JP2008264588A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent control information stored in a storage device from being left uncleared in a game machine comprising an electric device, the storage device to store control information and a control device to control the electric device based on the control information stored in the storage device and having a function of storing the control information stored in the storage device when the power supply is shut off and restarting the suspended process based on the stored control information when the power supply is returned. <P>SOLUTION: If a game condition initialization switch to be operated to initialize a game condition is operated (S12: Yes), the control information stored in the storage device is cleared (S16). After that, a sound is output to announce that the control information stored in the storage device is cleared (S18). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game machine having a function of saving control information at the time of power interruption such as a power failure and restarting a process interrupted by the power interruption using the control information saved at the time of power restoration. The present invention relates to a technique for starting processing under appropriate conditions at the time of charging.

For example, in a highly-equipped gaming machine such as a pachinko machine, the gaming machine body is equipped with various electrical equipment. These electrical devices are controlled based on detection signals output from detection devices arranged at appropriate positions of the gaming machine. That is, the detection signal (control information) output from the detection device is temporarily stored in a storage device such as a memory, and the control information stored in the storage device is read by the control device as appropriate to control the electrical device. .
In such a gaming machine, the control information stored in the storage device includes information advantageous to the player (for example, game medium payout information). Therefore, if these pieces of information are erased when the power is shut off at the time of a power failure or the like, a disadvantageous result is brought for a player who wants to continue playing after the power is restored. For this reason, there is a request that the control information stored in the storage device is saved when the power is turned off, and the game is continued from the state before the power is turned off at the start of business after the power is restored. On the other hand, if the game is started from the state before the power cut-off after the power is restored, it is not necessary to continue the game state before the power cut-off, such as when the player returns due to the power cut-off. However, a situation occurs in which the gaming state before the power interruption is continued.
For this reason, it has a function to save the control information stored in the storage device when the power is shut down and resume the game using the saved control information after the power is restored, and save it when the power is turned on after the power is restored. It has been considered to provide a clear switch for selecting whether to use or clear the control information (Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-50035

  However, in the technique described in the above publication, there is no means for confirming whether or not the clear switch has been operated. For this reason, when a store clerk or the like forgets to operate the clear switch, there is a case where the process before power-off is restarted using the control information to be deleted.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine that can clear control information to be cleared by preventing the user from forgetting to operate the clear switch.

In order to solve the above problems, a gaming machine according to claim 1 is an electrical device, a storage device that stores control information, and a control device that controls the electrical device based on control information stored in the storage device. The control device has a function of saving the control information stored in the storage device when the power is turned off and restarting the interrupted processing based on the saved control information when the power is restored. A game condition initialization switch operated to initialize the game condition, a clear means for clearing the control information stored in the storage device when the game condition initialization switch is activated, and Informing means for informing the clearing of the control information by the clearing means is added.
Here, “notify clear” means that the control information of the storage device is cleared (or cleared) to the operator by any method, and any means, method, etc. It is good also as such a form. For example, sound may be transmitted by hearing, or light, image, or the like may be transmitted visually. Also, instead of outputting a sound or the like when cleared, a sound or the like may be output when not cleared to notify that the clear has not been performed (that is, the sound or the like should not be output). If it is clear, it will be communicated). In short, it is only necessary to be able to convey whether it is cleared or not cleared.
In the gaming machine, the notification means notifies that the control information is cleared by the clear means. Therefore, when the user forgets to operate the game condition initialization switch, the notification means does not notify the clearing of the control information. For this reason, the control information to be cleared can be cleared by recognizing that the game condition initialization switch is forgotten to be operated and operating again.

  The gaming condition initialization switch is preferably provided on the back side of the gaming machine, and the notification by the notification means can be confirmed from the back side of the gaming machine (Claim 2). According to such a configuration, the gaming condition initialization switch is provided on the back side of the gaming machine to prevent inadvertent misoperation, and that the gaming condition initialization switch is cleared from the back side of the gaming machine provided with the gaming condition initialization switch. Therefore, the operability can be improved.

