JP2010207625A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of eliminating a defect caused by break-down of control correlation. <P>SOLUTION: A main control board and a putout control board count processing number of times on blackout occurrence and memorize the number of times by a blackout counter on each of the control boards. The putout control board receives a command related to a value of the blackout counter from the main control board C by blackout number-of-times verification processing conducted when the power is turned on (S91). When the received value of the blackout counter and that of the blackout counter on the putout control board are not identical (S92: No), The putout control board determines that an error occurs, and conducts a processing corresponding to the error occurrence (S93 and S94), and stops the processing until an error release switch is being on (S95), which allows a cheating to be detected during an initialization processing when the power is turned on even if the main control board is replaced with an unfair board during a power disconnection, and prevents a game hall from incurring disadvantage by the cheating. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

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

  Conventionally, in gaming machines such as pachinko machines, a plurality of control boards are arranged according to the role of control, and each control process is shared by each control board to smoothly control the game. It is configured to be possible.

In such a gaming machine game, in order to control a single game with a plurality of control boards, it is desirable that the control boards be controlled in a mutually correlated state. However, there is a case where the correlation between the control boards may be broken due to an abnormality or an illegal act. In this case, there is a problem that it is difficult to normally perform a single game with a plurality of control boards.
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can solve the problems caused by the loss of correlation.

  In order to achieve this object, a gaming machine according to claim 1 includes main control means for controlling a game, and slave control means that operates based on a game control command output from the main control means. The main control means and the sub control means are configured to be able to output control state information relating to the control state of the control means in a predetermined situation to the other control means, and the other control means is responsive to the control state information. Control.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, the control state information regarding the control states of the main control means and the sub control means is output to the other control means, and the control according to the control state information is performed by the other control means. Therefore, when the correlation between the main control means and the sub control means breaks down, the control corresponding to the breakage of the correlation can be performed by the control means that has received the control state information, and there is a problem caused by the broken correlation. There is an effect that it can be eliminated.

It is a front view of the game board of the pachinko machine which is one Example of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the electrical structure of the pachinko machine. It is a flowchart of the NMI interruption process separately performed by the main control board and the payout control board. It is a flowchart of the main process performed with the main control board. It is a flowchart of the initialization process performed in the main process of the main control board when the power of the pachinko machine is turned on. It is a flowchart of the command reception process performed by the reception interruption process of a main control board. It is a flowchart of the main process performed by the payout control board. It is a flowchart of the initialization process performed in the main process of the payout control board when the power of the pachinko machine is turned on. It is a flowchart of the power failure frequency confirmation process performed in the initialization process of a payout control board. It is a flowchart of the command reception process performed by the reception interruption process of a payout control board. It is a flowchart of the NMI interruption process performed with the main control board of 2nd Example. It is a flowchart of the NMI interruption process performed with the payout control board of 2nd Example. It is a flowchart of the initialization process performed with the main control board of 2nd Example. It is a flowchart of the power failure frequency confirmation process performed in the initialization process of the payout control board of 2nd Example.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a pachinko machine that is a kind of a ball game machine, in particular, a first type pachinko game machine will be described as an example of the game machine. Note that it is naturally possible to use the present invention for the third kind pachinko gaming machine and other gaming machines.
FIG. 1 is a front view of a game board of a pachinko machine P according to the present embodiment. Around the game board 1, there are provided a plurality of winning holes 2 through which five to fifteen balls are paid out when a ball wins. In the center of the game board 1, a liquid crystal display (hereinafter simply referred to as “LCD”) 3 for displaying symbols as a plurality of types of identification information is provided. The display screen of the LCD 3 is divided into three in the horizontal direction. In each of the three divided display areas, a variable display of symbols is performed while scrolling in the vertical direction from top to bottom.

  Above the LCD 3, a normal symbol display device 6 composed of two LEDs 6 a and 6 b with normal symbols “O” and “X” displayed on the surface is disposed. In this normal symbol display device 6, when the ball that has been driven into the game area passes through the gates 7 arranged on both sides of the LCD 3, the fluctuations in which the LEDs 6 a and 6 b of “◯” and “×” are alternately lit. Display is performed. When the change display is terminated with the “◯” LED 6a, the ordinary electric accessory 4 is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds).

  Also, a symbol operating port (first type starting port, ordinary electric accessory) 4 is provided below the LCD 3, and when the ball is awarded to the symbol operating port 4, the variation display of the LCD 3 is displayed. Be started. Below the symbol operating port 4, a specific winning port (large winning port) 5 is provided. This specific winning opening 5 is a big hit when the display result after the fluctuation of the LCD 3 coincides with one of the predetermined symbol combinations, and a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds elapses) so that the ball is easy to win. (Or until 10 balls have been won).

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

  Note that a state in which a predetermined game value is given in the third type pachinko gaming machine (special game state) is specified when the display result after the change of the LCD 3 matches one of the predetermined symbol combinations. It means that the winning opening is opened for a predetermined time. When the ball wins into the specific winning opening while the specific winning opening is opened, a large winning opening provided separately from the specific winning opening is opened a predetermined number of times for a predetermined time.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine P, and in particular, a main control board C that controls the game content of the pachinko machine P, and a payout control board that performs payout control of prize balls and balls. It is the block diagram which showed the electric constitution with H.

  On the main control board C of the pachinko machine P, an MPU 11 as a one-chip microcomputer which is an arithmetic unit is mounted. The MPU 11 includes a ROM 12 storing various control programs executed by the MPU 11 and fixed value data, and a memory for temporarily storing various data and the like when executing the control program stored in the ROM 12. A certain RAM 13 and various circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit are incorporated. The programs of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 are stored in the ROM 12 as a part of the control program.

  The RAM 13 of the main control board C includes a backup area 13a and a power failure counter 13b. Further, the RAM 13 is configured so that the backup voltage is supplied from the power supply board 50 even after the pachinko machine P is turned off, and data can be held (backed up).

  In the backup area 13a, when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, the power of the pachinko machine P is restored to the state before the power is turned off when the power is turned on again. This is an area for storing stack pointers, values of registers, I / O, and the like. The writing to the backup area 13a is executed when the power is turned off by the NMI interrupt process (see FIG. 3). Conversely, the restoration of each value written to the backup area 13a is performed when the power is turned on (the power is turned on by eliminating the power failure). The same is performed in the initialization process (see FIG. 5). Note that a power failure signal 51 output from a power failure monitoring circuit 50b, which will be described later, is input to the NMI (Non Maskable Interrupt) terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the MPU 11 when a power failure occurs due to a power failure or the like. When a power failure occurs, the power failure process (NMI interrupt process) in FIG. 3 is immediately executed.

  The power failure counter 13b is a counter for counting the number of executions of the NMI interrupt process (see FIG. 3) performed when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. The value of the power failure counter 13b is incremented by “1” every time a power failure signal 51 output from a power failure monitoring circuit 50b, which will be described later, is input to the NMI terminal of the MPU 11 and an NMI interrupt process is performed. On the other hand, if the backup is not valid in the initialization process when the power is turned on, the value of the power failure counter 13b is cleared to “0” (see S50 in FIG. 5). The value of the power failure counter 13b is transmitted by a command from the main control board C to the payout control board H, and is used as information for determining whether or not an abnormality or an illegal act has occurred in each of the control boards C and H. The

  The MPU 11 including the ROM 12 and the RAM 13 is connected to an input / output port 15, and the input / output port 15 includes a payout control board H that performs payout control of prize balls and balls by a prize ball payout motor 21 and a plurality of payout control boards H. In addition to being connected to enable bi-directional communication via the signal line 16, a plurality of normal winning switches 17, a first type start port switch 18, a V count switch 19, a 10 count switch 20, and other input / outputs The device 26 is connected to the power failure monitoring circuit 50b and the clear switch 50c provided on the power supply board 50, respectively.

  The normal winning switch 17 is a switch for detecting a ball that has won a plurality of winning holes 2 provided on the game board 1, and is provided near the entrance of each winning hole 2. The first type starting port switch 18 is a switch for detecting a sphere that has passed through the symbol operating port (first type starting port) 4, and is provided in the vicinity of the symbol operating port 4. When a ball is detected by either the normal winning switch 17 or the first type start port switch 18, a command for paying out a winning ball is transmitted from the main control board C to the payout control board H. The prize ball is paid out.

  The V count switch 19 is a switch for detecting a ball won in the V zone 5 a in the specific winning opening 5, and the 10 count switch 20 is a ball won in a place other than the V zone 5 a in the specific winning opening 5. It is a switch for detecting. When a ball is detected by the V count switch 19 or the 10 count switch 20, a command for paying out a prize ball is transmitted from the main control board C to the payout control board H, and 15 prize balls are paid out by the payout control board H. .

