Gaming machine

Abstract

To allow a performance illumination device to emit light appropriately.SOLUTION: A game machine includes: performance determination means for determining a command module showing an illumination pattern; performance execution means for updating an illumination mode corresponding to a command module on the basis of the command module; and a performance illumination device for emitting light on the basis of the updated illumination mode. Priority order is correlated with a command module, and the performance execution means updates an illumination mode corresponding to a command module having the highest priority order when there are multiple command modules to be processed in parallel, transmits an illumination mode updated on the basis of a command module having the highest priority order to the performance illumination device, and updates an illumination mode corresponding to a command module other than the command module having the highest priority order from among multiple command modules to be processed in parallel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine that determines whether to give a gaming profit to a player by lottery.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, in a gaming machine (pachinko machine), a game ball is launched toward a game area on a game board by a player's handle operation, and a lottery related to a special symbol is executed on the condition that the game ball flowing down the game area enters a start port. Then, on a special symbol display, the special symbol is variably displayed, and further, the special symbol determined by the lottery is stopped and displayed, thereby notifying the player of the lottery result. At this time, when a specific special symbol indicating a big win is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display, a big-win game advantageous to the player is started as compared with a normal game. In this big-win game, an attacker device opens and closes a predetermined number of times, and it becomes possible for a game ball to enter a big winning port, so that the player can receive a payout of many prize balls.

[0003] In such a gaming machine, during the period when the special symbol is variably displayed on the special symbol display, an effect lighting device composed of light-emitting elements (LEDs) emits light in a predetermined lighting pattern. At this time, in the storage means of a sub-control board that controls the effect, a table of lighting patterns in which a plurality of commands for causing the effect lighting device to emit light are combined is provided, and the CPU of the sub-control board analyzes the commands of the table of any lighting pattern to cause the light-emitting element to emit light (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Here, in the light-emitting element (production lighting device) of 1, a plurality of tables may be associated at the same timing. The lighting mode based on each table is updated based on the table and the previous value of the lighting mode. Therefore, the CPU of the sub-control board analyzes the instructions of all the tables to be processed in parallel and updates the lighting modes of all the tables. Then, the light-emitting element emits light in one of the updated lighting modes. When there are a plurality of such tables, depending on the number of tables, there is a possibility that the light-emitting timing may be delayed.

[0006] In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of appropriately emitting light from a production lighting device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the gaming machine of the present invention includes production determination means for determining a command module indicating a lighting pattern, production execution means for updating a lighting mode corresponding to the command module based on the command module, and a production lighting device that emits light based on the updated lighting mode, and a priority is associated with the command module. When there are a plurality of command modules to be processed in parallel, the production execution means Identify the command module with the highest priority, and the updates the lighting mode corresponding to the command module with the highest priority, transmits the updated lighting mode to the production lighting device based on the command module with the highest priority, After transmitting the lighting mode, and updates the lighting modes corresponding to the command modules other than the command module with the highest priority among the plurality of command modules to be processed in parallel.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to appropriately emit light from the production lighting device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

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Figure 14

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in such embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals to omit redundant explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0011] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, first, the mechanical configuration and electrical configuration of the gaming machine will be briefly described, and then specific processes on each substrate will be described.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine 100 according to the present embodiment, showing a state where the door is open. As shown in the figure, the gaming machine 100 includes an outer frame 102 in which an enclosed space is formed by four sides assembled in a substantially rectangular shape, a middle frame 104 attached to the outer frame 102 so as to be openable and closable by a hinge mechanism, and a front frame 106 attached to the middle frame 104 so as to be openable and closable by a hinge mechanism.

[0013] The middle frame 104, like the outer frame 102, has an enclosed space formed by four sides assembled in a substantially rectangular shape, and a game board 108 is held in this enclosed space. Further, a transparent plate 110 made of glass or resin is held on the front frame 106. When the middle frame 104 and the front frame 106 are closed with respect to the outer frame 102, the game board 108 and the transparent plate 110 face each other substantially in parallel while maintaining a predetermined interval, and the game board 108 can be visually recognized through the transparent plate 110 from the front side of the gaming machine 100.

[0014] Figure 2 is a front view of the gaming machine 100. As shown in this figure, an operation handle 112 that protrudes to the front side of the gaming machine 100 is provided at the lower part of the front frame 106. This operation handle 112 is provided so that the player can rotate it. When the player rotates the operation handle 112 to perform a firing operation, a game ball is fired by a firing mechanism (not shown) with an intensity corresponding to the rotation angle of the operation handle 112. The game ball fired in this way rises between the rails 114a and 114b provided on the game board 108 and is guided to the game area 116.

[0015] The game area 116 is a space formed between the game board 108 and the transparent plate 110, and is an area where the game ball can flow down or roll. A large number of pins and windmills are provided on the game board 108, and the game ball guided to the game area 116 collides with the pins and windmills so as to flow down and roll in irregular directions.

[0016] The game area 116 includes a first game area 116a and a second game area 116b in which the degree of entry of the game ball varies depending on the firing intensity of the firing mechanism. The first game area 116a is located on the left side of the game area 116 as viewed from the player facing the gaming machine 100, and the second game area 116b is located on the right side of the game area 116 as viewed from the player facing the gaming machine 100. Since the rails 114a and 114b are on the left side of the game area 116, the game ball fired by the firing mechanism with a firing intensity less than a predetermined intensity enters the first game area 116a, and the game ball fired with a firing intensity equal to or greater than the predetermined intensity enters the second game area 116b.

[0017] In addition, in the game area 116, a general winning opening 118, a first start opening 120, and a second start opening 122 into which game balls can enter are provided. When game balls enter these general winning opening 118, first start opening 120, and second start opening 122, predetermined prize balls are paid out to the player. Note that the number of prize balls may be any number as long as it is 1 or more, and the number of prize balls paid out at each of the general winning opening 118, first start opening 120, and second start opening 122 may be different, or may be set to the same number of prize balls. At this time, it is also possible to set the number of prize balls paid out when a game ball enters the first start opening 120 to be less than the number of prize balls paid out when a game ball enters the second start opening 122.

[0018] Note that a first start area is provided inside the first start opening 120, and a second start area is provided inside the second start opening 122. When a game ball enters the first start opening 120 or the second start opening 122 and the game ball enters the first start area or the second start area, a lottery is conducted to determine one of a plurality of special symbols provided in advance. Various game benefits such as whether a big winning game advantageous to the player can be executed and what kind of game state the subsequent game state will be are associated with each special symbol. Therefore, when a game ball enters the first start opening 120 or the second start opening 122, the player will obtain a predetermined number of prize balls and at the same time, obtain an opportunity to acquire the right to receive various game benefits.

[0019] In addition, a movable piece 122b is provided at the second starting port 122 so as to be openable and closable, and the easiness of entry of the game ball into the second starting port 122 changes according to the state of the movable piece 122b. Specifically, when the movable piece 122b is in the closed state, it is impossible for the game ball to enter the second starting port 122. On the other hand, when the game ball passes through the entry area within the gate 124 provided in the game area 116, a normal symbol lottery is conducted. When winning in this lottery, the movable piece 122b is controlled to be in the open state for a predetermined time. In this way, when the movable piece 122b is in the open state, the movable piece 122b functions as a tray that guides the game ball to the second starting port 122, and it becomes easier for the game ball to enter the second starting port 122. Here, it is assumed that it is impossible for the game ball to enter the second starting port 122 when the second starting port 122 is in the closed state, but it may be configured such that the game ball can enter at a certain frequency even when the second starting port 122 is in the closed state.

[0020] Furthermore, a large winning port 128 into which the game ball can enter is provided in the game area 116. An opening / closing door 128b is provided at the large winning port 128 so as to be openable and closable. Usually, the opening / closing door 128b closes the large winning port 128, and it is impossible for the game ball to enter the large winning port 128. On the other hand, when the above-described big winning game is executed, the opening / closing door 128b is opened, and it becomes possible for the game ball to enter the large winning port 128. Then, when the game ball enters the large winning port 128, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the player.

