JP6156471B2 - Slot machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a slot machine that outputs a control signal of a peripheral device using an output port capable of outputting a plurality of bits of data in parallel.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a gaming machine that transmits a command from a main control unit to a sub control unit by parallel communication is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
In Patent Document 1, 8-bit command data is transmitted from the main control means to the sub-control means via an 8-bit parallel communication line, and a 1-bit strobe signal is transmitted via a 1-bit communication line.
Note that FIG. 36 of Patent Document 1 shows a correspondence relationship between pin numbers / pin arrangements and signal names in a 12-pin connector, and does not show command data or strobe signal output ports.

JP 2001-038021 A

In the conventional gaming machine, when the strobe signal is output using the 8-bit output port, the bit used for the output of the strobe signal is 1 bit. Therefore, the bits other than the bits used for the output of the strobe signal are the surplus. It was.
That is, when a peripheral device control signal is output using an output port capable of outputting a plurality of bits of data in parallel, bits other than the bits used to output the control signal become redundant.
The problem to be solved by the present invention is to effectively utilize an output port when outputting a control signal of a peripheral device using an output port capable of outputting a plurality of bits of data in parallel.

The present invention solves the above problems by the following means. The configuration of the corresponding embodiment is shown in parentheses.
The invention of claim 1
A plurality of reels (31);
Main control means (main control board 60) for controlling the progress of the game;
Sub-control means (sub-control board 80) for controlling the production;
Predetermined peripheral devices (1 to 3 on / off display LEDs 73e to 73g) that can be controlled by the main control means;
A plurality of motors (32) for rotating the plurality of reels;
The main control means includes
The main process for the progress of the game can be executed,
Interrupt processing can be executed during main processing.
By main processing, commands (first to second control commands (sub control data signals 1 to 16)) to be transmitted to the sub control means can be generated, and the generated commands can be stored in a buffer (control command buffer) And
By interrupt processing, the command stored in the buffer can be transmitted to the sub-control means, and the driving of the plurality of motors can be controlled,
The main control means includes
A first output port (output ports 7 to 8) and a second output port (output port 2) capable of outputting a plurality of bits (8 bits) of data in parallel;
From the first output port, it is possible to output a command to be transmitted to the sub-control means,
From a predetermined bit (D0 to D2 bit (1Q to 3Q output terminal)) of the second output port, it is possible to output a predetermined control signal (1 to 3 sheets input display LED signal) for controlling the predetermined peripheral device.
From a specific bit (D7 bit (8Q output terminal)) other than the predetermined bit at the second output port, a strobe signal (sub control data strobe signal) indicating the acquisition timing of the command output from the first output port can be output. Yes,
The data corresponding to the predetermined bit is the data (“0” or “1”) corresponding to the output mode of the predetermined control signal (the ON / OFF pattern of each of the 1 to 3 on / off display LED signals), and Data corresponding to a specific bit is generated as data ("0" or "1") corresponding to ON / OFF of the strobe signal (ON / OFF of the sub-control data strobe signal), and this is generated. Output from the second output port,
Within the time of one interrupt process, the drive of the plurality of motors is controlled, and then a command transmission process for transmitting a command is executed,
In the command transmission processing, when transmitting the commands stored in said buffer to said sub-control means, the output of the command at the first output port is turned on, the output on the command after a predetermined time (1.75μs) elapsed The output of the strobe signal at the specific bit of the second output port is turned on.

According to the present invention, the predetermined peripheral device and the sub-control means can be controlled by the data of a plurality of bits output in parallel from the output port, and excess bits in the output port can be reduced. It can be used effectively.

It is a block diagram which shows the outline of control of the slot machine in this embodiment. It is a circuit diagram which shows the communication line for transmitting a command with respect to a sub control board from a main control board. It is a figure which shows the input ports 0-2 provided in the main control board. It is a figure which shows the output ports 0-2 provided in the main control board. It is a figure which shows the output ports 3-6 provided in the main control board. It is a figure which shows the output ports 7-10 provided in the main control board. It is a figure which shows a part of data (control command etc.) of the storage area of RWM. It is a flowchart which shows a program start process (M_PRG_START). It is a flowchart which shows a setting change process (M_RANK_SET). It is a flowchart which shows a power supply return process (M_POWER_ON). It is a flowchart which shows a main process (M_MAIN) process. It is a flowchart which shows a game start set (MS_GAME_SET) process. It is a flowchart which shows medal insertion waiting (MS_STANDBY_DSP). It is a flowchart which shows a control command continuous set (M_CMD_LIST). It is a flowchart which shows the control command set 1 (R_CMD_SET). It is a flowchart which shows the control command set 2 (C_CMD_SET). It is a flowchart which shows an interrupt process (I_INTR). It is a flowchart which shows a power-off process (IS_POWER_DOWN). It is a flowchart which shows control command transmission (I_CMD_OUT). It is a time chart which shows transmission of a sub control data strobe signal and sub control data signals 1-16. It is a flowchart which shows sub alerting | reporting data output (I_SUB_INF). It is a flowchart which shows a medal limit check (C_MDLMAX_CHK). It is a flowchart which shows a medal limit set (M_MDLMAZ_SET). It is a flowchart which shows medal reading (R_PLYMDL_READ). It is a flowchart which shows storage number reading (R_CREDIT_READ). It is a flowchart which shows an error alerting | reporting process. It is a figure which shows 2nd Embodiment, Comprising: It is a circuit diagram which shows the communication line for transmitting a command with respect to a sub control board from a main control board. It is a figure which shows 2nd Embodiment, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the waveform of a sub control data signal.

In the present specification, the meanings of terms are as follows.
“RT” means that the type and number of conditional devices including replay and the winning probability are in a unique gaming state.
“Main game state” is a concept different from RT, and is any of so-called normal / AT precursor / AT preparation / AT, non-internal / internal, normal / special game It is the concept which shows.
The “game medium” refers to a medium used for a game, and is a “medal” in the present embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a game ball can be used. In addition to the actual medals, the game media include game media (data related to the game media) that are electrically stored (credit, stored) inside the gaming machine.

“Bet” refers to betting a medal (game medium) to play a game. In the present embodiment, the maximum (limit) number that can be bet is set to “3” regardless of the RT. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and “3” is set for normal games (non-special games), and “2” is set for special games (1BB games, etc.).
“Reservation” refers to crediting a medal into the slot machine 10, unlike the “bet”. “Storage” may be used to include a bet, but in this specification, “storage” is used to mean that “bet” is not included. In the present embodiment, the maximum (limit) number that can be stored is set to “50” regardless of the gaming state or the like.

“Care” means that a player directly inserts a medal from a medal insertion slot 43 described later.
The “care bet” means that the player bets a medal by cleaning the medal from the medal insertion slot 43.
“Maintenance storage” means that a player stores medals by adding medals from the medal slot 43 (adding credits).
“Bet medal” means a bet medal.
“Reserved medals” refers to medals stored as credits.

The “reserved bet” is a game in which a player operates a bet switch 40, which will be described later, to play a part or all of the medals stored as credits within a possible bet range of the game. To bet.
“Automatic bet” means that when a replay wins, the number of medals bet in the previous game is automatically bet by the internal control processing of the slot machine 10.
“Inserting” means betting or storing medals, including the above-described care bets, care storage, storage bets, and automatic bets.
“Checkout” refers to paying out a bet medal and / or a stored medal to a player.

  “Payout” means that a medal is paid out to a player based on a winning combination, or a medal is paid out by the above-described payment. When paying out a medal to a player based on a winning combination of a combination, both storing it as a credit and paying out an actual medal from a payout slot (not shown) are included. The payout in the present embodiment is controlled so that “50” is the limit number and stored in the credit, and medals for which the stored number exceeds “50” are actually paid out to the player.

In the present specification, a numerical value with “B” at the end (in particular, 8 bits) means a binary number. Similarly, a numerical value with “H” at the end means a hexadecimal number. Specifically, for example, a numerical value indicating “16” in a decimal number is expressed as “00010000B” or “00010000 (B)” in a binary number, and “10H” or “10 (H)” in a hexadecimal number. .
However, the end of “B” is omitted for binary numbers other than 8-bit numbers. For example, “0” in a notation such as “register value is“ 0 ”” actually means a binary number of “00000000B”. Therefore, a numerical value without “B” at the end does not always mean that it is not a binary number. Similarly, a numerical value without “H” at the end does not always mean that it is not a hexadecimal number.

“Parallel communication” means a communication method in which a plurality of bits are transmitted in parallel using a plurality of communication lines.
The “strobe signal” means a signal indicating acquisition (reading) timing of a signal transmitted by parallel communication.
“Serial communication” means a communication method in which a single communication line is used to sequentially transmit a plurality of bits of signals one bit at a time.

The “output port” means a circuit that is used when the CPU transmits a signal to the peripheral device and can output a bit value “0” or “1”.
The “input port” means a circuit that is used when the CPU receives a signal from a peripheral device and can acquire (read) a bit value “0” or “1”.
“Turn the signal on” means that the bit value “1” is output, that is, the voltage is set to the “High” level.
“Turn off the signal” means that the bit value “0” is output, that is, the voltage is set to the “Low” level.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of control of the slot machine 10 in the present embodiment.
As a typical control board provided in the slot machine 10, a main control board 60 and a sub control board 80 are provided.
The main control board 60 has an input port (0 to 2) and an output port (0 to 10), and includes an RWM (main memory) 61, a ROM 62, a main CPU 63, and the like (meaning only include those illustrated in FIG. 1). is not).

The RWM 61 is a storage medium that can store (update) various data (variables) based on the progress of the game.
The ROM 62 is a storage medium that stores programs necessary for the progress of the game, various data (for example, a data table), and the like.
The main CPU 63 refers to a CPU provided on the main control board 60, and executes programs and calculations necessary for the progress of the game. Specifically, the lottery of the combination, the drive control of the reel 31, and the winning Execute paying out.
The main CPU 63 contains a register. In particular, in this embodiment, a plurality of registers are provided.

  In FIG. 1, a main control board 60 and a peripheral device for game progress including operation switches such as the bet switch 40 shown in FIG. 1 are electrically connected via an input port or an output port. The input port is a connection unit to which signals such as operation switches are input, and the output port is a connection unit that transmits signals to peripheral devices such as the motor 32.

In FIG. 1, an input peripheral device is indicated by an arrow from the peripheral device to the main control board 60, and an output peripheral device is an arrow from the main control board 60 to the peripheral device. It is shown (the same applies to the sub-control board 80).
The push button 25 (also referred to as a “push button unit”) connected to the sub control board 80 can transmit and receive signals in both directions. Specifically, a signal indicating that the operation has been performed is transmitted to the sub control board 80 based on the operation of the push button 25, and the lamp provided on the push button 25 is caused to emit light from the sub control board 80.

In FIG. 1, medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 43 are configured to pass through a medal selector.
As shown in FIG. 1, the medal selector includes a passage sensor 43a, a blocker 45, and insertion sensors 44a and 44b (but not limited to these), and is electrically connected to the main control board 60. .
When a medal is inserted from the medal slot 43, the passage sensor 43a first detects the medal.

  Further, a blocker 45 is provided on the downstream side of the passage sensor 43a. The blocker 45 is for permitting / disallowing the insertion of medals, and forms a medal passage for returning the medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 43 from the payout slot when the insertion of medals is not permitted. To do. On the other hand, when the medal insertion is permitted, a medal passage for guiding the medal inserted from the medal insertion port 43 to the hopper 35a is formed.

  Here, the blocker 45 is in a state where the insertion of medals is not permitted during the game (from the start of the rotation of the reels 31 until all the reels 31 are stopped and the payout corresponding to the winning combination is completed at the time of winning the winning combination). To do. That is, the blocker 45 permits the insertion of medals at least when a game is not being performed.

  On the further downstream side of the blocker 45, input sensors 44a and 44b (optical sensors) are provided. Therefore, the medals inserted from the medal insertion slot 43 are further detected by the insertion sensors 44a (upstream side) and 44b (downstream side) after being detected by the passage sensor 43a. The upstream closing sensor 44a may be referred to as closing sensor 1 and the downstream closing sensor 44b may be referred to as closing sensor 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the main control board 60 includes a bet switch 40, a start switch 41, a (left, middle, right) stop switch 42, and a checkout switch 46 as operation switches operated by the player. Connected.
The bet switch 40 (40a or 40b) is a switch operated by the player when betting a stored medal for the game. In the present embodiment, a 1-bet switch 40a for inserting one medal and a 3-bet switch 40b for inserting three (maximum number) medals are provided.
In addition to this, a bet switch for two bets may be provided.

The start switch 41 is a switch operated by the player when starting the reels 31 (all of left, middle and right).
Furthermore, three stop switches 42 are provided corresponding to the three (left, middle, and right) reels 31 and are operated by the player when the corresponding reels 31 are stopped.
Further, the settlement switch 46 is a switch operated by the player when paying out (paying out) medals stored (credited) in the slot machine 10.

  A storage number display LED 71, an acquisition number display LED 72, and a status display LED 73 are connected to the display substrate 70. These LEDs 71 to 73 are provided in the vicinity of an operation switch operated by the player, and are provided at a position where the player can always visually recognize them. It is not necessary that all the LEDs 71 to 73 are provided on one display substrate 70. For example, a plurality of display substrates 70 such as display substrates 70A, 70B,. Any of the LEDs 71 to 73 may be provided.

The storage number display LED 71 is an LED that displays the number of medals stored in the slot machine 10.
In the present embodiment, the storage number display LED 71 displays a number between “00” and “50” (integer).

  For example, in a state where no medals are bet and stored, the display of the storage number display LED 71 is “00”. Here, when one medal is maintained, the one medal is bet for the game. When two more cards are additionally inserted, three medals are bet for the game (when the bet limit number is three). Therefore, when up to three medals are maintained, the medals are bet and not stored. As medals continue to be maintained, medals are stored in the slot machine 10 and the number of stored medals is displayed by the stored number display LED 71.

  In this embodiment, up to 50 medals can be stored. Therefore, when the number of stored sheets reaches 50 (when “50” is displayed on the stored number display LED 71), medals are not stored any more. In this state, if a medal is maintained from the medal insertion slot 43, the maintained medal is returned from the payout slot by the blocker 45.

  Here, when a winning combination (excluding replay) is awarded and a medal corresponding to the winning combination is paid out, the slot machine 10 has priority over actually paying out a medal from the payout slot. Medals are stored. For example, in the case where the stored number before winning a winning combination is “10”, when the nine winning combination is won, the display of the storing number display LED 71 is updated from “10” to “19”.

  Furthermore, when the winning number of the winning combination exceeds “50”, the portion exceeding “50” is actually paid out from the payout opening. For example, when the number of reserved coins is “47” before winning a winning combination and nine medals are paid out for winning nine winning combinations, three are stored and the number of storing is “50”, which exceeds “50”. Six cards are paid out from the payout slot.

  Further, at the time of replay winning, medals are not stored and paid out, and the number of medals bet in the game are automatically bet for replay. For example, when the game is played with 3 bets (3 cards) and a replay is won, 3 medals are automatically bet. Since the automatic bet based on the replay winning is the insertion of medals for replaying, even if the settlement (return) operation is performed thereafter, the medals cannot be settled.

  According to the “Rules for Game Machine Approval and Type Approval, etc.”, if the combination of symbols corresponding to replay is stopped on the active line, it is the operation of the condition device related to replay and not “winning”. Interpreted. However, in this specification, the replay is also treated as one of the roles (replaying role), and the combination of symbols corresponding to the replay stopped on the active line is referred to as “replay winning”.

The acquisition number display LED 72 is an LED that displays the number of payouts (the number of players acquired) when winning a winning combination.
When the medal is not paid out, the display of the acquisition number display LED 72 is “00”. However, for example, when nine winning combinations are won and nine medals are paid out, the display of the acquisition number display LED 72 is “09”. It becomes.
The acquisition number display LED 72 normally displays the acquisition number, but functions as an LED that displays the content (type) of the error when an error occurs. Therefore, the acquisition number display LED 72 in this embodiment is an LED that also serves as a display of the acquisition number and error contents.

The status display LED 73 is composed of seven LEDs (73a to 73g).
The replay display LED 73a is an LED that is lit when a replay is won. When an automatic bet based on a replay win is made, the replay display LED 73a is lit to inform the player that the bet is in an automatic state.

The insertable display LED 73b is an LED that lights up when a medal can be inserted. That is, it lights up before the game is finished and a medal for shifting to the next game is inserted, indicating a so-called bet waiting state. In the present embodiment, even after the replay is activated, it lights up when a bet can be made according to the number of stored items.
In the present embodiment, the settlement display LED 73c is an LED that is lit during the settlement process. When the settlement switch 46 is turned on in a state where there is a stored medal and / or a bet medal (excluding an automatic bet at the time of replay winning), the light is lit while the medal is actually paid out.

  The game start LED 73d is an LED that lights up when a medal is inserted and the start switch 41 becomes operable. Therefore, it does not light up when no medal is bet (or when replay is not automatically inserted).

  The (1 piece, 2 pieces, 3 pieces) insertion display LEDs 73e to 73g are LEDs for displaying the number of medals bet, respectively. When one medal is bet, “1 BET (1 piece insertion display LED 73e) is displayed. ) ”Is lit and when two medals are bet,“ 1 BET (one-sheet insertion display LED 73e) ”and“ 2 BET (two-sheet insertion display LED 73f) ”are lit and three medals are betted. At this time, “1 BET (1 sheet insertion display LED 73e)”, “2 BET (2 sheet insertion display LED 73f)” and “3 BET (3 sheet insertion display LED 73g)” are lit.

A symbol display device 30 is electrically connected to the main control board 60.
The symbol display device 30 includes a reel 31 (three in this embodiment) that displays symbols, a motor 32 that drives each reel 31, and a reel sensor 39 that detects the position of the reel 31.

The motor 32 is for rotating the reels 31, is connected to the center of rotation of each reel 31, and is controlled by a reel control means 63 g described later.
Here, the reel 31 includes a left reel 31, a middle reel 31, and a right reel 31, and a stop switch 42 that is operated when the left reel 31 is stopped is the left stop switch 42, and when the middle reel 31 is stopped. The stop switch 42 to be operated is the middle stop switch 42, and the stop switch 42 to be operated when stopping the right reel 31 is the right stop switch 42.

The reel 31 is ring-shaped, and a reel tape on which a plurality of types of symbols (designs constituting a combination of symbols corresponding to the combination) is attached is attached to the outer peripheral surface thereof.
Each reel 31 is provided with one (or two or more) index. The index is provided in a convex shape on, for example, the circumferential side surface of the reel 31 and is used when detecting whether the reel 31 has passed a predetermined position, whether it has rotated one time, or the like.

Each index is detected by the reel sensor 39. Further, the reel sensor 39 is electrically connected to the main control board 60. When the reel sensor 39 detects the index, the input signal is input to the main control board 60, and it is detected that the reel 31 has passed a predetermined position.
Further, a symbol on the reference position at the moment when the reel sensor 39 detects the index of the reel 31 is stored in the ROM 62 in advance. Thereby, the symbol on the reference position at the moment when the index is detected can be detected.

A medal payout device 35 is electrically connected to the main control board 60.
The medal payout device 35 is a hopper 35a for storing medals, a hopper motor 36 that is driven when paying out medals of the hopper 35a from the payout port, and a payout for detecting medals paid out from the hopper 35a. Sensors 37a and 37b are provided.

The medals that are maintained and received from the medal slot 43 are formed so as to be accommodated in the hopper 35a through a predetermined passage (also referred to as “chute portion”).
The payout sensors 37a and 37b are provided with a payout sensor 37a on the upstream side and a payout sensor 37b on the downstream side, similarly to the input sensors 44a and 44b.
The upstream payout sensor 37a may be referred to as the payout sensor 1, and the downstream payout sensor 37b may be referred to as the payout sensor 2.

  The payout sensors 37a and 37b are arranged at a predetermined distance, and are configured to be detected by the payout sensor 37b after a predetermined time has elapsed since the medal was detected by the payout sensor 37a. Then, based on the timing when the payout sensors 37a and 37b are turned on / off, it is determined whether or not the medals have been paid out correctly.

For example, when the signals of the payout sensors 37a and 37b are both off despite the hopper motor 36 being driven, it is determined that no medal has been paid out, and a hopper error (no medal) is detected. Is done.
On the other hand, when at least one of the signals from the payout sensor 37a or 37b remains on, it is detected that a medal jam has occurred. Note that only one payout sensor 37 may be provided to detect the error.
The full sensor 38 is a sensor that detects the fullness of the sub tank 35b that accommodates medals overflowing from the hopper 35a, and is configured by a circuit that energizes when the medals come into contact when the medals in the sub tank 35b become full.

The door switch 16 is a switch for detecting opening / closing of a front cover (not shown) of the slot machine 10 and is configured to be turned on when the front cover is opened and turned off when the front cover is closed. Has been.
The power switch 51 is a switch for turning on / off the power of the slot machine 10.
The setting key switch 52 is a switch used at the time of setting change or setting confirmation, and is configured to be turned on when a setting key is inserted from a setting key insertion slot and rotated 90 degrees to the right.

The setting change / reset switch 53 is a switch that serves as both a setting change switch and a reset switch. Note that the setting change switch and the reset switch may be provided separately.
The setting change / reset switch 53 is operated when changing a setting value. When the power switch 51 is turned on while the setting key switch 52 is turned on, reset, that is, initialization processing is performed, and predetermined data stored in the RWM 61 is cleared.

The setting door switch 54 is a switch for detecting opening and closing of a setting door (not shown) that covers the setting key switch 52 and the setting change / reset switch 53. The setting door switch 54 is turned on when the setting door is opened. It is configured to turn off when closed.
For example, when the setting door switch 54 is off, that is, when the setting key switch 52 is on with the setting door not opened, an error occurs.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a communication line for transmitting a command from the main control board 60 to the sub-control board 80. The command is transmitted from the main control board 60 to the sub control board 80 in one direction.
As shown in FIG. 2, a main CPU 63, four flip-flops (flip-flops 1 to 4), and an LED visible lamp are mounted on the main control board 60.
On the sub control board 80, a sub CPU 83, two inverter buffers (inverter buffers 1 and 2), a transceiver buffer, and a buffer are mounted.
In addition to the above, electronic components are mounted on the main control board 60 and the sub control board 80, but are not shown in the present embodiment.

The main CPU 63 has D0 to D7 output terminals.
The flip-flop 1 constitutes the output port 2, the flip-flop 2 constitutes the output port 7, the flip-flop 3 constitutes the output port 8, and the flip-flop 4 The output port 6 is configured.

The flip-flop 1 has 1D to 8D input terminals and 1Q to 8Q output terminals, which correspond to each other. Similarly to the flip-flop 1, the flip-flops 2 to 4 also have 1D to 8D input terminals and 1Q to 8Q output terminals, which correspond to each other.
The D0 to D7 output terminals of the main CPU 63 are the 1D to 8D input terminals of the flip-flop 1, the 1D to 8D input terminals of the flip-flop 2, the 1D to 8D input terminals of the flip-flop 3, and the 1D to 8D of the flip-flop 4. Each is connected to an input terminal.

The 1Q output terminal of the flip-flop 1 (D0 bit of the output port 2) is connected to the three-sheet input display LED 73g. Similarly, the 2Q output terminal (D1 bit) is connected to the two-sheet insertion display LED 73f, and the 3Q output terminal (D2 bit) is connected to the one-sheet insertion display LED 73e.
Then, from the 1Q output terminal of the flip-flop 1, a three-sheet insertion display LED signal for lighting the three-sheet insertion display LED 73g is output. Similarly, from the 2Q output terminal, a two-sheet insertion display LED signal for lighting the two-sheet insertion display LED 73f is output, and from the 3Q output terminal, one-sheet insertion display LED for lighting the one-sheet insertion display LED 73e. A signal is output. The three-sheet insertion display LED signal, the two-sheet insertion display LED signal, and the one-sheet insertion display LED signal are collectively referred to as an insertion number display LED signal.
Note that the 4Q to 7Q output terminals of the flip-flop 1 are unused (NC).