  The payout control board H performs payout control of prize balls and rental balls, and is equipped with an MPU 31 that is an arithmetic unit. The MPU 31 includes a ROM 32 that stores a control program executed by the MPU 31, fixed value data, and the like, and a RAM 33 that is used as a work memory or the like. The programs of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 to 10 are stored in the ROM 32 as a part of the control program.

  The RAM 33 of the payout control board H includes a backup area 33a, a power failure counter 33b, and a timer counter 33c. Further, the RAM 33 is configured so that the backup voltage is supplied from the power supply board 50 even after the power of the pachinko machine P is turned off, and data can be retained (backed up).

  As with the backup area 13a of the main control board C described above, when the power is cut off due to a power failure or the like, the backup area 33a returns the state of the pachinko machine P to the state before the power is turned off when the power is turned on again. This is an area for storing values such as a stack pointer at the time of power-off, each register, and I / O. The writing to the backup area 33a is executed when the power is turned off by the NMI interrupt process (see FIG. 3). Conversely, the restoration of each value written to the backup area 33a is performed when the power is turned on (the power is turned on by eliminating the power failure). The same is performed in the initialization process (see FIG. 8). Note that a power failure signal 51 output from a power failure monitoring circuit 50b, which will be described later, is input to an NMI (Non Maskable Interrupt) terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the MPU 31 when a power failure occurs due to a power failure or the like. When a power failure occurs, the power failure process (NMI interrupt process) in FIG. 3 is immediately executed.

  Similarly to the power failure counter 13b of the main control board C described above, the power failure counter 33b is a counter for counting the number of executions of the NMI interrupt process (see FIG. 3) performed when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. The value of the power failure counter 33b is incremented by “1” every time a power failure signal 51 output from a power failure monitoring circuit 50b described later is input to the NMI terminal of the MPU 31 and an NMI interrupt process is performed. On the other hand, if the backup is not valid in the initialization process when the power is turned on, the value of the power failure counter 33b is cleared to “0” (see S90 in FIG. 8). The value of the power failure counter 33b is compared with the value of the power failure counter 13b transmitted (output) from the main control board C, and it is determined whether or not an abnormality or an illegal act has occurred on each of the control boards C and H. .

  Here, the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b of the main control board C and the payout control board H are both incremented by "1" every time a power failure occurs, so that synchronization is performed during normal control. And should be updated. However, if the power failure signal 51 is input to one control board due to noise or the signal line of the power failure signal 51 is disconnected and the power failure signal 51 is not input to one of the control boards, only one control board is present. An NMI interrupt process is performed, and a difference occurs between the values of both power failure counters 13b and 33b. In addition, even if an illegal act of inputting the power failure signal 51 to either the main control board C or the payout control board H is performed for the purpose of causing a malfunction of the control, only one control board is NMI allocated. And a difference occurs between the values of both power failure counters 13b and 33b.

  The payout control board H of the present embodiment sets the value of the power failure counter 13b to the main control board C during the execution of the initialization process when the power is turned on and the normal process related to the game (the process from S66 to S71 in FIG. 7). After transmitting the power failure count request command for requesting transmission, a command relating to the value of the power failure counter 13b is received from the main control board C. The value of the received power failure counter 13b is compared with the value of the power failure counter 33b of the payout control board H, and whether or not the main control board C or the payout control board H is in a normal state based on the difference between these values. Is judged. Also, the payout control means H performs control according to the difference between the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b, and can take measures corresponding to abnormalities and illegal acts.

  The power failure frequency request command is issued when a predetermined time (1.9 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed since the normal processing (the processing from S66 to S71) in the payout control board H is started, or When 1.9 seconds have elapsed since the dispensing control board H received a command related to the value of the power failure counter 13b from the control board C, it is transmitted from the dispensing control board H to the main control board C (see S68 in FIG. 7). . The time after the transmission of the power failure count request command is timed by the payout control board H. If the command related to the value of the power failure counter 13b is not received within 0.1 second after the transmission, the payout control board H Determines that an abnormality has occurred and executes a process corresponding to the abnormality (the process from S72 to S74 in FIG. 7) to stop the progress of the control.

  The timer counter 33c is a counter for determining the transmission time of the power failure frequency request command for requesting the value of the power failure counter 13b from the payout control board H to the main control board C. The value of the timer counter 33c is cleared to “0” when preparation for processing related to the game is completed after power-on, and when a command related to the value of the power failure counter 13b is received from the main control board C. In addition, the value of the timer counter 33c is “every time a game-related process (processes from S66 to S71 in FIG. 7, S66 to S71) is repeated once every 2 ms in the main process (see FIG. 7) of the payout control board H. 1 "is added.

  When the value of the timer counter 33c is “950”, 1.9 seconds (950 in 2 ms) when processing relating to the game is started in the payout control board H or when a command relating to the value of the power failure counter 13b is received. The payout control board H transmits a power failure count request command to the main control board C (see S68 in FIG. 7). Further, when the value of the timer counter 33c becomes “1000”, a command related to the value of the power failure counter 13b is received from the main control board C even though 0.1 second has elapsed since the command for requesting the number of times of power failure is transmitted. Therefore, the payout control board H determines that an abnormality has occurred and executes a process corresponding to the abnormality (the process from S72 to S74 in FIG. 7) to stop the progress of the control.

  The MPU 31 incorporating the ROM 32 and the RAM 33 is connected to an input / output port 35. The input / output port 35 is connected to the main control board C through the plurality of signal lines 16 as well as a prize ball payout. Motor 21, prize ball count switch 22, error lamp 23, error buzzer 24, error release switch 25, other input / output device 26, power failure monitoring circuit 50b and clear switch 50c provided on power supply board 50 Are connected to each other.

  The prize ball count switch 22 is a switch for detecting a prize ball paid out by the prize ball payout motor 21, and is mounted on the prize ball payout unit together with the prize ball payout motor 21. The winning ball payout motor 21 is a motor for paying out a winning ball, and the driving of the winning ball payout motor 21 is controlled by the payout control board H.

  The error lamp 23 notifies the player who plays the game or the manager of the game hall that an abnormality has occurred in the control of the pachinko machine P, and is provided on the upper side (not shown) of the game board 1. . The payout control board H confirms the difference between the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b of the main control board C and the payout control board H in the initialization process when the power is turned on, and when it is confirmed that these values are not the same. The error lamp 23 is turned on under the control of the payout control board H. In addition, when the payout control board H confirms that the difference between the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b is “3” or more in the normal processing, the error lamp 23 is turned on by the control of the payout control board H. Is done. As described above, the error lamp 23 is turned on when a difference between the power outage counters 13b and 33b exceeds a predetermined value, so that the player and the game hall manager are informed that an abnormality has occurred in the pachinko machine P. Can be recognized.

  The error buzzer 24, like the error lamp 23, notifies the player or game hall manager that an abnormality has occurred in the control of the pachinko machine P, and is provided on the upper side (not shown) of the game board 1. It has been. The payout control board H confirms the difference between the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b of the main control board C and the payout control board H in the initialization process when the power is turned on, and when it is confirmed that these values are not the same. A sound is output from the error buzzer 24 under the control of the payout control board H. In addition, when it is confirmed that the difference between the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b is “6” or more in the normal processing, a sound is output from the error buzzer 24 under the control of the payout control board H. That is, in the normal process, the error lamp 23 is turned on and a sound is output from the error buzzer 24 only when the difference between the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b is "6" or more. It is possible to make it easier for the player and the game hall manager to recognize that the abnormality has occurred in the pachinko machine P many times than when the lamp 23 is lit.

  It is not always necessary to notify the number of occurrences of an abnormality using a plurality of devices, and the lighting state of the error lamp 23 is changed from blinking to lighting depending on the difference between the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b. The volume of the error buzzer 24 may be changed or the volume of the error buzzer 24 is changed according to the difference between the values, that is, the volume of the error buzzer 24 is increased as the difference between the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b increases. It may be announced. Further, the error lamp 23 and the error buzzer 24 may be configured to notify the occurrence of an abnormality from the payout control board H to the main control board C by a command and to control the main control board C. However, when the main control board C is replaced with an illegal board, control is performed so that the error lamp 23 and the error buzzer 24 are not activated even when the main control board C receives a command reporting that an abnormality has occurred. Can be done. On the other hand, by directly connecting the error lamp 23 and the error buzzer 24 to the payout control board H that detects the occurrence of an abnormality, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a control that does not notify the occurrence of the abnormality even if fraud is detected. Thus, the occurrence of abnormality can be reliably notified to the outside.

  The error release switch 25 is a switch for resuming the temporarily stopped control, and is composed of a push button type switch. When the error release switch 25 is pressed and turned on while the control of the control boards C and H is temporarily stopped, the control of the control boards C and H that have been stopped is resumed.

