JP2001293232A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restart a game without fail in the course of game control interrupted due to a main power supply failure in the recovery of the main power supply even in case of a main power supply failure, to prevent a game player's disadvantage without any influence of the main power supply failure, and to prevent the occurrence of a trouble. SOLUTION: An information memory of an integrated circuit mounted on a main control board and an information memory of an integrated circuit mounted on a pay-out control board are enabled to store information by a backup power supply even in the state of main power supply failure, whereby while a pay-out control command is transmitted from a main control means to a pay-out control means, in case of a main power supply failure with command data not yet transmitted, if a transmission incomplete flag TF is set in recovering the main power supply (S10: Yes), the main control means retransmits the pay-out control command which is incomplete in transmission from its leading byte to the pay-out control means (S11).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ball-and-ball game machine, and in particular, when a main power supply is lost while a control command is being transmitted from a main control means to a sub-control means, transmission failure is caused due to the main power supply being reduced. And retransmitting the control command after the return of the main power supply to prevent inconvenience in the game control.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in ball-and-ball game machines such as pachinko machines, the launching of a game ball by operating a shooting handle, a game starting means provided on a game board, and an opening / closing type winning means (large winning means). Control of objects, detection control for detecting a prize to the prize means, symbol display control for changing symbols in a plurality of symbol display portions of the symbol display means provided in the symbol display means, game balls associated with the prize to the prize means A control device is provided which controls various controls for ball game, such as payout control, sound control at the time of a prize or a big hit state, and lamp control.

In this control device, a main control section mainly controlling game control on a game board side sends a series of control signals (control data) for symbol display control for causing a symbol display to be varied on each symbol display section to the symbol control section. Direct output and control of symbol display. Further, the main controller outputs a payout control signal for driving a payout motor to the payout control unit to control the payout of the prize balls when the game balls are won in the normal winning means or the open / close type winning means. Further, the main control unit outputs an opening / closing control signal for the opening / closing plate driving solenoid of the opening / closing winning means to the special game control unit when the stopped symbol after the change in the symbol display unit is a big hit symbol, and sets the opening / closing plate to a predetermined value. Open control is performed until the condition is satisfied.

[0004] For example, the main control unit controls the symbol control unit.
Since a detailed control signal for each operation is transmitted one by one to control the fluctuation of the symbol, even if one control signal becomes invalid due to noise, static electricity or the like, the fluctuation control can be continued based on the subsequent control signal. The main control unit performs not only the symbol display control but also various controls such as payout control, sound output control, lamp lighting control, etc., so that the control load is extremely large, and the operation processing is slowed down. Control delay is likely to occur in operation control.

Therefore, each sub-control unit such as a payout control unit and a symbol control unit is formed on a separate control board provided with a microcomputer independent of the main control unit, and the main control unit is connected to each sub-control unit. A command transmission method for one-way communication of control commands is being adopted. Thus, for example, the main control unit sequentially transmits a symbol variation start command (including a variation pattern designation number) and a symbol designation command for designating a stop symbol of each symbol display unit to the symbol control unit when the symbol is varied. Only, the symbol variation control can be simplified, the load on the main control unit can be significantly reduced, and the sound control, the lamp control, and the payout control can be executed in synchronization with the symbol variation.

Further, at the time of payout, it is only necessary to transmit a payout control command for instructing the number of payout balls to be paid out from the main control unit to the payout control unit, so that the payout control can be simplified. The dispensing control command often includes command data of a plurality of bytes (for example, 2 to 3 bytes). When transmitting the dispensing control command, one byte of command data is transmitted via an 8-bit parallel data bus. Is transmitted multiple times continuously.

[0007]

As described above, the main control unit and the sub control unit are configured on independent control boards, and the number of control commands transmitted from the main control unit to the symbol control unit is significantly reduced. In this case, the control load on the main control unit can be reduced, but, for example, if a power failure occurs due to a lightning strike or the like, even if a jackpot game is being executed, the control device does not operate and indicates that the jackpot is in a jackpot state. All information and game information such as winning ball number information and payout ball number information to be paid out are erased. Therefore, when the game is restarted after the return of the main power, the jackpot game cannot be executed continuously from the state immediately before the power failure, and a trouble may occur between the player and the hall.

Therefore, when the game information during the game is always stored and held by the backup power supply, even if a power failure occurs, the game information up to the power failure is stored and held even during the power failure. A jackpot game or the like interrupted by a power failure sometimes can be resumed without any trouble from the state immediately before the power failure. However, for example, if a power failure occurs during transmission of the command data of the second byte of the payout control command including a plurality of bytes from the main control unit to the payout control unit, the command data of the second and subsequent bytes is in an untransmitted state, The command data after the second byte cannot be stored in the memory of the payout control unit.

