JP2002177578A - Pinball game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a RAM from being unexpectedly cleared due to wrong operation of a RAM clear switch for clearing the RAM of a control board and to properly clear the RAM according to the contents of troubles in a pinball game machine. SOLUTION: This pinball game machine is provided with a clear permission switch 671, a clear permission signal output means 674 outputting in response to the on-state of the clear permission switch 671 and temporarily outputting a clear permission signal for permitting the RAM to be cleared when the RAM clear switch 676 is previously in the on-state during the output period, and a DIP switch 678 for setting the range of clearing, whereby the effectively operating time of the RAM clear switch 676 is limited when the clear permission switch 671 is turned on, and the variation in the clear range is increased to select the clear range according to the contents of troubles.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a process for clearing a RAM for storing a game state of a ball-and-ball game machine which changes sequentially.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A ball-and-ball game machine is a game machine that pays out a game ball as a prize ball when a game ball fired by a player's operation enters a winning opening provided on a game board. Machines are widespread. For example, when cash or a prepaid card is inserted into an insertion slot of a lending ball unit attached adjacent to a pachinko gaming machine, a predetermined number of gaming balls as lending balls are paid out to a gaming ball plate containing the gaming balls. . In addition, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out according to the type of winning opening and the progress of the game.

[0003] In today's ball game machines, a plurality of control boards as control means mainly constituted by a CPU of a one-chip microcomputer or the like are provided with various types of substrates for controlling the progress of the game and the payout of the game ball. Generally, the control target is controlled, and the entertainment is more complicated than ever before, and the progress of the game is complicated and sophisticated. For example, the game progresses while the game environment dynamically changes, as is known as the display of special symbols or the probability fluctuation.

In addition, the payout of the game balls is performed by a predetermined number while the sensor detects the game balls passed by one by one and subtracts and updates the unpaid number of the game balls. ing.

Therefore, various data such as a game state and the number of unpaid prize balls are stored in a RAM as a work area of the control program of the CPU.

[0006]

By the way, some ball game machines have a clear switch for clearing the contents of the RAM. When such a RAM clearing process becomes necessary, in a pachinko parlor, a pachinko gaming machine is required to manage the pachinko gaming machine. It may be necessary to return the state of the gaming machine to the initial state. Further, when the control CPU goes out of control, it may be necessary to recover from the state where the abnormal value is written in the RAM. In addition, when the pachinko gaming machine is shipped from the factory, there may be a demand that it is desirable to surely set the state of the pachinko gaming machine to an initial state.

[0007] However, simply clearing the RAM can satisfy such a demand, but the control contents are complicated and sophisticated as described above, so that it is possible to appropriately cope with a trouble such as a failure. Not exclusively.

The RAM stores data defining details of a complicated game state as described above.
If the function of clearing the memory of the pachinko machine is added, the consequences of accidentally operating the switch are serious. You will have to pay attention.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances,
Appropriate measures can be taken when troubles such as failures occur, and RA
An object of the present invention is to provide a ball game machine capable of preventing an erroneous operation of a person who operates an M clear switch.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided control means for controlling the operation of a controlled object, comprising a RAM as a work area of a game control program, and the RAM.
In a ball game machine equipped with a clear switch that is turned on when clearing, a clear permission switch and a signal are output in response to the turning on of the clear permission switch. A configuration is provided that includes clear permission signal output means for temporarily outputting a clear permission signal permitting clearing, and setting means for setting the range of the RAM to be cleared.

Since the range of the RAM to be cleared can be varied, it is possible to clear only the range related to the trouble. Further, by operating the RAM in a different range to be cleared and observing the result, it is possible to obtain effective information for investigating the cause of the trouble.

If the range of the RAM to be cleared is set in advance by the setting means, the operability is good because only the operation of the clear switch and the clear permission switch is performed irrespective of the set range.

By restricting the ON time of the clear switch when turning on the clear permitting switch, erroneous operation of the clear switch can be prevented.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a RAM as a work area for the game control program, a control means for controlling the operation of the controlled object, and an ON when clearing the RAM. In a ball game machine having a clear switch to be operated, a clear permission switch and an output are issued in response to the turning on of the clear permission switch, and the RAM is cleared when the clear switch is turned on in advance at the output timing. Clear permission signal output means for temporarily outputting a clear permission signal to perform,
And a plurality of RAs for clearing a plurality of clear switches
M is provided in one-to-one correspondence with the range of M, and the range of the RAM to be cleared can be set freely by selecting the clear switch to be turned on.

Since the range of the RAM to be cleared can be varied, only the range related to the trouble can be cleared. Further, by operating the RAM in a different range to be cleared and observing the result, it is possible to obtain effective information for investigating the cause of the trouble.

By restricting the ON time of the clear switch when the clear permitting switch is turned on, erroneous operation of the clear switch can be prevented.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the second aspect, the clear switches are arranged close to each other.

Since the operation of a plurality of clear switches with one hand is facilitated, various clearing ranges can be combined.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first to third aspects of the present invention, each of the control means includes
The range of the RAM to be cleared, which can be set by the setting means or the plurality of clear switches, includes a range consisting of all areas for storing data common among the calculating means. To do.

This is effective when the inconsistency of data contents between RAMs storing common data is eliminated.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first to fourth aspects, the clear permission switch is
A power switch that can supply power to the control means when turned on.

The clear permission signal is not generated except when the power is turned on, so that the chance of clearing the RAM is further restricted, and the erroneous operation can be avoided.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first to fifth aspects, the clear switch and the clear permitting switch are mounted on the same substrate.

Since the clear switch and the clear permission switch can be operated on the same substrate, the operability is good.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the sixth aspect of the present invention, the clear switch and the clear permitting switch are arranged at positions near different sides of the substrate with a space therebetween.

