JP2006043257A - Game stand - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game stand capable of being continuously used without stopping the operation even if a presentation device for performing the presentation motion in the progress of a game for making the game more exciting fails. <P>SOLUTION: A subordinate control part A400, when receives a main control command including the information on the presentation motion from a main control part, actuates various display lamps and a speaker, and executes the presentation motion. If the presentation motion includes motions by a display device 170 and by a door device 180 and if a presentation shifting switch 423 is set to actuate the door device 180, a normal subordinate control command to operate both devices is transmitted to a subordinate control part 500, and the presentation motion with both the door device 180 and the display device 170 actuated is executed. If the presentation shifting switch 423 is set not to actuate the door device 180, the command is changed to a subordinate control command to actuate the display device 170 only and the subordinate control command is transmitted to the subordinate control part 500. Then, the presentation motion by the display device 170 only is executed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine represented by a slot machine (pachislot) and a pachinko machine.

  A gaming machine such as a slot machine rotates a plurality of rows of reels through a reel display window to perform variable display of a pattern, and a payout can be obtained according to the combination of the stopped display.

  Recent slot machines not only entertain the game by the combination of symbol stop positions of each reel, but also include an effect device such as an auxiliary reel and a liquid crystal display device, and appropriately perform effect operations by the effect device as the game progresses. Therefore, the expectation to the player is further enhanced. As a slot machine that enhances such a production effect, a first production device that produces a first stage based on the fact that the second reel has stopped in the process of sequentially stopping the three reels, A device including a second effect device 50 that performs a second-stage effect based on the fact that the reel (the last reel) has stopped has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-325542 A

  However, in the slot machine described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, no consideration is given to the case where a plurality of types of effect devices do not operate properly and an appropriate effect operation accompanying the progress of the game cannot be performed. There is a possibility that the player will be confused due to the inappropriate performance. In addition, in the case of a configuration in which a plurality of types of effect devices operate in association with each other (for example, a configuration including a display device for effect display and a door device that opens and closes in front of the display device) The malfunctioning of the effect device greatly affects the effect operation by the other effect device.

  In addition, if a production device used only for production operations that do not directly affect the game progress fails, the game as a slot machine can continue, but if the production device is operating abnormally, the production does not mesh with the game progression Since there is a possibility that the game will be reduced to the original interest of the game, the amusement store will stop the slot machine where the production device operates abnormally as a failure stand, and the amusement clerk will repair after the business is over. Trying out or requesting repairs from the manufacturer, do not use for business until the repair is completed.

  In this way, a slot machine equipped with a rendering device (for example, having a movable part) with a relatively high failure rate is introduced as long as the operation of stopping the operation is continued even if the rendering device is just a failure. In such a case, there is a high possibility that the operating rate of the slot machine will decrease due to the defective production device, and the profit of the game store will be lost accordingly, which is not desirable for the game store.

  In view of such a problem, the present invention aims to provide a game table that can be used continuously without stopping operation even if a staging device that performs a staging operation accompanying the progress of the game in order to excite the game. To do.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that a control means for controlling the progress of a game based on a player's game operation, and an effect operation that is controlled by the control means and accompanies the progress of the game. In a game machine having a plurality of types of effect execution means for performing, an effect operation enabling state in which the control means can control the effect execution means, and an effect operation stop state in which control of the effect execution means by the control means is stopped And an effect operation switching means that can be switched by manual operation, and the control means executes operation / stop for the effect execution means in accordance with the setting of the effect operation switching means.

  Also, in the invention according to claim 2, in the gaming machine according to claim 1, the effect operation switching means can be switched between the effect operation enable state and the effect operation stop state for each effect execution means. It is characterized by.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the game machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the plurality of types of effect execution means can display at least various types of visible information on a display screen. And a door device that is opened and closed on the front side of the display screen of the display device.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the gaming machine according to the third aspect, wherein the control means is provided on the condition that the stage operation stop state of the door device is set by the stage operation switching means. The effect operation is switched to the display effect when the door device is not used.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 5 is directed to a control means for controlling the progress of a game based on a player's game operation, and an effect operation that is controlled by the control means and accompanies the progress of the game. In a gaming machine provided with a plurality of types of performance execution means for performing, an abnormal state in which an appropriate performance operation cannot be performed with respect to one or more predetermined performance execution units among the plurality of types of performance execution means is detected. An abnormality detection unit is provided, and the control unit changes control of the effect execution unit in accordance with the detection state of the abnormality detection unit.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the fifth aspect, the plurality of types of effect executing means include at least a display device capable of displaying various types of visible information on a display screen, And a door device that is opened and closed on the front side of the display screen of the display device, wherein at least an abnormality detecting means is provided for the door device.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the sixth aspect, an open / closed state detecting means capable of detecting whether the door device is in an open state or a closed state is provided, and the abnormality detecting means is the control device. Although the means performs the operation control to convert the door device into the open state or the closed state, the open / close state detection means does not detect that the door device is in the open state or the closed state. The control means is based on the condition that at least an abnormal state of the door device is detected by the abnormality detection means and an open state of the door device is detected by the open / close state detection means. The effect operation for the display device is switched to the display effect when the door device is not used.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the seventh aspect, the control means controls the operation of the door device, and when an abnormal state is detected by the abnormality detection means, the abnormality counter The count value is added, and when the abnormal state detecting means does not detect the abnormal state, the count value of the abnormal counter is cleared, the count value of the abnormal counter reaches a predetermined number, and the open / closed state detecting means When the open state of the door device is detected by the above, the effect operation for the display device is switched to the display effect when the door device is not used.

  According to the gaming machine according to claim 1, an effect operation enabling state in which the effect executing means can be controlled by the control means and an effect operation stopping state in which the control of the effect executing means by the control means are stopped by manual operation. An effect operation switching means that can be switched is provided, and the control means executes the operation / stop for the effect execution means in accordance with the setting of the effect operation switching means. If a game clerk or the like switches the setting of the production operation switching means so that the operation is stopped, the production operation that does not match the progress of the game is not performed by the production execution means, and the production is switched to a production that does not feel uncomfortable for the player. It can be used continuously as a game machine.

  Further, according to the gaming machine according to claim 2, the effect operation switching means can be switched between the effect operation enable state and the effect operation stop state for each effect execution means. The production operation can be continued by the production execution means in the production operation available state.

  Further, according to the gaming machine according to claim 3, as the plurality of types of effect execution means, at least a display device capable of displaying various visible information on the display screen, and a front side of the display screen of the display device The door device to be opened and closed is included, so that it is possible to execute an advanced performance operation that correlates the display content by the display device and the opening and closing operation by the door device.

  According to the gaming machine of claim 4, the control means performs the rendering operation for the display device when the door device is not used, on the condition that the rendering operation stop state of the door device is set by the rendering operation switching means. Since the display effect is switched to the display effect, it is possible to produce an effect that does not give the player a sense of incongruity even when an effect operation is performed by the display device alone.

  According to the gaming machine according to claim 5, the abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormal state in which an appropriate effect operation cannot be performed is provided for one or more predetermined effect executing means among a plurality of kinds of effect executing means. Since the control means changes the control on the effect execution means in accordance with the detection state of the abnormality detection means, the control on the effect execution means in which the abnormal state is detected is automatically changed so that the performance operation does not match the progress of the game. Is no longer performed by the effect execution means, and can be continuously used as a game machine switched to an effect that does not give the player a sense of incongruity.

  Further, according to the gaming machine according to claim 6, as the plurality of types of effect execution means, at least a display device capable of displaying various visible information on the display screen, and a front side of the display screen of the display device A door device that is opened and closed, and at least an abnormality detection means is provided for the door device, so that it is possible to execute an advanced performance operation that correlates the display content by the display device and the opening and closing operation by the door device. By properly detecting an abnormality of the door device that requires a drive source such as a motor and stopping the operation, the occurrence of secondary damage such as abnormal heat generation of the drive motor of the door device can be suppressed.

  According to the gaming table of claim 7, the open / close state detecting means capable of detecting whether the door device is in the open state or the closed state is provided, and the abnormality detecting means has the control means in which the door device is in the open state or the closed state. An abnormal state is detected based on the fact that the opening / closing state detecting means does not detect that the door device is in the open state or the closed state in spite of performing the operation control to be converted. Provided that the abnormal state of the door device is detected by the abnormality detecting means and the open state of the door device is detected by the open / closed state detecting means, the display operation for the display device is performed when the door device is not used. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect the presence or absence of an abnormality from the open / closed state of the door device, which is important as an effect operation in cooperation with the display device, and the door device in the abnormal state is opened. In, only when the display screen of the display device is visible from the player, by switching it to the display effect of the display device itself, it is possible to perform the display device an effect without discomfort for the player.