As a result, the payout control command which could not be transmitted at the time of the power failure becomes invalid, and the payout of the prize balls is not performed accurately. Therefore, a trouble occurs between the player and the hall, and the profit is also provided to the hall. There is a problem that the property is deteriorated. It is an object of the present invention to enable even when the main power is cut off, to resume the game control without interruption when the main power is turned off, in the middle of the game control interrupted by the main power being cut off,
To prevent disadvantages of the player without being affected by the main power supply being dropped, and to prevent occurrence of trouble.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ball game machine which is arranged on a game board and is capable of changing between a state advantageous to a player and a state disadvantageous to the player, and the variable winning apparatus. In a ball game machine having a main control means for controlling the main control means and a sub-control means having a separate board configuration and receiving a control command transmitted by one-way communication from the main control means, The control command is composed of a plurality of bytes of command data. When the main power supply is turned off while there is untransmitted command data while the control command is being transmitted from the main control means to the sub control means, the main control means In this case, the control command that has become inadequate for transmission after resuming is retransmitted from the first byte.

The variable winning device is provided on the game board, and the main control means performs a random lottery in connection with the winning of the game ball to the symbol starting means, and based on the result of the lottery, An advantageous state and an unfavorable state are determined alternatively, and the variable winning device is variably controlled according to the unfavorable state or the advantageous state, and according to the unfavorable state or the advantageous state. The control command is transmitted to the sub control means. The sub-control means receives a control command transmitted by one-way communication from the main control means, and performs various game controls according to the control command.

By the way, from the main control means to the sub control means,
If the main power supply is shut down due to a power failure or the like while a control command consisting of a plurality of bytes related to game control is being transmitted byte by byte, despite the presence of untransmitted command data, the main control means After the return of the main power supply, the control command that has become inadequate for transmission is retransmitted from the first byte. Therefore, even if unsent command data is generated in the event that the main power suddenly drops during transmission, the transmission command that has become incomplete can be reliably transmitted to the sub-control means without dropping, and the main power It is possible to restart without interruption from the middle of the game control interrupted due to the main power being turned off after the return of the game, and it is possible to reliably prevent disadvantages on the player and the hall side and prevent occurrence of trouble.

Here, the main control means includes a backup storage means capable of storing at least a control command having transmission failure even when the main power supply is turned off, and a backup storage means for storing the control command after the main power supply returns. In the case where there is provided a data recovery means for reading out a control command having a transmission failure (claim 2), the control command having a transmission failure due to a main power supply failure is stored in a state in which the main power supply is turned off by the backup storage means. In this case, the control command having the transmission failure is read out by the data recovery means after the main power supply is restored, so that the control command having the transmission failure can be reliably retransmitted.

If the sub-control means is a payout control means for performing payout control for paying out game balls (claim 3), the main control means transmits a payout control command to the payout control means. Even if the main power is turned off in the presence of untransmitted command data, the payout control command that has become inadequate after transmission of the main power is retransmitted to the payout control means from the first byte. The payout can be accurately made without any trouble, and the disadvantage of the player can be surely prevented.

[0015] When the sub-control means is a symbol control means for controlling a symbol display means for variably displaying a symbol in connection with a winning, the main control means sends a symbol to the symbol control means. Even if the main power is turned off while there is untransmitted command data during the transmission of the control command, the symbol control command that has become incomplete after transmission of the main power is retransmitted to the symbol control unit from the first byte. For this reason, the symbol variation control can be continued from the point where the main power supply has been interrupted due to a drop in the main power source, and disadvantages and dissatisfaction of the player can be reliably prevented.

If the sub-control means is a sound control means for controlling a sound generator (claim 5), while the main control means is transmitting a sound control command to the sound control means, an untransmitted sound control command is output. Even if the main power is turned off in the presence of command data, the sound control command that has become incomplete after transmission of the main power is retransmitted to the sound control means from the first byte. Can be continued from the middle of the interruption, and the sound effect for the player can be sufficiently exhibited.

In the case where the auxiliary control means is a lamp control means for controlling a plurality of lamps (claim 6),
Even if the main power is turned off while there is untransmitted command data while the lamp control command is being sent from the main control unit to the lamp control unit, the lamp control command that has become incomplete after the main power is restored will be used for lamp control. Since the first byte is retransmitted to the means, the lighting control and the blinking control of the lamp can be continued from the point where the main power supply was cut off and interrupted, and the game characteristics for the player can be sufficiently exhibited.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to a first-class pachinko machine called a card-type ball game machine installed in an island structure of a pachinko hall, and an island structure provided in a pachinko hall. , A plurality of card-type ball lending machines 1 and a plurality of pachinko machines 2 are alternately arranged in the length direction, and the card-type ball lending machine 1 is electrically connected to the pachinko machine 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, a pachinko machine 2 which is a card type ball game machine has a rectangular frame-shaped outer frame 3 and an outer frame 3.
And an outer frame 3 is detachably mounted on an island structure (not shown) in a state in which the card-type ball lending machine 1 is sandwiched between the front frame 4 and the front frame 4 which is pivotally connected to the island structure. . Front frame 4
A game board 5 is detachably mounted from the back side, and a glass door 6 having a window 6a and a front plate 7 are pivotally attached to the front side of the game board 5 so as to be openable and closable, respectively. Front panel 7
Is mounted with an upper plate 8 for storing game balls for firing, and a lower plate 9 for storing game balls overflowing or extracted from the upper plate 8 at a lower portion of the front frame 4, and a firing handle of the firing means 10. 11
Are provided.