By using the full size of the substrate and separating the clear switch and the clear permitting switch, it is possible to make it difficult for only one hand to operate, and to avoid erroneous operation.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the entirety of a pachinko gaming machine to which the present invention is applied. This pachinko gaming machine has a rectangular outer frame 111 and a front frame 112 for holding a game machine main body such as a game board to be described later. , A known prepaid card unit 13 on the left side of the outer frame 111.
1 is installed. The front frame 112 is attached to the outer frame 111 so as to be freely rotatable in a horizontal direction with respect to the outer frame 111 by upper and lower hinges 116a and 116b at the left end, so that the main body of the gaming machine can be brought to the front side during maintenance or the like.

Inside the front frame 112, a metal frame 11 covering approximately 2/3 of the size of the upper side of the front frame 112 in the height direction.
3 is attached, and a glass frame 114 which borders the inner periphery of the metal frame 113 with the left side of the metal frame 113 as a support shaft is hinged so as to be openable and closable. A sheet glass 115 is doubly fitted into the glass frame 114. A glass frame opening switch 16 for detecting the opening of the glass frame 114 between the glass frame 114 and the metal frame 113.
1 is attached. A game board (not shown) is stored in the back of the glass sheet 115 so as to face the player with the glass sheet 115 interposed therebetween.

Inside the front frame 112, a metal frame 113 is also provided.
Below, are an upper plate 121 and a lower plate 124, which are bathtub-shaped game ball plates, protruding toward the near side. Upper plate 12
In 1, a recessed portion for accommodating a game ball is formed slightly deviated to the left, and a lending button 134, a settlement button 135, and a balance display portion 136 are provided on the upper surface at the right end where no recessed portion is formed. The balance display section 136 shows the prepaid card unit 1
When the prepaid card is inserted into the card slot 132 of the 31, the balance stored in the prepaid card is displayed, and when the lending button 134 is pressed, a predetermined number of game balls are lent, and the payout port 122 opened on the side surface of the upper plate 121. The game balls are paid out into the upper plate 121 from.

The lower plate 124 allows the player to remove the upper plate
By operating 23, it is configured to be able to communicate with the upper plate 121, and it is possible to move the game balls of the upper plate 121 from the overflow ball discharge port 125 to the lower plate 124. In addition, lower plate 12
When 4 is full of game balls, lower lever 1
26 opens the bottom of the lower plate 124 to open the lower plate 12.
4 can be discharged below, and the game ball can be moved to another box.

A firing handle 141 is provided on the right side of the lower plate 124.
Is provided. The firing handle 141 has a ring-shaped touch plate 143 provided coaxially on the outer periphery of a grip portion 142 which is mounted to protrude toward the near side, and when the player rotates the touch plate 143 clockwise, the upper plate 121 is rotated. Can be fired on a game board, which will be described later.

The front frame 112 is provided with a top lamp 151 having a probable change display section 152 and a jackpot display section 153 on the upper side, and a firing handle 141 is operated on the right side of the front frame 112. Touch lamp 154 is provided to indicate that the user

Next, the game board will be described with reference to FIG. On the board of the game board 21, strip-shaped rails 22, 23 are provided perpendicular to the board so as to border the board in a substantially circular shape. The rails 22 and 23 are partially doubled on the left side in the figure, and a game ball is fired along the outer rail 23 by operating the firing handle 141, and a substantially circular shape at the center of the board surrounded by the rails 22 and 23. Enter the area. A symbol display frame 24 is fitted in the center opening of the substantially circular area, and an LCD panel unit 6 for displaying a special symbol in the symbol display frame 24.
41 is provided with the display surface facing forward. Symbol display frame 2
An ordinary symbol display section 41 is provided at an upper portion of the symbol 4, and an ordinary symbol hold display section 42 is provided at a lower portion of the symbol display frame 24. Then, a normal symbol operation gate 34 used for starting the change of the symbol displayed on the ordinary symbol display section 41 is provided on the left and right sides of the symbol display frame 24.

Below the symbol display frame 24, there are provided, in this order, an ordinary motorized accessory 31 as a first-type starting port, which is a winning port, and a large winning port 32, in which an attacker door 33 is electrically opened and closed. On the board of the game board 21, various other winning ports 35 and 36 are arranged at various places, and an out port 37 is opened at the bottom of the board. In addition, a number of game nails 25, windmills 26 and 27, and the like are provided on the board surface.

A game ball fired on the board of the game board 21 is taken into the back side of the game board 21 as a prize ball when the player wins each of the above-mentioned prize holes 31 and the like. Captured as

Side lamps 28 are provided on both right and left ends of the game board 21.
Reference numeral 7 is made of colored transparent plastic, is provided with a lamp (not shown) behind it, and is configured to shine. Further, a sound is generated from a speaker (not shown) in accordance with the progress of the game to enhance the sense of realism. .

The configuration of the back side of the pachinko gaming machine will be described with reference to FIG. The above-mentioned game board 21 is provided with a mechanism board 51 detachably along the back surface thereof. A ball tank 52 is provided on the upper part of the mechanism board 51, so that game balls can be supplied to a ball lending device 55 and a prize ball discharging device 56 via a tank rail 53 and a curve rail 54, respectively. When the built-in ball-for-sale solenoid 85 is actuated and the built-in prize-ball motor 93 is operated, the ball-for-ball dispensing device 55 is allowed to flow down to the downstream of the game ball when the built-in prize-ball motor 93 is operated and supplies the ball to the upper plate 121. It has become.