The notification by the notification means may be performed by sound (Claim 3). According to such a configuration, it is possible to know that the control information is cleared from either the front side or the back side of the gaming machine. Further, the notification by the notification means may be performed by a lamp. In the case of using this lamp, notification can be made by changing the light emission mode before and after clearing.
When a plurality of storage devices are provided in the gaming machine, the notification means may be added to each storage device (claim 5). According to such a configuration, it is possible to confirm clearing of control information for each storage device.

Moreover, the said subject can be achieved also by the game machine of Claim 6. That is, the gaming machine according to claim 6 includes a main control unit and a sub-control unit that executes a predetermined process based on a signal output from the main control unit, and each control unit is configured by power-off. A function for resuming interrupted processing is provided. A game condition initialization switch for outputting an initialization signal is added to the main control unit, and when the initialization signal output from the game condition initialization switch is received by the main control unit, A means for clearing the required control information stored and outputting an initialization signal to the sub-control unit is provided, and the sub-control unit receives the initialization signal output from the main control unit. Clearing means for clearing required control information stored in the sub-control unit, and notifying means for notifying clearing of control information by the clearing means are provided.
Also with the gaming machine, the same effect as the gaming machine according to claim 1 can be obtained. In particular, in the above gaming machine, notification by the notification means is performed only when both the main control unit and the sub control unit execute the clear process. Therefore, since the notification by the notification means is performed only when it is normal, the gaming machine can be started up in a normal state.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of the pachinko machine, FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electrical system of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the initialization switch, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the initialization switch, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart of processing performed when power is turned on in the main control unit. FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the operation of the pachinko machine when the clear process is executed.

As shown in FIG. 1, on the game board surface 12 of the pachinko machine 10, a symbol display device 14, a first type starting port 30, a special winning opening 34, and the like are appropriately arranged.
The first type start port 30 has a start port sensor (not shown), and detects a pachinko ball that has won the first type start port 30 by the start port sensor. The special winning opening 34 has an open / close lid 36, and the open / close lid 36 is opened and closed by a solenoid (not shown) under specific conditions. The period during which the open / close lid 36 is opened ends, for example, when a predetermined number (generally 10) of pachinko balls enter the big prize opening 34 or until 30 seconds have passed since opening. To do.
The symbol display device 14 includes a symbol indicator 22 that variably displays a special symbol. The symbol indicator 22 displays a special symbol under a specific condition (for example, winning a pachinko ball to the first type starting port 30). Display fluctuations. The special symbol variably displayed on the symbol display 22 is for allowing the player to recognize the transition to a so-called special game state (a state in which the big prize opening 34 is opened) by the display mode when the variation is stopped.
A pachinko ball that has won a prize opening such as the first type starting opening 30 and the grand prize opening 34 is detected by a winning ball sensor (not shown) provided on the back side of the game board surface 12, and the back side of the game board surface 12 is also the same. Pachinko balls are paid out from a prize ball device (not shown) assembled in the. The operation of the prize ball device is controlled by a prize ball control unit described later.

  In addition to the game board surface 12 described above, the pachinko machine 10 is provided with an upper plate 46 for storing pachinko balls including prize balls and rental balls. On the back side of the upper plate 46, a speaker 48 is provided for generating sound effects when a pachinko ball is won in each winning opening described above, sound effects when a special symbol is variably displayed on the symbol display 22, and the like. ing. Further, below the upper plate 46, there are provided a lower plate 40 for temporarily storing the pachinko balls stored in the upper plate 46, an ashtray 42 for storing cigarette butts, and the like. . Since the structure and the like of these devices are the same as those of a known pachinko machine, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the structure of the electrical system of the pachinko machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3, the electrical system of the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment includes a power supply device 100 and a control device that controls the entire pachinko machine using electric power supplied from the power supply device 100, as in a conventional pachinko machine. (Hereinafter referred to as a main control unit) 200, a prize ball control unit 300 that controls the prize ball device 40 based on control information (command data) transmitted from the main control unit 200, and a control transmitted from the main control unit 200 A sound control unit 400 that performs control to generate sound effects from the speaker 48 based on information (command data), and a display control unit that controls the symbol display 22 based on control information (command data) transmitted from the main control unit 200 500, a winning ball sensor 50, a start port sensor 32, and a solenoid 35 (open lid of the large winning port 34) electrically connected to the main control unit 200 And a driving device) or the like for opening and closing the 6.
The configuration of the sound control unit 400 and the display control unit 500 may be the same as that provided in the conventional pachinko machine, and does not particularly characterize the present invention. To do.

