JP2001000716A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent players from sustaining disadvantages by dividing storage information stored in a volatile storage device into specific storage information such as information on the number of prize balls and other storage information which does not require protection and storing only the specific storage information in a storage device for backup at the time of an interruption of the service. SOLUTION: This game machine is provided with control devices such as a game control device Ba1, a discharge control device Ba2 and a power supply unit Ba3 to supply a predetermined power supply voltage for each control device. In this case, the power supply unit Ba3 is provided with a service interruption detecting circuit 300 to detect the cutoff of a rated voltage and a transmitting circuit 301 to transmit a service interruption detection signal S to each control device. In addition, each game machine is provided with RAM for backup to receive the supply of backup power at the time of an interruption of the service, divides storage information stored in the RAM into a specific storage information to be protected and other storage information which does not require protection, and stores the specific storage information in the RAM for backup.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine using a game medium typified by a pachinko game machine, and more particularly, to information relating to a game stored in volatile storage means provided in a control device when a power failure occurs. And a gaming machine that can be protected.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a control device for a pachinko game machine is composed of about four or five types of control devices such as a game control device, a discharge control device, a display control device, and a launch control device, and includes a power supply device (power supply unit). The power may be supplied to each control device.

[0003] Conventional pachinko gaming machines include a discharge control device, which is separately configured, based on prize ball number information transmitted from a game control device for controlling the progress of a game on a game board, such as a discharge unit. The drive value of the discharge device is controlled to supply the player with a game value (for example, a game ball as a prize ball discharge).

That is, a game ball is fired in a game area formed on a game board surface, and a supply of game value is provided to a player on condition that the fired ball wins various winning holes provided in the game area. In order to transmit the prize ball number information (for example, data of 7 prize balls and 13 prize balls) to the discharge control device,
The discharge control device pays out a predetermined number of game balls as a game value to the player.

More specifically, in order to enhance the playability, the number of prize balls is made different depending on the prize holes provided in the game area (for example, seven prize balls are required for a prize to a certain start prize hole). , And 13 prize balls for other prize openings), and stores the number of prizes won in these prize openings (for example, when there are two types of prize balls, one of them is stored, The other does not remember to distinguish the type of winning).

The winning game balls (winning balls) are gathered in a safe unit for detecting one winning ball, and the winning balls are temporarily stopped by a stopping mechanism provided in the safe unit. From 1 by safe sensor
Is detected.

Next, the game control device checks the winning ball memory based on the winning ball signal from the safe sensor, and if there is a winning ball memory, the corresponding winning ball number information (for example, 7).
Is transmitted to the discharge control device, and if there is no winning storage, the set prize ball number information (for example, 13) is transmitted. Then, the discharge control device supplies the game ball based on the transmitted prize ball number information to the player (for example, by driving the discharge unit) and drives the stop mechanism of the safe unit to drive the prize. The winning balls involved in the ball ejection are ejected out of the gaming machine, and the prize ball discharging process based on the winning balls ends. At this time, in the game control device, the timing of subtracting the winning sphere memory corresponding to the prize ball number information transmitted to the discharge control device is determined when the transmission to the discharge control device is completed.
Either when the prize ball discharging process is started or when the prize ball discharging process is completed.

By the way, in order to make the prize ball discharge faster,
Without providing the safe unit described above, that is, instead of the method of transmitting the prize ball number information from the game control device to the discharge control device based on the detection of one by the safe unit, the safe unit is provided, for example, on the game board surface. Sensors are provided for each winning opening, and based on the game balls winning these sensors, the prize ball number information is sequentially transmitted to the discharge control device, and the winning game balls are temporarily stopped as described above. The discharge control device sequentially stores the transmitted prize ball number information in a memory (RAM), and controls the discharge unit by the discharge control device based on the stored prize ball number information. There is proposed a pachinko game machine that drives a game machine to discharge a prize ball.

[0009]

However, it has been found that the following problems have been encountered in such a pachinko game machine of the discharging system.

(A) In the above-described pachinko gaming machine, a power supply voltage of, for example, a rated voltage of 24 V AC supplied to the gaming machine from outside the gaming machine (for example, island facilities) causes a power failure due to a lightning strike or a failure of a substation facility. When the game is interrupted by the game, the memory (RA
M), winning prize ball information and prize ball number information (for example, 7
Prize sphere data). Therefore, in the case of a pachinko gaming machine provided with the above-described safe unit, the winning game ball is stopped upstream of the stop device of the safe unit, and the prize ball is discharged based on the game ball (winning ball). Although it can be performed, the winning ball count memory is erased, and as a result, all the stopped winning balls change to a specific number of winning balls (for example, all of them become 13 winning balls). As a result, a situation may be caused that damages either the player or the game store.

(B) According to the pachinko gaming machine of the type having no safe unit, the winning prize winning in the winning opening is discharged out of the gaming machine without being temporarily stopped. If the prize ball number information sequentially stored by the discharge control device due to the cutoff of the voltage disappears, the player is damaged and a trouble occurs with the game store.

(C) In order to solve such a problem,
For example, it is conceivable to provide a function of backing up the stored prize ball number information on the discharge control device side. However, if a function to easily back up the memory is provided in the discharge control device, the stored contents will be retained even when the discharge control device itself is removed from the gaming machine, so a malicious third party Removes the emission control device and writes an incorrect number of prize balls in the prize ball number memory, and re-attachs the discharge control device in which the illegal prize ball number information has been written to the gaming machine to unduly obtain a game value. There is a risk.

