JP2005323864A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of preventing an occurrence of a trouble between a player and a game parlor beforehand and executing a further complicated and advanced game performance. <P>SOLUTION: This game machine 1, when a predetermined win state occurs by a lottery caused by a game operation, shifts to a game content advantageous for the player, and is provided with a main control part 30 integrally controlling the whole game operations including the lottery, and a performance control part 31 executing the performance operation based on a control command CMD received from the main control part 30. The performance control part 31, at least on a variable pattern command, receives same commands CMD (a) and CMD (b) from the main control part via different routes, starts a symbol performance based on either of the received control commands and transmits a control command CMD' to a lamp/sound control part 32. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, an arrangement ball machine, or a sparrow ball game machine, and more particularly, to a gaming machine capable of providing a high-level symbol production and informing a big hit state without contradiction. It is.

  A ball game machine such as a pachinko machine has a symbol start opening provided on the game board, a symbol display section for stopping a plurality of symbols after changing for a predetermined time, and a grand prize opening for opening and closing the opening and closing plate. Configured. When the detection switch provided at the symbol start port detects the passing of the game ball, the symbol display unit changes the display symbol for a predetermined time (this operation is called symbol variation operation), and then the special symbol is aligned and stopped. Then, it becomes a big hit state (referred to as a special game state), and the big winning opening is repeatedly opened to generate a profit state advantageous to the player.

Such a ball game machine is generally composed of a main control board that comprehensively controls gaming operations and a sub-control board that realizes an effect operation based on control commands transmitted from the main control board. . The sub-control board is, for example, a payout control board that performs a prize ball operation of a game ball, a sound control board that realizes a sound effect, a lamp control board that realizes a lamp effect, and a symbol that realizes a symbol variation operation in a liquid crystal display unit It is divided into control boards and the like (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-144659 A

  By the way, the invitation of the big hit state is determined internally when the game ball passes through the symbol start opening, but it is not immediately notified to the player at this timing, but the player is psychologically in a symbol variation operation called reach effect. It is designed to alert you after it is fully energized. In such a symbol variation operation, first, a variation pattern command indicating the total time and effect result of the rendering operation is transmitted from the main control board to each sub-control board, and finally, the termination of the rendering operation is instructed. A variable stop command is being transmitted. By receiving the fluctuation pattern and the fluctuation stop command, the symbol control board, the voice control board, and the lamp control board can realize a production operation synchronized with each other.

  In addition, among the sub-control boards, in particular, for the symbol control board, the symbol designation command is sequentially transmitted (usually three times) between the variation pattern command transmission and the variation stop command transmission, and the variation The stop symbol at the end is specified.

  In such a gaming machine, since a solenoid or the like repeatedly repeats ON / OFF operations, the control circuit inside the gaming machine is in a considerable noise environment, and therefore, a control command transmitted from the main control board to the sub control board is garbled. There was something to do. For example, if the symbol designating command transmitted to the symbol control board is garbled due to the influence of noise, the special symbol in the stopped state is “7/7/7” even though it is internally lost. You might end up with a big hit. In such a case, the player is delighted to see the stop state of the special symbol, but on the other hand, since the gaming machine does not enter the special game state, a trouble between the player and the game hall is inevitable.

  Also, as a completely different technical issue, even if you want to make the game machine's performance operations, especially the design performance operations complex and sophisticated, to meet the player's expectations, it is not always enough due to the CPU capacity limitations. Could not be realized.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and can provide a gaming machine that can prevent a game hall and troubles from occurring and that can also make more complex and sophisticated symbol effects. Is an issue.

  In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a gaming machine that shifts to a game content advantageous to a player when a predetermined winning state is generated by a lottery process resulting from a game operation, wherein the lottery A main control unit that comprehensively controls the entire game operation including processing, and an effect control unit that executes an effect operation based on a control command received from the main control unit. , For at least some of the control commands, the same command is received from the main control unit from different paths, the validity of each control command is evaluated, and depending on the evaluation result, the operation is based on either one of the control commands. And other special actions are to be started.

  The invention according to claim 2 is a gaming machine that shifts to a game content advantageous to a player when a predetermined winning state is generated by a lottery process caused by a game operation, wherein the entire game operation including the lottery process is performed. A main control unit that performs overall control, a first effect control unit that executes a symbol effect operation based on a control command received from the main control unit, and a symbol based on a control command received from the first effect control unit And a second effect control unit that executes another effect operation synchronized with the effect operation, and the first effect control unit differs from the main control unit in the same command for at least a part of the control command. An operation based on one of the control commands or another special operation is received from the route, and a control command corresponding to the operation to be started is transmitted to the second rendering unit.

  In each of the above inventions, when the same command is received from a different route, the process corresponding to the received route is configured to start, and when it is determined that the control command has been normally acquired in each started process, the operation based on the control command It is preferable to start. In addition, when the same command is received from different paths, the process corresponding to the received path is activated, and communication is performed depending on whether or not the same control command can be repeatedly acquired by repeatedly acquiring the control command in each activated process. It is preferable to determine abnormality. Furthermore, when the same command is received from a different route, the process corresponding to the received route is activated. When it is determined that the control command has been normally acquired in each activated interrupt process, a flag value indicating that is set. It is preferable to finish the interrupt processing.

