JP4237672B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, an arrangement ball machine, or a sparrow ball game machine, and more particularly, to a gaming machine capable of providing a high-level symbol production and informing a big hit state without contradiction. It is.

  A ball game machine such as a pachinko machine has a symbol start opening provided on the game board, a symbol display section for stopping a plurality of symbols after changing for a predetermined time, and a grand prize opening for opening and closing the opening and closing plate. Configured. When the detection switch provided at the symbol start port detects the passing of the game ball, the symbol display unit changes the display symbol for a predetermined time (this operation is called symbol variation operation), and then the special symbol is aligned and stopped. Then, it becomes a big hit state (referred to as a special game state), and the big winning opening is repeatedly opened to generate a profit state advantageous to the player.

Such a ball game machine is generally composed of a main control board that comprehensively controls gaming operations and a sub-control board that realizes an effect operation based on control commands transmitted from the main control board. . The sub-control board is, for example, a payout control board that performs a prize ball operation of a game ball, a sound control board that realizes a sound effect, a lamp control board that realizes a lamp effect, and a symbol that realizes a symbol variation operation in the liquid crystal display It is divided into control boards and the like (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-144659 A

  By the way, the invitation of the big hit state is determined internally when the game ball passes through the symbol start opening, but it is not immediately notified to the player at this timing, but the player is psychologically in a symbol variation operation called reach effect. It is designed to alert you after it is fully energized. In such a symbol variation operation, first, a variation pattern command indicating the total time and effect result of the rendering operation is transmitted from the main control board to each sub-control board, and finally, the termination of the rendering operation is instructed. A variable stop command is being transmitted. By receiving the fluctuation pattern and the fluctuation stop command, the symbol control board, the voice control board, and the lamp control board can realize a production operation synchronized with each other.

  In addition, among the sub-control boards, in particular, for the symbol control board, the symbol designation command is sequentially transmitted (usually three times) between the transmission of the variation pattern command and the transmission of the variation stop command. The stop symbol at the end is specified.

  In such a gaming machine, since a solenoid or the like repeatedly repeats ON / OFF operations, the control circuit inside the gaming machine is in a considerable noise environment, and therefore, a control command transmitted from the main control board to the sub control board is garbled. There was something to do. For example, if the symbol designating command transmitted to the symbol control board is garbled due to the influence of noise, the special symbol in the stopped state is “7/7/7” even though it is internally lost. You might end up with a big hit. In such a case, the player is delighted to see the stop state of the special symbol, but on the other hand, since the gaming machine does not enter the special game state, a trouble between the player and the game hall is inevitable.

  Also, as a completely different technical issue, even if you want to make the game machine's performance operations, especially the design performance operations complex and sophisticated, to meet the player's expectations, it is not always enough due to the CPU capacity limitations. Could not be realized.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and can provide a gaming machine that can prevent a game hall and troubles from occurring and that can also make more complex and sophisticated symbol effects. Is an issue.

To solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1, including the lottery process due to game operation, a main control unit that performs overall control of the entire game operation, a control command received from the main control unit A first sub-control unit that outputs an effect command specifying the specific contents of the effect operation based on the first sub-control unit, and a second sub-control unit that executes the effect operation based on the effect command received from the first sub-control unit. provided, when a predetermined winning condition is generated by the lottery process, a game machine to transition to an advantageous game content to the player, the main control unit, the first control command corresponding to the result of the lottery process an output port for outputting to the sub-controller and the second sub-control unit is provided, the in the first sub-control unit, an input port for receiving a control command from the output port of the main control unit, an output port for outputting the effect command The door is provided, in the second sub-control unit, an input port for receiving a control command from the output port of the main control unit, an input port for receiving the effect command from the output port of the first sub-control unit, Ya said control command And a first reception interrupt process activated by a strobe signal supplied in synchronization with the effect command, and the second sub-control unit receives control commands from two input ports. On the condition that the production command matches the production command, the production operation based on the production command on the display device is executed.

  In each of the above inventions, it is preferable that the control command specifies a result of the lottery process in the main control unit and an effect time until the result of the determination is clearly notified. In addition, this control command may specify the success / failure result and the production time with a single control command, or may specify the success / failure result and the production time with separate control commands.

  According to the present invention described above, it is possible to realize a gaming machine that can prevent occurrence of troubles with a gaming hall. In addition, it is possible to realize a gaming machine that enables more complicated and sophisticated symbol production.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on a pachinko machine according to an example. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment. The illustrated pachinko machine 1 includes a rectangular frame-shaped wooden outer frame 2 that is detachably mounted on an island structure, and a front frame 4 that is pivotably mounted via a hinge 3 fixed to the outer frame 2. It consists of A game board 5 is detachably attached to the front frame 4 from the back side, and a glass door 6 and a front plate 7 are pivotally attached to the front side so as to be freely opened and closed.

