JP2008136690A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a slot maching which prevents a display which obstructs the visibility of identification information from being performed at an image display device on the front surface side while the identification information is variably displayed at a variable display device and executes a performance in an area on the front surface side of the variable display device as well while securing the visibility of the identification information while the variable display of the identification information is stopped. <P>SOLUTION: On the front surface of reels 3L, 3C and 3R constituting the variable display device 2, a liquid crystal display device 4 having a display area wider than a reel area corresponding to the reels 3L, 3C and 3R is disposed. In the performance executed when the progress of a game is stopped, such as a demonstration performance and a history display performance, an image is displayed integrally in the entire area including the reel area. During the game from the operation of a start lever to the rotation stop of all the reels 3L, 3C and 3R, the image is not displayed in the reel area and patterns are completely transmitted and indicated. After the game is ended, the reel area is brought into a translucent state by translucent processing and white addition processing, and the fixed visibility of the patterns is secured. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a slot machine, and in particular, includes a variable display device that variably displays a plurality of types of identification information, and an image display device that is disposed in front of the variable display device and transmits the identification information to the player. The present invention relates to a slot machine that produces an effect by displaying an image on the image display device.

  A slot machine generally includes a variable display device having a plurality of (usually three) reels having a plurality of types of symbols as identification information drawn on the outer periphery, and each reel has a start lever by a player. Rotation is started by operating, and when the player operates a stop button provided corresponding to each reel, the rotation is stopped within a range of a predetermined maximum delay time from the operation timing. . Then, a prize is generated according to the display mode derived when the rotation of all the reels is stopped.

  In order for a winning combination including a bonus combination to occur, generally, a winning flag must be set by winning an internal lottery performed in advance (usually when a start lever is operated). The setting of the winning flag (in particular, bonus winning flag) of each combination performed in the internal process has a great influence on the profit and loss of the player, and is the most interesting for the player. In order to improve the interest of the game, in many slot machines, information that makes it possible to infer the winning situation is notified by production. There are various types of such effects, but in recent years, there are many that are performed by displaying images on an image display device.

  The larger the image used for production, the more powerful it is, and the production effect can be enhanced. For this reason, an image display device for displaying an image for production tends to increase in size gradually, and a slot machine adopting a large-screen liquid crystal display device including a region on the front side of the reel has appeared. In a slot machine employing such a large-screen liquid crystal display device, the visibility of the symbols drawn on the reel on the back side becomes a problem.

  Here, when an abnormality occurs in the display control means for controlling the display of the image, the pattern drawn on the reel becomes invisible due to the occurrence of the abnormality by displaying a highly transmissive image on the liquid crystal display device. Some have prevented the situation (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, in the area corresponding to the reel of the variable display device, there is one that secures the visibility of the pattern drawn on the reel by disposing a transparent plate-like object on the forefront (see, for example, Patent Document 2). .

JP 2004-167016 A (paragraphs 0036 and 0153) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-211510 (paragraph 0070)

  However, in the slot machine of Patent Document 1, if the presentation is performed during the rotation of the reel, the visibility is lost, which is a big problem in the progress of the game. Even after the reels are stopped, the derived symbol may indicate the setting status of the winning flag separately from the effect by the image, such as reach eyes, chance eyes or lose eyes. Therefore, even after the reel is stopped, the visibility of the derived symbol is hindered depending on the state of the displayed effect image, which may cause a problem in the progress of the game, or ensure the visibility of the symbol. In order to do so, there is a problem that the executable performance is limited.

  On the other hand, in the slot machine of Patent Document 2, although the plate-like object is moved according to the movement of the viewpoint position, the plate-like object always exists, and the area on the front side of the reel can display an image. Even if it is, no image is displayed at all. For this reason, the visibility of the symbols drawn on each reel was not hindered while the reel was changing or stopped, but there was a problem that the large screen of the corner could not be fully utilized.

  In addition, when performing an effect by displaying an image in this way, generally, effect data corresponding to an effect to be executed out of effect data stored in the ROM is transferred to a predetermined area of the RAM, and further a frame A process of developing image data in a buffer and displaying an image on an image display device is performed. Here, when effect data other than the effect data currently stored in the RAM is required, the effect data stored so far may be expelled in some cases, and the newly required effect data may be stored in the RAM. Must be written to a given area. When the original production data is needed again, the same thing must be done after all.

  Here, in order to continue the player's expectation with respect to the setting of the bonus winning flag and improve the interest of the game, there is also a case where information regarding the presence / absence of setting of the bonus winning flag is reported in a continuous effect over a plurality of games. Since this continuous effect is performed over a plurality of games, the effect data of the continuous effect has a relatively large data amount. Therefore, when continuous production effect data is transferred from the ROM to a predetermined area of the RAM, a very large overhead occurs. Conventionally, the production data for continuous production has not been handled differently from other production data, and this overhead tends to be a problem.

  The present invention prevents the display that hinders the visibility of the identification information from being displayed on the front image display device while the identification information is variably displayed on the variable display device, and stops the variability display of the identification information. It is an object of the present invention to provide a slot machine capable of producing an effect even in the area on the front side of the variable display device of the image display device while ensuring the visibility of the identification information.

  The present invention also eliminates the waste required for reading out the continuous effect image effect data from the image effect data storage means (ROM) and writing to the image effect data storage means (RAM) by switching the effect mode selected by the player. It is an object of the present invention to provide a slot machine that prevents unnecessary overhead.

In order to achieve the above object, a slot machine according to the first aspect of the present invention includes:
A game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game using game values (medals), and a plurality of types of identification information (designs drawn on reels 3L, 3C, and 3R). ) Is displayed in a variable display device (variable display device 2), and one game is completed, and a winning can be generated according to the display result derived in the variable display device. (Slot machine 1)
At least a part of the region is made transparent by displaying a transparent color image (RGB values are (31, 31, 31)), and the identification information displayed on the variable display device is transparent and shown to the player. An image display device (liquid crystal display 4) disposed in front of the variable display device as a transmissive region (reel region);
The image display including a continuous effect that lasts for a continuous effect period longer than at least one game and a selection effect that enables selection of any effect mode from a plurality of effect modes according to the player's operation. Image effect data storage means (CGROM 142: FIG. 6) storing in advance a plurality of types of image effect data respectively corresponding to a plurality of types of effects by displaying images on the device;
An execution effect data area (temporary storage memory 155) in which image effect data corresponding to an effect being executed among the plurality of types of image effect data is written, and means for storing the data in a readable / writable manner, and the execution effect Image data area in which display image data (image data indicated by RGB values) indicating the display color of each pixel of the image to be displayed on the image display device created based on the image effect data written in the data area is written Image effect data storage means including (frame buffer memory 156);
Display image data written in the image data area by controlling execution of the effect by displaying the image on the image display device including the continuous effect and the demonstration effect according to the display image data written in the image data area. Production control means (production control board 102) for outputting an image signal corresponding to the image display on the image display device,
The production control means includes
Game period determining means for determining whether or not it is a game period from the start to the end of one game (step S920 (determining reception of a winning status notification command and a gaming state command (or winning information command));
In the game in which the execution of the continuous effect is started, the image effect data of the continuous effect is read from the image effect data storage unit according to the selected effect mode, and the read image effect data of the continuous effect is read as the execution effect. Continuous production data writing means (step S948) for writing in the data area;
At least when the game is not being executed, when the execution of the selection effect is instructed by the selection effect instruction means, the image effect data of the selection effect is read from the image effect data storage means, and the read selection effect is read The selected effect data writing means for writing the image effect data in the execution effect data area (when the effect mode switching button 17 is operated for a short time, the effect mode switching screen is displayed from the CGROM 142 in response to an instruction from the effect control microcomputer 120. And write it into the execution effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155),
Display image data writing means (VDP 141) for reading the image effect data written in the execution effect data area, creating display image data based on the read image effect data, and writing it in the image data area;
After the continuous effect data writing means writes the image effect data of the continuous effect in the execution effect data area until the execution of the continuous effect ends, the selected effect data writing means performs the execution effect data. Selection effect prohibiting means for prohibiting the writing of the image effect data of the selected effect in the area (when it is determined that the game state is not the normal game state in steps S945, S949, and S959 (the game state is a regular bonus or a big bonus bonus effect) , While the game state is RT and the continuous production is being executed), the demonstration control process ends without deleting the demo invalid flag),
Transmissive region image display control means (steps S938, S958) for controlling display image data of transmissive region pixels that are pixels of an image included in the transmissive region of the image to be displayed on the image display device;
The transparent area image display control means includes
When it is determined that the game period is determined by the game period determination means, all display image data of the transmission area pixels are controlled to display image data indicating a transmission color, and an image of the transmission color is displayed in the transmission area. A transparent area control means (step S938) to be played,
When it is determined by the game period determination means that it is not the game period, when the display image data of the transmissive area pixel shows a display color other than the transmissive color, the display image data of at least a part of the transmissive area pixel is According to the display image data, the display image data indicating another display color between the display color indicated by the display image data and the transparent color includes a non-game transparent area control means (step S958). To do.

  In the slot machine according to the first aspect, the display image data of the transmissive area pixel is transmitted at least in a game period from the start to the end of one game (that is, a period in which identification information to be stopped and displayed is not fixed). Since it is controlled to indicate the color, a transparent color image is displayed in the transparent area of the image display device, and the identification information displayed on the variable display device on the back is transmitted to the player. It is. For this reason, the visibility of the identification information variably displayed on the variable display device is ensured, and the progress of the game is not affected.

  On the other hand, in a period that is not a game period (that is, a period in which identification information to be displayed after being stopped is fixed), even if the display image data of the transmissive region pixel shows a display color other than the transmissive color, at least one of them is displayed. The display image data of the part is changed to display image data indicating another display color between the display color indicated by the display image data and the transparent color. Moreover, since the display image data after the change is in accordance with the display image data before the change, the image to be displayed in the transmissive area is displayed with a certain visibility. On the other hand, the image displayed in the transmissive area of the image display device also has some degree of transparency, and the identification information stopped and displayed on the variable display device also has a certain visibility. Can be secured. Further, even if such an image is displayed in the transmissive area, it is not a period that is not already a game period (that is, a period in which identification information that is stopped and displayed is fixed), so the progress of the game Will not be affected.

  When the selection effect is executed, it is not always necessary to change the display image data of the transmissive area pixels to display image data indicating a display color close to the transmissive color. This is because the selection effect is an effect that is performed on the assumption that no game is played by the player, and thus the visibility of the identification information displayed on the variable display device does not matter.

  Further, changing display image data of at least a part of the transmissive region pixels to display image data indicating another display color between the display color indicated by the display image data and the transmissive color is, for example, Assuming that the display image data is represented by RGB data indicating a non-transparent color (0, 0, 0) and a transparent color (Rmax, Gmax, Bmax), the RGB data is (Rd, Gd, Bd). The image data means that at least one of the R value, the G value, or the B value is converted to a value that is larger than Rd, Gd, or Bd and equal to or less than Rmax, Gmax, or Bmax.

In the slot machine according to the first aspect,
The image display device is constituted by a liquid crystal display device,
The display image data is gradation data whose value continuously changes in a range from a transparent color (RGB value is (31, 31, 31)) to an opaque color (RGB value is (0, 0, 0)). (RGB value) may be used.

In this case,
The non-game transmissive area control means adds a predetermined value to the value of the display image data of each of the transmissive area pixels, and makes the value of the display image data approach a value indicating the transmissive color ( Step S958 (apply white addition processing)).

In this case,
The non-game transmissive area control means performs a semi-transparent process on the display image data of each of the transmissive area pixels to make the value of the display image data close to a value indicating the transmissive color (step S958 (semi-transparent processing is applied)).

  In this way, by adding a predetermined value to the value of each display image data of the transmissive area pixel, or by performing a translucent process on each display image data of the transmissive area pixel, the value of the display image data By approaching the value indicating the transparent color, after the game period is over, it is possible to produce an effect by displaying an image in an area including the transparent area of the image display device, and the back of the transparent area. The visibility of the identification information displayed on the variable display device can be ensured.

  The non-game transmissive area control means may include both the transmissive value adding means and the translucent processing means. In this case, the image display device (particularly, the transmissive area) is included in the image display device. It may further include switching means for switching which means to use according to the image to be displayed (use switching between white addition processing and semi-transparent processing).

In order to achieve the above object, a slot machine according to the second aspect of the present invention provides:
A game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game using game values (medals), and a plurality of types of identification information (designs drawn on reels 3L, 3C, and 3R). ) Is displayed in a variable display device (variable display device 2), and one game is completed, and a winning can be generated according to the display result derived in the variable display device. (Slot machine 1)
At least a part of the region is made transparent by displaying a transparent color image (RGB values are (31, 31, 31)), and the identification information displayed on the variable display device is transparent and shown to the player. An image display device (liquid crystal display 4) disposed in front of the variable display device as a transmissive region (reel region);
The image display including a continuous effect that lasts for a continuous effect period longer than at least one game and a selection effect that enables selection of any effect mode from a plurality of effect modes according to the player's operation. Image effect data storage means (CGROM 142: FIG. 6) storing in advance a plurality of types of image effect data respectively corresponding to a plurality of types of effects by displaying images on the device;
An execution effect data area (temporary storage memory 155) in which image effect data corresponding to an effect being executed among the plurality of types of image effect data is written, and means for storing the data in a readable / writable manner, and the execution effect Image data area in which display image data (image data indicated by RGB values) indicating the display color of each pixel of the image to be displayed on the image display device created based on the image effect data written in the data area is written Image effect data storage means including (frame buffer memory 156);
Display image data written in the image data area by controlling execution of the effect by displaying the image on the image display device including the continuous effect and the demonstration effect according to the display image data written in the image data area. Production control means (production control board 102) for outputting an image signal corresponding to the image display on the image display device,
The production control means includes
Game period determining means for determining whether or not it is a game period from the start to the end of one game (step S920 (determining reception of a winning status notification command and a gaming state command (or winning information command));
In the game in which the execution of the continuous effect is started, the image effect data of the continuous effect is read from the image effect data storage unit according to the selected effect mode, and the read image effect data of the continuous effect is read as the execution effect. Continuous production data writing means (step S948) for writing in the data area;
At least when the game is not being executed, when the execution of the selection effect is instructed by the selection effect instruction means, the image effect data of the selection effect is read from the image effect data storage means, and the read selection effect is read. The selected effect data writing means for writing the image effect data in the execution effect data area (when the effect mode switching button 17 is operated for a short time, the effect mode switching screen is displayed from the CGROM 133 by the instruction from the effect control microcomputer 120. And write it into the execution effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155),
Display image data writing means (VDP 141) for reading the image effect data written in the execution effect data area, creating display image data based on the read image effect data, and writing it in the image data area;
After the continuous effect data writing means writes the image effect data of the continuous effect in the execution effect data area until the execution of the continuous effect ends, the selected effect data writing means performs the execution effect data. Selection effect prohibiting means for prohibiting the writing of the image effect data of the selected effect in the area (when it is determined that the game state is not the normal game state in steps S945, S949, and S959 (the game state is a regular bonus or a big bonus bonus effect) , While the game state is RT and the continuous production is being executed), the demonstration control process ends without deleting the demo invalid flag),
Transmissive region image display control means (steps S938, S958) for controlling display image data of transmissive region pixels that are pixels of an image included in the transmissive region of the image to be displayed on the image display device;
The transparent area image display control means includes
When it is determined that the game period is determined by the game period determination means, all display image data of the transmission area pixels are controlled to display image data indicating a transmission color, and an image of the transmission color is displayed in the transmission area. A transparent area control means (step S938) to be played,
Non-game transmissive area control means for converting display image data of pixels corresponding to a predetermined mesh pattern of the transmissive area pixels into display image data indicating a transparent color (deformation of step S958 (change of pixel corresponding to mesh pattern) The image is made transparent)) and.

  In the slot machine according to the second aspect, the display image data of the transmission region pixels is transmitted in at least a game period from the start to the end of one game (that is, a period in which identification information to be displayed after being stopped is not fixed). Since it is controlled to indicate the color, a transparent color image is displayed in the transparent area of the image display device, and the identification information displayed on the variable display device on the back is transmitted to the player. It is. For this reason, the visibility of the identification information variably displayed on the variable display device is ensured, and the progress of the game is not affected.

  On the other hand, in a period that is not a game period (that is, a period in which identification information to be displayed after being stopped is fixed), display image data of pixels corresponding to a predetermined mesh pattern among the transmission region pixels is displayed with a transparent color. Converted to image data. For this reason, identification information that is stopped and displayed on the variable display device on the back of the image display device is transmitted through pixels whose display image data has been converted to one that shows a transparent color, and is transmitted to the player with a certain visibility. Will be shown. On the other hand, since an image that should be displayed is displayed on the pixels that are not displayed in the mesh pattern, the image that is to be displayed in the transmissive area is displayed with a certain visibility. Further, even if such an image is displayed in the transmissive area, it is not a period that is not already a game period (that is, a period in which identification information that is stopped and displayed is fixed), so the progress of the game Will not be affected.

  The slot machine according to the second aspect may also include a non-game transparent area control means included in the slot machine according to the first aspect. In this case, according to the image displayed on the image display device (particularly, the transmissive area), the non-game transmissive area control means included in the slot machine according to the first aspect and the second aspect are provided. It may further include switching means (white addition processing, semi-transparency processing, and control by mesh pattern are switched and used) for switching which of the non-game transparent area control means provided in the slot machine is used.

  Furthermore, in any of the slot machines according to the first and second aspects, continuous effect image effect data whose data amount is relatively large when executed over a period longer than one game is executed effect data. If it is written in the area, it is prohibited to write the image effect data of the demonstration effect in the execution effect data area until the continuous effect corresponding to this is finished. Thereby, the image effect data of the continuous effect is the effect effect data that is the effect that is performed as the first stage when the effect mode is switched and the image effect data of the selected effect that is performed regardless of the current progress of the game. It is not erased from the area. For this reason, for a selection effect unrelated to the current progress of the game, generally, the image effect data of the continuous effect with a large amount of data is read from the image effect data storage means and the execution effect data of the image effect data storage means It is possible to eliminate the overhead of writing to the area.

  In addition, the fact that the image effect data of the selected effect is not written to the execution effect data area until the continuous effect corresponding to this is written to the execution effect data area. Since the selection effect is not executed, the effect mode cannot be selected. For this reason, when the images of the continuous effects differ depending on the effect mode, the image effect data in the new effect mode is read again from the image effect data storage means for the continuous effects being executed, and the execution effect data area of the image effect data storage means There is no need to write to, and there is no duplication of overhead.

  The continuous performance may be capable of forcibly terminating the execution in the middle of execution in accordance with a player instruction. In this case, the selection effect prohibiting unit may prohibit the selection effect data writing unit from writing the image effect data of the selection effect until the execution of the continuous effect is forcibly terminated by an instruction from the player. it can.

  Further, when the selection effect data writing means and the selection effect prohibiting means are configured to operate by program control, the selection effect prohibiting means has the continuous effect image effect data in the execution effect data area. It is not limited to what is realized by a program that performs control to positively prohibit the writing of image effect data by the selected effect data writing means from the time of writing until the end of the continuous effect. This includes a program created so that a routine for realizing the selected effect data writing means is not called during a period from when the image effect data is written in the execution effect data area until the continuous effect ends.

  In the slot machine according to the first and second aspects, the game period determined by the game period determining means is at least an operation for the player to start the game (that is, variable display of identification information on the variable display device). It is possible to include a period from when the display operation of the identification information is stopped until the display result is derived to the variable display device. When the game value is paid out to the player according to the display result of the variable display device, the period until the game value is paid out can be included in the game period.

In the slot machine according to the first and second aspects,
The in-game transparent area control means is a transparent color object corresponding to the transparent area, and has a parameter (Z value is the frontmost one) indicating higher display priority than other objects for constructing an image to be displayed. By setting a transmissive area object (reel area object) including (value), all display image data of the transmissive area pixels can be controlled to display image data indicating a transmissive color.

  Here, the transparent area object may be composed of a plurality of objects, and may indicate a transparent color by combining the plurality of objects.

  By setting such a transparent area object, the transparent area object has a lower display priority than the transparent area object and includes a parameter with a higher display priority, regardless of what other objects are to be displayed. All the display image data is controlled to display image data indicating a transparent color. Thereby, the visibility of the identification information displayed on the variable display device during the game period can be reliably ensured.

  Further, in the slot machine according to the first aspect, when the non-game transmissive area control means is constituted by the semi-transparent processing means, the semi-transparent processing means has a predetermined value corresponding to the transmissive area. By setting a transparent area object that is a transparent color object with a semi-transparency value set and includes a parameter indicating a higher display priority than other objects for configuring a displayed image, the transparent area pixel Each display image data value can be made close to a value indicating a transparent color.