The firing means 10 includes a firing handle 11 that can be rotated and a firing motor M (see FIG. 5) for firing a game ball with a hitting hammer 12 with a hitting force corresponding to the rotation angle of the firing handle 11. And so on. On the right side of the upper plate 8, an operation panel 13 for ball lending operation for the card-type ball lending machine 1 is provided. The operation panel 13 has a card balance display section 13a for displaying the card balance with three-digit numbers.
And a ball lending switch 13b for instructing lending of a predetermined amount of game balls, and a return switch 13c for instructing a return of the card at the end of the game.

As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 5 is provided with a substantially annular guide rail 15 comprising an outer rail and an inner rail made of metal, and a game area 5a inside the guide rail 15 has Color liquid crystal display 16, symbol starting means (symbol starting and winning means) 17, opening and closing winning means (large winning means) 18, a plurality of normal winning means 19 (in this case, in addition to the normal winning means 19 in the upper stage, opening and closing type Winning Means 1
For example, on the left and right sides of 8, for example, six ordinary winning means 19),
Two gates 20 (passing ports) and the like are respectively provided at predetermined positions.

The liquid crystal display 16 functions as a symbol display means 22 for displaying a variable symbol and displaying a background image and moving images of various characters. The symbol display means 22 displays the background image and the character in an animated manner and, for example, three (left, middle,
Each of the symbol display sections 2a to 22c (right), provided that the game ball wins the symbol starting means 17.
The display symbols 2a to 22c are displayed in a fluctuating manner (scroll display) for a predetermined time, and stop in a stop symbol pattern determined based on a lottery result according to a timing of winning a game ball to the symbol starting means 17.

Immediately above the liquid crystal display 16, ordinary winning means 19 and second symbol display means 23 are provided. The second symbol display means 23 has an ordinary symbol display unit for displaying one ordinary symbol, and when a game ball passing through the gate 20 is detected, the symbol displayed on the ordinary symbol display unit fluctuates for a predetermined time, When the game ball passes through the gate 20, a stop symbol determined by the lottery value selected by lottery is displayed and stopped. The symbol starting means 17 is an electric tulip having a pair of left and right opening and closing claws 17a which can be freely opened and closed. When the stopped symbol after the change of the second symbol display means 23 hits and the symbol is displayed, the opening and closing claw 17a is opened. It is opened only for a predetermined time and it becomes easy to win a prize.

The opening / closing type winning means 18 has an opening / closing plate 18a which can be opened forward, and when the stop symbol after the change of the symbol display means 22 is a winning symbol such as "777", a special game called "big hit" is played. Starting, the opening / closing plate 18a is opened to the front side. There is a specific area 18b inside the open / close type winning means 18, and when a winning ball passes through the specific area 18b, the special game is continued. Here, the special game state corresponds to a state advantageous to the player, and the normal state other than the special game state corresponds to a state disadvantageous to the player.

Here, the main control means 50, which will be described later,
The opening / closing type winning means 18 can be changed between a state advantageous to the player and a state disadvantageous to the player. After the opening and closing plate 18a of the opening and closing winning means 18 is opened, a predetermined time has elapsed, or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls have won and the opening and closing plate 18a has been opened.
When the game ball closes, the special game ends when the game ball does not pass through the specific area 18b. However, if the game ball passes through the specific area 18b, the special game is continued up to a predetermined number of times (for example, 16 times), It is controlled in a state advantageous to the player.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, on the back side of the front frame 4, a back mechanism plate 30 for holding the game board 5 from the back side is detachably mounted. The back mechanism plate 30 has an opening 30a. A winning ball tank 33 and a tank rail 34 extending therefrom are provided on the upper side thereof.
Is provided on a side portion of the back mechanism plate 30, and a passage unit 36 connected to the payout means 35 is provided below the back mechanism plate 30. The game balls paid out from the payout means 35 are paid out to the upper plate 8 from the upper plate outlet 8a via the passage unit 36.

At the opening 30a of the back mechanism plate 30, a back cover 37 attached to the back side of the game board 5 and the winning means 17 to
A winning ball discharge gutter (not shown) for discharging the game ball winning the 19 is fitted to each. A main control board 39 is disposed inside a case 38 attached to the back cover 37,
A symbol control board 40 is provided on the front side. The case 4 attached to the back cover 37 under the main control board 39
A lamp control board 42 is provided inside 1a, and a sound control board 43 is provided inside a case 41b adjacent to the case 41a.

A power supply board 45 and a payout control board 46 are provided inside the case 44 mounted on the back mechanism plate 30 below the cases 41a and 41b. Further, a firing control board 48 is provided inside a case 47 mounted on the rear side of the firing means 10. That is, these control boards 39-40, 42-43, 45-46, 48
Are independent boards, and the control boards 39, 40, 42, 43, and 46 except for the power supply board 45 and the emission control board 48 include one-chip integrated circuits 39a, 40a, Microcomputers comprising 42a, 43a, and 46a are provided (see FIG. 6).

The main control board 39 and other control boards 40,
42, 43, and 46 are electrically connected to each other through connectors by a plurality of signal lines, and are used to cause the control boards 40, 42, 43, and 46 to execute predetermined game operations from the main control board 39. Control commands can be transmitted by one-way communication. By adopting the one-way communication of the control command, it is possible to reliably prevent the improper operation related to the symbol stop, to significantly reduce the control load of the main control unit 50, and to simplify the transmission control. Next, various functions achieved through a plurality of control programs stored in advance in the control device of the pachinko machine 2 will be described with reference to a functional block diagram of FIG. However, these various functions are achieved by the aforementioned microcomputer or the like.

