JP4646057B2 - Gaming machine and gaming machine inspection method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for detecting a failure of a gaming machine.

In a gaming machine such as a ball ball game machine or a revolving game machine, a plurality of substrates are electrically connected by signal lines. This signal line transmits a control command for each board as an electrical signal (hereinafter, command data relating to the control of game content is referred to as “game control data”). For example, in a ball game machine, a control device called a main board is in charge of game ball winning determination, lottery, payout and the like. On the other hand, a control device called a sub-board is mainly responsible for audiovisual user interface processing such as image display and audio output. The main board transmits game control data to the sub board according to the game situation. The sub board performs display processing and the like based on game control data from the main board. Usually, the communication between the main board and the sub board is a one-way communication, and no signal is transmitted from the sub board to the main board. With such a configuration, measures are taken to ensure the independence of the ball exit control by the main board.
JP 2003-325920 A

However, if the gaming machine is operated for a long time, a contact failure may occur between the main board and the sub board and the signal line connecting the boards due to external factors such as vibration and dirt. Alternatively, a plurality of signal lines may be short-circuited at a connection point between the signal line and the substrate, and data transmitted via a certain signal line may be detected also in another signal line. Furthermore, the signal line itself may break, and data may not be transmitted properly.
The signal line connecting the main board and the sub board is extremely important in the control of the gaming machine. This is because the sub-board is a board unilaterally controlled by game control data transmitted from the main board. Therefore, when a failure occurs in these signal lines, the function as a gaming machine is not suitably exhibited.
However, if the game control data is not normally transmitted from the main board to the sub board intermittently, such a problem of the signal line is hardly detected. In order to guarantee the stable operation of the gaming machine and prevent the player from feeling distrust with the gaming machine, even if such a malfunction of the signal line occurs, this is detected and dealt with early. It is necessary.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems recognized as described above, and a main object thereof is to provide a technique for efficiently detecting a defect in a signal line of a gaming machine.

One embodiment of the present invention is a gaming machine inspection device.
This device includes a first control device that controls game content, and a second control device that is connected to the first control device through a plurality of signal lines and executes effect display, and controls the effect content by the second control device. The game control data is connected to a gaming machine that is transmitted from the first control device to the second control device via a plurality of signal lines, and the first control is performed to check the transmission state of each signal line when the game control data is transmitted. Inspection data that is transmitted from the control device to the second control device and is configured as multi-bit bit data to which 1-bit data is assigned for each signal line is acquired as transmission inspection data from the first control device. When the inspection data transmitted from the transmission control data acquisition means and the first control device are received by the second control device, the received inspection data is received from the second control device. The reception inspection data acquisition means for acquiring the data, the transmission inspection data and the reception inspection data are sequentially compared for the data for each signal line, and the same value as the data transmitted through the signal line to be inspected among the plurality of signal lines When data is received via a signal line different from the signal line to be inspected, the data transmitted via the signal line to be inspected may be mixed in a signal line different from the signal line to be inspected There are mixed line candidate information holding means for holding a combination of the “signal line to be inspected” and the “signal line different from the signal line to be inspected” as mixed line candidate information, and any one of the plurality of signal lines. Multi-line determination that determines whether or not a multi-line state occurs in which data transmitted via a signal line is received by being mixed with a signal line different from this “any signal line” It includes a stage, a.
The transmission inspection data acquisition means and the reception inspection data acquisition means respectively transmit inspection data and reception inspection data for new inspection data configured as bit data different from the bit data constituting the inspection data after the inspection data is transmitted. The cross-link candidate information holding means compares the transmission test data re-acquired for the new test data with the received test data, and selects a new combination from the signal line combinations held as the cross-link candidate information. The inspection data also holds new mixed line candidate information narrowed down to signal line combinations that may cause data mixing, and the mixed line determination means stores the mixed line candidate information when the inspection data is transmitted a predetermined number of times. If a combination of signal lines is held as candidate crossing information for each inspection data by the means, a crosstalk state is generated. In which the judges.

  For example, the first control device may be a so-called main board of the gaming machine, and the second control device may be a so-called sub board. The signal line connecting the first control device and the second control device may be a communication line that transmits a digital signal according to a voltage or a current level. These signal lines may be unidirectional communication lines that transmit signals only in one direction from the first control device to the second control device. The “game control data” here is, for example, data transmitted to instruct the second control device to execute an effect such as a symbol change display or a character display to the second control device. The data may be transmitted from the first control device to control the second control device.

  The gaming machine inspection device according to this aspect includes inspection data before transmission (hereinafter referred to as “transmission inspection data”) and inspection data after reception (hereinafter referred to as “transmission inspection data”) for inspection data transmitted from the first control device to the second control device a predetermined number of times. Hereinafter, it is referred to as “received inspection data”). Then, these two types of inspection data are compared and verified to determine whether the data transmitted from one signal line is in a state where it is detected from another signal line (hereinafter referred to as “cross-line state”). .

For example, when 1-bit data “1” is transmitted from the first signal line, the same value “1” is also received in the second signal line and the third signal line other than the first signal line. And At this time, the first signal line and the second signal line, the first signal line and the third signal line are referred to as “a combination of signal lines that may be mixed lines (hereinafter referred to as“ mixed line candidates ”)”. Identified. This is because the data “1” transmitted from the first signal line may be mixed in the second signal line or the third signal line. However, in this case, it is a candidate to the last, and is not necessarily a state in which the occurrence of a mixed line state is determined.
Next, it is assumed that in the newly transmitted inspection data, “0” is received on the second signal line even when 1-bit data “0” is transmitted from the first signal line. At this time, the combination of the first signal line and the second signal line is still a crossover candidate. This is because there is a possibility that data “0” of the first signal line is mixed in the second signal line. On the other hand, it is assumed that “1” is received on the third signal line at this time. In this case, the combination of the first signal line and the third signal line is not a crosstalk candidate. Since data “0” transmitted from the first signal line is not detected as “0” from the third signal line, a mixed line state is generated between the first signal line and the third signal line. Because it can be said that there is no.
With regard to various inspection data transmitted a predetermined number of times, such crosstalk candidates are narrowed down, and if a crosstalk candidate finally remains, a communication error may be detected as a crosstalk state. Hereinafter, when referring to a “communication error”, not only the occurrence of such a crosstalk state, but also the occurrence of a disconnection state to be described later, there is a wide communication defect in the signal line connecting the first control device and the second control device. Means.

The inspection data may be transmitted as appropriate when transmitting the game control data. According to this aspect, it is possible to detect the occurrence of the mixed line state not only at the time of factory shipment but also when the gaming machine is actually operating. Since the inspection data may be additionally transmitted when the game control data is transmitted, the mixed line state can be detected without imposing a large detection processing load.
According to this aspect, it becomes easy to detect a malfunction of a signal line in a gaming machine at an early stage, and as a result, it is effective in ensuring stable operation of the gaming machine.

  The cross line determination means is a cross line candidate for the inspection data for 3 times by the cross line candidate information holding means when the inspection data configured as 8-bit bit data is transmitted at least 3 times via the 8 signal lines. If a combination of signal lines is held as information, it may be determined that a mixed line state has occurred.

  This device inverts 1-bit data as a part of another inspection data after a predetermined 1-bit data is transmitted as a part of the inspection data on any one of a plurality of signal lines. When the value data is transmitted, the transmitted data and received data are compared by comparing the transmitted test data and the received test data respectively obtained for the first transmitted test data and the next transmitted test data. The disconnection detection means for detecting whether the data has the same value, the data transmitted / received via this signal line for at least one of the inspection data transmitted first by the disconnection detection means and the inspection data transmitted next is the same value Otherwise, it may further comprise disconnection determining means for determining that a disconnection has occurred in this signal line.

