JP2003251036A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine, capable of stably paying off a valuable object. <P>SOLUTION: Only the main control board C for managing payoff of a prize ball can be backed up, and a payoff control board H for performing payoff of the prize ball reads the prize ball number data stored in the main control board C or writes to thereby payoff the prize ball. In this arrangement, even when the power supply is cut due to power failure, the data on the number of prize balls to be paid off can be stored. When only the main control board C is loaded with a backup function, the prize ball can be ensured without loading the payoff control board H with a backup function, so that the cost for designing the payoff control board H can be reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a gaming machine represented by a pachinko machine and a slot machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A game control of a pachinko machine is mainly performed by a main control board. This main control board is connected with a payout control board for payout control of prize balls and lent balls. Control of this payout control board is performed by a command transmitted from the main control board to the payout control board in one direction. Done.

Here, it is necessary to reliably pay out the prize balls even when the power of the pachinko machine is cut off due to a power failure or the like. Therefore, the data of the main control board and the payout control board that store the number of remaining payouts of prize balls is retained (backed up) even after the power of the pachinko machine is turned off, and the unpaid amount is paid after the power is turned on again. It is configured to pay out prize balls.

[0004]

However, when the power of the pachinko machine is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, and the respective control data is backed up in the main control board and the payout control board, the capacity of the backup power supply is reduced. One of the backup data becomes invalid due to the size or the like. When the power is turned on in that state, the data backed up in each of the main control board and the payout control board are different, and there is a problem that a normal game cannot be played.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of stably paying out valuable objects.

[0006]

In order to achieve this object, a gaming machine according to claim 1 has a main control means for controlling a game and a valuable value for a player connected to the main control means. And a payout control means for performing a payout operation of a certain valuable object, the main control means includes a valuable object storage means for storing data of the number of payouts of the valuable object, and the payout control means has the main control The valuable object is paid out according to the data stored in the valuable object storage means of the means. A gaming machine according to a second aspect is the gaming machine according to the first aspect, wherein the payout control means periodically reads the data stored in the valuable object storage means of the main control means in a normal process. is there. The gaming machine according to claim 3 is the gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the payout control means changes data of the number of paid-out valuable objects stored in the valuable object storage means of the main control means. It is configured to (subtract). A gaming machine according to claim 4 is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the payout control means completes the payout of the valuable object according to the data read from the main control means. The processing for reading the valuable object storage means of the main control means is on standby.

[0007]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a pachinko machine, which is a kind of ball game machine, as an example of the game machine, particularly a first-class pachinko machine, will be described.
It should be noted that it is naturally possible to use the present invention in a third-class pachinko gaming machine and other gaming machines.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a game board of a pachinko machine P according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Around the game board 1, there are provided a plurality of winning openings 2 from which 5 to 15 balls are paid out by winning the balls. Further, in the center of the game board 1, a liquid crystal display (hereinafter simply referred to as “LCD”) 3 for displaying a pattern or the like as a plurality of types of identification information is provided. The display screen of the LCD 3 is divided, and in each of the divided display areas, a variable display of a special symbol based on the fact that a ball wins a symbol operation port 4 described later, and gates arranged on both sides of the LCD 3. The variable display of the normal symbol based on the ball passing to 6 is performed.

Below the LCD 3, a symbol operating port (first type starting port, ordinary electric accessory) 4 is provided, and when the ball wins the symbol operating port 4, the variable display of the LCD 3 is started. To be done. When the variable display of the normal symbol on the LCD 3 ends with a predetermined display result, the symbol operation port 4 is opened so that the ball can easily win the prize (normal symbol hit state).

Below the symbol working opening 4, a specific winning opening (large winning opening) 5 is provided. This specific winning opening 5 is L
When the display result after the change of CD3 matches with one of the predetermined symbol combinations, it becomes a jackpot, and a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds elapses, or the ball It is a winning opening that is opened (up to 10 winnings).

A V zone 5a is provided in the specific winning opening 5, and when the ball passes through the V zone 5a while the specific winning opening 5 is open, the continuation right is established and the specific winning opening is formed. After closing 5, the specific winning opening 5 is opened again for a predetermined time (or until a predetermined number of balls are won in the specific winning opening 5). The opening / closing operation of the specific winning opening 5 can be repeated up to 16 times (16 rounds), and the state in which the opening / closing operation can be performed is a state in which a so-called predetermined game value is given (special game state). is there.

The state in which a predetermined game value is added to the third-class pachinko gaming machine (special gaming state) is L
It means that the specific winning opening is opened for a predetermined time when the display result after the change of CD3 matches one of the predetermined symbol combinations. When the ball wins the specific winning opening during the opening of the specific winning opening, the special winning opening provided separately from the specific winning opening is opened for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine P. In particular, the main control board C for controlling the game contents of the pachinko machine P and the payout control of prize balls and ball rentals are performed. It is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration with a payout control board H.

The main control board C of the pachinko machine P is an RO which stores an MPU 11 which is an arithmetic unit and various control programs executed by the MPU 11 and fixed value data.
M12 and RAM13 used as a work memory or the like
It has and. The programs shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 to 5 are stored in the ROM 12 as a part of the control program.
It is stored in. The RAM 13 is provided with a prize ball buffer 13a, a prize ball pointer 13b, a remaining prize ball number counter 13c, and a backup area 13d. A backup voltage is supplied to the RAM 13 from the power supply board 42 even after the power is turned off.
Each value of 3 can be held (backed up) even when the power of the pachinko machine P is cut off.

