JP2008148864A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which can accelerate the control of a control device. <P>SOLUTION: A Pachinko machine 10 transmits all character image information of a compressed form memorized by the first character image information memory 232b and the second character image information memory 233b to a character image information storage domain 235b within a video RAM 235 by an output circuit 231a. Further, after the transmitted character image information is memorized in the character image information storage domain 235b, an image controller 236 performs all of the development of the character image information memorized in the character image information storage domain 235b, the extraction of the developed character image information, the memorization of the extracted character image information, the working of the extracted character image information, etc. using the video RAM 235 which temporarily memorizes the character image information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is a gaming machine represented by a pachinko machine, a spinning machine (slot machine), or a fusion machine thereof (for example, a spinning game machine using a gaming ball that uses a gaming ball to perform a spinning game). It is about.

  Conventionally, a display control device that controls an image displayed on a display device mounted on a pachinko machine includes, for example, a VDP (video display processor), a character ROM that stores character image information, and a character ROM using VDP. The character image information read from the image data is temporarily stored, and the stored character image information is processed by the VDP (such as setting the display position of the character image information, modifying the character image information, and then displaying it on the display device) A video RAM used as an area for preparing character image information and the like, and a display device for displaying character image information stored in the video RAM are provided. The character ROM, video RAM, and display device are each connected to the VDP via a dedicated bus line. Further, the VDP includes an MPU that executes control associated with a game, a program ROM that stores a game program, and a RAM that temporarily stores necessary data according to the progress of the game. It is connected via a separate bus line.

In this display control apparatus, the MPU reads out the game program stored in the program ROM, and the MPU instructs the VDP to display an image according to the read out game program. Upon receiving an instruction from the MPU, the VDP reads the character image information from the character ROM, processes the read character image information in an area in the video RAM, and outputs the processed character image information to the display device. Character image information is displayed on the display device.
JP 2004-81256 A

  However, in order to display the character image information on the display device, the VDP that has received an instruction from the MPU reads the character image information from the character ROM each time the character image information displayed on the display device changes, Processing or the like must be performed in an area in the RAM. Therefore, for example, when the character image information displayed on the display device changes at high speed (when an instruction from the MPU to the VDP is frequently performed), the VDP reads the character image information from the character ROM and stores it in the video RAM. There is a problem that the time required for processing or the like increases in this area, and the change in the character image information displayed on the display device cannot follow the original speed and becomes unstable.

  In addition, the above-mentioned problem is not limited to the display control device of the illustrated pachinko machine, but a pachinko machine, a spinning machine (slot machine), a fusion machine of the pachinko machine and the spinning machine (for example, using a game ball) And the like, and the arithmetic device reads the information from the ROM, stores the read information in the RAM, and stores the information stored in the RAM in a predetermined control device. This is a problem that also occurs in a device that outputs and controls the control device.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of speeding up control of a control device.

  In order to achieve this object, the gaming machine according to claim 1 is connected to a first control means for executing control associated with a game and a predetermined control device, and is controlled based on an instruction from the first control means. Second control means for controlling the device, the first control means for controlling the control device, first calculation means for executing control associated with a game, program information for operating the first calculation means, and First storage means for storing the specific information output to the second control means, and output means for outputting the specific information stored in the first storage means to the second control means. (2) the control means outputs a second storage means for temporarily storing the specific information output from the output means, and outputs the specific information stored in the second storage means to the control device; Second control means for controlling To have.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine according to the first aspect, the second calculation means converts the compression format specific information stored in the second storage means into a format that can be controlled by the control device. Expanding means for expanding and storing the expanded specific information in the second storage means is provided.

  A gaming machine according to a third aspect is the gaming machine according to the first or second aspect, further comprising power supply means for supplying a driving voltage to the first control means and the second control means. When a drive voltage is supplied to the first control means and the second control means, the output means is configured to output specific information stored in the first storage means to the second control means.

  The gaming machine according to claim 4 is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first storage means for storing the program information and the specific information is configured by two or more storage devices, The total number of data buses in the above storage device is the same as the number of data buses in the first arithmetic means.

  The gaming machine according to claim 5 is the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the specific information output by the output means to the second control means includes character image information that provides an effect accompanying the game. It is a waste.

  According to the gaming machine of the first aspect, the specific information stored in the first storage means is output to the second control means by the output means of the first control means. The output specific information is stored in the second storage means of the second control means and then processed into predetermined information for controlling the control device in the second storage means by the second calculation means. The processed specific information is output from the second storage means to the control device by the second calculation means, and controls the control device. Therefore, after the specific information stored in the first storage unit is output to the second storage unit by the output unit and stored in the second storage unit, the second calculation unit processes and processes the specific information. All of the specific information can be read using the second storage unit that temporarily stores the specific information. Here, in general, the second storage means (RAM) has a higher data reading speed than the first storage means (ROM). Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to speed up the control of the control device by reducing the time for the second calculation means to read the specific information.

  According to the gaming machine of the second aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the gaming machine of the first aspect, the compression unit specific information stored in the second storage unit by the expansion unit is converted into a format that can be controlled by the control device. expand. Therefore, even if the specific information output to the second storage means by the output means is in a compression format, the second calculation means expands the specific information in a format that can be controlled by the control device in the second storage means. can do. Therefore, the second calculation means reads out the compression format specific information from the first storage means, and each time the second calculation means expands the second storage means into a format that can be controlled by the control device. There is an effect that it is possible to reduce the time for the means to expand the compression format specific information into a format that can be controlled by the control device, and to speed up the control of the control device.

  According to the gaming machine of the third aspect, in addition to the effect achieved by the gaming machine according to the first or second aspect, an output is provided when a driving voltage is supplied to the first control means and the second control means by the power supply means. The specific information stored in the first storage means is output to the second control means by the means. Therefore, when the game machine start-up process is executed, the specific information stored in the first storage means is stored in the second storage means. Therefore, there is an effect that the specific information can be stored in the second storage means after the gaming machine startup process that is executed first.

  According to the gaming machine according to claim 4, in addition to the effect achieved by the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the first storage means for storing the program information and the specific information is two or more storage devices. The total number of data buses of the two or more storage devices is the same as the number of data buses of the first computing means. Here, since the storage device is generally cheaper as the number of data buses decreases, the first storage unit is configured by a storage device having a smaller number of data buses, whereby the number of data buses of the first storage unit is the first. There is an effect that the cost of the first storage means can be reduced while keeping the number of data buses of the arithmetic means equal.

  According to the gaming machine of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effect achieved by the gaming machine according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the specific information output from the output means to the second control means provides an effect associated with the game. Since character image information is included, the time for the second calculation means to read out character image information can be reduced, even when displaying character image information in which a change in image display is performed at high speed. In addition to speeding up the control, there are effects that smooth display and clear display can be performed.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter simply referred to as “pachinko machine”) will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10, FIG. 2 is a front view of the game board 13 of the pachinko machine 10, and FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 10.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko machine 10 includes an outer frame 11 having an outer shell formed of a wooden frame combined in a substantially rectangular shape, and an outer frame 11 having substantially the same outer shape as the outer frame 11. And an inner frame 12 supported to be openable and closable. In order to support the inner frame 12, metal hinges 18 are attached to the outer frame 11 at two upper and lower portions on the left side when viewed from the front (see FIG. 1), and the side on which the hinge 18 is provided is used as an opening / closing axis. The frame 12 is supported so as to be openable and closable to the front front side.

  A game board 13 (see FIG. 2) having a large number of nails, winning holes 63, 64, and the like is detachably mounted on the inner frame 12 from the back side. A ball ball game is performed when the ball flows down the front surface of the game board 13. The inner frame 12 has a ball launch unit 112a (see FIG. 4) that launches a ball to the front area of the game board 13 and a launch that guides the ball launched from the ball launch unit 112a to the front area of the game board 13. A rail (not shown) or the like is attached.

  On the front side of the inner frame 12, a front frame 14 that covers the upper side of the front surface and a lower dish unit 15 that covers the lower side of the front frame 14 are provided. In order to support the front frame 14 and the lower plate unit 15, metal hinges 19 are attached at two upper and lower positions on the left side when viewed from the front (see FIG. 1). 14 and the lower pan unit 15 are supported so as to be openable and closable to the front front side. The locking of the inner frame 12 and the locking of the front frame 14 are respectively released by inserting a dedicated key into the key hole 21 of the cylinder lock 20 and performing a predetermined operation.

  The front frame 14 is assembled with decorative resin parts, electrical parts, and the like, and a window part 14c formed in an approximately elliptical shape is provided at a substantially central part thereof. A glass unit 16 having two plate glasses is disposed on the back side of the front frame 14, and the front surface of the game board 13 can be seen on the front side of the pachinko machine 10 through the glass unit 16. On the front frame 14, an upper plate 17 that stores balls is formed in a substantially box shape that protrudes forward and the upper surface is opened, and prize balls and rental balls are discharged to the upper plate 17. The bottom surface of the upper plate 17 is formed to be inclined downward to the right when viewed from the front (see FIG. 1), and the sphere thrown into the upper plate 17 is guided to the ball launch unit 112a by the inclination. A frame button 22 is provided on the upper surface of the upper plate 17. This frame button 22 is operated by the player, for example, when changing the effect pattern of the variable display displayed on the third symbol display device 81 or changing the effect content at the reach effect.

  In addition, the front frame 14 is provided with light emitting means such as various lamps around the periphery (for example, a corner portion). These light-emitting means play a role of enhancing the effect of the game during the game by changing or controlling the light-emitting mode by turning on or flashing according to the change in the gaming state at the time of big hit or predetermined reach. On the peripheral edge of the window portion 14c, there are provided electric decoration portions 29 to 33 incorporating light emitting means such as LEDs. In the pachinko machine 10, these lighting parts 29 to 33 function as effect lamps such as jackpot lamps, and the lighting parts 29 to 33 are turned on by lighting or blinking of the built-in LEDs at the time of jackpot or reach effects. Alternatively, it blinks to notify that the jackpot is being hit or that the reach is one step before the jackpot.

  Further, in the upper left part of the front frame 14 as viewed from the front (see FIG. 1), there is provided a display lamp 34 which has built-in light emitting means such as an LED and can display when a prize ball is being paid out and when an error occurs. Further, a small window 35 is formed by attaching a transparent resin from the back side so that the back side of the front frame 14 can be visually recognized, on the lower side of the right illumination part 32, and a sticking space K1 on the front side of the game board 13 (FIG. 2) is visible from the front surface of the pachinko machine 10. In addition, in the pachinko machine 10, a plated member 36 made of ABS resin that is chrome-plated is attached to an area around the electric decoration parts 29 to 33 in order to bring out more gorgeousness.

  A ball rental operation unit 40 is disposed below the window 14c. The lending operation unit 40 includes a frequency display unit 41, a lending button 42, and a return button 43. When the ball lending operation unit 40 is operated in a state where a bill or a card is inserted into a card unit (ball lending unit) (not shown) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine 10, Loans are made. Specifically, the frequency display unit 41 is an area in which the remaining amount information such as a card is displayed, and a built-in LED is lit and the remaining amount is displayed as a remaining amount information. The ball lending button 42 is operated to obtain a lending ball based on information recorded on a card or the like (recording medium), and the lending ball is supplied to the upper plate 17 as long as there is a remaining amount on the card or the like. Is done. The return button 43 is operated when requesting the return of a card or the like inserted into the card unit. In addition, in a pachinko machine in which a ball is lent directly to the upper plate 17 from a ball lending device or the like without using a card unit, a so-called cash machine does not require the ball lending operation unit 40. In this case, the ball lending operation unit 40 It is also possible to add a decorative seal or the like to the installation portion of the parts so that the component configuration is common. A pachinko machine using a card unit and a cash machine can be shared.

  In the lower plate unit 15 located on the lower side of the upper plate 17, a lower plate 50 for storing a ball that could not be stored in the upper plate 17 is formed in a substantially box shape having an open upper surface. Yes. On the right side of the lower plate 50, an operation handle 51 that is operated by a player to drive a ball into the front surface of the game board 13 is disposed, and the operation of the ball launching unit 112a is permitted inside the operation handle 51. And a variable resistor (not shown) for detecting a rotation operation amount of the operation handle 51 by a change in electric resistance. When the operation handle 51 is rotated clockwise by the player, the touch sensor is turned on and the resistance value of the variable resistor changes corresponding to the operation amount, and according to the rotation operation amount of the operation handle 51. A ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the resistance value of the variable resistor that changes, and the ball is driven into the front surface of the game board 13 with a jump amount corresponding to the player's operation.

  In the lower part of the front of the lower plate 50, a ball removal lever 52 is provided for operating when the balls stored in the lower plate 50 are discharged downward. The ball removal lever 52 is always urged to the right, and the bottom opening formed on the bottom surface of the lower plate 50 is opened by sliding it to the left against the urge. A ball naturally falls from the bottom opening and is discharged. The operation of the ball removal lever 52 is normally performed in a state where a box (generally referred to as “a thousand box”) for receiving the balls discharged from the lower plate 50 is placed below the lower plate 50. As described above, the operation handle 51 is disposed on the right side of the lower plate 50, and the ashtray 53 is attached on the left side of the lower plate 50.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the game board 13 includes a wooden base plate 60 cut into a substantially square shape when viewed from the front, a large number of ball nails, windmills and rails 61 and 62, a general winning opening 63, The ball entrance 64, the variable winning device 65, the variable display device unit 80, and the like are assembled, and the peripheral edge thereof is attached to the back side of the inner frame 12. The general winning port 63, the first winning port 64, the variable winning device 65, and the variable display device unit 80 are arranged in a through hole formed in the base plate 60 by router processing, and the wood screw is provided from the front side of the game board 13. It is fixed by etc. Further, the front center portion of the game board 13 can be viewed from the front side of the inner frame 13 through the window portion 14 c of the front frame 14. Below, the structure of the game board 13 is demonstrated.

  An outer rail 62 formed by bending a strip-shaped metal plate into a substantially arc shape is planted on the front surface of the game board 13, and the strip-shaped metal plate is located at an inner position of the outer rail 62 in the same manner as the outer rail 62. The arc-shaped inner rail 61 formed by the above is planted. The inner circumference 61 and the outer rail 62 surround the outer periphery of the front surface of the game board 13, and the game board 13 and the glass unit 16 surround the front and rear. A game area to be played is formed. The game area is a substantially circular area that is formed in front of the game board 13 and is defined by the two rails 61 and 62 and the arc member 70.

  The two rails 61 and 62 are provided to guide the ball fired from the ball launch unit 112a to the upper part of the game board 13. A return ball preventing member 68 is attached to the front end portion of the inner rail 61 (upper left portion in FIG. 2) to prevent a situation where a ball guided to the upper part of the game board 13 once returns to the ball guide path again. Is done. A return rubber 69 is attached to the tip of the outer rail 62 (upper right part in FIG. 2) at a position corresponding to the maximum flying portion of the sphere, and the ball launched at a predetermined momentum or more hits the return rubber 69 and gains momentum. Is bounced back to the center while being attenuated. A resin arc member 70 formed by providing an arc connecting the rails on the inner surface side between the lower right end of the inner rail 61 and the upper right end of the outer rail 62 is a base. The plate 60 is driven and fixed.

