JP6559553B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

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

  Patent Document 1 describes a gaming machine in which one lamp control CPU and a plurality of serial-parallel conversion ICs are connected in a daisy chain type with a single serial data communication line. The lamp control CPU outputs serial data as a control signal to each serial-parallel conversion IC, and each serial-parallel conversion IC converts the input serial data into parallel data and supplies it to the LED of each lamp. .

JP 2008-73438 A

  In the gaming machine of Patent Document 1, when the number of LEDs (devices to be controlled) is increased, the capacity of the lamp control CPU (effect control unit) is increased by increasing the data capacity transmitted in one communication or extending the communication time. The processing load becomes excessive, and there is a possibility that the LED malfunctions or cannot be controlled.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of increasing the number of devices to be controlled while suppressing an increase in processing load of the effect control unit.

  To achieve the above object, the gaming machine according to the first aspect of the present invention includes an effect control unit that determines an effect mode, a primary device and a plurality of secondary devices each capable of executing a predetermined effect, and device control. A first serial signal line that connects the production control unit, the primary device, and the device control unit in a chain, and a second serial signal line that connects the device control unit and the plurality of secondary devices.

  The effect control unit transmits a drive control signal based on the determined effect mode to the primary device via the first serial signal line, and transmits an effect command based on the determined effect mode via the first serial signal line. To the device controller. The primary device is driven according to the drive control signal received from the effect control unit. The device control unit transmits a drive control signal based on the effect command received from the effect control unit to the plurality of secondary devices via the second serial signal line. Each of the plurality of secondary devices is driven according to the drive control signal received from the device control unit.

  In the above configuration, a device control unit for a plurality of secondary devices is provided, and the effect control unit transmits an effect command without directly transmitting drive control signals to the plurality of secondary devices, and the device control unit Since the drive control signal is transmitted to the plurality of secondary devices based on the effect command received from the effect control unit, compared to the case where the effect control unit directly transmits the control signal to the plurality of secondary devices, The processing burden on the production control unit can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to increase the number of devices to be controlled while suppressing an increase in the processing load of the effect control unit.

  In addition, since the device controller is connected in series with the primary device to the first serial signal line for transmitting the drive control signal to the primary device, the first serial communication line for the primary device is used as it is. An effect command can be transmitted to the device control unit, and there is no need to provide a communication line for transmitting the effect command to the device control unit.

  A second aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the first aspect, wherein the first serial signal line connects the effect control unit, the primary device, and the device control unit in a ring shape. The device control unit transmits the effect command received from the effect control unit to the effect control unit via the first serial signal line as a confirmation command. The effect control unit determines whether or not the effect command transmitted to the device control unit and the confirmation command received from the device control unit match. Retransmit to the control unit.

  In the above configuration, the effect control unit determines whether the transmitted effect command is properly received by the device control unit based on the confirmation command received from the device control unit, and is not properly received (transmitted effect) If the command and the received confirmation command do not match), the production command is repeatedly transmitted until it is properly received, so that it is possible to prevent a processing error from occurring in the device control unit. .

  A third aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to the first or second aspect, wherein the effect control unit divides an effect command composed of a plurality of bits into unit commands composed of a predetermined number of bits. Then, the divided unit commands are transmitted in a predetermined order. Each unit command includes transmission order information indicating the number of the unit command to be transmitted. The device control unit determines whether or not the effect command received from the effect control unit is appropriate using the received transmission order information.

  In the above configuration, since the device control unit determines whether or not the received effect command is appropriate using the transmission order information, if it is determined that the received effect command is inappropriate, the effect command Can be discarded, and processing errors in the device control unit can be prevented.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention is the gaming machine according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the effect control unit calculates a checksum value of the effect command, and uses the calculated checksum value as the effect command. Including and sending. The device control unit calculates the checksum value of the effect command received from the effect control unit, and determines whether the effect command received from the effect control unit is appropriate and the checksum value received from the effect control unit and the above calculation. The checksum value is used for determination.

  In the above configuration, the device control unit determines whether or not the received effect command is appropriate using the checksum value. Therefore, when the received effect command is determined to be inappropriate, the effect command is determined. Can be discarded, and processing errors in the device control unit can be prevented.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the number of devices to be controlled while suppressing an increase in processing load of the effect control unit.

1 is an external perspective view of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective view which open | released the glass door and front board of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a rear view of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is an enlarged front view of the integrated display unit of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a block diagram showing the connection between the effect control CPU and the effect device group. It is a figure which shows the structure of an effect command. It is a figure which shows the transmission / reception timing of an effect command. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the communication related process performed with a sub control board | substrate and a glass frame electrical decoration control board.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  A pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter abbreviated as “pachinko machine”) P shown in FIG. 1 uses a game ball as a game medium. A player borrows a game ball from a game hall operator and uses the pachinko machine P. Play a game. In the game of the pachinko machine P, each of the game balls is a medium having a game value, and the privilege (benefits) enjoyed by the player as a result of the game is, for example, a game ball acquired by the player Based on the number of games, it can be converted into a game value. Hereinafter, the configuration of the gaming machine will be described with reference to FIGS. Further, the present invention can also be applied to other gaming machines such as a revolving type gaming machine (slot machine) in which medals are used as game media and medals are paid out as a bonus of game results.

[Overall configuration of gaming machine]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the pachinko machine P includes a machine frame (outer frame) 1, an inner frame door (front frame) 2, a glass door 3, and a game board 5. The machine frame 1 is a vertically long wooden frame, and is fastened and fixed to an island facility (not shown) in the game hall. The inner frame door 2 is attached to the machine frame 1 so as to be freely opened and closed, and the glass door 3 is attached to the inner frame door 2 so as to be freely opened and closed.

  The game board 5 is accommodated inside the inner frame door 2 and is detachably fixed to the inner frame door 2. A vertically oval opening window 6 is formed at the center of the glass door 3, and a transparent glass plate 7 covering the front of the game board 5 is attached to the opening window 6. The front surface (board surface) of the game board 5 includes a game area 8 that a player can visually recognize from the front through the opening window 6, and when the glass door 3 is closed, the inner surface (rear face) of the glass plate 7 and the game area 8. A space in which a game ball can flow down is formed.

  A cylinder lock 9 is provided on an edge of one side (right side in FIG. 1) of the inner frame door 2. When the inner frame door 2 and the glass door 3 are closed with respect to the machine frame 1 and the cylinder lock 9 is locked, the opening of the inner frame door 2 and the glass door 3 with respect to the machine frame 1 is prohibited.

  The glass door 3 integrally has a front board 4 at a lower portion thereof, and the front board 4 is provided with an upper plate 10 and a lower plate 11 protruding forward. The upper plate 10 is disposed on the upper portion of the front board 4, and the lower plate 11 is disposed below the upper plate 10. The upper plate 10 stores game balls (rented balls) rented to players and game balls (prize balls) acquired by winning a prize, and the lower plate 11 further pays out when the upper plate 10 is full. Played game balls are stored. The pachinko machine P of the present embodiment is a so-called CR machine (a model connected to the CR unit 50 (shown in FIG. 5)), and the game balls borrowed by the player are placed on the upper plate 10 separately from the prize balls. To be paid out.

  On the upper surface of the front board 4, a lending operation unit 15 and an effect button 23 are provided. The lending operation unit 15 includes a ball lending switch 12, a return switch 13, a frequency display device 14, and a ball lending display device 24, and the player has a balance in the CR unit 50 (shown in FIG. 5) that is not zero and appropriate. When a valuable medium (such as a magnetic recording medium or a storage IC built-in medium) is inserted, the remaining frequency of the inserted valuable medium is displayed on the ball lending display device 24 and a ball lending lamp ( (Not shown) lights up. When the player operates the ball lending switch 12 in such a state, a number of game balls (for example, 125 pieces) corresponding to a predetermined frequency unit (for example, 5 degrees corresponding to 500 yen) are lent out. The display device 24 displays that the lending process is in progress, and the balance frequency of the valuable medium decreases according to the lending of game balls. In the present embodiment, a CR machine is used as an example, but the pachinko machine P may be a model other than the CR machine (a model not connected to the CR unit 50). The effect button 23 receives an operation from the player regarding the effect.

