JP2011025074A - Controller for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a controller for game machines, which by no means confuse players, even when an error is caused at the moment of transmitting or receiving a command for control for controlling the variable display to eventually disturb the variable display. <P>SOLUTION: When an error is caused at the moment of the transmission or reception of a command for control made to a control board for display from the main board and an inappropriate command for control is received by the control board for display, an error flag is turned on while an error code corresponding to the state of the error involved is stored into an error code memory. The error code is shown on an LCD display (S123) in an error display processing (S66). Since the command for control is exclusively used for the control of the variable display, when the inappropriate command for control is received by the control board for display, the control of the variable display is undoubtedly disturbed. But, the display of the error code notifies the players of the occurrence of the error, thereby by no means confusing the players. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device for a gaming machine represented by a pachinko machine, and in particular, even if a certain error occurs during transmission / reception of a control command for controlling variation display, The present invention relates to a control device for a gaming machine that is not confused.

  The main control board that controls pachinko machine games includes a payout control board that controls the payout of prize balls and rental balls, a sound effect control board that controls the output of sound effects, and display controls such as symbol variation display. A display control board to be performed is connected. Among these boards, the control of the display control board is performed by a control command transmitted from the main control board to the display control board. This control command is subdivided so that the same variable part can be controlled by the same control command.

  When a display device that displays a variable pattern is composed of three lines, an upper stage, a middle stage, and a lower stage, and the variable display is performed while scrolling horizontally from right to left for each of the three lines, for example, FIG. As shown at 20, control commands (1) to (10) are transmitted from the main control board to the display control board, and a series of symbol variation display is performed.

  First, in accordance with the control command (1), the variable display of symbols is started for all three rows of the upper, middle and lower rows. Next, symbol replacement is performed for the upper symbol by the control command (2), for the middle symbol by the control command (3), and for the lower symbol by the control command (4). The control display (5) decelerates the display of all three lines that have been changed at high speed, and the control command (6) repeatedly changes the display in the upper and lower rows back and forth. The middle fluctuation display is the medium speed fluctuation. Further, the control display (7) causes the middle display to change at a low speed, the control control (8) stops the upper display, and the control command (9) stops the lower display. Then, the change display in the middle stage is stopped by the control command (10). As a result, all three rows of variable display are stopped, and a series of variable displays are terminated.

  Since the control command for controlling the variation display is transmitted from the main control board to the display control board at each point where the state of the variation display changes, most control of the variation display is performed by the main control board. It will be. For this reason, the control burden on the main control board becomes large, which interferes with other controls executed on the main control board, or a program for the main control board with limited capacity for control of variable display. This increases the capacity and data capacity, making it difficult to develop a program for the main control board.

  Therefore, in the Japanese Patent Application No. 11-164210 (unknown), the applicant of the present application is a control device for a gaming machine that controls a variable display by configuring a minimum of three types of control commands transmitted from the main control board. Invented. The minimum three types of control commands start a variable display, specify a variation pattern designation command for designating a series of variation patterns of the variation display, and designate a stop symbol to be stopped and displayed on the LCD display at the end of the variation display. It consists of a stop symbol designation command and a symbol stop command that designates the end timing of the variable display.

  According to this invention, since a series of variation patterns can be designated at once by a variation pattern designation command, there is no need to send a control command from the main control board for each point where the variation display state changes, It is possible to reduce the control burden of variation display by the main control board. Therefore, it is possible to facilitate the program development of the main control board by reducing the program capacity and data capacity mounted on the main control board for controlling the variable display.

Here, if any error occurs before the control command is received by the display control board, the display control board cannot receive the control command transmitted from the main control board, or an error occurs. Incorrect control commands that are garbled due to data are received. The control command must be transmitted only in one direction from the main control board to the display control board, and the same control command cannot be repeatedly transmitted without meaning. Therefore, once an inappropriate control command is received due to the occurrence of an error, the problem of fluctuation display due to the control command is not easily solved, and the player is confused. In particular, in the above-mentioned invention (Japanese Patent Application No. 11-164210), the number of control commands transmitted from the main control board to the display control board for controlling the variable display is reduced. Appears prominently.
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and even if an error occurs during transmission / reception of a control command for controlling the variable display to disturb the variable display, the player is confused. An object of the present invention is to provide a control device for a gaming machine that does not occur.

In order to achieve this object, a control device for a gaming machine according to claim 1 includes a display device for displaying symbols, a main control board for controlling a game, and a control command transmitted from the main control board. And a control board for display that causes the display device to display a variation of the symbol, and a control command transmitted from the main control substrate further includes a variation pattern designation that designates a series of variation patterns of the variation display. And a stop symbol designating command for designating a stop symbol to be stopped and displayed on the display device at the end of the variable display, and the control board for display includes the control command received from the main control board. Command check means for judging whether or not it is appropriate, and when the command check means determines that the received control command is not appropriate. And a error display means for performing predetermined error indication.
According to the control device for a gaming machine according to claim 1, a series of variation patterns of variation display performed by the display device is designated by the variation pattern designation command transmitted from the main control board, and by the stop symbol designation command, A stop symbol to be stopped and displayed on the display device at the end of the variation display designated by the variation pattern designation command is designated. Based on the designation by these control commands, the display control board performs a variable display of symbols. Here, it is determined whether or not the control command transmitted from the main control board and received by the display control board is appropriate by the command check means of the display control board. As a result of the determination, if the received control command is not appropriate, a predetermined error display is performed by the error display means of the display control board.

