JP4954599B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which control of sound effect means, light emission effect means, and movable body effect means is performed by one effect control means.

Conventionally, a pachinko machine, which is a type of gaming machine, outputs a sound such as a decorative lamp that performs a light-emitting effect, a movable device that performs a movable object effect by moving a movable object, music, etc., in order to enhance the game effect. Various game effect devices such as speakers are provided. Each of these game effect devices is controlled by a dedicated control board (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-236088 A

  By the way, in recent years, in order to reduce the installation space of the control board, and in order to reduce the labor and cost of development at the time of manufacturing, a plurality of control boards are combined into one control board, and a plurality of control boards are arranged on the control board. The process is executed. Thereby, the number of control boards and the number of CPUs controlling the game effect device can be reduced.

However, when one CPU controls a plurality of types of game effect devices in this way, the load applied to the CPU becomes large, and there are cases where processing cannot be performed without lengthening the control cycle.
And when a control cycle becomes long, when performing the movable body process regarding the movable body effect using a stepping motor together with the light emission process regarding the light emission effect and the sound process regarding the sound effect, the control regarding the stepping motor may be executed finely. There is a problem that it becomes impossible to do so and variations in rotational motion are reduced. Further, when the control cycle of the output process for outputting the control signal set as a result of the process such as the light emission process becomes long, there is a problem that, for example, the light emitting diode that is lit by the dynamic lighting method appears to blink. On the other hand, in order to shorten the processing time, improving the performance of the CPU has a problem of increasing the burden in terms of manufacturing cost.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems existing in the prior art, and its purpose is to execute control of sound effect means, light emission effect means and movable body effect means in one effect control means. It is another object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine that can reduce the burden on the production control means in one control cycle.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that a start winning detection means for detecting a winning of a game ball, and a plurality of types of symbols triggered by the start winning detection means detecting the winning of the game ball. A display means for displaying a symbol-variable game to be varied; an effect instruction means for controlling the entire gaming machine; and an effect control means for executing various controls relating to the game effects in accordance with instructions from the effect instruction means. When the result is a predetermined jackpot display result, in a gaming machine in which a jackpot game is performed, a voice effect means for executing a voice effect related to the symbol variation game based on a control signal output from the effect control means; Based on the control signal output from the effect control means, the light emission effect means for executing the light emission effect related to the symbol variation game, and the output from the effect control means And a movable body representation section for executing the movable body effect stating that are the basis of the control signal symbol variable game display result is may become jackpot display result, the movable body representation section is for directing A movable body and a stepping motor that can be rotated in units of predetermined steps are provided, and the rendering control means controls the rotation operation of the stepping motor, so that the rendering movable body executes the movable body rendering. The production control unit is configured as described above, wherein the production control unit includes a light emission process relating to the light emission production unit, a sound process relating to the audio production unit, a movable body process relating to the movable body production unit, the light emission process, the audio process, and the movable. Output processing for outputting a control signal set as a result of body processing, the output processing and the movable body processing While performing in each control cycle, execute the emission process and the voice processing in one control cycle every run the emission process and the voice processing alternately, in the light emission processing, emission effect between two control periods Based on the light emission data for controlling the execution of the above , the gist is to cause the light emission effect means to execute the light emission effect for two control periods regardless of the execution of the sound effect .

The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the effect instruction means outputs a first command to the effect control means at the start of the symbol variation game, and the movable command for each symbol variation game. When it is determined whether or not to execute the body effect, and when it is determined to execute the movable body effect, a second command is output when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the symbol variation game, and the effect control The means sets the variation time of the symbol variation game in response to the input of the first command, measures the time based on the set variation time, and based on the measured time, the sound effect in the sound processing The sound execution means is executed by the means, the light emission effect means is executed in the light emission process, and the time measured by the input of the first command in the movable body process is concerned. Not, and summarized in that to perform said movable member directed to the movable body representation section the input of the second command as a trigger.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, when the production control means inputs an error command related to an error from the production instruction means, the light emission notification of the error is given. An error light emission notification process to be performed and an error sound notification process to perform a sound notification of the error are configured to be performed. In the error light emission notification process, an error light emission notification is sent to the light emission effect unit at each control cycle. The gist of the present invention is to cause the sound effect means to perform error sound notification for each control cycle in the error sound notification process.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to cause one effect control means to execute control of the sound effect means, the light emission effect means, and the movable object effect means, and to reduce the burden of the effect control means in one control cycle.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter referred to as a “pachinko machine”) that is a kind of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In FIG. 1, the front side of the pachinko machine 10 is schematically shown, and a vertical rectangular middle frame 12 for setting various game components is opened and closed on the front side of the opening of the outer frame 11 that forms the outline of the machine body. And is detachably assembled. In addition, on the front side of the middle frame 12, both the front frame 14 and the upper ball tray 15 having a glass frame in which a protective glass for protecting the game board 13 disposed inside the machine is fitted are opened sideways. It is assembled so that it can be opened and closed.