The present invention has been devised in order to solve the above-mentioned problems. In the event of a power failure, a gaming machine capable of backing up only specific storage information, such as information on the number of prize balls, to be protected until the power failure is restored. The purpose is to provide.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to the present invention includes a plurality of control devices (for example, a discharge control device Ba2, etc.) for controlling a game related to a game performed on a game board. In a gaming machine including at least a power supply device (for example, a power supply unit Ba3) that generates a predetermined power supply voltage from a rated voltage supplied from outside the gaming machine and supplies the power supply to each of the control devices, the power supply device A power failure detection means (for example, a power failure detection circuit 300) capable of detecting the interruption of the voltage, and a transmission means (for example, a power failure signal which can transmit a power failure detection signal (S) generated by the power failure detection means to each of the control devices) And a volatile memory means (for example, RAM) for storing various information provided in each of the control devices.
203), a power failure storage means (for example, a backup RAM 400) for receiving backup power from a predetermined backup means (for example, a capacitor 212) to protect specific storage information at the time of a power failure. Each of the control devices, based on the reception of the power failure detection signal, converts the storage information stored in each volatile storage unit into specific storage information to be protected and other storage information that does not need to be protected. Storage information classification means (for example, CP
U201) and specific storage information transfer means for transferring the specific storage information separated by the storage information separation means to the power failure storage means before the supply of the power supply voltage from the power supply device is interrupted (for example, , CPU 201).

According to this, when the occurrence of a power failure is detected by the power failure detection means, each of the control devices is generated by the power failure detection means before the supply of the power supply voltage from the power supply device is interrupted. Based on the power failure detection signal, the storage information classification unit separates the storage information stored in each volatile storage unit into specific storage information to be protected and other storage information that does not need to be protected, The specific storage information transfer means can transfer only the specific storage information to the power failure storage means for protecting the information at the time of power failure. Therefore, even if a power failure occurs, there is a slight time lag (for example, about 15 seconds depending on the configuration of the power supply device) before the power supply voltage is completely cut off, and specific storage information (for example, a prize) to be protected during that time lag. Ball number information) can be reliably backed up. Therefore, after the power outage is restored, the game can be restarted based on the information on the number of prize balls before the power outage, so that it is possible to prevent the player from being unexpectedly disadvantaged due to the power outage. Trouble between the shop and the player can be avoided.

One of the plurality of control devices is a discharge control device (Ba2) for controlling a discharge device of a game medium based on a game value to be given to a player generated in a game. The discharge control device includes at least a volatile storage unit (RAM 203) for storing information related to the game value and other information, and an information processing unit (CPU 201) for performing a predetermined process based on the information. The specific storage information to be protected by the power failure storage means is information relating to the game value (for example, prize ball number information), and the storage information classification means and the specific storage information transfer means are constituted by the information processing means. You may make it.

According to this, when a power failure occurs, the information on the game value stored in the volatile storage means provided in the emission control device is transferred to the above-mentioned power failure storage means as specific storage information to be protected. Can be backed up. Therefore, after the power outage is restored, the emission control device can restart the emission of the prize balls or the like based on the information on the game value before the occurrence of the power outage (for example, information on the number of prize balls). It is possible to prevent loss of game profit to be prevented from occurring beforehand, and it is possible to reliably avoid troubles between the game store and the player.

The information processing means of the discharge control device, when receiving the power failure detection signal generated by the power failure detection means, drives the discharge device (the first discharge solenoid 233,
The stop processing of the second discharge solenoid 234) is performed, and the detection means (the first discharge sensor 222, the detection sensor 504) of the game medium is enabled until a predetermined time elapses. After the process of stopping the drive source of the discharge device, the information on the game value reflecting the game medium detection result of the detection means until the predetermined time elapses, as the specific storage information to be protected, May be transferred.

According to this, when a power failure occurs, the driving source of the discharging device is first stopped, and the detecting means of the game medium is enabled until a predetermined time elapses. Therefore, for example, the detecting means is disabled first. It is possible to avoid a situation in which the number of game media discharged cannot be detected before the drive source of the discharge device is stopped due to the (power-off state). Moreover, the specific storage information transfer unit uses the information on the game value reflecting the game medium detection result of the detection unit until the predetermined time elapses after the stop processing of the driving source of the ejection device as the specific storage information to be protected. Since the data is transferred to the power failure storage means, after the power failure is restored, the discharge control device discharges the prize balls and the like based on accurate information before the power failure occurred (for example, information on the number of prize balls immediately before the power failure). Can be resumed, the fairness can be maintained, and the reliability of the gaming machine can be improved.

More specifically, the drive source of the discharge device is a game medium to which a game value to which a game value is to be given based on a detection signal from a winning detection means of the game board, which flows down the flow path. Is a driving device (second discharge solenoid 234) for driving a flow path switching means (flow path switching valve 602) for distributing a flow path through which the game medium passes and a flow path through which the other game media pass. The detection means (first discharge sensor) is more effective when it is constituted by a sensor that detects the passage of the game medium to which the game value to be given is given.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko game machine will be described below with reference to the drawings.

An embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a back mechanism of a pachinko gaming machine. In FIG. 1, a gaming machine 1 is a so-called CR machine, and a card-type ball lending machine (hereinafter simply referred to as a ball lending machine) 2 is provided on the right side of the gaming machine 1 in the figure.

In FIG. 1, the back mechanism of the pachinko gaming machine 1 includes a storage tank (upper tank) 101 and a taxiway 10.
2. Terminal board (external terminal board) 103 which receives supply of power supply voltage from outside the machine, odd-end sensor unit 104 for detecting the presence or absence of a ball in guiding path 102, prize ball discharge unit 105, game control device Ba1, discharge control Device Ba2
Power supply device (power supply unit) Ba3, launch control device B
a4, a decoration control device Bb1, a display control device Bb2, a sound control device Bb3, a firing unit 109, a card unit connection board 110, a frame 112 of a back mechanism board (back mechanism base), and the like.