The prize ball buffer 13a is a buffer for storing the number of prize balls to be paid out when a ball hit into the game board 1 wins the prize hole 2, the symbol operation hole 4, or the specific prize hole 5. is there. The number of prize balls to be paid out is stored in the prize ball buffer 13a for each winning ball.
3a is composed of a plurality of bytes. Prize ball buffer 13
The prize ball number data stored in a is transmitted to the payout control board H as a prize ball command when the main control board C receives a prize ball read command from the payout control board H, and the remaining prize ball number counter to be described later. When it is added to 13c, it is erased. Specifically, after adding the number of award balls stored in the 0th award ball buffer 13a to the remaining award ball number counter 13c, the values of the award ball buffer 13a after the first award are sequentially incremented by 1 byte toward the smaller address. By shifting, the value of the 0th prize ball buffer 13a is erased.

Here, the prize ball read command is a request for transmitting the prize ball number data that is periodically transmitted from the payout control board H to the main control board C, and the main control board C sends this prize ball read command. When received, the prize ball number data stored in the prize ball buffer 13a indicated by the value of the prize ball pointer 13b, which will be described later, is transmitted to the payout control board H as a prize ball command.

Conventionally, in the regular processing of the main control board, the prize ball number data is transmitted to the payout control board as a prize ball command. Therefore, the payout control board receives the award ball command suddenly transmitted from the main control board in the interrupt process, which complicates the design of the control program of the payout control board. However, according to the pachinko machine P of the present embodiment, when the payout control board H regularly transmits the prize ball read command to the main control board C, and the main control board C receives the prize ball read command, A prize ball command is output as the response instruction. Therefore, since the payout control board H can obtain the prize ball number data of the main control board C by itself, it is not necessary to receive the prize ball number data from the main control board C by an interrupt process or the like. Therefore, the cost of designing the payout control board H can be reduced.

The prize ball command is a command for instructing the payout control board H about the number of prize balls to be paid out, and is composed of 2 bytes. The 1st byte data of the prize ball command is data (for example, "A0H") indicating that the command is a prize ball command, and the 2nd byte data is the number of prize balls to be paid out. The data is shown. Since the maximum number of prize balls for one winning is 15 balls, 15 kinds of data “01H” to “0FH” corresponding to the maximum number of prize balls are used as the second byte data of the prize ball command. There is.

The prize ball command may be composed of 1 byte. As described above, the maximum number of prize balls for one winning is 15 balls. Therefore, when the prize ball command is composed of 1 byte, one of "01H" to "0FH" corresponding to the maximum prize ball number. 15 types of data are used as prize ball commands. That is, when the upper 4 bits of the command composed of 1 byte is "0", the command is a prize ball command.

The prize ball pointer 13b is a pointer indicating the position of the prize ball buffer 13a for storing the number of prize balls, and the number of prize balls transmitted to the payout control board H as a prize ball command is the value of the prize ball pointer 13b. Th prize ball buffer 13a
To be remembered. By writing the number of prize balls to the prize ball buffer 13a, "1" is added to the value of the prize ball pointer 13b, and conversely, the value of the 0th prize ball buffer 13a is transmitted to the payout control board H. "1" is subtracted.

The remaining prize ball number counter 13c is a counter for storing the number of unpaid prize balls, and is a counter for managing the number of prize balls paid out by the payout control board H in the main control board C. The value of the remaining prize ball number counter 13c is the prize stored in the prize ball buffer 13a when the value of the prize ball number data stored in the prize ball buffer 13a is transmitted to the payout control board H as a prize ball command. The value is added according to the value of the ball number data, and conversely, “1” is subtracted when the prize ball payout command is received from the payout control board H.

Here, the prize ball payout command is a command indicating that one prize ball has been paid out by the payout motor 37 by the prize ball count switch 38 described later. In this embodiment, since the prize ball count switch 38 is not connected to the main control board C, the payout control board H monitors the prize ball count switch 38, and when the prize ball count switch 38 detects the prize ball. , And sends a prize ball payout command indicating that one prize ball has been paid out to the main control board C. Therefore, the payout of the prize balls can be recognized by the main control board C.

When the power is cut off due to a power failure or the like, the backup area 13d restores the state of the pachinko machine P to the state before the power is cut off when the power is turned on again. This is an area for storing stack pointers (including the same below), values of registers, I / O, and the like. This backup area 1
Writing to 3d is executed when the power is turned off by referring to the NMI interrupt processing (FIG. 3), and conversely, backup area 1
The restoration of each value written in 3d is executed in a restoration process (power restoration process) at the time of power-on (including power-on by power failure elimination. The same applies hereinafter) (see FIG. 4).

The MPU 11 has an input / output port 1 via a bus line 14 composed of an address bus and a data bus.
It is connected to 5. The input / output port 15 is connected to the payout control board H via a plurality of signal lines 16 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication, and also has a plurality of normal winning switches 17 to 20.
First-class starter switch 21 and V count switch 22
A 10-count switch 23, a clear switch 43 provided on the power supply board 42, another input / output device 24,
Each is connected.

The normal winning switches 17 to 20 are the game board 1
It is a switch for detecting each of the balls that have won the plurality of ordinary winning openings 2 therein, and is provided near the entrance of each ordinary winning opening 2. The first type starting port switch 21 is a switch for detecting a ball that has won a prize in the symbol operating port (first type starting port) 4, and is provided in the vicinity of the symbol operating port 4. When a ball is detected by one of the normal winning switches 17 to 20 or the first type starting opening switch 21, data of five prize balls is written in the remaining prize ball counter 13c.

The V count switch 22 has a specific winning opening 5
The 10-count switch 23 is a switch for detecting a ball that has won a prize in the V zone 5a inside, and the 10-count switch 23 is a switch for detecting a ball that has won a prize other than the V zone 5a in the specific winning opening 5. V count switch 22 or 10
When a ball is detected by the count switch 23, data of 15 prize balls is written in the remaining prize ball counter 13c.

