JP2002315939A - Game machine, computer program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a game machine capable of reproducing display contents that should be displayed if a function is not stopped when the function is recovered after its stop. SOLUTION: When a main CPU 112 determines that a power source is recovered (S80: Yes), it transmits a waiting display command to a special pattern display device (S82) and transmits a pattern designation command designating a stopping pattern to the special pattern display device (S84). Subsequently, measurement of a remaining fluctuation time, which is carried out until a power failure, is restarted (S86), and when the measurement time is up (S88: Yes), an all pattern stopping command is transmitted to the special pattern display device (S90). In this way, the special pattern display device displays the stopping pattern indicated by the received pattern designating command. Therefore, a player can see the stopping pattern that should be displayed after fluctuation display if no power failure occurs.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine which changes to a gaming state advantageous to a player when a predetermined image is fixedly displayed by image display means for variably displaying an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of gaming machine, for example, a pachinko machine shown in FIG. 17 is known. FIG. 17 is an explanatory front view of the pachinko machine. When the player operates the operation handle 501 provided on the pachinko machine 500 and a game ball fired wins the first-type starting port 502, the special symbol display device 503 displays a plurality of symbols such as “0” to “9”. Are scrolled up and down at three horizontal positions on the screen. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, when the stop symbols of the symbol row scrolled and displayed at three places are aligned with “777”, a big hit occurs, the opening / closing member 504 is opened, and the special winning opening 50
5 opens. In the game with this big hit, the big winning opening 5
When the preset opening time of 05 elapses or when a predetermined number of game balls set in the special winning opening 505 win, the opening / closing member 504 closes and the special winning opening 505 closes. When the game ball passes through the specific area 506 provided inside the special winning opening 505 while the special winning opening 505 is open, the special winning opening 505 is continuously opened. in this way,
The period from the opening of the special winning opening 505 to the closing thereof is called one round, and when a predetermined maximum number of rounds is completed, the game with the big hit is completed.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional pachinko machine, if a power failure occurs while the special symbol display device 503 is scrolling through the symbol row, the power is restored and the power is restored or the power failure before or after the power failure is restored. Since the displayed contents cannot be reproduced, there is a problem that the game played at the time of the power failure is spoiled. In particular, in the state where two of the three stop symbols have the same symbol and the symbol row is variably displayed in the remaining one, that is, in a so-called reach state, if a power failure occurs, the reach after power is restored is reached. Since the state cannot be reproduced, an opportunity of occurrence of a big hit is missed, so that there is a problem that the player suffers large damage. During the power failure, the special symbol display device 503 does not display anything, so there is a problem that the player cannot know the state of the gaming machine, and the special symbol display device 503 was displayed before the power failure. There is also a problem that the content is driven by anxiety about what will happen.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and reproduces the display contents that would have been displayed if the functions were not stopped when the functions were restored after the functions were stopped. The aim is to realize a gaming machine that can.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image display means for variably displaying an image, and an image display means for displaying the image on the image display means. A control means for outputting a control command for controlling the variable display, wherein when the predetermined image is confirmed and displayed by the image display means, the gaming machine changes to a gaming state advantageous to the player, When the function of the control means is stopped, at least the image display means displays an image among the control command output to the image display means and the control command output to the image display means. Storage means for backing up and storing the necessary control commands, and when the function is restored, the necessary control commands stored in the storage means are stored in the storage means. Using technical means that and output means for outputting to the image display means.

In other words, even when the function of the control means is stopped, at least one of the control command output to the image display means and the control command to be output to the image display means when the function is stopped. The control command necessary for the image display means to display an image is backed up and stored in the storage means, and when the function of the control means is restored, the necessary control command stored in the storage means is stored in the storage means. Output to display means. Therefore, when the function of the control means is restored, the image display means
Since the necessary control command output from the control means can be input and an image corresponding to the control command can be displayed, the display contents that would have been displayed if the function of the control means did not stop can be reproduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first aspect, the necessary control command is a command for designating an image necessary for the image display means to perform a fixed display of an image. Use the technical means that there is.

[0008] That is, the image display means can display an image which has been fixedly displayed when the function of the control means is stopped, or an image which is to be fixedly displayed when the function of the control means is restored.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first or second aspect, when the function of the control means is restored when the function of the control means is restored, A technical means of performing a display whose content is to reproduce the displayed image is used.

In other words, when the function of the control means is restored, the image display means can perform display including the content of reproducing the image displayed when the function is stopped. According to the first aspect, the image displayed when the function of the control unit is stopped can be safely waited for the return of the function of the control unit without being worried about what will happen.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to any one of the first to third aspects, the image display means is in a state in which the image cannot be changed and displayed. The technical means of indicating the fact is used.

That is, since the image display means can display that the image cannot be displayed in a variable manner, the player can see the display to allow the image display means to change the image. It is possible to know that display is not possible.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the image display means includes a technical means for displaying a state of the gaming machine. Used.

That is, since the image display means can display the state of the gaming machine, the player can know the state of the gaming machine by looking at the display.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image display means for variably displaying an image, and a control means for outputting a control command for controlling the variance display of the image to the image display means. A computer program for causing a computer to function as a gaming machine that changes to a gaming state advantageous to a player when a predetermined image is fixedly displayed by the means, wherein the computer functioning as the control means has its own function. When stopping, at least a control command necessary for the image display means to display an image among the control commands output to the image display means and the control commands to be output to the image display means is backed up. A storage process for storing the data in the storage means, and before storing the data in the storage means when the function is restored. Used technical means of computer program comprising computer program for executing an output process of outputting the required control commands to the image display means.

