JP5776921B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a gaming machine (a spinning machine, slot machine) having a plurality of spinning cylinders having symbols arranged on an outer peripheral surface is known. This type of gaming machine gives a certain game value to a game medium (medal) and performs a game for acquiring such a game medium. In addition, this type of gaming machine has an internal lottery triggered by the player's rotation start operation and starts rotation of a plurality of spinning cylinders, and a mode according to the result of the internal lottery as a player's stop operation trigger. In order to stop multiple cylinders. The game result is determined by the symbol combination displayed on the winning determination line in a state where the plurality of spinning cylinders are stopped, and medals are paid out according to the game result.

  The gaming machine executes a control related to the game including the internal lottery process and generates and transmits a predetermined command, a sub board that receives the command and executes a predetermined process based on the command, And rendering means such as a liquid crystal display device controlled by the sub-board. The main board sends commands to the sub-board when various game operations such as medal insertion, bet button operation, start lever operation, stop button operation, etc., and informs the result of the internal lottery and provides various effects. Also send commands when doing.

JP, 2007-190195, A The sub board backs up the command etc. which transmitted to devices, such as a liquid crystal display. Thereby, a device such as a liquid crystal display device can be smoothly restored when the power is turned on again after the power is turned off. JP, 2007-167252, A Although backup is taken with a sub board, since a backup power supply is via a main board, if a main board is replaced illegally, backup of a sub board will be lost. At this time, it is notified that there has been an illegal substrate replacement as an error.

  By the way, when a command is transmitted from the main board to the sub-board, the command generated on the main board is temporarily stored in the stack (buffer) and transmitted at a predetermined timing (for example, when there is a margin for processing). Has been done. By using the stack, it is possible to relax the restriction that processing must be performed immediately, and it is possible not only to reduce the load on the CPU on the main board, but also to create a program.

  The larger the stack capacity is, the more commands can be accumulated, which is advantageous in terms of command transmission processing, but the command stack is actually configured using a part of the main memory (RAM). Therefore, when the stack is enlarged, there arises a problem that the memory capacity that can be used by the program is reduced accordingly. On the other hand, if the stack capacity is insufficient, commands cannot be accumulated in the stack (stack overflow), and in the worst case, the commands are lost, causing the operation of the gaming machine (especially processing related to the sub-board). The problem of causing abnormalities arises. Therefore, it is desirable that the capacity of the stack be the minimum necessary and sufficient.

  Minimizing the capacity of the stack is particularly important in gaming machines. The hardware such as the main board of the gaming machine is regulated by laws and regulations, and there is an upper limit on the memory capacity that can be used. If the capacity of the stack is increased, the usable memory capacity is reduced, and there is a possibility that a game process such as a lottery prize determination process may be hindered.

  A technical study to estimate the minimum required stack capacity revealed that the most commands are stacked when the power is turned on, more specifically, when the power is turned on not when the setting is changed. It was found that the memory was not cleared and the “normal” power was turned on, returning to the state just before the power was turned off. At this time, a large number of commands for returning to the state immediately before the power is turned off are generated and accumulated in the stack.

  Therefore, reducing the number of commands that are stacked when the power is turned on leads to a reduction in stack capacity, increasing the memory capacity that can be used for game processing, thereby reducing the load on the CPU and creating programs. become able to.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can reduce the capacity of a stack and is advantageous in terms of CPU operation and program creation.

The gaming machine according to the present invention executes a control related to a game including an internal lottery process, generates a main command to be transmitted in advance, and executes a process related to an effect based on the received command. A sub-board, and a display device that performs a predetermined display under the control of the sub-board,
The main board generates a display information command related to the display device at a predetermined timing (for example, when information related to a medal is updated such as when a medal is inserted or a BET button is pressed). Transmitting to the sub-board, the sub-board is to cause the display device to display based on the command,
The main board includes a command stack for temporarily storing the generated command,
The sub-board includes a backup memory that holds display information regarding the display device when the power is turned off,
When the power is turned off, the main board performs a predetermined data saving process, and the sub board saves the display information about the display device in the backup memory,
When the power is turned on, the main board performs a predetermined return process, stores the generated command in the command stack, transmits the stored command to the sub board, and the sub board , Reading the display information about the display device from the backup memory, causing the display device to display based on the display information,
In the return process of the main board, a display information command related to the display device is not generated.
The command of the display information related to the display device that is not generated in the return processing of the main board is, for example, one that displays the number of betted game media, or the number of game media stored in the gaming machine Is at least one of those that display
The main board does not generate a display information command related to the display device in the return process when the saved data is turned on without being erased, but a setting change related to the operation of the gaming machine is performed When the data saved when the power is turned on is deleted, a display information command related to the display device may be generated in the return processing.