  Here, in the pachinko machine P according to the present embodiment, the value of the power failure counter 13b transmitted from the main control board C is the payout control in the initialization process (see FIG. 8) executed by the payout control board H when the power is turned on. When it is confirmed that the value is not the same as the value of the power failure counter 33b of the board H, the payout control board H transmits a control pause command instructing the main control board C to pause control (see S93 in FIG. 9). ), The control is stopped until the error release switch 25 is turned on (see S95 in FIG. 9). When receiving the control pause command transmitted from the payout control board H, the main control board C stops the control until the error release switch 25 is turned on, as with the payout control board H (see S54 in FIG. 6). ). Thus, when the payout control board H confirms that the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b are not the same when the power is turned on, the control boards C and H stop the control, so that the pachinko machine P is in an abnormal state. It is possible to prevent the game arcade or the player from being disadvantaged by continuously controlling the game as it is. Further, since the control of the control boards C and H can be resumed by pressing and turning on the error release switch 25 in a state where the control of the control boards C and H is temporarily stopped, the control board C and H can be resumed with a slight abnormality. If it can be specified, the control can be resumed as necessary.

  The power supply board 50 includes a power supply unit 50a for supplying power to each unit of the pachinko machine P, a power failure monitoring circuit 50b, and a clear switch 50c. The power failure monitoring circuit 50b is a circuit for outputting a power failure signal 51 to the NMI terminal of the MPU 11 of the main control board C when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. This power failure monitoring circuit 50b monitors the DC stable voltage of 24 volts, which is the largest voltage output from the power supply unit 50a, and determines that a power failure (power failure) has occurred when this voltage is less than 22 volts. Thus, the power failure signal 51 is output to the main control board C and the payout control board H. Based on the output of the power failure signal 51, the main control board C and the payout control board H recognize the occurrence of the power failure and execute the power failure process (NMI interrupt process in FIG. 3). Note that the power supply unit 50a normally outputs an output of 5 volts, which is a drive voltage of the control system, for a time sufficient to execute the process at the time of a power failure even after the DC stable voltage of 24 volts becomes less than 22 volts. Since it is configured to maintain the value, the main control board C and the payout control board H can normally execute the power failure process.

  The clear switch 50c is a switch for clearing data backed up in the RAM 13 of the main control board C and the RAM 33 of the payout control board H, and is configured as a push button type switch. When the power of the pachinko machine P is turned on while the clear switch 50c is pressed (including power-on due to power failure cancellation), the data in the RAMs 13 and 33 is cleared by the main control board C and the payout control board H. Is done.

  Next, each process executed by the pachinko machine P configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the NMI interruption process executed separately on the main control board C and the payout control board H when the power of the pachinko machine P is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. By this NMI interruption processing, the states of the main control board C and the payout control board H when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like are stored in the backup areas 13a and 33a. The NMI interrupt process is a process that is separately mounted on the ROM 12 of the main control board C and the ROM 32 of the payout control board H and has different contents, but can be similarly expressed in the notation of the flowchart. Therefore, they are collectively shown in FIG.

  When the power of the pachinko machine P is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like, a power failure signal 51 is output from the power failure monitoring circuit 50b to the NMI (Non Maskable Interrupt) terminals of the MPUs 11 and 31 of the main control board C and the payout control board H. . Then, the MPUs 11 and 31 interrupt the control being executed and start the NMI interrupt process of FIG. For a predetermined time after the power failure signal 51 is output, power is supplied from the power supply unit 50a of the power supply board 50 so that the processing of the control boards C and H can be executed. Is executed. When the power failure signal 51 is input to the NMI terminal of one of the main control board C and the payout control board H due to noise or the like, the NMI interrupt process is performed only on one control board. .

  In the NMI interrupt process, first, “1” is added to the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b (S1). Next, the values of each register and I / O are written to the stack area (S2), and the values of the stack pointer are written to the backup areas 13a and 33a and saved (S3). Further, the power failure occurrence information is written in the backup areas 13a and 33a (S4), and the state at the time of power failure due to the occurrence of the power failure is stored. Thereafter, after other power failure processing determined for the main control board C and the payout control board H is executed (S5), the processing is looped until the power supply is completely cut off and the processing cannot be executed.

  As described above, when the NMI interrupt process is performed on the main control board C and the payout control board H, the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b are incremented by “1”. For this reason, if the control is normally performed, the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b of the control boards C and H are updated synchronously every time a power failure occurs. Further, when an abnormality occurs and NMI interrupt processing is performed only on one of the control boards, “1” is added to only one of the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b. The values of 13b and 33b are shifted without being synchronized.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a main process executed on the main control board C of the pachinko machine P. The main control of the pachinko machine P is executed by this main process. In the main process, interrupts are first prohibited (S11), and then the initialization process shown in FIG. 5 is executed (S12). Here, the initialization process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the initialization process (S12) executed in the main process of the main control board C when the pachinko machine P is turned on. In this process, if the backup is valid, each data stored in the backup area 13a is returned to the original state, and the game control is continued from the state before the power is turned off. On the other hand, if the backup is not valid, or if the clear switch 50c is pressed when the power is turned on even if the backup is valid, RAM clear and initialization processing is executed. Although this initialization process (S12) is described in the form of a subroutine, it is a process that is executed before setting the stack pointer, so it is actually executed in sequence after the process of S11 without calling a subroutine. The

  First, a stack pointer is set (S41), and it is confirmed whether backup is valid (S42). This confirmation is determined by whether or not the keyword written in a predetermined area of the RAM 13 is correctly stored. If the keyword is stored correctly, the backup is valid. On the other hand, if the keyword is not correct, the backup data is destroyed, so the backup is not valid. If the backup is valid (S42: Yes), it is confirmed whether or not the clear switch 50c is turned on (S43). If the clear switch 50c is not turned on (S43: No), the process proceeds to S46, a command corresponding to the value of the power failure counter 13b is transmitted to the payout control board H, and each state of the main control board C is changed. Return to the state before the power was turned off.

  On the other hand, if the clear switch 50c is turned on in the processing of S43 (S43: Yes), RAM clear and initialization processing is executed (S44), and the RAM 13 and I / O and other values are initialized. If the backup is not valid in the process of S42 (S42: No), the value of the power failure counter 13b is cleared to “0” (S50), and the process of S44 is executed. Here, even if the initialization process of S44 is executed, the value of the power failure counter 13b is held without being cleared, and “0” is cleared by the process of S50 only when the backup is not valid. For this reason, even if initialization processing is performed, the main control board C can continuously update the value of the power failure counter 13b.

  After the process of S44, a command corresponding to the value of the power failure counter 13b is transmitted to the payout control board H (S45), and the initialization process is terminated. After the process of S45 is completed, the process of S13 in FIG. 4 is executed.

  On the other hand, in the process from S46, first, a command corresponding to the value of the power failure counter 13b is transmitted to the payout control board H (S46). Next, the value of the stack pointer is read from the backup area 13a and written to the stack pointer to return to the state before the power interruption (before the power failure), that is, the state before the occurrence of the NMI interrupt (S47). In addition, each register and I / O data saved in the backup area 13a is read from the backup area 13a, and these data are written in the original register and I / O (S48). Further, the interrupt state is returned to the state before the power interruption (before the power failure) stored in the process of FIG. 3 executed at the time of the power failure, that is, the state before the NMI interrupt is generated (S49), and the NMI interrupt return. To return to the place where the process was executed before the power was turned off, and the control is continued from the state before the power was turned off.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 4, the main process of the main control board C will be described. In the process of S13, a timer interrupt is set (S13) to enable interrupts, and each interrupt is permitted (S14). After the interruption is permitted, the output data updated in the previous process is output to each port at once by the special symbol variation process (S25), display data creation process (S27), ramp / information processing (S28), etc. The port output process is executed (S15).

  Further, a random number update process (S16) for updating the value of the random number counter for determining the jackpot by “+1” is executed, and a storage timer subtraction process is executed (S17). The storage timer subtraction process shortens the time for symbol variation display when there is a predetermined number or more of reserved balls for jackpot determination and the symbol variation display is being performed on the LCD 3.

  In the switch monitoring process (S18), according to the state of each switch read by the INT interrupt, the winning of the ball that has been driven into the game area 2 or the specific winning port 5, the winning of the symbol operating port 4, the gate 7 The processing relating to the passing of the award and the payout of the prize ball is performed. In the symbol counter update process (S20), a counter update process for determining a symbol to be stopped and displayed as a result of the variable display performed on the LCD 3 is performed. Further, in the symbol check process (S21), based on the counter value updated in the symbol counter update process (S20), the jackpot symbol, the lost symbol, and the reach symbol used in the special symbol variation process (S25). Etc. are determined.