The clear switch 44 is provided on the power supply board 42 and is a switch for clearing the data backed up in the RAM 13 of the main control board C, and is a push button type switch. When the power of the pachinko machine P is turned on while the clear switch 44 is being pressed (including power-on due to elimination of power failure), RA
The M clear signal is output to the main control board C, and the data in the RAM 13 is cleared.

The power supply board 42 is a board for supplying a drive voltage to each part of the pachinko machine P, and also supplies a backup voltage for the main control board C, a reset signal, and a RAM clear based on the state of the pachinko machine P. It outputs a signal and a power failure signal. The main control board C and the payout control board H are driven by a drive voltage of 5 volts supplied from the power supply board 42. This power board 42 has
MPU of main control board C when power is cut off due to power failure
11 is provided with a power failure monitoring circuit 45 which is a circuit for outputting a power failure signal 51 to the NMI interrupt terminal. This power failure monitoring circuit 45 monitors the voltage of DC stable 24V which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply board 42, and when this voltage becomes less than 22V, power failure (power cut).
It is configured to output the power failure signal 51 when it is determined that By the output of the power failure signal 51, the main control board C recognizes the occurrence of the power failure and performs the power failure processing (the NM of FIG. 3).
I interrupt processing). The power supply board 42 is
It is the drive voltage of the control system for a sufficient time to execute the power outage process (including the waiting time of the execution timing suitable for the power outage process) even after the DC stable 24 V voltage becomes less than 22 V. Since the output of 5 volts is configured to be maintained at the normal value, the main control board C can normally execute the power failure process.

The payout control board H is for performing payout control of prize balls and lent balls, and is an MPU 31 which is an arithmetic unit, a ROM 32 which stores a control program executed by the MPU 31, fixed value data and the like, and a work. A RAM 33 used as a memory or the like is provided. The programs of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 are stored in the ROM 32 as a part of the control program.

The RAM 33 of the payout control board H is provided with a remaining prize ball number counter 33a, a transmitted flag 33b, a no tank ball flag 33c, and a lower plate full tank flag 33d.

The remaining prize ball counter 33a is a counter for storing the number of unpaid prize balls, like the remaining prize ball counter 13a of the main control board C described above. Remaining award ball counter 3
The value of 3a is added with the number of prize balls according to the prize ball command every time the payout control board H receives the data of the prize ball number from the main control board C by the prize ball command. On the contrary, each time the prize ball count switch 38 detects the paid-out prize ball, "1" is decremented by one. The payout control board H operates the payout motor 37 to pay out prize balls until the value of the remaining prize ball number counter 33a becomes "0".

The transmitted flag 33b is a flag for storing whether or not the prize ball reading command is transmitted to the main control board C. The transmitted flag 33b is turned on when the prize ball reading command is transmitted to the main control board C, and is turned off when the prize ball command is received from the main control board C. Since it is necessary to surely perform the prize ball movement, each processing should be surely performed. Therefore, it is desirable that the transmission / reception of the command is not performed until the processing of 1 is completed, that is, the input (reception) of 1 is completed with respect to the output (transmission) of 1. Therefore, the transmitted flag 33b can prevent the award ball reading command from being transmitted to the main control board C in a duplicated manner, so that highly reliable control can be performed.

The no tank sphere flag 33c is a flag for storing the state of whether or not there is a sphere in the storage tank (not shown). This tank ball non-existence flag 33c is turned on when it is determined by the tank ball cutting switch 39 described later that there is no ball in the storage tank, and conversely is turned off when it is determined that there is a ball in the storage tank. . The lower plate full tank flag 33d is a flag for storing the state of whether the lower plate (not shown) is full or not. The lower plate full tank flag 33d is turned on when it is determined by the lower plate full switch 40 described later that the lower plate is full of balls, and conversely, it is determined that the lower plate is not full of balls. If it is turned off. When either the no tank ball flag 33c or the lower plate full tank flag 33d is turned on, the payout of the prize balls and the rental balls is stopped.

The MPU 31 has an input / output port 35 through a bus line 34 composed of an address bus and a data bus.
Connected with. The input / output port 35 is connected to the main control board C via a plurality of signal lines 16 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication, and also has a clear switch 43 on the power supply board 40, a driver circuit 36, and a prize ball count switch 38. , And other input / output devices 39, respectively.

The driver circuit 36 is a circuit for driving and rotating the payout motor 37. When the payout motor 37 is rotated by the driver circuit 36, prize balls or rental balls are paid out according to the number of rotations.

The prize ball count switch 38 is a switch for detecting the prize balls actually paid out by the payout motor 37, and the output thereof is input only to the payout control board H. The payout control board H is configured to output a prize ball payout command to the main control board C each time the prize ball count switch 38 detects one prize ball. Therefore, even if the prize ball count switch 38 is not connected to the main control board C, the main control board C can recognize the payout operation of the prize ball.

The tank ball-off switch 39 is a switch for detecting whether or not the balls are stored in a storage tank (not shown) for storing prize balls and balls to be paid out by the payout control board H. . Lower plate full tank switch 40
This is a switch for detecting whether or not the lower plate (not shown) of the pachinko machine P is full of balls.

Next, with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS. 3 to 9, the respective processes performed in the main control board C and the payout control board H will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the NMI interrupt process executed by the main control board C when the pachinko machine P is powered off due to a power failure or the like. This NM
By the I interrupt process, the state of the main control board C when the power is cut off due to a power failure or the like is stored in the backup area 13d.

