Pachinko machine

Abstract

To provide a game machine capable of preferably stopping control of variable display of patterns.SOLUTION: On a reel unit, variable display of a plurality of kinds of patterns attached to outer peripheral faces of the reels, is performed. The variable display of patterns is performed when a main MPU performs processing for outputting excitation data to a motor driver of the stepping motor and is stopped on the basis of the operation of the stop button. To at least a prescribed pattern out of the plurality of kinds of patterns attached to the reels, a stop possible position HPn on a downstream side of a variable display direction of a pattern corresponding range REn corresponding to the prescribed pattern, is set. The main MPU outputs excitation data for stopping the reel to which the prescribed pattern is attached, on the basis of arrival of the stop possible position HPn of the prescribed pattern to the standard position, when the prescribed pattern is the stop target pattern, then, starts stop control of the reel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 29

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaming machine.

Background Art

[0002] As a gaming machine using a rotating body, for example, there is a slot machine. The slot machine includes a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols on the outer peripheral portion, and a part of the symbols given to each reel is visible through a display unit. Then, when the player inserts medals and operates the start lever, each reel starts to rotate, and after each reel starts to rotate, by operating the stop button, each reel stops sequentially. Also, inside the slot machine, a lottery is conducted on the condition of inserting medals and operating the start lever, and a predetermined number of medals are paid out or benefits such as a predetermined game advantageous to the player occur on the condition that the result of the lottery is a winning and the player stops the winning symbol on a preset valid line (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Also, as a gaming machine using a reel as the rotating body as described above, in addition to a slot machine, there is a gaming machine that can perform the same game as the above slot machine using game balls instead of medals as a gaming medium. Also, there is one that uses the above rotating body to provide an effect according to the result of a lottery to the player in a pachinko machine.

[0004] As a driving means for rotating the rotating body as described above, a stepping motor is generally used. In this case, when the rotation start condition is satisfied, the driving by the stepping motor is started, and after passing through an acceleration period, it shifts to a constant speed period. Then, after this constant speed period continues for a predetermined period, it is stopped based on the satisfaction of the rotation stop condition.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Here, in a gaming machine such as the above example, it is necessary to suitably perform stop control of the variable display of the pattern, and there is still room for improvement in this regard.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-exemplified circumstances and the like, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of suitably performing stop control of variable display of a pattern.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 includes a pattern display means for variably displaying a plurality of types of patterns in a predetermined direction, a stop operation means operated to stop the variable display of the pattern, a pattern display control means for stopping the variable display of the pattern based on an operation of the stop operation means after starting the variable display of the pattern, and the pattern display control means includes an update control means for performing update control on the pattern display means to cause variable display of the pattern, in the pattern display means, an out-of-target area that is excluded from execution of stop control for stopping at a predetermined stop reference position and an in-target area that is included in execution of stop control for stopping at a predetermined stop reference position are set for each of the plurality of types of patterns, the in-target area is set such that a plurality of executions of the update control by the update control means are required from when the in-target area starts to pass through the stop reference position until the end, the out-of-target area is set such that a plurality of executions of the update control by the update control means are required from when the out-of-target area starts to pass through the stop reference position until the end. A part of the non-target area set corresponding to each of the plurality of types of patterns is set such that the number of executions of the update control required from the start to the end of the passage of the non-target area through the stop reference position is different from that of other non-target areas. The stop start possible position of each of the plurality of types of patterns is set in the pattern corresponding range of the downstream pattern located downstream by one pattern in the predetermined direction with respect to one pattern. When the stop operation means is operated in a situation where the non-target area exists at the stop reference position, the pattern display control means starts stop control when the leading position in the predetermined direction in the target area corresponding to the stop target pattern among the plurality of types of patterns reaches the stop reference position.

Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to suitably perform stop control of the variable display of patterns.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] <First Embodiment> Hereinafter, a first embodiment when the present invention is applied to a slot machine which is a kind of gaming machine will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of the slot machine 10, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the slot machine 10 with the front door 12 opened.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine 10 includes a housing 11 that forms its outer shell. The housing 11 is formed in a box shape that is open to the front as a whole by fixing a plurality of wooden panels.

[0013] A front door 12 is attached to the front side of the housing 11. The front door 12 is supported by the housing 11 so that the internal space of the housing 11 can be opened and closed with its left side as a rotation axis. The front door 12 is locked in a non-openable state by a locking device 13 provided on its back surface, and this locked state is released by an unlocking operation with a predetermined key to the key cylinder 14.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, a game panel 20 for notifying the player of the game state is provided on the upper part of the center of the front door 12. The game panel 20 is formed with three vertically long display window portions 21L, 21M, and 21R arranged side by side horizontally. The display window portions 21L, 21M, and 21R are formed of a transparent or translucent material, and the inside of the slot machine 10 can be visually recognized through each of the display window portions 21L, 21M, and 21R.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 11 is vertically divided into two parts inside by a partition plate, and a reel unit 31 is attached to the upper part of the partition plate. The reel unit 31 includes a left reel 32L, a middle reel 32M, and a right reel 32R, each formed in a cylindrical shape. Each of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R is rotatably supported such that its central axis becomes the rotation axis of the respective reel 32L, 32M, 32R. The rotation axes of the respective reels 32L, 32M, 32R are arranged on the same axis extending in a substantially horizontal direction, and each of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R corresponds one-to-one with each of the display window portions 21L, 21M, 21R. Therefore, a part of the surface of each of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R is visible through the corresponding display window portions 21L, 21M, 21R. Further, when the reels 32L, 32M, 32R rotate forward, the surface of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R is projected as if it is moving downward from top through each of the display window portions 21L, 21M, 21R.

[0016] Each of these reels 32L, 32M, 32R is connected to a stepping motor 33 (see FIG. 3), and each of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R can be rotationally driven individually, that is, independently, by driving each of the stepping motors 33. Since each of these reels 32L, 32M, 32R has the same configuration, the left reel 32L will be taken as an example here and described with reference to FIG. 3. Note that FIG. 3 is an assembled perspective view of the left reel 32L.

[0017] The left reel 32L includes a cylindrical skeletal member 34 that forms a cylindrical basket, and a belt-shaped reel tape (not shown in FIG. 3) that is wound endlessly around the outer peripheral surface thereof. The reel tape is attached to the cylindrical skeletal member 34 via a pair of seal portions formed along both long sides of the reel tape so as to maintain the wound state. A number of patterns as identification information are printed at equal intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the reel tape. The central portion of the cylindrical skeletal member 34 is attached to the drive shaft of the stepping motor 33. Therefore, when the drive shaft of the stepping motor 33 rotates, the cylindrical skeletal member 34 rotates about the drive shaft, and the left reel 32L rotates accordingly.

[0018] The stepping motor 33 is screw-fixed to the side surface of a motor plate 35 that is disposed in an upright state within the reel unit 31. A reel index sensor 36 in which a light-emitting element 36a and a light-receiving element 36b are held at a predetermined interval is installed on the motor plate 35. On the other hand, a sensor cut band 37 extending in the radial direction is screw-fixed to the cylindrical skeletal member 34. The tip portion 37a of the sensor cut band 37 is bent at a substantially right angle and aligned so as to pass between the two elements 36a and 36b of the reel index sensor 36. Each time the left reel 32L makes one rotation, the reel index sensor 36 detects the passage of the tip portion 37a of the sensor cut band 37, and each time such detection is made, a detection signal is output to a main control device 70 described later. Therefore, the main control device 70 can confirm and correct the angular position of the left reel 32L once per rotation based on this detection signal.

[0019] The stepping motor 33 is set to rotate once by advancing 504 steps, for example, by applying an excitation signal of 504 pulses. The rotational position of the stepping motor 33, that is, the rotational position of the left reel 32L, is controlled by this number of steps. On each reel tape of each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R, a plurality of, specifically 20, symbols are drawn in the long side direction (circumferential direction). The main control device 70 can recognize which symbol is in a visible state from the display window portion 21L or control to make an arbitrary symbol visible from the display window portion 21L based on the number of steps (i.e., the number of pulses) from the time when the detection signal of the reel index sensor 36 is output.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, a start lever 41 that is operated to start the rotation of each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is provided on the lower left side of the game panel 20. When this start lever 41 is operated while medals are being bet, each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R starts rotating simultaneously.

[0021] On the right side of the start lever 41, stop buttons 42, 43, and 44 that are operated to individually stop the rotating reels 32L, 32M, and 32R are provided. Each of the stop buttons 42, 43, and 44 is disposed directly below the display window portions 21L, 21M, and 21R corresponding to the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R to be stopped, respectively. Each of the stop buttons 42, 43, and 44 becomes in a state where it can be stopped when a predetermined time has elapsed since the left reel 32L started rotating.

[0022] Note that the rotation of each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is started based on the operation of the start lever 41, and each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R stops rotating based on the operation of each of the stop buttons 42, 43, and 44. The period until the execution of various processes such as medal awarding and game state management is completed corresponds to one game (game round).

[0023] Below the right sides of the window portions 21L, 21M, and 21R, there is a medal insertion slot 45 for inserting medals as investment value. As shown in FIG. 2, the medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 45 are guided to the hopper device 53 by a selector 52 provided on the back surface of the front door 12 when reception is permitted, and are guided to a medal tray 59 (FIG. 1) from a medal discharge port 58 (FIG. 1) provided at the lower front portion of the front door 12 when reception is prohibited. Note that the hopper device 53 has a function of paying out the medals stored in the storage tank to the medal tray 59 through the medal discharge port 58 when a winning corresponding to the provision of a game medium is established on an active line.

[0024] Below the medal insertion slot 45, as shown in FIG. 1, there is a return button 46 that is pressed when the medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 45 are clogged in the selector 52 (FIG. 2). Also, on the lower left sides of the window portions 21L, 21M, and 21R, there are a first credit insertion button 47 for inserting the maximum amount of credited virtual medals at once, a second credit insertion button 48 for inserting two virtual medals at once, and a third credit insertion button 49 for inserting one virtual medal at once.

[0025] On the left side of the start lever 41, there is a settlement button 51. That is, this slot machine 10 has a credit function of storing and memorizing surplus inserted medals and payout medals at the time of winning as virtual medals until a predetermined maximum value (equivalent to 50 medals) is reached. When the settlement button 51 is operated in a situation where virtual medals are stored and memorized, the virtual medals are paid out as actual medals from the medal discharge port 58.

[0026] Inside the housing 11, to the left of the hopper device 53, as shown in FIG. 2, a power supply device 54 is provided. The power supply device 54 is provided with a power switch 55 that is operated when the power is turned on or off, a reset button 56 for resetting various states of the slot machine 10, and a setting key insertion hole 57 that is operated to change the setting state of the slot machine 10 within the range from "Setting 1" to "Setting 6".

[0027] <Symbols attached to each reel 32L, 32M, 32R> Next, the symbols attached to each reel 32L, 32M, 32R will be described.

[0028] FIG. 4 shows the symbol arrangements of the left reel 32L, the middle reel 32M, and the right reel 32R. As shown in the figure, on each of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R, 20 symbols are arranged in a row. Also, numbers from 0 to 19 are assigned corresponding to each of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R, but these numbers are for the main control device 70 to recognize the symbols that can be visually confirmed from the display window portions 21L, 21M, 21R, and are not actually attached to the reels 32L, 32M, 32R. However, in the following description, these numbers will be used for the explanation.

[0029] The symbols include an "1st Replay" symbol (e.g., the 19th symbol on the left reel 32L), a "Bell" symbol (e.g., the 18th symbol on the left reel 32L), a "2nd Replay" symbol (e.g., the 17th symbol on the left reel 32L), a "White 7" symbol (e.g., the 16th symbol on the left reel 32L), a "Watermelon" symbol (e.g., the 15th symbol on the left reel 32L), a "BAR" symbol (e.g., the 12th symbol on the left reel 32L), a "Red 7" symbol (e.g., the 11th symbol on the left reel 32L), and a "Cherry" symbol (e.g., the 10th symbol on the left reel 32L), a total of 8 types. And as shown in FIG. 4, the number and arrangement order of various symbols on each of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R are completely different.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a front view of the display window portions 21L, 21M, and 21R. Each of the display window portions 21L, 21M, and 21R is formed such that among the 20 symbols attached to the corresponding reel, 3 symbols that allow the entire symbol to be visible are provided. For this reason, when all of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R are stopped, 3 × 3 = 9 symbols become visible through the display window portions 21L, 21M, and 21R.

[0031] In this slot machine 10, one main line ML is set so as to connect the positions where the symbols of the respective reels 32L, 32M, and 32R are visible. The main line ML is a line connecting the middle symbol of the left reel 32L, the middle symbol of the middle reel 32M, and the middle symbol of the right reel 32R. When the rotation of each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is started with a specified number of medals bet, and a winning corresponding to a winning combination is established on the main line ML, any one of the benefits of paying out medals, the benefit of a replay game, and the benefit of a transition of the game state is provided.

[0032] That is, in this slot machine 10, only one main line ML is set as the line on which a winning combination can be formed. And the main line ML is set as a line that extends straight. Even if a combination of symbols that is a winning target is formed on a line that extends straight, such as a sub-line SL1 connecting the upper symbols of the left reel 32L, the middle symbols of the middle reel 32M, and the lower symbols of the right reel 32R, a sub-line SL2 connecting the upper symbols of the left reel 32L, the upper symbols of the middle reel 32M, and the upper symbols of the right reel 32R, a sub-line SL3 connecting the lower symbols of the left reel 32L, the lower symbols of the middle reel 32M, and the lower symbols of the right reel 32R, or a sub-line SL4 connecting the lower symbols of the left reel 32L, the middle symbols of the middle reel 32M, and the upper symbols of the right reel 32R, the winning combination does not win. Note that the main line ML is not limited to one, and may be two, three, four, or five or more. In a configuration where a plurality of main lines ML are set in this way, the number of main lines ML activated according to the number of bet sheets may be different. Also, the configuration is not limited to one where the main line ML is a line that extends straight, and it may be a bent line.

[0033] In this slot machine 10, a CB (Challenge Bonus) state, which will be described later, and a non-CB state that is not the CB state are set as game states. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6, the correspondence between the combination of symbols that wins, the benefits given when winning in the non-CB state, and the benefits given when winning in the CB state will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the correspondence between the combination of symbols that wins and the benefits given when winning.

[0034] As small winning combinations for which medal payouts are made, there are first to ninth supplementary winning combinations, bell winning combinations, and watermelon winning combinations.

[0035] Specifically, when the stop symbol of the left reel 32L on the main line ML is any one of the "BAR" symbol, "Cherry" symbol, "White 7" symbol, and "First Replay" symbol, the stop symbol of the middle reel 32M is the "Bell" symbol, and the stop symbol of the right reel 32R is the "Bell" symbol, it is a first supplementary winning. When the stop symbol of the left reel 32L on the main line ML is any one of the "Bell" symbol, "BAR" symbol, "Cherry" symbol, "White 7" symbol, and "Watermelon" symbol, the stop symbol of the middle reel 32M is the "First Replay" symbol, and the stop symbol of the right reel 32R is the "Bell" symbol, it is a second supplementary winning. When the stop symbol of the left reel 32L on the main line ML is any one of the "Bell" symbol, "BAR" symbol, "Cherry" symbol, "White 7" symbol, and "Watermelon" symbol, the stop symbol of the middle reel 32M is the "Bell" symbol, and the stop symbol of the right reel 32R is the "First Replay" symbol, it is a third supplementary winning. Also, when the stop symbol of the left reel 32L on the main line ML is any one of the "Bell" symbol, "BAR" symbol, "Cherry" symbol, and "White 7" symbol, the stop symbol of the middle reel 32M is the "First Replay" symbol, and the stop symbol of the right reel 32R is the "First Replay" symbol, it is a fourth supplementary winning. When the stop symbol of the left reel 32L on the main line ML is any one of the "Bell" symbol, "BAR" symbol, "Cherry" symbol, "White 7" symbol, and "Watermelon" symbol, the stop symbol of the middle reel 32M is the "Watermelon" symbol, and the stop symbol of the right reel 32R is the "First Replay" symbol, it is a fifth supplementary winning. When the stop symbol of the left reel 32L on the main line ML is any one of the "Bell" symbol, "BAR" symbol, "Cherry" symbol, "White 7" symbol, and "Watermelon" symbol, the stop symbol of the middle reel 32M is the "First Replay" symbol, and the stop symbol of the right reel 32R is the "Watermelon" symbol, it is a sixth supplementary winning.Furthermore, when the stop symbol of the left reel 32L on the main line ML is any one of the "bell" symbol, "BAR" symbol, "cherry" symbol, "white 7" symbol, and "watermelon" symbol, the stop symbol of the middle reel 32M is the "bell" symbol, and the stop symbol of the right reel 32R is the "watermelon" symbol, it is a seventh supplementary winning. When the stop symbol of the left reel 32L on the main line ML is any one of the "bell" symbol, "BAR" symbol, "cherry" symbol, "white 7" symbol, and "watermelon" symbol, the stop symbol of the middle reel 32M is the "watermelon" symbol, and the stop symbol of the right reel 32R is the "bell" symbol, it is an eighth supplementary winning. When the stop symbol of the left reel 32L on the main line ML is any one of the "bell" symbol, "BAR" symbol, "cherry" symbol, and "white 7" symbol, the stop symbol of the middle reel 32M is the "watermelon" symbol, and the stop symbol of the right reel 32R is the "watermelon" symbol, it is a ninth supplementary winning. When any one of the first supplementary winning to the ninth supplementary winning occurs, if it is a non-CB time, one medal is paid out, and if it is a CB time, four medals are paid out.

[0036] When the stop symbol of the left reel 32L on the main line ML is the "bell" symbol, the stop symbol of the middle reel 32M is the "bell" symbol, and the stop symbol of the right reel 32R is the "bell" symbol, it is a bell winning. When a bell winning occurs, nine medals are paid out regardless of whether it is a non-CB time or a CB time.

[0037] When a bell winning occurs, the stop symbols of each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R on the main line ML are all "bell" symbols. It is easy for the player to recognize that a winning is established when the combination of the same symbols stops and is displayed on a straight line. In this case, by causing the combination of the same "bell" symbols to stop and be displayed at the time of a bell winning, it is possible to make it easier for the player to recognize the occurrence of a winning in a configuration that diversifies the winning establishment modes on the main line ML.

[0038] When the stop symbol of the left reel 32L on the main line ML is the "Watermelon" symbol, the stop symbol of the middle reel 32M is the "Watermelon" symbol, and the stop symbol of the right reel 32R is the "Watermelon" symbol, a Watermelon win occurs. When a Watermelon win occurs, 4 medals are paid out regardless of whether it is a non-CB or CB situation. When a Watermelon win occurs, the stop symbols of each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R on the main line ML all become the "Watermelon" symbol. This makes it easier for the player to recognize that a Watermelon win has occurred.

[0039] As winning awards with which a privilege of a replay in which it is possible to play the game of the next game without betting medals is given, there are a normal replay win, a first RT replay win, a second RT replay win, a first fall replay win, and a second fall replay win.

[0040] Specifically, when the stop symbol of the left reel 32L on the main line ML is the "First Replay" symbol, the stop symbol of the middle reel 32M is the "First Replay" symbol, and the stop symbol of the right reel 32R is the "First Replay" symbol, a normal replay win occurs.

[0041] When the stop symbol of the left reel 32L on the main line ML is the "First Replay" symbol, the stop symbol of the middle reel 32M is "First Replay", and the stop symbol of the right reel 32R is either the "Second Replay" symbol or the "BAR" symbol, a first RT replay win occurs, and when the stop symbol of the left reel 32L is the "First Replay" symbol, the stop symbol of the middle reel 32M is either the "Second Replay" symbol or the "BAR" symbol, and the stop symbol of the right reel 32R is the "First Replay" symbol, a second RT replay win occurs.

[0042] When the stop symbol of the left reel 32L on the main line ML is the "First Replay" symbol, the stop symbol of the middle reel 32M is the "First Replay" symbol, and the stop symbol of the right reel 32R is either the "Red 7" symbol or the "White 7" symbol, or when the stop symbol of the left reel 32L on the main line ML is either the "Red 7" symbol or the "White 7" symbol, the stop symbol of the middle reel 32M is either the "Red 7" symbol or the "White 7" symbol, and the stop symbol of the right reel 32R is the "First Replay" symbol, it is a First Drop Replay win. Also, when the stop symbol of the left reel 32L on the main line ML is the "First Replay" symbol, the stop symbol of the middle reel 32M is either the "Red 7" symbol or the "White 7" symbol, and the stop symbol of the right reel 32R is the "First Replay" symbol, or when the stop symbol of the left reel 32L on the main line ML is either the "Red 7" symbol or the "White 7" symbol, the stop symbol of the middle reel 32M is the "First Replay" symbol, and the stop symbol of the right reel 32R is either the "Red 7" symbol or the "White 7" symbol, it is a Second Drop Replay win.

[0043] When any of the above Replay wins occurs, it becomes possible to play the next game without the need to bet medals. Specifically, when any Replay win occurs in a game where 3 medals are bet, it becomes possible to start the next game in a 3 - bet state without the need to bet medals.

[0044] Also, among the above various Replay wins, the First RT Replay win, the Second RT Replay win, the First Drop Replay win, and the Second Drop Replay win are not only opportunities to confer the benefits of the Replay win but also opportunities for the transition of the game state. In this slot machine 10, a plurality of types of game states are set so that the types of roles subject to lottery and the winning probabilities of each role are different in the lottery process of the roles. The transition between these game states occurs when a Replay win that is an opportunity for the transition of the game state is established.

[0045] There is a CB win as a state transition win where only the game state transitions. Specifically, when the stop symbol of the left reel 32L on the main line ML is the "Red 7" symbol, the stop symbol of the middle reel 32M is the "Red 7" symbol, and the stop symbol of the right reel 32R is the "Red 7" symbol, it is a CB win. When the CB win is established, the game state transitions to the CB state.

[0046] The CB state is a game state in which when a combination of symbols corresponding to a minor win stops on the main line ML, medals are paid out as a winning establishment regardless of the presence or absence of the winning combination. For example, even when the "1" is not set in the winning flag corresponding to the bell win, when a combination of symbols corresponding to the bell win stops on the main line ML, the number of medals corresponding to the bell win is given to the player. On the other hand, the replay win is established on the condition that the corresponding combination is won by lottery.

[0047] As described above, the present slot machine 10 is provided with a non-CB state and a CB state as game states. And the non-CB state is provided with a normal game state, an ART state that is more advantageous to the player than the normal game state, and a preparation state that is the previous stage to the ART state.

[0048] In the CB state, reel control different from that in the non-CB state is performed. In the non-CB state, first reel control that allows the reels to be scrolled up to a maximum of four symbols after the stop buttons 42 to 44 are operated is performed for each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. In other words, in the non-CB state, it can also be said that first reel control that stops the reels before the first specified time (190 msec) elapses after the stop buttons 42 to 44 are operated is performed for each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. On the other hand, in the CB state, the first reel control, that is, the same first reel control as in the normal game, is performed for the middle reel 32M and the right reel 32R, but the first reel control is not performed for the left reel 32L. For the left reel 32L, second reel control that allows it to be scrolled up to a maximum of one symbol after the left stop button 42 is operated is performed. In other words, in the CB game state, it can also be said that second reel control that stops the left reel 32L before the second specified time (75 msec), which is shorter than the first specified time, elapses after the left stop button 42 is operated is performed.

[0049] In the CB state, if a winning combination corresponding to a replay win is selected, the replay win takes precedence, and if a replay win is not possible, any small winning combination occurs with 100% probability. Also, if a winning combination corresponding to a replay win is not selected, any small winning combination occurs with 100% probability. The number of bet medals for each game in the non-CB state and the number of bet medals for each game in the CB state are both three. As already explained, when any one of the first supplementary winning combination to the ninth supplementary winning combination is achieved in the CB state, the number of medals paid out is four. Also, when a bell win is achieved in the CB state, the number of medals paid out is nine, and when a watermelon win is achieved in the CB state, the number of medals paid out is four. The CB state is an advantageous state for the player in which the player's owned medals increase each time a small winning combination occurs. The CB state ends when the total number of game media granted after the start of the CB state reaches or exceeds the end reference number (for example, "350"). Note that the end condition of the CB state is arbitrary, and for example, the CB state may be configured to end when a small winning combination occurs 19 times.

[0050] In addition, in the CB game, the second reel control that can only spin up to a maximum of one symbol is not limited to the left reel 32L. The second reel control may be performed on the reel corresponding to the first stop button operated, or the second reel control may be performed only on a predetermined reel. Furthermore, the second reel control may be performed on the reel corresponding to the stop button operated in a certain order, such as the reel corresponding to the second stop button operated or the last stop button operated.

[0051] <Device for executing various notifications and various effects> Next, a device for executing various notifications and various effects will be described.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 1, an upper lamp 61, a speaker 62, and an image display device 63 are provided above the front door 12. The upper lamp 61 is controlled to emit light in a manner corresponding to the abnormality when an abnormality occurs in the slot machine 10, and is also controlled to emit light in a manner corresponding to the winning result. In addition, the upper lamp 61 is controlled to emit light so that a light emission effect corresponding to the display effect in the image display device 63 is performed. The speakers 62 are provided as a pair on the left and right, and are controlled to output sound or voice corresponding to the abnormality when an abnormality occurs in the slot machine 10, and are also controlled to output sound or voice corresponding to the winning result. In addition, the speaker 62 is controlled to output sound so that a sound output effect corresponding to the display effect in the image display device 63 is performed.

[0053] The image display device 63 has a display surface 63a, and is controlled to display an image corresponding to the abnormality on the display surface 63a when an abnormality occurs in the slot machine 10. In addition, the image display device 63 is controlled to display an image corresponding to the winning result of the role in the internal lottery and the winning result in each game on the display surface 63a.

[0054] Next, the electrical configuration of the present slot machine 10 will be described based on the block diagram of FIG. 7.

[0055] An MPU 72 is mounted on the main control board 71 of the main control device 70. The MPU 72 includes a ROM 73 that stores various control programs and fixed-value data executed by the MPU 72, a RAM 74 that is a memory for temporarily storing various data and the like when executing the control programs stored in the ROM 73, a clock circuit that outputs a rectangular wave of a predetermined frequency, an interrupt circuit, a data input / output circuit, a random number generation circuit, and the like. Note that it is not an essential configuration that the ROM 73 and the RAM 74 are integrated into one chip with respect to the MPU 72, and they may be configured as individual chips.

[0056] The MPU 72 is provided with an input port and an output port, respectively. On the input side of the MPU 72, there are connected various sensors such as a reel unit 31, a start detection sensor 41a that detects the operation of the start lever 41, stop detection sensors 42a, 43a, 44a that individually detect the operations of the respective stop buttons 42, 43, 44, a inserted medal detection sensor 45a that detects the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 45, credit insertion detection sensors 47a, 48a, 49a that individually detect the operations of the respective credit insertion buttons 47, 48, 49, a settlement detection sensor 51a that detects the operation of the settlement button 51, a payout detection sensor of the hopper device 53, a reset detection sensor that detects the operation of the reset button 56 provided in the power supply device 54, and a setting key detection sensor that detects that a setting key is inserted into the setting key insertion hole 57. Signals from these respective sensors are input to the MPU 72.

