JP6770321B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine capable of playing a game such as a pachinko gaming machine.

As an example of a gaming machine, a gaming medium such as a gaming ball is launched into the gaming area by a launching device, and the gaming medium wins a prize in a winning area such as a winning opening provided in the gaming area. There is a pachinko game machine that can be granted. Further, as another example of the game machine, after setting a predetermined number of bets for one game using a game medium such as a medal, a coin, or a game ball similar to a pachinko game machine, the player presses the start lever. There is a slot machine that starts variable display of a display symbol by a variable display device by operating it and can give a predetermined game value based on the derived display result.

It has been proposed that the DMA built in the control core of such a game machine reads various data including light emission data from the ROM and transfers the data to the RAM of the control core or the internal register of the CPU. (For example, Patent Document 1). Further, when continuously transmitting motor drive data or the like as serial data, there has been proposed a method of independently transferring data by DMA transfer using a DMA controller without going through a CPU (for example, Patent Document 2).

JP-A-2015-77215 JP-A-2010-268912

For example, in the case of performing serial communication by DMA transfer as in the case of transmitting the serial data described in Patent Document 2, if the execution timing between the serial communication and the DMA transfer becomes inappropriate, the communication content such as the transmission data is transmitted. There was a risk of malfunction.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine capable of preventing communication problems.

(1) In order to achieve the above object, the gaming machine according to the claim of the present application is a gaming machine capable of playing a game (for example, a pachinko gaming machine 1), and is an effect means (for example, movable members 51 to 54). And a communication means (for example,) that performs serial communication between the effect control means (for example, CPU 130 of the effect control microcomputer 120) that controls the execution of the effect using the light emitter units 71 to 74 and the effect means. The settings of the serial communication circuit 137, the serial signal relay device 161 and the like, the transfer control means for controlling the transfer of data between the effect control means and the communication means (for example, the DMA controller 134), and the communication means are set. A communication setting means for performing is provided, and after the effect control means communicates with the transfer control means and before serial communication is performed by the communication means, the stored contents related to the serial communication in the communication means are reset (for example, FIG. 24). (Refer to step S193), the communication means transmits an operation command by serial communication to a drive means (for example, operation motors 60A to 60C) for operating a plurality of movable members included in the effect means. The communication means performs serial communication using a modulation clock obtained by modulating a reference clock by a predetermined modulation method, and the communication setting means sets the predetermined modulation method during a period during which serial communication is not performed by the communication means. When the effect control means and the communication means are provided on the first board, and the communication means is connected to the first board and a second board different from the first board, the first board is connected. through the second substrate is capable of receiving a detection result by serial communication from the detectable detection means a state of the movable member, said presentation control means, said first substrate and said second substrate is connected If so, the abnormality notification of the movable member can be executed based on the detection result , and when the first substrate and the second substrate are not connected, the abnormality notification of the movable member is notified. Control not to do.
According to such a configuration, communication problems can be prevented.

(2) In the game machine of the above (1), the communication means operates by serial communication with respect to a drive means (for example, operation motors 60A to 60C) for operating a plurality of movable members included in the effect means. The command may be sent.
In such a configuration, it is possible to prevent a failure in communication with a driving means that operates a plurality of movable members.

(3) In the gaming machine according to (1) or (2), the communication means has a plurality of detection means (for example, a first position detection sensor 51A and a first position detection sensor 51A) corresponding to each of the plurality of movable members included in the effect means. The detection result may be received by serial communication from the two-position detection sensor 52A or the like).
In such a configuration, it is possible to prevent a failure in communication with a plurality of detection means.

(4) The gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (3) above is provided with communication setting means (for example, relay control unit 161B0, diffusion control unit 161B1, output control unit 161B2, etc.) for setting the communication means. The communication means performs serial communication using a modulation clock obtained by modulating a reference clock by a predetermined modulation method (for example, frequency modulation) (see, for example, FIG. 14), and the communication setting means performs serial communication by the communication means. The predetermined modulation method may be set during the period when the predetermined modulation method is not performed (see, for example, steps S203, S205 to S208 and FIG. 28 in FIG. 25).
In such a configuration, radiation noise can be suppressed.

(5) In any of the game machines (1) to (4), the effect control means is provided on a first substrate (for example, an effect control board 12), and the first board and the first board are provided. A detecting means capable of detecting the state of a movable member (for example, movable members 51 to 54) included in the effect means when a second substrate different from the above (for example, a relay board 16A for effect control) is connected. Based on the signals from (for example, the first position detection sensor 51A and the second position detection sensor 52A), the abnormality notification of the movable member can be executed (see, for example, steps S58 to S60 and FIG. 19 of FIG. 17). When the first substrate and the second substrate are not connected, it may be controlled so as not to notify the abnormality of the movable member (see, for example, step S57 in FIG. 17).
In such a configuration, work efficiency in the manufacturing stage and the development stage can be improved.

It is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the case where a plurality of movable members are in the advanced state. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the effect movable mechanism. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the effect movable mechanism. It is a block diagram which shows various control boards and the like mounted on the pachinko game machine. It is a block diagram which shows various circuits mounted on an effect control board. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a serial communication circuit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the setting example of the storage content. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a light emitting body control board. It is a figure which shows the setting example which divides into a plurality of blocks. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a light emitting body circuit board. It is a figure which shows the configuration example of a light emitter driver. It is a figure which shows the setting example of the serial communication system. It is a figure which illustrates the clock signal for each light emitting body circuit board. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a game control process process. It is a figure which shows the setting example of the fluctuation pattern. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the effect control main processing. It is a figure which shows the setting example of the terminal of a connector, a harness, and the input / output contents. It is a figure which shows the execution example of abnormality notification. It is a flowchart which shows an example of an effect control process process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the variable display start setting process. It is a figure which shows the configuration example of an effect control pattern. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the effect processing during variable display. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the transfer communication setting processing. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a frequency modulation setting process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a signal output control process. It is a figure which shows the setting example of a modulation profile. It is a timing diagram which shows the execution example of a modulation setting and a signal output.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine according to the present embodiment, and shows an arrangement layout of main members. In FIG. 1, the effect movable mechanism 50 described later is shown by a broken line. The pachinko gaming machine (gaming machine) 1 is roughly divided into a gaming board (gauge board) 2 constituting the game board surface and a game machine frame (underframe) 3 for supporting and fixing the game board 2. The game board 2 is formed with a game area surrounded by guide rails and having a substantially circular outer edge. A game ball as a game medium is launched from a predetermined ball launching device into this game area.

At a predetermined position of the game board 2 such as inside or outside of the game area, a first special symbol display device 4A, a second special symbol display device 4B, a main image display device 5MA, a sub image display device 5SU, a normal winning ball device 6A, A normal variable winning ball device 6B, a special variable winning ball device 7, a normal symbol display 20, a first holding display 25A, a second holding display 25B, a normal drawing holding display 25C, a passing gate 41, etc. are provided. .. Speakers 8L and 8R capable of reproducing and outputting sound effects and the like are provided at the upper left and right positions of the game machine frame 3, and game effect lamps 9 are provided around the game area. At the lower right position of the game machine frame 3, a ball hitting operation handle (operation knob) operated by a player or the like to launch a game ball as a game medium toward the game area is provided, and the ball hitting operation handle The elastic force of the game ball is adjusted according to the operation amount (rotation amount). An upper plate (striking ball supply plate) for holding (storing) game balls and a lower plate for holding (storing) surplus balls from the upper plate are provided at predetermined positions of the game machine frame 3 below the game area. Has been done. A stick controller 31A is attached to the member forming the lower plate, and a push button 31B is provided to the member forming the upper plate.

On the screens of the first special symbol display device 4A, the second special symbol display device 4B, the main image display device 5MA, and the like, variable display of special symbols and decorative symbols is performed. These variable displays are based on the occurrence of the first starting prize due to the game ball passing (entering) the first starting winning opening formed in the ordinary variable winning ball device 6A, or in the ordinary variable winning ball device 6B. It becomes feasible based on the occurrence of the second start prize due to the game ball passing (entering) through the formed second start prize opening. Each of the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B is composed of, for example, a 7-segment or dot matrix LED (light emitting diode), and is used in a special symbol game as an example of a variable display game. A special symbol (also referred to as a "special symbol") which is (special identification information) is variably displayed (variable display). The main image display device 5MA is composed of, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) or the like, and forms a display area for displaying various effect images. On the screen of the main image display device 5MA, the variable display of the special symbol (also referred to as "first special symbol") by the first special symbol display device 4A in the special symbol game and the special symbol by the second special symbol display device 4B ("" Corresponding to each of the variable display of "the second special figure"), the decorative symbol which is the identification information (decorative identification information) is variably displayed in the decorative symbol display area which becomes a plurality of variable display units such as three. Will be done. The variable display of this decorative pattern is also included in the variable display game.

As an example, "left", "middle", and "right" decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R are arranged on the screen of the main image display device 5. Then, in the special symbol game, one of the fluctuation of the first special symbol in the first special symbol display device 4A and the variation of the second special symbol in the second special symbol display device 4B is started. Fluctuation of the decorative symbol (for example, scroll display in the vertical direction) is started in each of the decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R of "left", "middle", and "right". After that, when the confirmed special symbol is stopped and displayed as the display result of the variable display in the special symbol game, the "left", "middle", and "right" decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R on the image display device 5 are displayed. At, the fixed decorative symbol (final stop symbol), which is the display result of the variable display of the decorative symbol, is stopped and displayed. The display result in the variable display of the special symbol or the decorative symbol is also called the variable display result. In particular, the variable display result of the special symbol in the special figure game is also referred to as the special figure display result.

As described above, on the screen of the main image display device 5MA, the special figure game using the first special figure in the first special symbol display device 4A or the second special figure in the second special symbol display device 4B is used. In synchronization with the special figure game, a plurality of types of decorative symbols that can be identified by each are variably displayed, and a definite decorative symbol that is a variable display result is derived and displayed (or simply referred to as "derivative"). In addition, to derive and display various display symbols such as a special symbol and a decorative symbol means to display identification information such as a decorative symbol as a stop display (also referred to as a complete stop display or a final stop display) and end the variable display. .. On the other hand, during the variable display from the start of the variable display of the decorative symbol to the derivation display of the final decorative symbol that is the variable display result, the fluctuation speed of the decorative symbol becomes "0" and the decoration is displayed. The design may be stagnant and displayed, and may be in a display state that causes slight shaking or expansion / contraction, for example. Such a display state is also called a temporary stop display, and although the display result in the variable display is not definitively displayed, the player can recognize that the change of the decorative pattern due to the scroll display or the update display is not progressing. It becomes. In addition, the temporary stop display does not cause slight shaking or expansion / contraction, and the decorative symbol is completely stopped and displayed in the period until a short stop time shorter than a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) elapses. May be included.

The decorative symbols that are variably displayed in the "left", "middle", and "right" decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R are, for example, eight types of symbols (alphanumeric characters "1" to "8" or Chinese numbers. It may be an English character, eight character images related to a predetermined motif, a combination of numbers, characters or symbols and a character image, and the character image may be, for example, a person or an animal, an object other than these, or an object other than these. It may be composed of a symbol such as a character or a decorative image showing any other figure). Each of the decorative symbols has a corresponding symbol number. For example, a symbol number of "1" to "8" is assigned to each of the alphanumeric characters indicating "1" to "8". The number of decorative patterns is not limited to eight, and may be any number (for example, seven or nine) as long as an appropriate number of combinations such as a jackpot combination and a losing combination can be configured.

After the variable display of the decorative symbol is started, until the final decorative symbol that is the variable display result is derived and displayed, the decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R of "left", "middle", and "right" are displayed. In, for example, scroll display is performed so as to flow from top to bottom in order from the one with the smallest symbol number to the one with the largest symbol number, and when the decorative symbol with the maximum symbol number (for example, "8") is displayed, the process continues. The decorative symbol having the smallest symbol number (for example, "1") is displayed. Alternatively, in at least one of the decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R (for example, the "left" decorative symbol display area 5L, etc.), scroll display is performed from the one with the larger symbol number to the one with the smaller symbol number, and the symbol is displayed. When the decorative symbol having the smallest number is displayed, the decorative symbol having the largest number may be displayed subsequently.

The decorative design is not limited to the one that is variably displayed as a plurality of types of identification information. For example, an arbitrary production image can be displayed on the screen of the main image display device 5MA in response to fluctuations in the special design in the special design game. Anything that can display is sufficient. On the screen of the main image display device 5MA, it may be possible to execute an effect of displaying the result of the story according to the variable display result of the special symbol by displaying the effect image having a story. As an effect by displaying the effect image, for example, a professional wrestling or soccer match or a battle effect in which enemy or ally characters fight may be performed. Then, when the variable display result is "missing", the effect of losing the match or battle is performed. On the other hand, when the variable display result is "big hit", the effect of winning the game or battle is performed. Alternatively, for example, on the screen of the main image display device 5MA, the display color change display and the stop display at a specific display portion are repeated. Then, when the variable display result is "missing", the stop display state is maintained with a predetermined display color (for example, white), or the predetermined display color is maintained in a hidden state. Derived display of decorative patterns. On the other hand, when the variable display result is a "big hit", the decorative design is derived and displayed by maintaining the stopped display state with a display color (for example, red) different from the predetermined display color. In this way, during the variable display of the decorative symbol, a predetermined (single) symbol may be switched between display and non-display, while the other symbols may be maintained in the non-display state. Then, as the final stop symbol (fixed decorative symbol) that results in the variable display of the decorative symbol, any one of a plurality of types of symbols may be derived and displayed (final stop display). Further, during the variable display of the decorative symbol, the display and non-display of the effect image showing the predetermined pattern may be repeated so that the other effect images are not displayed. Then, as a variable display result of the decorative symbol, the effect image showing the predetermined symbol used for the variable display is not stopped and displayed, and the effect image showing a specific number or symbol different from the predetermined symbol is displayed. By being displayed, the decorative pattern may be derived and displayed.

A start winning memory display area 5H is arranged on the screen of the main image display device 5MA. In the start winning prize storage display area 5H, a hold storage display is performed in which the variable display hold number (special figure hold memory number) corresponding to the special figure game is identifiablely displayed. Here, the holding of the variable display corresponding to the special figure game is performed based on the occurrence of the first start winning prize and the second starting winning prize. That is, the start condition (also referred to as "execution condition") for executing the variable display game such as the special figure game or the variable display of the decorative symbol is satisfied, but the variable display game based on the previously satisfied start condition is being executed. When the start condition that allows the start of the variable display game is not satisfied due to the fact that the pachinko game machine 1 is controlled to the jackpot game state, the variable display corresponding to the established start condition is held. Will be done. If the special figure game using the 1st special figure cannot be started when the 1st start winning is generated when the game ball passes (enters) the 1st start winning opening, the 1st special figure reserved memory number is added by 1. It is (incremented) and the execution of the special figure game using the first special figure is suspended. On the other hand, if the special figure game using the second special figure cannot be started when the second start winning is generated when the game ball passes (enters) the second start winning opening, the second special figure is suspended. The number of stored items is incremented by 1, and the execution of the special figure game using the second special figure is suspended. On the other hand, when the execution of the special figure game using the first special figure is started, the number of stored special figures of the first special figure is decremented by 1, and the execution of the special figure game using the second special figure is executed. Is started, the second special figure reserved memory number is decremented by 1. If the number of reserved first special figures reaches a predetermined upper limit (for example, "4") when the first start prize is generated, the special figure game based on the start prize is invalidated and the prize is awarded. Only the payout of the ball may be made. Further, when the second start prize is generated, if the number of the second special figure hold memory reaches a predetermined upper limit value (for example, "4"), the special figure game based on the start prize is invalidated and the prize is awarded. Only the payout of the ball may be made. The decrease in the number of reserved memories (the number of reserved memory of the first special figure or the number of stored memories of the second special figure) due to the start of the special figure game is also referred to as the digestion of the hold.

The first hold indicator 25A displays the number of hold storages of the first special figure in a identifiable manner. The second hold indicator 25B displays the number of second special figure hold storage identifiable. The number of the first hold indicator 25A and the second hold indicator 25B corresponds to, for example, the upper limit values (for example, "4") of the first special figure hold storage number and the second special figure hold storage number, respectively (for example, 4). It is configured to include (1) LEDs.

The sub-image display device 5SU shown in FIG. 1 is provided on the right side of the main image display device 5MA, and displays various images including an effect image separately from the main image display device 5MA. The location where the main image display device 5MA and the sub image display device 5SU are installed is not limited to the vicinity of the center of the game area on the game board 2. For example, the main image display device 5MA is installed near the center of the game area, while The sub-image display device 5SU may be installed at an arbitrary position on the pachinko gaming machine 1 such as outside the gaming area, the upper front surface, the lower front surface, and the side surface of the gaming machine frame 3.

The ordinary winning ball device 6A forms a first starting winning opening as a starting region (first starting region) that is always kept in a constant open state by, for example, a predetermined ball receiving member. The ordinary variable winning ball device 6B is an electric motor having a pair of movable wing pieces that are changed into a normal open state in a vertical position and an expanded open state in a tilting position by a solenoid 27 for an ordinary electric accessory shown in FIG. It is equipped with a tulip-shaped accessory (ordinary electric accessory) and forms a starting area (second starting area) and a second starting winning opening. In the normal variable winning ball device 6B, when the solenoid 27 for the normal electric accessory is in the off state, the movable wing piece is in the vertical position, so that the game ball does not pass (enter) the second starting winning opening. To. On the other hand, in the normal variable winning ball device 6B, when the solenoid 27 for the normal electric accessory is in the on state, the movable wing piece is in the tilting position, so that the game ball passes (enters) the second starting winning opening. ) Make it open. The normally variable winning ball device 6B is normally opened when the solenoid 27 is in the off state, and the game ball can enter (pass) through the second starting winning opening, while the expansion when the solenoid 27 is in the on state. It may be configured so that the game ball is less likely to enter (pass) than in the open state. In this way, the normal variable winning ball device 6B has a first variable state such as an open state in which the game ball easily passes (enters) the second starting winning opening or an expanded open state, and the game ball cannot pass (enter). It is configured to be able to change to a second variable state such as a closed state or a normally open state where it is difficult to pass (enter).

The game ball that has passed (entered) the first starting winning opening formed in the ordinary winning ball device 6A is detected by the first starting opening switch 22A shown in FIG. The game ball that has passed (entered) the second start winning opening formed in the normally variable winning ball device 6B is detected by the second starting opening switch 22B shown in FIG. Based on the detection of the game balls by the first start port switch 22A, a predetermined number (for example, 3) of game balls are paid out as prize balls, and the first special figure reserved memory number is a predetermined upper limit value (for example, "" 4 ”) If it is less than or equal to, the first starting condition is satisfied. Based on the detection of the game balls by the second start port switch 22B, a predetermined number (for example, 3) of game balls are paid out as prize balls, and the second special figure reserved memory number is a predetermined upper limit value (for example, "" 4 ”) If it is less than or equal to, the second starting condition is satisfied. The number of prize balls to be paid out based on the detection of the game ball by the first start port switch 22A and the number of prize balls to be paid out based on the detection of the game ball by the second start port switch 22B. May be the same number or different numbers from each other. The pachinko gaming machine 1 may directly pay out the game balls to be prize balls, or may give points corresponding to the number of game balls to be prize balls.

The special variable winning ball device 7 includes a large winning opening door that is opened and closed by a solenoid 28 for the large winning opening door shown in FIG. 5, and a specific area that changes between an open state and a closed state depending on the large winning opening door. Form a big prize opening as. In the special variable winning ball device 7, when the solenoid 28 for the large winning opening door is off, the large winning opening door closes the large winning opening, and the game ball cannot pass (enter) the large winning opening. On the other hand, in the special variable winning ball device 7, when the solenoid 28 for the big winning door is on, the big winning door opens the big winning door and the game ball passes through (entering) the big winning door. ) It becomes easier. In this way, the large winning opening as a specific area changes into an open state in which the game ball easily passes (enters) and is advantageous to the player, and a closed state in which the game ball cannot pass (enter) and is disadvantageous to the player. To do. In addition, instead of the closed state in which the game ball cannot pass (enter) the large winning opening, or in addition to the closed state, a partially open state in which the game ball does not easily pass (enter) the large winning opening may be provided.

The game ball that has passed (entered) the grand prize opening is detected by the count switch 23 shown in FIG. Based on the detection of the game balls by the count switch 23, a predetermined number (for example, 15) of game balls are paid out as prize balls. In this way, when the game ball passes (enters) the large winning opening opened in the special variable winning ball device 7, the game ball passes through another winning opening such as the first starting winning opening or the second starting winning opening. More prize balls will be paid out than when passing (entering). Therefore, if the large winning opening is opened in the special variable winning ball device 7, the game ball can enter the large winning opening, which is a first state advantageous for the player. On the other hand, if the large winning opening is closed in the special variable winning ball device 7, it becomes impossible or difficult for the player to pass (enter) the game ball through the large winning opening to obtain the winning ball. It becomes a disadvantageous second state.

The ordinary symbol display 20 is composed of 7 segments, dot matrix LEDs, and the like like the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B, and is ordinary identification information of a plurality of types different from the special symbol. Display (variable display) the design (also called "normal figure" or "ordinary figure") in a variable manner. Such a variable display of a normal pattern is called a normal figure game (also referred to as a "normal figure game"). The normal figure hold indicator 25C is configured to include, for example, four LEDs, and displays the normal figure hold storage number as the number of effective passing balls that have passed through the passing gate 41.

The game board 2 is provided with an effect movable mechanism 50 as a movable member capable of performing a display effect according to a lighting mode of a plurality of light emitting bodies arranged in an aligned manner. The effect movable mechanism 50 has a plurality of (for example, four) movable members. The effect movable mechanism 50 changes into a retracted state in which a plurality of movable members are separately located at the top and bottom of the screen of the main image display device 5MA, and an advanced state in which the plurality of movable members are located in front of the screen of the main image display device 5MA. be able to. In the following description, the up / down / left / right / front / rear directions will be described with reference to the state of facing the front of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

The effect movable mechanism 50 shown in FIG. 1 is in the retracted state. In this embodiment, the game area of the game board 2 is formed by a transparent plate (not shown) made of, for example, resin, the effect movable mechanism 50 is arranged behind the transparent plate, and the game ball is produced. It flows down in front of the movable mechanism 50. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples, and at least one of the plurality of movable members of the effect movable mechanism 50 may be arranged in front of the transparent plate forming the game area.

FIG. 2 shows a case where a plurality of movable members provided in the effect movable mechanism 50 are in an advanced state located in front of the main image display device 5MA. FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the effect movable mechanism 50. The effect movable mechanism 50 is located on the upper side mechanism 50T having two movable members 51 and 52 located on the upper side of the screen of the main image display device 5MA in the retracted state, and on the lower side of the screen of the main image display device 5MA in the retracted state. It can be separated from the lower mechanism 50B provided with the two movable members 53 and 54. That is, the effect movable mechanism 50 includes an upper mechanism 50T and a lower mechanism 50B that can be arranged apart from each other or close to each other. When the upper mechanism 50T and the lower mechanism 50B are separated from each other, the retracted state is set as the first state. On the other hand, when the upper mechanism 50T and the lower mechanism 50B are close to each other, the advanced state is set as the second state.

The upper mechanism 50T and the lower mechanism 50B are provided with a driving means for changing the retracted state and the advanced state. The upper mechanism 50T includes an upper support unit 55 and a decorative member 57 in addition to the two movable members 51 and 52. The lower mechanism 50B includes a lower support unit 56 in addition to the two movable members 53 and 54.

The upper support unit 55 includes a U-shaped frame that covers the upper side of the screen of the main image display device 5MA, and by fixing this frame to the game board 2 main body, each configuration of the upper mechanism 50T is provided. Support the member. The upper support unit 55 includes a first power transmission unit engaged with the movable member 51, and transmits power from the operation motor 60A shown in FIG. 5 to the movable member 51. The frame of the upper support unit 55 is formed with a rotary support shaft that rotatably supports the movable member 51 and a guide hole that guides the rotational operation of the movable member 51, and assists the movement of the decorative member 57. A guide slit is formed along the vertical direction. The decorative member 57 pivotally supports the left ends of the two movable members 51 and 52, and the movable members 51 and 52 rotate with respect to the decorative member 57. The decorative member 57 moves up and down with the operation of the movable member 51 by outputting the power from the operation motor 60A to the movable member 51. The upper support unit 55 can output a position detection signal for directly or indirectly detecting the positions of the movable members 51 and 52 by using the first position detection sensor 51A shown in FIG. For example, the first position detection sensor 51A may detect the rotational position of the operation motor 60A, or may directly detect the positions of the movable members 51 and 52. As the first position detection sensor 51A, various sensors such as a photo interrupter and a rotary encoder can be used. The first position detection sensor 51A may be configured to include two or more sensors.

On the front surface of the base body included in the movable member 51, an operation motor 60B for rotating the movable member 52, a motor case covering the operation motor 60B, and external teeth attached to the rotation shaft of the operation motor 60B. A motor gear of a gear and a drive gear that meshes with the motor gear are attached. The drive gear connected to the rotation shaft of the operation motor 60B has a second power transmission unit that is separated from the center of rotation and projects forward. The second power transmission unit engages with the movable member 52 and transmits the power from the operation motor 60B to the movable member 52.

The movable member 52 is formed with a decorative side guide hole that engages with the decorative member 57 and a power side guide hole that transmits the second power transmission unit. The movable member 52 is positioned so as to overlap the back side of the movable member 51 when the second power transmission unit is located above. When power is output from the operation motor 60B and the second power transmission unit rotates downward, the movable member 52 rotates downward with respect to the movable member 51 with the decorative side guide hole as a fulcrum, and is visible to the player. It becomes a state. When the second power transmission unit is located below, power is output from the operation motor 60B and the second power transmission unit rotates upward, so that the movable member 52 moves upward with the decorative side guide hole as a fulcrum. It rotates and hides behind the decorative member 51. In this way, the operation motor 60B provides a driving force for operably driving the movable member 52.

