JP5088934B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game data backup process when a gaming machine is powered off.

Conventionally, in order to store game data, a pachinko machine using an rewritable EEPROM has been developed (see Patent Document 1 below). According to this pachinko machine, it is possible to variably set the probability that the symbol display device is a big hit in a plurality of stages by an external operation, and this set value is stored in the EEPROM. However, in order to prevent fraud, this probability setting is designed so that a person having a predetermined setting operation key can be performed only when the pachinko machine is turned on. Writing to the EEPROM is performed only when the power is turned on.
For this reason, in the invention of Patent Document 1, game data other than the jackpot probability, for example, data such as the number of jackpot occurrences of the day, the number of symbol variations of the accessory, etc. are stored only in the EEPROM when the power is turned on. Therefore, when the power of the pachinko machine is cut off, those data are cleared and cannot be stored in the EEPROM.

  As a pachinko machine that solves this problem, there is one having a backup function by a hardware configuration. This hardware configuration includes a CPU, an external RAM, and a power source that can be backed up, or a CPU having a power terminal for backing up the internal RAM and a power source that can be backed up. Even if the main power of the pachinko machine is cut off, the backup power continues to be supplied to the RAM, so that the game data written in the RAM can be backed up. However, this backup function configuration has a drawback of high manufacturing cost.

  Conventionally, a so-called encapsulated type in which game balls are circulated in the game machine and the number of game balls acquired by the player is displayed as data without paying out the actual game balls to the player. There are no game machines. In this enclosed game machine, the displayed data includes game information that changes as the game progresses (for example, the number of balls held by the player as described above), so that data is always managed. It is necessary to have a backup function in order to prevent data from being lost even when an unexpected power shutdown such as lightning occurs. It becomes.

JP-A-6-79036

  In the enclosed game machine, as a backup function, it is possible to provide a device having the above hardware configuration (a CPU having an internal RAM backup terminal and a power source capable of backing up the RAM). However, this configuration has a drawback in terms of manufacturing cost as described above.

  It is also conceivable that the game data is stored in the EEPROM during the period from when the power is shut off until the power supply to the CPU is stopped without providing the hardware configuration as described above. However, in the case of this configuration, when the amount of game data to be stored increases, it is necessary to ensure a long period necessary for storing, that is, a period from when the power is shut off until the power supply to the CPU is stopped. However, there is a problem that the cost of the power supply circuit to cope with it becomes expensive.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in gaming machines, game data that may change during a period from power-on to power-off, with a low-cost circuit configuration, An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can be stored in an EEPROM when the power is shut off.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention of a game machine according to claim 1, a built-in RAM for temporarily storing the game data, and the CPU without the function of backing up the game data during power-off to the RAM, comprising a power supply to output a notification signal indicating that blocked during power shutdown, and EEPROM for backing up the game data, the CPU is likely to change during the period from when the power-on to power-off The game data stored in the RAM is controlled to be stored in the EEPROM when the power is shut off based on the input of the notification signal output from the power source, and the power is turned on after a predetermined power-on time has elapsed. If the power is turned off and then turned on again after the power is turned off, there is a possibility of a change between when the power is turned on and when the power is turned off until the power is turned off. The game data stored in the RAM, as well as change control to the game data that does not change during the period from when the power-on to power-off, which is stored in the RAM unchanged during the period from when the power-on to power-off Control is performed so that game data is stored in the EEPROM.

  Here, the time when the power is shut off refers to a period from when the AC power supply to the gaming machine is shut off until the power supply to the CPU stops due to the shut-off. The time when the power is turned on after the power is turned off means a period from when power is supplied to the CPU by turning on the gaming machine to when the processing of the CPU shifts to normal game operation processing. . During the game, for example, a RAM built in the CPU is used as a game data write or read area. This CPU does not have a function of backing up game data to the RAM, and therefore, for example, an external RAM for backing up the game data during a period in which the power is turned off is not provided. An external EEPROM is provided as a backup means. That is, the RAM data is not backed up to the RAM itself, but backed up to the EEPROM. By installing a CPU that does not have a function of backing up game data to the RAM, the manufacturing cost of the control board can be greatly reduced. Further, since the backup RAM is deleted, the backup power supply for the RAM can be deleted, and the manufacturing cost can be further reduced. In addition, the power supply board that outputs a notification signal that the power supply is cut off when the power supply is cut off uses an existing board used in a conventional gaming machine, and writes game data to the EEPROM when the power supply is cut off. As the power supplied to the CPU, a DC voltage held for a predetermined time when the power supply of the power supply board is shut off is used.