  On the front surface of the front board 4, an upper dish ball removing operation unit 16 and a lower dish ball removing operation unit 17 are provided. When the upper tray ball removal operation section 16 is operated, the game balls in the upper tray 10 flow down to the lower dish 11, and when the lower dish ball removal operation section 17 is operated, the game balls in the lower dish 11 fall downward. Then discharged. The game ball discharged from the lower plate 11 is received by, for example, a ball receiving box (not shown).

  A launch handle 18 is rotatably supported at the lower right portion of the front board 4, and a launch device 19 is attached to the lower portion of the inner frame door 2. The game balls on the upper plate 1 are supplied one by one to the launching device 19, and when the player rotates the launching handle 18, the launching device 19 (launching motor 86 (shown in FIG. 5)) is activated to enter the game area 8. A game ball is launched. The game area 8 is partitioned and formed in a substantially circular shape by the guide rail 20 and the game ball regulating rail 21, and the game ball launched from the launching device 19 slides along the rails 20, 21 and moves upward to the game area 8. And then flow down by being guided and guided by game nails and windmills.

  Speakers 22 are respectively attached to the upper left and right sides of the glass door 3 and the lower left portion of the inner frame door 2, and a plurality of frame lamps 25 are attached to the front surface of the glass door 3. The speaker 22 emits various sound effects related to the game. The frame lamp 25 performs an effect by, for example, light emission (lighting or blinking, change in luminance gradation, change in color tone, etc.) of the built-in LED.

  In the present embodiment, as the frame lamp 25, an electrical decoration A, an electrical decoration B, and an electrical decoration C (see FIG. 6) are provided. In addition to the frame lamp 25, LED visions 105 are attached to the left frame portion and the right frame portion of the glass frame 3. The LED vision 105 is an aggregate of a large number (for example, 100 or more) of LEDs 106 arranged in a plane, and each LED 106 is controlled to emit light according to the effect.

[Configuration of the board]
In the game area 8, there are an integrated display unit 30, an image display device (effect display device) 31, a through chucker 32, an electric tulip (ordinary electric accessory) 33, a stage 34, a first start winning opening (first special figure start) (Winning port) 35, second starting winning port (second special drawing starting winning port) 36, general winning port 37, out port 38, attacker device (special electric accessory) 39, a plurality of panel lamps 60, game nails (illustrated) (Not shown), a windmill (not shown), and the like are provided. The first start winning opening 35 and the second starting winning opening 36 are arranged with an interval in the vertical direction. The panel lamp 60 performs an effect by, for example, the light emission of a built-in LED (lighting and blinking, change in luminance gradation, change in color tone, etc.).

  The integrated display unit 30 is disposed in the lower right part of the game board 3 so as not to enter the field of view of the player who is viewing the image display device 31 at the same time. As shown in FIG. 4, the integrated display unit 30 includes a first special symbol display device (first special symbol display device) 40, a second special symbol display device (second special symbol display device) 41, and a general-purpose display. A device (normal symbol display device) 42 and a state display device 43 are provided, and these display devices 40 to 43 are attached to the game board 5 in a state of being mounted on one integrated display board 48.

  The first special symbol display device 40 changes the first special symbol (number or pattern) based on the result of the electronic lottery related to the first special symbol, which is performed when the game ball is won at the first start winning opening 35. It is to stop display after it has been made. The second special symbol display device 41 changes the second special symbol (number or pattern) based on the result of the electronic lottery related to the second special symbol, which is performed in response to the winning of the game ball in the second start winning port 36. It is to stop display after it has been made. The first special symbol display device 40 and the second special symbol display device 41 of the present embodiment stop-display the first special symbol and the second special symbol after fluctuation by the 7-segment LED. In the present embodiment, since the game based on the winning at the second start winning opening 36 is executed in preference to the game based on the winning at the first starting winning opening 35, the first special symbol and the first Two special symbols will not change at the same time.

  The normal symbol display device 42 stops and displays the result of the electronic lottery related to the normal symbol, which is performed when the game ball of the through chucker 32 passes, after changing the normal symbol (number or pattern). The normal symbol display device 42 of the present embodiment stops and displays the normal symbol after the fluctuation by the 7-segment LED.

  The state display device 43 includes a round number display unit 44, a first special figure reservation number display unit 45, a second special figure reservation number display unit 46, and a general figure reservation number display unit 47. The round number display unit 44 is composed of four lamps (LEDs), and displays how many rounds the current jackpot continues depending on the combination of turning off, turning on, or blinking of the lamps. The first special figure hold number display unit 45 wins a game ball in the first start winning opening 35, and a random number determined per first special figure (a jackpot determined random number) acquired in accordance with the winning is the first special figure hold When stored as a random number in the first special figure reservation random number storage area (not shown) of the RAM 75, the stored number is displayed as the current reservation number. The second special figure reservation number display unit 46 receives a game ball in the second start winning opening 36, and the second special figure determined random number (a jackpot determined random number) acquired in accordance with the winning is the second special figure reserved When stored as a random number in the second special figure reserved random number storage area (not shown) of the RAM 75, the stored number is displayed as the current reserved number. The figure holding number display unit 47 stores the figure holding random number stored in the RAM 75 as a figure holding random number as a figure holding random number obtained as a figure holding random number obtained in response to the passing of the game ball through the through chucker 32. When stored in an area (not shown), the current number of holds is displayed. Each of the number-of-holding display units 45, 46, and 47 is composed of lamps (LEDs), and “0” to “4” (upper limit on the number of stored ball random numbers) depending on the combination of turning off, turning on, or blinking the lamps. ) To display the number of holds.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image display device 31 includes a liquid crystal image display, and is provided at a substantially central portion of the game board 3, and game balls to the first start winning opening 35 and the second starting winning opening 36. A predetermined effect image is displayed on the basis of the result of the electronic lottery concerning the special symbol performed in response to the winning of the prize. The effect image includes a dummy symbol (effect symbol) that fluctuates in synchronization with the first special symbol and the second special symbol that are variably displayed on the first special symbol display device 40 and the second special symbol display device 41, A display of the number of retained random numbers per special figure and a display of the number of retained random numbers determined per second special figure are included.

  The electric tulip 33 includes a pair of blade members 49 and an electric tulip driving device 51 (shown in FIG. 5). The pair of blade members 49 are rotatable about an axis orthogonal to the game board 3 and are disposed on the left and right sides of the entrance of the second start winning opening 36. When a solenoid (not shown) of the electric tulip driving device 51 is energized, the pair of blade members rotate away from each other, the electric tulip 33 opens, and the entrance of the second start winning prize port 36 is expanded. . In a state where the electric tulip 33 is closed (normal state), a game ball cannot be won in the second start winning opening 36, and winning in the second starting winning opening 36 is restricted when the electric tulip 33 is opened.

  The stage 34 is a structure in which a game ball stays temporarily while rolling, and is disposed below the image display device 31. A first start winning opening 35 is arranged directly below the center of the stage 34, and a game ball that has dropped from the central portion of the stage 34 is guided to the first starting winning opening 35 with a high probability.