  The 8Q output terminal of the flip-flop 1 (D7 bit of the output port 2) is connected to the 3A input terminal of the inverter buffer 1 on the sub-control board 80. Furthermore, the 3A input terminal and 3Y output terminal of the inverter buffer 1 correspond to each other, and the 2A input terminal and 2Y output terminal of the inverter buffer 2 correspond to each other. Further, the 3Y output terminal of the inverter buffer 1 is connected to the 2A input terminal of the inverter buffer 2, and the 2Y output terminal of the inverter buffer 2 is connected to the IRQ5 input terminal of the sub CPU 83.

Then, a sub control data strobe signal indicating an acquisition (reading) timing of sub control data signals 1 to 16 (first control command and second control command) to be described later is output from the 8Q output terminal of the flip-flop 1.
The inverter buffer 1 and the inverter buffer 2 are connected in series to prevent noise from entering the sub-control data strobe signal.

Here, the sub control data strobe signal is a 1-bit signal. On the other hand, the output port 2 (flip-flop 1) that outputs the sub control data strobe signal has 8 bits of D0 to D7 bits (1Q to 8Q output terminals).
Therefore, 7 bits other than the D7 bit (D0 to D6 bits) of the output port 2 are replaced with other peripheral devices connected to the main control board 60 (for example, the storage number display LED 71, the acquisition number display LED 72, the status display LED 73, It is used as an output terminal of a signal for controlling the motor 32 or the hopper motor 36).

Specifically, as described above, the D0 bit of the output port 2 is used as an output terminal for a three-sheet input display LED signal, and the D1 bit of the output port 2 is used as an output terminal for a two-sheet input display LED signal. The D2 bit of the output port 2 is used as the output terminal of the single-load display LED signal.
Thereby, the output port of the sub control data strobe signal is also used as the output port of the three-sheet insertion display LED signal, the two-sheet insertion display LED signal, and the one-sheet insertion display LED signal.

Then, as will be described later, 8-bit data including a sub control data strobe signal, a three-sheet insertion display LED signal, a two-sheet insertion display LED signal, and a one-sheet insertion display LED signal is output to the output port 2.
That is, the 8-bit data output to the output port 2 controls turning on / off of the three-sheet insertion display LED 73g, the two-sheet insertion display LED 73f, and the one-sheet insertion display LED 73e, and the sub control data signals 1 to 16 (first 1 (control command and second control command) acquisition (reading) timing is transmitted to the sub-control board 80.

  The 1Q to 8Q output terminals of the flip-flop 2 (D0 to D7 bits of the output port 7) are connected to the 2A8 to 2A1 input terminals of the transceiver buffer on the sub-control board 80, respectively. Furthermore, the 2A8 to 2A1 input terminals and the 2B8 to 2B1 output terminals of the transceiver buffer correspond to each other. Further, the 2B8 to 2B1 output terminals of the transceiver buffer are connected to the D0 to D7 input terminals of the sub CPU 83, respectively. Sub-control data signals 1 to 8 (second control commands) are output from the 1Q to 8Q output terminals of the flip-flop 2, respectively.

  Similarly, 1Q to 8Q output terminals of the flip-flop 3 (D0 to D7 bits of the output port 8) are connected to 1A8 to 1A1 input terminals of the transceiver buffer on the sub control board 80, respectively. Furthermore, the 1A8 to 1A1 input terminals and the 1B8 to 1B1 output terminals of the transceiver buffer correspond to each other. Further, the 1B8 to 1B1 output terminals of the transceiver buffer are connected to the D8 to D15 input terminals of the sub CPU 83, respectively. Sub-control data signals 9 to 16 (first control commands) are output from the 1Q to 8Q output terminals of the flip-flop 3, respectively.

  As described above, the sub control data signals 1 to 8 (second control) are provided by the communication line connecting the 1Q to 8Q output terminals of the flip-flop 2 (D0 to D7 bits of the output port 7) and the 2A8 to 2A1 input terminals of the transceiver buffer. Command) is transmitted by 8-bit parallel communication, and the communication line connecting the 1Q to 8Q output terminals of the flip-flop 3 (D0 to D7 bits of the output port 8) and the 1A8 to 1A1 input terminals of the transceiver buffer Control data signals 9 to 16 (first control command) are transmitted by 8-bit parallel communication.

  As described above, the sub-control data strobe signal indicating the acquisition (reading) timing of the first control command and the second control command is the 8-bit parallel communication line for transmitting the first control command and the second control command. It is transmitted through a communication line different from the 8-bit parallel communication line for transmitting the command.

  The 1Q to 8Q output terminals of the flip-flop 4 (D0 to D7 bits of the output port 6) are connected to the A1 to A8 input terminals of the buffer on the sub control board 80, respectively. Furthermore, the A1 to A8 input terminals and Y1 to Y8 output terminals of the buffer correspond to each other. Further, the Y1 to Y8 output terminals of the buffer are connected to the D0 to D7 input terminals of the sub CPU 83, respectively. Sub-control data signals 17 to 24 (third control command) are output from the 1Q to 8Q output terminals of the flip-flop 4, respectively.

As described above, the sub control data signals 17 to 24 (third control command) are transmitted by the communication line connecting the 1Q to 8Q output terminals of the flip-flop 4 (D0 to D7 bits of the output port 6) and the A1 to A8 input terminals of the buffer. ) Is transmitted by 8-bit parallel communication.
That is, the third control command is an 8-bit parallel communication line different from the 8-bit parallel communication line for transmitting the first control command and the 8-bit parallel communication line for transmitting the second control command. Sent.

Further, the A terminal (anode) of the LED visible lamp is connected to a +5 V power supply terminal on the main control board 60, and the K terminal (cathode) of the LED visible lamp is sub-controlled through a wiring called a connector connection monitor. It is connected to a GND terminal (ground) on the substrate 80.
This connector connection monitor is for checking a connection failure between the main control board 60 and the sub control board 80. When the connector connection monitor is disconnected, the LED visible lamp is turned on. Thereby, it can be seen that a connection failure has occurred between the main control board 60 and the sub-control board 80.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the input ports 0 to 2 provided on the main control board 60. 4 to 6 are views showing output ports 0 to 10 provided on the main control board 60. FIG.
In this embodiment, the input ports 0 to 2 and the output ports 0 to 10 are 1-byte ports to which 8 bits D0 to D7 can be input or output.

Although the input port and the output port are provided in addition to the above, description thereof is omitted in this embodiment.
3 to 6, a port indicated as unused means a signal input / output port that is not actually used or a description of which is omitted in the present embodiment (a port without signal input / output). Does not mean all unused).

In FIG. 3, the input port 0 receives signals indicating ON / OFF of the settlement switch 46, the bet switch 40 (1-bet switch 40a and 3-bet switch 40b), the start switch 41, and the stop switch 42. For example, when the D0 bit of the input port 0 is “0”, it indicates that the settlement switch 46 is off, and when it is “1”, it indicates that it is on. As for the D1 to D3 and D5 to D7 bits, similarly to the D0 bit, “0” indicates that the bit is off, and “1” indicates that the bit is on.
In the example of FIG. 3, the 1-bet switch signal (D1 bit) and the 3-bet switch signal (D2 bit) are separated, but when the slot machine 10 has a specification in which only the 3-bet switch 40 is provided, The D1 bit of input port 0 is unused.

  The input port 1 receives signals indicating on / off of the passage sensor 43a, the door switch 16, the setting door switch 54, the setting key switch 52, the setting change / reset switch 53, and the (left, middle, right) reel sensor 39. Is done. “0” indicates that it is off, and “1” indicates that it is on, as with the D0 bit of input port 0.

The input port 2 includes a power-off signal (a signal output when a power-off occurs), a signal from the input sensors 1 (44a) and 2 (44b), and a signal from the payout sensors 1 (37a) and 2 (37b). The signal of the full sensor 38 is input. When the D0 bit of the input port 2 is “0”, it indicates that the power is not cut off, and when it is “1”, it indicates that the power is cut off. As for the D1 to D5 bits of the input port 2, as in the case of the D0 bit of the input port 0, “0” indicates that the bit is off, and “1” indicates that the bit is on.
When the slot machine 10 is not provided with the setting door switch 54, the D2 bit of the input port 1 is not used.

  As will be described later, main processing (FIG. 11 described later; M_MAIN) (also referred to as main loop) that is performed once per game is provided as information processing for proceeding with the game. The main process is a process in which inserted medals are detected or a winning process is performed after all reels 31 are stopped.

  During this main process, the main process is temporarily exited and an interrupt process (timer interrupt process) is executed (FIG. 17; I_INTR described later). In the interrupt process, a process of detecting the input ports 0 to 2 (step S607 in FIG. 17) is executed, and after the process is executed, a process of returning to the main process is periodically performed again. The interval of the interrupt processing is 2.235 ms in this embodiment. That is, the data of the input ports 0 to 2 is acquired for each interrupt process at intervals of 2.235 ms.

  Based on the acquired data, for each of the input ports 0 to 2, level data (data indicating ON / OFF of each bit), rising data of the input port (when the previous interrupt is off, this interrupt is on) Data indicating which bit the data has become), and falling data of the input port (data indicating which bit is the data that was on at the time of the previous interrupt and turned off at the time of the current interrupt) And remember. Therefore, these data are updated every 2.235 ms.

Also, all D0 to D7 bits of the input ports 0 to 2 are detected regardless of when the interrupt processing is performed. For example, since the player cannot operate the bet switch 40 while the reel 31 is rotating (before the stop switch 42 is operated), the D1 and D2 bit data of the input port 0 are always acquired. Although not necessary, in this embodiment, data of all bits is acquired. If all bits of data are acquired, error determination can be performed. For example, the rise data of the bet switch 40 is turned on while the reel 31 is rotating.
For example, if 1 byte data (8 bits) of the input port 0 is acquired, it is possible to know the on / off status of all the operation switches.

  In the output port 0 of FIG. 4, the signals φ0 to φ3 of the motor 32 of the left reel 31 are output from the D0 to D3 bits. The motor 32 of this embodiment is configured to rotate the reel 31 by 1-2 phase excitation, and the reel 31 is driven by a combination of four-phase excitations of φ0 to φ3. Are respectively output from predetermined bits.

A signal (blocker signal) for controlling the blocker 45 is output from the D6 bit of the output port 0. Furthermore, a hopper motor drive signal for driving the hopper motor 36 is output from the D7 bit of the output port 0.
Here, when the blocker signal is “1” (on), the blocker 45 forms a medal passage connecting the medal insertion port 43 and the hopper 35a, and when it is “0” (off), the medal A passage (return passage) that connects the inlet 43 and the outlet is formed.
When the blocker 45 is driven, “1” is output from the D6 bit of the output port 0 as a blocker signal, and “0” is output from the D6 bit of the output port 0 as the blocker signal when the blocker 45 is not driven. Output.

From the D0 to D3 bits of the output port 1, the signals φ0 to φ of the motor 32 of the middle reel 31 are output. Similarly, the φ4 to φ7 signals of the motor 32 of the right reel 31 are output from the D4 to D7 bits.
The D0 bit of output port 2 outputs a three-sheet insertion display LED signal for lighting the three-sheet insertion display LED 73g, and the D1 bit outputs a two-sheet insertion display LED signal for lighting the two-sheet insertion display LED 73f. From the D2 bit, a single-load display LED signal for lighting the single-load display LED 73e is output.

A sub control data strobe signal is output from the D7 bit of the output port 2.
Here, the sub-control data strobe signal is a signal transmitted to the sub-control board 80 together with sub-control data signals 1 to 16 (first control command and second control command) to be described later. 16 is a signal indicating 16 acquisition (reading) timings.
When receiving the sub control data strobe signal, the sub control board 80 acquires the data of the sub control data signals 1 to 16 from the buffer provided in the sub control board 80 based on the rising edge of the sub control data strobe signal. To control. Signal transmission timing and the like will be described later (FIG. 20).

  The output port 3 is used for outputting an LED digit signal. The output port 4 is used for outputting an LED segment signal. These LED digit signal and LED segment signal are signals for turning on / off the set value display LED 64, the storage number display LED 71, the acquisition number display LED 72, and the status display LED 73. Which digit is lit at the output port 3 and which segment is lit at the output port 4 are determined.

Here, “digit” means a display unit (display). In this embodiment, the digit is composed of a seven segment display (seven segment display unit). The seven segment display has eight segments.
The LED digit signal indicates which of the plurality of seven segment displays is to be lit. The LED segment signal indicates which of the eight segments included in the seven segment display indicated by the LED digit signal is to be lit.

  From the output port 5, external signals 1 to 5, a medal payout signal, and a medal insertion (bet) signal are output. The “external signal” is a signal to be output to the outside of the slot machine 10 (a hall computer, a data counter installed in the hall, etc.) via the external concentration terminal board 100.

The output ports 6 to 8 are ports for outputting sub control data signals (control commands transmitted to the sub control board 80).
Sub-control data signals 17 to 24 (third control command) are output from the D0 to D7 bits of the output port 6, and sub-control data signals 1 to 8 (second control command) are output from the D0 to D7 bits of the output port 7. Command) is output, and sub-control data 9 to 16 (first control command) are output from the D0 to D7 bits of the output port 8.

  In this embodiment, one command is composed of 2 bytes (16 bits) of the first control command (sub control data signals 9 to 16) and the second control command (sub control data signals 1 to 8). The first control command (upper 1 byte) indicates the type of command, and the second control command (lower 1 byte) indicates the content thereof. Furthermore, as a command type, for example, a status command indicating the on / off state of various switches, an error command indicating detection / non-detection of various errors, management indicating whether the setting is being changed or is being confirmed. Commands etc. can be mentioned.

  When data indicating a state command is set as the first control command, the sub control data signal 1 (D0 bit) indicates the on / off state of the right stop switch 42 for the second control command. Show. Similarly, the sub control data signal 2 (D1 bit) indicates the on / off state of the middle stop switch 42, and the sub control data signal 3 (D2 bit) indicates the on / off state of the left stop switch 42. The sub control data signal 4 (D3 bit) indicates the on / off state of the 3-bet switch 40b, and the sub control data signal 5 (D4 bit) indicates the on / off state of the start switch 41.

In this case, when the sub control data signal 1 is “0”, it indicates that the right stop switch 42 is in an OFF state, and when it is “1”, it indicates that it is in an ON state. Similarly to the sub-control data signal 1, the sub-control data signals 2 to 5 are “0”, indicating an off state, and “1”, indicating an on-state.
Although predetermined information is also assigned to the sub control data signals 6 to 8 (D5 to D7 bits), description thereof is omitted in this embodiment.

  When data indicating an error command is set as the first control command, for the second control command, the sub control data signal 1 indicates detection / non-detection of the passage sensor error, and the sub control data signal 2 indicates detection / non-detection of the input sensor error, and the sub-control data signal 3 indicates detection / non-detection of the payout sensor error.

In this case, when the sub control data signal 1 is “0”, it indicates that a passage sensor error is not detected (not detected), and when it is “1”, it indicates that a passage sensor error has been detected. . Similarly to the sub-control data signal 1, the sub-control data signals 2 and 3 indicate “not detected” when “0” and indicate detected when “1”.
Although predetermined information is also assigned to the sub control data signals 4 to 8, description thereof is omitted in the present embodiment.

When data indicating a management command is set as the first control command, for the second control command, the sub control data signal 1 indicates whether the setting is being changed, and the sub control data signal 2 indicates whether the setting is being confirmed.
In this case, when the sub control data signal 1 is “0”, it indicates that the setting is not being changed, and when it is “1”, it indicates that the setting is being changed. Similarly, when the sub control data signal 2 is “0”, it indicates that the setting is not being confirmed, and when it is “1”, it indicates that the setting is being confirmed.
Although predetermined information is also assigned to the sub-control data signals 3 to 8, description thereof is omitted in this embodiment.

The third control command constitutes one command with one byte (8 bits). For the third control command, the sub control data signal 17 (D0 bit) indicates whether or not the right stop switch 42 is ready to accept an operation, and the sub control data signal 18 (D1 bit) is the middle stop. The switch 42 indicates whether or not the operation can be accepted, and the sub control data signal 19 (D2 bit) indicates whether or not the left stop switch 42 is capable of accepting the operation.
The sub control data signal 20 (D3 bit) indicates whether or not the 3-bet switch 40b is ready to accept an operation.

  Furthermore, the sub control data signal 21 (D4 bit) indicates the ON / OFF state of the setting change / reset switch 53, and the sub control data signal 22 (D5 bit) indicates the ON / OFF state of the setting key switch 52. The sub control data signal 23 (D6 bit) indicates the ON / OFF state of the door switch 16, and the sub control data signal 24 (D7 bit) indicates the ON / OFF state of the setting door switch 54.

  When the sub control data signal 17 is “0”, it indicates that the right stop switch 42 is in an unacceptable state, and when it is “1”, it indicates that the operation is in an acceptable state. . Similarly to the sub control data signal 17, the sub control data signals 18 to 20 are in a state where the operation cannot be accepted when “0”, and are in a state where the operation can be accepted when “1”. It shows that.

  Further, when the sub control data signal 21 is “0”, it indicates that the setting change / reset switch 53 is in an off state, and when it is “1”, it indicates that it is in an on state. Similarly to the sub control data signal 21, the sub control data signals 22 to 24 indicate that the sub control data signals 22 to 24 are in an off state, and “1” indicates that the sub control data signals 22 to 24 are in an on state.

For example, the left, middle, and right stop switches 42 are in a state that can accept an operation, and the 3-bet switch 40b is in a state that cannot accept an operation, and a setting change / reset switch 53, a setting key switch 52, a door Assume that the switch 16 and the setting door switch 54 are off.
In this case, “00000111B” is output from the output port 6 as the third control command (sub-control data signals 17 to 24).

  The output ports 9 and 10 are set as ports that transmit predetermined signals (information) to the testing machine. Here, the “test signal” means that the slot machine 10 connects the slot machine 10 (game machine) and the test machine and transmits a predetermined signal from the slot machine 10 to the test machine. It is a signal used to confirm whether it is designed according to the “Rules for Certification and Type Verification”. The connection between the slot machine 10 and the testing machine is not limited to a direct connection, but may be connected via an interface board for relaying.

Conditional devices 1 to 8 are assigned to the output port 9. Here, the “condition device” indicates a so-called winning number (winning type). By outputting a signal from the output port 9, it is possible to inform the outside which condition device is turned on (which winning) in the game.
The output port 10 is an output port for the test signals 1 to 8.
As described above, data (referred to as “level data”) based on the signals of the input ports 0 to 2 is stored within one interrupt, and the stored control for the output ports 0 to 10 is stored. A signal is output based on the data.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a storage address (address) of data stored in the RWM 61 and its contents. Note that the data stored in the RWM 61 is not limited to the data shown in FIG.
In FIG. 7, “_BF_SUBCMD” of addresses “F113” to “F153” is a storage area of the control command buffer (ring buffer), and stores a control command to be transmitted to the sub control board 80. In this storage area, 64 bytes of “F113” to “F153” (H) are secured. Control commands are stored in the control command buffer in the order of addresses. When a control command is stored at address “F153”, the next address at which the control command is stored is “F113”.

“_NB_CMDREAD” of the address “F017” is a storage area of the control command read pointer value. This value is a value for storing which address of the control command buffer should be read, and is incremented by “1” when the data of the control command buffer at the address is read.
“_NB_CMDSTORE” of the address “F018” is a storage area of the control command write pointer value. This value is a value for storing at which address in the control command buffer the control command should be written, and is incremented by “1” when the control command is written into the control command buffer at the address.

Here, an outline of the progress of the game in the slot machine 10 is shown.
At the start of the game, the player operates the bet switch 40 to insert a previously stored medal, or inserts a medal from the medal insertion slot 43, and operates (turns on) the start switch 41. When the start switch 41 is operated, a signal generated at that time is input to the main control board 60. When receiving this signal, the main control board 60 (specifically, a reel control unit 63g described later) controls to drive all the motors 32 and rotate all the reels 31. As the reel 31 is rotated by the motor 32 in this manner, the symbols on the reel 31 are moved and displayed in the vertical direction in the display window at a predetermined speed.

  Then, the player presses the stop switch 42 to stop the rotation of the reel 31 corresponding to the stop switch 42 (for example, the left reel 31 corresponding to the left stop switch 42). When the stop switch 42 is operated, a signal generated at that time is input to the main control board 60. When receiving this signal, the main control board 60 (specifically, a reel control means 63g described later) drives and controls the motor 32 corresponding to the stop switch 42 to stop the reel 31 related to the motor 32. I do.

  Then, the game result of the game is displayed by the combination of symbols when all the reels 31 are stopped. Furthermore, when the combination of symbols corresponding to any of the winning combinations stops on the active line (when the winning combination of the winning combination), a medal corresponding to the winning combination is paid out.

Next, a specific configuration of the main control board 60 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the main CPU 63 of the main control board 60 includes the following setting change means 63a and the like. Note that the following means in the present embodiment are examples, and are not limited to the means shown in the present embodiment.

The setting change means 63a is a means for changing and determining the set value.
Here, the set value defines the degree of player's advantage, more specifically, the expected value of the payout number with respect to the number of inserted medals (medals that can be acquired by the player), and is set in this embodiment. 1 to setting 6 stages are provided.
Then, the higher the set value, the higher the advantage for the player, such as the higher the winning probability of at least some of the combinations (particularly, special combinations).
Also, the higher the set value, the higher the probability of winning the AT.
In addition, it is not restricted only to making the probability which transfers to AT high, For example, the probability of adding up the number of games and payout number in AT may be made high, and the probability of continuing AT may be made high.

In order to set / change the set value, a power switch 51, a setting key switch 52, and a setting change / reset switch 53 are used.
In the present embodiment, when the power switch 51 is once turned off and the power is turned off, a setting key is inserted into the setting key insertion slot and rotated 90 degrees clockwise, the setting key switch 52 is turned on. When the power switch 51 is turned on again in this state, the setting is being changed, that is, the setting changing mode is entered. In this case, normal startup processing is not performed. Therefore, in order to change the setting, the power switch 51 needs to be turned on / off.

In the setting change mode, the setting changing means 63a displays the current setting value on the setting value display LED 64.
The setting change means 63a displays the set value every time the setting change / reset switch 53 is operated (turned on) once... → “1” → “2” → “3” → “4” “→” 5 ”→“ 6 ”→“ 1 ”→“ 2 ”→...

Further, when the start switch 41 is turned on, the setting change means 63a determines the setting value with the numerical value displayed on the setting value display LED 64 at this time, and “0” indicating that the setting value has been determined. Is displayed on the set value display LED 64. The set value determined here is stored as set value data in a predetermined storage area of the RWM 61.
Then, if the setting key switch 52 is turned off by rotating the setting key 90 degrees counterclockwise, the game can be performed with the setting value after the setting change.

In this embodiment, the determination of the setting key switch 52 being turned off is performed based on the falling data of the setting key switch 52. However, the setting key switch 52 is turned on / off. You may comprise so that it may be performed based on.
Further, it may be configured so that the game cannot be performed with the setting value after the setting change unless the setting key is removed from the setting key insertion slot.
Further, if the setting key is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise to turn off the setting key switch 52, the setting key is removed from the setting key insertion slot, and the power switch 51 is once turned off in this state and then not turned on again. You may comprise so that a game cannot be performed with the setting value after a setting change.