For example, it is assumed that 1-bit data “0” is transmitted through the first signal line as a part of the inspection data, and the 1-bit data “0” is also received through the first signal line. Then, as part of the inspection data to be transmitted next, 1-bit data “1” is transmitted via the first signal line, and 1-bit data “1” is also received via the first signal line. Suppose that
In this aspect, in this case, it is determined that the first signal line is not disconnected. Even if the data transmitted through the first signal line is inverted from “0” to “1”, the data received through the first signal line is incidentally changed from “0” to “1”. This is because it is reversed. In other words, if the first signal line is disconnected, the received data is either “0” or “1” regardless of whether the transmitted data is “0” or “1”. is there. Note that the possibility that data from another signal line is mixed in the first signal line can be eliminated by the mixed line determination means.

  According to this aspect, occurrence of a disconnection state can be detected not only at the time of factory shipment but also when the gaming machine is actually operating. Moreover, since the disconnection of the signal line can be detected by using the inspection data for detecting the mixed line state, the disconnection detection process can be executed with almost no detection processing load. According to this aspect, it becomes easy to detect a malfunction of the signal line in the gaming machine at an early stage, and as a result, it is effective in further guaranteeing stable operation of the gaming machine.

  Further, by incorporating such a gaming machine inspection device into the gaming machine, the gaming machine itself can have a communication error detection function. In addition, this gaming machine may be provided with notification means for notifying the detection by means of screen display, sound, or error signal transmission to an external device when a communication error is detected by the gaming machine inspection device.

  Yet another aspect of the present invention is a gaming machine inspection method. In this method, in a gaming machine, game control data for controlling the content of the effect is transmitted from the first control device that controls the game content to the second control device that executes the effect display via a plurality of signal lines. , Data transmitted from the first control device to the second control device to inspect the transmission state of each signal line, and configured as a plurality of bit data in which 1-bit data is assigned to each signal line Obtaining inspection data as transmission inspection data from the first control device; and when the inspection data transmitted from the first control device is received by the second control device, the received inspection data is subjected to the second control. The step of acquiring as reception inspection data from the device, and sequentially comparing the transmission inspection data and the reception inspection data for the data for each signal line, and inspecting among the signal lines When data having the same value as the data transmitted through the elephant signal line is received through a signal line different from the signal line to be inspected, the data transmitted through the signal line to be inspected Holding a combination of “signal line to be inspected” and “signal line different from the signal line to be inspected” as mixed line candidate information. Steps for re-acquiring transmission inspection data and reception inspection data for new inspection data configured as bit data different from bit data constituting inspection data after data is transmitted, and re-acquisition for new inspection data Compare the transmission inspection data and the reception inspection data, and select new inspection data from the combinations of signal lines held as crosstalk candidate information. A step of holding new crosstalk candidate information focused on a combination of signal lines that may cause data contamination, and crosstalk candidate information for each test data after the test data has been transmitted a predetermined number of times If a combination of signal lines is held, a step of determining that a mixed line state has occurred is provided.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect in efficiently detecting a defect in a signal line of a gaming machine.

  As a gaming machine of the present embodiment, a pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example. However, the gaming machine to be inspected may be various types of gaming machines such as a revolving gaming machine such as a so-called slot machine. In the present embodiment, a communication error detection process in eight data signal lines connecting the main board and the sub board of the pachinko gaming machine will be described.

In the pachinko gaming machine described in the present embodiment, the game control data is transmitted after the inspection data is transmitted from the main board to the sub board a predetermined number of times. The gaming machine inspection device compares the inspection data before transmission on the main board with the inspection data after reception on the sub board, and whether data transmitted from one data signal line is mixed in another data signal line Alternatively, it is verified whether data transmitted via a certain data signal line is normally received via the data signal line.
According to this aspect, a communication error can be detected even while the gaming machine is operating. When a communication error is detected during the game, the symbols are variably displayed in a special display pattern prepared in advance in preparation for the occurrence of the communication error in order to minimize the disruption of the game progress. Details of the communication error detection process based on the inspection data and the processing when a communication error is detected will be described below with reference to the drawings.
Each of the eight data signal lines transmits 1-bit data at a time. The game control data and inspection data transmitted at one time are each 8-bit binary data, and each bit data is allocated to one of the eight data signal lines and transmitted.

FIG. 1 shows a basic structure on the front side of a pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment.
The pachinko gaming machine 10 is mainly composed of a gaming machine frame and a gaming board surface. The gaming machine frame of the pachinko gaming machine 10 includes an outer frame 11, a front frame 12, a transparent plate 13, a door 14, an upper ball dish 15, a lower ball dish 16, a launch handle 17 and a speaker 18.

  The outer frame 11 has an opening and is a frame for fixing the pachinko gaming machine 10 to a position where it should be installed. The front frame 12 is a frame body that aligns with the opening portion of the outer frame 11, and is attached to the outer frame 11 so as to be opened and closed by a hinge mechanism (not shown). The front frame 12 includes a mechanism for launching a game ball, a mechanism for detachably storing a game board, a mechanism for guiding or collecting the game ball, and the like. The transparent plate 13 is a plate made of glass or the like and capable of seeing through the game area 52 of the game board 50. The door 14 supports the transparent plate 13. The door 14 is attached to the front frame 12 so that it can be opened and closed by a hinge mechanism (not shown).

The upper ball tray 15 has a mechanism for storing game balls, sending out the game balls to the launch rail, and extracting the game balls to the lower ball tray 16. The lower ball tray 16 has a mechanism for storing and extracting game balls. A speaker 18 is provided between the upper ball tray 15 and the lower ball tray 16 to reproduce sound effects according to the gaming state.
The game board 50 has an out port 58, a decorative symbol display device 60, a special symbol display device 61, a start winning port (hereinafter referred to as "start port") on a game area 52 defined by the outer rail 54 and the inner rail 56. 62, a center ornament 64, a grand prize opening 66 and a general prize opening 72. Furthermore, in the game area 52, a plurality of mechanisms such as a game nail and a windmill (not shown) are installed.

  The starting port 62 includes an incoming ball detecting device 74 for detecting the entrance of a game ball and an ordinary electric accessory solenoid 76 for expanding the starting port. The start port 62 is provided at a predetermined position in the game area 52. The starting port 62 is normally formed by the electric accessory 26, and the inlet can be expanded. When the ordinary electric accessory 26 is in the expanded state, the game ball easily falls into the start port 62. Hereinafter, with respect to the start port 62, a state in which the ordinary electric accessory 26 expands and the game ball easily falls into the start port 62 is referred to as an “open state”.

  The big prize opening 66 includes a ball entry detecting device 78 for detecting the entry of game balls and a big prize opening solenoid 80 for expanding the big prize opening 66. The big winning opening 66 is provided above the out opening 58 and the like. The inside of the special winning opening 66 is divided into a specific area (so-called V zone) and a general area. The ball entry detection device 78 of the grand prize winning opening 66 is configured to include a sensor that detects passage of a game ball through a specific area and a sensor that detects passage of a general area.

  When the player rotates the launch handle 17 by hand, the game balls stored in the upper ball tray 15 are guided one by one to the inner rail 56 and the outer rail 54 with a strength corresponding to the rotation angle, thereby playing the game area. To 52. When the player fixes the rotation position of the firing handle 17 by hand, the game ball is repeatedly fired at regular time intervals. The game ball launched to the upper part of the game area 52 falls in a direction according to the way of hitting while hitting a plurality of game nails and windmills. When a game ball is dropped into each of the general winning opening 72, the start opening 62, and the big winning opening 66, a winning ball corresponding to the type of the winning opening is paid out to the upper ball tray 15 and the lower ball tray 16. A game ball dropped into each winning hole such as the general winning hole 72 is processed as a safe ball, and a game ball dropped into the out hole 58 is processed as an out ball. Note that each winning opening includes a gate type through which a game ball passes, and “incoming” in this specification includes “passing”.