  A first symbol display device 37 provided with a plurality of LEDs 37a, which are light emitting means, and a 7-segment display 37b is disposed in the upper right portion of the game area as viewed from the front (upper right portion in FIG. 2). The 1st symbol display device 37 displays according to each control performed by the main controller 110, and the display of the gaming state of the pachinko machine 10 is mainly performed. The plurality of LEDs 37a indicate whether the pachinko machine 10 is in the process of being probabilistically changing, operating in a short time, or in a normal state, indicating whether the pachinko machine 10 is changing or not by a lighting state, and the symbols corresponding to the probable big hit. Whether the symbol is a symbol corresponding to a normal jackpot or an out-of-game symbol is indicated by a lighting state, or the number of reserved balls is indicated by a lighting state. The 7-segment display device 37b displays the number of rounds that are a big hit and an error display. Note that the LEDs 37a are configured so that the emission colors (for example, red, green, and blue) of the respective LEDs are different, and the combination of the emission colors can suggest various gaming states of the pachinko machine 10 with fewer LEDs. .

  In addition, the above-mentioned pachinko machine 10 being probable is a game state in which the jackpot probability is increased and it is easy to shift to the special game state. Further, during the probability change in the present embodiment, the game is in a state where the probability of hitting the second symbol is increased and the ball easily enters the first entrance 64 (see FIG. 3). In addition, when the pachinko machine 10 is short-running, it means a game state in which the hit probability of the second symbol is increased and the hit probability of the second symbol is increased, and the ball easily enters the first entrance 64 (see FIG. 3). . In addition, when the pachinko machine 10 is in a normal state, it is a game state in which neither the probability change nor the time is short (the state where neither the big hit probability nor the second symbol hit probability is increased). It should be noted that, depending on the gaming state of the pachinko machine 10, the time for opening the electric accessory (not shown) associated with the first entrance 64 and the number of times the electric accessory is released per hit are changed. It is good as a thing.

  The game area is provided with a plurality of general winning ports 63 through which 5 to 15 balls are paid out as winning balls when the balls win. In addition, a variable display device unit 80 is disposed in the central portion of the game area. The variable display device unit 80 includes a third symbol display device 81 configured with a liquid crystal display (hereinafter simply referred to as “display device”) that displays the third symbol in a variable manner with a winning at the first entrance 64 as a trigger. And a second symbol display device 82 composed of a light emitting diode (hereinafter abbreviated as “LED”) for variably displaying the second symbol with the passage of the ball of the second entrance 67 as a trigger. .

  The display content of the third symbol display device 81 is controlled by a display control device 114, which will be described later, and for example, three symbol sequences of left, middle, and right are displayed. Each symbol row is composed of a plurality of symbols, and these symbols are vertically scrolled for each symbol row so that the third symbol is variably displayed on the display screen of the third symbol display device 81. Further, in the present embodiment, the third symbol display device 81 is constituted by a large liquid crystal display of 8 inch size, and the variable display device unit 80 surrounds the outer periphery of the third symbol display device 81 so as to surround the center frame. 86 is arranged. In the third symbol display device 81 of the present embodiment, the display of the gaming state accompanying the control of the main control device 110 is performed by the first symbol display device 37, whereas the display of the first symbol display device 37 is performed. The decorative display according to is performed. Instead of the display device, for example, the third symbol display device 81 may be configured using a reel or the like.

  In addition, when the ball enters the first entrance 64 until the stop symbol (any one of the probable jackpot symbol, the normal jackpot symbol, or the off symbol) is displayed on the first symbol display device 37. The number of entered balls is held up to 4 times, and the number of held times is indicated by the first symbol display device 37 and the number of lights of the holding lamp 85. Four hold lamps 85 are provided corresponding to the maximum number of holds, and are arranged symmetrically above the third symbol display device 81. In the present embodiment, the winning at the first entrance 64 is configured to be held up to 4 times, but the maximum holding number is not limited to 4 times, but 3 times or less. Alternatively, the number may be set to 5 times or more (for example, 8 times). In addition, the hold lamp 85 is deleted, and the number of times the variable display is held based on the winning at the first entrance 64 is numerically held in a part of the third symbol display device 81, or the area divided into four is held. You may make it display in a different aspect (for example, a color and a lighting pattern) by the frequency | count. In addition, since the number of times of holding is indicated by the first symbol display device 37, the holding lamp 85 may not perform lighting display.

  The second symbol display device 82 includes a second symbol display unit 83 and a holding lamp 84, and each time the ball passes through the second entrance 67, the display unit 83 displays a display symbol (second symbol). The “○” symbol and the “×” symbol are alternately lit and displayed in a variable manner. When the fluctuation display stops at a predetermined symbol (in this embodiment, the symbol “O”) The 1 entrance 64 is configured to be activated (opened) for a predetermined time. The number of passes through the second entrance 67 of the sphere is suspended up to a maximum of 4 times, and the number of suspensions is displayed by the above-described first symbol display device 37 and is also lit on the hold lamp 84. The second symbol variation display is performed by switching on and off of a plurality of lamps in the display unit 83 as in the present embodiment, as well as the first symbol display device 37 and the third symbol display device. A part of 81 may be used. Similarly, the hold lamp 84 may be turned on by a part of the third symbol display device 81. In addition, the passage of the second entrance 67 is not limited to 4 times as in the case of the 1st entrance 64, and is not limited to 4 times, or 3 times or less (for example, (8 times). In addition, since the number of times of holding is indicated by the first symbol display device 37, the holding lamp 84 may not perform lighting display.

  Below the variable display device unit 80, a first entrance 64 into which a sphere can enter is disposed. When a ball enters the first entrance 64, a first entrance switch (not shown) provided on the back side of the game board 13 is turned on, and the first entrance switch is turned on. The main controller 110 performs a lottery lottery, and a display corresponding to the lottery result is indicated by the LED 37 a of the first symbol display device 37. The first entrance 64 is also one of the entrances through which 5 balls are paid out as prize balls when a ball enters.

  A variable winning device 65 is disposed below the first ball opening 64, and a horizontally-long rectangular specific winning port (large opening) 65a is provided at a substantially central portion thereof. In the pachinko machine 10, when the lottery in the main controller 110 is a big hit, after a predetermined time (fluctuation time) has elapsed, the LED 37a of the first symbol display device 37 is turned on so as to become a big hit stop symbol. The stop symbol corresponding to the jackpot is displayed on the third symbol display device 81 to indicate the occurrence of the jackpot. Thereafter, the gaming state transitions to a special gaming state (big hit) where the ball is easy to win. In this special gaming state, the special winning opening 65a that is normally closed is opened for a predetermined time (for example, until 30 seconds have passed or 10 balls have been won).

  The specific winning opening 65a is closed when a predetermined time elapses, and after the closing, the specific winning opening 65a is opened again for a predetermined time. The opening / closing operation of the specific winning opening 65a can be repeated up to 16 times (16 rounds), for example. The state in which this opening / closing operation is performed is one form of a special gaming state advantageous to the player, and the player is given out a larger amount of prize balls than usual to give gaming value (game value). Is done.

  Specifically, the variable winning device 65 includes a horizontally long rectangular opening / closing plate covering the specific winning opening 65a and a large opening opening solenoid (solenoid 209 (FIG. 4)). The special winning opening 65a is normally closed so that a ball cannot be won or difficult to win. In the case of a big hit, the large opening opening solenoid is driven to tilt the opening / closing plate to the lower front side to temporarily form an open state in which the ball is likely to win the specific winning opening 65a. It operates to repeat the state and the state alternately.

  The special gaming state is not limited to the above-described form. When the game area is provided with a large opening that is opened and closed separately from the specific winning opening 65a, and the LED 37a corresponding to the jackpot is turned on in the first symbol display device 37, the specific winning opening 65a is opened for a predetermined time, and the specific winning opening A special gaming state is a gaming state in which a large opening provided separately from the specific winning port 65a is opened for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times when the ball 65 is opened into the specific winning port 65a. You may make it form.

  Adhesive spaces K1, K2 for adhering certificate papers, identification labels, etc. are provided at the left and right corners on the lower side of the game board 13, and the certificate paper, etc., adhered to the adhesive space K1, is a front frame 14. Can be visually recognized through the small window 35.

  Further, the game board 13 is provided with an out port 66 and a second entrance (through gate) 67. A ball that has not entered any of the winning openings 63, 64, 65a is guided through an out port 66 to a ball discharge path (not shown). A number of nails are planted on the game board 13 in order to appropriately disperse and adjust the falling direction of the ball, and various members (instruments) such as a windmill are arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 3, control board units 90 and 91 and a back pack unit 94 are mainly provided on the back side of the pachinko machine 10. The control board unit 90 is unitized by mounting a main board (main control apparatus 110), an audio lamp control board (audio lamp control apparatus 113), and a display control board (display control apparatus 114). The control board unit 91 is unitized by mounting a payout control board (payout control apparatus 111), a firing control board (launching control apparatus 112), a power supply board (power supply apparatus 115), and a card unit connection board 116.

  The back pack unit 94 includes a back pack 92 and a dispensing unit 93 that form a protective cover. Also, each control board is used for MPU as a one-chip microcomputer that controls each control, a port for communicating with various devices, a random number generator used for various lotteries, time counting and synchronization. A clock pulse generation circuit or the like is mounted as necessary.

  The main control device 110, the sound lamp control device 113 and the display control device 114, the payout control device 111 and the firing control device 112, the power supply device 115, and the card unit connection board 116 are housed in the board boxes 100 to 104, respectively. . The board boxes 100 to 104 include a box base and a box cover that covers the opening of the box base. The box base and the box cover are connected to each other, and each control device and each board are accommodated.

  Further, the substrate box 100 (main control device 110) and the substrate box 102 (dispensing control device 111 and launch control device 112) connect the box base and the box cover so that they cannot be opened by a sealing unit (not shown) (caulking structure). Consolidated). In addition, a seal (not shown) is attached to the connecting portion between the box base and the box cover so as to cover the box base and the box cover. This seal seal is made of a brittle material. If the seal is to be peeled off in order to open the substrate boxes 100, 102, or if the substrate boxes 100, 102 are forcibly opened, the box base side and the box cover are removed. Cut to the side. Therefore, it is possible to know whether or not the substrate boxes 100 and 102 have been opened by checking the sealing unit or the sealing seal.

  The payout unit 93 includes a tank 130 that is located at the top of the back pack unit 94 and opens upward, a tank rail 131 that is connected to the lower side of the tank 130 and is gently inclined toward the downstream side, and downstream of the tank rail 131. A case rail 132 that is vertically connected to the side, and a payout device 133 that is provided at the most downstream portion of the case rail 132 and that pays out a ball by a predetermined electrical configuration of the payout motor 216 (see FIG. 4). ing. Balls supplied from the island facilities of the game hall are sequentially replenished to the tank 130, and a required number of balls are paid out by the payout device 133 as appropriate. A vibrator 134 for applying vibration to the tank rail 131 is attached to the tank rail 131.

  The payout control device 111 is provided with a state return switch 120, the firing control device 112 is provided with a variable resistor operation knob 122, and the power supply device 115 is provided with a RAM erase switch 123. The state return switch 120 is operated, for example, in order to eliminate ball clogging (return to a normal state) when a payout error occurs, such as ball clogging in the payout motor 216 (see FIG. 4). The operation knob 122 is operated to adjust the firing force of the firing solenoid. The RAM erase switch 123 is operated when the power is turned on to return the pachinko machine 10 to the initial state.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10.

  The main controller 110 is equipped with an MPU 201 as a one-chip microcomputer that is an arithmetic unit. The MPU 201 includes a ROM 202 that stores various control programs executed by the MPU 201 and fixed value data, and a memory that temporarily stores various data when the control program stored in the ROM 202 is executed. A certain RAM 203 and various other circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit are incorporated. Various commands are transmitted from the main control device 110 to the sub control device by the data transmission / reception circuit in order to instruct the sub control device such as the payout control device 111 and the sound lamp control device 113 to operate. Such a command is transmitted from the main controller 110 to the sub controller only in one direction.

  The RAM 203 stores the contents of the internal registers of the MPU 201, the return address of the control program executed by the MPU 201, and the work area (work area for storing various flags, counters, I / O values, etc. Area). The RAM 203 is configured to retain (backup) data by being supplied with a backup voltage from the power supply device 115 even after the power of the pachinko machine 10 is shut off, and all data stored in the RAM 203 is backed up.

  When the power is shut down due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the stack pointer and the value of each register when the power is shut off (including when the power failure occurs, the same applies hereinafter) are stored in the RAM 203. On the other hand, at the time of power-on (including power-on due to power failure cancellation, the same applies hereinafter), the state of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before power-off based on information stored in the RAM 203. Writing to the RAM 203 is executed when the power is shut off by the main process (see FIG. 8), and restoration of each value written in the RAM 203 is executed in a start-up process when the power is turned on (see FIG. 7). Note that the power failure signal SG1 from the power failure monitoring circuit 252 is input to the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the MPU 201 when the power is interrupted due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. Is input immediately, the NMI interrupt process (see FIG. 13) as a power failure process is immediately executed.

  An input / output port 205 is connected to the MPU 201 of the main control device 110 via a bus line 204 composed of an address bus and a data bus. The input / output port 205 includes a payout control device 111, a sound lamp control device 113, a first symbol display device 37, a second symbol display device 82, various switches 206 including a switch group and a sensor group (not shown), and a specific prize. A solenoid 207 comprising a large opening solenoid for opening and closing forward with the lower side of the opening and closing plate of the opening 65a as an axis, and a solenoid for driving an electric accessory is connected.

  The payout control device 111 drives the payout motor 216 to perform payout control of prize balls and rental balls. The MPU 211 as an arithmetic unit includes a ROM 212 that stores a control program executed by the MPU 211, fixed value data, and the like, and a RAM 213 that is used as a work memory or the like.

  The RAM 213 of the payout control device 111, like the RAM 203 of the main control device 110, has a stack area for storing the contents of the internal registers of the MPU 211, the return address of the control program executed by the MPU 211, and various flags and counters. And a work area (work area) in which values such as I / O are stored. The RAM 213 is configured to be able to retain (backup) data by being supplied with a backup voltage from the power supply device 115 even after the power of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off, and all data stored in the RAM 213 is backed up. As with the MPU 201 of the main controller 110, the power failure signal SG1 is input from the power failure monitoring circuit 252 to the NMI terminal of the MPU 211 when the power is interrupted due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. When input to the MPU 211, an NMI interrupt process (see FIG. 13) as a power failure process is immediately executed.

  An input / output port 215 is connected to the MPU 211 of the payout control device 111 via a bus line 214 composed of an address bus and a data bus. The main control device 110, the payout motor 216, the firing control device 112, and the like are connected to the input / output port 215, respectively. Although not shown, the payout control device 111 is connected to a prize ball detection switch for detecting a prize ball that has been paid out. The prize ball detection switch is connected to the payout control device 111 but is not connected to the main control device 110.