That is, the game machine according to the first aspect has a main CPU 112 built in a pachinko machine (game machine) as described in an embodiment of the invention described later.
(Paper computer), the computer program is stored in a ROM or the like, and the stored computer program is executed by the main CPU 112 so that the pachinko machine can function.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image display means for variably displaying an image, and a control means for outputting a control command for controlling the variance display of the image to the image display means. A computer-readable recording medium storing a computer program for causing a gaming machine to change to a gaming state advantageous to a player when a predetermined image is definitely displayed by the means, the computer functioning as the control means However, when the function of the device itself is stopped, at least the control command output to the image display unit and the control command output to the image display unit are necessary for at least the image display unit to display an image. A storage process for backing up and storing the various control commands in the storage means; The technical means of recording medium having a computer program recorded including a computer program for the necessary control commands stored to perform an output process of outputting to said image display means is used.

That is, in a gaming machine which controls a game by a computer, for example, as described in an embodiment of the invention to be described later, the information is recorded in a ROM 114 (recording medium) provided in a pachinko machine (gaming machine). Since the main CPU 112 (computer) functions by executing the stored computer program, the gaming machine according to claim 1 can be realized by using the ROM 114 storing the computer program.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a gaming machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each of the embodiments described below, a first-type pachinko machine will be described as an example of a gaming machine according to the present invention. [Overall Main Configuration] First, the main configuration of the pachinko machine according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
1 is a perspective explanatory view showing the appearance of a pachinko machine according to this embodiment. The pachinko machine 1 is provided with a front frame 2 that can be opened and closed, and a glass frame 4 is attached to the front frame 2 so that it can be opened and closed. On the right side of the front frame 2, there is provided a keyhole 3 into which a key for opening and closing the glass frame 4 is inserted. A game board 5 is provided inside the glass frame 4, and on the lower right side of the front frame 2, for operating a firing motor (indicated by reference numeral 15 e in FIG. 4) for shooting game balls to the game board 5. Is mounted rotatably.

Below the glass frame 4, there is formed a prize ball / lending ball supply port 6a to which a prize ball / lending ball is supplied. An upper receiving tray 6 for storing award balls and lending balls supplied from the award ball / lending ball supply port 6a is attached. Below the upper tray 6, there is formed a discharge port 7a for discharging a prize ball that has flowed down beyond the number that can be accommodated in the upper tray 6, or a game ball discharged from the upper tray 6 by operating the upper tray ball pulling lever 6b. Have been. On the discharge side of the discharge port 7a, there is provided a lower tray 7 for accommodating game balls discharged from the discharge port 7a. A frame lamp 9 is provided above the game board 5, and an ashtray 7 b is provided on the left side of the lower tray 7.

[Main Structure of Game Board 5] Next, the main structure of the game board 5 will be described with reference to FIG. A center case 30 is provided substantially at the center of the game board 5.
And a normal symbol display device 34 composed of three LEDs, and the number of times that the normal symbol display device 34 can be started is determined by four LEs.
D, a special symbol display LED 35, and a special symbol display device 32 for displaying a plurality of symbols, for example, a special symbol indicating a number of “0” to “9”, a background image, and the like on a liquid crystal.
And are provided. In addition, the special symbol display device 32,
As the number of times that the player can start the game, the number of times the start of the game is suspended (hereinafter referred to as the number of suspensions) is displayed on the screen, and the effect image at the time of the reach or the big hit is displayed.

On both sides of the center case 30, LE
A decorative windmill 46 decorated with D is provided. A normal symbol operation right gate 25 for operating the ordinary symbol display device 34 is provided diagonally below and to the right of the right decorative windmill 46, and a normal symbol operation is also provided at the left and below the left decorative windmill 46. A left gate 26 is provided. Windmills 24 are provided below both sides of the center case 30, respectively, and below the right windmill 24,
A right winning opening 12 is provided, and a left winning opening 13 is provided below the left windmill 24. A right sleeve winning port 22 is provided on the right side of the right winning port 12, and a left sleeve winning port 23 is provided on the left side of the left winning port 13. Below the center case 30, a first type starting port 27 having a function of operating the special symbol display device 32 is provided, and below the first type starting port 27, a stop symbol of the normal symbol display device 34 is provided. Is provided with an ordinary electric accessory 28 that opens both wings when the symbol is hit. The ordinary electric accessory 28 having both wings open has a function of starting the operation of the special symbol display device 32 as in the case of the first type starting port 27.

Below the center case 30, there is provided a variable winning device 40 which operates when the special symbol fixedly displayed in the three display areas of the special symbol display device 32 becomes a big hit symbol. The variable winning device 40 is provided with a plate-shaped opening / closing member 43 that opens when a big hit occurs and opens a big winning opening 41 so as to be openable and closable in a door manner. On the right side of the variable winning device 40, a lower right winning opening 1
4, and a lower left winning port 44 is provided on the left side of the variable winning device 40. In addition, the variable winning device 4
0, a specific area having a function of continuously opening and closing the opening / closing member 43 and a specific area switch (reference numeral 42 in FIG. 4) for detecting a game ball passing through the specific area.
a) is provided.

The game board 5 is provided with rails 16 for guiding the shot game balls to the game area, and on the upper portion of the game board 5, both upper and left corners are decorated with LEDs or the like. A decoration 11 is provided, and on the right side of the game board 5, a right side decoration 20 for decorating the right side with an LED or the like is provided, and on the left side of the game board 5, the left side is decorated with an LED or the like. A left side decoration 21 is provided. Further, the game board 5 has an out port 4 for collecting game balls that have not been won as out balls.
5 are provided. Many nails (not shown) are driven into the game board 5, and the game balls fired on the game board 5 fall while dancing between the nails, and each winning opening and the first kind start-up are started. Wins are made in the mouth 27, passed through each ordinary symbol operation gate, or collected from the out mouth 45.