  Next, by the normal symbol variation process (S23), the variation display of the ordinary symbol display device 6 composed of the two LEDs 6a and 6b of “O” and “X” is performed, and as a result of the variation display, “O” is displayed. When the change display is finished with the LED 6a, a hit process is performed in which the normal electric accessory (symbol operating port) 4 is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds). Thereafter, the state flag is checked (S24), and if the change of the symbol starts or is displayed on the LCD 3 (S24: during the change of the symbol), the ball wins the symbol operating port 4 through the special symbol change process (S25). Based on the value of the random number counter read at the timing, it is determined whether or not it is a big hit, and a special symbol variation process is executed in the LCD 3. On the other hand, if the result of checking the status flag is a big hit (S24: big hit), a big win process (S26) such as opening the specific winning opening 5 is executed. Further, as a result of checking the status flag, if the symbol is neither changing nor being a big hit (S24: Other), the processing of S25 and S26 is skipped and the process proceeds to the display data creation processing of S27.

  In the display data creation process (S27), demo data displayed on the LCD 3 in addition to the symbol variation display, display data of the two LEDs 6a and 6b of the normal symbol display device 6, etc. are created, and lamp / information processing (S28). Then, various ramp data including the ramp data of the holding ball are created. In the sound effect process (S29), sound effect data corresponding to the game situation is created. These display data and sound effect data are output (transmitted) to the payout control board H and other control boards by the port output process (S15) and the timer interrupt process.

  After the end of the sound effect process (S29), the random number initial value update process (S30) for updating the initial value of the random number counter for determining the jackpot during the remaining time until the next execution timing of the process of S15 comes. ) Repeatedly. Since each process of S15 to S29 needs to be periodically executed, the elapsed time from the previous execution of the process of S15 is checked in the process of S31 (S31). As a result of the check, if a predetermined time (for example, 2 ms) has elapsed since the previous execution of the process of S15 (S31: Yes), the process proceeds to S15. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has not elapsed (S31: No), the process proceeds to S30, and the execution of the random number initial value update process (S30) is repeated. Here, since the execution time of each process of S15-S29 changes according to the state of a game, the remaining time until the next execution timing of the process of S15 comes is not a fixed time. Therefore, the initial value of the random number counter can be updated at random by repeatedly executing the random number initial value update process (S30) using the remaining time.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of command reception processing executed in the interrupt processing of the main control board C. When the main control board C receives a command transmitted from each control board connected to the main control board C, an interrupt is generated each time, and this command reception process is executed. Note that the interrupt for executing this command reception processing is not a non-maskable interrupt that cannot be set for interrupt prohibition, but an interrupt that can be set for interrupt prohibition.

  In the command reception process, first, it is determined whether or not the received command is a power failure frequency request command transmitted from the payout control board H (S51). If the command is a power failure count request command (S51: Yes), a command corresponding to the value of the power failure counter 13b is transmitted to the payout control board H (S52), and this command reception process is terminated. On the other hand, if the received command is not a power failure frequency request command (S51: No), it is determined whether or not the received command is a control pause command transmitted from the payout control board H (S53).

  If the received command is a control pause command (S53: Yes), it is confirmed whether or not the error release switch 25 is turned on (S54). If the error release switch 25 is not turned on (S54: No) , Stop processing until it is turned on. When the error release switch 25 is turned on (S56: Yes), this command reception process is terminated. On the other hand, if the received command is not a control pause command (S53: No), it is determined whether or not the received command is a control stop command transmitted from the payout control board H (S55).

  If the received command is a control stop command (S55: Yes), error processing such as displaying information suggesting that an abnormality has occurred on the LCD 3 is performed (S56), and the subsequent processing is looped to enter the stop state. To do. On the other hand, if the received command is not a control stop command (S55: No), a process corresponding to the received command is executed (S57), and the command receiving process is terminated.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a main process executed on the payout control board H of the pachinko machine P. The main control of the payout control board H is executed by this main process. In the main process of the payout control board H, first, interruption is prohibited (S61), and then the initialization process shown in FIG. 8 is executed (S62). Here, the initialization process of the payout control board H will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the initialization process (S62) executed in the main process of the payout control board H when the pachinko machine P is turned on. In this process, if the backup is valid, each data stored in the backup area 33a is returned to the original state, and the control is continued from the state before the power is turned off. On the other hand, if the backup is not valid, or if the clear switch 50c is pressed when the power is turned on even if the backup is valid, RAM clear and initialization processing is executed. Although this initialization process (S62) is described in the form of a subroutine, it is a process that is executed before setting the stack pointer, so it is actually executed in sequence after the process of S11 without calling a subroutine. The

  First, a stack pointer is set (S81), and it is confirmed whether backup is valid (S82). This confirmation is determined by whether or not the keyword written in the predetermined area of the RAM 33 is correctly stored. If the keyword is stored correctly, the backup is valid. On the other hand, if the keyword is not correct, the backup data is destroyed, so the backup is not valid. If the backup is valid (S82: Yes), it is confirmed whether or not the clear switch 50c is turned on (S83). If the clear switch 50c is not turned on (S83: No), the process proceeds to S86, and a power failure frequency confirmation process for confirming the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b of the main control board C and the payout control board H is executed. Then, each state of the payout control board H is returned to the state before the power is turned off.

  On the other hand, in the process of S83, if the clear switch 50c is turned on (S83: Yes), RAM clear and initialization processes are executed (S84), and the RAM 33, I / O and other values are initialized. If the backup is not valid in the processing of S82 (S82: No), the value of the power failure counter 33b is invalid, so the value of the power failure counter 33b is cleared to “0” (S90), and the processing is performed in S84. Migrate to

  Here, the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b of the main control board C and the payout control board H are retained without being cleared even when the initialization process is executed on each of the control boards C and H, and the backup is not valid. Only “0” is cleared. That is, when the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b are valid, the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b are positively held, and “0” is cleared only when the values become invalid. Therefore, the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b of the main control board C and the payout control board can be synchronized for a longer period and without being affected by the operation of the clear switch 50c. Detection can be performed more reliably.

  After the process of S84, a power failure frequency confirmation process for confirming the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b of the main control board C and the payout control board H is performed (S85, see FIG. 8), and this initialization process is terminated. After the process of S85 is completed, the process of S63 of FIG. 7 is executed.

  On the other hand, in the process from S86, first, a power failure frequency confirmation process is performed (S86), and the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b of the main control board C and the payout control board H are confirmed. The power failure frequency confirmation process in S86 is the same process as the process in S85. Next, the value of the stack pointer is read from the backup area 33a and written to the stack pointer to return to the state before the power interruption (before the power failure), that is, the state before the occurrence of the NMI interrupt (S87). Also, each register and I / O data saved in the backup area 33a is read from the backup area 33a, and each of these data is written to the original register and I / O (S88). Further, the interrupt state is restored to the state before the power interruption (before the power failure) stored in the processing of FIG. 3 executed at the time of the power failure, that is, the state before the NMI interrupt occurrence (S89), and the NMI interrupt return To return to the place where the process was executed before the power was turned off, and the control is continued from the state before the power was turned off.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 7, the main process of the payout control board H will be described. In the process of S63, a timer interrupt is set (S63), an interrupt can be generated, and each interrupt is permitted (S64). After permitting the interrupt, the value of the timer counter 33c is cleared to “0” (S65), and the process proceeds to S66.

  In the processing from S66, first, “1” is added to the value of the timer counter 33c (S66), whether or not the value of the timer counter 33c is “950”, that is, the value of the timer counter 33c is “0”. It is confirmed whether 1.9 seconds have elapsed from the state (S67). Here, the processing from S66 to S71 (normal processing) is repeatedly performed every 2 ms, and the value of the timer counter 33c increases by “1” every 2 ms by the processing of S66. Therefore, 1.9 seconds obtained by multiplying 2 ms by “950” elapses until the value of the timer counter 33 c changes from “0” to “950”.

  If the value of the timer counter 33c is “950” (S67: Yes), it is the timing for requesting the main control board C to send the value of the power outage counter 13b, so a power failure count request command is sent to the main control board C. (S68), the process proceeds to S69. If the value of the timer counter 33c is not “950” (S67: No), it is not the timing to transmit the power failure count request command, so the process of S68 is skipped and the process proceeds to S69.

  In the process of S69, it is confirmed whether or not the value of the timer counter 33c is “1000” or more (S69). If the value of the timer counter 33c is not “1000” or more (S69: No), each process is executed (S70). Processing related to the game by the payout control board H is executed in each processing (S70) except for the interrupt processing. After the process of S70, the elapsed time from the previous execution of the process of S66 is confirmed (S71). As a result of the confirmation, if the predetermined time (2 ms in this embodiment) has not elapsed since the start of the previous processing of S66 (S71: No), the elapsed time is confirmed again after waiting for the transition of the processing. When 2 ms elapses from the start of the previous process of S66 (S71: Yes), the process proceeds to S66.

