JP2007229041A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to automatically reset to a stable condition in the case hot start are repeatedly generated. <P>SOLUTION: A game machine has an electric component control means for controlling electric components and doing initial stage control processing, a storing means having a storing area for storing the condition of a game, a reset means transmitting a reset signal to the electric component control means when not receiving the control signal output by the electric component control means for a predetermined period of time, a counting means for counting the number of times of the hot start, the initial stage control processing determines whether or not the number of times of the hot start reach abnormality detecting number of times when the reset means transmits the reset signal and reads out at least a part of stored data stored in the storing means to executes hot start when not reaching the abnormality detecting number of times while executes cold start when the number of times of the hot start reaches the abnormality detecting number of times. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine having a hot start function that restarts at a high speed by partially omitting settings and checks of devices and the like at the time of restart.

  Conventionally, game machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines have been cold-started for setting and checking devices and the like when the power is turned on, and it takes time to start. Also, when restarting a gaming machine due to problems such as noise, in order to reduce the time required for restarting, perform a hot start that restarts at high speed by omitting some settings and checks of devices etc. Yes.

  However, when the gaming machine is in an unstable state, hot start often occurs, and there is a problem that the gaming machine cannot be automatically reset to a stable state. Moreover, in order to reset the gaming machine to a stable state when hot start frequently occurs, it is troublesome because the gaming machine has to be manually turned off and then turned on again. Furthermore, it is not easy for the store clerk to go around the game store and monitor the occurrence frequency of hot start for all the gaming machines.

JP-A-5-12139

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can be automatically reset to a stable state when hot start occurs repeatedly.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an electrical component, an electrical component control means for controlling the electrical component and performing an initial control process, a storage means having a storage area for storing a game state, and the electrical component control means. A reset means for transmitting a reset signal to the electrical component control means when the control signal output by the controller is not received for a predetermined time, and a counting means for counting the number of hot starts. The initial control process is performed by the reset means. When the reset signal is transmitted, it is determined whether the number of hot starts has reached the number of times of abnormality detection. If the number of times of abnormality detection has not been reached, at least a part of stored data stored in the storage means is stored. Read out and execute hot start. On the other hand, if the number of times of hot start has reached the number of times of abnormality detection, start cold start. Characterized in that row.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, when the cold start is executed, collation data for determining whether or not the stored data is normal is set in the storage means, and the hot start is executed. Prior to determining whether the stored data is normal using the verification data, the hot start is executed when the stored data is normal, and the cold start is executed instead of the hot start when the stored data is not normal. It is characterized by.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, in the storage unit, the storage area is divided into a plurality of storage locations, and a plurality of the verification data are stored in a plurality of storage locations that are not adjacent to each other in the storage region. It is characterized by that.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clear switch according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a clear switch capable of erasing data stored in the storage means when operated when the power is turned on. The initial control process executed at the time of resetting or at the time of resetting, and the normal control process executed after the execution of the initial control process is at least configured. In the initial control process, the operation of the clear switch is determined and operated. If it is, the cold start is executed.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, the electrical component control means includes at least a first control means and a second control means according to the control of the first control means, and the second control means includes the The operation of the clear switch is determined, and the initial control process for executing the cold start when the clear switch is operated is performed.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the initial control process by the electrical component control means determines whether the number of hot start has reached the number of times of abnormality detection when the reset means has transmitted a reset signal, and determines the number of times of abnormality detection. If not reached, at least a part of the stored data stored in the storage means is read and a hot start is executed. On the other hand, if the hot start count reaches the abnormality detection count, a cold start is executed. Thus, when an unstable state in which hot start repeatedly occurs continues, it is possible to automatically cold start and reset to a stable state.

  According to the invention of claim 2, when a cold start is executed, collation data for determining whether or not the stored data is normal is set in the storage means, and prior to the execution of the hot start, the collation is performed. It is determined whether the stored data is normal using data, and when the stored data is normal, the hot start is executed, and when the stored data is not normal, the cold start is executed instead of the hot start. If the game machine is not normal, a cold start is performed instead of a hot start, so that it is possible to suppress a problem that the unstable state of the gaming machine is maintained by the abnormal storage data.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the storage means is configured such that a storage area is divided into a plurality of storage locations, and a plurality of the verification data are stored in a plurality of storage locations that are not adjacent in the storage region. Since it is possible to determine whether or not the stored data is normal by dividing the storage area, it is possible to efficiently suppress the occurrence of problems due to abnormal storage data.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clear switch capable of erasing the stored data of the storage means when operated at power-on, and the electrical component control means is configured to perform the initial control executed at power-on or reset. And at least a normal control process executed after execution of the initial control process. In the initial control process, the operation of the clear switch is determined, and the cold start is executed when operated. Thus, the cold start can be forcibly made from the outside, so that the control of the gaming machine can be stabilized.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the electrical component control means includes at least a first control means and a second control means according to the control of the first control means, and the second control means includes the clear switch. By performing the initial control process for determining the operation and executing the cold start when the operation is being performed, the second control means is forcibly cold-started from the outside regardless of a command from the first control means. Therefore, it is possible to stabilize the control of the gaming machine.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention with the nails of the gaming board omitted, FIG. 2 is a rear view of the gaming machine, and FIG. 3 is a simplified connection of the control board and the like of the gaming machine. FIG.

  A gaming machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a pachinko gaming machine that uses a game ball as a game medium, and an outer guide rail 4 and an inner guide rail 5 of the game ball are erected on the edge of the game board 3 in a substantially circular shape. On the center line of the game area 6 surrounded by the inner guide rail 5, a display device 9, a start winning port 10, a special winning port 15 that is a special electric accessory, and an out port 17 are arranged in order from the upper part to the lower part. ing. On both upper sides of the ramp wind turbines 18a and 18b, below the normal symbol variation start left gate 19 and normal symbol variation start right gate 21, below the left sleeve winning port 23 and right sleeve winning port 25, and further, On both sides of the big winning opening 15, a left dropping winning opening 27 and a right dropping winning opening 29 are arranged. When game balls win the various winning holes, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out as prize balls. When a big hit is made, the big winning opening 15 is opened, and a big hit game (special game) in which a game ball is easy to win is executed. Reference numerals 22a and 22b denote wind turbines, F1 denotes an outer frame, F2 denotes a front frame, and G denotes a glass frame attached to the front frame F2 by a hinge so as to be opened and closed.

  Further, on the front side of the gaming machine 1, a speaker 32 that emits sound effects and the like, a frame decoration left lamp 33a and a frame decoration right lamp 33b are provided, and an upper ball receiving tray 36 for receiving the paid game balls, A lower ball receiving tray 37 for receiving the game ball when the upper ball receiving tray 36 is saturated, a launching device 53 for projecting and firing the game ball toward the game area 6 in accordance with the player's launch operation, and the like are assembled. Yes. Hereinafter, each required part will be further described in detail.

