JP2000167115A - Electronic game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a game machine to deal with large volume orientation of control programs and to largely reduce labor and cost in changing part of specifications. SOLUTION: Various kinds of control units are formed separately from a main board 16 on which a main control part 15 is mounted. Sub-control parts 23A, 23B, 23C to hold control programs and data necessary for actuating an action part of a control object are equipped on a display unit 14A, a sound unit 14B, and a ball delivery unit 14C. The main control part 15 outputs instruction information to indicate how sub-control parts 23A, 23B, 23C actuate the action part and sub-control parts 23A, 23B, 23C execute the programs based on the instruction information to actuate the action part of the control object.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises a predetermined number of game execution units such as a game screen display unit, a sound and sound effect output unit, and a game medium payout machine. And an electronic game machine controlled by a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In electronic gaming machines such as pachinko gaming machines and slot machines, a control board on which a microcomputer is mounted is incorporated in the machine body.
The operation of various operating units related to the game is controlled in a series. On the control board, an output port and the like for each operating section are formed in addition to the control section by the computer, and the entire control board is housed in a transparent case made of resin and arranged at an appropriate position inside the machine body.

In recent years, a control board independent of the control board has been provided only for a sound output mechanism, and a sub-controller for holding various kinds of sound data and control programs is provided in the control board. Gaming machines that operate under the control of a main control unit have also been developed.

[0004]

When the control section controls the operation of all the operation sections, the control section includes a main program relating to the progress of the game, a lottery table for determining a prize, and other operation sections. It is necessary to store all programs for individually controlling. In addition, for this type of gaming machine, a model with new game characteristics is required every day in response to changes in the tastes of players, but as the game development becomes more complicated, the capacity of the program increases, This will put pressure on the internal memory.

[0005] In addition, in recent gaming machines, with the improvement of various functions and diversification of game contents, for example, changing the display for design and decoration, adding a new display, etc.
Although only some specifications are frequently changed, such changes in specifications are accompanied by changes in the circuit configuration of the control board, such as replacing output ports on the control board in response to changes in the control unit program. In addition, the cost and effort when changing the specifications are increased.

[0006] Further, even in a model in which only the control circuit relating to the audio output mechanism is independent, most of the control programs are:
Since it is mounted on the main control unit, the program capacity is not reduced much. Further, for example, if the program or circuit configuration of the main control board is changed in accordance with the change of the display device, it may be necessary to change the circuit pattern related to the connection with the control board even in the control circuit for voice control. In addition, as a result, it is necessary to perform a test of the voice processing function again, which increases the burden on the manufacturer.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and is adapted to cope with an increase in the capacity of a control program due to the addition of new playability and the like, and the labor and cost for changing some specifications. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic game machine capable of greatly reducing the amount of money.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of operating units related to the execution of a game are provided in association with each operating unit, and a plurality of driving units for operating the corresponding operating units. Unit, and an electronic gaming machine comprising a control unit for controlling the operation of each drive unit, in the electronic gaming machine, each drive unit is disposed on a separate substrate independent of the control unit, and each drive unit And a sub-control unit for controlling the operation of the corresponding operating unit. Further, the control unit includes:
To each sub-control unit, output instruction information for instructing driving of the operation unit to be controlled, and each sub-control unit controls the operation of the corresponding operation unit according to the instruction information from the control unit. Be composed.

The operating section may include a display device for displaying various image information relating to the game, a decoration lamp, a game medium payout device, a sound output device, and the like.

[0010] In the second aspect of the present invention, the instruction information is individually output to the sub-control unit to which the instruction is directed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the instruction information includes identification information for specifying a sub-control unit to be instructed, and is output to each sub-control unit. Accordingly, each sub-control unit is configured to control the operation of the corresponding operating unit in response to the instruction information addressed to itself based on the identification information.

[0012] In the invention according to claim 4, each of the sub-control units includes:
It is composed of a dedicated microcomputer.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, each of the control section and each sub-control section includes a circuit section having a surface-mounted component mounted on a substrate.