The main board generates a display information command related to the display device after the return processing, and transmits the command to the sub board.
The sub-board compares the display information related to the display device according to the command received from the main board with the display information related to the display device saved in the backup memory, and determines that there is an abnormality when the two do not match. You may do it.

  According to the present invention, when the power is turned off, the display information is backed up on the sub-board, and when the power is turned on, the command is not received from the main board, and the state immediately before the power-off is restored based on the backup information of the sub-board. Therefore, it is not necessary to transmit display information from the main board to the sub board when power is turned on, and therefore the number of command stacks when power is turned on can be reduced. Thereby, the capacity of the stack can be reduced.

It is a front view of the slot machine which shows the state which closed the front door. It is a front view of the slot machine which shows the state which opened the front door 180 degree | times. It is a block diagram of the slot machine which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is a processing flowchart concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is explanatory drawing (comparative example of the flowchart of FIG. 4) of the process which concerns on embodiment of invention. It is another process flowchart which concerns on embodiment of invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the slot machine with the front door closed, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the slot machine with the front door opened 180 degrees.
1 and 2, reference numeral 100 denotes a slot machine. As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 100 can be opened and closed by a hinge or the like on the slot machine main body 120 and one side of the front surface of the slot machine main body 120. And a front door 130 attached thereto. As shown in FIG. 1, a game display unit 131 is provided substantially in the center of the front door 130, and a medal insertion slot 132 for a player to insert medals is provided at the lower right corner of the game display unit 131. Provided below the medal insertion slot 132 is a reject button 133 for forcibly discharging a clogged medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 132 to the outside of the slot machine 100.

  Further, a start switch 134 for starting a game is provided at the lower left of the game display unit 131, and three stop switches 140 are provided corresponding to the three spinning cylinders. A medal payout port 135 is provided at the center of the lower end of the front door. A liquid crystal display device LCD is provided above the game display unit 131.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the slot machine main body 120 is fixed to the inner bottom surface, stores a plurality of medals therein, and stores the stored medals at a payout port 135 provided on the front surface of the front door 130. A hopper device 121 for paying out the sheets one by one is installed. An upper portion of the hopper device 121 is provided with a hopper tank 122 that opens upward and stores a plurality of medals therein. Inside the slot machine main body 120, a reel (rotating cylinder) unit 203 including three rotating cylinders is installed at a position where the game display unit 131 comes when the front door 130 is closed. The reel unit 203 includes three spinning cylinders (first to third drums) in which a plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the outer peripheral surface. The game display unit 131 is provided with an opening through which the player can see the symbols of the rotating drums of the reel unit 203. A power supply unit 205 is provided on the left side of the hopper device 121.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the medal (coin) selector 1 is attached to the back side of the front door 130 on the back side of the medal slot 132 provided on the front surface of the front door 130. This medal selector 1 rolls the medal toward the hopper device 121 while detecting the passage of the medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 132, and has a different diameter medal or iron or iron whose outer diameter is different from the predetermined dimension. This is an apparatus for selecting and removing illegal medals made of an alloy and selecting and eliminating a predetermined number or more of medals that can be inserted per game.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a lead-out path 136 that covers the lower side and communicates with the payout port 135 of the front door 130 is provided below the medal selector 1. The medals distributed by the medal selector 1 are returned to the player from the payout port 135 via the derivation path 136.

FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of the slot machine 100 according to the embodiment of the invention.
In this figure, the display about the power supply system is omitted. Although not shown, the slot machine includes a power supply unit for generating a DC power supply (+5 V or the like) from a commercial power supply (AC 100 V).
The slot machine 100 includes a main substrate (processing unit) 10 and a sub substrate 20 that operates in response to a command from the main substrate (processing unit) 10 as main processing devices. At least the main substrate 10 is accommodated inside the case so that it cannot be contacted from the outside, and is sealed so that traces remain when these substrates are removed.

  The main board 10 is used for performing an internal lottery in response to a player's operation, and for performing processing such as rotation / stop of the spinning cylinder and payout of medals. The main board 10 includes a CPU that performs a control operation according to a preset program, a ROM that is a storage unit that stores the program, and a RAM that temporarily stores processing results and the like.

  The sub board 20 is for receiving a command signal from the main board 10 and notifying the result of the internal lottery and performing various effects. The sub-board 20 includes a CPU that performs a control operation in accordance with a preset program corresponding to the command signal, a ROM that is a storage unit that stores the program, and a RAM that temporarily stores processing results and the like. Only one command flows from the main board 10 to the sub board 20, and conversely, no command is issued from the sub board 20 to the main board 10.

