JP2002018044A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine enabling a testing machine to correctly recognize the dynamic display of identification information. SOLUTION: On receiving a pattern stop command 33 without receiving a stop pattern specifying command 32, a command sequence error is generated and a pattern display device error signal 53 is output to the tester 19. After the lapse of 1 ms from receiving the pattern stop command 33, all patterns are stopped and displayed, and determined, pattern variation now signals 51, 54 are turned off, and a pattern determination signal 52 is turned on for 100 ms. On receiving a variation pattern specifying command 31 for the next variation display, after waiting for 1 ms since the pattern display device error signal 53 is turned off, the respective pattern variation now signals 51, 54 are turned on, and the start of the next variation display is informed to the tester 19. Thus, the next variation display can be started after the lapse of 1 ms corresponding to the determination time of the input signal in the tester 19, whereby an error caused in the preceding variation display is prevented from being recognized as an error of the next variation display by the tester by mistake.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine represented by a pachinko machine, a slot machine, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a pachinko machine is actually operated and various tests are performed to check whether or not the pachinko machine operates as designed before selling the product. This test includes a test on how a special symbol is dynamically displayed (dynamically displayed). In order to simplify such a test operation, a signal relating to a special symbol variation display is output from the display control board for controlling the symbol variation display to the testing machine, and the signal is input to the testing machine to perform the test. I'm trying to do it. Thus, by analyzing such a signal with the tester, it is possible to check whether or not the display of the change of the special symbol is performed as designed.

[0003] In a test machine, it is necessary to input a signal of a symbol variation display output from a display control board of a pachinko machine so as not to be erroneously detected even when there is an influence of noise or the like. Therefore, the tester periodically samples the signal of the fluctuation display, and when the sampled value shows the same value for a certain period of time, determines the input of the signal for the first time. For example, a variable display signal is sampled at intervals of 100 μs, and when the sampled value shows the same value ten times in succession, the input of the signal is determined. With this configuration, the signal input to the tester is determined only when the same signal is continuously output for 1 ms or more, so that the tester removes the adverse effects of noise and the like from the display control board. Can be input.

When an error occurs in the variable display, an error signal is output from the display control board to the tester. When the tester inputs this error signal, it determines that an error has occurred in the variation display at that time, and excludes the data of the variation display from the analysis target of the test. This error signal is output for each variable display, and the error signal of the previous variable display is canceled at the timing when the next variable display starts.

[0005]

However, as described above, the tester determines the input of the signal only when the sampled value shows the same value for 10 consecutive times. Even if the error signal of the previous variable display was canceled at the start of the next variable display, the tester could not fully recognize the cancellation of the error signal, and an error occurred in the next variable display where no error occurred There is a problem in that it is determined that they have done so. In contrast,
If an error occurs, the next variation display start timing is delayed by 1 ms, and the next variation display is started after the previous error signal is completely canceled. It is not determined as an error. However, in this case, the timing of the variable display after the occurrence of the error is delayed by 1 ms, so that there is a problem that the timing of the variable display is different from the timing of the normal variable display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and has as its object to provide a gaming machine that allows a testing machine to correctly recognize the state of dynamic display of identification information.

[0007]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine, comprising: a display device for displaying identification information; a main control board for controlling a game; and a transmission from the main control board. A display control board for causing the display device to perform dynamic display of identification information based on the control command to be performed, wherein the display control board is suitable for a control command received from the main control board. Command checking means for determining whether or not the received control command is received, an error signal output means for outputting an error signal when the received control command is determined to be inappropriate, and the received control command Delay execution means for executing the dynamic display of the identification information corresponding to at least a predetermined time or more after receiving the control command, and the delay execution means Fluctuation signal output means for outputting a fluctuation signal in accordance with the dynamic display of the delayed identification information.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a control command is transmitted from the main control board to the display control board, and the display control board uses the identification command on the display device based on the control command. Is dynamically displayed. In particular, in the display control board, when a control command transmitted from the main control board is received, the command check means determines whether or not the control command is appropriate. , An error signal is output (to the tester) by the error signal output means. Further, the dynamic display of the identification information corresponding to the received control command is executed by the delay execution means with a delay of at least a predetermined time after the reception of the control command, and is performed in accordance with the delayed dynamic display. The fluctuation signal is output (to the tester) by the fluctuation signal output means.

[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, there are provided a plurality of winning ports 2 from which 5 to 15 balls are paid out when a hit ball wins. Also, in the center of the game board 1,
A liquid crystal (LCD) display 3 for displaying a plurality of types of design information as identification information is provided. This LC
The display screen of the D display 3 is divided into three parts in the horizontal direction, and in each of the three divided display areas, a dynamic display of symbols is performed while scrolling from right to left in the horizontal direction.

Below the LCD display 3, a symbol operation port (first type opening port) 4 is provided, and when the hit ball passes through the symbol operation port 4, the above-mentioned variable display of the LCD display 3 is started. You. Below the symbol operating port 4, a specific winning port (large winning port) 5 is provided. When the display result after the change of the LCD display 3 matches one of the predetermined symbol combinations, the specific winning opening 5 becomes a big hit and a predetermined time (for example, 30) so that the hit ball can easily win. Until seconds elapse, or
The winning opening is opened (until 10 hits are won).
The specific winning opening 5 is provided with a V zone 5a. If a hit ball passes through the V zone 5a while the specific winning opening 5 is open, a continuation right is established and the specific winning opening 5 is closed. Thereafter, the specific winning opening 5 is opened again for a predetermined time (or until a predetermined number of hit balls are won in the specific winning opening 5). The opening / closing operation of the specific winning opening 5 can be repeated up to 16 times (16 rounds), and the state in which the opening / closing operation can be performed is a state in which a predetermined game value is given (a special game state). is there.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine P. The main control board C of the pachinko machine P has an MPU 11 as an arithmetic unit and the MPU 11
ROM 12 which stores various control programs and fixed value data to be executed by the CPU, and a RAM 13 which is a memory for temporarily storing various data and the like. The programs in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 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
3a is a buffer for storing a control command transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D 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. Transmission buffer 13a
The control command set (written) to the display control board D is transmitted one byte at a time by a timer interrupt process.