  The launch control device 112 controls the ball launch unit 112a so that the launch strength of the ball according to the rotational operation amount of the operation handle 51 is obtained when the main control device 110 gives an instruction to launch a ball. The ball launching unit 112a includes a launching solenoid and an electromagnet (not shown), and the firing solenoid and the electromagnet are permitted to be driven when predetermined conditions are met. Specifically, it corresponds to the amount of rotation of the operation handle 51 on the condition that the touch sensor detects that the player is touching the operation handle 51 and the firing stop switch for stopping the firing is not operated. Then, the launch solenoid is excited, and the ball is launched with a strength corresponding to the operation amount of the operation handle 51.

  The sound lamp control device 113 outputs sound in a sound output device (such as a speaker (not shown)) 226, outputs light on and off in a lamp display device (such as the lighting units 29 to 33 and the display lamp 34), and the display control device 114. The setting of the display mode of the 3rd symbol display apparatus 81 performed etc. is controlled. The MPU 221 that is an arithmetic unit includes a ROM 222 that stores a control program executed by the MPU 221, fixed value data, and the like, and a RAM 223 that is used as a work memory or the like.

  An input / output port 225 is connected to the MPU 221 of the sound lamp control device 113 via a bus line 224 including an address bus and a data bus. The main control device 110, the display control device 114, the audio output device 226, the lamp display device 227, and the like are connected to the input / output port 225, respectively.

  The display control device 114 controls the change display of the third symbol on the third symbol display device (display device) 81. The display control device 114 includes an MPU 231, a first ROM 232, a second ROM 233, a work RAM 234, a video RAM 235, an image controller 236, an input port 237, an output port 238, and bus lines 239 and 240. . The input side of the input port 237 is connected to the output side of the sound lamp control device 113, and the output side of the input port 237 is connected to the MPU 231, the first ROM 232, the second ROM 233, the work RAM 234, and the image controller 236. ing. A video RAM 235 is connected to the image controller 236, and an output port 238 is connected via the bus line 240. A third symbol display device 81 is connected to the output side of the output port 238.

  Even if the pachinko machine 10 is a different model that has different jackpot lottery probabilities and different number of prize balls to be paid out in a single jackpot, The display control device 114 is made into a common part to reduce the cost.

  The MPU 231 is a 32-bit arithmetic device having 32 data buses, and controls the display content of the third symbol display device 81 based on the symbol display command input from the sound lamp control device 113. Further, the MPU 231 is provided with an output circuit 231a.

  In response to an instruction from the MPU 231, the output circuit 231a temporarily reads the character image information stored in the first character image information memory 232b and the second character image information memory 233b into the buffer register of the output circuit 231a, and reads the read character image information. The MPU 231 is directly stored in the character image information storage area 235b of the video RAM 235 without using other circuits (for example, a register or an accumulator). Therefore, the MPU 231 does not participate in the output of the character image information of the output circuit 231a at all, and the character is transferred from the first character image information memory 232b and the second character image information memory 233b to the character image information storage area 235b in the video RAM 235. Image information can be transferred.

  The first ROM 232 is a storage device having 16 data buses, and data can be read in units of 16 bits. The first ROM 232 includes a first program information memory 232a in which various control programs executed by the MPU 231 and fixed value data are stored, and a symbol (background symbol and decorative symbol) displayed on the third symbol display device 81. And a first character image information memory 232b in which character image information is stored.

  Similarly to the first ROM 232, the second ROM 233 can read data in units of 16 bits. The second ROM 233 includes a second program information memory 233a in which various control programs executed by the MPU 231 and fixed value data are stored, and a symbol (background symbol and decorative symbol) displayed on the third symbol display device 81. And a second character image information memory 233b in which character image information is stored.

  Here, various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 231 are divided and stored in the first program information memory 232a and the second program information memory 233a, respectively.

  For example, when the MPU 231 reads the 32-bit unit information of FFFFAAAAh from the first program information memory 232a and the second program information memory 233a, the MPU 231 reads 16-bit unit information of FFFFh (32 of FFFFAAAAh). The first half information of the bit unit information) is read, and AAAAh 16-bit information (FFFFAAAAh 32-bit unit information) is read from the second program information memory 233a. As described above, when the information read by the MPU 231 is in units of 32 bits, various control programs executed by the MPU 231 and fixed value data are respectively transferred to the first program information memory 232a and the second program information memory 233a by 16 bits. By storing the number of information in units, the number of information read by the MPU 231 is the same as the number of information output by the first ROM 232 (first program information memory 232a) and the second ROM 233 (second program information memory 233a).

  That is, the total number of data buses of the first ROM 232 (first program information memory 232a) and the number of data buses of the second ROM 233 (second program information memory 233a) is 32, which is the same as the number of data buses of the MPU 231. . This is because a 16-bit ROM is generally cheaper than a 32-bit ROM, so the number of data buses is 32 using the first ROM 232 and the second ROM 233. This is because the device cost can be reduced as compared with the case of using the device.

  In addition, when the storage capacities of the first ROM 232 (first program information memory 232a) and the second ROM 233 (second program information memory 233a) are relatively small, the number of data buses is generally small. Therefore, the number of data buses of the first ROM 232 (first program information memory 232a) and the number of data buses of the second ROM 233 (second program information memory 233a) may not match the number of data buses of the MPU 231. In this case, the number of data buses of the first ROM 232 and the number of data buses of the second ROM 233 may be 32 in total so as to match the number of data buses of the MPU 231 (32). Therefore, even if the number of data buses of the first ROM 232 and the number of data buses of the second ROM 233 does not coincide with the number of data buses of the MPU 231, the sum of the number of data buses of the first ROM 232 and the number of data buses of the second ROM 233 is adjusted. It can be matched with the number of data buses.

  Similarly to various control programs and fixed value data executed by the MPU 231, the compressed character image information is divided and stored in the first character image information memory 232b and the second character image information memory 233b, respectively. ing.

  For example, the output circuit 231a (MPU 231) reads 16-bit DDDDh from the first character image information memory 232b when reading the 32-bit unit information of DDDDBBBBBh from the first character image information memory 232b and the second character image information memory 233b. Information in bit units (information in the first half of 32-bit unit information of DDDDBBBBBh) is read, and information in 16-bit units of BBBBh (information in the latter half of 32-bit unit information in DDDDBBBBBh) from the second character image information memory 233b Is read. As described above, when the information read by the output circuit 231a (MPU 231) is 32-bit unit information, the character image information is respectively stored in the first character image information memory 232b and the second character image information memory 233b in 16-bit units. By storing each information amount, the number of information read by the output circuit 231a (MPU 231) and the number of information output by the first ROM 232 (first character image information memory 232b) and the second ROM 233 (second character image information memory 233b) are obtained. Identical.

  As character image information stored in the first character image information memory 232b of the first ROM 232 and the second character image information memory 233b of the second ROM 233, numerical data of the third symbol that is displayed in a variable manner (for example, 0 To 9), symbol data other than numerical data (eg, a box symbol, a helmet symbol (see FIG. 5B)), a background symbol, a notice character symbol, and a character symbol (eg, a boy (see FIG. 5B)). ))and so on.

  In the first character image information memory 232b and the second character image information memory 233b, the character image information as described above is stored as compressed data in order to reduce the amount of information to be stored. In this embodiment, the character image information is composed of about 1024 Mbytes, and the character image information of about 1024 Mbytes is compressed to about 768 Mbytes.

  The work RAM 234 is a memory for temporarily storing work information and flags used when the MPU 231 executes various programs, and includes an effect permission flag 234a and a variation start flag 234b.

  The effect permission flag 234a is a flag for permitting the start of display on the third symbol display device 81, and an effect permission command transmitted after the initial setting process of the main control device 110 is sent via the sound lamp control device 113. When the display control device 114 receives the signal, it is turned on (S1301: Yes, S1304 in FIG. 19). In addition, once the effect permission flag 234a is turned on, the on-state is continued.

  The variation start flag 234b is a flag for permitting the start of variation display in the third symbol display device 81, and the display control device 114 outputs the variation pattern command output from the main control device 110 to the voice lamp control device 113. It is turned on when it is received via (S1302 in FIG. 19: Yes, S1305). The variation start flag 234b is turned off when variation display is started on the third symbol display device 81 (S1209 in FIG. 18). Here, the fluctuation start flag 234b is turned off because, in the present embodiment, when the fluctuation start flag 234b is turned on, the third symbol display device 81 starts the fluctuation display. This is because the change start process (S1210) is repeatedly executed and normal processing is not executed unless the change start flag 234b is turned off (S1208 in FIG. 19: Yes to S1210).

  The image controller 236 adjusts the respective timings of the MPU 231, the video RAM 235, and the output port 238, intervenes in reading and writing information, and outputs the production information stored in the display image storage area 235a at a predetermined timing. Is read out and output to the output port 238 and displayed on the third symbol display device 81.

  The video RAM 235 includes a display image storage area 235a, a character image information storage area 235b, and a character image information expansion area 235c.

  The display image storage area 235a is a memory for storing information displayed on the third symbol display device 81 (effect display pattern of variation display, contents of effect at the time of reach effect, etc.). Therefore, in the display image storage area 235a, the character image information stored in the character image information development area 235c is extracted by the image controller 236, the extracted character image information is stored, and the extracted character image is stored. Character image information whose image information has been processed by the image controller 236 (setting of the display position of character image information, modification of character image information, preparation of character image information to be displayed on the third symbol display device 81, etc.) is then stored. Is done.

  The character image information storage area 235b is a memory for storing character image information, which is a material such as a background symbol and a decorative symbol, in a compressed format. Therefore, the character image information storage area 235b stores the compressed character image information stored in the first character image information memory 232b and the second character image information memory 233b transferred by the output circuit 231a.

  The character image information expansion area 235c is a memory for expanding and storing the compressed character image information stored in the character image information storage area 235b. Therefore, the character image information expanded area 235c stores character image information obtained by expanding the compressed character image information stored in the character image information storage area 235b by the image controller 236.

  Next, the operation of the display control device 114 will be described. Details of the main processing of the display control device 114 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. First, when the power of the gaming machine is turned on, the main process (see FIG. 18) of the display control device 114 is executed. When the initial setting is completed (S1201), the output circuit 231a outputs all the compressed character image information stored in the first character image information memory 232b and the second character image information memory 233b via the image controller 236. The character image information storage area 235b of the RAM 235 is transferred (S1202). Next, the image controller 236 expands all the compressed character image information stored in the character image information storage area 235b in the character image information expansion area 235c of the video RAM 235 (S1204). The image controller 236 extracts the character image information to be displayed on the third symbol display device 81 from the character image information developed in the character image information development area 235c, and the extracted character image information is displayed in the display image storage area 235a. The character image information extracted from the display image storage area 235a, etc. (setting of the display position of the character image information, modification of the character image information, and then the character image to be displayed on the third symbol display device 81) Preparation of information etc.) is performed (S1205). After this processing, the character image information stored in the display image storage area 235a is displayed on the third symbol display device 81 (S1206: Yes).

  Thus, all the compressed character image information stored in the first character image information memory 232b and the second character image information memory 233b is transferred to the character image information storage area 235b by the output circuit 231a, and the character image After being stored in the information storage area 235b, the image controller 236 expands the character image information stored in the character image information storage area 235b into the character image information expansion area 235c and is stored in the character image information expansion area 235c. Extraction of character image information, storage of the extracted character image information in the display image storage area 235a and processing of the character image information in the display image storage area 235a are all performed in a video RAM 235 for temporarily storing the character image information. Using line It is possible. Thus, the image controller 236 stores the first character image information memory 232b in the first ROM 232 and the second character image information memory 233b in the second ROM 233 each time the character image information displayed on the third symbol display device 81 changes. There is no need to read the stored compressed character image information and store it in the character image information storage area 235b. Here, in general, RAM has a higher data reading speed than ROM. Therefore, with the above configuration, it is possible to shorten the time for reading out the character image information by the image controller 236, speed up the control to the third symbol display device 81, and perform smooth display and clear display. .

  The power supply device 115 includes a power supply unit 251 for supplying power to each unit of the pachinko machine 10, a power failure monitoring circuit 252 for monitoring power interruption due to a power failure, and a RAM erase switch 122 (see FIG. 3). And a switch circuit 253. The power supply unit 251 is a device that supplies a necessary operating voltage to each of the control devices 110 to 114 through a power supply path (not shown). As its outline, the power supply unit 251 takes in a voltage of AC 24 volts supplied from the outside, a voltage of 12 volts for driving various switches such as various switches 206, a solenoid such as a solenoid 207, a motor, A 5 volt voltage for logic, a backup voltage for RAM backup, and the like are generated, and the 12 volt voltage, the 5 volt voltage, and the backup voltage are supplied to the control devices 110 to 114 as necessary voltages.

  The power failure monitoring circuit 252 is a circuit for outputting a power failure signal SG1 to each NMI terminal of the MPU 201 of the main control device 110 and the MPU 211 of the payout control device 111 when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. The power failure monitoring circuit 252 monitors the DC stable voltage of 24 volts, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 251, and determines that a power failure (power interruption, power interruption) occurs when this voltage falls below 22 volts. Then, the power failure signal SG1 is output to the main controller 110 and the payout controller 111. Based on the output of the power failure signal SG1, the main controller 110 and the payout controller 111 recognize the occurrence of the power failure and execute the NMI interrupt process. Note that the power supply unit 251 outputs a voltage of 5 volts, which is a drive voltage of the control system, for a time sufficient to execute the NMI interrupt processing even after the DC stable voltage of 24 volts becomes less than 22 volts. Is maintained at a normal value. Therefore, the main control device 110 and the payout control device 111 can normally execute and complete the NMI interrupt process (see FIG. 13).

  The RAM erase switch circuit 253 is a circuit for outputting a RAM erase signal SG2 for clearing backup data to the main controller 110 when the RAM erase switch 122 is pressed. When the RAM erase signal SG2 is input when the pachinko machine 10 is turned on, the main control device 110 and the payout control device 111 clear the respective backup data and the payout control device 111 for clearing the backup data. A payout initialization command is transmitted to the payout control device 111.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 5, the display content of the 3rd symbol display apparatus 81 is demonstrated. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a display screen of the third symbol display device 81, and FIG. 5 (a) is a diagram schematically showing area division setting and effective line setting of the display screen, FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an actual display screen.

  The third symbol is composed of ten types of main symbols with numbers from “0” to “9” and one type of sub-shaped petal shape formed smaller than this main symbol. Each main symbol is composed of numbers from “0” to “9” on the rear symbol consisting of a wooden box, of which the main symbols with odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) are A large number is added to almost the front of the wooden box. On the other hand, the main symbols with even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) are attached to the front of the wooden box almost fully, and attached symbols imitating characters such as furoshiki and helmets, An even number is small in green on the lower right side of the attached symbol, and is added so as to be displayed on the front side of the attached symbol.

