JP2003236094A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine equipped with a main control board, a first subsidiary control means and a second subsidiary control means in which both game condition and performance condition can be backed up. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine is a slot machine or a pachinko machine on which a prescribed game can be played and has a main control means (game control board) controlling game conditions, a first subsidiary control means (performance control board) connected to the main control means so as to communicate data and controlling the performance condition on the basis of a control command (game condition command) received from the main control means, a second subsidiary control means (display control board) controlling the performance condition on the basis of a control command (display control command) received from the first subsidiary control means. The main control means can restore a game condition backed up at the time of restoration from blackout. The first subsidiary control means can restore a performance condition backed up at the time of restoration from blackout. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine or a slot machine, which allows a player to play a predetermined game, and more particularly to a main control means for controlling a gaming state and a play state. The present invention relates to a gaming machine having a first sub-control unit for controlling and a second sub-control unit separately.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of game machine, one control means controls the game state and the control of the effect performed in relation to this game state. However,
There is a certain limit to the processing capability of the control means, and it has been extremely difficult to diversify the game and the diversification of the effects.

Therefore, a sub control means separate from the main control means for controlling the game state is provided, and the sub control means controls the effect according to the game state controlled by the main control means. Many machines have been put to practical use.

Further, in recent years, some game machines equipped with a rendering device that requires a high processing capacity, such as a liquid crystal display for rendering by displaying a predetermined image, have been put into practical use. In the gaming machine, for the purpose of distributing the control load of not only the main control means but also the sub control means,
A gaming machine provided with a second sub-control unit has been proposed.

[0005]

As described above, in the gaming machine having the main control means, the first sub control means and the second sub control means, the player is prevented from losing a loss during a power failure. It was necessary for the main control means to back up the gaming state. Further, if the game state and the effect state cannot be matched at the time of recovery from a power failure, the player may feel a sense of incongruity. Therefore, control is performed by the first sub control unit and the second sub control unit. It was also necessary to back up the performance state.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to such a problem, and in a gaming machine provided with a main control means, a first sub control means and a second sub control means, both a gaming state and an effect state. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming machine capable of backing up.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the gaming machine of the present invention can carry out a game using a predetermined value, and a predetermined game value is given based on the result of the game. A game machine capable of controlling a game state, and a main control means for controlling a game state, and a data control communication with the main control means, and control of a performance state based on control information received from the main control means. And a second sub-control unit that is connected to the first sub-control unit so as to be able to perform data communication and that controls the effect state based on the control information received from the first sub-control unit. The main control means is provided with a main backup means capable of holding the gaming state before the power outage even during a power outage, and the first sub-control means is an effect before the power outage even during a power outage. A sub-backup means capable of holding a state, the main control means is capable of returning to the gaming state held by the main backup means at the time of recovery from a power failure, and The 1st sub control means is characterized by being capable of returning to the effect state held by the sub backup means at the time of recovery from a power failure. According to this feature, the main control means for controlling the game state, the first sub-control means for controlling the effect state based on the reception of the control information from the main control means, and the first
Since the second sub control unit that controls the effect state based on the reception of the control information from the sub control unit is provided, the control load of the first sub control unit as well as the main control unit can be dispersed. Also, at the time of recovery from a power failure, since it is possible to return to the game state before the power failure based on the game state held by the main backup means, it is possible to prevent the loss of the player from occurring and the sub-backup means holds the effect. It is possible to return to the production state before the power outage based on the state, and it is possible to make the game state and the production state consistent when recovering from the power outage, so the player feels uncomfortable due to these inconsistencies Can be prevented from being given.

The first sub control means of the gaming machine of the present invention comprises a performance mode determination means for determining a performance mode based on the control information received from the main control means, and the first sub control means and / or It is preferable that the second sub control unit controls the effect state based on the effect mode determined by the effect mode determination unit. With this configuration, the effect mode determined by the effect mode determination means before the power failure can be reflected in the effect state restored at the time of recovery from the power failure.

It is preferable that the second sub-control means of the gaming machine of the present invention does not hold the effect state before the power failure at the time of power failure. With this configuration, the performance state backed up by the first sub control unit is reflected in the performance state controlled by the second sub control unit instead of the performance state backed up by the second sub control unit at the time of recovery from a power failure. Thus, it is possible to maintain the consistency of both.

It is preferable that the first sub-control means of the gaming machine of the present invention sends a control command for returning to the production state before the power failure to the second sub-control means at the time of recovery from the power failure. By doing so, it is possible to restore the effect state of the second sub control means at substantially the same time as the effect state of the first sub control means is restored when the power is restored.

The main control means of the gaming machine of the present invention,
It is preferable to perform a main backup process for holding the game state at that time in the main backup means when a predetermined power-off condition is satisfied. By doing so, the main control means backs up only during a power failure, so the processing load of the main control means for controlling the gaming state can be reduced.

The first sub control means of the gaming machine of the present invention, each time receiving control information from the main control means,
It is preferable to perform a sub-backup process for causing the sub-backup means to hold the presentation state at that time. With this configuration, the effect state based on the control information received from the main control means can be surely reflected in the effect state to be backed up.

According to the control information received from the main control means, the first sub control means of the gaming machine of the present invention sends the control information different from the received control information to the second control information.
It is preferable to transmit to the sub control means. With this configuration, the first sub control unit can transmit only the control information related to the performance to the second sub control unit, and the first sub control unit can send the control information to the second sub control unit. Therefore, it is possible to give more detailed instruction of effect control.

It is preferable that the second sub control means of the gaming machine according to the present invention perform control with a processing load larger than that performed by the first sub control means. If you do this,
The first sub-control means having a smaller processing load than the second sub-control means is connected between the main control means and the second sub-control means, and both the main control means and the second sub-control means and the data are connected. It is possible to avoid the processing load of the second sub-control unit from becoming too large by exchanging the information.

It is preferable that the first sub control means of the gaming machine of the present invention perform drive control of a plurality of electric components.
With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the processing load of the second sub control means from becoming extremely large because the first sub control means performs drive control of the electric component having a relatively small processing load.

It is preferable that the first sub-control means of the gaming machine of the present invention perform audio output control and / or lamp lighting control. By doing so, it is possible that the processing load of the second sub-control means becomes extremely large because the first sub-control means performs the audio output control and / or the lamp lighting control with a relatively small processing load. It can be avoided.

It is preferable that the gaming machine of the present invention comprises an image display means capable of displaying a predetermined image, and the second sub control means controls the image display means. With this configuration, the first sub-control unit, which has a smaller processing load than the second sub-control unit that controls the image display unit that requires high processing capacity, is provided between the main control unit and the second sub-control unit. It is possible to prevent the processing load of the second sub control means from becoming too large by connecting to the main control means and the second sub control means and exchanging data with each other.

The gaming machine of the present invention is a display for visually confirming the communication state between the main control means and the first sub control means and / or the communication state between the first sub control means and the second sub control means. Means are preferably provided. By doing so, the communication state between the respective control means can be visually confirmed by the display means. Therefore, when at least one of the control means has a problem, only by confirming the display means, the cause It can be easily confirmed whether or not is due to communication failure between the control means. If the display means confirms that the communication state is normal, it is possible to identify that the cause of the failure is due to the failure of the electrical component controlled by each control means. It is also possible to confirm the failure of the electric component controlled by each control means.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. It will be described below

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall front view of a slot machine which is an example of a gaming machine to which the present invention is applied, and FIGS. 2 and 3 show a slot machine 1 The internal structure of each is shown. The slot machine 1 includes a housing 2a having an open front surface, and a front door 2b pivotally supported at a side end of the housing 2a, and a locking device provided on the back surface of the front door 2b. By rotating a predetermined key inserted into the keyhole 3a of the reference numeral 3 (see FIG. 3) in the clockwise direction, the lock is released and the front door 2b can be opened.

An upper decorative frame 4 is provided on the upper front portion of the front door 2b, and a game effect lamp portion 41, a winning symbol explanation panel 5, and a liquid crystal display portion 15 are provided on the upper portion of the substantially inverted trapezoidal shape. The game panel 6 and various display units are provided at the center of the substantially elliptical shape. The lower part of the upper decorative frame 4 is formed so as to project forward from the game panel 6, and a medal insertion section 34 and various operation buttons 35, 36a capable of inserting medals, which are game media, are formed on this protruding section.
36b, 37, 40L, 40C, 40R, a start lever 38 and the like are provided. Further, game effect lamp portions 42 to 45 are provided around the central portion of the upper decorative frame 4 and on the left and right sides of the lower portion, respectively.

A lower decorative frame 7 is provided below the upper decorative frame 4, and a title panel 8 in which the model name of the slot machine 1 and the like are drawn is provided in the lower decorative frame 7. Further, below the lower decorative frame 7, a medal payout hole 9 for paying out medals, which is an example of a game medium, is provided, and a medal tray 11 provided with an ashtray 10 at an end is provided.

Speakers 136a, 136b for high-pitched sound provided inside are provided on the upper left and right sides of the upper decorative frame 4 (see FIG. 3,
(See FIG. 6), a sound emitting unit 12a that emits sound output from
12b are provided respectively, and a speaker 1 for low sound is provided inside the medal payout hole 9 inside.
A sound emitting unit 13 that emits the sound output from 37 (see FIGS. 3 and 6) is provided, and these sound emitting units 12a and 12 are provided.
From b and 13, the speakers 136a, 136b and 13
Sounds such as voices and melodies for enhancing the effect produced by 7 are emitted.

The game panel 6 has a see-through window 14 through which the reels 51L, 51C, 51R provided in the housing 2a of the slot machine 1 can be seen through, and a small role notice display section 20a located above the see-through window 14. , 20b, 20c and the one bet display unit 21 and the two bet display unit 2 located on the left side of the transparent window 14.
2, 23 and 3 bet display sections 24 and 25, a game over display section 26 located on the right side of the transparent window 14, a replay display section 27, a weight display section 28, a start display section 29,
An insertion instruction display unit 30, a credit display unit 31, a game number display unit 32, and a payout display unit 33, which are located below the transparent window 14, are provided.

1-bet display section 21, 2-bet display section 2
The 2, 23 and 3 bet display parts 24 and 25 display the number of bets bet on the game by the player, and the 1 bet display part 21 has a 1 bet lamp 112 and the 2 bet display part 22, Two betting lamps 113 and 114 inside the 23, and three betting lamps 115 and 116 inside the three betting display section 24 and 25.
Are incorporated respectively (see FIG. 6). Each betting display section 21 to 25 has five pay lines L1, L2, L2 ', L3 and L3' drawn on the transparent window 14 as shown in FIG.
The winning line L1, L2, L2 ′, L3, L3 ′ activated according to the number of bets is also used as an activated line display unit for distinguishably informing.

On the small role announcement display portions 20a to 20c provided above the see-through window 14 in the game panel 6, different winning symbols are drawn one by one. These small role notification display units 20a to 20c indicate that the control unit of the slot machine 1 allows the generation of a predetermined small role winning prize, that is, that the predetermined small role winning prize is internally won. Display unit for notifying by turning on the small role notification lamps 140a to 140c (see FIG. 6) built in the small role notification display units 20a to 20c on which the winning symbol corresponding to the small role winning is drawn. And functions only when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

The game over display section 26 is internally provided when the game is stopped due to the completion of a big bonus described later, and when some kind of error occurs and the game cannot be progressed. The built-in game over lamp 117 (see FIG. 6) lights up. The replay display unit 27 has a replay lamp 119 built therein when a replay prize is generated.
(See FIG. 6) lights up. When it becomes possible to perform a start operation by setting the bet number, the start display section 29 lights a start lamp 118 (see FIG. 6) incorporated therein to indicate that a valid start operation is performed. It turns off when it is detected. The input instruction display unit 30 is
When the medal can be accepted, the throw-in instruction lamp 111 (see FIG. 6) incorporated therein blinks, the maximum bet number is set, and the credit amount is set to a predetermined upper limit value. The light is turned off when the game is reached or when the game is started.

When the start operation is detected during the wait time, the wait display section 28 turns on a wait lamp 139 (see FIG. 6) incorporated therein, and turns off after the wait time has elapsed. The wait time is a game progress restriction period that is set to prevent the game from progressing too fast.If a start operation is detected during this wait time, the reels will be released after the wait time has elapsed. It is set to start. Therefore, when the game is advanced with a sufficient time interval, the progress of the game is not restricted when the start lever 38 is operated, but when the game is to be advanced in a short time, the game is performed depending on the wait time. Is temporarily restricted, and the reel is in a waiting state until the wait time elapses.

In the slot machine 1, a game progress restriction period of, for example, 4.1 seconds is set with reference to the time point when the reel starts rotating in the previous game.
3. When the reels started spinning in the last game.
If the current start operation is detected before 1 second has elapsed, the reel starts rotating after the game progress restriction period has elapsed.

The credit display section 31 displays the number of credits. The credit is the number of medals stored in the storage unit inside the slot machine 1 as a valuable value owned by the player, and is added and updated by the insertion of medals into the medal insertion slot, the occurrence of a payout with a payout, and the like. It is subtracted and updated by setting the number of bets and paying out medals based on the settlement operation. This slot machine 1
The maximum value that can be stored as credits is 50 medals at maximum.
When the number of sheets reaches 0, the loading instruction display unit 30 is turned off. When a request for addition and update of credits exceeding the upper limit is made, medals exceeding the upper limit are paid out from the medal payout holes 9.

The number-of-games display section 32 displays the regular bonus (RB) winning status in the big bonus (BB),
Displays the number of winnings during regular bonuses, especially when the big bonus is over and the game is stopped.
The character "ND" is displayed to inform the player that the player is in a stopped state. Further, the game number display unit 32 also functions as an error display device that is a notification unit that displays various abnormalities that have occurred in the slot machine 1. For example, as the abnormality type detected by the control unit, "insufficient state of medals to be paid out", "medal clogging", and "combination of winning symbols even though the payout condition is not satisfied" is derived and displayed. , "The game state cannot be restored to the state before the power failure." When these abnormalities are detected by the control unit, an error code capable of specifying the abnormal type is displayed in a form such as "E-1", "E-2", "E-3".

The payout display section 33 displays the number of medals to be awarded to the player based on the prizes generated during one game, every time there is a prize.

On the right side of the lower upper surface of the upper decorative frame 4 formed so as to project from the game panel 6 to the front side, there is provided a medal insertion section 34 having a medal insertion opening, and on the left side is a settlement. Button 37, 1 BET button 3
6a and MAXBET button 36b are provided respectively.

The 1-BET button 36a is a button pressed when betting 1 credit, and the MAX-BET button 36b credits the maximum number of bets allowed in one game (3 medals in this embodiment). This button is pressed when betting on the game within the range stored in. The BET button lamp 121a is incorporated inside the single BET button 36a, and the BET button lamp 121b is incorporated inside the MAXBET button 36b (see FIG. 6).
1a and 121b are lit when the corresponding BET button is pressed and the bet number can be set, and are turned off when the bet number cannot be set.

