a variation pattern command, an effect symbol designation command, a reach line designation command, and the like.
CPU 620, program ROM 610, RAM 612, image processing LSI (VDP) 6
22, a character ROM 616, a video RAM 614, and an output port 624.

In the present embodiment, the ROM 610 stores a program that realizes the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.

The input port 618 receives a variation pattern command, an effect symbol designation command, a reach line designation command, etc. from the sub-control unit 340 and passes them to the CPU 620.

The CPU 620 performs image processing and image display control according to the program stored in the program ROM 610. The program ROM 610 stores a program for image processing executed by the CPU 620, and specifically stores an image display control program that defines the contents of image display control performed by the CPU 620. Furthermore, program ROM 62
0 stores VDP 622 control data to be mapped and written to the data register of the VDP 622, values of various parameters for controlling image display, and the like.

The RAM 612 temporarily stores input / output data for the CPU 620 and data for arithmetic processing, and functions as a work area and a buffer memory. The VDP 622 is a CPU 6
The image data such as sprite / scroll to be displayed on the effect symbol display device 103 in accordance with the symbol update instruction from 20 is developed in the video RAM 614, and the effect symbol display device 103 is output via the output port 624 in accordance with the output instruction from the CPU 620. Output and display image data in the display area. The effect symbol display device 103 is an LCD, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, or the like, and visually displays a video signal of an image output from the VDP 622.

For display control, a color palette (hereinafter referred to as a palette) in which a plurality of specific color data are arranged and set is often used. This embodiment VDP 622 incorporates four palettes that define 256 colors, processes four layers, and performs image processing by associating one palette with each layer. The VDP 622 combines the image data set for each of the four layers in accordance with the output instruction from the CPU 620, and outputs the combined image data to the effect symbol display device 103.
indicate.

Specifically, the VDP 622 converts the image data into color data based on the color data of the palette specified by the image data on the video RAM 614, and the color data is converted into analog RGB video signals as the effect symbol display device 103. Output to and display. The image data here includes an index (array number) for the palette.

When the character ROM 616 receives the instruction from the CPU 620, the VDP 622 receives the video R
Image data such as sprites / scrolls developed in the AM 614 is stored. Also,
Four palette data to be set in the four palettes built in the VDP 622 are stored.

In the video RAM 614, the image data to be output in the display area of the effect symbol display device 103 is developed and temporarily stored by the VDP 622.

3. Example of determination processing of grouping effect designating command in accordance with special symbol determination flag by main controller Using FIG. 7, the relationship between the combination of the special symbol and the combination of the effect design in the case of jackpot and losing will be described . As shown in FIG. 7, the main control unit 310 takes out the jackpot symbol random number from the jackpot special symbol random number loop counter when the jackpot random number is taken out at the time of winning the start opening, that is, in the case of the jackpot. There are 100 types of jackpot symbol random numbers from 0 to 99. Also, the special symbol combination corresponding to the jackpot symbol random number is 10 from 0 to 99.
There are 0 ways. Further, there are six special symbol determination flags 00H to 05H corresponding to the special symbol combinations of 00 to 99. Here, the correspondence between the special symbol combination and the special symbol determination flag can be arbitrarily determined based on the gaming characteristics of the gaming machine. In this table, when the jackpot symbol random number “3” is extracted, the main control unit 310 displays “03” as the special symbol on the special symbol display device 102 and also displays the special symbol determination flag stored in the RAM 424 as a special symbol. A value corresponding to the symbol “03”, that is, “01” H is read out. Next, the value “02” H obtained by adding 1 to “01” is set as the EVENT value of the grouping effect designating command.

On the other hand, the main control unit 310 takes out a deviating symbol random number from the deviating special symbol random number loop counter when the deviating random number is taken out at the time of winning the start opening, that is, in the case of deviating. There are 21 out-of-range design random numbers from 0 to 20. For example, when the off symbol random number “1” is extracted, the main control unit 310 displays “−1 (hyphen 1)” as a special symbol on the special symbol display device 102.
Is displayed. Next, the main control unit 310 sends a grouped effect designating command including the special symbol “−1”, that is, the value “00” H corresponding to the disengaged state as EVENT, to the sub-control unit 3.
40. The grouped effect designating command is converted into an effect designating command by the sub-control unit 340 and transmitted to the display control unit 370. The display control unit 370 that has received the effect designating command receives the variation pattern command separately received from the sub-control unit 340,
Based on the reach line designation command, an out symbol (a stop symbol in the out-of-phase) is determined, and the effect symbol changing on the effect symbol display device 103 is stopped at the stop symbol. A method for determining a stop symbol in the case of detachment will be described later.

The reason why the value obtained by adding 1 to the special symbol determination flag at the time of the big hit is set as the EVENT value of the grouping effect designating command is that the E
This is because the VENT value is “00” H to avoid duplication.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of the above processing.

In S800, main controller 310 performs a jackpot determination. If the jackpot is determined in S802, the process proceeds to S804. In step S804, the main control unit 310 extracts a jackpot symbol random number from the jackpot special symbol random number loop counter. In step S806, the main control unit 310 determines a special symbol combination based on the extracted jackpot symbol random number. In S808, main controller 310 reads the value of the special symbol determination flag corresponding to the determined combination of special symbols. S8
10, the main control unit 310 sets a value obtained by adding 1 to the value of the read special symbol determination flag as the EVENT value of the grouping effect symbol designation command. In S812, the main control unit 310
Transmits the grouped effect design designation command to the sub-control unit 340.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S802 that it is out of the range, the process proceeds to S814. In step S814, the main control unit 310 extracts the out symbol random number from the out symbol special symbol random number loop counter. In step S816, the main control unit 310 determines a special symbol combination based on the extracted symbol random number. S818
Thus, main controller 310 sets “00” H as the EVENT value of the grouping effect designating command. In step S812, the main control unit 310 transmits the grouped effect design designation command to the sub-control unit 340.

