JP2010035870A - Game table - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game table which does not cause malfunction in the parts of the cooling target even when a cooling degree of the cooling system drops. <P>SOLUTION: The game table includes: a first game device arranged in terms of the game; a second game device which is also arranged in terms of the game but different from the first game device; a cooling system for cooling the first game device; a monitoring means for monitoring the cooling operation of the cooling system; a specifying means for specifying the fact that the cooling degree of the cooling means is in a dropped state, based on a watch result of the watch means; and a processing means in the abnormality which perform the process to control at least the heat generation caused by the operation of the second game device, based on the fact that the cooling degree is in the dropped state is specified by the specifying means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game machine represented by a slot machine, a pachinko machine, and the like.

Conventionally, a gaming machine such as a slot machine or a pachinko machine has an image display device for displaying images, and a variety of images and moving images are displayed on the image display device to produce a game. In such a game machine, the display control board unit is provided with internal heat of a display control board that controls the image display device and a display control board unit that houses a graphic IC (also referred to as VDP, GPU, etc.). There is a game stand that radiates heat with a heat radiating fan and cools a graphic IC to be cooled (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-34590 A

  However, although it is good if the heat dissipation fan operates normally and reliably performs heat dissipation operation, the heat dissipation effect is reduced (cooling degree is reduced) due to poor maintenance of the heat dissipation fan or motor abnormality of the heat dissipation fan (for example, the degree of cooling is reduced) In the low-speed rotation, the operation of repeating the stop and the rotation), the component to be cooled is not reliably cooled, and is cooled by the influence of the heat generated by the operation of other devices (for example, motor drive devices). There is a problem that the target part may malfunction or be destroyed.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve such problems, and is intended to provide a game table that does not cause a problem in parts to be cooled even when the cooling degree by the cooling device is lowered. It is.

  (1) The present invention provides a first gaming device provided for a game, a second gaming device provided for a game and different from the first gaming device, and cooling for cooling the first gaming device. A monitoring unit for monitoring a cooling operation of the cooling device, a specifying unit for specifying that the cooling degree of the cooling device is reduced based on a monitoring result of the monitoring unit, and the specifying An abnormality processing means for performing a process of suppressing at least heat generation due to the operation of the second gaming device based on the fact that the cooling low state is specified by the means. is there.

  (2) The present invention is also the gaming table according to (1), wherein the second gaming device is arranged in the vicinity of the first gaming device.

  (3) In the present invention, it is also possible that the abnormality processing unit suppresses at least heat generation due to the operation of the second gaming device based on the fact that the specifying unit specifies that the cooling state is low. Request means for requesting execution of control, and control means for executing the abnormal operation control of the second gaming device based on a request for execution of the abnormal operation control by the request means The game table according to (1) or (2) above, wherein

  (4) In the present invention, the monitoring unit includes a detection unit that detects a cooling decrease signal indicating that the cooling operation of the cooling device is in a cooling decrease state, and the specifying unit includes the cooling by the detection unit. The gaming table according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein when the decrease signal is detected a plurality of times continuously for a predetermined period of time, the cooling state is specified. is there.

  (5) In the present invention, the specifying unit is configured to detect the cooling decrease signal by the detecting unit a first number of times at the first specific timing after the game machine is turned on. Specifying the cooling reduction state, and specifying the cooling reduction state when the second number of times greater than the first number is detected at the specific timing after the first time. It is a game stand as described in said (4) characterized by these.

  (6) In the present invention, the second gaming device includes a motor device that produces an effect relating to the game by driving the motor, and the abnormality processing means generates heat due to the driving operation of the motor device. The gaming machine according to any one of (1) to (5) above, wherein at least a process of suppressing is performed.

  (7) The present invention is also the gaming table according to (6), wherein the process of suppressing at least the heat generation includes a process of stopping a driving operation of the motor device.

  (8) In the above (6), the process of suppressing at least the heat generation includes a process of not performing excitation output of the motor after the process of stopping the driving operation of the motor device is performed. Or it is a game stand as described in (7).

  (9) The present invention is also the gaming table according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the first gaming device is an electronic component that generates heat by an electrical operation. .

  (10) The gaming table according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the cooling reduction state includes a state in which the cooling operation of the cooling device is stopped. It is.

  According to the gaming machine according to the present invention, even when the degree of cooling by the cooling device is lowered, it is possible to achieve an excellent effect of not causing a problem in the parts to be cooled.

  Hereinafter, a slot machine (game table) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Overall configuration>
First, the overall configuration of the slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the slot machine 100. FIG.

  The slot machine 100 includes a main body 101 and a front door 102 that is attached to the front surface of the main body 101 and can be opened and closed with respect to the main body 101. Inside the center of the main body 101 (not shown in FIG. 1), three reels (left reel 110, middle reel 111, right reel 112) having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface are stored. It is configured to rotate inside. These reels 110 to 112 are rotationally driven by a driving means such as a stepping motor.

  In this embodiment, an appropriate number of symbols are printed on the belt-like member at equal intervals, and the reels 110 to 112 are configured by affixing the belt-like member to a predetermined circular cylindrical frame material. When viewed from the player, three symbols on the reels 110 to 112 are displayed in the vertical direction from the symbol display window 113 so that a total of nine symbols can be seen. Then, by rotating the reels 110 to 112, the combination of symbols that can be seen by the player varies. That is, each of the reels 110 to 112 functions as a display unit that displays a combination of a plurality of types of symbols in a variable manner. In addition to the reel, an electronic image display device such as a liquid crystal display device can also be used as such a display means. In this embodiment, three reels are provided in the center of the slot machine 100. However, the number of reels and the installation position of the reels are not limited to this.

  Backlights (not shown) for illuminating individual symbols displayed on the symbol display window 113 are arranged on the rear surfaces of the reels 110 to 112. It is desirable that the backlight is shielded for each symbol so that the individual symbols can be illuminated evenly. In the slot machine 100, an optical sensor (not shown) including a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit is provided in the vicinity of each of the reels 110 to 112. The light projecting unit and the light receiving unit of the optical sensor are provided. A light shielding piece of a certain length provided on the reel passes between the two. Based on the detection result of the sensor, the position of the symbol on the reel in the rotation direction is determined, and the reels 110 to 112 are stopped so that the target symbol is displayed on the winning line.

  The winning line display lamp 120 is a lamp that indicates an effective winning line. The effective pay line is determined in advance by the number of medals bet as a game medium. There are 5 winning lines. For example, when one medal is bet, the middle horizontal winning line is valid, and when two medals are betted, the upper horizontal winning line and the lower horizontal winning line are added 3 When a book is valid and three medals are bet, five lines including a right-down winning line and an upper-right winning line are valid as winning lines. Note that the number of winning lines is not limited to five. For example, when one medal is bet, the middle horizontal winning line, the upper horizontal winning line, the lower horizontal winning line, and the lower right winning line The five winning lines and the upper right winning line may be valid as winning lines.

  The notification lamp 123 is, for example, a lamp that informs the player that a specific winning combination (specifically, a bonus) has been won internally in an internal lottery to be described later or that a bonus game is in progress. The game medal insertable lamp 124 is a lamp for notifying that the player can insert a game medal. The replay lamp 122 informs the player that the current game can be replayed (the medal need not be inserted) when winning a replay which is one of the winning combinations in the previous game. It is a lamp. The reel panel lamp 128 is an effect lamp.

  The medal insertion buttons 130 to 132 are buttons for inserting a predetermined number of medals (referred to as credits) stored electronically in the slot machine 100. In this embodiment, every time the medal insertion button 130 is pressed, a maximum of three are inserted one by one, two are inserted when the medal insertion button 131 is pressed, and 3 when the medal insertion button 132 is pressed. A sheet is inserted. Hereinafter, the medal insertion button 132 is also referred to as a MAX medal insertion button. The game medal insertion lamp 129 lights up the number of lamps corresponding to the number of inserted medals, and when a prescribed number of medals are inserted, the game start is informed that the game can be started. The lamp 121 is turned on.

  The medal slot 141 is an slot for a player to insert a medal when starting a game. That is, the medal can be inserted electronically by the medal insertion buttons 130 to 132, or an actual medal can be inserted (insertion operation) from the medal insertion port 141. It is. The stored number display 125 is a display for displaying the number of medals stored electronically in the slot machine 100. The game information display 126 is a display for displaying various types of internal information (for example, the number of medals paid out during a bonus game) as numerical values. The payout number display 127 is a display for displaying the number of medals to be paid out to the player as a result of winning a winning combination.

  The start lever 135 is a lever type switch for starting the rotation of the reels 110 to 112. That is, when a desired number of medals is inserted into the medal insertion slot 141 or when the start lever 135 is operated by operating the medal insertion buttons 130 to 132, the reels 110 to 112 start to rotate. The operation on the start lever 135 is referred to as a game start operation.

  The stop button unit 136 is provided with stop buttons 137 to 139. The stop buttons 137 to 139 are button-type switches for individually stopping the reels 110 to 112 that have started rotating by the operation of the start lever 135, and are associated with the reels 110 to 112. Hereinafter, the operation on the stop buttons 137 to 139 is referred to as a stop operation, the first stop operation is referred to as a first stop operation, the next stop operation is referred to as a second stop operation, and the last stop operation is referred to as a third stop operation. Note that a light emitter may be provided in each of the stop buttons 137 to 139, and when the stop buttons 137 to 139 can be operated, the light emitter can be turned on to notify the player.

  The medal return button 133 is a button that is pressed to remove a medal when the inserted medal is jammed. The payment button 134 is a button for adjusting the medals electronically stored in the slot machine 100 and the bet medals and discharging them from the medal payout exit 155. The door key hole 140 is a hole into which a key for unlocking the front door 102 of the slot machine 100 is inserted. The medal payout exit 155 is a payout exit for paying out medals.

  The sound holes 160a to 160c are holes for outputting the sound of a speaker provided inside the slot machine 100 to the outside. The title panel 162 provided at the lower part of the front door 102 is for decorating the game table, and the side lamps 144 provided at the left and right parts of the front door 102 are decorative lamps for exciting the game. . A rendering device 200 is disposed above the front door 102.

  Although not shown, a power switch (power board operation unit) for turning on the power of the slot machine 100 and a setting switch for changing the setting of the slot machine 100 are a reel 110 in the main body 101. ˜112 are arranged on the lower right side. That is, these power switch and setting switch cannot be operated unless the front door 102 is unlocked using a door key and the front door 102 is opened.

  This rendering device 200 includes a vertical movable member 202 that is movable in the vertical direction, a horizontal movable member 204 that is movable in the horizontal direction, and a liquid crystal display device 157 disposed on the back side of these movable members 202 and 204. In addition, the liquid crystal display device 157 performs an effect display, and the vertical movable member 202 and the horizontal movable member 204 are configured to perform an effect operation in front of the liquid crystal display device 157.

<Director>
Next, the rendering device 200 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  2A is a perspective view of the cover member 210 of the effect device 200, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the effect unit 220. FIG. As shown in these drawings, the rendering device 200 includes a rendering unit 220 including a liquid crystal display device 157, a vertical movable member 202, and a horizontal movable member 204, and a cover member 210 that covers the rendering unit 220 from the front (front side). It is composed of

  FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cover member 210. As shown in the figure, the cover member 210 is composed of a frame-like frame member 212 having a large front opening and a substantially flat decorative panel 214 made of a transparent material.

  The frame member 212 is made of an opaque resin or the like, and allows the rear (back side) liquid crystal display device 157 and the movable members 202 and 204 to be visible through the front opening 212a. Is for concealing a portion that is not desired to be visually recognized. The frame member 212 has locking tongues 212b formed at two positions on the left and right ends of the back surface, and is fixed to the upper portion of the front door 102 by locking the locking tongues 212b. In addition, sound holes 160a are formed at two locations on the left and right sides of the front upper portion of the frame member 212, and speakers 218 are disposed behind the sound holes 160a.

  The decorative panel 214 is disposed outside the front surface of the frame member 212 and protects the player from directly touching the rear (back side) liquid crystal display device 157 and the movable members 202 and 204. The decorative panel 214 is fixed to the frame member 212 with screws 216 at the four corners. In addition, sound holes 160 a are formed at positions corresponding to the sound holes 160 a of the frame member 212 at two places on the left and right sides of the upper portion of the decorative panel 214. In addition, an upper shielding region 214a and a lower shielding region 214b, which are colored semi-transparently, are provided above and below the portion corresponding to the opening 212a of the frame member 212 of the decorative panel 214, respectively, and the liquid crystal display device 157 is provided. The vertical movable member 202 and the horizontal movable member 204 are partly shielded.

  FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the effect unit 220. As shown in the figure, the rendering unit 220 includes a frame-shaped frame 221, a liquid crystal display device 157 fixed to the frame 221, a vertical movable member 202, and a horizontal movable member 204.

  The frame 221 is fixed to the front door 102 via brackets 221a provided at both left and right ends. The liquid crystal display device 157 is fixed to the front of the frame 221 via the bracket 221b, and the movable members 202 and 204 are positioned in front of the liquid crystal display device 157.

  A left slider 230 and a right slider 232 are arranged at the left end and the right end of the frame 221 so as to be linearly movable in the vertical direction. The left and right sliders 230 and 232 are respectively connected to the left and right ends of the vertical movable member 202 so as to be swingable. The vertical movable member 202 is operated in accordance with the movement of the left and right sliders 230 and 232. . Further, an upper slider 234 that is configured to be linearly movable in the left-right direction and to which the horizontal movable member 202 is fixed is disposed at the upper end portion of the frame 221. Accordingly, the horizontal movable member is moved as the upper slider 234 moves. Note that a lower slider 236 configured to be linearly movable in the left-right direction is provided as an option at the lower end of the frame 221, but this lower slider 236 is not used in this embodiment.

  Inside the frame 221, the left motor 240 for driving the left slider is at the lower left side of the inner surface, the right motor 242 for driving the right slider 232 is at the upper right side of the inner surface, and the upper motor 244 for driving the upper slider 234 is at the inner surface. A lower motor 246 for driving the lower slider 236 is disposed at the upper left portion at the lower right portion of the inner surface. In this embodiment, the lower motor 246 is an option together with the lower slider 236.

  Although not shown, the drive shafts of the motors 240 to 246 protrude from the inside of the frame 221 toward the outside, respectively, and drive endless belts to which the sliders 230 to 236 are fixed through pulleys. It is designed to run. That is, the sliders 230 to 236 are configured to move as the endless belt travels. The motors 240 to 246 are stepping motors in the present embodiment, and can be stopped by moving the sliders 230 to 236 to arbitrary positions. A rack and pinion mechanism or a screw transmission mechanism may be employed instead of the endless belt.

  The vertical movable member 202 is a model of an instrument panel in the cockpit of a spacecraft, and is configured to have substantially the same width as the liquid crystal display device 157. The vertical movable member 202 is connected to the left slider 230 via a left bracket 202a protruding toward the left, and is connected to the right slider 232 via a right bracket 202b protruding toward the right. In addition, a substantially rectangular opening 202c is formed at the center of the vertical movable member 202, and the player on the front can visually recognize the display of the liquid crystal display device 157 on the back side through the opening 202c. It is like that. In the production, a message for the player is displayed behind the opening 202c by the liquid crystal display device 157.

  The horizontal movable member 204 is a model of the sighting device in the cockpit of the spacecraft, and is disposed on the upper portion of the liquid crystal display device 157. The horizontal movable member 204 is connected to the upper slider 234 via an upper bracket 204a that protrudes upward. A circular opening 204b in which two concentric circles and a cross line are formed is formed in the center of the horizontal movable member 204, and the player can pass through the opening 204b to the back side of the liquid crystal display device 157. The display can be visually recognized.

  On the back surface of the frame 221, a board fixing member 250 on which a circuit board for controlling the rendering device 200 is arranged, and a board cover member 260 that covers the circuit board fixed to the board fixing member 250 are arranged. The substrate fixing member 250 is provided with a circuit board constituting a sub-control unit 500 that controls the liquid crystal display device 157 and a sub-control unit 600 that controls the movable members 202 and 204 (both will be described in detail later). The

  In the present embodiment, the motors 240 to 246 for operating the movable members 202 and 204 are arranged in the frame 221 as described above, and the sub-control units 500 and 600 that control the rendering device 200 are configured. By arranging the circuit board on the back surface of the frame 221, the rendering unit 220 is configured compactly. This makes it possible to efficiently utilize the limited space inside the slot machine 100 and provide the effect device 200 including the liquid crystal display device 157 and the movable members 202 and 204 in the slot machine 100.

  FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the substrate fixing member 250 and the substrate cover member 260 as seen from the back side, and FIG. 5B shows the substrate fixing member 250, the sub-control units 500 and 600, and the substrate cover member. FIG.

  The substrate fixing member 250 is a substantially flat member as shown in these drawings. The sub control unit 500 and the sub control unit 600 are arranged side by side on the back side of the substrate fixing member 250 by fixing the four corners with screws 252. Locking hooks 256 for fixing the substrate cover member 260 are provided on the left and right sides of the upper portion of the substrate fixing member 250, respectively. The substrate fixing member 250 is formed with a plurality of ventilation slits 254 for dissipating the heat generated by the sub-control units 500 and 600 by circulating air.

  The sub control unit 500 and the sub control unit 600 are circuit boards each including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The sub-control unit 500 and the sub-control unit 600 are semi-integrally connected by a connector 502 and a connector 602 mounted on each board. The sub-control unit 500 is equipped with a VDP (video display processor) 534 that draws (generates) an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 157 (details of VDP will be described later). Since this VDP 534 is the IC with the highest load among the ICs mounted on the sub-control units 500 and 600, the cooling device 270 is disposed on the upper side (rear side). Details of the cooling device 270 will be described later.

  As shown in these drawings, the substrate cover member 260 is a tray-like member that covers the sub-control units 500 and 600 from the back side. A plurality of ventilation slits 262 are formed in the substrate cover member 260 in the same manner as the substrate fixing member 250. Furthermore, a bulging portion 264 is formed at a position corresponding to the cooling device 270 such that a portion thereof bulges in a rectangular parallelepiped shape so as not to interfere with the cooling device 270. A plurality of exhaust slits 264 a are formed on the top surface of the bulging portion 264 to exhaust the air blown from the cooling device 270 to the outside.

