JP2001187221A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine facilitating the program development of a main control board by reducing the control burden of the main control board, and reducing program capacity and data capacity loaded on the main control board. SOLUTION: A display pattern, an effect sound pattern and a light emission pattern serving as a series of variable patterns for a variable display can be assigned at the same time by a variable pattern assignment command, so that there is no need to transmit a control command from a main control board C to each of control boards S, D, M and L at every point where the state of the variable display changes. Moreover, since the variable pattern assignment command is developed by a sub-control board S, the control burden of the main control board C can be reduced being dispersed to the sub-control board S. Program capacity and data capacity loaded on the main control board C can thereby be reduced to facilitate the program development of the main control board C.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine typified by a pachinko machine and the like, and more particularly to a gaming machine capable of reducing a control load on a main control board.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A main control board for controlling a game of a pachinko machine includes a display control board for performing display control such as a change display of symbols, a sound effect control board for controlling output of sound effects, and a plurality of lamps. And a lamp control board for controlling the lighting of the lamp. The control of each of these control boards is performed based on control commands individually transmitted from the main control board to each control board. The control commands are subdivided so that portions having the same variation pattern (display pattern, sound effect pattern, and light emission pattern) can be controlled by the same control command.

With reference to FIG. 21, a control command transmitted from the main control board to the display control board, that is, a control command for controlling only the display of the symbol change display will be described. In FIG. 21, the display device for performing the variable display of the symbols is composed of three rows of upper, middle, and lower rows, and the variable display is performed while scrolling horizontally from right to left for each of the three rows. .

First, the control command (1) starts to display a symbol in a variable manner for all three lines of the upper, middle and lower rows. Next, the replacement of the symbol is performed by the control command (2).
Is performed on the upper symbol, on the middle symbol by the control command (3), and on the lower symbol by the control command (4). The control command (5) decelerates the fluctuation display of all three lines that are changing at a high speed, and the control command (6) causes the display in the upper and lower rows to fluctuate back and forth repeatedly, and The change display at the middle stage is the medium speed change. Further, the control command (7) causes the middle-stage fluctuation display to change to low-speed fluctuation, and thereafter, the control command (8) stops the upper-stage fluctuation display, and the control command (9) stops the lower-stage fluctuation display. Then, the variable display in the middle stage is stopped by the control command (10). As a result, the variable display of all three lines is stopped, and a series of variable display ends.

[0005]

As described above, the control command for controlling the variable display is transmitted from the main control board to the display control board at each point where the state of the variable display changes. Most of the control is performed by the main control board. For this reason, the control load on the main control board is increased, which may interfere with other controls executed on the main control board, or may cause a program of the main control board having a limited capacity to control variable display. There is a problem that it is difficult to develop a program for the main control board by increasing the capacity and data capacity. In addition, the control commands transmitted from the main control board include, in addition to the command for the display control board, the control commands for the sound effect control board and the lamp control board. Is transmitted from the main control board at each point of change, the control load on the main control board is further increased, and it becomes more difficult to develop a program for the main control board.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and reduces the control load on the main control board and reduces the program capacity and data capacity mounted on the main control board to reduce the main control board. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of easily developing a program for a board.

[0007]

In order to achieve this object, a gaming machine according to claim 1 comprises a display device for displaying a design or the like, a sounding device for emitting a sound effect, and a light emitting device for turning on or off. A main control board for controlling a game, and a display control board for causing the display device to perform a symbol variation display based on a control command transmitted from the main control board,
A sound effect control board for emitting a sound effect from the sounding device based on a control command transmitted from the main control board, and turning on or off the light emitting device based on a control command transmitted from the main control board A control command transmitted from the main control board is a variation pattern designation command for designating a display pattern, a sound effect pattern, and a light emission pattern as a series of variation patterns in the variation display. And a sub-control board for controlling the display control board, the sound effect control board, and the light emitting device control board based on a fluctuation pattern designation command received from the main control board.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the variation pattern designation command transmitted from the main control board is received by the sub-control board, the variation pattern is designated as the variation pattern designated by the variation pattern designation command. The display control board, the sound effect control board, and the light emitting device control board are controlled based on the display pattern, the sound effect pattern, and the light emission pattern, respectively, and a series of variable display is performed.

[0009]

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a pachinko machine, which is a kind of a ball-and-ball game machine, is described as an example of a game machine, in particular, a first-type pachinko game machine.
Note that it is naturally possible to use the present invention for a third-type pachinko game machine and other game machines.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a game board of a pachinko machine P of this embodiment. Around the game board 1, a plurality of winning ports 2 from which 5 to 15 balls are paid out by hitting a hit ball, and a plurality of lamps 4a1 to 4a4, 6, 7a1 to 4 are provided.
7a4 are provided. In the center of the game board 1, there is provided a liquid crystal (LCD) display 3 as a special symbol display device for displaying a special symbol (hereinafter simply referred to as "symbol") as a plurality of types of identification information. .
The display screen of the LCD display 3 is divided into three parts in the horizontal direction, and in each of the three divided display areas, symbols are displayed while being scrolled from right to left in the horizontal direction.

[0011] Above the LCD display 3, "0-
A 7-segment LED 7 is provided as a normal symbol display device capable of displaying up to "9", and four LED lamps 7a1 to 7a4 are arranged on each side of the 7-segment LED 7 on each side. Also, on each side of the LCD display 3, there is usually provided one symbol operating gate 7b. When the hit ball passes through any of the ordinary symbol operating gates 7b, the variable display of the 7-segment LED 7 is started. When the variable display of the 7-segment LED 7 ends at “3” or “7”, the ordinary electric accessory 4 constituted by a so-called tulip disposed below the LCD display 3 is turned on for a predetermined time (about 0.3 to 1.. 3 seconds),
It is opened a predetermined number of times (1 to 3 times). In addition, the number of times the hit ball passes through the normal symbol actuation gate 7b can be held up to four, and the number of holdings is four LED lamps 7a1 to 7a1.
This is displayed by lighting 7a4.

A special symbol operating port (first type starting port) (not shown) is provided in the ordinary electric accessory 4, and a hit ball won in the ordinary electric accessory 4 is provided with the special symbol operating port. , The variable display on the LCD display 3 is started. A specific winning opening (large winning opening) 5 is provided below the ordinary electric accessory 4. This specific winning opening 5 is provided when the display result after the change of the LCD display 3 matches one of the predetermined symbol combinations.
A predetermined time (for example, until 30 seconds elapse, or when the hit ball
It is a winning opening that is opened (until the individual wins).

In the special winning opening 5, a V zone 5a is provided. If the hit ball passes through the V zone 5a while the specific winning opening 5 is open, the continuation right is established and the specific winning opening 5 is established.
After the closing of the special winning port 5 again for a predetermined time (or
Until a predetermined number of hit balls are won in the specific winning opening 5). The opening and closing operation of the specific winning opening 5 is performed up to 16 times (1
(6 rounds) A state in which the opening / closing operation can be performed so that the opening / closing operation can be performed is a state in which a predetermined game value is provided (special game state). In addition, the number of times the hit ball passes through the special symbol operation port can be held up to four, and the number of holdings is turned on by four lamps 4a1 to 4a4 which are arranged two on each side of the LCD display 3 vertically. It is displayed by doing.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine P. The pachinko machine P mainly includes a main control board C for controlling the progress of the game, a display control board D for controlling the display on the LCD display 3, and a speaker 5.
Sound effect control board M that controls the output of sound effects using
And a plurality of lamps 4a1 to 4a4, 6, 7a1 to 7a4
And a variable control of the 7-segment LED 7 based on a control command transmitted from the main control board C connected to the main control board C and a lamp control board L for controlling the turning on and off of the LED. Display control board D,
The sub-control board S controls the control boards D, M, and L by transmitting the display command 35, the sound effect command 36, and the lamp command 37 to the sound effect control board M and the lamp control board L, respectively. I have.

