JP2005087231A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To manage the number of prize game media yet to be put out without increase in cost in a game machine in which a game control means and a put-out control means are installed separately. <P>SOLUTION: When a number of put-out media-counting switch 301 detects the putting out of game balls, if the detection is determined to be that for the putting out of prize balls, a CPU (central processing unit) 371 for put-out control turns a prize ball counting signal on for a specified period of time. In other words, each time the putting out of one prize ball is confirmed, the prize ball counting signal is kept on for the specified period of time. Receiving each prize ball counting signal, a CPU 56 transmits a prize ball put-out confirmation specifying command indicating the confirmation of the putting out of one prize ball to a display control board 80. A CPU 351 for lamp control receives the prize ball put-out confirmation specifying command through the display control board 80 to light a prize ball lamp 51 at each reception thereof, thereby enabling the management of the number of the prize game media yet to be put out with a lower cost. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is a game machine such as a pachinko gaming machine or a slot machine that allows a player to play a predetermined game using a game medium and pays out the game medium to the player based on the fact that a payout condition is established. About.

  As a gaming machine, a game medium such as a game ball is launched into a game area by a launching device, and when a game medium is won in a prize area such as a prize opening provided in the game area, a predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to the player. There is something to be done. Further, there is provided a variable display section capable of changing the display state, and configured to give a predetermined game value to the player when the display result of the variable display section is in a predetermined specific display mode. is there.

  Note that the game value is the right that the state of the variable winning ball device provided in the gaming area of the gaming machine is advantageous for a player who is likely to win a ball, or the advantageous state for a player. Or a condition that the conditions for paying out a prize ball are easily established.

  In a pachinko gaming machine, a combination of a predetermined display mode with a display result of a variable display unit that displays a special symbol is usually referred to as “big hit”. When the big hit occurs, for example, the big winning opening is opened a predetermined number of times, and the game shifts to a big hit gaming state where the hit ball is easy to win.

  Game progress in the gaming machine is controlled by game control means such as a microcomputer. When the payout control means for controlling the prize ball payout is mounted on a payout control board different from the main board on which the game control means is mounted, the progress of the game is performed by the game control means mounted on the main board. Since it is controlled, the number of winning balls based on the winning is determined by the game control means, and a control signal indicating the number of winning balls is transmitted to the payout control board. Then, the payout control means performs a process of paying out the number of prize balls based on the winning based on the control signal from the game control means. Further, when there is a ball lending request from the prepaid card unit, the payout control means performs a process of paying out the number of lending balls based on the request.

  In the gaming machine, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, a count switch for detecting a paid-out prize ball and detecting and outputting it to the game control means, and a paid-out prize ball are detected. Some are provided with a count switch for detecting and outputting to the payout control means. In such a gaming machine, the awarded balls are detected by each of the plurality of count switches, and the detection outputs are transmitted to the game control means and the payout control means, respectively, and transmitted from each of the plurality of count switches. Based on the detected signal, the number of unpaid prize balls is managed by the game control means and the payout control means.

  In addition, as described in Patent Document 2, for example, the gaming machine detects a paid-out lending ball and detects and outputs the paid-out prize ball to a payout control means. Some game control means and payout control means are provided with a count switch for detection and output. In such a gaming machine, the number of prize balls that have not been paid out by the game control means and the payout control means based on the detection signal from the count switch that detects the payout of the prize balls transmitted to the game control means and the payout control means. Are managed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-244491 (paragraphs 0044, 0264 to 0268, FIGS. 6 and 32) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-33171 (paragraphs 0112 to 0125, FIGS. 15 and 19 to 22)

  The payout control means pays out the number of prize balls based on the winning based on the control signal from the game control means, and based on detection signals from a plurality of count switches provided separately for the game control means and the payout control means. If it is configured to be able to manage the number of award balls that have not been paid out, it is necessary to provide them separately for the game control means and the payout control means. There was a problem.

  The payout control means pays out the number of prize balls based on the winning based on the control signal from the game control means, and the detection signal from the count switch that detects the payout of the prize ball is input to the game control means and the payout control means. If the game control means and the payout control means are both configured to be able to manage the unpaid number of prize balls based on the input detection signal from the count switch, the detection signal is sent only to the payout control means. Since it is necessary to provide a count switch for detecting the payout of the lending ball for transmitting the award, separately from the count switch for detecting the payout of the prize ball, similarly to the above, there is a problem that the gaming machine becomes expensive. is there.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a gaming machine in which the number of unpaid premium game media can be managed without increasing the cost in a gaming machine in which the game control means and the payout control means are provided separately. For the purpose.

  The gaming machine according to the present invention is based on the fact that a player can play a predetermined game using a game medium, and a payout condition is satisfied (for example, a winning occurs, a request for a loan from the player). And a game control microcomputer (for example, CPU 56) for executing a game control process (for example, the game control process shown in FIG. 15) for controlling the progress of the game. A payout means (for example, a ball payout device 97) and a payout control microcomputer (for example, a payout control CPU 371) for executing a payout control process (for example, the payout control process shown in FIGS. 40 to 42) for controlling the payout means. ) And payout of premium game media (for example, prize balls) as prizes based on the establishment of game payout conditions (for example, prizes for game balls in the prize area), and lending A payout detecting means (for example, a payout count switch) that detects a payout of a rental game medium (eg, a rental ball) based on the establishment of a payout condition upon request (eg, Y in step S623) and outputs a detection signal to the payout control microcomputer. 301), and the game control microcomputer stores the number of prize game medium data (for example, RAM 55) that can specify the number of prize game media to be paid out based on the establishment of a payout condition by the game. ) And a payout command signal transmitting means (for example, game control) for transmitting a payout command signal (for example, a prize ball control signal) for designating the number of payout of the free game medium to the payout control microcomputer based on the prize game medium number data. Part for executing the prize ball transmission process of step S232 in the microcomputer for use) The payout control microcomputer stores payout control storage means (for example, a RAM provided in the payout control microcomputer) in which the payout control microcomputer stores data that fluctuates according to the control, and the payout number data specified by the payout command signal. The prize game medium payout control means (for example, step S545 in the payout control microcomputer, and the like) that stores the payout control storage means and executes payout processing for controlling the payout means to pay out the premium game media of the number of payouts. A portion for executing the prize ball lending control processing in S766) and a payout determination means (for example, payout control) for determining whether the detection signal input from the payout detection means is due to a payout game medium or a lending game medium. For executing steps S601 to S603 in the microcomputer ) And a count for transmitting a prize game medium count signal indicating detection of award game medium payout to the game control microcomputer when the detection signal is determined by the payout determination means to be a payout of the prize game medium. And signal transmission means (for example, a part for executing step S606 in the payout control microcomputer).

  In response to transmission of the payout command signal, the game control microcomputer performs subtraction processing for subtracting a value corresponding to the designated payout number from the prize game medium number data (for example, a payout control microcomputer). The computer may include a portion that executes step S265.

  The game control microcomputer performs a subtraction process for subtracting the value of the prize game medium number data in response to the reception of the prize game medium count signal. It may be configured to include a portion that executes a process of subtracting the content of the total prize ball number storage buffer in response to reception of the signal.

  A prize game medium payout notification means (for example, a prize ball lamp 51) for notifying that a prize game medium has been paid out is provided, and the game control microcomputer receives the prize game medium count signal in response to reception of the prize game medium count signal. You may be set as the structure which performs the process (For example, the process which transmits a prize ball payout confirmation designation | designated command, refer FIG. 23) for making a payout alerting means notify.

  A plurality of effect control microcomputers (for example, display control) for controlling the effect devices (for example, the variable display device 9, light emitters such as lamps and LEDs, and the speaker 27) for performing a game effect, respectively, in response to reception of control signals. CPU 101, lamp control CPU 351, and sound control CPU 701), and the rendering device includes an image display device (for example, variable display device 9) that can variably display a plurality of types of identification information that can identify each of the rendering devices. Among the control microcomputers, a display control microcomputer (for example, display control CPU 101) that controls the image display device receives a first control signal (for example, display control command) transmitted from the game control microcomputer. Processing (for example, processing to store the received display control command in the command reception buffer) Other presentation control microcomputer (e.g., a lamp control CPU 351, the sound control CPU 701) a second control signal processing for transmitting (e.g., step S329) and may be to run configured for.

  In response to the reception of the first control signal, the display control microcomputer rewrites the display image at a predetermined rewrite timing (for example, every 33 ms) to variably display the identification information (variable display of special symbols on the LCD 9, Etc.), and a process of transmitting the second control signal in synchronization with the rewriting timing (for example, outputting in the command transmission process of step S329 executed every 33 ms) is executed. It may be configured.

  The display control microcomputer variably displays the identification information in response to the reception of the first control signal (for example, the variation pattern command), and also displays a second control signal (for example, an effect content corresponding to the variable display of the identification information). (The command set in the command transmission buffer in step S917), and the content of the effect indicated by the second control signal is the effect uniquely determined by the display control microcomputer based on the received first control signal. It may be configured as content (for example, content of a notice effect). In this case, the display control microcomputer also executes a process of transmitting the received first control signal (for example, the command set in the command transmission buffer in step S344).

  When the first detection condition relating to the stop of the power supply to the gaming machine is satisfied (for example, a period during which a predetermined voltage (for example, + 24V) used in the gaming machine becomes a predetermined value (for example, + 5V) or less is determined in advance) A second detection that is set to be satisfied after the first detection condition is satisfied by outputting a first power supply stop signal (for example, a power-off signal) for a predetermined time (for example, 56 ms) or longer) Power supply monitoring means (for example, a power supply monitoring circuit 920) that outputs a second power supply stop signal (for example, a reset signal) when the condition is satisfied (for example, when VCC becomes +4.5 V or less) includes power supply monitoring The means is a microcomputer (for example, a game control CPU 56, a payout control CPU 371, a display control CPU 101, a lamp control CPU 351, a sound control CP. 701) is mounted on a power supply board (for example, power supply board 910) that supplies power to each board (for example, main board 31, payout control board 37, display control board 80, lamp control board 35, sound control board 70). It is mounted and outputs a first power supply stop signal and a second power supply stop signal to each of the boards, and the microcomputer controls according to the input of the first power supply stop signal from the power supply monitoring means. After a transition to a state of executing a power supply stop process (for example, power-off process) for saving the state and completion of the power supply stop process, the second power supply stop signal is input from the power monitoring unit. The system may be reset accordingly (for example, reset in a standby loop after step S481).

  The microcomputer includes a plurality of effect control microcomputers (for example, a display control CPU 101, a lamp control CPU 351, and a sound control CPU 701) that respectively control the effect devices for performing the game effects. A specific effect control microcomputer (for example, display control CPU 101) in the computer receives a control signal (for example, display control command) transmitted from the game control microcomputer (for example, the display received in the command reception buffer). A process for storing the control command) and a process for transmitting a control signal (for example, a lamp control command, a sound control command) to another effect control microcomputer (for example, step S329). Microscope for specific production control A second power supply stop signal is output to a board (for example, lamp control board 35) on which another production control microcomputer is mounted without passing through a board (for example, display control board 80) on which a computer is mounted. (For example, see FIG. 6 and FIG. 8).

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the game control microcomputer stores the prize game medium number data that can specify the number of the prize game media to be paid out based on the establishment of the payout condition by the game. And a payout command signal transmitting means for transmitting a payout command signal for designating the number of payouts of the prize game medium to the payout control microcomputer based on the prize game medium number data, the payout control microcomputer comprising: The payout control storage means for storing data that fluctuates in accordance with the control, and the payout control storage means for storing the payout number data designated by the payout command signal, and controls the payout means for the number of payout game media. The prize game medium payout control means for executing the payout process for payout and the detection signal inputted from the payout detection means A payout determination means for determining which payout of the game medium is caused, and when the detection signal is determined by the payout determination means as a payout of the prize game medium, the prize game medium is sent to the game control microcomputer. And a counting signal transmission means for transmitting a prize game medium count signal indicating the detection of the payout of the prize. Therefore, the game control microcomputer grasps the detection of the payout of the prize game medium based on the prize game medium count signal. The game control microcomputer can manage the number of premium game media paid out, and the number of parts can be reduced and the cost of the gaming machine can be reduced. Have

  According to the second aspect of the invention, the game control microcomputer performs subtraction processing for subtracting a value corresponding to the designated payout number from the prize game medium number data in response to transmission of the payout command signal. Since it is configured to include the subtracting means, it is possible to prevent the designation of the payout from being executed again for the prize game medium for which the payout has already been specified, and the appropriate number of payouts can be specified.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the game control microcomputer includes a prize game medium number data subtraction means for performing a subtraction process for subtracting the value of the prize game medium number data in response to reception of the prize game medium count signal. Therefore, based on the prize game medium count signal, the game control microcomputer can accurately manage the number of prize game media unpaid.

  In the invention according to claim 4, since the game control microcomputer is configured to perform processing for notifying the prize game medium payout notifying means in response to reception of the prize game medium count signal, the prize game medium It is possible to eliminate the need for the payout control microcomputer to control the payout notification means, and the control burden on the payout control microcomputer is reduced, and the prize game medium is paid out in accordance with the actual payout of the prize game medium. This can be notified.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the presentation device includes an image display device capable of variably displaying a plurality of types of identification information that can identify each, and display control for controlling the image display device among the plurality of production control microcomputers. And the microcomputer for performing the process of receiving the first control signal transmitted from the game control microcomputer and the process of transmitting the second control signal to the other effect control microcomputer; Therefore, the display control microcomputer can instruct the control contents to other effect control microcomputers, and the control burden of the game control microcomputer can be reduced.

  In the invention described in claim 6, the display control microcomputer variably displays the identification information by rewriting the display image at every predetermined rewrite timing in response to reception of the first control signal, and synchronizes with the rewrite timing. Therefore, the variable display of the identification information controlled by the display control microcomputer and the effect controlled by the other effect control microcomputer are more effective. Become synchronized.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the display control microcomputer variably displays the identification information in response to the reception of the first control signal, and the second control signal indicates the contents of the effect in accordance with the variable display of the identification information. The content of the effect indicated by the second control signal is the effect content uniquely determined by the display control microcomputer based on the received first control signal. Various effects can be executed by other effect control microcomputers without increasing.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the power supply monitoring means is mounted on a power supply board that supplies power to each board on which the microcomputer is mounted, and the first power supply stop signal, the second power supply stop signal, To each of the substrates, the microcomputer shifts to a state of executing a power supply stop process for saving the control state in response to the input of the first power supply stop signal from the power monitoring means, After the power supply stop process is completed, the system is reset in response to the input of the second power supply stop signal from the power supply monitoring means. Therefore, power is supplied to each board on which the microcomputer is mounted. It is possible to eliminate the need to install each monitoring means, reduce the cost of the gaming machine, and when the power supply drops, Computer can be stored a control state in each substrate is mounted.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the specific effect control microcomputer among the plurality of effect control microcomputers receives the control signal transmitted from the game control microcomputer and the other effect control microcomputers. A board on which another microcomputer for effect control is mounted without passing through a board on which a specific effect control microcomputer is mounted. Is configured to output a second power supply stop signal, so that even if an abnormality occurs on the board on which the specific effect control microcomputer is mounted, another effect control micro The computer can be reliably reset, that is, the state of a specific production control microcomputer Other performance control microcomputer can be reliably operable state regardless.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, the overall configuration of a pachinko gaming machine that is an example of a gaming machine will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine as viewed from the front. In the following embodiments, a pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example. However, the gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to a pachinko gaming machine, and can be applied to other gaming machines such as a slot machine.

  The pachinko gaming machine 1 includes an outer frame (not shown) formed in a vertically long rectangular shape, and a game frame attached to the inside of the outer frame so as to be opened and closed. Further, the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape that is provided in the game frame so as to be opened and closed. The game frame includes a front frame (not shown) installed to be openable and closable with respect to the outer frame, a mechanism plate to which mechanism parts and the like are attached, and various parts attached to them (excluding game boards described later). Is a structure including

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 1 has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape. On the lower surface of the glass door frame 2 is a hitting ball supply tray (upper plate) 3. Under the hitting ball supply tray 3, there are provided an extra ball receiving tray 4 for storing game balls that cannot be accommodated in the hitting ball supply tray 3 and a hitting operation handle (operation knob) 5 for firing the game balls. A game board 6 is detachably attached to the back surface of the glass door frame 2. The game board 6 is a structure including a plate-like body constituting the game board 6 and various components attached to the plate-like body. A game area 7 is formed on the front surface of the game board 6.

  Near the center of the game area 7, there is provided a variable display device (special symbol display device) 9 including a plurality of variable display portions each variably displaying a symbol as identification information. The variable display device 9 has, for example, three variable display portions (symbol display areas) of “left”, “middle”, and “right”. In addition, the variable display device 9 is provided with four special symbol start memory display areas (start memory display areas) 18 for displaying the number of effective winning balls that have entered the start winning opening 14, that is, the start memory number. Each time there is a valid start prize, the display color changes (for example, changes from blue display to red display), and the start storage display area is increased by one. Each time the variable display of the variable display device 9 is started, the start memory number display area where the display color is changed is reduced by 1 (that is, the display color is returned to the original). In this example, the symbol display area and the start memory display area are provided separately, so that the start memory number can be displayed even during variable display. The start memory display area may be provided in a part of the symbol display area. Further, the display of the starting memory number may be interrupted during variable display. In this example, the start memory display area is provided in the variable display device 9, but a display (special symbol start memory display) for displaying the start memory number may be provided separately from the variable display device 9. Good.

  Below the variable display device 9, a variable winning ball device 15 is provided as a start winning port 14. The winning ball that has entered the start winning opening 14 is guided to the back of the game board 6 and detected by the start opening switch 14a. A variable winning ball device 15 that opens and closes is provided below the start winning opening 14. The variable winning ball device 15 is opened by a solenoid 16.

  An opening / closing plate 20 that is opened by a solenoid 21 in a specific gaming state (big hit state) is provided below the variable winning ball device 15. The opening / closing plate 20 is a means for opening and closing a large winning opening (variable winning ball apparatus). Of the winning balls guided from the opening / closing plate 20 to the back of the game board 6, the winning ball entering one (V winning area: special area) is detected by the V winning switch 22, and the winning ball from the opening / closing board 20 is counted. 23. On the back of the game board 6, a solenoid 21A for switching the route in the special winning opening is also provided.

  When a game ball wins the gate 32 and is detected by the gate switch 32a, variable display of the normal symbol display 10 is started. In this embodiment, variable display is performed by alternately lighting the left and right lamps (the symbols can be visually recognized when the lamp is lit). When the stop symbol in the normal symbol display 10 is a predetermined symbol (winning symbol), the variable winning ball device 15 is opened for a predetermined number of times for a predetermined time. In the vicinity of the normal symbol display 10, a normal symbol start memory display 41 having a display unit with four LEDs for displaying the number of winning balls entered into the gate 32 is provided. Each time there is a prize at the gate 32, the normal symbol start memory display 41 increments the LED to be turned on by one. Then, every time variable display on the normal symbol display 10 is started, the number of LEDs to be lit is reduced by one.

  The game board 6 is provided with a plurality of winning holes 29, 30, 33, 39, and winning of game balls to the winning holes 29, 30, 33, 39 is performed by winning hole switches 29a, 30a, 33a, 39a, respectively. Detected. Each winning opening 29, 30, 33, 39 constitutes a winning area provided in the game board 6 as an area for accepting game media and allowing winning. The start winning opening 14 and the big winning opening also constitute a winning area that accepts game media and allows winning. Decorative lamps 25 blinking and displayed during the game are provided around the left and right sides of the game area 7, and an outlet 26 for absorbing a game ball that has not won a prize is provided at the bottom. Two speakers 27 that emit sound effects are provided on the left and right upper portions outside the game area 7. On the outer periphery of the game area 7, a top frame lamp 28a, a left frame lamp 28b, and a right frame lamp 28c are provided. Further, a decoration LED is installed around each structure (such as a big prize opening) in the game area 7. The top frame lamp 28a, the left frame lamp 28b, the right frame lamp 28c, and the decorative LED are examples of a decorative light emitter provided in the gaming machine.

  In this example, a prize ball LED 51 that is lit during award ball payout is provided in the vicinity of the left frame lamp 28b, and a ball break LED 52 that is lit when the supply ball is cut is provided in the vicinity of the top frame lamp 28a. It has been. As described above, the pachinko gaming machine 1 of this embodiment is provided with lamps and LEDs as light emitters in various places. Further, a prepaid card unit (hereinafter referred to as a card unit) that enables lending of a ball by inserting a prepaid card is installed adjacent to the pachinko gaming machine 1 (not shown).

  The card unit includes, for example, a use indicator lamp that indicates whether or not the card unit is in a usable state, a connection table direction indicator that indicates which side of the pachinko gaming machine 1 corresponds to the card unit, When checking the card insertion indicator lamp that indicates that a card has been inserted, the card insertion slot into which a card as a recording medium is inserted, and the card reader / writer mechanism provided on the back of the card insertion slot A card unit lock is provided to release the unit.

  The game balls launched from the hit ball launching device enter the game area 7 through the hit ball rail, and then descend the game area 7. When the game ball enters the start winning port 14 and is detected by the start port switch 14a, the special symbol starts variable display (variation) on the variable display device 9 if the variable display of the symbol can be started. If the variable display of the symbol cannot be started, the start memory number is increased by one.

  The variable display of the special symbol on the variable display device 9 stops when a certain time has elapsed. If the combination of special symbols at the time of stoppage is a jackpot symbol (specific display result), the game shifts to a jackpot gaming state. That is, the opening / closing plate 20 is opened until a predetermined time elapses or a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls wins. When the game ball wins the V winning area while the opening / closing plate 20 is opened and is detected by the V winning switch 22, a continuation right is generated and the opening / closing plate 20 is opened again. The generation of the continuation right is allowed a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 rounds).

  When the combination of special symbols in the variable display device 9 at the time of stoppage is a combination of jackpot symbols (probability variation symbols) with probability fluctuations, the probability of the next jackpot increases. That is, it becomes a more advantageous state for the player in the probability variation state.

  When the game ball wins the gate 32, the normal symbol display unit 10 is in a state where the normal symbol is variably displayed. Further, when the stop symbol on the normal symbol display 10 is a predetermined symbol (winning symbol), the variable winning ball device 15 is opened for a predetermined time. Further, in the probability variation state, the probability that the stop symbol on the normal symbol display 10 becomes a winning symbol is increased, and the opening time and the number of times of opening of the variable winning ball device 15 are increased. That is, the opening time and the number of times of opening of the variable winning ball device 15 are increased when the stop symbol of the normal symbol is a winning symbol, or when the stop symbol of the special symbol is a probabilistic symbol. It changes to an advantageous state. Note that increasing the number of times of opening is a concept including changing from a closed state to an open state.

  Next, the structure of the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the gaming machine as seen from the back side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the back side of the gaming machine, a game in which a variable display control unit 49 including a display control board 80 on which display control means for controlling the variable display device 9 is mounted, a game control microcomputer, and the like are mounted. A control board (main board) 31 is installed. In addition, a payout control board 37 on which a payout control microcomputer that performs ball payout control is mounted is installed.

  The display control means is realized by a display control microcomputer or VDP mounted on the display control board 80. Although not shown, the gaming machine includes various decoration LEDs provided on the game board 6, a normal symbol start memory display 41, a decoration lamp 25, a top frame lamp 28a provided on the frame side, and a left frame. A lamp control board 35 on which lamp control means for controlling the lamp 28b, the right frame lamp 28c, and the like are mounted, and an audio control board 70 on which sound control means for controlling the speaker 27 are mounted. The lamp control means is realized by a light emitter control microcomputer mounted on the lamp control board 35 or other circuits. The sound control means is realized by a sound control microcomputer mounted on the sound control board 70 or other circuits.

  Further, a power supply substrate 910 and a touch sensor substrate 91 on which a power supply circuit for generating DC30V, DC21V, DC12V, and DC5V is mounted are provided. Most of the power supply substrate 910 overlaps with the main substrate 31, but there is an exposed portion that is exposed so as not to overlap with the main substrate 31. In the exposed portion, the main board 31 and each electrical component control board (display control board 80, lamp control board 35, voice control board 70, and payout control board 37) in the gaming machine 1 and each electric provided in the gaming machine. A power switch as a power supply permission means for executing or shutting off power supply to the components, and a memory content holding means included in the main board 31 and the payout control board 37 (for example, the contents can be held even when the power supply is stopped) And a clear switch as an operation means for clearing the backup data stored in the backup RAM). Furthermore, a replaceable fuse is provided inside the power switch at the exposed portion (inside the substrate).

  Each electric component control board (display control board 80, lamp control board 35, voice control board 70 and payout control board 37) includes an electric component control means (display control means, lamp control) including an electric component control microcomputer. Means, voice control means and payout control means). The electric component control means is an electric component (game device: ball payout device 97, variable display device 9, light emitter such as a lamp or LED) provided in the gaming machine in accordance with a command signal (control signal) from the game control means. ) To control. Hereinafter, description may be made by including the main board 31 in the electric component control board. In that case, the electric component control means mounted on the electric component control board includes a game control means, a means for controlling the electric components provided in the gaming machine in accordance with a command signal from the game control means, and a game control means. And means for controlling electric components provided in the gaming machine according to command signals from other control means. In addition, a board on which a microcomputer that directly receives a command signal from the main board 31 is sometimes referred to as a sub board, and a board on which a microcomputer that indirectly receives a command signal from the main board 31 is mounted. Is sometimes referred to as a sub-sub board.

  On the back side of the gaming machine, a terminal board 160 provided with terminals for outputting various information to the outside of the gaming machine is installed above. The terminal board 160 includes at least a ball break terminal for introducing the output of the ball break detection switch 167 and outputting it externally, a prize ball terminal for outputting prize ball information (prize ball number signal) and a ball. A ball lending terminal for externally outputting lending information (ball lending number signal) is provided. Near the center, an information terminal board (information output board) 34 having terminals for outputting various information from the main board 31 to the outside of the gaming machine is installed.