[Electrical Configuration of Pachinko Machine 1] Next, the main electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The pachinko machine 1 is provided with a main board 100, on which a microprocessor 110 is mounted. The main CPU 1 that determines a main progress state of the game, such as detection of a winning, determination of a big hit or not, and outputs a signal corresponding to the determined progress state to the microprocessor 110.
12, a ROM 114 in which a computer program for the main CPU 112 to execute the above determination and output, and the like, and a game such as a detection result indicating that a game ball has passed through each winning opening or the first type starting opening 27, etc. And a RAM 116 for temporarily storing various data generated in the ROM, a computer program read from the ROM 114, and the like. The following components are electrically connected to the main substrate 100. A first-type starting port switch 27a for detecting that a game ball has passed through the first-type starting port 27;
Special symbol display device 32, lamp control device 75 for controlling LEDs and lamps, power supply board 80, payout control board 200 for controlling payout of prize balls, etc., voice control device 79 for controlling sound effects during a game, prize A game frame information terminal board 52, a board relay board 51, and a game frame relay board 53 for transmitting game board information relating to a game, a jackpot, and the like to a computer (not shown) provided in a management room or the like of the pachinko hall.

The payout control board 200 is provided with a microprocessor 210 which operates by inputting a signal sent from the main board 100.
Sub CPU 212 for controlling the payout of award balls, etc.
And a ROM in which various control programs for the sub CPU 212 to execute control such as payout of award balls are recorded.
214 and a RAM 216 for temporarily storing a control program read from the ROM 214 when the sub CPU 212 executes various control programs and various data such as a winning number and a prize ball number generated during a game. . The payout control board 200 includes a power supply board 80, a firing motor driving board 15c for driving the firing motor 15e,
The game frame information terminal board 52 and the payout relay board 55 are electrically connected. The firing motor drive board 15c includes:
A firing switch 15d for outputting a drive signal from the firing motor drive board 15c to the firing motor 15e is connected.

The game frame relay board 53 is electrically connected to a full detection switch 72, a winning ball out detection switch 73, and a sensor relay board 54. Sensor relay board 54
The prize ball payout sensor 62 provided in the prize ball unit 62
a, 62 b and the payout relay board 55. The payout relay board 55 has a ball-out switch 6
1. The award ball payout motor 62c and the ball lending unit 63 are electrically connected. On the board relay board 51, a normal electric accessory solenoid 28a for driving the ordinary electric accessory 28,
A normal symbol display device 34, a right gate switch 25a for detecting a game ball passing through the normal symbol operation right gate 25, a left gate switch 26a for detecting a game ball passing the normal symbol operation left gate 26, and a winning prize port 41. Big win switch 41a for detecting a winning ball, right sleeve winning switch 22a for detecting a game ball winning the right sleeve winning opening 22, and left sleeve winning switch for detecting a gaming ball winning the left sleeve winning opening 23. 23a, a right winning opening switch 12a for detecting a game ball winning the right winning opening 12, a left winning opening switch 13a for detecting a gaming ball winning the left winning opening 13, and a lower right winning opening 1
Lower right winning opening switch 14 for detecting a game ball winning 4
a, a lower left winning port switch 44a for detecting a gaming ball winning the lower left winning port 44, a natural winning port switch 31a for detecting a gaming ball winning the natural winning port 31, and a special winning port relay board 50. A special area switch 42a, a specific area solenoid 42b for driving a member that changes the specific area, and a special winning port solenoid 41b for opening and closing the opening and closing member 43 are electrically connected to the special winning opening relay board 50. ing. The power supply board 80 is connected to an AC 24 V (50
Hz / 60 Hz) from the main power supply 70,
The necessary power is supplied to each substrate and each device.

[Flow of Image Control Command] Next, the flow of an image control command from the main CPU 112 to the sub CPU 32e will be described with reference to FIG. The main CPU 112 outputs the image control command to the output port 120 via the main CPU bus 118,
The transfer signal is output to the output port 122. The image control command output to the output port 120 is transmitted to the main CPU
Output buffer 126 via parallel output port 124
After that, the data is temporarily stored in the input buffer 32m connected to the sub CPU 32e. The transfer signal output to the output port 122 is transmitted to the sub CPU 3 via the output buffer 128 and the input buffer 32n.
When the trigger input (TRG2) 32k of 2e is input,
The image control command stored in the input buffer 32m is transmitted to the sub C through the sub CPU parallel input port 32p.
The input to the input port 32j of the PU 32e
Reference numeral 32e executes a command input process.

[Electrical Configuration of Special Symbol Display Device 32] Next, the main electrical configuration of the special symbol display device 32 will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The special symbol display device 32 includes a special symbol indicator 32a, a liquid crystal inverter board 32b, a liquid crystal analog board 32c, and a special symbol control board 32d. The main board 100 transmits the image control command to the sub-C mounted on the special symbol control board 32d.
Send to PU32e. The sub CPU 32e is connected to the main C
The image control command output from the PU 112 is input and the content of the input image control command is
Analysis is performed according to a computer program recorded in M32f.