The main control board C includes an MPU as an arithmetic unit.
11, a ROM 12 storing various control programs executed by the MPU 11 and fixed value data, and a memory RA for temporarily storing various data and the like.
M13 is mounted. 12 and 13 are stored in the ROM 12 as a part of the control program.

The RAM 13 has a transmission buffer 13a and a command counter 13b. Transmission buffer 1
Reference numeral 3a denotes a buffer for storing a control command transmitted from the main control board C to the sub-control board S, for example, for controlling the variable display of the LCD display 3. Since the control command is composed of 2 bytes, the transmission buffer 13a is also composed of 2 bytes. The control command set (written) to the transmission buffer 13a is:
By the timer interrupt processing, the sub-control board S
Sent to

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state where the display screen of the LCD display 3 is divided into nine display areas. As described above, the variable display according to the present embodiment is performed while horizontally scrolling in the direction of arrow A in each of the three display areas 3a, 3b, and 3c divided into three in the horizontal direction.
The three display areas 3a, 3b,
3c is further divided vertically into three display areas 3a.
,..., 3c3, and the nine display areas 3a1,
.., 3c3, as shown in FIG. 3, nine symbol numbers 32a of “Symbol 1 to Symbol 9” respectively displayed.
Is attached.

The command counter 13b shown in FIG. 2 is a stop symbol designation command 32 which is a kind of control command.
(See FIG. 5) is a counter for indicating the display areas 3a1-3c3 of the LCD display 3 designated by "1.
"1" is updated in the range of "10". If the value of the command counter 13b is in the range of “1 to 9”, the symbol number 32 corresponding to the value of the command counter 13b
The display areas 3a1-3c3 of a (see FIG. 5) are designated. When the value of the command counter 13b is "10", no display area is specified.

As shown in FIG. 2, these MPUs 11 and R
The OM 12 and the RAM 13 are connected to each other via a bus line 14, and the bus line 14 is also connected to an input / output port 15. The input / output port 15 is connected to the sub-control board S, the lamp control board L, and other
6 is connected. Main control board C has input / output port 1
5, various commands are sent to the sub-control board S, the lamp control board L, and the other input / output devices 16 to control these devices.

The main control board C is connected to the lamp control board L
, A part of the lamp command 37 (see FIG. 11) is directly transmitted without passing through the sub-control board S. In particular,
A lamp command 37 of "10H to 14H" for turning on or off the lamps 4a1 to 4a4 for displaying the number of reserved balls of the special symbol operation port provided in the ordinary electric accessory 4, and a normal symbol operation gate 7b The lamp commands 37 of "20H to 24H" for turning on or off the LED lamps 7a1 to 7a4 indicating the number of reserved balls are transmitted directly from the main control board C to the lamp control board L, respectively.

The connection between the main control board C and the sub-control board S and the lamp control board L is made by two buffers (inverter gates) 17, 26, fixed in input and output, respectively.
18, 67. Therefore, transmission and reception of control commands and the like between the main control board C and the sub control board S and the lamp control board L are performed only in one direction from the main control board C to the sub control board S and the lamp control board L. , A control command or the like cannot be transmitted from the sub control board S or the lamp control board L to the main control board C.

The sub-control board S controls the variable display of the 7-segment LED 7 as a normal symbol display device on the basis of the control command received from the main control board C, and converts the received control command into a plurality of display commands. 35
(See FIGS. 8 and 9) and the sound effect command 36 (see FIG. 10).
) And a lamp command 37 (see FIG. 11), which are transmitted to the display control board D, the sound effect control board M, and the lamp control board L to control the control boards D, M, and L, respectively. Control board. As in the present embodiment, the control of the 7-segment LED 7 with a relatively small control load is performed by the sub-control board S, so that the main control board C
And the control load on the other control boards D, M, and L can be reduced.

In addition to the buffer (inverter gate) 26, the sub-control board S includes an arithmetic unit M
A PU 21 and a ROM 22 storing various control programs executed by the MPU 21 and fixed value data;
A RAM 23 which is a memory for temporarily storing various data and the like is mounted. 14 and 15 are stored in the ROM 22 as a part of the control program. Also, RAM
23, a reception buffer 23a, a command reception flag 23b, and nine stop symbols 1 to 9 memories 23c to 23k.
, A display command transmission buffer 231, a sound effect command transmission buffer 23 m, and a lamp command transmission buffer 23 n.

The receiving buffer 23a is a buffer for receiving a control command transmitted from the main control board C. Since the control command is composed of 2 bytes, the reception buffer 23a is also composed of 2 bytes.
The command reception flag 23b is a flag that is turned on when a new control command is stored in the reception buffer 23a. When the command reception flag 23b is turned on, the control command stored in the reception buffer 23a is read. The read control commands include a display command 35, a sound effect command 36, and a lamp command 37.
And transmitted from the sub-control board S to the control boards for display, the sound effect control board M, and the lamp control board L. And each control board D, M,
The control corresponding to each of the commands 35 to 37 is performed by L. That is, by each control board D, M, L,
Control such as variable display of the LCD display 3 is performed. The command reception flag 23b once turned on is turned off when the control command is read from the reception buffer 23a.

Stop symbols 1 to 9 The memories 23c to 23k are:
Stop designating command 32 which is a kind of control command
The symbol code 32b of the stop symbol transmitted by
And a memory for storing the above-mentioned LCD.
The nine display areas 3a1-3c3 of the display 3 (FIG.
9), a total of nine stop symbols 1
To 23 memories 23c to 23k are provided. The details of the stop symbols 1 to 9 memories 23c to 23k will be described later.

The display command transmission buffer 231 is a buffer for storing a display command 35 transmitted from the sub-control board S to the display control board D. Since the display command 35 is composed of 2 bytes, the display command transmission buffer 231 is also composed of 2 bytes. Display command 3 written to display command transmission buffer 23l
5 is transmitted to the display control board D one byte at a time by the timer interrupt processing of the sub control board S. The details of the display command 35 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

The sound effect command transmission buffer 23m is a buffer for storing the sound effect command 36 transmitted from the sub control board S to the sound effect control board M. Since the sound effect command 36 is composed of one byte, the sound effect command transmission buffer 23m is also composed of one byte.
The sound effect command 36 written in the sound effect command transmission buffer 23m is transmitted to the sound effect control board M by a timer interrupt processing of the sub-control board S different from the timer interrupt processing of transmitting the display command 35. . The details of the sound effect command 36 will be described later with reference to FIG.

The ramp command transmission buffer 23n is a buffer for storing a ramp command 37 transmitted from the sub control board S to the lamp control board L. Since the ramp command 37 is composed of one byte, the ramp command transmission buffer 23n is also composed of one byte.
The lamp command 37 written in the lamp command transmission buffer 23n is transmitted to the lamp control board L by the timer interruption processing of the sub-control board S different from the timer interruption processing of transmitting the display command 35 and the sound effect command 36. Is done. The details of the ramp command 37 will be described later with reference to FIG.

MPU 21 of sub control board S, ROM 2
2. The RAM 23 is connected to each other via a bus line 24. The bus line 24
5 is also connected. The input / output port 25 is connected to the main control board C via the above-described inverter gate 26, and also connected to the 7-segment LED 7, the display control board D, the sound effect control board M, and the lamp control board L, respectively. I have.

The display control board D is a control board for controlling the variable display of the LCD display 3 as a special symbol display device. The display control board D is an MPU4
1, a ROM 42, a work RAM 43, a video RA
An M45, a character ROM 46, an image controller 47, an input port 48, and an output port 49 are provided. The input of the input port 48 is connected to the output of the sub-control board S, and the output of the input port 48 is
1, a ROM 42, a work RAM 43, and a bus line 44 for connecting an image controller 47. The image controller 47 is also connected to an input of an output port 49, and an output of the output port 49 is an LCD.
The display 3 is connected.