[0021] Note that at the lowermost part of the game area 116, a discharge port 130 is provided to discharge the game ball that has not entered any of the general winning port 118, the first starting port 120, the second starting port 122, and the large winning port 128 from the game area 116 to the back side of the game board 108.

[0022] And, in the gaming machine 100, as an effect device that performs effects during the progress of the game, there are provided an effect display device 200 composed of a liquid crystal display device, an effect accessory device 202 composed of a drive device, an effect lighting device 204 composed of lamps controlled in various lighting modes and emission colors, a music output device 206 composed of a speaker, and an effect operation device 208 that accepts operations by the player.

[0023] The effect display device 200 includes an effect display unit 200a composed of an image display unit that displays images, and this effect display unit 200a is arranged in the substantially central portion of the game board 108 so as to be visible from the front side of the gaming machine 100. On this effect display unit 200a, as shown in the figure, effect symbols 210a, 210b, 210c are variably displayed, and a variable effect is executed in which the jackpot lottery result is notified to the player according to the stop display mode of each of these effect symbols 210a, 210b, 210c.

[0024] The effect accessory device 202 is arranged in front of the effect display unit 200a, and by moving and rotating in the area visible to the player, it gives the player a sense of expectation of a big win. For example, the rotating accessory 202a as the effect accessory device 202 in FIG. 2 rotates about an axis in the front-rear direction in conjunction with the rotation of a motor (pulse motor or geared motor) which is a drive source, during the variable display of the above-mentioned effect symbols 210a, 210b, 210c. Also, the moving accessory 202b as the effect accessory device 202 in FIG. 2 usually retreats to the retreat area on the game board 108, but moves to the front of the effect display unit 200a during the variable display of the above-mentioned effect symbols 210a, 210b, 210c.

[0025] The effect lighting device 204 is composed of, for example, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), and is provided on the effect accessory device 202, the game board 108, etc., and is controlled to light up in various ways according to the image displayed on the effect display unit 200a and the like.

[0026] The music output device 206 is provided at the upper position of the front frame 106 or the lowermost position of the outer frame 102, and outputs various music toward the front side of the gaming machine 100 in accordance with an image or the like displayed on the effect display unit 200a.

[0027] The effect operation device 208 includes a button for receiving a pressing operation by a player and a rotation operation unit (for example, a jog dial) for receiving a rotation operation by the player, and is provided at a substantially central position in the width direction of the gaming machine 100 and at a position below the transparent plate 110. This effect operation device 208 is activated in accordance with an image or the like displayed on the effect display unit 200a, and when receiving a player's operation during the operation valid period, various effects are executed according to the operation.

[0028] Also, behind the effect operation device 208, there is an upper tray 132 into which prize balls paid out from the gaming machine 100 or gaming balls lent out from the gaming ball lending device are guided. When this upper tray 132 is filled with gaming balls, the gaming balls are guided to the lower tray 134. Further, on the bottom surface of this lower tray 134, a ball discharge hole (not shown) for discharging gaming balls from the lower tray 134 is formed. This ball discharge hole is normally closed by a closing plate (not shown), but by sliding the ball discharge knob 134a in the left - right direction in the drawing, the closing plate slides integrally with the ball discharge knob 134a, and it is possible to discharge gaming balls from the ball discharge hole below the lower tray 134.

[0029] Also, on the game board 108, outside the game area 116 and at a position visible to the player, a first special symbol display 160, a second special symbol display 162, a first special symbol hold display 164, a second special symbol hold display 166, a normal symbol display 168, a normal symbol hold display 170, and a right - hitting notification display 172 are provided. These displays 160 to 172 are devices for displaying various situations related to the game.

[0030] (Internal Configuration of the Control Means) Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of control means for controlling the progress of the game. The main control board 300 controls the basic operations of the game. This main control board 300 includes a main CPU 300a, a main ROM 300b, and a main RAM 300c. The main CPU 300a reads out the program stored in the main ROM 300b based on the input signals from each detection switch and timer, performs arithmetic processing, directly controls each device and display, or sends commands to other boards according to the results of the arithmetic processing. The main RAM 300c functions as a work area for data during the arithmetic processing of the main CPU 300a.

[0031] Connected to the main control board 300 are a general winning opening detection switch 118s for detecting that a game ball has entered the general winning opening 118, a first start opening detection switch 120s for detecting that a game ball has entered the first start opening 120, a second start opening detection switch 122s for detecting that a game ball has entered the second start opening 122, a gate detection switch 124s for detecting that a game ball has passed through the gate 124, and a big winning opening detection switch 128s for detecting that a game ball has entered the big winning opening 128. Detection signals are input from these respective detection switches to the main control board 300.

[0032] Also, connected to the main control board 300 are a normal electric accessory solenoid 122c for operating the movable piece 122b of the second start opening 122, and a big winning opening solenoid 128c for operating the opening / closing door 128b that opens and closes the big winning opening 128. The main control board 300 controls the opening and closing of the second start opening 122 and the big winning opening 128.

[0033] Furthermore, connected to the main control board 300 are a first special symbol display 160, a second special symbol display 162, a first special symbol hold display 164, a second special symbol hold display 166, a normal symbol display 168, a normal symbol hold display 170, and a right hit notification display 172. The main control board 300 controls the display of these respective displays.

[0034] In addition, the gaming machine 100 of the present embodiment is roughly classified into a special game started mainly by the entry of game balls into the first start port 120 or the second start port 122, and a normal game started when a game ball passes through the gate 124. Various programs for advancing the special game and the normal game, as well as various data and tables necessary for various games, are stored in the main ROM 300b of the main control board 300.

[0035] In addition, a payout control board 310 and a sub-control board 330 are connected to the main control board 300.

[0036] The payout control board 310 performs control for launching game balls and control for paying out bonus balls. This payout control board 310 also includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and is connected to the main control board 300 so as to be capable of two-way communication. A game information output terminal board 312 is connected to this payout control board 310, and various information during the progress of the game output from the main control board 300 is output to a hall computer of the game parlor or the like via the payout control board 310 and the game information output terminal board 312.

[0037] In addition, a payout motor 314 for paying out the game balls stored in the storage section to the player as bonus balls is connected to the payout control board 310. The payout control board 310 controls the payout motor 314 based on a payout number designation command transmitted from the main control board 300 to control the payout of a predetermined number of bonus balls to the player. At this time, the number of game balls paid out is detected by the payout ball counting switch 316s, and it is possible to grasp whether the bonus balls to be paid out have been paid out to the player.

[0038] In addition, a dish full detection switch 318s for detecting the full state of the lower dish 134 is connected to the payout control board 310. This dish full detection switch 318s is provided in the passage for guiding the game balls paid out as bonus balls to the lower dish 134, and each time a game ball passes through the passage, a game ball detection signal is input to the payout control board 310.

[0039] When a predetermined amount or more of game balls are stored in the lower tray 134 and it becomes full, game balls accumulate in the passage leading to the lower tray 134, and a game ball detection signal is continuously input from the tray full detection switch 318s toward the payout control board 310. When the game ball detection signal is continuously input for a predetermined time, the payout control board 310 determines that the lower tray 134 is full and transmits a tray full command to the main control board 300. On the other hand, after transmitting the tray full command, if the continuous input of the game ball detection signal stops, it is determined that the full state has been released, and a tray full release command is transmitted to the main control board 300.

[0040] In addition, the payout control board 310 is provided with a firing control circuit 320 for controlling the firing of game balls. Connected to the payout control board 310 are a touch sensor 112s provided on the operation handle 112 for detecting that a player has touched the operation handle 112, and an operation volume 112a for detecting the operation angle of the operation handle 112. When signals are input from the touch sensor 112s and the operation volume 112a, the firing control circuit 320 controls the energization of the firing solenoid 112c provided in the game ball firing device to fire the game ball.