  In each of the above inventions, it is preferable that the control command specifies the result of the lottery process in the main control unit and the effect time until the result of the determination is clearly notified. In addition, this control command may specify the success / failure result and the production time with a single control command, or may specify the success / failure result and the production time with separate control commands.

  According to the present invention described above, it is possible to realize a gaming machine that can prevent occurrence of troubles with a gaming hall. In addition, it is possible to realize a gaming machine that enables more complicated and sophisticated symbol production.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on a pachinko machine according to an example. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a pachinko machine 1 according to the present embodiment. The illustrated pachinko machine 1 includes a rectangular frame-shaped wooden outer frame 2 that is detachably mounted on an island structure, and a front frame 4 that is pivotably mounted via a hinge 3 fixed to the outer frame 2. It consists of A game board 5 is detachably attached to the front frame 4 from the back side, and a glass door 6 and a front plate 7 are pivotally attached to the front side so as to be freely opened and closed.

  An upper plate 8 for storing game balls for launch is mounted on the front plate 7, and a lower plate 9 for storing game balls overflowing from or extracted from the upper plate 8 and a launch handle 10 are mounted at the bottom of the front frame 4. And are provided. The launch handle 10 is interlocked with the launch motor M2, and a game ball is launched by a hitting rod that operates according to the rotation angle of the launch handle 10.

  An elliptical push button 11 with a built-in lamp is provided at the approximate center of the upper plate 8. The push button 11 is provided at a position where it can be operated with the left hand of the player, and the player can operate the push button 11 without releasing the right hand from the firing handle 10. This push button 11 does not function normally, but when the game state becomes, for example, a “button chance state”, the built-in lamp is turned on and can be operated.

  On the right side of the upper plate 8, an operation panel 12 for ball lending operation for the card-type ball lending machine is provided, a remaining amount display unit 12a for displaying the remaining amount of the card with a three-digit number, and a predetermined amount of game balls A ball lending switch 12b for instructing ball lending and a return switch 12c for instructing the return of the card at the end of the game are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 5 is provided with a guide rail 13 formed of a metal outer rail and an inner rail in an annular shape, and a large liquid crystal color display is provided at the approximate center of the game area 5a inside. 14 is arranged.

  The liquid crystal display 14 is divided into three parts (19, 20, 21), and each part shows a normal symbol display unit 19 indicating whether or not a “hit” state and a “hit” state. It functions as a special symbol display unit 20 to be shown and an effect symbol display unit 21 that variably displays a production symbol related to the special symbol related to the big hit state. The effect symbol display unit 21 also displays a background image and various characters in an animated manner.

  The gaming state of this gaming machine includes a “hit” state and a much higher value “hit” state. However, in the normal symbol display unit 19, the effect symbol displayed on the liquid crystal display 14 blinks. Then, a lottery result indicating whether or not the winning state is reached after a certain time is displayed. On the other hand, in the special symbol display unit 20 and the production symbol display unit 21, after the special symbol etc. fluctuate due to an appropriate production operation, the success / failure result of the big hit lottery process is definitely displayed.

  In this embodiment, the big hit state is divided into a probable big hit and a normal big hit, but the effect symbol display unit 21 reports whether the probable big hit, the normal big hit, or the loss by the arrangement of the effect symbols in the stopped state. On the other hand, the special symbol display unit 20 notifies this by a predetermined stop pattern or characters. Specifically, the production symbol display unit 21 is “7 · 7 · 7”, “6 · 6 · 6”, “2 · 5 · 2” depending on whether it is a probable big hit, a normal big hit or a loss. The special symbol display unit 20 displays characters such as “◎ probable big hit!”, “○ normal big hit !!!!”, and “−sorry !!!!”. The probability variation jackpot means a jackpot state in which a game in which the winning probability of the jackpot is increased (a game in the probability variation state) is started after the special gaming state similar to the case of the normal jackpot is completed.

  In the normal symbol display unit 19, when a game ball that has passed through the gate 18 is detected, the display content fluctuates for a predetermined time. Thereafter, the random number value for lottery drawn at the time when the game ball passes through the gate 18 is obtained. The success / failure state determined based on the result is displayed. Specifically, in this embodiment, when two heart patterns are colored pink and stopped, a hit state is reached, and when one of the heart patterns is collapsed (a shape in which the heart pattern is destroyed), it is lost. It becomes a state.

  At appropriate positions in the game area 5a of the game board 5, a symbol starting port 15, a big winning port 16, four normal winning ports 17, and a gate 18 which is a left and right passing port are arranged. Each of the winning holes 15 to 17 and the gate 18 has a detection switch inside, so that the passage of the game ball can be detected.