  The game balls stored in the storage tank 38 pass through the guide rail 39 and reach the ball payout device covered with the payout case 40A through the curve rod. Above the ball payout device, a ball break switch 187 is provided as a game medium break detection means. When the ball break switch 187 detects a ball break, the payout operation of the ball payout device stops. The ball break switch 187 is a switch that detects the presence or absence of a game ball in the game ball passage. In the vicinity of the head). When the ball break detection switch 167 detects a shortage of game balls, the game machine is replenished to the game machine from the supply mechanism provided on the gaming machine installation island.

  When a large number of game balls as prizes based on winning a prize and game balls based on a ball lending request are paid out and the hitting ball supply tray 3 is full, the game balls are guided to the surplus ball receiving tray 4 through the surplus ball passage. When the game ball is further paid out, a sensing lever (not shown) presses a full tank switch (not shown) as a storage state detection means, and the full tank switch as a storage state detection means is turned on. In this state, the rotation of the payout motor in the ball payout device stops, the operation of the ball payout device stops, and the driving of the hitting ball launching device also stops.

  FIG. 3 is a front view (FIG. 3 (A)) and a cross-sectional view (FIG. 3 (B)) showing the ball dispensing device 97 covered with the dispensing case 40A. The ball payout device 97 is fixed to the lower part of the passage body installed between the ball break switch 187 and the ball payout device 97. The passage body has a ball passage for flowing down two rows of game balls whose flow-down direction is converted into the left-right direction by a curve saddle. A ball break switch 187 is installed on the upstream side of the ball passage. In practice, a ball break switch is installed in each ball passage. The ball break switch 187 detects the presence or absence of a game ball in the ball passage. When the ball break switch 187 stops detecting a game ball, the ball discharge device 97 has a payout motor (not shown in FIG. 3). Rotation is stopped and game ball payout is immobilized.

  The ball break switch 187 is locked by a locking piece at a position where it can be detected that 27 to 28 game balls are present in the ball path.

  In the ball payout device 97, a payout motor (not shown) using a stepping motor rotates, for example, a cam, thereby paying out one winning ball or one game ball based on a ball lending request. Also, below the ball payout device 97, for example, a payout number count switch 301 using a proximity switch is provided. Each time one game ball falls from the ball payout device 97, the payout number count switch 301 is turned on. That is, the payout number count switch 301 detects a game ball actually paid out from the ball payout device 97. Therefore, the payout control means can count the number of game balls actually paid out by the detection signal of the payout number count switch 301.

  In this embodiment, the ball payout device 97 is configured to perform both prize ball payout and ball lending. However, a ball payout device for paying out a prize ball and a ball payout device for lending a ball may be provided separately. When separately provided, the payout means is composed of a ball payout device for paying out a prize ball and a ball payout device for lending a ball. Further, for example, the configuration may be such that the winning ball payout and the ball lending are separated by changing the rotation direction of the cam or the sprocket, or the ball paying device 97 exemplified in the present embodiment (the cam is rotated by the motor). The present invention can be applied to any structure other than the structure).

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a circuit configuration in the main board 31. 4 also shows a payout control board 37, a lamp control board 35, a sound control board 70, a launch control board 91, and a display control board 80. On the main board 31, a basic circuit 53 for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 according to a program, a gate switch 32a, a start port switch 14a, a V winning switch 22, a count switch 23, winning port switches 29a, 30a, 33a, 39a, and Basically, an input circuit 68 that supplies a signal from the clear switch 921 to the basic circuit 53, a solenoid 16 that opens and closes the variable winning ball apparatus 15, a solenoid 21 that opens and closes the opening and closing plate 20, and a solenoid 21A that switches a path in the special winning opening. A solenoid circuit 59 that is driven in accordance with a command from the circuit 53 is mounted.

  The switches such as the gate switch 32a, the start port switch 14a, the V winning switch 22, the count switch 23, the winning port switches 29a, 30a, 33a, and 39a may be referred to as sensors. That is, the name of the game medium detection means (game ball detection means in this example) that can detect a game ball is not limited. Each of the start opening switch 14a, the V winning switch 22, the count switch 23, and the winning opening switches 29a, 30a, 33a, and 39a that perform winning detection is also a winning detection means. Note that the winning detection means may be configured to collectively detect the respective game balls that have been won separately at the plurality of winning openings. In addition, even if a passing gate such as the gate switch 32a is used, if a prize ball is to be paid out, a game ball entering the passing gate becomes a win, and a switch ( For example, the gate switch 32a) becomes a winning detection means. Further, in this embodiment, since the game balls won in the V prize area are detected only by the V prize switch 22, the number of game balls won in the big prize opening is the number detected by the V prize switch 22 and the count switch 23. It becomes the sum with the detection number by. However, the game ball that has won the V winning area may be detected by the V winning switch 22 and also by the count switch 23. In this case, the number of game balls won in the big winning opening corresponds to the number detected by the count switch 23.

  Further, on the main board 31, in accordance with data given from the basic circuit 53, jackpot information indicating the occurrence of jackpot, effective starting information indicating the number of starting winning balls used to start variable display of symbols in the variable display device 9, An information output circuit 64 is provided for outputting an information output signal such as probability variation information indicating that a probability variation has occurred to an external device such as a hall computer.

  A basic circuit 53 realized by a game control microcomputer includes a ROM 54 for storing a game control (game progress control) program and the like, and storage means used as a work memory (variable data storage means for storing variable data). RAM 55, CPU 56 for performing control operations in accordance with programs, and I / O port unit 57. In this embodiment, the ROM 54 and the RAM 55 are built in the CPU 56. That is, the CPU 56 is a one-chip microcomputer. The one-chip microcomputer only needs to have at least the RAM 55 built in, and the ROM 54 and the I / O port unit 57 may be externally attached or built in. Since the CPU 56 executes control according to the program stored in the ROM 54, the CPU 56 executes (or performs processing) hereinafter, specifically, the CPU 56 executes control according to the program. is there. The same applies to CPUs mounted on substrates other than the main substrate 31. The game control means is implemented by a circuit that implements various functions including a basic circuit 53 that is mounted on a main board (game control board) 31 and corresponds to a game control microcomputer. That is, the game control microcomputer is realized by the basic circuit 53 including not only the CPU 56 but also the ROM 54 and RAM 55, and the game control means is realized by various circuits including the basic circuit 53 mounted on the main board 31. The processing in the game control means is realized mainly by the CPU 56 in the game control microcomputer executing according to the program.

  The RAM 55 is an example of a storage unit used in the game control unit, and is a backup RAM as a non-volatile storage unit, part or all of which is backed up by a backup power source created on the power supply board 910. In other words, even if the power supply to the gaming machine is stopped, a part or all of the contents of the RAM 55 is stored for a predetermined period (until the power supply of the backup power supply is disabled). In particular, at least data (special symbol process flag or the like) corresponding to the game state, that is, the control state of the game control means, and data indicating the number of unpaid winning balls are stored in the backup RAM. Note that the data according to the control state of the game control means is data necessary for restoring the control state before the occurrence of a power failure or the like based on the data when the power supply is restored after a power failure or the like. . In this embodiment, it is assumed that the entire RAM 55 is backed up.

  The reset signal from the power supply board 910 is input to the reset terminal of the CPU 56, but the reset signal from the power supply board 910 is delayed by the delay circuit 69 in the main board 31. Further, a power-off signal output from the power supply substrate 910 is input to the basic circuit 53 (specifically, an input port) via the input driver circuit 68.

  The hitting ball launching device for hitting and launching the game ball includes a launch motor 94 controlled by a circuit on the payout control board 37, and the game ball is launched toward the game area 7 by the rotation of the launch motor 94. A drive signal for driving the firing motor 94 is transmitted to the firing motor 94 via the touch sensor substrate 91. The touch sensor detects that the player is touching the operation knob (hitting ball handle) 5 and a signal from the touch sensor is mounted on the touch sensor substrate 91 (the player touches the operation knob 5). Is transmitted to the payout control board 37 via a circuit including a detection circuit for detecting whether or not it is touched. The circuit on the payout control board 37 stops the driving of the firing motor 94 when the signal from the touch sensor circuit indicates an off state. Note that the operation knob 5 is provided with a touch ring that adjusts the resilience and is a part that the player contacts. In the gaming machine, the touch sensor substrate 91 is disposed between the touch ring and the payout control substrate 37, and is disposed in the vicinity of the touch ring. Specifically, the wiring length between the touch ring and the touch sensor substrate 91 is shorter than the wiring length between the touch sensor substrate 91 and the payout control substrate 37.

  In this embodiment, the lamp control means mounted on the lamp control board 35 controls the display of the normal symbol start memory display 41 and the decoration lamp 25 provided on the game board, and is provided on the frame side. Display control of the top frame lamp 28a, the left frame lamp 28b, the right frame lamp 28c, the prize ball lamp 51 and the ball-out lamp 52 is performed. Each lamp may be an LED or other types of light emitters. That is, a lamp or LED is an example of a light emitter. Further, display control of the variable display device 9 for variably displaying the special symbol and the normal symbol display 10 for variably displaying the normal symbol is performed by display control means mounted on the display control board 80.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, a display control command is transmitted from the main board 31 to the display control board 80 according to the control state. Then, a lamp control command is transmitted from the display control board 80 to the lamp control board 35, and a sound control command is transmitted to the sound control board 70. That is, in this example, the display control board 80 is a sub board, and the lamp control board 35 and the sound control board 70 are sub sub boards. The payout control board 37 is a sub board.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing components related to payout, such as the payout control board 37 and the ball payout device 97. As shown in FIG. 5, a payout control microcomputer including a payout control CPU 371 is mounted on the payout control board 37. In this embodiment, the payout control microcomputer is a one-chip microcomputer and has at least a built-in RAM. The RAM is an example of a storage unit used by the payout control unit, and is backed up by a power source, like the RAM 55 in the main board 31. The payout control CPU 371, the RAM, the ROM (not shown) storing the payout control program, the I / O port, and the like implement a payout control microcomputer. The payout control means is realized by a circuit that implements various functions including a payout control microcomputer mounted on the payout control board 37. The processing in the payout control means is realized mainly by the payout control CPU 371 in the payout control microcomputer executing according to the program.

  Detection signals from the full tank switch 48 and the payout number count switch 301 are input to the I / O port 372 f of the payout control board 37. Detection signals from the ball break switch 187 and the payout motor position sensor 295 are input to the I / O port 372e of the payout control board 37. The payout motor position sensor 295 is a sensor composed of a light emitting element (LED) and a light receiving element for detecting the rotational position of the payout motor 289, and is used for detecting that the game ball is clogged, that is, so-called ball biting. . The payout control CPU 371 of the payout control board 37 performs a ball payout process when the detection signal from the ball shortage switch 187 indicates a ball full state or when the detection signal from the full tank switch 48 indicates a full tank state. Stop. Furthermore, when the detection signal from the full tank switch 48 indicates a full tank state, the ball launching from the ball striking device is stopped.

  When there is a win, the output circuit 67 of the main board 31 receives a prize ball REQ signal (prize ball request signal) for making a prize ball payout request and a prize ball control indicating the number of prize balls to be paid out as a payout command signal. A signal is output (turns on). The prize ball control signal is composed of 4-bit data (binary 4-digit data) and is output through four signal lines. Note that the ON state of the signal, that is, the output state is a state where the signal is significant, and turning ON means that the signal receiving side is instructed to start some processing based on the signal. To do. For example, the fact that the prize ball control signal indicating the number of prize balls and the prize ball REQ signal are turned on means that the dispense control means is instructed to recognize the number of prizes indicated by the prize ball control signal. To do. The prize ball control signal is input to the I / O port 372e via the input circuit 373A. When the winning ball REQ signal and the winning ball control signal are input via the I / O port 372e, the payout control CPU 371 drives the ball paying device 97 to pay out the number of game balls indicated by the winning ball control signal. I do. A power supply confirmation signal (connection confirmation signal) indicating that the main board 31 is connected is also output from the output circuit 67 of the main board 31. The prize ball REQ signal and the prize ball control signal correspond to a payout command signal for designating the number of payouts.

  In this example, the payout control means transmits a prize ball count signal to the main board 31 when the payout of one prize ball is confirmed based on the detection signal from the payout number count switch 301. Further, the payout control means means an error related to game ball payout (an error indicating that the game ball payout process cannot be performed. When this occurs, a payout error signal is transmitted to the main board 31. The prize ball count signal and the payout error signal are transmitted to the main board 31 via the output port 372b and the output circuit 373B of the payout control board 37. Then, in the main board 31, the data is input to the CPU 56 via the input circuit 68 and the I / O port 57.

  The payout control CPU 371 receives a prize ball information signal indicating the number of prize balls to be paid out and a ball lending number signal indicating the number of balls to be rented via the output port 372b as a terminal board (the frame external terminal board and the board external terminal board). Output) 160. A driver circuit is provided outside the output port 372b, but is not shown in FIG. Further, door opening information switches 161A and 161B are connected to the terminal board 160 (frame external terminal board).

  Further, the payout control CPU 371 outputs an error signal to the error display LED 374 using a 7-segment LED via the output port 372c. Further, a signal for instructing lighting / extinguishing is output to the winning ball LED 51 and the ball running out LED 52 via the output port 372b. A detection signal from an error release switch 375 for releasing the error state is input to the input port 372f of the payout control board 37. The error cancel switch 375 is used to cancel the error state by software reset.

  Further, a drive signal from the payout control board 37 to the payout motor 289 is transmitted to the payout motor 289 in the payout mechanism portion of the ball payout device 97 via the output port 372a. A driver circuit (motor drive circuit) is installed outside the output port 372a, but is not shown in FIG. A drive signal from the payout control board 37 to the firing motor 94 is transmitted to the firing motor 94 via the output port 372 a and the touch sensor board 91.

  A card unit control microcomputer is mounted on the card unit 50 installed adjacent to the gaming machine. In addition, the card unit 50 is provided with a usable display lamp 151, a connecting table direction indicator 153, a card insertion display lamp 154, and a card insertion slot 155. The interface board (relay board) 66 is connected to a frequency display LED 60, a ball lending LED 61, a ball lending switch 62 and a return switch 63 provided in the vicinity of the hitting ball supply tray 3.

  A card lending switch signal indicating that the ball lending switch 62 has been operated and a return switch signal indicating that the return switch 63 has been operated are given to the card unit 50 from the interface board 66 in accordance with the player's operation. . Further, a card balance display signal indicating a prepaid card balance and a ball lending display signal are given from the card unit 50 to the interface board 66. Between the card unit 50 and the payout control board 37, a connection signal (VL signal), a unit operation signal (BRDY signal), a ball lending request signal (BRQ signal), a ball lending completion signal (EXS signal), and a pachinko machine operation signal ( PRDY signal) is transmitted / received via the input port 372f and the output port 372d. An interface board 66 is interposed between the card unit 50 and the payout control board 37. Therefore, a signal such as a connection signal (VL signal) is transmitted and received between the card unit 50 and the payout control board 37 via the interface board 66 as shown in FIG.

  When the power of the pachinko gaming machine 1 is turned on, the payout control CPU 371 of the payout control board 37 outputs a PRDY signal to the card unit 50. The card unit control microcomputer outputs a VL signal when the power is turned on. The payout control CPU 371 determines the connected / unconnected state of the card unit 50 based on the input state of the VL signal. When a card is received in the card unit 50, the ball lending switch is operated and a ball lending switch signal is input, the card unit control microcomputer outputs a BRDY signal to the payout control board 37. When a predetermined delay time elapses from this point, the card unit control microcomputer outputs a BRQ signal to the payout control board 37.

  Then, the payout control CPU 371 of the payout control board 37 raises the EXS signal to the card unit 50 and, when detecting the fall of the BRQ signal from the card unit 50, drives the payout motor 289 to draw a predetermined number of rental balls. Pay to the player. When the payout is completed, the payout control CPU 371 causes the EXS signal to the card unit 50 to fall. Thereafter, when a BRDY signal from the card unit 50 is not in an ON state, a prize ball payout control is executed when a payout command signal is received from the game control means. The power supply voltage AC24V used in the card unit 50 is supplied from the payout control board 37.

  Power supply from the power supply board 910 to the card unit 50 is performed via the payout control board 37 and the interface board 66. In this example, a fuse for protecting the card unit 50 is provided in a 24 V AC power supply line for the card unit 50 arranged in the interface board 66, and a voltage higher than a predetermined voltage is supplied to the card unit 50. It is prevented.

  In this embodiment, the case where the card unit 50 is installed adjacent to the gaming machine as a separate body from the gaming machine is taken as an example, but the card unit 50 may be integrated with the gaming machine. . Further, the present invention can be applied even when a game ball corresponding to the amount of money is lent out in accordance with coin insertion.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of the display control board 80, the lamp control board 35, and the sound control board 70. In the display control board 80, the display control CPU 101 in the display control microcomputer operates according to a program stored in a ROM (not shown), and in accordance with a strobe signal (display control INT signal) from the main board 31, A display control command is received via the input driver 102 and the input port 103. Further, the display control CPU 101 causes the VDP (video display processor) 109 to perform display control of the variable display device 9 using the LCD based on the display control command. The VDP 109 is sometimes called a GCL (graphic controller LSI).

  Further, the display control CPU 101 outputs a sound control command to the sound control board 70 via the output port 104 and the output driver 110. Further, the display control CPU 101 outputs a lamp control command to the lamp control board 35 via the output port 105 and the output driver 106.

  In this embodiment, the top frame lamp 28a, the left frame lamp 28b, the right frame lamp 28c provided on the outside of the game area 7 and the decoration lamp 25 provided on the game board are turned on / off, and a prize ball lamp. 51 and a lamp control command as a second command (second control signal) indicating turning on / off of the ball-out lamp 52 is output from the display control board 80 to the lamp control board 35. Further, a lamp control command as another second command such as a lamp control command indicating the number of lighting of the normal symbol start memory display 41 is also output from the display control board 80 to the lamp control board 35.

  A lamp control command related to the lamp control is output from the output port 104 of the I / O port unit in the display control CPU 101 via the output driver 110. The output port 104 outputs 8-bit data and a 1-bit INT signal. In the lamp control board 35, the lamp control command from the display control board 80 is input to a lamp control CPU (light emitting body control microcomputer) 351 through the input port of the I / O port portion of the lamp control board 35.

  In the lamp control board 35, the lamp control CPU 351 outputs an ACK signal (a command indicating reception completion) to the display control CPU 101. The ACK signal is output from the output port of the I / O port unit in the lamp control CPU 351.

  In the lamp control board 35, the lamp control CPU 351 performs the ceiling frame lamp according to the lighting / extinguishing pattern of the ceiling frame lamp 28a, the left frame lamp 28b, the right frame lamp 28c, and the decoration lamp 25 defined according to each control command. 28a, left frame lamp 28b, right frame lamp 28c, and decorative lamp 25 are turned on / off. The on / off pattern is stored in the built-in ROM or external ROM of the lamp control CPU 351.

  A signal for driving each lamp output by the lamp control CPU 351 is amplified by a lamp driver 354 and supplied to each lamp. A signal for driving each LED output from the output port 352 is amplified by the LED drive circuit 355 and supplied to each LED. A signal for driving the effect driving means 61 is amplified by the drive circuit 356 and supplied to each lamp.

  In this embodiment, a sound control command for instructing the sound output of the speaker 27 provided outside the game area 7 is output from the display control board 80 to the sound control board 70 as the game progresses. .

  In the sound control board 70, a sound control CPU (sound control microcomputer) 701 outputs an ACK signal to the display control CPU 101. The ACK signal is output from the output port of the I / O port unit in the sound control CPU 701.

  The sound control command is output from the output port 105 of the I / O port unit in the display control CPU 101 via the output driver 106. The output port outputs 8-bit data and a 1-bit INT signal. In the sound control board 70, the sound control command from the display control board 80 is input to the sound control CPU 701 through the input port of the I / O port unit in the sound control board 70. The sound control CPU 701 reads data corresponding to the received sound control command from the sound data ROM 704 mounted on the sound data board 70A, and outputs the data to, for example, a sound synthesis IC 703 using a digital signal processor.

  Then, the voice synthesis IC 703 generates voice and sound effects according to the instructions of the sound control CPU 701 and outputs them to the amplification circuit 705. The amplification circuit 705 amplifies the output level of the voice control CPU 701 to a level corresponding to the volume set in the volume 706 (for example, the volume according to the operation state of the volume switch provided in the gaming machine). The audio signal is output to the speaker 27. In this embodiment, the voice data ROM 704 is mounted on the voice data board 70A, which is a board different from the voice control board 70, but the voice data ROM 704 may be mounted on the voice control board 70. Good. In that case, the audio data board 70A is unnecessary.

  The data corresponding to the sound control command stored in the sound data ROM 704 is a collection of data indicating the sound effect or sound output mode in a predetermined time period (for example, a special symbol fluctuation period) in time series. When receiving the sound control command, the sound control CPU 701 performs sound output control according to the corresponding data in the sound data ROM 704. The sound output control according to the corresponding data is continued until the next sound control command is received. When the sound control CPU 701 receives the next sound control command, the sound control CPU 701 performs sound output control in accordance with the data in the sound data ROM 704 corresponding to the newly input sound control command.

  FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing a transmission form of the second command (lamp control command, sound control command) transmitted from the display control board 80 to the lamp control board 35 or the voice control board 70.

  When transmitting the second command, the effect control means (display control CPU 101) in the display control board 80 sets the command data (MODE data or EXT data) to the I / O port as shown in FIG. The STB signal is turned on (low level). The effect control means (lamp control CPU 351, sound control CPU 701) on the receiving side board (lamp control board 35, voice control board 70) that receives the second command detects that the STB signal is turned on. Then, command data is input via the I / O port, and the ACK signal is turned on (low level) to notify completion of reception.

  After confirming that the ACK signal is turned on, the display control CPU 101 turns off the STB signal. When the reception side effect control means (lamp control CPU 351, sound control CPU 701) confirms that the STB signal has been turned off, it turns off the ACK signal. As described above, transmission / reception of 1-byte command data is realized. Note that the second byte of the second command having a 2-byte configuration is also transmitted and received in the same manner as the first byte.

  In this embodiment, the second command is transmitted and received in the form as shown in FIG. 7, but the form shown in FIG. 7 is an example, and the command data from the display control CPU 101 is sent to the lamp control CPU 351 or the like. If information is transmitted to the sound control CPU 701 and information indicating that the lamp control CPU 351 or the sound control CPU 701 has received command data is transmitted to the display control CPU 101, that is, bidirectional communication. The second command may be transmitted / received in any form as long as the command data is transmitted / received by. For example, instead of the ACK signal, a command indicating reception completion may be transmitted to the display control CPU 101. In this embodiment, the command data has a 2-byte configuration as described later. However, the command data may have a 1-byte configuration or a 3-byte or more configuration, and is not limited to parallel transmission / reception (8-bit parallel in this example). It may be sent and received.

  Further, not limited to bidirectional communication, data or a signal may be transmitted only in the direction from the display control board 80 to the lamp control board 35 or the voice control board 70. Further, data and signals are exchanged between the display control board 80, the lamp control board 35, and the voice control board 70 by the same method as the communication method performed between the main board 31 and the display control board 80 described above. You may make it do. With this configuration, the basic part of the control program related to data and signal communication can be made common, and the control program related to data and signal communication can be diverted to each board without significant changes. it can.

  Next, the configuration of the power supply substrate 910 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The power supply board 910 is provided with a power switch 914 for executing or shutting off power supply to each electrical component control board and mechanism component in the gaming machine. Note that the power switch 914 may be provided outside the power supply board 910 in the gaming machine. When the power switch 914 is in a closed state (on state), an AC power supply (AC 24 V) is applied to the input side (primary side) of the transformer 911. The transformer 911 is for electrically insulating the AC power supply (AC24V) and the inside of the power supply board 910, and its output voltage is also AC24V. A varistor 918 as an overvoltage protection circuit is installed on the input side of the transformer 911.

  The power supply board 910 is installed independently of the electrical component control board (the main board 31, the payout control board 37, the display control board 80, the lamp control board 35, and the voice control board 70), and each board and mechanism parts in the gaming machine are installed. Generate the voltage to be used. In this example, AC24V, VSL (DC + 30V), VLP (DC + 24V), VDD (DC + 12V) and VCC (DC + 5V) are generated. Further, a capacitor 916 serving as a storage holding means for holding the stored contents in the backup power supply (VBB), that is, the backup RAM, is charged from DC + 5V (VCC), that is, a power supply line for driving an IC or the like on each substrate. Further, a backflow prevention diode 917 is inserted between the +5 V line and the backup +5 V (VBB) line. Note that VSL is generated by rectifying and boosting AC 24 V with a rectifying element in the rectifying and smoothing circuit 915. VSL is a solenoid driving power source. VLP is a lamp lighting voltage, and is generated by rectifying AC24V with a rectifier element in the rectifier circuit 912.

  The DC-DC converter 913 serving as a power supply voltage generation unit has one or a plurality of regulator ICs (two regulator ICs 924A and 924B are shown in FIG. 8), and generates VDD and VCC based on VSL. Relatively large capacitors 923A and 923B are connected to the input sides of the regulator ICs (switching regulators) 924A and 924B. Accordingly, when the power supply to the gaming machine from the outside is stopped, the DC voltages such as VSL, VDD, VCC, etc., decrease relatively slowly.

  As shown in FIG. 8, AC24V output from the transformer 911 is supplied to the connector 922B as it is. The VLP is supplied to the connector 922C. VCC, VDD and VSL are supplied to connectors 922A, 922B and 922C.

  The cable connected to the connector 922A is connected to the main board 31. The cable connected to the connector 922B is connected to the payout control board 37. Therefore, VBB is also supplied to the connectors 922A and 922B. The cable connected to the connector 922C is connected to the lamp control board 36. Each voltage is supplied to the display control board 80 via the lamp control board 36.

  In addition, a clear switch 921 having a push button structure is mounted on the power supply board 910. When the clear switch 921 is pressed, a low level (on state) clear switch signal is output and transmitted to the main board 31 and the payout control board 37 via the connectors 922A and 922B. If the clear switch 921 is not pressed, a high level (off state) signal is output. The clear switch 921 may have a configuration other than the push button structure. Further, the clear switch 921 may be provided other than the power supply board 910 in the gaming machine.