The special symbol display device 61 and the decorative symbol display device 60 provided at the approximate center of the game board 50 display the special symbol 202 and the decorative symbol 200 linked to the special symbol 202 on the respective screens while fluctuating (hereinafter, referred to as the special symbol 202). Such a display is called “symbol change” or “change display”). Here, the special symbol 202 is a symbol according to the result of a lottery (hereinafter referred to as “special game transition lottery”) that is triggered by the entry of a game ball into the start port 62, and does it generate a big hit? Has the role of indicating whether or not. When a game ball enters the start port 62, a lottery value (hereinafter referred to as "special figure random number") is randomly acquired as a result. Special figure random numbers are temporarily stored, for example, up to four as reserved balls. The reserved ball is read as appropriate, and the special symbol 202 is variably displayed. When the change display of the special symbol 202 ends, the result of the special game transfer lottery is stopped and displayed. Thereafter, the next reserved ball is read out, and a new variation display is started.
The decorative symbol 200 is a symbol for visually producing the result of the special game transfer lottery. The decorative symbol display device 60 displays, as the decorative symbol 200, a plurality of columns of moving images of symbol variation imitating a slot machine game in the central area of the screen. The decorative symbol display device 60 is constituted by a liquid crystal display in this embodiment, but may be another display device such as a mechanical drum or LED.

  The change display of the special symbol 202 and the decorative symbol 200 is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed. When the special symbol 202 at the time of the stop is a symbol indicating a big hit, the opening / closing operation of the big winning opening 66 is started, and the game shifts to a special game. At this time, the decorative symbol 200 simulating a game of a slot machine takes a display mode in which three symbols are matched. That is, the change start point and the change end point of the special symbol 202 and the decorative symbol 200 almost coincide with each other.

  During the special game, the special winning opening 66 is temporarily closed after being opened for about 30 seconds or after 9 or more game balls are dropped. If at least one game ball falls into a specific area in the big prize opening 66 while the big prize opening 66 is open, the big prize opening 66 is opened again. In this way, the opening / closing of the big prize opening 66 is repeated a predetermined number of times, for example, 15 times as an upper limit on condition that at least one game ball falls into the specific area while the big prize opening 66 is opened once. It is. The period during which the special winning opening 66 is opened once during the special game is called “unit game” or “round”. It can be said that the special game is composed of a plurality of unit games, for example, up to 15 times. When game balls fall into the big prize opening 66, more game balls than usual are paid out as prize balls.

  A center ornament 64 is provided around the decorative symbol display device 60 and the special symbol display device 61. The center decoration 64 has functions such as a flow path of the game ball, protection of the decorative symbol display device 60 and the special symbol display device 61, and decoration. A special figure random number holding lamp 20 is provided at a predetermined position of the center decoration 64. The special figure random number reservation lamp 20 is composed of four lamps, and displays the number of special figure random numbers held according to the number of lights. In addition, a game effect lamp 90 is provided in the game area 52 and plays a role of production by blinking or the like.

  The normal symbol 204 is a symbol corresponding to the result of a lottery (hereinafter referred to as “ordinary symbol lottery”) performed when the game ball falls into the operation port 68, and indicates whether or not to generate a hit. Have a role. When a game ball enters the operation port 68, a lottery value (hereinafter referred to as “normal random number”) is randomly acquired as a result. For example, up to four random numbers are temporarily stored. The temporary random number stored temporarily is read as appropriate, and the normal symbol 204 is displayed in a variable manner. When the fluctuation display of the normal symbol 204 ends, the result of the normal symbol lottery is stopped and displayed. Thereafter, the next normal random number is read out, and a new variation display is started. The regular random number holding lamp 21 provided at a predetermined position of the center decoration 64 is composed of four lamps, and displays the number of temporary random numbers temporarily stored according to the number of lights. The normal symbol lottery is usually won with a probability of about 50% to 80%, and at this time, the ordinary electric accessory 26 at the start port 62 is expanded for a predetermined time. At this time, it becomes easy for the game ball to drop into the start port 62 temporarily.

FIG. 2 shows a basic structure on the back side of the pachinko gaming machine.
The power switch 40 is a switch for turning on / off the power of the pachinko gaming machine 10. The main board 41 controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 and processes all game operations such as a special game transfer lottery especially when winning at the start port 62. The sub board 49 includes a liquid crystal unit 42, controls display contents on the decorative symbol display device 60 and the special symbol display device 61, and changes the display contents according to the lottery result by the main board 41 in particular. The main board 41 and the sub board 49 constitute a game control device 130.
The set base 39 includes a prize ball tank 44, a flow path for prize balls, a payout unit 43 for delivering prize balls. The payout unit 43 pays out the game balls supplied from the winning ball tank 44 to the upper ball tray 15 in accordance with winning in each winning opening. The payout control board 45 controls the payout operation by the payout unit 43. The launching device 46 launches the stored balls in the upper ball tray 15 to the game area 52 one by one. The launch control board 47 controls the launch operation of the launch device 46. The power supply unit 48 supplies power to each part of the pachinko gaming machine 10.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration in the pachinko gaming machine.
The main process control means 108 controls the overall operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 and the basic operation of the game. The sub-process control means 110 controls the production operations such as the variable display of the decorative symbol 200 and the illumination around the pachinko gaming machine 10.
The main board 41 and the sub board 49 are connected by eight data signal lines 100 and one strobe signal line 102. Game control data is sent from the main process control means 108 to the sub process control means 110 via the data signal line 100, but feedback information or signals are sent from the sub process control means 110 to the main process control means 108. However, it is always one-way communication from the main process control means 108 to the sub-process control means 110. The main process control means 108 and the sub-process control means 110 include elements such as a ROM for storing data and programs and a CPU used for arithmetic processing in terms of hardware.

The ball detection device 104 is a sensor that detects the entry of a game ball at various winning ports, such as a ball detection device 74 at the start port 62 and a ball detection device 78 at the big winning port 66. The display device 106 is a device for various displays such as a special symbol display device 61, a decorative symbol display device 60, a special symbol random number hold lamp 20, a game effect lamp 90, and the like.
The gaming machine inspection device 120 is connected to the main board 41 and the sub board 49, and is an apparatus for inspecting the communication state of the data signal line 100. As shown in the drawing, the gaming machine inspection device 120 may be formed as a device separate from the main board 41 and the sub board 49, but as both the main board 41 and the sub board 49 or a part of one of the functions. It may be formed.

The data signal line 100 is a communication line for transmitting game control data and inspection data. Each data signal line 100 transmits one bit of data at a time. Accordingly, a digital signal of a maximum of 8 bits, that is, 1 byte is transmitted from the main board 41 to the sub board 49 at a time.
When transmitting the game control data, the main board 41 transmits the inspection data to the sub board 49 a predetermined number of times prior to the transmission. Each inspection data is 8-bit bit data. The game control data is transmitted after the inspection data is transmitted. Thereafter, a pulse-like signal called a strobe signal is transmitted from the main board 41 to the sub board 49 via the strobe signal line 102.

The sub board 49 temporarily stores inspection data and game control data received from the main board 41. The main board 41 also temporarily stores the transmitted inspection data. The gaming machine inspection device 120 acquires transmission inspection data and reception inspection data from the main board 41 and the sub board 49 each time inspection data is transmitted. Based on these data, the gaming machine inspection device 120 determines whether or not a communication error has occurred in the data signal line 100 by a method described later. Hereinafter, the process for determining a communication error by the gaming machine inspection device 120 is simply referred to as “communication error determination process”. When it is determined that a communication error has occurred in the communication error determination process, the gaming machine inspection device 120 transmits information indicating the occurrence of the communication error to the sub-board 49 as “communication error detection information”.
Details of the communication error determination processing will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

When the sub-process control means 110 receives the strobe signal, it reads out the temporarily stored game control data. The sub-process control means 110 executes display processing and the like according to the read game control data. When communication error detection information has been received from the gaming machine inspection device 120, processing corresponding to the error (hereinafter simply referred to as “error time processing”) is executed.
Details of the error processing will be described in detail mainly with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a basic functional block diagram of a pachinko gaming machine realized on the hardware shown in FIG.
In the figure, the role of each functional block of the pachinko gaming machine 10 will be described, and the interaction of these functional blocks will be described later. The prize winning port 66, the start port 62, the decorative symbol display device 60, the special symbol display device 61, the speaker 18, the game effect lamp 90, the gaming machine inspection device 120, and the game control device 130 are electrically connected. .
The game control device 130 can be realized by hardware such as a ROM for storing data and programs, a CPU and a RAM used for arithmetic processing and control processing, and in terms of software, an image processing function, a control function, and random number generation This function is realized by a program such as a function, but in this drawing, functional blocks realized by their cooperation are depicted. Therefore, these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by a combination of hardware and software.