  The main board 10 has a bet switch BET, a start switch 134, a stop button 140, a reel (rotating cylinder) unit 203, a hopper driving unit 80, a hopper 81, and a medal detection for counting the number of medals paid out from the hopper 81. The part 82 (these 80, 81, and 82 comprise the above-mentioned hopper apparatus 121) is connected. A peripheral substrate (local substrate) such as a liquid crystal control substrate 200 for controlling the liquid crystal display device, a speaker substrate 201, and an LED substrate 202 is connected to the sub substrate 20.

  A liquid crystal display device LCD shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the liquid crystal control board 200. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the liquid crystal display device LCD refers to both the liquid crystal control substrate 200 and the liquid crystal display device LCD (in other words, the liquid crystal display device LCD is a liquid crystal control substrate). 200).

  Further, medal sensors S1 and S2 of the medal selector 1 are connected to the main board 10.

  The medal selector 1 is provided with medal sensors S1 and S2 for counting medals. The medal sensors S1 and S2 are provided on the downstream side (near the exit) of a medal passage (not shown) provided in the medal selector 1 (the upstream side of the medal passage communicates with the medal slot 132). The two medal sensors S1 and S2 are arranged side by side at a predetermined interval along the medal traveling direction. The medal sensors S1 and S2 are, for example, photointerrupters that have a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion that face each other, are formed in a U-shaped cross section, and are positioned so that the detection optical axis faces the medal passage from above. . Each photo interrupter detects the passage of a medal sent without being blocked on the way. The reason why two photo interrupters are adjacent is not only to detect the number of medals but also to monitor whether or not the passage of medals is normal. That is, by providing two photo interrupters adjacent to each other, it is possible to detect the passing speed and passing direction of medals, thereby detecting not only the number of medals but also an illegal act moving in the reverse direction.

  The reel unit 203 includes three spinning cylinders 40a to 40c, stepping motors 155a to 155c that respectively rotate these, and spinning cylinder position detectors 159a to 159c that detect their positions, respectively (stepping motor 155a ˜155c may be simply referred to as a motor 155 or a motor).

  The hopper driving unit 80 rotates the hopper 81 and performs an operation of paying out medals of the payout number instructed by the main board 10. The gaming machine includes a medal detection unit 82 that operates every time a medal is paid out, and the main board 10 receives a medal actually paid out from the hopper 81 based on an input signal from the medal detection unit 82. You can manage the number.

  The insertion accepting means 1050 receives the outputs of the medal sensors S1 and S2 of the medal selector 1, accepts the insertion of medals for each game, and based on the fact that medals corresponding to the prescribed number of insertions have been inserted, A process of permitting the rotation start operation of the first cylinder to the third cylinder is performed. Note that the pressing operation of the start switch 134 is an opportunity to start the rotation of the first cylinder to the third cylinder, and is an opportunity to execute the internal lottery. Also, a prescribed number of throws is set according to the gaming state, the prescribed number of throws is set to 3 in the normal state and the bonus established state, and the prescribed number of throws is set to 1 in the bonus state.

  When medals are inserted, the inserted medals are set to the inserted state up to a specified number of insertions according to the gaming state. Alternatively, when the bet switch BET is pressed in a state where medals have been credited to the gaming machine, the credited medals are set to the inserted state by limiting the prescribed number of insertions according to the gaming state. The main board 10 controls whether or not to accept a medal. From the point when the start switch 134 is pressed and the rotation of each cylinder starts (game start time), when the three stop switches 140 are pressed and the rotation of each cylinder stops (when medal payout is completed when winning) (game) When the medal is not accepted (when it is not permitted), the medal sensor S1, S2 does not count the medal and is returned as it is. . Similarly, the main board 10 controls the validity / invalidity of the bet switch BET according to whether or not the medal insertion is accepted. In addition, the bet switch BET is valid from the end of the game to the start of the game, but during other periods (when pressing of the BET switch is not permitted), the bet switch BET is pressed. Even it is ignored.

  The main board 10 incorporates random number generating means 1100. The random number generation means 1100 is a means for generating a random number for lottery. The random value can be generated based on, for example, a count value of an increment counter (a counter that counts a numerical value so as to circulate a predetermined count range). In this embodiment, the “random number value” is not only a value that is randomly generated in a mathematical sense, but even if the generation itself is regular, the acquisition timing and the like are irregular. Includes a value that can function as a random number.

  The internal lottery means 1200 performs an internal lottery in which the player determines whether or not the winning combination is based on a start signal from the start switch 134. That is, a lottery table selection process for selecting a lottery table (not shown) stored in a memory (not shown) of the main board 10, a random number determination process for determining the winning of a random number obtained from the random number generating means 1100, The lottery flag setting process for setting a flag to that effect when a big win or the like is won by the determination result is performed.

