JP2002045532A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To contrive to output signals for inspection outputted from a display control device 350 allowing the signals to synchronize with display control data outputted from a game control device 100. SOLUTION: The game machine is provided with a game board 6 for providing a game, the game control device 100 for integrally controlling the game conducted on the game board 6, a variation display device 8 for displaying information relating to the game, and the display control device 350 for controlling a display of information of the variation display device 8 by a control signal from the game control device 100 and outwards outputting display information relating to the display of the variation display device 8, wherein the display control device 350 outputs the display information synchronizing with operations of the game control device 100.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and more particularly, to a gaming machine in which a display unit generates and outputs a test signal synchronized with display control data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional gaming machine, an inspection signal output from a display control device is output according to the operation timing of the display control device. FIG. 11 shows the operation timing of the conventional display control device for a gaming machine. A communication interrupt signal is sent from the game control device to the display control device in accordance with the operation cycle of the game control device (2 milliseconds in this figure), and the display is displayed on the display control device from the game control device in accordance with the pulse signal. Control data is sent.

When the display control device receives a command signal to start the change of the display symbol (80h) or to stop the display symbol being changed and displayed (88h) from the game control device, the VDC of the display control device to the CPU. Inspection codes (20h, 21h) corresponding to this command signal are output in the period of the display interrupt, which is a transmission request of the VDC control data. With the output of the inspection code, the inspection strobe signal rises to a high level.

When receiving a command signal (88h) for stopping the display symbol being fluctuated, a corresponding inspection code (21h) is output and the fluctuating display device stops the fluctuating display. The inspection symbol data representing the stopped symbol at the time is output.

[0005]

However, among the test signals, the test code is used for checking whether the display control device receives data from the game control device and performs a fluctuating / stopping operation in accordance with the data. It is. The inspection symbol data is for inspecting whether the display control device is displaying a symbol according to symbol designation data from the game control device.

[0006] In this conventional gaming machine, these inspection signals are output at a display interrupt cycle. That is, since the inspection signal and the display control data output from the game control device are not synchronized, the communication interrupt signal (or display control data) and the inspection data (inspection code, inspection symbol) shown in FIG. The intervals (T1, T2) of the output time of the data and the test strobe are not constant. This makes it unclear which control data corresponds to which test data, and there is a problem that the display control device cannot perform a correct test.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game board for providing a game, a game control device for generally controlling a game performed on the game board, and a display device for variably displaying identification information. A display control device that controls a variable display of the identification information by a control signal from the game control device and generates display information capable of inspecting an operation state of the display device. Generates the display information so as to synchronize with the operation of the game control device.

In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the display control device generates the display information based on a control signal from the game control device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, an oscillator for generating a signal having the same cycle as a control signal from the game control device is provided, and based on the signal generated by the oscillator, the display control device includes The display information is generated.

[0010] In a fourth aspect based on the first to third aspects, the display information includes a strobe signal, and the strobe signal is changed so as to synchronize with the operation of the game control device. .

In a fifth aspect based on the fourth aspect, the strobe signal changes based on a reception timing of a control signal from the game control device, and is restored by a timer of the display control device. I do.

In a sixth aspect based on the fourth aspect, the time from when the control signal is received from the game control device to when the strobe signal changes is substantially constant.

In a seventh aspect based on the fourth to sixth aspects, the duration of the strobe signal is shorter than the shortest variable display time of the identification information in the display device.

In an eighth aspect based on the first to seventh aspects, the display control device comprises a first control means for controlling the display of the identification information in a variable manner, and a second control means for generating the display information. The control means is separated from the control means.

In a ninth aspect based on the eighth aspect, the second control means receives a control signal from the game control device and outputs information based on the control signal to the first control means. It is characterized by doing.

[0016]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the display control device generates display information in accordance with the operation of the game control device, so that the display control device can be accurately inspected.

In the second invention, the display control device generates display information based on a control signal from the game control device. In the third invention, the display control device generates a signal having the same cycle as the control signal from the game control device. Since the display information is generated based on the pulse signal generated by the oscillator that generates the display information, the display information is generated in synchronization with the control signal from the game control device, and the display information generated from the display control device and the control from the game control device are controlled. Correspondence with signals can be taken, and the display control device can be inspected accurately.

In the fourth aspect, the strobe signal of the display information changes in accordance with the operation of the game control device, so that the external device can accurately capture the display information.

In the fifth invention, the strobe signal of the display information starts based on a control signal from the game control device,
Since the display is restored by the timer of the display control device, display information generated by the display control device is generated for a fixed time in synchronization with a control signal from the game control device, and the external device can accurately capture the display information.

In the sixth invention, the strobe signal of the display information is changed after a predetermined time from the control signal from the game control device. Therefore, the correspondence between the display information generated by the display control device and the control signal from the game control device is changed. As a result, the display control device can be inspected accurately.

In the seventh aspect, the length of the strobe signal of the display information is shorter than the shortest variable display time of the display device, so that the external device can accurately capture the display information.