  According to the gaming table of claim 8, the control means controls the operation of the door device, and when an abnormal state is detected by the abnormality detection means, the count value of the abnormality counter is added, and the abnormal state detection means When the abnormal state is not detected, the count value of the abnormal counter is cleared, the count value of the abnormal counter reaches a predetermined number, and the open state of the door device is detected by the open / close state detecting means. In such a case, since the effect operation for the display device is switched to the display effect when the door device is not used, it is possible to prevent an abnormal state from being determined due to a temporary malfunction in the door device.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Overall configuration>
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a slot machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, in the center of the slot machine 100, three cylindrical reels (left reel 111, middle reel 112) in which a plurality of types of symbols (for example, red bell, BAR, etc.) are arranged on the outer peripheral surface are provided. , The right reel 113), and is configured to be rotationally driven inside the slot machine main body 102.

  The front door 101 of the slot machine 100 is provided with a reel display window 110. When the reels 111 to 113 are viewed from the front, three symbols applied thereto can be seen in the vertical direction from the reel display window. ing. That is, when all the reels 111 to 113 are stopped, the player can see a total of nine symbols of 3 × 3. When these reels 111 to 113 are rotationally driven and the reels 111 to 113 are stopped at an appropriate timing, various combinations of symbols are displayed.

  In the slot machine 100 of the present embodiment, the three reels 111 to 113 are provided. However, the number of reels and the installation position of the reels are not limited thereto. Further, a backlight (not shown) for illuminating individual symbols displayed on the reel display window is disposed on the back side of each reel 111 to 113. The backlight is capable of emitting light of, for example, seven colors (a mixed color including three primary colors of red, green, and bluish purple and white), and includes an LED corresponding to each primary color. Is done.

  The winning line display lamp 125 is a lamp indicating the winning line 114 that is valid for each game. The effective pay line 114 changes depending on the number of game media (in this embodiment, medals are assumed) inserted into the slot machine 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, in the case of having five winning lines 114, when one medal is inserted, the middle horizontal winning line, when two medals are inserted, the upper horizontal winning line and the lower horizontal winning line are shown. When three winning lines are added, three lines are added, and five diagonal lines are added. The winning combination is determined based on the combination of symbols arranged on the effective winning line. Of course, the number of winning lines is not limited to five.

  The payout number display 123 is a display for displaying the number of medals to be paid out to the player when winning a winning combination with a medal payout. The game number display 122 is a display for displaying the number of general games in the big bonus game. The stored number display unit 121 is a display unit that displays the number of medals stored electronically (credit). The effect lamp 126 is a lamp used for the effect to enhance the interest of the game.

  The medal insertion buttons 130 and 131 are insertion buttons for electronically inserting the stored medals into the slot machine 100, and are called so-called bet buttons. In the present embodiment, a maximum medal insertion button 131 (a so-called “max bet button”) and a single medal insertion button 130 are provided. By pressing any of these buttons, 1 to 3 medals required for the game can be obtained. It is electronically inserted into the slot machine 100. The number of inserted medals is subtracted from the current stored number, and the remaining number is displayed on the stored number display 121. The medal slot block 136 has an opening through which a player directly inserts medals when starting a game. Hereinafter, the insertion of medals means both the electronic insertion of medals by the medal insertion buttons 130 and 131 and the insertion of medals from the medal insertion slot block 136.

  The start lever 132 is a lever-type switch for performing an operation that triggers the rotation of the reels 111 to 113 as a game start operation. The stop buttons 133, 134, and 135 are provided corresponding to the reels 111 to 113, respectively, and are button switches that stop the corresponding reels 111 to 113 when pressed. Each stop button 133-135 is provided with a lamp (not shown). After the start lever 132 is operated, all the lamps are turned on when the reels 111-113 can be stopped. Each time the stop buttons 133 to 135 are pressed, the lights are turned off. The storage / settlement button 137 settles the medals electronically stored in the slot machine 100, and performs a settlement function for discharging the medals from the medal payout opening 151, and electronically the medals inserted from the medal slot block 136. This is a button for switching between the function of storing the water and the function.

  The medal discharge port 151 is an opening for discharging medals, and medals paid out at the time of winning a prize are discharged from here. The discharged medals are accumulated in a tray provided around the discharge port 151. An upper lamp 144, a side lamp 141, a waist lamp 143, a lower lamp 142, and a saucer lamp (configured as a medal saucer) 152 are effects lamps for exciting the game, and are turned on / off / flashing according to the game state. To do. The sound hole 160 of the central speaker and the sound hole 161 of the upper speaker are equipped with a decorated speaker cover, from which game sound effects are output.

  The display device 170 may display various information related to the game (effect information that excites the game, error information that displays the content of the error when an abnormality occurs in the slot machine, etc.) on the display screen 171 facing the front. it can. As the display device 170, a liquid crystal display, a dot matrix display, or the like can be used.

  The door device 180 provided on the front side of the display screen 171 of the display device 170 includes a left door 181 and a right door 182, and the left door 181 and the right door 182 move sideways so that the display screen 171 can be visually recognized. The left door 181 covers the left half of the display screen 171 and the right door 182 covers the right half of the display screen 171 so that the entire surface of the display screen 171 cannot be visually recognized. is there.

  A schematic structure of the left door 181 and the right door 182 constituting the door device 180 is shown in FIG. The left door 181 includes a substantially rectangular left door member 1810 having a shielding portion 1811 and a drive mechanism thereof. The drive mechanism is connected to a guide member 1812 and a guide member 1812 provided integrally with the door member 180. The rack 1813 is provided, a pinion gear 1814 that meshes with the rack 1813, and a left door motor 1815 that drives the pinion gear 1814. Similarly, the right door 182 includes a substantially rectangular right door member 1820 having a shielding portion 1821 and a drive mechanism thereof, and the drive mechanism includes a guide member 1822 provided integrally with the door member 180, and a guide. A rack 1823 provided on the member 1822, a pinion gear 1824 that meshes with the rack 1823, and a right door motor 1825 that drives the pinion gear 1824.

  Each of the movement ranges of the left door member 1810 and the right door member 1820 is just half of the display area 171 of the display device 170. Therefore, the left and right door members 1810 and 1820 can slide in the opposite lateral directions, thereby creating an open state and a closed state. In this configuration example, the left half and the right half of the display screen 171 are shielded by the left door member 1810 and the right door member 1820, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one door member is open and closed. May be generated, or an open state and a closed state may be generated by three or more door members.

  The left and right door members 1810 and 1820 are supported and guided by guide members such as guide rails (not shown) up and down, and are regulated so as to be linearly reciprocated in the left and right directions. The shielding portions 1811 and 1821 of the left and right door members 1810 and 1820 are decorated according to the form of the door. In this configuration example, the left and right doors 181 and 182 have a lattice decoration that can be used as a shoji door. did. Moreover, it is possible to make doors of various designs by sticking stickers with patterns (brick, fence, etc.) and patterns (marble, wood grain, metal, etc.) to the left and right door members 1810, 1820.

  Furthermore, by using the motors 1815 and 1825 which are driving sources of the left and right door members 1810 and 1820 as stepping motors, the moving speed and stop control of the left and right door members 1810 and 1820 can be suitably performed. It should be noted that the door position sensor for the left door and the open position of the right door member 1820 and the open position of the right door member 1820 can be detected so that the open state and the closed state of the door device 181 can be detected appropriately. A door position sensor for the right door that can detect the position is provided (not shown).

<Internal configuration>
FIG. 3A shows an outline of the upper half of the slot machine main body 102 with the front door 101 of the slot machine 100 opened. As a control means for controlling the progress of the game based on the player's game operation, A main control unit 300 that controls the whole and a sub-control unit A400 that performs control related to effects for exciting the game are housed in appropriate positions. Further, on the back surface of the display device 170 attached to the front door 101, a sub-control unit B that controls the display device 170 and the door device 180 according to a command from the sub-control unit A400 is provided.

  In the slot machine 100 of the present embodiment, the display device 170 and the door device 180 that are controlled by the sub-control unit B and perform the performance operation accompanying the progress of the game are used as the performance execution means, and the operation / stop is controlled by switching. It was supposed to be possible. The effect execution means is not limited to the display device 170 or the door device 180. For example, various display lamps directly controlled by the sub-control unit A400 (production lamp 126, upper lamp 144, side lamp 141, waist lamp 143, lower lamp 142, saucer lamp 152) and speakers are production execution means. These operations / stops may be switched.