  On the other hand, if the value of the timer counter 33c is “1000” or more in the process of S69 (S69: Yes), the value of the timer counter 33c increases by “50” after transmitting the power failure count request command to the main control board C. This means that 0.1 second obtained by multiplying 2 ms by “50” has elapsed. When the control by the main control board C is normally performed, the main control board C should transmit a command corresponding to the value of the power failure counter 13b by performing a command reception process when receiving the power failure count request command. (See FIG. 6). If the value of the power failure counter 13b is not transmitted from the main control board C even after 0.1 second has elapsed from the transmission of the power failure frequency request command to the main control board C, some abnormality has occurred in the pachinko machine P. In this case, a control stop command is transmitted to the main control board C (S72), and the occurrence of an abnormality is reported to the main control board C. Next, the error lamp 23 is turned on and a sound is output from the error buzzer 24 (S73). Further, error processing is performed to take measures for an abnormality such as stopping the prize ball being paid out (S74). Loop the process to stop.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the power failure frequency confirmation process executed in the payout control board H initialization process (S62) (see FIGS. 8, S85 and S86). In this power failure count confirmation process, the occurrence of an abnormality is detected based on the value of the power failure counter 13b transmitted from the main control board C and the value of the power failure counter 33b of the payout control board H, and a measure corresponding to the detection result. Is to do.

  In this power failure frequency confirmation process, first, it is confirmed whether or not a command related to the value of the power failure counter 13b is received from the main control board C (S91). If the command has not been received (S91: No), the control is stopped and the process waits until a command related to the value of the power failure counter 13b is received. When a command related to the value of the power failure counter 13b is received from the main control board C (S91: Yes), it is confirmed whether or not the received value of the power failure counter 13b is the same as the value of the power failure counter 33b of the payout control board H. (S92) If the values of both power failure counters 13b and 33b are the same (S92: Yes), no abnormality has occurred and both control boards C and H are in a normal state. To do. Only when the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b are the same, it is not necessary to determine that the control boards C and H are in a normal state, and the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b are accidentally changed. When a difference occurs, a predetermined value (for example, 2) may be set, and if it is equal to or less than the predetermined value, it may be determined that the state is normal.

  On the other hand, if the values of both power failure counters 13b and 33b are not the same (S92: No), there is a difference between the values of both power failure counters 13b and 33b before the initialization process is executed. The process at the time of a power failure (NMI interrupt process in FIG. 3) has been performed only, or an abnormality such as replacement of one control board has occurred. For this reason, first, a control pause command for instructing to pause control is transmitted to the main control board C (S93), the error lamp 23 is turned on and a sound is output from the error buzzer 24 (S94). Notify the outside that the values of 13b and 33b are not the same and an abnormality has occurred.

  Next, it is confirmed whether or not the error release switch 25 is turned on (S95). If the error release switch 25 is not turned on as a result of the confirmation (S95: No), the process is stopped until turned on. When the error cancel switch 95 is turned on (S95: Yes), the process proceeds to S96, the error lamp 23 is turned off and the sound of the error buzzer 24 is stopped (S96). Further, the value of the power failure counter 13b of the main control board C is written to the power failure counter 33b of the payout control board H (S97), the values of both power failure counters 13b and 33b are made to coincide with each other, and this power failure number confirmation process is completed.

  Here, in recent years, fraudulent acts for unjustly generating jackpots by replacing the main control board that directly affects the occurrence of jackpots with unauthorized boards have been reported as fraudulent acts for obtaining fraudulent profits. In this case, the pachinko machine shipped from the factory is replaced with an unauthorized board in the middle of transportation until it is installed in the amusement hall, or it is changed to an unauthorized board during a closed time after being installed in the amusement hall. It is exchanged.

  On the other hand, in the pachinko machine P according to the present embodiment, the value of the power failure counter 13b transmitted from the main control board C and the value of the power failure counter 33b of the payout control board H in the process of confirming the number of power failures of the payout control board H are the same. It is confirmed whether or not they are the same, and if they are not the same, the process is temporarily stopped. The pachinko machine P is turned on and off a plurality of times before shipment from the factory, and the power supply is repeatedly turned on and off every day after being installed in the amusement hall. After being shipped, it is counted up to a predetermined value synchronously. On the other hand, when the main control board C is replaced with an unauthorized board, the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b are not the same, and thus the progress of the control of the payout control board H is stopped by the power failure frequency confirmation process. Therefore, since the progress of the control is stopped in the middle of the initialization process that is performed before the game is controlled, it is possible to prevent the game ground from being unfairly disadvantaged by starting the game.

  Further, even if the payout control board H confirms that the values of the two power failure counters 13b and 33b are not the same and stops the progress of the control once, it resumes the control when the error release switch 25 is turned on. The cases where the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b are not the same include not only illegal acts but also abnormalities that can be resolved immediately, for example, when the power failure signal terminal is disconnected. Even in this case, if the control is continuously stopped, the pachinko machine P cannot be operated, and the game hall is disadvantaged. Since the payout control board H of the present embodiment restarts the control by turning on the error release switch 25, when the cause of the abnormality can be identified once the control is stopped, etc. Control can be resumed. Furthermore, the payout control board H transmits a control pause command to the main control board C when it is confirmed that the values of the two power failure counters 13b and 33b are not the same. Therefore, it is possible to make the main control board C recognize that an abnormality due to fraud or the like has occurred based on the command transmitted from the payout control board H, and to perform control according to the command. The trouble which arises can be prevented.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of command reception processing executed in the interruption processing of the payout control board H. When the payout control board H receives a command transmitted from the main control board C, an interrupt is generated each time, and this command reception process is executed. Note that the interrupt for executing this command reception processing is not a non-maskable interrupt that cannot be set for interrupt prohibition, but an interrupt that can be set for interrupt prohibition.

  In the command reception process, first, it is confirmed whether or not the received command is a command relating to the value of the power failure counter 13b transmitted from the main control board C (S101). If the command related to the value of the power failure counter 13b is not received (S101: No), the other command is received, so the process for the other command is performed (S108), and the command receiving process is terminated.

  As a result of the confirmation in S101, if a command related to the value of the power failure counter 13b is received (S101: Yes), the value of the timer counter 33c is cleared to “0” (S102), and the received power failure counter 13b of the main control board C is received. And the value of the power failure counter 33b of the payout control board H are confirmed (S103). If the difference between the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b is "2" or less (S103: Yes), the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b of both control boards C and H to be synchronized are not synchronized. Assuming that the abnormality occurs rarely due to the above, the processing for the occurrence of the abnormality from S84 to S87 is skipped, and this command reception process is terminated. It should be noted that the difference between the values of both power failure counters 13b and 33b as a reference for determining the occurrence of an abnormality does not necessarily need to be “2”. For example, if a difference of “1” occurs, On the contrary, the occurrence of abnormality may be determined based on a larger value of “3” or more.

  If the difference between the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b is not "2" or less but "3" or more (S103: No), the error lamp 23 is turned on (S104), and an abnormal state is repeatedly generated. And whether or not the difference between these values is “5” or less is confirmed (S105). If the difference between the values of both power failure counters 13b and 33b is "5" or less (S105: Yes), this command reception process is terminated while the error lamp 23 is kept on.

  If the difference between the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b is not "5" or less but "6" or more (S105: No), a sound is output from the error buzzer 24 (S106), and the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b are output. It is confirmed whether or not the difference is “10” or less (S107). If the difference between these values is “10” or less (S107: Yes), this command reception process is terminated. On the other hand, if the difference between the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b is not "10" or less but "11" or more as a result of the confirmation in S107 (S107: No), the abnormality has occurred frequently. A control stop command for instructing to stop control is transmitted (S109), and error processing is performed to treat an abnormality such as stopping the payout ball being paid out (S110), and then the process is looped and stopped. State.

  Here, as an illegal act other than the illegal operation by exchanging with the illegal substrate described above, an illegal substrate that generates an abnormal signal on the main control board is hung (attached with an illegal “hanging substrate”) to unjustly hit the jackpot Some have been reported. Specifically, after finishing the initialization process for the main control board, the same signal as the signal when the first type start port switch detects a sphere at the timing when the value of the random number counter shows a predetermined jackpot value is used. It is illegally generated and output to the main control board to generate an unreasonable jackpot. When this fraudulent action is performed, it is necessary to cause the main control board to execute the initialization process once, so that an invalid signal is output only to the main control board and the initialization process is performed. Since this fraud is performed only on the main control board, it is difficult to determine that the fraud is being performed at a glance at the pachinko machine, and the game arcade may suffer a great deal of disadvantage.