Subsequently, the sub CPU 32e transmits the above analysis result to a VDP (video display processor) 32.
g. Subsequently, the VDP 32g stores a special symbol corresponding to the analysis result, a character ROM in which image data for displaying a message such as "waiting" at the time of a power failure, and image data such as a character, a background image, and an effect image are recorded.
32i, the image data corresponding to the above analysis result is read out, and the address, display color, rotation, enlargement and reduction, etc. of the liquid crystal dot for displaying the read out image data on the liquid crystal screen are based on the above analysis result. Calculation is performed, and the calculation result is temporarily stored in the built-in pallet RAM 32h. Subsequently, the VDP 32g sends out the RGB signals to the liquid crystal analog board 32c based on the calculation result stored in the palette RAM 32h. Subsequently, the liquid crystal analog board 32c performs color correction and brightness adjustment of the captured RGB signals, and sends the signals to the liquid crystal inverter board 32b. The liquid crystal inverter board 32b plays a role of a backlight power supply, and boosts the received signal (for example, 12V).
From 600 V) and send it to the special symbol display 32a.
Then, the special symbol display 32a displays the image by switching the liquid crystal dots corresponding to the captured signal. By this, the special symbol fluctuation display, the display of the effect screen at the time of the reach, the display of the effect screen at the time of the big hit, the confirmation display of the special symbol,
Displays animations during round execution.

[Image Control Command] Next, the image control command will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 shows the ROM 1
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of an image control command table stored in 14. In the following description, a special symbol displayed on the left side of the screen of the special symbol display device 32 as viewed from the player is a left symbol, a special symbol displayed in the center of the screen is a middle symbol, and a special symbol displayed on the right side of the screen. Is called a right symbol. The image control command is 1 represented by E0H to EAH.
Byte and 1 byte represented by 00H to 13H, total 2
Image control command table 1
14a stores the following image control commands. (1) A variation pattern 1 designation command (E0H00H) for selecting and designating a variation pattern of a special symbol displayed by variation from the special symbol display device 32 from 1 to 19.
~ Variation pattern 19 designation command (E0H12H).
(2) Left design 0 designation command (E1H00H) to select and designate a stop design of the left design from 0 to 11
Left pattern 11 designation command (E1H0BH). (3) Middle symbol 0 designation command (E2H00H) to middle symbol 11 for selecting and designating a stop symbol of the middle symbol from 0 to 11
Designation command (E2H0BH). (4) Right symbol 0 for selecting and designating a right symbol from 0-11
Designation command (E3H00H) to right symbol 11 designation command (E3H0BH). (5) All symbol stop command (E4H00H) for stopping all symbols.

(6) A big hit opening command (E5H00) for displaying "big hit" when a big hit occurs
H). (7) First open command (E5H01H) to 15th open command (E5H0FH) for displaying the number of rounds in the first to fifteenth rounds during the big hit. (8) Last round display command (E5) for displaying "last round" in the 16th round
H10H). (9) Big hit ending 1 command (E5H11H) for displaying "END" at the end of the big hit.
(10) Big hit ending 2 command (E5H12H) for displaying "Lucky chance one more time".
(11) Big hit ending 3 command (E5H13H) for displaying "lucky chance". (12) A specific area passage display command (E6H00H) for displaying "V" when the game ball passes the specific area. (1
3) A customer waiting demonstration command (E8H00H) for displaying a customer waiting demonstration screen. (14) A disconnection / short circuit error command (E9H02H) for displaying "S error" when an error occurs due to disconnection / short circuit.
(15) An error release command (E9H00H) for erasing “S error” at the time of error release. (16) A low probability designation command (EAH00) for displaying a red brick building on the background of a special symbol when a low probability is designated
H). (17) A stand-by display command (EAH00H) for displaying the characters "stand-by" during the period from when the power is restored to when the special symbol change display is restarted.

[Main Structure of Power Supply Board 80] Next, the main structure of the power supply board 80 is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. 24V supplied from main power supply 70
Is converted to 32 V DC by the rectifier circuit 81 via the fuse F1, supplied to the dispensing control board 200, and supplied to the main board 100 via the connector CN2. The 32 V DC is supplied to the DC / DC converter 8.
2 to 12V. This 12V DC is supplied to the main board 100 via the connector CN2 and the connector CN4.
To the special symbol display device 32, the lamp control device 75 via the connector CN5, the voice control device 79 via the connector CN6, and the payout control board 200 via the connector CN3. The 24 V AC of the main power supply 70 is supplied to the CR connection board 56 via the fuse F <b> 2 via a 24 V line and further via the connector CN <b> 7.

The 32 V DC supplied to the main board 100 is supplied to the board relay board 51 (FIG. 4), and drives the ordinary motor accessory solenoid 28a. Special symbol display device 32
12V DC supplied to the special symbol display 32a
The 12 V DC supplied to the lamp controller 75 by driving the liquid crystal and the like (FIG. 5) turns on or blinks the LEDs of the corner decoration 11, the right side decoration 20, the left side decoration 21, and the like. The 12 V DC supplied to the audio control device 79 drives a speaker via an audio circuit, and the 12 V DC supplied to the payout control board 200 is used for the payout relay board 5.
5 and is supplied to the prize ball unit 62 and the ball lending unit 63 to drive a prize ball payout motor 62c and the like. The 32 V direct current supplied to the payout control board 200 is supplied to the ball letting unit 63 (FIG. 4) via the payout relay board 55, and operates a shutter member that divides the supplied ballpark by a predetermined number. Drive the solenoid.

