JP2002136676A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a morning service using the function of a game machine 5. SOLUTION: This game machine 5 is provided with a main board 1 for controlling a game state, a pattern control board 7 receiving a command indicating display contents from the main board 1 and controlling a display state; and an illumination control board 11. In the game machine 5, when a power non-supplied state is changed into a power supplied state, a right special pattern instruction command is first outputted to the display control board from the main board 1, and the display control board 7 makes an abnormality display on a special pattern display device 47 if the right special pattern instruction command is not outputted to the display control board 7 from the main board 1 when the power non-supplied state is changed into the power supplied state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technology for responding to a power outage of a game machine such as a pachinko machine and a toy machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to eliminate impropriety of a gaming machine, a control device has been unitized for each function of the gaming machine. Attempts have been made to position the sub-unit so that the data flow is unidirectional, in which only signals are output from the main board to the sub-unit, so that signals are not input to the main board as much as possible. In this method, the microcontroller and RAM are not backed up except for the board related to the prize ball in the subunit, and if a power failure occurs, the operation stops as it is and after the power supply is restored, a new The signal was received from the main board, and new processing was performed.

[0003] Among such sub-units, in a symbol control board or an illumination control board to which backup power is not supplied, after restoring the power supply, the moving symbols and moving images displayed when a power failure occurs are continued. When the power supply is restored, it is necessary to supply from the main board a display content instruction signal capable of displaying the contents of moving symbols and moving images immediately before the power failure. For example, if the lottery probability of the jackpot was in the high probability state immediately before the power outage, when the power supply was restored, a display content instruction signal for promptly displaying the high probability state was sent from the main board to the symbol control board or the illumination control. It must be configured to supply to the substrate.

[0004]

However, when such a power supply is restored, a display content instruction signal that can display moving symbols or moving image content immediately before the power failure is transmitted from the main board to the symbol control board or the illumination. By providing a configuration to supply to the control board, it is possible to accurately convey the game content even if there is a power failure, but if only the power supply to the design control board or the illumination control board is intentionally interrupted temporarily In this case, only the symbol control board and the illumination control board are initialized, and an initial display state results. For this reason, the game state immediately before the power failure is not reflected on the display, for example, even in the high probability state immediately before the power failure, only the power supply to the symbol control board and the illumination control board is temporarily shut off After that, it will not be displayed at all that the state was in the high probability state.

[0005] For this reason, at a game arcade, by utilizing such a phenomenon, a game machine is set to a high probability state before starting business,
There is a possibility that the power supply to the symbol control board or the illumination control board is temporarily cut off, and the gaming machine in the high probability state is set before the start of business, that is, the so-called morning service is used. By performing this morning service, it is assumed that the player frequently visits the amusement arcade for the purpose of the morning service, or that he or she uses the game service to recover the game, so that the gambling of the game is increased. It is conceivable that they are guided in a high direction.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine which eliminates the possibility of being used for a morning service and does not unnecessarily enhance the gambling of games.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention As means for solving the above problems, a gaming machine according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided with a game control means for receiving a power supply and controlling a game state, and A display control means for receiving a display content instruction signal from the game control means and controlling a display state; and when the power is supplied from a state where power is not supplied, the display control means is provided with a predetermined signal from the game control means. A power supply start signal output means for outputting a display content instruction signal for instructing display content, the display control means, when power is supplied from a state where power is not supplied, The gist of the present invention is to provide a power supply start properness determination means for determining whether the display content instruction signal output from the game control means to the display control means is a prescribed one.

Thus, when the game machine is supplied with power, the game control means controls the game state, and the display control means receives the display content instruction signal from the game control means and controls the display state. I do. On the other hand, when power is supplied from a state where power is not supplied to the gaming machine,
The power supply start signal output means causes the game control means to output a display content instruction signal for instructing a predetermined display content to the display control means. For example, a signal indicating whether the gaming machine is in the high probability state or the low probability state is output.

When the display control means is switched from a state in which power is not supplied to a state in which power is supplied, the appropriateness determination means at the start of power supply outputs a display content instruction signal output from the game control means to the display control means. Judge whether it is the specified one. For example, when the return condition defined from the gaming state, the time of the occurrence of the power failure, and the like specifies that the display content instruction signal indicating the high probability state is output, the display content instruction signal indicating the high probability state is a game. If output from the control means to the display control means, it is determined that the display content instruction signal output from the game control means to the display control means is a prescribed one.

Thus, for example, when the display content instruction signal indicating the high probability state is specified to be output from the game control means to the display control means, the display content instruction indicating the high probability state is provided. If the signal is not output from the game control means to the display control means, it is determined that the display content instruction signal output from the game control means to the display control means is not a prescribed one.

Accordingly, when it is determined that the display content instruction signal is not a prescribed one, it is possible to presume that an abnormality has occurred in either the game control means or the display control means. By utilizing this, for example, by adding a configuration for displaying or notifying an abnormality, an extremely excellent effect that an abnormality of the gaming machine can be notified can be obtained.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the game machine, the display content instruction signal output from the game control means to the display control means by the power supply start signal output means changes from a state where power is not supplied to a power supply. The power supply start appropriateness determination means determines that the display content instruction signal is not a prescribed one when the power supply is not output within a predetermined time from the state of being supplied. The summary of the gaming machine described in 1.

Thus, when the display control means changes from a state in which power is not supplied to a state in which power is supplied, the appropriateness determination means at the start of power supply changes from a state in which power is not supplied to a state in which power is supplied. Then, it is determined that the display content instruction signal output from the game control means to the display control means for more than a predetermined time is not a prescribed one.

Therefore, it can be inferred that the display content instruction signal determined not to be the prescribed one is not output by the signal output means at the start of power supply, whereby only the display control means is not supplied with power. Can be inferred to be in a state where power is supplied from.

By utilizing this, it is possible to provide an extremely excellent effect that it is possible to notify that an abnormality has occurred in the display control means. The gaming machine according to a third aspect of the present invention further comprises a display control abnormal signal output unit that outputs a display control abnormal signal when the display content instruction signal is determined to be not a prescribed one by the power supply start appropriateness determining unit. The gist of the gaming machine according to claim 1 or claim 2.

Thus, if the display content instruction signal is determined not to be specified by the power supply start appropriateness determination means, the display control abnormality signal output means outputs a display control abnormality signal. Therefore, the display control abnormal signal is transmitted to an external monitoring device, etc., or transmitted to a monitoring device or a display device near the gaming machine, or used inside the gaming machine to cause an abnormality in the game control means or the display control means. That the character has occurred,
It is possible to display information such as a symbol or a light emission pattern or make a sound.

As a result, there is an extremely excellent effect that the result of the determination of the abnormality can be used. Claim 4
4. The gaming machine according to claim 3, further comprising a display control function restricting means for restricting a function of said display control means when said display control abnormal signal output means outputs a display control abnormal signal. The summary of the described gaming machine is given.

Thus, when the display control abnormal signal output means outputs the display control abnormal signal, the display control function restricting means restricts the function of the display control means. For example, the display control function limiting means stops displaying the symbols by the display control means, or displays only a specific symbol, or disables the display control means from inputting the display content instruction signal,
The function is limited so that only a specific display content instruction signal is input.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the fourth aspect, the display control function limiting means limits the input of the display content instruction signal by the display control means. I do. Thus, when the display control abnormality signal output unit outputs the display control abnormality signal, the display content instruction signal is not input to the display control unit, or the specific display content instruction signal is not input.