In addition, in the state where no medals are bet and the part lottery is not performed (before the start switch 41 is operated), the setting key is inserted into the setting key insertion slot, and the setting key switch 52 is turned on. In the setting confirmation mode, that is, the setting confirmation mode is entered. Thus, when only the set value is confirmed, it is not necessary to turn on / off the power switch 51. During the setting confirmation, the setting value at the present time is displayed on the setting display LED 64 as in the case of the setting change.
Furthermore, when the power switch 51 is turned on while the setting key switch 52 is turned on, reset, that is, initialization processing is performed.

The condition device lottery means 63b performs lottery (determination, selection) of the condition device (that is, the winning combination). Here, the “condition device” is a winning lottery object composed of one or a plurality of roles. For example, when one condition device is won (determined or selected), the winning combination included in the condition device is won.
Accordingly, the condition device lottery means 63b is also referred to as a role lottery means, a winning combination determination (or selection) means, and the like.

Also, “winning condition device” is also referred to as a role lottery result, a winning number, a winning result, or the like.
The condition device lottery means 63b is based on, for example, a random number generating means (hardware random number, etc.) for lottery, a random number extracting means for extracting a random number generated by the random number generating means, and a random value extracted by the random number extracting means. And determining means for determining whether or not the condition device has been won and for determining the selected condition device.

The random number generation means generates random numbers in a predetermined area (for example, “0” to “65535” in decimal numbers). The random number is, for example, a random number for which a counter that performs 1 count at 200 n (nano) sec continues to count as a cycle in a range of “0” to “65535”. While the slot machine 10 is powered on, the random number Keep counting.
The random number extraction means extracts the random number generated by the random number generation means at a predetermined time, in the present embodiment, when the start switch 41 is operated (turned on) by the player. The judging means collates the random number value extracted by the random number extracting means with the condition device lottery table, thereby determining the condition device corresponding to the region to which the random number value belongs.

  The winning flag control means 63c controls the on / off of the winning flag corresponding to each combination based on the lottery result by the condition device lottery means 63b. In this embodiment, a winning flag is provided for each combination for all combinations. When any of the condition devices is won in the lottery by the condition device lottery means 63b, the winning flag of the combination included in the condition device is turned on (the winning flag is set).

In addition, since winnings for small roles other than special roles and replays are not carried over, even if a small role or replay is won in the game and the winning flags for these roles are turned on, the winning flag at the end of the game Is turned off.
On the other hand, since the winning of the special role is carried over, when the special role is won in the game, and the winning flag related to the selected special role is once turned on, it remains on until the special role is won. It is maintained and turned off when the special role wins.

  The reel control means 63g controls to start rotation of all (three) reels 31 when a rotation start command for the reels 31 is received, or when the start switch 41 is operated (turned on) in this embodiment. To do. Furthermore, after the conditional device lottery means 63b performs the lottery of the condition device, the reel control unit 63g refers to the on / off of the winning flag in the game, and determines the stop position corresponding to the on / off of the winning flag. The table is selected, and when the stop switch 42 is operated, the stop position of the reel 31 corresponding to the stop switch 42 is determined based on the timing when the stop switch 42 is operated, and the motor 32 is operated. Drive control is performed to stop the reel 31 at the determined position.

  For example, in a game in which at least one winning flag is on, the reel control means 63g selects a combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination (the combination with the winning flag turned on) within the range of the stop control of the reel 31. The reel 31 is stopped and controlled so as to be able to stop on the active line, and the reel 31 is stopped and controlled so as not to stop the combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination other than the winning combination (the winning combination is off) on the effective line. .

Here, “within the range of stop control of the reel 31” means the time from the moment when the stop switch 42 is operated until the reel 31 actually stops or the amount of rotation of the reel 31 (the number of moving frames (symbols)). Means within range.
In the present embodiment, the reel 31 rotates at a speed of about 80 rotations per minute at a constant speed. Further, when the stop switch 42 is operated, the time from when the stop switch 42 is operated until the reel 31 is stopped is set within 190 ms. Thereby, in the present embodiment, the maximum number of moving frames from the symbol at the moment when the stop switch 42 is operated until the reel 31 stops is set to four frames.

At the moment when the operation of the stop switch 42 is detected, when any of the symbols within the range of the stop control of the reel 31 is a symbol to be stopped at a predetermined effective line, when the stop switch 42 is operated In addition, control is performed so that the symbol stops at a predetermined effective line.
That is, if the reel 31 is stopped immediately at the moment when the stop switch 42 is operated, the stop control of the reel 31 is stopped until the reel 31 is stopped when the symbol related to the winning combination does not stop at a predetermined effective line. By controlling the rotational movement of the reel 31 within the range, the symbol related to the winning combination is controlled to stop as much as possible on the predetermined effective line (retraction stop control).

Conversely, if the reel 31 is stopped immediately at the moment when the stop switch 42 is operated, if the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination is stopped on the effective line, the reel 31 is stopped when the reel 31 is stopped. By controlling the rotational movement of the reel 31 within the range of 31 stop control, the combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination is controlled so as not to stop on the effective line (kicking stop control).
Furthermore, in a game in which a plurality of winning combinations are won, the priority order of winning combinations is determined in advance according to the pressing order of the stop switch 42, the operation timing of the stop switch 42, and the like. The highest priority drawing pull-in control is performed.

Further, the reel control means 63g detects the pressing order (operation order) of the stop switch 42. The reel control means 63g detects which one of the left, middle and right stop switches 42 is operated when the stop switch 42 is operated by the player.
When the stop switch 42 is operated, a signal indicating that the stop switch 42 has been operated is input to the reel control means 63g. By discriminating this signal, the reel control means 63g detects which stop switch 42 has been operated. Then, stop control of the reel 31 corresponding to the operated stop switch 42 is executed.

  Further, the reel control means 63g includes a stop position determination table for each condition device. The stop position determination table defines the stop position of the reel 31 with respect to the position of the reel 31 at the moment when the stop switch 42 is operated. In each stop position determination table, for example, when the stop switch 42 is operated at the moment when the first symbol passes through the middle stage, the number of symbols is controlled by controlling how many symbols are moved (by what number of symbols). The stop position is determined in advance such as stopping in the middle.

If the stop switch 42 is not operated at an appropriate position of the reel 31 (at an operation timing at which the target symbol can be stopped on the active line within the range of the maximum number of moving frames), the target symbol is stopped on the active line (effective The fact that the line cannot be pulled in) is referred to as “PB (pull-in rate) ≠ 1”.
On the other hand, regardless of the position of the reel 31 at the moment when the stop switch 42 is operated (regardless of the operation timing of the stop switch 42), the target symbol can always be stopped (drawn) on the effective line. , Referred to as “PB = 1”.

“PB = 1” has a case in which all the reels 31 are in such a role and a case in which only a specific (partial) reel 31 is in that role.
In the present embodiment, since the maximum number of moving frames is “4”, when the target symbols are arranged at intervals of 5 symbols or less, “PB = 1”, which exceeds 5 symbols (more than 6 symbols). When arranged at intervals, “PB ≠ 1”.

Further, as a method for stopping and controlling the reel 31 when a plurality of small combinations are simultaneously won (duplicate win), the following methods can be mentioned.
As the first priority, when all of the symbols constituting the winning symbol combination (of the reel 31) can be stopped on the active line, the reel 31 is stopped at that position.

Next, when it is not possible to “stop all of the symbols that make up the winning symbol combination on the active line” (when the first priority cannot be adopted), the second priority is set to “number priority” ”Or“ number priority ”, the reel 31 is controlled to stop.
Here, the “number priority” is to stop (pull in) the symbol of the reel 31 that constitutes the symbol combination having the largest number of payouts among the combinations of symbols that are selected in duplicate, with priority on the line. Say.
On the other hand, “number priority” means that the symbols on the reel 31 are stopped on the effective line so that the number of combinations of symbols that can be stopped on the effective line is maximized.

  The winning determination means 63h determines whether the combination of symbols on the reel 31 stopped on the active line matches the combination of symbols corresponding to any combination when the reel 31 is stopped (whether any combination has won a prize). Or not). The winning determination means 63h determines the symbol on the active line by detecting, for example, the angle when the motor 32 is stopped, the number of steps, and the like.

  The payout means 63i determines that the combination of symbols stopped on the active line when the reel 31 is stopped matches the combination of symbols corresponding to any of the combinations by the winning determination unit 63h, and the winning combination 63i Depending on the winning combination, a predetermined number of medals are paid out to the player, or credits are added. Also, when winning a replay, control is performed so that the number of medals inserted in the game is automatically inserted without paying out medals.

The sub-control board 80 controls the selection and output of effects (information) during the game and during the game standby.
The main control board 60 and the sub control board 80 are electrically connected, and the main control board 60 transmits information (control commands, etc.) necessary for production in one direction to the sub control board 80 by parallel communication. To do.

Similarly to the main control board 60, the sub control board 80 includes an RWM 81, a ROM (sub ROM) 82, a sub CPU 83, and the like.
The RWM (sub memory) 81 is a storage medium capable of temporarily storing data and the like captured when the sub CPU 83 controls the effect.
A ROM (sub-ROM) 82 is a storage medium for storing programs such as a lottery for production, various data, etc. as production data.

1 is connected to the sub-control board 80 via an input port or an output port (not shown in FIG. 1). However, the peripheral device for production is not limited to these.
The effect lamp 21 is made of an LED, for example, and lights up in a predetermined pattern when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The effect lamp 21 is arranged on the inner peripheral side of each reel 31, and a back lamp for illuminating from behind the symbols displayed on the reel 31 (three symbols that are continuously visible from the display window). Fluorescent lamps that illuminate the symbols on the reel 31 from above, and a frame lamp that is arranged on the front surface of the front cover of the slot machine 10 and blinks when winning a winning combination.

The speaker 22 outputs a predetermined sound when a predetermined condition is satisfied in order to perform various effects during the game.
Furthermore, the image display device 23 is composed of a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, a dot display, and the like, and supports various effect images during the game (push order during 1BB game and AT, lottery results of condition devices) Etc.), game information (1BB game, number of games during AT, number of acquired games, etc.), and the like are displayed.
The cross key 24 and the push button 25 are used when displaying information intended by the player or when a hall manager (store manager or the like) changes various settings.

The sub CPU 83 includes effect output control means 83a.
The production output control means 83a, based on the control command transmitted from the main control board 60, at what timing (when the start switch 41 is operated, when each stop switch 42 is operated, etc.) Specifics of how to output (how the lamp 21 is lit, blinking or extinguished, what kind of sound is output from the speaker 22, what kind of image is displayed on the image display device 23, etc.) The production contents are determined by lottery.

Then, the effect output control means 83a controls the output of the effect lamp 21, the speaker 22, and the image display device 23 in accordance with the determination. Further, during 1BB game or AT, the push order of the stop switch 42, the number of acquired games, the number of remaining games, etc. are displayed as images.
Furthermore, when receiving the push order instruction number transmitted from the main control board 60 during the AT, the effect output control means 83a notifies the correct push order corresponding to the received push order instruction number.

Next, information processing by the main control board 60 (main CPU 63) will be described based on a flowchart.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process (M_PRG_START) when starting a program by the main control board 60.

In FIG. 8, when the program is started in step S11, the main control board 60 initializes the register in the next step S12.
Next, proceeding to step S13, the main control board 60 determines whether or not the power-off process completion flag is a normal value. In the present embodiment, when the power is turned off, a power-off process completion flag (stored in a predetermined address of the RWM 61. The illustration is omitted in the present embodiment) is stored in step S652 (FIG. 18) described later. This power-off processing completion flag is a flag for determining whether or not the previous power-off was normally performed when the power was turned on. In step S13, when it is determined that the power-off processing completed flag is a normal value, the process proceeds to step S14. When it is determined that the flag is not a normal value, the checksum data is not calculated in steps S14 and S15. Proceed to step S16.

In step S14, a checksum of the RWM 61 is calculated. Specifically, the checksum calculation (targeted) is the same range (for example, work area used in the program, unused area, stack area) as the checksum of the RWM 61 (step S653 in FIG. 18) executed during the power-off process. Add address data value).
In this embodiment, the checksum data of the RWM 61 is set so that the checksum of a predetermined range of the RWM 61 is performed and the data becomes “0” by the checksum.

In step S15, it is determined whether or not the range of the RWM 61 for calculating the checksum has been completed. Specifically, the next address is designated from the address of the RWM 61 that calculated the current checksum, and it is determined whether or not the next address is an address for calculating the checksum. When it is determined that the checksum calculation has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S14. On the other hand, when it is determined that the range of the RWM 61 for calculating the checksum has been completed, the process proceeds to step S16.
In the subsequent processing, when data stored in a plurality of ranges (addresses) of the RWM 61 is initialized, the same processing is executed in the range of the specified RWM 61 in the present embodiment.

  In step S16, the main control board 60 stores the power-off recovery data in a predetermined register. Here, when it is determined that the power-off processing completed flag is a normal value and the checksum data of the RWM 61 is a normal value, the normal value is stored as the power-off recovery data. On the other hand, when the power-off processing completed flag is an abnormal value (“No” in step S13), and / or the checksum data of the RWM 61 is an abnormal value (the entire range check calculated in step S14). When it is determined that the sum data value is not “0”), an abnormal value is stored as the power-off recovery data.

  In the next step S17, the level data of the input port 1 (FIG. 3) is stored in a predetermined register. In step S18, it is determined whether the designated switch is on based on the level data of the input port 1. In this embodiment, the “designated switch” is a signal (D1) of the door switch 16, a signal (D2) of the setting door switch 54, and a signal (D3) of the setting key switch 52 of the input port 1. One.

The signal of the door switch 16 is on (the front cover (housing) is opened), the signal of the setting door switch 54 is on (the setting door is opened), and the setting key The setting change is permitted only when the signal of the switch 52 is ON (when the setting key is inserted). When all three designated switches are on, it is possible to shift to the setting change process of step S22. However, when at least one designated switch is not on, it is not permitted to shift to the setting change process of step S22. .
That is, the setting key switch 52 regardless of whether the signal of the door switch 16 is off (the front cover is closed) or the signal of the setting door switch 54 is off (the setting door is closed). This signal cannot be turned on, and since there is a high possibility of fraud, the transition to the setting change process is not permitted.

Therefore, when it is determined in step S18 that all the designated switches are on, the process proceeds to step S19, and when it is determined that the switch is not on, the process proceeds to step S21.
In step S19, the main control board 60 determines whether the power-off recovery data is an abnormal value. This power-off recovery data is the data stored in the register in step S16.

When it is determined that the power-off recovery data is an abnormal value, the process proceeds to the setting change process of step S22 while holding that the power-off recovery data is an abnormal value (the data stored in step S16). If it is determined that it is not, the process proceeds to step S20. In step S20, it is determined whether or not a setting change disable flag is on. Here, the setting change impossibility flag is a flag that is disabled during the period from the lottery process (step S50) to the game end check process (step S73) of the condition device. If the setting change disable flag is on, the process proceeds to step S21. If the setting change disable flag is not on, the setting change process in step S22 is performed while holding that the power-off recovery data is a normal value (the data stored in step S16). move on. As described above, the present embodiment includes the setting change process when the power-off recovery data is an abnormal value and the setting change process when the power-off recovery data is a normal value.
In the present embodiment, the setting change impossibility flag is provided. However, when the setting change is always possible, the setting change impossibility flag may not be provided. In that case, the process corresponding to step S20 becomes unnecessary.

  In step S21, the main control board 60 determines whether or not the power-off recovery data is a normal value. This process is equivalent to step S19, and refers to the data stored in the register in step S16. Then, when it is determined that the power-off recovery data is a normal value, the process proceeds to step S23, and the power-recovery process (M_POWER_ON; FIG. 10) is performed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the power-off recovery data is not a normal value, the process proceeds to step S24, and an unrecoverable error process is performed. In this embodiment, an error when it is determined in step S21 that the power-off recovery data is not a normal value is referred to as an “E1” error, and “E1” is displayed in a predetermined digit. The unrecoverable error is an error that cannot be canceled unless the setting change process is executed.

As described above, in the program start process (M_PRG_START), the process proceeds to the setting change process when the setting change is possible in both cases where the power-off recovery data is a normal value and an abnormal value.
Further, when the designated switch is not on (“No” in step S18) or when the setting cannot be changed and the power-off recovery data is an abnormal value (“No” in step S21), the unrecoverable error processing is performed. When the power-off recovery data is a normal value (“Yes” in step S21), the process proceeds to the power recovery process (M_POWER_ON).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the setting change process (M_RANK_SET) in step S22.
First, in step S131, “predetermined range” is stored in the register as the initialization range of the RWM 61. Here, it is a set for preparing when it is determined that the power-off process has been normally executed, and the initialization range in which the set value data, the gaming state (for example, the RT state), and the winning flag are not initialized is “ A predetermined range.

  Next, proceeding to step S132, the main control board 60 determines whether or not the power-off recovery data (value stored in step S16) is a normal value. When it is determined that the power-off recovery data is a normal value, the process proceeds to step S134, and the storage of the “predetermined range” in step S131 is maintained. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S132 that the power-off recovery data is not a normal value, the process proceeds to step S133, and the main control board 60 stores “specific range” in the register as the initialization range of the RWM 61. Here, when it is determined that the power-off is not normal, the set value data, the gaming state, and the winning flag are also set as “specific range” as the initialization range to be initialized.

  In step S134, initialization of the predetermined range set in step S131 or the specific range set in step S133 is started. In the next step S135, it is determined whether or not the initialization started in step S134 is completed. When it is determined that the initialization is completed, the process proceeds to step S136.

  In step S136, an interrupt process activation setting is performed. Here, various registers corresponding to the interrupt processing designated in step S12 are set. In the present embodiment, timer interrupt processing is used as interrupt processing, and therefore processing for setting a timer interrupt cycle (in this embodiment, “2.235 ms”) corresponds. Then, interrupt processing is executed after the processing of step S136. In other words, the interrupt process is not executed before “interrupt activation”. In the next step S137, an output request set at the start of setting change is performed. This process is a process of setting (storing) a control command to be transmitted to the sub control board 80 in a register in order to notify the sub control board 80 that the setting change process is started.

  The “output request set” is often executed also in the process described below, but means a process for setting a control command to be transmitted to the sub-control board 80 as in step S137. . The control command here does not mean only a command that is actually transmitted, but also a command that is a source of a command that is actually transmitted.

In step S138, the main CPU 62 executes control command set 1 (R_CMD_SET). This process is a process of setting a control command to be transmitted to the sub control board 80 in the control command buffer (ring buffer (_BF_SUBCMD of addresses “F113” to “F153” of the RWM 61)).
Note that “control command set 1” is often executed in the processing described below, but means processing for setting a control command to be transmitted to the sub-control board 80 as in step S138. To do.

As described above, in this embodiment, one command is composed of 2 bytes (16 bits) of the first control command and the second control command. The first control command (upper 1 byte) indicates the type of command, and the second control command (lower 1 byte) indicates the content thereof.
In the control command set 1, the first control command and the second control command are set in the control command buffer. Further, according to the output request, the first control command and the second control command having different types and contents are set in the control command buffer.

  Next, proceeding to step S139, the main control board 60 sets a waiting time, and executes wait processing during the waiting time in the next step S140. In this embodiment, the interrupt count “224” is set as the waiting time. In step S140, wait processing is executed until the number of interrupts counts “224” (until 1 is subtracted for each interrupt count and the set interrupt count becomes “0”).

Accordingly, since “2.235 ms” per interrupt is “2.235 ms”, a wait process of “2.235 ms × 224 times = 500.64 ms (about 0.5 seconds)” is performed.
Hereinafter, the “wait process” refers to a process of waiting so that the next process (step) is not executed until a predetermined time elapses. However, the interrupt process of FIG. 17 is executed.

  In this process, the initialization process of the RWM 61 on the main control board 60 side (step S134) is completed in a relatively short time, whereas the initialization process of the RWM 81 on the sub control board 80 side takes time. Wait processing is executed on the control board 60 side. In particular, the main control board 60 cannot know whether the initialization process has been completed on the sub-control board 80 side.

Therefore, when the initialization process is still in progress on the sub control board 80 side, the initialization has already been completed on the main control board 60 side, and further processing has progressed. It is possible to prevent the progress of the control process 80 from becoming out of synchronization.
In addition, after execution of the output request set and control command set 1 at the start of setting change, the sub control board 80 starts initialization of the RWM 81, but sets a sufficient time for the RWM 81 initialization to be completed as a wait time. To do. Accordingly, after the initialization process of the RWM 81 is completed on the sub control board 80 side, the process proceeds to the processes after step S141 on the main control board 60 side.

  The control command at the start of setting change set in step S137 and step S138 is transmitted to the sub control board 80 even during the wait process in step S140. However, while the wait process is being executed in step S140, the process after step S141 does not proceed (the main loop does not proceed).

  With this configuration, it is possible to transmit a control command at the start of setting change to the sub control board 80. Also, the processing after step S141 (end of setting change, start of game, etc.) can be delayed by the wait time. Furthermore, due to the delay of the processing after step S141, various control commands (commands at the end of setting change, commands at the time of operation of the bet switch 40, results of the role lottery based on the operation of the start switch 41 due to the processing of the processing after step S141. The transmission timing of the command etc.) can be delayed. Thereby, the sub-control board 80 can control and output effects based on various commands at a timing synchronized with the processing of the main control board 60.

  On the other hand, when the wait process of step S140 is not executed, the process of the main control board 60 is executed first. As a result, for example, when the start switch 41 is operated, the winning lottery result A is obtained, and when the effect a is output at the start of the rotation of the reel 31, the effect a is not output at the timing of starting the rotation of the reel 31, and the effect a is slightly delayed. Will be output.

  After the end of the wait process, the process proceeds to step S141 to determine whether or not the set value is in the normal range. In the present embodiment, since the set value is any one of “1” to “6” (integer), it is determined whether any of these “1” to “6”. If it is determined that the set value is in the normal range, the process proceeds to step S143, and the set value is not in the normal range (values such as “7” and “255” are stored in the storage area of the RWM 61 that stores the set value). ), The process proceeds to step S142. In step S142, “1” is stored as the set value.

In step S143, specific LED display control is performed during setting change. Specifically, by outputting a predetermined LED digit signal from the output port 3 and outputting a predetermined LED segment signal from the output port 4, the set value can be displayed on the set value display LED 64.
In step S144, it is determined whether an operation of the setting change / reset switch 53 has been detected. Here, the rising data of the input port 1 is determined, and it is determined whether or not the D4 bit is “1”. When it is determined that the operation of the setting change / reset switch 53 has been detected, the process proceeds to step S145, and when it is determined that the operation has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S146.
In step S145, the set value is updated. Specifically, the set value is stored (updated) in a predetermined area of the RWM 61. Further, the interrupt process is executed after the set value is updated, whereby the display value of the set value display LED 64 displays the updated value.

In the next step S146, it is determined whether or not an operation of the start switch 41 is detected. In this embodiment, when the start switch 41 is operated during the setting change, the set value at that time is determined.
When it is determined that the start switch 41 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S147, and when it is determined that the start switch 41 has not been operated, the process returns to step S144.