Before describing the command counter 13b, nine display areas 3a1-3c3 of the LCD display 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 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 includes three display areas 3a, 3b,
3c, the scrolling is performed in the direction of arrow A in the horizontal direction. The three display areas 3a, 3b, 3c divided into three in the horizontal direction are further divided into three in the vertical direction to form nine display areas 3a1,..., 3c3, and the nine display areas 3a1,. , 3c3, as shown in FIG. 3, nine symbol numbers 32a of "symbol 1 to symbol 9" are respectively assigned.

The command counter 13b (see FIG. 2)
Stop designating 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. 3) 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 display control board D and other input / output devices 16. The main control board C transmits various commands to the display control board D and other input / output devices 16 via the input / output port 15 and controls these devices. The connection between the main control board C and the display control board D is made via two buffers (inverter gates) 17 and 28 having fixed inputs and outputs. Therefore, transmission and reception of control commands between the main control board C and the display control board D are performed only in one direction from the main control board C to the display control board D. A control command or the like cannot be transmitted to the board C.

The display control board D includes an MPU 21, a program ROM 22, a work RAM 23, and a video RA.
M24, character ROM 25, image controller 26, output port 27, and input / output port 29. The input / output port 29 is connected to the output of the inverter gate 28, the MPU 21 and the program ROM 2
2. A bus line for connecting the work RAM 23 and four connectors 1 to 4 (20a to 20d) for connecting the display control board D to the tester 19 are connected.
The test machine 19 and the connectors 1 to 4 (20a to 20d) will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. An image controller 26 is connected to an input of the output port 27,
The LCD display 3 is connected to the output of the output port 27.

The MPU 21 of the display control board D controls the LC based on a control command transmitted from the main control board C.
This is for controlling the (fluctuation) display of the D display 3, and various control programs executed by the MPU 21 are stored in the program ROM 22. The program in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is a program ROM 2 as a part of the control program.
2 is stored.

The work RAM 23 is a memory in which work data and flags used when executing various programs by the MPU 21 are stored.
A command reception flag 23b and nine stop symbols 1 to 9 memories 23c to 23k are provided.

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 2-byte 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, and the variable display of the LCD display 3 is controlled based on the read control command. Once the command reception flag 23b is turned on,
It is turned off when a 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
9), and a total of nine stop symbols 1 to 9 memories 23c to 23k are provided, one for each of the nine display areas 3a1 to 3c3 (see FIG. 3) of the LCD display 3. ing. In addition, stop design 1
Details of the .about.9 memories 23c to 23k will be described later.

The video RAM 24 is a memory in which display data displayed on the LCD display 3 is stored.
By rewriting the contents of the video RAM 24,
The display content of the LCD display 3 is changed. That is,
The variation display of the symbols in each of the display areas 3a1-3c3 is as follows.
This is performed by rewriting the contents of the video RAM 24. The character ROM 25 is a memory for storing character data such as symbols displayed on the LCD display 3. The image controller 26 includes an MPU
21, the video RAM 24, and the output port 27 are adjusted so as to intervene in reading and writing of data. The display data stored in the video RAM 24 is read at predetermined timing by referring to the character ROM 25.
This is to be displayed on the D display 3.

Next, control commands transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D for controlling the variable display will be described with reference to FIGS. The control command is composed of three types of commands: a fluctuation pattern designation command 31, a stop symbol designation command 32, and a symbol stop command 33. 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 The code has the most significant bit reset.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the command code of the variation pattern designation command 31 and the contents of the command. The variation pattern designation command 31 is a command for starting the variation display and for designating a series of variation patterns from the start to the end of the variation display. The command code of the first byte is “C0H” or “C1H”, and a total of 56 types of variation patterns are prepared as shown in FIG.

The control of the fluctuation display specified by the fluctuation pattern specification command 31 is performed by the display control board D that has received the fluctuation pattern specification command 31. By changing, the content of the variation display for the variation pattern designation command 31 of the same code can be changed. That is, the contents of the variable display can be changed only by changing the control program of the display control board D without changing the control program of the main control board C.

FIG. 5A shows a stop symbol designation command 32.
And a symbol number 32a specified 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 display control board D 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 display control board D receives the stop symbol designation command 32, the variation display ends with the symbol of the symbol code 32b designated by the stop symbol designation command 32 in consideration of the variation pattern being executed. Like this, the symbols that are changing are replaced. Since the symbol replacement is performed only when the variable display is fluctuating at a high speed, the player does not notice that the symbol replacement has been performed.

As shown in FIG. 5B, different symbols are assigned to all symbols. In particular,
The symbol name 32c “Shark (1)” and “Shark (2)” are L
The symbols are displayed on the CD display 3 as exactly the same symbols, 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.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the virtual symbol reels 41 to 43 in each of the upper, middle, and lower tiers. FIG. 6A shows the upper virtual symbol reel 4 that is variably displayed in the upper display area 3 a of the LCD display 3.
1 is schematically illustrated. As shown in FIG. 6A, 18 kinds of symbols are provided on the virtual symbol reel 41 in the upper stage, “shellfish (9)”, “crab”, “shellfish (8)”,.
It is arranged in the order of "octopus", and after the last "octopus" symbol, it returns to the first symbol and returns "shellfish (9)", "crab", "shellfish (8)", ... Each symbol is arranged. The upper virtual symbol reel 41 has L
The display is changed and displayed in the upper display area 3a of the CD display 3.

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 that of the upper virtual symbol reel 41, and has 18 types of symbols such as "octopus", "shellfish (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 structure 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 (fixing) a symbol variably displayed in the display areas 3a1 to 3c3 of the designated symbol number 32a. When the display control board D receives the symbol stop command 33, the display areas 3a1-3c specified by the symbol stop command 33 are displayed.
3, stop symbols already designated by the stop symbol designation command 32 are stopped and displayed, and their display areas 3a1 to 3a3 are displayed.
The symbol of c3 is determined. That is, the variable display of the display areas 3a1 to 3c3 specified by the symbol stop command 33 ends. When the symbols in all nine display areas 3a1 to 3c3 are determined by the symbol stop command 33, a series of variable display started by the variable pattern designation command 31 ends.

The display control board D takes into consideration the contents of the variation pattern designation command 31 and the stop symbol designation command 32, and the display area corresponding to the symbol designated by the stop symbol designation command 32 at the end of the variation display. 3
As shown in a1 to c3, symbols are replaced in advance during the high-speed fluctuation of the fluctuation display. In addition, the main control board C controls the symbol stop command 33 to be transmitted to the display control board D at the timing when the variation pattern of the variation display designated by the variation pattern designation command 31 ends. Therefore, the symbol stop command 33
Is stopped (determined) smoothly without giving the player a sense of incongruity.