  In addition, on the front side of the front frame 14 and the game area 13 a of the game board 13, a decoration lamp 16 that is turned on (flashes) or turned off and performs a light emission effect based on the light emission decoration is provided. The decorative lamp 16 is composed of a plurality of light emitting elements (light emitting diodes in the present embodiment), and each of the plurality of light emitting diodes can emit light in gradation during a light emitting effect. Thereby, the variation of the light emission effect of the decoration lamp 16 can be increased, and the interest of a game can be improved. The plurality of light emitting diodes are lit by a dynamic driving method. In the present embodiment, the decorative lamp 16 serves as a light emission effect means for performing a light emission effect.

  In addition, the upper ball tray 15 is provided with a speaker 17 that outputs various sounds (sound effects) and performs sound effects based on the sound output. In the present embodiment, the speaker 17 serves as a sound effect means for performing sound effects. A lower ball tray 18 and a launching device 19 are attached to the lower part of the middle frame 12.

  A display device 20 that performs a display effect is disposed in the approximate center of the game area 13 a of the game board 13. The display device 20 includes a decorative member TW with various decorations, and a liquid crystal display type variable display H is attached to a window TWa of the decorative member TW. In the variable display H, a game effect (display effect) based on a varying image (or image display) is performed. In the variable display H, a symbol combination game (symbol variation game) is displayed in which a plurality of types of symbols are varied and displayed in a plurality of columns. In the present embodiment, combinations of symbols in three columns are derived in the symbol combination game, and the types of symbols in each column forming the combination are eight types of 0-7. Therefore, the variable display H of this embodiment serves as a display means for displaying a symbol variation game by varying a plurality of types of symbols.

  Then, the player can recognize a big hit or loss from the symbol combination finally displayed in the symbol combination game. When the symbols of all the columns displayed on the variable display H are of the same type, the big hit can be recognized from the symbol combination ([222] [777], etc.). The symbol combination that can recognize the jackpot is a jackpot symbol combination. When the jackpot symbol combination is displayed, the player is given a jackpot gaming state. On the other hand, when the symbols of all the columns displayed on the variable display H are not of the same type, a deviation from the symbol combination ([123] [122] [767] etc.) can be recognized. A symbol combination that can recognize this deviation is a symbol combination that is out of sync. Further, the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment displays symbols in the order of left column (left symbol) → right column (right symbol) → middle column (middle symbol) as viewed from the player side.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the display device 20 (above the variable display H) is operated by moving a mechanical effect movable body (the right arm 2 of the character body 1). A movable device K is provided. The movable device K is entirely configured to imitate a human and includes a character body 1 having a head and both arms. The character body 1 is attached to a decorative member TW. The right arm 2 of the character body 1 is configured so as to be able to take a form indicated by the fingertip (index finger) 3 thereof. In addition, the movable device K includes a drive unit 4 (shown in FIG. 4) that imparts a rotational motion (or swing motion) to the right arm 2. The drive unit 4 includes a stepping motor and a power transmission mechanism that transmits the power of the stepping motor to the right arm 2.

  Accordingly, the right arm 2 of the character body 1 has at least the fingertip 3 (including the wrist portion in the present embodiment) from the arm-armed state (FIG. 2) as a starting point by the operation of the drive unit 4. It is configured to be able to take a state (FIG. 3) that has entered the display area. From the above, the movable device K becomes a movable body effecting means for executing a movable body effect.

  Further, below the display device 20 is provided a start winning opening 22 provided with an opening / closing blade 21 that opens and closes by the operation of an actuator (solenoid or the like) (not shown) (see FIG. 1). Behind the start winning opening 22 is provided a start opening sensor SE1 (shown in FIG. 4) that detects a winning game ball. The start winning opening 22 can give a start condition for the symbol combination game in response to detection of winning of a game ball. Also, below the start winning opening 22 is provided a large winning opening 24 having a large winning opening door 23 that opens and closes by the operation of an actuator (solenoid or the like) (not shown) (see FIG. 1). When the big hit gaming state is given, the big winning opening 24 is opened by the opening operation of the big winning opening door 23 so that the game ball can be won, so that the player has a chance to acquire a large number of winning balls. Obtainable. Therefore, in this embodiment, the start winning opening 22 serves as a start winning detection means for detecting a winning of a game ball. In addition, the special winning opening 24 is a special winning detection means that is opened so that a game ball can be won when a big hit game is performed.