  The display device 9 is capable of displaying at least one of characters and designs, and includes a display device such as a liquid crystal, a dot matrix, or an LED display device. In this embodiment, a liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD module) is used. ), And a normal symbol display unit 45 is incorporated in the lower left, and most of the other is a special symbol display unit 42.

  The special symbol display unit 42 displays the determination result by the determination unit for determining whether or not the game is successful. The special symbol display unit 42 of the present embodiment includes a left display region, a center display region, and a right display region divided into three display regions arranged side by side, and the left special symbol (left determination symbol) is included in the left display region. In the center display area, the middle special symbol (medium judgment symbol), and in the right display area, the right special symbol (right judgment symbol) are displayed as a special symbol (judgment symbol) for displaying the determination result for the jackpot. And stop display is possible. In addition to the special symbol (determination symbol), a background image (including characters, background, characters, etc.) may be displayed on the special symbol display unit 42, and the background image changes in the special symbol. Variation display may be possible due to a predetermined condition such as start. In this embodiment, the special symbols (decision symbols) that are changed and stopped in the left display area, the central display area, and the right display area are “0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7”. , 8, 9, 10, 11 ”.

  The normal symbol display unit 45 variably displays and stops a normal symbol for determining a small hit such as a symbol or a picture (character). The normal symbols that are changed and stopped on the normal symbol display unit 45 in the present embodiment are 10 patterns of “0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9”. .

  The start winning opening 10 is provided directly below the special symbol display section 42, and the two movable pieces 10a, 10b are substantially vertical and hardly V-shaped by a starting start opening solenoid on the back, and are substantially V-shaped (reverse C). It is controlled so that it can be changed between the expanded and open states that are easy to win. A space between the movable pieces 10a and 10b of the start winning opening 10 corresponds to a winning area. The opening / opening of the start winning opening 10 is performed when a normal symbol is changed on the normal symbol display unit 45 and then a fixed stop is displayed at a specific normal symbol and a small hit (per normal symbol) is established.

  In addition, on the back of the game board 3, a start winning port detection switch (start winning port sensor) for detecting a game ball won in the start winning port 10 is provided in the winning ball passage. In this embodiment, The detection of a winning ball by the start winning port detection switch is set as a cause for determining whether or not a big win (game win / fail) has been made and a cause for starting the variation display of the special symbol (determination symbol). In addition, even if a game ball wins the start winning opening 10 while the special symbol display unit 42 displays the variation of the special symbol, the variation display of the special symbol cannot be started immediately. The change display is temporarily held, and the number of hold balls is reduced by the change display of the special symbol. In the present embodiment, the upper limit value of the number of special symbol reserved balls is set to four.

  The normal symbol variation start left gate 19 and the normal symbol variation start right gate 21 detect a game ball passing through both gates 19 and 21 by a normal symbol variation start switch provided on the back of the game board 3. Thus, the normal symbol display unit 45 starts to change the normal symbol. In addition, during the normal symbol variation display, the normal symbol variation generated by the game ball passing through the normal symbol variation start left gate 19 and the normal symbol variation start right gate 21 is retained up to four times. It is stored as a number, and the number of reserved balls of the normal symbol is reduced by the start of fluctuation of the normal symbol. Furthermore, a left sleeve winning port detection switch and a right sleeve winning port detection switch for detecting the winning balls of the left sleeve winning port 23 and the right sleeve winning port 25, and the left dropping winning port 27 and the right dropping winning port 29 are detected. A left drop winning opening detection switch and a right drop winning opening detection switch for detecting a winning ball are respectively provided on the back of the corresponding game board.

  The special prize opening 15 includes an opening / closing plate 16 that is opened and closed by a special prize opening opening solenoid provided on the back surface of the game board 3. The special winning opening 15 is normally in a state in which the opening / closing plate 16 is closed, and a part of the special winning opening 15 has a specific area that is opened when the special winning opening 15 is opened to allow a winning. It has a winning opening 15a. Further, the specific area winning opening 15a is provided with an opening / closing door that is opened and closed by a specific area opening solenoid in a predetermined condition. The specific area winning opening 15a is provided with a specific winning ball detection switch (specific area sensor) for detecting a specific winning ball so that the right to continue opening the large winning opening 15 is established by detecting the winning ball. Has been. In addition, a winning ball count switch (count sensor) for detecting a winning ball that has won the grand winning port 15 and has not won the specific area winning port 15a is provided in the approximate center of the large winning port 15. It has been.

  The launching device 53 has a launching motor that is driven by the operation of the operation lever 54 on the back side, and the game ball is ejected by the driving of the launching motor. The launch ball fired by the launch device 53 is guided to the game area 6 through a launch ball guide path formed between the outer guide rail 4 and the inner guide rail 5 erected on the game board surface. The game ball guided to the game area 6 rolls downward and rolls down and wins the respective devices and the winning holes, or if no winning is made anywhere, from the out port 17 of the game board 3. It is discharged to the back side. Note that the prepaid card unit 56 is connected to the gaming machine 1 of this example.

  A game performed by the gaming machine 1 will be briefly described. In the gaming machine 1, when game balls launched toward the game area 6 by the launching device 53 win a variety of winning holes in the game area 9, a predetermined number of game balls are awarded as prize balls, which will be described later. It is paid out to the upper ball receiving tray 36 from the apparatus. Further, when a game ball passes through the normal symbol variation start left gate 19 and the normal symbol variation start right gate 21 and the game ball is detected by the normal symbol variation start switch, the main control board 100 described later is sent to. When a detection signal is sent and the number of normal symbol variation holding balls is less than 4, a random number for determining a small hit / ordinary symbol is acquired, and the acquired random number value is stored in a normal symbol numerical value in the RAM of the main control board 100. Once stored in the area. The stored random numbers for determining the small hits / ordinary symbols are sequentially read out, and based on the read random numbers, the determination of the normal symbol (small hit) is performed, and the normal symbol display unit 45 The normal symbol variation starts and stops after a predetermined time variation. At this time, if the hit determination result of the normal symbol is a small hit, the small winning normal symbol, in this example, stops at an odd number, the start winning opening 10 is in the expanded winning area, and the game ball is easy to win. Become. When a game ball wins the winning area of the start winning opening 10, a predetermined number (for example, five) of game balls are paid out from the prize ball payout device as prize balls.