The game board 21 and the mechanism board 51 are provided with a main control board 61 for controlling the whole progress of the game, and various sub-boards for operating the respective parts of the pachinko machine by one-way communication with the main control board 61. Control boards 62, 63, 642, 6
5, 66 are attached. The sub-control boards 62 to 66 control the payout of a lending ball or a prize ball (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a payout control board) 62, and control the launch of a game ball (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a launch control board). 63, LC
A device for controlling display in the D panel unit 641 (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a symbol control board) 642, a device for controlling light emission of various display and effect lamps (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a lamp control board) 65, a speaker (Hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a sound control board) 66 for controlling the output sound. In addition to the control boards 61 to 66, a power supply board 67 for supplying power to each section of the pachinko gaming machine is provided. The symbol control board 642 is assembled together with the LCD panel unit 641 and accessory units (not shown) to form a special symbol display device 64. Further, the first external connection terminal board 68 and the second external connection terminal board 6
8a are provided, and the first external connection terminal board 68 and the second external connection terminal board 68a are connected to a pachinko store management computer (not shown) to manage pachinko gaming machines and the like.

The first external connection terminal board 68 is provided with means for transmitting the game status, and has a jackpot, a special symbol display device 64.
The symbol fluctuation and the winning status are transmitted. The second external connection terminal board 68a transmits the operation status of the pachinko gaming machine excluding the game status, and the glass frame 11
4, the number of payouts, the number of payouts, the time during which the player has rotated the touch plate 143, and the like are transmitted, and a stop signal for stopping the operation of the pachinko gaming machine is received. . These external connection terminal boards 6
8, 68a, based on the information output from the
The payout information stored due to the power failure phenomenon from the payout signal and the full signal is managed so that the information stored in the pachinko gaming machine and the information stored in the management computer do not become inconsistent.

The pachinko parlor management computer performs base value management during the game based on these various information transmitted from the pachinko gaming machine.
This base value management is to monitor, for example, whether 40 payout balls have been paid out for 100 hit balls as the set value 40, and whether or not the payout has been paid out as a prize ball. It is determined that the base value has changed due to some trouble in the machine or the illegal action of the player, and it is possible to immediately respond to these situations. In addition to this, the management computer is also a target for monitoring the operation rate, which is a material for judging the quality of the pachinko gaming machine, and for examining how many times the glass frame 114 has been opened with respect to the operation rate. A touch signal indicating the inside, a full signal indicating that the upper plate 121 is full, and the glass frame 1
With 14 open signals, we are also investigating fraudulent activities due to the interaction between gamers and clerks.

The detailed description of the operation of the management computer will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 4, the electrical configuration of the present pachinko gaming machine including the main control board 61, the sub-control boards 62 to 66, and the like will be described. In the drawings, a so-called relay board for transferring signals is omitted.

The main control board 61 has a ROM storing a game control program and an RA serving as a work area for operations and the like.
It is configured as a logical operation circuit centered on an 8-bit one-chip microcomputer with a built-in M, and also provided with an external input / output circuit for inputting / outputting from / to each substrate or various switches and various actuators. .

The switches to be input to the main control board 61 include a type 1 starter switch 711, a normal symbol operation switch 712, an accessory continuous operation switch (hereinafter simply referred to as a V switch) 713, a count switch 714, and a plurality of other switches. A winning opening switch 715, a full tank switch 716, a supply switch 717, and the like are provided. On the output side of the main control board 61, an ordinary accessory solenoid 721, a special winning opening solenoid 722, a V solenoid 723, an external connection terminal board 68 and the like are connected.

The first-type starting port switch 711 is provided in the normal electric accessory 31, the normal symbol operating switch 712 is provided in the normal symbol operating gate 34, and the V switch 713 is a special device operating area (in the special winning opening 32). (Hereinafter referred to as special areas)
Inside, a count switch 714 is also provided in the special winning opening 32, and other winning opening switches 715 are provided in the respective winning openings 35 and 36 other than the ordinary electric accessory 31 and the special winning opening 32. And that the game ball has passed through the winning opening 31 or the like. Here, the V switch 713 indicates that the game ball winning in the special winning opening 32 has passed through the special area, and the count switch 714 indicates the special winning opening 3.
All game balls that win within 2 are detected.

A full tank switch 716 is provided in the lower tray 124 and detects that the lower tray 124 is full with game balls. The supply switch 717 is provided in the ball tank 52 and detects that a game ball exists in the ball tank 52.

The prize ball sensors 94 and 95 are provided in the prize ball payout device 55 and detect prize balls to be paid out one by one. In the main control board 61, the unpaid number having the prescribed number of winning balls corresponding to the type of winning as an initial value is determined by the winning ball sensor 94,
Each time a game ball is detected by 95, the subtraction is updated and the number of unpaid prize balls is monitored.

The ordinary accessory solenoid 721 connected to the output side of the main control board 61 opens and closes the ordinary electric accessory 31, the large winning opening solenoid 722 opens and closes the attacker door 33, and the V solenoid 723 wins a large winning. It is used for opening and closing the special area in the mouth 32, respectively.

The dispensing control board 62 is configured as a logical operation circuit using a microcomputer, and the main control board 61
When there is a prize in accordance with a command command from the player, the control of payout of the prize ball is performed, and the bidirectional communication with the prepaid card unit 131 and the CR settlement display board 69 is performed to control the payout of the ball lending. The CR settlement display board 69 is built in the position where the buttons 134 and 135 and the balance display section 136 are formed in the upper plate 121, and the lending button 134 is provided.
, A balance switch 692 which is turned on by pressing the settlement button 134, and a balance display section 1.
Numeral 36 denotes an LED 693 for numerical display.

On the input side of the payout control board 62, in addition to the main control board 61, a ball lending sensor 89, prize ball sensors 94, 9
5 is connected.

On the output side of the payout control board 62, the rental ball solenoid 85 built in the rental ball payment device 55 is provided.
Is the prize ball motor 93 built in the prize ball payout device 56.
Is connected.