  Further, in the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment, when the lottery result by the main controller 110 is a big win, a variable display in which the same main symbols are arranged is performed, and a big hit occurs after the variable display is finished. It is configured to When shifting to the high probability state (probability variation state) after the big hit, the variable display in which the main symbols (corresponding to “high probability symbols”) to which odd numbers are added is arranged. On the other hand, when shifting to the low probability state after the big hit, the variable display is performed in which the main symbols to which the even numbers are added (corresponding to “low probability symbols”) are arranged. Here, the high probability state means a state in which the subsequent jackpot probability is increased as an added value after the jackpot is ended, that is, a so-called probability fluctuation (probability change). In addition, the normal state (low probability state) means a time when the probability of hitting is not probable, and a state where the jackpot probability is a normal state, that is, a state where the probability of jackpot is lower than that during the probability change.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the display screen of the 3rd symbol display device 81 is roughly divided into two vertically and the lower 2/3 is the main display area Dm in which the 3rd symbol is variably displayed. The upper third is a sub display area Ds for displaying a notice effect and a character.

  In the main display area Dm, three symbol rows Z1, Z2, and Z3 of left, middle, and right are displayed. In each of the symbol rows Z1 to Z3, the above-described third symbols are displayed in a prescribed order. That is, in each of the symbol rows Z1 to Z3, the main symbols are arranged in ascending or descending numerical order, and one sub symbol is arranged between the main symbols. For this reason, a total of 20 third symbols of 10 main symbols and 10 sub-designs are set in each symbol row, and each symbol row Z1 to Z3 is scrolled from top to bottom with periodicity. The display is changed. In particular, the main symbol numbers are arranged in descending order in the left symbol row Z1, and the main symbol numbers are arranged in ascending order in the middle symbol row Z2 and the right symbol row Z3.

  In the main display area Dm, the third symbols are displayed in the upper, middle, and lower three rows for each symbol row Z1 to Z3. Accordingly, the third symbol display device 81 displays a total of nine third symbols of 3 rows × 3 columns. In the main display area Dm, five effective lines, that is, an upper line L1, a middle line L2, a lower line L3, a right rising line L4, and a left rising line L5 are set. In each game, the variable display stops in the order of the left symbol row Z1 → the right symbol row Z3 → the middle symbol row Z2, and the combination of jackpot symbols on any active line at the time of the stop (in this embodiment, A jackpot moving image is displayed as a jackpot if the same combination of main symbols is arranged.

  The sub display area Ds is horizontally long above the main display area Dm, and is further equally divided into three notice areas Ds1 to Ds3 in the left-right direction. Here, the left and right notice areas Ds1, Ds3 are usually covered with double-open opaque doors that are electrically opened and closed by solenoids (not shown), and sometimes the solenoids are excited and the doors are on the front side. It is a display area that is visible to the player when it is opened. The center notice area Ds2 is a display area that is always visible without being covered by the door.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, on the actual display screen, a total of nine main symbols and sub-designs of the third symbol are displayed in the main display area Dm. In the sub display area Ds, the left and right doors are closed, and the left and right notice areas Ds1, Ds3 are covered and the display screen cannot be visually recognized. If either one of the left and right doors or both doors are opened during the variable display, a video is displayed in the left and right notice areas Ds1 and Ds3, and it is easy for the player to change to a big hit than usual. It is suggested. In the notice area Ds2 in the center, a predetermined character (a boy with a bee in this embodiment) usually performs a predetermined action and sometimes performs a special action different from the predetermined action, A notice effect is performed by appearing. The display screen of the third symbol display device 81 is divided into upper and lower display areas Dm and Ds in principle, but the third symbol and characters are displayed larger across the display areas Dm and Ds. A display effect can be performed.

  Next, a counter and the like provided in the RAM 203 of the main controller 110 will be described with reference to FIG. These counters and the like are used by the MPU 201 of the main control device 110 to perform jackpot lottery, display setting of the first symbol display device 37, lottery of display results of the second symbol display device 82, and the like.

  For the jackpot lottery or display setting of the first symbol display device 37, the first hit random number counter C1 used for the jackpot lottery, the first hit type symbol counter C2 used for the jackpot symbol selection, and the stop pattern selection counter C3, a first initial value random number counter CINI1 used for setting the initial value of the first random number counter C1, and variation type counters CS1, CS2, and CS3 used for variation pattern selection are used. The second symbol random number counter C4 is used for the lottery of the second symbol display device 82, and the second initial random number counter CINI2 is used for setting the initial value of the second random number counter C4. Each of these counters is a loop counter that adds 1 to the previous value every time it is updated and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value.

  Each counter is updated at an interval of 4 ms, which is an execution interval of the main process (see FIG. 8), or at an interval of 2 ms, an execution interval of the timer interrupt process (see FIG. 11), and the updated value is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 203. Stored in the counter buffer. The RAM 203 is provided with a holding ball storage area composed of one execution area and four holding areas (holding first to fourth areas). The values of the first per-random number counter C1, the first per-type counter C2, and the stop pattern selection counter C3 are stored in accordance with the ball winning timing.

  Each counter will be described in detail. The first random number counter C1 is configured so that, for example, 1 is added in order within a range of 0 to 738, and after reaching the maximum value (that is, 738), it returns to 0. In particular, when the first random number counter C1 makes one round, the value of the first initial value random number counter CINI1 at that time is read as the initial value of the first random number counter C1. Further, the first initial value random number counter CINI1 is configured as a loop counter that is updated in the same range as the first per-random number counter C1 (value = 0 to 738), and each time the timer interrupt process (see FIG. 11) is executed. It is updated once and updated repeatedly within the remaining time of the main process (see FIG. 8). The value of the first per-random number counter C1 is updated, for example, periodically (in this embodiment, once for each timer interrupt process), and the stored ball is stored in the RAM 203 at the timing when the ball wins the first entrance 64. Stored in the area. The number of random number values that are jackpots is set at low probability and high probability, and the number of random numbers that are jackpots at low probability is 2, and the value is “373, 727” There are 14 random numbers that are big hits at high probability, and the values are “59, 109, 163, 211, 263, 317, 367, 421, 479, 523, 631, 683, 733”.

  The first hit type counter C2 determines the display mode of the first symbol display device 37 at the time of the big hit. In the present embodiment, the first hit type counter C2 is incremented one by one within the range of 0 to 4, and the maximum value ( That is, it is configured to return to 0 after reaching 4). The value of the first hit type counter C2 is updated, for example, periodically (once every timer interruption process in this embodiment), and the stored ball is stored in the RAM 203 at the timing when the ball wins the first entrance 64. Stored in the area. In addition, the value of the random number that becomes a high probability state after the jackpot is “1, 2, 3”, the value of the random number that becomes the low probability state after the jackpot is “0, 4”, and two types of hits are determined. The Therefore, the display mode corresponding to the stop symbol displayed on the first symbol display device 37 is a display mode corresponding to two types of jackpots of a high probability state and a low probability state, and one type of display mode corresponding to a deviation. Any one of the three display modes is selected.

  The stop pattern selection counter C3 is, for example, incremented by 1 within a range of 0 to 238, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 238). In the present embodiment, the stop pattern selection counter C3 selects the effect pattern displayed on the third symbol display device 81, and after reaching, the final stop symbol is shifted by one before and after the reach symbol. “Stop before and after detachment reach” (for example, a range of 0 to 8), and “Leach other than detachment before and after detachment” (for example, a range of 9 to 38) after the reach has occurred and the final stop symbol stops other than before and after the reach design. The three stop (effect) patterns are selected as “completely out” (for example, a range of 39 to 238) that does not cause reach. The value of the stop pattern selection counter C3 is updated, for example, periodically (once every timer interrupt process in this embodiment), and the reserved ball storage area of the RAM 203 at the timing when the ball wins the first entrance 64. Stored in

  Further, the stop pattern selection counter C3 is provided with a plurality of tables having different ranges of random number values from which the stop pattern is selected. This depends on whether the current state of the pachinko machine 10 is a high-probability state or a low-probability state, in which area of the holding ball storage area each random number value is stored (ie, the number of holdings), etc. This is to change the stop pattern selection ratio.

  For example, in a high probability state, a table with a wide random value range of 10 to 238 corresponding to the stop pattern “completely out” is selected so that a reach effect is not selected more than necessary because a big hit is likely to occur. It becomes easy to select “completely off”. In this table, “front / rear out of reach” is narrowed to 0-5, and “reach other than front / rear out of reach” is also narrowed to 6-9, making it difficult to select “rear out of front / rear out of reach” or “reach out of front / rear out of front”. Further, if each random number value is not stored in the holding ball storage area in a low probability state, a disturbance corresponding to the stop pattern of “completely off” in order to secure the time for the ball to enter the first entrance 64. A table with a narrow numerical value range of 51 to 238 is selected, and “completely out” is difficult to select. In this table, the range of random numbers corresponding to the stop pattern of “reach other than front / rear deviation” is as wide as 9 to 50, and “reach other than front / rear deviation” is easily selected. Therefore, in the low probability state, the ball entry time to the first entrance 64 can be secured, and therefore, the variable display by the third symbol display device 81 is easily performed continuously.

  Of the two variation type counters CS1 and CS2, one variation type counter CS1 is incremented one by one in the range of 0 to 198, for example, and reaches a maximum value (that is, 198) and then returns to 0. On the other hand, the other variation type counter CS2 is, for example, incremented by 1 in order within a range of 0 to 240, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 240). In the following description, CS1 is also referred to as “first variation type counter”, and CS2 is also referred to as “second variation type counter”.

  A rough display mode such as so-called normal reach, super reach, premium reach, or the like is determined by the first variation type counter CS1. Specifically, the determination of the display mode is determination of the variation time of the symbol variation. Further, the second variation type counter CS2 determines a variation time (in other words, the number of variation symbols) until the final stop symbol (in this embodiment, the middle symbol) stops after the occurrence of reach. Based on the variation time determined by the variation type counters CS1 and CS2, the display control device 114 determines the reach type of the third symbol displayed on the third display device 81 and the detailed symbol variation mode. Accordingly, a variety of variation patterns can be easily realized by combining these variation type counters CS1 and CS2. It is also possible to determine the symbol variation mode only by the first variation type counter CS1, or to determine the symbol variation mode similarly by the combination of the first variation type counter CS1 and the stop symbol. The values of the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 are updated once every time a main process (see FIG. 8) described later is executed once, and are repeatedly updated within the remaining time in the main process.

  For example, the value of the variation type counter CS3 is sequentially incremented by 1 within a range of 0 to 162, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 162). In the following description, CS3 is also referred to as a “third variation type counter”. The 3rd symbol display device 81 of this Embodiment performs the decorative production according to the display mode of the 1st symbol display device 37, and can slide the symbol which is changing in addition to the variation of a symbol. A notice effect such as passing a notice character for notifying the occurrence of the reach effect is performed. The effect pattern of the notice effect is selected by the variation type counter CS3. Specifically, the time required for the notice effect is added to the variable time, or on the contrary, the variable time is subtracted to shorten the variable display time, or an effect pattern that does not add or subtract the variable time is selected. . As with the stop pattern selection counter C3, the variation type counter CS3 is provided with a plurality of tables with different ranges of random values from which the production pattern is selected, and whether the current state of the pachinko machine 10 is in a high probability state. Depending on the low probability state or in which area of the reserved ball storage area each random value is stored, the selection ratio of each effect pattern is different.

  As described above, the variation time of the symbol variation is determined by the variation type counters CS1 and CS2, and the time to be added to or subtracted from the variation time is determined by the variation type counter CS3. Therefore, the final fluctuation time until the final stop symbol stops is determined by the fluctuation type counters CS1, CS2, CS3.

  The second random number counter C4 is configured as a loop counter that is incremented one by one within a range of 0 to 250, for example, and returns to 0 after reaching the maximum value (that is, 250). In this embodiment, the value of the second random number counter C4 is updated periodically, for example, every timer interrupt process, and the ball has passed through the second entrance (through gate) 67 on either the left or right side. Obtained when detected. The number of random number values to be won is 149, and the range is “5 to 153”. The second initial value random number counter CINI2 is configured as a loop counter that is updated in the same range as the second per-random number counter C4 (value = 0 to 250), and once per timer interrupt process (see FIG. 11). In addition to being updated, it is repeatedly updated within the remaining time of the main process (see FIG. 8).

  Next, each control process executed by the MPU 201 in the main controller 110 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The processing of the MPU 201 is roughly divided into a startup process that is started when the power is turned on, a main process that is executed after the startup process, and a timer that is started periodically (in this embodiment, at a cycle of 2 ms). There are an interrupt process and an NMI interrupt process activated by the input of the power failure signal SG1 to the NMI terminal. For convenience of explanation, the timer interrupt process and the NMI interrupt process are described first, and then the startup process The main process will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the timer interrupt process. The timer interrupt process is executed by the MPU 201 of the main controller 110 every 2 ms, for example. In the timer interrupt process, first, a process for reading various winning switches is executed (S501). That is, the state of various switches connected to the main controller 110 is read, and the state of the switch is determined and the detection information (winning detection information) is stored.

  Next, the first initial value random number counter CINI1 and the second initial value random number counter CINI2 are updated (S502). Specifically, the first initial value random number counter CINI1 is incremented by 1 and cleared to 0 when the counter value reaches the maximum value (738 in the present embodiment). Then, the updated value of the first initial value random number counter CINI 1 is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 203. Similarly, 1 is added to the second initial value random number counter CINI2, and when the counter value reaches the maximum value (250 in this embodiment), it is cleared to 0 and the second initial value random number counter CINI2 is updated. The value is stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 203.

  Further, the first per-random number counter C1, the first per-type counter C2, the stop pattern selection counter C3, and the second per-random number counter C4 are updated (S503). Specifically, 1 is added to each of the first per-random number counter C1, the first per-type counter C2, the stop pattern selection counter C3, and the second per-random number counter C4, and these counter values are the maximum values (this embodiment) Then, when they reach 738, 4, 238, 250), they are cleared to 0. Then, the updated values of the counters C1 to C4 are stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 203.

  Thereafter, a start winning process (see FIG. 12) associated with winning in the first entrance 64 is executed (S504), a firing control process is executed (S505), and the timer interrupt process is terminated. Note that the launch control process detects that the player is touching the operation handle 51 with a touch sensor and turns on / off the launch of the ball on the condition that the launch stop switch for stopping the launch is not operated. This is a process for determining OFF. The main controller 110 instructs the launch controller 112 to launch a sphere when the launch of the sphere is on.

  Here, the start winning process executed in the process of S504 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the start winning process (S504) executed in the timer interruption process (see FIG. 11).