[0022] In an eighth aspect, the display control device comprises: first control means for controlling the display of the change of the identification information;
Since the second control means for generating the display information and the second control means are configured separately, the processing load on the first control means can be reduced, and the display information can be displayed without being affected by the control timing for variably displaying the identification information. Can be determined, so that display information that matches the specifications of the inspection apparatus can be easily output.

In the ninth aspect, the second control means receives a control signal from the game control device and outputs information based on the control signal to the first control means. Since it is not necessary to perform a process of receiving a control signal from the control device and can concentrate on the control of the display control device, the processing load on the first control means can be further reduced, and the complexity of the display device can be reduced. Control can be performed, and the interest in the game can be enhanced.

[0024]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

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

A gaming machine (pachinko gaming machine) 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a CR machine provided with a card ball lending unit 2. The front frame 3 of the gaming machine 1 is assembled to a body frame (outer frame) 4 via a hinge 5 so as to be openable and closable, and the game board 6 is housed in a storage frame attached to the back surface of the front frame 3.

On the surface of the game board 6, a variable display device 8, a variable winning device 10 having a large winning opening, each winning opening 11-1.
5, a game area in which the starting port 16, the ordinary symbol display 7, and the ordinary variable winning device 9 are provided. On the front frame 3,
A cover glass 18 that covers the front of the game board 6 is attached.

In the variable display device 8, left, middle, and right display symbols (identification information) are displayed in each of the three divided display areas. "0" ~
Each number up to “9” and alphabet letters “A” to “E” are assigned, and these numbers and characters are displayed in order during the variable display.

When a game ball is won at a normal symbol start gate (not shown), the normal symbol display 7 starts to display a variation of the normal symbol (for example, a symbol consisting of one number). When a prize to the ordinary symbol starting gate is made at a predetermined timing (specifically, when the ordinary symbol random number counter value at the time of detecting the prize is a winning value), it becomes a winning state related to the ordinary symbol, and the ordinary symbol is hit. Stop at the hit symbol (hit number). At this time, the normal variable winning device 9 provided in front of the starting port 16 is widely opened for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds), and the possibility of winning the game ball to the starting port 16 is increased.

The passing of the game ball to the ordinary symbol starting gate is detected by the ordinary symbol starting gate sensor 53. The passing timing of the game balls (specifically, the game control device 1
The value at the time of passage detection of the ordinary symbol random number counter provided in 00 is a predetermined storage area (ordinary symbol random number storage area) in the game control device 100 as ordinary symbol winning memory.
Is stored for up to four consecutive times. The storage number of the ordinary symbol winning memory is displayed on a memory status display composed of four LEDs provided on both sides of the ordinary symbol display device 7. The game control device 100 performs a lottery for a normal symbol based on the normal symbol winning memory.

An upper plate 21 for supplying a ball to the ball launcher is provided on an opening / closing panel 20 below the front frame 3, and a lower plate 23 and an operation unit 24 of the ball launcher are provided on a fixed panel 22.

The card ball lending unit 2 has a card (a prepaid card or the like) inserted in the card insertion section 25 on the front.
A card reader / writer and a ball lending control device for reading, writing, and the like of the data are built in. An operation panel 26 for the card lending unit is formed on the outer surface of the upper plate 21 of the gaming machine 1.

The operation panel 26 for the card ball lending unit has a card balance display section 27 for displaying the balance of the card,
A ball lending switch 28 for instructing ball lending, a card return switch 30 for instructing card return, and the like are provided.

On the upper part of the frame of the cover glass 18, there are provided notification lamps 31 and 32 for notifying abnormal discharge of the ball by lighting.
Is provided.

FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the overall structure of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

On the back side of the game board 6, a special winning opening, each winning opening 11 to 15, a winning ball collective cover (not shown) for guiding a winning ball won to the starting opening 16, and the game is totally controlled. Game control device 100, each control device (game control device 10
0, emission control device 200, decoration control device 300, display control device 350, sound control device 400, firing control device 550
Power supply device 25 for generating a predetermined voltage to be supplied to
0, a decoration control device 300 for controlling a decoration lamp provided on the game board 6 and the front frame 3, a display control device 350 for controlling the variable display device 8 and the like, and a sound control device 400 for controlling sound output from a speaker. , A game board external terminal 41 and the like are attached.

On the back side of the storage frame of the front frame 3, a back mechanism board 35 is attached. In the center of the back mechanism board 35, the control devices (game control device 100, power supply device 250, decoration control device 30) on the back side of the game board 6 are provided.
0, display control device 350, sound control device 400, etc.).

In the upper part of the back mechanism panel 35, a 24 volt AC power source is taken in from the outside of the gaming machine (the island facility of the gaming shop), relayed to the power supply device 250, and connected to the management device of the gaming shop. A frame external information output unit (external terminal) 42 for connecting signal lines, a ball storage tank 36 for storing game balls, and a ball in the ball storage tank 36 as an odd ball detection sensor 58
A guide gutter 37 for guiding to a gutter unit (semi-sensor unit) 38 provided with is provided. The guide gutter 37 and the gutter unit 38 are formed with two channels.

