JP2002035395A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the processing burdens of a controller while appropriately reporting abnormality at the time of supplying power again after power interruption. SOLUTION: This game machine is provided with reporting means 10, 27, 28 and 45 for reporting the abnormality of the game machine, a game controller 100 and reporting controllers 350, 300 and 400 for controlling the reporting means 10, 27, 28 and 45 based on a command from the game controller 100. The reporting controllers 350, 300 and 400 are provided with an initialization means for performing initialization to the state of not reporting the abnormality by the reporting means 10, 27, 28 and 45 at the time of the power supply of the game machine. The game controller 100 is provided with an abnormality judgment means for judging the abnormality generation of the game machine at the time of the power supply of the game machine and a command transmission means for transmitting the command to the reporting controllers 350, 300 and 400 only in the case that a judged result indicates the abnormality based on the judged result by the abnormality judgment means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an abnormality notification in a gaming machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine), when a game ball wins a winning opening provided in a game area of a game board,
Based on information from the game control device that controls the game in general, the discharge control device controls the discharge mechanism to move the required number of game balls on the storage tank side to the player side (upper plate etc. on the front side of the game machine). It is designed to discharge. In such a gaming machine, when there is an abnormality related to the game, a decoration or notification lamp, LED, or the like flashes, or a sound output device outputs a notification sound for notifying the occurrence of the abnormality.
In this case, monitoring of the abnormality is performed by the game control device, and the lamp,
The drive control of the notification device such as the LED and the sound output device has been determined based on a command signal transmitted from the game control device to the notification control device.

[0003]

When such an abnormality notification (error notification) is made, the operation of turning off the power of the gaming machine once, removing the cause of the abnormality, and then turning on the power again is performed. Then, when the power is turned on again, it is necessary to send a new monitoring result to the notification control device from the game control device that monitors the abnormality to check whether the abnormality has been eliminated. However, if the process of transmitting the monitoring result is performed every time the power is turned on again, the load on the process of the game control device increases, and the start of the game control, which is the original control, is delayed. Become.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to reduce the processing load on the control device while appropriately performing the abnormality notification when the power is turned on again after the power is turned off.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a notifying means for notifying an abnormality of a gaming machine, a game control device for generally controlling a game and monitoring an abnormality of the gaming machine, and the game control device. And a notification control device for controlling the notification means based on a command from the game machine.The notification control device initializes the state in which the abnormality notification is not performed by the notification means when the power of the game machine is turned on. Including initialization means,
The gaming control device includes: an abnormality determining unit that determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the gaming machine when the power of the gaming machine is turned on; and the notification control is performed only when the determination result indicates an abnormality based on the determination result by the abnormality determining unit. Command transmitting means for transmitting to the device.

In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the abnormality determining means determines whether the game is normal or abnormal based on an output of a sensor for monitoring a game state.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first and second aspects, there is provided a storage holding means capable of backing up information for determination by the abnormality determining means.

In a fourth aspect based on the third aspect, when the power is turned on again, the abnormality determination means switches the determination condition based on the backed up information.

In a fifth aspect based on the first to fourth aspects, the notifying means includes a sound output device, a lamp, and an LED.
Etc. and any one or more of display devices capable of displaying image games.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first to fifth aspects, a game board for forming a game area is provided, and the game board is exchangeably assembled to a game machine main body, and the notification control device includes It is provided in accordance with the board.

[0011]

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, a command is transmitted from the game control device to the notification control device only when there is an abnormality when the power is turned on. Is rare, it is possible to reduce the transmission / reception load of the control device and to expedite the start of the game control when the power is turned on. Further, even if the information in the notification control device disappears due to the cutoff of the power of the gaming machine, the abnormality notification can be appropriately performed when the power is turned on again.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the information for the determination by the abnormality determining means is backed up when the power of the gaming machine is cut off, so that when the power is turned on again, the information based on the backed up information is used. , Anomaly notification is possible,
Therefore, even if, for example, a power failure occurs during the abnormality notification, the abnormality notification can be continuously performed after the recovery from the power failure. Further, there is no need to back up information in the notification control device.

In the fourth invention, when the power is turned on again, the judgment conditions are switched based on the backed up information, so that the monitoring can be performed more reliably based on the state before the power failure or the abnormality can be judged. And more quickly.

[0014] In the fifth invention, various abnormalities can be notified.

In the sixth invention, since the notification control device is provided subordinate to the game board, the type of the game board is determined by setting the abnormality notification data of the notification control device corresponding to the game board. Anomaly notification suitable for the type of game is possible.
In addition, it is possible to upgrade the version so that an easy-to-understand abnormality notification or the like is performed in accordance with the exchange of the game board.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine) 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a CR machine provided with a card ball lending unit 2. A front frame 4 is assembled to the main body frame 3 of the gaming machine 1 via a hinge so as to be openable and closable. The game board 5 is housed in a storage frame attached to the front frame 4 and is replaceable, so that the type of game determined by the type of the game board 5 can be changed. A cover glass 6 that covers the front of the game board 5 is attached to the front frame 4.

