JP2003117197A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To generate an outward output signal without increasing a burden of control of a main control means and a peripheral unit group. SOLUTION: CPU 1560 as an outward signal generating means provided as a body separate from a plurality of peripheral units generates a signal showing the state of a game operation to be outputted outside a game machine on the basis of a control instruction from a main control part 200. By making the means other than the main control part 200 and the peripheral unit group bear the generation of the outward output signal, therefore, the signal can be generated without increasing the burden of control of the main control part 200 and the peripheral unit group.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises a main control means for supervising game operation control and a plurality of sub control means for controlling the operation of each of a plurality of types of peripheral devices, each of the plurality of sub control means. Relates to a gaming machine configured to control the operation of a corresponding peripheral device in response to a control command from the main control means, and particularly to an external output signal generating function in such gaming machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional game machine, a plurality of types of peripheral devices are provided around a main CPU which controls game operation control. Then, the main CPU gives a control command to each sub CPU of a plurality of types of peripheral devices,
A series of operation control of the gaming machine is realized by the sub CPU to which this control command is given controlling the operation of the corresponding peripheral device. In addition, recently, a special symbol display device, which is one of the peripheral devices, is configured to output a signal according to a game operation state outside the gaming machine, for example, a symbol changing signal indicating that the symbol is changing, and the like. Some have been proposed to facilitate operation tests.

However, there are many types of peripheral devices, each of which shows an operating state (test).
If a signal or the like is output, the control load on the peripheral device side will increase. It is also considered that the main CPU, which controls the operation of these peripheral devices, directly outputs such a signal. However, the main CPU should not bear an extra control load as much as possible. It is desirable to do.

The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and a gaming machine capable of generating an external output signal without increasing the control load of the main control means and the peripheral device group. The purpose is to provide.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a main control means for controlling game operation control,
A plurality of sub-control means for controlling the operation of each of the plurality of types of peripheral devices, and each of the plurality of sub-control means for controlling the operation of the corresponding peripheral device in response to a control command from the main control means. In the constituted gaming machine, external output signal generating means for generating a signal indicating a gaming operation state to be output to the outside of the gaming machine based on a control command from the main control means is provided separately from the plurality of peripheral devices. It is characterized by being provided in.

According to the present invention, the external output signal generating means provided separately from the plurality of peripheral devices indicates the game operation state to be output to the outside of the gaming machine based on the control command from the main control means. Generate a signal. Therefore, it is possible to generate the external output signal without increasing the control load of the main control unit and the peripheral device group by making the external control unit other than the main control unit and the peripheral device group generate the external output signal.

The external output signal generating means may be mounted on a dedicated board.

Further, the sub-control means of at least one peripheral device of the plurality of types of peripheral devices receives the operation control command from the main control means, and performs the operation control according to the received operation control command. Is configured to
The external output signal generation means may be configured to include means for receiving an operation control command received by the sub-control means and generating a signal according to the received operation control command.

The external output signal generating means is provided with notifying means for performing a predetermined notifying operation when it is determined that the game operation state becomes a specific one in consideration of the content of the received operation control command. You can

Further, the display control means of the symbol display device is configured to receive a display control command from the main control means and perform display control according to the received display control command. Includes a first command for starting the symbol variation display, a second command for designating a stop symbol, a third command for ending the symbol variation and performing a symbol stop display, and the external output signal The generation means starts the generation of a signal indicating that the symbol is changing in response to the reception of the first command, and ends the generation of the signal indicating that the symbol is changing in response to the reception of the third command. May be provided.

Then, the external output signal generating means generates a signal indicating a big hit when all the stop symbols designated by the received second command are the same symbol, and also on the dedicated board. It may be configured to further include means for controlling lighting of the provided lighting unit.

For such an operation, the program is recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, and the CP
This can be realized by U reading and executing the program recorded in this recording medium. As such a recording medium, a ROM, a semiconductor recording medium such as a semiconductor IC, a DV
Examples thereof include optical recording media such as DROM and CDROM, magnetic recording media such as flexible disks, and magneto-optical recording media such as MO. Further, this program may be downloaded from the information processing device via the communication network.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the general configuration and operation of a gaming machine that transmits and receives control commands to perform display control will be described, and then the main operation of the present invention will be described to facilitate understanding of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of the game board 10. In the approximate center of the game board 10, there are three (left, middle, right) display areas, and in each display area, identification information independently composed of numbers and symbols is variably displayed. The possible special symbol display device 100 is arranged, the special symbol starting port 104 is arranged directly below it, and the normal symbol operating gates 102, 102 are arranged on both sides of this special symbol starting port 104. It is set up. Also,
A pair of opening / closing members 120, 120 are special symbol starting ports 104
Are provided so as to be separated from each other so as to be opened and closed.