The MPU 41 of the display control board D controls the L based on the display command 35 transmitted from the sub-control board S.
The ROM 42 is for controlling (variable) display of the CD display 3, and the ROM 42 is a memory for storing various control programs executed by the MPU 41 and fixed value data. The program of the flowchart shown in FIG. 16 is stored in the ROM 42 as a part of the control program. The work RAM 43 is a memory for storing work data and flags used when the MPU 41 executes various programs.

The video RAM 45 is a memory for storing display data displayed on the LCD display 3. By rewriting the contents of the video RAM 45, the display contents of the LCD display 3 are changed. That is, the change display of the symbols in the display areas 3a1-3c3 is performed by rewriting the contents of the video RAM 45. The character ROM 46 is a memory for storing character data such as symbols displayed on the LCD display 3. The image controller 47 uses M
The respective timings of the PU 41, the video RAM 45, and the output port 49 are adjusted to intervene reading and writing of data, and the display data stored in the video RAM 45 is displayed on the LCD display 3 at a predetermined timing while referring to the character ROM 46. Things.

The sound effect control board M is a control board for performing control for outputting a sound effect from the speaker 57 in accordance with the fluctuation display of the LCD display 3 or the like. The sound effect control board M includes an MPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 5
3, an input port 55, and an output port 56. The output of the sub-control board S is connected to the input of the input port 55, and the output of the input port 55 is the MPU 51,
It is connected to a bus line 54 connecting the ROM 52 and the RAM 53. The bus line 54 is also connected to the output port 5
6 is also connected to the output of the output port 56, and a speaker 57 is connected to the output of the output port 56.

The MPU 51 of the sound effect control board M is for controlling the sound effect output of the speaker 57 based on the sound effect command 36 transmitted from the sub control board S, and the ROM 52 is executed by the MPU 51. It is a memory for storing various control programs and fixed value data. The program of the flowchart shown in FIG. 17 is stored in the ROM 52 as a part of the control program. The RAM 53 is a memory for storing work data and flags used when the MPU 51 executes various programs.

The lamp control board L includes a plurality of lamps 4a1 to 4a4 in accordance with a variable display on the LCD display 3.
a4, 6, 7a1 to 7a4 are control boards for controlling to turn on or off. This lamp control board L
In addition to the inverter gate 67 described above, an MPU 61,
A ROM 62, a RAM 63, an input port 65, and an output port 66 are provided. The output of the main control board C and the output of the sub control board S are connected to the input of the input port 65, and the output of the input port 65 is MPU61, ROM
62, which are connected to a bus line 64 connecting the RAM 63. The bus line 64 is also connected to an input of an output port 66, and the output of the output port 66 includes a plurality of lamps 4a1 to 4a4, 6, 7a1 to 7a4.
Are connected respectively.

The MPU 51 of the lamp control board L, based on the lamp command 37 transmitted from the main control board C and the sub control board S, controls the plurality of lamps 4a1-4a4,
The ROM 62 is a memory for storing various control programs executed by the MPU 61 and fixed value data. The program of the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is stored in the ROM 62 as a part of the control program. The RAM 63 is a memory for storing work data and flags used when the MPU 61 executes various programs.

Next, a control command transmitted from the main control board C to the sub-control board S for controlling the variable display of the LCD display 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. The control commands used for the variation display on the LCD display 3 include a variation pattern designation command 31 shown in FIG. 4, a stop symbol designation command 32 shown in FIG. 5, and a symbol stop command 33 shown in FIG.
Since the control command is composed of two bytes, the most significant bit is set in the first byte command code and the second byte command code is set in order to distinguish the first byte from the second byte command code. The most significant bit has been reset. Note that the control command is
There are some controls other than the variable display on the display 3, but in the present embodiment, those control commands are not particularly shown.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a command code of the variation pattern designation command 31 and the contents of the command. The fluctuation pattern designation command 31 is a command for starting the fluctuation display and specifying a display pattern, a sound effect pattern, and a light emission pattern (lamp pattern) as a series of fluctuation patterns from the start to the end of the fluctuation display. . The first byte command code is “C0H”
Alternatively, “C1H” is provided, and a total of 56 types of variation patterns are prepared.

The control of the fluctuation display (including the sound effect control and the lamp control) specified by the fluctuation pattern specification command 31 is performed by the fluctuation pattern specification command 31.
Is performed by controlling the display control board D, the sound effect control board M, and the lamp control board L. Therefore, by changing the content of the control program of the sub-control board S, it is possible to change the content of the variation display including the sound effect and the lamp display for the variation pattern designation command 31 of the same code. That is, the content of the variable display can be changed only by changing the control program of the sub-control board S without changing the control program of the main control board C.

FIG. 5A shows a stop symbol designating command 32.
Is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between a command code of the first embodiment and a symbol number 32a designated by the command code.
As described above, the display areas 3a1 to 3c3 shown in FIG. 3 are associated with the respective symbol numbers 32a.
FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the correspondence between 20 types of symbol codes 32b and symbol names 32c.

The stop symbol designating command 32 is used when the variation display of the variation pattern designated by the variation pattern designating command 31 is completed.
This is a command for designating a symbol stopped and displayed in each of 1 to 3c3. The stop symbol designation command 32 is transmitted to the nine display areas 3 of the LCD display 3 after the variation pattern designation command 31 is transmitted and the variation display is started.
The main control board C is transmitted to the sub control board S for each of a1 to c3.

The stop symbol designating command 32 is composed of 2 bytes like the variation pattern designating command 31. In the first byte of the stop symbol designation command 32, a command code designating the display areas 3a1-3c3 of the symbols 1-9 is set. As shown in FIG. 5A, if the command code of the first byte of the stop symbol designating command 32 is “90H”, the display area 3a1 of the symbol 1 becomes “A0”.
H, the display area 3b1 of the symbol 2 is..., "B
If it is "2H", the display area 3c3 of the symbol 9 is specified. In the second byte of the stop symbol designation command 32, symbols 1 to 9 specified by the command code of the first byte
Are set in the display areas 3a1-3c3. That is, as shown in FIG. 5B, “10H” is displayed when the symbol to be stopped and displayed is “octopus”, and “11H” is displayed when the symbol is “harris bon”.
If “H” is..., “Shark (2)”, “23”
H "is set as the code of the second byte of the stop symbol designation command 32, respectively.

When the sub-control board S receives the stop symbol designation command 32, the variation display is finished with the symbol of the symbol code 32b designated by the stop symbol designation command 32 in consideration of the variation pattern being executed. Then, a display command 35 (see FIG. 8) for replacing the changing symbol is transmitted to the display control board D. The replacement of this design is
Since the variable display is performed only when the high-speed change is performed, the player does not notice that the symbol replacement has been performed.

As shown in FIG. 5 (b), different symbols are assigned to all symbols. In particular,
The symbol name 32c “Shark (1)” and “Shark (2)” are L
The same symbol is displayed on the CD display 3, but as shown in FIG. 5B, both symbols are provided with different symbol codes 32b of "13H" and "23H". Similarly, symbol names 32c "shellfish (1)" to "shellfish (1
0)) are displayed as exactly the same pattern on the LCD display 3, but as shown in FIG.
A different symbol code 32b of "22H" is given.

Here, referring to FIG. 6, virtual symbol reels 41 to 41 that perform variable display while scrolling in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3 in upper, middle, and lower display areas 3a to 3c of LCD display 3. The configuration of 43 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the virtual symbol reels 41 to 43 in the upper, middle, and lower stages.

FIG. 6A schematically shows the structure of the upper virtual symbol reel 41 that is variably displayed in the upper display area 3a of the LCD display 3. FIG. 6 (a)
As shown in the figure, 18 kinds of symbols are displayed on the virtual symbol reel 41 in the upper row, "shellfish (9)", "crab", "shellfish (8)",.
・ ・ 、 Arranged in the order of "octopus", the final "octopus"
After the pattern of, return to the first pattern, "Shell (9)",
Each pattern of "crab", "shell (8)", ... is arranged. The upper virtual symbol reels 41 are variably displayed in the upper display area 3a of the LCD display 3 in the order of arrangement of the symbols.