  FIG. 3B is a partially enlarged view of the substrate surface of the sub-control unit A400, which includes a sub-reset switch 421 that resets the control of the sub-control unit A400, and speakers that adjust the left and right speaker volumes. A switch 422a, a speaker switch 422b for adjusting the speaker volume at the rear, a dip switch type effect changeover switch 423 for switching operation / stop of the effect execution means, and the like are provided.

  The effect changeover switch 423 includes eight dip switches, and the ON / OFF of these dip switches is made to correspond to the operation / stop of one of the effect executing means. For example, if the seventh dip switch 4237 corresponding to the operation / stop of the door device 180 is ON, the sub-control unit A400 instructs the sub-control unit B to perform the rendering operation by the door device 180 and executes the seventh dip. If the switch 4237 is OFF, the sub control unit A400 does not give an instruction to operate the door device 180 to the sub control unit 500, and stops the effect operation by the door device 180.

  Next, each control unit functioning as control means in the slot machine 100 will be described in detail. FIG. 4 shows details of the main control unit 300, FIG. 5 shows details of the sub-control unit A400, and FIG. 6 shows details of the sub-control unit B500.

<Configuration of main control unit>
First, the main control unit 300 of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The main control unit 300 includes a CPU 310 that is an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the entire main control unit 300, a data bus and an address bus for the CPU 310 to transmit and receive signals to and from each IC and each circuit, It has the structure described below.

  The clock correction circuit 314 is a circuit that divides the clock oscillated from the crystal oscillator 311 and supplies it to the CPU 310. For example, when the frequency of the crystal oscillator 311 is 12 MHz, the divided clock is 6 MHz. The CPU 310 operates by receiving the clock divided by the clock circuit 314 as a system clock.

  The CPU 310 is connected to a timer circuit 315 for setting a monitoring cycle for constantly monitoring the states of sensors and switches, which will be described later, and a transmission cycle of motor drive pulses, via a bus. When the power is turned on, the CPU 310 transmits the frequency dividing data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 312 to the timer circuit 315 via the data bus.

  The timer circuit 315 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 310 at each interrupt time. In response to this interrupt request, the CPU 310 executes monitoring of each sensor and transmission of drive pulses. For example, when the system clock of the CPU 310 is set to 6 MHz, the frequency division value of the timer circuit 315 is set to 1/256, and the data for frequency division of the ROM 312 is set to 44, the reference time for this interrupt is 256 × 44 ÷ 6 MHz = 1. 877 ms.

  Connected to the CPU 310 are a ROM 312 for storing programs for controlling each IC, lottery data used for internal winning lottery, reel stop positions, and a RAM 313 for storing temporary data. Has been. Other storage means may be used for these ROM 312 and RAM 313, and this point is the same in each control unit described later.

  The CPU 310 is connected to an input interface 360 for receiving an external signal. The medal acceptance sensor 320, the start lever sensor 321, the stop button sensor 322, and the medal insertion button are connected via the input interface 360 every interrupt time. The state of the sensor 323, the settlement / storage switch 324, and the medal payout sensor 326 is detected, and each sensor is monitored.

  Two medal acceptance sensors 320 are installed in the passage inside the medal insertion slot 134 and detect whether or not a medal has passed. The start lever sensor 321 is installed on the start lever 135 and detects a start operation by the player. The stop button sensor 322 is installed in each of the stop buttons 133 to 135, and detects the operation of the stop button by the player.

  The medal insertion button sensor 323 is installed in each of the medal insertion buttons 130 and 131, and detects an insertion operation when a medal electronically stored in the RAM 313 is inserted as a game medal. For example, when the medal insertion sensor 323 corresponding to the medal insertion button 130 becomes H level, the CPU 310 electronically inserts one stored medal and the medal insertion sensor 323 corresponding to the medal insertion button 131 is H level. When it becomes, three stored medals are electronically inserted. When the medal insertion button 131 is pressed, two are inserted when the number of stored medals is two, and one is inserted when the number is one.

  The settlement / storage switch 324 is provided on the settlement / storage button 137. When the settlement / storage switch 132 is pressed once, the stored medals are settled, and when the settlement / storage switch 132 is pressed again, the storage mode in which the medals to be paid out are stored electronically is set. The medal payout sensor 326 detects a medal paid out by the medal hopper and performs an appropriate number of payout controls. Each of the above sensors may be a non-contact type sensor or a contact type sensor.

  The CPU 310 further has an input interface 361 and output interfaces 370 and 371 connected to an address bus via an address decoding circuit 350. The CPU 310 exchanges signals with external devices via these interfaces.

  An index sensor 325 is connected to the input interface 361. Specifically, the index sensor 325 is installed at a predetermined position on the mounting base of each of the reels 111 to 113, and becomes H level each time the light shielding piece provided on the reel passes through the index sensor 325. When detecting this signal, the CPU 310 determines that the reel has made one rotation, and resets the rotational position information of the reel to zero.

  The output interface 370 has a reel motor driving unit 330 for driving the reels, and a motor for a hopper (a device for paying out medals accumulated in the bucket from the medal payout outlet 155, not shown). Hopper motor drive unit 331, a game lamp 340 (specifically, a winning line display lamp 125, a start lamp 121, a replay lamp 122, a notification lamp 123, a medal insertion lamp 124, etc.), and a 7-segment display 341 ( A payout number display 123, a game number display 122, a stored number display 121, etc.) are connected.

  A random number generation circuit 317 is connected to the CPU 310 via a data bus. The random number generation circuit 317 is an increment counter capable of incrementing a value within a certain range based on the clocks oscillated from the crystal oscillator 311 and the crystal oscillator 316 and outputting the count value to the CPU 310. It is used for various lottery processes including the internal lottery.

  Further, an output interface 371 for transmitting a command to the sub-control unit 400 is connected to the data bus of the CPU 310.

<Configuration of sub-control unit>
Next, the sub-control unit A400 of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The sub-control unit A400 is an arithmetic processing unit that controls the entire sub-control unit A400 based on a main control command or the like transmitted from the main control unit 300, and the CPU 410 transmits and receives signals to and from each IC and each circuit. It has a data bus and an address bus for performing, and has a configuration described below.

  The clock correction circuit 414 is a circuit that corrects the clock oscillated from the crystal oscillator 411 and supplies the corrected clock to the CPU 410 as a system clock.

  Further, a timer circuit 415 is connected to the CPU 410 via a bus. The CPU 410 transmits the frequency dividing data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 412 to the timer circuit 415 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The timer circuit 415 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 410 at each interrupt time. The CPU 410 controls each IC and each circuit based on the interrupt request timing.

  In addition, the CPU 410 temporarily stores a ROM 412 in which commands and data for controlling the entire sub-control unit A400, backlight lighting patterns and data for controlling various displays, and data are stored. The RAM 413 is connected via each bus.

  The CPU 410 is connected to an input / output interface 460 for transmitting and receiving external signals. The input / output interface 460 includes a backlight 420 and a RAM 413 for illuminating the patterns of the reels 111 to 113 from the back. A reset switch 421 for clearing the data of the speaker, a speaker switch 422a for adjusting the left and right speaker volume, a speaker switch 422b for adjusting the speaker volume of the rear portion, and a dip switch type effect changeover switch for switching operation / stop of the effect execution means 423 and the like are connected.

  An input interface 461 for receiving a main control command from the main control unit 300 is connected to the CPU 410 via a data bus, and an effect process that excites the entire game based on the command received via the input interface 461. Etc. are executed.

  A sound source IC 480 is connected to the data bus and address bus of the CPU 410. The sound source IC 480 controls sound according to a command from the CPU 410. The sound source IC 480 is connected to a ROM 481 that stores sound data. The sound source IC 480 amplifies the sound data acquired from the ROM 481 by the amplifier 482 and outputs the sound data from the speaker 483.

  Similarly to the main control unit 300, the CPU 410 is connected to an address decoding circuit 450 for selecting an external IC, and the address decoding circuit 450 has an output interface for outputting signals to various effect lamps. 470, an input interface 461 for receiving a command from the main control unit 300, an input interface 471 for inputting a signal from the sub-control unit B500, a clock IC 424, and a signal for outputting signals to the 7-segment display 440 An output interface 472 is connected.