  In contrast, the payout control board H of the present embodiment repeatedly checks the difference between the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b transmitted from the main control board C approximately every 2 seconds, and externally according to the confirmation result. Since an abnormality is notified or processing is stopped depending on the degree of the abnormality, if an invalid signal (power failure signal) is repeatedly input to the main control board C during the game, the value of the power failure counters 13b and 33b An abnormality can be detected reliably and promptly based on the difference, and the player and the game hall manager can recognize the occurrence and degree of the abnormality from the state of the error lamp 23 and the error buzzer 24. Therefore, fraud with respect to the main control board C, which is likely to be fraudulent, can be accurately detected by the payout control board H, and highly reliable control can be performed.

  In addition, since the process is stopped when abnormalities occur frequently and when a command related to the value of the power failure counter 13b is not transmitted from the main control board C, the main control board C is replaced with an unauthorized board during the game. Even when an illegal act is performed or an illegal signal is input to the main control board C, the abnormality is detected based on the values of the power outage counters 13b and 33b, and the game hall continuously suffers a disadvantage. This can be prevented. Furthermore, when the degree of abnormality is low, that is, in the pachinko machine P, if the difference between the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b is "5" or less, only the error lamp 23 is lit, which hinders the player's game. It is possible to notify the occurrence of an abnormality to the outside without having to

  Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment described above, the power failure counters 13b and 33b are provided which are updated synchronously when the main control board C and the payout control board H are normally controlled, and the payout control is performed by the initialization process when the power is turned on. The occurrence of an abnormality was detected by comparing the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b on the substrate H.

  On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the value of a random number counter (not shown) of the main control board C that determines whether or not to generate a jackpot is transmitted to the payout control board H in the process at the time of power failure, and the main control is performed. The board C and the payout control board H each back up the value of the random number counter when a power failure occurs. The occurrence of an abnormality is detected by comparing the values of the random number counters backed up on both control boards C and H in the initialization process when the power is turned on. Hereinafter, in the description of the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the NMI interrupt process executed in the main control board C of the pachinko machine P in the second embodiment. In this process, the process of S91 is added to the NMI interrupt process of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  In this NMI interrupt process, when the power failure signal 51 is input to the NMI terminal of the MPU 61 of the main control board C, a command corresponding to the value of the random number counter is sent to the payout control board H after executing the processes of S1 to S5. Transmit (S91). The value of the random number counter is updated by “1” every 2 ms by the random number update process (see S16 in FIG. 4) performed in the main process of the main control board C. Various values can be obtained depending on the timing. After the process of S91, the process is looped until the power is completely turned off and the process cannot be executed.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the NMI interrupt process executed on the payout control board H of the pachinko machine P in the second embodiment. In this process, the processes of S101 and S102 are added to the NMI interrupt process of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  In this NMI interrupt process, when the power failure signal 51 is input to the NMI terminal of the MPU 71 of the payout control board H, a command relating to the value of the random number counter is received from the main control board C after executing the processes of S1 to S5. (S101). If the command has not been received (S101: No), the process waits until the command is received. When a command related to the value of the random number counter is received from the main control board C (S101: Yes), the value of the random number counter of the main control board C is written to the backup area 33a (S102), and the process can be executed with the power supply completely turned off. Loop through the process until it runs out.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the initialization process at power-on that is executed in the main control board C of the pachinko machine P in the second embodiment. In this process, the process of S111 is changed with respect to the initialization process of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  In this initialization process, if the backup is valid (S42: Yes) and the clear switch 50c is not turned on (S43: No), the values of the power failure counter 13b and the random number counter stored in the backup area 13a are set. A corresponding command is transmitted to the payout control board H (S111). The value of the random number counter transmitted to the payout control board H in the process of S111 should be the same as the value of the random number counter sent to the payout control board H in the NMI interrupt process of FIG. However, when the main control board C is replaced with an unauthorized board after the NMI interrupt process is performed, a value different from the value of the random number counter transmitted to the payout control board H in the NMI interrupt process is transmitted. Is done.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the power failure number confirmation process executed in the initialization process when the power is turned on in the payout control board H of the pachinko machine P in the second embodiment. In this process, the processes of S121 and S122 are changed with respect to the power failure frequency confirmation process of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  In this power failure count confirmation process, a command related to the power failure counter 13b is received from the main control board C (S91: Yes), and the value of the received power failure counter 13b of the main control board C is the value of the power failure counter 33b of the payout control board H. If the value is the same (S92: Yes), it is confirmed whether or not the value of the random number counter is added to the command (S121). If the value of the random number counter is added (S121: Yes), it is confirmed whether or not the value of the random number counter is the same as the value of the random number counter stored in the backup area 33a of the payout control board H ( S122). If the values of the random number counters are not the same (S122: No), the value of the random number counter received in the NMI interrupt process of FIG. 12 executed immediately and the random number counter received in the power failure number checking process being executed Since the values of are different, there is a possibility that an unauthorized substrate is attached. Therefore, the process proceeds to S93, and the process corresponding to the occurrence of the abnormality is executed.

  On the other hand, when the value of the random number counter is not added to the command received from the main control board C in the process of S121 (S121: No), the backup of the main control board C is not valid or the clear switch 50c. Is turned on and the value of the random number counter is cleared, it is determined that the state is normal, and the power failure count confirmation process is terminated. Even when the value of the random number counter added to the command received from the main control board C is the same as the value of the random number counter stored in the backup area 33a of the payout control board H (S122: Yes), the normal state is maintained. It is determined that there is, and the power failure count confirmation process is terminated.

  In this way, the payout control board H of the second embodiment stores the value of the random number counter at the time of power failure in the backup area 33a, the value of the random number counter stored in the backup area 33a, and the main control when the power is turned on. The random number counter values transmitted from the substrate C are compared, and if the random number counter values are different, the control is stopped. Therefore, by comparing the values of the random number counters, the payout control board H can be surely detected that the main control board C has been replaced, and problems caused by fraud performed during power-off can be prevented. . Note that the information that is transmitted to the payout control board H and backed up when a power failure occurs does not necessarily have to be the value of the random number counter, and may be information that can associate the main control board C with the payout control board H. As the information, for example, the value of the power failure counter 13b, information suggesting a process being executed when a power failure occurs, and the like are exemplified.

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

  For example, in the first embodiment, the number of executions of the NMI interruption process performed when a power failure occurs is counted by the power failure counters 13b and 33b of the main control board C and the payout control board H, and the main control board C detects the power failure counter 13b. Is output to the payout control board H, and the payout control board H performs control based on the values of both power failure counters 13b and 33b. However, the payout control board H does not necessarily perform control based on the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b. The payout control board H outputs the value of the power failure counter 33b to the main control board C, and the main control board C However, control based on the values of both power failure counters 13b and 33b may be performed. The main control board C can accurately detect fraudulent acts on the payout control board H and can prevent damage caused by fraudulent actions such as illegally paying out a large number of balls.

  In the first embodiment, the value of the power failure counter 13b is output only from one control board (main control board C) to the other control board (dispensing control board H), and based on the values of the power failure counters 13b and 33b. It was confirmed whether the control was performed synchronously. However, it is not always necessary to check the synchronization of control only with one control board, and both control boards C and H are both updated to the other control board synchronously (for example, the value of the power failure counter or the time when the power is turned on) (Elapsed time, etc.) may be output separately, and control based on the information received by the control board receiving the information may be performed. It is possible to cause both control boards C and H to perform control that further enhances the reliability against fraud.

  In the first embodiment, the number of executions of the NMI interrupt process executed synchronously by the main control board C and the payout control board H is counted by the power failure counters 13b and 33b provided on the control boards C and H, respectively. The occurrence of an abnormality was detected based on the values of both power failure counters 13b and 33b. However, it is not always necessary to detect the occurrence of an abnormality by counting the number of executions of processing on both control boards C and H, and the processing was performed when processing to be executed in synchronization was started. May be transmitted to determine whether an abnormality has occurred based on the control state of the other control board. By comparing the control states of both control boards C and H, it is possible to accurately determine whether the control state is normal or whether an abnormality has occurred, and promptly perform processing corresponding to the abnormality. it can. The processes to be executed in synchronization with both control boards C and H include the initialization process shown in FIGS. 5 and 8 performed when the power is turned on, and S44 in FIG. 5 executed in the initialization process. The RAM clear and initialization process shown in S84 of FIG. 8 or the NMI interrupt process of FIG. 3 executed when a power failure occurs is exemplified.

  In each of the above embodiments, when the dispensing control board H detects the occurrence of an abnormality, the occurrence of the abnormality is notified to the outside by the error lamp 23 and the error buzzer 24. However, this notification does not necessarily have to be performed by these devices, and the occurrence of an abnormality is notified by the LCD 3 that performs variable display, speakers that output sound effects related to games, and other devices that output information about games. The output circuit that outputs a signal indicating the occurrence of an abnormality to an external device such as a hall computer that manages the game hall may be provided to concentrate on the occurrence of the abnormality in the game hall. You may make it manage.

