JP7577346B2 - Gaming Machines - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine that determines by lottery whether or not to award a gaming advantage to a player.

In a slot machine as a gaming machine, multiple game states are provided that give the player different degrees of advantage as the game progresses. For example, when a symbol combination corresponding to a bonus role among winning roles is displayed on an active line, the game state transitions to a bonus game state in which the probability of winning a small role in which medals are paid out is high, and the player can obtain a large gaming profit. A technology is known in which, when a bonus role is won and the game state transitions to an internal bonus game state in which the state of winning the bonus role is carried over, and when a small role is also won, the bonus role is given priority over the small role to win (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2017-144098 A

Some slot machines are designed to notify the player of the decision to transition to the bonus game state before the transition to the bonus game state has been made. However, if such notifications are made uniformly at predetermined times, the player may be able to predict the timing, which may diminish the sense of rarity of the notification. Furthermore, if the decision to transition to the bonus game state has been made is not made at that time, it is confirmed that the bonus role will not be won, which may result in a decrease in the player's motivation to play.

In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide a gaming machine that can increase players' motivation to play.

In order to solve the above problem, the gaming machine of the present invention is provided with a winning type lottery means for determining whether a winning type has been won, a reel control means for controlling the rotation of a plurality of reels on which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged in response to the operation of a start switch, and for controlling the stop of each of the reels corresponding to the operated stop switch in response to the operation of a stop switch, and a performance control means for controlling the performance, and the winning types include a first winning type that includes only a bonus role, and a second winning type that includes both a bonus role and a specific minor role, and the reel control means controls the reels to stop in a manner that prioritizes the bonus role over the minor role when both a bonus role and a minor role have been won, and the performance control means The means executes an advance notification to notify that a winning type including a bonus role has been won in response to a first operation based on the winning of a winning type including a bonus role, or executes a later notification to notify that a winning type including a bonus role has been won in response to a second operation subsequent to the first operation, and when the second winning type is won, the frequency of executing the later notification is higher than the frequency of executing the advance notification, the frequency of executing the advance notification when the first winning type is won is higher than the frequency of executing the advance notification when the second winning type is won, and the frequency of executing the later notification when the first winning type is won is lower than the frequency of executing the later notification when the second winning type is won.

The present invention makes it possible to increase motivation to play.

FIG. 1 is an external view for explaining a schematic mechanical configuration of a slot machine. 1 is an external view of the slot machine with the front door open, illustrating the general mechanical configuration of the slot machine. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of symbols on the reels and the pay lines. 1 is a diagram for explaining the schematic positional relationship of power supply units in a slot machine. FIG. 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining a heat dissipation structure of a power supply unit. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the slot machine. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a winning combination. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a winning type lottery table. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the transition of a game state. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a CPU initialization process in a main control board. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a cold start process in a main control board. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an error stop process in the main control board. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a setting value switching process in a main control board. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an initialization start process in the main control board. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a state restoration process in a main control board. 13 is a flowchart explaining game start processing on the main control board. 13 is a flowchart explaining the game medal insertion processing on the main control board. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an internal lottery process in the main control board. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a pattern code setting process in the main control board. 13 is a flowchart explaining the processing performed during reel rotation on the main control board. 13 is a flowchart explaining the reel stop processing in the main control board. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a display determination process in a main control board. 13 is a flowchart explaining the payout process in the main control board. 13 is a flowchart explaining game transition processing on the main control board. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a save process in the main control board when power is turned off. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a timer interrupt process in the main control board. An explanatory diagram showing the relationship between winning types and notification timing. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an advance notification operation. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a post-notification operation. 11 is a timing chart for explaining the processing flow of one game. 11 is a diagram for explaining the processing of a switch determination means and a command transmission means. FIG. 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining other processes of the switch determination means and the command transmission means. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining electrical connections around a main CPU. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a CPU core. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a register. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a memory map. 4 is a circuit diagram for explaining the circuit configuration of each display unit connected to a main control board. FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining specific lighting control of the input number display. 11 is a flowchart showing a specific process of a DYNMOUT module. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a specific command of the DYNMOUT module. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a manner in which lighting information of an input number display is derived based on the input number. FIG.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific values shown in the embodiment are merely examples to facilitate understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements that have substantially the same function and configuration are given the same reference numerals to avoid duplicated explanations, and elements that are not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated.

(Mechanical Configuration of Slot Machine 100)
1 and 2, a slot machine 100 as a gaming machine is provided with a housing 102 with an open front, and an upper front door 104 and a lower front door 106 which are rotatably arranged vertically side by side at one end of the front of the housing 102. A colorless and transparent symbol display window 108 made of a glass plate, a transparent resin plate or the like is provided at approximately the center of the lower part of the upper front door 104, and three reels 110 (left reel 110a, center reel 110b, right reel 110c) are provided at positions corresponding to the symbol display window 108 in the housing 102 so as to be independently rotatable. As shown in the pattern arrangement in Figure 3(a), multiple types of patterns are arranged in each of 20 equal areas on the outer peripheral surfaces of the left reel 110a, center reel 110b, and right reel 110c, and the player can view a total of nine patterns, three consecutive patterns located on the top, middle, and bottom rows of the left reel 110a, center reel 110b, and right reel 110c, through the pattern display window 108.

An operation unit installation stand 112 is formed on the top of the front lower door 106, and is provided with a medal insertion unit 114, a bet switch 116, a start switch 118, a stop switch 120, a performance switch 122, and the like. The medal insertion unit 114 accepts medals inserted as game value through a medal insertion port 114a. The bet switch 116 is a switch used when inserting (betting) a predetermined number of medals from the medals electrically stored inside the slot machine 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as credits). The bet switch 116 includes a max bet switch that inserts (bet) a specified number of medals required for one game, and a 1 bet switch that inserts one additional medal within the specified number.

The start switch 118 is, for example, a lever that can detect tilting operations, and detects the start operation of the game by the player. The stop switches 120 (stop switch 120a, stop switch 120b, stop switch 120c) are provided corresponding to the left reel 110a, the center reel 110b, and the right reel 110c, respectively, and detect the stop operation by the player. Note that when the stop switch 120 can be stopped, the first stop is when the player operates one of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c to stop the reels, and after the first stop, the second stop is when the player operates one of the two stop switches 120 that have not been stopped, and after the second stop, the third stop is when the player operates the last remaining stop switch 120 to stop the reels. The effect switch 122 is, for example, a push switch and a jog dial switch arranged around it so that it can rotate freely, and detects the push operation and rotation operation by the player.

A liquid crystal display unit 124 that displays various images associated with the performance is provided approximately in the center of the top of the upper front door 104. Performance lamps 126, for example composed of high-brightness light-emitting diodes (LEDs), are provided at the top and left and right of the upper front door 104. Speakers 128 that perform auditory performances using sound effects, musical tones, etc. are provided at the left and right positions of the liquid crystal display unit 124 on the rear surface of the upper front door 104 and at the left and right positions on the rear surface of the lower front door 106.

The operation unit installation base 112 is provided with a main credit display unit 130 and a main payout display unit 132. In addition, a sub-credit display unit 134 and a sub-payout display unit 136 are provided between the symbol display window 108 and the operation unit installation base 112. The main credit display unit 130 and the sub-credit display unit 134 display the number of medals credited (number of credits), and the main payout display unit 132 and the sub-payout display unit 136 display the number of medals paid out.

Below the reels 110 in the housing 102, a medal payout device (medal hopper) 142 for paying out medals from a medal discharge port 140a is provided. In addition, at the lower front of the lower front door 106, a receiving tray 140 for storing medals paid out from the medal discharge port 140a is provided. In addition, next to the medal payout device 142 in the housing 102, a power supply unit 144 which is a power supply source for operating the slot machine 100 is provided. A power switch 144a is located on the opening side of the lower front door 106 of the power supply unit 144. The power switch 144a is operated by an administrator who manages the slot machine 100, and is used to switch between two states: a power off state and a power on state.

In addition, inside the cabinet 102, a setting key and a setting change switch (collectively referred to as a setting value setting means) (not shown) are provided on the main control board 200 described later. In the slot machine 100, when a predetermined key (operation key) is inserted into the setting key and turned from the OFF position to the ON position, and the power is turned on via the power switch 144a, the slot machine 100 transitions to a setting change mode, and the setting value can be changed (also simply referred to as a setting change). The setting value indicates the degree of advantage (machine odds) of the player in stages, and is expressed in six stages, for example, from 1 to 6. In general, the setting value is set so that the higher the numerical value of the setting value, the higher the degree of advantage in the game as a whole (the higher the expected number of coins to be won). Then, each time the setting change switch is pressed in a state in which the setting can be changed, the setting value is incremented by one, and the setting value is changed to one of the six setting values, for example, and when the start switch 118 is operated, the setting value is confirmed, and the setting key is returned to its original position (OFF position), ending the setting change mode and enabling play. Note that settings can only be changed for a certain period of time after the power switch 144a is operated to turn on the power.

In the slot machine 100, when a game can be started and a specified number of medals are bet, the active line is activated and the operation of the start switch 118 is activated. Here, the bet includes the case where the medals credited through the operation of the bet switch 116 are inserted, the case where the medals are inserted through the medal insertion section 114, and the case where the medals are automatically inserted based on the display of a replay role on the active line, which will be described in detail later. The active line is a line for determining whether or not a winning role has been won, and there are three in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3(b), of the nine patterns (three reels x three rows, top, middle, and bottom) facing the pattern display window 108, the active line A is set to a line connecting the positions corresponding to the patterns stopped in the middle row of the left reel 110a, the middle row of the middle reel 110b, and the middle row of the right reel 110c. The active line B1 is set as a line connecting the positions corresponding to the symbols stopped on the lower row of the left reel 110a, the lower row of the middle reel 110b, and the lower row of the right reel 110c. The active line C1 is set as a line connecting the positions corresponding to the symbols stopped on the upper row of the left reel 110a, the middle row of the middle reel 110b, and the lower row of the right reel 110c. Hereinafter, the active lines A, B1, and C1 may be collectively referred to simply as active lines. The inactive lines are lines other than the active lines that display other symbol combinations that make it easier to understand the winning combination when it is difficult to understand the winning combination only from the symbol combination displayed on the active lines, and are not used to determine the winning combination. In this embodiment, two inactive lines B2 and C2 shown in FIG. 3(b) are assumed.

When the player operates the start switch 118, the game begins, the left reel 110a, the center reel 110b, and the right reel 110c are controlled to rotate, and a lottery for a winning type is executed. After that, the left reel 110a, the center reel 110b, and the right reel 110c are stopped according to the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c. If a winning combination that can receive a medal payout is achieved based on the result of the lottery for a winning type and the combination of the patterns displayed on the pay line, the medals are paid out. If a winning combination that can receive a medal payout is not achieved or if a winning combination that can receive a medal payout is achieved but not won, the game ends when the left reel 110a, the center reel 110b, and the right reel 110c all stop.

In this embodiment, the above-mentioned one game refers to the game from when a medal is inserted through the medal insertion section 114, when a credited medal is inserted through the operation of the bet switch 116, or when a medal is automatically inserted based on a replay role being displayed on an active line, until the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c are controlled to rotate and a winning type lottery is executed in response to the player's operation of the start switch 118, and the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c corresponding to the operated stop switch 120a, 120b, 120c are controlled to stop in response to the result of the winning type lottery and the player's operation of the multiple stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, and if a winning role that may be awarded with a medal is won, the medal is paid out. In addition, when a player does not win a prize type that can receive a medal payout or wins a prize but does not win, one game ends when the left reel 110a, the center reel 110b, and the right reel 110c all stop. However, the start of one game may be interpreted as the operation of the start switch 118 by the player instead of the insertion of a medal or the winning of a replay role. The number of times such one game is repeated is defined as the number of games. In addition, such a game in which a prize type lottery is performed and one payout can be received is sometimes called a basic game to distinguish it from a pseudo game (pseudo game) described later. Here, whether the basic game is played alone or in combination with the pseudo game, the completion of the basic game is considered as the completion of one game. Therefore, the completion of the pseudo game does not affect the counting of the number of games in the slot machine 100. However, the number of games managed by the hall computer (not shown) may or may not include simulated games as part of the number of games, depending on the specifications.

<Heat Dissipation Structure of Power Supply Unit 144>
As described above, the power supply unit 144 generates power for operating the slot machine 100. Specifically, the power supply unit 144 receives AC (alternating current) 24V power from the outside and generates DC (direct current) 24V power. The power supply unit 144 also generates DC 12V from DC 24V power. Furthermore, the power supply unit 144 generates DC 5V from DC 12V power. The power supply unit 144 supplies the DC 24V, DC 12V, and DC 5V power thus converted to direct current to each device and each board. Note that, although an example of receiving AC 24V power from the outside is given here, various types of direct current power may be generated by receiving commercial AC 100V power.

In the slot machine 100, various devices are used, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Furthermore, these devices are managed by CPUs in multiple boards. Therefore, the power supply unit 144 must supply a large amount of power consumed by each device and board as the game progresses. As a result, the power generation circuits that generate various types of DC power within the power supply unit 144 will generate heat. In order to suppress this internal heat generation, the power supply unit 144 may be provided with a heat dissipation structure.

Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining the general positional relationship of the power supply unit 144 in the slot machine 100. Figure 4(a) shows a front view of the slot machine 100 with the front upper door 104 and the front lower door 106 open, and Figure 4(b) shows a cross-sectional view of Figure 4(a) taken along line AA'. For ease of explanation, the wiring connecting each device and board has been omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, a reel unit 111 that rotatably supports reels 110a, 110b, and 110c is provided in the upper center of the housing 102. In the reel unit 111, the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are supported by a center base 111a. The center base 111a is engaged with the left and right inner surfaces of the housing 102. A medal payout device 142 is provided below the reel unit 111, and a power supply unit 144 is provided below and to the left of the reel unit 111 and to the left of the medal payout device 142. The power supply unit 144 is configured so that it cannot be contacted from the outside when the front upper door 104 and the front lower door 106 are closed. When the front lower door 106 is opened, its front surface is exposed, and the administrator can operate the power switch 144a provided on the front of the power supply unit 144.

A through hole 170 is provided on the back surface of the housing 102. Wiring that connects the inside and outside of the slot machine 100 is inserted through the through hole 170. The through hole 170 is located above the power supply unit 144, and the power supply line to the power supply unit 144 is also inserted through the through hole 170.

In addition, since the through-holes 170 connect the internal space of the slot machine 100 with the external space, they also function as a heat dissipation hole for heat trapped inside the housing 102. Therefore, devices that tend to generate heat within the housing 102 should be placed in an area close to the through-holes 170. For example, the power supply unit 144 is positioned below the through-holes 170 and has a heat dissipation structure on its upper part (top surface) to facilitate heat dissipation. In this way, it is possible to efficiently suppress heat generation from the power supply unit 144.

Above the power supply unit 144 and on the front side of the through hole 170, a resin case 172 is provided to house the wiring and boards connected to the power supply unit 144, and is fixed to the inner surface of the housing 102 with screws. The resin case 172 is formed so that the internal wiring and boards cannot be touched from its top and sides, and its bottom surface is also in contact with the top surface of the power supply unit 144. This prevents tampering with the wiring and boards. In addition, the resin case 172 is formed from a transparent or semi-transparent material, and the administrator can visually check the wiring and boards inside the resin case 172 with the front upper door 104 and front lower door 106 open.

When the AA' cross section is viewed from above, the reel unit 111, the medal payout device 142, the power supply unit 144, the resin case 172, and the through hole 170 are in the positional relationship shown in FIG. 4(b). That is, the reel unit 111 overlaps with the medal payout device 142, the power supply unit 144, and a part of the resin case 172 in the vertical direction. However, since the cross-sectional shapes of the reel unit 111, the medal payout device 142, the power supply unit 144, and the resin case 172 are different, the reel unit 111 does not overlap with all areas of the medal payout device 142, the power supply unit 144, and the resin case 172 in the vertical direction, and only some areas do not overlap. Therefore, there is an area where the reel unit 111 does not overlap with the upper surface of the power supply unit 144. In other words, the power supply unit 144 can secure a space above part or all of the heat dissipation structure constructed on its upper surface that does not overlap with the reel unit 111, allowing it to efficiently dissipate its own heat.

Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining the heat dissipation structure of the power supply unit 144. Figure 5(a) shows an arrow view from the direction B in Figure 4(a), Figure 5(b) shows an arrow view from the direction C in Figure 4(a), and Figure 5(c) shows a partially enlarged view of the DD' cross section of Figure 5(b). As shown in Figure 5(c), a plurality of vents 144b are provided on the upper part (top surface) of the power supply unit 144, and heat inside the power supply unit 144 is released through the vents 144b. In addition, in the power supply unit 144, a wind direction plate 144c is provided for each of the vents 144b. The wind direction plate 144c is formed integrally with the exterior of the power supply unit 144, and has a curved portion (or an L-shaped angle) in the vertical cross section as shown in Figure 5(c). Note that, although an example in which the vertical cross section is a curved portion has been described here, it is sufficient that the vertical cross section is opened on the rear side, and the vertical cross section can also be formed in a straight line or a stepped shape.

The airflow direction vane 144c is structured to block the vent 144b from the front, top, and sides of the housing 102, and is open only toward the rear of the housing 102. Therefore, the airflow direction vane 144c can change the heat dissipation direction of the vent 144b provided on the top surface of the power supply unit 144 to the rear of the housing 102. In this way, the heat inside the power supply unit 144 passes through the vent 144b and is guided toward the rear by the airflow direction vane 144c, allowing for efficient heat dissipation.

As shown in FIG. 4(b), the power supply unit 144 has an area that overlaps with the center base 111a in the vertical direction and an area that does not overlap with it. The ventilation holes 144b and the air deflector 144c are provided on the top surface of the power supply unit 144 in both the area that overlaps with the center base 111a in the vertical direction and the area that does not overlap with the center base 111a in the vertical direction. Here, at least in the area that does not overlap with the center base 111a in the vertical direction, the heat of the power supply unit 144 is diffused upward through the ventilation holes 144b, allowing for efficient heat dissipation.

The wind direction plate 144c shields the front, top, and side directions of the housing 102 from the vent 144b, so that it is possible to prevent the intrusion of dust, sand, missing parts, parts, etc., falling from above, from the outside of the power supply unit 144. However, although the wind direction plate 144c shields the front, top, and side directions of the housing 102, it is open to the rear direction of the housing 102. Here, as shown in FIG. 5(a) and FIG. 5(b), a resin case 172 is located on the rear side of the vent 144b and the wind direction plate 144c. The front surface of the resin case 172 extends in the up, down, left, and right directions while contacting the top surface of the power supply unit 144, so that, like the wind direction plate 144c, it is possible to prevent the intrusion of dust, sand, missing parts, parts, etc., from the rear direction of the housing 102 into the inside of the power supply unit 144.

Although not shown in the figure, wiring that connects the inside and outside of the slot machine 100 is inserted through the through hole 170, and multiple wiring is also located near the power supply unit 144 and the resin case 172. This wiring also makes it possible to prevent dust, sand, missing parts, components, etc. from entering the interior from the rear of the housing 102. The heat from the power supply unit 144 released through the ventilation hole 144b is diffused from the air deflector 144c into the space inside the housing 102, so it is not blocked by the resin case 172 or wiring.