  In addition, when a game ball is won at the start winning port 10 and a winning ball is detected by the start winning port detection switch, a detection signal is sent to the main control board 100, and the number of special symbol variation holding balls is less than 4. In this case, a jackpot winning / not-determining random number value and a jackpot symbol combination determining random number value are acquired, and the acquired numerical values are temporarily stored in a corresponding storage area of the RAM of the main control board 100. Then, the stored jackpot winner determination random number value is sequentially read out, and the jackpot winner determination is performed based on the read jackpot winner determination random number value. A random number for determining a combination is acquired. Also, a variation mode determining random value is acquired before the start of variation of the special symbol. Then, according to the selected variation mode determined based on the obtained variation mode determination random value, the special symbol starts to change in the special symbol display unit 42 and stops after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  The special symbol that is stopped and displayed in the special symbol display unit 42 is stopped and displayed in a jackpot fixed special symbol combination, in this example, in a rounded pattern (a state in which the same numbers are arranged like '7, 7, 7'). Then, it becomes a big hit, and it shifts to a special game state (big hit game state) advantageous to the player. In the special gaming state, the open / close plate 16 of the grand prize opening 15 is opened to make it easy to receive the game balls falling on the surface of the gaming area 6 so that the big prize opening 15 can be awarded. When a prize is won, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out as prize balls by the payout device. The opening / closing plate 16 has a predetermined number (for example, 10) of winning balls detected after elapse of a predetermined time (for example, 29.5 seconds) or by the specific winning ball detection switch and the winning ball count switch. It is supposed to close at the moment.

  If the specific winning ball detection switch detects a winning ball to the specific area winning port 15a while the big winning port 15 is open or within about 2 seconds after the big winning port 15 is closed, the right to repeat the jackpot again And the opening and closing of the opening / closing plate 16 is repeated a predetermined maximum number of times (for example, a maximum of 16 times).

  A plurality of control devices for controlling the game, a ball guidance device, and the like are provided on the back side of the gaming machine 1. FIG. 2 shows the back side of the gaming machine 1, and main control boards 100, sub-control boards 110, display control boards 120, payout control boards 140, voice control boards 150, lamp control boards are the main control boards. 160, a firing control board 170, a power supply board 180, and the like are shown. Reference numeral 175 is a power receiving board, 181 is a payout device (award ball payout device and rental ball payout device), 183 is a no-ball switch (both award and ball lending), 187 is a RAM clear switch, 189 is a ball storage tank, 191 Shows ball-guided traps.

  The ball storage tank 189 stores a required number of game balls, and supplies the game balls from the ball guide bar 191 to the payout device 181 via the no-ball switch 183. The no ball switch 183 detects the presence or absence of a game ball in the game ball passage.

  The payout device 181 rotates a rotating ball receiver (for example, screw type) by rotating a payout motor, and the game ball received in the ball receiving portion of the rotating ball receiver rotates the rotating ball receiver. It is a well-known one that feeds a ball by means of and discharges one ball at a time.

  The game balls paid out from the payout device 181 are supplied to the upper ball receiving tray 36 through a communication port (not shown). A surplus ball passage communicating with the lower ball receiving tray 37 is formed on the side of the communication opening, and the paid-out game balls are filled with the upper ball receiving tray 36 and reach the communication opening. In this state, when the game ball is further paid out, the game ball is guided to the lower ball tray 37 through the surplus ball passage. The lower ball receiving tray 37 is provided with a full tank switch. When the lower ball receiving tray 37 is filled with game balls, the full tank switch is pushed by the game balls and turned ON, and the payout device 181 is turned on. The operation is stopped and the driving of the launching device 53 is stopped.

  The block diagram of FIG. 3 is a diagram showing electrical connection of the control board and the like. The main control board will be briefly described below.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main control board 100 includes a one-chip microcomputer having a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and a plurality of counters, an input / output circuit connecting the one-chip microcomputer and the sub-control board 110, and the one-chip It is composed of an input / output circuit or the like that connects a microcomputer and a relay board (a big prize opening 15 etc. are connected to the relay board), a payout control board 140, etc., and performs main control related to the game. The CPU includes a control unit, a calculation unit, various counters, various registers, various flags, etc., and performs calculation control, as well as random numbers related to big hits and small hits (per regular symbol for opening and opening the start winning opening 10) And a command (control signal) can be output (transmitted) to each of the substrates. The RAM includes a storage area for a detection signal of a start winning opening detection switch and a detection signal of a normal symbol variation start switch, a storage area for various random values generated by the CPU, a storage area for temporarily storing various data, Provided with flag and CPU work area. The ROM stores not only game control programs and control data, but also jackpot and jackpot determination values. The main control board 100 operates by receiving power from the power board 180.

  In this embodiment, each CPU in the main control board 100, the sub control board 110, the display control board 120, and the payout control board 140 corresponds to the electric component control means in the present invention. The display device 9 and the payout device 181 correspond to electrical components in the present invention. Further, the CPU of the main control board 100 and the sub control board 105 in the electrical component control means corresponds to the first control means, while the CPU of the payout control board 140 corresponds to the second control means. An electrical component controlled by the CPU of the payout control board 140 corresponding to the second control means corresponds to the payout device 181.

  The sub control board 110 receives the command transmitted from the main control board 100 and transmits the command to the display control board 120, the sound control board 150, and the lamp control board 160. The CPU included in the sub-control board 110 reads out a sub-processing program from the ROM and executes it. The sub-control board 110 receives power from the power board 180 and operates.

  The display control board 120 includes a one-chip microcomputer having a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM, an input circuit connecting the one-chip microcomputer and the sub-control board 110, and an output circuit connecting the one-chip microcomputer and the display device 9. The display on the special symbol display unit 42 and the normal symbol display unit 45 is controlled based on a command output from the sub-control board 110. The CPU of the display control board 120 has a control unit, a calculation unit, various counters, various registers, various flags and the like, and performs calculation control. The RAM of the display control board 120 has a storage area for various data and a work area for the CPU. The ROM of the display control board 120 stores invariant information for display control, that is, programs, image data, constants, and the like.

  The payout control board 140 is connected to the main control board 100 by electrical connection means such as wiring, and receives a command output from the main control board 100 to receive the payout device (prize ball and lending payout device). 181 is controlled. The payout control board 140 operates by receiving power from the power board 180.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the payout control board 140 has a payout data input port for inputting payout data from the main control board 100, each power supply from the power supply board 180, a backup power supply, a RAM clear signal described later, Connected to the power input port for inputting a power-off signal, a photocoupler for receiving a signal from the sensor, a ROM, RAM, a one-chip microcomputer incorporating a CPU, and a reset terminal (RST) of the CPU of the one-chip microcomputer A watchdog circuit, a payout motor output port for outputting a CPU control signal to the payout motor, and an output port for LEDs and other devices. In the payout control board 140, the CPU corresponds to the second control means of the electrical component control means and the counting means for counting the number of hot start in the present invention (strictly counting by the program processed by the CPU), and The RAM corresponds to storage means, while the watchdog circuit corresponds to reset means.

  The watchdog circuit is a known one and includes a watchdog timer that is connected to a reset terminal (RST) of the CPU of the one-chip microcomputer in the payout control board 140 and counts a predetermined time. When the watchdog timer counts up (a predetermined time has elapsed), a reset signal is output to the reset terminal of the one-chip microcomputer. When the watchdog circuit receives the watchdog timer clear signal output from the one-chip microcomputer, the counter of the watchdog timer returns to the initial value and starts counting again. Therefore, as long as the CPU of the payout control board 140 is operating correctly, the time is not up. In the present invention, the control signal when the reset signal is transmitted when the control signal output from the electrical component control means is not received for a predetermined time corresponds to the watchdog timer clear signal. The watchdog circuit may be provided separately from the CPU as in this embodiment, or may be incorporated in the CPU.