[0057] On the output side of the MPU72, a reel unit 31, a selector drive unit 52a provided in a selector 52, a payout motor of a hopper device 53, a credit display unit 65, a granted number display unit 66, an effect control device 80, etc. are connected. In each game, the MPU72 performs rotational drive control of each reel 32L, 32M, 32R of the reel unit 31. The selector 52 guides the medals inserted from a medal insertion slot 45 to the hopper device 53 after detecting them with an inserted medal detection sensor 45a when acceptance is permitted, and discharges them to a medal tray 59 without detecting them with the inserted medal detection sensor 45a when acceptance is prohibited. The selector drive unit 52a has a function for switching the state of the selector 52 between an acceptance-permitted state and an acceptance-prohibited state. Specifically, it operates a path switching piece provided in the selector 52 between a position for acceptance permission and a position for acceptance prohibition. The MPU72 switches the state of the selector 52 between an acceptance-permitted state and an acceptance-prohibited state by switching the output state and the stop state of a drive signal to the selector drive unit 52a.

[0058] The MPU72 controls the display of the credit display unit 65 so that the number of virtual medals stored and displayed is shown. Also, when a small winning combination is established and medal payout is executed, the MPU72 executes drive control of the hopper device 53. Furthermore, when the granting of game media occurs, the MPU72 controls the display of the granted number display unit 66 so that the number of game media that are the granting target is shown. Also, the MPU72 transmits commands to the effect control device 80 at each timing of each game.

[0059] On the input side of the MPU72, a power failure monitoring circuit provided in the power supply device 54 is connected (not shown). The power supply device 54 is equipped with a power supply unit that supplies driving power to each electronic device of the slot machine 10 including the main control device 70 and a power failure monitoring circuit. The power failure monitoring circuit monitors the voltage applied from the external power supply to the power supply unit, and outputs a power failure signal to the MPU72 when the voltage becomes equal to or lower than the reference voltage. The MPU72 executes processing during a power failure by receiving the power failure signal, and enables a return to the processing state before the power failure after the restoration of power. Further, the power supply device 54 is provided with a power-off power supply unit for supplying backup power as power during power-off to the RAM74 in a situation where the supply of operating power from the external power supply is interrupted. Thereby, even in a situation where the supply of operating power from the external power supply is interrupted, data is stored and held in the RAM74 in a situation where backup power can be supplied by the power-off power supply unit (for example, one day or two days). However, by performing the ON operation of the power supply of the slot machine 10 while pressing the reset button 56 provided in the power supply device 54, the data stored and held in the RAM74 is initialized.

[0060] The effect control device 80 includes an effect control board 81 for controlling the execution of various notifications and various effects. The effect control board 81 is equipped with an MPU82. The MPU82 incorporates a ROM83 that stores various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU82, and a RAM84 that is a memory for temporarily storing various data and the like when executing the control programs stored in the ROM83. In addition, a clock circuit, an interrupt circuit, a data input / output circuit, a random number generation circuit, and the like that output rectangular waves of a predetermined frequency are incorporated.

[0061] Note that it is not an essential configuration that the ROM83 and the RAM84 are integrated into one chip with respect to the MPU82, and they may be configured as individual chips. Further, although backup power is not supplied from the power-off power supply unit of the power supply device 54 to the RAM84 in a situation where the supply of operating power from the external power supply is interrupted, the RAM84 may be configured to be supplied with backup power.

[0062] The MPU82 is provided with an input port and an output port respectively. On the input side of the MPU82, the MPU72 of the main control device 70 is connected as already described, and various commands are received from the MPU72. On the output side of the MPU82, the upper lamp 61, the speaker 62, and the image display device 63 are connected. The MPU82 executes light emission control of the upper lamp 61, sound output control of the speaker 62, and display control of the image display device 63 based on the commands received from the MPU72 of the main control device 70, so as to perform various notifications and various effects.

[0063] In the following description, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the MPU72, ROM73, and RAM74 of the main control device 70 are referred to as the main-side MPU72, main-side ROM73, and main-side RAM74 respectively, and the MPU82, ROM83, and RAM84 of the effect control device 80 are referred to as the effect-side MPU82, effect-side ROM83, and effect-side RAM84 respectively.

[0064] Next, the processing executed by the main-side MPU72 will be described. First, the main processing executed by the main-side MPU72 when the supply of operating power to the main-side MPU72 is started will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8.

[0065] In the main process, first, initialization processing is executed (step S101). In the initialization processing, interrupts by timer interrupt processing are permitted, and further, various initial settings for the register group and I / O devices, etc. within the main MPU 72 are performed. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the setting key is inserted into the setting key insertion hole 57 and the power is turned on (step S102). If the power is turned on with the setting key inserted (step S102: YES), and if the reset button 56 has not been operated when the power is turned on (step S103: NO), the winning probability setting process is directly executed (step S105). On the other hand, if the reset button 56 has been operated when the power is turned on (step S103: YES), after executing the clear process (step S104), the winning probability setting process is executed (step S105).

[0066] In the clear process, all areas in the main RAM 74 are initialized. In this case, including the area in the main RAM 74 that stores the setting values of the slot machine 10, the area that stores data indicating whether it is in the CB state, the area that stores data indicating the gaming state, and the area that stores data for specifying the end condition of the AT state, each area of the main RAM 74 is cleared to "0". When the clear process is executed, if the state before power-off was a state where the progress of the game was restricted due to the occurrence of an abnormality, the abnormal state is released.

[0067] In the winning probability setting process, the current setting value is read on the condition that the setting key is inserted and the ON operation is performed, and the current setting value is displayed on the credit display unit 65. When the clear process (step S104) of the main-side RAM 74 is executed, the display corresponding to "Setting 1" is performed on the credit display unit 65 at the start of the winning probability setting process. When the clear process (step S104) is not executed, the display corresponding to the setting value in the state before power-off is performed. In the winning probability setting process, each time the reset button 56 is operated, the setting value is updated by 1, and the updated setting value is displayed on the credit display unit 65. When the reset button 56 is operated in the situation where the setting value is "Setting 6", the setting value is updated to "Setting 1". When the ON operation of the setting key is released after the start lever 41 is operated, the winning probability setting process ends. In this case, the display of the setting value on the credit display unit 65 ends.

[0068] After executing the winning probability setting process, the process proceeds to the normal process (step S106). The normal process will be described in detail later. Also, when the ON operation of the setting key is not performed in the main process (step S102: NO), the power restoration process after step S107 is executed. The power restoration process is a process for returning the state of the slot machine 10 to the state before power-off. In the power restoration process, it is determined whether the setting value of the slot machine 10 is normal by checking the main-side RAM 74 (step S107). Specifically, it is determined that it is normal when the setting value is any one of "Setting 1" to "Setting 6", and it is determined that it is abnormal when it is "0" or 7 or more. When the setting value is normal, it is determined whether the power failure flag is set to "1" (step S108). The power failure flag is provided in the main-side RAM 74, and when the predetermined power failure process is normally executed when the supply of operating power to the main-side MPU 72 is stopped, the power failure flag is set to "1". When the power failure flag is set to "1", it is confirmed whether the RAM determination value is normal (step S109). Specifically, the checksum value of the main-side RAM 74 is examined to confirm whether the value is normal.

[0069] If positive determinations are made in all of steps S107 to S109, it means that the power failure processing at the previous power interruption was executed normally. In this case, the value of the stack pointer stored in the main-side RAM 74 is written to the stack pointer of the main-side MPU 72, and the data saved in the main-side RAM 74 is restored to the registers of the main-side MPU 72, thereby restoring the state of the registers of the main-side MPU 72 to the state before the power supply was cut off (step S110). Also, the power failure flag in the main-side RAM 74 is cleared to "0" (step S111). Then, after transmitting a power restoration command for recognizing the execution of the power restoration process to the production-side MPU 82 (step S112), it returns to the address before the power supply was cut off (step S113).

[0070] On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in any of steps S107 to S109, the operation prohibition process is executed. In the operation prohibition process, the execution of the next timer interrupt process (FIG. 9) is prohibited (step S114), all output ports of the main-side MPU 72 are cleared to "0" to turn off all actuators connected to the output ports (step S115), and an error notification process for notifying the occurrence of an error to a hall administrator or the like is executed (step S116). Then, it enters an infinite loop. The operation prohibition process is released when the clear process (step S104) is executed.

[0071] Next, the timer interrupt process executed by the main-side MPU 72 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9. The timer interrupt process is activated every 1.49 msec.

[0072] In the register save process (step S201), the values of all registers in the main-side MPU 72 used in the normal process described later are saved to the main-side RAM 74. In step S202, it is checked whether "1" is set in the power failure flag. When "1" is set in the power failure flag, the process proceeds to step S203 and the power failure process is executed.

[0073] The power failure flag is set when a power failure signal from the power failure monitoring circuit of the power supply device 54 is input to the main MPU 72. In the power failure processing, first, it is determined whether the transmission of the command has been completed. If the transmission has not been completed, this processing is terminated and the process returns to the timer interrupt processing to complete the transmission of the command. If the transmission of the command has been completed, the value of the stack pointer of the main MPU 72 is saved in the main RAM 74. Then, the output state of the output port of the main MPU 72 is cleared, and all actuators (not shown) are turned off. And a determination value for determining whether the data in the main RAM 74 is normal at the time of power failure recovery is calculated and saved in the main RAM 74, and subsequent RAM access is prohibited. After performing the above processing, in preparation for the power supply being completely cut off and the processing becoming impossible to execute, an infinite loop is entered.

[0074] If the power failure flag is not set to "1" in step S202, various processes after step S204 are performed. In step S204, a watchdog timer clear process for initializing the value of the watchdog timer for monitoring the occurrence of malfunction is performed. In step S205, an interrupt end declaration process is performed to enable the main MPU 72 itself to set the next timer interrupt. In step S206, a stepping motor control process for driving the stepping motors 33 provided on the respective reels 32L, 32M, 32R to rotate the respective reels 32L, 32M, 32R is performed. The details of the stepping motor control process will be described later.

[0075] In step S207, sensor monitoring processing is performed. In the sensor monitoring processing, the states of various sensors connected to the input ports are read, and whether the read results are normal is monitored. Also, in the sensor monitoring processing, the states of the detection signals of the stop detection sensors 42a to 44a are stored in the detection state storage area provided in the main-side RAM 74. The detection state storage area is a storage area capable of storing the states of the detection signals for the most recent two times of each stop detection sensor 42a to 44a. The main-side MPU 72 refers to the states of the detection signals for the most recent two times stored in the detection state storage area, and when the previous detection signal is in the LOW state and the current detection signal is in the HI state, which is the operation corresponding state, it grasps that the stop buttons 42 to 44 have been operated.

[0076] In step S208, timer subtraction processing for subtracting the values of each counter and timer is performed. In step S209, counter processing for outputting to the outside the results of counting the number of medal bets and the number of paid-out medals is performed. In step S210, command output processing for transmitting various commands to the effect-side MPU 82 is performed. In step S211, port output processing for outputting data corresponding to the I / O device from the input / output port is performed. In step S212, the values of the respective registers saved in the main-side RAM 74 in the previous step S201 are restored to the corresponding registers in the main-side MPU 72. Then, in step S213, interruption permission processing for permitting the next timer interruption is performed, and this series of timer interruption processing is terminated.

[0077] Next, the normal processing executed by the main-side MPU 72 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 10.

[0078] First, perform an interrupt permission process to permit the next timer interrupt (step S301). After that, execute a start waiting process (step S302). In the start waiting process, it is determined whether any replay winning occurred in the previous game. If any replay winning occurred, perform an automatic input process to automatically input the same number of virtual medals as the number of bets in the previous game, and end the start waiting process. If no replay winning occurred, it is determined whether the settlement button 51 was operated. If the settlement button 51 was operated, perform a medal return process to pay out the same number of medals as the credited virtual medals. After the end of the medal return process or if the settlement button 51 was not operated, it is determined whether a medal was inserted or the credit input buttons 47 to 49 were operated between the previous start waiting process and the current start waiting process. If any of them was done, perform a medal input process to change the number of bets, etc., and end the start waiting process. Also, if neither a medal insertion nor an operation of the credit input buttons 47 to 49 was done between the previous start waiting process and the current start waiting process, end the start waiting process as it is.

[0079] After the execution of the start waiting process in step S302, it is determined whether the number of medal bets has reached a specified number (specifically, "3") (step S303). If the number of bets has not reached the specified number, return to the start waiting process (step S302). If the number of bets has reached the specified number, it is determined whether the start lever 41 was operated (step S304). If the start lever 41 was not operated, return to the start waiting process (step S302). On the other hand, if the start lever 41 was operated, after enabling the main line ML, execute a reception prohibition process (step S305). By executing the reception prohibition process, even if a medal is inserted into the medal insertion slot 45, the medal is discharged to the medal tray 59 without being detected by the inserted medal detection sensor 45a. After that, execute a lottery process for performing a lottery of roles in the current game (step S306), and execute a reel control process for driving and controlling each reel 32L, 32M, 32R in a manner corresponding to the result of the current lottery process (step S307).

[0080] Thereafter, a medium awarding process is executed (step S308). In the medium awarding process, when a minor winning is established in the current game, a process for awarding the corresponding number of gaming media to the player is executed. Specifically, when awarding virtual medals, a value corresponding to the current minor winning is added to the credit counter provided in the main-side RAM 74, and when the value of the credit counter reaches the upper limit storage number, the hopper device 53 is driven and controlled so that the number of medals exceeding the upper limit storage number is paid out to the medal tray 59.

[0081] After executing the medium awarding process in step S308, a corresponding process at the end of the game is executed to enable setting of the gaming state corresponding to the result of the current game (step S309). Thereafter, an external output setting process for outputting the state of the slot machine 10 to the management computer of the gaming hall is executed (step S310), a reception permission process is executed (step S311), and the process returns to the process of step S301. By executing the reception permission process, the medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 45 are collected by the hopper device 53 after being detected by the inserted medal detection sensor 45a.

[0082] <Lottery Process> Next, the lottery process executed in step S306 of the normal process (FIG. 10) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11.

[0083] In the lottery process, first, a random number used when determining the success or failure of a role is obtained (step S401). In this slot machine 10, when the start lever 41 is operated, the hard circuit is configured to latch the value of the free-run counter at that time. The free-run counter generates random numbers from 0 to 65535. After the main MPU 72 confirms the operation of the start lever 41, it stores the value latched by the hard circuit in the main RAM 74. With such a configuration, it becomes possible to quickly obtain a random number at the timing when the start lever 41 is operated, and it becomes possible to avoid problems such as synchronization. The hard circuit of this slot machine 10 is configured to latch the value of the free-run counter each time the start lever 41 is operated.

[0084] After obtaining the random number in step S401, a lottery table for determining the success or failure of a role is read from the main ROM 73 (step S402). Here, in this slot machine 10, for the non-CB state, winning probabilities in six levels from the set value of "1" to the set value of "6" are prepared in advance. By inserting a set key into the set key insertion hole 57, performing an ON operation, and performing a predetermined operation, it is possible to set which winning probability to execute the lottery process based on. Since the winning probability of the CB role that triggers the transition to the CB state is higher for the set value of "n + 1" than for the set value of "n", the set value of "n + 1" is more advantageous for the player than the set value of "n". Also, even for the same level of set value, there are three types of lottery modes with different lottery tables in the main MPU 72, namely the normal mode, the first RT mode, and the second RT mode. Also, as a game state, there is the above-mentioned CB state separately from the states of these lottery modes. In step S402, a lottery table corresponding to the combination of the current set value and the current game state is selected.

[0085] Taking the case where the set value is "3" as an example, the lottery tables corresponding to the normal mode, the first RT mode, and the second RT mode will be described. First, the lottery table for the normal mode selected in the case of the normal mode will be described. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the lottery table for the normal mode, and FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the relationship between the stop order of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R in the lottery table for the normal mode and the types of winning combinations that can be formed.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 12, the lottery table for the normal mode has an index value IV set, and each index value IV is associated with a winning combination and a point value PV is set. The point value PV determines the winning probability of the corresponding lottery combination in relation to the maximum value of the free run counter ("65535").

[0087] Specifically, for the index value IV = 1, bell winning data and first to third supplementary winning data are set. When winning occurs with the index value IV = 1, as shown in FIG. 13, when the first stop (the reel on which the stop command first occurred) is the left reel 32L, a bell win will surely occur regardless of the types of the second and third stop target reels 32L, 32M, 32R and the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44. Otherwise, one of the first to third supplementary wins will surely occur.

[0088] As described above, in the present slot machine 10, in the non-CB state, for each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R, first reel control is performed such that it is possible to scroll up to a maximum of four symbols after the stop buttons 42 to 44 are operated. In the first reel control, stop control of the corresponding reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is performed until the first specified time (190 msec) elapses after the stop buttons 42 to 44 are operated. By performing the first reel control, it becomes possible to easily establish a winning corresponding to the winning combination, and it is also possible to avoid a situation where a winning corresponding to a non-winning combination is established. However, since the rotation amount of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R that can be scrolled is limited as described above, in one of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R, if there are five or more symbols between the constituent symbols that constitute the symbol combination for establishing a winning, depending on the operation timing of the corresponding stop buttons 42 to 44, the constituent symbol may not stop on the main line ML (this event is also referred to as a so-called "miss"). The first supplementary winning to the fourth supplementary winning, the bell winning, and various replay winnings are winning modes in which no miss occurs when the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R are stopped in the corresponding order, and the fifth supplementary winning to the ninth supplementary winning and the CB winning are winning modes in which a miss may occur depending on the stop operation timing of the stop buttons 42 to 44 with respect to the rotational positions of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R.

[0089] For the index value IV = 2, as shown in FIG. 12, bell winning data and fourth supplementary winning data to sixth supplementary winning data are set. When winning occurs with the index value IV = 2, as shown in FIG. 13, when the first stop is the middle reel 32M, the bell winning is surely established regardless of the types of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R that are the second stop target and the third stop target and the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44, and in other cases, any one of the fourth supplementary winning to the sixth supplementary winning may be established. However, depending on the operation timing of the middle stop button 43 and the right stop button 44 with respect to the rotational positions of the middle reel 32M and the right reel 32R, none of the fourth supplementary winning to the sixth supplementary winning may be established.

[0090] For index value IV = 3, as shown in FIG. 12, bell winning data and seventh to ninth supplementary winning data are set. When winning occurs with index value IV = 3, as shown in FIG. 13, when the first stop is the right reel 32R, bell winning is surely established regardless of the types of reels 32L, 32M, 32R for the second and third stop targets and the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44. In other cases, any one of the seventh to ninth supplementary winnings may be established. However, depending on the operation timing of the middle stop button 43 and the right stop button 44 with respect to the rotational positions of the middle reel 32M and the right reel 32R, none of the seventh to ninth supplementary winnings may be established.

[0091] For index value IV = 4, as shown in FIG. 12, only bell winning data is set. When winning occurs with index value IV = 4, as shown in FIG. 13, bell winning is established regardless of the stop order of reels 32L, 32M, 32R. Also, when winning occurs with index value IV = 4, bell winning is surely established regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44.

[0092] For index value IV = 5, as shown in FIG. 12, only watermelon winning data is set. When winning occurs with index value IV = 5, as shown in FIG. 13, watermelon winning may be established regardless of the stop order of reels 32L, 32M, 32R. However, depending on the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44 with respect to the rotational positions of each reel 32L, 32M, 32R, watermelon winning may not be established.

[0093] For index value IV = 6, as shown in FIG. 12, CB winning data is set. When winning occurs with index value IV = 6, as shown in FIG. 13, CB winning may be established regardless of the stop order of reels 32L, 32M, 32R. However, depending on the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44, CB winning may not be established.

[0094] Here, the winning data other than the CB winning data is erased in the game that has won regardless of whether the winning has been established, and is not carried over to the games after the game that has won. In contrast, the CB winning data is retained until the corresponding CB winning is established even in the games after the game that has won, except when the clear process of the main-side RAM 74 is performed. In this case, in the game where the CB winning data is carried over, the index value IV corresponding to the CB winning data is excluded from the lottery target. As a result, it is prevented that new CB winning data is stored in the situation where the CB winning data is already retained, and the CB winning data is not accumulated and stored.

[0095] For index values IV = 7 to 10, as shown in FIG. 12, normal replay winning data and first RT replay winning data are set. In this case, when winning occurs with index value IV = 7, as shown in FIG. 13, if the first stop is on the left reel 32L, the second stop (the reel where the stop command occurred second) is on the middle reel 32M, and the third stop (the reel where the stop command occurred last) is on the right reel 32R, the first RT replay win is surely established regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44. Otherwise, the normal replay win is surely established regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44. Also, when winning occurs with index value IV = 8, if the first stop is on the left reel 32L, the second stop is on the right reel 32R, and the third stop is on the middle reel 32M, the first RT replay win is surely established regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44. Otherwise, the normal replay win is surely established regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44. Also, when winning occurs with index value IV = 9, if the first stop is on the middle reel 32M, the second stop is on the left reel 32L, and the third stop is on the right reel 32R, the first RT replay win is surely established regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44. Otherwise, the normal replay win is surely established regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44. Also, when winning occurs with index value IV = 10, if the first stop is on the middle reel 32M, the second stop is on the right reel 32R, and the third stop is on the left reel 32L, the first RT replay win is surely established regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44. Otherwise, the normal replay win is surely established regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44.

[0096] When the lottery table for the normal mode of FIG. 12 is selected, the probabilities of winning when the index value IV = 1, when the index value IV = 2, and when the index value IV = 3 are each approximately 1 / 8.2, the probability of winning when the index value IV = 4 is approximately 1 / 6.6, the probability of winning when the index value IV = 5 is approximately 1 / 82.0, the probability of winning when the index value IV = 6 is approximately 1 / 109, and the probabilities of winning when the index value IV = 7, when the index value IV = 8, when the index value IV = 9, and when the index value IV = 10 are each approximately 1 / 41.

[0097] Here, as already described, in the lottery table for the normal mode, as the winning data for the index values IV = 7 to 10, in addition to the normal replay winning data, the first RT replay winning data is set (see FIG. 12). The probability of winning any one of these index values IV = 7 to 10 is approximately 1 / 10.2. And when winning occurs for any one of the index values IV = 7 to 10, when the stop order of the first stop, the second stop, and the third stop of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R becomes the stop order corresponding to the winning combination, the first RT replay winning is established, and the lottery mode shifts from the normal mode to the first RT mode. When shifting to the first RT mode, the lottery table referred to in the lottery process for the combination (FIG. 11) becomes the lottery table for the first RT mode.

[0098] Next, the lottery table for the first RT mode, which is selected when it is "Setting 3" and in the first RT mode, will be described. FIGS. 14 and 15 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the lottery table for the first RT mode.

[0099] In the lottery table for the first RT mode, as shown in FIG. 14, the winning combination data set for each of the index values IV = 1 to 6 and the winning probability of each index value IV are the same as those in the lottery table for the normal mode (FIG. 12). In this case, for the index values IV = 1 to 5, winning combinations that enable the awarding of game media are set, and since the winning combination data set for each of the index values IV = 1 to 5 and their respective winning probabilities are the same, the types of winning combinations that enable the awarding of game media and their winning probabilities are the same for each of the normal mode and the first RT mode. Also, for the index value IV = 6, CB winning data is set in the same way as in the lottery table for the normal mode, and its winning probability is the same as that in the lottery table for the normal mode. That is, the probability of winning the CB combination is the same in the normal mode and the first RT mode.

[0100] The winning candidate data set after the index value IV = 7 is different from the normal mode. Specifically, in the lottery table for the first RT mode, as shown in FIG. 14, as the winning data with index values IV = 7 to 10, in addition to the normal replay winning data, the second RT replay winning data is set. The probability of winning any of these index values IV = 7 to 10 is approximately 1 / 8.2. When winning with the index value IV = 7, as shown in FIG. 15, when the first stop is the left reel 32L, the second stop is the middle reel 32M, and the third stop is the right reel 32R, the second RT replay winning occurs surely regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44. In other cases, the normal replay winning occurs surely regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44. Also, when winning with the index value IV = 8, when the first stop is the left reel 32L, the second stop is the right reel 32R, and the third stop is the middle reel 32M, the second RT replay winning occurs surely regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44. In other cases, the normal replay winning occurs surely regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44. Also, when winning with the index value IV = 9, when the first stop is the right reel 32R, the second stop is the left reel 32L, and the third stop is the middle reel 32M, the second RT replay winning occurs surely regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44. In other cases, the normal replay winning occurs surely regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44. Also, when winning with the index value IV = 10, when the first stop is the right reel 32R, the second stop is the middle reel 32M, and the third stop is the left reel 32L, the second RT replay winning occurs surely regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44. In other cases, the normal replay winning occurs surely regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44.In the first RT mode, when the index value IV is selected as any of 7 to 10 and the stop order of the first stop, second stop, and third stop of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R becomes the stop order corresponding to the winning combination, the second RT replay win is established and the lottery mode shifts from the first RT mode to the second RT mode. When shifting to the second RT mode, the lottery table referred to in the winning combination lottery process (Figure 11) becomes the lottery table for the second RT mode.

[0101] As shown in Figure 14, in the lottery table for the first RT mode, in addition to the normal replay winning data, the first fall replay winning data is set as the winning data with the index value IV = 11 to 16. The probability of winning any of these index values IV = 11 to 16 is approximately 1 / 10.9.

[0102] When winning with an index value IV = 11 in the lottery table for the first RT mode, as shown in Fig. 15, when the first stop is the left reel 32L, the second stop is the middle reel 32M, and the third stop is the right reel 32R, a normal replay win will surely occur regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 - 44. In other cases, a first fall replay win will surely occur regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 - 44. Also, when winning with an index value IV = 12, when the first stop is the left reel 32L, the second stop is the right reel 32R, and the third stop is the middle reel 32M, a normal replay win will surely occur regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 - 44. In other cases, a first fall replay win will surely occur regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 - 44. Also, when winning with an index value IV = 13, when the first stop is the middle reel 32M, the second stop is the left reel 32L, and the third stop is the right reel 32R, a normal replay win will surely occur regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 - 44. In other cases, a first fall replay win will surely occur regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 - 44. Also, when winning with an index value IV = 14, when the first stop is the middle reel 32M, the second stop is the right reel 32R, and the third stop is the left reel 32L, a normal replay win will surely occur regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 - 44. In other cases, a first fall replay win will surely occur regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 - 44. Also, when winning with an index value IV = 15, when the first stop is the right reel 32R, the second stop is the left reel 32L, and the third stop is the middle reel 32M, a normal replay win will surely occur regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 - 44. In other cases, a first fall replay win will surely occur regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 - 44.Also, when the index value IV = 16 results in a win, if the first stop is the right reel 32R, the second stop is the middle reel 32M, and the third stop is the left reel 32L, a normal replay win will surely occur regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44. Otherwise, a first fall replay win will surely occur regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44. When the first fall replay win is established, the lottery mode shifts to the normal mode. When shifting to the normal mode, the lottery table referred to in the lottery process of the combination (Fig. 11) becomes the lottery table for the normal mode.

[0103] In the lottery table for the first RT mode, only the normal replay win data is set for the index value IV = 17. The probability of winning at the index value IV = 17 is set higher than the probability of winning other combinations. Specifically, the probability of winning is about 1 / 6.6. And when winning occurs with this index value IV = 17, a normal replay win is established regardless of the stop order of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R and the stop operation timing of each of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R.

[0104] In the lottery table for the first RT mode, combinations that enable a replay win are set for the index values IV = 7 to 17. And since the winning probabilities of these combinations are set to the probabilities as already described, the winning probability of the combinations that enable a replay win in the first RT mode (hereinafter also referred to as the replay probability) is about 1 / 2.7. On the other hand, the replay probability in the normal mode is about 1 / 10.2. That is, the first RT mode is a gaming state with a higher replay probability than the normal mode.