In the specification of the present application , for example, in the case of a pachinko gaming machine , a game medium refers to a game ball that has been used conventionally, and is a medium that is not paid out directly to a player. The payout medium refers to a medium that can be converted into a game medium, such as a medal or a coin, and is a medium that is directly paid out to a player. The number of game balls converted for one medal is determined in advance.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, it is possible to store game data that may have changed during the power-on period even when an unexpected power interruption occurs.

Embodiments of a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Examples of the gaming machine include a pachinko machine, a slot machine, and an arrange ball. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is used in a sealed pachinko machine.
This pachinko machine 1 is provided with an image display device 2 as a so-called center object at a substantially central portion of the game area 5. On the image display device 2, a plurality of special symbols are displayed in a variable manner or stopped. When a game ball is launched from a launching device (not shown) and the launched game ball wins a predetermined winning opening (for example, a starting winning opening), a plurality of special symbols ( Numbers, pictures, etc.) are displayed in a variable manner for a predetermined time in a plurality of columns. After a predetermined time has elapsed, a special symbol that has been selected by lottery (the selection by lottery is performed when the game ball has won the start winning opening) is stopped and displayed, and the special symbol that has been stopped and displayed is determined in advance. In the case of a specific combination symbol, the big prize opening is continuously opened for a predetermined time, and it becomes easy to win game balls, so that a lot of prize balls (no prize balls are actually paid out) can be obtained in a short time. It becomes possible, and a special gaming state (big hit state) advantageous to the player occurs.

  The image display device 2 is provided with an image display unit (liquid crystal display unit) 9 that performs special symbol variation display and stop display. The image display unit 9 is provided with a left display unit 9a, a middle display unit 9b, and a right display unit 9c having three columns, and a plurality of special symbols are independently displayed on each display unit in a variable display and a stop display. Is done. A start winning opening 6 is provided on the lower side of the image display device 2, and a special symbol variable display operation is started on the variable display section 9 based on the winning of a game ball in the starting winning opening 6. Below the start winning opening 6, when a specific symbol combination is stopped and displayed on the variable display portions 9a to 9c, for example, “6” “6” “6”, “7” “7” “7” In this way, there are provided 3 and 3 'large winning openings (also called attackers) that are opened or closed when three of the same symbols are stopped and displayed (hereinafter also referred to as the occurrence of a big hit).

  Since the pachinko machine of this embodiment is an enclosed pachinko machine, the player does not actually touch the game ball. And a game is performed by circulating and using the game ball enclosed in the main body. That is, the pachinko machine 1 is not provided with a prize ball payout mechanism used in a conventional ordinary pachinko machine. Therefore, even if a game ball launched from the launching device wins a prize opening, the prize ball is not paid out to the player, and the number of game balls corresponding to the prize ball is electronic Credit management with data.

When a predetermined condition such as a game ball launched from the launching device flows down the game area 5 and wins a winning opening (for example, a normal winning opening 19 provided on both right and left sides of the big winning opening) is satisfied in advance. The predetermined number of prize balls is given to the player, and the number of balls possessed by the player is increased accordingly. On the other hand, each time a game ball is launched from the launching device, the number of balls held by the player decreases.
In addition, when a big hit state occurs and a game ball wins in the open big winning opening, one payout medium (a medal or the like described later) is given to the player for a predetermined number of winning balls. The granted payout medium is added to the credited player's number of stored metals.
In addition, when a game ball wins a big prize opening, the number of award balls determined according to the prize winning to the big prize opening is the same as when a game ball wins a normal prize opening. You may make it add to the number of balls of.
The game balls that have won the respective winning holes are sent to the launching device via a passage route formed on the back side of the game board, and are again launched from the launching device as game balls.

  Below the big winning opening 3 is provided an out opening 4 through which game balls that have flowed down the gaming area 5 and have not won any winning opening, so-called off balls are discharged. The detached ball discharged from the out port 4 is sent to the launching device via a discharge path formed on the back side of the game board, and is again launched from the launching device as a game ball. On the lower right side of the game area 5, a handle grip 7 is provided for adjusting the launch strength of the game ball launched from the launch device by the rotation operation, that is, the flight distance of the game ball.