  In the lottery table selection process, a lottery table (not shown) stored in a storage unit (ROM) (not shown) is used to determine which lottery table is used for internal lottery. In the lottery table, for each of a plurality of random values (for example, 65536 random values from 0 to 65535), replay, small role (bell, cherry), regular bonus (RB: bonus), and big bonus (BB :), etc., are associated with each other. In addition, a normal state, a bonus establishment state, and a bonus state can be set as the gaming state, and a replay lottery state, a replay low probability state, and a replay high probability state can be set as replay lottery states.

  In the random number determination process, a random value (lottery random number) is acquired from the random number generation means (not shown) for each game based on a start signal from the start switch 134, and the lottery table is referred to for the acquired random value. Then, it is determined whether or not the winning combination is won.

  In the lottery flag setting process, the lottery flag of the winning combination determined to be won based on the result of the random number determination process is changed from the non-winning state (first flag state, off state) to the winning state (second flag state, on Status). When two or more types of winning combinations are won, a lottery flag corresponding to each of the two or more types of winning winning combinations is set to the winning state. The lottery flag setting information is stored in storage means (RAM).

  A lottery flag (possible carryover flag) that can carry over the winning state for the next game until winning, and a lottery flag that is reset to the non-winning state without bringing the winning state to the next game regardless of winning Carry-over impossible flag) may be provided. In this case, there are a regular bonus (RB) and a big bonus (BB) as a combination to which the former carry-over possible flag is associated, and other combinations (for example, small role, replay) correspond to the latter carry-over impossible flag. It is attached.

  In other words, in the lottery flag setting process, when a regular bonus is won by internal lottery, the winning state of the regular bonus lottery flag is carried over until the regular bonus is won, and when the big bonus is won by internal lottery, the big bonus lottery A process of carrying over the winning state of the flag until the big bonus is won is performed. At this time, the main board 10 determines whether or not a role other than the regular bonus and the big bonus (small role and replay) is used even in a game in which the winning state of the regular bonus or big bonus lottery flag is carried over by the internal lottery function. An internal lottery is performed. In other words, in the lottery flag setting process, in a game in which the winning state of the regular bonus lottery flag is carried over, if a small role or replay is won in the internal lottery, the regular bonus lottery flag and the internal lottery already won In a game in which the lottery flags corresponding to two or more types of winning combinations or replay lottery flags won in the win state are set to the winning state and the winning state of the big bonus lottery flag is carried over, it is small in the internal lottery When a winning combination or replay is won, a lottery flag corresponding to two or more kinds of winning combinations including a big bonus lottery flag that has already been won and a small bonus or replay lottery flag that has been won in an internal lottery is set to a winning state. Set.

  The spinning cylinder control means 1300 rotates the first to third cylinders with a stepping motor based on a start signal generated by a player pressing the start switch 134 (rotation start operation), and the first to Press operation (stop operation) of the three stop buttons 140 respectively corresponding to the rotating cylinder in a state where the rotation speed of the third cylinder reaches a predetermined speed (about 80 rpm: a rotation speed of about 80 rotations per minute) ) And control to stop the first to third cylinders driven to rotate by the stepping motor according to the lottery flag setting state (internal lottery result).

  In addition, when the player presses the three stop buttons 140 in a state where the pressing operation (stop operation) with respect to the three stop buttons 140 is permitted (validated), Based on the signal, the supply of the drive pulse (motor drive signal) to the stepping motor of the reel unit 203 is stopped, thereby controlling each of the first to third drums.

  That is, each time the three stop buttons 140 are pressed, the spinning cylinder control means 1300 determines the stopping position of the spinning cylinder corresponding to the pressed button among the first to third cylinders. Thus, control is performed to stop the spinning cylinder at the determined stop position. Specifically, referring to a stop control table (not shown) stored in the storage means (ROM), the first time corresponding to the pressing timing, pressing order, etc. of the three stop buttons (mode of stop operation) A stop position of the cylinder to the third cylinder is determined, and control is performed to stop the first cylinder to the third cylinder at the determined stop position.

  Here, in the stop control table, the positions of the first cylinder to the third cylinder (pressing detection position) at the time when the stop button 140 is operated, and the actual stop positions (or pressing detection of the first cylinder to the third cylinder). Correspondence with the number of sliding frames from the position) is set. Depending on the setting state of the lottery flag, a stop control table for determining the stop positions of the first cylinder to the third cylinder may be prepared.