  The substrate cover member 260 is configured to lock the locking pins 266 provided at the two left and right sides of the upper end with the locking hooks 256 of the substrate fixing member 250 and fix the two left and right sides with the screws 252. As a result, the substrate fixing member 250 is attached. Since the substrate cover member 260 is made of a transparent material, the state of the internal sub-control units 500 and 600 can be viewed from the outside while being attached to the substrate fixing member 250.

  FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the cooling device 270 and the sub-control unit 500 and the sub-control unit 600. The cooling device 270 will be described below with the sub-control units 500 and 600 side (circuit board side) facing down. As shown in the figure, the cooling device 270 includes a silicon sheet 272 disposed on the VDP 534 (here, the circuit board side is described below), and a heat sink disposed on the silicon sheet 272. 274 and a cooling fan 276 disposed on the heat sink 274.

  The silicon sheet 272 is made of a material having excellent thermal conductivity, and is used to bring the two into close contact between the VDP 534 and the heat sink 274 and smoothly transfer heat generated by the operation of the VDP 534 to the heat sink 274. Silicon sheet 272 may be formed in a sheet shape in advance, or may be a paste-like material applied to the upper surface of VDP 534.

  The heat sink 274 is made of a material such as a metal or ceramic having excellent thermal conductivity, and is for absorbing and releasing heat generated by the VDP 534. A plurality of heat radiating fins are provided on the upper portion of the heat sink 274 in order to improve heat dissipation. The heat sink 274 is fixed to the sub control unit 500 (circuit board) by the four push pins 278 with the VDP 534 and the silicon sheet 272 sandwiched therebetween.

  The push pin 278 is inserted into a hole 504 provided in the sub-control unit 500 to be locked, and a pipe-like locking member 278a that is inserted into the hole 504 and locked. The push pin 278 is externally inserted into the locking member 278a and biases the heat sink 274 downward. A coil spring 278b and a lock pin 278c that is inserted into the locking member 278a and fixed so that the locking of the locking member 278a to the hole 504 is not released.

  In this embodiment, by using the push pin 278 for fixing the heat sink 274, the heat sink 274 is uniformly pressed toward the VDP 534 by the urging force of the coil spring 278b, and both can be evenly adhered. Thereby, the heat transfer property from the VDP 534 to the heat sink is improved, and the heat generated by the VDP 534 can be quickly moved to the heat sink 274. Further, since the thermal expansion of the heat sink 274, VDP 534, etc. can be absorbed by the coil spring 274b, it is possible to prevent the heat sink 274, VDP 534, etc. from applying an excessive force to the heat sink 274, VDP 534, etc. .

  The cooling fan 276 is an axial-flow type fan that incorporates a fan motor 276a. The cooling fan 276 causes air around the heat sink 274 to flow to promote heat dissipation from the heat sink 274. As a result, the cooling efficiency of the VDP 534 is increased. The cooling fan 276 is fixed to the heat sink 274 via the two stays 279 with screws 279a. Note that the cooling fan 276 may blow external air toward the heat sink 274.

  In this embodiment, the VDP 534 normally operates at an operating frequency (processing speed) of 166 MHz. The VDP 534 consumes a maximum of 8 W when operating at an operating frequency of 166 MHz. In addition, the temperature of VDP 534 increases by about 3.5 ° C. per 1 W of power consumption, and the junction temperature (the temperature at which abnormality occurs in VDP 534) is 105 ° C. Therefore, the VDP 534 in operation needs to maintain the chip surface temperature (ambient temperature) at 77 (= 105− (3.5 × 8)) ° C. or less. For this reason, the cooling device 270 of the present embodiment is configured to have a cooling capacity capable of maintaining the surface temperature of the VDP 534 at 77 ° C. or lower.

  Although illustration is omitted, the fan motor 276a includes a hall element that detects rotation. In this embodiment, the fan motor 276a is abnormally stopped for some reason using this hall element. The cooling degree of the VDP 534 by the cooling device 270 is detected to be reduced. Details of the Hall element and abnormal stop detection will be described later.

<Control unit>
Next, the circuit configuration of the control unit of the slot machine 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  The control unit of the slot machine 100 is roughly divided into a main control unit 300 that controls the central part of the game, and a sub-control that controls various devices according to commands (also referred to as control commands) transmitted from the main control unit 300. Unit 400, sub-control unit 500 that controls various devices according to commands transmitted from sub-control unit 400, sub-control unit 600 that controls various devices according to commands transmitted from sub-control unit 500, It is constituted by.

<Main control unit 300>
First, the main control unit 300 of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a circuit block diagram of the main control unit 300.

  The main control unit 300 includes a CPU 310 that is an arithmetic processing unit for controlling the entire main control unit 300, a data bus and an address bus for the CPU 310 to transmit and receive signals to and from each IC and each circuit, It has the structure described below.

  The clock correction circuit 314 is a circuit that divides the clock oscillated from the crystal oscillator 311 and supplies it to the CPU 310. For example, when the frequency of the crystal oscillator 311 is 16 MHz, the divided clock is 8 MHz. The CPU 310 operates by receiving the clock divided by the clock circuit 314 as a system clock.

  The CPU 310 is connected to a timer circuit 315 for setting a monitoring cycle for constantly monitoring the states of sensors and switches, which will be described later, and a transmission cycle of motor drive pulses, via a bus. When the power is turned on, the CPU 310 transmits the frequency dividing data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 312 to the timer circuit 315 via the data bus.

  The timer circuit 315 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 310 at each interrupt time. In response to this interrupt request, the CPU 310 executes monitoring of each sensor and transmission of drive pulses. For example, when the system clock of the CPU 310 is set to 8 MHz, the frequency division value of the timer circuit 315 is set to 1/256, and the data for frequency division of the ROM 312 is set to 47, the reference time for this interrupt is 256 × 47 ÷ 8 MHz = 1. 504 ms.

  In addition, the CPU 310 has a control program data for controlling each IC, a lottery data used for internal winning lottery, a ROM 312 for storing reel stop positions, and a RAM 313 for storing temporary data. Is connected. Other storage means may be used for these ROM 312 and RAM 313, and this point is the same in each control unit described later.

  The CPU 310 further has an input interface 360 and output interfaces 370 and 371 connected to an address bus via an address decoding circuit 350. The CPU 310 exchanges signals with external devices via these interfaces.

  The CPU 310 receives the medal acceptance sensor 320, the start lever sensor 321, the stop button sensor 322, the medal insertion button sensor 323, the checkout switch sensor 324, the medal payout sensor 326, and the index sensor 325 via the input interface 360 every interruption time. Is detected and each sensor is monitored.

  Two medal acceptance sensors 320 are installed in the passage inside the medal insertion slot 141, and detect whether or not a medal has passed. Two start lever sensors 321 are installed on the start lever 135 and detect a start operation by the player. The stop button sensor 322 is installed in each of the stop buttons 137 to 139, and detects the operation of the stop button by the player.

  The medal insertion button sensor 323 is installed in each of the medal insertion buttons 130 to 132, and detects an insertion operation when a medal electronically stored in the RAM 313 is inserted as a game medal. For example, when the medal insertion sensor 323 corresponding to the medal insertion button 130 is at the L level, the CPU 310 electronically inserts one stored medal and the medal insertion sensor 323 corresponding to the medal insertion button 131 is at the L level. If the medal insertion sensor 323 corresponding to the medal insertion button 132 becomes L level, three stored medals are electronically inserted. When the medal insertion button 132 is pressed, two are inserted when the number of stored medals is two, and one is inserted when the number is one.

  The medal insertion button 132 also functions as an effect insertion button. That is, the medal insertion button 132 also functions as a button for accepting a player's performance operation when performing an effect to intervene the player's operation. Specifically, when the medal insertion sensor 323 corresponding to the medal insertion button 132 becomes L level during the period from the operation of the start lever 135 by the player until all the reels 110 to 112 are stopped, the CPU 310 It is determined that the player has made a production operation (acceptance of the production input button), and processing corresponding to the player's operation is executed. If the medal insertion sensor 323 corresponding to the medal insertion button 132 becomes L level between the stop of all the reels 110 to 112 and the start lever 135 being operated by the player, the CPU 310 electronically Insert 3 stored medals.

  The settlement switch sensor 324 is provided on the settlement button 134. When the settlement button 134 is pressed once, the stored medals are settled. The medal payout sensor 326 is a sensor for detecting a payout medal. Each of the above sensors may be a non-contact type sensor or a contact type sensor.

  Specifically, the index sensor 325 is installed at a predetermined position on the mounting base of each of the reels 110 to 112, and becomes L level each time the light shielding piece provided on the reel passes through the index sensor 325. When detecting this signal, the CPU 310 determines that the reel has made one rotation, and resets the rotational position information of the reel to zero.

  The output interface 370 includes a reel motor driving unit 330 for driving the reels, and a hopper motor driving for driving a motor of a hopper (a device for paying out medals accumulated in the bucket from the medal payout outlet 155). 331, a game lamp 340 (specifically, a winning line display lamp 120, a game start lamp 121, a re-game lamp 122, a notification lamp 123, a game medal insertable lamp 124, etc.), and a 7-segment display 341 (storage) Number display device 125, game information display device 126, payout number display device 127, etc.) are connected.

  A random number generation circuit 317 is connected to the CPU 310 via a data bus. The random number generation circuit 317 is an increment counter capable of incrementing a value within a certain range based on a clock oscillated from the crystal oscillator 316 and outputting the count value to the CPU 310. Used for various lottery processes including lottery. The random number generation circuit 317 in the present embodiment includes one random number counter that increments a value from 0 to 65535 using the clock frequency of the crystal oscillator 316.

  Further, an output interface 371 for transmitting a command (for example, a command indicating an internal winning of a bonus or a small role, a presentation input button reception command, etc.) to the sub-control unit 400 is connected to the data bus of the CPU 310. .

<Sub-control unit 400>
Next, the sub-control unit 400 of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a circuit block diagram of the sub-control unit 400.

  The sub-control unit 400 is an arithmetic processing unit that controls the entire sub-control unit 400 based on a command transmitted from the main control unit 300, and for the CPU 410 to transmit and receive signals to and from each IC and each circuit. A data bus and an address bus are provided and have the following configuration.

  The clock correction circuit 414 is a circuit that corrects the clock oscillated from the crystal oscillator 411 and supplies the corrected clock to the CPU 410 as a system clock.

  Further, a timer circuit 415 is connected to the CPU 410 via a bus. The CPU 410 transmits the frequency dividing data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 412 to the timer circuit 415 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The timer circuit 415 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 410 at each interrupt time. The CPU 410 controls each IC and each circuit based on the interrupt request timing.

  In addition, the CPU 410 temporarily stores a ROM 412 in which commands and data for controlling the entire sub-control unit 400, backlight lighting patterns and data for controlling various displays, and the like are stored. The RAM 413 is connected via each bus.

  The CPU 410 is connected to an input / output interface 460 for transmitting and receiving external signals. The input / output interface 460 includes a backlight 420 for illuminating the symbols of the reels 110 to 112 from the back, a front surface. A door sensor 421 for detecting opening / closing of the door 102 and a reset switch 422 for clearing data in the RAM 413 are connected. Further, an input interface 461 for receiving a signal (command) from the main control unit 300 is connected to the CPU 410 via a data bus.

  A sound source IC 480 is connected to the data bus and address bus of the CPU 410. The sound source IC 480 controls sound according to a command from the CPU 410. The sound source IC 480 is connected to a ROM 481 in which sound data is stored. The sound source IC 480 amplifies the sound data acquired from the ROM 481 by the amplifier 482 and outputs the sound data from the speaker 483 (speaker 218 or the like).

  Similarly to the main control unit 300, the CPU 410 is connected to an address decoding circuit 450 for selecting an external IC. The address decoding circuit 450 receives a signal (command) from the main control unit 300. An input interface 461, an input / output interface 470, and a clock IC 422 are connected. The CPU 410 can acquire the current time when the clock IC 422 is connected.

  Further, a demultiplexer 419 is connected to the input / output interface 470. The demultiplexer 419 distributes the signal transmitted from the input / output interface 470 to each display unit and the like. That is, the demultiplexer 419 controls the effect lamp 430 (upper lamp, lower lamp, side lamp 144, reel panel lamp 128, title panel lamp, saucer lamp, etc.) according to the data received from the CPU 410. The title panel lamp is a lamp that illuminates the title panel 162.

  Based on the command received via the input interface 461, the CPU 410 executes an effect process for exciting the entire game and transmits a command for executing the effect process to the sub-control unit 500 via the input / output interface 470. To do. In addition, the CPU 410 receives a command from the sub control unit 600 via the input / output interface 470 in the effect process.

<Sub-control unit 500>
Next, the sub control unit 500 of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a circuit block diagram of the sub-control unit 500.

  The sub-control unit 500 includes a CPU 510 that is an arithmetic processing unit, a data bus and an address bus for transmitting and receiving signals to and from each IC and each circuit, and has a configuration described below. The clock correction circuit 514 is a circuit that corrects the clock oscillated from the crystal oscillator 511 and supplies the corrected clock to the CPU 510 as a system clock. The CPU 510 receives a signal (command) from the CPU 410 of the sub control unit 400 via the input / output interface 520 and controls the sub control unit 500 as a whole.

  A timer circuit 515 is connected to the CPU 510 via a bus. The CPU 510 transmits the frequency dividing data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 512 to the timer circuit 515 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The timer circuit 515 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 510 for each interrupt time. The CPU 510 controls each IC and each circuit based on the interrupt request timing.

  In addition, a ROM 512, a RAM 513, and a VDP 534 are connected to the CPU 510 via a bus. The ROM 512 stores control program data for controlling the entire sub-control unit 500 and data for presentation. The RAM 513 includes a work area for programs processed by the CPU 510.

  A crystal oscillator 533 is connected to the VDP 534, and further, a CG-ROM 535 and a VRAM 536 in which image data and color palette data for image data are stored are connected via a bus. The VDP 534 reads the image data stored in the CG-ROM 535 based on the signal from the CPU 510, generates an image signal using the work area of the VRAM 536, and outputs the image signal of the liquid crystal display device 157 via the D / A converter 537. Display an image on the display screen. Note that a luminance adjustment signal is input to the liquid crystal display device 157 so that the CPU 510 can adjust the luminance of the display screen of the liquid crystal display device 157.

  Similarly to the main control unit 300 and the sub control unit 400, the CPU 510 is connected to an address decoding circuit 550 for selecting an external IC. The address decoding circuit 550 is connected to an input / output interface 520. ing. The input / output interface 520 is an interface for receiving a command from the sub control unit 400 and transmitting the command to the sub control unit 600. The CPU 510 executes a process for controlling the display of the liquid crystal display device 157 based on a command received from the sub-control unit 400 via the input / output interface 520, and outputs a command for executing the rendering process to the input / output interface 520. To the sub-control unit 600.

  Further, an input / output interface 522 is connected to the CPU 510 via a bus. A cooling fan control device 570 is connected to the input / output interface 522 via a waveform shaping circuit (filter unit) 560. The waveform shaping circuit 560 removes noise and distortion from the signal transmitted from the cooling fan control device 570 and adjusts the signal waveform.

<Cooling fan control device>
Next, the cooling fan control device 570 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 10 is a circuit block diagram of a part of the sub-control unit 500 and the cooling fan control device 570. As shown in the figure, the cooling fan control device 570 includes a driver IC 572, a hall element 574 connected to the driver IC 572, and a capacitor (Ct) 576.

  The driver IC 572 includes a drive control circuit 572a, a charge / discharge circuit 572b, and a fan stop detection circuit 572c. The drive control circuit 572a controls the rotation of the fan motor 276a of the cooling fan 276, and is connected to the coil 578 of the fan motor 276a. The charge / discharge circuit 572b is a circuit for charging or discharging the capacitor 576, and the capacitor 576 is connected thereto. Although described in detail later, the abnormal stop detection circuit 572c is a circuit that detects an abnormal stop of 276a from the voltage value of the capacitor 576.

  The Hall element 574 is a magnetic sensor using the Hall effect, and converts a magnetic field generated by a magnet or a current into an electric signal and outputs it. Specifically, the Hall element 574 outputs a signal using, as an output voltage, a potential difference generated when electrons inside the element are biased to one side by the Lorentz force received from the magnetic field. The Hall element 574 is disposed in the motor 276 and connected to the drive control circuit 572a of the driver IC 572, and outputs a signal corresponding to the magnetic field generated by the coil 578 of the motor 276 to the drive control circuit 572a.

  The magnetic field around the Hall element 574 changes periodically with the rotation of the fan motor 276a. Therefore, while the fan motor 276a is rotating, the output voltage of the Hall element 574 changes periodically, and a sine wave signal is output to the drive control circuit 572a. On the other hand, when the fan motor 276a is forcibly stopped (abnormally stopped) due to, for example, clogging of dust between the fan and the casing, the magnetic field around the Hall element 574 is kept constant. Then, a constant output voltage signal is output from the Hall element 574 to the drive control circuit 572a.

  The cooling fan control device 570 according to the present embodiment has a cooling function based on the difference between the output signal of the Hall element 574 when the fan motor 276a is operating (rotating) normally and the output signal when the fan motor 276a is abnormally stopped. The fan 276 is configured to detect an abnormal stop.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an outline of detection of an abnormal stop of the cooling fan 276 by the cooling fan control device 570. In the figure, the time axis is in the right direction of the figure.

  As described above, when the fan motor 276a rotates normally, the Hall element 574 outputs a sine wave-shaped Hall element signal to the drive control circuit 572a. The drive control circuit 572a outputs a drive signal to the fan motor 276a based on the received hall element signal. The drive control circuit 572a outputs a trigger pulse signal, which is a pulse-like signal, to the charge / discharge circuit 572b at the same cycle as the cycle of the Hall element signal.

  The charge / discharge circuit 572b charges the capacitor 576 while the received trigger pulse signal is constant at the Hi level or the Lo level, and the trigger pulse signal changes edge (changes from the Hi level to the Lo level, or from the Lo level to the Hi level. The capacitor 576 is discharged. Therefore, when the fan motor 276a rotates normally, as shown in the figure, the Ct terminal voltage of the capacitor (Ct) 576 changes in a sawtooth shape. The abnormal stop detection circuit 572c monitors the Ct terminal voltage.