The settlement button 37 is a button that is pressed when performing a settlement operation on the credits stored in the storage unit. With the depression operation of the settlement button 37, the number of credits displayed on the credit display unit 31. The number of medals corresponding to the number of credits is paid out from the medal payout hole 9 while the value is subtracted and updated until 0.

On the front side surface at the bottom of the upper decorative frame 4,
Start lever 38, stop buttons 40L, 40C,
40R and a medal clogging release button 35 are provided respectively. The start lever 38 is a lever that is operated when starting a game, and by operating the start lever 38 after the setting of the number of bets, each reel 51 is operated.
The rotation of L, 51C and 51R is started.

Stop buttons 40L, 40C, 40R
Is the reel 51L, 51C, 51 after the game starts
It is a button that is operated when stopping the rotation of R, and the operation valid lamp 122L is inside the stop button 40L.
However, the operation valid lamp 1 is inside the stop button 40C.
22C, the operation enable lamp 122R is built in the stop button 40R (see FIG. 6). These operation valid lamps 122L, 122C, 122R are turned on when the operation of the corresponding stop buttons 40L, 40C, 40R is valid, and are turned off when the operation is invalid. In addition, the stop button unit 39 in which the stop buttons 40L, 40C, 40R are arranged has a bonus notification lamp 120 (Fig. 6) is lit up.

The medal clogging release button 35 is provided when the medals inserted into the medal inserting section 34 are clogged inside.
This is a button that is operated to cancel this.

As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of types of symbols (in this embodiment, "black 7", "white 7", "BAR", "watermelon", " Reel 51L, 51 in which a translucent strip-shaped reel sheet on which "bell", "cherry", "plum") is printed is wound around the outer circumference.
There is provided a variable display device 50 including a reel unit 52 having C and 51R (game reels used to execute the progress of the game). Each reel 51
L, 51C and 51R are reel motors 54L and 54C, which are stepping motors provided corresponding to the respective L, 51C and 51R.
54R independently rotates (drives) vertically,
The reels 51L, 51 are configured to stop.
By rotating C and 51R, the various symbols are displayed in the display window 14 while continuously changing.

Between the reels 51L and 51C arranged side by side in the lateral direction, and between the reels 51C and 51R, arc-shaped inter-reel concealing members 5 for closing the space between the reels.
3 is provided so that the inside cannot be seen from between the reels. In the see-through window 14, three regions divided by dividing the field of view by the reel concealing member 53, that is, three region portions in which each reel is visible, are associated with each reel, and the left variable display portion, the middle The variable display section and the right variable display section (area) are called.

From each of the variable display portions of the see-through window 14, three consecutive symbols out of the symbols drawn on each reel are displayed in the upper, middle, and lower positions, and in the upper part of the upper stage. A part of the symbol that appears in the upper position soon is displayed, and a part of the symbol that disappears soon under the variable display unit is displayed in the lower part of the lower column.

A reel sensor 56 for detecting the reference position of each reel is provided in each reel 51L, 51C, 51R, and a stop position of a predetermined symbol can be derived by this reel sensor 56. , A plurality of reel lamps 55 capable of individually irradiating specific display areas (upper, middle, and lower display areas) on the respective reels 51L, 51C, and 51R from the back surface are provided in the upper, middle, and lower rows, respectively. Each reel lamp 55 functions as a backlight that lights up from the rear so that each symbol displayed on the see-through window 14 in a normal state becomes conspicuous.

On the upper front surface of the back plate 85 of the housing 2a, as will be described later, a game control section 210 which mainly controls the progress of the game.
A storage case 223 in which the game control board 200 as main control means provided with various circuits is stored is fixed so as not to be removable. In addition, a reel relay substrate 203, which will be described later, is provided on the upper portion of the inner surface of the side plate 87 on the right side of the reel unit 52 that constitutes the variable display device 50 when viewed from the front.
However, reel lamp relay boards 204, which will be described later, are attached to the lower portions thereof, respectively.

The side plate 86 on the left side of the housing 2a when viewed from the front side
At a side position of the reel unit 52 on the inner surface of the production unit, a production control board 201 as a first sub-control unit provided with a production control unit 230 for controlling production mainly according to a game state and various circuits as described later. Storage case 2 containing
38 is attached.

The storage case 238 is formed of a transparent member, and as shown in FIG. 4A, a power source confirmation LED provided on the surface of the effect control board 201 stored inside.
The module 241a and the communication confirmation LED module 241b as the display means can be visually confirmed from the outside through the storage case.

The power supply confirmation LED module 241a provided on the surface of the effect control board 201 is composed of power supply confirmation LEDs 242 to 244, as shown in FIG. 4B. The power supply confirmation LED 242 is the game control board 2
00 is a LED indicating that the DC + 24V power is being supplied by lighting when the DC + 24V power is being supplied from the 00, and the power confirmation LED 243 is a case where the DC + 12V power is being supplied from the game control board 200. It is an LED that indicates that the DC + 12V power is being supplied by turning on, and the power confirmation LED 244 is turned on when the DC + 5V power is being supplied from the game control board 200 to supply the DC + 5V power. It is an LED indicating that there is. That is, these power supply confirmation L
If the EDs 242 to 244 are lit, the game control board 2
You can confirm that the power is being supplied normally from 00,
When the light is off, it can be confirmed that there is a possibility that a trouble such as a disconnection of the corresponding power line has occurred.

As shown in FIG. 4C, the communication confirmation LED module 241b provided on the surface of the effect control board 201 has communication confirmation LEDs 245, 246, 250-.
It is composed of 257. Communication confirmation LED 245
Is an LED indicating that a command has been received by turning on for a predetermined time (200 ms in this embodiment) when various game state commands indicating a game state are received from the game control board 200, as will be described later. LED24
Reference numeral 6 is an LED that lights up when the INT signal (strobe signal) forming the command transmission line from the game control board 200 is in the HIGH state, and is a communication confirmation L.
The EDs 250 to 257 are LEDs that are turned on when the data signal of each bit (8 bits in this embodiment) forming the transmission line of various game state commands is in the HIGH state.
Is.

In this embodiment, since the INT signal and the data signal of each bit are in the HIGH state at the normal time, that is, except when the command is received, the communication confirmation LED 246 corresponding to each of these signals, 250-257
If is lit or blinking, it can be confirmed that each of these signal lines is normally connected to the game control board 200. If the off state continues, the corresponding signal line is broken. It is possible to confirm that there is a possibility that a problem such as a problem has occurred.

The side plate 87 on the right side when the housing 2a is viewed from the front side.
An external output board 205 described later is attached to a side position of the reel unit 52 on the inner surface of the.

Below the reel unit 52, a hopper tank 57 for storing the medals thrown in from the medal throwing section 34 is forwarded via a guide rail 58 fixedly provided on the upper surface of the lower plate constituting the casing 2a. It is arranged so that it can be pulled out. Further, on the right side of the hopper tank 57, an overflow tank 59 for storing medals overflowing from the hopper tank 57 is provided. A full tank sensor 60 capable of detecting medals is provided in the overflow tank 59, and can notify that the stored amount of medals stored inside has reached a predetermined amount or more.

A hopper motor 62 is provided below the hopper tank 57.
The medals in the hopper tank 57 are ejected from the medal ejection port 63 by the rotation of 2. The ejected medals are detected by the payout medal sensor 61 provided in the vicinity of the medal ejection opening 63, and then are ejected from the medal payout hole 9 to the medal receiving tray 11 via a return medal flow path 73 described later. The hopper motor 62 is controlled to stop when the payout medal sensor 61 detects a predetermined number of payout medals.

On the side of the hopper tank 57, a main switch section 65 for turning on / off the main power source, and a state in which the game can be continued again when the big bonus ends or an error occurs during the game, etc. Second reset button 66 for setting, a setting button 67 for changing the winning probability, an automatic settlement selection switch section 68 for turning on / off the automatic settlement function, and an on / off function for automatic stopping.
A power supply unit 64 is provided in which a stop selection switch unit 69 that is turned off and a setting key insertion unit 70 into which a specific key possessed by the manager of the game arcade or the like can be inserted are provided on the front surface.

In the present embodiment, the setting key switch 82 to be described later is turned on by an operation of turning on the power in a state where a specific key is inserted into the setting key insertion section 70 and rotated 90 degrees clockwise, that is, in the on state. Is detected, the game state is initialized, that is, the contents stored in the RAM 212 are initialized, and the operation of the setting button 67 becomes effective. The operation of the setting button 67 changes the winning probability, that is, the winning rate. Becomes feasible. That is, the operation of turning on the power with the setting key turned on functions as the operation of clearing the game state (RAM) and the setting operation of the payout rate in the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, a throw-in medal selector 71 for guiding the medals thrown in from the medal throw-in section 34 to the hopper tank 57 is fixedly provided at a substantially central portion of the rear surface of the front door 2b. An illegal medal discharging section 72 is provided on the upstream side of the inserted medal selector 71, and an illegal medal having a size and a thickness different from those of an appropriate medal is inserted into an upper portion of a return medal flow path 73 provided below the inserted medal selector 71. It is discharged to the mouth and returned to the medal tray 11 through the medal payout hole 9.

On the downstream side of the illegal medal discharging section 72, a flow path switching solenoid 107 is provided which can selectively switch the flowing down medal flow path. In normal times, the flow path switching solenoid 107 is excited, and the flowing medals flow down without switching the flow paths, and after being detected by the inserted medal sensor 106 provided on the downstream side, they are stored in the hopper tank 57. It is supposed to be done. Then, for example, when the number of credits reaches 50, when a medal is inserted from the medal insertion section 34 or when a medal is paid out to the player, the flow path switching solenoid 107.
The excitation is released and the flow path is switched, and the medal is guided to the return medal flow path 73 through the return flow path.

On the upper back surface of the front door 2b, there are provided a display control section 310 as a second sub-control means for controlling the display of the liquid crystal display 135 constituting the liquid crystal display section 15 and various circuits as will be described later. A storage case 301 in which the display control board 300 is stored is attached.

The storage case 301 is formed of a transparent member, and as shown in FIG. 5A, a power source confirmation LED provided on the surface of the display control board 300 stored inside.
The module 304a and the communication confirmation LED module 304b as the display means can be visually confirmed from the outside through the storage case.

The power supply confirmation LED module 304a provided on the surface of the display control board 300 is composed of power supply confirmation LEDs 320 and 321 as shown in FIG. 5B. The power source confirmation LED 320 is the production control board 2
01 is a LED indicating that the DC + 12V power is being supplied by lighting when the DC + 12V power is being supplied from 01, and the power confirmation LED 321 is a case where the DC + 5V power is being supplied from the production control board 201. It is an LED that lights up to indicate that DC + 5V power is being supplied. That is, these power supply confirmation LEDs 3
If 20 and 321 are lit, it can be confirmed that the power is normally supplied from the production control board 201, and if they are off, a problem such as disconnection of the corresponding power line occurs. It can be confirmed that there is a possibility.

As shown in FIG. 5C, the communication confirmation LED module 304b provided on the surface of the display control board 300 has communication confirmation LEDs 322, 323, 330-.
It is composed of 337. Communication confirmation LED 322
Is an LED that indicates that a command has been received by turning on for a predetermined time (200 ms in this embodiment) when a display control command for instructing display control is received from the effect control board 201, and communication confirmation LED 32
Reference numeral 3 is an LED that lights up when the INT signal (strobe signal) forming the command transmission line from the effect control board 201 is in the HIGH state.
The EDs 330 to 337 are LEDs that are turned on when the data signal of each bit (8 bits in this embodiment) forming the transmission line of various game state commands is in the HIGH state.
Is.

In this embodiment, since the INT signal and the data signal of each bit are in the HIGH state at the normal time, that is, except when the command is received, the communication confirmation LED 323 corresponding to each of these signals, 330-337
Indicates that each of these signal lines is normally connected to the production control board 201 if it is lit or blinking, and if the off state continues, the corresponding signal line is broken. It is possible to confirm that there is a possibility that a problem such as a problem has occurred.

Speakers 136a, 136b for high-pitched sound are provided on the left and right sides of the storage case 301, and the sound emitting portion 12a,
It is fixed so as to face each 12b,
A speaker 137 for low-pitched sound is fixedly provided on the rear surface side of a predetermined lower portion of the front door 2b so as to face the sound emitting section 13. For example, a medal is inserted into the medal inserting section 34, a start lever 38 is operated, and a stop is performed. Buttons 40L, 40C,
When various actions are performed during the game, such as the operation of 40R, or when a predetermined winning condition is satisfied by displaying a specific combination of symbols all together on the activated active line, or a big bonus or regular bonus In various game states such as when the game is being executed, a predetermined game effect sound or the like corresponding to the game state is given to each speaker 136.
a, 136b, 137.

Next, the operation for the player to play a game (game) and the operating conditions of various devices associated with the operation will be described.

When starting the game, the player first bets a desired value with a desired value by using medals or credits when the insertion instruction lamp 111 is lit or blinking. Set the number. The number of bets can be set by inserting medals from the medal inserting unit 34 or by using credits.
To use credit, MAXBET button 36b,
Alternatively, it is sufficient to press the 1-sheet BET button 36a.
When the XBET button 36b is pressed, the number of credits displayed on the credit display section 31 is subtracted by "3" which is the maximum number of bets allowed in one game in the present embodiment and displayed for three medals. When the bet number is set and the 1-sheet BET button 36a is pressed, the credit display section 3
The number of credits displayed in 1 is subtracted and displayed by "1", and the number of bets for one medal is set. In addition, when the number of credits displayed on the credit display unit 31 is less than 3, the range of the bet number that can be set is limited to the range of the number of credits.

When the player inserts one medal from the medal inserting section 34 or presses the one-piece BET button 36a, the bet number is set to "1", and the middle row of the horizontal row is set. The pay line L1 is activated, and the one bet lamp 112 indicating that the pay line L1 is activated
(See FIG. 6) lights up. Next, the second medal is inserted from the medal inserting section 34, or the one BET button 36
When a is pressed twice, the bet number is set to "2",
Top, middle, and bottom rows of three horizontal pay lines L1, L2, L2 '
Becomes effective, and these winning lines L1, L2, L2 '
The one bet lamp 112 and the two bet lamps 113 and 114, which indicate that is valid, are turned on. Continuously, the third medal is inserted from the medal insertion section 34, or one BET
Button 36a is pressed three times, or MAX
When the BET button 36b is pressed, the bet amount is set to "3", and the pay lines L1, L2 in the horizontal three rows of upper, middle, and lower rows,
L2 'and two diagonal winning lines L3, L3'
Becomes effective, and these winning lines L1, L2, L
The 1 bet lamp 112, the 2 bet lamps 113 and 114, and the 3 bet lamps 115 and 116 that indicate that 2 ′, L3, and L3 ′ have been activated are turned on. If the maximum bet number is set to "3", the BET button lamp 12 cannot be set because the maximum bet number cannot be set.
1a and 121b are turned off.

