JP2009061141A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the peripheral devices of a game machine from omitting information. <P>SOLUTION: The information is output to the peripheral devices in ascending communication order, i.e., from a port 0 to a port 1, a port 2, ..., a port 7, and a port 8 in one time interruption processing in the external output signal setting processing of a pachinko game machine. Thus, the information is transmitted to the peripheral devices in the following order, i.e., from a trial shot testing device to a lamp, a movable device, the trial shot testing device, a 7-segment display apparatus, the trial shot testing device, a put-out device, the trial shot testing device, a game information display apparatus, a hall computer, and the trial shot testing device. Consequently, the information is not continuously transmitted to the trial shot testing device 710 in the one-time interruption processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game machine represented by a pachinko machine and a slot machine (pachislot).

  A gaming table represented by a pachinko machine is configured to obtain a predetermined profit by firing a ball from a launching device and entering a predetermined winning opening provided in a predetermined gaming area. In such a gaming machine, a gaming machine that communicates with a plurality of peripheral devices is provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-8-173616

  However, in the gaming machine described in Patent Document 1, for example, because the processing speed of the gaming machine is higher than the processing speed on the peripheral device side, a specific peripheral device (for example, a test firing test device) is used. On the other hand, when continuous communication is performed, the communication fails, that is, the peripheral device may miss information.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can prevent peripheral devices of the gaming machine from missing information.

  In order to achieve the above object, a game machine according to the present invention is configured as follows.

The game machine according to the present invention includes, as one aspect thereof, a communication port capable of communicating with a plurality of peripheral devices, and is continuously connected to each of the plurality of peripheral devices in a predetermined order via the communication port. A game machine having a control means for executing a peripheral device communication process for performing communication, wherein the control means includes a specific peripheral device, one or more other peripheral devices different from the specific peripheral device, The peripheral device communication processing is executed including at least a specific peripheral device order.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the gaming machine does not continuously communicate with a specific peripheral device in the peripheral device communication process, so even if the processing speed of the specific peripheral device is inferior, The processing load of the peripheral device can be reduced, and it is possible to prevent a specific peripheral device from missing information.

  In addition, in the peripheral device communication process, the control unit executes the first specific peripheral device communication process that performs communication for the specific peripheral device a first number of times, and then executes the other specific device. Communication with a peripheral device is performed, and thereafter, a second specific peripheral device communication process is performed in which communication with the specific peripheral device is continuously performed a second number of times. Thereby, in the peripheral device communication processing, communication is performed with respect to a specific peripheral device in at least two groups (first specific peripheral device communication processing and second specific peripheral device communication processing). Even if the specific peripheral device can wait while the other peripheral device is in communication and the processing speed of the specific peripheral device is inferior, the processing of the specific peripheral device It is possible to reduce the load and prevent a specific peripheral device from losing information. Here, the first number of times and the second number of times are the number of times that can be processed even if a specific peripheral device continuously receives information.

  In the first specific peripheral device communication process, information having a heavy processing load for the specific peripheral device is included. Thereby, after transmitting information with heavy processing load, information is transmitted to other peripheral devices, so even if the processing speed of a specific peripheral device is inferior, the processing of the specific peripheral device It is possible to reduce the load and prevent a specific peripheral device from losing information.

  Further, the first specific peripheral device communication process includes an initial communication order of the peripheral device communication process, and the second specific peripheral device communication process includes the first specific peripheral device communication process. It includes the last communication order. Accordingly, the specific peripheral device can be caused to wait as much as possible, and thus it is possible to prevent the specific peripheral device from missing information.

  Further, in the communication port, each port is assigned to each of the plurality of peripheral devices, and a plurality of ports are assigned to the specific peripheral device, and the predetermined order is: In the communication port, the order is to select each port. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the processing time of the entire communication process when a plurality of times of communication is performed with respect to a specific peripheral device in one peripheral device communication process.

  In addition, the communication port includes a port different from the port to which the plurality of peripheral devices are assigned, and the control unit is configured to use a peripheral device different from the plurality of peripheral devices via the another port. On the other hand, a communication process different from the peripheral device communication process is executed. As a result, peripheral devices that are not related to the peripheral device communication processing are handled by different communication processing, so there is no need to perform useless communication in the peripheral device communication processing.

  The specific peripheral device may be a test firing test device used for a test firing test of the game table. As a result, it is possible to prevent the test fire test apparatus from losing information, so that an accurate test can be performed.

  In addition, the specific peripheral device is a game information display device that displays game information of the game table. As a result, it is possible to prevent the game information display device from losing information, so that information apologizing to the game store or the player is not displayed.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the peripheral device of the gaming machine from missing information.

  Hereinafter, a pachinko machine (game table) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Overall configuration>
First, the overall configuration of the pachinko machine 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the figure is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the pachinko machine 100 from the front side (player side).

  The pachinko machine 100 includes a later-described game board (board surface) 102 disposed on the back side of a door member 156 made of a glass or resin transparent plate member 152 and a transparent member holding frame 154 so as to be visible through glass. .

  Below the door member 156, a launcher 138 that is rotated by a launcher motor 602, which will be described later, a launcher 140 that is attached to the tip of the launcher 138 and launches a ball toward the game area 104, which will be described later, A launch rail 142 for guiding a ball launched by the heel 140 to an outer rail 106 described later, a storage tray 144 for temporarily storing the ball and supplying the stored ball to the launch rail 142 in sequence, A chance button 146 is provided for changing the effect display by the decorative symbol display device 110, which will be described later, when the player can perform a pressing operation and detects the operation at a predetermined time.

  Further, below the launcher 138 and the launcher 140, an operation handle 148 for controlling the launcher 138 and operating the launch intensity of the sphere toward the game area 104 is disposed. Below the 144, a lower plate 150 is provided for storing overflow balls that cannot be stored in the storage plate 144.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the game board 102 as viewed from the front. The game board 102 is provided with an outer rail 106 and an inner rail 108, and a game area 104 in which a game ball (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “ball”) can roll is defined.

  In the center of the game area 104, an effect device 200 is provided. In the effect device 200, a horizontally long decorative symbol display device 110 is arranged at substantially the center, and a normal symbol display device 112, a special symbol display device 114, a normal symbol hold lamp 116, and a special symbol hold around the periphery thereof. A lamp 118 and a high-probability medium lamp 120 are provided. Hereinafter, the normal symbol may be referred to as “general symbol” and the special symbol may be referred to as “special symbol”.

  The rendering device 200 performs rendering by operating the movable part, and details will be described later.

  The decorative symbol display device 110 is a display device for displaying a decorative symbol (see FIG. 4B) and various images used for production. In the present embodiment, the decorative symbol display device 110 is configured by a liquid crystal display device (Liquid Crystal Display). The decorative symbol display device 110 is divided into four display areas, a left symbol display area 110a, a middle symbol display area 110b, a right symbol display area 110c, and an effect display area 110d, and the left symbol display area 110a and the middle symbol display area 110b. The left symbol display area 110c displays different decorative symbols, and the effect display area 110d displays an image used for the effect. Further, the positions and sizes of the display areas 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d can be freely changed within the display screen of the decorative symbol display device 110. The decorative symbol display device 110 employs other display devices such as a dot matrix display device, a 7-segment display device, an EL (ElectroLuminescence) display device, a drum display device, and a leaf display device instead of the liquid crystal display device. May be.

  The general-purpose display device 112 is a display device for displaying a general-purpose image (see FIG. 4C), and is configured by a 7-segment LED in this embodiment. The special figure display device 114 is a display device for displaying a special figure (see FIG. 4A), and is configured by a 7-segment LED in this embodiment.

  The general-purpose hold lamp 116 is a lamp for indicating the number of general-purpose variable games that are held (details will be described later). In this embodiment, up to two general-purpose variable games can be held. . The special figure hold lamp 118 is a lamp for indicating the number of special figure variable games (details will be described later) that are on hold. In this embodiment, up to four special figure variable games can be held. . The high probability lamp 120 is a lamp for indicating that the gaming state is a high probability state or a high probability state, and is turned on when the gaming state is changed from the low probability state to the high probability state. Turns off when changing from probability state to low probability state.

  Further, around the effect device 200, a general winning opening 122, a general drawing starting opening 124, a first special drawing starting opening 126, a second special drawing starting opening 128, and a variable winning opening 130 are arranged. ing.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of general winning holes 122 are arranged on the game board 102, and when a predetermined ball detecting sensor (not shown) detects a ball entering the general winning holes 122 (in the general winning holes 122). In the case of winning, the payout device 552 described later is driven, and a predetermined number (10 in this embodiment) of balls is discharged as a prize ball to the storage tray 144 described later. The ball discharged to the storage tray 144 can be freely taken out by the player, and with these configurations, the prize ball is paid out to the player based on the winning. The ball that has entered the general winning opening 122 is guided to the back side of the pachinko machine 100 and then discharged to the amusement island side. In this embodiment, a ball to be paid out to a player as a consideration for winning may be referred to as a “prize ball”, and a ball lent to a player may be referred to as a “lending ball”. They are called “balls (game balls)”.

  The normal start port 124 is configured by a device called a gate or a through chucker for determining whether or not a ball has passed through a predetermined area of the game area. One is arranged. Unlike the ball that has entered the general winning opening 122, the ball that has passed through the normal start port 124 is not discharged to the amusement island side. When the predetermined ball detection sensor detects that the ball has passed through the usual figure starting port 124, the pachinko machine 100 starts the usual figure variable game by the usual figure display device 112.

  In the present embodiment, only one first special figure starting port 126 is disposed at the center of the game board 102. When a predetermined ball detection sensor detects a ball entering the first special figure starting port 126, a payout device 552, which will be described later, is driven, and a predetermined number (three in this embodiment) of balls will be described later as prize balls. And the special figure display game 114 starts the special figure variation game. The ball that has entered the first special figure starting port 126 is guided to the back side of the pachinko machine 100 and then discharged to the amusement island side.

  The second special figure starting port 128 is called an electric tulip (electric chew), and in the present embodiment, only one second special figure starting port 128 is disposed directly below the first special figure starting port 126. This second special figure starting port 128 is provided with wings that can be opened and closed to the left and right. While the wings are closed, it is impossible to enter a sphere. Is stopped and displayed, the blades open and close at a predetermined time interval and a predetermined number of times. When a predetermined ball detection sensor detects a ball entering the second special figure starting port 128, a payout device 552, which will be described later, is driven, and a predetermined number (5 in this embodiment) of balls will be described later as prize balls. While discharging to the storage tray 144, the special figure display game by the special figure display device 114 is started. The ball that has entered the second special figure starting port 128 is guided to the back side of the pachinko machine 100 and then discharged to the amusement island side.

  The variable winning opening 130 is called a big winning opening or an attacker, and in the present embodiment, only one variable winning opening 130 is disposed below the center of the game board 102. This variable winning opening 130 has a door member that can be freely opened and closed. When the door member is closed, it is impossible to enter a ball, and the special figure display device 114 stops displaying the jackpot symbol. In this case, the door member opens and closes at a predetermined time interval (for example, an opening time of 29 seconds and a closing time of 1.5 seconds) and at a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 times). When a predetermined ball detection sensor detects a ball entering the variable winning opening 130, a payout device 552 described later is driven, and a predetermined number (15 balls in the present embodiment) of balls as a storage ball 144 described later as award balls. To discharge. The ball that has entered the variable prize opening 130 is guided to the back side of the pachinko machine 100 and then discharged to the amusement island side.