In step S147, it is determined whether or not the setting key switch 52 has been turned off. If it is determined that the setting key switch 52 has been turned off, the process proceeds to step S148, and the unique LED display control is ended during the setting change.
Next, the process proceeds to step S149, and an output request set at the end of the setting change is performed as in step S137. This process is a process of ending the setting change process and setting a control command for informing the determined setting value to the sub-control board 80 side. Next, proceeding to step S150, the main CPU 62 executes the control command set 1 as in step S138. And it transfers to the main process (M_MAIN) (FIG. 11) of step S40.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the power recovery process (M_POWER_ON).
First, in step S831, the stack pointer is restored. Here, the stack pointer is one of the registers, and when power is cut off, data when the power is cut off (for example, register value, instruction processing (return address) of main processing before interrupt processing, etc.) ) In the area of the RWM 61 (also referred to as a stack area). That is, the return of the stack pointer refers to a process in which the stack pointer stored when the power is turned off is once stored in the RWM 61, and the data stored in the RWM 61 is stored again in the stack pointer.

  In the next step S832, set value data stored in a predetermined address (not shown in the present embodiment) of the RWM 61 is read, and whether the set value range is the normal range (“1” to “6”). Whether or not it is within the range. If it is determined that the set value is within the normal range, the process proceeds to step S833. If it is determined that the set value is not within the normal range, the process proceeds to step S839, and the process proceeds to an unrecoverable error process. In this embodiment, the error in this case is referred to as an “E6” error, and “E6” is displayed on the acquisition number display LED 72.

  In step S833, the initialization range of the unused area of the RWM 61 is set in the register. In the next step S834, initialization of the RWM 61 in the range set in step S833 is executed. Here, it is conceivable that a value is stored in the RWM 61 due to noise or the like even in an unused area. If a value is stored in an unused area, there is a possibility that it may lead to fraud etc. Therefore, the unused area should be initialized when the power is turned on (usually once a day). Yes.

In the next step S835, it is determined whether or not the initialization of the RWM 61 is completed. If it is determined that the initialization is completed, the process proceeds to step S836. In step S836, the input ports 0 to 2 are read. This process is a process for updating each data (level data, rising data, falling data) of the input port before power-off to the latest data.
In step S837, an interrupt is activated. This process is, for example, a process for setting a timer interruption period, and the interruption process is executed every predetermined period (in this embodiment, 2.235 ms) after the process.
In step S838, the above-described power-off process completion flag is cleared, that is, set to “0”. And the process by this flowchart is complete | finished.

In the power recovery process described above, after the input ports 0 to 2 are read (step S836), the interrupt process is started (step S837). The reason is as follows.
In the present embodiment, it is configured such that a set key can be inserted and a set value can be confirmed during game standby. Here, when the falling signal of the setting key switch 52 becomes “1”, it is determined that the confirmation of the setting value is completed.
However, for example, it is assumed that the power is cut off during setting confirmation, and the power is turned on by turning off the setting key switch 52 (with the setting key removed) during the power cut.

In this case, the falling signal of the setting key switch 52 is set to “1” based on the fact that the setting key switch 52 is turned off by the interrupt processing after the power is restored, so that the falling of the setting key switch is detected. The
As a result, the state at the time of power-off recovery is different from the state before the power-off. Specifically, the falling signal of the setting key switch 52 is “0” in the state before the power is turned off, whereas the falling signal of the setting key switch 52 is “1” when the power is restored.
Therefore, in order to avoid the situation before and after the power is turned off, the value of the RWM 61 of the input ports 0 to 2 is updated to the latest state when the power is restored. Therefore, after executing the input port 0-2 read processing, the interrupt processing is activated.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing main processing (M_MAIN) processing in the present embodiment. During this main process, an interrupt process (I_INTR; FIG. 17) is performed every 2.235 ms.
In FIG. 11, in step S41, a stack pointer is set. In this case, the stack pointer is set by executing the same process as that in step S831 described above.
In the next step S42, game start set processing (MS_GAME_SET) is performed. If it progresses to step S42, it will transfer to the process of FIG. 12 mentioned later.

In the next step S43, a bet medal is read. This process is a process of reading how many medals are bet at the present time.
In the next step S44, the presence / absence of a bet medal is determined based on the bet number read in step S43.
If it is determined in step S44 that there is a bet medal, the process proceeds to step S46. If it is determined that there is no bet medal, the process proceeds to step S45 to perform a medal insertion waiting process, and the process proceeds to step S46.

  In step S46, a management process for inserted medals is performed. Although the details of this process are omitted, the outline thereof is that the rise of the signals of the insertion sensors 44 and 44b and the bet switch 40 and the rise of the signal of the settlement switch 46 are detected, and the insertion of the medal is performed by the insertion sensors 44a and 44b. When it is detected, the process proceeds to a medal care check process, and when it is determined that the medal care is normal, the process proceeds to a bet process or a storage addition process. Further, when the rising of the signal of the bet switch 40 is detected, the process proceeds to the storage bet process, and when the rising of the signal of the settlement switch 46 is detected, the process proceeds to the settlement process.

  In the next step S47, a soft random number update process is performed. This process is a process of updating (for example, adding “1” by one) a processing random number for processing (arithmetic processing) into a random number (hard random number or built-in random number) used in the condition device lottery means 63b. The soft random number is a 16-bit random number having a range of 0 to 65535. As an update method, a process of adding an interrupt count value (a count value (variable) incremented at the time of an interrupt) to a value before update may be executed.

  In the next step S48, the main control board 60 determines whether or not the start switch 41 has been operated. When it is determined that the start switch 41 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S49, and when it is determined that the start switch 41 has not been operated, the process returns to step S43. Even when the start switch 41 is operated, if the number of bets has not reached the prescribed number of the game, “No” is determined in step S48.

In step S49, a process at the time of receiving the start switch is executed. This process includes reading a built-in random number, turning off the blocker 45, starting the rotation of the reel 31, determining whether the set value is normal, and the like.
In step S50, the condition device lottery means 63b executes the condition device lottery at the timing when the start switch 41 is operated, that is, when the operation signal of the start switch 41 is received. In addition, the random value at the time of conditional device lottery is acquired by step S49. In step S50, a process is performed to determine whether the acquired random number value is a random value corresponding to one of the condition device numbers using the condition device lottery table.

In the next step S51, the main control board 60 performs AT lottery using the AT lottery table based on the selected condition device. In this lottery, in addition to winning the AT, the AT lottery state may be shifted although the AT is not won.
Next, proceeding to step S52, the main control board 60 updates the main game state in the game. For example, when an AT is won in the lottery of step S51, control is performed so that the main game state corresponding to the normal time is updated to the main game state corresponding to the AT precursor.

In the next step S53, the main control board 60 executes a push order instruction number setting process. This process is a process of selecting a push order instruction number according to the current main game state and the selected condition device. With this processing, in the game displaying the push order instruction information, the push order instruction information is displayed on the acquisition number display LED 72.
Next, proceeding to step S54, the main control board 60 executes effect group number setting processing. This process is a process of selecting an effect group number corresponding to the selected condition device.

In the next step S55, interrupt processing is prohibited. The reason why the interrupt process is prohibited is to control the interrupt process not to be performed during the execution of the symbol stop signal setting process in the next step S56.
And it progresses to step S56 and performs a symbol stop signal set process. This process is a process for transmitting (outputting) information (test signal) about the pressing order of the stop switch 42 and the operation timing to the testing machine from the slot machine 10 based on the condition device won in the game. is there.

In the state where the slot machine 10 and the test machine are connected, in this main process, at the start of the game, a symbol stop signal is transmitted (output) to the test machine at each game, step S56. On the other hand, when the slot machine 10 is put on the market (when installed in a hall or the like), the slot machine 10 is not connected to the test machine, so an actual symbol stop signal is transmitted to the test machine. Although it does not do, even after it is installed in the hall, for example, every game, the process of step S56 is executed.
After step S56, the process proceeds to step S57, and the interrupt process prohibited in step S55 is permitted.

The command transmission table 2 set process in the next step S58 is a process for storing the head address where the data of the command transmission table 2 is stored in a predetermined register.
In the next step S59, a control command continuous set process (M_CMD_LIST) is executed. This process is a process for transmitting a command to the sub-control board 80 based on the command transmission table 2 set in step S58. If it progresses to step S59, it will transfer to the process of FIG.

In step S60, a reel rotation start preparation process is executed. The reel rotation start preparation process is a process for determining whether or not the minimum game time (minimum time from the start of rotation of the reel 31 to the start of rotation of the reel 31 in the next game) has elapsed. In this embodiment, the minimum game time is set to 4.1 seconds.
In step S61, the reel control unit 63g starts rotating the reel 31. In the next step S62, the stop acceptance of the reel 31 is checked. Here, it is detected whether or not the operation signal of the stop switch 42 has been received, and when the operation signal is received, the stop position of the reel 31 is determined based on the lottery result of the condition device and the position of the reel 31, The reel 31 is controlled to stop at the determined position.

  In the next step S63, the reel control means 63g checks whether or not all the reels 31 have stopped, and proceeds to step S64. In step S64, it is determined whether or not all the reels 31 are stopped. When it is determined that all the reels 31 are stopped, the process proceeds to step S65. When it is determined that all the reels 31 are not stopped, the process returns to step S62. .

In step S65, when pressing order indication information is displayed on the acquired number display LED 72 in the game, the acquired number data clear process is performed to delete the information.
In the next step S66, the symbol display is determined. Here, the winning determination means 63h determines whether or not the symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination has been stopped on the active line.
In step S67, it is determined whether or not a symbol display error has occurred. If it is determined that a symbol display error has occurred, the process proceeds to step S76. If it is determined that no display error has occurred, the process proceeds to step S68.

  Here, since the stop of the reel 31 is executed based on the stop position determination table, the reel 31 does not normally stop at a position other than the position determined by the stop position determination table. However, as a result of the display determination of the symbol, when a symbol that should not be displayed (a kicked symbol) is displayed on the active line, it is determined to be abnormal, and the process proceeds to step S76 to perform an unrecoverable error process. Run. This symbol combination abnormality error is referred to as an “E5” error, and “E5” is displayed on the acquired number display LED 72, and the main process is stopped.

When an unrecoverable error occurs, it is necessary to turn on / off the power and reset the set value in order to cancel the error. When an unrecoverable error occurs, the power is turned off, the setting key is inserted and rotated 90 degrees clockwise, and the power is turned on. As a result, a predetermined range (setting value information, RT information, winning combination information) of the RWM 61 is cleared. Then, a set value is set, and if there is no other error, a return process is performed.
On the other hand, when a recoverable error such as a full error occurs, the error content is displayed and the process is stopped. However, when the hall clerk performs an error canceling operation (removing the error factor) and operates the reset switch 53, It is determined whether or not the error has been cancelled. When it is determined that the error has been cancelled, the processing is resumed.

In step S68, the medal payout number is updated according to the winning combination. This processing is based on the display determination in step S66, and when the small combination (comb with medal payout) wins, the medal payout number data and the medal payout number data buffer corresponding to the winning small combination are updated. Execute the process.
In the next step S69, it is determined whether or not a special combination (1BB) has been won. When it is determined that the special combination has won, the process proceeds to step S70, and when it is determined that the special combination has not won, the process proceeds to step S72.

In step S70, the waiting time for winning a special role is set. This process is a process for setting a predetermined value in a predetermined register. In this embodiment, “2000” (corresponding to about 4470 ms) is set in a predetermined register. In a next step S71, a 2-byte time waiting process is executed.
As described above, the wait time is set when the special combination is won, during which the sub control board 80 outputs an effect at the time of the special combination and the player performs the bet switch 40 during the presentation period. This is in order not to cancel the effect due to the operation. Thus, by providing the wait time in the main process and stopping the main process, it is possible to reliably show the player the effect at the time of winning the special role. The interrupt process is configured to be executed even while the 2-byte time waiting process is being executed.

In the next step S72, the payout means 63i pays out medals corresponding to the winning combination. In this process, when the number of stored sheets is less than “50”, the number of stored sheets is added until the number of stored sheets reaches “50”. When the number of stored sheets reaches “50” or more, the hopper motor 36 Is controlled to pay out medals from the hopper 35a to the player.
Next, the process proceeds to step S73. In step S73, the main control board 60 performs a game end check process. In step S73, the signal of the full sensor 38, which is the D5 bit of the input port 2, is determined, and when it is on, a full error is displayed. The full error is referred to as “FE error” in this embodiment, and “FE” is displayed on the acquisition number display LED 72.

In the next step S74, an output request at the end of the game is set. This process is a process for setting a control command for transmitting to the sub-control board 80 that one game has ended.
In step S75, the main control board 60 executes control command set 1 (R_CMD_SET). This process is a process of storing a control command to be transmitted to the sub control board 80 in the control command buffer (_BF_SUBCMD of addresses “F113” to “F153” of the RWM 61).
And when the process of step S75 is complete | finished, it returns to step S40 again.
As described above, the main process shown in FIG. 11 is repeated for each game.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the game start set (MS_GAME_SET) in step S42 of FIG.
First, in step S80, a game standby display time is set (stored in a predetermined storage area (not shown) of the RWM 61). In this embodiment, “26846” interrupt (≈60,000 ms, that is, about 60 seconds (1 minute)) is set as the game standby display time. When the game standby display time is set in step S81, the value is subtracted by “1” for each interrupt process from this point.

  When the game standby display time becomes “0”, the acquired number data is cleared in step S45 (waiting for medal insertion) in FIG. As a result, “00” is displayed on the acquisition number display LED 72. For example, even if the number of medals paid out in the previous game is “9” and the player pays out by operating the checkout switch 43 and ends the game, “00” is displayed after about one minute. Is done. Thereby, it has the effect that a vacant stand can be reduced by being able to recognize a hall clerk and another player as a vacant stand.

Next, the process proceeds to step S81, and the push order instruction number initialization process is executed. This process corresponds to a process of clearing the push order instruction number stored at a predetermined address of the RWM 61.
In the next step S82, data of the symbol combination display flag is acquired. This process is a process of storing the symbol combination on the active line after the reel 31 is stopped in the previous game, that is, the symbol combination display flag data in a predetermined register.
In the next step S83, it is determined whether or not a 1BB operation symbol is displayed. When it is determined that the 1BB operation symbol is displayed, the process proceeds to step S84. When it is determined that the 1BB operation symbol is not displayed, the process proceeds to step S87.

In step S84, the acquirable number at the time of 1BB operation (at the time of 1BB game) is stored. This process is a process of storing (storing) the value “450” in the RWM 61. This “450” is the maximum number that can be acquired in a 1BB game. Then, the process proceeds to step S87.
In step S87, an operating state flag is generated, in the next step S88, the operating state flag is updated, and in the next step S89, the operating state flag is saved (stored).

In step S90, it is determined whether or not the RB operation has started. In the next step S91, the number of games and the number of winnings at the time of RB operation are stored.
In step S92, based on the symbol combination display flag data acquired in step S82, it is determined whether or not a combination of symbols for replay is displayed (whether replay has won a prize). When it is determined that the replay symbol combination is displayed, the process proceeds to step S93. When it is determined that the replay pattern combination is not displayed, the process proceeds to step S95.

In step S93, the main control board 60 reads a bet medal. This process is a process of reading the number of medals bet in the previous game. In step S94, automatic bet number data is set.
In step S95, the command transmission table 1 is set.
In the next step S96, a control command continuous set process (M_CMD_LIST) is executed. This process is a process for transmitting a command to the sub-control board 80 based on the command transmission table 1 set in step S95.
If it progresses to step S96, it will transfer to the process of FIG. 14, and if it progresses to the following step S97, it will transfer to a medal acceptance start process. The medal acceptance start process is a process of clearing the number of bets in the previous game and turning off the insertion display LEDs (73e to 73g). Then, when the medal acceptance start process ends, the process according to this flowchart ends.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the medal insertion wait (MS_STANDBY_DSP) in step S45 of FIG.
First, in step S411, the main control board 60 determines whether or not the signal of the setting key switch 52 is on. Here, it is determined whether or not the D3 bit of the input port 1 is “1”. When the signal of the setting key switch 52 is on, the process proceeds to step S412. When it is determined that the signal is not on, the process proceeds to step S421. That is, when the setting key switch 52 is turned on in the medal insertion waiting state (when the setting key is inserted from the setting key insertion slot), the setting confirmation mode is set, and the processing of steps S411 to S420 is executed. The setting confirmation mode is a mode in which the current setting value is confirmed (confirmed visually by the administrator), and the setting value cannot be changed.

In step S412, the blocker 45 is turned off. Thereby, even if a medal is inserted from the medal insertion slot 43, it is returned from the payout slot.
In the next step S413, the main control board 60 sets an output request at the start of setting value display. In the next step S414, control command data to be transmitted to the sub control board 80 at the start of setting value display is set.
Next, proceeding to step S415, the main control board 60 can turn on the set value display LED 64 and display the current set value. The process of actually turning on / off the set value display LED 64 is performed by the LED display control in the interrupt process.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S416, and it is continuously determined whether or not the signal of the setting key switch 52 has been turned off. In this process, contrary to step S411, it is determined whether or not the D3 bit of the input port 1 has become “0”. When it is determined that the signal of the setting key switch 52 has been turned off, the process proceeds to step S417, and the main control board 60 turns off the setting value display LED 64.

Next, proceeding to step S418, the main control board 60 sets an output request at the end of setting value display. Then, in the next step S419, control command data at the end of setting value display, which is transmitted to the sub control board 80, is set.
In the next step S420, the main control board 60 turns on the blocker 45.
Next, proceeding to step S421, the main control board 60 determines whether or not the game standby display time has passed the “26846” interrupt (about 60 seconds) set at step S80 (FIG. 12).

When it is determined that the game standby display time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S422, and a process of clearing the display of the acquired number display LED 72 is executed. And the process by this flowchart is complete | finished. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S421 that the game standby display time has not elapsed, the processing according to this flowchart is terminated.
That is, in this embodiment, when the game is not performed for a predetermined time, the display of the acquisition number display LED 72 is cleared, but the replay display LED 73a, the storage number display LED 71, and the input display LEDs 73e to 73g are not cleared. It is composed. As a result, the number of bets that can be bet, that a player can play again, or that can be reimbursed continues to be displayed, so when a player tries to leave the seat, It is possible to prevent the player from feeling that the player has finished the game. Thereby, it can reduce that a player suffers a disadvantage.

  In addition, the fact that the number of acquired numbers (for example, 8) has been acquired is continuously displayed by the display of the acquired number of sheets when the player finishes the game (leaves the seat by performing a checkout process). , Because it is confused with other players and people involved in the hall that the player has not finished playing (even if the player is still trying to play) Yes.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a control command continuous set (M_CMD_LIST), which corresponds to the processing in step S59 in FIG. 11 and step S96 in FIG.
In step S201, the command transmission number is set. In the next step S202, a table address update process is performed, and in the next step S203, a control command is acquired.

In step S204, control command set 1 processing (R_CMD_SET) is executed. If it progresses to step S204, it will transfer to the process of FIG. 15 mentioned later. This process is a process for transmitting a control command to the sub-control board 80.
Next, the process proceeds to step S205, and it is determined whether or not the present process is completed. When it is determined that this process has been completed, it is determined that the control command continuous setting process is to be terminated, and the process according to this flowchart is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that this process has not ended, the process returns to step S203.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing of the control command set 1 (R_CMD_SET).
First, in step S501, a second control command is acquired.
In the next step S502, interrupt prohibition processing is executed, and in the next step S503, control command set 2 (C_CMD_SET) (FIG. 16) is executed. In step S504, the interrupt process prohibited in step S502 is canceled (that is, interrupt permission) is executed. Through the above processing, interrupt processing is prohibited during execution of the control command set 2.

  In the control command set 2, the control command is written as shown below. While the control command set 2 is being executed, interrupt processing is prohibited as described above. Therefore, it is possible to prevent malfunction (such as writing to an address different from the normal write address) due to execution of interrupt processing during control command write processing.

Here, an interrupt flag for storing the prohibition / release of the interrupt is provided. The interrupt flag is turned on when the timing for executing the next interrupt process (within 2.235 ms from the time when the interrupt process is disabled) comes after the interrupt process is disabled in step S502. The main CPU 63 then clears the interrupt flag when canceling the prohibited interrupt processing.
When it is time to execute interrupt processing, the main control board 60 determines whether the interrupt flag is on or off, and determines whether interrupt processing is prohibited / permitted.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the control command set 2 (C_CMD_SET).
First, in step S511, the address of the control command buffer is set. This process is a process for setting the head address of the control command buffer.
Specifically, a value obtained by adding “1” to the start address of the control command buffer (_BF_SUBCMD) (in this embodiment, “F113” as shown in FIG. 7), that is, “F114” is stored in the HL register. . This
HL register value = F114
It becomes.

In the next step S512, a control command write pointer value is acquired. The control command write pointer is for designating which address of the RWM 61 the control command data is to be written. Since the current write pointer is stored, a process for reading the write pointer is performed. The control command write pointer value (_NB_CMDSTORE) is stored in the address “F018” of the RWM 61 (FIG. 7).
In this process, the control command write pointer value is stored in the A register value. For example, when the control command write pointer value (value stored in “F018”) is “1”, the A register value = “1”.

In the next step S513, a designated address is acquired. In this process, a write address (in the RWM 61) is obtained from the start address of the control command buffer and data indicating the current position of the write pointer.
Specifically, a process is performed in which a value obtained by adding the A register value to the HL register value is used as the HL register value. For example,
HL register value = F114 (H)
A register value = 1 (H)
HL register value (after addition) = F115 (H)
It becomes.

Next, proceeding to step S514, data at a specified address is acquired. This process is a process of reading data stored in the storage area of the RWM 61 at the address obtained in step S513 of the preprocess.
Specifically, a value obtained by adding the A register value to the HL register value is used as the HL register value, and the data stored at the address indicated by the HL register value is stored in the A register.
In the above example,
HL register value = F115 (H)
A register value = 1 (H)
HL register value (after addition) = F116 (H)
It becomes.

In “control command <64?” In the next step S515, it is determined whether or not the value of the designated address data (the A register value stored in step S514) is “0”. , “Yes”.
Here, “No” is determined in step S515 when the A register value is not “0”. When the A register value is not “0”, this means that data has already been written in the control command buffer at the address indicated by the control command write pointer value (_NB_CMDSTORE), and data cannot be written to the address. In this way, when there is data at the designated address, the data writing process is not executed, so that overwriting when there is data at the designated address is prevented.
When “Yes” is determined in step S515, the process proceeds to step S516, and when “No” is determined, the process according to this flowchart is terminated.

In the “store control command in RWM” in the next step S516, “1” is subtracted from the HL register value. Then, the E register value is stored at the address indicated by the HL register value, and the D register value is stored at the address indicated by the “HL + 1” register value. That is,
HL register value = HL register value-1
E register value = address value indicated by HL register value D register value = address value indicated by “HL + 1” register value
For example, when the HL register value when proceeding to step S516 is “F116”,
E register value = value stored at address “F115” D register value = value stored at address “F116”.
Here, the data stored in the D register and the data stored in the E register become one control command. The data stored in the D register is definition data indicating the command type, and the data stored in the E register is variable data indicating the content of the command type.

In the next step S517, the control command write pointer value is updated.
In this processing, first, the control command write pointer value (value stored in the address “F018”) is stored in the HL register.
Next, “1” is added to the value stored in the HL register. Here, when “64” (decimal number) is exceeded as a result of adding “1”, it is set to “0”.
Then, the value after addition (the value stored in the HL register) is stored in the control command write pointer value (address “F018”). This completes the processing according to this flowchart.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing interrupt processing (I_INTR) by the main control board 60 (main CPU 63). As described above, the main control board 60 performs the interrupt process shown in FIG. 17 in a cycle of 2.235 ms in parallel with the main process of FIG.
First, when the process proceeds to the interrupt process in step S601, in step S602, as an initial process, a register value saving process and a duplicate interrupt prohibition process are performed. Here, since the register of the main CPU 63 used in the main process is used in the interrupt process, the current register value is saved in the stack area of the RWM 61. Further, the interrupt prohibition flag is turned on so that the next interrupt process is not started during the interrupt process. This is because, for example, an interrupt process execution request may be made during the power-off process.