On the surface of the game board 5, a variation display device (special symbol variation display device) 10 is disposed substantially at the center of the game area 8 surrounded by the guide rails 7. Variable display device 10
Has a display screen portion composed of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (CRT) or the like, and displays an image corresponding to the progress of the game.

In the vicinity of the lower part of the game area 8, there is provided a special variable winning device 11 having a large winning opening therein. The special variable prize winning device 11 is changed from a closed state in which the ball is not received (a state disadvantageous to the player) to an open state in which the ball is easily received (in a state advantageous to the player) by energizing the large winning opening solenoid 11A (see FIG. 3). ), That is, it is opened.

Immediately above the special variable winning device 11 is a starting port (specific winning port) 13 having a normal variable winning device 12.
Is arranged. The normal variable prize device 12 is changed from a normal state (illustrated state) to an expanded state (a state advantageous to the player) by energizing a normal variable prize device solenoid 12A (see FIG. 3), that is, the starting port 13 Enlarge the entrance area.

In each part of the game area 8, there are N (4 in FIG. 1).
(Only the coins are shown). An out port 15 is provided at the lowermost end of the game area 8.

Toward the game area 8, a hit ball launching device 500
A game is played by launching a game ball (pachinko ball) from the game ball (see FIG. 2), and the launched game ball is rolled by a rolling guide member 60 such as a windmill disposed at various places in the game area 8.
Flows down the surface of the game area 8 while changing the rolling direction, and the special fluctuation winning device 11, the starting opening 13, the general winning opening 1
4 or is discharged from the out port 15.

The winning in the starting opening 13 is detected by a special symbol starting sensor 16 (see FIG. 3). The winning in the N general winning ports 14 is determined by the N provided in each of the general winning ports 14.
It is detected by the winning sensors 17A to 17N (see FIG. 3). The winning of the special variable winning device 11 is determined by the count sensor 18 and the special winning opening continuation sensor 19 (see FIG. 3).
Is detected by

When a game ball wins in the starting port 13, the general winning port 14, and the special variable winning device 11, the discharge control device 200
Under the control of (see FIG. 2), a number of prize balls according to the type of the winning device that has won are discharged from the discharge unit 600 (see FIG. 2), and the upper plate 20 or the lower plate 21 under the front frame 4 is discharged.
Supplied to

The winning of the game ball to the starting port 13 is stored as a special symbol starting memory for a maximum of four times, and the number of the special symbol starting memories is a special symbol memory display provided at the lower portion of the variable display device 10. Is displayed on the display 22.

A predetermined random number is extracted based on the winning of the game ball into the starting opening 13 (special symbol start storage), a jackpot lottery is performed, and a variable display game (image game) of the variable display device 10, that is, The variable display of the plurality of identification information (special symbols) is performed on the plurality of variable display areas of the variable display device 10, respectively. If the result of the jackpot lottery is a jackpot, the identification information is stopped at a predetermined jackpot combination, and a jackpot (jackpot game) is generated. When a jackpot game occurs, a special game in which the special variable winning device 11 is opened for a predetermined period is performed. In this special game, a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls is won to the special variable winning device 11 or a predetermined time elapses (for example, 30).
Seconds) as one unit (one round), and a continuous winning opening (large winning opening continuation sensor 1) in the special variable winning device 11
The stipulated round is repeated, subject to the prize in 8).

At a predetermined position in the game area 8, normal symbol start gates (passing gates) 23A and 23B are provided. The passage of the game ball to the normal symbol start gates 23A and 23B is detected by the normal symbol start sensors 24A and 24B (see FIG. 3), and is stored as the normal symbol start memory up to a maximum of four times. Is stored in the normal symbol storage display 2 disposed on the right side of the special variable winning device 11.
5 is displayed.

Based on the passing of the game ball to the normal symbol starting gates 23A and 23B (normal symbol starting memory), a random number relating to the normal symbol is extracted, and a normal symbol display arranged on the left side of the special variable winning device 11 (Normal symbol variation display device) A symbol variation display game of 26 is performed. And
If the extracted random number is a hit, a win display (stop display of the hit symbol) is performed on the normal symbol display device 26 as a result of the variable display game, and the normal variable winning device 12 of the starting opening 13 is expanded for a predetermined time. It is opened, and the possibility of winning a game ball in the starting port 13 is increased.

Decorative lamps, LEDs, and the like (for decoration and notification) are provided at key points of the game board 5 and the front frame 4.
Above the cover glass frame, a prize ball discharge notification LED 27 for notifying prize ball discharge and a prize ball abnormality notification LED 28 for notifying prize ball abnormality are provided. Under the front frame 4 is a lower plate 2
The operation unit 30 of the hit ball launching device 500 is disposed on the right side of 1. The gaming machine is provided with a sound output device (speaker) 45.

FIG. 2 shows the back side of the gaming machine. The back side of the game board 5 housed in the storage frame of the front frame 4 has
A winning ball set cover (not shown) for guiding winning balls of each winning device (starting port 13, general winning port 14, special variable winning device 11), a display control device 350 for controlling the variable display device 10, a game board 5, A front frame 4, a decoration lamp for a cover glass frame, a decoration control device 300 for controlling LEDs, etc., a power supply device 250 for supplying power to each control device, etc., an external output terminal for a game board (a signal from a sensor or the like from the game board side). Output) 4
50 etc. are attached.