When the bet number of "1" which is at least the minimum number is set as described above, the start lever 38
The operation is effectively accepted, that is, the game can be started, and the start lamp 118 indicating that the operation of the start lever 38 is effectively accepted is lit.

It should be noted that the number and shape of the activated lines activated according to the set number of bets such as medals and credits can be arbitrarily changed and are not limited to the form of this embodiment. Not something. Also, the number of activated lines activated according to the bet number can be arbitrarily set and changed, and for example, by inserting one medal, all the five winning lines L1, L2, L2 ', L3, L3' can be set. It may be enabled.

When the start lever 38 is pressed while the start lamp 118 is lit, the variable display device 50 is activated to rotate the reels 51L, 51C and 51R, and the see-through window 14 has plural kinds of symbols. Is displayed so that it changes continuously. As described above, the reels 51L, 51
When a predetermined time elapses after the rotation of C and 51R is started, the operation of each stop button 40L, 40C and 40R becomes effective, and these stop buttons 40L, 40C and 40R are activated.
Operation valid lamp 122 indicating that the operation of R is valid
L, 122C and 122R are turned on. If the player presses any of the stop buttons 40L, 40C, 40R with the operation valid lamp lit, the corresponding operation valid lamps 122L, 122C, 122R are extinguished and the corresponding reels 51L, 51C. , 51R is stopped, and the symbols are displayed on the corresponding variable display section through the see-through window 14 on the upper, middle, and lower stages.

In addition, the player stops button 40L, 4
If the 0C and 40R are not pressed, the reels 51L and 5L
It automatically stops in the priority order of 1C and 51R.

Then, when the rotation of any two reels out of the three reels is stopped, any of the pay lines L1, L2, L2 ', L3, L3' activated according to the bet number.
Reach is established when the same type of symbols are stopped and displayed together.

Further, all reels 51L, 51C, 51
When R is stopped, if a predetermined combination of symbols is displayed on any of the pay lines L1, L2, L2 ', L3, L3' activated according to the number of bets, the prize is won. , Game effect lamps 130 to 134 built in the various game effect lamp units 41 to 45 (see FIG. 6)
Also, effects such as output of sound effects and the like from the speakers 136a, 136b, 137 and the like are performed while the reel lamps 55 and the like corresponding to the pay lines L1, L2, L2 ', L3, L3' are turned on. Then, a predetermined number of medals corresponding to the winning content are paid out to the player as credits, and the credit number displayed on the credit display unit 31 is added and updated. When the number of credits reaches the upper limit, medals are paid out directly from the medal payout holes. The number of payouts of these medals is displayed on the payout display section 33.

In addition, especially when a combination of predetermined special symbols is displayed and a big win (special prize) is awarded, medals are paid out, and
In addition to the normal game state, a special game state that is advantageous for the player, that is, a large amount of medals is generated, and a big bonus (hereinafter referred to as BB) or a regular bonus (hereinafter referred to as RB) as described later occurs. The game value is given to the player.

The "gaming value" given to the player by winning in this way is not limited to the valuable value such as medals and credits, but the player who wins the jackpot as described above, etc. It includes all the benefits related to the game, such as BB and RB granted to

In the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, for example, "BAR" is displayed on any of the pay lines L1, L2, L2 ', L3, L3' activated according to the number of bets.
If the symbols "-BAR-BAR" are aligned, it is a big hit RB
In this case, 15 coins are paid out in consideration of the fact that the "BAR-BAR-BAR" symbols are aligned, and the RB (regular bonus) state, which is a game state advantageous to the player, is obtained. The regular bonus game that is generated and described below is given to the player as a game value. In this RB, a Jac game in which a predetermined number of medals are paid out due to the alignment of plum symbols with a high probability of winning a Jac prize is provided at a maximum of 12 times, and this Jac game is 1 times.
The game is executed twice, or when the Jac prize is won eight times before the Jac game reaches twelve times, or when either condition is satisfied, the process ends. Therefore, the player can get up to eight Jac prize winning opportunities during the 12 Jac games.

On the other hand, the activated pay lines L1 and L
2, L2 ', L3, L3', for example, "black 7-black 7-
If you have "Black 7" or "White 7-White 7-White 7", you have won the big hit BB (Big Bonus).
For example, 15 medals are paid out as a consideration for having the symbols of "black 7-black 7-black 7" or "white 7-white 7-white 7", and in a special game state advantageous to the player. A certain BB (big bonus) state occurs, and a small winning game described below is given to the player as a game value. More specifically, in this BB, there is a high probability that the small winning symbols (watermelons, bells, plums in the embodiment) are aligned with a high probability and a small winning combination accompanied by the payout of a predetermined number of medals is highly likely. A small winning game that is generated is provided at most 30 times, and when the JacIn prize is won with a complete set of plum symbols until the small winning game is executed 30 times, it is a special game state. The above-mentioned RB state occurs and a regular bonus game is provided. This RB has a predetermined maximum number of times that it can occur in the BB, and in the present embodiment, it can occur up to three times. Then, this BB is provided when RBs are provided 3 times when the small winning combination game is executed and ended, or before the small winning combination game is executed 30 times.
Among the cases where the RB for the second time is completed, the process is completed when at least one of the conditions is satisfied.

Further, in the case of a normal game state (base game) other than the special game state, when a predetermined prize is established in line on one activated line in which symbols of the same kind are activated, , A predetermined number of medals predetermined according to the type of the symbol are given to the player. The "cherry" drawn on each reel 51L, 51C, 51R
The symbol is a mark called a single symbol, and when this single symbol is stopped and displayed on one effective line, it is 2
The number of medals is given to the player. In addition, in the case where there are a plurality of activated lines activated according to the number of bets, if the combination of symbols for which medals are paid out is simultaneously established on a plurality of pay lines as described above, As a general rule, medals corresponding to the total number of medals provided by the combination of symbols on the pay line are awarded. However, since the upper limit of the medals to be given to the player in one game is set to 15, the 16th and subsequent medals are invalidated when the number exceeds 15.

In this embodiment, black 7-black 7-black 7 (black 7 award), white 7-white 7-white 7 in the normal game state.
(White 7 Award), BAR-BAR-BAR (BAR Award), Watermelon-Watermelon-Watermelon (Watermelon Award), Cherry (Cherry Award), Bell-Bell-Bell (Bell Award), or Plum-
Plum-Plum (replay; replay), etc. are targeted for winning, of which black 7 or white 7 symbols and B
Only the AR symbol is a special symbol that is the subject of the jackpot prize (BB, RB) as a special prize that is a great profit for the player, and other watermelon, cherry, bell or plum (re-game) is the player. It is considered to be a pattern that is a target of a small role winning as a normal winning, which is an award with a small profit.

The combination of the symbols targeted for each prize and the number of payout medals (including the winning probability (ball-out rate) etc.) corresponding to the combination of the symbols are determined in the normal game, the BB, and the RB. It is predetermined in correspondence with each time, and these setting contents are described later in the game control unit 21.
0 is registered in the winning determination table stored in the ROM 213.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining a connection state between various boards provided in the slot machine 1 and electric parts. Further, FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the game control unit 210 provided on the game control board 200 as the main control means, and FIG. 8 is a production control board 201 as the first sub control means. It is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the effect control unit 230 provided in, and the configuration of the display control unit 310 provided in the display control board 300 as the second sub-control unit.

Of the various boards provided in the slot machine 1, the game control board 200 mainly controls the game state, the effect control board 201 controls the effect state according to the game status, and the display control board 300 further. The display control of the liquid crystal display 135 as an image display means is implemented. Power is supplied to the power supply board 202 from outside the slot machine 1. This power board 202 has
Power cord 8 for receiving power of AC100V
4 and the main switch 80 are connected.

The game control board 200 is a production control board 20.
1, the power supply board 202 and the reel relay board 203 are connected by wiring, and are also connected to the external output board 205 via the reel relay board 203 and to the reel lamp relay board 204 via the performance control board 201. .

Game control section 210 of game control board 200
Is an RB signal indicating that the gaming state is the RB state, or a BB signal indicating that the gaming state is the BB state,
A reel control signal (motor phase signal) for controlling the reel motors 54L, 54C, 54R corresponding to the respective reels 51L, 51C, 51R, a medal IN signal indicating the number of medals used for setting the bet number, and a prize. The output of a medal OUT signal indicating the number of medals (credits) paid out to the player due to the occurrence of the above is output from the external output board 205 to the outside of the slot machine 1 via the reel relay board 203. Incidentally, the stop switches 103L, 103
The stop switch signal indicating that the operation of C or 103R has been performed, the stop switch 103L,
This is a signal directly output from 103C and 103R.

To the game control board 200, various switches, sensors, lamps, and wires from the display are connected.

For example, the setting switch 83, the setting key switch 82, the second reset switch 81, the payout sensor 61, and the hopper motor 62, which are wire-connected to the power supply board 202, are relayed by the power supply board 202 to the game control board 200. They are connected by wiring, and the detection signals of the respective switches and sensors are input to the game control unit 210 of the game control board 200. In addition, the game control unit 210,
When the payout conditions of the medals (occurrence of the need to pay out medals, input of the detection signal from the settlement switch 104) are satisfied, a control signal is output to the hopper motor 62,
A payout control for paying out a predetermined number of medals is executed.

The reel motors 54L, 54C, 54R and the reel sensor 56, which are wire-connected to the reel relay board 203, are relayed by the reel relay board 203 and wire-connected to the game control board 200.
The detection signal of 6 is the game control unit 21 of the game control board 200.
Input to 0. The reel lamp 55 is relayed by the reel lamp relay board 204 and connected to the effect control board 201 by wiring. When the start condition (input of the detection signal of the start switch 102) is satisfied, the game control unit 210 of the game control board 200 is reel motors 54L, 54.
After the control signal is output to C and 54R to start the fluctuation of the reel, the variable display control for deriving and displaying the display result is executed.

Among the switches wire-connected to the game control board 200, the single BET switch 100 detects the operation of the single BET button 36a, and the MAXBET switch 10
1 is a switch for detecting the operation of the MAXBET button 36b, and the start switch 102 is the start lever 3
8 is a switch for detecting the operation, and left, middle and right stop switches 103L, 103C and 103R are left, middle and
This is a switch for detecting the operation of the right stop buttons 40L, 40C, 40R. The adjustment switch 104 is a switch that detects an operation of the adjustment button 37, and the first reset switch 105 is a switch that detects a reset operation of the slot machine 1 by a key inserted into the key hole 3 a of the locking device 3.

The inserted medal sensor 106 is a sensor for detecting medals inserted into the medal inserting section 34. The flow path switching solenoid 107 is a solenoid for switching the flow path of the medals inserted into the medal insertion portion 34 to the hopper tank 57 side or the medal payout hole 9 side.

The game number display unit 108 is a display unit which constitutes the game number display unit 32.
Reference numeral 9 is a display unit that constitutes the credit display unit 31, and payout display unit 110 is a display unit that constitutes the payout display unit 33.

The throw-in instruction lamp 111 is a lamp built in the throw-in instruction display section 30, and is a single bet lamp 112.
Is displayed on the 1-bet display section 21 and the 2-bet lamps 113 and 11 are displayed.
No. 4 is a three bet lamp 11 on the two bet display areas 22 and 23.
Numerals 5 and 116 are lamps built in the three bet display portions 24 and 25.

The game over lamp 117 is a lamp built in the game over display section 26, the start lamp 118 is a lamp built in the start display section 29, and the replay lamp 119 is a replay display section 2.
7, and the bonus notification lamp 120 is a lamp built in the stop button unit 39. One BET button lamp 121a is BET
Button 36a, BET button lamp 121b is MAX
It is a lamp built in the BET button 36b. The left operation valid lamp 122L is a lamp built in the left stop button 40L, the middle operation valid lamp 122C is a lamp built in the middle stop button 40C, and the right operation valid lamp 122R is a right stop button 40R. The weight lamp 139 is a lamp incorporated in the weight display unit 28.

Power supply board 202 or reel relay board 2
03 or various lamps and indicators wire-connected to the game control board 200 via these boards, the game control unit 2 mounted on the game control board 200.
Controlled by 10. In addition, the game control unit 210,
Connected to the game control board 200, or the power board 20
The game state is controlled by receiving the detection signals of various switches and sensors connected to the game control board 200 via the reel relay board 203.

The game control section 210 provided on the game control board 200 is, as shown in FIG. 7, a CPU (Central Processing U) capable of executing control operations in a predetermined procedure.
(nit) 211, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 213 that stores a control program of the CPU 211, and a RAM (Random Acc) that can write and read necessary data.
ess memory) 212 and an I / O port 214 for ensuring signal matching between the CPU 211 and an external circuit.
That is, the game control unit 210, the CPU 211,
The RAM 212, the ROM 213, and the I / O port 214 are all built in a one-chip microcomputer.

In the game control board 200, an initial reset circuit 217 that gives a reset pulse to the CPU 211 when the power is turned on, a clock generation circuit 218 that gives a clock signal to the CPU 211, and a clock signal from the clock generation circuit 218 are divided. And interrupt pulse periodically CP
A pulse frequency dividing circuit (interruption pulse generating circuit) 219 to be provided to U211, a random number generating circuit 221 that continuously generates a random number in a fixed range at high speed, and a sampling circuit 222 that samples the random number from the random number generating circuit 221. , And a buffer circuit 220. Further, the game control board 200 is provided with a switch circuit 215 to which signals from various switches are input, a motor circuit 216, and a solenoid circuit (not shown).

The RAM 212, as shown in FIG.
A work area used as a work memory of the CPU 211, backup areas 1 to 3 in which main backup data capable of specifying a game state at the time of power failure are stored, and correctness of data stored in these backup areas is confirmed. A parity data storage area for storing parity data and a power-off flag described below,
It consists of Of these, the work area is a non-backup RAM area that does not retain the data stored during a power outage, and the backup areas 1 to 3 and the parity data storage area are stored by being energized by the backup power supply during a power outage. This is a backup RAM area as a main backup means for holding the stored data.

In the ROM 213, in addition to the control program of the CPU 211, the allocation range of the sampling value corresponding to each prize, the set value of each winning probability (ball-out rate), the number of bets in the game, the game state (during normal game) , BB, RB
Each time, the combination of winning symbols corresponding to each prize, the number of medals to be paid out, and various setting contents set with the winning are registered in each gaming state (at the time of normal game, at the time of BB, A winning determination table (not shown) registered for each RB) is stored. In this prize determination table, the allocation range of the sampling value of each prize is registered as described above,
By setting the allocation range of these sampling values, the winning probability of an internally winable prize, that is, the payout rate of the slot machine 1 is set in an internal lottery process described later.