Therefore, when the supply of power to only the display control means is temporarily interrupted, the display control means does not function and the game cannot be provided. As a result, by temporarily interrupting the supply of power to the display control means, for example, even if it is concealed that the high probability state is displayed, the display itself is not performed, and the gaming machine cannot provide the game. This provides an extremely excellent effect that illegal processing on a gaming machine is not executed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine, when the display control abnormal signal output means outputs a display control abnormal signal, the display control means includes a notification executing means for executing a predetermined notification. The gist of the present invention is a gaming machine according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

[0022] This provides an extremely excellent effect that the notification executing means can notify the abnormality of the gaming machine. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the gaming machine according to the sixth aspect, wherein the display control means executes a predetermined notification by a symbol display by a symbol display device.

Thus, an extremely excellent effect that it is possible to notify the abnormality of the gaming machine by the symbol display by the symbol display means is provided. According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the gaming machine according to the sixth aspect, wherein the display control means executes a predetermined notification in accordance with an illumination display pattern by an illumination device.

This provides an extremely excellent effect that it is possible to notify the abnormality of the gaming machine by the illumination display pattern of the illumination device.

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram relating to an interface between a main board 1, a symbol control board 7, an illumination control board 11, and a power supply board 15, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electric control system of the gaming machine 5. .

The gaming machine 5 provides a pachinko game in which the appearance of the game ball is omitted, but when the game ball wins the winning opening, a prize (prize ball) of the game ball is paid out and an interesting image or sound is output. As shown in FIG. 2, a main board 1 for performing game control is provided as a center, and the following boards are provided.

That is, the gaming machine 5 has a main board 1, a prize ball control board 3, a symbol control board 7, a voice control board 9, an illumination control board 11, and a launch control board 13 (details are omitted).
And a power supply board 15. The main board 1 has an input switch (input SW) 16 as shown below,
An output solenoid (output SOL) 18 such as a special winning opening SOL or a normal electric accessory SOL, an external terminal board 21 for a symbol determination frequency, a big hit, a special winning opening, etc., and a supply ball shortage switch (supply ball shortage SW). 23 and a lower tray full switch (lower tray full SW) 25 are connected.

The input SW 16 includes a type 1 starting port SW, a specific area SW, a special winning opening SW, a normal symbol operating gate SW, a normal electric accessory SW, a normal winning opening SW, and the like, each of which mainly has a switch signal (SW signal). It is supplied to the substrate 1. The main board 1 supplies various commands to the prize ball control board 3, the symbol control board 7, the voice control board 9, and the illumination control board 11 using the data signal and the strobe signal. Thus, the following processing is generally performed.

The prize ball control board 3 receives a prize ball SW31, a ball lending SW33, a prize ball motor control SW35, a prize ball motor 37, a distribution SOL3 based on the data signal and the strobe signal.
The game ball is paid out to an upper plate (not shown) by using 9 and a firing control signal is output to the firing control board 13. or,
A status indicator 46 to be described later is attached to the prize ball control board 3, and a frame external terminal board 41 is connected to the prize ball control board 3. The frame external terminal plate 41 includes a prize ball terminal, a ball rental terminal, a metal frame open terminal,
An inner frame opening terminal is provided, and the metal frame opening SW 43 and the inner frame opening SW 45 are connected.

The symbol control board 7 sends various commands to be described later in response to the data signal and the strobe signal.
, And using the special symbol display device 47 and the ordinary symbol display device 49 to display an abnormality, which will be described in detail later,
The display of the special symbol of the game and the display of the normal symbol are performed.

The voice control board 9 outputs sound related to the game using the speaker 51 based on the data signal and the strobe signal. The illumination control board 11 controls the illumination 5 such as an LED based on the data signal and the strobe signal.
3 is used to generate an illumination pattern related to the game, such as a character, a design, and a light-emitting pattern. In addition, it has a function of displaying a display of an abnormality in an illumination pattern.

The launch control board 13 receives the launch control signal, is connected to the touch plate 61, the launch stop SW 63, and the launch motor 65, and controls the launch of the game ball. The main board 1, the prize ball control board 3, the symbol control board 7, the voice control board 9, and the illumination control board 11, which have been schematically described above.
And a reset signal line RSW from the power supply substrate 15 and power supply lines DGW (A) and (B).
And are connected. The reset signal line RSW collectively connects the main board 1, the prize ball control board 3, the symbol control board 7, the voice control board 9, the illumination control board 11, and the emission control board 13 from the power supply board 15. , And is mainly used for initialization at the start of power supply.

The power supply line DGW (A) is connected to the main board 1
The power supply line DGW (B) supplies electric power necessary for the operation of the prize ball control board 3, and the symbol control board 7, the voice control board 9, the illumination control board 11, and the launch control board 1
3 supply the power required to operate.

Further, from the power supply board 15, a power failure signal line TS
W and the backup power supply line BKW are connected to the main board 1 and the prize ball control board 3. A power failure signal line TSW;
A main board 1 to which a backup power supply line BKW is supplied;
The prize ball control board 3 includes a CPU, ROM, RAMs 17 and 19, both of which constitute a well-known microcomputer, and a backup power supply line BKW is connected to a power supply line DGW.
RAMs 17 and 19 even after the power supplied by (A) decreases.
Supply the backup power required to retain the data of Here, the power supply board 15 that supplies power to the backup power supply line BKW has a capability of supplying backup power for 20 hours or more after the power supplied to the gaming machine 5 is cut off.

Next, based on FIGS. 1 and 2, a power supply and a signal are supplied between the power supply board 15, the main board 1, the symbol control board 7, and the illumination control board 11. Will be described. The detailed description of the configuration is omitted. Power supply board 1
5 is a main board 1, a prize ball control board 3, and a symbol control board 7
In order to perform power supply and signal supply to the voice control board 9, the illumination control board 11, and the emission control board 13, the prize ball number abnormal return SW 121 shown in FIG. , A reset signal (A) generation circuit 125, and a power supply generation circuit for the main board and the winning ball control board (+ 5V (A)
+ 12V (A) backup power supply) 127, a reset signal (B) generation circuit 129, a control board power supply creation circuit (+ 5V (B) + 12V (B)) 131, and a power supply creation circuit (+ 32V) 133. I have.

The prize ball abnormal recovery SW 121 has a push button switch structure mounted at a position operable from the back side of the gaming machine 5, and is mounted on the power supply board 15. Note that a key switch structure operated by a predetermined key may be used instead of the push button structure. The awarded ball number abnormality return SW 121 is connected to the awarded ball number abnormality return line SISW. The award ball number abnormality return line SISW is connected to the main board 1. Details of the connection destination will be described later.

The power failure signal generation circuit 123 has a configuration for outputting a power failure signal shown in the timing chart for starting and stopping the power supply board 15 in FIG. 3 and the timing chart for power failure in the power supply board 15 in FIG. Here, as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4, AC24V is continuously supplied for 20 ms or more,
In addition, when the power supplies +5 V (A), +12 V (A), and +32 V are in a normal state, the power failure signal is output to Hi (high level). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, when the power failure state of AC 24V is shorter than 20 ms, it is not regarded as a power failure state. Also, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the power failure state of AC 24 V continues for 20 ms or more, the power failure signal is output as Low, but as shown in FIG.
AC24 for 300 ms from the start of output (power failure processing)
When V returns from the power failure state, the power failure signal is output to Hi after 300 ms (power failure processing), as shown in FIG.

The reset signal (A) generation circuit 125 is a timing chart for starting and stopping the power supply board 15 in FIG.
And a configuration for outputting a reset signal (A) shown in a timing chart at the time of a power failure of the power supply board 15 in FIG. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, Hi is output after a lapse of 10 ms from the Hi output of the power failure signal. In addition, as shown in the figure, the signal is output Low 300 ms after the start of the output of the power failure signal Low. As shown in FIG. 4, the power failure signal L
Low output is performed 300 ms after the start of the ow output.