When the power of the pachinko machine P is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the power failure signal 51 causes the MPU 11 of the main control board C.
Are output to the NMI (Non Maskable Interrupt) terminal of each. When the power failure signal 51 is input to the NMI terminal, the MPU 11 interrupts the control being executed, and the NMI of FIG.
Start interrupt processing. Power is supplied to the main control board C for a predetermined time after the power failure signal 51 is output, and the NMI interrupt processing of FIG. 3 is executed within the predetermined time.

In the NMI interrupt processing, first, each register,
The value of I / O, etc. is written to the stack area (S1), and the value of the stack pointer is backed up in the backup area 13d.
Is written in (S2), and the state at the time of power interruption due to the occurrence of a power failure is stored. Then, the power failure occurrence information indicating that the power failure has occurred is written in the backup area 13d (S
3). After that, other power failure processing is executed (S4), and thereafter, the processing is looped until the power is completely cut off and the processing cannot be executed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the main processing executed in the main control board C of the pachinko machine P. The main control of the pachinko machine P is executed by this main processing. In the main processing, first, after interrupts are prohibited (S
11) and set the stack pointer (S12). It is confirmed whether or not the clear switch 44 is turned on (S1).
3). If the clear switch 44 is not turned on (S
13: No), it is confirmed whether the backup is valid (S14). This confirmation is determined by whether or not the keyword written in a predetermined area of the RAM 13 is correctly stored. If the keyword is stored correctly, the backup is valid, and conversely, if the keyword is not correct, the backup data is destroyed, so the backup is not valid. If the backup is valid (S14: Yes), the process proceeds to S21, and each state of the main control board C is returned to the state before the power was turned off. On the other hand, backup is not effective (S1
4: No), or if the clear switch 44 is turned on (S13: Yes), RAM clear and initialization processing is executed (S15) to initialize each value of the RAM 13 and I / O, etc. Settings are made (S16). After setting the timer interrupts, enable each interrupt (S1
7). After permitting the interrupt, the special symbol variation process, the display data creation process, each process for controlling the game such as lamp / information processing are executed (S18), and the remaining time until the predetermined timing arrives. , A random number initial value updating process for updating the initial value of the random number counter for determining the jackpot (S1
9) is repeatedly executed. Since each process (S18) needs to be executed periodically, the elapsed time is checked in the process of S20 (S20). As a result of the check, if the predetermined time has elapsed (S20: Yes), the process is S18.
If the predetermined time has not elapsed (S2
0: No), the process proceeds to S19, and the random number initial value updating process (S19) is repeated. Here, each process (S
Since the execution time of 18) changes according to the state of the game, the remaining time until the execution timing of each subsequent process arrives is not a constant time. Therefore, the initial value of the random number counter can be randomly updated by repeatedly executing the random number initial value updating process (S19) using the remaining time.

In the processing from S21, first, the value of the stack pointer is read from the backup area 13d, and this value is written in the stack area to restore the state before the power is cut off (before the power failure), that is, the state before the NMI interrupt occurs. (S2
1). After that, the data of each register, I / O, etc. saved in the stack area is read from the stack area, and these respective data are written to the original register, I / O, etc. (S
22). Then, the value of the remaining prize ball number counter 13c is set and transmitted as a prize ball command to the payout control board H (S23). Further, the interrupt state is returned to the state before the power failure (before the power failure) stored in the process of FIG. 3 executed at the time of the power outage, that is, the state before the NMI interrupt has occurred (S24), N
The MI interrupt return is executed, the process is returned to the place where it was executed before the power is cut off, and the control is continued from the state before the power was cut off.

FIG. 5 shows each process of the main control board C (S18).
It is a flowchart of the prize ball process executed in the. The prize ball process is a winning opening 2, a symbol working opening 4, or a specific winning opening 5.
Winning detection processing (S30) of detecting a winning sphere, and winning ball command transmission processing (S40) of transmitting the winning sphere command to the payout control board H when a winning sphere read command transmitted from the payout control board H is received. ) And a prize sphere number subtracting process (S50) of subtracting the number of prize spheres paid out by the payout control substrate H from the number of prize spheres stored in the main control board C.

In the winning detection process (S30), first, it is confirmed whether or not a ball is detected by any of the normal winning switches 17 to 20 or the first type starting opening switch 21 (S31). When a ball is detected by any of the switches 17 to 20, 21 (S31: Yes), in order to pay out five prize balls, "5 Is written (S32),
The value of the prize ball pointer 13b is incremented by "1" (S33).
On the other hand, when the sphere is not detected by any of the switches 17 to 20, 21 (S31: No), the processes of S32 and S33 are skipped and the process proceeds to S34.

In the process of S34, the V count switch 2
It is confirmed whether the sphere is detected by the 2 or 10 count switch 23 (S34). Any switch 22,
When the sphere is detected by 23 (S34: Ye
s), in order to pay out 15 prize balls, a prize ball pointer 1
"15" is written into the value-th prize ball buffer 13a of 3b (S35), and the value of the prize ball pointer 13b is incremented by "1" (S36). On the other hand, if the sphere is not detected by any of the switches 22 and 23 (S34: No), S
The process of 35 and S36 is skipped, the winning detection process (S30) is ended, and the process proceeds to the prize ball command transmission process of S40.

