JP2008279301A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of redisplaying symbols after a power failure. <P>SOLUTION: When data are effectively stored in a backup area 13b when the power supply is returned, a main control board C transmits control commands including a power supply return command 40, left or right symbol specifying commands 34-37 and a player waiting command 41 in this order to a display control board D. At the time, the display control board D skips a process of outputting an error signal even if receiving symbol control commands because a power supply return flag 23d is on. After that, by receiving the player waiting command 41, a left or right symbol LED 7a or 7b corresponding to a left or right symbol flag 23b or 23c turned on before the power shut-off can be lighted. Further, as a whole symbol stopping command 38 is not received, symbols displayed before the power shut-off can be redisplayed when the power supply is returned without outputting test shooting information to an outside part (such as a connector 20). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to gaming machines represented by pachinko machines and slot machines.

  In general, a pachinko machine is provided with backup means in consideration of a power failure. Such backup means are mainly provided on a main control board for controlling the game of the pachinko machine, a payout control board for managing the payout of the ball, and the like.

  However, the display control board that manages the variable display of the identification information such as symbols is not provided with a backup means for reducing the cost of the pachinko machine. Of the commands transmitted from the main control board to the display control board, the command for executing the symbol variation display (designation or instruction) is not transmitted during the power recovery process after the power failure of the pachinko machine. Therefore, there is a problem that even if the power is turned on again after the power failure (recovery processing is executed), the symbols displayed before the power failure cannot be displayed again.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of re-displaying a symbol after a power failure.

In order to achieve this object, the gaming machine according to claim 1 includes a display device for displaying identification information, main control means for controlling the game, and backup storage for retaining data of the main control means even after the power is turned off. And display control means for causing the display device to dynamically display the identification information based on a control command transmitted from the main control means, the main control means at the time of power-on In power recovery processing, a control command is transmitted to the display control means based on the data stored in the backup storage means, and the identification information displayed before the power is turned off is displayed on the display device again. It is.
According to this gaming machine of claim 1, when a power failure occurs, the main control means causes the backup storage means to retain the data before the power is cut off, so that the display control board can perform power recovery processing when the power is turned on. A control command based on the data stored in the backup storage means is transmitted to redisplay the identification information displayed before the power is turned off on the display device.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, the main control means transmits a control command to the display control means based on the data stored in the backup means, and the identification information displayed on the display device before the power is turned off. Can be redisplayed. Therefore, there is an effect that the game can be resumed without causing the player to feel uncomfortable after a power failure.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a pachinko machine that is a kind of a ball game machine, in particular, a first type pachinko game machine will be described as an example of the game machine. Of course, the present invention can be used for other gaming machines such as a third-class pachinko gaming machine, a coin gaming machine, and a slot machine.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a game board of the pachinko machine P according to the first embodiment. Around the game board 1, there are provided a plurality of winning holes 2 through which five to fifteen balls are paid out when a ball wins. In the center of the game board 1, a liquid crystal display (hereinafter abbreviated as “LCD”) 3 for displaying symbols as a plurality of types of identification information is provided. The display screen of the LCD 3 is divided into three in the horizontal direction. In each of the three divided display areas, a variable display of symbols is performed while scrolling from right to left in the horizontal direction.

  Below the LCD 3, a symbol operating port (first type starting port) 4 is disposed, and when the sphere passes through the symbol operating port 4, the above-described variation display of the LCD 3 is started. On both sides of the symbol operating port 4, on-off valves 4 a are arranged. When the left symbol LED 7a of the normal symbol display device 7 to be described later is turned on (normal symbol hit state), the on-off valve 4a has a predetermined time so that the ball can easily win the symbol operating port 4. (For example, about 0.3 seconds or about 1.9 seconds), and a predetermined number of times (for example, once or three times).

  Below the symbol operating port 4, a specific winning port (large winning port) 5 is provided. This specific winning opening 5 is a big hit when the display result after the fluctuation of the LCD 3 coincides with one of the predetermined symbol combinations, and a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds elapses) so that the ball is easy to win. Or until 10 balls are won).

  A V zone 5a is provided in the specific winning opening 5, and when the ball passes through the V zone 5a while the specific winning opening 5 is opened, a continuation right is established and the specific winning opening 5 is closed. Thereafter, the specific winning opening 5 is opened again for a predetermined time (or until a predetermined number of balls win the specific winning opening 5). The opening / closing operation of the specific winning opening 5 can be repeated up to 16 times (16 rounds), and the state in which the opening / closing operation can be performed is a state in which a so-called predetermined game value is given (special game state). is there.

  On both sides of the LCD 3, normal symbol variation starting ports 6 are provided. When the sphere passes through the normal symbol variation start port 6, the normal symbol display device 7 is configured to start the variable display. The normal symbol display device is disposed above the LCD 3, and this normal symbol display device 7 is provided with a left symbol LED 7a on which a circle symbol is displayed and a right symbol LED 7b on which a cross symbol is displayed. It has been. When the sphere passes through one of the normal symbol fluctuation start ports 6, the fluctuation display of the normal symbol display device 7 is started. When the fluctuation display is finished, the left symbol LED 7a is turned on, and as described above. In addition, the on-off valve 4a of the symbol operating port 4 is opened for a predetermined time and a predetermined number of times.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine P. As shown in FIG. On the main control board C of the pachinko machine P, an MPU 11 that is an arithmetic unit, a ROM 12 that stores various control programs executed by the MPU 11 and fixed value data, and various types of data are temporarily stored. A RAM 13 as a memory is mounted. The programs of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 are stored in the ROM 12 as a part of the control program.