Further, each reel 5 is stored in the ROM 213.
Each reel 51 for each symbol number of 1L, 51C, 51R
The number of symbols that move from the stop operation of L, 51C, 51R until the corresponding reel stops, the game state (normal game, BB time, RB time) and internal winning flag setting status, etc. Reel rotation status, effective line L
A reel control table (not shown) registered according to various situations such as symbol numbers of the reels 51L, 51C, and 51R located on 1, L2, L2 ′, L3, and L3 ′ is stored.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the game control board 2
00 is a power supply monitoring IC 2 for detecting the occurrence of a power failure
24 are provided. This power supply monitoring IC 224 is
The voltage supplied from the power supply board 202, in particular, the voltage that is the source of the drive voltage of the CPU 211 that controls each unit is introduced, and the occurrence of power interruption is detected by monitoring this voltage. Specifically, when the monitored voltage becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the voltage drop signal is output. This brownout signal is
It is input to the non-maskable interrupt terminal (NMI terminal) of the CPU 211. That is, the CPU 211 is a power supply monitoring IC.
It is possible to confirm the occurrence of power failure by the interrupt processing based on the input of the voltage drop signal from 224.

From the game control section 210 of the game control board 200 to the effect control board 201, various game state commands (control information) capable of specifying the game state controlled by the game control section 210 are output via the buffer circuit 220. It The buffer circuit 220 allows the output of signals from the inside of the game control board 200 to the outside, but functions to prevent the input of signals from the outside of the game control board 200 to the inside. Therefore, the game control board 200 and the effect control board 20
One-way communication between the game control board 200 and the effect control board 201 is secured between the 1 and 1, and a fraudulent act of inputting a signal to the game control board 200 via a command transmission path to perform an illegal control operation Can be prevented.

As shown in FIG. 7, the start switch 10
The detection signal of 2 is input to the game control unit 210 via the switch circuit 215 and the sampling circuit 22.
Entered in 2. The game control unit 210 receives the detection signal of the start switch 102 and outputs a reel control signal via the motor circuit 216. This reel control signal is sent to each reel 51L, 51C, 5 via the reel relay board 203.
Reel motors 54L, 54C, 54 provided for each 1R
Input to R. Further, the reel control signal is output to the outside of the slot machine 1 via the reel relay board 203 and the external output board 205.

As a result, each reel 51L, 51C, 5
1R begins to fluctuate. In addition, the reel control signal transmission path is the reel motor 54 in the reel relay board 203.
The reel control signal is branched to the L, 54C, 54R side and the external output board 205 side, and the reel control signal output to the external output board 205 side is output from the external output board 205 to the slot machine 1.
Is also output to outside. In this way, the external output board 20
The reel control signal output from 5 is not a signal processed for external output, but reel motors 54L, 54C, 5
It is the signal itself for controlling the drive of the 4R.

On the other hand, the sampling circuit 222 samples one random number from the random number generation circuit 221 at the timing when the detection signal of the start switch 102 is input,
The random number is delivered to the CPU 211. The CPU 211 is
By referring to the sampled random numbers and the winning determination table stored in the ROM 213, it is determined whether or not the winning is permitted for each winning combination, and the RAM 212 stores the determination result. As a result, the internal lottery process described later is performed at a timing substantially equal to the timing at which the start operation is performed, and it is determined whether or not the winning combination is won. After that, the game control unit 210 controls the reels according to the winning result for each winning combination.

Further, each stop switch 103L, 10L
The stop switch signals output from 3C and 103R are transmitted through a signal path that reciprocates between the game control board 200, the reel relay board 203, and the external output board 205, and then input to the switch circuit 215 of the game control board 200. . Furthermore, the stop switches 103L, 103C,
The stop switch signal output from 103R is directly
It is configured to be output to the outside via the external output board 205.

The game control section 210 which receives the input of the stop switch signal, the reel motors 54L, 54C, 5 corresponding to the stop switch signal via the motor circuit 216.
A reel control signal for stopping 4R is output. This reel control signal is supplied to the reel motors 54L, 54C, 5
It is input to 4R and is output to the outside of the slot machine 1 via the external output board 205.

The signal output from the external output board 205 can be used, for example, when a third party organization performs a type test. In this type test, for example, it is confirmed whether or not each reel 51L, 51C, 51R corresponding to each stop button 40L, 40C, 40R is stopped within 190 ms after the operation of each stop button 40L, 40C, 40R. In the case of this slot machine 1, since the stop switch signals output from the stop switches 103L, 103C, 103R are directly output from the external output board 205, the stop buttons 40L, 40C, 4
The timing when the 0R is operated can be accurately grasped outside the slot machine. Similarly, since the reel control signal output from the motor circuit 216 is directly output from the external output board 205, the start and stop timings of the reels 51L, 51C, and 51R can be accurately grasped outside the slot machine. Therefore, by using the signal output from the external output board 205, “each stop button 40L, 4L
Each reel 51 corresponding to each stop button 40L, 40C, 40R within 190 ms from the operation of 0C, 40R
An accurate test result can be obtained when the "test for whether L, 51C, 51R stops" is performed. Further, in the case of "a configuration such that the game control unit 210 of the game control board 200 once receives the signal and then outputs the signal to the external output board 205", the signal is processed on the game control board 200 side. There is a possibility that fraud such as output may be done,
According to the present embodiment, such fraudulent acts can be prevented.

As shown in FIG. 6, on the effect control board 201, the game effect lamps 130 to 134, the sound emitting section 12a,
Speakers 136a, 136 built in 12b, 13
b, 137, each fluorescent lamp 138 that illuminates the title panel 8 and the game panel 6 from the inside, and a small role notification lamp 140.
a, 140b, 140c are respectively connected, and the reel 51 is connected via the reel lamp relay board 204.
Reel lamp 55 built in L, 51C, 51R
Are connected.

As shown in FIG. 8, the production control board 201 is provided on the production control board 201 and the speakers 136a and 136.
b, a speaker drive circuit 235 for outputting sound from 137, and a lamp drive circuit 237 for lighting or blinking various lamps are mounted.

The production control unit 230, as shown in FIG.
It includes a CPU 231, a RAM 232 capable of writing and reading necessary data, a ROM 233 storing a control program, and an I / O port 234. The effect control unit 230 is also configured by a one-chip microcomputer, like the game control unit 210.

The RAM 232, like the RAM 212 of the game control unit 210 in the game control board 200, has a work area and sub-backup data capable of specifying the effect state at the time of receiving the game state command from the game control board 200. Stored backup areas 1-3
And a parity data storage area in which parity data for confirming the correctness of the data stored in these backup areas is stored. The work area is a non-backup RAM area, and the backup area 1
3 to 3 and the parity data storage area are used as a backup RAM area as a sub backup means.

The ROM 233 stores a command table in which data capable of specifying a game state, an internal winning situation, etc. based on various game state commands transmitted from the game control board 200 is stored, and an effect described later. In the mode determination process, the effect pattern determination table for determining the effect pattern (effect mode) and each effect component (lamp, speaker, etc.) corresponding to the game state specified by the various game state commands transmitted from the game control board 200. The effect pattern table in which the control contents of the liquid crystal display etc.) are determined for each effect pattern is stored.

The effect pattern table is classified into the game effect lamps 130 to 134, the liquid crystal display 135, the speakers 136a, 136b and 137, the fluorescent lamps 138, and the small role notification lamps 140a to 140c. When the command indicating the predetermined game state is received, the effect control unit 230 extracts the control content corresponding to the game state from the effect pattern table corresponding to the effect pattern determined in the effect mode determination process, which will be described later. Each game effect lamp 130 to 13 according to the extracted control content
4, each speaker 136a, 136b, 137, each fluorescent lamp 138, the small role notification lamps 140a to 140c, the reel lamp 55, and the like are controlled. When the extracted control contents include the display control by the liquid crystal display 135, the display control command for instructing the corresponding display control is transmitted to the display control board 300 to display the display state of the liquid crystal display 135. Control.

Further, the effect control board 201 is provided with the power supply confirmation LED module 241a and the communication confirmation LED module 241b as described above. The power supply confirmation LEDs 242 to 244 that form the power supply confirmation LED module 241a are LEDs that are built in a monitor circuit (not shown) described below that monitors the supply state of each power supply. In addition, each communication confirmation LED 245, 246, 250 to 25 that constitutes the communication confirmation LED module 241b
Among the seven, the communication confirmation LED 245 is the effect control unit 23.
It is an LED whose lighting / extinguishing is controlled by the presence / absence of a signal output from 0, and the communication confirmation LEDs 246, 250 to 25
Reference numeral 7 is an LED incorporated in a monitor circuit (not shown), which will be described later, for monitoring the connection state of each signal line forming the game state command transmission line.

As shown in FIG. 8, the game state command output from the game control section 210 of the game control board 200 via the buffer circuit 220 is input to the effect control section 230 via the input circuit 260.

The input circuit 260 is provided with a monitor circuit corresponding to each signal line (INT signal line, B0 to B7 data signal line) for transmitting a command. That is, each signal that constitutes the game state command output from the game control board 200 is input to the effect control unit 230 via the corresponding monitor circuit.

The monitor circuit provided on these effect control board 201 is built-in when a switching device such as a photocoupler or a transistor is activated when the introduced voltage exceeds a prescribed magnitude and a voltage is applied. LED is a circuit that lights up. If it is a monitor circuit that monitors the power supply from the game control board 200, the built-in power supply confirmation LED lights up when the introduced power supply is higher than the specified voltage, that is, when the power is supplied. A circuit for turning off the power supply confirmation LED when the introduced power supply voltage is lower than the specified voltage, that is, when the power supply is cut off.

Further, if the monitor circuit monitors each signal constituting the game state command from the game control board 200, when the voltage of the introduced signal line becomes equal to or higher than a prescribed magnitude, that is, HIGH. In the circuit where the built-in communication confirmation LED lights up and the voltage of the introduced signal line becomes less than the specified voltage, that is, when the communication confirmation LED is LOW, the communication confirmation LED is turned off. is there.

As shown in FIG. 8, from the effect control unit 230 of the effect control board 201 to the display control board 300, a display control command (control to instruct display control in the liquid crystal display 135 via the buffer circuit 261). Information) is output. The buffer circuit 261 allows the output of a signal from the inside of the effect control board 201 to the outside, but functions to prevent the signal from being input from the outside of the effect control board 201 to the inside. Therefore, the effect control board 201 is provided between the effect control board 201 and the display control board 300.
One-way communication is secured from the display control board 300 to the display control board 300, and it is possible to prevent an illegal act that causes a signal to be input to the effect control board 201 via a command transmission path to perform an illegal control operation.

The liquid crystal display 13 is mounted on the display control board 300.
5 is connected to the display controller 310 and the display drive circuit 23 for controlling the display of the liquid crystal display 135.
6 and are installed

The display control unit 310, as shown in FIG.
It includes a CPU 311, a RAM 312 that can write and read necessary data, a ROM 313 that stores a control program, and an I / O port 314. The display control unit 310 also includes the game control unit 210 and the effect control unit 230.
Similarly to the above, it is configured by a one-chip microcomputer.

The RAM 312 is the game control board 2 described above.
Unlike the RAMs 212, 232 in the game control unit 210 of 00 and the effect control unit 230 of the effect control board 201,
It consists only of the work area which is the non-backup area. That is, in the display control board 300, the control state at the time of power failure is not backed up.

As described above, in the display control board 300 in the present embodiment, the control state at that time is not backed up even at the time of power failure, and it is transmitted from the performance control board 201 at the time of recovery from the power failure. By performing display control based on the display control command described above, the control state before the power failure can be restored. In this way, the display control board 300 is configured not to back up the control state because it is the effect control board 201 that substantially determines the effect pattern, and the display control board 300.
Since only the display control of the liquid crystal display 135 is performed based on the instruction from the effect control board 201, if the effect control board 201 side is performing the backup, it is necessary to perform the backup particularly on the display control board 300 side. Because there is no. In addition, the production state of the display control board 300 is restored based on the production state backed up by the production control board 201, so that the production state of the production control board 201 is reliably reflected in the production state of the display control board 300. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the consistency between the effect state of the effect control board 201 and the effect state of the display control board 300 that form an integrated effect as seen from the player.

The ROM 313 stores a command table in which data capable of specifying the display control instructed based on the display control command transmitted from the effect control board 201 is stored, and is displayed on the liquid crystal display 135. A display data table that stores the display data stored is stored. The display data table is classified according to the instruction content specified by the display control command. For example, when a command indicating that predetermined display data is displayed is received, the display control unit 310 displays the corresponding display data. Control is performed to extract the display data from the display data table and display the extracted display data on the liquid crystal display 135.

The display control board 300 is provided with the power supply confirmation LED module 304a and the communication confirmation LED module 304b as described above. The power supply confirmation LEDs 320 and 321 forming the power supply confirmation LED module 304a are LEDs incorporated in a monitor circuit (not shown) described later that monitors the supply state of each power supply. In addition, each communication confirmation LED 322, 323, 330 to 33 that constitutes the communication confirmation LED module 304b.
7, the communication confirmation LED 322 is the display control unit 31.
It is an LED whose lighting / extinguishing is controlled by the presence / absence of a signal output from 0, and communication confirmation LEDs 323, 330 to 33.
Reference numeral 7 denotes an LED incorporated in a monitor circuit (not shown), which will be described later, for monitoring the connection state of each signal line that constitutes the display control command transmission line.

As shown in FIG. 8, the display control command output from the effect control unit 230 of the effect control board 201 via the buffer circuit 261 is input to the display control unit 310 via the input circuit 340.

The input circuit 340 is provided with a monitor circuit corresponding to each signal line (INT signal line, B0 to B7 data signal line) for transmitting a command. That is, each signal forming the display control command output from the effect control board 201 is input to the display control unit 310 via the corresponding monitor circuit.

The monitor circuits provided on these display control boards 300 are the same as the monitor circuits provided on the performance control board 201, and the voltages introduced to these monitor circuits have become equal to or greater than the specified magnitude. In this case, it is a circuit for lighting the LED incorporated therein. If it is a monitor circuit that monitors the power supply from the effect control board 201, the built-in power supply confirmation LED lights up when the introduced power supply is higher than the specified voltage, that is, when the power is supplied. A circuit for turning off the power supply confirmation LED when the introduced power supply voltage is lower than the specified voltage, that is, when the power supply is cut off.

Further, in the case of the monitor circuit which monitors each signal constituting the display control command from the effect control board 201, when the voltage of the introduced signal line becomes equal to or higher than the specified magnitude, that is, when the voltage of HIGH is high. In the circuit where the built-in communication confirmation LED lights up and the voltage of the introduced signal line becomes less than the specified voltage, that is, when the communication confirmation LED is LOW, the communication confirmation LED is turned off. is there.

Next, the game control board 20 in this embodiment.
Various control contents executed by the CPU 211 of the game control unit 210 mounted on 0 will be described below based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 10 to 18.

As shown in FIG. 10, when the power is turned on, first, it is confirmed whether or not the setting key switch 82 is on (Sa1). That is, it is confirmed whether the power is turned on based on an operation for changing the set value or initializing the game state.

When the setting key switch 82 is on, the main initialization process for initializing the game state is executed (Sa2) and the setting change process for changing the set value of the winning probability is executed. Execute (Sa3).