As a result of the earlier transmission timing of the symbol stop command 33 from the main control board C, the display control board D remains in spite of before the end of the variation pattern designated by the variation pattern designation command 31. When the symbol stop command 33 is received, the display control board D displays the stop symbol already designated by the stop symbol designation command 32 even in the display area 3a even before the end of the variation pattern.
Stop display is provided at the center of each of the display areas 3a1 to 3c3.
The symbol 3c3 is 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, The interest of the player can be further improved.

Next, referring to FIG. 8, display control board D
Are connected to the tester 19 by four connectors 1-4.
(20a to 20d) will be described. First, test machine 1
9 (see FIG. 2) will be described. The test machine 19 is for checking whether the pachinko machine P operates as designed before the production and sale of the pachinko machine P. Testing machine 19
Is connected to the display control board D to test the special symbol change display performed on the LCD display 3 and is also connected to the main control board C to determine the probability of hitting a ball and the probability of a jackpot. test. In the tester 19, the input signal is determined as follows so that the input signal is not erroneously detected even if there is an influence of noise or the like. That is, 1
Each input signal is sampled every 00 μs, and when the input signal shows the same value ten times in succession, the input signal is determined for the first time. It should be noted that the sampling interval of the input signal by the tester and the number of samplings until the input signal is determined are, of course,
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various changes can be made.

The display control board D has four connectors 1-4 (20a-20
The tester 19 is connected via d). FIG.
It is a figure showing a signal outputted from each pin of the four connectors 1-4 (20a-20d). As shown in FIG. 8, the signals output from the four connectors 1 to 4 (20a to 20d) are classified for each connector.

Specifically, from the connector 1 (20a), a symbol changing signal (pin number 1) 51, a symbol determination signal (pin number 5) 52, a symbol display device error signal (pin number 9) 53, a symbol 1 to 16 changing signal (pin number 17)
32), such as 54, a signal relating to the timing of symbol change display. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, only symbols 1 (3a1) to 9 (3c3) are used, so that the changing signals (pin numbers 26 to 32) of symbols 10 to 16 are unused. It has become.

On the other hand, connectors 2-4 (20b-2
From 0d), the symbol data 55 indicating the symbol determined at the end of the variable display is output. The pattern of 1 is 6
It is represented by a total of 8 bits (1 byte) of the symbol data of 2 bits and the symbol data of 2 bits. Therefore, the symbol data 55 for four symbols of symbol 1 (3a1) to symbol 4 (3a2) is output from the connector 2 (20b), and symbol 5 (3b2) to symbol 8 (3b3) from the connector 3 (20c). Is output from the connector 4 (20d), and symbol 9 (3c3) is output from the connector 4 (20d).
The symbol data 55 corresponding to four symbols from the symbol 12 are output.
As described above, the data of the symbols 10 to 12 are not used in this embodiment.

As described above, the four connectors 1-4 (20
Since the signals output from a to 20d) are categorized for each connector, it is not always necessary to connect all the connectors 20a to 20d during the test. In other words, since the test can be performed by connecting only the necessary connectors 20a to 20d, it is possible to omit unnecessary connection of the connector and improve the work efficiency of the test.

Each of the connectors 1-4 (20a-20)
The arrangement of the signal lines in d) is not necessarily limited to the example of FIG. That is, if the output signals are classified for each connector, the arrangement can be variously changed.

Next, each process executed by the pachinko machine P configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the 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 process, 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, the output data updated in the previous reset interruption process is simultaneously processed by the special symbol change process (S15), the display data creation process (S17), and the ramp / information processing (S18). A port output process for outputting to a port 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 process is for shortening the time required for the symbol variation display when the number of reserved balls for the jackpot determination is equal to or more than a predetermined number and the symbol variation is being displayed on the LCD display 3.

The switch reading process (S8) reads the value of each switch, and wins a hit ball 2 or a large winning port 5 (including the V zone 5a) of a hit ball hit into the game area 1,
This is a process for detecting the passing of the symbol operating port 4 and further detecting a prize ball or a lending ball. The count abnormality monitoring process (S9) is performed in S8
This is a process for monitoring whether there is any abnormality in the switch data read by the switch reading process. 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 one ball cannot be detected with the count switch, the 10 count switch has some sort of abnormality, such as the 10 count switch being removed. In addition, if one prize ball is not paid out even though the motor that pays out the prize ball is driven, some abnormality has occurred in the prize 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 processing from S3 to S11, if no error has occurred (S12: normal), the variable display of the 7-segment LED (not shown) is performed by the ordinary symbol variation processing (S13), and the variation is displayed. As a result of the display,
When a hit occurs, a hitting process is performed to open the electric accessory (not shown) for a predetermined time. Thereafter, the status flag is checked (S14), and the LCD display 3
If the symbol starts to change or the change is being displayed in (S
14: 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 symbol operating port 4, and the LCD display. In 3, a symbol variation process is executed. On the other hand, as a result of checking the state flag, if a big hit is being made (S14: big hit), a big hit process such as opening the big winning opening 5 (S1)
Execute 6).

Further, as a result of checking the status flag, if the symbol is not fluctuating or a big hit (S14: other), the processing of S15 and S16 is skipped and S17 is executed.
To display data creation processing. In the process of S12, if an error is confirmed (S12: error), each process of S13 to S16 is skipped and the process of S17 is skipped.
To display data creation processing.

In the display data creation processing (S17), demonstration data to be displayed on the LCD display 3 and display data of a 7-segment LED are created in addition to the symbol change display. Various types of lamp data are created, including sphere lamp data. In the sound effect processing (S19), sound effect data according to the game situation is created. The display data and the sound effect data are sent to the port output processing (S5).
And output to each device by timer interrupt processing.

After the end of the sound effect process (S19), the process goes to S10 for the remaining time until the next reset interrupt process 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. 10 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. The fluctuation pattern designation command 31 written in the transmission buffer 13a is transmitted to the display control board D byte by byte by the timer interruption process set in the process of S3 as described above.

In the process of S31, as a result of checking the status flag, if the symbol is being displayed in a variable display (S31: During the variable 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). For example, if the value of the command counter 13b is “1”, “90H” is set based on the correspondence shown in FIG.
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 designated, the symbol code 32b of "23H" is written to the lower byte of the transmission buffer 13a.