In this embodiment, the display control device Bb
2 is provided on the back side of the variable display device attached to the game board (not shown in FIG. 1), and the decoration control device Bb is provided thereon.
1 are provided in an overlapping manner.

The frame body 112 is formed from an integrally molded product made of synthetic resin, and is attached to a metal frame 121 fixed to the back side of the front frame of the gaming machine 1. Then, on the frame 112, a game control device Ba1, a discharge control device B
a2, power supply device (power supply unit) Ba3, launch control device Ba4, storage tank 101, guideway 102, terminal board 103, odd sensor unit 104, discharge unit 105, launch unit 109, card unit connection board 110, etc., are one-touch. And a so-called back mechanism board M.

The metal frame 121 has a rectangular shape, and has a game board storage section 122 for removably storing and fixing the game board. A plurality of game board fixing devices (not shown) are arranged in the game board storage section 122, and the game boards are fixed by the plurality of game board fixing devices.

The storage tank 101 stores balls before being discharged in advance, and a shortage of the number of balls in the storage tank 101 is detected by a replenishment sensor (not shown). Is replenished. Storage tank 101
The ball inside is guided by the guiding path 102 and the discharging unit 1
05 discharged.

The discharge unit 105 discharges a required number of game balls guided from the storage tank 101 to the player based on a predetermined ball discharge command signal (signal from the discharge control device Ba2). (Including prize ball discharge and ball lending discharge), and constitutes a discharge device provided with a ball discharge mechanism. Note that the discharge unit 105 has two ball discharge passages (not shown), and serves as both discharge for award balls and discharge for lending a ball. Also, the prize ball discharge corresponds to supplying the game value generated in the game to the player.

It is determined whether or not there is a ball for prize ball discharge and ball leasing discharge in the taxiway 102 by the odd sensor unit 10.
4 respectively. Terminal board 103
The relay relays the input of AC power and the transmission and reception of signals to and from a hall computer (management device: not shown) of a game arcade, and is divided into a relay section and a connector section (for connection to the hall computer). Has been
Both are connected by a cable.

Here, the game control board Ba1 performs various controls necessary for the accessory game executed on the game board. A connection terminal group C1 for inputting and outputting data and signals is formed in the game control device Ba1.

The discharge control device Ba2 is a game control device Ba.
Based on the prize ball data (prize ball number information) transmitted from 1,
Based on the detection signal from the discharge sensor, control is performed to control the energization of the discharge solenoid to discharge a predetermined number of game balls. The discharge control device Ba2 is a ball rental machine 2 (so-called C
(R sand unit)
Performs control associated with ball lending. That is, the BRDY signal (see FIG. 2) indicating the completion of ball lending preparation is received from the ball lending machine 2 by the discharge control device Ba2 of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and the PRDY signal (FIG. 2) indicating the completion of preparation of the pachinko gaming machine 1 Ball rental machine 2)
The reception on the side enables ball lending control including the ball lending machine 2. Also, from the ball rental machine 2 to the emission control device Ba2
A BRQ signal (see FIG. 2) requesting that the ball be lent is sent to the ballast, the discharge controller Ba2 discharges the ball on the basis of the reception of the signal, and EXS based on the completion of the ball loan discharge.
By transmitting a signal (see FIG. 2) to the ball lending machine 2, a series of ball lending control becomes possible.

The power supply (power supply unit) Ba3 is
Game control board Ba1, discharge control device Ba2, launch control device Ba4, decoration control device Bb1, display control device Bb2,
The power is supplied to each control device of the voice control device Bb3.

Here, the details of the power supply system will be described with reference to the block diagram showing the power supply system of FIG.

In FIG. 2, the pachinko gaming machine 1 is supplied with 24 VAC power from the outside.
AC24V as an external power supply is indirectly distributed to a power supply device (power supply unit) Ba3 via a terminal board (not shown) 103.

The power supply Ba3 converts AC 24V into DC, generates various DC voltages and supplies them to each control device. Specifically, the DC for solenoid drive
30V, 24V DC for driving lamps, and 12V DC for driving a sensor and a backlight are generated as driving power sources, and 12V DC is generated as a control device power source for operating each control device.

Then, DC30V and DC12V are applied to the emission control device Ba4, DC24V and DC12V are applied to the discharge control device Ba2, DC32V, DC24V and D
C12V to the game control device Ba1, DC12V to the sound control device Bb3, DC30V, DC24V and DC12V.
V is supplied to the decoration control device Bb1, and DC12V is supplied to the display control device Bb2. Therefore, the game control device Ba1 and the discharge control device Ba2 are provided with a power supply device B separately configured as a power supply for use in these devices.
a3, and the power supply Ba3 is supplied with electric power (AC24) from outside the pachinko gaming machine 1.
V), the required voltage is generated and supplied to the emission control device Ba2.

The power supply unit Ba3 includes a power failure detection means (circuit) 300 and a power failure detection signal transmission means (circuit) 301 as shown in FIG.

The power failure detection circuit 300 monitors AC 24 V supplied from outside the gaming machine 1 and
When a power failure is detected or a sudden drop in voltage is detected, it is determined that a power failure has occurred, and a power failure detection signal S is generated.

