JP2008029476A - Pachinko machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pachinko machine which can improve workability and working efficiency when deleting data memorized and retained at the time of power shutdown. <P>SOLUTION: A deletion determining switch provided to a pachinko machine is turned ON before the power shutdown when deleting data backed up at the power shutdown when the parlor is closed is desirable at the time the parlor is open. Then in case a reset treatment conducted by a main control CPU at the power rise when the parlor is open determines that a deletion determining SW flag data which displays the result of the operation of the deletion determining switch is "1" showing turning-ON operation (S7:YES) resets the deletion determining SW flag data to "0"(S14), initializes a main control RAM, and deletes the backup data (S15). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides means for storing and holding data for returning a gaming state to a gaming state before the power source is shut off until the power source is shut off and then restored when the shut off power source is restored. The present invention relates to a pachinko machine having means for erasing the recorded data.

General pachinko machines have a main control board that performs overall processing related to gaming, a payout control board that performs overall processing related to game ball payout, and a power supply that supplies power to these control boards from outside. And a substrate. The main control board has a main control RAM that stores and backs up data (data required to reproduce the gaming state before the power is cut off) when the power is shut down, such as a power failure, and the main control RAM. An auxiliary power supply for supplying power for storing data is mounted. Similarly, a payout control RAM and an auxiliary power supply are mounted on the payout control board.
When the interrupted power supply returns, the main control board and the payout control board reproduce the gaming state immediately before the power supply shutoff based on the data stored and held in the main control RAM and the payout control RAM, respectively.

By the way, the data storage and holding function described above works even when the power is turned off when the pachinko store is closed. Therefore, each pachinko machine stores and holds data when the power is shut off after the store is closed.
Therefore, if there is a pachinko machine in which the state of change to a so-called probable change state, etc., in which the probability of jackpot occurrence is set to a high probability, the pachinko machine that starts the game from the probable change state at the next store opening, Other pachinko machines will be mixed, and there will be a situation where fairness among players is lacking.

  Therefore, conventionally, a pachinko machine having a function of erasing data stored in the main control RAM and the payout control RAM has been proposed. For example, an initialization switch for erasing stored data is mounted on the power supply board, and the stored data is erased by turning on the power switch with the initialization switch turned on.

  The pachinko machine described in Patent Document 1 includes a lock unit that locks the operation state of the initialization switch. In a store that requires a data storage function, the store is kept in an unlocked state, and when the stored data is to be erased, the initialization switch is operated simultaneously with the power switch. Further, in a store that does not require the memory holding function, the ON state of the initialization switch is held by the lock means, and the memory holding data is erased only by turning on the power switch.

JP 2002-102503 (paragraphs 23-25, 43-47, FIG. 6).

However, when used in a store that requires a data storage function, the one described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that workability is poor because the initialization switch must be operated simultaneously with the power switch. is there.
In particular, when there are a large number of pachinko machines that need to erase stored data at the time of opening a store, the above operation is required for each pachinko machine, so the work efficiency is extremely low.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a pachinko machine that can improve workability and work efficiency when data stored and held at the time of power-off is erased.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the interrupted power source (20) is restored, the game state is restored to the gaming state before the power source is shut off. Data storage and holding means (29, 44, 54) for storing and holding data until the power is restored after the power supply is shut off, and when the power is restored, the data is retained in the return data storage and holding means. Based on the return data that has been stored, game state return means (S30 to S43, S110 to S118) for returning the game state to the game state before the power supply is cut off, and the return data storage holding means Momentary type erasure decision switch (4) for deciding whether to erase the restored data to be erased by a switch operation, and whether the erasure decision switch has been operated or not The operation result storage / holding means (44b, 54b) for storing and holding the operation result and the return data based on the operation result stored and held in the operation result storage / holding means when the supply of power is started. It is determined whether or not the return data stored in the memory holding means is to be erased (S7, S85), and when the determination is affirmative, the return data erasing means for erasing the return data stored in the memory ( S20 to S26, S100 to S104) and operation result erasing means (S14, S87) for erasing the operation result stored in the operation result storage holding means after the return data erasing means makes the determination. The technical means of providing

Provided with a momentary type erasure decision switch for deciding whether or not to erase the restoration data stored in the restoration data storage holding means, and whether or not the erasure decision switch has been operated The result is stored and held in the operation result storage holding means.
The return data erasing means stores the return data stored in the return data storage holding means based on the operation result stored in the operation result storage holding means when the supply of power is started. It is determined whether or not to delete, and if the determination is affirmative, the return data stored and held is deleted. The operation result stored and held in the operation result storage and holding means is erased by the operation result erasing means after the return data erasing means makes the above determination.

That is, when the supply of power is started, the return data stored in the return data storage holding means is automatically deleted based on the operation result stored in the operation result storage holding means. Therefore, if you want to erase the recovery data, you can either operate the erase decision switch or leave it off and then turn off the power and then turn it on again. There is no need to operate.
Therefore, unlike the prior art in which the initialization switch is operated simultaneously with the power switch, a pachinko machine that can improve the workability and work efficiency when erasing the stored data when the power is turned off can be realized.

In particular, even when there are many pachinko machines that need to erase data stored and retained due to power shutdown when closing a store, the power to turn on the erase decision switch provided in those pachinko machines. If you specify the pachinko machine that you want to erase the recovery data by operating it before dropping it or not operating it, you can specify it if you only turn on the power at the next store opening. Since the return data stored and held in the pachinko machine can be erased, workability and work efficiency can be dramatically improved.
Further, since the operation result stored and held in the operation result storage and holding means is erased by the operation result deleting means after the return data erasing means makes the above determination, the store clerk can store the operation result in the operation result storage and holding means. There is no need to delete the stored operation result.

  In the invention according to claim 2, in the pachinko machine (1) according to claim 1, the return data erasing means (S20 to S26, S100 to S104) is started to supply the power source (20). At this time, it is determined whether or not an operation result indicating that the erasure determination switch (4) has been operated is stored in the operation result storage / holding means (44b, 54b). The technical means of erasing the restored data is used.