  Further, a plurality of disk-shaped hitting direction changing members 132 and game nails 134 called windmills are arranged in the vicinity of these winning openings and starting openings, and at the bottom of the inner rail 108, An out port 136 is provided for guiding a ball that has not won any prize opening or starting port to the back side of the pachinko machine 100 and then discharging it to the game island side.

  The pachinko machine 100 supplies the ball stored in the storage tray 144 by the player to the launch position of the launch rail 142, drives the launch motor 602 with strength according to the operation amount of the player's operation handle 148, The launcher 138 and the launcher 140 are passed through the outer rail 106 and the inner rail 108 to launch into the game area 104. Then, the ball that has reached the upper part of the game area 104 falls downward while changing the advancing direction by the hitting direction changing member 132, the game nail 134, etc., and a winning opening (general winning opening 122, variable winning opening 130) or starting opening (First special figure start port 126, second special figure start port 128), or the out port 136 without winning any of the winning port and start port, or just passing the normal start port 124 To reach.

  Next, the rendering device 200 of the pachinko machine 100 will be described.

  A warp device 230 and a stage are arranged on the front side of the effect device 200, and a decorative symbol display device 110 and a shielding means 250 are arranged on the back side of the effect device 200. That is, in the rendering device 200, the decorative symbol display device 110 and the shielding means 250 are located behind the warp device 230 and the stage.

  The warp device 230 discharges the game ball that has entered the entrance 232 provided at the upper left of the effect device 200 to the front stage 234 below the front surface of the effect device 200, and the game ball discharged to the front stage 234 is the front surface. When the player enters the second entrance 236 provided at the rear of the center of the stage 234, the game ball is discharged from the outlet 238 provided in the lower center of the stage device 200 above the first special figure starting port 126. It is discharged toward the first special figure starting port 126. The game ball discharged from the discharge port 238 is easy to enter the special figure starting port 126.

  The shielding means 250 includes a lattice-like left door 250a and right door 250b, and is disposed between the decorative symbol display device 110 and the front stage 234. Belts wound around two pulleys (not shown) are respectively fixed to the upper portions of the left door 250a and the right door 250b. That is, the left door 250a and the right door 250b move to the left and right with the operation of the belt driven by the motor via the pulley. When the left and right doors 250a and 250b are closed, the shielding means 250 covers the inner end portions of the doors 250a and 250b so that it is difficult for the player to visually recognize the decorative symbol display device 110. In the state where the left and right doors 250a and 250b are opened, each inner end portion slightly overlaps the outer end portion of the display screen of the decorative symbol display device 110, but the player can visually recognize all of the displays on the decorative symbol display device 110. . Further, the left and right doors 250a and 250b can be stopped at arbitrary positions, for example, only a part of the decorative design is shielded so that the player can identify which decorative design the displayed decorative design is. You can do that. Note that the left and right doors 250a and 250b may make it possible to visually recognize a part of the decorative pattern display device 110 behind the lattice hole, or block the shoji part of the lattice hole with a translucent lens body to decorate the rear. The display by the symbol display device 110 may be vaguely visible to the player, or the shoji part of the lattice holes may be completely blocked (shielded), and the decorative symbol display device 110 at the rear may be completely invisible. .

  FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the pachinko machine 100 viewed from the back side.

  The upper part of the back surface of the pachinko machine 100 has an opening that opens upward, a ball tank 152 for temporarily storing a ball, and a lower part of the ball tank 152 that is formed at the bottom of the ball tank 152. A tank rail 153 is provided for guiding a ball that has passed through the communicating hole and dropped to the dispensing device 154 located on the right side of the back surface.

  The payout device 154 is formed of a cylindrical member, and includes a sprocket 157 and a payout sensor 158 inside thereof.

  The sprocket 157 is configured to be rotatable by a motor, and temporarily retains a sphere that has passed through the tank rail 153 and dropped into the dispensing device 154, and by driving the motor to rotate by a predetermined angle, The balls that have stayed temporarily are configured to be sent one by one downward to the dispensing device 154.

  The payout sensor 158 is a sensor for detecting the passage of the ball sent out by the sprocket 157, and outputs an ON signal when the ball is passing, and outputs an OFF signal when the ball is not passing. To do. Note that the sphere that has passed through the payout sensor 158 passes through a ball rail (not shown) and reaches a storage tray 144 disposed on the front side of the pachinko machine 100, and the pachinko machine 100 has this configuration. Pay out the ball to the player.

  On the left side of the dispensing device 154, a main board 161 constituting a main control unit 300 described later and a sub board 164 constituting a sub control unit 400 described later are disposed. Further, below the main board 161 and the sub board 164, a launch board 166 constituting a launch control section 600 described later, a power board 162 constituting a power management section 650 described later, and a payout control section 550 described later are provided. A payout board 165 to be configured and a CR interface unit 163 connected to the payout board 165 are disposed.

<Type of design>
Next, with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4C, the special drawing display device 114, the decorative symbol display device 110, and the special drawing display device 112 of the pachinko machine 100 will be described with reference to the special drawing and the type of the common drawing. To do.

  FIG. 4 (a) shows an example of a special display stop display mode. There are three types of special display stop display modes of the present embodiment: “Special Figure 1” which is a jackpot symbol, “Special Figure 2” which is a special jackpot symbol, and “Special Figure 3” which is a missed symbol. . When the special figure variation game is started on the condition that a predetermined ball detection sensor detects that a ball has won the first special figure start port 126 or the second special figure start port 128, the special figure display device 114 Performs “variable display of special figure” by repeating all lighting of seven segments and lighting of one central segment. Then, when the variation time determined before the start of the special figure elapses, in order to notify the winning of the special figure variable game, “Special Figure 1” or “Special Figure 2” is stopped and displayed. In the case of notifying the disconnection, “Special Figure 3” is stopped and displayed. In addition, the white part in a figure shows the location of the segment which turns off, and the black part shows the location of the segment which lights up.

  FIG. 4B shows an example of a decorative design. There are 10 types of decoration patterns of the present embodiment: “Decoration 1” to “Decoration 10”. The left symbol display area 110a of the decorative symbol display device 110, the middle symbol, on condition that a predetermined ball detection sensor detects that a ball has won the first special symbol start port 126 or the second special diagram start port 128 In the respective symbol display areas of the display area 110b and the right symbol display area 110c, “decoration 1” → “decoration 2” → “decoration 3” →... “Decoration 9” → “decoration 10” → “decoration 1” → Perform “decorative symbol variation display” to switch the display in the order. When notifying the jackpot, a symbol combination corresponding to the jackpot in the symbol display areas 110a to 110c (in this embodiment, a combination of decorative symbols having the same number (for example, “decoration 2-decoration 2-decoration 2”). )) Is stopped and a special jackpot is notified, a symbol combination corresponding to the special jackpot (in this embodiment, a combination of decorative symbols of the same odd number is used (for example, “decoration 1-decoration 1-decoration”). 1 ”)) is stopped and displayed. When the symbol combination corresponding to the jackpot is stopped and displayed, the jackpot game or the special jackpot game is started, and when the symbol combination corresponding to the special jackpot is stopped and displayed, the special jackpot game is started. In the case of notifying a detachment, if there is a variation display of a decorative symbol that is put on hold after the symbol combination other than the symbol combination corresponding to the jackpot is stopped and displayed in the symbol display areas 110a to 110c, the variation display is performed. To start.

  FIG. 4C shows an example of a normal stop display mode. In the present embodiment, there are two types of stoppage display modes for ordinary diagrams, “general diagram 1”, which is a winning symbol, and “general diagram 2,” which is a missed symbol. In the case where a general-purpose display game is started on the condition that a predetermined ball detection sensor detects that a ball has passed through the general-purpose start opening 124, the general-purpose display device 112 displays that all seven segments are turned on. Then, the “variable display of the usual map” is performed by repeatedly turning on one central segment. Then, when notifying the winning of the common figure variable game, the “general figure 1” is stopped and displayed, and when notifying the usual figure variable game being lost, the “normal figure 2” is stopped and displayed.

<Control unit>
Next, the circuit configuration of the control unit of the pachinko machine 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. This figure shows a circuit block diagram of the control unit.

  The control unit of the pachinko machine 100 can be broadly classified according to a main control unit 300 that controls the central part of the game and a command signal (hereinafter simply referred to as “command”) transmitted by the main control unit 300. A sub-control unit 400 that controls effects, a payout control unit 550 that mainly performs control related to payout of game balls in response to commands transmitted by the main control unit 300, and a launch control unit 600 that controls the launch of game balls. And a power management unit 650 that controls the power supplied to the pachinko machine 100.

<Main control unit>
First, the main control unit 300 of the pachinko machine 100 will be described.

  The main control unit 300 includes a basic circuit 302 that controls the entire main control unit 300. The basic circuit 302 includes a CPU 304, a ROM 306 for storing control programs and various data, and temporary data. RAM 308 for storing data, I / O 310 for controlling input / output of various devices, and counter timer 312 for measuring time, number of times, and the like. Note that other storage means may be used for the ROM 306 and the RAM 308, and this is the same for the sub-control unit 400 described later. The CPU 304 of the basic circuit 302 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output from the crystal oscillator 314 as a system clock.

  Further, the basic circuit 302 includes a counter circuit 316 used as a hardware random number counter that changes a numerical value in a range of 0 to 65535 every time a clock signal output from the crystal oscillator 314 is received (this circuit has 2 Each counter), and signals output from various sensors 318 including a ball detection sensor provided inside each start opening, winning opening and variable winning opening, and receiving amplification results and reference A sensor circuit 320 for outputting a comparison result with the voltage to the counter circuit 316 and the basic circuit 302, a display circuit 322 for performing display control of the special figure display device 114, and performing display control of the general map display device 112. Display circuit 324 and various state display units 326 (general map hold lamp 116, special figure hold lamp 118, high accuracy medium lamp 120, etc.) display control A display circuit 328 for performing, connecting the solenoid circuit 332 for controlling the solenoids 330 for opening and closing the second Japanese view start hole 128 and the variable winning hole 130 or the like.

  When the ball detection sensor 318 detects that a ball has won the first special figure starting port 126, the sensor circuit 320 outputs a signal indicating that the ball has been detected to the counter circuit 316. Upon receiving this signal, the counter circuit 316 latches the value of the counter corresponding to the first special figure starting port 126 at that timing, and stores the latched value in the built-in counter value corresponding to the first special figure starting port 126. Store in the register. Similarly, when the counter circuit 316 receives a signal indicating that the ball has won the second special figure starting port 128, the counter circuit 316 latches the value at the timing of the counter corresponding to the second special figure starting port 128. The latched value is stored in a built-in counter value storage register corresponding to the second special figure starting port 128.

  Further, an information output circuit 334 is connected to the basic circuit 302, and the main control unit 300 is connected to an information input circuit 652 provided in an external hall computer (not shown) or the like via this information output circuit 334. The game information (for example, game state) of the machine 100 is output.