  A game ball lending operation unit 10 is provided on the side of the pachinko machine 1 (right side in the figure). The game ball lending operation unit 10 is connected to a game control unit in the pachinko machine 1. The game ball lending operation unit 10 is provided with a medal slot 11, a coin slot 12, a ball indicator 13, a conversion button 14, a stored medal indicator 15, a settlement button 16, and a payout tray 17. A medal used as a payout medium is inserted into the medal slot 11. The medal is a medium that can be used in the game hall where the pachinko machine is installed, and can be converted into a predetermined number of game balls (for example, five balls) with one medal. A coin such as 100 yen is inserted into the coin insertion slot 12. The medal as a payout medium can be acquired by inserting coins. The exchange rate for medals is determined at the amusement hall. For example, by inserting 100 yen, 10 medals can be obtained.

The possession ball display 13 displays the number of game balls (number of possession balls) as a game medium owned by the player in the pachinko machine as a credit. The possessed ball can be obtained by exchanging at the above exchange rate (5 balls per medal), for example. The number of game balls exchanged is displayed on the possession ball display 13. In addition, when the winning ball is won by a game, the number of winning balls for the winning is added and increased, and the number of game balls launched for the game is subtracted and decreased.
On the medal display 15, the number of medals (the number of medals) as a payout medium owned by the player in the pachinko machine is displayed in credit. The stored medals are credited by inserting medals into the insertion slot 11 or by inserting coins into the insertion slot 12 and exchanging them at the above exchange rate (10 coins per 100 yen).

  Conversion from a medal to a game ball can be performed by depressing the conversion button 14. For example, when the conversion button 14 is pressed once, the number of medals on the stored medal display 15 is decremented by one, and the number of game balls exchanged at the above exchange rate (for example, 25 balls) is added to hold the ball display 13 Is displayed. The settlement button 16 is a button for exchanging the number of balls of the player with medals at a rate opposite to that described above and paying out the player's stored medals to the payout tray 17. When the settlement button 16 is pressed, the number of balls held on the ball display 13 is converted into medals, and the converted number of medals is displayed in addition to the number of medals displayed on the stored medal display 15. Thereafter, the number of medals is paid out from the payout tray 17.

  On the upper part of the pachinko machine 1, a game history display unit 18 is provided. The display unit 18 displays game data on the game day and past game data. Specifically, “Number of today's big hits”, “Today's total number of revolutions”, “Number of big hits one day ago”, “Total number of revolutions one day ago”, “Number of big hits two days ago”, “Total number of two days ago” “Rotation speed” is displayed. “Today's jackpot number” and “Today's total number of revolutions” are display contents that are updated in real time every time a jackpot occurs and for each variable display operation of the variable display unit based on the start winning.

FIG. 2 is one form of a block diagram showing the main configuration of the control unit of the gaming machine. Hereinafter, based on this block diagram, the control contents of the game data backup of the encapsulated pachinko machine will be described.
This control is performed by a game control unit (main board) 20 that is responsible for main control of the game, in particular, a control means (CPU) 21 mounted on the main board 20. As the control means 21, a CPU that does not have a backup function to RAM is used. Since a CPU that does not have a backup function is less expensive than a CPU that has a function, the cost of the game control unit 20 can be greatly reduced. The CPU 21 includes a ROM 21a and a RAM 21b. A control program is written in the ROM, and the RAM is used as a temporary data writing / reading area.

  A power supply board (power supply circuit) 22 is used to supply driving power to the game control unit 20. From the power supply board 22, a power-off notice signal for notifying that the supply of AC power to the pachinko machine 1 has been cut off is output, and the signal is input to the CPU 21 (INT terminal). In the game control unit 20, an EEPROM 23 is provided to back up game data and is connected to the CPU 21. When a power-off notice signal is input to the CPU at the time of power-off, the CPU writes predetermined game data into the EEPROM 23 based on the input of the signal.

  Connected to the CPU 21 through a driver 24 are a hopper 25, a ball count display 13, a stored medal display 15, a game history display 18, a solenoid 26, a motor 27, and a panel illumination 28. Performs an operation based on a drive control signal from the CPU 21. The CPU 21 is connected with a medal slot SW11a, a coin slot SW12a, a conversion button 14, a checkout button 16, a start prize slot 6, a big prize slot 3, 3 ', and a normal prize slot 19, and each member is connected to the CPU 21. The detection signal is input to the CPU 21. Further, the CPU 21 is connected to a sub control board 30 that controls the symbol control unit 31, the frame lighting 32, the speaker 33, and the like.