Hereinafter, configurations of the main control unit 200, the prize ball control unit 300, and the power supply device 100 will be described. Note that the main control unit 200, the prize ball control unit 300, and the power supply device 100 are all provided on the back surface of the pachinko machine as shown in FIG.
The main control unit 200 includes a CPU (processor) 202, a storage device such as a ROM 202a and a RAM 202b connected to the CPU 202, an input processing circuit 204, an output processing circuit 208, a communication control circuit 206, and the like. The CPU 202 controls the pachinko machine 10 according to a control program stored in the ROM 202a. For example, when a winning detection signal is received from the start port sensor 32, a command is output to the display control unit 500 so as to display the special symbol in a variable manner. Open control). Note that the control program stored in the ROM 202a includes a program for realizing a clear process and the like which will be described later.
The RAM 202b indicates that there is a high probability that the winning ball information transmitted from the winning ball sensor 50, the starting port information transmitted from the starting port sensor 32, and the special symbol displayed on the symbol display 22 will be a “hit”. Various data such as probability variation information is stored. In the RAM 202b, the charge stored during energization in the capacitor provided in the power supply line connecting the power supply device 100 and the main control unit 200 flows when the energization is interrupted (at the time of power failure). Yes. As a result, the stored contents stored in the RAM 202b are held even while the power is turned off. In addition to the above-described method, the stored content stored in the RAM 202b can also be stored by using a nonvolatile flash memory for the RAM 202b as a method for storing the stored content in the RAM 202b when the power is shut off. .
The input processing circuit 204 is a circuit that processes signals transmitted from the winning ball sensor 50, the start port sensor 32, the initialization switch 102, the power failure detection unit 106, and the like so that the CPU 202 can handle them. The output processing circuit 208 is a circuit that outputs a drive signal to the solenoid 35, and the communication control circuit 206 is a circuit that transmits command data to the prize ball control unit 300, the sound control unit 400, and the display control unit 500. is there.

In response to the command data (ball payout information) transmitted from the main control unit 200, the prize ball control unit 300 performs a prize ball payout process for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls from the prize ball device 40. As with the main control unit 100, the prize ball control unit 300 includes a CPU 302, a ROM 302a, a RAM 302b, a communication control circuit 303, an input processing circuit 304, an output processing circuit 306, and the like.
The CPU 302 performs prize ball payout control and the like of the prize ball device 40 according to a control program stored in the ROM 302a. The control program stored in the ROM 302a includes a program for realizing a clear process and the like to be described later, like the main control unit 200.
The RAM 302b stores various data such as ball payout information and input / output signals. Similar to the RAM 202b of the main control unit 100, the RAM 302b also uses the charge stored in the capacitor during energization so that the contents stored in the RAM 302b are retained even while the power is shut off. . Note that the storage contents of the RAM 302b may be retained using a non-volatile flash memory, as in the case of the main control unit 100.
The communication control circuit 303 is a circuit for receiving data transmitted from the main control unit 200, and the input processing circuit 304 is a circuit for receiving signals output from the initialization switch 102 and the power failure detection unit 104. Further, the output processing circuit 306 receives the data sent from the CPU 302 and performs prize ball payout control (drive control of the prize ball motor (typically, a stepping motor)) for the prize ball device 40. This is a circuit that outputs a drive signal for the purpose.