  The main control unit 300 includes an output interface for transmitting a command to the sub-control unit 400 and an output interface for transmitting a command to the payout control unit 550. With this configuration, the sub-control unit 400 In addition, communication with the payout control unit 550 is enabled. Information communication between the main control unit 300, the sub control unit 400, and the payout control unit 550 is one-way communication, and the main control unit 300 can transmit signals such as commands to the sub control unit 400 and the payout control unit 550. However, the sub-control unit 400 and the payout control unit 550 are configured such that signals such as commands cannot be transmitted to the main control unit 300.

<Sub control unit>
Next, the sub control unit 400 of the pachinko machine 100 will be described.

  The sub-control unit 400 includes a basic circuit 402 that controls the entire sub-control unit 400 mainly based on commands transmitted from the main control unit 300. The basic circuit 402 includes a CPU 404, a control program, ROM 406 for storing various data, RAM 408 for temporarily storing data, I / O 410 for controlling input / output of various devices, and counter timer 412 for measuring time and frequency It is installed. The CPU 404 of the basic circuit 402 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output from the crystal oscillator 414 as a system clock.

  The basic circuit 402 drives a sound source IC 418 for controlling the speaker 416 (and amplifier), a display circuit 422 for controlling various lamps 420, a movable body for rendering of the rendering device 200, and the like. An effect driving device control circuit 426 for controlling various effect driving devices 424 including a solenoid or a motor as a driving device, and a decorative symbol display device (liquid crystal display device) 110 and a shielding means 250 are controlled. The sub-control unit 500 is connected to a chance button detection circuit 380 that detects the pressing of the chance button 146 and outputs a signal.

<Discharge control unit, launch control unit, power supply management unit>
Next, the payout control unit 550, the launch control unit 600, and the power supply management unit 650 of the pachinko machine 100 will be described.

  The payout control unit 550 controls the payout device 552 mainly based on a signal such as a command transmitted from the main control unit 300, and the payout of the winning ball or the rental ball is completed based on a control signal output from the payout sensor 554. It is detected whether or not the card unit 654 is provided separately from the pachinko machine 100 via the interface unit 556.

  The firing control unit 600 determines the amount of operation of the launch handle 148 by the player, which is output from the control signal instructing permission or stop of launch output from the payout control unit 550, or the launch intensity output circuit provided in the operation handle 148. Based on the control signal instructing the corresponding launch intensity, the launch motor 602 that drives the launcher 138 and the launcher 140 is controlled, and the ball feeder 604 that supplies the ball from the storage plate 144 to the launch rail 142 is controlled. .

  The power management unit 650 converts the AC power supplied from the outside to the pachinko machine 100 into a direct current, converts it into a predetermined voltage, and controls the control units such as the main control unit 300 and the sub control unit 400, and the devices such as the dispensing device 552. To supply. Further, the power management unit 650 supplies a power storage circuit (for example, a power supply circuit) for supplying power to a predetermined part (for example, the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300) for a predetermined period (for example, 10 days) even after the external power supply is cut off. Capacitor).

<Data table of main control unit>
Next, a data table stored in the ROM 306 of the main control unit 300 of the pachinko machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 2A is an example of a jackpot determination table, FIG. 1B is an example of a high probability state transition determination table, and FIG. 2C is an example of a timer number determination table. is there.

  The jackpot determination table shown in FIG. 6A is the type of information stored in the gaming state storage area provided in the RAM 308 (hereinafter simply referred to as “gaming information”) and the first special figure starting port 126. Lottery data (first special figure starting port lottery data) used when a predetermined ball detection sensor detects that the ball has won, and a predetermined ball indicating that the ball has won the second special figure starting port 128 It is the data table which stored the lottery data (2nd special figure starting port lottery data) used when a detection sensor detects in association with each other. The basic circuit 302 of the main control unit 300 uses these pieces of information to determine whether the special figure variation game is won (big hit) or wrong (miss), that is, “big hit determination”. Note that the “game information” includes information indicating a low probability state in which the special figure variable game is determined to be won with a predetermined low probability, and a high probability state in which the special figure variable game is determined to be a high probability with a higher probability than the low probability. Hereinafter, these are simply referred to as “low probability state” and “high probability state”. Further, the information stored in the game state storage area includes other information, which will be described later.

  The lottery data for the first special figure starting port is used to determine the result of the special figure variable game that starts when a predetermined ball detection sensor detects that a ball has won the first special figure starting port 126. It is lottery data. For example, when the gaming state is in a low probability state, if the acquired special figure winning random number value (the random number value will be described later) is 10001 to 10187, it is determined that the special figure variable game is won. On the other hand, when the acquired special figure winning random number is a numerical value other than 10001 to 10187, it is determined that the special figure variable game is out of play. In the present embodiment, the numerical value range that the special figure winning random number value can take is 0 to 65535 (the numerical value range is 65536), and the numerical value range indicated by the lottery data for the first special figure starting port in the low probability state is 10001. -10187 (the numerical range is 187), the winning probability of the special figure variable game based on the winning of the ball to the first special figure starting port 126 in the low probability state is about 1 / 350.4 (= 187/65536). On the other hand, since the numerical range indicated by the lottery data for the first special figure starting port in the high probability state is 30001 to 13310 (the numerical range is 1310), the first special figure starting port 126 in the high probability state. The winning probability of the special figure variable game based on the winning of the special ball is about 1 / 50.0 (= 1310/65536), and the winning of the special figure variable game based on the winning of the ball to the first special figure starting port 126 is won. The probability is set so that the high probability state is higher than the low probability state.

  The lottery data for the second special figure start port is used to determine the result of the special figure variable game that starts when a predetermined ball detection sensor detects that a ball has won the second special figure start port 128. It is lottery data. For example, when the gaming state is a low probability state and the acquired special figure winning random number value is 20001 to 20187, it is determined that the special figure variable game is won. On the other hand, when the acquired special figure winning random number is a numerical value other than 20001 to 20187, it is determined that the special figure variable game is out of play. In the present embodiment, the numerical value range that the special figure winning random number value can take is 0 to 65535 (the numerical value range is 65536), and the numerical value range indicated by the lottery data for the second special figure starting port in the low probability state is 20001. Since it is ˜20187 (the size of the numerical range is 187), the winning probability of the special figure variable game based on the winning of the ball to the second special figure starting port 128 in the low probability state is about 1 / 350.4 (= 187/65536). On the other hand, since the numerical range indicated by the lottery data for the second special figure starting port in the high probability state is 40001 to 41310 (the numerical range is 1310), the second special figure starting port 128 in the high probability state. The winning probability of the special figure variable game based on the winning of the special ball is about 1 / 50.0 (= 1310/65536), and the winning of the special figure variable game based on the winning of the ball to the second special figure starting port 128 is won. The probability is set so that the high probability state is higher than the low probability state.

  The high-probability state transition determination table shown in FIG. 6B is a data table storing lottery data used when it is determined that the jackpot is determined as a result of the jackpot determination.

  The basic circuit 302 of the main control unit 300 uses this high probability state transition determination table to determine whether to start a jackpot game or a special jackpot game after the end of the special figure variable game, that is, a probability change transition determination. I do. For example, if the acquired special figure random number value (the random number value will be described later) is a numerical value of 64 to 127, in the storage area of the probability change (probability fluctuation) flag provided in the RAM 308, after the special figure fluctuation game ends. Information indicating that the special jackpot game is started is set (here, setting the special jackpot game start information in the storage area for the probability change flag is referred to as turning on the probability change flag). On the other hand, when the acquired special figure random number value is other than a numerical value of 64 to 127, information indicating that the jackpot game is started is set in the above-described probability variation flag storage area (where the probability variation flag is stored). Setting the jackpot game start information in the area is referred to as setting the probability variation flag off). In the present embodiment, the numerical value range that the special figure random number value can take is 0 to 127 (the numerical value range is 128), and the lottery data migration determination random number range is 64 to 127 (the numerical value range is 64). Therefore, when the result of the jackpot determination is winning, the probability of winning the result of the probability change transition determination, that is, the probability of starting the special jackpot is 1/2 (= 64/128).

  The timer number determination table shown in FIG. 6C is used for a lottery for determining a timer number indicating a variation time from the start of the variation display of the special diagram by the special diagram display device 114 to the stop display. It is a data table which memorize | stored lottery data. The basic circuit 302 of the main control unit 300 determines a timer number based on this information, the above jackpot determination result (a value of a jackpot flag described later), and a timer random number value described later. In the present embodiment, the range of numerical values that can be taken by the special figure timer random number value (the random number value will be described later) is 0 to 65535 (the size of the numerical range is 65536), and the above jackpot determination result is unfair Since the range of the timer random number of timer 1 is 0 to 60235 (the size of the numerical range is 60236), the probability of selecting timer 1 (fluctuation time 5 seconds, no reach) as the timer number is 60236/65536. As a timer number, the probability of selecting timer 2 (variation time 10 seconds, normal reach) is 4250/65536, the probability of selecting timer 3 (variation time 20 seconds, long reach) is 800/65536, timer 3 (variation time) The probability of selecting 40 seconds, multiline reach) is 250/65536. On the other hand, if the jackpot determination result is winning, the timer random number range of timer 2 is 0 to 15535 (the numerical range is 15536), so timer 2 (variation time 10 seconds, normal reach) is selected as the timer number The probability of doing is 15535/65536. As a timer number, the probability of selecting timer 3 (variation time 20 seconds, long reach, normal reach (revariation)) is 9000/65536, and the probability of selecting timer 4 (variation time 40 seconds, multiline reach) is 38000. The probability of selecting / 65536, timer 5 (variation time 50 seconds, full rotation reach) is 3000/65536.

<Data table of sub-control unit>
Next, a data table stored in the ROM 406 of the sub-control unit 400 of the pachinko machine 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7A shows an example of a variable number selection table used when the result of the jackpot determination is unsuccessful (a jackpot flag to be described later is off), and FIG. 7B shows the jackpot described above. It shows an example of a variable number selection table used when the result of the determination is winning (a jackpot flag to be described later is on).

  The variation number selection tables shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B are data tables for determining the effect display mode in the decorative symbol display device 110, and the timer number and the result of the above-described probability variation transition determination (the probability variation described later). Flag value) and a change number based on a change determination random number value to be described later. In the column corresponding to the item “variation mode” of the variation number selection table, the variation mode corresponding to the variation number is described for reference. For example, when the variation 11 of the variation number is selected, When the display control of the decorative symbol display device 110 is performed in a variation mode “long reach” described later and the variation number variation 19 is selected, the display control of the decoration symbol display device 110 in a variation mode “full rotation reach” described later. Shows you to do.

  For example, when the result of the jackpot determination is incorrect, the timer number is timer 1, and the probability variation flag is on (or off), the variation number selection table shown in FIG. 7A when the jackpot flag is off. Refer to In this case, since the numerical range of the random number for variation determination corresponding to timer number = timer 1 is 0 to 127 (the numerical range has a size of 128), the probability is 100% (= 128/128) as the variation number. That is, the variation 1 is selected regardless of the obtained variation determining random value, and information indicating that the selection result is variation 1 is stored in the variation number storage area provided in the RAM 408. Also, when the jackpot determination result is won and the timer number is timer 2 and the probability variation flag is off, the variation number selection table shown in FIG. 7B when the jackpot flag is on is referred to. In this case, the numerical range of the random number for variation determination corresponding to timer number = timer 2 and probability variation flag = off is 0 to 47 (the numerical range is 48) and 48 to 127 (the numerical range is 80). Therefore, as a variation number, variation 6 is selected with a probability of 48/128, and variation 7 is selected with a probability of 80/128.