As described above, the through hole 170 in this embodiment is located above the power supply unit 144 on the back of the housing 102. In addition, the upper part of the power supply unit 144 is provided with an air vent 144b. The power supply unit 144 has an area that overlaps with the reel unit 111 or the center base 111a in the vertical direction and an area that does not overlap with the reel unit 111 or the center base 111a, and the air vent 144b is provided in the area that does not overlap. The air vent 144b corresponds to an air deflector 144c that changes the heat dissipation direction of the air vent 144b toward the back of the housing 102. The air deflector 144c and the resin case 172 make it possible to prevent dust, sand, missing parts, parts, etc. from entering the power supply unit 144 from the outside to the inside.

In FIG. 5, an example was described in which the vents 144b and the wind direction plate 144c are provided in the entire area of the top surface of the power supply unit 144. However, this is not limited to the above case, and the vents 144b and the wind direction plate 144c may not be provided in part or all of the area that overlaps with the resin case 172 in the vertical direction, and the vents 144b and the wind direction plate 144c may be provided only in a part of the top surface. In FIG. 5, an example was described in which the vents 144b and the wind direction plate 144c are provided uniformly in the front-back and left-right directions of the top surface of the power supply unit 144, but this is not limited to the above case, and the vents 144b may be arranged unevenly, such as by increasing the density of the vents 144b near the through holes 170 or decreasing the density of the vents 144b near the connector of the power supply unit 144.

Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the schematic electrical configuration of the slot machine 100. As shown in Figure 6, the slot machine 100 is provided with a control board including a main control board 200 (main control unit) that controls the progress of the game, and a sub-control board 202 (sub-control unit) that controls the presentation according to the progress of the game. Furthermore, the transmission of electrical signals between the main control board 200 and the sub-control board 202 is limited to one direction only, from the main control board 200 to the sub-control board 202, from the viewpoint of preventing fraud, etc.

(Main control board 200)
The main control board 200 has semiconductor integrated circuits including a main CPU 200a which is a central processing unit, a main ROM 200b in which programs and the like are stored, and a main RAM 200c which functions as a work area, and generally controls the entire slot machine 100. Note that even if the power is cut off, the main RAM 200c retains data without erasing it, unless a setting change is made and the RAM is cleared.

The main control board 200 also has functional units such as an initialization means 300, a betting means 302, a winning type selection means 304, a reel control means 306, a determination means 308, a payout control means 310, a game status control means 312, and a command transmission means 314, which function when the main CPU 200a cooperates with the main RAM 200c based on a program stored in the main ROM 200b.

The main control board 200 receives various detection signals from the inserted medal detection unit 414b, which detects the insertion of medals into the medal insertion slot 114a, the bet switch 116, the start switch 118, and the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, and the main CPU 200a executes various processes based on the received detection signals.

The initialization means 300 executes initialization processing on the main control board 200. The betting means 302 bets medals to be used in the game. The winning type selection means 304 performs a winning type selection based on the operation of the start switch 118, as will be described in detail later, to determine whether or not a winning role has been achieved, and more specifically, whether or not a winning type that includes a winning role has been achieved.

The reel control means 306 controls the rotation of the left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c in response to the operation of the start switch 118, and controls the stopping of the corresponding left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c in response to the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c corresponding to the rotating left reel 110a, middle reel 110b, and right reel 110c, respectively. In addition, the reel control means 306 may extend the time from enabling the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c in the previous game to enabling the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c by the player to display the lottery result of the winning type lottery (which is disabled by the completion of the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c in the previous game) to a specified time in response to the operation of the start switch 118, and during that time, perform a reel effect (freeze effect) that controls the rotation of the reels 110a, 110b, 110c in various ways. The reel effect can be realized by not enabling any switch that should be enabled for a predetermined time, suspending a process that should be executed for a predetermined time, or not transmitting or receiving a signal of any switch that should be transmitted or received for a predetermined time. In addition, in this embodiment, as a reel presentation, the basic game may be interrupted in response to the operation of the start switch 118 in the basic game, the progress of the basic game may be delayed, and during that time, the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c may be controlled to rotate, and the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c may be controlled to temporarily stop in response to the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, to perform a pseudo game similar to the basic game. Note that the pseudo game ends when the start switch 118 is operated again or a predetermined time has elapsed since the temporary stop control, and the rotation control of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c in the basic game is resumed. In addition, as an example of the pseudo game, a predetermined pattern (for example, a pattern constituting a bonus role) on each reel 110a, 110b, and 110c may be automatically controlled to temporarily stop in response to the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c. In such a pseudo game, the effects can be executed with rotation control and stopping modes similar to or different from those of the basic game, which can enhance the interest of the game. Note that the provisional stop means that the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c appear to be stopped at first glance, but the phase signal of the stepping motor 152 of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c continues to change within 500 msec to indicate that the reels are not completely stopped, and the provisional stop control means control to provisionally stop the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c. However, unless otherwise specified, both stop and temporary stop are treated simply as stop in the sense that they do not rotate in one direction but maintain their position, and both stop control and temporary stop control are treated simply as stop control in the sense that the left reel 110a, center reel 110b, and right reel 110c are controlled to rotate in response to the operation of the start switch 118, and the left reel 110a, center reel 110b, and right reel 110c are stopped in response to the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c corresponding to the rotating left reel 110a, center reel 110b, and right reel 110c, respectively.

The reel drive control unit 150 is also connected to the main control board 200. This reel drive control unit 150 drives the stepping motor 152 based on the rotation start signal for the left reel 110a, center reel 110b, and right reel 110c sent from the reel control means 306 in response to the operation signal of the start switch 118. The reel drive control unit 150 also stops the driving of the stepping motor 152 based on the stop signal for each of the left reel 110a, center reel 110b, and right reel 110c and the detection signal of the rotation position detection circuit 154 sent from the reel control means 306 in response to the operation signal of the stop switch 120.

The determination means 308 determines whether or not a symbol combination corresponding to a winning role has been displayed on a winning line. Here, the display of a symbol combination corresponding to a winning role on a winning line may simply be referred to as winning. The payout control means 310 pays out medals in the number (value amount) corresponding to the winning role based on the display of a symbol combination corresponding to a winning role on a winning line (winning). In addition, a medal payout device 142 is connected to the main control board 200, and the payout control means 310 dispenses medals while counting the number of medals paid out.

The game state control means 312 refers to the result of the winning type lottery and the judgment result of the judgment means 308, and transitions the game state to one of multiple game states.

The command transmission means 314 sequentially determines game-related commands associated with the operation of the betting means 302, the winning type selection means 304, the reel control means 306, the determination means 308, the payout control means 310, the game status control means 312, etc., and sequentially transmits the determined commands to the sub-control board 202.

The main control board 200 is also provided with a random number generator (random number generating means) 200d. The random number generator 200d sequentially increments the count value, and resets the count value after counting a predetermined number of times (changing the number sequence to determine the initial value), thereby looping the count value within a predetermined numerical range. The main control board 200 obtains a random number value by extracting the count value from the random number generator 200d at a predetermined point in time. The random number value generated by the random number generator 200d of the main control board 200 (hereinafter referred to as the winning type lottery random number) is used to determine the gaming profit to be awarded to the player, for example, the winning type determined by the winning type lottery means 304.

(Sub-control board 202)
Similarly to the main control board 200, the sub-control board 202 has various semiconductor integrated circuits including a sub-CPU 202a which is a central processing unit, a sub-ROM 202b which stores programs and the like, and a sub-RAM 202c which functions as a work area, and controls the performance in particular based on commands from the main control board 200. Similarly to the main RAM 200c, the sub-RAM 202c is also connected to a backup power supply (not shown), so that data is not erased and is retained even if the power supply is cut off. Similarly to the main control board 200, the sub-control board 202 is also provided with a random number generator (random number generating means) 202d, and the random number value (hereinafter referred to as the performance lottery random number) generated by the random number generator 202d is mainly used to determine the mode of the performance.

In addition, the sub-control board 202 has functional units such as an initialization determination means 330, a command receiving means 332, and a performance control means 334, which function in cooperation with the sub-RAM 202c based on the program stored in the sub-ROM 202b.

The initialization determination means 330 executes initialization processing on the sub-control board 202. The command receiving means 332 receives commands from other control boards such as the main control board 200, and processes the commands. The performance control means 334 receives a detection signal from the performance switch 122, and determines the performance of the game to be performed by each device of the liquid crystal display unit 124, the speaker 128, and the performance lamp 126 based on the received command. Specifically, the performance control means 334 determines image data to be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 124, and illumination data for the performance through illumination devices such as the performance lamp 126, the sub-credit display unit 134, and the sub-payout display unit 136, and determines audio data constituting the sound to be output from the speaker 128. The performance control means 334 then executes the determined performance of the game.

(Table used in main control board 200)
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the winning combination, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the winning type selection table.

As will be described in detail later, the slot machine 100 has multiple game states, and the game states are changed according to the progress of the game. In the main control board 200, multiple winning type lottery tables and the like corresponding to the game states managed and controlled by the game state control means 312 are stored in the main ROM 200b. The winning type lottery means 304 extracts the corresponding winning type lottery table from the main ROM 200b according to the current setting value (which indicates the easiness of obtaining a game profit in stages) stored in the main RAM 200c and the current game state, and determines which winning type in the winning type lottery table corresponds to the winning type obtained according to the operation signal of the start switch 118 based on the extracted winning type lottery table.

Here, the winning roles that make up the winning types extracted in the winning type lottery table include a replay role, a small role, and a bonus role. A replay role is a role that allows a player to play again without placing a new medal bet when a symbol combination corresponding to the replay role is displayed on an active line. A small role is a role that allows a player to receive a predetermined number of medals according to the symbol combination when a symbol combination corresponding to the small role is displayed on an active line. A bonus role is a role that allows a game state managed by the game state control means 312 to transition to a bonus game state (a game state during RBB operation described later) when a symbol combination corresponding to the bonus role is displayed on an active line.

As shown in FIG. 7, the winning roles in this embodiment include the winning roles "RBB1" and "RBB2" as bonus roles. In addition, the winning role "Replay" is provided as a replay role. In addition, the winning roles "Bell" and "Cherry" are provided as minor roles. In FIG. 7, one or more symbols constituting each winning role are associated with the left reel 110a, the center reel 110b, and the right reel 110c. Note that "ANY" in FIG. 7 indicates that any symbol may stop on the corresponding pay line A.

Here, in this embodiment, when the stop switch 120 is operated by the player, if the symbols constituting the symbol combination corresponding to a winning combination that can be won are on an active line, the reel control means 306 performs stop control so that the symbols stop on the active line. Also, when the stop switch 120 is operated, if the symbols constituting the symbol combination corresponding to a winning combination that can be won are not on an active line but are within a range equivalent to four symbols in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the reel 110 (pulling-in range), the reel control means 306 performs stop control so that the number of symbols that are separated becomes the number of slipping frames, and the symbols constituting the symbol combination that can be won are pulled onto the active line and then stopped after maintaining rotation for the number of slipping frames. In addition, if there are multiple symbols on the reel 110 that correspond to a winning combination that can win a prize, and all of them are within the reel-in range of the reel 110, a predetermined priority order is set to determine which symbol to reel onto the pay line, and the reel is controlled to stop after maintaining rotation for the number of sliding frames so as to reel the prioritized symbol onto the pay line. Note that when the stop switch 120 is pressed, if a symbol that constitutes a symbol combination that corresponds to a winning combination other than a winning combination that can win a prize is on a pay line, the reel control means 306 also executes a so-called kick-off process in parallel to prevent the symbol from stopping on the pay line.

For example, the symbols constituting the symbol combinations corresponding to the winning roles "Replay" and "Bell" are arranged on each reel 110 so that they can always be displayed on an active line by the above-mentioned stopping control. Such a winning role is sometimes expressed as PB=1. On the other hand, for example, the symbols constituting the symbol combinations corresponding to the winning roles "RBB1", "RBB2", and "Cherry" are not always arranged on each reel 110 so that they can always be displayed on an active line by the above-mentioned stopping control, so so-called misses may occur. Such a winning role may be sometimes expressed as PB≠1.

As shown in FIG. 8, the winning type lottery table is divided into multiple winning areas, and the winning types that are the subject of the lottery vary depending on each game state, and the presence or absence of non-wins (misses) varies. In FIG. 8, the winning areas (winning types) assigned to each game state (non-internal game state (non-internal), game state while RBB is inside (RBB inside), game state while RBB is operating (RBB operating)) are represented by "○", but in reality, a winning type lottery table corresponding to each of the multiple game states is stored in main ROM 200b.

In the winning type lottery table, each partitioned winning area is associated with a predetermined number of entries (winning range value), which is a numerical value indicating the winning range, and a winning type. The total number of entries in all winning areas assigned to each game state is the total number of winning type lottery random numbers (65536). Therefore, the probability of each winning type being determined is the value obtained by dividing the number of entries associated with the winning area by the total number of winning type lottery random numbers. The winning type lottery means 304 sequentially obtains the number of entries from the multiple winning areas in the winning type lottery table starting with the highest number based on the game state at that time, subtracts the number of entries from the winning type lottery random number, and if the value after subtraction is less than 0, the winning type associated with the winning area at that time is the lottery result of the winning type lottery. Also, if the number of entries in all winning areas 1 or more are subtracted from the winning type lottery random number and the value after subtraction is 0 or more, the winning type "miss" of winning area 0 is the lottery result of the winning type lottery.

Here, we will add some details about the winning combinations "RBB1" and "RBB2". The first-class special role is a role that increases the number of combinations of symbols related to winning every specified number or increases the probability of the condition device related to winning every specified number activating, and is activated in a predetermined case and can continue to operate until the result of the game is obtained not more than 12 times. When the first-class special role is played consecutively, it becomes a role continuous operation device. Here, the winning role "RBB1" corresponds to the role continuous operation device, and the winning role "RBB2" corresponds to the first-class special role. Here, the condition device is a device whose operation is a necessary condition for the display of a combination of symbols related to winning, replay, role, or the operation of the role continuous operation device, and is activated when a winning type lottery (a lottery by a computer held in the gaming machine) is won, that is, it means a winning flag.

According to the winning type lottery table in FIG. 8, for example, winning area 0 is associated with the winning type "miss." If such a winning type is won, the symbol combination corresponding to any of the winning roles shown in FIG. 7 will not be displayed on the pay line, and no medals will be paid out.

Furthermore, winning area 1 is associated with the winning type "Replay" consisting of the winning role "Replay", winning area 2 is associated with the winning type "Bell" consisting of the winning role "Bell", and winning area 3 is associated with the winning type "Cherry" consisting of the winning role "Cherry".

In addition, winning area 4 is associated with the winning type "RBB1" which includes the winning role "RBB1" (bonus role) alone, winning area 5 is associated with the winning type "RBB1 Cherry" which includes the winning role "RBB1" and the winning role "Cherry" (a specific minor role) together, winning area 6 is associated with the winning type "RBB2" which includes the winning role "RBB2" (bonus role) alone, and winning area 7 is associated with the winning type "RBB2 Cherry" which includes the winning role "RBB2" and the winning role "Cherry" together. In addition, in the winning types "RBB1 Cherry" and "RBB2 Cherry", the winning roles "RBB1", "RBB2", and "Cherry" have a PB ≠ 1, and the winning roles "RBB1" or "RBB2" and the winning role "Cherry" are in a positional relationship where they cannot be displayed simultaneously on an active line.

When any of the above winning types is won, the internal winning flag corresponding to the winning type is set (ON), and the stopping of each reel 110 is controlled according to the setting status of this internal winning flag. At this time, if a winning type including a small win is won, but the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role cannot be displayed on an active line during that game, the internal winning flag is turned off after the game ends. In other words, the right to win a small win is limited to the game in which the winning type including a small win is won, and the right cannot be carried over to the next game. Therefore, regardless of whether the winning small win is a prize or not, the winning state is released (not carried over) at the start of the next game. On the other hand, when a winning type including the winning combinations "RBB1" and "RBB2" is won, different RBB internal winning flags are established (ON), and the RBB internal winning flags are carried over between games until the symbol combinations corresponding to the winning combinations "RBB1" and "RBB2" are displayed on the active line, and the state of winning the winning combinations "RBB1" and "RBB2" is continued in the next game. In this way, if a winning type including the winning combinations "RBB1" and "RBB2" is won but the symbol combinations corresponding to the winning combinations "RBB1" and "RBB2" cannot be displayed on the active line and a small combination is won in the next game or later, the game will be in a state of winning both the winning type including the winning combinations "RBB1" and "RBB2" and the small combination. In addition, when an internal win flag corresponding to a win type that includes a replay role is set, a symbol combination corresponding to one of the replay roles included in that win type is always displayed on the active line, and after the processing required to play the next game without requiring a medal is performed, the internal win flag is turned off.

(Game state transition)
Here, the transition of the game state will be explained with reference to FIG. 9. Here, a number of game states are prepared, such as a non-internal game state, an RBB internal game state, and an RBB operation game state. As will be described later, each game state transitions according to the winning of a bonus role, winning (operation), and ending. The types of winnings that can be won in each game state are indicated by "○" in FIG. 8.

The non-internal game state is a game state corresponding to the initial state in a plurality of game states. In such a non-internal game state, when a winning type including the winning role "RBB1" or the winning role "RBB2" (winning type "RBB1", winning type "RBB1 Cherry", winning type "RBB2", winning type "RBB2 Cherry") is determined by the winning type lottery, the RBB internal winning flag is established, and the game state control means 312 transitions the game state to an RBB internal game state corresponding to the preparation state of the RBB operation game state. Then, in a game in which a winning type including the winning role "RBB1" or the winning role "RBB2" is determined, if the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role (winning role "RBB1", winning role "RBB2") constituting the determined winning type cannot be displayed on the pay line, the RBB internal game state is maintained (1). On the other hand, in a game in which a winning type including the winning role "RBB1" or the winning role "RBB2" has been determined, if the symbol combination corresponding to the winning roles (winning roles "RBB1" and "RBB2") that make up the determined winning type can be displayed on the active line, the game state control means 312 transitions the game state to a game state in which RBB is active (2).

In the RBB internal game state, the establishment state of the RBB internal winning flag is carried over to the next game, and the player can display the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role (winning role "RBB1", winning role "RBB2") that constitutes the determined winning type on the active line. However, in this embodiment, the reel control means 306 performs stop control in the order of priority of replay role > bonus role > minor role. Therefore, even if the RBB internal winning flag is established, if a replay role is determined in the winning type lottery, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role (winning role "RBB1", winning role "RBB2") cannot be displayed on the active line. In addition, when the RBB internal winning flag is established, if a small win is determined in the winning type lottery, it is possible to display either the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role (winning role "RBB1", winning role "RBB2") or the symbol combination corresponding to the small win on the active line, but the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role (winning role "RBB1", winning role "RBB2") is controlled to stop preferentially. Then, when the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role (winning role "RBB1", winning role "RBB2") that constitutes the determined winning type is displayed on the active line, the game state control means 312 transitions the game state to the RBB operation game state (3).

In the RBB-operated gaming state, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the winning type "Bell" consisting of the winning role "Bell" with a payout of 9 coins is determined by a winning type lottery. Therefore, the player can win a predetermined number of medals. Here, when the end condition of the RBB-operated gaming state is met, that is, when the number of coins won exceeds a predetermined number (for example, 250 coins for the winning role "RBB1" and 150 coins for the winning role "RBB2"), the gaming state control means 312 transitions the gaming state to a non-internal gaming state (4).

The specific processing on the main control board 200 and the sub-control board 202 is explained below based on the flowchart.

(CPU Initialization Processing of Main Control Board 200)
10 is a flow chart for explaining the CPU initialization process in the main control board 200. When power is supplied from the power supply board, a system reset occurs in the main CPU 200a, and the main CPU 200a performs the following CPU initialization process (S100).