On the back side of the front frame 4, on the upper side of the back mechanism panel 40 attached to the back of the storage frame, an external output terminal for the frame (for outputting signals from various control devices and the like and signals from the management device of the game store). 800), a terminal board 850 for receiving power from the outside, a ball storage tank 41 for storing game balls, and a ball of the ball storage tank 41 for the gutter unit 43.
Is mounted. Shoot 4
2 and the gutter unit 43 are formed in two channels.

On the right side of the back mechanism panel 40, a gutter unit 4
Discharge unit 6 for dispensing the ball No. 3 to the upper plate 20 etc. in front of the machine
00, a game control device 100 for integrally controlling the game is attached to the left side of the back mechanism panel 40 in which the channel switching unit 700 is mounted.

At the lower part of the back mechanism panel 40, a sound control device 400 for controlling the speaker 45, a discharge unit 600, a discharge control device 200 for controlling the flow path switching unit 700, and a firing control device 550 for controlling the hit ball firing device 500. Is attached.

The game board 5 is detachable from the front frame 4 and has a structure other than that of the game machine body (the game board 5 of the ball-and-ball game machine, and includes the body frame 3, the front frame 4, the back mechanism board 40, etc.). ), And can be exchanged for a gaming board 5 of a different type (game content) by commonly using the gaming machine body. Furthermore, the game control device 100, the display control device 350, the decoration control device 30
0, the sound control device 400 is provided subordinate to the game board 5 and configured to perform control in accordance with the type of game determined by the type of the game board 5, so that the game board 5 , These dependent control devices also need to be replaced.

Reference numeral 900 denotes a relay board for a card ball lending unit.

FIG. 3 shows a discharge-related unit including a discharge unit 600 and a flow path switching unit 700 in detail.

The discharge unit 600 and the flow path switching unit 700 are composed of two spherical flow paths (a ball flow path 602 and a game ball flow path from the introduction path 702 to the discharge path 705).
In FIG. 3, one of the systems is shown in a sectional view, and in the following description, the one system will be described as a representative. The other system is provided in parallel on the back side of the paper of FIG. In addition, the purpose of providing two ball channels is to efficiently discharge game balls,
It has nothing to do with the distinction between prize balls and rental balls.

As shown in the figure, the discharge unit 600 and the flow path switching unit 700 are integrally assembled vertically to form a discharge-related unit.

The discharge unit 600 is a mechanism for discharging game balls, and includes a casing 601, a ball sending section 610, a discharge pulse motor 620, a stopper mechanism 630, and the like.

The transparent casing 601 has a spherical channel 60
2 are formed. The game ball from the upper gutter unit 43 is introduced into the ball flow channel 602 from the ball inlet 603, and is discharged from the ball outlet 604 to the lower flow channel switching unit 700.

The sphere sending section 610 is provided so as to face the sphere flow path 602. The ball sending portion 610 is provided with sprockets (notched disks) 611 and 612 and a driven gear (not shown) fixed to the same rotating shaft 613 supported in the casing 601, and is provided with synchronous rotation. It is supposed to. The sprocket 612 is a sprocket of a system whose flow path is not shown in FIG. 3, and is disposed so as to face another spherical flow path 602 (not shown).

The portion between the teeth on the outer periphery of the sprockets 611 and 612 is a plurality of (eight in the embodiment) ball receiving portions 614 arranged at equal intervals, and a part of these ball receiving portions 614 is It faces the spherical channel 602. Thereby, the game balls passing through the ball channel 602 are held one by one in one ball receiving portion 614, and the sprockets 611, 61
2 are sequentially sent out with the rotation operation. Therefore,
From the discharge unit 600, sprockets 611, 61
A number of game balls in proportion to the movement amount (rotation amount) of 2 are discharged.

Note that two types of sprockets 611,
612 are fixed to the rotating shaft 613 in a state where the phases are shifted from each other by half of the ball receiving portions 614. This allows the game balls to be sent out from the sprockets 611 and 612 alternately from each system, so that the game balls can be quickly and smoothly discharged from the discharge unit 600.

The rotation axis of the discharge pulse motor 620 includes:
A driving gear (not shown) and a rotation restricting gear 631 of the stopper mechanism 630 are fixed. A transmission gear 622 is provided between the driving gear and the driven gear of the ball sending section 610. Thereby, the driven gear and the sprocket 611,
612 is driven to rotate integrally by a discharge pulse motor 620.

The stopper mechanism 630 regulates the rotation of the discharge pulse motor 620.
1, stopper member 633, return spring 635,
It is composed of a stopper solenoid 636 and the like.