  With the clock IC 424 connected, the CPU 410 can acquire the current time. The 7-segment display 440 is provided inside the slot machine 100, and for example, a store clerk or the like can check predetermined information set in the sub-control unit A400.

  Further, a demultiplexer 419 is connected to the output interface 470. The demultiplexer 419 distributes the signal transmitted from the output interface 470 to each display unit and the like. That is, the demultiplexer 419 displays the upper lamp 144, the side lamp 141, the waist lamp 143, the lower lamp 142, the reel panel lamp 145, the title panel lamp 147, the tray lamp 152, and the payout exit strobe 153 according to the data received from the CPU 410. Control.

  The title panel lamp 147 is a lamp that illuminates the title panel, and the payout exit strobe 153 is a strobe type lamp installed inside the payout opening 151.

  Note that the CPU 410 performs signal transmission to the sub-control unit B500 via the demultiplexer 419. Conversely, the CPU 410 receives a signal from the sub control unit B500 via the input interface 471. That is, the CPU 410 performs bidirectional communication with the sub-control unit B500 via the demultiplexer 419 and the input interface 471.

<Sub-control unit B500>
Next, the sub control unit B500 of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The sub-control unit B500 includes a CPU 510 which is an arithmetic processing unit, a data bus and an address bus for transmitting and receiving signals to and from each IC and each circuit, and has a configuration described below.

  The clock correction circuit 514 is a circuit that corrects the clock oscillated from the crystal oscillator 511 and supplies the corrected clock to the CPU 510 as a system clock.

  A timer circuit 515 is connected to the CPU 510 via a bus. The CPU 510 transmits the frequency division data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 512 to the timer circuit 515 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The timer circuit 515 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 510 for each interrupt time. The CPU 510 controls each IC and each circuit based on the interrupt request timing.

  The CPU 510 receives a signal from the CPU 410 output via the output interface 470 and the demultiplexer 419 of the sub control unit A 400 via the input interface 520 and the bus, and controls the sub control unit B 500 as a whole. In addition, the CPU 510 transmits a signal to the sub-control unit A400 via the output interface 521 as necessary.

  The ROM 512 stores programs and data for controlling the entire sub-control unit B500. The RAM 513 includes a work area for programs processed by the CPU 510. The ROM 512 and RAM 513 are connected to the CPU 510 via a bus.

  The CPU 510 also has a display control CPU 530, a motor power control circuit 540 for the left door, a motor power control circuit 550 for the right door, a motor driver 542 for the left door, and a motor driver for the right door via a bus. 552, a door position sensor 1816 for the left door, and a door position sensor 1826 for the right door are connected.

  A ROM 531, a RAM 532, and a VDP (Video Display Processor) 534 are connected to the display control CPU 530 via a bus.

  On the other hand, the ROM 531 stores a program processed by the display control CPU 530. The RAM 532 has a work area for programs processed by the display control CPU 530 and the like. A crystal oscillator 533 is connected to the VDP 534, and further a ROM 535 and a RAM 536 are connected via a bus. The ROM 535 stores a plurality of types of image data of the liquid crystal display device 700. The display control CPU 530 reads the image data in the ROM 535 based on the signal from the CPU 510, generates an image signal using the work area of the RAM 536, and outputs the image signal of the display device 170 via the D / A converter 537. An image is displayed on the display screen 171.

  The left door motor 1815 is a drive source for the left door 180, and the right door motor 1825 is a drive source for the right door 182. Both motors are pulse motors and are controlled by motor power control circuits 540 and 550 and motor drivers 542 and 552.

  The motor power supply control circuit 540 is a circuit for setting a drive voltage to the left door motor 1815. In this embodiment, voltages of + 5V and + 12V can be selectively supplied. The motor driver 542 is an IC that outputs a drive pulse to the left door motor 1815 based on a signal from the CPU 510.

  The motor power control circuit 550 is a circuit for setting a drive voltage to the right door motor 1825, and can selectively supply + 5V and + 12V voltages as described above. The motor driver 552 is an IC that outputs a drive pulse to the right door motor 1825 based on a signal from the CPU 510.

  The door position sensor 1816 for the left door allows the left door 181 to close the left half of the display screen 171 and the left door 181 to move to the left side so that the left half of the display screen 171 is visible. The left door open state can be detected. Although the detection structure is not particularly limited, for example, a closed position sensor that detects a detected piece when the detected piece is provided at an appropriate position of the left door member 1810 and the left door member 1810 is in the closed position, and the left door member 1810. If the door position sensor 1816 is configured by the open position sensor that detects the detected piece when the is in the open position, the left door open state and the left door closed state are reliably determined by the output of the open position sensor or the closed position sensor. Can be detected.

  The door position sensor 1826 for the right door allows the right door 182 to close the right half of the display screen 171 and the right door closed state, and the right door 182 moves to the right side to make the right half of the display screen 171 visible. It can detect the right door open state. The detection structure is not particularly limited. For example, a detection piece is provided at an appropriate position of the right door member 1820, and a closed position sensor that detects the detection piece when the right door member 1820 is in the closed position, and a right door member 1820. If the door position sensor 1826 is configured by the open position sensor that detects the detected piece when the is in the open position, the right door open state and the right door closed state are surely determined by the output of the open position sensor or the closed position sensor. Can be detected.

  In this configuration example, the door position sensors 1816 and 1826 are provided by providing the door position sensor 1816 for the left door and the door position sensor 1826 for the right door at positions where the open state and the closed state of each door can be detected. Although it is used as “opening / closing state detecting means capable of detecting whether the door device 180 is in an open state or a closed state”, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the timing at which the left and right doors 181 and 182 are decelerated during the door device 180 opening / closing control. The sub-control unit B500 that has received the sensor output then opens or closes the left and right doors 181 and 182 from the pulse output in a deceleration pattern to the left and right door motors 1815 and 1825. The position may be detected. In this case, the position sensor of the left and right doors 181 and 182 and the sub control unit B500 cooperate to realize the function as the open / closed state detecting means.

<Main control unit main processing>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing basic control (main control unit main processing) of the game in the slot machine 100 of the present embodiment. Basic control of the game is performed mainly by the CPU 310 of the main control unit 300, and a series of processing is repeatedly executed unless a power-off or the like is detected.

  In step S101, processing related to medal insertion is performed. Here, it is checked whether or not medals have been inserted, and the winning line display lamp 125 is turned on according to the number of inserted medals. It is not necessary to insert a medal when winning the re-game in the previous game.

  In step S102, a process related to a game start operation is performed. Here, it is checked whether or not the start lever 135 has been operated, and if it is determined that the start operation has been performed, the number of inserted medals is determined, and an effective winning line 114 is determined according to the determined number of inserted medals. To do.

  In step S103, the random number generated by the random number generator 317 is acquired.

  In step S104, the winning combination lottery is performed using the random number value acquired in S103 and the winning combination lottery table stored in the ROM 312. The type of winning combination may be arbitrarily adopted, but in this embodiment, there are a regular bonus (RB), a big bonus (BB), a small combination, a replay, and the like. For each winning combination, lottery data is set for each set value and each inserted number.

  In step S105, a pull-in table is selected. Note that a plurality of pull-in tables are prepared for each winning combination and are selected by lottery. These reel stop control tables are stored in the ROM 312 in advance.

  In step S106, any one of a plurality of types of effect commands prepared in advance is selected, and the selected effect command is transmitted to the sub-control unit A400.

  In step S107, the rotation of all reels 111 to 113 is started.

  In step S108, the stop buttons 137 to 139 can be received. When any one of the stop buttons is pressed, the reel corresponding to the pressed stop button is stopped based on the pull-in table selected in S105.

  In step S109, a winning determination is performed. Here, when a pattern combination corresponding to the winning combination is displayed on the activated winning line 114, it is determined that the winning combination is won. For example, if “bell-bell-bell” is arranged on the validated winning line 114, it is determined that the bell is won. In addition, if “7-7-7” is prepared, it is determined that a BB winning is achieved. The winning result is stored as a winning result code.

  In step S110, if any winning combination with payout is won, the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is paid out.

  In step S111, a game state control process is executed. In this game state control process, control for shifting the type of game is performed. For example, in the case of winning a BB, preparation is made so that the BB game can be started from the next time. Prepare to start the game.

  As described above, one game is completed, and the game progresses by repeating this thereafter.