Power supply creation circuit for main board and prize ball control board (+ 5V (A) + 12V (A) backup power supply)
127 has a power supply capacitor (not shown),
(A) + 12V (A) power supply, after AC24V goes down,
As shown in FIG. 3, the main board 1 and the prize ball control board 3
After the specified voltage is maintained for 320 ms, which is the sum of 20 ms for determining that a power failure has occurred and 300 ms for performing the power failure process, the output becomes low due to spontaneous discharge. As shown in FIG. 3, the backup power supply stores the RAM 1 in the main board 1 and the prize ball control board 3 until the power failure recovery guarantee time (discharge time of the electric double layer capacitor, about 20 hours) elapses.
7 and 19 are supplied with backup power.

As shown in FIG. 3, the reset signal (B) generating circuit 129 outputs 1 after the power failure signal is output Hi.
After a lapse of 0 ms, Hi output is performed. Also, as shown in
When a power failure of 20 ms or more occurs, a Low (low level) output is output. Power supply creation circuit for control board (+ 5V
(B) + 12V (B)) 131 is provided with a power supply capacitor (not shown), and after AC24V goes down,
As shown in (1), after a specified voltage is held for 20 ms for determining a power failure, the output becomes low due to spontaneous discharge.

The power generation circuit (+32 V) 133
After the voltage of 24V falls, the output becomes Low due to spontaneous discharge. The specifications of the power supply board 15 are appropriately changed according to the design concept. Power supply line DGW (A) from power supply board 15
As a result, the main board 1 receiving the supply of +5 V (A), +12 V (A), and the backup power supply includes a micro control unit (MPU) 71 having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM 17 and the like as shown in FIG. A system reset circuit 141 connected to the MPU 71, a power failure signal receiving circuit 143, a winning number abnormal return signal receiving circuit 145, a port circuit 147, a strobe signal transmitting circuit 149,
And a data signal transmission circuit 150.

The MPU 71 has a RESET terminal 151,
NMI terminal 153, PORT terminals 155 and 157,
And a DATA terminal 159. In addition, like the NMI terminal 153, this is a line above the character “NMI”.
The line indicating the row enable is described only in the drawings, and is omitted in the specification. The symbols used for the description of the terminals of the MPUs 71 and 83 conform to the standard of the microprocessor indicated by the trademark “Z80” of Zirog Corporation unless otherwise specified.

The RESET terminal 151 is connected to a system reset circuit 141 connected to a reset signal line RSW, and inputs a reset signal (A) via the system reset circuit 141. The operation of the MPU 71 will be described later.

An NMI terminal 153 and a PORT terminal 155
Is a power failure signal receiving circuit 1 connected to the power failure signal line TSW.
43 is connected, and a power failure signal is input via the power failure signal receiving circuit 143. The PORT terminal 157 is connected to a prize ball count error return signal receiving circuit 145 connected to the award ball count error return line SISW. Enter

The DATA terminal 159 is connected to the port circuit 147
By outputting data to the strobe signal transmission circuit 149 and the data signal transmission circuit 150 via
Award ball control board 3, symbol control board 7, and illumination control board 1
1 and a data signal are output. The strobe signal is applied to the strobe signal line ST
BW, and the data signal is applied to the data signal line DATA
W is output.

A power supply line DGW (A) from the power supply board 15
Accordingly, the detailed description of the prize ball control board 3 receiving the supply of +5 V (A), +12 V (A), and the backup power supply is omitted. Power supply line DGW from power supply board 15
According to (B), the symbol control board 7 receiving the supply of +5 V (B) and +12 V (B), as shown in FIG.
A micro control unit (MPU) 181 including a PU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, a system reset circuit 184 connected to the MPU 181, a strobe signal receiving circuit 185, and a data signal receiving circuit 187 are provided.

The MPU 181 has a RESET terminal 189
, An INT terminal 191, and a PORT terminal 193. The RESET terminal 189 is connected to the reset signal line RS
A system reset circuit 184 connected to W is connected, and a reset signal (B) is input via the system reset circuit 184. The operation of the MPU 181 will be described later.

The INT terminal 191 is connected to the strobe signal line S
A strobe signal receiving circuit 185 connected to the TBW is connected, and a strobe signal is input from the main substrate 1 via the strobe signal receiving circuit 185. PORT
The terminal 193 inputs a data signal from the main board 1 via a data signal receiving circuit 187 connected to the data signal line DATAW.

A power supply line DGW (B) from the power supply board 15
Accordingly, the detailed description of the audio control board 9 receiving the supply of +5 V (B) and +12 V (B) is omitted. +5 V from the power supply board 15 by the power supply line DGW (B)
(B) and the illumination control board 11 receiving the supply of +12 V (B), as shown in FIG.
A micro control unit (MPU) 201 having
System reset circuit 2 connected to this MPU 201
03, a strobe signal receiving circuit 205, and a data signal receiving circuit 207.

The MPU 201 has a RESET terminal 209
, An INT terminal 211 and a PORT terminal 213. RESET terminal 209 is connected to reset signal line RS
A system reset circuit 203 connected to W is connected, and a reset signal (B) is input via the system reset circuit 203. The operation of the MPU 201 will be described later.

The INT terminal 211 is connected to the strobe signal line S
A strobe signal receiving circuit 205 connected to the TBW is connected, and a strobe signal is input through the strobe signal receiving circuit 205. PORT terminal 213
Inputs a data signal via the data signal receiving circuit 207 connected to the data signal line DATAW.

From power supply board 15 to power supply line DGW (B)
+ 5V (B), + 12V (B) and +32
The detailed description of the launch control board 13 that receives the supply of V is omitted. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a main control processing routine executed by the main board 1 at the time of turning on the power or recovering from the power failure. This main control processing routine includes a reset signal (A)
Is activated when the input Hi is input to the main board 1. First, an internal register setting process of the MPU 71 is performed (S10).
0) Then, the RAM 1 attached to the MPU 71
7 is determined to be normal (S110). When the power is turned on, it is determined that the RAM 17 is not normal.
The M17 is initialized (S120). Thereafter, a power-on command is created (S130). The power-on command is sent to the prize ball control board 3, the symbol control board 7, the voice control board 9, and the illumination control board 11 when the power is turned on, and is actually output by a timer INT process described later. Is done. The power-on command is output to the prize ball control board 3, the symbol control board 7, the voice control board 9, and the illumination control board 11, whereby the following processing is performed.

The prize ball control board 3 initializes the prize ball control board 3 and initializes the work area. The symbol control board 7
Among the commands for indicating the operation state of the special symbol shown in Table 1, the power-on command C1 (the subscript of C is indicated by a subscript in the figures and tables, but in the specification, all double-byte numbers are used. ) Is input from the main board 1 to specify the display (symbol, background, etc.) when the power of the special symbol display device 47 is turned on.

Further, a command for instructing the operation state of the ordinary symbol (not shown) is inputted to designate the display of the ordinary symbol display device 49 when the power is turned on.

[0055]

[Table 1]

The voice control board 9 designates silence. As shown in Table 2, the illumination control board 11 receives a power-on command C1 from the main substrate 1 and specifies a standby illumination pattern.

[0057]

[Table 2]

After the power-on command is created in S130, an INT interrupt for enabling all internal and external interrupt factors is permitted (S140), and the random number updating process is repeated (S150). As a result, the INT interruption is permitted, and a random number for lottery is created.