  As a result of an electronic lottery concerning a special symbol that is performed when a game ball wins at the first start winning opening 35 and the second starting winning opening 36, the attacker device 39 becomes a jackpot game per special figure (big hit). Is a device that is opened a predetermined number of times (in this embodiment, 2 rounds or 15 rounds). The attacker device 39 includes a horizontally long rectangular prize-winning opening 52, a horizontally long plate-like lid member 53, and an attacker driving device 54 (shown in FIG. 5). The lower part of the lid member 53 is supported to be openable and closable in the front-rear direction about a horizontal axis. When a solenoid (not shown) of the attacker drive device 54 is energized, the upper part of the lid member 53 tilts forward and downward. The attacker device 39 is opened to expose the big prize opening 52, and a large amount of game balls are guided to the upper surface (back side) of the lid member 53 and can win the big prize opening 52. In a state where the attacker device 39 is closed (normal state), the lid member 53 closes the big prize opening 52, so that the prize winning to the big prize opening 52 is restricted when the attacker device 39 is opened.

  When a game ball is won in each winning opening (first starting winning opening 35, second starting winning opening 36, general winning opening 37, large winning opening 52), a predetermined number of gaming balls are paid out to the player as winning balls. The winning game balls are collected from the winning openings 35, 36, 37, 52 to the back side of the game board 5. In addition, game balls that have not won any of the winning openings 35, 36, 37, 52 are finally collected from the out opening 38 to the back side of the game board 5. The collected game balls are discharged out of the frame from the back side of the pachinko machine P through an out passage assembly (not shown), and further join a supply route (not shown) of the island facility.

  Inside the through chucker 32, the first start winning opening 35, the second starting winning opening 36, the general winning opening 37, and the big winning opening 52, sensors for detecting the passage of game balls (passing through the gate shown in FIG. 5). A ball detecting sensor 55, a first special figure starting ball detecting sensor 56, a second special figure starting ball detecting sensor 57, a big winning ball detecting sensor 58 and a general winning ball detecting sensor 59) are provided. Each time these sensors 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 detect the passing of a game ball, they transmit a detection signal to the main control device 70 (shown in FIG. 5). In the following description, among these detection signals, the detection signals transmitted by the sensors 56, 57, 58, 59 are referred to as winning ball detection signals, and the detection signals transmitted from the sensor 55 are referred to as ball passing detection signals. , There is a case to distinguish the two.

[Configuration of the back side]
As shown in FIG. 3, on the back side of the pachinko machine P, a power supply device 61, a main control board unit 62, a payout control board unit 63, a sub control board unit 64, an external information terminal board 65, a power cord (power plug) 66, a ground wire (ground terminal) 67, various electronic devices (including a control computer not shown) and the like constituting the power supply system and control system of the pachinko machine P are installed.

  The external information terminal board 65 is an interface for connecting the pachinko machine P to an external electronic device (for example, a hall computer 68 (shown in FIG. 5), a data display device, etc.). Various external information signals (for example, main prize ball information, prize ball information, door opening information, symbol determination number information, jackpot information, start opening information, error information, etc.) indicating the maintenance state are externally transmitted from the external information terminal board 65. Sent to the electronic device.

  The power cord 66 is connected to a power supply device (for example, AC 24 V) installed in the island facility of the amusement hall, and secures a power source (electric power) necessary for the operation of the pachinko machine P. The ground wire 67 is connected to a ground terminal installed in the island facility, and grounds the pachinko machine P.

[Configuration related to control]
Next, a configuration related to the control of the pachinko machine P will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing various electronic devices equipped in the pachinko machine P.

  The pachinko machine P includes a main control device 70, a payout control device 71, a sub control device 72, and a launch control device 100. The main control device 70 is the center of the control operation, has a function of mainly controlling the execution of game processing in the pachinko machine P, and is built in the main control board unit 62. The payout control device 71 mainly has a function of controlling the payout of the game ball, and the launch control device 100 mainly has a function of controlling the release of the game ball. The payout control device 71 and the launch control device 100 are Both are built in the payout control board unit 63 and mounted on a common control board (payout control board). The sub-control device 72 mainly has a function of controlling effects and is built in the sub-control board unit 64. The main control device 70 and the payout control device 71 are communication lines (a main command permission signal line and a main command data signal line) on which transmission is performed in one direction from the main control device 70 to the payout control device 71, and payout The control device 71 is connected to the main control device 70 by communication lines (payout command permission signal line and payout command data signal line) for transmission in one direction.

(Power supply device 61)
The power supply device 61 is supplied with external power (for example, 24V AC power) from the island facility through the power cord 66, and a plurality of constant voltage DC power sources or coarse rectified DC power sources that use this AC power source in the pachinko machine P. The power is converted into power and supplied to the main controller 70, the payout controller 71, the sub controller 72, the launch controller 100, and the like. The power supply device 61 includes a backup power supply (not shown) such as a power supply circuit and a capacitor, and a power cut notification signal (when a power cut occurs) when the supply of power from an external power supply is interrupted (when a power cut occurs). A power-off detection circuit 96 for generating a power-off signal) is provided. The power supply device 61 transmits a power-off notice signal to the main control device 70 and the payout control device 71 and supplies backup power when a power-off occurs. Note that the power-off detection circuit 96 may be provided other than the power supply device 61 (for example, the main control device 70 or the payout control device 71).

  The RWM clear switch 69 is a switch operated to clear past game information stored in the main control device 70 and the payout control device 71. The RWM clear switch 69 is provided in the power supply device 61 and is operated by the RWM clear switch 69. Then, an RWM clear signal is transmitted to the main controller 70. The RWM clear signal is a 1-bit on / off signal, and is turned on from off according to the operation of the RWM clear switch 69. Main controller 70 executes CPU initialization processing at startup, and if it is determined in the CPU initialization processing that the RWM clear signal is on, clears all RWM areas in RAM 75 of main controller 70 and sets initial values. The initial startup initial setting process is executed, and the RWM clear designation subcommand is transmitted to the sub-control device 72, and the RWM clear designation command (RWM clear designation signal / initialization instruction signal) is transmitted to the payout control device 71. To do. Receiving the RWM clear designation subcommand, the sub control device 72 executes the initial startup initial setting process for clearing all RWM areas of the RAM 94 of the sub control device 72 and setting the initial values, and receives the RWM clear designation signal. The payout control device 71 executes initial startup initialization setting processing for clearing all RWM areas of the RAM 82 of the payout control device 71 and setting initial values. That is, the RWM clear signal from the RWM clear switch 69 is not directly input to the sub control device 72 and the payout control device 71, and the sub control device 72 and the payout control device 71 receive the command for specifying the RWM clear from the main control device 70. As a result, the initial startup initial setting process is executed to clear all RWM areas. Since main controller 70 executes the CPU initialization process only at the time of start-up (including when power is turned off), the operation of RWM clear switch 69 is effective only at the time of start-up and is normal at times other than the start-up time. Is invalid. That is, even if the RWM clear switch 69 is operated during normal operation, the main controller 70 does not clear the RWM area and does not transmit the RWM clear designation subcommand and the RWM clear designation signal. In the CPU initialization process at startup, the main controller 70 determines that a backup error has occurred even when the RWM clear signal is off (when the RWM clear switch 69 is not operated). Similar to the case where the RWM clear switch 69 is operated, initial value setting processing at the time of initial startup is executed, a subcommand for RWM clear designation is transmitted to the sub control device 72, and an RWM clear designation signal is transmitted to the payout control device 71. . The place where the RWM clear switch 69 is provided is not limited to the power supply device 61, and may be another location such as the main control device 70 or the payout control device 71, for example.