Further, below the special symbol starting port 104, a special winning opening 106, a normal symbol display device 108 and an out port 114 are arranged in this order, and further, both diagonally above the special symbol starting port 104. The lamp display device 110,
110 is provided, and a lamp display device (more specifically, an LED device) near both side ends of the game board 10.
112, 112 are provided.

Then, a game ball is won in the special symbol starting port 104 and a random number is drawn, and when this random number is a big hit value, a variable display of at least one identification information is started in each display area. After that, a predetermined display pattern (eg "7, 7, 7") is displayed on the winning effective line.
Is displayed by the special symbol display device 100, and the special winning opening 106 is controlled to open and close in a predetermined pattern to be in a big hit game state (special game state) advantageous to the player.

Further, when the normal symbol operation gate 102 detects the passage of the game ball, a random number lottery is carried out, and when this random number is a small hit value, the ordinary symbol display device 108.
The display part of is displayed in a predetermined pattern (for example, "7" or "3"), and after that, when the opening / closing member 120 is in the open state and the game ball wins the special symbol starting opening 104, the random number is similarly generated. When the lottery is performed and the random number selected is a big hit value, the variable display in each display area is started, and then a predetermined display pattern (for example, "7, 7, 7") is displayed on the winning effective line as a special symbol. This is performed by the display device 100, and the special winning opening 106 is controlled to be opened and closed in a predetermined pattern to be in a big hit state (special game state) advantageous to the player. On the other hand, the batting that is not won is out 114
Is discharged through.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram showing only the main part of the gaming machine in which the game operation control according to the progress of the game is performed. The main control unit 200 that supervises game operation control has a microprocessor with a built-in CPU. This main control unit 200, the special symbol display device 1
Command data table area 202 storing various control commands including various commands for controlling 00 (described later) and a game operation control program such as a control program describing a series of game operation control procedures and control data Is provided and a RAM 203 in which a work area is formed is provided, which is an integrated one-chip microcomputer. The game operation control is performed by the main control unit 200 repeatedly executing this game operation control program at a predetermined cycle, and the main control unit 200 controls the game operation control.

The main controller 200 is configured to be able to receive detection signals from each of a plurality of switch groups via the input port 210. That is, the main control unit 200 is provided inside the special symbol starting port 104, and the special symbol starting switch 3 for detecting the winning of the game ball into the special symbol starting port 104 is provided.
04, the normal symbol operation switch 30 which is provided inside the normal symbol operation gate 102 and detects the passage of the game ball through the gate
6 and a special winning opening switch 3 which is provided inside the special winning opening 106 and detects the winning of a game ball into the big winning opening 106
A switch group such as 08 is connected, and the main control unit 200 is configured to be able to receive a detection signal corresponding to the game ball detection from each switch.

Further, the main controller 200 has an output port 2
A plurality of peripheral devices are controllably connected via 15. More specifically, the main control unit 200 has three display units for displaying special symbols and characters, each of which can be variably displayed independently, and a special symbol display device 100 realized by an LCD or the like, a lamp. Lamp display device 11 for controlling lighting
0, 112, a sound effect generator 116 for generating a sound effect,
For example, a normal symbol display device 108 realized by a 7-segment display device, a starting opening actuating solenoid 300 for controlling opening / closing of the opening / closing member 120 of the starting opening, and opening / closing control of a wide opening / closing member of the special winning opening 106. A peripheral device group such as a special winning opening operating solenoid 302 is connected, and the main control unit 200 can transmit a control signal for controlling each device.

The main control unit 200 can transmit a predetermined number of display control commands to the special symbol display device 100 at a predetermined timing, and the special symbol display device 100 receives the command. Based on the command, the CPU in itself performs fine display control without depending on the main control unit 200. Furthermore, a communication mode is adopted by one-way communication in which only a command is transmitted from the main control unit 200 to the special symbol display device 100.