In the prize ball command transmission process (S40), first, it is confirmed whether or not a prize ball read command is received from the payout control board H (S41). If the prize ball read command is received from the payout control board H (S41: Yes), the payout control board H is in a state in which the prize balls can be paid out. Next, data of the prize balls to be paid out to the prize ball buffer 13a is obtained. In order to confirm whether or not it is stored, it is confirmed whether or not the value of the prize ball pointer 13b is "0" (S42). Prize ball pointer 1
If the value of 3b is not “0” (S42: No), it means that the data of the prize balls to be paid out is stored in the prize ball buffer 13a, so the value of the 0th prize ball buffer 13a is set. , A prize ball command is transmitted to the payout control board H (S43), and the value of the 0th prize ball buffer is added to the remaining prize ball counter 13c (S44). Then, the value of the prize ball buffer 13a is sequentially shifted by 1 byte toward the smaller address side (S45), the value of the prize ball pointer 13b is decremented by "1" (S46), and the prize ball command transmission process is ended. , S50.

In the process of S41, if the prize ball read command is not received from the payout control board H (S4).
1: No), this prize ball command transmission processing is terminated, and S
The processing shifts to 50 prize ball number subtraction processing. In the process of S42, if the value of the prize ball pointer 13b is “0” (S42: Yes), it means that the prize ball data to be paid out is not stored in the prize ball buffer 13a. The award ball command of "0" ball is set and transmitted to the payout control board H (S47), the award ball command transmitting process is ended, and the process proceeds to the award ball number subtracting process of S50.

In the process of subtracting the number of prize balls in S50, first, it is confirmed whether or not a prize ball payout command indicating that one prize ball has been paid out has been received from the payout control board H (S51).
If the prize ball payout command is received from the payout control board H (S51: Yes), one payout ball is paid out by the payout control board H, and the prize ball is switched to the prize ball count switch 38.
Since it is detected in step S1, it is confirmed that the value of the remaining prize ball number counter 13c of the main control board C is not "0" (S
52) If the value of the remaining prize ball number counter 13c is not "0" (S52: No), "1" is subtracted from the value of the remaining prize ball number counter 13c (S53), and this prize ball number subtraction process is executed. finish.

When the prize ball payout command is not received from the payout control board H in the process of S51 (S5
1: No), skip the processing of S52 and S53,
This award ball number subtraction process ends. Further, in the process of S52, even if the prize ball payout command is received from the payout control substrate H, if the value of the remaining prize ball counter 13c is “0” (S51: Yes, S52: Yes), the actual payout is made. Since the prize balls have been paid out in excess of the number of prize balls to be paid out, the prize ball over error process is performed (S54),
The payout of the prize balls is stopped, and the extra prize balls are notified by a speaker (not shown), an LED or the like, and the prize ball number subtracting process is ended. When the number-of-prize-balls subtraction process ends, the award-ball process of FIG. 5 ends.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a pseudo reset interrupt process executed every 2 ms by the timer interrupt in the payout control board H. By this pseudo reset interrupt process, main control in the payout control board H is performed. In the pseudo reset interrupt process, first, an initialization process including initialization of the RAM 33 is executed (S61). Then RAM
A check is made (S62) to confirm whether the RAM 33 is normal. As a result of the RAM check, if the RAM 33 is abnormal (S63: Yes), the process proceeds to S61 and the initialization process is executed again. On the other hand, as a result of the RAM check, if the RAM 33 is normal (S63: N
o), the flag setting process shown in FIG. 7 is executed (S6).
4).

The flag setting process (S64) of FIG. 7 is a process for confirming whether or not the payout operation of the prize ball or the ball rental can be executed. In this flag setting process, whether the sphere can be paid out by the tank sphere no flag 33c or the lower plate full tank flag 33d, whether the storage tank (not shown) is out of balls or the lower plate (not shown) is full. Confirm whether or not.

First, it is confirmed whether or not the tank ball-off switch 39 is turned on (S71). If the tank ball-off switch 39 is turned on (S71: Yes), the storage tank (not shown) is in the ball-free state, so that the dispensing control board H recognizes that the storage tank is in the ball-free state.
The tankless flag 33c is turned on (S72), and the process proceeds to S74. On the other hand, in the process of S71, if the tank ball-off switch 39 is not turned on (S71: N
o) Since the balls that can be paid out are stored in the storage tank, the tank ball non-flag 33c is turned off (S73), and the process proceeds to S74.

Next, in the process of S74, it is confirmed whether or not the lower plate full tank switch 40 is turned on (S74).
As a result of the confirmation, if the lower plate full tank switch 40 is turned on (S74: Yes), the lower plate (not shown) is filled with balls and it is impossible to dispense the balls when the tank is full.
In order for the payout control board H to recognize that the balls cannot be paid out, the lower plate full tank flag 33d is turned on (S75), and this flag setting process is ended. On the other hand, S
In the process of 74, if the lower plate full tank switch 40 is not turned on (S74: No), it is indicated that the lower plate is not full and the balls can be paid out.
In order to recognize it, the lower plate full tank flag 33d is turned off (S76), and this flag setting process ends.

After the flag setting process (S64) is finished, the process is once returned to the pseudo reset interrupt process of FIG. 6, and then the prize ball operation process (S65) shown in FIG. 8 is executed. This prize ball operation process is a read command transmission process (S80) for transmitting a prize ball read command that is a request to transmit the prize ball number data to the main control board C, and a prize ball command that is a response instruction of the prize ball read command. Data writing processing for writing the value of the award ball number data corresponding to
90) and a prize ball payout process (S100) for paying out prize balls by the payout motor 37.

In the read command transmission process (S80), first, it is confirmed whether or not the value of the remaining prize ball number counter 33a is "0" (S81). Here, the remaining award ball number counter 33
If the value of a is not "0" (S81: No), it means that there are remaining prize balls to be paid out, and thus the read command transmitting process is ended to prioritize the prize balls to be paid out.