  Further, the non-game transmissive area control means in the slot machine according to the second aspect is for constructing an image to be displayed which is a transparent color object corresponding to a predetermined mesh pattern within the transmissive area. By setting a transparent area object including a parameter indicating a higher display priority than other objects, the value of the display image data of the pixel corresponding to the mesh pattern is converted to a value indicating the transparent color. it can.

In the slot machine according to the first and second aspects,
The effect control means can generate display image data of an image to be displayed on the image display device every frame period (the VDP 141 develops image data corresponding to the effect data for each frame in the frame buffer memory 156). ). In this case,
The in-game transmission area control means performs a process of controlling display image data of all the pixels of the transmission area pixels to display image data indicating a transmission color in preference to other processes in each frame period. (The image data of the reel area object is written in the frame buffer memory 156 with the highest priority).

  In this case, even if display image data generation processing is not completed within one frame period and an image that has not been generated is displayed on the image display device, variable display is possible during the game. The visibility of the identification information displayed on the device can be ensured.

In the slot machine according to the first and second aspects,
According to the conditions established in the game, game state control means for controlling the game state among a plurality of types of game states having different advantages for the player (steps S112, S117, S208, S210, S212, S216, S216, S306). , S310, S312). In this case,
The in-game transmission area control means controls the display image data of all the pixels of the transmission area pixels to display image data indicating a transmission color regardless of which gaming state is controlled by the gaming state control means. (If a winning status notification command is received regardless of the gaming state, step S938 is executed).

  In this case, the visibility of the identification information displayed on the variable display device can be ensured during the game regardless of the gaming state.

In the slot machine according to the first and second aspects,
The image display device can be constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal display device in which a front side panel is subjected to surface gloss treatment (surface gloss treatment on a liquid crystal panel constituting the liquid crystal display 4).

  By this surface gloss treatment, the transparency becomes higher than that of a liquid crystal display device having a non-gloss treatment (non-glare treatment) on the surface, and the identification information displayed on the variable display device is highly visible.

In the slot machine according to the first and second aspects,
The variable display device includes a reel having the plurality of types of identification information drawn on an outer peripheral portion, and a reel that is provided on the inner surface of the reel and emits white back light from the back side of the portion of the reel that is visually recognized by the player. It can include a back light source device (reel lamp 3LP),
The image display device is configured by a liquid crystal display device, and is installed in a portion other than the transmission region on the back surface of the liquid crystal display device, and a liquid crystal back light source device that emits white back light (backlight of the liquid crystal display 4). ). In this case,
Driving power is supplied to each of the reel back light source device and the liquid crystal back light source device from different power supply circuits (respective power supply circuits are mounted on the power supply substrate 100 for the reel lamp 3LP and the liquid crystal display 4). It is preferable.

  By supplying driving power from different power supply circuits to the reel back light source device and the liquid crystal back light source device in this way, even if one power supply circuit fails, power is normally supplied from the other power supply circuit. It is possible to prevent an image displayed on the image display device from becoming unrecognizable due to co-fall of the reel back light source device and the liquid crystal back light source device.

In the slot machine according to the first and second aspects,
The effect control means may include an effect control microcomputer (effect control microcomputer 120 and watchdog reset IC 124) and an image processing microcomputer (display control unit 121 (particularly, VDP 141)). here,
The image processing microcomputer outputs a completion signal (event interrupt signal) indicating completion of predetermined processing related to image display by the image display device to the effect control microcomputer. (Moving image decoder 158 (outputs an event interrupt signal)),
The production control microcomputer is:
Image processing initial setting means (step S401) for performing initial setting of the image processing microcomputer in response to activation of the effect control microcomputer;
Processing command means (step S1004) for commanding the image processing microcomputer to start the processing;
Completion signal detection means (step S1006) for detecting a completion signal from the completion signal output means;
In response to a predetermined waiting time elapses without detection of the completion signal from the completion signal output means by the completion signal detection means after the instruction from the processing instruction means is sent, Effect control restarting means for restarting the microcomputer (step S1012 (YES) → loop processing, step S1102 (YES) → S1103),
In response to being restarted by the effect control restarting means, after restoring the effect state before the restart, the effect by displaying the image on the image display device from the restored control state And restart control means (steps S604 and S605) for restarting the execution of.

  Here, when the waiting time has passed without the completion signal from the completion signal output means being detected by the completion signal detection means after the instruction from the processing instruction means has been sent out, the effect control restarting means is used to produce the effect control micro The computer is restarted. In this case, as in the case where power supply to the slot machine is started, the image processing microcomputer is initially set by the image processing initial setting means. As a result, by diverting the process for restoring the control state at the time of restart, it is not necessary to execute a dedicated process when the waiting time has passed without the completion signal being detected. It is possible to appropriately recover from an abnormal display state while preventing an increase or complication of processing.

In the slot machine according to the first and second aspects,
The image display device receives the image signal output from the effect control means, outputs a drive signal corresponding to the input image signal to each pixel, and causes the image display device to display an image. Including a circuit (liquid crystal driver of the liquid crystal display 4),
The display driving circuit may output a driving signal corresponding to a transmissive color as a driving signal of at least each of the transmissive region pixels when no image signal is input from the effect control means (display circuit 157). When no image signal is input from the LCD driver, the liquid crystal driver of the liquid crystal display 4 outputs a drive signal for non-displaying the image).

  As a result, even if an image signal is not output from the display control means, the display color of the transmissive region pixels becomes the transmissive color, and thus the visibility of the variable display device on the rear surface of the transmissive region can be ensured.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing the overall structure of the slot machine according to this embodiment. The front door of the slot machine 1 can be opened by inserting a key into the locking device 19 and rotating it clockwise. On the upper front side of the slot machine 1, a variable display device 2 is provided on the rear surface of a liquid crystal display 4 described later. Inside the variable display device 2, a reel unit 3 including three reels 3L, 3C, and 3R is provided. The reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are rotated / stopped by driving the reel motors 3ML, 3MC, and 3MR (see FIG. 2), respectively.

  On the outer peripheries of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R, a plurality of types of mutually distinguishable symbols such as “7”, “BAR”, “JAC”, “watermelon”, “cherry”, “bell” are arranged in a predetermined order. It is drawn. The reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are white except for the portions on which these symbols are drawn, and transmit light with high transmittance. The portion on which the pattern is drawn also transmits light according to the color of the pattern. The symbols drawn on the outer peripheries of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are displayed on the variable display device 2 in the upper, middle, and lower three stages.

  In the reel unit 3, for each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R, reel sensors 3SL, 3SC, 3SR (see FIG. 2) for detecting the reference position, and a reel lamp 3LP (FIG. 2) for irradiating light from the back surface. 2). The light emitted from the reel lamp 3LP is white light. In this slot machine 1, in any game state, the game can be started only when the bet number is set to 3, and a total of 5 winning lines, 3 in the upper, middle and lower tiers and 2 in the diagonal line, are provided. Is set.

  On the front side of the variable display device 2, a liquid crystal display 4 is provided as a production means. The liquid crystal display 4 is configured by enclosing a liquid crystal between liquid crystal panels in which a plurality of pixels are formed in a matrix. The voltage of each pixel is determined by a drive signal output from a liquid crystal driver (not shown). The transmittance of light is changed by changing the alignment state of the liquid crystal by controlling. The liquid crystal driver outputs a drive signal for displaying an image of a transmissive color (that is, the highest light transmittance) to each pixel when no image signal is input from a display control unit (described later). It has become. The surface of the liquid crystal panel is subjected to surface gloss treatment. Each pixel of the liquid crystal display 4 is provided with an RGB color filter.

  The liquid crystal display 4 has a particularly large vertical width as compared with the variable display device 2, and an area other than a display area (hereinafter referred to as a reel area) of each reel 3L, 3C, 3R of the variable display apparatus 2. Is provided with a backlight for emitting white light. Each pixel of the liquid crystal display 4 is a liquid crystal of the white light of the backlight on the back side or the white light of the reel lamp 3LP (however, the white light may be lost depending on the color of the symbol in the symbol portion). R (red), G (green), and B (blue) light are transmitted in accordance with the orientation state, and a color image is displayed on the front surface of the variable display device 2.

  Each pixel displays 32 gradations for each of RGB. The RGB value of each pixel is expressed as (R, G, B). If it is (0, 0, 0), the white light of the backlight or the white light of the reel lamp 3LP is not transmitted and the display is black. However, if it is (31, 31, 31), the display is transparent and the part of the symbol drawn on the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is displayed in the color, and the other part is displayed in white. For RGB values other than (0, 0, 0) and (31, 31, 31), the red, green, and blue colors become stronger as each value increases.

  The liquid crystal display 4 displays images for various effects according to the gaming state, the setting status of the winning flag, the type of symbols derived to the variable display device 2, and the like. The liquid crystal display 4 can display various information directly or indirectly related to the game, as in the case of displaying an error image when an error occurs. During the game from the start of rotation to the stop of rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, the alignment state of the liquid crystal is controlled so that light is completely transmitted through each pixel in the reel area except for those blocked by the color filter. Has become.

  Various display units are provided around the variable display device 2 and the liquid crystal display 4. Above the variable display device 2 and the liquid crystal display 4, a game number display unit 21, a credit display unit 22, and a payout display unit 23 are provided. The game number display unit 21 is configured by a game number display 51 (see FIG. 2) using a 7-segment display, and counts the number of games and the number of winnings in a regular bonus (including a case where it is provided during a big bonus) described later. The counter value to be displayed is displayed. The game number display unit 21 may be used to display the value of a counter that counts the number of medals paid out during a big bonus, which will be described later. Furthermore, the game number display unit 21 is also used to display a code (error code) corresponding to the type of error that has occurred.

  The credit display unit 22 includes a credit display 52 (see FIG. 2) using a 7-segment display, and displays the number of credits accumulated as data according to the number of inserted medals and the number of paid-out coins as will be described later. The payout display unit 23 is composed of a 7-segment display payout display 53 (see FIG. 2), and displays the number of medals to be paid out when winning is achieved.

  On the left side of the variable display device 2 and the liquid crystal display 4, a single bet display unit 24, two bet display units 25 and 26, and three bet display units 27 and 28 are provided. The 1-sheet, 2-sheet, and 3-sheet betting display sections 24 to 28 indicate that each of the 1-sheet, 2-sheet, and 3-sheet betting lamps 54 to 58 (see FIG. 2) is turned on corresponding to the winning line. The winning line in the game is shown to the player. The 1-sheet, 2-sheet, 3-sheet betting display sections 24 to 28 are also configured so that the 1-sheet, 2-sheet, 3-sheet betting lamps 54-58 are in a blinking state when a winning combination to be described later is made, The winning line that won the role described later is shown to the player.

  On the right side of the variable display device 2 and the liquid crystal display 4, a loading instruction display unit 29, a start display unit 30, a weight display unit 31, a replay display unit 32, and a game over display unit 33 are provided. . The insertion instruction display unit 29 indicates that a medal can be inserted by turning on the insertion instruction lamp 59 (see FIG. 2). The start display unit 30 indicates that the start lamp 60 (see FIG. 2) is turned on, so that the start can be started, that is, the operation of the start lever 11 can be accepted. The weight display unit 31 indicates that a weight to be described later is applied when the weight lamp 61 (see FIG. 2) is turned on. The replay display unit 32 indicates that a replay winning to be described later has been made when the replay lamp 62 (see FIG. 2) is in a lighting state. The game over display unit 33 indicates that the slot machine 1 has been stopped by turning on the game over lamp 63 (see FIG. 2).

  Further, on the horizontal surface of the trapezoidal portion provided below the variable display device 2 and the liquid crystal display 4, a medal slot 13, a single BET button 14, a MAXBET button 15, a settlement button 16, and an effect mode A switching button 17 is provided. The BET button lamps 70a and 70b (see FIG. 2) that are turned on when the number of bets can be set from the credits (maximum 50) accumulated as data are arranged inside the single BET button 14 and the MAX BET button 15. Has been.

  The medal insertion slot 13 is for a player to insert a medal from here, and when insertion of a medal is detected by the insertion medal sensor 44 (see FIG. 2) when the insertion instruction display unit 29 is lit, A bet number is set or credits are stored as data. The single BET button 14 and the MAX BET button 15 are buttons operated by the player when setting the number of bets (1, 3 respectively) from the credits accumulated as data. When detected by the sheet BET switch 45 (see FIG. 2) or the MAXBET switch 46 (see FIG. 2), the number of bets from the credit is set.

  The settlement button 16 is a button for instructing to pay out credits. When an operation is detected by the settlement switch 47 (see FIG. 2), medals corresponding to credits accumulated as data are paid out. The effect mode switching button 17 is used for switching the effect mode of the effect performed by displaying the image on the liquid crystal display 4. The effect mode switching button 17 is also used to display the game history on the liquid crystal display 4. When a short-time operation is detected by the effect mode switching switch 67, an instruction to switch the effect mode is given. However, when an operation of the effect mode switching button 17 continued for a predetermined time or more is detected, the game history is changed. The display is instructed.

  A start lever 11 and stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R are provided on the vertical surface of the trapezoidal portion. The start lever 11 is operated by the player when starting the game. When the operation is detected by the start switch 41 (see FIG. 2), the reel drive motors 3ML, 3MC, 3MR are started to be driven. 3L, 3C, and 3R start to rotate. When the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R can be operated when a predetermined condition is satisfied after the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R start to rotate, operation enable lamps 63L, 63C, and 63R (FIG. 2) provided therein are provided. (See) is lit, and the player is informed.

  The stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R are buttons that the player operates to stop the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R at a desired timing, respectively, and the operations are stop switches 42L, 42C, and 42R (see FIG. 2). Is detected, the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is stopped. The maximum stop delay time from the operation of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R to the stop of rotation of the corresponding reels 3L, 3C, 3R is 190 milliseconds.

  The reels 3L, 3C and 3R rotate 80 times per minute and change the design of 80 x 21 (number of symbols per reel) = 1680 frames, so a maximum of 4 symbols in 190 milliseconds Can be pulled in. That is, the stop symbols selected by the stop control table described later are the symbols displayed when the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R are operated, and the symbols that are four frames ahead of them, for a total of five frames. It is a design.

  Further, a panel that covers the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R is applied as the bonus notification section 36. The bonus notifying unit 36 notifies the player that the bonus notification lamp 66 (see FIG. 2) is turned on, so that a regular bonus winning and a big bonus winning to be described later are possible. Further, on the right side of the stop button 12R, there is provided a medal clogging elimination button 18 that mechanically vibrates the slot machine 1 when a medal is jammed.

  On the lower front side of the slot machine 1, a medal payout port 71 and a medal storage tray 72 are provided. The medal payout port 71 discharges medals paid out by the hopper 80 (see FIG. 2) to the outside. The medal storage tray 72 is for storing paid-out medals. The front panel on the medal storage tray 72 is irradiated with light emitted from the fluorescent lamp 6 (see FIG. 2) installed therein.

  Speakers 7U, 7L, and 7R are provided as rendering means on the lower front side of the slot machine 1 and on the left and right sides of the upper front side, respectively. The speakers 7U, 7L, and 7R output start sounds when the start lever 11 is operated, output sound effects when winning, big bonus entry, and regular bonus entry, and further alarm sounds when abnormal In addition to the output of the above, the sound for various effects according to the gaming state is output.

  Further, on the front side of the slot machine 1, an effect by light is performed by light emission of game effect lamps 75 </ b> A to 75 </ b> M (see FIG. 2) as effect means so as to surround the variable display device 2 and the liquid crystal display 4. Game effect display sections 5A to 5M are provided. The game effect display units 5A to 5M perform effects by light in various patterns according to the progress of the game. Note that the light emission colors of the game effect display units 5A to 5M may be either single colors or multiple colors.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the control circuit of the slot machine 1. As shown in the figure, the control circuit of the slot machine 1 includes a power supply board 100, a game control board 101, an effect control board 102, a reel relay board 103, a reel lamp relay board 104, an external output board 105, and an effect relay board 106. It is divided roughly.

  The power supply board 100 transforms an external power supply voltage of AC 100V and supplies operating power to the game control board 101 and other parts of the slot machine 1. In FIG. 2, only the game control board 101, the hopper 80, and the switches 91 to 94 are connected, but the power supply board 100 also supplies power to other units. At least two power supply circuits are mounted on the power supply substrate 100, and operating power is supplied to the reel lamp 3LP and the liquid crystal display 4 (backlight and liquid crystal driver) from separate power supply circuits. The power supply board 100 is provided in the slot machine 1 and is connected to a hopper 80 that includes a hopper motor 82 that performs a medal payout operation and a payout sensor 81 that detects a medal payout operation.

  The power supply board 100 sets a winning probability for an internal lottery to be described later, and a setting switch 91 and a setting switch 91 for changing setting values (setting 1 to setting 6) of medal payout rates calculated based on the probability. Are connected to a setting key switch 92 for enabling the operation, a second reset switch 93 for resetting the internal state (RAM 112), and a main switch 94 for switching the power ON / OFF, and detection of these switches. A signal is sent to the game control board 101. These switches 91 to 94 are provided inside the slot machine 1.

  The game control board 101 is a control board on the main side that controls the overall flow of the game in the slot machine 1, and includes a control unit 110 including a CPU 111, a RAM 112, a ROM 113, and an I / O port 114. It is installed. Further, a random number generation circuit 115, a sampling circuit 116, a power supply monitoring circuit 117, a reset circuit 118, and other circuits are mounted.

  The CPU 111 has an interrupt function (including an interrupt prohibition function) such as a timekeeping function and a timer interrupt, and executes a program (described later) stored in the ROM 113 to perform processing related to the progress of the game, and in the slot machine 1 Control each part of the control circuit directly or indirectly. The RAM 112 is used as a work area when the CPU 111 executes a program. The ROM 113 stores programs executed by the CPU 111 and fixed data. The I / O port 114 inputs and outputs control signals to and from each circuit connected to the game control board 101.

  The random number generation circuit 115 is configured by a counter that counts up and updates the value every time a predetermined number of pulses are generated, as will be described later, and the sampling circuit 116 acquires the numerical value counted by the random number generation circuit 115. . The random number generation circuit 115 is provided for each type of random number used for the progress of the game, and a range of numerical values to be counted for each type of random number is determined. The CPU 111 sends an instruction to the sampling circuit 116 according to the processing to acquire the numerical value indicated by the random number generation circuit 115 as a random number (hereinafter, this function is referred to as a hardware random number function). As a random number for internal lottery described later, a numerical value obtained by processing a numerical value extracted by the hardware random number function by software is used.

  The power monitoring circuit 117 monitors the power supply voltage supplied from the power supply substrate 100, and outputs a voltage drop signal to the control unit 110 when detecting a voltage drop. Although not particularly shown, the control unit 110 includes an interrupt input terminal connected to the power supply monitoring circuit 117, and an external interrupt is generated in the CPU 111 when a voltage drop signal is input to the interrupt input terminal. The CPU 111 executes a power interruption interrupt process.

  The reset circuit 118 outputs a reset signal when the voltage rises to a level at which the control unit 110 can be activated when the power is turned on to start the control unit 110, and generates a signal periodically output from the control unit 110. When the count is incremented without being cleared based on the reset counter, that is, when the control unit 110 does not operate for a certain time, a reset signal is output to the control unit 110 and the control unit 110 is restarted. .

  The CPU 111 also has a function of updating the numerical value of the specific address in the RAM 112 by timer interrupt processing and acquiring the updated numerical value as a random number (hereinafter, this function is referred to as a software random number function). The CPU 111 transmits various commands to the effect control board 102 via the I / O port 114. Note that information (commands) is sent from the game control board 101 to the effect control board 102 only in one direction, and no information (commands) is sent from the effect control board 102 to the game control board 101.

  Connected to the game control board 101 are a single BET switch 45, a MAXBET switch 46, a start switch 41, stop switches 42L, 42C, 42R, a settlement switch 47, a first reset switch 48, and a throw-in medal sensor 44. Detection signals from the switches / sensors are input. In addition, detection signals of the reel sensors 3SL, 3SC, and 3SR are input via the reel relay substrate 103. In accordance with the detection signals of these switches / sensors input via the I / O port 114 or the detection signals of various switches input via the power supply board 100 as described above, the CPU 111 on the game control board 101 Processing is in progress.