The main control means 50 formed on the main control board 39 mainly controls game inputs and outputs of signals to various game components and game ball detection switches provided on the game board 5, and will be described later. Symbol control means 60,
A control command is transmitted and output to the payout control means 70, the lamp control means 71, the sound control means 72, and the like as necessary. RO of integrated circuit 39a provided on main control board 39
In M, a game control program (see FIG. 8) for mainly controlling the game operation of the game board 5 is stored. The game information stored in the RAM of the integrated circuit 39a is always backed up so that it can be stored.

Here, the game control program will be briefly described. As shown in FIG. 8, a main program repeatedly executed every predetermined time (for example, about 2 msec) in order to execute actual game control. Game control routine 39c
When the game control is completed within a predetermined time from the start of the control, a processing time adjustment subroutine 39d for adjusting the processing time until the predetermined time is reached, and the game information is stored and held when the main power supply including the power failure is shut down. And a game return subroutine 39f for restarting the game control based on the game information stored and held when the power supply is restarted (this corresponds to data recovery means). .

This game return subroutine 39f is executed only when the power is turned on. Symbol control board 40
The symbol control unit 60 configured above executes display control for displaying various moving images and background images on the liquid crystal display 16 based on the symbol control command transmitted from the main control unit 50, and displays each symbol. The symbols in the parts 22a to 22c are subjected to variation control, and the variation is controlled to be stopped with a designated stop symbol. The payout control means 70 is formed on the payout control board 46. In the ROM of the integrated circuit 46a provided on the payout control board 46, a payout control program (see FIG. 9) for mainly controlling the payout of game balls is stored.

The payout information stored in the RAM of the integrated circuit 46a is always backed up so that it can be stored. As shown in FIG. 9, the payout control program includes a main payout control routine 46c for paying out game balls through the payout means 35 based on a payout control command received from the main control means 50, and a main power supply including a power failure. A backup processing subroutine 46d for storing and holding payout information when the power supply has dropped, a game return subroutine 46e for restarting payout control based on the payout information stored and held when power supply is restarted, and the like are provided. I have.
Here, the game return subroutine 46e is executed only when the power is turned on.

The lamp control means 71 provided on the lamp control board 42 receives a lamp control command from the main control means 50 and controls the lighting of a lamp group LP including a large number of display lamps provided on the game board 5 or the like. Govern The sound control means 72 configured on the sound control board 43 receives a sound control command from the main control means 50, and controls sound output for various sound effects to a speaker SP (which corresponds to a sound generator). Govern The launch control means 73 configured on the launch control board 48 drives the launch motor M and controls launch of the game ball. Here, each of the payout control unit 70, the symbol control unit 60, the sound control unit 72, and the lamp control unit 71 corresponds to a sub control unit.

The main control means 50 includes a lottery means 51, a determination means 52, a special game generating means 53, and a probability varying means 5.
4 and a command transmission means 55 and the like. The lottery means 51 uses a lottery counter to set a numerical value in a small update cycle (for example, about 2 msec cycle) in a predetermined range (for example, 0 to 0 msec).
299), and by extracting the numerical value when the game ball has won a prize in the symbol starting means 17, a lottery relating to a hit or miss is performed. The determination means 52 determines which of “big hit” and “missing (including missing reach)” based on the lottery value supplied from the lottery means 51 when the game ball has won the symbol starting means 17. Is determined.

For example, when the lottery value is a predetermined numerical value “71”, it is determined that “big hit”,
When there are many other numerical values, it is determined to be "out". The special game generating means 53 receives a special judgment result such as a big hit from the judging means 52, or when the stopped symbol after the change of the symbol display means 22 becomes a specific display such as a big hit symbol, the game control routine 39c. The open / close plate 18a of the open / close prize unit 18 is operated as described above by a predetermined special game generation routine included therein, and a special game for giving a profit state to the player is executed.

When the special judgment result of "big hit" is received from the judging means 52, the probability changing means 54 sets the probability changing mode when the "big hit" is the probability changing type big hit, and sets the next or subsequent big hit. Until the symbol fluctuates a predetermined number of times, the number of specific numerical values to be a big hit by the lottery means 51 is made larger than usual, and the big hit probability is increased. The command transmitting means 55
In response to the judgment result from FIG. 2, the symbol control command (two-byte configuration) having the hit / miss data shown in FIG. 10 is transmitted to the symbol control means 60 when the symbol fluctuates, and FIG. The payout control command shown in FIG.

Here, the "hit / miss data" in the first byte, which is one byte of the symbol control command, is any one of "probability variable jackpot", "non-probability variable jackpot", and "miss". The "variation time data" of the second byte consisting of the next one byte is data of the time (for example, 40 seconds, 60 seconds) during which the symbol variation continues. The payout control command is composed of “payout command data” in the first byte and 2
It is composed of the "payout number data" in the byte. Further, although not shown, the command transmission unit 55 transmits a lamp control command (two-byte configuration) to the lamp control unit 71 when the lamp group LP is turned on, and transmits a sound control command (two-byte configuration) when the speaker SP outputs a sound effect. ) To the sound control means 72.