[0041] The sub-control board 330 mainly controls various effects during the game, standby, etc. This sub-control board 330 includes a sub-CPU 330a, a sub-ROM 330b, and a sub-RAM 330c, and is connected to the main control board 300 in a one-way communicable manner from the main control board 300 to the sub-control board 330 from the perspective of anti-fraud. The sub-CPU 330a reads out the program stored in the sub-ROM 330b based on commands transmitted from the main control board 300, input signals from timers, etc., performs arithmetic processing, and controls the execution of effects. At this time, the sub-RAM 330c functions as a data work area during the arithmetic processing of the sub-CPU 330a.

[0042] Specifically, the sub-control board 330 performs image display control to cause the effect display unit 200a to display an image. A large number of image data such as symbols and backgrounds to be displayed on the effect display unit 200a are stored in the sub-ROM 330b. The sub-CPU 330a reads the image data from the sub-ROM 330b into a VRAM (not shown) and controls the image display of the effect display unit 200a. In addition, the sub-control board 330 performs drive control of the effect accessory device 202, lighting control of the effect lighting device 204, and music output control to cause the music output device 206 to output music.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the control modes of the effect display unit 200a, the effect accessory device 202, the effect lighting device 204, and the music output device 206 on the sub-control board 330, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control modes common to them. The sub-CPU (CPU) 330a provided on the sub-control board 330 functions as an effect determination means 332 and an effect execution means 334 in cooperation with the program stored in the sub-ROM 330b and the sub-RAM 330c. The effect determination means 332 manages the state, analyzes the command transmitted from the main control board 300, determines an effect pattern such as a variable effect corresponding to the command (contents indicating a series of flows of the effect), generates a message for each device (the effect display unit 200a, the effect accessory device 202, the effect lighting device 204, the music output device 206), and adds it to the operation buffer. Here, the message indicates the output timing to the device and the operation pattern of each device. Then, the effect execution means 334 analyzes each message stored in the operation buffer and transmits a command to each device such as the image IC 340a, the controller 342, and the music IC 346a according to the output timing included in the message. Both the effect determination means 332 and the effect execution means 334 are processes (interrupt processes) in response to an interrupt and are executed at the interrupt timing associated with each device.

[0044] For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the effect determination means 332 waits for the arrival of a predetermined interrupt period (for example, 33.3 msec) (NO in S10). When the predetermined interrupt period arrives (YES in S10), it determines an image pattern based on the effect pattern (the content corresponding to the image to be displayed on the effect display unit 200a among the effects indicated by the effect pattern) (S11). Then, the effect determination means 332 transmits the determined image pattern and its output timing as a message to the operation buffer (S12). The effect execution means 334 generates an image command that can specify image data based on the image pattern stored in the operation buffer (S13). The effect execution means 334 transmits the image command to the image IC 340a (S14) and repeats the process from step S10. The image IC 340a, also called a VDP (Video Display Processor), reads the image data specified by the image command from the image ROM 340b into the image RAM (VRAM) 340c and sequentially outputs the image data to the effect display unit 200a. Note that some image is always displayed on the effect display unit 200a. Therefore, the effect determination means 332 always determines image data for each interrupt period. Note that the image RAM 340c has different layers and can hold different image data in each layer. Then, the image IC 340a superimposes the image data held in the plurality of layers, and the superimposed image data is output to the effect display unit 200a.

[0045] Also, in parallel with the control of the above-described image IC 340a, when a predetermined interrupt period (e.g., 2 msec) arrives with the determination of the production pattern (YES in S10), the production determination means 332 determines a prop pattern (content indicating a series of operations of the production prop device 202 among the productions indicated by the production pattern) based on the production pattern (S11). Then, the production determination means 332 transmits the determined prop pattern and its output timing as a message to the operation buffer (S12). The production execution means 334 generates a prop command indicating at least any one of the traveling direction (rotation direction), traveling amount (rotation amount), and traveling speed (rotation speed) based on the prop pattern stored in the operation buffer (S13). The production execution means 334 transmits the prop command to the controller 342 at a predetermined time interval according to the prop pattern (S14), and repeats the process from step S10. The controller 342 drives the production prop device 202 according to such a prop command. Here, the production prop device 202 operates only when the prop pattern is determined.

[0046] In addition, when a predetermined interrupt period (e.g., 33 msec) arrives (YES in S10) with the determination of the production pattern, the production determination means 332 determines an illumination pattern based on the production pattern (content indicating a series of illumination modes (light emission modes) of the production illumination device 204 among the productions indicated by the production pattern) (S11). Then, the production determination means 332 transmits the determined illumination pattern and its output timing to the operation buffer as a message (S12). The production execution means 334 generates an illumination command indicating the illumination mode (e.g., lighting state or luminance) of the production illumination device 204 based on the message (illumination pattern) stored in the operation buffer (S13). The production execution means 334 transmits the illumination command to the controller 342 at a predetermined time interval according to the illumination pattern (S14), and repeats the process from step S10. The controller 342 causes the production illumination device 204 to emit light according to such an illumination command. In this way, the lamp, which is the production illumination device 204, is controlled to light up. Note that the production illumination device 204 is constantly repeating lighting and extinguishing. Therefore, the production determination means 332 is constantly determining the production pattern for each interrupt period.

[0047] Also, while controlling the above-described image IC 340a and the controller 342, when a predetermined interrupt period (for example, 50 msec) arrives with the determination of the production pattern (YES in S10), the production determination means 332 determines a music pattern based on the production pattern (content corresponding to the music output to the music output device 206 among the productions indicated by the production pattern) (S11). Then, the production determination means 332 transmits the determined music pattern and its output timing to the operation buffer as a message (S12). The production execution means 334 generates a music command capable of specifying music data based on the music pattern stored in the operation buffer (S13). The production execution means 334 transmits the music command to the music IC 346a (S14), and repeats the process from step S10. The music IC 346a reads the music data specified by the music command from the music ROM 346b into the music IC 346a, and sequentially outputs the music data to the speaker which is the music output device 206. Note that some music is always being output to the music output device 206. Therefore, the production determination means 332 always determines music data for each interrupt period. Note that the music IC 346a has a plurality of music buffers (buffers), and different music data can be held in each music buffer. Then, the music IC 346a superimposes the music data held in the plurality of music buffers, and outputs the superimposed music data to the music output device 206.

[0048] Furthermore, a detection signal is input to the sub-control board 330 from a push detection switch 208s that detects that the production operation device 208 has been pressed, and a rotation detection switch 209s that detects that the production operation device 208 has been rotated. When the controller 342 receives a detection signal from the production operation device 208 (the push detection switch 208s or the rotation detection switch 209s), the controller 342 transmits that fact to the production determination means 332, and the production determination means 332 determines various productions such as displaying an image on the production display unit 200a in response to the input of such a detection signal.

[0049] Here, a series of functional units such as the sub-CPU 330a, sub-RAM 330c, image IC 340a, image ROM 340b, image RAM 340c, controller 342, music IC 346a, and music ROM 346b are integrated into a single integrated circuit as an SoC (System-on-a-Chip). However, which functional units are integrated into such an SoC can be arbitrarily set. Also, each of the functional units such as the sub-CPU 330a, sub-RAM 330c, image IC 340a, image ROM 340b, image RAM 340c, controller 342, music IC 346a, and music ROM 346b may be integrated as different integrated circuits and electrically connected.

[0050] Note that a power supply board (not shown) is connected to each board, and power is supplied to each board from a commercial power supply via the power supply board.

[0051] <Control of the stage lighting device 204> As described above, the production determination means 332 determines a production pattern, determines a lighting pattern based on the production pattern, and transmits it to the operation buffer. Then, the production execution means 334 generates a lighting command indicating the lighting mode of the stage lighting device 204 based on the message stored in the operation buffer and transmits it to the controller 342. Here, as the message, a table that is a group of commands indicating the lighting pattern of the stage lighting device 204 is used.