  The game control board 101 also includes a flow path switching solenoid 49, a game number display 51, a credit display 52, a payout display 53, a loading instruction lamp 59, a single betting lamp 54, two betting lamps 55, 56, Three betting lamps 57 and 58, a game over lamp 63, a start lamp 60, a replay lamp 62, BET button lamps 70a and 70b, and operation valid lamps 63L, 63C, and 63R are connected, and the CPU 111 follows the progress of the game. These operations are controlled.

  The game control board 101 is connected to reel motors 3ML, 3MC, and 3MR via a reel relay board 103. The CPU 111 controls the reel motors 3ML, 3MC, 3MR via the reel relay substrate 103 and stops the reels 3L, 3C, 3R with reference to a winning flag set in the RAM 112 by an internal lottery to be described later. An effect control board 102 is further connected to the game control board 101 via an effect relay board 106.

  The effect relay board 106 is a board provided to ensure one-way information transmitted from the game control board 101 to the effect control board 102. The effect relay board 106 does not check the game control board 101 and the effect control board 102 by checking this state, and an illegal signal (especially an external input to the effect control board 102 is input to the control unit 110 of the game control board 101). It is possible to check whether or not a modification has been made such that a signal is input).

  The effect control board 102 is a sub-side control board that controls the execution of effects in the slot machine 1, and includes an effect control microcomputer 120, a display control unit 121, a sound control unit 122, a lamp control unit 123, and a watch dog. A reset IC 124 is mounted. Details of the production control microcomputer 120, the display control unit 121, and the reset IC 124 with watchdog will be described later. Connected to the effect control board 102 are game effect lamps 75A to 75M, a liquid crystal display 4, speakers 7L, 7R, and 7U, a fluorescent lamp 6, a weight lamp 61, a bonus notification lamp 66, and an effect mode changeover switch 67. A reel lamp 3LP is connected via a reel lamp relay substrate 104.

  Among the units connected to the production control board 102, the liquid crystal display 4 is controlled by the display control unit 121 based on a command from the production control microcomputer 120, and the speakers 7L, 7R, and 7U are production control micros. The sound control unit 122 controls based on a command from the computer 120, and other lamps (game effect lamps 75A to 75M, fluorescent lamp 6, weight lamp 61, bonus notification lamp 66, reel lamp 3LP) are effect-controlled. The lamp controller 123 is controlled based on a command from the microcomputer 120 for use. The detection signal of the effect mode changeover switch 67 is input to the game control microcomputer 120.

  The reel relay board 103 relays between the game control board 101, the external output board 105 and the reel unit 3. The reel relay substrate 103 is also connected with a full sensor 90, and its detection signal is input. The full tank sensor 90 is provided inside the slot machine 1 and detects that the medals in the overflow tank storing the medals overflowed from the hopper 80 are full.

  The reel lamp relay board 104 relays between the effect control board 102 and the reel unit 3. The external output board 105 is connected to an external device such as a hall management computer and receives a big bonus medium signal, regular bonus medium signal, reel control signal, stop signal input from the game control board 101 via the reel relay board 103. The switch signal, medal IN signal, medal OUT signal, and winning status signal are output to the external device.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the effect control microcomputer 120 mounted on the effect control board 102. The effect control microcomputer 120 is connected to a reset IC 124 with a watchdog, which is also shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the production control microcomputer 120 includes a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 133, a random number circuit 134, an input / output port 135, and a reset / interrupt controller 136.

  The CPU 131 reads out programs and data stored in the ROM 132 and uses the RAM 133 as a work area to perform control according to the program. The CPU 131 includes an internal timer. In addition to the operation program of the CPU 131, the ROM 132 stores fixed data such as a table for determining an effect pattern for continuous effects described later. The RAM 133 is provided with an area for setting various data for controlling the execution of effects, for example, a continuous counter and various flags described later. The RAM 133 further stores a predetermined game history. The random number circuit 134 generates all or part of various random numbers used on the production control board 102 side.

  The input / output port 135 includes an input port for capturing various signals transmitted to the effect control microcomputer 120 and an output port for outputting various signals to the outside of the effect control microcomputer 120. For example, various commands transmitted to the display control unit 121 and the like are output from the output port of the input / output port 135. A command transmitted from the game control board 101 is input to the input port of the input / output port 135. The output port of the input / output port 135 includes an output terminal for outputting a clear signal for initializing the reset IC with watchdog 124. The input port of the input / output port 135 includes an input terminal for inputting a reset signal transmitted from the reset IC 124 with a watchdog via the reset terminal of the effect control microcomputer 120.

  The reset / interrupt controller 136 is for controlling various reset and interrupt requests generated inside or outside the production control microcomputer 120. The reset controlled by the reset / interrupt controller 136 includes a system reset and a user reset. The system reset is a reset that occurs when a low level signal is input to a predetermined system reset terminal for a certain period. User reset is that a low level signal is input to a predetermined user reset terminal for a certain period of time, an out-of-designated area travel prohibition (IAT) signal is generated, or an interval reset signal is generated, etc. This is a reset caused by a predetermined factor.

  The reset IC 124 with a watchdog is a reset IC with a built-in watchdog circuit. The reset IC with watchdog 124 counts up or down the timer value of the watchdog circuit in response to, for example, a rising edge or a falling edge of a predetermined clock signal. Then, the timer value of the watchdog circuit is initialized in response to the clear signal transmitted from the effect control microcomputer 120 being turned on.

  Here, the time that can be measured by the watchdog circuit, that is, the time until the timer value of the watchdog circuit is up-counted or down-counted from the initial value to the final value is determined by the production control microcomputer 120. It is set to be longer than the cycle in which the timer interrupt for control is generated. When the CPU 131 periodically executes interrupt processing corresponding to the occurrence of the timer interrupt in the production control microcomputer 120, the clear signal transmitted from the production control microcomputer 120 is periodically turned on. The timer value does not reach the final value because it enters the state. On the other hand, when the interrupt processing corresponding to the occurrence of the timer interrupt is not normally executed by the CPU 131, the clear signal is not turned on, so that the timer value reaches the final value. When the timer value of the watchdog circuit reaches the final value and times out in this manner, a predetermined reset signal is output as an ON state and input to the reset signal of the effect control microcomputer 120.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the display control unit 121 mounted on the effect control board 102. As shown in the figure, the display control unit 121 includes a VDP (Video Display Processr) 141 and a CGROM (Character Generator ROM) 142. The VDP 141 has a high-speed drawing function and a display output function for displaying an image on the liquid crystal display 4, and executes image processing according to a command from the effect control microcomputer 120. The CGROM 142 stores element data and moving image data (effect data) of an image displayed as an effect on the liquid crystal display 4.

  The VDP 141 includes a host interface 151, a transfer control circuit 152, a CGROM interface 153, a drawing circuit 154, a temporary storage memory 155, a frame buffer memory 156, a display circuit 157, and a moving image decoder 158. Yes.

  The host interface 151 includes an address input terminal and a data input / output terminal for exchanging various data with the production control microcomputer 120. The transfer control circuit 152 performs control to transfer the effect data read from the CGROM 142 to the effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155 based on a command from the effect control microcomputer 120. The CGROM interface 153 includes an address output terminal and a data input terminal for reading effect data stored in the CGROM 142.

  The drawing circuit 154 executes a drawing process for creating image data of an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 based on the effect data stored in the effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155. The temporary storage memory 155 is composed of, for example, a VRAM (Video RAM) or the like, and includes an effect data area for storing effect data read from the CGROM 142. In addition, the temporary storage memory 155 has information indicating an effect mode, information indicating that a reel transparent object is set in the reel area, and the reel area semi-transparent based on a command from the effect control microcomputer 120. Such information is also stored.

  The frame buffer memory 156 is configured using, for example, a VRAM that is different from the temporary storage memory 155, and stores image data of an image created by a drawing process by the drawing circuit 154. The frame buffer memory 156 has two frames, and switching between image data writing and reading is performed every frame period. The display circuit 157 uses the image data read from the frame buffer memory 156 (for reading) as gradation data, and outputs the image signal to which the synchronization signal is added to the liquid crystal driver of the liquid crystal display 4. The moving picture decoder 158 is a circuit that decodes the moving picture data when it is read out from the CGROM 142 as effect data.

  In the slot machine 1, a winning is awarded when the winning symbols are arranged on any winning line of the variable display device 2. The types of winning combinations are determined according to the gaming status, but can be broadly divided into special roles with transition to special gaming status (regular bonus, big bonus) and small roles with payout of medals. There is a re-player who can start the next game without setting the bet amount. FIG. 5A is a view for explaining the combination of the types of winning combinations in the slot machine 1 and the symbols in the variable display device 2.

  The regular bonus is awarded when the combination of “BAR-BAR-BAR” is aligned on any of the winning lines (five) in the normal gaming state or RT. When the regular bonus is won, the gaming state shifts from the normal gaming state to the regular bonus. The regular bonus ends when 12 games are consumed, or when 8 games are won (any kind of combination is possible), whichever comes first. While the game state is in the regular bonus, the regular bonus medium flag is set in the RAM 112 (including the case where it is provided during the big bonus described below).

  The big bonus (1) is won when a combination of “7-7-7” is arranged in any of the winning lines (five) in the normal gaming state or RT. The big bonus (2) is won when a combination of “7-7-BAR” is arranged in any of the winning lines (five) in the normal gaming state or RT. When the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is won, the gaming state shifts to the big bonus.

  In the big bonus, the regular bonus described above is repeatedly provided until the end. While the gaming state is the big bonus, the big bonus medium flag is set in the RAM 112. The big bonus ends when the number of medals paid out to the player exceeds 465. Here, since the maximum payout number per game is 15, the upper limit of the payout medal number in the big bonus is 480.

  In addition, when a regular bonus, a big bonus (1) or a big bonus (2) is won in an internal lottery to be described later (including a case where a winning combination with a cherry is won as will be described later), the gaming state is set to RT only for the subsequent three games. Controlled by (Replay Time). If a regular bonus, a big bonus (1), or a big bonus (2) is won, even if the prescribed number of games remains, RT is terminated at that time.

  Even if the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is won in the internal lottery described later, “7” and “BAR” are arranged at intervals of 5 frames or less for the reels 3L, 3C, 3R. However, depending on the operation procedure of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R, there are cases where these winning combinations are not won. However, as will be described later, when the winning combination with the cherry is won, the winning may be won even if the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) that is won is missed.

  A watermelon is awarded when a combination of “watermelon-watermelon-watermelon” is aligned on any winning line (5 or 1) in any gaming state, and 15 medals are paid out. “Watermelons” are not arranged at intervals of 5 frames or less on the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, and even if a watermelon is won in an internal lottery that will be described later, there is a case where no winning is made depending on the operation timing of the stop button 12L. is there.

  Bell is awarded when any combination of “Bell-Bell-Bell” is aligned on any winning line (5 or 1) in any gaming state, and 9 medals are paid out. The “bells” are arranged at intervals of 5 frames or less for all of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R. When a bell is won in an internal lottery to be described later, the bell is always won.

  In any game state, the cherry is awarded when the “cherry” symbol is derived on any of the winning lines (5 or 1) for the left reel 3L, and one cherry is awarded per winning line. Medals will be paid out. In a gaming state other than the regular bonus, when “Cherry” stops at the upper or lower level of the left reel 3L, the derivation is made on two pay lines, so a total of two medals are paid out. However, even if the cherry tree is not won in the proper operation procedure and the cherry tree is not won, the same chance as that which can be derived when the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is missed is derived. Sometimes. Even when the cherry is won and the chance chance is derived, the gaming state is controlled to RT only during the subsequent three games.

  Replay is awarded when a combination of “JAC-JAC-JAC” is aligned on any of the winning lines (five) in the normal gaming state or RT. With regular bonuses (including those inside big bonuses), even if this combination is complete, no replay prize will be awarded. When you win a replay, you won't be paid out medals, but you can start the next game without setting the number of bets again, so the number of bets that you don't need to set in the next game (the regular bonus won't be replayed for 3) This is substantially the same as paying out three medals corresponding to. “JAC” is arranged with an interval of 5 frames or less for all of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R, and when a replay is won in an internal lottery described later, the replay is always won.

  In addition, when winning the cherry at the same time as the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2), or the winning of the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is carried over as will be described later May win a small role or replay. The replay is derived in preference to the regular bonus, big bonus (1) or big bonus (2), so there is no loss, but Bell is the regular bonus, big bonus (1) or big bonus (2) Priority is given to the derivation of, which may be missed exceptionally.

  Hereinafter, the internal lottery will be described. The internal lottery is to determine whether or not the winning of each combination described above is permitted before the display result of the variable display device 2 is derived and displayed (actually, when the start lever 11 is operated). . In the internal lottery, a random number for internal lottery (an integer from 0 to 65535) is acquired from the random number generation circuit 115. Then, for each combination determined according to the gaming state, the acquired random number for internal lottery, the number of bets set by the player, and each combination determined according to the set value set by the setting switch 91 This is performed according to the number of judgment values. Winning in the internal lottery is exclusive.

  FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a winning combination table by gaming state. The winning combination table according to gaming state is stored in advance in the ROM 113 and is used to determine the winning combination determined in the internal lottery. The registered content of the winning combination table according to gaming state depends on the gaming state. It shows the role that has been determined. In the game state of each game, a combination that is a lottery target is referred. Here, a plurality of winning combinations may be subject to lottery at the same time.

  When the gaming state is a regular bonus (including a case where the bonus is provided during a big bonus), watermelon, bell, and cherry are sequentially read out as a target for internal lottery. When in normal gaming, regular bonus, regular bonus + cherry, big bonus (1), big bonus (1) + cherry, big bonus (2), big bonus (2) + cherry, watermelon, bell, cherry, Replays are sequentially read out as a target combination for internal lottery. When the game state is RT, regular bonus, regular bonus + cherry, big bonus (1), big bonus (1) + cherry, big bonus (2), big bonus (2) + cherry, watermelon, bell, cherry, Replays are sequentially read out as a target combination for internal lottery.

  In the internal lottery, the number of judgment values registered for each gaming state and set value for the target part of the internal lottery is sequentially added to the random number for internal lottery. It is determined that the winning role is won. If the winning combination is determined, the winning flag of the combination is set in the RAM 112. The number of determination values is registered in a role table stored in the ROM 113 in advance.

  Here, the same value is registered for each of the set values for the replay determination value in the normal gaming state and RT, but the replay determination value number in the normal gaming state is the same as the replay determination value number in RT. It is larger than the number. For example, in the normal gaming state, the replay determination value number is 2245 and the replay winning probability is approximately 1 / 7.3, whereas in RT, the replay winning probability is 12652 and the replay winning probability is approximately 1/1. .4.

  By setting the replay winning probability in this way, in the normal gaming state, the medal payout rate is smaller than 1 (that is, the number of medals to be inserted for setting the bet number is won by internal lottery. Although the number of medals to be paid out for a small role is smaller), in RT, the replay winning probability becomes higher, so that the medal payout rate becomes larger than 1 (that is, because the betting number is set) The number of medals that will be paid out for the small role won in the internal lottery is larger than the number of medals inserted in However, the medal payout rate in RT is smaller than the medal payout rate in the regular bonus (including the big bonus) in the gaming state. The relationship of the medal payout rates according to the gaming state described here is the same when the set value is any of 1-6.

  Next, stop control of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R will be described. The reels 3L, 3C, and 3R constituting the variable display device 2 rotate on condition that the start lever 11 is operated and a predetermined time has passed since the start of rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R in the previous game. Be started. When the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R are operated by the player, the corresponding reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are within the maximum stop delay time range of 190 milliseconds (4 frames pull-in range). In)).

  The reels 3L, 3C and 3R stop rotating so that the winning symbol set in the winning line is aligned on the winning line within the range of the maximum stop delay time of 190 milliseconds, and the maximum stop of 190 milliseconds It is controlled so that the symbol of the combination for which the winning flag is not set within the delay time is not aligned on the winning line.

  Here, when the regular bonus winning flag or the big bonus winning flag and the replay winning flag are set to be overlapped, the replay symbols are preferentially arranged on the winning line. In the replay, the replay winning is always performed regardless of the operation procedure of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R. In this case, the regular bonus or the big bonus is not won.

  If the regular bonus winning flag or big bonus winning flag and the watermelon winning flag or bell winning flag are set in duplicate, the regular bonus or big bonus symbol is controlled to be preferentially aligned on the winning line. . When the regular bonus or big bonus symbols cannot be aligned on any winning line by operating the stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R, and “watermelon” or “bell” can be aligned on the winning line The "watermelon" or "bell" can be aligned on the winning line and awarded.

  When the regular bonus winning flag or the big bonus winning flag and the cherry winning flag are set in duplicate, the regular bonus or the big bonus symbol is controlled so as to be aligned on the winning line. When the symbols of the regular bonus or big bonus cannot be aligned on any winning line due to the operating procedure of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R, “cherry” can be derived to the upper or lower stage of the left reel 3L. In this case, “cherry” is led out to the upper or lower stage and the cherry is awarded.

  Note that the stop control of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R described above is based on the stop operation position and stop position of the reels that have not yet stopped according to the setting status of the winning flag (and the symbols derived for the already stopped reels). A stop control table that defines the relationship between the corresponding reel and the reels that have not been stopped is created in advance, and when each of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R is operated, the stop control table created in advance is referred to and the corresponding reel The rotation is supposed to be stopped. In the stop control table, the stop position is uniquely determined with respect to the stop operation position.

  On the game control board 101 side, the internal lottery is performed as described above, and the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is stopped according to the result and the operation timing of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R, and a prize is generated. It will be a thing. As a result of winning a prize, a medal is paid out or a game state is transferred as a payout. In this way, depending on the progress of the game on the game control board 101 side, an original effect is performed on the effect control board 102 side. Is called. In order to perform such an effect, the CPU 131 of the effect control microcomputer 120 must be able to recognize the progress of the game on the game control board 101 side. All are transmitted from the game control board 101 to the effect control board 102 as commands.

  The commands transmitted from the game control board 101 to the effect control board 102 include at least a BET command, a winning status notification command, a reel rotation command, a reel stop command, a winning information command, and a game state command. The commands transmitted from the game control board 101 to the effect control board 102 include other commands, but since they are not directly related to the present invention, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The BET command indicates the bet number set for one game, and is transmitted when the bet number setting is confirmed. The winning status notification command indicates the setting status of the winning flag in the RAM 112, and is transmitted when the start lever 11 is operated and an internal lottery is performed. The winning information command indicates the type of winning generated according to the display result of the variable display device 2 and the number of medals to be paid out with the winning. The display result is derived to the variable display device 2 and the winning determination is made. Sent when done. The gaming state command indicates a gaming state applied in the next game, and is transmitted at the end of one game. When the gaming state command indicates that the gaming state is in RT, it is possible to distinguish whether the number of remaining RT games is three games, two games, or one game.

  The CPU 131 of the effect control microcomputer 120 performs various effects based on the commands sent from the CPU 111 of the game control board 101 as described above. In order to perform an effect, the RAM 133 of the effect control microcomputer 120 has a continuous counter indicating the number of remaining games of the continuous effect, an area for setting various flags, a game state command, a winning information command, and a winning status notification command. Area for storing the winning status of each combination, information indicating the presence or absence of winning based on the display result of the variable display device 2, and the game state applied in the game running on the game control board 101 side ( As for the winning situation, two times) are also provided in the RAM 133.

  Among the effects executed by the control of the effect control microcomputer 120, the gaming state is controlled to RT as an effect by displaying an image on the liquid crystal display 4 based on a command output to the display control unit 121. In particular, there is a continuous effect that is executed over a plurality of games based on winning of cherries (excluding those based on double winning with bonuses), derivation of chances, or winning only of bonuses. After the end of the continuous effect, there is a jackpot effect or a lost effect that is executed based on whether the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is won.

  In addition, there are bonus effects that are executed when the gaming state is a regular bonus or a big bonus. Further, there are a bonus winning effect executed when a regular bonus, a big bonus (1) or a big bonus (2) is won, and a bonus end effect executed when a regular bonus or a big bonus ends. Execution modes of these effects vary depending on the effect mode.

  Here, the bonus winning effect or the bonus ending effect is displayed when the regular bonus, the big bonus (1), or the big bonus (2) is won, or when the regular bonus or the big bonus ends (that is, displayed on the variable display device 2). When the result is derived) and ended when the wager is set for the next game. In any case, since the game is ended by setting the bet number for the next game, the game is ended before the game is started.