Further, the DC / DC converter 82
The DC current transformed to 2V is supplied to a DC / DC converter 8
3 transforms the voltage to 5 V, and the 5 V DC is applied to the main board 100, the special symbol display device 32, the lamp control device 75,
It is supplied to the voice control device 79 and the payout control board 200, respectively. The 5 V DC supplied to the main substrate 100 is
A drive power supply for the microprocessor 110 (FIG. 4)
The 5 V DC supplied to the payout control board 200 serves as a drive power supply for the microprocessor 210 (FIG. 4). Also,
The 5V DC supplied to the special symbol display device 32 is supplied to the sub CPU 3 mounted on the special symbol control board 32d (FIG. 5).
The 5V direct current supplied to the lamp control device 75 and the sound control device 79 serves as a drive power supply for a microprocessor (not shown) provided in each device.

The power supply board 80 includes a power supply voltage monitoring IC 84 for monitoring the voltage of the power supply supplied to each board and the apparatus.
Is provided. The power supply voltage monitoring IC 84 detects the voltages of the 32 V line, the 12 V line, and the 5 V line from the voltage detection lines A1, A2, and A3, respectively. The power supply voltage monitoring IC 84 includes an A / D conversion circuit that converts a voltage detected from each line into a digital signal,
A CPU that takes in the digital signal output from the conversion circuit to calculate a voltage, and that determines a voltage drop or the like based on the calculated value.
Lines B1 to B6 are electrically connected to each substrate and device, and a reset signal is output to each substrate and device according to the determination result to reset the substrate lowered to a predetermined voltage.

A diode D is connected to the 5V line L1.
1 are connected in series, and a capacitor C1 as a backup power supply is connected in parallel to the cathode side of the diode D1. This capacitor C1 is charged by a 5 V DC current supplied from the DC / DC converter 83. During a power failure, the discharge current of the capacitor C1 is controlled by the microprocessor 110 mounted on the main board 100 (FIG. 4).
The command output from the main CPU 112 to each device and the board or the command to be output at the time of power failure is stored in the RAM 116.

[Rise and Fall of Power Supply] Next, rise and fall of the power supply will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the rising and falling voltage characteristics of the power supply and the reset timing of each substrate. In the following description, a substrate other than the main substrate 100 and a substrate on which a sub CPU of each device is mounted will be referred to as a sub-substrate. When the main power supply 70 (FIG. 6) is started,
5V power is supplied from the DC / DC converter 83 to each substrate, and 12V power is supplied from the DC / DC converter 82 to each substrate. When the supplied voltage of the 5V power supply becomes equal to or higher than the minimum operating voltage of the voltage monitoring IC connected to the microprocessor mounted on each board, a system reset signal (low level) is output on all boards. Stabilize. Subsequently, after a time Trs from when the 5V power supply reaches the sub-substrate rise detection voltage Vus, the system reset signal of the sub-substrate is released (low level → high level), and control of each sub-substrate is started. As a result, each of the sub-substrates enters a state in which a control command transmitted from the main substrate 100 can be received (low level → high level).

Subsequently, the 1 supplied to the main substrate 100 is
After a time Trm from when the voltage of the 2V power supply reaches the main board rise detection voltage Vum, the system reset signal of the main board 100 is released (low level → high level), and control of the main board is started. As a result, the main board 100 enters a state where a control command can be transmitted to each sub-board (low level →
high level). In addition, the power supply voltage supplied from the main power supply 70 decreases due to a power failure or power supply abnormality, and the
The power supply is the main board drop detection voltage Vdm (for example, 10.3V)
, An NMI (Non-Maskable Interrupt) signal is generated, and the NMI signal lasts for a period of time Tnmi. The control command output by the main CPU 112 to the sub-substrate at the time of the voltage drop or the control command to be output is backed up in the RAM 116 within the period of time Tnmi. At this time, the discharge current of the capacitor C1 (FIG. 6) is
0 is supplied to the backup power supply terminal VBB.
RAM 116 can maintain storage of control commands. When the time Tnmi has elapsed, the main substrate 10
0 is reset, and when the 5V power supply drops to the sub-substrate drop detection voltage Vds, the sub-substrate is reset.

[Voltage Monitoring] Next, the power supply voltage monitoring IC 8
4 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 10 showing the flow of the voltage monitoring process. When the power supply voltage monitoring IC 84 comes to a timing of detecting 5 V, 12 V, and 32 V at a predetermined cycle (step (hereinafter, referred to as step)
S) 10: Yes), voltage detection lines A1 to A3
The voltage V taken in from is set to a preset voltage V1.
It is determined whether or not the following is true (S12). The voltage V1 is
The minimum operating voltage required for each board to function,
When voltage V is 12V, for example, it is 10.3V.
Then, when the voltage V is equal to or lower than the voltage V1 (S12: Yes), the power supply voltage monitoring IC 84 sends a reset signal to the board whose voltage has decreased (S14), and a predetermined portion of the pachinko machine 1 (for example, Then, the notification LED 85 (FIG. 6) provided on the board that receives the reset signal or at a location visible from outside the pachinko machine 1) is turned on (S16). When the notification LED 85 is turned on, it is possible to notify that a board that has failed due to a decrease in the power supply voltage has occurred.

[Process at Power Failure] Next, the process at the time of power failure and at the time of power recovery will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a first example executed by the main CPU 112.
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the flow of a seed starting port process,
2 is a flowchart showing a flow of a special symbol display process executed by the main CPU 112. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the NMI interrupt process executed by the main CPU 112, and FIG.
15 is a flowchart showing a flow of control after power restoration performed by the sub CPU 32e, and FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a flow of display after power restoration performed by the sub CPU 32e. FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing timings of an NMI process of the main substrate 100 and an image control command output from the main substrate 100.