  The RAM 13 includes a transmission buffer 13a and a backup area 13b, and is configured to be backed up by a backup capacitor (battery) 18 connected thereto. The transmission buffer 13 a is a buffer for storing a control command transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D for controlling the variable display of the LCD 3. Since the control command is composed of 2 bytes, the transmission buffer 13a is also composed of 2 bytes. The control command set (written) in the transmission buffer 13a is transmitted to the display control board D byte by byte by the timer interrupt process.

  The backup area 13b is backed up by a capacitor (battery) 18, and when the power is cut off due to a power failure or the like, the power of the pachinko machine P is restored to the state before the power is turned off when the power is turned on again. This is an area for storing the stack pointer of each hour (including when a power failure occurs, the same applies hereinafter), values of registers, I / O, and the like. The writing to the backup area 13b is executed in the NMI interrupt process performed when the power is turned off (see S1 to S3 in FIG. 5). Conversely, the restoration of each value written in the backup area 13b is performed when the power is turned on. This is executed when it is determined that the backup is valid during the startup process (see S13 to S15 in FIG. 6).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the MPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are connected to each other via a bus line 14, and the bus line 14 is also connected to an input / output port 15. The input / output port 15 is connected to the display control board D and other input / output devices 16. The main control board C transmits various commands to the display control board D and other input / output devices 16 via the input / output port 15 to control these devices. The main control board C and the display control board D are connected via two buffers (inverter gates) 17 and 28 having fixed inputs and outputs. Therefore, it is performed only in one direction from the main control board C to the display control board D, and a control command or the like cannot be transmitted from the display control board D to the main control board C.

  The display control board D includes an MPU 21, a program ROM 22, a work RAM 23, a video RAM 24, a character ROM 25, an image controller 26, an output port 27, and an input / output port 29. In addition to the output of the inverter gate 28 being connected to the input / output port 29, a bus line for connecting the MPU 21, the program ROM 22, and the work RAM 23, a connector 20 for connecting the display control board D to the testing machine 19, and The left symbol LED 7a (maru symbol) and the right symbol LED 7b (cross symbol) of the normal symbol display device 7 are connected.

  The test machine 19 is for examining whether or not the pachinko machine P operates as designed before the pachinko machine P is produced and sold. The testing machine 19 is connected to the display control board D through the connector 20 and is provided for testing the reception of appropriate control commands and the display of variations in normal symbols.

  The MPU 21 of the display control board D is for controlling the (variation) display of the LCD 3 based on the control command transmitted from the main control board C, and is executed by the MPU 21 in the program ROM 22. Various control programs are stored. The programs of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 are stored in the program ROM 22 as a part of the control program.

  The work RAM 23 is a memory that stores work data and flags used when the MPU 21 executes various programs, and includes a reception buffer 23a, a left symbol flag 23b, a right symbol flag 23c, and a power return flag 23d. ing. The reception buffer 23a is a buffer for receiving a control command transmitted from the main control board C. Since the control command is composed of 2 bytes, the reception buffer 23a is also composed of 2 bytes.

  The left symbol flag 23b and the right symbol flag 23c are turned on when the left and right symbol 2 designation commands 35 and 37 shown in FIG. 3B are received. When the left symbol flag 23b is turned on, the left symbol LED 7a of the normal symbol display device 7 is turned on. When the left symbol flag 23b is turned off, the left symbol LED 7a is turned off. Similarly, when the right symbol flag 23c is turned on, the right symbol LED 7b is turned on, and when the right symbol flag 23c is turned off, the right symbol LED 7b is turned off. The left or right symbol flags 23b and 23c are turned on when the display control board D receives the left symbol 2 designation command 35 or the right symbol 2 designation command 37 from the main control board C.

  The power recovery flag 23d is turned off when the power recovery command 40 is received from the main control board C when the power is turned on again after the power is turned off due to a power failure or the like. . When the power return flag 23d is turned on, the process of outputting the error signal shown in FIG. 8 is skipped (see FIG. 8, S38 to S40). Once the power supply return flag 23d is turned on, the display control board D receives the all symbol stop command 38 and outputs the test fire test information at the time of symbol determination to the connector 20 (see FIG. 8, S41 to S43). In the normal symbol display process (S47) shown in FIG. 9, when a customer waiting command is received (FIG. 9, S51 and S52), it is turned off.

  The video RAM 24 is a memory for storing display data to be displayed on the LCD 3, and the display content of the LCD 3 is changed by rewriting the content of the video RAM 24. The character ROM 25 is a memory for storing character data such as symbols displayed on the LCD 3. The image controller 26 adjusts the timings of the MPU 21, the video RAM 24, and the output port 27, intervenes in reading and writing data, and refers to the display data stored in the video RAM 24 at a predetermined timing with reference to the character ROM 25. Is displayed. An image controller 26 is connected to the input of the output port 27, and the LCD 3 is connected to the output of the output port 27.

  Next, a control command transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D for controlling the variable display performed by the normal symbol display device 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. Control commands include fluctuation pattern designation commands 31 to 33, left symbol designation commands 34 and 35, right symbol designation commands 36 and 37, all symbol stop commands 38, a power-on command 39, and a power return command 40. , And a customer waiting command 41. Since the control command is composed of 2 bytes, the most significant bit is set in the 1st byte command code to distinguish the 1st byte from the 2nd byte command code. The most significant bit of the code is reset.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a command code of a control command related to a normal symbol and the command content. The variation pattern designation commands 31 to 33, the left and right symbol designation commands 34 to 37, and the all symbol stop command 38 are commands relating to symbol control.