  An upper plate 8 for storing game balls for launch is mounted on the front plate 7, and a lower plate 9 for storing game balls overflowing from or extracted from the upper plate 8 and a launch handle 10 are mounted at the bottom of the front frame 4. And are provided. The launch handle 10 is interlocked with the launch motor M2, and a game ball is launched by a hitting rod that operates according to the rotation angle of the launch handle 10.

  An elliptical push button 11 with a built-in lamp is provided at the approximate center of the upper plate 8. The push button 11 is provided at a position where it can be operated with the left hand of the player, and the player can operate the push button 11 without releasing the right hand from the firing handle 10. This push button 11 does not function normally, but when the game state becomes, for example, a “button chance state”, the built-in lamp is turned on and can be operated.

  On the right side of the upper plate 8, an operation panel 12 for ball lending operation for the card-type ball lending machine is provided, a remaining amount display unit 12a for displaying the remaining amount of the card with a three-digit number, and a predetermined amount of game balls A ball lending switch 12b for instructing ball lending and a return switch 12c for instructing the return of the card at the end of the game are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 5 is provided with a guide rail 13 formed of a metal outer rail and an inner rail in an annular shape, and a large liquid crystal color display is provided at the approximate center of the game area 5a inside. 14 is arranged.

  The liquid crystal display 14 is divided into three parts (19, 20, 21), and each part shows a normal symbol display unit 19 indicating whether or not a “hit” state and a “hit” state. It functions as a special symbol display unit 20 to be shown and an effect symbol display unit 21 that variably displays a production symbol related to the special symbol related to the big hit state. The effect symbol display unit 21 also displays a background image and various characters in an animated manner.

  The gaming state of this gaming machine includes a “hit” state and a much higher value “hit” state. However, in the normal symbol display unit 19, the effect symbol displayed on the liquid crystal display 14 blinks. Then, a lottery result indicating whether or not the winning state is reached after a certain time is displayed. On the other hand, in the special symbol display unit 20 and the production symbol display unit 21, after the special symbol etc. fluctuate due to an appropriate production operation, the success / failure result of the big hit lottery process is definitely displayed.

  In this embodiment, the big hit state is divided into a probable big hit and a normal big hit, but the effect symbol display unit 21 reports whether the probable big hit, the normal big hit, or the loss by the arrangement of the effect symbols in the stopped state. On the other hand, the special symbol display unit 20 notifies this by a predetermined stop pattern or characters. Specifically, the production symbol display unit 21 is “7 · 7 · 7”, “6 · 6 · 6”, “2 · 5 · 2” depending on whether it is a probable big hit, a normal big hit or a loss. The special symbol display unit 20 displays characters such as “◎ probable big hit!”, “○ normal big hit !!!!”, and “−sorry !!!!”. The probability variation jackpot means a jackpot state in which a game in which the winning probability of the jackpot is increased (a game in the probability variation state) is started after the special gaming state similar to the case of the normal jackpot is completed.

  In the normal symbol display unit 19, when a game ball that has passed through the gate 18 is detected, the display content fluctuates for a predetermined time. Thereafter, the random number value for lottery drawn at the time when the game ball passes through the gate 18 is obtained. The success / failure state determined based on the result is displayed. Specifically, in this embodiment, when two heart patterns are colored pink and stopped, a hit state is reached, and when one of the heart patterns is collapsed (a shape in which the heart pattern is destroyed), it is lost. It becomes a state.

  At appropriate positions in the game area 5a of the game board 5, a symbol starting port 15, a big winning port 16, four normal winning ports 17, and a gate 18 which is a left and right passing port are arranged. Each of the winning holes 15 to 17 and the gate 18 has a detection switch inside, so that the passage of the game ball can be detected.

  In the present embodiment, the symbol start opening 15 is enlarged and reduced by an electric tulip having a pair of opening and closing claws, and when the normal symbol display unit 19 is displayed in a stopped state after fluctuation, the opening and closing claws are predetermined. It is expanded only by time. Then, when a game ball wins the symbol start opening 15, the display symbols of the effect symbol display unit 21 and the special symbol display unit 20 change for a predetermined time, and lottery according to the winning timing of the game ball to the symbol start port 15. Stop at the stop symbol determined based on the result.

  The grand prize winning opening 16 is opened and closed by an opening / closing plate 16a that can be opened forward, but the symbols after the change stop of the production symbol display unit 21 are arranged such as "6, 6, 6", "7, 7, 7", etc. In the case of a production symbol (in the special symbol display unit 20, a symbol such as ○ or ◎ is displayed together with related characters), a special game state called “big hit” is started, and the opening / closing plate 16a is opened. . Further, there is a specific area 16b inside the special winning opening 16, and when a winning ball passes through the specific area 16b, a special game advantageous to the player is continued.