In the next step S603, it is determined whether or not power-off is detected. Here, when the power supply voltage becomes a predetermined value or less by a voltage monitoring device (power-off detection circuit) provided on the main control board 60 (not shown), the D0 bit of the input port 2 in FIG. Since the disconnection detection signal is input, it is detected whether or not the signal is input.
When power-off is detected, the process proceeds to power-off processing (IS_POWER_DOWN; FIG. 18) in step S620. When it is determined that power-off is not detected, the process proceeds to step S604.

In step S604, the interrupt counter value is updated.
In the next step S605, the input ports 0 to 2 are read. As a result, signals from the bet switch 40, start switch 41, stop switch 42, etc. and input signals from various sensors are read, data based on the input ports 0 to 2 is generated, and stored in a predetermined address of the RWM 61.
In step S606, the reel 31 is controlled to be driven. Then, when the drive control of the reel 31 is completed, the process proceeds to step S607, and port output processing is performed. This process is a process for performing excitation output of the motor 32, the hopper motor 36, and the blocker 45.

  In the next step S608, control command transmission (I_CMD_OUT; FIG. 19) is performed. In this process, the first control command (sub-control data signals 9 to 16) is transmitted from the D0 to D7 bits of the output port 8 to the sub-control board 80 by 8-bit parallel communication, and the second control command (sub-control data). In this process, the data signals 1 to 8) are transmitted from the D0 to D7 bits of the output port 7 to the sub-control board 80 by 8-bit parallel communication.

In this control command transmission, the control command written in the control command buffer (ring buffer (RBF 61 addresses “F113” to “F153” “_BF_SUBCMD”)) in the output request set and control command set 1 is first sent. The data is transmitted from the output port 7 and the output port 8 to the sub-control board 80 in order from the written data.
Specifically, when a control command is written to the control command buffer in the output request set and the control command set 1, interrupt processing after that point (in principle, if the control command buffer is empty, In the incoming interrupt processing), the control command is transmitted to the sub-control board 80 in this step S608.

  In step S609, LED display control is performed. This process is a process of displaying a set value, a stored number, an acquired number, an error display content (error code), and the like by turning on the LEDs 71 to 73 in accordance with the state of the slot machine 10. Display of setting values during setting change and setting confirmation, the number of stored items, the number of acquired items, and recoverable errors is performed by this LED display control at every interrupt processing.

In the next step S610, sub broadcast data output (I_SUB_INF; FIG. 21) is performed. This process is a process of transmitting the sub notification data (third control command / sub control data signals 17 to 24) to the sub control board 80 through the D0 to D7 bits of the output port 6 and the 8-bit parallel communication.
Here, in the control command transmission in step S608 described above, the first control command (sub control data signals 9 to 16) and the second control command (sub control data signals 1 to 8) written in the control command buffer are output ports. 8 and the output port 7 respectively transmit to the sub-control board 80.

For this reason, the first control command and the second control command may have a time lag greater than the interrupt processing interval (2.235 ms) from when they are written to the control command buffer to when they are transmitted to the sub-control board 80.
In particular, when writing the first control command and the second control command to the control command buffer, if an untransmitted control command is stored in the control command buffer, the transmission of the untransmitted control command is completed, Since the first control command and the second control command are transmitted, there is a time lag corresponding to the time required to complete the transmission of the untransmitted control command.

On the other hand, in the sub notification data output in step S610, the third control command (sub control data signals 17 to 24) is directly written to the D0 to D7 bits of the output port 6 without going through the control command buffer, and the sub control is performed. Transmit to the substrate 80.
Further, in the sub notification data output in step S610, the third control command is provided for each interrupt process regardless of whether or not the content of the third control command (for example, the on / off state of the setting key switch 52) has changed. Is written in the D0 to D7 bits of the output port 6 and transmitted to the sub-control board 80.

For this reason, it is possible to prevent a time lag greater than the interrupt processing interval (2.235 ms) from writing to the output port 6 to transmission to the sub-control board 80 for the third control command.
Further, the third control command is not transmitted from the output port 7 and the output port 8 to the sub control board 80 via the control command buffer, but is transmitted from the output port 6 to the sub control board 80 without going through the control command buffer. As a result, the number of control commands written to the control command buffer can be reduced, and the time for waiting for transmission of control commands transmitted through the control command buffer can be shortened.

In the next step S611, timer measurement is performed. This process is a process of subtracting the time set in the main process.
In step S612, the internal random number is checked. In the present embodiment, a flag that is turned on when an error occurs in the built-in random number is provided, and it is determined whether or not this flag is turned on.

  Specifically, for example, when an abnormality in the clock frequency of the random numbers for the lottery (for example, when the random number update is late), the error flag is turned on. More specifically, it is assumed that SCLK (oscillation source: 12 MHz) and RCK (oscillation source: 9 MHz) input to the MPU are provided, and the built-in random number is updated based on RCK. At this time, the error flag is turned on when “RCK <SCLK / 2” is satisfied.

  In step S613, it is determined whether an error has occurred in the built-in random number (whether the error flag is on). If it is determined that no error has occurred, the process proceeds to step S614, where an error is detected. If it is determined that the error has occurred, the process proceeds to step S621 to shift to a non-recoverable error process. The error display content at this time is “E7”.

In step S614, an input error check process is executed. This process is a process for determining whether or not various sensors are abnormal.
In step S615, data for the external signal stored in the RWM 61 is stored in the register. In the next step S616, data is written (set) to the output port 5 to output an external signal (transmission of a signal to the external concentrated terminal board 100).

In the next step S617, a test signal and condition device information output process is performed. This process is a test for determining whether the slot machine 10 is properly designed according to the law by writing (setting) data to the output ports 9 and 10 based on the data stored in the RWM 61. This is a process of transmitting a test signal to the machine.
In step S618, random number update processing is performed. In the next step S619, the register value saved in step S602 is restored, and the next interrupt is permitted. Specifically, the register data stored at the start of interrupt processing is restored and the interrupt prohibition flag is turned off so that the next interrupt processing can be started. And the process by this flowchart is complete | finished.

As shown in the above processing, lighting / extinguishing of the storage number display LED 71, the acquisition number display LED 72, the status display LEDs 73 (73a to 73g), and the set value display LED 64 is controlled by interruption processing every 2.235 ms.
When an untransmitted control command is stored in the control command buffer, the control command is transmitted from the output port 7 and the output port 8 to the sub-control board 80 for each interrupt process.
Furthermore, the third control command is transmitted from the output port 6 to the sub control board 80 for each interrupt process regardless of whether or not the content of the third control command (sub control data signals 17 to 24) has changed.

Note that interrupt processing is not performed during non-recoverable error processing.
An unrecoverable error is a serious error that cannot occur normally, and executes processing based on abnormal data (data update of the RWM 61 based on data from the input port, transmission of a control command to the sub-control board 80), etc. To prevent this, the interrupt itself is prohibited.

In other words, at the time of an unrecoverable error, the control command set 1 is not transmitted from the main control board 60 to the sub control board 80, so it is meaningless to execute the control command set 1.
Further, if an untransmitted control command is stored in the control command buffer when an unrecoverable error occurs, the control command is not transmitted to the sub control board 80. This is because the control command stored in the control command buffer may be incorrect.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the power-off processing (IS_POWER_DOWN) when the power-off is detected in step S603 of FIG. 17 and the process proceeds to step S620.
First, in step S651, all the output ports are turned off. Next, proceeding to step S652, the power-off process completion flag is stored in the RWM 61. This process is a process of storing in the RWM 61 data indicating that a normal power-off process has been executed. Specifically, “01 (H)” is stored in a predetermined address of the RWM 61. As a result, when normal power-off processing is performed, “01 (H)” is stored as a power-off processing completed flag via step S652, but in the case of other power-off processing, the power-off processing completed flag As a result, “01 (H)” is not stored in the address.

In the next step S653, checksum data of the RWM 61 is calculated. This process calculates a checksum including a work area (RWM 61) used in the program. Examples of the program use area to be processed include a program work area, an unused area, and a stack area.
In the next step S654, it is determined whether or not the calculation of the entire range of the checksum has been completed. If it is determined that the calculation has not been completed, the process returns to step S653 and the calculation of the checksum is continued. On the other hand, when it is determined that the checksum calculation has been completed, the process proceeds to step S655.

  In step S655, the calculated checksum is stored in a predetermined address of the RWM 61. Here, the data stored in the RWM 61 is 1-byte data (both complement data) that is “0” when all the data in the program use area and the value stored in the predetermined address are added at the time of the RWM 61 checksum. Say). Specifically, all data in the program usage area (program work area, unused area, stack area, etc.) of the target RWM 61 is added, and the value of the lower 8 bits at that time is, for example, “00000001” (01H) If there is, the checksum data stored at the predetermined address is “11111111” (FFH).

  When the checksum of the RWM 61 is executed at the start of the program, all the data in the program use area of the RWM 61 in the same range as above and the checksum data are added. If the checksum data calculated thereby is “0”, it is determined as a normal value, and if it is not “0”, it is determined as an abnormal value.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S656 to enter a reset wait state. Here, when the voltage reaches a predetermined value, a reset signal is output from the voltage monitoring device (power-off detection circuit) provided on the main control board 60, so that the output of the reset signal is awaited. Here, when the power supply voltage falls below a predetermined value, the voltage monitoring device inputs a power-off detection signal to the D0 bit of the input port 2 (FIG. 3), and then a predetermined time elapses by a circuit composed of a capacitor and a resistor. After that, the reset signal is input to the MPU. At this time, the capacitor and the resistance value are designed so that it is time for the processing when the power is cut off to be normally executed.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing control command transmission (I_CMD_OUT) in step S608 of FIG.
In step S661, the control command buffer address is set. This process is a process of storing “F113 (H)” which is the start address of the control command buffer (_BF_SUBCMD) in the HL register.
In the next step S662, the read pointer value of the control command is acquired. This process is a process of storing the control command read pointer value of the address “F017” in the RWM 61 in the A register.

In the next step S663, a designated address is set. In this process, the data stored in the HL register and the data stored in the A register are added, and the data after the addition is stored in the HL register.
In the next step S664, the address of the control command buffer to be transmitted is set. Similar to step S663, this process is a process of adding the data stored in the HL register and the data stored in the A register, and storing the added data in the HL register.
Through the processes in steps S663 and S664 described above, data obtained by doubling the data stored in the A register is added to the data stored in the HL register.

In the next step S665, it is determined whether or not it has a control command (a control command is stored in the control command buffer). Here, the following processes (1) to (3) are executed.
(1) The data stored at the address indicated by the HL register value is stored in the E register.
(2) The data stored at the address indicated by the value obtained by adding “1” to the HL register value is stored in the D register.
(3) When the data stored in the E register and the data stored in the D register are “0”, it is determined that there is no control command (No).
If it is determined that the control command is included, the process proceeds to step S666. If it is determined that the control command is not included, the process proceeds to step S670.

  In the next step S666, a control command is output. In this process, the data stored in the E register is output to the output port 7 as the second control command (sub control data signals 1 to 8), and the data stored in the D register is output to the first control command. This is a process of outputting to the output port 8 as (sub control data signals 9 to 16).

In the next step S667, the sub control data strobe signal is turned on. Specifically, the following processes (1) to (3) are executed.
(1) Store the value of the input number display LED signal data in the A register.
(2) OR the data stored in the A register and “10000000B”, and store the operation result in the A register.
(3) The data stored in the A register is output to the output port 2.

With the processing in step S667, the output of the D7 bit of the output port 2 is always “1”. That is, the sub control data strobe signal is turned on. Then, when the sub control data strobe signal is turned on, the data of the output port 7 and the output port 8 is acquired on the sub control board 80 side with the rising edge.
Further, the output other than the D7 bit of the output port 2 does not change before and after the process of step S667. Therefore, the lighting or extinguishing state of the one-sheet insertion display LED 73e, the two-sheet insertion display LED 73f, and the three-sheet insertion display LED 73g does not change before and after the process of step S667.

Here, when the single-loading display LED signal is “1”, it indicates that the single-loading display LED signal is on, and the single-loading display LED 73e is lit. On the other hand, when the single-loading display LED signal is “0”, it indicates that the single-loading display LED signal is off, and the single-loading display LED 73e is turned off.
Similarly to the 1-sheet insertion display LED signal, the 2-sheet insertion display LED signal and the 3-sheet insertion display LED signal are turned on when “1”, and are turned off when “0”. Indicates. When “1” (ON), the two-sheet insertion display LED 73f and the three-sheet insertion display LED 73g are lit, and when “0” (OFF), the two-sheet insertion display LED 73f and the three-sheet insertion display LED 73g are turned off.

  Further, when the 1 to 3 sheet display LED signal is “1” (ON), the data in the A register before the OR operation is “00000111B”. At this time, the OR operation of the data in the A register and “10000000B” yields “10000111B”. Thereby, the sub-control data strobe signal can be turned on from off while the one- to three-sheet display LED signal is kept on.

  Furthermore, when the 1 to 3 sheet display LED signal is “0” (off), the data in the A register before the OR operation is “00000000B”. At this time, when the OR operation is performed on the data in the A register and “10000000B”, “10000000B” is obtained. Thereby, the sub-control data strobe signal can be turned on from off while maintaining the state in which the one to three pieces of display LED signals are off.

When the 1-sheet insertion display LED signal is on, the 2-sheet and 3-sheet insertion display LED signals are off, the data in the A register before the OR operation is “00000100B”. At this time, when the OR operation is performed on the data in the A register and “10000000B”, “10000100B” is obtained.
When the 1-sheet and 2-sheet insertion display LED signals are on and the 3-sheet insertion display LED signal is off, the data in the A register before the OR operation is “00000110B”. At this time, when the OR operation is performed on the data of the A register and “10000000B”, “1000010B” is obtained.

  As described above, the data corresponding to the D0 to D2 bits of the output port 2 is set to data corresponding to the output mode (on / off pattern of each signal) of the 1 to 3 input display LED signals, and the output port 2 The 8-bit data is generated with the data corresponding to the D7 bit as data corresponding to the output mode (ON / OFF) of the sub-control data strobe signal. Then, the generated 8-bit data is output to the output port 2.

In the next step S668, the transmitted command storage buffer is cleared. In this process, the data stored at the address indicated by the HL register value and the data stored at the address indicated by the value obtained by adding “1” to the HL register value are cleared (set to “0”). is there.
In step S669, the control command read pointer value is updated. Here, the following processes (1) to (3) are executed.
(1) The address of the control command read pointer value (_NB_CMDREAD) at the address “F017” is stored in the HL register.
(2) Add “1” to the HL register value.
(3) It is determined whether or not the HL register value after addition exceeds “31” (decimal number), and if it does not exceed “31”, that value is stored in the control command read pointer value. On the other hand, when “31” is exceeded, “0” is stored in the control command read pointer value.

In the next step S670, the sub control data strobe signal is turned off. Specifically, the following processes (1) and (2) are executed.
(1) Store the value of the input number display LED signal data in the A register.
(2) The data stored in the A register is output to the output port 2.

By the processing in step S670, the output of the D7 bit of the output port 2 is always “0”. That is, the sub control data strobe signal is turned off. When the sub control data strobe signal is OFF, the data of the output port 7 and the output port 8 are not acquired on the sub control board 80 side.
Further, the output other than the D7 bit of the output port 2 does not change before and after the process of step S670. Therefore, the lighting or extinguishing state of the one-sheet insertion display LED 73e, the two-sheet insertion display LED 73f, and the three-sheet insertion display LED 73g does not change before and after the process of step S667.

Here, when the 1 to 3 sheet insertion display LED signal is “1” (ON), the data in the A register is “00000111B”. For this reason, by outputting the data of the A register to the output port 2, the output of the sub control data strobe signal is changed from on to off while the output of the 1 to 3 pieces of display LED signal is kept on. can do.
Further, when the 1 to 3 sheet insertion display LED signal is “0” (off), the data in the A register is “00000000B”. For this reason, by outputting the data of the A register to the output port 2, the output of the sub-control data strobe signal is changed from on to off while the output of the one to three pieces display LED signal is kept off. can do.

  When the 1-sheet insertion display LED signal is on, the 2-sheet and 3-sheet insertion display LED signals are off, the data in the A register is “00000100B”. When the 1-sheet and 2-sheet insertion display LED signals are on and the 3-sheet insertion display LED signal is off, the data in the A register is “00000110B”. Then, by outputting the data of the A register to the output port 2, the sub-control data strobe signal is output while maintaining the output mode of the 1-to-3-sheet display LED signal (on / off pattern of each signal). Can be turned off from on.

In the next step S671, control command clear data is output. This process is a process of outputting “00000000B” to the output port 7 and the output port 8 respectively. Then, when the process of step S671 ends, the process according to this flowchart ends.
As described above, in this embodiment, one command is composed of 2 bytes (16 bits) of the first control command (output port 8) and the second control command (output port 7). The first control command (upper 1 byte) indicates the type of command, and the second control command (lower 1 byte) indicates the content thereof.

In this embodiment, “00000000/00000000” (“/” indicates the boundary between the upper 1 byte and the lower 1 byte) to be output to the output port 7 and the output port 8 is set in the control command clear data. ing. Further, the control command clear data means that the data is unnecessary for processing in the sub control board 80.
On the sub-control board 80 side, when the data acquired from the output port 7 and the output port 8 is “00000000/00000000”, it is determined as the control command clear data and discarded (discarded).

For this reason, in the present embodiment, the first control command and the second control command are composed of data of 2 bytes (16 bits) other than “00000000/00000000” (control command clear data).
Therefore, 65535 (65536-1) information excluding “00000000/00000000” can be transmitted from the main control board 60 to the sub-control board 80 by the first control command and the second control command.

  The first control command (1 byte) alone can transmit 255 (256-1) information except for “00000000B” from the main control board 60 to the sub-control board 80, and the second control command (1 Byte) alone can transmit 255 kinds of information from the main control board 60 to the sub-control board 80.

Here, in the conventional slot machine, only one set of 8-bit parallel communication lines is used to transmit a command from the main control board to the sub control board.
Also, in the conventional slot machine, as in the present embodiment, one command (16) includes a first control command (8 bits) indicating the type of command and a second control command (8 bits) indicating the content of the command. Bit).

Further, in the conventional slot machine, in order to transmit a 16-bit command (first control command and second control command) through an 8-bit parallel communication line, the first control command is transmitted in one interrupt process. The second control command was transmitted in the interrupt process.
In order to make it possible to identify the first control command or the second control command on the sub-control board side, for example, a specific bit of the first control command is always set to “1”, and the second control command A specific bit was always set to “0”. That is, the specific bit is used as an identification bit for identifying the first control command or the second control command.

  For this reason, in the conventional slot machine, the first control command (8 bits) alone uses only 7 bits other than a specific bit (identification bit), and only 128 types of information are transferred from the main control board to the sub control board. The second control command (8 bits) alone could not be transmitted, and only 128 kinds of information could be transmitted from the main control board to the sub control board using 7 bits other than the specific bits.

In addition, in the conventional slot machine, a specific bit is used as an identification bit. Therefore, “0” of the specific bit is data necessary to identify the first control command or the second control command. It was.
Therefore, in the conventional slot machine, “00000000B” cannot be set as data unnecessary for processing on the sub-control board.

  In contrast, in the present embodiment, two sets of 8-bit parallel communication lines are used, the first control command is transmitted through one parallel communication line, and the second control command is transmitted through the other parallel communication line. For this reason, since it can be identified whether the first control command or the second control command is transmitted by one parallel communication line or the other parallel communication line, there is no need to provide an identification bit.

In this embodiment, since it is not necessary to provide a bit for identification, “00000000B” can be set as data (control command clear data) unnecessary for processing on the sub control board.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first control command (8 bits) alone can transmit 255 (256-1) kinds of information excluding “00000000B” (control command clear data), and the second control command Even by (8 bits) alone, 255 kinds of information can be transmitted.

In the conventional slot machine, when one command is output to the output port, the state in which the one command is output to the output port is maintained until the next command is output to the output port.
Furthermore, in the conventional slot machine, after outputting one command to the output port, the strobe signal corresponding to one command is turned on, and the time required for the sub control board to acquire one command has elapsed. When the strobe signal corresponding to one command was turned off.

  For this reason, in the conventional slot machine, if noise enters the strobe signal between turning off the strobe signal corresponding to one command and turning on the strobe signal corresponding to the next command, the sub-control On the substrate side, one command is acquired again, which may cause unintended processing.

In contrast, in the present embodiment, the second control command is output to the output port 7 and output for a predetermined time required for the sub control board 80 to acquire the first control command and the second control command. The first control command is output to the port 8, and otherwise “00000000B” (control command clear data) is output to the output port 7 and the output port 8, respectively.
Further, during a predetermined time during which the first control command and the second control command are output, the sub control data strobe signal is turned from off to on.

For this reason, in this embodiment, when the sub control data strobe signal is OFF, the output of the output port 7 and the output port 8 is “00000000/00000000”. At this time, noise enters the sub control data strobe signal, and the output Even if the sub-control board 80 acquires the data output to the port 7 and the output port 8, the sub-control board 80 determines that it is control command clear data and discards (discards) it.
Therefore, even if noise occurs when the sub control data strobe signal is off, it is possible to prevent unintended processing from being executed on the sub control board 80 side.

FIG. 20 is a time chart showing the output timing of the first control command, the second control command, and the sub control data strobe signal.
In step S666 of FIG. 19, the first control command (sub control data signals 9 to 16) is output to the output port 8 and the second control command (sub control data signals 1 to 8) is output to the output port 7 at the same time ( In FIG. 20, output starts).

Thereafter, in step S667 of FIG. 19, the output of the D7 bit of the output port 2 is changed from “0” to “1”. That is, the sub control data strobe signal is turned on from off (rising of the sub control data strobe signal in FIG. 20).
Thereafter, in step S670 of FIG. 19, the output of the D7 bit of the output port 2 is changed from “1” to “0”. That is, the sub control data strobe signal is turned off from on (the falling of the sub control data strobe signal in FIG. 20).

Thereafter, in step S671 in FIG. 19, “00000000B” is output to the output port 8 and simultaneously “00000000B” is output to the output port 7. That is, the output of the first control command and the second control command is ended and the output of the control command clear data is started (output end in FIG. 20).
Here, the time from when the output of the first control command and the second control command is started until the sub-control data strobe signal is turned on (from step S666 to S667) is “1.75 μs” (FIG. 20). Middle, "A").

The time during which the sub-control data strobe signal is turned on (from step S667 to S670) is “4.25 μs” (“B” in FIG. 20).
Furthermore, the time from when the sub control data strobe signal is turned off until the output of the first control command and the second control command is completed (from step S670 to S671) is “1.19 μs” (in FIG. 20). , “C”).

Further, in the present embodiment, “7.19 (1.75 + 4.25 + 1.19) μs” is required to execute the processing from step S666 to S671. For this reason, the second control command is output to the output port 7 and the first control command is output to the output port 8 during “7.19 μs”.
Further, the sub control data strobe signal is turned on from off during “7.19 μs” during which the first control command and the second control command are output, and then turned on from off. Then, the sub control board 80 acquires the data (second control command) output to the output port 7 and the data (first control command) output to the output port 8 when the sub control data strobe signal rises. To do.

  In this embodiment, the output port 7 and the sub control board 80 are connected by an 8-bit parallel communication line, and the output port 8 and the sub control board 80 are connected by an 8-bit parallel communication line. . Therefore, the sub control board 80 acquires the first control command output to the output port 8 at the same time as acquiring the second control command output to the output port 7 in response to the rise of the sub control data strobe signal. be able to.