On the right side of the opening window of the back mechanism panel 35, a discharge device (discharge unit 600, flow path switching unit 700) for discharging the ball of the gutter unit 38 to a tray on the front side of the gaming machine.
Is attached.

At the lower part of the back mechanism board 35, a discharge unit 6 is provided.
Emission control device 200 for controlling 00, hitting ball firing device 50
In addition, a launch control device 550 for controlling the zero, a card ball rental unit relay board 43, and the like are attached.

The card ball lending unit 2 lends a game ball with a prepaid card. The discharge of the ball for rental is performed by a ball discharge device (discharge unit 60) controlled by the discharge control device 200 in accordance with a ball rental control command signal input from the card ball rental unit 2 via the card ball rental unit relay board 43.
0, the channel switching unit 700).

When a ball fired from the hitting ball firing device 500 into the game area wins a winning opening or a special winning opening, a prize ball control command signal is sent from the game control device 100 to the discharge control device 200, and the discharge control device 200 Discharge unit 600
Is driven, and a predetermined number of prize balls are discharged from the discharge device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram around the gaming control device 100 of the gaming machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The game control device 100 includes a CPU, a RAM,
A gaming microcomputer 101 having a ROM, an oscillator 102 for sending a predetermined clock pulse to the gaming microcomputer 101, an input / output interface (I /
F) It is composed of 103a and 103b.

Detection signals from various detection devices are input to the input interface 103a and transmitted to the CPU. The various detecting devices include general winning opening sensors 51.1 to 51.1, which detect winning in the general winning openings 11 to 15. N,
Special design start sensor 5 for detecting winning in start opening 16
2. The normal symbol start sensor 53 for starting the fluctuation of the normal symbol display device 7 for determining the operation of the normal fluctuation winning device 9 by detecting the ball, the count sensor 54 for detecting the winning to the special winning opening, and the special winning opening. Continuation sensor 55, glass frame opening sensor 5 for detecting opening of the glass frame on the front of the game board
6. An overflow sensor 5 for detecting that the game balls discharged by the discharge unit 600 are excessively stored.
7, an odd ball detection sensor 58 for detecting that the supply of the game balls to the discharge unit 600 is insufficient is included.

The game control device 100 determines whether an error has occurred based on signals from the glass frame opening sensor 56, the overflow sensor 57, and the odd-sphere detection sensor 58.

The CPU of the game control device 100 executes a program (game program) recorded in the ROM based on these detection signals, and performs overall control of the game (game control). Specifically, the game control device 100
It outputs a prize ball discharge command signal, a decoration control command signal, a display control command signal, and a sound command signal to the discharge control device 200, the decoration control device 300, the display control device 350, and the sound control device 400, respectively, and controls them.

The game control device 100 transmits a control signal to the special winning opening solenoid 10A and the normal variable winning opening solenoid 9A, and controls the energization of these solenoids, so that the special variable winning device 10 and the normal variable winning device 9 is controlled to open and close. Further, a control signal is transmitted to the ordinary symbol display device 7 to control the display.

Further, the game control device 100 monitors whether or not the prize ball is discharged correctly. Specifically, monitoring of whether the number of awarded spheres instructed to be emitted, which is transmitted as an award ball control instruction signal to the emission control device 200, and the actual number of emission counted by the awarded ball detection sensor, and monitoring of the awarded ball emission. It monitors whether or not a prize ball has been ejected even though no command has been transmitted. If an abnormality such as the discharge of a prize ball is recognized even though the prize ball discharge command signal is not transmitted, an abnormality handling process is performed. For example, a decoration control command signal is transmitted to the decoration control device 300, and the notification lamps 31 and 32 are blinked to notify the abnormality. Alternatively, the game is forcibly stopped by stopping the game control, stopping the hit ball firing, or the like.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the periphery of the display control device 350 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The display control device 350 includes a CPU 351, R
OM 352, RAM 352, DMA controller 35
4, an oscillator 355, a video display controller (VDC) 356, a font ROM 357, a gamma (γ) correction circuit 358, an interface 359, and a test output terminal 360.

A display control command signal is input to the input interface 359 from the game control device 100, and the display control device 350 is controlled by the display control command signal.
The display control command signal is composed of data instructing the start / stop of the change of the change display device 8 and data indicating the contents displayed when the change of the change display device 8 is stopped. The signal is taken into the display control device 350 by using the communication interrupt pulse signal as a trigger.

The CPU 351 executes the program recorded in the ROM 352, and executes the VD based on the display control command signal.
VDC control data is output to C356, and the fluctuation display device 8
Control.

The VDC 356 has a predetermined screen display period (1/60 second = 16.6 milliseconds), and the CPU 35
A display interrupt signal, which is a VDC data transfer request, is sent to the CPU 1 to receive VDC control data from the CPU 351. VD
Upon receiving the display content instruction from the CPU 351, the C356 reads the display font data from the font ROM 357 and sends the data to the variable display device 8 at a predetermined cycle.