If it is determined in S110 that the RAM 17 is normal, that is, when it is time to recover from a power failure, a power failure recovery time command, which will be described in detail later, is created (S160). Execute the processing (S17)
0). FIG. 6 shows that the MPU 71 uses the timer INT (2 ms).
9 is a flowchart of a timer INT processing routine that is normally executed by the main board 1 in the case where an error occurs.

First, the register is saved (S20).
0), then perform output processing (S210), and perform input processing (S220). In the output processing, data is output from the MPU 71 to the outside. The output process includes a process of outputting a command to be described later from the main board 1 to the symbol control board 7 and the illumination control board 11 by the abnormality detection performed in S230, and a normal game machine process performed in S240. There is a process of outputting a command to be described later from 1 to the symbol control board 7 and the illumination control board 11. The command is transmitted by a strobe signal and a data signal. In the input processing, data is input from outside the MPU 71. As the input process, there is a process of inputting an operation state of the award winning number abnormal return SW 121 attached to the power supply board 15.

Next, abnormality detection and recovery processing are performed (S23).
0), normal gaming machine processing is performed (S240). In the abnormality detection processing, four types of abnormalities are detected as follows, namely, an abnormal number of prize balls, an abnormally full tray, an insufficient supply ball, and a disconnection / short circuit abnormality of the prize ball SW31. Detection of abnormal prize ball count: When sending a prize ball command from the main board 1 to the prize ball control board 3, the prize ball count is added to the prize ball counter, and the timer value is set to xms.

Further, when the prize ball passes through the prize ball SW31, the number of prize balls passing through the prize ball counter is subtracted, and the timer value is set to xms. If the timer value is subtracted and the value of the prize ball counter is 5 or more when the timer value becomes 0, it is determined that the number of prize balls is abnormal (insufficient).

When the value of the prize ball counter is reduced to less than 0, it is also determined that the number of prize balls is abnormal (excess). When detecting an abnormal number of prize balls, a command instructing the display of the abnormal number of prize balls to the special symbol display device 47 is sent from the main board 1 to the symbol control board 7, and the abnormal number of prize balls is transmitted to the illumination control board 11. Sends a command to display the illumination pattern.

Detection of lower tray full error: lower tray full S
When W25 is ON, it is determined that the lower tray is full. When the lower tray is full, the main board 1 sends a command to the prize ball control board 3 to instruct the prize ball payout to stop, and the symbol control board 7
Then, a command for instructing the special symbol display device 47 to display a lower tray full error is sent.

Detection of supply ball shortage abnormality: supply ball shortage SW2
When 3 is OFF, it is determined that the supply ball is insufficient. A command for instructing the prize ball control board 3 to stop paying out the prize ball when the supply ball shortage is abnormal, and a command for instructing the symbol control board 7 to display the supply ball shortage abnormality on the special symbol display device 47. Is sent.

Detection of disconnection / short circuit abnormality of the prize ball SW31: when the prize ball SW31 is ON for 1996 ms or more, the prize ball SW31
Disconnection / short circuit abnormality. When the prize ball SW31 is disconnected or short-circuited abnormally, the main board 1 sends a command to the prize ball control board 3 to stop the prize ball payout, and the symbol control board 7 and the special symbol display device 47 disconnect the prize ball SW31. Sends a command instructing the display of a short circuit abnormality.

In the return processing, the return of the abnormal number of prize balls, the return of the lower tray full error, the recovery of the shortage of supply balls, the prize ball S
The four types of recovery from the disconnection / short-circuit abnormality of W31 are executed as follows. Return of winning ball number abnormality: When sending a winning ball command from the main board 1 to the winning ball control board 3, the winning ball number is added to the winning ball counter, and the timer value is set to xms.

When a prize ball passes through the prize ball SW31, the number of prize balls passing through the prize ball counter is subtracted, and the timer value is set to xms. When the timer value is decremented and the timer value becomes 0, if the value of the prize ball counter is less than 5 and the prize ball number is abnormal, the prize ball number abnormality (insufficient) is returned.

The abnormal number of prize balls (both excess and shortage) returns when the power is turned on or when the abnormal prize ball number signal is returned.
When the number of prize balls is abnormally restored, the main board 1 to the prize ball control board 3
A command for instructing initialization of the prize ball control board 3, a command for instructing the special symbol display device 47 not to display the abnormal prize ball count to the symbol control board 7, A command for instructing the illumination pattern for returning the number of winning balls is transmitted.

Recovery of the lower tray full error: lower tray full S
When W25 is OFF and the lower tray full error is detected, the lower tray full error is returned. Upon returning from the lower tray full abnormality, the main board 1 sends a command to start the prize ball payout from the main board 1 to the prize ball control board 3, and sends a command to the symbol control board 7 to instruct the symbol control board 7 to not display the lower tray full error.

Recovery of supply shortage abnormality: supply ball shortage SW2
When 3 is ON and the supply ball is abnormal, it is determined that the supply ball shortage abnormality has been recovered. When the shortage of the supply ball is restored, the main board 1 sends a command to instruct the prize ball control board 3 to stop releasing the prize ball payout, and the symbol control board 7 displays a special symbol display device 4.
7, a command for instructing non-display of the supply ball shortage abnormality is transmitted.

Recovery of disconnection / short-circuit abnormality of the prize ball SW31: When the prize ball SW31 is OFF and the disconnection / short circuit of the prize ball SW31 is abnormal, the disconnection / short-circuit abnormality of the prize ball SW31 is restored. When the prize ball SW31 is restored from the disconnection / short circuit abnormality, the main board 1 sends a command for instructing the prize ball control board 3 to stop releasing the prize ball payout, and the symbol control board 7 and the special symbol display device 47 display the prize ball SW31. Sends a command to instruct non-display of disconnection / short-circuit abnormality.

The above is a brief description of S230. After the processing of S230, the normal game machine processing (S
240), a command for instructing payout is sent from the main board 1 to the prize ball control board 3, and the symbol control board 7 sends
Commands C1 to C instructing the operation state of the special symbol shown in FIG.
15 and a command (not shown) for instructing the normal symbol operation state, and commands C1 to C9 for instructing the illumination pattern of the illumination shown in Table 2 to the illumination control board 11.

In the payout instruction, the prize ball control board 3
Specify the number of payouts. After execution of the normal gaming machine processing in S240, the register is restored (S250), and then the INT interrupt permission for releasing the interrupt inhibition by the activation of the timer INT processing is performed (S260), and the timer INT processing routine is executed. Stop once.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the NMI processing routine of the MPU 71 of the main board 1. This NMI processing routine is based on the LMI of the power failure signal output from the power supply board 15 to the NMI terminal (Low enable) 153 of the MPU 71.
When the ow level is input, it is activated.

First, the registers are saved (S30).
0) Then, it is determined whether the power failure signal input to the PORT terminal 155 is at the low level (S310). if,
If the power failure signal is not at the Low level, it is determined that noise is mixed, and the register is restored (S320).
This NMI processing is once ended as it is.

On the other hand, if the power failure signal is at the low level (S310), it is determined whether 1 ms has elapsed (S3).
15) Until 1 ms elapses, the determination whether the power failure signal is at the low level (S310) is repeated. Note that S31
In 5, it is determined whether 1 ms has elapsed.
It is not limited to ms, but may be appropriately changed within a range that does not hinder other processing. As a result, 1 m
If the Low state is maintained during s, it is determined that the voltage has actually dropped, and the stack pointer is first saved (S330), and then about 2 ms elapses (S330).
340) After about 2 ms has elapsed, the award ball SW31 monitoring process is performed (S350). Waiting for about 2 ms elapses, FIG.
The data of the prize ball SW31 input by the timer INT processing of the above is input without error and stored. This prize ball S
The W31 monitoring process is performed until 290 ms or more has elapsed (S360). Here, in order to monitor the prize balls that pass after the power failure signal Low is input, the period is set to 290 ms because the prize paid out at the same time when the power failure signal Low is input to the prize ball control board 3. This is because a maximum of about 170 ms is required for the ball to pass through the prize ball SW31.