  In the gaming machine, the reel unit 203 includes an index sensor composed of a photosensor, and the spinning cylinder control means 1300 is based on a reference position signal detected by the index sensor every time the spinning cylinder rotates once. By obtaining the rotation angle (the number of rotation steps of the rotation shaft of the step motor) from the reference position (the frame detected by the index sensor), the current rotation state of the drum can be monitored. That is, the main board 10 can obtain the position of the rotating cylinder when the stop switch 140 is operated by obtaining the rotation angle from the reference position of the rotating cylinder.

  The spinning cylinder control unit 1300 performs so-called pull-in processing and kicking processing as control for stopping the spinning cylinder. The pull-in process is a control for stopping the spinning cylinder so that the symbol corresponding to the combination whose lottery flag is set to the winning state is stopped on a valid winning determination line (so that the winning combination can be won). It is processing. On the other hand, the kicking process means that the symbol corresponding to the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the non-winning state does not stop on a valid winning determination line (so that a non-winning combination cannot be won) Is a control process for stopping the process. That is, in the gaming machine of the present embodiment, the lottery flag setting state, the stop button 140 pressing timing, the pressing order, and the stop position of the spinning cylinder that has already stopped (in the display pattern) in order to realize the pull-in processing and kicking processing. The stop control table is set so that the stop position of each cylinder changes according to the type). In this way, the main board 10 can stop the symbol of the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the winning state in a winning form, while the symbol of the combination for which the lottery flag is set to the non-winning state is in the winning form. Control is performed to stop the first to third cylinders so as not to stop.

  In the gaming machine, the first to third cylinders are set to a control state in which the rotating cylinder corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped within 190 ms from when the stop button 140 is pressed. Yes. That is, in the stop control table for determining the stop position of each rotating cylinder, the number of frames required from when the stop button 140 is pressed until each cylinder stops is in the range of 0 to 4 frames (predetermined pull-in range). Is set in

  The winning determination means 1400 performs a process of determining whether or not a winning combination has been won based on the stopping modes of the first to third cylinders. Specifically, referring to the winning determination table stored in the storage means (ROM), the symbol combination displayed on the winning determination line when all of the first to third cylinders are stopped. It is determined whether or not this is a predetermined winning combination form.

  The winning determination means 1400 executes a winning process based on the determination result. As a process at the time of winning a prize, for example, when a small role is won, the hopper 81 is driven and a medal payout control process is performed, or a credit is increased (a predetermined maximum number is increased to 50, for example, When the replay is won, a replay process is performed. When a big bonus or a regular bonus is won, a game state transition control process for shifting the game state is performed.

  The payout control means 1500 performs payout control processing relating to the payout of medals according to the game result. Specifically, when a small combination wins, the number of medals to be paid out in the game is determined based on a payout predetermined for each combination, and the medals corresponding to the determined number of payouts are determined by the hopper driving unit 80. Then, the hopper 81 is driven to pay out. At this time, a current flows through a motor (not shown) built in the hopper 81.

  When medal credits (internal storage) are permitted, instead of actually paying out medals by the hopper 81, the number of credits stored in a credit storage area (not shown) of the storage means (RAM) (not shown) A credit addition process for adding the number of payouts to the number of credited medals is performed to virtually pay out medals.

  When the replay is won, the replay processing means 1600 performs a replay process (regame process) for setting the same preparatory state as the previous game without requiring insertion of medals owned by the player for the next game. When a replay wins, an automatic insertion process is performed in which the same number of medals as the previous game is automatically set to the insertion state without using the player's own medals (including credit medals). The game machine is set in a state of waiting for a rotation start operation (pressing operation of the start switch 134 by the player) in the next game in a state where the same winning determination line as the previous game is validated. The replay lottery states include a replay no lottery state in which replay is excluded from the internal lottery, a replay low probability state in which the replay winning probability is set to about 1 / 7.3, and a replay winning probability of about 1 / A plurality of lottery states such as a high replay probability state set to 6 can be set. By changing the replay lottery state, the winning probability of the replay in the internal lottery is changed.

  Further, the main board 10 may perform control to shift the gaming state between the normal state, the bonus establishment state, and the bonus state (gaming state transition control function). As the game condition transition condition, one condition may be defined, or a plurality of conditions may be defined. When a plurality of conditions are established, transitioning the gaming state to another gaming state based on the fact that one of the plurality of conditions is satisfied or all of the plurality of conditions are satisfied Can do.