The oscillator 355 includes a CPU 351, a VDC 3
The CPU 35 generates a clock signal for operating the 56 and the like and a clock signal of a screen display cycle (1/60 second).
1. Send to VDC 356.

The display control device 350 is provided with a test output terminal 360, and outputs a test signal (a test code signal, a test symbol data signal, a test strobe signal) of the display control device 350 from the CPU 351. Have been. The test code signal indicates the operation and stop of the variable display device 8, the test symbol data signal indicates the symbol data displayed when the variable display device 8 is stopped, and the test strobe signal indicates another test. Signal (inspection code signal,
This signal is output while the inspection symbol data signal is being output, and serves as an inspection data trigger (strobe) of an inspection device (not shown) connected to the outside of the display control device 350 to prompt data acquisition.

This inspection code is for the display control device 350 to receive data from the game control device 100 and to check whether the fluctuating / stopping operation is normally performed according to the data received by the display control device 350. . The design symbol data for inspection is used for inspecting whether the display control device 350 is displaying a symbol according to the symbol designation data of the display control data from the game control device 100.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a main operation of the display control device 350 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

When the main program starts, the CPU 3
51, the VDC 356, and the like are initialized (S1), and the variable display device 8 displays an initial display screen at the time of startup. CPU
Reference numeral 351 denotes control data indicating initial display contents in the VDC 356.
(S2). When the CPU 351 receives the communication interruption signal from the game control device 100 via the I / F 359 (S3), the CPU 351 executes the communication interruption processing subroutine (FIG. 6) (S4). , Initializes the animation control (S5), and prepares for display of new display control data received from the game control device 100. On the other hand, if no command is received, the process skips to updating of the animation data (S6).

In updating the animation data (S6), the next display data is read from the font ROM 357, and the display data such as the font and the background (color and pattern) displayed on the variable display device 8 and read from the font ROM 357 are read. It is stored in the buffer as VDC control data (S7).

Next, the CPU 351 adds (for example, +1) or subtracts a predetermined value to the strobe timer to update the strobe timer (S8). Thereafter, the value of the strobe timer is compared with a value determined for the output time of the strobe signal to determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed (S
9). If the value of the strobe timer has reached the predetermined value,
The test strobe signal falls (S10). By the operation of this timer, the inspection strobe signal sends out a high-level signal for a predetermined time.

Further, the CPU 351 waits for a display interrupt signal from the VDC 356 (S11), and transfers the VDC control data to the VDC 356 when there is this display interrupt signal (S2). This display interrupt signal is used for the screen update cycle (1/60
Every second) from the VDC 356 to the CPU 351 as a data transmission request, and determines a data transfer cycle from the CPU 351 to the VDC 356.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the communication interrupt subroutine called from the main flow described in FIG. In this subroutine, a test strobe signal is started by the display control data.

In the main flow (FIG. 5) described above, when the display control device 350 receives a communication interrupt signal from the game control device 100 (S3), a communication interrupt subroutine is called (S4). In this subroutine, the CPU 351 reads the display control data (S21), and the display control data receives the change start command (80h) or the fluctuation stop command (88h).
Is determined (S22). If the display control data is a change start command (80h) or a fluctuation stop command (88h), the inspection code signal (20h, 21) corresponding to the command is issued.
h) (S23), the test strobe signal is raised to a high level (S24), and the test equipment connected to the test output terminal of the display control device 350 is urged to take in the test data. Thereafter, the CPU 351 initializes the timer of the strobe signal (S25), and returns to the main routine (S26).

On the other hand, the display control data received from the game control device 100 by the display control device 350 corresponds to the change start command (8
0h) or the fluctuation stop command (88h), the process skips to S26, and returns to the main routine without doing anything (S26).

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the operation of the display control device 350 of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

From the game control device 100 to the display control device 35
To 0, a communication interrupt signal and display control data are sent according to the operation cycle of the game control device 100 (2 milliseconds in this figure). The communication interrupt signal is a pulse signal sent to the game control device 100 and the display control device 350 in accordance with the operation timing of the game control device 100, and serves as a trigger for capturing display control data. The display control data is sent from the game control device 100 to the display control device 350 to control the display of the variable display device 8 in accordance with the communication interrupt cycle.
It consists of data for instructing stop and data indicating the contents displayed when the fluctuation display device 8 stops fluctuation.

Here, 80h of the first data of the display control data instructs the start of the change of the display symbol for 5.0 seconds, and subsequent 05h, 16h and 27h indicate the left and right of the variable display device 8, respectively. This is a command signal for designating the middle and right stop symbols. Also, 88h indicates the stop of the display symbol that is being fluctuated. The details of the display control data are shown in FIG.

The display control device 350 is a game control device 10
From 0, when a command signal to start the change of the display symbol (80h) or to stop the display symbol that is displaying the change (88h) is received, the corresponding inspection code (20h, 21h)
Is output. When this test code is output, the test strobe signal rises to a high level. After that, a predetermined time elapses, and when the inspection code signal ends, the inspection strobe signal falls. The falling of the test strobe signal corresponds to (S8 to S8) of the main flow described above.
According to 10), control is performed so that a strobe signal for a fixed time is output.