Further, a power supply circuit 212 for supplying power and a reset circuit 213 for outputting a reset signal at predetermined time intervals are connected to the main control section 200, and the reset circuit 213 is further provided with a main circuit. The pulse signal generated by the periodic timer counter is input from the control unit 200, and the monitor signal for monitoring the current supply state from the power supply circuit 212 is input.

Now, as shown in FIG. 12, the main controller 20
The command for display control sent from 0 to the special symbol display device 100 is an identifier for identifying the classification of the command and is a 1-byte length digital information mode (MODE)
And an event (EVENT), which is 1-byte length digital information indicating the content (function) of the command to be executed, and FIGS. 6 to 9 show the ROM on the main control unit 200 side.
A part of the display control command data stored in the command data table area 202 of 201 or the program ROM 1040 of the special symbol display device 100 is shown.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the commands for display control include "command for changing the special symbol and designating a variation pattern (first command)", "special symbol left Command to specify the stop symbol (second command) "," Command to specify the stop symbol in the special symbol (second command) "," Command to specify the stop symbol on the right of the special symbol (second command) " , "Command for stopping special symbols (third command)". The first command is a command including information for designating a variation pattern that determines, for example, in which pattern a pattern is variably displayed, in which pattern a character image is displayed, and the like. The main control unit 200 transmits these five commands to the special symbol display device 100 at a predetermined timing in one variable display control when the game situation is such that the variable display of symbols is started.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the special symbol display device 100. The special symbol display device 100 supplies power to the voltage receiving circuit 1140 (including the voltage converting circuit for converting the data level) for receiving the strobe signal and the command from the main control unit 200 and the voltage converting circuit. A power supply circuit 1160 and a CPU 1 that generates control data necessary for display control based on a received command and outputs the control data to an image processing LSI (VDP) 1060.
020 (display control means) and a program ROM 10 containing a program describing the operation procedure of the CPU 1020.
40, a RAM 1090 that functions as a work area and a buffer memory, and an image processing LS that performs image expansion processing.
I (VDP) 1060 and image processing LSI (VDP)
A video RAM 1080 for temporarily storing the image data expanded by 1060, and an image processing LSI (VDP) 10
A character ROM 1180 that stores data necessary for image development by the 60, and an LCD that receives and sends out image data temporarily stored in the video RAM 1080.
Panel interface circuit 1100 and this LCD
LCD panel 1 that outputs a display image using image data sent from panel interface circuit 1100
And 120.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the character RO
M1180 is a ROM title area, a ROM management information area, a character image data area in which actual character data is stored, a palette data area in which character color data is stored, and a scenario data area in which information defining character movement is stored. have. Further, the character data is stored in the character image data area in a state of being compressed by a specific compression method, and as shown in FIG. 4B, the palette data area has a pair of a color number and a color code. Multiple types are stored.

The CPU of the special symbol display device 100
Reference numeral 1020 denotes control data generated in response to a command received by the data receiving circuit 1140, which is an image processing LSI (V
DP) 1060, the image processing LSI (VD
P) 1060 is a video RAM 108 designated by the information acquired from the scenario data area by decompressing the character data acquired from the character image data area and coloring it with the color data acquired from the palette data area.
By temporarily storing the image-developed data at the position 0, and sending the temporarily stored data to the LCD panel interface circuit 1100, the LCD panel 11
Various image displays including a variable display speed change and the like are finely performed by 20.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing command transmission / reception timing. As mentioned above, the command is 1 byte long mode (MODE) and 1
It consists of a byte length event (EVENT). In this example, the main control unit 200 transmits the mode (MODE) information triggered by the first rise of the strobe signal (DUSTB) generated by itself when the command changes,
Next, the event (EVENT) information is transmitted triggered by the second rise of the strobe signal (DUSTB). Then, corresponding to this, the CPU of the special symbol display device
The 1020 generates an interrupt when the strobe signal (DUSTB) is transmitted, receives a command by this interrupt processing, and stores it in the RAM 1090.

Next, first, a normal control operation performed by the CPU 1020 of the main control unit 200 and the special symbol display device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 10 (general flowchart of game operation control) and FIG. The characteristic operation of the present invention will be described in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention. The main control unit 200 executes the ROM in the series of processes shown in FIG.
This is performed by executing a game control program (not shown) stored in 201. More specifically, the reset signal supplied from the reset circuit 213 every predetermined time (for example, 4 msec) is used as a trigger to execute from the first step, and this series of processes is repeatedly executed.

