JP2010220674A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which by no means spoil the mood of players by eliminating accidental emission of LEDs otherwise caused by noises. <P>SOLUTION: A Pachinko game machine 1 has delay circuits 43, 43, etc. installed on a signal line for connecting the main controller 21 to an emission controller 23, which outputs an LED lighting designation signal to the emission controller 23 only when receiving a digital data intended to light LEDs 8, 8, etc. being transmitted from the main controller 21 more than once. This minimizes accidental emission of the LEDs 8, 8, etc. otherwise caused even when noises get into the signal line for connecting the main controller 21 to the emission controller 23. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to gaming machines such as pachinko machines and slot machines.

  As a pachinko machine that is an example of a gaming machine, when a game ball wins a symbol start opening, a “lottery” is executed by a random number acquisition means in the built-in main control device, and the symbol displayed on the symbol display device is If the random number acquisition means acquires a predetermined random number as a result of “lottery” as a result of “lottery”, it becomes “big hit” and a preset “big hit symbol” (for example, “7, 7 , 7 ") on a symbol display device, and a" winning state "is known in which a big winning opening is intermittently opened a predetermined number of times (a so-called symbol matching type pachinko machine).

  In addition, in such a pattern matching type pachinko machine, LEDs are installed on the front surface of the machine base, and when these LEDs are lit and flashing, the game ball has won a prize at the symbol start port, It is reported that a “big hit” has occurred. These LEDs are connected to the main control device of the pachinko machine via the light emission control device, and the lighting / flashing operation is controlled by the light emission control device that receives a command from the main control device (patent) Reference 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-294851

  However, since the LED has a characteristic that the reaction time from signal input to light emission is short, in the conventional gaming machine, when noise enters the signal line connecting the main control device and the light emission control device. When the voltage changes (such as when a voltage changes), the LED may emit light (light up) instantaneously due to the noise. And even if it is such instantaneous light emission, it is visually recognized depending on the surrounding situation and timing. Therefore, the player may receive a winning game ball at the symbol start opening by erroneous light emission of the LED. It was misunderstood as the occurrence of a “big hit”, and it could be offended.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that solves the problems of the conventional gaming machine described above, does not cause erroneous light emission of an LED due to noise, and does not harm the player.

  Among the present inventions, the invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that an LED for informing information related to game contents is installed on the front surface of the machine base and main control for controlling the operation of the game contents. And a light emission control device for controlling the light emission mode of the LED, and the light emission control device is a gaming machine controlled by transmission / reception of digital data from the main control device, the main control device and A delay circuit that outputs an LED lighting command signal to the light emission control device only when the digital data for lighting the LED transmitted from the main control device is received a plurality of times is provided on the signal line connecting the light emission control device. It is characterized by. The LED as used in the present invention is not limited to a so-called light emitting diode, but includes other light emitting members whose time from signal input to light emission is at the same level as the light emitting diode.

  The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 1, the delay circuit is a CR circuit.

  In the invention described in claim 3, in the invention described in claim 1 or claim 2, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a lottery is executed in the built-in main controller, and as a result of the lottery, When the jackpot occurs, a special gaming state advantageous to the player is generated, and the LED notifies information related to the satisfaction of the predetermined condition. To do.

  The gaming machine according to claim 1 outputs the LED lighting command signal to the light emission control device only when the delay circuit receives the digital data for lighting the LED transmitted from the main control device a plurality of times. Even if noise (change in voltage, etc.) enters the signal line connecting the control device and the light emission control device, the LED does not emit light accidentally (because it is very unlikely), so the player can There is no offending situation.

  In the gaming machine according to claim 2, since the delay circuit is a CR circuit, the accuracy of the function of preventing erroneous light emission of the LED due to noise is very high.

  In the gaming machine according to claim 3, since the LED that the player is most interested in and does not cause erroneous light emission due to noise, a situation in which the player feels uncomfortable due to the erroneous light emission of the LED is extremely effectively prevented. The

It is explanatory drawing which shows the front of a pachinko machine. It is explanatory drawing which shows the back surface of a pachinko machine. It is explanatory drawing which shows the control mechanism of a pachinko machine. It is a block diagram which shows the connection state of a main control apparatus and a light emission control apparatus. It is a circuit diagram which shows a delay circuit. It is a time chart which shows the operation | movement content of a delay circuit. It is a time chart which shows the lighting operation content of LED by a delay circuit (a shows the lighting operation content when noise enters when the LED is turned off, and a is lighting when noise enters when the LED is turned on. The operation details are shown). It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a change of a delay circuit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a change of a delay circuit.