In this figure, the test strobe signal is terminated at the same time as the termination of the test code signal. However, the test strobe signal is terminated before the termination of the test code signal. Alternatively, the inspection strobe signal may be a short-time pulse signal.

The display control device 350 is used by the game control device 10
When a command signal to stop the display symbol being fluctuated (88h) is received from 0, the corresponding inspection code (21h) is output and the inspection symbol data is output. The inspection symbol data is for inspecting whether the display control device 350 is displaying a symbol in accordance with the symbol designation data of the display control data from the game control device 100.

As described above, according to the present invention, the inspection data can be output from the display control device 350 irrespective of the display interrupt signal of the display control device 350 according to the present invention. Therefore, T1 and T2 can be made constant.

FIG. 8 is a table showing the contents of display control command data of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The game control device 100 to the display control device 35
The display control data output to 0 includes a signal indicating the start / stop of the variable display of the display symbol (identification information) of the variable display device 8 and the left, middle, and right stop symbols that finally stop. Signal. This data is output from the game control device 100 to the display control device 350 in an 8-bit hexadecimal number, and the numerical value to which "h" is added is a hexadecimal number, including the above description.

Reference numerals 80h to 87h denote fluctuation start commands. The fluctuation display of all the left, middle, and right display symbols of the fluctuation display device 8 is started by this signal. The command is prepared separately so that the time to change the display symbol can be specified in increments of 0.1 seconds from 5.0 seconds to 5.7 seconds.
At least the display symbol fluctuates for 5.0 seconds. 88h is a fluctuation stop command, and the fluctuation display of the fluctuation display device 8 is completely stopped by this signal.

01h to 0Eh, 11h to 1Eh, 21h
.About.2Eh is a design symbol designating signal of the variable display device 8, and a symbol when the variable display of the variable display device 8 is stopped is determined by this data. In correspondence with the symbols “0” to “E” actually displayed on the variable display device 8, 01
h to 0Eh indicate the symbols in the left display column of the variable display device 8 as 1
1h to 1Eh designate a symbol in the middle display column, and 21h to 2Eh designate a symbol in the right display column.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the test signal is output by the communication interrupt, the test strobe signal is started, and the timer for the strobe signal is started. Further, in the main routine, the timer for the strobe signal is counted, and the operation is performed so that the strobe signal falls. That is, since the inspection signal of the display control device 350 is output according to the communication interrupt signal from the game control device 100, regardless of the display interrupt signal of the display control device 350,
An inspection signal can be output from the display control device 350, and T1 and T2 can be kept constant. That is,
The display information output from the display control device 350 is output in synchronization with the control signal from the game control device 100, the display control data and the signal for inspection are taken, and the display control device 350 is accurately inspected. Can be.

Further, since the test strobe signal rises after a certain period of time from the display control data from the game control device 100, the test equipment can accurately take in the test signal from the display control device 350.

Further, the test strobe signal rises based on the control signal from the game control device 100 and is terminated by the timer of the display control device 350, so that the test signal (test strobe signal) output from the display control device 350 is generated. Output signal can be started at a timing synchronized with a control signal from the game control device 100, and a strobe signal necessary for the inspection device to read data by the timer of the display control device 350 is used. Can be secured, so that the inspection device can accurately capture the display information.

The time (duration) during which the strobe signal is output is set to be shorter than the shortest time (5.0 seconds) required for the display symbol to fluctuate. The strobe signal can be output accurately even if the symbol continuously changes and stops.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram around a display control device 350 of a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the second embodiment, a second oscillator 361 is provided in addition to the first oscillator 355, and the operations of the CPU 351 and the VDC 356 are the same as those of the first embodiment ( It is the same as FIG. 4).

This oscillator gives the CPU 351 the same frequency (period = 2) as the communication interrupt from the game control device 100.
Milliseconds) signal (CLK2). The CPU 351 outputs an inspection signal in synchronization with a signal from the second oscillator 361.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the operation of the display control device 350 of the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The communication interruption from the game control device 100 is performed according to the operation cycle of the game control device 100 (2 milliseconds in this figure).
Display control data is sent from the game control device 100 to the display control device 350.

The display control device 350 is a game control device 10
From 0, when a command signal to start the change of the display symbol (80h) or to stop the display symbol that is displaying the change (88h) is received, the corresponding inspection code (20h, 21h)
At the timing of CLK2. When this test code is output, the test strobe signal rises to a high level, and when the test code signal ends, the test strobe signal falls.