Next, the control configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
A main control board 30 that controls the entire pachinko machine 10 is mounted on the back side of the pachinko machine 10. The main control board 30 executes various processes for controlling the entire pachinko machine 10, performs arithmetic processing on various control signals (control commands) for controlling the game according to the processing results, and outputs the control signals ( Control command). On the rear side of the machine, an overall control board 31, a display control board 32, and a sound / lamp / movable body control board 33 are mounted. The overall control board 31 comprehensively controls the display control board 32 and the sound / lamp / movable body control board 33 based on a control signal (control command) output from the main control board 30. The display control board 32 controls the display mode of the display device 20 (variable display H) based on the control signal (control command) output from the overall control board 31 (display images such as symbols, backgrounds, and characters). The sound / lamp / movable body control board 33 is based on the control signal (control command) output by the overall control board 31 and the light emission mode (lighting (flashing) / lighting off timing, etc.) of the decoration lamp 16 and the sound output of the speaker 17. A mode (timing of voice output, etc.) and an operation mode of the movable device K (such as an operation mode of the right arm 2 of the character body 1 by the operation of the drive unit 4) are controlled. Therefore, the sound / lamp / movable body control board 33 of the present embodiment serves as an effect control means.

Next, the configuration of the main control board 30 will be described.
The main control board 30 is provided with a main CPU 30a, a ROM 30b, and a RAM 30c. A ROM 30b and a RAM 30c are connected to the main CPU 30a. After startup, the main CPU 30a sequentially updates various random number values such as jackpot determination random numbers used for jackpot determination at predetermined intervals (for example, 2 ms), and sets the updated values in the setting area of the RAM 30c. The value before update is rewritten. The ROM 30b stores various control programs (such as a main control program) for controlling the pachinko machine 10, a plurality of types of variation patterns, and the like. The RAM 30c stores (sets) various types of information (such as the value of a big hit determination random number) that is appropriately rewritten during the operation of the pachinko machine 10.

  The variation pattern is a game effect (display effect, light emission effect, sound effect) from when the symbol starts to change (start of the symbol combination game) to when all the symbols are displayed (the symbol combination game ends). ) Is a base pattern. Further, the plurality of types of variation patterns are classified into variation patterns for a big hit effect and variation patterns for a loss effect. The jackpot effect is an effect that the symbol combination game is developed so as to finally display the symbol combination of the jackpot. The outlier effect is an effect in which the symbol combination game is finally developed so as to display a symbol pattern combination that is out of place.

  Further, the big hit determination random number is determined by the main CPU 30a at predetermined intervals (2 ms) so that numerical values within a predetermined numerical range (for example, all 631 integers from “0” to “630”) can be obtained. Each time) is incremented by one and updated. Then, the main CPU 30a stores the updated value in the RAM 30c as the value of the big hit determination random number, and rewrites the value of the big hit determination random number that has already been stored, thereby sequentially updating the value of the big hit determination random number. It has become. More specifically, the main CPU 30a sets the value (initial value) at the start of updating to “0” which is the minimum value, and in order from the initial value “0” → “1” →... → “629” → “ "630" is incremented by one and updated. When the main CPU 30a reaches “630 (maximum value)” which is the last updated numerical value (final value) as the value of the big hit determination random number, the main CPU 30a again increases from “0” to “630”. The number is updated by adding 1. That is, in the pachinko machine 10 of the present embodiment, the value of the big hit determination random number is sequentially updated by setting the value of the big hit determination random number to “0” to “630” as one cycle of the big hit determination random number. One cycle of update processing is repeatedly executed during operation of the pachinko machine 10.

Next, the main control program will be described.
Based on the main control program, the main CPU 30a executes various processes such as updating of the big hit determination random number, determining the big hit, determining the final stop symbol to be finally displayed, and determining the variation pattern. For example, when the main CPU 30a receives a winning detection signal indicating that the winning of the game ball from the start port sensor SE1 has been detected, the main CPU 30a acquires the value of the big hit determination random number stored in the RAM 30c at that timing. Then, when starting the symbol combination game, the main CPU 30a stores predetermined jackpot determination values (for example, “7” and “511”) in which the value of the jackpot determination random number acquired when the winning of the game ball is detected is stored in the ROM 30b. ) Is determined by determining whether or not it matches. The main CPU 30a is configured to give a big hit gaming state when the result of the big hit determination is affirmative (match). Further, since the numbers of the big hit determination random numbers are “0” to “630” (631 kinds in total), when the big hit values are set to “7” and “511”, the big hit probability of the pachinko machine 10 is 315 1/5 (= 2/631).

