JP3876199B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, an arrangement ball machine, a sparrow game machine, and a spinning machine, and more particularly to a gaming machine that can share a hardware configuration and a software configuration related to a payout operation regardless of the type of gaming machine. Is.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The ball ball game machine is a game machine in which about 5 to 15 game balls are paid out when a game ball wins a predetermined winning opening, and the more game balls are paid out, the higher the value can be exchanged. It has become. There are various types of ball game machines according to the difference in game characteristics, and they are classified as type 1 ball game machines, type 2 ball game machines, type 3 ball game machines, and the like. Yes. In addition, as a gaming machine that uses a game ball, there is an arrange ball machine in which an interruption time exists in the launching operation of the game ball.
[0003]
These gaming machines are generally composed of a main control board that mainly controls gaming operations and a sub control board that operates based on control commands from the main control board. Sub-control boards include, for example, a symbol control board that controls a liquid crystal display, a voice control board that realizes a voice game effect, a lamp control board that blinks lamps, and a payout control board that pays out game balls. And so on.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Among the above-mentioned sub control boards, in particular, the payout control board is mainly for paying out a specified number of game balls, so that the circuit configuration and control program can be shared regardless of the type of gaming machine. Can be considered.
[0005]
However, since gaming machines generally operate in a noisy environment, sufficient consideration is necessary so that no trouble occurs even if affected by noise or the like. That is, in an arrange ball machine in which 16 game balls are paid out as a unit, if there are only 5 units of prize balls due to garbled control commands, trouble with the player may occur.
[0006]
In addition, for example, in a second type ball game machine in which it is impossible to pay out 15 game balls, a control command for requesting 15 prize balls at the timing of 6 prize balls is issued by an illegal act. In such a case, appropriate measures are required.
[0007]
The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and appropriate measures are taken so that no adverse effects will occur even if the hardware configuration and software configuration relating to the payout operation are made common regardless of the type of gaming machine. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 includes a main control unit that mainly controls a gaming operation, and a payout control unit that pays out game media based on a control command received from the main control unit. Control commands received by the payout control unit include a payout number designation command for specifying the number of payouts of the gaming media and an information setting command for specifying the type of the gaming machine, and the payout control The section is provided with a registration means for registering its own setting information upon receipt of the information setting command, and a determination means for determining its rationality based on the setting information every time a control command is received.
[0009]
In the present invention, it is preferable to provide a notification means for notifying the main control section of the fact that the determination means has denied the rationality of the control command. Further, in response to the determination means negating the rationality of the control command, notifying the main control unit to that effect, and exception means for paying out the number of game media according to the received payout number designation command It is also preferable to have. Furthermore, it is preferable that a retransmission unit for retransmitting the information setting command is provided in the main control unit when the notification unit or the exception unit functions.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on examples. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment. Although the first type ball game machine will be described here, the circuit configuration is the same in the second type ball game machine, the third type ball game machine, and the arrange ball machine. In particular, the payout control board is exactly the same including the control program.
[0013]
The illustrated ball game machine includes a main control board 1 for centrally controlling the game operation, a symbol control board 2 for controlling the operation of the display device 8, a voice control board 3 for realizing a voice game effect, A lamp control board 4 for blinking lamps, a payout control board 5 for driving out a game ball by driving a payout motor M1, a launch control board 6 for driving a launch motor M2 to fire a game ball, and a card The prepaid card unit 7 that enables ball lending processing is mainly configured.
[0014]
The main control board 1, the symbol control board 2, the voice control board 3, the lamp control board 4, and the payout control board 5 are each composed of a computer circuit having a one-chip microcomputer, and the sub control boards 2 to 5 are the main control boards. An individual control operation is realized based on a control command CMD from the control board 1. In the case of this embodiment, the control command CMD includes MODE data indicating the type of command and EVENT data for specifying specific processing contents, each having an 8-bit length.