The lower support unit 56 includes a frame configured to cover the lower side of the screen of the main image display device 5MA, and by fixing this frame to the game board 2 main body, each component of the lower mechanism 50B can be attached. To support. The lower support unit 56 includes a link mechanism connected to the movable member 53 and engaged with the movable member 54, and a third power transmission unit in which the power from the operation motor 60C shown in FIG. 5 is engaged with the link mechanism. The movable members 53 and 54 are moved by being transmitted to the movable members 53 and 54 via the like. As described above, in the lower mechanism 50B, the movable members 53 and 54 can operate by transmitting the power from the operation motor 60C via the link mechanism, the third power transmission unit, or the like. That is, the operation motor 60C provides a driving force for operably driving the movable members 53 and 54. The frame of the lower support unit 56 is formed with protrusions, guide holes, and the like for supporting the link mechanism. In the lower support unit 56, the positions of the movable members 53 and 54 are directly or indirectly detected by, for example, grasping the operating position of the link mechanism by using the second position detection sensor 52A shown in FIG. It is possible to output the position detection signal of. As the second position detection sensor 52A, the same one as the first position detection sensor 51A can be used.

In the upper mechanism 50T, each of the movable members 51 and 52 includes a plurality of light emitters arranged in a matrix. That is, a plurality of light emitters are aligned and arranged in each of the movable member 51 and the movable member 52 along a predetermined direction such as a vertical and horizontal direction (vertical and horizontal direction). The plurality of light emitters aligned and arranged by the movable member 51 form the light emitter unit 71 shown in FIG. The plurality of light emitters arranged in alignment with the movable member 52 form the light emitter unit 72 shown in FIG.

In the lower mechanism 50B, each of the movable members 53 and 54 includes a plurality of light emitting bodies arranged in a matrix in the same manner as the movable members 51 and 52 of the upper mechanism 50T. That is, a plurality of light emitters are aligned and arranged in each of the movable member 53 and the movable member 54 along a predetermined direction such as a vertical and horizontal direction (vertical and horizontal direction). The plurality of light emitters aligned and arranged by the movable member 53 form the light emitter unit 73 shown in FIG. The plurality of light emitters aligned and arranged by the movable member 54 form the light emitter unit 74 shown in FIG.

The plurality of light emitters arranged so as to form the light emitter units 71 to 74 include a plurality of types of light emitting elements, each of which has a different emission color from each other. For example, as each light emitting body, a full-color LED having a light emitting element capable of emitting light in R (red), G (green), and B (blue) is used. As a result, the movable members 51 to 54 are displayed by the illuminant units 71 to 74, such as displaying various colors in a single color over the entire area and displaying a plurality of colors in a rainbow color by distinguishing them within the region. It is possible to perform a display effect by lighting a plurality of light emitting bodies arranged in an aligned manner. As described above, the illuminant units 71 to 74 can execute the display effect by changing the color and pattern of the display (emission) using the plurality of illuminants with the passage of time. In front of the plurality of illuminants arranged in alignment with the illuminant units 71 to 74 included in the movable members 51 to 54, a partition body formed in a grid pattern so as to partition each of the plurality of illuminants is provided. ing. Further, on the front surface of the compartments of the movable members 51 to 54, a front plate for decorating the movable members 51 to 54 is provided.

The plurality of light emitters are not limited to those using a full-color LED, and for example, a single color or a plurality of color LEDs may be used, or a light emitter other than the LED may be used. The compartment may be composed of members formed in a three-dimensional grid pattern, or may be composed of, for example, a grid pattern formed on a transparent or translucent plate material by printing or cutting. .. The compartment is not limited to one that is configured to partition a plurality of illuminants one by one, and may be configured to partition a plurality of illuminants by a predetermined number, or in a predetermined direction (for example, lateral direction). And vertically) may be configured to partition. Further, it is not necessary to provide such a compartment.

FIG. 4 shows an operation example of the effect movable mechanism 50. In FIG. 4, the arrangement directions of the plurality of light emitters in the light emitter units 71 to 74 arranged on the surfaces of the movable members 51 to 54 are shown by solid lines. As shown in FIG. 4A, in the retracted state in which the upper mechanism 50T and the lower mechanism 50B are separated from each other, the movable members 51 to 54 do not overlap the display screen (display area) of the main image display device 5MA. The display screen of the main image display device 5MA becomes visible because the movable members 51 to 54 do not overlap when the upper mechanism 50T and the lower mechanism 50B are in the retracted state. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the upper mechanism 50T and the lower mechanism 50B are in close proximity to each other, the movable members 51 to 54 are displayed on the display screen (display area) of the main image display device 5MA. Overlap. The display screen of the main image display device 5MA becomes difficult or invisible due to the overlapping of the movable members 51 to 54 when the upper mechanism 50T and the lower mechanism 50B are in the advanced state.

The pachinko gaming machine 1 is equipped with various control boards such as a main board 11, an effect control board 12, a voice control board 13, and a lamp control board 14, as shown in FIG. Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is also equipped with a relay board 15 for relaying various control signals transmitted between the main board 11 and the effect control board 12. Further, a drive control board 16B and a light emitter control board 16C are mounted as control boards connected to the effect control board 12 via the effect control relay board 16A. In addition, various boards such as a payout control board, an information terminal board, a launch control board, an interface board, a touch sensor board, and the like are arranged on the back surface of the game board 2 and the like in the pachinko game machine 1.

The main board 11 is a control board on the main side, and is equipped with various circuits for controlling the progress of the game in the pachinko gaming machine 1. The main board 11 is mainly addressed to a sub-side control board including a function for setting a random number used in a special drawing game, a function for inputting a signal from a switch or the like arranged at a predetermined position, and an effect control board 12. , It has a function to output and transmit a control command as an example of command information as a control signal, and a function to output various information to the hall management computer. Further, the main board 11 performs lighting control and extinguishing control of each LED (for example, segment LED) constituting the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B to perform the first special symbol and the second. Predetermined display symbols such as controlling the variable display of the special symbol and controlling the variable display of the ordinary symbol by the ordinary symbol display 20 by performing lighting control and extinguishing control of the ordinary symbol display 20 or color development control. It also has a function to control the variable display of. For example, a game control microcomputer 100, a switch circuit 110, a solenoid circuit 111, and the like are mounted on the main board 11 shown in FIG. The switch circuit 110 takes in detection signals from various switches for detecting the game ball and transmits them to the game control microcomputer 100. The solenoid circuit 111 transmits a solenoid drive signal from the game control microcomputer 100 to the solenoid 27 for the ordinary electric accessory and the solenoid 28 for the winning door.

As shown in FIG. 5, detection signals from various switches such as a gate switch 21, a start port switch (first start port switch 22A and a second start port switch 22B), and a count switch 23 are transmitted to the main board 11. The wiring is connected. The various switches may have any configuration capable of detecting a game ball as a game medium, such as a switch called a sensor.

The effect control board 12 is a control board on the sub side independent of the main board 11, and the main image display device 5MA and the sub image display are displayed based on the effect control command transmitted from the main board 11 via the relay board 15. For various effects such as device 5SU, light emitter unit 71 to 74, speakers 8L, 8R, game effect lamp 9, movable members 51 to 54 and decorative members 57 connected to operation motors 60A to 60C, and other effect devices. It is equipped with various circuits for controlling the production operation by electrical parts. That is, the effect control board 12 displays images in the main image display device 5MA and the sub image display device 5SU, outputs audio from the speakers 8L and 8R, and lights up in a plurality of light emitters arranged in the light emitter units 71 to 74. Effects such as lighting of the light emitting members constituting the game effect lamp 9 and the decorative LED, which are different from the light emitter units 71 to 74, and the driving operation of the operation motors 60A to 60C for moving the movable members 51 to 54 and the decorative member 57. It is equipped with a function of determining the control content for causing the electric component to execute a predetermined effect operation. The effect control board 12 shown in FIG. 5 is equipped with an effect control microcomputer 120, a ROM 121, a RAM 122, and effect data memories 123A to 123C.

The effect control board 12 is used for wiring for transmitting a video signal to the main image display device 5MA and the sub image display device 5SU, and for transmitting a voice signal (effect sound signal) to the voice output board 13. Wiring, wiring for transmitting an illumination signal to the lamp output board 14, and the like are connected. Further, wiring for transmitting various signals to the drive control board 16B and the light emitter control board 16C is also connected via the effect control relay board 16A. The information signal transmitted to the drive control board 16B may include a drive control signal indicating a command or control data for moving the movable members 51 to 54 and the decorative member 57 by driving the operation motors 60A to 60C. .. The information signal transmitted to the light emitting body control board 16C may include a lighting signal indicating light emission data for lighting a plurality of light emitting bodies with respect to the light emitting body units 71 to 74. The drive control board 16B also includes wiring for transmitting the position detection signals output from the first position detection sensor 51A and the second position detection sensor 52A to the effect control board 12 via the effect control relay board 16A. It is connected. Further, it is confirmed that the wiring for receiving the operation detection signal as an information signal indicating that the player's operation action on the stick controller 31A shown in FIG. 1 has been detected and the player's operation action on the push button 31B have been detected. The wiring for receiving the operation detection signal as the information signal to be shown may also be connected to the effect control board 12.

The audio output board 13 is a board for audio output provided separately from the effect control board 12, and is for outputting sound from the speakers 8L and 8R, which are sound output devices, according to the sound signal from the effect control board 12. Various circuits are installed. The lamp output board 14 is a board for lamp output provided separately from the effect control board 12, and is a driver IC or the like that supplies a drive current to the game effect lamp 9 or the like according to an illumination signal from the effect control board 12. Is installed.

The effect control relay board 16A is installed on a back pack or the like attached to the back surface of the game board 2, and relays various signals transmitted from the effect control board 12 to the drive control board 16B and the light emitter control board 16C. .. The back pack may be attached to the central portion on the back surface side of the game board 2, and an opening facing the main image display device 5MA may be formed in the center thereof. The back pack may be provided so as to cover the main board 11, the audio output board 13, the lamp output board 14, the drive control board 16B, the illuminant control board 16C, and the like from behind. An effect control board box containing the effect control board 12 may be attached to the rear surface side of the back pack.

The drive control board 16B is a control board for controlling the effect movable mechanism provided separately from the effect control board 12, and the movable members 51 to 54 are rotated based on commands and control data from the effect control board 12. A driver IC or the like for controlling or controlling the movement of the decorative member 57 is mounted. The output signal from the drive control board 16B is transmitted toward the operating motors 60A to 60C. Further, the drive control board 16B is used to transmit the position detection signals output from the first position detection sensor 51A and the second position detection sensor 52A to the effect control board 12 via the effect control relay board 16A. It suffices if wiring etc. are included. The illuminant control board 16C is a control board for illuminant output provided separately from the effect control board 12, and is arranged in the illuminant units 71 to 74 based on commands and control data from the effect control board 12. It is equipped with various circuits for driving the light emitters for controlling the lighting of the plurality of light emitters.

The control signal transmitted from the main board 11 to the effect control board 12 is relayed by the relay board 15. The control command transmitted from the main board 11 to the effect control board 12 via the relay board 15 is, for example, an effect control command transmitted and received as an electric signal. The effect control commands include, for example, a display control command used to control an image display operation in the main image display device 5MA and a sub image display device 5SU, and a voice used to control audio output from the speakers 8L and 8R. It is used to control control commands, lamp control commands used to control the lighting operation of the game effect lamp 9 and the decorative LED, and the operation of the effect movable mechanism 50 by the driving force of the operation motors 60A to 60C. Movable mechanism control commands etc. are included.

The game control microcomputer 100 mounted on the main board 11 is, for example, a one-chip microcomputer, which is a ROM (Read Only Memory) 101 for storing game control programs, fixed data, and the like, and a game control work. The RAM (Random Access Memory) 102 that provides the area, the CPU (Central Processing Unit) 103 that executes the game control program to perform the control operation, and the numerical data indicating the random value are updated independently of the CPU 103. It is configured to include a random number circuit 104 to perform and an I / O (Input / Output port) 105. The random number circuit 104 is not limited to the one built in the game control microcomputer 100, and may be externally attached to the game control microcomputer 100.

As an example, in the game control microcomputer 100, a process for controlling the progress of the game in the pachinko game machine 1 is executed by executing the program read from the ROM 101 by the CPU 103. At this time, a fixed data read operation in which the CPU 103 reads fixed data from the ROM 101, a variable data writing operation in which the CPU 103 writes various variable data to the RAM 102 and temporarily stores them, and various variable data temporarily stored in the RAM 102 by the CPU 103. The variable data read operation, the CPU 103 receives input of various signals from the outside of the game control microcomputer 100 via the I / O 105, and the CPU 103 goes to the outside of the game control microcomputer 100 via the I / O 105. A transmission operation that outputs various signals is also performed. The random number circuit 104 may count numerical data indicating a part or all of various random number values used for controlling the progress of the game.

In addition to the game control program, the ROM 101 included in the game control microcomputer 100 stores various selection data, table data, and the like used for controlling the progress of the game. For example, the ROM 101 stores data constituting a plurality of determination tables, determination tables, setting tables, etc. prepared for the CPU 103 to perform various determinations, determinations, and settings. Further, the ROM 101 is configured with table data that constitutes a plurality of command tables used by the CPU 103 to transmit control signals that are various control commands from the main board 11, and a variation pattern table that stores a plurality of types of variation patterns. The table data to be used is stored.

FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of various circuits mounted on the effect control board 12. For example, the effect control microcomputer 120, the ROM 121, the RAM 122, the effect data memories 123A to 123C, and the like are mounted on the effect control board 12. The ROM 121, RAM 122, and effect data memories 123A to 123C may be partially or wholly built in the effect control microcomputer 120, or part or all of them may be outside the effect control microcomputer 120. It may be attached. The effect control microcomputer 120 shown in FIG. 6 is configured by using, for example, a one-chip microcomputer, and includes a CPU 130, an FPU (Floating-Point Unit) 131, a work RAM 132, a bus state controller 133, and a DMA (Direct Memory). It includes an Access) controller 134, a peripheral bus controller 135, an I / O 136, and a serial communication circuit 137.

The CPU 130 of the effect control microcomputer 120 constitutes a processor core (CPU core) that executes control processing according to an effect control program. The ROM 121 stores a program for effect control, fixed data, and the like that are read out by the CPU 130 to execute the control process. The RAM 122 temporarily stores various effect data read from the effect data memories 123A to 123C. The effect data temporarily stored in the RAM 122 is provided for executing various processes by the CPU 130 and the FPU 131. In addition to the effect control program, the ROM 121 stores various data tables and the like used to control the effect operation. For example, in the ROM 121, a plurality of determination tables prepared for the CPU 130 of the effect control microcomputer 120 to perform various determinations, determinations, and settings, table data constituting the determination tables, and various effect control patterns are configured. Pattern data etc. are stored. The effect control pattern includes, for example, effect control execution data (display control data, voice control data, lamp control data, movable member control data, operation detection control data, etc.) and an end code associated with the effect control process timer determination value. It consists of included process data. Various data used for controlling the effect operation are stored in the RAM 122.

The effect data memories 123A to 123C store fixed data for executing the effect. Of the effect data memories 123A to 123C, the effect data memories 123A and 123B have storage areas for preliminarily storing various image data (image element data) indicating the display image in the main image display device 5MA and the sub image display device 5SU. It suffices if it is provided. The effect data memory 123C includes a storage area for storing various motor data indicating the drive control contents of the operation motors 60A to 60C in advance, and various lighting control contents of the game effect lamp 9 and the light emitter units 71 to 74. A storage area or the like for storing light emission data in advance may be provided. The light emission data indicating the lighting control contents of the light emitter units 71 to 74 may be generated by using the image data. The effect data memories 123A to 123C may be, for example, non-rewritable semiconductor memories, rewritable semiconductor memories such as flash memory such as NAND-ROM, or non-volatile such as magnetic memory and optical memory. It may be configured by using any of the sex recording media.

The data for creating the lighting data (light emission data) of the light emitter units 71 to 74 is added to the image data of the effect image to be displayed on the screen of the sub image display device 5SU, and is either the effect data memory 123A or 123B. It may be stored in advance. Alternatively, the data for creating the lighting data of the light emitter units 71 to 74 is the effect data memory 123A to the effect data memory 123A as image data or light emission data separate from the image data of the effect image to be displayed on the screen of the sub image display device 5SU. The display data stored in advance in any of the 123Cs and used for creating the lighting data when the FPU 131 of the effect control microcomputer 120 executes the floating point arithmetic is the effect image on the display screen of the sub image display device 5SU. It may be added to the display data of.

The CPU 130 of the effect control microcomputer 120 executes a process for controlling the effect operation by the effect electric component according to the effect control program read from the ROM 121. At this time, a fixed data read operation for reading fixed data from the ROM 121 using the bus state controller 133, a variable data writing operation for writing various variable data to the RAM 122 and temporarily storing them, and various types temporarily stored in the RAM 122 are performed. A variable data read operation or the like for reading variable data is performed. Further, a reception operation is also performed in which the CPU 130 receives inputs of various signals from the outside of the effect control microcomputer 120 such as the main board 11 via the I / O 136 or the serial communication circuit 137. In addition, a transmission operation in which the CPU 130 outputs various signals to the outside of the effect control microcomputer 120 via the I / O 136, the serial communication circuit 137, or the like is also performed. The CPU 130 can access the effect data memories 123A to 123C by using the bus state controller 133, and can read the stored data and the like.

The FPU 131 of the effect control microcomputer 120 executes floating-point arithmetic to generate, for example, image data that enables various images to be displayed on the screens of the main image display device 5MA and the sub image display device 5SU. The work RAM 132 is connected to the CPU 130 and the FPU 131 via the CPU bus BU1 of the effect control microcomputer 120, and provides a work area for temporarily storing various data used in processing and calculation by the CPU 130 and the FPU 131. The bus state controller 133 outputs control signals for various memories such as ROM 121, RAM 122, and effect data memories 123A to 123C via the external bus BU 10 of the effect control microcomputer 120, for example, based on an access request from the CPU 130. .. As a result, the bus state controller 133 controls access to various memories from the CPU 130. The DMA controller 134 controls a DMA transfer that can independently transfer data without going through the CPU 130. The peripheral bus controller 135 controls the transfer of various data via the internal bus BU2 and the peripheral bus BU3 of the effect control microcomputer 120. The I / O 136 is configured to include an input port for taking in various signals transmitted to the effect control microcomputer 120 and an output port for transmitting various signals to the outside of the effect control microcomputer 120. To. The serial communication circuit 137 transmits / receives serial data, and for example, transmits an operation command by serial communication to the operation motors 60A to 60C for operating a plurality of movable members 51 to 54 and the decorative member 57, or a first position. The detection result is received by serial communication from a plurality of detection sensors corresponding to each of the plurality of movable members including at least a part of the movable members 51 to 54 such as the detection sensor 51A and the second position detection sensor 52A.

FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of the serial communication circuit 137. The serial communication circuit 137 is provided with various circuits for performing serial communication. The serial communication circuit 137 shown in FIG. 7 includes a bus interface 140, a communication rate setting unit 141, a transmission / reception controller 142, a reception data register 143R, a reception shift register 143S, a transmission data register 144R, and a transmission shift register 144S. It has.

The bus interface 140 has an interface function between the peripheral bus BU3 of the effect control microcomputer 120 and the internal bus SB1 of the serial communication circuit 137, and transmits / receives control signals between various circuits of the effect control microcomputer 120. To enable. The communication rate setting unit 141 sets the bit rate in serial communication. The transmission / reception controller 142 controls transmission / reception of serial data by serial communication in the serial communication circuit 137. The transmission / reception controller 142 is provided with a communication setting register 142A. The communication setting register 142A may include, for example, a serial mode register, a serial control register, a serial status register, a transmission / reception control register, and the like. The reception data register 143R stores data received by serial communication in a FIFO (First-In First-Out) method. The reception shift register 143S converts the received data from the serial signal format to the parallel signal format (parallel conversion) and transfers the received data to the reception data register 143R. For example, when the reception of 1-byte serial data is completed, the received data is transferred from the reception shift register 143S to the reception data register 143R and stored. The transmission data register 144R stores data transmitted by serial communication in a FIFO system. The transmission shift register 144S sequentially sends out the transmission data transferred from the transmission data register 144R to convert the parallel signal format to the serial signal format (serial conversion) and transmit the data. For example, when a vacancy in the transmission shift register 144S is detected, the transmission data written in the transmission data register 144R is transferred to the transmission shift register 144S to start serial communication.

FIG. 8 shows a setting example of addresses, stored contents, and the like in the ROM 121 and the effect data memories 123A to 123C. FIG. 8A shows an example of setting the stored contents in the ROM 121. A continuous address from the start address MA00 to the final address MA10 is assigned to the ROM 121. FIG. 8B1 shows an example of setting the storage contents in the effect data memory 123A. As the start address, the effect data memory 123A is assigned an address MA10 + 1, which is a continuous next address to the final address of the ROM 121, and a continuous address up to the address MA20, which is the final address. FIG. 8B2 shows an example of setting the storage contents in the effect data memory 123B. As the start address, the effect data memory 123B is assigned an address MA20 + 1, which is a continuous next address to the final address of the effect data memory 123A, and a continuous address up to the address MA30, which is the final address. FIG. 8B3 shows an example of setting the storage contents in the effect data memory 123C. As the start address, the effect data memory 123C is assigned an address MA30 + 1, which is a continuous next address to the final address of the effect data memory 123B, and a continuous address up to the address MA40, which is the final address. In this way, continuous addresses are assigned to the ROM 121 and the effect data memories 123A to 123C, and the next address of the final address in the ROM 121 is the start address of the effect data memory 123A.

In the ROM 121 and the effect data memories 123A to 123C, programs and data used for executing the effect by various effect devices are stored in advance as effect data (including binary codes constituting the program module). The ROM 121 and the effect data memories 123A to 123C are provided with a plurality of storage areas (storage areas) according to the storage contents. For example, the ROM 121 has a first storage area in which a program for effect control and various management data are stored, a second storage area in which audio data is stored, and a reserve other than the first storage area and the second storage area. There is an area. For example, when the entire ROM 121 has a storage capacity of 8 gigabits, the first storage area may have a storage capacity of 1 gigabit and the second storage area may have a storage capacity of 6 gigabits. The first storage area may have a storage capacity of 1.5 gigabits or 2 gigabits. The effect data memory 123A is provided with a storage area for storing audio data and a storage area for storing image data. Table data of various tables prepared for the CPU 130 of the effect control microcomputer 120 to perform various determinations, determinations, and settings, pattern data constituting the effect control pattern, and the like are stored in the ROM 121 as management data. Just do it. Audio data used for controlling sound output by the speakers 8L and 8R is stored in the ROM 121 and the effect data memory 123A. The effect data memories 123A and 123B store image data used for controlling the display of the effect image in the main image display device 5MA and the sub image display device 5SU, and are further arranged and arranged in the light emitter units 71 to 74. Image data used for lighting control in a plurality of light emitters may be stored.

The ROM 121 is provided with a storage area for storing audio data, and at least audio data is stored. Therefore, the ROM 121 provides a first area for storing voice data as the first control data used for voice control for outputting voice from at least the speakers 8L and 8R. The effect data memory 123A is provided with a storage area for storing image data. Therefore, the effect data memory 123A is used for display control for displaying an image on the main image display device 5MA and sub image display device 5SU, or for lighting control for lighting a plurality of light emitters arranged in the light emitter units 71 to 74. 2 Provide a second area for storing image data as control data.

In this embodiment, a storage area for storing audio data is provided not only in the ROM 121 but also in the effect data memory 123A. The storage area in which the audio data is stored in the ROM 121 is assigned from the address MA02 shown in FIG. 8A to the address MA10 which is the final address in the ROM 121. As shown in FIG. 8 (B1), the storage area in which the audio data is stored in the effect data memory 123A is allocated from the address MA10 + 1 to the address MA11, which is the start address of the effect data memory 123A. In this way, the effect data memory 123A that provides the second area stores audio data in a continuous specific address range from the next address MA10 + 1 to the address MA11 of the final address MA10 of the ROM 121 that provides the first area. Area is assigned. In the effect data memory 123A that provides the second area, voice data as the first control data is stored in the storage area corresponding to the specific address range that is continuous from the final address of the ROM 121 that provides the first area. That is, the audio data as the first control data is finally stored in the ROM 121 not only in the storage area provided in the ROM 121 providing the first area but also in the storage area provided in the effect data memory 123A providing the second area. It is also stored in the storage area to which consecutive addresses from the address MA10 + 1, which is the next address of the address MA10, to the address MA11 are assigned.

The effect data memory 123A originally provides a storage area for storing image data used for display control of the main image display device 5MA and the sub image display device 5SU. On the other hand, since it is necessary to prepare audio data corresponding to various musical pieces, the amount of control information data to be stored in order to control the production by various production devices in the ROM 121 or the like increases, and the storage capacity becomes insufficient. In some cases. In this case, if a separate new storage device is prepared, the manufacturing cost of the pachinko gaming machine 1 increases. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the pachinko gaming machine 1 can be reduced by providing the effect data memory 123A with a data storage area used for control different from the image data. When the audio data storage area is provided, the storage area corresponding to the specific address range continuous from the final address assigned to the audio data storage area in the ROM 121 is allocated to the effect data memory 123A. As a result, even if the audio data is stored across both the storage area of the ROM 121 and the storage area of the effect data memory 123A, the address is updated (incremented) and read out in the same manner as the other audio data. Therefore, the voice data can be appropriately read out.

FIG. 9 shows a configuration example of the light emitter control board 16C. The illuminant control board 16C is equipped with various circuits for controlling the lighting mode of the illuminant units 71 to 74 by the plurality of illuminants. The light emitter control board 16C shown in FIG. 9 includes a buffer memory 151, a lighting data generation circuit 152, a parallel-serial conversion circuit 153-1 to 153-4, and an LVDS driver 154-1 to 154-4. ing.

The buffer memory 151 temporarily stores the data transmitted from the effect control board 12 via the effect control relay board 16A. The data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 151 may be any data corresponding to the display data generated by the effect control microcomputer 120 or the like or the light emission data read from the effect data memory 123C. The lighting data generation circuit 152 reads the stored data in the buffer memory 151 and executes a predetermined conversion process to generate lighting data constituting the lighting control information. The lighting data generated by the lighting data generation circuit 152 includes drive control data that is drive control information that specifies the drive timing of the light emitter and a floor that specifies the brightness (gradation) corresponding to each light emission color of the light emitter. It suffices if the gradation data serving as the key control information is included.