  When this start winning process is executed, first, it is determined whether or not the ball has won a first winning opening 64 (start winning) (S601). If it is determined that the ball has won the first entrance 64 (S601: Yes), whether or not the number N of the operation reserved balls of the first symbol display device 37 is less than the upper limit (4 in the present embodiment). Is determined (S602). If there is a winning at the first entrance 64 and the number of operation-reserved balls N <4 (S602: Yes), the number N of operation-reserved balls is incremented by 1 (S603), and further updated in step S503. The values of the first per-random number counter C1, the first per-type counter C2, and the stop pattern selection counter C3 are stored in the first area among the free reserved areas in the reserved ball storage area of the RAM 203 (S604). On the other hand, if there is no winning at the first entrance 64 (S601: No), or even if there is a winning at the first entrance 64, if the number N of operational reserves is not N <4 (S602: No). , S603 and S604 are skipped, the start winning process is terminated, and the process returns to the timer interrupt process.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the NMI interrupt process. The NMI interrupt process is a process executed by the MPU 201 of the main controller 110 when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is shut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. By this NMI interrupt processing, information on occurrence of power interruption is stored in the RAM 203. That is, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the power failure signal SG1 is output from the power failure monitoring circuit 252 to the NMI terminal of the MPU 201 in the main controller 110. Then, the MPU 201 interrupts the control being executed and starts the NMI interrupt process, stores the power-off occurrence information in the RAM 203 as a setting of the power-off occurrence information (S701), and ends the NMI interrupt process. To do.

  The above NMI interrupt process is executed in the same manner in the payout and emission control device 111, and information on the occurrence of power interruption is stored in the RAM 213 by the NMI interrupt process. That is, when the power of the pachinko machine 10 is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the power failure signal SG1 is output from the power failure monitoring circuit 252 to the NMI terminal of the MPU 211 in the payout and emission control device 111, and the MPU 211 interrupts the control being executed. Then, the NMI interrupt process is started.

  Next, referring to FIG. 7, a startup process when the main controller 110 is powered on will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing start-up processing executed by the MPU 201 in the main controller 110. This start-up process is activated by a reset at power-on. In the start-up process, first, an initial setting process associated with power-on is executed (S101). Specifically, a predetermined value set in advance in the stack pointer is set, and the sub-side control devices (peripheral control devices such as the audio lamp control device 113 and the payout control device 111) become operable. In order to wait, a wait process (1 second in this embodiment) is executed (S102). Next, access to the RAM 203 is permitted (S103).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the RAM erase switch 122 (see FIG. 3) provided in the power supply device 115 is turned on (S104). If it is turned on (S104: Yes), the process proceeds to S112. On the other hand, if the RAM erasure switch 122 is not turned on (S104: No), it is further determined whether or not the power-off occurrence information is stored in the RAM 203 (S105), and if not stored (S105: No). Since there is a possibility that the process at the time of the previous power shutdown has not been completed normally, the process proceeds to S112 also in this case.

  If power failure occurrence information is stored in the RAM 203 (S105: Yes), a RAM determination value is calculated (S106). If the calculated RAM determination value is not normal (S107: No), that is, the calculated RAM determination is performed. If the value does not match the RAM determination value stored when the power is shut off, the backed up data has been destroyed, and the process moves to S112 even in such a case. Note that the RAM determination value is, for example, a checksum value at the work area address of the RAM 203, as will be described later in the processing of S213 in FIG. Instead of the RAM determination value, the validity of the backup may be determined based on whether or not the keyword written in a predetermined area of the RAM 203 is correctly stored.

  In the process of S112, a payout initialization command is transmitted in order to initialize the payout control device 111 serving as the sub-side control device (peripheral control device) (S112). Upon receiving this payout initialization command, the payout control device 111 clears an area (work area) other than the stack area of the RAM 213, sets an initial value, and enters a state in which game ball payout control can be started. After transmitting the payout initialization command, main controller 110 executes initialization processing (S113, S114) of RAM 203.

  As described above, in the pachinko machine 10, when RAM data is initialized when the power is turned on, for example, when the hall starts business, the power is turned on while the RAM erase switch 122 is pressed. Therefore, if the RAM erase switch 122 is pressed during the start-up process, the RAM initialization process (S113, S114) is executed. Similarly, initialization processing (S113, S114) of the RAM 203 is executed even when the information on occurrence of power interruption is not set or when a backup abnormality is confirmed by a RAM determination value (checksum value or the like). . In the RAM initialization process (S113, S114), the used area of the RAM 203 is cleared to 0 (S113), and then the initial value of the RAM 203 is set (S114). After executing the initialization process of the RAM 203, the process proceeds to S110.

  On the other hand, the RAM erasure switch 122 is not turned on (S104: No), information on occurrence of power interruption is stored (S105: Yes), and after the RAM determination value is calculated (S106), the RAM determination value (checksum) is stored. If the value is normal (S107: Yes), the power-off occurrence information is cleared while the data backed up in the RAM 203 is retained (S108). Next, a payout return command at the time of power recovery for returning the sub-side control device (peripheral control device) to the gaming state at the time of driving power interruption is transmitted (S109), and the process proceeds to S110. When the payout control device 111 receives this payout return command, the payout control device 111 is in a state where the payout control of the game ball can be started while holding the data stored in the RAM 213. In the processing of S110, an effect permission command, which is a command for permitting display, is transmitted to the third symbol display device 81 of the display control device 114 to the sound lamp control device 113 (S110). After transmission of the production permission command, the interruption is permitted in the process of S111, and the process proceeds to a main process described later.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the main process executed after the above-described startup process will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by the MPU 201 in the main controller 110. In this main process, the main process of the game is executed. As an outline, each process of S201 to S206 is executed as a periodic process with a period of 4 ms, and the counter update process of S209 and S210 is executed in the remaining time.

  In the main process, first, output data such as a command updated in the previous process is transmitted to each control device (peripheral control device) on the sub-side (S201). Specifically, the presence / absence of winning detection information detected in the switch reading process of S501 is determined, and if there is winning detection information, a winning ball command corresponding to the number of acquired balls is transmitted to the payout control device 111. In addition, by this external output process, a variation pattern command, a stop symbol command, a stop command, an effect time addition command, etc. necessary for the third symbol variation display by the third symbol display device 81 are transmitted to the sound lamp control device 113. Further, when launching a sphere, a sphere launch signal is transmitted to the launch controller 112.

  Next, each value of the variation type counters CS1, CS2, CS3 is updated (S202). Specifically, 1 is added to the variation type counters CS1, CS2, and CS3, and when the counter values reach the maximum values (198, 240, and 162 in this embodiment), they are cleared to 0, respectively. Then, the update values of the variation type counters CS 1, CS 2 and CS 3 are stored in the corresponding buffer area of the RAM 203.

  When the update of the variation type counters CS1, CS2 and CS3 is completed, the winning ball counting signal and the payout abnormality signal received from the payout control device 111 are read (S203), and the process for displaying on the first symbol display device 37 is performed. A variation process for setting a variation pattern of the third symbol and the like by the three symbol display device 81 is executed (S204). Details of the variation process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  After the end of the variation process, the large opening opening / closing process for opening or closing the specific winning opening (large opening) 65a of the variable winning device 65 is executed in the case of the big win state (S205). That is, the specific winning opening 65a is opened for each round of the big hit state, and it is determined whether the maximum opening time of the specific winning opening 65a has elapsed or whether a specified number of balls have been won in the specific winning opening 65a. When any of these conditions is met, the specific winning opening 65a is closed. The opening and closing of the specific winning opening 65a is repeated for a predetermined number of rounds.

  Next, display control processing of the second symbol (for example, “◯” or “x” symbol) by the second symbol display device 82 is executed (S206). Briefly, on the condition that the ball has passed through the second entrance (through gate) 67, the value of the second random number counter C4 is acquired at the timing of the passage, and the second symbol display device 82 is obtained. In the display unit 83, the second symbol variation display is performed. Then, the lottery of the second symbol is performed according to the value of the second winning random number counter C4, and when the winning state of the second symbol is reached, the electric accessory attached to the first entrance 64 is released for a predetermined time.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the power failure occurrence information is stored in the RAM 203 (S207). If the power failure occurrence information is not stored in the RAM 203 (S207: No), a power failure signal is output from the power failure monitoring circuit 252. SG1 is not output and the power supply is not shut off. Therefore, in such a case, it is determined whether or not the execution timing of the next main process has been reached, that is, whether or not a predetermined time (4 ms in the present embodiment) has elapsed since the start of the previous main process (S208). If the predetermined time has already passed (S208: Yes), the process proceeds to S201, and the processes after S201 described above are repeatedly executed.

  On the other hand, if the predetermined time has not yet elapsed since the start of the previous main process (S208: No), the first time is reached until the predetermined time, that is, within the remaining time until the next main process execution timing. The updating of the initial value random number counter CINI1, the second initial value random number counter CINI2, and the variation type counters CS1, CS2, and CS3 is repeatedly executed (S209, S210).

  First, the first initial value random number counter CINI1 and the second initial value random number counter CINI2 are updated (S209). Specifically, 1 is added to the first initial value random number counter CINI1 and the second initial value random number counter CINI2, and when the counter value reaches the maximum value (738, 250 in this embodiment), it is cleared to 0. To do. Then, the updated values of the first initial value random number counter CINI1 and the second initial value random number counter CINI2 are stored in the corresponding buffer areas of the RAM 203, respectively.

  Next, the fluctuation type counters CS1, CS2 and CS3 are updated (S210). Specifically, 1 is added to the variation type counters CS1, CS2, and CS3, and when the counter values reach the maximum values (198, 240, and 162 in this embodiment), they are cleared to 0, respectively. Then, the update values of the variation type counters CS1, CS2, CS3 are stored in the corresponding buffer areas of the RAM 203, respectively.

  Here, since the execution time of each process of S201 to S206 changes according to the state of the game, the remaining time until the next main process execution timing is not constant and varies. Therefore, by repeatedly executing the update of the first initial value random number counter CINI1 and the second initial value random number counter CINI2 using the remaining time, the first initial value random number counter CINI1 and the second initial value random number counter CINI2 (that is, , The initial value of the first random number counter C1 and the initial value of the second random number counter C4) can be updated at random, and similarly, the variation type counters CS1, CS2, and CS3 can be updated at random.

  In the process of S207, if the power failure occurrence information is stored in the RAM 203 (S207: Yes), the power failure is caused by the occurrence of a power failure or the power is turned off, and the power failure monitoring circuit 252 outputs the power failure signal SG1. As a result, since the NMI interrupt process of FIG. 13 has been executed, the power-off process after S211 is executed. First, the generation of each interrupt process is prohibited (S211), and a power-off notification command indicating that the power has been cut off is sent to other control devices (peripheral control devices such as the payout control device 111 and the sound lamp control device 113). It transmits to (S212). Then, the RAM determination value is calculated and stored (S213), access to the RAM 203 is prohibited (S214), and the infinite loop is continued until the power supply is completely shut down and the process cannot be executed. Here, the RAM determination value is, for example, a checksum value in the stack area and work area to be backed up in the RAM 203.

  Note that the processing of S207 is performed at the timing when the series of processing corresponding to the game state change performed in S201 to S206 is completed, or at the end of one cycle of the processing of S209 and S210 performed within the remaining time. It is running. Therefore, in the main process of the main controller 110, the occurrence information of the power supply interruption is confirmed at the timing when each setting is completed. Therefore, when returning from the power interruption state, the process is performed after the start-up process is completed. It can start from the process of S201. That is, the process can be started from the process of S201 as in the case where the process is initialized in the startup process. Therefore, in the process at power-off, the stack pointer is not stored in the initial setting process (S101) without saving the contents of each register used by the MPU 201 to the stack area or saving the value of the stack pointer. By setting to a predetermined value (initial value), it is possible to start from the process of S201. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the control burden on the main control device 110 and to perform accurate control without causing the main control device 110 to malfunction or run away.

  Next, the variation process (S204) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the variation process (S204) executed in the main process (see FIG. 8). In this variation process, first, it is determined whether or not a big hit is currently being made (S301). The jackpot includes the jackpot game displayed on the third symbol display device 81 and the first symbol display device 37 in the jackpot and the middle of a predetermined time after the jackpot game ends. As a result of the determination, if it is a big hit (S301: Yes), this processing is terminated as it is.

  If it is not a big hit (S301: No), it is determined whether or not the display mode of the first symbol display device 37 is changing (S302), and if the display mode of the first symbol display device 37 is not changing. (S302: No), it is determined whether or not the number N of active suspension balls is greater than 0 (S303). If the number N of active balls is 0 (S303: No), this process is terminated as it is. If the number of the operation hold balls N> 0 (S303: Yes), the operation hold ball number N is decremented by 1 (S304), and the data stored in the hold ball storage area is shifted (S305). This data shift process is a process of sequentially shifting the data stored in the reserved first to fourth areas of the reserved ball storage area to the execution area side, and the reserved first area → execution area, reserved second area → The data in each area is shifted such as the first hold area, the third hold area → the second hold area, the fourth hold area → the third hold area. After the data shift process, the fluctuation start process of the first symbol display device 37 is executed (S306). The variation start process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In the process of S302, if it is determined that the display mode of the first symbol display device 37 is changing (S302: Yes), it is determined whether or not the change time has elapsed (S307). The display time during fluctuation of the first symbol display device 37 is determined according to the fluctuation pattern selected by the fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 and the addition time selected by the fluctuation type counter CS3. If it has not elapsed (S307: No), the display of the first symbol display device 37 is updated (S308).

  In the present embodiment, among the LEDs 37a of the first symbol display device 37, for example, if the currently lit LED is red until the variation time elapses after the variation starts, the red LED is Turn off and turn on the green LED. If the green LED is on, turn off the green LED and turn on the blue LED. If the blue LED is on, turn on the blue LED. A display mode for turning off the red LED and turning on the red LED is set.

  Note that the variation process is executed every 4 ms, but if the LED lighting color is changed every time the variation process is executed, the player cannot confirm the change in the LED lighting color. Therefore, a counter (not shown) is counted once each time the variation process is executed so that the player can confirm the change in the lighting color of the LED. Change the lighting color of. That is, the lighting color of the LED is changed every 0.4 s. The counter value is reset to 0 when the lighting color of the LED is changed.

  On the other hand, if the variation time of the first symbol display device 37 has elapsed (S307: Yes), a display mode corresponding to the stop symbol of the first symbol display device 37 is set (S309). Whether or not the stop symbol is set is determined according to the value of the first random number counter C1, and if it is a big hit, the symbol that becomes a high probability state after the big hit by the value of the first hit type counter C2 Or a symbol that is in a low probability state is determined. In this embodiment, a red LED is turned on when a high probability state is reached after a big hit, a green LED is turned on when a low probability state is reached, and a blue LED is turned on when it is out of place. . In addition, although the lighting of each LED is released when the next fluctuation display is started, it may be turned on only for a few seconds after the fluctuation is stopped.

  When the display mode of the first symbol display device 37 corresponding to the stop symbol is set in the processing of S309, the variation stop of the third symbol display device 81 is stopped to synchronize with the lighting of the LED in the first symbol display device 37. A command is set (S310). When the sound lamp control device 113 receives this stop command, it instructs the display control device 114 to stop. When the variation time elapses, the third symbol display device 81 stops the variation, and receives the stop command, whereby one variation effect in the third symbol display device 81 ends.