Similarly, FIG. 6C schematically shows the configuration of the lower virtual symbol reel 43 that is variably displayed in the lower display area 3c of the LCD display 3. As shown in FIG. 6 (c), the lower virtual symbol reel 43 has an arrangement completely opposite to the arrangement of the upper virtual symbol reel 41, and has 18 types of "octopus", "shell (1)", "Harisenbon", ..., "shellfish (9)" are arranged in this order. After the last "shellfish (9)" symbol, return to the first symbol and return to "octopus", "shellfish (1)", "harisembong", ...
・ ・ Each symbol is arranged. The lower virtual symbol reel 43
Are variably displayed in the lower display area 3c of the LCD display 3 in the order in which the symbols are arranged.

FIG. 6B schematically shows the configuration of the middle virtual symbol reel 42 that is variably displayed in the middle display area 3b of the LCD display 3. FIG. 6 (b)
As shown in the figure, the middle symbol reel 42 has “Shark (2)” at the end of the arrangement of the lower symbol symbol 43.
A total of 20 types of symbols including two types of "shellfish (10)" are sequentially arranged. As in the case of the upper and lower virtual symbol reels 41 and 43, the final shellfish (1
0) ”, then go back to the first one,
Each pattern of "shellfish (1)", "harris bomb", ... is arranged. The middle virtual symbol reel 42 is arranged in the middle display area 3b of the LCD display 3 in the arrangement order of the symbols.
Is displayed in a variable.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the command code of the symbol stop command 33 and the contents of the command. The symbol stop command 33 is a command for stopping and displaying (fixing) a symbol variably displayed in the display areas 3a1 to 3c3 of the designated symbol number 32a. Sub-control board S
Receives the symbol stop command 33, the display areas 3a1-3c3 designated by the symbol stop command 33
The display command 35 for stopping and displaying the stop symbol already designated by the stop symbol designation command 32
(Refer to FIG. 8).
Sent to In addition to the transmission of the display command 35, the sub-control board S specifies the sound effect command 36 for specifying the sound effect output when the symbol is stopped and the lamp 6 to be turned on or off when the symbol is stopped. Is transmitted to the sound effect control board M and the lamp control board L, respectively.

The display control board D is provided with the display command 3
When 5 is received, the variable display of the display areas 3a1-3c3 specified by the display command 35 is stopped and displayed with the specified symbol, and the symbols of the display areas 3a1-3c3 are determined. That is, the variable display of the display areas 3a1-3c3 designated by the symbol stop command 33 ends. At the same time, the speaker 57 of the sound effect control board M emits a sound effect indicating the stop of the symbol, and the lamp 6 of the lamp control board L is turned on or off according to the stop of the symbol. By the symbol stop command 33, all nine display areas 3
When the symbols a1 to c3 are determined, the variation display of the series of variation patterns (including the display pattern, the sound effect pattern, and the light emission pattern) started by the variation pattern designation command 31 ends.

The sub-control board S takes into consideration the contents of the variation pattern designation command 31 and the stop symbol designation command 32, and displays the display area 3a to which the symbol designated by the stop symbol designation command 32 at the end of the variation display.
As shown in 1 to 3c3, the display command 35 is transmitted in advance to the display control board D during the high-speed change of the variable display, and the display control board D is replaced with a symbol. In addition, the main control board C controls the symbol stop command 33 to be transmitted to the sub-control board S at the timing when the variation pattern of the variation display designated by the variation pattern designation command 31 ends. When the symbol stop command 33 is transmitted to the sub control board S, the display command 35, the sound effect command 36, and the lamp command 37 corresponding to the symbol stop command 33 are immediately sent from the sub control board S to the display control board D, It is transmitted to the sound effect control board M and the lamp control board L, respectively. Therefore, the symbol stop display (determination) by the symbol stop command 33 can be performed smoothly without giving the player an uncomfortable feeling.

As a result of the earlier transmission of the symbol stop command 33 from the main control board C, the sub-control board S remains in the symbol even though the variation pattern designated by the variation pattern designation command 31 has not yet ended. Stop command 3
When the sub-control board S receives the stop symbol designation command 32 even before the end of the variation pattern,
The respective commands 35 to 37 for stopping and displaying the stop symbol designated by are transmitted to the control boards D, M, L immediately. Therefore, even if the transmission timing of the symbol stop command 33 is advanced, in accordance with the transmission timing,
The display areas 3a1-3 specified by the symbol stop command 33
The symbol c3 can be stopped and displayed (determined).

The symbol stop command 33 includes nine types of commands for individually determining the symbols in the nine display areas 3a1 to 3c3, and one type of command for determining all the symbols in the nine display areas 3a1 to 3c3 at one time. , Upper, middle,
Three display areas 3a, 3b, 3c divided into three lower rows
There are three types of commands that individually determine the symbol of each row, and a total of 13 types of commands are prepared. Among them, a symbol stop command 33 (“80H, 0BH”, “80H, 0C”) for fixing three symbols at a time for each of the upper, middle, and lower rows serving as scroll units.
H "," 80H, 0DH "), the scroll of the virtual symbol reels 41 to 43 displayed on the display of the LCD display 3 can be controlled to be performed in the same manner as the scroll of the actual symbol reel, It is possible to further improve the interest of the player.

Next, the commands 35 to 37 transmitted from the sub-control board S to the control boards D, M, L will be described with reference to FIGS. The commands transmitted from the sub-control board S include a display command 35 for controlling the display control board D, a sound effect command 36 for controlling the sound effect control board M, and a lamp command 37 for controlling the lamp control board L. There is. When receiving the control command from the main control board C, the sub-control board S develops the control command into a plurality of display commands 35, sound effect commands 36, and lamp commands 37, and the developed commands 3
5 to 37 are transmitted to the control boards D, M, and L at timings corresponding to the respective commands.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing the command code of the display command 35 and the contents of the command. The display command 35 is a command for controlling the display control board D, and is transmitted from the sub control board S to the display control board D. Since the display command 35 is composed of two bytes, the command code in the first byte is set with the most significant bit and the command code in the second byte is set to distinguish the first byte from the second byte. The most significant bit has been reset.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the command code of the sound effect command 36, its command name, and the contents of the command. The sound effect command 36 is a sound effect control board M
Is transmitted from the sub control board S to the sound effect control board M. This sound effect command 3
6 is different from the display command 35 and consists of one byte.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the command code of the lamp command 37, its command name, and the contents of the command. The lamp command 37 is transmitted to the lamp control board L
Is transmitted from the main control board C and the sub control board S to the lamp control board L. Specifically, the lamp command 37 whose command code is “10H to 24H” is the lamp 4a1 for displaying the number of suspended display of the variable display of the LCD display 3 and the 7-segment LED7.
4a4, 7a1 to 7a4 are commands for controlling the turning on or off of the main control board C to the lamp control board L.
Sent to When the command code is “30H to AA”
The lamp command 37 of “H” is a command for controlling turning on or off of the other lamps 6, and thus is transmitted from the sub control board S to the lamp control board L. This lamp command 37 is also composed of one byte, like the sound effect command 36.

Next, the respective processes executed by the pachinko machine P configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a reset interrupt process executed every 4 ms in the main control board C of the pachinko machine P. The main control of the pachinko machine P is executed by this reset interrupt processing.

In the reset interrupt processing, first, a stack pointer is set (S1), and a pattern written in a predetermined area of the RAM 13 is checked (S2). As a result of the check, if the predetermined pattern is written in the predetermined area, since there is no abnormality in the RAM 13 and it is normal (S2: normal), the process proceeds to S3. On the other hand, as a result of the check in S2, if the predetermined pattern is not written in the predetermined area, it is the reset interrupt processing executed first after the power is turned on, or the RAM 13 is abnormal (S2: abnormal). In this case, the process proceeds to S21, where the contents of the RAM 13 are once cleared,
The initial value is written into the memory 13 (S21), and the process waits for the next reset interrupt processing. The initial value written in the RAM 13 in the process of S21 includes a predetermined pattern checked in the process of S2.