That is, as shown in the graph of FIG.
When the power supply voltage of 4V drops rapidly, it is determined that a power failure has occurred at that point. In the case of AC24V, DC voltages of DC30, DC24V, DC12V, and DC5V are sequentially generated by a rectifying circuit, a smoothing circuit, and a transformer circuit provided in the power supply unit Ba3. As shown schematically in the graph of FIG. Until the lowermost DC5V finally becomes lower than the allowable voltage and the function of each control device does not function normally (illustrated as an allowable limit in FIG. 3). A time lag (T) occurs. This time lag varies depending on the configuration of the rectifier circuit, the smoothing circuit, and the transformer circuit. According to experiments performed by the inventors, a time lag (T) of about 10 seconds or more from the occurrence of a power failure occurs.
Has been confirmed to be obtained. Therefore, during the time lag (T), that is, before each control device completely impairs the processing function, the following processing can be performed.

During the time lag (T), the power failure detection signal transmission circuit 301 transmits the power failure detection signal S generated by the power failure detection circuit 300 when the occurrence of the power failure is detected as described above to each control device ( It is transmitted to the game control board Ba1, the discharge control device Ba2, the launch control device Ba4, the decoration control device Bb1, the display control device Bb2, and the voice control device Bb3).

Each control device that has received the power failure detection signal S
During the time lag (T), the storage information of the volatile storage means (RAM) included in each control device is separated into specific storage information to be protected during a power failure and other storage information that does not need to be protected. In addition, only the specific storage information to be protected is provided outside the control device and is used as a storage unit for power failure (for backup R)
AM).

Therefore, for example, information relating to the game value stored in the game control device Ba1 or the discharge control device Ba2 as specific storage information (for example, information on the number of award balls).
Is transferred to the backup RAM so that even if the power is cut off due to a power failure (to be exact, after the time lag (T) elapses from the time of the power failure), such information can be protected. Since the game can be restarted based on the information on the number of prize balls before the power failure occurs, it is possible to prevent unexpected disadvantages to the player due to the power failure beforehand, and the communication between the game store and the player can be prevented. Trouble occurrence can be avoided.

Here, prior to describing the details of the processing procedure at the time of the occurrence of a power failure using the discharge control device Ba2 as an example, the overall control system of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system of the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 400 denotes a backup RAM serving as a storage unit at the time of a power failure, and a backup power supply unit (for example, composed of a capacitor and an emergency backup battery) disposed in the power supply unit.
212 allows a predetermined time (for example,
The stored information is protected for several tens minutes to a maximum of several hours. The capacitor constituting the backup power supply means 212 is provided on the substrate of the power supply unit Ba3.
Alternatively, the power supply unit Ba3 is provided as a separate unit and
Is supplied with DC5V and charged.

The game control device Ba1 comprises a game arithmetic processing device (game microcomputer) 160 composed of a one-chip microcomputer such as a MOS IC for controlling an accessory required for a pachinko game or the like, and a frequency dividing operation of a crystal oscillation frequency. A clock generation circuit (CLK) 161 for obtaining a predetermined clock
Input interface 16 for receiving various sensor signals
2 and an output interface 163. The gaming microcomputer 160 has a CPU 160
a, ROM 160b, and RAM 160c.
It is manufactured as a so-called amuse chip IC.

When the CPU 160a of the gaming microcomputer 160 receives the power failure signal S transmitted from the power failure detection signal transmission circuit 301 of the power supply unit Ba3, it protects the data stored in the RAM 160c at the time of power failure. The storage information separation unit separates the specific data to be protected from the data that does not need to be protected, and functions as a specific storage information transfer unit that transfers the separated specific data to the backup RAM 400.

The input interface 162 includes a continuation sensor (switch) 171 for detecting a so-called continuous prize (V prize) ball among the balls that have entered the variable prize winning device. Special figure start sensor 172 for detecting a prize in the winning prize, a count sensor 173 for detecting all balls entering the variable prize device, a general figure start gate sensor 174 for detecting that a ball has passed a general figure start gate. Signals from the winning sensors 175a to 175c for detecting a ball winning the general winning opening of the game board are input. When there are n general winning ports on the gaming board, n winning sensors are arranged.

From the output interface 163, the display control device 116, the decoration control device 117, the sound control device 11
3, the launch control device 115, the normal symbol display device 52, the normal variable winning device (that is, the normal electric accessory of the starting winning opening).
Prize opening solenoid 1 that drives the opening and closing of the large winning opening, which is a variable winning device,
A signal is output to 82.

The discharge control unit Ba2 is provided with a central processing unit (C
PU) 201, ROM (read only memory) 202
And a RAM 203 as a volatile storage means, a clock generation circuit (CLK) 204 for obtaining a predetermined clock, an input interface 205, and an output interface 20.
6, a logic power supply circuit 207, a power failure detection circuit 208, and a diode 209 for preventing backflow. The elements are connected by an address bus, a data bus, a power supply line, and the like.

The ROM 202 stores programs and the like necessary for discharge control, and the RAM 203 is a volatile memory for storing game-related information such as prize ball data and control-related information relating to discharge control.

The memory map of the RAM 203 includes, for example, discharge number data indicating the number of prize balls to be paid out, SOL operation information for instructing the operation and stop of the solenoid, discharge sensor information indicating on / off of the discharge sensor, and various operation timers. , An area for storing other work memory, an area for storing stack information, an award ball holding area (award ball number information storage area), and the like.

For game-related information such as prize ball data,
Specifically, for example, the RAM 203 has an award ball data memory area (award ball number information storage area) for storing award ball number information (for example, 7 award balls, 15 award balls). The prize ball number information transmitted from the device Ba1 is sequentially stored in the prize ball data memory area, and the discharge control device Ba3 performs a discharge process based on the stored prize ball number information.