[0105] Next, the lottery table for the second RT mode, which is selected when it is "Setting 3" and is the second RT mode, will be described. Figs. 16 and 17 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the lottery table for the second RT mode.

[0106] In the lottery table for the second RT mode, as shown in FIG. 16, the winning combination data set for each of the index values IV = 1 to 6 and the winning probability of each index value IV are the same as those in the lottery table for the normal mode (FIG. 12) and the lottery table for the first RT mode (FIG. 14). In this case, for the index values IV = 1 to 5, winning combinations that enable the awarding of game media are set, and since the winning combination data and the winning probabilities set for each of these index values IV = 1 to 5 are the same, the types of winning combinations that enable the awarding of game media and their winning probabilities are the same for each of the normal mode, the first RT mode, and the second RT mode. Also, for the index value IV = 6, CB winning data is set in the same way as in the lottery table for the normal mode and the lottery table for the first RT mode, and its winning probability is the same as that in the lottery table for the normal mode and the lottery table for the first RT mode. That is, the probability of winning the CB combination is the same in the normal mode, the first RT mode, and the second RT mode.

[0107] The winning combination data set for index values IV = 7 and higher is different from that in the normal mode and the first RT mode. Specifically, in the lottery table for the second RT mode, as shown in FIG. 16, as the winning data for index values IV = 7 to 12, in addition to the normal replay winning data, second fall replay winning data is set. The probability of winning any of these index values IV = 7 to 12 is approximately 1 / 5.5.

[0108] 17, if the first stop is the left reel 32L, the second stop is the center reel 32M, and the third stop is the right reel 32R, the normal replay prize will be sure to occur regardless of the timing of operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44, and in any other cases the second fall replay prize will be sure to occur regardless of the timing of operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44. Also, if the first stop is the left reel 32L, the second stop is the right reel 32R, and the third stop is the center reel 32M, the normal replay prize will be sure to occur regardless of the timing of operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44, and in any other cases the second fall replay prize will be sure to occur regardless of the timing of operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44. Furthermore, if a win occurs with index value IV=9, and the first stop is the center reel 32M, the second stop is the left reel 32L, and the third stop is the right reel 32R, a normal replay win will definitely occur regardless of the timing of operation of each stop button 42 to 44, and in any other cases, a second fall replay win will definitely occur regardless of the timing of operation of each stop button 42 to 44. Furthermore, if a win occurs with index value IV=10, and the first stop is the center reel 32M, the second stop is the right reel 32R, and the third stop is the left reel 32L, a normal replay win will definitely occur regardless of the timing of operation of each stop button 42 to 44, and in any other cases, a second fall replay win will definitely occur regardless of the timing of operation of each stop button 42 to 44. Furthermore, if a win occurs with index value IV=11, if the first stop is the right reel 32R, the second stop is the left reel 32L, and the third stop is the center reel 32M, a normal replay win will occur regardless of the timing of operation of each stop button 42 to 44, and in all other cases, a second fall replay win will occur regardless of the timing of operation of each stop button 42 to 44.Also, when the index value IV = 12 results in a win, if the first stop is the right reel 32R, the second stop is the middle reel 32M, and the third stop is the left reel 32L, a normal replay win will surely occur regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 - 44. Otherwise, a second fall replay win will surely occur regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 - 44. When the second fall replay win is achieved, the lottery mode shifts to the first RT mode. When shifting to the first RT mode, the lottery table referred to in the lottery process for the combination (Figure 11) becomes the lottery table for the first RT mode.

[0109] In the lottery table for the second RT mode, only the normal replay winning data is set for the index value IV = 13. The probability of winning when the index value is IV = 13 is set higher than the probability of winning for other combinations. Specifically, the winning probability is about 1 / 5.5. When winning with this index value IV = 13, a normal replay win will be achieved regardless of the stop order of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R and the stop operation timing of each of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R.

[0110] In the lottery table for the second RT mode, roles that enable the replay winning to occur are set for index values IV = 7 to 13. And since the winning probabilities of these roles are set to the probabilities as already explained, the winning probability (replay probability) of the roles that enable the replay winning to occur in the second RT mode is approximately 1 / 2.7. On the other hand, the replay probability in the normal mode is approximately 1 / 10.2. That is, the second RT mode is a gaming state with a higher replay probability than the normal mode. Meanwhile, the replay probability in the first RT mode is approximately 1 / 2.7. That is, the second RT mode has the same replay probability as the first RT mode. However, the configuration is not limited to the case where the replay probability in the first RT mode is the same as that in the second RT mode. For example, it may be configured such that although the replay probabilities in the first RT mode and the second RT mode are slightly different, they are approximately the same, or the second RT mode may have a higher replay probability than the first RT mode, or the first RT mode may have a higher replay probability than the second RT mode.

[0111] Note that the lottery table for the normal mode, the lottery table for the first RT mode, and the lottery table for the second RT mode are set in a one-to-one correspondence with each of "Settings 1" to "Settings 6", and the higher the set value, the higher the winning probability of the CB role. However, the replay probabilities set in each lottery mode are the same or approximately the same regardless of the set value. Also, in the situation of winning the CB role, the CB role is excluded from the lottery targets regardless of whether it is the normal mode, the first RT mode, or the second RT mode, so as not to win the CB role repeatedly.

[0112] In addition to the lottery table for the normal mode, the lottery table for the first RT mode, and the lottery table for the second RT mode, the main ROM 73 stores a lottery table for the CB state, which is referred to in the role lottery process (Figure 11) when in the CB state, and an internal lottery table, which is referred to in the role lottery process (Figure 11) when winning the CB role but the CB winning has not occurred.

[0113] In the lottery table for the CB state, similar to the lottery table for the normal mode (Fig. 12), the lottery table for the first RT mode (Fig. 14), and the lottery table for the second RT mode (Fig. 16), an index value IV is set. To the index value IV, a winning role is associated and a point value PV is set. In the lottery table for the CB state, only the normal replay winning data is set with the index value IV = 1, and no other winning data is set. Also, the winning probability is the same as that in the case of the lottery table for the second RT mode. However, it is not limited to this, and it may be configured such that the winning probability of the normal replay role is higher or lower than that in the case of the lottery table for the second RT mode.

[0114] As already described, the number of slippages that can be set in the stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R performed in the CB state is "0" to "4" for the middle reel 32M and the right reel 32R, similar to the non-CB state, while it is "0" to "1" for the left reel 32L. When winning the index value IV = 1 of the lottery table for the CB state, the stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is performed so that the normal replay winning is preferentially established. Also, when the combination of symbols corresponding to the normal replay winning cannot be stopped on the main line ML (Fig. 5) according to the operation timing of the stop buttons 42 to 44 and the number of slippages that can be set, the stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is performed to stop the combination of symbols corresponding to any small winning (the first supplementary winning to the ninth supplementary winning, the bell winning, or the watermelon winning) on the main line ML. In this slot machine 10, when winning the index value IV = 1 of the lottery table for the CB state, a normal replay winning or any small winning is surely generated. On the other hand, when not winning the index value IV = 1 of the lottery table for the CB state, the stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is performed to stop the combination of symbols corresponding to any small winning on the main line ML, and any small winning is surely generated.

[0115] The internal lottery table has winning data corresponding to index values IV = 1 to 5 in the normal mode lottery table (Figure 12) set at the winning probabilities of those index values IV. In addition to this, the index value IV with only the normal replay winning data set is set so as to be the total winning probability of the index values IV = 7 to 10 in the normal mode lottery table. Therefore, when it is in the internal winning state of the CB role, although the roles that enable the awarding of game media and the winning probabilities of those roles are the same as in the normal mode and the replay probability is the same as in the normal mode, it does not win the CB role and furthermore does not win the roles that trigger the transition to the normal mode, the first RT mode, and the second RT mode.

[0116] Returning to the description of the lottery process (Figure 11), after selecting the lottery table in step S402, in step S403, the index value IV is set to "1", and in the subsequent step S404, the determination value DV used for determining the winning or losing of the role is set. In such a determination value setting process, the current point value PV corresponding to the current index value IV is added to the current determination value DV to set a new determination value DV. In the first determination value setting process, the random number value obtained in step S401 is used as the current determination value DV, and the point value PV corresponding to "1", which is the current index value IV, is added to this random number value to obtain a new determination value DV.

[0117] Thereafter, in step S405, a winning or losing determination of the role corresponding to the index value IV is performed. In the winning or losing determination of the role, it is determined whether the determination value DV exceeds "65535". If it exceeds "65535", the process proceeds to step S406, and a winning data acquisition process for setting the data of the winning role corresponding to the index value IV at that time in the main side RAM 74 is executed.

[0118] On the other hand, if the determination value DV does not exceed "65535" in step S405, it means that the index value IV does not match the corresponding role. In such a case, the index value IV is incremented by 1 in step S407, and in the subsequent step S408, it is determined whether there is a role corresponding to the index value IV, that is, whether there is a determination target to be judged right or wrong. Specifically, it is determined whether the incremented index value IV exceeds the maximum value of the index value IV set in the lottery table. If there is a determination target to be judged right or wrong, the process returns to step S404 to continue the role right or wrong determination. At this time, in step S404, the point value PV corresponding to the current index value IV is added to the determination value DV (that is, the current determination value DV) used in the previous role right or wrong determination to obtain a new determination value DV, and in step S405, the role right or wrong determination is performed based on the determination value DV.

[0119] If it is determined in step S408 that there is no determination target to be judged right or wrong, it means that the lottery result of this game is a non-winning result. If the process of step S406 is executed, or if a negative determination is made in step S408, it means that the role right or wrong determination has ended. In this case, a stop information first setting process for setting stop information for reel stop control is executed in step S409, and in step S410, a transmission process of a game start command is executed.

[0120] In the transmission process of the game start command (step S410), if any role is won in the current lottery process (Figure 11), the information of the winning number corresponding to the winning role, and the information corresponding to the current lottery mode and the current game state are set in the game start command, and the game start command is transmitted to the effect side MPU82. The game start command is a command for causing the effect side MPU82 to recognize that a new game has started. The effect side MPU82 executes the light emission control of the upper lamp 61, the sound output control of the speaker 62, and the display control of the image display device 63 based on the information of the winning number, the lottery mode, and the game state set in the received game start command.

[0121] After executing the game start command transmission process in step S410, the notification control process is executed in step S411 to end this lottery process. A process for notifying the stop order for establishing a bell win, the stop order for establishing an upgrade replay (first RT replay and second RT replay), or the stop order for avoiding the establishment of a fall replay (first fall replay and second fall replay) is executed. The detailed content of the notification control process will be described later.

[0122] <Reel control process> Next, the reel control process executed in step S307 of the normal process (Figure 10) will be described. Prior to the explanation of the reel control process, the stepping motor 33 for rotating each reel 32L, 32M, 32R will be described in more detail.

[0123] Figure 18(a) is a connection diagram showing the drive system of the stepping motor 33, Figure 18(b) is a diagram showing the drive characteristics of the stepping motor 33, and Figure 19 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the excitation sequence table in which the excitation sequence of the phase excitation is set.

[0124] As the stepping motor 33, a hybrid (HB) type two-phase stepping motor is used. Note that the stepping motor is not limited to the hybrid type, and various stepping motors can be used.

[0125] The hybrid type stepping motor 33 includes, as shown in Figure 18(a), a rotor 91 disposed in the center and a stator 90 having first to fourth poles 92 to 95 disposed around the rotor 91. The rotor 91 is composed of a front-side rotor 91a magnetized with an N pole and a rear-side rotor 91b magnetized with an S pole, and is attached to the rotating shaft in a state where the teeth provided around the rear-side rotor 91b are relatively displaced by 1 / 2 pitch so as to be positioned between the teeth provided around the front-side rotor 91a. A cylindrical magnet (not shown) is attached between the front-side rotor 91a and the rear-side rotor 91b.

[0126] 18(b), excitation coils L0 and L2 are bifilar wound around the first pole 92 and the third pole 94, with the winding end of excitation coil L0 connected to the winding start of excitation coil L2, and a predetermined DC power supply +B (for example, +24 volts) is applied to this. Similarly, excitation coils L1 and L3 are bifilar wound around the second pole 93 and the fourth pole 95, with the winding end of excitation coil L1 connected to the winding start of excitation coil L3, and the DC power supply +B is applied to this.

[0127] The phase in which an excitation signal is applied to the excitation coil L0 of the first pole 92 to excite the first pole 92 to a south pole and the third pole 94 to a north pole is called the A phase, and the opposite phase in which an excitation signal is applied to the excitation coil L2 of the third pole 94 to excite the first pole 92 to a north pole and the third pole 94 to a south pole is called the inverted A phase. Similarly, the phase in which an excitation signal is applied to the excitation coil L1 of the second pole 93 to excite the second pole 93 to a south pole and the fourth pole 95 to a north pole is called the B phase, and the opposite phase in which an excitation signal is applied to the excitation coil L3 of the fourth pole 95 to excite the second pole 93 to a north pole and the fourth pole 95 to a south pole is called the inverted B phase.

[0128] An excitation signal for the stepping motor 33 is given as excitation data to a motor driver 96 shown in Fig. 18(b). This excitation data is stored in the main RAM 74, and appropriate excitation data is output by timer interrupt processing. The excitation data determines the excitation phase for the stepping motor 33, and an excitation signal (current) is applied to that excitation phase.

[0129] If the stepping motor 33 is a one-phase excitation drive type, the rotor 91 can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise by sequentially applying excitation signals to phase A, phase B, reverse phase A, and reverse phase B. That is, for example, when current is first applied to phase A, the protrusion of first pole 92, which has become an S pole, faces the tooth of front rotor 91a, and the protrusion of third pole 94, which has become an N pole, faces the tooth of rear rotor 91b, each due to attractive forces. Next, when current is applied to phase B, the protrusion of second pole 93, which has become an S pole, faces the tooth of front rotor 91a, and the protrusion of fourth pole 95, which has become an N pole, faces the tooth of rear rotor 91b, each due to attractive forces. Next, when current is applied to reverse phase A, the protrusion of first pole 92, which has become an N pole, faces the tooth of rear rotor 91b, and the protrusion of third pole 94, which has become an S pole, faces the tooth of front rotor 91a, each due to attractive forces. Next, when current is applied to reverse phase B, the protrusion of second pole 93, which has become an N pole, faces the tooth of rear rotor 91b, and the protrusion of fourth pole 95, which has become an S pole, faces the tooth of front rotor 91a, each due to attractive forces. By exciting the rotors in this order, the rotor 91 rotates clockwise in FIG. 18(a).

[0130] In the slot machine 10, a 1-2 phase excitation drive is employed in which 1-phase excitation and 2-phase excitation are alternately performed during the acceleration period from when the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R start to rotate at a constant speed and during the constant speed rotation period for maintaining the constant speed rotation. The 1-2 phase excitation drive is performed based on an excitation sequence table (FIG. 19).

[0131] As shown in Fig. 19, in the excitation order table, the type of phase excitation is set in correspondence with each excitation order pointer of 0 to 7. During the acceleration period and constant speed rotation period, an excitation signal for exciting the phase corresponding to the current excitation order pointer is output from the main MPU 72 to the motor driver 96 each time the excitation signal is switched. The excitation order pointer is updated by "1" from "0" to "7" each time an excitation signal is output, and returns to "0" if the excitation order pointer is updated while it is at "7".

[0132] As shown in Figure 19, 1-2 phase excitation drive is a drive method in which one-phase excitation (excitation forward pointer 0) is performed to energize phase A, two-phase excitation (excitation forward pointer 1) is performed to energize both phases A and B, one-phase excitation (excitation forward pointer 2) is performed to energize phase B, two-phase excitation (excitation forward pointer 3) is performed to energize both phase B and reversed phase A, one-phase excitation (excitation forward pointer 4) is performed to energize both reversed phase A and reversed phase B (excitation forward pointer 5), one-phase excitation (excitation forward pointer 6) is performed to energize phase B, and two-phase excitation (excitation forward pointer 7) is performed to energize both reversed phase B and phase A, and then returns to (excitation forward pointer 0).

[0133] As described above, in this embodiment, the reel rotates once in response to a 504-pulse excitation signal, so the angle change based on one pulse of the excitation signal, that is, the angle change per step, is approximately 0.714°.

[0134] The excitation patterns that enable the acceleration process of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R will be described below. The main ROM 73 stores a first acceleration table and a second acceleration table, in which excitation patterns are set when starting the rotation of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. Figure 20 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the first acceleration table, and Figure 21 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the second acceleration table.

[0135] Possible initial excitation phases during acceleration include one-phase excitation, which drives only a specific excitation phase, and two-phase excitation, which simultaneously drives two specific excitation phases. As shown in FIG. 20, the first acceleration table is an acceleration table in which two-phase excitation is used as the initial excitation, and as shown in FIG. 21, the second acceleration table is an acceleration table in which one-phase excitation is used as the initial excitation. These two acceleration tables are read out depending on the type of phase excitation executed immediately before the start of the previous stop control. Specifically, when accelerating the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R for which stop control was executed after one-phase excitation, the first acceleration table in which two-phase excitation is set as the initial excitation is read out. When accelerating the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R for which stop control was executed after two-phase excitation, the second acceleration table in which one-phase excitation is set as the initial excitation is read out.

[0136] The first acceleration table and the second acceleration table are used in common for all reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. If only the first acceleration table or the second acceleration table is used when all reels 32L, 32M, and 32R start spinning, only that acceleration table is read from the main ROM 73 to the main RAM 74, and the read acceleration table is used to control the acceleration of each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R. If some reels use the first acceleration table and some reels use the second acceleration table when all reels 32L, 32M, and 32R start spinning, one first acceleration table and one second acceleration table are read from the main ROM 73 to the main RAM 74, and acceleration control using the first acceleration table and the second acceleration table are performed.

[0137] As shown in FIG. 20, in acceleration control of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R using the first acceleration table, two-phase excitation is performed for 130 interrupts in synchronization with the interrupt timing every 1.49 msec. Note that for the initial two-phase excitation, an excitation order corresponding to the excitation phase at the previous rotation stop is selected from excitation order 2, excitation order 4, excitation order 6, and excitation order 8 shown in the excitation order table (FIG. 19). After the two-phase excitation state is maintained for 130 interrupts, one- and two-phase excitations are alternately repeated. However, as shown in FIG. 20, the excitation hold period of one-phase excitation and the excitation hold period of two-phase excitation are finely controlled. Specifically, the hold periods are set to gradually shorten, such that one-phase excitation following the initial two-phase excitation is performed for eight interrupts, and the subsequent two-phase excitation is performed for seven interrupts. Finally, one-phase excitation and two-phase excitation are alternately repeated at intervals of two interrupts, and finally one-phase excitation is performed over two interrupts.

[0138] As shown in FIG. 21, in acceleration control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R using the second acceleration table, one-phase excitation is performed for one interrupt in synchronization with the interrupt timing every 1.49 msec. Note that the one-phase excitation as initial excitation is selected from excitation sequences 1, 3, 5, and 7 shown in the excitation sequence table (FIG. 19) that correspond to the excitation phase at the previous rotation stop. After the one-phase excitation state is maintained for one interrupt, one-phase excitation and two-phase excitation are alternately repeated. As shown in FIG. 21, the excitation hold period of one-phase excitation and the excitation hold period of two-phase excitation are finely controlled. Specifically, two-phase excitation following the one-phase excitation as initial excitation is performed for 129 interrupts, and then the next two-phase excitation is performed for seven interrupts, so that the hold periods are gradually shortened. Finally, one-phase excitation and two-phase excitation are alternately repeated at intervals of two interrupts, and finally one-phase excitation is performed over two interrupts.

[0139] As shown in Figures 20 and 21, one-phase excitation is set at the end of each acceleration table, and the first phase excitation type during the constant speed rotation period is two-phase excitation. Reel acceleration control using each acceleration table is executed over 212 interrupts. In this acceleration control, the retention period for each phase excitation is sequentially shortened as the constant speed rotation is approached, thereby achieving high-speed acceleration processing in a short time and enabling a smooth transition to constant speed rotation.

[0140] Four-phase excitation is used to stop the stepping motor 33. In four-phase excitation, the A phase, reverse A phase, B phase, and reverse B phase are all excited. When two opposing phases are excited, the magnetic fluxes cancel each other out, but while the stepping motor 33 is rotating, a back electromotive force is generated by the induced voltage, and a torque is generated that is the difference between the currents flowing through the A phase and the reverse A phase, for example. Then, with four-phase excitation, this torque is generated between the two opposing phases. Therefore, it is possible to generate a braking force even with four-phase excitation. However, the braking force with four-phase excitation is smaller than with one-phase excitation.

[0141] The main ROM 73 stores a stop table containing excitation information for executing stop control to stop the rotation of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. The stop table contains a setting of "100" as the number of steps for executing four-phase excitation. When the stepping motor 33 is stopped, four-phase excitation is initiated when the conditions for initiating stop control for the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R are met while one-phase excitation and two-phase excitation are alternately repeated. Four-phase excitation is executed regardless of the type of phase excitation (one-phase excitation or two-phase excitation) executed immediately before. This four-phase excitation continues for 100 interrupts (149 msec). In this way, by utilizing four-phase excitation, which has the weakest braking force, when braking begins, the rotor 91 of the stepping motor 33 can be stopped smoothly. The conditions for initiating stop control for the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R will be described later.

[0142] Next, a configuration for managing the rotational positions of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R using the number of steps of the stepping motor 33 will be described.

[0143] FIG. 22(a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the stop positions of the symbols on each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. As shown in FIG. 22(a), in each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R, the area where the middle-stage symbol stops is the reference area 38L, 38M, and 38R, and the lower ends of the reference areas 38L, 38M, and 38R are set to the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R that are used by the main-side MPU 72 to identify the stop symbols stopped on the main lines ML of the respective reels 32L, 32M, and 32R.

[0144] As already described, in this slot machine 10, 20 symbols are drawn on each reel tape of each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. On the other hand, the stepping motors 33 and the cylindrical frame members 34 of each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R are diverted from those used for reels with 21 symbols attached to the reel tape, and the number of steps required for one rotation is 504 steps. In this case, if the number of symbols attached to the reel is 21, the number of steps required for switching the symbols existing in the reference area (the middle-stage positions of the respective reels 32L, 32M, and 32R within the range visible from the display window portions 21L, 21M, and 21R), that is, the number of steps assigned to each symbol, is constant at 24 steps. However, if the number of symbols attached to the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is 20, if the number of steps required for symbol switching is made constant at 24 steps, the total number of steps will be less than 504 steps. Even if it is made constant at 25 steps, the total number of steps will be less than 504 steps, and if it is made constant at 26 steps, the total number of steps will exceed 504 steps. On the other hand, if the number of steps required for symbol switching varies greatly for each symbol, the sizes of the respective symbols will vary greatly accordingly, and it will become difficult to manage the types of symbols existing in the reference areas 38L, 38M, and 38R.

[0145] In view of the above, the slot machine 10 utilizes three types of step numbers assigned to each symbol: 24 steps, 25 steps, and 26 steps. FIG. 22(b) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the number of steps assigned to each symbol on each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. As shown in FIG. 22(b), the 20 symbols on each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R are divided into four groups: a first group, a second group, a third group, and a fourth group, with each group consisting of five consecutive symbols in the rotation direction of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. The first group contains five symbols corresponding to symbol numbers 0 to 4, the second group contains five symbols corresponding to symbol numbers 5 to 9, the third group contains five symbols corresponding to symbol numbers 10 to 14, and the fourth group contains five symbols corresponding to symbol numbers 15 to 19.

[0146] In this embodiment, the first step pattern is set so that the number of steps assigned to the five symbols in each group on each reel 32L, 32M, 32R is 26 steps, 25 steps, 25 steps, 26 steps, and 24 steps in that order from the front of the rotation direction. In each group, 26 steps are assigned to the symbols located at the beginning of the spinning direction (the symbols corresponding to symbol numbers 0, 5, 10, and 15), 25 steps are assigned to the second-to-first symbols (the symbols corresponding to symbol numbers 1, 6, 11, and 16), 25 steps are assigned to the third-to-first symbols (the symbols corresponding to symbol numbers 2, 7, 12, and 17), 26 steps are assigned to the fourth-to-first symbols (the symbols corresponding to symbol numbers 3, 8, 13, and 18), and 24 steps are assigned to the fifth-to-first symbols, i.e., the symbols located at the end of the spinning direction of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R in each group (the symbols corresponding to symbol numbers 4, 9, 14, and 19).

[0147] On each reel 32L, 32M, 32R, there are four symbols assigned with 24 steps, eight symbols assigned with 25 steps, and eight symbols assigned with 26 steps, so the total number of steps is 504, which corresponds to one rotation of each reel 32L, 32M, 32R.

[0148] As described above, since the arrangement of the number of steps is constant in each group, it is possible to determine whether the number of steps for each pattern is between 24 and 26 steps based on the order of the patterns in each group.

[0149] As shown in FIG. 22(b), each of the symbols on each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R has one byte of symbol management data set thereon that allows management of the type of symbol present at the reference position 39L, 39M, and 39R (FIG. 22(a)). The upper four bits of the one byte of data set group information, and the lower four bits set symbol order information. The group information indicates which of the first to fourth groups the symbol belongs to, with "0" corresponding to the first group, "1" corresponding to the second group, "2" corresponding to the third group, and "3" corresponding to the fourth group. The symbol order information also indicates the position of the symbol from the beginning of the rotation in each group, with "0" corresponding to the first position, "1" corresponding to the second position, "2" corresponding to the third position, "3" corresponding to the fourth position, and "4" corresponding to the fifth position. Therefore, for example, the pattern management data for pattern number 19 would be "34H" in hexadecimal, for pattern number 10 it would be "20H" in hexadecimal, for pattern number 7 it would be "12H" in hexadecimal, and for pattern number 1 it would be "01H" in hexadecimal.

[0150] As shown in FIG. 7, the main-side RAM 74 is provided with a pattern management counter 74a to which pattern management data of the patterns existing in the reference areas 38L, 38M, and 38R of the respective reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is set. The pattern management counter 74a is provided in a one-to-one correspondence with each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. The pattern corresponding to the pattern management data set in the pattern management counter 74a at each timing becomes the management target pattern.

[0151] The above-described reel index sensor 36 (FIG. 3) detects the passage of the tip 37a of the sensor cut band 37 when the 0th pattern (the pattern corresponding to the 0th pattern number) exists in the reference areas 38L, 38M, and 38R. When the reel index sensor 36 detects the passage of the tip 37a, the pattern management data (00H) corresponding to the 0th pattern is set in the pattern management counter 74a.

[0152] As shown in FIG. 7, the main-side RAM 74 is provided with a step number counter 74b that counts the number of step updates executed after the update of the management target pattern in the pattern management counter 74a. The pattern management data set in the pattern management counter 74a is updated when the number of steps assigned to the pattern corresponding to the pattern management data is counted using the step number counter 74b.

[0153] As shown in FIG. 7, the main-side ROM 73 stores a pattern management data table 73a in which the correspondence between the pattern management data and the pattern number is defined on a one-to-one basis. The pattern management data table 73a is a common table for each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. The main-side MPU 72 can identify the pattern number of the current management target pattern by collating the pattern management data in the pattern management counter 74a with the pattern management data table 73a.

[0154] As described above, for the 20 symbols attached to each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R, since a first step pattern is set that repeats four times a pattern of allocating 26 steps, 25 steps, 25 steps, 26 steps, and 24 steps for every 5 symbols, the order of the symbols in each group and the number of steps assigned to the symbol are in one-to-one correspondence. Also, as described above, the order of the symbols in each group and the symbol order information (lower 4 bits) in the symbol management data are in one-to-one correspondence. Thereby, the host MPU 72 can specify the number of steps assigned to the symbols existing in the reference areas 38L, 38M, and 38R by referring only to the lower 4-bit symbol order information.