  Next, the variation start process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the change start process (S306) executed in the change process (see FIG. 9). In the variation start process (S306), first, it is determined whether or not a big hit is made based on the value of the first hit random number counter C1 stored in the execution area of the reserved ball storage area (S401). Whether or not it is a big hit is determined based on the relationship between the value of the first random number counter C1 and the mode at that time. As described above, “373,727” is a winning value among the numerical values 0 to 738 of the first random number counter C1 at a normal low probability, and “59,109,163, 211,263,317,367, "421,479,523,631,683,733" is the winning value.

  When it is determined that it is a big hit (S401: Yes), the value of the first hit type counter C2 stored in the execution area of the reserved ball storage area is confirmed, and the display mode for the big hit is set (S402). ). In the process of S402, based on the value of the first hit type counter C2, whether to shift to the high probability state or shift to the low probability state after the big hit is set. When the transition state after the big hit is set, the display mode of the first symbol display device 37 (the lighting state of the LED 37a) is set. Further, based on the transition state after the jackpot, the jackpot stop symbol stopped and displayed on the third symbol display device 81 is set by the sound lamp control device 113 and the display control device 114. That is, the stop symbol in the third symbol display device 81 is set by setting the transition state after the big hit by the process of S402. Of the numerical values 0 to 4 of the first hit type counter C2, when “0, 4”, the state shifts to the low probability state, and when “1, 2, 3”, the state shifts to the high probability state. .

  Next, a variation pattern at the time of jackpot is determined (S403). When the variation pattern is set in the process of S403, the display time of the first symbol display device 37 is set and the variation time of the third symbol until the third symbol display device 81 stops at the jackpot symbol is determined. The At this time, the values of the fluctuation type counters CS1 and CS2 stored in the counter buffer of the RAM 203 are confirmed, and rough symbol fluctuations such as normal reach, super reach, premium reach, etc. are determined based on the value of the first fluctuation type counter CS1. In addition to determining the variation time, the variation time (in other words, the number of variation symbols) until the final stop symbol (in the present embodiment, the middle symbol Z2) stops after the occurrence of reach is determined based on the value of the second variation type counter CS2. decide.

  The relationship between the numerical value of the first variation type counter CS1 and the variation time and the relationship between the numerical value of the second variation type counter CS2 and the variation time are respectively defined in advance by a table or the like. However, the fluctuation time can be set using only the value of the first fluctuation type counter CS1 without using the value of the second fluctuation type counter CS2, and can be set only with the value of the first fluctuation type counter CS1. Whether or not to set with both values of both variation type counters CS1 and CS2 is appropriately determined according to the value of the first variation type counter CS1 and the game conditions each time.

  If it is determined in the process of S401 that it is not a big hit (S401: No), the display mode at the time of disconnection is set (S404). In the process of S404, the display mode of the first symbol display device 37 is set to the display mode corresponding to the off symbol, and based on the value of the stop pattern selection counter C3 stored in the execution area of the reserved ball storage area, An effect to be displayed on the third symbol display device 81 is set as to whether the reach is front / rear out of reach, reach other than front / rear out, or complete out. In the present embodiment, as described above, the range of values corresponding to each stop pattern of the stop pattern selection counter C3 depends on whether the state is a high probability state, a low probability state, and the operation suspension number N. Different tables are set up.

  Next, the variation pattern at the time of detachment is determined (S405), the display time of the first symbol display device 37 is set, and the variation time of the third symbol until the third symbol display device 81 stops at the detachment symbol. Is determined. At this time, as in the process of S403, the values of the variation type counters CS1 and CS2 stored in the counter buffer of the RAM 203 are confirmed, and the normal reach, super reach, and premium reach are determined based on the value of the first variation type counter CS1. In addition, the fluctuation time (in other words, the middle symbol Z2 in the present embodiment) is stopped after the reach has occurred based on the value of the second fluctuation type counter CS2 For example, the number of fluctuation symbols) is determined.

  When the process of S403 or the process of S405 ends, the effect time to be added to or subtracted from the variation time determined by the first and second type counters CS1 and CS2 is determined (S406). At this time, the addition / subtraction of the effect time is determined based on the value of the third type counter CS3 stored in the counter buffer of the RAM 203, the display time of the first symbol display device 37 is set, and the third symbol display The variation time of the device 81 is set. In the present embodiment, the effect time addition / subtraction is determined according to the value of the third variation type counter CS3 when the variation display time is not changed and when the variation display time is added for one second, the variation display time is set to 2 In the case of adding seconds, four types of addition values are determined for the case of subtracting 1 second from the variable display time.

  In addition, when the variable display time is added or subtracted, a notice effect that increases the expected value of the jackpot on the third symbol display device 81 (for example, a slip effect that causes the change time of the variable symbol to be longer than usual and is accompanied by a slip) An effect of displaying a notice character is performed, and an effect of making the change time of one change symbol shorter than usual and stopping immediately) is performed. In addition, when the value of the first random number counter C1 is a big hit, since the probability that the added value of 2 seconds is selected is set high, the player expects a big hit by confirming the notice effect. Can do.

  Next, a variation pattern command is set according to the variation pattern (variation time) determined in S403 or S405 (S407), and a stop symbol command is set according to the stop symbol set in S402 or S404. (S408). Then, an effect time addition command is set according to the effect time addition value determined in the process of S406 (S409), and the process returns to the variation process.

  Next, payout control executed by the MPU 211 in the payout control device 111 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a start-up process of the payout control apparatus 111, and this start-up process is activated when the power is turned on. First, an initial setting process associated with power-on is executed (S801). Specifically, a predetermined value set in advance is set in the stack pointer, and an interrupt mode is set. Then, the RAM access is permitted (S802), and an external interrupt vector is set (S803).

  Thereafter, a data backup process is executed for the RAM 213 in the MPU 211. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the information on the occurrence of power interruption is stored in the RAM 213 (S804). If not stored (S804: No), the backup data is not stored, so the process proceeds to S811. Transition. If power failure occurrence information is stored in the RAM 213 (S804: Yes), a RAM determination value is calculated (S805). If the calculated RAM determination value is not normal (S806: No), that is, the calculated RAM determination is performed. If the value does not match the RAM determination value stored when the power is turned off, the backed up data has been destroyed. In such a case as well, the process proceeds to S811. As will be described later in the processing of S917 in FIG. 15, the RAM determination value is, for example, a checksum value at the work area address of the RAM 213. Instead of the RAM determination value, the validity of the backup may be determined based on whether or not the keyword written in a predetermined area of the RAM 213 is correctly stored.

  In the RAM initialization process of S811 and S812, all areas of the RAM 213 are cleared to 0 (S811), and then the initial value of the RAM 213 is set (S812). Thereafter, the peripheral devices of the MPU 211 are initialized (S809), an interrupt is permitted (S810), and the process proceeds to the main process.

  On the other hand, if the occurrence information of power interruption is set (S804: Yes) and the RAM judgment value (checksum value etc.) is normal (S806: Yes), the data backed up in the RAM 213 is retained. In addition to clearing the information on the occurrence of power interruption (S807), the payout permission flag 213d is turned off (S808) in order to wait for the payout of the prize ball. Thereafter, the peripheral devices of the MPU 211 are initialized (S809), an interrupt is permitted (S810), and the process proceeds to the main process.

  Next, the main process executed by the MPU 211 in the payout control device 111 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this main process, first, a winning ball command, a payout return command, and a payout initialization command from the main control device 110 are received, and a command determination process for determining the type of these commands is performed (S901). In this process, when a normal command transmitted from the main controller 110 is received, a payout permission flag is turned on, and payout of prize balls and lending balls is permitted.

  When the command determination process (S901) ends, it is determined whether or not the payout is permitted, that is, the state of the payout permission flag is determined (S902), and if the payout is not permitted (S902: No), the main control unit is still present. Since 110 is not in a stand-up state, in this case, the command determination process (S901) is repeatedly executed until the payout is permitted in the command determination process (S901). On the other hand, if the payout is permitted in the processing of S902 (S902: Yes), the state return switch 120 is checked, and if it is determined that the state return operation is started, the state return operation is executed (S903).

  Thereafter, the setting of the lower pan full tank state or the lower pan full tank release state is executed according to the change in the state of the lower pan 50 (S904). That is, when the lower pan 50 is determined based on the detection signal of the lower pan full switch, the lower pan full state is set when the lower pan is full. , Set the lower pan full release state. Further, the setting of the tank ball absence state or the tank ball absence release state is executed according to the change in the state of the tank ball (S905). In other words, the tank ball no switch state is determined based on the detection signal of the tank ball no switch, and when there is no tank ball, the setting of the tank ball no state is executed. Perform configuration. Thereafter, the presence / absence of a notification state is determined, and if there is a notification state, notification is made by a 7-segment LED provided in the payout control device 111 (S906).

  Next, a winning ball payout process is executed by each process of S907 to S909. That is, if the total number of winning balls is not 0 (S907: No, S908: No), the winning ball control process is started to pay out winning balls (S909). . On the other hand, if the prize ball cannot be paid out (S907: Yes) or if the total number of prize balls is 0 (S908: Yes), the process proceeds to the lending and payout process.

  In the rental ball payout processing of S910 to S912, if the ball payout is not possible and the ball payout request from the card unit is received (S910: No, S911: Yes), The lending control process is started. On the other hand, if the rental ball cannot be dispensed (S910: Yes) or if a rental ball dispensing request has not been received (S911: No), the process proceeds to S913. Similarly, after the ball rental control process (S912) is completed, the process proceeds to S913.

  In the process of S913, the control of the vibrator 134 (vibration motor control) is executed on the condition that the ball is clogged (S913). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the occurrence information of power interruption is stored in the RAM 213 (S914). If the occurrence information of power interruption is not stored (S914: No), the power failure signal SG1 is received from the power failure monitoring circuit 252. Since it is not output and the power supply is not shut off, in such a case, the process proceeds to S901, and the main process from S901 to S913 is repeatedly executed.

  On the other hand, if the occurrence information of power interruption is stored in the process of S914 (S914: Yes), the result of the power failure is output due to the occurrence of a power failure or the power is turned off and the power failure monitoring circuit 252 outputs the power failure signal SG1. This means that the NMI interrupt process of FIG. 15 has been executed. Therefore, in such a case, the generation of each interrupt process is prohibited (S915), and the command determination process is executed again in order to prevent the reception of a command transmitted from the main controller 110 (S916). Then, the RAM determination value is calculated and stored in the RAM 213 (S917), access to the RAM 213 is prohibited (S918), and the infinite loop is continued until the power supply is completely shut down and the process cannot be executed. Here, for example, the RAM determination value is a checksum value in the stack area and the work area to be backed up in the RAM 213.

  In the process of S914, since the information on the occurrence of power interruption is confirmed at the timing when one cycle of the main process of the payout control device 111 ends, the process is started up when returning from the state before the power interruption. After the process is completed, the process can be started from S901. In other words, the main process can be started in the same manner as when initialized in the startup process. Therefore, in the process at power-off, the contents of each register used by the MPU 211 are not saved in the stack area, or the stack pointer value is not saved in the initial setting process (S801) without saving the stack pointer value. By setting to a predetermined value (initial value), the process can be started from S901. Accordingly, the control burden on the payout control device 111 can be reduced, and accurate control can be performed without causing the payout control device 111 to malfunction or run away. In addition, since the power-off process is executed at the timing when each process is completed, the amount of information to be backed up in the RAM 213 can be reduced.

  Next, processing performed by the audio lamp control device 113 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a start-up process executed by the MPU 221 in the sound lamp control device 113, and this start-up process is started when the power is turned on.

  When the start-up process is executed, first, an initial setting process associated with power-on is executed (S1001). Specifically, a predetermined value set in advance for the stack pointer is set. Thereafter, depending on whether or not the power-off processing flag is on, the current start-up processing is performed during the execution of the power-off processing of S1115 due to an instantaneous voltage drop (instantaneous power failure, so-called “instantaneous power failure”). It is determined whether it has been started (S1002). As will be described later with reference to FIG. 17, when the sound lamp control device 113 receives a power-off command from the main control device 110 (see S <b> 1112 in FIG. 17), it executes a power-off process in S <b> 1115. The power-off process flag is turned on before the power-off process is executed, and the power-off process flag is turned off after the power-off process ends. Therefore, whether or not the power-off process in S1115 is in the middle of execution can be determined based on the state of the power-off process flag.

  If the power-off process flag is off (S1002: No), the current start-up process is started after the power supply is completely shut off or after a momentary power failure occurs and the power-off process at S1115 is performed. It was started after the execution of the process was completed, or started only after the MPU 221 of the sound lamp control device 113 was reset due to noise or the like (without receiving a power-off command from the main control device 110). is there. Therefore, in these cases, it is confirmed whether or not the data in the RAM 223 is destroyed (S1003).

  Confirmation of data destruction of the RAM 223 is performed as follows. That is, data as a keyword “55AAh” is written in a specific area of the RAM 223 by the process of S1006. Therefore, the data stored in the specific area is checked. If the data is “55AAh”, there is no data corruption in the RAM 223. If data destruction of the RAM 223 is confirmed (S1003: Yes), the process proceeds to S1004, and initialization of the RAM 223 is started. On the other hand, if data destruction of the RAM 223 is not confirmed (S1003: No), the process proceeds to S1008.

  If the current start-up process is started after the power supply is completely shut down, the keyword “55AAh” is not stored in the specific area of the RAM 223 (the memory in the RAM 223 is lost due to the power-off). Therefore, it is determined that the data in the RAM 22 is destroyed (S1003: Yes), and the process proceeds to S1004. On the other hand, this startup process was started after an instantaneous power failure and after completing the power-off process in S1115, or reset only to the MPU 221 of the audio lamp control device 113 due to noise or the like. When the process starts, since the keyword “55AAh” is stored in the specific area of the RAM 223, it is determined that the data in the RAM 22 is normal (S1003: No), and the process proceeds to S1008.

  If the power-off process flag is on (S1002: Yes), the startup process of this time is after an instantaneous power failure, and during the execution of the power-off process of S1115, the sound lamp control device 113. The MPU 221 is started after being reset. In such a case, since the power-off process is being executed, the storage state of the RAM 223 is not necessarily correct. Therefore, since control cannot be continued in such a case, the process proceeds to S1004 and initialization of the RAM 223 is started.

  In the processing of S1004, the entire storage area of the RAM 223 is checked (S1004). As a check method, first, “0FFh” is written for each byte, and it is read for each byte to check whether it is “0FFh”. If “0FFh”, it is determined as normal. The writing and checking for each byte are performed in the order of “55h”, “0AAh”, and “00h” after “0FFh”. This RAM 223 read / write check clears all storage areas of the RAM 223 to zero.

  If it is determined that the read / write check is normal for all the storage areas of the RAM 223 (S1005: Yes), the keyword “55AAh” is written in the specific area of the RAM 223, and the RAM destruction check data is set (S1006). By checking the keyword “55AAh” written in this specific area, it is checked whether or not there is data corruption in the RAM 223. On the other hand, if an abnormality in the read / write check is detected in any storage area of the RAM 223 (S1005: No), the abnormality of the RAM 223 is notified (S1007), and an infinite loop is performed until the power is shut off. The abnormality of the RAM 223 is notified by the display lamp 34. Note that the voice output device 226 may output a voice to notify the abnormality of the RAM 223.