The symbol control means 60 includes a stop symbol determination means 6
1, receives the symbol control command transmitted from the command transmitting unit 55, analyzes the received symbol control command, and, based on the control command obtained by the analysis, each symbol display unit 22a of the symbol display unit 22. 22c is controlled. This stop symbol determining means 61
To briefly explain, in the fluctuation pattern table,
"Probability-variable jackpot", "Non-probability-type jackpot",
A plurality of pattern data are stored for each of "missing reach" and "missing normal", and based on the "hit / miss data" included in the symbol control command, any one of the corresponding jackpot pattern or the missing pattern is used. Is determined by lottery.

Next, the power supply board 45 will be described with reference to FIG. A plurality of transformers 79 are provided for each island structure installed in the pachinko hall, and a low-voltage AC voltage (for example, 24 VAC) is supplied from the transformers 79 to a plurality of (for example, five) pachinko machines 2. Have been. In the power supply board 45, a DC32V generation circuit 80 generates DC32V from AC24V and DC12V used for sound output and lamp lighting from a DC32V by a DC inverter.
And a DC5V generation circuit 82 for generating a DC5V to be supplied to a + 5V line of a microcomputer for controlling the game, such as the control means 50, 60, 70, 71 to 72, from a DC32V to a DC5V by a DC inverter.

Although not shown, the smoothing circuit of the DC 32 V generating circuit 80 is provided with a large-capacity smoothing capacitor. As shown in FIG. 7, the 24 V AC supply is cut off when the main power supply is cut off or due to a power failure. From the point in time when the abnormal voltage is detected until the voltage drops to the lower limit set voltage V0 (for example, about 6 to 7 V) which is the minimum set voltage that can maintain the generation of DC5V by the DC5V generation circuit 82.
msec can be secured. In other words, this about 1
During 20 msec, the main control means 50 and the payout control means 70
In each of the cases, the backup process is reliably performed.

The generated DC voltage (DC12V, DC5V, etc.) is supplied to the power supply board 45 by the control boards 39,4.
0, 42, 43, and a power supply circuit 83 that supplies power to each of the 46
And a power supply monitoring unit 84 including a microcomputer, a reset signal output unit 85, and the like. The power supply monitoring means 84 directly reads the 24 V AC supplied from the transformer 79 to the power supply board 45 and constantly monitors the supply voltage, and outputs the voltage abnormality signal VS when the main power supply is cut off or the power supply is stopped due to a power failure. The output is simultaneously made to the integrated circuits 39a and 46a of the main control board 39 and the payout control board 46, and the interrupt is processed as the highest priority interrupt (NMI).

As a result, these integrated circuits 39a and 46a
In, a backup process is executed for storing game information and payout information related to a game state to be stored and required for restarting the game control upon return of the main power supply in an information memory of a RAM. The reset signal output means 85
From the time when the voltage abnormality signal VS is received from the power supply monitoring means 84, the predetermined minute time required for the backup processing is about 1 minute.
After a delay of 20 msec, system reset signal SR switched to "L" level is output. The "L" level system reset signal SR is supplied to the control boards 39, 40, 4
Delay means 39b, 46b, 40 provided in 2 to 43, 46
b, 43b, and 42b, respectively, and
0, 60, 70 to 72 are reset.

Here, these delay means 39b, 46b,
40b, 43b, and 42b are similarly configured using, for example, an RC circuit using a resistor and a capacitor, or a delay timer. Delay means 39b, 46b, 4
0b, 43b, 42b, delay times 39t, 46t,
40t, 43t, and 42t are 39t (= 0) <46t =
40t = 43t = 42t. That is, the main control means 50 provided with the delay means 39b set to the shortest (approximately 0 second) delay time 39t is reset early by the reset signal R1 ("L" level) from the delay means 39b, and this reset is performed. At this time, the operation of the CPU is stopped, the game control is forcibly stopped, and all the outputs are cleared.

After a predetermined time delay from the reset timing of the main control means 50, the delay means 46b, 4
In response to reset signals R2 to R5 from 0b, 43b, and 42b, the payout control means 70, the symbol control means 60, the sound control means 72, and the lamp control means 71 are substantially simultaneously reset, and the operation of each CPU is stopped at this reset time. Is done. Therefore, the payout control, the symbol display control, the sound output control, and the lamp lighting control are forcibly stopped, and all outputs are cleared.

The power supply board 45 is further provided with a backup power supply 86 comprising a capacitor or the like and outputting 5 V DC charged in the capacitor as a backup. The backup 5 V is connected to the RAM of the integrated circuit 39 a of the main control board 39. And the integrated circuit 4 of the payout control board 46
6a of RAM. That is, these R
Since 5V for backup is always supplied to AM,
Even when the main power is turned off and the +5 V supply from the power supply circuit 83 is stopped, the game information and payout information stored in the information memory are reliably stored and held by the backup 5 V. Here, an information memory or the like provided in the RAM of the integrated circuit 39a corresponds to a backup storage unit.