  FIG. 3A is a diagram showing command codes and command contents of the variation pattern designation commands 31 to 33. As shown in FIG. The change pattern designation commands 31 to 33 are commands for starting change display and specifying change time from the start to end of change display. The command code of the first byte is “CAH”, and three types of variation patterns are prepared as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3B is a diagram showing command codes and command contents of the left symbol designation commands 34 and 35 and the right symbol designation commands 36 and 37. The left and right symbol designation commands 34 to 37 are stopped and displayed on the left symbol LED 7a or the right symbol LED 7b of the normal symbol display device 7 at the end of the variation display of the variation pattern designated by the variation pattern designation commands 31 to 33, respectively. This is a command for designating symbols. The left and right symbol designation commands 34 to 37 are transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D after the fluctuation pattern designation commands 31 to 33 are transmitted and the fluctuation display is started.

  The left and right symbol designation commands 34 to 37 are composed of 2 bytes like the variation pattern designation commands 31 to 33. The command code of the first byte of the left symbol 1 or 2 designation commands 34 and 35 is “9AH”. When the command code of the second byte is “10H”, the left symbol 1 designation command 34 is designated, so when the left symbol stops, the left symbol LED 7a is turned off and “mal light off” is displayed. On the other hand, when the command code of the second byte is “11H”, the left symbol 2 designation command 35 is designated, so when the left symbol stops, the left symbol LED 7a is turned on to display “mal light”. . The same applies to the right symbol 1 or 2 designation commands 36 and 37.

  FIG. 3C is a diagram showing the command code of the all symbol stop command 38 and its command contents. The all symbol stop command 38 is composed of 2 bytes, and is a command for stopping and displaying (determining) the symbol designated to the left and right symbol LEDs 7a and 7b. When the display control board D receives the all symbol stop command 38, the left and right symbol flags 23b and 23c which are turned on by any of the left and right symbol designation commands 34 to 37, Stop symbols (determined symbols) are displayed on the right symbol LEDs 7a and 7b. That is, the change display of the left and right symbol LEDs 7a and 7b is terminated by the all symbol stop command 38. When the symbols of the left and right symbol LEDs 7a and 7b are determined by the all symbol stop command 38, the series of variation display started by the variation pattern designation commands 31 to 33 is completed.

  When receiving the all symbol stop command 38, the display control board D outputs the test firing test information (determination signal) at the time of symbol determination based on the reception of the all symbol stop command 38 to the testing machine 19 (connector 20). .

  FIG. 3D shows command codes and command contents of a power-on command 39, a power-return command 40, and a customer waiting command 41, which are control commands other than the above-described commands (symbol control commands 31 to 38). FIG. The power-on command 39 is a command transmitted to the display control board D in order to initialize the display control board D after the main control board C executes the initialization process (see S8 in FIG. 6). is there. When receiving the power-on command 39, the display control board D executes initialization processing such as RAM clear (see S48 in FIG. 8).

  The power recovery command 40 is described later when the data stored in the backup area 13b of the main control board C is valid when the power of the main control board C is cut off for some reason (power failure or the like). This is a control command that is first transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D in the display control board check process (S13). When the display control board D receives the power recovery command 40, it executes power recovery command processing such as RAM clear and turns on the power recovery flag 23d (see S45 and S46 in FIG. 8).

  The customer waiting command 41 is a command transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D instead of the all symbol stop command 38 at the time of power recovery processing of the main control board C (display control board check process shown in FIG. 7). It is. Even if the customer waiting command 41 has not received all the symbol stop commands 38, the left or right of the normal symbol display device 7 is determined based on the symbol flags 23b and 23c that were turned on before the power failure on the display control board D. The design LEDs 7a and 7b are turned on. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, when receiving the customer waiting command 41, the display control board D does not output an error signal and does not output the test fire test information at the time of symbol determination to the connector 20. The symbol displayed on the normal symbol display device 7 before the power is turned off is displayed again. The error signal is a signal indicating that there is an abnormality in the outside (the testing machine 19 or the like) when the commands 31 to 38 relating to the symbol control are not received in an appropriate order.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an error table 42 of the error output pattern of the display control board D. The display control board D receives a control command transmitted from the main control board C when the control command is not received in an appropriate (normal) order, when the reception timing (timing) is not appropriate, or when the value of the control command is When the value is out of the predetermined range, or when the control command is missing, it is determined that the received control command is not appropriate and an error signal is output. Note that the appropriate order (normal) of the control commands is to receive the variation pattern designation commands 31 to 33, and then receive the left or right symbol designation commands 34 to 37, and then In this order, all symbol stop commands 38 are received.

  “No. 1” indicates that the display control board D receives the variation pattern designation commands 31 to 33, the symbol designation commands 34 to 37, and the all symbol stop commands 38 in an appropriate (normal) order, and the normal symbol display device. 7 is a pattern in which a symbol is normally displayed but an error signal is not output. “No. 2” is a pattern in which the all symbol stop command 38 is received after the variation pattern designation commands 31 to 33 are received, and an error signal is output when the all symbol stop command 38 is received. In this pattern, all symbol stop commands 38 are received without receiving symbol designation commands 34 to 37 after receiving the variation pattern designation commands 31 to 33. Therefore, since the symbol designation commands 34 to 37 are missing, an error signal is output when all symbol stop commands 38 are received.