  On the other hand, the jackpot effect or the loss effect is started when the bet number is set for the game after performing the continuous effect for three games, but the game is started by operating the start lever 11. Then it will be terminated. The continuous effect and the bonus effect are continuously executed over a period of a plurality of games. During the actually executed period, after the display result is derived to the variable display device 2, the start lever 11 is operated next. This is a period until the next game is started, and is intermittently executed in a period in which the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is stopped. During the period from the operation of the start lever 11 until the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R stops and the display result is derived to the variable display device 2, a still image corresponding to the effect mode is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4. The

  In addition, the CPU 131 of the effect control board 102 performs a history display effect in which a predetermined game history stored in the RAM 133 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 based on the player's operation of the effect mode switching button 17. In the history display effect, not only the game history is simply displayed as information, but the CPU 131 further performs an operation for advancing the game for a predetermined period or longer (however, the reel 3L, The liquid crystal display 4 performs a predetermined demonstration effect except when the game is in progress from the start of rotation to the stop of 3C and 3R). The history display effect and the demonstration effect are performed during a period in which the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R is not in progress.

  The continuous performance is started in a game in which the RT gaming state is started based on the winning of the cherry, the chance derivation, or the bonus winning, and is continuously performed over a period of three games until the RT is ended. However, if a bonus is won before the end of the continuous performance, the continuous performance is forcibly terminated at that time. However, during the period of continuous production, the gaming state is controlled to RT, and replay is won with a fairly high probability (replay is won without missing), so there is little chance of winning a bonus during the continuous production.

  The continuous production is selected according to whether or not the production mode and the bonus are won at the start of the game in which the number of remaining RT games is 3 (that is, cherry win, chance chance derivation, or bonus was won in the previous game). It is performed according to the production pattern. You may win a new bonus until the end of the continuous performance that starts based on winning a cherry or winning a chance when you have not won a bonus. Then, since the number of remaining RT games is 3 again, an effect pattern corresponding to the bonus winning is newly selected here.

  In the production between the individual games in the continuous production, information that can definitely determine whether or not the bonus is won is not notified, but if the three games are combined, it may be known whether or not the bonus is won. In the jackpot effect or the loss effect after the three games of the continuous effect are finished, information that clearly indicates whether or not the bonus is won is notified.

  These effects are controlled and executed by the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121 by outputting an effect data write command, an effect start command, an end command, and the like to the display control unit 121. When the VDP 141 receives the effect data write command, the VDP 141 reads the effect data corresponding to the command from the CGROM 142 and writes it in the effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155. When an effect start command is received, if effect data is written in the effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155, it is written by the drawing circuit 154 frame by frame in each frame period until the effect end command is received. The image data corresponding to the effect data is expanded in the frame buffer memory 156 and is output to the liquid crystal display 4 by the display circuit 157.

  Data for displaying an effect image on the liquid crystal display 4 under the control of the VDP 141 is stored in advance in the CGROM 142 as effect data. The effect data is prepared for each effect mode, and the effect data written in the effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155 based on the write command from the effect control microcomputer 120 is the effect mode at that time. It will be compatible. Further, the effect data of the history display effect and the effect data of the demonstration effect are stored in the CGROM 142 in advance. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of various effect data stored in the CGROM 142.

  As shown in the figure, continuous production (losing) 1-m, continuous production (big hit) 1-n, jackpot production, loss production, regular bonus medium production, big bonus medium production, regular bonus prize production, big bonus prize production, regular The effect data of the bonus end effect and the big bonus end effect are prepared for each effect mode of mode 1 and mode 2, and stored in the CGROM 142. Further, demonstration effect production data and history display production effect data are prepared and stored in the CGROM 142.

  Here, the production data of the continuous production (losing) 1 to m is a series prepared for each pattern selected in a state where none of the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) and the big bonus (2) is won. It is production data of production. The production data of the continuous production (big hit) 1 to n is the continuous production prepared for each pattern selected in the state of winning either the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2). Production data.

  The production data of continuous production (losing) 1 to m and the production data of continuous production (big hit) 1 to n are productions that are continuously executed over a period of a plurality of games, and therefore have a relatively large amount of data. It has become. The effect data of the regular bonus medium effect and the big bonus medium effect is also an effect in which the bonus medium effect is continuously executed over a period of a plurality of games, so that the data amount is relatively large.

  However, since the liquid crystal display 4 is also provided over the reel area on the front side of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R constituting the variable display device 2, depending on the state of the image displayed on the reel area, the reel The visibility of symbols drawn on 3L, 3C, and 3R may be impaired, and the progress of the game may be affected. Therefore, the reel area is not displayed until the display result is derived to the variable display device 2 after the start lever 11 is operated until all of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R stop rotating (that is, each pixel in the reel area). The RGB value is set to (31, 31, 31) to be a completely transmissive state)

  When all of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R stop rotating and the display result is derived to the variable display device 2, the liquid crystal display 4 starts production, but each pixel in the reel area is originally displayed. Even if an image is displayed in an area including the reel area, the transparency is higher than that of the image (that is, the RGB value is close to (31, 31, 31)). The symbols drawn on the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are made visible. However, when a small winning combination is awarded according to the display result of the variable display device 2 and a medal is paid out in accordance with this, the reel area is not displayed in order to ensure that the winning combination can be confirmed during the paying out of the medal. The reel area image is controlled to be in a semi-transparent state after completing the payout of medals while being displayed.

  The image data of the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 is developed in the frame buffer memory 156 (for writing) in each frame period. When the image data is written in the frame buffer memory 156, the image of the object on the front side is displayed. The Z buffer method is used so that data remains. In the period from the operation of the start lever 11 to the stop of all of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R (however, when paying out medals, until the payout is completed), the reel area object is placed at the forefront of the position corresponding to the reel area. It is to be set.

  The reel area object is a completely transparent object having an RGB value of (31, 31, 31), and image data writing processing to the frame buffer memory 156 is performed with the highest priority in each frame period. ing. When the image data of the reel area object is written, the Z value written in the Z buffer of the portion corresponding to the reel area becomes the minimum value indicating the foreground value. Image data is not written in a portion corresponding to the reel area.

  There are two methods for making the reel area translucent: white addition processing and translucent processing, and either of them can be applied. Depending on the type of effect data and the state of the image that is displayed integrally with the area other than the transmission area, it is possible to use either white addition processing or translucent processing. Here, it is assumed that the RGB value in the original image data is (Rs, Gs, Bs), and the RGB value in the image data after the process of making the translucent state is represented by (Rd, Gd, Bd).

When performing white addition processing, the RGB values in the image data of the reel area are calculated as follows.
Rd = Rs + 16 (if Rd> 31 then Rd = 31)
Gd = Gs + 16 (if Gd> 31 then Gd = 31)
Bd = Bs + 16 (if Bd> 31 then Bd = 31)

When translucent processing is performed, the RGB values in the image data in the reel area are calculated as follows (where α is an α value representing translucency).
Rd = 16 * α + Rs * (1−α)
Gd = 16 * α + Gs * (1−α)
Bd = 16 * α + Bs * (1−α)

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a display mode of an effect image displayed on the liquid crystal display 4. FIG. 7A shows an example in which the reel area corresponding to the front side of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R is not hidden or translucent. Demonstration effects and history display effects are performed in this state, but as shown in the figure, depending on the image displayed in the reel area (particularly when a dark image with low transparency is displayed), the reel area The symbols drawn on the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R on the back of the screen become almost invisible.

  FIG. 7B shows an example in which the reel area on the front side of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is not displayed. An effect is performed from the operation of the start lever 11 until all of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R stop rotating and the display result is derived on the variable display device 2 (until the payout is completed when there is a payout of medals). In this case, the image is displayed in this state. Here, as shown in the figure, the image drawn on the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R on the back of the reel area is completely displayed without being displayed on the reel area, and can be seen by the player. It becomes.

  FIG. 7C shows an example in which the reel area on the front side of the reel areas 3L, 3C, 3R is made semi-transparent. After all of the reels 3L, 3C and 3R stop rotating and the display result is derived on the variable display device 2 (however, after the payout has been completed if the medal has been paid out), the start lever 11 is moved in the next game. Until the operation, the image is displayed in this state. Here, as shown in the figure, although an effect is displayed by displaying an image integrally in the entire area of the liquid crystal display 4 including the reel area, it is drawn on the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R on the back of the reel area. The transmitted pattern can be seen through to some extent.

  Hereinafter, a gaming operation in the slot machine 1 according to this embodiment will be described. In the following description, the term “game” means, in a narrow sense, from the operation of the start lever 11 until the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are stopped. However, when a game is played, the number of bets before the operation of the start lever 11 is set, and medals are paid out and the game state is shifted after the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are stopped. Is also included in the “game” in a broad sense. In the following description, descriptions of processes not related to the present invention may be omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a game control process performed by the CPU 111 of the game control board 101 for each game. This process is also executed after the power is turned on and a predetermined boot process is performed, or immediately after the setting is changed by operating the setting switch 91. When the process of one game is started, first, an initial process including a process of clearing a predetermined area of the RAM 112 is performed (step S1).

  Next, the number of bets is set by operating one BET button 14 or MAXBET button 15 or by inserting medals from the medal insertion slot 13, and operating the start lever 11 to substantially change the game. A BET process for instructing the start is performed (step S2). When the bet number is determined, a BET command is generated and transmitted to the effect control board 102. Here, when the gaming state is a regular bonus (including that provided during the big bonus), if the bet number is set to 1 (the bet number larger than this is not set), the start lever 11 is activated. Become. In other game states, the start lever 11 becomes effective after 3 is set as the bet number. Further, if the player has won a replay in the previous game, the same bet number (3 in this embodiment) as the previous game is automatically set by the replay game flag (the replay game flag is erased at this stage). The start lever 11 becomes effective as it is.

  When the number of bets is set by the BET process and the start lever 11 is operated, a random number for internal lottery is extracted, and winning to each combination determined according to the gaming state is allowed based on the extracted random number value A lottery process for determining whether or not to perform is performed (step S3). In the lottery process, a winning status notification command indicating the setting status of the winning flag in the RAM 112 is transmitted to the effect control board 102. Details of the lottery process will be described later.

  When the lottery process is completed, a reel rotation process is performed (step S4). In the reel rotation process, the reel motor is operated on the condition that a predetermined time (for example, 4.1 seconds) has elapsed from the start of rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R in the previous game. 3ML, 3MC, and 3MR are driven to start rotation of all the left, middle, and right reels 3L, 3C, and 3R. When predetermined conditions (detection of the reference position by the reel sensors 3SL, 3SC, 3SR after the rotation speed reaches a certain speed) from the start of rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are satisfied, the stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R Is enabled. Thereafter, when the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R are operated by the player, the driving of the reel motors 3ML, 3MC, and 3MR is stopped according to the setting state of the winning flag, and the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R is stopped. . When the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is started and stopped, a reel rotation command and a reel stop command are transmitted to the effect control board 102, respectively.

  When the driving of each of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is stopped, in the display mode at the time of stopping, whether any of the above-mentioned role symbols is derived and displayed on the winning line according to the bet number set in the BET process in step S2 A winning determination process for determining whether or not is performed (step S5). If it is determined in this winning determination process that a winning combination has been won, various processes corresponding to the winnings generated on the game control board 101 are performed. Here, a winning information command indicating a winning determination result is sent to the effect control board 102. Details of the winning determination process will be described later.

  When the winning determination process ends, a payout process is performed (step S6). In the payout process, the credit is increased by the number of payouts set in the winning determination process. However, when the number of credits accumulated as data reaches 50, the hopper motor 82 is driven to pay out an excess number of medals from the medal payout slot 71. In addition, various processes that are not related to winning (for example, a process related to the end control of the big bonus and the deletion of a winning flag that does not carry over) are also performed. At the end of the payout process, that is, at the end of one game, a game state command indicating the game state of the next game is sent to the effect control board 102. Details of the payout process will be described later. Then, the process for one game ends, and the process for the next one game starts.

  Next, the lottery process in step S3 will be described in detail. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing in detail the lottery process executed by the CPU 111 in step S3. In the lottery process, it is determined whether or not the gaming state is the big bonus depending on whether or not the big bonus flag is set in the RAM 112 (step S101). If the gaming state is not the big bonus, the process proceeds to step S104 as it is.

  If the gaming state is a big bonus, it is determined whether or not the gaming state is a regular bonus depending on whether or not the regular bonus flag is set in the RAM 112 (step S102). If the game state is not in the regular bonus, it is the first game of the big bonus, or the game is a game when the regular bonus for one set in the big bonus has ended and the big bonus has not ended yet. A regular bonus medium flag is set to control the gaming state to a regular bonus (step S103). Then, the process proceeds to step S104. If the gaming state is a regular bonus, the process proceeds to step S104 as it is.

  In step S104, the random number generated by the random number generation circuit 115 is output to the sampling circuit 116 by outputting a sampling command, and stored in the random number storage area for internal lottery in the RAM 112. The random numbers for the internal lottery may be used after being processed in a predetermined procedure by software instead of using the random numbers extracted from the random number generation circuit 115 as they are.

  Next, in correspondence with the current gaming state, the lottery target combination registered in the winning combination table according to gaming state in FIG. 5B is sequentially read (step S105). Next, the number of determination values stored in the address registered in the role-specific table corresponding to the gaming state and set value read for the lottery target is acquired (step S106). Then, the process proceeds to step S107.

  In step S107, the number of determination values acquired in step S106 is added to the internal lottery random value stored in the determination area of the RAM 112, and the result of addition is used as a new internal lottery random value. Here, it is determined whether or not an overflow has occurred when the number of determination values is added to the value of the random number for internal lottery (step S108).

  If no overflow has occurred, it is determined whether there is a combination that has not yet been processed among the lottery targets in the gaming state (step S109). If there is something that has not yet been processed, the process returns to step S105, and the process continues with the next lottery target registered in the winning combination table by gaming state as the processing target. If there is nothing not to be processed, the process proceeds to step S119.

  When an overflow occurs, it is determined whether or not the lottery target combination read in the previous step S105 is any of regular bonus + cherry, big bonus (1) + cherry or big bonus (2) + cherry ( Step S110). In the case of regular bonus + cherry, big bonus (1) + cherry or big bonus (2) + cherry, at least the game state in the current game is a regular bonus (if provided during the big bonus) Not included).

  Here, it is determined whether the regular bonus winning flag, the big bonus (1) winning flag, or the big bonus (2) winning flag is set in the RAM 112 (step S111). If none of the regular bonus winning flag, big bonus (1) winning flag and big bonus (2) winning flag is set, the RT counter is set to 4 as the initial value, and the game is played for 3 games from the next game. The state is controlled to RT. Here, 4 is set as the initial value instead of 3 because the value of the RT counter is subtracted by 1 in the current game in step S312 (described later) (step S112).

  Further, a regular bonus winning flag, a big bonus (1) winning flag or a big bonus (2) winning flag is set in the RAM 112 according to the read lottery target combination, and a cherry winning flag is set in the RAM 112 (step S113). Then, the process proceeds to step S119.

  If the regular bonus winning flag, the big bonus (1) winning flag or the big bonus (2) winning flag is already set in the RAM 112 in step S111, only the cherry winning flag is set in the RAM 112 (step S114). Then, the process proceeds to step S119.

  If the lottery target is neither regular bonus + cherry, big bonus (1) + cherry and big bonus (2) + cherry in step S110, the lottery target is regular bonus, big bonus (1) or big It is determined whether the bonus is (2) (step S115). If the lottery target is neither a regular bonus, a big bonus (1), or a big bonus (2), the process proceeds to step S118.

  When the regular bonus, the big bonus (1), or the big bonus (2) is selected, the regular bonus winning flag, the big bonus (1) winning flag, or the big bonus (2) winning flag is set in the RAM 112. It is determined whether or not (step S116). If any of the regular bonus winning flag, the big bonus (1) winning flag, and the big bonus (2) winning flag is set, the process proceeds to step S119.

  If none of the regular bonus winning flag, big bonus (1) winning flag and big bonus (2) winning flag is set, the RT counter is set to 4 as the initial value, and the game is played for 3 games from the next game. The state is controlled to RT. Here, 4 is set as the initial value instead of 3, because the value of the RT counter is subtracted by 1 in the current game in step S312 (described later) (step S117). Then, the process proceeds to step S118.

  In step S118, the winning flag of the lottery object combination is set in the RAM 112. Here, the lottery is not a regular bonus, a big bonus (1), or a big bonus (2), and is already a regular bonus winning flag, a big bonus (1) winning flag or a big bonus (2) winning flag. Is set, the winning flag of the current lottery target role is set over the regular bonus winning flag, the big bonus (1) winning flag or the big bonus (2) winning flag already set. Then, the process proceeds to step S119.

  In step S119, a winning status notification command is generated according to the setting status of the winning flag in the RAM 112, and is transmitted to the effect control board 102. Then, the lottery process is terminated, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, the winning determination process in step S5 will be described in detail. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing in detail the winning determination process executed by the CPU 111 in step S5. In the winning determination process, the winning combination corresponding to the gaming state is read in order from the beginning (step S201). Next, it is determined whether or not the symbol combination of the read combination is aligned with any of the five winning lines of the variable display device 2 (in the case of a regular bonus, the middle one winning line) (step S202).

  If the combination of symbols for the combination is complete, a winning flag for the combination is set in the RAM 112 (step S203), and the process proceeds to step S204. If the symbol combination of the combination is not complete, the process proceeds to step S204 as it is. In step S204, it is determined whether there is a combination that has not yet been determined as a winning determination among the combinations corresponding to the gaming state. If there is a winning combination that has not yet been determined for winning, the process returns to step S201, and the next winning combination corresponding to the gaming state is read out.

  If all of the combinations corresponding to the game state are targeted for winning determination, it is next determined whether or not a replay winning is made based on whether or not a replay winning flag is set in the RAM 112 (step S205). If a replay prize has been won, a replay game in-progress flag is set in the RAM 112 (step S206). The replay game in-progress flag is deleted when the bet number is automatically set in the next game. Then, the process proceeds to step S217.

  If no replay winning is made, it is determined whether or not the big bonus (1) is won according to whether or not the big bonus (1) winning flag is set in the RAM 112 (step S207). If the big bonus (1) has been won, the big bonus medium flag is set in the RAM 112 and the big bonus (1) winning flag set in the RAM 112 is erased. Further, the RT counter value of the RAM 112 is initialized to 0 (step S208). Then, the process proceeds to step S217.

  If the big bonus (1) has not been won, it is determined whether or not the big bonus (2) has been won according to whether or not the big bonus (2) winning flag is set in the RAM 112 (step S209). If the big bonus (2) is won, the big bonus medium flag is set in the RAM 112 and the big bonus (2) winning flag set in the RAM 112 is deleted. Further, the RT counter value of the RAM 112 is initialized to 0 (step S210). Then, the process proceeds to step S217.

  If the big bonus (2) has not been won, whether or not the regular bonus has been won is determined based on whether or not the regular bonus winning flag is set in the RAM 112 (step S211). If the regular bonus is won, the regular bonus medium flag is set in the RAM 112 and the regular bonus winning flag set in the RAM 112 is erased. Further, the RT counter value of the RAM 112 is initialized to 0 (step S212). Then, the process proceeds to step S217.

  If there is no regular bonus winning, whether the cherry winning is determined according to whether or not the cherry winning flag is set in the RAM 112, or no winning flag of any combination is set, but a chance is derived to the variable display device 2. It is determined whether it has been performed (step S213). If the cherry is won or the chance is derived, the game state in this game is a regular bonus or big bonus depending on whether the regular bonus flag or big bonus flag is set in the RAM 112. It is determined whether there has been (step S214).

  If the game state in this game is not a regular bonus or a big bonus, it is further determined whether a regular bonus winning flag, a big bonus (1) winning flag or a big bonus (2) winning flag is set in the RAM 112. (Step S215). If the regular bonus winning flag, big bonus (1) winning flag or big bonus (2) winning flag is not set, 4 is set as the initial value of the RT counter, and the gaming state is only between the next game and the third game. Controlled by RT. Here, 4 is set as the initial value instead of 3, because the value of the RT counter is subtracted by 1 in the current game in step S312 (described later) (step S216). Then, the process proceeds to step S217.

  If no cherry wins and chances are derived, if a cherry win or chance win is in regular bonus or big bonus, regular bonus winning flag, big bonus (1) winning flag or big If the bonus (2) winning flag is set, the gaming state is not controlled to RT, and the process proceeds to step S217 as it is.

  If the regular bonus winning flag, the big bonus (1) winning flag, or the big bonus (2) winning flag is set even if the cherry is won other than the regular bonus or the big bonus, the RT counter is initialized in step S216. The value is never set. In the case of a cherry winning based on the double winning with the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2), the RT counter is set to 4 as the initial value at the time of winning. There is no need to set a value.