The same number of ratchet teeth 632 as the above-described ball receiving portions 614 on the outer periphery of the sprocket 611 are formed on the outer periphery of the rotation regulating gear 631 at equal intervals. A stopper member (flapper) 633 is attached to these ratchet teeth 632.
Engages, the rotation of the rotation restricting gear 631 (clockwise rotation in FIG. 3) is prohibited. Note that the rotation restricting gear 631 and the stopper member 633 constitute a ratchet mechanism, and even when engaged, reverse rotation (counterclockwise rotation in FIG. 3) is allowed.

The upper end side of the stopper member 633 is swingably supported by a hook portion 634, and the ratchet teeth 6
32, and is normally urged by the return spring 635 to engage with the ratchet teeth 632.

On the other hand, the stopper solenoid 636
, The stopper member 633 is attracted to the stopper solenoid 636 side, and retreats against the return spring 635. Thereby, the engagement between the stopper member 633 and the rotation restricting gear 631 is released, and the discharge pulse motor 620 becomes rotatable.

By providing the stopper mechanism 630 as described above, the discharge pulse motor 620 can be prevented from being excessively rotated by the inertia of rotation or the weight of the game ball, and the rotation amount of the sprocket 611 can be controlled by the discharge control device 200. Can be precisely controlled by

The channel switching unit 700 includes a casing 7
01 has a game ball flow path from the introduction path 702 to the discharge path 705. The introduction path 702 is connected to the discharge unit 600.
(For each system).

The game ball flow path branches into a prize ball flow path 703 into which a game ball as a prize ball is introduced, and a rental ball flow path 704 into which a game ball as a rental ball is introduced. The prize ball flow path 703 and the lending ball flow path 704 are provided with a prize ball detection sensor 713 and a ball lending detection sensor 714, respectively, so that the number of passed game balls can be counted for each flow path.

A flow path switching valve 720 is provided at the branch between the prize ball flow path 703 and the ball lending flow path 704. Flow path switching valve 72
0 rotates around the rotation axis 721 and the prize ball flow path 703.
And the entrance of the ball lending channel 704 is selectively closed.

The passage switching valve 720 is connected to the plunger 731 of the passage switching solenoid (device) 730 by the linking member 72.
2,723 are linked.

The flow path switching solenoid 730 is of a latching type, and the position of the plunger 731 is selectively changed by switching the energizing direction.
After the power is turned off, the position of the plunger 731 at that time is held.

More specifically, the plunger 731 is magnetized by a permanent magnet 732 fixed to the outer periphery, and a solenoid 733 is disposed on the outer periphery of the plunger 731. By switching the direction of energization to the solenoid 733, Driven up or down. Also,
A metal fixing member 734 and a fixing plate 735 are provided on the upper and lower sides of the plunger 731, respectively. When the plunger 731 is driven upward, its upper end is adhered to the fixing member 734 by magnetic force, and the plunger 731 moves downward. When driven, the lower end adheres to the fixing plate 735 by magnetic force. Therefore, the energization of the solenoid 733 is
Even in the case of F, the position of the plunger 731 is maintained at a position adhered to the fixing member 734 or the fixing plate 735.

The linking member 723 is pivotally supported by a shaft 724, and has one end connected to the lower end of the plunger 731 and the connecting member 725.
And the other end is meshed with the linking member 722. The link member 722 is connected to the rotation shaft 72 of the flow path switching valve 720.
1 and rotates integrally with the flow path switching valve 720. The linking member 722 is urged by the holding spring 725 so that the flow path switching valve 720 does not wobble.

With such a configuration, the flow path switching valve 720
Is switched with the vertical movement of the plunger 731 due to energization of the solenoid 733, and the position immediately before energization is maintained even after the energization of the solenoid 733 is turned off.

That is, when the plunger 731 is driven downward by energizing the solenoid 733, the linking member 72
3 rotates counterclockwise and the link member 722 rotates clockwise, and the flow path switching valve 720 switches to a valve position that closes the ball lending flow path 704 and opens the prize ball flow path 703 (FIG. 3).
State). As a result, all the game balls introduced into the introduction path 702 flow into the prize ball flow path 703, and the prize ball detection sensor 7
13. In this state, the solenoid 7
Even when the power supply to 33 is turned off, the plunger 731 is held at the position adhered to the fixing plate 735, so that the flow path switching valve 720 also holds the valve position for opening the prize ball flow path 703 as it is.

On the other hand, when the plunger 731 is driven upward by energizing the solenoid 733, the linking member 723 rotates clockwise and the linking member 722 rotates counterclockwise, and the flow path switching valve 720 switches the prize ball flow path. The valve position is switched to a valve position in which the valve 703 is closed and the ball rental channel 704 is opened. As a result, all the game balls introduced into the introduction path 702 flow into the ball lending flow path 704 and are detected by the ball lending detection sensor 714. In this state, the power to the solenoid 733 is turned off.
Even in the case of the FF, the plunger 731 is held at a position adhered to the fixing member 734, so that the flow path switching valve 720 also holds the valve position for opening the ball lending flow path 704 as it is.

The prize ball flow path 703 and the lending ball flow path 704 join at a downstream discharge path 705. The game ball is the discharge path 7
It is discharged downward from 05 and reaches the upper plate 20.