First, when the power supply circuit 212 is activated by a power switch (not shown), the main control unit 200 is activated, and it is determined whether or not the first process has been executed since the power was turned on ( Step S11
0). In case of the first processing after turning on the power (Yes)
On the other hand, the process proceeds to step S200, while in other cases (No), the process proceeds to step S120.

In step S200, a storage area clearing process is executed as an initialization process for the RAM 203, and then, in step S210, data for performing the initial control process is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 203. On the other hand, in step S120, the count values of various random number generation loop counters (not shown) for the big hit determination, the small hit determination, etc. formed in the RAM 203 are incremented, and in step S130, various kinds of game machine control used. Update the timer value of the timer.

Next, in step S140, a special symbol starting switch 304, a normal symbol operating switch 306,
Input port processing of reading and storing the detection signal output from the special winning opening switch 308 into a register in the unit (not shown) via the input port 210, and then the process proceeds to step S150 to read and store data in the port input processing. Switch check processing for grasping

Next, in step S160, each switch 3
04, 306, 308, etc. are checked for disconnection or short circuit, and if these faults occur (Yes
s) While proceeding to step S220, otherwise (No) proceeding to step S180 (step S
170).

Then, in step S180, the data necessary for the display control of the normal symbol display device 108 is stored in the RAM.
A command necessary for display control of the special symbol display device 100 is stored in a predetermined area 203 (see FIGS. 6 to 9).
Are stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 203, and the timer values of the various timers are decremented (step S190). In step S180, the main control unit 200 refers to the command data table area 202 to determine the mode and event command required in accordance with the game operation control, and determines the determined mode and event digital information in the RAM 203. Store in area.

Next, in step S195, in order to control the opening / closing of the special winning opening 106 and the opening / closing member 120 of the special symbol starting opening 104 in a predetermined pattern, the starting opening operating solenoid 300 and the special winning opening operating solenoid 302 are driven. Then, in step S220, a prize ball setting process for outputting control information for causing a prize ball payout device (not shown) to perform a payout operation is executed. Further, in steps S230, 240 and 250, external information processing for outputting various game data to a gaming machine management device (not shown) and a command for controlling lighting of the lamp display devices 110 and 112 corresponding to the gaming state are predetermined in the RAM 203. Indicator light control processing to be stored in the area, sound effect generation device 11
6 executes a sound effect process of storing a command for performing sound effect generation control corresponding to the game operation state in a predetermined area of the RAM 203.

Next, in step S260, R
The data stored in the AM 203 is output to the corresponding device via the output port 215 (port output processing), and the device side receiving this outputs the control operation based on this. Then, a strobe signal is first output to the special symbol display device 100, and the mode and event data stored in the RAM 203 in step S180 is transmitted as shown in FIG. As a result, the commands shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 are transmitted to and received from the main control unit 200 in the special symbol display device 100.

In step S270, the reset circuit 21
The reset standby process is executed until the reset signal is input from 3, and when the reset signal is input, the process proceeds to step S110 to continue the game operation control.
It should be noted that, as the reset standby processing, updating of a counter for generating various random numbers described above and the like can be mentioned.

Next, the operation of the CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device 100 which has received the command will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S1100, the CPU 1020 sets its own stack pointer,
Initialization of the RAM 1090, initialization of itself such as register clear, etc. are performed, and it is determined in step S1102 whether a new command has been input. When it is determined that a new display control command has been input (Y
es) While proceeding to step S1104, otherwise (No) proceeding to step S1110.

In step S1104, the data receiving circuit 1140 is used in the interrupt processing described with reference to FIG.
The command received by is copied to the RAM 1090, and whether the command is normal or not is checked. Next, CPU1
020 determines the start address of a processing table (not shown) so as to obtain a necessary command for performing fine display control independently of the main control unit 200, and then in step S1108, the image processing LSI 1060. The data in the necessary area of the RAM 1090 is updated in order to output to.

Next, in step S1110, RA
Based on the symbol control data set in M1090, scroll data to be output to the image processing LSI 1060 is obtained and set in the RAM 1090, the symbol display position is set, and then in step S1112, the symbol speed control is performed. Program ROM for necessary data
It is acquired from the speed table (not shown) built into the 1040 and set in the RAM 1090, and then step S
At 1114, the symbol offset value is updated based on the velocity data, and preparations are made to perform the symbol variation at the set velocity.