In the process of S3, a timer interrupt is set (S3). The timer interrupt set here is LC
There is a timer interrupt for generating a strobe signal for transmitting a control command for controlling the variable display of the D display 3 to the display control board D. After the setting of the timer interrupt, each interrupt is set to a permission state (S4). After the interruption is permitted, a port output process for outputting the output data updated in the previous reset interrupt process to each port at a time is executed (S5).

Further, a random number update process (S6) for updating the value of the random number counter for determining the jackpot by "+1" is executed, and a storage timer subtraction process is executed (S7). The storage timer subtraction processing is to reduce the time for symbol fluctuation display when the number of reserved balls for jackpot determination is equal to or more than a predetermined number and the LCD display 3 is displaying symbol fluctuation.

The switch reading process (S8) reads the value of each switch and wins the hit ball 2 hit into the gaming area 1 or the big winning port 5 (including the V zone 5a).
This is a process for winning a prize to the ordinary electric accessory 4, passing through a special symbol operating port provided in the ordinary electric accessory 4, and detecting a prize ball or a lending ball. Count abnormality monitoring processing (S
9) is a process for monitoring whether there is any abnormality in the switch data read by the switch reading process in S8. For example, even if the special winning opening 5 is opened and the hit ball is detected by the V count switch for detecting the passing of the hit ball through the V zone 5a, the winning in the special winning opening 5 other than the V zone 5a is detected. If the count switch cannot detect one hit ball, the 10 count switch has some sort of abnormality, such as the 10 count switch being removed. If one payout ball is not paid out even though a payout motor (not shown) that pays out a payout ball is driven, some abnormality has occurred in the payout ball payout device. As described above, in the count abnormality monitoring process (S9), the presence or absence of the above-described abnormality is monitored based on the switch data read in the switch reading process (S8).

In the symbol counter updating process (S10), L
As a result of the variable display performed on the CD display 3, a counter updating process for determining a symbol to be stopped and displayed is performed. Also, in the symbol check process (S11), based on the value of the counter updated in the symbol counter update process (S10), a big hit symbol used in the special symbol variation process (S15), a lost symbol, and a reach symbol. Are determined.

In the process from S3 to S11, if no error has occurred (S12: normal), the 7-segment LED 7 as the normal symbol display device is displayed by the normal symbol variation process (S13). When the variable display ends at "3" or "7" and a hit occurs, a hitting process for opening the ordinary electric accessory 4 for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times is executed. Thereafter, the status flag is checked (S14), and if the symbol change is started or displayed on the LCD display 3 (S1)
4: During symbol change), the special symbol change process (S15) determines whether or not a big hit has occurred based on the value of the random number counter read at the timing when the hit ball passes through the special symbol opening, and the LCD display 3 , A special symbol change process is executed.

In the processing for changing the special symbol, the LCD
Display data, sound effect data, and lamp data for executing the fluctuation display on the display 3 are created, and three types of control commands (the fluctuation pattern designation command 31,
The symbols are converted into the stop symbol designation command 32 and the symbol stop command 33).
Is transmitted by the timer interrupt processing set in the processing of (1).

On the other hand, as a result of checking the status flag, if it is a big hit (S14: big hit), a big hit process (S16) such as opening the big winning port 5 is executed. Further, as a result of checking the status flag, if the symbol is not fluctuating or hitting (S14: other), the process of S15 and S16 is skipped and the process proceeds to the display data creation process of S17. In the process of S12, if an error is confirmed (S12: error), S13 to S13 are executed.
The process of S16 is skipped, and the process proceeds to the display data creation process of S17.

In the display data creation process (S17), demonstration data to be displayed on the LCD display 3 and display data of the 7-segment LED 7 are created in addition to the special symbol change display. The created display data is transmitted from the main control board C to the sub-control board S as a control command by the timer interrupt process set in the process of S3.
Among the display data transmitted to the sub-control board S, data relating to the display on the LCD display 3 is developed into a display command 35 by the sub-control board S, and transmitted from the sub-control board S to the display control board D. In addition, of the display data transmitted to the sub-control board S, 7 segments L
Data relating to the display of the ED 7 is directly used by the sub-control board S for display control of the 7-segment LED 7.
In addition, the display data used for the fluctuation display of the special symbol is
As described above, it is created by the special symbol variation process (S15) and transmitted to the sub-control board S as a control command.

In the ramp / information processing (S18), the lamps 4a1 to 4a4, 7a1 to 7a4 for displaying the number of the reserved balls.
Other than the lamps 4a1 to 4a4 and 7a1 to 7a4,
Various kinds of lamp data for turning on or off lights other than the variable display of special symbols are created. The lamp data of the lamps 4a1 to 4a4 and 7a1 to 7a4 indicating the number of the reserved balls is represented by a lamp command 37 as the main control board C.
To the lamp control board L by the timer interrupt processing. Further, the lamp data for the other lamps 6 is transmitted as a control command from the main control board C to the sub-control board S by a timer interrupt process, and after being developed into the lamp command 37 by the sub-control board S, The signal is transmitted from the sub control board S to the lamp control board L. As described above, the ramp data used for the special symbol change display is created by the special symbol change process (S15) and transmitted to the sub-control board S as a control command.

In the sound effect processing (S19), sound effect data according to the game situation other than the special symbol fluctuation display is created. The created sound effect data is transmitted as a control command from the main control board C to the sub control board S by a timer interrupt process, and after being developed into the sound effect command 36 by the sub control board S, the sub control board S transmits to the sound effect control board M. The sound effect data used for the special symbol variation display is created by the special symbol variation process (S15) and transmitted to the sub-control board S as a control command, as described above.

After the end of the sound effect processing (S19), S10 is executed for the remaining time until the next reset interrupt processing occurs.
The symbol counter updating process (S20), which is the same process as above, is repeatedly executed. Since the execution time of each processing of S1 to S19 changes according to the state of the game, the remaining time until the next reset interrupt processing occurs is not a fixed time. Therefore, by repeatedly executing the symbol counter updating process (S20) using the remaining time, the stopped symbols can be changed at random.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a command setting process executed in the special symbol change process (S15) of the reset interrupt process in FIG. This command setting process is a variation pattern designation command 3 which is a control command for controlling the variation display on the LCD display 3.
1, stop symbol designation command 32, symbol stop command 33
Is transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D to write (set) the commands 31 to 33 into the transmission buffer 13a.

In the command setting process, first, the state of the variable display is checked by the state flag (S31).
As a result of the check, if the fluctuation display is started (S31: fluctuation start), the fluctuation pattern designation command 31 is written into the transmission buffer 13a (S32), and the command counter 13 is started.
The value of b is set to “1” (S33), and this process ends. As described above, the fluctuation pattern designation command 31 written in the transmission buffer 13a is transmitted to the sub-control board S byte by byte by the timer interruption process set in the process of S3.

In the process of S31, as a result of checking the status flag, if the symbol is being displayed in a fluctuating manner (S31: During fluctuating display), it is checked whether or not the value of the command counter 13b is "9" or less (S34). ). Command counter 1
If the value of 3b is equal to or smaller than "9" (S34: Yes), the first byte of the stop symbol designation command 32 corresponding to the value of the command counter 13b is written to the upper byte of the transmission buffer 13a (S35). Based on the correspondence shown in FIG. 5A, for example, if the value of the command counter 13b is “1”, “90H” is
If the value of the command counter 13b is "9", "A0H" is written to the upper byte of the transmission buffer 13a.