The game control device 130 includes main process control means 108 and sub-process control means 110 as described with reference to FIG.
The main process control means 108 includes a ball entering determination means 132, a special game transition lottery means 134, a pattern selection means 136, a special game execution means 138, and a transmission processing means 140.
The sub-process control unit 110 includes a reception processing unit 150, a pattern storage unit 160, an error determination unit 162, and a display control unit 164.

  When the game ball falls into the start opening 62, the ball entry detecting device 74 in the start opening 62 detects it and generates start winning information indicating the drop. When receiving the start winning information, the winning determination means 132 determines that the game ball has won the start opening 62. The entrance determination means 132 also determines whether or not a game ball is dropped into various entrances such as the operation opening 68 and the general winning opening 72.

  If the number of reserved balls has not reached the upper limit of 4, the special game transition lottery means 134 acquires a special figure random number for the start prize at the timing when the pitch determination means 132 receives the start prize information. At this time, the special game transfer lottery means 134 adds 1 as the number of reserved balls, and temporarily stores the special figure random number newly acquired as the reserved balls. The special figure random number may be generated mathematically or may be generated as a count value generated by a counter (not shown). The special figure random number is generated in the range of “0 to 65535”. The special game transfer lottery means 134 determines whether or not the special game transfer lottery is successful depending on whether or not the acquired special figure random number is within a range to be won, for example, “0 to 250”. The special game transfer lottery means 134 stores a success / failure determination table in which a range to be hit by such a special figure random number is determined. The special game transfer lottery means 134 determines whether or not the special figure random number is correct by referring to the determination table.

The pattern selection unit 136 selects a display pattern indicating a variation display process of the decorative symbol 200 and the special symbol 202. The special symbol 202 and the decorative symbol 200 are variably displayed in conjunction with each other over time. The pattern selection unit 136 refers to the pattern selection table in which the special figure random number and the pattern ID for identifying the display pattern are associated with each other, and the special game transfer lottery unit 134 determines the pattern ID corresponding to the special figure random number to be determined. select. In this way, display patterns indicating the variable display process of the decorative symbol 200 and the special symbol 202 are specified.
The special game execution means 138 controls the execution of the special game after the end of symbol change when the special game transfer lottery is won.

The transmission processing unit 140 transmits various data such as game control data to the sub-process control unit 110. The transmission processing unit 140 includes a game control data transmission unit 142 and an inspection data transmission unit 148. The game control data transmission unit 142 transmits game control data to the sub-process control unit 110. The inspection data transmission unit 148 transmits the inspection data to the sub process control unit 110.
The game control data transmission unit 142 further includes a change instruction data transmission unit 144 and a lottery result data transmission unit 146.
The change instruction data transmission means 144 transmits change instruction data as game control data. The variation instruction data here is data including a pattern ID selected by the pattern selection unit 136 and a command for specifying a character to be displayed for production. The lottery result data transmission means 146 transmits lottery result data as game control data. The lottery result data here is data indicating the result of the special game transfer lottery.
The game control data transmission unit 142 collects such variation instruction data and lottery result data, and transmits them to the sub-process control unit 110 as game control data at the start of symbol variation. In addition to this, the game control data transmission means 142 also transmits a stop command for instructing the stop of the symbol variation.
The control content of the sub-process control means 110 is determined by various game control data transmitted from the game control data transmission means 142.
Note that the fluctuation display of the special symbol 202 is executed by the main process control means 108, while the fluctuation display of the decoration symbol 200 is executed by the sub-process control means 110 according to an instruction from the main process control means 108.

Turning to the description of the sub-process control unit 110.
The reception processing unit 150 receives various data such as game control data from the main process control unit 108. The reception processing unit 150 includes a game control data receiving unit 152 and an inspection data receiving unit 158. The game control data receiving unit 152 receives game control data from the game control data transmitting unit 142. The inspection data receiving unit 158 receives inspection data from the inspection data transmitting unit 148.
The game control data receiving unit 152 further includes a change instruction data receiving unit 154 and a lottery result data receiving unit 156. The change instruction data receiving unit 154 receives the change instruction data from the change instruction data transmitting unit 144. The lottery result data receiving unit 156 receives the lottery result data from the lottery result data transmitting unit 146.

The pattern storage unit 160 stores the display pattern data of the decorative design 200 in association with the pattern ID described above. The display pattern data to be read is specified by the pattern ID indicated in the change instruction data received by the change instruction data receiving means 154 from the change instruction data transmitting means 144.
The error determination unit 162 determines whether a communication error has occurred when the communication error detection information is received from the gaming machine inspection device 120. In this case, the error determination unit 162 turns on a communication error flag indicating that a communication error is occurring. The display control unit 164 reads display pattern data corresponding to the pattern ID included in the received variation instruction data from the pattern storage unit 160 and causes the decorative symbol display device 60 to display the decorative symbol 200 in a variable manner.
The main process control means 108 causes the special symbol display device 61 to variably display the special symbol 202 at the start of symbol variation. At this time, the change instruction data transmission unit 144 transmits the change instruction data to the sub-process control unit 110. The sub-process control unit 110 receives the change instruction data, and displays the decorative symbol 200 in a variable manner in the indicated display pattern. At this time, the display pattern of each symbol is selected so that the variation times of the decorative symbol 200 and the special symbol 202 are linked.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine inspection device.
The transmission inspection data acquisition unit 170 acquires transmission inspection data from the inspection data transmission unit 148. The reception inspection data acquisition unit 172 acquires reception inspection data from the inspection data reception unit 158.
The communication error detection processing unit 174 detects a communication error by comparing the transmission inspection data and the reception inspection data for the same inspection data acquired from the transmission inspection data acquisition unit 170 and the reception inspection data acquisition unit 172. The communication error detection processing unit 174 includes a mixed line candidate information holding unit 176 and a disconnection candidate information holding unit 178. The cross line candidate information holding unit 176 detects a combination of the data signal lines 100 that are cross line candidates, and holds a list of cross line candidates as cross line candidate information. The disconnection candidate information holding unit 178 detects a data signal line 100 that may be disconnected as a disconnection candidate, and holds a list of disconnection candidates as disconnection candidate information. The cross line candidate information holding unit 176 and the disconnection candidate information holding unit 178 update the cross line candidate information and the disconnection candidate information every time inspection data to be transmitted a predetermined time is transmitted once.
The data structure of the mixed line candidate information and the disconnection candidate information and the generation / update process thereof will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The communication error determination unit 180 finally determines whether or not a communication error has occurred based on the result of the inspection by the communication error detection processing unit 174. The communication error determination unit 180 includes a mixed line determination unit 182 and a disconnection determination unit 184. The cross line determination means 182 finally determines whether or not a cross line state has occurred. The disconnection determination means 184 finally determines whether or not a disconnection state has occurred. The communication error determination unit 180 determines that a communication error has occurred when the mixed line determination unit 182 or the disconnection determination unit 184 finally determines that a mixed line state or a disconnected state has occurred.
The communication error notification unit 186 transmits communication error detection information to the sub-process control unit 110 when the communication error determination unit 180 determines that a communication error has occurred. When the error determination unit 162 of the sub-process control unit 110 receives communication error detection information, it executes error processing.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a processing process between the main process control means and the sub-process control means at the start of symbol variation. In the figure, only the outline is shown.
The inspection data transmission unit 148 transmits inspection data to the sub-process control unit 110 prior to the start of symbol variation (S10). Inspection data is transmitted multiple times. At this time, the gaming machine inspection device 120 executes a communication error detection process. The error determination means 162 turns on the communication error flag if the communication error detection information is received from the gaming machine inspection device 120 (S12). If communication error detection information is not received in the next game control data transmission process, this communication error flag may be turned off.