<Production code setting process>
Here, the details of the effect code setting process performed in step S106 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. First, in step S201, selection information corresponding to the pull-in table is acquired. When acquiring the selection information of the production code, the pull-in table correspondence table to be referred to according to the gaming state at that time (in general game when BB is not activated, during general game when BB is activated, during a game of an accessory, etc.) Is changed so that an effect code corresponding to the lottery result corresponding to the gaming state can be set.

  For example, the draw-in table correspondence table that is referred to when the production code setting process is performed during a general game when the BB is not operating (except for the inside hit of the BB) is as shown in FIG. 9, and the symbol lottery determined by the internal lottery The types of pull-in tables that can be selected are determined according to the result, and one pull-in table is selected by lottery in the pull-in table selection process in step S105 in the main process of the main control unit. The selection information of the production code corresponding to is acquired. The production code selection information includes the production code and its selection probability.

  More specifically, when the bell is determined as the symbol lottery result, “Bell 1A” or “Bell 1B” can be selected as the pull-in table. When “1A” is selected, two effect codes (effect code 2 and effect code 16) can be selected for “Bell 1A”. The probability that the production code 2 is selected is defined as 65535/65536, and the probability that the production code 16 is selected is defined as 1/65536.

  Subsequently, in step S202, it is determined whether or not there is an effect code lottery. If there is a need for lottery, an effect code is lottered (step S203), and an effect code is determined (step S204). In other words, when there is only one performance code corresponding to the selected pull-in table (in the case of the pull-in table is no win A, replay B, bell 1B, cherry B), there is no need for lottery. When it corresponds to an effect code (in the case where the pull-in table is a hitless B, replay A, bell 1A, cherry A), a lottery is performed to select one effect code. For example, when “Bell 1A” is selected as the pull-in table as described above, it is highly likely that the production code 2 is selected by lottery.

  After setting the effect code as described above, an effect command corresponding to the effect code is set (step S205), and the effect command is transmitted to the sub-control unit A400 (step S206). The correspondence table between the production code and the command data is as shown in FIG. 9B, and the command data to be transmitted to the sub-control unit A400 as the main control unit command is uniquely determined according to the set production code. .

  For example, when “Bell 1A” is selected in the pull-in table and the effect code 2 is selected as a result of lottery from two candidates (effect code 2 and effect code 16), “4081” is set as an effect command. Is done. The effect command is a 4-digit hexadecimal code.

<Outline of presentation operation in sub-control unit>
FIG. 10 shows the flow of control until the rendering operation is performed based on the command determined by the main control unit 300 as described above.

  Receiving the production command from the main control unit 300, the sub-control unit A400 refers to the production table according to the production command and executes the production operation in the production order determined in the production table. Specific device control for executing the production operation is defined in the control data table to be referred to according to the production code, and the production device (various lamps, speakers, etc.) is activated via each device driver. Let

  In addition, when the display device 170 or the door device 180 controlled by the sub-control unit B500 is included, a sub-control command is set in the control data table, and the sub-control command is transmitted to the sub-control unit B500. To do.

  Therefore, the slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment includes the effect changeover switch 423, and the sub control command to be transmitted to the sub control unit B500 according to the ON / OFF setting state of the first to eighth dip switches. It changes, and the control content with respect to the display apparatus 170 and the door apparatus 180 by sub control part B500 is changed.

  Specifically, the control process as described above is described. The sub-control unit A400 that receives the command “4082” from the main control unit 300 refers to the effect table corresponding to the command, and performs the first reel stop operation in the effect order. , First reel stop operation, second reel stop operation, second reel stop operation,..., For example, the sub control command “0023” included in the control data table referred to in the third reel stop operation When transmitting to B500, if all the DIP switches of the effect changeover switch 423 are ON, the sub-control command is transmitted to the sub-control unit B500 without changing the sub-control command.

  Receiving the sub control command “0023”, the sub control unit B 500 selects the control data table A corresponding to the command, and executes control of the control data number 4 according to the command. In the control of the control data number 4, the door device 180 opens the left and right doors 181, 182 from the closed state to the half-open state, and then fully opens, and in parallel with this, the display device 170 displays the display control data 64 (display corresponding to the control data number 4). This is control data, and the display control is performed in the procedure of displaying a small “win”, then a large “win”, and finally displaying “per bell”.

  On the other hand, if the seventh dip switch 4237 is OFF in the effect changeover switch 423, the control for the door device 180 is set to stop, so the sub control command is changed to “002B” to the sub control unit B500. Send. Receiving the sub control command “002B”, the sub control unit 500 selects the control data table A corresponding to the command, and executes control of the control data number 12 according to the command. In the control of the control data number 12, there is no control of the door device 180, and the display device 170 is displayed on the display control data 72 (display control data corresponding to the control data number 12, and only “per bell” is continuously displayed. Display control in step).

  That is, in the slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the effect changeover switch 423 for switching between operation and stop of the door device 180 which is an example of the effect execution unit is set to “the effect operation enabled state in which the control means can control the effect execution unit. And an effect operation switching state in which an effect operation stop state in which the control of the effect execution means by the control means is stopped can be switched by manual operation ”, and according to the setting of the effect switch 423, the control means (sub-control unit) A400 and the sub-control unit B500) can execute the operation / stop for the door device 180.

  Accordingly, a game store clerk or the like so that the door device 180 in which the left and right doors 181 and 182 are only partially closed or an abnormal operation that causes one of the left and right doors 181 and 182 to stop moving is brought into a production operation stop state. However, if the setting of the effect changeover switch 423 is changed, the door device 180 stops operating, and the slot machine 100 can be continuously used as an effect that is switched to an effect that does not give the player a sense of incongruity. In addition, when the display device 170 becomes defective in operation, the display device 170 may be stopped and only an effect operation by opening and closing the door device 180 may be performed.

  As described above, if the operation / stop for the specific effect execution means can be switched by a simple operation using the effect changeover switch 423, the connection line between the sub-control unit B500 and the door device 180 is searched. It is not necessary to perform a complicated operation of stopping the door device 180 by removing the connector. Since the slot machine 100 can be restarted by switching the execution means to the operation stop state, the merit of the game shop is also great.

  In addition, if the seventh dip switch 4237 of the effect changeover switch 423 is OFF, by changing the sub control command to the sub control unit B500, the effect on the display device 170 is displayed when the door device is not used. Therefore, even when the presentation operation is performed by the display device 170 alone, it is possible to perform the presentation without any sense of incongruity for the player.

  Note that in the slot machine 100 capable of executing an advanced performance operation that correlates the display content of the display device 170 and the opening / closing operation of the door device 180, when the door device 180 is in a closed state, the performance is performed as it is. If the operation of the door device 180 is stopped by the changeover switch 423, the display effect by the display device 170 becomes invisible to the player. In such a case, the game clerk or the like performs the changeover operation of the effect changeover switch 423. When performing, it is necessary to convert the left and right doors 181 and 182 to the open state manually.

  Further, the effect execution means that can be switched between operation and stop by the effect changeover switch 423 is not limited to the display device 170 and the door device 180 described above, and an effect lamp that is controlled by the sub-control unit A400, A speaker or the like may be used as an effect execution means so that it can be switched ON / OFF. In this case, if the output to the device driver that controls the device for which the effect changeover switch 423 is OFF is stopped, the effecting device can be brought into an operation stopped state.

  Next, the effect change control performed by the sub-control unit A400 and the sub-control unit B500 will be described in detail based on FIGS.

<Sub-control unit A main control command reception processing>
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of main control command reception processing in the sub-control unit A400, which is repeatedly executed by the CPU 410 of the sub-control unit A400 unless a power-off is detected. First, in step S301, it is determined whether or not a command (main control command) transmitted from the main control unit 300 has been received. If the main control command has been received, the main control command is temporarily stored in the RAM 413 ( Step S302), the process ends.

<Sub-control unit A main process>
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the main process in the sub-control unit A400. The CPU 410 of the sub-control unit A400 performs control related to the effect, and repeats the same process unless a power-off is detected. To do. First, it is determined whether or not a main control command is stored in the sub-control unit A main control command reception process described above (step S401). If the main control command is stored, the main control command is determined ( Step S402).

  Details of the effect processing in step S403 to be performed are shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, along with determining that the main control command is an effect command in step S402, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to acquire an effect table and a control data table corresponding to the effect command (step S501). When it is necessary to acquire the effect table and control data table corresponding to the command, the effect table and control data table corresponding to the effect command are acquired (step S502), and the process ends. On the other hand, when the main control command from the main control unit 300 has not been received or when the received main control command is not the effect command and it is not necessary to acquire the effect table and the control data table, the display device Other predetermined processing such as a demonstration effect display for 170 is performed (step S503).