When the lending button 134 on the upper plate 121 is depressed, the payout control board 62 turns on the ball lending solenoid 8.
Activate 5 and pay out the game ball, and rent button 1
The unpaid number with the predetermined number of lent balls according to 34 as an initial value is subtracted and updated each time a game ball is detected by the ball rental sensor 89, and when the number of unpaid becomes 0, the ball lending solenoid 8
Stop 5. Thereby, the game balls are paid out from the payout port 122 into the upper plate 121 by the predetermined number of lent balls.

The payout control board 62 also activates the prize ball motor 93 to pay out the game ball when the game ball wins in each of the winning holes 31 or the like of the game board 21, and a predetermined ball corresponding to the winning port. The unpaid number with the initial number of prize balls as
The subtraction is updated each time a game ball is detected by the prize ball sensors 94 and 95, and when the number of unpaid balls becomes zero, the prize ball motor 93 is stopped. Thereby, the game balls are paid out from the payout port 122 into the upper plate 121 by the predetermined number of prize balls.

The firing control board 63 controls the firing motor 76 according to the amount of rotation from the firing handle 141 operated by the player.
The touch switch 751 and the firing stop switch 752 are connected to the input side. The touch switch 751 is built in the firing handle 141,
It detects that the player is touching the firing handle 141. The firing control board 63 turns on the touch lamp 154 when the touch switch 751 is on, or stops firing when the player presses the firing stop switch 752.

The symbol control board 642 controls the driving of the LCD panel unit 641 and, like the main control board 61, is configured as a logic operation circuit mainly using an 8-bit one-chip microcomputer. Symbol control board 642
Are attached units 643 such as a backlight and an inverter board as described above and the LCD panel unit 64
1 together with the special symbol display device 64.

The lamp control board 65 is mainly composed of driving elements such as transistors, and the main control board 61.
The LED 771 of 7 segments of the ordinary symbol display section 41 and the lamp 77 of the ordinary symbol hold display section 42
2. It is for lighting various lamps 773 such as a lamp built in the jackpot display unit 153 and LEDs 774.

The sound control board 66 includes a one-chip CPU with a built-in mask ROM storing a large number of voice data,
, And drives and controls the speaker 781 in response to commands from the main control board 61 and the symbol control board 642.

The main control board 61 and the sub-control boards 62 to
The transmission / reception circuit between the transmission and reception circuits 66 is configured as a one-way communication circuit that transmits only from the main control board 61. This one-way communication configuration can be configured using an inverter circuit or a latch circuit.

FIG. 5 shows a power supply board 67, a main control board 61,
FIG. 6 shows a power supply and signal system between each part of the gaming machine including the payout control board 62, and FIG. The power supply board 67 of each pachinko gaming machine receives the AC 24 V power provided on the pachinko parlor side by the power supply generation circuit 672 via the power supply switch 671, and the power supply generation circuit 672
Power is supplied to each unit of the gaming machine including the main control board 61 and the payout control board 62 shown in the drawing. The power switch 671 is of a type that retains its state when it is turned on or off. In addition to the slide type switch as shown in the figure, a self-locking type push button type can be used.

The full-wave 24 V output from the power generation circuit 672 is input to the power supply voltage monitoring circuit 673, and the reset signal generation circuit 674 outputs a reset signal based on the result of detection of the presence or absence of the full-wave 24 V output by the power supply voltage monitoring circuit 673. Or cancel. That is, the power supply voltage monitoring circuit 673
If the non-output state equal to or higher than a predetermined reference voltage is maintained for a predetermined time, it is determined that the full-wave 24 V output is stopped, and the reset signal generation circuit 674 outputs a reset signal in response to the determination that the full-wave 24 V output is stopped. On the other hand, when the full-wave 24V output is started, the reset signal is released. Here, outputting the reset signal means outputting a low-level signal, and releasing means changing from a low level to a high level. The reset signal is released after a delay time Ta from the detection of the full-wave 24V output.

The output of the reset signal generation circuit 674 is output to the delay circuits 61 of the main control board 61 and the payout control board 62, respectively.
CPU 61 of each control board 61, 62 via
1 and 621 are output to the reset terminals. Main control board 6
In one delay circuit 612, a predetermined delay time Tc is given to release the reset signal, and the delay circuit 6 of the payout control board 62
At 22, a predetermined delay time Tb is given to release the reset signal.

A power failure signal generation circuit 675 is provided with the output of the power supply voltage monitoring circuit 673 as an input, and outputs a power failure signal to the NMI terminal of each of the control board CPUs 611 and 621 when the power is cut off due to a power failure or the like. Control board CP
U611 and 621 execute a control program accompanying a predetermined power-off. That is, the progress of the game, the payout of the prize balls, and the like are stopped, and a predetermined item is written as a backup flag in a predetermined area of the RAM.
Prohibits access to RAM. The power failure signal is a signal that changes from a high level to a low level when the power is shut off, and the output timing is set so as to be output before the reset signal is output.

The power supply board 67 is connected to a DC power supply by a backup power supply generation circuit 679 including a capacitor.
A 5V backup power supply (VBB) is generated, and the output of the backup power supply (VBB) is
It is output to the backup terminal (VBB) of the PUs 611 and 621. When the power is cut off, the R
In the AM, the game state such as the number of special symbols and the number of pending symbol changes after the progress of the game is prohibited, and the data such as the number of unpaid prize balls are held. Further, R of the payout control board CPU 621
The AM holds data such as the number of unpaid prize balls.

The power supply board 67 also has a RAM clear switch 676. The RAM clear switch 676 is connected to the RAM of the control board CPUs 611 and 621 as described later.
Provided for clearing the contents stored in the.