  The hopper 25 is a medal payout device provided in the gaming ball lending operation unit 10 (FIG. 1). In addition to storing medals inserted into the medal insertion slot 11, the hopper 25 stores the medals when the settlement button 16 is pressed. The number of medals displayed on the medal indicator 15 is paid out to the payout tray 17 (FIG. 1) in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 21. When a medal is inserted into the medal slot 11, the medal slot SW11a provided in the slot is detected, and the detection signal is input to the CPU 21. The CPU 21 outputs a control signal corresponding to the number of inserted coins, and displays the number of inserted medals on the stored medal display 15. Further, when a coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot 12, it is detected by a coin insertion slot SW 12 a provided in the insertion slot, and the detection signal is input to the CPU 21. The CPU 21 determines the number of medals for the detection signal (inserted coins) at a predetermined exchange rate, and displays the number of medals on the stored medal display 15.

  When the conversion button 14 is pressed, the pressing signal is input to the CPU 21. The CPU 21 reduces the number of displayed medals on the stored medal display 15 in accordance with the number of presses, exchanges medals with game balls at a predetermined exchange rate, and displays the number of exchanged game balls on the ball number display 13. Addition display. When the checkout button 16 is pressed, the pressing signal is input to the CPU 21. The CPU 21 exchanges the possessed balls displayed on the possessed ball number display 13 with medals at a predetermined exchange rate, sets the displayed ball count on the retained ball number display 13 to zero, and stores the number of exchanged medals. After the addition display on the display 15, medals corresponding to the displayed number are paid out to the payout tray 17.

  When a game ball wins at the start winning opening 6, the winning signal is input to the CPU 21. The CPU 21 controls the sub control board 30 to start the variable display operation of the variable display unit 9. Further, when the display result is a big hit, the solenoid 26 and the motor 27 are operated to open and close the special winning opening. The number of medals corresponding to the determined number of winning balls is added and displayed on the stored medal display 15 in accordance with the winning of the game balls at the big winning openings 3, 3 ′. Further, the CPU 21 adds and displays the number of game balls corresponding to the determined prize ball on the ball number display unit 13 in accordance with the prize of the game ball in the normal prize opening 19.

  A connection state between the terminals of the CPU 21 and the EEPROM 23 is shown in FIG. Game data is written into the EEPROM 23 or read out from the EEPROM under the control of the CPU 21 (chip select, serial clock). The CPU 21 and the EEPROM 23 are supplied with DC 5V power from the power supply board 22. FIG. 4 shows the output timing of the power-off notice signal and the falling timing of DC5V (the DC5V power supplied to the CPU 21 and the EEPROM 23) when the AC power is cut off. When the supply of AC power to the pachinko machine 1 is cut off (timing 40), a power cut notice signal indicating that fact is output from the power board 22 (timing 41) and input to the CPU 21. The DC5V power output from the power supply board 22 falls in about 15 msec from the output of the power-off notice signal (timing 41). That is, the supply of DC 5V power to the CPU 21 and the EEPROM 23 stops about 15 msec from the timing 41.

  In this embodiment, during the 15 msec in which the DC 5V power is continuously supplied even after the AC power is shut off, only predetermined game data is written into the EEPROM 23, that is, a backup process is performed. The period (15 msec) during which the DC 5V power is continuously supplied is determined by the specifications of the power supply substrate 22. If the game data is to be backed up when the power is shut off, it must be written in the EEPROM 23 for the predetermined 15 msec. Here, the period of 15 msec can be lengthened by changing the specification of the power supply substrate 22. By extending the period, it is possible to increase the amount of game data that can be backed up in the EEPROM 23 when the power is shut off. However, changing the specification for that purpose increases the power supply cost. In this embodiment, it is possible to suppress an increase in power supply cost by mounting a power supply board having the same specification as that used in a conventional gaming machine, and power is continuously supplied to the CPU 21 when the power is cut off. Within the period of 15 msec, game data that may change between the time the pachinko machine 1 is turned on and the time it is turned off is backed up in the EEPROM 23.