  After the opening / closing plate 16a of the big prize opening 16 is opened, the opening / closing plate 16a 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 16b, the special game ends. However, if the game ball passes through the specific area 16b, the special game is continued up to 16 times in this embodiment. It is controlled in a state advantageous to the user.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the pachinko machine 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in the figure, this pachinko machine 1 pays a game ball by controlling a payout motor M1 on the basis of a main control board 30 for overall control of game operations and a control command CMD (P) received from the main control board 30. A payout control board 31 to be sent out, an effect lottery based on a control command CMD received from the main control board 30, and an effect control board 32 that outputs a control command CMD ′ indicating the result to another control board, and the main control board 30 And the design control board 33 that receives the separate control commands CMD and CMD ′ from the production control board 32 and controls the display operation of the liquid crystal display 14, and drives the speaker based on the control command CMD ′ received from the production control board 32. A sound / lamp control board 34 for blinking the lamp group, a launch control board 35 for driving the launch motor M2 to launch a game ball, Are organized around the power supply board 36 supplies a DC voltage to the various units receiving C24V.

  The main control board 30, the payout control board 31, the effect control board 32, the symbol control board 33, and the voice / lamp control board 34 are mounted with a computer circuit including a one-chip microcomputer. In this embodiment, the payout control board 31, the effect control board 32, the symbol control board 33, and the sound / lamp control board 34 correspond to the sub-control boards, and each of the sub-control boards 31 to 34 includes the main control board 30. It operates based on control commands received directly or indirectly through other boards.

  In the above configuration, if the control command CMD (P) transmitted to the payout control board 31 is garbled due to a communication error, it may cause a trouble between the player and the game hall. The main control board 30 is arranged in an optimal positional relationship, and the main control board 30 and the effect control board 32 and the symbol control board 33 are more susceptible to noise than the payout control board 31 by that amount. It has become. In the following description, the circuits mounted on the control boards 30 to 34 and the operations realized by the circuits are collectively referred to functionally as a main control unit 30, a payout control unit 31, an effect control unit 32, respectively. Sometimes referred to as symbol control unit 33 and voice / lamp control unit 34.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the control command CMD received by the effect control unit 32 from the main control board 30 relates to the display operation of the normal symbol display unit 19 and the display operation of the special symbol display unit 20 and the effect symbol display unit 21. Things are included. These control commands CMD are commands indicating the lottery results of the “winning” lottery and the “big hit” lottery, respectively. Specifically, the lottery result and the total time of the rendering operation until the notification is made definitely. A “variation pattern command” to be specified and a “variation stop command” for instructing the end timing of the rendering operation are configured.

  Here, the “variation pattern command” is divided into two depending on whether it indicates a “hit” lottery result or a “hit” lottery result, and for each, the total production time and the type of jackpot (normal / Many types are prepared according to the probability variation. Upon receiving the “variation pattern command”, the effect control unit 32 performs the effect lottery in a state constrained by the total effect time defined by the “variation pattern command”, and the symbol effect on the liquid crystal display 14 and the lamp group. The content of the effect produced by the interlocking of the lamp effect by and the sound effect by the speaker is determined. Then, a control command CMD ′ indicating the determined effect content is transmitted to the symbol control unit 33 and the voice / lamp control unit 34.

  9 shows the types of “variation pattern commands” received by the effect control unit 32 from the main control unit 30 (α, β, γ, δ) and “specific variation patterns determined by the effect lottery of the effect control unit 32. The relationship with the “command” is shown. As shown in the figure, α, β, γa to γd, δ control commands CMD (variation pattern commands) are received from the main control unit 30, but each control command CMD can be divided into a plurality according to the specific contents of the production. The control command CMD ′ is specified by being determined by any effect lottery. However, any of the subdivided “specific variation pattern commands” has the same effect time as the basic “variation pattern command”, and the result of the determination does not change. As described above, in this embodiment, the specific contents of the production operation are exclusively determined by the production control unit 32, so that the control burden on the main control unit 30 is light and the control command received from the main control unit 30 is used. Even if the CMD is garbled, as long as the control command CMD ′ to be transmitted is not garbled, the symbol effect synchronized with the voice effect and the lamp effect is reliably realized. It should be noted that biting of the control command CMD 'can be prevented by devising the positional relationship among the effect control unit 32, the symbol control unit 33, and the voice / lamp control unit 34.

  Based on the above, the circuit configuration of each of the control units 30 to 33 will be described for confirmation. The main control unit 30 includes a drive circuit 38 for ON / OFF driving solenoids for opening and closing the symbol start opening 15 and the big prize opening 16, and a detection switch built in the symbol start opening 15 and the output of the payout control board 31. An input port 37 that receives the signal LIVE from the port 41 and output ports 39a to 39c that output control commands to the sub-control board are provided. In addition, once these output ports 39a-39c output a control command, they maintain the output level until the next new control command is output.