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 display control board D 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. Is done.

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.
A symbol stop command 33 (80H, 0AH (see FIG. 7)) for stopping and displaying (fixing) all the symbols of c3 at a time is written into the transmission buffer 13a (S38), and this processing is ended. The symbol stop command 33 written to the transmission buffer 13a is, as in the case of the fluctuation pattern designation command 31, the timer interrupt process set in the process of S3, the 1
The data is transmitted to the display control board D byte by byte. When the symbol stop command 33 is transmitted to the display control board D, a series of variable display started by the variable pattern designation command 31 ends.

It should be noted 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, as shown in FIG.
H "to" 80H, 09H "are used, and in the latter case," 80H, 0BH "to" 80 "are used.
H, 0DH "symbol stop command 33 is used.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a command reception process executed in the reception interrupt process of the display control board D. This command receiving process is executed when a control command is transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D. First, the display control board D transmitted from the main control board C
The control command received in step (1) is written into the reception buffer 23a (S41), and the command reception flag 23b is turned on (S42) to indicate that a new control command is stored in the reception buffer 23a. The process ends.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the variable display process executed in the main process of the display control board D. In the variation display process, the variation display is controlled based on the control command received from the main control board C, and a signal related to the variation display is output to the tester 19 in accordance with the variation display.

In the variable display processing, first, it is confirmed whether or not the command reception flag 23b is turned on (S5).
1). If the command reception flag 23b is turned on (S51: Yes), after turning it off (S52),
A command error check process (S53) is executed. In the command error check process (S53), it is determined whether the 2-byte control command stored in the reception buffer 23a is appropriate. Specifically, (1) command order error, (2) out-of-range command error, (3) stop symbol designation command combination error, and the like are checked.

The control command error includes a time error that occurs when a predetermined control command cannot be received within a predetermined time. This time error check is irrelevant to the reception of the control command. Therefore, it is not checked in the command error check process (S53), but is checked in the process of S78 described later.

A command order error occurs when an error occurs in the order in which control commands are received. The control command is originally received on the display control board D in the order of the fluctuation pattern designation command 31, the nine stop symbol designation commands 32, and the symbol stop command 33, but even one control command to be received is missing. As a result, an error occurs in the order of the control commands received by the display control board D, and a command order error occurs.

The command out-of-range error is an error that occurs when the control command of the second byte (lower byte) has a value outside the range that can be originally taken. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the data of the first byte is “C0H” or “C1H” indicating the variation pattern designation command 31, the data of the second byte is the variation pattern designation command 3
“00” other than “10H” to “2BH” which is a normal value of 1
If it is “H” to “09H” or “2CH” to “FFH”, it is determined that an error outside the command range of the variation pattern designation command 31 has occurred. Similarly, FIGS. 5A and 5B
, "90H", "A0H",..., "B"
In the case of “2H”, “00H” to “09” other than “10H” to “23H” where the data of the second byte is a normal value
If "H" or "24H" to "FFH", it is determined that an error outside the command range of the stop symbol designation command 32 has occurred. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, when the data of the first byte is “80H” indicating the symbol stop command 33,
The data of the byte is a normal value “01H” to “0D”
If it is "00H" or "0EH" to "FFH" other than "H", it is determined that an error outside the command range of the symbol stop command 33 has occurred.

The stop symbol designation command combination error is L
Nine display areas 3a1-3c3 of the CD display 3
This is an error that occurs when the combination of symbols stopped (confirmed) and displayed (see FIG. 3) is a combination that should not be possible. The variation display of the symbols is shown in FIGS.
Since this is performed based on the virtual symbol reels 41 to 43 shown in (c), when a combination different from the combination of the virtual symbol reels 41 to 43 is designated by the stop symbol designation command 32, a stop symbol designation command combination error occurs. appear.

After the command error check processing (S53), the type of the control command is confirmed by the data stored in the upper byte of the reception buffer 23a (S5).
4). If the upper byte of the control command stored in the reception buffer 23a is “C0H” or “C1H”,
The control command is a fluctuation pattern designation command 31. Therefore, in such a case (S54: fluctuation pattern designation command), first, it is determined whether or not the occurrence of an error is confirmed in the command error check processing of S53 (S54).
55), if the occurrence of an error has not been confirmed (S5)
5: No), the symbol display device error signal 53 is turned off (S56), and the symbol changing signals 51 and 54 are turned off (S57), and the process proceeds to S60. This allows
After clearing the previous fluctuation display signal output to the tester 19, the next fluctuation display can be started.

On the other hand, if the occurrence of an error is confirmed in the command error check processing of S53 (S55: Ye
s) The symbol display device error signal 53 is turned on to notify the tester 19 of the occurrence of the error (S58). And
It is confirmed whether or not the received fluctuation pattern designation command 31 is normal (S59), and if not, (S59: N
o) Since the variable display cannot be started, S6
Steps S0 to S63 are skipped, and the process proceeds to S80.

Even if the occurrence of an error is confirmed in the command error check processing in S53, if the received fluctuation pattern designation command 31 is normal (S59: Yes), S6 is executed.
The variable display is started by executing the processes of 0 to S63. Despite the occurrence of an error being confirmed in the command error check processing (S53), the variation pattern designation command 3
1 is normal when the fluctuation pattern designation command 3
There are a command order error when the number 1 is continuously received, and a command order error when the fluctuation pattern designation command 31 is received next to the stop symbol designation command 32 because the symbol stop command 33 is missing. In the latter case, if the occurrence of a time error has already been confirmed in the processing of S78, no error occurs in the command error check processing (S53) when the variation pattern designation command 31 is received.

In the process of S60, 1 is set before the start of the variable display.
A wait of ms is performed (S60). After the wait, the contents of all the stopped symbols 1 to 9 memories 23c to 23k are cleared to 0 (S61), and the variation display according to the variation pattern designation command 31 is started on the LCD display 3 (S6).
2), each symbol changing signal 51 output to the testing machine 19,
54 is turned on (S54). As described above, after the symbol display device error signal 53 is turned off in the process of S56, the variation display of the symbol starts after a lapse of 1 ms or more, which is the fixed time of the input signal of the testing machine 19 (sampling 10 times every 100 μs). That is, even if an error has occurred in the previous variation display, the next variation display is started after the error is completely cleared in the testing machine 19, so that the testing machine 1
9 does not recognize the error of the previous variable display as the error of the next variable display. The weight of 1 ms is not necessarily limited to 1 ms, but is
If it is longer than s, it may be 1.1 ms, 1.2 ms, or longer.