After performing the prize ball SW31 monitoring process for 290 ms, the RAM 17 shifts to the access prohibited state (S3).
70). By setting the access of the RAM 17 to the prohibited state, the data stored in the RAM 17 is prohibited from being changed. Here, + 5V (A) to the main substrate 1
Power supply by + 12V (A) is stopped,
The MPU 71 shifts to the stop state. RAM 17
The stored contents are held by the backup power supply.

The information stored in the RAM 17 and stored in the RAM 17 includes a command output to the symbol control board 7, a command output to the illumination control board 11, and a command to be output. The amount to save is
It is determined according to the content displayed on the special symbol display device 47 when returning from a power failure. For example, when returning from a power failure,
To reproduce the display contents of the jackpot game from the beginning,
The data of the range or period for reproducing this, that is, the range or period from the information of the symbol displayed at the beginning of the big hit game to the information displayed when the big hit game ends is stored.

The power supply of +5 V (A) and +12 V (A) by the power supply line DGW (A) is secured until the MPU 71 shifts to the stop state and the power failure process of the MPU 71 is completed. Thereafter, the power supply line DG
Even after the power supply from W (A) is cut off, the stored contents are retained for 20 hours or more by the backup power supply supplied from the backup power supply line BKW.

The processing in the case where the power is restored from the power failure state will be described based on the flowchart of the main control processing routine of FIG. 5 described above. This main control process is performed by the MPU 71
When a reset signal output from the power supply board 15 is input to the RESET terminal 151 through the system reset circuit 141, it is activated. The reset signal is output when power is supplied to the power supply board 15 that has been in a power failure state.

When the main control process is started, as described above, first, a built-in register setting process is performed (S100).
Next, it is determined whether or not the RAM 17 is normal (S110).
If M17 is not normal, or if no data is stored in the RAM 17 such as at the start of operation, the initialization processing described above is performed (S120 to S14).
0). Description is omitted.

If the RAM 17 is normal (S11
0), here, the access to the RAM 17 is prohibited in S370 by the NMI process in FIG. 7, and if the storage contents of the RAM 17 are retained, the power outage recovery command creation process described above (S160) Is performed, and then a power failure recovery process is performed (S170). Although the detailed illustration of the power failure recovery processing is omitted, the continuation of the processing at the time of the power failure occurrence is controlled based on the current state data stored in the RAM 17. For example, an unpaid portion of the prize ball is paid out, or the big hit game is continued.

As described above, when the power failure occurs, the main board 1 reads the input data such as the detected value of the prize ball SW 31 without leakage and stores it in the RAM 17 without being modified in a normal state. ,Operate. Further, during a power failure, stored data is retained by a backup power supply to prevent loss, and when the power supply is recovered, the state of the gaming machine 5 is returned based on the state immediately before the power failure. Accordingly, even if a power failure occurs, the main board 1 returns to the state reflecting the state before the power failure occurs without giving the player a feeling of anxiety if the power returns from the power failure, and continues the game.

The symbol control board 7 includes a power supply line DGW
(B), the power supply of +5 V (B) and +12 V (B) is received, and when the power supply of 24 V AC to the gaming machine 5 is stopped, the power supply generation circuit for the control board (+
As 5V (B) + 12V (B)) 131 becomes Low output due to spontaneous discharge, the operation is stopped and the symbol display is stopped.

From the state in which the operation is stopped, the game machine 5
When the power supply of C24V is resumed, the power is supplied from the control board power supply generating circuit (+ 5V (B) + 12V (B)) 131, and the MPU 181 is first initialized by an initialization process (not shown), and then described later. After executing the abnormal return display process, the display states of the special symbol display device 47 and the ordinary symbol display device 49 are set to predetermined initial symbols. afterwards,
The command output from the main board 1 is input, and an image is displayed again in a predetermined procedure as described later.

The symbol control board 7 normally operates the special symbol display device 47 based on the commands (C1 to C13) shown in Table 1 received from the main board 1 and other commands.
A predetermined special symbol, a background, and a character are displayed on the ordinary symbol display device 49 as shown below.

When the power-on command C1 is input from the main board 1, the power-on display is displayed on the special symbol display device 47, and when the customer waiting demonstration command C2 is input, the demonstration is displayed on the special symbol display device 47. The special symbol display device 47 is provided when the fluctuation pattern command C3, the left special symbol designation command C4, the middle special symbol display command C5, the right symbol display command C6, the all special symbol stop command C7, and the probability variation end designation command C8 are input. Display during symbol change and symbol confirmation, when the jackpot start interval command C9 is input, display during the jackpot start interval on the special symbol display device 47,
When the big winning opening command C10, the big hit designating command C11, the V display command C12, and the round interval command C13 are input, the big hit display and the big hit end interval command C14 are input to the special symbol display device 47. In the special symbol display device 47, the display during the big hit end interval, and when the high probability state designation command C15 is input, whether the probability is high or low depending on the background color of the special symbol display device 47 is displayed. or,
Along with these processes, as described above, the display of the abnormal number of prize balls, the display of the under tray full error, the display of the insufficient replenishment number display,
Indication of disconnection / short circuit abnormality of prize ball SW31, non-display of abnormal number of prize balls, non-display of under tray full error, non-display of insufficient supply number abnormality, non-display of disconnection / short circuit abnormality of prize ball SW31, recovery of power failure The display is performed, and a display when the power is turned on and a variation pattern are displayed on the ordinary symbol display device 49.

Next, the processing at the time of recovery from a power failure will be described.
The transition of the commands C1 to C15 described based on Table 1 is shown in the transition diagram of the command in FIG. The command transition diagram in FIG. 8 shows a state at the time of low probability and a state at the time of high probability. The command output from the main board 1 is represented by a circle 301, and the command output from the main board 1 is indicated by a circle 301. , A command for returning the display is indicated by a broken circle 303, a command for the main board 1 to output, and a command for returning the big hit symbol is indicated by a dashed square 305. A command for the main board 1 to output and returning the V display is indicated by a broken line. Triangle 3
09, and the power failure detection and return timing are indicated by diamonds 30.
Indicated by 7.

As shown in the transition diagram of this command, the command for returning the display indicated by the broken circle 303 is a customer waiting demonstration command C2, a variation pattern command C3, and a total pattern at both low probability and high probability. There is a special symbol stop command C7. Only when the probability is low, the big hit start interval command C9, the big winning opening command C10, the round interval command C1.
3. There is a jackpot end interval command C14. As for the command to restore the display indicated by the broken circle 303, the display of the special symbol display device 47 is completely restored by inputting only one command, and the player can grasp the gaming state.

As a command for returning the big hit symbol indicated by the dashed square mark 305, there is a big hit symbol designating command C11, and just by inputting this command, the display of the big hit symbol is restored. As a command to return the V display indicated by the broken triangle 309, there is a V display command C12.
The symbol of V display returns.

The power failure detection and return timings indicated by diamonds 307 are d1 to d7 and d9 to d15 when the probability is low.
(The subscript of d is indicated by a subscript in the figures and tables, but in the specification, all are indicated by double-byte numbers.) D2 ′ to d7 ′, d8 and There is.