  Corresponding to the above configuration of the main control unit 30, the payout control unit 31 notifies the main control unit 30 of the input port 40 that receives the control command CMD (P) from the main control unit 30 and its own operation start state. Output port 41 is provided. Then, when the initial operation of the payout control unit 31 is completed after the power is turned on, an L-level operation start signal LIVE is output to the main control unit 30, and the main control unit 30 confirms the operation start signal LIVE. The game control operation is started. The output port 41 is pulled up, and the payout control unit 31 returns the operation start signal LIVE to the H level after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  On the other hand, the effect control unit 32 has an input port 42a that receives a control command CMD from the main control unit 30, 43a and 43b that output a control command CMD 'to the symbol control unit 33 and the voice / lamp control unit 34, and symbol control An input port 42b that receives a confirmation command ANS from the unit 33 is provided. As described above, when the production control unit 32 receives the “variation pattern command” from the main control unit 30, it determines the production content by production lottery based on the received “variation pattern command”, and then specifies this. The control command CMD ′ is output to the symbol control unit 33 and the voice / lamp control unit 34.

  Further, the symbol control unit 33 includes an LCD drive circuit 44 for driving the liquid crystal display 14, an input port 45 a that receives the control command CMD from the main control unit 30, and an input port 45 b that receives the control command CMD ′ from the effect control unit 32. And an output port 46 for outputting a confirmation command ANS to the effect control unit 32.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the symbol control unit 33 in more detail. The symbol control unit 33 includes a one-chip microcomputer 50 that receives control commands CMD and CMD ′ from the main control unit 30 and the effect control unit 32, a control ROM 51 that stores a control program executed by the one-chip microcomputer 50, and a liquid crystal display 14 is a graphic controller (specifically, VDP: Video Display Processor) 52 that receives information about sprites drawn on the one-chip microcomputer 50 and generates drawing signals, and pattern data of each sprite that can be drawn on the liquid crystal display 14. CGROM 53 for storing the above.

  Here, the sprite is a generic term for one unit of graphic data that can be arbitrarily moved independently of other images on the liquid crystal display 14. In this embodiment, the sprite is drawn on the effect display unit 21. Decorative characters such as “1” to “9”, symbols such as “◎”, “○”, “−”, “heart pattern” drawn on the special symbol display unit 20 and the normal symbol display unit 19, and other symbols The effect character is specified. The background image is also composed of sprites.

  As shown in the figure, the one-chip microcomputer 50 receives control commands CMD and CMD ′ from the main control unit 30 and the production control unit 32 at the input ports 45a and 45b and is supplied in synchronization with the control commands CMD and CMD ′. The signals STB (a) and STB (b) are received by the interrupt terminals IRQ1 and IRQ2. When each strobe signal STB becomes active, the interrupt processing program stored in the control ROM 51 is activated, and the one-chip microcomputer 50 acquires the control command CMD or the control command CMD '.

  The interrupt terminal IRQ0 of the one-chip microcomputer 50 receives an interrupt signal INT output from the graphic controller 52. In the case of this embodiment, the graphic controller 52 is set to output an interrupt signal INT every time drawing data (graphic image data) is written into the frame buffer, and the cycle of the interrupt signal INT is: It is 1/60 second required for displaying one frame on the liquid crystal display 14.

  The frame buffer is a memory area capable of storing drawing data for one frame displayed on the liquid crystal display 14, and is divided into a first bank and a second bank for storing the drawing data for one frame. The first bank and the second bank function cyclically for writing and reading. For example, when drawing data is written to the first bank, the drawing data stored in the second bank is read. And output to the liquid crystal display 14 (see FIG. 6).

  On the other hand, at the next timing, drawing data is written to the second bank, while drawing data stored in the first bank is read and output. In this embodiment, the output drawing data is analog-converted and output to the liquid crystal display 14 as R, G, B image signals.

  In the interrupt processing program of the one-chip microcomputer 50 activated in response to the interrupt signal INT, necessary operating parameters should be written to the instruction data table TBL and then drawn in order to define the drawing position of each sprite. The position and deformation shape of each sprite are specified.

  The instruction data table TBL functions as a peripheral device (memory) that can be connected to the external bus of the one-chip microcomputer 50, and can be directly accessed by being positioned in the memory map of the one-chip microcomputer 50 (direct mapping). . In addition, although it is possible to perform addressing indirectly via a built-in register of the graphic controller 52 (indirect mapping), in any case, the graphic controller 52 is not involved in the writing process. Input processing for the one-chip microcomputer 50 is not executed.

  As described above, the graphic controller 52 only refers to the operation parameter of the instruction data table TBL, reads the pattern data of a specific sprite from the CGROM 53, and changes the deformation specified by the operation parameter to the position specified by the operation parameter. In shape, it operates to draw each sprite.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the graphic controller 52 in more detail. As shown in the figure, the graphic controller 52 is used as a CPU interface unit 54 that receives data from the one-chip microcomputer 50, a pattern memory interface unit 55 that receives sprite pattern data from the CGROM 53, and an instruction data table TBL. SRAM (static RAM) 56 a, SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM) 56 b used as a frame buffer, sprite surface generation unit 57 that generates drawing data, and compressed data expansion unit that functions when compressed data is received from CGROM 53 58, an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM) 59 functioning as a work area for the compressed data decompression unit 58, a DAC 60 for DA-converting drawing data, and a controller unit CTL for outputting a synchronization signal of the liquid crystal display 14 and the like. That.