Further, the symbol code 32b of the stop symbol corresponding to the value of the command counter 13b is transmitted to the transmission buffer 13a.
(S36). For example, if the value of the command counter 13b is "1", symbol 1 (3a1)
The symbol code 32b of the symbol stopped and displayed in the display area of
If the value of the command counter 13b is “2”, the symbol code 32b of the symbol stopped and displayed in the display area of the symbol 2 (3b1) is..., If the value of the command counter 13b is “9”. The symbol codes 32b of the symbols stopped and displayed in the display area of the symbol 9 (3c3) are respectively shown in FIG.
Is written to the lower byte of the transmission buffer 13a based on the correspondence shown in FIG. Here, when the design of "octopus" is designated as the stop design, the design code 32b of "10H" is designated, and when the design of "Harisenbon" is designated, the design code 32b of "11H" is designated. -If the symbol "Shark (2)" is specified, the symbol code 32b of "23H" is specified.

By the processing of S35 and S36, the 2-byte stop symbol designation command 32 is transmitted to the transmission buffer 13a.
After writing the value in (1), the value of the command counter 13b is incremented by "1" (S37), and this process ends. The stop symbol designation command 32 written in the transmission buffer 13a is transmitted to the sub-control board S one byte at a time by the timer interrupt process set in the process of S3, as in the case of the variation pattern designation command 31. You.

On the other hand, if the value of the command counter 13b is "1"
If it is "0" or more (S34: No), it means that the stop symbol designation command 32 has been transmitted for all nine display areas 3a1 to 3c3. Therefore, in such a case,
The processing from S35 to S37 is skipped, and this processing ends.

In the process of S31, as a result of checking the status flag, if it is the timing to end the variable display (S31: End of the variable display), the nine display areas 3a1 to 3a1 to 3 are displayed.
The transmission buffer 13a transmits a symbol stop command 33 (80H, 0AH) for stopping and displaying (fixing) all the symbols of c3 at a time.
(S38), and this process ends. The symbol stop command 33 written in the transmission buffer 13a is transmitted to the sub-control board S one byte at a time by the timer interrupt process set in the process of S3, as in the case of the variation pattern designation command 31. This symbol stop command 33
Is transmitted to the sub-control board S, and from the sub-control board S to the display control board D, the sound effect control board M, and the lamp control board L, respectively, a display command 35 and a sound effect command 36 corresponding to the symbol stop command 33. , Lamp command 37
Is transmitted, the fluctuation pattern specification command 3
The series of variable display started by 1 ends.

Note that the symbol stop display (determination) by the symbol stop command 33 does not necessarily require all nine symbols to be determined at once. For example, nine symbols can be individually determined, or The symbol may be determined for each unit of scrolling, that is, for each of the upper symbol, the middle symbol, and the lower symbol. In the former case, “80H, 01H” to “8” as shown in FIG.
0H, 09H "symbol stop command 33 is used, and in the latter case," 80H, 0BH "to" 80H, 0DH "
Is used.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a command reception process executed in the reception interrupt process of the sub control board S. This command receiving process is executed when a control command is transmitted from the main control board C to the sub control board S.
First, a control command transmitted from the main control board C and received by the sub-control board S is written into the reception buffer 23a (S41), and the command reception flag 23b is turned on (S42) to receive a new control command. Buffer 2
3a, the processing is terminated.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the main processing of the sub control board S. In this main processing, various controls are performed based on the control commands received from the main control board C. First, it is confirmed whether or not the command reception flag 23b is turned on (S51). If the command reception flag 23b is turned on (S51: Yes),
After this is turned off (S52), the type of the control command is confirmed by the data stored in the upper byte of the reception buffer 23a (S53).

If the upper byte of the control command stored in the reception buffer 23a is “C0H” or “C1H”, the control command is the variation pattern designation command 31. Therefore, in such a case (S53: fluctuation pattern designation command), all the stopped symbols 1 to 9 are stored in the memory 2
After the contents of 3c to 23k are cleared to 0 (S54), the variation pattern designated by the variation pattern designation command 31 is displayed by a plurality of display commands 35, sound effect commands 36,
Develop into a ramp command 37 (S55). The developed commands 35 to 37 are transmitted to the display control board D, the sound effect control board M, and the lamp control board L in accordance with the respective timings in each process (S56).

On the other hand, in the processing of S53, the upper byte of the control command stored in the reception buffer 23a is "90H-92H", "A0H-A2H" or "B0
H-B2H ", the control command is the stop symbol designation command 32. Therefore, in such a case (S53: stop symbol designating command), the symbol code 32b which is the second byte command of the stop symbol designating command 32 corresponds to the corresponding stop symbol 1-9 memory 23c-.
Write to 23k (S57). As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, for example, if the stop symbol designation command 32 stored in the reception buffer 23a is “90H, 14H”,
"1" is stored in the stop symbol 1 memory 23c corresponding to "90H".
The symbol code 32b of "4H (shrimp symbol)" is written. If the stop symbol designation command 32 stored in the reception buffer 23a is “B2H, 21H”, “B2H, 21H”
"H" in the stop symbol 9 memory 23k corresponding to "21H".
(Shell pattern) "is written.

Thereafter, the changing symbols which are being changed at high speed on the LCD display 3 are stored in the stop symbols 1 to 9 in consideration of the variation pattern (especially, the display pattern) and the progress of the variation pattern. A display command 35 (see FIG. 8) for replacing a symbol is calculated so that the variable display ends with the symbol of the symbol code 32b stored in 23c to 23k (S58). For example, when “14H” is stored in the stop symbol 1 memory 23c, the symbol 1
The display command 35 for symbol replacement is calculated so that the variable display of the display area 3a1 ends with the symbol "shrimp" which is the symbol code 32b of "14H". Also,
When “21H” is stored in the stop symbol 9 memory 23k, the variable display in the display area 3c3 of the symbol 9 is “21H”.
The display command 35 for exchanging symbols is calculated so as to end with a symbol of "shell" which is a symbol code 32b of "H". The display command 35 for replacing the calculated symbol is transmitted to the display control board D during the high-speed change of the symbol in each process (S56).

In the process of S53, the reception buffer 23
The upper byte of the control command stored in “a” is “80”.
If "H", the control command is the symbol stop command 33. Therefore, in such a case (S53: symbol stop command), the symbols in the display areas 3a1-3c3 of the symbol number 32a designated by the symbol stop command 33 are determined, and the corresponding symbols are displayed in the display areas 3a1-3c3. In order to stop and display, the received symbol stop command 33 is developed into a display command 35, a sound effect command 36, and a lamp command 37 (S59). The developed commands 35 to 37 are transmitted to the display control board D, the sound effect control board M, and the lamp control board L in accordance with the respective timings in each process (S56).

For example, if the symbol stop command 33 of “80H, 0AH” is stored in the reception buffer 23a,
The symbol stop command 33 indicates that all nine display areas 3
The symbols a1 to c3 are developed into a display command 35, a sound effect command 36, and a ramp command 37 for fixing and stopping and displaying the symbols at a time. In addition, "80H, 0C
If the symbol stop command 33 of "H" is stored in the reception buffer 23a, the symbol stop command 33 determines three symbols 2, 5, and 8 displayed in the middle display area 3b at a time and stops and displays the symbols. Command 35, a sound effect command 36, and a ramp command 37.

If the symbol stop command 33 is received even before the end timing of the variable display, the process of S59 is executed, and the symbol stop command 3 is executed.
3 immediately stops (determines) the variable display of the display areas 3a1-3c3. Therefore, the fluctuation display can be actually ended at the timing of receiving the symbol stop command 33.

In the processing of S53, the reception buffer 23
If the control command stored in a is not any of the control commands of the variation pattern designation command 31, the stop symbol designation command 32, and the symbol stop command 33 (S53: other), the control command of the 7-segment LED 7 Check whether the command is for controlling display. If the control command is not a control command for controlling the display of the 7-segment LED 7 (S60: No), the received control command is developed into commands 35 to 37 corresponding to the control command (S61). Each of the developed commands 35 to 37 is, in each process (S56), corresponding to each control board D,
M and L are transmitted respectively. On the other hand, in the process of S60, the received control command is the 7-segment LED 7
(S60: Ye
s) In each process (S56), the display of the 7-segment LED 7 is directly controlled by the sub-control board S based on the control command.