[0015]
Although the control command transmitted from the main control board 1 to the payout control board 5 specifically differs depending on the type of gaming machine (1 to 3 types, arrange ball), it should be paid out in any case. An award ball number designation command (MODE data is 8 AH) for instructing the number of game balls and an operation designation command (MODE data is 9 AH) are roughly divided. In the award ball number designation command (= 8AxxH), EVENT The number of prize balls is specified by data (= xxxH) (see FIG. 6).
[0016]
On the other hand, in the operation designation command (MODE data is 9AH), an information setting command (9A02H to 9A06H) for notifying the payout control board 5 of the type of the gaming machine, and a firing stop command (= 9A01H) (see FIG. 6). The information setting command is a control command that is transmitted from the main control board 1 to the payout control board 5 at the start of operation in order to specify the type of gaming machine. A 9A0 2 H or 9A0 3 H control command is transmitted accordingly. In addition, the control command 9A04H for the second type ball game machine, the control command 9A05H for the third type ball game machine, and the control command 9A06H for the arrange ball machine specify their own type. It is transmitted first as much as possible. It should be noted that the control command 9A06H transmitted to the arrange ball machine also functions as a firing resumption designation command for designating resumption of the firing operation.
[0017]
FIG. 6 is a list of control commands transmitted to the payout control board 5 of the first to third types of ball game machines and the arrange ball machines. Thereafter, when there is a possibility of receiving a control command shown in the horizontal axis direction, a circle is marked, and when it is not received, a cross is marked.
[0018]
For example, the control command 8A01H shown in the first line of FIG. 6 is used only for the first type ball game machine as in the embodiment, but the first type ball game machine is other than this 8A01H, A circle indicates that there is a possibility of receiving control commands of 8A04H, 8A05H, 9A02H, and 9A03H. On the other hand, for example, the control command 8A06H shown in the sixth line of FIG. 6 is used only for the arrange ball machine. However, in the arrange ball machine, control commands other than 8A06H, 9A01H and 9A06H are not received and received. In such a case, it is indicated by a cross mark that it is irrational.
[0019]
Returning to FIG. 1, the description continues and the firing control board 6 generates drive pulses (ΦA, ΦB, ΦA bar, ΦB bar) based on the firing clock signal Φck received from the payout control board 5, and the firing motor M2 Is driving. The operation speed of the firing motor M2 is determined by the frequency of the firing clock signal Φck. In the case of the first type ball game machine as in the embodiment, the game ball is fired at a speed of 100 pieces / minute.
[0020]
On the other hand, in the case of an arrange ball machine, a game ball is launched at a speed of 120 pieces / minute by being programmed by the payout control board 5 so that the frequency of the launch clock signal Φck is increased. The firing signal SG is a signal that permits the operation of the firing motor M2. For example, when the DC voltage VL from the prepaid card unit 7 is interrupted or the arrange ball machine receives a firing stop command (9A01H), the operation of the firing motor M2 is prohibited by the firing signal SG.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1, an H level or L level confirmation signal is transmitted from the payout control board 5 to the main control board 1. This confirmation signal is normally at L level, but becomes H level when the dispensing control board 5 receives an unreasonable control command. Then, the main control board 1 that has received the confirmation signal at the H level again outputs an information setting command to the payout control board 5. Further, the payout control board 5 is provided with an external output terminal, and is connected to a central computer (hall computer) provided in the game hall.
[0022]
When the payout control board 5 receives an unreasonable control command, command fraud information is output to the central computer in accordance with the output of the H level confirmation signal. As a result of such an operation, the central computer can grasp the reception frequency of the illegal command on the payout control board 5 of each gaming machine, and for example, it is possible to detect the illegal game at an early stage.
[0023]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart in which only a characteristic part of the present embodiment is extracted from the operation of the main control board 1. The control program for the main control board 1 includes a main routine (a) that is started by resetting the CPU and repeats an infinite loop process, and a timer interrupt routine (b) that is activated every predetermined time. Then, as shown in FIG. 2A, in the main routine, after completing the initial process, an information setting command is transmitted to the payout control board 5. In the present embodiment, which is a first type ball game machine, specifically, an information setting command 2 (9A03H) is transmitted, and then the infinite loop process is repeated.