  Hereinafter, a pachinko machine that is an embodiment of the gaming machine of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

<Structure of pachinko machine>
FIG. 1 shows the front of the pachinko machine 1 according to the first embodiment, and a substantially circular game area 2 is provided slightly above the center of the front of the pachinko machine 1. A supply tray 14 and a storage tray 16 are provided vertically below the game area 2, and a launching handle 15 projects from the right side of the storage tray 16. In addition, a symbol display device 3 is provided at the upper center of the game area 2. The symbol display device 3 has a predetermined number of one-digit numbers, one-letter alphabets (for example, “0” to “9”, “A” to “E”) on a liquid crystal screen 33 formed by one liquid crystal plate. Various special symbols can be displayed.

  Further, a tulip-shaped ordinary electric accessory (design starting port) 4 is provided below the symbol display device 3, and a game ball for detecting a winning of the game ball is provided in the ordinary electric accessory 4. A detection device is provided. In addition, the base portion (portion other than the opening / closing door) of the ordinary electric accessory 4 is provided with four LEDs 8, 8,... That are notification means for notifying the winning of the ordinary electric accessory 4 in a horizontal row. Is installed.

  Moreover, the left gate 5 and the right gate 6 which are variable prize areas are respectively provided on both sides of the ordinary electric accessory 4, and the door opens and closes below the ordinary electric accessory 4. A large winning opening 7 having a shape is provided. Further, an ordinary symbol display area 9 is provided below the special winning opening 7. The normal symbol display area 9 is formed of a 7-segment LED plate, and a predetermined type of normal symbol such as a single digit or symbol can be displayed on the LED plate. As shown in FIG. 1, in the game area 2, in addition to the above members, side lamps 23, 23, electrical lamps 8, 8,..., Various winning holes, windmills, and many obstacle nails, etc. Is provided.

  On the other hand, FIG. 2 shows the back of the pachinko machine 1, and a main control device 21 that controls the operation content of the pachinko machine 1 is installed slightly below the center of the pachinko machine 1. Further, a symbol control device 22 for controlling the display contents of the symbol display device 3 is installed above the main control device 21. Further, on the right side of the main control device 21, a light emission control device 23 for controlling the light emission of the light emitting members such as the side lamps 19, 19 and the electric lamps 20, 20... Installed in the game area 2 is generated. A sound effect control device 24 for controlling the content of the sound effect is provided. A gaming ball payout device 25 for paying out prize balls and rental balls is installed above the light emission control device 23 and the sound effect control device 24.

  FIG. 3 shows a control mechanism of the pachinko machine 1. The main control device 21 includes a main CPU 26, storage means such as a ROM 27 and a RAM 28, a timer 29, and the like. .. Are connected to the built-in winning detection devices 31, 31..., The operating device 32 for opening and closing the large winning opening 7, the game ball payout device 25, and the like. On the other hand, the light emission control device 23 includes a light emission CPU 35, a storage means 36 such as a ROM and a RAM, etc., and the light emission CPU 35 is connected via the interface 37 to the side lamps 19 and 19, the illumination lamps 20, 20,. Are connected to light emitting members such as LEDs 8, 8,. The symbol control device 22 includes a symbol display CPU 51, a storage unit 52 such as a ROM and a RAM, and the symbol display CPU 51 is connected to the symbol display device 3 and the like via an interface 53. Furthermore, the sound effect control device 24 includes a sound effect CPU 38, storage means 39 such as a ROM and a RAM, and the sound effect CPU 38 is connected to the speaker 10 and the like via the interface 40. In addition, the main CPU of the main control device 21 is connected to the light emission CPU 35 of the light emission control device 23, the symbol display CPU 51 of the symbol control device 22, and the sound effect CPU 38 of the sound effect control device 24. The operation of each device or member connected to each substrate of the light emission control device 23, the symbol control device 22, and the sound effect control device 24 is controlled by the command.

  In such a pachinko machine, when a game ball in which the launch handle 15 is driven into the game area 2 by a turning operation wins the ordinary electric accessory 4, a “lottery” is executed in the main controller 21, and the main controller A loop counter, which is a random number acquisition means incorporated in 21, acquires a random number. In addition, in the “lottery”, when the loop counter acquires a predetermined random number, it becomes “big hit”, a “special game state” advantageous to the player occurs, and the big prize opening 7 has a very high probability, Opening until a predetermined time (for example, about 25 seconds) or a predetermined number (for example, 9) of winning game balls is detected is intermittently repeated a predetermined number of times.

  Further, when the game ball wins the ordinary electric accessory 4, the symbol displayed on the symbol display device 3 starts to change, and the change is stopped after a predetermined time. Such a variation of the symbol is displayed on each of the display parts 10 to 12 in the liquid crystal screen 33 as “a moving image in which a single-digit number, a single-letter alphabet or the like scrolls from top to bottom and switches to another number or the alphabet”. Etc. When a “hit” occurs as described above, a predetermined jackpot symbol (for example, “7, 7, 7”) is displayed on the symbol display device 3. In addition, when the “big hit state” occurs, sound effects are generated from the speaker 13 and the side lamps 19 and 19 and the illumination lamps 20, 20.