As the RAM clear switch 676, a non-locking type push button switch which is turned on only when pressed is used. If the RAM clear switch 676 is turned on when the reset signal is released, the RAM clear signal generating circuit 67
Reference numeral 7 denotes an input port 6 of the main control board 61 and the payout control board 62 for transmitting a RAM clear signal which is a high level signal.
13 and 623 for a predetermined time Tg. That is, the RAM clear signal is output only when the power is turned on when the reset signal is released. Here, the delay time Ta from turning on the power switch 671 to releasing the reset signal is, for example, 1
In order to generate the RAM clear signal, the power switch 671 is turned on while the RAM clear switch 676 is pressed.

The power supply board 67 has D
An IP switch circuit 678 is provided, and in each switch, a non-ground side contact is pulled up by DC5V,
The binary signals of C5V and 0V are used as the output signals of the switches as the input ports 61 of the main control board 61 and the payout control board 62.
3,623. DIP switch circuit 678
Each switch sets a range of the RAM to be cleared as described later, and five types of ranges of the RAM to be cleared correspond one-to-one. That is, the first switch is the RAM of the main control board CPU 611, the payout control board CPU
The second switch clears all areas of the RAM of the main control board CPU 611, and the third switch clears the RA of the payout control board CPU 621.
Clear the entire area of M, the fourth switch is the main control board CP
Clear the area where the game state is stored in the RAM of U611, and the fifth switch is the RA of the main control board CPU 611.
The area in which the number of award balls to be paid out of M is stored and the area in the RAM of the payout control board CPU 621 in which the number of award balls to be paid out are stored are cleared.

Each of the control board CPUs 611 and 621 monitors the presence or absence of a RAM clear signal at the input ports 613 and 623 and the setting state of the DIP switch circuit 678 via a data bus.

In FIG. 6 showing the appearance of the power supply board 67, a power switch 671, a RAM clear switch 67
6 is fixed to one surface of the power supply board 67, and the power supply board 67 is covered by a box-shaped cover 8 made of resin from the fixed surface side of the switches 671 and 676. The cover 8 has engaging claws 8a and 8b with a part of the opening end face protruding in a tongue shape at the opposing side position. Engaging claw 8
a, 8b are formed such that the edges are thicker in the outward direction,
An engagement hole 670a formed at a position facing the power supply board 67;
The cover 8 is fixed to the power supply board 67 by engaging with the 670b. In order to remove the cover 8, the cover 8 is pushed while being deformed by being pushed in the direction in which the engaging claws 8a and 8b are arranged.

The power switch 671 is provided near one side of the power supply board 67, and the RAM clear switch 676 is provided near the opposite side of the power supply board 67. The power switch 671 and the RAM clear switch 676 are located at positions separated from each other. It is arranged.

FIG. 7 shows the operation states of the power supply board 67, the main control board 61, and the payout control board 62 when the power supply switch 671 is turned on while the RAM clear switch 676 is depressed and power is supplied from the power supply board 67. .

The reset signal is released after a lapse of time Ta from the turning on of the power switch 671, and when the reset signal release becomes valid after the lapse of time Tc in the main control board CPU 611 and after the lapse of time Tb in the payout control board CPU 621, the reset signal becomes valid. Control board C
The PUs 611 and 621 start a security check. Here, the delay time Tc of the main control board CPU 611 is set longer than the delay time Tb of the payout control board CPU 621. Security check time Td is CPU
In this specific example, the main control board CPU 611 and the payout control board CP
In LE2080A-PA (system clock frequency 6 MHz) used for both U621, the time was 185 ms. Note that the security check means that each of the CPUs 611, 621, etc., which are one-chip microcomputers, checks whether or not the contents of the ROM in which the progress of the game is written are regular contents.

The security check time Td of the main control board CPU 611 is equal to or longer than the payout control board CPU 621, and the security check start time of the main control board CPU 611 is executed later than the security check start time of the payout control board CPU 621. (Tb <Tc), when the security check of the main control board CPU 611 is completed, the payout control board CPU 621
Indicates that the security check has been completed and the main control board CPU6
11 starts the control of the game in accordance with the program written in the ROM, the payout control board CPU 621
Has already executed the game control. As a result, after the power is turned on, the main control board CPU 611 immediately operates the payout control board CP.
Even if the data is transmitted to U621, the payout control board CPU6
Since the control 21 executes its own control after completing the security check, it can receive data reliably.

On the other hand, since the power switch 671 is turned on while pressing the RAM clear switch 676, the RAM clear signal is output for the time Tg from the time when the reset signal is released. Here, the output time Tg of the RAM clear signal is set to the time from the release of the reset signal to the completion of the security check for the main control board CPU 611 for which the security check is completed later (reset signal delay time Tc + security check time Td).
In consideration of the above, the payout control board CPU 621 can reliably receive the RAM clear signal after the security check is completed.

The processing when the power of the pachinko gaming machine is turned on will be described. FIG. 8 shows a schematic control flow when the payout control board CPU 621 is powered on. When the security check is completed and access to the RAM is permitted (step S101), it is determined in step S102 whether the backup flag is on. This determination is made by determining whether or not there is a difference between the storage content of the backup flag area and the predetermined item.

If an affirmative determination is made in step S102, R
It is determined whether the AM clear signal is on (step S1).
03). Here, in addition to the case where the RAM clear signal is not input, the payout control board C of the DIP switch circuit 678
The first, third, and third statements to clear the RAM of the PU 621
A negative determination is also made when the fifth switch is not on.

If the determination in step S103 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S104. In step S104, a mode for clearing the RAM is determined based on the setting contents of the DIP switch circuit 678. When the fifth switch is on, a mode for clearing only the storage area for the number of winning balls (first RA)
If the first or third switch is ON, it is determined that the mode is to clear the entire area of the RAM (second RAM clear mode).