The power supply device 100 includes a voltage transformer 106 that supplies electric power of a predetermined potential to each electrical device assembled in the pachinko machine 10, a power failure detection unit 104 that detects power interruption, a power switch 108, an initialization switch 102, and the like. Various switches are provided.
As shown in FIG. 3, the voltage transformer 106 supplies power of a predetermined potential to the main controller 200, prize ball controller 300, sound controller 400, and display controller 500, while various electrical devices (winning balls) The sensor 50, the start port sensor 32, the symbol display 22, the solenoid 35, the prize ball device 40, the speaker 48, etc.) are supplied with electric power of a predetermined potential. That is, the voltage transformer 106 rectifies and smoothes the AC input from the AC power supply of the hall by a rectifier circuit, converts the rectified and smoothed DC power supply to a voltage suitable for each electrical device by a regulator, and supplies the converted voltage. . In FIG. 3, the illustration of power supply lines to devices other than the main control unit 200 and the prize ball control unit 300 is omitted.
The power failure detection unit 106 continuously monitors the AC input from the hall AC power source, determines that the power source is shut off when the waveform continues to be missing for a predetermined period, the main control unit 200, and the prize ball control A power failure signal is output to the unit 300. Moreover, the power switch 108 is a switch for operating ON / OFF of the AC input from the Hall AC power source, and is provided on the back surface of the pachinko machine as shown in FIG.
The configuration of the voltage transformer 106, the power failure detection unit 104, and the power switch 108 may be the same as that of a conventionally known pachinko machine and does not particularly characterize the present invention. .

The initialization switch 102 is a switch operated by a hall clerk at the start of business after a power failure recovery, etc., and is provided on the back surface of the pachinko machine (specifically, on the substrate 120 of the power supply device 100) as shown in FIG. Yes. The initialization switch 102 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
The initialization switch 102 is a so-called reed switch that closes the contact when pressed, and more specifically, as shown in FIG. 4B, a push type disposed on the substrate 120 of the power supply device 100. Switch. The initialization switch 102 is accommodated in a casing 110 formed of a plastic material having elasticity. As shown in FIG. 4A, the casing 110 is provided with a pressing portion 114 at a position facing the initialization switch 102, and a cutout 112 is provided in three directions around the pressing portion 114. A contact portion 116 that protrudes toward the initialization switch 102 is formed on the inner wall of the pressing portion 114 (the surface facing the initialization switch 102).
In order to turn on the initialization switch 102 having such a configuration, a hall clerk or the like needs to press the pressing portion 114 toward the substrate 120. When the pressing portion 114 is pressed toward the substrate 120 and deformed as shown in FIG. 4C, the contact portion 116 presses the initialization switch 102, and the initialization switch 102 is turned on. In order to set the initialization switch 102 in the OFF state, by releasing the pressing of the pressing portion 114, the contact portion 116 is separated from the initialization switch 102 due to its elasticity, and the contact of the initialization switch 102 is opened to be in the OFF state. (State of FIG. 4B).
In addition, as shown in FIG.4 (b), the press part 114 is preventing the press part 114 from being accidentally pressed by becoming a torch without protruding from the surface of the casing 110.

The relationship between each control unit (in this embodiment, the main control unit 200 and the prize ball control unit 300) connected to the initialization switch 102 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the output signal of the initialization switch 102 is input to each control unit via two buffer ICs (indicated by A and B in the figure). As is clear from the circuit diagram shown in FIG. 5, when the initialization switch 102 is in the OFF state, the output signal of the initialization switch 102 becomes a high level signal, and a high level signal is sent to the control unit via the two buffer ICs. input. On the other hand, when the initialization switch 102 is in the ON state, the output signal of the initialization switch 102 is a low level signal, and the low level signal is input to the control unit via the two buffer ICs.