In the main initialization process, as shown in FIG. 11, an initialization command (initialization information) for instructing initialization of the effect state is generated and set in the command transmission table of the RAM 212 (Sb1). After performing a main command transmission process (Sb2) described below for transmitting the set initialization command to the effect control board 201, the register and RA
A process of clearing M212 (Sb3) is performed, and a necessary initial value setting process (Sb4) is performed. As will be described later in detail, the production control board 201 is transmitted by transmitting the initialization command.
The effect state controlled by and the control state of the display control board 300 are also initialized.

In the setting change process, as shown in FIG.
The system waits in the detection waiting state of the setting switch 83 or the start switch 102 (Sc1, Sc3), and in this state, each time the setting button 67 is operated and the setting switch 83 is detected, the set value of the winning probability is changed by one. (Sc1, S
c2). Further, the start lever 38 is operated in the states of Sc1 and Sc3 and the start switch 102 is detected (Sc3), so that the set value is determined. Next, wait until the setting key switch 82 is turned off (Sc4),
When the off of the setting key switch 82 is detected, the process proceeds to the next process. In this way, by turning the power on with the setting key switch 82 in the on state, it is possible to change the setting of the winning probability. Also, the setting key switch 8
When the power is turned on with 2 turned on, the game state is always initialized (RAM is cleared). Therefore, when simply initializing the game state, the power is set as the setting key switch on state. After inputting, the process may be terminated without changing the setting value.

Returning to FIG. 10, when the setting key switch 82 is off at Sa1, it is confirmed whether or not it is at the time of recovery from a power failure (Sa4). Whether or not the power was restored from the power failure is confirmed by a power-off flag set when the power is turned off.

If the power was restored from the power failure, RA
A data check (parity check in this embodiment) of the backup RAM area in M212 is performed (Sa
5, Sa6). If the power is restored after an unexpected power failure, the main backup data must have been saved in the backup RAM area of the RAM 212.
The check result will be normal.

If the check result is normal, the RAM 21
The main backup data of the backup areas 1 to 3 in 2 is compared to confirm whether or not the correct data is backed up by whether at least two main backup data match (Sa7, Sa8).

If the comparison result is normal, all the registers are restored from the main backup data in the backup area of the RAM 212 (Sa9), the power-off flag is cleared (Sa10), and the process returns to the routine before power-off. That is, the game state when the power is cut off is restored.

If the result of the data check and the comparison result are not normal, the game state cannot be returned to the state when the power was cut off, so a game state return error process for notifying the outside is performed. (Sa11). After the end of the game state return error process, the same main initialization process as that executed in step Sa2 described above is executed (Sa12) to initialize the game state. Incidentally, if it is confirmed in Sa4 that the power is not restored, that is, if the power-off flag is not set, the main initialization process is executed (Sa12).

In the game state return error processing, as shown in FIG. 13, a return error command (game state return impossible information) indicating that the game state before the power failure cannot be returned is generated and set in the command transmission table of the RAM 212. (Sd
1), a main command transmission process (Sd), which will be described later, for transmitting the set return error command to the effect control board 201.
2) is performed, and an error code indicating that the game state cannot be returned to the state before power-off is displayed on the number-of-games display section 32 to notify the outside (Sd3), and the second reset switch 81 is in that state. Wait until detected (Sd
4) When the second reset switch 81 is detected, that is, the staff member of the game hall confirms the error state and the second reset button 66 is operated, the process ends.

In this way, when the game state before the power failure cannot be restored, an error code to that effect is displayed on the game number display section 32 so that it can be confirmed from the outside and a return error command is produced. Control board 201
Before the power failure depending on the lamps and voices controlled by the effect control board 201 as described later, and further the display state of the liquid crystal display 135 controlled by the display control board 300 based on the display control command from the effect control board 201. The fact that the player cannot return to the game state is notified, and it can be confirmed from the outside.

When the setting change process in step Sa3 is completed, or the main initialization process in step Sa12 is completed, the game control process (S
Then, the process proceeds to the loop process of repeatedly executing a13).

As shown in FIG. 14, in the game control process, first, an initial process for preparing for the game start is executed (Se1). Specifically, the gaming state of the next game is set.

Next, the throwing-in instruction lamp 111 is turned on to stand by in a state where medals and credits can be received.
When the bet number of medals is selected and the start lever 38 is pressed, a BET process for setting the bet number of medals is executed (Se2). Specifically, according to the number of inserted medals, or the number of bets by pressing the BET button 36a or the MAXBET button 36b, predetermined display lamps 112 to 116 are sequentially turned on and one or more medals are inserted. Time or 1 BET button 36
a or the start lamp 118 is turned on when one or more credits are used by pressing the MAXBET button 36b, the pressing operation of the start lever 38 is enabled, and the medal is pressed when the start lever 38 is pressed. The bet number of
Turn off.

It should be noted that, until the start lever 38 is pressed, all the display lamps 112 to 11 are displayed.
When there are more medals inserted from the state where 6 is turned on, the valuable value corresponding to the number of inserted medals is stored in the RAM 212 as a credit, and this is displayed on the credit display unit 31.

When a replay is won in the previous game, a medal is inserted or the BET buttons 36a and 36b are inserted.
Is invalidated, predetermined display lamps 112 to 116 are lit according to the number of bets in the previous game, and the start lamp 118 is lit so that the start lever 38 can be pressed and the start lever 38 is operated. When the pressing operation is done, the same number of bets as in the previous game is confirmed,
The start lamp 118 is turned off.

Next, as the game is started by pressing the start lever 38 in the step Se2,
An internal lottery process is executed to determine whether or not the winning of any one of the above-mentioned prizes (BB, RB, small winning combination) is permitted (Se.
3). This internal lottery process means that all reels 51L, 5L
It is executed in order to determine whether or not to allow a prize to be won in a stage before 1C and 51R are stopped. That is, winning is allowed only when the internal winning flag corresponding to any prize won by this lottery is set. The internal lottery process will be described later in detail.

Next, when the step of Se3 is completed, a reel rotation process for rotating the reels 51L, 51C, 51R is carried out (Se4). Specifically, the process of starting the rotation of each reel is performed after waiting for the wait time described above to elapse. The reel rotation processing will be described in detail later.

Next, the stop button 40L by the player,
Whether the pressing operation of 40C, 40R is performed or each reel 51
L, 51C, 51R from the start of rotation, without pressing the stop button 40L, 40C, 40R by the player, 30 seconds which is a predetermined time has elapsed and the condition for displaying the symbol is satisfied. At this time, the stop flags of the reels 51L, 51C, 51R are set, and the operation valid lamps 122L, 122C, 122R corresponding to the stop buttons 40L, 40C, 40R that have been pressed based on the setting of the stop flags. Is turned off, and reel stop processing for stopping the rotation of the corresponding reels 51L, 51C, 51R is performed (Se5).

Next, when it is determined that the rotation of all the reels 51L, 51C, 51R is stopped in the step of Se5, the display content displayed on the variable display device 50 and the winning and setting in the step of Se3 are set. In addition to executing the winning determination process that compares the content of the internal winning flag to determine the winning content, in particular, if it is determined that one of the prizes has won, various settings corresponding to the winning content are executed. Yes (Se6). As the setting contents, for example, there are settings such as the number of payout medals corresponding to the winning contents, the game state, and the re-play.

Next, the processing based on the setting content set corresponding to the winning content determined in the step Se6 is executed (Se7). Specifically, it executes the process of paying out the set number of medals and changing the gaming state (changing from the normal gaming state to the special gaming state, or from the special gaming state to the normal gaming state). To do.

In each of these steps, a process of transmitting to the effect control board 201 various game state commands capable of specifying the game state at that time according to the progress of the game.

The internal lottery process in the step Se3 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
At the timing when is operated, an internal lottery random number value is extracted (Sf1), the extracted random number value is compared with a winning determination table (Sf2), and whether or not there is an internally won prize is determined based on the comparison result. Confirm (Sf3). If there is an internally won prize, an internal winning flag indicating the internally won prize is set (Sf4). Next, a game state command indicating the internal winning situation is generated and set in the command transmission table of the RAM 212 (Sf5). At this time, if the internal winning flag is set, a game state command indicating the internally won prize is set as the internal winning status, and if the internal winning flag is not set, that is, if the internal winning flag is out. , A game state command indicating that there is no internally won prize is set. Next, the game control command set in the command transmission table is displayed on the production control board 20.
A main command transmission process, which will be described later, for transmitting to 1 is executed (Sf6), whereby a game state command indicating the internal winning situation is transmitted.

The reel rotation processing in the step Se4 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 16. First, it is determined whether or not the wait time has passed, that is, from the time when the reel rotation is started in the previous game to the above-described game progress restriction period. It is confirmed whether or not (4.1 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed (Sg
1). If the wait time has not elapsed, the system waits until the wait time elapses, and when the wait time elapses, outputs a control signal to the reel motors 54L, 54C, 54R to start the rotation of each reel (Sg2). .
Next, a game state command indicating the start of reel rotation is generated and set in the command transmission table of the RAM 212 (Sg3). Based on this, the transmission condition of the game state command is satisfied. Next, main command transmission processing for transmitting the game state command set in the command transmission table to the effect control board 201 is executed (Sg
4), whereby a game state command indicating the start of reel rotation is transmitted.

In the main command transmission process, as shown in FIG. 17, first, a delay time determining random number value (hard random number,
Any of the soft random numbers) is extracted (Sh1), and the delay time for transmitting the game state command is set based on the extracted random number value (Sh2). Specifically, a delay time determination table in which a plurality of types of delay times (0 to 37 ms in this embodiment) are registered in correspondence with the delay time determination random number value is stored. And the extracted random number for delay time determination are compared to set the corresponding delay time. Therefore, the delay time is variably set. Next, it waits until the delay time set in the step of Sh2 elapses (Sh3), and at the time when the delay time elapses, the game state command set in the command transmission table is read and transmitted to the effect control board 201. Yes (Sh4).

As described above, in the main command transmission process, the game state command to be transmitted from the game control board 200 to the effect control board 201 is delayed with a predetermined delay time of 0 to 37 ms and then transmitted. Perform processing. That is, the main command transmission process functions as a command delay process. Thereby, the game control board 20
Based on the reception timing of the game state command transmitted from 0, it is possible to prevent the production control board 201 from performing a stop timing of each reel that satisfies the condition for generating a prize, that is, an effect that assists so-called push-and-hold. it can. In particular, by delaying the transmission timing of the game state command indicating the start of reel rotation, that is, the transmission timing of the game state command that is most likely to be synchronized with the display state of each reel, the effect of assisting the pressing can be achieved. Can be prevented more reliably.

The main command transmission process described here is not limited to the case of transmitting the game state command indicating the start of reel rotation, but the game state command indicating the other game state, the above-mentioned initialization command and the return error command. The same main command transmission process is executed also when transmitting. That is, all the commands transmitted from the game control board 200 to the effect control board 201 are 0 to 37 m.
It is configured to be transmitted after the delay time variably set within the range of s has elapsed. Therefore, it is not necessary to set the control contents of the transmission process for each command, and the program procedure can be reduced, but it is preferable to delay the transmission timing only when transmitting the game state command indicating the start of reel rotation. If you do this, you will not have to perform processing for delaying the transmission timing when transmitting other commands,
The processing load on the CPU 211 can be reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, the game control board 200
The delay time when sending a command is variably determined within a range of 0 to 37 ms, which is a time for each reel to move one symbol (about 36 ms in this embodiment) or more. As described above, the maximum delay time is the time for which each reel moves by one symbol or more, so that it is possible to more reliably prevent the production of assisting the pressing. If the minimum delay time is within the range of 0 to the maximum time, the minimum delay time and the maximum delay time can be set arbitrarily, but if the maximum time is set too long, the corresponding effect will be produced. Since the time until it starts is unnaturally long, it is preferable to set the time for each reel to move by one symbol to two symbols.

Further, in this embodiment, the game control board 200
When transmitting a command to the production control board 201 from, the game state command is transmitted only once per control. For example, in the reel rotation process, the game state command indicating the start of reel rotation is transmitted only once, and the same game state command is not transmitted during the game. As a result, the number of delay processes (main command transmission process) executed when the game control board 200 sends a command to the effect control board 201 can be minimized, so that the game control associated with the execution of these delay processings can be suppressed. The processing load on the substrate 200 can be reduced.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing a main power interruption interrupt process as a main backup process executed in response to the NMI based on the voltage drop signal from the power supply monitoring IC 224. That is, the main power interruption interrupt process is a process executed when the voltage supplied from the power supply board 202 to the game control board 200 becomes a predetermined value or less due to a power failure.

In the main power interruption interrupt process, first,
Set to prohibit interrupt (Si1). In the main power interruption interrupt process, a checksum generation process is performed to ensure that the data in the RAM 212 is saved. If another interrupt process is performed during that process, the voltage may drop to a voltage at which the CPU 211 cannot operate before the checksum generation process is completed. Is set so that no

Then, it is confirmed whether or not the power-off flag has already been set (Si2). If the power-off flag has already been set, the subsequent processing is not performed. As a result, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that the NMI occurs and the main backup data is overwritten after the power-off flag is cleared before the power-off flag is cleared, that is, before the return of the game state is completed.

If the power-off flag is not set,
The following processing is executed.

First, all output ports are turned off (Si3). Then, the contents of each register, that is, the main backup data capable of specifying the game state at that time is stored in the backup RAM areas 1 to 3 of the RAM 212 (Si4 to Si6). At this time, the same main backup data is stored in the backup RAM areas 1 to 3 of the RAM 212. This makes it possible to more reliably back up the gaming state at the time of power failure. Further, parity data is generated based on the data of the entire backup RAM area in the RAM 212 (S
i7), the generated parity data is stored in the parity data storage area (Si8). Then, the power-off flag is set (Si9). As described above, this power-off flag is used when it is determined whether power is restored from a power failure when the power is turned on. Next, the RAM 212 is set in the access prohibited state (Si10). When the power supply voltage decreases, the levels of various signal lines become unstable and the RAM 2
There is a possibility that the contents of 12 are garbled, but in this way RAM
If the access to 212 is prohibited, the data in the backup RAM area will not be corrupted. Then
A loop process is started in which no processing is performed. That is, the operation is stopped internally. Therefore, the CPU 211 surely stops operating when the power is turned off. In the main power interruption interrupt processing of the present embodiment, the program is looped in the final part, but it may be configured to issue a halt (HALT) instruction.

Thus, in this embodiment, the game control board 2
The main power interruption interrupt processing for backing up the game state controlled by 00 is executed in response to the detection of the voltage drop signal from the power supply monitoring IC 224. In other words, in the game control board 200, the game state is backed up only when a power failure occurs, so the game control board 200 for controlling the game state which requires a relatively high processing capacity.
The processing load of can be reduced.

Next, the production control board 20 in this embodiment.
Various control contents executed by the CPU 231 of the control unit 230 mounted on the No. 1 will be described below based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 19 to 24.

As shown in FIG. 19, when the power is turned on, it is first confirmed whether or not backup data is stored (Sj1). Whether or not the backup data is stored is confirmed by whether or not the data is stored in the backup RAM area of the RAM 232.