  When the fan motor 276a stops abnormally (motor lock) at a certain timing, the Hall element 574 continues to output a Hall element signal having a constant voltage. The drive control circuit 572b outputs a constant trigger pulse signal at the Hi or Lo level based on the fact that the Hall element signal becomes constant (FIG. 11 shows an example where the signal becomes constant at the Hi level). As a result, the charging / discharging circuit 572b continues to charge the capacitor 576, and thus the Ct terminal voltage of the capacitor 576 continues to rise.

  When the abnormal stop detection circuit 572c detects that the Ct terminal voltage has increased and has reached a predetermined voltage (Ct charge voltage), the abnormal stop detection circuit 572c transmits an abnormal stop detection signal to the sub-control unit 500 and outputs an output stop signal. It transmits toward the drive control circuit 572a. Receiving the abnormal stop detection signal, the sub-control unit 500 changes the operating frequency of the VDP 534 to suppress heat generation, and stops the motors 240 to 246 for driving the movable members 202 and 204 that are other nearby heat sources. A command to that effect is transmitted to the sub-control unit 600 (details will be described later). The drive control circuit 572a that has received the output stop signal stops outputting the drive signal to the fan motor 276a.

  The charging / discharging circuit 572b stops charging the capacitor 576 when the Ct terminal voltage reaches the Ct charging voltage. As a result, the capacitor 576 is spontaneously discharged, and the Ct terminal voltage gradually decreases. When the Ct terminal voltage falls due to spontaneous discharge and reaches a predetermined voltage (Ct discharge voltage), the charge / discharge circuit 572b starts charging the capacitor 576 based on the trigger pulse signal again. At this time, when the abnormal stop state of the fan motor 276a continues as shown in reaching the Ct discharge voltage (first time) in the figure, the Ct terminal voltage continues to rise again.

  When the abnormal stop detection circuit 572c detects that the Ct terminal voltage has fallen due to natural discharge and has reached the Ct discharge voltage, the abnormal stop detection circuit 572c transmits a signal to the drive control circuit 572a to resume output of the drive signal to the fan motor 276a. Then, the drive control circuit 572a having received this outputs the drive signal to the fan motor 276a again.

  In this embodiment, the driving of the fan motor 276a is stopped for a predetermined time required for charging from the time when the abnormal stop is detected to the Ct charging voltage of the capacitor 576 and discharging from the Ct charging voltage to the Ct discharging voltage. After that, the drive of the fan motor 276a is tried again. When the cause of the abnormal stop has been resolved after the predetermined time has elapsed (for example, when clogged dust etc. has dropped out naturally), normal driving of the fan motor 276a based on the Hall element signal is resumed. Will be. If the cause of the abnormal stop has not been resolved after the predetermined time has elapsed, the drive of the fan motor 276a is stopped when the Ct terminal voltage reaches the Ct charge voltage.

  FIG. 11 shows a case where the cause of the abnormal stop is resolved when the Ct terminal voltage reaches the Ct discharge voltage for the second time after the fan motor 276a stops abnormally. Further, in the same figure, the waveforms of the Hall element signal, the trigger pulse signal, and the Ct terminal voltage from when the Ct terminal voltage reaches the Ct discharge voltage for the second time until the fan motor 276a returns to normal operation are simplified. In practice, however, the waveform may be disturbed depending on the state of the fan motor 276a when the abnormal stop is resolved.

  After detecting the abnormal stop, the abnormal stop detection circuit 572c outputs the abnormal stop detection signal until the normal operation of the fan motor 276a is restarted and the Ct terminal voltage has dropped to a predetermined minimum value. Continue to send to 500. The sub-control unit 500 determines whether or not an abnormal stop detection signal has been received at a period of about 33 ms (30 times per second) in an effect execution process described later. When it is determined that the abnormal stop detection signal has been received 30 times continuously except when the power is turned on, that is, when it is determined that the abnormal stop state continues for about 1 second, the liquid crystal display device 157 Execute the process to output the fan error display. This fan error display is continuously displayed on the liquid crystal display device 157 even after the abnormal stop of the fan motor 276a is resolved, until the power is turned on again (the power is turned off and then turned on again). Details of processing of the sub-control unit 500 in detecting an abnormal stop will be described later.

<Sub-control unit 600>
Next, the sub control unit 600 of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a circuit block diagram of the sub-control unit 600.

  The sub-control unit 600 includes a CPU 610 that is an arithmetic processing unit, a data bus and an address bus for transmitting and receiving signals to and from each IC and each circuit, and has a configuration described below. The clock correction circuit 614 is a circuit that corrects the clock oscillated from the crystal oscillator 611 and supplies the corrected clock to the CPU 610 as a system clock. The CPU 610 receives a signal (command) from the CPU 510 of the sub control unit 500 via the input / output interface 620 and controls the sub control unit 600 as a whole.

  A timer circuit 615 is connected to the CPU 610 via a bus. The CPU 610 transmits the data for frequency division stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 612 to the timer circuit 615 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The timer circuit 615 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 610 every interrupt time. The CPU 610 controls each IC and each circuit based on the interrupt request timing.

  In addition, a ROM 612 and a RAM 613 are connected to the CPU 610 via a bus. The ROM 612 stores control program data and effect data for controlling the entire sub-control unit 600. The RAM 613 includes a work area for programs processed by the CPU 610.

  Similarly to the sub-control unit 400 and the sub-control unit 500, the CPU 610 is connected to an address decode circuit 650 for selecting an external IC. The address decode circuit 650 includes an input / output interface 620, an input interface, and the like. 660 and an output interface 670 are connected.

  The input / output interface 620 is an interface for receiving a command from the sub control unit 500 and transmitting the command to the sub control unit 400. The CPU 610 executes processing for controlling the motors 240 to 244 of the rendering device 200 based on the command received from the sub-control unit 500 via the input / output interface 620, and sends the command to the sub-command via the input / output interface 620. It transmits to the control part 400.

  To the input interface 660, a left sensor A661, a left sensor B662, a right sensor A663, a right sensor B664, an upper sensor A665, an upper sensor B666, a lower sensor A667, and a lower sensor B668 included in the rendering device 200 are connected. These sensors 661 to 668 detect the limit position (one limit position is a reference position) of the operation range of each of the sliders 230 to 236 included in the rendering device 200.

  In this embodiment, the left sensor A661 and the right sensor A663 detect the reference position of the vertical movable member 202 (left slider 230 and right slider 232), and the upper sensor A665 detects the reference of the horizontal movable member 204 (upper slider 234). The position is detected. In the present embodiment, since the lower slider 236 is not used as described above, the lower sensor A667 and the lower sensor B668 that detect the limit position of the lower slider 236 are not used.

  Motors 240 to 246 included in each drive mechanism of rendering device 200 are connected to output interface 670 via a driver. Specifically, the left motor driver 671 is used for the left motor 240, the right motor driver 672 is used for the right motor 242, the upper motor driver 673 is used for the upper motor 244, and the lower motor driver 674 is used for the lower motor 246. It is connected. In this embodiment, the lower motor 675 for driving the lower slider 236 is not used.

  In addition, in each control part 300-600 of a present Example, the information communication between the main control part 300 and the sub-control part 400 is a one-way communication, and the communication in the reverse direction is impossible. Yes. That is, a command can be transmitted from the main control unit 300 to the sub control unit 400, but a command cannot be transmitted from the sub control unit 400 to the main control unit 300.

  Direct information communication between the sub-control unit 400 and the sub-control unit 500, the sub-control unit 500 and the sub-control unit 600, and between the sub-control unit 600 and the sub-control unit 400 is one-way communication. The communication in the reverse direction is impossible. That is, commands can be transmitted directly from the sub-control unit 400 to the sub-control unit 500, from the sub-control unit 500 to the sub-control unit 600, and from the sub-control unit 600 to the sub-control unit 400. Commands cannot be transmitted directly from the control unit 500 to the sub-control unit 400, from the sub-control unit 600 to the sub-control unit 500, and from the sub-control unit 400 to the sub-control unit 600. Therefore, when a command is transmitted from the sub control unit 500 to the sub control unit 400, the command is transmitted to the sub control unit 400 via the sub control unit 600. Similarly, when a signal is transmitted from the sub control unit 600 to the sub control unit 500, a command is transmitted to the sub control unit 500 via the sub control unit 400, and a signal is transmitted from the sub control unit 400 to the sub control unit 600. To do so, a command is transmitted to the sub control unit 600 via the sub control unit 500.

<Pattern arrangement>
Next, the symbol arrangement applied to each of the reels 110 to 112 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a diagram in which the arrangement of symbols applied to each reel (left reel 110, middle reel 111, right reel 112) is developed in a plane.

  In each reel 110 to 112, a plurality of types (eight types in this embodiment) of symbols shown on the right side of the same figure are arranged in a predetermined number of frames (21 frames of numbers 0 to 20 in this embodiment). . Also, numbers 0 to 20 shown at the left end of the figure are numbers indicating the arrangement positions of symbols on the reels 110 to 112. For example, in this embodiment, the number 1 frame of the left reel 110 is “BB1 symbol”, the number 0 frame of the middle reel 111 is “CHANCE symbol (chance symbol)”, and the number 2 frame of the right reel 112 is “number 2”. "Replay design" is arranged respectively.

<Type of winning prize>
Next, the types of winning combinations of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The figure shows the types of winning combinations (including operating combinations), the names of each winning combination, the symbol combinations corresponding to each winning combination, the number of payouts for each winning combination, and the operation of each winning combination. is there.

  The winning combination of the slot machine 100 includes special combination 1 (BB1), special combination 2 (BB2), special combination 3 (RB), small combination 1-4 (CHANCE, bell, watermelon, cherry), There is a game player (replay). Needless to say, the type of winning combination is not limited to this and can be arbitrarily adopted. In this embodiment, the special combination 1 (BB1) may be referred to as a bonus combination 1 (BB1), the special combination 2 (BB2) may be referred to as a bonus combination 2 (BB2), and the special combination 3 (RB). ) May be referred to as bonus combination 3 (RB3). In addition, these special combinations 1 to 3 may be collectively referred to as a bonus combination.

  Among the winning combinations in this embodiment, special combination 1 (BB1), special combination 2 (BB2), and special combination 3 (RB) are transferred to bonus game, and replay combination (replay) is a new medal. As a role that allows re-playing that assumes that the same number of medals as the number inserted in the previous game has been inserted without inserting, there are cases where it is called an `` operating role '' separately from the winning combination, The “winning combination” in the embodiment includes a special combination 1 (BB1), a special combination 2 (BB2), a special combination 3 (RB), a replay combination 1 and a replay combination 2, which are operating combinations.

  In addition, “winning” means that a symbol combination corresponding to a winning combination is displayed on the active line, but “winning” in this embodiment does not involve a medal payout (including a medal payout). Not included) The combination of symbols of the operating combination is displayed on the active line. For example, a special combination 1 (BB1), a special combination 2 (BB2), a special combination 3 (RB), and a re-playing combination are awarded. included.

  “Special Role 1 (BB1), Special Role 2 (BB2)” (hereinafter, Special Role 1 (BB1) and Special Role 2 (BB2) may be collectively referred to as “Big Bonus (BB)”) This is a special combination (operating combination) in which a big bonus game (BB game) is started. Corresponding symbol combinations are BB1 “BB1 symbol-BB1 symbol-BB1 symbol” and BB2 “BB2 symbol-BB2 symbol-BB2 symbol”.

  Further, flag carryover is performed for BB1 and BB2. That is, when BB1 and BB2 are won internally, a flag indicating this is set (stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 313 of the main control unit 300), but even if BB1 and BB2 are not won in the game, a prize is won. Until then, the flag indicating the internal winning is maintained, and even after the next game, BB1 and BB2 are being internally selected, and the symbol combination corresponding to BB1 “BB1 symbol-BB1 symbol-BB1 symbol”, symbol corresponding to BB2 The combination “BB2 symbol-BB2 symbol-BB2 symbol” is in a state of winning a prize on the active line.

  “Special role 3 (RB)” (hereinafter, special role 3 (RB) may be referred to as “regular bonus”) is a special role (operating role) in which a regular bonus game (RB game) is started by winning a prize. It is. The corresponding symbol combination is “RB symbol-RB symbol-RB symbol”. Note that the RB carries over the flag as well as the above-mentioned BB. However, in the big bonus game (BB game) (details will be described later), the regular bonus game (RB game) is won internally and the combination of symbols is displayed on the winning line. It may be set to automatically start.

  In the present embodiment, the above-described big bonus game (BB game) and regular bonus game (RB game) may be collectively referred to as a special game or simply a bonus game. The special game has a higher game media acquisition rate than the normal game, and is a game state advantageous to the player.

  “Small 1 (CHANCE), Small 2 (Bell), Small 3 (Watermelon), Small 4 (Cherry)” (hereinafter simply referred to as “CHANCE”, “Bell”, “Watermelon”, “Cherry”) Is a winning combination in which a predetermined number of medals are paid out by winning, and the corresponding symbol combinations are CHANCE “CHANCE symbol-CHANCE symbol-CHANCE symbol” and Bell “bell symbol-bell symbol-bell symbol”. The watermelon is “Watermelon design-Watermelon design-Watermelon design”, and the cherry is “Cherry design-ANY-ANY”. The corresponding payout number is as shown in FIG.

  Note that “cherry symbol-ANY-ANY” indicates that the symbol of the middle reel 111 and the right reel 112 may be any symbol if the symbol of the left reel 110 is “cherry symbol”. "Small 1 (CHANCE), Small 2 (Bell), Small 3 (Watermelon), and Small 4 (Cherry)" is called a general role.

  “Re-playing combination (replay)” is a winning combination (operating combination) in which a game can be performed without inserting a medal (game medium) in the next game by winning, and no medal is paid out. The corresponding symbol combination is “replay symbol-replay symbol-replay symbol”.

<Type of gaming state>
Next, the types of gaming state of the slot machine 100 will be described.

  In this embodiment, the gaming state of the slot machine 100 includes a normal gaming state (RT0 mode), a special bonus (bonus role) of a big bonus (BB) and a regular bonus (RB), an internal winning game (RT1 mode), and BB. It can be roughly divided into a bonus game (RT2 mode) including a game and an RB game, and a re-game variable game (RT3 mode).

<Normal gaming state (RT0 mode)>
The content of the normal gaming state (RT0 mode) is not particularly limited. For example, the result of the internal lottery is largely lost, and the total number of medals that can be obtained during the game when the player has played multiple times is In this embodiment, a special state (bonus combination) internal winning game (RT1 mode), bonus game (RT2 mode), and re-game variable game ( A gaming state other than (RT3 mode).

  In this normal game state (RT0 mode), when BB1, BB2 or RB is internally won (including internal winnings by duplicated roles), it shifts to a special role (bonus role) internal winning game (RT1 mode). In addition, when the re-game variation game (RT3 mode) is completed, the normal game state (RT0 mode) is entered.

<Special role (bonus role) internal winning game (RT1 mode)>
This special combination (bonus combination) internal winning game (RT1 mode) refers to a gaming state in which a symbol combination corresponding to the special combination can be displayed on the active line. This special combination (bonus combination) internal winning game (RT1 mode) will be described later in the normal gaming state (RT0 mode) when BB1, BB2 or RB are internally won (including internal winnings by duplicated roles) or later In the re-game fluctuation game (RT3 mode), when a special combination of BB1, BB2 or RB is internally won (including internal winnings by overlapping roles) and a predetermined number of games (5 games in this embodiment) ) Is transferred when digested.

  Also, when the symbol combination corresponding to BB1, BB2, or RB is displayed on the active line, the game is finished and the BB game (BB1) to be described below is finished depending on the type of the special combination (special combination 1 to 3) that is won. Game, BB2 game) and RB game.

<BB game (RT2 mode)>
Although the content of the BB game (RT2 mode) is not particularly limited, it is a gaming state in which the player is more profitable than the normal gaming state, and in this embodiment, the total number of medals earned during the game is inserted during the game. A game state that exceeds the total number of medals. The BB1 game, which is one of the BB games, shifts when the symbol combination corresponding to BB1 is displayed on the active line in the special winning combination (bonus combination) internal winning game (RT1 mode), and repeats the RB gaming described later. It is a game state that can be executed. The BB2 game, which is one of the BB games, shifts to a case where a symbol combination corresponding to BB2 is displayed on the active line in the special combination (bonus combination) internal winning game (RT1 mode). It is a gaming state that can be repeatedly executed.

  Further, the BB game (BB1 game or BB2 game) is ended when a predetermined number of medals (for example, 351) are paid out during the game, and the re-game variable game (RT3 mode) Migrate to However, the starting condition of the RB game during the BB game is to set a combination (for example, replay) for starting the RB game and start the RB game when this combination is won internally or when winning. It may be set. Furthermore, in the BB game, when the BB general game excluding the RB game during the BB game is executed a predetermined number of times (for example, 30 times), or the number of the RB games executed during the BB game is a predetermined number of times. It may be made to end when it reaches (for example, three times).

<RB game (RT2 mode)>
The content of the RB game (RT2 mode) is not particularly limited, but it is a game state that has a larger profit than the normal game state for the player. In this embodiment, the total number of medals earned during the game is inserted during the game. A game state that exceeds the total number of medals. The RB game shifts when the symbol combination corresponding to RB is displayed on the active line in the special combination (bonus combination) internal winning game (RT1 mode).

  Further, the RB game is ended when a predetermined number of medals (for example, 104) are paid out during the game, and the game shifts to a re-game changing game (RT3 mode). However, a variation in which a predetermined predetermined role increases the internal winning probability (for example, “setting 1”, internal winning probability 1/15 of “small role 1” set to “normal game” is determined in advance. It is also possible to increase the internal winning probability, which is a predetermined value, to 1 / 1.2), and to end when a predetermined number (for example, 8 times) has been won.

<Re-game variation game (RT3 mode)>
Although the content of the re-game variable game (RT3 mode) is not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the internal winning probability of the re-game player is set as the re-game player (for example, re-game player 1 (replay) in the normal game state (RT0 mode). )) Is a gaming state in which a change is made to rise above the internal winning probability (about 1 / 7.3 in this embodiment). The re-game fluctuation game state (RT3 mode) shifts when the symbol combination corresponding to CHANCE is displayed on the active line in the normal game state (RT0 mode).