(Main controller 70)
The main controller 70 is equipped with a circuit board (main control board) on which a main control CPU 73 that is a central processing unit (central instruction processing unit) is mounted. The main control CPU 73 includes a CPU core and various registers (general purpose). Register, flag register, index register, refresh register, interrupt register, instruction register, etc.), stack pointer, program counter, instruction recorder (all not shown), etc., together with semiconductor memory such as ROM 74 and RAM (RWM) 75 It is configured as an LSI. Each register holds an operation result, an address of an instruction to be read next, an execution state, and the like. The main controller 70 is equipped with a hard random number generation circuit 76 and a sampling circuit (not shown). The hardware random number generation circuit 76 generates hardware random numbers (for example, 0 to 65535 in decimal notation), and the generated random numbers are input to the main control CPU 73 through the sampling circuit. The hardware random number is used as a determined random number per first special figure and a determined random number per second special figure for jackpot determination, or a determined random number per universal figure for hit (per common figure) determination. The main controller 70 is equipped with peripheral ICs such as a clock (frequency generating circuit unit) 77, an input / output (I / O) port, a counter / timer circuit (CTC), etc., which are circuit boards together with the main control CPU 73. Implemented above.

  The RAM 75 has a work area (not shown) including a storage area for various flags. When an interrupt occurs or when a subroutine or function is called, data being processed, a return address, and the like are stored in a stack area (a save area). ) Is temporarily evacuated.

  The winning detection signals of the ball detection sensors 55 to 59 are input to the main control CPU 73 via an input / output driver (not shown). In this embodiment, the winning detection signals from the first special figure starting ball detection sensor 56 and the second special figure starting ball detection sensor 57 are directly transmitted to the main control device 70, and the gate passing ball detection sensor 55, Winning detection signals from the winning ball detection sensor 58 and the general winning ball detection sensor 59 are transmitted to the main controller 70 via a relay terminal board (not shown).

  The main control CPU 73 receives one hardware random number at the timing of receiving the winning detection signal from the first special figure starting ball detection sensor 56 when the game ball is won in the first starting winning port 35 (when the reception of the winning detection signal from the first special figure starting ball detection sensor 56 is detected). It is determined by referring to the first special symbol determination table stored in advance whether or not the acquired hardware random number is per special symbol. Similarly, the main control CPU 73 is triggered by the winning of a game ball at the second start winning opening 36 (at the timing when receiving a winning detection signal from the second special figure starting ball detecting sensor 57). A wear random number is acquired, and whether or not the acquired hardware random number is per special figure is determined with reference to a second special symbol determination table stored in advance. Further, the main control CPU 73 acquires one hardware random number when the game ball passes through the through chucker 32 (at the timing when the reception of the passage detection signal from the gate passage ball detection sensor 55 is detected), Whether or not the acquired hardware random number is per ordinary figure is determined with reference to a normal symbol determination table stored in advance. In this way, the main control CPU 73 executes an electronic success / failure lottery (special drawing lottery) according to the special drawing in response to the winning of the game ball at the start winning ports 35 and 36, and the game to the through chucker 32 An electronic success / failure lottery (ordinary drawing lottery) related to the usual drawing is executed with the passage of the ball as an opportunity.

  Each display of the first special figure display device 40, the second special figure display device 41, the universal figure display device 42, and the status display device 43 is controlled by a control signal from the main control CPU 73. The main control CPU 73 outputs control signals for the display devices 40 to 43 in accordance with the progress of the game, and controls the lighting state of each LED. The special symbol indicating the result of the special drawing lottery is stopped and displayed on the first special symbol display device 40 and the second special symbol display device 41 after the fluctuation, and the normal symbol indicating the result of the general symbol lottery is displayed on the general diagram display device 42. Stops after the change.

  In order to control the execution of various effects according to the result of the special drawing lottery, the main control CPU 73 sets the value of the loop counter within a predetermined range (based on an interrupt signal input periodically (for example, every 2 milliseconds)). Software random numbers (variation pattern random numbers) are generated by updating them one at a time (from 0 to 9), and random numbers for variation patterns are triggered by the winning of a game ball in the first start winning opening 35 or the second starting winning opening 36 One random number is acquired from among the change pattern numbers corresponding to the acquired change pattern random numbers. (Fluctuation pattern command) is determined with reference to a previously stored variation pattern table for the first special figure or the second special figure, and the determined variation pattern command is transmitted to the sub-control device 72 as a command for presentation. To do. The variation pattern table has a configuration in which a variation pattern command is associated with a variation pattern random number, and the variation pattern command determines the time (variation time) from the start to stop of the variation of the special symbol. One production time until the result is notified is determined. The variation pattern table is set so that a longer variation time is more easily determined when the result of the special drawing lottery is a win (per special drawing) than when the lottery is lost.

  In addition to the above-described variation pattern command, the command for the effect transmitted by the main control CPU 73 to the sub-control device 72 includes, for example, a special figure destination determination effect command, a (special symbol) effect command when the number of operating memories increases, and a (special symbol) operation. Production command when memory number decreases, start opening winning tone control command, demonstration production command, lottery result command, variation start command, stop symbol command, symbol stop command, state designation command, number of rounds command, error notification command, jackpot end An effect command, a count cut counter value command, a variation pattern destination determination command, a stop display time end command, a probability variation area passing command, a prize ball content command, and the like are included.

  The driving of the electric tulip driving device 51 and the attacker driving device 54 is controlled by a control signal from the main control CPU 73. The solenoids of the drive devices 51 and 54 are operated (excited) based on a control signal from the main control CPU 73 to open / close (activate) the electric tulip 33 and the attacker device 39.

  A glass door opening switch 78 and an inner frame door opening switch 79 are installed on the inner frame door 2. When the glass door 3 is opened from the inner frame door 2, a contact signal from the glass door opening switch 78 is input to the main controller 70 and the external information terminal board 65 via the payout control board unit 63. When the inner frame door 2 is opened from the machine frame 1, a contact signal from the inner frame door opening switch 79 is input to the main controller 70 and the external information terminal board 65 via the payout control board unit 63. . Note that each contact signal to the main control device 70 and the external information terminal board 65 simply passes through the payout control board unit 63 (payout control board) and is input to the payout control CPU 80 of the payout control apparatus 71 described later. Not. The main control CPU 73 that has received the contact signals from the switches 78 and 79 transmits a control signal instructing execution of these notification processes to the sub-control device 72 in order to notify the opening of the door by sound, LED, liquid crystal or the like. To do. The external information terminal board 65 that has received the contact signal from the switches 78 and 79 outputs an external information signal (door opening information) indicating that the door is open.

  The pachinko machine P is provided with an error detection sensor 98 that detects magnetism, radio waves, and the like. The error detection sensor 98 transmits an error detection signal to the main controller 70 when it detects magnetism, radio waves, and the like. The main control CPU 73 that has received the error detection signal performs predetermined error processing and transmits an error detection signal to the external information terminal board 65 via the payout control board unit 63. The external information terminal board 65 that has received the error detection signal outputs an external information signal (error information) indicating error detection. The error detection signal to the external information terminal board 65 simply passes through the payout control board unit 63 (payout control board) and is not input to the payout control CPU 80 of the payout control device 71 described later.

  The main controller 70 also outputs an error signal indicating that the door is open to the payout controller 71 in response to reception of the contact signals from the switches 78 and 79, and receives an error detection signal from the error detection sensor 98. In response, an error signal indicating error detection is output.

(Discharge control device 71)
The payout control device 71 is equipped with a circuit board (payout control board) on which a payout control CPU 80 is mounted. The payout control CPU 80 also includes a CPU core (not shown), like the main control CPU 73, and includes a ROM 81 and a RAM 82. It is configured as an LSI together with a semiconductor memory. The payout control CPU 80 controls the payout operation of game balls (prize balls) based on the prize ball instruction command (payout instruction signal) received from the main control CPU 73, and the number (number of payout prize balls) designated by the prize ball instruction command. ) Game ball payout operation is executed.

  The game balls replenished from the ball supply path (not shown) of the game hall are stored in a prize ball tank (not shown), and flow down a prize ball bowl (not shown) and introduced into a prize ball case (not shown). , And supplied to the upper plate 10 from the prize ball case.