  Further, when the CPU of the payout control board 140 receives a reset signal from the watchdog circuit, a payout initial process that is a process at the time of power-on or reset, which will be described later, is executed. As described later, the payout initial process is a process for performing initial setting, which is a preparatory work before the gaming machine 1 enters the normal game when the power is turned on or reset, and is executed only when the power is turned on and reset. It is a process that is not executed in other normal games.

  The ROM of the payout control board 140 stores invariant information, and stores payout control programs, constants, and the like.

  The RAM of the payout control board 140 is used as a work area during payout control, and includes a backup area and a control area as shown in FIG. The backup area is an area where power can be supplied from the backup power supply of the power supply board 180, and data in the backup area is preserved even in the event of a power failure. The storage area in the backup area is divided into a plurality of storage locations, and data is stored in a storage location specified by an address (for example, A01).

  Data stored in the backup area includes prize ball data and verification data. The prize ball data is data for paying out game balls, and is set based on a prize ball payout command from the main control board 100 or a ball rental discharge command from a ball rental apparatus. Specifically, for example, it is a value obtained by adding a prize ball discharge command or the number of rented balls, or a future discharge every prize ball discharge or rented ball discharge pattern (for example, a pattern of 3 balls, 15 balls, etc.). Or the number of cases. The prize ball data stored in the backup area corresponds to the storage data stored in the storage means in the present invention, and is stored data that is determined to be normal using the collation data.

  The verification data is for determining whether the storage data in the backup area is normal. For example, the collation data is a sum of values of a plurality of storage locations in the storage area of the backup area, or is set in advance. Or a constant. In the present embodiment, among a plurality of storage locations in the storage area in the backup area, a plurality of preset constants are designated as collation data in a plurality of storage locations that are specified by addresses separated by a predetermined interval and are not adjacent to each other. The prize ball data is stored in a memory location that is stored and located between the memory locations where the verification data is stored. Then, by confirming whether the collation data is correct or not, whether or not there is any abnormality in the prize ball data at the storage locations located between the storage locations where the collation data is stored (for example, the prize ball data is It is configured so that it can be determined whether it has been damaged or has been altered by fraud. That is, when the collation data is correct, it is determined that the prize ball data in the storage location located between the storage locations where the collation data is stored, while when the collation data is incorrect, It is determined that there is an abnormality in the prize ball data at the storage locations located between the storage locations where the verification data is stored.

  Further, when a detection signal from the full tank switch is input to the input / output circuit of the main control board 100 and the detection signal from the full tank switch indicates a full tank state, a payout for instructing a payout prohibition A control command is output from the main control board 100 to the payout control board 140. When the payout control board 140 receives the payout prohibition payout control command, the CPU of the payout control board 140 stops the ball payout process. Further, the payout device 181 is provided with a prize ball count switch for detecting the number of prize balls paid out, and a detection signal from the prize ball count switch is an input / output circuit of the main control board 100. And input to the input port of the payout control board 140.

  When there is a winning, a payout command indicating the number of prize balls is input from the input / output circuit of the main control board 100 to the input / output port of the payout control board 140, and further input to the CPU of the payout control board 140, In response to the payout command, the payout device 181 is driven to pay out a prize ball. The CPU of the payout control board 140 outputs a ball rental number signal indicating the number of rental balls to the terminal board via the output port. Further, an error signal is output to the error display LED via the output port of the payout control board 140. Further, a detection signal from the lending count switch is input to the input port of the payout control board 140. The ball lending count switch is provided in the payout mechanism portion of the payout device 181 and detects the actually lended ball. A drive signal for the payout motor is transmitted from the payout control board 140 to the payout motor via an output port.

  The CPU of the payout control board 140 performs payout control in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM, receives a periodic timer interrupt from the timer interrupt means, and the watchdog circuit for each timer interrupt. The watchdog timer clear signal is output to.

  The sound control board 150 is connected to the sub control board 110 and controls the sound emitted from the speaker 32 based on a command (control signal) output from the sub control board 110.

  The lamp control board 160 is connected to the sub control board 110 and controls the frame decoration left lamp 33a, the frame decoration right lamp 33b and other lamp devices based on a command (control signal) output from the sub control board 110. To do.

  The launch control board 170 controls the launch motor in the launch device 53.

  The power receiving board 175 is a power receiving portion on the gaming machine 1 side with respect to an external power source (AC 24V) supplied from the outside of the gaming machine.

  The power supply board 180 receives an external power supply from the power receiving board 175 to make it a power supply suitable for the gaming machine 1, monitors the power supply voltage, generates a backup power supply, and outputs a power-off signal. Is. As shown schematically in FIG. 6, the power supply board 180 is connected to a power supply line of a gaming machine that is supplied with power from outside the gaming machine, and is an input port serving as a power receiving port from the power receiving board 175. A rectifier circuit using a power switch, an inductor, and a diode that rectifies an AC external power supply (AC24V) into a direct current (DC34V), and a direct current 34V that is an input voltage of the gaming machine itself rectified by the rectifier circuit is a first voltage (DC12V). ) First regulator (first voltage converting means), first input capacitor (first voltage holding means) connected to the voltage input terminal of the first regulator, and converting the direct current 34V to the second voltage (DC5V). A second regulator (second voltage conversion means), and a second input controller connected to a voltage input terminal (second voltage holding means) of the second regulator. A first output capacitor and a second output capacitor connected to output terminals of a sensor (second voltage holding means), the first regulator (first voltage conversion means) and the second regulator (second voltage conversion means), A diode (rectifier element) provided between a first input capacitor (first voltage holding means) and a second input capacitor (second voltage holding means), and a first voltage converted by the first regulator (first voltage conversion means). 1st voltage monitoring reset IC (first voltage monitoring means) that monitors a voltage drop of 1 voltage (DC12V) and outputs a power-off signal when the first voltage (DC12V) falls below a set lower limit value, during backup The RAM clear clear switch 187 that clears the RAM of the payout control board 140, and backs up the RAM on the payout control board 140 when the power is cut A back-up capacitor for charging / discharging the electric charge, and further, a direct current 34V rectified by the rectifier circuit, a first voltage (DC12V) converted by the first regulator (first voltage conversion means), The second voltage (DC5V) converted by the second regulator (second voltage conversion means), the power-off signal output by the first voltage monitoring reset IC (first voltage monitoring means), and the RAM clear switch 187 An output port is provided for outputting a RAM clear signal or the like generated by this operation (depressing the operation button in this embodiment) to each board such as the payout control board 140. The RAM clear switch 184 corresponds to the clear switch in the present invention, and in the present embodiment, the RAM clear switch 184 is configured by an operation switch having an operation button that is turned on by being pushed down. Note that the RAM clear switch 187 is not necessarily provided on the power supply board 180, and may be provided outside the power supply board 180 and connected to the power supply board 180 by electrical wiring. Hereinafter, the main ones will be further described.