4). Example of Conversion Process from Grouping Effect Symbol Designation Command to Effect Symbol Designation Command by Sub-Control Unit The correspondence relationship between the grouping effect symbol designation command and the effect symbol designation command will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 9 shows a correspondence relationship between a grouping effect designating command transmitted from the main control unit 310 to the sub-control unit 340 and an effect designating command transmitted from the sub-control unit 340 that has received the command to the display control unit 370. FIG. In FIG. 9, a command includes a “command ID” part (also referred to as a “MODE” part) for identifying the transmitted command itself and grasping the gaming state, and in the identified gaming state, This is a 2-byte command composed of two parts called “EVENT” part for identifying a specific control information type.

The “command ID” part of the grouping effect designating command is all “B1” H, and “E
There are seven “VENT” sections, “00” H to “06” H. On the other hand, the “command ID” portion of the effect designating command is all “B1” H, and the “EVENT” portion is “00” H to “0”.
There are 11 types of A ”H.

For example, when the main control unit 310 reads the special symbol determination flag “01” H at the time of the big hit, the main control unit 310 performs the grouping effect designating command (“B1” H + “02” H).
Is transmitted to the sub-control unit 340. The sub-control unit 340 that has received the grouping effect designating command randomly selects one value from “02” H, “04” H, “06” H, “08” H, or The value is selected according to the probability of selection (there is a bias), and the value is set as the EVENT value of the effect designating command. As an EVENT value, “04
When “H” is selected and set, the sub-control unit 340 causes the design symbol designation command (“B1” H +
“04” H) is transmitted to the display control unit 370. The display control unit 370 that has received the effect symbol designation command controls the effect symbol display device 103 to stop the effect symbol at “444” (including ALL). On the other hand, at the time of detachment, the main control unit 310 transmits a grouping effect designating command (“B1” H + “00” H) to the sub-control unit 340 and receives the grouping effect designating command. Is also a design symbol designation command (“B1” H
+ “00” H) is transmitted to the display control unit 370. The display control unit 370 that has received the effect designating command determines an outage stop symbol by a process described later.

Note that the EVENT value of the grouped effect designating command also designates which of the first variable winning ball device 109 and the second variable winning ball device 110 is to be released in the case of a big hit. For example, when the EVENT value of the group effect designating command is “01” H, “02” H,
The second variable prize ball device 109 is opened, and the EVENT value is “03” H, “04” H, “
In the case of “05” H and “06” H, the first variable winning ball apparatus 110 is opened.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an outline of the above processing.

In S900, the sub control unit 340 receives the grouped effect designating command from the main control unit 310. In step S902, the sub control unit 340 selects one effect symbol designation command based on the conversion correspondence table between the grouped effect symbol designation command and the effect symbol designation command. S90
4, the sub-control unit 340 transmits the selected effect designating command to the display control unit 370.

5. Example of Determination of Reach Line Designation Command by Sub Control Unit As described above, the sub control unit 340 determines the reach line designation command, and the display control unit 3
70. The display control unit 370 performs control for arranging predetermined symbols in a predetermined reach line arrangement according to the content of the received reach line designation command.
To do. FIG. 11 shows a list of reach line designation commands, and FIG. 12 shows an arrangement diagram of jackpot lines corresponding to each reach line designation command. According to FIG. 11, there are 11 reach line designation commands (“B2” H + “00” H to “0A” H) (where “B2” H + “00” H indicates “no reach line instruction”). ). On the other hand, according to FIG. 12, there are 19 candidates for the jackpot line. For example, when the sub control unit 340 transmits a reach line designation command (“B2” H + “04” H) to the display control unit 370, the display control unit 370 displays “4. Double line (cross)” in FIG. The effect symbol display device 103 is controlled so that the effect is performed on the reach line in the form of "."

The sub-control unit 340 transmits to the display control unit 370 a stop symbol designation command that instructs to align symbols to the line designated by the reach line designation command at the time of a big hit. For example, a stop symbol designation command (“B1” H + “01” H) instructs that the symbol “1” (including “ALL”) is aligned with the line designated by the reach line designation command. “B1” H + “02” H) instructs to align the symbol “2” (including “ALL”) to the line designated by the reach line designation command.

6). Stop Symbol Determination Processing by Display Control Unit The stop symbol determination processing by the display control unit will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of stop symbol determination processing by the display control unit.

In S1000, the display control unit 370 receives the variation pattern command from the sub control unit 340. In S1002, the display control unit 370 receives an effect symbol designation command, a reach line designation command, and the like from the sub-control unit 340. In step S1004, the display control unit 370 checks the EVENT value of the received effect designating command, and determines whether the effect designating command specifies a jackpot or a miss. Specifically, EV of the design symbol designation command
When the ENT value is “01” H to “0A”, the jackpot is designated, and the process proceeds to S1006. In S1006, display control unit 370 determines a stop symbol based on the EVENT value of the received effect symbol designation command, and further stops the stop symbol in the arrangement of the jackpot line according to the stop symbol designation command. Specifically, the display control unit 370 examines the EVENT value of the effect designating command, and when the EVENT value is “01” H to “07” H,
111 (including ALL) "to" 777 (including ALL ) "are determined as stop symbols. When the EVENT value is “09” H, “111 (including ALL)” and “222 (
All inclusive) ”are determined as both stop symbols (referred to as“ double hits ”).
When the NT value is “0A” H, both “777 (including ALL)” and “888 (including ALL)” are determined as stop symbols.

Here, description will be made regarding the increase in the number of combinations of symbol arrangements at the time of jackpot by providing the “ALL” symbol as an effective common symbol in common with the jackpot symbol. FIG.
The reel pattern which fluctuates in the effect symbol display area of the effect symbol display device 103 is shown. According to FIG. 14, the first stop symbol (the symbol that stops first) is 1 to 8, ALL, the second stop symbol (the symbol that stops second) and the third stop symbol (the symbol that stops last: The final stop symbol)
1-8. That is, the “ALL” symbol is included only in the first stop symbol. For example, the first
In the stop symbol and the second stop symbol, the symbols “1”, “7”, and “ALL” are shown in FIG.
Suppose that it stops at the arrangement shown in. This arrangement is a reach (triple reach), so there are three jackpot patterns shown in FIGS. 15 (b), 15 (c), and 15 (d). On the other hand, when the “ALL” symbol is not provided, when stopping in the arrangement shown in FIG.
This arrangement is reach (double reach), resulting in the two jackpot patterns shown in FIGS. In short, by providing the “ALL” symbol, the maximum number of reach lines can be increased by one, and the player can be expected to expect a big hit after the reach occurs.