  Since “No. 3” does not receive all the symbol designation commands 38 after receiving the variation pattern designation commands 31 to 33 and the symbol designation commands 34 to 37, the variation time designated by the variation pattern designation commands 31 to 33 has elapsed. This is a pattern for outputting an error signal later. Since “No. 4” does not receive the symbol designation commands 34 to 37 and the all symbol stop command 38 after receiving the variation pattern designation commands 31 to 33, the variation time designated by the variation pattern designation commands 31 to 33 has elapsed. This is a pattern for outputting an error signal later. Normally, the symbol designation commands 34 to 37 and the all symbol stop command 38 are configured to be received within the variation time designated by the variation pattern designation commands 31 to 33. However, in the patterns of “No. 3” and “No. 4” described above, the display control board D does not receive the all symbols stop command 38, and thus cannot stop the variable display. Therefore, it waits until the fluctuation time designated by the fluctuation pattern designation commands 31 to 33 elapses, and if the designated fluctuation time has passed and no symbol designation command 38 has been received during that time, an error signal is output. .

  “No. 5” is a pattern in which an error signal is output when the symbol designation commands 34 to 37 are received because the symbol designation commands 34 to 37 and the all symbol stop commands 38 are received without receiving the variation pattern designation commands 31 to 33. It is. “No. 6” is a pattern in which an error signal is output when all the design designation commands 38 are received because the all design stop commands 38 are received without receiving the variation pattern designation commands 31 to 33 and the design designation commands 34 to 37. is there. “No. 7” is a pattern for outputting an error signal when receiving the symbol designation commands 34 to 37 because only symbol designation commands 34 to 37 are received. Since “No. 5”, “No. 6”, and “No. 7” have not received the variation pattern designation commands 31 to 33, the variation display pattern is not designated. Even if the symbol designation commands 34 to 37 and the all symbol stop command 38 are received in this state, the variable display is not started. Therefore, in these “No. 5” to “No. 7” patterns, an error signal is output when the symbol designation commands 34 to 37 or the all symbol stop command 38 are received.

  Next, each process performed on the main control board C and the display control board D will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an NMI interrupt process executed by the main control board C when the power of the pachinko machine P is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. By this NMI interruption process, the state of the main control board C when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like is stored in the backup area 13b.

  When the power of the pachinko machine P is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, a power failure signal (not shown) is output to the NMI (Non Maskable Interrupt) terminal of the MPU 11 of the main control board C. When a power failure signal is input to the NMI terminal, the MPU 11 interrupts the control being executed and starts the NMI interrupt process of FIG. The power of the control system is supplied from a power supply circuit (not shown) so that the processing of the main control board C can be executed for a predetermined time after the power failure signal is output. NMI interrupt processing is executed.

  In the NMI interrupt processing, first, the value of the stack pointer is written to the backup area 13b (S1), and further, the values of each register and I / O are written to the backup area 13b (S2). The state at the time of interruption is memorized. Then, other power failure processing is executed (S3), and thereafter, the processing is looped until the power is completely cut off and the processing cannot be executed.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of start-up processing (power recovery processing) executed by the main control board C when the power of the pachinko machine P is turned on again. In this process, if the backup is valid, each data stored in the backup area 13b is returned to the original state, and the game control is continued from the state before the power is turned off. On the other hand, if the backup is not valid, or if a clear switch (not shown) is pressed at power-on even if the backup is valid, an initialization process is executed.

  First, interrupts are prohibited (S4), and then a temporary stack pointer is set so as not to destroy the data stored in the original stack area (S5). Then, it is confirmed whether the backup is valid (S6). This confirmation is determined by whether or not the keyword written in a predetermined area of the RAM 13 is correctly stored. If the keyword is stored correctly, the backup is valid. On the other hand, if the keyword is not correct, the backup data is destroyed, so the backup is not valid. If the backup is valid (S6: Yes), the process proceeds to S13, and a power recovery process is performed to restore each state of the main control board C to the state before the power is turned off. On the other hand, if the backup is not valid (S6: No), the process proceeds to S7 and the initialization process is executed.

  In the initialization process from S7, first, a normal stack pointer is set, the contents of the stack are arranged (S7), RAM clearing and initialization process are executed (S8), RAM 13 and I / O, etc. Initialize each value. Thereafter, the power-on command 39 is transmitted to the display control board D in the interrupt prohibited state (S9), and the display control board D is notified that the initialization process has been executed on the main control board C. Since the display control board D is lighter in processing than the main control board C, the start-up process (recovery process) ends before the main control board C. Therefore, the display control board D can reliably receive the power-on command 39 transmitted from the main control board C. After transmitting the power-on command 39, the main control board C performs a wait process to wait for a sufficient time for the display control board D that has received the power-on command 39 to complete the initialization process (S48). Execute (S10) and wait for a predetermined time to shift to the next process. After the wait process is executed, the display control board D is also surely started up, so interrupt is permitted (S11), the process is shifted to each process of S12, and the game control is started.

  In the return process (recovery process) from S13, first, a display control board check process is executed (S13). FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the display control board check process (S13). In this display control board check process (S13), first, each control command is executed in the order of power return command 39 (S21), left symbol designation commands 34 and 35 (S22), and right symbol designation commands 36 and 37 (S23). Is transmitted to the display control board D. Thereafter, the state of the variable display that is normally performed on the symbol display device 7 before the power is turned off is confirmed with reference to the backup area 13b (S24).