  Here, a list of game data to be backed up in the EEPROM 23 is shown in FIG. The item described in the “content” column in the figure indicates the specific content of the game data stored in the EEPROM 23, and the number in the “BYTE” column indicates the address on the EEPROM where the game data is stored. Show. These game data are classified into items that are backed up (written) in the EEPROM 23 when the power is cut off, and items that are backed up in the EEPROM 23 when the power is turned off. Items from BYTE 1 to 15, ie, “(player's) number of possessed balls”, “(player's) number of stored medals”, “game history shift flag”, “number of today's big hits”, and “today's special “Total number of symbol rotations” is backed up when the power is shut down, and items from BYTE 16 to 39, ie, “Big hits” and “Special symbol total number of revolutions” from one day before to four days ago, are backed up except when the power is shut down. Is done. In other words, in this form, “the number of player's balls”, “the number of player's stored medals”, “the game history shift flag”, “the number of big hits of today”, and “the total number of rotations of special symbols of today” , It is set as game data that may change (changes in real time) between when the power is turned on and when it is shut off. In addition, game data that does not change (no change in real time) between the time when the power is turned on and the time when the “big hit count” and “total number of special symbol rotations” from 1 day to 4 days ago are turned off. Is set as

  The “player's number of balls” is the number of balls (gameable media) that the player has in the pachinko machine 1 that is playing, and is displayed on the ball number display 13 as credit data (for example, , 7-segment display). The number of possessed balls is subtracted every time a game ball is launched from the launching device and a game is launched, and each time a prize is entered in a prize opening (ordinary prize opening 19 or the like) The number is added as the number of balls. “Number of medals stored by the player” is the number of medals (payout medium to the player) held by the player in the pachinko machine 1 that is playing the game, and is displayed on the stored medal display 15 as credit data ( For example, it is digitally displayed on a 7-segment display). The number of stored medals is added every time a medal is inserted into the medal slot 11, and each time a coin is inserted into the coin slot 12, the coin is exchanged for a medal at a predetermined exchange rate and added. In addition, the value is added every time a predetermined number of game balls are awarded to the big winning opening.

  The “game history shift flag” is a flag indicating whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the power was turned on to the pachinko machine 1. This flag is set to stand when time has passed. “Today's jackpot count” represents the number of hits in the pachinko machine 1 on the game day, and is displayed on the game history display 18 (for example, digitally displayed on a 7-segment display). This number is added every time a big hit occurs. “Today's special symbol rotation” indicates the number of times that the special symbol is displayed on the pachinko machine 1 on the game day, and is displayed on the game history display 18 (for example, digitally displayed on a 7-segment display). ) This number is added every time the variable display is started.

Next, the game data backup operation will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.
When the power to the pachinko machine 1 is turned on, the CPU 21 proceeds to step 51 and reads out the credit data, that is, “the number of balls held” and “the number of stored medals” shown in FIG. These data are game data written at the time of the previous power-off, as will be described in detail later. These read data are written into a predetermined address in a RAM built in the CPU 21. Further, these data are displayed on the ball display 13 and the medal display 15 in different program routines.

Subsequently, the process proceeds to step 52, and the game history data, that is, the “big hit count” and “total number of revolutions” of BYTE 10 to 39 shown in FIG. 5 are read from the EEPROM 23. These read data are written into predetermined addresses in the RAM as described above.
Subsequently, the process proceeds to step 53, and the game history shift flag, that is, the “game history shift flag” of BYTE 9 shown in FIG. 5 is read from the EEPROM 23. Although this data will be described in detail later, this data is game data written in the EEPROM 23 at the previous power shutdown. And it represents whether the last power-off time was the time when the predetermined time passed as mentioned above.

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to step 54, and first, the state of the game history shift flag read in step 53 is determined. When it is determined that the state of the game history shift flag is “1”, that is, when the previous power-off time is after a predetermined time has elapsed since the power was turned on. The game history data read in step 52 and written in the RAM is shifted and written on the same RAM.