In the case of the first RAM clear mode, the RAM
Clear the storage area for the number of winning balls (step S10)
5), a power return process is executed (step S10)
6). Then, the game progress program is resumed, and the normal processing is resumed (Step S107).

In the case of the second RAM clear mode, a stack setting process (step S108) and a RAM work area clearing process (step S109) are executed to initialize the work area (step S110). Thereafter, the process is performed at the normal time (step S111).

When the backup flag is off, it means that the power failure processing has not been properly performed.
Steps S108 to S111 are executed as in the case of the second RAM clear mode.

If step S103 for judging whether or not the RAM clear signal is on is negative, a power return process is executed (step S112), and the RAM indicating the operation state of the payout control board 62 when the power is turned off is stored. The game progress program interrupted by the occurrence of the power failure is restarted based on the stored data (step S112).

FIG. 9 shows a schematic control flow when the main control board CPU 611 is powered on. When the security check is completed and access to the RAM is permitted (step S2)
01), in a step S202, it is determined whether or not the backup flag is on. This determination is made by determining whether or not there is a difference between the storage content of the backup flag area and the predetermined item.

If an affirmative decision is made in step S202, R
It is determined whether the AM clear signal is on (step S2).
03). Here, in addition to the case where the RAM clear signal is not input, the main control board CP of the DIP switch circuit 678
A negative determination is also made when the first, second, fourth, and fifth switches for clearing the RAM of U611 are not turned on.

If the determination in step S203 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S204. In step S204, a mode for clearing the RAM is determined based on the settings of the DIP switch circuit 678. When the fifth switch is on, a mode for clearing only the storage area for the number of winning balls (first RA)
If the fourth switch is on, it is determined that only the storage area in the gaming state is cleared (second RAM clear mode), and the first or second switch is on. In this case, the mode is determined to be the mode for clearing the entire area of the RAM (third RAM clear mode).

In the case of the first RAM clear mode, the RAM
Clear the storage area for the number of award balls (step S20).
5), a power return process is executed (step S20)
6). Then, the game progress program is restarted, and the normal processing is restarted (step S207). In the power return process, a command code is transmitted to each of the sub-control boards 62 to 66 to notify that the power has been restored from the power failure. Upon receiving the command code, the special symbol display board 64 performs a process of displaying a message such as “during power failure recovery processing” or “continue from the game content before the power failure” on the screen of the LCD panel 641. Alternatively, the sound control board 66 notifies by voice that a power failure has occurred with the same content as the above message.

In the case of the second RAM clear mode, the RAM
Clear the storage area of the game state (step S20)
8). Next, command data for displaying the initial screen is transmitted to the special symbol display device 64 (step S20).
9) The command data for displaying the initial decoration is transmitted to the lamp control board 65 (step S210). Thereafter, the normal processing is performed (step S211).

In the case of the third RAM clear mode, the stack setting processing (step S212) and the RAM work area clear processing (step S213) are executed to initialize the work area (step S214). Next, steps S209 to S211 are executed as in the second clear mode.

When the backup flag is off, it means that the power failure processing has not been properly performed.
The procedure of step S212 is executed as in the case of the third RAM clear mode.

If step S203 for judging whether the RAM clear signal is ON or not is determined negatively, a power return process is executed (step S206), and the RAM indicating the operating state of the main control board CPU 611 when the power is turned off. The game progress program interrupted by the occurrence of the power failure is restarted based on the stored data (step S207). In this case, all operations are substantially continuous with those before the power failure.

As described above, when the RAM clear signal is ON, a predetermined range of the RAM can be cleared according to the setting of the DIP switch circuit 678.
The clear signal is sent to the RAM clear switch 676 as described above.
Is generated only when the power switch 671 is turned on while the power switch 671 is turned on. Therefore, even if the RAM clear switch 676 is pressed other than when the power switch 671 is turned on, the RAM is not cleared and the pachinko machine is inadvertently cleared. Part or the front can be prevented from being returned to the initial state.

Since the range of the RAM to be cleared can be set by the DIP switch circuit 678, for example, even if the main control board CPU 611 runs away, the DIP switch circuit 6
If the second switch 78 is set to ON and the RAM clear processing is performed, the data in the RAM of the payout control board CPU 621 is not reset and the number of payouts remains as it is, and the payout of the prize ball is appropriately performed based on the data. Can do.

If there is an abnormality in the prize ball sensor 94 for counting the number of prize balls, the DIP switch circuit 67
By setting the fifth switch 8 to ON and performing the RAM clearing process, only the storage area for the number of winning balls with a high probability of abnormal values is cleared, and other game state data and the like are held as they are. , Important data for the player, such as whether or not a big hit is being made or the number of stored memories, is not changed. The main control board CPU 611 and the payout control board CPU 6 count the number of prize balls to be paid out by the prize ball sensor 94.
21. In both cases, the storage area for the number of winning balls in the RAM is cleared, so that the inconsistency in the number of winning balls between the main control board CPU 611 and the payout control board CPU 621 can be avoided. .

Further, since the range of the RAM to be cleared can be changed by five types, when troubles occur, by observing the operation results for each of them, it is possible to obtain effective information for investigating the cause of the trouble.

Further, since the clear range of the RAM can be set in advance by the DIP switch circuit 678, the same switches 671 and 676 can be operated in the same manner in the RAM clear processing regardless of the clear range of the RAM. Good nature.

When the power switch 671 and the RAM clear switch 676 are separated as much as possible by using the full size of the power supply board 67, when it is necessary to output the RAM clear signal as described above, the switch 671, 6
76 operation, RAM clear switch 6 with one hand
It is required to switch on the power switch 671 with the other hand while pressing the button 76. With this, RAM
Clearing is not done carelessly. Moreover, the power switch 6
71 and the RAM clear switch 676 are covered with a removable cover 8, and when the RAM is cleared, the switches 671 and 6
Since the operator is required to remove the cover 8 prior to the operation 76, erroneous operation can be further avoided.