The relay board 740 relays the transmission of a detection signal from the prize ball detection sensor 713 to the discharge control device 200 and the game control device 100.

The flow path switching valve 720 is not limited to the latching type as in the present embodiment. For example, by providing a return spring to the flow path switching solenoid 730, In the non-energized state, it may be fixed at one valve position (for example, a valve position for opening the prize ball flow path 703) and switched to the other valve position by energizing.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a control system. The game control device 100 (constituting monitoring means), the discharge control device 200, the display control device 350, and the decoration control device 3
00, a sound control device 400, a power supply device 250, and the like.

The game control device 100 includes a control program and various sensors (special symbol start sensor 16, winning sensors 17A to 17N, count sensor 18, large winning opening continuation sensor 19, ordinary symbol start sensors 24A and 24B).
Etc.), an overflow sensor 50 (see FIG. 2) for detecting an overflow state of an overflow channel (a channel connecting the upper plate 20 and the lower plate 21) of a discharge gutter for guiding a discharge ball of the discharge unit 600, and a discharge unit. An odd-sphere detection sensor 51 (see FIG. 2) for detecting whether a certain number of balls are present upstream of 600, a cover glass frame (gold frame) opening sensor 52 of the game board 5, and an award of the flow path switching unit 700 Sphere detection sensors 713A and 713B (prize ball detection sensors are provided in each of the two flow paths of the flow path switching unit 700, and A,
Based on the detection signal (e.g., distinguished by the sign of B), a jackpot lottery, determination of occurrence of an abnormality, and the like are performed.
Various control devices (emission control device 200, display control device 35
0, decoration control device 300, sound control device 400), large winning opening solenoid 11A, normal fluctuation winning device solenoid 12
A, By transmitting control information to the normal symbol display 26 and the like, the game is controlled in a comprehensive manner.

Regarding the prize balls, when the game balls win each of the prize devices (starting port 13, general prize port 14, special variable prize device 11) in the game area 8, the number of prize balls is set based on the prize devices. The predetermined prize ball control information is transmitted to the discharge control device 200.

Further, based on the detection signal of the overflow sensor 50, whether or not the overflow channel is in the overflow state is determined based on the detection signal of the odd-sphere detection sensor 51.
Whether or not a required number of prize balls have been discharged from the discharge unit 600 within a predetermined time based on the detection signals of the prize ball detection sensors 713A and 713B, based on whether or not a certain number of balls are not present upstream of the discharge unit 600 ( (When winning a ball). Specifically, ON of the overflow sensor 50
When the odd ball detection sensor 51 is ON, when the winning ball is detected, the corresponding monitoring timer is started, and the overflow sensor 5
0, if the monitoring timer times out while the odd ball detection sensor 51 is in the ON state or the number of discharge prize balls of the discharge unit 600 is insufficient or excessive, it is determined that there is an abnormality, and the corresponding error command (abnormality generation command) is discharged. Device 20
0, transmit to various notification control devices (display control device 350, decoration control device 300, sound control device 400). Also, when the overflow sensor 50 is OFF and the odd-sphere detection sensor 51 is OFF, the corresponding monitoring timer is started,
If the monitoring timer times out while the switch is in the OFF state, it is determined to be normal and the corresponding normal command (abnormality cancel command)
To the discharge control device 200 and various notification control devices (the display control device 350, the decoration control device 300, and the sound control device 400).

The discharge control device 200 is a game control device 10
Based on the prize ball control information from 0 or the ball lending request from the card ball lending unit 2, the operation of the discharge unit 600 (pulse motor for discharging) and the flow path switching unit 700 (flow path switching solenoid) is controlled, The required number of prize balls or rental balls are discharged.

Also, from the game control device 100, an error command indicating that the overflow channel is in the overflow state, an error command indicating that there is no fixed number of balls upstream of the discharge unit 600, and an error indicating that the number of discharge prize balls of the discharge unit 600 is insufficient or excessive. Upon receiving the command, the ejection unit 600
Prohibit the discharge of balls.

When the ball is lent, the discharge control device 200 is provided with each of the two systems of the flow path switching unit 700, the ball rental sensors 714A and 714B. In front and behind the switching unit 700,
(A and B are distinguished from each other) to monitor whether or not a required number of lent balls have been detected within a predetermined time. If an abnormality occurs, discharge of the balls by the discharge unit 600 is prohibited. At the same time, the corresponding abnormal information is transmitted to the operation panel board and the like of the card ball lending unit 2.

The decoration control device 300 includes the game control device 10
Based on the decoration control information from 0, each of the decoration lamps (including the LEDs) 201A to 201N to proceed with the game.
And the like, the prize ball discharge notification LED 27, etc., as well as the special symbol storage display 22 and the ordinary symbol storage display 2.
5 is controlled.

When the decoration control device 300 receives an error command from the game control device 100, the decoration control device 300 turns on or blinks the prize ball abnormality notification LED 28 based on the error command, and sets each decoration lamp (including LED) 20.
1A to 201N or a predetermined decorative lamp thereof (including an LED) blinks or lights up in a preset pattern based on an error command to notify an abnormality.