  The prize ball case is provided with a payout motor (for example, a stepping motor) 83, and the payout control device 71 (payout control board unit 63) is provided with a drive circuit (not shown) of the payout motor 83. The payout control device 71 rotates the payout motor 83 to pay out the game ball from the prize ball case. One game ball is paid out by one pay-out operation (a predetermined amount of rotational drive) of the pay-out motor 83, and the paid-out game ball flows down to the front board 4 through a pay-out passage (not shown). To do.

  A payout counting switch 84 is installed on the downstream side of the payout motor 83, and when a prize ball is actually paid out by driving the payout motor 83, a payout count signal (payout detection signal) from the payout count switch 84 is sent out to the payout control device 71. Sent to. The payout count signal is transmitted every time a payout of one game ball is detected, and the payout control CPU 80 detects the actual payout number and the out of ball state based on the received payout count signal, and pays out the game ball. Manage.

  A tray full tank switch 85 is installed in the supply path of game balls to the upper plate 10 (shown in FIG. 1), and when the lower plate 11 (shown in FIG. 1) is full of game balls, the plate full tank switch 85 is turned on. This is turned on, and a full tank detection signal is transmitted to the dispensing control device 71. The payout control CPU 80 that has received the full tank detection signal temporarily holds the prize ball operation according to the prize ball instruction command received from the main control CPU 73, and stores the unpaid prize ball remaining number in the RAM 82. The RAM 82 can be backed up even when the power is cut off, so that even if a power outage (including momentary power outage) occurs during the game, the information on the number of remaining unpaid prize balls will not be lost. .

  On the substrate of the payout control device 71, a state LED (not shown) is provided. The status LED is a power LED that emits light when power is supplied from the power supply, a pan full LED that emits light when the pan is full, a communication error LED that emits light when a communication error occurs, a door open LED that emits light when the door is open, and a payout operation failure It includes a payout operation failure LED that emits light, and a CR unconnected LED that emits light when not connected to the CR unit 50. The emission control of the status LED is executed by the payout control CPU 80 based on reception of a corresponding signal (command).

(Launch control device 100)
The firing device 19 (shown in FIG. 2) is provided with a firing motor 86 and a ball feed solenoid 87, and the firing handle 18 (shown in FIG. 1) has a firing volume 88, a touch sensor 89, a firing stop switch 90, Is provided. The ball feed solenoid 87 sends game balls that have flowed down from the upper plate 10 (shown in FIG. 1) one by one to the launch position, and the launch motor 86 launches the game balls sent to the launch position. In addition, the launch interval of game balls is, for example, about 0.6 seconds (within 100 per minute).

  The firing volume 88 transmits a firing force instruction signal proportional to the rotational operation amount (stroke) of the firing handle 18 (shown in FIG. 1) to the firing control device 100. The touch sensor 89 detects that the player's body is touching the firing handle 18 from the change in capacitance, and transmits a detection signal to the firing control device 100. The firing stop switch 90 transmits a firing stop signal (contact signal) to the launch control device 100 when operated by the player.

  When the player rotates the firing handle 18, a firing force instruction signal corresponding to the amount of rotational operation is transmitted from the firing volume 88 to the firing control device 100. The firing control device 100 controls the driving of the firing motor 86 based on the received firing force instruction signal. Thereby, the launch strength of the game ball is adjusted according to the operation amount of the player. However, the firing control device 100 stops driving the firing motor 86 when the detection signal from the touch sensor 89 is off (low level) and when the firing stop signal is input from the firing stop switch 90. The payout control CPU 80 transmits a fire permission signal to the fire control device 100 based on the connection of the CR unit 50, and the fire control device 100 drives the fire motor 86 on condition that the fire control signal is received from the payout control CPU 80. To do. That is, when the CR unit 50 is not connected to the pachinko machine P, the launch control device 100 stops driving the launch motor 86.

  Further, in addition to the above control, the firing motor 86 may be driven on condition of the firing permission signal from the main control device (the firing permission signal is turned on when the power is turned on and turned off when the power is turned off and driven when the firing permission signal is turned on). .

(Sub-control device 72)
The sub-control device 72 is equipped with a circuit board (a sub-control board 130 (see FIG. 6) constituting the sub-control board unit 64) on which an effect control CPU 92 as an effect control unit is mounted. Like the main control CPU 73, it includes a CPU core (not shown) and is configured as an LSI together with semiconductor memories such as a ROM 93 and a RAM 94. The sub-control device 72 is equipped with an input / output driver and various peripheral ICs.

  The ROM 93 of the sub-control device 72 stores an effect control program related to effect control, and the effect control CPU 92 follows an effect command transmitted from the main control CPU 73 in accordance with the stored effect control program. Control of effects by the image display device 31, the various lamps 25 and 60, the sound generator 97 and the movable accessory is executed. The image display device 31 includes an image processor, a liquid crystal, and the like, and the sound generation device 97 includes a sound processor, a speaker 22, and the like. The production control includes image display control of the image display device 31, light emission control of the various lamps 25 and 60 and the LED vision 105, sound generation control from the speaker 22, and drive control of the movable accessory drive device 95. It is. Note that an image processor and a sound processor may be provided in the sub-control board unit 64.

  The effect control CPU 92 determines an effect pattern (effect mode) corresponding to the variation pattern command received from the main control CPU 73 with reference to a previously stored effect mode table. The effect mode table has a configuration in which an effect pattern is associated with a variation pattern command. Corresponding to each effect pattern, the image display pattern in the image display device 31, the light emission pattern in the various lamps 25 and 60, the sound generation pattern from the speaker 22, the drive pattern of the movable accessory, the LED vision 105 The light emission pattern of each LED 106 is determined.

  Between the sub control device 72 and the LED vision 105, an illumination control device 120 for performing light emission control of the LED vision 105 is provided. The electrical decoration control device 120 includes a glass frame electrical decoration control board 103, and an electrical decoration control CPU 104 as a device control unit is mounted on the glass frame electrical decoration control board 103. Similarly to the effect control CPU 92, the illumination control CPU 104 includes a CPU core (not shown) and is configured as an LSI together with a semiconductor memory such as a ROM and a RAM (not shown).

  The effect control CPU 92 includes an electric decoration control CPU 104, a frame lamp 25 (electric decoration A, electric decoration B, electric decoration C), a movable accessory driving device (movable body) 95, and an effect button 23, which are loopback systems. Serial communication lines (first serial signal lines) 131 are daisy chain connected in series (see FIG. 6). The frame lamp 25 and the movable body 95 are effects devices (primary devices) whose drive (light emission and operation) is directly controlled by the effect control CPU 92. The effect control CPU 92 transmits a drive control signal for instructing driving (stopping) of each primary device via the serial communication line 131 to directly control the driving of each device. In the following description, the illumination CPU 104, the illumination A, the illumination B, the illumination C, the movable body 95, and the effect button 23 may be collectively referred to as an effect device group.

  On the other hand, each LED 106 of the LED vision 105 is an effect device (secondary device) that is not directly controlled by the effect control CPU 92 (light emission) but indirectly controlled via the illumination control CPU 104. . The illumination control CPU 104 and each LED 106 of the LED vision 105 are connected by a serial communication line (second serial signal line) 107 (see FIG. 6). Note that the illumination control CPU 104 and each LED 106 may be connected in a daisy chain like the serial communication line 131 or may be further connected in a loopback.

  The effect control CPU 92 determines a table number for designating the light emission control pattern of each LED 106 corresponding to the effect pattern, and transmits an effect command including table number information to the illumination control CPU 104 via the serial communication line 107. The illumination control CPU 104 determines the light emission control pattern of the LED vision 105 corresponding to the table number included in the effect command received from the effect control CPU 92 with reference to the light emission effect table stored in advance in the ROM or the like. The light emission control pattern may be a static pattern that does not change with time, but in this embodiment, a dynamic light emission control pattern that changes with time is determined. The light emission effect table has a configuration in which the light emission control pattern of each LED 106 of the LED vision 105 is associated with the table number.