This pachinko gaming machine has a RAM clear switch 676 which is a clear switch, a power switch 671 which is a clear permit switch, and a clear permit signal output for temporarily outputting a clear permit signal when the clear permit switch is turned on. And a reset signal generating circuit 675 as a means. The temporarily output clear permission signal is a change from a low level to a high level of the reset signal, and this change occurs only once when the power switch 671 is turned on as described above. Then, a main control board CP which is a calculating means constituting a control means for controlling the progress of the game
U611, the payout control board CPU 621, when the clear switch is turned on in advance at the output time of the clear permission signal,
As a configuration that enables clearing of the RAM, the ON time of the clear switch is limited when the clear permission switch is turned on, so that erroneous operation can be prevented.

Since the clear permission switch is set to the power switch 671, a clear permission signal is not generated except when the power is turned on.
The opportunity for clearing the memory is further limited as compared with the configuration separate from 71, so that erroneous operation can be avoided. Of course, the clear permitting switch is provided to the clear permitting signal output means. A switch other than the power switch that temporarily outputs the clear permission signal may be used.

Further, the range of the RAM that can be set by the DIP switch circuit 678 is not limited to the above five types, and is arbitrary as far as the gist of the present invention is not concerned.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 10 shows an electric structure of a pachinko gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention, mainly including a main control board, a payout control board, and a power supply board.
Figure 2 shows the appearance of the power supply board. With a different configuration from the first embodiment, the range of the RAM to be cleared can be set.
Each part basically operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the parts that operate substantially the same as in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

In this embodiment, the power supply board 67A is RA
Two sets of M clear switch and RAM clear signal generation circuit are provided. RAM clear switches 676a, 676b
The RAM clear signal generation circuits 677a and 677b are the same as those of the first embodiment. Power switch 671
Is turned on and the first RAM clear switch 676 is
When a is pressed, the first RAM clear signal generation circuit 677
a is a RAM clear signal from the input port 6 of the main control board 61
13 is output. On the other hand, when the second RAM clear switch 676b is pressed while the power switch 671 is turned on, the second RAM clear signal generation circuit 677b causes the RAM
The clear signal is output to the input port 623 of the payout control board 62A.

The CPU 621 of the payout control board 62A
A clears the entire work area of the RAM when the power is turned on and the backup flag is turned on and a RAM clear signal is input (see steps S108 to S111).

The CPU 611A of the main control board 61A
Indicates that the backup flag is on and R
When an AM clear signal is input, an operation associated with RAM clearing is performed, such as clearing the entire work area of the RAM and transmitting a command to display an initial screen on the special symbol display device 64 (steps S212 to S212). S214, S209-
See S211).

Here, both RAM clear switches 676
a, 676b are provided close to each other and can be operated at once with one hand. On the other hand, the RAM clear switches 676a and 676b and the power switch 671 are arranged close to each other on different sides of the power supply board 67A, and it is easier and more natural to operate with both hands.

When the pressed RAM clear switches 676a and 676b are selected, the main control board CPU 611 is pressed.
A RAM or the payout control board CPU 621A RA
Any of M can be cleared. Also, both RAs
Since the M clear switches 676a and 676b can be operated at once with one hand, if both are pressed, the main control board CP
RAM of U611A and R of payout control board CPU 621A
AM can clear both, RAM to clear
Can be selected from three types. Of course, although the operability is lowered, one of the RAM clear switches may be arranged close to the power switch.

As described above, also in this embodiment, the range of the RAM to be cleared can be selected.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 12 shows an electrical configuration of a pachinko gaming machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention, mainly including a main control board, a payout control board, and a power supply board. RAM
The range of the RAM cleared by the clear switch is
The second embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that each part operates basically in the same manner as the second embodiment.
Portions that operate substantially the same as in the embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

In this embodiment, two sets of RAM clear switches and RAM clear signal generation circuits are provided on the power supply board 67B. Each of the RAM clear switches 676a and 676b and the RAM clear signal generation circuits 677a and 677b are the same as those of the second embodiment. This is the same configuration as. Power switch 671
Is turned on, the first RAM clear switch 676
When a is pressed, the first RAM clear signal generation circuit 677
a outputs a RAM clear signal to the input ports 613 and 623 of the main control board 61B and the payout control board 62B.
On the other hand, when the power switch 671 is turned on, the second R
When the AM clear switch 676b is pressed, the second RAM
The clear signal generation circuit 677b outputs a RAM clear signal only to the input port 613 of the main control board 61B.

In the main control board 61B, the RAM clear signal output from the first RAM clear signal generating circuit 677a and the RAM clear signal output from the second RAM clear signal generating circuit 677b are different from each other at the input port 613. Input to the input terminal, which RAM
It is known whether the signal is a clear signal.

When the power is turned on, the payout control board CPU 621B turns on the backup flag and sets the first
When the RAM clear signal is input, the winning ball number area of the RAM is cleared (see steps S105 to S107).

When the power is turned on, the main control board CPU 611B turns on the backup flag and sets the first RA
When the M clear signal is input, the winning ball number area of the RAM is cleared (see steps S205 to S207).

When the power is turned on, the main control board CPU 611B turns on the backup flag and turns on the second RA.
When the M clear signal is input, an operation accompanying the RAM clear is performed, such as clearing the gaming state area of the RAM and transmitting a command to display the initial screen on the special symbol display device 64 (the above-described steps S208 to S208). See S211).