  If the determination result of the jackpot determination is affirmative (in the case of a jackpot), the main CPU 30a determines the final stop symbols so that all the columns are of the same type, and selects a variation pattern from the variation patterns for the jackpot effect. decide. On the other hand, when the determination result of the big hit determination is negative (in the case of loss), the main CPU 30a determines the final stop symbol so that the symbols in all the rows are not of the same type, and changes from the variation pattern for the off-line effect. Determine the pattern.

  The main CPU 30a that has determined the variation pattern and the final stop symbol outputs a predetermined control command to the overall control board 31 (overall CPU 31a) at a predetermined timing. Specifically, the main CPU 30a first outputs a variation pattern designation command that designates a variation pattern and instructs the start of symbol variation. Next, the main CPU 30a outputs a symbol designation command for designating a final stop symbol for each column. After that, the main CPU 30a instructs a change stop based on the change time set in the specified change pattern, and outputs an all symbol stop command for ending the symbol combination game.

  The main CPU 30a is connected to an actuator for opening the opening / closing blade 21 and an actuator for opening the special prize opening door 23, and outputs a control signal for operating the actuator. Thereby, the opening / closing blade 21 and the special prize opening door 23 are opened based on the control signal from the main CPU 30a.

Next, the overall control board 31 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4, the overall control board 31 includes an overall CPU 31a, a ROM 31b, and a RAM 31c. The ROM 31b stores an overall control program for overall control of the display control board 32 and the sound / lamp / movable body control board 33. The RAM 31c stores (sets) various information that can be appropriately rewritten during the operation of the pachinko machine 10.

  When the general CPU 31a inputs the variation pattern designation command, the symbol designation command, and the all symbol stop command from the main control board 30, the overall CPU 31a executes various controls based on the overall control program. Specifically, when the overall CPU 31a inputs a symbol designation command and an all symbol stop command, these general commands are output to the control boards 32 and 33, respectively. Further, the overall control board 31 determines an effect content designation command for designating an effect content pattern in accordance with the input variation pattern designation command, and outputs it to the control boards 32 and 33.

  More specifically, a plurality of types of effect content patterns are stored in the ROM 31b. The variation pattern designated by the variation pattern designation command corresponds to one or a plurality of effect content patterns, and the effect content pattern shows in detail the specific contents of the game effect of the symbol combination game. The variation time of the symbol combination game designated by the variation pattern designation command and the variation time of the symbol combination game designated by the effect content designation command are set to be the same. The overall CPU 31a of the overall control board 31 determines one production content pattern by random number drawing from the production content patterns corresponding to the variation pattern designated from the main control board 30 and designates the production content pattern. Output the command. As a result, the contents of the game effects can be varied and the burden on the main control board 30 can be reduced.

  In the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the big hit announcement is performed in the movable body effect during the symbol combination game, and whether or not the overall control board 31 (the overall CPU 31a) executes the big hit announcement. Is to decide. The jackpot notice is an effect (an effect that suggests the possibility of success or failure) for informing the player in advance that there is a possibility of a big hit. In the present embodiment, the fingertip 3 of the character body 1 (including the wrist portion in the present embodiment) enters from the arm-armed state (FIG. 2) so as to overlap the display area of the variable display H starting from the elbow portion. The effect of moving to the state (FIG. 3) is a big hit notice.

  Specifically, the overall CPU 31a determines whether or not to make a big hit notice by random number lottery when a change pattern designation command is input. The probability that the central CPU 31a determines the jackpot notice varies depending on the variation pattern designated from the main control board 30, and when the variation pattern for the jackpot effect is designated, the variation pattern for the off-effect is designated. The jackpot notice is determined with higher probability than the case.

  When the general CPU 31a determines to execute the big hit notice, the general CPU 31a outputs a notice command (control signal) designating execution of the big hit notice to each of the control boards 32 and 33. In the overall control board 31, when a variation pattern is specified, the variation time of the symbol combination game corresponding to the variation pattern is set in the RAM 31c, and the variation time of the symbol combination game is measured. When the general CPU 31a determines to execute the jackpot notice, the general CPU 31a refers to the measured variation time and outputs a notice command at a predetermined timing.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the main control board 30 and the overall control board 31 serve as effect instruction means.
Next, the configuration of the display control board 32 and the sound / lamp / movable body control board 33 will be described.

  The display control board 32 is provided with a sub CPU 32a, a ROM 32b, and a RAM 32c. A ROM 32b and a RAM 32c are connected to the sub CPU 32a. The ROM 32b stores a display effect control program for controlling display effects, various image information, and the like. The RAM 32c stores (sets) various information (various control flags, various timer values, etc.) that can be appropriately rewritten during operation of the pachinko machine 10.