The contents of the game history data shift processing will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 7 shows an example of the game history data written in the RAM in step 52. According to this embodiment, the game history data written to the EEPROM 23 at that time when the power of the pachinko machine 1 was shut down last time is the big hit number of the day = 5 times, the big hit of the day before, Number of times = 35 times Number of jackpots two days ago = 25 times Number of jackpots three days ago = 40 times Number of jackpots four days ago = 25 times

  FIG. 8 shows a state after the game history data in the RAM shown in FIG. 7 is shifted. Each game history data in the RAM in FIG. 7 is written by being shifted to another address on the RAM as shown by the arrow in FIG. 8 by the shift process. Speaking of the big hit history data, the data of “Today's big hit history” in FIG. 7 is shifted to the address on the RAM where the data of “Big hit history of one day ago” was written as shown in FIG. Written. In addition, the data of “big hit history of 1 day ago” is the address where the data of “big hit history of 2 days ago” is written, and the “big hit history of 2 days ago” is the address of “big hit history of 3 days ago”. , “3 days ago jackpot history” is shifted and written to the address of “4 days ago jackpot history”. In addition, “0” is written in the address of “Today's big hit history”. When a game is started in the pachinko machine 1 and a jackpot is generated, the value of “Today's jackpot history” increases every time the game is generated. In this form, since it is set to display the history of today and 1 day to 4 days ago, the “big hit history of 4 days ago” in FIG. 7 has been deleted in FIG. The present invention is not limited to the form, and data of 5 days before, 6 days before, etc. may be shifted and displayed in the same manner as described above. The above shift processing is performed in the same manner for the “total number of revolutions” processing.

Returning to FIG. 6, after the shift write process on the RAM is performed in step 54, the process of writing these game history data into the EEPROM 23, that is, the backup process is performed.
Specifically, with regard to the jackpot history, the data of “one day ago jackpot history” in FIG. 8 is written (backup processing) in the BYTEs 16 and 17 of the EEPROM 23 in FIG. However, data of “big hit history 3 days ago” is written in BYTEs 22 and 23, and data of “big hit history 4 days ago” is written in BYTEs 34 and 35, respectively. That is, game data that does not change between when the power is turned on and when the power is turned off is backed up at this timing after the power is turned on (that is, when the power is not turned off). The data of “Today's big hit history” is game data that may change between when the power is turned on and when the power is turned off, and therefore, backup processing is not performed after the power is turned on.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 54 that the state of the game history shift flag is “0”, that is, the previous power-off time is a predetermined time from when the power is turned on. If it is not yet elapsed, the shift write processing on the RAM and the backup processing from the RAM to the EEPROM are not performed. In this case, when a game is started in the pachinko machine 1 and a big hit occurs, the value of “today's big hit history” read in step 52 each time it occurs, specifically, is written in the RAM of FIG. The value “5” of “Today's big hit history” increases. Further, when the special symbol variation display is started, the value “155” of “today's total number of revolutions” in FIG.

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to step 55, and the operation of a game history shift generation timer for determining the state (“1” or “0”) of the game history shift flag, that is, a timer for measuring a predetermined time from power-on. To start. After the processing of the above steps, a normal game operation is performed in the pachinko machine 1. Proceeding to step 56, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the power to the pachinko machine was turned on. If it is determined that the time has elapsed, the “game history shift flag” is set to “1” in step 57, and then the process proceeds to step 58. If it is determined that the time has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step 58 as it is.

  In step 58, it is determined whether or not a power interruption has occurred. If the power is not cut off, the normal game operation is continued, the processing from step 56 is repeated, and if it is determined that the power is cut off, the process proceeds to step 59.

  In step 59, the credit data (“the number of possessed balls” and “the number of stored medals”) written in the RAM is read out and written into BYTE 1 to 4 and BYTE 5 to 8 of the EEPROM 23. Subsequently, in step 60, the game history shift flag data written in the RAM is read out and written into the BYTE 9 of the EEPROM 23. Subsequently, in step 61, the game history data ("Today's big hit history" and "Today's total number of revolutions") written in the RAM is read, and BYTE10, 11 and BYTE12-15 of the EEPROM 23 are read out. Is written. In other words, in steps 59 to 61, there is a possibility that the voltage changes from the time of power-on to the time of power-off while DC5V shown in FIG. The game data is written into the EEPROM 23, that is, backed up.

By the way, the predetermined time from the time of power-on for determining the state (“1” or “0”) of the game history shift flag is set in consideration of the occurrence of the following state.
As a general rule, the power of the pachinko machine 1 is kept on from the time of opening of the amusement hall to the time of closing. However, the power supply may be cut off during this period (this will be referred to as an unexpected power cut-off). Specifically, there are a case where a power interruption such as a power failure due to lightning occurs, a case where a power is intentionally turned off by an employee of a game hall, or a case where the power is turned off accidentally.