In the prize ball holding area, for example, the prize ball number information transmitted from the game control device Ba1 is stored in a FIFO (Firs
t-In First Out) method, and as a parity check method, a checksum (total value of the number of prize balls information) and a checksum inverted value obtained by inverting a bit of the checksum are stored in the prize sphere memory. By collating the data strings, it is possible to detect whether the data has been sent correctly or whether there is any abnormality in the data.

The deletion of the information on the number of prize balls related to the discharge processing is executed, for example, when the discharge of the prize balls is completed or when the discharge of the prize balls is started. The process of sequentially storing the number-of-prize-ball information in the RAM 203 in the prize-ball data memory area is performed by the CPU 201.

Further, the CPU 201 performs necessary processing for discharging the game balls (including the prize ball discharge and the lending ball discharge), and performs the power failure detection signal transmission circuit 3 of the power supply unit Ba3.
01 when the power failure signal S transmitted from
With respect to the information stored in the AM 203, specific storage information to be protected in the event of a power failure (for example, information on the number of award balls)
Storage information separating means for separating the storage information into other storage information that does not need to be protected (for example, work data in a work memory area), and specific storage information transfer for transferring the separated specific storage information to the backup RAM 400. It serves as a means.

The input interface 205 of the ejection control device Ba3 includes a ball ejection sensor 221 for detecting a switching state of a ball ejection path for extracting game balls in the pachinko gaming machine 1 to the outside, and a first ejection sensor for award ball ejection. 222, a second discharge sensor 223 for lending a ball, an odd sensor unit 1
The odd sensor 224 in the award ball passage in 04 and the lower plate 3
Signals from an overflow sensor 225 for detecting a full state (excessive accumulation of spheres) and a reset switch (SW) 226 for clearing the contents of the RAM 203 are input.

Also, from the output interface 206, a 7-segment display 231; a ball-pulling solenoid 232 for switching a ball-pulling path through which game balls in the gaming machine 1 are pulled out; and a first discharge solenoid 233 for a discharge unit. , Second discharge solenoid 23 for switching valve unit
4 outputs a control signal.

The 7-segment display 231 is
7-segment type LE that displays the current storage number of the number of prize balls stored in the prize ball data memory area of No. 3
This is a D display, which displays how many pieces of prize ball number information, for example, "7" and "15". For example, the number of “7” prize balls is two, and the number of “15” prize balls is one. By displaying the current number of prize balls stored, it is possible to determine the number of undischarged prize balls and avoid troubles between the player and the game store. I have to.

The first discharge solenoid 233 and the second
The operation of the discharge unit 500 provided with the discharge solenoid 234 and the switching valve unit 600 is stopped by the CPU 201 in a power failure process described later. Here, the configurations of the discharge unit 500 and the switching valve unit 600 will be briefly described.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the discharge unit 500, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are sectional views showing a schematic configuration of the switching valve unit 600.

The discharge unit 500 includes the switching valve unit 6
The game ball B, which is provided on the upstream side of 00 and discharged from the discharge unit 500, flows into the switching valve unit 600 (see arrow A).

The discharge unit 500 includes a first discharge solenoid 233 in a predetermined housing 501, and a distal end of a plunger 233 a of the first discharge solenoid 233 is provided.
The swing member 502 is engaged. The swing member 502 is
When the plunger 233a is pulled into the first discharge solenoid 233 (corresponding to a state in which the first discharge solenoid 233 is turned on), the state shown by a chain line A is engaged, and the game ball B flowing down the downflow path 503 is locked. Without this, the game ball B is caused to flow into the switching valve unit 600 along the arrow A. Further, when the plunger 233a is extended (corresponding to the state where the first discharge solenoid 233 is turned off), the swinging member 502 becomes a state shown by a solid line B, and locks the game ball B flowing down the downflow path 503. Thus, the flow of the game ball B is stopped. Note that a detection sensor 504 for a game ball is provided in the middle of the flow path 503 so as to count the game balls B flowing down. The detection sensor 50
Numeral 4 detects both game balls for prize balls and game balls for rental balls.

On the other hand, in FIGS. 6 and 7, the switching valve unit 600 includes a second discharge solenoid 234 in a predetermined housing 601, and a flow path switching valve is provided at the tip of the plunger 234 a of the second discharge solenoid 234. 602 are engaged.

The flow path switching valve 602 includes a plunger 234a
Is extended to the second discharge solenoid 234 (corresponding to a state in which the second discharge solenoid 234 is turned off), as shown in FIG.
3 is configured to flow the game balls B flowing down to the prize ball flow path 605 side.

When the plunger 234a is retracted into the second discharge solenoid 234 (the second discharge solenoid 2
34 corresponds to the ON state).
And the game balls B flowing down the flow-down path 603 flow toward the ball-flow down flow path 604.

In the middle of the prize ball downflow path 605, the first
The discharge sensor 222 is provided with a second discharge sensor 223 in the middle of the ball drop flow path 604. Then, the first discharge sensor 222 counts the flowing game balls B as prize balls and the second discharge sensor 223 counts as ball rentals, and a detection signal is input to the CPU 201 or the like via the input interface 205. Has become. Note that the detection sensor 504, the first discharge sensor 222, and the second discharge sensor 223 are configured by a proximity sensor or the like.

The power supply unit Ba3 includes a power failure detection circuit 300 and a power failure detection signal transmission circuit 301. The power failure detection circuit 300 is provided with an AC24 supplied from outside the gaming machine 1.
V is monitored, and when the interruption of AC 24 V or a sharp decrease in voltage is detected, it is determined that a power failure has occurred, and a power failure detection signal S is generated. Power failure detection signal transmission circuit 301
Transmits the power failure detection signal S to the game control board Ba1 and the discharge control device Ba2. The power failure detection signal S can be transmitted to other control devices, but is omitted in this embodiment for simplicity.