In the present embodiment, the sub-control board 80 sends the first control command (output port 8) and the second control command (output port 7) n times (n ≧ 2, respectively) during “7.19 μs”. (For example, 4 times) can be obtained.
Then, the sub-control board 80 continuously acquires the first control command having the same content during “7.19 μs” m times (n ≧ m ≧ 2, for example, twice), and the second control command having the same content. When the control command is acquired m times continuously, it is determined that the control command has been acquired normally.
On the other hand, when the first control command having the same content cannot be obtained m times continuously and / or when the second control command having the same content cannot be obtained m times continuously. Determines that the control command could not be acquired normally.

  Specifically, the sub control board 80 first acquires the first control command and the second control command twice in succession. Next, the first control command acquired at the first time is compared with the first control command acquired at the second time, and the second control command acquired at the first time is compared with the second control command acquired at the second time. To do. Then, the first control command acquired at the first time matches the first control command acquired at the second time, and the second control command acquired at the first time matches the second control command acquired at the second time. If so, it is determined that the control command has been successfully acquired at that time.

  In addition, the sub-control board 80 detects that the first control command acquired at the first time does not match the first control command acquired at the second time and / or the second control command acquired at the first time and the second control command. If the second control command acquired in step S2 does not match, it is determined that the control command cannot be acquired normally at that time.

  In this case, the first control command and the second control command are respectively acquired once more. Then, this time, the first control command acquired the second time and the first control command acquired the third time are compared, and the second control command acquired the second time and the second control command acquired the third time, Compare As a result, the first control command acquired the second time matches the first control command acquired the third time, and the second control command acquired the second time matches the second control command acquired the third time. If so, it is determined that it was acquired normally at that time. Note that this pattern is obtained when the first control command acquired at the first time and / or the second control command acquired at the first time is destroyed by noise or the like.

  In addition, the sub-control board 80 detects that the first control command acquired for the second time does not match the first control command acquired for the third time and / or the second control command acquired for the second time and the third time. If the second control command acquired in step S2 does not match, it is determined that the control command could not be acquired normally even at that time.

  In this case, the first control command and the second control command are respectively acquired once more. This time, the first control command acquired at the third time is compared with the first control command acquired at the fourth time, and the second control command acquired at the third time and the second control command acquired at the fourth time are compared. Compare As a result, the first control command acquired at the third time matches the first control command acquired at the fourth time, and the second control command acquired at the third time matches the second control command acquired at the fourth time. If so, it is determined that the control command has been successfully acquired at that time. In addition, when the 1st control command acquired for the 2nd time and / or the 2nd control command acquired for the 2nd time are destroyed by noise etc., it becomes such a pattern.

  In the present embodiment, the sub control board 80 requires about “1 μs” in order to acquire the first control command and the second control command once. Further, it takes about “1 μs” as an interval from the acquisition of the first control command and the second control command to the next acquisition of the first control command and the second control command. Therefore, it takes about “7 μs” to acquire the first control command and the second control command four times on the sub control board 80 side. Therefore, if “7.19 μs”, the first control command and the second control command can be acquired four times on the sub-control board 80 side.

  In other words, in the present embodiment, the first control command and the second control are performed on the main control board 60 side only for the time necessary to acquire the first control command and the second control command four times on the sub control board 80 side. While outputting a command, the time which outputs a 1st control command and a 2nd control command by the main control board 60 side is earned by the time which performs the process from step S666 to S671.

In this embodiment, the interval of the interrupt processing is “2.235 ms”, and the second control command is output to the output port 7 during “7.19 μs” (from step S666 to S671). At the same time, the first control command is output to the output port 8. Otherwise, “00000000B” is output to the output port 7 and the output port 8.
That is, “7.19 μs” is a time shorter than the interval of the interrupt processing, and is a time necessary for the sub control board 80 to acquire the first control command and the second control command.
Further, among “7.19 μs” outputting the first control command and the second control command, the sub-control data strobe signal is turned on during “4.25 μs” (from step S667 to S670). Otherwise, the sub-control data strobe signal is turned off.

For this reason, when the sub control data strobe signal is OFF, the outputs of the output port 7 and the output port 8 are “00000000/00000000”. Therefore, even if noise enters the sub-control data strobe signal at this time and the sub-control board 80 acquires the data output to the output port 7 and the output port 8, the sub-control board 80 is the control command clear data. It is determined that it is discarded.
Therefore, even if noise enters the sub control data strobe signal when the sub control data strobe signal is off, it is possible to prevent unintended processing from being executed on the sub control board 80 side.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the sub broadcast data output (I_SUB_INF) in step S610 of FIG.
This sub broadcast data output (I_SUB_INF) transmits the sub broadcast data (third control command / sub control data signals 17 to 24) to the sub control board 80 through the D0 to D7 bits of the output port 6 and 8-bit parallel communication. It is processing to do.

  In step S701, stop acceptance notification data is set (left, middle, right). Here, the left stop acceptance notification data (sub control data signal 19) is data indicating whether or not the left stop switch 42 is ready to accept an operation, and the middle stop acceptance notification data (sub control data signal 18). ) Is data indicating whether or not the middle stop switch 42 can accept an operation, and the right stop acceptance notification data (sub-control data signal 17) is a state where the right stop switch 42 can accept an operation. It is data indicating whether or not.

  In step S701, the right stop acceptance notification data (sub control data signal 17) is set in the D0 bit of the output port 6, and the middle stop acceptance notification data (sub control data signal 18) is set in the D1 bit of the output port 6. The left stop acceptance notification data (sub control data signal 19) is set in the D2 bit of the output port 6. Also, “1” is set when the operation can be accepted, and “0” is set when the operation cannot be accepted.

In the next step S702, a medal limit check is performed. This process is a process for checking whether or not a limit number of medals (the maximum number that can be bet, three in this embodiment) is bet.
In the next step S703, it is determined whether or not a limit number of medals have been bet. If it is determined that the limit number of medals is bet, the process proceeds to step S709. If it is determined that the limit number of medals is not bet, the process proceeds to step S704.

  In step S704, it is determined whether the blocker signal is off. Here, when the blocker signal is on (“1”), the blocker 45 forms a medal passage connecting the medal slot 43 and the hopper 35a, and when the blocker signal is off (“0”), A passage (return passage) that connects the medal slot 43 and the payout slot is formed. When it is determined that the blocker signal is off, the process proceeds to step S709, and when it is determined that the blocker signal is not off (on), the process proceeds to step S705.

In step S705, the stored number is read (R_CREDIT_READ). This process is a process of reading data indicating the number of stored medals and checking for the number of stored medals.
In the next step S706, it is determined whether or not the number of stored medals is “0”. If it is determined that the number of stored medals is “0”, the process proceeds to step S709. If it is determined that the number of stored medals is not “0”, the process proceeds to step S707.

In step S707, it is determined whether or not the medal has passed through the insertion sensors 44a (upstream side) and 44b (downstream side). If it is determined that it has passed, the process proceeds to step S709. If it is determined that it has not passed, the process proceeds to step S708.
In step S708, 3-bet notification data is set. Here, the 3-bet notification data (sub-control data signal 20) is data indicating whether or not the 3-bet switch 40b can accept an operation. In step S708, the 3-bet notification data (sub-control data signal 20) is set in the D3 bit of the output port 6. Also, “1” is set when the operation can be accepted, and “0” is set when the operation cannot be accepted.

In step S709, setting change / reset notification data, setting key notification data, door notification data, and setting door notification data are set.
Here, the setting change / reset notification data (sub control data signal 21) is data indicating the on / off state of the setting change / reset switch 53, and the setting key notification data (sub control data signal 22) is set. The data indicating the on / off state of the key switch 52, and the door notification data (sub control data signal 23) is the data indicating the on / off state of the door switch 16, and the set door notification data (sub control data). The signal 24) is data indicating the ON / OFF state of the setting door switch 54.

  In step S709, the setting change / reset notification data (sub control data signal 21) is set in the D4 bit of the output port 6, and the setting key notification data (sub control data signal 22) is set in the D5 bit of the output port 6. The door notification data (sub control data signal 23) is set in the D6 bit of the output port 6, and the set door notification data (sub control data signal 24) is set in the D7 bit of the output port 6. Further, “1” is set when it is on, and “0” is set when it is off.

In the next step S710, the sub notification data (third control command / sub control data signals 17 to 24) set in the D0 to D7 bits of the output port 6 is output.
For example, the left, middle, and right stop switches 42 are in a state that can accept an operation, and the 3-bet switch 40b is in a state that cannot accept an operation, and a setting change / reset switch 53, a setting key switch 52, a door Assume that the switch 16 and the setting door switch 54 are off. In this case, “00000111B” is output from the D0 to D7 bits of the output port 6. Thereby, the third control command can be transmitted to the sub-control board 80 by 8-bit parallel communication. And the process by this flowchart is complete | finished.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the medal limit check (C_MDLMAX_CHK) in step S702 of FIG.
This medal limit check (C_MDLMAX_CHK) is a process for checking whether or not a limit number of medals (the maximum number that can be bet, three in this embodiment) is bet.

In step S721, a medal limit set (M_MDLMAX_SET) is performed. This medal limit set (M_MDLMAX_SET) is a process for setting data indicating the limit number of medals.
In the next step S722, medal reading (R_PLYMDL_READ) is performed. This medal reading (R_PLYMDL_READ) is a process of reading data indicating the number of inserted medals and setting it.

  In the next step S723, the data indicating the number of inserted medals set in step S722 is compared with the data indicating the limit number of medals set in step S721. And the process by this flowchart is complete | finished.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the medal limit set (M_MDLMAX_SET) in step S721 of FIG.
In step S731, the medal limit number at the time of re-game operation is set. This process is a process of setting data indicating the number of inserted medals in the previous game (game in which the replay has been won) when the re-game is activated (the game next to the game in which the replay has won).

In the next step S732, it is determined whether or not the re-game is in operation. That is, it is determined whether or not the replay is a game next to the winning game. If it is determined that the re-game operation is not being performed, the process proceeds to the next step S733. If it is determined that the re-game operation is being performed, step S733 is skipped and the processing according to this flowchart is terminated.
In the next step S733, three medals, which are the limit number of medals, are set. And the process by this flowchart is complete | finished.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing medal reading (R_PLYMDL_READ) in step S722 of FIG.
In step S741, the address of the RWM 61 in which data indicating the number of inserted medals is stored is set.
In the next step S742, data indicating the number of inserted medals stored at the address set in step S741 is acquired. And the process by this flowchart is complete | finished.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the stored number reading (R_CREDIT_READ) in step S705 of FIG.
In step S751, data indicating the number of stored medals is acquired. And the process by this flowchart is complete | finished.

Next, information processing by the sub control board 80 (sub CPU 83) will be described with reference to a flowchart.
FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing error notification processing by the sub-control board 80.
In step S801, the sub-control board 80 determines whether the setting key switch 52 is on, the setting door switch 54 is on, and the door switch 16 is on.
In FIG. 26, “∩” means “and” for the sake of convenience, and “∪” means “or”.

  Specifically, the third control command includes setting key notification data (sub control data signal 22) indicating the ON / OFF state of the setting key switch 52, and door notification data indicating the ON / OFF state of the door switch 16 ( Sub-control data signal 23) and setting door notification data (sub-control data signal 24) indicating the ON / OFF state of the setting door switch 54.

  Further, the sub control board 80 determines whether the setting key switch 52 is on, whether the setting door switch 54 is on, and whether the door switch 16 is on based on the third control command. It is determined whether or not If it is determined that the setting key switch 52 is in the on state, the setting door switch 54 is in the on state, and the door switch 16 is in the on state, the process proceeds to step S802. If it is determined that at least one is in an off state, the process proceeds to step S810.

In step S802, the sub control board 80 determines whether the setting is being changed or the setting is being confirmed.
Specifically, when data indicating a management command is set as the first control command, the second control command includes data indicating whether the setting is being changed (sub-control data signal 1), and It includes data (sub control data signal 2) indicating whether the setting is being confirmed.

  Further, the sub control board 80 determines whether the setting is being changed or the setting is being confirmed based on the first control command and the second control command. If it is determined that the setting is not being changed or the setting is not being confirmed, the process proceeds to step S803. If it is determined that the setting is being changed or the setting is being confirmed, the process according to this flowchart is terminated.

  In step S803, the sub-control board 80 determines whether a setting change disable error or a setting check disable error is in progress. If it is determined that the setting change disabled error or the setting check disabled error is not detected, the process proceeds to step S804. If it is determined that the setting change disabled error or the setting check disabled error is detected, the process according to this flowchart ends.

In step S804, the sub-control board 80 determines whether or not the value of the error monitoring timer is greater than “0”.
When it is determined that the value of the error monitoring timer is greater than “0”, the process proceeds to step S805, and when it is determined to be “0”, the process proceeds to step S811.
In step S805, the sub-control board 80 subtracts “1” from the value of the error monitoring timer. Then, the process proceeds to next Step S806.

Here, the error monitoring timer receives a third control command indicating that the setting key switch 52 is on, the setting door switch 54 is on, and the door switch 16 is on. This is for measuring the time since reception.
That is, the error monitoring timer is based on the received third control command when the setting key switch 52 is on, the setting door switch 54 is on, and the door switch 16 is on. When it is determined that there is, time measurement is started.

Further, the sub-control board 80 sets “4” as an initial value in the error monitoring timer when starting the time measurement by the error monitoring timer. Thereafter, “1” is subtracted from the value of the error monitoring timer every 16 ms. When the value of the error monitoring timer becomes “0”, a timeout occurs.
Therefore, when the value of the error monitoring timer becomes “0”, 64 (16 × 4) after determining that the setting key switch 52, the setting door switch 54, and the door switch 16 are on. ms has passed. That is, the error monitoring timer determines whether or not 64 ms has elapsed since it was determined that the setting key switch 52, the setting door switch 54, and the door switch 16 are on.

In step S806, the sub control board 80 determines whether or not the value of the error monitoring timer is “0”. If it is determined that the value is “0”, the process proceeds to step S807. If it is determined that the value is not “0”, the process according to this flowchart is terminated.
In step S807, the sub control board 80 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the power was turned on. Specifically, the sub control board 80 includes an operation time timer that measures the time from when the power switch 51 is turned on. Then, it is determined whether or not 2 seconds have elapsed since the power was turned on based on the measurement time of the operation time timer. If it is determined that 2 seconds have not elapsed since the power was turned on, the process proceeds to step S808. If it is determined that 2 seconds have elapsed since the power was turned on, the process proceeds to step S809.

In step S808, the sub-control board 80 performs a setting change impossible error notification (a setting change impossible error is in progress). And the process by this flowchart is complete | finished.
In step S809, the sub-control board 80 performs a setting check failure error notification (setting check disable error is in progress). And the process by this flowchart is complete | finished.

In step S810, the sub control board 80 sets the value of the error monitoring timer to “0” (clears). And the process by this flowchart is complete | finished.
In step S811, the sub-control board 80 sets an initial value “4” in the error monitoring timer. And the process by this flowchart is complete | finished.

  Here, when changing the setting or checking the setting, the front cover (not shown) is opened, the setting door (not shown) is opened, and the setting key switch 52 is turned on. Therefore, the signal of the door switch 16 is turned on, the signal of the setting door switch 54 is turned on, and the signal of the setting key switch 52 is turned on.

Therefore, the door switch 16 is in the on state, the setting door switch 54 is in the on state, and the setting key switch 52 is in the on state (“1” in the sub control data signals 22 to 24). The third control command is transmitted from the main control board 60 to the sub control board 80.
Thereby, on the sub control board 80 side, it can be determined that the front cover is open, the setting door is open, and the setting key switch 52 is on.

  Further, during the setting change, this is indicated (data indicating a management command is set in the sub control data signals 9 to 16, “1” is set in the sub control data signal 1, and the sub control data signal 2 is set in the sub control data signal 2. The first control command and the second control command are transmitted from the main control board 60 to the sub control board 80.

Furthermore, during setting confirmation, this is indicated (data indicating a management command is set in the sub control data signals 9 to 16, “0” is set in the sub control data signal 1, and the sub control data signal 2 is set. The first control command and the second control command are transmitted from the main control board 60 to the sub control board 80.
Thereby, the sub-control board 80 side can determine that the setting is being changed or the setting is being confirmed.

However, in the present embodiment, the first control command and the second control command are once written in the control command buffer (ring buffer). The first control command and the second control command written in the control command buffer are output from the output port 7 and the output port 8 for each interrupt process.
In contrast, the third control command is directly written and output to the output port 6 for each interrupt process without going through the control command buffer.

  For this reason, the sub-control board 80 first indicates that the door switch 16 is in the on state, the setting door switch 54 is in the on state, and the setting key switch 52 is in the on state. The control command is acquired, and thereafter, the first control command and the second control command indicating that the setting is being changed or the setting is being confirmed are acquired.

That is, before the sub control board 80 acquires the first control command and the second control command indicating that the setting is being changed or the setting is being confirmed, the door switch 16 is in the ON state and the setting door switch 54 is set. Is obtained, and a third control command indicating that the setting key switch 52 is in an on state is acquired.
Therefore, the sub control board 80 determines whether it is during setting change, setting confirmation, setting change impossible error, or setting confirmation impossible error by executing the error notification process of FIG. Notification according to the determination result is performed.

Here, on the main control board 60 side, “Yes” (the door switch 16 is turned on, the setting door switch 54 is turned on, and the setting key switch 52 is turned on) is determined in step S18 of the program start (M_PRG_START) in FIG. After that, if “Yes” is determined in step S19 or “No” is determined in step S20, the process proceeds to a setting change process (M_RANK_SET). That is, the setting is being changed.
On the other hand, if “No” is determined in step S19 of FIG. 8 and “Yes” is determined in the next step S20 on the main control board 60 side, a setting change impossible error occurs. At this time, on the side of the sub-control board 80, the process proceeds to step S807 in FIG. 26 before 2 seconds have elapsed since the power switch 51 was turned on.

Further, on the main control board 60 side, it is determined as “No” (no bet medal) in step S44 of the main process (M_MAIN) in FIG. If it is determined “Yes” (setting key switch 52 is on), setting confirmation is in progress.
On the other hand, on the main control board 60 side, the setting key switch 52 is turned on after the determination of “Yes” (with a bet medal) in step S44 of FIG. 11 until the game end check process is performed in step S73. If this happens, a setting confirmation error will occur. At this time, on the side of the sub control board 80, after 2 seconds have passed since the power switch 51 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S807 in FIG.

  Therefore, on the sub-control board 80 side, in step S807 in FIG. 26, it is determined whether 2 seconds have passed since the power switch 51 is turned on, so that either a setting change impossible error or a setting check impossible error is notified. You can decide what to do. If it is determined that 2 seconds have not elapsed since the power switch 51 is turned on, the process proceeds to step S808, a setting change impossible error is notified, and if it is determined that 2 seconds have elapsed since the power switch 51 is turned on, Proceeding to step S809, a setting confirmation failure error is notified.

In the present embodiment, the sub control board 80 is set to execute the error notification process every 16 ms.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, “4” is set as the initial value of the error monitoring timer in step S811. For this reason, it is determined as “Yes” four times continuously in Step S804, and when the process proceeds to Step S805 four times continuously, the error monitoring timer becomes “0” (“Yes” in Step S806). The process proceeds to step S807.
Accordingly, the first control command 64 indicating that the door switch 16 is on, the setting door switch 54 is on, and the setting key switch 52 is on is first acquired. The process proceeds to step S807 in about (16 × 4) ms.

  Further, when the setting is being changed on the main control board 60 side, on the sub control board 80 side, the setting change is being made before the error monitoring timer becomes “0” (before proceeding to step S807). The first control command and the second control command shown are acquired, and “Yse” is determined in step S802. In this case, on the sub-control board 80 side, notification indicating that the setting is being changed is performed based on the first control command and the second control command indicating that the setting is being changed.

  Further, when the setting check is being performed on the main control board 60 side, it is confirmed that the setting is being confirmed on the sub control board 80 side before the error monitoring timer becomes “0” (before proceeding to step S807). The first control command and the second control command shown are acquired, and “Yse” is determined in step S802. In this case, on the sub-control board 80 side, notification indicating that the setting is being confirmed is performed based on the first control command and the second control command indicating that the setting is being confirmed.

That is, when the first control command and the second control command indicating that the setting is being changed before the error monitoring timer becomes “0”, the fact that the setting is being changed is notified.
When the first control command and the second control command indicating that the setting is being confirmed before the error monitoring timer becomes “0” are acquired, the fact that the setting is being confirmed is notified.

Furthermore, when the error monitoring timer becomes “0”, the first control command and the second control command indicating that the setting is being changed or the setting is being confirmed have not been acquired, and the operation time timer is not set. If 2 seconds have not elapsed, a notification is made that the set value cannot be changed.
Furthermore, when the error monitoring timer becomes “0”, the first control command and the second control command indicating that the setting is being changed or the setting is being confirmed have not been acquired, and the operation time timer is 2 When the second has elapsed, a notification is made that the set value cannot be confirmed.

  As described above, the sub control board 80 indicates that the setting key switch 52 is in the ON state without receiving the first control command and the second control command indicating that the setting is being changed or the setting is being confirmed. When a predetermined time (64 ms) has elapsed since the reception of the third control command, information of contents corresponding to the elapsed time since the power was turned on is notified.

  In addition, the sub control board 80 receives the first control command and the second control command indicating that the setting is being changed or is confirming the setting, and indicates that the setting key switch 52 is in the ON state. When a predetermined time (64 ms) has elapsed since the control command was received, if the specified time (2 seconds) has not elapsed since the power was turned on, a notification that the set value cannot be changed is notified. To do.

  Furthermore, the sub-control board 80 indicates that the setting key switch 52 is in the ON state without receiving the first control command and the second control command indicating that the setting is being changed or the setting is being confirmed. 3 When the specified time (64 ms) has elapsed since the control command was received and the specified time (2 seconds) has elapsed since the power was turned on, the setting value cannot be confirmed. Inform.

Further, the sub control board 80 indicates that the setting is being changed before a predetermined time (64 ms) has elapsed since the third control command indicating that the setting key switch 52 is in the ON state is received. When the 1 control command and the 2nd control command are received, it is notified that the setting is being changed.
Further, the sub control board 80 indicates that the setting is being confirmed before a predetermined time (64 ms) has elapsed since the third control command indicating that the setting key switch 52 is in the ON state is received. When the 1 control command and the 2nd control command are received, it is notified that the setting is being confirmed.

Hereinafter, a specific example of error notification processing by the sub-control board 80 will be shown.
For example, when a setting confirmation operation is performed while the reel 31 is rotating, the operation is as follows.
First, with the power switch 51 turned on, the front cover is opened, the setting door is opened, and the setting key switch 52 is turned on. For this reason, the main control board 60 outputs a third control command indicating that the door switch 16 is on, the setting door switch 54 is on, and the setting key switch 52 is on. Transmit to the sub-control board 80.

  Further, on the main control board 60 side, the setting key switch 52 is turned on after the determination of “Yes” in step S44 in FIG. 11 until the game end check process is performed in step S73. An impossible error occurs. For this reason, the main control board 60 does not transmit to the sub control board 80 the first control command and the second control command indicating that the setting is being confirmed.

Furthermore, on the sub-control board 80 side, a third control command indicating that the door switch 16 is on, the setting door switch 54 is on, and the setting key switch 52 is on. Is received, but the first control command and the second control command indicating that the setting is being confirmed are not received.
For this reason, on the sub control board 80 side, the third control command indicating that the door switch 16 is on, the setting door switch 54 is on, and the setting key switch 52 is on. The process proceeds to step S807 in FIG. 26 in about 64 ms after the first reception.