In the case of a pachinko machine that wants to erase the recovery data stored in the recovery data storage means, if you operate the erase decision switch provided in that pachinko machine, then turn the power off and then on again There is no need to operate the power switch and the erasure determination switch at the same time.
In particular, even when there are many pachinko machines that need to erase data stored and retained due to power shutdown when closing a store, the power to turn on the erase decision switch provided in those pachinko machines. If the pachinko machine that you want to erase the recovery data is specified by operating it before dropping it, the recovery that is stored in the specified pachinko machine can be performed only by turning on the power at the next store opening. Therefore, workability and work efficiency can be dramatically improved.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the pachinko machine (1) according to the first or second aspect, the operation result stored and held in the operation result storage and holding means (44b, 54b) Each time (4) is operated, a technical means is used in which the operation result indicating that the operation is performed and the operation result indicating that the operation is not performed are rewritten.

  Each time the delete determination switch is operated, the operation result stored and held in the operation result storage and holding means can be rewritten into an operation result indicating that it has been operated and an operation result indicating that it has not been operated. Even if the erasure determination switch is operated, the operation result indicating that it has been operated can be corrected to the operation result indicating that it has not been operated by operating the erasure determination switch once again.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the pachinko machine (1) according to any one of the first to third aspects, the operation result stored and held in the operation result storage and holding means (44b, 54b) is stored. The technical means that the notifying means (8) for notifying is provided is used.

Since the operation result stored and held in the operation result storage and holding means can be notified, the store clerk can know whether or not the erasure determination switch has been operated.
In particular, even if the number of pachinko machines installed in the pachinko parlor is large, the operation result of the erasure determination switch can be easily confirmed, so that the confirmation work efficiency can be greatly improved.

  In the invention according to claim 5, in the pachinko machine (1) according to claim 4, the erasure determination switch (4) and the notification means (8) are operable and visible from the front of the pachinko machine. The restoration data erasing means is stored and held during the period when the power is supplied when the erasure determination switch is operated when the power is supplied. The technical means of not erasing the return data is used.

Since the erasure determination switch and the notification means are respectively disposed at locations that can be operated and viewed from the front of the pachinko machine, the operability of the erasure determination switch and the visibility of the operation result can be improved.
In addition, if the erase decision switch is operated while power is being supplied, the recovery data will not be erased while the power is being supplied. Even if the is operated, the return data is not erased.

  In addition, the code | symbol in said parenthesis respond | corresponds with the code | symbol used in embodiment mentioned later.

<First Embodiment>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[Overall main configuration]
First, the main configuration of the pachinko machine of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the appearance of the pachinko machine as viewed from the front. FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view of the game board provided in the pachinko machine shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 1 is provided with an outer frame 2 constituting an outer shell, and a glass frame 3 is attached to the outer frame 2 so as to be opened and closed. A game board 5 is provided inside the glass frame 3, and a launch lever 9 for operating a launching device for launching a game ball to the game board 5 is rotatably attached to the lower right of the front surface of the outer frame 2. ing. Below the game board 5, there is provided an upper tray 6 that accommodates paid-out prize balls and rental balls. Below the upper tray 6, prize balls that have flowed beyond the capacity of the upper tray 6 can be accommodated. A lower tray 7 is provided for housing the container.

[Main components of the game board]
An effect display 10 that displays effect images such as moving images and still images is provided at the approximate center of the game board 5. For example, the effect display unit 10 has a symbol array in which a plurality of special symbols (for example, symbols expressing numbers 0 to 9) arranged in the vertical direction are directed from the top to the bottom in the three display areas in the horizontal direction of the screen. To change (scroll).
Below the effect display 10, there is provided an ordinary electric accessory 16 having a start port 15 inside and having both wings that can be opened and closed. When the game ball wins the start opening 15, the effect display device 10 starts to display the special symbol variation. When a game ball wins the start opening 15, a predetermined number (for example, four) of prize balls are paid out. If the game ball wins the start opening 15 during the special symbol variation display, the special symbol variation display due to the winning is suspended, and the suspended variation display is performed after the current variation display is completed. Done. The reserved number is displayed on the screen of the effect display 10 with numbers, symbols, and the like.

  When the predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the special symbol variation display, the effect display device 10 stops the symbol sequences varying in each display region in a predetermined order, and displays the determined symbol in each display region. A big hit occurs when the combination of each confirmed symbol is a big hit symbol (for example, one consisting of the same number such as 777). When a big hit occurs, the variable winning device 17 provided below the ordinary electric accessory 16 is operated, the big winning opening / closing member 18 is opened, and the big winning opening is opened. Then, when a game ball wins a prize winning opening, a predetermined number (for example, 15) of prize balls are paid out. If a predetermined time (for example, about 30 seconds) has elapsed since the opening of the grand prize opening, or if the number of winning prizes in the grand prize opening reaches a predetermined number (for example, 10), the big prize is satisfied. The mouth closes. From the opening to closing of the big prize opening is called one round, and a plurality of rounds (for example, 15 rounds) can be executed.

  In addition, the effect display device 10 displays a plurality of normal symbols in a predetermined order (hereinafter, the display is referred to as a normal symbol variation display). In this embodiment, the normal symbol is composed of symbols such as ○ and X, and when the game ball passes through the gate 11 provided on the game board 5, the effect display unit 10 starts to display the normal symbol variation display. When the normal symbol (for example, ◯) is stopped, both wings of the ordinary electric accessory 16 are opened, and the winning to the start port 15 becomes easy. If the game ball passes through the gate 11 during the normal symbol variation display, the normal symbol variation display due to the passage is suspended, and the suspended variation display is performed after the current variation display is completed. Is called. The reserved number is displayed on the screen of the effect display 10 with numbers, symbols, and the like.

In addition, the game board 5 is provided with a plurality of general winning holes 13, and a predetermined number (for example, five) of winning balls is paid out when the general winning hole 13 is won.
In addition, the game board 5 is provided with a windmill 12, a guide rail 14 for guiding the launched game ball to the game area, an out port 19 for collecting the game ball that has not won anywhere as an out ball, and the like. Although not shown in the drawing, many game nails are driven into the surface of the game board 5, and the fired game balls change the flow direction by colliding with the game nails, so that the start opening 15 and the general prize opening Win 13 or pass through the gate 11.