  As a result of the confirmation, the fluctuation display that was performed on the normal symbol display device 7 before the power was cut off (before the power failure) is waiting for the customer (either one of the LEDs 7a and 7b is lit and the fluctuation display of the normal symbol is stopped). State), and in the state of hitting (a state in which the left symbol LED 7a is lit and the fluctuation display of the normal symbol is in a hit state and the hit is continued) (S24: "Waiting for customer and hitting hitting operation") ]), The customer waiting command 41 is transmitted to the display control board D (S25).

  On the other hand, when the fluctuation display that is normally performed on the symbol display device 7 before the power interruption (before the power failure) is changing (S24: “Fluctuating”), the fluctuation is between the fluctuation display and the fluctuation display. It is confirmed whether or not it is a viewing time provided for a predetermined period of time (a time for the player to check for a loss of normal symbol variation display, during stop symbol display) (S26). If the stop symbol is being displayed (S26: Yes), the all symbol stop command 38 is transmitted to the display control board D (S27). If the stop symbol is not being displayed (S26: No), this display control board check End the process.

  After the display control board check process (S13) is completed, the process proceeds to the process of S14 in FIG. 6, and data such as registers and I / O saved in the backup area 13b by the NMI interrupt process of FIG. Are read from the backup area 13b and these data are written to the original register, I / O, etc. (S14). Further, the value of the stack pointer is read from the backup area 13b and written to the stack pointer to return to the state before the power interruption (before the power failure), that is, the state before the occurrence of the NMI interrupt (S15). Similarly, the interrupt state is returned to the state before the power interruption (before the power failure) stored in the process of FIG. 5 executed when the power failure occurs, that is, the state before the NMI interrupt occurrence (S16). Thereafter, the NMI interrupt is returned to return to the place where the process was executed before the power was turned off, and the control is continued from the state before the power was turned off. Thereby, the power recovery process on the main control board C is completed.

  Next, each process performed on the display control board D will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of command reception processing executed in the interrupt processing of the display control board D. This command reception process is executed when a control command is transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D.

  In the command reception process, first, a command (control command) transmitted from the main control board C is received (S31), and a command check process is performed to determine whether the received control command is out of range (S32). By this check, it is confirmed whether or not the control command is normal (S33). If the command check process is not performed normally (S33: No), this command reception process is terminated. On the other hand, if the command check process is normally performed (S33: Yes), it is confirmed whether or not the control command is the power-on command 39 (S34). If the power-on command 39 has been received (S34: Yes), initialization processing of the display control board D is executed (S48), and then this command reception processing is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the received control command is not the power-on command 39 (S34: No), it is confirmed whether or not the control command is a command related to a normal symbol (S35). As a result of the confirmation, if the command is not a control command related to a normal symbol but a control command related to a special symbol displayed on the LCD 3, for example (S35: No), each process corresponding to the control command is executed (S49). ), The command reception process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is a command relating to a normal symbol (S35: Yes), it is then checked whether or not the command is a symbol control command (S36). By performing the process of S36, it is possible to separate a control command transmitted after a power failure and a normal symbol control command.

  As a result of the confirmation, if the received command is a normal symbol control command 31 to 38 (S36: Yes), then it is confirmed whether or not the power return flag 23d is off (S37). If the power return flag 23d is off as a result of the confirmation (S37: Yes), a command reception status check process for confirming whether the received control commands are received in an appropriate order is performed (S38). If the commands are not received in an appropriate order in the command reception status check process (S39: Yes), an error signal is output to the testing machine 19 (connector 20) (S40).

  On the other hand, in the process of S37, when the power return flag 23d is on (S37: No), the process of S38 to S40 is skipped. Details of this processing will be described later. Furthermore, in the process of S39, when the control commands are received in an appropriate order (S39: No), the process of S40 is skipped. Then, it is confirmed whether or not the received control command is the all symbols stop command 38 (S41). If the all symbols stop command 38 has been received as a result of the confirmation (S41: Yes), all the commands are sent to the connector 20. The test fire test information at the time of symbol determination by receiving the symbol stop command 38 is output (S42), and when the power return flag 23d is turned on, it is turned off (S43). Thereafter, the normal symbol display process is executed (S47), and the command reception process is terminated. The normal symbol display process (S47) will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  On the other hand, in the process of S36, the received command is not the symbol control command, that is, the variation pattern designation commands 31 to 33, the left or right symbol designation commands 34 to 37 and the all symbol designation commands 38, but the recovery command transmitted after the power failure. If it is a power control command (S36: No), it is checked whether or not the control command is a power return command 40 (S44). If it is not the power recovery command 40 (S44: No), since the customer waiting command 41 which is the remaining control command is received, normal symbol display processing is performed (S47), and this command reception processing is terminated. On the other hand, if it is the power recovery command 40 (S44: Yes), the power recovery command processing such as RAM clear is performed (S45), and then the power recovery flag 23d is turned on (S46), and this command reception processing is terminated. To do.

  Next, referring to FIG. 9, the above-described normal symbol display process (S47) will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the normal symbol display process (S47). In this normal symbol display process (S47), first, it is confirmed whether or not the received command is the customer waiting command 41 (S51). As a result of the confirmation, if the customer waiting command 41 is received (S51: Yes), the turned-on power supply return flag 23d is turned off (S52). Then, the LEDs 7a and 7b corresponding to the turned-on symbol flags 23b and 23c are turned on (S53), and this normal symbol display process is terminated.