  The illumination control CPU 104 and each LED 106 of the LED vision 105 are connected by the serial communication line 107 as described above, and the illumination control CPU 104 is driven for each LED 106 of the LED vision 105 according to the determined light emission control pattern. A drive control signal instructing (stop) is transmitted via the serial communication line 107 to directly control the drive (light emission) of each LED 106.

  In this way, the effect control CPU 92 does not directly transmit the drive control signal for controlling the light emission (drive) to each LED 106 of the LED vision 105, and the effect command (table number information) that specifies the light emission control pattern of the LED vision 105. ) Is transmitted to the illumination control CPU 104. The illumination control CPU 104 that has received the effect command from the effect control CPU 92 transmits a drive control signal corresponding to the received table number information to the LED vision 105 to control each LED 106.

  The image display device 31, the sound generator 97, the panel lamp 60, and the effect control CPU 92 are connected to each other by individual serial communication lines.

(Output to the outside)
Various external information signals generated in the main control device 70 and the payout control device 71 are output from the external information terminal board 65 to the outside. The signals output from the external information terminal board 65 are totaled, for example, by a hall computer 68 in a game hall.

[Communication system between effect control CPU and effect device group]
As shown in FIG. 6, the sub control board 130 includes a serial communication unit 110 for the effect control CPU 92. Peripheral boards 121 to 125 are provided for the primary device (electric decoration A, electric decoration B, movable body 95 and electric decoration C) and the production button 23 corresponding to each. The peripheral boards 121 to 124 include output ICs 111 to 114 for each primary device, and the peripheral board 125 includes an input IC 115 for the effect button 23. The glass frame lighting control board 103 includes an output IC 116 and an input IC 117 for the lighting control CPU 104. In addition, for example, the peripheral substrates 121 to 123 are configured by a single substrate, and the peripheral substrates 124 and 125 are configured by a single substrate. For example, a part or all of the peripheral substrates 121 to 125 are configured as a single substrate. Also good.

  The serial communication line 131 is daisy chained from the serial communication unit 110 to the serial communication unit 110 via the output IC 111, the output IC 112, the output IC 113, the output IC 116, the input IC 117, the output IC 114, and the input IC 115 sequentially. Connected and loopback connected. Daisy chain connection is a wiring form that connects a plurality of devices in a chain, and loopback connection is a wiring form that connects a plurality of devices in a ring shape. That is, the sub-control board 130 (production control CPU 92), the plurality of primary devices, the production buttons 23, and the glass frame lighting control board 103 (lighting control CPU 104) are chain-like and circular with the serial communication line 131. It is connected to the.

  The serial communication unit 110 is a communication interface (communication unit) that transmits data output from the effect control CPU 92 via the serial communication line 131 and inputs data received from the serial communication line 131 to the effect control CPU 92.

  The output ICs 111 to 114 and 116 transfer the data received via the serial communication line 131 to the next communication unit as it is, and a latch signal is supplied between the reception and transfer of the data, whereby the received data Is a communication interface (communication unit) that captures. The output IC 111 outputs the captured data to the electrical decoration A, the output IC 112 outputs the captured data to the electrical decoration B, the output IC 113 outputs the captured data to the movable body 95, and the output IC 114 outputs the captured data to the electrical decoration B. The output IC 116 outputs the received data to the decoration control CPU 104.

  The input IC 115 transfers the data received via the serial communication line 131 to the next communication unit as it is, and a latch signal is supplied between the reception and transfer of the data, whereby the received data is sent to the effect button 23. It is a communication interface (communication unit) that updates (overwrites) and transmits data input from. The input IC 117 transfers the data received via the serial communication line 131 to the next communication unit as it is, and a latch signal is supplied between the reception and transfer of the data, thereby controlling the received data with illumination control. This is a communication interface (communication unit) that updates (overwrites) and transmits data input from the CPU 104. The data that the illumination control CPU 104 inputs to the input IC 117 is data of the effect command that the illumination control IC 104 received from the effect control CPU 92 last time via the output IC 116.

  The serial communication unit 110 first transmits serial data for the most downstream (terminal) communication unit among a plurality of chain-connected communication units, and transmits serial data for each communication unit to the upstream side from the most downstream communication unit. Send it back to the communication unit sequentially. Specifically, blank data for button input, transmission data to the illumination C, blank data for data input from the illumination control CPU 104, transmission data to the illumination control CPU 104, and the movable body 95 Transmission data, transmission data to electrical decoration B, and transmission data to electrical decoration A are transmitted in this order.

  The data transmitted from the serial communication unit 110 is sequentially propagated from the most upstream output IC 111 to the most downstream input IC 115 by a clock (not shown), and the first output blank data for button input is input to the input IC 115. At the timing, the transmission data to the decoration C is output to the output IC 114, the blank data for data input from the decoration control CPU 104 is input to the input IC 117, the transmission data to the decoration control CPU 104 is output to the output IC 116, and the movable body 95. Transmission data to the output IC 113, transmission data to the electrical decoration B reach the output IC 112, and transmission data to the electrical decoration A reach the output IC 111, and latch signals are supplied to the communication units at such timing. By supplying the latch signal, the output IC 111 captures transmission data to the decoration A, the output IC 112 captures transmission data to the decoration B, the output IC 113 captures transmission data to the movable body 95, and the output IC 116 The transmission data to the control CPU 104 is captured, the input IC 117 updates the blank data to the data input from the illumination control CPU 104, the output IC 114 captures the transmission data to the illumination C, and the input IC 115 performs the blank data to the effect button 23. Update to the data entered from. When the number of communication units connected in a chain is n and the data transmission interval (time) is T, the data update cycle is nT, and data is latched every nT by the latch signal. In this embodiment, since there are seven communication units (n = 7), the data update cycle is 7T. Further, when receiving data from the input IC 115, the serial communication unit 110 outputs the received data to the effect control CPU 92, and when receiving data from the input IC 117, outputs the received data to the effect control CPU 92.

  The data that the effect control CPU 92 transmits to each primary device (electric decoration A, electric decoration B, electric decoration C, and movable body 95) is a drive control signal that directly instructs driving (stopping) of each device. The drive control signal is composed of a predetermined number of bits (1 byte in this embodiment). Each primary device that has received data (drive signals that are output data from the output ICs 111 to 114) from the effect control CPU 92 changes its state in accordance with changes in the received data. The data transmitted by the effect button 23 to the effect control CPU 92 is a state signal that directly indicates the state of the effect button 23 (operation from the player), and changes according to the change of the effect button 23. The status signal is composed of a predetermined number of bits (1 byte in this embodiment).

  On the other hand, the data transmitted from the effect control CPU 92 to the illumination control CPU 104 and the data transmitted from the illumination control CPU 104 to the effect control CPU 92 are different from the drive control signal and the status signal, and the LED vision 105. This is an effect command including table number information for designating a light emission control pattern. The production command is composed of a predetermined number of bits (4 bytes in this embodiment).