  As described above, the frame buffer is a memory area that is divided into a first bank and a second bank and stores drawing data. The relationship between the instruction data table TBL and the frame buffer 56b is as shown in FIG. It is. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the first bank and the second bank have the timing of the vertical synchronization signal of the liquid crystal display 14 every 1/60 seconds (= τ) when the liquid crystal display 14 completes the display processing for one frame. Thus, the function is cyclically switched between writing and reading.

  Incidentally, the image data of each sprite is stored in the CGROM 53. FIG. 8 illustrates a sprite composed of 16 × 16 dots (pixels). Color information is defined for each pixel divided into 16 × 16. In the illustrated example, a dot with a color number of 00H, a dot with a color number of 02H, and a dot with a color number of 01H are appropriately set. In combination, the specific symbol “7” is realized.

  In the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, n sprites (# 1 to #n) having a specific design are configured, and these are superimposed on the sprite (#m) that realizes the background image. And displayed on the liquid crystal display 14. The number of pixels of the background image sprite is appropriately set according to the resolution of the liquid crystal display 14, but if the number of pixels exceeding the resolution of the liquid crystal display 14 is set, the background image is naturally moved up, down, left and right. Is possible.

  FIG. 7 illustrates the relationship between the instruction data table TBL provided in the SRAM 56a and sprites drawn based on the data in the instruction data table TBL. In the instruction data table TBL, an operation parameter writing area of about 16 bytes is provided for each sprite (# 1 to #m), and the display position, the enlargement / reduction ratio, etc. of each sprite are determined by the written operation parameter. It has come to be identified.

  The display position of the sprite is defined by, for example, the coordinate position (DOx, DOy) of the upper left dot of the sprite. When the sprite size is 16 × 16 dots, the sprite is displayed by the operation of the sprite surface generation unit 57. Thus, drawing data within a rectangular range surrounded by the upper left end (DOx, DOy) to the lower right end (DOx + 15, DOy + 15) of the sprite surface is generated.

  As is apparent from the above description, if the one-chip microcomputer 50 performs the writing operation of the instruction data table TBL and changes the display position of the sprite #n from (DOx, DOy) to (DOx + A, DOy + B), the liquid crystal display 14 In the above, the sprite #n moves by + A in the X direction and + B in the Y direction.

  Of course, depending on the resolution of the liquid crystal display 14, what is actually displayed is limited to a rectangular range of the number of horizontal display dots HDW × the number of vertical display lines VDW. Each sprite can be freely moved on the liquid crystal display 14. As described above, the one-chip microcomputer 50 performs various symbol effects including reach effects by rewriting the contents of the instruction data table TBL according to the interrupt signal INT (draw interrupt) every 1/60 seconds. Yes.

  Incidentally, the main control unit 30 shown in FIG. 3 performs overall control of the entire operation of the pachinko machine 1 by executing the timer interrupt processing shown in FIG. 10 every predetermined time (for example, 2 mS). In the following, referring to FIG. 10, when a timer interrupt occurs, the contents of each register are saved in the stack area (ST20), and then random number generation processing is first executed (ST21). The random number generation processing includes update processing of the winning counter RG and the big hit counter CT used in the lottery operation in the normal symbol processing ST29 and the special symbol processing ST34.

  In step ST21, the winning counter RG and the big hit counter CT are updated by increment (+1) processing within a predetermined numerical value range, respectively, and the updated counter values are the hit determination random value and the big hit determination random value, respectively. It is used as a numerical value in the lottery operation.

  Specifically, the value of the winning counter RG is used in the lottery operation in the normal symbol processing (ST29) when the game ball passes the gate 18, and the value of the big hit counter CT is determined by the game ball starting the symbol. When passing through the mouth 15, it is used for the lottery operation in the special symbol process (ST34). In the conventional apparatus, in the random number generation process, the jackpot symbol random number generation process for determining the stop symbol in the effect symbol display unit 21 and the special symbol display unit 20 is performed. Does not exist.

  That is, in the present embodiment, in the special symbol process (ST34), only the winning / losing lottery in the big hit state is performed, and the result of the success / failure is transmitted to the effect control unit 32 as a “fluctuation pattern command” for the big hit, and the effect symbol display unit 21 and the special symbol display unit 20 at the time of reach production and selection of the stop symbol of the production symbol is left to the production control unit 32.