Next, in step S1116, RA
The animation data is acquired from the animation processing table (not shown) in which the animation processing data set in M1090 is stored, and the background image is prepared for display.
It is set in the output buffer, and it is determined whether the output permission flag is "1" (step S1118).

If the output permission flag is not "1" (No), the process returns to step S1102 to repeat the series of processes, while the output permission flag is "1" (Yes).
In step S1120, the data set in the VDP output buffer is sent to the image processing LSI 106.
Output to 0. In response to this, the image processing LSI 1060 acquires and expands the data in the character ROM 1180, and the expanded image data is temporarily stored in the video RAM 1080 and then sent to the LCD panel interface circuit 1100 to be displayed by the LCD panel 1120. The image is displayed. In this way, the special symbol display device 1
The variable display of symbols at the set display position of 00 at the set speed is displayed.

13 and 14 respectively show the main controller 200.
It is an example of the transmission timing of the command transmitted from to the special symbol display device 100, and an explanatory diagram of the transmission command. As can be seen by referring to these figures, the main controller 2
00, when a predetermined condition such as a game ball winning in the special symbol starting port 104 is satisfied, first, "a command for starting symbol variation and designating a variation pattern are transmitted (), and from this time T1 time After the lapse of time, the command for designating the left stop design is transmitted (), and after that, the command for designating the middle stop design is transmitted after the lapse of T2 time (), and the right stop design is designated after the lapse of T3 time. A command is transmitted (), and a command () for stopping all the symbols after a lapse of T time from the start of fluctuation is transmitted.On the other hand, the CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device 100 which has received the first command (), A series of variable display controls are performed by performing detailed display control such as a change in the variable speed, and the variable display control is terminated when the third command () is received, and then the variable display control is completed. Conducted a second command (,,) stopped and displayed at the designated stop symbol in that displays the special symbol lottery results.

(Characteristic part of the present invention) FIG. 15 is a block diagram of the characterizing part of the embodiment of the present invention. The main controller 200 has RA
ROM20 while using M203 as a work area
The following operation can be realized by executing a program (not shown) recorded in the first example (recording medium). A plurality of types of peripheral devices such as the special symbol display device 100, ... Are connected to the main controller 200, and each peripheral device is a main controller 2
The operation is controlled according to a control command from 00.

In FIG. 15, the special symbol display device 100 (especially CPU 1020 for facilitating understanding)
Although only the special winning opening operating solenoid board 1510 is shown, other peripheral devices can be similarly adopted. The structure and operation of the special symbol display device 100 shown in FIG. 15 are the same as those described above. The special winning opening operating solenoid board 1510 is a board having a quadrangular shape in a plan view, and the CPU 1511, the ROM 1512, and the RAM 151 are provided on the special winning opening operating solenoid board 1510.
3, a solenoid 302 and the like are mounted. And CP
U151 uses ROM1513 while ROM151
By executing a program (not shown) recorded in No. 2, operation control of the solenoid 302 is executed.

The table 1700 shown in FIG.
Stored in 512. As shown in FIG. 17, a command A having mode and event data of “$ E0, $ 01” instructs start of solenoid drive, and a command B having mode and event data of “$ E0, $ 02” is Instruct to stop solenoid drive. Therefore, when the main control unit 200 transmits the command A through the signal line 1502, the CPU 1511 receives the command A, drives the solenoid to project the plunger (not shown), and uses the opening / closing mechanism (not shown) to win the special winning opening. 106 is opened.

On the other hand, when the main control unit 200 sends the command B through the signal line 1502, the CPU 151
1 receives this and drives the solenoid to bring the plunger (not shown) in the projecting state into the non-projecting state to close the special winning opening 106 using the opening / closing mechanism (not shown). Thus C
The PU 1511 receives a command from the main control unit 200, and drives and controls the solenoid 302 according to the received command.

Further, from the main control unit 200 to the signal line 1500
The first to third commands described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 are transmitted to the special symbol display device 100 via the command line 15 on the test signal generation board 1550 side.
It is configured to be transmitted simultaneously via 01.
Similarly, the commands A and B described in FIG. 17 are transmitted from the main control unit 200 to the CPU 1511 of the special winning opening operating solenoid board 1510 via the signal line 1502.
These commands A and B are also configured to be simultaneously transmitted to the test signal generation substrate 1550 side via the signal line 1503.