  The effect command that the effect control CPU 92 transmits to and receives from the illumination control CPU 104 is 4 bytes, and the drive control signal that each primary device receives from the effect control CPU 92 and the status signal that the effect button 23 transmits to the effect control CPU 92 Both are 1 byte. Therefore, the serial communication unit 110 includes a parallel-serial converter (not shown) that converts parallel data into serial data, a register (not shown) that receives serial data converted by the parallel-serial converter, and serial data. A serial-parallel converter (not shown) for converting into parallel data and a register (not shown) for receiving parallel data converted by the serial-parallel converter are provided. The output ICs 111 to 114 and 116 include a serial-parallel converter (not shown) and a register (not shown), and the input ICs 115 and 117 include a parallel-serial converter (not shown) and a register (not shown). With. The serial communication unit 110 converts the drive control signal and the effect command input from the effect control CPU 92 to serial data and transmits the serial data, and also receives the received status signal and effect command serial data as parallel data (status signal and effect command). And output to the effect control CPU 92. The output ICs 111 to 114 convert the received serial data into drive control signals and output them to the primary devices, and the output IC 116 converts the received serial data into effect commands and outputs them to the illumination control CPU 104. The input IC 115 converts the status signal input from the effect button 23 into serial data and transmits it, and the input IC 117 converts the effect command input from the illumination control CPU 104 into serial data and transmits it.

(Direction command)
Next, an effect command transmitted and received between the effect control CPU 92 and the illumination control CPU 104 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The production command is composed of 4 bytes, and is divided into 1 byte (unit command) and sequentially transmitted for each byte. The table number information is composed of 8 bits. The first byte is composed of command identification information (3 bits), control code information (2 bits), and layer information (3 bits), and the second byte is command identification information (3 bits) and display block information (2 Bit) and table number information (3 bits), the third byte is composed of command identification information (3 bits) and table number information (5 bits), and the fourth byte is command identification information (3). Bit) and a checksum value (5 bits). Note that it is arbitrary how many bytes (how many bits) each of the production command and each piece of information included in the production command is configured.

  The command identification information (transmission order information) is information indicating the number of bytes of the unit command to be transmitted, and prevents processing errors when the production command is unintentionally changed due to noise or the like. Sent for. The bit array of the command identification information is “001” in the first byte, “010” in the second byte, “011” in the third byte, and “100” in the fourth byte. The illumination control CPU 104 determines whether or not the 1st byte to the 4th byte are received in order when reception of the production command is completed. If the production command is not in the proper order, the received production command (data) is inappropriate. It is determined that the command is invalid and is discarded.

  The table number information is information indicating the table number on which the performance is executed, and is 8 bits (table) which is the sum of 3 bits of the second byte (table number A) and 5 bits of the third byte (table number B). Number 0-255). For example, if the number of bytes of the production command is added to 1 byte and the whole is composed of 5 bytes, and 5 bits excluding command identification information (3 bits) among the added 1 byte are assigned to the table number information, the table number The information is composed of 13 bits (table number 0-8191).

  The display block information is information indicating which region of the glass frame 3 (see FIG. 1) is the target of the effect command (table number) to be transmitted. In the case of the right side, 1 (bit arrangement “ 01 ”), 2 (bit array“ 10 ”) is stored in the case of the left side, and 3 (bit array“ 11 ”) is stored in the case of the whole.

  The layer information is information indicating the priority (layer number) of the effect command (table number) to be transmitted, and the higher the number, the higher the priority. Layers 1 to 7 can be designated, and the highest layer 7 is assigned an error (effect when abnormal), and layers 1 to 6 are assigned normal effects. The light emission control CPU 104 can advance the internal processing of a plurality of table numbers (light emission control patterns) independently (in parallel). When internal processing of a plurality of table numbers proceeds in parallel, the light emission control CPU 104 executes an actual effect (external output processing) with priority given to the upper layer. That is, the light emission control of the LED 106 is performed according to the internal processing of the table number of the upper layer, and only the internal processing (time elapse) proceeds for the lower layer, and the light emission control (external output processing) based on the internal processing is performed. I will not.

  The control code information is information relating to the start of execution of the internal processing of the effect command (table number) to be transmitted, and there are two types of end code and setting code. In the case of an end code, 2 (bit array “10”) is stored, and in the case of a setting code, 3 (bit array “11”) is stored. The end code is information for instructing the start of the immediate internal processing after the reception of the effect command is completed. On the other hand, the setting code is information (information not instructing to start internal processing) instructing accumulation (storage) of the received effect command (table number). Until the end code is received, the light emission control CPU 104 accumulates and stores the received table number (the table number of the effect command in which the setting code is set), and receives the effect command in which the end code is set. At the same time, the internal processing of all (one or more) stored table numbers is started simultaneously with the internal processing of the table numbers included in the effect command. Note that the actual performance is executed with priority on the upper layer as described above.

  For example, internal processing of a plurality of layers is started at the same time and progressed in parallel, and the actual output (external output processing) is executed according to the internal processing of one layer. When changing to another layer (switching), if the internal processing of multiple layers is started individually when reception of each production command is completed, the time difference (time required for transmission of the production command to start the multiple internal processes) Deviations at the start due to command delay. Especially when the number of layers is large, the command delay increases and the deviation at the start also increases. For this reason, there is a possibility that the player may feel uncomfortable when the layers are switched. On the other hand, by setting the end code only for the effect command of the layer to be transmitted last among multiple layers, and setting the setting code for the effect command of other layers, sending each effect command, the command delay A plurality of internal processes can be started at the same time without causing a shift at the start due to the player, and the player does not feel uncomfortable when the layers are switched.

  The checksum value stores the total value of the first to third bytes of the effect command to be transmitted. The effect control CPU 92 calculates and transmits the checksum value of the effect command to be transmitted. The illumination control CPU 104 calculates the checksum value of the received effect command, compares the calculated checksum value with the checksum value received from the effect control CPU 92, and if the two are different, the received effect command is invalid. Judge that it is an appropriate command and discard it.

(Direction command transmission / reception timing)
Next, transmission / reception timing when the effect control CPU 92 transmits one effect command to the illumination control CPU 104 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The data (serial data) transmitted / received by the effect control CPU 92 by one latch includes transmission data to the electrical decoration A (electric decoration A data), transmission data to the electrical decoration B (electric decoration B data), and a movable body. Transmission data (movable body data) to 95, transmission data to the illumination control CPU 104 (production command output data), reception data from the illumination control CPU 104 (production command input data), and transmission to the illumination C This is 7-bit data consisting of data (lighting C data) and data received from the effect button 23 (button data).

  The production command is composed of 4 bytes, and is transmitted in 4 bytes each byte. In this embodiment, transmission of 1 byte is executed every 260 μs, and assuming that a processing unit for transmitting 1 byte is 1 phase, 8 latches are performed in 1 phase.

  The illumination control CPU 104 transmits the production command output data for 1 byte received in the previous phase as it is from the input IC 117 to the production control CPU 92 as production command input data for confirmation (confirmation command). In other words, the lighting control CPU 104 checks the output command output data for 1 byte for which reception has been completed each time reception of 1 byte is completed without waiting for reception of all bytes (4 bytes) of the effect command. As a command for use.

  In phase 1, the first byte of the effect command is transmitted (first time). Since phase 1 is the first phase (the previous phase does not exist), the reception data from the illumination control CPU 104 is blank data, and the production command data reception is valid from the next phase 2.

  In phase 2, the first byte of the effect command is transmitted again (second time). In phase 2, the first byte of the effect command received by the illumination control CPU 104 (transmitted by the effect control CPU 92) in the previous phase (phase 1) is transmitted from the illumination control CPU 104 to the effect CPU 92 as effect command input data. .

  In phases 3 and 4, as in phase 2, the first byte of the effect command is transmitted again (third and fourth times). By transmitting the first byte four times, the effect control CPU 92 receives the effect command input data of the first byte three times. The effect control CPU 92 determines whether or not the transmitted effect command output data and the received effect command input data match three times in succession for the first byte, on condition that they match three times in succession. The transmission of the first byte is completed and the process proceeds to the transmission of the second byte, and the transmission of the first byte is repeated until three consecutive matches. In the following description, it is assumed that the first to fourth bytes are all determined to have been matched three times in four transmissions.