According to the gaming machine control device of the present invention, a series of variation patterns can be designated at once by a variation pattern designation command, so that a control command is issued from the main control board for each point at which the variation display state changes. There is no need to send. Therefore, the control load of the variable display by the main control board can be reduced, and the program development of the main control board can be reduced by reducing the program capacity and data capacity mounted on the main control board for the control of the variable display. There is an effect that it can be made easy. In addition, by changing the control of the fluctuation display on the side of the board (for example, the sub board or the display control board) that receives the fluctuation pattern designation command and controls the fluctuation display corresponding to the fluctuation pattern designation command, The contents (pattern) of the variable display can be changed while the control of the main control board is left as it is. Therefore, it is possible to cause the display device to perform different variable displays simply by replacing the sub-board connected to the main control board and the display control board while sharing the main control board (program thereof). is there.
Further, when an error occurs during transmission / reception of the control command and an inappropriate control command is received by the display control board, a predetermined error display is performed by the error display means. Therefore, even if an error occurs during transmission / reception of a control command for controlling the fluctuation display and the fluctuation display is hindered, the occurrence of such an error can be reported to the player. There is an effect that there is no end.

It is a front view of the game board of the pachinko machine which is one Example of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the electrical structure of the pachinko machine. It is the figure which showed a mode that the display screen of the liquid crystal display was divided | segmented into nine display areas. It is the figure which showed the command code of the fluctuation pattern designation command and the command contents. (A) is the figure which showed the correspondence of the command code of a stop symbol designation | designated command, and the symbol number designated by the command code. (B) is the figure which showed the correspondence of 20 types of symbol codes and symbol names. (A) is the figure which showed typically the structure of the virtual symbol reel variably displayed in the upper display area, (b) is the schematic diagram of the virtual symbol reel variably displayed in the middle display area. (C) is the figure which showed typically the structure of the virtual symbol reel variably displayed by the lower display area. It is the figure which showed the command code of the symbol stop command and the command contents. It is a figure showing the correspondence of an error classification, an error code, and error contents. It is the flowchart which showed the reset interruption process performed with the main control board. It is the flowchart which showed the command setting process performed in a reset interruption process. It is the flowchart which showed the command reception process performed by the interruption process of the display control board. It is the flowchart which showed the fluctuation | variation display process performed by the main process of the control board for a display. It is the flowchart which showed the fluctuation pattern designation | designated command error check process performed in a fluctuation | variation display process. It is the flowchart which showed the stop symbol designation | designated command error check process performed in a fluctuation | variation display process. It is the flowchart which showed the symbol stop command error check process performed in the fluctuation | variation display process. It is the flowchart which showed the time error check process performed in a fluctuation | variation display process. It is the flowchart which showed the error display process performed in the fluctuation | variation display process. It is a timing chart of the variable display which fixes all symbols at once. It is a timing chart of the change display which decides nine symbols every three symbols. It is the chart which showed the timing of the fluctuation display in the prior art.

  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 5 to 15 balls are paid out when a hit ball is won. In the center of the game board 1, a liquid crystal (LCD) display 3 for displaying symbols as a plurality of types of identification information is provided. The display screen of the LCD display 3 is divided into three in the horizontal direction. In each of the three divided display areas, the symbols are displayed in a variable manner while scrolling from right to left in the horizontal direction.

  An error display area 3e for displaying an error code 82 corresponding to the situation when the display control board D receives an inappropriate control command is provided in the lower right part of the LCD display 3. . This error display area 3e is an area for displaying an error code 82 corresponding to the error when an error occurs (when the display control board D receives an inappropriate control command). During normal times when no error has occurred, the error display area 3e is also used to display symbol variation. Details of the error code 82 and the error will be described later.

  Below the LCD display 3, a symbol operating port (first type starting port) 4 is provided. When the hit ball passes through the symbol operating port 4, the above-described variation display of the LCD display 3 is started. Below the symbol operating port 4, a specific winning port (large winning port) 5 is provided. The specific winning opening 5 is a big hit when the display result after the fluctuation of the LCD display 3 coincides with one of the predetermined symbol combinations, so that the hitting ball is easy to win for a predetermined time (for example, 30 It is a winning opening that is opened (until the second elapses or 10 hitting balls are won). A V zone 5a is provided in the specific winning opening 5, and when the hit 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 hit 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 predetermined game value is given (special game state). is there.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine P. As shown in FIG. On the main control board C of the pachinko machine P, an MPU 11 that is an arithmetic unit, a ROM 12 that stores various control programs executed by the MPU 11 and fixed value data, and various types of data are temporarily stored. A RAM 13 as a memory is mounted. The programs of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are stored in the ROM 12 as a part of the control program.

  The RAM 13 includes a transmission buffer 13a and a command counter 13b. The transmission buffer 13 a is a buffer for storing a control command transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D for controlling the variable display of the LCD display 3. Since the control command is composed of 2 bytes, the transmission buffer 13a is also composed of 2 bytes. The control command set (written) in the transmission buffer 13a is transmitted to the display control board D byte by byte by the timer interrupt process.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the display screen of the LCD display 3 is divided into nine display areas. As described above, the variable display of the present embodiment is performed while scrolling in the horizontal direction in the direction of arrow A in each of the three display areas 3a, 3b, 3c divided into three in the horizontal direction. Three display areas 3a, 3b, 3c divided into three in the horizontal direction are further divided into three display areas 3a1,..., 3c3 in the vertical direction, and the nine display areas 3a1,. , 3c3 are assigned nine symbol numbers 32a of "symbol 1 to symbol 9" respectively displayed as shown in FIG.