[0155] Since the number of symbols included in each group (``5'') is the same, when the symbol order information (lower 4 bits in the symbol management data) of the symbols existing in the reference areas 38L, 38M, and 38R is ``4'' in hexadecimal, the symbol that will exist in the reference areas 38L, 38M, and 38R next will be uniquely the first symbol of the next group. Thereby, it becomes easier to manage the symbols by the symbol management data.

[0156] Hereinafter, the reel control process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 23. Note that the reel control process is executed in step S307 of the normal process (FIG. 10).

[0157] In the reel control process, first, a rotation start process for starting the rotation of each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is performed (step S501). The rotation start process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 24.

[0158] In the rotation start process, first, it is determined whether or not a predetermined wait time (for example, 4.1 seconds) has elapsed since the rotation of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R corresponding to the result of the lottery process (Figure 11) in the previous game started (step S601). If it has not elapsed (step S601: NO), it waits until the wait time elapses. While waiting until the wait time elapses, the determination process as to whether or not the stop buttons 42 to 44 have been operated (step S504 in the reel control process (Figure 23)) is not executed. For this reason, even if the stop buttons 42 to 44 are operated during this waiting period, stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is not performed based on the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44, and the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44 becomes invalid. When the wait time has elapsed (step S601: YES), the wait time for the next game is set (step S602).

[0159] Thereafter, the setting process of the acceleration table to be referred to in each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R (steps S603 to S613) is executed. In the setting process of the acceleration table, the target reel is updated in the order of the left reel 32L → the middle reel 32M → the right reel 32R. For this reason, the processes of steps S604 to S613 are executed for each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R.

[0160] After setting the target reel in step S603, if the target reel stops after the execution of single-phase excitation and the stop control is executed (step S604: YES), it means that the first acceleration table (Fig. 20) with two-phase excitation set as the initial excitation should be referred to. Therefore, it is determined whether the first acceleration table has been read into the main-side RAM 74 (step S605). If the first acceleration table has not been read (step S605: NO), the first acceleration table is read from the main-side ROM 73 into the main-side RAM 74 (step S606). When the target reel is the left reel 32L, the first acceleration table has not been read into the main-side RAM 74 yet, so the first acceleration table will be read in step S606. On the other hand, when the target reel is the middle reel 32M or the right reel 32R, the first acceleration table may have already been read into the main-side RAM 74 as the acceleration table to be referred to for the previously set reel. In this case, step S606 is omitted.

[0161] If it is determined in step S605 that the first acceleration table has already been read, or if the first acceleration table is read in step S606, the first acceleration table is set as the reference destination (step S607). Then, for the acceleration counter provided in the main-side RAM 74, "130" corresponding to the switching interval set for the initial excitation in the first acceleration table (Fig. 20) is set (step S608). The acceleration counter is provided in a one-to-one correspondence with each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. Each acceleration counter is decremented by 1 each time it becomes the timing for step update of the corresponding stepping motor 33. When the value after subtraction becomes "0", the pointer in the first acceleration table is updated, and the value corresponding to the switching interval set in the updated acceleration order is set in the acceleration counter.

[0162] On the other hand, if the target reel has been stopped by execution of stop control after execution of two-phase excitation (step S604: NO), this means that the second acceleration table (FIG. 21) in which one-phase excitation is set as the initial excitation phase should be referenced. Therefore, it is determined whether the second acceleration table has been read into the main RAM 74 (step S609). If the second acceleration table has not been read (step S609: NO), the second acceleration table is read from the main ROM 73 to the main RAM 74 (step S610). If the target reel is the left reel 32L, the second acceleration table has not already been read into the main RAM 74, so the first acceleration table is read in step S609. On the other hand, if the target reel is the center reel 32M or the right reel 32R, the second acceleration table may have already been read into the main RAM 74 as the acceleration table to be referenced for the reel for which settings were previously made. In this case, step S610 is omitted.

[0163] If it is determined in step S609 that the first acceleration table has already been read, or if the first acceleration table has been read in step S610, the second acceleration table is set as the reference (step S611). Then, the acceleration counter provided in the main RAM 74 is set to "1" which corresponds to the switching interval set in the initial excitation phase of the second acceleration table (FIG. 21) (step S612).

[0164] If the acceleration counter is set in step S608 or step S612, it is determined whether the setting of the acceleration table to be referenced has been completed for all reels 32L, 32M, and 32R (step S613). In step S613, if the target reel is the left reel 32L or the center reel 32M, this means that there are still reels for which the setting of the acceleration table to be referenced has not been completed (step S613: NO), and the process returns to step S603.

[0165] On the other hand, in step S613, when the target reel is the right reel 32R, it means that the setting of the acceleration table to be referred to has been completed for all the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R (step S613: YES). Therefore, a "1" is set in the control flag required provided in the main RAM 74 (step S614), and the current rotation start process is terminated. The control flag required is a flag for the main MPU 72 to identify that it is necessary to perform drive control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. The control flag required is cleared to "0" when the stop control based on the stop table is completed for all the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. Specifically, it is cleared to "0" in step S908 of the stepping motor control process (Fig. 27) described later.

[0166] Returning to the description of the reel control process (Fig. 23), after executing the rotation start process (step S501), it is determined whether it is an acceleration period during which acceleration control is performed based on the acceleration table (step S502). If it is the acceleration period (step S502: YES), the process of step S502 is repeated until the acceleration period ends. Then, when the acceleration period ends (step S502: NO), the process proceeds to step S503.

[0167] The processing from step S503 onward is not executed until the acceleration period ends and each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is in a state of rotating at a constant speed. As already explained, in the sensor monitoring process (step S207 of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 9)), the states of the detection signals from the stop detection sensors 42a to 44a for the last two times are stored in a detection state storage area in the main RAM 74. In step S504, which will be described later, the main MPU 72 detects the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44 when the detection state storage area changes to an operation-enabled state (LOW state → HI state). Since the detection signals from the stop detection sensors 42a to 44a in the detection state storage area are updated each time the sensor monitoring process is executed, even if the stop buttons 42 to 44 are operated during the acceleration period, the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R will not stop based on the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44, and the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44 is invalid. In addition, when operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44 is disabled, including during the acceleration period, the main MPU 72 notifies the player that the operation is disabled by turning off the lamps (not shown) of the stop buttons 42 to 44, and when operation of each stop button 42 to 44 is enabled, the main MPU 72 notifies the player that a stop command can be issued by lighting the lamps of the stop buttons 42 to 44 for which no stop command has been issued.

[0168] If it is determined in step S502 that the acceleration period is not in progress, this means that the acceleration period has ended, and so it is determined whether all of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R are stopped (step S503). If there is one or more spinning reels 32L, 32M, and 32R (step S503: NO), the processes of steps S504 to S514 are executed. Specifically, it is determined whether any of the stop buttons 42 to 44 has been operated (step S504). If any of the stop buttons 42 to 44 has been operated (step S504: YES), a valid operation determination process is executed to determine whether the operation is a valid operation that triggers the issuance of a stop command for the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R (step S505). The valid operation determination process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0169] In the valid operation determination process, it is first determined whether any braking target flag provided in the main RAM 74 is set to "1" (step S701). The braking target flag is a flag that enables the main MPU 72 to identify a situation in which a valid operation of the stop button 42-44 corresponding to the spinning reel 32L, 32M, 32R has been detected and stop control of the reel 32L, 32M, 32R has not been completed, and is provided in one-to-one correspondence with each of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R.

[0170] If any braking target flag is set to "1" (step S701: YES), it is determined whether or not the stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R corresponding to the braking target flag set to "1" has been completed (step S702). If the stop control has been completed (step S702: YES), the braking target flag corresponding to the reels 32L, 32M, 32R for which the stop control has been completed is cleared to "0" (step S703).

[0171] When a negative determination is made in step S701, when a negative determination is made in step S702, or when the process of step S703 is executed, it is determined whether a stop operation has been performed on the reels 32L, 32M, 32R that are rotating and for which the corresponding braking target flag is not set to "1" (step S704). In step S704, the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44 is detected when the detection signals for the most recent two times in the detection state storage area in the main side RAM 74 are in the operation corresponding state (LOW state → HI state).

[0172] When an affirmative determination is made in step S704, it is determined whether there are two or more reels 32L, 32M, 32R that are braking targets (step S705). Specifically, it is determined whether there are two or more braking target flags set to "1". When there are two or more reels 32L, 32M, 32R that are braking targets (step S705: YES), this valid operation determination process is terminated without setting "1" in the new stop command flag. When two reels 32L, 32M, 32R are braking targets, even if the stop buttons 42 to 44 corresponding to the remaining reels 32L, 32M, 32R are operated, stop control of the corresponding reels 32L, 32M, 32R is not executed based on the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44, and the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44 becomes invalid. Thereby, it becomes possible to prevent the number of simultaneous excitations from exceeding 10 phases, which is the maximum excitation number.

[0173] Incidentally, since the maximum number of simultaneous excitations for these two reels 32L, 32M, 32R when stop control is being performed on the two reels 32L, 32M, 32R is 8 phases, there is a margin of 2 phases with respect to the maximum excitation number of 10 phases. And since either single-phase excitation or two-phase excitation is executed on the stepping motor 33 in a situation where stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R is not performed, even if stop control is simultaneously performed on two of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R, it is possible to perform rotational drive control on the remaining one of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R.

[0174] On the other hand, when the number of braking target flags set to "1" is less than 2 (step S705: NO), "1" is set to the stop command flags of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R for which an operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44 has been newly detected this time (step S706). The stop command flag is a flag that enables the host MPU 72 to identify that an operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44 has been detected. The stop command flags are provided in the host RAM 74 in a one-to-one correspondence with each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. When "1" is set in the stop command flag, an affirmative determination is made in step S506 in the reel control process (Fig. 23), and the process for starting the stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R corresponding to the current stop operation (the processes of steps S507 to S511 in the reel control process (Fig. 23)) is executed. After setting "1" in the corresponding stop command flag in step S706, "1" is set to the braking target flags of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R for which a stop operation has been newly detected this time (step S707), and this valid operation determination process is terminated.

[0175] Returning to the description of the reel control process (Fig. 23), after performing the valid operation determination process in step S505, if "1" is set in any of the stop command flags (step S506: YES), the stop command flag is cleared to "0" (step S507), and the processes of steps S508 to S511 are performed for the corresponding reels 32L, 32M, and 32R.

[0176] In step S508, a stop command is set as a transmission target to the production-side MPU 82. The stop command is a command sent to the production-side MPU 82 to identify the type of stop button 42-44 for which a valid operation has been detected. Thereafter, the pattern number of the reaching pattern that has reached the reference area 38L, 38M, 38R at the timing when the stop button 42-44 is operated is identified (step S509). Specifically, the pattern management data set in the pattern management counter 74a of the main RAM 74 is compared with the pattern management data table 73a (FIG. 7) stored in the main ROM 73 to confirm the pattern number of the pattern currently to be managed. As described above, in this slot machine 10, the middle area within the range visible from the display window portions 21L, 21M, 21R is set as the reference areas 38L, 38M, 38R of each reel 32L, 32M, 32R, and a main line ML is set connecting the reference areas 38L, 38M, 38R of each reel 32L, 32M, 32R.

[0177] Thereafter, a slip count determining process is executed to determine the number of slips based on the stop information stored in the main RAM 74 (step S510). The stop information is read from the main ROM 73 to the main RAM 74 in the stop information first setting process (step S409) in the lottery process (FIG. 11), and is changed appropriately according to the stop state of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R in the stop information second setting process (step S514 of the reel control process (FIG. 23)) described later. In the slip count determining process, if a stop command is issued to any of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R in the non-CB state, or if a stop command is issued to the reels 32M and 32R other than the left reel 32L in the CB state, a value of "0" to "4" is specified as the slip number. On the other hand, in the slip count determining process, if a stop command is issued to the left reel 32L in the CB state, a value of "0" or "1" is specified as the slip number.

[0178] Thereafter, based on the slipping number identified in the slipping number grasping process (step S510) and the reaching symbol number, the symbol number of the symbol to be actually stopped in the reference areas 38L, 38M, and 38R is determined, and the symbol data that can identify the determined symbol to be stopped is set in the stop symbol information area provided in the main-side RAM 74 (step S511). The stop symbol information area is an area where the symbol to be stopped and the stop symbol of each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R can be identified by the main-side MPU 72. Before executing the stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R, the main-side MPU 72 refers to the stop symbol information area to identify the symbol to be stopped in the reference areas 38L, 38M, and 38R, and after executing the stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R, the main-side MPU 72 refers to the stop symbol information area to identify the stop symbol that has stopped in the reference areas 38L, 38M, and 38R.

[0179] If the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44 is not detected in step S504, if the stop command flag is not set to "1" in step S506, or if the symbol to be stopped is determined in step S511, it is determined whether "1" is set in the stop information update flag in the main-side RAM 74 (step S512). If "1" is not set in the stop information update flag (step S512: NO), the process returns to step S503. The stop information update flag is a flag that can be identified by the main-side MPU 72 as the update timing of the stop information, and one is provided for all the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. When it becomes the start timing of the stop control that executes four-phase excitation for the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R for which "1" is set in the braking target flag, "1" is set in the stop information update flag. Specifically, "1" is set in step S1206 of the stop start processing (Figure 32) described later.

[0180] On the other hand, if the stop information update flag is set to "1" (step S512: YES), this means that the timing for updating the stop information has come due to the start of stop control of any of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R. In this case, the stop information update flag is cleared to "0" (step S513), the second stop information setting process is executed (step S514), and the process returns to step S503.

[0181] In the stop information second setting process, the slip table stored in the main RAM 74 in the stop information first setting process or the previous stop information second setting process is updated according to the symbols that stop in the reference areas 38L, 38M, and 38R due to the current stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. As a result, in the slip number grasping process in step S510, it is possible to calculate the slip number based on the set winning data, the stop order of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R, and the slip table corresponding to the stop symbols of each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R. Note that the configuration for calculating the slip number is not limited to the configuration using the slip table, and it may be configured such that slip number data corresponding to each lottery result and the stop order of each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R is derived while the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R are rotating.

[0182] If it is determined in step S503 that all reels 32L, 32M, and 32R have stopped, a win determination process is executed (step S515), a win result command is set to be sent to the production-side MPU 82 (step S516), and this reel control process is terminated. The win result command includes data indicating whether or not a win has been achieved this time, and if a win has been achieved, data indicating the type of win.

[0183] Next, the winning determination process executed in the master MPU 72 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 26. The winning determination process is executed in step S516 of the reel control process (Fig. 23).

[0184] In steps S801 to S803, the stop symbol information areas in the main-side RAM 74 are referred to to grasp the stop symbols of the respective reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. Then, logical operation processing of symbol combinations is executed (step S804). In the logical operation processing of symbol combinations, for each symbol stopped and displayed on the main line ML of each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R, 2-byte data set for each symbol type is read from the main-side ROM 73. Then, by performing an AND process on the bits of each 2-byte data grasped in each of steps S801 to S803 in the same order, 2-byte data corresponding to the symbol combination is derived.

[0185] Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the 2-byte data derived in step S804 corresponds to any winning data (step S805). If an affirmative determination is made in step S805, abnormal detection processing is executed for the winning data (step S806). As already described, in the non-CB state, when the symbol corresponding to the winning combination selected in the lottery process (FIG. 11) stops on the main line ML (FIG. 5), the winning for the winning combination is established. Therefore, in the abnormal detection processing in the non-CB state, an abnormality is detected when the winning data does not correspond to the winning combination selected in the lottery process at the start of the current game. Also, as already described, when winning the index value IV = 1 of the CB state lottery table in the CB state, the normal replay winning is preferentially established, and when the normal replay winning is not established, any small winning is surely established. Therefore, in the abnormal detection processing when winning the index value IV = 1 of the CB state lottery table in the CB state, an abnormality is detected when the winning data does not correspond to either the normal replay winning or the small winning. Furthermore, as already described, when not winning the index value IV = 1 of the CB state lottery table in the CB state, any small winning is surely established. Therefore, in the abnormal detection processing when not winning the index value IV = 1 of the CB state lottery table in the CB state, an abnormality is detected when the winning data does not correspond to the small winning.

[0186] If no abnormality is detected in the abnormality detection process (step S806) (step S807: NO), a winning response process is executed (step S808). In the winning response process, if the winning is a small win, the number of medals to be paid out is set in a payout target counter provided in the main RAM 74 so that medals or virtual medals can be awarded in the medal payout process. On the other hand, if the winning is a replay win, a flag setting process is executed so that the automatic insertion process will be executed in the next start waiting process (step S302 of the normal process (FIG. 10)).

[0187] If it is determined in step S805 that no winning has occurred, or if the winning response processing is executed in step S808, the stopped symbol information area in the main RAM 74 is cleared and the winning determination processing is terminated.

[0188] On the other hand, if an abnormality is detected in the abnormality detection process (step S806) (step S807: YES), an abnormality notification command is set as an output target to the production-side MPU 82 (step S810). Upon receiving the abnormality notification command, the production-side MPU 82 executes an abnormality notification corresponding to the illegal win via the speaker 62 and the image display device 63. After that, in step S811, an operation prohibition process is executed, and an infinite loop is created, thereby halting the progress of the game. In the operation prohibition process, the next timer interrupt process is prohibited, and all output ports of the main-side MPU 72 are cleared to "0" to turn off all actuators connected to those output ports. This operation prohibition state is released by executing a clear process (step 104 of the main process (Figure 8)).

[0189] Next, the details of the rotation control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R will be described.

[0190] First, the stepping motor control process executed by the main MPU 72 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 27. The stepping motor control process is executed in step S206 of the timer interrupt process (Fig. 9).

[0191] In the stepping motor control process, when "1" is set in the control flag required in the main RAM 74 (step S901: YES), it means that drive control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is necessary, so the processes after step S902 are executed. In step S902, the setting process of the target reel is performed. In the setting process of the first target reel for which the target reel is not set, the left reel 32L is set as the target reel. Also, in the second target reel setting process (step S902) performed after the processes of steps S903 to S905 are performed for the left reel 32L, the target reel is updated to the middle reel 32M, and in the third target reel setting process (step S902) performed after the processes of steps S903 to S905 are performed for the middle reel 32M, the target reel is updated to the right reel 32R.

[0192] After executing the target reel setting process in step S902, the step count monitoring process is executed (step S903). In the step count monitoring process, the pattern management counter 74a and the step count counter 74b in the main RAM 74 are updated. The details of the step count monitoring process will be described later. After that, the motor control process is executed (step S904). In the motor control process, the generation process of the excitation data output to the motor driver 96 (FIG. 18(b)) is performed to control the rotation of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R, and the generated excitation data is stored in the main RAM 74. The details of the motor control process will be described later.

[0193] After executing the motor control process in step S904, it is determined whether the target reel is the right reel 32R (step S905). If the target reel is not the right reel 32R (step S905: NO), the process returns to step S902. On the other hand, if the target reel is the right reel 32R (step S905: YES), this means that the step number monitoring process (step S903) and motor control process (step S904) have been performed for all reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. Therefore, the excitation data stored in the main RAM 74 in the motor control process (step S904) is output to the motor driver 96 (step S906). As a result, the stepping motor 33 immediately performs a process of energizing the excitation phase specified by the excitation data, and the rotor 91 is excited.

[0194] Thereafter, it is determined whether or not stop control has been completed for all reels 32L, 32M, and 32R (step S907), and if there are any reels 32L, 32M, and 32R for which stop control has not been completed (step S907: NO), the stepping motor control process ends.On the other hand, if stop control has been completed for all reels 32L, 32M, and 32R (step S907: YES), the control required flag is cleared to "0" (step S908), and the stepping motor control process ends.

[0195] Next, the motor control process executed by the main MPU 72 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 28. The motor control process is executed in step S904 of the stepping motor control process (Fig. 27). As described above, the motor control process is executed when the left reel 32L, the center reel 32M, or the right reel 32R is set as the reel to be controlled.

[0196] In the motor control process, if the reel to be controlled is not spinning (step S1001: NO) and it is not time to start spinning (step S1002: NO), the motor control process ends. On the other hand, if the reel to be controlled is spinning (step S1001: YES), it is determined whether it is in the acceleration period (step S1003).

[0197] If it is determined that it is the timing to start rotation (step S1002) or the acceleration period (step S1003), an acceleration process is executed to accelerate the controlled reel toward constant speed rotation (step S1004), and the motor control process ends. In the acceleration process, the first acceleration table (FIG. 20) or the second acceleration table (FIG. 21) read in the rotation start process (FIG. 24) described above is referenced, and the excitation phase (phase 1 or phase 2) corresponding to the current pointer is set as the excitation data to be output to the motor driver 96, and the acceleration counter in the main RAM 74 is decremented by 1. If the acceleration counter value after the decrement becomes "0" and the current pointer is not in the final acceleration order in the acceleration table, the pointer is updated, and the acceleration counter is set to the number of steps corresponding to the switching interval set in the updated pointer. On the other hand, if the acceleration counter value after the decrement becomes "0" and the current pointer is in the final acceleration order in the acceleration table, the acceleration period ends.

[0198] If it is determined in step S1003 that the period is not the acceleration period, it is determined whether it is time to start stop control (step S1005). The main RAM 74 is provided with a stop execution flag that enables the main MPU 72 to identify that it is time to start stop control to execute four-phase excitation. The stop execution flag is set to "1" in step S1205 of the stop start processing (FIG. 32) described later. In step S1005, if the stop execution flag is set to "1", it is determined that it is time to start stop control, and if the stop execution flag is "0", it is determined that it is not time to start stop control.

[0199] If it is not the timing to start stop control (step S1005: NO), it is determined whether stop control is being performed to output four-phase excitation data for the target reel (step S1006). Specifically, it is determined that stop control is being performed when the value of a stop counter (described later) in the main RAM 74 is "1" or greater, and it is determined that stop control is not being performed when the value of the stop counter is "0".

[0200] If it is not the time to start stop control or if stop control is not in progress (step S1005: NO, step S1006: NO), constant speed rotation processing is executed (step S1007), and the motor control processing ends. In the constant speed rotation processing, the excitation data to be output to the motor driver 96 according to the excitation order is set in the main RAM 74 while updating the excitation order pointer based on the excitation order table (FIG. 19). This results in one-phase excitation over one interrupt and two-phase excitation over one interrupt being executed alternately. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1005 that it is the time to start stop control or if it is determined in step S1006 that stop control is in progress, stop control processing, which will be described later, is executed (step S1008), and the motor control processing ends.

[0201] <Stop control of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R> Next, the stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R will be described in detail below.

[0202] As described above, a reel tape is wound around the cylindrical skeletal members 34 (FIG. 3) of each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R (FIG. 2), and 20 symbols are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the reel tape. FIG. 29(a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the symbol range RDn (n is an integer from 0 to 19) to which each symbol is attached on the reel tape 97. The 20 symbol ranges RDn have equal widths in the circumferential direction of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R (the longitudinal direction of the reel tape 97). As described above, the stepping motor 33 (FIG. 3) connected to each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R makes one revolution in 504 steps. Therefore, each symbol range RDn has a width dimension corresponding to 504 / 20 = 25.2 steps in the circumferential direction of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R.

[0203] On the other hand, as described above, the number of steps assigned to each symbol is one of three types of integers, "24", "25", and "26". Since the minimum unit of the update step of the stepping motor 33 (FIG. 3) is 1 step, the number of steps that can be assigned to each symbol is limited to an integer. The main side MPU 72 grasps the symbol to be managed based on the number of steps assigned to each symbol, and executes stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. A symbol corresponding range corresponding to the number of steps assigned to each symbol is set on the reel tape 97. FIG. 29(b) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the symbol corresponding range REn (n is an integer from 0 to 19). Note that there is no boundary of the symbol corresponding ranges RE0 to E19 on the actual reel tape 97. As shown in FIG. 29(b), the symbol corresponding ranges RE0 to E19 of each symbol have width dimensions in the circumferential direction of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R (the longitudinal direction of the reel tape 97) corresponding to the number of steps (24 steps to 26 steps) assigned to the symbol.

[0204] In the slot machine 10, the symbol management data of the symbols corresponding to the symbol correspondence range RE0 to E19 present at the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R is set in the symbol management counter 74a. As already explained, the main MPU 72 specifies the symbols to be managed based on the symbol management data set in the symbol management counter 74a. Therefore, the symbols corresponding to the symbol correspondence range RE0 to E19 present at the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R become the symbols to be managed.

[0205] Specifically, when the symbol correspondence range REn of the nth symbol (n is an integer from 0 to 19) exists at the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R, the symbol management data of the nth symbol is set in the symbol management counter 74a, and the symbol to be managed is updated to the nth symbol. After that, by performing step updates the number of times corresponding to the number of steps (24 steps to 26 steps) assigned to the nth symbol, the symbol correspondence range RE(n+1) of the (n+1)th symbol exists at the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R, and the symbol management data of the (n+1)th symbol is set in the symbol management counter 74a, and the symbol to be managed is updated to the (n+1)th symbol. Here, the (n+1)th symbol is the symbol one upstream of the nth symbol, and when n=19, the (n+1)th symbol is the 0th symbol.

[0206] As already explained, in the slot machine 10, for all the reels 32L, 32M, 32R in the non-CB state and the center reel 32M and right reel 32R in the CB state, a first reel stop control is executed to stop the reels 32L, 32M, 32R within a first specified time (190 msec) after the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44. In the first reel stop control, the number of slips is set to any one of "0" to "4", and the symbol one upstream (when sliding 0 frames), two upstream (when sliding 1 frame), three upstream (when sliding 2 frames), four upstream (when sliding 3 frames), and five upstream (when sliding 4 frames) of the management target symbol when the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44 is detected are set as the stop target symbol, and they stop in the reference areas 38L, 38M, 38R.

[0207] Also, as already described, for the left reel 32L in the CB state, second reel stop control is executed to perform stop control of the left reel 32L within the second specified time (75 msec) after the operation of the left stop button 42. In the second reel stop control, a value of "0" or "1" is set as the number of slips, and the symbol one upstream (when slipping by 0 frames) or two upstream symbols (when slipping by 1 frame) of the symbol to be managed at the time of detection of the operation of the left stop button 42 is set as the symbol to be stopped, and it stops in the reference area 38L of the left reel 32L.

[0208] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 29(b), for each symbol of each reel 32L, 32M, 32R, a stoppable position HPn is provided to enable start of stop control for reaching the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R (FIG. 22(a)) at a timing earlier than when the symbol to be managed is switched to the symbol and stopping the symbol in the reference areas 38L, 38M, 38R (FIG. 22(a)). The stoppable position HPn of the n-th symbol is provided on the downstream side (the leading side in the circumferential direction of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R, which is the lower side in FIG. 29(b)) of the symbol correspondence range REn of the n-th symbol.

[0209] For comparison, consider a configuration that enables starting the stop control of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R at the timing when the stoppable position HPn is not provided and the symbol to be managed switches to the symbol to be stopped. When the stop control with a one-frame slip is performed for reels 32L, 32M, and 32R in which the above-described first step pattern (26 steps, 25 steps, 25 steps, 26 steps, 24 steps for every 5 symbols) is set, it takes a maximum of 52 interrupt times (about 77.5 msec) in total, including 1 interrupt time from when the stop buttons 42 to 44 are operated until the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44 is detected, and a maximum of 26 + 25 = 51 interrupt times until the symbols from the 0th frame to the 1st frame pass the reference position. Here, 1 interrupt time is the interval at which the timer interrupt process (Fig. 9) is executed, specifically 1.49 msec. Thus, in a configuration without the stoppable position HPn, the maximum required time from when the stop buttons 42 to 44 are operated until the stop control of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is started with the slip count set to "1" exceeds the second specified time (75 msec).