Next, the operation at the time of power-off of the pachinko machine 10 configured as described above and the operation at the start of business after the power is restored will be described. First, the operation when the power is shut off will be described.
In the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment, when the power supply to the pachinko machine 10 is interrupted, the power failure detection unit 104 first determines whether or not a power interruption has actually occurred (whether it is an instantaneous power failure). To do. When it is determined that the power is shut off (when there is no AC input for a predetermined time), a power failure signal is output to the main control unit 200 and the prize ball control unit 300. When the main control unit 200 receives this power failure signal, the CPU 202 starts power failure processing. That is, by prohibiting access to the RAM 202b, the storage contents (eg, probability variation information) stored in the RAM 202b at that time are held. Similarly, in the prize ball control unit 300, the CPU 302 prohibits access to the RAM 302b and holds the storage contents (for example, ball payout information) stored in the RAM 302b.

Next, the operation of the pachinko machine 10 at the start of business after power is restored will be described. In the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the RAM 202b and 302b provided in the main control unit 200 and the prize ball control unit 300 retain the stored contents when the power is shut off. The stored contents stored in these RAMs 202b and 302b need to be retained when a player who is playing a game at the time of power shutoff plays a game with the same pachinko machine even after the power is restored. If a player who is playing a game at the time of shutting down returns while the power is shut off, it is not preferable to retain the stored contents. For example, if the business is started while the probability variation information stored in the RAM 202b of the main control unit 100 is stored, the pachinko machine starts from the beginning in the probability variation state, and is placed in the hall. Unfairness occurs with players who play with other pachinko machines, and it is also a disadvantage on the hall side. Further, if the business is started with the ball payout information stored in the RAM 302b of the prize ball control unit 300 being stored, the prize ball will be paid out even when no person is sitting at the start of business. , Troubles such as collecting the pachinko balls paid out by the hall clerk occur.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the stored contents of the RAMs 202b and 302b can be cleared by operating the initialization switch 102 when the power is turned on. As a specific operation procedure, first, the power switch 108 is turned off while the power is shut off. Next, at the start of business after power is restored, the stored contents of the RAMs 202b and 302b are cleared by simultaneously turning on the power switch 108 and the initialization switch 102.
The reason that the stored contents of the RAMs 202b and 302b can be cleared only when the power switch 108 and the initialization switch 102 are simultaneously turned on in this way is to prevent unintentional deletion of the stored contents due to an erroneous operation of the initialization switch 102. It is. Further, the power switch 108 is turned off while the power is turned off. When the power is turned on at the same time that the pachinko machine 10 is turned on at the same time (the power switch 108 is turned on), the power is restored. This is because it is difficult to operate the initialization switch 102 at the same time when the power is restored (when the power is turned on).

Hereinafter, processing of the main control unit 200 and the prize ball control unit 300 for clearing the stored contents of the RAMs 202b and 302b will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. In addition, since the procedure of the clear process in the main control part 200 and the prize ball control part 300 is substantially the same, the process of the main control part 200 will be described first, and then the prize ball control part 300 is different from the main control part 200. Only the point is explained.
First, referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, a process when the main control unit 200 is turned on will be described. When the power is turned on and the CPU 202 reaches an operable voltage, the main control unit 200 first initializes the CPU 202 (S10), and determines whether or not the clear signal output from the initialization switch 102 is received (S12). ). If a clear signal is received (YES in step S12), the stored contents stored in the RAM 202b are cleared (S16). When the stored contents of the RAM 206b are cleared by the process of step S16, first, a command for generating a clear sound is output from the speaker 48 to the sound control unit 400 (S18), and further, a predetermined screen is displayed on the symbol display 22. A command for displaying (default screen) is output to the display control unit 500 (S20). As a result, when the clear sound is generated from the speaker 48, it is notified that the stored contents of the RAM 202b have been cleared, and further, the clear process is performed by displaying a predetermined screen on the symbol display 22. The effect is notified. Here, the generation of the clear sound may be performed before the clear process is executed. Even in this case, it can be easily confirmed that the initialization switch 102 has been pressed (instructed to start the clear process). However, it is preferable that the clear sound is generated after the clear process is completed as in the present embodiment. That is, it is possible to confirm that the clear process has actually been executed. When the notification process in steps S18 and S20 is completed, the process shifts to a main process which is a normal game process in a state where the stored contents of the RAM 202b are cleared (S22).
On the other hand, if the clear signal has not been received (NO in step S12), it is determined whether there is no abnormality in the RAM 202b (S14). This is because the process cannot be resumed using the stored contents of the RAM 202b when there is an abnormality in the RAM 202b, such as the stored contents of the RAM 202b being destroyed. If an abnormality has occurred in the RAM 202b (NO in step S14), the contents stored in the RAM 202b cannot be restored using the contents stored in the RAM 202b, so the stored contents of the RAM 202b are first cleared (S16). And after performing the alerting | reporting process of step S18 mentioned above, it transfers to a main process (S22). On the other hand, if no abnormality has occurred in the RAM 202b (YES in step S14), the process proceeds to the main process using the information stored in the RAM 202b (S22).
After shifting to the main process of step S22, the main process of step S22 is repeated as shown in the flowchart of FIG. Therefore, after shifting to the main process, it is not determined whether the clear signal in step S12 is received. That is, the determination of whether or not the clear signal in step S12 has been received (whether or not the initialization switch 102 has been turned ON) is executed only when the power is turned on, and is not executed in other cases.
The process of the prize ball control unit 300 is basically the same as the process of the main control unit 200 described above, and the only difference is that the notification process of step S18 and step S20 is not performed.