D1 determines that the power failure is detected after the power-on command C1 is output and before the customer waiting demonstration command C2 is output, and the operation to recover from the power failure is determined based on the detected timing. d2
Means that a power failure is detected from the output of the customer waiting demonstration command C2 until the next command is output, here, the variation pattern command C3, or again, until the customer waiting demonstration command C2 is output. The operation for returning from the power failure is determined based on the performed timing, and the same expressions will be omitted hereinafter. d3 indicates a process from the variation pattern command C3 to the left special symbol designation command C4. d4 is between the left special symbol designation command C4 and the middle special symbol display command C5, d5 is between the middle special symbol display command C5 and the right special symbol designation command C6, d6 is all the special symbols from the right special symbol designation command C6 During the symbol stop command C7, d7
From the output of the all special symbol stop command C7 to the output of the next command, for example, if the jackpot has not been determined, the customer waiting demonstration command C
2 or until the variation pattern command C3,
When the big hit is determined, until the big hit start interval command C9 is output, d9 is between the big hit start interval command C9 and the big win opening command C10, and d10 is a big winning opening opening command. C
Between d10 and the jackpot designating command C11, d11
After the big hit designating command C11 is output,
Until the next command is output, for example, until the V display command C12, d12 is between the V display command C12 and the inter-round interval command C13, d13
Is a period from when the inter-round interval command C13 is output until the next command is output, for example, until the jackpot opening command C10 if the big hit is continued, or if the big hit is not continued, the big hit Until the end interval command C14, d14 is from the output of the jackpot end interval command C14 until the next command is output, for example, until the customer waiting demonstration command C2, or until the fluctuation pattern command C3, When the high-probability state has been determined, d15 is from the output of the high-probability state specification command C15 until the next command is output until the high-probability state specification command C15. Until customer waiting demonstration command C2 or fluctuation pattern command C3 Treatment is shown a.

Similarly, d2 'at the time of high probability is obtained from the output of the customer waiting demonstration command C2 until the output of the next command, for example, until the variation pattern command C3, or the customer waiting demonstration again. Until the command C2 is output, d3 '
Is between the variation pattern command C3 and the left special symbol designation command C4, d4 'is the left special symbol designation command C4
To the middle special symbol display command C5, d5 'is the middle special symbol display command C5 to the right special symbol designation command C
During d6, d6 'is between the right special symbol designating command C6 and all special symbol stop commands C7, and d7' is from when all special symbol stop commands C7 are output until the next command is output. If the jackpot has not been determined, it will be until the customer waiting demonstration command C2, or until the fluctuation pattern command C3, or if the jackpot has been determined, until the jackpot start interval command C9, and if the high probability state is special. In the gaming machine of the type that ends in the middle depending on the number of symbol fluctuations, the next command is output after the probability fluctuation end specifying command C8 is output until the probability fluctuation end specifying command C8 is output. Up to, for example, a customer waiting demonstration command C2 at a low probability or a fluctuation pattern command C
3 shows processing up to 3.

Power failure detection and return timing d1 to d1
5, when a power failure is detected at d2 'to d7', Table 3
As shown in (2), as the processing performed when a power failure is detected, the display is stopped in accordance with a decrease in the power supply voltage without performing any special processing as in the processing column at the time of power failure detection.

In the case of returning from a power failure, as shown in the power failure recovery process column, the left special symbol designation command C4, the left special symbol designation command C4, and the return timing d1 to d15, d2 'to d7' are provided. Only the middle special symbol display command C5, the right special symbol designation command C6, or in addition to this, the high probability state designation command C15 or the all special symbol stop command C7 is output from the main board 1 to the symbol control board 7.

Note that the left special symbol designation command C4 is output first. In this way, when a command is output in accordance with the power failure detection and return timings d1 to d15 and d2 'to d7', the special symbol is output at the time of output of the command in the display return point column of Table 3 or immediately. The display on the display device 47 is restored. For example, in the case of d1, the display is restored when the customer waiting demonstration command C2 is output, and the display is restored when d2 and d2 'are output when the customer waiting demonstration command C2 or the variation pattern command C3 is output. I do. The other points are as shown in Table 3, and the description is omitted.

Therefore, the return from the power failure is promptly performed, and the special symbol display device 47 displays a complete symbol reflecting the gaming state of the gaming machine 5.

[0099]

[Table 3]

As described above, when returning from a power failure, the left special symbol designating command C4 is always output from the main board 1 to the symbol control board 7 first. By utilizing this rule, the abnormal return display processing shown in FIG. 9A is executed. This abnormal return display processing is performed after power is supplied from the control board power supply generation circuit (+5 V (B) +12 V (B)) 131 described above, and the MPU 181 first initializes the MPU 181 by an initialization processing (not shown). Will be executed. In an initialization process (not shown), an INT interrupt is permitted and a command can be input to the MPU 181. In this state, the error recovery display process is started by the MPU 181 and the first command is input (S40).
0). Next, it is determined whether the input first command is a prescribed command (S410). The prescribed commands input here include a power-on command C1 that is first output from the main board 1 when the power is turned on, and a left special symbol designation command C4 that is first output from the main board 1 when returning from a power failure. There is. In addition, other commands may be output, but this is a design matter.

Here, the power-on command C1 and the left special symbol designation command C4 are described. Here, if the power-on command C1 or the left special symbol designating command C4 is input first as a prescribed command, it is determined that the command is normal, and the abnormal return display processing is terminated as it is. The process proceeds to the next initial symbol display process.

On the other hand, when a command other than the prescribed command is inputted first, for example, the middle special symbol designating command C5
Is input, a process of displaying the error recovery is performed (S420), and the process of displaying the error recovery is terminated. In the display process of the abnormal recovery, although not shown, the special symbol display device 47 displays the character symbol being recovered from the error. This character pattern is continuously displayed until Hi of the reset signal (B) is input. It should be noted that the character symbol during the recovery from the abnormal condition is changed to a continuous hit until the reset signal (B) Hi is input. Or until a predetermined number of symbol displays are completed, and then the display may be stopped.

A command input prohibition process (S430) shown in FIG. 9B may be performed instead of, or in addition to, the process of displaying the error recovery (S420). The command input prohibition process (S430) is a process for preventing input of a command to the MPU 181 by software or hardware. It should be noted that the input is practically not performed, and may be left as it is or discarded after the input.

Further, it is determined whether the command is a prescribed command (S410).
Alternatively, it may be executed whether or not the first command shown in (C) of FIG. 9 is input within a predetermined time (20 ms) (S440). Note that the power-on command C1 or the left special symbol designating command C4 output in a normal state is normally output within a few milliseconds. This is a design value set based on the maximum time during which C1 or the left special symbol designation command C4 is output.

When the supply of power to only the symbol control board 7 is temporarily stopped by the above-described abnormal return display processing,
The player is notified of the fact. Further, when an abnormality is determined by the command C4, the command C4 may be output depending on the timing, and it may not be possible to determine that an abnormality has occurred. In order to prevent such a case, a special command that is not normally used is provided, and this special command is transmitted at the time of recovery from the power failure, so that an abnormality can be determined at any timing. Therefore, it is impossible to perform a so-called morning service in which some gaming machines 5 in a high-probability state are inserted in advance and a store is opened. or,
In order to forcibly perform the morning service, it is necessary to temporarily cut off the power supply to all the symbol control boards 7,
A large number of man-hours are required, and it is virtually impossible to provide a morning service.

The illumination control board 11 includes a power supply line DGW
(B), the power supply of +5 V (B) and +12 V (B) is received, and when the power supply of 24 V AC to the gaming machine 5 is stopped, the power supply generation circuit for the control board (+
As 5V (B) + 12V (B)) 131 becomes Low output due to spontaneous discharge, the operation is stopped and the symbol display is stopped.