  Here, it is assumed that the period during which power is supplied to the pachinko machine in the amusement hall is from 10:00 AM (when the store is opened) to 10:00 PM (when the store is closed). If the predetermined time is set to 10 hours, for example, if an unexpected power interruption occurs at PM7, the continuous power-on time is 9 hours, so the predetermined time of 10 hours has not been reached. First, the game history shift flag is set to “0” and is written in the EEPROM 23 when the power is turned off. After that, if the power is turned on again before closing the store, the game history shift flag is “0”, so the shift processing of the game history data is not performed, and the number of big hits and special symbols that have changed until the store is closed are displayed. The number of times is added to the game data (“Today's big hit history” and “Today's total number of revolutions”) at the time of power-off. However, the time until the closing of the store, that is, in principle, the time until the power is turned off next is less than 3 hours, and the game history shift occurrence timer is restarted in step 55 (the flowchart of FIG. 6). When the power is turned off, the game history shift flag is not set to “1” and stored in the EEPROM 23. Therefore, when the power is turned on the next day (when the store is opened), the shift processing of the game history data is not performed, and the number of occurrences of jackpots and the number of times of special symbol fluctuation display are determined based on the previous day's RAM data (" "History" and "Today's total number of revolutions").

  On the other hand, if a predetermined time is set to 1 hour, for example, when an unexpected power interruption occurs at PM1, the continuous power-on time is 3 hours. Since the time has been reached, the game history shift flag is set to “1” and is written in the EEPROM 23 when the power is turned off. After that, if the power is turned on again immediately, the game history shift flag is “1”, so that the game history data is shifted, and the number of jackpots and special symbol variations displayed in the subsequent game are displayed. Is added to the game data cleared to “0” (“Today's big hit history” and “Today's total number of revolutions”). In addition, game data ("big hit history" and "total number of revolutions") from the opening of the store to PM1 when an unexpected power interruption occurred is shifted to the "big hit history" and "total number of revolutions" one day before Is stored in the EEPROM 23. However, after that, when the store is closed without unexpected power interruption, since the continuous power-on time reaches a predetermined one hour, the game history shift flag is set to “1” and the store is closed. It is written in the EEPROM 23 when the power is shut off. Therefore, when the power is turned on the next day (when the store is opened), the game history data is shifted, and the number of jackpot occurrences and the number of special symbol fluctuation display times are cleared to “0”. It will be added to the data ("Today's big hit history" and "Today's total number of revolutions").

It is a figure which shows one form of the game machine which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part of the game machine which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the connection state between the port of CPU and the terminal of EEPROM. It is a figure which shows the timing of the output of the power-off notice signal with respect to interruption | blocking of AC power supply, and the fall of DC5V. It is a figure which shows the list of the game data backed up to EEPROM. It is a flowchart which shows the backup process of game data. It is a figure which shows one form of the game history data written in RAM. It is a figure which shows the write-in content after the game history data shown in FIG. 7 was shifted.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pachinko machine 2 Image display device 3, 3 'Large winning opening 6 Starting winning opening 7 Handle 13 Number-of-balls display 14 Conversion button 15 Medal storage display 16 Settlement button 18 Game history display 20 Game control part (main board)
21 CPU
21a ROM
21b RAM
22 Power supply board (power supply circuit)
23 EEPROM

Claims (1)

A built-in RAM for temporarily storing the game data, and the CPU without the function of backing up the game data during power-off to the RAM,
A power supply that outputs a notification signal that the power supply has been cut off when the power supply is cut off;
And a EEPROM for backing up the game data,
The CPU
Game data stored in the RAM that may change between when the power is turned on and when the power is turned off is stored in the EEPROM when the power is turned off based on the input of the notification signal output from the power supply. To control and
If the power is turned off after a predetermined power-on time has elapsed and the power is turned on again after the power is turned off, it can change between the time of power-on and the time of power-off until the power is turned off. The game data stored in the RAM is changed to game data that does not change between when the power is turned on and when the power is turned off, and the RAM that does not change between when the power is turned on and when the power is turned off. A gaming machine that controls to store stored game data in the EEPROM.

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