In the process of S54, the reception buffer 23
The upper byte of the control command stored in “a” is “90H
-92H "," A0H-A2H "or" B0H-B2
H ", the control command is the stop symbol designation command 32. Therefore, in such a case (S54: stop symbol designating command), it is determined whether or not an error has occurred in the command error check process of S53 (S64).
64: Yes), the symbol display device error signal 53 is turned on to notify the tester 19 of the occurrence of the error (S6).
5). Further, it is confirmed whether or not the received stop symbol designation command 32 is normal (S66).
66: No), skips steps S67 and S68, and shifts the processing to step S80.

If no error has been confirmed in the command error check processing in S53 (S64: No),
Even if the occurrence of an error is confirmed in the command error check process in S53 (S64: Yes), if the received stop symbol designation command 32 is normal (S66: Yes)
s) The process moves to S67.

In the process of S67, the symbol code 32b, which is the second byte command of the stop symbol designation command 32, is written into the corresponding stop symbols 1 to 9 memories 23c to 23k (S60). 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”, the stop symbol 1 memory 23c corresponding to “90H” The symbol code 32b of "14H (shrimp symbol)" is written. Also, the stop symbol designation command 3 stored in the reception buffer 23a
If 2 is “B2H, 21H”, “21H (shell pattern)” is stored in the stop symbol 9 memory 23k corresponding to “B2H”.
Is written.

Thereafter, the changing symbols which are being changed at a high speed on the LCD display 3 are displayed in consideration of the variation pattern and the progress of the variation pattern.
The changing symbol is replaced so that the variable display ends with the symbol of the symbol code 32b stored in the memories 23c to 23k (S61). For example, the stop symbol 1 memory 23
When “14H” is stored in c, the variable display of the display area 3a1 of the symbol 1 is the symbol code 32 of “14H”.
The symbols are replaced so as to end with the symbol “b” of “shrimp”. Also, "2" is stored in the stop symbol 9 memory 23k.
When “1H” is stored, the display area 3 of the symbol 9 is displayed.
The symbols are replaced so that the variable display of c3 ends with the symbol of "shellfish" which is the symbol code 32b of "21H".

The command error check processing (S5)
The case where the stop symbol designation command 32 is normal despite the occurrence of the error in 3) is a command order error when the stop symbol designation command 32 of the same symbol number is continuously received, Fluctuation pattern specification command 3
There is a command order error when the symbol designating command 32 is received next to the symbol designating command 33 because the number 1 is missing. Also in these cases, if the stop symbol designation command 32 is normal, the corresponding stop symbols 1 to 9 memories 23c to 23k are processed by the processing of S67 as described above.
Symbol code 32 specified by stop symbol specification command 32
Since b is written, correct symbol data 55 can be output to the testing machine 19 at the end of the variable display.

In the processing of S54, 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 (S54: symbol stop command), it is determined whether or not an error has been confirmed in the command error check process of S53 (S69).
If the occurrence of the error is confirmed (S69: Yes), the symbol display device error signal 53 is turned on to notify the tester 19 of the occurrence of the error (S70). Further, it is confirmed whether or not the received symbol stop command 33 is normal (S7).
1) If not normal (S71: No), S72 to S7
5 skips each process and shifts the process to S80.

If the occurrence of an error has not been confirmed in the command error check processing in S53 (S69: No),
Even if the occurrence of an error is confirmed in the command error check process of S53 (S69: Yes), if the received symbol stop command 33 is normal (S71: Yes)
s), the process proceeds to S72, and the symbol stop command 33
Stop display of the symbol specified by.

The command error check processing (S5
The case where the symbol stop command 33 is normal despite the occurrence of an error in 3) is a command order error when the symbol stop command 33 is received for the already stopped symbol, Fluctuation pattern specification command 31
7 before the end timing of the fluctuation display specified by
There is an error when the symbol stop command 33 is received before 0 ms. In the latter case, even if there is an error, it is necessary to stop and display the symbol specified by the symbol stop command 33, and if the symbol stop command 33 is normal, the process from S72 on is executed.

In the process of S72, a weight of 1 ms is given before stopping and displaying (fixing) the changing symbol (S72).
72). At the start of the variable display, the wait of 1 ms is performed in the process of S60, so that the weight of 1 ms is similarly applied at the end of the variable display, so that the time of a series of the variable display can be kept constant. After the wait, the symbol number 32a specified by the symbol stop command 33
The symbols in the display areas 3a1-3c3 are determined (S73),
The corresponding symbols are stopped and displayed in the display areas 3a1-3c3. For example, if the symbol stop command 33 of “80H, 0AH” is stored in the reception buffer 23a, symbols of all nine display areas 3a1 to 3c3 are stopped and displayed at once, and fixed. If the symbol stop command 33 of “80H, 0CH” is stored in the reception buffer 23a,
Three symbols 2, 5, 8 displayed in the middle display area 3b
Is stopped and displayed at once to confirm.

At the same time as the stop display of the symbol, the symbol changing signal 54 corresponding to the stopped symbol is turned off to notify the tester 19 of the stop of the symbol (S74). If the change display of all the symbols has not been completed (S75: No),
The process of S76 and S77 is skipped, and the process proceeds to S80.
Move to. On the other hand, if the variable display of all symbols is completed (if all symbols are determined) (S75: Yes),
In order to notify the tester 19 of the finalization of all the symbols, the symbol changing signal 51 is turned off (S76) and the symbol fixing signal 52 is turned on (S77). After that, the process proceeds to S80.
Move to. The turned-on symbol confirmation signal 52 is S
By each process of 80, it is turned off 100 ms after turning on.

In the process of S54, the reception buffer 23
The upper byte of the control command stored in “a” is “80”.
H "," 90H-92H "," A0H-A2H "," B
If it is not any of “0H to B2H”, “C0H” or “C1H”, the control command is an undefined command. Therefore, in such a case (S54: undefined command), the symbol display device error signal 53 is turned on to notify the tester 19 of the occurrence of the error (S79), and then the process proceeds to S80.