  As the first regulator (first voltage converting means), what is generally called a regulator is used. A DC 34V power source rectified by the rectifier circuit is input, and the input DC 34V power source is used. It is converted (transformed) into a first voltage of DC 12V and output from the output terminal of the first regulator. At that time, the first regulator (first voltage conversion means) outputs the first regulator (first voltage conversion means) with respect to a predetermined amplitude of the input voltage (in this embodiment, an amplitude of DC 40V to DC 16V). The first voltage can be maintained at a constant voltage of 12V DC. When the input voltage falls below the minimum value of the predetermined amplitude (DC 16V in this embodiment), the first regulator (first voltage conversion means) The output first voltage decreases from DC 12V. As described above, the first regulator (first voltage converting means) has a width that is allowed for the input voltage value, and the output voltage is lowered by falling below the minimum value in the allowable width. The input voltage of the gaming machine itself input to the first regulator (first voltage converting means) is a direct current of 34V generated by rectifying the alternating current 24V of the external power supply by the rectifier circuit, and this rectified game The input voltage of the machine itself (DC 34V) is directly affected by the external power supply (effect of voltage change of the external power supply). For example, the external power supply (AC24V) causes some voltage fluctuation such as a momentary voltage drop due to a surge etc. In this case, the voltage drops or rises instantaneously from DC 34V. However, when the first regulator (first voltage converting means) in this embodiment is used, a constant output voltage (first voltage) is supplied with a certain amount of width against the voltage fluctuation of the external power supply. Therefore, the gaming machine can be operated stably.

  The first input capacitor (first voltage holding means) is connected to the voltage input terminal of the first regulator (first voltage conversion means) in the line from the rectifier circuit, and the direct current of 34 V generated by the rectifier circuit. Is entered. Then, power is supplied from the external power supply (AC24V) to the power supply line of the gaming machine, and the power supply (AC34V) rectified from the rectifier circuit is output to the power supply line of the first input capacitor (first voltage holding means). The first input capacitor (first voltage holding means) is charged, and when the power supply from the outside is cut off due to power interruption or the like, the charge previously charged is transferred to the first regulator. Discharge to (first voltage conversion means). Therefore, even if the voltage of the external power supply temporarily drops below the allowable amplitude of the first regulator (first voltage conversion means) due to a momentary power cut-off of the external power supply, the first input capacitor Since the power supplied to the first regulator (first voltage converting means) is maintained at a certain voltage level by the discharge from the (first voltage holding means), the first input capacitor (first voltage holding means) is It is possible to cope with a change in the external power supply, compared with the case where the power supply is not provided. The first input capacitor (first voltage holding means) also serves as a bypass capacitor for avoiding noise.

  The first output capacitor is composed of two parallel capacitors connected to the output terminal of the first regulator (first voltage conversion means), and each is transformed by the first regulator (first voltage conversion means). The first voltage (DC12V) is input and charged. The first output capacitor serves to suppress a voltage drop that is likely to occur when gaming devices are simultaneously operated in each board and the power supply board 180 to which the first voltage (DC 12 V) is supplied.

  As the second regulator (second voltage conversion means), what is generally called a regulator is used like the first regulator (first voltage conversion means), and a direct current of 34 V rectified by the rectifier circuit is used. The DC power supply of 34V is transformed into a second voltage of DC 5V and output from the output terminal of the second regulator. At that time, the second regulator (second voltage conversion means) outputs the second regulator (second voltage conversion means) with respect to a predetermined amplitude of the input voltage (in this embodiment, an amplitude of DC 40V to DC 8V). The second voltage has a specification capable of maintaining a constant voltage of 5V DC, and the input voltage to the second regulator (second voltage converting means) is lower than the minimum value of the predetermined amplitude (DC 8V in this embodiment). Then, the second voltage output from the second regulator (second voltage conversion means) decreases from DC 5V. Thus, the second regulator (second voltage conversion means) has a width that is allowed with respect to the input voltage value, and the output voltage is lowered by falling below the allowable width. The input voltage of the gaming machine itself input to the second regulator (second voltage converting means) is a direct current 34V generated by rectifying the alternating current 24V of the external power supply by the rectifier circuit, and the gaming machine itself As described above, the input voltage (DC 34V) is directly affected by the external power supply (the influence of the voltage change of the external power supply). When this occurs, the voltage drops or rises instantaneously from DC 34V. However, when the second regulator (second voltage conversion means) in the present embodiment is used, a constant output voltage (second voltage) is supplied with a certain width against the voltage fluctuation of the external power supply. It is possible to operate the gaming machine stably.

  The second input capacitor (second voltage holding means) is connected to the voltage input terminal of the second regulator (second voltage conversion means) in the line from the rectifier circuit, and the direct current of 34 V generated by the rectifier circuit. Is entered. Then, power is supplied from the external power supply (AC24V) to the power supply line of the gaming machine, and the power supply (AC34V) rectified from the rectifier circuit is output to the power supply line of the second input capacitor (second voltage holding means). If the power supply from the outside is cut off due to power interruption or the like, the charge that has been charged is discharged to the second regulator (second voltage conversion means). Therefore, even if the voltage of the external power supply temporarily falls below the allowable amplitude of the second regulator (second voltage conversion means) due to a momentary power interruption or the like, the second input capacitor (second voltage) Since the power supplied to the second regulator (second voltage conversion means) is maintained at a certain voltage level by the discharge from the holding means), the power supply is maintained to a certain extent, compared with the case where the second input capacitor (second voltage holding means) is not provided. It becomes possible to cope with fluctuations in the external power supply. The second input capacitor (second voltage holding means) also serves as a bypass capacitor for avoiding noise.

  The second output capacitor is composed of two parallel capacitors connected to the output terminal of the second regulator (second voltage conversion means), and each is transformed by the second regulator (second voltage conversion means). The second voltage (DC5V) is input and charged. The second output capacitor functions to suppress a voltage drop that is likely to occur when gaming devices are simultaneously operated in each board and the power supply board 180 to which the second voltage (DC 5 V) is supplied.