Further, CPU 1560, ROM 1570, RAM 1580, L are provided on a test signal generating substrate 1550 which is provided separately from a plurality of types of peripheral devices and has a rectangular shape in plan view.
ED1590 etc. are mounted. CPU 1560 is R
The following operations are realized by executing a program (not shown) recorded in ROM 1570 using AM1580. Thus, the CPU 1560 is the main control unit 200.
It is configured to receive a command from, and output various signals, which are generated according to the received command, and which indicate the game operation state, to the outside of the gaming machine.

(Operation Example 1) The operation example 1 will be described with reference to FIG. When the main control unit 200 transmits the first to third commands to the special symbol display device 100 via the signal line 1500 as shown in FIG. 16A, these commands are sent to the CPU 1560 on the test signal generation substrate 1550. Is also received via signal line 11501. The description of the operation of the CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device 100 is omitted. Further, in the example of FIG. 16, it is assumed that the three second commands all specify the same stop symbol “7”.

As shown in FIG. 16B, the CPU 1560
The first command () is received as a trigger to change the symbol changing signal indicating that the symbol is changing from a low level to a high level, and then the reception of the third command () is used as a trigger to change the symbol changing signal from a high level. Set to low level. Thus, a high-level symbol fluctuation in-progress signal is generated upon reception of the first command designating the start of symbol fluctuation, and thereafter, the symbol fluctuation is ended and the symbol stop display is instructed.
When the command is received, the symbol changing signal is changed from the high level to the low level to generate the symbol changing signal according to the symbol changing operation, and the signal is output to the outside of the gaming machine.

Further, as shown in FIG. 16C, the CPU 1
560 sets the symbol stop signal, which indicates that the symbol is in the stopped state, from the low level to the high level in response to the reception of the third command (). Thus, the symbol stop signal corresponding to the symbol stop operation is generated by changing the symbol stop signal from the low level to the high level in response to the reception of the third command for instructing the symbol stop display by ending the symbol fluctuation, and is external to the gaming machine. Is output.

Further, as shown in FIG.
When 1560 receives each of the second commands (from) and determines that the symbols designated by the commands are the same symbol, the jackpot is triggered by the reception of the third second command (). The jackpot signal indicating that the state has occurred is changed from low level to high level. At this time, C
The PU 1560 controls the lighting of the LED 1590 to notify that a big hit has occurred. In addition, if this LED is installed easily from the back of the gaming machine, the occurrence of a big hit can be easily grasped. Thus, the second to specify the stop symbol
Command is received and it is determined that they specify the same symbol in consideration of the contents of the symbols designated by these, 3
When the second command is received, the big hit signal is changed from the low level to the high level, and the big hit signal is generated and output to the outside of the gaming machine.

In the above operation, the operation has been described with each signal being active high, but the same operation can be performed with these signals being active low. Further, the type of the generated signal is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and another type of signal, such as a digital signal indicating a symbol and outputting it to the outside of the gaming machine, can be appropriately generated and output.

(Operation Example 2) Next, an operation example 2 will be described with reference to FIG. When the main control unit 200 transmits a command A, a command B, a command A, and a command B to the CPU 1511 on the special winning opening operation solenoid board 1510 side via a signal line 1502 as shown in FIG. Is transmitted to the CPU 1560 of the test signal generation board 1550 via the signal line 11503. The CPU 1511 on the special winning opening operating solenoid 1510 side receives the command A, starts driving control of the solenoid 302, and causes the plunger (not shown) to be in a protruding state.
Is received to end the drive control of the solenoid 302 to bring the plunger (not shown) in the projecting state into the non-projecting state. Therefore, when the command group as shown in FIG.
Repeatedly projecting and non-projecting the plunger.

Now, as shown in FIG. 18B, the CPU 1
560 is triggered by the reception of the command A to generate a solenoid driving signal indicating that the solenoid is in the driving state from the low level to the high level, and outputs the signal to the outside of the gaming machine, and further receives the command B. When the signal is generated, the signal is generated so that the solenoid driving signal is changed from the high level to the low level, and the signal is output to the outside of the gaming machine. Figure 1
Since two sets of commands A and B are transmitted as shown in FIG. 8A, a high level solenoid driving signal is generated and output twice as shown in FIG. 18B. Note that C
The PU 1560 may control the lighting of the LED 1590 only when the solenoid driving signal is at a high level to notify that the solenoid is driving.