The sound control device 400 includes the game control device 100
Based on the sound control information from, the sound effect output from the speaker 45 is controlled in order to advance the game.

When the sound control device 400 receives an error command from the game control device 100, the sound control device 400 outputs a preset melody, voice, sound effect, and the like from the speaker 45 based on the error command, and notifies an abnormality.

The display control device 350 is a game control device 10
Based on the display control information from 0, the display on the variable display device 10 is controlled so as to progress the game. The display control device 350 includes a symbol array table storing display data of special symbols of the variable display game, control data and display data of the variable display game, and a background image, a character,
In the case of a variable display game, display data such as character information and effect data are provided. In the case of a variable display game, a plurality of special symbols are variably displayed in a plurality of variable display areas of the variable display device 10, and the variable display is stopped after a predetermined time. I do. When a big hit occurs, an image corresponding to the progress of the big hit game is displayed.

When the display control device 350 receives an error command from the game control device 100, the display control device 350 displays an abnormality on the variable display device 10 with display data and a display control pattern set in advance based on the error command, and reports the abnormality. I do.

The communication from the game control device 100 to various control devices (discharge control device 200, display control device 350, decoration control device 300, sound control device 400) is one-way communication. Is provided with a buffer circuit, which is a signal transmission direction regulating means, to allow only signal input from the game control device 100 to various control devices, and prohibit signal output from the various control devices to the game control device 100. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an incorrect signal from being input from the various control devices to the game control device 100 through the connection lines with the various control devices.

The power supply device 250 is a power supply circuit 25 that converts an external AC power supply into a DC power supply or the like and supplies it to various devices.
In addition to the above, a backup power supply unit 252 and a power failure monitoring circuit 253 are provided. When detecting a predetermined voltage drop of the power supply device 250, the power failure monitoring circuit 253 outputs a power failure detection signal,
The reset signal is sequentially output to the game control device 100, the discharge control device 200, and the like. When receiving the power failure detection signal, the game control device 100 and the discharge control device 200 perform predetermined power failure processing, and stop the operation of the CPU when receiving the reset signal. The backup power supply unit 252 is connected to the game control device 1
00 and a backup power supply to the RAM of the discharge control device 200 to supply game information data, prize ball information data, and abnormality monitoring information data (information indicating whether the gaming machine was normal or abnormal when the power failure detection signal was generated). Back up).

In this case, the game control device 100 writes the check data in a predetermined power failure inspection area of the RAM in the power failure processing. If the check data is a normal value when the power is restored (when the power is turned on again), it is determined that the backup has been performed normally, and the game control is started using the backed up data as it is. However, when the check data is abnormal, it is assumed that an abnormal access has been made, and the game control is started after initializing all the backed up data.

When the power is turned on, various notification control devices (display control device 350, decoration control device 300, sound control device 4
00) performs an initialization process, clears an error flag of each control device, and starts the process assuming that no error occurs in the gaming machine.

Next, the procedure of the abnormality notification processing will be described.

At normal times, the game control device 100
Based on the detection signal of the overflow sensor 50, whether the overflow channel is in the overflow state, and based on the detection signal of the odd-sphere detection sensor 51, the discharge unit 600
Is determined within a predetermined time from the discharge unit 600 based on the detection signals of the prize ball detection sensors 713A and 713B at the time of the prize ball based on the prize ball control information from the game control device 100, whether or not there is a certain number of balls upstream of the ball. Is monitored to determine whether a required number of prize balls have been ejected, and if there is an abnormality, a corresponding error command is transmitted to various notification control devices (display control device 350, decoration control device 300, sound control device 400). .

Upon receiving the error command, the decoration control device 300, based on the error command, notifies the prize ball abnormality notification L
ED28, each decorative lamp (including LED) 201A-2
01N or its designated decorative lamp (including LED) blinks or lights up to notify abnormality (error notification)
I do. The sound control device 400 outputs a predetermined melody, voice, sound effect, and the like from the speaker 45 based on the error command, and performs error notification. Display control device 350
Performs a predetermined abnormality display on the fluctuation display device 10 based on the error command, and notifies an error.

In order to cancel the error notification, in the case of the overflow state of the overflow channel, the ball in the lower plate 21 of the machine is removed, and when the overflow sensor 50 detects that there is no ball for a predetermined time, the abnormality information of the overflow state is obtained. Clear In the absence of a certain number of balls upstream of the discharge unit 600, a game ball is supplied to the ball storage tank 41, and when the odd-sphere detection sensor 51 detects the presence of the ball for a predetermined time, the absence of the ball is detected. Clear information. And
By transmitting the normal command, the notification control device (display control device 350, decoration control device 300, sound control device 4
00) cancels the error notification.

On the other hand, if a power failure or the like occurs during the error notification and the power of the gaming machine is cut off, the error notification is released. However, if the power failure is restored and the power is turned on again, the game is resumed. The control device 100 performs monitoring.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing in the game control device 100. When the power is turned on,
First, in step 1, it is determined whether or not a predetermined error has occurred in the gaming machine based on the detection signal of the sensor input to the gaming control device 100. Specifically, based on the detection signal of the overflow sensor 50, whether or not the overflow channel is in the overflow state, based on the detection signal of the odd-sphere detection sensor 51, whether or not there is no sphere with a certain number of spheres upstream of the discharge unit 600 Abnormality monitoring is performed for various items such as whether or not.