In the process of S51, if the command reception flag 23b is not turned on (S51: No), a new control command is not received, and the process is repeated.
The process proceeds to 78 to check whether a time error has occurred. The time error is an error that occurs when a predetermined control command cannot be received within a predetermined time. For example, 70 ms after receiving the fluctuation pattern designation command 31
If the stop symbol designation command 31 cannot be received within the time period, or the stop symbol designation command 32 for symbols 1 to 9
Occurs when the symbol stop command 33 cannot be received within 70 ms, or when the symbol stop command 33 has not been received within 70 ms after the end of the fluctuation display specified by the fluctuation pattern specification command 31. Since these time errors occur when the control command is not received, when the command reception flag is off (S51: N
o), checked.

As a result of the check, if a time error has occurred (S78: Yes), the symbol display device error signal 53 is turned on to notify the testing machine 19 of the occurrence of the error (S79), and the process is terminated. Move to S80. On the other hand, if no time error has occurred (S78: No), S7
Step 9 is skipped, and the process proceeds to S80. S
In the process of 80, each process of the variable display in that state is executed, and then the variable display process ends.

Next, the timing of the variable display based on the above description will be described with reference to the timing charts of FIGS. Note that the numbers in parentheses correspond to the step numbers of the variable display processing (FIG. 12).

First, with reference to FIG. 13, the timing when the control command is normally received will be described. When receiving the variation pattern designation command 31, the display control board D first turns off the symbol variation signals 51 and 54 and the symbol display device error signal 53 (S56, S57), and waits for 1 ms (S60). Start the variable display (S6
2). With the start of the fluctuation display, each symbol fluctuation signal
1 and 54 are turned on (S63), and the start of the fluctuation display is notified to the testing machine 19.

During the symbol change display, nine stop symbol designation commands 32 corresponding to symbols 1 to 9 are received.
The symbol stop command 33 is received. In the present embodiment, since the symbol stop command 33 of “80H, 0AH” for stopping and displaying all the symbols at once is used, after receiving the symbol stop command 33 and waiting for 1 ms (S72),
All the symbols are stopped and displayed and fixed (S73). At the same time, the symbols changing signals 51 and 54 are turned off (S74 and S76), and the symbol fixing signal 52 is set to 10
It is turned on for 0 ms (S77).

As described above, even if the start of the variable display is delayed by 1 ms, the end of the variable display is similarly delayed by 1 ms. Therefore, the variable display can be performed while keeping the variable display time constant as a whole. You can.

Next, referring to FIG. 14, a description will be given of the timing when the stop symbol designating command is missing. As in the case of FIG. 13, after receiving the fluctuation pattern designation command 31, the fluctuation display starts 1 ms later (S60) (S60).
62). During the fluctuation display of the symbol, if the symbol stop command 33 is received without receiving any one or more of the stop symbol designation commands 32 among the nine stop symbol designation commands 32 of the symbols 1 to 9, that is, When the symbol stop command 33 is received in a state where the stop symbol designation command 32 is missing, a command order error occurs. As a result, the symbol display device error signal 53 is sent to the testing machine 19 almost simultaneously with the reception of the symbol stop command 33. Is output (S7
0).

After 1 ms has passed from the reception of the symbol stop command 33 (S72), all the symbols are stopped and displayed and fixed (S73), and the symbol changing signal 5
1 and 54 are turned off (S74, S76), and the symbol determination signal 52 is turned on for 100 ms (S77).

Thereafter, when a fluctuation pattern designation command 31 for the next fluctuation display is received, the symbol display device error signal 53 that was turned on in the previous fluctuation display is turned off (S5).
6) After waiting for 1 ms (S60), the variable display is started (S62). Thereby, each symbol changing signal 5
1 and 54 are turned on (S63), and the start of the fluctuation display is notified to the testing machine 19.

As described above, even if an error has occurred in the previous fluctuation display, after the error signal is released, the next fluctuation display is started after a lapse of 1 ms corresponding to the fixed time of the input signal in the tester 19. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the tester from mistakenly recognizing an error generated in the previous variable display as an error in the next variable display. In the case of FIG. 14, similarly to the case of FIG. 13, even if the start of the variable display is delayed by 1 ms, the end of the variable display is similarly delayed by 1 ms. The variable display can be performed while maintaining the display constant (the same applies to FIGS. 15 to 17).

Referring to FIG. 15, the timing when the symbol stop command is missing will be described. As in the case of FIG. 13, after the reception of the fluctuation pattern designation command 31, the fluctuation display starts 1 ms later (S60) and (S62). During the variable display of the symbols, nine stop symbol designation commands 32 corresponding to the symbols 1 to 9 are received.

However, nine stop symbol designation commands 32
If the symbol stop command 33 cannot be received even after receiving the fluctuation pattern designation command 31 and the fluctuation pattern designation command 31 has passed the predetermined fluctuation time after the reception of the fluctuation pattern designation command 31, a time error is generated. (S78: Yes), symbol display device error signal 53
Is output to the tester 19 (S79).

Thereafter, when the fluctuation pattern designation command 31 for the next fluctuation display is received, the symbol display device error signal 53 which was turned on in the previous fluctuation display is turned off (S5).
6) After waiting for 1 ms (S60), the variable display is started (S62). Thereby, each symbol changing signal 5
1 and 54 are turned on (S63), and the start of the fluctuation display is notified to the testing machine 19. Therefore, as in the case of FIG. 14, even if an error has occurred in the previous fluctuation display, after the error signal is released, the next fluctuation is displayed after the elapse of 1 ms corresponding to the fixed time of the input signal in the tester 19. Since the display can be started, it is possible to prevent the tester from erroneously recognizing an error generated in the previous variable display as an error in the next variable display.

Referring to FIG. 16, a description will be given of the timing when the variation pattern designation command is missing. If the stop symbol designating command 32 is received even though the variation pattern designating command 31 has not been received, a command order error occurs. Therefore, when the first stop symbol designating command 32 is received, the symbol display device error signal 53 is output to the tester. 19 (S65).

After that, when all nine stop symbol designation commands 32 are received and the symbol stop command 33 is received,
After receiving the symbol stop command 33, after waiting for 1 ms (S72), all symbols are determined (S73),
In accordance with the determination, the symbol determination signal 52 is turned on for 100 ms (S77).