[Electric configuration of pachinko machine 1]
Next, the main electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The pachinko machine 1 is provided with a main control board 40, and a main control MPU 41 is mounted on the main control board 40. The main control MPU 41 includes a main control CPU 42, a main control ROM 43, and a main control RAM 44.

  A panel surface relay terminal plate 60 is electrically connected to the main control board 40. The panel surface relay terminal plate 60 is connected to a large winning port solenoid 69 for opening and closing the large winning port opening / closing member 18, and a normal electric motor. A normal electric accessory solenoid 70 for opening and closing both wings of the accessory 16, a big prize opening switch (large prize opening SW) 71 for detecting a game ball won in the big prize opening, and a general prize opening 13 are awarded. A winning port switch (winning port SW) 72 for detecting the played game ball, a gate switch (gate SW) 73 for detecting the gaming ball that has passed through the gate 11, and a gaming ball won in the starting port 15 are detected. A start port switch (start port SW) 74 is electrically connected.

The effect control board 30 is electrically connected to the main control board 40. The effect control board 30 includes an effect control MPU 31, and the effect control MPU 31 includes an effect control CPU 32, an effect control ROM 33, and an effect control RAM 34. A sound output device (not shown) that outputs sound effects during the game and an LED control device (not shown) that controls lighting of the LEDs provided in the pachinko machine 1 are electrically connected to the effect control board 30. It is connected to the.
A payout control board 50 is electrically connected to the main control board 40. The payout control board 50 is equipped with a payout control MPU 51, and the payout control MPU 51 includes a payout control CPU 52, a payout control ROM 53, and a payout control RAM 54.

  The payout control board 50 has no payout motor 61 for driving a member for paying out game balls, a payout sensor 62 for detecting game balls paid out by the payout motor 61, and no game balls to be paid out. A ball break switch 63 for detecting the state, a lower plate full switch (lower plate full SW) 64 for detecting a state in which the lower plate 7 is filled with game balls, and a state in which the glass frame 3 is opened. A door opening switch (door opening SW) 65 for detecting the above and a launch control board 66 for controlling a launch motor (not shown) for launching a game ball are electrically connected.

  A launch volume 67 and a touch sensor 68 are electrically connected to the launch control board 66. The launch volume adjusts the launch intensity of the game ball launched by the launch motor, and the touch sensor 68 is disposed on the launch lever 9 and detects a hand touching the launch lever 9. When the touch sensor 68 is turned on, the firing motor is driven.

  A power supply board 22 is electrically connected to the effect control board 30, the main control board 40, and the payout control board 50, and the 24V main power supply 20 and the main power supply 20 are turned on or off. A main power changeover switch (main power supply switch SW) 21 to be switched, an erasure decision switch (erase decision SW) 4, and an erasure decision operation LED 8 for notifying the operation result of the erasure decision switch 4 are electrically connected. . The erasure determination switch 4 is a switch for erasing backup data (return data) stored and held in the main control RAM 44 and the payout control RAM 54. The erasure determination switch 4 is a momentary push switch, and is normally urged to the OFF position, changes to the ON position by a pressing operation, and turns OFF when the pressing operation is stopped. The main power supply switch 21 is an alternate switch, and once operated, the ON state is maintained even after the operation force is removed, and when it is operated again, the original OFF state is restored.

  The power supply board 22 includes a 32V generation circuit 23 that generates a 32V power supply, a 12V generation circuit 24 that generates a 12V power supply, a 5V generation circuit 25 that generates a 5V power supply, an overload protection circuit 26, and a reset circuit 27. The power failure detection circuit 28 for detecting the power interruption such as a power failure and the power supply to the control MPU (RAM) of each control board during the power interruption, and the data is stored in each control MPU (RAM). For this purpose, a backup capacitor 29 is mounted.

(Memory map of main control ROM and main control RAM)
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a memory map of the main control ROM 43 and the main control RAM 44.
The main control ROM 43 stores a program in which a computer program executed by the main control CPU 42 (a computer program for executing a reset process, an initialization process, a power failure recovery process, a main process, an NMI process, and the like described later) is stored. It has an area 43a and a data storage area 43b in which constant data used in the main control program is stored. For example, the constant data is referred to when executing a command table in which commands to be transmitted from the main control board 40 to the effect control board 30 and the payout control board 50 are set, and determining whether or not a big hit (hereinafter referred to as a big hit determination). Such as jackpot value.

  The main control RAM 44 includes a power failure flag data storage area 44a indicating the occurrence of a power failure, an erasure determination SW flag data storage area 44b indicating the operation result of the erasure determination switch 4, and a stack pointer storage for storing the current stack pointer value. And a buffer 44c. Also, an input data storage area 44d for storing data indicating the operation results of the big prize opening switch 71, the general winning opening switch 72, the gate switch 73 and the start opening switch 74, and the operation result of the lower pan full switch 64. Lower pan full information data storage area 44e for storing a full plate flag, a full ball information data storage area 44f for storing a full ball flag indicating the operation result of the full ball switch 63, and an award indicating an award ball payout abnormality A payout control data storage area 44g for storing a ball abnormality flag and a count of the number of prize balls that have been paid out.

  Further, a random number generating data storage for storing a big hit determination random number constituting a big hit counter for performing a big hit determination and a random number constituting a symbol selection counter for selecting a symbol to be determined and displayed on the effect display 10. The area 44h stores a payout control command for instructing the payout control board 50 to pay out a predetermined number of game balls, and a communication flag indicating whether or not a command to be transmitted from the main control board 40 to each control board exists. A payout control command output data storage area 44i, an effect control command output data storage area 44j for storing an effect control command determination flag, and the like, and a symbol LED control data storage area 44k for storing a special symbol LED control timer A normal electric power storing an ordinary electric accessory operating flag indicating that the ordinary electric accessory 16 is operating. And a character object control data storage area 44m.