Also, the display control device 350 stops the display symbol which is variably displayed from the game control device 100 (88).
When the instruction signal of h) is received, the corresponding inspection code (21h) and inspection design data are output in synchronization with CLK2.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the test signal is output at the cycle of CLK2 by the communication interruption, the test strobe signal is started, and the timer for the strobe signal is started. Further, in the main routine, the timer for the strobe signal is counted, and the operation is performed so that the strobe signal falls. That is, since the test signal from the display control device 350 is output according to CLK2 synchronized with the communication interrupt cycle, the test signal is output from the display control device 350 regardless of the display interrupt signal of the display control device 350. T1 and T2 can be made constant. That is, the display information output from the display control device 350 is output in synchronization with the control signal from the game control device 100, and the display control data and the inspection signal are associated with each other. Can be inspected.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram around a display control device 350 of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the display control device 350 has one CPU 351 and
Since the PU 351 has performed all processing such as reception of display control data from the game control device 100, transmission of display data to the variable display device 8, and output of inspection data, the CP
U351 had to monitor display control data sent irregularly from the game control device 100 in accordance with the timing. In addition, this game control device 100
Since the inspection data is generated at the reception timing of the display control data from the CPU, the CPU 351 performs the calculation processing of the CPU 351 in the processing not related to the display control, such as the reception processing of the display control data and the generation processing of the inspection data. (Processing time), which limits the processing time that can be used for display control.

In the third embodiment, in order to solve the above-described problem, two CPUs 351 and 3 are used as control means.
65, and the VDC 356 is characterized in that it functions as a display device control unit that controls the variable display device 8. In the third embodiment, the description of the parts having the same operations as those of the above-described embodiment having the same reference numerals will be omitted.

The display control device 350 has a main CPU (M
-CPU) 351, ROM 352, RAM 353, oscillator 355, video display controller (VD
C) 356, video RAM (VRAM) 364, sub C
It comprises a PU (S-CPU) 365, an output terminal for inspection 360 and the like.

The display control device 350 includes the game control device 10
0, a display control command signal is input to the display control device 35.
0 controls the variable display device 8 by the display control data (display control command signal) as the control signal. The display control data includes data for instructing start / stop of the change of the identification information of the variable display device 8 and data indicating the contents displayed when the change of the identification information of the variable display device 8 is stopped. The pulse signal (communication interrupt) of the communication interrupt from the game control device 100 is taken into the display control device 350 as a trigger.

The oscillator 355 is connected to the main CPU 351,
A clock signal for operating the DC 356 and the like, and a clock signal of a screen display cycle (1/60 second) are generated and sent to the main CPU 351 and the VDC 356.

The VDC 356 outputs a signal (V_BLANK interrupt) prompting the main CPU 351 to output VDC control data as control data to the display device control means (VDC 356) in synchronization with the clock signal from the oscillator 355. When receiving the VDC control data indicating the display content from the main CPU 351, the character ROM
The display data is read from 363 and sent to the variable display device 8 at a predetermined cycle (1/60 second). The timer signal is also output to the sub CPU 365 in synchronization with the display control interrupt signal.

The main CPU 351 executes the program recorded in the ROM 352, generates VDC control data to be output to the VDC 356 based on the display control data, and then transmits the VDC control data to the VDC 356 in response to the occurrence of the V_BLANK interrupt. Output.

As described above, the main CPU 351 and the VDC 3
By performing the processing in cooperation with 56, the image displayed on the fluctuation display device 8 is updated every screen display cycle (1/60 second).

The sub CPU 365 is connected to the main CPU 351.
Is connected to the game control device 100 via an I / O port.
Receives the display control data from the sub CPU 365
The memory is temporarily stored in a memory inside the sub CPU 3
An instruction command for the main CPU 351 is output to 65 output ports. This instruction command is based on the display control data.
When this instruction command is received from the input port connected to the PU 365, the necessary operation is performed, and then the VDC
To transmit the VDC control data. Thus, the sub CP
U365 and main CPU 351 are connected not by bus but by I /
The connection with the O port is performed so that the access to the ROM 352, the RAM 353, and the VDP 362 performed by the main CPU 351 is not interrupted by the transfer of the instruction command.

Specifically, a communication interrupt signal and display control data are sent from the game control device 100 to the display control device 350 in accordance with the operation cycle of the game control device 100 (for example, 2 milliseconds). However, the communication interrupt signal is generated when the fluctuation of the identification information of the fluctuation display device 8 is started and when the fluctuation of the identification information is stopped, and the reception timing of the display control data is not regular.

This communication interrupt signal is a pulse signal transmitted from the game control device 100 to the display control device 350 in accordance with the operation timing of the game control device 100, and serves as a trigger for taking in display control data. The display control data is sent from the game control device 100 to the display control device 350 in order to control the display of the variable display device 8 in accordance with the communication interrupt cycle. It consists of information for instructing start / stop and information indicating the contents displayed when the fluctuation display device 8 stops fluctuation.

Here, the first data of the display control data for instructing the start of the change display indicates the start and the change time of the display symbol (identification information), and the time for changing the display symbol is as follows.
The command is separately prepared so that it can be specified in 0.1 second steps from 5.0 seconds to 5.7 seconds. Following this 2
The fourth data is a command signal for designating the left, middle, and right stop symbols of the variable display device 8, respectively, and corresponds to the symbols "0" to "E" actually displayed on the variable display device 8. ing. In addition, the display control data also includes a command signal indicating stop of the display symbol that is variably displayed.