  The command counter 13b shown in FIG. 2 is a counter for indicating the display areas 3a1 to 3c3 of the LCD display 3 designated by the stop symbol designation command 32 (see FIG. 5) which is a kind of control command. "1" in the range of "". When the value of the command counter 13b is within the range of “1-9”, the display areas 3a1 to 3c3 of the symbol number 32a (see FIG. 5) corresponding to the value of the command counter 13b are designated. When the value of the command counter 13b is “10”, no display area is designated.

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

  The display control board D includes an MPU 21, a program ROM 22, a work RAM 23, a video RAM 24, a character ROM 25, an image controller 26, an input port 29, and an output port 27. The output of the inverter gate 28 is connected to the input of the input port 29, and the output of the input port 29 is connected to a bus line connecting the MPU 21, the program ROM 22, and the work RAM 23. An image controller 26 is connected to the input of the output port 27, and the LCD display 3 is connected to the output of the output port 27.

  The MPU 21 of the display control board D is for controlling the (variation) display of the LCD display 3 based on the control command transmitted from the main control board C. The program ROM 22 is executed by the MPU 21. Various control programs to be executed are stored. The programs of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 11 to 17 are stored in the program ROM 22 as a part of the control program.

  The work RAM 23 is a memory for storing work data and flags used when the MPU 21 executes various programs, and includes a reception buffer 23a, a command reception flag 23b, nine stop symbols 1 to 9 memories 23c to 23k, An error code memory 23l, an error flag 23m, and an error display timer 23n are provided.

  The reception buffer 23a is a buffer for receiving a control command transmitted from the main control board C. Since the control command is composed of 2 bytes, the reception buffer 23a is also composed of 2 bytes. The command reception flag 23b is a flag that is turned on when a new control command is stored in the reception buffer 23a. When the command reception flag 23b is turned on, the control command stored in the reception buffer 23a is read out, and the fluctuation display of the LCD display 3 is controlled based on the read out control command. The command reception flag 23b once turned on is turned off when a control command is read from the reception buffer 23a.

  The stop symbol 1-9 memories 23c-23k are memories for storing a stop symbol code 32b (see FIG. 5) transmitted by a stop symbol designation command 32 which is a kind of control command. A total of nine stop symbols 1 to 9 memories 23c to 23k are provided corresponding to the nine display areas 3a1 to 3c3 (see FIG. 3). The details of the stop symbol 1-9 memories 23c-23k will be described later.

  The error code memory 23l is used when an error occurs during transmission / reception of a control command from the main control board C to the display control board D and the display control board D receives an inappropriate control command. This is a memory for storing an error code 82 corresponding to an error. As shown in FIG. 8, ten types of codes “E01, E02, E10 to E12, E20 to E22, E31, E41” are prepared as the error code 82. The error code 82 stored in the error code memory 23l is displayed for 1 second in the error display area 3e of the LCD display 3 by the error display process (S66) of FIG. If a plurality of errors occur simultaneously, the error code 82 of the first detected error is stored in the error code memory 23l.

  Here, the error code 82 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between the error category 81, the error code 82, and the error content 83. The error code 82 is composed of a letter “E” and a two-digit number. Of the two digits, the upper digit indicates the error category 81, and the lower digit indicates the type of control command that is the target of the error.

  The error classification 81 is divided into five "0 to 4". In error classification 81, “0” is a time error, “1” is a command order error, “2” is an out-of-range command error, “3” is a stop symbol designation command order error, “4” is a stop symbol designation command combination error, It is said that. When an error occurs, the number of this error classification 81 is marked as a digit in the upper part of the error code 82.

  There are three types of control commands: a variation pattern designation command 31, a stop symbol designation command 32, and a symbol stop command 33. The variation pattern designation command 31 is "0" and the stop symbol designation command 32 is “1”, the symbol stop command 33 is indicated as “2”. Therefore, if the variation pattern designation command 31 received by the display control board D is inappropriate, “0” is marked in the lower digits of the error code 82. Further, “1” is marked in the lower digits of the error code 82 if the stop symbol designation command 32 is inappropriate and “2” if the symbol stop command 33 is inappropriate.

  In this way, the error code 82 is indicated by a two-digit number indicating the error classification and the type of control command that caused the error following the letter “E”. It is possible to recognize the error occurrence status and the like.

  The error flag 23m shown in FIG. 2 is when an error occurs during transmission / reception of a control command from the main control board C to the display control board D, and the display control board D receives an inappropriate control command. This flag is turned on by each error check process (S54, S58, S62, S65) shown in FIGS. When the error flag 23m is turned on, since the control command received at that time is an inappropriate command, the processing by the control command is skipped (not executed) (S55 in FIG. 12). : Yes, S59: Yes, S63: Yes). When the error flag 23m is turned on, the error code 82 stored in the error code memory 23l is displayed in the error display area 3e of the LCD display 3 for 1 second by the error display process (S66) shown in FIG. The The error flag 23m is turned off by the error display process (S66) every time the variable display process of FIG. 12 is executed (S125).