  Further, the power supply board 910 generates a reset signal for the microcomputer mounted on the electric component control board, amplifies the reset signal from the power supply monitor circuit 920 that outputs a power-off signal, and the power supply monitor circuit 920. And an output driver circuit 925 that amplifies the power-off signal and outputs it to the connectors 922A and 922B. A reset signal for the display control microcomputer and the sound control microcomputer is transmitted to the display control board 80 and the voice control board 70 via the lamp control board 35. In other words, the reset signal from the main board 31 is directly transmitted to the lamp control board 35 as the sub-sub board without passing through the display control board 80 as the sub board.

  The power supply monitoring circuit 920 is a circuit that realizes power supply monitoring means for outputting a power-off signal and reset signal generation means for generating a reset signal. As the power supply monitoring circuit 920, a commercially available power failure monitoring reset module IC should be used. Can do. The power supply monitoring circuit 920 outputs a power-off signal when a period during which a predetermined voltage (for example, + 24V) used in the gaming machine becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined value (for example, + 5V) continues for a predetermined time (for example, 56 ms). . Specifically, the power-off signal is turned on (low level). Further, the power supply monitoring circuit 920 enters a state in which the reset signal can be set to a low level when, for example, VCC becomes +4.5 V or less.

  When the power supply to the gaming machine is stopped, the power supply monitoring circuit 920 sets the reset signal to a low level on condition that a predetermined period has elapsed since the power-off signal was output (set to a low level). The predetermined period is a time sufficient for the microcomputer mounted on the main board 31 and the payout control board 37 to execute power-off processing described later. In addition, when the power supply to the gaming machine is started and Vcc exceeds +4.5 V, for example, the reset signal is set to high level. ) The reset signal is set to high level on condition that a predetermined period has elapsed. Therefore, when the microcomputer mounted on each electrical component control board (including the main board 31) starts the control operation according to the program in response to the reset signal becoming high level, the power-off signal is always turned off. It is in a state.

  A power-off signal from the power monitoring circuit 920, that is, a detection signal from the power monitoring means is input to the CPU 56 via the input port 572 in the main board 31. Therefore, the CPU 56 can confirm the occurrence of the stop of the power supply to the gaming machine by monitoring the input signal of the input port 572. Further, the power-off signal from the power supply monitoring circuit 920 is input to the payout control CPU 371 via the input port 372g on the payout control board 37 (see FIG. 5). Therefore, the payout control CPU 371 can confirm the occurrence of the stop of the power supply to the gaming machine by monitoring the input signal of the input port 372g.

  In this embodiment, the power supply monitoring means monitors the output of the power supply of a predetermined potential, and the voltage from the outside of the gaming machine (this implementation is used as a detection condition related to the stop of the supply of power supplied to the gaming machine from the outside In this embodiment, it is used that the predetermined DC voltage created from AC24V) is lower than the predetermined value. However, the detection condition is not limited to this, and if it is possible to detect that the power from the outside is cut off, Other conditions may be used. For example, the AC wave itself may be monitored and the AC wave may be detected as a detection condition, or the signal obtained by digitizing the AC wave may be monitored and the AC signal may be stopped when the digital signal becomes flat. May be used as a detection condition.

  9 and 10 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of output port assignment in the game control means. As shown in FIG. 9, the output port 0 is an output port for a payout control signal transmitted to the payout control board 37. Further, 8-bit data of the display control command transmitted to the display control board 80 is output from the output port 1.

  Further, from the output port 2, a solenoid (large winning opening door solenoid) 21 for opening and closing the opening / closing plate 2 of the large winning opening, a solenoid (large winning opening guide plate solenoid) 21A for switching the path in the large winning opening and a variable A drive signal for a solenoid (normal electric accessory solenoid) 16 for opening and closing the winning ball apparatus 15 is output. Further, a display control INT signal (strobe signal) for a display control command transmitted to the display control board 80 is also output. The display control INT signal is a signal for instructing the display control means to take in the 8-bit data of the display control command.

  Then, various information output signals from the output ports 3 and 4 to the information terminal board 34 and the terminal board 160 through the information output circuit 64, that is, output data of information related to control are output.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of bit assignment of input ports in the game control means. As shown in FIG. 11, the bits 0 to 7 of the input port 0 are detected by the V winning switch 22, the count switch 23, the gate switch 32a, the winning port switches 33a, 39a, 29a, 30a, and the start port switch 14a, respectively. A signal is input. In addition, bits 0 to 3 of the input port 1 respectively include a power-off signal from the power monitoring board 910, a detection signal from the clear switch 921 from the power board 910, a prize ball count signal from the payout control board 37, and a payout error. A signal is input. The detection signal from each switch, the winning ball count signal, and the payout error signal are logically inverted in the input circuit 68.

  Next, the operation of the gaming machine will be described. 12 and 13 are flowcharts showing main processing executed by the game control means on the main board 31. FIG. When the gaming machine is turned on and the input level of the reset terminal to which a reset signal is input becomes high, the CPU 56 performs a security check process that is a process for confirming whether the contents of the program are valid. After execution, the main processing after step S1 is started. In the main process, the CPU 56 first performs necessary initial settings.

  In the initial setting process, the CPU 56 first sets the interrupt prohibition (step S1). Next, the interrupt mode is set to interrupt mode 2 (step S2), and a stack pointer designation address is set to the stack pointer (step S3). Then, the built-in device register is initialized (step S4).

  Next, the CPU 56 initializes the CTC (counter / timer) and PIO (parallel input / output port), which are built-in devices (built-in peripheral circuits) (step S5), and then sets the RAM 55 to an accessible state (step S5). S6).

  The CPU 56 used in this embodiment also incorporates an I / O port (PIO) and a timer / counter circuit (CTC). The CTC also includes two external clock / timer trigger inputs CLK / TRG2, 3 and two timer outputs ZC / TO0,1.

  In the CPU 56 used in this embodiment, the following three types of modes are prepared as maskable interrupt modes. When a maskable interrupt occurs, the CPU 56 automatically sets the interrupt disabled state and saves the contents of the program counter in the stack.

  Interrupt mode 0: The built-in device that has issued the interrupt request sends an RST instruction (1 byte) or a CALL instruction (3 bytes) onto the internal data bus of the CPU. Therefore, the CPU 56 executes the instruction at the address corresponding to the RST instruction or the address specified by the CALL instruction. At reset, the CPU 56 automatically enters interrupt mode 0. Therefore, when setting to interrupt mode 1 or interrupt mode 2, it is necessary to perform processing for setting to interrupt mode 1 or interrupt mode 2 in the initial setting process.

  Interrupt mode 1: In this mode, when an interrupt is accepted, the mode always jumps to address 0038 (h).

  Interrupt mode 2: A mode in which the address synthesized from the value (1 byte) of the specific register (I register) of the CPU 56 and the interrupt vector (1 byte: least significant bit 0) output from the built-in device indicates the interrupt address It is. That is, the interrupt address is an address indicated by 2 bytes in which the upper address is the value of the specific register and the lower address is the interrupt vector. Therefore, an interrupt process can be set at an arbitrary address (although it is skipped). Each built-in device has a function of sending an interrupt vector when making an interrupt request.

  Therefore, when the interrupt mode 2 is set, it is possible to easily process an interrupt request from each built-in device, and it is possible to install an interrupt process at an arbitrary position in the program. . Further, unlike the interrupt mode 1, it is easy to prepare each interrupt process for each interrupt generation factor. As described above, in this embodiment, the CPU 56 is set to the interrupt mode 2 in step S2 of the initial setting process.

  Next, the CPU 56 confirms the state of the output signal of the clear switch 921 input via the input port 1 only once (step S7). When the on-state is detected in the confirmation, the CPU 56 executes a normal initialization process (steps S10 to S15). When the clear switch 921 is on (when pressed), a low-level clear switch signal is output. In the input port 1, the clear switch signal is on at a high level. Further, for example, the game store clerk can easily execute the initialization process by starting the power supply to the gaming machine (for example, turning on the power switch 914) while the clear switch 921 is turned on. That is, RAM clear or the like can be performed.

  If the clear switch 921 is not in the on state, whether or not data protection processing of the backup RAM area (for example, power supply stop processing such as addition of parity data) has been performed when power supply to the gaming machine is stopped Confirm (step S8). In this embodiment, when power supply is stopped, a process for protecting data in the backup RAM area is performed. If it is confirmed that such protection processing has been performed, the CPU 56 determines that there is a backup. When it is confirmed that such protection processing is not performed, the CPU 56 executes initialization processing.

  Whether or not the protection process has been performed depends on the value of the backup monitoring timer stored in the backup RAM area in the power supply stop process described later according to the execution of the data protection process in the backup RAM area (for example, It is confirmed by whether or not 2). Note that such a confirmation method is merely an example. For example, a flag indicating that the data protection process has been executed is set in the backup flag area in the power supply stop process, and the flag is set in step S8. If it is confirmed that there is a backup, it may be determined that there is backup.

  If it is determined that there is a backup, the CPU 56 performs a data check of the backup RAM area (parity check in this example) (step S9). In this embodiment, clear data (00) is set in the checksum data area, and the checksum calculation start address is set in the pointer. Also, the number of checksum calculations corresponding to the number of data to be checksum is set. Then, the exclusive OR of the contents of the checksum data area and the contents of the RAM area pointed to by the pointer is calculated. The calculation result is stored in the checksum data area, the pointer value is incremented by 1, and the checksum calculation count value is decremented by 1. The above processing is repeated until the value of the checksum calculation count becomes zero. When the value of the checksum calculation count becomes 0, the CPU 56 inverts the value of each bit of the contents of the checksum data area and uses the inverted data as the checksum.

  In the power supply stop process, a checksum is calculated by the same process as described above, and the checksum is stored in the backup RAM area. In step S9, the calculated checksum is compared with the stored checksum. When the power supply is stopped after an unexpected power outage or the like, the data in the backup RAM area should be saved, so the check result (comparison result) is normal (matched). That the check result is not normal means that the data in the backup RAM area is different from the data when the power supply is stopped. In such a case, since the internal state cannot be returned to the state when the power supply is stopped, the initialization process (the processes of steps S10 to S15) executed when the power is turned on, not when the power supply is stopped. Execute.

  If the check result is normal, the CPU 56 performs a game state restoration process for returning the internal state of the game control means and the control state of the electric component control means such as the display control means to the state when the power supply is stopped. Specifically, the start address of the backup setting table stored in the ROM 54 is set as a pointer (step S81), and the contents of the backup setting table are sequentially set in the work area (area in the RAM 55) (step S82). ). The work area is backed up by a backup power source. In the backup setting table, initialization data for an area that may be initialized in the work area is set. As a result of the processing in steps S81 and S82, the saved contents of the work area that should not be initialized remain. The portion that should not be initialized is, for example, a portion in which data (such as a special symbol process flag) indicating a gaming state before stopping power supply or data indicating the number of unpaid prize balls is set.

  Further, the CPU 56 sets the head address of the backup command transmission table stored in the ROM 54 as a pointer (step S83), and power is supplied to the sub-boards (the payout control board 37 and the display control board 80) according to the contents. Control is performed so that a control command indicating the recovery is transmitted (step S84). Then, the process proceeds to step S15.

  In the initialization process, the CPU 56 first performs a RAM clear process (step S10). The entire area of the RAM 55 may not be initialized, and predetermined data (for example, count value data of a counter for generating a big hit determination random number) may be left as it is. For example, if the count value data of the counter for generating the big hit determination random number is left as it is, the big hit determination random number is generated even if the initialization process is executed by an unauthorized means. Therefore, it is difficult to aim at a timing at which the count value of the counter for matching the jackpot determination value. Further, the start address of the initialization setting table stored in the ROM 54 is set as a pointer (step S11), and the contents of the initialization setting table are sequentially set in the work area (step S12). Through the processing of steps S11 and S12, for example, a normal symbol determination random number counter, a normal symbol determination buffer, a special symbol left middle right symbol buffer, a total prize ball number storage buffer, a special symbol process flag, an award ball flag, a ball break An initial value is set to a flag for selectively performing processing according to the control state, such as a flag or a payout stop flag.

  In addition, the CPU 56 sets the initial address of the initialization command transmission table stored in the ROM 54 as a pointer (step S13), and issues an initialization command for initializing the sub board according to the contents of the sub board. The process to transmit to is executed (step S14). Examples of the initialization command include a command indicating an initial symbol displayed on the variable display device 9.

  In step S15, the CPU 56 sets a CTC register built in the CPU 56 so that a timer interrupt is periodically generated every predetermined time (for example, 4 ms). That is, a value corresponding to, for example, 4 ms is set as an initial value in a predetermined register (time constant register). In this embodiment, it is assumed that a timer interrupt is periodically taken every 4 ms.

  When the execution of the initialization process (steps S10 to S15) is completed, the CPU 56 repeatedly executes the display random number update process (step S17) and the initial value random number update process (step S18). The CPU 56 disables the interrupt when the display random number update process and the initial value random number update process are executed (step S16), and interrupts when the display random number update process and the initial value random number update process are finished. The permitted state is set (step S19). The display random number is a random number for determining a symbol displayed on the variable display device 9, and the display random number update process is a process for updating the count value of the counter for generating the display random number. It is. The initial value random number update process is a process for updating the count value of the counter for generating the initial value random number. The initial value random number is a random number for determining an initial value of a count value such as a counter for generating a random number for determining whether or not to make a big hit (a big hit determination random number generation counter). Game control processing described later (a game control microcomputer controls a game device such as a variable display device 9, a variable winning ball device, a ball payout device, etc. provided in the gaming machine, or other In the process of transmitting a command signal to cause the microcomputer to control, also referred to as a gaming device control process), when the count value of the big hit determination random number generation counter makes one round, an initial value is set in the counter.

  Note that when the display random number update process and the initial value random number update process are executed, the interrupt disabled state is set even when the display random number update process and the initial value random number update process are performed by the timer interrupt process described later. This is to avoid conflict with the processing in the timer interrupt processing. That is, if a timer interrupt is generated during the processing of steps S17 and S18 and the count value of the counter for generating the display random number and the initial value random number is updated during the timer interrupt processing, The continuity of values may be impaired. However, such an inconvenience does not occur if the interrupt disabled state is set during the processes of steps S17 and S18.

  FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing how the microcomputer operates when power supply to the gaming machine is started and when power supply is stopped. When power supply to the gaming machine is started and the voltage of the DC + 24V power supply exceeds a predetermined value, the power-off signal becomes high level (off state). When the value of VCC exceeds a predetermined value, the reset signal becomes high level. As described above, the power supply monitoring circuit 920 sets the power-off signal to the high level and then sets the reset signal to the high level. The reset signal is input to the main board 31, the payout control board 37 and the lamp control board 35. The reset signal is input to the display control board 80 and the sound control board 70 via the lamp control board 35. Then, a payout control CPU 371 mounted on the payout control board 37, a display control CPU 101 mounted on the display control board 80, a lamp control CPU 351 mounted on the lamp control board 35, and the voice control board 70. It is input to the reset terminal of the mounted sound control CPU 701. The payout control CPU 371, the display control CPU 101, the lamp control CPU 351, and the sound control CPU 701 are operable when the reset signal is at a high level. When in an operable state, initialization processing is first executed, and thereafter, payout control processing, display control processing, lamp control processing, and sound control processing are started.

  The reset signal input to the main board 31 is delayed by the delay circuit 69 and then input to the reset terminal of the CPU 56. Therefore, the time when the CPU 56 becomes operable is later than the time when the CPU of the sub board or the sub sub board becomes operable. When the CPU 56 becomes operable, the CPU 56 executes security check processing based on the security check program. When the security check process ends, an initialization process and a game control process are started. Note that after the security check process is completed, the initialization process and the game control process may be started after being delayed by software for a predetermined period.

  As described above, the CPU 56 performs a process of transmitting a command (command signal) to the CPU of the sub board in the initialization process. Due to the delay by the delay circuit 69 (delay by the hardware circuit) and the execution of the security check process, the time when the CPU 56 starts the initialization process is later than the time when the CPU of the sub board or the sub sub board completes the initialization process. ing. That is, since the execution time of the security check process is determined according to the frequency of the clock signal supplied to the CPU 56, the time when the CPU 56 starts the initialization process is the time when the CPU of the sub board or the sub sub board completes the initialization process. The delay amount of the delay circuit 69 is set so as to be later than the time point.

  When the power supply to the gaming machine is stopped, the voltage of the DC + 24V power supply also gradually decreases. However, when the voltage of the DC + 24V power supply falls below a predetermined value, the power supply monitoring circuit 920 outputs a power-off signal (set to a low level). ). The power-off signal is input to the main board 31 and the payout control board 37. The game control means mounted on the main board 31 and the payout control means mounted on the payout control board 37, according to the power-off signal being output, the power supply stop process (both power-off control process) Say). The power supply monitoring circuit 920 sets the reset signal to a low level when VCC falls below a predetermined value. The game control means mounted on the main board 31 and the payout control means mounted on the payout control board 37 are system reset in response to the reset signal becoming low level. That is, the CPU 56 and the payout control CPU 371 are not operated. Note that the power supply monitoring circuit 920 sets the reset signal to a low level when a predetermined time elapses from the time when the power supply cutoff signal is output when the power supply voltage decreases.

  Next, the game control process will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the timer interrupt process. When a timer interrupt occurs during execution of the main process, specifically, during the execution of the loop process of steps S16 to S19, the CPU 56 performs a timer interrupt process that is activated in response to the occurrence of the timer interrupt. A game control process is executed. In the timer interrupt process, the CPU 56 first executes a power-off process (power-off detection process) for detecting whether or not a power-off signal is output (whether the power-off signal is turned on) (step S20). Next, detection signals of switches such as the gate switch 32a, the start port switch 14a, the count switch 23, and the winning port switches 29a, 30a, 33a, and 39a are input via the input circuit 68, and the state of these is determined (switch) Process: Step S21). Specifically, if the state of the input port for inputting the detection signal of each switch is ON, the value of the switch timer provided corresponding to each switch is incremented by one. In addition, in response to receiving a prize ball count signal from the payout control board 37, a process for notifying a player that a prize ball has been paid out, specifically, a prize ball payout confirmation designation command is displayed and controlled. A process of transmitting to the substrate 80 (see FIG. 23) is executed (step S22).

  Next, a process of updating the count value of each counter for generating each determination random number such as a big hit determination random number used for game control is performed (step S23). The CPU 56 further performs a process of updating the count value of the counter for generating the display random number and the initial value random number (steps S24 and S25).

  Further, the CPU 56 performs special symbol process processing (step S26). In the special symbol process control, corresponding processing is selected and executed according to a special symbol process flag for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 in a predetermined order according to the gaming state. The value of the special symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state. Further, normal symbol process processing is performed (step S27). In the normal symbol process, the corresponding process is selected and executed according to the normal symbol process flag for controlling the display state of the normal symbol display 10 in a predetermined order. The value of the normal symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state.

  Next, the CPU 56 performs a process of setting a display control command related to the special symbol in a predetermined area of the RAM 55 and sending the display control command (special symbol command control process: step S28). In addition, a display control command related to the normal symbol is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 55, and a process of sending the display control command is performed (normal symbol command control process: step S29).

  Further, the CPU 56 performs information output processing for outputting data such as jackpot information, starting information, probability variation information supplied to the hall management computer, for example (step S30).

  Further, the CPU 56 executes prize ball processing for setting the number of prize balls based on the detection signals from the prize opening switches 29a, 30a, 33a, 39a, etc. (step S31). Specifically, a payout control signal such as a winning ball control signal indicating the number of winning balls is output to the payout control board 37 in response to detection of winning based on the winning opening switches 29a, 30a, 33a, 39a being turned on. . The payout control CPU 371 mounted on the payout control board 37 drives the ball payout device 97 in accordance with a payout control signal such as a prize ball control signal indicating the number of prize balls.

  And CPU56 performs the memory | storage process which checks the increase / decrease in the number-of-start winning memory | storage number (step S32). In addition, a test terminal process, which is a process for outputting a test signal for enabling the control state of the gaming machine to be confirmed outside the gaming machine, is executed (step S33). In this embodiment, a RAM area (output port buffer) corresponding to the output state of the output port is provided, but the CPU 56 relates to the solenoid in the RAM area of the output port 2 (see FIG. 9). Is output to the output port (step S34: solenoid output processing). Thereafter, the interrupt permission state is set (step S35), and the process is terminated.

  With the above control, in this embodiment, the game control process is started periodically (for example, every 4 ms). In this embodiment, the game control process is executed by the timer interrupt process. However, in the timer interrupt process, for example, only a flag indicating that an interrupt has occurred is set, and the game control process is performed by the main process. May be executed. Further, the processing of steps S21 to S34 (except for steps S30 and S33) corresponds to a game control process for controlling the progress of the game.

  16 and 17 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the power-off process in step S20. In the power-off process, the CPU 56 first checks whether or not a power-off signal is output (whether it is in an on state) (step S450). If not on, the value of the backup monitoring timer formed in the RAM 55 is cleared to 0 (step S451). If it is on, the value of the backup monitoring timer formed in the RAM 55 is incremented by 1 (step S452). If the value of the backup monitoring timer matches the determination value (for example, 2) (step S453), the power supply stop process after step S454, that is, the preparation process for stopping the power supply is executed. That is, the state shifts from a state in which the progress of the game is controlled to a state in which a power supply stop process (a power-off control process) for saving the game state is executed.

  By using the backup monitoring timer and the determination value, if the power-off signal is kept on for a time corresponding to the determination value, the power supply stop process is started. That is, even if the power-off signal is turned on for a moment due to noise or the like, the power supply stop process is not erroneously started. Note that the value of the backup monitoring timer formed in the RAM 55 is stored by the backup power source for a predetermined period even when power supply to the gaming machine is stopped. Therefore, in step S8 in the main process, it can be confirmed that the process result of the power supply stop process is stored because the value of the backup monitoring timer is the same as the determination value.

  In the power supply stop process, the CPU 56 creates parity data (steps S454 to S463). That is, first, clear data (00) is set in the checksum data area (step S454), and the checksum calculation start address corresponding to the start address of the RAM area in which the contents are to be stored even when power supply is stopped is set in the pointer. (Step S455). Further, the number of checksum calculations corresponding to the final address of the RAM area where the contents are to be stored even when the power supply is stopped is set (step S456).

  Next, an exclusive OR of the contents of the checksum data area and the contents of the RAM area pointed to by the pointer is calculated (step S457). The calculation result is stored in the checksum data area (step S458), the pointer value is incremented by 1 (step S459), and the checksum calculation count value is decremented by 1 (step S460). Then, the processes in steps S457 to S460 are repeated until the value of the checksum calculation count becomes 0 (step S461).

  When the value of the checksum calculation count becomes 0, the CPU 56 inverts the value of each bit of the contents of the checksum data area (step S462). Then, the inverted data is stored in the checksum data area (step S463). This data becomes parity data to be checked when the power is turned on. Next, an access prohibition value is set in the RAM access register (step S471). Thereafter, the built-in RAM 55 cannot be accessed.

  Further, the CPU 56 sets the head address of the port clear setting table stored in the ROM 54 as a pointer (step S472). In the port clear setting table, the number of processes (the number of output ports to be cleared) is set to the head address, and then the output port address and output value data (clear data: the value of the off state of each bit of the output port) However, the number of output ports corresponding to the number of processes is sequentially set.

  The CPU 56 loads data at the address pointed to by the pointer (that is, the number of processes) (step S473). Further, the value of the pointer is incremented by 1 (step S474), and the data of the address pointed to by the pointer (that is, the address of the output port) is loaded (step S475). Further, the value of the pointer is incremented by 1 (step S476), and the data of the address pointed to by the pointer (that is, output value data) is loaded (step S477). Then, the output value data is output to the output port (step S478). Thereafter, the number of processes is reduced by 1 (step S479), and if the number of processes is not 0, the process returns to step S474. If the number of processes is 0, that is, if all the output ports to be cleared are cleared, the timer interrupt is stopped (step S481) and the loop process is started.

  In the loop processing, it is monitored whether or not the power-off signal is turned off (step S482). When the power-off signal is turned off, the execution address at power-on (address in step S1) is set as the return address and the return command is executed (step S483). That is, the process returns to the main process. Specifically, a state in which a gaming device provided in the gaming machine is controlled (concept including both controlling by itself and transmitting a command signal to cause another microcomputer to control). Return.

  When the power supply is stopped by the above process, the power supply stop process in steps S454 to S481 is executed, and data indicating that the power supply stop process has been executed (specified value with backup and checksum) Is stored in the backup RAM, the RAM access is disabled, the output port is cleared, and the timer interrupt for executing the game control process is disabled.

  In this embodiment, the entire area of the RAM 55 is backed up by a backup power source (the contents of the RAM 55 are preserved for a predetermined period even when power supply to the gaming machine is stopped). Therefore, the checksum based on the contents of the RAM 55 when the power-off signal is output is stored in the RAM 55 together with the value of the backup monitoring timer by the processing in steps S452 to S479. After the power supply to the gaming machine is stopped, if the power supply is restored within a predetermined period, the game control means performs data stored in the RAM 55 (immediately before the power supply is stopped) by the processing of steps S91 to S94 described above. In accordance with the data indicating the game state that is the control state by the game control means (for example, including the process flag state, the big hit flag state, the probability change flag state, the output port output state, etc.) It is possible to return to the state immediately before the supply is stopped. If the power supply stop period exceeds the predetermined period, the value of the backup monitoring timer and the checksum should be different from the regular values. In this case, the initialization process of steps S10 to S14 is executed. The

  As described above, the power supply stop processing (preparation processing for power supply stop) ensures that the data for returning the gaming state to the state immediately before the power supply is stopped is the fluctuation data storage means (in this example) All areas of the RAM 55). Therefore, even if a power failure occurs due to a power failure or the like, if the power is restored within a predetermined period, the gaming state can be returned to the state immediately before the power supply is stopped. Note that the entire area of the RAM 55 may not be backed up by power, but only the area for storing data for returning the gaming state to the state immediately before the power supply is stopped may be backed up.