  After the effect process in step S403 is completed, various display lamps (effect lamp 126, upper lamp 144, side lamp 141) that are effect devices directly controlled by the sub-control unit A400 are added to the control data table acquired in the effect process. , Waist lamp 143, lower lamp 142, pan lamp 152) and device driver for controlling the speaker are determined (step S 404), and if there is control data, the control data is output to the corresponding effect device. (Step S405).

  For example, in the control data table corresponding to the third reel stop operation “003B” in the effect table acquired from the main control command “4082”, the sound effect output control data “0031” and the system sound output control data “000A”. ”, Backlight lighting control data“ 0005 ”, upper lamp lighting control data“ 0009 ”, side lamp lighting control data“ 000B ”, reel lighting lamp lighting control data“ 0002 ”, reel panel lamp lighting control Since there is data “0005”, title panel lamp lighting control data “0001”, pan lamp lighting control data “003F”, payout strobe lighting control data “0032”, etc., each control data is used for corresponding device control. To the device driver. The control data is a 4-digit hexadecimal code.

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is a sub control command to be transmitted to the sub control unit B500 in the control data table acquired in the effect process (step S406). If there is a sub control command, command change processing is performed (step S407). ), The sub control command set for transmission is transmitted to the sub control unit B 500 (step S408), and the process is terminated.

  Details of the command change processing performed in step S407 are shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, it is determined whether or not the seventh dip switch 4237 of the effect changeover switch 423 is set to OFF (step S601). If the seventh dip switch 4237 is OFF, it is necessary to change the sub control command. (Step S602), and if the sub-control command does not include the rendering operation of the door device 180, it is determined that there is no need to change, and the processing is ended as it is.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S602 that the sub control command needs to be changed, the sub control command is changed (step S603). Although the method for changing the sub control command is not particularly limited, a specific example of the method for changing the sub control command will be described below with reference to FIG.

  The sub-control command is a 4-digit hexadecimal code as described above, and control data number information is assigned to the first digit (the rightmost digit) and the second digit (the second digit from the right) is controlled. Data table information is assigned (see FIG. 15A). Then, in the sub control unit B500 that has received the sub control command, the control data table to be referred to is specified from the control data table information of the second digit, and the effect process determined corresponding to the control data number in this control data table The display device 170 and the door device 180 are controlled based on the operation information.

  As a sub-control command changing method, the first digit control data number information is changed to change to presentation processing operation information not including control of the door device 180, and the second digit control data table information is changed. In this example, the former is adopted to change the control data number information. That is, by changing the value of the first digit of the acquired sub control command (hereinafter referred to as an acquisition command), a sub control command (hereinafter referred to as a change command) that has been changed to a presentation operation that does not include the operation of the door device 180. It generates.

  When the first digit “3” of the acquisition command is represented by a 4-bit bit pattern, it is “0011” (see FIG. 15B), and the control data number information specified by the normal sub-control command is a hexadecimal number. The value in the range of 0 to 7 is assumed, and the fourth bit is always fixed to “0”. Therefore, when changing the control data number information, the fourth bit is changed to “1” so that the control data number information specified by the change command is set to be in the range of 8 to F in hexadecimal. That is, the first digit of the change command is changed to “1011” in the bit pattern (see FIG. 15B), and the control data number information in the change command becomes “B”.

  In this way, the acquisition command “0023” is changed to the change command “002B” (see FIG. 15C). By the same change method, the acquisition command “0020” is changed to the change command “0028”, the acquisition command “0021” is changed to the change command “0029”, and the acquisition command “0022” is changed to the change command “002A” (FIG. 15). (See (d)). Since the acquisition commands “0025” to “0028” do not include the operation control for the door device 180 as the production information, the change processing for the sub control command is not performed, and FIG. There is no corresponding change command.

  On the other hand, if the seventh dip switch 4237 of the effect changeover switch 423 is ON in step S601, the other dip switch is turned ON / OFF to change the command for the effecting device that stops the operation. (Step S604). In the present embodiment, the presentation devices controlled by the sub-control unit B500 are the display device 170 and the door device 180. Therefore, here, the eighth dip switch assigned to the operation / stop of the display device 170 is turned on / off. If it is determined and the eighth dip switch is OFF, it is determined whether or not it is a sub control command including control of the display device 170. If it is a sub control command including control of the display device 170, the display device 170 Change to a sub-control command that does not include control.

<Sub-control unit B command reception processing>
FIG. 16 shows command reception processing in the sub-control unit B500, and the sub-control unit 500 receives the sub-control command transmitted from the sub-control unit 400 as described above. First, it is determined whether or not a sub-control command has been received (step S701). If it has not been received, the processing is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if a sub control command has been received, the sub control command is determined (step S702), a control data table corresponding to the sub control command is acquired, and a control data number (control data number) in the control data table is acquired. The production process operation information of the number determined by the information is specified (step S703), and control data is output to the device driver of the production apparatus according to the production process operation information (step S704).

  For example, when the sub-control command is “0023”, the control data table A (the table used for the small role winning) is selected based on the fact that the control data table information is “2”. An example of the control data table A is as shown in FIG. 17A. Since the control data number information (reception information) in the received sub control command is “3”, the effect processing operation of the control data number 4 is performed. As information, control on the display device 170 and the door device 180 is specified. An example of the display control data used for the control of the display device 170 is as shown in FIG. 17B, and the screen display procedure for the display control data 64 is specified.

  Then, by selecting the control data number 4 in the control data table A, first, the left and right doors 181 and 182 completely shield the display screen 171 in the effect processing operation performed using the display device 170 and the door device 180. It gradually opens from the closed state until it is half-opened, and the display screen 171 displays a small “Win” (see FIG. 18 (a1)) and a large “Win” (see FIG. 18) at an appropriate timing according to the degree of opening. 18 (a2)), and then the left and right doors 181 and 182 are converted from half-open to fully open, and “per bell” is displayed on the display screen 171 (see FIG. 18 (a3)).

  On the other hand, when the operation change of the door device 180 is set by the effect switch 423 (the seventh dip switch 4237 is set to OFF), the sub-control command “0023” is changed to “002B”. Since the control data number information (reception information) is “B”, control for only the display device 170 is specified as the effect processing operation information of the control data number 12. Note that the screen display procedure of the display control data 72 is specified as the effect processing operation information of the control data number 12.

  Then, by selecting the control data number 12 in the control data table A, the effect processing operation performed using only the display device 170 is performed on the display screen 171 while the left and right doors 181 and 182 are held in the fully opened state. "Per bell" is displayed (see FIG. 18B).

  As described above, in the slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment, even if the command transmitted from the main control unit 100 to the sub control unit A400 is the same, the display by the sub control unit B500 according to the setting of the effect changeover switch 423. The effect processing operation control for the device 170 and the door device 180 is changed. Moreover, not only the door device 180 is not operated, but also the display device 170 is operated in cooperation with the door device 180 to change the effect display as an effect display by the display device 170 alone, so the door device 180 does not operate. However, it is possible to realize a display effect without any sense of incongruity.

  Note that the effect execution means that can be switched between operation and stop by the effect changeover switch 423 is not limited to the display device 170 and the door device 180. For example, as in the slot machine 100 ′ shown in FIG. 19, the left sub-reel 191 and the right sub-reel 192 provided at the left and right side portions of the display screen 171 may be effect execution means capable of switching between operation and stop. The effects by these left and right sub reels 191 and 192 are to stop the reel with characters and designs corresponding to the winning contents and make the characters and designs visible to the player from the sub reel display window, and the left and right sub reels 191 and 192 fail. If it stops moving, it is fixed to the reel display of characters and symbols that are not related to the effect display performed on the display device 170 thereafter, which is undesirable for the effect. Therefore, a game store clerk who switches the left and right sub-reels 191 and 192 to stop the operation manually changes the symbols of the left and right sub-reels 191 and 192 to those not related to the game result or the like, or hides the sub-reel display window with a simple decorative sticker. As a result, it is possible to eliminate a sense of incongruity as an effect operation by only the display device 170.