  On the other hand, in the process of S51, if the customer waiting command 41 has not been received (S51: No), it is confirmed whether or not the all symbol stop command 38 has been received (S54). As a result of the confirmation, if the all symbols stop command 38 has been received (S54: Yes), the LEDs 7a and 7b corresponding to the turned on symbol flags 23b and 23c are turned on (S63), and this normal symbol display processing is terminated. To do.

  On the other hand, if the all symbol stop command 38 has not been received (S54: No), it is confirmed whether or not the variation pattern designation commands 31 to 33 have been received (S55). As a result of the confirmation, if the variation pattern designation command is received (S55: Yes), the variation display of the normal symbol is set (S64), and this normal symbol display processing is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the received control command is not the variation pattern designation command 31 to 33 (S55: No), the received control command is a symbol designation command, so the type of the received symbol designation command 34 to 37 is confirmed. (S56). Here, if the left symbol 1 designation command 34 has been received (S56: "left symbol", S57: Yes), the left symbol flag 23b is turned off (S58). If the left symbol 2 designation command 35 has been received (S56: "left symbol", S57: No), the left symbol flag 23b is turned on (S59). On the other hand, if the right symbol 1 designation command 36 has been received (S56: "Right symbol", S60: Yes), the right symbol flag 23c is turned off (S61). If the right symbol 2 designation command 37 has been received (S56: "Right symbol", S60: No), the right symbol flag 23c is turned on (S62). After the processing of S58 to S62 is finished, this normal symbol display processing is finished.

  Here, when the power is turned on after the power failure occurs, the control command first transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D is as shown in the display control board check process (S13) of FIG. A power recovery command 40 is transmitted. Then, the display control board D executes the process of the route of S35 → S36 → S44 → S45 → S46 in FIG. When the processing of this route is executed, the command reception processing is once ended with the power supply return flag 23d being turned on. Then, the control commands transmitted to the display control board D are the left or right symbol designation commands 34 to 37 and the power return flag 23d is turned on, so S35 → S36 → S37 in FIG. → S41 → S47 path processing is executed, and S51 → S54 → S55 → S56 → “S57 or S60” → “S58, S59, S61 or S62” path processing in FIG. The symbol display process (S47) and the command reception process in FIG. 8 are terminated.

  The control command transmitted to the display control board D after this processing is the customer waiting command 41 or the all symbol stop command 38. If the customer is waiting or hitting, the customer waiting command 41 is transmitted to the display control board D, and the processing of the route S35 → S36 → S44 → S47 in FIG. , S51.fwdarw.S52.fwdarw.S53 processing is executed, and this normal symbol display processing (S47) and command reception processing are terminated. From the above, when the power is turned on again after a power failure due to a power failure or the like, the process of the route described above does not output an error signal, and without outputting the test fire test information at the time of symbol determination to the connector 20, The symbol displayed on the normal symbol display device 7 before the power is turned off can be displayed again.

  As described above, according to the pachinko machine P of the present embodiment, when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the symbols displayed on the normal symbol display device 7 before the power is turned off are displayed on the backup area of the main control board C. Write to 13b. When data is effectively stored in the backup area 13b when the power is turned on again, the main control board C does not perform the initialization process, and the power return command 40, left or right design designation to the display control board D Control commands are transmitted in the order of the commands 34 to 37 and the customer waiting command 41. At this time, even if the display control board D receives the control command for symbol control, the power return flag 23d is turned on, so that the process of outputting the error signal is skipped. Thereafter, by receiving the customer waiting command 41, the left or right symbol LEDs 7a and 7b corresponding to the left or right symbol flags 23b and 23c which are turned on before the power is turned off can be turned on. Furthermore, since all the symbol stop commands 38 have not been received, the symbols displayed before the power is turned off can be displayed again when the power is turned on again without outputting information to the outside (connector 20).

  Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the first embodiment described above, the error signal output means (S38 to S40) is skipped and no error signal is output by turning on the power return flag 23d. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the power return flag 23d is not used and an error signal is output from the error signal output means, but the test firing test information at the time of symbol determination is not output to the outside (connector 20). The symbol can be displayed again when the power is turned on again.

  Specifically, in the command reception process shown in FIG. 10, if the power recovery command 40 is received (S44: Yes), the command process at power recovery such as RAM clear is performed (S45), and this command reception process is once performed. Exit. Then, since the control commands transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D are the left or right symbol designation commands 34 to 37, the command reception process is performed again, and in the symbol control command of S36, Since the left or right symbol designation commands 34 to 37 are symbol control commands (S36: Yes), a command reception status check process is performed (S38). In this process, since the display control board D receives the left or right symbol designation commands 34 to 37 without receiving the variation pattern designation commands 31 to 33 after the power is turned on again, the error output shown in FIG. No. in Table 42 5 or No. 7 (S39: Yes), an error signal is output (S40). Then, each process is performed and this command reception process is again complete | finished. Since the control command transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D is a customer waiting command (see FIG. 9, S51: Yes), it corresponds to the symbol flags 23b and 23c that are turned on. The left or right design LEDs 7a and 7b are turned on (see FIG. 9, S53).

  Therefore, when the power is turned on again after a power failure, by using the customer waiting command 41 without using the all symbol stop command 38, the process of S42 for outputting the test test information at the time of symbol determination can be skipped. Even if an error signal is output, the symbol that was displayed before the power was turned off by the normal symbol display process (S47) without outputting the test fire test information at the time of symbol determination to the outside (connector 20). Sometimes it can be redisplayed.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. In the third embodiment, the customer waiting command 41 is not used, and the power supply return flag 23d is turned on when the power is turned on again. The design is such that the symbol can be displayed again when the power is turned on again without outputting the test fire test information when the symbol is determined.