On the other hand, in the process of S81, if the value of the remaining award ball counter 33a is "0" (S81: Ye
s) Since there are no remaining prize balls to be paid out, it is next confirmed whether or not the transmitted flag 33b is turned on (S82). As a result of the confirmation, if the transmitted flag 33b is not turned on (S82: No), there is no prize ball reading command being transmitted to the main control board C, so the prize ball reading command is transmitted to the main control board C (S83). ), To indicate that the prize ball read command is being transmitted to the main control board C, the transmitted flag 33b is turned on (S84), and the read command transmission process is ended. In the process of S82, if the transmitted flag 33b is turned on (S82: Yes), the prize ball reading command is being transmitted to the main control board C, so the prize ball reading command is transmitted in duplicate. To avoid this, the processing of S83 and S84 is skipped, and the read command transmission processing ends. Read command transmission process (S8
After the end of 0), the process proceeds to the data writing process of S90.

In the data writing process (S90), first, it is confirmed whether a prize ball command, which is a reply instruction of the prize ball read command, is received from the main control board C (S91). If the award ball command has been received (S91: Yes), the value of the award ball number data corresponding to the award ball command is displayed as the remaining award ball number counter 33a.
Is added to (S92), and the transmitted flag 33b is turned off when the reply instruction of the prize ball reading command is received (S92).
93), the data writing process ends. Note that S91
If the prize ball command is not received in the process of (S91), the processes of S92 and S93 are skipped,
The data writing process ends. After the end of the data writing process, the process moves to the prize ball payout process of S100.

In the prize ball payout process (S100), first, it is confirmed whether or not the value of the remaining prize ball number counter 33a is "0" (S101), and whether or not there are any prize balls to be paid out. To confirm. If the value of the remaining award ball number counter 33a is "0" (S101: Yes), there is no award ball to be paid out, and thus the award ball payout process is ended.

On the other hand, in the processing of S101, if the value of the remaining award ball counter 33a is not "0" (S101: N
o) Next, in order to confirm whether or not the prize balls can be paid out, it is confirmed whether or not the tank ball no flag 33c or the lower plate full tank flag 33d is turned on (S102,
And S103). If neither of the flags 33c and 33d is turned on (S102: No, and S103:
No), the prize balls can be paid out. Therefore, the payout motor 37 is driven and one prize ball is paid out (S10).
4), the prize ball payout process ends. Note that S102 and S
In the processing of 103, either of the flags 33c, 33
If d is on (S102: Yes, or S
103: Yes), since the payout of the prize balls is impossible, the process of S104 is skipped and the prize ball payout process is ended. When the prize ball payout process ends, the prize ball operation process of FIG. 8 ends.

After the prize ball operation process (S65) is completed, the process is once returned to the pseudo reset interrupt process of FIG. 6, and then the ball lending operation process is executed (S66), and the ball lending operation process is completed. The payout switch reading process (S
67) is executed. By this payout switch reading process, the prize balls paid out by the payout motor 37 are detected, and the detection result can be recognized by the main control board C and the payout control board H.

In the payout switch reading process (S67), first, the prize ball count switch 38 confirms whether or not a prize ball is detected (S111). As a result of confirmation, if the prize ball count switch 38 detects a prize ball (S111: Ye
s), since one prize ball has been paid out by the payout motor 37, the prize ball payout command is issued to the main control board C.
(S112). And the remaining award ball counter 3
The value of 3a is confirmed (S113), and if the value is not "0" (S113: No), "1" is subtracted from the value of the remaining award ball counter 33a (S114), and this payout switch reading process is executed. finish. When the prize ball count switch 38 does not detect a prize ball in the process of S111 (S
111: No), or if the value of the remaining prize ball number counter 33a is "0" in the process of S113 (S113:
Yes), the process of S114 is skipped, and the payout switch reading process is ended.

After the payout switch reading process (S67) is completed, the process is returned to the pseudo reset interrupt process of FIG. 6 and each process is performed (S68) to control the execution interval of the pseudo reset interrupt process. It waits until the interrupt request flag of the timer is set (turned on) (S69), and secures a 2 ms interval. If the interrupt request flag of the timer is set (S6
9: Yes), since 2 ms has elapsed since the start of this pseudo reset interrupt process, the interrupt request flag of the timer is reset (S70), and the process proceeds to S62.
Start the next pseudo reset interrupt process. The interrupt request flag of the timer for the pseudo reset interrupt process is set in advance so as to be set (turned on) at intervals of 2 ms. Therefore, the pseudo reset interrupt process is executed at intervals of 2 ms by the processes of S69 and S70.

As described above, according to the pachinko machine P of the first embodiment, only the main control board C which manages the payout of prize balls can be backed up, and the payout control board H for paying out the prize balls. Is configured to pay out the prize balls by reading or writing the prize ball number data stored in the main control board C. In this configuration, it is possible to store the prize ball number data to be paid out even when the power is cut off due to a power failure or the like. Therefore, if the backup function is mounted only on the main control board C, it is possible to guarantee the prize ball even if the payout control board H is not equipped with the backup function. Therefore, the cost for designing the payout control board H can be reduced. You can

The control unit (RAM 13) of the main control board
Is for controlling the game that directly affects the player,
Thorough measures are taken against fraudulent acts that induce fraudulent jackpots. Therefore, the prize ball buffer 13a and the prize ball pointer 13 that store prize balls that are valuable to the player
b and the remaining prize ball number counter 13c to the RA of the main control board C.
By installing it in M13, it is possible to prevent fraudulent acts regarding payout of prize balls.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the first embodiment, the prize ball buffer 13a for storing prize balls, the prize ball pointer 13b, and the remaining prize ball number counter 13c are provided in the control unit (RAM1) of the main control board C.
It was installed in 3) to take measures against fraud. Instead, according to the pachinko machine P of the second embodiment, a prize ball management board 60 having a prize ball buffer 61a for storing prize balls and a prize ball pointer 61b is provided, and the prize ball management board 60 is mainly used. It is mounted in the board box of the control board C. Main control board C
The board box is provided with countermeasures against fraud such as sealing tools. Therefore, by mounting the prize ball management board 60 in the board box of the main control board C, it is possible to prevent fraudulent acts related to payout of prize balls.