  You may implement this invention in the pachinko machine etc. of a different type from the said Example. For example, once a big hit, a pachinko machine (commonly known as a two-time right, a three-time right, etc.) that increases the expected value of the big hit until a big hit state occurs (for example, twice or three times). May also be implemented. Moreover, after the jackpot symbol is displayed, it may be implemented as a pachinko machine that enters a special game state on the condition that a ball is awarded in a predetermined area. Further, in addition to the pachinko machine, various game machines such as an alepacchi, a sparrow ball, a game machine in which a so-called pachinko machine and a slot machine are fused may be used.

  In the slot machine, for example, a symbol is changed by operating a control lever in a state where a symbol effective line is determined by inserting coins, and a symbol is stopped and confirmed by operating a stop button. Is. Therefore, the basic concept of the slot machine is that “a variable display means for confirming and displaying a symbol after a symbol string composed of a plurality of symbols is displayed in a variable manner, and the symbol resulting from the operation of the starting operation means (for example, an operating lever). The change of the symbol is stopped due to the operation of the operation means for stopping (for example, the stop button) or after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the fixed symbol at the time of the stop is a specific symbol Is a slot machine provided with a special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player. In this case, the game medium is typically a coin, a medal or the like.

  In addition, as a specific example of a gaming machine in which a pachinko machine and a slot machine are fused, a variable display means for displaying a fixed symbol after displaying a variable symbol row consisting of a plurality of symbols is provided, and a handle for launching a ball is provided. What is not provided. In this case, after throwing a predetermined amount of spheres based on a predetermined operation (button operation), for example, the change of the symbol is started due to the operation of the operation lever, for example, due to the operation of the stop button, or With the passage of time, the fluctuation of the symbol is stopped, and a jackpot state advantageous to the player is generated on the condition that the confirmed symbol at the time of stoppage is a so-called jackpot symbol. A lot of balls are paid out.

  The modification of this invention is shown below. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising backup means for holding (storing) data relating to game control performed by the main control means and the sub control means even after the power is turned off. The gaming machine 1 is characterized in that the control means restarts the game based on the data held in the backup means. Even after the power is turned off, the data relating to the game control by the main control means and the sub control means is held by the backup means, and after the power is restored, the game is resumed based on the data held in the backup means. For this reason, the correlation between the main control means and the sub control means can be continuously maintained including during power-off. Therefore, even if one of the main control means and the sub control means is exchanged for the purpose of illegal profits during the power cut-off, even if the correlation among multiple control means breaks down during the power cut-off, the correlation Control corresponding to the collapse can be performed by the control means that receives the control state information, and it is possible to cope with an abnormality or an illegal act during the power interruption.

  In the gaming machine 1, the other control means receives the control state information in a power recovery process executed when the power is turned on, and performs control according to the received control state information. Machine 2. If either one of the main control means or the sub control means is exchanged for the purpose of illegal profits during the power interruption, the correlation will be lost during the power interruption. By performing control corresponding to the collapse of the correlation during the power-off in the power recovery process (initialization process) when the power is turned on, it is possible to quickly cope with an abnormality or an illegal act during the power-off.

  2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined situation is a situation based on a power recovery process executed when the power is turned on. In a gaming machine controlled by a plurality of control means, the power recovery process executed when the power is turned on should be executed at the same time for all the control means. However, if the power recovery process is executed only for some control means due to an abnormality or an illegal act and the power recovery process is not executed for other control means, the normal control of the game is subsequently performed by a plurality of control means. It becomes difficult to do. According to the gaming machine 3, since the control state information output from the main control means or the sub control means is in a situation based on the power recovery process, the power recovery process is executed only for one of the control means. In this case, the control means for which the power recovery process has not been executed can be made to recognize that the correlation has been lost by suggesting the existence of the control means for which the power recovery process has been executed, and the control Control can be performed.

  2. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the other control means is configured to be able to receive the control status information in a normal process for performing control related to a game. Machine 4. Even if the control state information is output from the control means while either the main control means or the sub-control means is executing normal processing, the other control means In the normal process, the control state information can be received to recognize the collapse of the correlation, and control according to the collapse of the correlation can be performed. Note that the control state information may be configured to be output periodically. Since the other control means can regularly check the control state information in the normal process, it is possible to reliably and quickly detect the collapse of the correlation during the normal process.

  4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the control unit on the receiving side that receives the control state information transmits the control state information to the output side control unit that outputs the control state information. An output command for requesting an output is transmitted, and the output-side control means outputs control state information relating to a control state in a situation where the output command output from the receiving-side control means is received. A gaming machine 5 characterized by that. Since the control state information output from the output-side control means is in a situation in which the output command output from the reception-side control means is received, the detection of the collapse of the correlation based on the control state information is performed on one side. The control means (the control means on the receiving side) can take the lead. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably detect the collapse of the correlation due to the illegal action on the control means on the output side as compared with the case of detecting the collapse of the correlation only when the control state information is received without transmitting the output command. And the reliability can be further improved. The “predetermined situation” described in claim 1 in the gaming machine 5 corresponds to a situation in which an output command output from the control means on the receiving side is received.

  In the gaming machine 5, the receiving-side control means periodically transmits the output command to the output-side control means. Even if a correlation failure occurs due to an abnormality or an illegal act, the correlation failure can be detected by periodic confirmation by the control means on the receiving side. Therefore, it is possible to perform control while confirming that the correlation of each control means is normal, and it is possible to promptly cope with the collapse of the correlation even if it occurs. Note that examples of the timing at which the receiving-side control means periodically transmits the output command include, for example, a regular timing based on the number of executions of a predetermined process and the elapsed time in the normal process.

  In the gaming machine 5 or 6, the receiving-side control means transmits the output command to the output-side control means in a normal process for performing control related to the game. Even if one of the control means becomes abnormal while the normal processing is being executed and the correlation is lost, the control means on the receiving side sends the control status information to the control means on the output side during the normal processing. Since the output of the correlation can be confirmed and the control according to the breakdown of the correlation can be performed, it is possible to improve the reliability of abnormalities and frauds during normal processing.

  In any of the gaming machines 5 to 7, the receiving-side control means performs predetermined control when the control-state information is not output from the output-side control means even after a predetermined time has elapsed after transmitting the output command. A gaming machine 8 characterized in that If the control state information that should be output from the output-side control means is not output even if the output command is transmitted from the reception-side control means to the output-side control means, it is an abnormal state and the correlation is lost. It may have occurred. According to the gaming machine 8, if the control state information is not output even if the output command is transmitted, the control means on the receiving side performs predetermined control (for example, control for temporarily stopping the progress of the process). It is possible to prevent the game hall or the player from being continuously disadvantaged by continuously playing the game with the collapse.

  The gaming machine according to claim 1 or any one of the gaming machines 1 to 8, further comprising output means for outputting a signal to the main control means and the sub control means at the same time, the main control means or the sub control means. The game machine 9 is characterized in that the control state information in a situation based on reception of a signal output from the output means is output to the other control means. If a signal that is output from the output means and is to be input to the main control means and the sub control means at the same time is input to only one of the control means, the correlation between the control means is lost. It becomes difficult to perform normal control with a plurality of control means on the machine. According to the gaming machine 9, the main control means or the sub control means outputs the control state information in the situation based on the reception of the signal output from the output means to the other control means, so that the other receiving the control state information The control means can perform control based on the control state information and a signal output from the output means. Therefore, it is possible to perform control with higher reliability than in the case where the control unit performs control based only on the signal output from the output unit, and a plurality of signal input mismatches due to abnormality or fraudulent behavior occur. It is possible to cause one control unit to detect that the correlation of the control unit is broken and to perform control corresponding to the broken correlation.

  Examples of the output means include a power failure monitoring circuit that outputs a power failure signal when a power failure occurs, a clear switch that is turned on when erasing at least a part of backed up data, and the like. Further, the control state information based on the signal output from the output means includes information related to processing started based on the received signal (for example, power failure processing, initialization processing for erasing backed up data, and other specific information). Information indicating that the process is being performed) or information based on the type of signal (for example, on / off of the switch) and the number of signal receptions.