Furthermore, since a setting confirmation operation is performed while the reel 31 is rotating, the process proceeds to step S807 in FIG. 26 after two seconds have elapsed since the power switch 51 was turned on.
Therefore, the sub-control board 80 determines in step S807 in FIG. 26 that two seconds have elapsed since the power switch 51 was turned on, and proceeds to step S809 in FIG. 26 to notify a setting confirmation failure error.

Further, for example, when a setting change operation is performed while the reel 31 is rotating, the operation is as follows.
First, while the reel 31 is rotating, the front cover is opened and the power switch 51 is turned off. Thereafter, the setting door is opened, and the setting key switch 52 is turned on and the power switch 51 is turned on. . For this reason, the main control board 60 outputs a third control command indicating that the door switch 16 is on, the setting door switch 54 is on, and the setting key switch 52 is on. Transmit to the sub-control board 80.

  On the main control board 60 side, the setting change impossibility flag is set to ON from the condition device lottery (step S50 in FIG. 11) to the game end check process (step S73 in FIG. 11). In this state, since the power switch 51 is once turned off and then turned on again, the setting change impossible flag remains on and the process proceeds to step S20 in FIG. 8, resulting in a setting change impossible error. For this reason, the main control board 60 does not transmit the first control command and the second control command indicating that the setting is being changed to the sub control board 80.

Furthermore, on the sub-control board 80 side, a third control command indicating that the door switch 16 is on, the setting door switch 54 is on, and the setting key switch 52 is on. Is received, but the first control command and the second control command indicating that the setting is being changed are not received.
For this reason, on the sub control board 80 side, the third control command indicating that the door switch 16 is on, the setting door switch 54 is on, and the setting key switch 52 is on. The process proceeds to step S807 in FIG. 26 in about 64 ms after the first reception.

Further, in about 64 ms after the power switch 51 is turned on (before 2 seconds elapses), the process proceeds to step S807 in FIG.
Accordingly, the sub control board 80 determines in step S807 in FIG. 26 that two seconds have not elapsed since the power switch 51 is turned on, and proceeds to step S808 in FIG. 26 to notify a setting change impossible error.

  In the third control command, the D0 bit indicates whether or not the right stop switch 42 can accept an operation, and the D1 bit indicates whether or not the middle stop switch 42 can accept an operation. The D2 bit indicates whether or not the left stop switch 42 is ready to accept an operation, and the D3 bit indicates whether or not the 3-bet switch 40b is ready to accept an operation.

Further, regarding the D0 to D3 bits of the third control command, when it is “0”, it indicates that the operation cannot be accepted, and when it is “1”, it indicates that the operation is acceptable. .
For this reason, in normal times, the D0 to D3 bits of the third control command are not all “1”. Similarly, when the D0 bit and the D3 bit are both “1” in the normal state, when both the D1 bit and the D3 bit are “1”, and when both the D2 bit and the D3 bit are “1” Nor.

When the sub-control board 80 acquires the third control command in which the D0 to D3 bits are all “1”, the sub-control board 80 determines that it is a communication error and notifies that fact.
In addition, when the sub control board 80 acquires the third control command in which both the D0 bit and the D3 bit are “1”, the sub control board 80 acquires the third control command in which the two D1 bits and the D3 bit are “1”. When a third control command in which both the D2 bit and the D3 bit are “1” is acquired, it is determined as a communication error and a notification is given.

Second Embodiment
In the first embodiment, a command is transmitted from the main control board 60 to the sub control board 80 by parallel communication.
On the other hand, in the second embodiment, a command is transmitted from the main control board 60 to the sub control board 80 by serial communication.

FIG. 27 is a circuit diagram showing a communication line for transmitting a command from the main control board 60 to the sub-control board 80, showing the second embodiment. The command is transmitted from the main control board 60 to the sub control board 80 in one direction.
As shown in FIG. 27, on the main control board 60, a main CPU 63 and two inverter buffers (inverter buffers 1 and 2) are mounted.
The sub control board 80 is equipped with a sub CPU 83 and a buffer.
In addition to the above, electronic components are mounted on the main control board 60 and the sub control board 80, but are not shown in the present embodiment.

  The main CPU 63 includes a serial communication circuit 65. The serial communication circuit 65 includes a transmission register 65a. Further, the main CPU 63 has a TX3 output terminal. A serial communication circuit 65 is used to transmit a command from the main control board 60 to the sub control board 80. Specifically, when the generated command is written in the transmission register 65a, the command written in the transmission register 65a is output from the TX3 output terminal.

The inverter buffers 1 and 2 constitute an output port. The 5A input terminal and 5Y output terminal of the inverter buffer 1 correspond to each other, and the 6A input terminal and 6Y output terminal of the inverter buffer 2 correspond to each other. Further, the TX3 output terminal of the main CPU 63 is connected to the 5A input terminal of the inverter buffer 1, and the 5Y output terminal of the inverter buffer 1 is connected to the 6A input terminal of the inverter buffer 2.
Note that the inverter buffers 1 and 2 are connected in series to prevent noise from entering the command.

The 6Y output terminal of the inverter buffer 2 on the main control board 60 is connected to the 1A input terminal of the buffer on the sub control board 80. Furthermore, the 1A input terminal and 1Y output terminal of the buffer on the sub-control board 80 correspond to each other. Further, the 1Y output terminal of the buffer is connected to the RxD0 input terminal of the sub CPU 83. A sub control data signal (control command) is output from the 6Y output terminal of the inverter buffer 2 on the main control board 60.
As described above, in the second embodiment, the sub control data signal (control command) is transmitted by the communication line that connects the 6Y output terminal of the inverter buffer 2 on the main control board 60 and the 1A input terminal of the buffer on the sub control board 80. ) Is sent via serial communication.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a waveform of a sub control data signal in the second embodiment.
The start bit is a bit indicating the start of data. The width of the start bit is 1 bit, and the value of the start bit is “0”.
Further, 8 bits from bit 0 to bit 7 after the start bit are data bits.

  Furthermore, the parity bit is a bit for checking whether data has been transmitted normally. The width of the parity bit is 1 bit. Even parity or odd parity can be selected as the parity type. When even parity is selected, “0” or “1” is set in the parity bit so that the number of data bits (bit 0 to bit 7) and “1” in the parity bit is an even number. When odd parity is selected, “0” or “1” is set in the parity bit so that the number of “1” s in the data bit and parity bit is odd. That is, the parity bit is adjusted so that the number of “1” is an even number or an odd number.

For example, when even parity is selected, when the data bit is “10011011B”, “1” is set in the parity bit.
When odd parity is selected and the data bit is “10011011B”, “0” is set in the parity bit.
Furthermore, when even parity is selected and the data bit is “10011010B”, “0” is set in the parity bit.
Further, when odd parity is selected and the data bit is “10011010B”, “1” is set in the parity bit.

The stop bit is a bit indicating the end of data. The width of the stop bit is 1 bit, and the value of the stop bit is “1”.
One frame is composed of 11 bits from the start bit to the stop bit, and one control command is composed of this one frame.
Further, in the present embodiment, a series of control commands are configured by “n” control commands from the first control command to the “n” control command.

  In the present embodiment, in each of the “n−1” control commands from the second control command to the “n” control command, a specific bit among the 8 data bits has a control command to be continued. Or (the last control command in a series of control command groups) or not. In each control command from the second control command to the “n−1” th control command, “1” is set to a specific bit among the 8 data bits, and in the “n” th control command, 8 is set. “0” is set to a specific bit among the data bits.

Specifically, in this embodiment, bit “6” is assigned as a specific bit for identifying whether or not there is a continuous control command. When “1” is set in the bit “6”, this indicates that the control command is continued (not the last control command in the series of control commands), and “0” is set in the bit “6”. When set, it indicates that there is no control command to continue (the last control command in a series of control commands).
Thereby, the sub-control board 80 side can determine whether or not the control command is still continued.

  In the present embodiment, a SUM command indicating the end of a series of control commands is set after “n” control commands from the first control command to the “n” control command. Furthermore, other specific bits among the 8 data bits are bits for identifying whether or not a series of control command groups are to be ended. In each control command from the first control command to the “n” control command, “0” is set to the other specific bits of the 8-bit data bits, and in the SUM command, the 8-bit data bits are set. “1” is set to the other specific bits.

Specifically, in this embodiment, bit “7” is assigned as another specific bit for identifying whether or not a series of control command groups ends. When bit “7” is set to “0”, it indicates that a series of control command groups do not end (any one from the first control command to the “n” control command). When “1” is set to “7”, it indicates that a series of control command groups is finished (SUM command).
Thereby, on the sub-control board 80 side, it can be determined whether or not a series of control command groups is completed.

  In the present embodiment, when a series of control commands is composed of three control commands from the first control command to the third control command, four control commands from the first control command to the fourth control command are used. A series of control command groups, and a case where a series of control command groups is composed of five control commands from the first control command to the fifth control command.

That is, “n” indicating the number of control commands in a series of control command groups is variable within a range from “3” to “5”. The minimum value of “n” is “3”, and the maximum value is “5”. Thereby, a series of control command groups can be made variable length.
The first control command includes at least information indicating the type of command and information indicating the number of control commands in a series of control commands, and the second control command to the “n” control command include command contents. Contains information indicating.

  In the second control command to the “n” control command, the bit “6” is used for identifying whether or not there is a continuing control command, and the bit “7” is terminated by a series of control commands. It is used for identifying whether or not to do. For this reason, in the second control command to the “n” control command, 5 bits from bit “0” to bit “5” are used for transmitting the contents of the command.

Also, as command types, for example, a status command indicating the on / off status of various switches, an error command indicating detection / non-detection of various errors, a management command indicating whether settings are being changed or settings are being confirmed Etc.
Further, the numerical values obtained by adding the numerical values of the first control command to the “n” control command to the bits “0” to “6” of the SUM command and further adding the number of control commands are set. .

Specifically, for example, a series of control command groups can be configured by four control commands from the first control command to the fourth control command.
That is, a series of data consisting of “first control command + second control command + third control command + fourth control command + SUM command” can be transmitted from the main control board 60 to the sub-control board 80.

  In this case, “00000100B” indicating that the number of control commands is four is set in the data bits of the first control command. In addition, the bit “6” of the data bit of the second control command and the third control command is set to “1” indicating that the control command is continued, and the bit “6” of the data bit of the fourth control command is set. Is set to “0” indicating that no control command is continued. Further, the bit “7” of the data bit from the first control command to the fourth control command is set to “0” indicating that the series of control command groups do not end, and the bit “7” of the data bit of the SUM command is set. "" Is set to "1" indicating that a series of control command groups is terminated.

Further, for example, a series of control commands can be configured by repeating two control commands of the first control command and the second control command twice.
That is, a series of data consisting of “first control command + second control command + first control command + second control command + SUM command” can be transmitted from the main control board 60 to the sub-control board 80.

  In this case, “00000010B” indicating that the number of control commands is two is set in the data bits of the first control command. Also, “0” indicating that there is no continuing control command is set in the bit “6” of the data bit of the second control command. Further, the bit “7” of the data bit of the first control command and the second control command is set to “0” indicating that the series of control command groups do not end, and the bit “7” of the data bit of the SUM command is set. Is set to “1” indicating that a series of control command groups is terminated.

Further, the main control board 60 (main CPU 63) directly writes the generated control command to the transmission register 65a without transmitting it to the control command buffer (ring buffer), and transmits it to the sub control board 80.
In the present embodiment, the transmission register 65a has a 64-byte storage area. One control command is composed of 1-byte data. For this reason, the transmission register 65a can store 64 commands.

  Further, the maximum number of control commands in a series of control command groups is five. For this reason, when the unused storage area in the transmission register 65a is 5 bytes or more (the used storage area is less than 60 bytes), the main control board 60 permits the writing of the control command to the transmission register 65a. However, when the unused storage area in the transmission register 65a is less than 5 bytes (the used storage area is 60 bytes or more), writing of a control command to the transmission register 65a is prohibited.

That is, when “n” number of control commands can be written to an unused storage area in the transmission register 65a, writing of the control command to the transmission register 65a is permitted.
On the other hand, when “n” control commands cannot be written to an unused storage area in the transmission register 65a, writing of the control command to the transmission register 65a is prohibited.
This prevents the control command from overflowing from the storage area of the transmission register 65a.

In addition, the main control board 60 transmits the control command written in the transmission register 65a to the sub control board 80 regardless of whether or not the interrupt processing is executed.
Specifically, in this embodiment, the operation mode is set to a FIFO (Firet In First Out) mode, and the baud rate is set to 38400 bps. In the FIFO mode, the control commands written in the transmission register 65a are transmitted to the sub control board 80 in the order written in the transmission register 65a. The baud rate is a communication speed in units of the number of bits (bps) transmitted per second. Since 38400 bits of data can be transmitted per second, a control command of one frame (11 bits) can be transmitted in 0.286 ms.

  Further, the main control board 60 can transmit the control command written in the transmission register 65a to the sub-control board 80 before the power-off process (IS_POWER_DOWN) in FIG. . Since the main control board 60 can transmit 38400 bits of data per second, it can transmit a control command of 64 frames in 18.304 ms. However, in the power-off process (IS_POWER_DOWN), 18. This is because it takes longer than 304 ms.

  Furthermore, the sub-control board 80 can determine whether or not all control commands included in the variable-length control command group have been received depending on whether or not a SUM command has been received. The sub-control board 80 does not execute the process of storing the control command received so far in the RWM 81 on the sub-control board 80 until the SUM command is received. The control command is stored in the RWM 81 on the sub-control board 80.

Further, the main control board 60 transmits the same control command group to the sub control board 80 twice in succession. Then, when receiving the same control command group twice consecutively, the sub-control board 80 determines that the control command group has been normally received.
The serial communication line is not limited to a wired line, and may be wireless, for example. Further, for example, a serial communication line can be configured with an optical fiber.

As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, For example, the following various deformation | transformation are possible.
(1) In this embodiment, the interval of interrupt processing is “2.235 ms”, but is not limited to this value. For example, there are various times such as “1 ms”.
(2) In the flowchart shown in the present embodiment, the order of processing is not limited to the order shown in the figure. When the order of processing can be changed, the order of processing can be changed. .

  (3) In the first embodiment, the main control board 60 outputs the second control command from the output port 7 and outputs the first control command from the output port 8 for “7.19 μs”, and then Control command clear data ("00000000B") was output from the output port 7 and the output port 8, respectively. However, the time for outputting the first control command and the second control command is not limited to “7.19 μs”. For example, the output time of the first control command and the second control command such as “6 μs” or “10 μs” can be set as appropriate within a range that can be acquired by the sub-control board 80.

  (4) In the first embodiment, the sub control board 80 acquires the first control command and the second control command in response to the rise of the sub control data strobe signal. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sub control board 80 may acquire the first control command and the second control command when the sub control data strobe signal falls.

  (5) In the first embodiment, the sub-control board 80 can acquire these four times during “7.19 μs” during which the first control command and the second control command are output. It is not limited to. The number of times that the sub control board 80 acquires the first control command and the second control command is appropriately set according to the output time of the first control command and the second control command, such as “3 times” or “5 times”. can do.

  (6) In the first embodiment, when the sub-control board 80 acquires the first control command having the same content twice in succession and the second control command having the same content twice in succession, Although it is determined that the control command has been acquired normally, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sub control board 80 may acquire the first control command and the second control command once each.

  (7) In the first embodiment, the sub-control board 80 has the D0 bit (whether or not the right stop switch 42 can accept the operation) and the D1 bit (the middle stop switch 42 can accept the operation). D2 bit (whether or not the left stop switch 42 is ready to accept an operation) and D3 bit (whether or not the 3-bet switch 40b is ready to accept an operation) When the third control command is all “1” (indicating that the operation is acceptable), it is determined as a communication error and the fact is notified.

  However, it is not limited to this. For example, when the sub control board 80 acquires the third control command in which the D0 to D3 bits are all “1”, the sub control board 80 rewrites all D0 to D3 to “0” without notifying the communication error, Subsequent processing may be advanced.

(8) In the first embodiment, the sub-control data strobe signal is output from the 8Q output terminal of the flip-flop 1 (D7 bit of the output port 2). However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may make it output from any one of D6 bits.
(9) In the first embodiment, from the 1Q output terminal of the flip-flop 1 (D0 bit of the output port 2), a three-sheet display LED signal is output, and from the 2Q output terminal (same D1 bit), 2 A sheet loading display LED signal was output, and a sheet loading display LED signal was output from the 3Q output terminal (same D2 bit).

That is, the output port of the sub control data strobe signal is also used as the output port of the three-sheet input display LED signal, the two-sheet input display LED signal, and the one-sheet input display LED signal.
However, sharing the sub-control data strobe signal with the output port is not limited to the three-sheet input display LED signal, the two-sheet input display LED signal, and the one-sheet input display LED signal.

  For example, from the D0 bit of the output port 2, a blue left signal for causing the left stop LED provided corresponding to the left stop switch 42 to emit blue light is output, and from the D1 bit, the middle stop switch 42 outputs a blue-green signal for causing the middle stop LED provided corresponding to 42 to emit blue light. From the D2 bit, the right stop LED provided corresponding to the right stop switch 42 is output. A blue right signal for emitting blue light can be output.

  In addition, from the D3 bit, a red left signal for causing the left stop LED to emit red light is output, and from the D4 bit, a red middle signal for causing the middle stop LED to emit red light is output. From the D5 bit, a red / right signal for causing the right stop LED to emit red light can be output.

Furthermore, the sub-control data strobe signal can be output from the D6 bit, and the hopper motor drive signal for driving the hopper motor 36 can be output from the D7 bit.
In this way, the sub control data strobe signal output port is also used as the blue left signal, blue middle signal, blue right signal, red left signal, red middle signal, red right signal, and hopper motor drive signal output port. can do.

When the left, middle, and right stop LEDs are lit red, the sub-control data strobe signal is turned off, and the hopper motor 36 is driven, 8-bit data with a pattern of “10111000B” is generated, Is output from the output port 2.
Furthermore, when the left, middle, and right stop LEDs are lit red, the sub-control data strobe signal is turned off, and the hopper motor 36 is not driven, 8-bit data having a pattern of “00111000B” is generated, This is output from the output port 2.

Furthermore, when the left, middle and right stop LEDs are turned off, the sub-control data strobe signal is turned off, and the hopper motor 36 is driven, 8-bit data with a pattern of “10000000B” is generated and output. Output from port 2.
When the left, middle, and right stop LEDs are turned off, the sub control data strobe signal is turned off, and the hopper motor 36 is not driven, 8-bit data having a pattern of “00000000B” is generated and output. Output from port 2.

  That is, when the hopper motor drive signal is turned on while the red left signal, red middle signal, and red right signal are on, the bit data corresponding to the red left signal, red middle signal, and red right signal are stored. 8 bit data is generated with the data indicating ON and the bit data corresponding to the hopper motor drive signal as data indicating ON, and this is output from the output port 2.

  Also, when turning off the hopper motor drive signal while the red left signal, red middle signal, and red right signal are on, the bit data corresponding to the red left signal, red middle signal, and red right signal are stored. Then, 8-bit data having the data indicating ON and the data indicating the bit corresponding to the hopper motor drive signal as data indicating OFF is generated and output from the output port 2.

  Furthermore, when the hopper motor drive signal is turned on while the red left signal, red middle signal, and red right signal are off, the bit data corresponding to the red left signal, red middle signal, and red right signal Is generated as 8-bit data with the data indicating that it is OFF and the bit data corresponding to the hopper motor drive signal as data indicating ON, and this is output from the output port 2.

  In addition, when the hopper motor drive signal is turned off while the red left signal, red middle signal, and red right signal are off, the bit data corresponding to the red left signal, red middle signal, and red right signal are stored. Then, 8-bit data having the data indicating that it is OFF and the bit data corresponding to the hopper motor drive signal as data indicating OFF is generated and output from the output port 2.

  Further, for example, from the D0 to D3 bits of the output port 2, each signal of φ0 to φ3 that drives the motor 32 of the left reel 31 by 1-2 phase excitation is output. A control data strobe signal can be output. That is, the output port of the sub control data strobe signal and the output port of each signal of φ0 to φ3 that drives the motor 32 of the left reel 31 by 1-2 phase excitation can be shared.

  In this case, the data corresponding to the D0 to D3 bits of the output port 2 is the data corresponding to the output mode of the drive signal of the motor 32 of the left reel 31 (ON / OFF pattern of each signal of φ0 to φ3), and 8-bit data in which data corresponding to the D7 bit of the output port 2 is used as data corresponding to the output mode (on / off) of the sub-control data strobe signal is generated and output to the output port 2.

(10) In the first embodiment, the error monitoring timer indicates that the setting key switch 52 is on, the setting door switch 54 is on, and the door switch 16 is on. It is assumed that the time after receiving the third control command is measured.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the error monitoring timer may measure, for example, the time after receiving the third control command indicating that the setting key switch 52 is on. That is, when the error monitoring timer determines that the setting key switch 52 is in the ON state based on the received third control command, whether or not the setting door switch 54 and the door switch 16 are in the ON state. Regardless, time measurement may be started.

(11) In the first embodiment, the error monitoring timer sets the initial value to “4”, subtracts “1” from the value every 16 ms, and times out when the value becomes “0”.
However, the initial value is not limited to “4” and can be variously set.
Further, the value at the time of timeout is not limited to “0”, and various values can be set.
Furthermore, the count operation is not limited to the case where the value is subtracted by “1” every 16 ms. For example, the value is subtracted by “1” every 20 ms, the value is subtracted by “10” every 1 ms, or every 1 ms. Various settings such as adding “1” to the value can be made.

(12) In the first embodiment, the operation time timer measures the time from power-on.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation time timer may measure, for example, the time after the control program on the sub control board 80 side is activated after the power is turned on.
Further, when the power is turned on, “2 seconds” may be set as an initial value in the operating time timer, and thereafter the operating time timer may be counted down. Then, it may be determined whether or not 2 seconds have elapsed since the power was turned on by determining whether or not the operating time timer is “0”.
Furthermore, the elapsed time from power-on measured by the operating time timer is not limited to “2 seconds”, and can be set as appropriate.

(13) In the second embodiment, a series of control command groups are composed of n control commands from the first control command to the “n” control command, where “n” is from “3” to “5”. It was made variable within the range. That is, the number of control commands in a series of control command groups is set to 3 at the minimum and 5 at the maximum. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and “n” may be variable, for example, within a range from “3” to “4”, and may be variable within a range from “3” to “8”. Also good.
(14) In the second embodiment, the transmission register 65a has a storage area of 64 bytes, but the storage area of the transmission register 65a is not limited to 64 bytes. For example, the storage area of the transmission register 65a, such as 32 bytes or 128 bytes, can be set as appropriate.

(15) In the second embodiment, when the unused storage area of the transmission register 65a is 5 bytes or more, the main control board 60 permits writing of a control command to the transmission register 65a, and transmits the transmission register 65a. When the unused storage area of 65a is less than 5 bytes, the writing of the control command to the transmission register 65a is prohibited, but the present invention is not limited to this.
The maximum value of “n” indicating the number of control commands in a series of control commands is “nmax”, and the storage area of the transmission register 65a is m bytes (m> nmax).

In this case, when the unused storage area of the transmission register 65a is equal to or larger than “nmax” bytes (the used storage area is less than “m−nmax + 1” bytes), the main control board 60 transfers the transmission to the transmission register 65a. When writing of the control command is permitted and the unused storage area of the transmission register 65a is less than “nmax” bytes (the used storage area is “m−nmax + 1” bytes or more), the control to the transmission register 65a is performed. Prohibits command writing.
Thus, the number of bytes in the unused storage area of the transmission register 65a when the control command writing is permitted or prohibited is determined according to the values of “n” and “nmax”.