[0052] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of commands used for a table. As shown in FIG. 6, the command "PUT" is a command to continue the set luminance for the set duration. The command "SETUP" is a command to emit light at the set luminance. The command "SLINE" is a command to change from the starting luminance to the set luminance at equal intervals over the set duration. The command "WAIT" is a command to maintain the set luminance for the set duration. The command "LOOP" is a command to repeat the commands up to the command "NEXT" the set number of times. The command "NEXT" is a command indicating the end for the command "LOOP". The command "JUMP" is a command to jump the analysis destination to the specified address (table) and the analysis destination does not return to the original address. The command "CALL" is a command to jump the analysis destination to the specified address (table) and the analysis destination returns to the address next to the original address. Among the above commands, the commands "PUT", "SETUP", "SLINE", "WAIT", "LOOP", and "NEXT" are composed only of 2-byte basic commands, and the commands "JUMP" and "CALL" are composed of 6 bytes of basic commands and extended commands.

[0053] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a table. As shown in FIG. 7(a), the table is composed of 10 commands of the command "LOOP", the command "SLINE", the command "SLINE", the command "LOOP", the command "SLINE", the command "WAIT", the command "SLINE", the command "NEXT", the command "NEXT", and the command "END" shown in 10 rows.

[0054] The table in Fig. 7(a) operates according to the flowchart shown in Fig. 7(b) by the production execution means 334. That is, the command "LOOP" (outer) on the first line repeatedly executes a plurality of commands surrounded by the command "NEXT" (outer) on the ninth line. For the command "SLINE", the final luminance is set in 5 bits (32 levels from "00h" to "1Fh"), and the duration is set in 6 bits (62 levels from "02h" to "3Fh". If the interrupt period is 33.33 ms, it is 66.67 ms to 2010.00 ms). For example, the command "SLINE" on the second line linearly changes from the starting luminance (e.g., 0) to the final luminance (e.g., 31 (1FH)) over a duration of 2 seconds. The command "SLINE" on the third line linearly changes from the starting luminance (e.g., 31) to the final luminance (e.g., 0) over a duration of 2 seconds. The command "LOOP" (inner) on the fourth line repeatedly executes a plurality of commands surrounded by the command "NEXT" (inner) on the eighth line. The command "SLINE" on the fifth line linearly changes from the starting luminance (e.g., 0) to the final luminance (e.g., 31) over a duration of 2 seconds. The command "WAIT" on the sixth line maintains the starting luminance (e.g., 31) for a duration of 1 second. The command "SLINE" on the seventh line linearly changes from the starting luminance (e.g., 31) to the final luminance (e.g., 0) over a duration of 2 seconds. When all the repetitive processes are completed, the command "END" on the tenth line ends the processing of the table.

[0055] When the production lighting device 204 is composed of, for example, three-color (RGB) LEDs, a table is set for each of the three-color LEDs. The production execution means 334 refers to each table from the operation buffer, analyzes each table, and identifies the lighting mode (e.g., luminance) to be emitted by the production lighting device 204 to generate a lighting command.

[0056] For example, the effect execution means 334 analyzes a table every predetermined interrupt period (e.g., 33 msec), and refers to the command to be analyzed in the table and the execution time of the command (elapsed time from the start of execution) to specify the luminance according to the execution time. For example, the effect execution means 334 analyzes the table shown in Fig. 7(a), and the command to be analyzed is the second-line command "SLINE" that linearly changes the luminance from luminance 0 to luminance 31 over a duration of 2 seconds. If the execution time of the command "SLINE" is 1 second, the luminance is the intermediate value of 15. Also, if the command to be analyzed is the sixth-line command "WAIT" that maintains the starting luminance (e.g., 31) for a duration of 1 second, and the execution time of the command "WAIT" is 0.5 second, the luminance is 31.

[0057] In this way, in the lighting pattern, the luminance changes moment by moment according to the elapsed time. Therefore, the effect execution means 334 cannot specify the luminance unless it analyzes the table and recognizes the command to be analyzed and the execution time of the command. For this reason, the effect execution means 334 performs the current analysis based on the previously analyzed result (luminance generation information), for example, the command to be analyzed and the execution time of the command. In other words, the effect execution means 334 cannot perform the current analysis unless the previous analysis result is retained. In order to continuously specify the luminance corresponding to a predetermined table in this way, the effect execution means 334 must analyze the table and derive the analysis result every predetermined interrupt period.

[0058] When the luminance is specified in this way, the effect execution means 334 associates the identifier of the target effect lighting device 204 with the luminance to generate a lighting command and transmits it to the controller 342. In practice, the effect execution means 334 transmits the lighting command to the controller 342 through a DMA (Direct Memory Access) controller. Therefore, after setting the transmission of the lighting command to the DMA controller, the effect execution means 334 can execute processes other than the transmission process without participating in the transmission process.

[0059] In addition, in this embodiment, the effect determination means 332 may determine a plurality of effect patterns in parallel. For example, while a variable effect in which the big winning lottery result is notified to the player is being performed based on the entry of a game ball into the first start port 120 or the second start port 122, the effect operation device 208 is pressed by the player, and an effect is executed based on the operation. In this case, a plurality of effect patterns are determined in parallel, and based on the effect patterns, a plurality of illumination patterns are also determined in parallel.

[0060] In order to manage a plurality of such illumination patterns in parallel, this embodiment employs a layered structure (hereinafter referred to as a layer). The operation buffer has a plurality of different layers, and a table and luminance generation information that is an analysis result of the table can be associated with each other in layer units. Although different tables can be assigned to different layers at the same timing, different tables cannot be assigned to the same layer overlappingly.

[0061] Each layer is provided with a priority. When a table assigned to a layer with a high priority and a table assigned to a layer with a low priority are executed at the same timing, although both are analyzed, the analysis result of the table assigned to the layer with a high priority is used preferentially over the analysis result of the table assigned to the layer with a low priority, and only the luminance specified by the table assigned to the layer with a high priority is transmitted to the controller 342 as an illumination command. Therefore, the player will visually recognize the effect illumination device 204 that emits light with the luminance specified by the table assigned to the layer with a high priority. Note that the priority of the table assigned to a layer is equal to the priority of the layer, so it can be considered that the priority of the layer = the priority of the table assigned to the layer. Similarly, analyzing the table assigned to a layer is synonymous with analyzing the layer, so it can be considered that the analysis of the layer = the analysis of the table assigned to the layer.

[0062] FIG. 8 is a timing chart for explaining the laminated structure. In FIG. 8, for convenience of explanation, two layers are described. However, the number of layers is not limited to 2, and may be set to 3 or more. In FIG. 8, it is assumed that layer 1 has a higher priority than layer 2.

[0063] For example, it is assumed that at time T0, the effect determination means 332 assigns table 1 composed of the command "SLINE" that linearly changes the luminance from luminance 0 to luminance 31 over a duration of 3 seconds to layer 1 based on a predetermined lighting pattern 1. Also, it is assumed that at the same time T0, the effect determination means 332 assigns table 2 composed of the command "SETUP" that causes layer 2 to emit light at luminance 31 and the command "WAIT" that maintains the starting luminance over a duration of 5 seconds to layer 2 based on a predetermined lighting pattern 2 different from lighting pattern 1.

[0064] Then, from time T0 to time T1 3 seconds later, tables 1 and 2 are respectively assigned to layers 1 and 2, and from time T1 to time T2 2 seconds later, table 2 is assigned to layer 2. In this case, the effect execution means 334 analyzes table 1 assigned to layer 1 and table 2 assigned to layer 2 from time T0 to time T1 3 seconds later, and preferentially uses the analysis result of table 1 assigned to layer 1 over the analysis result of table 2 assigned to layer 2, and transmits only the luminance specified by table 1 assigned to layer 1 to the controller 342 as a lighting command. Also, the effect execution means 334 analyzes table 2 assigned to layer 2 from time T1 to time T2 2 seconds later, and transmits only the luminance specified by table 2 assigned to layer 2 to the controller 342 as a lighting command. In this way, the player will visually recognize the effect lighting device 204 in which the luminance gradually increasing over 3 seconds is maintained for 2 seconds.