  2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the control state information is information that is updated in synchronization with normal control performed by the main control unit and the sub control unit. A gaming machine 10 characterized by being. In normal control, the control state information of the main control means and the sub control means is updated synchronously, so that control state information is output from one of the main control means or the sub control means to the other control means. Then, it is possible to perform normal control while confirming that the control state information is synchronized with the other control means. In addition, when the control state information output from one control means is confirmed by the other control means, if the synchronization is disturbed, it is detected that the correlation is broken, and control corresponding to the broken correlation is performed. Can be made. Here, the information that is updated synchronously does not necessarily need to be information that is synchronized in perfect coincidence, and the other control state information is correlated and the other depends on the amount of change in one control state information. Any control state information may be used. Information that is synchronized when the control state is normal includes the number of initialization processes performed for each control means at startup, the number of power failure processes performed when the power is turned off, and other execution times. It may be related to the elapsed time since energization was started in the near future, or the total time or other time that was controlled after the gaming machine was shipped from the factory, Further, information regarding the control state in progress and monitored by the main control means and the sub control means (for example, the number of prize balls when both the main control means and the sub control means monitor the number of prize balls) It may be.

  In the gaming machine 10, the main control unit and the sub control unit retain the control state information without initializing or clearing even when an operation for initializing or clearing at least a part of the control unit is received. A gaming machine 11 that is characterized by Since control state information can be retained without being initialized or cleared, it can be confirmed more reliably whether or not the correlation is continuing, and abnormalities and fraud can be detected more accurately. .

  The gaming machine according to claim 1 or any one of the gaming machines 1 to 11, wherein the other control means includes storage means for storing the received control state information, and the first control state stored in the storage means. A gaming machine 12 that performs control according to the information and the second control state information received after receiving the first control state information. Since the received control state information is stored by the storage means, the first control state information stored in the storage means and the second control state information received after receiving the first control state information The control can be performed by the other control means that receives the control state information. Therefore, when an illegal act such as replacement of the control means for outputting the control state information is performed, the correlation between the first control state information and the second control state information is disrupted. Can be recognized by the other control means, and a measure corresponding to the collapse of the correlation can be taken.

  Note that the storage means may store control state information during normal processing for performing control related to a game. Corruption of correlation that occurs during normal processing can be detected by the other control means, and the breakdown of correlation can be dealt with. Further, the storage means may be one that retains control state information (backup means) even after the power is turned off. The control state information (first control state information) received before the power is turned off and the second control state information received after the power is turned back on are checked by the other control means, so that an abnormality or an illegal act during the power interruption It is possible to detect the collapse of the correlation due to the above, and to deal with the collapse of the correlation.

  The gaming machine according to claim 1 or any one of the gaming machines 1 to 12, wherein the control state information is information having a unique relationship before and after the power is turned off. Game machine 13. Since the control state information has a unique relationship before and after the power is turned off, it is possible to determine whether the correlation between the main control means and the sub control means during the power cut is lost. it can.

  4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, or any one of the gaming machines 1 to 13, wherein at least one of the main control means and the sub control means determines whether the received control state information satisfies a predetermined condition. And a result output means for outputting result information corresponding to a result of determination by the determination means to the control means that has output the control state information. It is determined whether the control state information output from either the main control unit or the sub control unit is information satisfying a predetermined condition by a determination unit provided in the control unit that has received the control state information. The result information corresponding to the determination result by the determination unit is output by the result output unit to the control unit that has output the control state information. Therefore, when the correlation between the main control means and the sub control means collapses, the control means that has output the control state information can recognize the correlation breakdown and can perform control corresponding to the correlation breakdown. it can. The result information output by the result output unit does not necessarily need to be output every time the determination unit performs a determination, and is output only when the determination result by the determination unit is a predetermined result. There may be. Further, the result information may be a command for transitioning the control state to a predetermined control state. For example, a control stop command for instructing stop of control is exemplified.

  The gaming machine according to claim 1 or any one of the gaming machines 1 to 14, wherein at least one of the main control means and the sub control means is configured so that the received control state information satisfies a predetermined condition. And a game machine 15 characterized by notifying the determination result. The control state information output from either the main control unit or the sub control unit is determined by the control unit that has received the control state information whether the information satisfies a predetermined condition, and the determination result is notified. Is done. Therefore, when the correlation between the main control means and the sub control means is broken, it can be recognized from the outside that the correlation is broken, and the player or the game hall manager has found that an abnormality or an illegal act has occurred. Can be detected more reliably. The notification of the judgment result may be made by changing the state of a member provided exclusively for notifying the outside of the abnormality (for example, the lighting state of the lamp or the output state of the sound effect of the buzzer), or the game The control state of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a lamp, a light emitting diode (LED), a speaker, or the like used for outputting information related to the information may be changed to a specific state. Further, the notification of the determination result may be performed by outputting a signal indicating the occurrence of abnormality to a predetermined terminal. The occurrence of an abnormality can be notified to an external device such as a hall computer that manages the game hall, and the occurrence of the abnormality in a plurality of gaming machines can be managed collectively.

  In the gaming machine 15, at least one of the main control means and the sub control means determines whether or not the received control state information satisfies two or more predetermined conditions, A gaming machine (16) characterized in that a judgment result is notified in a mode corresponding to a condition satisfied by the received control state information among two or more conditions. The control state information output from either the main control means or the sub-control means is determined whether or not two or more predetermined conditions are satisfied by the control means that has received the control state information. The determination result is notified in a manner corresponding to the condition satisfied by the control state information. For example, when the correlation between the main control means and the sub-control means collapses, if there is little disruption of the correlation, a specific lamp is turned on to give a notice that does not hinder the player's game, When the correlation collapse is large, a specific lamp and sound effect may be used to emphasize and notify that the correlation has collapsed.

  The gaming machine according to claim 1 or any one of the gaming machines 1 to 16, wherein at least one of the main control means and the sub control means satisfies the stop condition defined by the received control state information. A gaming machine 17 characterized in that the control is stopped in case. When the control state information output from either the main control unit or the sub control unit satisfies a predetermined stop condition, the main control unit or the sub control unit stops the control. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the gaming machine or the player from suffering a disadvantage continuously due to a malfunction of the gaming machine due to an abnormality or an illegal act and a malfunction of the gaming machine.

  In the gaming machine 17, at least one of the main control means and the sub control means is resumed for resuming control after the control state information satisfies a predetermined stop condition and the control is stopped. A gaming machine 18 characterized by comprising means. When the control state information received by either one of the main control means or the sub control means satisfies a predetermined stop condition and the control is stopped, if the gaming machine continues to stop after the stop, A gaming machine that has been stopped due to anomalies or cheating becomes unusable. According to the gaming machine 18, even when the control state information satisfies a predetermined stop condition and the control is stopped, the control can be restarted by the restarting means, so that the gaming machine can be used continuously.

  2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the secondary control means performs payout control of a valuable object having a predetermined valuable value based on a payout instruction output from the main control means. A gaming machine 19 which is a payout control means. Since the control of the payout control means for paying out valuable objects valuable to the player can be normally performed, it is possible to prevent the game hall or the player from being disadvantaged due to an abnormality or an illegal act. it can.

  The gaming machine according to claim 1 or any one of the gaming machines 1 to 19, wherein the gaming machine is a pachinko machine. Above all, the basic configuration of a pachinko machine is equipped with an operation handle, and in response to the operation of the operation handle, a ball is launched into a predetermined game area, and the ball is awarded to an operating port arranged at a predetermined position in the game area. As a necessary condition (or passing through the operation gate), the identification information that is dynamically displayed on the display device is determined and stopped after a predetermined time. In addition, when a special gaming state occurs, a variable winning device (specific winning opening) disposed at a predetermined position in the gaming area is opened in a predetermined manner so that a ball can be won, and a value corresponding to the number of winnings is obtained. Examples include those to which values (including data written on magnetic cards as well as premium balls) are given.

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

  The gaming machine according to claim 1 or any one of the gaming machines 1 to 19, wherein the gaming machine is a fusion of a pachinko machine and a slot machine. Among them, the basic configuration of the merged gaming machine includes “a variable display means for confirming and displaying the identification information after dynamically displaying an identification information string composed of a plurality of identification information, and a starting operation means (for example, an operation lever). The dynamic display of the identification information is started due to the operation of, and the dynamic display of the identification information is stopped due to the operation of the operation means for stop (for example, the stop button) or when a predetermined time elapses. And a special game state generating means for generating a special game state advantageous to the player on the condition that the confirmed identification information at the time of stoppage is specific identification information, and using a ball as a game medium, The game machine is configured to require a predetermined number of balls when starting the dynamic display of the identification information, and to pay out many balls when a special gaming state occurs.

C Main control board (Main control means)
H Discharge control board (secondary control means)
P Pachinko machine (game machine)

Claims (1)

In a gaming machine comprising a main control means for controlling a game and a slave control means that operates based on a game control command output from the main control means,
The main control unit and the sub control unit are configured to be able to output control state information relating to a control state of the control unit in a predetermined situation to the other control unit, and the other control unit includes the control state information in the control state information. A gaming machine characterized by performing control according to the requirements.

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