  Specifically, in the display control board check process performed on the main control board C shown in FIG. 11, the control command is executed in the order of the power return command 40, the left symbol designation commands 34 and 35, and the right symbol designation commands 36 and 37. Is transmitted to the display control board D. After that, with the data stored in the backup area 13b, the state of the normal symbol fluctuation display is waiting for the customer and the winning operation (S24: "Waiting for the customer and the hitting operation"), or the stopped symbol display that is changing If it is in the middle (S26: Yes), the all symbols stop command 38 is transmitted to the display control board D (S27).

  Then, in the command reception process shown in FIG. 12, when the power recovery command 40 is received (S44: Yes), the power recovery flag 23d is turned on (S46), and this command reception process is once ended. Since the next control command received by the display control board D is the left symbol designation commands 34 and 35, it is not the power return command 40 in the process of S44 (S44: No), so the power return flag is next. It is checked whether 23d is off (S37). Here, since the power return flag 23d is turned on in the previous process (S37: No), the process of S38 to S43 is skipped, and it is confirmed whether or not the command is the variation pattern designation command 31 to 33 (S71). ). Since the received control command is the left symbol designation commands 34 and 35 (S71: No), the processing of S43 is skipped and the normal symbol display process (S47) is performed.

  Next, since the control commands transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D are the right symbol designation commands 36 and 37, the command receiving process is the same as the process of receiving the left symbol designation commands 34 and 35. Execute the process. After that, with the data stored in the backup area 13b, the state of the normal symbol fluctuation display is waiting for the customer and the winning operation (S24: "Waiting for the customer and the hitting operation"), or the stopped symbol display that is changing If it is in the middle (S26: Yes), the all symbols stop command 38 is transmitted to the display control board D (S27). Also in this case, the same route process as the process of receiving the left or right symbol designation commands 34 to 37 is executed.

  Accordingly, by turning on the power supply return flag 23d at the time of power recovery, all symbols designating commands 38 can be used properly according to the situation. Therefore, it is possible to skip the process of outputting the test fire test information at the time of symbol determination to the outside such as the error signal output means (S38 to S40) and the connector 20, etc., and it was displayed on the normal symbol display device 7 before the power was cut off. The symbol can be displayed again when the power is turned on again.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be easily made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It can be guessed.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the normal symbol display device 7 is used to display the normal symbol again after a power failure without outputting a signal to the connector 20 or the like. Alternatively, the LCD 3 may be used to redisplay the special symbol after a power failure without outputting a signal to the connector 20 or the like.

  You may implement this invention in the pachinko machine etc. of a different type from the said Example. 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. Moreover, after the jackpot symbol is displayed, it may be implemented as a pachinko machine that enters a special game state under the condition that a ball is awarded in a predetermined 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 “a variable display means for confirming and displaying a symbol after a symbol string composed of a plurality of symbols is displayed in a variable manner, and the symbol resulting from the operation of the starting operation means (for example, an operating lever). The change of the symbol is stopped due to the operation of the stop operation means (for example, the stop button) or after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the fixed symbol at the time of the stop is a specific symbol Is a slot machine provided with special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player. In this case, the game medium is typically a coin, a medal or the like.

  In addition, as a specific example of a gaming machine in which a pachinko machine and a slot machine are integrated, a variable display means for displaying a symbol after a symbol string composed of a plurality of symbols is displayed, and a handle for launching a ball is provided. What is not provided. 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 fluctuation of the symbol is stopped, and a jackpot state advantageous to the player is generated on the condition that the confirmed symbol at the time of stoppage is a so-called jackpot symbol. A lot of balls are paid out.

  The modification of this invention is shown below. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the display control means includes a command check means for determining whether or not a control command received from the main control means is appropriate, and a control command received by the command check means. Error signal output means for outputting an error signal when it is determined that the command is not appropriate, and the display control means is configured to output an error signal from the error signal output means in processing at power-on. The game machine 1 is characterized in that the identification information is displayed again on the display device. When you want to re-display the identification information in the process at power-on, without outputting the error signal from the error signal output means, the identification information displayed on the display device before the power-off (due to power failure, etc.) Can also be displayed. As a method of not outputting an error signal, for example, a method such as using a flag to skip the command check means and the error signal output means by turning on the flag in the processing after power-off, or only when the power is turned on. Examples include a method of prohibiting output of an error signal.

  In the gaming machine 1, the control command transmitted from the main control means includes all symbol stop commands for specifying the timing for stopping and displaying the identification information on the display device (determined display), and all the commands in the process at power-on. A customer waiting command for stopping and displaying (determining display) identification information (stop symbol) on the display device instead of the symbol stop command, and the display control means receives the customer waiting command. The gaming machine 2 is characterized in that identification information is displayed again on the display device without outputting a signal to the outside. Conventionally, when the display control means receives all symbol stop commands, it outputs a confirmation signal to the outside (for example, a connector). Further, in the process at the time of turning on the power, the main control means is configured to send all symbol stop commands to the display control means and to display the identification information displayed before the power is turned off on the display device. For this reason, when the display control means receives all symbol stop commands in the process at power-on, a confirmation signal is output to a testing machine or the like for inspecting the gaming state, and dynamic display is not performed. Regardless, a signal is output to the outside. Therefore, when displaying the identification information that was displayed on the display device before the power was turned off in the process at the time of power-on, by using the customer waiting command instead of the all symbol stop command, without outputting a signal to the outside The identification information can be redisplayed on the display device.