[0065] Here, focus on the processing of the production execution means 334 from time point T0 to 3 seconds later at time point T1. Here, table 1 and table 2 are respectively assigned to layer 1 and layer 2, and the priority of layer 1 is set higher than that of layer 2. Then, if only the luminance specified by table 1 assigned to layer 1 with a higher priority is required, it might be thought that it would be sufficient to analyze only table 1 assigned to layer 1. However, as described above, the production execution means 334 cannot perform the current analysis if the previous analysis result is not retained. In order to continuously identify the luminance corresponding to a predetermined table, it is necessary to always perform the analysis of the table and derive the analysis result at each predetermined interrupt period. For example, in the example of FIG. 8, the analysis result of table 2 assigned to layer 2 is not reflected in the lighting command from time point T0 to time point T1, but must be reflected after time point T1. In order to obtain that analysis result, the production execution means 334 needs to continue analyzing table 2 assigned to layer 2 also during the period from time point T0 to time point T1.

[0066] Specifically, the production execution means 334 analyzes the table and retains the result in association with the layer as luminance generation information. The luminance generation information includes the identifier of the table (for example, the address of the table), the command to be analyzed (or its address), the command (or its address) in the case of repetition or call, the number of repetitions or calls, the execution time of the command to be analyzed (the elapsed time since the start of execution), the previous luminance value, the luminance change value, and the like.

[0067] For example, the rendering execution means 334 identifies that a command "SLINE" for linearly changing the luminance from luminance 0 to luminance 31 over a duration of 3 seconds based on Table 1 is being executed from time point T0 to time point T1 3 seconds later. Until the execution time of the command "SLINE" reaches 3 seconds, the previous luminance value (e.g., 15) as luminance generation information is added to the luminance change value (e.g., 0.36 = 32 × 33 msec / 3 seconds) as luminance generation information to identify the current luminance value (here, 15.36). Here, for the sake of convenience of explanation, real numbers are used as the previous luminance value and the luminance change value, but in reality, they are multiplied by a constant and represented as integers. At this time, after processing the current luminance value, the rendering execution means 334 overwrites the current luminance value with the previous luminance value for the next analysis.

[0068] Also, at time point T1, the rendering execution means 334 recognizes that the lighting pattern based on Table 1 has ended, and identifies that a command "WAIT" for maintaining the starting luminance based on Table 2 is being executed from time point T1 to time point T2 2 seconds later. Until the execution time of the command "WAIT" reaches 5 seconds, the previous luminance value (e.g., 31) is used as it is to identify the current luminance value (here, 31). At this time, after processing the current luminance value, the rendering execution means 334 overwrites the current luminance value with the previous luminance value for the next analysis.

[0069] Here, if the rendering execution means 334 only analyzes Layer 1 from time point T0 to time point T1, the luminance generation information of Table 2 assigned to Layer 2 will not be generated at time point T1, and the luminance cannot be identified based on Table 2 from time point T1. Therefore, the rendering execution means 334 performs analysis for at least all layers to which tables are validly assigned regardless of the layer priority order at every predetermined interrupt period (e.g., 33 msec), and generates respective luminance generation information.

[0070] FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing an example of the processing of the effect execution means 334. Here, an example of the processing of the effect execution means 334 at an arbitrary time point T3 (for example, 1.5 seconds after the time point T0) from the time point T0 to the time point T1 in FIG. 8 will be described. Such processing is performed every predetermined interrupt period (for example, 33 msec) and is completed within the interrupt period.

[0071] At the time point T3, first, the effect execution means 334 sets the analysis target as layer 1, refers to the luminance generation information of layer 1, and specifies table 1 from the identifier of the table in the luminance generation information. Also, based on the fact that the command to be analyzed is the command "SLINE", the effect execution means 334 adds the previous luminance value "15" and the luminance change value "0.36" to specify the current luminance value "15.36". Further, for the next analysis, the effect execution means 334 overwrites the previous luminance value in the luminance generation information of layer 1 with the current luminance value "15.36".

[0072] Next, the effect execution means 334 sets the analysis target as layer 2, refers to the luminance generation information of layer 2, and specifies table 2 from the identifier of the table in the luminance generation information. Also, based on the fact that the command to be analyzed is the command "WAIT", the effect execution means 334 uses the previous luminance value "31" as it is to specify the current luminance value "31". Further, for the next analysis, the effect execution means 334 overwrites the previous luminance value in the luminance generation information of layer 2 with the current luminance value "31".

[0073] Subsequently, the effect execution means 334 specifies the luminance value to be transmitted to the effect lighting device 204 based on the priority order of each layer. Here, the effect execution means 334 determines whether tables are effectively assigned to the layers in descending order of priority, and specifies the layer (for example, layer 1, layer 2) in which the table is effectively assigned and has the highest priority (here, layer 1). Then, the effect execution means 334 transmits the luminance (for example, the previous luminance value "15.36") specified based on table 1 assigned to layer 1 as an illumination command to the controller 342.

[0074] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the effect execution means 334 starts transmitting the lighting command by setting the transmission of the lighting command to the DMA controller, and then the DMA controller transmits the lighting command to the controller 342 independently of the effect execution means 334. In this way, the effect execution means 334 transfers the actual transmission process of the lighting command to the DMA controller that can operate independently of itself, so that immediately afterwards, it is possible to execute other processes, for example, processes for other lighting devices 204 for effects. Thus, even when a plurality of layers are provided, the lighting command is appropriately transmitted based on the table assigned to the layer with the highest priority.

[0075] In FIG. 9, the effect execution means 334 has been described by taking as an example the case where it first analyzes the table 1 assigned to layer 1 and then analyzes the table 2 assigned to layer 2. However, it is not limited to such a case, and it can be analyzed from the table assigned to any layer regardless of the priority.

[0076] However, if there are a plurality of layers and, as in FIG. 9, transmission is started after analysis is completed for all the layers to which the tables are effectively assigned, depending on the number of layers, the start of transmission of the lighting command may be delayed, and there is a risk that the reflection of the brightness on the lighting device 204 for effects may be delayed. For example, if the switching of the lighting pattern of the lighting device 204 for effects is delayed compared to the switching of the image pattern displayed on the effect display unit 200a or the music pattern output from the music output device 206, the player may feel uncomfortable.

[0077] As described above, the effect execution means 334 performs the current analysis based on the previously analyzed result. If the previous analysis result (luminance generation information) is not retained, the current analysis result cannot be derived. However, if only the luminance of the effect lighting device 204 is to be specified, it becomes possible by simply analyzing the table assigned to the layer with the highest priority. Therefore, the effect execution means 334 first analyzes the table assigned to the layer with the highest priority to specify the luminance of the effect lighting device 204 and quickly transmits a lighting command. On the other hand, the analysis process of the tables assigned to the remaining layers is performed after the transmission setting of the lighting command is completed.

[0078] FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing another processing example of the effect execution means 334. Here, a processing example of the effect execution means 334 at an arbitrary time point T3 (for example, 1.5 seconds after the time point T0) from the time point T0 to the time point T1 in FIG. 8 will be described. Such processing is also performed every predetermined interrupt period (for example, 33 msec) as in FIG. 9 and is completed within the interrupt period.

[0079] At the time point T3, first, the effect execution means 334 specifies the layer to be analyzed first based on the priority of each layer. Specifically, the effect execution means 334 determines whether a table is validly assigned to the layers in descending order of priority, and specifies the layer with the highest priority (here, layer 1) among the layers to which the table is validly assigned (for example, layer 1 and layer 2).