The display control device 350 has an output terminal 3 for inspection.
60 are provided. The sub CPU 365 outputs display information (inspection code signal, inspection symbol data signal, inspection strobe signal) of the display control device 350 from the inspection output terminal 360 in accordance with the timing of the display control data from the game control device 100. Is output as

Although FIGS. 4, 9 and 12 show the configuration in which the inspection output terminal 360 (connector) is provided, the connector is usually removed (signals to be output from the connector). Is provided), and a connector may be attached as needed at the time of inspection.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the main CPU 351 of the display control device of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

When the main program starts, the main C
The PU 351, the VDC 356, the sub CPU 365, and the like are initialized (S31), and the initial display screen at the time of startup is displayed on the variable display device 8. The main CPU 351 transfers VDC control data indicating initial display contents to the VDC 356 (S32). The main CPU 351 receives an instruction command as information based on the display control data from the sub CPU 365 via the I / O (S33). This instruction command is output by the sub CPU 365 based on the display control data received from the game control device 100, and outputs only the information necessary on the main CPU 351 side. That is, the processing of a reception error when the display control data is incorrect is performed by the sub CPU 365, and only the content of the display control data that has been correctly received is transmitted to the main CPU 351 as an instruction command. .

Then, the main CPU 351 determines whether or not it is necessary to initialize the animation control based on the fetched instruction command (S34). The necessity of the initialization of the animation control is determined by a series of time-series screen display stories such as a case where the instruction command indicates the start / stop of the change of the identification information of the variable winning device 8 and a case where the big hit screen is started. The sub CPU 365 is instructed by the game control device 100 to initialize animation control, and initializes a series of time-series screen display stories. RAM35
The VDC control data of the screen display stored in No. 3 is set (S35). By this initialization processing, the character and background to be displayed during the screen display to be displayed are also determined, and the address of the display data that the VDC 356 first reads from the character ROM 363 is also initialized.

In updating the animation data (S36), the address of the character ROM 363 is updated, the next display data is read from the character ROM 363, and the character, background (color, pattern) read from the character ROM 363 displayed on the variable display device 8 is read. ) Is stored in the buffer as VDC control data (S
37).

Next, the main CPU 351 is connected to the VDC 356.
(S38), and when this display interrupt signal is present, VDC control data is transferred to VDC 356 (S32). This display interrupt signal is used for the screen update cycle (1 /
Every 60 seconds), a data transmission request is sent from the VDC 356 to the main CPU 351 to determine a data transfer cycle from the main CPU 351 to the VDC 356.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the sub CPU 365 of the display control device according to the third embodiment.

When the main program of the sub CPU 365 starts, the sub CPU 365 is initialized (S4).
1). Upon receiving the communication interrupt signal from the game control device 100 (S42), the sub CPU 365 determines whether the display control data has been correctly received. If the display control data is incorrect and it is determined that a reception error has occurred (command check = N), an instruction command to the main CPU 351 is not output, and the process proceeds to update the strobe timer (S49). On the other hand, when it is determined that the display control data has been correctly received by this determination (command check = Y), an operation is performed to output an instruction command to the main CPU 351 in step S48.

Further, the sub CPU 365 having read the display control data in step S42 determines whether the display control data is a change start command (80h) or a fluctuation stop command (88h) (S44). If it is a change start command (80h) or a fluctuation stop command (88h), the corresponding inspection code signal (20h, 21h)
h) is output (S45), the test strobe signal is raised to a high level (S46), and the test equipment connected to the test output terminal of the display control device 350 is urged to take in the test data. Thereafter, the sub CPU 365 initializes a timer for the strobe signal (S47).

On the other hand, the display control data received by the display control device 350 from the game control device 100 corresponds to the change start command (8
If neither 0h) nor the fluctuation stop command (88h), the process skips to S48 without initializing the test code signal, the test strobe signal, or the strobe timer.

Next, the sub CPU 365 transmits the display control data received from the game control device 100 to the sub CPU 36.
5, and temporarily stored in the memory in the main CPU 351.
An instruction to the main CPU 351 is output to an I / O terminal directly connected to the I / O terminal (S48).

Next, the sub CPU 365 sets the VDC 356
A predetermined value is added (for example, +1) or subtracted to the strobe timer in accordance with the timer signal received from, and the strobe timer is updated (S49). Thereafter, the value of the strobe timer is compared with a value determined for the output time of the strobe signal to determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed (S
50). If the value of the strobe timer has reached the predetermined value, the test strobe signal falls (S51). By the operation of this timer, the inspection strobe signal sends out a high-level signal for a predetermined time.

Therefore, also in the third embodiment, the display control device 350 sends a command signal from the game control device 100 to start the change of the display symbol (80h) or to stop the display symbol being changed and displayed (88h). Upon receipt, the corresponding inspection code (20h, 21h) is output. When this test code is output, the test strobe signal rises to a high level. After a predetermined time has elapsed and the test code signal ends, the test strobe signal output for a predetermined time falls.

In the third embodiment as well, the test strobe signal may end when the test code signal ends, but the test strobe signal is ended before the test code signal ends. By configuring, the inspection strobe signal can be a short-time pulse signal.