(Step S100-1)
When the power is turned on, the main CPU 200a reads a startup program from the main ROM 200b as an initial setting process, and performs setting processes required for executing various processes.

(Step S100-3)
The main CPU 200a sets a wait processing time in a timer counter.

(Step S100-5)
The main CPU 200a judges whether a power-off warning signal has been detected. The main control board 200 is provided with a power-off detection circuit, which outputs a power-off warning signal when the power supply voltage falls below a predetermined value. If a power-off warning signal has been detected, the process proceeds to step S100-3, and if a power-off warning signal has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S100-7.

(Step S100-7)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the wait processing time set in step S100-3 has elapsed or not. If it is judged that the wait processing time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S100-9, and if it is judged that the wait processing time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S100-5.

(Step S100-9)
The main CPU 200a executes the processes required to permit access to the main RAM 200c.

(Step S100-11)
The main CPU 200a executes a checksum confirmation process. Here, the main CPU 200a calculates a checksum and determines whether the calculated checksum does not match the checksum saved at the time of power off (is abnormal) and whether the backup is abnormal. If the main CPU 200a determines that either or both of the backup and the checksum are abnormal, it turns on the backup abnormality flag, and if it determines that neither the backup nor the checksum are abnormal, it turns off the backup abnormality flag.

(Step S100-13)
The main CPU 200a determines whether the backup abnormality flag is on. If it is determined that the backup abnormality flag is on, the process proceeds to step S110, and if it is determined that the backup abnormality flag is not on, the process proceeds to step S120.

(Step S110)
The main CPU 200a executes a cold start process, which will be described later.

(Step S120)
The main CPU 200a executes a setting value switching process for switching the setting value, which will be described later.

(Step S130)
The main CPU 200a executes a state restoration process to restore the state immediately before the power was turned off, as will be described later.

Figure 11 is a flowchart explaining the cold start process (S110) in the main control board 200.

(Step S110-1)
The main CPU 200a clears the used area in the main RAM 200c and executes a used area RAM check process to detect any abnormalities in the used area.

(Step S110-3)
The main CPU 200a clears the separate area (unused area) in the main RAM 200c and executes a separate area RAM check process to detect an abnormality in the separate area. If an abnormality is detected in the separate area in the separate area RAM check process, the main CPU 200a turns on a RAM read/write error flag.

(Step S110-5)
The main CPU 200a sets an error code "EA" indicating an abnormality in the main RAM 200c.

(Step S110-7)
The main CPU 200a judges whether an abnormality has been detected in the above step S110-1. If it is judged that an abnormality has been detected in the above step S110-1, the process proceeds to step S112, and if it is judged that an abnormality has not been detected in the above step S110-1, the process proceeds to step S110-9.

(Step S110-9)
The main CPU 200a acquires a RAM read/write error flag that is turned on when an abnormality is detected in step S110-3.

(Step S110-11)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the RAM read/write error flag is on. If it is judged that the RAM read/write error flag is on, the process proceeds to step S112, and if it is judged that the RAM read/write error flag is not on, the process proceeds to step S120.

(Step S120)
The main CPU 200a executes a setting value switching process for switching the setting value, which will be described later.

(Step S110-13)
The main CPU 200a sets the error code "E7" which indicates a backup error.

(Step S112)
The main CPU 200a executes an error stop process for stopping the progress of the game due to an error, which will be described later.

Figure 12 is a flowchart explaining the error stop processing (S112) in the main control board 200.

(Step S112-1)
The main CPU 200a sets an initial stack pointer value as the address of the stack pointer.

(Step S112-3)
The main CPU 200a executes an error setting process for displaying an error and setting an alarm sound.

(Step S112-5)
The main CPU 200a sets the external signal 1-3 output bit OFF, which turns off the output image of the bits corresponding to the external signals 1-3.

(Step S112-7)
The main CPU 200a executes an output port image set process for updating the output image for the bit set in step S112-5.

(Step S112-9)
The main CPU 200a goes into a permanent loop, which stops the progress of the game.

Figure 13 is a flowchart explaining the setting value switching process (S120) in the main control board 200.

(Step S120-1)
The main CPU 200a acquires a signal from the input port 1, and judges whether the setting value switching condition is satisfied based on the acquired signal from the input port 1. As a result, if it is judged that the setting value switching condition is not satisfied, the setting value switching process is terminated, and if it is judged that the setting value switching condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S120-3. Here, the signal from the input port 1 includes a signal indicating whether the front upper door 104 and the front lower door 106 are open or not, and a signal indicating whether the setting key is turned on or not. Here, it is judged that the setting value switching condition is satisfied when a signal indicating that the front upper door 104 and the front lower door 106 are open and a signal indicating that the setting key is turned on are acquired.

(Step S120-3)
The main CPU 200a executes a RAM clear process to clear areas in the main RAM 200c that should be cleared when the settings are changed.

(Step S120-5)
The main CPU 200a executes a table content setting process for transferring the table data of the setting value switching data table to the main RAM 200c.

(Step S120-7)
The main CPU 200a sets in the transmission buffer a setting change start command, which indicates the start of changing the setting value.

(Step S120-9)
The main CPU 200a executes an edge check process to detect the falling edge (on edge) of the signal at the input port.

(Step S120-11)
The main CPU 200a obtains setting value data indicating the current setting values.

(Step S120-13)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the on-edge of the setting change switch has been detected in the above step S120-9. If it is judged that the on-edge of the setting change switch has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S120-17, and if it is judged that the on-edge of the setting change switch has been detected, the process proceeds to step S120-15.

(Step S120-15)
The main CPU 200a increments the setting value data by one.

(Step S120-17)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the set value data is within the range (1 to 6) that can be set as a set value. If it is judged that the set value data is within the range, the process proceeds to step S120-21, and if it is judged that the set value data is not within the range, the process proceeds to step S120-19.

(Step S120-19)
The main CPU 200a sets the setting value data to zero.

(Step S120-21)
The main CPU 200a updates the setting value data to the value incremented or set in step S120-15 or step S120-19.

(Step S120-23)
The main CPU 200 a executes a display data conversion process for displaying the set value in the main credit display section 130 .

(Step S120-25)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the on-edge of the setting change switch has been detected. If it is judged that the on-edge of the setting change switch has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S120-31, and if it is judged that the on-edge of the setting change switch has been detected, the process proceeds to step S120-27.

(Step S120-27)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the setting change switch is on. If it is judged that the setting change switch is on, the process proceeds to step S120-27, and if it is judged that the setting change switch is not on, the process proceeds to step S120-29.

(Step S120-29)
The main CPU 200a sets a setting change switch interval timer.

(Step S120-31)
The main CPU 200a executes a timer wait process to wait until the setting change switch interval timer counts down to 0.

(Step S120-33)
The main CPU 200a judges whether it has detected an on-edge of the start switch 118. If it has judged that an on-edge of the start switch 118 has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S120-9, whereas if it has judged that an on-edge of the start switch 118 has been detected, the process proceeds to step S120-35.

(Step S120-35)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the setting key is OFF, and if it is judged that the setting key is OFF, the process proceeds to step S120-35, whereas if it is judged that the setting key is not OFF, the process proceeds to step S120-37.

(Step S120-37)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the setting key is on. If it is judged that the setting key is on, the process proceeds to step S120-37, and if it is judged that the setting key is not on, the process proceeds to step S122.

(Step S122)
The main CPU 200a executes an initialization start process to start the initialization start, which will be described later.

Figure 14 is a flowchart explaining the initialization start process (S122) in the main control board 200.

(Step S122-1)
The main CPU 200a sets in the transmission buffer a setting change end command indicating that the change in the setting value has been completed.

(Step S122-3)
The main CPU 200a sets in the transmission buffer a setting change state command indicating the state when the setting value change is completed.

(Step S122-5)
The main CPU 200a sets a wait timer at the start of initialization.

(Step S122-7)
The main CPU 200a executes a timer wait process to wait until the wait timer reaches 0 at the start of initialization.

(Step S122-9)
The main CPU 200a executes a setting change RAM clear process to clear another area of the main RAM 200c.

(Step S122-11)
The main CPU 200a executes a RAM clear process to clear areas in the main RAM 200c that should be cleared when the settings are changed.

(Step S122-13)
The main CPU 200a sets a game status command indicating the current game status in a transmission buffer.

(Step S200)
The main CPU 200a executes a game start process to start a game, which will be described later.

Figure 15 is a flowchart explaining the state restoration process (S130) in the main control board 200.

(Step S130-1)
The main CPU 200a restores the stack pointer.

(Step S130-3)
The main CPU 200a executes an unused area clearing process to clear unused areas in the main RAM 200c.

(Step S130-5)
The main CPU 200a clears the stack pointer storage buffer.

(Step S130-7)
The main CPU 200a sets (ON) the post-power-off recovery flag.

(Step S130-9)
The main CPU 200a executes a port input process to update the image of the input port.

(Step S130-11)
The main CPU 200a executes an operation target bit extraction process for extracting information on the operation target bit based on the image of the input port updated in step S130-9.

(Step S130-13)
The main CPU 200a sets the operation target bit extracted in step S130-11 as the operation target bit of the previous state.

(Step S130-15)
The main CPU 200a acquires the motor phases of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c. Here, the motor phase is set as the state of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c. The motor phase indicates the operation state of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c, i.e., accelerating, rotating steadily, stopped, and waiting. Specifically, a variable of 1 byte (storage unit) assigned to the motor phase changes to a value such as accelerating=3, rotating steadily=2, stopped=1, and waiting=0 according to the operation state of the stepping motor 152.

(Step S130-17)
The main CPU 200a determines whether any of the reels 110a, 110b, 110c are rotating steadily or accelerating based on the motor phase acquired in step S130-15. If it is determined that none of the reels 110a, 110b, 110c are rotating steadily or accelerating, the process proceeds to step S130-21, whereas if it is determined that any of the reels 110a, 110b, 110c are rotating steadily or accelerating, the process proceeds to step S130-19.

(Step S130-19)
The main CPU 200a executes a rotation error process that performs settings when an error is detected in the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c.

(Step S130-21)
The main CPU 200a restores the saved register group.

(Step S130-23)
The main CPU 200a then permits the interrupt and ends the state restoration process, thereby restoring the main CPU 200a to the state it was in immediately before the power was turned off.

Figure 16 is a flowchart explaining the game start process (S200) on the main control board 200.

(Step S200-1)
The main CPU 200a executes a re-play state identification signal output setting process for outputting a re-play state identification signal indicating whether or not a re-play is being performed.

(Step S200-3)
The main CPU 200a sets an inserted number indicator output bit OFF to turn off (light off) the bit corresponding to the inserted number indicator that displays the number of inserted medals (number of bets).

(Step S200-5)
The main CPU 200a executes an output port image set process for updating the output image for the bit set in step S200-3.

(Step S200-7)
The main CPU 200a sets a game start wait timer.

(Step S200-9)
The main CPU 200a executes a timer wait process to wait until the game start wait timer counts down to 0.

(Step S200-11)
The main CPU 200a executes a one-game RAM clear process to clear an area in the main RAM 200c that should be cleared for each game.

(Step S200-13)
The main CPU 200a executes a bonus signal setting process for setting a bonus signal.

(Step S200-15)
The main CPU 200a executes an edge clear process to clear edge information of the input port image.

(Step S210)
The main CPU 200a executes a medal insertion process for receiving insertion of medals, which will be described later.

Figure 17 is a flowchart explaining the medal insertion process (S210) on the main control board 200.

(Step S210-1)
The main CPU 200a executes an error checking process to check the detection results of various errors.

(Step S210-3)
The main CPU 200a executes an edge check process to detect the falling edge (on edge) of the signal at the input port.

(Step S210-5)
The main CPU 200a acquires a door open error detection flag that is set to 1 when the front upper door 104 or the front lower door 106 is open.

(Step S210-7)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the front upper door 104 and the front lower door 106 are closed based on the door open error detection flag acquired in the above step S210-5. If it is judged that the front upper door 104 and the front lower door 106 are closed, the process proceeds to step S210-17, and if it is judged that at least one of the front upper door 104 and the front lower door 106 is not closed, the process proceeds to step S210-9.

(Step S210-9)
The main CPU 200a sets an error code "E8" which indicates that at least one of the front upper door 104 or the front lower door 106 is open.

(Step S210-11)
The main CPU 200a executes an error wait process to display an error, request an alarm sound, and wait for recovery from the error.

(Step S210-13)
The main CPU 200a executes a setting value confirmation process to confirm the setting value.

(Step S210-15)
The main CPU 200a executes an edge clear process to clear edge information of the input port image.

(Step S210-17)
When a credit switch (not shown) for paying back accumulated (credited) medals is pressed, the main CPU 200a executes a credit button check process for paying back the accumulated medals.

(Step S210-19)
The main CPU 200a executes a process related to the medal insertion button for betting medals. When the bet switch 116 is pressed, the reserved (credited) medals are bet up to a specified number, and the number of reserved medals is subtracted by the number of medals bet. When medals are inserted through the medal insertion slot 114a, medals are bet up to a specified number, and when more medals are inserted than the specified number, the number of medals is added to the number of reserved medals.

(Step S210-21)
The main CPU 200a executes a medal acquisition process to check whether the number of inserted medals is a specified number.

(Step S210-23)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the number of inserted coins is equal to the specified number based on the result of the check in step S210-21. If the number of inserted coins is equal to the specified number, the process proceeds to step S210-1. If the number of inserted coins is equal to the specified number, the process proceeds to step S210-25.

(Step S210-25)
The main CPU 200a sets a start indicator output bit for turning on (illuminating) a start indicator (not shown) that indicates whether or not the operation of the start switch 118 has been validated.

(Step S210-27)
The main CPU 200a judges whether or not it has detected a falling edge (pressing) of the start switch 118. As a result, if it is judged that the falling edge of the start switch 118 has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S210-1, and if it is judged that the falling edge of the start switch 118 has been detected, the process proceeds to step S210-29.

(Step S210-29)
The main CPU 200a clears the main payout display section buffer to clear the display of the main payout display section 132.

(Step S210-31)
The main CPU 200a executes a re-play state identification signal clearing process for clearing the re-play state identification signal.

(Step S210-33)
The main CPU 200a executes blocker blocking pre-processing to turn off (extinguish) the start indicator.

(Step S210-35)
The main CPU 200a sets a lever press command, which indicates that the start switch 118 has been pressed, in the transmission buffer.

(Step S220)
The main CPU 200a executes an internal lottery process for carrying out a lottery for determining the type of winning. This internal lottery process will be described later.

Figure 18 is a flowchart explaining the internal lottery process (S220) in the main control board 200.

(Step S220-1)
The main CPU 200a acquires the setting value data.

(Step S220-3)
The main CPU 200a sets an error code "EC" indicating a setting value abnormality error.

(Step S220-5)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the setting value data acquired in step S220-1 is abnormal. If it is judged that the setting value data is abnormal, the process proceeds to step S112, and if it is judged that the setting value data is not abnormal, the process proceeds to step S220-7.

(Step S220-7)
The main CPU 200a obtains the winning type lottery random number updated by the random number generator 200d.

(Step S220-9)
The main CPU 200a executes a state offset acquisition process for acquiring an offset value related to a game state.

(Step S220-11)
The main CPU 200a sets the address of the internal lottery area definition table (winning type lottery table).

(Step S220-13)
The main CPU 200a adds the offset value acquired in step S220-9 to the address set in step S220-11, and sets the value indicated by the address as the initial value of the winning area. Here, the first winning area in the winning type lottery table for the current game state is set as the initial value.

(Step S220-15)
The main CPU 200a acquires lottery data, which is a numerical value indicating the winning range of the winning area, and executes a lottery data acquisition process to shift the winning area by one.

(Step S220-17)
The main CPU 200a judges whether or not to hold a prize type lottery. If it is judged that a prize type lottery will not be held, the process proceeds to step S220-21. If it is judged that a prize type lottery will be held, the process proceeds to step S220-19.

(Step S220-19)
The main CPU 200a subtracts the lottery data from the random number value.

(Step S220-21)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the subtraction result in step S220-19 is negative, i.e., whether the winning area has been won by the winning type lottery. If it is judged that the winning type lottery has been won, the process proceeds to step S230, and if it is judged that the winning type lottery has not been won, the process proceeds to step S220-23.

(Step S220-23)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the winning type lottery has ended. If it is judged that the winning type lottery has not ended, the process proceeds to step S220-15, and if it is judged that the winning type lottery has ended, the process proceeds to step S220-25.

(Step S220-25)
The main CPU 200a clears the trigger role type.

(Step S230)
The main CPU 200a executes a symbol code setting process for setting a symbol code based on the winning area and the game state. This symbol code setting process will be described later.

Figure 19 is a flowchart explaining the pattern code setting process (S230) on the main control board 200.

(Step S230-1)
The main CPU 200a acquires the winning area acquired in step S220, and executes a game state setting process for setting the game state to an internal game state if the acquired winning area includes a bonus role.

(Step S230-3)
The main CPU 200a sets the winning area acquired in step S230-1 as the stop control number.

(Step S230-5)
The main CPU 200a determines (sets) a winning combination group based on the winning region acquired in step S230-1. Depending on the determined winning combination group, the main CPU 200a may turn on a pseudo game execution flag. When the pseudo game execution flag is on, it indicates that a pseudo game is executed, and when it is off, it indicates that a pseudo game is not executed.

(Step S230-7)
The main CPU 200a executes a symbol code initial setting process for setting symbol codes indicating symbols that can be displayed and symbols to be drawn in, based on the stop control number set in step S230-3.

(Step S230-9)
The main CPU 200a executes a display symbol bit initial value setting process to set a display symbol bit.

(Step S230-15)
The main CPU 200a sets a winning information command indicating the type of winning in the transmission buffer.

(Step S230-17)
The main CPU 200a checks the one-game timer.

(Step S230-19)
The main CPU 200a sets in the transmission buffer a pre-reel spin command indicating that the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c have not yet spun.

(Step S230-21)
The main CPU 200a executes an excitation release waiting process for waiting for the excitation release of the stepping motor 152.

(Step S236)
The main CPU 200a executes a reel performance process for executing a pseudo game. Specifically, in response to the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, the main CPU 200a automatically controls a provisional stop of a predetermined symbol (e.g., a symbol constituting a bonus role) on each of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c, and turns off a pseudo game execution flag when all the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c have provisionally stopped or when they start rotating through a random delay process after the provisional stop.

(Step S230-23)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the 1-game timer is not 0. As a result, if it is judged that the 1-game timer is not 0, the process proceeds to step S230-23, and if it is judged that the 1-game timer is 0, the process proceeds to step S230-25.

(Step S230-25)
The main CPU 200a executes a reel start process for starting the rotation of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c. Here, the motor phases of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are set to accelerating to start the rotation of each reel, and the one-play timer is set to a value equivalent to 4.1 seconds.

(Step S230-27)
The main CPU 200a sets in the transmission buffer a reel start command indicating that the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c have started to rotate.

(Step S240)
The main CPU 200a executes a process during the rotation of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c. This process will be described later.

Figure 20 is a flowchart explaining the processing during reel rotation (S240) in the main control board 200.

(Step S240-1)
The main CPU 200a sets the stop indicator output bit off (output image) to turn off (turn off) the bit corresponding to the indicator (not shown) of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c. Here, the stop indicator output bit is composed of a bit string of 3 bits, each bit corresponding to the light emission color of the three stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c, respectively, and is represented by blue=1 and red=0.

(Step S240-3)
The main CPU 200a executes an output port image set process for updating the output image for the bit set in step S240-1.

(Step S240-5)
The main CPU 200a executes an error checking process to check the detection results of various errors.