  If you win a cherry with the regular bonus winning flag, big bonus (1) winning flag or big bonus (2) winning flag carried over, the previous regular bonus, big bonus (1) or big bonus (2) Based on the winning, the gaming state is controlled to RT, and a continuous effect has already been performed on the liquid crystal display 4. If the continuous production has already ended, the bonus confirmation is notified, so there is no need to perform the continuous production again. If the continuous production is being executed, the bonus confirmation will be notified by the continuous production. Therefore, it is based on the fact that it is not necessary to start a new continuous production here.

  In step S217, winning information indicating the type of winning combination based on the winning flag set in the RAM 112 (however, in the case of losing, the winning flag is not set) and the number of medals to be paid out with the winning. A command is generated and transmitted to the effect control board 102. Then, the winning determination process is terminated, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, the payout process in step S6 will be described in detail. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing in detail the payout process executed by the CPU 111 in step S6. In the payout process, it is determined whether or not there is a small prize winning accompanied by paying out medals depending on whether or not a winning flag of watermelon, bell, or cherry is set in the RAM 112 (step S301). If the small role is not won, the process proceeds to step S303 as it is.

  If the small role winning is achieved, the number of medals is sequentially paid out by controlling the hopper 80. However, until the number of credits accumulated as data reaches 50, instead of paying out medals, the number of credits is increased (step S302). Then, the process proceeds to step S303.

  In step S303, whether or not the game state of the game is a big bonus is determined based on whether or not the big bonus flag is set in the RAM 112. However, when the big bonus (1) or big bonus (2) winning flag is set in the RAM 112, it is a big bonus (1) winning or a big bonus (2) winning in the game, and the game Since the game state is not a big bonus, even if the big bonus medium flag is set, it is not determined that the big bonus is being performed. If the game state of the game is not a big bonus, the process proceeds to step S307.

  If it is determined that the big bonus is in progress, the counter provided in the RAM 112 counts the total number of medals paid out after the big bonus starts (step S304). As a result of this counting, it is determined whether or not the total number of paid-out medals exceeds 465 (step S305). If the total number of medals paid out does not exceed 465, the process proceeds to step S307.

  When the total number of paid-out medals exceeds 465, the big bonus medium flag set in the RAM 112 is erased and the value of the counter for counting the total number of paid-out medals is initialized to 0 (step S306). ). Then, the process proceeds to step S310.

  In step S307, it is determined whether or not the game state of the game is a regular bonus (including a case where a big bonus is provided) depending on whether or not the regular bonus flag is set in the RAM 112. However, if the regular bonus winning flag is set in the RAM 112, it is a regular bonus winning in the game, and the game state of the game is not a regular bonus, so the regular bonus flag is set. Even if it is, it is not determined that the regular bonus was in effect.

  If the game state of the game is a regular bonus, the counter provided in the RAM 112 starts the regular bonus (after a new regular bonus starts in the big bonus) The number of digested games and the number of winning games are counted (step S308). As a result of this count, it is determined whether the number of winning games in the regular bonus has reached 8 or the number of digest games in the regular bonus has reached 12 (step S309).

  If the number of winning games in the regular bonus is 8 or the number of digested games in the regular bonus is 12, the process proceeds to step S310. If the number of winning games in the regular bonus is not eight and the number of digest games in the regular bonus is not twelve, the process proceeds to step S313. In step S310, the regular bonus flag set in the RAM 112 is erased, and the counter values for counting the number of digest games and the number of winning games in the regular bonus are both initialized to zero. Then, the process proceeds to step S313.

  If the game state of the game is not a regular bonus in step S307, it is determined whether the RT counter value in the RAM 112 is 0 (step S311). If the RT counter value is not 0, the RT counter value is decremented by 1 (step S312), and the process proceeds to step S313. If the value of the RT counter is 0, the process proceeds to step S313 as it is.

  In step S313, if the watermelon winning flag, the bell winning flag, the cherry winning flag, and the replay winning flag are set in the RAM 112, these are deleted. The big bonus (1) winning flag, the big bonus (2) winning flag, and the regular bonus winning flag are not erased here and are carried over to the next game. If a winning flag is set in the RAM 112 in step S203, it is deleted.

  Next, based on the big bonus medium flag and the regular bonus medium flag in the RAM 112 and the value of the RT counter, a game state command indicating a game state applied in the next game is generated and transmitted to the effect control board 102. (Step S314). Then, the payout process is terminated, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. Here, when returning to the flowchart of FIG. 8, the process in the current one game ends.

  In the repetition of the game as described above, the CPU 111 of the game control board 101 shifts the game state among the normal game state, RT, big bonus, and regular bonus, and issues a command according to the progress of the game. It is transmitted to the production control board 102. On the other hand, based on the command received from the game control board 101, the CPU 131 of the effect control board 102 performs original effects including a continuous effect, an additional effect, a demo effect, and a history display effect. Further, the effect mode of the effect executed according to the player's operation is switched. Hereinafter, the process of the effect performed by the control on the effect control board 102 side will be described.

  In the effect control board 102, when the power supply voltage is supplied from the power supply board 100, the effect control microcomputer 120 is activated. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the effect control main process executed by the CPU 131 of the effect control microcomputer 120. When the effect control main process is started, first, a predetermined effect initial setting process is executed (step S401). Details of the effect initial setting process will be described later.

  When the effect initial setting process is completed, an effect control restoration process for restoring the control state in the effect control board 102 such as the internal state of the effect control microcomputer 120 to the state when the power supply is stopped is executed (step S402). . Details of the effect control restoration process will also be described later.

  After performing the effect control recovery process, after interrupt prohibition (step S403), the effect random number value update process is executed (step S404), and interruption is permitted (step S405). And execute. The effect-side random value update process executed in step S404 is a process for updating all or part of the random value used on the effect control board 102 side by software.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing in detail the effect initial setting process executed by the CPU 131 of the effect control microcomputer 120 in step S401 of FIG. In the effect initial setting process, first, interruption is prohibited (step S501), and an interrupt mode is set (step S502).

  Next, settings related to the stack pointer, such as setting of the designated address of the stack pointer, are performed (step S503). Further, the built-in device register in the production control microcomputer 120 is set (initialized) (step S504). Then, CTC (counter / timer) and PIO (parallel input / output port), which are built-in peripheral circuits in the production control microcomputer 120, are set (initialized) (step S505). Thereafter, the RAM 133 is set to be accessible (step S506).

  Thereafter, the VDP 141 is initialized, for example, after transmitting a predetermined initialization signal to the VDP 141 and then transmitting initial setting data for setting in the internal register of the VDP 141 (step S507). As a result, the VDP 141 initializes the storage contents of the temporary storage memory 155 and the frame buffer memory 156 based on the initialization signal and the initialization data received from the effect control microcomputer 120, the transfer control circuit 152, The processing or initialization being executed by the drawing circuit 154 or the moving image decoder 158 is interrupted, or the storage area in the frame buffer memory 156 corresponding to the display screen of the liquid crystal display 4 is assigned to set the display area. Or at least one of various setting operations performed when the update cycle of the display image in the liquid crystal display 4 is set.

  Next, for example, setting for generating a random value used on the side of the effect control board 102 is performed such as setting the operation of the random number circuit 134 based on the random number initial setting data stored in the ROM 132 (step S508). Further, for example, an interrupt is set by setting the reset / interrupt controller 136 or the CTC register based on the interrupt initial setting data stored in the ROM 132 (step S509). Thereby, in the production control microcomputer 120, a timer interruption for controlling the production operation occurs every predetermined time (for example, 2 milliseconds). Then, the effect initial setting process ends.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing in detail the effect control restoration process executed by CPU 131 of effect control microcomputer 120 in step S402 of FIG. First, a data check of the RAM 133 is performed, and it is determined whether or not the check result is normal (step S601). In this process, for example, a checksum is calculated using data stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 133, and the calculated checksum and an effect checksum buffer provided in the effect control buffer setting unit of the RAM 133 are stored. Compare with checksum. The effect checksum buffer stores a checksum calculated by the same processing when the power supply was stopped last time. This effect checksum buffer is included in the backup area of the RAM 133 backed up by the backup power source, and the contents of the effect checksum buffer are stored for a predetermined period even when the power supply is stopped. If the comparison result between the calculated checksum and the checksum stored in the effect checksum buffer does not match, it is determined that the check result is not normal.

  If the data check result of the RAM 133 is normal, it is determined whether or not the effect backup flag provided in the effect control flag setting unit of the RAM 133 is ON (step S602). The state of the effect backup flag is set in the effect control flag setting unit when the power supply is stopped. And the setting location of this production backup flag is backed up by the backup power source, so that the state of the backup flag is saved even when the power supply is stopped.

  When the production backup flag is ON, the production backup flag is cleared to be in the OFF state (step S603), and then the internal state of the production control microcomputer 120 is returned to the state when the power supply is stopped. Setting at the time of recovery is performed (step S604). For example, the start address of the backup setting table stored in the ROM 132 is set as a pointer, and the contents of the backup table are sequentially set in the work area in the RAM 133. Here, if the work area of the RAM 133 is backed up by a backup power source, if the initialization data for the area that may be initialized is set in the work time setting table, the backup time setting table is set. Good. Subsequently, the production backup data for restoring the control state is read from the backup area of the RAM 133 backed up by the backup power source, and the settings of the built-in register of the CPU 131 and the work area of the RAM 133 are set according to the read data. The microcomputer 120 is restored to the state before being restarted.

  Thereafter, based on the setting in step S604, for example, a display control command corresponding to the restored state is transmitted to the VDP 141, and various settings in the VDP 141 are resumed (step S605). Then, the effect control restoration process is terminated. Note that after executing the process of step S605, for example, the process may return to the process corresponding to the comparison value set in the program counter by the return of the control state in step S604.

  If the check result of the data in the RAM 133 is abnormal in step S601, or if the effect backup flag is OFF in step S602, the RAM 133 is initialized (step S606). Following initialization of the RAM 133, settings at the time of initialization for setting the internal state of the production control microcomputer 120 to an initial state are performed (step S607). Then, the effect control restoration process is terminated.

  Further, in the effect control microcomputer 120, an interrupt for controlling the progress of the effect is generated at a predetermined time interval (for example, 2 milliseconds) by the interrupt setting in step S509, and the reset / interrupt controller 136 The timer interrupt flag of the RAM 133 is set to the ON state. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing effect control interrupt processing executed by the CPU 131 of the effect control microcomputer 120 in response to the timer interrupt flag being set to the ON state.

  In the effect control interrupt process, first, the timer interrupt flag is cleared and turned off (step S701), and the contents of the internal register are saved (step S702). Next, effect backup processing, which will be described in detail later, is executed, and when the effect control microcomputer 120 is restarted, data necessary for restoring the control state before the restart is backed up (step S703). ). Then, the watchdog reset IC 124 is cleared by setting control data for turning on the watchdog clear signal in a predetermined output port included in the input / output port 135 (step S704).

  Next, a command analysis process for analyzing various commands transmitted from the game control board 102 is executed (step S705), and an effect control process described in detail later is executed (step S706). By this effect control process, various effects such as display of images on the liquid crystal display 4 are performed according to the progress of the game in the slot machine 1. Next, effect random number value update processing is performed, and various random values counted by the random number circuit 134 and the like are updated on the effect control board 102 side (step S707). Thereafter, the contents of the register saved in step S702 are restored (step S708), and the effect control interrupt process is terminated.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing in detail the effect backup process executed by the CPU 131 of the effect control microcomputer 120 in step S703 of FIG. In the effect backup process, data for effect backup is set using stored data in a predetermined area of the RAM 133 (step S801). Here, for example, depending on the values of various flags provided in the effect flag setting unit of the RAM 133 and the values of various timers provided in the effect control timer setting unit of the RAM 133, the control state and display control unit 121 in the effect control microcomputer 120. If it is possible to identify the progress status of various processes in, the production backup data may be constituted by data indicating the values of these flags and timers. For example, if the control state of the production control microcomputer 120 and the progress of various processes in the display control unit 121 can be specified from the stored value of the built-in register (for example, program counter) of the CPU 131, The effect backup data may be configured by data indicating the stored value. Alternatively, the effect backup data may be configured by combining data indicating the value of the flag or timer and data indicating the core of the built-in register. In addition, any data that can be restored after restarting by specifying the control state in the production control microcomputer 120 and the progress of various processes in the display control unit 121 is included in the production backup data. May be.

  Next, check data is created, for example, by calculating a checksum using data stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 133 (step S802). Then, the effect backup flag provided in the effect control flag setting unit of the RAM 133 is set to the ON state (step S803), and the effect backup process is terminated. When a part of the RAM 133 is backed up by the backup power source, the effect backup data created in step S801, the check data created in step S802, and the effect backup flag set in the ON state in step S803 are shown. Data or the like may be stored in the backup area of the RAM 133 at the end of the effect backup process.

  FIGS. 17 to 19 are flowcharts showing in detail the effect control process executed by the CPU 131 of the effect control microcomputer 120 in step S706 of FIG. Note that this effect control process ends within a time of less than 2 milliseconds, regardless of the procedure executed and ended. That is, the production control interruption does not occur repeatedly during the execution of the production control process.

  In the effect control process, the CPU 131 determines whether any command has been received from the game control board 101 as a result of the command analysis process in step S705 (step S901). If it is determined that no command has been received, it is determined whether a demo invalid flag is set in the RAM 133 (step S902).

  When the demonstration invalid flag is in a narrowly-defined game until the display result is derived from the operation of the start lever 11 to the variable display device 2 as described later (until the medal is paid out, the payout is completed) Alternatively, it is set when a continuous effect, an additional effect, or a bonus effect is being executed even when the game is not in progress. If the demonstration invalid flag is set, the operation of the production mode changeover switch 17 is also invalid, and the production control processing is terminated as it is without performing the production mode switching and the history display production as well as the demonstration production, Returning to the effect control interruption process of FIG.

  If the demonstration invalid flag is not set, it is determined whether or not a short-term operation of the effect mode changeover switch 17 is detected and the player has instructed to change the effect mode (step S903). When the effect mode switching is instructed, an effect mode switching command is output to the display control unit 121 (step S904). As a result, the presentation mode stored in the presentation mode area of the temporary storage memory 155 of the display control unit 121 is updated to a mode different from the current mode (for example, if the current presentation mode is mode 1, it is mode 2). Is done. Then, the effect control process ends, and the process returns to the effect control interrupt process of FIG.

  If the instruction mode switching is not instructed, it is determined whether a long-term operation of the effect mode changeover switch 17 has been detected and the player has instructed execution of the history display effect (step S905). When execution of the history display effect is instructed, a history display flag indicating that the history display effect is being performed is set in the RAM 133 (step S906). Further, a command for writing effect data for the history display effect is output to the display control unit 121 together with the game history stored in the RAM 133 (step S907). Thereby, the display control unit 121 reads the effect data of the history display effect from the CGROM 142 and writes it in the effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155. Then, the process proceeds to step S911.

  If execution of the history display effect is not instructed in step S905, it is determined whether or not the internal timer of the CPU 131 has elapsed the predetermined time (step S908). If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the effect control process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the effect control interrupt process of FIG. If the predetermined time has elapsed, a demonstration effect flag indicating that the demonstration effect is being performed is set in the RAM 133 (step S909). Furthermore, a command to write demonstration effect production data is output to the display control unit 121 (step S910). As a result, the demonstration control effect data is read from the CGROM 142 in the display control unit 121 and written in the effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155. Then, the process proceeds to step S911.

  In step S <b> 911, a reel area display command is output to the display control unit 121. As a result, information indicating that the reel area object is not set is stored in the temporary storage memory 155 of the display control unit 121. Since there is no reel area object in the foreground, it is variable when a demonstration effect or a history display effect is performed. An image is displayed on the reel area of the display device 2 without increasing the transparency. Furthermore, an effect start command is output to the display control unit 121 (step S912). Thereby, the image corresponding to the demonstration effect or the history display effect effect data written in the effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155 of the display control unit 121 is performed in the entire area of the liquid crystal display 4 including the reel area. It becomes. Then, the effect control process ends, and the process returns to the effect control interrupt process of FIG.

  If it is determined in step S901 that any command has been received, the time measurement by the internal timer of the CPU 131 is started again from 0 (step S913). Next, it is determined whether the demonstration effect is being executed based on whether the demonstration effect flag is set in the RAM 133 (step S914). If the demonstration effect is being executed, the demonstration effect flag in the RAM 133 is first erased (step S915), and an instruction to erase the demonstration effect effect data is output to the display control unit 121 together with an instruction to end the effect (step S916). As a result, the demonstration effect ends, and the demonstration effect effect data is deleted from the effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155 of the display control unit 121. Then, the process proceeds to step S920.

  If the demonstration effect is not being executed, it is determined whether the history display effect is being executed based on whether or not the history display effect flag is set in the RAM 133 (step S917). If the history display effect is being executed, the history display effect flag in the RAM 133 is first erased (step S918), and an instruction to delete the effect data of the history effect is output to the display control unit 121 together with the effect end command (step S919). . Thereby, the history display effect ends, and the effect data of the history display effect is deleted from the effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155 of the display control unit 121. Then, the process proceeds to step S920.

  In step S920, the type of the received command is determined based on the result of the command analysis process in step S705. If the received command type is the BET command transmitted in step S2, it is determined whether or not the value of the continuous counter in the RAM 133 is 0 (step S921).

  If the value of the continuous counter is 0 in step S903, it is determined whether a bonus winning effect flag is set in the RAM 133 (step S922). If the bonus winning effect flag is set, the bonus winning effect is ended here, and the bonus winning effect flag is deleted from the RAM 133 (step S923). In addition, since the bonus winning effect is still being performed on the liquid crystal display 4 after winning the regular bonus or the big bonus in the previous game, an instruction to erase the effect data of the bonus winning effect is displayed here together with the instruction to end the effect. It outputs to the control part 121 (step S924). As a result, the bonus winning effect is completed and the bonus winning effect data is deleted from the effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155 of the display control unit 121. Then, the effect control process ends, and the process returns to the effect control interrupt process of FIG.

If the bonus winning effect flag is not set, it is determined whether the bonus end effect flag is set in the RAM 133 (step S925). If the bonus end effect flag is set, the bonus end effect is ended here, and the bonus winning end flag is deleted from the RAM 133 (step S926). In addition, since the regular bonus (not including what was provided during the big bonus) or the big bonus ended in the previous game and the bonus end effect is still performed on the liquid crystal display 4,
Here, an instruction to erase the effect data of the bonus end effect is output to the display control unit 121 together with the effect end command (step S927). As a result, the bonus end effect is ended and the effect data of the bonus end effect is deleted from the effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155 of the display control unit 121. Then, the effect control process ends, and the process returns to the effect control interrupt process of FIG.

  If the value of the continuous counter is not 0 in step S921, the continuous production is still being executed, so the value of the continuous counter is subtracted by 1 here (step S928). As a result of this subtraction, it is determined again whether or not the value of the continuous counter has become 0 (step S929). If the value of the continuous counter has not yet become 0, the effect control process is terminated and the process returns to the effect control interrupt process of FIG. When the value of the continuous counter becomes 0, an effect end command is output to the display control unit 121 (step S930). Thereby, the display control part 121 stops the production | generation of the image data based on the production data of continuous production, and the continuous production performed with the liquid crystal display 4 is complete | finished.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the winning situation stored in the RAM 133 in the previous game indicates that the regular bonus or the big bonus is won (step S931). Here, even if the winning status in the previous game indicates that a regular bonus or a big bonus has been won, if the regular bonus or the big bonus is won, the value of the continuous counter is 0. When the process of step S931 is performed (see step S953), the regular bonus winning flag or the big bonus winning flag is being carried over.

  If the winning status of the previous game in step S931 indicates that the regular bonus or the big bonus has been won, a command to write the effect data for the jackpot effect is output to the display control unit 121 (step S932). Thereby, the display data of the big hit effect is read from the CGROM 142 in the display control unit 121 and written in the effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155. The effect data of the continuous effect is erased by writing the effect data of the jackpot effect. (At least the first data of the effect data of the continuous effect is erased, so even if some data remains, it is recognized. Impossible).

  Furthermore, an effect start command is output to the display control unit 121 (step S933). Here, the effect data of the big hit effect is stored in the effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155 of the display control unit 121, and no reel area object is set, so that the big hit in the area including the reel area of the liquid crystal display 4 An effect is performed (however, since information indicating that the reel area is made semi-transparent is stored, the reel area is semi-transparent). Then, the effect control process ends, and the process returns to the effect control interrupt process of FIG.