From the state where the operation is stopped, the game machine 5
When the power supply of C24V is resumed, power is supplied from the control board power supply generation circuit (+ 5V (B) + 12V (B)) 131, and the MPU 201 is initialized by an initialization process (not shown), and then described later. After executing the abnormal return display processing, the light emission pattern of the illumination 53 is set to a predetermined initial pattern. Thereafter, the command output from the main substrate 1 is input, and the illumination pattern is displayed again in a predetermined procedure as described later.

The illumination control board 11 is normally mounted on the main board 1
Based on the commands (C1 to C9) shown in Table 2 and other commands received from
3 is controlled. Power-on command C1
Is displayed on the illumination 53 when the power is turned on, and when the illumination command C2 is being changed, the display of the pattern being changed is displayed on the illumination 53, and so on. Decoration command C3, high-probability lamp illumination command (low-probability state) C4, illumination command C at the start of the big hit
5. Illuminated command C6 with the winning opening open, Illuminated command C7 with the winning opening closed, Illuminated command C at the end of the big hit
8. When the illumination command (high-probability state) C9 of the high-probability lamp is input, the illumination pattern corresponding to them is displayed on the illumination 53.

Along with these processes, a light emission pattern indicating the occurrence of an abnormality such as an abnormal number of prize balls is displayed. Next, processing at the time of recovery from a power failure will be described. The transition of the commands C1 to C9 described based on Table 2 is shown in the transition diagram of the command in FIG. The command transition diagram of FIG. 10 shows a state at the time of a low probability and a state at the time of a high probability.
Are represented by a circle 351, the command output from the main board 1 and the illumination is restored is indicated by a broken circle 353, and the power failure detection and restoration timing is indicated by a diamond 355.

As shown in the transition diagram of this command, the command to return the illumination indicated by the dashed circle 303 is, when the probability is low, the illumination command C2 which is changing, the illumination command C3 which is fixing the symbol, the big hit. Illumination command C at the start
5. Illuminated command C6 with the winning opening open, Illuminated command C7 with the winning opening closed, Illuminated command C at the end of the big hit
8. There is an illumination command (high probability state) C9 of the high probability lamp. At the time of the high probability, there are an illuminating command C2 which is changing, an illuminating command C3 whose symbol is being determined, and an illuminating command (low probability state) C4 of the high-probability lamp. The command to return the illumination indicated by the broken circle 353 is 1
The pattern display of the electric decoration 53 is completely restored just by inputting the individual pieces, and the player can recognize the electric decoration pattern reflecting the game state.

The power failure detection and return timing indicated by the diamond 355 are d1 to d4 and d6 to d10 when the probability is low.
There are d2 'to d4' and d5 as high probability times. d1 indicates that a power failure is detected after the power-on command C1 is output and before the next command is output,
The operation for returning from the power failure is determined based on the detected timing, and in d2, the power failure is detected after the power-on command C1 is output until the fluctuating illumination command C2 is output. The operation for returning from the power failure is determined based on the detected timing, and the same expressions are omitted below. d3 indicates a process from the changing illumination command C2 to the illumination confirmation command C3 during the symbol determination. d4
Means that after the illumination command C3 during the design confirmation is output,
Until the next command is output, for example, if the jackpot has not been determined, until the changing illumination command C2,
In addition, when the big hit has been determined, d6 is between the lighting command C5 at the time of the start of the big hit and the lighting command C6 during the opening of the big winning prize port, up to the lighting command C5 at the start of the big hit.
d7 is between the illumination command C6 in which the special winning opening is open and the illumination command C7 in which the special winning opening is closed, and d8 is the next command after the illumination command C7 in which the special winning opening is closed is output. Until the jackpot is output, for example, if the big hit is continued, the illumination command C8 is open until the big winning opening is opened.
During the period from d9, the illumination command C8 at the end of the big hit is output until the next command is output. When the probability state has been determined, d10 until the illumination command (high probability state) C9 of the high probability lamp
Is d from when the illumination command (high-probability state) C9 of the high-probability lamp is output until the next command is output, e.g.
2 'is a high probability lamp illumination command (high probability state) C
9 is output, and then during the high-probability illumination command C2, or during the high-probability pattern-decision illumination command C2.
From 3 to durable illumination command C2 at high probability, d
3 ′ is between the illuminating command C2 during the change at the high probability and the illuminating command C3 during the symbol determination at the high probability, and d4 ′ is
From the output of the lighting command C3 during the high probability design decision to the output of the next command, for example, during the fluctuating lighting command C2 during the high probability design, or if the big hit is determined, a big hit Until the electric decoration command C5 at the start, and until the high probability lamp electric decoration command (low probability state) C4 is output in the gaming machine of the type in which the high-probability state ends on the way due to the number of times the special symbol changes. D5 is the illumination command (low probability state) of the high probability lamp at the high probability
Illumination command C during fluctuation at low probability after 4 is output
2 shows the process between the two.

Power failure detection and return timing d1 to d1
If a power failure is detected at 0, d2 'to d4', Table 4
As shown in (2), as the processing to be performed when a power failure is detected, the illumination is stopped in accordance with a decrease in the power supply voltage without performing any special processing as in the power failure detection processing column.

Further, when returning from a power failure, as shown in the power failure recovery processing column, at the power failure detection and recovery timings d1 to d10 and d2 'to d4', transmission of a command of the special symbol storage LED is performed. Normally, the command of the symbol storage LED is transmitted, and the command of the abnormal lamp is transmitted.
In the case of 2 ', d3', d4 ', and d10, the illumination command of the high probability lamp is further transmitted. Here, first, the command of the special symbol storage LED is transmitted. Further, when an abnormality is determined by a command of the special symbol storage LED, a command of the special symbol storage LED may be output depending on the timing, and it may not be possible to determine that the above is the case. In order to prevent such a case, a special command that is not normally used is provided, and this special command is transmitted at the time of recovery from the power failure, so that an abnormality can be determined at any timing.

As described above, the power failure detection and recovery timing d
When a command is output from the main board 1 according to 1 to d10 and d2 'to d4', the display of the illumination 53 is completely restored at the time of input of the command in the illumination return point column of Table 4. Thus, the player can grasp the state of the gaming machine 5. For example, in the case of d1, d2, and d2 ', the illumination is restored at the output of the fluctuating illumination command C2, and d3, d3'
Means that the illumination display is restored at the time of output of the illumination command C3 during the symbol determination. The other points are as shown in Table 4 and the description is omitted.

Therefore, when returning from the power failure, the decoration is quickly returned to the original state, and the player can continue the game with peace of mind.

[0116]

[Table 4]

As described above, when returning from a power failure, the command for the special symbol storage LED is always first output from the main board 1 to the illumination control board 11. Utilizing this rule, almost the same processing as the abnormal return display processing shown in FIG. 9A is executed. The abnormality return display processing executed here will be described with reference to FIG. In the abnormal return display processing, the control board power supply creation circuit (+ 5V
(B) + 12V (B)) The power supply is supplied from 131, and the MPU 201 initializes the MPU 201 by an initialization process (not shown) and then executes the process. In an initialization process (not shown), an INT interrupt is permitted.
A command can be input to the MPU 201. In this state, the error recovery display process is started by the MPU 201, and the first command input is performed (S400). Then
It is determined whether the first command input is a prescribed command (S410). The prescribed command input here is a power-on command C1 first output from the main board 1 when the power is turned on, or a special symbol storage LED command. In addition, other commands may be output, but this is a design matter.