  8 to 9 show combinations of temporary stop symbols to be temporarily stopped by the decorative symbol display device 110 based on the variable number determined using FIG. 7, the value of a random number for determining symbols to be described later, and the stop symbols to be stopped and displayed. FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an example of a symbol determination table for determining a combination. FIG. 8A is used when the variation number is variation 1, and determines the type of decoration symbol combination to be temporarily stopped and stopped. (B) shows an example of a symbol determination table corresponding to fluctuations 2 to 5, and (c) shows a symbol corresponding to fluctuations 6, 10, 13, 14, and 18. FIG. 4D shows an example of the determination table, and FIG. 4D shows an example of the symbol determination table corresponding to the variation 7. 9A shows an example of the symbol determination table corresponding to the variation 9, FIG. 9B shows an example of the symbol determination table corresponding to the variations 11, 15, 16, and 19, and FIG. An example of the symbol determination table corresponding to the variations 8, 17, and 20 is shown in FIG. 9D, and an example of the symbol determination table corresponding to the variation 12 is shown. The temporary stop symbol combination indicates a temporary stop symbol combination that temporarily stops before the symbol becomes the stop symbol combination, and the stop symbol combination indicates the stop symbol combination that is finally stopped. Is shown.

  Moreover, the symbol determination table corresponding to the fluctuations 1 to 5 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B is a table to be selected when the jackpot determination is unsuccessful (in the case of losing), and FIG. ) And (d), the symbol determination table corresponding to the fluctuations 6, 10, 14, 18, and 7 is a table that is selected when the jackpot determination is a win and the probability change transition determination is an incorrect selection (in the case of a jackpot). 9 (a) to 9 (d), the symbol determination table corresponding to the fluctuations 9, 11, 15, 16, 19, 8, 17, 20, and 12 has won the jackpot determination and the winning change transition determination has also been won. It is a table to select in case (special jackpot). Here, the tables shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D are configured to be selected only in the case of a special jackpot. When a combination of stop symbols is selected using this table, a symbol display is displayed. The area 110a to 110c includes a case where the symbol combination corresponding to the jackpot is stopped and displayed instead of the symbol combination corresponding to the special jackpot. Of course, a special jackpot game is started after the stop display, and a high probability state is set after the jackpot operation is finished.

  For example, when the variation number is variation 6, the sub control unit 400 refers to the symbol determination table shown in FIG. In this case, the numerical value range of the symbol determining random value corresponding to the variation 6 (the random value will be described later) is 0 to 25 (the numerical value range is 26), and 26 to 51 (the numerical value range is 26). ) 52 to 77 (the numerical range size is 26), 78 to 102 (the numerical range size is 25), and 103 to 127 (the numerical range size is 25). As a combination, “decoration 2—decoration 2—decoration 2”, “decoration 4—decoration 4—decoration 4”, “decoration 6—decoration 6—decoration 6”, “decoration 8—decoration” with a probability of about 1/5 each. Either “8-decoration 8” or “decoration 10-decoration 10-decoration 10” is selected.

<Main control unit main processing>
Next, main control unit main processing executed by the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing of the main control unit.

  The main controller 300 is provided with a start signal output circuit (reset signal output circuit) that outputs a start signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on. The CPU 304 of the basic circuit 302 to which this activation signal has been input starts reset by a reset interrupt and executes processing in accordance with a control program stored in advance in the ROM 306.

  In step S101, initial setting 1 is performed. In the initial setting 1, the stack initial value is set in the stack pointer (SP) of the CPU 304, the interrupt mask is set, the initial setting of the I / O port 310, the initial setting of various variables stored in the RAM 308, and the initial value in the WDT. Set up. In the present embodiment, a numerical value corresponding to 32.8 ms is set as the initial value in WDT.

  In step S102, WDT is reset and time measurement by WDT is restarted.

  In step S103, whether or not the low voltage signal is on, that is, the voltage value of the power source supplied from the power management unit 650 to the main control unit 300 by the voltage monitoring circuit 336 provided in the main control unit 300 is determined. It is monitored whether or not a low voltage signal indicating that the voltage has decreased is output when it is less than a predetermined value (9v in the present embodiment). If the low voltage signal is on (when the CPU 304 detects that the power supply has been shut off), the process returns to step S102. If the low voltage signal is off (if the CPU 304 has not detected the power supply being cut off), the process proceeds to step S102. The process proceeds to S104.

  In step S104, initial setting 2 is performed. In this initial setting 2, a process for setting a numerical value for determining a cycle for executing a main control unit timer interrupt process, which will be described later, in the counter timer 312 and a predetermined port of the I / O 310 (for example, a test output port, a sub-port) Processing for outputting a clear signal from the output port to the control unit 400, setting for permitting writing to the RAM 308, and the like are performed.

  In step S105, it is determined whether or not to return to the state before the power interruption (before the power interruption), and the state before the power interruption is not restored (when the basic circuit 302 of the main control unit 300 is set to the initial state). ) Proceeds to step S107. Similarly, if the power status information indicates information other than “suspend”, the process proceeds to step S107.

  Specifically, first, a RAM clear signal transmitted when a store clerk or the like of the game shop operates the operation unit provided on the power supply board is turned on (indicating that there is an operation), that is, It is determined whether or not RAM clear is necessary, and if the RAM clear signal is on (RAM clear is necessary), the process proceeds to step S107 to set the basic circuit 302 to the initial state. On the other hand, when the RAM clear signal is OFF (when the RAM clear is not necessary), the power status information stored in the power status storage area provided in the RAM 308 is read, and whether the power status information is information indicating suspend. Determine whether or not. If the power status information is not information indicating suspend, the process proceeds to step S107 to set the basic circuit 302 to the initial state. If the power status information is information indicating suspend, a predetermined area of the RAM 308 is set. A checksum is calculated by adding all the 1-byte data stored in (for example, all areas) to a 1-byte register whose initial value is 0, and the calculated checksum results in a specific value (for example, 0) (whether or not the checksum result is normal). If the checksum result is a specific value (for example, 0) (if the checksum result is normal), the process proceeds to step S106 to return to the state before power interruption, and the checksum result is a specific value. If the value is other than 0 (for example, 0) (if the checksum result is abnormal), the process proceeds to step S107 in order to set the pachinko machine 100 to the initial state. Similarly, if the power status information indicates information other than “suspend”, the process proceeds to step S107.

  In step S106, power recovery processing is performed. In this power recovery process, the stack pointer stored in the stack pointer save area provided in the RAM 308 at the time of power failure is read and reset to the stack pointer. In addition, the value of each register stored in the register save area provided in the RAM 308 at the time of power interruption is read out, reset to each register, and then the interrupt permission is set. Thereafter, as a result of the CPU 304 executing the control program based on the reset stack pointer and registers, the pachinko machine 100 returns to the state when the power is turned off. That is, the processing is resumed from the instruction next to the instruction (predetermined in steps S108 and S109) performed immediately before branching to the timer interrupt processing (described later) immediately before the power interruption.

  In step S107, initialization processing is performed. In this initialization processing, interrupt prohibition setting, stack initial value setting to the stack pointer, initialization of all storage areas of the RAM 308, and the like are performed.

  In step S108, after setting for interrupt inhibition, basic random number initial value update processing is performed. In this basic random number initial value update process, two initial value generation random number counters for generating the initial values of the normal figure winning random number counter and the special figure random value counter, the normal figure timer random number value, and the special figure timer random number counter, respectively. Two random number counters for generating numerical values are updated. For example, if the range of values that can be taken as normal timer random numbers is 0 to 20, a value is acquired from a random number counter storage area for generating a normal timer random value provided in the RAM 308, and 1 is added to the acquired value. Then, it is stored in the original random number counter storage area. At this time, if the result of adding 1 to the acquired value is 21, 0 is stored in the original random number counter storage area. Other initial value generation random number counters and random number counters are similarly updated. Further, after this basic random number initial value update process is completed, an interrupt permission is set, and the process proceeds to step S109.

  In step S109, effect random number update processing is performed. In this effect random number update process, a random number counter for generating an effect random number used by the main control unit 300 is updated.

  The main control unit 300 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S108 and S109 except during a timer interrupt process that starts every predetermined period.

<Main controller timer interrupt processing>
Next, main control unit timer interrupt processing executed by the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of main controller timer interrupt processing.

  The main control unit 300 includes a counter timer 312 that generates a timer interrupt signal at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, about once every 2 ms). The timer interrupt signal is used as a trigger to perform main control unit timer interrupt processing. Start with a period of

  In step S201, timer interrupt start processing is performed. In this timer interrupt start process, a process of temporarily saving the value of each register of the CPU 304 to the stack area is performed.

  In step S202, the WDT count value exceeds the initial setting value (32.8 ms in the present embodiment) and does not generate a WDT interrupt (so as not to detect a processing abnormality). In the embodiment, the restart is performed once every about 2 ms, which is the period of the main control unit timer interrupt.

  In step S203, input port state update processing is performed. In this input port state update process, detection signals of various sensors 318 including the above-described glass frame opening sensor, front frame opening sensor, lower pan full sensor, and a plurality of ball detection sensors are input via the input port of the I / O 310. Then, the presence or absence of a detection signal is monitored and stored in a signal state storage area provided for each of the various sensors 318 in the RAM 308. In this embodiment, information on the presence or absence of the detection signal of each sphere detection sensor detected in the timer interruption process of the last time (about 4 ms before) is stored in the RAM 308 for each previous sphere detection sensor. This information is read from the area, and this information is stored in the RAM 308 in the detection signal storage area provided in advance for each sphere detection sensor, and the detection of each sphere detection sensor detected by the previous timer interruption process (about 2 ms before). Information on the presence or absence of a signal is read from the current detection signal storage area provided in the RAM 308 for each sphere detection sensor, and this information is stored in the previous detection signal storage area. Further, the detection signal of each sphere detection sensor detected this time is stored in the above-described current detection signal storage area.

  In step S203, the information on the presence / absence of the detection signal of each sphere detection sensor stored in each storage area of the detection signal recording area, the previous detection signal recording area, and the current detection signal recording area is compared. It is determined whether or not the information on the presence / absence of detection signals for the past three times in the sphere detection sensor of the two sphere detection sensors matches. The information on the presence / absence of detection signals for the past three times in each sphere detection sensor is predetermined winning determination pattern information (in this embodiment, no previous detection signal, previous detection signal, current detection signal) In the case of a match to the winning opening (the general winning opening 122, the variable winning opening 130) or the starting opening (the first special figure starting opening 126, the second special drawing starting opening 128), It is determined that the starting port 124 has passed. For example, if the information on the presence / absence of detection signals for the past three matches with the above-described winning determination pattern information in the ball detection sensor that detects the winning at the general winning opening 122, it is assumed that the player has entered the general winning opening 122. After determining and performing the process associated with the subsequent entry to the general winning opening 122, if the information on the presence or absence of the detection signals for the past three times does not match the above-described winning determination pattern information, The process branches to the subsequent process without performing the process associated with entering the mouth 122.