  If the previous game win status indicates neither a regular bonus nor a big bonus win, a command to write the effect data of the lost effect is output to the display control unit 121 (step S934). As a result, the display control unit 121 reads out the effect data of the loss effect from the CGROM 142 and writes it in the effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155. The effect data of the continuation effect is erased by writing the effect data of the losing effect (since at least the first data of the effect data of the continuation effect is erased, it is recognized even if some data remains Impossible).

  Further, an effect start command is output to the display control unit 121 (step S935). Here, because the effect data of the lost effect is stored in the effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155 of the display control unit 121 and no reel area object is set, the area including the reel area of the liquid crystal display 4 is lost. An effect is performed (however, since information indicating that the reel area is made semi-transparent is stored, the reel area is semi-transparent). Then, the effect control process ends, and the process returns to the effect control interrupt process of FIG.

  If the received command type is the winning status notification command transmitted in step S119, first, the winning status indicated by the corresponding winning status notification command is stored in the RAM 133 (step S936). Next, an effect end command is output to the display control unit 121 (step S937). Thereby, even if some effect data remains set in the effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155 of the display control unit 121, the effect is temporarily received by receiving the winning status notification command transmitted at the game start timing. It will end.

  Next, a reel area transmission command is output to the display control unit 121 (step S938). As a result, information indicating that the reel area object is set is stored in the temporary storage memory 155 of the display control unit 121, and the reel area object to be processed with the highest priority in each frame period is set to the forefront. Even when an image corresponding to the effect mode is displayed on the display unit 4, nothing is displayed in the reel area, and the symbols of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R on the back of the liquid crystal display unit 4 are completely transmitted. Will be shown to the player. In addition, a still image display command corresponding to the effect mode is output to the display control unit 121 (step S939). As a result, a still image corresponding to the effect mode stored in the effect mode area of the temporary storage memory 155 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 (excluding the reel area).

  Next, referring to the gaming state saved in step S957 of the previous game (that is, the gaming state of the current game), the RT remaining game number is 3, that is, the regular bonus, big bonus (1) or If the Big Bonus (2) is newly won (including duplicated winnings with Cherry) or if the regular bonus, Big Bonus (1) or Big Bonus (2) is not won, the display result of the variable display device 2 is Cherry Alternatively, it is determined whether or not the chance eye has been derived (step S940).

  If the number of remaining RT games is not 3, it is determined whether the gaming state is a regular bonus or a big bonus by referring to the gaming state saved in step S957 of the previous game (that is, the gaming state of the current game) (Step S941). If the game state of the current game is neither the regular bonus nor the big bonus, the effect control process is terminated and the process returns to the effect control interrupt process of FIG. If the game state of the current game is a regular bonus or a big bonus, it is determined whether or not the bonus middle effect flag is set in the RAM 133 (step S942). If the during-bonus effect flag is set, the effect control process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the effect control interrupt process of FIG.

  If the bonus-in-progress flag is not set yet, it means that a regular bonus or a big bonus will be won in the previous game, and the game state will become a regular bonus or a big bonus from this game, which will change in this game When the display result is derived on the display device 2, a bonus bonus effect is newly started, so a bonus bonus flag flag is set in the RAM 133 (step S943).

  Next, a command to write effect data for the effect during bonus is output to the display control unit 121 (step S944). As a result, the display control unit 121 reads the effect data of the bonus medium effect from the CGROM 142 and writes it in the effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155. Further, since the demonstration effect and the history display effect are not performed while the bonus effect is being performed, a demonstration invalid flag is set in the RAM 133 (step S945). Then, the effect control process ends, and the process returns to the effect control interrupt process of FIG.

  If the number of remaining RT games is 3 in step S940, a random number is extracted by the software random number function, and the winning status stored in the RAM 133 in step S936 indicates that the regular bonus or the big bonus is won. A production pattern for continuous production is selected according to whether or not it is shown (step S946). Further, 3 is set as an initial value in the continuous counter of the RAM 133 (step S947).

  Next, an instruction data write command corresponding to the effect pattern selected for the continuous effect is output to the display control unit 121 (step S948). Thereby, the effect data of the continuous effect corresponding to the effect pattern selected from the CGROM 142 in the display control unit 121 is read and written in the effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155. Furthermore, since the demonstration effect and the history display effect are not performed while the continuous effect is being performed, a demo invalid flag is set in the RAM 133 (step S949). Then, the effect control process ends, and the process returns to the effect control interrupt process of FIG.

  If the received command type is the winning information command transmitted in step S217, a still image non-display command corresponding to the effect mode is output to the display control unit 121 (step S950). Thereby, the still image corresponding to the effect mode displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 is deleted. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the received winning information command indicates a winning of a regular bonus or a big bonus (step S951). If neither a regular bonus nor a big bonus is shown, the process proceeds to step S956.

  If the regular bonus or the big bonus is shown, it is determined whether or not the value of the continuous counter in the RAM 133 is 0 (step S952). If the value of the continuous counter is 0, the process proceeds to step S954 as it is. If the value of the continuous counter is not 0, the continuous effect is forcibly terminated here, so the value of the continuous counter in the RAM 133 is cleared to 0 (step S953). Then, the process proceeds to step S954.

  In step S954, a bonus winning effect flag is set in the RAM 133. Next, a command for writing effect data for bonus winning effects is output to the display control unit 121 (step S955). As a result, the bonus control effect production data is read from the CGROM 142 in the display control unit 121 and written into the production data area of the temporary storage memory 155. Even if bonus effect or continuous effect data has been written, the bonus winning effect data is deleted from the effect data area (at least the first of the continuous effect data). Data will be erased, so even if some data remains, it will be unrecognizable). Then, the process proceeds to step S956.

  In step S956, an effect start command is output to display control unit 121. As a result, if any effect data is written in the effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155, the liquid crystal display 4 starts an effect corresponding to the written effect data. However, since the reel area object is still set here, the effect image is displayed in the area of the liquid crystal display 4 excluding the reel area. Then, the effect control process ends, and the process returns to the effect control interrupt process of FIG.

  If the received command type is the gaming state command transmitted in step S314, the gaming state indicated by the gaming state command (that is, the gaming state applied in the next game) is stored in the RAM 133 (step S957). Next, a command to make the reel area translucent is output to the display control unit 121 (step S958). Thereby, information indicating that the reel area object is not set and information indicating that the reel area is made semi-transparent are stored in the temporary storage memory 155 of the display control unit 121.

  Since the information indicating that the reel area is made semi-transparent is stored in the temporary storage memory 155, the RGB value of the pixel corresponding to the reel area in the liquid crystal display 4 is subjected to the above white addition process or semi-transparency. It is converted into a value close to white (that is, (31, 31, 31)) by processing. For example, for a pixel with an RGB value of (0, 22, 10), the RGB value is (16, 32, 26) when the white addition process is performed, and the RGB value is (8) when the translucent process is performed. , 27, 21) (when the α value is 50%).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the gaming state command received here indicates that the gaming state applied in the next game is a normal gaming state (step S959). If it indicates that the game state is not the normal game state, even if the game state is a regular bonus or a big bonus during the next game, or during the bonus game, the game state is also RT and the continuous game is performed in the next game. Thus, the effect control process is terminated as it is, and the process returns to the effect control interrupt process of FIG.

  If it is indicated that the game state is normal, it is determined whether or not the bonus medium effect flag is set in the RAM 133 (step S960). If the bonus bonus production data is not set, the regular bonus (not including those provided in the big bonus) or the big bonus has not ended in the current game, and the process directly proceeds to step S964.

  If bonus bonus performance data is set, regular bonuses (not including those provided during the big bonus) or big bonuses have ended in this game, so the bonus bonus effects can also be ended. Accordingly, the bonus middle effect flag set in the RAM 133 is deleted (step S961).

  Next, an instruction to write the effect data for the bonus end effect is output to the display control unit 121 together with the effect end command (step S962). As a result, the bonus effect is ended and the bonus control effect data is read from the CGROM 142 in the display control unit 121 and written in the effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155. The effect data of the effect during the bonus is deleted by writing the effect data of the bonus end effect (at least the first data of the effect data of the effect during the bonus is deleted, so some data remains It becomes unrecognizable as well).

  Further, an effect start command is output to the display control unit 121 (step S963). Here, the effect data of the bonus end effect is stored in the effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155 of the display control unit 121, and information indicating that the reel area is not set but the reel area is translucent is stored. Therefore, the bonus end effect is performed in the area including the reel area of the liquid crystal display 4. Then, the process proceeds to step S964.

  In step S964, since there is no case where a bonus effect is being performed or a continuous effect is being performed, a demo effect or a history display effect can be performed before the next game is started. The demo invalid flag set in the RAM 133 is erased. Then, the effect control process ends, and the process returns to the effect control interrupt process of FIG.

  If the received command type is another command, processing corresponding to each command type is executed (step S965). Since the processing here is not related to the present invention, detailed description thereof is omitted. Then, the effect control process ends, and the process returns to the effect control interrupt process of FIG.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the moving image display process executed during the effect control interruption process during the moving image display period. First, the CPU 131 determines whether or not the image reproduced using the moving image effect data is the first frame image (step S1001). Here, it is determined whether the moving image file is newly read or continuously read from the effect control timer value or the like, and when it is newly read, it is determined that the image is one frame.

  When it is determined that the image is the first frame, the value of the moving image read pointer is set to a read address corresponding to the moving image file to be read. Initial setting is performed (step S1002). On the other hand, if it is determined that the image is not the first frame, the contents of the register saved in the processing of step S1009 described later are restored when the previous moving image display processing ends (step S1009). S1003).

  Thereafter, a moving image decoding start command is output to the display control unit 121 (step S1004). Also, an event interruption waiting timer provided in the effect control timer setting unit of the RAM 133 is initialized, and measurement of elapsed time is started (step S1005). Next, it is determined whether or not the event interrupt flag provided in the effect control flag setting unit of the RAM 133 has been turned on (step S1006). Here, the event interrupt flag is set to the ON state in response to the occurrence of the event interrupt in the moving picture decoder when the reproduction of the image data corresponding to the image for one frame is completed in the VDP 141. The

  If the event interrupt flag is ON, after clearing the event interrupt flag and setting it to the OFF state (step S1007), for example, whether or not the decoding of the final frame of the effect data of one moving image is completed. Determination is made (step S1008). If it is determined that the final frame has not been decoded, the contents of the register are saved (step S1009). Then, the process proceeds to step S1010. If it is determined that decoding of the final frame has been completed, the process proceeds directly to step S1010. In step S1010, a moving image decoding NOP command is output to the display control unit 121, and the moving image display in-process is terminated.

  If the event interrupt flag is OFF in step S1006, the event interrupt wait timer value, which is the timer value in the event interrupt wait timer, is updated by adding 1 or the like (step S1011). Then, it is determined whether or not the updated event interrupt waiting timer value has reached a predetermined time limit determination value (step S1012). If the time limit has not been reached, the process returns to step S1006. When the time limit value is reached, a predetermined loop process is entered and waits until the effect control microcomputer 120 is restarted.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a reset / interrupt control process executed by the reset / interrupt controller 136 included in the effect control microcomputer 120. In the reset / interrupt control process, the reset / interrupt controller 136 transmits, for example, from a predetermined input terminal in the input port included in the input / output port 135 by the reset IC 124 with a watchdog via the reset terminal of the effect control microcomputer 120. The reset signal is taken in, and it is determined whether or not the reset signal is in the ON state (step S1101).

  If the reset signal is in the ON state, it is determined whether a predetermined reset ON determination time has elapsed (step S1102). Here, the reset / interrupt controller 136 measures the elapsed time since it was first determined in step S1101 that the reset signal is in the ON state, and whether the measured elapsed time has reached the reset ON determination time. What is necessary is just to determine. In this case, the elapsed time is continuously measured in the period in which it is determined in step S1101 that the reset signal is in the ON state. In contrast, once the reset signal is determined to be in the OFF state, the elapsed time measurement operation may be initialized. If it is determined that the reset ON determination time has elapsed, the production control microcomputer 120 is reset and the production microcomputer 120 is restarted (step S1103).

  If the reset signal is OFF in step S1101 or if the reset ON determination time has not elapsed in step S1102, has a command reception interrupt occurred due to reception of a command transmitted from the game control board 101? It is determined whether or not (step S1104). At this time, if a command reception interrupt has occurred, for example, the command reception interrupt flag provided in the effect control flag setting unit of the RAM 133 is set to the ON state (step S1105).

  If no command reception interrupt has occurred, for example, it is determined whether or not a timer interrupt has occurred due to a predetermined CTC timing out (step S1106). At this time, if a timer interrupt has occurred, for example, a timer interrupt flag provided in the effect control flag setting unit of the RAM 133 is set to the ON state (step S1107).

  If it is determined that a timer interrupt has not occurred, it is determined whether or not an event interrupt has occurred by determining whether or not the event interrupt signal from the VDP 141 has been turned on (step S1108). ). If an event interrupt has occurred, for example, the event interrupt flag provided in the effect control flag setting unit of the RAM 133 is set to the ON state (step S1109).

  When it is determined that no event interrupt has occurred, it is determined whether another interrupt has occurred (step S1110). At this time, if any interrupt is generated, a predetermined process such as setting a predetermined interrupt flag to the ON state in response to the generated interrupt is executed (step S1111). If it is determined in step S1110 that no other interrupt has occurred, or after the process of step S1111 is completed, the process returns to step S1101.

  When an effect data write command is input from the effect control microcomputer 120 via the host interface 151 in the VDP 141, the transfer control circuit 152 sends effect data corresponding to the command from the CGROM 142 via the CGROM interface 153. Read and write to the effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155. The production data that has been written so far becomes unrecognizable and is substantially erased. When the effect data erasure command is input, the effect data stored in the effect data area of temporary storage memory 155 is erased (however, it is only necessary that the data cannot be recognized as data).

  In addition, when an effect mode switching instruction is input from the effect control microcomputer 120 via the host interface 151, the effect mode stored in the temporary storage memory 155 is switched. When a reel area display command, non-display command, and transmission command are input from the effect control microcomputer 120, information corresponding to each command is stored in the temporary storage memory 155.

  The drawing circuit 154 is based on the effect data stored in the temporary storage memory 155 in each frame period from when the start command for the effect is input until the end command is input (in the period for displaying the moving image). Further, when the moving image decoder 158 decodes the moving image in response to the moving image decoding command), the image data is developed in the frame buffer memory 156 (for writing).

  When the moving image decoder 158 receives the moving image decoding command from the effect control microcomputer 120, the moving image decoder 158 indicates an image for one frame from the effect data transferred from the CGROM 142 to the effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155. Read picture data. The picture data is read out in such an order that it can be played back in the order arranged in the effect data constituting the moving image. The picture data to be read is indicated by the value of the moving image read pointer. The moving picture decoder 158 decodes the read picture data, and stores the decoded picture data in a picture buffer pointer value among a plurality of picture buffers provided in the temporary storage memory 155.

  Thereafter, the value of the moving image read pointer and the value of the picture buffer pointer are updated, and an event interrupt signal is output to the effect control microcomputer via the host interface 151. After that, it waits in the state where the event interrupt signal is output only during the output period of the event interrupt signal, and when the output period of the event interrupt signal ends, it corresponds to the moving image decoding command from the production control microcomputer 120 The moving image decoding process ends.

  In this manner, the moving picture decoder 158 outputs an event interrupt signal to the effect control microcomputer 120 every time decoding of picture data for one frame is completed. For example, when the decoding of picture data is not completed, such as when a failure occurs in the decoding process of picture data, the event interrupt signal is not output. In the effect control microcomputer 120, when the event interrupt signal is not output from the VDP 141 (moving image decoder 158) and the event interrupt wait timer value reaches the time limit determination value, the loop processing shown in FIG. Become. Then, the effect control interrupt process is not executed, and the effect control microcomputer 120 is restarted.

  The display circuit 157 reads the image data from the frame buffer memory 156 switched to read (that is, the image data was written in the previous frame period), and adds a predetermined synchronization signal to the liquid crystal display 4. Output to the LCD driver. Note that the liquid crystal driver of the liquid crystal display 4 outputs a drive signal for non-displaying an image to each pixel of the liquid crystal display 4 when no image signal is input from the display circuit 157. it can.

  As described above, in the slot machine 1 according to this embodiment, when a winning or chance chance is derived for the cherry without winning the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) and the big bonus (2), Alternatively, when the regular bonus, the big bonus (1), or the big bonus (2) is won, the gaming state is controlled to RT, whereby a continuous effect that continues over a period of a plurality of games is executed on the liquid crystal display 4. Will be. In addition, when the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is won, the gaming state is controlled to the regular bonus or the big bonus, and the bonus is extended over a period of a plurality of games controlled to these gaming states. The medium effect is executed by the liquid crystal display 4.

  Further, according to the display result of the variable display device 2, a bonus winning effect is obtained when a regular bonus, a big bonus (1) or a big bonus (2) is won, and a bonus end effect when the regular bonus or the big bonus game state ends. Is executed by the liquid crystal display 4. During the period from the start of one game by the operation of the start lever 11 until the reels 3L, 3C, 3R all stop rotating and the display result is derived to the variable display device 2, a still image corresponding to the stage is displayed on the liquid crystal display. Displayed on the device 4.

  By the way, the bonus winning effect and the bonus ending effect are executed during the period from when all the reels 3L, 3C, 3R stop rotating until the bet number is set for the next game. Although the rotations of 3C and 3R are always stopped, in the game at the end of the regular bonus or the big bonus, since a small role is usually won, medals are paid out. The continuous effects and the bonus effects are executed over a period of a plurality of games, but the actual execution of the image display effect is that after all the reels 3L, 3C, 3R stop rotating, This is a period until the start lever 11 is operated in the game. In some cases, a medal is paid out after winning a small role in the game during this period.

  Here, until the game is started by the operation of the start lever 11 and all the reels 3L, 3C, 3R stop rotating and the display result is derived to the variable display device 2, a medal is further displayed according to the display result. In the case of payout, the reel area object is set and the reel area of the liquid crystal display 4 is not displayed (completely transmissive state) until the medal payout is completed. That is, while the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R are rotating, the visibility of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R is ensured by the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 4, which affects the progress of the game. There is no. Further, even when all of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R stop rotating, if there is a medal payout, the reel area is set to non-display until this is completed. For this reason, it is possible to reliably grasp the winning of the small role that caused the medal to be paid out.

  Furthermore, after all the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R have stopped rotating, an effect is produced with an integrated image in the reel area and the area other than the reel area of the liquid crystal display 4, but the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R Even after the rotation of all of the reels is stopped, the reel area is set in a semi-transparent state (however, when there is a medal payout, it is set in a semi-transparent state after the medal payout is completed). Even though the reel area is in a semi-transparent state, it is possible to produce an effect by displaying an image integrally in the reel area and the area other than the reel area, so that the liquid crystal display 4 that is larger than the variable display device 2 is provided. You can make a dynamic performance using the large screen. When there is a medal payout, the image is displayed up to the reel area after the medal payout is completed, but all of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R regardless of whether there is a medal payout or not. If the rotation stops, an effect by displaying an image on the liquid crystal display 4 is started. Since the start timing of the presentation can be unified in this way, the control of the start timing of the presentation can be simplified, and the player can start the presentation by displaying an image on the liquid crystal display 4. It becomes easy to understand the opportunity.

  Even when the original effect image color is dark (ie, the transparency is low), the image color in the reel area is light (ie, the transparency is high). A certain level of visibility can be ensured with respect to the symbols that are stopped and displayed at 3L, 3C, and 3R. Since the visibility of the symbol can be secured, the display result of the variable display device 2 is related to whether or not the regular bonus such as reach eyes, chance eyes or lose eyes, big bonus (1) or big bonus (2) is won. The display result can be confirmed, and the gaming nature of the slot machine is not impaired.

  From the operation of the start lever 11 until the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R all start rotating (however, when the medals are paid out until the payout is completed), the reel area is set to non-display. A reel area object corresponding to the range of the reel area is set. Here, when image data of an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 is written in the frame buffer memory 156 in each frame period, the reel area object is processed first. Therefore, even if some problem occurs during one frame period and image data cannot be drawn normally, the reel area is always set to non-display. For this reason, while the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R continue to rotate, the visibility of the symbols drawn on the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R can be ensured.

  Further, the reel area object is set until the reels 3L, 3C, 3R all start rotating from the operation of the start lever 11 (but when the payout of medals is completed), and the reel area is hidden. The control is always performed regardless of the game state in which the game is performed. Therefore, the visibility of the symbols drawn on the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R is ensured as long as the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R continue to rotate, regardless of the gaming state of the slot machine 1. can do.