Furthermore, by providing the “ALL” symbol, in the case of a jackpot, combinations of jackpot symbols can be arranged simultaneously on a plurality of reach lines. For example, in the first stop symbol and the second stop symbol, it is assumed that the symbols “1”, “2”, and “ALL” are stopped in the arrangement shown in FIG. This arrangement is reach (double reach), and there are two types of jackpot patterns shown in FIGS. In the pattern shown in FIG. 17B, there is one jackpot symbol combination ((ALL) 11), but in the pattern shown in FIG. 17C, there are two jackpot symbol combinations (111, (ALL) 22), and this pattern is a state in which it is stopped on two reach lines at the same time with a combination of different jackpot symbols. As described above, when reaching the arrangement shown in FIG. 17A, there are two types of jackpot patterns, the pattern of FIG. 17B and the pattern of FIG. 17C. The subsequent operations may be changed depending on whether or not For example, in the case of a big hit in the pattern of FIG. 17 (b), it is possible to set the number of balls paid out to be about twice that in the case of a big hit in FIG. 17 (c) . It is.

Here, the control for changing the expected jackpot value based on the number of reach lines according to the variation pattern command transmitted by the main controller 310 at the jackpot will be described. For example, the ratio of occurrence of various types of hits at the jackpot is set to 20% for the ratio to generate one line, 30% to generate two lines (double reach), and to three lines (triple reach). Can be set to 50%. Similarly, the occurrence ratio of various reach at the time of disconnection is 50% for the generation ratio of one line, 30% for the generation ratio of two lines (double reach), and the three line reach (triple). The ratio of occurrence of reach) can be set to 20%. In this way, by biasing the occurrence ratio of various reach at the time of big hit and off, there is a possibility that it will come off when one line reach occurs, and it will be a big hit when three line reach occurs If there is a high possibility that it will be, a stage effect that makes the player feel is obtained. In addition, by setting a high probability of developing to reach when the “ALL” symbol stops in the first stop symbol by the variation pattern command, if the first stop symbol stops at the “ALL” symbol, reach is reached. If there is a high possibility that it will be, a stage effect that makes the player feel is obtained. Furthermore, “A” is displayed on the first stop symbol during normal fluctuation.
The probability that the “LL” symbol will stop is set low, but if the “ALL” symbol stops at the time of normal fluctuation by setting the probability that it will develop to reach if it stops at the “ALL” symbol, it may become reach If it is high, the effect of making the player feel it is obtained.

  The above is the process of determining the jackpot stop symbol at the time of jackpot.

On the other hand, when the EVENT value of the effect designating command is “00” H, it is designated as outage, so that the outage stop symbol determination process described below is performed. At the time of detachment, the detachment stop symbol is determined by the variation pattern command.

In explaining the determination process of the come-off stop symbol by the display control unit 370, first, the variation pattern command related to the decision of the come-off stop symbol will be explained.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of the variation pattern command selection process by the main control unit 310. FIG. 19 shows an example of processing of the variation pattern command by the sub-control unit 340, and FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an outline of the variation pattern command. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a variation pattern command table stored in the ROM 610 of the display control unit 370 and indicating a correspondence relationship between the variation pattern command table and the variation type. And the correspondence relationship between the variation pattern command and the production contents for each command. The main control unit 310 transmits any one of the variation pattern commands corresponding to the variation pattern numbers (1 to 36) at the time of disconnection, and the variation corresponding to the variation pattern numbers (37 to 114) at the time of the big hit. One of the pattern commands is transmitted. To explain this table in more detail, command I of the fluctuation pattern command
The D value is common to “A0” H, and the EVENT values are “01” H to “04” H, “05” H to
“14” H, “15” H to “24” H, “25” H to “44” H, “45” H to “72”
It consists of 5 blocks of H. Fluctuation pattern numbers 1 to 4 (variation pattern commands: “A0” H + “01” H to “04” H) are normal fluctuations (non-reach fluctuation patterns with no reach), and each symbol scrolls monotonously. Change pattern), and a change pattern that stops at a deviating symbol is shown, and change pattern numbers 5 to 20 (change pattern command: “A0” H)
+ “06” H to “14” H) indicate a variation pattern that stops after a normal reach variation and stops at a deviated symbol, and variation pattern numbers 21 to 36 (variation pattern command: “A0” H + “1”)
5 ”H to“ 24 ”H) indicates a variation pattern that stops after a super-reach variation and stops at a symbol. Variation pattern numbers 37 to 68 (variation pattern commands:“ A0 ”H +“ 25 ”H)
~ "44" H) indicates a fluctuation pattern that stops at the jackpot symbol after the normal reach fluctuation, and the fluctuation pattern number 69-114 (fluctuation pattern command: "A0" H + "45" H)
“72” H) indicates a variation pattern that stops at a jackpot symbol after a normal reach variation.

In FIG. 18, a jackpot determination process is performed in S1200. The jackpot determination processing method is the same as S800 in FIG. If it is determined in S1202 that the main control unit 310 is a big hit, the process proceeds to S1204. In step S1204, the main control unit 310 refers to the variation pattern command table corresponding to the internal state (during normal variation, probability variation, etc.) from the variation pattern command table at the time of the big hit. In step S1205, the main control unit 310 selects one variation pattern command from the referenced variation pattern command table randomly or at a certain frequency. In step S1208, the main control unit 310 transmits the selected variation pattern command to the sub control unit 340. On the other hand, if it is determined in S1202 that the main control unit 310 is out, the process proceeds to S1210, and the fluctuation pattern command table corresponding to the internal state is referred to from the fluctuation pattern command table at the time of deviation. Next, as in the case of jackpot, in S1206, a variation pattern command is selected, and in S1208, the variation pattern command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 340.