  The error display timer 23n is a timer for measuring the display time of the error code 82 displayed in the error display area 3e of the LCD display 3. In the error display timer 23n, a value corresponding to one second is set (written) in the error display process (S66) shown in FIG. 17 (S124). The value written to the error display timer 23n is decremented by one count until it becomes “0” by the interval interrupt processing executed at regular intervals. When the value of the error display timer 23n becomes “0”, the error display displayed in the error display area 3e is deleted (S126). Details of the error display timer 23n will be described later.

  The video RAM 24 is a memory in which display data to be displayed on the LCD display 3 is stored. By rewriting the contents of the video RAM 24, the display contents of the LCD display 3 are changed. That is, the variable display of symbols in the display areas 3a1 to 3c3 is performed by rewriting the contents of the video RAM 24. The character ROM 25 is a memory for storing character data such as symbols displayed on the LCD display 3. The image controller 26 adjusts the timing of each of the MPU 21, the video RAM 24, and the output port 27, intervenes in reading and writing data, and displays the display data stored in the video RAM 24 at a predetermined timing with reference to the character ROM 25. This is displayed on the display 3.

  Next, a control command transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D for control of variable display will be described with reference to FIGS. The control command includes three types of commands: a variation pattern designation command 31, a stop symbol designation command 32, and a symbol stop command 33. Since the control command is composed of 2 bytes, the most significant bit is set in the 1st byte command code to distinguish the 1st byte from the 2nd byte command code. The most significant bit of the code is reset.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the command code of the variation pattern designation command 31 and the command contents. The fluctuation pattern designation command 31 is a command for starting a fluctuation display and designating a series of fluctuation patterns from the start to the end of the fluctuation display. The command code of the first byte is “C0H” or “C1H”, and a total of 56 types of variation patterns are prepared.

  Note that the control of the variation display designated by the variation pattern designation command 31 is performed by the display control board D that has received the variation pattern designation command 31, so that the content of the control program of the display control board D is changed. Thus, the contents of the fluctuation display for the fluctuation pattern designation command 31 of the same code can be changed. That is, the contents of the variable display can be changed by changing the control program of the display control board D without changing the control program of the main control board C.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram showing the correspondence between the command code of the stop symbol designation command 32 and the symbol number 32a designated by the command code. As described above, each display area 3a1 to 3c3 shown in FIG. 3 is associated with each symbol number 32a. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the correspondence between 20 types of symbol codes 32b and symbol names 32c.

  The stop symbol designation command 32 is a command for designating symbols to be stopped and displayed in the display areas 3a1 to 3c3 of the LCD display 3 at the end of the variation display of the variation pattern designated by the variation pattern designation command 31. . The stop symbol designation command 32 is transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D for each of the nine display areas 3a1 to 3c3 of the LCD display 3 after the fluctuation pattern designation command 31 is transmitted and the fluctuation display is started. Sent to.

  This stop symbol designating command 32 is composed of 2 bytes, like the variation pattern designating command 31. In the first byte of the stop symbol designation command 32, a command code for designating the display areas 3a1 to 3c3 of symbols 1 to 9 is set. As shown in FIG. 5A, if the command code of the first byte of the stop symbol designation command 32 is “90H”, the display area 3a1 of symbol 1 is displayed. If “A0H”, the display area 3b1 of symbol 2 is displayed. ..., “B2H” designates the display area 3c3 of the symbol 9 respectively. In the second byte of the stop symbol designation command 32, the symbol code 32b of the symbol to be stopped and displayed in the display areas 3a1 to 3c3 of symbols 1 to 9 designated by the command code of the first byte is set. That is, as shown in FIG. 5B, “10H” is displayed when the symbol to be stopped is “octopus”, “11H” is displayed when “Harisenbon” is displayed,. In the case of (2), “23H” is set as the second byte code of the stop symbol designation command 32.

  When receiving the stop symbol designation command 32, the display control board D considers the variation pattern being executed, and ends the variation display with the symbol of the symbol code 32b designated by the stop symbol designation command 32. Replace the changing design. Since the symbol replacement is performed only when the fluctuation display is fluctuating at high speed, the player is not aware that the symbol replacement has been performed.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, a different symbol code 32b is assigned to each symbol. In particular, the symbol names 32c “shark (1)” and “shark (2)” are displayed on the LCD display 3 as exactly the same symbol, but as shown in FIG. ”And“ 23H ”are assigned different symbol codes 32b. Similarly, the symbol names 32c “shellfish (1)” to “shellfish (10)” are also displayed on the LCD display 3 as the same symbols, but as shown in FIG. 5B, “19H” to “22H”. The different symbol code 32b is given.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the virtual symbol reels 41 to 43 in the upper, middle, and lower stages. FIG. 6A schematically shows the configuration of the upper virtual symbol reel 41 that is variably displayed in the upper display area 3 a of the LCD display 3. As shown in FIG. 6A, the upper virtual symbol reel 41 includes 18 kinds of symbols “shell (9)”, “crab”, “shell (8)”,. Next to the last “octopus” symbol, the symbol “shell (9)”, “crab”, “shellfish (8)”,... Is done. The upper virtual symbol reel 41 is variably displayed in the upper display area 3a of the LCD display 3 in the order in which the symbols are arranged.