Second Embodiment
In the slot machine 100 according to the first embodiment described above, if the game store clerk or the like does not manually operate the effect changeover switch 423 after the malfunction of the effect execution means such as the door device 180 is known, the effect execution means is used. Although it is not possible to switch to the operation stop state, it is possible to save time and effort of the game shop clerk etc. if the switch to the operation stop state is automatically executed immediately when a malfunction of the effect execution means is detected. However, the slot machine in which the production execution means operates abnormally can be avoided from being used by the player. Thus, as a second embodiment of the gaming machine according to the present invention, a slot machine that automatically stops the effect execution means that has malfunctioned due to a failure or the like will be described below.

  The slot machine according to the second embodiment also has a configuration substantially similar to that of the slot machine 100 described above, and includes a display device 170 and a door device 180 controlled by the output from the sub-control unit B500 as a plurality of types of effect execution means. The sub control unit B500 can detect the open / closed states of the left and right doors 181 and 182 constituting the door device 180 based on detection outputs from the door position sensors 1816 and 1826. Therefore, the sub-control unit B500 outputs the drive pulse to the motors 1815 and 1825 of the left and right doors 181 and 182 to control the conversion to the open state or the closed state, but the door position sensors 1816 and 1826 open or close By not receiving the position detection signal, it is possible to determine the state in which the left and right doors 181 and 182 are not converted to the open state or the closed state. That is, in the present embodiment, the door position sensors 1816 and 1826 and the sub-control unit B500 cooperate to detect “an abnormal state in which an appropriate performance operation cannot be performed for one or more predetermined performance execution means”. Function as "abnormality detecting means".

  Then, the sub control unit B500 that has detected the abnormal state of the door device 180 transmits an error command to the sub control unit A400. Upon receiving this error command, the sub-control unit A400 shifts to the effect change mode, and thereafter, the sub-control command including the effect operation for the effect executing means that is operating abnormally is sent to the sub control command that does not include the effect operation for the effect executing means. The control command is changed and sent to the sub-control unit B500. Thus, similarly to the slot machine 100 of the first embodiment described above, when the door device 180 is malfunctioning, it is switched to the rendering operation only by the display device 170. That is, in the present embodiment, the sub-control unit A400 and the sub-control unit B500 cooperate to realize the function of “the control unit changes the control on the effect execution unit according to the detection state of the abnormality detection unit”. is there.

  As described above, in the slot machine according to the present embodiment, the control for the effect execution means in which the abnormal state is detected is automatically changed, and the effect execution means that does not match the game progress is not performed by the effect execution means. It is possible to continue the game by switching to a production that does not feel uncomfortable. Moreover, when the door device 180 that requires the motors 1815 and 1825 as the drive source is used as the effect execution means, the motor 1815 of the door device 180 is stopped by accurately detecting an abnormality of the door device 180 and stopping the operation. There is also an advantage that occurrence of secondary damage such as abnormal heat generation of 1825 can be suppressed.

  In addition, although the method of detecting the abnormal state of the effect execution means is not particularly limited, a specific example of abnormality detection of the door device 180 will be described based on FIG. 20 and FIG.

  FIG. 20 shows a motor control process performed by the sub-control unit B500. First, it is determined whether or not it is a pulse output timing to the motors 1815 and 1825 of the left and right doors 181 and 182 based on the acceleration pattern / deceleration pattern or constant velocity pattern set as the current control operation (step S801), and the pulse output is still performed. If it is not the timing, the process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is the pulse output timing in step S801, the drive voltage to the motor power control circuits 540 and 550 is set (step S802), and the pulse output and direction signal output to the motor drivers 542 and 552 are performed. (Step S803). As a result, appropriate drive pulses are supplied to the motors 1815 and 1825 of the left and right doors 181 and 182, and the rotor rotates in a predetermined direction by a predetermined angle.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the left and right doors 181 and 182 are in the fully open position or the fully closed position based on the signal output that causes the motor drive as described above (step S804), and until the doors still reach the fully closed and fully open positions. If the pulse output remains, the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the signal output for reaching the fully open position or the fully closed position has been completed in step S804, whether the fully open position detection signal or the fully closed position detection signal has been input from the door position sensors 1816 and 1826. It is determined whether or not (step S805).

  For example, when control is performed to convert the left and right doors 181 and 182 from the fully closed position to the fully open position, when the drive pulses necessary for the movement are supplied to the motors 1815 and 1825, the fully open position is detected from the door position sensors 1816 and 1826. If no signal is input, malfunctions occur such as the motors 1815 and 1826 are not driven properly, or the driving force of the motors 1815 and 1825 is not transmitted as a force for sliding the left and right door members 1811 and 1821. It is thought that. Therefore, if it is determined in step S805 that no sensor is detected, an error counter update process is performed assuming that an abnormal state has been detected (step S806).

  As described above, when the motor drive control for moving to the fully open position or the fully closed position is completed, an abnormal state is detected because the left and right doors 181 and 182 have not moved to the fully open position or the fully closed position. It is detected that the left and right doors 181 and 182 are in the fully open position or the fully closed position even though the motor drive control for moving to the fully open position or the fully closed position has not ended. An abnormal state may be detected by the above. When the door device 180 is completely broken and the left and right doors 181 and 182 do not move at all, such an abnormal state detection method is effective. In addition, when this abnormal state detection method is employed, after the determination in step S804 is No, the presence or absence of detection by the door position sensors 1816 and 1826 is determined. Here, the fully open position is determined from the door position sensors 1816 and 1826. If no detection signal is input, the error counter update process in step S806 may be performed.

  FIG. 21 shows details of the error counter update process performed in step S807. First, “1” is added to the error counter (step S901), then it is determined whether or not the count value of the error counter has reached “10” (step S902), and the count value of the error counter is still less than 10. If there is, the process ends.

  On the other hand, when the number of executions of the error counter update process is 10th and the count value of the error counter is 10, an error flag is set (step S903), and the error counter is reset (step S904). .

  Thus, in the abnormal state detection method shown in this example, the abnormal state where the drive control content for the door device 180 and the actual positions of the left and right doors 181 and 182 do not match reaches a predetermined number of times (for example, 10 times). An error flag for stopping the operation of the door device 180 is set. In this case, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the temporary malfunction in the door device 180 is determined as an abnormal state and the door device 180 is brought into an operation stop state even when the normal operation can be immediately restored. Even when the error of the door device 180 occurs about once an hour, the count value of the error counter reaches 10 if the slot machine is operating for a long time. The error counter may be cleared when a predetermined time elapses from 1.

  If it is determined in step S806 in the motor control process that there is no sensor detection, the error counter update process may not be performed and the error flag may be set immediately. In this case, the abnormal state determination is not postponed until the abnormal operation of the door device 180 is detected nine times after the abnormal operation of the door device 180 is detected first, and the abnormal state determination is promptly performed. Therefore, it is possible to respond quickly and improve the reliability of the production operation.

  FIG. 22 shows a sub-control unit B command transmission process for transmitting the abnormal state of the door device 180 detected by the sub-control unit B500 to the sub-control unit A400 using the above method. First, it is determined whether or not an error flag is set (step S1001), and if the error flag is not set, the process is terminated as it is.

  If it is determined in step S1001 that there is an error flag, it is determined whether or not the door device 180 is in a fully open state (the left and right doors 181 and 182 are in their fully open positions) (step S1002). Then, an error command is set as a transmission command (step S1003), the error flag is canceled (step S1004), and the process is terminated. That is, when an error flag is set based on the occurrence of an abnormal state where proper operation of the door device 180 cannot be expected, and the left and right doors 181 and 182 do not shield the display screen 171 of the display device 170 (display device) The display screen 171 of 170 can be visually recognized by the player, and only when the display operation of the display device 170 can be performed without a sense of incongruity without operating the door device 180, from the sub-control unit B500 to the sub-control unit A400. An error command is sent.

  When the error command set as described above is transmitted from the sub-control unit B500 to the sub-control unit A400, the sub-control unit A400 that has received the error command includes the sub-control command including the operation control of the door device 180 as the effect contents. Is changed to a sub-control command that does not include the operation control of the door device 180, and is transmitted to the sub-control unit B500. Thus, as the presentation operation by the sub-control unit B500, the operation control for the door device 180 is not performed, and the control for the display device 170 is switched to the display effect when the door device is not used. It is possible to make the display effect in the player feel comfortable.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1002 that the door device 180 is not fully opened, a failure occurrence command is set as a transmission command (step S1005). That is, an error flag is set based on the occurrence of an abnormal state where proper operation of the door device 180 cannot be expected, and the left and right doors 181 and 182 shield all or part of the display screen 171 of the display device 170. If there is a possibility that the display screen 171 of the display device 170 cannot be clearly seen by the player, and it cannot be said that the rendering operation by only the display control of the display device 170 is effective, the sub-control unit B500 The failure occurrence command is transmitted to the control unit A400.