<Description of features of pachinko machine>
As described above, the four LEDs 8, 8... Are installed on the base portion of the ordinary electric accessory 4. Then, when a game ball wins the ordinary electric accessory 4 (that is, when a predetermined condition that triggers the above “lottery” is satisfied), these four LEDs 8, 8,... It is designed to light up momentarily. 4 shows the connection state of the main control device 21, the light emission control device 23, and the LEDs 8, 8,... In detail. The light emission control device 23 includes a shift register 41, a Philip flop (hereinafter simply referred to as F). .., Delay circuits 43, 43,..., And a light emitting CPU (LED driving IC) 35 are mounted. The output terminals of the shift register 41 are connected to the input terminals of the F / Fs 42, 42,..., And the output terminals of the F / Fs 42, 42,. 43 is connected to the input terminal of the light emitting CPU 35 through. Then, the four LEDs 8, 8,... Installed in the ordinary electric accessory 4 are connected to the light emitting CPU 35. Further, the main CPU 26 of the main control device 21 and the shift register 41 are connected by a data signal line and a clock signal line, and the main CPU 26 and each F / F 42, 42,... Are connected by a latch signal line. Yes.

  FIG. 5 shows the delay circuit 43 in detail. Each delay circuit 43, 43,... Is a so-called CR circuit in which a capacitor C and a resistor R are connected in series. A diode D is connected in parallel with the resistor R. An inverter 44 is connected to the upstream side of the resistor R, and a Schmitt trigger inverter 45 is connected to the downstream side of the capacitor C.

  In the light emission control mechanism including the main control device 21 and the light emission control device 23 configured as described above, the main control device 21 sends the light emission control device 23 to the light emission control device 23 every time the timer interrupt process is performed every 200 μS during the operation of the pachinko machine 1. Serial communication for transmitting digital data of bits is continuously executed. The digital data (serial data) output from the main CPU 26 is stored in the shift register 41 at a clock timing synchronized with the digital data, and the data stored in the shift register 41 is output from the main CPU 26. Is stored in each of the F / Fs 42 and 42 at the timing of the latch signal.

  The digital signals stored in the F / Fs 42, 42,... Are output to the light emitting CPU 35, but the transmission of the digital signals is delayed by the functions of the CR circuits 43, 43,. FIG. 6 is a time chart showing the content of signal transmission delay by the delay circuit 43. When a single latch signal (lighting data for turning on the LEDs 8, 8,...) Is input to the delay circuit 43, the electric charge is stored in the capacitor C. Therefore, the output level at the point A in FIG. Since it is below the threshold value of the inverter 45, no signal is output from the delay circuit 43. However, when the second latch signal is input to the delay circuit 43, the capacitor C stores sufficient charge and discharge occurs, so the output level at point A in FIG. 5 exceeds the threshold of the Schmitt trigger inverter 45. A signal is output from the delay circuit 43. Even if a single latch signal (lighting data) is output from each of the F / Fs 42, 42,... By the delay operation of the delay circuits 43, 43,..., The latch signal is not transmitted to the light emitting CPU 35. After the latch signal is output, a signal (lighting command signal for the LEDs 8, 8,...) Is output from the delay circuit 43 to the light emitting CPU 35 for the first time.

  Therefore, in the light emission control mechanism including the main control device 21 and the light emission control device 23, even if noise having the same level as that of the single latch signal (lighting data) enters as shown in FIG. Since the noise is not transmitted to the light emitting CPU 35, the LEDs 8, 8,. On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 7B, when noise similar to single non-lighting data (digital data for turning off the LEDs 8, 8,...) Enters, the delay circuit 43 does not function, so the LED 8 , 8... Are turned off immediately, and are turned on again after the arrival of two latch signals (lighting data). Such momentary non-lighting (about 200 μS) is not visually understood. Therefore, it is recognized that the lighting state continues.

(4) Effect of Pachinko Machine As described above, the pachinko machine 1 lights up the LEDs 8, 8... Transmitted from the main control device 21 on the signal line connecting the main control device 21 and the light emission control device 23. Delay circuits 43, 43,... That output LED lighting command signals to the light emission control device 23 only when digital data is received a plurality of times are provided, and noise is generated in the signal line connecting the main control device 21 and the light emission control device 23. Even if the LED enters, since the LEDs 8, 8,.

  Further, in the pachinko machine 1, since the delay circuits 43, 43,... Are CR circuits, the accuracy of the function of preventing erroneous LED light emission due to noise is very high.