  It is determined that the transmission of the first byte has been completed by the reception of the third effect command input data in phase 4, and the process proceeds from phase 5 to the transmission of the second byte. In addition, since the 1st byte production command output data (4th) is transmitted in phase 4, the 1st byte production command input data (4th) is received in phase 5, but this production command is received. Since the input data is unnecessary data, it is discarded.

  As for the 2nd to 4th bytes, the production command output data is transmitted 4 times each, similarly to the 1st byte. Production command output data for the 2nd byte is transmitted in phases 5 to 8, production command input data for the 2nd byte is received in phases 6 to 9, and production command output data for the 3rd byte is output in phases 9 to 12. In the phases 10 to 13, the third byte effect command input data is received, in the phases 13 to 16 the fourth byte effect command output data is output, and in the phases 14 to 17 the fourth byte effect command input data is received. To do.

  Driving control signals (electric decoration A data, electric decoration B data, electric decoration C data, movable body data) from the production control CPU 92 to each primary device (electric decoration A, electric decoration B, electric decoration C, movable body 95) and The state signal from the effect button 23 to the effect control CPU 92 is transmitted together with effect command output data and effect command input data in each phase. Note that the drive control signal and the status signal may not be transmitted every time in each phase, but may be transmitted only when the signal changes.

(Communication related processing executed on the sub control board and the glass frame lighting control board)
Next, communication-related processing executed by the sub control board 130 and the glass frame lighting control board 103 will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the execution subject of the process in the sub control board 130 is the effect control CPU 92, and the execution subject of the process in the glass frame lighting control board 103 is the lighting control CPU 104.

  The effect control CPU 92 determines an effect pattern based on the variation pattern command received from the main control CPU 73, determines a table number corresponding to the determined effect pattern, and a command of the first byte of the effect command including the determined table number. (Transmission command) is transmitted (step S1).

  The illumination control CPU 104 receives the first byte transmission command (step S2), and transmits the received transmission command as it is to the effect control CPU 92 as a confirmation command (step S3).

  Receiving the confirmation command (reception command), the effect control CPU 92 repeats transmission of the first byte transmission command three more times, and receives the reception command three more times (four times in total) (steps S1 to S4).

  The presentation control CPU 92 determines whether or not they match each time a transmission command is transmitted and a reception command is received (step S5). It is determined that the eye has been properly transmitted, the transmission of the first byte is terminated, and the process proceeds to the transmission of the second byte (step S6). When the transmission command and the reception command do not coincide with each other three times, the transmission of the transmission command is repeated until they coincide with each other three times.

  The effect control CPU 92 and the illumination control CPU 104 sequentially execute the same process as the first byte from the second byte to the fourth byte (steps S6 to S15). The effect control CPU 92 ends this process when transmission of the fourth byte is completed.

  After receiving up to the fourth byte, the illumination control CPU 104 performs command analysis processing and execution processing (step S16), and then ends this processing.

  In the command analysis process, it is determined from the command identification information whether or not the production command is received in order from the first byte to the fourth byte. Also, the checksum value of the received command from the first byte to the third byte is calculated, and the calculated checksum value and the checksum value received at the fourth byte (the checksum value calculated and transmitted by the effect control CPU 92) ) Matches.

  When the production commands are received in order and the checksum values match, the process proceeds to the command execution process. When the production commands are not received in order, or the checksum values match. If there is not, there is a high possibility that the effect command has not been properly received, so the received effect command is discarded.

  In the command execution process, if the received production command includes an end code, internal processing of the table number of the received production command (including the production command if there are accumulated production commands) is started. To do. On the other hand, when the received effect command includes a setting code, the received effect command is accumulated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the lighting control CPU 104 (glass frame lighting control board 103) for the multiple LEDs 106 of the LED vision 105 is provided, and the effect control CPU 92 is provided to the LEDs 106 of the LED vision 105. On the other hand, an effect command is transmitted without directly transmitting a drive control signal, and the illumination control CPU 104 transmits a drive control signal to a number of LEDs 106 based on the effect command received from the effect control CPU 92. However, the processing load on the effect control CPU 92 can be reduced as compared with the case where the control signals are directly transmitted to a large number of LEDs 106. Therefore, it is possible to increase the number of devices to be controlled while suppressing an increase in the processing load of the effect control CPU 92.

  Since the production control CPU 104 (glass frame lighting control board 103) is connected in series with the primary device to the serial communication line 131 for transmitting the drive control signal to the primary device, the serial communication line 131 for the primary device. Can be used to transmit the effect command to the effect control CPU 104, and there is no need to separately provide a dedicated communication line for transmitting the effect command to the effect control CPU 104.

  The effect control CPU 92 determines whether or not the transmitted effect command is properly received by the illumination control CPU 104 based on the confirmation command received from the illumination control CPU 104, and is not properly received (the transmitted effect command and If it is determined that the received confirmation command does not match, the effect command is repeatedly transmitted until it is properly received. The illumination control CPU 104 determines whether or not the received effect command is appropriate using the received command identification information. If the received effect command is determined to be inappropriate, the effect command is determined. Is discarded. Furthermore, the lighting control CPU 104 determines whether or not the received effect command is appropriate using the checksum value, and when determining that the received effect command is inappropriate, discards the effect command. To do. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a processing error from occurring in the illumination control CPU 104.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented with various modifications. The aspect of the effect mentioned in one embodiment is an example, and is not limited to the aspect of the effect described above.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the secondary device is a large number of LEDs 106 has been described. However, the secondary device may be another device (for example, a plurality of movable bodies, etc.), or a different type of device ( Electrical decoration and movable body may be included.

25: Frame lamp (primary device)
70: Main control unit 71: Dispensing control unit 72: Sub control unit 73: Main control CPU
92: Production control CPU (production control unit)
93: ROM
94: RAM
95: Movable body (primary device)
103: Glass frame lighting control board 104: Lighting control CPU (device control unit)
105: LED vision 106: LED (secondary device)
107: Serial communication line (second serial signal line)
110: Serial communication unit 111, 112, 113, 114, 116: Output IC
115, 117: Input IC
130: Sub-control board 131: Serial communication line (first serial signal line)
P: Pachinko machine (game machine)

Claims (4)

An effect control unit that determines an effect mode;
A primary device and a plurality of secondary devices each capable of performing a predetermined performance;
A device controller;
A first serial signal line connecting the effect control unit, the primary device, and the device control unit in a chain;
A second serial signal line for connecting the device control unit and the plurality of secondary devices,
The production control unit transmits a drive control signal based on the decided production mode to the primary device via the first serial signal line, and sends a production command based on the decided production mode to the first serial. Send to the device controller via the signal line,
The primary device is driven according to a drive control signal received from the effect control unit,
The device control unit transmits a drive control signal based on the effect command received from the effect control unit to the plurality of secondary devices via the second serial signal line,
Each of the plurality of secondary devices is driven according to a drive control signal received from the device control unit. The gaming machine according to claim 1,
The first serial signal line connects the effect control unit, the primary device, and the device control unit in a ring shape,
The device control unit transmits the received production command as a confirmation command to the production control unit via the first serial signal line,
The production control unit determines whether or not the production command transmitted to the device control unit matches the confirmation command received from the device control unit. A command is sent again to the device control unit. A gaming machine according to claim 1 or claim 2,
The production control unit divides the production command composed of a plurality of bits into unit commands composed of a predetermined number of bits, and transmits the divided unit commands in a predetermined order,
Each of the unit commands includes transmission order information indicating which unit command is transmitted in the unit command,
The device control unit determines whether or not the received effect command is appropriate using the transmission order information. A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The production control unit calculates a checksum value of the production command, transmits the calculated checksum value included in the production command,
The device control unit calculates a checksum value of the effect command received from the effect control unit, and determines whether the received effect command is appropriate, the received checksum value and the calculated checksum value. A gaming machine characterized by using and to determine.

Images