  When the random number generation process (ST21) is completed, after the timer subtraction process is performed for the timer that manages the time of each game operation (ST22), the symbol start opening 15 and the detection switch of the gate 18, and the big winning opening 16 The signals of various switches including the detection switches are input and stored (ST23). Each timer subtracted in the process of step ST22 is for managing the opening time of the electric tulip and the special winning opening 16 and other game effect times.

  After the switch input process (ST23) is completed, the control command generated at this stage is transmitted to the corresponding sub-control unit (ST24), and then the error management process is performed (ST25). The error management process is a determination as to whether or not an abnormality has occurred inside the device, such as whether or not the supply of game balls has stopped or the game balls are clogged. Next, after creating a control command for the payout control unit 31 (ST26), the generated control command is transmitted to the corresponding sub-control unit (ST27).

  Next, the normal symbol processing is performed on the condition that the current operation state is not “winning” (ST29). The normal symbol processing means determination as to whether or not to operate an ordinary electric accessory such as an electric tulip. Specifically, when it is determined that the game ball is passing through the gate based on the switch input result in step ST23, the value of the winning counter RG updated in the random number generation process (ST21) is acquired. The acquired random value is compared with the winning value at the start of fluctuation. If the comparison result is a winning state, the operation state is changed to a “winning” operation state. On the other hand, if it is “winning”, a process for operating an ordinary electric accessory such as an electric tulip is performed (ST31).

  Subsequently, necessary control commands are transmitted to the effect control unit 32 and the symbol control unit 33 (ST32). This control command corresponds to the success / failure result of the winning lottery process in the normal symbol process. The first output is the “variation pattern command” for the normal symbol, and the “variation stop command” after a predetermined time. Is output. These control commands are first output from the output port 39b in synchronization with the strobe signal, and then output from the output port 39c in synchronization with another strobe signal, but are not particularly limited.

  Next, special symbol processing is performed on the condition that the current operation state is not “big hit” (ST34). The special symbol process (ST34) is a determination as to whether or not to operate the first-type special electric accessory such as the special winning opening 16. Specifically, when it is determined that the game ball has won the symbol start port 15 based on the switch input result in step ST23, the value of the big hit counter CT updated in the random number generation process (ST21) is acquired. The acquired random number value is compared with the jackpot winning value, and if the comparison result is a winning state, the operation state is changed to “meeting the jackpot”.

  When the special symbol processing (ST34) as described above is completed, the first type special electric accessory using the special winning opening 16 is operated on condition that the current state is the “big hit” operation state. Processing is performed (ST36). Subsequently, when the command transmission process (ST37) is performed and the special symbol process (ST34) is performed most recently, the “variation pattern command” of the special symbol is displayed according to the result of the determination at that time. 32 and the symbol control unit 33. As in the case of the normal symbol, the “variation pattern command” for the special symbol is first output from the output port 39b in synchronization with the strobe signal, and then output from the output port 39c in synchronization with another strobe signal. The order is not particularly limited.

  In addition, a “variation stop command” is output after a predetermined time specified by the “variation pattern command”. The “variation stop command” is also first output from the output port 39b and then output from the output port 39c. Although the end of the variation operation is specified by the “variation pattern command”, the presentation operation is definitely stopped by receiving the “variation stop command”.

  However, in this embodiment, since the sound effect and the lamp effect are executed by the control command CMD ′ from the effect control unit 32, the “variation stop command” transmitted from the main control unit 30 to the symbol control unit 33 is Can be omitted. That is, when the production control unit 32 receives the “variation stop command” from the main control unit 30, it can instruct the design control unit 33 and the sound / lamp control unit 34 to end the production. The production can be finished in synchronization.

  In any case, when the process of step ST37 is finished, the register saved in the process of step ST20 is restored and the timer interrupt process is finished (ST38). As a result, the process returns to the main routine. However, when a predetermined time elapses, the process of step ST20 is started again, so that the processes of steps ST20 to ST38 are repeated every predetermined time.

  Next, an interrupt processing operation of the symbol control unit 31 that occurs after the control command CMD is transmitted from the main control unit 30 to the symbol control unit 33 will be described. FIG. 11 shows an interrupt processing program generated when the strobe signal STB (a) is supplied to the one-chip microcomputer 50 in synchronization with the control command CMD. In this embodiment, if the control command CMD acquired from the input port 45a matches three times continuously, this is adopted as the control command. However, even if the input process is repeated ten times, the input values match continuously. If not, it is determined that the communication is abnormal, and the flag value FLG (a) is set to the NG state.

  Hereinafter, this operation will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 11, after the variables N and M and the temporary storage area BUFF (a) are cleared to zero (ST1), the control command CMD is input from the input port 45a. Then, the variable N and the variable M are incremented (+1) (ST3). Then, it is determined whether or not the value of the input control command CMD matches the value stored in BUFF (a) (ST4). If not, the control command CMD is stored in the BUFF (a) area. At the same time, the variable N is cleared to zero (ST5), and the process proceeds to step ST2 unless the variable M exceeds 10.