[0024]
On the other hand, in the timer interruption routine, it is determined whether or not the confirmation signal is at the H level every time. If the confirmation signal is at the H level, the information setting command is retransmitted to the payout control board 5. Yes. As described above, when the main control board 1 receives an H level confirmation signal, it means that the payout control board 5 has received an unreasonable control command. In this embodiment, the information setting command 2 (9A03H) will be retransmitted. In accordance with this operation, “command illegal information” is also transmitted to other sub-control boards. Then, the sub-control boards 2 to 4 that have received the “command fraud information” execute appropriate notification processing, so that appropriate notification processing can be taken even if an illegal game is being performed.
[0025]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a control program for the payout control board 5. The control program for the payout control board 5 includes a main routine (a) that is started after the CPU is reset, an NMI routine (not shown) that is started when the power supply voltage falls below a predetermined value, and an interrupt signal from the main control board 1. A reception interrupt routine (b) that is activated and receives a control command, and a timer interrupt routine (c) that is started every predetermined time and sets an interrupt confirmation flag are provided.
[0026]
The interrupt confirmation flag set in the timer interrupt routine (c) is checked in step ST9 of the main routine, and the processing of the main routine proceeds on condition that this value is 5AH. Therefore, the processing of ST10 to ST18 is repeatedly executed every 2 ms.
[0027]
In the following, the main routine of FIG. 3A will be described. After setting the CPU itself to the interrupt disabled state (ST1), the CPU performs initial setting of each part of the one-chip microcomputer (ST2). Next, it is checked whether or not a RAM clear signal is supplied from the power supply board (ST3). In this embodiment, the RAM clear signal is not normally supplied unless the pachinko hall is in operation and the clear switch is turned on.
[0028]
If the RAM clear signal is not supplied, the backup flag BAKFLG stored in the NMI routine is checked (ST4). If BAKFLG = 5AH, then the checksum value stored in the NMI routine is confirmed. (ST5). If the sum value calculated in this main routine matches the sum value stored in the NMI routine, it is determined that the necessary data is correctly stored, and the power supply voltage is cut off after the backup recovery process. Return to the previous process (ST19).
[0029]
The above is the case where the RAM clear switch is not turned on when the power is turned on. However, when the staff member turns on the clear switch at the time of business disclosure, the RAM area of the one-chip microcomputer is cleared to zero (ST7). In addition, when the power supply voltage drops before the NMI routine ends normally, BAKFLG ≠ 5AH or a checksum error occurs, so the RAM area is cleared to zero.
[0030]
Next, after returning the CPU to the interrupt enabled state (ST9), the processes of steps ST10 to ST18 are repeated in an infinite loop. This process is executed at regular intervals (2 mS) by the interrupt wait process (ST9). In the infinite loop process, first, a switch input is performed to confirm whether or not the game ball is paid out by the rotation of the payout motor M1. A signal is acquired (ST10). Subsequently, a subtraction process (-1) of an 8-bit or 16-bit timer is performed (ST11).
[0031]
Subsequently, a control command analysis process acquired by the reception interrupt process is performed (ST12). The details are as shown in FIG. 4A. In the command analysis process, it is first determined whether or not an information setting command is received (ST20). If it is an information setting command, it is first determined whether or not already registered setting information exists (ST21). For example, if the setting information is not yet registered immediately after the power is turned on, the determination in step ST21 is NO, and the processing in steps ST22 to 24 is skipped.
[0032]
On the other hand, if registered setting information exists, the information setting command (registered setting information) received in the past and stored in the RAM area is the same as the information setting command received this time. It is determined whether or not (ST22). For example, it may be different from the registered setting information even when the control command is garbled due to the influence of noise or the like, or when there is some illegal act by an unauthorized player. In such a case, the central computer is notified that an illegal command has been received (ST23), and an H-level confirmation signal is output to the main control board 1 to start the time counting operation ( ST24). The time counting operation is for returning the confirmation signal to the L level when a predetermined time elapses.