When the backup data is stored, the system waits in the waiting state for the initialization command or the return error command transmitted from the game control board 200 until the command reception waiting time elapses (Sj2 to Sj).
j4). The command reception wait time is
Ensure that the CPU 211 of the game control board 200 sends an initialization command to the effect control board 201 when executing the main initialization processing, or a return error command to send to the effect control board 201 when executing the game state return error processing. Enough time to be able to receive.

When the initialization command is received in the waiting state for receiving the initialization command or the return error command in the steps Sj2 to Sj4, a sub-initialization process described later for initializing the effect state is executed ( Sj
16).

When a return error command is received while waiting for the initialization command or the return error command in the steps Sj2 to Sj4, a display control command for instructing error display is generated and the RAM 232 is generated. Command transmission table (S
j12), a sub-command transmission process described later for transmitting the display control command set in the command transmission table to the display control board 300 is executed (S12).
j13). As a result, a display control command for instructing error display is transmitted, and the display control board 300 that has received the display control command displays on the liquid crystal display 135 that the gaming state cannot be restored to the state before the power failure.
Next, the lamp lighting control indicating the error in the game state recovery and the output control of each speaker are executed (Sj14), and it is indicated that the game state cannot be restored to a good state due to the power failure depending on the lamp lighting state and the voice output state. Be informed. Next, the sub-initialization process described later is performed in which the initialization command transmitted from the game control board 200 is awaited to be received (Sj15), and the production state is initialized by receiving the initialization command ( Sj16). That is, the state indicating these return errors is an initialization command transmitted from the game control board 200 when the second reset button 66 is operated after the staff member of the game hall confirms the error state and the main initialization process is performed. Will continue until you receive.

When the initialization command or the return error command is not received even if the command reception waiting time elapses in the waiting state for receiving the initialization command or the return error command in the steps Sj2 to Sj4, the RAM 232 A data check (parity check in this embodiment) of the backup RAM area is performed (Sj5, Sj6). When the power is restored after an unexpected power failure, the backup result is normal because the sub-backup data should have been saved in the backup RAM area of the RAM 232.

If the check result is normal, the RAM 23
By comparing the sub backup data of the backup areas 1 to 3 in No. 2, it is confirmed whether or not the correct data is backed up depending on whether at least two sub backup data match (Sj7, Sj8).

If the comparison result is normal, all the registers are restored from the sub backup data in the backup area in the RAM 232 (Sj9). Next, a sub-command transmission process described later for transmitting the display control command set in the command transmission table to the display control board 300 is executed (Sj10). As a result, the display control command is transmitted. At this time, the display control board 30
The display control command transmitted to 0 is the display control command restored based on the restored register, that is, before the power failure, strictly speaking, before receiving the power failure, the game state command is finally received and the sub-backup processing described later is performed. This is the display control command set when the display control command is executed, and the display content of the liquid crystal display 135 is restored to the display content before the power failure by the display control board 300 that has received this display control command. Next, the lighting control of the lamp directly or indirectly connected to the effect control board 201 and the output control of each speaker are executed according to the restored control contents based on the restored register (Sj11). This restores the lamp lighting state and the voice output state before the power failure. In this way, the production state is returned to the state before the power failure by going through the steps of Sj10 and Sj11.

Next, the CPU 231 of the effect control unit 230
Shifts to the loop processing of FIG.

If the result of the data check in the steps of Sj5 and Sj6 and the comparison result in the steps of Sj7 and Sj8 are not normal, the effect state cannot be returned to the state when the power is turned off. A sub-initialization process is performed (Sj16).
Note that the sub-initialization processing performed here is performed by Sj as described above.
When an initialization command is received in steps 2 to Sj4 or Sj15, that is, C of the game control unit 210
This is the same process as the sub-initialization process that is performed when the production state is initialized by the PU 211.

In the sub initialization process, as shown in FIG. 21, a display control command for instructing the initial screen display is generated and set in the command transmission table of the RAM 232 (Sm1), and set in this command transmission table. A sub-command transmission process, which will be described later, for transmitting the displayed control command to the display control board 300 is executed (Sm2). As a result, a display control command for instructing to display the initial screen is transmitted, and the display control board 300 that has received the display control command displays the initial screen on the liquid crystal display 135. Then, the register and RAM 23
A process of clearing 2 (Sm3) is performed, and a necessary initial value setting process (Sm4) is further performed.

When the sub-initialization process is completed, the CPU 231 of the effect control unit 230 repeatedly executes the normal operation as shown in FIG.
It shifts to the loop processing of 0.

In this loop processing, first, the game control board 200 waits for a game state command to be received (Sj17, Sj27, Sj29).

When the game state command is received in this state, the communication confirmation LED 245 is turned on (Sj1).
8). That is, the communication confirmation LED 245 is turned on.

Next, it is confirmed whether or not the game state command indicates the internal winning situation (Sj19), and if it indicates the internal winning situation, the effect pattern is determined according to the specified internal winning situation. The effect mode determination process is executed (Sj20). That is, the effect control unit 230 also functions as the effect mode determination means of the present invention.

In this effect mode determination process, as shown in FIG. 22, a random value for effect mode determination (either hard random number or soft random number is acceptable) is extracted (Sk1), and the extracted random number value is received. The internal winning situation specified by the game state command is compared with the effect pattern determination table to determine the effect pattern to be executed (Sk2). Next, the effect pattern table for executing the determined effect pattern is read and set (Sk3).

As described above, in the effect mode determination process,
The effect pattern to be executed is determined based on the internal winning situation transmitted from the game control board 200. That is, in the case of the present embodiment, the effect control unit of the effect control board 201 determines the effect pattern to be executed. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to this, and the effect control board 2 determines the effect pattern in the game control board 200 and issues a command to instruct the control.
01 may be transmitted to execute the effect of the corresponding effect pattern.

Next, a sub-backup process is performed to save the presentation state at that time as sub-backup data (Sj21).

In the sub-backup processing, as shown in FIG. 24, first, the interruption is prohibited (Sp1). In the sub-backup process, a checksum generation process is performed to ensure that the data in the RAM 232 is saved. If another interrupt process is performed during the process, a power failure occurs before the checksum generation process is completed and the CPU 231
Since it is possible that the voltage will drop to a level where it cannot operate, settings are made so that other interrupts will not occur first. Next, the contents of each register, that is, the sub backup data that can specify the presentation state at that time is stored in the RAM.
Stored in the backup RAM areas 1 to 2 of 232 (S
p2-Sp4). At this time, the same sub backup data is stored in the backup RAM areas 1 to 3 of the RAM 232. This makes it possible to back up the effect state more reliably. Further, parity data is generated based on the data of the entire backup RAM area in the RAM 232 (Sp5), and the generated parity data is stored in the parity data storage area (Sp).
6). After that, the interruption prohibition is released (Sp7), and the process proceeds to the next step.

In addition, this sub-backup processing is carried out each time a game status command is received from the game control board 200.
It is supposed to be executed regardless of the game state command, and by doing so, the game control board 20
The effect state based on the game state command transmitted from 0 can be surely reflected in the effect state backed up by the sub backup process. Also,
When the game state command indicating the internal winning situation command is received from the game control board 200, the sub-backup process is performed after the execution of the effect mode determination process to be executed thereafter, whereby the effect mode determination process is performed. The effect pattern determined by can also be reflected in the effect state backed up by the sub-backup process.

Then, referring to the effect pattern table set in accordance with the effect pattern determined in the effect mode determining process executed last time (Sj22), the game control board 2
It is confirmed whether or not the control content corresponding to the game state specified by the game state command received from 00 includes display control of the liquid crystal display 135 (Sj23).

In step Sj23, the liquid crystal display 1
When the display control of No. 35 is included, the display control command for instructing the display of the display data according to the control content referred to in the step Sj22 is generated and set in the command transmission table of the RAM 232 (Sj24). At this time, if the display control command has already been set,
Update to the newly generated display control command. Then
A subcommand transmission process for transmitting the display control command set in the command transmission table to the display control board 300 is executed (Sj25), and the display control command is transmitted.

Unlike the main command transmission processing described above, this sub command transmission processing transmits the display control command set in the command transmission table at the time of shifting to the sub command transmission processing, as shown in FIG. (Sn1). That is, the display control command is transmitted almost at the same time when the transmission condition of the display control command is satisfied. The subcommand transmission process described here is a process applied to all display control commands transmitted to the display control board 300.

As described above, in the subcommand transmission process,
The display control command transmitted from the effect control board 201 to the display control board 300 is transmitted almost at the same time when the transmission condition is satisfied. As a result, it is possible to control the effect state of the lamp or the sound controlled by the effect control board 201 and the display state of the liquid crystal display device 135 controlled by the display control board 300 substantially in synchronization, and to execute the effect state of each of these parts. It is possible to prevent the player from feeling uncomfortable due to timing deviation.

Next, according to the control contents referred to in step Sj22, lighting control of the lamp directly or indirectly connected to the effect control board 201 and output control of each speaker are executed (Sj26), and the game control board is again executed. Two
It waits in the state of waiting for reception of the game state command transmitted from 00 (Sj17, Sj27, Sj29).

Further, in a state of waiting for the reception of the game state command, when a predetermined time (200 ms in this embodiment) has elapsed since the last game state command was received,
The communication confirmation LED 245 is turned off (Sj28).
That is, the communication confirmation LED 245 is turned off.

Also, in the state of waiting for the reception of the game state command, a predetermined transmission interval (50 m in this embodiment from the last transmission of the display control command to the display control board 300).
When s) has elapsed, the same subcommand transmission process as that executed in step Sj25 is executed (Sj30). At this time, since the command transmission table has not been updated, the same display control command as the previously transmitted display control command will be transmitted.

As described above, after the display control command is transmitted, the same display control command is repeatedly transmitted every 50 ms, so that the display control board 300 does not normally receive the display control command. In this case, the same display control command can be received again. In this embodiment, when a new display control command is set, the set display control command is transmitted, and the same display control command is transmitted after 50 ms has passed, the initial setting is performed. The displayed display control command is read and transmitted, but the same display control command as the previous time may be newly generated and transmitted.

In this way, in the effect control unit 230 of this embodiment, every time a game status command is received from the game control board 200, the lamp is turned on or the voice is output according to the game status specified by the received game status command. In the case of an effect involving display control by the liquid crystal display 135, the corresponding display control command is issued to the display control board 3
00 is transmitted.

When the game status command is received, the control for turning on the communication confirmation LED 245 for a predetermined time is performed, so that the reception status of the game status command can be confirmed from the outside in real time.

Further, in the present embodiment, after the display control command is transmitted, the same display control command is repeatedly transmitted every 50 ms. Therefore, the display control command transmitted from the effect control board 201 is displayed and controlled. Even if the substrate 300 is not normally received, the display control substrate 300
Then, since the display control command transmitted thereafter can be received and reflected in the display control of the liquid crystal display device 135, the control state of the effect control board 201 is displayed.
The display control of the liquid crystal display 135 by 0 can be reflected more reliably.

Next, the display control board 30 in the present embodiment.
The control content executed by the CPU 311 of the display control unit 310 mounted on the 0 will be described below based on the flowchart of FIG. 25.

First, when the power is turned on, initialization is performed. Specifically, the connection check of each unit and the setting of each register are performed (Sq1).

After the initial setting, the process waits in the state of waiting for the reception of the display control command transmitted from the effect control board 201 (Sq2, Sq6).

When the display control command is received in this state, the communication confirmation LED 322 is turned on (Sq.
3). That is, the communication confirmation LED 322 is turned on.

Then, it is confirmed whether or not the received display control command is the same as the previously received display control command (Sq4).

When the same display control command as the previously received display control command is received, it waits again in the state of waiting for the reception of the display control command (Sq2, Sq6).

When a display control command different from the previously received display control command is received, the display data based on the received display control command is extracted, and the extracted display data is displayed on the liquid crystal display 135. (Sq5), and waits again in the state of waiting for reception of the display control command (Sq2, Sq6).

Further, when a predetermined time (200 ms in this embodiment) has elapsed since the last display control command was received in the state of waiting for the reception of the display control command,
The communication confirmation LED 322 is turned off (Sq7). That is, the communication confirmation LED 322 is turned off.

As described above, in the display control unit 310, every time the display control command is received from the effect control board 201,
Display control of the liquid crystal display 135 is performed based on the received display control command.

Further, when the display control command is received, the control for turning on the communication confirmation LED 322 is performed for a predetermined time, so that the reception status of the display control command can be confirmed from the outside in real time.

Further, unlike the game control board 200 and the effect control board 201, the display control board 300 of the present embodiment is constructed so that the control state before that is not backed up at the time of power failure. This is the display control board 30.
Since 0 only controls the display of the liquid crystal display 135 according to the display control command from the production control board 201, if the production state is backed up in the production control board 201, the control state of the display control board 300 should be backed up. This is because at the time of recovery from a power failure, the control state before the power failure can be restored.

As described above, the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 26, produces a game control board 200 for controlling the game state and a game state command from the game control board 200. An effect control board 201 for determining a pattern, controlling lighting of a lamp, and controlling audio output from a speaker; and a display control board 300 for performing display control of the liquid crystal display 135 based on a display control command from the effect control board 201. Therefore, not only the control load of the game control board 200, but also the effect control board 201
The control load of can be distributed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 26 (c), when the power is restored from the power failure, the game control board 200 has a RAM.
Since it is possible to return to the game state before the power failure based on the game state held in the backup RAM area of 212, it is possible to prevent the loss of the player from occurring and the production control board 2
In 01, it is possible to return to the effect state before the power outage based on the effect state held in the backup RAM area of the RAM 232, and it is possible to achieve consistency between the game state and the effect state at the time of recovery from the power failure. It is possible to prevent the player from feeling uncomfortable due to the mismatch between the game state and the effect state.

Further, at the time of recovery from a power failure, when the effect control board 201 returns to the backup effect state, the display control command for causing the display control board 300 to return to the control state before the power failure. The display state of the liquid crystal display 135 controlled by the display control board 300 can be restored almost at the same time as the effect state of the effect control board 201 is restored at the time of recovery from a power failure. it can.

In addition, after the power is turned on, when the production control board 201 can return to the production state before the power failure, the production control board 201 can independently return without receiving an instruction from the game control board 200. Therefore, the effect control board 201 can be restored without burdening the game control board 200.

Further, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 26B, the game control board 200 is adapted to back up the game state at the time of power failure, that is, upon detection of power failure. And by doing this, because the game state is backed up only during a power failure,
It is possible to reduce the processing load of the game control board 200 for controlling the game state, which requires a relatively high processing capacity, at the normal time.

Further, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Every time a game state command is received from the game control board 200, the effect state at that time is backed up. By doing so, the effect state based on the game state command received from the game control board 200 is set. , Can be surely reflected in the performance state to be backed up. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and the production state may be backed up upon detection of power failure as in the case of the game control board 200. Alternatively, the game state command may be received and the power may be turned off. The effect state may be backed up by both of the detections.