When the command reception flag 23b is turned off in the processing of S51 (S51: No),
5, after execution of each processing of S58, S59, S60: Yes, S61, each processing is executed according to the status of the sub-control board S (S56). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S51, and the main process is repeated. As mentioned above,
The commands 35 to 37 developed in the processes of S55, S58, S59, and S61 correspond to the processes (S5
In 6), the signals are transmitted to the corresponding control boards D, M, and L at the respective timings.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the main processing of the display control board D. In this main processing, based on the display command 35 received from the sub-control board S, L
The control of the CD display 3 is performed. First, it is confirmed whether a new display command 35 has been received (S71).
If it has been received (S71: Yes), the (variable) display on the LCD display 3 is controlled based on the received display command 35 (S72). Then, after executing each process (S73), the process proceeds to S71, and the main process is repeated. On the other hand, if the new display command 35 has not been received in the processing of S71 (S71: No), each processing is executed based on the display command 35 received so far (S73), and the (variation) of the LCD display 3 is changed. Control the display. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S71, and the main process is repeated.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the main processing of the sound effect control board S. In this main processing, based on the sound effect command 36 received from the sub control board S,
The sound effect output of the speaker 57 is controlled. First, it is confirmed whether a new sound effect command 36 has been received (S8).
1) If it is received (S81: Yes), the sound effect output of the speaker 57 is controlled based on the received sound effect command 36 (S82). Then, after executing each process (S83), the process proceeds to S81, and the main process is repeated. On the other hand, if a new sound effect command 36 has not been received in the processing of S81 (S81: No), each processing is executed based on the sound effect command 36 received so far (S83), and the sound effect of the speaker 57 is executed. Control the output. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S81, and the main process is repeated.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the main processing of the lamp control board L. In this main processing, each of the lamps 4a1 to 4a4, 6, 7a is based on the lamp command 37 received from the main control board C and the sub control board S.
Control to turn on or off 1-7a4 is performed. First, it is confirmed whether or not a new lamp command 37 has been received (S91). If it has been received (S91: Yes), each of the lamps 4a1 to 4a1 to
Lighting or extinguishing of 4a4, 6, 7a1 to 7a4 is controlled (S92). Thereafter, after executing each process (S9
3) The process proceeds to S91, and the main process is repeated. On the other hand, if a new lamp command 37 has not been received in the processing of S91 (S91: No), each processing is executed based on the lamp command 37 received so far (S93), and each of the lamps 4a1-4a4,6 , 7a1-7
Lighting or extinguishing of a4 is controlled. After that, the process goes to S
The process proceeds to 91, and the main process is repeated.

Next, the timing of the variable display based on the above description will be described with reference to the timing charts of FIGS. First, with reference to FIG. 19, the timing when all nine symbols are stopped and displayed (fixed) at once will be described. When the variation pattern designation command 31 is transmitted from the main control board C to the sub control board S,
A display command 35, a sound effect command 36, and a lamp command 37 corresponding to the fluctuation pattern designation command 31
The symbols are transmitted from the sub-control board S to the display control board D, the sound effect control board M, and the lamp control board L, respectively, and based on the commands 35 to 37, the symbols 1 (3a1) to 9 (3c3) of the LCD display 3 are displayed. The variable display is started for all the symbols in the parentheses.

Following the fluctuation pattern specification command 31, during the high speed fluctuation, the stop symbol specification command 32
It is sequentially transmitted to the three display areas 3a1-3c3.
When the stop symbol designation command 32 is received by the sub-control board S, a display command 35 for replacing a changing symbol is calculated in accordance with the stop symbol designated by the stop symbol designation command 32. The calculated display command 35 is transmitted from the sub control board S to the display control board D.
The symbols are replaced by the display control board D during the high-speed change of the symbols. Thereafter, each command is sent from the sub-control board S to each of the control boards D, M, and L according to the timing at which the display pattern, the sound effect pattern, and the light emission pattern as the variation pattern designated by the variation pattern designation command 31 change. 35-3
7 is transmitted, and the variable display is continued by each control board D, M, L.

At the end timing of the variable display, a symbol stop command 33 (80H, 0) for stopping and displaying (fixing) all nine symbols at once from the main control board C to the sub-control board S.
AH (see FIG. 7)) is transmitted. When the symbol stop command 33 is received by the sub-control board S, each command 35 to stop display of the symbol specified by the symbol stop command 33 from the sub-control board S to each of the control boards D, M, L. 37 is transmitted, and as a result, a series of fluctuation display on the LCD display 3 started by the fluctuation pattern designation command 31 ends. After the end of the variable display, each of the display areas 3a1-3c3
The display of the stop symbol designated by the stop symbol designation command 32, which is stopped and displayed, is switched to another display.

If the sub-control board S receives the symbol stop command 33 before the end of the fluctuation display, the end of the fluctuation display specified by the fluctuation pattern designation command 31 has arrived. Even without,
Each command 35 to 37 for stopping and displaying a symbol is transmitted from the sub-control board S to each of the control boards D, M and L, and the display areas 3a1 to 3c3 in which the stop symbols designated by the stop symbol designation command 32 are designated. To stop immediately. With this control, the variable display can be terminated in accordance with the transmission (reception) timing of the symbol stop command 33.

Next, with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 20, a description will be given of the timing when the nine symbols are stopped and displayed (fixed) in the order of three symbols in the order of upper, lower, and middle rows. 1 until the stop symbol designation command 32 is transmitted.
This is performed in the same manner as in the timing of FIG. 9, and symbols are replaced during high-speed fluctuation.

At the end of the variable display, a symbol stop command 33 for stopping and displaying (fixing) the symbol displayed in the upper display area 3a is transmitted from the main control board C to the sub control board S (80H). , 0BH (see FIG. 7)). When the symbol stop command 33 is received by the sub-control board S, the control boards D,
Each command 3 for stopping and displaying the upper symbols 1, 4 and 7 designated by the symbol stop command 33 on M and L.
5-37 are transmitted, and as a result, the upper pattern 1,4,7
Is determined and stopped. Next, a symbol stop command 33 for stopping and displaying (fixing) the symbol displayed in the lower display area 3c is transmitted (80H, 0DH (see FIG. 7)),
The lower symbols 3, 6, and 9 are determined and stopped and displayed. Furthermore,
A symbol stop command 33 for stopping and displaying (fixing) the symbol displayed in the middle display area 3b is transmitted (80H,
0CH (see FIG. 7)), and the symbols 2, 5, and 8 in the middle row are determined and stopped and displayed. With the three symbol stop commands 33 described above, a series of variable display on the LCD display 3 started by the variable pattern designation command 31 ends.

As described above, the symbols are stopped and displayed (determined) in the order of upper, lower, and middle in accordance with the scroll direction of the symbols, so that the virtual symbol reels 41 to 43 represented on the display by the control are changed to the actual symbols. It can be expressed like a symbol reel. When the scroll direction of the symbol is the vertical direction, the stop display (fixed) of the symbol is, for example,
It is performed in the order of left, right, and middle.

As described above, according to the pachinko machine P of this embodiment, the display pattern, the sound effect pattern, and the light emission pattern as a series of variation patterns of variation display are designated at once by the variation pattern designation command 31. Therefore, it is not necessary to transmit a control command from the main control board C to each of the control boards S, D, M and L at each point where the state of the variable display changes. Moreover, the development of the fluctuation pattern designation command 31 into the display command 35, the sound effect command 36, and the lamp command 37 is as follows.
Since the control is performed by the sub-control board S, the control load of the main control board C can be reduced by being distributed to the sub-control board S. Therefore, the program capacity and data capacity mounted on the main control board C can be reduced, and the program development of the main control board C can be facilitated.