  Also, in the re-game variable gaming state (RT3 mode), when any special combination of BB1, BB2 or RB is not won internally (including internal winnings due to overlapping roles), a predetermined number of games (this embodiment) Then, when 5 games are consumed, the game moves to the normal gaming state (RT0 mode), and when a special combination of BB1, BB2 or RB is internally won (including internal winnings by duplicated roles) When the number of games (5 games in the present embodiment) is exhausted, it shifts to a special combination (bonus combination) internal winning game (RT1 mode).

  In this embodiment, the re-game variation game is also referred to as a replay time. In addition, the privilege game in the present embodiment refers to, for example, an RT preparation state or an RT state, but is not limited thereto, and may be a game to which a privilege more advantageous to the player than the normal game state is given. Thus, for example, AT (assist time: a function for notifying a player of internal winnings of a winning combination, etc. by a lamp), ART (assist replay time: a function having both the above AT and RT), ST (stock time: bonus combination) For example, a function of temporarily storing the internal winning flag and releasing the internal winning flag of the bonus combination when a certain condition is satisfied).

<Processing of main control unit>
Next, the main process of the main control unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing of the main control unit 300.

  Basic control of the game is performed mainly by the CPU 310 of the main controller 300, and the CPU 310 repeatedly executes the main process of the main controller shown in FIG. Information obtained by executing each process is appropriately transmitted to the sub-control unit 400 at a predetermined timing.

  When power is supplied to the slot machine 100, first, various initialization processes are executed in step S101 of the main control unit main process, and various initial settings are performed.

  In step S102, processing related to medal insertion is performed. Here, it is checked whether or not medals have been inserted, and the winning line display lamp 120 is turned on according to the number of medals inserted. In the case where the player has won the re-game player in the previous game, the same number of bets as the previous game can be played without additional insertion of medals. In step S102, a process related to a game start operation is performed. Here, it is checked whether or not the start lever 135 has been operated. If it is determined that the start operation has been performed, the number of inserted medals is determined and a start signal (command) is transmitted to the sub-control unit 400. To do.

  In step S103, a valid winning line is determined, and in step S104, a random number generated by the random number generator 317 is acquired.

  In step S105, an internal winning lottery is performed using the random value acquired in step S104 and the winning combination lottery table stored in the ROM 312 according to the current gaming state (lottery means). As a result of the internal lottery, when any winning combination (including an operating combination) is won internally, the flag of the winning combination is turned on. Also, in this step S105, if it is determined that the winning combination has been won internally as a result of the winning combination internal lottery, the command corresponding to the winning combination is determined to be lost (unselected winning combination). A corresponding command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 400.

  In step S106, the reel stop control data selection table stored in the ROM 312 is referred to, and candidate reel stop control data is selected based on the internal lottery result in step S105. In step S107, rotation of all reels 110 to 112 is started by reel rotation start processing.

  In step S108, a production input button reception process is performed. Here, when the operation of the effect input button 132 by the player is accepted during the operation effective period (from when the start lever 135 is operated until all the reels 110 to 112 are stopped), this is indicated. An effect input button reception command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 400. The sub-control units 400 to 600 execute a predetermined effect process based on the reception of the effect input button reception command.

  In step S109, the reels 110 to 112 corresponding to the pressed stop buttons 137 to 139 are stopped from rotating by the reel stop control process. At this time, the reels 110 to 112 are stopped based on the reel stop control data selected in step S106. In step S109, when all the reels 110 to 112 are stopped, a third stop command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 400.

  In step S110, the winning determination of the symbols stopped when the stop buttons 137 to 139 are pressed is performed. Here, it is determined that the winning combination has been won when a combination of symbols corresponding to an internal winning winning combination or a winning combination with a flag carryover is aligned (displayed). For example, if “replay symbol-replay symbol-replay symbol” are arranged on the active line, it is determined that the replay is won. In step S110, if it is determined that the winning combination is won as a result of the winning determination, a command corresponding to the winning combination is transmitted to the sub-control unit 400.

  In step S111, a medal payout process is performed. In this medal payout process, if a winning combination with a payout is won, the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is paid out. In step S112, game state control processing is performed. Thus, one game is completed. Thereafter, returning to step S102 and repeating the above-described processing, the game proceeds.

<Processing of Sub Control Unit 400>
Next, the processing of the sub control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 16A is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing of the sub-control unit 400.

  First, in step S201, various initial settings are performed. When power is turned on, initialization processing is first executed in step S201. In this initialization process, initialization of the input / output ports, initialization of the storage area in the RAM 413, and the like are performed. In step S202, command input processing (details will be described later) is performed.

  In step S203, effect data is updated. In the effect data update process, operation control data and the like for controlling the effect are updated. In step S204, it is determined whether or not the effect data updated in step S203 includes data to be output to the driver of each effect device (effect lamp 430, speaker 483, etc.) of the sub-control unit 400. If applicable, the process proceeds to step S205; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S206. In step S205, data is set in the driver of the rendering device of the sub-control unit 400. The production device executes the production according to the data by setting the data.

  In step S206, it is determined whether or not there is a control command to be transmitted to the sub-control unit 500 in the effect data updated in step S203. If applicable, the process proceeds to step S207; otherwise, the process returns to step S202. In step S207, a control command (for example, a command indicating that a special function internal winning command or a production input button reception command has been received from the main control unit 300) is transmitted to the sub-control unit 500, and the process returns to step S202.

  Next, command input processing of the sub-control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of command input processing of the sub-control unit 400. In step S301, it is determined whether or not at least one unprocessed command (a control command stored by a strobe interrupt process described later) is stored in the command storage area provided in the RAM 413. If applicable, the process proceeds to step S302; otherwise, the process returns to step S301. In step S302, one control command is acquired from the command storage area and analyzed, and processing corresponding to the analysis result is executed. The acquired control command is deleted from the command storage area.

  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 of the sub-control unit 400. This strobe interrupt process is a process executed when the sub control unit 400 detects a strobe signal output by the main control unit 300 together with the transmission of the control command. In step S401 of the strobe interrupt process, the control command output from the main control unit 300 is stored as an unprocessed command in a command storage area provided in the RAM 413.

  Next, timer interrupt processing of the sub-control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of timer interrupt processing of the sub-control unit 400. 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), and executes timer interrupt processing triggered by this timer interrupt. In step S601 of this timer interrupt process, the general-purpose timer stored in the predetermined storage area of the RAM 413 is updated. In the present embodiment, the general-purpose timer update period is set to 10 ms (= 2 ms × 5 times) by adding one general-purpose timer every time interrupt processing is performed five times.

<Processing of Sub Control Unit 500>
Next, processing of the sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIGS.

<Main processing of sub-control unit 500>
First, the sub-control unit main process will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing of the sub-control unit 500.

  First, in step S601, various initial settings are performed. When the power is turned on, an initialization process is first executed in step S601. In this initialization process, the CPU 510 sets a stack initial value to the stack pointer (SP), sets an interrupt mask, initializes an input / output interface, initializes various variables stored in the RAM 513, and the like. Also, the setting of a cycle for executing interrupt processing to be described later at regular intervals, processing for outputting a clear signal from a predetermined input / output interface, setting for permitting writing to the RAM 513, and the like are performed.

  In step S602, parameter values are set. Here, the operating frequency parameter i of the VDP 534 is set to 166. That is, the VDP 534 is set to operate at an operating frequency (processing speed) of 166 MHz. In step S603, a wait of 1.5 s (seconds) is performed. Here, a wait of 1.5 s is performed in consideration of the time required for starting the driver IC 572 of the cooling fan control device 570 and discharging the capacitor 576.

  In step S604, it is determined whether an abnormal stop detection signal is received from the abnormal stop detection circuit 572c of the cooling fan control device 570. Here, the reception of the abnormal stop detection signal is waited for 100 μs, and if the abnormal stop signal is received during this time, the process proceeds to step S605. If not, the counter for the abnormal stop detection signal, which will be described later, is cleared to 0. The process proceeds to S607.

  In step S605, it is determined whether or not it has been determined three times that an abnormal stop detection signal has been received. More specifically, when an abnormal stop detection signal is received, a numerical value obtained by adding 1 to the numerical value of the abnormal stop detection signal counter provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 513 is newly stored. It is determined whether or not the numerical value is 3. In the present embodiment, immediately after the power is turned on, the fan motor 276a is rotating from the stopped state (the state where the fan motor 276a does not rotate even after waiting for 1.5 seconds without rotating load = abnormal state) and no noise is generated. Therefore, the number of confirmations for receiving the abnormal stop detection signal is 3 times and the confirmation time is 300 μs (= 100 μs × 3 times), both of which are described later (the number of confirmations is 30 times, the confirmation time is 1 s = about 33 ms × 30 times). ) Is less than. It should be noted that the number of confirmations and the confirmation time for receiving the abnormal stop detection signal immediately after the power is turned on are not limited to the above values, and may be set as appropriate according to the characteristics of the VDP 534 and the cooling device 270. If abnormal stop detection signal reception has been determined three times consecutively, the process proceeds to step S606, and if not, the process returns to step S604.

  In step S606, fan stop error processing is performed. Details of the fan stop error process will be described later.

  In step S607, a RAM check is performed to determine whether there is an abnormality in the RAM 513. If there is an abnormality in the RAM 513, the process proceeds to step S608, and if not, the process proceeds to step S609. In step S608, RAM error processing is performed. Here, RAM clear or the like is executed to perform processing for eliminating the abnormality of the RAM 513.

  In step S609, it is determined whether the forced RAM clear signal is on. Specifically, whether or not the RAM clear signal transmitted when the game store clerk or the like first operates the operation part (power switch) of the power supply board is on (indicating that there is an operation), That is, it is determined whether or not the RAM clear is necessary. If the RAM clear signal is on (when the RAM clear is necessary), the process proceeds to step S610; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S612.

  In step S610, an initial state game start process is performed. Here, setting of the stack initial value to the stack pointer, initialization of all storage areas of the RAM 513, and the like are performed. Also, processing such as transferring frequently used data out of image data and color palette data stored in the CG-ROM 535 to the VRAM 536 is performed. In step S610, the fan stop error flag set to ON in step S702 in the fan stop error process described later is reset to OFF. As a result, although the details will be described later, the sub-control unit 500 executes a normal effect process (an effect process based on the command received from the sub-control unit 400), and thus displays on the liquid crystal display device 157 until then. The displayed fan error is terminated.

  In step S611, an effect execution process is performed. Details of the effect execution process will be described later. In step S612, a return process is performed. Here, the stack pointer stored in the stack pointer save area provided in the RAM 513 at the time of power interruption is read and reset to the stack pointer. Further, the value of each register stored in the register save area provided in the RAM 513 at the time of power interruption is read, and after setting the register again, the permission of interrupt is set. Thereafter, as a result of the CPU 510 executing the control program based on the stack pointer and the register after resetting, the sub-control unit 500 returns to the power-off state. That is, the process is resumed from the instruction next to the predetermined instruction performed immediately before power interruption in the effect execution process described later.

<Fan stop error handling>
Next, the fan stop error process in step S606 in the main process of the sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of fan stop error processing.

  In step S701, the parameter value is reset. Here, the operating frequency (processing speed) parameter i is reset to 133 in order to suppress the amount of heat generated by the VDP 534. That is, the operating frequency of the VDP 534 is changed from 166 MHz to 133 MHz and set to operate at a lower speed than before.

  In step S702, a fan stop error flag is set. Here, the fan stop error flag set in a predetermined area of the RAM 513 is set to ON. In step S <b> 703, preparation for transmitting an abnormal stop request command for stopping the motors 240 to 246 for driving the movable members 202 and 204 to the sub-control unit 600 is performed. In step S704, the fan stop error display effect data (image data or the like) displayed on the liquid crystal display device 157 is reserved and set. This fan stop error display is a display for notifying that the cooling fan 276 has entered an abnormal stop state, and is endlessly set (continues until the next instruction is given) on the program.

<Direction execution process>
Next, the effect execution process of step S611 in the main process of the sub-control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the figure is a flowchart which shows the flow of an effect execution process.

  In step S801, command input processing is performed. Here, first, it is determined whether or not at least one unprocessed command (a control command stored by interrupt processing of the sub-control unit 500 described later) is stored in the command storage area provided in the RAM 513. If an unprocessed control command is stored in the command storage area, one control command is acquired from the command storage area and analyzed, and processing corresponding to the analysis result is executed. The acquired control command is deleted from the command storage area.

  In step S802, effect data update processing is performed. Here, presentation data such as image data displayed on the liquid crystal display device 157 is updated based on the received control command or the like. If the effect data for fan stop error display is reserved in step S704 in the fan stop error process, the effect data is updated to this. In step S802, the presence / absence of a control command to be transmitted to the sub-control unit 600 is determined, and control data or the like for production is updated based on the determination result.

  In step S803, a liquid crystal effect process is performed. Here, CPU 510 performs processing for causing VDP 534 to perform rendering and display processing of an effect image displayed on liquid crystal display device 157 and the like. The VDP 534 loads image data or the like from the ROM 512 or the CG-ROM 535 based on a command from the CPU 510 and performs a process of drawing (generating) an image in one of the two frame buffers set in the VRAM 536. Further, the VDP 534 performs processing for displaying an image already drawn in the other frame buffer on the liquid crystal display device 157. At this time, the VDP 534 operates at an operating frequency of 133 MHz when the fan stop error process of step S606 is executed in the main process of the sub-control unit 500, and otherwise, the step in the main process of the sub-control unit 500 It operates at 166 MHz set in S602.

  In step S804, fan drive monitoring processing is performed. Details of the fan drive monitoring process will be described later. In step S805, it is determined whether there is a control command to be transmitted to the sub-control unit 600 in the effect data updated in step S802. If applicable, the process proceeds to step S806; otherwise, the process returns to step S801. In step S806, a control command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 600. Here, when performing an effect of operating the vertical movable member 202 and the horizontal movable member 204, a motor command or the like for controlling the motors 240 to 244 is transmitted to the sub-control unit 600.

  After executing step S806, the process returns to step S802, and the processes of steps S801 to S806 are repeated. In this embodiment, an image of 30 frames per second is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 157. Therefore, the processes of steps S801 to S806 are executed every 1/30 seconds, that is, at a period of about 33 ms.

<Fan drive monitoring process>
Next, the fan drive monitoring process in step S804 in the effect execution process will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of fan drive monitoring processing.

  In step S901, it is determined whether an abnormal stop detection signal is received from cooling fan control device 570. If an abnormal stop detection signal is received, the process proceeds to step S902. If not received, the process proceeds to step S903.

  In step S902, a numerical value obtained by adding 1 to the numerical value of the abnormal stop detection signal counter stored in the predetermined area of the RAM 513 is newly stored. Note that the initial value of the counter for the abnormal stop detection signal is set to 0 in step S610 of the main process of the sub-control unit 500. In step S903, the numerical value of the abnormal stop detection signal counter is cleared (reset to the initial value of 0).

  In step S904, it is determined whether or not the numerical value of the counter for the abnormal stop detection signal is 30, that is, whether or not the number of times that it is determined in step S901 that the abnormal stop detection signal has been received has reached 30 times. As described above, the effect execution process is repeated 30 times per second (a period of about 33 ms), so here, it is determined whether or not the abnormal stop state of the cooling fan 276 has continued for about 1 second. Yes. If the value of the counter is 30, the process jumps to the fan stop error process in step S606 in the main process of the sub-control unit 500. If not, the process ends.

  As described above, in this embodiment, by using the processing cycle of the effect execution process (period of about 33 ms), the abnormal stop state of the cooling fan 276 for about 1 second is determined without using another interrupt process. It is possible. In this embodiment, the characteristics of the VDP 534 and the cooling device 270, specifically, the cooling fan 276 is abnormal for about 1 second based on the experimental result that the temperature rise of the VDP 534 starts about 1 second after the cooling fan 276 stops. The fan stop error process is executed when the stop state occurs, but it goes without saying that the confirmation time is not limited to one second.

<Interrupt processing of sub-control unit 500>
Next, interrupt processing of the sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of interrupt processing of the sub-control unit 500. The sub-control unit 500 includes a hardware timer that generates a timer interrupt at a predetermined period (in this embodiment, once every 2 ms), and executes the sub-control unit 500 interrupt process in response to this timer interrupt. .

  In step S1001, it is determined whether there is a reception command from the sub-control unit 400. If a command is received from the sub-control unit 400, the process proceeds to step S1002, and if not, the process ends. In step S1002, it is determined whether the fan stop error flag is set to ON in step S702 in the fan stop error process. If the fan stop error flag is on, the process proceeds to step S1003. If the fan stop error flag is off, the process proceeds to step S1004.

  In step S1003, the received command from the sub control unit 400 is discarded and the process is terminated. That is, if the fan stop error flag is on, the sub control unit 500 discards all commands transmitted from the sub control unit 400 as needed as the game progresses, and reserves the setting in step S704 in the fan stop error process. The liquid crystal effect process of step S803 in the effect execution process is executed based only on the effect data of the displayed fan stop error. As a result, a fan stop error display (details will be described later) is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 157 until the power is turned on again and the initial state game start process of step S610 in the main process of the sub-control unit 500 is executed. It will continue to be done.

  In step S1004, the received command is stored in the command storage area of the RAM 513 as an unprocessed command, and the process ends. That is, when the fan stop error flag is off, a normal liquid crystal effect process based on a command transmitted from the sub-control unit 400 is executed.

<Processing of Sub Control Unit 600>
Next, processing of the sub control unit 600 will be described with reference to FIGS.

<Main processing of sub-control unit 600>
First, the main process of the sub control unit 600 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing of the sub-control unit 600.

  In step S1101, various initial settings are performed. When the power is turned on, an initialization process is first executed in step S1101. In this initialization processing, initialization of input / output ports, initialization processing of a storage area in the RAM 613, and the like are performed. Further, the left motor 240, the right motor 242 and the upper motor 244 are controlled to perform a process of moving the vertical movable member 202 and the horizontal movable member 204 to the reference position (origin). In this embodiment, the vertical movable member 202 reference position is the lower limit position, and the horizontal movable member 204 reference position is the left limit position. In step S1101, processing for canceling the interrupt prohibition command set in step S1111 described later is performed.

  In step S1102, it is determined whether or not an unprocessed command (a control command stored by an interrupt process of a sub-control unit 600 described later) is stored in the command storage area of the RAM 613. If there is an unprocessed command, the process proceeds to step S1103, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1104. In step S1103, the contents of the unprocessed command are analyzed and determined.