In FIG. 19, in S 1300, the sub control unit 340 receives the above variation pattern command from the main control unit 310. In step S1302, the sub control unit 340 transmits the received variation pattern command to the display control unit 370. Referring to FIG. 20, the main control unit 310 sends a command ID value “A0” H and an EVENT value “01” H to “72” H to the subcontrol unit 340.
One variation pattern command is transmitted from among variation pattern commands including S1300 (S1300).
), The sub control unit 340 transmits the variation pattern command to the display control unit 370 (S1).
302).

  Now, the contents of the detachment stop symbol determination process in S1008 of FIG. 13 will be described.

The display control unit 370 analyzes the variation pattern command received in S1000 of FIG. 13 and determines whether the variation pattern indicated by the variation pattern command is a normal reach variation, a super reach variation, or a normal variation. Here, the normal reach fluctuation is, for example, a simple movement reach fluctuation in which the size of the effect design to be displayed and the stop position do not change,
Super reach variation is a reach variation of complex movements such as the size of the effect design itself to be displayed or the position of the effect design to be displayed changes, and other effect images are interrupted and displayed accordingly. The aim is to increase the expectation of jackpot.

In this embodiment, when the variation pattern is a normal reach variation (variation pattern number: 5 to 5).
20. Fluctuation pattern command: Fluctuation pattern command: “A0” H + “06” H to “14
"H), the third stop symbol is determined according to the variation pattern command. This is to prevent the player from predicting the third stop symbol during the normal reach change. That is, during normal reach fluctuation, the design of the middle reel (the third stop design fluctuation area) changes in order at a visible speed, so if the fluctuation time of normal reach fluctuation is constant, This is because the final stop symbol is predicted by the player from the symbol, and it is preferable in terms of production to avoid it. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the following control is performed.

As shown in the table of FIG. 22, variation pattern commands indicating variation patterns that deviate through normal reach variation are prepared for the number of stop patterns of the third stop symbol. As can be seen from this table, in the case of the present embodiment, there are 16 stop patterns of the third stop symbol, so 16 variation pattern commands indicating variation patterns that deviate through normal reach variation are provided. Further, the variation time of the third stop symbol is varied for each variation pattern command. When the deviation is caused by the normal reach fluctuation, the main control unit 310 selects one of the 16 fluctuation pattern commands described above.
One variation pattern command is selected by a random number and transmitted to the sub-control unit 340. According to this table, for example, when the sub-control unit 340 receives a variation pattern command (“A0” H + “05” H) that sets the third stop symbol to “8 * 1”, the sub-control unit 340 Variation time 24.24
Control to be 0 seconds.

The sub control unit 340 transmits the variation pattern command to the display control unit 370. Further, as described above, the sub control unit 340 selects one reach line designation command and transmits it to the display control unit 370. Here, the sub-control unit 340 selects a reach line designation command with reference to the reach line correspondence table shown in FIG. X in the reach line correspondence table shown in FIG.
The part indicated by is the case where the EVENT value of the variation pattern command is a predetermined value, that is, the third
When the stop symbol is a predetermined symbol, it indicates that a predetermined reach line is not designated. This will be further described. As mentioned above, outlier reach fluctuations (eg normal reach)
In order to prevent the third stop symbol from being predicted before the third stop symbol is stopped when the third stop symbol is changed so that the player can visually recognize the In a predetermined reach, one variation pattern is determined from a plurality of variation patterns having different variation times for each third stop symbol. However, when the main control unit 310 determines the third stop symbol and its variation time in this way, and separately, the effect control unit determines the symbol at the time of reach (first stop symbol and second stop symbol) If a certain restriction is not provided in the determination of the symbols at the time of reaching in the production control unit, it may happen that the jackpot symbols are aligned despite the unreasonable reach fluctuation. In order to avoid this, in the present embodiment, when the EVENT value of the variation pattern command is a predetermined value, the sub-control unit 340 has a predetermined EVENT.
There is a restriction that a reach line designation command having a value is not selected. For example, when the EVENT value of the variation pattern command is “05” H, the reach line designation command “B2”
“H +“ 07 ”H and“ 08 ”H are not selected. The reason is that the EVENT value of the fluctuation pattern command is “05” H when the third stop symbol is “8 * 1” (see FIG. 22). In this case, the reach line designation command ("B2" H + "07"
This is because if the pattern (7, 8 in FIG. 12) indicated by H, “08” H) is selected, the jackpot symbols will be aligned despite being out of place. In order to avoid this, in the present embodiment, the sub-control unit 340, when the EVENT value of the variation pattern command is a predetermined value,
Control is performed not to select a reach line designation command having a predetermined EVENT value.

The display control unit 370 receives the variation pattern command and the reach line designation command, determines the third stop symbol from the EVENT value of the variation pattern command, and determines the variation pattern command and the reach line designation command. Accordingly, the reach line, the first stop symbol, and the second stop symbol are determined.

In addition, when it deviates through a super reach fluctuation, the control which stops by a predetermined symbol according to the received fluctuation pattern command is performed.