[0210] In contrast, in the present embodiment, a stoppable position HPn is provided for each symbol, and the stoppable position HPn reaches the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R at a timing earlier than when the symbol corresponding range REn of the symbol to be stopped reaches the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R (Fig. 22(a)), enabling the start of the stop control. Therefore, the maximum required time in the stop control with a one-frame slip is shortened. Details of the maximum required time in the stop control with a one-frame slip will be described later.

[0211] As shown in FIG. 29(b), a stoppable position HPn of the n-th symbol is set in a symbol corresponding range RE(n - 1) of the (n - 1)-th symbol located one downstream of one of the n-th symbols. When the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R (FIG. 22(a)) exist in the range from the upper end of the symbol corresponding range RE(n - 1) of the (n - 1)-th symbol to the stoppable position HPn, a stoppable range SR(n - 1) of the (n - 1)-th symbol that enables start of stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R is set. Also, when the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R exist in the range from the stoppable position HPn to the lower end of the symbol corresponding range RE(n - 1) of the (n - 1)-th symbol, a non-stoppable range NR(n - 1) of the (n - 1)-th symbol that disables start of stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R is set. The stoppable position HPn of the n-th symbol is included on the stoppable range SR(n - 1) side of the (n - 1)-th symbol and is not included on the non-stoppable range NR(n - 1) side.

[0212] Since the stoppable position HPn of the n-th symbol is set in the symbol corresponding range RE(n - 1) of the (n - 1)-th symbol located one downstream of the symbol corresponding range REn of the n-th symbol, the main MPU 72 can start stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R when the condition that the symbol to be managed is a symbol one downstream of the symbol to be stopped and the condition that a stoppable range SRn exists at the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R are satisfied. For this reason, in a situation where the symbol to be managed is a symbol (the (n - 1)-th symbol) one downstream of the symbol to be stopped (the n-th symbol), when a stoppable range SR(n - 1) exists at the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R, stop control can be started, and when a non-stoppable range NR(n - 1) exists at the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R, stop control cannot be started until the stoppable range SR(n - 1) reaches the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R.

[0213] As shown in FIG. 29(b), the stoppable range SRn of each symbol exists upstream of the symbol corresponding range REn of the symbol, and the range other than the stoppable range SRn in the symbol corresponding range REn is the non-stoppable range NRn. In the stoppable range SRn of each symbol, 2 to 4 steps obtained by subtracting 22 steps from the number of steps (24 steps to 26 steps) assigned to the symbol are assigned. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 22(b), 2 steps are assigned to the stoppable range SRn of the symbol to which 24 steps are assigned, 3 steps are assigned to the stoppable range SRn of the symbol to which 25 steps are assigned, and 4 steps are assigned to the stoppable range SRn of the symbol to which 26 steps are assigned.

[0214] The main side ROM 73 stores a step number table in which the number of steps (2 steps to 4 steps) assigned to the stoppable range SRn of the symbol corresponding to the symbol order information is set in correspondence with the symbol order information. The main side MPU 72 can grasp the number of steps assigned to the stoppable range SRn of the symbol to be managed based on the slip number table.

[0215] On the other hand, the number of steps assigned to the non-stoppable range NRn of each symbol is common, specifically 22 steps. Since the number of steps set in the non-stoppable range NRn is fixed at "22", the storage capacity of the data required to specify the number of steps set in the non-stoppable range NRn in the main side ROM 73 is reduced.

[0216] Here, the stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R will be specifically described below taking the case of the left reel 32L as an example. FIGS. 30(a) to 30(d) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the stop control of the left reel 32L.

[0217] First, as shown in FIG. 30(a), a case will be described where an operation of the left stop button 42 is detected in a state where the non-stop range NR0 of the 0th symbol exists at the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R, and 0-frame-slip stop control is performed. The 0-frame-slip stop control is executed for all the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R in the non-CB state and the CB state.

[0218] In this case, as shown in FIG. 30(a), since the symbol to be managed at the time of detecting the operation of the left stop button 42 is the 0th symbol, the 1st symbol one upstream is set as the symbol to be stopped. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 30(b), when the stoppable position HP1 of the 1st symbol reaches the reference position 39L, stop control of the left reel 32L is executed, and the 1st symbol stops in the reference area 38L. The stoppable position HP1 of the 1st symbol is set 4 steps downstream from the symbol corresponding range RE1 of the 1st symbol. For this reason, the timing at which the stop control of the left reel 32L is started is a timing 4 interrupt times earlier than the timing at which the symbol corresponding range RE1 of the 1st symbol reaches the reference position 39L and the symbol to be managed is switched to the 1st symbol.

[0219] Next, as shown in FIG. 30(a), a case will be described where an operation of the left stop button 42 is detected in a state where the non-stop range NR0 of the 0th symbol exists at the reference position 39L, and 1-frame-slip stop control is performed. The 1-frame-slip stop control is executed for all the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R in the non-CB state and the CB state.

[0220] In the stop control for the one-frame slip, the second symbol, which is two symbols upstream of the 0th symbol, which is the managed symbol, is set as the symbol to be stopped. Then, as shown in FIG. 30(c), the stop possible position HP2 of the second symbol reaches the reference position 39L, and the stop control for the left reel 32L is executed, and the second symbol stops in the reference area 38L. The stop possible position HP2 of the second symbol is set three steps downstream from the symbol correspondence range RE2 of the second symbol. Therefore, the timing at which the stop control for the left reel 32L starts is three interruption times earlier than the timing at which the symbol correspondence range RE2 of the second symbol reaches the reference position 39L and the managed symbol switches to the second symbol.

[0221] As described above, since the stoppable position HPn is set downstream of the pattern corresponding range REn of each pattern, if the stoppable position HPn of the pattern to be stopped is located upstream of the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R when the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44 is detected, it is possible to stop the reels 32L, 32M, 32R at an earlier timing than the pattern to be managed switches to the pattern to be stopped.

[0222] Next, we will explain the case where the stoppable range SRn of the symbol located one downstream of the target symbol is located in the reference position 39L when the operation of the left stop button 42 is detected. Even if the stoppable position HPn of the nth symbol has passed the reference position 39L when the operation of the left stop button 42 is detected, if the symbol correspondence range REn of the nth symbol has not reached the reference position 39L, the target symbol is the (n-1)th symbol. In this case, the nth symbol, which is one upstream of the (n-1)th symbol, is set as the target symbol to be stopped, and stop control for 0-frame slip can be executed. Since the stoppable range SRn of the target symbol is already located in the reference position 39L when the operation of the left stop button 42 is detected, the main MPU 72 executes stop control for the left reel 32L when the operation is detected, and stops the nth symbol in the reference area 38L.

[0223] For example, as shown in FIG. 30(d), when an operation of the left stop button 42 is detected while the stoppable range SR1 of the first symbol exists at the reference position 39L, since the symbol to be managed at the time of the operation detection is the first symbol, in the stop control with 0-frame slip, the second symbol one upstream of the first symbol is set as the symbol to be stopped. Since the stoppable range SR1 of the first symbol, which is one downstream of the second symbol that is already the symbol to be stopped at the time of the operation detection of the left stop button 42, exists at the reference position 39L, the main MPU 72 executes the stop control of the left reel 32L at the time of the operation detection and stops the second symbol at the reference area 38L.

[0224] As described above, since the stoppable position HPn for enabling the start of the stop control for stopping each symbol at the reference areas 38L, 38M, and 38R is provided on the downstream side of the symbol corresponding range REn of each symbol, even for a symbol whose stoppable position HPn has passed the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R at the time of the operation detection of the stop buttons 42 to 44, if the symbol corresponding range REn of the symbol has not reached the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R, it is possible to execute the stop control with 0-frame slip to stop the symbol at the reference areas 38L, 38M, and 38R.

[0225] Next, the step count monitoring process executed by the main MPU 72 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 31. The step count monitoring process is executed in step S903 of the stepping motor control process (FIG. 27).

[0226] In the step count monitoring process, first, it is determined whether it is the update timing of the step count (step S1101). In step S1101, it is determined that it is the update timing of the step count when a 1-pulse excitation signal is newly given to the stepping motor 33. Also, in the situation where 4-phase excitation is being performed, since the rotational positions of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R change even if no new excitation signal is given, it is determined that it is the update timing of the step count each time the interrupt number of the update trigger determined at the design stage of the slot machine 10 occurs.

[0227] If it is time to update the number of steps (step S1101: YES), the value of the step number counter 74b in the main RAM 74 is decremented by 1 (step S1102), and it is determined whether an initialization trigger for the symbol management counter 74a in the main RAM 74 has occurred (step S1103). Specifically, in step S1103, it is determined that an initialization trigger has occurred if the detection state of the reel index sensor 36 of the target reel is in a HI state. For each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R, the detection state of the reel index sensor 36 becomes HI when the symbol corresponding range RE0 of the 0th symbol reaches the reference position 39L, 39M, or 39R.

[0228] If an initialization trigger has not occurred (step S1103: NO), it is determined whether the value of the step number counter 74b after being decremented by 1 in step S1102 has become "0" (step S1105). When a state occurs in which a stop-unavailable range NRn of any symbol is present at the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R, the step number counter 74b is set to "22", which corresponds to the number of steps allocated to the stop-unavailable range NRn, and when a state occurs in which a stop-possible range SRn of any symbol is present at the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R, the step number counter 74b is set to "2" to "4", which corresponds to the number of steps allocated to the stop-possible range SRn.

[0229] If the value of the step counter 74b is "0" in step S1104, since it is the update timing of the step counter 74b, it is determined whether "1" is set in the stop permission flag 74c provided in the main RAM 74 (step S1106). The stop permission flag 74c is a flag that enables the main MPU 72 to identify that there is a stoppable range SRn of any symbol at the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R. The stop permission flag 74c is set to "1" when there is a stoppable range SRn of any symbol at the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R, and is cleared to "0" when there is a non-stoppable range NRn of any symbol at the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R.

[0230] If "1" is set in the stop permission flag 74c in step S1105, since it is the timing of switching from the state where there is a stoppable range SRn at the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R to the state where there is a non-stoppable range NRn, the update process of the symbol management data (steps S1106 to S1111) is executed to update the symbol to be managed.

[0231] Specifically, first, 1 is added to the symbol order information of the symbol management counter 74a in the main RAM 74 (step S1106). As already described, the symbol order information is numerical information set in the lower 4 bits of the symbol management counter 74a. If the value of the lower 4 bits of the symbol management counter 74a after the addition of 1 is greater than the maximum value "4" of the symbol order information (step S1107: YES), 1 is added to the upper 4 bits of the symbol management counter 74a (step S1108), and the value of the lower 4 bits of the symbol management counter 74a is cleared to "0" (step S1109). Also, if the value of the upper 4 bits of the symbol management counter 74a after the addition of 1 is greater than the maximum value "3" (step S1110: YES), all bits of the symbol management counter 74a are cleared to "0" (step S1111).

[0232] By executing the processes of steps S1106 to S1111 as described above, the value of the symbol management counter 74a becomes the value corresponding to the next symbol in order. For example, when the process of step S1106 is executed in a situation where the value "00H", which corresponds to the 0th symbol, is set in the symbol management counter 74a, the processes of steps S1108, S1109, and S1111 are not executed, and the value of the symbol management counter 74a becomes "01H", which is the value corresponding to the 1st symbol. Also, for example, when the process of step S1106 is executed in a situation where "04H", which corresponds to the 4th symbol, is set in the symbol management counter 74a, by further executing the processes of steps S1108 and S1109, the value of the symbol management counter 74a becomes "10H", which is the value corresponding to the 5th symbol. Also, for example, when the process of step S1106 is executed in a situation where "34H", which corresponds to the 19th symbol, is set in the symbol management counter 74a, by further executing the processes of steps S1108, S1109, and S1111, the value of the symbol management counter 74a becomes "00H", which is the value corresponding to the 0th symbol.

[0233] Also, when an opportunity to initialize the symbol management counter 74a occurs in step S1103, that is, when the HI state of the detection signal of the reel index sensor 36 is detected, all bits of the symbol management counter 74a are cleared to "0" (step S1111). Thereby, when it is detected by the reel index sensor 36 that the left reel 32L has made one full rotation, the symbol management counter 74a is forcibly cleared to "0" and the symbol to be managed becomes the 0th symbol.

[0234] After a negative determination is made in step S1107, after a negative determination is made in step S1110, or after all bits of the symbol management counter 74a are cleared to "0" in step S1111, the step number counter 74b is set to "22", which is the number of steps assigned to the stop-prohibited range NRn (step S1112), and the symbol update flag provided in the main RAM 74 is set to "1" (step S1113). The symbol update flag is a flag that enables the main MPU 72 to identify that the management target symbol has been updated. The symbol update flag is cleared to "0" in step S1209 when the stop permission flag 74c is cleared to "0" in step S1208 of the stop start processing (FIG. 32) described later.

[0235] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1105 that the stop permission flag 74c is not set to "1," this means that it is time to switch from a state in which the stop-unavailable range NRn is present at the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R to a state in which the stop-enabled range SRn is present at the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R. In this case, the step number table is read from the main ROM 73 (step S1114), and the pattern order information is identified by identifying the lower 4 bits of the pattern management data stored in the pattern management counter 74a (step S1115). As already explained, the step number table records the number of steps (2 steps to 4 steps) assigned to the stop-enabled range SRn of the pattern corresponding to the pattern order information in association with the pattern order information.

[0236] Thereafter, the step number corresponding to the symbol sequence information is identified in the step number table (step S1116). Then, the identified step number ("2" to "4") is set in the step number counter 74b (step S1117), and the stop permission flag 74c is set to "1" (step S1118). By setting the stop permission flag 74c to "1", the main MPU 72 can identify that the stop possible range SRn of any symbol exists at the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R.

[0237] If it is determined in step S1104 that the value of the step counter 74b is not "0", or if the stop permission flag 74c is cleared to "0" in step S1113, or if "1" is set in the stop permission flag 74c in step S1118, then the stop start processing is executed (step S1119), and this step count monitoring process ends.

[0238] Next, the stop start processing executed by the main MPU 72 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 32. Note that the stop start processing is executed in step S1119 in the step count monitoring process (FIG. 31).

[0239] In the stop start processing, first, it is determined whether or not the four-phase excitation is being executed during the stop control (step S1201). If it is not during the stop control (step S1201: NO), then it is determined whether or not "1" is set in the braking target flag in the main RAM 74. If "1" is set in the braking target flag (step S1202: YES), since an operation of the valid stop buttons 42 to 44 for the target reel in rotation is detected, the determination processes of step S1203 and step S1204 are executed.

[0240] In step S1203, it is determined whether or not "1" is set in the stop permission flag 74c in the main RAM 74. If "1" is set in the stop permission flag 74c (step S1203: YES), then in step S1204, it is determined whether or not the current management target symbol is a symbol located one downstream of the stop target symbol. If a negative determination is made in step S1203, or if a negative determination is made in step S1204, then it is not the start timing of the stop control, and thus this stop start processing ends as it is.

[0241] On the other hand, when positive determinations are made in step S1203 and step S1204, it means that the stoppable range SRn of the symbol located one downstream of one of the stop target symbols is in the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R with the braking target flag set to "1", and the start condition for stop control is satisfied. When the stoppable position HPn of the stop target symbol has not reached the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R at the time of detecting the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44, the start condition for stop control is satisfied when the stoppable position HPn of the stop target symbol reaches the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R. Also, when the stoppable range SRn of the symbol located one downstream of one of the stop target symbols exists at the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R at the time of detecting the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44, the start condition for stop control is satisfied at the time of detecting the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44.

[0242] When the start condition for stop control is satisfied (step S1203: YES, step S1204: YES), "1" is set in the stop execution flag provided in the main-side RAM 74 (step S1205). The stop execution flag is a flag that enables the main-side MPU 72 to specify that it is the start timing of the stop control that executes four-phase excitation. By setting "1" in the stop execution flag, the processes (steps S1301 to step S1304) for starting the stop control of the target reel are executed in the stop control process (Fig. 33) described later.

[0243] When "1" is set in the stop execution flag in step S1205, "1" is set in the stop information update flag in the main-side RAM 74 (step S1206). As already described, by setting "1" in the stop information update flag, the stop information second setting process is executed in step S514 of the reel control process (Fig. 23). As a result, the stop information corresponds to the stop result by the stop control started this time.

[0244] When an affirmative determination is made in step S1201, when a negative determination is made in any of steps S1202 to S1204, or when the process of step S1206 is executed, it is determined whether "1" is set in the symbol update flag in the main RAM 74 (step S1207). When "1" is not set in the symbol update flag (step S1207: NO), the main stop start process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, when "1" is set in the symbol update flag (step S1207: YES), the stop permission flag 74c is cleared to "0" (step S1208), the symbol update flag is cleared to "0" (step S1209), and the main stop start process is terminated.

[0245] As already described, "1" is set in the symbol update flag when the symbol to be managed is updated in the step count monitoring process (Figure 31). If the stop permission flag 74c is cleared to "0" after the symbol to be managed is updated and before the stop start process (Figure 32) is executed, a negative determination will be made in step S1203 of the stop start process (Figure 32) executed at the timing when the symbol to be managed is updated, and it will be impossible to set "1" in the stop execution flag. In contrast, in the present embodiment, "1" is set in the symbol update flag after the symbol to be managed is updated, the processes of steps S1201 to S1206 of the stop start process are executed, and then the stop permission flag 74c is cleared to "0" on the condition that "1" is set in the symbol update flag. As a result, it is possible to set "1" in the stop execution flag even in the stop start process (Figure 32) executed at the timing when the symbol to be managed is updated, and it is possible to start the stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R in a state where the boundaries between the stoppable range SR(n - 1) of the symbol one downstream of the stop target symbol (the nth symbol) and the non-stoppable range NRn of the stop target symbol exist at the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R.

[0246] Next, the stop control process executed by the master MPU 72 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 33. As already described, the stop control process is executed in step S1008 when it is the start timing of stop control or during stop control in the motor control process (FIG. 28).

[0247] In the stop control process, first, it is determined whether or not “1” is set in the stop execution flag in the master RAM 74 (step S1301). If “1” is set in the stop execution flag (step S1301: YES), the stop execution flag is cleared to “0” (step S1302), and the stop table is read from the master ROM 73 to the master RAM 74. As already described, 100 steps are set in the stop table as the number of execution steps of four-phase excitation.

[0248] When the stop table is read in step S1303, “100” is set in the stop counter in the master RAM 74 based on the stop table (step S1304). The stop counter is provided in a one-to-one correspondence with each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. Each stop counter is decremented by 1 each time four-phase excitation is executed over one interrupt time, and the stop control is performed until the value of the stop counter becomes “0”.

[0249] When a negative determination is made in step S1301, or when the process of step S1304 is performed, four-phase excitation data is set in the master RAM 74 as the excitation data output to the motor driver 96 (step S1305), and the value of the stop counter is decremented by 1 (step S1306). Thereafter, if the value of the stop counter after the decrement is not “0” (step S1307: NO), this stop control process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if the value of the stop counter is “0” (step S1307: YES), since it means that the stop control of the target reel has ended, the braking target flag is cleared to “0” (step S1308), and this stop control process is terminated.

[0250] Next, in the case where the stop control with one-frame slip is performed, the maximum required time required at most from the start of the operation of the left stop button 42 until the start of the stop control of the left reel 32L will be described in detail.

[0251] As already described, in the CB state, for the left reel 32L, the second reel stop control that starts the stop control of the left reel 32L within the second specified time (75 msec) from the start of the operation of the left stop button 42 is performed. Also, as already described, in the configuration that does not have the stoppable position HPn, the maximum required time in the stop control with one-frame slip exceeds the second specified time (75 msec). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the stoppable position HPn is provided for each symbol in order to shorten the maximum required time in the stop control with one-frame slip.

[0252] As described with reference to FIGS. 30(a) and 30(c), when the symbol to be managed at the timing when the operation of the left stop button 42 is detected is the n-th symbol and the stop control with one-frame slip is performed, the stoppable position HP(n + 2) of the (n + 2)-th symbol located two upstream of the n-th symbol starts the stop control at the timing when it reaches the left reference position 39L, and the (n + 2)-th symbol stops in the left reference area 38L. In this case, from the start of the operation of the left stop button 42 until the start of the stop control of the left reel 32L, the detection period (detection period TA (FIG. 34) described later) until the detection data of the left stop detection sensor 42a in the detection state storage area of the main side RAM 74 becomes the operation corresponding state (LOW state → HI state) after the start of the operation of the left stop button 42, the first period (first period TB (FIG. 34) described later) in which the symbol corresponding range REn of the n-th symbol in the 0-th frame passes the left reference position 39L, and the second period (second period TC (FIG. 34) described later) in which the non-stoppable range NRn of the (n + 1)-th symbol (the symbol located one upstream of the n-th symbol) in the first frame passes the left reference position 39L are required.

[0253] The detection data of the left stop detection sensor 42a in the detection state storage area of the main RAM 74 becomes an operation-compatible state (LOW state → HI state) in the first sensor monitoring process (step S207 of the timer interrupt process (Fig. 9)) after operation of the left stop button 42 is started and the detection signal of the left stop detection sensor 42a becomes HI state. Therefore, the detection period is at most one interrupt time regardless of the managed symbol at the time of operation detection of the left stop button 42.

[0254] The first period is the longest when the number of steps assigned to the nth symbol in the 0th frame is the largest and operation of the left stop button 42 is detected at the timing when the managed symbol switches from the (n-1)th symbol to the nth symbol. Specifically, when n=0, 3, 5, 8, 10, 13, 15, or 18, the number of steps assigned to the nth symbol in the 0th frame is the largest, "26." In addition, the second period is the 22-interrupt time because the number of steps assigned to the non-stop range NRn of each symbol on the left reel 32L is fixed at "22."

[0255] The maximum time required for stopping control of one frame slippage when operation of the left stop button 42 is detected at the time when the managed symbol switches from symbol 19 to symbol 0 will be specifically explained with reference to the time chart in Figure 34.

[0256] FIG. 34(a) shows the start timing of the stop control of the left reel 32L, FIG. 34(b) shows the detection signal of the left stop detection sensor 42a, FIG. 34(c) shows the timing at which the excitation data is output, FIG. 34(d) shows the timing at which the managed symbol is updated, FIG. 34(e) shows the state of the stop permission flag 74c, FIG. 34(f) shows the timing at which the stop target symbol of the left reel 32L is set, FIG. 34(g) shows the state of the stop execution flag corresponding to the left reel 32L, and FIG. 34(h) shows the timing at which the detection data of the left stop detection sensor 42a in the detection state storage area of the main side RAM 74 becomes the operation corresponding state (LOW state → HI state). In the following, the step number monitoring process (FIG. 31) executed at the timing when the managed symbol is switched to the nth symbol (n is 0 to 19) is referred to as the first step number monitoring process of the nth symbol, and the excitation data output for the mth time (m is an integer from 1 to 26) after the nth symbol becomes the managed symbol is referred to as the mth excitation data of the nth symbol.

[0257] As shown in FIG. 34(c), at the timing of t1, the stepping motor control process (FIG. 27) is executed, and the 24th excitation data of the 19th symbol is output to the motor driver 96. As already described, 24 steps are assigned to the 19th symbol. Therefore, when the left reel 32L rotates based on the excitation data output this time, the state changes from the state where the stoppable range SR19 of the 19th symbol exists at the reference position 39L to the state where the non-stoppable range NR0 of the 0th symbol exists.

[0258] After that, when the operation of the left stop button 42 is started at the timing of t2, as shown in FIG. 34(b), the detection signal of the left stop detection sensor 42a rises from the LOW state to the HI state. After that, when the first step number monitoring process (FIG. 31) of the 0th symbol is executed at the timing of t3, as shown in FIG. 34(d), the symbol to be managed is updated from the 19th symbol to the 0th symbol. Then, when the stop start process (FIG. 32) is executed at the timing of t4, as shown in FIG. 34(e), the stop permission flag 74c is cleared to "0". After that, when the stepping motor control process (FIG. 27) is executed at the timing of t5, as shown in FIG. 34(c), the first excitation data of the 0th symbol is output. Then, when the first sensor monitoring process (step S207 of the timer interrupt process (FIG. 9)) after the operation of the left stop button 42 is started is executed at the timing of t6, as shown in FIG. 34(h), the detection data for the last two times stored in the detection state storage area of the main side RAM 74 becomes the operation corresponding state (LOW state → HI state).

[0259] After the timing of t6 when the detection data of the left stop detection sensor 42a becomes the operation corresponding state, when the reel control process (FIG. 23) is executed at the timing of t7, as shown in FIG. 34(f), the symbol to be stopped is determined. Since the symbol to be managed at the timing of t7 is the 0th symbol, when the slipping number is "1", the 2nd symbol is determined as the symbol to be stopped, and the symbol data of the 2nd symbol is set in the stop symbol information area of the main side RAM 74.

[0260] After that, when the first step number monitoring process (FIG. 31) of the 1st symbol is executed at the timing of t8, as shown in FIG. 34(d), the symbol to be managed is updated from the 0th symbol to the 1st symbol. Also, when the stop start process (FIG. 32) is executed at the timing of t9, as shown in FIG. 34(e), the stop permission flag 74c is cleared to "0". Then, when the stepping motor control process (FIG. 27) is executed at the timing of t10, as shown in FIG. 34(c), the first excitation data of the 1st symbol is output.

[0261] Thereafter, by executing the stepping motor control process (FIG. 27) at the timing of t11, as shown in FIG. 34(c), the 22nd excitation data of the first symbol is output to the motor driver 96. As already described, 22 steps are allocated to the non-stop range NRn of each symbol. Therefore, when the left reel 32L rotates based on the excitation data, the state changes from a state where the non-stop range NR1 of the first symbol exists at the reference position 39L to a state where the stoppable range SR1 of the first symbol exists.

[0262] Thereafter, by executing the 23rd step number monitoring process of the first symbol (FIG. 31) at the timing of t12, as shown in FIG. 34(e), "1" is set in the stop permission flag 74c. Then, when the stop start process (FIG. 32) is executed at the timing of t13, since the symbol to be managed is the symbol (the first symbol) located one downstream of the symbol to be stopped (the second symbol) and "1" is set in the stop permission flag 74c, as shown in FIG. 34(g), "1" is set in the stop execution flag of the left reel 32L. As a result, 4-phase excitation data is set as the excitation data output to the motor driver 96 in the subsequent stop control process (FIG. 33), and at the timing of t14, the set 4-phase excitation data is output as shown in FIG. 34(c). Therefore, at the timing of t14, the stop control of the left reel 32L is started as shown in FIG. 34(a).

[0263] As described above, when the one-frame-slip stop control is performed, the detection period TA (the period from t2 to t6) until the detection data of the left stop detection sensor 42a in the detection state storage area becomes the operation-corresponding state after the operation of the left stop button 42 is started is at most one interrupt time. Further, the first period TB (the period from t6 to t10) required for the symbol corresponding range RE0 of the symbol of the zero-th frame (the 0th symbol) to pass the left reference position 39L after the detection data of the left stop detection sensor 42a becomes the operation-corresponding state corresponds to the number of steps ("26") assigned to the 0th symbol, specifically, 26 interrupt times. And the second period TC (the period from t10 to t14) required for the non-stop range NR1 of the symbol of the first frame (the 1st symbol) to pass the left reference position 39L corresponds to the number of steps ("22") assigned to the non-stop range NR1 of the 1st symbol, specifically, 22 interrupt times. Therefore, the maximum required time (TA + TB + TC) required from when the left stop button 42 is operated until the stop control of the left reel 42L is started is 1 + 26 + 22 = 49 interrupt times (about 73.0 msec), and the maximum required time does not exceed the second specified time (75 msec).