  In step S204 and step S205, basic random number initial value update processing and basic random number update processing are performed. In these basic random number initial value update processing and basic random number update processing, the value of the initial value generation random number counter performed in step S108 is updated, and then the normal winning random number value and special value used in the main control unit 300 are updated. The two random number counters for generating the figure random number values are updated. For example, if the range of values that can be taken as a random number value for a normal winning number is 0 to 100, a value is acquired from a random number counter storage area for generating a normal winning random number value provided in the RAM 308 and 1 is added to the acquired value. Then, it is stored in the original random number counter storage area. At this time, if the result of adding 1 to the acquired value is 101, 0 is stored in the original random number counter storage area. If it is determined that the random number counter has made one round as a result of adding 1 to the acquired value, the value of the initial value generating random number counter corresponding to each random number counter is acquired and stored in the storage area of the random number counter. set. For example, a value is acquired from a random number counter for generating a regular winning random number that fluctuates in a numerical range of 0 to 100, and a result obtained by adding 1 to the acquired value is stored in a predetermined initial value storage area provided in the RAM 308. If the value is equal to the previously set initial value (for example, 7), the value is acquired as an initial value from the initial value generation random number counter corresponding to the random number counter for generating the random number for winning the normal number, The initial value set this time is stored in the above-described initial value storage area in order to determine that the random number counter for generating the winning random number value has made one round next time, in addition to setting it in the random number counter for generating the winning random value Keep it. In addition to the above-described initial value storage area for determining that the random number counter for generating the regular-winning random number next makes one round, it is determined that the random number counter for generating the special figure random number has made one round. An initial value storage area is provided in the RAM 308.

  In step S206, effect random number update processing is performed. In this effect random number update process, a random number counter for generating an effect random number used by the main control unit 300 is updated.

  In step S207, timer update processing is performed. In this timer update process, a normal symbol display symbol update timer for timing the time for the symbol to be changed / stopped on the normal symbol display device 112, and a time for the symbol to be changed / stopped to be displayed on the special symbol display device 114. Various timers including a special figure display symbol update timer, a timer for measuring a predetermined winning effect time, a predetermined opening time, a predetermined closing time, a predetermined end effect period, and the like are updated.

  In step S208, winning prize counter updating processing is performed. In this winning opening counter updating process, when there is a winning (winning) in the winning opening (the general winning opening 122, the first and second special figure starting openings 126, 128, and the variable winning opening 130), The value of the winning ball number storage area provided for each winning opening is read, and 1 is added to set the original winning ball number storage area.

  In step S209, a winning acceptance process is performed. In this winning acceptance process, if there is a prize at the first and second special figure starting ports 126 and 128 and the number of special figure variable games held is less than four, it corresponds to the winning starting port. The value is acquired from the counter value storage register of the counter circuit 316 to be a special figure winning random number value. In addition, a value is acquired as a special figure random value from the random number counter for generating the special figure random value described above, and stored in a random value storage area provided in the RAM 308 together with the special figure winning random number value. In addition, when it is detected that the ball has passed through the general figure starting port 124, and the number of the general figure variable games held is less than two, the random number counter for generating the normal figure winning random number value at that timing Is obtained as a random number value for normal winning, and is stored in a random number value storage area provided in the RAM 308 different from that for the above special figure. In this winning acceptance process, if a predetermined ball detection sensor detects a winning (winning) at the first and second special figure starting ports 126, 128, the ordinary starting port 124, or a variable winning port, In the transmission information to be transmitted to the control unit 400, winning acceptance information indicating presence / absence of winning (winning) of the first and second special figure starting ports 126 and 128, the universal drawing starting port 124, and the variable winning port is set. .

  In step S210, a payout request number transmission process is performed. The output schedule information and the payout request information output to the payout control unit 550 are composed of 1 byte, strobe information in bit 7 (indicating that data is set when on), and power supply in bit 6 Input information (when ON, indicates that this is the first command transmission after power-on), bits 4-5 indicate the current processing type (0-3), and bits 0-3 indicate the number of payout requests after processing I am doing so. In step S210, information regarding bits 0 to 6 is output, and strobe information regarding bit 7 is output in an external output signal setting process in step S216 described later.

  In step S211, a normal state update process is performed. This normal state update process performs one of a plurality of processes corresponding to the normal state. For example, in a normal diagram state update process during a normal map change (the value of the general-purpose general-purpose timer is 1 or more), lighting / extinguishing drive control for repeatedly turning on and off the 7-segment LED constituting the universal map display device 112 is performed.

  Further, in the general chart state update process at the timing when the normal map change display time has elapsed (the timing when the value of the general map display symbol update timer has changed from 1 to 0), when the hit flag is on, FIG. When the 7-segment LED constituting the universal display device 112 is controlled to be turned on / off so as to be in the form shown in FIG. 1 and the hit flag is off, the normal figure shown in FIG. In the RAM 308, in order to maintain the display for a predetermined stop display period (for example, 500 msec), the 7-segment LED constituting the ordinary display device 112 is controlled to be turned on / off so as to be in the second mode. In addition, information indicating the stop period is set in the storage area of the normal stop time management timer. With this setting, the usual figure is stopped and the result of the usual figure variable game is notified to the player.

  Further, in the normal state update process that starts at the timing when the predetermined stop display period ends (when the value of the normal stop time management timer value changes from 1 to 0), if the hit flag is on, the predetermined state is displayed. During the opening period (for example, 2 seconds), a signal for holding the blade member in an open state is output to the solenoid 330 for opening and closing the blade member of the second special figure starting port 128, and the blade opening time management provided in the RAM 308 is controlled. Information indicating the release period is set in the storage area of the timer.

  In the usual state update process that starts at the timing when the predetermined opening period ends (the timing when the value of the blade opening time management timer is changed from 1 to 0), the blade member has a predetermined closing period (for example, 500 milliseconds). A signal for holding the blade member in a closed state is output to the opening / closing drive solenoid 330, and information indicating the closing period is set in the storage area of the blade closing time management timer provided in the RAM 308.

  In the normal state update process that starts at the timing when a predetermined closing period has elapsed (the timing when the value of the blade closing time management timer changes from 1 to 0), the normal state is set to inactive. In the normal state update process when the normal state is inactive, the process proceeds to the next step S212 without doing anything.

  In step S212, a general drawing related lottery process is performed. In this general map-related lottery process, the open / close control of the general map variable game and the second special map start port 128 is not performed (the state of the general map is not in operation), and the pending general map variable game is not held. When the number is 1 or more, it is decided whether to win or not to win the result of the variable figure game by random lottery based on the random number value stored in the random number value storage area. When the winning judgment is made and the winning is made, the winning flag provided in the RAM 308 is set to ON. If unsuccessful, turn off the winning flag. Regardless of the result of the hit determination, next, the value of the random number counter for generating the normal figure timer random value is acquired as the normal figure timer random number value, and a plurality of fluctuation times are obtained based on the acquired general figure timer random number value. One time for displaying the variable map on the general map display device 112 is selected from among them, and this variable display time is stored in the general map variable time storage area provided in the RAM 308 as the normal map variable display time. In addition, the number of pending general figure variable games is stored in the usual figure pending number storage area provided in the RAM 308, and from the number of pending custom figure variable games each time a hit determination is made. The value obtained by subtracting 1 is re-stored in the usual figure number-of-holds storage area. Also, the random number value used for the hit determination is deleted.

  In step S213, special figure state update processing is performed. This special figure state update process performs one of a plurality of processes corresponding to the special figure state. For example, in the special figure state update process during the special figure fluctuation (the special figure general-purpose timer value is 1 or more), the lighting / extinguishing drive control for repeatedly turning on and off the 7-segment LED constituting the special figure display device 112 is performed.

  Also, in the special figure state update process that starts at the timing when the special figure change display time has elapsed (when the special figure display symbol update timer value changes from 1 to 0), the jackpot flag is on and the probability change flag is off When the special figure display device 114 has the special figure 1 shown in FIG. 4A and the jackpot flag is on and the probability variation flag is on, the special figure display device 114 has the special figure 2 shown in FIG. When the flag is OFF, the 7 segment LED constituting the special figure display device 112 is controlled to be turned on / off so that the special figure display device 112 shown in FIG. In order to maintain the display period (for example, 500 milliseconds), information indicating the stop period is set in the storage area of the special figure stop time management timer provided in the RAM 308. With this setting, the special figure is stopped and displayed, and the result of the special figure variable game is notified to the player. Further, 02H is additionally stored as transmission information (general information) in the transmission information storage area described above in order to execute the general command rotation stop setting transmission process in the command setting transmission process (step S215).

  Further, in the special figure state update process that starts at the timing when the predetermined stop display period ends (the timing at which the special figure stop time management timer value changes from 1 to 0), if the jackpot flag is on, a predetermined value is displayed. A special figure waiting time management timer provided in the RAM 308 for waiting for a period during which an image for notifying the player that a big hit by the decorative symbol display device 110 is started, that is, a bonus winning period (for example, 3 seconds) is displayed. Information indicating the winning effect period is set in the storage area. Further, 04H is additionally stored as transmission information (general information) in the transmission information storage area described above in order to execute the general command winning effect setting transmission process in the command setting transmission process (step S215).

  Also, in the special figure state update process that starts at the timing when the predetermined winning effect period ends (the timing when the special figure standby time management timer value changes from 1 to 0), a predetermined release period (for example, 29 seconds or A signal for holding the door member in an open state is output to the solenoid 330 for opening and closing the door member of the variable prize opening 130 (until a winning of a game ball of a predetermined number (for example, 10 balls) is detected in the variable prize opening 130). At the same time, information indicating the opening period is set in the storage area of the door opening time management timer provided in the RAM 308. Further, 10H is additionally stored as transmission information (general information) in the above-described transmission information storage area in order to execute the general command big prize opening release setting transmission process in the command setting transmission process (step S215).

  In the special figure state update process that starts at the timing when the predetermined opening period ends (the timing when the door opening time management timer value changes from 1 to 0), the predetermined closing period (for example, 1.5 seconds) is variable. A signal for holding the door member in the closed state is output to the solenoid 330 for opening and closing the door member of the winning opening 130, and information indicating the closing period is set in the storage area of the door closing time management timer provided in the RAM 308. To do. Further, 20H is additionally stored as transmission information (general information) in the above-described transmission information storage area in order to execute the general command big prize opening closing setting transmission process in the command setting transmission process (step S215).

  Further, in the special figure state update processing which is repeated at predetermined timing (for example, 15 rounds) and the opening / closing control of the door member is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 rounds), Information indicating the effect standby period is set in the storage area of the effect standby time management timer provided in the RAM 308 in order to set to wait for a period during which an image for informing the player that the jackpot is to be ended is displayed. Further, 08H is additionally stored as transmission information (general information) in the above-described transmission information storage area in order to execute the general command end effect setting transmission process in the command setting transmission process (step S215).

  Further, in the special figure state update process which starts at the timing when the predetermined end production period ends (the timing when the production standby time management timer value changes from 1 to 0), the special figure state is set to inactive. . In the special figure state update process when the special figure is in a non-operating state, nothing is done and the process proceeds to the next step S214.