7). Example of recovery process of jackpot effect based on special symbol determination flag by main control unit In the above-described embodiment, the value of the special symbol determination flag stored in RAM 424 of main control unit 310 is used to determine a stop symbol at the time of jackpot However, the value of the special symbol determination flag can be used for other purposes. For example, a recovery process using a special symbol determination flag can be performed when the power is restored after the main power of the gaming machine is turned off due to a sudden power failure or the like. When the main power of the gaming machine is turned off, control data such as a special symbol determination flag stored in the RAM 424 of the main control unit 310 and a special game management status indicating the current gaming state is backed up and held by an attached battery. ing. Therefore, when the power is restored, the jackpot start effect and the jackpot end effect can be performed based on the value of the held special symbol determination flag. By referring to the special symbol determination flag and the special game management status, the jackpot operation is in progress (the effect symbol display device 103 performs the jackpot effect, and the first variable winning ball device or the second variable winning ball device performs the opening / closing operation. Even if the main power supply of the gaming machine is turned off while the game is in progress, the jackpot effect that was in progress can be restored. FIG. 24 shows a correspondence table of special symbol determination flags, jackpot start presentation designation commands and jackpot end presentation designation commands, and FIG. 25 shows a correspondence table of special game management status setting values and contents thereof. According to these tables, for example, when the value of the special game management status is “03” H,
In other words, it is assumed that the main power supply has dropped during the jackpot start effect state. Thereafter, if the value of the special symbol determination flag when the main power is restored is “00” H, the main control unit 310 transmits a jackpot start effect designation command (“90” H + “00” H). Further, for example, it is assumed that the main power is turned off when the value of the special game management status is “07” H, that is, in the jackpot end effect state. After that, the value of the special symbol determination flag when the main power supply returns
If it is “00” H, the main control unit 310 determines the jackpot end effect designation command (“92” H + “
00 "H). Therefore, even if the main power is turned off during the jackpot operation, the jackpot operation can be resumed when the main power supply is subsequently restored.

8). An example of game control processing by the main control unit An example of game control processing executed by the CPU 422 of the main control unit 310 will be described with reference to the drawings.
The processing procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.
This is a game control interrupt process performed by reading and executing the game control program stored in 420. In this process, the period (for example, 4 msec and 2 msec
) Activated two types of interrupt processing (interrupt processing for each first predetermined period of the game control system (for example, interrupt processing every 4 msec) and interrupts for each second predetermined period such as random number update and switch check) Processing (for example, interrupt processing every 2 msec) is running in parallel. Note that it is possible to perform interrupt processing for each third predetermined period, interrupt processing for each fourth predetermined period, or the like so that the interrupt processing cycles do not overlap as necessary. In FIG. 26, when the gaming machine is turned on, the main control unit 310 clears the RAM 424 and performs its initial setting (S1910), and then sends an initial command (for example, a RAM clear process) to the sub control unit 340. , Initial symbol designation, initial state, etc.) are transmitted (S1912), and initial setting instructions relating to images, lamps, sounds, games, and the like are given. In addition, when power is cut off, power is restored.

  Next, an interrupt process for each first predetermined period of the game control system will be described.

8-1 Command output management processing (S1914)
The main control unit 310 is created by a special game management process (S1916) described later, and is stored in the RAM 424.
The change pattern command and grouped effect design designation command prepared in the command storage area are transmitted to the sub-control unit 340. First, it is determined whether there is a command to be transmitted. If there is a command to be transmitted, the command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 340. If there is no command to be output, this processing ends as it is. As will be described later, when the command is transmitted, the command is subjected to the special symbol change start process in the special game management process (S1916).
Is transmitted in the command output management process (S1914) in the "interrupt process for each first predetermined period" that is started after the "interrupt process for each predetermined period". Therefore, the command related to the control of the effect symbol is transmitted by the command output management process after one interruption (after 4 msec in the present embodiment) during a predetermined period after the process of starting the variation of the special symbol is started. Become. This command output management process is a special game management process (S19 described later).
When the processing procedure for moving to the next processing of 16) is adopted, commands related to the control of the effect symbols are transmitted by the command output management processing within the same interrupt within a predetermined period after the processing for changing the special symbols is started. Will be.

Sub-control unit 340 that has received the change pattern command and the grouping effect designating command.
Converts the grouping effect designating command into an effect designating command, and the display control unit 37
A variation pattern command and an effect design designation command are transmitted to 0. The display control unit 370 that has received the variation pattern command and the effect symbol designation command controls variation of the effect symbol of the effect symbol display device 103 for a predetermined variation time. Next, in the case of a big hit, the effect symbol designation command is In the case of detachment, the designated jackpot symbol is stopped, and as described above, the symbol is stopped at the losing symbol determined based on the contents of the variation pattern command.

Note that the reason why the command output management process (S1914) is placed in the first half of the interrupt process for each first predetermined period is that an interrupt for each second predetermined period, which will be described later, has a high processing priority. Since it is highly likely to occur in the second half of each interrupt process, if the command output management process (S1914) having a long processing time is placed in the second half of the interrupt process for each first predetermined period, This is because there is a high possibility of being interrupted by an interrupt every second predetermined period, and the command output management process (S1914) is likely to be aborted in the middle of the process. Therefore, in order to avoid the problem as much as possible, the command output management process (S1914) is performed in the first half of the interrupt process every first predetermined period, preferably the first
Command output management process (by placing it in the first part of the interrupt process every predetermined period
The execution timing of S1914) and the interrupt timing for each second predetermined period are prevented from overlapping as much as possible.

8-2 Special game management process (S1916)
The main control unit 310 performs control related to the game such as symbol variation and accessory control by special game management processing.

The reach random number (reach type (reach type ( Random numbers for determining normal reach, long reach, etc.), design random numbers read from the design random number loop counter (random numbers for determining stop symbols), and the first start winning port 104 or the second starting winning port Based on the jackpot random number of the winning ball to 108 (random number for determining whether to win or miss) or the jackpot random number stored in the holding memory of the holding ball, the main control unit 310 performs a variation pattern command, grouping Areas dedicated to each command and each symbol on the RAM 424 for the design symbol designation command and the special symbol (left) and special symbol (right) stop symbols, etc. Hereinafter, stored in that given area.). The grouping effect designating command system has already been described with reference to FIG.

Further, during the big hit operation, the main control unit 310 receives the big prize opening data and the big prize opening closing data for instructing the big prize opening operation solenoid 446 to release the variable prize ball device 109 for a predetermined time. The data is stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424.

Further, the main control unit 310 controls variation of the special symbol (left) and the special symbol (right) for a predetermined variation time via the special symbol display output port 432 and stores it in a predetermined area on the RAM 424. Stop at each of the special symbols (left) and special symbols (right). Each stop symbol is displayed on a special symbol display device 102 of 7 segments consisting of two digits.