[0264] 35(a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the maximum required time in the stop control of one-frame slip. As already explained, the 20th symbol on the left reel 32L is set to the first step pattern, in which a pattern of 26 steps, 25 steps, 25 steps, 26 steps, and 24 steps is repeated. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 35(a), when the managed symbols at the time of detecting the operation of the left stop button 42 are the 0th, 5th, 10th, and 15th symbols, the maximum required time is 49 interrupt times (73.0 msec), and when the managed symbols at the time of detecting the operation of the left stop button 42 are the 1st, 6th, 11th, and 16th symbols, the maximum required time is 48 interrupt times (approximately 71.5 msec), and when the managed symbols at the time of detecting the operation of the left stop button 42 are the 2nd, 7th, and 8th symbols, the maximum required time is 48 interrupt times (approximately 71.5 msec). The maximum required time when the managed symbols at the time of detecting operation of the left stop button 42 are the 3rd, 8th, 13th, and 18th symbols is 48 interrupt times (approximately 71.5 msec), the maximum required time when the managed symbols at the time of detecting operation of the left stop button 42 are the 4th, 9th, 14th, and 19th symbols is 47 interrupt times (approximately 70.0 msec).

[0265] As described above, regardless of the management target symbol when the operation of the left stop button 42 is detected, the maximum required time for the stop control of one frame slip is less than the second specified time (75 msec). By setting a stop possible position HPn for each symbol on the left reel 32L to shorten the maximum required time for the stop control of one frame slip, the maximum required time is prevented from exceeding the second specified time (75 msec). As a result, for the left reel 32L in the CB state, it is possible to perform the stop control of one frame slip within the second specified time (75 msec) after the left stop button 42 is operated, regardless of the timing of the operation of the left stop button 42.

[0266] Next, the maximum required time from the start of the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44 until the start of the stop control of the corresponding reels 32L, 32M, and 32R when the four-frame slide stop control is executed will be described. FIG. 35(b) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the maximum required time in the four-frame slide stop control. As already described, the four-frame slide stop control is executed when any of the stop buttons 42 to 44 is operated in the non-CB state, and when the middle stop button 43 or the right stop button 44 is operated in the CB state.

[0267] In the four-frame slide stop control, it differs from the one-frame slide stop control described above in that the number of symbol correspondence ranges REn passing the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R based on the first period TB is four. For example, when the symbol to be managed at the time of detection of the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44 is the 0th symbol, in the first period TB, the symbols passing the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R are the 0th symbol to the 3rd symbol. In this case, the first period TB corresponds to 102 interrupt times corresponding to a total of 102 steps, which are 26 steps assigned to the 0th symbol, 25 steps assigned to the 1st symbol, 25 steps assigned to the 2nd symbol, and 26 steps assigned to the 3rd symbol.

[0268] As shown in FIG. 35(b), the first period TB is 102 interrupt times when the management target symbol at the time of detecting the operation of stop buttons 42 to 44 is the 0th symbol, the 5th symbol, the 10th symbol, or the 15th symbol; 100 interrupt times when the management target symbol at the time of detecting the operation of stop buttons 42 to 44 is the 1st symbol, the 6th symbol, the 11th symbol, or the 16th symbol; 101 interrupt times when the management target symbol at the time of detecting the operation of stop buttons 42 to 44 is the 2nd symbol, the 7th symbol, the 12th symbol, or the 17th symbol; 101 interrupt times when the management target symbol at the time of detecting the operation of stop buttons 42 to 44 is the 3rd symbol, the 8th symbol, the 13th symbol, or the 18th symbol; and 100 interrupt times when the management target symbol at the time of detecting the operation of stop buttons 42 to 44 is the 4th symbol, the 9th symbol, the 14th symbol, or the 19th symbol.

[0269] The detection period TA in the stop control of 4-frame slip is the same as that in the stop control of 1-frame slip. Specifically, it is 1 interrupt time regardless of the management target symbol at the time of detecting the operation of stop buttons 42 to 44. Also, the second period TC in the stop control of 4-frame slip is the same as that in the stop control of 1-frame slip. Specifically, it is 22 interrupt times regardless of the management target symbol at the time of detecting the operation of stop buttons 42 to 44.

[0270] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 35(b), the maximum required time (TA+TB+TC) in the stop control of the 4-frame slip is 125 interrupt time (about 186.3 msec) when the managed symbol at the time of detecting the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44 is the 0th symbol, the 5th symbol, the 10th symbol or the 15th symbol, and the maximum required time is 123 interrupt time (about 183.3 msec) when the managed symbol at the time of detecting the operation is the 1st symbol, the 6th symbol, the 11th symbol or the 16th symbol. The maximum required time when the pattern is the 2nd, 7th, 12th or 17th pattern is 124 interrupt times (approximately 184.8 msec), the maximum required time when the managed pattern at the time the operation is detected is the 3rd, 8th, 13th or 18th pattern is 124 interrupt times (184.8 msec), and the maximum required time when the managed pattern at the time the operation of the left stop button 42 is detected is the 4th, 9th, 14th or 19th pattern is 123 interrupt times (approximately 183.3 msec).

[0271] As described above, the maximum required time is less than the first specified time (190 msec) regardless of the management target symbol when the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44 is detected. Therefore, in the slot machine 10, when any of the stop buttons 42 to 44 is operated in the non-CB state, or when the center stop button 43 or the right stop button 44 is operated in the CB state, regardless of the timing of the operation of the stop button 42 to 44, the stop control of the corresponding reel 32L, 32M, 32R can be started within the first specified time (190 msec) after the operation of the stop button 42 to 44.

[0272] Next, the details of the stop position of the symbols will be explained. Figures 36(a) and 36(b) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the positional relationship between the symbol range RDn and the symbol corresponding range REn in the 19th symbol and the 0th symbol, Figures 37(a) and 37(b) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the positional relationship between the symbol range RDn and the symbol corresponding range REn in the 1st symbol and the 2nd symbol, and Figures 38(a) and 38(b) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the positional relationship between the symbol range RDn and the symbol corresponding range REn in the 3rd symbol and the 4th symbol.

[0273] As shown in FIGS. 36(a) and figure 36(b), the symbol corresponding range REn is provided in such a manner that the lower end (the stoppable position HP0 of the 0th symbol) of the stoppable range SR19 of the 19th symbol coincides with the lower end LE0 of the symbol range RD0 of the 0th symbol. Hereinafter, in this specification, the deviation width between the lower end LEn of the symbol range RDn of the nth symbol (n is an integer from 0 to 19) and the lower end of the stoppable range SR(n - 1) of the (n - 1)th symbol is denoted as the first deviation width WAn of the nth symbol, and the deviation width between the lower end LEn of the symbol range RDn of the nth symbol and the upper end of the stoppable range SR(n - 1) of the (n - 1)th symbol is denoted as the second deviation width WBn of the nth symbol. FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the first deviation width WAn and the second deviation width WBn.

[0274] First, the positional relationship between the lower end LEn of the symbol range RDn of the nth symbol (n is an integer from 0 to 19) and the lower end of the stoppable range SR(n - 1) of the (n - 1)th symbol will be described. As described above, since the stoppable position HP0 of the 0th symbol coincides with the lower end LE0 of the symbol range RD0 of the 0th symbol, as shown in FIG. 39, the first deviation width WA0 of the 0th symbol is "0". Also, as shown in FIGS. 36(a) and 36(b), the lower end LE1 of the symbol range RD1 of the 1st symbol is shifted upward by the first deviation width WA1 from the lower end (the stoppable position HP1 of the 1st symbol) of the stoppable range SR0 of the 0th symbol. As shown in FIG. 39, the first deviation width WA1 of the 1st symbol is 1.2 steps.

[0275] As shown in FIGS. 37(a) and 37(b), the lower end LE2 of the symbol range RD2 of the 2nd symbol is shifted upward by the first deviation width WA2 from the lower end (the stoppable position HP2 of the 2nd symbol) of the stoppable range SR1 of the 1st symbol. As shown in FIG. 39, the first deviation width WA2 of the 2nd symbol is 0.4 steps. Also, as shown in FIGS. 37(a) and 37(b), the lower end LE3 of the symbol range RD3 of the 3rd symbol is shifted upward by the first deviation width WA3 from the lower end (the stoppable position HP3 of the 3rd symbol) of the stoppable range SR2 of the 2nd symbol. As shown in FIG. 39, the first deviation width WA3 of the 3rd symbol is 0.6 steps.

[0276] As shown in Figures 38(a) and 38(b), the bottom end LE4 of the symbol range RD4 of the fourth symbol is shifted upward by a first shift width WA4 from the bottom end of the stoppable range SR3 of the third symbol (the stoppable position HP4 of the fourth symbol). As shown in Figure 39, the first shift width WA4 of the fourth symbol is 0.8 steps.

[0277] As already explained, in the first step pattern set for all 20 symbols on each of reels 32L, 32M, and 32R, the same pattern (26 steps, 25 steps, 25 steps, 26 steps, 24 steps) is repeated every 5 symbols. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 39, the first shift width WAn and shift direction when n=5, 10, and 15 are the same as when n=0, the first shift width WAn and shift direction when n=6, 11, and 16 are the same as when n=1, the first shift width WAn and shift direction when n=7, 12, and 17 are the same as when n=2, the first shift width WAn and shift direction when n=8, 13, and 18 are the same as when n=3, and the first shift width WAn and shift direction when n=9, 14, and 19 are the same as when n=4.

[0278] As described above, when n=0, 5, 10, 15, the bottom end LEn of the pattern range RDn of the nth symbol coincides with the bottom end of the stoppable range SR(n-1) of the (n-1)th symbol (the stoppable position HPn of the nth symbol), and when n=1 to 4, 6 to 9, 11 to 14, 16 to 19, the bottom end LEn of the pattern range RDn of the nth symbol is shifted upward from the bottom end of the stoppable range SR(n-1) of the (n-1)th symbol (the stoppable position HPn of the nth symbol).

[0279] Next, the positional relationship between the lower end LEn of the symbol range RDn of the n-th symbol (n is an integer from 0 to 19) and the upper end of the stoppable range SR(n - 1) of the (n - 1)-th symbol will be described. As shown in FIGS. 36(a) and 36(b), the lower end LE0 of the symbol range RD0 of the 0-th symbol is shifted downward by a second deviation width WB0 by 2.0 steps from the upper end of the stoppable range SR19 of the 19-th symbol. As shown in FIG. 39, the second deviation width WB0 of the 0-th symbol is 2.0 steps. Also, as shown in FIGS. 36(a) and 36(b), the lower end LE1 of the symbol range RD1 of the 1-st symbol is shifted downward by a second deviation width WB1 by 2.8 steps from the upper end of the stoppable range SR0 of the 0-th symbol. As shown in FIG. 39, the second deviation width WB1 of the 1-st symbol is 2.8 steps.

[0280] As shown in FIGS. 37(a) and 37(b), the lower end LE2 of the symbol range RD2 of the 2-nd symbol is shifted downward by a second deviation width WB2 by 2.6 steps from the upper end of the stoppable range SR1 of the 1-st symbol. As shown in FIG. 39, the second deviation width WB2 of the 2-nd symbol is 2.6 steps. Also, as shown in FIGS. 37(a) and 37(b), the lower end LE3 of the symbol range RD3 of the 3-rd symbol is shifted downward by a second deviation width WB3 by 2.4 steps from the upper end of the stoppable range SR2 of the 2-nd symbol. As shown in FIG. 39, the second deviation width WB3 of the 3-rd symbol is 2.4 steps.

[0281] As shown in FIGS. 38(a) and 38(b), the lower end LE4 of the symbol range RD4 of the 4-th symbol is shifted downward by a second deviation width WB4 by 3.2 steps from the upper end of the stoppable range SR3 of the 3-rd symbol. As shown in FIG. 39, the second deviation width WB4 of the 4-th symbol is 3.2 steps.

[0282] As already described, in the first step pattern set for all 20 symbols of each reel 32L, 32M, 32R, the same pattern (26 steps, 25 steps, 25 steps, 26 steps, 24 steps) is repeated every 5 symbols. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 39, the second deviation width WBn and the deviation direction in the cases of n = 5, 10, 15 are the same as those in the case of n = 0, the second deviation width WBn and the deviation direction in the cases of n = 6, 11, 16 are the same as those in the case of n = 1, the second deviation width WBn and the deviation direction in the cases of n = 7, 12, 17 are the same as those in the case of n = 2, the second deviation width WBn and the deviation direction in the cases of n = 8, 13, 18 are the same as those in the case of n = 3, and the second deviation width WBn and the deviation direction in the cases of n = 9, 14, 19 are the same as those in the case of n = 4.

[0283] As described above, for all n (n = 0 to 19), the lower end LEn of the symbol range RDn of the n-th symbol is displaced downward from the upper end of the stoppable range SR(n - 1) of the (n - 1)-th symbol.

[0284] Each symbol is set to stop at the center of the reference regions 38L, 38M, 38R (Fig. 22(a)) when the stop control starts with the lower end LEn (n is an integer from 0 to 19) of the symbol range RDn of the corresponding symbol existing at the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R. Since 2 to 4 steps are assigned to the stoppable range SRn of each symbol, the stoppable start period, which is the period during which the stoppable range SRn of the symbol located one downstream of the symbol to be stopped exists at the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R, has a predetermined width (corresponding to 2 to 4 steps). Therefore, the stop position of the symbol to be stopped shifts up and down according to the timing at which the stop control starts within the stoppable start period. Specifically, when the stop control starts with the lower end LEn of the symbol range RDn of the symbol to be stopped existing above the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R, the nth symbol stops shifted upward from the center of the reference regions 38L, 38M, 38R, and when the stop control starts with the lower end LEn of the symbol range RDn of the symbol to be stopped existing below the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R, the nth symbol stops shifted downward from the center of the reference regions 38L, 38M, 38R.

[0285] When the stop control starts at the stoppable start timing, which is the start timing of the stoppable start period, the stop position of the symbol to be stopped shifts most upward. Figs. 40(a) and 40(b) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the positional relationship between the symbol range RDn of the nth symbol (n = 1 to 4, 6 to 9, 11 to 14, 16 to 19) and the stoppable range SR(n - 1) of the (n - 1)th symbol when the stop control is executed at the stoppable start timing with the nth symbol as the symbol to be stopped.

[0286] As shown in FIGS. 40(a) and 40(b), at the stoppable start timing, the lower end of the stoppable range SR(n - 1) of the (n - 1)-th symbol (the stoppable position HPn of the n-th symbol) exists at the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R. As described above, when n = 1 to 4, 6 to 9, 11 to 14, 16 to 19, the lower end LEn of the symbol range RDn of the n-th symbol is shifted upward from the lower end of the stoppable range SR(n - 1) of the (n - 1)-th symbol (the stoppable position HPn of the n-th symbol). Therefore, at the stoppable start timing, the lower end LEn of the symbol range RDn of the n-th symbol is shifted upward by the first shift width WAn from the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R. For this reason, when n = 1 to 4, 6 to 9, 11 to 14, 16 to 19, if the stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is started at the stoppable start timing, the target stop symbol stops shifted upward from the center of the reference areas 38L, 38M, and 38R.

[0287] On the other hand, although illustration is omitted, as described above, when n = 0, 5, 10, 15, the lower end LEn of the symbol range RDn of the n-th symbol coincides with the lower end of the stoppable range SR(n - 1) of the (n - 1)-th symbol (the stoppable position HPn of the n-th symbol). Therefore, at the stoppable start timing, the lower end LEn of the symbol range RDn of the n-th symbol exists at the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R. For this reason, when n = 0, 5, 10, 15, if the stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is started at the stoppable start timing, the target stop symbol stops at the center of the reference areas 38L, 38M, and 38R.

[0288] Also, when the stop control is started at the stoppable end timing, which is the end timing of the stoppable start period, the stop position of the target stop symbol is shifted to the lowest side. FIGS. 40(c) and 40(d) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the positional relationship between the symbol range RDn of the n-th symbol (n = 0 to 19) and the stoppable range SR(n - 1) of the (n - 1)-th symbol when the stop control is executed at the stoppable end timing with the n-th symbol as the target stop symbol.

[0289] As shown in FIGS. 40(c) and 40(d), at the stoppable end timing, the upper ends of the stoppable range SR(n - 1) of the (n - 1)-th symbol are at the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R. And the lower end LEn of the symbol range RDn of the n-th symbol is shifted downward by the second shift width WBn from the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R. Therefore, for all n (n = 0 to 19), when the stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is started at the stoppable start timing, the symbol to be stopped stops while being shifted downward from the center of the reference regions 38L, 38M, and 38R.

[0290] As shown in FIG. 39, the maximum value of the upward first shift width WAn is 1.2 steps in the cases of n = 1, 6, 11, and 16. There is no n for which the lower end LEn of the symbol range RDn of the n-th symbol is shifted downward from the reference position, and the minimum value of the upward first shift width WAn is "0" in the cases of n = 0, 5, 10, and 15. Therefore, the maximum difference between the symbols of the first shift width WAn is 1.2 steps obtained by subtracting the minimum value of the first shift width WAn ("0") from the maximum value of the first shift width WAn ("1.2"). Also, as shown in FIG. 39, the maximum value of the second shift width WBn is 3.2 steps in the cases of n = 3, 8, 13, and 18.

[0291] FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the maximum difference between the symbols of the first shift width WAn and the maximum value of the second shift width WBn in all step patterns in which a pattern in which two 26-step, two 25-step, and one 24-step are allocated for every 5 symbols is repeated 4 times.

[0292] As shown in FIG. 41, the maximum difference between the symbols of the first shift width WAn is the minimum among the maximum differences in all step patterns in which a pattern in which two 26-step, two 25-step, and one 24-step are allocated for every 5 symbols is repeated 4 times when the first step pattern is set.

[0293] For this reason, in this embodiment in which the first step pattern is set, when stop control starts at the stop possible start timing, the maximum difference in the stop position of the stop target symbol caused by the type of stop target symbol is suppressed. This reduces the possibility that the difference in the stop position will occur depending on the type of stop target symbol, causing discomfort.

[0294] Also, as shown in Figure 41, when the first step pattern is set, the maximum value of the second shift width WBn is the smallest among the maximum values of the second shift width WBn in all step patterns in which a pattern in which two 26 steps, two 25 steps, and one 24 step are assigned every five symbols is repeated four times.

[0295] Therefore, in this embodiment in which the first step pattern is set, when stop control is started at the end timing of the stop possible period, the stopping position of the pattern to be stopped is prevented from moving away from the center of the reference areas 38L, 38M, 38R, reducing the possibility of causing discomfort regarding the stopping position of the pattern.

[0296] As described above, by setting the first step pattern for the 20 symbols on each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R, it is possible to minimize both the maximum difference between the first shift width WAn and the maximum value of the second shift width WBn among all step patterns that repeat four times, each of which assigns two 26-step, two 25-step, and one 24-step patterns for every five symbols. This reduces the possibility of causing discomfort regarding the stop positions of the symbols.

[0297] Next, the notification control process executed by the main MPU 72 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 42. The notification control process is executed in step S411 of the winning combination lottery process (Fig. 11).

[0298] In the notification control process, first, in the role lottery process (Fig. 11) executed in the non-CB state, it is determined whether the index value IV has won among 1 to 3 (step S1401). As already explained, for the index value IV = 1 to 3, bell winning data and any one of the supplementary winning data (first supplementary winning data to ninth supplementary winning data) are set. If the index value IV = 1 to 3 has won (step S1401: YES), it is determined whether it is in either the preparation state or the ART state (step S1402). If it is not in either the preparation state or the ART state (step S1402: NO), the present notification control process is terminated as it is.

[0299] On the other hand, if it is in either the preparation state or the ART state (step S1402: YES), the stop order grasping process for bell winning is executed (step S1403). In the stop order grasping process, according to the index value IV won in the role lottery process (Fig. 11), the information on the stop order of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R that enables the establishment of bell winning is grasped. Then, a bell winning command is set as the transmission target to the effect side MPU82 (step S1404), and the present notification control process is terminated. The bell winning command is a command that enables the effect side MPU82 to specify the stop order of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R that enables the establishment of bell winning in the current game. The effect side MPU82 that has received the bell winning command executes the display control of the image display device 63 and the sound output control of the speaker 62 in order to execute the bell winning stop order notification.

[0300] If the index value IV = 1 to 3 has not won in step S1401, it is determined whether any one of the upgraded replays (first RT replay or second RT replay) has won (step S1405). If any one of the upgraded replays has won (step S1405: YES), it is determined whether it is in either the preparation state or the ART state (step S1406). If it is not in either the preparation state or the ART state (step S1406: NO), the present notification control process is terminated as it is.

[0301] On the other hand, if it was in either the preparation state or the ART state in step S1406, the stop order grasping process for the promotion replay is executed (step S1407). In the stop order grasping process for the promotion replay, information on the stop order of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R that enables the establishment of the first RT replay win or the second RT replay win corresponding to the current winning result is grasped. Then, a promotion command is set as the transmission target to the effect side MPU82 (step S1408), and this notification control process ends. The promotion command is a command that enables the effect side MPU82 to specify the stop order of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R that enables the establishment of the RT replay win (the first RT replay win or the second RT replay win) in the current game. The effect side MPU82 that has received the promotion command executes the display control of the image display device 63 and the sound output control of the speaker 62 in order to execute the promotion stop order notification.

[0302] If not elected for the promotion replay in step S1405, it is determined whether elected for any of the fall replays (the first fall replay or the second fall replay) (step S1409). If not elected for any of the fall replays (step S1409: NO), this notification control process ends as it is. Also, if elected for any of the fall replays in step S1409, it is determined whether it is in the ART state (step S1410). If not in the ART state (step S1410: NO), this notification control process ends as it is.

[0303] On the other hand, when it is in the ART state (step S1410: YES), a stop order grasping process for fall replay avoidance is executed (step S1411). In the stop order grasping process for fall replay avoidance, information on the stop order of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R that can avoid the establishment of the first fall replay winning or the second fall replay winning corresponding to the current winning result is grasped. Then, a fall avoidance command is set as the transmission target to the effect side MPU82 (step S1412), and this notification control process is terminated. The fall avoidance command is a command that enables the effect side MPU82 to specify the stop order of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R that can avoid the establishment of a fall replay winning (the first fall replay winning or the second fall replay winning) in the current game. The effect side MPU82 that has received the fall avoidance command executes the display control of the image display device 63 and the sound output control of the speaker 62 in order to execute the fall avoidance stop order notification.

[0304] Incidentally, although detailed description is omitted, when the gaming state is the preparation state and the index value IV = 11 to 16 of the first RT mode lottery table (FIG. 14) is won in the lottery process of the combination (FIG. 11), a process for notifying the stop order of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R that can avoid the establishment of the first fall replay winning is executed. On the other hand, even if the index value IV = 7 to 12 of the second RT mode lottery table (FIG. 16) is won in the lottery process of the combination (FIG. 11) when the gaming state is the preparation state, the stop order of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R that can avoid the establishment of the second fall replay winning is not notified. Since the transition condition from the preparation state to the ART state is the establishment of the second RT replay winning, when a transition to the preparation state occurs in the second RT mode, by not avoiding the establishment of the second fall replay winning, it becomes possible to give an opportunity for the second RT replay winning to be established by once falling to the first RT mode.

[0305] Next, the corresponding processing at the end of the game executed by the main MPU 72 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 43. The corresponding processing at the end of the game is executed in step S309 in the normal processing (FIG. 10) after the rotations of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R have all stopped.

[0306] In the corresponding processing at the end of the game, when the CB winning data is set or the CB state exists (step S1501: YES), the CB-specific processing is executed (step S1502). FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing the CB-specific processing.

[0307] In the CB-specific processing, first, it is determined whether it is in the CB state (step S1601). As described above, this CB-specific processing is a process executed when any CB winning data is set or the CB state exists. Therefore, if it is determined in step S1601 that it is not in the CB state, it means that any CB winning data is set in the main RAM 74. In this case, it is determined whether a CB win has occurred in this game (step S1602). If a CB win has occurred (step S1602: YES), a "1" is set in the CB state flag provided in the main RAM 74, and the game state is shifted to the CB state (step S1603). As a result, the CB lottery table will be referred to in the lottery processing (FIG. 11) in subsequent games.

[0308] After that, by setting the CB transition command indicating the transition to the CB state as the transmission target to the effect control device 80, the effects for the CB state are started in the upper lamp 61, the speaker 62, and the image display device 63 (step S1604). Then, the CB winning data set in the main RAM 74 is deleted (step S1605), and this CB-specific processing is terminated.

[0309] If it is determined in step S1601 that the state is the CB state, the process for the CB state is executed (step S1606), and the process for this CB is terminated. In the process for the CB state, on the condition that the provision of the game medium has occurred in the current game, the subtraction process of the CB counter provided in the main-side RAM 74 is executed. The CB counter is a counter for the main-side MPU 72 to specify whether or not the total number of game media provided since the start of the CB state has reached the end reference number. When the CB state is started, "350", which is the end reference number, is set in the CB counter. In the subtraction process of the CB counter, the number of game media provided in the current game is subtracted from the value of the CB counter. And if the value of the CB counter after the subtraction is not "0", the process for this CB state is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if the value of the CB counter after the subtraction is "0", the CB end process for ending the CB state is executed, and the process for this CB state is terminated. In the CB end process, the CB state flag in the main-side RAM 74 is cleared to "0" to end the CB state. Also, by transmitting a command indicating that the CB state has ended to the effect control device 80, the effects for the CB state in the upper lamp 61, the speaker 62, and the image display device 63 are ended. Note that when the CB state ends, the lottery mode becomes the normal mode regardless of which mode the lottery mode was before the start of the CB state. Also, when the CB state is started in the AT state, regardless of the state before the start of the CB state, after the end of the CB state, the ART preparation state process (step S1508 in the corresponding process at the end of the game (FIG. 43)) to be described later is executed.

[0310] Returning to the description of the corresponding process at the end of the game (FIG. 43), when it is neither the winning state of the CB role nor the CB state (step S1501: NO), and further when it is not the AT state (step S1503: NO), the RT mode transition process (step S1504), the game number release management process (step S1505), and the transition chance management process (step S1506) are executed.

[0311] In the RT mode transition process (step S1504), if it is specified that the first RT replay winning has occurred in the current game, the process proceeds to the first RT mode. If it is specified that the second RT replay winning has occurred in the current game, the process proceeds to the second RT mode. Also, in the RT mode transition process, if it is specified that the second fall replay winning has occurred in the current game, the process proceeds to the first RT mode. If it is specified that the first fall replay winning has occurred in the current game, the process proceeds to the normal mode.

[0312] In the game count release management process (step S1505), when the number of games equal to the release game count set when the AT state ended last time has been played without a new transition to the AT state occurring, a process for transitioning to the AT state is executed. That is, each time a game ends, the value of the release game count is decremented by 1. When the value of the remaining release game count becomes "0", "1" is set in the AT state counter of the main side RAM 74. The main side RAM 74 is provided with an AT state counter that enables identification of whether it is in the AT state and, if it is in the AT state, identification of the stay mode in the AT state. Numerical information from "0" to "3" is set in the AT state counter according to the game state. Specifically, "0" is set in the AT state counter in the non-AT state, "1" is set in the ART preparation state, "2" is set in the ART state, and "3" is set in the ART end branch state. By setting "1" in the AT state counter in step S1505, the ART preparation state process (step S1508), which will be described later, will be executed in the next process cycle in the corresponding process at the end of the game.