(Step S240-7)
The main CPU 200a refers to the index flag and obtains the index of the spinning reels 110a, 110b, and 110c. Note that the index flag is set only after the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c have reached a steady rotation speed. In other words, the fact that the index flag is set also indicates that the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c have reached a steady rotation speed.

(Step S240-9)
The main CPU 200a judges whether all index flags of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c have been detected. If it is determined that all index flags have not been detected, the process proceeds to step S240-1, and if it is determined that all index flags have been detected, the process proceeds to step S240-11.

(Step S240-11)
The main CPU 200a acquires the stopped reel bit indicating the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c that have stopped or are starting to stop. Here, the stopped reel bit is composed of a 3-bit bit string, and each bit corresponds to one of the three reels 110a, 110b, and 110c, and is represented as 1 for a steady state and 0 for an accelerating state, decelerating state, or stopped state.

(Step S240-13)
The main CPU 200a stores the stopped reel bit acquired in step S240-11 as a reel rotation in progress flag.

(Step S240-15)
The main CPU 200a sets a stop indicator output bit ON (output image) to turn ON (turn OFF) the bit corresponding to the indicator (not shown) of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c.

(Step S240-17)
The main CPU 200a acquires an image of the input port 0, and executes an operation target bit extraction process to extract an operation target bit from the acquired image. Here, the operation target bit is composed of a bit string of 3 bits, each bit corresponding to one of the three stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c, and is represented as 1 if it is operated and 0 if it is not operated.

(Step S240-19)
The main CPU 200a calculates the logical product of the reel spinning flag acquired in step S240-13 and the bit to be operated extracted in step S240-17. If the reel 110 is spinning and the stop switch 120 corresponding to that reel is operated, that is, if the operated stop switch 120 corresponds to the reel 110 that is actively spinning, the logical product will be 1.

(Step S240-21)
The main CPU 200a determines whether the logical product calculated in step S240-19 is 0, i.e., whether the stop switch 120 corresponding to the spinning reel 110 has not been operated. If it is determined that the stop switch 120 corresponding to the spinning reel 110 has not been operated, the process proceeds to step S240-3, and if it is determined that the stop switch 120 corresponding to the spinning reel 110 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S240-23.

(Step S240-23)
The main CPU 200a obtains an output image including the stop indicator output bit, and calculates the logical product of the obtained output image and the logical product calculated in the above step S240-19. Here, if the operated stop switch 120 is lit in red, the bit of the logical product becomes 0, and if the operated stop switch 120 is lit in blue, the bit of the logical product becomes 1.

(Step S240-25)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the logical product calculated in the above step S240-23 is 0, i.e., whether the operated stop switch 120 is lit in red. If it is judged that the operated stop switch 120 is lit in red, the process proceeds to step S240-1, and if it is judged that the operated stop switch 120 is not lit in red, the process proceeds to step S240-27.

(Step S240-27)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the operated stop switch 120 is valid. As a result, if it is judged that the operated stop switch 120 is not valid, the process proceeds to step S240-1, and if it is judged that the operated stop switch 120 is valid, the process proceeds to step S240-29. Note that here, it is judged whether or not one stop switch 120 is operated. Then, if it is judged that one stop switch 120 is operated, the process proceeds to step S240-29, and if it is judged that not one stop switch 120 is operated, that is, two or more stop switches 120 are operated, the process proceeds to step S240-1.

(Step S240-29)
The main CPU 200a executes a stop control reel setting process to acquire various parameters for stopping the reel 110 corresponding to the operated stop switch 120.

(Step S240-31)
The main CPU 200a prohibits interrupts.

(Step S240-33)
The main CPU 200a executes a touch reference position acquisition process to derive the symbol number of the symbol located on the pay line as the touch reference position.

(Step S240-35)
The main CPU 200a executes a sliding frame number acquisition process for determining the number of sliding frames on the reel 110.

(Step S250)
The main CPU 200a executes a reel stop process for stopping the reel 110 corresponding to the operated stop switch 120. This reel stop process will be described later.

Figure 21 is a flowchart explaining the reel stop process (S250) in the main control board 200.

(Step S250-1)
The main CPU 200a obtains the pressed reference position derived in step S240-35.

(Step S250-3)
The main CPU 200a calculates a stop request number by correcting the number of sliding symbols determined in the above step S240-37 with respect to the pressed reference position acquired in the above step S250-1.

(Step S250-5)
The main CPU 200a sets a stop request flag (sets it to 1). The stop request flag is a flag for requesting a program operating in parallel to perform a stop process for the target reel 110, and by setting the stop request flag to 1, it becomes possible to stop the symbol corresponding to the stop request number on the pay line. The stop request flag and the stop request number are read out by a program operating in parallel, and the reel 110 is stopped. When the stop process is completed, the stop request flag is reset to 0 (OFF) by that program.

(Step S250-7)
The main CPU 200a permits the interrupt.

(Step S250-9)
The main CPU 200a sets a stop information command indicating the stopping order of the reels 110 in the transmission buffer.

(Step S250-11)
The main CPU 200a sets the stop indicator output bit off (output image) to turn off (turn off) the bit corresponding to the indicator (not shown) of the stop switch 120.

(Step S250-13)
The main CPU 200a executes an output port image set process for updating the output image for the bit set in step S250-11.

(Step S250-15)
The main CPU 200a executes a display symbol bit setting process to set a display symbol bit.

(Step S250-17)
The main CPU 200a executes a next cylinder setting pre-processing for stopping the next reel 110.

(Step S250-19)
The main CPU 200a judges whether or not the stop processing has been completed for all of the reels 110. As a result, if it is judged that the stop processing for all of the reels 110 has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S240, and if it is judged that the stop processing for all of the reels 110 has been completed, the process proceeds to step S250-21.

(Step S250-21)
The main CPU 200a determines whether the stop request flag is on for any of the reels 110, i.e., whether all of the reels 110 have been stopped. If it is determined that all of the reels 110 have not been stopped, the process proceeds to step S250-21, and if it is determined that all of the reels 110 have been stopped, the process proceeds to step S250-23.

(Step S250-23)
The main CPU 200a executes an error checking process to check the detection results of various errors.

(Step S250-25)
The main CPU 200a executes an operation target bit extraction process for extracting information on the operation target bit.

(Step S250-27)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the stop switch 120 is pressed based on the operation target bit acquired in the above step S250-25. If it is judged that the stop switch 120 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S250-23, and if it is judged that the stop switch 120 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S260.

(Step S260)
The main CPU 200a executes a display determination process for determining the winning combination that has been achieved. This display determination process will be described later.

Figure 22 is a flowchart explaining the display determination process (S260) in the main control board 200.

(Step S260-1)
The main CPU 200a clears the buffer of the main payout display section 132.

(Step S260-3)
The main CPU 200a executes a display judgment abnormality detection process for determining whether a display judgment abnormality has occurred based on whether or not the pattern combination displayed on the active line matches the pattern combination permitted to be displayed on the active line.

(Step S260-5)
The main CPU 200a sets an error code "EE" which indicates a display determination abnormality (error).

(Step S260-7)
The main CPU 200a judges whether or not there is a display judgment abnormality based on the judgment result of the above step S260-3. As a result, if it is judged that there is a display judgment abnormality, the process proceeds to step S112, and if it is judged that there is no display judgment abnormality, the process proceeds to step S260-9.

(Step S260-9)
The main CPU 200a executes a display symbol identification generation process for determining a winning combination based on the symbol combination stopped (displayed) on the pay line.

(Step S260-11)
The main CPU 200a sets the initial value of the payout number to 0.

(Step S260-13)
The main CPU 200a judges whether or not a small win has been won. If it is judged that a small win has been won, the process proceeds to step S260-15. If it is judged that a small win has not been won, the process proceeds to step S260-35.

(Step S260-15)
The main CPU 200a turns on a winning flag indicating that a small winning combination has been achieved.

(Step S260-17)
The main CPU 200a executes a payout number setting process for setting the payout number according to the small winning combination.

(Step S260-35)
The main CPU 200a judges whether or not the replay role has been won. If it is judged that the replay role has not been won, the process proceeds to step S270, and if it is judged that the replay role has been won, the process proceeds to step S260-37.

(Step S260-37)
The main CPU 200a sets the number of coins inserted as the number of coins to be paid out.

(Step S260-39)
The main CPU 200a turns on the replay operation flag.

(Step S260-41)
The main CPU 200a sets the number of coins to be automatically inserted.

(Step S270)
The main CPU 200a executes a payout process for paying out medals, which will be described later.

Figure 23 is a flowchart explaining the payout process (S270) in the main control board 200.

(Step S270-1)
The main CPU 200a acquires a re-play operation flag.

(Step S270-3)
The main CPU 200a sets in the transmission buffer a payout start command indicating that the payout of medals has started.

(Step S270-5)
The main CPU 200a judges whether or not a replay has been won based on the replay operation flag acquired in the above step S270-1. If it is judged that a replay has been won, the process proceeds to step S270-41, and if it is judged that a replay has not been won, the process proceeds to step S270-7.

(Step S270-7)
The main CPU 200a executes a main display display process to display 0 on the main payout display section 132.

(Step S270-9)
The main CPU 200a determines whether or not a payout has been made (the number of payout coins is 0). If it determines that no payout has been made, the process proceeds to step S270-35. If it determines that a payout has been made, the process proceeds to step S270-11.

(Step S270-11)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the number of reserved sheets is 50 or more. If it is judged that the number of reserved sheets is 50 or more, the process proceeds to step S270-13, and if it is judged that the number of reserved sheets is not 50 or more, the process proceeds to step S270-15.

(Step S270-13)
The main CPU 200a executes a medal payout device control process for causing the medal payout device 142 to pay out one medal, and then moves to step S270-23.

(Step S270-15)
The main CPU 200a sets a payout start interval timer.

(Step S270-17)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the payout start timer is not 0, i.e., whether it is the time of the first payout. If it is judged as the time of the first payout, the process proceeds to step S270-21, and if it is judged as not the time of the first payout, the process proceeds to step S270-19.

(Step S270-19)
The main CPU 200a executes a timer wait process to wait until the payout start interval timer counts down to 0.

(Step S270-21)
The main CPU 200a increments the number of stored coins by one.

(Step S270-23)
The main CPU 200a sets in the transmission buffer a payout execution command indicating that one medal has been paid out.

(Step S270-25)
The main CPU 200a executes a main display pre-display process for displaying on the main payout display section 132 the number of coins that have already been paid out.

(Step S270-27)
The main CPU 200a judges whether or not the bonus game state is in effect. If it is judged that the bonus game state is not in effect, the process proceeds to step S270-31. If it is judged that the bonus game state is in effect, the process proceeds to step S270-29.

(Step S270-29)
The main CPU 200a increments by one the number of medals acquired during bonus operation, which is the number of medals paid out in the bonus game state.

(Step S270-31)
The main CPU 200a judges whether or not the payout of the payout number of medals has been completed. If it is judged that the payout has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S270-11, and if it is judged that the payout has been completed, the process proceeds to step S270-33.

(Step S270-33)
The main CPU 200a executes a payout end process to end the payout of medals.

(Step S270-35)
The main CPU 200a judges whether an over error has been detected. If it is judged that an over error has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S270-41, and if it is judged that an over error has been detected, the process proceeds to step S270-37.

(Step S270-37)
The main CPU 200a sets an error code "E5" indicating an over error.

(Step S270-39)
The main CPU 200a executes an error wait process to display an error, request an alarm sound, and wait for recovery from the error.

(Step S270-41)
The main CPU 200a sets in the transmission buffer a payout end command indicating that the payout of medals has been completed.

(Step S280)
The main CPU 200a executes a game transition process for managing the transition of a game state, etc. This game transition process will be described later.

Figure 24 is a flowchart explaining the game transition process (S280) on the main control board 200.

(Step S280-1)
The main CPU 200a acquires a replay operation flag, and based on the acquired replay operation flag, executes a replay display control process which sets a stop display output bit off (output image) to turn on or off a bit corresponding to a replay display (not shown) indicating that the next play is a replay, and updates the output bit of the set output image.

(Step S280-3)
When a bonus combination is won, the main CPU 200a executes a combination operation symbol display process for setting various parameters for controlling the bonus game state.

(Step S280-5)
When the number of coins acquired during the bonus operation reaches a predetermined number in the bonus game state, the main CPU 200a executes a bonus operation end process for shifting the game state to a non-internal game state.

(Step S280-17)
The main CPU 200a sets a game end command, which indicates that one game has ended, in the transmission buffer.

(Step S280-19)
The main CPU 200a executes a terminal board signal output process for outputting an external signal.

(Step S280-23)
The main CPU 200a sets a game status command indicating the game status in a transmission buffer.

(Step S280-25)
The main CPU 200a sets a game start command indicating the start of the next game in the transmission buffer, and transfers the process to step S200.

One game is executed through a series of processes from step S200 to step S280. After that, steps S200 to S280 are repeated.

Next, we will explain the power-off evacuation process and timer interrupt process on the main control board 200.

(Evacuation process when power is turned off for the main control board 200)
25 is a flow chart explaining the power-off save processing in the main control board 200. The main CPU 200a monitors the power-off detection circuit, and when the power supply voltage falls below a predetermined value, interrupts and executes the power-off save processing.

(Step S300-1)
When the power-off warning signal is input, the main CPU 200a saves the registers.

(Step S300-3)
The main CPU 200a checks the power-off warning signal.

(Step S300-5)
The main CPU 200a judges whether a power-off warning signal has been detected. If it is judged that a power-off warning signal has been detected, the process proceeds to step S300-11. If it is judged that a power-off warning signal has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S300-7.

(Step S300-7)
The main CPU 200a restores the registers.

(Step S300-9)
The main CPU 200a performs processing to permit an interrupt, and ends the power-off save processing.

(Step S300-11)
The main CPU 200a executes an output port clear process to stop the output of the output port.

(Step S300-13)
The main CPU 200a executes a save process for the separate area when power is turned off.

(Step S300-15)
The main CPU 200a executes a RAM protect setting process required to prohibit access to the main RAM 200c.

(Step S300-17)
In order to set a power interruption occurrence monitoring time, the main CPU 200a sets the counter value of a loop counter to a predetermined number of times the power interruption detection signal has been detected.

(Step S300-19)
The main CPU 200a decrements the value of the loop counter set in step S300-17 by one.

(Step S300-21)
The main CPU 200a judges whether the counter value of the loop counter is 0. If it is judged that the counter value is not 0, the process proceeds to step S300-19, and if it is judged that the counter value is 0, the process proceeds to the above-mentioned CPU initialization process (step S1000).

If a power outage actually occurs, operation of the slot machine 100 will stop while steps S300-19 to S300-21 are being looped.

(Timer interrupt processing of main control board 200)
26 is a flow chart for explaining the timer interrupt process in the main control board 200. The main control board 200 is provided with a reset clock pulse generating circuit that generates a clock pulse every predetermined period (1.49 milliseconds in the simultaneous rotation reference example, hereinafter referred to as "1.49 ms"). When a clock pulse is generated by the reset clock pulse generating circuit, an interrupt occurs and the following timer interrupt process is executed.

(Step S400-1)
The main CPU 200a saves the registers.

(Step S400-3)
The main CPU 200a clears the interrupt flag.

(Step S400-5)
The main CPU 200a reads various input port images and executes port input processing to accurately obtain the latest switch states.

(Step S400-7)
The main CPU 200a outputs the set output image to an output port, and executes a dynamic port output process which controls the lighting of the main credit display section 130, the main payout display section 132, the number of inserted coins indicator, the start indicator, the indicators of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c, and the replay indicator.

(Step S400-9)
The main CPU 200a updates the timer interrupt processing phase. The timer interrupt processing phase is any one of 0 to 3. Here, if the timer interrupt processing phase is 0, 1, or 2, 1 is added, and if the timer interrupt processing phase is 3, it is changed to 0.

(Step S400-11)
The main CPU 200 a performs a sub-command transmission process to transmit the commands stored in the transmission buffer to the sub-control board 202 .

(Step S400-13)
The main CPU 200 a executes a stepping motor control process for controlling the stepping motor 152 .

(Step S400-15)
The main CPU 200 a executes an output port image output process that outputs an output image to be output to the medal payout device 142 .

(Step S400-17)
The main CPU 200a executes a random number update process to update various random number values.

(Step S400-19)
The main CPU 200a executes fraud monitoring processing to detect errors in order to output external signals (external signals 4 and 5) corresponding to the errors to the outside.

(Step S400-21)
The main CPU 200a executes a module (subroutine) corresponding to the timer interrupt processing phase updated in step S400-9. Here, the timer interrupt processing phase is set to any one of 0 to 3, and one module is provided corresponding to each of the timer interrupt processing phases 0 to 3 (four in total), so that one module is executed once every four timer interrupt processing times (every 5.96 ms). For example, a module that executes a time monitoring process that subtracts from various timers is associated with one timer interrupt processing phase.

(Step S400-23)
The main CPU 200a executes a test signal output process for outputting a test signal to the outside.

(Step S400-25)
The main CPU 200a reads various input port images and executes port input processing to accurately obtain the latest switch states.

(Step S400-27)
The main CPU 200a restores the registers.

(Step S400-29)
The main CPU 200a permits the interrupt and ends the timer interrupt process.

<Bonus winning notification>
As described above, when a winning type including the winning combination "RBB1" or the winning combination "RBB2" (winning type "RBB1", winning type "RBB1 Cherry", winning type "RBB2", winning type "RBB2 Cherry") is determined by the winning type lottery, the RBB internal winning flag is established, and the game state control means 312 shifts the game state to the RBB internal game state. Then, the player can display the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination (winning combination "RBB1", winning combination "RBB2") constituting the determined winning type on the pay line. Then, when the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination constituting the determined winning type is displayed on the pay line, the game state control means 312 shifts the game state to the RBB operation game state.

In this way, when the winning type including the winning role "RBB1" or the winning role "RBB2" is determined by the winning type lottery and the game state is shifted to the RBB internal game state, the player may be notified (announced) that the winning type including the winning role "RBB1" or the winning role "RBB2" has been determined. For example, in response to the determination of the winning type including the winning role "RBB1" or the winning role "RBB2", the performance control means 334 may light or blink a part of the performance lamp 126 (e.g., a lamp dedicated to the announcement), display an image to that effect on the liquid crystal display unit 124, or output a sound indicating that effect (e.g., a specific voice of a character) from the speaker 128. In the following, the announcement that the winning type including the winning role "RBB1" or the winning role "RBB2" has been determined may be abbreviated to simply "bonus announcement". In the bonus notification, the fact that a winning type including the winning role "RBB1" or the winning role "RBB2" has been determined is notified, but whether the winning type includes the winning role "RBB1" or the winning role "RBB2" is not notified in order to increase the player's expectations. However, this is not limited to the above case, and the performance control means 334 may, for example, turn off the lights in the front panel of the front upper door 104 of the slot machine 100, or turn on the performance lamp 126, but mute the sound that would normally be output at the same time, to notify that a winning type including the winning role "RBB1" with a high gaming profit has been determined. Note that the bonus notification may be made by any means, regardless of the performance lamp 126, the liquid crystal display unit 124, or the speaker 128, as long as it can convey that fact to the player, and various notification means can be applied, such as making the role perform a predetermined action.

However, if bonus notifications were to be uniformly issued at predetermined times, players would be able to predict the timing, and the sense of rarity of the bonus notification would be diminished. Furthermore, if bonus notifications were not issued at those times, it would also be confirmed that the player has not won any of the winning combinations, including the winning combination "RBB1" or "RBB2," which would reduce the player's motivation to play. Here, we aim to increase motivation to play by providing variation in the timing of notifications.