If there is an abnormality in at least one of the items monitored for abnormality, the process proceeds from step 2 to 3, and the corresponding error command is transmitted to various notification control devices (display control device 350, decoration control device 300, sound control device, Control device 40
0). In this case, since the error command is prepared for each item, only the error command corresponding to the item having the abnormality is transmitted. On the other hand, if there is no abnormality in all items, the process proceeds to step 4, so that
No error command is sent.

In step 4, the game control is started,
The above-described monitoring is repeated, and when the abnormality is cleared, a corresponding normal command is transmitted, and when there is an abnormality, a corresponding error command is transmitted to the notification control device (display control device 350, decoration control device 300, sound control device 400). I do. Since a normal command is also prepared for each item to be monitored for abnormality, only the corresponding command is transmitted. Then, the process of step 4 is repeated until the power supply to the gaming machine is cut off.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart for monitoring the overflow sensor 50 and the odd-sphere detection sensor 51 when the power is turned on again. When the power is turned on again, the overflow sensor 50 is in the ON (physical state ON) state.
When a predetermined time elapses in the state, the overflow channel is determined to be abnormal in the overflow state. When the power is turned on again, the odd-sphere detection sensor 51 is turned on (the physical state is turned on).
If a predetermined time elapses in the ON state, it is determined that there is no ball in a state where there is no fixed number of balls upstream of the discharge unit 600.

FIG. 7 shows the procedure of the error notification process of the decoration control device 300. First, when the power is turned on, initialization processing is performed in steps 11 and 12. In step 11, the output of each lamp (including the LED) including the prize ball abnormality notification LED 28 is turned off, and in step 12, the error flag (abnormality information) is cleared. This error flag indicates whether or not an error has occurred in the gaming machine, and is provided for each of the above-described abnormality monitoring items. "Set" indicates that an error has occurred, and "Clear" indicates that the error has been cleared. It shows. The content of this flag indicates whether or not error notification has been performed. Incidentally, in step 12, the error flags of all items are cleared.

When the error command shown in FIG. 5 is received from the game control device 100, the process proceeds from step 13 to 14, and based on the error command, the prize ball abnormality notification LED 2
8. Each decorative lamp (including LED) 201A to 201N
Or a predetermined decorative lamp (including LED)
Flashes or lights to start error notification,
At 5, an error flag is set.

Thereafter, when the normal command shown in FIG. 5 is received from the game control device 100, steps 16 to 17 are performed.
To end the error notification, and clear the error flag in step 18.

As described above, when the power is turned on, the overflow state of the overflow channel and the discharge unit 60
A state where there is no fixed number of balls upstream of 0, a shortage or an excessive number of discharge prize balls of the discharge unit 600, and the like are monitored. If there is an abnormality, the game control device 100 sends various notification control devices (display control device 350). , The decoration control device 300, the sound control device 400), and the various notification control devices (the display control device 350, the decoration control device 300, the sound control device 400) send an error notification based on the error command. If there is no abnormality, the game control device 1
Since the normal command is not transmitted from 00 to various notification control devices (display control device 350, decoration control device 300, sound control device 400), various notification control devices (display control device 350, decoration control device 300, sound control device 400) Keeps the error notification in the OFF state. That is, since it is rare that an abnormality occurs when the power of the gaming machine is turned on, only when there is such an abnormality, the various kinds of notification control devices (the display control device 350, the decoration control device 300,
By transmitting the error command to the sound control device 400), the transmission and reception load of the control device can be reduced. Also, when the power is turned on, the game control device 100 can quickly start the game control. In addition, during the error notification, various notification control devices (display control device 350, decoration control device 300, sound control device 4
Even if the abnormality information in 00) disappears, the abnormality notification can be appropriately performed when the power is turned on again.

On the other hand, when the power of the gaming machine is cut off, the abnormality monitoring information data (data at the time of the occurrence of the power failure) of the game control device 100 is backed up by the backup power supply unit 252, so that when the power is turned on again, When the gaming control device 100 determines that the gaming machine is abnormal based on the backed-up abnormality monitoring information data,
Appropriate error commands are sent to various notification control devices (display control device 350, decoration control device 300, sound control device 400).
And the various notification control devices (display control device 350, decoration control device 300, and sound control device 400) can perform error notification based on the error command.

In this way, even if a power failure occurs during the error notification, the error notification can be continuously performed after the recovery from the power failure.
It is not necessary to back up data in the various notification control devices (display control device 350, decoration control device 300, sound control device 400).

Further, when the power is turned on again, it is possible to change the condition for judging the abnormality based on the content of the abnormality in the backed up data. For example, if an abnormality occurs when a power failure occurs, the monitoring time of the corresponding sensor may be set longer than usual, and the state of the sensor may be reliably checked, or the monitoring time may be set shorter than normal. The abnormality may be determined more quickly.