  If the power-off signal is turned off, the process returns to step S1. In this case, since data indicating that the power supply stop process has been executed is set, the game state recovery process of steps S91 to S94 is executed. Therefore, when the detection signal from the power supply monitoring unit is turned off after executing the power supply stop process, the process returns to the state of controlling the progress of the game. Therefore, even if a power interruption or the like occurs, the game control process does not stop, and the game control process is automatically continued.

  The connection confirmation signal transmitted to the payout control board 37 is set to the off state by the process of clearing the output port. In the setting of the work area in steps 82 and S12, the content of the output port buffer corresponding to the connection confirmation signal is set to a value corresponding to the ON state of the connection confirmation signal. When the prize ball processing in step S31 is executed, the contents of the output port buffer are output to the output port, so that the connection confirmation signal to the payout control board 37 is turned on. Therefore, the connection confirmation signal is output (turned on) when the main board 31 rises. Note that a connection confirmation signal is also output when the power supply is recovered from an instantaneous power interruption or the like.

  Next, the switch process (step S21) in the main process will be described. In this embodiment, when the ON state of the detection signal of each switch related to winning detection or gate passage continues for a predetermined time, it is determined that the switch has been turned ON, and processing corresponding to the switch ON is started. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing each 1-byte buffer formed in the RAM 55 used in the switching process. The previous port buffer is a buffer in which the previous switch-on / off determination result (for example, 4 ms before) is stored. The port buffer is a buffer in which the contents of port 0 inputted this time are stored. The switch-on buffer is a buffer in which the corresponding bit is set to 1 when switch on is detected and the corresponding bit is set to 0 when switch off is detected.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example of the switch processing in step S21 in the game control processing. In the switch process, the CPU 56 first inputs data input to the input port 0 (see FIG. 11) (step S101), and sets the input data in the port buffer (step S102). Next, an initial value of the weight counter formed in the RAM 55 is set (step S103), and the value of the weight counter is decremented by 1 until the value of the weight counter becomes 0 (steps S104 and S105).

  When the value of the wait counter reaches 0, the data of the input port 0 is input again (step S106), and a logical product is obtained for each bit between the input data and the data set in the port buffer (step S106). S107). Then, the logical product operation result is set in the port buffer (step S108). Of the two input data input from the input port 0 with a time interval of approximately [initial value of weight counter × (processing time of steps S14 and S105)] by the processing of steps S103 to S108, both “ Only the bits that are “1” will be “1” in the port buffer. That is, when the switch detection signal is kept on for the predetermined period [initial value of wait counter × (processing time of steps S14 and S105)], the corresponding bit in the port buffer becomes “1”.

  Further, the CPU 56 performs exclusive OR for each bit between the data previously set in the port buffer and the data set in the port buffer (step S109). In the result of the exclusive OR operation, the bit corresponding to the switch for which the previous switch-on / off determination result (for example, 4 ms before) differs from the switch-on / off determination result determined to be on this time is “ 1 ”. Further, the CPU 56 performs a logical product for each bit between the operation result of the exclusive OR and the data set in the port buffer (step S110). As a result, of the bits corresponding to the switches for which the previous switch on / off determination result and the switch on / off determination result determined to be on this time are different (according to the exclusive OR operation result), the current on Only the bit corresponding to the switch determined as (by the logical product operation) remains as “1”.

  Then, the CPU 56 sets the logical product operation result in step S110 in the switch-on buffer (step S111), and sets the contents of the port buffer in which the operation result in step S108 is set in the previous port buffer (step S112). .

  With the above processing, among the switches that have been on for a predetermined period of time, the switch on / off determination result of the previous time (for example, 4 ms before) is off, that is, the switch has changed from off to on. The bit corresponding to the switch is “1” in the switch-on buffer.

  Next, payout control signals transmitted and received between the main board 31 and the payout control board 37 will be described. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of a control signal output from the game control means to the payout control means and a payout control signal input from the payout control means to the game control means. In this embodiment, a plurality of types of control signals are transmitted and received between the main board 31 and the payout control board 37 in order to perform various controls relating to payout control and the like. As shown in FIG. 20, the connection confirmation signal is output when the main board 31 rises (when the game control means starts the game control process), and indicates that the main board 31 has risen with respect to the payout control board 37. This is a signal for notification (connection confirmation signal for the main board 31). That is, the connection confirmation signal is a signal indicating whether or not the main board 31 is standing up.

  The prize ball REQ signal is a signal that is in an output state (= ON state) when a prize ball payout request is made (that is, a trigger signal for a prize ball payout request). In addition, the prize ball REQ signal is in a stopped state (off state) after a predetermined period after being in the output state. The award ball control signal is a signal (award ball number command) output for designating the number (1 to 15) of game balls for which a payout request is made.

  The prize ball count signal is a signal that is turned on when the payout control means confirms the payout of one prize ball, and is turned off after a predetermined period. The payout error signal is a signal that is turned on when an error state relating to payout occurs and is turned off when the error state is canceled.

  FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing signal lines and the like used for transmission / reception of each control signal shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 21, the connection confirmation signal, the prize ball REQ signal, and the prize ball control signal are output by the CPU 56 via the output circuit 67 and input to the payout control CPU 371 via the input circuit 373A. The prize ball count signal and the payout error signal are output by the payout control CPU 371 via the output circuit 373B and input to the CPU 56 via the input circuit 68. Each of the connection confirmation signal, the prize ball REQ signal, the prize ball count signal, and the payout error signal is 1-bit data, and is transmitted through one signal line. Since 1 to 15 prize ball control signals are designated, it is composed of 4-bit data and transmitted through four signal lines.

  FIG. 22 is a timing chart showing an example of how to output the payout control signal. As shown in FIG. 22, when the winning detection switch detects winning of a game ball, the game control means turns on the winning ball REQ signal and pays out the output state of the winning ball control signal according to the winning. A state corresponding to the number of prize balls is set. In this embodiment, when a game ball is detected by the start port switch 14a, four prize balls are paid out, and when a game ball is detected by any of the prize port switches 33a, 39a, 29a, 30a. Seven prize balls are paid out. When a game ball is detected by the V winning switch 22 or the count switch 23, 15 prize balls are paid out. Further, as described above, the prize ball control signal is composed of 4 bits, and therefore, the lower 4 bits of the prize ball number commands of 00 (H) to 0F (H) represented by 8 bits are The prize ball control signal is transmitted from the main board 31 to the payout control board 37. Hereinafter, the prize ball control signal may be expressed as “00 (H) to 0F (H) prize ball control signal”, but in reality, the prize ball control signal is represented by 8 bits. This corresponds to the lower 4 bits of 0F (H).

  The game control means turns the prize ball REQ signal off after a predetermined period (prize ball REQ signal off waiting time: 60 ms, for example) elapses after the prize ball REQ signal is turned on. At that time, the output state of the prize ball control signal is cleared and turned off. That is, the prize ball control signal is set to a state indicating 0 (a state in which an invalid command is output). Accordingly, since the prize ball control signal is in the invalid command output state when the prize ball REQ signal is in the off state, when the on state of the prize ball REQ signal is detected by the payout control means due to noise or the like. However, there is no such thing as accidentally paying out a prize ball. The award ball REQ signal off waiting time is a time for providing an interval between the on periods of a plurality of award ball REQ signals when the award ball payout is continuously executed. The award ball REQ signal off waiting time has a different value when the frequency of the clock signal supplied to the CPU 56 and the payout control CPU 371 changes. That is, when the frequency of the clock signal supplied to the CPU 56 and the payout control CPU 371 changes, the value becomes different.

  As shown in FIG. 21, when a new winning is detected when the winning ball REQ signal is on, the turning on of the winning ball REQ signal and the output of the winning ball control signal based on the winning are waited. Specifically, when a new winning is detected when the winning ball REQ signal is on, the number of winning balls to be paid out based on the winning is the content of the total winning ball buffer formed in the RAM 55. Is added to Then, when the game control means turns off the prize ball REQ signal, if the content of the total prize ball number buffer is not 0, the number of prize balls indicated by the contents of the total prize ball number buffer is set to 15 as the upper limit. In order to instruct a prize ball payout, the prize ball REQ signal is turned on and a prize ball control signal is output.

  FIG. 23 is a timing chart showing an example of how to output a prize ball count signal. As shown in FIG. 23, when the payout control CPU 371 detects the payout of the game ball when the payout number count switch 301 detects the payout of the game ball, whether or not the detection is the detection of the payout of the prize ball. For example, the prize ball count signal is turned on for a predetermined period (for example, 0.5 seconds). That is, each time a payout of one prize ball is confirmed, the prize ball count signal is turned on for a predetermined period. Therefore, for example, the payout count switch 301 detects the payout of seven game balls. If the detected game ball is a prize ball, the on / off of the prize ball count signal is repeated seven times.

  In the above-described prize ball notification process (step S22), the CPU 56 receives a prize ball payout confirmation designation control command (award ball payout) indicating that the prize ball has been paid out each time a prize ball count signal is received. Confirmation designation command) is transmitted to the display control board 80. The display control board 80 transmits the received prize ball payout confirmation designation command to the lamp control board 35 (see steps S343 and S344). The lamp control CPU 351 of the lamp control board 35 executes control for turning on the prize ball lamp 51 for a predetermined period (for example, 0.5 seconds) every time a prize ball payout confirmation designation command is received.

  It should be noted that every time the CPU 56 receives a prize ball count signal, the CPU 56 has sent a prize ball payout confirmation designation command indicating that the payout of one prize ball has been confirmed to the display control board 80. When a predetermined number (for example, 7 times) of winning ball count signals indicating the number of winning balls (for example, 7) are received, it indicates that the predetermined number (for example, 7) of winning balls has been confirmed. A prize ball payout confirmation designation command may be transmitted to the display control board 80, and the payout of the first prize ball out of a predetermined number (for example, 7) prize balls to be paid out is detected. In response to receiving a prize ball count signal based on that, a prize ball payout confirmation designation command indicating that a predetermined number (for example, 7) of prize balls has been paid out is transmitted to the display control board 80. It may be. In this case, when the lamp control CPU 351 receives a prize ball payout confirmation designation command indicating that a predetermined number of prize balls have been paid out, the lamp control CPU 351 has confirmed the payout of one prize ball as described above. It is preferable to execute control for turning on the prize ball lamp 51 for a longer period of time (for example, 3 seconds) than when a prize ball payout confirmation designation command is received.

  FIG. 24 is a timing chart showing an example of how to output a payout error signal. As shown in FIG. 24, the payout control CPU 371 turns on the payout error signal when it shifts to the error state, and turns off the payout error signal when the error state is canceled. In this example, a payout error signal is output when an error state occurs due to the occurrence of an error related to payout of a game ball. Specifically, for example, the payout error signal is output when the lower pan is full, the ball is out, or a communication abnormality occurs between the main board 31 and the payout control board 37.

  As shown in FIG. 24, when the CPU 56 mounted on the main board 31 receives an error signal from the payout control CPU 371 (when the error signal is turned on), the CPU 56 sends a display control command to the display control board 80. Send an error occurrence notification command. The error occurrence notification command is a command indicating that an error has occurred. In addition, when the error signal from the payout control CPU 371 is stopped (when the error signal is turned off), the CPU 56 transmits an error release notification command as a display control command to the display control board 80. The error release notification command is a command indicating that the error state has been released.

  When receiving the error occurrence notification command from the CPU 56, the display control CPU 101 mounted on the display control board 80 displays the error display on the variable display device 9, and executes a process of notifying the error state. To do. The notification of the error state is performed by displaying, for example, characters or figures such as “An error has occurred!” In the display area of the variable display device 9. When the display control CPU 101 receives the error release notification command from the CPU 56, the display control CPU 101 deletes the error display displayed on the variable display device 9 to notify that the error state is present, and is in the error state. Is terminated.

  As described above, the error notification is made when an error state occurs, so that it is possible to easily notify the player or game clerk that an error has occurred.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of the prize ball processing in step S31. In the prize ball process, the CPU 56 executes a prize ball number addition process (step S201) and a prize ball control process (step S202). Then, the contents of the port 0 buffer formed in the RAM 55 are output to port 0 (step S203). The contents of the port 0 buffer are updated in the prize ball control process.

  In the prize ball number adding process, a prize ball number table shown in FIG. 26 is used. The prize ball number table is set in the ROM 54. The number of processes (in this example, “7”) is set in the head address of the winning ball number table, and then the lower address of the switch-on buffer, and each switch of the winning opening that will pay out the winning ball by winning. The switch input bit determination value and the number of winning balls are sequentially set corresponding to each switch of the winning opening. The switch input bit determination value is a value corresponding to the bit to which the detection signal of each switch at the input port 0 is input (see FIG. 11). The upper address of the switch-on buffer is a fixed value (for example, 7F (H)). In the prize ball number table, the same data is set in each of the lower addresses of the seven switch-on buffers.

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the prize ball number adding process. In the winning ball number adding process, the CPU 56 sets the start address of the winning ball number table in the pointer (step S211). Then, the data at the address pointed to by the pointer (in this case, the number of processes) is loaded (step S212). Next, the upper address (8 bits) of the switch-on buffer is set in the upper 1 byte of the 2-byte check pointer (step S213).

  Then, the pointer value is incremented by 1 (step S214), and the data of the prize ball number table pointed to by the pointer (in this case, the lower address of the switch-on buffer) is set in the lower 1 byte of the check pointer (step S215). The pointer value is increased by 1 (step S216). Next, the address data pointed to by the check pointer, that is, the contents of the switch-on buffer is loaded into the register (step S217), and the loaded contents and the data of the prize ball number table pointed to by the pointer (in this case, the switch input bit judgment value) ) And the logical product (step S218). As a result, 7 bits other than the bit corresponding to the detection signal of the switch to be inspected become 0 in the register loaded with the contents of the switch-on buffer. Then, the pointer value is incremented by 1 (step S219).

  If the calculation result in step S218 is 0, that is, if the detection signal of the switch to be inspected is on, the prize ball number table data pointed to by the pointer (in this case, the prize ball number) is used as the prize ball addition value. (Steps S220 and S221), and the prize ball addition value is added to the contents of the 16-bit total prize ball number storage buffer formed in the RAM 55 (step S222). The total winning ball number storage buffer is formed in the backup RAM. If a carry occurs as a result of the addition, the content of the total number of winning balls storage buffer is set to 65535 (= FFFF (H)) (steps S223 and 224). Further, “formed in RAM” means an area in the RAM.

  In step S225, the number of processes is reduced by 1. If the number of processes is 0, the process ends. If the number of processes is not 0, the process returns to step S214 (step S226). In step S220, when it is confirmed that the calculation result in step S218 is 0, that is, the detection signal of the switch to be inspected is in the OFF state, the process proceeds to step S225.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the prize ball control process in step S201. In the prize ball control process, the CPU 56 executes any one of steps S231 to S234 according to the value of the prize ball process code.

  FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the prize waiting process 1 (step S231) executed when the value of the prize ball process code is zero. In the award ball waiting process 1, the CPU 56 sets the award ball waiting output value (30 (H)) in the port 0 buffer (step S243). When the output value during waiting for a prize ball is set in the port 0 buffer, the contents of the port 0 buffer are output to port 0 in step S203, whereby the prize ball REQ signal is turned off, and the connection confirmation signal The on state is maintained (see FIG. 9). In addition, the prize ball control signal enters an invalid command (00 (H)). Next, it is confirmed whether or not the prize ball timer is 0 (step S244). If the prize ball timer is not 0, the value of the prize ball timer is decreased by 1 (step S245), and the process is terminated. The prize ball timer is a timer for measuring the time required for prize ball processing. At this stage, if the value of the prize ball timer is not 0, the next prize ball after the previous payout process is completed. Waiting time until the REQ signal is turned on (time for providing an interval between ON periods of a plurality of prize ball REQ signals when prize ball payout is continuously executed, 00 (H ) Means that the prize ball control signal is being output). The prize ball timer is set in step S275 of the prize ball waiting process 3 described later. In addition, after the execution of the prize ball process 3 in step S234 is completed and the previous payout process is completed, the process of steps S243 to S245 sets the prize ball REQ signal to the off state and the invalid command as the prize ball control signal. This is a process for outputting (00 (H)).

  If the value of the prize ball timer is 0, the CPU 56 confirms the contents of the total prize ball number storage buffer (step S247). If the value is 0, the process ends. If not, the value of the prize ball process code is set to 1 (step S248), and the process ends.

  FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a prize ball transmission process (step S232) executed when the value of the prize ball process code is 1. In the prize ball transmission process, the CPU 56 checks whether or not the content of the total prize ball number storage buffer is smaller than the prize ball command maximum value (“15” in this example) (step S251). If the content of the total prize ball number storage buffer is equal to or greater than the prize ball command maximum value, the prize ball command maximum value is set in the prize ball number buffer (step S252). If the content of the total prize ball number storage buffer is smaller than the maximum value of the prize ball command, the content of the total prize ball number storage buffer is set in the prize ball number buffer (step S253).

  Thereafter, the output value (10 (H)) during the prize ball REQ is set in the output port 0 buffer (step S254). When the output value in the prize ball REQ is set in the output port 0 buffer, the contents of the output port 0 buffer are outputted to the port 0 in step S203, so that the prize ball REQ signal is turned on and the connection confirmation is made. The on state of the signal is maintained (see FIG. 9). Further, the contents of the winning ball number buffer are set in the lower 4 bits of the output port 0 buffer (step S255). Further, a prize ball processing waiting time is set in the prize ball timer (step S256). The award ball processing waiting time is, for example, a time predetermined as a period sufficient for completing the award ball payout control on the payout control board 37. Thereafter, the value of the prize ball process code is set to 2 (step S257), and the process is terminated.

  In this embodiment, the maximum value of the prize ball command is “15”. Accordingly, a prize ball control signal designating the maximum number of payouts of “15” is transmitted to the payout control board 37.

  FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the prize waiting process 2 (step S233) executed when the value of the prize ball process code is 2. In the award ball waiting process 2, the CPU 56 checks whether or not the award ball timer is 0 (step S263). If the prize ball timer is not 0, the value of the prize ball timer is decreased by 1 (step S264), and the process is terminated. If the value of the prize ball timer is not 0 at this stage, it means that the payout process of the number of prize balls instructed to the payout control means is not completed.

  If the value of the prize ball timer is 0, the CPU 56 determines that the prize ball payout for the number instructed to the payout control means has been completed, and from the contents of the total prize ball number storage buffer, the contents of the prize ball number buffer. The number of prize balls paid out instructed to the payout control means is subtracted (step S265). Then, the value of the prize ball process code is set to 3 (step S266), and the process is terminated. Whether or not the number of prize balls paid out for the number instructed to the payout control means has been completed is output for the number of prize balls paid out to the payout control means after outputting the prize ball REQ signal without using the prize ball timer. It may be determined based on whether or not a prize ball count signal is received.

  In the prize ball transmission process shown in FIG. 30 and the prize ball waiting process 2 shown in FIG. 31, the game control means transmits the prize ball control signal and then receives a prize ball from the payout control means within a predetermined period. When the count signal has not been received the number of times corresponding to the number specified by the prize ball control signal, it is assumed that an abnormality has occurred in communication with the payout control means, and control for stopping the progress of the game and payout error are performed. It may be configured to output a signal.

  The game control means saves the current control state, for example, the output state of the output port, in the RAM 55 before stopping the progress of the game, and then clears the output state of the output port. Then, the progress of the game is stopped until the abnormality of communication with the payout control means is resolved. That is, even if a new event (game ball winning or the like) occurs, processing corresponding to the new event is not performed, for example, a newly generated event is stored. The game control means transmits a communication error display command to the display control means of the display control board 80 in order to notify the occurrence of communication abnormality using the variable display device 9 or the like before stopping the progress of the game. It may be configured. When the communication abnormality is resolved, the game control means can restore the output port based on the control state stored in the RAM 55.

  FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the award ball waiting process 3 (step S234) executed when the value of the award ball process code is 3. In the award ball waiting process 3, the CPU 56 sets the award ball REQ waiting time in the award ball timer (step S275). Then, the value of the prize ball process code is set to 0 (step S276), and the process is terminated.

  Through the above processing, the game control means stores the total number of game balls as prize balls to be paid out based on the establishment of the payout condition in the total prize ball number storage buffer so as to be specified. The total award ball number storage buffer corresponds to a prize game medium number storage means for storing stored contents for at least a predetermined period by a backup power source as a variable data storage means when power supply to the gaming machine is stopped. Further, the game control means transmits a payout command signal for designating a payout number of a predetermined number of prize balls to the payout control means based on the number of prize balls stored in the total prize ball number storage buffer. Here, the predetermined number is 15 if the number of prize balls stored in the total prize ball number storage buffer is 15 or more, and is stored in the total prize ball number storage buffer if it is less than 15. The number of prize balls. Then, when the game control means transmits a payout command signal, it determines from the number of prize balls stored in the total prize ball number storage buffer after determining that the number of prize balls paid out to the number commanded to the payout control means has been completed. A subtraction process for subtracting the number of payouts specified by the payout command signal is performed. It is to be noted that, after confirming whether or not the number of prize balls paid out to the number designated to the payout control means is completed, immediately after the payout command signal is transmitted, the number of prize balls stored in the total prize ball number storage buffer is paid out. Subtraction processing for subtracting the number of payouts specified by the command signal may be performed. Further, before transmitting the payout command signal, a subtraction process may be performed in which the payout number specified by the payout command signal is subtracted from the number of prize balls stored in the total prize ball number storage buffer.

  In this embodiment, as the prize game medium number storage means for storing the total number of prize game media to be paid out in accordance with the establishment of the payout condition, a total prize ball number storage buffer for storing the total number itself is exemplified. However, the prize game medium number storage means for storing the total number of the prize game media in an identifiable manner stores the number of prizes received in each prize area, or the number of prizes for each prize area (for example, 6). The number of winning holes 14 corresponding to the number of winning balls, the number of winning holes 33, 39, 29, 30 corresponding to the number of 10 winning balls, and the number of winning prizes corresponding to the number of 15 winning balls, , The number of winning prizes for which the winning ball payout has not ended yet) may be stored.

  FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing an example of a special symbol process processing program executed by the CPU 56. The special symbol process shown in FIG. 33 is also a specific process of step S26 in the flowchart of FIG. When performing the special symbol process, the CPU 56 performs the fluctuation shortening timer subtraction process (step S310) and the start port switch passage confirmation process (step S311), and then according to the internal state (in this example, the special symbol process flag). Then, any one of steps S300 to S309 shown below is performed.

  The variation shortening timer subtraction process is a process of subtracting the number of variation shortening timers provided corresponding to the maximum number that can be stored in the start memory (the memory that the start port switch 14a is turned on). In a special symbol jackpot determination process (step S301), which will be described later, for example, when the value of the fluctuation shortening timer is 0 and the low probability state (normal state), the starting memory number is the maximum value of the starting memory, and the probability variation. In the state, if the number of starting memories is “2” or more, it is determined to use a pattern with a shortened variation time as a symbol variation pattern.

  Further, in the start port switch passage confirmation process, when the CPU 56 determines that the hit ball has entered the start winning port 14 provided in the game board and the start port switch 14a is turned on, the start memory number is the upper limit value (this In the example, if 4) has not been reached, the number of starting memories is increased by 1, and the value of each random number such as a big hit determination random number is extracted. And the process which stores them in the random value storage area (special symbol determination buffer) corresponding to the value of the starting memory number is executed.

  Special symbol normal processing (step S300): The starting memory number is confirmed. If the starting memory number is not 0, the value of the special symbol process flag is changed so as to proceed to step S301.

  Special symbol jackpot determination process (step S301): The contents of a buffer or the like for storing various random numbers stored when a start win is received are shifted. As a result of the shift, it is determined whether or not to make a big hit based on the contents of the pushed-out buffer. Note that the maximum number of buffers that can be stored for start winnings is prepared. Further, the content of the buffer pushed out by the shift is the content corresponding to the start winning that occurred most recently. If it is decided to win, the big hit flag is set. Thereafter, the value of the special symbol process flag is changed so as to proceed to step S302.

  Stop symbol setting process (step S302): The stop symbol of the left and right middle symbols, which is the display result of the variable symbol variable display, is determined. Then, the value of the special symbol process flag is changed so as to proceed to step S303.

  Fluctuation pattern setting process (step S303): A special symbol variable display pattern, that is, a variable display pattern (variation pattern) is determined. Then, a process for outputting a display control command for notifying the determined variation pattern, stop symbol, and the like to the display control board 80 is performed. Thereafter, the value of the special symbol process flag is changed so as to proceed to step S304.

  Special symbol variation processing (step S304): It is confirmed whether or not the variation time determined according to the variation pattern has elapsed. If it has elapsed, the value of the special symbol process flag is changed so as to proceed to step S305.

  Special symbol stop process (step S305): When a predetermined time (for example, 1.000 seconds) has passed and it has been decided to win, the value of the special symbol process flag is shifted to step S306. To change. Otherwise, the value of the special symbol process flag is changed so as to proceed to step S300.

  Preliminary winning opening opening process (step S306): Control for opening the large winning opening is started. Specifically, the counter and flag are initialized, and the solenoid 54 is driven to open the special winning opening. Then, the value of the special symbol process flag is changed so as to proceed to step S307.

  Processing for opening a special winning opening (step S307): A process for confirming the closing condition of the special winning opening is performed. If the closing condition for the big prize opening is satisfied, the value of the special symbol process flag is changed so as to proceed to step S308.

  Specific area valid time process (step S308): The presence / absence of passing of the V winning switch 22 is monitored, and the process of confirming that the big hit gaming state continuation condition is satisfied is performed. If the condition for continuation of the big hit gaming state is satisfied and there are still remaining rounds, the value of the special symbol process flag is changed so as to proceed to step S307. Further, when the big hit gaming state continuation condition is not satisfied within the predetermined effective time, or when all rounds are finished, the value of the special symbol process flag is changed so as to proceed to step S309.

  Big hit end processing (step S309): Control for causing the effect control means to display to notify the player that the big hit gaming state has ended. Then, the value of the special symbol process flag is changed so as to proceed to step S300.