[0033]
Next, the latest information setting command is stored in the RAM area to store the setting information, and the firing speed of the firing motor M2 is changed or set in accordance with the information setting command (ST25). For example, when a control command of 9A02H to 9A05H is received, the frequency of the firing clock signal Φck is set so that the firing speed is 100 / min (see FIG. 6). On the other hand, when a control command of 9A06H is received, the frequency of the firing clock signal Φck is set so that the firing speed is 120 pieces / minute.
[0034]
As described above, immediately after the power is turned on, the processing of steps ST22 to ST24 is skipped, so that information output to the central computer and transmission of a confirmation signal to the main control board 1 are not performed. And only the registration of the setting information of ST26 and the setting of the firing speed are performed.
[0035]
Although the case where the newly received control command is the information setting command has been described above, when the determination in step ST20 is NO, the validity of the received control command is determined by the determination table (ST26). FIG. 5 illustrates a determination table stored in the ROM of the payout control board 5. The determination table shown in FIG. 5 is obtained by extracting a part of the control command list shown in FIG. 6 and stores flag data (◯ / ×) indicating the validity of the received control command. The payout control board 5 is commonly used regardless of the type of gaming machine (1 to 3 types, arrange balls), and is configured to be used in all models.
[0036]
In determining a received command, first, a corresponding row of the determination table is specified based on already registered setting information (information setting command stored in the RAM area when the power is turned on). Next, it is determined whether or not the control command received this time exists in the ○ column of the determination table. For example, in a gaming machine in which the control command 9A03H (setting information 2) is registered, if the control command 8A05H (15 prize balls) is received, it is determined to be valid, and the control command 8A04H (14 prize balls) is issued. If received, it will be judged unreasonable.
[0037]
If it is determined to be unreasonable, an H level confirmation signal is output and a time counting operation is started (ST28). Further, the reception information of the illegal command is output to the external output terminal and notified to the central computer (ST29). If necessary, the firing speed of the firing motor is changed to the slow side (ST30). For example, when a gaming machine whose firing speed is set to 100 pieces / minute (setting information 1 to 4) receives a control command corresponding to a firing speed of 120 pieces / minute, the firing speed is not changed. On the other hand, when the gaming machine whose firing speed is set to 120 pieces / minute (setting information 5) receives a control command corresponding to the firing speed of 100 pieces / minute, the firing speed is changed.
[0038]
In this way, changing the firing speed only to the slower one will adversely affect the player, for example, if the firing speed is increased unreasonably due to an erroneous control command due to noise, etc. Because it does.
[0039]
When the above processing is completed, processing corresponding to the control command is performed thereafter. Specifically, the prize ball number specified by the current control command (award ball number designation command) is added to the total prize ball counter that manages the number of prize balls to be paid out, and the subroutine processing is completed. Returning to the process of FIG.
[0040]
Hereinafter, returning to FIG. 3, the description of the main routine will be continued. After performing the communication process with the prepaid card unit 7 (ST13) and the ball lending process (ST14) cleared with the card, the prize ball process (ST15). ), Motor processing (ST16), and data output processing (ST17). The motor process (ST16) is a preparation process for rotating the payout motor M1. Specifically, drive data (Φ1 to Φ4) for the payout motor M1 is generated and stored in the work area of the RAM. .
[0041]
The data output process (ST17) is a process for supplying the drive data (Φ1 to Φ4) to the payout motor M1. The prize ball process (ST15) is a process for managing the number of prize balls to be paid out, and the number of prizes to be paid is determined based on the value of the total prize ball number counter updated by the command analysis process (ST12).