The lighting data generation circuit 152 divides a region in which a plurality of light emitters constituting the light emitter units 71 to 74 are arranged in each of the movable members 51 to 54 into a plurality of blocks, and the light emitting body is divided into a plurality of blocks. Create lighting data for. In this embodiment, light emitter blocks B01 to B42 are preset as a plurality of blocks. The lighting data generation circuit 153 generates lighting data corresponding to each of the light emitter blocks B01 to B42.

FIG. 10 shows a setting example in which a region in the movable member 51 in which a plurality of light emitters are arranged are divided into a plurality of blocks. The regions where a plurality of light emitters are arranged in the movable member 51 are divided into light emitter blocks B01 to B06 as shown in FIG. 10 (A) and light emitter blocks B07 to B15 as shown in FIG. It is divided. Similar to the movable member 51, the movable members 52 to 54 other than the movable member 51 are also set to divide the region in which the plurality of light emitters are arranged into a plurality of blocks. As a result, the entire illuminant units 71 to 74 provided in each of the movable members 51 to 54 are divided into illuminant blocks B01 to B42. The number of divisions of the light emitting body block may be arbitrarily set based on the number of movable members constituting the effect movable mechanism 50, the size of the area in which the plurality of light emitting bodies are arranged, and the like. ..

Each of the light emitter blocks B01 to B42 has a rectangular shape such as a rectangle or a square as a basic shape. Therefore, due to the shape of the movable members 51 to 54 and the like, it is not possible to fit in the rectangular illuminant block in the region where a plurality of illuminants are arranged in each of the illuminant units 71 to 74, and one luminescence is emitted. There may be a surplus area where illuminants less than the body block are placed. Further, in the plurality of illuminant blocks, an empty area in which the illuminant is not arranged may occur in a part of the square shape. Therefore, by including the surplus area in which the illuminants less than one illuminant block are arranged in the empty area in any illuminant block, the processing load of the lighting control for a plurality of illuminants can be reduced.

In this embodiment, four light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 are provided corresponding to the light emitter units 71 to 74 provided on the four movable members 51 to 54. The light emitter control circuit 16C has four sets of signal output configurations (output circuit and output wiring) corresponding to the four systems as serial output systems for outputting control signals corresponding to the four light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. have. More specifically, a first set of signal output configurations including a parallel-serial conversion circuit 153-1 and an LVDS driver 154-1 and a second set including a parallel-serial conversion circuit 153-2 and an LVDS driver 154-2. A signal output configuration, a third set of signal output configurations including a parallel-serial conversion circuit 153-3 and an LVDS driver 154-3, and a fourth set including a parallel-serial conversion circuit 153-4 and an LVDS driver 154-4. It has a signal output configuration.

A control signal including lighting control information corresponding to the lighting data generated by the lighting data generation circuit 152 is input to the parallel-serial conversion circuits 153-1 to 153-4. Each parallel-serial conversion circuit 153-1 to 153-4 is connected to the lighting data generation circuit 152 via, for example, an address bus and a data bus. Further, each parallel-serial conversion circuit 153-1 to 153-4 is connected to any of the LVDS drivers 154-1 to 154-4 associated in advance via serial signal wiring. In each parallel-serial conversion circuit 153-1 to 153-4, the control signal input from the lighting data generation circuit 152 is converted (serial conversion) from the parallel signal format to the serial signal format. The converted control signal is input to any of the corresponding LVDS drivers 154-1 to 154-4. More specifically, the output signal from the parallel-serial conversion circuit 153-1 is input to the LVDS driver 154-1, and the output signal from the parallel-serial conversion circuit 153-2 is input to the LVDS driver 154-2. The output signal from the parallel-serial conversion circuit 15-3-3 is input to the LVDS driver 154-3, and the output signal from the parallel-serial conversion circuit 153-4 is input to the LVDS driver 154.4.

A unique address is assigned to each of the parallel-serial conversion circuits 153-1 to 153-4 in advance, and the lighting data generation circuit 152 specifies the address and outputs parallel data to output parallel-serial. It suffices if the control signal can be transmitted to any of the conversion circuits 153-1 to 153-4. As an example, the parallel-serial conversion circuit 153-1 is given the address PS01, the parallel-serial conversion circuit 153-2 is given the address PS02, and the parallel-serial conversion circuit 153-1 is given the address PS03. , The address PS04 is assigned to the parallel-serial conversion circuit 153-4.

Each parallel-serial conversion circuit 153-1 to 153-4 includes a plurality of (for example, eight) D flip-flops, and parallel data from the lighting data generation circuit 152 is input to one of the D flip-flops in bit units. To. A capture signal (latch signal) is input to each D flip-flop at a predetermined cycle, and parallel data is latched to each D flip-flop at the rising timing. Further, a clock signal is input to each D flip-flop, and a shift operation is sequentially performed at the rising timing of the clock signal. As a result, the control signals input in parallel are converted into serial data and output.

The LVDS driver 154-1 to 154-4 is an output circuit capable of transmitting a signal serially converted by a parallel-serial conversion circuit 153-1 to 153-4 by an LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signal) method. .. LVDS is one of the differential interface standards for data transmission, and is also called a low voltage differential signal transmission method or a small amplitude differential signal transmission method. The signal transmission method is not limited to the signal transmission method conforming to the LVDS standard, and the signal conforming to a predetermined differential interface standard such as RSDS (Reduced Swing Differencial Signaling) method, mini-LVDS method, and SLVS (Scalable Low Voltage Signaling) method. In addition to the transmission method, a signal transmission technique having predetermined specifications such as CML (Current Mode Logic) or LVPECL (Low Voltage Positive-referenced Emitter Coupled Logic) may be used.

Each LVDS driver 154-1 to 154-4 has a constant current source that supplies a predetermined amount of current (for example, 3.5 mA), and the signal level is determined by the potential difference between two data lines (twisted pair lines). Generate a dynamic signal. The differential signal has a property of being more resistant to external noise than the single-ended signal. In addition, the differential signal can transmit data with a smaller amplitude than the single-ended signal, and power consumption can be reduced. In addition to being able to transmit data with a small amplitude with a differential signal, radiation noise can be reduced because the electric fields radiated by the combination of the two data lines cancel each other out. The maximum speed of a digital signal can be defined by the signal slew rate (rising / falling voltage change), and at the same slew rate, the smaller the amplitude, the higher the speed. Therefore, by using a differential signal having a small amplitude, data transmission can be performed at a higher speed than a single-ended signal having a large amplitude.

FIG. 11 shows a configuration example of the light emitter circuit board 61. The light emitter circuit boards 62 to 64 may also have the same configuration. The light emitting body circuit board 61 emits light of a plurality of light emitting bodies arranged on the movable member 51 based on the control signal transmitted from the LVDS driver 154-1 of the light emitting body control board 16C mounted on the effect control board 12. It is equipped with various circuits for. The plurality of light emitters arranged on the movable member 51 to form the light emitter unit 71 are the light emitter blocks B01 to B06 shown in FIG. 10 (A) and the light emitter blocks B07 to B15 shown in FIG. 10 (B). Among them, it is included in one of the light emitting body blocks, and the light emitting state of each is controlled. The light emitter circuit board 62 includes various circuits for causing a plurality of light emitters arranged on the movable member 52 to emit light based on a control signal transmitted from the LVDS driver 154-2 of the light emitter control board 16C. .. A plurality of light emitters arranged on the movable member 52 and constituting the light emitting body unit 72 are included in any of the light emitting body blocks B16 to B26, and their respective light emitting states are controlled. The light emitter circuit board 63 includes various circuits for causing a plurality of light emitters arranged on the movable member 53 to emit light based on a control signal transmitted from the LVDS driver 154.3 of the light emitter control board 16C. .. A plurality of illuminants arranged on the movable member 53 to form the illuminant unit 73 are included in any of the illuminant blocks B27 to B34, and their respective luminescence states are controlled. The illuminant circuit board 64 includes various circuits for causing a plurality of illuminants arranged on the movable member 54 to emit light based on a control signal transmitted from the LVDS driver 154-4 of the illuminant control substrate 16C. .. A plurality of illuminants arranged on the movable member 54 and constituting the illuminant unit 74 are included in any of the illuminant blocks B35 to B42, and their respective luminescence states are controlled. The illuminant circuit board 61 is equipped with an LVDS receiver 160, a serial signal relay device 161 and a plurality of illuminant drivers constituting the illuminant drive unit 162.

The LVDS receiver 160 sets the signal level of the received data transmitted from the illuminant control board 16C by the LVDS method to a TTL level (for example, a digital signal level corresponding to a power supply voltage of 5.0 V) or a CMOS level (for example, a power supply voltage of 3.3 V). Convert to the corresponding digital signal level). In the LVDS receiver 160, two data lines used in the LVDS method are connected to a terminating resistor of about 100Ω, and a current on the data line serving as a transmission path generates a voltage across the terminating resistor. Further, the LVDS receiver 160 includes a differential comparator and outputs a comparison result of voltages generated across the terminating resistor as a digital signal.

The LVDS receiver 160 mounted on the light emitter circuit board 61 is connected to the LVDS driver 154-1 of the light emitter control board 16C via two data lines, and a differential signal transmitted from the LVDS driver 154-1 is transmitted. Entered. That is, the LVDS receiver 160 mounted on the light emitter circuit board 61 receives the serial data transmitted corresponding to the first set of signal output configurations included in the light emitter control board 16C. The LVDS receiver 160 mounted on the light emitter circuit board 62 is connected to the LVDS driver 154-2 of the light emitter control board 16C via two data lines, and a differential signal transmitted from the LVDS driver 154-2 is transmitted. Entered. That is, the LVDS receiver 160 mounted on the light emitter circuit board 62 receives the serial data transmitted corresponding to the second set of signal output configurations included in the light emitter control board 16C. The LVDS receiver 160 mounted on the light emitter circuit board 63 is connected to the LVDS driver 154-3 of the light emitter control board 16C via two data lines, and a differential signal transmitted from the LVDS driver 154-3 is transmitted. Entered. That is, the LVDS receiver 160 mounted on the light emitting body circuit board 63 receives the serial data transmitted corresponding to the signal output configuration of the third set included in the light emitting body control board 16C. The LVDS receiver 160 mounted on the illuminant circuit board 64 is connected to the LVDS driver 154-4 of the illuminant control board 16C via two data lines, and a differential signal transmitted from the LVDS driver 154.4 is transmitted. Entered. That is, the LVDS receiver 160 mounted on the light emitter circuit board 64 receives the serial data transmitted corresponding to the fourth set of signal output configurations included in the light emitter control board 16C.

The serial signal relay device 161 is provided with various circuits for relaying the control signal transmitted from the light emitter control board 16C and supplying the control signal to the light emitter drive unit 162. For example, the serial signal relay device 161 includes a serial data buffer circuit 161A, a relay control unit 161B0, and a clock generation circuit 161C. The serial data buffer circuit 161A temporarily stores serial data as a digital signal output from the LVDS receiver 160. The relay control unit 161B0 performs various controls for relaying the control signal in the serial signal relay device 161. The relay control unit 161B0 includes a diffusion control unit 161B1 and an output control unit 161B2.

The spread control unit 161B1 sets whether or not spread spectrum is performed by frequency-modulating the reference clock for the drive clock generated by the clock generation circuit 161C, and clock modulation parameters when spreading spectrum is performed. The clock modulation parameter is a parameter corresponding to the characteristics of spread spectrum, for example, at least among the center frequency (also referred to as modulation type or diffusion direction), the amount of diffusion (also referred to as diffusion rate or frequency modulation rate), and modulation period. Any value may be different depending on any one of the different settings. For example, the diffusion control unit 161B1 reads out the modulation setting data stored in advance in a storage device such as a ROM or a register and supplies the modulation setting data to the clock generation circuit 161C. The modulation setting data includes clock modulation parameters. The modulation setting data read by the diffusion control unit 161B1 may be set in the built-in register of the clock generation circuit 161C. As a result, the clock modulation parameters are set. As described above, the diffusion control unit 161B1 sets the drive clock generated by the clock generation circuit 161C as a setting for transmitting the control signal to the light emitter drive unit 162 in the serial signal system. The settings for whether or not to perform spread spectrum, the clock modulation parameters for spreading spectrum, and the like may be different in advance according to each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. The modulation setting data read by the diffusion control unit 161B1 is not limited to the one set in the built-in register of the clock generation circuit 161C. Either the signal or the up signal may be supplied periodically, or the supply of the down signal and the supply of the up signal may be switched. The down signal is a signal that reduces the frequency by delaying the phase of the clock signal generated by the clock generation circuit 161C. The up signal is a signal that increases the frequency by advancing the phase of the clock signal generated by the clock generation circuit 161C.

More specifically, the diffusion control unit 161B1 responds to the number of illuminants (number of illuminants) included in each of the illuminant units 71 to 74 whose luminescence state is controlled by each illuminant circuit board 61 to 64. The setting of whether or not to perform spread spectrum and the setting of the amount of diffusion when performing spread spectrum may be different. As an example, in the light emitting body circuit board that controls the light emitting state of the light emitting body units in which the number of light emitting bodies arranged is less than a predetermined number among the light emitting body units 71 to 74, the diffusion control unit 161B1 is set not to perform spread spectrum. , Or the diffusion amount may be set to a small amount of the first diffusion amount. On the other hand, in the light emitting body circuit board that controls the light emitting state of the light emitting body units in which the number of light emitting bodies arranged among the light emitting body units 71 to 74 is a predetermined number or more, the diffusion control unit 161B1 performs spread spectrum. It may be set or the diffusion amount may be set to be a second diffusion amount larger than the first diffusion amount.

Alternatively, the diffusion control unit 161B1 makes different the setting of whether or not to perform spread spectrum and the setting of the diffusion amount in the case of performing spread spectrum, for example, according to the serial data communication amount in each light emitter circuit board 61 to 64. You may. As an example, when the serial data communication amount in each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 is less than a predetermined amount, the generation of radiation noise does not pose a particular problem. Therefore, a setting not to perform spread spectrum or a small amount of diffusion is used. It may be set as the first diffusion amount of. On the other hand, when the serial data communication amount in each light emitter circuit board 61 to 64 is a predetermined amount or more, the generation of radiation noise becomes a problem. Therefore, the setting for performing spread spectrum or the diffusion amount is set. The second diffusion amount may be set to be larger than the first diffusion amount.

By increasing the amount of diffusion, the frequency of the drive clock can be further diffused. On the other hand, as the amount of diffusion increases, the operating speed of various circuits may decrease. Further, when the diffusion amount becomes larger than a predetermined regulation amount, an electromagnetic wave having a frequency component may be radiated even in a band where use is prohibited. Therefore, by setting the intensity of the radiated noise to the minimum amount of diffusion required to suppress the intensity to the allowable upper limit value, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the operating speed and the generation of an inappropriate frequency component.

The output control unit 161B2 controls the signal output from the serial signal relay device 161. For example, the output control unit 161B2 specifies the output start timing and output stop timing of the control signal for the light emitter drive unit 162 based on the control signal transmitted from the light emitter control board 16C, and the signal output state at each timing. And output stop state switching control is performed. Further, when the signal output execution condition for outputting the signal in the serial signal relay device 161 is satisfied, the output control unit 161B2 changes from the output stop state to the signal output state according to the setting state of the clock modulation parameter by the diffusion control unit 161B1. It is determined whether to switch to or to wait in the output stopped state.

The clock generation circuit 161C frequency-modulated a reference clock as a drive clock used for transmitting serial data from the serial signal relay device 161 to the light emitter drive unit 162 in each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. Generates a spread spectrum clock (SSC). The reference clock may be generated by, for example, a crystal oscillator mounted on each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. Alternatively, the reference clock may be generated by a crystal oscillator or the like mounted on the effect control board 12 and transmitted to the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 via the clock signal line. The clock generation circuit 161C may perform frequency modulation by switching the frequency division ratio of the frequency divider used for the PLL (Phase Locked Loop) to a plurality of different values. Alternatively, the clock generation circuit 161C includes a phase interpolator that adjusts and outputs the phase of the reference clock, and outputs a drive clock in which the reference clock is frequency-modulated based on the up signal and the down signal from the diffusion control unit 161B1. You may.

In each light emitting body circuit board 61 to 64, the control signal received from the LVDS driver 154-1 to 154-4 of the light emitting body control board 16C is separated into a plurality of systems in the serial signal relay device 161. For example, in the light emitting body circuit board 61 shown in FIG. 11, the control signal received from the LVDS driver 154-1 of the light emitting body control board 16C is separated into three systems by the serial signal relay device 161 and then transmitted to the light emitting body driving unit 162. To do. The serial signal relay device 161 shown in FIG. 11 has three signal output configurations (output circuit and output wiring) as a serial output system for outputting a control signal. The serial clock wiring and serial data wiring connected to each output circuit are connected in a bus format inside the serial signal relay device 161 and the serial data read from the serial data buffer circuit 161A is transmitted. A unique address is assigned to each output circuit in advance, and the serial signal relay device 161 may supply the serial data read from the serial data buffer circuit 161A to the output circuit by designating the address. As an example, in the serial signal relay device 161 shown in FIG. 11, the address AD01 is assigned to the output circuit included in the signal output configuration of the first system among the signal output configurations of the three systems, and the signal output configuration of the second system The address AD02 is assigned to the output circuit included in the above, and the address AD03 is assigned to the output circuit included in the signal output configuration of the third system. The number of systems separated in the serial signal relay device 161 depends on the configurations of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 and the light emitter units 71 to 74, the specifications of the serial signal system used for transmitting the control signal, and the like. Anything may be arbitrarily designed in advance.

In the serial signal relay device 161 mounted on the light emitter circuit board 61 shown in FIG. 11, the serial data received by the LVDS receiver 160 is temporarily stored in the serial data buffer circuit 161A and used as the drive clock generated by the clock generation circuit 161C. The serial data read accordingly is separated into three systems and supplied to the light emitter drive unit 162 together with the drive clock. A serial signal wiring corresponding to the first system is connected to the output circuit to which the address AD01 is assigned, and a control signal including lighting control information is output in a serial signal system. A serial signal wiring corresponding to the second system is connected to the output circuit to which the address AD02 is assigned, and a control signal including lighting control information is output in a serial signal system. A serial signal wiring corresponding to the third system is connected to the output circuit to which the address AD03 is assigned, and a control signal including lighting control information is output in a serial signal system. As described above, the serial signal relay device 161 outputs the control signal including the lighting control information to the serial signal wiring of the plurality of systems by the serial signal method. Serial signal wiring corresponding to each of the three serial output systems is connected to the serial signal relay device 161, and a control signal including lighting control information is output to each wiring by the serial signal method.

In the serial signal relay device 161 mounted on the light emitter circuit board 61 shown in FIG. 11, a light emitter driver or the like for lighting control of the light emitter blocks B01 to B06 is connected to the serial signal wiring corresponding to the first system. The serial signal wiring corresponding to the second system is connected to a light emitter driver or the like for lighting control of the light emitter blocks B07 to B10, and the serial signal wiring corresponding to the third system lights the light emitter blocks B11 to B15. It suffices if a light emitter driver for the purpose is connected. That is, light emitter blocks B01 to B06 are assigned to the serial output system of the first system, light emitter blocks B07 to B10 are assigned to the serial output system of the second system, and light is emitted to the serial output system of the third system. Body blocks B11 to B15 are assigned. It should be noted that the setting of which system corresponds to which light emitting body included in the light emitting body block is to be controlled is determined by setting the configuration of the light emitting body circuit boards 61 to 64 and the light emitting body units 71 to 74 and the control signal. Anything may be arbitrarily designed in advance according to the specifications of the serial signal system used for transmission.

The illuminant drive unit 162 is configured to include a plurality of illuminant drivers that light (emit) a plurality of illuminants included in a region divided into a plurality of illuminant blocks. As an example, in the illuminant drive unit 162 mounted on the illuminant circuit board 61, a plurality of illuminant drivers connected to the serial signal wiring corresponding to the first system are divided into illuminant blocks B01 to B06, respectively. A plurality of light emitters included in the region are made to emit light. Further, the plurality of illuminant drivers connected to the serial signal wiring corresponding to the second system emit a plurality of illuminants included in the regions divided into the illuminant blocks B07 to B10. The plurality of illuminant drivers connected to the serial signal wiring corresponding to the third system emit light of a plurality of illuminants included in the regions divided into the illuminant blocks B11 to B15.

The plurality of light emitter drivers that control the lighting of the light emitters included in the light emitter block assigned to the serial output system 1 may be connected by a daisy chain method via the serial signal wiring. For example, in the illuminant drive unit 162 mounted on the illuminant circuit board 61 shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of serial signal wirings corresponding to the first system are first provided for lighting control of the illuminant block B01. The light emitter driver is connected in a daisy chain system, and the serial data transmitted from the serial signal relay device 161 is input. Next, a plurality of illuminant drivers provided for lighting control of the illuminant block B02 are connected by a daisy chain method, and thereafter, similarly, a plurality of illuminant blocks B03 to B06 provided for lighting control are provided. It suffices if the illuminant drivers of are connected in order by the daisy chain method. The type of driver is not limited to the one connected by the daisy chain method, and a plurality of light emitter drivers may be connected by the serial bus method.

Each light emitting body driver can change the light emitting state in a plurality of light emitting bodies based on the lighting control information indicated by the control signal transmitted via the serial signal wiring. Each illuminant driver is configured to include, for example, a data latch unit, a shift register, and a data buffer. The data latch unit of each light emitter driver is configured by, for example, a latch circuit, latches serial data bit by bit using a drive clock transmitted from the serial signal relay device 161 and outputs the serial data to a shift register. For example, the data latch unit latches the input data at the rising timing of the drive clock, which is the spread spectrum clock transmitted from the serial signal relay device 161.

The shift register of each light emitter driver stores the data input bit by bit from the data latch unit in order. Further, the shift register shifts the stored data bit by bit using the drive clock transmitted from the serial signal relay device 161. For example, the shift register sequentially shifts at the rising timing of the drive clock, which is the spread spectrum clock transmitted from the serial signal relay device 161. By shifting the repeatedly stored data bit by bit from the first register (first bit) to the last register (last bit) in this way, the serial data transmitted from the serial signal relay device 161 is stored. After the data is shifted to the last register, when the rise timing of the drive clock is reached, the stored data in the last register is output and transmitted to the subsequent illuminant driver connected by the daisy chain method. The data buffer of each illuminant driver is composed of, for example, a latch register, and latches and temporarily stores the data stored in the shift register at a predetermined acquisition timing. The data latched in the data buffer is output to a plurality of signal lines in a parallel signal system.

Each of the plurality of illuminant drivers is a strobe-side illuminant driver that is a drive control circuit that controls the drive of the illuminant according to the drive control data indicated by the drive control signal, and gradation data indicated by the gradation data signal. It is classified into one of the digit-side illuminant drivers, which is a gradation control circuit that controls the gradation of the illuminant according to the above. In each of the illuminant blocks B01 to B42, dynamic lighting control of a plurality of illuminants is performed for each illuminant block by using the illuminant driver on the strobe side and the illuminant driver on the digit side.

FIG. 12 shows a configuration example of a light emitter driver corresponding to the light emitter block B11 as a specific example. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 12, as a plurality of illuminant drivers corresponding to the illuminant block B11, the illuminant driver 411S on the strobe side, the illuminant driver 411DU on the upper side of the digit, and the illuminant driver 411DD on the lower side of the digit are used. It is provided. The serial signal wiring for transmitting the output signal from the serial signal relay device 161 is first connected to the light emitter driver 411S on the strobe side corresponding to the light emitter block B11, then to the light emitter driver 411DU on the digit upper side, and further. It suffices if they are connected by the daisy chain method in the order of being connected to the light emitter driver 411DD on the lower side of the digit. The serial signal wiring drawn from the illuminant driver 411DD on the lower side of the digit corresponding to the illuminant block B11 is subsequently connected to the illuminant driver provided corresponding to the illuminant block B12 in a daisy chain manner. Just do it. After that, similarly, it may be connected to the illuminant driver provided corresponding to the illuminant blocks B13 to B15 by the daisy chain method.

The serial signal wiring may include a serial clock wiring that transmits a serial clock that serves as a drive clock for serial communication, and a serial data wiring that transmits serial data synchronized with the serial clock. The illuminant driver connected to the serial signal wiring takes in drive control data or gradation data transmitted as serial data synchronized with the serial clock, and controls (lighting control) the luminescence state of a plurality of illuminants. The serial clock, which is the drive clock for serial communication, is generated by the clock generation circuit 161C of the serial signal relay device 161 and can be a spectrum spread clock in which the reference clock is frequency-modulated. The light emitter driver corresponding to the light emitter block B11 shown in FIG. 12 corresponds to being mounted on the light emitter circuit board 61, and corresponds to the serial clock wiring for transmitting the serial clock SC1 and the serial for transmitting the serial data SD1. It is connected to the data wiring. The illuminant driver mounted on the illuminant circuit board 62 may be connected to the serial clock wiring that transmits the serial clock SC2 and the serial data wiring that transmits the serial data SD2. The light emitter driver mounted on the light emitter circuit board 63 may be connected to the serial clock wiring that transmits the serial clock SC3 and the serial data wiring that transmits the serial data SD3. The illuminant driver mounted on the illuminant circuit board 64 may be connected to the serial clock wiring that transmits the serial clock SC4 and the serial data wiring that transmits the serial data SD4. The spectrum is not limited to the one provided with the serial clock wiring for transmitting the serial clock. For example, by including a predetermined synchronization bit in the serial data and performing clock data recovery (CDR) with each light emitter driver, the spectrum is obtained. Serial data may be transmitted in synchronization with the spread clock.