In the operation example 2 as well, the operation has been described with the signal being active high, but the same operation can be performed with this signal being active low.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the CPU 1560 as the external output signal generating means provided separately from the plurality of peripheral devices has the main controller 200.
Since the signal indicating the game operation state to be output to the outside of the gaming machine is generated based on the control command from the main control unit 200, the main control unit 200 or a peripheral device group is caused to generate the external output signal. It is possible to generate an external output signal without increasing the control load of the peripheral device group. Further, since the CPU 1560 is mounted on the test signal generation board 1550 which is a dedicated board, the device group for test signal generation is arranged only on this board 1550 to simplify the layout of the electronic device group inside the gaming machine. Can be one.

Further, the CPU 1560 is, for example, a CPU
The operation control command received by the sub-control means such as 1020 or the CPU 1511 is received and the signal is generated according to the received operation control command. Therefore, the signal generation is performed according to the operation control command from the main control unit 200. It can be performed. When the CPU 1560 determines that the game operation state is a particular one, for example, a big hit state, in consideration of the content of the received operation control command, the LED 159
Since a predetermined notification operation such as lighting control of 0 is performed, the operation state can be easily grasped and the operation inspection can be easily performed.

The CPU 1 of the special symbol display device 100
020 is configured to receive a display control command from the main control unit 200 and perform display control according to the received display control command, and the display control command is the first for starting the symbol variable display. The first command, the second command for designating the stop symbol, and the third command for ending the symbol variation and performing the symbol stop display are included. Then, the CPU 1560 starts the generation of the signal indicating that the symbol is changing in response to the reception of the first command, and ends the generation of the symbol changing signal in response to the reception of the third command, so that it is for display control. Using the command, it is possible to easily generate and output the symbol changing signal.

Then, the CPU 1560 receives the received second
When all the stop symbols designated by the command are the same symbol, a big hit signal indicating a big hit is generated and the LED 1590 provided on the test signal generation board 1550 is provided.
Since the lighting is controlled, it is possible to visually confirm the occurrence state of the big hit.

(Other Embodiments) As shown in FIG. 21, in the configuration of this other embodiment, the main control unit 200 provides a dedicated signal line 1504 for a command on the test signal generation substrate 1550 side like other peripheral devices. It is configured to be able to transmit via. In this embodiment, the main control unit 200 sends a test signal indicating the operating state of the gaming machine to the test signal generation board 15
The feature is that a dedicated command is transmitted in order to output from 50. This command consists of mode data and event data (both are 1-byte data) that are not used in normal game operation control.

(Operation Example 3) The operation example 3 will be described with reference to FIG. In response to the special symbol jackpot state, the main control unit 200 issues a special symbol jackpot signal output start instruction command as shown in FIG. 19A to the test signal generation board 1
It transmits to the 550 side, and then, in response to the special symbol big hit state being ended, as shown in FIG. 19A, the special symbol big hit signal output end instruction command is transmitted to the test signal generation board 1550 side.

As shown in FIG. 19 (b), the CPU 1560, which has received the special symbol big hit signal output start instruction command, outputs the special symbol big hit signal which is a test signal indicating the special symbol big hit state from the off state (low level by digital signal). Turn on (high level with digital signal). And
C which received the special symbol big hit signal output end instruction command
PU1560 makes a special symbol big hit signal from an on state to an off state. Thus, during the special symbol big hit state from the test signal generation board 1550, a high-level signal (special symbol big hit signal) indicating that is output (FIG. 19).
(See (b)).

(Operation Example 4) The operation example 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The main control unit 200 transmits a starting opening winning signal output instruction command to the test signal generating board 1550 side in response to the detection of the winning of the special symbol starting opening 104. And even if a lot of game balls are won in a short time, FIG.
As shown in (a), the main control unit 200 sets a time Δt and transmits a start mouth winning signal output instruction command in response to each winning. In the example of FIG. 20A, it is assumed that three game balls are won in a short time, but it goes without saying that this may be four or more or two or less.