Figure 27 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between winning types and notification timing. Here, notification will be explained when a winning type including the winning role "RBB1" or the winning role "RBB2" is won, i.e., the winning type "RBB1", the winning type "RBB1 Cherry", the winning type "RBB2", or the winning type "RBB2 Cherry". Note that here, it is assumed that the relative ratio for determining the winning type "RBB1", the winning type "RBB1 Cherry", the winning type "RBB2", and the winning type "RBB2 Cherry" is set to, for example, 8:2:4:1.

In this embodiment, three timings are given as examples of bonus notification. The first timing is the operation of the start switch 118 (first operation) in a game in which a winning type including the winning role "RBB1" or the winning role "RBB2" is won by the winning type lottery. Therefore, the first timing is the same timing as the determination of the winning type including the winning role "RBB1" or the winning role "RBB2". Such a first timing is sometimes called "advance notification". The second timing is the third stop (second operation) in a game in which a winning type including the winning role "RBB1" or the winning role "RBB2" is won by the winning type lottery. The third timing is the operation of the start switch 118 (second operation) in the next game of a game in which a winning type including the winning role "RBB1" or the winning role "RBB2" is won by the winning type lottery. The second and third timings may be referred to as "later notification" to indicate notification after the "early notification." As shown in FIG. 27, if the winning type lottery determines the winning type "RBB1" (first winning type) containing the winning role "RBB1" alone, or the winning type "RBB2" (first winning type) containing the winning role "RBB2" alone, then the early notification is performed. Also, if the winning type lottery determines the winning type "RBB1 Cherry" (second winning type) in which the winning role "RBB1" and the winning role "Cherry" overlap, or the winning type "RBB2 Cherry" (second winning type) in which the winning role "RBB2" and the winning role "Cherry" overlap, then the late notification is performed.

Figure 28 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the advance notification operation. When a player operates the start switch 118 in a non-internal play state and the winning type "RBB1" or "RBB2" is determined by the winning type lottery, when the start switch 118 is operated, which triggers the winning type lottery, the presentation control means 334 performs a bonus notification (advance notification) by, for example, turning on the presentation lamp 126, as shown in Figure 28 (a).

The player can understand from this bonus notification that he or she has won the winning type "RBB1" or the winning type "RBB2" by operating the start switch 118. Therefore, the player can operate the stop switch 120 to display the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "RBB1" or the winning role "RBB2" on the pay line, as shown in FIG. 28(b).

However, the player can know that the winning type including the winning role "RBB1" or the winning role "RBB2" has been determined, but cannot know whether the winning type includes the winning role "RBB1" or the winning role "RBB2". Here, the only difference between the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "RBB1" and the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "RBB2" is that the symbols on the right reel 110c are the symbols "red 7" and "BAR". Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the symbols "red 7" and "BAR" are arranged consecutively on the right reel 110c. Therefore, the player can win either the winning role "RBB1" or the winning role "RBB2" as shown in FIG. 28(c) by operating the stop switch 120 so that the symbol "BAR" on the right reel 110c is displayed on the pay line. In this way, when a player wins the winning type "RBB1" or "RBB2", the game state can be transitioned to the RBB operating game state.

As described above, the symbols constituting the symbol combinations corresponding to the winning roles "RBB1", "RBB2", and "Cherry" are not necessarily arranged on each reel 110 so as to be displayed on the pay line. Of these, even if the winning roles "RBB1" and "RBB2" do not win, they can be displayed on the pay line in the next game or later. On the other hand, the winning role "Cherry" can only be displayed on the pay line in a game in which the winning type including the winning role "Cherry" (winning type "Cherry", winning type "RBB1 Cherry", winning type "RBB2 Cherry") is won. Therefore, in order to suppress the decrease of medals, in the non-internal game state, the player operates the stop switch 120 so that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "Cherry" can be displayed on the pay line, that is, at the timing when the symbol numbers "4" to "8", "13" to "17" of the left reel 110a in FIG. 3 are located on the pay line. The winning combination "Cherry" and the winning combination "RBB1" or "RBB2" are in a positional relationship such that they cannot be displayed on the winning line at the same time. Therefore, if a player operates so that a symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "Cherry" can be displayed on the winning line, the symbol "Red 7" on the left reel 110a, which is one of the symbol combinations corresponding to the winning combinations "RBB1" and "RBB2", cannot be displayed on the winning line. In this way, even if the stop control is performed in the order of bonus role > minor role, the player can display the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination "Cherry" on the winning line by performing an operation mode that displays the symbol "Cherry" on the winning line.

Figure 29 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the post-notification. Assume that a player operates the start switch 118 in a non-internal play state, and the winning type "RBB1 Cherry" or "RBB2 Cherry" is determined by a winning type lottery. When the winning type "RBB1 Cherry" or "RBB2 Cherry" is determined, as shown in Figure 29 (a), no bonus notification is performed at the time of operation of the start switch 118 that triggered the winning type lottery, and the player cannot know whether or not he or she has won the bonus role until at least the third stop. Therefore, the player operates the stop switch 120 in an operation mode that allows the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "Cherry" to be displayed on the pay line.

When the player operates the stop switch 120 in an operation mode that allows the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "Cherry" to be displayed on the pay line, as shown in FIG. 29(b), depending on whether the winning type "RBB1 Cherry" or "RBB2 Cherry" is won, the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "Cherry" is displayed on the pay line. The symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "Cherry" is displayed on the pay line for any of the winning types "Cherry", "RBB1 Cherry", and "RBB2 Cherry". In other words, just by displaying the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "Cherry" on the pay line, there is a high possibility that the bonus role has been won. Therefore, the player can expect to win the bonus role when the winning role "Cherry" is won.

If the winning type lottery determines that the winning type is either "RBB1 Cherry" or "RBB2 Cherry", the presentation control means 334 performs a bonus notification (post-notification) at the third stop or when the start switch 118 for the next game is operated, for example, by turning on the presentation lamp 126 as shown in FIG. 29(c). This bonus notification allows the player to know that the winning type "RBB1 Cherry" or the winning type "RBB2 Cherry" was won in the game in which the winning role "Cherry" was won. Therefore, in the next game, the player can shift the game state to the RBB operation game state by operating the stop switch 120 so that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "RBB1" or the winning role "RBB2" is displayed on the pay line.

When either the winning type "RBB1 Cherry" or the winning type "RBB2 Cherry" is determined, no bonus notification will be made even if the "Cherry" symbol on the left reel 110a is displayed on the winning line at the first stop. Therefore, if the power is cut off at this timing, the player may not be able to grasp that either the winning type "RBB1 Cherry" or the winning type "RBB2 Cherry" has been determined. Therefore, if the power is cut off after either the winning type "RBB1 Cherry" or the winning type "RBB2 Cherry" is determined and some or all of the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "Cherry" is displayed on the winning line, the presentation control means 334 may notify the bonus immediately after the power is restored.

As described above, when the winning type "RBB1" or the winning type "RBB2" is won, a bonus notification (advance notification) is made at the start of the game (when the start switch 118 is operated). Therefore, the player can know that he/she has won the bonus role at the start of the game, and furthermore, it is possible to display the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "RBB1" or the winning role "RBB2" on the active line in the game. On the other hand, when the winning type "RBB1 Cherry" or the winning type "RBB2 Cherry" is won, a bonus notification is not made at the start of the game (when the start switch 118 is operated). This is because if a bonus notification is made at the start of the game, the player will be unable to know that the winning type that has been won is the winning type "RBB1 Cherry" or the winning type "RBB2 Cherry" because the player will try to display the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "RBB1" or the winning role "RBB2" on the active line. In that case, there would be little effect in providing separate winning types "RBB1" and "RBB2" from the winning type "RBB1 Cherry" and "RBB2 Cherry."

Therefore, if the winning type "RBB1 Cherry" or the winning type "RBB2 Cherry" is won, a bonus notification (later notification) is made at least after the third stop. Therefore, the player first hopes for the winning role "Cherry" and operates the stop switch 120 in an operation mode in which the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "Cherry" is displayed on the winning line. Then, when the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "Cherry" is displayed on the winning line, the player hopes that there will be a bonus notification (later notification) at the third stop. Even if there is no bonus notification at that timing, the player hopes that there will be a bonus notification (later notification) when the start switch 118 is operated for the next game. When a bonus notification is executed in either case, the player will be able to have the symbol combination corresponding to the winning role "RBB1" or the winning role "RBB2" displayed on the winning line in the next game. Here, the player hopes that the winning combination "RBB1" will be won, which has a higher gaming profit than the winning combination "RBB2". In this way, the player can expect to win a bonus combination at multiple stages.

By varying the timing of the bonus notification depending on whether the winning type includes the winning combination "Cherry," the player can be made to feel anticipation not only for the operation of the start switch 118 itself, but also for the subsequent winning combination, thereby increasing the player's motivation to play.

Here, an example has been given in which a bonus notification is always given if a bonus role is won, but this is not the only case, and a bonus notification may be given with a specified probability if a bonus role is won. Here, an example has been given in which a bonus role is always won if a bonus role is won, but this is not the only case, and a notification may be given that there is a high possibility of winning a bonus role even if a bonus role is not won.

Here, the operation of the start switch 118 in a game in which a bonus role is won is given as the first operation that triggers an advance notification, and the operation of the start switch 118 in a game in which a bonus role is won is given as the second operation that triggers a later notification. However, this is not limited to the above, and the second operation can be any operation that occurs after the first operation. For example, the first stop in a game in which a bonus role is won, the second stop in a game in which a bonus role is won, or the operation (pressing) of the bet switch 116 in a game in which a bonus role is won can also be applied. Note that when the stop switch 120 is stopped, this includes both the start (pressing) and release of the operation of the stop switch 120, and the bonus notification may be performed at any of the predetermined timings.

Here, the first operation that triggers the advance notification is the operation of the start switch 118 in the winning game of the bonus role, and the second operation that triggers the later notification is the operation of the third stop in the winning game of the bonus role and the operation of the start switch 118 for the next game. However, this is not limited to the above case, and it is sufficient that the relationship between the first operation and the second operation is such that the second operation is performed after the first operation. For example, the first operation can be the first stop, and the second operation can be the second stop, the third stop, and the operation of the start switch 118 for the next game, or the first operation can be the second stop, and the second operation can be the third stop and the operation of the start switch 118 for the next game, or the first operation can be the third stop, and the second operation can be the operation of the start switch 118 for the next game.

Also, here, an example has been described in which, if the winning type "RBB1" or "RBB2" is won, an advance notification is made but a later notification is not made. However, this is not limited to the above case. If the winning type "RBB1" or "RBB2" is won, both an advance notification and a later notification may be made, and the frequency (probability) of the advance notification may be higher than the frequency of the later notification. For example, if the winning type "RBB1" or "RBB2" is won, an advance notification may be made with a 75% (3/4) chance, and a later notification may be made with a 25% (1/4) chance.

Also, here, an example has been described in which, if the winning type "RBB1 Cherry" or the winning type "RBB2 Cherry" is won, a later notification is made but no earlier notification is made. However, this is not limited to the above case. If the winning type "RBB1 Cherry" or the winning type "RBB2 Cherry" is won, both an earlier notification and a later notification may be made, and the frequency (probability) of the earlier notification may be lower than the frequency of the later notification. For example, if the winning type "RBB1 Cherry" or the winning type "RBB2 Cherry" is won, an earlier notification may be made with a 25% (1/4) chance, and a later notification may be made with a 75% (3/4) chance.

Also, here, an example has been given in which advance notification is always given if the winning type "RBB1" or the winning type "RBB2" is won, and advance notification is not given if the winning type "RBB1 Cherry" or the winning type "RBB2 Cherry" is won. However, this is not limited to such a case, and it is sufficient that the frequency (probability) of advance notification is higher if the winning type "RBB1" or the winning type "RBB2" is won than if the winning type "RBB1 Cherry" or the winning type "RBB2 Cherry" is won.

Also, here, an example has been described in which if the winning type "RBB1" or "RBB2" is won, no subsequent notification is made, but if the winning type "RBB1 Cherry" or "RBB2 Cherry" is won, subsequent notification is always made. However, this is not limited to such a case, and it is sufficient that the frequency (probability) of subsequent notification is lower when the winning type "RBB1" or "RBB2" is won than when the winning type "RBB1 Cherry" or "RBB2 Cherry" is won.

Here, an example is given in which a winning type that includes the winning role "RBB1" and the winning role "RBB2" (bonus role) alone is defined as the first winning type, and a winning type in which the winning role "RBB1" and the winning role "RBB2" (bonus role) overlap with the winning role "Cherry" (a specific small role) is defined as the second winning type. Here, the bonus role is not limited to RB (regular bonus) and BB (big bonus), but may be SB (single bonus), MB (middle bonus), or CB (challenge bonus). Here, the winning role "Cherry" is given as a specific small role that overlaps with the bonus role in the second winning type, but this is not limited to the above, and various small roles such as the small role "Bell" can overlap with the bonus role.

Also, here, an example has been described in which one type of winning combination "cherry" (specific minor combination) overlaps with a bonus combination. However, this is not limited to such a case. A plurality of minor combinations may be prepared as specific minor combinations, which are distinguished by the position of the "cherry" pattern on each stopped reel 110 (upper, middle, lower), the number of "cherry" patterns displayed on an active line, the number of active lines on which the "cherry" pattern is overlapped (1, 2, 3), etc., and the overlapping manner with the bonus combination and the timing of the bonus notification may be different for each of them. For example, among the symbol combinations corresponding to the winning role "cherry", a winning role in which the symbol "cherry" corresponding to the left reel 110a can be stopped on the active line A (a so-called middle cherry) will not win on its own, but will always overlap with a bonus role, and a bonus may be announced on the first stop. Alternatively, among the symbol combinations corresponding to the winning role "cherry", a winning role in which the symbol "cherry" corresponding to the left reel 110a can be stopped on the active line B1 (a so-called corner cherry) may win on its own or may overlap with a bonus role, and a bonus may be announced on the third stop.

Here, the bonus notification that notifies the player when a bonus role is won is used as an example. However, the above embodiment is not limited to such a case, and can also be applied to a case where notification is given when a specific winning role with a large gaming profit overlaps with another winning role. Here, the specific winning role includes a winning role that determines a transition to an AT (assist time) that allows a player to easily display a symbol combination corresponding to the correct role on an active line, an RT (replay time) in which the probability of winning a replay role is set high, and an ART in which the AT and RT proceed simultaneously, by notifying the operation mode (correct operation mode) of the stop switch that is a winning condition for the correct role when a winning type (selected winning type) in which a winning role with a large gaming profit (correct role) overlaps with another winning role is won (the performance that notifies the operation mode that is a winning condition for such a predetermined winning role (assisting the winning of the correct role) is simply called an assist performance).

<Switch judgment process and switch transmission process>
As explained using Figure 6, the main control board 200 is connected with a bet switch 116, a start switch 118, a stop switch 120, and an unillustrated settlement switch as switches that can be operated by the player. Such switches (bet switch 116, start switch 118, stop switch 120, settlement switch, etc.) that are connected to the main control board 200 and input signals to the main control board 200 are sometimes collectively referred to as main switches. The main CPU 200a performs a switch determination process to determine whether such main switches have been operated. The functional means of the main CPU 200a that performs the switch determination process is sometimes referred to as a switch determination means.

For example, when a specified number of medals or more are credited but no bet is made, if the switch determination means detects the operation of the bet switch 116 by the player, the betting means 302 bets medals. Note that here, an example is given of betting medals stored as credits in the slot machine 100, but this is not the only case. For example, in the case of a medal-less gaming machine, the betting means 302 bets electronic medals held in the medal-less gaming machine. Also, after the bet is completed, if the switch determination means detects the operation of the start switch 118 by the player, the reel control means 306 controls the rotation of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c. Also, if the switch determination means detects the operation of the stop switch 120 by the player while the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are rotating, the reel control means 306 stops and controls the corresponding reels 110a, 110b, and 110c. Such use of the main switch on the main control board 200 for the purpose of progressing a game (one game) on the slot machine 100 may be called "use within purpose." Processing for such use within purpose can be completed by the main control board 200.

However, there are cases where the performance control means 334 performs a performance in response to the operation of the main switch. For example, the performance control means 334 changes the performance image displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 124 in response to the operation of each of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c. In this case, the command sending means 314 of the main control board 200 performs a switch sending process to send a command (hereinafter simply referred to as a "main operation command"), which is stored in the buffer and indicates that the main switch has been operated, to the sub-control board 202. The command receiving means 332 of the sub-control board 202 receives the main operation command, and the performance control means 334 executes a performance according to the main switch that was operated.

The operation information of such main switches (bet switch 116, start switch 118, stop switch 120, settlement switch, etc.) can also be used for purposes other than intended use (unintended use). For example, during the so-called waiting period from the end of one game to the start of the next game, the player may be prompted to make some selection through the menu screen of the liquid crystal display unit 124, such as the volume of background music, the light intensity of the liquid crystal display unit 124, or a song or effect that is desired to appear more frequently. In addition, after the decision to transition to the bonus game state is made, the player may be prompted to make some selection through the menu screen of the liquid crystal display unit 124, such as the performance mode or song in the bonus game state. In such a case, the switch determination means performs switch determination processing, and the command transmission means 314 performs switch transmission processing, so that the performance control means 334 can execute a selection performance through the menu screen, which is an unintended use, in response to the operation of the main switch. Here, the selection performance is a performance in which at least one option is determined (selected) from multiple options shown in the selection image of the liquid crystal display unit 124 in response to the operation of the main switch.

However, regardless of whether the switch is used within the intended purpose or not, the switch determination means performs switch determination processing not only for switches that are validly waiting to be operated due to use within the intended purpose, but also for other main switches that are used for an unintended purpose and whose operation is invalid, and the command transmission means 314 performs switch transmission processing for all main switches.

For example, when no bet is made, the operation of the bet switch 116, which is used within the intended purpose, is awaited. Here, the switch determination means performs switch determination processing not only for the bet switch 116, which is used within the intended purpose, but also for other main switches, which are used for an unintended purpose, whose operation is invalid. Then, the bet means 302 bets medals as used within the intended purpose in response to the operation of the bet switch 116. In parallel with this, the command transmission means 314 performs switch transmission processing not only for the bet switch 116, but also for other main switches, which are used for an unintended purpose. Similarly, when the bet is completed, the operation of the start switch 118, which is used within the intended purpose, is awaited. Here, the switch determination means performs switch determination processing not only for the start switch 118, which is used within the intended purpose, but also for other main switches, which are used for an unintended purpose, whose operation is invalid. Then, the reel control means 306 controls the rotation of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c as used within the intended purpose in response to the operation of the start switch 118. In parallel with this, the command transmission means 314 performs switch transmission processing not only for the start switch 118 but also for other main switches that are not used for the intended purpose. Similarly, while the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are rotating, the operation of the stop switch 120, which is used within the intended purpose, is awaited. Here, the switch determination means performs switch determination processing not only for the stop switch 120, which is used within the intended purpose, but also for other main switches that are not used for the intended purpose and whose operation is invalid. Then, in response to the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, the reel control means 306 stops the rotating reels 110a, 110b, and 110c corresponding to the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c as being used within the intended purpose. In parallel with this, the command transmission means 314 performs switch transmission processing not only for the stop switch 120 but also for other main switches that are not used for the intended purpose. In addition, when the stop control of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c corresponding to the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c is started, the stop switch 120 corresponding to the reel 110 for which the stop control has been performed ends its intended use, and the switch determination means performs switch determination processing on the stop switch 120 corresponding to the reel 110 for which the stop control has been performed as an unintended use.