In the configuration example shown in FIG. 12, the serial data output from the serial signal relay device 161 is first input to the light emitting body driver 411S on the strobe side corresponding to the light emitting body block B11. After that, at the rising timing of the serial clock SC1 which is the drive clock, the signals are sequentially transferred to the illuminant driver 411DU on the upper side of the digit and the illuminant driver 411DD on the lower side of the digit. Further, it is sequentially transferred to a plurality of illuminant drivers provided corresponding to the illuminant blocks B12 to B15. The serial signal relay device 161 first outputs the serial data to be supplied to the illuminant driver connected to the end of the plurality of illuminant drivers connected by the daisy chain method, and then one stage before the end. The serial data supplied to the connected illuminant driver is output in the order from the terminal illuminant driver to the illuminant driver in the previous stage, and finally the serial data is output to the start end. The serial data to be supplied to the illuminant driver (for example, the illuminant driver 411S on the strobe side corresponding to the illuminant block B11 shown in FIG. 12) is output. In this way, the serial data is sequentially transferred to the plurality of illuminant drivers connected by the daisy chain method, and the capture timing is set after the input of the serial data to be supplied to each illuminant driver is completed, so that each illuminant driver shifts. The data stored in the register may be latched and temporarily stored in the data buffer.

For example, the illuminant block B11 includes a half block B11U composed of a plurality of illuminants whose gradation is controlled by the illuminant driver 411DU on the upper side of the digit, and a plurality of light emission whose gradation is controlled by the illuminant driver 411DD on the lower side of the digit. It is composed of a combination with a half block B11D composed of a body. As described above, each illuminant block may be composed of a combination of half blocks that are modules smaller than the illuminant block. The plurality of illuminant blocks are not limited to those composed of a combination of two half blocks. For example, the plurality of illuminant blocks may include a illuminant block composed of only one half block in addition to the illuminant block composed of a combination of two halves. When the illuminant block B11 is composed of only one half block, the illuminant driver 411S on the strobe side and the illuminant driver 411DU on the upper side of the digit are provided, but the illuminant driver 411DD on the lower side of the digit is not provided. It may be configured. As described above, each illuminant block may be configured to include one illuminant driver on the strobe side and one or two illuminant drivers on the digit side.

The half block B11U and the half block B11D may be configured so that the number of illuminants is the same. For example, the light emitting body driver 411S on the strobe side outputs a strobe signal which is a drive control signal for driving and controlling a plurality of light emitting bodies arranged in 12 rows to which 12 strobe signal lines are connected. Eight digit signal lines are connected to each of the illuminant driver 411DU on the upper side of the digit and the illuminant driver 411DD on the lower side of the digit, and gradation data for controlling the gradation of a plurality of illuminants arranged in eight lines. Outputs a digit signal that becomes a signal. Therefore, both the half block B11U corresponding to the upper side of the digit and the half block B11D corresponding to the lower side of the digit are formed so as to include a total of 96 light emitters consisting of 12 columns on the strobe side and 8 rows on the digit side. There is. Similarly, the half blocks constituting the illuminant block other than the illuminant block B11 may be formed so as to include a total of 96 illuminants. As described above, each of the half blocks as a module constituting the illuminant block may be configured so that the same number of illuminants can be lit.

The number of illuminants included in one half block is not limited to 96 in total, and may be any number predetermined based on the specifications and design of the illuminant driver. For example, when a plurality of light emitters arranged in 8 columns are driven and controlled with 8 strobe signal lines, a total of 64 light emitters consisting of 8 columns on the strobe side and 8 rows on the digit side are used. It may be formed so as to be included in one half block. Further, the number of illuminants whose lighting can be controlled by one half block and the number of illuminants actually included in one half block do not always have to match. For example, while the number of illuminants whose lighting can be controlled by one half block is 96, the number of illuminants actually included in one half block depends on the arrangement of illuminants in the illuminant units 71 to 74 and the like. It may be less than 96 pieces. As described above, it suffices that the lighting is controlled to control the lighting of a predetermined number or less of the light emitting bodies for each half block as a module smaller than the plurality of blocks in which the area where the plurality of light emitting bodies are arranged is divided.

The lighting data generation circuit 152 shown in FIG. 9 generates lighting data for dynamically lighting controlling a plurality of light emitters for each of the plurality of light emitter blocks B01 to B42. For example, as drive control data that serves as drive control information for designating the drive timing of the light emitter, control data for time-division driving a plurality of light emitters at different timings for each strobe signal line is generated. Further, gradation data as gradation control information for designating the brightness (gradation) for each emission color is generated by PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control according to a plurality of light emitters connected to each digit signal line. The light emitting body driver on the digit side is not limited to the one that controls the gradation of the light emitting body according to the output period of the pulse signal as in the PWM control method. For example, the number of pulse signals to be output within a certain period ( The gradation of the illuminant may be controlled according to the physical amount (pulse amount) of the pulse signal, such as the number of pulses) and the amplitude (drive current value) of the pulse signal.

The strobe-side illuminant driver provided corresponding to each illuminant block drives and controls a plurality of illuminants connected to the strobe signal line by outputting a strobe signal based on drive control data. The illuminant driver on the upper side of the digit or the lower side of the digit provided corresponding to each illuminant block outputs a digit signal based on the gradation data to gradation a plurality of illuminants connected to the digit signal line. Control. In this way, in each of the light emitter units 71 to 74, the plurality of light emitters arranged in alignment emit light at a duty ratio corresponding to the digit signal during the light emission drive period when the strobe signal is turned on, and the plurality of light emitter blocks The lighting mode can be changed for each of B01 to B42 by a dynamic lighting method (also referred to as a pulse lighting method, a duty lighting method, or a time division lighting method). In this way, by configuring the illuminant blocks B01 to B42 to perform dynamic lighting control for each of the plurality of illuminant blocks B01 to B42, the illuminant drive unit 162 can execute lighting control in parallel using a plurality of illuminant drivers. ..

FIG. 13 shows a setting example of the serial communication method in each communication path. In the following, serial data is transmitted from the serial communication circuit 137 of the effect control microcomputer 120 mounted on the effect control board 12 to the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 via the effect control relay board 16A and the light emitter control board 16C. The communication path (signal path) including the serial signal wiring for transmitting the data is referred to as a first communication path, and each of the serial signal relay devices 161 constituting the light emitter drive unit 162 is formed on the substrates of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. A communication path (signal path) including a serial signal wiring for transmitting serial data to the light emitter driver is referred to as a second communication path.

In the setting example shown in FIG. 13, the LVDS method is used as the serial communication method in the first communication path, while the SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) method is used as the serial communication method in the second communication path. Corresponding to such a difference in the serial communication method, the power supply (voltage) is 3.3V and the amplitude (voltage) is about 0.35V in the first communication path, while the power supply (voltage) is in the second communication path. Is 5.0V and the amplitude (voltage) is about 4.0V. Therefore, in the first communication path, the control signal is transmitted in a serial signal system in which both the power supply and the amplitude voltage are lower than those in the second communication path. That is, the control signal is output from the serial communication circuit 137 included in the effect control microcomputer 120 mounted on the effect control board 12 and the light emitter control board 16C to the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 in a serial signal system. The LVDS drivers 154-1 to 154-4 are more than a serial signal relay device 161 that separates the control signals received by the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 into a plurality of systems and outputs them to each light emitter driver in a serial signal system. The control signal is output by the serial signal method that can be transmitted at low voltage. The first communication path includes serial signal wiring between the effect control boards 12 and the boards connecting the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 via the effect control relay board 16A and the light emitter control board 16C, and has a wiring length. May become longer and radiation noise is more likely to occur. Therefore, in the first communication path, the control signal is transmitted by a serial signal method in which both the power supply and the amplitude voltage are lower than those in the second communication path, so that the radiation noise from the serial signal wiring is suitably suppressed. Can be done.

Further, the reference clock frequency is 10 MHz in the first communication path, while the reference clock frequency is 2 to 4 MHz in the second communication path. Therefore, in the first communication path, the control signal is transmitted by a serial signal method in which the data communication speed is higher than that of the second communication path. That is, the serial communication circuit 137 of the effect control microcomputer 120 mounted on the effect control board 12 and the LVDS that outputs control signals from the light emitter control board 16C to each light emitter circuit board 61 to 64 in a serial signal system. The drivers 154-1 to 154-4 are faster than the serial signal relay device 161 that separates the control signals received by the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 into a plurality of systems and outputs the control signals to each light emitter driver in a serial signal system. The control signal is output by the serial signal method of. The first communication path includes serial signal wiring between the effect control boards 12 and the boards connecting the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64, and the wiring length is often long. Therefore, in the first communication path, the control signal is transmitted by a serial signal method in which the data communication speed is higher than that in the second communication path, and the control signal is transmitted by the serial signal relay device 161 mounted on each light emitter circuit board 61 to 64. By separating and relaying the above into a plurality of systems, it is possible to prevent the number of wirings between the substrates from increasing, suppress the manufacturing cost, and preferably suppress the radiation noise from the serial signal wiring.

Spread spectrum may not be performed by using the reference clock as it is in the first communication path, while spread spectrum may be performed by frequency-modulating the reference clock in the second communication path. In this way, in the first communication path in which the LVDS system, which is a serial signal system capable of transmitting at a low voltage, is used, the reference clock is set not to be modulated, whereas in the second communication path, the reference clock is set. The control signal is transmitted by a serial signal system using a frequency-modulated spread spectrum clock (SSC). For example, in a low voltage serial signal system with an amplitude (voltage) of about 0.35 V, radiation noise is more likely to be suppressed than in the case of high voltage, so radiation noise is less likely to increase without spread spectrum, and the circuit configuration. Can be simplified and an increase in manufacturing cost can be prevented. By transmitting the control signal by the serial signal method using such a spread spectrum clock, the radiation noise from the serial signal wiring can be suitably suppressed.

In the first communication path, the control signal may be transmitted by a serial signal method using a spread spectrum clock. For example, the serial communication circuit 137 of the effect control microcomputer 120 includes a diffusion control unit 161B1 and an output control unit 161B2 similar to the relay control unit 161B0 of the serial signal relay device 161 shown in FIG. 11, and frequency-modulates the reference clock. Serial communication may be performed using a modulation clock. That is, the serial communication circuit 137 of the effect control microcomputer 120 can perform serial communication using a modulation clock obtained by modulating the reference clock by a predetermined modulation method such as frequency modulation, and can be used as a diffusion control unit for setting serial communication. It may be provided with an output control unit or the like.

FIG. 14 shows specific examples of clock signals used in each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. In each light emitter circuit board 61 to 64, whether or not spread spectrum is performed by frequency-modulating the reference clock by the spread control unit 161B1 of the relay control unit 161B0 included in the serial signal relay device 161 is performed, and when spread spectrum is performed. The clock modulation parameters in are set. The clock generation circuit 161C can generate a spread spectrum clock according to the setting of the spread control unit 161B1. In the example shown in FIG. 14, each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 has different settings for whether or not spread spectrum is performed and modulation settings such as the amount of diffusion. For example, as shown in FIG. 14A, in the light emitter circuit board 61, the reference clock is used for the serial clock SC1 which is a drive clock for serial communication without frequency modulation. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 14 (B) to 14 (D), in the light emitter circuit boards 62 to 64, the spread spectrum clock in which the reference clock is frequency-modulated is used as the serial clocks SC2 to SC4 which are the drive clocks for serial communication. Use.

The illuminant control board 16C as shown in FIG. 9 is a parallel-serial corresponding to four signal output configurations as a serial output system for outputting control signals corresponding to the four illuminant circuit boards 61 to 64. A conversion circuit 153-1 to 153-4 and an LVDS driver 154-1 to 154-4 are mounted. Then, by making the setting of whether or not spread spectrum is performed and the modulation setting according to the clock modulation parameter different for each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64, the reference clock is set for each of the four serial output systems. The settings for frequency modulation to generate a spread spectrum clock can be different. In this way, by setting different frequency modulations according to the serial signal wiring system, it is possible to suitably suppress the radiation noise in the entire light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64.

In the example shown in FIG. 14, the setting of whether or not spread spectrum is performed and the modulation setting such as the amount of diffusion are different for each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. On the other hand, even within the board of the light emitter circuit board, if the setting of whether to perform spread spectrum and the modulation setting such as the amount of diffusion are different for each of the multiple serial output systems that separately supply serial data. You may let me. For example, when the serial data is separated into three systems and supplied to the light emitter drive unit 162 as in the serial signal relay device 161 mounted on the light emitter circuit board 61 shown in FIG. 11, the first system to the third system are used. The setting of whether or not spread spectrum is performed and the modulation setting such as the amount of diffusion may be different for each serial output system of the system. In this way, the radiation noise from each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 can be further suppressed by setting different frequency modulations in the substrate of the light emitter circuit board according to the serial signal wiring system. .. Alternatively, depending on whether it is the first communication path connecting the effect control board 12 to the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 or the second communication path on the boards of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. Different frequency modulation settings may be made.

In the pachinko gaming machine 1, a predetermined game is performed using a game ball as a game medium, and a predetermined game value can be given based on the game result. As an example of a game using a game ball, a predetermined hit ball is launched based on a predetermined operation (for example, a rotation operation) of a ball hitting operation handle installed at the lower right of the front surface of the housing in the pachinko gaming machine 1. A game ball as a game medium is launched toward the game area by a launch motor or the like provided in the device. When a game ball that has flowed down the game area passes (enters) various prize openings, the game ball as a prize ball is paid out. When the variable display result of the special symbol or decorative symbol becomes a "big hit" based on the occurrence of the first start prize or the second start prize, the big prize opening provided in the special variable prize ball device 7 is opened. By making it easier for the game ball to pass (enter), it becomes a big hit game state as an advantageous state that is advantageous for the player.

The game balls used as a game medium in the pachinko gaming machine 1 and the recorded information of the scores given according to the number of the balls may have valuable value that can be exchanged for special prizes or general prizes according to the quantity, for example. Just do it. Alternatively, the recorded information of these game balls and scores may have valuable value that can be used for another game in the pachinko gaming machine 1, although it cannot be exchanged for a special prize or a general prize.

Further, the game value that can be given by the pachinko game machine 1 is not limited to paying out the game ball as a prize ball and giving points, for example, controlling to a big hit game state or a special game state such as a probability change state. Controlling, the maximum number of rounds that can be executed in the jackpot game state is the number of first rounds (for example, "15") that is larger than the number of second rounds (for example, "7"), and it can be executed in a time-saving state. The upper limit of the variable display is the first number (for example, "100"), which is larger than the second number (for example, "50"), and the jackpot probability in the probability variation state is higher than the second probability (for example, 1/50). The number of consecutive chans, which is the first probability (for example, 1/20) and the number of times that the jackpot game state is repeatedly controlled without being controlled in the normal state, is larger than the number of consecutive chans (for example, "5"). It may include a more favorable gaming situation for the player, such as part or all of the number of first consecutive chans (eg, "10").

Next, the operation (action) of the pachinko gaming machine 1 in this embodiment will be described.

When the power supply from the predetermined power supply board is started on the main board 11, the game control microcomputer 100 is started, and the CPU 103 executes a predetermined process which is the game control main process. When the game control main process is started, the CPU 103 sets the interrupt disabled and then performs the necessary initial settings. In this initial setting, for example, RAM 102 is cleared. In addition, the register of the CTC (counter / timer circuit) built in the game control microcomputer 100 is set. As a result, after that, an interrupt request signal is sent from the CTC to the CPU 103 every predetermined time (for example, 2 milliseconds), and the CPU 103 can periodically execute the timer interrupt process. When the initial setting is completed, interrupts are permitted and then loop processing is started. In the game control main process, the process for returning the internal state of the pachinko game machine 1 to the state at the time of the previous power supply stop may be executed, and then the loop process may be started.

When the CPU 103 that has executed such a game control main process receives the interrupt request signal from the CTC and receives the interrupt request, it sets the interrupt disabled state and executes a predetermined game control timer interrupt process. The game control timer interrupt processing includes, for example, switch processing, main side error processing, information output processing, game random number update processing, game control process processing, ordinary symbol process processing, command control processing, and other games in the pachinko gaming machine 1. It includes processing to control the progress of.

The switch process is a process of determining the state of detection signals input from various switches such as the gate switch 21, the first start port switch 22A, the second start port switch 22B, and the count switch 23 via the switch circuit 110. The error processing on the main side is a processing in which an abnormality diagnosis of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is performed, and a warning can be generated if necessary according to the diagnosis result. The information output process is a process of outputting data such as jackpot information, start information, and probability fluctuation information supplied to a hall management computer installed outside the pachinko gaming machine 1, for example. The game random number update process is a process for updating at least a part of a plurality of types of game random numbers used on the main board 11 side by software.

In the game control process process included in the game control timer interrupt process, the value of the game process flag provided in the RAM 102 is updated according to the progress of the game in the pachinko game machine 1, and the first special symbol display device 4A or Various processes are selected and executed in order to control the display operation in the second special symbol display device 4B and set the opening / closing operation of the large winning opening in the special variable winning ball device 7 according to a predetermined procedure. The normal symbol process process controls the display operation (for example, turning on and off the segment LED) of the normal symbol display 20, and sets the variable display of the normal symbol and the tilting operation of the movable wing piece in the normal variable winning ball device 6B. It is a process that enables.

The command control process is a process of transmitting a control command from the main board 11 to a control board on the sub side such as the effect control board 12. As an example, in the command control process, the effect control board 12 among the output ports included in the I / O 105 corresponds to the setting in the command transmission table specified by the value of the transmission command buffer provided in the RAM 102. After setting the control data in the output port for transmitting the effect control command, set the predetermined control data in the output port of the effect control INT signal to turn the effect control INT signal on for a predetermined time and then turn it off. By doing so, it is possible to transmit the effect control command based on the setting in the command transmission table. After executing the command control process, the interrupt enable state is set, and then the game control timer interrupt process is terminated.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the game control process processing. In the game control process processing shown in FIG. 15, the CPU 103 of the game control microcomputer 100 first determines whether or not a start winning prize has occurred (step S11). As an example, in step S11, the input state (on / off) of the start winning signal, which is the detection signal transmitted from the first start port switch 22A and the second start port switch 22B, is checked, and if it is on, the start is started. It may be determined that a prize has been generated.

If a start winning is generated in step S11 (step S11; Yes), a random number at the time of winning is stored (step S12). As an example, in the process of step S12, a random number circuit 104 built in (or externally attached) to the game control microcomputer 100, a random counter provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 102 in the game control microcomputer 100, and a game control micro A game random number (random number value for determining variable display result, game state determination) updated by at least a part of a random counter configured by using an internal register provided separately from the RAM 102 in the computer 100. Part or all of the numerical data indicating the random number value (random number value, random number value for determining the fluctuation pattern) is extracted. The random number value extracted at this time may be stored as hold data associated with the hold number in, for example, a hold random number value storage unit provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 102 in the game control microcomputer 100.

Following the process of step S12, various control commands corresponding to the start winning prize are transmitted (step S13). As an example, in the process of step S13, a setting for transmitting a start prize designation command for notifying the occurrence of the start prize to the effect control board 12 may be made. When the start winning is not generated in step S11 (step S11; No), or after the process of step S13 is executed, the value of the game process flag is determined (step S21). Then, the process according to the determination value is selected and executed from the plurality of processes described in advance in the computer program for game control.

For example, when the value of the game process flag is "0", it is determined whether or not the variable display of the symbol (variable display game) can be started (step S101). As an example, in the process of step S101, it is determined whether or not the number of holds of the variable display game is "0" by checking the stored contents of the hold random number value storage unit. At this time, if the number of holds is other than "0", the variable display is started because the variable display is held after the variable display start condition is satisfied and the start condition is not yet satisfied. Judge that it is possible. On the other hand, when the number of holdings is "0", it is determined that the variable display cannot be started. When the variable display cannot be started (step S101; No), the game control process process is terminated.

When the variable display can be started in step S101 (step S101; Yes), the definite symbol to be derived and displayed as the variable display result is determined (step S102). The variable display result of the special symbol in the special figure game is called the special figure display result. In the process of step S102, the game random number (random number value for determining the variable display result, the random number value for determining the game state, and the fluctuation) stored at the beginning (the storage area having the smallest hold number) in the hold random number value storage unit. Read the random number value for pattern determination, etc.). The game random number read from the hold random number value storage unit may be temporarily stored in a variable display random number buffer or the like provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 102 of the game control microcomputer 100. Then, using the random value for determining the variable display result and the variable display result determination table, it is determined at a predetermined ratio whether or not the variable display result is a "big hit". Here, when the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is in the probabilistic state, the variable display result determination table is determined so that the variable display result is determined as a "big hit" at a higher rate than in the normal state or the time saving state. It suffices if the judgment value in is set.

When the variable display result is determined to be "big hit" in the process of step S102, the game state after the end of the big hit game state is set to the probabilistic state by using the random value for determining the game state and the game state determination table. Decide whether or not to enter the special game state. Corresponding to these determination results, a definite symbol to be derived and displayed as a variable display result may be determined.

Following the process in step S102, the internal flags and the like are set (step S103). As an example, in the process of step S103, when the variable display result is determined to be "big hit" in the process of step S102, the big hit flag provided in the predetermined area of the RAM 102 in the game control microcomputer 100 is turned on. set. Further, when it is determined that the gaming state after the end of the jackpot gaming state is set to the probabilistic state, the probabilistic confirmation flag provided in the predetermined area of the RAM 102 of the game control microcomputer 100 is set to the on state. , You may memorize that it will be in a probabilistic state. After that, the value of the game process flag is updated to "1" (step S104), and then the game control process process is terminated.

When the value of the game process flag is "1", the fluctuation pattern and the like are determined (step S111). FIG. 16 shows a setting example of a fluctuation pattern used in the pachinko gaming machine 1. Each variation pattern shows the required time (variable display time) from the start of the variable display to the derivation display of the definite symbol that is the variable display result, and the outline of the effect mode can be specified. In this embodiment, among the cases where the variable display result is "missing", the case where the variable display mode of the decorative symbol variably displayed on the main image display device 5MA is "non-reach" and the case where it is "reach". A plurality of fluctuation patterns are prepared in advance corresponding to each of the above and when the variable display result is a "big hit". As the fluctuation pattern, a plurality of patterns are prepared in advance for each fluctuation time (variable display time) in the special figure game and the variable display of the decorative symbol. Therefore, by determining the variation pattern, the variable display time of the special symbol or the decorative symbol can be determined.

In the process of step S111, the variation pattern to be used is determined at a predetermined ratio by using the variation pattern determination random number value temporarily stored in the variable display random number buffer and the variation pattern determination table. At this time, by making the determination ratio of each fluctuation pattern different depending on whether or not the variable display result is determined as "big hit", there is a possibility that the variable display result becomes "big hit" corresponding to each fluctuation pattern. (Big hit reliability) can be different.

Further, in the process of step S111, it may be determined whether or not the variable display state of the decorative symbol is set to "reach" by determining the variation pattern when the variable display result is determined to be "missing". .. Alternatively, before determining the fluctuation pattern, it may be determined whether or not the variable display state of the decorative symbol is set to "reach" by using the reach determination random value and the reach determination table. That is, in the process of step S111, it suffices that the variation pattern can be determined to be one of a plurality of types based on the variable display result and the determination result of the presence / absence of reach.

Following the process of step S111, various control commands corresponding to the start of variable display are transmitted (step S112). As an example, in the process of step S112, as the variable display start command for designating the start of the variable display, the variable display result notification command for notifying the variable display result, the variable display time of the decorative symbol, the type of reach effect, and the like are variablely displayed. Settings may be made to send a variation pattern specification command or the like that notifies the variation pattern indicating the mode. In addition, in response to the decrease in the number of holds due to the start of the variable display, a setting may be made to send a hold number notification command for notifying the number of holds after the decrease.

The variable display time is set in response to the determination of the variation pattern by the process of step S112. In addition, a setting may be made to start variable display of the special symbol by either the first special symbol display device 4A or the second special symbol display device 4B. As an example, the variable display of the symbol may be started by transmitting a predetermined drive signal to either the first special symbol display device 4A or the second special symbol display device 4B. Which special symbol display device uses the special symbol to execute the special symbol game is based on which of the first start winning opening and the second starting winning opening the game ball has passed. It may be set accordingly. More specifically, a special figure game by the first special symbol display device 4A is performed based on the fact that the game ball has passed through the first start winning opening. On the other hand, based on the fact that the game ball has passed through the second start winning opening, the special symbol game by the second special symbol display device 4B is performed. After that, the value of the game process flag is updated to "2" (step S113), and then the game control process process is terminated.

When the value of the game process flag is "2", it is determined whether or not the variable display time has elapsed (step S121). Then, if the variable display time has not elapsed (step S121; No), the variable display control of the special symbol is performed (step S122), and then the game control process process is terminated. On the other hand, when the variable display time has elapsed (step S121; Yes), the variable display of the special symbol is stopped, and control is performed to derive and display the confirmed symbol (step S123).

Following the process of step S123, various control commands corresponding to the end of the variable display are transmitted (step S124). As an example, in the process of step S124, a variable display end command for instructing the end (stop) of the variable display and a big hit start specification command (fanfare command) for designating the start of the big hit game state when the variable display result is "big hit". ) Etc. may be set to be transmitted.

After executing the process of step S124, it is determined whether or not the variable display result is a "big hit" (step S125). Then, when the variable display result is "big hit" (step S125; Yes), the value of the game process flag is updated to "3" (step S126), and then the game control process process is terminated. On the other hand, if the variable display result is "missing" instead of "big hit" (step S125; No), the game process flag is cleared and the value is initialized to "0" (step). S127), the game control process process is terminated. When the process of step S127 is executed, it is determined whether or not to end the probability change state or the time saving state, and when it is determined to end based on the satisfaction of the predetermined condition, these gaming states are terminated. Settings for controlling to the normal state may be made.

When the value of the game process flag is "3", it is determined whether or not to end the big hit game state depending on whether or not the predetermined big hit end condition is satisfied (step S131). The jackpot end condition may be, for example, that all the rounds executed in the jackpot game state have been completed. If the jackpot game state is not terminated (step S131; No), the game motion control at the time of jackpot is performed (step 132), and then the game control process process is terminated. On the other hand, when ending the big hit gaming state (step S131; Yes), a setting for controlling the gaming state after the big hit ending is made (step S133).

As an example, in the process of step S133, it is determined whether or not the probability change confirmation flag is on, and if it is on, the probability change flag provided in the predetermined area of the RAM 102 in the game control microcomputer 100 is turned on. Set to. As a result, when it is decided that the variable display result is "big hit" and it is decided that the game state after the end of the big hit game state is the probabilistic state, the game corresponds to this decision result. The state can be controlled to a probabilistic state. Even when controlling to a time saving state, a setting corresponding to this may be made. After that, the game process flag is cleared, the value is initialized to "0" (step S134), and then the game control process process is terminated.