  In step S214, special drawing related lottery processing is performed. In this special drawing-related lottery process, the opening / closing control of the special drawing variable game and the variable winning opening 130 is not performed (the state of the special drawing is inactive), and the number of the special drawing variable games held is 1 In the case of the above, among the various lotteries using the jackpot determination table in FIG. 6A, the high probability state transition determination table in FIG. 6B, the timer number determination table in FIG. First, a jackpot determination is performed. Specifically, whether or not the special figure winning random number value stored in the random value storage area in step S203 is within the numerical range of the first special figure starting port lottery data in the jackpot determination table shown in FIG. If the special figure winning random number value is within the numerical range of the lottery data for the first special figure starting port, it is determined that the special figure variable game is won and the jackpot flag stored in the RAM 308 is stored in the big hit flag storage area. (In this case, setting the jackpot information in the RAM 308 is setting the jackpot flag to ON). On the other hand, when the special figure winning random number value is outside the numerical range of the lottery data for the first special figure starting port, it is determined that the special figure variable game is out of the game, and the jackpot flag storage area provided in the RAM 308 is out of the storage area. (In this case, setting outlier information in the RAM 308 is setting the jackpot flag off). Note that the number of special figure variable games held is stored in the special figure hold number storage area provided in the RAM 308. Each time a hit determination is made, the number of special figure variable games held is determined. The value obtained by subtracting 1 is stored again in this special figure reservation number storage area. In addition, the random number value used for the hit determination is deleted.

  As a specific example, when the gaming state is a low probability state, and the special figure winning random number value acquired based on the detection of the ball winning to the first special figure starting port 126 is 10100, the jackpot flag is set to ON, When the special figure winning random number is 10200, the jackpot flag is set to OFF. In addition, when the special figure winning random number acquired based on the detection of the ball winning at the second special figure starting port 128 is 20100, the jackpot flag is set to ON, and when the special figure winning random number is 20200, the jackpot flag is set. Set to off.

  If the jackpot flag is set to ON, then the probability variation transition determination is performed. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the special figure random value stored in the random value storage area in step S209 is within the numerical range of the transition determination random number shown in FIG. Is set in the storage area of the probability variation (probability variation) flag provided in the RAM 308, information indicating that the special jackpot game is started. (Here, setting the special jackpot game start information in the RAM 308 is referred to as turning on the probability variation flag). On the other hand, if the special figure random number value is outside the numerical range of the lottery data, information indicating that the jackpot game is started is set in the storage area of the probability variation flag (here, the information on the start of the jackpot game is set). Setting in the RAM 308 is referred to as setting the probability variation flag off). For example, when the acquired special figure random number value is 20, the probability variation flag is set to OFF. On the other hand, when the acquired special figure random value is 80, the probability variation flag is set to ON.

  Regardless of the result of the jackpot determination, the process for determining the timer number is performed next. Specifically, the value of the random counter for generating the special figure timer random value described above is acquired as the special figure timer random value. A timer number corresponding to the numerical value range of the timer random number shown in FIG. 6C including the value of the jackpot flag and the acquired special figure timer random number value is selected and stored in a predetermined timer number storage area provided in the RAM 308. Further, the fluctuation time corresponding to the timer number is stored as the special figure fluctuation display time in the special figure display symbol update timer, and the general command rotation start setting transmission process is executed in the command setting transmission process (step S215). Therefore, the process is terminated after additionally storing as transmission information (general information) in the transmission information storage area described above.

  For example, when the jackpot flag is off and the acquired special figure timer random number value is 50000, the special figure timer random number value is in the range of 0 to 60235, and therefore 1 corresponding to those conditions of the timer number determination table. The timer 1 indicating the timer number stored in the line and 5 indicating the variation time are selected and stored in the respective storage areas provided in the RAM 308. On the other hand, when the jackpot flag is on and the acquired special figure timer random number value is 64000, the special figure timer random number value is not in the range of 0 to 15535, so the timer 2 is not selected and is not 15536 to 24535. Timer 3 is not selected, and timer 4 is not selected because it is not 24536 to 62535. However, since it is within the range of 62536 to 65535, it is stored in the eighth line corresponding to those conditions in the timer number determination table. The timer 5 indicating the timer number and the variable time 50 are selected and stored in the respective storage areas provided in the RAM 308. In consideration of 2 ms which is the start cycle of the interrupt processing, a value obtained by multiplying the selected variation time value by 500 (1000 ms / 2 ms) is set in the variation time storage area. For example, when the variation time is 5 seconds, a value of 2500 is set as an initial value in the variation time storage area, and the value of the variation time storage area is set to 1 each time the timer update process in step S207 is executed. By subtracting, the passage of time can be measured by the number of execution times of interrupt processing. Further, when the value of the variable time storage area is subtracted every time (for example, five times) the timer interrupt process is executed (for example, 2 ms cycle), if the variable time is 10 seconds, 10 seconds is required. Since it is 10000 ms, dividing by the period (2 ms × 5) sets 1000 to the variable time storage area.

  In step S215, command setting transmission processing is performed (details will be described later). The output schedule information transmitted to the sub-control unit 400 is composed of 16 bits, bit 15 is strobe information (indicating that data is set when ON), bits 11 to 14 are command types ( 00H is the basic command, 01H is the symbol variation start command, 04H is the symbol variation stop command, 05H is the winning effect start command, 06H is the end effect start command, and 07H is the number of jackpot rounds Designated command, information that can specify the type of command such as a power recovery command in the case of 0EH and a RAM clear command in the case of 0FH), and bits 0 to 10 are command data (predetermined information corresponding to the command type) It is composed.

  Specifically, the strobe information is turned on and off in the command transmission process described above. If the command type is a symbol variation start command, the command data includes information indicating the value of the jackpot flag, the probability variation flag, the timer number selected in the special symbol related lottery process, etc. If it is a case, it includes the value of the jackpot flag, the probability variation flag, etc. If it is a winning effect command and an end effect start command, it includes the value of the probability variation flag, etc. If it is a jackpot round number designation command The value of the probability variation flag, the number of jackpot rounds, etc. are included. When the command type indicates a basic command, device information in the command data, presence / absence of winning at the first special figure starting port 126, presence / absence of winning at the second special figure starting port 128, winning of the variable winning port 130 Includes presence or absence.

  In the general command rotation start setting transmission process described above, the command type is 01H, the jackpot flag value stored in the RAM 308 as the command data, the probability variation flag value, the timer number selected in the special drawing related lottery process, the pending Information indicating the number of special figure variable games being set is set. In the general command rotation stop setting transmission process described above, 04H is set as the command type, and information indicating the value of the jackpot flag, the value of the probability variation flag, etc. stored in the RAM 308 is set as the command data. In the above-described general command winning effect setting transmission process, the effect control information to be output to the decorative symbol display device 110, various lamps 420, and the speaker 416 during the winning effect period stored in the RAM 308 as the command type and 05H as command type Information indicating the value of the flag, the number of special figure variable games that are held, and the like are set. In the general command end effect setting transmission process described above, the effect control information to be output to the decorative symbol display device 110, various lamps 420, and the speaker 416 during the effect standby period stored in the RAM 308 as the command type is stored in the command type 06H. Information indicating the value of the flag, the number of special figure variable games that are held, and the like are set. In the general command big prize opening release transmission process described above, the information indicating the command type is 07H, the number of big hits stored in the RAM 308 as the command data, the value of the probability variation flag, the number of the special figure variable games held, etc. Set. In the above-described general command big prize closing setting transmission process, the information indicating the command type is 08H, the number of jackpot rounds stored in the RAM 308 as the command data, the value of the probability variation flag, the number of the special figure variable games held, etc. Set. In the sub-control unit 400, it is possible to determine the effect control according to the change of the game control in the main control unit 300 by the command type included in the received output schedule information, and the command data included in the output schedule information Based on this information, the contents of the effect control can be determined.

  In step S216, an external output signal setting process is performed (details will be described later). In this external output signal setting process, the game information stored in the RAM 308 is converted into information separately from the pachinko machine 100 via the display circuit 322, solenoid circuit 332, or information output circuit 334 via the I / O 310. Output to the input circuit 652 or the like.

  In step S217, device monitoring processing is performed. In this device monitoring process, the signal states of various sensors stored in the signal state storage area in step 203 are read to monitor whether there is a glass frame opening error, a front frame opening error, or a lower pan full error. When a glass frame open error, front frame open error, or lower pan full error is detected, the transmission information to be transmitted to the sub-control unit 400 includes a glass frame open error, a front frame open error, a lower pan Set device information that indicates whether a full error has occurred. In addition, the solenoids 330 are driven to control the opening and closing of the second special figure starting port 128 and the variable prize opening 130, and the general diagram display device 112 and the special figure display device 114 are provided via the display circuits 322, 324, and 328. The display data to be output to the various status display units 326 and the like is set in the output port of the I / O 310. Further, the output schedule information set in the payout request number transmission process (step S210) is set in the output port of the I / O 310.

  In step S218, it is monitored whether or not the low voltage signal is on. Then, when the low voltage signal is on (when power supply shutoff is detected), the process proceeds to step S219, and when the low voltage signal is off (power supply shutoff is not detected), the process proceeds to step S220.

  In step S219, timer interrupt end processing is performed. In this timer interrupt end process, the value of each register temporarily saved in step S201 is set in each original register, or interrupt permission is set.

  In step S220, the voltage monitoring circuit that monitors the voltage value of the power supplied from the power management unit 650 to the main control unit 300 outputs a voltage drop signal indicating that the voltage has dropped when it is equal to or lower than a predetermined value. Whether or not a power-off is detected. If a power-off is detected, a specific variable or stack pointer for returning to the power-off state at the time of power recovery is displayed. The return data is saved in a predetermined area of the RAM 308, and power interruption processing such as initialization of the input / output port is performed.

<Sub control section main processing>
Next, the sub control unit main process executed by the CPU 404 of the sub control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of the main process of the sub control unit.

  The sub-control unit 400 is provided with a reset signal output circuit that outputs a reset signal when the power is turned on. The CPU 404 of the basic circuit 402 to which this reset signal has been input starts reset by a reset interrupt and executes processing in accordance with a control program stored in advance in the ROM 406. First, various initial settings are performed in step S301. In this initial setting, initial setting of input / output ports, initialization of various variables, and the like are performed.

  In step S302, command input processing (details will be described later) is performed.

  In step S303, a command is output to the sub control unit 500 via the output port of the I / O 410.

  In step S304, it is determined whether the value of a timer variable storage area described later is 10 or more. When the value of the timer variable storage area is 10 or more, the process proceeds to step S305, and when the value of the timer variable storage area is less than 10, the process proceeds to step S302.

  In step S305, 0 is stored in the timer variable storage area.

  In step S306, effect data update processing is performed. In this effect data update processing, the variation number stored in the variation pattern selection processing, which will be described later, the combination of temporary stop symbols, and the type of stop symbol combination are updated, and the process since the start of variation display of the decorative symbols Based on the time, the operation control data for controlling effects by the decorative display device 110, the shielding means 250, the speaker 416, the various lamps 420, the effect movable body of the effect device 200, and the like is updated.

  In step S306, a command to be output to the sub-control unit 500 in the process of step S303 to be executed next so that the decorative symbol variation display is performed in the manner indicated by the determined presentation information (for example, stopping the decoration 7 on the left side). For example, a command for operating the shielding means 250 and a command for operating the shielding means 250) are stored in a liquid crystal command storage area provided in the RAM 408. Prepare to control. Further, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a lottery such as whether or not to execute a predetermined effect, for example, whether or not to perform an effect using a chance button, is performed.