  FIGS. 34 and 35 are explanatory diagrams showing examples of the contents of display control commands sent from the main board 31 to the display control board 80. FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 34, commands 8000 (H) to 8026 (H) are special symbol fluctuation patterns in the variable display device 9 that variably displays the special symbols, that is, the effect contents related to the display result derivation operation in the variable display device 9. Is a display control command indicating. Note that a command for specifying a variation pattern (variation pattern command) also serves as a variation start instruction. In addition, commands 8000 (H) to 8012 (H) are used in a low probability, and commands 8013 (H) to 8025 (H) are used in a high probability. A command 8026 (H) is a command for designating a shortened display pattern.

  Commands 86XX (H), 87XX (H), and 88XX (H) are display control commands for designating the left middle right stop symbols of the special symbols. The command 8F00 (H) is a display control command (confirmation command) for instructing stop of variable symbol special display.

  The command 9XXX (H) is a display control command related to the display state of the variable display device 9 that is not related to the variation of the special symbol and the big hit game. Command 9000 (H) is a special symbol power-on designation command that is sent when power is turned on. When receiving the special symbol power-on designation command, the display control means starts control for initial display. The command AXXX (H) is a display control command that is sent from the start of the jackpot game to the end of the jackpot game. The command BXXX (H) is a display control command related to a normal symbol variation pattern. Command B300 (H) is a normal symbol power-on designation command sent when power is turned on. When receiving the normal symbol power-on designation command, the display control means starts control for initial display.

  The command C0XX (H) is a display control command indicating the number of start memory display areas 18 for changing the display color in the display area for displaying the start winning memory number in the variable display device 9. For example, when receiving the command C0XX (H), the display control means changes the display color of the number of start memory display areas 18 designated by “XX (H)” in each start memory display area 18. That is, the command C5XX (H) is a command for instructing control of a display area provided for informing information on the number of reserved items. Note that the command related to the number of start memory display areas 18 for changing the display color may be configured to indicate increase / decrease in the number of areas for changing the display color.

  When the display control means receives the display control command described above from the game control means of the main board 31, the display control means changes the display states of the variable display device 9 and the normal symbol display 10 according to the contents shown in FIG. Although details will be described later, when the display control means receives a predetermined display control command, the display control means outputs a lamp control command and a sound control command at a predetermined timing.

  As shown in FIG. 35, in this embodiment, information related only to lamp control is also transmitted to the display control board 80 as a display control command. The command C1XX (H) is a display control command indicating the number of lighting of the normal symbol start memory display 41. When the display control means receives a display control command indicating information related to lamp control only, the display control means transmits a lamp control command having the same contents as the display control command to the light emitter control means. When the light emitter control means receives the command C1XX (H) output from the display control means as the lamp control command, the number of indicators designated by “XX (H)” in the normal symbol start memory display 41 is turned on. And That is, the command C1XX (H) is a command for instructing the control of the light emitter provided to notify the information of the number of reserved normal symbols. In addition, the command regarding the number of lighting of the normal symbol start memory | storage display 41 may be comprised so that increase / decrease in the number of lighting may be shown.

  Command C200 (H) is a display control command for instructing lighting of prize ball lamp 51. Upon receiving the display control command “C200 (H)”, the display control means outputs the command C200 (H) as the lamp control command. When the lamp control command of “C200 (H)” is received, the light emitter control means turns on the display state of the prize ball lamp 51 and turns it off after a predetermined period. In other words, the lighting state is set for a predetermined period. Command C200 (H) is a command indicating that a light emitter provided to notify a player or the like that a prize ball has been paid out is controlled.

  The commands C300 (H) and C301 (H) are display control commands relating to the display state of the bulb-out lamp 52. Upon receiving the display control command “C30X (H)”, the display control means outputs a command C30X (H) as a lamp control command. When the lamp control command “C300 (H)” is received, the luminous body control means sets the display state of the ball break lamp 52 to the display state with a ball, and when the lamp control command “C301 (H)” is received, The display state of the lamp 52 is set to the display state when the ball is out of sphere. That is, commands C300 (H) and C301 (H) are commands indicating control of a light emitter that is provided to notify a player or game store clerk that a supply ball has run out.

  Even when a command indicating information related only to sound control is used, the command is transmitted to the display control board 80 as a display control command, and a sound control command indicating the same content as the display control command is displayed. To the audio control board 70. Then, based on the sound control command, sound output control is executed in the sound control board 70.

  Next, the operation of the payout control means (the payout control CPU 371 and peripheral circuits such as ROM and RAM) will be described. FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of output port assignment in the payout control means. As shown in FIG. 36, the output port 0 is an output port for outputting each phase signal supplied to the firing motor 94 by the stepping motor and each phase signal supplied to the dispensing motor 289 by the stepping motor. It is. Further, the output port 1 includes a ball break LED 52, a prize ball LED 51, a prize ball count signal and a payout error signal, a prize ball in-game signal output to the outside of the gaming machine, prize ball information, ball rental information and a gaming machine error status signal. Is an output port.

  The output port 2 is an output port of each segment output of the error display LED 374 by 7 segment LED. The output port 3 is an output port for outputting an EXS signal and a PRDY signal to the card unit 50.

  FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of bit assignment of input ports in the payout control means. As shown in FIG. 37, a 4-bit prize ball control signal is input to bits 0 to 3 of the input port 0, and a connection confirmation signal from the main board 31 and the main board 31 are input to bits 4 to 7, respectively. The award ball REQ signal, the ball break switch 187 detection signal, and the payout motor position sensor 295 detection signal are input. Bits 0 to 3 of the input port 1 respectively include a touch sensor signal (launch control signal) from the touch sensor, a detection signal from the payout count switch 301, an operation signal from the error release switch 375, and a full switch 48. The detection signal is input. The VL signal, the BRDY signal, and the BRQ signal from the card unit 50 are input to bits 4 to 6 of the input port 1, respectively. An output signal and a power-off signal from the clear switch 921 from the power supply board 910 are input to the input port 2.

  FIG. 38 is a timing chart for explaining communication between the payout control means of the gaming machine and the card unit 50. The payout control means turns on the PRDY signal when power supply to the gaming machine is started and a payout operation is possible. When the power supply is started, the card unit 50 turns on the VL signal as a connection signal. When a card is received in the card unit 50, the ball lending switch is operated and a ball lending switch signal is input, the card unit 50 outputs a BRDY signal to the payout control means. That is, the BRDY signal is turned on. When a predetermined delay time elapses from this point, the card unit 50 outputs a BRQ signal to the payout control means. That is, the BRQ signal is turned on.

  Then, when the payout control means turns on the EXS signal for the card unit 50 and detects the falling (off) of the BRQ signal from the card unit 50, the payout motor 289 is driven to drive a predetermined number (for example, 25). Pay out the rental balls to the player. Then, when the payout is completed, the payout control means causes the EXS signal to the card unit 50 to fall. That is, the EXS signal is turned off.

  Next, the operation of the payout control means will be described. FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by the payout control means. In the main process, the payout control CPU 371 first performs necessary initial settings. That is, the payout control CPU 371 first sets the interruption prohibition (step S701). Next, the interrupt mode is set to interrupt mode 2 (step S702), and a stack pointer designation address is set to the stack pointer (step S703). The payout control CPU 371 initializes the built-in device register (step S704), initializes the CTC and PIO (step S705), and then sets the RAM in an accessible state (step S706). . Further, 0000 (H) is set as an initial value of the award ball unpaid number counter (step S707).

  In this embodiment, one channel of the built-in CTC is used in the timer mode. Accordingly, in the built-in device register setting process in step S704 and the process in step S705, register setting for setting the channel to be used to timer mode, register setting for permitting interrupt generation, and setting an interrupt vector. The register is set. The interrupt by the channel is used as a timer interrupt. For example, when it is desired to generate a timer interrupt every 0.7 ms, a value corresponding to 0.7 ms is set as an initial value in a predetermined register (time constant register).

  The interrupt vector set for the channel set to the timer mode (channel 3 in this embodiment) corresponds to the start address of the timer interrupt process. Specifically, the start address of the timer interrupt process is specified by the value set in the I register and the interrupt vector. In the timer interruption process, a payout control process for controlling the payout means (including at least a process of driving the ball payout device 97 in response to a command signal related to award ball payout from the main board, and a ball payout device 97 in response to a ball lending request. A process for driving the program may be included.

  In this embodiment, the interruption mode 2 is also set in the payout control CPU 371. Therefore, it is possible to use an interrupt process based on counting up the built-in CTC. Also, an interrupt processing start address can be set according to the interrupt vector sent by the CTC.

  The interrupt based on CTC channel 3 (CH3) count-up is an interrupt that occurs when the CPU internal clock (system clock) counts down and the register value becomes “0”, and is used as a timer interrupt. . Specifically, a clock obtained by dividing the operation clock of the CPU 371 is given to the CTC, the register value is subtracted by the input of the clock, and when the register value becomes 0, a timer interrupt occurs. For example, the register value of CH3 is subtracted at 1/256 period of the system clock. Since the subtraction is performed based on the divided clock, the initial value of the register does not increase.

  Next, the state of the output signal of the clear switch 921 input through the input port 2 is confirmed only once (step S708). If it is detected that the switch is on, the payout control CPU 371 executes an initialization process (steps S712 to S715). If the clear switch 921 is not in the on state, whether or not data protection processing of the backup RAM area (for example, power supply stop processing such as addition of parity data) has been performed when power supply to the gaming machine is stopped Confirmation is made (step S709). Whether or not the protection process has been performed depends on the value of the backup monitoring timer stored in the backup RAM area in the power supply stop process described later according to the execution of the data protection process in the backup RAM area (for example, It is confirmed by whether or not 10). Note that such a confirmation method is merely an example. For example, a flag indicating that the data protection processing has been executed is set in the backup flag area in the power supply stop processing, and the flag is set in step S709. If it is confirmed that there is a backup, it may be determined that there is a backup.

  If it is determined that there is a backup, the payout control CPU 371 performs a data check (parity check in this example) in the backup RAM area (step S710). In this embodiment, clear data (00) is set in the checksum data area, and the checksum calculation start address is set in the pointer. Also, the number of checksum calculations corresponding to the number of data to be checksum is set. Then, the exclusive OR of the contents of the checksum data area and the contents of the RAM area pointed to by the pointer is calculated. The calculation result is stored in the checksum data area, the pointer value is incremented by 1, and the checksum calculation count value is decremented by 1. The above processing is repeated until the value of the checksum calculation count becomes zero. When the value of the checksum calculation count becomes 0, the CPU 56 inverts the value of each bit of the contents of the checksum data area and uses the inverted data as the checksum.

  In the power supply stop process, a checksum is calculated by the same process as described above, and the checksum is stored in the backup RAM area. In step S710, the calculated checksum is compared with the stored checksum. When the power supply is stopped after an unexpected power outage or the like, the data in the backup RAM area should be saved, so the check result (comparison result) is normal (matched). That the check result is not normal means that the data in the backup RAM area is different from the data when the power supply is stopped. In such a case, since the internal state cannot be returned to the state at the time of stopping the power supply, the payout control state restoration processing is not executed, and the initialization processing (steps S712 to S715) is executed.

  If the check result is normal, the payout control CPU 371 performs payout control state recovery processing. Specifically, the value of the award ball unpaid number counter formed in the backup RAM is set as the initial value of the award ball unpaid number counter (step S711). And then. The process after step S712 is executed.

  In the initialization process, the payout control CPU 371 first performs a RAM clear process (step S712). In addition, initial values are set in the flags and counters of the RAM area (step S713). The process of step S713 includes a process of setting the initial value of the award ball unpaid number counter in the award ball unpaid number counter. Accordingly, when the payout control state recovery process (step S711) is executed, the value of the unsold prize ball number counter stored in the backup RAM is set again in the unsold prize ball number counter. In other words, the value of the award ball unpaid number counter stored in the backup RAM is used as it is.

  Then, the CTC register provided in the payout control CPU 371 is set so that a timer interrupt is periodically received (step S714). That is, a value corresponding to the timer interrupt generation interval is set as an initial value in a predetermined register (time constant register). Since interruption is prohibited in step S701 of the initial setting process, interruption is permitted before the initialization process is completed (step S715). Thereafter, a loop process for monitoring the occurrence of a timer interrupt is entered.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the built-in CTC of the payout control CPU 371 is set to repeatedly generate a timer interrupt. When a timer interrupt occurs, the payout control CPU 371 sets a timer interrupt flag in the timer interrupt process. In the loop process in the main process, when it is detected that the timer interrupt flag is set, the processes after step S750 are executed.

  In step S750, the payout control CPU 371 executes a power-off process for monitoring whether or not a power-off signal is output. Thereafter, a payout control process after step S751 is executed. In the payout control process, the payout control CPU 371 first performs an excitation pattern output process for the firing motor 94 (output of the patterns of the firing motors φ1 to φ4 to the output port 0) (step S750). In the firing motor control process in step S763, the excitation pattern is stored in the excitation pattern buffer that is the RAM area. In step S750, the payout control CPU 371 outputs the contents of the excitation pattern buffer to the lower 4 bits of the output port 0. Perform the process.

  The power-off process is a process similar to the power-off process executed by the game control means (see FIGS. 16 and 17). That is, if the power-off signal from the power supply board 910 is on for a predetermined time counted by the backup monitoring timer, the power supply stop process is executed. In the power supply stop process, a check code (specifically a checksum) is calculated for the RAM area to be saved even when the power supply is stopped, the check code is stored in the backup RAM area, RAM access is prohibited, and the output port After clearing, loop processing starts. When it is detected that the power-off signal is turned off in the loop processing, the state of the payout control means is the same as when the game control means returns to the state of executing the game control processing (at least from the main board). This includes a process of driving the ball payout device 97 in response to a command signal related to award ball payout, and may include a process of driving the ball payout device 97 in response to a ball lending request. Specifically, for example, the process returns to step S701 of the main process shown in FIG.

  Next, the payout control CPU 371 executes one of tasks 1 to 6 according to the value of the switch counter formed in the RAM. In task 1, 3 is set as the number of inputs to be detected in the number of switch checks (step S781), and the address of the firing control signal timer is set in the pointer (step S782). Then, a switch check process is executed (step S761).

  The switch check process is a process for checking the states of the bits 0, 1, and 2 of the input port 1, that is, checking the states of the detection signals of the firing control signal, the payout number count switch, and the error release switch. Specifically, switch timers (launch control signal timer, payout number count switch timer, error release switch timer) corresponding to each of them are formed in the RAM, and it is detected in the switch check process that they are in the ON state. Then, the value of the corresponding switch timer is incremented by 1, and when it is detected that the switch is off, the value of the corresponding switch timer is cleared. In Task 1, since the number of switch checks is set to 3, the status of the detection signal of the firing control signal, the payout number count switch, and the error release switch is checked. In other tasks, one of them is checked. There may be only one or two status checks. Further, the value of the switch timer is determined based on the state of the detection signal of the firing control signal, the payout number count switch, and the error release switch (for example, launch motor control processing, prize ball lending control processing, error processing described later, error In the processing), if the value of the switch timer has reached a predetermined value, it is determined that the switch timer has been turned on.

  Also, the payout control CPU 371 performs an input determination process (step S762). In the input determination process, the states of bits 4 to 6 of input port 0 and bits 3 to 6 of input port 1 (see FIG. 37) are detected, and the detection result is a predetermined 1 byte of RAM (referred to as an input state flag). It is a process to be reflected in. In the payout control process, when control is performed based on the states of bits 4 to 6 of input port 0 and bits 3 to 6 of input port 1, the state of the input port is not directly checked, but the input state is checked. Check the status of the flag.

  Next, the payout control CPU 371 executes a firing motor control process (step S763). In the firing motor control process, the patterns of the firing motors φ1 to φ4 are stored in the excitation pattern buffer. When the firing motor 94 should be disabled, the patterns of the firing motors φ1 to φ4 that do not rotate the firing motor 94 are stored in the excitation pattern buffer. Then, control goes to a step S790.

  In task 2, the payout control CPU 371 executes a prepaid card unit control process for communicating with the card unit 50 (step S764). Next, the payout control CPU 371 executes main control communication processing for communicating with the game control means of the main board 31 (step S765). Further, a prize ball lending control process for performing a control for paying out a lending ball in response to a ball lending request from the card unit 50 and a control for paying out the number of award balls indicated by a prize ball control signal from the main board. Is executed (step S766). Then, control goes to a step S790.

  In task 3, the payout control CPU 371 sets 1 as the number of inputs to be detected in the switch check number (step S783), and sets the address of the firing control signal timer in the pointer (step S784). Then, a switch check process is executed (step S761). Therefore, in task 3, only the state check of the firing control signal is executed. Next, a firing motor control process is executed (step S763). Also, a payout motor control process is executed (step S768). In the payout motor control process, when the payout motor 289 is to be driven, a process for outputting the patterns of the payout motors φ1 to φ4 to the output port 0 is performed. Then, the payout control CPU 371 executes error processing for detecting various errors (step S769). Also, an information output process for outputting prize ball information and ball lending information output to the outside of the gaming machine is executed (step S770). Further, a predetermined display is performed on the error display LED 374 according to the result of the error processing, and a display control process for lighting the prize ball LED 51 and the ball out LED 52 is executed (step S771). In the display control process, the payout control CPU 371 performs control for lighting the prize ball LED 51 when the prize ball REQ signal is on. Further, when the prize ball REQ signal is turned off, control for turning off the prize ball LED 51 is performed.

  In this embodiment, a RAM area (output port 0 buffer, output port 1 buffer, output port 2 buffer) corresponding to the output state of the output port is provided. The contents of the port 0 buffer, output port 1 buffer, and output port 2 buffer are output to the output port (step S772: output processing). However, since the lower 4 bits (fire motors φ1 to φ4) of output port 0 are executed in step S751, the output of the lower 4 bits of output port 0 is not performed in the output process. The output port 0 buffer, the output port 1 buffer, and the output port 2 buffer are a payout motor control process (step S768), a prepaid card control process (step S764), a main control communication process (step S765), and an information output process (step S770). And it is updated by the display control process (step S771). Then, control goes to a step S790.

  In task 4, the payout control CPU 371 sets 2 as the number of inputs to be detected in the switch check number (step S785), and sets the address of the payout number count switch timer in the pointer (step S786). Then, a switch check process is executed (step S761). Therefore, in task 4, only the status check of the detection signals of the payout number count switch 301 and the error release switch 375 is executed. Next, an input determination process is executed (step S762), and the process proceeds to step S790.

  In task 5, the payout control CPU 371 sets 1 as the number of inputs to be detected in the switch check number (step S787), and sets the address of the firing control signal timer in the pointer (step S788). Then, a switch check process is executed (step S761). Therefore, in task 3, only the state check of the firing control signal is executed. Next, a firing motor control process is executed (step S763). Further, a prepaid card unit control process is executed (step S764). Next, the payout control CPU 371 executes main control communication processing (step S765). Further, a prize ball lending control process is executed (step S766). Then, control goes to a step S790.

  In task 6, the payout control CPU 371 executes a payout motor control process (step S768). Further, error processing is executed (step S769). Further, an information output process is executed (step S770). Further, display control processing is executed (step S771). Further, output processing is executed (step S772), and the process proceeds to step S790.

  In step S790, after the task counter value is incremented by 1, the process returns to step S716. When the value of the task counter reaches 6, it is reset to 0.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when a timer interrupt occurs, all processes in the payout control process (switch check process, input determination process, firing motor control process, payout motor control process, prepaid card unit control) Process, main control communication process, prize ball lending control process, error process, display control process, output process), depending on the value of the task counter when the timer interrupt occurs Only the part is executed. Therefore, by making the timer interrupt generation period relatively short (for example, 0.7 ms), the process to be executed in a short period (for example, the process in step S751) can be repeatedly executed in a short period. Become. In addition, there is a possibility that processing that cannot be executed if all processing in the payout control processing is executed within the timer interruption period, but processing that cannot be executed occurs by executing only a part. Can be prevented.

  FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing the firing motor control process in step S763. In the firing motor control process, the payout control CPU 371 performs when the VL signal from the card unit 50 is in an off state (no prepaid card is connected), or when the full tank switch 48 is in an on state (bottom plate full). Shifts to step S518 (steps S511, S513). If the prepaid card is not connected and the lower pan is not full, the process proceeds to step S514. In step S514, the payout control CPU 371 checks whether or not the touch sensor signal (launch control signal) is on. If it is in the on state, the process proceeds to step S515, and if it is not in the on state, the process proceeds to step S518.

  In step S515, the payout control CPU 371 increments the firing motor excitation pattern counter by one. Then, data corresponding to the value of the excitation pattern counter is read from the firing motor excitation pattern table stored in the ROM (step S516). Further, the read data is set in the firing motor excitation pattern buffer (step S517). As described above, the contents of the firing motor excitation pattern buffer are output to the output port in step S750. In the firing motor excitation pattern table, the excitation pattern data (shooting motors φ1 to φ4) for each step for rotating the firing motor 94 is sequentially set.

  In step S518, non-rotation data (excitation pattern for preventing the firing motor 94 from rotating) is set in the firing motor excitation pattern buffer.

  As described above, the firing motor 94 is disabled when the prepaid card is not connected or when the lower tray is full, so that the game does not proceed even though they are generated. . It should be noted that the firing motor 94 can also be used when a communication error (connection confirmation signal is off) or a prize ball REQ signal error occurs when the prize ball REQ signal is turned on or off at an incorrect timing. May be disabled so that the game ball cannot be launched into the game area 7.

  FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing the payout motor control process in step S768. In the payout motor control process, the payout control CPU 371 executes any one of steps S521 to S526 in accordance with the value of the payout motor control code.

  In the payout motor normal process (step S521) executed when the value of the payout motor control code is 0, the payout control CPU 371 sets the pointer at the head address of the table stored in the ROM. The payout motor normal process setting table stores a payout motor excitation pattern table in which data of excitation patterns (payout motors φ1 to φ4) of each step for rotating the payout motor 289 at the time of ball payout are sequentially set. Yes.

  In the payout motor activation preparation process (step S522) executed when the value of the payout motor control code is 1, the payout control CPU 371 sets bits 4 to 7 of the output port 0 buffer corresponding to the output state of the output port 0. Performs processing such as setting the initial value of the excitation pattern.

  In the payout motor slow-up process (step S523) executed when the value of the payout motor control code is 2, the payout control CPU 371 starts the rotation of the payout motor 289 more smoothly than in the case of the constant speed process. Bit 4 of the output port 0 buffer corresponding to the output state of the output port 0 by reading the contents of the payout motor excitation pattern table at a long interval and gradually approaching the time interval in the case of constant speed processing. Set to ~ 7. At the time of reading, the contents of the payout motor excitation pattern table at the address pointed to by the pointer are read and the value of the pointer is incremented by one.

  In the payout motor constant speed process (step S524) executed when the value of the payout motor control code is 3, the payout control CPU 371 periodically reads the content of the payout motor excitation pattern table and outputs the output state of the output port 0. Are set in bits 4 to 7 of the output port 0 buffer corresponding to.

  In the payout motor brake process (step S525) executed when the value of the payout motor control code is 4, the payout control CPU 371 has a longer interval than in the constant speed process in order to stop the payout motor 289 smoothly. In addition, the contents of the payout motor excitation pattern table are read at a time interval that gradually moves away from the time interval in the case of constant speed processing, and bits 4 to 7 of the output port 0 buffer corresponding to the output state of the output port 0 Set to.

  In the ball biting payout motor brake process (step S526) executed when the value of the payout motor control code is 5, the payout control CPU 371 smoothes the payout motor 289 in the case of rotation for releasing the ball biting. The payout motor excitation pattern is longer than the rotation of the payout motor 289 for releasing the ball biting, and gradually away from the time interval in the case of constant speed processing. The contents of the table are read and set in bits 4 to 7 of the output port 0 buffer corresponding to the output state of output port 0.

  FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing the main control communication process in step S765. In the main control communication process, the payout control CPU 371 executes one of steps S531 to S533 according to the value of the main control communication control code.

  FIG. 46 is an explanatory diagram showing conditions for inputting a prize ball control signal through the input port in the main control communication normal process. As shown in FIG. 46, the main control unconnected error in the 1-byte error flag formed in the RAM (connection confirmation signal is turned off), the prize ball REQ signal error (the prize ball REQ signal is turned on or off at an incorrect timing) ) Is not in the set state and the BRDY signal from the card unit 50 is not in the on state, the payout is made when the connection confirmation signal is in the on state and the prize ball REQ signal is in the on state. The control means inputs a prize ball control signal via the input port. The error bit is a bit in an error flag that is set when it is detected that various errors have occurred.

  FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing main control communication normal processing (step S531) executed when the value of the main control communication control code is zero. In the main control communication normal processing, when the error bit (main control unconnected error bit or prize ball REQ signal error bit) is on, the payout control CPU 371 ends the processing without executing the subsequent processing. (Step S541). In step S541, if any one of the two bits in the error flag is set, it is determined that the error bit is set.

  If the BRDY signal is on, the payout control CPU 371 ends the process without executing the subsequent processes (step S542). That the BRDY signal is on means that a ball lending request is generated from the card unit 50. That is, when a ball lending request is generated, communication with the game control means of the main board 31 (communication relating to prize ball payout) does not proceed.

  If the conditions of steps S541 to S542 are not satisfied and the connection confirmation signal is on, the payout control CPU 371 confirms whether or not the prize ball REQ signal is on (steps S543 and S544). . If it is in the ON state, the number of prize balls indicated by the prize ball control signal is added to the content of the prize ball unpaid number counter (step S545). Then, the value of the main control communication control code is set to 1 (step S548), and the process ends. The prize ball unpaid-out number counter is formed in a non-volatile (power-backed up in this example) RAM area.

  FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing main control communication processing (step S532) executed when the value of the main control communication control code is 1. In the main control communication process, the payout control CPU 371 checks the state of the prize ball REQ signal (step S552) if the connection confirmation signal is on (step S551). If the winning ball REQ signal is off, the winning ball REQ signal error bit is set in the error flag (step S553). This is because it is strange that the prize ball REQ signal immediately turns off at this stage.