[0313] In the transition chance management process (step S1506), if a win occurs with index value IV=5 in a game played in a non-CB state and non-AT state, a lottery process for transition to the AT state is executed. As already explained, only watermelon winning data is set for index value IV=5 in the non-CB state. Even if a win occurs with index value IV=5, there is a possibility that a watermelon winning will not be achieved depending on the operation timing of each stop button 42-44. However, even if a watermelon winning is not achieved, if a win occurs with index value IV=5, the lottery process for transition to the AT state is executed. However, this is not limited to this, and the configuration may also be such that the lottery process for transition to the AT state is executed on the condition that a corresponding winning has been achieved.

[0314] In the lottery process for transition to the AT state, the non-CB AT transition lottery table is read from the main ROM 73, and the value of the lottery counter, which is updated periodically (for example, every 2 msec) in the main RAM 74, is read, and the value of the lottery counter is compared with the non-CB AT transition lottery table read out. In the non-CB AT transition lottery table, the probability of winning the AT transition is 1 / 2.

[0315] If the AT transition lottery process results in an AT transition win, the ART game number counter provided in the main RAM 74 is set to "50" as the initial number of continuing games, and the AT state counter of the main RAM 74 is set to "1". By setting "1" to the AT state counter, the ART preparation state process (step S1508) described later will be executed in the next processing in the corresponding process at the end of the game (Fig. 43).

[0316] Returning to the description of the corresponding processing at the end of the game (Fig. 43), if the value of the AT state counter in the main-side RAM 74 is 1 or more, it means that it is in the AT state. Therefore, a positive determination is made in step S1503 and the process proceeds to step S1507. In step S1507, the value of the AT state counter is grasped, and the processing corresponding to the grasped value is executed. Specifically, if the value of the AT state counter is "1", the ART preparation state processing is executed (step S1508); if the value of the AT state counter is "2", the ART state processing is executed (step S1509); if the value of the AT state counter is "3", the ART end branch processing is executed (step S1510). When the processing of step S1502 is executed, when the processing of step S1506 is executed, or when any of the processing from step S1508 to step S1510 is executed, the game end command is set as the transmission target to the effect control device 80 (step S1511), and the corresponding processing at the end of this game is terminated. The game end command is a command for causing the effect control device 80 to recognize that one game has ended, and this command is transmitted to the effect control device 80 in the command output processing (step S210) in the timer interrupt processing (Fig. 9). Hereinafter, each processing from step S1508 to step S1510 will be described.

[0317] First, the ART ready state processing (step S1508) will be described. The ART ready state is a state in which the player remains before transitioning to the ART state when the conditions for transitioning to the ART state are met. As already explained, in the ART ready state, the stop order of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R to enable the establishment of a bell win when a win is achieved with any of the index values IV = 1 to 3 is announced. Also, as already explained, in the ART ready state, the stop order of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R to enable the establishment of a 1st RT replay win or a 2nd RT replay win (stop order for promotion occurrence) is announced when a win is achieved with any of the index values IV = 7 to 10 (hereinafter also referred to as a promotion target role) in the normal mode lottery table (FIG. 12) or the 1st RT mode lottery table (FIG. 14). The transition to the ART state occurs when, while the ART preparation state processing or ART end branch processing is being executed, a promotion eligible role is won in the first RT mode, reels 32L, 32M, and 32R stop in the stopping order for promotion to occur, and the lottery mode transitions to the second RT mode.

[0318] In the ART preparation state processing, if the index value IV=5 in the non-CB state is won in the current game, the bonus lottery processing is executed. As already explained, only the watermelon winning data is set for the index value IV=5 in the non-CB state. Even if the index value IV=5 is won, the watermelon winning may not be achieved depending on the operation timing of each stop button 42-44. However, even if the corresponding winning is not achieved, if the index value IV=5 is won, the bonus lottery processing is executed. However, this is not limited to this, and the bonus lottery processing may be executed on the condition that the corresponding winning is achieved. In the bonus lottery processing, the bonus lottery table is read from the main ROM 73, and the value of the lottery counter, which is updated periodically (for example, every 2 msec) in the main RAM 74, is read, and the value of the lottery counter is compared with the read bonus lottery table. According to the bonus lottery table, the probability of winning an bonus lottery is 1 / 2. If an additional win is made in the additional lottery process, an additional process is executed to add "50" as the number of additional games to the ART game number counter of the main RAM 74. As a result, the number of continuing games in one execution of the ART state after transitioning to the ART state increases.

[0319] In the ART preparation state processing, if it is determined that a second RT replay win has occurred in the current game, the AT state counter in the main RAM 74 is set to "2." As a result, the main MPU 72 executes the ART state processing (step S1509) in the next processing in the response processing at the end of game (FIG. 43), and the game state transitions from the ART preparation state to the ART state. Furthermore, data setting in the main RAM 74 is performed so that the lottery mode becomes the second RT mode. Then, on the condition that the value of the ART game number counter in the main RAM 74 is "0," the value of the ART game number counter in the main RAM 74 is incremented by 20. As a result, if the transition to the CB state occurs when the number of remaining games in the ART state becomes "0," it is possible to ensure that the ART state is executed to a certain extent after the end of the CB state, even if the ART game number counter is not incremented in the CB state.

[0320] In the ART preparation state processing, the transition processing of other RT modes is executed. In the transition processing of other RT modes, if it is determined that the first RT replay winning has occurred, it transitions to the first RT mode, if it is determined that the first fall replay winning has occurred, it transitions to the normal mode, and if it is determined that the second fall replay winning has occurred, it transitions to the first RT mode.

[0321] Next, the ART state processing (step S1509) in the corresponding processing at the end of the game (Fig. 43) will be explained. In the ART state processing, if the index value IV=5 in the non-CB state is won in this game, the same additional lottery processing as the additional lottery processing in the ART preparation state processing (step S1508) is executed. As already explained, in the additional lottery processing, the additional win occurs with a 1 / 2 probability. If the additional win occurs, "50" is added to the ART game number counter of the main RAM 74 as the number of additional games. This increases the number of continuing games in one execution of the ART state.

[0322] In the ART state processing, the value of the ART game number counter in the main RAM 74 is subtracted by 1. Then, if the value of the ART game number counter after subtracting 1 is "0", it is determined whether or not it is in normal mode. If it is not in normal mode, the AT state counter in the main RAM 74 is set to "3". As a result, the main MPU 72 executes the ART end branch processing (step S1510) in the next processing in the corresponding processing at the time of game end (Figure 43), and the game state transitions from the ART state to the ART end branch state. On the other hand, if it is in normal mode, the AT state counter in the main RAM 74 is cleared to "0". This ends the AT state.

[0323] In the ART state processing, the RT mode transition processing is executed. In the RT mode transition processing, if it is determined that the first RT replay winning has occurred, it transitions to the first RT mode, if it is determined that the second RT replay winning has occurred, it transitions to the second RT mode, if it is determined that the first fall replay winning has occurred, it transitions to the normal mode, and if it is determined that the second fall replay winning has occurred, it transitions to the first RT mode.

[0324] Next, the ART end branch processing (step S1510) in the response processing at the end of the game (Figure 43) will be explained. The ART end branch state is the game state in which the player remains when one execution of the ART state is completed. As already explained, in the ART end branch state, if a winning combination is achieved with an index value IV = 1 to 3, the stopping order of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R to enable the formation of a bell win is announced. On the other hand, even if a winning combination that enables the occurrence of a first fall replay win or a second fall replay win is won in the ART end branch state, the stopping order of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R to prevent the occurrence of these fall replay wins is not announced. Then, if a first fall replay win occurs in the ART end branch state and the game transitions to normal mode, the value of the AT state counter is cleared to "0." This ends the AT state.

[0325] According to the present embodiment described above in detail, the following excellent effects are achieved.

[0326] The stoppable position HPn of each symbol is set at a position where the symbol range RDn of that symbol reaches the reference position 39L, 39M, 39R earlier than the reference position 39L, 39M, 39R, and when the stoppable position HPn reaches the reference position 39L, 39M, 39R, it becomes possible to execute stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R. This makes it possible to start stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R earlier than the symbol range RDn of the stop target symbol reaches the reference position 39L, 39M, 39R.

[0327] By setting the stoppable range SRn, to which 2 to 4 steps are assigned, upstream of the symbol corresponding range REn of each symbol, the second period TC is shortened by the number of steps assigned to the stoppable range SRn. As a result, the maximum value of the maximum required time (detection period TA + first period TB + second period TC) for the stop control of one frame slip and the stop control of four frame slip is shortened.

[0328] For each symbol on the left reel 32L, the stop position HPn is set so that the maximum time required for one-frame sliding stop control is 49 interrupt time (approximately 73.0 msec) or less. This makes it possible to execute one-frame sliding stop control for the left reel 32L in the CB state within the second specified time (75 msec) after the left stop button 42 is operated.

[0329] Each symbol on each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is assigned a number of steps between 24 and 26. Each symbol is assigned a number of steps that is close to the answer (25.2) when the number of steps (504) required to rotate the stepping motor 33 once is divided by the number of symbols (20) on the reel tape 97 of each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R, so that there is no large discrepancy in the stopping positions between the symbols.

[0330] For the 20 symbols attached to the reel tapes 97 of each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R, a first step pattern is set that repeats four times a pattern in which 26 steps, 25 steps, 25 steps, 26 steps, and 24 steps are assigned for every 5 symbols. If a step pattern is used in which a pattern with 4 twenty-five-step and 1 twenty-six-step assignments for every 5 symbols is repeated four times, the number of steps will increase by 1 in only 1 symbol out of 5 consecutive symbols. On the other hand, by setting the first step pattern formed by combining three types of step numbers, the deviation in the number of steps assigned to 5 consecutive symbols can be dispersed.

[0331] Since the first step pattern is set for the 20 symbols attached to each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R, among all step patterns that repeat four times a pattern in which 2 two twenty-six-step, 2 two twenty-five-step, and 1 twenty-four-step assignments are made for every 5 symbols, both the maximum difference between symbols of the first deviation width WAn and the maximum value of the second deviation width WBn can be made the minimum. As a result, the possibility of causing a sense of discomfort regarding the stop position of the symbol when the stoppable position HPn of the symbol to be stopped does not reach the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R at the time of operation detection of the stop buttons 42 to 44, and the possibility of causing a sense of discomfort regarding the stop position of the symbol when the stoppable position HPn of the symbol to be stopped reaches the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R at the time of operation detection of the stop buttons 42 to 44 are both reduced.

[0332] The number of steps assigned to the non-stop range NRn of each symbol is fixed at "22". As a result, the storage capacity of data for enabling the main-side MPU 72 to specify the number of steps assigned to the non-stop range NRn of each symbol in the main-side RAM 74 is reduced.

[0333] <Another form of the first embodiment> · When it is detected that the states of the detection signals of the stop detection sensors 42a to 44a are in the LOW state → HI state → HI state, it may be configured to determine that the stop buttons 42 to 44 have been operated. Specifically, in the detection state storage area of the main-side RAM 74, the states of the detection signals of the stop detection sensors 42a to 44a for the most recent three times are stored. In this configuration, even if the states of the detection signals of the stop detection sensors 42a to 44a become LOW state → LOW state → HI state, the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44 is not detected in step S704 of the valid operation determination process (Fig. 25). After about one interrupt time, the detection states of the stop detection sensors 42a to 44a become HI state, and when the states for the most recent three times become LOW state → HI state → HI state, the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44 is detected. Thereby, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R is started due to electrical noise in which the detection signals of the stop detection sensors 42a to 44a rise to the HI state only once per processing cycle. In this configuration, the detection period from when the stop buttons 42 to 44 are operated until the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44 is detected is two interrupt times, which is one interrupt time longer than the detection period TA (one interrupt time) in the first embodiment. In this configuration, the maximum required time in the stop control with one-frame slip becomes the maximum in the same cases as in the first embodiment (see Fig. 35(a)), i.e., when n = 0, 5, 10, 15 and when n = 3, 8, 13, 18. The maximum required time in this case is the detection period TA ("2") + the first period TB ("26") + the second period TC ("22") = 50 interrupt times (about 74.5 msec). Since the maximum value of the maximum required time in the stop control with one-frame slip does not exceed the second specified time (75 msec), it is possible to start the stop control of the left reel 32L with the slip count set to "1" within the second specified time after the left stop button 42 is operated. Also, in this configuration, the maximum required time in the stop control with four-frame slip becomes the maximum in the same cases as in the first embodiment (see Fig. 35(b)), i.e., when n = 0, 5, 10, 15. The maximum required time in this case is the detection period TA ("2") + the first period TB ("26 + 25 + 25 + 24") + the second period TC ("22") = 126 interrupt times (about 187.7 msec).Since the maximum time required for the stop control of a four-frame slip does not exceed the first specified time (190 msec), the stop control of the corresponding reels 32L, 32M, and 32R can be started within the first specified time after the stop buttons 42 to 44 are operated, with the number of slips set to "4."

[0334] The stop possible range SRn may be omitted, and stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R may be executed when the stop possible position HPn of the stop target symbol reaches the reference position 39L, 39M, and 39R, and when the lower end of the symbol correspondence range REn of the stop target symbol reaches the reference position 39L, 39M, and 39R. In this configuration, if the stop possible position HPn of the stop target symbol has not reached the reference position 39L, 39M, and 39R when operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44 is detected, stop control can be executed when the stop possible position HPn reaches the reference position 39L, 39M, and 39R. Also, if the stop possible position HPn of the stop target symbol has passed the reference position 39L, 39M, and 39R when operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44 is detected, stop control can be executed when the lower end of the symbol correspondence range REn of the stop target symbol reaches the reference position 39L, 39M, and 39R. In this configuration, the maximum required time for stopping control of a one-frame slip can be made the same as the maximum required time for a one-frame slip in the first embodiment, and the maximum required time for stopping control of a four-frame slip can be made the same as the maximum required time for a four-frame slip in the first embodiment.

[0335] · The configuration that shortens the maximum required time from when the left stop button 42 is operated until the stop control of the left reel 32L starts with the slip count set to "1" and makes it within the second specified time (75 msec) is not limited to the configuration in which the stoppable range of each symbol is set upstream of the symbol corresponding range REn of the symbol. It may be configured such that the stoppable range of each symbol is set downstream of the symbol corresponding range REn of the symbol. Specifically, for all 20 symbols of each reel 32L, 32M, 32R, a step pattern in which a pattern where 24 steps, 26 steps, 25 steps, 25 steps, and 26 steps are assigned every 5 symbols from the 0th symbol is repeated 4 times is set. To the stoppable range SRn of each symbol, the number of steps obtained by subtracting 22 steps from the number of steps assigned to the symbol (2 steps to 4 steps) is assigned, and 22 steps are assigned to the non-stoppable range NRn of each symbol. In this configuration, when the pth symbol (p is an integer from 0 to 19) is set as the symbol to be stopped, stop control for stopping the pth symbol in the reference regions 38L, 38M, 38R can be started based on the fact that the stoppable range SRp of the pth symbol exists at the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R.

[0336] When the operation of the left stop button 42 is detected at the timing when the non-stoppable range NRn of the nth symbol (n is an integer from 0 to 19) at the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R switches from the state where it exists to the state where the stoppable range SRn of the nth symbol exists at the reference positions, the maximum required time for the stop control with a one-frame slip is the same detection period TA (1 interrupt time) as the detection period TA in the above first embodiment, the first period TB required for the non-stoppable range NRn of the nth symbol to pass through the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R, and the second period TC required for the symbol corresponding range RE(n + 1) of the (n + 1)th symbol located one upstream of the nth symbol to pass through the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R, which is the total period.

[0337] As mentioned above, the number of steps assigned to the non-stop range NRn is fixed at "22" regardless of the symbol number, so the first period TB in this configuration is constant, specifically, 22 interrupt times. Therefore, the maximum required time for one-frame slip stop control is when the second period TC is at its maximum. Specifically, when n = 0, 5, 10, or 15, the number of steps assigned to the (n+1)th symbol is at its maximum ("26"), and the second period TC is at its maximum interrupt time of 26. In this case, the maximum required time is the detection period TA ("1") + the first period TB ("22") + the second period TC ("26") = 49 interrupt times (approximately 73.0 msec), which does not exceed the second specified time (75 msec).

[0338] In this way, by providing a stoppable range SRn downstream of the pattern corresponding range REn of each pattern and shortening the first period TB to shorten the maximum time required for stop control of one frame slip, it is possible to set the slip number to "1" and start stop control of the left reel 32L within the second specified time (75 msec) after the left stop button 42 is operated.

[0339] <Second embodiment> In this embodiment, stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is initiated on the condition that two-phase excitation has been performed over one interruption. Below, we will explain the configuration that differs from the first embodiment. Note that the description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0340] The shutdown start process executed by the main MPU 72 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 45. As already described in the first embodiment, the shutdown start process is executed in step S1119 in the step count monitoring process (Fig. 31).

[0341] In the stop start process in this embodiment, first, it is determined whether or not the stop preparation flag provided in the main RAM 74 is set to "1" (step S1701). The stop preparation flag is a flag that enables the main MPU 72 to specify that stop control should be started after two-phase excitation has been executed over one interrupt. The stop preparation flag is set to "1" when the stoppable range SRn of the symbol located one downstream of the stop target symbol is present in the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R, and when the previous excitation phase was two-phase excitation.

[0342] If it is determined in step S1701 that the stop preparation flag is not set to "1," steps S1702 to S1705 execute the same processing as steps S1201 to S1204 in the stop start processing (FIG. 32) of the first embodiment. Specifically, if stop control is not in progress (step S1702: NO) and the braking target flag is set to "1" (step S1703: YES), it is determined whether the stop permission flag 74c is set to "1" (step S1704). Then, if the stop permission flag 74c is set to "1" (step S1704: YES) and the current management target symbol is the symbol located one position downstream of the stop target symbol (step S1705: YES), the process proceeds to step S1706.

[0343] In step S1706, it is determined whether two-phase excitation has been performed over one interrupt. In step S1706, a positive determination is made if the excitation data output to the motor driver 96 of the target reel in the previous stepping motor control process (FIG. 27) is two-phase excitation excitation data.

[0344] When it is after two-phase excitation has been executed across one interruption (step S1706: YES), in steps S1707 and S1708, the same processing as steps S1205 and S1206 in the stop start processing (Figure 32) of the first embodiment is executed. Specifically, a "1" is set in the stop execution flag in the main-side RAM 74 (step S1707), and a "1" is set in the stop information update flag in the main-side RAM 74 (step S1708). When a "1" is set in the stop execution flag, excitation data for four-phase excitation is output to the motor driver 96 and stop control is started.

[0345] On the other hand, if in step S1706 it is determined that it is not after two-phase excitation has been executed across one interruption, a "1" is set in the stop preparation flag in the main-side RAM 74 (step S1709). When a "1" is set in the stop preparation flag, excitation data for constant-speed rotation is output to the motor driver 96 in step S906 of the stepping motor control process (Figure 27). In this case, since the excitation data output to the motor driver 96 in the previous stepping motor control process (Figure 27) was excitation data for single-phase excitation, excitation data for two-phase excitation will be output in this stepping motor control process.

[0346] If it is determined in step S1701 that a "1" is set in the stop preparation flag, it means that a "1" was set in the stop preparation flag in the previous stop start processing, and then excitation data for two-phase excitation was output in the subsequent stepping motor control process (Figure 27). In this case, the stop preparation flag is cleared to "0" (step S1710). Then, a "1" is set in the stop execution flag in the main-side RAM 74 (step S1707), and a "1" is set in the stop information update flag in the main-side RAM 74 (step S1708).

[0347] When an affirmative determination is made in step S1702, when a negative determination is made in any of steps S1703 to S1705, when the process of step S1708 is performed, or when the process of step S1709 is performed, in steps S1711 to S1713, the same processes as steps S1207 to S1209 of the stop start processing (FIG. 32) in the first embodiment are executed. Specifically, when the symbol update flag is set to "1" (step S1711: YES), the stop permission flag 74c is cleared to "0" (step S1712), the symbol update flag is cleared to "0" (step S1713), and this stop start processing is terminated.

[0348] In this way, in the present embodiment, after two-phase excitation is executed over one interruption, "1" is set in the stop execution flag, and then four-phase excitation drive data is output and the stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is started. In the main side ROM 73, only the second acceleration table (FIG. 20) in the first embodiment is set as the acceleration table for the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. As already described in the first embodiment, one-phase excitation is set as the initial excitation in the second acceleration table. Since the excitation phase immediately before executing the stop control is fixed to two-phase excitation, it is possible to start the acceleration control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R using only the second acceleration table in which one-phase excitation is set as the initial excitation. By reducing the types of acceleration tables that need to be stored in advance, it is possible to reduce the storage capacity of the acceleration tables in the main side ROM 73.

[0349] Next, the maximum required time for the stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R in the present embodiment will be described.

[0350] In this embodiment, even when the stoppable position HPn of the target symbol to be stopped reaches the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R after the operations of the stop buttons 42 to 44 are detected, if the two-phase excitation has not been executed for one interruption, the two-phase excitation is executed for one interruption before the four-phase excitation is executed. For this reason, the second period TC for passing through the non-stoppable range NRn of the symbol located one downstream of the target symbol to be stopped may be extended by one interruption.

[0351] FIG. 46(a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the maximum required time when the stop control with a one-frame slip is performed, and FIG. 46(b) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the maximum required time when the stop control with a four-frame slip is performed. As shown in FIGS. 46(a) and 46(b), in this embodiment, the second period TC from when the symbol to be managed is updated to the symbol one downstream of the target symbol to be stopped until the start of the stop control is extended by one interruption time compared to the second period TC in the first embodiment. Specifically, the second period TC is 23 interruption times.

[0352] For this reason, as shown in FIG. 46(a), the maximum required time in the stop control with a one-frame slip is 50 interruption times (about 74.5 msec) when the symbol to be managed at the time of detecting the stop operation is the 0th symbol, the 5th symbol, the 10th symbol, and the 15th symbol, 49 interruption times (about 73.0 msec) when the symbol to be managed at the time of detecting the stop operation is the 1st symbol, the 6th symbol, the 11th symbol, and the 16th symbol, 49 interruption times (about 73.0 msec) when the symbol to be managed at the time of detecting the stop operation is the 2nd symbol, the 7th symbol, the 12th symbol, and the 17th symbol, 50 interruption times (about 74.5 msec) when the symbol to be managed at the time of detecting the stop operation is the 3rd symbol, the 8th symbol, the 13th symbol, and the 18th symbol, and 48 interruption times (about 71.5 msec) when the symbol to be managed at the time of detecting the stop operation is the 4th symbol, the 9th symbol, the 14th symbol, and the 19th symbol.

[0353] All of the above maximum required times are less than the second specified time (75 msec). Therefore, even in a configuration where stop control is started after two-phase excitation, it is possible to start the stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R before the second specified time (75 msec) elapses after the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44.

[0354] Also, as shown in FIG. 46(b), the maximum required time in the stop control of four-frame slippage is 126 interrupt times (about 187.7 msec) when the management target symbol at the time of stop operation detection is the 0th symbol, the 5th symbol, the 10th symbol, and the 15th symbol, 124 interrupt times (about 184.8 msec) when the management target symbol at the time of stop operation detection is the 1st symbol, the 6th symbol, the 11th symbol, and the 16th symbol, 125 interrupt times (about 183.3 msec) when the management target symbol at the time of stop operation detection is the 2nd symbol, the 7th symbol, the 12th symbol, and the 17th symbol, 125 interrupt times (about 186.3 msec) when the management target symbol at the time of stop operation detection is the 3rd symbol, the 8th symbol, the 13th symbol, and the 18th symbol, and 124 interrupt times (about 184.8 msec) when the management target symbol at the time of stop operation detection is the 4th symbol, the 9th symbol, the 14th symbol, and the 19th symbol.

[0355] All of the above maximum required times are less than the first specified time (190 msec). Therefore, even in a configuration where stop control is started after two-phase excitation, it is possible to start the stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R before the first specified time (190 msec) elapses after the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44.

[0356] According to the present embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

[0357] The excitation phase before the start of stop control is unified to two-phase excitation, and the initial excitation in acceleration control is unified to one-phase excitation. Therefore, it is possible to execute the acceleration control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R using one type of acceleration table. As a result, it is possible to reduce the storage capacity of the acceleration table in the main-side ROM 73.

[0358] The stoppable range SRn of each symbol is set to the number of steps that makes the time required for the stoppable position HPn of the next management target symbol to reach the reference position 39L, 39M, 39R after the management target symbol is updated within 49 interrupt times. Therefore, even in the case where the stoppable position HPn reaches the reference position 39L, 39M, 39R by executing one-phase excitation over one interrupt, and stop control is started after two-phase excitation is executed over one interrupt, it is possible to start stop control within the second specified time (75 msec) after the stop buttons 42 to 44 are operated.

[0359] The stoppable range SRn of each symbol is set to a number of steps that sets the time required for the stoppable range SRn of the symbol located four upstream of the updated managed symbol after the updated managed symbol to reach the reference position 39L, 39M, 39R within 125 interrupt times. Therefore, even in the case where the stoppable position HPn of the stop target symbol reaches the reference position 39L, 39M, 39R by executing one-phase excitation over one interrupt, and stop control is started after two-phase excitation is executed over one interrupt, it is possible to start stop control within the first specified time (190 msec) after the stop buttons 42 to 44 are operated.

[0360] <Third embodiment> This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that different step numbers are assigned to the non-stop range NRn according to the symbol number, thereby reducing the first deviation width WAn. Below, the configurations different from the first embodiment will be explained. Note that the explanation of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be basically omitted.

[0361] FIG. 47(a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the number of steps assigned to the stoppable range SRn of the n-th symbol in the present embodiment, and FIG. 47(b) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the first deviation width WAn and the second deviation width WBn. For the 20 symbols of each of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 47(a), the same first step pattern as in the first embodiment is set, and the position of each symbol corresponding range REn with respect to the lower end LE0 (see FIGS. 36(a) and 36(b)) of the symbol range RD0 of the 0-th symbol is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0362] First, the n-th symbols where n = 0, 5, 10, 15, n = 2, 7, 12, 17, and n = 3, 8, 13, 18 will be described. As shown in FIG. 47(a), the stoppable range SRn of the n-th symbol (n = 0, 5, 10, 15, n = 2, 7, 12, 17, and n = 3, 8, 13, 18) is assigned a number of steps that is 1 less than the number of steps assigned to the stoppable range SRn of these symbols in the first embodiment, and the non-stoppable range NRn of these symbols is assigned 23 steps that is 1 more than the number of steps ( "22") assigned to the non-stoppable range NRn of these symbols in the first embodiment. As a result, as shown in FIG. 47(b), for the (n + 1)-th symbol located one upstream of the n-th symbol (n = 0, 5, 10, 15, n = 2, 7, 12, 17, and n = 3, 8, 13, 18), the first deviation width WAn is reduced compared to the first embodiment. Specifically, in FIG. 47(b), when n = 1, 6, 11, 16, the first deviation width WAn is 0.2 steps (upward), when n = 3, 8, 13, 18, the first deviation width WAn is 0.4 steps (downward), and when n = 4, 9, 14, 19, the first deviation width WAn is 0.2 steps (downward).