The operation of the pachinko machine by the above-described processing will be specifically described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. FIG. 7A shows a case where the initialization switch 102 and the power switch 108 are simultaneously turned on, and FIG. 7B shows a case where only the power switch 108 is turned on.
As shown in FIG. 7A, when the power switch 108 is turned on, an AC signal is input to the voltage transformer 106 from an external AC power source. The voltage transformer 106 converts the input AC signal into a DC signal, and starts supplying power to the CPU 202 of the main controller 200 and the CPU 302 of the prize ball controller 300.
When power supply is started by the voltage transformer 106, the voltage supplied to each of the CPUs 202 and 302 (the voltage of the CPU control power supply) gradually increases with time. When the voltage supplied to the CPUs 202 and 302 reaches the operable voltage of the CPU, the CPUs 202 and 302 start the above-described processing when the power is turned on (see FIG. 6). That is, first, initialization processing is performed (S10), and then it is determined whether or not the stored contents of the RAMs 202b and 302b are to be cleared (S12). Specifically, it is determined whether or not each of the CPUs 202 and 302 has received a clear signal transmitted from the initialization switch 102 (whether or not the clear signal is at a low level).
When each of the CPUs 202 and 302 receives a clear signal (when the initialization switch 102 is operated), the stored contents of the RAM 202b and RAM 302b are cleared. Then, as shown in FIG. 7A, a clear sound is output from the speaker 48 (a predetermined image is displayed on the symbol display 22). Therefore, the operator turns off the initialization switch 102 after hearing the clear sound (or confirming the image displayed on the symbol display 22).
On the other hand, when the CPUs 202 and 302 do not receive the clear signal (when the initialization switch 102 is not operated), the clear sound is not output as shown in FIG.

As is clear from the above, in the pachinko machine of the present embodiment, when the initialization switch 102 is operated and the stored contents of the RAMs 202b and 302b are cleared, a clear sound is generated from the speaker 48, and the symbol display An image to notify that it has been cleared is displayed on the device 22. Therefore, when a store clerk or the like in the game hall turns on the power switch 108 without pressing the initialization switch 102, it is possible to immediately recognize that the initialization switch 102 has been forgotten to be pressed. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the game from being resumed in a state before the power is shut off by performing the initialization operation again.
In particular, in the present embodiment, notification is made that the stored contents of the RAM are cleared by the clear sound output from the speaker 48. Therefore, the clear sound can be heard from the back side of the pachinko machine in which the initialization switch 102 and the power switch 108 are provided. Therefore, the operation of the switches for erasing the contents of the RAM and the confirmation that it has been cleared can be confirmed from the same side (back side) of the pachinko machine, and the operability can be improved.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, but this is merely an example, and the present invention can be implemented in various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. .