However, the backup operation by the backup power supply 86 can be continued for a long time. Power supply board 45
Is provided with a clear switch 87. When the main power is turned on at the start of business, the clear switch 87 is provided.
When the clear switch 87 is manually operated at the same time,
The clear signal CL output from the main control board 39
M and unnecessary data stored in the RAM of the payout control board 49 can be simultaneously deleted.

Next, the command transmission control included in the game control routine 39c and executed by the command transmission means 55 will be described with reference to FIG. However, the symbol Si (i = 10, 1
1, 12...) Are each step. When this control is started, the transmission deficiency flag TF is not set (S10: No). Therefore, when the control command is normally transmitted (S14: Yes), the control command stored in the transmission command memory is not transmitted. Is read, and the command data of the first byte of the control command is transmitted (S15).
In this case, the transmission is completed when the main power is not turned off within a minute predetermined time after the transmission.

Next, the command data of the second byte of the control command is transmitted (S16). Also in this case, the transmission is completed when the main power is not turned off within a minute predetermined time after the transmission. As described above, when the control command is transmitted every byte and the main power is not turned off, the transmission of the control command is completed. However, as will be described later, when there is untransmitted command data, due to a power failure or the like, When the main power is turned off and the transmission control is interrupted, the control command having the transmission failure is securely stored and held in the transmission command memory.

Next, the payout control executed by the payout control means 70 and the interrupt processing control for receiving the payout control command transmitted from the command transmitting means 55 by interruption will be described. First, the payout control of FIG. 13 will be described. When the power of the pachinko machine 2 is turned on, the pachinko machine 2 receives the “H” level system reset signal SR from the reset signal output means 85 and generates a CP according to a reset signal generated.
After U starts and performs a game return process described later, various initial settings such as clearing a memory and a register are executed (S20). Next, various setting processes for the CPU required for the payout control are executed (S21). Next, a drive signal output process for outputting a drive signal to the payout drive motor of the payout means 35 is executed (S22).

Next, a control command analysis process for analyzing the payout control command received by the interrupt process described later is executed (S23). As a result of this analysis process, the ball by the ball lending switch 13b of the card type ball lending machine 1 is operated. In the case of lending, ball lending processing for paying out game balls is executed according to the number of ball lending obtained by multiplying the number of operations by 25 (S2).
Four). However, in the case of payout by winning, it is determined based on the received payout control command whether or not payout is possible in units of, for example, 25 payouts. When possible, the number of drive pulses for 25 payouts is determined. If the calculation is not possible, or if not possible, a calculation process such as calculating the number of driving pulses for the number of payout balls of less than 25 is executed (S25).
The payout control is executed by repeating step 21 and thereafter.

Next, the interrupt processing control of FIG. 14 will be described. During the payout control, every time a payout control command is transmitted from the command transmission means 55 by one byte of command data, the above-described payout control is forcibly performed. The interruption is interrupted, the interrupt processing control is started, the received command data is stored in a predetermined memory (S30), and the interrupt processing is terminated. However, in this interrupt processing control, when the second byte command data is received, a payout control command is created by combining the already received first byte command data and the second byte command data. .

When a power failure occurs during a game,
Or, when the main power is turned off when closing the store, AC24
The supply of the voltage V is stopped, and as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the power monitoring unit 84 outputs an “L” level voltage abnormality signal VS to be processed as the highest priority interrupt (NMI) to the integrated circuits 39 a and 46 a. Since the output is outputted, the main control means 50 executes the backup processing control (backup processing subroutine 39e), and the payout control means 70 also executes the backup processing control (backup processing subroutine 46d).

First, the backup processing control (see FIG. 15) executed by the main control means 50 by interruption will be described. When the opening / closing plate 18a of the opening / closing prize means 18 is in the open state, it is immediately closed. However, the number of remaining balls remaining in the opening / closing prize means 18 is detected and stored in the information memory (S40). When the prize ball is paid out, the payout motor is immediately stopped, but the number of remaining balls that have not passed through the detection switch is detected and stored in the information memory (S41). If a transmission failure occurs because the main power supply is turned off while there is untransmitted command data while a command is being transmitted for each byte (S42: Yes), the control command having the transmission failure is stored in the information memory. Is held (S4
3).

Finally, the transmission deficiency flag TF is set (flag data is "1") (S44), and this interrupt processing control ends. Of course, this backup processing control is completed in a time shorter than about 120 msec when the "L" level system reset signal SR is output by the reset signal output means 85. Next, backup processing control (FIG. 16) executed by the payout control means 70 by interruption
Reference) will be described.

When a prize ball is paid out by winning, the payout motor is immediately stopped, but the remaining game balls which have not passed through the detection switch are detected and the number of the balls is stored and held in the information memory (S45). When a game ball is paid out by the ball lending command from the card-type ball lending machine 1, the payout motor is immediately stopped, but the remaining game balls without passing through the detection switch are detected and the number of the balls is stored in the information memory. It is stored and held (S46). Next, during the reception of the payout control command transmitted from the main control means 50, if the main power supply is turned off in a state where there is unreceived command data and the reception becomes defective, the control command having the reception defect is deleted. (S47), and this interrupt processing control ends.