Next, the operation on the effect control board 12 will be described. The effect control board 12 receives a power supply voltage from a power supply board or the like. In the effect control microcomputer 120 in which the power supply for activation is started, the CPU 130 executes the effect control main process.

In this embodiment, in the effect control main process, the memory inspection process may be executed when a predetermined memory inspection condition is satisfied. The memory inspection process is a determination process for determining whether or not the programs and data stored in the ROM 121 and the effect data memories 123A to 123C are normal. In the memory inspection process, by executing a checksum process as a determination process, it is possible to inspect the stored contents of the ROM 121 and the effect data memories 123A to 123C and display the checksum as the inspection result. Further, the effect control main process includes a process for controlling the effect by various effect devices, such as an effect control process process executed based on the occurrence of a timer interrupt for effect control.

Further, in the effect control main process, the origin positions of the movable members 51 to 54 may be confirmed by satisfying a predetermined origin confirmation condition. The origin positions of the movable members 51 to 54 are, for example, positions corresponding to the retracted state as shown in FIG. 4A, and the movable members 51 and 52 are arranged above the main image display device 5MA, and the movable members 51 and 52 are arranged above the main image display device 5MA. Each of the movable members 53 and 54 may be predetermined as a position to be arranged below the main image display device 5MA. When the origin confirmation condition is satisfied, the initial operation of the movable members 51 to 54 is executed, and control is performed to set each of the movable members 51 to 54 as the origin position. At this time, whether or not the movable members 51 to 54 could be stopped at the origin position based on the result of detecting the positions of the movable members 51 to 54 by the first position detection sensor 51A and the second position detection sensor 52A. Is confirmed. Then, if it is not possible to stop at the origin position, an abnormality notification is performed assuming that an origin abnormality has occurred.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the effect control main process executed by the CPU 130. In the effect control main process shown in FIG. 17, the CPU 130 first confirms the connection state of the board (step S51). In step S51, for example, it is specified whether or not the effect control board 12 is connected to the main board 11 and whether or not the effect control board 12 is connected to the effect control relay board 16A. In order to confirm the connection with the main board 11, the CPU 130 may determine whether or not it has received the initialization command or the power recovery command transmitted from the main board 11 after starting the time counting by the internal timer. Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of timekeeping without receiving the initialization command or the power recovery command, it may be determined that the effect control board 12 and the main board 11 are not connected.

18 (A) and 18 (B) show a configuration example for connecting the effect control board 12 and the effect control relay board 16A. As shown in FIG. 18A, the effect control board 12 and the effect control relay board 16A are physically connected by inserting a connector (plug) provided at one end of the harness HN1 into the effect control board 12. And a connector (socket) CN1 for electrical connection is provided. As shown in FIG. 18B, the effect control board 12 and the effect control relay board 16A are formed by inserting a connector (plug) provided at the other end of the harness HN1 into the effect control relay board 16A. A connector (socket) CN2 for physically and electrically connecting the two is provided. The harness HN1 may be configured by bundling a large number of wiring cables. The connector CN01 provided on the effect control board 12 includes terminals TM01 to TM24. The connector CN11 provided on the effect control relay board 16A includes terminals TN01 to TN24. The terminals TM01 to TM24 included in the connector CN01 and the terminals TN01 to TN24 included in the connector CN11 have terminals having corresponding numbers (for example, terminal TM01 and terminal TN01) when the harness HN1 is attached to the connector CN01 and the connector CN11. Any relationship may be physically and electrically connected.

FIG. 18C shows an example of setting input / output contents corresponding to terminals TM01 to TM24 included in the connector CN01 provided on the effect control board 12. The terminals TM01 to TM24 included in the connector CN01 can provide various voltages such as ground (GND), VSL (rectifying and smoothing AC24V), VDC (DC12V), and VCL (DC5V). Further, the terminals TM01 to TM24 are serialized with terminals TM03 and TM04 that supply data signals and clock signals for driver ICs mounted on the drive control board 16B, the light emitter control board 16C, or the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. It includes terminals TM05 to TM08 and the like for transmitting and receiving various data in a signal system. Further, the signal SM1 used for confirming the connection with the effect control relay board 16A can be input to the terminal TM22 among the terminals TM01 to TM24. As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, the VCL voltage output from the terminals TM20 and TM21 of the connector CN01 is the terminal of the connector CN11 provided on the effect control relay board 16A via the harness HN1. It is supplied to TN20 and TN21. The terminals TN20 to TN22 of the connector CN11 may be short-circuited on the substrate of the effect control relay substrate 16A. Therefore, when the harness HN1 is connected, a voltage corresponding to VCL is supplied from the terminal TN22 of the connector CN11 to the terminal TM22 of the connector CN01 provided on the effect control board 12 via the harness HN1. To. On the other hand, when the harness HN1 is not connected and is not connected, the voltage is not supplied to the terminal TM22 of the connector CN01 provided on the effect control board 12.

In step S51 shown in FIG. 17, in order to confirm the connection state with the effect control relay board 16A, the CPU 130 determines the input state of the signal SM1 at the terminal TM22 of the connector CN01 provided on the effect control board 12. Then, if the signal SM1 is in a high voltage state corresponding to VCL, it is determined that the effect control board 12 and the effect control relay board 16A are connected via the harness HN1. On the other hand, if the signal SM1 is in a low voltage state corresponding to the non-supply of voltage, it is determined that the effect control board 12 and the effect control relay board 16A are not connected. In this way, the connection state between the effect control board 12 and the effect control relay board 16A may be confirmed based on the voltage at the terminal TM22 which is the connection confirmation terminal.

Based on the confirmation result of the connection state in step S51, it is determined whether or not there is a connection with the effect control relay board 16A (step S52). In step S52, when the signal SM1 at the terminal TM22 is in a high voltage state corresponding to VCL, it is determined that there is a connection with the effect control relay board 16A, whereas the signal SM1 at the terminal TM22 corresponds to the non-supply of voltage. When it is in a low voltage state, it may be determined that there is no connection with the effect control relay board 16A. If it is determined in step S52 that there is no connection (step S52; No), the relay non-connection flag is set to the on state (step S53). The relay non-connection flag may be prepared in advance in a predetermined area (such as an effect control flag setting unit) of the work RAM 132 built in the effect control microcomputer 120 or the RAM 122 externally attached to the effect control microcomputer 120. .. If it is determined in step S52 that there is a connection, the relay unconnected flag is maintained in the off state by not executing the process of step S53.

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not there is a connection with the main board 11 based on the confirmation result of the connection state in step S51 (step S54). In step S54, if an initialization command or a power recovery command is received before the predetermined time elapses from the start of timekeeping, it is determined that there is a connection with the main board 11, whereas the initialization command or the power recovery command is used. When a predetermined time elapses without reception, it may be determined that there is no connection with the main board 11. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the one that determines the presence / absence of connection according to the presence / absence of command reception, and is mainly based on the voltage at the predetermined terminal that serves as the connection confirmation terminal, as in the connection state with the effect control relay board 16A. It may be determined whether or not there is a connection with the substrate 11. If it is determined in step S54 that there is no connection (step S54; No), the memory inspection process (step S55) is executed, and then the loop process is executed to wait.

In this embodiment, when the power supply is started in a state where the harness that binds the cables as command lines for transmitting various control signals between the main board 11 and the effect control board 12 is not connected. , The memory inspection condition is satisfied, and the memory inspection process is executed in step S55. On the other hand, when the power supply is started with the harness connected between the main board 11 and the effect control board 12, the memory inspection condition is not satisfied and the memory inspection process in step S55 is not executed. In this way, the memory inspection condition is satisfied by turning on the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 with the cable (harness) serving as the command line attached between the main board 11 and the effect control board 12 disconnected. You may do so.

The memory inspection condition is not limited to the one that is satisfied when the power is turned on with the command line removed. For example, the memory inspection condition is satisfied when the power is turned on while the push button 31B is pressed. There may be. Alternatively, for example, the memory inspection condition may be satisfied by turning on the power with the openable and closable gaming machine frame 3 open. In addition, the memory inspection condition may be satisfied by detecting an arbitrary predetermined state.

In the memory inspection process in step S55, a checksum calculation or the like is performed using the stored data of the ROM 121 or the effect data memories 123A to 123C, and the calculation result or the like may be displayed on the screen of the main image display device 5MA. When the memory inspection process is executed, the power switch of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned off once, and then the power switch is turned on again with the cable (harness) as the command line connected. The control may be in a state where it can be executed. Alternatively, by connecting a cable (harness) as a command line and pressing the reset switch, it may be possible to control the effect without turning on the power again. Alternatively, the effect can be controlled by turning off the power switch of the pachinko gaming machine 1 and then turning on the power while the push button 31B is not pressed. In addition, when a predetermined effect control condition is satisfied, the process may proceed to step S56 so that the effect control can be executed.

If it is determined in step S54 that there is a connection (step S54; Yes), the initial setting process (step S56) is executed. In the initial setting process of step S56, for example, the storage area in the RAM 122 is cleared, various initial values are set, and the CTC (counter and timer circuit) register setting for generating a timer interrupt for effect control is performed. In this embodiment, the first timer interrupt for effect control and the second timer interrupt for transfer communication setting may be set so that they can be generated periodically. The initial setting process in step S56 may include an effect data transfer process. The effect data transfer process is a predetermined data (binary code constituting a program module, etc.) among the programs and data stored in the ROM 121 and the effect data memories 123A to 123C and used for executing the effect by various effect devices. It may be a process for transferring (including) to RAM 122, work RAM 132, or the like. Further, in the initial setting process, execution control of the initial operation by the movable members 51 to 54 and the decorative member 57 may be performed together with the transfer of the effect data by the effect data transfer process. The initial operation performed at this time is, for example, an operation of changing (moving) the movable members 51 to 54 from the retracted state to the advanced state, stopping the movable members in the advanced state until a predetermined time elapses, and then returning to the retracted state. And so on.

After executing the initial setting process in step S56, it is determined whether or not the relay unconnected flag is on (step S57). When the relay non-connection flag is off (step S57; No), the origin positions of the movable members 51 to 54 and the like are confirmed corresponding to the state in which the relay board 16A for effect control is connected (step S57; No). Step S58). In this case, it is determined whether or not there is an origin abnormality (step S59), and if there is an origin abnormality (step S59; Yes), the origin abnormality is notified (step S60), and the process returns to step S58. After notifying the origin abnormality in step S60, the process may proceed to step S61.

In step S58, for example, in order to confirm the origin position of the movable members 51 to 54, the position detection signals by the first position detection sensor 51A and the second position detection sensor 52A are acquired. The position detection signal by the first position position sensor 51A indicates the result of directly or indirectly detecting the positions of the movable members 51 and 52 among the movable members 51 to 54. The position detection signal by the second position detection sensor 52A indicates the result of directly or indirectly detecting the positions of the movable members 53 and 54 among the movable members 51 to 54. In the connector CN01 provided on the effect control board 12 shown in FIG. 18A, the first position is detected in the serial data indicated by the signal input to the serial reception terminal TM07 shown in FIG. 18C. The position detection signals from the sensor 51A and the second position detection sensor 52A may be included. The CPU 130 confirms the detection results of the first position detection sensor 51A and the second position detection sensor 52A included in the serial data received by the serial communication circuit 137, and based on the position detection signals of the movable members 51 to 54, the CPU 130 determines. It suffices if it can be confirmed whether or not the movable members 51 to 54 are at the origin position. The notification of the origin abnormality by step S60 is, for example, an image display on the screen of the main image display device 5MA or the sub image display device 5SU, audio output from the speakers 8L and 8R, a notification lamp included in the game effect lamp 9, or a game effect lamp. It may be feasible by lighting a notification lamp provided separately from the 9th, a notification operation using another effect device, or a combination of a part or all of them. Further, the signal output from the specific terminal provided on the effect control board 12 may be in a different output state depending on the presence or absence of the origin abnormality. As described above, the abnormality notification of the movable member may be feasible by controlling an arbitrary output.

When it is determined in step S57 that the relay non-connection flag is on, the connector CN01 provided on the effect control board 12 is connected to the connector CN11 provided on the harness HN1 and the effect control relay board 16A. There is no effect control board 12, and the effect control relay board 16A is not connected. In this case, the terminal TM07 of the connector CN01 does not have the input (serial reception) of serial data indicating the detection result by the first position detection sensor 51A and the second position detection sensor 52A. Therefore, even if the origin positions of the movable members 51 to 54 and the like are confirmed, it is determined that there is an origin abnormality, and the abnormality notification is executed. In particular, in the manufacturing stage and the development stage, for the purpose of confirming the operation of the effect control microcomputer 120, for example, the power is turned on when the effect control board 12 and the effect control relay board 16A are not connected. is there. In order to prevent such frequent occurrence of abnormality notification in the manufacturing stage and the development stage and improve work efficiency, steps S58 to S60 are performed in response to the determination in step S57 that the relay unconnected flag is on. Do not run. As a result, when the effect control board 12 and the effect control relay board 16A are not connected, the origin positions of the movable members 51 to 54 are not confirmed, and the abnormality notification due to the occurrence of the origin abnormality is not executed. ..

When it is determined in step S57 that the relay non-connection flag is on (step S57; Yes), or when it is determined in step S59 that there is no origin abnormality (step S59; No), the timer interrupt is interrupted. After making the setting to prohibit (step S61) and executing the effect random number update process (step S62), the setting to allow the timer interrupt (step S63) is performed, and the process returns to step S61. In this way, the effect random number update process in step S62 can be repeatedly executed until the timer interrupt occurs. In the effect random number update process in step S62, the software updates the numerical data indicating the random number value to be the effect random number. The effect random numbers are counted as various random number values used for effect control. It should be noted that the random number for effect that is updated by the hardware using the random number circuit built in (or externally attached) to the effect control microcomputer 120 does not have to be updated in the effect random number update process. Alternatively, the production random number may be updated by software using numerical data indicating a random number value updated by hardware.

FIG. 19 shows an execution example of abnormality notification in step S60 of the effect control main process shown in FIG. In the execution example shown in FIG. 19, the occurrence of the origin abnormality is notified by displaying an image on the screen of the main image display device 5MA. At this time, based on the position detection signal indicating the detection result by the first position detection sensor 51A, the second position detection sensor 52A, or the like, the upper mechanism (upper accessory) 50T and the lower mechanism in the effect movable mechanism 50 shown in FIG. (Lower accessory) An error message may be displayed that can identify which of 50B has an abnormality. The error message shown in FIG. 19 indicates that an abnormality has occurred in any of the two movable members 53 and 54 included in the lower mechanism 50B based on the position detection signal acquired from the second position detection sensor 52A. Can be identified. In this way, the movable member is in a notification mode in which the clerk of the amusement park or the like can recognize which type of accessory is abnormal among the plurality of types of accessory configured by using the plurality of movable members. Abnormality notification may be performed.

The display screen of the main image display device 5MA is difficult or invisible when the upper mechanism and the lower mechanism of the effect movable mechanism 50 are in the advanced state. Therefore, when an abnormality is notified of the movable member by displaying an image on the screen of the main image display device 5MA, the clerk of the amusement park or the like may have difficulty or cannot recognize the occurrence of the abnormality. Therefore, along with the image display by the main image display device 5MA or the like, or instead of the image display, an abnormality notification of the movable member is performed by using a notification unit that can be visually recognized regardless of the state of the upper mechanism or the lower mechanism of the effect movable mechanism 50. May be done. As such a notification unit, for example, a plurality of notification light emitting members provided at an upper position of the game machine frame 3 and included in the game effect lamp 9 or separately provided from the game effect lamp 9 are used. May be done. These notification light emitting members may be configured by using, for example, LEDs. Abnormality notification of movable members is performed in a notification mode that allows a game hall clerk or the like to recognize which type of accessory has an abnormality depending on the combination of lighting modes by a plurality of notification light emitting members. It may be. As an example, when the notification unit includes the first notification light emitting member and the second notification light emitting member, in step S60 of the effect control main process shown in FIG. 17, an abnormality occurs in the upper mechanism of the effect movable mechanism 50. For example, the lighting control of the notification unit may be performed so that the first notification light emitting member lights up, while the second notification light emitting member lights up when an abnormality occurs in the lower mechanism of the effect movable mechanism 50. In this way, by performing an abnormality notification of the movable member using a notification unit that can be recognized regardless of the state of the movable member, even if there is a configuration in which recognition is difficult or unrecognizable depending on the state of the movable member, the movable member It is possible to identifiablely notify that an abnormality has occurred in the moving member and which movable member has an abnormality.

The CPU 130 of the effect control microcomputer 120 can execute the timer interrupt process for transfer communication setting and the interrupt process for command reception in addition to the timer interrupt process for effect control. In the interrupt processing for command reception, it is sufficient that the effect control command transmitted from the main board 11 via the relay board 15 can be acquired from the I / O 136 or the like. The effect control command acquired at this time may be temporarily stored in a reception command buffer provided in a predetermined area of the work RAM 132 or the RAM 122, for example. In the timer interrupt processing for effect control, the command analysis process is executed to determine whether or not the effect control command has been received, and if it is received, the settings and controls corresponding to the received command, etc. Is done. Further, in the timer interrupt processing for effect control, the effect control process process is executed, so that, for example, the effect image display on the screen of the main image display device 5MA or the sub image display device 5SU, the speakers 8L, 8R Audio output, lighting in a plurality of light emitting bodies arranged in alignment with each of the light emitting body units 71 to 74, lighting in various light emitting members such as a game effect lamp 9 different from the light emitting body units 71 to 74 and a decorative LED, and movable members. Judgment, determination, setting, etc. according to the effect control command transmitted from the main board 11 regarding the operation control contents using various effect devices such as the drive operation of the operation motors 60A to 60C for moving 51 to 54. Will be done.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the effect control process processing. The effect control process processing may be executed based on the occurrence of the first timer interrupt for effect control in the effect control microcomputer 120. In the effect control process process shown in FIG. 20, the CPU 130 of the effect control microcomputer 120 determines the value of the effect process flag stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 122 or the work RAM 132, and describes the value in the effect control computer program in advance. From the plurality of processed processes, the process corresponding to the judgment value is selected and executed. The processing executed according to the determination value of the effect process flag includes the variable display start waiting process (step S170), the variable display start setting process (step S171), the variable display during effect process (step S172), and the variable display stop process. (Step S173), a jackpot display process (step S174), a jackpot medium effect process (step S175), and a jackpot end effect process (step S176) are included.

The variable display start waiting process (step S170) is a process executed when the value of the effect process flag is “0”. In this process, whether to start the variable display of the decorative symbol on the screen of the main image display device 5MA based on whether or not the first fluctuation start command or the second fluctuation start command transmitted from the main board 11 is received. Whether or not it is determined is performed. The first variation start command is an effect control command for notifying that the special figure game using the first special figure is started by the first special symbol display device 4A. The second variation start command is an effect control command for notifying that the special figure game using the second special figure by the second special symbol display device 4B is started. When either the first fluctuation start command or the second fluctuation start command is received, the value of the effect process flag is updated to "1".

The variable display start setting process (step S171) is a process executed when the value of the effect process flag is “1”. In this process, the decorative symbol on the screen of the main image display device 5MA corresponds to the start of variable display of the special symbol in the special symbol game by the first special symbol display device 4A and the second special symbol display device 4B. In order to perform the variable display of the above and other various effect operations, a fixed decorative pattern and various effect control patterns are determined according to the variation pattern of the special symbol and the type of display result. Further, the value of the effect process flag is updated to "2" by controlling the start of variable display of the decorative pattern on the screen of the main image display device 5MA.

The variable display during effect process (step S172) is a process executed when the value of the effect process flag is “2”. In this variable display effect processing, the CPU 130 of the effect control microcomputer 120 is based on the effect control pattern according to the timer value in the effect control process timer provided in the predetermined area of the RAM 122 (effect control timer setting unit, etc.). Various control data are read out, and various effect controls are performed during the variable display of the decorative pattern. In addition, in the variable display effect processing, the final stop symbol as the final stop symbol, which is the variable display result of the decorative symbol, is completely stopped and displayed in response to the reception of the symbol confirmation command transmitted from the main board 11. (Derived display) processing is included. In addition, in response to the fact that the end code is read from the predetermined effect control pattern, the final decoration symbol may be displayed as a complete stop display (derivative display). In this case, when the variable display time corresponding to the fluctuation pattern specified by the fluctuation pattern designation command elapses, the effect control board 12 autonomously operates without using the effect control command from the main board 11. The variable display result can be confirmed by deriving and displaying the fixed decorative symbol. After performing such effect control and the like, the value of the effect process flag is updated to "3".

The variable display stop process (step S173) is a process executed when the value of the effect process flag is “3”. In this process, the jackpot game state is started based on the variable display result notified by the variable display result notification command, the determination result of whether or not the jackpot start designation command transmitted from the main board 11 is received, and the like. Settings are made according to whether or not. For example, when the variable display result corresponds to "big hit" and the big hit game state is started, the value of the effect process flag is updated to "4", while the variable display result corresponds to "miss". If the jackpot game state is not started, the effect process flag is cleared and the value is initialized to "0".

The jackpot display process (step S174) is a process executed when the value of the effect process flag is “4”. In this process, control for executing a jackpot notification effect (fanfare effect) for notifying the start of the jackpot gaming state is performed based on the reception of the jackpot start designation command transmitted from the main board 11. Then, when the execution of the jackpot notification effect is completed, the value of the effect process flag is updated to "5".

The jackpot middle effect process (step S175) is a process executed when the value of the effect process flag is “5”. In this big hit medium effect processing, the CPU 130 of the effect control microcomputer 120 sets, for example, an effect control pattern corresponding to the effect content in the big hit medium effect executed in the big hit game state, and is based on the setting content. Displaying the effect image on the screen of the main image display device 5MA or the sub image display device 5SU, executing the display effect by the light emitter units 71 to 74, and issuing a command (sound effect signal) to the voice control board 13. Outputting sound and sound effects from the speakers 8L and 8R by output, turning on, turning off or blinking the game effect lamp 9 and decorative LED by outputting a command (illumination signal) to the lamp control board 14, and other effects. The control is executed to enable the effect during the big hit corresponding to the big hit game state. In the jackpot middle effect processing, the value of the effect process flag is updated to "6" in response to receiving, for example, the jackpot end designation command transmitted from the main board 11.

The jackpot end effect process (step S176) is a process executed when the value of the effect process flag is “6”. In this jackpot end effect processing, the CPU 130 of the effect control microcomputer 120 sets, for example, an effect control pattern corresponding to the effect content in the jackpot end effect (ending effect) executed when the jackpot game state ends. It is possible to execute the jackpot end effect corresponding to the end of the jackpot game state by displaying the effect image, outputting the sound effect, turning on / off or blinking various light emitting members, and other effect controls based on the setting contents. .. After that, the effect process flag is cleared and the value is initialized to "0".

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of the variable display start setting process executed in step S171 of FIG. In the variable display start setting process shown in FIG. 21, the CPU 130 of the effect control microcomputer 120 first determines the final stop symbol or the like to be the final decorative symbol as the variable display result of the decorative symbol (step S401). In step S401, the CPU 130 of the effect control microcomputer 120 has variable display contents such as a variable pattern indicated by the variable pattern designation command transmitted from the main board 11 and a variable display result indicated by the variable display result notification command. The final stop symbol is determined based on. As an example, the variable display contents according to the combination of the fluctuation pattern and the variable display result include "non-reach (loss)", "reach (loss)", "non-probability (big hit)", and "probability (big hit)". is there.

When the variable display content is "non-reach (loss)", the variable display state of the decorative symbol does not change to the reach state, the fixed decorative symbol of the non-reach combination is stopped and displayed, and the variable display result is "loss". ". When the variable display content is "reach (loss)", after the variable display state of the decorative symbol is in the reach state, the final decorative symbol of the reach loss combination is stopped and displayed, and the variable display result is "loss". .. When the variable display content is "non-probability change (big hit)", the variable display result becomes "big hit", and the game state after the end of the big hit game state becomes the time saving state. When the variable display content is "probability change (big hit)", the variable display result becomes "big hit", and the game state after the end of the big hit game state becomes the probable change state.

When the variable display content is "non-reach (loss)", the CPU 130 determines different (mismatched) decorative symbols in the "left" and "right" decorative symbol display areas 5L and 5R as the final stop symbol. .. When the variable display content is "reach (loss)", the CPU 131 determines the same (matching) decorative symbol as the final stop symbol in the "left" and "right" decorative symbol display areas 5L and 5R. .. When the variable display content is "non-probability (big hit)" or "probability change (big hit)", the CPU 130 is the same in the decorative symbol display areas 5L, 5C, and 5R of "left", "middle", and "right". The (matching) decorative symbol of is determined as the final stop symbol. At this time, depending on whether the variable display content is "non-probability (big hit)" or "probability (big hit)", and whether or not the promotion effect during big hit is executed, a normal symbol (for example, an even number) is displayed. It suffices to determine which of the decorative symbol (shown decorative symbol) and the probabilistic symbol (for example, the decorative symbol indicating an odd number) is to be the final decorative symbol. Further, when the variable display content is "non-probability (big hit)" or "probability (big hit)", it may be decided whether or not to execute the probabilistic promotion effect such as the re-lottery effect or the big hit medium promotion effect.

Following the determination of the final stop symbol and the like in step S401, the advance notice effect is determined (step S402). In step S402, the presence or absence of the advance notice effect, the effect mode when the advance notice effect is executed, and the like may be determined by using the advance notice effect determination table prepared, for example, by storing in a predetermined area of the ROM 121 in advance. In the advance notice effect determination table, for example, a numerical value (decision value) to be compared with a random number value for determining the advance notice effect may be assigned to the presence / absence of the advance notice effect and the determination result of the effect mode according to the variable display content. .. The CPU 130 may determine the presence / absence of the advance notice effect and the effect mode by referring to the advance notice effect determination table based on the numerical data indicating the random number value for determining the advance notice effect among the random numbers for the effect.

Following the determination of the advance notice effect in step S402, the effect control pattern is determined to be one of a plurality of prepared patterns (step S403). For example, the CPU 130 selects one of a plurality of prepared special figure fluctuation effect control patterns in response to the fluctuation pattern indicated by the fluctuation pattern designation command, and sets it as a usage pattern. Further, the CPU 130 selects one of a plurality of prepared advance notice effect control patterns according to the determination result of the advance notice effect by the process of step S402, and sets it as a use pattern.