For example, in the above-described embodiments, the main control unit 200 and the prize ball control unit 300 are the only control devices that clear the stored content of the RAM. If the control device is configured to be held, the configuration of the present invention can be applied to those control devices.
In the above-described embodiment, the sound is output only when the content of the RAM of the main control unit is cleared. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the content of the RAM of the prize ball control unit is cleared. In such a case, a separate sound may be output. Specifically, when the content of the RAM of the prize ball control unit is cleared, a command (or control signal) is transmitted directly from the prize ball control unit to the sound control unit, thereby outputting a sound from the speaker. Alternatively, an audio output device such as a piezoelectric buzzer may be provided in both the main control unit and the prize ball control unit. In this case, it is preferable that the clear sound output from each control unit has a different generation mode. Specifically, it is generated by changing the tone color (clear sound, distorted sound), scale, tone, size, melody, etc. for each control unit, or different animal calls (dogs) for each control unit And the cat ’s cry). In other words, it may be generated in such a manner that the store clerk of the amusement store can recognize which control unit is the clear sound. According to such a configuration, it is possible to easily recognize which control unit the RAM whose stored contents are cleared is related to.
When the sound is output from each control unit, the main control unit and the RAM clear sound of the main control unit and the RAM clear sound of the prize ball control unit (sub control unit) are not output simultaneously. It is preferable that the start timing after the power-on of the prize ball control unit (the timing to shift to the main processing; the timing to complete the clear processing) is shifted. Further, when the activation timing of each control unit is configured to be shifted, it is preferable that the activation timing of the main control unit is later than the activation timing of the prize ball control unit. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the command transmitted from the main control unit is not received by the prize ball control unit (sub control unit) by starting the main control unit first. The start timing of each control unit can be adjusted by the release timing of a reset signal that resets the CPU of each control unit.
In addition, unlike the example described above, a clear sound may be generated only when the RAM of the prize ball control unit is cleared. For example, the signal output from the initialization switch is configured to be input only to the main control unit. When the main control unit receives a signal output by operating the initialization switch, the main control unit clears the content of the RAM, and then clears the content of the RAM to the prize ball control unit. Output the command. Upon receiving this command, the prize ball control unit clears the contents of the RAM, and then notifies the user that the RAM has been cleared by sound. In this case, a sound is output to notify that both RAMs are cleared, and a sound is not output to notify that the contents of the RAM of at least one of the control units are not cleared. be able to.
Further, in the case of notifying by sound as in the above-described examples, when the RAM is cleared and started normally, a startup sound of a predetermined mode is generated, and the RAM is normally started without clearing the RAM. Alternatively, another type of start-up sound may be generated. In such a configuration, whether or not the gaming machine has started normally can be confirmed by whether or not a startup sound has been generated when the gaming machine is started, and the RAM can be changed depending on the type of startup sound generated when the gaming machine is started. It can be confirmed whether or not the clear process has been performed. In addition, when there are a plurality of control units each having a RAM to be cleared, the start-up sound as described above for each control unit (that is, the start-up sound when the RAM clear process is performed normally and the RAM clear process) It is also possible to generate a different startup sound when starting normally without performing the above. In such a case, the “starting sound mode” is preferably set to be different for each control unit, similarly to the “sound generation mode” described above. Therefore, for example, when there are two control units each having a RAM to be cleared, there are a total of four generation modes of start-up sounds.

In the above-described embodiment, the sound output from the speaker (and the image displayed on the symbol display) is notified that the contents of the RAM are cleared. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. Notification may be made by turning on, blinking, or turning off a lamp such as.
When clear notification is performed using such a lamp, this lamp is preferably disposed at a position that can be confirmed from the side where the initialization switch is provided (the back surface in the above-described embodiment). For example, it is preferable to provide in the vicinity of the initialization switch from the viewpoint of facilitating the confirmation work.
In the case of performing a clear notification by using a lamp, a lamp is provided for each control unit in which the contents of the RAM are erased, and the corresponding lamp is turned on (or flashing) when the contents of the RAM of each control unit are cleared. You may make it equal. According to such a form, it can be notified that the storage contents of the RAM are cleared for each control unit. In this case, it is preferable that the CPU of each control unit directly turns on the corresponding lamp. Therefore, such a lamp for each control unit is preferably provided in the vicinity of each control unit from the viewpoint of shortening the wiring and the like.
Further, the RAM clear may be notified using different two-color LED lamps. For example, an LED of one color may be lit when the contents of the RAM are cleared, and an LED of another color may be lit when the contents of the RAM are not cleared.
Unlike the method described above, it is also possible to notify the RAM clear mechanically. For example, when the RAM clear is completed, the movable piece may be moved by driving a solenoid or the like, and the RAM clear may be notified by the movement of the movable piece.