Of course, this backup processing control is completed in a time shorter than about 120 msec when the "L" level system reset signal SR is output by the reset signal output means 85. By the way, the reset signal output means 85 receiving the abnormal voltage signal VS outputs the system reset signal SR switched to the “L” level with a delay of about 120 msec after receiving the abnormal voltage signal VS. At this point,
The backup process has definitely been completed. As a result, as described above, the delay times 39t, 46t, 40t, 43
Based on t and 42t, first, the integrated circuit 39a is reset early by the reset signal R1, the operation of the CPU is stopped, and all outputs are cleared.

After a predetermined time delay from the reset timing, the integrated circuits 46a, 40a, 42a and 43a are reset substantially simultaneously by reset signals R2 to R5, and each CP is reset.
The operation of U is stopped and all outputs are cleared. By the way, when the power supply from the main power supply is resumed, the reset signal output means 85 outputs the "H" level system reset signal SR to each of the integrated circuits 39a, 46a, 40a, 4.
2a and 43a are output simultaneously. However, each control board 3
9, 40, 42, 43, and 46, start-up delay units (not shown) provided separately, first in a reverse order to the order at the time of power-off, these payout control unit 70, symbol control unit 60, and sound control unit 72. , The lamp control means 71 is simultaneously activated first, and then the main control means 50 is activated.

Here, the main control means 5 is activated by the return of the main power supply.
0 is activated, the game return subroutine 39f
Is performed based on the backup data. The game return process will be described.
The game information and the transmission-defective control command stored in the information memory 9a are read out, expanded in a predetermined storage area, and rearranged. Thereafter, the above-described command transmission control is executed. In this case, the transmission failure flag T
When F is set (S10: Yes), the control means 60, 70 to be transmitted start from the first byte of the transmission-defective control command stored in the transmission command memory.
(S11).

Then, the transmitted control command which has been transmitted is deleted (S12). For example, when the main power supply is turned off while transmitting the payout number data of the second byte of the control command for paying out five prize balls, a payout control command for paying out five prize balls stored in the transmission command memory. Is resent. Similarly, when the payout control unit 70 is activated, the backup data restoration process is executed by the game restoration subroutine 46e. Describing this game return process, the payout information stored and held in the information memory of the integrated circuit 46a is read out, developed in a predetermined storage area, and rearranged. Thereafter, the above-described payout control and interrupt reception processing are executed.

As described above, the information memory of the integrated circuit 39a provided on the main control board 39 and the information memory of the integrated circuit 46a provided on the payout control board 46 can be stored and held by the backup power supply 86 even when the main power supply is turned off. In the case where the main power supply is turned off in a state where there is untransmitted command data while the payout control command is being transmitted from the main control means 50 to the payout control means 70, the main control means 50 makes a transmission failure after the return of the main power supply. Is retransmitted to the payout control means 70 from the first byte. Therefore, even if unsent command data is generated when the main power supply is unexpectedly shut down during the transmission, the transmission failure control is performed. The command can be reliably transmitted to the payout control means 70 without dropping the command,
Game balls can be accurately paid out without any shortage, and disadvantages of the player can be reliably prevented.

A description will be given of a modified embodiment in which the above embodiment is partially modified. 1) When the memory of the integrated circuit 40a is backed up by the backup power supply 86 and the main power supply is turned off in a state where there is untransmitted command data while the main control means 50 transmits the symbol control command to the symbol control means 60 Alternatively, the main control means 50 may resend the symbol control command which has become incomplete after transmission of the main power to the symbol control means 60 from the first byte. In this case, the symbol fluctuation control performed after the return of the main power supply can be continued from the point where the main power supply was cut off and interrupted, and the disadvantage and dissatisfaction of the player can be reliably prevented.

2) The memory of the integrated circuit 43a is backed up by the backup power supply 86, and the main control unit 5
If the main power is turned off while a sound control command is being transmitted from 0 to the sound control means 72 and there is untransmitted command data, the main control means 50 will return to the sound control command after the main power is restored and the transmission control will be incomplete. The command may be retransmitted to the sound control means 72 from the first byte. In this case, the sound control performed after the return of the main power can be continued while the main power is turned off and interrupted, and the sound effect for the player can be sufficiently exhibited.

3) The memory of the integrated circuit 42a is backed up by the backup power supply 86, and the main control unit 5
If the main power is turned off while there is untransmitted command data while the lamp control command is being transmitted to the lamp control means 71 from 0, the main control means 50 returns to the lamp control command which has become incomplete after the return of the main power. Command is sent to the ramp control means 7
1 may be retransmitted from the first byte. In this case, the lamp control performed after the return of the main power supply can be continued from the point where the main power supply was cut off and interrupted, and the game characteristics for the player can be sufficiently exhibited.

4) Various control commands such as a payout control command are not limited to the 2-byte configuration, and may be composed of command data of 3 bytes or more. 5] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications may be added without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Further, the present invention is not limited to pachinko machines, but also arrange ball machines, sparrow ball machines, and the like. It is possible to apply the present invention to various ball and ball game machines.