  When the sub CPU 32a inputs a control command from the overall control board 31 (overall CPU 31a), the sub CPU 32a performs control according to the input control command based on the display effect control program. Specifically, when the sub CPU 32a inputs an effect content designation command, the variable display H is configured to start the symbol combination game by variably displaying symbols based on the effect content pattern designated by the effect content designation command. Controls the display content of. When the sub CPU 32a inputs the all symbol stop command, the sub CPU 32a controls the display content of the variable display H so that the symbol combination designated by the input symbol designation command is displayed on the variable display H. By this control, the symbol combination game is performed on the variable display H.

  Further, the sub CPU 32a controls the display content of the variable display H so that the predetermined display character is displayed on the variable display H when a notification command is input during the symbol combination game. As a result, the jackpot notice is made on the variable display H.

  Next, the configuration of the voice / lamp / movable body control board 33 will be described. The sound / lamp / movable body control board 33 includes a sub CPU 33a, and a ROM 33b and a RAM 33c are connected to the sub CPU 33a. The ROM 33b stores control data for performing effects corresponding to control signals output from the overall control board 31, an interrupt processing program for performing interrupt processing, and the like. The control data includes sound data for controlling the sound output mode of the speaker 17, light emission data for controlling the light emission mode of the decorative lamp 16, and operation data for controlling the operation mode of the movable device K. It is. When the sub CPU 33a receives a control signal from the overall control board 31, the sub CPU 33a performs control based on control data for performing an effect associated with the control signal. The RAM 33c stores (sets) various information that can be appropriately rewritten during the operation of the pachinko machine 10.

Next, an interrupt processing program in the voice / lamp / movable body control board 33 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The sub CPU 33a executes interrupt processing at predetermined intervals (2 ms in the present embodiment) based on the interrupt processing program. When executing the interrupt process, the sub CPU 33a first executes a light output process (step S11). The light output process is a process of outputting a control signal to the decorative lamp 16 based on the light emission data set in a predetermined area of the RAM 33c. Thereby, the decoration lamp 16 performs a light emission effect in a light emission mode according to the control signal input from the sub CPU 33a. Since each of the light emitting diodes of the decorative lamp 16 emits light of 16 levels, the sub CPU 33a outputs a 4-bit control signal to each light emitting diode.

  Next, the sub CPU 33a executes sound output processing (step S12). The sound output process is a process of outputting a control signal to the speaker 17 based on audio data set in a predetermined area of the RAM 33c. Thereby, the speaker 17 performs audio | voice production in the audio | voice output aspect according to the control signal input from sub CPU33a.

  Next, the sub CPU 33a executes a motor output process (step S13). The motor output process is a process of outputting a control signal to the stepping motor based on operation data set in a predetermined area of the RAM 33c. Accordingly, the stepping motor performs a rotation operation in an operation mode corresponding to the control signal input from the sub CPU 33a, and causes the character body 1 to execute the movable body effect.

  Next, the sub CPU 33a executes a motor input process (step S14). The motor input process is a process for reading the current position switch of the stepping motor and confirming the rotational position.

  Next, the sub CPU 33a executes command check processing (step S15). The command check process is a process for checking whether or not the control command (control signal) input by the sub CPU 33a is a normal command and, if normal, the control command is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 33c. is there.

  Next, the sub CPU 33a determines whether or not “1” is set in the control flag (step S16). The control flag is a flag indicating whether the sound control process is executed or the light control process is executed, and is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 33c. When “1” is set in the control flag, it indicates that the sound control process is executed, and when “0” is set, it indicates that the light control process is executed.

  If the determination result of step S16 is affirmative, the sub CPU 33a executes a sound control process (step S17). Then, when the process of step S17 ends, the sub CPU 33a sets “0” in the control flag (step S18). The voice control process (voice process) is a process mainly related to voice effects during the symbol combination game. The voice control process, for example, obtains the variation time of the symbol combination game corresponding to the production content pattern specified by the production content designation command stored in the RAM 33c in the sound check processing described later, and measures the fluctuation time. This is a process for setting audio data according to the variation time. That is, it is a process for switching the audio data according to the variation time of the symbol combination game. When audio data is set in this process, a control signal is output to the speaker 17 based on the set audio data in a sound output process of a subsequent interrupt process. Also, at the end of the symbol combination game, it is a process for ending the output of sound excluding the error sound.