Here, the processing procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8, taking the discharge control device Ba2 that has received the power failure detection signal S as an example.

FIG. 8 shows the CPU 20 of the discharge control device Ba2.
3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a power failure process executed by the power control unit 1;

In the power failure processing, first, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the power failure detection circuit 300 of the power supply unit Ba3 has detected a power failure and has received the power failure detection signal S transmitted by the power failure detection signal transmission circuit 301. In the case of, the same standby process is performed until the power failure detection signal S is detected,
In the case of YES, the process moves to step S2.

In step S2, the discharge unit 50
0 and the first discharge solenoid 233 and the second discharge solenoid 234 as the drive sources of the switching valve unit 600 are stopped, and the process proceeds to step S3. As a result, the flow of the game balls B is forcibly stopped, and it is possible to prevent the game balls from flowing down without being counted during the power failure. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the player's profit from being lost at the time of restarting the game after the restoration of the power failure, and to maintain fairness and improve the reliability of the gaming machine.

In step S3, it is determined whether or not one second has elapsed since the driving sources (the first discharge solenoid 233 and the second discharge solenoid 234) were stopped. In the case of NO, the same operation is performed until one second has elapsed. The process is performed, and in the case of YES, the process proceeds to step S4.

In step S4, the discharge sensors (the first discharge sensor 222 and the second discharge sensor 223 of the switching valve unit 600) are invalidated, and the process proceeds to step S5. Thereby, even after a power failure occurs, the game balls B flowing down through the discharge unit 500 and the switching valve unit 600 can be reliably detected, and the prize ball number data, the lending ball number data, and the like can be updated.

As described above, when a power failure occurs, first, the drive source of the discharge device is stopped (step S2), and the discharge sensor is enabled until a predetermined time (1 second in this embodiment) elapses. , For example, the ejection sensor is disabled first,
It is possible to reliably avoid a situation in which the discharged game balls cannot be detected until the driving source of the discharge device stops.

In step S5, the storage information stored in the ordinary RAM 203 in the discharge control device Ba2 is replaced with specific storage information (for example, information on the number of prize balls) to be protected in the event of a power failure.
And the storage information that does not need to be protected (for example, data in the work area), and then proceeds to step S, where the specific storage information to be protected that has been separated in step S5 is backed up outside the discharge control device Ba3. The data is transferred to the RAM 400, and the process ends.

As a result, the CPU 201 of the discharge control device Ba3 as the specific storage information transfer means performs the game of the discharge sensor until the predetermined time elapses (step S3) after the process of stopping the driving source of the discharge device (step S2). Information about the game value reflecting the ball detection result (prize ball number information, etc.)
The specific storage information to be protected can be transferred to the backup RAM 400 as a storage unit for power failure. Therefore, even if the power is cut off due to a power failure, the specific storage information can be protected, and the emission control device B
In a3, after the restoration of the power failure, the discharge of the prize balls and the like can be restarted based on accurate information before the occurrence of the power failure (for example, information on the number of prize balls immediately before the power failure). Can be prevented beforehand,
Trouble between the game store and the player can be avoided.

On the other hand, returning to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 described above,
The logic power supply circuit 207 is supplied with DC12V from a power supply unit Ba3 as a power supply device. The logic power supply circuit 207 converts DC12V to DC5V and is necessary for the operation of each element such as the CPU 201, ROM 202, RAM 203 and the like. Supply power. Note that RAM2
03 from the logic power supply circuit 207 via a diode 209 functioning as a means for preventing a backflow of current.
C5V is supplied.

The firing control device Ba4 is attached to the frame 112 and controls various electric components (for example, an electric drive source of the firing unit 109) necessary for firing the ball. Is housed inside. The launch control device Ba4 controls the launch unit 109 (the launch device) in accordance with the amount of rotation of the launch operation knob, and performs control to launch game balls with strength in accordance with the amount of rotation.

The decoration control device Bb1 is provided on the back side of a display control device Bb2 described later. The decoration control device Bb1 controls the operation (lighting or extinguishing) of the decoration lamps disposed on the front face of the gaming machine 1 or the like.
The decoration control device Bb1 controls light emission of side lamps and the like based on the decoration data transmitted from the game control device Ba1, and supplies power to these light-emitting decoration members.

The display control device Bb2 is attached to the back side of the game board (in this embodiment, the back side of the special symbol display device) (note that the decoration control device Bb1 overlaps the display control device Bb2). The display control device Bb2 itself does not appear in FIG. The display control device Bb2 includes a game control device Ba1.
The center item is controlled in accordance with a command output from the center item, and a predetermined image is displayed on a display unit (for example, a display unit of a special symbol display device) in front of the center item.

The display control device Bb2 is a game control device Ba
Based on the display data transmitted from 1, the image display of the special symbol display device is controlled, and power is supplied to the special symbol display device.

The sound controller Bb3 is mounted on the back side of the game board. This sound control device Bb3
The speaker is disposed in a predetermined transparent case 12 for appropriately outputting various sound effects according to a game state from a speaker disposed on the front surface of the camera. Note that the sound control device Bb3 is connected to the game control device Ba1 via a cable so that a signal indicating a game state is transmitted and received. The sound control device Bb3 controls the sound effect such as generating a sound effect based on the sound data transmitted from the game control device Ba1.