[0014]

A drive unit is arranged on a substrate independent of a main control unit for each of a plurality of operating units, and a sub-control unit is provided for each drive unit. The operation of the operating unit is controlled according to the instruction information from. Therefore, for example, the sub-control unit that controls the variable display of the symbol on the display device is provided with various display data and control programs, and the symbol is executed by executing the control program according to instruction information from the control unit. Can be realized. When it is desired to display a plurality of types of display screens on the same display device, a control program and display data for each screen are set in the sub-control unit, and the control unit sends any display screen to the sub-control unit. May be given as instruction information indicating whether or not is displayed. Further, even when the display screen mode is changed or the display device is replaced, the display data and the control program in the sub-control unit can be changed, so that a significant change in the configuration and the program on the control unit side can be avoided. be able to.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the instruction information is individually output from the control unit to the sub-control unit to be instructed, so that only the sub-control unit that has received the instruction information is activated, Activate the operating part that performs the operation.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the control unit outputs the instruction information including the identification information to each of the sub-control units, and only the sub-control unit that recognizes the instruction information addressed to itself by the identification information is output. Activate and operate the corresponding actuation unit.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since each sub-control unit is constituted by a microcomputer, each sub-control unit can have a program or data for controlling the operation of the corresponding operating unit. . Also, if the command system and protocol between the control unit and the sub-control unit are not changed, even if the configuration or the program is changed in either the control unit or the sub-control unit, the other configuration or program is changed. No major changes are required.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the main control unit and the sub-control unit include a circuit unit using surface mount components, the size of each control unit can be reduced.

[0019]

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a pachinko gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. On the front of the machine of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is formed a game board 2 on which a number of winning ports 3, public works 4, obstacle nails (not shown) and the like are provided. A liquid crystal panel 5 for variably displaying characters and symbols is provided with a start winning port 6 and an out port 7 at a position below the liquid crystal panel 5. Below the game board 2, a pachinko ball insertion tray 8, a tray 9, an operation handle 10 for ball firing, a ball payout port 11, a speaker 12, and the like are provided. Indicator lamps 13 for notifying a jackpot or the like are provided.
Further, a decoration lamp 31 (shown in FIG. 2) such as a light bulb or an LED is provided at an appropriate place on the game board surface or its surroundings.

FIG. 2 shows an electrical configuration of the pachinko gaming machine 1. A control board 16 on which a main control unit 15 for controlling a series of game operations is mounted (hereinafter, this board is referred to as a “main board 16”) inside the body of the pachinko gaming machine.
In addition, a plurality of control units for driving various operating units related to the progress of the game, an information terminal board 24 for outputting information for hole management, a power supply circuit 21 and the like are incorporated.

The main control unit 15 includes a CPU 17 and a ROM 1
8. A microcomputer having a RAM 19 and the like (hereinafter referred to as a “main C
PU17 "). The main CPU 17 controls the operation of each control unit based on the control program in the ROM 18 and executes a series of game operations.

The power supply circuit 21 incorporated in the airframe receives a 24 V AC current supplied from an external power supply 22,
This is converted into 5V and 12V DC current, and the main board 1
Supply to 6. Further, the supply current from the power supply circuit 21 is supplied from the main board 16 to each operating section via each control unit.

In the pachinko gaming machine 1 of this embodiment, a display unit 14A, an audio unit 14B, a ball payout unit 14C, a firing device control unit 14D, an input detection unit 14E, and a lamp unit 1 are used as the control units.
4F and the like are formed on individual substrates, respectively, and are arranged at appropriate locations inside the fuselage (hereinafter, when these control units are collectively shown, the symbol "14" will be used).

Each of the control units 14 and the information terminal board 24 are connected in parallel to the main board 16 via a connector. Each of the control units 14 other than the input detection unit 14E receives a control signal from the main control unit 15 and outputs a control signal for operating the corresponding operation unit. Among them, the display unit 14A and the audio unit Each of the control units 14 of the ball discharge unit 14C and the ball payout unit 14C includes a sub-control unit 23 by a microcomputer.
A, 23B and 23C are incorporated.

The display unit 14A controls the display operation of the liquid crystal panel 5 arranged at the center of the game board surface 2. The audio unit 14B is connected to a volume control device 25 for adjusting the output of the speaker 12, and the main control unit 1
By controlling the volume control device 25 according to the control signal from the control unit 5, audio data and sound effects of a predetermined volume are generated and output from the speaker 12.