  In addition, a special prize counter for counting game balls won in the special prize opening and a data storage area 44n for controlling the special prize opening device for storing a round counter for counting the number of rounds, and the special symbol being changed are shown. A special symbol control data storage area 44p for storing a special symbol fluctuation flag and a special symbol control data storage area 44p for storing a time measurement timer for measuring the fluctuation time of the special symbol (the time required from the start of fluctuation to the stop), and indicating that the normal symbol is changing. And a normal symbol control data storage area 44q for storing a normal symbol variation flag and a time measuring timer for measuring a variation time of the normal symbol (a time required from the start of the variation to the stop).

  In addition, a variation time shortening function flag indicating that the function of shortening the variation time of the special symbol (time shortening function) is enabled, and a probability state flag indicating that the state is changed to a probability variation gaming state with a high probability of jackpot occurrence Effect control for storing game state control data storage area 44r to be stored, and random numbers constituting an effect pattern selection counter for selecting effect patterns such as special symbol variation patterns, sound effect contents, and LED lighting contents Data storage area 44s, a SUM check data storage area 44t for storing SUM check data as a result of the checksum, and a stack area 44u for storing various register values during NMI processing.

(Memory map of payout control ROM and payout control RAM)
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a memory map of the payout control ROM 53 and the payout control RAM 54.
The payout control ROM 53 stores a computer program executed by the payout control CPU 52 (a computer program for executing a reset process, a power-on process, a power failure recovery process, a main process, an NMI process, and the like, which will be described later). It has a storage area 53a and a data storage area 53b in which constant data used by the payout control CPU 52 for payout control is stored. The constant data is, for example, an abnormal state display data table indicating a lighting pattern of an error display LED, a sphere lending number setting table indicating a specified sphere lending number, and the like.

  The payout control RAM 54 includes a power failure flag data storage area 54a indicating the occurrence of a power failure, an erasure determination SW flag data storage area 54b indicating the operation result of the erasure determination switch 4, and a stack pointer storage for storing the current stack pointer value. And a buffer 54c. Also, an input data storage area 54d for storing input data such as edge data and level data of signals input to the payout control MPU 51, and a lower pan for storing a lower pan full flag indicating the operation result of the lower pan full switch 64. It has a full information data storage area 54e and a ball break information data storage area 54f for storing a ball break flag indicating the operation result of the ball break switch 63. Further, data indicating the total unpaid number of prize balls, a payout number counter for managing the number of payouts in one continuous payout operation, a prize ball number counter for measuring the number of passes of the payout sensor 62 during the prize ball payout operation, A payout control data storage area 54g for storing data mainly used for award ball payout processing and lending payout processing, such as a flag for determining payout permission, and a timer for monitoring ball jamming in the payout sensor 62 Data storage for payout sensor information for storing data for monitoring an error state of the payout sensor 62, such as a timer for monitoring disconnection at the payout sensor 62, a timer for monitoring breakage at the payout sensor 62, etc. And an area 54h.

Further, a payout command buffer for storing a payout control command received from the main control board 40, a payout control command input data storage area 54i including an area for storing a communication flag, and the phase (A And a payout motor control data storage area 54j for storing a signal designating a phase, a B phase, a C phase, and a D phase.
Further, the payout information signal output data storage area 54k for storing the data (payout information signal) indicating the state of the payout control board 50 to the main control board 40 and the data of the payout state signal, and the payout motor 61 respond to the ball lending request. A card unit control data storage area 54m for storing a ball lending state flag indicating that a game ball is being paid out, a PRDY signal control timer when a card unit abnormality occurs, and a SUM as a result of a checksum It has a SUM check data storage area 54n for storing check data, and a stack area 54p.
Of the data stored in the main control RAM 44, at least data other than the data stored in the erasure determination SW flag data storage area 44b, the stack pointer storage buffer 44c, and the SUM check data storage area 44t, and the payout control The return data according to claim 1, wherein at least data other than data stored in the erase determination SW flag data storage area 54b, the stack pointer storage buffer 54c, and the SUM check data storage area 54n among the data stored in the RAM 54. Corresponds to data.

(Working of each substrate)
When the main power changeover switch 21 is turned on, AC 24 V is supplied from the main power source 20 to the power board 22, and the AC 24 V is converted to DC 32 V by the 32 V generation circuit 23 and supplied to the main control board 40 and the payout control board 50. . The DC 32V is supplied as operation power to the special prize opening solenoid 69 and the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 70 via the panel surface relay terminal plate 60. Further, DC32V is supplied as operating power to the payout motor 61 and the firing motor (not shown).
The power supply board 22 converts AC 24V supplied from the main power supply 20 into DC 12V by the 12V generation circuit 24 and supplies it to each control board. DC12V is supplied to the big prize opening switch 71, the prize opening switch 72, the gate switch 73, the start opening switch 74, the payout sensor 62, the lower pan full switch 64, the door opening switch 65 and the touch sensor 68 as respective operation power supplies.

  Further, the power supply board 22 converts AC 24V supplied from the main power supply 20 into DC 5V by the 5V generation circuit 25 and supplies it to each control board. DC5V is supplied as operation power to the effect control MPU 31, the main control MPU 41, the payout control MPU 51, and the launch volume 67.

  The main control CPU 42 detects that each winning opening switch, the gate switch 73 and the start opening switch 74 are turned on, determines the big hit, and issues a predetermined number of prize balls to the payout control CPU 52 of the payout control board 50. An effect execution command for the effect control CPU 32 of the effect control board 30, a drive command for the special winning opening solenoid 69, a drive command for the ordinary electric accessory solenoid 70, a count of the number of payouts when the payout sensor 62 is turned on, etc. , To oversee the progress of the game.

The main control CPU 42 acquires one count value counted by the big hit counter when the game ball wins the start port 15 and the start port switch 74 is turned on, and the count value is stored in the data in the main control ROM 43. If it matches the jackpot value stored in the area 43b, it is determined to be a jackpot, and if it does not match, it is determined to be lost (jackpot determination).
When the main control CPU 42 detects that the winning opening switch or the starting opening switch 74 is turned ON, the number corresponding to the number of winning balls set corresponding to the ON winning winning opening switch or the starting opening switch 74 is set. A payout control command for instructing payout of the game balls is created and output to the payout control CPU 52 of the payout control board 50 (award ball payout command).