Here, in the slot machine 100, there are a state in which the switch determination process and switch transmission process can be executed (executable state), regardless of whether the use is for an intended purpose or not, and a state in which the switch determination process and switch transmission process are not executed (non-executable state). Here, the period in which the executable state is active is sometimes called the executable period, and the period in which the non-executable state is active is sometimes called the non-executable period. Here, the flow of one game explained using the above flowchart will first be explained in chronological order using a timing chart, and the executable state (executable period) and non-executable state (non-executable period) will be explained based on the timing chart.

Figure 30 is a timing chart for explaining the flow of processing for one game. Here, we will give an example of so-called slide push, in which the operation of a stop switch 120 that has not yet been operated is effectively permitted without waiting for the reel 110 corresponding to the operated stop switch 120 to start the stop process by exciting all phases, or for the reel 110 to stop as a result of the stop start, which reduces the rotation speed and stops, as a result. Also, for the sake of convenience, we will explain the case where the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c are operated in the order of left reel 110a, center reel 110b, and right reel 110c, that is, in the order of the so-called sequential push, but it goes without saying that this can be applied to any of the possible operation sequences (six in this case).

At time (a) in FIG. 30 during preparation for the start of one game (waiting for customers), the player operates (holds) the bet switch 116 and bets medals, and the game is ready to start. Next, at time (b) in FIG. 30, the player operates the start switch 118. When the start switch 118 is operated, the reel control means 306 excites the stepping motors 152 corresponding to the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c in 1-2 phase, and each of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c starts to rotate. Then, when the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c go through an acceleration state and reach a predetermined speed (less than 80 rpm/min) at time (c) after 167 msec, for example, the reel control means 306 continues the 1-2 phase excitation and transitions to a constant speed state. After reels 110a, 110b, and 110c reach a constant speed state, at time (d) in FIG. 30, when the indexes of reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are all detected, the reel control means 306 enables the operation of stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c.

When the player operates the stop switch 120a at time (e) in FIG. 30 in response to the activation of the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c, the reel control means 306 disables the operation of the operated stop switch 120a and the stop switches 120b and 120c corresponding to the reels 110b and 110c for which the stop process has not yet been performed (i.e., the operation of all stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c). Then, the reel control means 306 acquires the pressing reference position and performs a stop process to determine the pattern that exists within the pull-in range at the time of operation as the stop pattern (determines the number of sliding frames). When the stop process is completed at time (f) in FIG. 30, the reel control means 306 maintains rotation for the number of sliding frames so as to pull the stopped pattern onto the pay line. Therefore, it may take 0 to 189 msec (predetermined time within 190 msec) to rotate the number of slip frames from the operation of the stop switch 120a, including the reaction time for operation detection and interrupt processing. Next, when the left reel 110a reaches a stop position where the determined stop pattern can be stopped on the pay line at time (g) in FIG. 30, the reel control means 306 excites all phases of the stepping motor 152 corresponding to the left reel 110a, and starts the stop processing of the left reel 110a so that the excited phase does not change (starting the stop processing by exciting all phases is called the stop start). In this way, the left reel 110a decreases in rotation speed (hereinafter, the state in which the rotation speed is decreasing is called the deceleration state), stops about 13 msec after the start of the stop processing (the state in which the rotation speed is decreased and the reel 110 stops as a result of the stop start is called the stop completion), and maintains the stopped state (the state in which the stop is maintained is called the stop state). This full-phase excitation continues for 200 msec, and is then released at time (h). With the release of the full-phase excitation, the reel control means 306 enables the operation of the stop switches 120b, 120c corresponding to the reels 110b, 110c that have not yet been stopped and are still rotating. The rotation state that indicates the operating state of the reel 110 is represented by any of the above-mentioned accelerating state, constant speed state, decelerating state, and stopped state.

Next, when the player operates the stop switch 120b at time (i) in FIG. 30, the reel control means 306 disables the operation of the operated stop switch 120b and the stop switch 120c corresponding to the right reel 110c for which the stop process has not yet been performed, as in the case of operating the stop switch 120a. Then, the reel control means 306 performs the stop process. When the stop process is completed at time (j) in FIG. 30, the reel control means 306 maintains rotation for the number of slip frames so as to pull the stopped symbol onto the pay line. Next, when the center reel 110b reaches a stop position at time (k) in FIG. 30 where the determined stop symbol can be stopped on the pay line, the reel control means 306 excites all phases of the stepping motor 152 corresponding to the center reel 110b, and starts the stop process of the center reel 110b so as not to switch the excited phase. Thus, the center reel 110b stops approximately 13 msec after the start of the stopping process. However, full-phase excitation continues for 200 msec and is released at time (l). With the release of full-phase excitation, the reel control means 306 enables the operation of the stop switch 120c corresponding to the right reel 110c, which has not yet been stopped.

Next, when the player operates the stop switch 120c at time (m) in FIG. 30, the reel control means 306 invalidates the operation of the operated stop switch 120c, as in the case of operating the stop switch 120b. Then, the reel control means 306 performs the stop process. When the stop process is completed at time (n) in FIG. 30, the reel control means 306 maintains rotation for the number of slip frames so as to pull the stopped symbol onto the pay line. Next, when the right reel 110c reaches a stop position at time (o) in FIG. 30 where the determined stop symbol can be stopped on the pay line, the reel control means 306 excites all phases of the stepping motor 152 corresponding to the right reel 110c, and starts the stop process of the right reel 110c so that the excited phase does not switch. Thus, the right reel 110c stops about 13 msec after the start of the stop process. This full-phase excitation continues for 200 msec and is released at time (p).

Then, when all reels 110a, 110b, 110c are stopped and a predetermined stop completion condition is satisfied, that is, when all phase excitation is released for all reels 110a, 110b, 110c and the operation of the stop switch 120 (here, stop switch 120c) that was last operated (third stop) is released, the determination means 308 determines which of the predetermined combinations (winning combination) the symbol combination displayed on the active line corresponds to. Then, according to the determination result of the determination means 308, at time (q), the payout control means 310 pays out the number of medals to be paid out corresponding to the winning combination that has been won. In addition, in response to the completion of the stop of all reels 110a, 110b, 110c, the game state control means 312 transitions the game state. In addition, in response to the completion of the stop of all reels 110a, 110b, 110c, a calculation related to the role ratio monitor may be performed. Then, at time (r) in FIG. 30, one game ends with the completion of processes that reflect the game results, such as the judgment process, payout process, and transition process.

Using FIG. 30, we will explain the executable state (executable period) and the non-executable state (non-executable period).

First, the period from the end of the previous game at time (r) in FIG. 30 (the end of the process corresponding to the completion of the stop of all reels 110a, 110b, 110c related to the previous game, which will be described later) to the operation of the (valid) start switch 118 in the new (current) game at time (b) in FIG. 30 is the executable period (first executable period). The operation of the start switch 118 here is an operation that can effectively start one game after the specified number of medals required for one game are inserted. During the first executable period, the processing load is small while waiting for the customer to operate the bet switch 116. Also, during the first executable period, the bet process is executed by the operation of the bet switch 116, but the bet process itself has a small processing load, and since there is no need to execute any process in real time in response to the operation of the bet switch 116, strict time management (real-time performance) is not required. In this case, even if the switch judgment process or the switch transmission process is executed, it does not affect the progress of the game. Therefore, it becomes possible to execute the switch determination process and the switch transmission process during the first executable period. Note that the first executable period from the end of the predetermined process for the previous game to the operation of the start switch 118 for the current game includes the period from the end of the predetermined process for the previous game to the execution of a bet for the current game, and the period from the execution of a bet for the current game to the operation of the start switch 118 for the current game.

With this configuration, for example, during the first executable period, the presentation control means 334 can perform a selection presentation. The presentation control means 334 executes the selection presentation by displaying a demo screen, a menu screen, a volume adjustment screen, a light intensity adjustment screen, and a character change screen on the liquid crystal display unit 124. For example, the presentation control means 334 displays a volume adjustment screen or a light intensity adjustment screen on the liquid crystal display unit 124, which indicates that the volume and light intensity can be adjusted with the stop switch 120, and reduces the volume or light intensity in response to the player's operation of the stop switch 120a, increases the volume or increases the light intensity in response to the player's operation of the stop switch 120c, and determines the volume or light intensity in response to the player's operation of the bet switch 116 or the start switch 118. The performance control means 334 may also display on the liquid crystal display unit 124 a character change screen indicating that the characters appearing as the game progresses can be changed by the stop switch 120, and in response to the operation of the stop switch 120a by the player, shift the focus to a character located to the left of the character focused at that time among the multiple characters arranged side by side, and in response to the operation of the stop switch 120c by the player, shift the focus to a character located to the right of the character focused at that time, and determine the character focused in response to the operation of the bet switch 116 or the start switch 118 by the player as the character related to the progress of the game. Here, instead of the operation of the bet switch 116 or the start switch 118 by the player, the performance control means 334 may wait for a predetermined time to elapse after the stop switch 120 is operated by the player to determine the volume, light intensity, and character. When the player selects a predetermined option from the demo screen, menu screen, volume adjustment screen, or light intensity adjustment screen through the switch (when the option is determined), a main operation command related to the switch is transmitted to the sub-control board 202. In this way, the presentation control means 334 can obtain the options desired by the player.

The period from when the start switch 118 is operated at time (b) in FIG. 30 until the acceleration state of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c ends at time (d) in FIG. 30 (when all indexes of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c are detected and the rotation of all the reels 110 stabilizes) is a non-execution period (first non-execution period). The winning type selection means 304 performs a winning type selection to determine whether or not the winning type including the winning role is a winning type in response to the operation of the start switch 118. In addition, the reel control means 306 starts the rotation of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c in response to the operation of the start switch 118, and puts them in an acceleration state. In addition, the command transmission means 314 must transmit to the sub-control board 202 a command including the result of such a winning type selection and a command to transmit the start of rotation of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c in response to the operation of the start switch 118. Under such circumstances, if the switch determination means performs switch determination processing or the command transmission means 314 transmits a main operation command that is less important in a game, there is a risk that the transmission of a command including the result of a winning type lottery that is more important in a game or a command to notify the start of rotation of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c may be delayed, or the player may feel uncomfortable due to a delay in the presentation on the sub-control board 202. Therefore, during the first non-execution period, the switch determination processing and switch transmission processing are not executed. In addition, the first non-execution period from when start switch 118 is operated to when the acceleration state of reels 110a, 110b, and 110c ends includes part or all of the period from when start switch 118 is operated to when reels 110a, 110b, and 110c start to rotate, and part or all of the period from when reels 110a, 110b, and 110c start to when the acceleration state of reels 110a, 110b, and 110c ends. Here, the period from when the start switch 118 is operated to when the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c start to rotate includes a period during which the winning type lottery means 304 conducts a winning type lottery in response to the operation of the start switch 118 (until the winning type lottery is completed), a period during which the command sending means 314 sets in a buffer commands including the results of the winning type lottery and commands that communicate the start of rotation of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c in response to the operation of the start switch 118 (until the setting is completed), or a period during which these commands are sent to the sub-control board 202 (until the transmission is completed). Also, here, the end of the first non-execution period (end of the acceleration state of reels 110a, 110b, 110c) is defined as when all indexes of reels 110a, 110b, 110c are detected and the rotation of all reels 110 stabilizes, but this is not limited to the above case. The end of the first non-execution period may be determined when the index of any of reels 110a, 110b, 110c is detected and the rotation of that reel 110 reaches a steady state, or when the rotation of reel 110 stabilizes and the operation of stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c is enabled.

The period from when the steady state begins (becomes steady state) after the acceleration state ends at time (d) in FIG. 30 until the stop switch 120 is operated at time (e) in FIG. 30 is an executable period (second executable period). During the steady state, the reel control means 306 maintains a predetermined speed (less than 80 rpm/min) by 1-2 phase excitation, so the processing load is small and there is no need to execute any processing in real time in response to the end of the acceleration state, so strict time management (real-time performance) is not required. In this case, even if the switch determination process or switch transmission process is executed, it will not affect the progress of the game. Therefore, it is possible to execute the switch determination process or switch transmission process during the second executable period.

However, even in the steady state, the period from when the stop switch 120 is operated at time points (e), (i), and (m) in FIG. 30 until the stop process of the reel 110 corresponding to the operated stop switch 120 is completed (until it stops) at time points (f), (j), and (n) in FIG. 30 is a non-execution period (second non-execution period). When the stop switch 120 is operated, the reel control means 306 acquires the pressing reference position, performs a stop process to determine the pattern that exists within the pull-in range at the time of operation as the stop pattern (determines the number of slipping frames), and starts a stop process by full-phase excitation for the reel 110 corresponding to the operated stop switch 120. In addition, the command transmission means 314 must transmit a command including the stop position at which the reel 110 stops to the sub-control board 202 in response to the operation of the stop switch 120. In such a situation, if the switch determination means performs a switch determination process, or if the command transmission means 314 transmits a main operation command that is less important in the game, there is a risk that the transmission of a command including the stop position where the reel 110 in question will stop, which is more important in the game, will be delayed, or the player may feel uncomfortable due to a delay in the presentation on the sub-control board 202. Therefore, during the second non-execution period, the switch determination process and switch transmission process are not executed.

Also, the period from when all reels 110a, 110b, and 110c have stopped at time (p) in FIG. 30 until the judgment process, payout process, and other processes are completed at time (r) in FIG. 30 is a non-execution period (third non-execution period). Here, various processes are executed according to the completion of the stopping of all reels 110a, 110b, and 110c. For example, the judgment means 308 judges which combination of symbols displayed on the pay line corresponds to a predetermined combination (a winning combination that has been won). Then, according to the judgment result of the judgment means 308, the payout control means 310 pays out the number of medals to be paid out that corresponds to the winning combination that has been won. Also, when a replay role is won, the bet means 302 automatically inserts medals. Also, according to the completion of the stopping of all reels 110a, 110b, and 110c, the game state control means 312 transitions the game state. Furthermore, calculations related to the role ratio monitor may be performed in response to the completion of stopping all of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c. In addition, the command transmission means 314 must transmit a command including the judgment result of the judgment means 308 to the sub-control board 202 in response to the completion of stopping all of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c. Under such circumstances, if the switch judgment means performs a switch judgment process or the command transmission means 314 transmits a main operation command that is less important in the game, the transmission of a command including the judgment result of the judgment means 308 that is more important in the game may be delayed, or the delay in the presentation on the sub-control board 202 may cause the player to feel uncomfortable. Therefore, in the third non-execution period, the switch judgment process and the switch transmission process are not performed. The third non-execution period from when reels 110a, 110b, and 110c have stopped until the completion of each process such as the determination process and payout process includes either or both of the time during which the determination means 308 is making a winning determination to determine the winning combination that has been won, and the time during which the processes associated with that winning determination (payout process, game state transition process, presentation state transition process, calculation process, command transmission process) are being executed.

Although the explanation is omitted in FIG. 30, as described above, the reel control means 306 may extend the time from enabling the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c in the previous game to enabling the operation of the stop switches 120a, 120b, 120c by the player to display the lottery result of the winning type lottery in response to the operation of the start switch 118 to a specified time, and during that time, perform a reel effect (freeze effect) that controls the rotation of the reels 110a, 110b, 110c in various ways. When such a freeze effect is executed, the period from the operation of the start switch 118 to the completion of the reel effect is an executable period. Here, although the reel control means 306 performs various rotation controls, there is no need to perform a winning type lottery to determine whether or not the winning type including the winning role is won in response to the operation of the start switch 118, and there is no need to send a command including the lottery result of the winning type lottery to the sub-control board 202, so strict time management (real-time performance) is not required. In this case, even if the switch determination process or switch transmission process is executed, it will not affect the progress of the game. Therefore, it is possible to execute the switch determination process or switch transmission process during such an executable period. With this configuration, in the above-mentioned pseudo game, the sub-control board 202 can receive the main operation command, and the presentation control means 334 can execute a presentation according to the operation of the main switch.

In addition, when an error occurs in the slot machine 100, the period from when the error starts to when the error ends is a non-execution period. Therefore, during the non-execution period during the error, the switch determination process and switch transmission process are not executed.

In this way, the switch determination means and command transmission means 314 performs the switch determination process and the switch transmission process at any timing in the executable state (executable period), and does not perform the switch determination process and the switch transmission process in the non-executable state (non-executable period). Below, we will explain the methods (first method, second method) for achieving such a combination of processes.

(First Method)
Fig. 31 is a diagram for explaining the processing of the switch determination means and the command transmission means 314. The switch determination means determines whether or not the main switch is operated in the port input processing S400-5 in the timer interrupt processing S400 in Fig. 26, and sets the main operation command in the buffer according to the operation of the main switch, and the command transmission means 314 transmits the main operation command to the sub-control board 202 when the main operation command is stored in the buffer in the sub-command transmission processing S400-11 in the timer interrupt processing S400 in Fig. 26. That is, the switch determination means and the command transmission means 314 always execute the switch determination processing and the switch transmission processing every time the timer interrupt processing S400 is executed, as shown in Fig. 31.

However, as shown in FIG. 31, the switch determination means and command transmission means 314 does not execute (prohibits execution of) the switch determination process and the switch transmission process during the first non-execution period. For example, the switch determination means determines whether the currently ongoing process is the process of steps S240-1 to S240-9 in FIG. 20, and if it is the process of steps S240-1 to S240-9, it determines that it is the first non-execution period and does not execute the switch determination process. If the switch determination process is not executed, the main operation command is not set, and the command transmission means 314 does not execute the switch transmission process.

Also, as shown in FIG. 31, the switch determination means and command transmission means 314 do not execute (prohibit execution of) the switch determination process and the switch transmission process during the second non-execution period. For example, the switch determination means determines whether the currently ongoing process is the process of step S240-29 in the reel rotation process S240 in FIG. 20 to step S250-19 in the reel stop process S250 in FIG. 21, and if it is the process of steps S240-29 to S250-19, it determines that it is the second non-execution period and does not execute the switch determination process. If the switch determination process is not executed, the main operation command is not set, and the command transmission means 314 does not execute the switch transmission process.

Also, as shown in FIG. 31, the switch determination means and command transmission means 314 does not execute (prohibits execution of) the switch determination process and the switch transmission process during the third non-execution period. For example, the switch determination means determines whether the currently ongoing process is any of the display determination process S260 in FIG. 22, the payout process S270 in FIG. 23, or the game transition process S280, and if it is any of steps S260 to S280, it determines that it is the third non-execution period and does not execute the switch determination process. If the switch determination process is not executed, the main operation command is not set, and the command transmission means 314 does not execute the switch transmission process.

In this way, the switch determination means and command transmission means 314 are configured to always be able to execute the switch determination process and the switch transmission process, but not execute the switch determination process and the switch transmission process during non-execution periods (first non-execution period, second non-execution period, third non-execution period), thereby making it possible to appropriately determine whether or not the switch has been operated and to transmit a main operation command to the sub-control board 202 at an appropriate timing, while also avoiding malfunctions caused by unnecessary main operation commands. Furthermore, because the switch determination means and command transmission means 314 are always able to execute the switch determination process and the switch transmission process, it is possible to simplify the program and reduce memory capacity.

(Second Method)
Fig. 32 is a diagram for explaining other processing of the switch determination means and the command transmission means 314. The switch determination means does not determine whether or not the main switch has been operated in the port input processing S400-5 in the timer interrupt processing S400 in Fig. 26, and the command transmission means 314 does not transmit a main operation command to the sub-control board 202 in the sub-command transmission processing S400-11 in the timer interrupt processing S400 in Fig. 26. Instead, the switch determination means and the command transmission means 314 execute switch determination processing and switch transmission processing individually in a predetermined processing other than the timer interrupt processing S400.