(Type 1 starting port process) A game ball passes through the type 1 starting port 27 (FIG. 2) and the type 1 starting port switch 27a.
When (FIG. 4) is turned on, the main CPU 112 detects a change in the voltage of the input port connected to the first-type start-up switch 27a, thereby detecting the first-type start-up switch 2.
7a is turned on (S20 in FIG. 11: Ye
s). Subsequently, when the hold number U1 is less than “4” (S22: Yes), the main CPU 112
"1" is added to 1 (S24), one count value of the jackpot counter is obtained (S26), and the obtained count value is temporarily stored in the RAM 116 (S28). The jackpot counter is, for example, a total of 256 from 0 to 255.
Count the number of.

(Special symbol display processing) Also, the main CPU
112, whether or not an image control command for controlling the display of the special symbol is output to the special symbol display device 32;
That is, it is determined whether or not the special symbol is changing (FIG. 12).
S30), when it is determined that it is not fluctuating (S30: N
o), it is determined whether or not the hold number U1 is equal to or greater than "1" (S32). Subsequently, the main CPU 112 determines that the number of reservations U1
Is greater than or equal to "1" (S32: Yes),
“1” is subtracted from the reserved number U1 (S34). Subsequently, the main CPU 112 proceeds to S28 of the first type start-up process (FIG. 1).
The count value temporarily stored in the RAM 116 in 1) is referred to (S36), and it is determined whether or not a big hit has occurred (S3).
8). This determination is made based on whether or not the referred count value is the same as a preset jackpot value (for example, 7). If the count value is the same, it is determined that the jackpot is a jackpot (S38: Yes) If the values are different, it is determined that it is not a big hit, that is, a loss (S38: No).

Subsequently, when the main CPU 112 determines that the big hit has occurred (S38: Yes), the special symbol display device 3
Big hit symbol (big hit stop symbol) and change pattern of special symbol displayed in 2 (change pattern and change time)
Is determined (S40), and if it is determined that a loss has occurred (S3)
8: No), the losing symbol (losing stop symbol) to be displayed on the special symbol display device 32 and the variation pattern (variation pattern and variation time) of the special symbol are determined (S4).
2). Note that the fluctuation time is the time from the start of the fluctuation of the special symbol to the final display of all the symbols. The big hit symbol is determined by associating a plurality of random numbers (for example, 0 to 9) with a plurality of big hit symbols (for example, 000 to 999).
This is performed by selecting one random number from the big hit symbol table (not shown) stored in 114 and selecting a big hit symbol associated with the selected random number. In addition, the determination of the lost symbol is performed by a plurality of random numbers (for example, 0 to 9) and a plurality of lost symbols (for example, 0 to 9).
This is performed by selecting one random number from a lost symbol table (not shown) stored in the ROM 114 in association with the above, and selecting a lost symbol associated with the selected random number. It should be noted that a total of three loss symbol tables are stored for the left symbol, the middle symbol, and the right symbol, and three loss symbols are determined by selecting random numbers from the respective loss symbol tables.

When the main CPU 112 determines the three lost symbols and determines that the three lost symbols are the same as the big hit symbol (S44: Yes), the main CPU 112 determines the three lost symbols again (S44: Yes). S42). The variation pattern is determined by associating a plurality of random numbers with a plurality of variation patterns (for example, variation patterns 1 to 19).
This is performed by selecting one random number from a fluctuation pattern table (not shown) stored in 114 and selecting a fluctuation pattern associated with the selected random number. Then, the main CPU 112 determines the big hit symbol and the fluctuation pattern determined in S44 or S46
The image control command corresponding to the losing pattern and the variation pattern determined in the above is stored in the image control command table 11.
4a (FIG. 8) to create an image control command (S46).
16 (S48).

For example, when the big hit symbol “111” and the variation pattern 1 are selected, the left symbol 1 designation command E1H01H, the middle symbol 1 designation command E2H01H, the right symbol 1 designation command E3H01H and the variation pattern 1
9 Selects the designation command E0H12H and stores it in the RAM 116. Subsequently, the main CPU 112 sets a timer for measuring the fluctuation time indicated by the fluctuation pattern designation command stored in the RAM 116 in S48 to the RAM 116.
And start measuring the fluctuation time (S5).
0), the image control command stored in S48 is
It is read from M116 (S52), and the read image control command is transmitted to the special symbol display device 32 (S5).
4). At this time, since the image control command is copied and read from the RAM 116 at the time of reading, the same image control command is stored in the RAM 116 until the next special symbol display device 32 starts to display the variation of the special symbol. On the other hand, the special symbol display device 32 is a main CPU 1
The image control command received from the image control command 12 is received, the variable display of the special symbol is started according to the variation pattern indicated by the received image control command, and the variation display is ended within the variation time indicated by the received image control command. To adjust the fluctuation pattern.

Here, assuming that a power failure occurs and the power supply from the main power supply 70 stops, an NMI signal is generated inside the main CPU 112 and access prohibition is set in an access register for the RAM 116 (FIG. 13). S
70). This interrupt process is executed with the highest priority over other interrupt processes. In other words, by prohibiting access to the RAM 116, the image control command stored in the RAM 116 is prevented from being rewritten.
At this time, the discharge current of the capacitor C1 (FIG. 6) is changed by the microprocessor 11 mounted on the main board 100.
0 (FIG. 4) is supplied to the backup power supply terminal VBB, so that the backup of the image control command stored in the RAM 116 is maintained. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, when the NMI interrupt process is executed while the main CPU 112 is transmitting the image control command 1 to the special symbol display device 32, the backup of the image control command 1 stored in the RAM 116 is performed. Is maintained. In addition, since access to the RAM 116 from outside is prohibited, the contents of the backed up image control commands are not rewritten. Further, even when the NMI interrupt processing is executed during the transmission of the image control command, the image control command is stored in the RAM 116.
Is copied and read out, the same image control command 1 is stored in the RAM.
116, and is maintained. Further, the measurement of the fluctuation time by the timer is interrupted by the power failure, but since the timer is set in the RAM 116, the measurement time at the time of the interruption is backed up in the RAM 116 and maintained.
In addition, also about the determination result (S38) of whether it is a big hit,
Stored in the RAM 116, the backup is maintained, and rewriting is prevented by the NMI process.