  When the main control CPU 42 detects that the start port switch 74 has been turned ON, the main control CPU 42 transmits to the effect control board 30 an effect control command that designates a period for executing the effect (effect execution command). When the effect control CPU 32 receives the effect control command transmitted from the main control CPU 42, the effect control CPU 32 eliminates one effect content from a plurality of types of effect contents corresponding to the effect execution period indicated by the received effect control command. Choose for work.

  For example, a variation pattern of a special symbol displayed on the screen by the effect display device 10 and an output pattern of sound effects and an LED lighting pattern corresponding to the variation pattern are selected. Then, the effect control CPU 32 causes the effect display device 10 to execute a special symbol variation display according to the selected variation pattern, causes the sound output device to output a sound effect according to the selected sound effect output pattern, and further selects the selected lighting. The LED is turned on by the LED control device according to the pattern.

  The power failure detection circuit 28 outputs a power failure detection signal (PWRDWNM, PWRDWNH) to the main control board 40 and the payout control board 50 when detecting that the voltage of the power source supplied from the main power source 20 has decreased to a predetermined voltage. To do. When a power failure detection signal is input, the main control CPU 42 of the main control board 40 and the payout control CPU 52 of the payout control board 50 execute NMI processing, which will be described later, respectively, and transfer data to the main control RAM 44 and the payout control RAM 54. Prohibit new writing. Further, the discharge current is supplied from the backup capacitor 29 to the main control RAM 44 and the payout control RAM 54, respectively, and the data stored in each control RAM (for returning the gaming state to the gaming state immediately before the power failure after the power failure recovery) (Return data) is stored (backed up).

  When the power failure returns, the main control CPU 42 and the payout control CPU 52 return the gaming state to the gaming state immediately before the power failure based on the data stored in the main control RAM 44 and the payout control RAM 54, respectively. . For example, when a power failure occurs while the effect display 10 is variably displaying the special symbol, the effect indicator 10 resumes the variation display of the special symbol from the variation display state immediately before the power failure. When a power failure occurs while the payout motor 61 is paying out game balls, the payout control board 50 resumes paying out unpaid game balls.

(Erase decision switch action)
When the erasure determination switch 4 is operated while the main power supply 20 is activated, the data indicating the operation result is the erasure determination SW flag data storage area 44b of the main control RAM 44 and the erasure determination SW flag data of the payout control RAM 54. It is stored in the storage area 54b. The erasure determination switch 4 changes to ON or OFF every time the pressing operation is performed. When the erasure determination switch 4 is turned ON, the erasure determination SW flag data “1” indicating the ON state is displayed in the erasure determination SW flag data storage area 44b and The data is stored in the erase determination SW flag data storage area 54b. Further, if the erasure determination switch 4 is pressed while the erasure determination SW flag data “1” is stored in the erasure determination SW flag data storage area 44b and the erasure determination SW flag data storage area 54b, the stored erasure is performed. The decision SW flag data is rewritten to “0”.

Further, when the erasure determination switch 4 is in the ON state, the erasure determination operation LED 8 is lit. Therefore, if the erasure determination operation LED 8 is lit, it can be determined whether the erasure determination switch 4 is in the ON state or the OFF state. It can be easily distinguished.
Further, since the erasure determination switch 4 is a momentary push switch, if the pressing is stopped after the ON operation is performed, the urging force returns to the original OFF position, so there is no need to perform the work of returning to the OFF position after the ON operation. Therefore, the work efficiency of the switch operation can be improved.

During the period when the main power supply 20 is shut off, the erase determination SW flag data storage areas 44b and 54b are each supplied with the backup power from the backup capacitor 29, so the stored erase determination SW flag data is erased. It is held without.
Next, when the main power supply 20 is started up, the main control CPU 42 of the main control board 40 refers to the erase determination SW flag data storage area 44b of the main control RAM 44, and stores the erase determination SW flag data “1”. If so, the main control RAM 44 is initialized and all data backed up in the main control RAM 44 is erased. Further, the payout control CPU 52 of the payout control board 50 refers to the erasure determination SW flag data storage area 54b of the payout control RAM 54, and when the erasure determination SW flag data “1” is stored, the payout control RAM 54. And all data backed up in the payout control RAM 54 is erased.

In other words, if there is a pachinko machine 1 that wants to erase the data backed up in the RAM, if the erasure decision switch 4 provided in the pachinko machine 1 is turned ON during business operation, the main power supply is opened when the store opens the next day. When 20 starts up, the data backed up in the RAM of the pachinko machine 1 in which the erasure determination switch 4 is ON can be automatically erased.
Therefore, even if there is a pachinko machine 1 that is about to close a store in a state of being changed to a certain change state, if the erasure determination switch 4 of the pachinko machine 1 is operated before the power is shut off, the store opens the next day. Sometimes, the data backed up in the RAM of the pachinko machine 1 can be erased and the probability change state can be automatically released, so that the pachinko machine 1 that has changed to the probability change state since the opening of the store and the pachinko machine 1 that is not so It is possible to prevent unfairness among players due to the presence of.

[Processing at power-on]
Next, processing executed by the main control CPU 42 and the payout control CPU 52 when the power is turned on will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Reset processing of main control CPU 42)
The reset process of the main control CPU 42 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the main power supply 20 (FIG. 3) is started, 5V power is supplied from the 5V generation circuit 25 of the power supply board 22 to the main control board 40, the effect control board 30 and the payout control board 50, respectively. When the voltage exceeds a minimum operating voltage of a voltage monitoring IC (not shown) mounted on each control board, a system reset signal is output and stabilized on all control boards. Subsequently, when the 5V power supply reaches a predetermined operating voltage, the system reset signal of each control board is canceled.

  The main control CPU 42 performs a security check such as whether there is an abnormality in the computer program recorded in the main control ROM 43 (step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1 in FIG. 6). Subsequently, the stack pointer is set to the bottom of the address (for example, 8000H) (S2), and the interrupt mode is set (S3). For example, the interrupt mode is set to mode 2. Subsequently, a write permission value is set in the RAM write protection register (S4), and it is determined whether or not the payout initial state signal is ON (S5).