With this configuration, the range of the RAM to be cleared can be set. In the present embodiment, the area of the number of winning balls and the area of the gaming state can be selectively cleared, and only one of them can be cleared depending on the content of the defect. If both RAM clear switches are pressed, both the area of the number of winning balls and the area of the gaming state can be cleared.

Further, when clearing the area of the number of winning balls, the main control board CPU 611B and the payout control board CPU 6
21B, the main control board CPU 611B and the payout control board CPU 621B
This does not cause inconsistency in the number of prize balls.

The RAM clear switch and the RAM
Two more clear signal generation circuits are added, and control programs for the main control board CPU and the payout control board CPU are
As in the second embodiment, the main control board CP responds to the RAM clear signal from the added RAM clear signal generation circuit.
U whole area of RAM or RAM of payout control board CPU
Is set to be cleared, it is possible to increase the types of RAM ranges to be cleared.

In each of the above embodiments, the RAM clear signal is generated in about 100 ms after the power switch is turned on. However, the operator must keep pressing the RAM clear switch with some margin after turning on the power switch. become. Therefore, a configuration may be adopted in which the pilot lamp is turned on or turned off when the reset signal as the clear permission signal is released. Thus, the operator only needs to return his hand from the RAM clear switch after confirming that the pilot lamp is on or off, which is user-friendly.

The cover for covering the power supply board may be configured to cover only the power switch or the RAM clear switch. It is not necessary to have a box-like shape, but a plate-like one that is set up on several places around the power switch or RAM clear switch from the surface of the power supply board and that is higher than the height of the switch and is mounted on it. There may be.

The RAM clear switch does not need to be fixed to the power supply board, but can be provided at another appropriate place. Also, there is no need to provide for each pachinko machine,
The RAM clear switch and the power switch may be configured in common for a plurality of pachinko gaming machine groups, and the RAM may be cleared for each pachinko gaming machine group. In this case, the RAM clear switch and the power switch may be common to all pachinko gaming machines in the pachinko parlor.

In each of the above embodiments, the RAM
Although the RAM clear signal generation circuit outputs the RAM clear signal only when the power switch is switched from off to on while the clear switch is pressed, the configuration may be such that the determination is made by program processing. That is, the on / off signal of the RAM clear switch is pulled up by DC5V, and the main control board CPU, the payout control board CPU
And the main control board CPU and the payout control board CPU
It is only necessary to determine whether or not the M clear switch is pressed, and to clear the RAM when the switch is pressed.

In this case, the clear permission signal corresponds to the signal R that rises after the security check.
This is a program for determining whether or not the AM clear switch has been pressed. As described above, the security check time is very short, and the RAM clear signal generation circuit outputs a RAM clear signal by switching the power switch from OFF to ON as a clear permitting switch with the RAM clear switch pressed. R as in the specific example
AM clear can be performed. Since the security check is performed at least immediately after the power is turned on, the security check can be performed without largely changing the configuration of the control program.

In each of the above embodiments, a pachinko gaming machine that rents a game ball using a prepaid card has been described. However, the present invention is also applicable to a pachinko gaming machine that rents a game ball by inserting cash. can do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a pachinko gaming machine to which the present invention is applied.

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

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

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a detailed electric configuration of a main part of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a power supply board of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the operation of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing software executed by the CPU of the payout control board constituting the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 9 shows a main control board C of the pachinko gaming machine.
5 is a flowchart illustrating software executed on a PU.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a detailed electric configuration of a main part of another pachinko gaming machine to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a power supply board of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a detailed electric configuration of a main part of still another pachinko gaming machine to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

61, 61A, 61B Main control board (control means) 62, 62A, 62B Dispensing control board (control means) 611, 611B Main control board CPU (calculating means) 621, 621B Dispensing control board CPU (calculating means) 67, 67A, 67B Power supply board (control means) 671 Power switch (clear permission switch) 674 Reset signal generation circuit (clear permission signal output means) 676, 676a, 676b RAM clear switch 678 DIP switch circuit (setting means)

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Shogo Tatsumi 1-3-3 Taiheidori, Nakagawa-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Takaonai F-term (reference) 2C088 AA17 AA42 BA32 BA39 BC58

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A control means having a RAM as a work area of a game control program and controlling operation of a controlled object;
In a ball game machine equipped with a clear switch that is turned on when clearing the RAM, a clear permission switch is output in response to the turning on of the clear permission switch, and the clear switch is previously turned on at the output timing. A ball game machine comprising: a clear permission signal output means for temporarily outputting a clear permission signal for permitting clearing of a RAM; and a setting means for setting a range of the RAM to be cleared. 2. A control means having a RAM as a work area of a game control program and controlling the operation of a controlled object;
In a ball game machine equipped with a clear switch that is turned on when the RAM is cleared, a clear permission switch is output in response to the turning on of the clear permission switch, and the clear switch is turned on in advance at the output timing. Clear permit signal output means for temporarily outputting a clear permit signal for permitting clearing of the RAM, and a plurality of RAs for clearing a plurality of clear switches.
A ball game machine provided in one-to-one correspondence with the range of M, wherein the range of RAM to be cleared can be freely set by selecting the clear switch to be turned on. 3. The ball game machine according to claim 2, wherein said clear switches are arranged close to each other. 4. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprises a plurality of arithmetic means each having a RAM, and is settable by said setting means or said plurality of clear switches. A ball and ball game machine including, as a range of a RAM to be cleared, a range including all areas for storing data common to the arithmetic means. 5. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein said clear permitting switch is a power switch capable of supplying power to said control means when turned on. 6. The ball game machine according to claim 1, wherein the clear switch and the clear permission switch are mounted on the same board. 7. The ball game machine according to claim 6, wherein the clear switch and the clear permission switch are arranged at positions near different sides of the board with a space therebetween.