After determining the effect control pattern in step S403, the CPU 130 performs an effect provided in a predetermined area (effect control timer setting unit, etc.) of the RAM 122 or the work RAM 132 in response to the variation pattern specified by, for example, the variation pattern designation command. The initial value of the control process timer is set (step S404). Then, the setting for starting the fluctuation of the decorative pattern and the like in the main image display device 5MA is made (step S405). At this time, for example, "left", "middle", and "right" provided on the screen of the main image display device 5MA by using the display control data included in the effect control pattern determined as the pattern to be used in step S404. It is sufficient to start the variation of the decorative symbol in each decorative symbol display area 5L, 5C, 5R.

Following the process of step S405, in response to the start of the variable display of the decorative symbol, the setting for updating the hold storage display in the start winning memory display area 5H is made (step S406). For example, in the start winning prize memory display area 5H, the display portion corresponding to the hold number “1” may be deleted, and the entire display portion may be moved to the left one by one. After that, the value of the effect process flag is updated to "2", which is a value corresponding to the effect process during variable display (step S407), and then the variable display start setting process ends.

FIG. 22A shows a configuration example of the effect control pattern. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 22A, the effect control pattern includes, for example, an effect control process timer determination value, display control data, voice control data, lamp control data, movable member control data, operation detection control data, end code, and the like. It consists of included process data. The effect control process timer judgment value is a value (judgment value) to be compared with the effect control process timer value which is a stored value of the effect control process timer provided in a predetermined area (effect control timer setting unit, etc.) of the RAM 122 or the work RAM 132. Therefore, a determination value corresponding to the execution time (effect time) of each effect operation is set in advance. In addition, instead of the effect control process timer determination value, for example, a predetermined effect control command is received from the main board 11, or a predetermined process is performed as a process for controlling the effect operation in the CPU 130 of the effect control microcomputer 120. Data indicating the switching timing of the effect control or the like may be set in response to a predetermined control content or processing content such as execution. The pattern data constituting such an effect control pattern may be stored in the ROM 121 in advance as management data.

The display control data includes data indicating the display mode of the effect image on the screen of the main image display device 5MA and the sub image display device 5SU, such as data indicating the variation mode of each decorative symbol during the variable display of the decorative symbol. It has been. That is, the display control data is data that specifies the display control of the effect image using the main image display device 5MA and the sub image display device 5SU. Display data used for creating lighting data for controlling lighting modes by a plurality of light emitters constituting the light emitter units 71 to 74 may be added to the display data of the effect image corresponding to the sub image display device 5SU. .. In this case, if the display control of the effect image using the sub image display device 5SU is specified by the display control data, the lighting control using a plurality of light emitters constituting the light emitter units 71 to 74 can also be specified. it can. The display control data is not limited to controlling the lighting mode in the plurality of light emitters constituting the light emitter units 71 to 74, and the lighting mode in the plurality of light emitters can be determined by using the control data separate from the display control data. It may be controlled.

The voice control data includes data showing a voice output mode from the speakers 8L and 8R, such as data showing an output mode such as a sound effect linked to the variable display operation of the decorative symbol during the variable display of the decorative symbol. There is. That is, the voice control data is data that specifies the voice output operation from the speakers 8L and 8R. For example, the voice control data may indicate various settings in the ROM 121 or the effect data memory 123A, such as whether or not to perform loop playback, in addition to the start address and end address of the voice data corresponding to the music or the like. ..

The lamp control data includes data indicating a lighting operation mode in various light emitting members other than the light emitting body units 71 to 74, such as a game effect lamp 9 and a decorative LED. That is, the lamp control data is data that specifies the lighting operation of various light emitting members. The lamp control data may include data indicating a lighting operation mode in a plurality of light emitting bodies constituting the light emitting body units 71 to 74. The movable member control data includes, for example, data indicating a driving mode of the operation motors 60A to 60C for rotating or moving the movable members 51 to 54 and the decorative member 57, and the movable member 51 to 54 and the decorative member 57. Data showing the operation mode is included. That is, the movable member control data is data that specifies the rotation operation and the movement operation of the movable members 51 to 54. The operation detection control data includes, for example, an operation valid period for effectively detecting an instruction operation (tilting operation) for the operation stick of the stick controller 31A and an instruction operation (push / pull operation) for the trigger button, or an instruction operation for the push button 31B (push button 31B). Data indicating the effect operation mode according to the player's operation action, such as the operation validity period for effectively detecting the pressing operation) and the data for specifying the control content of the effect operation when each operation is effectively detected, include.

It should be noted that these control data do not have to be included in all the effect control patterns, and the effect control pattern is configured to include a part of the control data according to the content of the effect operation by each effect control pattern. There may be. Further, in the plurality of types of process data included in the effect control pattern, the types of control data constituting each process data may be different depending on the content of the effect operation executed at each timing. That is, some process data includes all of display control data, voice control data, lamp control data, movable member control data, and operation detection control data, and some process data includes some of these. It may be there. Further, various other control data such as the effect model control data indicating the operation mode of the movable member included in the effect model may be included.

FIG. 22B shows various effect operations executed according to the contents of the effect control pattern. The CPU 130 of the effect control microcomputer 120 determines the control content of the effect operation according to various control data included in the effect control pattern. For example, when the effect control process timer value matches any of the effect control process timer determination values, the decorative symbol is displayed in the manner specified by the display control data associated with the effect control process timer determination value, and the character is displayed. Control is performed to display an effect image such as an image or a background image on the screen of the main image display device 5MA or the sub image display device 5SU. Further, control may be performed in which a plurality of light emitters arranged and arranged in the light emitter units 71 to 74 are turned on in a manner specified by the display control data to execute the display effect. Further, it controls to output the sound from the speakers 8L and 8R in the mode specified by the voice control data, and controls to blink various light emitting members such as the game effect lamp 9 in the mode specified by the lamp control data. In addition, the movable members 51 to 54 and the decorative member 57 are controlled to be operated by the driving force of the operation motors 60A to 60C in the mode specified by the movable member control data, and the operation validity period specified by the operation detection control data is performed. Controls that the trigger button, the operation stick, or the push button 31B of the stick controller 31A is received and the production content is determined. Dummy data (data for which control is not specified) may be set for the data corresponding to the effect component that is not the control target even if it corresponds to the effect control process timer determination value.

The CPU 130 of the effect control microcomputer 120 sets the effect control pattern based on the variation pattern indicated by the variation pattern designation command, for example, when starting the variable display of the decorative symbol. Here, when setting the effect control pattern, the pattern data constituting the corresponding effect control pattern may be read from the ROM 121 and temporarily stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 122 or the work RAM 132, or the corresponding effect control pattern may be set. The storage address of the pattern data constituting the above in the ROM 121 may be temporarily stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 122 or the work RAM 132, and the reading position of the stored data in the ROM 121 may be specified. After that, every time the effect control process timer value is updated, it is determined whether or not it matches any of the effect control process timer determination values, and if it matches, the effect operation corresponding to the corresponding various control data is performed. To control. In this way, the CPU 130 causes the effect device (main image display device 5MA, sub image display device 5SU, illuminant unit 71) according to the contents of the process data # 1 to process data # n (n is an arbitrary integer) included in the effect control pattern. -74, speakers 8L, 8R, various light emitting members including the game effect lamp 9, movable members 51 to 54, and operation motors 60A to 60C for generating driving force of the decorative member 57) are controlled. In each process data # 1 to process data # n, display control data # 1 to display control data # n and voice control data # 1 to voice control associated with the effect control process timer determination values # 1 to # n. Data # n, lamp control data # 1 to lamp control data # n, movable member control data # 1 to movable member control data # n, operation detection control data # 1 to operation detection control data # n are effect operations in the effect device. The effect control execution data # 1 to the effect control execution data # n that indicate the control contents of the above and specify the execution of the effect control are configured.

The transmission of various data according to the effect control pattern set in this way is controlled by the internal circuit of the effect control microcomputer 120. For example, the FPU 131 of the effect control microcomputer 120 temporarily stores the display data of the effect image generated by executing the floating-point arithmetic using the parameters set by the CPU 130 in a predetermined area of the work RAM 132. The DMA controller 134 controls the DMA transfer based on the parameter setting for the transfer by the CPU 130. The DMA transfer increments (1 addition) the read address and the write address without going through the CPU 130 for a series of processes including the read address bus output, the read signal output, the write address bus output, and the write signal output. It is a transfer method that realizes data transfer by continuously executing it. The DMA controller 134 is set with a predetermined area of the work RAM 132, the ROM 121, the RAM 122, the effect data memories 123A to 123C, and a read address corresponding to the built-in register of the CPU 130 or the DMA controller 134, and is set to the output port of the I / O 136 or serial. When the write address corresponding to the transmission data register 144R of the communication circuit 137 is set, DMA transfer for performing data transmission from the effect control microcomputer 120 to the external device is enabled. On the other hand, in the DMA controller 134, a read address corresponding to the input port of the I / O 136 and the reception data register 143R of the serial communication circuit 137 is set, and a predetermined area of the RAM 122 or the work RAM 132 or the built-in register of the CPU 130 or the DMA controller 134 is set. When the write address corresponding to is set, DMA transfer for receiving data from the external device of the effect control microcomputer 120 is enabled. As described above, the DMA controller 134 has a storage area used for controlling the execution of the effect such as the built-in register of the CPU 130 and the predetermined area of the work RAM 132, and the serial such as the receive data register 143R and the transmission data register 144R of the serial communication circuit 137. It is possible to control the transfer of data to and from the storage area used for communication.

For example, one of the addresses MA30 + 1 to the address MA31, which is the start address of the effect data memory 123C shown in FIG. 8B3, is set as the read address and corresponds to the transmission data register 144R of the serial communication circuit 137. When the write address is set, the motor data is transferred under the control of the DMA controller 134 without going through the CPU 130. The motor data stored in the transmission data register 144R in the serial communication circuit 137 is transferred to the transmission shift register 144S and then serially transmitted as serial data. In the connector CN01 provided on the effect control board 12 shown in FIG. 18 (A), the operation motor 60A is included in the serial data indicated by the signal output from the serial transmission terminal TM05 shown in FIG. 18 (C). It suffices if the motor data indicating the drive control content of ~ 60C is included. The motor data serially transmitted by the serial communication circuit 137 of the effect control microcomputer 120 is transmitted from the effect control board 12 to the drive control board 16B via the effect control relay board 16A, and the operation motors 60A to 60C. It is used for drive control of. In this way, the serial communication circuit 137 makes it possible to transmit an operation command by serial communication to the operation motors 60A to 60C for operating the plurality of movable members 51 to 54 and the decorative member 57.

Light emission data may be transferred under the control of the DMA controller 134 without going through the CPU 130. In this case, for example, one of the addresses MA31 + 1 to MA40 of the effect data memory 123C shown in FIG. 8 (B3) is set as the read address, and the document corresponding to the transmission data register 144R of the serial communication circuit 137. The built-in address may be set. The light emission data stored in the transmission data register 144R in the serial communication circuit 137 is transferred to the transmission shift register 144S and then serially transmitted as serial data. The light emission data serially transmitted by the serial communication circuit 137 of the effect control microcomputer 120 is transmitted from the effect control board 12 to the light emitting body control board 16C via the effect control relay board 16A, and the light emitting body units 71 to 71 It may be possible to use it for lighting control of a plurality of light emitting bodies constituting 74, or lighting control of other light emitting members constituting a decorative LED. In this way, the serial communication circuit 137 may be capable of transmitting a lighting command by serial communication to the light emitting body control board 16C or the like that controls lighting of one or a plurality of light emitting members.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of the variable display effect processing executed in step S172 of FIG. In the effect processing during variable display shown in FIG. 23, the CPU 130 of the effect control microcomputer 120 first determines whether or not the variable display time corresponding to the variation pattern has elapsed based on, for example, the effect control process timer value. (Step S451). As an example, in step S451, the effect control process timer value is updated (for example, 1 is subtracted), and when the end code is read from the effect control pattern corresponding to the updated effect control process timer value, the variable display is performed. It may be determined that the time has passed.

If the variable display time has not elapsed in step S451 (step S451; No), it is determined whether or not it is the execution period of various effects (step S452). The execution period of each effect may be predetermined in, for example, in the effect control pattern determined by the process of step S403 shown in FIG. When it is not the execution period of various effects (step S452; No), the effect processing during variable display is terminated. When it is the execution period of various effects (step S452; Yes), the effect control process is executed (step S453), and then the variable display effect process ends.

When the variable display time has elapsed in step S451 (step S451; Yes), it is determined whether or not the symbol determination command transmitted from the main board 11 has been received (step S454). At this time, if the symbol confirmation command is not received (step S454; No), the effect processing during variable display is terminated and the process waits. If the predetermined time elapses without receiving the symbol confirmation command after the variable display time has elapsed, the predetermined error processing is executed in response to the failure to normally receive the symbol confirmation command. You may do so.

When a symbol confirmation command is received in step S454 (step S454; Yes), control is performed to derive and display the final stop symbol (confirmed decorative symbol) that is the display result in the variable display of the decorative symbol (step S455). ). Further, a predetermined fixed time is set as the waiting time for receiving the hit start designation command (step S456). Then, after updating the value of the effect process flag to "3", which is a value corresponding to the variable display stop process (step S457), the effect process during variable display is terminated.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an example of the transfer communication setting process. The transfer communication setting process may be executed based on the occurrence of the second timer interrupt for the transfer communication setting in the effect control microcomputer 120. In the transfer communication setting process shown in FIG. 24, the CPU 130 of the effect control microcomputer 120 acquires the sensor state data (step S191). The sensor state data is data indicating the detection result by the sensor, for example, the first position detection sensor 51A and the second position detection sensor 52A. In the effect control microcomputer 120, DMA transfer is performed under the control of the DMA controller 134, the sensor state data temporarily stored in the reception data register 143R of the serial communication circuit 137 is read out, and a predetermined area of the RAM 122 or the work RAM 132 is read. And stored in the built-in register of the DMA controller 134. The CPU 130 may read the sensor state data stored in the built-in register of the DMA controller 134 or the like and store it in a predetermined area of the work RAM 132 or the built-in register of the CPU 130. At this time, the CPU 130 may acquire the sensor state data by communicating with the DMA controller 134.

Following step S191, the stop of DMA transfer is confirmed (step S192). The execution state of the DMA transfer may be confirmed by referring to the bit value corresponding to the channel for serial reception in the arbitration status register built in the DMA controller 134. The CPU 130 may wait until it confirms that the DMA transfer has stopped. Then, after confirming that the DMA transfer has stopped, the serial communication setting is initialized (step S193). In step S193, the CPU 130 sets the received data register 143R to the initial state by reading the stored data in the received data register 143R of the serial communication circuit 137, for example. At this time, the data read from the received data register 143R may not be used for the sensor status data or the like, but may be discarded (erased) as it is. Further, in step S193, the CPU 130 clears the bit value corresponding to the received data in the serial status register included in the communication setting register 142A included in the transmission / reception controller 142 of the serial communication circuit 137, for example, to clear the communication setting register 142A. Should be set to the initial state. As described above, in step S193, by initializing the serial communication setting, the stored contents related to the serial communication such as the stored contents related to the received data by the serial communication are reset.

After step S193, the reception DMA transfer setting (step S194) and the transmission DMA transfer setting (step S195) are sequentially performed. In step S194, by setting the register corresponding to the channel for serial reception, the mode setting of DMA transfer, the source address (read address), and the destination address (write address) are set for data reception by serial communication. , The transfer size may be specified. The DMA transfer read address set in step S194 may be the address of the receive data register 143R included in the serial communication circuit 137. The write address for DMA transfer set in step S194 may be an address corresponding to a predetermined area of RAM 122 or work RAM 132, a built-in register of CPU 130 or DMA controller 134, or the like. In step S195, by setting the register corresponding to the channel for serial transmission, the mode setting of DMA transfer, the source address (read address), and the destination address (write address) are set for data transmission by serial communication. , The transfer size may be specified. The DMA transfer read address set in step S195 may be an address corresponding to the RAM 122, the effect data memories 123A to 123C, the predetermined area of the work RAM 132, the built-in register of the CPU 130, the DMA controller 134, or the like. The write address for DMA transfer set in step S195 may be the address of the transmission data register 144R included in the serial communication circuit 137.

Then, after setting the start of serial communication (step S196), the transfer communication setting process ends. In step S196, the error flag is cleared after resetting the reception data register 143R and the transmission data register 144R by setting the transmission / reception control register included in the communication setting register 142A included in the transmission / reception controller 142 of the serial communication circuit 137. Then cancel the reset. Further, the start of the serial transmission operation and the serial reception operation may be permitted by setting the serial control register included in the communication setting register 142A.

In the transfer communication setting process shown in FIG. 24, the sensor state data is acquired by the CPU 130 communicating with the DMA controller 134 in step S191. After that, when the stop of the DMA transfer is confirmed in step S192, the serial communication setting is initialized in step S193 before the serial communication start setting is made in step S196. As described above, in the effect control microcomputer 120, after the CPU 130 that executes the effect control program communicates with the DMA controller 134 that controls the transfer of data by the DMA transfer, and before the serial communication by the serial communication circuit 137 is performed. The stored contents related to the serial communication in the serial communication circuit 137 are reset. Further, the serial communication setting is initialized in step S193 before the reception DMA transfer is set in step S194 and the transmission DMA transfer is set in step S195. That is, in the effect control microcomputer 120, after the CPU 130 communicates with the DMA controller 134, the stored contents related to the serial communication in the serial communication circuit 137 are reset before the data is transferred under the control of the DMA controller 134.

In the reception data register 143R of the serial communication circuit 137, for example, reception data by serial communication including data corresponding to a position detection signal indicating a detection result by the first position detection sensor 51A and the second position detection sensor 52A is stored. When the stored data of the received data register 143R remains in the state due to processing interruption or the like, the positions of the movable members 51 to 54 can be accurately specified by reading out the data indicating an inappropriate detection result or the like. There is a risk of problems that cannot be done. Therefore, after the CPU 130 that executes the effect control program communicates with the DMA controller 134 that controls the data transfer, the stored contents related to the serial communication are reset before the serial communication is performed by the serial communication circuit 137. It is possible to prevent communication problems and obtain accurate detection results.

The serial communication setting initialized in step S193 is not limited to the stored contents related to the received data by serial communication such as the stored contents of the received data register 143R and the bit value corresponding to the full received data, and is arbitrary related to serial communication. Anything that resets the stored contents of. For example, the stored contents of the transmission data register 144R of the serial communication circuit 137 may be reset. In the transmission data register 144R, for example, motor data used for driving control of operating motors 60A to 60C, light emitting data used for lighting control of a plurality of light emitting bodies or other light emitting members constituting the light emitting body units 71 to 74, and the like. Is stored and enables serial transmission as serial data. If the stored data in the transmission data register 144R remains due to a communication failure or the like, new data cannot be written to the transmission data register 144R, so that the movable members 51 to 54 cannot be operated. (Freeze) may occur, or a problem may occur in which the light emitting member cannot be turned on. Alternatively, improper data transmission may cause an abnormality in the operation of the movable members 51 to 54, or an abnormality in the lighting of the light emitting member. Therefore, after the CPU 130 that executes the effect control program communicates with the DMA controller 134 that controls the data transfer, the stored contents related to the serial communication are reset before the serial communication is performed by the serial communication circuit 137. It is possible to prevent communication problems and appropriately operate the movable members 51 to 54 and light the light emitting member.

When the serial communication circuit 137 of the effect control microcomputer 120 includes a diffusion control unit 161B1 and an output control unit 161B2 similar to the relay control unit 161B0 of the serial signal relay device 161, the serial is initialized in step S193. As the communication setting, the stored contents such as the clock setting parameter for frequency-modulating the reference clock to generate the modulated clock may be reset. In this way, when serial communication is performed using a modulation clock obtained by modulating the reference clock by a predetermined modulation method such as frequency modulation, after the CPU 130 communicates with the DMA controller 134, serial communication is performed by the serial communication circuit 137. Before that, the stored contents related to the generation of the modulation clock may be reset. Even after the CPU 130 communicates with the DMA controller 134, the stored contents related to the generation of the modulation clock may not be reset during the period during which the serial communication circuit 137 is performing the serial communication. In this way, in step S193, it is sufficient that at least the stored contents related to transmission / reception such as serial data can be reset.

In the variable display effect processing shown in FIG. 23, the effect control pattern determined in step S403 shown in FIG. 21 (effect control pattern at the time of special figure fluctuation, advance notice effect control pattern, etc.) is acquired based on the effect control process timer value. Control is performed to execute the effect operation by various effect devices using the processed process data. Also in the big hit middle effect process in step S175 and the big hit end effect process in step S176 shown in FIG. 20, the CPU 130 reads the effect control pattern from the ROM 121 and the like, and uses the process data acquired based on the effect control process timer value. The production may be controlled by various production devices.

In order to perform such effect control, the CPU 130 determines whether or not the effect control process timer has timed out, and when the time-out occurs, the CPU 130 switches the effect control execution data in the process data. That is, in the process data # 1 to process data # n as shown in FIG. 22 (A), the display control of the main image display device 5MA and the sub image display device 5SU is performed based on the display control data set next. Will be done. Along with this display control, lighting control of a plurality of light emitters arranged in the light emitter units 71 to 74 may be performed. Further, in the process data # 1 to the process data # n, the voice output control of the speakers 8L and 8R is performed based on the voice control data set next. Further, in the process data # 1 to the process data # n, the lighting control of the game effect lamp 9 and the decorative LED is performed based on the lamp control data set next. In the process data # 1 to process data # n, the drive control of the operation motors 60A to 60C is performed based on the movable member control data set next. In addition, in the process data # 1 to the process data # n, the detection control of the instruction operation by the stick controller 31A and the push button 31B is performed based on the operation detection control data set next.

In the effect control microcomputer 120, various image data such as character image data necessary for displaying the effect image may be read from the effect data memories 123A and 123B and arranged in a predetermined area of the RAM 122 or the work RAM 132. When displaying the effect image, the same character image may be displayed repeatedly. When the image data stored in the effect data memories 123A and 123B is compressed, it takes time to decompress the image data after reading the image data. Therefore, by arranging necessary character image data and the like in advance at the stage of starting the display of the effect image, it is required for drawing as compared with reading from the effect data memories 123A and 123B corresponding to each frame. You can save time.

The RAM 122 or the work RAM 132 may be provided with a plurality of storage areas to which an image display area or an image drawing area is allocated. In a VRAM configured separately from the RAM 122 and the work RAM 132, a plurality of storage areas to which an image display area and an image drawing area are allocated may be provided. A mainframe buffer and a subframe buffer are assigned to each of the plurality of storage areas. The mainframe buffer stores display data for displaying an image on the screen of the main image display device 5MA. For example, the main frame buffer is allocated a memory area capable of storing pixel data of 800 dots in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) and 600 dots in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction). In the subframe buffer, display data for displaying an image on the screen of the sub image display device 5SU is stored, and display data used for creating lighting data for lighting control of the light emitter units 71 to 74 is stored. May be done. For example, the subframe buffer is allocated a memory area capable of storing pixel data of 480 dots in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) and 885 dots in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction). The display data used for creating the lighting data is not limited to the one stored in the subframe buffer. For example, the light emitting data used for generating the lighting data is serially communicated from the effect data memory 123C under the control of the DMA controller 134. After being DMA-transferred to the transmission data register 144R of the circuit 134, the serial data may be serially transmitted to the light emitter control board 16C.

The image data used to create the lighting data for controlling the lighting of the light emitter units 71 to 74 corresponds to, for example, an image size of 320 dots in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) and 320 dots in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction). There is. The image data for creating the lighting data may be reduced to an image size of 80 dots in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) and 80 dots in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction). The reduced image size corresponds to the resolution of the illuminant units 71 to 74 in which a plurality of illuminants are arranged in an aligned manner. As described above, the image data for creating the lighting data has a resolution higher than the resolution of the light emitter units 71 to 74. As an example, anti-aliasing processing such as supersampling is performed. As another example, for each rectangular range of 4 dots x 4 dots in the vertical and horizontal directions in the image data, the RGB values corresponding to the upper left dots are acquired and used as display data, so that the vertical and horizontal directions are 1/4 each. Display data reduced to may be created. In this way, the display data to be converted into the lighting data is created by using the image data having a resolution higher than the resolution of the display by the plurality of light emitters. Thereby, for example, jaggies generated in the contour of a character image or the like can be suppressed, and the smoothness of display in the light emitter units 71 to 74 can be improved. In particular, when an effect image such as a character image is moved and displayed, the contour portion can be smoothly displayed, and the interest of the display effect in the light emitter units 71 to 74 can be improved.

The image data read from the effect data memories 123A and 123B may be used for creating lighting data by being written in a predetermined area (light emitter lighting data area) in the subframe buffer. On the other hand, by writing the image data to the mainframe buffer, it is used for displaying an image on the screen of the main image display device 5MA. On the other hand, since the image data is written in an area other than the light emitter lighting data area in the subframe buffer, it is used for image display on the screen of the sub image display device 5SU. As described above, even if the same image data is used, it is sufficient that the usage can be different depending on the writing position of the storage area. In this way, the image data read from the effect data memories 123A and 123B and temporarily stored in the RAM 122 or the work RAM 132 is for displaying an image on the screen of the main image display device 5MA or the sub image display device 5SU, or a light emitter. It suffices if it can also be used for creating lighting data for controlling lighting of units 71 to 74. Therefore, the image data stored in the effect data memories 123A and 123B is at least one of the effect image display control in the main image display device 5MA or the sub image display device 5SU and the lighting control of the light emitter units 71 to 74. It suffices if it can be used for either control.

As for the display data stored in the subframe buffer, for example, one frame is output in 1/60 second (about 16.7 milliseconds). As a result, the sub-image display device 5SU can update the displayed image at a frame period of 1/60 second. When the data for controlling the illuminant is also added to the data for displaying the sub-image, it can be output at a cycle of 1/60 second. In the light emitting body control board 16C, the display data transmitted from the effect control board 12 via the effect control relay board 16A is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 151. Therefore, the data for controlling the illuminant may be stored in the buffer memory 151 at a cycle of 1/60 second in which the display data for one frame is transmitted.