At this time, the symbol display device error signal 53 remains on, but when the variation pattern designation command 31 for the next variation display is received, the symbol display device error signal 53 that was turned on in the previous variation display is received. Is turned off (S56), and after a 1 ms wait (S60), the variation display is started (S62), and the symbols during the symbol variation 51 and 54 are changed.
Is turned on (S63). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the tester from erroneously recognizing the error that occurred in the previous variable display as the error in the next variable display.

Next, with reference to FIG. 17, a description will be given of the timing when the variation pattern designation command is further lost after the stop symbol designation command is lost, that is, the timing when the error occurs continuously. As in the case of FIG. 13, after the reception of the fluctuation pattern designation command 31, the fluctuation display starts 1 ms later (S60) and (S62). During the fluctuation display of the symbol, if the symbol stop command 33 is received without receiving any one or more of the stop symbol designation commands 32 among the nine stop symbol designation commands 32 of the symbols 1 to 9, that is, When the symbol stop command 33 is received in a state where the stop symbol designation command 32 is missing, a command order error occurs. As a result, the symbol display device error signal 53 is sent to the testing machine 19 almost simultaneously with the reception of the symbol stop command 33. It is output (S70).

After 1 ms from the reception of the symbol stop command 33 (S72), all the symbols are stopped and displayed and fixed (S73).
1 and 54 are turned off (S74, S76), and the symbol determination signal 52 is turned on for 100 ms (S77).

Thereafter, when the fluctuation pattern designation command 31 for the next fluctuation display is further lost, the symbol display device error signal 53 remains ON (S65), and the symbol display device error signal is displayed in the next fluctuation display. Signal 53
Can be kept on. Therefore, when errors occur consecutively, the tester 19 can accurately recognize not only the error that occurred in the previous fluctuation display but also the error that occurred in the next fluctuation display.

In the above embodiment, the command check means of the present invention corresponds to the command error check processing (S53) shown in FIG. 12, and the error signal output means corresponds to the processing of S58, S65, S70 and S79. This corresponds to the respective processes of S60 and S72 as the delay execution means, and S57 and S57 as the fluctuation signal output means.
63, S74, S76, and S77 correspond.

The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, 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, S60 in FIG.
1 ms in each process of S72 and S72 was waited using a soft timer. However, such a wait does not necessarily have to be performed by a soft timer, but may be performed by a hardware timer such as a timer interrupt or a signal input periodically from the outside. When a hardware timer (timer interrupt) is used, other processing can be executed during the 1 ms waiting time, so that the processing efficiency in the display control board D can be improved. . Further, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the display control board D, but may be applied to other control boards such as the main control board C.

Further, as the dynamic display of the identification information of the present invention, as shown in the above embodiment, the pattern as the identification information is moved and displayed on the LCD display 3 in the horizontal or vertical direction or along a predetermined route. The present invention is not limited to the variation display of the symbols performed, and includes, for example, an effect display performed by variously displaying or changing one or more characters together with the symbols. In this case, 1
Alternatively, a plurality of characters may be used as identification information together with or separately from the design.

In the above-described embodiment, the start of the variable display is started while the variable display time is kept constant as a whole and the tester 19 does not recognize the error of the previous variable display as the error of the next variable display. It was configured to delay the end by 1 ms each. On the other hand, after receiving the variation pattern designation command 31, the variation display is started immediately, while the output of each symbol variation signal 51, 54 to the testing machine 19 and the end of the variation display are delayed by 1 ms. You can do it. According to this configuration, although the time of the variable display is extended by 1 ms as a whole, while maintaining the variable display time constant with the variable display extended by 1 ms and the error of the previous variable display as in the above-described embodiment, Can be prevented from being recognized by the tester 19 as an error of the next fluctuation display.

The present invention may be applied to a pachinko machine of a different type from the above embodiment. For example, once a jackpot is hit, a pachinko machine (commonly known as a twice-rights item or a three-times rights item) that increases the jackpot expectation value until a jackpot condition occurs a plurality of times (for example, two or three times) including that. ). Further, the pachinko machine may be implemented as a pachinko machine which enters a special game state on condition that a ball is won in a predetermined area after the big hit symbol is displayed. Furthermore, in addition to the pachinko machine, the present invention may be implemented as various game machines such as areaches, sparrow balls, slot machines, so-called game machines in which a so-called pachinko machine and a slot machine are combined.

In the slot machine, for example, a symbol is changed by operating an operation lever in a state where a symbol is inserted and a symbol valid line is determined, and the symbol is stopped and determined by operating a stop button. Is well known. Therefore, the basic concept of the slot machine is as follows: "variable display means for confirming and displaying the identification information after variably displaying the identification information sequence including a plurality of identification information;
The change of the identification information is started by the operation of the start operation means (for example, the operation lever), and the identification information is changed by the operation of the stop operation means (for example, the stop button) or after a predetermined time elapses. Is stopped, and provided that the fixed identification information at the time of the stop is the specific identification information, a slot machine having special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player, In this case, coins and medals are typical examples of the game medium.

As a specific example of a gaming machine in which a pachinko machine and a slot machine are integrated, a variable display means for variably displaying a symbol row composed of a plurality of symbols and then confirming and displaying the symbols is provided. Are not provided. In this case, after throwing in a predetermined amount of balls based on a predetermined operation (button operation), the fluctuation of the symbol is started, for example, due to the operation of the operation lever, and is caused, for example, by the operation of the stop button, or By the passage of time, the fluctuation of the symbol is stopped, and a jackpot state advantageous to the player is generated on condition that the final symbol at the time of the stop is a so-called jackpot symbol. A large number of balls are paid out.

Hereinafter, modified examples of the present invention will be described. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the control command transmitted from the main control board is a variation pattern designation command for designating a series of variation patterns of the dynamic display, and the display device at the end of the dynamic display. Stop designating command to specify the identification information (stop design) to be stopped and displayed, and the identification information (stop design) specified by the stop design designation command
A game stop command for designating a timing at which a stop display (fixed display) is made on the display device. The symbol stop command includes
(1) Stop (determine) identification information (symbols) displayed in all display areas of a display device on which dynamic display is performed at a time, and (2) A predetermined display device on which dynamic display is performed. One that stops and displays (determines) a plurality of pieces of identification information (symbols) displayed in a plurality of display areas at one time, or
(3) For a plurality of display areas of the display device on which dynamic display is performed, there are three types, that is, stop display (confirmation) by one identification information (symbol) for each display area.