  In step S1104, it is determined whether the unprocessed command is a motor command. If the unprocessed command is a motor command for controlling the left motor 240, the right motor 242, and the upper motor 244, the process proceeds to step S1105. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1106. In step S1105, an operation stop request is made. Here, an operation stop is requested for interval timer interrupt processing described later. Specifically, information for requesting the operation stop is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 613.

  In step S1106, it is determined whether the unprocessed command is an abnormal stop request command. If the unprocessed command is an abnormal stop request command based on the abnormal stop of the cooling fan 276, the process proceeds to step S1107. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1108. In step S1107, an abnormal stop request is made. Here, information indicating that an abnormal stop is requested is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 613, and an abnormal stop is requested for interval interrupt processing described later.

  In step S1108, it is determined whether or not parts list data has been requested in the drive stop process in step S1201 in the interval timer interrupt process described later. Specifically, it is determined whether or not information indicating that acquisition of parts list data is requested is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 613. In this embodiment, in step S1109, which will be described later, based on the received motor command, control information is obtained by referring to parts list data stored in advance in a predetermined area of the ROM 612. Then, in the interval timer interruption process described later, based on the acquired parts list data, more detailed control information is acquired by referring to the part data stored in advance in a predetermined area of the ROM 612.

  The motor command transmitted from the sub-control unit 500 is composed of 2 bytes × 4 data having a total length of 8 bytes. The left motor 240, the right motor 242, the upper motor 244, and the lower motor 246 are provided every 2 bytes from the top. Information indicating which part list data is to be referred to (the leading address on the ROM 612 in which each part list data is stored) is stored. In this embodiment, since the lower motor 246 is not used, the invalid command is stored in the area of the lower motor 246 of the motor command. However, the invalid command is not stored in the area of the lower motor 246. The motor command may be composed of data of a total of 4 bytes of 2 bytes × 2.

  The parts list data includes, for example, items of “operation pattern”, “number of operations”, “number of data (N)”, and “data 1 to N”, and is stored in advance in a predetermined storage area of the ROM 612. In this embodiment, when 0 is stored in the “motion pattern” area, an absolute coordinate operation based on the reference position is shown. When 1 is stored, relative coordinates based on the immediately preceding stop position are used. The operation is shown. In the “number of operations” area, the number of operations is stored in the range of 0 to 65535 (in the case of 0, an infinite loop is set). In the “number of data” area, the total number (N) of data 1 to N in the range of 0 to 65535 is stored (invalid (ignored) if 0). In the “data 1 to N” area, an address for referring to the part data (a leading address on the ROM 612 in which each part data is stored) is stored. That is, the parts list data is configured to be able to execute various continuous motion controls by combining a plurality of parts data, which is control information of the minimum unit, in time series.

  The part data includes, for example, items of “operation pattern”, “movement position (stop position)”, and “time required for movement”, and is stored in advance in a predetermined storage area of the ROM 612. In this embodiment, when 0 is stored in the “motion pattern” area, an absolute coordinate operation is indicated, and when 1 is stored, a relative coordinate operation is indicated. In the “movement position” area, information related to the coordinates of the movement position (movement destination position) (for example, the number of steps of the motor from the reference position to the movement destination) is stored. In the “time required for movement” area, the time required for movement is stored in the range of 0 to 65535 ms (in the case of 0, the fastest operation is performed).

  In step S1109, parts list data is delivered based on the motor command. Here, first, the parts list data stored in the parts list data storage area set in the RAM 613 is erased. Then, the parts list data acquired from the ROM 612 based on the current unprocessed command (motor command) is stored in the parts list data storage area.

  In step S1110, it is determined whether or not an interrupt prohibition request is made in step S1506 in an abnormal time stop process described later. Although details will be described later, in this embodiment, when an abnormal stop request command is received, all the interrupt processing is not executed after each movable member 202, 204 is returned to the origin in the abnormal stop processing described later. Request. Here, it is determined whether or not information indicating that an interrupt prohibition is requested is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 613. If an interrupt prohibition request is made, the process proceeds to step S1111. The process proceeds to S1112. In step S1111, an infinite loop is entered after setting an interrupt prohibition command that prohibits all interrupt processing. The interrupt prohibition instruction set here is canceled by turning on the power again and executing step S1101.

  In step S1112, it is determined whether or not a command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 400. If a command is transmitted to the sub-control unit 400, the process proceeds to step S1113. Otherwise, the process returns to step S1102. In step S1113, after transmitting a command to the sub-control unit 400, the process returns to step S1102. In the sub-control unit 600 main process, the processes in steps S <b> 1102 to S <b> 1113 are repeatedly executed unless an interrupt prohibition request is made.

<Interval timer interrupt processing>
Next, interval timer interrupt processing will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of interval timer interrupt processing. The sub-control unit 600 executes interval timer interrupt processing at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, once every 0.3 ms).

  In step S1201, a drive stop process is performed. Here, processing for stopping the driving of the motors 240 to 244 for driving the movable members 202 and 204 is performed. Details of the drive stop process will be described later. In step S1202, it is determined whether or not the drive stop flag is set to ON in step S1405 in a drive stop process described later. The drive stop flag is information indicating whether to temporarily stop the motor, and is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 613. If the drive stop flag is on, the process proceeds to step S1204. If the drive stop flag is off, the process proceeds to step S1203.

  In step S1203, a driving process is performed. Here, first, the drive information is updated and set with reference to the part data stored in the designated storage area for absolute coordinate operation of the RAM 613 in step S1205 described later. Specifically, drive information (one pulse signal) output to each motor driver 671, 672, 673 in order to drive each motor 240, 242, 244 is set.

  This drive information is set based on the current coordinate position of each slider 230, 232, 234 (the number of steps of each motor 240, 242 and 244), and the “movement position” and “time required for movement” of the part data. The The drive information includes, for example, items of “excitation”, “torque”, and “CW / CCW (rotation direction)”. Here, “excitation” is used to set the excitation (1-2 phase or two phase) to be used. “Torque” sets the driving torque of the motor, and is normally set to 100. “CW / CCW” sets the rotation direction of the motor. If the current step number is smaller than the destination step number, the rotation is positive. If the current step number is larger than the destination step number, it is negative. Set to rotation. The set drive information is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 613, and the drive information previously stored in the predetermined area of the RAM 613 is deleted.

  Next, it is determined whether it is time to output a signal to each motor driver 671, 672, 673. If it is time to output a signal, a signal indicating the set drive information is sent to each motor driver 671, 672. , 673. Specifically, a one-pulse digital signal indicating drive information is output to each motor driver 671, 672, 673. Each motor driver 671, 672, 673 that has received a signal indicating drive information converts the received signal into an analog signal and outputs the analog signal to each motor 240, 242, 244. Each motor 240, 242 and 244 is rotated by one step in the case of two-phase excitation and 1/2 step in the case of 1-2 phase excitation by one pulse of a digital signal.

  In step S1204, it is determined whether or not the parts list data has been delivered. Here, it is determined whether or not parts list data is newly stored in the parts list data storage area of the RAM 613 in step S1109 in the main process of the sub-control unit 600. If parts list data is stored, the process proceeds to step S1205. If not, the process ends.

  In step S1205, a data update storage process is performed. Here, first, the parts list data stored in the parts list data storage area of the RAM 613 is referred to, and based on this, the parts data stored in advance in the ROM 612 is extracted and acquired. Then, the acquired part data is stored in the designated storage area for absolute coordinate operation or the designated storage area for relative coordinate operation in the RAM 613. At this time, the part data stored in the designated storage area until then is deleted. In step S1205, the drive stop flag is reset to off.

<Interrupt processing of sub-control unit 600>
Next, interrupt processing of the sub control unit 600 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of interrupt processing of the sub-control unit 600. The sub-control unit 600 includes a hardware timer that generates a timer interrupt at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, once every 2 ms), and executes the interrupt process of the sub-control unit 600 in response to this timer interrupt. To do.

  In step S1301, it is determined whether there is a reception command. If a command is received from the sub-control unit 500, the process proceeds to step S1302, and if not, the process ends. In step S1302, the received command is stored in the command storage area of the RAM 613 as an unprocessed command.

<Drive stop processing>
Next, the drive stop process will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of the drive stop process.

  In step S1401, it is determined whether the drive stop flag is on. If the drive stop flag is on, the process proceeds to step S1402. If the drive stop flag is off, the process proceeds to step S1403.

  In step S1402, medium excitation information is set as drive stop information. The drive stop information is a one-pulse signal output to each motor driver 671, 672, 673 in order to temporarily stop the drive of each motor 240, 242, 244. For example, “excitation”, “torque”, “CW / CCW (rotation direction) ". In this embodiment, drive stop information in which “torque” is set to 100 (maximum value) is strong excitation information, and drive stop information in which “torque” is set to 50 is medium excitation information. Here, in order to change the stop state of each of the motors 240, 242, and 244 stopped in step S1407 based on the strong excitation information set in step S1404, which will be described later, to hold with a moderate torque in the next interruption, Set medium excitation information to drive stop information. The set medium excitation information is stored in a predetermined area (an area different from the drive information) of the RAM 613, and the drive stop information stored so far in the predetermined area is deleted.

  In step S1403, it is determined whether there is an operation stop request. Here, it is determined in step S1105 in the main process of the sub-control unit 600 whether or not information indicating that operation stop is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 613 is determined. If information indicating that the operation stop is requested is stored, the process proceeds to step S1404. If not, the process proceeds to step S1408.

  In step S1404, strong excitation information is set as drive stop information. Here, in order to stop the motors 240, 242, and 244 with normal torque, strong excitation information is set as drive stop information. In step S1405, the drive stop flag set in a predetermined area of the RAM 613 is set to ON. In step S1406, information indicating that acquisition of parts list data is requested is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 613, and parts list data is requested.

  In step S1407, the set drive stop information is output to each motor driver 671, 672, 673 as a one-pulse signal, and the process is terminated. The motor drivers 671, 672, and 673 that have received the drive stop information send signals based on the drive stop information to the motors 240, 242, and 244 until the next signal (drive stop information or drive information) is received. Continue to output.

  In step S1408, it is determined whether information indicating that an abnormal stop is requested is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 613 in step S1107 in the main process of the sub-control unit 600. If an abnormal stop is requested, the process proceeds to step S1409, and if not, the process ends. In step S1409, an abnormal stop process is performed.

<Stop processing when abnormal>
Next, the abnormal stop process in step S1409 in the above drive stop process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the abnormal stop process.

  In step S1501, strong excitation information is set as drive stop information and is output to each motor driver 671, 672, 673. Thereby, each movable member 202,204 is stopped. In step S1502, the process waits until 100 ms elapses. If 100 ms elapses, the process proceeds to step S1503. Here, a wait of 100 ms is set as a time during which each movable member 202, 204 can be stopped without fail at any speed.

  In step S1503, a signal indicating origin return information is set as drive information, and is output to each motor driver 671, 672, 673. Thereby, each movable member 202, 204 is moved to the origin (reference position). In this embodiment, by moving the movable members 202 and 204 to the origin as described above, the fan stop error display displayed on the liquid crystal display device 157 is not blocked by the movable members 202 and 204. Yes.

  In step S1504, it is determined whether or not each movable member 202, 204 has returned to the origin (reference position). Specifically, whether the left sensor A661 detects that the left slider 230 is at the origin, whether the right sensor A663 detects that the right slider 232 is at the origin, or whether the upper sensor A665 is the upper slider 234 It is determined whether or not it is detected that is at the origin. Here, it waits until each slider 230, 232, 234 is detected to be at the origin by each sensor 661, 663, 665, and if it is determined that all the sliders 230, 232, 234 are at the origin, the process proceeds to step S1505. move on.

  In step S 1505, no excitation output information is set as drive stop information, and is output to each motor driver 671, 672, 673. Here, unlike step S1402 of the drive stop process, the motors 240, 242 and 244 that drive the movable members 202 and 204 are maintained in a stopped state without being excited. This prevents each motor 240, 242, 244 from generating heat.

  In step S1506, information indicating that interrupt prohibition is requested is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 613, and interrupt prohibition is requested. As a result, the process of driving the motors 240, 242, and 244 is not executed, so that the motors 240, 242, and 244 maintain a non-excited state in which heat is not generated.

  In the present embodiment, since the rendering unit 220 is configured in a compact manner, motors 240, 242 and 244 for driving the movable members 202 and 204 are disposed in the vicinity of the sub-control unit 500 including the VDP 534. Accordingly, when the cooling fan 276 of the cooling device 270 that cools the VDP 534 is abnormally stopped, the motors 240, 242, and 244 are prevented from being heated by the heat generated by the motors 240, 242, and 244 when they are driven. Is stopped in a non-excited state.

  If the amount of heat generated by each of the motors 240, 242 and 244 in the stop holding state based on the medium excitation information is sufficiently small, the medium excitation information may be set as the drive stop information in step S1505.

<Production unit when the fan motor stops abnormally>
Next, the operation of the rendering unit 220 when the fan motor 276a stops abnormally will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the figure is a figure which showed an example of operation | movement of the production | presentation unit when the fan motor 276a stops abnormally.

  First, after the power is turned on, the vertical movable member 202 and the horizontal movable member 204 are temporarily returned to the reference position as shown in FIG. That is, the vertical movable member 202 is in a state where the left slider 230 and the right slider 232 are at the lower limit reference position, and the horizontal movable member 204 is in a state where the upper slider 234 is in the left limit reference position. The liquid crystal display device 157 displays an image of outer space including a plurality of stars as a normal display.

  From this state, the movable members 202 and 204 perform various effects according to the progress of the game, and the liquid crystal display device 157 displays various effects. For example, the right and left ends of the vertical movable member 202 are alternately moved up and down to operate the vertical movable member 202 so that it fluctuates, thereby expressing how the spacecraft flies in outer space while shaking.

  As described above, when an effect by the effect unit 220 is being executed, when an abnormality occurs in the cooling fan 276 disposed on the back of the effect unit 220 and the abnormally stopped state continues for about 1 second, FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the vertical movable member 202 and the horizontal movable member 204 during the rendering operation are forcibly stopped in the middle of the operation by step S <b> 1501 of the abnormal stop process by the sub-control unit 600. Then, the vertical movable member 202 and the horizontal movable member 204 are returned to the origin in step S1503 of the abnormal stop process as shown in FIG.

  Further, in the liquid crystal display device 157, at step S803 of the effect execution process by the sub-control unit 500, as shown in FIG. The fan stop error display is displayed. In the example of the fan stop error display shown in the figure, the message “fan stop error” and “please call the store clerk” are displayed together with an image in which the game table in front of the player is emitting smoke. At this time, since the vertical movable member 202 and the horizontal movable member 204 have returned to the origin, the fan stop error display is clearly visible to the player. Thereby, it is possible to clearly notify the player that the cooling fan 276 is in an abnormally stopped state.

  When the cooling fan 276 is in an abnormally stopped state for about 1 second, the sub-control unit 500 discards all commands from the sub-control unit 400 as described above, so the liquid crystal display device 157 has a fan stop error. The display will continue to be displayed. Further, the sub-control unit 600 prohibits all interruption processes and the main process becomes an infinite loop, so that each of the movable members 202 and 204 stops operating at the origin. That is, after the cooling fan 276 enters an abnormally stopped state, the effect by the effect unit 220 is not performed.

  However, since the processing by the main control unit 300 and the sub control unit 400 is executed as usual even after the cooling fan 276 enters an abnormally stopped state, the player can proceed with the game. In addition, effects by the effect devices (speaker 483, effect lamp 430, etc.) controlled by the sub-control unit 400 are performed as usual. Therefore, in the fan stop error display, the game can be continued by displaying the message “* There is no LCD production, but you can perform game operations, so please enjoy the game until the store clerk arrives.” The player is notified of the fact. That is, in this embodiment, when the cooling fan 276 is in an abnormally stopped state, it is possible to suggest to the player to call a store clerk while continuing the game. By doing in this way, it can prevent that a player suffers the disadvantage by stopping a game. In addition, since the operating rate of the slot machine 100 is not lowered, it is possible to prevent the game store from being damaged due to the malfunction of the cooling fan 276.

  Also, in this embodiment, once the cooling fan 276 has been in an abnormally stopped state for about 1 second, this abnormally stopped state is resolved, and the fan stop even after the cooling fan 276 resumes normal operation. The error display is continuously displayed on the liquid crystal display device 157, and the stopped state at the origin of each movable member 202, 204 is continued. By doing in this way, it is possible to make sure that the store clerk of the amusement store knows that the cooling fan 276 is in an unstable state that occasionally shows a sign of malfunction. As a result, maintenance such as cleaning and failure check can be performed at an early stage, and it is possible to prevent a major failure that makes the cooling fan 276 completely inoperable. As a result, the operating rate of the slot machine 100 is increased, and a profit can be brought to the game store. It should be noted that the rendering device 200 can be returned to the normal operating state by turning on the power of the slot machine 100 again.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, processing related to the abnormal stop of the effect device and the VDP cooling fan according to the first embodiment is applied to the pachinko machine 1000. For this reason, the description of the same part is omitted. Hereinafter, the pachinko machine 1000 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

<Overall configuration>
First, the overall configuration of the pachinko machine 1000 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 27 is an external perspective view of the pachinko machine 1000 viewed from the front side (player side).

  The pachinko machine 1000 includes a game board (board surface) 1102, which will be described later, disposed visibly on the back side of a door member 1156 made of a transparent plate member 1152 made of glass or resin and a transparent member holding frame (glass frame) 1154. ing.

  Below the door member 1156, a launcher 1138 that is rotated by a launcher motor 1602 to be described later, a launcher 1140 that is attached to the tip of the launcher 1138 and launches a ball toward a game area 1104 to be described later, and this launcher A launch rail 1142 for guiding a ball launched by the rod 1140 to an outer rail 1106, which will be described later, and a storage tray 1144 for temporarily storing the ball and supplying the stored ball to the launch rail 1142 in sequence, A chance button 1146 is provided for changing the effect display by the decorative symbol display device 1110 or the like 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 1138 and the launcher 1140, an operation handle 1148 for controlling the launcher 1138 and operating the launch intensity of the sphere toward the game area 1104 is disposed, and a storage dish Below 1144, a lower plate 1150 is provided for storing overflow balls that cannot be stored in the storage plate 1144.