  On the other hand, if the determination result of step S16 is negative, the sub CPU 33a executes light control processing (step S19). When the process of step S19 ends, the sub CPU 33a sets “0” in the control flag (step S20). The light control process (light emission process) is a process mainly related to the light emission effect during the symbol combination game. For example, the fluctuation time of the symbol combination game corresponding to the production content pattern designated by the production content designation command stored in the light check process described later is acquired and the fluctuation time is measured, and the light emission data according to the fluctuation time. This is a process for performing the setting. That is, it is a process for switching the light emission data in accordance with the variation time of the symbol combination game. The light emission data set in this light control process is light emission data indicating control for 4 ms. When the light emission data is set in this light control process, a control signal is output to the decorative lamp 16 based on the set light emission data in the light output process of the subsequent interrupt process. In addition, at the end of the symbol combination game, it is a process for setting light emission data for a demonstration effect.

  Then, when the process of step S18 or step S20 ends, the sub CPU 33a next executes a motor process (step S21). The motor process (movable body process) is a process of determining the rotation amount and rotation speed from the current position confirmed in the motor input process, and setting operation data for specifying the operation pattern of the character body 1 in the RAM 33c. is there. In this motor process, the sub CPU 33a, for example, sets motion data for designating the motion pattern of the character body 1 so that the movable device K executes the big hit notice when a notice command is input in a check process described later. It has become.

  Next, the sub CPU 33a executes a RAM clear timer process (step S22). The RAM clear timer process is a process for mainly measuring a processing time related to the RAM clear. In the RAM clear timer process, for example, it is determined whether the RAM clear flag indicating that the RAM clear has been started is set. If the RAM clear flag is set, a timer indicating the RAM clear processing time is subtracted. It is a process to do. In the RAM clear timer process, when the stored contents of the RAM 30c are erased (RAM clear) on the main control board 30, the sub CPU 33a notifies until a predetermined time (about 10 seconds) elapses from the start of the RAM clear. The light emission data and audio data are set. Thereby, RAM clear notification is made. The RAM clear flag is set when a power-on initial designation command is input.

  Next, the sub CPU 33a executes an illegal winning timer process (step S23). The illegal winning timer process is a process for mainly measuring a processing time related to an illegal winning. The illegal winning is that a game ball wins a big winning opening 24 when a big hit game is not given. In this unauthorized winning timer process, the sub CPU 33a measures the time until the predetermined time (about 10 seconds) elapses from when the illegal winning is detected, and notifies the illegal winning until the predetermined time elapses. Set the flash data and audio data. Thereby, notification of an illegal winning is made.

  Next, the sub CPU 33a performs a sound check process (step S24). The sound check process is a process for executing various settings related to the sound output mode of the speaker 17 by executing control corresponding to the control command (control signal) stored in the command check process. For example, when an effect content designation command is input, a flag indicating that the change is in progress, a timer indicating the change time, and the like are set. For example, when an error command related to an error is input, flags corresponding to various errors are set.

  Next, the sub CPU 33a executes a light check process (step S25). Similar to the sound check process, the light check process is a process for performing various settings related to the light emission mode of the decorative lamp 16 by executing control corresponding to the control command stored in the command check process.

  Next, the sub CPU 33a executes a motor check process (step S26). Similar to the sound check process and the light check process, the motor check process executes a control corresponding to a control command (for example, a notice command or an effect content designation command) stored in the command check process, and This is processing for making various settings related to the operation mode (rotation operation mode of the stepping motor). In the motor check process, unlike the sound check process and the light check process, the variation time is not set based on the effect content designation command. This is because the movable device K operates only in the case of a big hit notice, and therefore it is useless to measure in each symbol combination game, and therefore, the timing of when to operate on the overall control board 31 side is managed. .

Next, the sub CPU 33a executes an error sound notification process (step S27). The error sound notification process is a process for outputting an error sound.
Next, the sub CPU 33a executes a prize ball notification process (step S28). The prize ball notification process is a process of setting whether or not to turn on a prize ball LED (not shown) indicating award of a prize ball according to an input control command. In the light output process of the interrupt process executed after the prize ball notification process, a control signal is output to the prize ball LED according to the setting in the prize ball notification process. Thereby, the prize ball LED emits light.

  Next, the sub CPU 33a executes state notification processing (step S29). The state notification process is a process of setting whether or not to light up a gaming state notification LED (not shown) for notifying the gaming state in accordance with an input control command. In the light output process of the interrupt process executed after this state notification process, a control signal is output to the gaming state notification LED according to the setting in the state notification process. Thereby, the gaming state notification LED emits light.

  As the gaming state, for example, is it easy to win a game ball in the start winning opening 22 when a probability variation state (probability variation state) in which the winning probability of jackpot determination is higher than the normal state or when a predetermined gate is passed? There is a variable time shortening state (short time state) in which the time for deriving the lottery result of whether or not (open / close blade 21 is opened) is shortened. That is, the gaming state notification LED notifies whether or not it is in a probable variation state or in a short time state.