  In the present embodiment, the symbol start opening 15 is enlarged and reduced by an electric tulip having a pair of opening and closing claws, and when the normal symbol display unit 19 is displayed in a stopped state after fluctuation, the opening and closing claws are predetermined. It is expanded only by time. Then, when a game ball wins the symbol start opening 15, the display symbols of the effect symbol display unit 21 and the special symbol display unit 20 change for a predetermined time, and lottery according to the winning timing of the game ball to the symbol start port 15. Stop at the stop symbol determined based on the result.

  The grand prize winning opening 16 is opened and closed by an opening / closing plate 16a that can be opened forward, but the symbols after the change stop of the production symbol display unit 21 are arranged such as "6, 6, 6", "7, 7, 7", etc. In the case of a production symbol (in the special symbol display unit 20, a symbol such as ○ or ◎ is displayed together with related characters), a special game state called “big hit” is started, and the opening / closing plate 16a is opened. . Further, there is a specific area 16b inside the special winning opening 16, and when a winning ball passes through the specific area 16b, a special game advantageous to the player is continued.

  After the opening / closing plate 16a of the big prize opening 16 is opened, the opening / closing plate 16a is closed when a predetermined time elapses or when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls wins. At this time, if the game ball does not pass through the specific area 16b, the special game ends. However, if the game ball passes through the specific area 16b, the special game is continued up to 16 times in this embodiment. It is controlled in a state advantageous to the user.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the pachinko machine 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in the figure, the pachinko machine 1 has a main control board 30 for overall control of game operations, an effect control board 31 for controlling the operation of the liquid crystal display 14 and the like, a large speaker and a blinking operation of a lamp group. A voice / lamp control board 32 for controlling, a payout control board 33 for controlling the payout motor M1 to pay out the game ball, a launch control board 34 for driving the launch motor M2 to fire the game ball, and an AC 24V device. A power supply substrate 35 that supplies a DC voltage to each part is mainly configured.

  The main control board 30, the effect control board 31, the sound / lamp control board 32, and the payout control board 33 are equipped with a computer circuit including a one-chip microcomputer. In this embodiment, the production control board 31, the sound / lamp control board 32, and the payout control board 33 correspond to sub-control boards, and each of the sub-control boards 31 to 33 directly from the main control board 30 or It operates based on control commands CMD and CMD ′ received indirectly through another board. In the following description, the circuits mounted on the control boards 30 to 33 and the operations realized by the circuits are collectively referred to as a function, and the main control unit 30, the effect control unit 31, and the sound lamp control unit 32, respectively. And the payout control unit 33.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the effect control unit 31 individually receives the same control commands CMD (a) and CMD (b) from the main control board 30. These control commands CMD include those relating to the display operation of the normal symbol display unit 19 and those relating to the display operation of the special symbol display unit 20 and the effect symbol display unit 21. These control commands CMD are commands indicating the lottery results of the “winning” lottery and the “big hit” lottery, respectively. Specifically, the lottery result and the total time of the rendering operation until the notification is made definitely. A “variation pattern command” to be specified and a “variation stop command” for instructing the end timing of the rendering operation are configured. The “variation pattern command” is divided into two depending on whether it indicates a “winning” lottery result or a “big hit” lottery result, and for each, the total production time and the type of the big hit (normal / probable change) ) And many other types are available.

  In addition, the production control unit 31 that has received the “variation pattern command” performs the production lottery in a state constrained by the production total time defined by the “variation pattern command”, and the design production in the production control unit 31 and the lamp The contents of the effect produced by the linkage of the lamp effect by the group and the sound effect by the speaker are determined. Then, the control command CMD ′ indicating the determined effect content is transmitted to the voice / lamp control unit 32. As described above, in this embodiment, the specific contents of the production operation are exclusively determined by the production control unit 31, so that the control burden on the main control unit 30 is light and the control command received from the main control unit 30. Even if the CMD is garbled, as long as the control command CMD ′ to be transmitted is not garbled, the symbol effect synchronized with the voice effect and the lamp effect is reliably realized. It should be noted that garbled bits of the control command CMD 'can be prevented by a device such as bringing the circuit board close to each other.

  Based on the above, the circuit configuration of each of the control units 30 to 33 will be described for confirmation. The main control unit 30 includes a drive circuit 36 for driving solenoids for opening / closing the symbol start port 15 and the prize winning port 16 to ON / OFF, a detection switch built in the symbol start port 15 and the output of the payout control board 33. An input port 37 that receives the signal LIVE from the port 45 and output ports 38a, 38b, and 39 that output control commands CMD (a), CMD (b), and CMD to the sub-control board are provided. As illustrated, the output port 38a and the output port 38b are connected to the effect control unit 31 and output the same control commands CMD (a) and CMD (b). The output port 39 is connected to the payout control unit 33 and outputs a control command CMD. These output ports 38a, 38b, 39 once output a control command, maintain their output levels until the next new control command is output.