The ball payout unit 14C is provided with the ball payout exit 1
By driving the ball payout device 26 communicating with No. 1, a predetermined number of pachinko balls are paid out. Launcher control unit 14D
Is for controlling the operation of the motor 27 for driving a pachinko ball, and the operation handle 10 is
The motor 27 is rotated by the set value given the set value of the rotation amount according to the operation amount.

The input detecting unit 14E is provided with each winning opening 3,
6, a ball detection sensor provided in the ball passage 35 (shown in FIG. 1) on the board 2 and the ball payout passage 34 (shown in FIG. 4) to the ball payout outlet 11; Each sensor is connected to a sensor for detecting the operation amount of the steering wheel 10 (in FIG. 2, each sensor is indicated by reference numeral 30), and each detection signal can be identified by adding individual code information to the detection signal for each sensor. After being processed into a state, it is delivered to the main control unit 15. The lamp unit 14F is for individually controlling the lighting operation of the display lamp 13 and the various decorative lamps 31, and receives from the main board 16 a signal indicating identification information of a lamp to be operated, a display color, and the like. Then, the lamp corresponding to the signal is driven.

The information terminal board 24 receives, from the main control unit 15, a model code, setting data for determining a jackpot appearance rate, a probability variation value, and the like, and an on / off signal for notifying occurrence of a winning or a probability variation. Input terminals for inputting these signals and output terminals for outputting these signals to the outside. Each output terminal is connected to an external input terminal of a host computer (not shown) on the side of the hall. The host computer receives the same type of signal from each of the gaming machines in the hall, and checks the operating state of each device. Management data relating to the state of winning is generated.

The display unit 14A and the audio unit 1
4B, sub-control unit 23 provided in the ball payout unit 14C
A, 23B, and 23C are each composed of a microcomputer, similarly to the main control unit 15. The ROM (not shown) of each of the sub-control units 23A, 23B, and 23C has an operation unit (liquid crystal panel 5) to be controlled. , Sound adjustment device 2
5, specific programs and data for operating the ball payout device 26) are stored.

On the other hand, a main program for executing a series of games, a lottery table necessary for establishing a winning at the time of symbol variation display,
Output control unit 14 without sub-controller
A program, etc., required for controlling the operation unit corresponding to D and 14F is stored. In addition, the ROM 18 stores a program for generating and outputting instruction information for instructing the sub-control units 23A, 23B, and 23C how to operate the control target operating unit.

The instruction information is formed by a predetermined command or code, and is output only to the sub-control unit to be instructed. Upon receiving this instruction information, each of the sub-control units 23A, 23B, and 23C activates a program corresponding to the content of the information and causes the operation unit to start operating. Hereinafter, the operation of the operation unit is performed according to the flow of the program. A series of operations are controlled.

For example, in the sub-control unit 23A incorporated in the display unit 14A, a program and image information for displaying a plurality of types of moving images such as a symbol change display screen are stored and held on the liquid crystal panel 5. . In this case, the main control unit 15 transmits instruction information indicating what kind of moving image is to be displayed to the sub control unit 23A.
A sequentially reads a moving image program and image information based on the instruction information from the internal ROM and controls the display operation of the liquid crystal panel 5.

In the case where a mechanical reel or a variable symbol display device using LEDs arranged in segments is arranged in place of the liquid crystal panel 5, a sub-control unit similar to that described above is connected to the device, and the main control is performed. It is possible to individually control the variable display operation and the stop display operation of the symbol according to the instruction information from the unit 15.

The voice unit 14B and the ball payout unit 14
The same applies to the sub-control units 23B and 23C of the audio unit 14B. The sub-control unit 23B of the audio unit 14B stores a control program for audio output and a plurality of types of audio information in the ball payout unit 1.
The sub-control unit 23C of 4C stores and holds a program related to the operation control of the ball payout device 26, the number of pachinko balls to be paid out according to various winnings, and the like. The main control unit 15 also outputs an audio signal to be output and instruction information indicating the number of pachinko balls to be paid out to these sub-control units 23B and 23C. , Executing a program corresponding to the instruction information, and
And the ball payout device 26 are operated as instructed by the main control unit 15.