The firing unit 109 is a mechanism for firing a ball in response to the operation of a firing operation knob provided at the lower front of the gaming machine 1. Card unit connection board 110
Is for connecting a cable (not shown) extending from the ball rental machine 2 to the gaming machine 1 and includes a mounting member (for example, a female connector) for receiving a connector provided at an end of the cable. I have.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
When the occurrence of a power failure is detected by the power failure detection circuit 300 in the power supply unit Ba3, information on the game value stored in the RAM 203 as volatile storage means provided in the emission control device (for example, information on the number of award balls, etc.) ) Can be transferred and backed up to the backup RAM 400 as storage means for power outage as specific storage information to be protected. Therefore, the discharge control device Ba3 can restart the discharge of the prize balls and the like based on the information on the game value before the power failure occurs (for example, the information on the number of prize balls, etc.) after the restoration of the power failure. It is possible to prevent the game profit to be received from being impaired beforehand, and it is possible to reliably avoid the trouble between the game store and the player.

In this embodiment, the processing at the time of a power failure has been described by taking the discharge control device Ba3 as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the other control devices (the game control device Ba1, the launch control device Ba4, decoration control device Bb1,
The display control device Bb2 and the voice control device Bb3) can also perform the same processing at the time of power failure.

That is, based on the power failure detection signal S transmitted from the power failure detection signal transmission means 301 in the power supply unit Ba3 to each control device, various types of data stored in the volatile storage means (RAM) in each control device are stored. The data may be separated into specific storage information to be protected in the event of a power failure and other storage information that does not need to be protected, and only the separated specific storage information may be transferred to the backup RAM 400. According to this, similar to the case of the discharge control device Ba2, specific storage information can be protected even during a power failure, so that when the power failure is restored, the game can be restarted based on the storage information before the power failure. Becomes

In this embodiment, the backup R
The case where the AM 400 is constituted by a RAM separate from the RAM 203 of the discharge control device Ba2 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, one package (for example, a dual in-line package type) is used. ) 700, two memory cells 701a, 7
01b are connected to external output pins 702, 702,... And sealed so that various data can be input / output.
It is also possible to use a configuration in which only the memory cell 701b can be backed up. In this case, for example, the memory cell 701a can be used for normal data storage, and when power failure occurs, only specific storage information in the memory cell 701a can be transferred to the memory cell 701b for protection. In this case, the backup of the memory cell 701b may be performed by supplying backup power from the capacitor 212 in the power supply unit Ba3, for example.

The storage area of the RAM as one storage element is divided into a normally used area and a backup area, and when a power failure occurs, only specific storage information in the normally used area is transferred to the backup area. It is also conceivable to protect them. In this case, backup of the backup area may be performed by supplying backup power from the capacitor 212 in the power supply unit Ba3, for example.

Note that the gaming machines applied in the present embodiment include pachinko gaming machines of the first type (so-called seven machine type), the second type (so-called feather type), and the third type (so-called right type). The present invention is not limited to this, and may be a ball and ball game machine other than a pachinko game machine such as an arrangement ball game machine.

[0092]

According to the present invention, a plurality of control devices for controlling a game related to a game played on a game board, and a predetermined power supply voltage generated from a rated voltage supplied from the outside of the game machine to control each of the above control devices In a gaming machine including at least a power supply device for supplying the power supply device, the power supply device is a power failure detection means capable of detecting the interruption of the rated voltage, and a power failure detection signal generated by the power failure detection means to each of the control devices In addition to at least a transmission means capable of transmitting, the gaming machine receives the supply of backup power from a predetermined backup means at the time of a power outage, separately from the volatile storage means for storing various information provided in each of the control devices, and specifies the gaming machine. The control device stores the information in the volatile storage device based on the reception of the power failure detection signal. The stored information, the specific storage information to be protected, storage information separation means for separating the other storage information that does not need to be protected, the specific storage information separated by the storage information separation means, Before the supply of the power supply voltage from the power supply device is interrupted, a specific storage information transfer unit that transfers the data to the storage unit at the time of power failure is provided, so that when the occurrence of a power failure is detected by the power failure detection unit, Before the supply of the power supply voltage from the power supply device is stopped, the control devices are stored in the volatile storage units by the storage information classification unit based on the power failure detection signal generated by the power failure detection unit. The stored information is separated into specific stored information to be protected and other stored information that does not need to be protected, and only the specific stored information described above is subjected to power failure by specific stored information transfer means. It can be transferred to a power failure during storage means for protecting specific information stored in. Therefore, even if a power failure occurs, there is a slight time lag before the power supply voltage is completely cut off, so that specific storage information (for example, information on the number of prize balls) to be protected during that time can be reliably backed up. . Therefore,
After the power outage is restored, the game can be restarted based on the information on the number of prize balls before the power outage, so that it is possible to prevent unexpected disadvantages to the player due to the power outage,
Trouble between the game store and the player can be avoided.

[0093] One of the plurality of control devices is a discharge control device for controlling a game medium discharge device based on a game value to be given to a player generated in a game. Comprises at least volatile storage means for storing information related to the game value and other information, and information processing means for performing a predetermined process based on the information, and should be protected by the power failure storage means. The specific storage information is the game value (for example, information on the number of prize balls).
The storage information classification means and the specific storage information transfer means, when configured by the information processing means, in the event of a power failure, the volatile storage means provided in the emission control device The stored information relating to the game value can be transferred to the power outage storage means as specific storage information to be protected and backed up. Therefore, after the power outage is restored, the emission control device provides information on the game value before the power outage occurred (for example, information on the number of award balls).
Discharge of prize balls etc. can be resumed based on
It is possible to prevent a loss of game profit to be received by the player due to the power failure beforehand, and it is possible to reliably avoid the trouble between the game store and the player.