  Next, the sub CPU 33a executes a door opening notification process (step S30). The door opening notification process is a process for setting according to a control command that is input whether or not to light a door opening notification LED (not shown) indicating that the middle frame 12 or the front frame 14 is opened. It is. In the light output process of the interrupt process executed after the door opening notification process, a control signal is output to the door opening notification LED according to the light emission data set in the door opening notification process. . As a result, the door opening notification LED emits light.

  Next, the sub CPU 33a executes an illegal winning notification process (step S31). The illegal winning notification process is a process related to an error notification related to an illegal winning (when a game ball wins a big winning item when it is not a big win state).

  Next, the sub CPU 33a executes watchdog timer processing (step S32). The watchdog timer process is a process for monitoring the watchdog timer. The sub CPU 33a ends the interrupt process when the watch dog timer process is ended.

  As described above, the sub CPU 33a performs either the audio control process or the light control process in one interrupt process based on the setting of the control flag (see step S16). The sub CPU 33a changes the setting of the control flag after executing either the audio control process or the light control process (see step S18 and step S20). For this reason, the sub CPU 33a executes the light control process related to the decorative lamp 16 and the sound control process related to the speaker 17 every other control cycle (every 4 ms), and alternately executes the process related to the light emission effect means and the process related to the sound effect means. Will be.

As described above in detail, the present embodiment has the following effects.
(1) Conventionally, in a case where the speaker 17, the decorative lamp 16, and the movable device K are controlled by one sub CPU 33a, if it is attempted to execute the light control process and the voice control process together with other processes within one control cycle, the sub CPU 33a With the processing capability, the processing could not be completed within 2 ms. For this reason, in order for the sub CPU 33a to control the speaker 17, the decorative lamp 16, and the movable device K, it is necessary to lengthen the control cycle. However, the main control board 30 and the overall control board 31 perform various processes every 2 ms, which is inconvenient in terms of synchronization. In addition, when various output processes such as light output process, sound output process, and motor output process are delayed (executed at a cycle of 2 ms or more), the decorative lamp 16 that lights the light-emitting diode by the dynamic drive method is blinked. I could see it. Further, if the motor processing is delayed, the stepping motor cannot be finely controlled, and there is a problem that variations in the operation pattern of the movable device K are reduced.

  Therefore, in the interrupt process, the sub CPU 33a of the present embodiment executes the light control process related to the decoration lamp 16 and the sound control process related to the speaker 17 every one control cycle (every 4 ms), thereby performing the light control process and the sound control process. It was made to execute alternately. On the other hand, in the interrupt process, the sub CPU 33a executes various output processes such as light output process, sound output process, and motor output process and the remaining various processes such as motor process (movable body process) every control cycle (2 ms). I tried to do it. In this way, the processing load on the sub CPU 33a in one control cycle can be reduced, and the control cycle can be shortened. That is, since the time required to execute the light control process or the voice control process can be shortened, the time required for the interrupt process can be reduced and the process can be completed within a control period of 2 ms. The light control process or the sound control process is a process for measuring the variation time, setting the control data, and the like, and therefore, even if it is executed every 4 ms, it has little influence on the appearance and sound output. For this reason, the light control process and the sound control process can be processed by one sub CPU 33a together with the motor process and the output process which must be executed at a shorter cycle than the light control process and the sound control process. 17, the decoration lamp 16 and the movable device K can be controlled by one sub CPU 33a.

  (2) The decorative lamp 16 includes a plurality of light emitting diodes, and each of the plurality of light emitting diodes is configured to emit gradation light at the time of light emission effect. In this way, since the plurality of light emitting diodes emit light in gradation, variations in the light emission effect can be increased. In addition, since the light control process and the sound control process are executed alternately, even if the amount of light control process increases and the time required for the light control process increases, it can be executed by one sub CPU 33a. Further, in the present embodiment, since each light emitting diode emits light in 16 steps, the sub CPU 33a needs to output a 4-bit control command to each light emitting diode, and the time required for the light output processing is increased. Increased compared to the case of no dimming. However, in the present embodiment, since the light control process and the sound control process are executed alternately, the control burden in one control cycle is lightened and can be executed by one sub CPU 33a.