  In the process of S1008, it is determined whether or not the power-off flag is turned on (S1008). Since the power-off flag is turned on when the power-off process in S1115 is executed (see S1114 in FIG. 17), the current start-up process is instantaneous when the power-off flag is turned on. This is a case where a power failure is started and a state in which the execution of the power-off process in S1115 is not completed is started. Therefore, in such a case (S1008: Yes), the RAM work area is cleared to initialize each process of the sound lamp control device 113 (S1009), and the initial value of the RAM 223 is set (S1010), and then the interrupt is performed. The permission is set (S1011), and the process proceeds to the main process. Note that the work area of the RAM 223 is an area other than an area for storing commands received from the main control device 110.

  On the other hand, when the power-off flag is turned off, the process of S1008 is reached because the current start-up process is started after, for example, the power supply is completely shut down, and thus the process of S1008 through S1004 to S1006 is performed. This is a case where the processing has been reached, or the MPU 221 of the sound lamp control device 113 is reset only (without receiving a power-off command from the main control device 110) due to noise or the like. Therefore, in such a case (S1008: No), S1009 which is the work area clear process of the RAM 223 is skipped, the process proceeds to S1010, the initial value of the RAM 223 is set (S1010), and the interrupt permission is set. Then (S1011), the process proceeds to the main process.

  The reason for skipping the clear process of S1009 is that when the process from S1004 to S1006 is reached via the process of S1006, all the storage areas of the RAM 223 have already been cleared by the process of S1004. When only the MPU 221 of the sound lamp control device 113 is reset due to noise or the like and the start-up process is started, the data in the work area of the RAM 223 is stored without being cleared, so that the sound lamp control device 113 is saved. This is because the control can be continued.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 17, the main process performed after the start-up process of the audio lamp control apparatus 113 will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by the MPU 221 of the sound lamp control device 113. When the main process is executed, it is first determined whether or not 1 ms or more has elapsed since the main process was started (S1101). If 1 ms or more has not elapsed (S1101: No), the processes of S1102 to S1109 are performed. Without proceeding to S1110. Whether or not 1 ms has elapsed in the process of S1101 is a process related to display (production) in S1102 to S1109, and it is not necessary to edit in a short cycle (within 1 ms). This is because it is preferable to execute the counter update processing and the command reception processing of S1111 in a short cycle. As a result, it is possible to prevent omission of a command transmitted from the main controller 110.

  If 1 ms or more has elapsed in the processing of S1101 (S1101: Yes), the output of each lamp is set so that the lighting mode of the display lamp 34 is set or the lighting mode of the lamp edited in the processing of S1107 described later ( Thereafter, a power-on notification process is executed (S1103). In the power-on notification process, when the power is turned on, a notification is given to notify that the power is turned on for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds). The notification is performed by the audio output device 226 or the lamp display device 227. Is called. Moreover, it is good also as what transmits a command to the display control apparatus 114 to alert | report that power was supplied on the screen of the 3rd symbol display apparatus 81. FIG. If the power is not turned on, the process proceeds to S1104 without performing the notification by the power-on notification process.

  In the process of S1104, a waiting-for-customer effect is executed, and then a hold number display update process is executed (S1105). In the customer waiting effect, when a time during which the pachinko machine 10 is not played by the player has elapsed for a predetermined time, setting for switching the display of the third symbol display device 81 to the title screen is performed, and the setting is displayed as a command as a display control device. 114. In the number-of-holds display update process, a process for turning on the hold lamp 85 in accordance with the operation hold ball N is performed.

  Thereafter, frame button input monitoring / effect processing is executed (S1106). This frame button input monitoring / production process monitors the input of whether or not the frame button 22 operated by the player has been pressed to enhance the production effect, and corresponds to the case where the input of the frame button 22 is confirmed. This is a process for setting to produce an effect. For example, when a notice character appears at the start of fluctuation display, the expected value of the jackpot due to the current fluctuation is displayed by pressing the frame button 22, or the feeling of expectation for the jackpot is displayed by pressing the frame button 22 during reach production. It is good also as a decision button for changing to the production which can have, or selecting one reach production out of a plurality of reach productions. If the frame button 22 is not provided, the process of S1106 is omitted.

  When the frame button input monitoring / production process ends, the lamp editing process is executed (S1107), and then the sound editing / output process is executed (S1108). In the lamp editing process, lighting patterns and the like of the illumination units 29 to 33 are set so as to correspond to the display performed on the third symbol display device 81. In the sound editing / output process, the output pattern of the sound output device 226 is set so as to correspond to the display performed on the third symbol display device 81, and the sound is output from the sound output device 226 according to the setting.

  Thereafter, a liquid crystal effect execution management process is executed (S1109), and the process proceeds to S1110. In the liquid crystal effect execution management process, a time synchronized with the time required for the variable display performed by the third symbol display device 81 is set based on the change pattern command and the effect time addition command transmitted from the main control device 110. Based on the time set in the liquid crystal effect execution monitoring process, the effect time of the lamp editing process in S1107 and the sound editing / output process in S1108 is set.

  In the process of S1110, the variable display process of the third symbol display device 81 is executed. In this variation display process, a plurality of counters (a counter for setting a stop symbol at the time of big hit, a counter for selecting a stop symbol at the time of disconnection, etc.) mounted on the sound lamp control device 113 are updated. Based on the variation pattern command and the stop symbol command transmitted from the control device 110, a symbol to be stopped and displayed on the third symbol display device 81 is set, or a variation display pattern (rear / rear out, front / rear non-rear reach, complete out) Etc. are set. The stop symbol and the variation pattern are transmitted to the display control device 114 as a stop symbol command and a variation pattern command.

  In the process of S1110, for example, when the command of the variation pattern transmitted from the main controller 110 is “completely out”, a complete out A pattern is selected from a plurality of patterns corresponding to complete out, and the third symbol display A command is transmitted to the display control device 110 so that the device 81 can produce a completely off A pattern. Therefore, since the detailed variation pattern displayed on the third symbol display device 81 is determined by the sound lamp control device 113 with respect to one variation pattern determined by the main control device 110, the control of the main control device 110 is performed. The burden can be reduced. Furthermore, since the pattern of each effect determined in the main controller 110 can be reduced, the storage capacity of the ROM 202 can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

  Then, the command from the main control device 110 is received (S1111). When a command from the main control device 110 is received, if the command is used in the sound lamp control device 113 in accordance with the command, processing corresponding to the command is performed, the processing result is stored in the RAM 233, and used in the display control device 114. If it is a command, the command is transmitted to the display control device 114. Here, as the command transmitted to the display control device 114, an effect permit command is given.

  When the processing of S1111 is completed, it is determined whether or not the information on occurrence of power interruption is stored in the work RAM 234 (S1112). The information on the occurrence of power-off is stored when a power-off command is received from the main controller 110. If power failure occurrence information is stored in the processing of S1112 (S1112: Yes), both the power interruption flag and the power interruption processing flag are turned on (S1114), and the power interruption processing is executed (S1115). After the power-off process is executed, the power-off process flag is turned off (S1116), and then the process loops infinitely. In the power-off process, the generation of the interrupt process is prohibited, and each output port is turned off, and the outputs from the audio output device 226 and the lamp display device 227 are turned off. Further, the storage of the information on occurrence of power interruption is also erased.

  On the other hand, if the information on occurrence of power interruption is not stored in the process of S1112 (S1112: No), it is determined whether or not the RAM 223 is destroyed based on the keyword stored in the RAM 223 (S1113), and the RAM 223 is destroyed. If not (S1113: No), the process returns to S1101, and the main process is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if the RAM 223 is destroyed (S1113: Yes), the process is infinitely looped in order to stop the subsequent processes. Here, if it is determined that the RAM is destroyed and an infinite loop is performed, the main process is not executed, and thereafter the display on the third symbol display device 81 does not change. Therefore, since the player can know that an abnormality has occurred, the player can call a hall clerk or the like to request repair of the pachinko machine 10 or the like. Further, when it is confirmed that the RAM 223 is destroyed, the sound output device 226 or the lamp display device 227 may notify the RAM destruction.

  Next, processing performed in the display control device 114 will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a main process executed by the MPU 231 in the display control apparatus 114, and this main process is activated when the power of the gaming machine is turned on.

  In the main process, first, an initial setting process associated with power-on is executed (S1201). Specifically, processing for initializing the MPU 231 and clearing each memory of the work RAM 234 and the video RAM 235 is performed. When the execution of the initial setting process is completed (S1201), the execution of the external interrupt process shown in FIG. 19 is permitted and the external interrupt process is executed.

  After the initial setting process of S1201, information from the beginning to the end of the character image information in the compression format in 16-bit units stored in the first character image information memory 232b, and 16 bits stored in the second character image information memory 233b An instruction to transfer the information from the beginning to the end of the character image information in the unit compression format to the character image information storage area 235b of the video RAM 235 via the image controller 236 is output to the output circuit 231a and executed (S1202). . By the processing of S1202, the output circuit 231a stores the 16-bit unit compressed character image information (information in the first half of the 32-bit unit) stored in the first character image information memory 232b and the second character image information memory 233b. The stored character image information in 16-bit unit compression format (information in the latter half of 32-bit unit) is stored in the character image information storage area 235b as character image information in 32-bit unit compression format. Can do.

  Therefore, after the processing in S1202, the image controller 236 has expanded the character image information in the compressed format stored in the character image information storage area 235b and expanded for displaying on the third symbol display device 81. The character image information can be extracted using only the video RAM 235. Here, since the processing speed of the RAM is generally higher than that of the ROM, the time for the image controller 236 to read the character image information is reduced, and the control to the third symbol display device 81 is speeded up. Smooth display and clear display can be performed.

  After the process of S1202, it is determined whether or not the transfer of the character image information has been completed (S1203). If the transfer of the character image information has not been completed (S1203: No), the processes after S1204 are performed until the transfer is completed. Wait. On the other hand, if the transfer of the character image information is completed as a result of the determination in S1203 (S1203: Yes), the compressed character image information stored in the character image information storage area 235b is stored in the character image information expansion area 235c. An instruction to develop is output to the image controller 236 and executed (S1204). Whether or not the character image information has been transferred is determined (S1203) based on whether or not the MPU 231 has received a transfer end signal output from the output circuit 231a. In the transfer end signal output from the output circuit 231a, although not shown, for example, the character image information of the compression method stored in the first character image information memory 232b and the second character image information memory 233b by the output circuit 231a is used as the character image information. A flag that is turned on when stored in the storage area 235b may be used.

  After the process of S1204, in order to display the initial screen on the 3rd symbol display device 81, the character image information corresponding to the initial screen is extracted from the character image information expanded in the character image expansion area 235c, and extracted. The character image information is stored in the display image storage area 235a, and the extracted character image information is processed in the display image storage area 235a (setting of the display position of the character image information, modification of the character image information, An instruction for performing preparation of character image information to be displayed on the three-symbol display device 81 is output to the image controller 236 and executed (S1205).

  Next, the process of S1206 transition is executed. In the processes after S1206, the effect permission flag 234a and the change start flag 234b are used. The interrupt process will be described.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an external interrupt process executed by the MPU 231 in the display control device 114, which is executed when a command from the audio lamp control device 113 is received. When the external interrupt process is executed, the command received from the sound lamp control device 113 by the processes of S1301 and S1302 is determined. If the command received from the sound lamp control device 113 is an effect permission command (S1301: Yes), the effect permission flag 234a for permitting the display start of the third symbol display device 81 in the work RAM 234 is turned on ( S1304), the external interrupt process is terminated. Further, if the command received from the sound lamp control device 113 is a variation pattern command (S1301: No, S1302: Yes), a variation start flag for starting variation display of the third symbol display device 81 in the work RAM 234. 234b is turned on (S1305), and the external interrupt process is terminated.

  If the command received from the sound lamp control device 113 is not the production permission command and the variation pattern command (S1301: No, S1302: No), processing corresponding to the other received commands is executed (S1303), and external interrupt processing is performed. finish. For example, if the command received from the sound lamp control device 113 is a stop command, a process for stopping the fluctuation performed in the third symbol display device 81 is executed.

  By this external interrupt process, the production permission flag 234a and the variation start flag 234b can be set to ON.

  Returning to the description of FIG. In the process of S1206, it is determined whether or not the effect permission flag 234a is turned on in order to determine whether or not the effect permission command transmitted from the main controller 110 has been received (S1206), and the effect permission flag 234a is turned on. If there is not (S1206: No), the main control device 110 is in the middle of starting up, so that the processing after S1207 is waited until the effect permission command is received from the main control device 110 and the effect permission flag 234a is turned on.

  If the result permission flag 234a is turned on as a result of the determination in S1206 (S1206: Yes), the image controller 236 is stored in the display image storage area 235a, processed, etc. (setting of display position of character image information and character Character image information that has been subjected to image information modification, preparation of character image information to be displayed on the third symbol display device 81, and the like is read out, and the read character image information is displayed on the third symbol display device 81. Then, it is determined whether or not the display executed on the third symbol display device 81 is a big hit (S1207). If it is not a big hit (S1207: No), the third symbol display device 81 displays a variable display. It is determined whether or not the fluctuation start flag 234b for permitting the start is turned on (S1208). As a result, if the variation start flag 234b is turned on (S1208: Yes), the variation start flag 234b is turned off (S1209), and the variation corresponding to the variation pattern command is started on the display screen of the third symbol display device 81. (S1210). Here, in the processing of S1209, the fluctuation start flag 234b is turned off in the present embodiment, when the fluctuation start flag 234b is turned on, the fluctuation display is started on the third symbol display device 81. (S1208 in FIG. 19: Yes to S1210), unless the fluctuation start flag 234b is turned off, the fluctuation start process (S1210) is repeatedly executed, and normal processes are not executed.

  On the other hand, if the variation start flag 234b is turned off as a result of the determination in the processing of S1208 (S1208: No), or when variation starts in the processing of S1210, the variation effect processing is performed (S1211). In the variation effect process, when the variable display is continuously performed, the character image information and the effect information are updated and set (new extraction of character image information from the character image information development area 235b by the image controller 236). The extracted character image information is written in the display image storage area 235a, and the newly extracted character image information is processed in the display image storage area 235a (setting of the display position of the character image information or character image information). Next, when the variable display is not performed, the process proceeds to S1212 without performing any particular process. Here, in the process of S1212, in order to execute the process (S1207 to S1211) for performing the effect in the third symbol display device 81 every 20 ms, it is determined whether or not 20 ms or more has elapsed since the process of S1207 was started. Confirmation (S1212), if not, it waits until 20 ms or more elapses (S1212: No), and if 20 ms or more elapses (S1212: Yes), the process proceeds to the process of S1207.