Further, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment,
The production control board 201 determines the production pattern in the production mode determination process executed by receiving the game state command indicating the internal winning situation, and the production state is controlled based on the determined production pattern, Since the effect pattern determined in the effect mode determination process is also backed up, the effect control board 201 can reflect the effect pattern determined before the power failure in the effect state restored at the time of recovery from the power failure.

Further, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment,
The control contents are not backed up in the display control board 300, and at the time of recovery from a power failure, the display control command transmitted from the effect control board 201, that is, for returning to the effect state backed up by the effect control board 201. The control contents before the power failure are restored based on the display control command. This makes it possible to maintain consistency between the effect state controlled by the effect control board 201 and the control state controlled by the display control board 300 at the time of recovery from a power failure. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and the control state may be restored according to the contents backed up by the display control board 300 by itself upon restoration from a power failure.

Further, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 26D, when the game state is initialized by the game control board 200 after the power is turned on, for example, when the game state cannot be restored or the game state is initialized, the effect is produced. Since the control board 201 also initializes the effect state, it is possible to achieve consistency between the two.

Further, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the winning probability, that is, the payout rate is set, the game control board 200 initializes the game state, and accordingly. An initialization command is transmitted to the effect control board 201, and thus the effect control board 201 also initializes the effect state, so when changing the set value, the game control board 200 and the effect control board 201 are changed. Both can be returned to the initial state,
It is possible to achieve consistency between the two.

Further, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the operation for clearing the RAM 212 is performed, the game control board 200 initializes the game state, and the effect control board accordingly. Since an initialization command is transmitted to 201, and the effect control board 201 also initializes the effect state, the operation of the game control board 200 and the effect control board 201 is performed during the operation for clearing the RAM 212. Both can be returned to the initial state, and the consistency between them can be achieved.

When the effect control board 201 initializes the effect state, the display control command for initializing the control state of the display control board 300 is the display control board 3.
00, the display state of the liquid crystal display 135 controlled by the display control board 300 is also initialized.

Further, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the gaming state controlled by the gaming control board 200 cannot be restored to the state before the power failure when the power is turned on, that effect is displayed as an error code, and the number-of-games display section 32 Is displayed, it is possible to notify the outside that an error has occurred, and quick response is possible.

Furthermore, when the power is turned on, the game control board 200
In the case where the gaming state controlled by can not be restored to the state before the power is turned off, a restoration error command indicating that the gaming state cannot be restored to the gaming state before the power failure is transmitted to the production control board 201, and this restoration error command In the effect control board 201 that has received the error notification control for notifying that the game state cannot be returned, specifically, lamp lighting control, voice output control, and transmission of a display control command for instructing error display. The effect that the gaming state cannot be restored to the state before the power failure, lighting of the lamp controlled by the production control board 201 and audio output from the speaker, and further the liquid crystal display controlled by the display control board 300. Notification can also be made by the display state of 135.

In the present embodiment, when the game state controlled by the game control board 200 cannot be restored to the state before the power failure, the fact is that the game control board 200 controls the number-of-games display section 32 and the effect control board 201. It is configured to be notified by a lamp and a speaker controlled by the LCD controller 135 controlled by the display control board 300, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the notification means (controlled by the main control means ( A game number display 108, etc.), an effect means (a lamp, a speaker, etc.) controlled by the first sub-control means, and an effect means (liquid crystal display 135) controlled by the second sub-control means. Alternatively, a plurality of notification means may notify that the gaming state cannot be returned to the state before the power failure.

Further, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, when the effect control board 201 transmits the display control command to the display control board 300 upon receiving the game status command, what is this game status command? A different display control command is newly generated to display the display control board 300.
It is supposed to be sent to. Therefore, the effect control board 201 can transmit only necessary information to the display control board 300, that is, information related to the effect, so that the effect control board 201 gives a finer effect control instruction to the display control board. Not only is it possible for the display control board 300 to receive and analyze unnecessary commands, but the processing load on the display control board 300 can be reduced.

Further, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the display control board 300 for controlling the display of the liquid crystal display 135, which requires a large processing capacity and needs to store a huge amount of image data. The production control board 201 with a smaller processing load is connected between the game control board 200 and the display control board 300, and the game control board 20 is connected.
It is possible to prevent the processing load on the display control board 300 from further increasing by exchanging data with both 0 and the display control board 300.

Further, in the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the effect control board 201 has the game effect lamps 130 to.
134, reel lamp 55, small role notification lamp 140a-
The lighting control of the 140c and the fluorescent lamp 138 is performed, and the audio output control from the speakers 136a, 136b, and 137 is performed. That is, since the production control board 201 controls the drive of these electric components having a relatively small processing load, it is possible not only to prevent the processing load of the display control board 300 from becoming extremely large, but also to mount it on the gaming machine. Also, the board configuration can be simplified.

The present invention is not limited to this, and, for example, a lamp control board for specially controlling the lighting of the lamp, a voice control board for specially controlling the audio output, and the like as the effect control board 201. May be separately provided, and the effect control board 201 transmits a control command to the lamp control board or the voice control board, and the lighting control or the voice output control of the lamp may be performed based on the control command. The control in the machine can be decentralized, and these controls can be performed smoothly. Further, when a specific control process is shared by a plurality of gaming machines having different game procedures, it is possible to share a board for performing this shared control process, thus reducing manufacturing costs. Not only can it be done, but also maintainability can be improved.

Further, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the communication state between the game control board 200 and the effect control board 201 can be confirmed according to the lighting state of the communication confirmation LED module 241b, and Since the communication state with the display control board 300 can be visually confirmed according to the lighting state of the communication confirmation LED module 304b, only the communication confirmation LED module 304b is confirmed when at least one board has a defect. Thus, it is possible to easily confirm whether the cause is communication failure between the boards.

Further, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, every time the game control command transmitted from the game control board 200 is received by the effect control board 201, the communication check LED which constitutes the communication check LED module 241b.
Since the LED 245 lights up for a predetermined time, this communication confirmation LED
By checking the lighting status of 245, the reception status of the game status command can be checked in real time. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the game control board 200, that is, the command transmission side is provided with an LED or the like that is turned on at the time of command transmission, so that the command transmission status is displayed in real time. The transmission status may be confirmed.

Further, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, every time the display control board 300 receives the display control command transmitted from the effect control board 201, the communication check LED which constitutes the communication check LED module 304b.
Since the 322 lights up for a predetermined time, this communication confirmation LED
By checking the lighting status of 322, the reception status of the display control command can be checked in real time. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, by providing the production control board 201, that is, the LED on which the command transmitting side is turned on when the command is transmitted, the command transmission status in real time. The transmission status may be confirmed.

Further, in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the power source is checked when a malfunction occurs in various parts such as the lamps and speakers controlled by the display control board 201 and the display control board 300, and the liquid crystal display 135. LED
If the lighting states of the module and the communication confirmation LED module can be confirmed and the connection state and the communication state can be confirmed to be normal, it is possible to specify that the cause of the failure is due to the failure of the electric component itself. Specifically, when the electric parts such as the lamp, the speaker, and the liquid crystal display do not operate, the cause is usually that the electric parts themselves are out of order or the board controlling the electric parts is out of order. As described above, the lighting statuses of the power supply confirmation LED module and the communication confirmation LED module are confirmed, the connection state between the boards and the communication state are normal, and the command reception is normally performed. If it can be confirmed, it can be determined that the board is operating normally, and it is possible to identify that the cause of the failure is the electrical component. On the other hand, if the lighting status of the power supply confirmation LED module and the communication confirmation LED module is confirmed, and any abnormality in the connection state between the boards, the communication state, or the command reception state is confirmed,
It is possible to identify that the cause of the failure is in the board. in this way,
Depending on the lighting status of the power supply confirmation LED module and the communication confirmation LED module, in addition to the connection state and the communication state check, it is also possible to check the failure of the electric component controlled by each board.

In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the board on the side where the connection status and communication status are monitored,
That is, in this embodiment, the board on which the monitor circuit is provided (if the connection state between the game control board 200 and the effect control board 201, the effect control board 201, the effect control board 2)
01 is connected to the display control board 300, the power supply monitoring LED module 24 is provided on the display control board 300) side.
1a, the LED module 241b for communication confirmation, the LED module 304a for power supply monitoring, and the LED module 304b for communication confirmation are provided, and it is not necessary to output a lighting signal to the board on the other side, thus simplifying the board configuration. In addition to being able to do so, it is possible to easily determine which substrate is being monitored.

In the slot machine 1 of this embodiment, the board to which power is supplied and the board on which commands are received, that is, the effect control board 2 in this embodiment.
01, since the power supply state and the communication state of the display control board 300 are monitored, it is possible to confirm whether the power is normally supplied and whether the command is normally received.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the present invention is applicable even if there are changes and additions within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say, it is included in.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example is described in which the game control board 200 is used as the main control means, the effect control board 201 is used as the first sub control means, and the display control board 300 is used as the second sub control means. However,
The present invention is not limited to this, and as a main control means, a control unit or a CPU (a game control unit 210 or a CPU 211 in this embodiment) for controlling the game state,
As a first sub control unit, a control unit or a CP that controls the effect state based on control information received from the main control unit.
U (in the present embodiment, the effect control unit 230 or the CPU 23
1) is a control unit or a CPU (display control unit 310 or C in this embodiment) that controls the effect state based on the control information received from the first sub control unit as the second sub control unit.
PU311) may be applied to each. Further, in this case, it is not necessary that each control unit is mounted on a separate substrate, and for example, all of the main control unit, the first sub control unit, and the second sub control unit are mounted on the same substrate. The main control means and the first sub-control means are mounted on the main board, the second sub-control means is mounted on the sub-board, the main control means is mounted on the main board, the first sub-control The means and the second sub-control means may be mounted on the sub-board or the like.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the effect control board 201 which is the first sub-control means determines the effect pattern, controls the lighting of the lamp and the sound output by the speaker, and the display which is the second sub-control means. Control board 300
Is configured to control the display of the liquid crystal display 135, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the first sub-control for controlling the effect state based on at least the control information from the main control means. Means and a second sub-control means for controlling the effect state based on the control information from the first sub-control means, and the control contents and control parts carried by these first sub-control means, The control contents and control parts that the two sub-control units carry can be appropriately selected.

For example, it is constituted by a mechanical structure driven by an electric drive source such as a motor or a solenoid,
A mechanical effect device capable of executing an effect related to the game by displaying a predetermined display mode, for example, an effect reel provided separately from a reel used in the game,
It is also possible to provide accessories such as dice and dolls, and the second sub-control means controls these mechanical effect devices.
Further, both an image display device such as a liquid crystal display device and a mechanical rendering device may be provided, and the control of each rendering device may be performed by two separately provided second sub-control means. Second, the control of the image display device that requires the dynamic processing capacity
The sub control means may perform the control of the mechanical effect device by the first sub control means.

Further, in the above embodiment, the game state command is transmitted only once from the game control board 200 which is the main control means to the effect control board 201 which is the first sub control means per control. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the game control board 20
The configuration may be such that the game state command is transmitted from 0 to the effect control board 201 a plurality of times per control.

In the above embodiment, the same display control command is sent from the effect control board 201 which is the first sub control means to the display control board 300 which is the second sub control means.
That is, although the control information is transmitted at predetermined intervals, the present invention is not limited to this, and at least the same control information can be transmitted a plurality of times, for example, the same control. Command twice or three
It may be transmitted only once, and in this way, the processing load related to command transmission control can be reduced. Furthermore, if the first sub-control means and the second sub-control means are connected so as to be capable of bidirectional communication, the first sub-control means transmits a control command to the second sub-control means. The same control command may be transmitted again when the confirmation information indicating the normal reception cannot be received from the second sub-control unit. In this case, the processing load related to the command transmission control is increased. Can be further reduced.

Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 27A, only one-way communication from one substrate to one substrate is possible, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, as shown in FIG. 27 (b), an illegitimate signal is input, and one-way communication is performed between the game control board 200 and the effect control board 201, which causes a problem due to a malfunction. The effect control board 201 and the display control board 30 that have little influence on the flow of the game even when input
Two-way communication may be possible with 0. In this case, the effect control board 201 is the display control board 300.
Since a command is also received from the display control board, it is preferable to provide a communication confirmation display device capable of confirming the reception state of the command from the display control board 300.

In the above embodiment, the monitor circuit monitors the power supply state and the board connection state. That is, these states are monitored by hardware. Further, the communication state is monitored by the control unit on the receiving side during the process accompanying the reception of the command. That is, the communication status is monitored by software. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, all may be monitored by hardware, all may be monitored by software, power supply status and communication A configuration in which one of the states is monitored by hardware and the other is monitored by software, for example, the power supply state is monitored by hardware, and the communication state, that is, the command transmission / reception state is monitored by software. The configuration may be good, and the monitoring method can be variously selected.

Also, in the above embodiment, the game control board 20.
DC + 5 supplied from 0 to the production control board 201
All the power sources of V, DC + 12V, and DC + 24V are monitored, and the effect control board 201 to the display control board 3 are monitored.
All the DC + 5V and DC + 12V power supplies supplied to 00 are monitored, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the power supplied from one substrate to the other substrate. At least one of
It suffices that two power supplies be monitored. In the case of the present embodiment, I mounted on the board on the power supply side is monitored.
DC + used as a drive power source for control devices such as C
Preferably 5V is monitored.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the LED module capable of confirming the supply state of the power source and the connection state of the substrates by the lighting state is used as the display means, but the present invention is not limited to this. At least the condition can be visually confirmed, and for example, the condition may be code-displayed on a 7-segment LED or the like, or may be displayed on a liquid crystal display or the like.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, an example in which a medal or a credit is applied as a predetermined value used for carrying out a game has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the game is carried out. As the predetermined value used for that purpose, a pachinko ball, another game medium, or points or points may be applied.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which a special game state such as medals, credits, BB, RB, etc., which is advantageous to the player, is applied as the predetermined game value given based on the result of the game, is explained. The present invention is not limited to this, and the predetermined game value provided based on the result of these games includes all the benefits provided in connection with the game.

In the above embodiment, a normal slot machine capable of playing a game using medals and credits is used as the gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this, and at least the gaming state. A first control means for controlling the effect state based on control information from the main control means;
The present invention can be applied to any gaming machine having a second sub control means for controlling the effect state based on the control information from the sub control means.

For example, as shown in FIG. 28, a pachinko ball with a predetermined value is driven into the game area, and the driven pachinko ball wins a winning opening formed in the game area, whereby a predetermined number of pachinko balls are played. It is a normal pachinko machine to which a jackpot gaming state that is advantageous to a ball or a player is given, and a main control means for controlling the gaming state and a speaker 40 based on a control command from this main control means.
The first sub-control means for controlling the output of No. 1 and the lighting control of the effect lamp 402, and the second sub-control means for controlling the display of the variable display 403 based on the control command from the first sub-control means. It is also applicable to the pachinko machine 400 that it has.