Next, the game control data transmission means 142 transmits game control data including variation instruction data and lottery result data (S14). The sub-process control means 110 starts the variable display of the decorative symbol 200 with the designated display pattern at the timing of receiving the game control data (S16). However, if an error is detected in S12, an error process is executed.
Details of the processing of S16 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in the figure, prior to transmission of game control data from the main process control means 108 to the sub-process control means 110, inspection data is transmitted a plurality of times, and a communication error detection process based on the inspection data is executed. The Therefore, as a pre-process for receiving the game control data by the sub-process control means 110, it is appropriately detected whether or not a communication error has occurred.
In the following FIG. 7 and subsequent figures, a process in which the gaming machine inspection device 120 actually detects a mixed line state or a disconnected state as a communication error will be described while showing the data structure of the mixed line candidate information and the disconnected candidate information.

FIG. 7 is a data table diagram showing crosstalk candidates for the first inspection data.
First, the inspection data transmission unit 148 transmits 8-bit “11110000” to the inspection data reception unit 158. It corresponds to “EH” in hexadecimal notation. The inspection data transmission means 148 assigns each bit data to each data signal line 100 as the first inspection data and transmits it. Hereinafter, the data signal line 100 to which the first bit data of the inspection data is assigned is referred to as “seventh signal line”, and the data signal line 100 to which the second bit data is assigned is referred to as “sixth signal line”. Also called. That is, the data signal line 100 to which the nth bit data (n is an integer of 1 to 8) of the inspection data is assigned is the “(8−n) signal line”.
In the figure, bit 7 corresponds to the seventh signal line, bit 6 corresponds to the sixth signal line, and bit 0 corresponds to the zeroth signal line.

  1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0 of the inspection data “11100010” are assigned to bit 7, bit 6,..., Bit 0, respectively. In other words, each data is transmitted through the seventh signal line, the sixth signal line,..., The zeroth signal line. On the other hand, on the receiving side, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0 are received in bit 7, bit 6,. The vertical axis in the figure shows transmission inspection data, and the horizontal axis in the figure shows reception inspection data.

Although the transmission inspection data and the reception inspection data coincide with each other, it cannot be determined that all the data signal lines 100 are not mixed or disconnected. For example, “1” is transmitted from the seventh signal line in the main board 41, and “1” is received from the seventh signal line in the sub-board 49.
In this case, the following two possibilities are considered.
(1) A case where “1” transmitted through the seventh signal line in the main board 41 is normally received through the seventh signal line as it is in the sub board 49.
(2) When “1” transmitted through the sixth signal line is detected as data of the seventh signal line in the sub-board 49 in the main board 41, for example. That is, this is a case where a mixed line state is generated. For example, when the seventh signal line and the sixth signal line are in a short-circuited state at the contact position of the data signal line 100 on the sub-board 49, the data received via the sixth signal line is mixed into the seventh signal line as it is. Then, there is a possibility that it is detected as data of the seventh signal line, that is, bit 7.
Further, at this time, the possibility that the seventh signal line itself is in a disconnected state and “1” transmitted via the seventh signal line in the main board 41 does not reach the sub board 49 cannot be denied.

In the figure, in the column where bit 6 of the transmission check data and bit 7 of the reception check data intersect, a cross is marked. This is because “1” of bit 6 of the transmission inspection data may be mixed as it is with “1” in bit 7 of the reception inspection data. That is, the column marked with “X” shown in the figure is a combination of the data signal lines 100 that are candidates for the mixed line.
On the other hand, in a column where bit 4 of transmission inspection data and bit 7 of reception inspection data intersect, a circle is marked. Bit 4 of the transmission inspection data is “1”, and bit 7 of the reception inspection data is “0”. That is, the data “1” transmitted in bit 4 is not mixed as at least bit 7 data. For this reason, bit 4 and bit 7, that is, a combination of the fourth signal line and the seventh signal line, is not a mixed line candidate. In the same figure, the columns marked with ◯ are combinations of data signal lines 100 that are not candidates for the mixed line.
In this way, the cross line candidate information holding unit 176 of the gaming machine inspection device 120 compares the transmission inspection data and the reception inspection data, and detects a combination of the data signal lines 100 that are cross line candidates.

FIG. 8 is a data table diagram showing mixed line information and disconnection information specified by the first inspection data.
FIG. 8A is a data table diagram showing crosstalk candidate information after verification with respect to the first inspection data.
The data table of the crosstalk candidate information shown in FIG. 8A is the same as the data table described in FIG. In other words, the inspection data “111100010” identifies combinations that are not candidates for the mixed line. However, since the mixed line candidates remain, the possibility that a mixed line state has occurred between the data signal lines 100 cannot be denied.
FIG. 8B is a data table diagram showing disconnection candidate information after verification with respect to the first inspection data.
The disconnection candidate information holding unit 178 receives “1” and “0” according to the content of the transmitted data when “1” and “0” are transmitted via a data signal line 100. If it is, it is determined that no disconnection has occurred. This is because if the data signal line 100 is disconnected, the received data is either “1” or “0” regardless of whether the transmission data is “1” or “0”.
Since FIG. 8B shows disconnection candidate information in a state where inspection data is transmitted only once, the possibility that a disconnection state has occurred in any data signal line 100 cannot be denied.

FIG. 9 is a data table diagram showing crosstalk candidates for the second inspection data.
The inspection data transmission unit 148 transmits 8-bit “00100111” to the inspection data reception unit 158. It corresponds to “27” in hexadecimal notation. In the same manner as described with reference to FIG. 7, the cross line candidate information holding unit 176 determines whether or not the combination of the data signal lines 100 is a cross line candidate.

FIG. 10 is a data table diagram showing mixed line candidate information and disconnection candidate information specified by the second inspection data.
FIG. 10A is a data table diagram showing crosstalk candidate information after verification with respect to the second inspection data.
As shown in FIG. 9, for example, “0” transmitted as bit 6 of the transmission test data may be received as “0” in bit 7 of the reception test data. And the seventh signal line is a crossover candidate. As shown in FIG. 8, in the first inspection data “111100010” as well, the sixth signal line and the seventh signal line are mixed line candidates, and therefore the data of the sixth signal line is also the second inspection data. There is still a possibility that it is mixed in the 7 signal lines.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, “1” is transmitted as bit 5 of the transmission inspection data for the second inspection data, but “0” is received from bit 7 of the reception inspection data. The combination of the fifth signal line and the seventh signal line is not a crossover candidate. As shown in FIG. 8, at the stage of verification based on the first inspection data, since the fifth signal line and the seventh signal line were cross line candidates, the cross line candidates were narrowed down by the second inspection data. become.
In other words, in the mixed line candidate information after the second inspection data verification shown in FIG. 10 (a), the mixed line candidate shown in FIG. 8 (a) is mixed with the second inspection data shown in FIG. By eliminating the combinations of the data signal lines 100 that are not candidates, the mixed line candidates are further narrowed down.

FIG. 10B is a data table diagram showing disconnection candidate information after verification with respect to the second inspection data.
As for the first inspection data, “1” is transmitted through bit 7, that is, the seventh signal line, and “1” is received. On the other hand, for the second inspection data, “0” is transmitted and “0” is received via the seventh signal line. For this reason, the disconnection candidate information holding unit 178 determines that no disconnection has occurred in the seventh signal line.
On the other hand, for the first inspection data, for example, “0” is transmitted and “0” is received via the third signal line. For the second inspection data, “0” is also transmitted and “0” is received via the third signal line. Therefore, the possibility that the third signal line is in a disconnected state cannot be denied depending on the first inspection data and the second inspection data.