  Although not shown, a power switch (power board operation unit) for turning on the power of the pachinko machine 1000 is disposed behind the launcher 1138 and the launcher 1140, and uses a door key. Unless the lock is released and the front frame 1158 is opened together with the door member 1156, it cannot be operated.

  FIG. 28 is a schematic front view of the game board 1102 as viewed from the front. The game board 1102 is provided with an outer rail 1106 and an inner rail 1108, and a game area 1104 in which a game ball (hereinafter may be simply referred to as “ball”) can roll is defined.

  An effect device 1200 is disposed in the approximate center of the game board 1102. This rendering device 1200 is a vertical movable member 1202 that can move in the vertical direction, a horizontal movable member 1204 that can move in the horizontal direction, and a liquid crystal display device that is disposed on the back side of these movable members 1202 and 1204. A decorative symbol display device 1110 is provided. In addition, a transparent cover member 1205 is disposed on the front side of the vertical movable member 1202 and the horizontal movable member 1204 so as to cover the decorative symbol display device 1110, the vertical movable member 1202, and the horizontal movable member 1204. An upper shielding region 1206 and a lower shielding region 1208 colored translucently are provided on the upper and lower portions of the cover member 1205, respectively. The decorative symbol display device 1110, the vertical movable member 1202, and a part of the horizontal movable member 1204 are provided. Shielding.

  The decorative symbol display device 1110 is a display device for displaying various images used for decorative symbols and effects. In this embodiment, the decorative symbol display device 1110 is constituted by a liquid crystal display device. This decorative symbol display device 1110 is divided into four display areas, a left symbol display area 1110a, a middle symbol display area 1110b, a right symbol display area 1110c, and an effect display area 1110d, and a left symbol display area 1110a and a middle symbol display area 1110b. The left symbol display area 1110c displays different decorative symbols, and the effect display area 1110d displays an image used for the effect. Furthermore, the positions and sizes of the display areas 1110a, 1110b, 1110c, and 1110d can be freely changed within the display screen of the decorative symbol display device 1110. The decorative symbol display device 1110 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 in place of the liquid crystal display device. May be.

  The rendering device 1200 includes a rendering unit in which a motor for operating the movable members 1202 and 1204 is disposed, and sub-control units 1500 and 1600 described later are disposed on the back of the rendering unit. . The sub-control unit 1500 is provided with a cooling device including a cooling fan in order to cool the VDP as in the first embodiment. Since the configuration of the rendering device 1200 is the same as that of the rendering device 200 according to the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  A normal symbol display device 1112, a special symbol display device 1114, a normal symbol hold lamp 1116, a special symbol hold lamp 1118, and a high-probability medium lamp 1120 are disposed below the effect device 1200. Hereinafter, the normal symbol may be referred to as “general symbol” and the special symbol may be referred to as “special symbol”.

  The universal map display device 1112 is a display device for displaying a universal map, and is constituted by a 7-segment LED in this embodiment. The special figure display device 1114 is a display device for displaying a special figure, and is constituted by a 7-segment LED in this embodiment.

  The common figure hold lamp 1116 is a lamp for indicating the number of the common figure variable games that are on hold. In this embodiment, up to two common figure variable games can be held. The special figure hold lamp 1118 is a lamp for indicating the number of special figure variable games that are on hold. In this embodiment, up to four special figure variable games can be held. The high probability lamp 1120 is a lamp for indicating that the gaming state is a high probability state (a gaming state in which a winning probability of a jackpot game described later is set higher than a normal probability) or a high probability state. Yes, when the game state is changed from a low probability state (a game state in which the winning probability of a big hit game described later is set to a normal probability) to a high probability state, and turned off when changing from a high probability state to a low probability state .

  In the game area 1104, a general winning opening 1122, a universal start opening 1124, a first special figure starting opening 1126, a second special figure starting opening 1128, and a variable winning opening 1130 are arranged. In this embodiment, a plurality of general winning holes 1122 are arranged on the game board 1102. When a predetermined ball detection sensor (not shown) detects a ball entering the general winning holes 1122 (in the general winning holes 1122). In the case of winning, a payout device 1552 described later is driven, and a predetermined number (10 in this embodiment) of balls is discharged as a prize ball to the storage tray 1144. The player can freely take out the balls discharged to the storage tray 1144. With these configurations, the player can pay out the winning balls to the player based on the winnings. The ball that has entered the general winning opening 1122 is guided to the back side of the pachinko machine 1000 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 is sometimes referred to as a “prize ball”, and a ball lent to a player is sometimes referred to as “rental ball”. They are called “balls (game balls)”.

  The normal start port 1124 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. In this embodiment, the start port 1124 is located on the left side of the game board 1102. One is arranged. Unlike the ball that has entered the general prize opening 1122, the ball that has passed through the usual starting port 1124 is not discharged to the amusement island side. When the predetermined ball detection sensor detects that the ball has passed through the general map start opening 1124, the pachinko machine 1000 starts the general map variable game by the general map display device 1112.

  In the present embodiment, only one first special figure starting port 1126 is disposed at the center of the game board 1102. When a predetermined ball detection sensor detects a ball entering the first special figure starting port 1126, a payout device 1552 described later is driven to store a predetermined number (three in this embodiment) of balls as prize balls. While discharging to the tray 1144, the special figure display device 1114 starts the special figure variable game. Further, when a predetermined ball detection sensor detects a ball entering the first special figure starting port 1126, an internal lottery is performed. When the internal lottery is won, the special symbol display device 1114 and the decorative symbol display device 1110 are displayed with a stop indicating the winning symbol, and the jackpot game is started. This big hit game has a higher probability of entering a variable prize opening 1130, which will be described later, and therefore has a game state that is more advantageous to the player than a normal game (a game state that is first started after power-on). The ball that has entered the first special figure starting port 1126 is guided to the back side of the pachinko machine 1000 and then discharged to the amusement island side.

  The second special figure starting port 1128 is called an electric tulip (electric Chu), and in the present embodiment, only one second special figure starting port 1128 is disposed directly below the first special figure starting port 1126. This second special figure starting port 1128 has a wing that can be opened and closed to the left and right, and the sphere cannot be entered while the wing is closed. 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 1128, a payout device 1552 described later is driven, and a predetermined number (5 in this embodiment) of balls is used as a prize ball. While discharging to 1144, the special figure display device 1114 starts the special figure variable game. In addition, when a predetermined ball detection sensor detects a ball entering the second special figure starting port 1128, an internal lottery is performed. When the internal lottery is won, the special figure display device 1114 and the decorative symbol are displayed. The display indicating that the display device 1110 is won is stopped and displayed, and the big hit game is started. The ball that has entered the second special figure starting port 1128 is guided to the back side of the pachinko machine 1000 and then discharged to the amusement island side.

  The variable winning opening 1130 is called a big winning opening or an attacker, and in this embodiment, only one variable winning opening 1130 is arranged below the center of the game board 1102. This variable winning opening 1130 includes 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 1114 stops and displays 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 1130, a payout device 1552 described later is driven, and a predetermined number (15 balls in this embodiment) of balls is discharged as a prize ball to the storage tray 1144. To do. The ball that entered the variable prize opening 1130 is guided to the back side of the pachinko machine 1000 and then discharged to the amusement island side.

  Further, a plurality of disc-shaped hitting ball direction changing members 1132 and game nails 1134 called windmills are arranged in the vicinity of these winning openings and start openings, and at the bottom of the inner rail 1108, An out port 1136 is provided for guiding a ball that has not won any prize opening or starting port to the back side of the pachinko machine 1000 and then discharging it to the game island side.

  In addition, a warp device 1230 is disposed from the left to the bottom of the rendering device 1200. The warp device 1230 discharges the game ball that has entered the entrance 1232 provided on the left side of the effect device 1200 to the front stage 1234 below the front surface of the effect device 1200, and the game ball discharged to the front stage 1234 is the front surface. When entering the second entrance 1236 provided behind the center of the stage 1234, the game ball is transferred from the discharge port 1238 provided above the first special figure start port 1126 to the first special figure start port 1126. To be discharged. The game ball discharged from the discharge port 1238 is easy to enter the special figure start port 1126.

  This pachinko machine 1000 supplies the ball stored in the storage tray 1144 by the player to the launch position of the launch rail 1142, and drives the launch motor 1602 with strength according to the operation amount of the player's operation handle 1148. The firing rod 1138 and the firing rod 1140 are passed through the outer rail 1106 and the inner rail 1108 to launch into the game area 1104. Then, the ball that has reached the upper part of the game area 1104 falls downward while changing the direction of travel by the batting direction changing member 1132, the game nail 1134, etc., and a winning opening (general winning opening 1122, variable winning opening 1130) or start opening (1st special figure starting port 1126, 2nd special figure starting port 1128) winning out, without winning in any winning opening and starting port, or just passing through normal figure starting port 1124, out port 1136 To reach.

<Control unit>
Next, the circuit configuration of the control unit of the pachinko machine 1000 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 1000 can be broadly divided into a main control unit 1300 that controls the central part of the game, a sub-control unit 1400 that mainly controls the production according to a command transmitted by the main control unit 1300, and Mainly according to commands transmitted by the sub-control unit 1500 that mainly controls the decorative symbol display device 1110, the sub-control unit 1600 that mainly controls the movable members 1202 and 1204, and the main control unit 1300. A payout control unit 1550 that performs control related to the payout of a ball, a launch control unit 1560 that performs launch control of a game ball, and a power management unit 1650 that controls the power supplied to the pachinko machine 1000 are configured.

<Main control unit>
First, the main control unit 1300 of the pachinko machine 1000 will be described.

  The main control unit 1300 includes a basic circuit 1302 that controls the entire main control unit 1300. The basic circuit 1302 includes a CPU 1304, a ROM 1306 for storing control programs and various data, and temporary data. RAM 1308 for storing data, an I / O 1310 for controlling input / output of various devices, and a counter timer 1312 for measuring time and frequency. Note that other storage means may be used for the ROM 1306 and the RAM 1308, and this is the same for the sub-control unit 1400 described later. The CPU 1304 of the basic circuit 1302 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output from the crystal oscillator 1314 as a system clock.

  In addition, the basic circuit 1302 includes a counter circuit 1316 used as a hardware random number counter that changes a numerical value in the range of 0 to 65535 each time a clock signal output from the crystal oscillator 1314 is received (this circuit has 2 And a signal output from various sensors 1318 including a ball detection sensor provided in each of the start ports 1124, 1126, and 1128, the entrance of the general winning port 1122 and the variable winning port 1130. , A sensor circuit 1320 for outputting a result of amplification and comparison with a reference voltage to the counter circuit 1316 and the basic circuit 1302, a display circuit 1322 for performing display control of the special-purpose display device 1114, A display circuit 1324 for performing display control of the display device 1112, and various status display units 1326 (common figure) A display circuit 1328 for performing display control of a stop lamp 1116, a special figure holding lamp 1118, a high-accuracy medium lamp 1120, and the like, and various solenoids 1330 for opening and closing the second special figure starting port 1128, the variable winning port 1130, and the like. A solenoid circuit 1332 for controlling is connected.

  When the ball detection sensor 1318 detects that a ball has won the first special figure starting port 1126, the sensor circuit 1320 outputs a signal indicating that the ball has been detected to the counter circuit 1316. Upon receiving this signal, the counter circuit 1316 latches the value of the counter corresponding to the first special figure starting port 1126 at that timing, and stores the latched value in the built-in counter value corresponding to the first special figure starting port 1126. Store in the register. Similarly, when the counter circuit 1316 receives a signal indicating that the second special figure starting port 1128 has won a ball, the counter circuit 1316 latches the value at the timing of the counter corresponding to the second special figure starting port 1128. The latched value is stored in a built-in counter value storage register corresponding to the second special figure starting port 1128.

  Further, an information output circuit 1334 is connected to the basic circuit 1302, and the main control unit 1300 pachinkos to an information input circuit 1652 provided in an external hall computer (not shown) or the like via the information output circuit 1334. The game information (for example, game state) of the machine 1000 is output.

  Further, the main control unit 1300 is provided with a voltage monitoring circuit 1336 that monitors the voltage value of the power source supplied from the power management unit 1500 to the main control unit 1300. The voltage monitoring circuit 1336 is a voltage value of the power source. Is less than a predetermined value (9v in this embodiment), a low voltage signal indicating that the voltage has dropped is output to the basic circuit 1302.

  Further, the main control unit 1300 is provided with a start signal output circuit (reset signal output circuit) 1338 that outputs a start signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on, and the CPU 1304 receives the start signal output circuit 1338 from the start signal output circuit 1338. When an activation signal is input, game control is started (main control section main processing described later is started).

  The main control unit 1300 includes an output interface for transmitting a signal (command) to the sub-control unit 1400 and an output interface for transmitting a signal (command) to the payout control unit 1550. Thus, communication with the sub-control unit 1400 and the payout control unit 1550 is enabled. Information communication between the main control unit 1300, the sub control unit 1400, and the payout control unit 1550 is a one-way communication, and the main control unit 1300 can transmit signals such as commands to the sub control unit 1400 and the payout control unit 1550. However, the sub-control unit 1400 and the payout control unit 1550 are configured such that signals such as commands cannot be transmitted to the main control unit 1300.

<Sub control unit>
Next, the sub control unit 1400 of the pachinko machine 1000 will be described.

  The sub-control unit 1400 includes a basic circuit 1402 that controls the entire sub-control unit 1400 mainly based on commands transmitted from the main control unit 1300. The basic circuit 1402 includes a CPU 1404, a control program, ROM 1406 for storing various data, RAM 1408 for temporarily storing data, I / O 1410 for controlling input / output of various devices, and counter timer 1412 for measuring time and frequency It is installed. The CPU 1404 of the basic circuit 1402 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output from the crystal oscillator 1414 as a system clock.

  The basic circuit 1402 includes a sound source IC 1418 for controlling the speaker 1416 (and amplifier), a display circuit 1422 for controlling various lamps 1420, and a control for a decorative symbol display device (liquid crystal display device) 1110. And a chance button detection circuit 1380 that detects the pressing of the chance button 1146 and outputs a signal.

  Although not shown, the sub-control unit 1500 includes a CPU that is an arithmetic processing unit, ICs such as ROM and RAM, and a data bus and an address bus for transmitting and receiving signals to and from each circuit. The CPU of the sub control unit 1500 receives a signal (command) from the CPU 1404 of the sub control unit 1400 via the input / output interface, and controls the sub control unit 1500 as a whole. A VDP is connected to the CPU via a bus. A crystal oscillator is connected to the VDP, and further a CG-ROM and VRAM in which image data and color palette data for image data are stored are connected via a bus. The VDP reads the image data stored in the ROM based on the signal from the CPU, generates an image signal using the work area of the RAM, and displays the decoration symbol display device 1110 via the D / A converter. Display an image on the screen. Note that a luminance adjustment signal is input to the decorative symbol display device 1110 in order to enable the CPU to adjust the luminance of the display screen of the decorative symbol display device 1110. The CPU of the sub control unit 1500 executes processing for controlling the display of the decorative symbol display device 1110 based on a command received from the sub control unit 1400 via the input / output interface.

  An input / output interface is connected to the CPU of the sub-control unit 1500 via a bus, and a cooling fan control device is connected to the input / output interface via a waveform shaping circuit. This cooling fan control device is for controlling the cooling fan of the cooling device that cools the VDP.

  Although not shown, the sub-control unit 1600 includes a CPU that is an arithmetic processing unit, ICs such as ROM and RAM, and a data bus and an address bus for transmitting and receiving signals to and from each circuit. The CPU of the sub control unit 1600 receives a signal (command) from the sub control unit 1400 via the input / output interface, and controls the sub control unit 1600 as a whole.

  In addition, an input interface for receiving a signal from an external device and an output interface for transmitting a signal to the external device are connected to the CPU of the sub control unit 1600. A left sensor A1661, a left sensor B1662, a right sensor A1663, a right sensor B1664, an upper sensor A1665, and an upper sensor B1666 included in the rendering device 1200 are connected to the input interface. Note that a lower sensor A 1667 and a lower sensor B 1668 are further connected to the sub-control unit 1600 of this embodiment as an option.

  Each motor included in the rendering device 1200 is connected to the output interface via a drive unit. Specifically, a left motor 1672 is connected via a left motor drive unit 1671, a right motor 1647 is connected via a right motor drive unit 1673, and an upper motor 1676 is connected via an upper motor drive unit 1675. The sub-control unit 1600 of the present embodiment is further connected with a lower motor 1678 via a lower motor driving unit 1677 as an option.

  In addition, an input / output interface for transmitting and receiving signals (commands) to and from the sub control unit 1400 is connected to the CPU of the sub control unit 1600. The CPU of the sub-control unit 1600 executes processing for controlling the movable members 1202 and 1204 of the rendering device 200 based on the command received from the sub-control unit 1400 via the input / output interface.

<Discharge control unit, launch control unit, power supply management unit>
Next, the payout control unit 1550, the launch control unit 1560, and the power management unit 1650 of the pachinko machine 1000 will be described.

  The payout control unit 1550 controls the payout device 1552 mainly based on a signal such as a command transmitted from the main control unit 1300, and the payout of the winning ball or the rental ball is completed based on the control signal output from the payout sensor 1554. It is detected whether or not the card unit 1654 is provided separately from the pachinko machine 1000 via the interface unit 1556.

  The launch control unit 1560 outputs a control signal output from the payout control unit 1550 to permit or stop the launch, and an operation amount of the launch handle 1148 by the player output from a launch intensity output circuit provided in the operation handle 1148. Based on the control signal instructing the corresponding launch intensity, the launch motor 1562 that drives the launcher 1138 and the launcher 1140 is controlled, and the ball feeder 1564 that supplies a ball from the storage dish 1144 to the launch rail 1142 is controlled. .

  The power management unit 1650 converts the AC power supplied from the outside to the pachinko machine 1000 into a DC voltage, converts it into a predetermined voltage, and controls the control units such as the main control unit 1300 and the sub control unit 1400, and the devices such as the dispensing device 1552. To supply. Further, the power management unit 1650 is a storage circuit (for example, for supplying power to a predetermined part (for example, the RAM 1308 of the main control unit 1300) for a predetermined period (for example, 10 days) even after the power supply from the outside is cut off. Capacitor).

<Type of design>
Next, with reference to FIGS. 30 (a) to 30 (c), a special drawing display device, a decorative symbol display device, and a special drawing display device of the pachinko machine 100 that are stopped and displayed will be described.