  Corresponding to the configuration of the main control unit 30, the effect control unit 31 includes input ports 40a and 40b that receive control commands CMD from the main control unit 30, an LCD drive circuit 41 that drives the liquid crystal display 14, and audio. An output port 42 that outputs a control command CMD ′ to the lamp control unit 32 is provided. As described above, when the production control unit 31 receives the “variation pattern command” from the main control unit 30, the production control content is determined by the production lottery based on the received “variation pattern command”, and then specified. The control command CMD ′ is output from the output port 42 toward the input port 43 of the sound / lamp control unit 32.

  Of course, after the transmission of the control command CMD ', the effect control unit 31 drives the liquid crystal display 14 to start the effect operation. Note that the transmission paths of the control command CMD (a) and the control command CMD (b) transmitted from the main control unit 30 are spatially separated paths, and each of the two input ports 40a of the effect control unit 31 , 40b.

  The payout control unit 33 is provided with an input port 44 that receives a control command CMD from the main control unit 30 and an output port 45 for notifying the main control unit 30 of its own operation start state. When the initial operation of the payout control unit 33 is completed after the power is turned on, an L level operation start signal LIVE is output to the main control unit 30, and the main control unit 30 confirms the operation start signal LIVE. The game control operation is started. The output port 45 is pulled up, and the payout control unit 33 returns the operation start signal LIVE to the H level after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the effect control unit 31 in more detail. The production control unit 31 receives a control command CMD (a), CMD (b) from the main control unit 30 through another path, and a control storing a control program executed by the one-chip microcomputer 50. A ROM 51, a graphic controller (specifically a VDP: Video Display Processor) 52 that receives information about sprites drawn on the liquid crystal display 14 from the one-chip microcomputer 50 and generates a drawing signal, and can draw on the liquid crystal display 14 It is composed of a CGROM 53 that stores pattern data of each sprite.

  Here, the sprite is a generic term for one unit of graphic data that can be arbitrarily moved independently of other images on the liquid crystal display 14. In this embodiment, the sprite is drawn on the effect display unit 21. Decorative characters such as “1” to “9”, symbols such as “◎”, “○”, “−”, “heart pattern” drawn on the special symbol display unit 20 and the normal symbol display unit 19, and other symbols The effect character is specified. The background image is also composed of sprites.

  As illustrated, the one-chip microcomputer 50 receives control commands CMD (a) and CMD (b) from the main control unit 30 at the input ports 40a and 40b, and is synchronized with the control commands CMD (a) and CMD (b). The strobe signals STB (a) and STB (b) supplied from the main control unit 30 are received by the interrupt terminals IRQ1 and IRQ2. When each strobe signal STB becomes active, the interrupt processing program stored in the control ROM 51 is activated, and the one-chip microcomputer 50 acquires the control command CMD (a) or the control command CMD (b). It has become.

  The interrupt terminal IRQ0 of the one-chip microcomputer 50 receives an interrupt signal INT output from the graphic controller 52. In the case of this embodiment, the graphic controller 52 is set to output an interrupt signal INT every time drawing data (graphic image data) is written into the frame buffer, and the cycle of the interrupt signal INT is: It is 1/60 second required for displaying one frame on the liquid crystal display 14.

  The frame buffer is a memory area capable of storing drawing data for one frame displayed on the liquid crystal display 14, and is divided into a first bank and a second bank for storing the drawing data for one frame. The first bank and the second bank function cyclically for writing and reading. For example, when drawing data is written to the first bank, the drawing data stored in the second bank is read. And output to the liquid crystal display 14 (see FIG. 6).

  On the other hand, at the next timing, drawing data is written to the second bank, while drawing data stored in the first bank is read and output. In this embodiment, the output drawing data is analog-converted and output to the liquid crystal display 14 as R, G, B image signals.

  In the interrupt processing program of the one-chip microcomputer 50 activated in response to the interrupt signal INT, necessary operating parameters should be written to the instruction data table TBL and then drawn in order to define the drawing position of each sprite. The position and deformation shape of each sprite are specified.

  The instruction data table TBL functions as a peripheral device (memory) that can be connected to the external bus of the one-chip microcomputer 50, and can be directly accessed by being positioned in the memory map of the one-chip microcomputer 50 (direct mapping). . In addition, although it is possible to perform addressing indirectly via a built-in register of the graphic controller 52 (indirect mapping), in any case, the graphic controller 52 is not involved in the writing process. Input processing for the one-chip microcomputer 50 is not executed.

  As described above, the graphic controller 52 only refers to the operation parameter of the instruction data table TBL, reads the pattern data of a specific sprite from the CGROM 53, and changes the deformation specified by the operation parameter to the position specified by the operation parameter. In shape, it operates to draw each sprite.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the graphic controller 52 in more detail. As shown in the figure, the graphic controller 52 is used as a CPU interface unit 54 that receives data from the one-chip microcomputer 50, a pattern memory interface unit 55 that receives sprite pattern data from the CGROM 53, and an instruction data table TBL. SRAM (static RAM) 56 a, SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM) 56 b used as a frame buffer, sprite surface generation unit 57 that generates drawing data, and compressed data expansion unit that functions when compressed data is received from CGROM 53 58, an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM) 59 functioning as a work area for the compressed data decompression unit 58, a DAC 60 for DA-converting drawing data, and a controller unit CTL for outputting a synchronization signal of the liquid crystal display 14 and the like. That.