  Similarly, FIG. 6C schematically shows the configuration of the lower virtual symbol reel 43 variably displayed in the lower display area 3 c of the LCD display 3. As shown in FIG. 6 (c), the lower virtual symbol reel 43 includes 18 types of symbols "Octopus", "Shell (1)", "Harisenbon", ..., "shellfish (9)" are arranged in this order. Next to the last “shell (9)” symbol, the symbols “octopus”, “shellfish (1)”, “harisenbon”,... The lower virtual symbol reel 43 is variably displayed in the lower display area 3c of the LCD display 3 in the order in which the symbols are arranged.

  FIG. 6B schematically shows the configuration of the middle virtual symbol reel 42 that is variably displayed in the middle display area 3 b of the LCD display 3. As shown in FIG. 6B, the middle virtual symbol reel 42 has two types of symbols “shark (2)” and “shell (10)” at the end of the arrangement of the lower virtual symbol reel 43. A total of 20 types of added symbols are arranged in order. As in the case of the upper and lower virtual symbol reels 41 and 43, after the final symbol of “shell (10)”, the head symbol is returned to “octopus”, “shellfish (1)”, “harisenbon” ... Are arranged. The middle virtual symbol reel 42 is variably displayed in the middle display area 3b of the LCD display 3 in the order in which the symbols are arranged.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the command code of the symbol stop command 33 and the contents of the command. The symbol stop command 33 is a command for stopping and displaying (determining) a symbol that is variably displayed in the display areas 3a1 to 3c3 of the designated symbol number 32a. When the display control board D receives the symbol stop command 33, the stop symbols already specified by the stop symbol specifying command 32 are stopped and displayed in the display areas 3a1 to 3c3 specified by the symbol stop command 33. The symbols 3a1 to 3c3 are fixed. That is, the variable display of the display areas 3a1 to 3c3 designated by the symbol stop command 33 is finished. When the symbols of all nine display areas 3a1 to 3c3 are determined by the symbol stop command 33, the series of variation display started by the variation pattern designation command 31 is completed.

  The display control board D considers the contents of the variation pattern designation command 31 and the stop symbol designation command 32, and the display areas 3a1 to 3c3 corresponding to the symbols designated by the stop symbol designation command 32 at the timing of the variation display end. As shown in the above, symbols are replaced in advance during high-speed fluctuation of the fluctuation display. In addition, the main control board C controls to transmit the symbol stop command 33 to the display control board D at the timing when the fluctuation pattern of the fluctuation display designated by the fluctuation pattern designation command 31 ends. Therefore, the symbol stop display (decision) by the symbol stop command 33 is performed smoothly without giving the player a sense of incongruity.

  Note that, as a result of the transmission timing of the symbol stop command 33 from the main control board C being accelerated, the display control board D does not finish the variation pattern designated by the variation pattern designation command 31 but the symbol control command D for display. When 33 is received, the display control board D stops the stop symbol already designated by the stop symbol designation command 32 in the center of the corresponding display areas 3a1 to 3c3 even before the end of the variation pattern. Display, and confirm the symbols of the display areas 3a1 to 3c3.

  The symbol stop command 33 includes nine types of commands for individually determining the symbols of the nine display areas 3a1 to 3c3, one type of command for determining all the symbols of the nine display areas 3a1 to 3c3 at a time, There are three types of commands for individually determining the symbols of the three display areas 3a, 3b, and 3c divided into three stages of middle and lower stages, and a total of 13 types of commands are prepared. Of these, the symbol stop command 33 ((1) “80H, 0BH”, (2) “80H, 0CH” for confirming three symbols at a time for each of the upper, middle, and lower stages as scroll units. ”, (3)“ 80H, 0DH ”), the control allows the virtual symbol reels 41 to 43 displayed on the display of the LCD display 3 to be scrolled in the same manner as the actual symbol reel scrolling. It is possible to further improve the interest of the player.

  Next, each process executed by the pachinko machine P configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 to 17. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a reset interrupt process executed every 4 ms in the main control board C of the pachinko machine P. The main control of the pachinko machine P is executed by this reset interrupt process.

  In the reset interrupt process, first, a stack pointer is set (S1), and a pattern written in a predetermined area of the RAM 13 is checked (S2). If the predetermined pattern is written in the predetermined area as a result of the check, the RAM 13 is normal and normal (S2: normal), and the process proceeds to S3. On the other hand, if the predetermined pattern is not written in the predetermined area as a result of the check in S2, it is the reset interrupt process executed first after the power is turned on, or there is an abnormality in the RAM 13 (S2: abnormal) In this case, the process proceeds to S21, and once the contents of the RAM 13 are cleared, an initial value is written into the RAM 13 (S21), and the next reset interrupt process is awaited. Note that the initial value written in the RAM 13 in the process of S21 includes a predetermined pattern checked in the process of S2.

  In the process of S3, a timer interrupt is set (S3). Examples of the timer interrupt set here include a timer interrupt that generates a strobe signal for transmitting a control command for controlling the fluctuation display of the LCD display 3 to the display control board D. After setting the timer interrupt, each interrupt is permitted (S4). After the permission of the interrupt, the output data updated in the previous reset interrupt process by the special symbol variation process (S15), the display data creation process (S17), the ramp / information processing (S18), etc. A port output process for outputting to the port is executed (S5).

  Further, a random number update process (S6) for updating the value of the random number counter for determining the jackpot is performed by “+1”, and a storage timer subtraction process is executed (S7). The storage timer subtraction process shortens the time for symbol variation display when there are a predetermined number or more of reserve balls for jackpot determination and the symbol display is being varied on the LCD display 3.