[0042]
Finally, when the H level confirmation signal is output, the confirmation signal is returned from the H level to the L level on condition that a predetermined time has elapsed by the time measurement process, and the process returns to the process of step ST9. (ST18). The elapsed time managed by the timing process is set to a time necessary for the main control board 1 to grasp the H level confirmation signal.
[0043]
The processing in the payout control board 5 has been described above, but FIG. 11 shows the specific processing contents in an organized manner. Finally, the first ball game machine to which the present invention is preferably applied will be described for confirmation. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the pachinko machine 21 of this embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a side view of the pachinko machine 21. A plurality of pachinko machines 21 are arranged in the length direction of the island structure of the pachinko hall while being electrically connected to the card-type ball lending machine 22.
[0044]
The illustrated pachinko machine 21 includes a rectangular frame-shaped wooden outer frame 23 that is detachably mounted on an island structure, and a front frame 24 that is pivotably mounted via a hinge H fixed to the outer frame 23. It consists of A game board 25 is detachably attached to the front frame 24 from the back side, and a glass door 26 and a front plate 27 are pivotally attached to the front side so as to be freely opened and closed.
[0045]
The front plate 27 is provided with an upper plate 28 for storing game balls for launch. A lower plate 29 for storing game balls overflowing from or extracted from the upper plate 28 and a launch handle 30 are disposed below the front frame 24. And are provided. The launch handle 30 is linked to a launch motor, and a game ball is launched by a striking rod 31 (see FIG. 10) that operates according to the rotation angle of the launch handle.
[0046]
On the right side of the upper plate 28, an operation panel 32 for lending the ball to the card-type ball lending machine 22 is provided, and on this operation panel 32, a card remaining amount display unit 32a for displaying the remaining amount of the card with a 3-digit number. A ball lending switch 32b for instructing lending of game balls for a predetermined amount, and a return switch 32c for instructing to return the card at the end of the game. On the upper part of the glass door 26, a big hit LED lamp P1 indicating a big hit state is arranged. In addition, in the vicinity of the big hit LED lamp P1, abnormality notification LED lamps P2 and P3 are provided to indicate a replenishment state or a full state of the lower plate.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 9, the game board 25 is provided with a guide rail 33 formed of a metal outer rail and an inner rail in an annular shape, and a display device 8 (specifically, at the approximate center of the game area 25 a on the inside is provided. In particular, a liquid crystal color display) is arranged. In addition, at a suitable place in the game area 25a, there are arranged a symbol start opening 35, a big winning opening 36, a plurality of normal winning openings 37 (four on the left and right sides of the big winning opening 36), and a gate portion 38 which is two passing openings. It is installed. Each of these winning openings 35 to 38 has a detection switch inside, and can detect the passage of a game ball.
[0048]
The display device 8 is a device that variably displays a specific symbol related to the big hit state and displays a background image and various characters in an animated manner. The display device 8 has special symbol display portions Da to Dc in the center portion and a normal symbol display portion 39 in the upper right portion. The normal symbol display unit 39 displays a normal symbol. When a game ball that has passed through the gate unit 38 is detected, the displayed normal symbol fluctuates for a predetermined time, and when the game ball passes through the gate unit 38. The stop symbol determined by the random number for lottery extracted in is displayed and stopped.
[0049]
For example, the symbol start opening 35 is configured to be opened and closed by an electric tulip having a pair of left and right opening and closing claws 35a. When the stop symbol after fluctuation of the normal symbol display unit 39 displays a winning symbol, the symbol start port 35 is opened and closed. The claw 35a is opened only for a predetermined time. When a game ball wins the symbol start opening 35, the display symbols of the special symbol display portions Da to Dc change for a predetermined time, and are determined based on the lottery result corresponding to the winning timing of the game ball to the symbol start opening 35. Stop at the stop symbol.
[0050]
The big winning opening 36 is controlled to open and close by, for example, an opening / closing plate 36a that can be opened forward, but when the stop symbol after the symbol change of the special symbol display portions Da to Dc is a big hit symbol such as “777”, “big hit” Is started, and the open / close plate 36a is opened. There is a specific area 36b inside the big winning opening 36, and when the winning ball passes through the specific area 36b, a special game advantageous to the player is continued.