  (3) The interrupt processing control cycle is set to 2 ms. For this reason, the variation of the rotation operation of the stepping motor can be increased by executing the motor processing for each control cycle by the sub CPU 33a. Further, the motor processing can be sufficiently completed in the control cycle. Further, since the motor input process is executed every 2 ms, the rotation position of the stepping motor can be confirmed accurately, and the rotation operation of the stepping motor can be performed accurately. Further, since error processing such as error sound notification processing, door opening notification processing, and illegal winning notification processing is executed every 2 ms, error notification can be performed more quickly than when it is executed every 4 ms. In addition, since check processing such as command check processing, sound check processing, and light check processing is executed every 2 ms, the control can be switched quickly.

In addition, the said embodiment can be embodied in another embodiment (another example) as follows.
In the above embodiment, the decorative lamp 16 includes a plurality of light emitting diodes and emits light in gradations, but it is not necessary to emit light in gradations. In this way, the amount of data can be reduced. Moreover, you may use light emitting elements other than a light emitting diode, for example, an electrode lamp.

  The movable device K of the above embodiment executes the movable body effect only at the big hit notice, but may execute the movable body effect at other timings such as when the big hit game is given.

The drive unit 4 of the above embodiment uses a stepping motor, but other motors (DC motors, etc.) other than stepping motors, solenoids, etc. may be used.
Next, the creation of a technical idea that can be grasped from the above embodiment and another example will be added below.

(B) the control cycle, you being a 2 ms. For this reason, it is possible to increase the variation of the rotation operation of the stepping motor by causing the effect control means to execute the movable body processing for each control cycle. In addition, the movable body processing can be sufficiently completed in the control cycle.

The front view which shows the machine surface side of a pachinko machine. The enlarged front view of a display apparatus. The enlarged front view of a display apparatus. The block diagram which shows the control structure of a pachinko gaming machine. The flowchart which shows the flow of an interruption process. The flowchart which shows the flow of an interruption process.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pachinko machine (game machine), 16 ... Decoration lamp (light emission production | presentation means), 17 ... Speaker (audio | voice production | presentation means), 20 ... Display apparatus, 22 ... Start winning opening (start winning prize detection means), 24 ... Grand prize Mouth (special winning detection means), 30 ... main control board (effect instruction means), 30a ... main CPU, 31 ... general control board (effect instruction means), 33 ... voice / lamp / movable body control board (effect control means) , K: movable device (movable body effecting means), H: variable display (display means).

Claims (3)

Start winning detection means for detecting a winning game ball, display means for changing a plurality of kinds of symbols triggered by the detection of the winning game ball by the start winning detection means, and control of the entire gaming machine And an effect control means for executing various controls relating to the game effect according to the instructions of the effect instruction means, and when the display result of the symbol variation game is a predetermined jackpot display result, the jackpot game is performed. In a game machine
Voice production means for executing voice production related to the symbol variation game based on the control signal output from the production control means;
A light emission effect means for executing a light emission effect related to the symbol variation game based on a control signal output from the effect control means;
And a movable body representation section for executing the movable body effect stating that the presentation control means the symbol variable game display results based on the control signal outputted from may become jackpot display result,
The movable body effecting means includes an effectable movable body and a stepping motor that can be rotated in a predetermined step unit, and the effect control means controls the rotation operation of the stepping motor to move the effecting movable body. The body is configured to perform the movable body effect,
The production control means includes
A light emission process relating to the light emission effect means, a sound process relating to the sound effect means, a movable object process relating to the movable body effect means, and a control signal set as a result of the light emission process, the sound process and the movable object process are output. Output processing to be executed, and
While performing the output process and the movable body process for each control period, the light emission process and the sound process are performed every other control period, the light emission process and the sound process are alternately performed ,
In the light emission processing, based on the light emission data for controlling the execution of the light emission effect during the two control periods, the light emission effect means is caused to execute the light emission effect during the two control periods regardless of the execution of the sound effect. A gaming machine characterized by The production instruction means includes
At the start of the symbol variation game, a first command is output to the effect control means,
Decide whether to execute the movable body effect for each symbol variation game,
When it is determined to execute the movable body effect, a second command is output when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the symbol variation game,
The production control means includes
In response to the input of the first command, the variation time of the symbol variation game is set, the time is measured based on the set variation time, and the voice effecting means performs voice in the sound processing based on the measured time. Causing the light emission effect means to execute the light emission effect in the light emission processing,
In the movable body process, the movable body presentation means is caused to execute the movable body presentation triggered by the input of the second command regardless of the time measured by the input of the first command. The gaming machine according to claim 1.   The production control means includes
  When an error command related to an error is input from the effect instruction means, an error light emission notification process for performing error light emission notification and an error sound notification process for performing sound notification of the error are executed. ,
  In the error light emission notification process, the light emission effecting means performs error light emission notification for each control cycle,
  3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein in the error sound notification process, the sound effecting unit is caused to perform sound notification of an error for each control cycle.

Images