  FIG. 30A shows an example of a special display stop display mode. There are three types of special display stop display modes according to 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 variable game is started on the condition that a predetermined ball detection sensor detects that a ball has won at the first special figure start opening or the second special figure start opening, The “variable display of special figure” is performed by repeatedly lighting all the segments and lighting the one segment in the center. 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. 30 (b) 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, the middle symbol display area, the right symbol of the decorative symbol display device on the condition that a predetermined ball detection sensor has detected that a ball has won a prize at the first special figure start port or the second special figure start port In each symbol display area of the symbol display area, “decoration 1” → “decoration 2” → “decoration 3” →... “Decoration 9” → “decoration 10” → “decoration 1” →. Performs “decorative display variation display” to switch the display. When notifying the jackpot, a symbol combination corresponding to the jackpot in the symbol display area (in this embodiment, a combination of decorative symbols having the same number (for example, “decoration 2—decoration 2—decoration 2”)). In the case of stopping and notifying the special jackpot, a symbol combination corresponding to the special jackpot (in this embodiment, a combination of decorative symbols of the same odd number numbers (for example, “decoration 1-decoration 1-decoration 1”)) ) Is stopped.

  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 deviation, after a symbol combination other than the symbol combination corresponding to the jackpot is stopped and displayed in the symbol display area, if there is a variation display of the decorative symbol on hold, the variation display is started. .

  FIG. 30 (c) shows an example of a normal stop display mode. In the present embodiment, there are two types of stoppage display modes of the normal figure, “general figure 1” which is a winning symbol and “general figure 2” which is a missed symbol. When the usual figure display game is started on the condition that a predetermined ball detection sensor detects that the ball has passed through the usual figure starting port, the ordinary figure display device will turn on all seven segments, The “variable display of the usual map” is performed repeatedly by lighting up one 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.

<Main control unit main processing>
Next, main control unit main processing executed by the CPU 1304 of the main control unit 1300 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of the main process of the main control unit.

  As described above, the main control unit 1300 is provided with the start signal output circuit (reset signal output circuit) 1338 that outputs the start signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on. The CPU 1304 of the basic circuit 1302 to which this activation signal is input executes reset according to a control program stored in advance in the ROM 1306 after reset start by a reset interrupt.

  In step S1601, initial setting 1 is performed. In this initial setting 1, setting of a stack initial value to the stack pointer (SP) of the CPU 1304, setting of an interrupt mask, initial setting of the I / O port 1310, initial setting of various variables stored in the RAM 1308, and operation permission to the WDT 1313 Set initial values. In the present embodiment, a numerical value corresponding to 32.8 ms is set in the WDT 1313 as an initial value.

  In step S1602, the value of the WDT 1313 counter is cleared, and the time measurement by the WDT 1313 is restarted.

  In step S1603, whether or not the low voltage signal is ON, that is, the voltage value of the power source supplied from the power management unit 1650 to the main control unit 1300 by the voltage monitoring circuit 1336 is a predetermined value (in this example, 9v), it is monitored whether or not a low voltage signal indicating that the voltage has dropped is output. Then, if the low voltage signal is on (when the CPU 1304 has detected that the power supply has been cut off), the process returns to step S1602, and if the low voltage signal is off (if the CPU 1304 has not detected that the power supply has been cut off), the step is performed. The process proceeds to S1604.

  In step S1604, 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 1312, a predetermined port of the I / O 1310 (for example, a test output port, a sub-port) Processing for outputting a clear signal from the output port to the control unit 1400, setting for permitting writing to the RAM 1308, and the like are performed.

  In step S1605, it is determined whether or not to return to the state before power interruption (before power interruption), and the state before power interruption is not restored (when the basic circuit 1302 of the main control unit 1300 is set to the initial state). ) Go to step S1607. Similarly, if the power status information indicates information other than “suspend”, the process advances to step S1607.

  Specifically, first, whether or not the RAM clear signal that is transmitted when a store clerk or the like of the amusement store operates the operation unit (power switch) provided on the power supply board is turned on (indicates that there has been an operation). If the RAM clear signal is ON (RAM clear is necessary), the process proceeds to step S1607 to make the basic circuit 1302 in an 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 1308 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 advances to step S1607 to set the basic circuit 1302 to an initial state. If the power status information is information indicating suspend, a predetermined area of the RAM 1308 is displayed. 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 (eg, 0) (if the checksum result is normal), the process proceeds to step S1606 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 advances to step S1607 to set the pachinko machine 1000 to the initial state. Similarly, if the power status information indicates information other than “suspend”, the process advances to step S1607.

  In step S1606, power recovery processing is performed. In this power recovery process, the stack pointer stored in the stack pointer save area provided in the RAM 1308 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 1308 at the time of power interruption is read out and reset in each register, and then the interrupt permission is set. Thereafter, as a result of the CPU 1304 executing the control program based on the reset stack pointer and registers, the pachinko machine 1000 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 S1608 and S1609) performed immediately before branching to the timer interrupt processing (described later) immediately before the power interruption.

  In step S1607, initialization processing is performed. In this initialization process, setting of interrupt prohibition, setting of a stack initial value to the stack pointer, initialization of all storage areas of the RAM 1308, and the like are performed.

  In step S1608, after setting for interrupt prohibition, the 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 a normal timer random number value 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 1308, 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. In addition, after this basic random number initial value update process is completed, an interrupt permission is set, and the process proceeds to step S1609.

  In step S1609, 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 1300 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S1608 and S1609 except during a timer interrupt process that starts every predetermined period.

<Main controller timer interrupt processing>
Next, a main control unit timer interrupt process executed by the CPU 1304 of the main control unit 1300 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 1300 includes a counter timer 1312 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 S1701, timer interrupt start processing is performed. In this timer interrupt start process, a process of temporarily saving each register value of the CPU 1304 to the stack area is performed.

  In step S1702, the WDT is periodically (this implementation is performed) so that the count value of the WDT 1313 exceeds the initial setting value (32.8 ms in the present embodiment) and a WDT interrupt does not occur (so as not to detect a processing abnormality). In the example, the restart is performed once every about 2 ms which is the period of the main control unit timer interrupt.

  In step S1703, input port state update processing is performed. In this input port state update process, detection signals from various sensors 1318 including the above-described transparent member holding frame opening sensor, front frame opening sensor, lower plate full sensor, and a plurality of ball detection sensors via the input port of the I / O 1310. Is input and monitored for the presence or absence of a detection signal, and stored in a signal state storage area provided for each of various sensors 1318 in the RAM 1308. In this embodiment, information on the presence / 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 1308 for each previous sphere detection sensor. This information is read from the area, and this information is stored in the RAM 1308 in the detection signal storage area provided in advance for each sphere detection sensor, and detected by the previous timer interrupt process (approximately 2 ms before). Information on the presence or absence of a signal is read from a current detection signal storage area provided in the RAM 1308 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 S1703, the information on the presence / absence of the detection signal of each sphere detection sensor stored in each storage area of the detection signal storage area, the previous detection signal storage area, and the current detection signal storage 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 or 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, this time detection signal) In the case of a match to the winning opening (the general winning opening 1122, the variable winning opening 1130) or the starting opening (the first special figure starting opening 1126, the second special drawing starting opening 1128), It is determined that the starting port 1124 has passed. For example, if the information on the presence or absence of the 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 1122, it is assumed that the player has entered the general winning opening 1122. After determining and performing processing associated with the subsequent entry to the general winning opening 1122, if the information on the presence / absence of detection signals for the past three times does not match the above-described winning determination pattern information, the subsequent general winning The process branches to the subsequent process without performing the process associated with entering the mouth 1122.

  In step S1704 and step S1705, 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 S1608 in the main control unit main processing is updated, and then the general control unit 1300 uses the general random number counter. Two random number counters for generating the figure winning random value and the special figure random value are updated. For example, if the range of values that can be taken as a random number for winning a normal figure is 0 to 100, a value is acquired from a random number counter storage area for generating a random number for winning a normal figure provided in the RAM 1308, 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 obtained from a random number counter for generating a random number value for normal winning that fluctuates in a numerical range of 0 to 100 is obtained, and a result obtained by adding 1 to the obtained value is stored in a predetermined initial value storage area provided in the RAM 1308. 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 1308.

  In step S1706, effect random number update processing is performed. In this effect random number update process, the random number counter for generating the effect random number used by the main control unit 1300 is updated.

  In step S1707, timer update processing is performed. Although details will be described later, in this timer update process, a normal symbol display symbol update timer for measuring the time for the symbol to be changed / stopped on the normal symbol display device 1112, and a symbol to be changed / stopped to be displayed on the special symbol display device 1114. Various timers including a special figure display symbol update timer for timing the time to perform, a timer for timing a predetermined winning effect time, a predetermined opening time, a predetermined closing time, a predetermined end effect period, etc. are updated. .

  In step S1708, winning opening counter update processing is performed. In this winning opening counter updating process, if there is a winning (winning) in the winning opening (general winning opening 1122, first and second special figure starting openings 1126, 1128, and variable winning opening 1130), the RAM 1308 receives a winning. The value of the prize ball number storage area provided for each mouth is read, and 1 is added to set the original prize ball number storage area.

  In step S1709, a winning acceptance process is performed. In this winning acceptance process, when the first and second special figure starting ports 1126 and 1128 have won a prize and the number of reserved special figure variable games is less than 4, it corresponds to the winning starting port. The value is acquired from the counter value storage register of the counter circuit 1316 to be the special figure winning random number value. Further, a value is acquired as a special figure random value from the random number counter for generating the special figure random number described above, and stored in the random value storage area provided in the RAM 1308 together with the special figure winning random number value. In addition, when it is detected that the ball has passed through the general chart start opening 1124 and the number of the general chart variable games held is less than two, the random number counter for generating the regular figure winning random number value at that timing Is obtained as a random number value for winning a normal figure, and stored in a random value storage area different from that for the above-mentioned special figure provided in the RAM 1308. Further, in this winning acceptance process, when a predetermined ball detection sensor detects a winning (winning) of the first, second special figure starting port 1126, 1128, the ordinary drawing starting port 1124, or the variable winning port 1130, In the transmission information to be transmitted to the sub-control unit 1400, winning acceptance information indicating presence / absence of winning (ball) for the first and second special figure starting ports 1126 and 1128, the universal drawing starting port 1124, and the variable winning port 1130. Set.

  In step S1710, a payout request number transmission process is performed. The output schedule information and the payout request information output to the payout control unit 1550 are composed of 1 byte, strobe information in bit 7 (indicating that data is set when turned 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 S1711, the 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 general diagram state update process during a normal map change (a general-purpose general-purpose timer value to be described later is 1 or more), a lighting / extinguishing drive control that repeatedly turns on and off the 7-segment LED constituting the general map display device 1112 is performed. Do.

  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 1112 is turned on / off to control the state shown in FIG. 1 and the hit flag is off, the normal figure shown in FIG. In the RAM 1308, 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 1112 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 1330 for opening and closing the blade member of the second special figure starting port 1128, and the blade opening time management provided in the RAM 1308 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 the closed state is output to the opening / closing drive solenoid 1330, and information indicating the closing period is set in the storage area of the blade closing time management timer provided in the RAM 1308.

  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 S1712 without doing anything.

  In step S1712, 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 1128 is not performed (the state of the general map is inactive), 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. If the winning judgment is made and the winning is made, the winning flag provided in the RAM 1308 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 1112 is selected from among them, and this variable display time is stored in the general map variable time storage area provided in the RAM 1308 as the normal map variable display time. In addition, the number of pending general figure variable games is stored in the common figure pending number storage area provided in the RAM 1308. Each time a hit determination is made, the number of pending custom figure variable games is calculated. 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 S1713, special figure state update processing is performed. In the special figure state update process, one of the following eight processes is performed according to the state of the special figure. For example, in the special figure state update process during special figure fluctuation (the value of the special figure general-purpose timer to be described later is 1 or more), lighting / extinguishing drive control that repeatedly turns on and off the 7-segment LED constituting the special figure display device 1114 is performed. Do.

  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 1114 has the special figure 1 shown in FIG. 30A and the jackpot flag is on and the probability variation flag is on, the special figure display device 1114 has the special figure 2 shown in FIG. When the flag is off, the 7 segment LED constituting the special figure display device 1114 is controlled to be turned on / off so that the special figure display device 1114 shown in FIG. In order to maintain the display period (for example, 500 msec), information indicating the stop period is set in the storage area of the special figure stop time management timer provided in the RAM 1308. 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 S1715).

  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 1308 for waiting for a period during which an image for notifying the player that the big win by the decorative symbol display device 1110 is started 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 above-described transmission information storage area in order to execute the general command winning effect setting transmission process in the command setting transmission process (step S1715).

  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 1330 for opening and closing the door member of the variable prize opening 1130 (until a winning of a game ball of a predetermined number (for example, 10 balls) is detected in the variable prize opening 1130). 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 setting transmission process in the command setting transmission process (step S1715).

  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 1330 for opening / closing the door member of the winning opening 1130, and information indicating the closing period is set in the storage area of the door closing time management timer provided in the RAM 1308. 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 S1715).

  Further, in the special figure state update process in which the opening / closing control of the door member is repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 15 rounds) and started at the end timing, a predetermined end effect period (for example, 3 seconds), that is, by the decorative symbol display device 1110 Information indicating the effect standby period is set in the storage area of the effect standby time management timer provided in the RAM 1308 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 transmission information storage area described above in order to execute the general command end effect setting transmission process in the command setting transmission process (step S1715).

  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 S1714.

  In step S1714, 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 prize opening 1130 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 described above, the jackpot determination is first performed among various lotteries using the jackpot determination table, the high probability state transition determination table, the timer number determination table, and the like. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the special figure winning random number value stored in the random value storage area in step S1709 is within the numerical range of the lottery data for the first special figure starting port in the jackpot determination table. If the random value is within the numerical range of the lottery data for the first special figure start opening, information indicating that the special figure variable game is won and the jackpot flag storage area provided in the RAM 1308 is a big hit is set. (Here, setting the jackpot information in the RAM 1308 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 first special figure starting port lottery data, it is determined that the special figure variable game is out of the game, and the big hit flag storage area provided in the RAM 1308 is out of the storage area. (In this case, setting outlier information in the RAM 1308 is setting the jackpot flag off). Note that the number of special figure variable games held is stored in the special figure variable number storage area provided in the RAM 1308. 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 1126 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. Also, if the special figure winning random number acquired based on the detection of the ball winning at the second special figure starting port 1128 is 20100, the jackpot flag is set to ON, and if 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 S1709 is within the numerical range of the transition determination random number, and the special figure random value is within the numerical range of the lottery data. Sets information indicating that a special jackpot game is to be started in the storage area of the probability variation (probability variation) flag provided in the RAM 1308. (Here, setting the special jackpot game start information in the RAM 1308 is referred to as setting the probability variation flag to ON). 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 1308 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, if the acquired special figure random number 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. The timer number corresponding to the value of the jackpot flag and the timer random number range including the acquired special figure timer random number value is selected and stored in a predetermined timer number storage area provided in the RAM 1308. 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 described above, and the general command rotation start setting transmission process is executed in the command setting transmission process (step S1715). For this reason, 01H is additionally stored as transmission information (general information) in the transmission information storage area described above, and the process ends.

  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. 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 1308. 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 1308. 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 this variation time storage area is set to 1 each time the timer update process in step S1707 is executed. By subtracting, the passage of time can be measured by the number of execution times of interrupt processing. In addition, when the value of the variable time storage area is subtracted every time (for example, five times) of timer interrupt processing (for example, two times), if the variable time is 10 seconds, 10 seconds is 10,000 ms. Therefore, 1000 is set in the variable time storage area by dividing by the period (2 ms × 5).

  In step S1715, command setting transmission processing is performed. The output schedule information transmitted to the sub-control unit 1400 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 to identify the command type, such as a power recovery command in the case of 0EH, and a RAM clear command in the case of 0FH), 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 change flag, etc. If it is a winning effect command and an end effect start command, it includes the value of the probability change flag, etc. The value of the probability variation flag, the number of big hit 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 1126, presence / absence of winning at the second special figure starting port 1128, winning of the variable winning port 1130 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 1308 as the command data, the probability variation flag value, the timer number selected in the special drawing related lottery process, and the suspension. Information indicating the number of special figure variable games and the like 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 1308 is set as the command data. In the general command winning effect setting transmission process described above, the effect control information to be output to the decorative symbol display device 1110, various lamps 1420, the speaker 1416, etc. during the winning effect period stored in the RAM 1308 as the command type 05H, Information indicating the value of the probability variation flag, the number of the special figure variation games being held, and the like are set. In the general command end effect setting transmission process described above, effect control information to be output to the decorative symbol display device 1110, the various lamps 1420, the speaker 1416, etc. during the effect waiting period stored in the RAM 308 as the command type is 06H, Information indicating the value of the probability variation flag, the number of the special figure variation games being held, and the like are set. In the above-mentioned general command big prize opening release transmission process, the command type is 07H, the jackpot round number stored in the RAM 1308 is stored in the command data, the value of the probability variation flag, the number of the special figure variable games held, etc. Set. In the above-mentioned general command big prize opening closing setting transmission process, the information indicating the command type is 08H, the number of jackpot rounds stored in the RAM 1308 as the command data, the value of the probability variation flag, the number of the special figure variable games held, etc. Set. The sub-control unit 1400 can determine the presentation control according to the change in the game control in the main control unit 1300 according to 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 S1716, external output signal setting processing is performed. In this external output signal setting process, game information stored in the RAM 1308 is output to an information input circuit 1652 that is separate from the pachinko machine 1000 via the information output circuit 1334.

  In step S1717, device monitoring processing is performed. In this device monitoring process, the signal states of the various sensors stored in the signal state storage area in step S1703 are read to check whether there is a transparent member holding frame opening error, a front frame opening error, or a lower plate full tank error. Monitoring, if transparent member holding frame opening error, front frame opening error, or lower pan full error is detected, the transmission information to be transmitted to the sub-control unit 1400 includes the transparent member holding frame opening error, the front frame opening Set the device information that indicates whether there is an error and whether there is a lower plate full error. Further, various solenoids 1330 are driven to control the opening and closing of the second special figure starting port 1128 and the variable prize opening 1130, and the general diagram display device 1112 and the special figure display device 1114 via the display circuits 1322, 1324, and 1328. The display data to be output to the various status display units 1326 and the like is set in the output port of the I / O 1310. Also, the output schedule information set in the payout request number transmission process (step S1710) is output to the sub-control unit 400 via the output port 1310.