The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Is easily guessed.

The present invention may be applied to a pachinko machine or the like of a type different from the above embodiment. For example, a pachinko machine that raises the expectation value for a jackpot once it hits the jackpot multiple times (for example, twice or three times) including that (commonly known as a two-time right-of-use property, a three-time right-of-use property, etc.) It is also possible to carry out. Further, it may be implemented as a pachinko machine which is in a special game state on condition that a ball is won in a predetermined area after the jackpot pattern is displayed. Further, in addition to the pachinko machine, it may be implemented as various game machines such as arepaches, sparrow balls, game machines in which so-called pachinko machines and slot machines are integrated.

In the slot machine, for example, a symbol is changed by operating the operation lever in a state where the coin is inserted and the symbol effective line is determined, and the symbol is stopped and confirmed by operating the stop button. It is well known. Therefore, as a basic concept of the slot machine, "a variable display means for variably displaying a symbol row consisting of a plurality of symbols and then fixedly displaying the symbols is provided, and the symbols are caused by the operation of the starting operation means (for example, the operation lever). Fluctuation is started, due to the operation of the stop operation means (for example, the stop button), or after a lapse of a predetermined time, the fluctuation of the symbol is stopped, and the definite symbol when the symbol is stopped is the specific symbol. "Is a slot machine provided with special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player". In this case, typical examples of the game medium are coins and medals.

A modification of the present invention will be shown below. In the gaming machine according to claim 1, when the main control means determines that the power is cut off due to a power failure or the like, the main control means retains data such as game contents performed by the main control means even when the power is turned off. A gaming machine 1 characterized by comprising a backup means for (memorizing). By backing up the main control means equipped with the valuable object storage means, it is possible to store the valuable object to be paid out even when the power is cut off due to a power failure or the like. Therefore, even if the backup means is mounted only on the main control means, the player is not disadvantaged. Therefore, since it is not necessary to mount the backup means on the payout control means, the cost for the payout control means can be reduced.

In the gaming machine or the gaming machine 1 according to claim 1, the payout control means regularly reads the data stored in the valuable object storage means of the main control means in a normal process. A gaming machine 2 characterized by. During normal processing, the payout control means can pay out valuable objects by periodically reading the data stored in the valuable object storage means of the main control means, and at the same time without causing a time lag in the game, it is possible to accurately perform the payout. It is possible to perform a payout operation of a valuable object.

In the gaming machine or the gaming machine 1 or 2 according to claim 1, the payout control means changes (subtracts) data of the number of paid-out valuable objects stored in the valuable object storage means of the main control means. A gaming machine 3 characterized by being configured to be possible. By making the payout control means capable of changing (subtracting) the data of the payout quantity stored in the valuable object storage means of the main control means, the main control means can manage the payout quantity of the valuable object in a unified manner. .

A gaming machine according to claim 1 or gaming machines 1 to 3
In any of the above, the payout control means is connected to a detection means for detecting the valuable object paid out by the payout control means, and when the valuable object is detected by the detection means, the main control means A game machine 4 for changing (subtracting) data stored in a valuable object storage means. When a valuable object is detected by the detection means, the payout control means changes (subtracts) the data of the number of payouts stored in the valuable object storage means of the main control means. Therefore, when the valuable objects are managed in a unified manner by the main control means, it is only necessary to connect the detection means to the payout control means, and it is not necessary to connect the detection means to the main control means, which reduces the cost of the gaming machine. It can be reduced.

In the gaming machine 4, the payout control means is
A gaming machine 5 characterized by changing (subtracting) data stored in the valuable object storage means of the main control means every time the valuable object is detected by the detecting means.
The payout control means changes the data stored in the valuable object storage means of the main control means every time one valuable object is detected.
Therefore, since the main control means can recognize that the valuable object has been reliably paid out by the payout control means, the valuable object can be reliably paid out based on the data stored in the valuable object storage means. it can.

In the gaming machine 4, the payout control means is
The valuable object of the gaming machine 6.1, wherein the data stored in the valuable object storage means of the main control means is changed (subtracted) every time the detection means detects a predetermined number of the valuable objects. If the data stored in the valuable object storage means of the main control means is changed each time the above is detected, the control load on the main control means and the payout control means increases. Therefore, when the payout control means detects a predetermined number (for example, five) of valuable objects, the data stored in the valuable object storage means is changed to thereby reduce the control load on the main control means and the payout control means. Can be reduced.

In the gaming machine 6, the data stored in the valuable object storage means of the main control means which is changed by the payout control means is the common divisor of the data stored in the valuable object storage means. Characteristic game machine 7. The payout control means can simplify the control by changing the data stored in the valuable object storage means in a unit of the common divisor.

A gaming machine according to claim 1 or gaming machines 1 to 7
In any one of the above, the payout control means waits for the reading processing of the valuable object storage means of the main control means until the payout of the valuable object according to the data read from the main control means is completed. A gaming machine 8 characterized by the above. The payout control means waits for the reading processing of the valuable object storage means of the main control means until the payout of the valuable object according to the read data is completed. Therefore, it is possible to simply and accurately pay out valuable objects.