[0363] In a configuration where the positions of the respective symbol correspondence ranges RE n with respect to the lower end LE0 of the symbol range RD0 of the 0th symbol are the same as those in the first embodiment, the number of steps assigned to the stoppable range SR n of the nth symbol (n = 0, 5, 10, 15, n = 2, 7, 12, 17, and n = 3, 8, 13, 18) is decreased by 1. As a result, the stoppable position HP(n + 1) of the (n + 1)th symbol located one upstream of the nth symbol has moved 1 step upstream compared to the first embodiment. The (n + 1)th symbol (n + 1 = 1, 6, 11, 16, n = 3, 8, 13, 18, and n = 4, 9, 14, 19) is a symbol with an upward first deviation width WA(n + 1) of "0.6" or more in the first embodiment. Also, as already described in the first embodiment, the first deviation width WA(n + 1) of the (n + 1)th symbol is the deviation width between the lower end LE(n + 1) of the symbol range RD(n + 1) of the (n + 1)th symbol and the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R in a state where the stoppable position HP(n + 1) of the (n + 1)th symbol exists at the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R, and is also the deviation width between the lower end LE(n + 1) of the symbol range RD(n + 1) of the (n + 1)th symbol and the stoppable position HP(n + 1) of the (n + 1)th symbol (see FIGS. 40(a) to 40(d)). Therefore, by moving the stoppable position HP(n + 1) of the (n + 1)th symbol with an upward first deviation width WA(n + 1) of "0.6" or more 1 step upstream, the first deviation width WA(n + 1) is reduced.

[0364] Next, the n-th symbols where n = 1, 6, 11, 16 and n = 4, 9, 14, 19 will be described. As shown in FIG. 47(a), the stoppable range SRn of the n-th symbol (n = 1, 6, 11, 16 and n = 4, 9, 14, 19) is assigned the same number of steps as the number of steps assigned to the stoppable ranges SRn of these symbols in the above first embodiment, and the non-stoppable range NRn of these symbols is assigned 22 steps, which is the same as the number of steps ( "22") assigned to the non-stoppable ranges NRn of these symbols in the above first embodiment. For this reason, the first deviation width WA(n + 1) in the (n + 1)-th symbol located one upstream of the n-th symbol is the same as the first deviation width WA(n + 1) in the above first embodiment. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 47(b), when n = 2, 7, 12, 17, the first deviation width WAn is 0.4 steps (upward), and when n = 0, 5, 10, 15, the first deviation width WAn is "0".

[0365] As shown in FIG. 47(b), the maximum value of the upward first deviation width WAn is 0.4 steps in the cases of n = 2, 7, 12, 17. On the other hand, the maximum value of the downward first deviation width WAn is 0.4 steps in the cases of n = 3, 8, 13, 18. For this reason, the maximum difference between the symbols of the first deviation width WAn is 0.8 steps, which is the sum of the maximum value of the upward first deviation width WAn ("0.4") and the maximum value of the downward first deviation width WAn (0.4).

[0366] As described above, for each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R, the number of steps assigned to the non-stop range NRn of each symbol differs according to the symbol number. In the main-side ROM 73, a step number table for non-stop ranges is stored, in which the number of steps (22 steps to 23 steps) assigned to the non-stop range NRn of the symbol corresponding to the symbol order information is set in correspondence with the symbol order information. When the symbol to be managed is updated, the main-side MPU 72 refers to the step number table for non-stop ranges and sets numerical information of "22" or "23" in the step number counter in step S1112 of the step number monitoring process (Fig. 31).

[0367] As already described, since the position of each symbol corresponding range REn with respect to the lower end LE0 of the symbol range RD0 of the 0th symbol is the same as that in the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 47(b), the second deviation width WBn in the nth symbol (n = 0 to 19) of this embodiment is the same as the second deviation width WBn in the first embodiment.

[0368] Next, the maximum required time for the stop control of a one-frame slip and the maximum required time for the stop control of a four-frame slip in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 48(a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the maximum required time when the stop control of a one-frame slip is performed, and Fig. 48(b) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the maximum required time when the stop control of a four-frame slip is performed.

[0369] As shown in Fig. 48(a), the maximum required time when the stop control of a one-frame slip is performed is 49 interrupt times (about 73.0 msec) when the symbol to be managed at the time of detecting the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44 is the 0th symbol to the 3rd symbol, and 48 interrupt times (about 71.5 msec) when the symbol to be managed at the time of the operation detection is the 4th symbol. Since these maximum required times are less than the second specified time (75 msec), it is possible to execute the stop control of a one-frame slip within the second specified time after the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44 is performed.

[0370] As shown in FIG. 48(b), the maximum required time in the case where the four-frame sliding stop control is performed is 125 interrupt times (about 186.3 msec) when the management target symbol at the time of detecting the operations of the stop buttons 42 to 44 is the 0th symbol or the 3rd symbol, and is 124 interrupt times (184.8 msec) when the management target symbol at the time of the operation detection is the 1st symbol, the 2nd symbol, or the 4th symbol. Since these maximum required times are less than the first specified time (190 msec), it is possible to execute the four-frame sliding stop control within the first specified time after the operations of the stop buttons 42 to 44 are performed.

[0371] According to the present embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects are achieved.

[0372] For all n, since the number of steps for setting the first deviation width WAn to "0.5" or less is set in the stoppable range SRn, for all symbols, the deviation width between the stoppable position HPn and the lower end LEn of the symbol range RDn is 0.5 step or less. Thereby, the deviation width from the center of the reference regions 38L, 38M, 38R of the symbol when the stop control is started at the stoppable start timing is suppressed. Therefore, the possibility of causing a sense of discomfort regarding the stop position of the symbol is reduced.

[0373] The number of steps for setting the first deviation width WAn in the stoppable range SRn to "0.5" or less is also the number of steps for setting the maximum required time in the one-frame sliding stop control to 49 interrupt times (about 73.0 msec) or less. Thereby, for the left reel 32L in the CB state, it is possible to execute the one-frame sliding stop control within the second specified time (75 msec) after the operation of the left stop button 42 is performed, while suppressing the maximum difference between symbols of the first deviation width WAn.

[0374] <Another form of the third embodiment> ·In the above-described third embodiment, it may be configured such that three steps are assigned to the stoppable range SRn of the n-th symbol (n = 2, 7, 12, 17). In this configuration, the first deviation width WAn at n = 3, 8, 13, 18 is 0.6 steps (upward). In this case, the maximum value of the upward first deviation width WAn is 0.6 steps in the case of n = 3, 8, 13, 18. On the other hand, the maximum value of the downward first deviation width WAn is 0.2 steps in the case of n = 4, 9, 14, 19. Therefore, the maximum difference between the symbols of the first deviation width WAn is 0.8 steps, which is the sum of the maximum value of the upward first deviation width WAn (“0.6”) and the maximum value of the downward first deviation width WAn (0.2). Thus, even in the configuration where three steps are assigned to the stoppable range SRn of the n-th symbol (n = 2, 7, 12, 17), by making the maximum difference between the symbols of the first deviation width WAn the same as the maximum difference in the above-described third embodiment, it is possible to reduce the possibility of causing a sense of discomfort regarding the stop position of the symbol.

[0375] <Fourth Embodiment> In this embodiment, a step pattern capable of reducing the second deviation width WBn is set for the 20 symbols of each of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R, and the minimum number of steps that enables start of stop control within a second specified time after the stop buttons 42 to 44 are operated with respect to each stoppable range SRn is assigned. This is different from the first embodiment described above. Hereinafter, the configuration different from the first embodiment will be described. Note that the description of the same configuration as the first embodiment described above will basically be omitted.

[0376] As already described in the first embodiment, by providing the stoppable range SRn for each symbol, it is possible to start the stop control at a timing earlier than when the lower end of the symbol corresponding range REn of the symbol to be stopped reaches the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R. On the other hand, the wider the stoppable range SRn is, the longer the stoppable start period during which the stoppable range SRn exists at the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R becomes. When the stop control is started at the stoppable start timing (the start timing of the stoppable start period), the deviation between the stop position of the symbol to be stopped and the stop position of the symbol to be stopped when the stop control is started at the stoppable end timing (the end timing of the stoppable start period) becomes larger.

[0377] FIG. 49(a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the number of steps assigned to the stoppable range SRn of the n-th symbol in the present embodiment, and FIG. 49(b) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the first deviation width WAn and the second deviation width WBn. For the 20 symbols on each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R, a second step pattern in which a pattern of assigning 25 steps, 25 steps, 26 steps, 25 steps, and 25 steps every 5 symbols is repeated 4 times is set.

[0378] As shown in FIG. 49(a), 25 steps are assigned to the n-th symbol (n = 0, 5, 10, 15, n = 1, 6, 11, 16, n = 3, 8, 13, 18, and n = 4, 9, 14, 19), and 1 step is assigned to the stoppable range SRn of the n-th symbol. Also, 26 steps are assigned to the n-th symbol (n = 2, 7, 12, 17), and 2 steps are assigned to the stoppable range SRn of the n-th symbol.

[0379] Thus, for each reel 32L, 32M, and 32R, the number of steps assigned to the non-stop range NRn of each symbol differs according to the symbol number. In the main-side ROM 73, a step number table for the non-stop range is stored, in which the number of steps (23 steps to 24 steps) assigned to the non-stop range NRn of the symbol corresponding to the symbol order information is set in accordance with the symbol order information. When the symbol to be managed is updated, the main-side MPU 72 refers to the step number table for the non-stop range and sets numerical information of "23" or "24" in the step counter in step S1112 of the step number monitoring process (Fig. 31).

[0380] As shown in Fig. 49(b), when n = 1 to 4, 6 to 9, 11 to 14, 16 to 19, at the stoppable start timing, the lower end LEn of the symbol range RDn of the n-th symbol is shifted upward from the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R. On the other hand, when n = 0, 5, 10, 15, at the stoppable start timing, the lower end of the symbol range RDn of the n-th symbol exists at the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R.

[0381] As shown in Fig. 49(b), the first shift width WAn in the upward direction is "0" when n = 0, 5, 10, 15, 0.2 steps when n = 1, 6, 11, 16, 0.4 steps when n = 2, 7, 12, 17, 0.6 steps when n = 3, 8, 13, 18, and 0.8 steps when n = 4, 9, 1,4, 19.

[0382] The maximum value of the first upward shift width WAn is 0.8 steps when n = 4, 9, 14, 19. There is no n for which the lower end LEn of the symbol range RDn of the n-th symbol is shifted downward from the reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R, and the minimum value of the first upward shift width WAn is "0" when n = 0, 5, 10, 15. Therefore, the maximum difference between symbols of the first shift width WAn is 0.8 steps obtained by subtracting the minimum value ("0") of the first shift width WAn from the maximum value ("0.8") of the first shift width WAn.

[0383] As shown in Fig. 49(b), regardless of whether n is 0 to 19, at the stoppable end timing of the n-th symbol, the lower end LEn of the symbol range RDn of the n-th symbol is shifted downward from the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R. The second deviation width WBn is 1.0 step when n = 0, 5, 10, 15, 0.8 step when n = 1, 6, 11, 16, 0.6 step when n = 2, 7, 12, 17, 1.4 steps when n = 3, 8, 13, 18, and 1.2 steps when n = 4, 9, 14, 19. The maximum value of the second deviation width WBn is 1.4 steps when n = 3, 8, 13, 18.

[0384] As described above, since the second step pattern is set for the 20 symbols of each reel 32L, 32M, 32R and the minimum number of steps that enables the stop control to start within the second specified time (75 msec) after the stop buttons 42 to 44 are operated is assigned to each stoppable range SRn, both the maximum difference between symbols of the first deviation width WAn and the maximum value of the second deviation width WBn can be reduced.

[0385] Next, the maximum required time for the stop control of a one-frame slip and the maximum required time for the stop control of a four-frame slip in the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 50(a) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the maximum required time when the stop control of a one-frame slip is performed, and Fig. 50(b) is an explanatory diagram for explaining the maximum required time when the stop control of a four-frame slip is performed.

[0386] As shown in Fig. 50(a), the maximum required time when the stop control of a one-frame slip is performed is 50 interrupt times (about 74.5 msec) regardless of which symbol is the management target symbol at the time of detecting the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44, and this maximum required time is less than the second specified time (75 msec). Therefore, it is possible to execute the stop control of a one-frame slip within the second specified time after the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44.

[0387] As shown in Fig. 50(b), when the four-frame sliding stop control is performed, the maximum required time is 125 interrupt times (about 186.3 msec) when the management target symbol at the time of operation detection of the stop buttons 42 to 44 is any one of the 0th symbol to the 2nd symbol, and 124 interrupt times (184.8 msec) when the management target symbol at the time of the operation detection is the 3rd symbol or the 4th symbol. Since these maximum required times are less than the first specified time (190 msec), it is possible to execute the four-frame sliding stop control within the first specified time after the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44 is performed.

[0388] According to the present embodiment described in detail above, the following excellent effects can be obtained.

[0389] For the twenty symbols of each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R, a second step pattern in which a pattern of allocating 25 steps, 25 steps, 26 steps, 25 steps, and 25 steps for every five symbols is repeated four times is set. As a result, the second deviation width WBn in each symbol is reduced, and the maximum value of the second deviation width WBn is reduced. In this configuration, the minimum number of steps that enables the start of the stop control within the second specified time (75 msec) after the stop buttons 42 to 44 are operated is allocated to each stoppable range SRn. Thereby, for the left reel 32L in the CB state, it is possible to execute the one-frame sliding stop control within the second specified time (75 msec) after the operation of the left stop button 42, while reducing both the maximum difference between the symbols of the first deviation width WAn and the maximum value of the second deviation width WBn.

[0390] <Other Embodiments> Note that the present invention is not limited to the description of the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, it may be changed as follows. Incidentally, the configurations of the following alternative forms may be applied individually or in combination to the configuration of the above-described embodiment.

[0391] (1) The step patterns set for the 20 symbols on each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R are not limited to a predetermined step pattern that repeats a pattern of assigning a predetermined step pattern every 5 symbols 4 times. For example, 26 steps, 25 steps, 25 steps, 26 steps, and 24 steps may be assigned to the 5 symbols in the first group and the 5 symbols in the third group, and a step pattern in which 25 steps, 25 steps, 26 steps, 25 steps, and 25 steps are assigned to the 5 symbols in the second group and the 5 symbols in the fourth group may be set.

[0392] (2) The configuration is not limited to executing stop control using the stoppable range SRn and the stoppable position HPn for all the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R in the non-CB state and the CB state. For example, for all the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R in the non-CB state and the middle reel 32M and the right reel 32R in the CB state, stop control that does not use the stoppable range SRn and the stoppable position HPn may be executed, and for only the left reel 32L in the CB state, a configuration may be adopted in which stop control using the stoppable range SRn and the stoppable position HPn is executed.

[0393] (3) When winning the index values IV = 7 to 10 in the lottery table for the normal mode (Fig. 12), the stop order for establishing the first RT replay winning is not limited to the stop order with the first stop being the left reel 32L and the stop order with the first stop being the middle reel 32M. For example, among the index values IV = 7 to 10, when the first stop is the right reel 32R, the second stop is the left reel 32L, and the third stop is the middle reel 32M, the first RT replay winning is surely established regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44, and in other cases, the normal replay winning is surely established regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44. Also, an index value IV can be set such that when the first stop is the right reel 32R, the second stop is the middle reel 32M, and the third stop is the left reel 32L, the first RT replay winning is surely established regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44, and in other cases, the normal replay winning is surely established regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44.

[0394] (4) When winning the index values IV = 7 to 10 in the lottery table for the first RT mode (Fig. XIV), the stop order for establishing the second RT replay winning is not limited to the stop order with the first stop being the left reel 32L and the stop order with the first stop being the right reel 32R. For example, among the index values IV = 7 to 10, when the first stop is the middle reel 32M, the second stop is the left reel 32L, and the third stop is the right reel 32R, the second RT replay winning is surely established regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44, and in other cases, the normal replay winning is surely established regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44. Also, an index value IV can be set such that when the first stop is the middle reel 32M, the second stop is the right reel 32R, and the third stop is the left reel 32L, the second RT replay winning is surely established regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44, and in other cases, the normal replay winning is surely established regardless of the operation timing of each stop button 42 to 44.

[0395] (5) In each of the above embodiments, the configuration is not limited to one in which the stoppable positions HPn and the stoppable ranges SRn are set for all symbols of all the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R. For example, in the first embodiment described above, the stoppable positions HPn and the stoppable ranges SRn may be set only for combinations of two symbols for which the total number of steps assigned to the two consecutive symbols is 50 steps or more, within the symbol corresponding range REn of the symbol existing on the upstream side. Thereby, only when, in the absence of the stoppable positions HPn and the stoppable ranges SRn, the operation of the left stop button 42 is performed and the number of slips is set to "1", and the elapsed time exceeds the second specified time (75 msec) until the stop control is started, the stop control using the stoppable positions HPn and the stoppable ranges SRn is executed, and the maximum required time in the stop control with one-frame slip can be made within the second specified time (75 msec).

[0396] (6) In each of the above embodiments, a configuration may be adopted in which an effect is performed in which the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R rotate in the reverse direction. The timing for stopping the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R that rotate in the reverse direction in the effect is not the operation of the stop buttons 42 to 44. In the effect, the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R rotate in the reverse direction for a period preset at the design stage. The stop control of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R that are rotating in the reverse direction can be started not only when the stoppable range SRn exists at the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R, but also when the non-stoppable range NRn exists at the reference positions 39L, 39M, and 39R.

[0397] (7) The setting targets of the possible stop positions HPn and the possible stop ranges SRn are not limited to the configuration that performs step updates to rotate the rotating body. For example, it may be a configuration in which the possible stop positions and the possible stop ranges are set for a configuration in which symbol variation display is performed on the display surface. Specifically, on the display surface, symbol variation display is performed in which a plurality of types of symbol images move in a predetermined direction. The symbol variation display is stopped based on the operations of the corresponding stop buttons 42 to 44. For each of the symbol images, a corresponding symbol image corresponding range is set. In each symbol image corresponding range, a possible stop position is set that enables the start of display stop control to stop the symbol image corresponding to the symbol image corresponding range in a predetermined reference area on the display surface when a predetermined reference position on the display surface is reached. Also, for each symbol image, a possible stop range corresponding to the symbol image is set over a range from the possible stop position corresponding to the symbol image to the symbol image corresponding range corresponding to the symbol video. The symbol variation display can start the display stop control when the possible stop position corresponding to the symbol image to be stopped reaches the predetermined reference position when the stop buttons 42 to 44 are operated. By setting the possible stop positions and the possible stop ranges, the time required from when the stop buttons 42 to 44 are operated until the display stop control of the symbol variation display can be started can be shortened.

[0398] (8) In each of the above embodiments, the number of steps assigned to the symbol range RDn corresponding to each symbol attached to the outer peripheral surfaces of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is not limited to 25.2 steps. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the same number of steps as the number of steps assigned to the symbol corresponding range REn of each symbol is set for the symbol range RDn of the symbol. Even in this configuration, by performing stop control using the possible stop positions HPn and the possible stop ranges SRn, the time required from when the operations of the stop buttons 42 to 44 are performed until the stop control of the corresponding reels 32L, 32M, and 32R is started can be shortened.

[0399] (9) The configuration where there is only one active line on the main line ML is not limited, and a configuration with two, three, or four or more active lines may be adopted. In this case, it may be configured such that the number of active lines increases as the number of bet gaming media increases, or it may be configured such that the maximum number of active lines is set regardless of the number of bet gaming media.

[0400] (10) The types of information transmitted from the main MPU 72 to the effect MPU 82 are not limited to those in the above embodiments. For example, when a winning corresponding to the awarding of gaming media is established, a configuration may be adopted where information on the number of gaming media awarded by the winning is transmitted from the main MPU 72 to the effect MPU 82. In this case, it becomes possible to notify information on the number of gaming media awarded by the winning on the image display device 63 or the like. Also, even when all the reels 32L, 32M, 32R have not stopped, when the rotation of some of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R is stopped or has stopped, a configuration may be adopted where corresponding information is transmitted from the main MPU 72 to the effect MPU 82. In this case, it becomes possible to perform an effect corresponding to the rotation status of the reels 32L, 32M, 32R on the image display device 63 or the like.

[0401] (11) In the above embodiments, a configuration is adopted where a privilege of paying out medals is given when a small winning is established, but the configuration is not limited thereto, and any configuration where some privilege is given to the player may be used. For example, a configuration where prizes other than medals are paid out when a small winning is established may be adopted. Also, in a slot machine that does not have a function of actually inserting or paying out medals and manages the medals owned by the player as credits, an increase in the credited medals corresponds to the granting of a privilege.

[0402] (12) The present invention may be applied to a so-called B-type slot machine, and may be applied to any type of slot machine, such as a C-type, a composite type of A-type and C-type, a composite type of B-type and C-type, and further a type equipped with an RT game, a CT game, or an AT game.

[0403] (13) As the symbols on each of the reels 32L, 32M, and 32R, they are not limited to pictures, numbers, characters, etc., but may also be geometric lines, figures, etc. Further, the symbols can be constituted by light, color, etc., or can be constituted by three-dimensional shapes, etc., or can be constituted by a combination of these. That is, the symbol only needs to have a function as information having distinctiveness.

[0404] (14) In each of the above embodiments, an example in which the slot machine 10 is embodied has been shown, but it may be applied to a pachinko machine in which a game is played using game balls as game media, or may be applied to a gaming machine in a form that combines a slot machine and a pachinko machine.

[0405] <Regarding the groups of inventions extracted from the above embodiments> Hereinafter, the features of the groups of inventions extracted from each of the above-described embodiments will be described while showing effects, etc. as necessary. In the following, for ease of understanding, the corresponding configurations in each of the above embodiments are appropriately shown in parentheses, etc., but are not limited to the specific configurations shown in such parentheses, etc.

[0406] <Group of Feature A> Feature A1. Symbol display means (reel unit 31) for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols in a predetermined direction, Stop operation means (stop buttons 42 to 44) operated to stop the variable display of the symbol, Symbol display control means (functions for executing the processes of steps S1201 to S1206 in the main-side MPU 72, functions for executing the processes of steps S1301 to S1308 in the main-side MPU 72) for stopping the variable display of the symbol based on the operation of the stop operation means after starting the variable display of the symbol, and the symbol display control means includes update control means (functions for executing the processes of steps S1001 to S1008 in the main-side MPU 72) for causing the variable display of the symbol by executing update control on the symbol display means, For the pattern display means, an out-of-target area (non-stop range NRn) that is excluded from being the target of stop control for stopping at a predetermined stop reference position (reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R) corresponding to each of the plurality of types of patterns, and an in-target area (stop possible range SRn) that is the target of stop control for stopping at a predetermined stop reference position (reference positions 39L, 39M, 39R) are set. The in-target area is set such that a plurality of executions of the update control by the update control means are required from the start to the end of the passage of the in-target area through the stop reference position. A gaming machine characterized by this.

[0407] According to Feature A1, since the in-target area is set over a range that requires a plurality of executions of the update control from the start to the end of the passage of the stop reference position, compared to a configuration where stop control can be started with only one execution of the update control for each pattern, the time required from when the stop operation means is operated until stop control is started can be shortened.

[0408] Feature A2. When the stop operation means is operated in a situation where the stop target pattern (stop target symbol) among the plurality of types of patterns exists at a position corresponding to the stop reference position and the in-target area corresponding to the stop target pattern exists at the stop reference position, stop control is started regardless of which position in the in-target area exists at the stop reference position. The gaming machine according to Feature A1, characterized by this.

[0409] According to Feature A2, if, at the timing when the stop operation means is operated, the leading position in a predetermined direction of the in-target area corresponding to a predetermined pattern has passed through the stop reference position and the in-target area exists at the stop reference position, stop control can be started with the predetermined pattern as the stop target pattern.

[0410] Feature A3. The pattern display control means starts stop control when the leading position in the predetermined direction in the target inner area corresponding to the stop target pattern (stop target symbol) among the plurality of types of patterns reaches the stop reference position when the stop operation means is operated in a situation where the out-of-target area exists at the stop reference position. The gaming machine according to Feature A1 or A2, characterized in that.

[0411] According to Feature A3, when the stop control means is operated in a situation where the out-of-target area exists at the stop reference position, stop control cannot be started until the target inner area corresponding to the stop target pattern exists at the stop reference position. The timing at which the leading position in the predetermined direction of the target inner area corresponding to the stop target pattern reaches the stop reference position is the first timing at which stop control can be started. By adopting a configuration in which stop control is started at the first timing, the time required from when the stop operation means is operated until stop control is started can be shortened.

[0412] Feature A4. The gaming machine according to any one of Features A1 to A3, characterized in that these areas are set so that the target inner area and the out-of-target area alternately exist in the predetermined direction.

[0413] According to Feature A4, since it is avoided that two or more out-of-target areas continuously pass through the stop reference position, it is prevented that periods during which stop control cannot be started occur continuously. As a result, it is possible to adopt a configuration that does not cause a large difference in the time required from when the stop operation means is operated until stop control is started depending on the type of pattern to be stopped.

[0414] Feature A5. The gaming machine according to any one of Features A1 to A4, characterized in that the out-of-target area is set so as to require multiple executions of the update control by the update control means from the start to the end of the passage of the out-of-target area through the stop reference position.

[0415] According to feature A5, the non-target area is set over a range that requires multiple executions of the update control to pass through the stop reference position, thereby making it possible to clearly distinguish the difference in the stop positions of each symbol. Furthermore, by setting the non-target area broadly and limiting the target area, it is possible to limit the range in which the stop control can be initiated. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of deviation when the stop position of a symbol deviates depending on the operation timing of the stop operation means.

[0416] Feature A6. A gaming machine described in any one of Features A1 to A5, characterized in that the target area set to correspond to one of the patterns is set so that the number of times the update control is executed that the target area needs to pass through the stop reference position from the moment it starts to pass through until it finishes is less than the number of times the update control is executed that the non-target area set to correspond to that pattern needs to pass through the stop reference position from the moment it starts to pass through until it finishes.

[0417] According to feature A6, in a configuration in which an area that requires multiple...

Claims

【Claim 1】 Symbol display means for variably displaying a plurality of types of symbols in a predetermined direction; Stop operation means operated to stop the variable display of the symbols; Symbol display control means for starting the variable display of the symbols and then stopping the variable display of the symbols based on the operation of the stop operation means; comprising: The symbol display control means includes update control means for causing the symbol display means to perform variable display of the symbols by executing update control on the symbol display means; In the symbol display means, for each of the plurality of types of symbols, an out-of-scope area that is excluded from being the subject of execution of stop control for stopping at a predetermined stop reference position and an in-scope area that is the subject of execution of stop control for stopping at a predetermined stop reference position are set; The in-scope area is set such that a plurality of executions of the update control by the update control means are required from the start to the end of the passage of the in-scope area through the stop reference position; The out-of-scope area is set such that a plurality of executions of the update control by the update control means are required from the start to the end of the passage of the out-of-scope area through the stop reference position; A part of the out-of-scope areas set for each of the plurality of types of symbols is set such that the number of executions of the update control required from the start to the end of the passage of the out-of-scope area through the stop reference position is different from that of other out-of-scope areas; The stoppable start positions of each of the plurality of types of symbols are set within the symbol corresponding range of the downstream symbol that is located downstream by one symbol in the predetermined direction with respect to one symbol; The symbol display control means starts stop control when the leading position in the predetermined direction in the in-scope area corresponding to the symbol to be stopped among the plurality of types of symbols reaches the stop reference position when the stop operation means is operated in a situation where the out-of-scope area exists at the stop reference position. A gaming machine characterized by this.

Images