Further, the display control device 350 stops the display symbol which is variably displayed from the game control device 100 (88).
When the instruction signal of h) is received, the corresponding inspection code (21h) is output and the design symbol data for inspection is output.

As described above, in the third embodiment, the main CPU 351 which transmits the VDC control data to the VDC 356 based on the display control data (display control command signal) from the game control device 100 is provided to the display control device 350.
And a sub CPU 365 for outputting an inspection signal (inspection code signal, inspection symbol data signal, inspection strobe signal) indicating the operation state of the display control device 350, so that the processing load on the main CPU 351 is reduced. Since the main CPU 351 can concentrate on the control of the variable display device 8, the variable display device can perform a sophisticated and complicated display, and the display of the variable display device 8 can be made more realistic and look interesting. it can.

The main CPU 351 and the sub CPU 3
The main CPU 351 receives the output of the sub CPU 357 at the operation timing (for example, screen update timing) of the program being executed by itself, so that the main CPU 351 receives the output from the game control device 100 by interruption. If the processing of the CPU 351 is not interrupted and the main CPU 3
51 does not increase the processing load.

Since the control means is constituted by the main CPU 351 and the sub CPU 365, the sub CPU 365 transmits display control data from the game control device 100 to the main CPU 351.
Because it can be converted to the command system used by U351,
The processing load on the main CPU can be reduced.

It should be noted that, in addition to the inspection code signal, the inspection symbol data signal, and the inspection strobe signal shown in FIGS. 4, 9 and 12, a "fluctuation signal" is output from the inspection output terminal 360. It can also be configured as follows. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the rising timing of the “fluctuating signal” is the same as the rising timing of the test strobe signal indicating the start of the fluctuation, and the ending timing of the “fluctuating signal” is the strobe indicating the stop of the fluctuation. At the same time as the rise of the signal. Therefore, since the time during which the “fluctuating signal” is output coincides with the time during which the displayed symbol is fluctuating, the fluctuating time can also be measured.

Whether the display control data has been correctly received by the display control device from the inspection output terminal 360 (for example, if the value of the display control data is undefined, It is also possible to output information such as that the reception order was not accurate, etc.) and to test the reliability of the display control data.

In the present embodiment, the sub CPU 365
When display control data is received from the game control device 100, the command may be output as an instruction command to the main CPU 351 as it is after judging the validity of the command, or the command from the game control device 100 may be The format of the instruction command can be changed and output in a form transmitted to the main CPU 351. For example, sub CP
The format of the display control data received at U365 may be converted into a format that can be read by the main CPU 351 at a higher speed and output.

The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative 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 showing an overall configuration of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the entire configuration of the gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram around a game control device of the gaming machine.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram around a display control device of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the display control device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the display control device at the time of communication interruption.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the operation of the display control device.

FIG. 8 is a table showing contents of display control command data of the gaming machine.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram around the display control device of the gaming machine according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the operation of the display control device.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing an operation of a conventional display control device for a gaming machine.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram around a display control device of a gaming machine according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the display control device.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the display control device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 2 Card ball rental unit 3 Front frame 4 Main frame 5 Hinge 6 Game board 8 Fluctuation display device 35 Back mechanism board 100 Game control device 200 Emission control device 250 Power supply device 256 Backup power supply circuit 300 Decoration control device 350 Display control Device 351 CPU (M-CPU) 352 ROM 353 RAM 354 DMAC 355 Oscillator 1 356 VDC 357 Font ROM 358 γ correction circuit 359 Interface 360 Inspection output terminal 361 Oscillator 2 363 Character ROM 364 Video RAM (VRAM) 365 Sub CPU (SRAM) -CPU) 400 sound control device 500 hitting and firing device 550 firing control device 600 discharge unit 700 flow switching unit

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A game board for providing a game, a game control device for generally controlling a game performed on the game board, a display device for variably displaying identification information, and a display for variably displaying the identification information. A display control device that controls the display device in accordance with a control signal from the control device and generates display information capable of inspecting an operation state of the display device, wherein the display control device is synchronized with the operation of the game control device. A game machine for generating the display information. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the display control device generates the display information based on a control signal from the game control device. 3. An oscillator for generating a signal having the same cycle as a control signal from the game control device, wherein the display control device generates the display information based on a signal generated by the oscillator. The gaming machine according to claim 1. 4. The display information includes a strobe signal,
The strobe signal is changed so as to synchronize with the operation of the game control device.
A gaming machine according to any one of the preceding claims. 5. The strobe signal changes based on a reception timing of a control signal from the game control device,
The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the game is restored by a timer of the display control device. 6. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the time from when the control signal is received from the game control device to when the strobe signal changes is substantially constant. 7. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the duration of the strobe signal is shorter than the shortest variation display time of the identification information on the display device. 8. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein the first control means for controlling the change display of the identification information and the second control means for generating the display information are separated from each other. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second control means receives a control signal from the game control device and outputs information based on the control signal to the first control means. The gaming machine described.