Every time the start opening winning signal output instruction command is received, the CPU 1560 turns on the starting opening winning signal indicating that the game ball has won the special symbol starting opening 104 from the off state (low level by digital signal) to the on state ( It is set to a high level with a digital signal), and then turned on from off. The CPU 1560 performs such an operation as the main control unit 200.
It is performed each time the start mouth winning signal output instruction command is received from. FIG. 20B shows an output state of the starting opening winning signal when the starting opening winning signal output instruction command is transmitted as shown in FIG. 20A. In this example, it is understood that the CPU 1560 changes the starting opening winning signal from the off state to the on state, and further from the on state to the off state, at each time T in response to the command transmission at each time Δt. In this way, the test signal generation board 1550 can output the starting opening winning signal by the command transmission from the main control unit 200.

Therefore, according to another embodiment described above, by the command transmission from the main control unit 200,
Test signal generation board 1550 dedicatedly provided as a peripheral device
A required test signal (a signal indicating a game operation state) can be output from the device, and a required test signal can be generated and output without significantly increasing the control load of the main control unit 200.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications and changes can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the special symbol display device 100 shown in FIG. 15 and the peripheral device other than the special winning opening operating solenoid board 1550 may be adopted.

In the above description, a pachinko machine is used as an example of a game machine, but the present invention can be applied not only to a pachi-slot machine, but also to other game machines that play a game using a game medium. Needless to say.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to generate the external output signal without increasing the control load of the main control means and the peripheral device group.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of a game board 10.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram of a special symbol display device 100.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a character ROM memory map and palette data.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the timing of command transmission / reception.

6 is an explanatory diagram of commands stored in a command data table area 202. FIG.

7 is an explanatory diagram of commands stored in a command data table area 202. FIG.

8 is an explanatory diagram of commands stored in a command data table area 202. FIG.

9 is an explanatory diagram of commands stored in a command data table area 202. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a general flowchart for explaining a game control operation of the gaming machine.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a control operation of a CPU 1020 of the special symbol display device 100.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a data structure of a command.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing command transmission timing for displaying symbols.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of command transmission.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a characteristic part in the embodiment of the present invention.

16 is an explanatory diagram of an operation example 1. FIG.

17 is an explanatory diagram of a table 1700. FIG.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of an operation example 2;

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of an operation example of another embodiment.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of an operation example of another embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a configuration diagram of another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 game board 100 special symbol display device 106 Grand Prize Winner 110 lamp display device 112 lamp display 114 Out Mouth 116 Sound effect generator 120 Opening / closing member 200 Main control unit 201 ROM 202 Command data table area 203 RAM 210 input ports 215 output ports 308 Winning prize switch 1020 CPU 1040 program ROM 1060 Image processing LSI 1080 video RAM 1090 RAM 1100 LCD panel interface circuit 1120 LCD panel 1180 character ROM

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A main control means for controlling game operation control,
A plurality of sub-control means for controlling the operation of each of the plurality of types of peripheral devices, and each of the plurality of sub-control means for controlling the operation of the corresponding peripheral device in response to a control command from the main control means. In the configured gaming machine, external output signal generating means for generating a signal indicating a gaming operation state to be output to the outside of the gaming machine based on a control command from the main control means is separate from the plurality of peripheral devices. A gaming machine characterized by being provided in. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the external output signal generating means is mounted on a dedicated board. 3. The game machine according to claim 2, wherein a sub control unit of at least one peripheral device of the plurality of types of peripheral devices receives and receives an operation control command from the main control unit. The external output signal generation means receives the operation control command received by the sub-control means, and operates according to the received operation control command. A gaming machine provided with means for generating a signal. 4. The game machine according to claim 3, wherein the external output signal generation means determines that the game operation state becomes a specific one in consideration of the content of the received operation control command. A gaming machine comprising a notification means for performing a predetermined notification operation. 5. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 3 and 4, wherein the display control means of the symbol display device receives a display control command from the main control means, and the received display control. The display control command is configured to perform display control according to the command, and the display control command is a first command for starting the symbol variation display, a second command for designating a stop symbol, and ending the symbol variation. A third command for performing a symbol stop display is included, wherein the external output signal generation means starts generation of a signal indicating that a symbol is changing in response to reception of the first command, and the third command A gaming machine comprising means for ending the generation of a signal indicating that the symbol is changing in response to receiving a command. 6. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the external output signal generation means is a signal indicating a big hit when all the stop symbols designated by the received second command are the same symbol. And a means for controlling lighting of a lighting unit provided on the dedicated board.