A gaming machine according to claim 1 or gaming machines 1 to 8
In any one of the above, the main control means is composed of a control section for controlling a game and the like, and a box member for accommodating the control section and the like, and the valuable object storage means is arranged in the box member. A gaming machine 9 characterized by being provided.
Since the control unit of the main control means controls the game that directly affects the player, thorough measures are taken against fraudulent acts that illegally induce a big hit or the like. Therefore, by mounting a valuable object storage means for storing a valuable object that is valuable to the player in the box member that mounts the control unit of the main control means, it is possible to prevent fraud in the valuable object storage means. It can be prevented.

A gaming machine according to claim 1 or gaming machines 1 to 9
In any one of the above, the gaming machine 10 is characterized in that the valuable object storage means is mounted on the control unit that controls the main control means. Since the control unit of the main control means controls the game that directly affects the player, thorough measures are taken against fraudulent acts that illegally induce a big hit or the like. Therefore, by mounting the valuable object storage means for storing a valuable object having valuable value to the player in the control unit of the main control means, it is possible to prevent fraudulent acts in the valuable object storage means. it can.

The gaming machine according to claim 1 or any one of the gaming machines 1 to 10, wherein the gaming machine is a pachinko gaming machine. Among them, the basic configuration of a pachinko gaming machine is provided with an operation handle, which shoots a ball to a predetermined game area in response to the operation of the operation handle, and the ball is placed in an operation port arranged at a predetermined position in the game area. As a necessary condition to win the prize (or pass the working opening),
The identification information dynamically displayed on the display device may be fixedly stopped after a predetermined time. In addition, when a special game state occurs, a variable winning device (specific winning port) arranged at a predetermined position in the game area is opened in a predetermined manner to make it possible to win a ball, and the value depending on the number of winning prizes. The value (including not only the gift ball but also the data to be written on the magnetic card, etc.) is given.

A gaming machine according to claim 1, or any one of the gaming machines 1 to 10, wherein the gaming machine is a slot machine. Among them, the basic configuration of the slot machine is “provided with variable display means for dynamically displaying the identification information sequence consisting of a plurality of identification information and then confirming the identification information, and for operating the starting operation means (for example, operation lever). Due to this, the dynamic display of identification information is started,
Due to the operation of the stop operation means (stop button),
Alternatively, when a predetermined time elapses, the dynamic display of the identification information is stopped, and a special game state that is advantageous to the player is generated on condition that the confirmed identification information at the time of the stop is the specific identification information. A gaming machine having a gaming state generating means ". In this case, coins, medals, etc. are typical examples of the game medium.

A gaming machine according to claim 1, or any one of the gaming machines 1 to 10, wherein the gaming machine is a combination of a pachinko gaming machine and a slot machine. Among them, the basic configuration of the fused gaming machine is "provided with a variable display means for confirming and displaying the identification information after dynamically displaying the identification information sequence including a plurality of identification information, and a starting operation means (for example, an operation lever). The variation of the identification information is started due to the operation of, and the dynamic display of the identification information is stopped due to the operation of the stop operation means (for example, the stop button) or after a predetermined time elapses. It is provided with special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player, provided that the fixed identification information at the time of stop is the specific identification information, and a ball is used as a game medium, and the identification information is provided. The game machine is configured such that a predetermined number of balls are required to start the dynamic display of, and a large number of balls are paid out when the special game state occurs.

[0082]

According to the gaming machine of the first aspect, the payout control means pays out the valuable object according to the data stored in the valuable object storage means of the main control means. Therefore,
Since the valuable object is managed only by the main control means, it is possible to prevent the data of the valuable object from being different between the main control means and the payout control means. Therefore, there is an effect that the control of the game can be stabilized. According to the gaming machine according to claim 2, in addition to the effect of the gaming machine according to claim 1,
During normal processing, the payout control means can pay out valuable objects by periodically reading the data stored in the valuable object storage means of the main control means, and
There is an effect that an accurate payout operation of a valuable object can be performed without causing a time lag in the game. According to the gaming machine of claim 3, in addition to the effect of the gaming machine of claim 1 or 2, the payout control means changes the data of the number of payouts stored in the valuable object storage means of the main control means ( Subtracting) has the effect that the main control means can uniformly manage the number of valuable objects to be paid out. According to the gaming machine according to claim 4, in addition to the effect of the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the payout control means until the payout of the valuable object according to the read data is completed. The process of reading the valuable object storage means of the main control means is awaited. Therefore, there is an effect that a valuable object can be simply and accurately paid out.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a game board of a pachinko machine that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a pachinko machine.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an NMI interrupt process executed by a main control board.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a main process executed by a main control board.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of prize ball processing executed in main processing of a main control board.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a pseudo reset interrupt process executed every 2 ms by the payout control board.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a flag setting process executed in a pseudo reset interrupt process of a payout control board.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of prize ball operation processing executed in a pseudo reset interrupt processing of a payout control board.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a payout switch reading process executed in a pseudo reset interrupt process of the payout control board.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

13d backup area C main control board (main control means) H payout control board (payout control means) P Pachinko machine (gaming machine)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A gaming machine comprising main control means for controlling a game and payout control means connected to the main control means for paying out a valuable object having valuable value to a player, wherein The control means includes a valuable object storage means for storing data on the number of paid-out valuable objects, and the payout control means pays out the valuable objects according to the data stored in the valuable object storage means of the main control means. A gaming machine characterized by performing. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the payout control means regularly reads the data stored in the valuable object storage means of the main control means in a normal process. . 3. The payout control means is configured to be able to change data on the number of payouts of the valuable object stored in the valuable object storage means of the main control means. Gaming machine described in. 4. The payout control means waits for the reading processing of the valuable object storage means of the main control means until the payout of the valuable object according to the data read from the main control means is completed. Claim 1 characterized by the above.
The gaming machine according to any one of 1 to 3.