[0080] Then, the effect execution means 334 sets layer 1, which is determined to have a high priority, as the analysis target, refers to the luminance generation information of layer 1, and specifies table 1 from the identifier of the table in the luminance generation information. Further, based on the fact that the command to be analyzed is the command "SLINE", the effect execution means 334 adds the previous luminance value "15" and the luminance change value "0.36" to specify the current luminance value "15.36". Further, for the next analysis, the effect execution means 334 overwrites the previous luminance value in the luminance generation information of layer 1 with the current luminance value "15.36".

[0081] Next, the effect execution means 334 transmits the luminance (for example, the previous luminance value "15.36") specified based on the table 1 assigned to layer 1 thereof to the controller 342 as an illumination command. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the effect execution means 334 sets the transmission of the illumination command to the DMA controller, and then the DMA controller transmits the illumination command to the controller 342 independently of the effect execution means 334. In this way, the effect execution means 334 transfers the actual transmission process of the illumination command to the DMA controller that can operate independently of itself, and then immediately, it becomes possible to execute other processes, for example, processes for other layers.

[0082] Then, after the transmission process is transferred to the DMA controller, the effect execution means 334 sets the analysis target to layer 2, refers to the luminance generation information of layer 2, and specifies table 2 from the identifier of the table in the luminance generation information. Further, based on the fact that the command to be analyzed is the command "WAIT", the effect execution means 334 specifies the current luminance value "31" using the previous luminance value "31" as it is. Further, for the next analysis, the effect execution means 334 overwrites the previous luminance value in the luminance generation information of layer 2 with the current luminance value "31".

[0083] In this way, even when a plurality of layers are provided, the illumination command can be transmitted appropriately and quickly based on the table assigned to the layer with the highest priority. Therefore, the illumination pattern of the effect illumination device 204 does not lag behind the image pattern displayed on the effect display unit 200a or the music pattern output to the music output device 206, and the player does not feel discomfort.

[0084] Here, although the tables assigned to layers other than the layer with the highest priority are analyzed after the illumination command is transmitted, all are processes performed in parallel within a predetermined interrupt period (for example, 33 msec), so the analysis order of the tables does not affect the light emission timing of the luminance.

[0085] Also, for example, even when the analysis process of the table assigned to layer 1 has ended at time point T1 in FIG. 10, among the layers to which the table is validly assigned, the layer with the highest priority, here layer 2, is analyzed with the highest priority. Thus, similar to time point T3, the lighting command is transmitted appropriately and promptly.

[0086] Here, for the sake of convenience of explanation, two layers (layer 1 and layer 2) are cited. Among them, the analysis of the layer with the highest priority (for example, layer 1) is performed first, and then the analysis of the layer with the next highest priority (for example, layer 2) is performed after the transmission setting of the lighting command. However, this is not limited to such a case. When there are three or more layers, the analysis of the layer with the highest priority among the three or more layers may be performed first, and the analysis of the other layers may be performed in any order after the transmission setting of the lighting command. This is because there is only one luminance that can be output by the stage lighting device 204, and as long as the luminance in the layer with the highest priority can be transmitted, the analysis order of the other layers does not affect the control of the stage lighting device 204.

[0087] Here, for the sake of convenience of explanation, an example has been described in which, for one stage lighting device 204, the analysis of the layer with the highest priority (for example, layer 1) is performed first, and then the analysis of the layer with the next highest priority (for example, layer 2) is performed after the transmission setting of the lighting command. However, this is not limited to such a case. When the lighting pattern is determined at once for each of the plurality of stage lighting devices 204, the analysis of the layer with the highest priority in each of the plurality of stage lighting devices 204 may be performed first, the specified luminance may be transmitted, and then the analysis of the layers other than the layer with the highest priority in each of the plurality of stage lighting devices 204 may be performed.

[0088] As described above, in the gaming machine 100, there are provided: an effect determination means 332 for determining a command module (e.g., a table) indicating an illumination pattern; an effect execution means 334 for updating an illumination mode (e.g., luminance generation information) corresponding to the command module based on the command module; and an effect illumination device 204 that emits light based on the updated illumination mode (using the luminance among the luminance generation information). A priority is associated with the command module. When there are a plurality of command modules to be processed in parallel, the effect execution means 334 updates the illumination mode corresponding to the command module with the highest priority, transmits the illumination mode updated based on the command module with the highest priority to the effect illumination device, and updates the illumination modes corresponding to the command modules other than the command module with the highest priority among the plurality of command modules to be processed in parallel.

[0089] Here, a table, which is a group of commands indicating an illumination pattern, has been described as an example of the command module. However, the present invention is not limited to this case, and it is sufficient if the time-series change of the illumination mode of the effect illumination device 204 can be represented. For example, a program written in a programming language, a list in which combinations of execution time and illumination mode are listed, etc. can also be adopted.

[0090] Also, here, luminance generation information has been described as an example of the illumination mode. However, the present invention is not limited to this case, and it is sufficient if, when analyzing the command module (table), the previous state, for example, which process of the command module was performed immediately before, can be grasped, and various information such as luminance values can be applied. Further, the state held by the illumination mode is not limited to luminance, and may be represented by two values of lighting "1" or extinguishing "0".

[0091] Also, here, a hierarchical structure was provided for the lighting pattern of the effect lighting device 204, and an example was described in which the analysis of the layer with the highest priority was performed first, and after reflecting the analysis result in the effect lighting device 204, the analysis of the layers other than the layer with the highest priority was performed. However, the present invention is not limited to the lighting pattern of the effect lighting device 204, and can also be applied to the image pattern displayed on the effect display unit 200a and the prop pattern for driving the effect prop device 202.

[0092] As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. It is obvious that those skilled in the art can conceive various modification examples or correction examples within the scope described in the claims, and it is naturally understood that they also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0093] For example, in the above-described embodiment, as a pachinko machine, there are provided a symbol determination means for determining any one of a plurality of types of symbols including a jackpot symbol, a symbol display means for displaying a symbol on a symbol display unit when a predetermined fluctuation time has elapsed after the symbol is determined, a big win game execution means for executing a big win game composed of a plurality of rounds of round games when a jackpot symbol is displayed on the symbol display unit, a game profit giving means for giving a predetermined game profit when a game ball that has entered a big winning port enters a specific area during a preset specific round game among the round games in the big win game, and an effect execution means for executing an effect during the big win game. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case, and can also be applied to a slot machine including a winning combination lottery means for determining any one of a plurality of types of winning combinations by a winning combination lottery based on an operation of a start switch, a reel control means for rotationally controlling a plurality of rotating reels on which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged respectively in response to an operation of the start switch, and stopping and controlling the rotating reels corresponding to the operated stop switches respectively based on the lottery result of the winning combination lottery means in response to an operation of a stop switch corresponding to the rotating reel that is rotating, and an effect control means for executing any one of a plurality of types of effects. Hereinafter, the slot machine 600 will be described in detail.

[0094] (Mechanical Structure of Slot Machine 600) As shown in the external views of FIGS. 11 and 12, the slot machine 600 includes a housing 602 which is a substantially rectangular box, a front upper door 604 which is attached to the front opening of the housing 602 in an openable and closable manner by a rotatable connecting member, a front lower door 606 which is located below the front upper door 604 and is attached to the front opening of the housing 602 in an openable and closable manner like the front upper door 604, and a tray portion 608 which is located at the lower part of the front lower door 606 and stores the medals paid out from the medal discharge port 608a.

[0095] An operation unit installation table 622 is formed at the upper part of the front lower door 606, and a medal insertion unit 624, a bet switch 626, a start switch 628, a stop switch 630, an effect switch 632, etc. are arranged on the operation unit installation table 622.

[0096] The medal insertion unit 624 located on the right side of the operation unit installation table 622 receives the insertion of medals as game media through the medal insertion port 624a and sends the medals to a medal selector (not shown) provided on the back surface of the front lower door 606. The medal selector is provided with a blocker (not shown) that guides medals inserted outside the insertion period or non-standard medals to the medal discharge port 608a, and an inserted medal detection unit 624b that detects the passage of standard medals inserted during the insertion period. Here, the medals guided to the medal discharge port 608a are discharged to the tray portion 608. When a player inserts more medals than the specified number of inserted medals, which is the number of medals required to start one game, the excess medals over the specified number of inserted medals are electrically stored (hereinafter simply referred to as credits) inside the slot machine 600 with a predetermined number (for example, 50) as the upper limit. The above-mentioned one game will be described in detail later.