When the information processing means of the discharge control device receives the power failure detection signal generated by the power failure detection means, it performs a process of stopping the drive source of the discharge device, and a predetermined time elapses. Until the above, the detection means of the game medium is enabled, and the specific storage information transfer means reflects the game medium detection result of the detection means until the predetermined time elapses after the stop processing of the drive source of the ejection device. If the information related to the game value is transferred to the storage unit for power outage as the specific storage information to be protected, when a power outage occurs, first, the drive source of the discharge device is stopped,
Until the predetermined time elapses, the detection means of the game medium is valid, so that, for example, the detection means is first invalidated (that is, the power is turned off), and the discharge medium is discharged before the driving source of the discharge device stops. There is an effect that a situation in which the number of game media cannot be detected can be avoided. Moreover, the specific storage information transfer unit uses the information on the game value reflecting the game medium detection result of the detection unit until the predetermined time elapses after the stop processing of the driving source of the ejection device as the specific storage information to be protected. Since the data is transferred to the power failure storage means, after the power failure is restored, the discharge control device discharges the prize balls and the like based on accurate information before the power failure occurred (for example, information on the number of prize balls immediately before the power failure). Can be resumed, so that fairness can be maintained and the reliability of the gaming machine can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a power supply device of the pachinko gaming machine and a power supply system of each control device.

FIG. 3 is a graph schematically showing a voltage change state when a power failure occurs.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a control system of a pachinko gaming machine to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a discharge unit of a pachinko gaming machine to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a switching valve unit of a pachinko gaming machine to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a switching valve unit of a pachinko gaming machine to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a power failure process.

FIG. 9 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power outage storage unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine) 2 Card type ball rental machine (CR sand unit) Ba1 Game control device Ba2 Emission control device Ba3 Power supply device (power supply unit) Ba4 Launch control device Bb1 Decoration control device Bb2 Display control device Bb3 Voice control device M Back mechanism panel 52 Normal symbol display device 101 Storage tank (upper tank) 102 Taxiway 103 Terminal board (External terminal board) 104 Half sensor unit 105 Discharge unit 109 Launch unit 110 Card unit connection board 112 Frame body of back mechanism board 121 Metal frame 122 Game board storage unit 160 Game processing unit (game microcomputer) 160a CPU 160b ROM 160c RAM 171 Continuous sensor 172 Special figure start sensor 173 Count sensor 175a to 175c C 181 Ordinary electric accessory solenoid 182 Large winning opening solenoid 201 CPU 202 ROM 204 Clock generation circuit 205 Input interface 206 Output interface 207 Logic power supply circuit 209 Diode for preventing backflow 212 Capacitor (backup means) 221 Ball removal sensor 222 Prize First discharge sensor for ball discharge 223 Second discharge sensor for ball lending 224 Half-end sensor in award ball passage 225 Overflow sensor 231 7-segment display 232 Ball empty solenoid 233 First discharge solenoid for award ball discharge 234 ball Second discharge solenoid for lending 300 Power failure detection circuit (power failure detection means) 301 Power failure detection signal transmission circuit (power failure detection signal transmission means) S Power failure detection signal 400 Backup RAM (power failure storage means) 500 Ejection unit 501 Housing 502 Swinging member 503 Downflow path 504 Detection sensor 600 Switching valve unit 601 Housing 602 Flow path switching valve 603 Downflow path 604 Downflow path for ball lending 605 Downflow path for award ball 700 Package 701a, 701b Memory cell 702 External output pin

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 12/16 340 G06F 1/00 333A H02J 9/00 335C 341M

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of control devices for controlling a game related to a game performed in a game board, and a power supply device for generating a predetermined power supply voltage from a rated voltage supplied from outside the gaming machine and supplying the predetermined power supply voltage to each of the control devices And a power supply device, wherein the power supply device comprises: a power failure detection means capable of detecting the interruption of the rated voltage; and a transmission means capable of transmitting a power failure detection signal generated by the power failure detection means to each of the control devices. The gaming machine receives the supply of the backup power from the predetermined backup means at the time of a power failure separately from the volatile storage means for storing various information provided by each of the control devices, and stores the specific storage information. A power failure storage means for protection; wherein each of the control devices stores the data stored in the volatile storage means based on the reception of the power failure detection signal. A storage information classifying unit that classifies information into specific storage information to be protected and other storage information that does not need to be protected; and the power storage device, the specific storage information separated by the storage information classification unit. And a specific storage information transfer unit that transfers the information to the storage unit for power outage before the supply of the power supply voltage from the power supply is stopped. 2. One of the plurality of control devices is a discharge control device for controlling a discharge device of a game medium based on a game value to be given to a player generated in a game, and the discharge control device. Comprises at least volatile storage means for storing information relating to the game value and other information, and information processing means for performing a predetermined process based on the information, and should be protected by the power failure storage means. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the specific storage information is information relating to the game value, and the storage information classification unit and the specific storage information transfer unit are configured by the information processing unit. 3. The information processing means of the discharge control device,
When receiving a power failure detection signal generated by the power failure detection means, performs a process of stopping the drive source of the discharge device,
Until the predetermined time elapses, the game medium detection means is enabled. The specific storage information transfer means performs the game of the detection means until the predetermined time elapses after the stop processing of the drive source of the ejection device. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the information on the game value reflecting the medium detection result is transferred to the power outage storage means as the specific storage information to be protected. 4. The driving source of the discharging device is configured to cause a game medium flowing down along a flow-down path to flow through a game medium to which a game value to be given a game value is passed based on a detection signal from a winning detection means of a game board. A driving device for driving flow path switching means for distributing the path to a path and a flow path through which the other game medium passes, wherein the game medium detection means detects the passage of the game medium to which the game value is to be given. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the gaming machine is a sensor.