[0112] In the gaming machine 1, the command check means may determine that the order of receiving the control commands is incorrect, or that the timing of receiving the control commands is incorrect, or A gaming machine that determines that the received control command is not appropriate if the value of the control command is outside a predetermined range, or if the control command is missing. 2.

The gaming machine according to claim 1 or the gaming machine 1
Or the display control board according to claim 2, wherein, when a control command for starting a new dynamic display is received from the main control board, the display control board cancels the output of the error signal by the error signal output means. A gaming machine 3 comprising: Since the output of the error signal is canceled each time the dynamic display is started, the occurrence of the error can be recognized for each unit of the dynamic display. The “control command for starting a new dynamic display” is, for example, a variation pattern designation command for designating a series of variation patterns of dynamic display.

[0114] In any one of the gaming machines and the gaming machines 1 to 3, the display control board may be connected to another device, and may be connected to each of the error signal output means and the fluctuation signal output means. A gaming machine 4 comprising a plurality of connectors for outputting signals, wherein each signal output from the plurality of connectors is classified for each connector. Since the output signals are classified for each connector, it is not necessary to connect all the connectors at the time of the test. That is, since the test can be performed by connecting only necessary connectors, work efficiency at the time of the test can be improved.

A game machine according to claim 1, further comprising one-way means for transmitting said control command from said main control board only in one direction. Machine 5.

[0116] In the gaming machine or any one of the gaming machines 1 to 5, the control command transmitted from the main control board is directly transmitted to the display control board. Machine 6. In other words, Claim 1
In the gaming machine described above or the gaming machines 1 to 5, the control command transmitted from the main control board is not directly transmitted to the display control board, but is transmitted indirectly through another control board or the like. What is done may be.

A gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said gaming machine is a pachinko machine. Above all, the pachinko machine has an operation handle as a basic configuration, fires a ball to a predetermined game area in response to the operation of the operation handle, and the ball wins an operation port arranged at a predetermined position in the game area. As a necessary condition, the identification information dynamically displayed on the display device is stopped after a predetermined time. In addition, when a special game state occurs, a variable winning device (specific winning opening) disposed at a predetermined position in the game area is opened in a predetermined mode so that a ball can be won, and a value corresponding to the winning number is obtained. A value (including not only a prize ball but also data written on a magnetic card) is given.

The gaming machine 8 according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said gaming machine is a slot machine. Above all, the basic configuration of the slot machine is as follows: "variable display means for dynamically displaying an identification information string composed of a plurality of identification information and then confirming and displaying the identification information, and starting operation means (for example, an operation lever)
Due to the operation described above, or after a predetermined time has elapsed, the dynamic display of the identification information is stopped, and as a necessary condition, the fixed identification information at the time of the stop is the specific identification information.
A game machine having special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to a player. In this case, coins and medals are typical examples of the game medium.

[0119] The gaming machine 9 according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said gaming machine is a combination of a pachinko machine and a slot machine. Above all, the basic configuration of the integrated gaming machine is as follows: "variable display means for dynamically displaying an identification information string comprising a plurality of identification information and then confirming and displaying the identification information, and starting operation means (for example, an operation lever) The dynamic display of the identification information is started due to the operation of, and the dynamic display of the identification information is stopped due to the operation of the stop operation means (for example, the stop button) or after a predetermined time elapses. ,
A special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player on the condition that the fixed identification information at the time of the stop is the specific identification information, and using a ball as a game medium, The game machine is configured so that a predetermined number of balls are required at the start of the dynamic display of information and many balls are paid out when a special game state occurs.

[0120]

According to the gaming machine of the present invention, when the command check means determines that the received control command is not appropriate, the error signal output means outputs an error signal (to the testing machine). You. On the other hand, the dynamic display of the identification information corresponding to the received control command is executed by the delay execution means with a delay of at least a predetermined time after the reception of the control command, and the dynamic display is changed in accordance with the delayed dynamic display. The fluctuation signal is output (to the tester) by the signal output means. As described above, the next dynamic display of the identification information is delayed for a predetermined time or more, and the fluctuation signal of the next identification information is output in accordance with the delay. Even when the signal is output, the next dynamic display can be started after the output of the error signal is completely canceled. Therefore, there is an effect that the tester can accurately recognize the state of the next dynamic display without carrying over the error generated in the previous dynamic display to the next dynamic display. In addition, since the dynamic display of the identification information is delayed for a predetermined time or more after receiving the control command regardless of whether or not an error has occurred, the timing of each dynamic display can be performed as designed. 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 illustrating a connection between the display control board and the tester.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating signals output from respective pins of one connector.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a reset interrupt process executed by the main control board.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a command setting process executed in the reset interrupt process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a command receiving process executed in the interrupt process of the display control board.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a variable display process executed in a main process of the display control board.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart of a variable display when a control command is normally received.

FIG. 14 is a timing chart of a variable display when a stop symbol designation command is missing.

FIG. 15 is a timing chart of a variable display when a symbol stop command is missing.

FIG. 16 is a timing chart of a variation display when a variation pattern designation command is missing.

FIG. 17 is a timing chart of the fluctuation display when the fluctuation pattern specification command is missing after the stop symbol specification command is missing.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 Liquid crystal (LCD) display (display device) 31 Variation pattern designation command (part of control command) 32 Stop symbol designation command (part of control command) 32a Symbol number 32b Symbol code 32c Symbol name 33 Symbol stop command ( Part of control commands) 51 Symbol changing signal (variation signal of identification information) 52 Symbol determination signal (variation signal of identification information) 53 Symbol display device error signal (error signal) 54 Symbol changing symbol 1 to 9 (identification) Information fluctuation signal) 55 Symbol data D Display control board C Main control board P Pachinko machine (Game machine)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A display device for displaying identification information, a main control board for controlling a game, and dynamic display of the identification information by the display device based on a control command transmitted from the main control board. A display control board, the display control board comprising: a command checking means for determining whether a control command received from the main control board is appropriate; and the command checking means. An error signal output unit that outputs an error signal when the received control command is determined to be inappropriate, and a dynamic display of identification information corresponding to the received control command at least after receiving the control command. Delay executing means for executing the signal with a delay of a predetermined time or more, and a variable signal corresponding to the dynamic display of the identification information delayed by the delay executing means. Game machine characterized by comprising a variation signal output means for force.