  In the switch reading process (S8), the value of each switch is read, and the ball that has been driven into the game area 1 enters the winning port 2 and the big winning port 5 (including the V zone 5a) and passes through the symbol operating port 4. Further, it is a process for detecting a winning ball or a rental ball. The count abnormality monitoring process (S9) is a process for monitoring whether there is an abnormality in the switch data read by the switch reading process of S8. For example, even though the big winning opening 5 is opened and a hit ball is detected by the V count switch that detects the passing of the hit ball through the V zone 5a, the winning in the big winning openings 5 other than the V zone 5a is detected 10 If a single shot cannot be detected by the count switch, some abnormality has occurred in the 10 count switch, for example, by removing the 10 count switch. Further, when a single prize ball is not paid out even though the motor for paying out a prize ball is driven, some abnormality has occurred in the prize ball payout device. As described above, in the count abnormality monitoring process (S9), the presence / absence of the abnormality as described above is monitored based on the switch data read by the switch reading process (S8).

  In the symbol counter update process (S10), a counter update process for determining a symbol to be stopped and displayed as a result of the variable display performed on the LCD display 3 is performed. In the symbol check process (S11), based on the counter value updated in the symbol counter update process (S10), the jackpot symbol, the off symbol, and the reach symbol used in the special symbol variation process (S15). Etc. are determined.

  If no error has occurred in the processing from S3 to S11 (S12: normal), the normal symbol variation processing (S13) displays the variation of the 7-segment LED (not shown) and the result of the variation display. When a hit occurs, a hit process for opening a normal electric accessory (not shown) for a predetermined time is executed. After that, the state flag is checked (S14), and if the symbol change is started or displayed on the LCD display 3 (S14: symbol changing), the ball hits the symbol operating port 4 by the special symbol changing process (S15). Based on the value of the random number counter read at the passing timing, it is determined whether or not the game is a big hit, and a symbol variation process is executed on the LCD display 3. On the other hand, if the result of checking the status flag is a big hit (S14: big hit), a big hit process (S16) such as opening the big prize opening 5 is executed. Further, as a result of checking the status flag, if the symbol is not changing or big hit (S14: Other), the processing of S15 and S16 is skipped and the process proceeds to the display data creation processing of S17. If an error is confirmed in the process of S12 (S12: error), each process of S13 to S16 is skipped and the process proceeds to a display data creation process of S17.

  In the display data creation process (S17), demo data displayed on the LCD display 3, display data of the 7 segment LED, and the like are created in addition to the symbol variation display. In the lamp / information processing (S18), the lamp of the holding ball is displayed. Various lamp data including data are created. In the sound effect process (S19), sound effect data corresponding to the game situation is created. These display data and sound effect data are output to each device by the port output process (S5) and the timer interrupt process described above.

  After the sound effect process (S19) ends, the symbol counter update process (S20), which is the same process as S10, is repeatedly executed for the remaining time until the next reset interrupt process occurs. Since the execution time of each process of S1-S19 changes according to the state of a game, the remaining time until the next reset interruption process generate | occur | produces is not a fixed time. Therefore, by repeatedly executing the symbol counter update process (S20) using the remaining time, the stop symbol can be changed at random.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a command setting process executed in the special symbol variation process (S15) of the reset interrupt process in FIG. In this command setting process, a variation pattern designation command 31, a stop symbol designation command 32, and a symbol stop command 33, which are control commands for controlling variation display on the LCD display 3, are transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D. This is a process for writing (setting) the commands 31 to 33 to the transmission buffer 13a.

  In the command setting process, first, the state of the variable display is checked by the status flag (S31). As a result of the check, if variation display is started (S31: variation start), the variation pattern designation command 31 is written to the transmission buffer 13a (S32), the value of the command counter 13b is set to “1” (S33), and this processing is performed. finish. As described above, the variation pattern designation command 31 written to the transmission buffer 13a is transmitted to the display control board D byte by byte by the timer interrupt process set in the process of S3.

  In the process of S31, as a result of checking the state flag, if the symbol variation is being displayed (S31: during variation display), it is checked whether the value of the command counter 13b is equal to or less than “9” (S34). If the value of the command counter 13b is equal to or less than “9” (S34: Yes), the first byte of the stop symbol designation command 32 corresponding to the value of the command counter 13b is written to the upper byte of the transmission buffer 13a (S35). Based on the correspondence shown in FIG. 5A, for example, if the value of the command counter 13b is “1”, “90H” is obtained, and if the value of the command counter 13b is “2”, “A0H” is obtained. If the value of the command counter 13b is “9”, “B2H” is written to the upper byte of the transmission buffer 13a.

  Further, the symbol code 32b of the stop symbol corresponding to the value of the command counter 13b is written to the lower byte of the transmission buffer 13a (S36). For example, if the value of the command counter 13b is “1”, the symbol code 32b of the symbol that is stopped and displayed in the display area of the symbol 1 (3a1), and if the value of the command counter 13b is “2”, the symbol 2 (3b1) ) The symbol code 32b of the symbol that is stopped and displayed in the display area of..., And if the value of the command counter 13b is “9”, the symbol code 32b of the symbol that is stopped and displayed in the display area of symbol 9 (3c3) Are written to the lower byte of the transmission buffer 13a based on the correspondence shown in FIG. Here, when the symbol “octopus” is designated as the stop symbol, the symbol code 32b of “10H” is designated, and when the symbol “Harisenbon” is designated, the symbol code 32b of “11H” is ... When the symbol “shark (2)” is designated, the symbol code 32b “23H” is designated.