In the above-described embodiment, the contents of the RAM are erased by operating the initialization switch when the power is turned on. However, the operation procedure of the initialization switch is not limited to this example, and various changes and improvements can be made. For example, by turning off the power while pressing the initialization switch, the contents of the RAM may be cleared in a power failure process performed after the power is turned off, or by turning off the power while holding down the initialization switch. The RAM clear information may be stored in the RAM, and the RAM may be cleared based on the stored information when the power is restored. If the structure is such that the contents of the RAM can be cleared when the power is shut off, it is not necessary to clear the RAM during a busy time zone before opening the store, and the opening operation can be performed smoothly.
In the above-described embodiment, the process of directly erasing the contents of the RAM is performed based on the determination as to whether or not the initialization switch has been operated. However, for example, an abnormality occurs in the RAM without using such a method. In this case, the contents of the RAM can be erased using a program for clearing the contents of the RAM. That is, when the power is turned off or turned on, a process for forcibly rewriting part of the contents of the RAM is performed based on the operation of the initialization switch. When the contents of the RAM are partially rewritten in this way, the RAM check process at power-on determines that the RAM is abnormal and the contents of the RAM are erased. Therefore, in the above-described method, the contents of the RAM can be erased by a simple process of rewriting a part of the contents of the RAM.

The front view which shows the external appearance of the pachinko machine which concerns on one embodiment of this invention Rear view of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. Block diagram showing the configuration of the electrical system of the pachinko machine shown in FIG. Drawing for explaining structure of initialization switch Circuit diagram for explaining the connection between the initialization switch and the control unit Flow chart of clear process in control unit Timing chart showing operation of pachinko machine during clear processing

Explanation of symbols

10. Pachinko machine 48. Speaker 100. Power supply device 102. Initialization switch 108. Power switch 200. Main control unit 300. Prize ball control unit 400. Sound control unit 500. Display control unit.

Claims (6)

An electrical device, a storage device that stores control information, and a control device that controls the electrical device based on the control information stored in the storage device, and the control device is configured to store the storage device when power is turned off. In the gaming machine having the function of saving the control information stored in the memory and restarting the suspended processing based on the saved control information when the power is restored,
A game condition initialization switch operated to initialize the game conditions;
Clearing means for clearing the control information stored in the storage device when the game condition initialization switch is activated;
A gaming machine, characterized in that a notifying means for notifying the clearing of the control information by the clearing means is added.   2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming condition initialization switch is provided on the back side of the gaming machine, and the notification by the notification means can be confirmed from the back side of the gaming machine.   The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification by the notification means is performed by sound.   The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification by the notification means is performed by a ramp.   The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a plurality of the storage devices are provided, and the notification unit is added to each of the storage devices. The main control unit and a sub-control unit that executes predetermined processing based on a signal output from the main control unit, each of these control units stores necessary control information when the power is shut off, and power is restored. In a gaming machine having a function of resuming a suspended process based on the stored control information at times,
A game condition initialization switch that outputs an initialization signal to the main control unit is added,
When the main control unit receives the initialization signal output from the game condition initialization switch, it clears the required control information stored in the main control unit and sends the initialization signal to the sub control unit. Means for outputting,
The sub-control unit clears the required control information stored in the sub-control unit when the initialization signal output from the main control unit is received, and clears the control information by the clear unit. A gaming machine, characterized in that a notification means for notification is provided.

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