Further, the present invention is a slot machine for playing a game using pachinko balls, a fully credit type slot machine capable of playing only by using credits, an enclosed pachinko machine in which pachinko balls circulate, and Needless to say, the present invention is also applicable to image-type slot machines and pachinko machines displayed on a monitor or the like, and the types of these gaming machines are not limited.

The respective elements in the above embodiment correspond to the present invention as follows.

According to claim 1 of the present invention, a game can be carried out by using a predetermined value (medal, credit), and a predetermined game value can be given based on the result of the game ( In the slot machine 1), main control means (game control board 200) for controlling the game state,
A first sub that is connected to the main control means (game control board 200) in a data communicable manner and controls the effect state based on control information (game state command) received from the main control means (game control board 200). Control information (display control) that is connected to the control means (production control board 201) and the first sub-control means (production control board 201) in a data communicable manner and is received from the first sub-control means (production control board 201). The second sub control means (display control board 300) for controlling the effect state based on the command), and the main control means (game control board 200) retains the game state before the power failure even during a power failure. Main backup means (backup RAM area of RAM 212) that can be Sub backup means capable also retain the previous demonstration state power failure during the power failure (R
A backup RAM area of AM232) is provided, and the main control means (game control board 200) can return to the game state held by the main backup means (backup RAM area of RAM 212) at the time of recovery from a power failure. In addition, the first sub control unit (production control board 201) can return to the production state held by the sub backup unit (backup RAM area of the RAM 232) at the time of recovery from a power failure. Has been done.

According to claim 2 of the present invention, the first sub-control means (production control board 201) produces an effect based on control information (game state command) received from the main control means (game control board 200). The production mode determination unit (production control unit 230) for determining (production pattern) is provided, and the first sub-control unit (production control board 201) and / or the second sub-control unit (display control board 300) is the production. The effect state is controlled based on the effect mode (effect pattern) determined by the mode determining means (control unit 230).

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the second sub control means (display control board 300) does not maintain the effect state before the power failure at the time of the power failure.

According to claim 4 of the present invention, the first sub-control means (production control board 201) causes the second sub-control means (display control board 300) to produce an effect state before a power failure at the time of recovery from a power failure. Command for returning to the default (display control command restored from sub-backup data)
To send.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the main control means (game control board 200), when a predetermined power-off condition is satisfied (when a voltage drop signal is detected), the game state at that time is backed up as the main backup. A main backup process (main power interruption interrupt process) to be held in a means (a backup RAM area of the RAM 212) is performed.

According to claim 6 of the present invention, the first sub-control means (production control board 201) sends control information (game state command) from the main control means (game control board 200).
Each time the message is received, the effect state at that time is indicated by the sub backup means (backup RAM area of RAM 232)
Sub-backup processing to retain the data in the.

According to claim 7 of the present invention, the first sub control means (production control board 201) is responsive to control information (game state command) received from the main control means (game control board 200). Control information (display control command) different from the received control information (game state command) is transmitted to the second sub-control unit (display control board 300).

In the eighth aspect of the present invention, the second sub-control means (display control board 300) performs control with a processing load larger than that performed by the first sub-control means (production control board 201).

According to claim 9 of the present invention, the first sub-control means (production control board 201) includes a plurality of electric parts (game effect lamps 130 to 134, reel lamp 55, small role notification lamps 140a to 140c, fluorescent light). Lamp 138, speaker 1
36a, 136b, 137) are controlled.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the first sub-control means controls voice output and / or lighting of lamps (game effect lamps 130 to 134, reel lamp 55, small role notification lamps 140a to 140c). To do.

The eleventh aspect of the present invention comprises image display means (liquid crystal display 135) capable of displaying a predetermined image, and the second sub-control means (display control board 300) is the image display means (liquid crystal display). The display 135) is controlled.

According to claim 12 of the present invention, the communication state between the main control means (game control board 200) and the first sub control means (production control board 201) and / or the first sub control means (production control board). 201) and the second sub-control unit (display control board 300) is provided with a display unit (communication confirmation LED module 304b) capable of visually confirming the communication state.

[0257]

The present invention has the following effects.

(A) According to the invention of claim 1, the main control means for controlling the game state, and the first sub-control means for controlling the effect state based on the reception of the control information from the main control means. , And a second sub control means for controlling the effect state based on the reception of control information from the first sub control means, so that not only the main control means but also the control load of the first sub control means is dispersed. You can Also, at the time of recovery from a power failure, since it is possible to return to the game state before the power failure based on the game state held by the main backup means, it is possible to prevent the loss of the player from occurring and the sub-backup means holds the effect. It is possible to return to the production state before the power outage based on the state, and it is possible to make the game state and the production state consistent when recovering from the power outage, so the player feels uncomfortable due to these inconsistencies Can be prevented from being given.

(B) According to the invention of claim 2, the effect mode determined by the effect mode determining means before the power failure can be reflected in the effect state restored at the time of recovery from the power failure.

(C) According to the third aspect of the invention, the production state backed up by the first sub control means is not the production state backed up by the second sub control means at the time of recovery from the power failure, but the second sub control is performed. By reflecting the effect on the effect state controlled by the means, the consistency between the two can be maintained.

(D) According to the invention of claim 4, substantially at the same time as the effect state of the first sub control means is restored at the time of recovery from the power failure, the effect state of the second sub control means is also restored. it can.

(E) According to the invention of claim 5, the main control means backs up only during a power failure.
The processing load of the main control means for controlling the gaming state can be reduced.

(F) According to the invention of claim 6, the effect state based on the control information received from the main control means can be surely reflected in the effect state to be backed up.

(G) According to the invention of claim 7, the first sub-control means can transmit only the control information related to the performance to the second sub-control means. The means can instruct the second sub-control means for finer effect control.

(H) According to the invention of claim 8, the first sub control means, which has a smaller processing load than the second sub control means, is connected between the main control means and the second sub control means. However, by exchanging data with both the main control unit and the second sub control unit, it is possible to prevent the processing load of the second sub control unit from becoming too large.

(I) According to the ninth aspect of the invention, the first sub-control means controls the drive of the electric component having a relatively small processing load, so that the processing load of the second sub-control means becomes extremely large. It can be avoided.

(J) According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the first sub-control means performs the voice output control and / or the lamp lighting control with a relatively small processing load, so that the processing of the second sub-control means is performed. It is possible to prevent the load from becoming extremely large.

(K) According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the first sub-control means, which has a smaller processing load than the second sub-control means for controlling the image display means which requires high processing capacity, is controlled by the main control. By connecting the means and the second sub-control means and exchanging data with both the main control means and the second sub-control means, it is possible to prevent the processing load of the second sub-control means from becoming too large. It can be avoided.

(L) According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, the communication state between the control means can be visually confirmed by the display means. Therefore, when at least one control means fails, Only by confirming the display means, it is possible to easily confirm whether or not the cause is a communication failure between the control means. If the display means confirms that the communication state is normal, it is possible to identify that the cause of the failure is due to the failure of the electrical component controlled by each control means. It is also possible to confirm the failure of the electric component controlled by each control means.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a slot machine of an embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

2 is an internal structure diagram of the slot machine of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of a front door of the slot machine of FIG.

4A is a front view of an effect control board provided in the slot machine of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4B shows a configuration of a power supply confirmation LED module provided on the surface of the effect control board. It is a figure and (c) is a figure showing the composition of the LED module for communication confirmation provided in the surface of the production control board.

5A is a front view of a display control board provided in the slot machine of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5B shows a configuration of a power supply confirmation LED module provided on the surface of the display control board. It is a figure and (c) is a figure showing the composition of the LED module for communication confirmation provided in the surface of the display control board.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of the slot machine of the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of a game control unit provided on a game control board in the slot machine of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of an effect control unit provided on an effect control board and a configuration of a display control section provided on a display control board in the slot machine of the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a RAM in the slot machine of the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the control contents executed by the game control section of the game control board in the slot machine of the present embodiment.

11 is a flowchart showing the control contents of a main initialization process in FIG.

12 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the setting initialization process in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the game state return error processing in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the game control process in FIG.

15 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the internal lottery process in FIG.

16 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the reel rotation processing in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the main command transmission process in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a main power outage interruption process executed by the game control unit of the game control board in the slot machine of the present embodiment at the time of power outage.

It is the flowchart which shows the control contents which the production control section of the production control board executes in the slot machine of this execution example.

It is the flowchart which shows the control contents which the production control section of the production control board executes in the slot machine of this execution example.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the sub initialization process in FIG.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the effect mode determination process in FIG.

23 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the subcommand transmission process in FIGS. 19 and 20. FIG.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing details of sub-backup processing in FIG.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing control contents executed by a display controller of a display control board in the slot machine of the present embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a backup implementation status of each board in the slot machine of the present embodiment and a processing status at the time of recovery from a power failure.

FIG. 27A is a block diagram showing a communication state between the respective boards in the slot machine of the present embodiment,
(B) is a block diagram showing a modification of the communication state between the boards.

FIG. 28 is a front view of a pachinko machine as a modified example of the game machine according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 slot machine 2a housing 2b front door 3 locking device 3a keyhole 4 upper decorative frame 5 winning symbol explanation panel 6 game panel 7 lower decorative frame 8 title panel 9 medal payout hole 10 ashtray 11 medal tray 12a, 12b sound emitting part 13 release Sound part 14 Transparent window 15 Liquid crystal display parts 20a, 20b Small role announcement display part 21 1 bet display part 22, 23 2 bet display part 24, 25 3 bet display part 26 Game over display part 27 Replay display part 28 Weight Display unit 29 Start display unit 30 Insertion instruction display unit 31 Credit display unit 32 Number of games display unit 33 Payout display unit 34 Medal insertion unit 35 Medal jam clearing button 36a 1 BET button 36b MAXBET button 37 Settlement button 38 Start lever 39 Stop button Unit 40L, 40C, 40R Stop button Tan 41-45 Game effect lamp section 50 Variable display device 51L, 51C, 51R Reel 52 Reel unit 53 Reel concealing member 54L, 54C, 54R Reel motor 55 Reel lamp 56 Reel sensor 57 Hopper tank 58 Guide rail 59 Overflow tank 60 Full Tan sensor 61 Payout medal sensor 62 Hopper motor 63 Medal outlet 64 Power supply unit 65 Main switch section 66 Second reset button 67 Setting button 68 Automatic settlement selection switch section 69 Stop selection switch section 70 Setting key insertion section 71 Medal selector 72 Illegal medals Ejection unit 73 Return medal flow path 80 Main switch 81 Second reset switch 82 Setting key switch 83 Setting switch 84 Power cord 85 Back plate 86, 87 Side plate 100 1 BET switch 101 MAXBET switch 102 Start switch 103L, 103C, 103R Stop switch 104 Settlement switch 105 First reset switch 106 Inserted medal sensor 107 Flow path switching solenoid 108 Game count display 109 Credit display 110 Payout display 111 Insert instruction lamp 112 1 bet Lamp 113, 114 2 bet lamp 115, 116 3 bet lamp 117 Game over lamp 118 Start lamp 119 Replay lamp 120 Bonus notification lamp 121a, 121b BET button lamp 122L, 122C, 122R Operation effective lamp 130-134 Game effect lamp 135 Liquid crystal display 136a, 136b, 137 Speaker 138 Fluorescent lamp 139 Weight lamp 140a, 140b, 140c Knowledge lamp 200 Game control board 201 Production control board 202 Power supply board 203 Reel relay board 204 Reel lamp relay board 205 External output board 210 Game controller 211 CPU 212 RAM 213 ROM 214 I / O port 215 Switch circuit 216 Motor circuit 217 Initial reset Circuit 218 Clock generation circuit 219 Pulse division circuit 220 Buffer circuit 221 Random number generation circuit 222 Sampling circuit 223 Storage case 224 Power supply monitoring IC 230 Production control unit 231 CPU 232 RAM 233 ROM 234 I / O port 235 Speaker drive circuit 236 Display drive Circuit 237 Lamp drive circuit 238 Storage case 241a Power supply confirmation LED module 241a 'Power supply confirmation LED module 241b Communication confirmation LED module 241 'Communication confirmation LED module 241c communication confirmation indicator 242 power confirmation LED (D
C + 24V) 243 Power confirmation LED (D
C + 12V) 244 Power supply confirmation LED (D
C + 5V) 245 Communication confirmation LED (command reception) 246 Communication confirmation LED (I
NT (Strobe) 250-257 Communication confirmation LED (B
0 to B7) 260 input circuit 261 buffer circuit 300 display control board 301 storage case 304a power supply confirmation LED module 304b communication confirmation LED module 320 power supply confirmation LED (D
C + 12V) 321 Power supply confirmation LED (D
C + 5V) 322 Communication confirmation LED (command reception) 323 Communication confirmation LED (I
NT (Strobe) 330-337 Communication confirmation LED (B
0 to B7) 340 Input circuit 400 Pachinko machine 401 Speaker 402 Performance lamp 403 Variable display L1, L2, L2 ', L3, L3' Winning line

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A gaming machine that can carry out a game using a predetermined value and can give a predetermined game value based on a result of the game, and is a main control for controlling a game state. Means, and a first sub-control means that is connected to the main control means so as to be capable of data communication and that controls the effect state based on control information received from the main control means.
A second sub-control unit that is connected to the first sub-control unit so as to be able to perform data communication and that controls the effect state based on the control information received from the first sub-control unit; A main backup means capable of retaining the gaming state before the power outage even during a power outage is provided, and the first sub-control means has a sub backup means capable of retaining the performance state before the power outage even during a power outage. Provided, the main control means is capable of returning to the gaming state held by the main backup means at the time of recovery from a power failure,
The first sub control means is capable of returning to the effect state held by the sub backup means at the time of recovery from a power failure. 2. The first sub-control means comprises a production mode determination means for determining a production mode based on control information received from the main control means, and the first sub-control means and / or the second sub-control. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the means controls the effect state on the basis of the effect mode determined by the effect mode determination means. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the second sub-control means does not maintain a performance state prior to the power outage during a power outage. 4. The first sub-control means transmits a control command for returning to the production state before the power failure to the second sub-control means at the time of recovery from the power failure.
The gaming machine according to any one of 1 to 3. 5. The main control means performs a main backup process for causing the main backup means to hold a game state at that time when a predetermined power-off condition is satisfied. The game machine described. 6. The first sub control means performs a sub backup process for causing the sub backup means to retain the effect state at that time each time control information is received from the main control means. The gaming machine according to any one of 5. 7. The first sub-control means transmits control information different from the received control information to the second sub-control means in response to the control information received from the main control means. The gaming machine according to any one of 1 to 6. 8. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the second sub-control unit performs a control having a processing load larger than that of the control performed by the first sub-control unit. 9. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the first sub-control unit controls driving of a plurality of electric components. 10. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the first sub-control unit controls a voice output and / or a lamp lighting control. 11. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising image display means capable of displaying a predetermined image, wherein the second sub-control means controls the image display means. 12. A display unit capable of visually confirming a communication state between the main control unit and the first sub control unit and / or a communication state between the first sub control unit and the second sub control unit. The gaming machine according to any one of 1 to 11.