Although not shown, the game machine is provided with an error release confirmation switch, and if there is an abnormality when a power failure occurs,
When the power supply is turned on again, if the employee of the game store does not operate the error release confirmation switch and there is no input of the error release confirmation signal, the error command is transmitted to various notification control devices (display control device 350, decoration control device 300, sound control device, etc.). Control device 400)
To the various notification control devices (display control device 350,
The decoration control device 300 and the sound control device 400) may perform error notification.

Next, FIG. 8 shows a display example of a variable display game on the variable display device 10 performed by the display control device 350.
FIG. 9 shows an example of an abnormal display on the variable display device 10.

FIG. 8 shows a display example when the reach of the variable display game (a state in which a large combination of special symbols is generated) is large. In this case, the character A is displayed together with the special symbols and the reach is displayed. The effect display that enhances the interest of the audience. In addition, the sound control device 400 emits “reach” with the voice of the character A from the speaker 45.

FIG. 9 is an example of an abnormal display when the overflow channel is in the overflow state. A message such as "Please pull out the ball of the lower plate." Is displayed, and the character A appears. The message is instructed to operate so that a method for dealing with the error is notified. Further, the sound control device 400 notifies the voice of the character A from the speaker 45, such as "Please pull out the ball of the lower plate."

In this case, when the error release is performed step by step, the handling screen may be sequentially switched every time the step is performed.

As described above, the display control device 350 for displaying the game of the variable display device 10, the decoration control device 300 for displaying the decoration of the game such as the decoration lamps (including LEDs) 201A to 201N, and the speaker 45 A game control device 100 including a sound control device 400 for outputting a sound effect of a game.
These notification control devices (the display control device 350, the decoration control device 300, and the sound control device 400) perform error notification based on the error command from the user, so that various error notifications are possible.

In this case, as shown in FIG.
By causing the character A of the image game to appear at 0 and performing error notification, it is possible to give friendliness and perform error notification without giving the player any discomfort. Also, since a method for dealing with an error is displayed, it is extremely convenient.

Since the display control device 350, the decoration control device 300, and the sound control device 400 are provided subordinate to the game board 5, if error notification data is set corresponding to the game board 5, the game When the board 5 is replaced, an error notification that matches the type of game determined by the type of the game board 5 can be performed while the commands (the abnormality generation command and the abnormality release command) from the game control device 100 remain the same.

In this case, if an error message is displayed on the variable display device 10 by displaying a character that frequently appears in an image game, the error message can be rich in interest. In addition, in accordance with the exchange of the game board 5, more easily understandable error notification,
It is possible to upgrade the version to display an error handling method or the like.

Although the embodiment has been described with respect to an example in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko game machine as a game machine, the present invention can be applied to other game machines such as a pachislot machine and an arrangement ball.

It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a discharge-related unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of the game control device.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart of abnormality monitoring when power is turned on again.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing of the decoration control device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a variable display game on the variable display device.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an abnormal display on the variable display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 gaming machine 2 card ball rental unit 5 game board 10 fluctuation display device (special symbol fluctuation display device) 11 special fluctuation winning device 12 ordinary fluctuation winning device 13 starting port (specific winning port) 16 special symbol start sensor 22 special symbol storage display Apparatus 23A, 23B Normal symbol starting gate 24A, 24B Normal symbol starting sensor 25 Normal symbol memory display 26 Normal symbol display (Normal symbol variation display device) 27 Prize ball discharge notification LED 28 Prize ball abnormality notification LED 45 Sound output device ( Speaker) 50 overflow sensor 51 odd-sphere detection sensor 52 cover glass frame open sensor 100 game control device 200 emission control device 300 decoration control device 350 display control device 400 sound control device 600 discharge unit 700 flow path switching unit 713A, 713B prize ball detection Sensor 714A, 714 Lending sphere detection sensor

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A notifying means for notifying an abnormality of a gaming machine, a game control device for generally controlling a game and monitoring an abnormality of the gaming machine, and controlling the notifying means based on a command from the game control device. A notification control device, wherein the notification control device includes an initialization unit that initializes a state where the abnormality notification is not performed by the notification unit when the power of the gaming machine is turned on. An abnormality determining means for determining the occurrence of an abnormality in the gaming machine when the power of the gaming machine is turned on, and transmitting the command to the notification control device only when the determination result indicates an abnormality based on the determination result by the abnormality determining means. And a command transmission means. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality determining means determines whether the game is normal or abnormal based on an output of a sensor for monitoring a game state. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit capable of backing up information for determination by the abnormality determination unit. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the abnormality determination means switches the determination condition based on the backed up information when the power is turned on again. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notifying unit includes at least one of a sound output device, a light emitting device such as a lamp and an LED, and a display device capable of displaying an image game. The gaming machine according to any one of the above. 6. A game board which forms a game area, wherein the game board is exchangeably assembled with a game machine main body, and wherein the notification control device is provided subordinate to the game board. Item 6. The gaming machine according to any one of Items 1 to 5.