  The diode (rectifier element) provided between the first input capacitor (first voltage holding means) and the second input capacitor (second voltage holding means) has an anode at the first input capacitor (first voltage holding means). The first regulator (first voltage converting means) side including the cathode, the cathode is the second regulator (second voltage converting means) side including the second input capacitor (second voltage holding means), from the second regulator side The current is prevented from flowing to the first regulator side. A first regulator (first voltage conversion means) side including the first input capacitor (first voltage holding means) and a second regulator (second voltage conversion means) including the second input capacitor (second voltage holding means). In the line connecting the means) side, no power supply line other than the line passing through the diode (rectifier element) is provided. Therefore, when the external power supply is cut off and the power is cut off, the first input capacitor (first voltage holding unit) and the second input capacitor (second voltage holding unit) start discharging. From the first input capacitor (first voltage holding means), not only the first regulator (first voltage conversion means) but also the second input capacitor (second voltage holding means) and the second regulator (second voltage conversion means). The current also flows to the first input capacitor (first voltage holding means) and the first regulator (first voltage conversion means) from the second input capacitor (second voltage holding means). Does not flow, and flows only to the second regulator (second voltage converting means) side. As a result, when the power is turned off, the first input capacitor (first voltage holding means) is always discharged before the second input capacitor (second voltage holding means).

  The first voltage monitoring reset IC (first voltage monitoring means) is a known IC for voltage monitoring, and the voltage input terminal of the first voltage monitoring reset IC (first voltage monitoring means) includes: The first voltage (DC12V) transformed by the first regulator (first voltage conversion means) is divided and inputted. The divided voltage is reduced to a voltage that matches the performance of the first voltage monitoring reset IC (first voltage monitoring means). Of course, DC 12V may be directly input. The first voltage monitoring reset IC (first voltage monitoring means) outputs a power-off signal from the signal output terminal when the input voltage becomes equal to or lower than a set lower limit value. In the present embodiment, the first voltage monitoring reset IC (first voltage monitoring means) is configured such that the first voltage DC 12V transformed by the first regulator (first voltage conversion means) is a set lower limit DC. When the voltage is lowered to 10.3 V, the voltage input to the first voltage monitoring reset IC (first voltage monitoring means) is divided and set so as to be equal to or lower than the detection value. It has the same effect as monitoring 12V.

  A flow of power in the power line of the power board 180 will be described. The AC 24V external power source input from the power receiving board 175 is rectified to 34V DC by the rectifier circuit and output from the output port to each board as a DC 34V required for each board. Note that the DC 34V power source is used for devices that require a relatively large voltage, such as driving a motor, and that do not require a relatively accurate voltage.

  The rectifier circuit is connected to a direct current 34V line A2 in addition to the direct current line A1 that outputs direct current 34V to each substrate. A voltage input terminal of the first regulator (first voltage conversion means) and a voltage input terminal of the second regulator (second voltage conversion means) are connected in parallel to the line A2. That is, the first regulator (first voltage conversion means) and the second regulator (second voltage conversion means) are supplied with power from the DC 34V power supply line A2 with the same root.

  The DC 34V power source input to the first regulator (first voltage converting means) is transformed to a first voltage DC 12V, and the line A3 output to each board and the first voltage monitoring reset IC ( The first voltage monitoring unit is divided into a line A4 that is input to the first voltage monitoring means, and the DC 12V power source of the first voltage is used for sensor monitoring or the like on each substrate.

  The direct current 34V power source input to the second regulator (second voltage converting means) is transformed to the second voltage direct current 5V, the line A5 output to each board, and the line connected to the backup capacitor. It is divided into A6. The DC 5V power source of the second voltage is used as an operating voltage for each board or power supply board 180 itself, such as an IC or CPU. The line A6 connected to the backup capacitor is provided with a resistor R1 for converting DC 5V to DC 3V suitable for the backup capacitor, and reaches the backup capacitor after passing through the resistor R1. It is connected. The backup capacitor has a capacity sufficient to supply enough power for storage to the backup RAM for a sufficient time even when the external power supply is cut off. The line A6 connected to the backup capacitor is connected to a substrate requiring backup via an output port.

  When the power supply from the outside (AC24V) is cut off for some reason, the main power supply voltage drops, and the voltage input to the first voltage monitoring reset IC is lower than the predetermined detection value. If it falls below, a power-off signal is output from the first voltage monitoring reset IC to the one-chip microcomputer of the payout control board 140. The one-chip microcomputer of the payout control board 140 that has received the power-off signal performs processing at the time of power-off (backup processing), and present game ball payout information (number of payouts, etc.) as current game information immediately before power-off. Is stored in the RAM backup area of the one-chip microcomputer of the payout control board 140.

  Hereinafter, the main process M by the main control board 100 and the payout process H by the payout control board 140 from power-on to power-off will be described. In the present embodiment, since the main configuration of the present invention is applied to the control processing of the payout control board 140 and the payout device 181, the control process by the main control board 100 will be briefly described.

  In the main process M, as shown in FIG. 7, upon power-on, an initial setting process (S10), an interrupt prohibition process (S20), a normal symbol / special symbol main random number update process (S30), an interrupt permission process (S40), The main process interrupt process (S100) is performed.

  In the initial setting process (S10), stack setting, interrupt time setting, CPU setting, SIO, PIO, CTC setting and the like are performed. The main process M is repeatedly performed every interruption time, but the initial setting process (S10) is a process necessary only when the power is turned on, and is executed only in the first round, and is not executed thereafter. In the interrupt prohibition process (S20), even if the interrupt process (S100) is entered every 4 ms, the interrupt is prohibited until the interrupt is permitted. In the normal symbol / special symbol main random number update processing (S30), various random numbers are incremented by one for each of the normal symbol / special symbol main random number update processing (S30). The process is returned to and the addition is performed again. The updated random number is stored in the RAM of the main control board 100. In the interrupt permission process (S40), the main process interrupt process (S100) that comes in every 4 ms is permitted.

  In the interrupt process for main processing (S100), as shown in FIG. 8, output processing (S110) is first performed. In the output process (S110), the commands stored in the output buffer of the main control board 100 by each process are output to the corresponding sub control board 110, the payout control board 140, and the like. In the subsequent input process (S120), signal input is performed when various sensors (such as detection switches for each winning opening) detected in the gaming machine 1 are detected. In the next normal symbol / special symbol random number update process (S130), the same process as the normal symbol / special symbol main random number update process (S30) performed in the loop process in the main process M is performed.

  In the start winning port switch detection process (S140), it is determined whether or not a game ball has been won in the starting winning port 10, and if a winning is made, the special symbol hold stored in the RAM of the main control board 100 is determined. If the number of balls is confirmed to be 4 or more of the set number, if it is less than 4, a special symbol-related update random number stored in the RAM of the main control board 100 is acquired and corresponds to the current number of balls for special symbol holding The acquired random number is saved (stored) in the RAM address to be stored. The random numbers acquired here are a jackpot winning random number, a jackpot symbol random number, a reach random number, a special symbol data random number, and a production random number. Note that the acquired random number is saved in the RAM address corresponding to the current number of reserved balls for special symbols, for example, when the number of reserved balls for special symbols is 1, this corresponds to the number of reserved balls for special symbols 1. If the acquired random number is saved in the RAM address, and the number of reserved balls for special symbol is 2, it means that the acquired random number is saved in the RAM address corresponding to the number of reserved balls for special symbol 2.