  If an affirmative determination is made (S5: Yes), the erasure decision SW flag data is read from the erasure decision SW flag data storage area 44b of the main control RAM 44 (S6), and the read erasure decision SW flag data is “1”. It is determined whether or not there is, that is, whether or not the erasure determination switch 4 is turned on (S7). If an affirmative determination is made, that is, if it is determined that the erasure determination switch 4 is turned on (S7: Yes), the erasure determination SW flag data is reset to “0” (S14), and the initialization process is performed. Execute (S15).

  In the initialization process, the main control CPU 42 clears the entire storage area of the main control RAM 44 (S20 in FIG. 7), and reads the initial setting data when the power is turned on (S21). Subsequently, the initial setting data read in S21 is stored in the main control RAM 44 (S22), the power-on effect control command data is read (S23), and the read power-on effect control command is sent to the effect control board 30. Transmit (S24). Subsequently, the peripheral devices of the main control CPU 42 are initialized (S25), and interrupt permission is set (S26).

As described above, when the erase determination SW flag data is “1” in the reset process when the main power supply 20 is started up, the main control CPU 42 executes the initialization process and performs the main control CPU 42. The entire storage area of the RAM 44 is automatically cleared.
Therefore, it is not necessary to perform the time-consuming work of operating the initialization switch at the same time as the power switch as in the prior art, so that the workability of erasing the backup data stored in the main control RAM 44 can be improved. it can.

Incidentally, pachinko machines in pachinko halls are usually arranged in units called islands made up of a plurality of pachinko machines, and the power source of each pachinko machine is managed in units of islands. And the main power changeover switch 21 of each pachinko machine is in a state of being always turned on. By operating the power switch provided on the island, the power of all the pachinko machines constituting the island is turned on all at once. Or it is OFF.
Therefore, even when there are many pachinko machines 1 that need to erase backup data at the time of opening the store, before the power of the previous day is turned off, the erasure determination switch 4 provided in those pachinko machines 1 If you turn ON each of them, you can automatically turn on the backup data of all the pachinko machines 1 where the erasure decision switch 4 is operated in the island just by turning on the island's power switch when the store opens the next day. Therefore, it is possible to dramatically improve the efficiency of the backup data erasing operation.

  If the negative determination is made in S7 (S7: No), the main control CPU 42 reads out the power outage flag data from the power outage flag data storage area 44a of the main control RAM 44 (S8), and the read out power outage flag data. Is “1”, that is, whether the currently executed reset process is a process after recovery from a power failure (S9). If the determination is affirmative (S9: Yes), the SUM check data is read from the SUM check data storage area 44t of the main control RAM 44 (S10), and each storage area of the main control RAM 44 is added byte by byte. A checksum value is calculated (S11).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the SUM check data read in the previous S10 is equal to the checksum value calculated in the previous S11 (S12), and if a negative determination is made (S12: No), The initialization process described above is executed (S15). If an affirmative determination is made (S12: Yes), a power failure recovery process is executed (S13).

  In the power failure recovery process, the main control CPU 42 reads the value stored in the stack pointer storage buffer 44c of the main control RAM 44 (S30 in FIG. 8), and sets the read value as the stack pointer (S31). Subsequently, the power recovery setting data is read (S32), and the read power recovery setting data is stored in the main control RAM 44 (S33). Subsequently, the power return effect control command data is read (S34), and the read power return effect control command data is transmitted to the effect control board 30 (S35). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the command is stored in the payout command buffer of the payout control command output data storage area 44i of the main control RAM 44 (S36).

  If the determination is affirmative (S36: Yes), the value stored in the payout command buffer is output (S37), and the lighting state of the LED is returned to the state before the power failure (S38). When a negative determination is made in S36 (S36: No), S38 is executed. Subsequently, peripheral devices of the main control CPU 42 are initialized (S39), and all the used registers are restored (S40). Subsequently, the interrupt flag is returned (S41), and it is determined whether or not to permit interruption before a power failure (S42). When an affirmative determination is made (S42: Yes), interrupt permission is set (S43). .

(Main processing of main control CPU)
The main process of the main control CPU will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The main control CPU 42 sets an interrupt prohibition (S50 in FIG. 9), saves all used registers (S51), and clears a watchdog timer which is a timer for monitoring the runaway of the main control CPU 42 (S52). . Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the erasure determination switch 4 has been operated (S53). If an affirmative determination is made (S53: Yes), it is determined whether or not the erasure determination SW flag data is “1” (S54). ). If an affirmative determination is made (S54: Yes), the erasure determination SW flag data is cleared to “0” (S55), and if a negative determination is made (S54: No), the erasure determination SW flag data is “1”. (S56).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the erasure determination SW flag data is “1” (S57). When an affirmative determination is made (S57: Yes), the erasure determination operation LED 8 is turned on (S58), and a negative determination is made. (S57: No), the erase determination operation LED 8 is turned off (S59). That is, whether or not the erasure determination SW flag data is “1” can be notified by whether or not the erasure determination operation LED 8 is lit. Whether the data is “1” or not can be recognized immediately.

  Subsequently, an output process (S60), a timer process (S61), an input process (S62), a random number creation process (S63), a game process (S64) and an output data creation process (S65) are executed, and all used registers are restored. (S66) and interrupt permission is set (S67).

(NMI processing of main control CPU)
The NMI processing of the main control CPU will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The main control CPU 42 that has detected the power interruption saves all the used registers (S70 in FIG. 10) and saves the interrupt flag (S71). Subsequently, the stack pointer value is stored in the stack pointer storage buffer 44c of the main control RAM 44 (S72), and a drive stop signal is output (S73). Subsequently, a checksum value is calculated (S74), and the calculated checksum value is stored in the SUM check data storage area 44t (S75). Subsequently, an ON value is set in the power failure flag in the power failure flag data storage area 44a (S76), and a write prohibition value is set in the RAM write protection register (S77).

(Reset processing of payout control CPU)
The reset process of the payout control CPU 52 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The payout control CPU 52 executes a security check such as whether there is an abnormality in the computer program recorded in the payout control ROM 53 (S80 in FIG. 11). Subsequently, the stack pointer is set to the bottom of the address (for example, 8000H) (S81), and the interrupt mode is set (S82). For example, the interrupt mode is set to mode 3. Subsequently, an access permission value is set in the RAM write protection register (S83).