  Next, the payout control CPU 371 sets the prize ball REQ signal off monitoring time in the main control communication control timer (step S557). Then, the value of the main control communication control code is set to 2 (step S558), and the process ends.

  FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing a main control communication end process (step S533) executed when the value of the main control communication control code is 2. In the main control communication process, when the error bit (main control unconnected error bit or prize ball REQ signal error bit) is on, the payout control CPU 371 proceeds to step S567 (step S561). Moreover, also when a connection confirmation signal is an OFF state, it transfers to step S567 (step S562). When both error bits are in the off state and the connection confirmation signal is in the on state, it is confirmed whether or not the prize ball REQ signal is in the off state (step S563). If it becomes an OFF state, it will transfer to step S567.

  If the prize ball REQ signal is not turned off, the value of the main control communication control timer is confirmed (step S564). If the value of the main control communication control timer is not 0, the value of the main control communication control timer is decremented by 1 (step S565). If the value of the main control communication control timer is 0, the prize ball REQ signal error bit is set in the error flag, assuming that the prize ball REQ signal is not turned off within the monitoring time (step S566), and the process goes to step S567. Transition.

  In step S567, the value of the main control communication control code is set to 0, and the process ends.

  FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing the winning ball lending control process in step S766. In the winning ball lending control process, the payout control CPU 371 confirms that the detection signal of the payout number count switch 301 is turned on (step S601), and lends whether or not the paid gaming ball is a winning ball. It is confirmed whether it is a sphere (steps S602 and S603). In this example, whether or not the game ball is a prize ball is confirmed by whether or not the current payout control state is a prize ball. Whether or not a prize ball is in progress is confirmed, for example, by whether or not a prize ball operating flag in the payout control state flag formed in the RAM is set (step S602). Further, whether or not the game ball is a lending ball is confirmed by whether or not the current payout control state is lending the ball. Whether or not the ball is being lent is confirmed, for example, by whether or not the ball renting operation bit in the payout control state flag formed in the RAM is set (step S603).

  If it is during the winning ball, the value of the winning ball unpaid number counter is decremented by 1 (step S604). If it is not in the winning ball but in the ball lending, the value of the ball lending unpaid-out counter is decremented by 1 (step S605). Further, if the winning ball is not being lent and not being lent, the value of the award ball unpaid-out counter is decremented by 1 assuming that the paid-out gaming ball is a winning ball (step S604).

  When the value of the winning ball unpaid-out counter is decremented by 1, the payout control CPU 371 turns on the winning ball count signal for a predetermined period (step S606). Next, the payout ball detection bit of the payout control state flag formed in the RAM is set (step S607). The payout ball detection bit is a game regardless of whether the payout motor 289 is driven during one award ball payout process (maximum 15 balls) or one ball lending process (25 payouts) in the payout passing waiting process. This is used to detect that no sphere has passed through the payout number counting switch 301. Thereafter, one of steps S610 to S612 is executed according to the value of the payout control code.

  In the prize ball lending control process, the error bit is checked to determine whether or not to perform a payout operation (one prize ball payout or one ball lending) as shown in FIG. Only in the payout start waiting process. That is, the confirmation process of the payout number count switch 301, the subtraction process of the non-payout number counter, the output process of the prize ball count signal, and the like shown in FIG. 50 are executed without checking the error bit. Therefore, even if an error occurs, the ball lending unpaid-out counter or the winning ball unpaid-out counter is subtracted in accordance with the detection output from the paid-out count switch 301, and the value of the award ball unpaid-out counter When is subtracted, a prize ball count signal is output. Therefore, the number of unpaid game balls can be managed even in an error state. Even if an error state is detected, a prize ball count signal can be output in response to the detection of a payout of a prize ball. Therefore, even in an error state, it is detected on the payout control board 37 side. Information indicating that the winning ball has been paid out can be transmitted to the main board 31 side.

  FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing the payout start waiting process (step S610) executed when the payout control code is 0. In the payout start waiting process, the payout control CPU 371 does not execute the subsequent processes if the error bit is set (step S621). The error bit in the error flag includes a main board non-connection error bit. The main board non-connection error is set when the connection confirmation signal from the main board 31 is in an off state. Accordingly, the payout control means starts substantial control on condition that the connection confirmation signal is turned on after power supply to the gaming machine is started.

  On the other hand, if the BRDY signal is not in the ON state, the process for paying out a prize ball after step S631 is executed. If the BRDY signal is on and the BRQ signal, which is a ball lending request signal, is on, a ball lending operation flag is set (steps S623 and S624). Then, “25” is set in the unpaid ball lending number counter (step S625), and “25” is set in the payout motor rotation number buffer (step S626).

  The payout motor rotation frequency buffer is referred to in the payout motor control process (step S768). That is, in the payout motor control process, control is performed to rotate the payout motor 289 by the number of rotations corresponding to the value set in the payout motor rotation frequency buffer.

  Thereafter, the payout control CPU 371 sets a value (specifically “1”) corresponding to the payout motor activation preparation process (step S522) to the payout motor control code for selecting the process executed in the payout motor control process. It is set (step S627), the value of the payout control code is set to 1 (step S628), and the process is terminated.

  In step S631, the payout control CPU 371 checks whether or not the value of the award ball non-payout counter is 0 (step S631). If 0, the process ends. The prize ball unpaid-out counter is a value other than 0 (the number indicated by the prize ball control signal) when the prize ball REQ signal is received from the game control means of the main board 31 in step S546 in the main control communication normal process. ) Is added. If the value of the award ball unpaid number counter is not 0, it is confirmed whether it is 15 or more (step S632). If it is less than 15, the value of the award ball unpaid number counter is set in the payout motor rotation count buffer (step S633), and if it is 15 or more, “15” is set in the payout motor rotation count buffer. Then, a winning ball operating flag is set (step S635), and the process proceeds to step S637.

  FIG. 52 is a flowchart showing a payout motor stop waiting process (step S611) executed when the payout control code is 1. In the payout motor stop waiting process, the payout control CPU 371 checks whether or not the payout operation is completed (step S641). For example, the payout control CPU 371 sets a flag to that effect when the payout motor brake process (step S525) in the payout motor control process ends, and whether the payout operation is completed by checking the flag in step S641. You can check whether or not.

  When the payout operation is completed, the payout control CPU 371 sets the payout passing monitoring time in the payout control monitoring timer (step S642). The payout passing monitoring time is a time that has a margin in the time from when the last payout ball is paid out by the payout motor 289 until it passes through the payout number count switch 301. Then, the value of the payout control code is set to 2 (step S643), and the process ends.

  FIG. 53 is a flowchart showing the payout passing waiting process (step S612) executed when the value of the payout control code is 2. In the payout passing waiting process, when a prize ball is being paid out, it is determined that the payout has been completed normally if the value of the prize ball unpaid number counter is zero. If the value of the award ball unpaid number counter is not 0 even after the predetermined period has elapsed, the state shifts to an error state.

  In this embodiment, the maximum number of game balls to be paid out in one prize ball payout operation is 15, and if a prize ball control signal is received during the prize ball payout, the value of the prize ball unpaid number counter Therefore, even when the payout is completed normally, the value of the award ball non-payout number counter may not be 0. Therefore, when the payout of the number of prize balls set in step S633 or step S634 is confirmed (the value of the prize ball unpaid number counter is the total number of unpaid prize balls known by the payout control board 37 ( It is determined that the payout is normally completed when the number set in step S633 or step S634 is subtracted from the number including the number of prize balls to be paid this time). It may be.

  In addition, when the ball lending is being paid out, it is determined that the payout has been completed normally if the value of the unlending ball lending number counter is 0. If the value of the unpaid ball lending counter is not 0, the state shifts to an error state. In this embodiment, the number of game balls to be paid out in one ball lending and payout operation is 25 (fixed value), and the payout motor 289 is rotated so that 25 game balls are paid out. Therefore, when the value of the unpaid ball lending counter is not 0, the payout has not been completed normally.

  In the payout passage waiting process, the payout control CPU 371 first decrements the value of the payout control timer by 1 (step S651). Then, the value of the payout control timer is confirmed. If the value is not 0 (step S652), that is, if the payout control timer has not timed out, the process is terminated.

  If the payout control timer has timed out (step S652), it is confirmed whether or not the ball lending payout process (ball lending operation) has been executed (step S653). Whether or not the ball lending operation has been executed is confirmed by whether or not the ball lending operation in-progress flag set in the RAM is set. When the ball lending operation is not executed, that is, when the prize ball payout process (prize ball operation) is executed, the payout control CPU 371 checks the value of the award ball unpaid number counter (step S654). ). If the value of the award ball unpaid number counter is 0, it is determined that the award ball payout process has been completed normally, and a payout ball detection bit, a prize ball operating flag, and a ball lending operation bit in the payout control status flag Is reset (step S655), the payout control code is set to 0 (step S656), and the process ends.

  If the value of the award ball unpaid number counter is not 0 and the payout ball detection bit is not set (step S658), the payout control CPU 371 will play the game ball even if the payout operation is performed. Is not paid out, a payout count switch non-passing error bit (payout case error bit) is set as a game ball payout operation failure (step S659).

  As described above, in this embodiment, even when the payout is normally completed, the value of the award ball non-payout number counter may not be 0. Therefore, if the payout ball detection bit is set, that is, if the payout number count switch 301 detects the payout of at least one game ball during the prize ball payout process, it is assumed that the prize ball payout process is normally completed. The process proceeds to step S655. In addition, for example, when 15 game balls should be paid out in one prize ball payout process, when only 14 game balls are actually paid out (the payout number count switch 301 has 14 game balls). In the case where it is detected only), the payout ball detection bit is set, so that it is considered that the award ball payout processing is normally completed. It should not have been done, and the shortage will be paid out in the next prize ball payout process, so there will be no disadvantage to the player.

  As described above, if no game ball is paid out even if a payout operation is performed in the payout process, a payout count switch non-passing error bit (payout case error bit) is set as a game ball payout operation failure. Set.

  In the winning ball lending control process, the error bit is checked to determine whether or not to perform a payout operation (one winning ball payout or one ball lending). The payout start shown in FIG. Only in the waiting process. In the payout motor stop waiting process shown in FIG. 48 and the payout passing wait process shown in FIG. 53, the error bit is not checked. Therefore, after the process of step S626, S633, or step S634 is performed and the game ball payout process is started, the payout process is not interrupted even if an error occurs. In other words, when an error occurs, the game ball payout process is continued until a point at which the game ball can be cut well (at the time when one prize ball payout or one ball lending ends). The error bits in the error flag checked in step S621 include an error bit indicating that the connection confirmation signal from the main board 31 has been turned off. Therefore, even when the connection confirmation signal is turned off, the game ball payout process is stopped at a time when it is best to turn it off.

  Upon confirming that the ball lending / dispensing process (ball lending operation) has been executed in step S653, the payout control CPU 371 confirms whether or not the value of the unlapped ball lending number counter is 0 (step S657). . If it is 0, it is determined that the ball lending / dispensing process is normally completed, and the process proceeds to step S655.

  If the value of the ball lending unpaid number counter is not 0 and the payout ball detection bit is not set (step S658), the game ball is not paid out even if the payout process is executed (payout). As the number count switch 301 has not detected a game ball), the payout case error bit of the error flag is set (step S659), and the process is terminated.

  As described above, if no game balls are paid out even if a payout operation is performed in the payout process related to the ball lending process, the payout count switch non-passing error bit (payout) is assumed as a game ball payout operation failure. Case error bit) is set.

  FIG. 54 is a timing chart for explaining the ball biting detection process executed in the payout motor control process (step S768). In the payout motor constant speed process (step S524) in the payout motor control process, the payout control CPU 371 monitors the detection signal of the payout motor position sensor 295. The detection signal of the payout motor position sensor 295 is turned on twice, for example, every time the cam that rotates in conjunction with the payout motor 289 rotates once. In order for the detection signal to be output twice each time the cam rotates once, the cam has two locations in the portion that receives light from the light emitting portion in the payout motor position sensor 295 (positions symmetrical with respect to the axis). Is provided with a reflector. The output of the light receiving unit in the dispensing motor position sensor 295 is used as a detection signal.

  Therefore, even if the payout control CPU 371 gives an excitation pattern having a step number of 1/2 rotation or more to the payout motor 289, the detection signal of the payout motor position sensor 295 does not turn on. Actually, the payout motor 289 does not rotate due to foreign matter such as dust adhering to the cam portion and the like, and the game ball is clogged (ball biting has occurred). As a result, the cam rotates. It can be judged that it is not.

  In this embodiment, when the payout motor 289 receives an excitation pattern for 16 steps (2.087 ms per step), it makes one rotation and pays out one game ball. For example, as shown in FIG. 52, the payout control CPU 371 checks the detection signal of the payout motor position sensor 295 every time the payout motor 371 gives an excitation pattern for 8 steps to the payout motor 289. Thus, it is determined whether or not the payout motor 289 is rotating. Then, if the same state is detected five times continuously (the detection signal of the dispensing motor position sensor 295 is turned off five times continuously or turned on five times continuously), it is determined that ball engagement has occurred. A ball biting release process is executed.

  As shown in FIG. 55, the payout control CPU 371 repeats a process of rotating the payout motor 289 at a high speed and a process of rotating at a low speed a predetermined number of times (for example, 9 times). Each time an excitation pattern for 8 steps is given to the payout motor 289, the detection signal of the payout motor position sensor 295 is checked to determine whether or not the payout motor 289 is rotating. If it is determined by the detection signal that the rotation of the payout motor 289 has been restored, the ball biting release process is terminated and the normal ball payout process is returned to.

  If there is no change in the detection signal of the payout motor position sensor 295 even if the high speed rotation process and the low speed rotation process are executed a predetermined number of times, a ball biting error bit (payout case error bit) in the error flag Set. When the payout case error bit is set, the payout control CPU 371 does not drive the payout motor 289. When the payout case error bit is reset (see step S807 in FIG. 57), the payout control CPU 371 returns to a state where the payout motor 289 can be driven.

  Thus, the payout control means includes a drive state monitoring means for monitoring the operating state of the payout means, and a drive stop means for stopping the driving of the payout means when the drive state monitoring means detects a malfunction of the payout means. Including.

  Next, error processing will be described. FIG. 56 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the type of error and the display of the LED 374 for error display. As shown in FIG. 56, when the connection confirmation signal from the main board 31 is turned off, the payout control CPU 371 displays “1” on the error display LED 374 as a main board non-connection error. I do. When the disconnection of the payout count switch 301 or a ball clogging occurs at the payout count switch 301, the error display LED 374 is controlled to display “2” as the payout switch abnormality detection error 1. The disconnection of the payout number count switch 301 or the occurrence of ball clogging in the payout number count switch 301 is determined by the detection signal of the payout number count switch 301 not being turned off.

  When the detection signal of the payout number count switch 301 is turned on even though the game ball is not paying out, a control for displaying “3” on the error display LED 374 as a payout switch abnormality detection error 2 is performed. Do. If the detection signal of the payout count switch 301 does not turn on despite the rotation abnormality of the payout motor 289 or the game ball being paid out, “4” is displayed on the error display LED 374 as a payout case error. Control. The specific method for detecting that the detection signal of the payout number count switch 301 is not turned on is as described above. When the prize ball REQ signal is turned on at an improper timing or when the prize ball REQ signal is turned off at an improper timing, “5” is displayed in the error display LED 374 as a prize ball REQ signal error. Control to display. A specific method for detecting that the prize ball REQ signal is turned on or off at an incorrect timing is as described above.

  In addition, when the lower pan is full, that is, when the full switch 48 is turned on, control is performed to display “6” on the error display LED 374 as a full error. When the supply ball is insufficient, that is, when the ball break switch 187 is turned on, control is performed to display “7” on the error display LED 374 as a ball break error.

  Further, when the VL signal from the card unit 50 is turned off, control is performed to display “8” on the error display LED 374 as a prepaid card unit unconnected error. When communication with the card unit 50 is performed at an improper timing, control is performed to display “9” on the error display LED 374 as a prepaid card unit communication error. The prepaid card unit communication error is detected in the prepaid card unit control process (step S764).

  Among the above errors, after the occurrence of a payout switch abnormality detection error 2, a payout case error or a prize ball REQ signal error, the error release switch 375 is operated and an operation signal is output from the error release switch 375 (becomes turned on). The payout control means returns to the state before the error occurred.

  FIG. 57 is a flowchart showing error processing in step S769. In the error processing, the payout control CPU 371 checks the error flag, and the set bits are only payout switch abnormality detection error 2, payout case error and prize ball REQ signal error (any one of the three). It is confirmed whether it is only a bit, or only two bits out of three, or only these three bits (step S801). If only those bits are set, it is confirmed whether or not the operation signal is turned on from the error release switch 375 (step S802). When the operation signal is turned on, the error recovery time is set in the pre-error recovery timer (step S803). The error recovery time is the time from when the error release switch 375 is operated until when the error is actually returned to the normal state.

  If the operation signal from the error release switch 375 is not on, the value of the timer before error recovery is confirmed (step S804). If the value of the timer before error recovery is 0, that is, if the timer before error recovery is not set, the process proceeds to step S808. If the pre-error recovery timer is set, the value of the pre-error recovery timer is decremented by -1 (step S805). If the pre-error recovery timer value becomes 0 (step S806), the payout switch of the error flag is set. The bits of the abnormality detection error 2, the payout case error and the prize ball REQ signal error are reset (step S807), and the process proceeds to step S808.

  When the processing of step S807 is executed, there may be an error bit that is not set among the bits of the payout switch abnormality detection error 2, the payout case error, and the prize ball REQ signal error. There is no problem resetting error bits that are not in the state. As described above, in this embodiment, when an error (see FIG. 56) that causes the setting of the payout switch abnormality detection error 2, the payout case error, or the prize ball REQ signal error bit occurs, an error occurs. The error is released when the release switch 375 is pressed.

  In this example, even in an error state, the processes in steps S601 to S605 shown in FIG. 50 are executed. That is, even when an error relating to payout occurs, if the game ball passes the payout number count switch 301, the value of the award ball unpaid number counter or the ball lending unpaid number counter is subtracted. Therefore, the value of the award ball unpaid number counter or the ball lending unpaid number counter when returning from the error state is a value reflecting the number of game balls actually paid out. That is, even if an error related to payout occurs, the number of game balls actually paid out can be accurately managed.

  Even when it is confirmed that the game ball has passed through the payout count switch 301 during the error state, the payout case error bit is not reset. The bit of the payout case error is reset only when the error release switch 375 is operated (specifically, when an error return time after operation has elapsed) (steps S802 and S807). That is, the state of the payout case error (payout shortage error) is not automatically canceled based on the fact that the game ball has passed the payout number count switch 301, etc. The error is not cleared. Therefore, the game store clerk and the like can surely recognize that a shortage of payout has occurred.

  When the error cancel switch 375 is operated so as to be reset in hardware (reset to the payout control CPU 371), the error cancel switch 375 is operated, for example, a prize ball has not been paid out. The value of the number counter is also cleared. However, in this embodiment, since the payout control means is configured to perform the re-payout operation again by operating the error release switch 375, the payout process is executed reliably, which is disadvantageous to the player. Can not be given.

  In step S808, the payout control CPU 371 checks the detection signal of the full tank switch 48. If the detection signal of the full tank switch 48 is output (if it is in the ON state), the full tank error bit in the error flag is set (step S809). If the detection signal of the full tank switch 48 is in the OFF state, the full tank error bit is reset (step S810).

  Also, the payout control CPU 371 checks the detection signal of the ball break switch 187 (step S811). If the detection signal of the ball break switch 187 is output (if it is on), the ball break error bit in the error flag is set (step S812). If the detection signal of the ball break switch 187 is OFF, the ball break error bit is reset (step S813). When the ball break error bit is set, the bit corresponding to the ball break LED 52 in the output port 1 buffer is set to a value corresponding to the lighting state in the display control process of step S771.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 58, the payout control CPU 371 checks the state of the connection confirmation signal from the main board 31 (step S815). If the connection confirmation signal is not output (if it is in the off state), The main board unconnected error bit is set (step S816). If the connection confirmation signal is output (if it is on), the main board non-connection error bit is reset (step S817).

  Further, the payout control CPU 371 checks the value of the switch timer corresponding to the payout number count switch 301 among the switch timers in which the state of the detection signal of each switch is set, and the value is the switch on maximum time (for example, “ 240 ") (step S818), the bit of the payout switch abnormality detection error 1 is set in the error flag (step S819). If the value of the switch timer corresponding to the payout number count switch 301 is less than the switch-on maximum time, the bit of the payout switch abnormality detection error 1 is reset (step S820). Note that the value of each switch timer is incremented by 1 when the state of the input port to which the detection signal of each switch is input is switched on in the switch check process of step S761, and is cleared by 0 when it is off. Accordingly, the fact that the value of the switch timer corresponding to the payout number count switch 301 exceeds the switch on maximum time means that the payout number count switch 301 is in the on state exceeding the switch on maximum time. Then, it is determined that the game ball is clogged at the disconnection of the payout number count switch 301 or at the portion of the payout number count switch 301.

  Further, the payout control CPU 371, when the value of the switch timer corresponding to the payout number count switch 301 becomes a switch-on determination value (eg, “2”) (step S821), the ball lending operation flag and the winning ball operation If both the middle flags are in the reset state, the game ball has passed through the payout number count switch 301 even though the payout operation is not in progress, and the bit of the payout switch abnormality detection error 2 in the error flag is set (steps S822 and S823). . If the ball lending operation flag or the winning ball operation flag is set, the bit of the payout switch abnormality detection error 2 is reset (step S824).

  Further, the payout control CPU 371 checks the input state of the VL signal from the card unit 50 (step S825). If the VL signal is not input (if it is in the OFF state), the prepaid card unit not yet out of the error flags is displayed. A connection error bit is set (step S826). If the VL signal is input (if it is on), the prepaid card unit unconnected error bit is reset (step S827).

  Further, the payout control CPU 371 checks the state of predetermined error bits (in this example, full error bit, ball out error bit, main control unconnected error bit) in the error flag (step S828a), and the predetermined error If any of the error bits is set, the payout error signal is turned on (step S828b). If all the predetermined error bits are in the reset state, the payout error signal is turned off (step S828c).

  In the display control process of step S771, notification by display (numerical value display) corresponding to the error bit in the error flag is performed by the error display LED 374. In this embodiment, the game control means mounted on the main board 31 and the payout control means mounted on the payout control board 37 perform bi-directional communication with respect to prize ball payout, but a communication error is indicated by an error display LED 374. Can be notified.

  Further, since the communication error is detected on the payout control means side, even if the game control means and the payout control means perform bi-directional communication with respect to the prize ball payout, the communication without increasing the burden on the game control means. Can detect errors.

  In this embodiment, the main board unconnected error is automatically eliminated when the connection confirmation signal is turned on (see steps S815 and S817), but the condition that the error cancel switch 375 is further operated is added. Thus, the error state may be eliminated.

  In this embodiment, a communication error is reported so as to be distinguishable from a communication error with the card unit 50 (prepaid card unit non-connection error and prepaid card unit communication error) and other errors (see FIG. 56). ). Therefore, a communication error between the game control unit and the payout control unit is easily identified.

  In this embodiment, the error display LED 374 mounted on the payout control board 37 installed on the back side of the gaming machine is informed that an error relating to the payout has occurred. You may mount an alerting | reporting means in other locations (For example, the payout unit in which the ball payout apparatus 97 etc. were concentratedly arranged). Furthermore, you may make it alert | report by the indicator (for example, prize ball LED51) installed in the front side of the gaming machine. In the display control process, the payout control CPU 371 performs control for turning on the prize ball LED 51 when the prize ball REQ signal is on. When the prize ball REQ signal is off, the prize ball LED 51 is displayed. Control for turning off the light is performed. When an error relating to payout occurs, for example, the prize ball LED 51 is blinked to notify that an error related to payout has occurred. If an error is notified by a display device installed on the front side of the gaming machine, the game shop clerk can more easily recognize the occurrence of the error. Moreover, you may use together the alerting | reporting by error display LED374, and the alerting | reporting by the indicator installed in the front side of the gaming machine.

  FIG. 59 (A) is a timing chart showing a state of occurrence of a payout case error (payout shortage error), and FIG. 59 (B) is a timing chart showing a state when the error cancel switch 375 is operated.

  As shown in FIG. 59 (A), the payout motor 289 is rotated in order to pay out a predetermined number of game balls, and after the stop of the rotation, the game ball that should have been paid out last has passed through the payout number count switch 301. Later (after 402.087 ms in this example), it is confirmed whether or not there is an unpaid game ball (corresponding to the determination in step S654), and if there is an unpaid game ball, a re-payout operation is executed. FIG. 59 (A) shows an example in which two re-payout operations are executed. When two re-payout operations are executed, it is determined as a payout case error (corresponding to the determination in step S672), and “4” is displayed on the error display LED 374 by the display control processing in step S771 (FIG. 56).

  As shown in FIG. 59B, when the error release switch 375 is operated, the re-payout operation is started again after the error release time has elapsed. As shown in FIG. 59B, when the re-payout operation is started again, the display of “4” on the error display LED 374 is erased. That is, when the corrected payout control is performed after the operation of the error release switch 375, a notification indicating an insufficient payout error is not performed.

  Next, the operation of the display control means mounted on the display control board 80 will be described. FIG. 60 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by the display control CPU 101. In the main process, an initialization process is first performed for clearing the RAM area, setting various initial values, initializing a 2 ms timer for determining the display control activation interval, and the like (step S321). After that, the display control CPU 101 shifts to a loop process for checking the timer interrupt flag (step S322). When a timer interrupt occurs, the display control CPU 101 sets a timer interrupt flag in the interrupt processing. If the timer interrupt flag is set in the main process, the display control CPU 101 clears the flag (step S323) and executes the following display control process.

  In this embodiment, the timer interrupt takes every 2 ms. That is, the display control process is started every 2 ms. In this embodiment, only the flag is set in the timer interrupt process, and the specific display control process is executed in the main process. However, the display control process may be executed in the timer interrupt process.