  In the normal operation process (S150), the normal symbol per unit determination / normal symbol determination random number stored in the RAM of the main control board 100 is obtained, and the small hit (per normal symbol) determination, the normal symbol variation, and the stop Then, processing related to normal symbols such as opening / closing of the start winning opening 10 is performed.

  In the special operation process (S160), based on the special symbol-related random numbers stored in the RAM of the main control board 100, the special symbol symbol that is stopped and displayed on the special symbol display unit 42 of the display device 9 when the symbol is disconnected. The creation process is performed.

  In the special action process (S160), any one of a special symbol standby process, a special symbol change process, a special symbol confirmation process, and a special bonus article electric process is performed according to the gaming state. In the special symbol standby process, when the number of reserved balls for the special symbol is not 0 and the determination result of jackpot winning / non-winning is a jackpot, the special jackpot special symbol to be stopped and displayed with the special symbol and the variation mode of the special symbol are set. The special symbols start to change. On the other hand, when the number of reserved balls for special symbols is 0, the display of the special symbol display unit 42 is a standby screen. On the other hand, in the special symbol variation process, a process for stopping after the special symbol is varied for a predetermined time is performed. Further, in the special symbol confirmation process, the specific winning ball detection switch detects the winning ball to the specific area winning port 15a while the large winning port 15 is being opened or within about 2 seconds after the large winning port 15 is closed. A round counter setting process for repeating the jackpot performed in this case a predetermined number of times is performed. In the special electric accessory process, a process for closing the grand prize winning opening 15 after opening it for a predetermined time or a predetermined number of times at the time of a big win is performed.

  In the retained ball number process (S170) in the main process M, the retained ball number is loaded and set in the output buffer.

  In the other processing (S180), various other processing necessary for the game is performed, but description of processing that is not particularly relevant in the present invention is omitted. In the main process M, no particular process is performed when the power is turned off.

  The payout control board 140 is subjected to a payout process H when the power is turned on and reset (when the reset signal is transmitted).

  In the payout process H, as shown in FIG. 9, an interrupt prohibition process (S210) is first performed, then a payout initial process (S220) is performed, then an interrupt permission (S230) is performed, and then a loop process is performed. Is done. Further, during the loop process, a payout interrupt process S300 is performed every interrupt time (2 ms in this embodiment).

  In the interrupt prohibition process (S210), the execution of the payout interrupt process (S300) is prohibited.

  In the subsequent payout initial process (S220), as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, it is first determined whether the power-off signal is ON (power-off) or OFF (power-supplying) (S220-1), and the power-off signal is ON. In this case, it is repeatedly determined whether the power-off signal is ON or OFF.

  On the other hand, when the power-off signal is OFF (power is being supplied), 2200H is set in the stack pointer, and the maskable interrupt is set to interrupt mode 2 and interrupt disabled (S220-2). Access to the RAM of the payout control board 140 is set to permit (S220-3). Subsequently, it is determined whether a RAM clear signal is received from the power board 180, that is, whether the RAM clear switch 187 is pressed and turned on (S220-4). When the RAM clear signal has not been received (when the RAM clear switch 187 is OFF), it is determined whether the value of the power-off flag is normal (S220-5). If the power-off flag is normal, check data (collation data) stored in the RAM of the payout control board 140 is calculated (S220-6), and the check data (collation data) stored in the RAM when the power is cut off. ), It is determined whether the check data stored in the RAM of the payout control board 140 is normal (S220-7). When the check data of the RAM is normal, that is, when the backup data stored in the RAM is normal, it is determined whether the number of hot starts is less than a specified number (corresponding to the number of times of abnormality detection in the present invention, for example, 5 times). (S220-8). If the hot start number is less than the specified number, 1 is added to the hot start number to update the hot start number, and the updated hot start number is stored in the RAM of the payout control board 140 (S220-9). The storage areas excluding the RAM storage area used during hot start (including the storage area for the hot start count) are cleared to 0 (S220-10), and then the interrupt mask register is set (S220-11). ).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S220-4 that the RAM clear signal is received from the power board 180 (RAM clear switch 187 is ON), or if the power-off flag is not normal in S220-5. If it is determined, or if it is determined in S220-7 that the RAM check data is abnormal (backup data is abnormal), or in S220-8, the hot start number is set to the specified number (the number of abnormality detection of the present invention). In any of the cases where it is determined that it has arrived, the entire storage area in the RAM of the payout control board 180 is initialized (S220-15) and the check data (in the RAM of the payout control board 140) Collation data) is set (S220-16), and then the interrupt mask register is set (S220-11). , The setting of the cold start is carried out.

  After the setting of the interrupt mask register (S220-11), the CPU peripheral device of the payout control board 140 is initialized (S220-12), and the motor operation timer is set in the payout device 181. After (S220-13) is performed, the interrupt permission is set (S220-14), and the execution of the payout interrupt process (normal control process) (S203) is awaited.

  In the payout interrupt process (normal control process) (S203), as shown in FIG. 12, the watchdog timer clear signal, the payout motor signal, the output of the 7 segment LED signal, etc. (S230-1), from the main control board 100 If the acquired command is an error signal / error signal stop, the state is stored. On the other hand, if the acquired command is a prize ball number designation command, it is stored as the number of acquired game balls. (S230-2).

  Next, it is determined whether or not a ball lending request signal from the prepaid card unit 56 has been received (S230-3). It is stored as a number (S230-4), and then it is determined whether the lower ball tray 37 is full or the ball-less switch 183 is ON (no ball) (S230-5). If it is determined in S230-3 that a ball lending request signal has not been received, the number storage process (S230-4) for one ball lending operation is jumped, and the lower ball tray 37 is full. It is determined whether or not the ball switch 183 is ON (no ball) (S230-5).

  If the lower ball tray 37 is not full and the ball-free switch 183 is not ON (no ball), the number of winning game balls or the number of balls lent out is checked and paid out. It is judged (S230-6). If there is a payout (the number of payout balls is stored), a basic payout process including driving of a payout motor is executed (S230-9). In the basic payout process, a payout operation is performed with the number of balls lent as a predetermined number in the case of ball lending, and in the case of a prize ball, the number corresponding to one action is determined from the number of acquired game balls.

  After execution of the basic payout process (S230-9), it is determined whether the predetermined number of payouts are completed (S230-10). If the predetermined number of payouts is not completed, it is determined whether the payout is normal (S230-11). If not normally performed, a payout retry process is executed (S230-12), and then it is determined whether or not a power failure has occurred (S230-7). On the other hand, if the power is not cut off, the payout interruption process (S230) is executed from the beginning. On the other hand, if it is determined in S230-5 that the lower ball tray 37 is full or the ball switch 183 is ON (no ball is present), or if it is determined in S230-6 that there is no payout, or If it is determined in S230-10 that the predetermined number of payouts have been completed, or if it is determined in S230-11 that the payout is normal, it is then determined whether or not the power interruption has occurred (S230-7). In the case of occurrence, the power-off process (S230-8) is executed.