  In the first stage, since zero is stored in BUFF (a), the processing returns to step ST2. Thereafter, the processing of steps ST2 to ST6 is repeated. If the state of the input control command CMD does not match the stored value of BUFF (a), the flag value FLG (a) is reached when M = 10. Is set to the NG state and the process is terminated (ST7). This is because the same control command cannot be acquired no matter how many times the input process is repeated, so that it is determined that the communication abnormality is not recovered and the flag value FLG (a) is set to the NG state.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST4 that the input value of the control command CMD matches the stored value of BUFF (a), the variable N matches 3 on condition that the variable M does not reach 10 (ST8). (ST9). If the variable N is N ≠ 3, the process returns to step ST2.

  When such processing (ST2 to ST4, ST8, ST9) is repeated, the variable N eventually becomes 3, so the flag value FLG (a) is set to the OK state and the interrupt processing is finished (ST10). The fact that the variable N has reached 3 means that the same control command CMD has been acquired three times in succession, so this control command CMD is adopted as a normal control command. In this case, a normal control command CMD is stored in the BUFF (a) area. If the variable M = 10 is determined in step ST8, the process proceeds to step ST7 to set the flag value FLG (a) to the NG state.

  The interrupt process using the strobe signal STB (a) from the main control unit 30 has been described above, but the interrupt process using the strobe signal STB (b) from the effect control unit 32 is the same as the process shown in FIG. As shown. That is, when the same control command CMD 'is acquired three times in succession, the flag value FLG (b) is set to the OK state and the interrupt process is finished (ST41). Also in this case, the normal control command CMD 'is stored in the BUFF (b) area.

  On the other hand, if the same control command CMD ′ cannot be obtained three times consecutively even after repeating the input processing ten times, the variable L reaches 10 and the flag value FLG (b) is set to the NG state to perform the interrupt processing. Finish (ST47).

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a part of the main process of the symbol control unit 33. As described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the reception interrupt processing of the control commands CMD and CMD ′ is completed by setting the flag values FLG (a) and FLG (b) to either the OK state or the NG state. In the main process of the production control unit 31, first, it waits for both of the flag values FLG (a) and FLG (b) to be values other than zero (a state of NG or OK) (ST60). Here, FLG (a) .noteq.0 and FLG (b) .noteq.0 means that the interrupt processing of FIGS. 11 and 12 has been completed.

  Next, it is determined whether or not FLG (b) is in an OK state (ST61). If it is in an OK state, it is determined whether or not FLG (a) is in an OK state (ST62). As long as there is no communication abnormality, both FLG (a) and FLG (b) are in the OK state. In such a case, the contents of the BUFF (a) area and the BUFF (b) area are read and their values are It is determined whether or not they match (ST63).

  As described above, the CMD received from the main control unit 30 is stored in the BUFF (a) area, and the CMD 'received from the effect control unit 32 is stored in the BUFF (b) area. Since the control command CMD and the control command CMD ′ originally have a relationship as shown in FIG. 9, whether or not the control command CMD ′ falls within the category of the control command CMD is determined in step ST63. Is determined. When the control command CMD ′ matches the control command CMD, FLG (a) and FLG (b) are cleared to zero, and the control command CMD ′ stored in the BUFF (b) area is used as the effect control unit 32. And the operation based on the control command CMD ′ is executed (ST64). In addition, the effect control unit 32 that has received the control command CMD ′ as the return command ANS transfers this to the voice / lamp control unit 34.

  On the other hand, there is a case where the flag value FLG (a) is in the NG state in the determination in step ST62, or the contents of the BUFF (a) area and the BUFF (b) area are not consistent in step ST63. In such a case, since it can be considered that a communication abnormality has occurred in any of the routes, FLG (a) and FLG (b) are cleared to zero, and a “dedicated command for communication abnormality” is controlled as a return command ANS. At the same time, the symbol control unit 33 executes a dedicated operation based on the return command ANS (dedicated command for communication abnormality) (ST67). The content of the dedicated operation for communication abnormality is appropriately set. However, when it is considered that the “variation pattern command” has been received, an effect operation that ends in a lost state or ends in an unknown state is performed. Upon receiving the return command ANS (dedicated command for communication abnormality), the effect control unit 32 transfers this to the voice / lamp control unit 34.

  If it is determined in step ST61 that the content of the flag value FLG (b) is in the NG state, it is next determined whether or not the content of the flag value FLG (a) is in an OK state (ST65). If the content of the flag value FLG (a) is in the NG state, a communication error has occurred both when the control command CMD is transmitted and when the control command CMD ′ is transmitted. Execute the process.