  In the display control process, the display control CPU 101 first executes a command analysis process for analyzing the received display control command (step S324) and a counter update process for updating the count value of the counter for generating random numbers (step S324). S325). Then, the display control CPU 101 executes display control process processing (step S326). In the display control process process, a process corresponding to the current control state is selected and executed from among the processes corresponding to the control state.

  Next, the display control CPU 101 checks whether or not a V blank interrupt has occurred (step S327). The presence or absence of the occurrence of the V blank interrupt is confirmed based on an interrupt signal (INT signal) output from the VDP 109 at the start of the V blank. The V blank is the display of the image developed in the display area (not shown) of the VRAM on the display screen of the variable display device 9, and then the image developed next in the display area of the VRAM is displayed on the variable display device 9. This is the period until display starts on the display screen. The VDP 109 outputs an interrupt signal to the display control CPU 101 at the start of the V blank and issues a V blank interrupt. For example, when an image of 30 frames is displayed per second, a V blank interrupt is applied approximately every 33 ms.

  The display control CPU 101 includes an interrupt terminal (INT terminal) for receiving an interrupt signal from the VDP 109. When the input level of the interrupt terminal falls to a low level, the display control CPU 101 detects the occurrence of a V blank interrupt as an external interrupt. For example, as shown in FIG. 61, when detecting the occurrence of the V blank interrupt, the display control CPU 101 sets a flag indicating the presence of the V blank interrupt in the register (step S331).

  When there is a V blank interrupt, the display control CPU 101 executes an image development instruction control process as an interrupt process (step S328). In the image expansion instruction control process, the display control CPU 101 executes control for instructing the VDP 109 to expand the image data to be displayed on the display screen of the variable display device 9 to the display area of the VRAM. Note that the VDP 109 expands image data in the display area of the VRAM in accordance with an instruction from the display control CPU 101. The VDP 109 creates an image signal based on the image data in the display area, outputs the image signal to the variable display device 9, and displays an image frame on the display screen of the variable display device 9. As described above, since a V blank interrupt is generated every 33 ms, the image frame is updated once every 33 ms. After the image development instruction control process is executed, the display control CPU 101 performs a command transmission process for transmitting the lamp control command and the sound control command stored in the command transmission buffer to the lamp control board 35 and the sound control board 70, respectively. It executes (step S329). The command transmission process is also executed every 33 ms as a process corresponding to the V blank interrupt.

  When there is no V blank interrupt, or after executing the command transmission process, the process returns to the process of checking the timer interrupt flag in step S702.

  In this embodiment, in the V blank interrupt processing, only flag setting (setting with V blank interrupt) is performed, and specific image development instruction control processing and command transmission processing are executed in the main processing. The image development instruction control process and the command transmission process may be executed by an interrupt process.

  FIG. 62 is a flowchart showing command analysis processing (step S324) in the main processing shown in FIG. In the command analysis process, the display control CPU 101 first checks whether or not a reception command (display control command from the game control means) is stored in a command reception buffer provided in the RAM (step S341). If no received command is stored, the process ends. When the reception command is stored in the command reception buffer, the display control CPU 101 reads the reception command from the command reception buffer (step S342).

  Then, it is confirmed whether or not it is necessary to transmit a lamp control command or a sound control command corresponding to the read reception command to the lamp control board 35 or the voice control board 70 (step S343). Here, a gate passing memory number lamp designation command (C1XX (H)), a prize ball payout confirmation designation command (C200 (H)), a ball-with-lamp designation command (C300 (H)), and a ball break shown in FIG. The middle lamp designation command (C301 (H)) is a command used only for lamp control, and it is determined that it is necessary to transmit it to the lamp control board 35 as it is. In addition, the variation pattern designation commands (8000 (H) to 8026 (H)) shown in FIG. 35 are commands used for display control and lamp control and sound control. When a corresponding lamp control command or sound control command (in this embodiment, a display control command such as a change pattern designation is directly used as a lamp control command or sound control command) needs to be transmitted to the lamp control board 35 or the voice control board 70. To be judged. If it is determined that it is necessary to transmit the lamp control board 35 or the voice control board 70, the display control CPU 101 stores the control command read from the command reception buffer in the command transmission buffer (step S344). . Then, the write pointer is incremented by 1 (step S345). Thereafter, processing corresponding to the received command is performed (step S346), and the process returns to step S341.

  The process according to the received command is, for example, a process of storing the designated symbol in the stop symbol storage area (RAM) if the received command is a symbol-designated display control command. If it is a display control command, this is a process of setting a variation pattern in a predetermined area (RAM: internal RAM or external RAM of the display control CPU 101) and setting a flag indicating that the variation pattern designation has been received. Is the normal symbol variation pattern designation display control command, the normal symbol variation pattern is set in a predetermined area (RAM: internal RAM or external RAM of the display control CPU 101) and the normal symbol variation pattern designation is received. And the received command is the start winning memory number designation command. In a process of storing start winning storage number indicated by the EXT data, a process of setting the command reception flag corresponding for other received command. The display control CPU 101 increments the start memory display area 18 for changing the display color by one when the start winning memory number is incremented by one.

  The lamp control command and the sound control command set in the command transmission buffer are transmitted to the lamp control board 35 and the voice control board 70 in the command transmission process (step S329).

  FIG. 63 is a flowchart showing the display control process (step S326) in the main process shown in FIG. In the display control process process, any one of steps S900 to S906 is performed according to the value of the display control process flag. In each process, the following process is executed.

  Fluctuation pattern command reception waiting process (step S900): It is confirmed whether or not an effect control command (variation pattern command) capable of specifying the fluctuation time has been received by the command reception interrupt process. Specifically, it is confirmed whether or not a flag (variation pattern reception flag) indicating that a variation pattern command has been received is set. The variation pattern reception flag is set when it is confirmed by command analysis processing that a variation pattern designation display control command has been received (step S326).

  Preliminary notice selection process (step S901): Using a random number for determining a notice, it is determined whether or not a notice effect (background notice) is to be performed, and the type of the notice effect to be performed.

  All symbol variation start processing (step S902): Control is performed so that variation of the left and right middle symbols is started.

  Symbol variation processing (step S903): Controls the switching timing of each variation state (variation speed) constituting the variation pattern, and monitors the end of the variation time. In addition, stop control of the left and right symbols is performed.

  All symbol stop waiting setting process (step S904): When an effect control command (special symbol stop effect control command) for instructing stop of all symbols is received at the end of the variation time, the symbol variation is stopped and the stop symbol ( Control to display the fixed symbol).

  Big hit display process (step S905): After the end of the variation time, the control of the probability change big hit display or the normal big hit display is performed.

  Jackpot game processing (step S906): Control during jackpot game is performed. For example, when an effect control command for display before opening the big winning opening or display when opening the big winning opening is received, display control of the number of rounds is performed.

  In this embodiment, the variable display device 9 can perform a notice effect by displaying characters or the like appearing in the background (parts other than the symbol display area). In the variable display device 9, for example, a notice effect by vibrating the background or changing the background image is also used. In this embodiment, such a notice effect is called an accessory notice. Also, a notice effect by displaying characters appearing in the background is called a background notice. The advance notice is defined corresponding to the variable display pattern (variation pattern) of the symbols in the variable display device 9. That is, when a variable display with a specific variation pattern is executed, a specific accessory notice is performed. Since the variation pattern is determined by the game control means, it is determined by the game control means whether or not to perform the accessory announcement and which kind of the accessory announcement is to be performed. Then, whether or not to perform background notice and the type of background notice are determined by the display control means.

  FIG. 64 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of background notice executed in the variable display device 9. In this embodiment, the variable display device 9 can perform four types of notice effects (background notices 1 to 4) by displaying characters and the like appearing in the background. Hereinafter, when simply expressing “notice”, it means a background notice.

  FIG. 65 is a flowchart showing the advance notice selection process (step S901) in the display control process shown in FIG. In the notice selection process, the display control CPU 101 first confirms whether or not a change pattern that does not perform the notice effect (background notice) is specified by the change pattern command received from the main board 31 (step S911). If a variation pattern that does not perform the notice effect is designated, the process proceeds to step S921.

  If it is determined in step S911 that a variation pattern that may cause a notice effect is designated, the display control CPU 101 reads the count value of the notice random number counter, and uses the read value as the notice determination random number value. (Step S912). Further, a notice selection table corresponding to the received display control command for specifying the variation pattern is selected (step S913). The notice selection table is provided for each variation pattern, and is a table in which the presence / absence of the notice effect and the content of the notice effect are associated with the random number for determining the notice.

  Then, the notice selection table is compared with the notice determination random number, and if it is decided to make a notice (step S915), a notice start time determination timer is started (step S916). Further, a lamp control command and a sound control command corresponding to the type of advance notice to be executed are set in the command transmission buffer (step S917). In this example, the write pointer is incremented by 1 after the command is set in the command transmission buffer. Thereafter, the value of the process flag is updated to a value corresponding to all symbol variation start processing (step S921). The set lamp control command and sound control command are any one of E000 (H) to E003 (H) (see FIG. 66).

  In this embodiment, when the display control means receives the display control command designating the variation pattern from the main board 31, it independently decides whether or not to perform the notice effect (background notice) and the kind of notice, When it is decided to perform the effect, a lamp control command and a sound control command indicating the type of the notice effect are transmitted to the lamp control board 35 and the sound control board 70. The light emitter control means on the lamp control board 35 performs an effect by a lamp / LED in response to reception of a lamp control command indicating the type of the notice effect. Moreover, the sound control means in the sound control board 70 performs an effect by sound output in response to the reception of the sound control command indicating the type of the notice effect. Therefore, even when the display control means uniquely determines the notice type, the light emitter control means and the sound control means easily perform an effect synchronized with the notice effect that the display control means executes using the variable display device 9. be able to.

  In addition, a lamp control command and a sound control command indicating the type of the notice effect are transmitted to the lamp control board 35 and the sound control board 70 by a command transmission process described later. Therefore, when the unique effect determining means included in the display control means mounted on the display control board 80 uniquely determines the effect contents, the lamp control command and the sound control command that can specify the determined effect contents are It is transmitted to the control board 35 and the voice control board 70.

  FIG. 66 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of a lamp control command sent from the display control board 80 to the lamp control board 35. The lamp control command also has a 2-byte configuration of MODE and EXT. In the example shown in FIG. 66, the command 80XX (H) (X = an arbitrary value of 4 bits) corresponds to the special symbol variation pattern in the variable display device 9, that is, the effect contents related to the display result derivation operation in the variable display device 9. This is a lamp control command that is designated during change, and designates a lamp / LED (light emitting means such as an effect lamp or LED) display control pattern.

  The command 9XXX (H) is a lamp control command for instructing a lamp / LED display control pattern which is not related to the change of the special symbol or the big hit game. Command 9400 (H) is a lamp control command for instructing a lamp / LED display control pattern during a customer waiting demonstration. The command AXXX (H) is a lamp control command for instructing a lamp / LED display control pattern from the start of the jackpot game to the end of the jackpot game. When the light emitter control means receives the lamp control command described above from the display control board 80, it changes the lamp / LED display state in accordance with the contents shown in FIG.

  The command C1XX (H) is a lamp control command for instructing the number of lighting of the normal symbol start memory display 41. When receiving the command C1XX (H) from the display control means, the light emitter control means turns on the number of indicators designated by “XX (H)” in the normal symbol start memory display 41.

  The command C200 (H) is a lamp control command related to the display state of the prize ball lamp 51. When the light emitter control means receives the lamp control command “C200 (H)”, the display state of the prize ball lamp 51 is set in advance as a display state when one prize ball is paid out (for example, For a predetermined period such as 0.5 seconds). That is, the command C200 (H) is a command indicating that the light emitter (prize ball lamp 51) provided for notifying the player or the like that the prize ball has been paid out is controlled.

  Commands C300 (H) and C301 (H) are lamp control commands relating to the display state of the bulb-out lamp 52. When the lamp control command “C300 (H)” is received, the luminous body control means sets the display state of the ball break lamp 52 to the display state with a ball, and when the lamp control command “C301 (H)” is received, The display state of the lamp 52 is set to the display state when the ball is out of sphere. That is, commands C300 (H) and C301 (H) are commands indicating control of a light emitter that is provided to notify a player or game store clerk that a supply ball has run out.

  The command “DXXX (H)” is a lamp control command created based on a sensor input to the display control board 80. Further, the command “EXXXX (H)” and the command “FXXX (H)” are lamp control commands that are independently generated by the display control unit in connection with the reception of the display control command from the game control unit.

  The command “E000 (H)” is a lamp control command transmitted when the background notice 1 is executed in the variable display device 9. The command “E001 (H)” is a lamp control command transmitted when the background notice 2 is executed in the variable display device 9. The command “E002 (H)” is a lamp control command transmitted when the background notice 3 is executed in the variable display device 9. The command “E003 (H)” is a lamp control command transmitted when the background notice 4 is executed in the variable display device 9. Upon receiving the command “E0XX (H)”, the lamp control means performs lamp / LED lighting control corresponding to the type of background notice specified by “XX (H)”. In “XX (H)”, various types of information such as the type of the character that appears, the appearance timing of the character, and the designation of the background are indicated for each bit (including a plurality of bits). Each bit data may indicate one information, or one information may be indicated by a combination of two or more bit data. Various types of information may also be indicated by each bit data constituting the MODE data.

  The display control means in the display control board 80 receives the display control command having the MODE data and the EXT data from the main board 31 except for the command “DXXX (H)” and the command “EXXX (H)”. The MODE data and the EXT data are transmitted as they are to the lamp control board 35 as a lamp control command. However, among the display control commands from the game control means, those not related to the light emitters controlled by the light emitter control means are not transmitted as lamp control commands. That is, the display control means may be used for control by the light emitter when it receives a display control command from the game control means (actually used for control by the light emitter or setting of a flag, etc. The lamp control command corresponding to the display control command received from the game control means is transmitted only when it is not.

  FIG. 67 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of a sound control command sent from the display control board 80 to the voice control board 70. The sound control command also has a 2-byte structure of MODE and EXT. In the example shown in FIG. 67, the command 80XX (H) (X = any value of 4 bits) corresponds to the special symbol variation pattern in the variable display device 9, that is, the effect contents related to the display result derivation operation in the variable display device 9. This is a sound control command that is designated during variation for designating a sound generation pattern from the speaker 27 that has been selected.

  Command AXXX (H) is a sound control command for instructing a sound generation pattern from the start of the big hit game to the end of the big hit game. When the sound control means receives the above-described sound control command from the display control board 80, the sound control means changes the sound output state of the speaker 27 in accordance with the contents shown in FIG.

  The command “DXXX (H)” is a sound control command created based on sensor input to the display control board 80. Further, the command “EXXXX (H)” and the command “FXXXX (H)” are sound control commands independently generated by the display control means in connection with the reception of the display control command from the game control means.

  The command “E000 (H)” is a sound control command transmitted when the background notice 1 is executed in the variable display device 9. The command “E001 (H)” is a sound control command transmitted when the background notice 2 is executed in the variable display device 9. The command “E002 (H)” is a sound control command transmitted when the background notice 3 is executed in the variable display device 9. The command “E003 (H)” is a sound control command transmitted when the background notice 4 is executed in the variable display device 9. When receiving the command “E0XX (H)”, the sound control means performs sound generation control according to the type of background notice specified by “XX (H)”.

  The display control means in the display control board 80 receives the display control command having the MODE data and the EXT data from the main board 31 except for the command “DXXX (H)” and the command “EXXX (H)”. The MODE data and the EXT data are transmitted to the sound control board 70 as sound control commands as they are. However, among the display control commands from the game control means, those not related to the speaker 27 controlled by the sound control means are not transmitted as sound control commands. In other words, when the display control means receives a display control command from the game control means, the display control means may be used for control by the sound output means (speaker 27) (for control by the sound output means, flag setting, etc.) The sound control command corresponding to the display control command received from the game control means is transmitted only when it is actually used.

  In this embodiment, the command “DXXX (H)” and the command “EXXXX (H)” are always transmitted to both the light emitter control means and the sound control means. Some may be transmitted only to either the control means or the sound control means.

  Hereinafter, transmission of the lamp control command and the sound control command will be described. Note that a command transmission buffer is provided in a predetermined area of the RAM provided in the display control board 80. The command transmission buffer temporarily stores lamp control commands and sound control commands (specifically, 2-byte command data) transmitted to the light emitter control means and the sound control means. In the command transmission buffer, the storage destination of the lamp control command and the sound control command is specified by the write pointer, and the read destination is specified by the read pointer.

  FIG. 68 is a flowchart showing command transmission processing (step S329) in the main processing shown in FIG. In the command transmission process, the display control CPU 101 first checks whether or not an untransmitted lamp control command or sound control command (specifically, 2-byte command data) is stored in the command transmission buffer (step S351). . Whether the untransmitted lamp control command and sound control command are stored can be confirmed by the writing pointer and the reading pointer. If the two match, an untransmitted control command is not stored. If an unsent control command is not stored, the process ends.

  If an untransmitted control command is stored, the control command is read from the area indicated by the read pointer in the command transmission buffer (step S352), and the first byte of the read control command is set as output data. (Step S353). Also, an output port address for outputting the command data of the control command is set as an output destination (step S354).

  FIG. 69 is a flowchart illustrating a configuration example of a command transmission routine. In the command transmission routine, the display control CPU 101 sets output data to an output port designated as an output destination (step S371). Then, the STB signal is turned on (step S372).

  Next, M is set in a monitoring number counter for monitoring whether the ACK signal is turned on (step S373). The value of M corresponds to a value that has a margin in processing time until the light emitter control means and the sound control means turn on the ACK signal in response to the STB signal. Then, the state of the ACK signal is confirmed while decrementing the value of the monitoring number counter (steps S374 and S375).

  If the value of the monitoring number counter becomes 0 before the ACK signal is turned on (step S376), a value indicating “abnormal” is set as a return code (step S377), and the process is terminated. The return code is set in a predetermined register.

  If the ACK signal is turned on before the value of the monitoring number counter becomes 0, the STB signal is turned off (step S378). Then, M (which may be different from the value used in step S373) is set in the monitoring number counter for monitoring whether the ACK signal is turned off (step S379). Next, the state of the ACK signal is confirmed while decrementing the value of the monitoring number counter (steps S380 and S381). If the value of the monitoring number counter becomes 0 before the ACK signal is turned off (step S382), a value indicating "abnormal" is set as a return code (step S383), and the process is terminated. If the ACK signal is turned off before the value of the monitoring number counter becomes 0, a value indicating “normal” is set as a return code (step S384), and the process ends.

  Through the command transmission routine as described above, transmission of one byte of the command data of the lamp control command or the sound control command is completed.

  When the command transmission routine is completed, the display control CPU 101 performs the processing from step S356 onward in order to transmit the second byte of the received command to the lamp control board 35 and the voice control board 70. If the command transmission routine does not end normally (if the return code is “abnormal”), for example, the display indicating “abnormal” is performed on the variable display device 9 to interrupt the operation.

  In step S356, the display control CPU 101 sets the second byte of the control command as output data. In addition, an output port address for outputting the command data of the control command is set as an output destination (step S357). Then, the command transmission routine is called (step S358). When the command transmission routine ends, the read pointer is incremented by 1 (step S359), and the process returns to step S351. If the command transmission routine does not end normally (if the return code is “abnormal”), for example, the display indicating “abnormal” is performed on the variable display device 9 to interrupt the operation.

  The command transmission routine as described above completes the transmission of the command data for the lamp control command and the sound control command.

Next, the operation of the control boards 35 and 70 that perform control based on commands from the display control board 80 will be described.
FIG. 70 is a flowchart showing a main process executed by the lamp control CPU 351 constituting the light emitter control means mounted on the lamp control board 35. In the main process, the lamp control CPU 351 first executes an initialization process for initializing a register, a RAM including a work area, an output port, and the like (step S401). Next, a command reception process (step S402) that is a process of receiving a lamp control command from the display control board 80 and a process of analyzing the received lamp control command are performed (step S403: command analysis process).

  Thereafter, the lamp control CPU 351 proceeds to a loop process for monitoring a timer interrupt flag (step S404). As shown in FIG. 71, when a timer interrupt occurs, the lamp control CPU 351 sets a timer interrupt flag (step S411). If the timer interrupt flag is set in the main process, the lamp control CPU 351 clears the flag (step S405) and performs a lamp process update process (step S406).

  In this embodiment, the lighting pattern of the lamp / LED that is controlled to blink according to the progress of the game is controlled according to the lamp data as shown in FIG. The lamp data is stored in the ROM and is prepared for each type of control pattern (display control means according to the lamp control command and the production status for designating the lamp lighting pattern when the special symbol is changed as shown in FIG. 66. Are prepared for each lamp control command relating to other game effects sent out from the player. Therefore, they are prepared for each notice type when the notice effect is performed).

  For example, when the lamp control command received from the display control board 80 is 8000 (variation pattern designation # 1), data (4 bytes) corresponding to 80 (H) in the command upper byte table is referred to. The upper 2 bytes of the data is an address storing a process when a lamp control command whose upper byte is 80 (H) is received. Then, as shown in FIG. 73, in the process, the data of the lamp data selection table indicated by the sum of the contents of the lower 2 bytes in the data of the command upper byte table and the EXT data of the received lamp control command is specified. Is done. Therefore, the lower 2 bytes in the command upper byte table referred to when the upper byte of the received lamp control command is 80 (H) corresponds to the head address of the lamp data selection table related to the variation pattern designation.

  In the lamp data, data indicating that the lamp / LED is turned on or off and data indicating a lighting or extinguishing period (process timer value) are set. That is, data indicating the lighting pattern of the light emitter is stored in the lamp control data area.

  In the ramp process update process (step S406), the value of the timer corresponding to the process timer value is initially subtracted, and when the timer times out, the data set at the next address in the ramp data. Accordingly, the lamp / LED is determined to be turned off or turned on, and a process timer value corresponding to the determination result is set in the timer. Further, since the process timer value is set to the timer, it is the time of switching on / off, so that a signal for turning on / off the lamp / LED is output to the corresponding output port.

  FIG. 74 is a flowchart showing command reception interrupt processing. The STB signal indicating that the lamp control command is output from the display control board 80 is input to the interrupt terminal of the lamp control CPU 351. When the STB signal changes to, for example, a low level, the lamp control CPU 351 is interrupted, and a command reception interrupt process is executed. In the command reception interrupt process, the lamp control CPU 351 sets a command reception interrupt flag (step S422).

  FIG. 75 is a flowchart showing command reception processing in the main processing shown in FIG. In the command reception process, the lamp control CPU 351 checks whether a command reception flag is set (step S431). If not set, the process is terminated. If the command reception flag is set, the command reception flag is reset (step S432), and it is confirmed whether the STB signal is surely turned on via the input port (step S433). If the STB signal is not on, the process is terminated.

  If the STB signal is on, a lamp control command (specifically, 1 byte of 2-byte command data) is input via the input port and stored in a command reception buffer formed in the RAM ( Step S434). Then, the ACK signal is turned on (step S435). Next, when the STB signal is turned off (step S436), the ACK signal is turned off (step S437). In addition, when performing the process of step S436, if the STB signal is not turned off even after a predetermined time has elapsed, a notification may be given by a predetermined lamp or LED.

  Through the processing as described above, the lamp control command is received, and the received lamp control command is stored in the command reception buffer. In this embodiment, since the ramp control command has a 2-byte configuration, when an interrupt based on the STB signal is generated twice and the processing in steps S432 to S437 is executed twice, One lamp control command is stored in the command reception buffer. Note that the command reception buffer is configured in the same manner as the command reception buffer included in the display control unit mounted on the display control board 80, for example. In this embodiment, only the command reception flag is set in the command reception interrupt process, and the reception process is performed in the command reception process outside the interrupt process, but the command reception process is also performed in the command reception interrupt. It may be configured to do.

  The lamp control command stored in the command reception buffer is analyzed in the command analysis process (step S403) in the main process, and the lamp process update process (step S406) is executed according to the analysis result. In the command analysis process (step S403), among the processes shown in FIG. 62 described above, the same processes as those in steps S341, S342, and S346 are executed.

  When the lamp control means receives the prize ball payout confirmation designation command transmitted from the display control means, the lamp control means performs control for lighting the prize ball lamp 51 for a predetermined period as processing according to the received command. Thereby, it is possible to notify the player that the prize ball has been paid out.

  FIG. 76 is a flowchart showing a main process executed by the sound control CPU 701 constituting the sound control means mounted on the sound control board 70. In the main process, the sound control CPU 701 first executes an initialization process for initializing a register, a RAM including a work area, an output port, and the like (step S491). Next, a command reception process (step S492), which is a process of receiving a sound control command from the display control board 80, and a process of analyzing the received sound control command are performed (step S493: command analysis process). In the command reception process and the command analysis process, the same process as the process in the light emitter control means described above is executed, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  Thereafter, the sound control CPU 701 proceeds to a loop process for monitoring a timer interrupt flag (step S494). As shown in FIG. 77, when a timer interrupt occurs, the sound control CPU 351 sets a timer interrupt flag (step S497). If the timer interrupt flag is set in the main process, the sound control CPU 701 clears the flag (step S495) and performs a sound process update process (step S496).

  The sound output pattern from the speaker 27 controlled according to the progress of the game is controlled according to sound data as shown in FIG. The sound data is stored in the ROM and prepared for each type of control pattern (display control means according to the sound control command for specifying the sound generation pattern at the time of fluctuation of the special symbol shown in FIG. 67 and the production status) Prepared for each sound control command related to other effects sent out from (1), so that it is prepared for each notice type in the case of performing a notice effect).

  In the sound process update process (step S496), the value of the timer corresponding to the process timer value is initially subtracted, and when the timer times out, the data set at the next address in the audio data In response to this, it is determined to change to output sound, and a process timer value corresponding to the determination result is set in the timer. Also, since the output voice is switched when the process timer value is set in the timer, a new output is sent to the voice synthesis circuit 703 via the output port for outputting data to the voice synthesis circuit 703. Data corresponding to audio is output.