  In the power-off process (S230-8), as shown in FIG. 13, OFF output (S230-8-1) to all output ports in the payout control board 140, and interrupt prohibition setting (S230-8-). 2) Check data (collation data) for the data stored in the RAM used at the time of power-off recovery is calculated and created, and the storage location (the non-adjacent address) in the storage area of the RAM of the payout control board 140 Is stored and saved (S230-8-3). Next, a power-off flag is set (S230-8-4), access to the RAM is prohibited and the contents of the RAM are protected (S230-8-5), and then an infinite loop is set to wait for the input of a reset signal. .

  In order to facilitate understanding of the flow of control processing when the power is turned off, a brief description will be given below. When a power failure or a gaming machine is turned off, the first voltage monitoring reset IC (first voltage monitoring means) of the power supply board 180 detects a voltage drop and disconnects power to the input port of the payout control board 140. A signal is output (the port bit is turned ON). The CPU of the payout control board 140 determines whether or not a power-off signal is output to the input port in the interrupt process every 2 ms (interrupt time), and if it is output, executes the process at the time of power-off. In the main process of the main control board 100, the process at the time of power-off is not particularly performed, and in the payout process of the payout control board 140 as a sub process of the main main process, the process at the time of power-off such as backup is performed.

  In the payout control during the normal game, the normal control process interrupts every 2 ms, and a normal payout interrupt process for obtaining a payout signal from the CPU of the main control board 100 is performed. During this normal payout interrupt process, the power-off is monitored, and when the power-off signal is output from the power supply board 180 to the input port of the payout control board 140, the CPU of the payout control board 140 determines the power-off. To move to power-off processing. In the power-off process, OFF is output to all output ports and interrupts are disabled. Prize ball data related to prize ball payout (according to the extraordinary prize ball payout or the number of prize balls to be released or the number of balls to be included in the lending discharge directive, The number of patterns to be discharged in the future (for example, 10 discharge patterns and 15 discharge patterns) is stored in the ROM backup area, and then whether or not the contents of the RAM are normal when the power is turned on. In order to create check data (collation data) to be used for determination, the RAM storage area used when power is restored is added for each byte, and the value obtained by inverting all bits of the addition result is stored in the back confirmation data. To do. In order to set the power-off information, for example, AAH is stored in the power-off flag. Thereafter, the RAM access is prohibited and the process proceeds to an infinite loop.

  When power-off processing is performed, the watchdog timer cannot be cleared by an interrupt every 2 ms until then, and the power supply in the gaming machine (for example, the payout control board) after the watchdog timer time has entered power-off processing. 140) is completely shorter (until the power supply to the gaming machine is turned off and the backup power supply is lost). When the time is reached, a reset signal is output from the watchdog circuit to the CPU of the payout control board 140. At this time, it is desirable that the time of the watchdog timer is set so as to reach the timer time after entering into a power-off process, completing a predetermined process such as backup, and entering an infinite loop process in a standby state.

  When a reset signal is input to the CPU of the payout control board 140, a payout initial process that is a process at the time of resetting is executed. In the first process in the payout initial process, it is determined whether a power-off signal is input. If a power interruption has occurred (when a power interruption signal has been input), the loop is repeated and the same determination (determination of whether or not a power interruption has occurred) is repeated to proceed to the next process, and the loop is repeated. During this time, the power supply to the CPU on the payout control board is completely stopped, and the gaming machine 1 is turned off.

  With this series of processing, if the watchdog timer is set to a short time in order to detect unexpected program runaway at an early stage, power failure processing such as backup is performed when the power is turned off or the machine is turned off. Even when a predetermined timer time elapses and a reset signal is output from the watchdog timer and processing by the CPU of the payout control board 140 starts from the payout initial processing, the initial processing in the payout initial processing is stopped. The power can be turned off (the CPU processing is terminated) in a state where the processing is performed (loop processing), and the power can be turned off in a stable state at all times.

  In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the payout device and the payout control. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to a main control board and the like. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the second control means in the electrical component control means is the CPU of the payout control board, but is not limited to this. Further, the present invention is not limited to pachinko gaming machines but can be applied to other gaming machines.

1 is a front view of a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a reverse view of the gaming machine. It is a block diagram which shows simply connection of the control board etc. of the game machine. It is a block diagram which shows simply the structure of the payout control board of the same gaming machine. It is a figure which shows the memory area of RAM in the payout control board of the same gaming machine. It is a block diagram which shows simply the structure of the power supply board of the same gaming machine. It is a flowchart of the main process which the main control board in the same gaming machine performs. It is a flowchart of the interruption process in the main process which the main control board performs. It is a flowchart of the payout process which the payout control board in the same gaming machine performs. It is a first flowchart of a payout initial process in the payout process. It is a 2nd flowchart of the payout initial process in the payout process. It is a flowchart of the payout interruption process in the payout process. It is a flowchart of the process at the time of power-off in the same payout interruption process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 3 Game board 9 Display apparatus 10 Start winning opening 15 Large winning opening 53 Launching apparatus 100 Main control board 110 Sub control board 120 Display control board 140 Discharge control board 150 Voice control board 160 Lamp control board 180 Power supply board 181 Dispensing apparatus 187 RAM clear switch

Claims (5)

Electrical components,
Electrical component control means for controlling the electrical component and performing initial control processing;
Storage means having a storage area for storing the state of the game;
Reset means for transmitting a reset signal to the electrical component control means when the control signal output by the electrical component control means is not received for a predetermined time;
Counting means for counting the number of hot starts;
With
The initial control process determines whether the number of hot start has reached the number of times of abnormality detection when the reset unit has issued the reset signal, and stores in the storage unit if the number of times of abnormality detection has not been reached. The game machine is characterized in that at least a part of the stored data is read and a hot start is executed, while a cold start is executed when the number of hot starts reaches the number of times of abnormality detection. When the cold start is executed, collation data for determining whether or not the stored data is normal is set in the storage means,
Prior to the execution of the hot start, it is determined whether the stored data is normal using the verification data, the hot start is executed when the storage data is normal, and the hot start is replaced with the hot start when the storage data is not normal. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a cold start is executed. The storage means has a storage area divided into a plurality of storage locations,
The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of pieces of the verification data are stored in a plurality of storage locations that are not adjacent to each other in the storage area. A clear switch capable of erasing stored data in the storage means by operating at power-on,
The electrical component control means comprises at least the initial control process executed at power-on or reset, and a normal control process executed after execution of the initial control process,
4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein in the initial control process, an operation of the clear switch is determined, and the cold start is executed when the clear switch is operated. The electrical component control means comprises at least a first control means and a second control means according to the control of the first control means,
5. The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein the second control unit determines an operation of the clear switch and performs the initial control process of executing the cold start when the clear switch is operated.

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