[0066]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a variable winning device, a main control unit, and a sub control unit, and there is untransmitted command data while a control command is being transmitted from the main control unit to the sub control unit. When the main power is turned off in this state, the main control means retransmits the control command that was inadequate after the return of the main power from the first byte. Can be reliably retransmitted to the sub-control means without dropping the incompletely transmitted control command, and during the game control interrupted due to the main power being turned off after the main power is restored Can be restarted without any trouble, the disadvantages of the player and the hall can be reliably prevented, and the occurrence of troubles can be prevented.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the main control means includes a backup storage means capable of storing at least a control command having transmission failure even when the main power supply is turned off, and a backup storage means after the main power supply is restored. A data recovery unit that reads out the control command that has become defective in transmission stored in the storage unit, so that the control command that has become incomplete due to the main power supply being shut down can be stored in a state in which the main power supply is turned off by the backup storage unit. Can be reliably stored and stored, and after the return of the main power supply, the control command having the transmission failure is read out by the data recovery means, so that the control command having the transmission failure can be reliably retransmitted. Other effects similar to those of the first aspect are obtained.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the sub control means is a payout control means for performing payout control for paying out game balls, the main control means transmits a payout control command to the payout control means. Even if the main power is turned off in the presence of untransmitted command data, the payout control command that has become inadequate after transmission of the main power is retransmitted to the payout control means from the first byte. The payout can be accurately made without any trouble, and the disadvantage of the player can be surely prevented. The other effects are the same as those of the first or second aspect.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the sub control means is a symbol control means for controlling a variable symbol display means for displaying a symbol in a variable manner in connection with winning, the main control means changes the symbol control means from the main control means to the symbol control means. Even if the main power is turned off while there is unsent command data while transmitting the symbol control command,
After the main power returns, the symbol control command that became defective is retransmitted to the symbol control unit from the first byte,
The symbol variation control can be continued from the point where the main power supply has been interrupted due to a drop in the main power supply, and disadvantages and dissatisfaction of the player can be reliably prevented. The other effects are the same as those of the first or second aspect.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the sub-control means is a sound control means for controlling a sound generator, an untransmitted sound control command is transmitted from the main control means to the sound control means. Even if the main power is turned off in the presence of command data, the sound control command that has become incomplete after transmission of the main power is retransmitted to the sound control means from the first byte. Can be continued from the middle of the interruption, and the sound effect for the player can be sufficiently exhibited. The other effects are the same as those of the first or second aspect.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the sub-control means is a lamp control means for controlling a plurality of lamps. Even if the main power is turned off in the presence of command data, the lamp control command that has become inadequate after the main power returns is retransmitted to the lamp control means from the first byte. The game can be continued from the point where the main power supply was interrupted due to the main power supply being interrupted, and the game characteristics for the player can be sufficiently exhibited. The other effects are the same as those of the first or second aspect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pachinko machine (ball game machine) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a game board of the pachinko machine.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko machine.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the pachinko machine.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a control system of the pachinko machine.

FIG. 6 is a power supply circuit diagram and various control signal circuit diagrams.

FIG. 7 is a time chart of a supply voltage and a control signal when power supply is cut off.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a subroutine included in the game control program.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a subroutine included in the payout control program.

FIG. 10 is a chart for explaining a data configuration of a symbol control command.

FIG. 11 is a table illustrating a data configuration of a payout control command.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of command transmission control.

FIG. 13 is a schematic flowchart of payout control.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of interrupt processing control.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of backup processing control by the main control means.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of backup processing control by a payout control unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Pachinko machine (ball game machine) 5 Game board 18 Open / close prize unit (variable prize device) 22 Symbol display unit 35 Payout unit 39a 1-chip integrated circuit 39e Backup processing subroutine 39f Game return subroutine 45 Power supply board 50 Main control unit 60 Symbol control means 70 Payout control means 71 Lamp control means 72 Sound control means LP Lamp group SP Speaker

Claims (6)

[Claims] A variable prize device (18) disposed on a game board (5) and capable of changing between a favorable state and a disadvantageous state for a player;
A main control means (50) for controlling the variable winning device (18); and a main control means (50) having a separate substrate structure from the main control means (50).
(2) a ball game machine having sub-control means (60, 70 to 72) for receiving a control command transmitted by one-way communication from (50)
In the above, the control command consists of command data for a plurality of bytes, from the main control means (50) to the sub-control means (60, 70-72)
The main control means (50) retransmits a control command that has become incomplete after returning from the main power supply from the first byte when the main power supply is turned off while there is untransmitted command data while a control command is being transmitted. A ball game machine characterized by the following. 2. The main control means (50) comprises: a backup storage means (39a) capable of storing at least a control command having transmission failure even when the main power supply is turned off; and a backup storage means after the main power supply is restored. 2. The ball game machine according to claim 1, further comprising: data recovery means (39f) for reading out the transmission-defective control command stored in the means (39a). 3. The sphere according to claim 1, wherein the sub control means is a payout control means for performing payout control for paying out game balls. Gaming machine. 4. The sub-control means (60, 70 to 72) is a symbol control means (60) for controlling a symbol display means (22) for variably displaying symbols in connection with winning. The ball game machine according to claim 1. 5. The sphere according to claim 1, wherein the sub control means is a sound control means for controlling a sound generator. Gaming machine. 6. The sphere according to claim 1, wherein said sub-control means is a lamp control means for controlling a plurality of lamps. Gaming machine.