  Subsequently, the erasure decision SW flag data is read from the erasure decision SW flag data storage area 54b of the payout control RAM 54 (S84), and whether or not the read erasure decision SW flag data is “1”, that is, an erasure decision switch. It is determined whether 4 is ON-operated (S85). Here, if an affirmative determination is made, that is, if it is determined that the erasure determination switch 4 is turned on (S85: Yes), the erasure determination SW flag data is reset to “0” (S87), and the process at power-on is performed. Is executed (S93).

  The payout control CPU 52 clears the entire storage area of the payout control RAM 54 in the power-on process (S100 in FIG. 12), and reads the initial setting data when the power is turned on (S101). Subsequently, the initial setting data read in S101 is stored in the payout control RAM 54 (S102), peripheral devices around the payout control CPU 52 are initialized (S103), and interrupt permission is set (S104).

As described above, the payout control CPU 52 executes the power-on process when the erasure determination SW flag data is “1” in the reset process when the main power supply 20 is started up, and performs the payout control. The entire storage area of the RAM 54 is automatically cleared.
Therefore, it is not necessary to perform the time-consuming work of operating the initialization switch at the same time as the power switch as in the prior art, so that the workability of erasing the backup data stored in the main control RAM 44 can be improved. it can.

  In particular, even when there are many pachinko machines 1 that need to erase backup data at the time of opening, there is an erasure determination switch 4 provided in those pachinko machines 1 before turning off the power of the previous day. If you turn ON each of them, you can automatically turn on the backup data of all the pachinko machines 1 where the erasure decision switch 4 is operated in the island just by turning on the island's power switch when the store opens the next day. Therefore, it is possible to dramatically improve the efficiency of the backup data erasing operation.

  Further, when a negative determination is made in S85 (S85: No), the payout control CPU 52 reads out the power outage flag data from the power outage flag data storage area 54a of the payout control RAM 54 (S86), and the read out power outage flag data. Is “1”, that is, whether the currently executed reset process is a process after recovery from a power failure (S88). If the determination is affirmative (S88: Yes), the SUM check data is read from the SUM check data storage area 54n of the payout control RAM 54 (S89), and each storage area of the payout control RAM 54 is added byte by byte. A checksum value is calculated (S90).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the SUM check data read in the previous S89 is equal to the checksum value calculated in the previous S90 (S91), and if a negative determination is made (S91: No), The power-on process described above is executed (S93), and if an affirmative determination is made (S91: Yes), a power failure recovery process is executed (S92).

  In the power failure recovery process, the payout control CPU 52 reads the value stored in the stack pointer storage buffer 54c of the payout control RAM 54 (S110 in FIG. 13), and sets the read value as the stack pointer (S111). Subsequently, the power recovery setting data is read (S112), and the read power recovery setting data is stored in the payout control RAM 54 (S113). Subsequently, peripheral devices of the payout control CPU 52 are initialized (S114), and all used registers are restored (S115). Subsequently, the interrupt flag is returned (S116), and it is determined whether or not to permit interruption before a power failure (S117). If the determination is affirmative (S117: Yes), interrupt permission is set (S118). .

(Main process of payout control CPU)
The main process of the payout control CPU will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The payout control CPU 52 sets an interrupt permission (S120 in FIG. 14), and outputs a payout initial state signal (S121). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the erasure determination switch 4 has been operated (S122). If an affirmative determination is made (S122: Yes), it is determined whether or not the erasure determination SW flag data is “1” (S123). ). If an affirmative determination is made (S123: Yes), the erasure determination SW flag data is cleared to “0” (S124). If a negative determination is made (S123: No), the erasure determination SW flag data is “1”. (S125).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the erasure determination SW flag data is “1” (S126). When an affirmative determination is made (S126: Yes), the erasure determination operation LED 8 is turned on (S127), and a negative determination is made. (S126: No), the erase determination operation LED 8 is turned off (S128). That is, whether or not the erasure determination SW flag data is “1” can be notified by whether or not the erasure determination operation LED 8 is lit. Whether the data is “1” or not can be recognized immediately.

  Subsequently, output processing (S129), game frame SW output processing (S130), ball lending operation processing (S131), command confirmation processing (S132), payout operation processing (S133), motor drive output setting processing (S134), abnormality Data processing (S135), external terminal output processing (S136), and ball rental setting processing (S137) are executed.

(NMI processing of payout control CPU)
NMI processing of the payout control CPU will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The payout control CPU 52 that has detected the power interruption saves all the used registers (S140 in FIG. 15) and saves the interrupt flag (S141). Subsequently, the value of the stack pointer is stored in the stack pointer storage buffer 54c of the payout control RAM 54 (S142), and the off value is output to the payout information output port (S143). Subsequently, the drive stop value is output to the motor drive output port (S144), and the off value is output to the external terminal control output port (S145).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a payout control command has been received (S146). If an affirmative determination is made (S146: Yes), the received payout control command is stored in the payout command buffer in the payout control command input data storage area 54i. Store (S147). Subsequently, a checksum value is calculated (S148), and the calculated checksum value is stored in the SUM check data storage area 54n (S149). Subsequently, the backup operating value is set in the power failure flag in the power failure flag data storage area 54a (S150), and the access prohibition value is set in the RAM write protection register (S151).

[Effect of the first embodiment]
(1) As described above, if the pachinko machine 1 according to the first embodiment is used, when the supply of the main power supply 20 is started, it is stored and held in the erasure determination SW flag data storage areas 44b and 54b, respectively. Based on the erasure decision SW flag data indicating the operation result of the erasure decision switch 4, the backup data backed up in the main control RAM 44 and the payout control RAM 54 can be automatically erased, so the backup data is erased. If it is desired to operate, the erasure determination switch 4 is operated, and then the main power supply switch 21 is turned off and then turned on again. It is not necessary to operate the main power supply switch 21 and the erasure determination switch 4 simultaneously. .
Therefore, unlike the conventional case where the initialization switch is operated at the same time as the main power supply switch, a pachinko machine capable of improving workability and work efficiency when erasing backed up backup data can be realized.