In this way, in the special game management process (S1916), the main control unit 310 does not control the special symbol by sending a special symbol designation command to another control unit, but sets the special symbol display output port 432. A display drive signal is transmitted to the special symbol display device 102 side via
Control special symbols directly.

The main control unit 310 starts a process of changing the special symbol directly (for example, setting a special symbol variation timer as control related to the special game management process (S1916),
After starting the transmission of the display drive signal to the special symbol display device 102 side (for example, 4
(after msec), in the command output management process (S1914) of the interrupt process to be generated next (S1914), the change pattern command to the sub-control unit 340 and the grouping effect corresponding to the special symbol as shown in FIG. A symbol designation command is transmitted. Here, the effect symbol variation time specified by the variation pattern command and the variation time set in the special symbol variation timer are set to the same value. The timing is synchronized with a predetermined time (for example, 4 msec), that is, with a time difference corresponding to the interrupt period of the game control system. That is, although depending on the processing speed of the sub-control unit 340, as shown in FIG. 27, the timing at which the effect symbol shifts from the stopped state to the varying state (variation start timing)
The special symbol (the left special symbol and the right special symbol) is delayed from the timing at which the state changes from the stop state to the variation state (for example, after 4 msec). Similarly, the timing at which the effect symbol shifts from the variation state to the stop state (stop timing) is delayed from the timing at which the special symbol shifts from the variation state to the stop state (for example, after 4 msec).

In short, the control of starting the change of the effect symbol after the change of the special symbol is started and stopping the effect symbol after the special symbol is stopped is performed.

8-3 Normal game management processing (S1918)
Normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 (or normal symbol display device operation gate (right)
106) At the start of the change of the normal symbol due to the passage of the sphere, the main control unit 310 prepares the stop symbol data of the normal symbol based on the small hit random number on the RAM 424. This process is performed when it is determined that the normal symbol change is started while the main control unit 310 performs the normal game management process.

8-4 External information processing (S1920)
In order to transmit game state information from the main control unit 310 to the outside of the gaming machine via the external information output unit 454, the main control unit 310 transmits information to the outside by performing external information processing.

8-5 Solenoid control processing (S1922)
The main control unit 310 uses the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 11 based on the special winning opening opening data and the special winning opening closing data stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424.
Instruct the grand prize opening solenoid 446 to open / close 0. In addition, the main control unit 310 has a second
The normal electric accessory solenoid 448 is also instructed to open and close the start winning opening 108 of the first electric winning combination.

8-6 Other random number update process (S1924)
The main control unit 310 updates random numbers (reach random numbers, missed design random numbers, etc.) other than the jackpot random numbers and the jackpot special symbol random numbers in S1924 during the remaining time of the interrupt processing for the first predetermined period.

  Next, interrupt processing for each second predetermined period will be described.

8-7 lottery random number update process (S1930)
The main control unit 310 updates the jackpot random number for jackpot and the jackpot special symbol random number by incrementing (+1) the jackpot random number loop counter on the RAM 424 every cycle of 2 msec, for example. At the same time, the main control unit 310 updates the small hit random number for the normal symbol by incrementing (+1) the small hit random number loop counter on the RAM 424. In the present embodiment, the loop counter means a counter that cyclically updates a value from 0 to a predetermined maximum value.

8-8 Input processing (S1932)
When the main control unit 310 detects the winning ball to the first starting winning port 104 or the second starting winning port 108 with the special symbol start switch 410, the main control unit 310 reads the big hit random number from the big hit random number loop counter and stores it on the RAM 424. . When the special symbol start switch 410 detects that the ball has won the first start winning port 104 or the second start winning port 108 during the special symbol change, the main control unit 310 detects the big hit random number from the big hit random number loop counter. Then, the jackpot special symbol random number is read and stored in the holding memory of the holding ball on the RAM 424 (holding of the ball). Each time this step is repeatedly executed during the special symbol variation, the value of each big hit random number is continuously stored in the holding memory of the holding ball on the RAM 424 for a plurality of holding balls.

Further, when the main control unit 310 detects the passage of the sphere of the normal symbol display device operation gate (left) 105 (or the normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106), the main control unit 310 calculates a small hit random number from the small hit random number loop counter. Read and store on RAM 424.

Further, the main control unit 310 uses the special symbol start switch 410 for the first start winning opening 10.
4 or the second start winning opening 108, the winning detection to the first variable winning ball device 109 or the second variable winning ball device 110 at the time of the big hit operation by the big winning opening switch 414, other switch 418 Results of winning detection to other winning ports other than the first starting winning port 104, the second starting winning port 108, the first variable winning ball device 109, and the second variable winning ball device 110 are displayed on the RAM 424. Remember. In particular, when a winning detection is made to the first variable winning ball device 109 and the second variable winning ball device 110, the main control unit 310 also increments (+1) the big winning counter on the RAM 424. The big prize counter is controlled so that it is not counted except during the big hit (in a normal state or the like).

If the specific area switch 416 is mounted, the main control unit 310 sets a V flag on the RAM 424 when detecting a game ball that has passed through the specific area. Furthermore, the main control unit 310, when the special symbol variation time reduction switch 119 is mounted,
When the switch ON is detected, a special symbol variation time reduction switch flag is set.

8-9 Prize ball payout management processing (S1934)
In the input process (S1932), the first symbol at the time of a big hit operation by the big prize opening switch 414, the prize detection to the first winning prize opening 104 or the second starting prize opening 108 by the special symbol start switch 410 stored in the RAM 424. Variable winning ball device 109 or second variable winning ball device 1
10, and other switches to the other start ports other than the first start winning port 104, the second start winning port 108, the first variable winning ball device 109, or the second variable winning ball device 110. The main control unit 310 stores, on the RAM 424, the number of prize balls to be paid out corresponding to each preset number of prize balls.

The main control unit 310 instructs the prize ball payout device 452 to pay out a prize ball by a command output based on the number of prize balls paid out stored in the RAM 424.