When the power supply that has been shut down due to the power failure is restored, the main CPU 112 detects the restoration of the power supply (S80: Yes in FIG. 15), and outputs a standby display command from the image control command table 114a (FIG. 8). It is read and transmitted (S82). On the other hand, the sub CPU 32e of the special symbol display device 32 receives the waiting display command transmitted from the main CPU 112 (S100 in FIG. 15),
As shown in FIG. 3A, the characters "waiting" are displayed on the screen (S102). As a result, the player can know that the power has been restored, but the special symbol display device 32 is in a state where it is not possible to perform the variable display of the special symbol. Subsequently, the main CPU 112 reads the symbol designating command backed up in the RAM 116 and transmits it to the special symbol display device 32 (S84 in FIG. 14), and the special symbol display device 32 receives the symbol designation command (FIG. 15). S104).

Subsequently, the main CPU 112
The measurement of the fluctuation time backed up in Step 6 is started (S86 in FIG. 14). Here, if a power failure occurs during the measurement of the fluctuation time, the measurement of the remaining fluctuation time is started because the remaining fluctuation time is backed up in the RAM 116. If a power failure occurs immediately before the fluctuation, the fluctuation time that has not been reduced is backed up in the RAM 116 as it is, so that the measurement of the fluctuation time is started. Subsequently, the main CPU 112
Determines that the fluctuation time has elapsed (S88: Y
es), all the symbol stop commands are read from the image control command table 114a (FIG. 8) and the special symbol display device 32
(S90). On the other hand, the special symbol display device 32
When the all symbol stop command transmitted from the main CPU 112 is received (S106: Yes), the special symbol corresponding to the symbol designation command received in S104 is displayed on the screen as a stopped symbol (S108 in FIG. 15).

As a result, the player can see the stop symbol that would have been displayed after the fluctuation display when there was no power failure. Subsequently, when the big hit flag is backed up in the RAM 116 (S92 of FIG. 14: Yes), the main CPU 112 reads the big hit opening command from the image control command table 114a (FIG. 8) and transmits it to the special symbol display device 32. (S9
4). On the other hand, the special symbol display device 32 is a main CPU 1
When receiving the jackpot opening command transmitted from 12 (S110: Yes in FIG. 15), the character "big hit" is displayed on the screen (S112). Thereby, the player can know that the result of the fluctuation display of the special symbol at the time of the power failure was a big hit. In this case, the opening / closing member 43 opens to open the special winning opening 41, and a big hit round starts.

[Effects of Embodiment] (1) As described above, if the pachinko machine 1 of the above embodiment is used, even if the function of the main CPU 112 is stopped due to a power failure or the like, the function is stopped. Of the image control command output to the special symbol display device 32 and the image control command to be output to the special symbol display device 32 at least when the special symbol display device 32 displays a stopped symbol. The necessary image control commands are backed up and stored in the RAM 116, and when the function of the main CPU 112 is restored,
The image control command stored in the RAM 116 can be output to the special symbol display device 32. Therefore, when the function of the main CPU 112 is restored, the special symbol display device 32 can input the image control command output from the main CPU 112 and display a stop symbol corresponding to the image control command. Can be reproduced by displaying a stop symbol that would have been displayed if the vehicle did not stop. In other words, the player can safely wait until the stop symbol is displayed without being worried about what stop symbol was being displayed if the power failure did not occur. (2) Moreover, the special symbol display device 32 displays “Standby” on the screen from when the power is restored to when the stop symbol is displayed.
Can be displayed, the player can display the special symbol display device 32
Can know that the special symbol cannot be changed and displayed.

[Other Embodiments] (1) As shown in FIG. 3 (B), the special symbol display device 32 displays a message “changing” during the period from when the power is restored to when the stop symbol is displayed. It can also be configured to display. By performing this display, the special symbol is not displayed on the special symbol display device 32, but it can be estimated that the variation is being performed. Can be safely waited for the stop symbol to be displayed without being worried about being ruined. (2) During the period from when the power is restored to when the stop symbol is displayed, the special symbol display device 32 is “stopping the function”, “recovering the function”, “preparing the stop symbol display”, or “special for the power failure” The special symbol display device 32 cannot perform the variable symbol display, such as "The symbol symbol cannot be changed. The stop symbol will be displayed as soon as it is ready. Please wait for a while." May be displayed.
By performing this display, the player can know that the special symbol display device 32 is in a state where the power has been restored, but the special symbol variation display cannot be performed at present. There is no danger. As described above, the special symbol display device 32 is a pachinko machine including the special symbol display device 32 capable of displaying that the special symbol cannot be displayed in a variable manner, according to claim 4 of the present invention. Corresponds to gaming machines.