Here, if the prescribed command, here, the power-on command C1 or the command for the special symbol storage LED is input first, it is determined that the command is normal, and the abnormality recovery display processing is performed as it is. Then, the process proceeds to the next initial illumination pattern display process.

On the other hand, when a command other than the prescribed command is input first, a process for displaying an error recovery is performed (S420), and the process for displaying an error recovery is ended. In the display process of the abnormal recovery, although not shown, an illuminated pattern indicating that the abnormal recovery is being performed is displayed on the illuminated lamp 53. This illuminated pattern continues until the reset signal (B) Hi is input.
It is displayed continuously.

As shown in FIG. 9B, a command input prohibition process (S430) may be executed. If the first command in FIG. 9C is not input within a predetermined time (S440). ), The display may shift to the display of the abnormality recovery (S420). When the supply of power to only the electric decoration control board 11 is temporarily stopped by the above-described abnormality return display processing, the fact is displayed to the player. Therefore,
A so-called morning service, in which some gaming machines 5 in a high probability state are inserted in advance and a store is opened, cannot be provided.
Further, if the morning service is to be forcibly performed, it is necessary to temporarily shut off the power supply to all the symbol control boards 7, which requires a large number of man-hours, and the provision of the morning service is virtually impossible. .

Next, the correspondence between the structure of the claims and the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the dependent parts is omitted. The game control means of the first aspect is the main board 1, the display content instruction signal is the command described based on Tables 1 and 2, the display control means is the symbol control board 7,
When the power supply to the main board 1 is restarted, the electric control board 11 and the power supply start-time signal output means output the symbol control board 7 or the electric control board 11 based on Table 3 or Table 4. The function for outputting the command described above, the power supply start properness determination means corresponds to S410 in FIG. 9 and is performed when power supply to the symbol control board 7 or the illumination control board 11 is restarted. If the first command input to the symbol control board 7 is the power-on command C1 or the left special symbol designation command C4, it is determined that the symbol control board 11 is normal. The configuration that determines that the command has occurred, or the first command input to the illumination control board 11 is the power-on command C1 or the special symbol storage LE.
When the command C4 is D, it is determined that the illumination control board 11 is normal, and otherwise, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred.

The power supply start properness determination means according to claim 2 corresponds to S440 of FIG. 9C. The power supply start appropriateness determination means according to claim 3 is performed in step S410 in FIG.
440 corresponds, and the display control abnormal signal output means is S42
0 corresponds.

The display control function restricting means according to claim 4 is the same as that of FIG.
Corresponds to S430. The display control function restricting means according to claim 5 corresponds to S430 in FIG. The notification execution means of claim 6 corresponds to the processing of displaying the abnormal return on the special symbol display device 47, corresponding to S420 of FIG. In the display of the abnormal recovery, the character design being recovered from the abnormality is displayed on the special symbol display device 47. Further, an illumination pattern indicating that the abnormality is being restored is displayed on the illumination 53.

A special symbol display device 47 corresponds to the symbol display device of claim 7. The illumination device of claim 8 is an illumination device 53.
Corresponds.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram relating to an interface among a main board 1, a symbol control board 7, an illumination control board 11, and a power supply board 15.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electric control system of the gaming machine 5.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart for starting and stopping the power supply board 15;

FIG. 4 is a timing chart at the time of a power failure of the power supply board 15;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a main control processing routine executed by the main board 1 when power is turned on or when power is restored.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a timer INT processing routine normally executed by the main board 1 when a timer INT (2 ms) occurs in the MPU 71;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an NMI processing routine of the MPU 71 of the main board 1.

FIG. 8 is a transition diagram showing transition states of commands output from the main board 1 to the symbol control board 7;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an abnormal return display processing routine executed by the symbol control board 7 or the illumination control board 11.

FIG. 10 is a transition diagram showing a transition state of a command output from the main board 1 to the illumination control board 11.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main board, 3 ... Prize ball control board, 5 ... Game machine, 7 ... Symbol control board, 9 ... Voice control board, 11 ... Illumination control board, 1
3 ... Launch control board, 15 ... Power supply board, 16 ... Input SW,
17, 19 RAM, 18 output solenoid (output SO
L), 21: board external terminal board, 23: supply ball shortage SW,
25: lower tray full SW, 31: prize ball SW, 33: ball lending SW, 35: prize ball motor control SW, 37: prize ball motor,
39: distribution SOL, 41: frame external terminal board, 43: metal frame release SW, 45: inner frame release SW, 46: status indicator, 4
7 ... Special symbol display device, 49 ... Normal symbol display device, 51
... Speaker, 53 ... Illumination, 61 ... Touch plate, 63
... Launch stop SW, 65 ... Launch motor, 71, 83, 18
1, 201: MPU, 121: SW for abnormal recovery of the number of prize balls, 1
23: power failure signal generation circuit, 125: reset signal (A)
Generating circuit, 127: Power supply generating circuit for main board and winning ball control board (+ 5V (A) + 12V (A) backup power supply), 129: Reset signal (B) generating circuit, 131 ...
Power supply circuit for control board (+ 5V (B) + 12V
(B)) 133 ... power supply creation circuit (+ 32V), 14
1, 184, 203 ... system reset circuit, 143 ...
Power failure signal receiving circuit, 145: prize ball number abnormality return signal receiving circuit, 147: port circuit, 149: strobe signal transmitting circuit, 150: data signal transmitting circuit, 151, 189,
209 RESET terminal, 153 NMI terminal, 15
5, 157, 193, 213 ... PORT terminals, 159 ...
DATA terminals, 185, 205: strobe signal receiving circuit, 187, 207: data signal receiving circuit, 191, 2
11 ... INT terminal, 301, 351 ... circle, 303, 3
53: broken line circle mark, 305: broken line square mark, 307, 355
... diamond mark, 309 ... broken line triangle mark BKW ... backup power line, DGW (A), DGW
(B): power supply line, RSW: reset signal line, TSW
… Blackout signal line

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Makoto Yanagawa 2-102 Mino-cho, Kasugai-shi, Aichi F-term (reference) 2C088 BC13 BC30 BC58 CA08 CA17 CA27 CA28 EA10 EB58 EB68

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A game control means for receiving a supply of power and controlling a game state, a display control means for receiving a display content instruction signal from the game control means and controlling a display state, and a state in which power is not supplied. When the power is supplied, the game control means sends the display control means
A power supply start signal output unit for outputting a display content instruction signal for instructing a predetermined display content, wherein the display control unit switches from a state where power is not supplied to a state where power is supplied. A game machine comprising: a power supply start-time appropriateness judging means for judging whether or not a display content instruction signal output from the game control means to the display control means is a prescribed one. 2. A display content instruction signal output from the game control means to the display control means by the power supply start signal output means changes from a state where power is not supplied to a state where power is supplied. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein, if the output is not provided within a predetermined time, the power supply start properness determination means determines that the display content instruction signal is not a prescribed one. 3. A display control abnormal signal output means for outputting a display control abnormal signal when the power supply start properness determining means determines that the display content instruction signal is not a prescribed one. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or claim 2. 4. A display control function limiting means for limiting a function of said display control means when said display control abnormal signal output means outputs a display control abnormal signal. Gaming machine. 5. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein said display control function limiting means limits the input of said display content instruction signal by said display control means. 6. A notification executing means for executing a predetermined notification to said display control means when said display control abnormal signal output means outputs a display control abnormal signal. Item 6. A gaming machine according to any one of Items 5. 7. The gaming machine according to claim 6, wherein said display control means executes predetermined notification by means of a symbol display by a symbol display device. 8. The gaming machine according to claim 6, wherein said display control means executes a predetermined notification according to an illumination display pattern by an illumination device.