  As described above, the frame buffer is a memory area that is divided into a first bank and a second bank and stores drawing data. The relationship between the instruction data table TBL and the frame buffer 56b is as shown in FIG. It is. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the first bank and the second bank have the timing of the vertical synchronization signal of the liquid crystal display 14 every 1/60 seconds (= τ) when the liquid crystal display 14 completes the display processing for one frame. Thus, the function is cyclically switched between writing and reading.

  Incidentally, the image data of each sprite is stored in the CGROM 53. FIG. 8 illustrates a sprite composed of 16 × 16 dots (pixels). Color information is defined for each pixel divided into 16 × 16. In the illustrated example, a dot with a color number of 00H, a dot with a color number of 02H, and a dot with a color number of 01H are appropriately set. In combination, the specific symbol “7” is realized.

  In the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, n sprites (# 1 to #n) having a specific design are configured, and these are superimposed on the sprite (#m) that realizes the background image. And displayed on the liquid crystal display 14. The number of pixels of the background image sprite is appropriately set according to the resolution of the liquid crystal display 14, but if the number of pixels exceeding the resolution of the liquid crystal display 14 is set, the background image is naturally moved up, down, left and right. Is possible.

  FIG. 7 illustrates the relationship between the instruction data table TBL provided in the SRAM 56a and sprites drawn based on the data in the instruction data table TBL. In the instruction data table TBL, an operation parameter writing area of about 16 bytes is provided for each sprite (# 1 to #m), and the display position, the enlargement / reduction ratio, etc. of each sprite are determined by the written operation parameter. It has come to be identified.

  The display position of the sprite is defined by, for example, the coordinate position (DOx, DOy) of the upper left dot of the sprite. When the sprite size is 16 × 16 dots, the sprite is displayed by the operation of the sprite surface generation unit 57. Thus, drawing data within a rectangular range surrounded by the upper left end (DOx, DOy) to the lower right end (DOx + 15, DOy + 15) of the sprite surface is generated.

  As is apparent from the above description, if the one-chip microcomputer 50 performs the writing operation of the instruction data table TBL and changes the display position of the sprite #n from (DOx, DOy) to (DOx + A, DOy + B), the liquid crystal display 14 In the above, the sprite #n moves by + A in the X direction and + B in the Y direction.

  Of course, depending on the resolution of the liquid crystal display 14, what is actually displayed is limited to a rectangular range of the number of horizontal display dots HDW × the number of vertical display lines VDW. Each sprite can be freely moved on the liquid crystal display 14. As described above, the one-chip microcomputer 50 performs various symbol effects including reach effects by rewriting the contents of the instruction data table TBL according to the interrupt signal INT (draw interrupt) every 1/60 seconds. Yes.

  Incidentally, the main control unit 30 shown in FIG. 3 comprehensively controls the overall operation of the pachinko machine 1 by executing the timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 9 every predetermined time (for example, 2 mS). In the following, referring to FIG. 9, when a timer interrupt occurs, after the contents of each register are saved in the stack area (ST20), a random number generation process is first executed (ST21). The random number generation processing includes update processing of the winning counter RG and the big hit counter CT used in the lottery operation in the normal symbol processing ST29 and the special symbol processing ST34.

  In step ST21, the winning counter RG and the big hit counter CT are updated by increment (+1) processing within a predetermined numerical value range, respectively, and the updated counter values are the hit determination random value and the big hit determination random value, respectively. It is used as a numerical value in the lottery operation.

  Specifically, the value of the winning counter RG is used in the lottery operation in the normal symbol processing (ST29) when the game ball passes the gate 18, and the value of the big hit counter CT is determined by the game ball starting the symbol. When passing through the mouth 15, it is used for the lottery operation in the special symbol process (ST34). In the conventional device, in the random number generation process, the jackpot symbol random number generation process for determining the stop symbol in the effect symbol display unit 21 is performed, but in the present embodiment, such a process does not exist.

  That is, in this embodiment, in the special symbol processing (ST34), only the winning / losing lottery in the big hit state is performed, and the result of the success / failure is transmitted to the effect control unit 31 as a “fluctuation pattern command” for the big hit, and the effect symbol display unit 21 and the special symbol display unit 20 at the time of reach production and selection of the stop symbol of the production symbol is left to the production control unit 31.

  When the random number generation process (ST21) is completed, after the timer subtraction process is performed for the timer that manages the time of each game operation (ST22), the symbol start opening 15 and the detection switch of the gate 18, and the big winning opening 16 The signals of various switches including the detection switches are input and stored (ST23). Each timer subtracted in the process of step ST22 is for managing the opening time of the electric tulip and the special winning opening 16 and other game effect times.