  The normal state is a game state corresponding to the initial state among a plurality of types of game states, and a transition from the normal state to the bonus establishment state is possible. The bonus establishment state is a gaming state that shifts when a big bonus or a regular bonus is won in the internal lottery. In the bonus establishment state, when the big bonus is won in the internal lottery in the normal state, the lottery flag corresponding to the big bonus is maintained in the winning state until the big bonus is won, and the regular bonus is won in the internal lottery in the normal state Until the regular bonus is won, the lottery flag corresponding to the regular bonus is maintained in the winning state. In the bonus state, it is determined whether or not the end condition is satisfied based on the total number of medals paid out by the bonus game, and medals exceeding a predetermined payout limit number are paid out according to the type of bonus won. The bonus state is terminated and the gaming state is returned to the normal state.

  The main board 10 executes control related to the game including the internal lottery process and generates a predetermined command and transmits it to the sub board 20. The generated command is temporarily stored in the command stack 1700. The The command stack 1700 is provided in a part of the main memory (RAM).

Commands generated and transmitted by the main board 10 include commands for displaying the number of bets and the number of credits (display information). The sub board 20 displays the number of bets and the number of credits on the middle display section 203b in accordance with the command from the main board 10 (when the middle display section 203b is not provided, it may be displayed on the liquid crystal display device LCD. The description will be given taking the case of display on the middle display unit 203b as an example). As shown in FIG. 3, the display device 203 causes the middle display unit 203 b (or the liquid crystal display device LCD) composed of 7-segment LEDs and the like and the middle display unit 203 b to perform predetermined display according to the control of the sub-board 20. And a middle slave substrate 203a. The middle display unit 203b is provided, for example, below the game display unit 131 of the front door 130 (not shown).
The main board 10 also displays the number of bets and the number of credits by using the inserted number credit number display unit DSP including a 7-segment LED. In the following description, the number of bets by the display device 203 and the central display unit 203b is exclusively used. And the display of the number of credits will be described. “Display of the number of bets and the number of credits” refers to the display by the middle display unit 203b. Depending on the gaming machine, the central display unit 203b is not provided, and the number of bets and the number of credits may be displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display device LCD (the dotted lines in FIG. 3 indicate the signal flow in that case). In the present specification, the “display device” means both a display device including a liquid crystal display device LCD as well as a display device including a middle display unit 203b including 7-segment LEDs and the like.
Incidentally, the display of the number of bets and the number of credits is important information. Originally, the main board 10 is in charge of the display, but other information (for example, AT (ART)) is displayed together with the display of the number of bets and the number of credits. In order to display the remaining number of times and the number of AT (ART) performed on the day when the game is not performed, a display device 203 and a central display unit 203b are additionally provided. The inserted number credit number display portion DSP and the middle portion display portion 203b are provided at different locations on the front surface of the gaming machine (for example, the former is provided on the upper surface of the lower door near the bet button, and the latter is the front door. 130 is provided on the lower side of the game display unit 131).

  Further, the sub board 20 includes a backup memory 21 for holding predetermined information (for example, the number of bets and the number of credits immediately before the power is turned off) when the power is turned off. The backup memory 21 is a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory or a memory having a backup power source such as a battery, and the contents are retained even when the power is cut off.

  When the insertion accepting means 1050 detects the insertion of medals, the main board 10 generates a command for displaying the number of the medals and sends it to the sub board 20. Based on the command, the sub-board 20 controls the middle slave board 203a to display the number of inserted sheets. Alternatively, when a medal is credited to the gaming machine (in other words, when the number of credits has changed), the main board 10 generates a command for displaying the number of credits and sends it to the sub board 20. Based on the command, the sub board 20 controls the middle slave board 203a to display the number of credits.

  FIG. 4 shows a process flowchart of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the invention. This figure shows only processing related to display control of the number of inserted medals and the number of credits from power-off to power-on. In addition, there are a lottery prize winning process and a display process and an effect process related thereto, which are omitted.

Hereinafter, the operation of the gaming machine will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows processing related to “normal” power-on when power is turned on not at the time of setting change and the memory is not cleared and returns to the state immediately before power-off. The setting change is as follows.
A normal gaming machine includes a plurality of (for example, six) lottery tables having different lottery probabilities such as BB, RB, and small roles in advance. In the lottery of gaming machines, one of the plurality of lottery tables is set, and the winning / losing determination by lottery is made based on the set lottery table. Changing the setting relating to which of a plurality of lottery tables is used is referred to as setting change. In a gaming machine such as a slot machine, when changing a setting value (usually 1 to 6), the door of the gaming machine is opened, and a setting change key is inserted into a setting change key switch provided in the power supply unit. The setting value displayed on the 7-segment display etc. is incremented each time the setting change button (push button) is pressed once by turning on the power of the gaming machine with the button turned on. The values 1 to 6 are changed cyclically, and the desired set value is determined by operating the start switch when the desired set value is displayed on the display.
Note that the procedure in FIG. 4 is different when the memory is cleared due to a setting change or the like. Specifically, after the setting change is completed, an information display command is transmitted from the main board to the sub board. By changing the setting, information such as bets and credits is eventually cleared.