  Further, when the image signal is not supplied from the VDP 141, the liquid crystal driver of the liquid crystal display 4 outputs a drive signal corresponding to a transparent image as a drive signal of each pixel of the liquid crystal panel. Even when there is a failure in the display control unit 121, it is possible to ensure the visibility of the symbols drawn on the reels 3L, 3C, 3R on the back of the reel area portion of the liquid crystal display 4.

  On the other hand, even if all of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R stop rotating and an image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4, the RGB value of each pixel included in the reel area of the liquid crystal display 4 is white-added. By performing the processing or the translucent processing, the RGB value of the original image becomes higher and the transparency becomes higher. For this reason, it is possible to perform a dynamic presentation as a whole in a wide area including the reel area and the area other than the reel area, and it is possible to increase the visibility of the symbols drawn on the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R. .

  The white addition processing and translucent processing performed here need only be relatively simple calculations with only four arithmetic operations, so that the processing load is not increased for the calculations for increasing the RGB values of the pixels included in the reel area. Furthermore, by making it possible to select and apply white addition processing or semi-transparency processing depending on the presentation data and the display state of the image, the integrity with the image displayed in the area other than the reel area, and the back of the reel area Can be balanced with the visibility of the symbols drawn on the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R. (If the emphasis is on ensuring the visibility of the symbols, the white addition process is better, and the emphasis is on image integrity. Translucent treatment is better if you put

  Further, although it is not an effect indicating the current game progress, it is not a period during the game from the operation of the start lever 11 to the derivation of the display result of the variable display device 2 in a predetermined period. If no game operation is performed, a demonstration effect is executed. When the player instructs execution of the history display effect by long pressing the effect mode switching button 17, the history display effect is executed. Furthermore, the effect mode can be switched by operating the effect mode switching button 17 (except for a long press) during the period between the games.

  When these demonstration effects and history display effects are performed, the reel area object is not set, and the reel area is not in a semi-transparent state. That is, in the demonstration effect and the history display effect, the image is displayed in the same state in the reel area and the area other than the reel area in the liquid crystal display 4. However, when these demonstration effects and history display effects are performed, the game is not progressing by the player (it is not simply an interval during the transition from the game to the game), and the reels 3L, 3C, The visibility of the pattern drawn on 3R is not a problem at all. In this way, where the visibility of the symbols drawn on the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R does not matter at all, the entire area of the liquid crystal display 4 is used by not making the reel area non-displayed or translucent. It is possible to perform a unified production dynamically.

  When an effect performed by displaying an image on the liquid crystal display 4 is executed, the effect data to be executed in advance is read from the CGROM 142 in the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121 based on an instruction from the effect control microcomputer 120. This must be written in the execution effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155. Processing overhead required to read / write the effect data occurs. The effect data for continuous effects and the effect data for bonus effects are relatively large in amount because these effects are executed over a plurality of games, and the overhead required for reading / writing is also relatively large. It has become a big thing.

  Here, even if a continuous effect or a bonus effect is being executed, if the game operation is not performed for a predetermined period in the period between games, the demonstration effect is executed. The effect data of the effect must be read from the CGROM 142 and written in the execution effect data area. In this case, since the demonstration production data must be overwritten on the production data of the continuous production, if the demonstration production is finished after some game operation is performed, if the original continuous production is resumed, it will continue again. The effect data of the effect must be read from the CGROM 142 and written in the execution effect data area. The same applies when a history display effect is about to be executed by a long press operation of the effect mode switching button 17 by the player.

  In addition, even when the continuous production is being executed or during the bonus production, the production mode is switched in the period between the games, and the production mode of the continuous production or the bonus production is operated from there by operating the production mode switching button 17. In this case, the corresponding effect data in the new effect mode must be read from the CGROM 142 and written in the execution effect data. If this is allowed, the same process must be performed many times each time the effect mode switching button 17 is operated.

  On the other hand, in the slot machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the demonstration invalid flag is not erased even if one game is ended while the continuous effect or the bonus effect is being executed. The operation of is also disabled. In other words, since the demonstration effect production data and the history display production effect data are prohibited from being read from the CGROM 142 and written into the execution production data area, the continuous production being executed or the production data in the bonus is the demonstration production or history. It is not overwritten by the effect data of the display effect and deleted from the execution effect data area. Since it is not erased, there is no need to read out the effect data of the continuous effect and the effect during the bonus from the CGROM 142 and write it in the execution effect data area.

  For this reason, in order to execute a demonstration effect or a history display effect that is not directly related to the current game progress, the effect data of a continuous effect or bonus effect with a large amount of data is read from the CGROM 142 and temporarily stored. The overhead of the process of writing in the execution effect data area 155 is not duplicated. Since the operation of the effect mode switching button 17 is also invalidated during the execution of the continuous effect or the effect during the bonus, the effect data is not switched, and the effect data corresponding to the same situation is different only in the effect mode. Can be prevented from being read from the CGROM 142 and written to the execution effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155.

  The liquid crystal panel constituting the liquid crystal display 4 for displaying the above-described effect image is subjected to surface gloss treatment. Such a liquid crystal panel does not scatter light irradiated from the back as compared with a non-glare-processed liquid crystal panel (that is, has a higher transparency than a non-glare-processed liquid crystal panel). It reaches the eyes. For this reason, the visibility of the symbols drawn on the reels 3L, 3C, 3R can be further improved.

  Further, the light emitted from the back surface of the liquid crystal display 4 is the light of the reel lamp 3LP provided inside the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R in the reel area, and the liquid crystal display 4 in the area other than the reel area. It will be the light of the backlight. Here, since the power supply circuit that supplies the operating power to the reel lamp 3LP and the power supply circuit that supplies the operating power to the backlight in the liquid crystal display 4 are different systems, the reel lamp 3LP and the backlight Since it is almost impossible that light (excluding reflected light) is not irradiated from the back surface of the liquid crystal display 4 due to co-falling, it is possible to prevent the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 from becoming invisible. Can do.

  Further, the event interrupt signal is detected when the event interrupt signal from the VDP 141 is turned on by the reset / interrupt controller 136 provided in the effect control microcomputer 120. When the occurrence of an event interrupt is not detected by the reset / interrupt controller 136 and the event interrupt wait timer value is generated in the time limit determination value, the CPU 131 enters a predetermined loop process and effects control corresponding to the occurrence of the timer interrupt Do not start interrupt processing. Then, since the reset IC 124 with watchdog is not cleared, a timeout occurs, a reset signal in the ON state is input to the reset terminal of the effect control microcomputer 120, and the effect control microcomputer 120 is reset and restarted. . In this case, as in the case where the power supply to the slot machine 1 is started, the effect initial setting process in step S401 is executed, and the initial setting of the VDP 141 is performed. For this reason, when the predetermined standby period elapses without the occurrence of an event interrupt in the VDP 141 being detected on the side of the effect control microcomputer 120, the VDP 141 is initialized without executing dedicated processing. Thus, it is possible to appropriately recover from an abnormal display state while preventing increase in program capacity and complication.

  Further, in the production control microcomputer 120, when the production control interrupt process is executed in response to the occurrence of the timer interruption, the production backup process is executed therein, and the production backup data is stored in the backup area of the RAM 133. Set and memorize. When the effect control restoration process is executed in response to the restart of the effect control microcomputer 120, the control state of the effect control microcomputer 120 is determined by the effect backup data stored in the backup area of the RAM 133. Is restored to the state before it was restarted. As a result, when a predetermined standby time has elapsed without detection of the occurrence of an event interrupt in the VDP 141 on the side of the effect control microcomputer 120, the display operation that has been in progress is continued after the restart. It is possible to properly recover from an abnormal display state. In addition, when the production control microcomputer 120 is restarted, it is not necessary to perform special control for restoring the control state, so that it is appropriately recovered from the abnormal display state while preventing the processing from becoming complicated. Can be made.

  Also, in the normal gaming state, regular bonus + cherry, big bonus (1) + cherry, big bonus (2) + cherry are determined as internal lotteries in the internal lottery. Bonus, big bonus (1) or big bonus (2) may be won. In other words, the winning of Cherry indicates that there is a possibility of winning the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) in the game, which can give the player a sense of expectation, The interest of the game can be improved. Furthermore, the winning of the cherry is also an opportunity to start the continuous production by controlling the gaming state to RT, so not only the game winning the cherry but also a regular bonus to the player over the subsequent multiple games, The big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) can be expected to win, and the fun of the game can be improved.

  The chance is derived as the display result of the variable display device 2 only when the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is missed, when the cherry is missed, or when both are missed. It has become a died. In other words, the derivation of the chance indicates that there is a possibility that the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) has been won in the game, thereby giving the player a sense of expectation. , You can improve the fun of the game. Furthermore, since the derivation of the chance is also an opportunity to start the continuous production by controlling the gaming state to RT, it is not limited to the game where the chance is derived, but to the player over the subsequent multiple games The regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) can be expected to win, and the fun of the game can be improved.

  In addition, the winning of the cherry win, chance derivation, and regular bonus, big bonus (1) or big bonus (2), which are the triggers for starting the continuous production, are all triggers for controlling the gaming state to RT. . In other words, during the execution of the continuous production, the winning state probability of the replay that is derived in preference to the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) with the gaming state controlled to RT is extremely high. Even if the regular bonus, the big bonus (1), or the big bonus (2) is won, the possibility of winning these roles, or the possibility of the player knowing the loss in the case of a loss is reduced. For this reason, the player is unaware of whether the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) has been won, and the player continues to feel the expectation during the continuous performance. Will be able to give.

  In addition, the derivation of the chance opportunity, which is one of the triggers for starting the continuous production, is caused by losing cherries (including duplicate winnings), but even if the player is won without losing cherries, The number of medals to be paid out is only one or two, which is less than the bet number set in one game in the normal gaming state. For this reason, even if there is a possibility that the player's profit has been lost due to losing the cherry, the expected value of the lost profit is very small. It is possible to enhance the effect of expecting the player to win a regular bonus, a big bonus (1) or a big bonus (2) that has a large profit for the player.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. Hereinafter, modifications of the above-described embodiment applicable to the present invention will be described.

  In the above embodiment, the liquid crystal display 4 is stationary until the display result is derived to the variable display device 2 after the start lever 11 is operated and all the reels 3L, 3C, 3R stop rotating and the display result is derived to the variable display device 2. An image is displayed. Among these, the reel area is controlled so that an image is not displayed by setting a reel area object in the foreground. Of course, the method for preventing the image from being displayed in the reel area is not limited to this. For example, in the first place, the liquid crystal display 4 is operated during the period from the operation of the start lever 11 until the rotation of all the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is stopped. The image displayed on the screen may have an RGB value of (31, 31, 31) at least for each pixel in the reel area (that is, no image is displayed in the reel area). In addition, the reel area object may be composed of a plurality of types that can generate a transparent color by combining them instead of preparing only one transparent color object.

  In the above embodiment, after all the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R stop rotating and the display result is derived to the variable display device 2, the start lever 11 is operated and the next game is started. In this case, the reel area is made to be in a semi-transparent state by performing white addition processing or semi-transparency processing on the RGB data of each pixel in the reel area. However, the method of making the reel area translucent is not limited to these.

  For example, the white addition process and the translucent process are not uniformly performed for the R value, the G value, and the B value, but a specific color is enhanced (for example, to increase the blueness, In the white addition process, the addition value to the B value may be larger than the addition value to the R value or the G value, or in the semitransparent process, the transparency of the B value when performing the semitransparent process may be reduced). In the translucent process, a translucent object similar to the reel area object of the above-described embodiment in which a predetermined translucent value is set may be set. In this case, the semi-transparent object can also be processed with the highest priority in each frame period like the reel area object.

  In any case, when the RGB value of the original image data is (Rd, Gd, Bd) by the process in the translucent state, at least one of the R value, G value, or B value is set to Rd, Gd, or What is necessary is just to change to the value larger than Bd and below 31 (each maximum value of R value, G value, and B value). Unlike the above embodiment, when the RGB value of the transmissive color is represented by (0, 0, 0), the RGB value of the original image data is (Rd, Gd, Bd) by the process in the semi-transmissive state. In some cases, if at least one of the R, G, or B values is changed to a value that is smaller than Rd, Gd, or Bd and equal to or greater than 0 (the minimum value of each of the R, G, and B values). Good.

  Further, the image of the pixel corresponding to a predetermined mesh pattern in the reel area may be made transparent (that is, the RGB value is set to the complete transmission state of (31, 31, 31)). In this case, in the pixels corresponding to the mesh pattern among the pixels included in the reel area, the image drawn on the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R is completely transmitted and shown to the player, and the mesh pattern in the reel area is displayed. In a pixel not corresponding to, the image is displayed with the RGB value of the original effect image. As a result, a dynamic effect can be performed in a wide area including the reel area of the liquid crystal display 4, and the visibility of the symbols drawn on the reels 3L, 3C, 3R on the back of the reel area is improved. Can be secured.

  When this control is performed, a mesh pattern object having a mesh pattern form in a range corresponding to the reel area may be set to the forefront in the same manner as the reel area object in the above embodiment. In this case, the mesh pattern object can also be processed with the highest priority in each frame period, like the reel area object. Also, the control for setting the translucent state by the mesh pattern can be switched to the above-described white addition processing or translucent processing according to the effect data and the state of the displayed image.

  In the above-described embodiment, when there is a payout of medals according to the display result of the variable display device 2, an effect of displaying an image on the liquid crystal display 4 starts when all the reels 3L, 3C, 3R stop rotating. However, the reel area was not displayed until the medal payout was completed. Of course, an effect image may be displayed in an area including the reel area when all of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R stop rotating without waiting for completion of the payout of medals. However, it is necessary to make the image of the reel area translucent also here.

  In the above embodiment, except for the case where the liquid crystal display 4 displays a still image, the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R all stop rotating, and the effect is displayed by displaying the image. It is not limited to. Since the display result of the variable display device 2 is determined when the third stop button (the last one of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R that is operated during one game) is operated, the variable display device is substantially used here. Considering that the display result is derived in FIG. 2, it is possible to start an effect by displaying an image while the reel stop control corresponding to the third stop button is still being performed.

  In addition, when there is a payout of medals according to the display result of the variable display device 2, the reel area is not displayed until the payout is completed, but all the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R stop rotating except for the reel area. At that time, an effect image was displayed. On the other hand, when there is a medal payout according to the display result of the variable display device 2, the effect image may be displayed in addition to the reel area when the medal payout is completed. In this case, although the effect image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4, it does not occur that only the reel area of the effect image is missing, so the effect of the effect is not impaired. .

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the timing for starting / ending an effect by displaying an image on the liquid crystal display 4 can be arbitrary as long as the following conditions are satisfied. After the game is started by operating the start lever 11, until all the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R stop rotating, the display result is derived on the variable display device 2 (or when there is a payout of medals) Is completed) at least in the reel area.

  In addition, the reel area and the reel area during the period from when all of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R stop rotating (or after completion of payout when there is a payout of medals) until the start lever 11 is operated. Even if an integrated image is displayed other than the above, the reel area is made semi-transparent. However, the semi-transparent state of the reel area does not need to be continued until the operation of the start bar 11 at the start of the next game, and for a certain period (for example, until the bet number is set for the next game, or It may be continued until the demonstration production and the history display production are started.

  In the above embodiment, the operation means for the player to instruct the execution of the history display effect is also used as the effect mode switching button 17 for instructing the switching of the effect mode, but is separate from the effect mode switching button 17. Operation means may be provided. Further, the production modes switched by the operation of the production mode switching button 17 are not limited to the two types of mode 1 and mode 2, and there may be three or more types of modes. In this case, effect data such as a continuous effect may be prepared for each type of effect mode and stored in the CGROM 142 in advance.

  Further, the difference in the effect mode is not limited to the type of character appearing in the effect and the type of background image used for the effect. Only one of the type of character appearing in the production and the type of background used in the production may be different depending on the production mode. For example, only the character appearing in the production and / or the background color used for the production may be different depending on the production mode. Moreover, the difference in effect mode can also produce a difference in the execution probability of an effect and the execution mode of an effect. For example, in mode 1, a continuous effect that lasts for three games is performed as in the above embodiment, but in mode 2, a continuous effect that lasts only for two games may be performed.

  Furthermore, the images displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 may be exactly the same even if the effect modes are different. In addition to displaying images on the liquid crystal display 4, the effects in the slot machine are not only the display of images but also the sound output from the speakers 7L, 7R, 7U, the reel lamp 3LP and the game effect lamp. Many of them are performed by combining lighting of 75A to 75M. Therefore, for example, the images displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 in the mode 1 and the mode 2 are the same, but the BGM (Back Ground Music) of the effect may be different.

  In the above embodiment, the demonstration is invalid in the period during the execution of the continuous effect or the bonus effect even during the period other than during the game from the operation of the start lever 11 to the derivation of the display result to the variable display device 2. The active control of setting the flag and disabling the effect mode switching button 17 prohibits the switching of the demonstration effect, the history display effect, and the effect mode. On the other hand, it is also possible to prohibit the switching of the production mode by not calling the module for rewriting the production mode in the program executed during the execution of the continuous production or the production during the bonus. Furthermore, when the demonstration effect or history display effect production data is written by a module different from the continuous production effect data writing, the program is executed during the execution of the continuous production or the bonus medium production. It is also possible to prohibit the demonstration effect and the history display effect from being executed by not calling the module for writing the effect data of the demonstration effect and the history display effect.

  In the above embodiment, the operation of the start lever 11 from the derivation of the display result to the variable display device 2 (when the medal has been paid out is completed), except for the period during the execution of the continuous effect or bonus effect. In the period between the previous games, the effect mode could be switched between the mode 1 and the mode 2 only by operating the effect mode switching button 17 for a short time. On the other hand, the procedure for switching the production mode is not realized by a single operation in this way, but first, the production mode switching screen for performing the production mode switching by the first stage operation is displayed on the liquid crystal display. The effect mode may be switched by performing the second stage operation according to the displayed effect mode switching screen.

  In this case, it is assumed that the CGROM 133 further stores effect data for causing the liquid crystal display 4 to display an effect mode switching screen (a kind of effect). Further, for example, assuming that three types of effect modes of modes 1 to 3 are prepared, the effect data of the continuous effect and the effect during the bonus for mode 3 are stored in the CGROM 133 with the same configuration as the mode 1 and the mode 2. Will be.

  When the effect mode switching button 17 is operated for a short time during the period between the game from the derivation of the display result on the variable display device 2 to the operation of the start lever 11, the effect control microcomputer 120 It is assumed that the effect data on the effect mode switching screen is read from the CGROM 133 and written in the execution effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155. By operating any one of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R according to the effect mode switching screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 according to the effect data of the effect mode switching screen written in the execution effect data area, the mode 1 to the mode Any one of the three production modes can be selected.

  Even when the production mode is selected in this way, the demonstration invalid flag is set in the period during the execution of the continuous production or the production during bonus, and the operation of the production mode switching button 17 is invalidated. The effect data is not read from the CGROM 133 and written into the execution effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155. Since the effect mode switching screen is not displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 because the effect data of the effect mode switching screen is not written in the execution effect data area, the effect mode is switched by operating the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R. I can't do that either.

  As described above, the production data of the production mode switching screen is prohibited from being read from the temporary storage memory 155 from the CGROM 133 and written into the execution production data area, so that the production of the continuous production and the additional production or the production of the bonus production is executed. In the middle, there is no possibility that the effect data on the continuous effect being executed or the effect data in the bonus is overwritten by the effect data on the effect mode switching screen and deleted from the execution effect data area. Since it is not erased, there is no need to read out the effect data of the continuous effect and the effect during the bonus from the CGROM 133 and write it in the execution effect data area.

  For this reason, in order to display an effect mode switching screen that is not directly related to the current progress of the game, the effect data of the continuous effect and the effect during the bonus with a large amount of data are read from the CGROM 133 and stored in the temporary storage memory 155. The overhead of the process of writing in the execution effect data area is not duplicated. Furthermore, since the effect mode cannot be switched unless the effect mode switching screen is displayed, effect data corresponding to the same situation is read from the CGROM 133 only by changing the effect mode, and not written in the execution effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155. It is possible to prevent the overhead of not becoming necessary.

  Note that the modification described here can also be applied to the case where the types of effects that can be executed are set by the same two-stage operation as described above, without the effect mode. For example, this modification is also possible when an effect type setting screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 by the first operation and an effect type that can be executed according to the effect type setting screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 is set. It is possible to apply the method shown in the example. Moreover, in the modification demonstrated here, even if it is a case where there is no difference in the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 according to the difference in effect mode, there exists an effect of this invention.