  If the result of S1207 is a jackpot (S1207: Yes), a jackpot effect process is executed (S1213). In the jackpot effect process, the number of rounds, the number of prize balls are updated, the background image and the like that are different for each round are updated (new character image information from the character image information development area 235b by the image controller 236). Extraction, writing of the extracted character image information into the display image storage area 235a, processing of the newly extracted character image information in the display image storage area 235a, etc. (setting of display position of character image information and character image, etc.) The information is transformed, and then the character image information to be displayed on the third symbol display device 81 is prepared)). After the big hit effect process (S1213) ends, the process proceeds to the process of S1212.

  As described above, when the external power is turned on, the pachinko machine 10 outputs all the compressed character image information stored in the first character image information memory 232b and the second character image information memory 233b to the output circuit 231a. Is transferred to the character image information storage area 235b in the video RAM 235. Then, after the transferred character image information is stored in the character image information storage area 235b, the image controller 236 applies the character image information stored in the character image information storage area 235b to the character image information expansion area 235c. Expansion, extraction of character image information stored in the character image information expansion area 235c, storage of the extracted character image information in the display image storage area 235a, processing of the extracted character image information in the display image storage area 235a, etc. A video RAM 235 for temporarily storing the character image information (setting of the display position of the character image information, modification of the character image information, preparation of character image information to be displayed on the third symbol display device 81, etc.) Can be used. Thus, the image controller 236 stores the first character image information memory 232b in the first ROM 232 and the second character image information memory 233b in the second ROM 233 each time the character image information displayed on the third symbol display device 81 changes. There is no need to read the stored compressed character image information and store it in the character image information storage area 235b. Here, in general, RAM has a higher data reading speed than ROM. Therefore, with the above configuration, it is possible to shorten the time for reading out the character image information by the image controller 236, speed up the control to the third symbol display device 81, and perform smooth display and clear display. .

  The video RAM 235 connected to the image controller 236 and the third symbol display device 81 connected to the image controller 236 via the output port are connected via the MPU 231 of the display control device 114 and the image controller 236. Yes. That is, the video RAM 235 and the third symbol display device 81 are not directly connected to the bus line 239 to which the MPU 231 is connected. Therefore, the compressed character image information stored in the first character image information memory 232b and the second character image information memory 233b is transferred to the character image information storage area 235b by the output circuit 231a, and the character image information storage area 235b. The image controller 236 can perform processing necessary for controlling the third symbol display device 81 using only the video RAM 235. Therefore, while the image controller 236 is accessing the video RAM 235 and controlling the third symbol display device 81, the MPU 231 is connected to the first ROM, the second ROM, or the ROM directly connected to the bus line 239. Processing can be executed by using the work RAM 234.

  It should be noted that the “first control means” described in claim 1 in the present embodiment corresponds to the MPU 231, the first ROM 232, the second ROM 233, and the work RAM 234, and the “second control means” described in claim 1. The video RAM 235 and the image controller 236 correspond thereto.

  The present invention has been described above based on one embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and improvements can be easily made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Can be inferred.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the image controller 236 expands all the compressed character image information stored in the character image information storage area 235b in the character image information expansion area 235c of the video RAM 235. The image controller 236 expands, in the display image storage area 235a, only the character image information necessary for display on the third symbol display device 81 from the compressed character image information stored in the character image information storage area 235b. The display content of the 3rd symbol display device 81 may be changed by storing and processing. In this case, the character image information development area 235b, which is an area for storing all the developed character image information, is not necessary.

  In the above embodiment, the compressed character image information is stored in the first character image information memory 232b, the second character image information memory 233b, and the character image information storage area 235b. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, uncompressed character image information may be stored in the first character image information memory 232b, the second character image information memory 233b, and the character image information storage area 235b. Also in this case, as described above, the character image information expansion area 235b, which is an area for storing all the expanded character image information, is not necessary.

  In the above-described embodiment, the output circuit 231a uses the character image information in the video RAM 235 for all the compressed character image information stored in the first character image information memory 232b and the second character image information memory 233b. However, the output circuit 231a is not limited to this, and the output circuit 231a is a compressed character image stored in the first character image information memory 232b and the second character image information memory 233b. Only the character image information necessary for displaying on the third symbol display device 81 from the information may be transferred to the character image information storage area 235b. In this case, the storage capacity of the character image information storage area 235b can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the present invention is implemented in the display control device 114, but may be implemented in a control device different from the display control device 114. For example, the sound lamp control device 113 may be implemented. In this case, an output circuit 231a is provided in the MPU 221 of the audio lamp control device 113, and an audio lamp controller for controlling the audio output device 226 and the lamp display device 227 is provided on the bus line 224 to which the MPU 221 is connected. A RAM for storing information for controlling the audio output device 226 and the lamp display device 227 is connected to the audio lamp controller using a bus line independent of the bus line 224, and the audio output device 226 and the lamp display device 227 are also connected. What is necessary is just to connect the output port which connects to a sound lamp controller.

  In the above embodiment, the total number of the data buses of the first ROM 232 and the second ROM 233 is 32 using two ROMs of the first ROM 232 and the second ROM 233 each having 16 data buses. The number of data buses is 32, which is the same as the number of data buses of the MPU 231. However, the number of data buses is not necessarily limited to this. For example, four ROMs having eight data buses per ROM can be used. The total number of data buses of the four ROMs may be 32, which may be the same as the 32 data buses of the MPU 231.

  In the above embodiment, the total number of data buses of the first ROM 232 and the second ROM 233 is 32, which is the same as the 32 data buses of the MPU 231. The total number of data buses of the first ROM 232 and the data bus of the second ROM 233 is, for example, 16 and may not be the same as 32 that is the number of data buses of the MPU 231.

  In the above embodiment, the initial setting process associated with the turning on of the external power supply is executed (S1201). After the initial setting process, the output circuit 231a displays the first character image information memory 232b and the second character image information memory 233b. Is transferred to the character image information storage area 235b (S1202). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the output circuit 231a continues until the display of the third symbol display device 81 is started. In addition, the character image information stored in the first character image information memory 232b and the second character image information memory 233b may be transferred to the character image information storage area 235b.

  In the above embodiment, the video RAM 235 is not directly connected to the bus line 239 to which the MPU 231 of the display control device 114 is connected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the video RAM 235 is connected to the MPU 231. The bus line 239 may be connected. Even in this case, the output circuit 231a transfers the compressed character image information stored in the first character image information memory 232b and the second character image information memory 233b to the character image information storage area 235b in the video RAM 235. To do. After the transferred character image information is stored in the character image information storage area 235b, the image controller 236 expands the character image information stored in the character image information storage area 235b into the character image information expansion area 235c. Extraction of character image information stored in the character image information development area 235c, storage of the extracted character image information in the display image storage area 235a, processing of the extracted character image information in the display image storage area 235a, etc. A video RAM 235 for temporarily storing the character image information (setting of the display position of the character image information, modification of the character image information, preparation of character image information to be displayed on the third symbol display device 81, etc.) Can be used.

  Further, in the above embodiment, each command is transmitted from the main control device 110 to the sound lamp control device 113, and the sound lamp control device 113 issues a display instruction to the display control device 114. However, the command may be directly transmitted from the main control device 110 to the display control device 114. Further, an audio lamp control device may be connected to the display control device, and a command instructing the output of each sound and the lighting of the lamp may be transmitted from the display control device to the audio lamp control device. Furthermore, the sound lamp control device and the display control device may be configured as one control device.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the winning entry to the first entrance 64 and the passage through the second entrance 67 are configured to be held up to 4 times each, but the maximum number of holding times is 4 times. However, the number of times may be set to 3 times or less, or 5 times or more (for example, 8 times). In addition, the number of times the variable display is held based on the winning at the first entrance 64 is different for the part of the third symbol display device 81 by a number or by dividing the number of four divided areas by the number of times of the hold. It may be displayed in a mode (for example, color or lighting pattern), and a light emitting member such as a lamp is provided separately from the first symbol display device 37, and the number of holding times is notified by the light emitting member. You may do it.

  Further, as shown in the above embodiment, the variable display, which is a kind of dynamic display, is not limited to the one that scrolls the symbol as identification information in the vertical direction on the display screen of the third symbol display device 81. Alternatively, the symbol may be moved and displayed along a predetermined route such as a horizontal direction or an L shape. In addition, the dynamic display of the identification information is not limited to the display of variation of the symbol. For example, one or a plurality of characters may be displayed in various manners together with the symbol or displayed in a variety of manners separately from the symbol. The effect display etc. which are displayed are also included. In this case, one or more characters are used as the third symbol.

  You may implement this invention in the pachinko machine etc. of a type different from the said embodiment. For example, the present invention may be applied to a so-called second type pachinko gaming machine having a winning device having a special area such as a V zone. Further, in addition to the pachinko machine, the game machine may be implemented as another game machine such as an alepacchi or a sparrow ball.

  You may implement this invention in the pachinko machine etc. of a different type from said embodiment. For example, once a big hit, a pachinko machine that raises the expected value of the big hit until a big hit state occurs (for example, two times or three times) including that (for example, a two-time right item, a three-time right item) May also be implemented. Further, after the jackpot symbol is displayed, it may be implemented as a pachinko machine that generates a special game that gives a player a predetermined game value on the condition that a ball is won in a predetermined area. Further, the present invention may be implemented in a pachinko machine that has a special area such as a V-zone and has a special gaming state as a necessary condition for winning a ball in the special area. Further, in addition to the pachinko machine, the game machine may be implemented as various game machines such as an alepatchi, a sparrow ball, a slot machine, a game machine in which a so-called pachinko machine and a slot machine are integrated.

  In the slot machine, for example, a symbol is changed by operating a control lever in a state where a symbol effective line is determined by inserting coins, and a symbol is stopped and confirmed by operating a stop button. Is. Accordingly, the basic concept of the slot machine is that it is provided with a display device for confirming and displaying the identification information after variably displaying the identification information string composed of a plurality of identification information, and resulting from the operation of the starting operation means (for example, the operation lever). The variation display of the identification information is started, and the variation display of the identification information is stopped and fixedly displayed due to the operation of the operation means for stop (for example, the stop button) or when a predetermined time elapses. It is a slot machine that generates a special game that gives a player a predetermined game value on the condition that the combination of identification information at the time is a specific condition. In this case, the game medium is typically a coin, medal, etc. Take as an example.

  In addition, as a specific example of a gaming machine in which a pachinko machine and a slot machine are fused, a display device is provided that displays a symbol after a symbol string composed of a plurality of symbols is variably displayed, and has a handle for launching a ball. What is not. In this case, after throwing a predetermined amount of spheres based on a predetermined operation (button operation), for example, the change of the symbol is started due to the operation of the operation lever, for example, due to the operation of the stop button, or With the passage of time, the variation of the symbol is stopped, and a special game that gives a predetermined game value to the player is generated on the condition that the determined symbol at the time of stoppage is a so-called jackpot symbol. In this case, a large amount of balls are paid out to the lower tray.

  Below, the gaming machine and the modification of the present invention are shown.

  6. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a pachinko gaming machine. Above all, the basic configuration of a pachinko gaming machine is provided with an operation handle, and a ball is launched into a predetermined game area according to the operation of the operation handle, and the ball is placed in an operation port disposed at a predetermined position in the game area. As a necessary condition for winning a prize (or passing through the operating port), the identification information dynamically displayed on the display device is confirmed and stopped after a predetermined time. In addition, when a special gaming state occurs, a variable winning device (specific winning opening) disposed at a predetermined position in the gaming area is opened in a predetermined manner so that a ball can be won, and a value corresponding to the number of winnings is obtained. Examples include those to which value (including data written on a magnetic card as well as premium spheres) is given.

  6. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a slot machine. Above all, the basic configuration of the slot machine is “equipped with variable display means for confirming and displaying the identification information after dynamically displaying an identification information string composed of a plurality of identification information, and for operating the starting operation means (for example, an operation lever). As a result, the dynamic display of the identification information is started, and the dynamic display of the identification information is stopped due to the operation of the stop operation means (stop button) or after a predetermined time has elapsed. The game machine is provided with special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player on the condition that the confirmed identification information is specific identification information. In this case, examples of the game media include coins and medals.

  6. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a fusion of a pachinko gaming machine and a slot machine. Among them, the basic configuration of the merged gaming machine includes “a variable display means for confirming and displaying the identification information after dynamically displaying an identification information string composed of a plurality of identification information, and a starting operation means (for example, an operation lever). Due to the operation of the identification information, the change of the identification information is started, and the dynamic display of the identification information is stopped due to the operation of the operation means for stop (for example, the stop button) or when a predetermined time elapses. Special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player on the condition that the fixed identification information at the time of stoppage is specific identification information, and using a ball as a game medium, and the identification information The game machine is configured such that a predetermined number of balls are required at the start of the dynamic display, and a large number of balls are paid out when the special gaming state occurs.

It is a front view of the pachinko machine in one embodiment. It is a front view of a game board. It is a rear view of a pachinko machine. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a pachinko machine. (A) is a figure which shows typically the area division setting and effective line setting of a display screen, (b) is a figure which illustrates an actual display screen. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of various counters. It is a flowchart which shows the starting process performed by MPU in a main controller. It is a flowchart which shows the main process performed by MPU in a main controller. It is a flowchart which shows the fluctuation | variation process performed in the main process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the change start process performed in the symbol change process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a timer interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows the start winning process performed in the timer interruption process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a NMI interruption process. It is a flowchart which shows the starting process performed by MPU in a payout control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the main process performed by MPU in a payout control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the starting process performed by MPU in an audio lamp control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the main process performed by MPU in an audio lamp control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the main process performed by MPU in a display control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the external interruption process performed by MPU in a display control apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

10 Pachinko machines (game machines)
81 3rd symbol display device (control device)
115 Power supply (power supply means)
231 MPU (part of first control means, first calculation means)
231a Output circuit (output means)
232 first ROM (part of the first control means, part of the first storage means, storage device)
233 second ROM (part of the first control means, part of the first storage means, storage device)
234 Work RAM (part of the first control means)
235 video RAM (part of second control means, second storage means)
236 Image controller (part of second control means, second calculation means, expansion means)

Claims (5)

A game comprising: first control means for executing control associated with a game; and second control means that is electrically connected to a predetermined control device and controls the control device based on an instruction from the first control means In the machine
The first control means includes first calculation means for executing control associated with a game, program information for operating the first calculation means, and specific information output to the second control means for control of the control device. And first output means for outputting the specific information stored in the first storage means to the second control means,
The second control means outputs second control means for temporarily storing the specific information output from the output means, and specific information stored in the second storage means to the control device, and controls the second control means. A gaming machine comprising: second computing means for controlling the device. The second calculation means includes
Expansion means for expanding the compression format specific information stored in the second storage means into a format that can be controlled by the control device, and storing the expanded specific information in the second storage means; The gaming machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: Power supply means for supplying a drive voltage to the first control means and the second control means,
When the drive voltage is supplied to the first control means and the second control means by the power supply means, the output means outputs the specific information stored in the first storage means to the second control means. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is configured. The first storage means for storing the program information and the specific information is composed of two or more storage devices,
4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the total number of data buses of the two or more storage devices is the same as the number of data buses of the first arithmetic means.   The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the specific information output by the output means to the second control means includes character image information for performing an effect associated with the game.

Images