  The main board 10 performs management according to the insertion of a medal or the BET button being pressed, the payout by winning a small role, the automatic insertion processing by winning a replay, the settlement, etc. (S1).

  When the number of inserted medals or the number of credits is changed, the main board 10 generates a predetermined medal information command and sends it to the sub board 20 in order to perform the display after the change (S2).

  Upon receiving the medal information command, the sub-board 20 sends an information display command for displaying the changed number of inserted medals (number of bets) or the number of credits to the middle slave board 203a (S4).

  The middle slave substrate 203a receives the command and performs display (S4).

  The above processes S1 to S4 are repeatedly performed as necessary.

  Here, it is assumed that the power of the gaming machine is turned off (power is cut off) (reference t1). That is, the hall clerk opens the front door 130 of the gaming machine and turns off the power switch provided in the internal power supply unit 205.

  When the power is turned off, data saving processing is performed on the main board 10 and the sub board 20. That is, the main board 10 saves the game-related data (for example, the flag described above) existing in the main memory to a nonvolatile memory or a memory connected to a backup power source (S5), and the sub board 20 is at least inserted a medal. Data relating to the number of sheets and the number of credits is saved in the backup memory 21 (S6). The number of inserted medals and the number of credits are information included in the medal information command from the main board 10.

  The power supply voltage of the gaming machine is not reduced immediately when the power is turned off, but is maintained for a certain time (in FIG. 4, it is maintained from time t1 to time t2). In the meantime, the main board 10 and the sub board 20 that have known that the power is off by a predetermined notification (power-off notice signal) execute the evacuation processes S5 and S6. Thereafter, the power supply voltage decreases.

  Assume that the power is turned on at time t3.

  The sub board 20 examines the contents of the backup memory 21 and reads backed up information (S7). The read information regarding the number of inserted medals and the number of credits is transmitted in the same format as the information display command of S3 (S8).

  The middle slave board 203a receives the command and displays it on the middle display section 203b (S9). Through the processing of S6 to S9, the display unit 203b performs display immediately before the power is turned off. Here, it should be noted that the display is performed without receiving a command from the main board 10.

  On the other hand, the main board 10 performs a return process for returning to the state immediately before the power is turned off (S10). At this time, a command for returning the sub-board 20 to the state immediately before the power is turned off is created. The command is once stacked. The commands stacked here do not include a medal information command. This is because even if there is no such command, the state immediately before the power is turned off is displayed by the processing of S6 to S9.

  The stacked commands are transmitted to the sub board 20 (S11), and a predetermined operation is performed on the sub board 20 (S12).

  By the processing of S7 to S12, the state immediately before the power-off is restored at time t4.

  According to the embodiment of the invention, the sub-board controls the display of the number of bets and credits, and when the power is turned off, the sub-board backs up information on the number of bets and credits. Without receiving it, it was made to return to the state just before the power was turned off based on the backup information of the sub board, so it is not necessary to send medal related information of bet number and credit number from the main board to the sub board at power on. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of command stacks at the time of power-on in which commands are accumulated in the command stack at the maximum. As a result, the stack maximum usage amount is reduced when the power is turned on to maximize the stack usage amount, and the stack capacity can be reduced. In other words, it is not necessary to reduce the memory capacity that can be used for processing related to the game, and the burden at the time of program creation can be reduced.

  Since the sub-board controls the display of the bet number and the credit number, the remaining number of ART (assist replay time) may be displayed on the display device.

  The above effect will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a process flowchart when the sub-board does not back up the information on the number of bets and the number of credits, receives a command from the main board when the power is turned on, and returns to the state immediately before the power is turned off based on the command. It is.

  Compared with FIG. 4, FIG. 5 does not include S6: save processing, S7: backup information read, and S8: backup information transmission in FIG. 4 and includes a medal information command in the command after the return processing. It differs in whether or not.

  According to the processing of FIG. 5, when the power is turned off, the main board 10 backs up information on the number of bets and credits, and when the power is turned on, a command is sent from the main board 10, and the sub board 20 receives the command and turns off the power. It returns to the previous state. Therefore, when the power is turned on, information related to medals such as the number of bets and the number of credits must be transmitted from the main board 10 to the sub-board 20, and the number of commands stacked when the power is turned on is reduced. Can not do it. Therefore, the process of FIG. 5 cannot achieve the effects of the embodiment of the present invention.