FIG. 11 is a data table diagram showing crosstalk candidates for the third inspection data.
The inspection data transmission means 148 transmits 8-bit “10101100”. It corresponds to “AC” in hexadecimal notation. In the same manner as described with reference to FIG. 7, the cross line candidate information holding unit 176 determines whether or not the combination of the data signal lines 100 is a cross line candidate.

FIG. 12 is a data table diagram showing mixed line candidate information and disconnection candidate information specified by the third inspection data.
FIG. 12A is a data table diagram showing crosstalk candidate information after verification with respect to the third inspection data.
Based on the cross-link candidate information after verification for the second inspection data shown in FIG. 10 and the cross-link candidate information for the third inspection data shown in FIG. 11, the cross-line candidate information holding unit 176 is shown in FIG. Crosstalk candidate information is generated. As shown in the figure, all combinations of the data signal lines 100 are excluded from the crosstalk candidates. That is, the cross line determination unit 182 determines that no cross line state has occurred between any of the data signal lines 100. As described above, with respect to the eight data signal lines 100, it is possible to detect whether or not a mixed line state has occurred by transmitting at least three types of inspection data.
FIG. 12B is a data table diagram showing disconnection candidate information after verification for the third inspection data. Even after verification of the third inspection data, bit 5 and bit 4 remain as disconnection candidates.

FIG. 13 is a data table diagram showing crosstalk candidates for the fourth inspection data.
The inspection data transmission means 148 transmits 8-bit “01010011”. It corresponds to “53” in hexadecimal notation. In the same manner as described with reference to FIG. 7, the cross line candidate information holding unit 176 determines whether or not the combination of the data signal lines 100 is a cross line candidate. When it can be determined that the mixed line state has not occurred up to the third inspection data, the mixed line candidate information holding unit 176 may omit the process for specifying the mixed line candidate for the fourth inspection data.

FIG. 14 is a data table diagram showing mixed line candidate information and disconnection candidate information specified by the fourth inspection data.
FIG. 14A is a data table diagram showing crosstalk candidate information after verification with respect to the fourth inspection data. Since the cross line determination means 182 determines that there is no cross line state between the data signal lines 100 until after transmission / reception of the third inspection data, all the columns are marked with a circle.
FIG. 14B is a data table diagram showing disconnection candidate information after verification for the fourth inspection data. After transmission / reception of the fourth inspection data, all data signal lines 100 are excluded from disconnection candidates. That is, the disconnection determination unit 184 determines that no disconnection state has occurred in all the data signal lines 100.
As described above, the communication error determination unit 180 determines that no communication error has occurred by verifying the four types of inspection data. In this case, the communication error notification unit 186 does not transmit communication error detection information.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the process of communication error detection processing by the gaming machine inspection device.
The transmission inspection data acquisition unit 170 acquires transmission inspection data from the inspection data transmission unit 148 (S20). The reception inspection data acquisition unit 172 acquires reception inspection data from the inspection data reception unit 158 (S22). The cross line candidate information holding unit 176 identifies a cross line candidate by the method described in relation to FIG. 7 (S24). The cross line candidate information holding unit 176 updates the cross line candidate information by the method described in relation to FIG. 10A (S26). On the other hand, the disconnection determination means 184 specifies a disconnection candidate and updates the disconnection candidate information (S28).

If verification has not been completed for all the inspection data transmitted from the main process control means 108 to the sub-process control means 110 (N in S30), the processing returns to S20 and the same processing is repeated for the next inspection data. In this way, the mixed line candidates and the disconnection candidates are narrowed down.
If the verification is completed for all the inspection data (Y in S30), the cross line determination means 182 determines whether there are any cross line candidates (S32). If it does not remain (N of S32), the disconnection determination means 184 determines whether a disconnection candidate remains (S34). If not (N in S34), the process ends. If there are any remaining line candidates or disconnection candidates (Y in S32, Y in S34), the communication error notification unit 186 transmits communication error detection information to the sub-process control unit 110 (S36).
In S12 of FIG. 6, has the error determination unit 162 acquired the communication error detection information transmitted from the gaming machine inspection device 120 in S36 before the sub-process control unit 110 executes the process based on the game control data? Judge whether or not.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a basic process in the pachinko gaming machine.
The flowchart shown here mainly shows the process in the main process control means 108.
Based on whether or not the game ball has entered the start port 62, a start winning determination process is executed by the ball determination unit 132 or the like (S40). When the game ball has entered the start port 62, the pattern variation start determination process is executed by the pattern selection means 136 or the like (S42). Finally, special game transition determination processing is executed by the special game execution means 138 or the like (S44). A series of these flows is a loop process, and is repeatedly executed during the game.
The specific contents of each process from S40 to S44 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing in detail the start winning determination process in S40 of FIG.
The ball entering determination unit 132 determines whether or not start winning information is acquired from the ball detecting device 74 in the starting port 62 (S50). If the winning determination means 132 has not acquired the starting winning information (N in S50), the starting winning determination process in S40 ends. If it has been acquired (Y in S50), the payout unit 43 pays out a winning ball corresponding to the winning (S52). For example, the number of prize balls is set to 4.

  Next, it is determined whether the reserved ball stored in the special game transfer lottery means 134 is within the upper limit (S54). If the reserved ball is not within the upper limit (N in S54), the start winning determination process in S40 ends. If it is within the upper limit (S54), the special game transfer lottery means 134 acquires a special figure random number (S56). At this time, the special game transfer lottery means 134 stores the acquired special figure random number as a reserved ball. 1 is added as the number of reserved balls (S58).

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing in detail the symbol variation start determination process in S42 of FIG.
The pattern selection unit 136 determines whether there is a holding ball (S60). If there is no reserved ball (N in S60), the symbol variation start determination process in S42 ends. If there is a holding ball (Y in S60), the pattern selection unit 136 determines whether or not the symbol variation display can be started (S62). When the special game is being executed or when the special symbol 202 is already being displayed in a variable manner, the variable display of the symbol is not started until the processing is completed. When a special game flag, which will be described later, is turned on, it is determined that the special game is being executed, and the symbol variation display is not started. If the symbol variation display cannot be started (N in S62), the symbol variation start determination process in S42 ends. If the symbol display can be started (Y in S62), the special game transfer lottery means 134 takes out the special figure random number held as the holding ball. 1 is subtracted as the number of reserved balls (S64).

  The special game transfer lottery means 134 determines whether or not the special figure random number extracted is determined by referring to the determination table. In other words, if the extracted special figure random number is equivalent to the numerical value that should be won in the selected success / failure determination table, it is determined that the special game transfer lottery, that is, “big hit”. If it is a big hit (Y in S68), the special game executing means 138 turns on a special game flag for indicating the start of the special game (S70). If it is off (N in S68), S70 is skipped.