8-10 Special Game Management Process and Normal Game Management Process FIG. 28 shows the special game management process (S1916) and the normal game management process (S1918) of FIG.
Is a flowchart showing a series of processing contents.
In S2110, the main control unit 310 checks the big hit flag, and if the big hit flag is ON, the big hit is being hit, so the big hit processing (S2134) is performed, and the processing is performed in S2140.
Proceed to When the big hit flag is OFF and the special symbol change timer on the RAM 424 is 0, that is, neither big hit nor special symbol change, the big hit random number (the first start winning prize port 104 or the first start winning port 104 or the 2), whether the first winning prize opening 104 or the second starting winning prize 108 is stored in the RAM 424. If it is determined that the special symbol change starts with the reservation of the winning ball or the holding ball, the process proceeds to S2112.

In step S2112, the main control unit 310 determines the jackpot of the special symbol variation to be started based on the jackpot random number related to the special symbol variation stored in the RAM 424. If it is determined that the jackpot random number does not match the jackpot value, the special prize flag on the RAM 424 is turned off.
If it is determined that the value matches the jackpot value, the special prize flag is turned ON.

Here, when the probability variation flag is ON (at the time of probability variation), the number of jackpot values for jackpot determination is increased to increase the jackpot probability. For example, “7” is set as the jackpot value in the normal time (normal game state), but “3”, “7”, “11”, “15” is set as the jackpot value in the probability variation. , “82” is set. The hour and middle flag is O
In the case of N, the time variation counter on the RAM 424 is decremented (-1). If the time variation counter is 0 as a result, the time variation flag is turned OFF.

In S2114, when the determination result in S2112 is a jackpot, the main control unit 310 stores a jackpot special symbol random number loop counter (100 values from 0 to 99) stored in the RAM 424 in the same manner as the jackpot random number. See FIG. ) Determines the EVENT value of the grouped effect designating command to be transmitted to the sub-control unit 340 based on the combination of the stopped symbols of the special symbol display device 102 and the special symbol determination flag stored in the RAM 424. On the other hand, in the case of detachment, the detachment design random number (0 to 2) taken out from the detachment special design random number loop counter.
21 values of 0. See FIG. ), The combination of stop symbols of the special symbol display device 102 is determined. That is, the main control unit 310, the combination of special symbols to be stopped, and
Command ID (“B1” H) and EVENT (“00”) of the grouping effect designating command
H to “06” H) is determined and stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424.

In step S <b> 2116, the main control unit 310 determines a variation pattern command for effect design variation based on the jackpot determination, the reach random number, and the design random number, and stores them in a predetermined area on the RAM 424.

In S2118, main control unit 310 stores special symbol variation instruction data instructing special symbol variation in a predetermined area on RAM 424.

When the information necessary for the special symbol variation is stored, the main control unit 310 in S2120.
Is a special symbol variation timer for monitoring the variation of the special symbol after setting the normal rendering time (seconds) to a predetermined value corresponding to the variation of the symbol design uniquely determined from the command ID of the variation pattern command, Set to normal performance time (seconds). The normal performance time (seconds) is unique to each command ID of the variation pattern command, and the variation pattern command EVENT
Each second has a different number of seconds.

When the special symbol variation time reduction switch 119 is installed, a special symbol variation time reduction switch timer for monitoring ON / OFF of the switch is set.

Similarly, in S2140, the main controller 310 determines that the small hit random number related to the normal symbol variation is
Although it is stored in the RAM 424 as a processing target, it is inspected and a normal symbol display device operating gate (
If it is determined that the normal symbol change start associated with the passage of the sphere of the left) 105 or the normal symbol display device operation gate (right) 106, the process proceeds to S2142.

In step S <b> 2142, the main control unit 310 performs a small hit determination of the normal symbol variation to be started based on the small hit random numbers related to the normal symbol variation stored in the RAM 424. If it is determined that the small hit random number does not match the small hit value, the small hit flag on the RAM 424 is turned off.
If it is determined that the value matches the value of the small hit, the small hit flag is turned ON.

Here, when the probability variation flag is ON or the hour / medium flag is ON, the number of small hit values for determining the small hit is increased to increase the small hit probability.

In S2144, the main control unit 310 determines the normal symbol display device 10 based on the small hit determination result.
7 determines the normal symbol to be stopped and displayed. For example, the small hit determination is “small hit flag ON”,
It is assumed that the stop symbol data of the normal symbol uniquely determined from the small hit determination result is “7” H. The main control unit 310 stores the normal symbol stop symbol data in a predetermined area on the RAM 424.

In step S2146, the main control unit 308 stores normal symbol variation instruction data for instructing normal symbol variation in a predetermined area on the RAM 424.

When the information required for the normal symbol variation is stored, the main control unit 310 in S2148.
Sets a normal symbol fluctuation timer for monitoring a normal symbol fluctuation to a predetermined value.

Referring back to FIG. 26, the main control unit 310 executes special game management processing (S1916) based on the information required for special symbol variation stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424, and starts special symbol variation. (S2118 in FIG. 28). Similarly, the main control unit 310 uses the RAM
Based on the information required for the normal symbol variation stored in the predetermined area on 424, the normal game management process (S1918) is executed to start the normal symbol variation (S2146 in FIG. 28). still,
Thereafter (for example, after 4 msec or more), command output management processing (S1914) is executed, and a variation pattern command, a grouped effect design designation command, and the like are transmitted to the sub-control unit 340. Subsequently, the sub-control unit 340 that receives the variation pattern command, the grouped effect designating command, etc. displays the variation pattern command, the effect designating command, etc.
Send to.

The process of FIG. 28 is called again from the process of FIG. 26 by the interrupt process. In S2110 and S2122, the main control unit 310 has the special prize flag OFF and the symbol variation timer is not 0, that is, the symbol is not being hit and the special symbol is varying. If it is determined that, the process proceeds to S2124. In S2124, the main control unit 310 sets the special symbol variation timer to the interrupt cycle T (
For example, 4 msec) is subtracted. In S2110 and S2122,
If neither the special symbol change start nor the special symbol change is in progress, the main control unit 310 performs the process in S2.
Proceed to 130.