First, the switch determination means and command transmission means 314 executes a switch determination process and a switch transmission process during the first executable period, as shown in FIG. 32. For example, the switch determination means calls a subroutine related to command transmission at any timing between step S210-1 and step S210-27 in the medal insertion process S210 of FIG. 17. In the subroutine related to command transmission, the switch determination means determines whether or not the main switch has been operated, sets a main operation command in a buffer according to the operation of the main switch, and the command transmission means 314 reads the main operation command from the buffer and transmits the main operation command to the sub-control board 202.

The switch determination means and command transmission means 314 also executes the switch determination process and the switch transmission process during the second executable period, as shown in FIG. 32. For example, the switch determination means calls the subroutine related to the command transmission at any timing between steps S240-11 to S240-27 in the reel rotation processing S240 in FIG. 20. In this way, if at least one reel 110 is in a steady state, the switch determination process and the switch transmission process are executed.

Here, a subroutine related to command transmission is called during steps S240-11 to S240-27 in the processing during reel rotation S240 in FIG. 20, but is not called during steps S240-29 in the processing during reel rotation S240 in FIG. 20 to step S250-19 in the processing to stop reels S250 in FIG. 21. This allows the switch determination processing and switch transmission processing to be executed in a steady state, except for non-execution periods.

In this way, the switch determination means and command transmission means 314 does not use the timer interrupt processing S400 in FIG. 26, and is configured to call a subroutine related to command transmission only during executable periods (first executable period, second executable period), thereby appropriately determining whether the switch has been operated and transmitting a main operation command to the sub-control board 202 at an appropriate timing, while also avoiding malfunctions caused by unnecessary main operation commands. In addition, since the subroutine related to command transmission is always placed at any timing during the executable period, the program can be simplified and memory capacity can be reduced.

In the first method described above, the switch determination means and command transmission means 314 always have the switch determination process and switch transmission process in an executable state, but do not execute the switch determination process and switch transmission process during a non-execution period. In the second method, the switch determination means and command transmission means 314 does not use the timer interrupt process S400 in FIG. 26, and calls a subroutine related to command transmission only during an executable period. Here, if the program capacity that prohibits the switch determination process and switch transmission process during multiple non-execution periods is small, the first method can reduce the area occupied by the program. On the other hand, if the program capacity that calls the subroutine related to command transmission during multiple executable periods is small, the second method can reduce the area occupied by the program. Therefore, it is desirable to use either the first method or the second method based on the relationship between the executable period and the non-execution period, which are in an exclusive relationship.

In the above embodiment, the bet switch 116, start switch 118, and stop switch 120 were described as main switches, but the settlement switch may also be configured to execute switch determination processing and switch transmission processing in an executable state, and prohibit execution of switch determination processing and switch transmission processing in an inexecutable state, similar to the bet switch 116, start switch 118, and stop switch 120. Also, in the settlement process of credited medals using the settlement switch, if the processing load is high or a command of high importance is sent to the sub-control board 202, the settlement process may be set as a non-executable period. On the other hand, if the processing load is low, such as when a command of high importance is not sent to the sub-control board 202, the settlement process may be set as an executable period.

Here, in the above-described embodiment, there is mentioned a switch determination means which executes a switch determination process to determine whether or not at least one of the bet switch 116, the start switch 118, and the stop switch 120 has been operated, and a command sending means which executes a switch sending process to send a command to the sub-control board 202 in response to the operation of at least one of the bet switch 116, the start switch 118, and the stop switch 120. An example has been explained in which the switch determination means executes the switch determination process and the command sending means 314 executes the switch sending process at any timing during the executable period, and also in which the switch determination means does not execute the switch determination process and the command sending means 314 does not execute the switch sending process during the non-executable period. However, the switch determination means executes the switch determination process and the command transmission means 314 executes the switch transmission process not only during an executable period, but also at any timing while any process (first process) is being executed. Also, the switch determination means does not execute the switch determination process and the command transmission means 314 does not execute the switch transmission process not only during a non-executable period, but also at any timing while any process (second process) different from the first process is being executed.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, an example was given in which the switch determination means determines whether or not at least one of the bet switch 116, the start switch 118, and the stop switch 120 (main switches) has been operated (operation determination). Here, the operation of the main switch determined by the switch determination means includes a state in which the main switch is not operated, when the main switch is operated (the timing at which the state changes from a not-operated state to an operated state: when pressed), a state in which the operation of the main switch is maintained, and when the operation of the main switch is released (the timing at which the state changes from an operated state to a not-operated state: when released), and the switch determination means can determine any of these independently.

Furthermore, by determining when the main switch is operated and when it is released in this manner, the performance control means 334 that receives the main operation command can measure the time that the main switch is operated. Therefore, the performance control means 334 can determine (long press determination) whether the main switch is operated as a short press (e.g., less than 500 msec) or a long press (e.g., 500 msec or more), for example, and can vary the performance depending on whether it is a short press or a long press. In this way, the long press determination of the main switch can be performed without increasing the program capacity in the main ROM 200b.

In addition, during the executable period, the switch judgment process and switch transmission process are executed each time the main switch is operated, so the performance control means 334 can measure the time interval during which the main switch is operated and derive the frequency with which the main switch is operated within a specified time. Therefore, the performance control means 334 can, for example, judge whether the main switch is operated frequently within a specified time (repeated hit judgment), and can vary the performance depending on whether the main switch is being hit repeatedly or whether the repeated hits are continuing. In this way, the repeated hit judgment of the main switch can be executed without increasing the program capacity in the main ROM 200b.

Here, an example will be given in which the performance control means 334 performs the operation judgment, long press judgment, and repeated hit judgment of the main switch. The performance control means 334 executes an operation performance that prompts the operation of the switch, and enters a standby state for the operation of the switch. The switch to be judged may be both or either of the performance switch 122 (e.g., a push switch not shown) and the main switch (e.g., the max bet switch of the bet switch 116). For example, in the case of a slot machine 100 that does not have a push switch, the judgment target may be only the max bet switch. In addition, during the executable period, the performance control means 334 can perform the operation judgment, long press judgment, and repeated hit judgment of the performance switch 122 and one of the main switch, or perform the operation judgment, long press judgment, and repeated hit judgment of the performance switch 122 in a predetermined order and the operation judgment, long press judgment, and repeated hit judgment of the main switch (for example, it can determine that the performance switch 122 and the main switch are alternately operated). To give a specific example, during the period from the end of the previous game to the operation of the start switch 118 in a new game (first executable period), the presentation control means 334 executes an operation presentation to encourage the operation of the presentation switch 122 or the main switch, and performs an operation judgment, a long press judgment, and a successive press judgment according to the player's operation (state where the main switch is not operated, when the main switch is operated, state where the operation of the main switch is maintained, when the operation of the main switch is released, a short press, a long press, and a successive press), and executes a presentation according to the judgment content. Also, during the period from the end of the acceleration state to the start of the steady state to the operation of the stop switch 120 (second executable period), the presentation control means 334 executes an operation presentation to encourage the operation of the presentation switch 122 or the main switch, and performs an operation judgment, a long press judgment, and a successive press judgment according to the player's operation (state where the main switch is not operated, when the main switch is operated, state where the operation of the main switch is maintained, when the operation of the main switch is released, a short press, a long press, and a successive press), and executes a presentation according to the judgment content. In addition, regarding the second executable period, since the start switch 118 is operated before the acceleration state, the performance control means 334 can execute the operation performance triggered by the operation of the start switch 118. For example, the performance control means 334 starts the operation performance in response to the operation of the start switch 118. However, until the second executable period is reached, that is, during the period from the operation of the start switch 118 to the end of the acceleration state of the reels 110a, 110b, and 110c (first non-execution period), the performance control means 334 applies animation such as effects and fade-in to an image (for example, an image imitating a switch to be operated) that prompts the operation of the performance switch 122 or the main switch in the operation performance, and indicates that the operation of the performance switch 122 or the main switch has not yet been effectively accepted. Then, when the second executable period is started, the performance control means 334 deletes the animation applied to the image that prompts the operation of the performance switch 122 or the main switch in the operation performance, and indicates that the operation of the performance switch 122 or the main switch has become effectively acceptable, and effectively accepts the operation of the performance switch 122 or the main switch. In addition, before the second executable period starts, i.e., during the first non-executable period, the performance control means 334 may delete the animation applied to the image in the operation performance that prompts the operation of the performance switch 122 or the main switch, to indicate that the operation of the performance switch 122 or the main switch can be validly accepted, and may validly accept the operation of the performance switch 122 or the main switch after the second executable period starts.

<Main control board CPU peripheral configuration>
33 is a diagram for explaining electrical connections around the main CPU 200a. The main CPU 200a includes a CPU core 700 and a bus controller 702. The CPU core 700 controls the bus controller 702 through a bus control signal (Bus Cont) output from the BC terminal, and reads data from the main ROM 200b, the main RAM 200c, or the input/output unit 704, or writes data to the main RAM 200c or the input/output unit 704. In this example, a microprocessor based on a Z80 series CPU and sold by LETech is used as the main CPU 200a.

For example, when reading data from main ROM 200b, main RAM 200c, or input/output unit 704, the bus controller 702 outputs a 16-bit address (A[16]) signal, identifies either main ROM 200b, main RAM 200c, or input/output unit 704 through decoders 706a, 706b, 706c, and controls the read (RD) signal to read a data (D[8]) signal from main ROM 200b, main RAM 200c, or input/output unit 704. Furthermore, when writing data to the main RAM 200c or the input/output unit 704, the bus controller 702 outputs an address (A[16]) signal and a data (D[8]) signal, and identifies either the main RAM 200c or the input/output unit 704 via the decoders 706b and 706c, and controls the write (WR) signal to write the data (D[8]) signal to the main RAM 200c or the input/output unit 704.

As described below, the address space of the input/output unit 704 is integrated with the address spaces of the main ROM 200b and the main RAM 200c. Therefore, unlike the conventional technology, there is no memory request (MREQ) terminal or I/O request (IORQ) terminal that outputs a signal to specify whether to access memory or I/O. By reassigning these two terminals to any other signal, the degree of freedom in program development can be increased.

The CPU core 700 also receives external signals such as an interrupt/wait (INT/WAIT) signal that triggers the start of interrupt processing, a non-maskable interrupt (NMI) signal that allows interrupt processing to be executed with the highest priority, and a bus request (BUSREQ) signal that can transition a bus signal to high impedance.

Figure 34 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the CPU core 700. The CPU core 700 includes an external input unit 710, a state control unit 712, a central control unit 714, a register unit 716, and an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) 718. The external input unit 710 receives an external signal and outputs control information based on the external signal to the state control unit 712 and the central control unit 714.

The state control unit 712 manages and transitions the internal state (RESET, instruction fetch, instruction decode, operation, memory load, memory store, HALT, etc.) based on the input control information to determine the operating state of the CPU core 700, and outputs control information based on that operating state to the central control unit 714.

The central control unit 714 extracts an opcode (instruction) from the input data (DI[8]) input via the bus controller 702, and controls the ALU 718 based on the command decoded by the instruction decoder. The central control unit 714 also obtains necessary information from each register of the register unit 716 and updates each register based on the decoded command.

The register unit 716 includes selector ports 722a, 722b, and 722c, an input bank selector 724, a first register bank 726, a second register bank 728, an output bank selector 730, an address port 732, and an individual register 734. The individual register 734 includes a 16-bit program counter (PC) that indicates the address of the program to be executed next, an 8-bit interrupt (I) register that is used in interrupt mode, an 8-bit refresh (R) register that counts opcode fetch cycles, and an 8-bit interrupt enable (IFF) register that controls whether interrupts are enabled or disabled.

The register unit 716 is also associated with a random number generator (not shown) for obtaining various random number values related to the big prize lottery (jackpot determining random number, winning symbol random number, reach group determining random number, reach mode determining random number, variation pattern random number, winning determination random number), and the random number values latched via the input ports (FE73h to FE9Ch) are obtained.

The random number generator operates on the system clock (a clock obtained by dividing the external input by 2) and generates random numbers less than a specified maximum value. The random number generator is a maximum value setting random number generator that can set the maximum value of the random number. Four channels of maximum value setting random number generators that can set a 16-bit maximum value and eight channels of maximum value setting random number generators that can set an 8-bit maximum value are prepared. Here, the 16-bit maximum value setting random number generators can select a random number update period in the range of 32 to 47 clocks, and the maximum value setting range can be set in the range of 256 to 65535. The 8-bit maximum value setting random number generators can select a random number update period in the range of 16 to 31 clocks, and the maximum value setting range can be set in the range of 16 to 255 for four channels and 64 to 255 for the other four channels. Additionally, as fixed-maximum random number generators, which are random number generators with a fixed maximum value for random numbers, four channels of random number generators that can set a 16-bit maximum value and eight channels of random number generators that can set an 8-bit maximum value are provided. Here, the 16-bit fixed-maximum random number generators have a random number update period of one clock and a maximum value fixed at 65535. Additionally, the 8-bit fixed-maximum random number generators have a random number update period of one clock and a maximum value fixed at 255.

If there are not enough random numbers, it is possible to generate other random numbers (software random number generator) by multiplying or dividing the random number obtained from the hardware random number generator (random number generator) by a specified number within the program.

Figure 35 is a diagram explaining the configuration of the register. The register unit 716 is provided with a first register bank (bank 0) 726 and a second register bank (bank 1) 728 that is paired with the first register bank 726. The first register bank 726 is provided with a main register group (front register group) 726a and a sub-register group (back register group) 726b that is paired with the main register group 726a, and the second register bank 728 is provided with a main register group 728a and a sub-register group 728b that is paired with the main register group 728a. The main register group 726a and the sub-register group 726b of the first register bank 726, and the main register group 728a and the sub-register group 728b of the second register bank 728 each include 8-bit registers (Q, A, F, B, C, D, E, H, L) and 16-bit registers (IX, IY). However, unlike the sub-register groups 726b and 728b, the main register groups 726a and 728a further include an 8-bit register (U) and a 16-bit register (SP). The main CPU 200a switches between the first register bank 726 and the second register bank 728, and can only access one of the register banks indicated by the register bank designation register RB in the F register (described later), and cannot simultaneously access the other register bank that is paired with that register bank.

Of the registers shown in FIG. 35, the Q register is an 8-bit register that is provided as an extended register in two sets in each register bank and stores the upper byte of an address used in some commands. When, for example, F0h is set as the value of the Q register, the main CPU 200a can use the Q register to access F000h to F0FFh in the main RAM 200c. The U register is an 8-bit register that is provided as an extended register in one set in each register bank and stores the upper byte of an address used in some commands. When, for example, FEh is set as the value of the U register, the main CPU 200a can use the U register to access built-in devices (timers, random number generators, external input/output circuits, etc.) connected to the input/output unit 704 at FE00h to FFFFh. The A register is a general-purpose register that also functions as an 8-bit accumulator used for arithmetic processing and data transfer. The F register is an 8-bit flag register that holds various arithmetic results. Here, as shown in FIG. 35, from the most significant bit (MSB) to the least significant bit (LSB), each bit of the F register is as follows: S is a sign flag that is set to 1 when the result of the operation is negative, Z is a zero flag (first zero flag) that is set to 1 when all bits are 0 as a result of the operation, TZ is a specific bit flag (second zero flag) of the gaming machine expansion specification that is set to 1 (value changes) when all bits are 0 by execution of a data transfer instruction (LD; load), and is sometimes called a TZ flag. H is a half carry flag that cannot be controlled by the programmer, RB (register bank designation register) is a register bank monitor that indicates the current register bank (first register bank 726 = 0, second register bank 728 = 1), P/V is a parity overflow flag, N is an addition/subtraction flag that cannot be controlled by the programmer, and C is a carry flag that is set to 1 when a carry or borrow occurs as a result of the operation. The F register and the A register form a pair register AF.

The B, C, D, E, H, and L registers are 8-bit general-purpose registers, two sets of which are provided in each register bank, and are used to form 16-bit pair registers with predefined combinations (for example, registers BC, DE, HL, and several other combinations exist). The IX and IY registers are 16-bit general-purpose registers used for index addressing. The SP (stack pointer) register is 16 bits and stores the address that becomes the stack pointer. The Q', A', F', B', C', D', E', H', L', IX', and IY' registers are sub-registers 726b and 728b that can exchange or transfer data (contents) with the main registers 726a and 728a of the Q, A, F, B, C, D, E, H, L, IX, and IY registers, by exchange or transfer instructions. The A' and F' registers form a pair register AF', the B' and C' registers form a pair register BC', the D' and E' registers form a pair register DE', and the H' and L' registers form a pair register HL'. Note that the pair registers are not limited to BC', DE', and HL', and there are several other combinations. On the other hand, one set of the U and SP registers is provided in each register bank.

As described above, in the main control board 200, the main CPU 200a controls the progress of the game in cooperation with the main RAM 200c based on the programs stored in the main ROM 200b. The programs for executing these functional parts are stored in designated areas (usage areas) of the main ROM 200b and the main RAM 200c.

Figure 36 is an explanatory diagram showing the memory map. The main ROM 200b is allocated a memory space of 0000h to 3FFFh (12 kbytes), the main RAM 200c is allocated a memory space of F000h to F3FFh (1 kbyte), and the input/output unit 704 is allocated a memory space of FE00h to FEFFh (256 bytes). The instruction codes of the program are written in assembler language. Here, a program is composed of instruction codes, and is read by a computer to realize a specified process in cooperation with data and a work area.

A usage area is allocated to the memory space from 0000h to 1DF3h of the main ROM 200b. The usage area is an area for storing programs and data for executing game control processing that controls the progress of the game. Specifically, the memory space (control area) limited to 0000h to 11FFh (4.5 kbytes) stores instruction codes for a program for executing game control processing that controls the progress of the game by operating the initialization means 300, betting means 302, winning type lottery means 304, reel control means 306, determination means 308, payout control means 310, game status control means 312, and command transmission means 314, and the memory space (data area) limited to 1200h to 1DF3h (3.0 kbytes) stores data used in the game control processing program. Additionally, a comment area is allocated to the memory space from 1E00h to 1FFFh, and a program management area is allocated to the memory space from 3FC0h to 3FFFh. Additionally, a separate area (non-used area) is allocated to the memory space from 2000h to 3FBFh. As described below, the separate area is an area for storing programs and data that are not specified to be stored in the used area. Specifically, the memory space from 2000h to 3FBFh stores instruction codes and program data for programs that perform some or all of the gaming machine test processing and security-related processing (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as non-game control processing) that do not affect the progress of the game.

In addition, the memory space from F000h to F1FFh in the main RAM 200c is allocated as a usage area. Specifically, the memory space from F000h to F13Fh is allocated as a work area for the above-mentioned game control process, and is used to manage variables such as timers, counters, and flags. The memory space from F1C0h to F1FFh is allocated as a stack area for the above-mentioned game control process. In addition, the memory space from F200h to F3FFh in the main RAM 200c is allocated as a separate area. Specifically, the memory space from F210h to F22Fh is allocated as a work area for some or all of the above-mentioned security-related processes, and is used to manage variables such as timers, counters, and flags. The memory space from F230h to F246h is allocated as a stack area for some or all of the above-mentioned security-related processes.