[0097] Also, here, the specified number of inserted medals is set to "3" or "2". In addition, when the number of medals required to execute one game can be arbitrarily selected from a plurality of specified numbers of inserted medals, the largest one among the plurality of specified numbers of inserted medals is called the maximum specified number of inserted medals, and the smallest one is called the minimum specified number of inserted medals. For example, if the specified number of inserted medals can be selected between 1 and 3, the maximum specified number of inserted medals is "3", and the minimum specified number of inserted medals is "1".

[0098] The bet switch 626 is a push-button switch that inserts (bets) the number of medals corresponding to the specified number of inserted medals among the credited medals. When the bet switch 626 is pressed while the number of credited medals is equal to or more than the specified number of inserted medals, one game can be started, and the number of credited medals is decreased by the number corresponding to the specified number of inserted medals.

[0099] The start switch 628 located on the left side of the operation unit installation base 622 is composed of a lever capable of detecting a tilting operation, and detects the start operation of one game by the player. Also, the start switch 628 can be composed of a button switch capable of detecting a pressing operation.

[0100] At approximately the center of the lower part of the front upper door 604, a colorless and transparent symbol display window 636 composed of a glass plate, a transparent resin plate, etc. is provided, and a reel unit 634 is provided at a position corresponding to the symbol display window 636 in the housing 602. As shown in the symbol arrangement of the reels in FIG. 13, the reel unit 634 is provided with three rotating reels (left reel 634a, middle reel 634b, right reel 634c) in which a plurality of types of symbols are respectively arranged in each of the 21 equally divided regions, and each can rotate independently. The player can visually recognize the left reel 634a, the middle reel 634b, and the right reel 634c through the symbol display window 636. The reel unit 634 starts the rotation of the left reel 634a, the middle reel 634b, and the right reel 634c upon the operation of the start switch 628.

[0101] The stop switch 630 located at the center of the operation unit installation base 622 is a button switch capable of detecting a player's pressing operation, provided corresponding to each of the left reel 634a, the middle reel 634b, and the right reel 634c, and detects a stop operation of the player attempting to stop each of the left reel 634a, the middle reel 634b, and the right reel 634c. Note that such three button switches on the stop switch 630 are particularly referred to as stop button switches, and are sequentially the stop button switch 630a, the stop button switch 630b, and the stop button switch 630c from the left according to their positions.

[0102] The effect switch 632 is composed of a push-type button switch and a jog dial switch rotatably arranged around it, and detects a player's pressing operation and rotational operation. Such an effect switch 632 is mainly used during an effect, and the effect mode can be varied by a player's operation.

[0103] A liquid crystal display unit 638 for displaying various images associated with the effect is provided at approximately the center of the upper part of the front upper door 604. In addition, effect lamps 642 composed of, for example, high-brightness light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are provided at the upper part and left and right of the front upper door 604. Further, an effect prop device 660 composed of a drive device is provided between the symbol display window 636 and the operation unit installation base 622.

[0104] Also, as shown in FIG. 12, speakers 640 for performing auditory effects such as sound effects and music are provided at the left and right positions of the liquid crystal display unit 638 on the back surface of the front upper door 604 and at the left and right inner surface positions on the back surface of the front lower door 606. Further, a medal payout device (medal hopper) 764 for paying out medals from the medal outlet 608a is provided below the reel unit 634 in the housing 602. The medal payout device 764 includes a medal storage unit 764a for storing medals, a payout control unit 764b for discharging the medals stored in the medal storage unit 764a from the medal outlet 608a, and a payout medal detection unit 764c for detecting the medals discharged from the medal outlet 608a. Specifically, the payout control unit 764b is rotatably supported on the outer casing of the payout control unit 764b, and includes a disk (not shown) having a plurality of medal insertion holes arranged in the circumferential direction into which the medals falling from the medal storage unit 764a are inserted one by one from above, and a disk motor (not shown) for rotating the disk. By rotating this disk, the medals inserted into the medal insertion holes are discharged one by one to the outside through an extrusion mechanism, and at the same time, the next medal is sequentially inserted into the medal insertion holes emptied by the discharge, so that the medals are continuously discharged one by one.

[0105] Also, although not shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, inside each of the rotating reels 634a, 634b, 634c, reel backlights 644 (see FIG. 14) for individually irradiating the upper, middle, and lower patterns of each of the rotating reels 634a, 634b, 634c corresponding to the patterns applied to the left reel 634a, middle reel 634b, and right reel 634c (which can be the target of the effective line, which is the line to be paid out and corresponds to the pattern display window 636) from the back are provided. Also, a reel upper light 646 for directly irradiating the fronts of all of the left reel 634a, middle reel 634b, and right reel 634c is provided at the upper part of the back surface of the pattern display window 636.

[0106] Further, as shown in FIG. 11, on the substantially horizontal plane of the stepped portion 622a provided between the symbol display window 636 and the stop switch 630 in the operation unit installation base 622, a main credit display unit 652 and a main payout display unit 654 are provided. Also, between the symbol display window 636 and the operation unit installation base 622, a sub-credit display unit 656 and a sub-payout display unit 658 are provided. The number of credits is displayed on the main credit display unit 652 and the sub-credit display unit 656, and the number of medals paid out is displayed on the main payout display unit 654 and the sub-payout display unit 658. Note that various numerical values associated with the effect can also be displayed on the sub-credit display unit 656 and the sub-payout display unit 658.

[0107] Also, a power switch 648 is provided at an arbitrary position within the housing 602. The power switch 648 is composed of a switch capable of detecting a pressing operation, such as a rocker switch, and is used by the administrator side that manages the slot machine 600 to switch between two states: the power-off state and the power-on state.

[0108] In addition, in the present embodiment, the above-mentioned one game is started after any one of the following operations: inserting medals through the medal insertion unit 624, inserting credited medals through the operation of the bet switch 626, or automatically inserting medals based on the replay symbol being displayed on the active line. Then, in response to the player's operation of the start switch 628, the plurality of rotating reels 634a, 634b, 634c are rotationally controlled and the winning symbol lottery is executed. In response to the lottery result of the winning symbol lottery and the player's operations of the plurality of stop button switches 630a, 630b, 630c, the rotating reels 634a, 634b, 634c corresponding to the operated stop button switches 630a, 630b, 630c are respectively stopped. When winning a winning symbol that can receive medal payout, the game until the medal payout is executed is defined as one game. Also, when not winning a winning symbol that can receive medal payout or when winning but not winning a prize, one game ends when all of the rotating reels 634a, 634b, 634c stop. However, the start of one game may be interpreted as the player's operation of the start switch 628 instead of the above-mentioned medal insertion or winning of the replay symbol. Also, the number of times such one game is repeated is defined as the number of games.

[0109] (Electrical Configuration of Slot Machine 600) FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the slot machine 600. As shown in FIG. 14, the slot machine 600 is mainly controlled by a control board. Here, as an example of the control board, the main control board 700 and the sub-control board 702 that share the functions of the control board will be described. For example, among the programs related to the progress of the game, particularly important processes such as the lottery of winning symbols to be used in the game and their winning are executed by the main control board 700, and other processes related to, for example, effects are executed by the sub-control board 702. Also, as shown in FIG. 14, the transmission of electrical signals between the main control board 700 and the sub-control board 702 is limited to one direction from the main control board 700 to the sub-control board 702 from the perspective of preventing fraud and the like. However, if there is no such limitation, two-way electrical communication is also technically possible.