In the light emitter control board 16C, the lighting data generation circuit 152 has a period shorter than the frame period (1/60 second, etc.) of an image display device using an LCD (liquid crystal display) such as the sub image display device 5SU. Lighting data for controlling lighting of a plurality of light emitters may be generated. As a specific example, the lighting data generation circuit 152 generates lighting data for controlling lighting of the illuminant at a cycle of 1/120 second (about 8.3 milliseconds). In this way, the lighting data generation circuit 152 generates lighting data of the light emitter in a cycle (1/120 seconds) shorter than the output cycle (1/60 seconds) of the display data by the effect control microcomputer 120 or the like. , Output a control signal based on lighting data. In this case, the buffer memory 151 is the data for light emission control included in the display data corresponding to the image display for one frame transmitted from the effect control board 12 via the effect control relay board 16A, that is, 80 dots × It suffices to have a storage data capacity capable of storing 80-dot light emitter control data. Further, by turning on the light emitters in a relatively short cycle, flicker (flicker) in the display effect executed by the plurality of light emitters arranged in each of the light emitter units 71 to 74 is suppressed and the display is performed. It is possible to improve the interest of the production. The lighting control of the light emitter is not limited to the one performed in a cycle of 1/2 of the output cycle of the display data, and the output cycle of the display data is, for example, a shorter cycle (for example, a cycle of 1/3). Any period shorter than any period may be used.

In the light emitter control board 16C, the lighting data generation circuit 152 generates the data for light emission control included in the display data corresponding to the image display for one frame at a cycle longer than the required time for writing to the buffer memory 151. It may be set to output the control signal corresponding to the lighting data. In this way, the data for light emission control corresponding to one frame is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 151 in a time shorter than the cycle in which the control signal corresponding to the lighting data is output. As a result, even when the buffer memory 151 having a storage data capacity that can temporarily store the data for light emission control corresponding to one frame is used, the lighting data can be stored in a time shorter than the output cycle of the control signal corresponding to the lighting data. The generation can be completed.

The buffer memory 151 has a storage data capacity that can store data for light emission control included in display data corresponding to image display for a plurality of frames, such as display data corresponding to image display for two frames. You may be. In this case, a plurality of buffer areas are allocated to the storage area of the buffer memory 151. Each buffer area may have a storage data capacity capable of storing data for light emission control included in the display data corresponding to the image display for one frame.

The lighting data generated by the lighting data generation circuit 152 includes gradation data indicating the gradation control amount of each light emitting element constituting each of the plurality of light emitting bodies. For example, the gradation data may indicate the output period (pulse width) of the pulse signal in PWM control as the gradation control amount. The lighting data generation circuit 152 refers to a lighting data generation table which is color conversion setting information prepared in advance based on the level (RGB value) of each display color indicated by the display data read from the buffer memory 151. By doing so, gradation data indicating the gradation control amount is generated. The lighting data generation table may be stored in advance in a predetermined area of the ROM built in (or externally attached to) the lighting data generation circuit 152.

The lighting data generated by the lighting data generation circuit 152 corresponds to a number of gradations smaller than the number of gradations of the image displayed based on the display data used for the conversion. For example, the display data transmitted from the effect control board 12 via the effect control relay board 16A and temporarily stored in the buffer memory 151 is for each display color of R (red), G (green), and B (blue). Gradation control is possible in 256 steps so that the brightness (gradation) becomes any level of "0" to "255". As described above, the number of gradations of the image displayed based on the display data transmitted from the effect control board 12 is "256". The lighting data generated by the lighting data generation circuit 152 has a brightness (gradation) of any one of "0" to "63" for each display color of R (red), G (green), and B (blue). Gradation control is possible in 64 steps so as to reach the level of. As described above, the lighting data generated by the lighting data generation circuit 152 shows the number of gradations of "64", which is less than "256".

The correspondence between the level (RGB value) of each display color shown in the display data and the gradation control amount of each light emitting element indicated by the gradation data included in the lighting data of the light emitting body is the light emission corresponding to each light emitting color. It may be determined in advance in consideration of the characteristics of the element (for example, luminous efficiency), white balance, and the like. As an example, a light emitting diode, which is a light emitting element constituting each light emitting body, has a non-linear characteristic in which the amount of current rapidly increases when the applied voltage reaches a predetermined value. Therefore, if the gradation control amount is converted to a gradation control amount proportional to the level (RGB value) of each display color indicated by the display data, there is a possibility that inconvenience of display effect by a plurality of light emitters such as overexposure and underexposure may occur. is there. Therefore, the lighting data from the display data so that the light emitting element corresponding to each light emitting color constituting each of the plurality of light emitting bodies has a light emitting amount equivalent to the level (RGB value) of each display color indicated by the display data. The setting information at the time of conversion to is may be stored in advance as a lighting data generation table.

In the lighting data generation table referred to by the lighting data generation circuit 152, the level (RGB value) of each display color indicated by the lighting data is set corresponding to the level (RGB value) of each display color indicated by the display data. Has been done. Here, for each display color of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) shown in the display data, the brightness (gradation) is at any level of "0" to "10". In that case, the table data may be configured so that the brightness (gradation) of each display color indicated by the lighting data is at the level of “0”. That is, when the brightness (gradation) shown in the display data of the light emitting element of each display color included in one light emitting body corresponding to one dot is "10" or less, the brightness of each display color By generating lighting data in which (gradation) is "0", a limit is set so as not to light the light emitter.

On the other hand, in the lighting data generation table, at least one of the brightness (gradation) of at least one of the R (red), G (green), and B (blue) display colors shown in the display data is "11" or more. When the level is reached, the table data may be configured so that lighting data indicating an RGB value proportional to the level (RGB value) of each display color indicated by the display data is generated. For example, when the brightness (gradation) of B (blue) shown in the display data is "11", the brightness (gradation) of B (blue) shown in the lighting data is "2". If the brightness of R (red) or G (green) shown in the display data is "0" to "3", lighting data indicating that the brightness (gradation) is "0" is generated, and "4". If it is ~ "7", lighting data indicating that the brightness (gradation) is "1" is generated, and if it is "8" to "11", lighting data indicating that the brightness (gradation) is "2" is generated. As described above, the table data of the lighting data generation table is configured.

The image data read from the effect data memories 123A and 123B by the effect control microcomputer 120 is used for displaying images on the screen of the main image display device 5MA or the sub image display device 5SU, and lights the light emitter units 71 to 74. It may also be used for creating lighting data. At this time, when the brightness (gradation) of each display color indicated by the display data created from the image data used for image display is less than a predetermined amount, the proportional relationship is the same as when the amount is equal to or more than a predetermined amount. When the lighting data is generated below, the influence of the non-linear characteristic of the light emitting diode becomes remarkable, and there is a possibility that an unnatural display effect is performed. Therefore, according to the brightness (gradation) of each display color indicated by the display data, when the amount of light emitted by the light emitting body is less than a predetermined amount, a limitation is provided on the lighting control so as not to light the light emitting body. May be good. In this way, the lighting control can be different between the light emitting body having a light emitting amount of less than a predetermined amount and the light emitting body having a light emitting amount of a predetermined amount or more among the plurality of light emitting bodies. In particular, while limiting the lighting control of the light emitting body whose light emission amount is less than the predetermined amount according to the RGB value of the display data is set, the light emitting body whose light emission amount is more than the predetermined amount is RGB of the display data. Lighting control may be performed according to the RGB value of the lighting data which is proportional to the value. In this way, by making the lighting control different depending on whether or not the amount of light emitted is less than a predetermined amount, the influence of the non-linear characteristics of the light emitting element is reduced, and the player is not given a sense of discomfort in the display effect. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the production from becoming less interesting.

It should be noted that all the lighting data is not limited to those generated by referring to the lighting data generation table, and at least a part of the lighting data is generated by the lighting data generation circuit 152 executing a predetermined data processing program. May be done. For example, for each display color of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) shown in the display data, it is determined whether or not the amount of light emitted is less than the predetermined amount, and all the amounts of light emitted are less than the predetermined amount. In that case, a process of generating lighting data having a brightness (gradation) of "0" may be executed so as not to light the light emitting body.

The display data is not limited to the one that acquires the display data for each dot and sets and generates the lighting data. For example, the lighting data may be set and generated collectively by using predetermined mask data. In this case, dots having all RGB values of "10" or less are detected in the display data for one frame temporarily stored in the buffer memory 151, and RGB in the lighting data corresponding to the detected dots is used. Mask data for setting all the values to "0" may be prepared in advance.

The image data stored in the effect data memories 123A and 123B is not limited to those that are used for both display control and lighting control, and dedicated image data is prepared for creating lighting data, and the effect data memory is prepared in advance. It may be stored in 123A and 123B. In this case, the image data is preset so that the light emitting body whose lighting amount is less than a predetermined amount when the lighting data is generated in a proportional relationship with the display data is not lit without lighting control. You may do so. Lighting data may be created using the light emission data stored in the effect data memory 123C. In this case as well, the light emission data may be set in advance so that the light emitting body whose light emission amount is less than a predetermined amount is not lit without lighting control.

The lighting data generation circuit 152 generates lighting data including gradation data to be supplied to the light emitter driver on the upper side of the digit or the lower side of the digit, and generates the parallel-serial conversion circuit 153-1 to 153-4 or the LVDS driver 154-. It is output to the light emitting body circuit boards 61 to 64 by 1 to 154-4. Further, the lighting data generated by the lighting data generation circuit includes drive control data supplied to the light emitter driver on the strobe side. The lighting data generation circuit 152 includes a parallel-serial conversion circuit 153-1 to 153-4 and an LVDS driver 154-1 to 154 according to the determination result of the serial signal wiring system and the supply order for supplying the generated lighting data. Output to the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64 according to -4.

In the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64, the serial data received by the LVDS receiver 160 is separated into a plurality of systems in the serial signal relay device 161 and supplied to the light emitter drive unit 162. At this time, the serial clocks SC1 to SC4, which are the drive clocks for serial communication, have different settings for whether or not to perform spread spectrum and settings for the amount of diffusion for each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. The serial clock generated by the clock generation circuit 161C of the serial signal relay device 161 is supplied to each of the plurality of light emitter drivers included in the light emitter drive unit 162 via the serial signal wiring. Each illuminant driver receives serial data transmitted in synchronization with the serial clock.

As described above, since the settings related to the spread spectrum of the serial clocks SC1 to SC4 are different for each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64, the control signal including the drive control data and the gradation data is transmitted to each light emitter driver. The timing can be made different for each of the plurality of serial signal wirings corresponding to the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64. When the control signals are output at the same timing, the lighting control of a large number of illuminants may be started at the same timing by a large number of illuminant drivers included in the illuminant drive unit 162. In this case, a large amount of drive current flows as an inrush current in a short period of time, which may cause radiation noise. In addition, the manufacturing cost may increase due to the need for a power supply circuit for generating a large amount of drive current. On the other hand, by outputting the control signal that becomes serial data at different timings for each of the plurality of serial signal wirings corresponding to the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64, the generation of inrush current is suppressed and the radiation noise is emitted. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of noise and the increase in manufacturing cost. In addition to spreading the spectrum of the serial clock, which is the drive clock for serial communication, the light emitter circuit sets the capture timing for latching the data stored in the shift register of each light emitter driver and temporarily storing it in the data buffer. It may be different for each of a plurality of serial signal wirings corresponding to the boards 61 to 64.

In the illuminant drive unit 162, each illuminant driver stores the received serial data in a shift register and sequentially performs a shift operation according to the serial clock. In addition, the final bit stored in the shift register is output and transmitted to the light emitter driver in the subsequent stage connected by the daisy chain method. After the serial data is transmitted to all the light emitter drivers connected by the daisy chain method in this way, the serial data is stored by latching the stored data of the shift register and temporarily storing it in the data buffer when the acquisition timing is reached. It is converted into parallel data, and lighting control of the illuminant is performed based on this. For example, the illuminant driver on the strobe side drives and controls a plurality of illuminants connected to the strobe signal line by outputting a strobe signal based on drive control data. Further, the illuminant driver on the upper side of the digit or the lower side of the digit outputs a digit signal based on the gradation data to control the gradation of a plurality of illuminants connected to the digit signal line. In this way, the dynamic lighting control of the plurality of light emitters is performed for each of the plurality of light emitter blocks B01 to B42, and the light emitter units 71 to 74 included in the movable members 51 to 54 constituting the effect movable mechanism 50 are aligned. A display effect is performed according to the lighting mode of the plurality of arranged light emitters.

As an example of a specific display effect by the effect movable mechanism 50, in the retracted state (first state) in which the upper mechanism 50T and the lower mechanism 50B are separated and the display screen of the main image display device 5MA can be visually recognized, the player A display effect using a plurality of light emitters arranged on the movable members 51 to 54 that can be visually recognized is executed in conjunction with the display effect by the main image display device 5MA. In the retracted state, the movable members 51 and 52 are located above and the movable members 53 and 54 of the lower mechanism 50B are located below. In this way, when the movable members 51 to 54 are not rotating and are in the retracted state (when stopped), only the light emitting body that can be visually recognized from the front of the pachinko gaming machine 1 among the plurality of light emitting bodies. Lighting control. As a result, power consumption can be reduced. As a display effect by controlling the lighting of the light emitter, for example, characters and symbols are displayed, and blinking and emission colors of a plurality of light emitters are moved in a predetermined order to be variable according to the variable display by the main image display device 5MA. Display effects and the like may be executed. Further, when the reach effect is executed, at least one of the movable members 51 to 54 may be moved (vibration, advancement, etc.), or characters or symbols such as "reach" may be displayed by using a plurality of light emitters. Good.

On the other hand, in the advanced state (second state) in which the upper mechanism 50T and the lower mechanism 50B are close to each other and the display screen of the main image display device 5MA is difficult to see or cannot be seen, a plurality of the movable members 51 to 54 are arranged. The display effect using all the light emitters of the above is executed in conjunction with the display effect by the main image display device 5MA or independently of the display effect by the main image display device 5MA. In the advanced state, the movable members 51 and 52 rotate as the decorative member 57 moves downward in the upper mechanism 50T, and the movable members 53 and 54 of the lower mechanism 50B are located above. In this way, when the movable members 51 to 54 are in the advanced state (when they are operating) in the rotating operation, all of the plurality of light emitting bodies are controlled to be lit.

In the serial signal relay device 161 mounted on each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64, the relay control unit 161B0 performs the modulation setting for generating the spread spectrum clock and controls the output of the serial signal. In order to perform these modulation settings and output control, the relay control unit 161B0 executes frequency modulation setting processing and signal output control processing. The frequency modulation setting process and the signal output control process may be executed in parallel by, for example, the diffusion control unit 161B1 and the output control unit 161B2 in the relay control unit 161B0, or may be sequentially executed as sequential processing. Further, the serial communication circuit 137 of the effect control microcomputer 120 may have the same configuration as the relay control unit 161B0, and the frequency modulation setting process and the signal output control process may be executed. Alternatively, the frequency modulation setting process and the signal output control process can be executed by the CPU 130 of the effect control microcomputer 120 executing a predetermined program and realizing the same function as the relay control unit 161B0 by software. Good.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of the frequency modulation setting process executed by the relay control unit 161B0 or the like. In the relay control unit 161B0, for example, the spread control unit 161B1 executes the frequency modulation setting process to modulate the frequency (clock frequency) of the drive clock generated by the clock generation circuit 161C and spread the frequency spectrum. Is set.

In the frequency modulation setting process shown in FIG. 25, first, it is determined whether or not the modulation setting execution condition is satisfied (step S201). The modulation setting execution condition may be predetermined as a condition for setting the frequency of the clock signal to be modulated by the clock generation circuit 161C. For example, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the number of times the variable display has been executed has reached the predetermined number of times, the jackpot game state has ended, or the like, a specific game control timing is set according to the progress of the game control in the pachinko gaming machine 1. In this case, the progress of the effect control in the pachinko gaming machine 1, such as the operation of the movable members 51 to 54, the number of times the effect is executed by lighting the light emitter units 71 to 74 has reached a predetermined number, and the demonstration display has been performed. It is sufficient that the modulation setting execution condition is satisfied when the specific effect control timing according to the above is reached, or when the specific timing is obtained by combining a part or all of them.

Alternatively, the modulation setting execution condition may be satisfied when the operating amount of the movable members 51 to 54 is larger than the first reference amount or smaller than the second reference amount. The modulation setting execution condition may be satisfied when the lighting brightness of the plurality of light emitters constituting the light emitter units 71 to 74 is higher than the first reference amount or lower than the second reference amount. .. When the amount of movement of the movable member is large, the power consumption by driving the operation motors 60A to 60C increases. When the amount of movement of the movable member is small, the power consumption by driving the operation motors 60A to 60C is reduced. Further, when the lighting brightness is high, the power consumption due to lighting of the light emitter units 71 to 74 increases. When the lighting brightness is low, the power consumption due to lighting of the light emitter units 71 to 74 is reduced. Since the radiation noise is unlikely to increase when the power consumption is reduced, a modulation setting execution condition for setting not to perform spread spectrum or setting the diffusion amount to be a small amount of the first diffusion amount may be satisfied. On the other hand, when the power consumption increases, the radiation noise tends to increase, so the modulation for setting the spread spectrum or setting the diffusion amount to be a second diffusion amount larger than the first diffusion amount. The setting execution condition may be satisfied.

When it is determined in step S201 that the modulation setting execution condition is satisfied (step S201; Yes), the effect control state is specified (step S202). The effect control state specified in step S202 may include an initial control state, a normal control state, and an energy saving control state. The initial control state is a control state in which the initial setting of the effect control is performed after the power is turned on, and the serial signal is not output. The normal control state is a control state in which various normal effects can be executed using the effect device after the initial setting is performed, and a serial signal is output based on the satisfaction of the signal output execution condition. .. The energy-saving control state is a control state in which the operation of the effect device is stopped or the operation amount is reduced so that the power consumption is less than that in the normal control state, and the serial signal is not output. When a predetermined energy-saving control period is reached, for example, when a predetermined time elapses without playing a game after the normal control state is reached, the effect control state is switched from the normal control state to the energy-saving control state. After the energy-saving control state is reached, the effect control state is switched from the energy-saving control state to the normal control state, for example, when a game is started. In the energy-saving control state, for example, the range of power consumption is defined and the operation of the effect device is limited by not performing the effect by operating the movable members 51 to 54 or lighting the light emitter units 71 to 74. , The execution of the production by the production device is restricted.

After that, it is determined whether or not the effect control state specified in step S202 is a normal control state (step S203). At this time, if it is determined that the control state is normal (step S203; Yes), it is determined whether or not the signal output flag is on (step S204). The signal output flag is turned on when the serial signal is being output, and turned off when the serial signal output is stopped. More specifically, the signal output flag is set to the on state by step S223 of the signal output control process shown in FIG. 26, and is cleared by step S232 to be turned off.

When it is determined in step S203 that the effect control state is different from the normal control state (step S203; No), or when it is determined in step S204 that the signal output flag is off (step S204). ; No), the modulation setting flag is set to the ON state (step S205). Subsequently, the modulation setting data is read out (step S206). The modulation setting data may be stored in advance in a data memory such as a ROM built in the relay control unit 161B0 or the like. As the modulation setting data, a plurality of data showing different values depending on the clock modulation parameter may be prepared in advance.

The data read by step S206 is set in the clock generation circuit 161C (step S207). For example, the modulation setting data read in step S206 is set in the built-in register of the clock generation circuit 161C. As a result, the clock modulation parameters are set. At this time, the modulation setting flag is cleared to turn it off (step S208).

Following step S208, it is determined whether or not the modulation setting standby flag is on (step S209). The modulation setting standby flag is set to the ON state in step S211 when it is determined in step S204 that the signal output flag is ON. If it is determined in step S209 that the modulation setting standby flag is off (step S209; No), the process returns to step S201. If it is determined in step S209 that the modulation setting standby flag is on (step S209; Yes), the modulation setting standby flag is cleared and turned off (step S210), and then the process returns to step S201.

If it is determined in step S204 that the signal output flag is on (step S204; Yes), the modulation setting standby flag is set to the on state (step S211), and then the process returns to step S201.

If it is determined in step S201 that the modulation setting execution condition is not satisfied (step S201; No), it is determined whether or not the modulation setting standby flag is on (step S212). At this time, if it is determined that the modulation setting standby flag is off (step S212; No), the process returns to step S201. On the other hand, if it is determined that the modulation setting standby flag is on (step S212; Yes), the process proceeds to step S204, and if the signal output flag is off, the clock generation circuit 161C can be set. ..

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of signal output control processing executed by the relay control unit 161B0 or the like. In the relay control unit 161B0, for example, the output control unit 161B2 executes the signal output control process, so that control for outputting a serial signal is performed using the drive clock generated by the clock generation circuit 161C.

In the signal output control process shown in FIG. 26, first, it is determined whether or not the signal output execution condition is satisfied (step S221). The signal output execution conditions may be predetermined as conditions for outputting a serial signal from the serial signal relay device 161 to a plurality of light emitter drivers constituting the light emitter drive unit 162. For example, a specific signal output capable of outputting a serial signal, such as the serial data temporarily stored in the serial data buffer circuit 161A reaching a specific storage amount or the clock generation circuit 161C starting to generate a drive clock. When the timing is reached, the signal output execution condition may be satisfied.

When it is determined in step S221 that the signal output execution condition is satisfied (step S221; Yes), it is determined whether or not the modulation setting flag is on (step S222). The modulation setting flag is turned on when the clock generation circuit 161C is set to frequency-modulate the clock signal, and is turned off when such a setting is not made. More specifically, the modulation setting flag is set to the on state by step S205 of the frequency modulation setting process shown in FIG. 25, and is cleared by step S208 to be turned off.

If it is determined in step S222 that the modulation setting flag is off (step S222; No), the signal output flag is set to the on state (step S223). Subsequently, control is performed to start the output of the serial signal (step S224). For example, the output control unit 161B2 controls the output circuit of the serial signal provided in the serial signal relay device 161 to start reading the serial data temporarily stored in the serial data buffer circuit 161A from the clock generation circuit 161C. It enables the output of serial signals using the supplied drive clock.

After the control in step S224 is performed, it is determined whether or not the signal output standby flag is on (step S225). The signal output standby flag is set to the ON state in step S227 when it is determined in step S222 that the modulation setting flag is ON. If it is determined in step S225 that the signal output standby flag is off (step S225; No), the process returns to step S221. If it is determined in step S225 that the signal output standby flag is on (step S225; Yes), the signal output standby flag is cleared and turned off (step S226), and then the process returns to step S221.

If it is determined in step S222 that the modulation setting flag is on (step S222; Yes), the signal output standby flag is set to the on state (step S227), and then the process returns to step S221.

If it is determined in step S221 that the signal output execution condition is not satisfied (step S221; No), it is determined whether or not the signal output standby flag is on (step S228). At this time, if it is determined that the signal output standby flag is on (step S228; Yes), the process proceeds to step S222, and if the modulation setting flag is off, the serial signal can be output.

If it is determined in step S228 that the signal output standby flag is off (step S228; No), it is determined whether or not the signal output in-flag is on (step S229). At this time, if it is determined that the signal output flag is off (step S229; No), the process returns to step S221. When it is determined in step S229 that the signal output flag is on (step S229; Yes), it is determined whether or not the serial signal output is completed (step S230). At this time, if it is determined that the signal output is not completed (step S230; No), the process returns to step S221.

When it is determined in step S230 that the signal output is completed (step S230; Yes), control is performed to end the output of the serial signal (step S231). At this time, the increase in power consumption may be prevented by stopping the supply of the power supply voltage to the output circuit of the serial signal provided in the serial signal relay device 161. After the control in step S231 is performed, the signal output flag is cleared to turn it off (step S232), and then the process returns to step S221.

FIG. 27 shows a setting example of a modulation profile in which the center frequency and the amount of diffusion in frequency modulation can be changed according to the setting of the clock modulation parameter. The modulation profile shows the frequency change of the clock signal over time. FIG. 27A shows a case of a center spread in which the center frequency in frequency modulation is common to the frequency (reference frequency) of the reference clock. FIG. 27 (B) shows the case of a down spread in which the center frequency in frequency modulation is lower than the reference frequency. In the setting example shown in FIG. 27, as the setting of the diffusion amount according to the clock modulation parameter, for example, the frequency modulation rate (diffusion rate) is set to ± 0.5%, ± 1.0%, ± 1.5%, ± 2. It suffices if it can be selected and set from a plurality of types of diffusion amounts such as any of 0%.

In the case of the center spread shown in FIG. 27 (A), the center frequency fc0 in the frequency modulation is common (same) as the reference frequency fr which is the frequency of the reference clock. In this case, the modulation profile PR01 has the frequency modulation factor (diffusion rate) set to ± 0.5%, and the modulation profile PR02 has the frequency modulation factor (diffusion rate) set to ± 1.0%. The frequency modulation rate (diffusion rate) of PR03 is set to ± 1.5%, and the frequency modulation rate (diffusion rate) of the modulation profile PR04 is set to ± 2.0%.

In the case of the down spread shown in FIG. 27 (B), the center frequencies fc1 to fc4 in the frequency modulation are all lower than the reference frequency fr. In this case, the modulation profile PR11 has a center frequency of fc1 and the frequency modulation factor (diffusion rate) is set to ± 0.5%, and the modulation profile PR12 has a center frequency of fc2 and a frequency modulation factor (diffusion rate) of ±. The modulation profile PR13 has a center frequency of fc3 and a frequency modulation factor (diffusion rate) of ± 1.5%, and the modulation profile PR14 has a center frequency of fc4 and a frequency modulation factor (diffusion rate). Is set to ± 2.0%.

The setting of the center frequency and the frequency modulation rate (diffusion rate) corresponding to the modulation profile is not limited to the case shown in FIGS. 27 (A) and 27 (B), and depends on the specifications of the clock generation circuit 151C. Anything that can be set arbitrarily is sufficient. In steps S206 and S207 shown in FIG. 25, the modulation setting data corresponding to the setting of the center frequency and the frequency modulation rate (diffusion rate) corresponding to the modulation profile is read out, and the clock modulation parameter is set in the clock generation circuit 161C. It should be.