  When the switch input process (ST23) is completed, the control command generated at this stage is transmitted to the corresponding sub-control units 31 and 33 (ST24), and then an error management process is performed (ST25). The error management process is a determination as to whether or not an abnormality has occurred inside the device, such as whether or not the supply of game balls has stopped or the game balls are clogged. Next, after creating a control command for the payout control unit 33 (ST26), the generated control command is transmitted to the corresponding sub-control unit (ST27).

  Next, the normal symbol processing is performed on the condition that the current operation state is not “winning” (ST29). The normal symbol processing means determination as to whether or not to operate an ordinary electric accessory such as an electric tulip. Specifically, when it is determined that the game ball is passing through the gate based on the switch input result in step ST23, the value of the winning counter RG updated in the random number generation process (ST21) is acquired. The acquired random value is compared with the winning value at the start of fluctuation. If the comparison result is a winning state, the operation state is changed to a “winning” operation state. On the other hand, if it is “winning”, a process for operating an ordinary electric accessory such as an electric tulip is performed (ST31).

  Subsequently, a necessary control command is transmitted to the effect control unit 31 (ST32). This control command corresponds to the success / failure result of the winning lottery process in the normal symbol process. The first output is the “variation pattern command” for the normal symbol, and the “variation stop command” after a predetermined time. Is output. These control commands are first output from the output port 38a in synchronization with the strobe signal STB (a), and then output from the output port 38b in synchronization with the strobe signal STB (b).

  Next, special symbol processing is performed on the condition that the current operation state is not “big hit” (ST34). The special symbol process (ST34) is a determination as to whether or not to operate the first-type special electric accessory such as the special winning opening 16. Specifically, when it is determined that the game ball has won the symbol start port 15 based on the switch input result in step ST23, the value of the big hit counter CT updated in the random number generation process (ST21) is acquired. The acquired random number value is compared with the jackpot winning value, and if the comparison result is a winning state, the operation state is changed to “meeting the jackpot”.

  When the special symbol processing (ST34) as described above is completed, the first type special electric accessory using the special winning opening 16 is operated on condition that the current state is the “big hit” operation state. Processing is performed (ST36). Subsequently, when the command transmission process (ST37) is performed and the special symbol process (ST34) is performed most recently, the “variation pattern command” of the special symbol is displayed according to the result of the determination at that time. 31. As in the case of the normal symbol, the “variation pattern command” for the special symbol is first output from the output port 38a in synchronization with the strobe signal STB (a), and then output in synchronization with the strobe signal STB (b). 38b.

  In addition, a “variation stop command” is output after a predetermined time specified by the “variation pattern command”. The “variation stop command” is also first output from the output port 38a in synchronization with the strobe signal STB (a), and then output from the output port 38b in synchronization with the strobe signal STB (b). Although the end of the variation operation is specified by the “variation pattern command”, the presentation operation is definitely stopped by receiving the “variation stop command”.

  However, in this embodiment, since the sound effect and the lamp effect are executed by the control command CMD ′ from the effect control unit 31, the “variation stop command” transmitted from the main control unit 30 to the effect control unit 31 is the same. Can be omitted. That is, the production control unit 31 can grasp the timing of the production end by using the “variation pattern command” without receiving the “variation stop command”, and thus the production control unit 31 can determine the voice / lamp control unit 32 by its own judgment. For this, a “variation stop command” can be transmitted, whereby the symbol effect, the lamp effect, and the sound effect can be terminated in synchronization.

  In any case, when the process of step ST37 is finished, the register saved in the process of step ST20 is restored and the timer interrupt process is finished (ST38). As a result, the process returns to the main routine. However, when a predetermined time elapses, the process of step ST20 is started again, so that the processes of steps ST20 to ST38 are repeated every predetermined time.

  Next, the operation of the effect control unit 31 that occurs after the main control unit 30 transmits the control command CMD will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 shows an interrupt processing program generated when the strobe signal STB (a) is supplied to the one-chip microcomputer 50 in synchronization with the control command CMD (a). In this embodiment, if the control command CMD (a) acquired from the input port 40a matches three times continuously, this is adopted as the control command. However, even if the input process is repeated ten times, the input value continues. If they do not match, it is determined that the communication is abnormal, and the flag value FLG (a) is set to NG.

  Hereinafter, this operation will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 10, first, the variables N and M, the flag value FLG (a), and the temporary storage area BUFF (a) are cleared to zero (ST1), and then the flag value is set. It is determined whether or not the value of FLG (b) is in an OK state (ST2). The flag value FLG (b) is set to an OK state when the control command CMD (b) is normally acquired in the interrupt processing of FIG. 11 (step ST51 of FIG. 11).

  In the interrupt processing programs of FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the control command CMD (b) of the same bag is originally acquired redundantly, so that the control command CMD (b) can be acquired normally. If it can be confirmed (from the state of flag value FLG (b) = OK), there is no need to acquire the control command CMD (a) again. Therefore, if the flag value FLG (b) = OK state, FIG. Has been completed (ST2).