According to the above configuration, the display operation, the voice output operation, and the ball payout operation, which are particularly important in controlling the progress of the game, are controlled by the independent sub-controllers 23A, 23B, and 23C. The capacity of the program held by the control unit 15 is greatly reduced as compared with the conventional case. Therefore, in the ROM 18 of the main control unit 15, it is possible to sufficiently set a storage area for a control program and data relating to the progress of the game, a lottery table for setting a winning probability, and the like. Diversification can be handled without any problems.

In each of the sub-control units 23A, 23B, and 23C, a program and data for independently controlling the operation unit to be controlled are stored, so that a command between each sub-control unit and the main control unit is stored. If there is no change in the system or protocol, this is applicable when changing only the operation contents of the operation unit side such as the pattern of variable display of the symbol, the type of output sound, the number of payout balls, etc. without changing the main flow of the game Sub-controller 23
Even if the program, data, circuit configuration, and the like in A, 23B, and 23C are changed, it is not necessary to largely change the design of the control unit 15 side. In some cases, the control unit 15 may not need to be changed at all. Also, when a part of the circuit configuration or the control program of the main control unit 15 is changed, the operation unit not related to the change can be used as it is or with a slight design change. The required labor and time can be greatly reduced.

Instead of outputting the instruction information only to the sub-control unit to be instructed, a unique identification code is set in advance for each sub-control unit, and the sub-information to be designated as an instruction target is set in the instruction information. The identification code of the control unit may be added, and output to each sub-control unit in parallel. In this case, the sub-control unit recognizes only the instruction code to which its own identification code is added, and executes a program based on the instruction content.

When such instruction information with an identification code is used, as shown in FIG.
The control units 14A, 14B, 14C may be connected serially. In this case, since the output ports for the control units 14A, 14B, and 14C can be shared on the main board 16, the configuration on the main board 16 is simplified, and the signal output path can be unified. Moreover, even when a new control unit is added and connected, there is no need to change the circuit configuration of the main board 16.

On the other hand, to the lamp unit 14F having no sub-control unit, the main control unit 15 appropriately transmits data relating to the type of lamp to be lit, its luminous color, luminous time, and the like. However, if a similar sub-control unit is provided for the lamp unit 14F and a program for controlling the operation of each lamp is set in its ROM, the main control unit 15 can be operated without a burden. The illumination effect can be enhanced. When a sub-control unit is provided for the launch device control unit 14D, a detection signal of the operation amount of the operation handle 10 is input to the sub-control unit,
The amount of rotation of the motor 27 can be directly controlled.

The input detection unit 14E is also provided with a sub-control unit. The sub-control unit generates a start signal for starting a predetermined process from detection signals from the various sensors 30 and counts passing balls. After that, the start signal and the count result can be input to the main control unit 15. When the processing related to signal input is made independent of the main control unit 15 in this manner, the type of sensor,
Even when the number, the use, and the like are changed, if there is no change in the function of the input signal generated by these sensors, it is not necessary to largely change the configuration and the program of the main control unit 15 and flexibly respond to the change. be able to.

In the pachinko gaming machine of this embodiment, surface-mounted IC components are introduced as main components of the main control unit 15 and the sub-control units 23A, 23B and 23C. Conventionally, a DIP component has been used in the control unit of this type of game machine. However, by switching this to a surface-mount type IC component, the main board 15 and the control units 14A, 14B, 14C are switched.
Is greatly reduced in size and can be arranged in a limited space inside the aircraft. The main control unit 15 and the sub control units 23A to 23A
If it is necessary to check the ROM program for the 23C at the time of inspection before shipping the machine, this ROM
It is preferable to use a DIP component that can be inserted and removed, and use a surface mount component for other circuit components such as a CPU.

FIG. 4 schematically shows an example of the arrangement of various substrates in the pachinko gaming machine 1. A ball storage tank 32 for storing pachinko balls for payout is provided at an upper position inside the body, and a ball payout passage 33 is provided from the ball storage tank 32 to the ball payout outlet 11. In addition, a mechanism inside the machine body is complicated, for example, a ball collection path (not shown) for collecting a winning ball from each winning port 36 is formed on the back side of the game board 2.