  By the way, the information backed up by the sub board 20 and the information backed up by the main board 10 may be compared to determine whether the entire gaming machine has been correctly backed up and restored. In this way, for example, it is possible for the sub-board 20 to detect that the main board 10 has been replaced by an illegal act, and it is possible to suppress the illegal act by notifying it.

  An example of the processing for that is shown in FIG. FIG. 6 shows the processing of the sub-board 20.

S20: Read backup information.
This corresponds to S7 in FIG.

S21: The number of bets and the number of credits are displayed based on the backup information.
This corresponds to S8 and S9 in FIG.

S22: It is determined whether or not a medal information command has been received.

S23: When a medal information command is received, it is determined whether this is a medal information command at the time of return processing.

  There are two types of medal information commands received by the sub-board 20. One is a medal information command (corresponding to S2 in FIG. 4) received during the game process as described above, and the other is a medal information command (S11 in FIG. 5) received in connection with the return process. Equivalent to '). When the latter command is received, the processing of S24 to S26 is executed.

  Note that it is not preferable to generate a command at the time of return processing as shown in FIG. 5 because the stack becomes large, which is not preferable. When the return processing ends, in other words, when the number of commands on the stack decreases, a medal information command that has been backed up is sent. You may do it. In this way, the stack capacity problem does not occur. Even if the transmission of the medal information command is delayed, the display of the bet number and the credit number is performed by the processing of S6 to S9 in FIG.

S24: The backup information and the medal information command are compared.

S25: It is determined whether the number of bets and the number of credits match.
The contents backed up by the main board 10 and the contents backed up by the sub board 20 are the same, and it should be determined that they match in S25.

  However, if they do not match, some trouble may have occurred. For example, (1) a problem has occurred in the backup mechanism of the main board 10 or the sub board 20 (for example, the backup power supply has deteriorated and a predetermined voltage could not be maintained when the power supply is cut off), Trouble such as 10 has been replaced.

S26: When NO (mismatch) in S25, error notification is performed. For example, a display to that effect is displayed on the liquid crystal display device LCD and / or a notification to that effect is sent to a so-called hall computer.
Thereby, for example, the trouble of the above (1) and (2) can be notified to the hall clerk.

  The embodiment of the present invention can also be applied to a pachinko machine.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

10 Main board 1700 Command stack 20 Sub board 21 Backup memory 203 Display device 203a Central slave board 203b Central display section

Claims (4)

A main board that executes control related to a game including internal lottery processing and generates and transmits a predetermined command; a sub board that receives the command and executes processing related to the production based on the command; and A display device that performs a predetermined display under control,
The main board generates a display information command related to the display device at a predetermined timing and transmits the command to the sub board, and the sub board causes the display device to perform display based on the command,
The main board includes a command stack for temporarily storing the generated command,
The sub-board includes a backup memory that holds the display information regarding the display device when the power is turned off,
When the power is turned off, the main board performs a predetermined data saving process, and the sub board saves the display information about the display device in the backup memory,
When the power is turned on, the main board performs a predetermined return process, stores the generated command in the command stack, transmits the stored command to the sub board, and the sub board , Reading the display information about the display device from the backup memory, causing the display device to display based on the display information,
The main board does not generate the display information command related to the display device in the return process when the saved data is turned on without being erased, but the setting change related to the operation of the gaming machine has been performed. When the data saved at the time of power-on including the time is deleted, the display information command related to the display device is generated in the return processing. A main board that executes control related to a game including internal lottery processing and generates and transmits a predetermined command; a sub board that receives the command and executes processing related to the production based on the command; and A display device that performs a predetermined display under control,
At a predetermined timing, the main board generates a display information command (hereinafter, “display information command”) related to the display device and transmits it to the sub board. The sub board displays on the display device based on the command. That
The main board includes a command stack for temporarily storing the generated command,
The sub-board includes a backup memory that holds display information regarding the display device when the power is turned off,
When the power is turned off, the main board performs a predetermined data saving process, and the sub board saves the display information about the display device in the backup memory,
When the power is turned on, the main board performs a predetermined return process, stores the generated command in the command stack, transmits the stored command to the sub board, and the sub board , Reading the display information about the display device from the backup memory, causing the display device to display based on the display information,
The main board does not generate the display information command related to the display device in the return processing when the saved data is turned on without being erased .   The command of the display information related to the display device that is not generated in the return processing of the main board displays the number of betted game media, or the number of game media stored in the game machine. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the gaming machine is at least one of items to be displayed. The main board generates a command of the display information related to the display device after the return process, and transmits the command to the sub board.
The sub-board compares the display information related to the display device according to the command received from the main board with the display information related to the display device saved in the backup memory, and determines that an abnormality is found when the two do not match. A gaming machine according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein

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