  FIG. 79 is a timing diagram showing transmission timings of display control commands related to variable display of symbols. The game control means transmits a display control command designating a variation pattern when starting variable display. When the display control command specifying the variation pattern is received, the display control means starts a variable display effect based on the received command, and transmits a ramp control command specifying the variation pattern and a sound control command specifying the variation pattern. When the display control means decides to perform the notice effect (Y in step S915), the lamp control command and sound control command (command E000 (shown in FIGS. 66 and 67) for designating the content of the notice effect are designated. H) to any of commands E002 (H)).

  When the lamp control command specifying the variation pattern is received, the light emitter control means starts the light emitter effect based on the received command. In addition, when the light emitter control means receives a lamp control command designating the content of the notice effect, the light emitter effect is executed with a lighting pattern corresponding to the received command.

  When the sound control command designating the variation pattern is received, the sound control means starts a sound output effect based on the received command. In addition, when the sound control means receives the sound control command that specifies the content of the notice effect, the sound control effect is executed with a sound generation pattern corresponding to the received command.

  When the game control means transmits the display control command for designating the variation pattern, the game control means subsequently transmits display control commands for designating the left symbol, the middle symbol, and the right symbol. When the variation time (variable display period) ends, the game control means displays a special symbol stop (8F00 (H)) display control command for instructing the stop of all symbols in order to finally stop (determine) the left and right middle symbols. Send. Note that the command to stop all symbols is not transmitted to the light emitter control means or the sound control means, but the production control period is determined based on the command to specify the variation pattern. The light emitter effect and the sound output effect are also finished within the variable display effect period.

  As described above, the payout number count switch 301 for detecting the payout of the game ball without distinguishing the winning ball and the lending ball is provided, and the detection output of the payout number count switch 301 is input only to the payout control means, and the payout control means. However, when a detection signal from the payout number count switch 301 is input, it is determined whether a payout of a prize ball or a payout of a lending ball is detected. Since the count signal is transmitted to the game control means, the game control means can more reliably manage the number of unpaid prize balls, and a single payout number count switch 301 can be used for the award. Since both the ball payout and the lending ball payout are detected, the number of parts is reduced, and the cost of the gaming machine can be reduced.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the payout control means detects the winning ball payout when the detection signal from the payout number count switch 301 is input even in an error state where the payout of the game ball is stopped. When it is determined that there is a prize ball, a prize ball count signal is transmitted to the game control means, so that a prize ball count signal indicating that a payout of the prize ball has been detected can be reliably transmitted to the game control means. .

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the payout control means receives the detection signal from the payout number count switch 301 when the award ball is not paid out or the lending ball is not paid out. Since the prize ball count signal is transmitted to the game control means as being a prize ball, it is judged that the prize ball is frequently dispensed, and the prize ball is judged to be a lending ball. As a result, the game control means can more reliably manage the number of prize balls paid out.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the game control means transmits a payout command signal, a subtraction process is performed to subtract the payout number specified by the payout command signal from the number of prize balls stored in the total prize ball number storage buffer. Since it is configured to perform, it is possible to prevent the designation of payout from being executed again for a prize ball for which payout has already been designated. Further, since the number of payouts specified by the payout command signal is subtracted regardless of whether or not a prize ball count signal is received, the prize ball number subtraction process stored in the total prize ball number storage buffer is executed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the control burden of the game control means.

  In the above-described embodiment, after the payout command signal is transmitted as described above, the signal indicating the completion of the payout process from the payout control board 37 side is received in the total winning ball number storage buffer regardless of whether or not the signal is received. The subtraction process for the number of prize balls stored is executed, and the game control means does not accurately manage the number of unpaid prize balls, but the game control means transmits a payout command signal. After that, in response to receiving the prize ball count signal, the subtraction process for subtracting the number of payouts confirmed to be actually paid out from the number of prize balls stored in the total prize ball number storage buffer is performed. Also good. In this case, each time the game control means receives the prize ball count signal, the game control means may subtract one from the prize ball number stored in the total prize ball number storage buffer. If the configuration is such that the number of unpaid prize balls is managed by bidirectional communication between the game control means and the payout control means as described above, in the game control means based on the prize ball count signal from the payout control means. The number of unpaid prize balls can be managed accurately. In other words, if the management of the number of unpaid balls is not performed using the prize ball count signal, the management of the number of unpaid balls is performed by one-way communication. There is a problem that the number of unpaid prize balls ascertained in the means is not always accurate. As described above, if the configuration is such that the game control means manages the number of unpaid balls in the game control means as described above, the number of unpaid balls can be subtracted when the game is actually paid out. The number of unpaid prize balls can be managed accurately.

  Further, when the configuration is such that the management of the number of unpaid balls has been accurately performed as described above, the number of times corresponding to the number of payouts specified by the payout command signal after the game control means has transmitted the payout command signal. The payout command signal for instructing the next prize ball payout may not be transmitted until the prize ball count signal is received. Specifically, when the game control means transmits a payout command signal instructing the payout of seven prize balls, the game control means receives the prize ball count signal seven times, and then instructs the next prize ball payout. The payout command signal may be transmitted. According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the payout command signal transmitted from the game control means to the payout control means and the prize ball count signal transmitted from the payout control means to the game control means from competing. Can do. Therefore, in the payout control means and the game control means, it is possible to prevent the control signal (payout command signal, prize ball count signal) from being lost.

  In the embodiment described above, the game control means is configured to execute processing for turning on the prize ball lamp 51 in response to reception of the prize ball count signal. Even if it is not controlled by the control means (that is, the control means that receives the detection signal from the payout number count switch 301), it is determined that the player has paid out a prize ball or the game ball that has been paid out is a prize ball. And a game store clerk can be notified. In the above example, as a process for turning on the prize ball lamp 51, a process of transmitting a prize ball payout confirmation designation command to the display control board 80 is executed. Then, the display control board 80 transmits the received prize ball payout confirmation designation command to the lamp control board 35. When the prize ball payout confirmation designation command is received, the lamp control CPU 351 of the lamp control board 35 executes control for lighting the prize ball lamp 51 for a predetermined period. However, the game control means may control the prize ball lamp 51, and the game control means may execute a driving process for turning on the prize ball lamp 51 in response to reception of the prize ball count signal. . Further, it may be notified that a prize ball has been paid out by a light emitter other than the prize ball lamp 51 or a display device.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the error bit is set due to the occurrence of a ball-out condition, a full-bottom-plate condition, or the like (step S621), the payout start waiting process (see FIG. 51) after step S622 is performed. Is not executed and the game ball payout process is not executed, so that it is possible to prevent the game ball payout process from being executed in an abnormal state. . Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which payment is not effectively made.

  In the above-described embodiment, the display control means performs the process of receiving the first control signal from the game control means and the process of transmitting the second control signal to the other effect control means. It is supposed to be configured. That is, since the sub-sub board and the sub-sub board are configured and a control signal is transmitted from the sub-board to the sub-sub board, the display control board 80 as the sub-board is another effect control board 35 as the sub-sub board. The control content can be instructed to 70, and the control burden on the game control means can be reduced. The effect control boards 35 and 70 other than the display control board 80 may be sub-boards.

  In the above-described embodiment, the game control unit and the payout control unit execute the power-off process (FIGS. 16 and 17) for saving the control state in response to the input of the power-off signal from the power supply board 910. The power supply is reduced because the system is reset in response to the input of the reset signal from the power supply board 910 when the power cut-off process is completed and the standby loop state is entered. When this is done, the control state can be stored in each of the game control means and the payout control means.

  In the above-described embodiment, the power supply board 910 is configured to transmit a reset signal to the sub-sub board (for example, the lamp control board 35) without passing through the sub-board (display control board 80). Therefore, the system reset timing in the sub-board and the sub-sub-board can be set to the same timing.

  In the above-described embodiment, the display control unit controls the image display device by rewriting the display image at predetermined timings based on the first control signal from the game control unit, and performs a plurality of effect controls. Each means executes an effect corresponding to the variable display of the identification information based on the input control signal, and the display control means synchronizes the other image control means with the rewriting timing of the display image in the image display device. Since the second control signal is transmitted, the synchronization of effects performed by the display control means and the other effect control means is prevented as much as possible.

  That is, a command transmission process (step S329) based on a V blank interrupt executed every predetermined period (every 33 ms) is executed, and the display control means controls the variable display device 9 with respect to the light emitter control means and the sound control means. (Synchronized timing means the execution timing of the command transmission process (step S329) executed at the special symbol rewriting timing that occurs every 33 ms. That is, every 33 ms. The execution timing of the command transmission process to be executed (step S329) is called “synchronized timing.” Since the lamp control command and the sound control command are output, the display control board 80 and the lamp control board 35 are configured. As much as possible, the synchronization of the effects performed with the voice control board 70 It is possible to stop. In the above-described embodiment, when a display control command for designating a variation pattern is received, a lamp control command and a sound control command for designating the variation pattern are transmitted at the next rewriting timing of the display image in the variable display device 9 generated. It is the composition to do. Therefore, it is possible to prevent as much as possible the synchronism of effects performed by the display control board 80, the lamp control board 35, and the sound control board 70.

  In addition, as described above, the display control means transmits a lamp control command and sound control command (for example, a lamp transmitted based on a display control command indicating one variation pattern) in a single command transmission process (step S329). Control command and sound control command), it is possible to prevent effects from being out of synchronization between the lamp control board 35 and the sound control board 70. That is, the lamp control command and the sound control command set in step S344 and step S917 are output in a command transmission process (step S327) executed every 33 ms, so that the same variable display effect is applied. Since the lamp control command and the sound control command indicating the production contents can be output at the same time, the production synchronization between the lamp control board 35 and the voice control board 70 is prevented from being out of synchronization.

  In addition, as described above, the lamp control command and the sound control command are rendered using the illuminant and the speaker 27 related to the variable display pattern executed based on the display control command (the effect corresponding to the variable display of the identification information). ) Since it is configured to include a command indicating a content (effect pattern command (command 80XX (H))), it is possible to prevent a synchronization shift of effects related to variable display.

  Further, as described above, when the display control unit instructs the lamp control board 35 and the voice control board 70 to produce the effect pattern, the command having the same configuration as the received variation pattern command (the command having the same MODE data and EXT data). ) (When the command transmitted to the lamp control board 35 or the voice control board 70 is received in the command analysis process shown in FIG. 62 (Y in step S343), the received command is directly sent to the transmission buffer. Since the setting is made (step S344) and the command transmission process shown in FIG. 68 is transmitted to the lamp control board 35 and the voice control board 70), it is not necessary to execute a process for creating a new command, and display control is performed. The control burden on the substrate 80 is reduced.

  In addition, as described above, when the display control unit instructs the lamp control board 35 and the sound control board 70 to produce an effect pattern, the next display image rewrite timing after receiving the display control command indicating the variation pattern ( In step S329 (command transmission processing executed in step S329 executed at the V blank interruption timing) that is received after execution of the command analysis processing shown in step S324 after receiving the variation pattern command by the interruption processing, a lamp control command for instructing an effect pattern In addition, since the sound control command is output, it is possible to synchronize the start of the production with the light emitter and sound related to the variable display at a certain timing.

  In the above-described embodiment, the game control unit transmits a variation pattern command indicating the variable display contents of the identification information to the display control unit, and the display control unit receives the variation pattern command. The second control signal (command indicating the content of the notice effect) indicating the content of the effect according to the received variation pattern command and the variable display of the identification information is transmitted to the other effect control means, and the second The content of the effect indicated by the control signal is configured so that the display control means is an effect content uniquely determined based on the input variation pattern command, so that the control burden on the game control means is reduced. An effect in which the contents of the effects are synchronized can be executed by the display control means and the other effect control means.

  In other words, the display control means makes a decision regarding the notice effect by the notice selection process (see FIG. 65), and the lamp control command and the sound control command are uniquely set and transmitted by the process shown in step S917. The control burden on the game control means is reduced.

  Further, as described above, the display control board 80 performs display screen rewriting timing in variable display (input timing of the INT signal from the VDP 109. Specifically, execution timing of display control process processing shown in step S306). In addition, since the process for determining the content of the variable display effect (the content of the notice effect) executed based on the display control command from the main board 31 (the notice selection process (see FIG. 65)) is performed, the notice is given. It becomes easy to create a control program for determining the contents of the production.

  Further, as described above, since the STB signal, the command data, and the ACK signal are exchanged between the display control board 80 and the lamp control board 35 or the voice control board 70, the bidirectional communication is performed. Further, it is possible to prevent a recognition shift from occurring between the display control board 80 and the lamp control board 35 or the voice control board 70, and it is possible to eliminate the missing of the lamp control command and the sound control command.

  Further, as described above, the display control board 80, the lamp control board 35, and the sound control board 70 each start the production related to the variable display based on the reception of the command (80XX (H)) indicating the production pattern. Thus, the main board 31 that outputs the effect pattern command can manage the start timing of the effect.

  Further, as described above, the display control board 80 immediately outputs (after receiving and analyzing) the lamp control command and the sound control command having the same configuration as the received display control command to the lamp control board 35 and the voice control board 70. Since the command transmission process (output in step S329) is executed), the display control board 80, the lamp control board 35, and the voice control board 70 are related to the variable display executed respectively. It is possible to prevent the production from being out of synchronization.

  Further, as described above, a command (for example, EXXXX (H)) uniquely created by the display control board 80 is a plurality of types (for example, notice 1 to notice 4) prepared in advance as effects related to the variable display effect. Among them, since it is configured to include information indicating which of the effects to execute, it is possible to reduce the control burden on the main board 31 regarding the determination of the contents of the effects and to execute a wealth of effects. Therefore, the interest of the game can be improved.

  Further, as described above, the display control command transmitted from the main board 31 to the display control board 80 is not used for the effect control in the display control board 80, and is directly applied to the lamp control board 35 and the voice control board 70. Since a command that can only be transmitted as a control command or a sound control command (that is, a command that is passed through in the display control board 80) is included, processing related to command transmission can be shared. In addition, useless control is not performed on the display control board 80 by a command for performing only a control instruction from the light emitter or the speaker 27.

  In the above-described embodiment, the lamp control board 35 and the voice control board 70 are provided separately. However, a single board having the functions of the lamp control board 35 and the voice control board 70 may be provided. In this case, the light emitter and the speaker 27 may be controlled by one microcomputer.

  In the above-described embodiment, the processing based on the V blank interrupt is executed every 33 ms. However, “33 ms” is an example, for example, 16.7 ms (in the case of 60 frames per second). The processing based on the V blank interrupt may be executed every period.

  In the above embodiment, the game control means outputs a control signal (connection confirmation signal) indicating that power supply to the gaming machine has started to the payout control means at the start of power supply. Thus, the payout control means can recognize that the power supply has started and the control operation of the game control means has started.

  In the above embodiment, the payout request is made by the prize ball REQ signal and the number of payouts is specified by the prize ball control signal. However, the payout request and the number of payouts are designated by the prize ball control signal. May be. In this case, the payout control means may determine that the payout request is made at the same time when the prize ball control signal is output. According to such a configuration, it is not necessary to use the prize ball REQ signal.

  In the above embodiment, the payout control means determines that the prize ball payout has ended when it detects that the payout motor 289 has rotated by the planned payout number. However, the number of times detected by the payout motor position sensor is the expected payout number. If it reaches, it may be determined that the prize ball payout has ended. That is, the payout control means is configured to determine whether or not the payout has been completed by detecting the operation amount of the payout means (in this example, the rotation amount of the payout motor 289 or the number of detections by the payout motor position sensor). May be.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the payout control means confirms that the game ball has been paid out based on the detection signal of the payout count switch 301, but the game ball is based on the output signal of the payout motor position sensor. You may make it confirm that was paid out.

  Also, the payout control means detects the operation amount of the drive means (for example, payout motor 289, cam, etc.) of the payout means, and determines whether or not an abnormality related to payout (payout unit error) has occurred based on the detected amount. It may be configured to. With such a configuration, it is possible to reliably detect an abnormality relating to payout.

  In the above embodiment, the ball payout device 97 is configured to execute both ball lending and prize ball payout. However, even if the mechanism for lending the ball and the mechanism for paying the prize ball are independent, The invention can be applied.

  In the above-described embodiment, the payout is prohibited when the ball is out of the ball or the lower pan is full. However, when it is not preferable to perform another payout or when the payout cannot be performed, You may set it in a payout prohibition state. For example, the payout prohibition state may be set also when the glass door frame 2 is in an open state and a detection signal is output from a door opening switch for detecting this.

  In the above-described embodiments, different expressions such as transmission / reception and output / input are used for the exchange of various signals, but transmission and output or reception and input are used in substantially the same meaning. It goes without saying that these expressions are interchangeable. In addition, the transmission / reception of signals having many meanings such as control commands is made transmission / reception, and the transmission / reception and output / input are made of transmission / reception of signals for transmitting information by switching on / off. There are also cases where they are used properly. Even in this case, these expressions are interchangeable.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the recording medium used in the recording medium processing apparatus (card unit 50) is a magnetic card (prepaid card). However, the recording medium is not limited to a magnetic card, and is a non-contact type or a contact type. An IC card may be used. In addition, when the recording medium processing device is configured to be able to identify the recording information based on the identification code, the recording medium can be read at least by the recording medium processing device such as an identification code that can identify the recording information It may be something that can be recorded on. Further, the recording medium may be a medium on which a predetermined information recording symbol such as a barcode is printed so as to be readable. The shape of the recording medium is not limited to a card shape, and may be any shape such as a disk shape, a spherical shape, or a chip shape.

  The pachinko gaming machine of each of the above embodiments mainly gives a player a predetermined game value when the stop symbol of the special symbol variably displayed on the variable display unit 9 based on the start winning is a combination of the predetermined symbols. It was a first type pachinko game machine that can be used, but if there is a prize in a predetermined area of an electric game that is released based on a start prize, a second type pachinko game that can give a predetermined game value to a player 3rd type pachinko game where a predetermined right is generated or continued when there is a prize for a predetermined electric game that is released when the stop symbol of the pattern variably displayed based on the machine or the start winning combination becomes a combination of the predetermined pattern The present invention can be applied even to a machine.

  The present invention can be applied to a game such as a pachinko gaming machine, and in particular, in a gaming machine in which a game control means and a payout control means are provided separately, the premium game medium has not been paid out without increasing the cost. Useful for managing numbers.

It is the front view which looked at the pachinko game machine from the front. It is the rear view which looked at the gaming machine from the back. It is the front view and sectional drawing which show a ball dispensing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structural example of a game control board (main board). It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structural example of a payout control board. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a display control board, a lamp control board, and an audio | voice control board. It is a timing diagram which shows the transmission form of a 2nd command. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a power supply board. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of bit allocation of the output port in a game control means. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of bit allocation of the output port in a game control means. It is explanatory drawing which shows the bit allocation example of the input port in a game control means. It is a flowchart which shows the main process which CPU in a main board | substrate performs. It is a flowchart which shows the main process which CPU in a main board | substrate performs. FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing how the microcomputer operates when power supply to the gaming machine is started and when power supply is stopped. It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows a power-off process. It is a flowchart which shows a power-off process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the buffer used by switch processing. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a switch process. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the content of a control signal. It is a block diagram which shows the signal wire | line etc. which are used for transmission / reception of a control signal. It is a timing diagram which shows an example of how to output a payout control signal. It is a timing chart showing an example of how to output a prize ball count signal. It is a timing chart showing an example of how to output a payout error signal. It is a flowchart which shows a prize ball process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of a prize ball number table. It is a flowchart which shows a prize ball number addition process. It is a flowchart which shows a prize ball control process. It is a flowchart which shows prize ball waiting processing 1. It is a flowchart which shows a prize ball transmission process. It is a flowchart which shows the winning ball waiting process 2. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows prize ball waiting processing 3. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a special symbol process process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the content of a display control command. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the content of a display control command. It is explanatory drawing which shows the bit allocation example of the output port in a payout control means. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of bit allocation of the input port in a payout control means. It is a timing diagram for demonstrating communication between a prepaid card unit and a game machine. It is a flowchart which shows the main process which CPU for payout control performs. It is a flowchart which shows the main process which CPU for payout control performs. It is a flowchart which shows the main process which CPU for payout control performs. It is a flowchart which shows the main process which CPU for payout control performs. It is a flowchart which shows a discharge motor control process. It is a flowchart which shows a payout motor control process. It is a flowchart which shows main control communication processing. It is explanatory drawing which shows the conditions for inputting a prize ball control signal via an input port in main control communication normal processing. It is a flowchart which shows main control communication normal processing. It is a flowchart which shows the process during main control communication. It is a flowchart which shows a main control communication end process. It is a flowchart which shows a prize ball lending control process. It is a flowchart which shows the payout start waiting process. It is a flowchart which shows a payout motor stop waiting process. It is a flowchart which shows payout passage waiting processing. It is a timing diagram for explaining a ball biting detection process. It is a timing diagram for demonstrating a ball biting cancellation | release process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the kind of error, and the display of LED for an error display. It is a flowchart which shows an error process. It is a flowchart which shows an error process. It is a timing diagram which shows the mode of occurrence of the payout case error. It is a flowchart which shows the main process which CPU for display control performs. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process which CPU for display control performs. It is a flowchart which shows a command analysis process. It is a flowchart which shows a display control process process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a notice effect. It is a flowchart which shows the prior notice selection process of a display control process process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the content of a lamp control command. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the content of a sound control command. It is a flowchart which shows a command transmission process. It is a flowchart which shows a command transmission routine. It is a flowchart which shows the main process which CPU for lamp control performs. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process which CPU for lamp control performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows lamp data. It is explanatory drawing which shows a lamp data selection table. It is a flowchart which shows the command reception interruption process which CPU for lamp control performs. It is a flowchart which shows the command reception process which CPU for lamp control performs. It is a flowchart which shows the main process which CPU for sound control performs. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process which CPU for sound control performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows sound data. It is explanatory drawing which shows how to distribute a fluctuation pattern.

Explanation of symbols

1 Pachinko machine 31 Game control board (main board)
35 Lamp control board 37 Dispensing control board 56 CPU
70 voice control board 80 display control board 97 ball payout device 301 payout number count switch 371 payout control CPU

Claims (9)

A gaming machine in which a player can play a predetermined game using a game medium and pays out the game medium to the player based on the fact that a payout condition is satisfied,
A game control microcomputer for executing a game control process for controlling the progress of the game;
A payout means for paying out the game medium;
A payout control microcomputer for executing a payout control process for controlling the payout means;
A payout that detects a payout of a prize game medium as a prize based on the establishment of a payout condition based on a game and a payout of a rental game medium based on the fulfillment of a payout condition based on a loan request, and outputs a detection signal to the payout control microcomputer Detecting means,
The game control microcomputer is:
Game control storage means for storing premium game medium number data capable of specifying the number of premium game media to be paid out based on the establishment of a payout condition by the game;
A payout command signal transmitting means for sending a payout command signal designating the number of payouts of the prize game medium to the payout control microcomputer based on the prize game medium number data;
The dispensing control microcomputer is:
Payout control storage means for storing data that fluctuates according to control;
A prize game medium that stores data on the number of payouts designated by the payout command signal in the payout control storage means, and executes a payout process in which the payout means controls the payout means to pay out the payout game media. A payout control means;
A payout determining means for determining whether the detection signal input from the payout detecting means is a payout of a prize game medium or a rental game medium;
A count for transmitting a prize game medium count signal indicating detection of award game medium payout to the game control microcomputer when the detection signal is determined by the payout determination means to be a payout of the prize game medium. And a signal transmission means. The game control microcomputer includes a prize game medium number data subtracting means for performing a subtraction process for subtracting a value corresponding to a designated number of payouts from the prize game medium number data in response to transmission of a payout command signal. Game machines. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game control microcomputer includes a prize game medium number data subtracting means for performing a subtraction process for subtracting the value of the prize game medium number data in response to reception of the prize game medium count signal. Provided with a prize game medium payout notification means for notifying that a prize game medium has been paid out,
The gaming machine microcomputer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the gaming control microcomputer performs processing for notifying the prize gaming medium payout notifying means in response to reception of the prize gaming medium counting signal. . Provided with a plurality of effect control microcomputers for controlling the effect device for performing the game effect according to the reception of the control signal,
The effect device includes an image display device that can variably display a plurality of types of identification information that can identify each of the effect devices, and the display control microcomputer that controls the image display device of the plurality of effect control microcomputers, 5. A process for receiving a first control signal transmitted from a game control microcomputer and a process for transmitting a second control signal to another production control microcomputer are executed. A gaming machine according to any one of the above. The display control microcomputer variably displays the identification information by rewriting the display image at every predetermined rewrite timing in response to reception of the first control signal.
The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein processing for transmitting the second control signal is executed in synchronization with the rewriting timing. The display control microcomputer variably displays the identification information in response to the reception of the first control signal and transmits a second control signal indicating the contents of the effect according to the variable display of the identification information.
The gaming machine according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the content of the effect indicated by the second control signal is the content of the effect uniquely determined by the display control microcomputer based on the received first control signal. A first power supply stop signal is output when the first detection condition relating to the stop of power supply to the gaming machine is satisfied, and the first detection condition is set to be satisfied after the first detection condition is satisfied. Power supply monitoring means for outputting a second power supply stop signal when two detection conditions are satisfied,
The power supply monitoring unit is mounted on a power supply board that supplies power to each board on which a microcomputer is mounted, and the first power supply stop signal and the second power supply stop signal are supplied to each of the boards. Output for
The microcomputer shifts to a state of executing a power supply stop process for storing a control state in response to an input of the first power supply stop signal from the power supply monitoring unit, and the power supply stop process is performed. The game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein after completion, the system is reset in response to an input of a second power supply stop signal from the power supply monitoring unit. The microcomputer includes a plurality of effect control microcomputers that respectively control effect devices for performing game effects,
Among the plurality of effect control microcomputers, a specific effect control microcomputer receives a control signal transmitted from the game control microcomputer and sends control signals to the other effect control microcomputers. Execute the process to send,
The power supply monitoring means outputs a second power supply stop signal to the board on which the other effect control microcomputer is mounted without passing through the board on which the specific effect control microcomputer is mounted. The gaming machine according to claim 8.

Images