(2) In particular, even when there are many pachinko machines 1 that need to erase backup data backed up due to power interruption when closing a store, the erasure determination switch 4 provided in those pachinko machines 1 If the pachinko machine 1 that you want to delete backup data is specified by operating it before turning off the power, you can simply turn on the power switch provided on the island at the next store opening. Since the backup data backed up on all the pachinko machines 1 can be automatically erased all at once, the efficiency of the backup data erasing work can be dramatically improved.

(3) Further, the main control CPU 42 and the payout control CPU 52 respectively determine whether or not the erasure determination SW flag data backed up in the erasure determination SW flag data storage areas 44b and 54b is “1”. If the determination is affirmative, the erasure decision SW flag data is cleared to “0”, so there is no need to operate the erasure decision switch 4.

(5) Since the erasure decision operation LED 8 that is turned on when the erasure decision SW flag data backed up in the erasure decision SW flag data storage areas 44b and 54b is “1” is provided, It is possible to know whether or not an ON operation has been performed.
In particular, even if the number of pachinko machines 1 installed in the pachinko parlor is large, the operation result of the erasure determination switch 4 can be easily confirmed, so that the confirmation work efficiency can be greatly improved.

<Other embodiments>
(1) In the first embodiment, the backup data is erased on the condition that the erase determination switch 4 is turned on. However, the backup data is erased on the condition that the erase decision switch 4 is turned off. You can also In other words, a pachinko machine for which backup data is to be erased is turned off without operating the erasure determination switch 4, and a pachinko machine for which backup data is not erased is operated by turning on the erasure determination switch 4. This configuration is effective when there are more pachinko machines that erase the backup data when opening the store than when the pachinko machine does not erase the backup data. Can be improved.
Even when a pachinko machine having the above configuration is used, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

(2) FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the pachinko machine according to the present invention. The pachinko machine 1 is characterized in that the erasure determination switch 4 and the erasure determination operation LED 8 are respectively arranged at locations where they can be operated and viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 1, while the erasure determination switch 4 is turned on when power is supplied. Even when operated, the backup data is not erased while the power is supplied.
If this pachinko machine 1 is used, the operability of the erasure determination switch 4 and the visibility of the erasure determination operation LED 8 can be improved. Even if the erasure decision switch 4 is operated when power is supplied, the return data is not erased during the period when the power is supplied, so the player decides erasure during business. Even when the switch 4 is operated, the return data is not erased.
The pachinko machine having the above configuration corresponds to the invention according to claim 5 of the present application.

(3) The erasure decision SW flag data backed up in the erasure decision SW flag data storage areas 44b and 54b is rewritten to “1” or “0” each time the erasure decision switch 4 is operated. it can. With this configuration, even if the erasure determination switch 4 is operated by mistake, the erasure determination SW flag data can be corrected by operating the erasure determination switch 4 again. The pachinko machine having the above configuration corresponds to the invention according to claim 3 of the present application.

(4) The erasure determination switch 4 can be changed to a momentary pull switch.
(5) Data for resuming the game after the power is restored may be configured to be stored and retained in the effect control RAM 34 when the power is shut off.

It is explanatory drawing which looked at the external appearance of the pachinko machine concerning the embodiment of this invention from the front. It is the schematic explanatory drawing which looked at the game board with which the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 1 was equipped from the front. It is explanatory drawing which shows the main electric structures of the pachinko machine 1 with a block. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a memory map of a main control ROM 43 and a main control RAM 44. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the memory map of payout control ROM53 and payout control RAM54. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the reset process which CPU42 for main control performs. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the initialization process which CPU42 for main control performs. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process at the time of a power failure reset which CPU42 for main control performs. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the main process which CPU42 for main control performs. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the NMI process which CPU42 for main control performs. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the reset process which CPU52 for payout control performs. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process at the time of power activation which CPU52 for payout control performs. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process at the time of a power failure reset which CPU52 for payout control performs. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the main process which CPU52 for payout control performs. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the NMI process which CPU52 for payout control performs. It is a perspective view which shows the example of a change of the pachinko machine concerning this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 .. Pachinko machine, 4 .... Erase decision switch, 8 .... Erase decision operation LED,
20. Main power (power supply),
29 .. Backup capacitor (recovery data storage holding means),
44..Main control RAM (return data storage holding means),
54 .. Payout control RAM (return data storage holding means).

Claims (5)

Return data storage holding means for storing and holding return data for returning the game state to the game state before the power supply is shut off until the power is turned off when the shut off power supply is restored. When,
A game state return means for returning the gaming state to the gaming state before the power supply is shut off based on the return data stored in the return data storage holding means when the power is restored;
A momentary type erasure determination switch for deciding whether or not to erase the return data stored and held in the return data storage holding means,
Operation result storage holding means for storing and holding an operation result indicating whether or not the erasure determination switch is operated;
Whether or not to erase the return data stored in the return data storage and holding means based on the operation result stored and held in the operation result storage and holding means when the supply of power is started And a data erasing unit for erasing that erases the stored data for restoration when an affirmative determination is made,
An operation result erasing unit for erasing an operation result stored in the operation result storage holding unit after the return data erasing unit performs the determination;
A pachinko machine characterized by comprising The return data erasing means includes:
When the supply of power is started, it is determined whether or not an operation result indicating that the erasure determination switch has been operated is stored in the operation result storage and holding unit, and the storage and holding is performed when an affirmative determination is made. 2. The pachinko machine according to claim 1, wherein the recovery data that has been restored is erased.   The operation result stored and held in the operation result storage and holding means is rewritten into an operation result indicating that it has been operated and an operation result indicating that it has not been operated each time the erase determination switch is operated. The pachinko machine according to claim 1 or 2.   The pachinko machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an informing unit for informing an operation result stored and held in the operation result storage and holding unit. The erasure determination switch and the notification means are respectively disposed at locations that can be operated and viewed from the front of the pachinko machine,
The restoration data erasing means does not erase the stored restoration data during the period when the power is supplied when the erasure determination switch is operated while the power is supplied. The pachinko machine according to claim 4 characterized by things.

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