  In the above embodiment, in response to a production data write command from the production control microcomputer 120, the VDP 141 of the display control unit 121 reads out the production data corresponding to the command from the CGROM 142, and the execution production data in the temporary storage memory 155. It was supposed to be transferred to the area. When the image data of the image displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 is expanded in the frame buffer memory 156, the effect data transferred to the execution effect data area is read. However, the development of the image data in the frame buffer memory 156 was performed by an effect start command different from the command for transferring the effect data from the CGROM 142 to the execution effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155. During the period from the operation of the lever 11 until the reels 3L, 3C, 3R stop rotating, the still image corresponding to the effect mode is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4. However, the details were not mentioned in particular.

  On the other hand, if there is no effect that is performed intermittently over a period of multiple games, such as a continuous effect or a bonus effect as an effect that is executed according to the progress of the game, each effect is started In this case, the effect data can be transferred from the CGROM 142 to the execution effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155, and the expansion of the image data to the frame buffer memory 156 can be started as it is, and the CPU 131 sends a command to the VDP 141 only once. Just output. In addition, since a still image corresponding to the effect mode is displayed more frequently than images of other effects, it is convenient if the still image is resident in the temporary storage memory 155.

  Here, when the production control microcomputer 120 and the display control unit 121 are activated by power-on (or when the production control microcomputer 120 is reactivated by resetting), the CPU 131 of the production control microcomputer 120 stores the temporary storage memory 155. In addition to the various areas including the above-mentioned execution effect data area, a command for securing an area for resident still image element data according to the effect mode is output, and based on this, a resident data area is provided in addition to the execution effect data area May be secured in the temporary storage memory 155. Also, based on this command or another command that is output subsequently, the element data of the still image corresponding to the rendering mode is transferred from the CGROM 142 to the resident data area of the temporary storage memory 155 at the time of startup (or at the time of restart). It may be a thing. When the effect mode is switched, the element data of the still image corresponding to the effect mode after the switching is read from the CGROM 142 and overwritten on the resident data area of the temporary storage memory 155 and transferred.

  In such a case, for example, when the still image corresponding to the effect mode is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 by operating the start lever 11, the CPU 131 displays the still image together with the address of the resident data area in the temporary storage memory 155. A display command is output to the VDP 141. The VDP 141 reads out element data from the resident data area of the temporary storage memory 155 based on the display command, and causes the image data of the still image to be developed in the frame buffer memory 156 by the drawing circuit 154 or the like. It can be.

  On the other hand, when all of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R stop rotating and an effect by displaying an image other than a still image according to the effect mode is started, the CPU 131 stores the effect data of the effect to be started. A production start command is output to the VDP 141 together with the address of the CGROM 142, and the VDP 141 reads the production data from the address of the CGROM 142 based on this start command and transfers it to the execution production data area of the temporary storage memory 155. The effect data can be read from the execution effect data area of the temporary storage memory 155 and the effect image data can be developed in the frame buffer memory 156 by the drawing circuit 154 or the like.

  In this case, regarding various effect data executed in accordance with the progress of the game, if the address stored in the CGROM 142 is specified, the address of the execution effect data area in the temporary storage memory 155 is not specified. Image data corresponding to the effect can be generated and expanded in the frame buffer memory 156. Thereby, address management in each storage device becomes easy, and the burden of program design can be reduced. On the other hand, the element data of a still image corresponding to the performance mode having a high execution frequency can be easily stored in the temporary storage memory 155 by designating an address in the resident data area of the temporary storage memory 155. Since it can be reused and it is not necessary to read from the CGROM 142 every time, the control burden can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the continuous production is performed by winning the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2), winning the cherry, or executing the next game in which the chance is derived. It was supposed to be started when set. On the other hand, when winning a cherry, when a chance is derived, or when a regular bonus, a big bonus (1) or a big bonus (2) is won and a display result of a loss is derived. The production may be started.

  In addition, even when some of the reels of the variable display device 2 are still rotating and before the display result is derived, when it is determined that the winning of the cherry is confirmed, when the chance eye is determined, Alternatively, when it is determined that the regular bonus, the big bonus (1), or the big bonus (2) is won and the display result of the loss is determined, the continuous effect may be started. For example, if the left reel 3L stops and “cherry” is derived even when the middle and right reels 3C and 3R are rotating, the continuous effect can be started at this point. Note that it can be determined according to the stop symbol indicated by the reel stop command whether or not winning of the cherry is confirmed before the display result is derived to the variable display device 2.

  Furthermore, in the continuous performance, after the next game in which the regular bonus, the big bonus (1) or the big bonus (2) is won, the winning of the cherry or the chance is derived is started, the game ends (variable). The display result can be started at a timing before the display result is derived on the display device 2. For example, the continuous effect can be started when the start lever 11 is operated, or the continuous effect can be started when the first reel is stopped. In this case, the selection of the pattern of the continuous effect can be performed at the time when the continuous effect is started, but can also be performed in advance when the bet number is set as in the above embodiment. It is. If it is determined that the continuous production is to be executed, it is also possible to select a continuous production pattern at a further earlier time.

  In the above embodiment, when the execution of the continuous production is started, it is not terminated in the middle until the execution of a series of productions is completed (however, intermittently executed between games) In the meantime, it is impossible to execute a demonstration effect, execute a history display effect, and switch the effect mode. On the other hand, the player can be forcibly terminated before the completion of the continuous effect after the start of the continuous effect by a predetermined operation of the player (for example, operation of an effect cancel button provided separately). Good. In this case, when the continuous production is forcibly terminated, the demonstration invalidity flag is deleted at that time if the game is not in progress, or at the time of termination of the game if the game is in progress, and the production mode switching button 17 is pressed. By enabling the operation, it is possible to execute the demonstration effect, execute the history display effect, and switch the effect mode.

  In the above-described embodiment, the replay winning probability is the same between the RT controlled according to the bonus winning including the overlapping winning and the RT controlled according to the cherry winning or the chance derivation. On the other hand, the replay winning probability may be changed between the former RT and the latter RT. In this case, even if the replay winning probability is different when the continuous performance is performed, the player can know the possibility of winning the bonus to some extent, and the difference can give the player a sense of expectation. In particular, when the number of continuous games of RT is increased, the effect of giving the player a sense of expectation is increased by changing the replay winning probability in RT.

  In the above embodiment, the winning combination that may be won in the regular bonus, the big bonus (1), or the big bonus (2) in one game is a cherry that is a kind of small role in which medals are paid out by winning. Furthermore, the gaming state is controlled to RT by winning a cherry. The gaming state is also controlled by RT by derivation of a regular bonus, a big bonus (1) or a big bonus (2) and / or a chance item that can be derived when a cherry is won. However, since RT is a gaming state that is controlled only to make it difficult for a bonus prize to occur during a continuous performance, the gaming state is not controlled to RT even if a cherry is won or a chance is derived. It is good. Even in the case of bonus winning (including overlapping winning with cherry), the gaming state may not be controlled to RT.

  In addition, a replay can be applied to a combination that may be won in combination with a bonus in addition to a small combination. There may be a plurality of types of replays, and one of them may serve as a bonus that may be won in combination with a bonus. In addition, a combination that can be won in combination with a bonus is a combination that only allows the RT to control the gaming state by winning, and a combination that does not accompany dividends other than a change in the gaming state, such as a small combination or replay. Also good.

  In the above embodiment, when some of the three reels 3L, 3C, 3R are already stopped, the internal winning state for each gaming state and the stop position of the stopped reel are unique. A stop control table that is determined in a specific manner is selected, and reel stop control is performed in accordance with the selected stop control table. Here, instead of the stop position of the stopped reel, the position when the stop buttons 12L, 12C, and 12R are operated to stop the reel (that is, the number of steps of the reel) may be applied. Good. Also in this case, similarly to the selection of the stop control table in the above embodiment, it is possible to obtain an effect that the control for stopping the reel does not become complicated.

  In the above embodiment, the number of determination values for the lottery target determined according to the gaming state is sequentially added to the random number for internal lottery, and is read as the lottery target at the time when an overflow occurs as a result of the addition. He was supposed to win the role that had been put out. On the other hand, the number of determination values may be sequentially subtracted from the internal lottery random value, and the result of the subtraction may be used as a new internal lottery random value. When the number of determination values is subtracted from the random number value for internal lottery, it can be determined whether or not an overflow has occurred in the subtraction result (here, the subtraction result becomes negative).

  In the above embodiment, the internal lottery sequentially adds the number of judgment values for each combination according to the gaming state to the acquired random number for internal lottery, and the combination is won when the addition result overflows. It was supposed to be judged. On the other hand, a winning determination table in which a determination value for determining each combination as winning is determined for each game according to the number of determination values for each combination in accordance with the gaming state, and the internal random number for internal lottery acquired It is good also as what performs an internal lottery by comparing this value with the determination value of each combination.

  In the above embodiment, in the normal gaming state or RT, the game can be started only by setting 3 as the number of bets. In the regular bonus, the game could be started by setting 1 as the number of bets. However, any number of bets that can be set to start a game in any gaming state can be applied within a range of 1 to 3. Here, when 1 or 2 is set as the number of bets in the normal gaming state and RT, the winning probability of the small combination in the internal lottery is lowered as compared with the case where 3 is set as the bet number. It is possible to increase the number of medals to be paid out when winning.

  In the above embodiment, in a game in which the gaming state is the big bonus and the big bonus medium flag is set in the RAM 112, it is determined whether or not the regular bonus medium flag is set in the RAM 112 when the start lever 11 is operated. If the regular bonus medium flag is not set, this is set to control the regular bonus. In this way, the same processing may be performed when the regular bonus is controlled for the first time after winning the big bonus, or when the regular bonus is completed and the regular bonus is controlled again when the big bonus has not yet ended. I was supposed to.

  On the other hand, when the big bonus is won, a regular bonus medium flag is set in the RAM 112 together with the big bonus medium flag, and when the regular bonus end condition is established in the big bonus, the regular bonus medium flag is erased. Here, when the regular bonus medium flag is deleted, if it is determined that the big bonus end condition is not satisfied and the big bonus medium flag is set in the RAM 112, the regular bonus medium is again set. The flag may be set in the RAM 112 and controlled to a new regular bonus as it is. In this case, when the big bonus is controlled by winning the big bonus, it can be controlled to the regular bonus at the same time, and when the regular bonus for one time is finished and the big bonus is not finished yet, Will be able to return to regular bonus.

  In addition, the big bonus game state is that a small bonus game is provided by winning a big bonus, and a JACIN (for example, “BELL-JAC-JAC” is used in the small bonus game based on JACIN winning in the small bonus game. It is also possible to provide a regular bonus in a big bonus game state by winning a prize. If the regular bonus for one set is completed during the big bonus and the number of payout medals has not exceeded 465, it can be controlled again as a small role game.

  When the game state of the big bonus is constituted by a small role game and a regular bonus controlled based on the JACIN winning in the small role game, the JACIN winning from the JACIN winning in the big bonus is based on the JACIN winning. The demonstration invalid flag may be set until the regular bonus ends, and the operation of the effect mode switching button 17 may be invalidated. In other words, during the small bonus game even during the big bonus, except for the period during the game from the operation of the start lever 11 until the display result of the variable display device 2 is derived, A demonstration effect may be executed.

  In the above embodiment, the reel control table is selected in advance based on the setting status of the winning flag, the stop position of the symbol is determined with reference to the reel control table when the reels 3L, 3C, 3R are stopped, and the stop The slot machine that stops the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R by the table system that stops the reel at the position has been described as an example. In contrast, based on the current symbol position when the stop condition is satisfied and the setting status of the winning flag, pull-in control is performed so that the symbol of the winning symbol is aligned, or the symbol of the symbol that is not winning The present invention can also be applied to a slot machine that stops the rotation of the reels 3L, 3C, and 3R by a control method in which the removal control is performed so as not to align.

  In the control method, when the operation of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R is detected, the corresponding reels 3L, 3C, 3R are within the range of the maximum stop delay time of 190 milliseconds from the symbol displayed at that time ( It is determined whether or not there is a winning symbol having a winning flag set in a range of a total of five frames including the displayed symbol and the amount drawn. If there is a symbol with a winning flag set (determined from the symbol of the role that is given priority for derivation in duplicate wins), select the symbol for winning the winning combination and select the winning line (already stopped) When there is a reel, the winning display mode can be derived along with the symbols on the stopped reel. Otherwise, a symbol for not winning any combination is selected and derived. That is, even when the stop of the reels 3L, 3C, 3R is controlled by this control method, it can be derived by stopping the symbols within the range of the maximum stop delay time after the operation of the stop buttons 12L, 12C, 12R is detected. The display mode corresponding to the setting status of the winning flag is derived as the display result of the variable display device 2.

  In the above embodiment, the variable display device 2 includes the three reels 3L, 3C, and 3R in which a plurality of symbols are arranged in a predetermined order on the outer periphery, and the symbols are driven by rotational driving of these reels 3L, 3C, and 3R. Was variably displayed. However, a device that virtually displays a symbol on a display device such as a liquid crystal display device may be used instead of the variable display device 2 described above.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the overall structure of the slot machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a control circuit of the slot machine of FIG. 1. It is a block diagram showing a configuration of an effect control microcomputer in the effect control board. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the display control part in an effect control board. (A) is a figure which shows the symbol combination of the winning combination, (b) is a figure which shows the example of the winning combination table according to gaming state. It is a figure which shows the structure of the various production data stored in CGROM in a production control microcomputer. It is a figure explaining the display mode of the image of the effect displayed on a liquid crystal display. It is a flowchart which shows the game control process which the control part in a game control board performs for every game. It is a flowchart which shows the lottery process of FIG. 8 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the winning determination process of FIG. 8 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the payout process of FIG. 8 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the presentation control main process which CPU of presentation control microcomputer performs. It is a flowchart which shows the production initial setting process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the presentation control recovery process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows production control interruption processing. It is a flowchart which shows the effect backup process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the effect control process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the effect control process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the effect control process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the moving image display process performed in the period during the display of a moving image. 12 is a flowchart showing reset / interrupt control processing executed by the reset / interrupt controller of the effect control microcomputer.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slot machine 2 Variable display device 4 Liquid crystal display 101 Game control board 111 CPU
112 RAM
113 ROM
102 Production control board 121 CPU
122 RAM
123 ROM

Claims (10)

The game can be started by setting a predetermined number of bets for one game using the game value, and the display result is derived to a variable display device that displays a plurality of types of identification information in a variable manner. 1 is a slot machine in which one game is completed and a winning can be generated according to the display result derived to the variable display device,
At least a part of the region is rendered transparent by displaying a transparent color image, and the identification information displayed on the variable display device is transmitted and disposed on the front surface of the variable display device as a transparent region shown to the player. An image display device,
The image display including a continuous effect that lasts for a continuous effect period longer than at least one game and a selection effect that enables selection of any effect mode from a plurality of effect modes according to the player's operation. Image effect data storage means for storing a plurality of types of image effect data respectively corresponding to a plurality of types of effects by displaying images on the device;
A means for storing data in a readable and writable manner, and an execution effect data area in which image effect data corresponding to an effect being executed among the plurality of types of image effect data is written, and written in the execution effect data area Image effect data storage means including an image data area in which display image data indicating the display color of each pixel of the image to be displayed on the image display device created based on the image effect data is written;
A selection effect instruction means for instructing execution of the selection effect according to a player's operation;
Effect mode selection means for selecting the effect mode in accordance with a player's operation when the selection effect is being executed;
Controlling the execution of an effect by displaying an image on the image display device including the continuous effect and the selected effect according to the display image data written in the image data area according to the effect mode selected by the effect mode selection means And an effect control means for displaying an image on the image display device by outputting an image signal corresponding to the display image data written in the image data area,
The production control means includes
Game period determining means for determining whether or not a game period is from the start to the end of one game;
In the game in which the execution of the continuous effect is started, the image effect data of the continuous effect is read from the image effect data storage unit according to the selected effect mode, and the read image effect data of the continuous effect is read as the execution effect. Continuous production data writing means for writing to the data area;
At least when the game is not being executed, when the execution of the selection effect is instructed by the selection effect instruction means, the image effect data of the selection effect is read from the image effect data storage means, and the read selection effect is read. Selection effect data writing means for writing the image effect data in the execution effect data area,
Display image data writing means for reading the image effect data written in the execution effect data area, creating display image data based on the read image effect data, and writing the display image data in the image data area;
After the continuous effect data writing means writes the image effect data of the continuous effect in the execution effect data area until the execution of the continuous effect ends, the selected effect data writing means performs the execution effect data. A selection effect prohibiting means for prohibiting writing the image effect data of the selection effect in the area;
Transmissive region image display control means for controlling display image data of transmissive region pixels that are pixels of an image included in the transmissive region of the image to be displayed on the image display device,
The transparent area image display control means includes
When it is determined that the game period is determined by the game period determination means, all display image data of the transmission area pixels are controlled to display image data indicating a transmission color, and an image of the transmission color is displayed in the transmission area. A transparent area control means during the game,
When it is determined by the game period determination means that it is not the game period, when the display image data of the transmissive area pixel shows a display color other than the transmissive color, the display image data of at least a part of the transmissive area pixel is A slot including non-game transparent area control means for changing to display image data indicating another display color between the display color indicated by the display image data and the transparent color in accordance with the display image data. Machine. The image display device is constituted by a liquid crystal display device,
The display image data is gradation data whose value continuously changes in a range from a transparent color to an opaque color,
The non-game transmissive area control means adds a predetermined value to the display image data value of each of the transmissive area pixels, and transmits the display image data value close to a value indicating the transmissive color. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein the slot machine is configured. The image display device is constituted by a liquid crystal display device,
The display image data is gradation data whose value continuously changes in a range from a transparent color to an opaque color,
The non-game transmissive area control means is constituted by semi-transparent processing means for performing a semi-transparent process on each display image data of the transmissive area pixels and bringing the value of the display image data close to a value indicating a transparent color The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein: The in-game transparent area control means sets a transparent area object including a parameter indicating a higher display priority than other objects for constructing an image to be displayed, which is a transparent color object corresponding to the transparent area. 4. The slot machine according to claim 1, wherein all display image data of the transmissive region pixels is controlled to display image data indicating a transmissive color. The effect control means generates display image data of an image to be displayed on the image display device every frame period,
The in-game transmission area control means performs processing for controlling display image data of all pixels of the transmission area pixels to display image data indicating a transmission color in preference to other processing in each frame period. The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4. According to the conditions established in the game, further comprising a game state control means for controlling the game state between a plurality of types of game states having different advantages for the player,
The in-game transmission area control means controls the display image data of all the pixels of the transmission area pixels to display image data indicating a transmission color regardless of which gaming state is controlled by the gaming state control means. The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the image display device is configured by a liquid crystal display device in which a front side panel is subjected to surface gloss treatment. The variable display device includes a reel having the plurality of types of identification information drawn on an outer peripheral portion, and a reel that is provided on the inner surface of the reel and emits white back light from the back side of the portion of the reel that is visually recognized by the player. Including a back light source device,
The image display device includes a liquid crystal display device and a liquid crystal back light source device that is installed in a portion other than the transmission region on the back surface of the liquid crystal display device and emits white back light,
The slot machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein driving power is supplied to each of the reel back light source device and the liquid crystal back light source device from different power supply circuits. The production control means includes a production control microcomputer and an image processing microcomputer,
The image processing microcomputer includes a completion signal output means for outputting a completion signal indicating that a predetermined process related to image display by the image display device is completed to the effect control microcomputer,
The production control microcomputer is:
In response to activation of the production control microcomputer, image processing initial setting means for performing initial setting of the image processing microcomputer;
Processing command means for commanding the image processing microcomputer to start the processing;
A completion signal detection means for detecting a completion signal from the completion signal output means;
In response to a predetermined waiting time elapses without detection of the completion signal from the completion signal output means by the completion signal detection means after the instruction from the processing instruction means is sent, Effect control restarting means for restarting the microcomputer,
In response to being restarted by the effect control restarting means, after restoring the effect state before the restart, the effect by displaying the image on the image display device from the restored control state The slot machine according to claim 1, further comprising a restart control unit that restarts execution of the slot machine. The image display device receives the image signal output from the effect control means, outputs a drive signal corresponding to the input image signal to each pixel, and causes the image display device to display an image. Including the circuit,
10. The display drive circuit outputs a drive signal corresponding to a transmissive color as a drive signal of at least each of the transmissive area pixels when no image signal is input from the effect control means. The slot machine according to any one of the above.

Images