In the above configuration, the main board 15 is fixedly arranged at the center position in the machine body, and the power supply circuit 21 and the information terminal board 24 are fixedly mounted on the inner wall surface of the machine body portion at the upper position in the machine body. You. Each control unit 14
Is connected via a signal cable to the main board 16 and the operation unit to be controlled, but is arranged near the main board 16 or the corresponding operation unit for the sake of avoiding the superposition of wiring and noise. .

Although a pachinko gaming machine has been described here as an example, a slot machine or the like is provided with a plurality of operating units for executing a game, and complicated control such as a lottery process for determining a prize is performed inside the control unit. A similar configuration can be introduced for a gaming machine of the type that executes.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention, a drive unit is arranged on a board independent of a main control unit for each of a plurality of operating units involved in the execution of a game, and each drive unit is provided with a drive unit. A sub-control unit is provided, and each sub-control unit controls the operation of the operating unit according to the instruction information from the control unit, so that the main control unit is used for the main progress of the game, lottery processing, etc. The storage area of such programs and data can be set sufficiently, and it is possible to cope with diversification of game development.

Further, when the operation content of a specific operation unit is changed or the operation unit is replaced, it can be dealt with by changing the program or data in the corresponding sub-control unit.
There is no need to significantly change the configuration or program on the control unit side. Also, even if some configuration or program is changed on the control unit side, the operating unit that does not change can be used as it is or with a slight design change, reducing the labor and cost when changing some specifications. Can be significantly reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the instruction information is individually output from the control unit to the sub-control unit to which the instruction is directed, so that only the sub-control unit that has received the instruction information starts up and responds. Since the operating units that operate are operated, each operating unit can be operated quickly.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, instruction information including identification information is output from the control unit to each sub-control unit, and only the sub-control unit that recognizes the instruction information addressed to itself by the identification information is output. Since the control unit is activated to operate the corresponding operation unit, each sub-control unit can be operated by software processing of the control unit. Also, if the sub-control units are connected serially to the control unit and the instruction information is sequentially transmitted, it is only necessary to provide a single signal output path, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and new operation. It is possible to flexibly cope with addition of parts.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since each sub-control unit is constituted by a microcomputer, each sub-control unit stores a program and data for controlling the operation of the corresponding operating unit, and stores the stored data. , It is possible to appropriately change the specifications of the airframe. If the command system and protocol between the control unit and the sub-control unit are not changed, even if the circuit configuration or program of the sub-control unit corresponding to the case of changing the specification of the drive unit is changed, the main There is no need to significantly change the configuration or program of the control unit.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the main control unit and the sub-control unit include the circuit unit using the surface mount components, each control unit can be reduced in size and arranged in a limited space in the body. Becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of a pachinko gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of the pachinko gaming machine of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example in which a main board and a control unit are serially connected.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the arrangement of various substrates in the body.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Pachinko game machine 5 Liquid crystal panel 14A Display unit 14B Audio unit 14C Ball payout unit 23A, 23B, 23C Sub-control unit 25 Volume control device 26 Ball payout device 15 Main control unit

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Masayuki Sasai 4-9-10 Imazukita, Tsurumi-ku, Osaka Takasago Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C088 BA30 BA39 BC02 CA19 EA10 EB55

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of operating units related to execution of a game, a plurality of driving units provided in association with each operating unit, and operating the corresponding operating units, and controlling the operation of each driving unit. In the electronic gaming machine comprising a control unit, each drive unit is disposed on a separate substrate independent of the control unit, and a sub-control unit for controlling the operation of the corresponding operation unit Wherein the control unit comprises:
To each of the sub-control units, instruction information for instructing driving of the operation unit to be controlled is output, and each of the sub-control units controls the operation of the corresponding operation unit according to the instruction information from the control unit. Electronic gaming machine. 2. The electronic gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the instruction information is individually output to a sub-control unit targeted for the instruction. 3. The instruction information includes identification information for specifying a sub-control unit targeted for the instruction, and is output to each sub-control unit. 2. The electronic game machine according to claim 1, wherein the electronic game machine controls an operation of a corresponding operation unit in response to the instruction information addressed to the self-player. 4. The electronic game machine according to claim 1, wherein each of the sub-controllers comprises a dedicated microcomputer. 5. The electronic game machine according to claim 1, wherein the control unit and each of the sub-control units include a circuit unit having a surface-mounted component mounted on a substrate.