  In step S307, sound output processing is performed. In this sound output process, the audio data to be output to the speaker 416 included in the speaker control information acquired in step S306 is set in the output port of the I / O 410, and the sound source IC 418 performs output control of the speaker 416.

  In step S308, lamp control processing is performed. In this lamp control processing, data indicating lighting / extinguishing of lamps to be output to various lamps 420 included in the information for various lamp control acquired in step S306 is set in the output port of the I / O 410, and various lamps 420 are set. The display circuit 422 is controlled to turn on and off.

  In step S309, an effect driving device control process is performed. In the effect driving device control process, data indicating the operation timing included in the control information for the effect movable body acquired in step S306 is set in the output port of the I / O 410, and the effect movable object and the like are set. The effect drive circuit 426 controls the various effect drive devices 424 to be driven.

  Sub-control unit 400 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S302 to S309 thereafter, except for interruption by strobe processing, chance button interrupt processing, or sub-control unit timer interrupt processing, which will be described later.

<Command input processing>
Next, the command input process (step S302) in the sub-control unit main process will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of command input processing.

  In step S401, the contents of a command storage area to be described later are confirmed, and it is determined whether or not an unprocessed command remains. If an unprocessed command remains in the command storage area, the process proceeds to step S402. If an unprocessed command does not remain in the command storage area, the process ends and returns to the sub-control unit main process. .

  FIG. 12C is a flowchart showing the flow of the variation pattern selection process, and FIG. 12D is a flowchart showing the flow of the symbol stop process. In step S402, based on the type of unprocessed command to be processed next among the unprocessed commands stored in the command storage area, the variation pattern selection process shown in FIG. This is executed based on the change start command) and the symbol stop process shown in FIG. There are other processes based on unprocessed commands. For example, a round start command that is output from the main control unit 300 every time the opening control of the variable winning opening 130 is started during the jackpot and includes information indicating the number of opening of the variable winning opening 130 after the jackpot start is an unprocessed command. For example, a round start process is performed. Other processing is omitted here.

  In step S501 of the variation pattern selection process, the value of the jackpot flag, the probability variation flag, and the timer number included in the unprocessed command are extracted and stored in the respective storage areas of the RAM 408. Further, referring to the variation number selection table in FIG. 7A or 7B and the symbol determination table shown in FIGS. 8 to 9, the effect data (in this embodiment, the combination of variation number, temporary stop symbol / stop symbol) And the like are stored in the storage area provided in the RAM 408, and the process is terminated.

  In step S601 of the symbol stop process, the three decorative symbols constituting the combination of the stopped symbols stored in the symbol storage area are displayed in the three displays of the left, middle and right symbol display areas 110a to 110c of the decorative symbol display device 110. The setting is made to display in the area, and the process ends. In the round start process, information indicating the number of times the variable winning opening 130 is opened after the jackpot start included in the unprocessed command is extracted and stored in the storage area of the RAM 408.

<Strobe interrupt processing>
Next, strobe interrupt processing of the sub control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of strobe interrupt processing.

  This strobe interrupt process is a process executed when the sub control unit 400 detects a strobe signal output from the main control unit 300. In step S701 of the strobe interrupt process, the command output from the main control unit 300 is stored as an unprocessed command in the command storage area provided in the RAM 408.

<Chance button interrupt processing>
Next, the chance button interrupt process of the sub-control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of chance button interrupt processing.

  This chance button interruption process is a process executed when the sub control unit 400 detects an operation of the chance button 146 by the chance button detection circuit 364.

  In step S801 of the chance button interrupt process, a value is acquired from the detection counter stored in the detection counter storage area of the RAM 408 for measuring the number of times the chance button 146 is pressed, and 1 is added to the acquired value. Store in the original detection counter storage area.

<Sub-control unit timer interrupt processing>
Next, the sub-control unit variable update interrupt process executed by the CPU 404 of the sub-control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of the sub-control unit variable update interrupt process.

  The sub-control unit 400 includes a hardware timer that generates a timer interrupt at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, once every 2 ms). With this timer interrupt, the sub-control unit timer interrupt processing is performed at a predetermined cycle. Run with.

  In step S901 of the sub-control unit variable update interrupt process, 1 is added to the value of the timer variable storage area of the RAM 408 and the result is stored in the original timer variable storage area. Therefore, in step S304, the value of the timer variable is determined to be 10 or more every 20 ms (2 ms × 10).

<Command setting transmission processing>
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing in detail the command setting transmission process in step S215 of FIG. The command setting transmission process is a process for transmitting a command to the sub-control unit 400 as described above. In step S1001, other processes than the command output are performed, and in step S1002, the command is output to the sub-control unit 400. In step S1003, it is determined whether or not the output of the command to be transmitted has ended. If the output of the command to be transmitted has not ended, the process returns to step S1002 to output the command to the sub-control unit 400. On the other hand, when the output of the command to be transmitted is completed, the process is terminated.

  As described above, the command setting transmission process can transmit a command a plurality of times to the sub-control unit 400 in one interrupt process.

<External output signal setting process>
Next, the external output signal setting process in step S216 of FIG. 11 will be described in detail. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a connection relationship between the I / O port 310 of the main board 161 of the pachinko machine 100 according to the present embodiment and peripheral devices. In this embodiment, each peripheral device is connected via each port shown in FIG. Here, the peripheral device refers to a device that can communicate via the I / O port 310, and includes not only an external device physically different from the pachinko machine 100 but also an internal device provided in the pachinko machine 100. means. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, a test firing test device (device for confirming whether or not the pachinko machine operates according to specifications) 710, a game information display (installed above the game table, information related to the game ( (Devices for displaying information on the appearance of balls) to the player) 720, not only external devices such as the hall computer 730, but also lamps, movable devices 326, 7-segment indicators 112, 114, sub-control board 400, payout device 552, etc. including. Note that the external device in the present embodiment refers to a device in which the device itself includes a power supply circuit, for example, as shown in FIG. Further, the connection form between the pachinko machine 100 and the peripheral device may be a form in which the pachinko machine 100 and the peripheral device are connected via a connector, a relay board or the like in addition to a direct connection form.

  In this embodiment, as will be described later, in the external output signal setting process, information is sequentially output to peripheral devices (devices corresponding to each port) using each of the ports 0 to 8 in one interrupt process. is doing. That is, in one interrupt process, information is output to the peripheral devices in the communication order of port 0 → port 1 → port 2 →... → port 7 → port 8. Here, since the test firing test apparatus is connected to the pachinko machine 100 via the ports 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8, the test firing test apparatus 710 is continuously in one interrupt process. No information is sent. Specifically, the test fire test device 710 → lamp, movable device 326 → test fire test device 710 → 7-segment display 112, 114 → test fire test device 710 → payout device 552 → test fire test device 710 → game information display 720, hall Information is transmitted to the peripheral devices in the order of the computer 730 → the test firing test device 710. FIG. 16 shows a table listing the port address of each port and the connected peripheral device. The port address of port 0 is 000H, the port address of port 1 is 001H, the port address of port 2 is 002H, the port address of port 3 is 003H, the port address of port 4 is 004H, the port address of port 5 is 005H, The port address of port 6 is 006H, the port address of port 7 is 007H, the port address of port 8 is 008H, the port address of port 9 is 009H, and the port address of port A is 00AH.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, information is not continuously transmitted to the test firing test apparatus 710 in one interrupt process, and therefore the test fire test apparatus 710 does not miss the received information. In other words, conventionally, the test firing test apparatus 710 has a lower processing speed of the CPU than the pachinko machine 100. Therefore, when information is continuously received a predetermined number of times in one interrupt process, the received information is lost. (In this embodiment, it is assumed that information is missed when the test fire test device 710 receives information four times in succession). Therefore, it has been supported by performing a wait process in the middle of receiving information continuously a predetermined number of times (for example, when transmitting information to the test firing test device 710 four times in succession, twice in succession. After receiving the information, the wait process was performed, and after the wait process, the information was transmitted twice more in succession). In the communication sequence of the present embodiment, since another device is interposed between the test fire test device 710 and the test fire test device 710, the test fire test device 710 maintains a minimum weight without performing such weight processing. be able to. As a result, the test firing test apparatus 710 does not miss information and can shorten the processing time of the external output signal setting process of the pachinko machine 100.

  17 and 18 are tables showing signals (data contents) assigned to each port. The data transmitted through each port is composed of 8 bits (bit 0 to bit 7). For example, the data is normally displayed on the symbol display device 112 at port 0 to which the test firing test device 710 is connected. Information about normal symbols is assigned. More specifically, when bit 0 is in the on (1) state, information about the loss pattern is transmitted, and when bit 1 is in the on (1) state, information about the hit is transmitted. Similarly, the port 2 to which the test firing test device 710 is connected is information on the special symbol displayed on the special symbol display device 114, and the port 4 to which the test fire test device 710 is connected is the firing position designation information (handle). The information indicating the launch position of the synthesizer), the condition device operating information, and the accessory continuous device operating information are assigned. Further, the port 6 to which the test firing test apparatus 710 is connected has the per-map information, the high-probability state information, the general-use variable time shortening state information, the general-purpose electric tool operation information, and the general-purpose electric tool opening extension. The port 8 to which the state information, the signal during normal map change, and the test firing test device 710 are connected is information per special figure, special figure high probability state information, special figure variable time shortened state information, special figure electric equipment operation information , And a special figure changing signal. The data contents assigned to the ports to which peripheral devices other than the test firing test device 710 are connected are as shown in the tables of FIGS. 17 and 18.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing in detail the external output signal setting process in step S216 of FIG.

  In step S1101, the number of times of outputting the external output signal via the I / O port 310 is stored in the RAM 308 as the number of repetitions. In the present embodiment, specifically, 9 is stored as the number of repetitions (in order to output each port 0 to 8 once).

  In step S1102, the initial address of the output port is stored in the RAM 308. Specifically, in the present embodiment, FFH (to set so as to be the address of port 0 when incremented) is set as the initial address of the output port.

  In step S1103, the initial address of the output information storage area (part) is stored in the RAM 308. Here, the output information storage area means an area on the RAM 308 for storing information output via each output port, and an address is set for each port. In the present embodiment, specifically, an address on the RAM area for storing information output via the output port 0 is set as an initial address of the output information storage area.

  In step S1104, the output port address is incremented. Thus, in the first process, the output port address is 000H, and the port 0 address is set.

  In step S1105, information corresponding to the set address of the output information section is output to the set address of the output port. In the present embodiment, in the first process, the information assigned to port 0 is read from the corresponding address and output via port 0.

  In step S1106, the address of the output information storage unit is incremented. Thus, in the present embodiment, in the first process, the address of the output information storage unit is an address on the RAM area that stores information to be output via the output port 1.

  In step S1107, in this embodiment in which the number of repetitions stored in the RAM 308 is decremented, the number of repetitions is 8 in the first process.

  In step S1108, it is determined whether or not the number of repetitions is 0. If it is 0, the output process for 9 times is completed, so the process ends. If it is not 0, the output process still remains. Return to step S1104.

  In the second process of step S1104, the output port address is 001H, indicating the port 1 address. Next, in the process of step S1105, the information assigned to port 1 is read from the corresponding address and output via port 1, and in the process of step S1106, the address of the output information storage unit is output via output port 2. It becomes an address on the RAM area for storing information to be output, and then the number of repetitions is 7 in the processing of step S1106. Thereafter, steps S1104 to S1108 are repeated until the number of repetitions becomes zero.