  When the failure occurrence command set as described above is transmitted from the sub-control unit B500 to the sub-control unit A400, the sub-control unit A400 that receives the command causes various lamps and display operations to notify the failure occurrence status. And prompt the game shop clerk to respond quickly. Thus, it is possible to effectively avoid a situation in which the player is allowed to use the slot machine in which the door device 180 operates abnormally for a long time. In addition, even if a game shop clerk or the like repairs the slot machine, if the failure of the door device 180 is not easily corrected, the left and right doors 181 and 182 of the door device 180 may be converted to a fully opened state as a temporary measure. good. If the left and right doors 181 and 182 are in the fully open position, since the determination is YES in step S1002 of the sub-control unit B command transmission process, the display effect is changed to only the display device 170 that does not use the door device 180. There is an advantage that it can be continuously used as a slot machine that does not produce an effect by the door device 180, and it is not necessary to reduce the operating rate of the game machine in the game store.

  In the present embodiment, only when both the left and right doors 181 and 182 are in the fully open position, an error command is transmitted from the sub-control unit B500 to the sub-control unit A400, and the change of the sub-control command is prompted. For example, when one of the left and right doors 181 and 182 is in the fully open position and the other is in the fully closed position (when only the right half or the left half of the display screen 171 of the display device 170 is visible from the player) In addition, an error command is transmitted to the sub-control unit A400, and the sub-control unit A400 that receives the error command changes to a sub-control command that performs an effect display using only the right half or the left half of the display screen 171. , It may be transmitted to the sub-control unit B500.

<Third Embodiment>
Moreover, in 2nd Embodiment mentioned above, sub control part A400 and sub control part B500 cooperated, and it was made to function as a control means which makes the production | presentation execution means of an abnormal state into an operation stop state, but it is not restricted to this, The sub-control unit B500 that directly controls the display control device 170 and the door device 180, which are the effect execution means, may employ such control that the door device 180 in an abnormal state itself stops operating.

  For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the sub-control unit B500 changes the control data number information that is the first digit of the sub-control command in accordance with the effect execution means for setting the operation stop state, so that the sub-control unit B500 Although the control data number referred from the control data table is changed, in the slot machine according to the third embodiment, the sub-control unit B500 changes the reference control data number by itself, thereby producing the effect executing means. The content of the control is changed, and the production control that does not include the operation control for the production execution means in the abnormal state is performed, and the sub-control unit B500 alone “changes the control on the production execution means according to the detection state of the abnormality detection means. The function as “control means” is realized.

  In order to do so, the sub-control unit B500 includes a control data table in which control data to be referred to when an error flag is set (when an abnormal operation of the effect execution unit occurs a predetermined number of times) is included in advance. For example, in the control data table A used for winning the small role, in addition to the control data numbers 1 to 8 specified by the normal sub-control command, the control data numbers 9 to 16 for change are added. (See FIG. 23).

  That is, when the error flag is set, the control data number information 0 to 0 is changed by changing the fourth bit of the control data number information, which is the first digit of the received sub control command, from “0” to “1”. 7 is changed to the control data number information 8 to F, respectively, and the reference destination is changed, the control data numbers 1 to 4 including the operation control for the door device 180 as the effect content. As the control data numbers 9 to 12 not included in FIG.

  Since the control data numbers 5 to 8 do not include the operation control for the door device 180 as the production contents, it is not necessary to change the control data number as the reference destination, but the first digit of the received sub-control command is used. When the method of changing the fourth bit of certain control data number information from “0” to “1” is adopted, when the error flag is set, the data control number information 4 to 7 is also changed to the data control numbers C to F. Since it is changed, the control contents corresponding to the control data numbers 13 to 16 are also prepared.

  As described above, the gaming table according to the present invention has been described as some embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and any equivalent technique can be used as long as the configuration described in the claims is not changed. You may carry out.

It is a front view of a slot machine which is an example of a game table. It is a front side perspective view which shows schematic structure of a door apparatus. (A) is a front view in the upper half part inside a slot machine. (B) is a partially enlarged view of the substrate surface of the sub-control unit B. FIG. It is a schematic block diagram of a main control part. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sub-control unit A. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sub-control unit B. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the main process by the main control part. It is a flowchart which shows the production | presentation code setting process by a main control part. (A) is a corresponding explanatory view of a drawing table and an effect code. (B) is an explanatory diagram of the correspondence between effect codes and command data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the sub control command change performed according to the setting of an effect switch. 4 is a flowchart showing main control command reception processing by a sub-control unit A. 4 is a flowchart showing main processing by a sub-control unit A. It is a flowchart which shows the production process by the sub-control part A. 4 is a flowchart showing command processing by a sub-control unit A. It is explanatory drawing of the process of obtaining a change command from an acquisition command. 7 is a flowchart showing command reception processing by a sub-control unit B. (A) is a schematic explanatory drawing of the control data table A which the sub-control part B refers to. (B) is a corresponding explanatory diagram of the display control data number and the screen display procedure. (A1) to (a3) are illustrations of the contents of effects by the control data number 4. (B) is an effect content explanatory diagram of the control data number 12. It is a front view showing the upper part of a slot machine provided with a pair of left and right sub-reels as effect execution means. It is a flowchart which shows the motor control process by the sub-control part B of the slot machine which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the error counter update process by the sub-control part B of the slot machine which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the command transmission process by the sub-control part B of the slot machine which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the control data table A to which the sub-control part B of the slot machine which concerns on 3rd Embodiment moves.

Explanation of symbols

100 slot machine 170 display device 171 display screen 180 door device 181 left door 1815 motor (for left door)
1816 Door position sensor (for left door)
182 Right door 1825 Motor (for right door)
1826 Door position sensor (for right door)
300 Main control unit 400 Sub control unit A
423 Door changeover switch 4237 7th dip switch 500 Sub control part B

Claims (8)

Control means for controlling the progress of the game based on the player's game operation;
In a gaming machine controlled by the control means and provided with a plurality of types of effect execution means for performing an effect operation accompanying the progress of the game,
Production operation switching means capable of switching between manual production operation enabling state of the production operation enabling control of the production execution means by the control means and production operation stop state of stopping the control of the production execution means by the control means And a game stand characterized in that the control means executes operation / stop for the effect execution means in accordance with the setting of the effect action switching means.   2. The game table according to claim 1, wherein the effect operation switching means is switchable between an effect operation enabling state and an effect operation stopping state for each effect executing means.   The plurality of types of effect execution means include at least a display device capable of displaying various types of visible information on a display screen, and a door device opened and closed on the front side of the display screen of the display device. The game table according to claim 1 or 2.   The control means switches the effect operation for the display device to the display effect when the door device is not used, provided that the effect operation stop state of the door device is set by the effect operation switching means. The game table according to claim 3. Control means for controlling the progress of the game based on the player's game operation;
In a gaming machine controlled by the control means and provided with a plurality of types of effect execution means for performing an effect operation accompanying the progress of the game,
Among the plurality of types of effect executing means, an abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormal state in which an appropriate effect operation cannot be executed is provided for one or more predetermined effect executing means, and according to the detection state of the abnormality detecting means. The game machine is characterized in that the control means changes control over the effect execution means. The plurality of types of effect execution means include at least a display device capable of displaying various visible information on a display screen, and a door device opened and closed on the front side of the display screen of the display device,
6. The game table according to claim 5, wherein an abnormality detecting means is provided for at least the door device. An open / closed state detecting means capable of detecting whether the door device is open or closed;
The abnormality detection means is detected by the opening / closing state detection means that the door device is in an open state or a closed state, even though the control means performs an operation control to convert the door device into an open state or a closed state. Not to detect abnormal conditions based on
The control means performs an effect operation on the display device on the condition that an abnormal state of the door device is detected by at least the abnormality detection means and an open state of the door device is detected by the open / close state detection means. 7. The game table according to claim 6, wherein the game table is switched to a display effect when the door device is not used.   The control means performs operation control on the door device, and adds an abnormal counter count value when an abnormal state is detected by the abnormality detecting means, and counts the abnormal counter when the abnormal state detecting means does not detect the abnormal state. When the count value of the abnormality counter reaches a predetermined number and the open state of the door device is detected by the open / close state detecting means, the effect operation for the display device is performed on the door. 8. The game table according to claim 7, wherein the display is switched to a display effect when the device is not used.

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