[0110] (Main control board 700) The main control board 700 has various semiconductor integrated circuits including a main CPU 700a which is a central processing unit, a main ROM 700b storing programs and the like, and a main RAM 700c functioning as a work area, and comprehensively controls the entire slot machine 600. However, a backup power supply (not shown) is connected to the main RAM 700c, and the data is retained without being erased unless the settings are changed and the initialization process of the main RAM 700c is executed even when the power supply is cut off.

[0111] Also, the main control board 700 has functional parts such as an initialization means 800, a bet means 802, a winning combination lottery means 804, a reel control means 806, a determination means 808, a payout control means 810, a state transition means 812, a command determination means 814, and a command transmission means 816, where the main CPU 700a functions by cooperating with the main RAM 700c based on the program stored in the main ROM 700b.

[0112] The initialization means 800 executes the initialization process in the main control board 700. The bet means 802 bets medals for use in the game. Here, the bet includes any of the cases of inserting medals credited through the operation of the bet switch 626, inserting medals through the medal insertion unit 624, and automatically inserting medals based on the display of a replay combination on the active line. The winning combination lottery means 804 determines, by winning combination lottery, any one of a plurality of types of winning combinations including minor combinations, replay combinations, and bonus combinations, as well as a loss.

[0113] The reel control means 806 controls the rotation of the plurality of rotating reels 634a, 634b, 634c in response to the operation of the start switch 628, and controls the stop of the rotating reels 634a, 634b, 634c corresponding to the operated stop button switches 630a, 630b, 630c in response to the operation of the plurality of stop button switches 630a, 630b, 630c respectively corresponding to the rotating reels 634a, 634b, 634c. Further, the reel control means 806, in response to the operation of the start switch 628, extends the time from when the operation of the stop switch 630 was enabled in the previous game until the operation of the stop switch 630 by the player is enabled to display the lottery result of the winning combination lottery (which was disabled by the completion of the operation of the stop switch 630 in the previous game) beyond the specified time, and during that time, may perform a reel effect (freeze effect) of rotating the rotating reels 634a, 634b, 634c in various manners. The reel effect can be realized by not enabling an arbitrary switch that should originally be valid for a predetermined time, delaying a process that should originally be executed for a predetermined time, or not transmitting or receiving a signal of an arbitrary switch that should originally be transmitted and received for a predetermined time.

[0114] The determination means 808 determines whether or not the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery is displayed on the valid line. Here, in some cases, the display of the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery on the valid line is simply referred to as a winning. The payout control means 810 pays out medals by the number corresponding to the winning combination based on the fact that the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination determined in the winning combination lottery is displayed on the valid line (winning). The state transition means 812 transitions the game state based on the winning or winning of a bonus combination.

[0115] The command determination means 814 sequentially determines commands related to the game accompanying the operations of the bet means 802, the winning combination lottery means 804, the reel control means 806, the determination means 808, the payout control means 810, the state transition means 812, etc. The command transmission means 816 sequentially transmits the commands determined by the command determination means 814 to the sub-control board 702.

[0116] In the main control board 700, various detection signals are received from the inserted medal detection unit 624b, the bet switch 626, the start switch 628, and the stop switch 630. Based on the received detection signals, the bet means 802, the winning combination lottery means 804, the reel control means 806, and the determination means 808 execute the various processes described above. Also, a main credit display unit 652 and a main payout display unit 654 are connected to the main control board 700, and the payout control means 810 controls the display of the credit number of medals and the payout number of medals on both display units 652 and 654.

[0117] In addition, a reel drive control unit 758 is connected to the main control board 700. This reel drive control unit 758 drives the stepping motor 762 based on the rotation start signals of the respective rotating reels 634a, 634b, and 634c transmitted from the reel control means 806 in response to the operation signal of the start switch 628, and stops the drive of the stepping motor 762 based on the stop signals of the left reel 634a, the middle reel 634b, and the right reel 634c transmitted from the reel control means 806 and the detection signals of the rotation position detection circuit 760 in response to the operation signal of the stop switch 630.

[0118] In addition, a medal payout device 764 is connected to the main control board 700. A detection signal of a payout medal detection unit 764c is input to the main control board 700, and the payout control means 810 controls the discharge of medals from the payout control unit 764b while counting the payout number of medals according to the detection signal.

[0119] In addition, a random number generator 700d is provided on the main control board 700. The random number generator 700d sequentially increments a count value, loops within a predetermined total number (e.g., 65536) (0 to 65535), and generates (acquires) a random number by extracting the count value at a predetermined point in time. The random number generated by the random number generator 700d on the main control board 700 (hereinafter referred to as the winning combination lottery random number) is used for the gaming benefits given to the player, for example, for the winning combination lottery means 804 to execute the winning combination lottery.

[0120] (Sub-control board 702) In addition, similar to the main control board 700, the sub-control board 702 includes various semiconductor integrated circuits including a sub-CPU 702a which is a central processing unit, a sub-ROM 702b storing programs and the like, a sub-RAM 702c functioning as a work area, etc., and controls the effects in particular based on commands from the main control board 700. Also, similar to the main RAM 700c, a backup power supply (not shown) is connected to the sub-RAM 702c, and the data is retained without being erased even when the power is turned off. Note that a random number generator 702d is also provided on the sub-control board 702, similar to the main control board 700, and the random number generated by the random number generator 702d (hereinafter referred to as the effect lottery random number) is mainly used to determine the mode of the effect.

[0121] In addition, the sub-control board 702 has functional parts such as an initialization determination means 830, a command reception means 832, an effect control means 834, etc., in which the sub-CPU 702a functions in cooperation with the sub-RAM 702c based on the program stored in the sub-ROM 702b.

[0122] The initialization determination means 830 executes the initialization process on the sub-control board 702. The command reception means 832 receives commands from other control boards such as the main control board 700 and performs processing on the commands. The effect control means 834 receives a detection signal from the effect switch 632 and determines the game effects performed by each device of the liquid crystal display unit 638, the speaker 640, and the effect lamp 642 based on the winning combination command. Specifically, the effect control means 834 determines the image data to be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 638 and the effect data for effects through lighting devices such as the effect lamp 642, the reel backlight 644, the reel upper light 646, the sub-credit display unit 656, and the sub-payout display unit 658, and also determines the audio data constituting the sound to be output from the speaker 640. Then, the effect control means 834 executes the determined game effects.

[0123] The effects include those executed by the main control board 700 such as the reel effects described above and those executed by the sub-control board 702. The effects executed by the sub-control board 702 are visual and auditory expression means provided through the liquid crystal display unit 638, the speaker 640, the effect lamp 642, the reel backlight 644, the reel upper light 646, the sub-credit display unit 656, the sub-payout display unit 658, etc. as the game progresses, and can give the game a sense of story or suggest the result of the winning combination lottery with a more dynamic image. In such effects, for example, effects suggesting the winning of a bonus game can be performed over a plurality of games to enhance the player's anticipation. Also, even if the player has not won any winning combination, it is possible to give the player a sense of expectation of a high payout through effects as if they have won, so as not to bore the player. Here, the effect control means 834 functions as the effect determination means 332 and the effect execution means 334 described above, and the effect lamp 642 functions as the effect lighting device 204.

Explanation of Signs

[0124] 204 Effect lighting device 332 Effect determination means 334 Performance execution means 642 Performance lamp 834 Performance control means

Claims

Claim 1 Presentation determination means for determining a command module that indicates an illumination pattern, Presentation execution means for updating an illumination mode corresponding to the command module based on the command module, A presentation illumination device that emits light based on the updated illumination mode, Comprising, A priority is associated with the command module, The presentation execution means, When there are a plurality of command modules to be processed in parallel, identify the command module with the highest priority, Update the illumination mode corresponding to the command module with the highest priority, Transmit the illumination mode updated based on the command module with the highest priority to the presentation illumination device, A gaming machine that, after transmitting the illumination mode, updates the illumination modes corresponding to command modules other than the command module with the highest priority among the plurality of command modules to be processed in parallel.

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