  On the other hand, if the flag value FLG (b) ≠ OK, the control command CMD (a) is input from the input port 40a (ST3), and the variables N and M are incremented (+1) (ST4). Then, it is determined whether or not the value of the input control command CMD (a) matches the stored value of BUFF (a) (ST5). If not, the control command CMD (a) is placed in the BUFF (a) area. ) And the variable N is cleared to zero (ST6), and the process proceeds to step ST2 unless the variable M exceeds 10.

  In the first stage, since zero is stored in BUFF (a), the processing returns to step ST2. Thereafter, the processes of steps ST2 to ST7 are repeated. If the value of the input control command CMD (a) does not match the stored value of BUFF (a), the flag value FLG is reached when M = 10. (A) is set to the NG state and the process is terminated (ST8). This is because the same control command cannot be acquired no matter how many times the input process is repeated, so that it is determined that the communication abnormality is not recovered and the flag value FLG (a) is set to the NG state.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST5 that the input value of the control command CMD (a) matches the stored value of BUFF (a), the variable N is 3 on the condition that the variable M does not reach 10 (ST9). (ST10). If variable N ≠ 3, the process returns to step ST2.

  If such processing (ST2 to ST5, ST9, ST10) is repeated, the variable N will eventually become 3, so the flag value FLG (a) is set to the OK state and the interrupt processing is finished (ST11). The fact that the variable N has reached 3 means that the same control command CMD (a) has been acquired three times in succession, so this control command CMD (a) is adopted as a normal control command. . In this case, the normal control command CMD (a) is stored in the BUFF (a) area.

  If variable M = 10 is determined in step ST9, the process proceeds to step ST8 to set the flag value FLG (a) to the NG state. In addition, if FLG (b) changes to an OK state during the interrupt process in steps ST2 to ST10, the interrupt process is finished at that stage (ST2).

  The interrupt process using the strobe signal STB (a) has been described above, but the interrupt process using the strobe signal STB (b) is the same as the process shown in FIG. 10 and is as shown in FIG. That is, when the same control command CMD (b) is acquired three times in succession, the flag value FLG (b) is set to the OK state and the interrupt process is finished (ST51). Also in this case, the normal control command CMD (b) is stored in the BUFF (b) area.

  On the other hand, if the same control command CMD (b) cannot be obtained three times consecutively even after the input process is repeated ten times, the variable L reaches 10, so the flag value FLG (b) is set to the NG state and an interrupt is made. The process ends (ST48). Note that if FLG (a) changes to an OK state in the middle of interrupt processing, the interrupt processing is terminated at that stage as in the case of FIG. 10 (ST42).

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a part of the main process of the effect control unit 31. As described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the control command reception interrupt process ends by setting the flag values FLG (a) and FLG (b) to any one of the OK state / NG state. In the main process 31, first, the process waits for any of the flag values FLG (a) and FLG (b) to become a value other than zero (NG or OK state) (ST60). If FLG (a) ≠ 0 or FLG (b) ≠ 0, it means that the interrupt process in either FIG. 10 or FIG. 11 has ended.

  Therefore, it is next determined whether FLG (a) is in an OK state (ST61). If it is in an OK state, the contents of the BUFF (a) area are read and an operation based on the value is started. On the other hand, if FLG (a) ≠ OK, it is determined whether FLG (b) is in an OK state (ST62). If OK, the contents of the BUFF (b) area are read and an operation based on the value is started. To do.

  If FLG (a) and FLG (b) are both in the NG state, a dedicated operation when communication is abnormal is started. The content of the dedicated operation is set as appropriate. However, when it is considered that the “variation pattern command” has been received, an effect operation that ends in a lost state or ends in an unknown state is performed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, at the time of normal operation, either one of the two control commands received by the effect control unit 31 is adopted, and based on this, the effect control unit 31 and the sound / lamp control unit 32 are unified. Since the operation is performed, there is no mismatch between the symbol effect, the lamp effect, and the sound effect on the liquid crystal display 14. Even when the production control unit 31 selects a dedicated operation for communication abnormality, the production contents of the production symbol display unit 21 and the special symbol display unit 20 are always matched, so that the player is not distrusted. In spite of the fact that the notification operation has ended in a lost state or an unknown state, there is a possibility that it will enter a big hit state afterwards, but there will be no disadvantage to the player, causing trouble with the game hall There is no.

  The operation contents of FIGS. 10 to 13 are as described above. However, in the case of such an embodiment, there is a defect that even if a fatal communication abnormality such as disconnection of the transmission line occurs, this cannot be detected. That is, since the control command obtained from the disconnected transmission line shows the same value three times in succession, for example, although the control command CMD (a) cannot be normally received, FLG (a) = OK. turn into. In view of such drawbacks, the embodiment in which the control commands CMD (a) and CMD (b) are always acquired from the input port 40a and the input port 40b is superior.

  FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are flowcharts for explaining such an operation mode, in which the reset processing of FLG (a) and FLG (b) is omitted from the processing of steps ST1 and ST41 of FIG. 10 and FIG. The processing of ST42 is excluded. Therefore, when each reception interrupt process is completed, FLG (a) and FLG (b) cannot be zero, and if FLG (a) and FLG (b) are OK, BUFF (a) And BUFF (b) always store the acquired control command.

  Corresponding to the operations shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, in the main process of the production control unit 31, as shown in FIG. 15, it waits for both FLG (a) and FLG (b) to be other than zero (ST70). Next, when FLG (a) or FLG (b) is in the NG state, each flag FLG (a), FLG (b) is cleared to zero (ST78), and then a dedicated operation is started when communication is abnormal. Even when FLG (a) = FLG (b) = OK, it is determined whether the contents of BUFF (a) and BUFF (b) match (ST73).

  If it is determined in step ST73 that the contents of BUFF (a) and BUFF (b) match, the flags FLG (a) and FLG (b) are cleared to zero (ST74) and the control command CMD (a) (= The operation based on CMD (b)) is performed, but if they do not match, the variable ERR for counting the number of errors is incremented (ST75). If the error count ERR does not exceed the predetermined value MAX, a dedicated operation at the time of communication abnormality is started. If the error count ERR exceeds the predetermined value MAX, it is determined that a fatal communication abnormality such as disconnection occurs. This is reported (ST77).

  As mentioned above, although one Example of this invention was described, the concrete description content does not specifically limit this invention. For example, in the case of the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the same control command has been received three times in succession so that a communication abnormality can be grasped by the effect control unit 31. It can be changed. Further, as a method for detecting a communication abnormality, it may be determined based on whether data that should not be received originally is received, instead of determining whether the same control command has been received continuously. For example, if the control command has a 16-bit configuration, such control commands are transmitted in units of 8 bits, and characteristic bit patterns are provided in the first byte and the second byte of the control command, respectively. By detecting the bit pattern, communication abnormality can be detected.

  In the above-described embodiment, all control commands are transmitted from the main control unit 30 to the effect control unit 31 redundantly, and the processes of FIGS. 10 and 11 are activated. It may be limited to “variation pattern command”. In this case, even if a control command other than the “variation pattern command” is received, the interrupt processing of FIG. 11 does not occur. For example, if the flag value FLG (b) is set to zero in advance, FIG. It is possible to shift to an operation based on the information (OK / NG) acquired in the interrupt process.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine concerning an example. It is a front view which shows the game board of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a block which shows the whole structure of the pachinko machine which concerns on an Example. It is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an effect control unit. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure of an effect control part in detail. It is drawing explaining operation | movement of an effect control part. It is drawing explaining operation | movement of an effect control part. It is drawing explaining operation | movement of an effect control part. It is a flowchart which shows the timer interruption process in a main control part. It is a flowchart explaining the interruption process routine of an effect control part. It is a flowchart explaining the interruption process routine of an effect control part. It is a flowchart explaining the main routine of an effect control part. It is a flowchart explaining the modification of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the modification of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the modification of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 gaming machine 30 main control unit (main control board)
31 Production control unit (production control board)
32 Other control units (voice / lamp control board)
14 Display device (special symbol / normal symbol / effect symbol display part)
50 Computer circuit (one-chip microcomputer)

Claims (5)

A gaming machine that shifts to a game content advantageous to a player when a predetermined winning state is generated by a lottery process caused by a game operation,
A main control unit that comprehensively controls the entire game operation including the lottery process, and an effect control unit that executes an effect operation based on a control command received from the main control unit,
The production control unit receives the same command from the main control unit from different paths for at least a part of the control command, evaluates the validity of each control command, and controls either one according to the evaluation result. A gaming machine characterized by starting an operation based on a command or other special operation. A gaming machine that shifts to a game content advantageous to a player when a predetermined winning state is generated by a lottery process caused by a game operation,
A main control unit that comprehensively controls the entire game operation including the lottery process, a first effect control unit that executes a symbol effect operation based on a control command received from the main control unit, and the first effect control A second effect control unit configured to execute another effect operation synchronized with the symbol effect operation based on the control command received from the unit,
The first effect control unit receives the same command from the main control unit from a different route for at least a part of the control command, starts an operation based on one of the control commands or other special operation, and starts A gaming machine is characterized in that a control command corresponding to an action to be performed is transmitted to the second rendering unit. When the same command is received from a different route, the process corresponding to the received route is started.
3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the control command is normally acquired in each activated process, an operation based on the control command is started. When the same command is received from a different route, the process corresponding to the received route is started.
The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a communication command is repeatedly acquired in each activated process, and a communication abnormality is determined based on whether or not the same control command can be repeatedly acquired. When the same command is received from a different route, the process corresponding to the received route is started.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the control command has been normally acquired in each activated interrupt process, a flag value indicating that is set to end the interrupt process. Gaming machine.

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