[0051]
After the opening / closing plate 36a of the big winning opening 36 is opened, the opening / closing plate 36a is closed when a predetermined time elapses or when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls wins. At this time, if the game ball does not pass through the specific area 36b, the special game ends, but if it passes through the specific area 36b, the special game is continued up to, for example, 15 times, which is advantageous to the player. To be controlled. Furthermore, when the stop symbol after the change is a special state occurrence symbol among the special symbols, a special state is generated.
[0052]
As shown in FIG. 10, on the back side of the front frame 24, a back mechanism plate 40 for holding the game board 25 from the back side is detachably mounted. An opening 40a is formed in the back mechanism plate 40, and a prize ball tank 41 and a tank rail 42 extending therefrom are provided on the upper side thereof. A payout device 43 connected to the tank rail 42 is provided on the side of the back mechanism plate 40, and a passage unit 44 connected to the payout device 43 is provided below the back mechanism plate 40. The game balls paid out from the payout device 43 are paid out to the upper plate 28 from the upper plate discharge port 28a (FIG. 7) via the passage unit 44.
[0053]
The opening 40a of the back mechanism plate 40 is fitted with a back cover 45 mounted on the back side of the game board 25 and a winning ball discharge basket (not shown) for discharging the game balls won in the winning holes 35 to 37. Has been. The main control board 1 is disposed inside the case CA1 attached to the back cover 45, and the symbol control board 2 is disposed on the front side thereof (see FIG. 8). Below the main control board 1, the lamp control board 4 is provided in the case CA2 attached to the back cover 45, and the sound control board 3 is provided in the adjacent case CA3.
[0054]
Below these cases CA2 and CA3, a power supply board 7 and a payout control board 5 are provided in a case CA4 attached to the back mechanism plate 40. On the power supply board 7, a power switch 53 and a RAM clear switch 54 are arranged. The parts corresponding to both the switches 53 and 54 are notched, and both switches can be operated simultaneously with a finger. A launch control board 6 is provided inside the case CA5 attached to the rear side of the launch handle 30. And these circuit boards 1-7 are each comprised independently, and the computer circuit provided with the one-chip microcomputer is mounted in the control boards 1-5 except the power supply board 7 and the launch control board 6. FIG.
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a gaming machine in which appropriate measures are taken so that no adverse effects occur even if the hardware configuration and the software configuration related to the payout operation are made common regardless of the type of gaming machine.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a ball game machine according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a control program for a main control board.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control program for a payout control board.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a part of FIG. 3 in detail.
FIG. 5 illustrates a determination table.
FIG. 6 illustrates a list of control commands.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment.
8 is a side view of the pachinko machine shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a front view of the game board of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 7;
10 is a rear view of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 11 specifically explains the operation content of the payout control board according to the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Main control unit (main control board)
5 Dispensing control unit (dispensing control board)
ST25 Registration means ST26-27 Determination means

Claims (4)

In a gaming machine comprising: a main control unit that mainly controls game operations; and a payout control unit that pays out game media based on a control command received from the main control unit.
The control commands received by the payout control unit include a payout number specifying command for specifying the payout number of the gaming media, and an information setting command for specifying the type of gaming machine,
The payout control unit includes registration means for registering its own setting information when it receives the information setting command, and determination means for determining its rationality based on the setting information every time it receives a control command. A gaming machine characterized by that. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1 , further comprising a notification unit that notifies the main control unit of the fact that the determination unit denies the rationality of the control command. Corresponding to the fact that the determination means denies the rationality of the control command, the main control unit is notified to that effect, and an exception means for paying out the number of game media according to the received payout number designation command is provided. The gaming machine according to claim 1 . The gaming machine according to claim 2 or 3 , wherein when the notifying means or the exception means functions, a resending means for resending the information setting command is provided in the main control unit.

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