In the frequency modulation setting process shown in FIG. 25, when it is determined in step S203 that the control state is not normal, the process proceeds to step S205 as it is, and the clock modulation parameters and the like can be set by the processes of steps S206 and S207. The serial signal is not output when the effect control state is different from the normal control state such as the initial control state or the energy saving control state. Therefore, during a period in which serial data is not transmitted by outputting a serial signal from the serial signal relay device 161 such as a period in the initial control state or the energy saving control state, the diffusion control unit 161B1 of the relay control unit 161B0 or the like This makes settings such as setting clock modulation parameters that enable frequency modulation of the clock signal.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S203 shown in FIG. 25 that the control state is normal, it is determined in step S204 whether or not the signal output flag is on. At this time, if the signal output flag is on because the serial signal is being output, the modulation setting standby flag is set to the on state in step S211 to stand by. After that, when it is determined in step S204 that the signal output flag is off, the process proceeds to step S205, and the clock modulation parameters and the like can be set by the processing of steps S206 and S207. In this way, in the normal control state, it is determined in step S204 that the signal output flag is off, and the serial signal relay device 161 sends a control signal to the light emitter drive unit 162 in a serial signal system. When it is determined that transmission is not performed by outputting in, the spread control unit 161B1 of the relay control unit 161B0 and the like make settings such as setting the clock modulation parameters to enable frequency modulation of the clock signal. .. That is, the setting for enabling frequency modulation is made on condition that it is confirmed that the transmission of the control signal is completed. Further, after the transmission of the control signal is completed, the setting for enabling the frequency modulation is made. When the transmission of the control signal by the serial signal relay device 161 is performed during the transmission execution period, the frequency modulation is enabled when it is determined that the transmission execution period has expired.

On the other hand, in the signal output control process shown in FIG. 26, when it is determined in step S221 that the signal output execution condition is satisfied, it is determined in step S222 whether or not the modulation setting flag is on. At this time, if the modulation setting flag is on because the frequency modulation is set to be executable, the signal output standby flag is set to the on state in step S227 to stand by. After that, when it is determined in step S222 that the modulation setting flag is off, the process proceeds to step S223, and control is performed to start the output of the serial signal by the process of step S224. In this way, when the serial signal is output, it is determined in step S222 that the modulation setting flag is off, and after the frequency modulation setting by the spread control unit 161B1 of the relay control unit 161B0 is completed, the frequency modulation setting is completed. The output control unit 161B2 of the relay control unit 161B0 outputs a serial signal and transmits the control signal to the light emitter drive unit 162 by the serial signal method. That is, when it is determined that the frequency modulation is not set, the control signal is transmitted. In addition, the control signal is transmitted on condition that it is confirmed that the frequency modulation setting is completed. When the setting related to the frequency modulation of the drive clock is made in the modulation setting period, the control signal is transmitted after the modulation setting period ends.

FIG. 28 is a timing diagram showing an execution example of modulation setting and signal output. At the timing T01 shown in FIG. 28, the effect control state shown in FIG. 28A is the initial control state, and the serial signal is not output. At this time, when the modulation setting execution condition is satisfied as shown in FIG. 28 (B) (step S201; Yes in FIG. 25), the effect control state is an initial control state different from the normal control state (step in FIG. 25). S203; No), the modulation setting flag is set to the ON state as shown in FIG. 28 (C) (step S205 in FIG. 25), and the clock generation circuit 161C performs frequency modulation as shown in FIG. 28 (D). Settings are made to make it executable (steps S206, S207 in FIG. 25).

After that, at timing T02, the effect control state shown in FIG. 28 (A) is switched from the initial control state to the normal control state, and when the signal output execution condition is satisfied as shown in FIG. 28 (E) (step S221 in FIG. 26; Yes), since the modulation setting flag is off as shown in FIG. 28 (C) (step S222; No in FIG. 26), the signal output flag is set to the on state as shown in FIG. 28 (F). At the same time (step S223 in FIG. 26), as shown in FIG. 28 (G), the output of the serial signal is started and the control signal is transmitted (step S224 in FIG. 26).

When the modulation setting execution condition is satisfied at the timing T03 as shown in FIG. 28 (B), the effect control state shown in FIG. 28 (A) is the normal control state (step S203; Yes in FIG. 25), and FIG. 28 Since the signal output flag is turned on as shown in (F) (step S204 in FIG. 25; Yes), the setting of the clock generation circuit 161C is not changed. Subsequently, at timing T04, when the output of the serial signal is completed as shown in FIG. 28 (G) and the signal output flag shown in FIG. 28 (F) is turned off (step S204; No in FIG. 25), the clock Modulation parameters and the like can be set, and the settings of the clock generation circuit 161C can be changed.

When the modulation setting execution condition is satisfied at the timing T05 as shown in FIG. 28 (B), the effect control state shown in FIG. 28 (A) is the normal control state, and the signal output is shown in FIG. 28 (F). Since the middle flag is off, the clock modulation parameters and the like can be set immediately, and the setting of the clock generation circuit 161C can be changed. Next, when the signal output execution condition as shown in FIG. 28 (E) is satisfied at the timing T06, the modulation setting flag is on as shown in FIG. 28 (C) (step S222 in FIG. 26; Yes), the serial signal output is not started. Subsequently, when the frequency modulation setting in the clock generation circuit 161C shown in FIG. 28 (D) is completed at the timing T07 and the modulation setting flag shown in FIG. 28 (C) is turned off (step S222; No. in FIG. 26). ), The serial signal can be output, and the control signal can be transmitted.

At the timing T08, the effect control state shown in FIG. 28 (A) is the energy saving control state, and the serial signal is not output. At this time, when the modulation setting execution condition is satisfied as shown in FIG. 28 (B), the effect control state is an energy-saving control state different from the normal control state. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 28 (C), the modulation setting setting flag Is set to the on state, and as shown in FIG. 28D, the clock modulation parameter and the like can be set in the clock generation circuit 161C, and the setting of the clock generation circuit 161C can be changed.

In this way, in the relay control unit 161B0 included in the serial signal relay device 161 provided on the light emitter circuit board 61 or the like as shown in FIG. 11, for example, the diffusion control unit 161B1 sets a modulation method such as frequency modulation. The output control unit 161B2 controls to output the control signal in a serial signal system and transmit it to the light emitter drive unit 162. Then, during a period in which the effect control state is different from the normal control state, such as the initial control state or the energy saving control state, and the serial signal is not output and the control signal is not transmitted, the clock modulation parameters for the clock generation circuit 161C are set. I do. Thereby, for example, the setting related to the frequency modulation of the drive clock by the clock generation circuit 161C can be made even before the initial setting for outputting the serial signal is performed.

When the effect control state is the normal control state, the control signal is transmitted by the serial signal method after the setting of the clock generation circuit 161C is completed. Further, when it is determined that the control signal is not transmitted, the clock generation circuit 161C is set. As a result, the modulation method avoids the instability of the transmission operation due to the conflict between the setting related to the frequency modulation of the drive clock such as the setting of the clock modulation parameter and the transmission of the control signal in the serial signal method in the same period. Can be reliably set and the control signal can be reliably transmitted.

In step S201 of the frequency modulation setting process shown in FIG. 25, for example, the diffusion control unit 161B1 of the relay control unit 161B0 determines whether or not the modulation setting execution condition is satisfied, and the step is based on the determination that the modulation setting execution condition is satisfied. It enables setting of clock modulation parameters and the like by S206 and S207. As described above, in the serial signal relay device 161 mounted on each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64, a special command (control command) is received from the effect control board 12 by the diffusion control unit 161B1 of the relay control unit 161B0 and the like. It may be decided to set the clock modulation parameters and the like without the need for it. Alternatively, the diffusion control unit 161B1 of the relay control unit 161B0 may decide to set the clock modulation parameters and the like by receiving a special command (control command) transmitted from the effect control board 12.

In step S221 of the signal output control process shown in FIG. 26, for example, the output control unit 161B2 of the relay control unit 161B0 determines whether or not the signal output execution condition is satisfied, and the step is based on the determination that the signal output execution condition is satisfied. It enables control to start the output of the serial signal by S224. As described above, in the serial signal relay device 161 mounted on each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64, a special command (control command) is received from the effect control board 12 by the output control unit 161B2 of the relay control unit 161B0 or the like. Instead, it may be decided to transmit the control signal in a serial signal fashion. Alternatively, the output control unit 161B2 of the relay control unit 161B0 may decide to transmit the control signal in a serial signal system by receiving a special command (control command) transmitted from the effect control board 12. ..

When the serial communication circuit 137 of the effect control microcomputer 120 has the same configuration as the relay control unit 161B0, the reference clock is set for the serial communication in which the stored contents are reset after the CPU 130 communicates with the DMA controller 134. Serial communication can be performed using a modulation clock modulated by a predetermined modulation method such as frequency modulation, and during the period when the serial communication is not performed, settings for generating a modulation clock such as clock modulation parameters are set. Do. Further, after the setting of the clock modulation parameter and the like is completed, the control signal is transmitted by the serial signal method. As a result, the modulation method can be reliably set, and the control signal corresponding to the motor data or the like can be reliably transmitted.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. For example, the pachinko gaming machine 1 does not have to have all the technical features shown in the above-described embodiment, and has been described in the above-described embodiment so as to solve at least one problem in the prior art. It may have a structure of parts.

As a specific example, in the above embodiment, in the effect control microcomputer 120 having a built-in CPU 130 that executes the effect control program, the DMA controller 134 controls the data transfer, and the serial communication circuit 137 controls the data transfer. It has been described that it is possible to reset the stored contents related to serial communication when performing serial communication. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in a microcomputer provided with a processor or the like that performs control different from the effect control, resetting the stored contents related to serial communication when data is transferred or serial communication is performed without going through the processor. May be possible. That is, in a microcomputer capable of executing arbitrary control in the pachinko game machine 1 and capable of serial communication for transmitting and receiving transferable data without going through a processor, serial communication is performed after the data is transferred. Before, it is only necessary to be able to reset the stored contents related to serial communication. Further, not limited to the case of serial communication, in a microcomputer capable of arbitrary communication including parallel communication, communication is related after data transfer and before communication with an external device of the microcomputer. It suffices if the stored contents can be reset.

In the above embodiment, in the transfer communication setting process shown in FIG. 24, after the sensor status data is acquired in step S191, the DMA stop is confirmed in step S192, and then the serial communication setting is initialized in step S193. Explained as a thing. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the stored contents related to the serial communication may be reset after the transmission of the serial data by the serial communication circuit 137 is completed. In addition, when serial communication is not performed by the serial communication circuit 137, the stored contents related to serial communication may be reset when a predetermined reset condition is satisfied. As an example of the reset condition, when an abnormality occurs in the serial communication by the serial communication circuit 137 and a predetermined error flag is turned on, the reset condition may be satisfied and the stored contents related to the serial communication may be reset.

In the above embodiment, the serial communication circuit 137 of the effect control microcomputer 120 can transmit the motor data used for the drive control of the operation motors 60A to 60C as serial data, and operates by serial communication with the drive control board 16B. It has been described as transmitting a command. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any operation command for operating an arbitrary effect device may be transmitted by serial communication. For example, the serial communication circuit 137 may be capable of transmitting voice data used for voice output control of the speakers 8L and 8R as serial data. In this case, the voice output command can be transmitted from the serial communication circuit 137 by serial communication to the voice output board 13, but after the CPU 130 communicates with the DMA controller 134, the voice output command is sent by serial communication by the serial communication circuit 137. It may be possible to reset the stored contents related to serial communication before transmission. In addition, the serial communication circuit 137 may be capable of transmitting lamp data used for lighting control of the game effect lamp 9 as serial data.

In the above embodiment, the serial communication circuit 137 of the effect control microcomputer 120 can receive serial data indicating the detection results by the first position detection sensor 51A and the second position detection sensor 52A corresponding to the movable members 51 to 54. Explained as being. However, the present invention is not limited to this, as long as the detection result by a sensor or the like corresponding to an arbitrary effect device can be received by serial communication. For example, the serial communication circuit 137 may be able to receive the detection result of an operation by the player, such as an operation on the stick controller 31A or the push button 31B, by serial communication. In this case, the detection result of the sensor provided corresponding to the stick controller 31A or the push button 31B can be received by serial communication, but after the CPU 130 communicates with the DMA controller 134, the serial communication circuit 137 communicates serially. You may be able to reset the stored contents related to serial communication before receiving the detection result with.

In the above embodiment, in each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64, different frequency modulation is performed according to the serial signal wiring system by setting whether or not to perform spread spectrum and setting the diffusion amount. It was explained as setting. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, in each of the light emitter circuit boards 61 to 64, the setting of whether or not to perform spread spectrum and the setting of the diffusion amount are common settings, while the diffusion code (PN) is used. By making the code) different, different frequency modulation settings may be made according to the system of the serial signal wiring. The clock generation circuit 161C may execute a constant spread spectrum processing regardless of the setting of the diffusion control unit 161B1. The setting of whether or not to perform spread spectrum, the setting of the spreading amount, the setting of the spreading code (PN code), and the like may be different for each of the plurality of pachinko gaming machines 1.

In the above embodiment, the clock generation circuit 161C mounted on each light emitter circuit board 61 to 64 generates a spread spectrum clock frequency-modulated with a reference clock and uses it for transmission of a control signal in the second communication path. It was explained as. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any modulation clock modulated by any modulation method that can be used to transmit a control signal by the serial signal method may be used. For example, a spread spectrum clock obtained by frequency-modulating a reference clock, which is a digital signal, can have the same waveform even when modulated by a pulse width modulation method (PWM). Further, it may be modulated by an angle modulation method including phase modulation. Further, when the reference clock is modulated, the clock signal is not limited to the one that modulates the clock signal of a constant frequency output from the crystal oscillator or the like, and the clock signal generated by, for example, a voltage controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO). The frequency of the may be changed directly. The serial signal relay device 161 may be able to transmit a control signal to the light emitter drive unit 162 by the serial signal method by using the drive clock as the modulation clock modulated by the clock generation circuit 161C by the predetermined modulation method. Even when the serial communication circuit 137 of the effect control microcomputer 120 has the same configuration as the relay control unit 161B0, a modulation clock modulated by an arbitrary modulation method may be used.

In the above embodiment, when it is determined in step S57 of the effect control main process shown in FIG. 17 that the relay unconnected flag is on, the processes of steps S58 and S59 are not executed together with the process of step S60. It was explained that the control is performed so that not only the abnormality notification of the movable member but also the confirmation of the origin position is performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, both steps S58 and S59 or only step S58 may be executed even when the relay non-connection flag is turned on. That is, when the effect control board 12 and the effect control relay board 16A are not connected, the movable members 51 to 51 are based on the position detection signals from the first position detection sensor 51A, the second position detection sensor 52A, and the like. While confirming the origin position of 54 and determining the presence or absence of the origin abnormality, control may be performed so as not to notify the abnormality of the movable member when the origin abnormality occurs.

Alternatively, even when the effect control board 12 and the effect control relay board 16A are not connected, the abnormality notification of the movable member can be performed, while the notification mode of the abnormality notification is the effect control board 12 and the effect control. The notification mode may be difficult to recognize as compared with the notification mode of the abnormality notification when the relay board 16A is connected. For example, when an abnormality notification of a movable member is performed by displaying an image on the screen of the main image display device 5MA or the sub image display device 5SU, the display size of the image is reduced, the transparency of the image is increased, and the image is displayed. By shortening the period, reducing the number of times the image is displayed, or a combination of a part or all of them, it is sufficient that the notification mode is such that it is difficult to recognize the abnormality notification of the movable member. When the notification operation is performed using a plurality of effect devices, the notification mode may be such that it is difficult to recognize the abnormality notification of the movable member by reducing the number of the production devices used for the notification operation. In this way, the range of the connection state of whether or not the effect control board 12 and the effect control relay board 16A are connected is defined, and the limit of the abnormality notification that the abnormality notification of the movable member is not executed is defined, or By setting the limit of the abnormality notification that the abnormality notification is executed in the notification mode that is difficult to recognize, the abnormality notification of the movable member may be limited according to the connection state.

In the above embodiment, the positions of the movable members 51 to 54 and the like are detected by using the first position detection sensor 51A and the second position detection sensor 52A as a configuration for detecting the state of the movable members such as the movable members 51 to 54. Explained as enabling. On the other hand, any state of the movable member may be detectable, and an abnormality notification of the movable member may be executed based on the detection result. For example, a sensor capable of directly or indirectly detecting the speed, acceleration, movement amount, rotation amount, operating time, shape, temperature, or a part or all of these of the movable members 51 to 54 at a predetermined position. Anything may be set as long as it can be set so that the abnormality notification of the movable member can be executed based on the detection result. Further, in a drive mechanism that supplies a driving force for changing (moving) a movable member such as the operation motors 60A to 60C together with the state of the movable member such as the movable members 51 to 54 or instead of the state of the movable member. It may be possible to detect an arbitrary state and execute abnormality notification based on the detection result. Instead of the operating motors 60A to 60C, the movable member may be changed (moved) by an arbitrary driving mechanism that supplies a driving force such as a solenoid. In this way, it may be possible to detect an arbitrary state in an arbitrary drive mechanism and execute abnormality notification based on the detection result.

In the above embodiment, it has been described that the presence or absence of abnormality notification differs depending on the connection state between a plurality of boards such as the connection state between the effect control board 12 and the effect control relay board 16A. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the presence or absence of abnormality notification differs depending on, for example, a connection state in an arbitrary circuit, device, or other element provided inside or outside a single substrate. May be good. That is, in a configuration in which a first connection portion and a second connection portion that can be connected to each other are provided, it is possible to execute an arbitrary abnormality notification when the first connection portion and the second connection portion are connected. , When the first connection part and the second connection part are not connected, it may be controlled so as not to perform an abnormality notification. Not limited to abnormality notification, in a configuration in which a first connection portion and a second connection portion that can be connected to each other are provided, arbitrary output is possible when the first connection portion and the second connection portion are connected. On the other hand, when the first connection portion and the second connection portion are not connected, control may be performed so as not to output. Further, the unconnected state between the boards and the unconnected state between the connecting portions may include a state in which at least some wirings are connected and some other wirings are not connected. ..

In the above embodiment, in the process of step S102 shown in FIG. 15, it is determined whether or not the gaming state after the end of the jackpot gaming state is set to the special gaming state such as the probabilistic state, and based on the determination to set the probabilistic state. It was explained that the probability variation control condition is satisfied and the probability variation state is controlled after the jackpot game state ends. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a game ball that has won (entered) a large winning opening (second major winning opening) is detected by a probabilistic change detection switch in a probabilistic attacker provided at a predetermined position in the game area. The probability variation control condition is satisfied based on the above, and the gaming state after the end of the jackpot gaming state may be controlled to the probability variation state. The probabilistic attacker's big winning opening (second big winning opening) can change from the closed state to the open state when the number of round games executed in the big hit game state is a predetermined number of times (for example, "16"), and the round When the number of times the game is executed is other than the predetermined number of times, it may not be possible to change to the open state while remaining in the closed state. In this way, the pachinko gaming machine 1 can establish the probability variation control condition based on the fact that the gaming ball has passed through the specific region in the attacker, which is an example of the special variable winning device provided in the gaming area. It may be configured to be.

The pachinko gaming machine 1 may not perform variable display of a special symbol or a decorative symbol. As an example, based on the detection of a game ball that has passed (entered) the starting winning opening provided in the game area, the variable winning device provided in the game area is opened from the closed state (second state) (second state). When the game ball that has changed to the first state) and entered the inside of the variable winning device enters a specific area (V winning opening) among a plurality of areas, it is controlled to a jackpot gaming state that is advantageous for the player. It may be one. In such a pachinko game machine 1, after the CPU 130 of the effect control microcomputer 120 that executes the effect control program communicates with the DMA controller 134 that controls the data transfer, and before the serial communication by the serial communication circuit 137 is performed. In addition, the stored contents related to serial communication may be reset.

The present invention can be applied not only to the pachinko gaming machine 1 but also to slot machines and the like. A slot machine is an arbitrary game machine capable of performing a predetermined game such as a variable display of a symbol serving as a plurality of types of identification information and giving a predetermined game value based on the game result, and more specifically, a slot machine. 1. A variable display device that can start a game by setting a predetermined number of bets (number of medals or credits) for one game, and variably displays a plurality of types of identification information (designs) that can be identified by each. One game ends when the display result of (for example, multiple reels, etc.) is derived and displayed, and a prize (for example, cherry prize, watermelon prize, bell prize, replay prize, BB prize, RB prize, etc.) is awarded according to the display result. ) Is a game machine that can be generated. In such a slot machine, the features of the pachinko gaming machine 1 shown in the above embodiment by the cooperation of the hardware resources including the image display device of the slot machine and the software that performs a predetermined process. It suffices if it is configured to include all or part of. That is, by executing the transfer communication setting process as shown in FIG. 24 in the slot machine, the stored contents related to the communication can be reset after the data is transferred and before the communication with the external device is performed. It may be the one that has been reset.

In addition, various effects including the device configuration and data configuration of the game machine, the processing shown in the flowchart, the image display operation in the image display device, the audio output operation in the speaker, and the lighting operation in the game effect lamp and the decorative LED. The operation and the like can be arbitrarily changed and modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, the game machine of the present invention is not limited to a pay-out type game machine that pays out a predetermined number of game media as a prize based on the occurrence of a prize, but a score is scored based on the occurrence of a prize by enclosing the game medium. It can also be applied to an enclosed game machine that grants. Slot machines are not limited to those in which the number of bets is set using medals and credits as the game value, but only slot machines that set the number of bets using game balls as the game value and credits as the game value. It may be a fully credited slot machine that sets the number of bets using. When using a game ball as a game medium, for example, one medal can correspond to five game balls. For example, when setting 3 as the bet number, 15 game balls are used for the bet number. Corresponds to the one that sets. The pachinko game machine 1 and the slot machine are not limited to those using only one of a plurality of types of gaming values such as medals and game balls, and for example, a plurality of types such as medals and game balls. It may be one that can be used in combination with a gaming value. For example, a slot machine can play a game by setting a bet number using any of a plurality of types of game values such as medals and game balls, and a plurality of medals, game balls, etc. are generated depending on the occurrence of a prize. Any of the types of gaming value may be payable.

The program and data for realizing the present invention are limited to a form distributed and provided by a detachable recording medium to a computer device included in the gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine 1 or a slot machine. It may be distributed by pre-installing it in a storage device such as a computer device in advance. Further, the program and data for realizing the present invention are distributed by downloading from another device on the network connected via the communication line or the like by providing the communication processing unit. It doesn't matter.

The game can be executed not only by attaching a detachable recording medium, but also by temporarily storing programs and data downloaded via a communication line or the like in an internal memory or the like. It may be executed directly using the hardware resources of other devices on the network connected via a communication line or the like. Further, the game can be executed by exchanging data with another computer device or the like via a network.

As described above, in the above-described embodiment, for example, when the sensor state data based on the data transfer is acquired in step S191 shown in FIG. 24 and then the stoppage of DMA transfer is confirmed in step S192, Before the serial communication in step S196 or the like is started, the stored contents related to the serial communication are reset by initializing the serial communication setting in step S193. As a result, various data left in the various registers of the serial communication circuit 137 are completely erased. Therefore, for example, the serial communication setting for the serial communication performed earlier affects the new serial communication performed later. Since there is no such thing, communication problems can be prevented.

The serial communication circuit 137 of the effect control microcomputer 120 can serially transmit the motor data used for the drive control of the operation motors 60A to 60C as serial data, and resets the stored contents related to the serial communication in step S193. As a result, it is possible to prevent communication problems and appropriately operate the movable members 51 to 54.

The serial communication circuit 137 of the effect control microcomputer 120 serially receives the position detection signal as the serial data, which is the detection result by the first position detection sensor 51A and the second position detection sensor 52A corresponding to the movable members 51 to 54. By resetting the stored contents related to serial communication in step S193, it is possible to prevent communication problems and obtain an accurate detection result.

In the serial signal relay device 161 and the serial communication circuit 137, the control signal can be transmitted and received by the serial signal method by using the modulation clock generated by modulating the reference clock by a predetermined modulation method such as frequency modulation, and serial communication is possible. The predetermined modulation method is set during the period when is not performed. As a result, the modulation method can be set reliably and radiation noise can be suppressed.

When it is determined in step S57 shown in FIG. 17 that the relay non-connection flag is on, the origin abnormality is not notified in step S60. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S57 that the relay non-connection flag is off, it is possible to notify the origin abnormality in step S60. As a result, it is possible to prevent the abnormality notification from being frequently executed in the manufacturing stage and the development stage, and improve the work efficiency.

1 ... Pachinko game machine 12 ... Production control board 16A ... Relay board for production control 16C ... Light emitter control board 51-54 ... Movable member 51A ... 1st position detection sensor 52A ... 2nd position detection sensor 60A-60C ... Operation motor 120 ... Microcomputer for production control 130 ... CPU
134 ... DMA controller 137 ... Serial communication circuit 161 ... Serial signal relay device 161B0 ... Relay control unit 161B1 ... Diffusion control unit 161B2 ... Output control unit

Claims (1)

It is a game machine that can play games
An effect control means that controls the execution of an effect using the effect means,
A communication means that performs serial communication with the effect means and
A transfer control means that controls the transfer of data between the effect control means and the communication means,
A communication setting means for setting the communication means is provided.
After the effect control means communicates with the transfer control means and before the serial communication by the communication means is performed, the stored contents related to the serial communication in the communication means are reset.
The communication means transmits an operation command by serial communication to the drive means for operating the plurality of movable members included in the effect means.
The communication means performs serial communication using a modulation clock obtained by modulating the reference clock by a predetermined modulation method.
The communication setting means sets the predetermined modulation method during a period in which serial communication is not performed by the communication means.
The effect control means and the communication means are provided on the first substrate.
The communication means is from a detection means capable of detecting the state of the movable member via the second substrate when the first substrate and a second substrate different from the first substrate are connected. The detection result can be received by serial communication,
The effect control means
Said first substrate, when the second substrate is connected, on the basis of the detection result, it is capable of executing the abnormality notification of the movable member,
A gaming machine characterized in that when the first substrate and the second substrate are not connected to each other, control is performed so that an abnormality notification of the movable member is not performed.