  After the 2-byte stop symbol designation command 32 is written to the transmission buffer 13a by the processing of S35 and S36, the value of the command counter 13b is incremented by “1” (S37), and this processing is terminated. The stop symbol designation command 32 written to the transmission buffer 13a is transmitted byte by byte to the display control board D by the timer interruption process set in the process of S3, as in the case of the variation pattern designation command 31. Is done.

  On the other hand, if the value of the command counter 13b is “10” or more (S34: No), this means that the stop symbol designation command 32 has been transmitted for all nine display areas 3a1 to 3c3. Therefore, in such a case, each process of S35 to S37 is skipped, and this process is terminated.

  In the processing of S31, if the status flag is checked and the timing of the end of the variable display is reached (S31: end of the variable display), the symbol stop that stops and displays (determines) all symbols in the nine display areas 3a1 to 3c3 at a time. The command 33 (80H, 0AH) is written to the transmission buffer 13a (S38), and this process is terminated. The symbol stop command 33 written to the transmission buffer 13a is transmitted to the display control board D byte by byte by the timer interrupt process set in the process of S3, as in the case of the variation pattern designation command 31. By transmitting the symbol stop command 33 to the display control board D, a series of variation display started by the variation pattern designation command 31 is completed.

  Note that the symbol stop display (decision) by the symbol stop command 33 does not necessarily require all nine symbols to be confirmed at one time. For example, nine symbols can be confirmed separately or scrolling can be performed. The symbol may be determined for each unit, ie, the upper symbol, the middle symbol, and the lower symbol. In the former case, as shown in FIG. 7, a symbol stop command 33 of “80H, 01H” to “80H, 09H” is used, and in the latter case, symbols of “80H, 0BH” to “80H, 0DH” are used. A stop command 33 is used.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the command reception process executed in the reception interrupt process of the display control board D. This command reception process is executed when a control command is transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D. First, the control command transmitted from the main control board C and received by the display control board D is written into the reception buffer 23a (S41), and the command reception flag 23b is turned on (S42), and a new control command is received. This process ends after indicating that it is stored in the reception buffer 23a.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the variable display process executed in the main process of the display control board D. In the fluctuation display process, the fluctuation display is controlled based on the control command received from the main control board C.

  First, it is confirmed whether or not the command reception flag 23b is turned on (S51). If the command reception flag 23b is turned on (S51: Yes), after turning it off (S52), the type of control command is confirmed based on the data stored in the upper byte of the reception buffer 23a (S53).

  If the upper byte of the control command stored in the reception buffer 23 a is “C0H” or “C1H”, the control command is the variation pattern designation command 31. Therefore, in such a case (S53: variation pattern designation command), variation pattern designation command error check processing (S54) is executed to determine whether or not the received variation pattern designation command 31 is an appropriate command.

  As a result of the determination, if the received variation pattern designation command 31 is an appropriate command, the error flag 23m remains off. Therefore, in that case (S55: No), after the contents of all the stop symbols 1-9 memories 23c-23k are cleared to 0 (S56), the fluctuation display corresponding to the fluctuation pattern designation command 31 is displayed on the LCD display 3. (S57).

  On the other hand, if the received variation pattern designation command 31 is not an appropriate command, the error flag 23m is turned on by the variation pattern designation command error check process (S54). Therefore, in this case (S55: Yes), each process of S56 and S57 is skipped in order to avoid control of variation display by the inappropriate variation pattern designation command 31. The details of the variation pattern designation command error check process (S54) will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In the process of S53, if the upper byte of the control command stored in the reception buffer 23a is any one of “90H to 92H”, “A0H to A2H” or “B0H to B2H”, the control command is a stop symbol. This is a designation command 32. Therefore, in such a case (S53: stop symbol designation command), stop symbol designation command error check processing (S58) is executed to determine whether or not the received stop symbol designation command 32 is an appropriate command.

  As a result of the determination, if the received stop symbol designation command 32 is an appropriate command, the error flag 23m remains off. Therefore, in that case (S59: No), first, the symbol code 32b which is the second byte command of the stop symbol designation command 32 is written into the corresponding stop symbol 1-9 memories 23c to 23k (S60). As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, for example, if the stop symbol designation command 32 stored in the reception buffer 23a is “90H, 14H”, the stop symbol 1 memory 23c corresponding to “90H” The symbol code 32b of “14H (shrimp symbol)” is written. If the stop symbol designation command 32 stored in the reception buffer 23a is “B2H, 21H”, the symbol code 32b of “21H (shell symbol)” is stored in the stop symbol 9 memory 23k corresponding to “B2H”. Written.

  Thereafter, the symbol code stored in the stop symbols 1 to 9 memories 23c to 23k in consideration of the variation pattern and the progress status of the variation pattern, the symbol being varied at high speed on the LCD display 3 The changing symbol is replaced so that the changing display ends with the symbol 32b (S61). For example, when “14H” is stored in the stop symbol 1 memory 23c, the variation display in the display area 3a1 of symbol 1 ends with the symbol “shrimp” which is the symbol code 32b of “14H”. The symbol is replaced. In addition, when “21H” is stored in the stop symbol 9 memory 23k, the variation display in the display area 3c3 of the symbol 9 ends with the symbol “shell” which is the symbol code 32b of “21H”. The symbol is replaced.