(16) In this embodiment, the slot machine 10 is taken as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention can also be applied to a ball game machine, an enclosed game machine, and the like.
(17) The present embodiment and the above-described various modifications are not limited to being implemented independently, and can be implemented in appropriate combination.

<Appendix>
The invention (initial invention) described in the initial specification of the present application can include, for example, the following initial inventions 1 to 5, in order to solve the problems to be solved by the original invention and the problems related to the original invention, respectively. The means and the effect of the initial invention are as follows. However, the initial invention is not meant to be limited to the following initial inventions 1 to 5.
The initial invention according to the claims of the present application corresponds to the following initial invention 2.

1. Initial invention 1
(A) Problem to be Solved by Initial Invention 1 The initial invention relates to a gaming machine that transmits a command from a main control means to a sub-control means by parallel communication.
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a gaming machine that transmits a command from a main control unit to a sub-control unit by parallel communication is known (see, for example, JP-A-11-114166).
In a conventional gaming machine, when one command is output, the state in which the one command is output is maintained until the next command is output.
Also, after outputting one command, the strobe signal corresponding to one command is turned on, and when the time required for the sub-control means to acquire one command has elapsed, the strobe corresponding to the one command is The signal was off.
For this reason, if noise enters the strobe signal between turning off the strobe signal corresponding to one command and turning on the strobe signal corresponding to the next command, the sub-control means side As a result, the command is acquired again, which may cause unintended processing.
The problem to be solved by the present invention is to prevent unintended processing from being executed on the sub-control means side even if noise enters the strobe signal.

(B) Means for solving the problem of the first invention 1 (the corresponding embodiment will be described in parentheses)
The first solution is
Main control means (main control board 60) for controlling the progress of the game;
Sub-control means (sub-control board 80) for controlling the production,
The main control unit is configured to transmit a command in one direction by parallel communication to the sub control unit (sub control data signals 1 to 8 and sub control data signals 9 to 16 in FIG. 2).
The main control means includes
Comprising output ports (output port 7 and output port 8) capable of transmitting commands (first control command and second control command) to the sub-control means;
A command is transmitted to the sub-control means by interrupt processing (FIG. 17) (step S608 in FIG. 17).
A command is output to the output port for a predetermined time (A + B + C = 7.19 μs in FIG. 20) which is shorter than the interval of interrupt processing and is necessary for the sub-control means to acquire a command. (Step S666 in FIG. 19) After the lapse of the predetermined time (after the end of output in FIG. 20), clear data (control command clear) that is unnecessary data for processing by the sub-control means is output to the output port. Data) is output (step S671 in FIG. 19).
It is characterized by that.
The second solving means is the first solving means,
When the clear data is acquired, the sub-control means determines that the data is unnecessary and discards it.
The third solution means in the first or second solution means,
The main control means turns the strobe signal indicating the command acquisition timing from off to on and then off from on to off within the predetermined time period (steps S667 and S670 in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20).
It is characterized by that.
The fourth solving means is the first to third solving means,
The sub-control means is configured to be able to obtain a command n times (n ≧ 2) (4 times) within the predetermined time period and to receive a command having the same content m times (n ≧ m ≧ 2). (Twice) When it is obtained continuously, it is judged that the command is obtained normally.
The fifth solving means is the first to fourth solving means,
The output port includes a first output port (output port 7) and a second output port (output port 8),
The main control means includes
A first command (second control command) is transmitted from the first output port to the sub-control means, and a second command (first control command) is transmitted from the second output port;
During the predetermined time, the first command is output to the first output port and the second command is output to the second output port. After the predetermined time has elapsed, the first output port and the second output port are output. Each of them outputs the clear data.

(C) Effect of Initial Invention 1 According to the initial invention, even if noise enters the strobe signal, the sub-control means side obtains the clear data and can determine that it is unnecessary data. It is possible to prevent unintended processing from being executed.

2. Initial invention 2
(A) Problem to be Solved by Initial Invention 2 The initial invention relates to a gaming machine that outputs a control signal of a peripheral device using an output port capable of outputting a plurality of bits of data in parallel.
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a gaming machine that transmits commands from a main control unit to a sub-control unit by parallel communication is known (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-038021).
In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-038021, 8-bit command data is transmitted from the main control unit to the sub-control unit via an 8-bit parallel communication line, and a 1-bit strobe signal is transmitted to a 1-bit communication line. Sending in.
Note that FIG. 36 of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-038021 shows the correspondence between pin numbers / pin arrangements and signal names in a 12-pin connector, and does not show command data or strobe signal output ports. Absent.
In the conventional gaming machine, when the strobe signal is output using the 8-bit output port, the bit used for the output of the strobe signal is 1 bit. Therefore, the bits other than the bits used for the output of the strobe signal are the surplus. It was.
That is, when a peripheral device control signal is output using an output port capable of outputting a plurality of bits of data in parallel, bits other than the bits used to output the control signal become redundant.
The problem to be solved by the invention is to effectively utilize the output port when outputting the control signal of the peripheral device using the output port capable of outputting a plurality of bits of data in parallel.

(B) Means for Solving the Problem of the Initial Invention 2 (Note that the corresponding embodiment is described in parentheses)
The first solution is
Main control means (main control board 60) for controlling the progress of the game;
A first peripheral device (1 to 3 sheet insertion display LEDs 73e to 73g) and a second peripheral device (sub-control board 80) that can be controlled by the main control means;
The main control means includes
It has an output port (output port 2) that can output multiple bits (8 bits) of data in parallel.
From the predetermined bits (D0 to D2 bits (1Q to 3Q output terminal)) of the output port, it is possible to output a first control signal (1 to 3 sheets input display LED signal) for controlling the first peripheral device,
From a specific bit (D7 bit (8Q output terminal)) other than the predetermined bit at the output port, a second control signal (sub control data strobe signal) for controlling the second peripheral device can be output.
The data corresponding to the predetermined bit is the data (“0” or “1”) corresponding to the output mode of the first control signal (the ON / OFF pattern of each of the 1 to 3 LED display signals), and The data corresponding to the specific bit is generated as data (“0” or “1”) corresponding to the output mode of the second control signal (ON / OFF of the sub control data strobe signal), and this is generated. Is output from the output port.
The second solving means is the first solving means,
When the output mode of the first control signal is the output mode P1 (all 1 to 3 sheet display LED signals are on), the output mode of the second control signal is set to the output mode Q1 (sub-control data strobe signal is on). When doing so, the data corresponding to the predetermined bit is set as data corresponding to the output mode P1 (D0 to D2 bits are each “1”), and the data corresponding to the specific bit is set as data corresponding to the output mode Q1 (D7). A plurality of bits of data having a bit “1”) are generated and output from the output port;
When the output mode of the first control signal is the output mode P1 and the output mode of the second control signal is set to the output mode Q2 (Q2 ≠ Q1) (the sub control data strobe signal is turned off), it corresponds to the predetermined bit. The data to be generated is data corresponding to the output mode P1, and data corresponding to the specific bit is generated as data corresponding to the output mode Q2 (D7 bit is “0”). Output from the output port,
When the output mode of the first control signal is in the output mode P2 (P2 ≠ P1) (all 1 to 3 sheet input display LED signals are off), and the output mode of the second control signal is set to the output mode Q1, The data corresponding to the predetermined bit is the data corresponding to the output mode P2 (D0 to D2 bits are “0” respectively), and the data corresponding to the specific bit is the data corresponding to the output mode Q1 And output this from the output port,
When the output mode of the first control signal is the output mode P2 and the output mode of the second control signal is set to the output mode Q2, the data corresponding to the predetermined bit is the data corresponding to the output mode P2, and the A plurality of bits of data in which data corresponding to a specific bit is data corresponding to the output mode Q2 is generated and output from the output port.
The third solving means is the first solving means,
As a second peripheral device, provided with sub-control means (sub-control board 80) for controlling the production,
The main control means includes
The output port includes a first output port (output ports 6 to 8) and a second output port (output port 2),
From the first output port, it is possible to output commands (first to third control commands (sub control data signals 1 to 24)) to be transmitted to the sub control means,
A first control signal can be output from the predetermined bit of the second output port,
From the specific bit of the second output port, a strobe signal indicating the acquisition timing of a command to be transmitted to the sub-control means can be output as a second control signal.
A plurality of bits of data are generated in which the data corresponding to the predetermined bit is data corresponding to the output form of the first control signal, and the data corresponding to the specific bit is data corresponding to ON or OFF of the strobe signal. This is output from the second output port.
The fourth solution means is the third solution means,
When the strobe signal is turned on when the output mode of the first control signal is in a predetermined output mode (all 1 to 3 LED display signals are on), the data corresponding to the predetermined bit is output to the predetermined output A plurality of bits in which data corresponding to the mode (D0 to D2 bits are each “1”) and data corresponding to the specific bit is data indicating that the strobe signal is on (D7 bit is “1”) Is generated and output from the second output port,
When the strobe signal is turned off when the output mode of the first control signal is in the predetermined output mode, the data corresponding to the predetermined bit is set as data corresponding to the predetermined output mode and corresponds to the specific bit. A plurality of bits of data indicating that the strobe signal is off (D7 bit is “0”), and outputting the data from the second output port;
When the strobe signal is turned on when the output mode of the first control signal is in a specific output mode different from the predetermined output mode (all of the 1- to 3-sheet input display LED signals are off), it corresponds to the predetermined bit. Multi-bit data in which the data corresponding to the specific output mode (D0 to D2 bits are each “0”) and the data corresponding to the specific bit is data indicating that the strobe signal is on Is output from the second output port,
When the output mode of the first control signal is the specific output mode and the strobe signal is turned off, the data corresponding to the predetermined bit is set as the data corresponding to the specific output mode and corresponds to the specific bit A plurality of bits of data, in which the strobe signal is turned off, is generated from the data to be output and output from the second output port.
The fifth solving means is the fourth solving means,
While the main control means is outputting a command to the first output port (during steps S666 to S671 in FIG. 19, from the start of output of the first control command and the second control command to the end of output in FIG. ), The strobe signal is changed from off to on (step S667 in FIG. 19, rising of the sub-control data strobe signal in FIG. 20) and then turned on (step S670 in FIG. 19, sub-control data strobe signal in FIG. 20). It is characterized by falling).

(C) Effect of the Initial Invention 2 According to the initial invention, the driving of the first peripheral device and the second peripheral device can be controlled by a plurality of bits of data output in parallel from the output port. Therefore, the output port can be used effectively.

3. Initial invention 3
(A) Problem to be Solved by Initial Invention 3 The initial invention relates to a gaming machine that transmits a command from a main control means to a sub-control means by serial communication.
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a gaming machine that transmits a command by serial communication from a main control unit to a sub-control unit is known (see, for example, JP-A-2014-188060).
In the technique of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-188060, a command group is composed of two commands, a first command and a second command. The first command indicates the type of command, and the second command indicates the content thereof. Furthermore, the first command or the second command is identified by making different information to be set in specific bits of the first command and the second command.
Then, the main control unit temporarily stores the generated first command and second command in the buffer, and transmits the first command and second command stored in the buffer to the sub-control unit by interrupt processing. .
As described above, in the conventional gaming machine, the first command among the two commands constituting the command group indicates the type of the command, and specific bits of the first command and the second command Was for identifying the first command or the second command. For this reason, since the amount of information that can be transmitted to the sub-control means by one command transmission is limited, it has been demanded to increase the command transmission efficiency.
The problem to be solved by the invention at first is to increase command transmission efficiency when a command is transmitted from the main control means to the sub-control means by serial communication.

(B) Means for Solving the Problem of the Initial Invention 3 (Note that the corresponding embodiment is described in parentheses)
The first solution is
Main control means (main control board 60) for controlling the progress of the game;
Sub-control means (sub-control board 80) for controlling the production,
A command group composed of “n” commands from the first command to the “n” command (n ≧ 3) is transmitted in one direction by serial communication from the main control means to the sub control means. Composed of
The main control means can transmit the command group to the sub-control means by storing “n” commands constituting the command group in the transmission register (65a) without storing them in the buffer. ,
The transmission register has a storage area capable of storing “m” (m> n) (64) commands,
The main control means includes
When “n” commands can be written to an unused storage area in the register for transmission, the command is allowed to be written to the register for transmission;
When “n” commands cannot be written to an unused storage area in the transmission register, writing of commands to the transmission register is prohibited.
The second solving means is the first solving means,
The main control means is a specific bit (bit “6”) of “n−1” commands from the second command to the “n” command among “n” commands constituting the command group. Is set with specific information (“1” indicating that the control command is continued or “0” indicating that the control command is not continued) indicating whether or not the command is continued. And
The third solution means is the second solution means,
The main control means sets a specific command (SUM command) indicating the end of the command group after “n” commands constituting the command group, and transmits it to the sub-control means. .

(C) Effect of the Initial Invention 3 According to the initial invention, since three or more commands can be transmitted as a group, the command transmission efficiency can be increased.

4). Initial invention 4
(A) Problem to be Solved by Initial Invention 4 The initial invention relates to a gaming machine that transmits a command from a main control means to a sub-control means.
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a gaming machine that transmits a command from a main control unit to a sub control unit is known (see, for example, JP-A-2015-008872).
In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-008872, the main control unit temporarily stores a plurality of types of commands to be transmitted to the sub control unit in a buffer. And the command memorize | stored in the buffer is transmitted to a sub-control means through the same communication line by the interruption process in an order from what was memorize | stored previously in the buffer.
For a predetermined command among a plurality of types of commands, the main control means determines whether or not the data constituting the predetermined command has changed every 10 interrupts. When it is determined that there is a change, a predetermined command is generated and stored in the buffer.
Furthermore, for a specific command having a higher importance than a predetermined command among a plurality of types of commands, the main control means determines whether or not the data constituting the specific command has changed every 8 interrupts. . When it is determined that there is a change, a specific command is generated and stored in the buffer.
In this way, the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-008872 gives priority to the generation of a specific command and prevents the buffer from overflowing with commands.
In the above-described conventional gaming machine, the process of determining whether or not the data constituting a specific command has changed every 8 interrupts, and whether or not the data constituting a predetermined command has changed every 10 interrupts. The process for determining the above has been a heavy burden on the main control means side.
The problem to be solved by the invention is to reduce the processing load of command transmission on the main control means side while preventing the buffer from overflowing with commands.

(B) Means for Solving the Problem of the Initial Invention 4 (Note that the corresponding embodiment is described in parentheses)
The first solution is
Main control means (main control board 60) for controlling the progress of the game;
Sub-control means (sub-control board 80) for controlling the production;
A communication line capable of transmitting a command in one direction from the main control means to the sub-control means,
As commands to be transmitted to the sub-control means, there are a first command (first control command, second control command) and a second command (third control command),
As the communication line, a first communication line capable of transmitting a first command (a communication line for sub control data signals 1 to 8, a communication line for sub control data signals 9 to 16), and a second command can be transmitted. Having a second communication line (communication line for sub-control data signals 17-24),
The main control means includes
A buffer (control command buffer (ring buffer)) capable of storing a command to be transmitted to the sub-control means;
Storing a first command including predetermined information in the buffer;
Sending the first command stored in the buffer to the sub-control means through the first communication line by interrupt processing;
A second command including information different from the predetermined information is transmitted to the sub-control means through the second communication line by the interrupt process without being stored in the buffer.
The second solving means is the first solving means,
The second command includes a plurality of pieces of specific information (information indicating whether or not the left stop switch 42 is ready to accept an operation (D2 bit)), and the 3-bet switch 40b Including information indicating whether or not it is in a state where it can be accepted (D3 bit)),
When the plurality of specific information included in the received second command is ON (“1”), the sub-control unit determines that a communication error has occurred and notifies the fact.

(C) Effect of Initial Invention 4 According to the initial invention, the second command including the information different from the first command is not stored in the buffer, and the second communication is different from the first communication line through which the first command is passed. Since the data is transmitted to the sub-control means through the line, the processing load of command transmission on the main control means side can be reduced while preventing the buffer from overflowing with commands.

5. Initial invention 5
(A) Problem to be Solved by Initial Invention 5 The initial invention relates to a gaming machine that performs error notification on the sub-control means side based on a command transmitted from the main control means side.
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a gaming machine that performs error notification on a sub-control means side based on a command transmitted from the main control means side (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-029877).
Here, in the gaming machine, the memory capacity on the main control means side has a certain limitation due to security.
For this reason, it is conceivable that the sub-control means side determines whether or not there is an error relating to a setting change or setting confirmation that is not related to the game progress control.
However, if the sub-control means tries to determine whether there is an error related to setting change or setting confirmation, the number of commands transmitted from the main control means to the sub-control means at the time of setting change or setting confirmation increases. The processing on the side may be confused.
The problem to be solved by the invention at first is to appropriately determine the presence or absence of an error related to setting change or setting confirmation on the sub-control means side based on a command transmitted from the main control means side, and to notify it.

(B) Means for Solving the Problem of the Initial Invention 5 (Note that the corresponding embodiment is described in parentheses)
The first solution is
Main control means (main control board 60) for controlling the progress of the game;
Sub-control means (sub-control board 80) for controlling the production;
A setting switch that is electrically connected to the main control means and that is operated when shifting to a setting change mode in which a setting value related to the advantage for a player can be changed or a setting check mode in which the setting value can be checked. (Setting key switch 52),
A communication line capable of transmitting a command in one direction from the main control means to the sub-control means,
As commands to be transmitted to the sub-control means, there are a first command (first control command, second control command) and a second command (third control command),
As the communication line, a first communication line capable of transmitting a first command (a communication line for sub control data signals 1 to 8, a communication line for sub control data signals 9 to 16), and a second command can be transmitted. Having a second communication line (communication line for sub-control data signals 17-24),
The main control means includes
Enabling the transition to the setting change mode on the condition that the power switch is turned on from the off state with the setting switch being on,
Enabling the transition to the setting confirmation mode on the condition that the setting switch is turned on from off while the power is on,
When transitioning to the setting change mode, a first command indicating the setting change mode is transmitted to the sub-control means through the first communication line,
When transitioning to the setting confirmation mode, a first command indicating the setting confirmation mode is transmitted to the sub-control means through the first communication line,
When it is detected that the setting switch is on, a second command indicating that the setting switch is on is transmitted to the sub-control means through a second communication line,
The sub-control means receives a second command indicating that the setting switch is in an on state without receiving a first command indicating that the setting change mode or the setting confirmation mode is being performed, and then performs predetermined processing. When the time (64 ms) elapses, the content information corresponding to the elapsed time (whether 2 seconds have passed) since the power was turned on is notified.
The second solving means is the first solving means,
The sub-control means receives the second command indicating that the setting switch is on without receiving the first command indicating the setting change mode or the setting confirmation mode, and then receiving the second command. When the predetermined time has elapsed and the specified time (2 seconds) has not elapsed since the power was turned on, the fact that the set value cannot be changed is notified.
The third solution means in the first or second solution means,
The sub-control means receives the second command indicating that the setting switch is on without receiving the first command indicating the setting change mode or the setting confirmation mode, and then receiving the second command. When a predetermined time has elapsed and a specified time (2 seconds) has elapsed since the power was turned on, the fact that the set value cannot be confirmed is notified.
The fourth solving means is the first to third solving means,
The sub-control unit receives the first command indicating the setting change mode before the predetermined time has elapsed after receiving the second command indicating that the setting switch is on. When this is the case, it is notified that it is the setting change mode.
The fifth solving means is the first to fourth solving means,
The sub-control unit receives the first command indicating the setting confirmation mode before the predetermined time has elapsed after receiving the second command indicating that the setting switch is on. Is notified that it is in the setting confirmation mode.
The sixth solving means is the first to fifth solving means,
The main control means includes
A buffer (control command buffer (ring buffer)) capable of storing a command to be transmitted to the sub-control means;
When the first command is generated, the generated first command is stored in the buffer,
Sending the first command stored in the buffer to the sub-control means through the first communication line by interrupt processing;
When the second command is generated, the generated second command is transmitted to the sub-control means through the second communication line by the interrupt process without being stored in the buffer.

(C) Effect of Initial Invention 5 According to the initial invention, when the setting switch is in the ON state, the mode is normally shifted to the setting change mode or the setting confirmation mode. For this reason, if the first command indicating the setting change mode or the setting confirmation mode is not received even after a predetermined time has elapsed after receiving the second command indicating that the setting switch is in the ON state, It can be determined that an error has occurred.
Further, when shifting to the setting change mode, the power is turned on while the setting switch is on, and when shifting to the setting confirmation mode, the setting switch is turned on while the power is on. For this reason, when it is determined that an error has occurred, it is possible to determine the type of error (whether the error is a setting change or a setting check) based on the elapsed time from power-on.
Therefore, according to the initial invention, it is possible to appropriately determine and notify the presence / absence of an error relating to setting change or setting confirmation.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Slot machine 11 Display window 16 Door switch 21 Effect lamp 22 Speaker 23 Image display apparatus 24 Cross key 25 Push button 30 Symbol display apparatus 31 Reel 32 Motor 35 Medal paying-out apparatus 35a Hopper 35b Sub tank 36 Hopper motor 37a, 37b Discharge sensor 38 full Sensor 39 Reel sensor 40a 1 bet switch 40b 3 bet switch 41 Start switch 42 Stop switch 43 Medal insertion slot 43a Passage sensor 44a, 44b Insertion sensor 45 Blocker 46 Set-up switch 51 Power switch 52 Setting key switch 53 Setting change / reset switch 54 Setting Door switch 60 Main control board (main control means)
61 RWM
62 ROM
63 Main CPU
63a Setting change means 63b Condition device lottery means 63c Winning flag control means 63g Reel control means 63h Winning judgment means 63i Payout means 64 Set value display LED
65 Serial communication circuit 65a Transmission register 70 Display board 71 Storage number display LED
72 Acquisition number display LED
73 Status display LED
73a Replay display LED
73b LED indicating that it can be inserted
73c Checkout LED
73d Game start LED
73e Single-load indicator LED
73f Two-sheet loading display LED
73g Three-sheet loading indicator LED
80 Sub-control board (sub-control means)
81 RWM
82 ROM
83 Sub CPU
83a Production output control means 100 External concentration terminal board

Claims (1)

Multiple reels,
Main control means for controlling the progress of the game;
Sub-control means for controlling the production;
Predetermined peripheral devices that can be controlled by the main control means;
A plurality of motors for rotating the plurality of reels, and
The main control means includes
The main process for the progress of the game can be executed,
Interrupt processing can be executed during main processing.
The main process can generate a command to be transmitted to the sub-control means, and the generated command can be stored in a buffer.
By interrupt processing, the command stored in the buffer can be transmitted to the sub-control means, and the driving of the plurality of motors can be controlled,
The main control means includes
A first output port and a second output port capable of outputting a plurality of bits of data in parallel;
From the first output port, it is possible to output a command to be transmitted to the sub-control means,
A predetermined control signal for controlling the predetermined peripheral device can be output from a predetermined bit of the second output port,
A strobe signal indicating the acquisition timing of a command output from the first output port can be output from a specific bit other than the predetermined bit in the second output port,
Generating a plurality of bits of data corresponding to the output form of the predetermined control signal as data corresponding to the predetermined bit, and data corresponding to ON or OFF of the strobe signal as data corresponding to the specific bit , Output this from the second output port,
Within the time of one interrupt process, the drive of the plurality of motors is controlled, and then a command transmission process for transmitting a command is executed,
In the command transmission process, when the command stored in the buffer is transmitted to the sub-control means , the output of the command at the first output port is turned on, and after the predetermined time elapses after the command output is turned on, A slot machine which turns on output of a strobe signal in the specific bit.

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