  FIG. 20 is an example of a program for executing the external output signal setting process shown in FIG. 19 (specifically, it is described in assembly language). In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, a RAM area for storing information to be output for each port of the I / O port 310 is set, and each port is continuously processed by one interrupt process. Since the information is output via the network, the information can be output at a high speed without increasing the program area. That is, in this embodiment, each port address of the I / O port 310 is set, and the external output signal setting process is executed according to the order of the set port addresses. However, the communication sequence in the external output signal setting process can be handled by a simple program logic that repeats the same instruction without using a table storing the communication order, etc., so the external output signal setting process can be performed with a simple program configuration. Can be realized.

  As described above, according to the pachinko machine 100 according to the present embodiment, information is not continuously output to the test firing test apparatus 710 in the external output signal setting process. That is, in one interrupt process, the communication order in which the shooting test device 710 and other peripheral devices are alternately set is set and information is output. Therefore, even if the shooting test device has poor CPU performance, You can keep the weight of information and never miss information. As a result, it is possible to prevent a specific peripheral device of the game table from losing information.

<Other embodiments>
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention has been described, various deformation | transformation and change can be performed with respect to embodiment of this invention in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the test firing test device 710 and other peripheral devices are controlled to be transmitted sequentially via the I / O port 310, but each port of the I / O port 310 is controlled. 11 is not limited to the case shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, port 0, port 1, and ports 6 to 8 may be assigned to the test firing test apparatus 710 (among the I / O ports 310, the target port for the external output signal setting process). The test firing test device 710 may be assigned to the first address and the last address of the first address). In this case, in one interrupt process, the test fire test device 710 → the test fire test device 710 → the lamp, the movable device 326 → the 7-segment display 112, 114 → the payout device 552 → the game information display 720, the hall computer 730 → Information is transmitted in the order of the trial test apparatus 710 → the test test apparatus 710 → the test test apparatus 710. That is, the test firing test device 710 may be assigned at the beginning and the end of the output order of the external output signal setting process, and other peripheral devices may be assigned therebetween. Even in this case, the information is not continuously transmitted to the test firing test apparatus 710 for a predetermined number of times (four times) in one interrupt process, and therefore the test firing test apparatus 710 does not miss information.

  Further, after transmitting information with a heavy processing load on the test firing test apparatus 710, the communication order may be controlled so as to transmit information to other peripheral apparatuses. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, when the information related to the normal symbol assigned to the output port 0 and the information related to the special symbol assigned to the output port 2 are information with a heavy processing load on the test firing test device 710, As shown in FIG. 21, after information is transmitted to the test fire test device via the output port 0 and the output port 1, information is transmitted to other peripheral devices (lamps, movable devices) via the output port 2. It may be. This is because if other information is continuously received after receiving information with a heavy processing load for the test firing test apparatus 710, the other information cannot be received, and thus the information is missed. Therefore, immediately after transmitting heavy processing information to the test firing test apparatus 710, output control is performed so that the information is transmitted to other peripheral apparatuses.

  In this embodiment, after outputting information related to the symbol display data to the test firing test device, the information is output to other peripheral devices, and this time, information other than the symbol display data is output to the test firing test device. Adopted. This is because normal symbols and special symbols are used to test whether various types of information correspond to the symbol display (for example, whether the variable time corresponds to the display or whether the hit information was output corresponding to the symbol display). This is because, after the symbol display information of the symbol is acquired, the test firing test apparatus is equipped with a process for determining and storing the symbol, so that the symbol display data has a heavy processing load compared to other information. As described above, the main control unit communicates with the apparatus other than the test test apparatus after executing the peripheral apparatus communication process for continuously communicating the information related to the symbol display for the test test apparatus for the first number of times. After that, the information other than the information related to the symbol display is transmitted to the test fire test device continuously for the second number of times to easily determine whether the main control unit outputs the information corresponding to the symbol display. Is realized.

  In FIG. 21, information is continuously communicated with the test firing test apparatus separately in the front and rear, but not limited to the configuration in which each is continuous, for example, the first half is continuously communicated (for example, 4 times continuously). The second half may be configured to perform communication once. Or the reverse may be sufficient (the first half is 1 time and the latter half is 4 times). Further, communication may be further performed between the first half and the second half with respect to the test firing test apparatus (for example, once in the first half, once between the first half and the second half, and continuously three times in the second half). Any of the above configurations can be employed.

  In the above embodiment, the pachinko machine 100 is described as an example of a gaming machine. However, the gaming machine to which the present invention is applied is not limited to a pachinko machine, and may be a slot machine (pachislot machine). For example, the present invention may be applied to a slot machine 100A as shown in FIG. That is, as described above, “a launching device that launches a ball into a predetermined game area, a winning opening configured to be able to enter a ball launched from the launching device, and a detection that detects a ball that has entered the winning opening. Means, a payout means for paying out a ball when the detecting means detects a ball, and a variable display device for variably displaying a predetermined symbol (identification information). As well as a pachinko machine 100 that displays a stop after the variable display device fluctuates and announces the transition of the gaming state. , A start switch for instructing the start of rotation of a plurality of reels, lottery means for determining whether or not an internal winning of a plurality of types of predetermined roles is won by lottery, and rotation of the reels provided corresponding to each of the plurality of reels Individually stop Based on the lottery result, the lottery result of the lottery means, and the stop operation of the stop switch, the reel stop control means for controlling the stop of the rotation of the reel, and the symbols displayed by the plurality of reels at the time of the stop Determining means for determining whether or not a combination is a symbol combination of an internal winning combination by lottery means, and game medium payout means for paying out game media based on the winning combination Slot machine 100A ".

  FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a connection relationship between the I / O ports of the slot machine 100A and peripheral devices. As shown in FIG. 23, the slot machine 100A is connected to the game information display 720 via port 0 (port address 000H) and port 6 (port address 006H). That is, there are a plurality of ports corresponding to the game information display 720, and different information is transmitted through each port, and information is transmitted to the game information display 720 in a continuous communication sequence in one interrupt process. (Information is transmitted in the order of game information display 720 → other devices → game information display 720). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 24, the game information display 720 corresponds to BB information (information indicating that a big bonus (BB) is won through bit 0: bit 3). ) And RB information (information indicating that the regular bonus (RB) has been won: bit 0 corresponds) is transmitted via the port 6. Here, as the gaming property of the slot machine 100A, since it wins the RB at the same time as winning the BB, the conventional configuration, that is, the gaming information display 720, is connected via one port. In the configuration in which BB information and RB information are transmitted simultaneously, the game information display 720 sometimes misses the BB information and RB information. The port configuration shown in FIG. 24 solves such a problem, and BB information and RB information are transmitted through different ports (port 0, port 6) and in a communication order in which other devices are interposed. Thus, the game information display 720 does not miss the information on the BB information and the RB information.

  In the above-described embodiment and modification, communication is performed in the port address order (000H → 0001H →... → 009H → 00AH), but it is needless to say that communication may be performed in an order other than the port address order. is there. That is, although the program is somewhat complicated, communication may be performed in a predetermined communication order (for example, 000H → 0002H → 0005H →...). Of course, also in this case, the communication order is set so that information is not continuously transmitted to the test firing test apparatus 710 a predetermined number of times in one interrupt process.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment and the modification, the communication process via the output port of the I / O port has been described. However, the same communication order control is applied to the communication process via the input port. Is possible.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment and the modified examples, the test fire test device and the game information display device are exemplified as specific devices (peripheral devices that cause information loss), but the present invention is not limited thereto. The payout device, various lamps, the sub control board, and an external display device (PC or the like) may be used as the specific device.

It is a perspective view (perspective view seen from the front side) which shows the appearance of a pachinko machine concerning one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic front view of a game board of a pachinko machine according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front. It is a perspective view (perspective view seen from the back side) which shows the appearance of a pachinko machine concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the special figure display apparatus of the pachinko machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, a decoration design display apparatus, the special figure which a universal display display stops, and the kind of common figure. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of the control part of the pachinko machine concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the data table which ROM of the main control part of the pachinko machine concerning one embodiment of the present invention has memorized. It is an example of the data table which ROM of the sub control part of the pachinko machine concerning one embodiment of the present invention has memorized. It is an example of the data table which ROM of the sub control part of the pachinko machine concerning one embodiment of the present invention has memorized. It is an example of the data table which ROM of the sub control part of the pachinko machine concerning one embodiment of the present invention has memorized. It is a flowchart which shows the main control part main process of the pachinko machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the main control part timer interruption process of the pachinko machine based on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the sub control part of the pachinko machine based on one Embodiment of this invention. 12 is a flowchart showing in detail a command setting transmission process in step S215 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the connection relation of the I / O port of the main board | substrate of a pachinko machine concerning one Embodiment of this invention, and a peripheral device. It is a figure which shows the connection relation of the pachinko machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and an external device. It is the list which matched the port address of the I / O port of the pachinko machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and the peripheral device of a connection destination. It is a table | surface which shows the signal (data content) allocated to each port of the I / O port of the pachinko machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a table | surface which shows the signal (data content) allocated to each port of the I / O port of the pachinko machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 12 is a flowchart showing in detail an external output signal setting process in step S216 of FIG. FIG. 20 is an example of a program source for executing the external output signal setting process shown in FIG. 19. FIG. It is the list which matched the port address of the I / O port of the pachinko machine which concerns on another embodiment of this invention, and the peripheral device of a connection destination. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the slot machine which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. 23 is a list in which port addresses of I / O ports of the slot machine shown in FIG. 22 are associated with peripheral devices to be connected. 23 is a table showing signals (data contents) assigned to ports 0 and 6 of the I / O port of the slot machine shown in FIG.

Claims (8)

Control that includes a communication port capable of communicating with a plurality of peripheral devices, and executes peripheral device communication processing for continuously communicating with each of the plurality of peripheral devices through the communication port in a predetermined order. A game stand having means,
The control means includes
A gaming table comprising: a specific peripheral device, one or more other peripheral devices different from the specific peripheral device, and a sequence of the specific peripheral device to execute the peripheral device communication process. The control means includes
In the peripheral device communication process, for the specific peripheral device, after performing the first specific peripheral device communication process for performing communication for the first number of times, communicating with the other peripheral device, 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein thereafter, a second specific peripheral device communication process for performing communication for the second number of times with respect to the specific peripheral device is executed.   3. The game table according to claim 2, wherein the first specific peripheral device communication process includes information that has a heavy processing load on the specific peripheral device.   The first specific peripheral device communication process includes an initial communication order of the peripheral device communication process, and the second specific peripheral device communication process includes the last of the peripheral device communication processes. 4. The game table according to claim 2, further comprising a communication order. In the communication port, each port is assigned to each of the plurality of peripheral devices, and a plurality of ports are assigned to the specific peripheral device,
5. The game table according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined order is an order of selecting each port in the communication port. 6. The communication port includes a port different from the port to which the plurality of peripheral devices are assigned,
The control means includes
6. The game table according to claim 5, wherein a communication process different from the peripheral device communication process is executed for a peripheral device different from the plurality of peripheral devices via the another port.   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the specific peripheral device is a test firing test device used for a test firing test of the game machine.   The game table according to claim 1, wherein the specific peripheral device is a game information display device that displays game information of the game table.

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