(3) A backup power supply to be used at the time of power failure is connected to the special symbol display device 32, and during the power failure, the special symbol display device 32 displays "function stopped", "function recovery", and "power failure". Alternatively, a message that "power is being restored" may be displayed. By performing this display, the player can know the state of the pachinko machine 1. The pachinko machine provided with the special symbol display device 32 capable of displaying the state of the pachinko machine 1 corresponds to the gaming machine according to claim 5 of the present invention. (4) The image data for displaying the various messages displayed by the special symbol display device 32 is displayed on the RO of the main board 100 during the period from when the power is restored to when the stop symbol is displayed.
M114, and when the power is restored, the main CPU 1
12 can read the image data from the ROM 114 and transmit the image data to the special symbol display device 32 to be displayed by the special symbol display device 32. (5) To display the various messages displayed by the special symbol display device 32 during the period from when the power is restored to when the stop symbol is displayed, or to display the various messages displayed by the special symbol display device 32 during a power failure. Image data
RAM, ROM or HDD (Hard Disk Dr.) of the management computer installed in the management room of the pachinko hall, etc.
ive), and the management computer reads the image data from the recording medium, transmits the image data to the special symbol display device of each pachinko machine, and can display the image data on the special symbol display device 32. . According to this configuration, there is an advantage that the content such as a message to be displayed on the special symbol display device 32 can be created on the management computer side.

[Correspondence between Claims and Embodiments] The special symbol corresponds to the image described in claim 1, and the big hit symbol corresponds to a predetermined image. Also, the special symbol display device 32 corresponds to the image display means, the gaming state in which the big hit occurred,
This corresponds to a gaming state that is advantageous to the player. Furthermore, the main C
The PU 112 corresponds to the control means, the RAM 116 corresponds to the storage means, and the symbol designation command for designating the stop symbol and the all symbol stop command correspond to the necessary control commands. The NMI interrupt process (FIG. 13) executed by the main CPU 112 functions as the storage unit according to the first aspect and corresponds to the storage process according to the sixth or seventh aspect. In addition, the post-power-return control (FIG. 14) executed by the main CPU 112 functions as the output unit according to claim 1, and further includes the output unit according to claim 6.
Corresponds to the output processing described in (1). Further, a computer program for executing the NMI interrupt process and the control after the return of the power supply corresponds to the computer program according to claim 6, and the computer program for executing the NMI interrupt process and the computer program according to claim 6
The OM 114 corresponds to the recording medium according to claim 7.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective explanatory view showing an appearance of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a game board 5 provided in the pachinko machine 1 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory front view showing a main configuration of the first embodiment.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams showing display screens of a special symbol display device 32 provided in the pachinko machine 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a block diagram of a main electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing, by blocks, a main electric configuration of a special symbol display device 32 provided in the pachinko machine 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing, as blocks, a main configuration of a power supply board 80 provided in the pachinko machine 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of an image control command from a main CPU 112 to a sub CPU 32e.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of an image control command table stored in a ROM 114.

FIG. 9 shows rising and falling voltage characteristics of a power supply;
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between each substrate and reset timing.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of a voltage monitoring process executed by a power supply voltage monitoring IC 84;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a first type start-up process executed by a main CPU 112;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of a special symbol display process executed by the main CPU 112.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an NMI interrupt process executed by a main CPU 112;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of control after power is returned, which is executed by the main CPU 112;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a flow of a display after power return executed by the sub CPU 32e.

16 shows an NMI process of the main substrate 100 and the main substrate 100
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing timings with image control commands output from the CAM.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory front view of a conventional pachinko machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Pachinko machine (game machine) 32 Special symbol display device (image display means) 112 Main CPU 112 (control means) 114 ROM (recording medium) 116 RAM (storage means)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image display means for variably displaying an image, and a control means for outputting a control command for controlling the variance display of the image to the image display means, wherein a predetermined image is determined by the image display means. A gaming machine that changes to a gaming state advantageous to a player when displayed, wherein the control means outputs control commands and image display to the image display means when its function is stopped. Storage means for backing up and storing at least the control command necessary for the image display means to display an image among the control commands which were to be output to the means; and storing the control command in the storage means when the function is restored. Output means for outputting the required control command to the image display means. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the necessary control command is a command for designating an image necessary for the image display means to perform a fixed display of the image. 3. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein when the function of the control unit is restored, the image display unit performs a display that reproduces an image displayed when the function is stopped. The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the image display means displays that the image is in a state in which the image cannot be displayed in a variable manner. . 5. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the image display means displays a state of the gaming machine. 6. An image display means for variably displaying an image, and control means for outputting a control command for controlling the variance display of the image to the image display means, wherein a predetermined image is determined by the image display means. A computer program for causing a gaming machine, which changes to a gaming state advantageous to a player when displayed, to function by a computer, wherein the computer functioning as the control unit is configured to display the image when the function of the computer stops. At least a control command necessary for the image display means to display an image among the control commands output to the display means and the control commands to be output to the image display means is stored in the storage means. Processing and, when the function is restored, the necessary control command stored in the storage A computer program including a computer program for executing an output process for outputting to an image display means. 7. An image display means for variably displaying an image, and control means for outputting a control command to control the variance display of the image to the image display means, wherein a predetermined image is determined by the image display means. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a gaming machine to change to a gaming state advantageous to a player when displayed, wherein the computer functioning as the control unit has its function stopped. When performing the above, at least the control command necessary for the image display means to display an image among the control commands output to the image display means and the control commands to be output to the image display means is backed up. A storage process to be stored in the storage unit; and, when the function is restored, the required process stored in the storage unit. A recording medium on which a computer program including a computer program for executing an output process of outputting a necessary control command to the image display means is recorded.