  In the gaming machine 1, the control command transmitted from the main control means includes all symbol stop commands for specifying the timing for stopping and displaying the identification information on the display device (determined display), and when the power is turned on again. A power return command for executing processing, and when the display control means receives the all symbol stop command after receiving the power return command, the display device outputs no signal to the outside. The game machine 3 is characterized in that the identification information is displayed again. Conventionally, when the display control means receives all symbol stop commands, it outputs a confirmation signal to the outside (for example, a connector). Further, in the process at the time of turning on the power, the main control means is configured to send all symbol stop commands to the display control means and to display the identification information displayed before the power is turned off on the display device. For this reason, when the display control means receives the all symbols stop command in the process at power-on, a signal is output to a testing machine or the like for inspecting the gaming state, and the dynamic display is not performed. Instead, a signal is output to the outside. Therefore, by properly using all symbol stop commands according to the situation, the identification information can be displayed again when the power is turned on without outputting a signal to the outside.

  2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the display control means includes a command check means for determining whether or not a control command received from the main control means is appropriate, and a control command received by the command check means. Error signal output means for outputting an error signal when it is determined that the command is not appropriate, and the display control means outputs an error signal from the error signal output means in a process at power-on. In addition, the gaming machine 4 is characterized in that the identification information is redisplayed on the display device. Even if the error signal is output, the identification information displayed before the power is turned off can be displayed.

  4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the control command transmitted from the main control unit to the display control unit is a display state (identification information) of the display device before the power is turned off. The gaming machine 5 is transmitted according to a display mode. The display state (display mode of identification information) is stored in the display device before the power is turned off. When the power is turned off, the main control means stores the display state from the main control means to the display control means before the power is turned off. By transmitting a control command according to the display state (display mode of identification information), it is possible to display the identification information displayed before the power is turned off on the display device.

  In any of the gaming machines 1 to 5, the command check means has the control command when there is an error in the reception order of the control commands, when there is an error in the reception timing (timing) of the control commands. When the command value is outside the predetermined range, or when the control command is missing, it is determined that the received control command is not appropriate, and the error signal is output by the error signal output means. A gaming machine 6 characterized by outputting.

  The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the display device is a normal symbol display device.

  2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the display device is a special symbol display device.

  The gaming machine 9 according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a pachinko machine. Above all, the basic configuration of a pachinko machine is equipped with an operation handle, and in response to the operation of the operation handle, a ball is launched into a predetermined game area, and the ball is awarded to an operating port arranged at a predetermined position in the game area. As a necessary condition (or passing through the working port), the identification information variably 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.

  The gaming machine 10 according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is a slot machine. Above all, the basic configuration of the slot machine is “variable display means 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). Alternatively, when a predetermined time elapses, the variation of the identification information is stopped, and a special gaming state advantageous to the player is generated on the condition that the fixed identification information at the time of the stop is the specific identification information. A gaming machine provided with a special gaming state generating means. In this case, examples of the game media include coins and medals.

  The gaming machine according to claim 1 or any one of the gaming machines 1 to 8, wherein the gaming machine is a fusion of a pachinko machine and a slot machine. Among them, the basic configuration of the fused gaming machine includes “a variable display means for confirming and displaying identification information after variably displaying an identification information string composed of a plurality of identification information, and a starting operation means (for example, an operation lever). The fluctuation of the identification information is started due to the operation, and the fluctuation of the identification information is stopped due to the operation of the operation means for stop (for example, the stop button) or after a predetermined time elapses. Special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player on the condition that the confirmed identification information is the specific identification information, and using a ball as a game medium and starting to change the identification information In this case, the game machine is configured to require a predetermined number of balls and to be paid out when a special gaming state occurs.

It is a front view of the game board of the pachinko machine which is one Example of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the electrical structure of the pachinko machine. It is the figure which showed the command code of the command for control transmitted from the main control board to the display control board, and the command content. (A) is a diagram showing a variation pattern designation command, (b) is a diagram showing a left and right symbol designation command, (c) is a diagram showing an all symbol stop command, (D) is a diagram showing other commands. It is the figure which showed the error table of the error output pattern of the control board for a display. It is a flowchart of the NMI interruption process performed by the main control board. It is a flowchart of the starting process performed with a main control board. It is a flowchart of the control board check process for a display performed with a main control board. It is a flowchart of the command reception process performed with the control board for a display. It is a flowchart of the normal symbol display process performed with the control board for a display. It is a flowchart of the command reception process performed with the display control board of 2nd Example. It is a flowchart of the control board check process for a display performed with the main control board of 3rd Example. It is a flowchart of the command reception process performed with the display control board of 3rd Example.

Explanation of symbols

3 LCD (display device)
7 Normal symbol display device (display device)
7a Left design LED (display device)
7b Right design LED (display device)
13b Backup area (backup storage means)
38 All symbols stop command (part of control command)
40 Power recovery command (part of control command)
41 Customer wait command (part of control command)
C Main control board (Main control means)
D Display control board (display control means)
P Pachinko machine (game machine)

Claims (1)

Based on a display device for displaying identification information, main control means for controlling a game, backup storage means for retaining data of the main control means even after power-off, and a control command transmitted from the main control means In a gaming machine comprising display control means for causing the display device to dynamically display identification information,
The main control means transmits a control command to the display control means based on the data stored in the backup storage means in a power recovery process at power-on, and displays on the display device before the power is cut off. A game machine characterized in that the identification information that has been displayed is displayed again.

Images