  In step S1718, it is monitored whether the low voltage signal is on. If the low-voltage signal is on (when power-off is detected), the process proceeds to step S1720. If the low-voltage signal is off (when power-off is not detected), the process proceeds to step S1719.

  In step S1719, timer interrupt end processing is performed. In this timer interrupt end process, the value of each register temporarily saved in step S1701 is set in each original register, or interrupt permission is set.

  In step S1720, the voltage monitoring circuit that monitors the voltage value of the power source supplied from the power management unit 1650 to the main control unit 1300 outputs a voltage decrease signal indicating that the voltage has decreased when the voltage value 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 1308, and power interruption processing such as initialization of the input / output port is performed.

<Processing of sub-control unit>
Next, processing of the sub-control units 1400, 1500, and 1600 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an overview of the processing of the sub-control units 1400, 1500, and 1600. FIGS. 34 (a) to 34 (c) show the display of the decorative symbol display device 1110 when the cooling fan stops abnormally. It is the figure which showed an example. Note that the processes of the sub-control units 1400, 1500, and 1600 are the same as the processes of the sub-control units 400, 500, and 600 according to the first embodiment, and therefore only an outline will be described.

  When the sub-control unit 1500 has received the abnormal stop detection signal from the cooling fan control device and continuously determines 30 times (when the cooling fan is in an abnormally stopped state for about 1 second), the fan stop error processing I do. In the fan stop error process of the sub-control unit 1500, the VDP operating speed (operating frequency) is reset from 166 MHz to 133 MHz, and a fan stop error display is displayed on the decorative symbol display device 1110. As shown in FIG. 34 (a), this fan stop error display is accompanied by an image of the game stand in front of the player emitting smoke, as well as “fan stop error”, “call the store clerk” and “game operation”. "Please enjoy the game until the store clerk arrives." Is displayed, and in the effect display area 1110d of the decorative symbol display device 1110 until the pachinko machine 1000 is turned on again. Is displayed. Further, the sub control unit 1500 transmits an abnormal stop request command to the sub control unit 1400 in the fan stop error process.

  When receiving the abnormal stop request command from the sub control unit 1500, the sub control unit 1400 performs fan stop error processing in the same manner as the sub control unit 1500. In the fan stop error process of the sub-control unit 1400, an abnormal stop request command is transferred to the sub-control unit 1600, and a setting for selecting a variation pattern corresponding to the error is performed. This error-corresponding variation pattern is a simple variation pattern in which the decorative symbol variation display corresponds to the resetting of the VDP operating speed.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the player can continue the game even after the cooling fan has been in an abnormally stopped state for about 1 second. Therefore, even after the cooling fan has stopped abnormally for about 1 second, if a game ball enters the first and second special figure starting ports 1126 and 1128, the main control unit 1300 changes the decorative design. In order to perform the display, the variable display information is transmitted to the sub-control unit 1400. The sub-control unit 1400 that has received the change display information from the main control unit 1300 always selects only the error-corresponding change pattern from when the abnormal stop request command is received until the power is turned on again. It will be. Then, the fluctuation display information including the selected fluctuation pattern is transmitted to the sub-control unit 1500.

  Since the sub-control unit 1500 performs the variation display of the decoration symbol based on the received variation display information, the sub control unit 1500 always executes the variation display of the decoration symbol based on the variation pattern corresponding to the error after executing the fan stop error process. It becomes.

  In the variation display of the variation pattern corresponding to the error, as shown in FIG. 34 (b), the left symbol display region 1110a, which is set smaller than normal while the fan stop error display is displayed in the effect display region 1110d, In the symbol display area 1110b and the right symbol display area 1110c, the decorative symbols are displayed in a variable manner at a lower speed than usual. In the figure, the fluctuation display is simplified by a downward arrow. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the variable display, as shown in FIG. 34C, the left symbol display area 1110a, the right symbol display area 1110c, and the middle symbol display area 1110b are decorated at predetermined timings in this order. Stop displaying symbols. When notifying the player of the jackpot, predetermined identical decorative symbols are displayed in the symbol display areas 1110a to 1110c.

  When receiving the abnormal stop request command from the sub-control unit 1400, the sub-control unit 1600 interrupts the operations of the movable members 1202 and 1204 to the reference position (origin) as in the sub-control unit 600 according to the first embodiment. Return to the stop position at the reference position. In addition, processing for setting prohibition of all interrupt processing is executed.

  In this way, in this embodiment, when the game continues after the VDP cooling fan has stopped abnormally for about 1 second, the player is notified of the game result by displaying a simple decorative symbol change display. Be able to. Thereby, it can prevent that a player suffers the disadvantage by not being able to recognize a game result. Further, in this embodiment, by selecting a simple pattern as described above, it is possible to perform a display indicating a game operation together with a fan error display during a big hit game. Thereby, even if the cooling fan of the VDP is abnormally stopped, the player can be prevented from being damaged. In addition, since the operating rate of the pachinko machine 1000 is not lowered, it is possible to prevent damage to the game shop due to a malfunction of the cooling fan.

  Also, in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, once the cooling fan has been in an abnormally stopped state for about 1 second, the abnormally stopped state is resolved and the cooling fan resumes normal operation. After that, the fan stop error display is continuously displayed on the decorative symbol display device 1110, and the stopped state at the origin of each movable member 1202, 1204 is continued. In this way, it is possible to prevent a major failure that makes the cooling fan completely inoperable. Moreover, the operating rate of the pachinko machine 1000 can be increased and profits can be brought to the amusement store.

  As described above, the gaming machine according to the present invention (the slot machine 100 in the first embodiment and the pachinko machine 1000 in the second embodiment) includes the first gaming device (VDP 534 in the above embodiment) provided for the game. , A second gaming device (motors 240 to 246 in the first embodiment, motors 1672 to 1678 in the second embodiment) different from the first gaming device, and a cooling device for cooling the first gaming device. (In the above embodiment, the cooling device 270) and monitoring means for monitoring the cooling operation of the cooling device (in the above embodiment, mainly in the abnormal stop detection circuit 572c of the cooling fan control device 570 and the main processing of the sub control unit 500) Based on the process of step S604 and the process of steps S901 to S903 in the fan drive monitoring process) and the monitoring result of the monitoring means, the cooling device Specific means for specifying that the cooling degree is reduced and the cooling degree is reduced (in the above-described embodiment, mainly the process of step S605 in the main process of the sub-control unit 500 and the process of step S904 in the fan drive monitoring process); Based on the fact that the cooling means is specified by the specifying means, the abnormal time processing means (in the above embodiment, mainly the sub-control unit 500) that performs processing to suppress at least heat generation due to the operation of the second gaming device. Fan stop error processing in step S606 in the main processing, processing in steps S1106 and S1107 in the main processing of the sub-control unit 600, and abnormal stop processing in step S1409 in the drive stop processing).

  For this reason, when an abnormality occurs in the cooling device that cools the first gaming device, it is possible to suppress the heat generation of the second gaming device that is another heat generation source. Thereby, even when the cooling degree by the cooling device is lowered, it is possible to prevent the first gaming device to be cooled from causing a problem.

  The first gaming device according to the present invention may be a single liquid crystal control board such as the sub-control unit 500 or a single liquid crystal display device as well as the VDP alone shown in the above embodiment, or a liquid crystal display device. Both the liquid crystal control board and the liquid crystal control board may be used as the first gaming device. Further, the second gaming device according to the present invention may be not only the motor alone shown in the above embodiment, but also the motor control board alone, or both the motor and the motor control board.

  The second gaming device is disposed in the vicinity of the first gaming device. As described above, the present invention is suitable for the case where the first gaming device is at a position affected by the heat generated by the second gaming device. In the present invention, the “neighborhood” indicates a place that is close to the extent to which thermal influence is exerted.

  Further, the present invention is suitable when the first gaming device and the second gaming device are configured as one unit as in the above embodiment. In addition, as in the above embodiment, the motor as the second gaming device is disposed inside the production unit having a hollow structure, and the heat generated by the motor is easily trapped inside. This is suitable for the case where the sub-control unit, which is the first gaming device, is arranged in a portion that is easily affected.

  The abnormal time processing means is a request means for requesting execution of the abnormal time operation control that suppresses at least heat generated by the operation of the second gaming device based on the fact that the cooling means is specified by the specifying means. In the embodiment, mainly the processing in step S703 in the fan stop error processing) and the control means for executing the abnormal operation control of the second gaming device based on the request means executing the abnormal operation control. (In the above-described embodiment, the process mainly includes steps S1106 and S1107 in the main process of the sub-control unit 600, and an abnormal stop process in step S1409 in the drive stop process). In the present invention, the sub-control unit that controls the production is divided into a plurality of parts for the purpose of reducing the processing load, and the first gaming device and the cooling device are controlled by one of the divided sub-control units. This is suitable when the second gaming device is controlled by the other divided sub-control unit.

  The monitoring means is a detection means for detecting a cooling decrease signal (in the above embodiment, an abnormal stop detection signal) indicating that the cooling operation of the cooling device is in a cooling decrease state. The circuit 572c, the input / output interface 522, the process of step S604 in the main process of the sub-control unit 500, and the process of step S901 in the fan drive monitoring process). When it is made a plurality of times in succession for a period, it is specified that the cooling state is reduced. As a result, erroneous detection due to noise or the like can be prevented, and the cooling reduction state can be accurately detected.

  Further, the specifying means cools down when the detection of the cooling decrease signal by the detecting means is performed for the first number of times (three times in the above embodiment) at the first specific timing after the game machine is turned on. It is specified that the state is in a lowered state, and at a specific timing after the first time, if the second number of times (in the above embodiment, 30 times) greater than the first number of times is detected, the state of cooling is reduced. Identify. In this way, it is possible to accurately detect the state of low cooling by setting conditions separately between the normal time when noise is likely to occur due to the progress of the game and the time when the power is turned on because the game is not started and noise is unlikely to occur. can do.

  Further, the second gaming device includes a motor device that produces an effect relating to the game by driving the motor, and the abnormality time processing means performs a process of suppressing at least heat generated by the driving operation of the motor device. The present invention is thus suitable for application to a gaming machine in which the second gaming device includes a motor.

  Moreover, since the process which suppresses heat_generation | fever contains the process which stops the drive operation of a motor apparatus, heat_generation | fever can be suppressed reliably by stopping a motor.

  In addition, the process of suppressing heat generation at least includes the process of stopping the motor drive output after the process of stopping the driving operation of the motor device. You can avoid it.

  The first gaming device is an electronic component that generates heat by an electrical operation. The present invention is suitable for preventing a malfunction from occurring in an electronic component that has a high processing load such as VDP and that generates a large amount of heat compared to other components.

  Further, the cooling reduction state includes a state in which the cooling operation of the cooling device is stopped. For this reason, it is possible to quickly identify and deal with a high emergency situation in which the cooling by the cooling device is completely stopped, and to prevent the first gaming device from being defective. .

  It should be noted that the game table according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, the shape, configuration, and arrangement of the entire gaming machine or the devices or members that constitute the gaming machine are not limited to those shown in the above embodiments, and other shapes, configurations, and arrangements may be used.

  In the first embodiment, the sub-control unit 500 monitors the operation state of the cooling fan 276. However, the cooling is performed by the main control unit 300, the sub-control units 400 and 600, or a monitoring control unit provided elsewhere. The operating state of the fan 276 may be monitored.

  Moreover, in the said Example 1, although the thing of the air cooling system provided with the cooling fan 276 was shown as the cooling device 270, it is not limited to this, It is a cooling device of other systems, such as a water cooling system provided with a pump etc. There may be.

  In addition, the operation for ending the abnormal operation information output process according to the present invention is not limited to the power-on shown in the above embodiment, but a reset operation for restarting each control unit without turning off the power. It may be. The abnormal operation information output process may be terminated by operating another operating means (for example, a setting switch, a reset switch, etc.) at the same time (or before and after) the power is turned on again. .

  In the first embodiment, the fan stop error display is continued by discarding the received command when the fan stop error flag is on in steps S1002 and S1003 in the interrupt processing of the sub-control unit 500. However, the fan stop error display may be continued by setting an interrupt prohibition command in the same manner as the sub-control unit 600.

  In the first embodiment, the interrupt prohibition command is set in step S1111 in the main process of the sub-control unit 600, but instead of setting the interrupt prohibition command, the received command is the same as the sub-control unit 500. You may make it discard all.

  In addition to the pachinko machine 1000 (1 type), the gaming table according to the present invention includes a pachinko machine (2 types and 3 types), an enclosed pachinko machine, an arrange ball game machine, a ball ball game machine, a casino machine, and the like. It can also be applied to.

  Further, the actions and effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are merely a list of the most preferable actions and effects resulting from the present invention, and the actions and effects according to the present invention are described in the embodiments of the present invention. It is not limited to things.

  The gaming machine of the present invention can be used particularly in the field of gaming machines represented by slot machines and gaming machines (such as pachinko machines).

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the slot machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. (A) is a perspective view of the cover member of the production device, and (b) is a perspective view of the production unit. It is a disassembled perspective view of a cover member. It is an exploded perspective view of a production unit. (A) is the perspective view which looked at the board | substrate fixing member and the board | substrate cover member from the back side, (b) is a disassembled perspective view of a board | substrate fixing member, the sub control parts 500 and 600, and a board | substrate cover member. It is a disassembled perspective view of a cooling device and sub-control unit 500 and sub-control unit 600. 3 is a circuit block diagram of a main control unit 300. FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram of a sub-control unit 400. FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram of a sub-control unit 500. FIG. It is a circuit block diagram of a part of sub-control unit 500 and a cooling fan control device. It is the figure which showed the outline | summary of the abnormal stop detection of the cooling fan by a cooling fan control apparatus. 3 is a circuit block diagram of a sub-control unit 600. FIG. It is the figure which expanded and showed the arrangement | sequence of the symbol given to each reel (left reel, middle reel, right reel). It is the figure which showed the kind of winning combination (including an operating combination), the name of each winning combination, the symbol combination corresponding to each winning combination, the number of payouts of each winning combination, and the operation of each winning combination. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of main processing of the main control unit 300. (A) is a flowchart showing a flow of main processing of the sub-control unit 400, (b) is a flowchart showing a flow of command input processing of the sub-control unit 400, and (c) is a strobe interrupt of the sub-control unit 400. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing, and FIG. 4D is a flowchart showing a flow of timer interrupt processing of the sub-control unit 400. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of main processing of the sub-control unit 500. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a fan stop error process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of an effect execution process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a fan drive monitoring process. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of interrupt processing of a sub-control unit 500. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of main processing of a sub-control unit 600. (A) is a flowchart showing a flow of interval timer interrupt processing, and (b) is a flowchart showing a flow of interrupt processing of the sub-control unit 600. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a drive stop process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a stop process at the time of abnormality. (A)-(c) It is the figure which showed an example of operation | movement of the production | presentation unit when a fan motor stops abnormally. It is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the pachinko machine concerning Example 2 of the present invention from the front side (player side). It is the schematic front view which looked at the game board from the front. The circuit block diagram of a control part is shown. (A) shows an example of a special display stop display mode, (b) shows an example of a decorative design, and (c) shows an example of a normal stop display mode. It is. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a main control part main process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a main control part timer interruption process. It is the figure which showed the outline | summary of the process of sub-control part 1400, 1500, 1600. FIG. (A)-(c) It is the figure which showed an example of the display of the decoration symbol display apparatus when a cooling fan stops abnormally.

Explanation of symbols

100 slot machine 240 left motor 242 right motor 244 upper motor 270 cooling device 500 sub-control unit 534 VDP
570 Cooling fan control device 572c Abnormal stop detection circuit 600 Sub control unit 671 Left motor driver 672 Right motor driver 673 Upper motor driver 1000 Pachinko machine 1500 Sub control unit 1600 Sub control unit 1671 Left motor drive unit 1672 Left motor 1673 Right motor drive unit 1654 Right motor 1675 Upper motor drive unit 1676 Upper motor

Claims (10)

A first gaming device provided for gaming;
A second gaming device provided for gaming and different from the first gaming device;
A cooling device for cooling the first gaming device;
Monitoring means for monitoring the cooling operation of the cooling device;
Based on the monitoring result of the monitoring means, a specifying means for specifying that the cooling degree of the cooling device is in a reduced cooling state;
An abnormality processing means for performing a process of suppressing at least heat generated by the operation of the second gaming device based on the fact that the cooling means is specified by the specifying means. Stand. The second gaming device is arranged in the vicinity of the first gaming device,
The game table according to claim 1. The abnormality processing means is
Request means for requesting execution of an abnormal operation control that suppresses at least heat generation due to the operation of the second gaming device based on the fact that the cooling means is specified by the specifying means;
A control unit configured to execute the abnormal operation control of the second gaming device based on the execution of the abnormal operation control requested by the request unit;
The game table according to claim 1 or 2. The monitoring unit includes a detection unit that detects a cooling decrease signal indicating that the cooling operation of the cooling device is in a cooling decrease state,
The specifying means specifies the cooling decrease state when the detection of the cooling decrease signal by the detecting means is performed a plurality of times continuously for a predetermined period.
The game table according to claim 1. In the first specific timing after the gaming machine is turned on, the specifying means specifies that the cooling reduction state is detected when the detection means detects the cooling reduction signal for the first time. And, at the specific timing after the first time, when the second number of times greater than the first number of times is detected, it is specified that the cooling is reduced,
The game table according to claim 4. The second gaming device includes a motor device that produces a game-related effect by driving the motor,
The abnormal time processing means performs a process of suppressing at least heat generation by the driving operation of the motor device,
The game table according to claim 1. The process of suppressing at least the heat generation includes a process of stopping the driving operation of the motor device,
The game table according to claim 6. The process of suppressing at least the heat generation includes a process of not performing excitation output of the motor after the process of stopping the driving operation of the motor device is performed.
The game table according to claim 6 or 7. The first gaming device is an electronic component that generates heat by an electrical operation.
The game table according to claim 1. The cooling reduction state includes a state where the cooling operation of the cooling device is stopped,
The game table according to claim 1.