  The pattern selection unit 136 selects the pattern ID associated with the special figure random number (S72). The special symbol 202 and the decorative symbol 200 are variably displayed in the display pattern corresponding to the pattern ID. The inspection data transmission unit 148 transmits inspection data (S74). In S74, predetermined inspection data is transmitted a predetermined number of times. This is as described with reference to FIGS. 7, 9, 11, and 13. The process of S74 is a process corresponding to S10 in FIG. After transmitting the inspection data, the game control data transmission unit 142 transmits game control data (S76). The process of S76 is a process corresponding to S14 in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing in detail the special game execution determination process in S44 of FIG.
First, if the symbol variation display has not ended (N in S80), the special game execution determination process in S44 ends. If the variable display has been completed (Y in S80) and the special game flag is turned on, that is, if the special figure random number is hit (Y in S82), the special game execution means 138 is in a special state. The game is started (S84). On the other hand, if the special game flag is turned off (N in S82), the special game execution determination process in S44 ends.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing details of the symbol variation start process shown in S16 of FIG.
The flowchart shown here shows a processing process in the sub-process control means 110.
When the inspection data is transmitted from the main process control means 108 to the sub-process control means 110, the gaming machine inspection device 120 executes a communication error detection process based on the inspection data. If the error determination means 162 receives the communication error detection information and turns on the communication error flag (N in S90), the lottery result data receiving means 156 uses the lottery result data received as part of the game control data. The result of special game transfer lottery is acquired. If it is a big hit (Y of S96), the display control means 164 sets the winning symbol of the decorative symbol 200 (S98). If it is off (N in S96), the display control means 164 sets the off symbol of the decorative symbol 200 (S100). Here, the winning symbol and the off symbol are symbols that are stopped and displayed after the decorative symbol 200 is displayed in a variable manner, and are symbols for indicating the result of the special game transition lottery to the player. The display control unit 164 reads the pattern ID instructed by the pattern selection unit 136 from the change instruction data received as part of the game control data, and displays the display pattern data corresponding to the pattern ID from the pattern storage unit 160. Read (S102).
The processing from S96 to S102 is processing executed by the sub-process control means 110 when no communication error is detected, and is the same as the processing executed in the general pachinko gaming machine 10.

On the other hand, the processing from S92 to S95 corresponds to the error time processing.
When the error determination unit 162 receives communication error detection information from the gaming machine inspection device 120 (Y in S90), that is, when a communication error is detected, the display control unit 164 displays the actual special game transition. Regardless of the result of the lottery, the off symbol is set (S92). Further, the display control means 164 reads a display pattern (hereinafter referred to as “specific pattern”) predetermined for the time of occurrence of an error from the pattern storage means 160 regardless of the actually selected pattern ID (S94). ). The display control means 164 displays that a communication error has occurred on the decorative symbol display device 60 and the game effect lamp 90 (S95).
Finally, the display control means 164 displays the decorative design 200 in a variable manner with the read display pattern.

  If a communication error occurs in the data signal line 100, the content of the game control data may be altered in the transmission process of the data signal line 100. Therefore, even if the lottery result data receiving means 156 receives the lottery result data indicating that the result of the special game transfer lottery is winning, the lottery result data indicating that the result of the special game transfer lottery is actually lost It may have been sent. Alternatively, even if the lottery result data indicating that it is out of place is received, there is a possibility that the lottery result data indicating that it is actually a hit has been transmitted.

When the special game transition lottery is out of play and the winning symbol is displayed on the decorative symbol 200, even if the player recognizes that it is a win, the player will not actually enter the special gaming state. On the other hand, when the special game transition lottery is a win and the off symbol is displayed on the decorative symbol 200, the special game is actually executed even if the player recognizes that it is off. This is because the special game itself is a process executed by the main process control means 108, and the ball exit control itself is hardly affected by the failure of the data signal line 100.
In view of the player psychology when the special game is not executed after recognizing that it is a win and the player psychology when the special game is executed after recognizing that it is out of the way, the latter It was recognized that the aspect can suppress the dissatisfaction of the player. In the former case, the player's psychology is once expected, but the special game is not executed, so the player is likely to be disappointed or dissatisfied with the game. On the other hand, in the latter case, the special game is executed in a state in which the player's sense of expectation is not increased, and therefore it is difficult for the player to have a sense of receiving a disadvantage.
Based on this recognition, when a communication error occurs, it is possible to suppress the player's dissatisfaction with the game by uniformly detaching and making the symbol a stop symbol.

Further, when a communication error has occurred, there is a possibility that a display pattern as if it is a big hit may be selected while the result of the special game transfer lottery is out of date. Alternatively, there is a possibility that the variation instruction data is altered in the transmission process of the data signal line 100, information is lost, and the symbol variation cannot be executed normally. According to the pachinko gaming machine 10 shown in the present embodiment, when a communication error is detected, the decorative symbol 200 is displayed in a predetermined specific pattern regardless of the content of the change instruction data from the main process control means 108. It will be displayed fluctuating.
This specific pattern may be a display pattern that actively notifies that a communication error has occurred. In this case, occurrence of a communication error can be detected visually during the game.
Alternatively, it may be a display pattern that includes a sign that only the administrator of the gaming machine can recognize the occurrence of a communication error, although it is a display pattern that shows a normal deviation.
In this case, even if a communication error occurs, it is possible to maintain the continuity of the game in appearance, which is effective in preventing the player from feeling uncomfortable when the communication error occurs.

  As described above, according to the pachinko gaming machine 10 shown in the present embodiment, it is possible to easily detect the mixed line state of the data signal line 100 during the game. Further, the disconnection state of the data signal line 100 can be detected by using inspection data for detecting the mixed line state. Since a communication error is automatically detected during a game, it is possible to detect a communication error due to aging even after the gaming machine is shipped. Therefore, there is an effect in guaranteeing the reliability of the gaming machine over a long period of time. In addition, such automatic communication error detection can reduce human and monetary costs associated with maintenance of the gaming machine. Furthermore, it becomes easy to evaluate the reliability of each module also in reusing the modules constituting the gaming machine such as the main board 41.

  Further, when such a communication error is detected, after the decorative symbol 200 is displayed in a varying manner in a specific pattern, the off symbol is stopped and displayed. Therefore, when a communication error occurs, the player's discomfort associated with the communication error can be minimized without stopping the progress of the game. Needless to say, the processing at the time of error shown in the present embodiment can also be applied when a communication error is detected by a detection method other than the communication error detection method shown in the present embodiment.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is merely an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. is there.

  In the present embodiment, the mode in which the inspection data is transmitted every time the game control data is transmitted is shown. However, as a modification, the inspection data may not be transmitted in response to the transmission of all the game control data. For example, when the game control data is transmitted less frequently within a predetermined time, for example, on the condition that the game control data has not been transmitted once in the past 30 seconds, the inspection data is transmitted along with the transmission of the game control data. It may be transmitted. According to such an aspect, inspection data can be transmitted while avoiding the processing load on the main process control means 108 and the sub process control means 110, so that the processing load on the game control device 130 can be leveled in time. Can do.

  Alternatively, the mixed line candidate information may be generated only for the adjacent data signal lines 100, such as the seventh signal line and the sixth signal line, and the third signal line and the fourth and second signal lines. The reason why data transmitted through one data signal line 100 is mixed into another data signal line 100 is that it is considered that the data mixed into another data signal line 100 is often mixed. According to such an aspect, the processing load of the communication error detection process can be reduced.

The technical ideas that can be grasped from the above-described embodiments and the modifications thereof are as follows.
A-1. A game board in which a game area is formed;
A starting opening provided at a predetermined position in the gaming area and allowing a game ball to enter;
A first control device for controlling game content;
A second control device for variably displaying a symbol for showing the player the contents of control by the first control device;
Communication error detection means for detecting a communication error by inspecting a data transmission state of a signal line connecting the first control device and the second control device,
The first control device includes:
Special game transition lottery means for executing a special game transition lottery for determining whether or not to shift the gaming state to a special game advantageous to the player, triggered by the entry of the game ball into the starting port,
Pattern selection means for selecting a display pattern indicating a variation display process of symbols by the second control device according to a result of the special game transition lottery;
Fluctuation instruction data transmitting means for transmitting fluctuation instruction data for instructing the symbol variation display by the selected display pattern to the second control device via the signal line;
If the special game transition lottery is a win, the game includes special game execution means for executing the special game at a timing at which the display of the variation of the symbol is ended by the selected display pattern,
The second control device includes:
Change instruction data receiving means for receiving the change instruction data from the first control device;
Pattern storage means for storing a plurality of types of display pattern data;
When no error is detected by the error detection means, the display pattern instructed in the change instruction data is read from the pattern storage means and the symbols are displayed in a variable manner. When an error is detected, a predetermined error is detected. Display control means for reading out a display pattern for occurrence from the pattern storage means and displaying the pattern in a variable manner;
A ball game machine characterized by including:

A-2. A game board in which a game area is formed;
A starting opening provided at a predetermined position in the gaming area and allowing a game ball to enter;
A first control device for controlling game content;
A second control device for variably displaying a symbol for showing the player the contents of control by the first control device;
Communication error detection means for detecting a communication error by inspecting a data transmission state of a signal line connecting the first control device and the second control device,
The first control device includes:
Special game transition lottery means for executing a special game transition lottery for determining whether or not to shift the gaming state to a special game advantageous to the player, triggered by the entry of the game ball into the starting port,
Lottery result data transmitting means for transmitting lottery result data indicating the result of the special game transfer lottery to the second control device via the signal line;
If the special game transition lottery is a win, including special game execution means for executing the special game,
The second control device includes:
Lottery result data receiving means for receiving the lottery result data from the first control device;
Pattern storage means for storing a plurality of types of display patterns indicating a variation display process of symbols for producing the result of the special game transition lottery;
Display control means for reading any display pattern from the pattern storage means and variably displaying a design,
The display control means of the second control device shows the result of the special game transition lottery shown in the received lottery result data after the symbol variation display if no error detection is made by the communication error detection means Is displayed, and when an error is detected, a symbol indicating a disengagement is stopped and displayed regardless of the result of the special game transition lottery.

  A-3. The display control means of the second control device displays an image for notifying the occurrence of an error when an error is detected by the communication error detection means. The bullet ball game machine described.

It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the front side of the pachinko game machine in a present Example. It is a figure which shows the basic structure in the back side of a pachinko game machine. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions in a pachinko game machine. FIG. 4 is a basic functional block diagram of a pachinko gaming machine realized on the hardware shown in FIG. 3. It is a functional block diagram of a gaming machine inspection device. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process between the main process control means and a sub process control means at the time of symbol variation start. It is a data table figure which shows the cross line candidate about 1st test | inspection data. It is a data table figure which shows the mixed line information and disconnection information which are specified by 1st test | inspection data. FIG. 8A is a data table diagram showing crosstalk candidate information after verification with respect to the first inspection data. FIG. 8B is a data table diagram showing disconnection candidate information after verification with respect to the first inspection data. It is a data table figure which shows the cross line candidate about 2nd test | inspection data. It is a data table figure which shows the mixed line candidate information and disconnection candidate information specified by 2nd test | inspection data. FIG. 10A is a data table diagram showing crosstalk candidate information after verification with respect to the second inspection data. FIG. 10B is a data table diagram showing disconnection candidate information after verification with respect to the second inspection data. It is a data table figure which shows the cross line candidate about 3rd test | inspection data. It is a data table figure which shows the crossing line candidate information and disconnection candidate information specified by 3rd test | inspection data. FIG. 12A is a data table diagram showing crosstalk candidate information after verification with respect to the third inspection data. FIG. 12B is a data table diagram showing disconnection candidate information after verification for the third inspection data. It is a data table figure which shows the cross line candidate about 4th test | inspection data. It is a data table figure which shows the mixed line candidate information and disconnection candidate information which are specified by the 4th test data. FIG. 14A is a data table diagram showing crosstalk candidate information after verification with respect to the fourth inspection data. FIG. 14B is a data table diagram showing disconnection candidate information after verification for the fourth inspection data. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the communication error detection process by a game machine test | inspection apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the basic process in a pachinko game machine. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the start winning determination process in S40 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows in detail the symbol variation start determination process in S42 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the special game execution determination process in S44 of FIG. 16 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the symbol change start process shown to S16 of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  10 Pachinko machines, 26 ordinary electric accessories, 38 entrance detection device, 41 main board, 49 sub-board, 50 game board, 52 game area, 60 decorative symbol display device, 61 special symbol display device, 62 start port, 66 Grand prize opening, 74 entrance detection device, 76 ordinary electric accessory solenoid, 78 entrance detection device, 80 grand entrance solenoid, 90 game effect lamp, 100 data signal line, 102 strobe signal line, 104 entrance detection device, 106 display device, 108 main process control means, 110 sub-process control means, 120 gaming machine inspection device, 130 game control device, 132 entry determination means, 134 special game transition lottery means, 136 pattern selection means, 138 special game execution means 140 Transmission processing means 1 2 game control data transmission means, 144 variation instruction data transmission means, 146 lottery result data transmission means, 148 inspection data transmission means, 150 reception processing means, 152 game control data reception means, 154 variation instruction data reception means, 156 lottery result data Receiving means, 158 inspection data receiving means, 160 pattern storage means, 162 error determination means, 164 display control means, 170 transmission inspection data acquisition means, 172 reception inspection data acquisition means, 174 communication error detection processing means, 176 holding crossing line candidate information Means, 178 disconnection candidate information holding means, 180 communication error determination means, 182 mixed line determination means, 184 disconnection determination means, 186 communication error notification means.

Claims (3)

A first control device that controls the game content; and a second control device that is connected to the first control device by eight signal lines and executes an effect display, and controls the effect content by the second control device. Game control data is transmitted from the first control device to the second control device via the eight signal lines,
The first control device includes:
Data transmitted from the first control device to the second control device to check the transmission state of each signal line when transmitting the game control data, and 1-bit data is assigned to each signal line 8 Including inspection data transmission means for transmitting inspection data configured as bit data of bits to the second control device at least three times in one cross determination.
The second control device includes:
Inspection data receiving means for receiving inspection data from the inspection data transmitting means;
And receiving inspection data acquiring means for acquiring a received test data received test data from the test data receiving means by said inspection data receiving means,
Test data and receive test data for comparison obtained in advance for each of the three doses of test data by sequentially comparing each signal line, through one of the signal lines among the eight signal lines anda determining crosstalk determination means whether the crosstalk state is a state which is received mixed in different signal lines are experiencing the transmitted data and the one of the signal lines,
8. A gaming machine according to claim 8, wherein eight data obtained by combining the inspection data for three times transmitted by the inspection data transmitting means for each signal line are all different . The second control device includes:
In any one of the eight signal lines, after a predetermined 1-bit data is transmitted as a part of inspection data, an inverted value of the 1-bit data as a part of another inspection data when 1-bit data has been transmitted is, by comparing the respective inspection data for comparison received inspection data for the inspection data transmitted test data and the next transmission Introduction Ru is obtained respectively, receiving Disconnection detecting means for detecting whether the received data and the comparison data have the same value;
If the data for comparison with the data to which the are received via any of the signal lines for at least one of the inspection data transmitted and sent test data to the next to the beginning is the same value by the disconnection detecting means A disconnection determining means for determining that a disconnection has occurred in any of the signal lines;
The game machine according to claim 1, further comprising: In the gaming machine, when game control data for controlling the content of the effect is transmitted from the first control device that controls the content of the game to the second control device that executes the effect display via the eight signal lines, Inspection that is transmitted from the first control device to the second control device to inspect the transmission state of a line, and is configured as 8- bit bit data in which 1-bit data is assigned to each signal line A transmission step in which the first control device transmits data ;
The second control device, an acquisition step of then receiving the inspection data transmitted from said first control device, and acquires the received inspection data as received inspection data,
A comparison step in which the second control device sequentially compares the test data for comparison acquired in advance with the received test data for the data for each signal line ;
Repeating the transmitting step, the obtaining step, and the comparing step at least two more times;
After the inspection data is transmitted at least three times by the first control device, the data transmitted via any one of the eight signal lines based on the result of the comparison is any one of the above. A step of determining whether or not a mixed line state that is received by being mixed in a signal line different from the signal line of
Equipped with a,
8. A gaming machine inspection method, wherein eight data obtained by combining the inspection data for three times transmitted by the first control device for each signal line are all different .

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