  On the other hand, when the content of the flag value FLG (a) is in the OK state, after the FLG (a) and FLG (b) are cleared to zero, the symbol control unit 33 controls the control command stored in BUFF (a). An effect lottery is performed based on CMD. Then, a new control command CMD ′ indicating the result of the effect lottery is returned to the effect control unit 32 as a return command ANS, and an operation based on the newly generated control command CMD ′ is executed (ST66). Upon receiving the return command ANS (the newly generated control command CMD ′), the effect control unit 32 transfers this to the sound / lamp control unit 34.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the control command CMD ′ generated by the effect control unit 32 is adopted in the normal state, and the symbol control unit 33 and the sound / lamp control unit 34 perform a unified operation based on the control command CMD ′. There is no inconsistency between the design effect, the lamp effect, and the sound effect on the liquid crystal display 14. Even if a communication abnormality occurs when the production control unit 32 receives the control command CMD, the control command CMD ′ newly generated by the symbol control unit 33 is adopted, and based on this, the symbol control unit 33 and the voice / Since the lamp control unit 34 performs a unified operation, in this case as well, there is no inconsistency between the symbol effect, the lamp effect, and the sound effect on the liquid crystal display 14. Similarly, even when the dedicated operation at the time of communication abnormality is selected, the contents of the effects of the effect symbol display unit 21 and the special symbol display unit 20 are always matched, so that no distrust is given to the player. In spite of the fact that the notification operation has ended in a lost state or an unknown state, there is a possibility that it will enter a big hit state afterwards, but there is no disadvantage to the player, so there will be trouble with the game hall Absent.

  As mentioned above, although one Example of this invention was described, the concrete description content does not specifically limit this invention. For example, in the case of the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the same control command has been received three times in succession so that a communication abnormality can be grasped by the effect control unit 31. It can be changed. In the embodiment described above, the main control unit 30 transmits the control command CMD redundantly to the effect control unit 32 and the symbol control unit 33 only for the variation pattern command, but all the control commands are duplicated. It may be transmitted.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine concerning an example. It is a front view which shows the game board of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a block which shows the whole structure of the pachinko machine which concerns on an Example. It is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an effect control unit. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of an effect control part in detail. It is drawing explaining operation | movement of an effect control part. It is drawing explaining operation | movement of an effect control part. It is drawing explaining operation | movement of an effect control part. It is a figure explaining a fluctuation pattern command. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process in a main control part. It is a flowchart explaining the interruption process routine of a symbol control part. It is a flowchart explaining the interruption process routine of a symbol control part. It is a flowchart explaining the main routine of a symbol control part.

Explanation of symbols

1 gaming machine 30 main control unit (main control board)
32 1st sub control part (production control part)
33 Second sub-control unit (design control unit)

Claims (7)

A main control unit that comprehensively controls the entire game operation , including lottery processing resulting from the game operation, and an effect command that specifies the specific content of the effect operation based on the control command received from the main control unit a first sub control unit which includes a second sub control unit for executing a demonstration operation based on demonstration commands received from the first sub-control unit, when a predetermined winning condition is generated by the lottery process, the player A gaming machine that shifts to advantageous game content,
The main control unit is provided with an output port for outputting a control command corresponding to the result of the lottery process to the first sub-control unit and the second sub-control unit ,
The first sub-control unit is provided with an input port that receives a control command from an output port of the main control unit, and an output port that outputs the effect command ,
The second sub-control unit includes an input port that receives a control command from the output port of the main control unit, an input port that receives a production command from the output port of the first sub-control unit, and the control command and the production command. A first reception interrupt process and a second reception interrupt process activated by a strobe signal supplied in synchronization;
The second sub-control unit is performing an effect operation based on the effect command on the display device on condition that the control command received from the two input ports matches the effect command. To play. In the first and second reception interrupt processes, the input process of inputting a control command or an effect command from the corresponding input port is repeated, and if the same data is continuously input a predetermined number of times, the control command or the effect command is normal. The gaming machine according to claim 1 , wherein the game machine is configured to finish the interrupt processing by making a determination obtained in step ( a ) . On the condition that there is a predetermined dependency between the effect command that is normally acquired in the second reception interrupt process and the control command that is normally acquired in the first reception interrupt process. The gaming machine according to claim 2 , wherein the second sub-control unit is configured to execute an effect operation based on the effect command . The gaming machine according to claim 3 , wherein the second sub-control unit is configured to return the effect command to the first sub-control unit prior to starting the effect operation based on the effect command . In the first and second reception interrupt processes, the input process of inputting a control command or an effect command from the corresponding input port is repeated, and the same data is not input continuously a predetermined number of times, and the number of repetitions is an upper limit value. The gaming machine according to claim 2 , wherein when the value reaches, it is determined that the control command or the effect command is not normally acquired and the interruption process is ended . If the production command is not normally acquired in the second reception interrupt process, but the control command is normally acquired in the first reception interrupt process, the second sub control unit acquires the control command. The gaming machine according to claim 5 , configured to generate an effect command based on the game and execute an effect operation based on the generated effect command . The gaming machine according to claim 6 , wherein the second sub-control unit is configured to return the effect command to the first sub-control unit prior to starting the effect operation based on the effect command .

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