Also, the input/output unit 704 is assigned to the memory space from FE00h to FEFFh. Conventionally, a 256-byte I/O space was provided independent of the memory space to access the device corresponding to the input/output unit 704. In contrast, in this embodiment, the MREQ and IORQ signals are eliminated, and access to the memory and the input/output unit 704 is shared and performed by the RD and WR signals. Also, a U register is provided as hardware to specify the upper 8 bits of the address to access the device connected to the input/output unit 704, and the upper 8 bits of the address are specified in advance here. As a result, the I/O space that was provided independently of the memory space is integrated into the memory space to form a single address space, and when the IN command or the OUT command is executed, the input/output unit 704 assigned to the memory space can be accessed by specifying the upper 8 bits with the U register and the lower 8 bits with the lower 8 bits specified by the operand of the IN command or the OUT command.

In this embodiment, a program can be written so that the LDQ instruction uses the value of the Q register to access memory space (mainly data areas and work areas), and the IN and OUT instructions use the U register to access I/O of devices (timers, random number generators, external input/output circuits, etc.). This configuration makes it easier to understand the program at the time of design. Also, memory and I/O, which were previously accessed by specifying 16-bit addresses, can now be accessed by lower 8-bit operands, thereby compressing program capacity. Furthermore, by having multiple upper specification registers, the Q register, Q' register, and U register, the number of times that upper registers need to be replaced due to reuse is reduced compared to when there is only one upper register, further compressing program capacity.

In the above example, the memory space corresponding to the I/O space was accessed with the IN and OUT instructions, but the memory space may also be accessed directly with the IN and OUT instructions. For example, when accessing three 256-byte areas in memory, this can be achieved by specifying the upper 8 bits of each in the Q register, Q' register, and U register, and then accessing each area with the LDQ instruction, IN instruction, and OUT instruction.

(Lighting control of input number display 133)
37 is a circuit diagram for explaining the circuit configuration of each display unit (main credit display unit 130, main payout display unit 132, number of inserts display (display means) 133, start display, insert display, replay display) connected to the main control board 200. Here, the main CPU 200a controls the lighting state of the collective light emitters L1 to L5 using a plurality of control signals (common signals C4 to C0 and data signals D7 to D0).

Of the collective light emitters L1 to L5, collective light emitters L1 to L4 are seven segments, and collective light emitter L5 is composed of six LEDs. Each collective light emitter L1 to L5 has a common terminal (C) that shares the anode or cathode terminals of multiple LEDs, and when a potential difference occurs (when current flows) between the common terminal (C) and the segment terminals (a to g, dp), the corresponding segment emits light.

In the example of FIG. 37, the main CPU 200a switches and outputs the common signals C4 to C0 in a time-division manner to specify the collective light emitters L1 to L5 that are to be illuminated. In parallel, the main CPU 200a outputs the data signals D7 to D0 indicating the data to be illuminated to the collective light emitters L1 to L5 specified by the common signals C4 to C0. In this way, the five data are switched and displayed in a time-division manner on each of the collective light emitters L1 to L5 according to the common signal (dynamic lighting method). Specifically, the main CPU 200a enables only the common signal C0 of the collective light emitter L1 at any timing (set to LOW potential), and during that time outputs the data signals D7 to D0 to be displayed on the collective light emitter L1. Then, although the data signals D7 to D0 are supplied to all of the collective light emitters L1 to L5, the common signal C0 is only supplied to the collective light emitter L1, so only the collective light emitter L1 displays the data corresponding to the data signals D7 to D0. Next, the main CPU 200a switches the common signal from the common signal C0 of the collective light emitter L1 to the common signal C1 of the collective light emitter L2, and similarly outputs the data signals D7-D0 to be displayed on the collective light emitter L2. In this way, the common signals C4-C0 are switched sequentially for the collective light emitters L1-L5 at a predetermined cycle (for example, 1.49 msec), and the corresponding data signals D7-D0 are output each time, making it appear as if the data are being displayed simultaneously on the collective light emitters L1-L5. Note that the light emission time is the same for the collective light emitters L1-L5, so the brightness is also uniform. In this way, it is possible to control the lighting state of the five collective light emitters L1-L5 with a small number of control signals, such as five common signals and eight data signals.

The collective light emitters L1 to L5 are associated with the respective display sections. For example, collective light emitter L1 indicates the tens digit of the main credit display section 130, collective light emitter L2 indicates the ones digit of the main credit display section 130, collective light emitter L3 indicates the tens digit of the main payout display section 132, and collective light emitter L4 indicates the ones digit of the main payout display section 132. In collective light emitter L5, three of the six LEDs indicate the insertion number display 133, and the other three LEDs respectively indicate the start display (lights up when the start switch 118 is operable), the insert display (lights up when medal insertion is possible), and the replay display (lights up when a replay role is won).

When the common signal C4 is supplied, if the data signal D0 is "1" (HIGH potential), the 1 BET throw-in number indicator 133 turns on, and if the data signal D0 is "0" (LOW potential), the 1 BET throw-in number indicator 133 turns off. If the data signal D1 is "1" (HIGH potential), the 2 BET throw-in number indicator 133 turns on, and if the data signal D1 is "0" (LOW potential), the 2 BET throw-in number indicator 133 turns off. If the data signal D2 is "1" (HIGH potential), the 3 BET throw-in number indicator 133 turns on, and if the data signal D2 is "0" (LOW potential), the 3 BET throw-in number indicator 133 turns off. In this way, the throw-in number indicator 133 can be controlled.

Figure 38 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the specific lighting control of the throw-in number indicator 133. Here, the lighting state of the throw-in number indicator 133 according to the data signals D7 to D0 will be explained. In FIG. 38, a filled-in black indicates lighting, and a white outline indicates turning off. Here, the main CPU 200a (throw-in number acquisition means) acquires the number of thrown-in medals used in one game that have been inserted through the medal insertion slot 114a, bet by the bet switch 116, or automatically inserted when a replay role was displayed on the pay line in the previous game. Then, while no bet has been made, that is, when the throw-in number is "0", the main CPU 200a outputs the lighting information "00xxx000B" to the data signals D7 to D0. Here, the lighting information (specific information) is 1 byte of information for specifying the lighting state (display state) of the throw-in number indicator 133, the start indicator, the insert indicator, and the replay indicator. Note that the "x" in the lighting information indicates that the values of the start indicator, insert indicator, and replay indicator are indefinite (0 or 1). Here, of the lighting information, the lowest 3 bits related to the number of coins inserted indicator 133 will be mainly described. When the lighting information "00xxx000B" is output, the data signal D2 corresponding to bit 2 becomes 0, the data signal D1 corresponding to bit 1 becomes 0, and the data signal D0 corresponding to bit 0 becomes 0, so that none of the 3BET, 2BET, or 1BET in the number of coins inserted indicator 133 is lit. The player can tell that no bet has been made by the fact that no coins are lit up in the number of coins inserted indicator 133.

Also, if the number of coins inserted is "1", the main CPU 200a outputs lighting information "00xxx001B" to data signals D7 to D0. As a result of the lighting information "00xxx001B" being output, the data signal D2 corresponding to bit 2 becomes 0, the data signal D1 corresponding to bit 1 becomes 0, and the data signal D0 corresponding to bit 0 becomes 1, so of the number of coins inserted indicators 133, 3BET and 2BET do not light up, but 1BET does light up. The player can tell that the number of coins inserted is "1" because one of the number of coins inserted indicators 133 is lit.

Also, if the number of coins inserted is "2", the main CPU 200a outputs the lighting information "00xxx011B" to the data signals D7 to D0. As a result of the lighting information "00xxx011B" being output, the data signal D2 corresponding to bit 2 becomes 0, the data signal D1 corresponding to bit 1 becomes 1, and the data signal D0 corresponding to bit 0 becomes 1, so that of the number of coins inserted indicators 133, 3 BET does not light up, but 2 BET and 1 BET light up. The player can tell that the number of coins inserted is "2" because two of the number of coins inserted indicators 133 are lit up.

If the number of coins inserted is "3", the main CPU 200a outputs the lighting information "00xxx111B" to the data signals D7 to D0. As a result of the lighting information "00xxx111B" being output, the data signal D2 corresponding to bit 2 becomes 1, the data signal D1 corresponding to bit 1 becomes 1, and the data signal D0 corresponding to bit 0 becomes 1, so that 3 BET, 2 BET, and 1 BET are all lit up in the number of coins inserted indicators 133. The player can tell that the number of coins inserted is "3" because three of the number of coins inserted indicators 133 are lit up. In this way, the number of coins inserted indicators 133 can display the lighting information in lighting patterns corresponding to the number of coins inserted of "1", "2", and "3".

Now, if we focus on the lowest 3 bits of the lighting information, the main CPU 200a must output lighting information "000B" when the input number is "0" ("000B"), output lighting information "001B" when the input number is "1" ("001B"), output lighting information "011B" when the input number is "2" ("010B"), and output lighting information "111B" when the input number is "3" ("011B"). This creates a need to convert the input number into lighting information. For example, if no bet has been made yet, the binary representation of the number inserted, "000B", must be converted to "000B", if one coin is bet, the binary representation of the number inserted, "001B", must be converted to "001B", if two coins are bet, the binary representation of the number inserted, "010B", must be converted to "011B", and if three coins are bet, the binary representation of the number inserted, "011B", must be converted to "111B".

Such a conversion cannot be derived by simple addition and subtraction, and requires complex calculations. Therefore, it is conceivable to provide a table in the main ROM 200b that provides a one-to-one correspondence between the number of coins inserted and the lighting information, and to extract the lighting information by referencing the table. However, the table takes up a large amount of memory, and there is a risk that the usage area (control area) of the main ROM 200b of the main control board 200 will be strained. Furthermore, even if a program using simple addition and subtraction is attempted, it would be necessary to provide a branch to exclude "000B", which is the binary representation of the number of coins inserted, when no bet has been made yet, making the program complicated, and there is a risk that the usage area (control area) of the main ROM 200b will be strained.

In this embodiment, the main CPU 200a (arithmetic processing means) performs arithmetic processing to efficiently convert the number of inserts into lighting information (specific information) while suppressing the capacity of the control area for performing game control processing. Here, the dynamic port output process S400-7 in the timer interrupt process S400 shown in FIG. 24 is shown as an example of a program that converts the number of inserts into lighting information.

(Dynamic port output process S400-7)
In the dynamic port output process S400-7, the main CPU 200a executes a dynamic port output process that outputs the set output image to the output port and controls the lighting of the main credit display section 130, the main payout display section 132, the number of coins inserted display 133, the start display, the insert display, the replay display, and the stop switches 120a, 120b, and 120c. For the sake of convenience, a part of the process of the dynamic port output process S400-7, that is, the process of updating the number of coins inserted in the main display data buffer, will be described in detail. Here, the main display data buffer stores one byte of lighting information to be sent to the collective light emitter L5. The main CPU 200a reads a program from the main ROM 200b and executes the DYNMOUT module in the program.

Figure 39 is a flow chart showing the specific processing of the DYNMOUT module, and Figure 40 is a diagram showing an example of a specific command of the DYNMOUT module. The numerical values of step S in the explanation of Figure 39 will only be used in the explanation of this figure. Note that "_SIR_DAT" indicates a 2-byte address indicating the main display data buffer, and "_INS_MDL" indicates a 2-byte address storing the number of inputs.

As shown in FIG. 39, the main CPU 200a acquires the values (lighting information) stored in the main display data buffer (S1), and saves the lighting information of the start indicator, insert indicator, and replay indicator other than the input number indicator 133 from the values (S2). Specifically, the index "DYNMOUT:" on the first line of FIG. 40 indicates the starting address of the DYNMOUT module. The command "LDQ A, (LOW _SIR_DAT)" (command size = 2) on the second line sets the value stored in the memory area indicated by the address in which the value of the Q register is the upper byte of the address and the value of the lower byte of the address "_SIR_DAT" itself is the lower byte of the address, i.e., the lighting information stored in the main display data buffer, in the A register. The command on the third line, "AND 00111000B" (command size = 2), masks the upper two bits and the lower three bits, leaving only the lighting information for the start indicator, insert indicator, and replay indicator in the A register. The command on the fourth line, "LD D, A" (command size = 1), saves the value of the A register (part of the lighting information) to the D register.

Next, as shown in FIG. 39, the main CPU 200a obtains the number of medals inserted (S3) and derives the lighting information of the insertion number display 133 (S4). Specifically, the command "LDQ A, (LOW _INS_MDL)" (command size = 2) on the fifth line of FIG. 40 sets the value stored in the memory area indicated by the address with the value of the Q register as the upper byte of the address and the value of the lower byte of the address "_INS_MDL" itself as the lower byte of the address, that is, the insertion number, in the A register. The command "LD E, A" (command size = 1) on the sixth line saves the value of the A register, that is, the insertion number, in the E register. The command "SRL A" (command size = 2) on the seventh line shifts the value of the A register by one bit to the right. Such a command "SRL A" corresponds to a division with a divisor of 2, and the quotient (division result) remains in the A register. The command "ADD A, E" (command size = 1) on line 8 adds the value in the E register (saved input number) to the value in the A register (result of division), and the result of the addition (addition result) remains in the A register. The command "OR E" (command size = 1) on line 9 calculates the logical OR of the value in the A register (result of addition) and the value in the E register (saved input number). In this way, the lighting information for the input number display 133 is set in the A register.

Next, as shown in Fig. 39, the main CPU 200a restores the lighting information of the start indicator, insert indicator, and replay indicator that was saved in step S2 (S5), and updates the values stored in the main indicator data buffer (S6). Specifically, the command "OR D" (command size = 1) on the 10th line of Fig. 40 calculates the logical sum of the value of the A register (lighting information of the number of coins inserted indicator 133) and the value of the D register (lighting information of the saved start indicator, insert indicator, and replay indicator), and the calculation result is stored in the A register. The command on line 11, "LDQ (LOW _SIR_DAT), A" (command size = 2), causes the value of the A register, i.e., the lighting information of the input number indicator 133, start indicator, insert indicator, and replay indicator, to be stored in the memory area indicated by the 2-byte address, in which the value of the Q register is the upper byte of the address and the value of the lower byte of the address "_SIR_DAT" itself is the lower byte of the address, i.e., the main indicator data buffer.

Here, the input number is shifted one bit to the right (divided by 2), the input number is added to the result of this calculation, and a logical OR operation is performed between the result of this calculation and the input number to derive the lighting information of the input number display 133. Note that the total command size of the commands on lines 7 to 9 in Figure 40 that realize this process is 4 bytes, and it can be seen that they occupy almost no memory capacity. Below, we will explain how the lighting information of the input number display 133 is derived based on the input number.

Figure 41 is an explanatory diagram that explains how the lighting information of the input number display 133 is derived based on the input number. As shown by the input number "0" in Figure 41, if the input number is binary "000B", when the input number "000B" is shifted one bit to the right (divided by 2), the operation result (division result) becomes "000B". When the input number "000B" is added to the operation result "000B", the operation result (addition result) becomes "000B". When the operation result "000B" is ORed with the input number "000B", the operation result becomes "000B". Therefore, the lighting information of the input number display 133 becomes "000B".

As shown by the input number "1" in Figure 41, if the input number is the binary number "001B", when the input number "001B" is shifted one bit to the right (divided by 2), the operation result (division result) becomes "000B". When the input number "001B" is added to the operation result "000B", the operation result (addition result) becomes "001B". When the logical OR of the operation result "001B" and the input number "001B" is performed, the operation result becomes "001B". Therefore, the lighting information of the input number display 133 becomes "001B".

As shown by the input number "2" in Figure 41, if the input number is the binary number "010B", when the input number "010B" is shifted one bit to the right (divided by 2), the operation result (division result) becomes "001B". When the input number "010B" is added to the operation result "001B", the operation result (addition result) becomes "011B". When the operation result "011B" is ORed with the input number "011B", the operation result becomes "011B". Therefore, the lighting information of the input number display 133 becomes "011B".

As shown by the input number "3" in Figure 41, if the input number is the binary number "011B", when the input number "011B" is shifted one bit to the right (divided by 2), the operation result (division result) becomes "001B". When the input number "011B" is added to the operation result "001B", the operation result (addition result) becomes "100B". When the operation result "100B" is ORed with the input number "011B", the operation result becomes "111B". Therefore, the lighting information of the input number display 133 becomes "111B".

With this configuration, even when no bet has been made, the lighting information of the bet number display 133 can be uniformly derived from the bet number without providing a branch to exclude the bet number "000B". Therefore, it is possible to efficiently convert the bet number into lighting information of the bet number display 133 while suppressing the capacity of the control area for performing game control processing.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the attached drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can come up with various modified or revised examples within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

In the above-described embodiment, the main control board 200 and the sub-control board 202 are arranged to share the functional parts for progressing the game, but the functional parts of the main control board 200 may be arranged on the sub-control board 202, or the functional parts of the sub-control board 202 may be arranged on the main control board 200, or all the functional parts may be arranged together on a single control board.

In the above embodiment, the game is played using medals as the game value, but the game value may be electrical information (it may be so-called medalless). In this case, when a winning combination is achieved, the amount of value corresponding to the winning combination may be given to the player in the form of electrical information.

Furthermore, each process performed by the main control board 200 and the sub-control board 202 described above does not necessarily have to be performed in chronological order according to the order described in the flowchart, and may include parallel or subroutine processing.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the attached drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can come up with various modified or revised examples within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was given in which there are three reels 110 (left reel 110a, center reel 110b, right reel 110c), but this is not limited to this case, and the invention can also be applied to cases in which there are four reels 110 (first reel, second reel, third reel, fourth reel) or five or more reels.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the main control board 200 and the sub-control board 202 are arranged to share the functional parts for progressing the game, but the functional parts of the main control board 200 may be arranged on the sub-control board 202, or the functional parts of the sub-control board 202 may be arranged on the main control board 200, or all the functional parts may be arranged together on a single control board.

In the above embodiment, the game is played using medals as the game value, but the game value may be electrical information (it may be so-called medalless). In this case, when a winning combination is achieved, the amount of value corresponding to the winning combination may be given to the player in the form of electrical information.

In the above embodiment, an example of application to a slot machine 100 has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to a gaming machine, a so-called pachinko machine, that includes a gaming board in which a gaming area is formed in which gaming balls flow down, a large prize opening that is provided in the gaming area and through which gaming balls can enter, an opening/closing member that opens and closes the large prize opening, and a large prize opening control means that, when a predetermined condition is met, controls the opening/closing member to open and close, thereby executing a large role game that includes multiple rounds of play in which the large prize opening is opened.

Furthermore, each process performed by the main control board 200 and the sub-control board 202 described above does not necessarily have to be performed in chronological order according to the order described in the flowchart, and may include parallel or subroutine processing.

100 Slot machine (amusement machine)
110 Reel 118 Start switch 120 Stop switch 304 Winning type selection means 306 Reel control means 334 Performance control means

Claims (1)

A winning type lottery means for determining whether or not a winning type has been won;
a reel control means for controlling the rotation of a plurality of reels on which a plurality of types of symbols are respectively arranged in response to the operation of a start switch, and for controlling the stop of each of the reels corresponding to the operated stop switch in response to the operation of a stop switch;
A performance control means for controlling the performance;
Equipped with
The winning types include a first winning type including only a bonus role and a second winning type including a bonus role and a specific minor role,
The reel control means performs stop control so that the bonus role is given priority over the small role when both the bonus role and the small role have been won,
The performance control means executes a pre-notification to notify that a winning type including a bonus role has been won in response to a first operation based on the winning of the winning type including a bonus role, or executes a post-notification to notify that a winning type including a bonus role has been won in response to a second operation subsequent to the first operation,
When the second prize type is won, the frequency of executing the later announcement is higher than the frequency of executing the earlier announcement,
The frequency of the advance notification when the first prize type is won is higher than the frequency of the advance notification when the second prize type is won,
The gaming machine performs the subsequent notification less frequently when the first prize type is won than when the second prize type is won.

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