  In addition, in the pachinko machine 1, each of the LEDs 8, 8,... Notifies the winning to the ordinary electric accessory 4 that triggers the “lottery”, so the LED 8 that the player is most interested in and pays attention to. , 8... Does not cause erroneous light emission due to noise, so that a situation in which the player feels bad due to erroneous light emission of the LEDs 8, 8.

  As described above, the pachinko machine 1 receives a larger number of signals (digital data) when the delay circuits 43, 43,... Receive lighting data than when non-lighting data is received. An LED lighting command signal is output when received. And even if the noise similar to the single lighting data enters, the LEDs 8, 8,... Continue to be in the non-lighting state and do not emit light erroneously. On the other hand, if the noise similar to the single lighting data enters, Although 8 ···························· •••••••••••••••••••••••••••• immediately. Therefore, according to the pachinko machine 1, a situation in which the player is offended due to erroneous light emission or erroneous light-off of the LEDs 8, 8,.

  In addition, in the pachinko machine 1, as described above, when the delay circuits 43, 43,... Receive a plurality of continuous (predetermined number) signals (digital data having a short cycle of about 200 ms in the above embodiment). Since the LED lighting command signal is configured to be output, the LED lighting command signal is output when a plurality of discontinuous signals (digital data having a short cycle of approximately the same 200 ms) are received within a predetermined time. Compared to the case where it is configured, the LED lighting command signal can be output within a short time (a time shorter than the predetermined time) from the start of transmission of regular lighting data. The time until the LEDs 8, 8 are actually turned on can be shortened. In particular, when digital data having a long cycle is transmitted between the main control device 21 and the light emission control device 23, the time from the start of transmission of regular lighting data to the lighting of the LEDs 8, 8,. can do.

  Note that the configuration of the gaming machine of the present invention is not limited to the aspect of the above embodiment, and the configuration of the main control device, the light emission control device, the LED, the delay circuit, and the like does not depart from the spirit of the present invention. Thus, it can be appropriately changed as necessary.

  For example, the gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to one in which the light emission control device is directly connected to the main control device as in the above embodiment, and the light emission control is performed via another control device such as an integrated control device. It is also possible to change to a device in which the device and the main control device are connected.

  Further, the LED provided in the gaming machine is not limited to the one that notifies the winning to the ordinary electric motor as in the above embodiment, but the one that notifies the result of the “lottery” performed in the main control device, or the gaming area It is also possible to change to the one that notifies the winning to various winning devices provided in.

  On the other hand, the delay circuit is not limited to the one using the CR circuit as in the above embodiment, but includes an oscillator and a counter (IC) for counting clock signals transmitted from the oscillator as shown in FIG. It is also possible to adjust the delay time by setting the frequency of the oscillator and the counter, and to reset the counter value when the LED is turned off. Even when such a configuration is adopted, erroneous light emission of the LED due to noise can be effectively prevented as in the case of the above-described embodiment.

  The delay circuit has a built-in counter that counts latch signals. As shown in FIG. 9, the delay circuit can be changed to one that transmits an LED lighting command signal to the light emission control device using a predetermined number of latch signals as a trigger. Is possible. Even when such a configuration is adopted, erroneous light emission of the LED due to noise can be effectively prevented as in the case of the above-described embodiment. Further, when such a configuration is adopted, it is possible to transmit the LED lighting data to the light emitting CPU without depending on the output period of the latch signal.

  In addition, the delay circuit is not limited to the one that outputs the LED lighting command signal when two signals (digital data) are received as in the above embodiment, and the LED is used when three or more signals are received. It is also possible to change to one that outputs a lighting command signal. Further, when the LED lighting command signal is output when three or more continuous signals are received, the LED lighting command signal is output when three or more non-continuous signals are received. Compared with the case where it comprises, it becomes possible to shorten very effectively the time from the start of transmission of regular lighting data until LED actually lights.

1. Pachinko machine (game machine)
8. LED
21..Main control device 23..Light emission control device 26..Main CPU
35..Light emitting CPU
41 ·· Shift register 42 ·· F / F
43 ... Delay circuit C ... Capacitor R ... Resistance

Claims (3)

An LED for informing information related to game content is installed on the front of the machine base, a main control device for controlling the operation of the game content, and light emission control for controlling the light emission mode of the LED A gaming machine in which the light emission control device is controlled by transmission / reception of digital data from the main control device,
A delay circuit that outputs an LED lighting command signal to the light emission control device only when digital data indicating that the LED transmitted from the main control device is turned on is received a plurality of times on the signal line connecting the main control device and the light emission control device. A gaming machine characterized by having   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the delay circuit is a CR circuit. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, a lottery is executed in the built-in main control device, and when a jackpot occurs as a result of the lottery, a special gaming state advantageous to the player is generated. With
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the LED notifies information related to satisfaction of the predetermined condition.

Images