Further, the control program of the sub-control board S which receives the variation pattern designation command 31 and performs control corresponding to the variation pattern designation command 31 is changed, so that the control program of the main control board C is left as it is. , The contents of the control (variation patterns, that is, display patterns, sound effect patterns, and light emission patterns) can be changed. Therefore, the sub-control board S connected to the main control board C (or each control board D, M, L connected to the sub-control board S) is simply replaced while the (main program) of the main control board C is shared. Alone, the LCD display 3, the speaker 57, and the lamps 4a1 to 4a4, 6, 7a
1-7a4 can be operated differently.

Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Can easily be inferred.

For example, in the above embodiment, the sub-control board S
Are formed separately from the display control board D, the sound effect control board M, and the lamp control board L. Instead of such a configuration, the sub control board S and one or more other control boards D ,
M and L may be integrally formed.
For example, when the sub-control board S is formed integrally with the display control board D, the sound effect command 36 and the lamp command 37 are transmitted from the display control board D formed integrally with the sub-control board S. It is transmitted to the control board M and the lamp control board L, respectively. When the sub-control board S is formed integrally with the sound effect control board M and the lamp control board L, the display command 35 is displayed on the sound effect control board M and the lamp control board formed integrally with the sub-control board S. L to the display control board D. As a matter of course, all of the display control board D, the sound effect control board M, and the lamp control board L may be integrally formed with the sub control board S.

In the above embodiment, transmission and reception of the display command 35 and the like between the sub-control board S and the display control board D are performed as follows.
The operation was performed only in one direction from the sub control board S to the display control board D. Similarly, the sub control board S and the sound effect control board M
Transmission and reception of the sound effect command 36 and the like, and the sub control board S
The transmission and reception of the lamp command 37 and the like between the control board L and the lamp control board L are also performed only in one direction from the sub control board S to the sound effect control board M or the lamp control board L. However, instead of this, both transmission and reception of commands and the like between the sub-control board S and the display control board D, between the sub-control board S and the sound effect control board M, or between the sub-control board S and the lamp control board L are performed. It may be configured to perform in the opposite direction.

Hereinafter, modified examples of the present invention will be described. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the sub-control board develops a variation pattern designation command received from the main control board for each point where the display pattern changes, and the display pattern development means. An expanded display pattern transmission (output) means for transmitting (outputting) the expanded display pattern to the display control board in accordance with a point at which the display pattern changes, and a variable pattern designation command received from the main control board. A sound effect pattern developing means for developing each point where the sound effect pattern changes, and transmitting the sound effect pattern developed by the sound effect pattern developing means to the sound effect control board in accordance with the point where the sound effect pattern changes. Means for transmitting (outputting) the developed sound effect pattern (outputting) and receiving from the main control board. Light emitting pattern developing means for developing the changed pattern designating command for each point at which the light emitting pattern changes, and the light emitting device control board by matching the light emitting pattern developed by the light emitting pattern developing means with the point at which the light emitting pattern changes A gaming machine 1 comprising: a developed light emission pattern transmission (output) means for transmitting (outputting) to the device.

In the gaming machine or the gaming machine 1 according to the first aspect, the sub-control board may include at least one of the display control board, the sound effect control board, and the light emitting device control board. Gaming machine 2 characterized by the following. The display control board, the sound effect control board, and the light emitting device control board may all be integrated to form a sub control board.

In the gaming machine or the gaming machine 1 or 2 according to claim 1, the sub-control board controls the display control board, the sound effect control board, and the light emitting device control board, and displays a 7-segment LED. A gaming machine 3 characterized by being controlled.

[0107] In the gaming machine or the gaming machines 1 to 3 according to the first aspect, in addition to the fluctuation pattern designation command, a stop symbol which is stopped and displayed on the display device at the end of the fluctuation display as the control command. The stop symbol designating command for designating the stop symbol and the stop symbol designated by the stop symbol designating command are stop-displayed on the display device (fixed display).
A gaming machine 4 comprising a symbol stop command for designating timing to be performed.

The gaming machine or the gaming machines 1 to 4 according to claim 1, further comprising one-way means for transmitting the control command from the main control board to the sub-control board only in one direction. Gaming machine 5 to do.

[0109]

According to the gaming machine of the present invention, it is possible to designate a display pattern, a sound effect pattern, and a light emission pattern as a series of variation patterns of the variation display by the variation pattern designation command. It is not necessary to transmit a control command from the main control board to each control board at each point where the value changes. In addition, since the control of the display control board, the sound effect control board, and the light emitting device control board based on the variation pattern designation command is performed by the sub-control board S, the control load of the main control board C is distributed to the sub-control board S. Can be reduced. Therefore, there is an effect that the program capacity and the data capacity mounted on the main control board C can be reduced, and the program development of the main control board C can be facilitated.

Also, by changing the control program of the sub-control board that receives the variation pattern designation command and performs control corresponding to the variation pattern designation command,
The contents (pattern) of the control can be changed without changing the control program of the main control board. Therefore, it is possible to cause the display device, the sound generating device, the light emitting device, and the like to perform different operations simply by replacing the sub control substrate connected to the main control substrate while sharing the (main program) of the main control substrate. There is.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a game board of a pachinko machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state where a display screen of a liquid crystal display is divided into nine display areas.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a command code of a variation pattern designation command and the contents of the command.

FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between a command code of a stop symbol designating command and a symbol number designated by the command code. (B) is a diagram showing the correspondence between 20 types of symbol codes and symbol names.

FIG. 6A is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a virtual symbol reel that is variably displayed in an upper display area;
(B) is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a virtual symbol reel variably displayed in a middle display area, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a virtual symbol reel variably displayed in a lower display region. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a command code of a symbol stop command and the contents of the command.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a command code of a display command and the content of the command.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a command code of a display command different from that of FIG. 8 and the contents of the command.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a command code of a sound effect command, a command name thereof, and a command content.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a command code of a lamp command, a command name thereof, and a command content.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a reset interrupt process executed by the main control board.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a command setting process executed in the reset interrupt process.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a command receiving process executed in the interrupt process of the sub control board.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a main process of the sub control board.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing main processing of the display control board.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a main process of the sound effect control board.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing main processing of the lamp control board.

FIG. 19 is a timing chart of a variable display for fixing all symbols at once.

FIG. 20 is a timing chart of a variable display in which nine symbols are fixed for every three symbols.

FIG. 21 is a chart showing the timing of variable display according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 3 Liquid crystal (LCD) display (display device) 4a1-4a4 LED lamp (light emitting device) 6 Lamp (light emitting device) 7a1-7a4 Lamp (light emitting device) 31 Change pattern designation command (part of control command) 32 Stop symbol designation Command (part of control command) 33 Symbol stop command (part of control command) 35 Display command 36 Sound effect command 37 Lamp command (light emission command) 57 Speaker (sounding device) C Main control board D Display control board M sound effect control board L light emitting device control board P pachinko machine (game machine) S sub control board

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (72) Inventor Tatsunori Takeomi 7-49 Haruoka-dori, Chigusa-ku, Nagoya F-term (reference) 2C088 AA17 AA35 AA42 BC06 BC10 BC21 BC25 EA10 EB58

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A display device for displaying symbols and the like, a sound emitting device for emitting a sound effect, a light emitting device for turning on or off, a main control board for controlling a game, and a control board transmitted from the main control board. A display control board that causes the display device to perform symbolic variation display based on a command, and a sound effect control board that emits a sound effect from the sounding device based on a control command transmitted from the main control board, A gaming machine having a light emitting device control board for turning on and off the light emitting device based on a control command sent from the main control board, wherein the control command sent from the main control board is the variable display. Having at least a variation pattern designation command for designating a display pattern, a sound effect pattern, and a light emission pattern as a series of variation patterns in the Game machine characterized by comprising a sub-control board for controlling the light emitting device control substrate and the display control board and the sound effect control board on the basis of the variation pattern designation command received from the control board.