In S2126, it is determined whether the special symbol variation timer is 0. If the special symbol variation timer is 0, in S2128, the special symbol is stopped at the stop symbol stored in the predetermined area on the RAM 424 in S2114.

When the symbol change timer is 0, that is, when the symbol is not changing, the main control unit 310 checks the special prize flag (S2130). When the special prize flag is ON, the main control unit 310 sets the special prize flag to ON in S2132. Jackpot start effect designation command (command ID is “90”)
H, see FIG. 17) is stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424. This command is
6 in the command output management process (S1914), it is transmitted to the display control unit 370 via the sub-control unit 340. This command is a command for displaying a big hit start screen on the effect symbol display device 103.

In step S 2132, the main control unit 310 determines that the round counter on the RAM 424 (
Set a predetermined value for the open timer (counter that measures the opening time of the big winning opening during one round) and the interval timer (the closing time of the big winning opening between rounds) Is set to a predetermined value (several seconds), and the big prize opening counter (counter that counts the number of game balls won in the big prize opening during one round) is set to zero. Specifically, the round counter is set to 15 rounds, the release timer is set to 30 seconds, and the process is performed in S21.
Proceed to 40.

If the specific area switch 416 is mounted, the V flag (a flag that is turned on when the game ball passes through the specific area) is turned OFF.

If it is determined in S2126 that the symbol variation timer is not 0, main controller 310 advances the process to S2140. Further, the main control unit 310 checks the special prize flag (S2130),
If the special prize flag is OFF, the process proceeds to S2140.

When the main control unit 310 determines that the normal symbol variation timer is not 0, that is, during normal symbol variation (S2140 → S2150), the main control unit 310 sets the normal symbol variation timer to the interrupt cycle T (for example, 4me).
c) Subtract by the amount (S2152).

When the normal symbol variation timer becomes 0, the main control unit 310 stores normal symbol stop instruction data for instructing normal symbol variation stop in a predetermined area on the RAM 424 (S2154 → S
2156).

When the normal symbol variation timer is 0, that is, when the normal symbol is not varying, the main control unit 310 checks the small hit flag (S2158), and when the small hit flag is ON, the main control unit 310 turns the normal electric accessory 108 on. The small hit processing instruction data for instructing the normal electric accessory actuating solenoid 448 to be released for a predetermined time is stored in a predetermined area on the RAM 424 (S2160).
. When the probability variation flag is ON, the open state time of the ordinary electric accessory 108 is set longer than the normal time. This makes it easier for the ball to enter the second start winning opening 104 during probability change.

The above is a series of processing contents in which the special game management process (S1916) and the normal game management process (S1918) in FIG. 19 are combined.

9. As described above, according to the present invention, the number of effective lines per jackpot is set to 5 and the common jackpot symbol is included in common, thereby including a jackpot combination without significantly increasing the load on the main control unit. Since the number of effective lines per jackpot at the time of reach increases, the expectation for the jackpot felt by the player can be increased.

In addition, according to the present invention, the main control unit that has been used to determine the stop symbol in the past is not the main control unit that determines the stop symbol of the effect symbol at the time of the big hit, but is determined by the effect control unit. The ROM data area can be used for other purposes, for example, for storing other data, programs, etc., so that the ROM can be used effectively.

100 gaming machine 101 game board 102 special symbol display device 103 production symbol display device 104 first start winning opening 105 normal symbol display device operation gate (left)
106 Normal symbol display device operation gate (right)
107 Normal symbol display device 108 Normal electric accessory (tulip) (second starting prize opening)
109 Variable winning ball device 111 having a big winning opening 111 Game machine handle 112 Special symbol operation memory indicator lamp (holding lamp)
113 Normal symbol operation memory indicator lamp (hold lamp)
119 Special symbol change time shortening switch 120 Effect changeover switch 200, 300 Control unit 210, 310 Main control unit 240, 340 Sub control unit 270, 370 Display control unit 410 Special symbol start switch 412 Normal symbol operation switch 414 Big prize opening switch 416 Specific area switch 418 Other switch 420 ROM
422 CPU
424 RAM
426 Input port 428 Large winning opening solenoid output port 430 Normal electric accessory solenoid output port 432 Special symbol display output port 434 Normal symbol display output port 436 Special symbol operation memory indicator port 438 Normal symbol operation memory indicator port 440 Command output port for sub-control (sends grouped effect design designation command, variation pattern command, reach line designation command, etc.)
442 Dispensing control command output port 444 External information output port 446 Large prize opening solenoid 448 Normal electric accessory solenoid 450 Dispensing control unit 452 Prize ball dispensing device 510 ROM
512 RAM
514 CPU
516 Various input ports 518 Various output ports 520 Lamp display device 522 Sound effect generator 524 Production movable object 610 Program ROM
612 RAM
614 Video RAM
616 Character ROM
618 Input port 620 CPU
622 LSI for Image Processing (VDP)
624 output port

Claims (2)

Fluctuate in reel pattern in which each of the multiple rows is in a predetermined symbol arrangement, the variation of the multiple rows stops, and a combination of symbols stopped in the multiple rows displays a predetermined symbol to notify the jackpot And a control unit for controlling an effect symbol display device having an effect symbol display area having a plurality of effective jackpot lines,
Among the multiple-row reel patterns, one common symbol that is effective for all jackpot symbols is provided in one symbol row other than the final stop symbol row, and the common symbol is the same as the common symbol. Fluctuates with the provided reel pattern and stops on the jackpot effective line, so that the line that becomes a combination of the jackpot symbols when all symbol rows stop, the common symbol on the jackpot active line A gaming machine characterized in that it increases more than the number of lines that become a jackpot combination when not stopping .   2. The production symbol display area is a display area of three columns in the vertical direction and three columns in the horizontal direction, sequentially stopped in units of the vertical or horizontal columns or rows, and the effective line of the jackpot is 5 lines. The gaming machine described in 1.

Images