  On the other hand, if the received stop symbol designation command 32 is not an appropriate command, the error flag 23m is turned on by the stop symbol designation command error check process (S58). Therefore, in that case (S59: Yes), each process of S60 and S61 is skipped in order to avoid the control of the variable display by the improper stop symbol designation command 32. Details of the stop symbol designation command error check process (S58) will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In the process of S53, if the upper byte of the control command stored in the reception buffer 23a is “80H”, the control command is the symbol stop command 33. Therefore, in such a case (S53: symbol stop command), symbol stop command error check processing (S62) is executed to determine whether or not the received symbol stop command 33 is an appropriate command.

  As a result of the determination, if the received symbol stop command 33 is an appropriate command, the error flag 23m remains off. Therefore, in that case (S63: No), the symbols of the display areas 3a1 to 3c3 of the symbol number 32a designated by the symbol stop command 33 are determined (S64), and the symbols corresponding to the display areas 3a1 to 3c3 are stopped. indicate. For example, if the symbol stop command 33 of “80H, 0AH” is stored in the reception buffer 23a, the symbols of all nine display areas 3a1 to 3c3 are stopped and displayed at once. If the symbol stop command 33 of “80H, 0CH” is stored in the reception buffer 23a, the three symbols 2, 5, and 8 displayed in the middle display area 3b are stopped and displayed at once. Even before the end timing of the variable display, when the symbol stop command 33 is received, the variable display in the display areas 3a1 to 3c3 instructed by the symbol stop command 33 is immediately stopped (confirmed). To do. Therefore, the fluctuation display can be actually ended at the timing of receiving the symbol stop command 33.

  On the other hand, if the received symbol stop command 33 is not an appropriate command, the error flag 23m is turned on by the symbol stop command error check process (S62). Therefore, in this case (S63: Yes), the process of S64 is skipped in order to avoid the control of the variable display by the inappropriate symbol stop command 33. Details of the symbol stop command error check process (S62) will be described later with reference to FIG.

  If the command reception flag 23b is turned off in the process of S51 (S51: No), a time error check process (S65) is executed to determine whether a time error (see FIG. 8) has occurred. After executing the processes of S55: Yes, S57, S59: Yes, S61, S63: Yes, S64, S65, the error display process (S66) and other processes for controlling the variable display (S67). Is executed to end the variation display process. Details of the time error check process (S65) will be described later with reference to FIG. 16, and details of the error display process (S66) will be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the variation pattern designation command error check process (S54). This variation pattern designation command error check process is a process for determining whether or not the received variation pattern designation command 31 is an appropriate command. When the variation pattern designation command 31 is received, Executed.

  First, it is determined whether or not the previously received control command is also the fluctuation pattern designation command 31, that is, whether or not the fluctuation pattern designation command 31 has been received continuously (S71). If continuously received (S71: Yes), the error code 82 of “E10” corresponding to the command order error of the variation pattern designation command 31 is written to the error code memory 23l (S72), and the error flag 23m is turned on. (S77), and this process ends.

  If the variation pattern designation command 31 is not continuously received (S71: No), whether or not at least one stop symbol designation command 32 is received, that is, after the stop symbol designation command 32 is received, the variation pattern designation command 32 is received. It is determined whether or not 31 has been received (S73). If the variation pattern designation command 31 is received after the stop symbol designation command 32 is received (S73: Yes), the error code 82 of “E10” corresponding to the command order error of the variation pattern designation command 31 is stored in the error code memory 23l. Writing (S74), the error flag 23m is turned on (S77), and this process is terminated.

  If the variation pattern designation command 31 is not received after the stop symbol designation command 32 is received (S73: No), the value of the second byte of the variation pattern designation command 31 received this time is a value outside the predetermined range. It is determined whether or not there is (S75). That is, if the value of the second byte of the variation pattern designation command 31 is a value other than “10H to 2BH” shown in FIG. 4, the value of the second byte is outside the predetermined range. Therefore, in this case (S75: Yes), the error code 82 of “E20” corresponding to the out-of-range command error of the variation pattern designation command 31 is written to the error code memory 23l (S76), and the error flag 23m is turned on. (S77) This process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the value of the second byte of the variation pattern designation command 31 is a value of “10H to 2BH (see FIG. 4)”, the value of the second byte is a value within a predetermined range. Therefore, in such a case (S71: No, S73: No, S75: No), the fluctuation pattern designation command 31 is an appropriate command and no error has occurred. End the process.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the stop symbol designation command error check process (S58). The stop symbol designating command error check process is a process for determining whether or not the received stop symbol designating command 32 is an appropriate command. When the stop symbol designating command 32 is received, Executed.

  First, it is determined whether or not the stop symbol designation command 32 for designating the same symbol number 32a has been continuously received (S81). If continuously received (S81: Yes), the error code 82 of “E11” corresponding to the command order error of the stop symbol designation command 32 is written to the error code memory 23l (S82), and the error flag 23m is turned on. (S91), and this process ends.

  If the stop symbol designation command 32 designating the same symbol number 32a has not been received continuously (S81: No), whether or not the stop symbol designation command 32 has been received after receiving at least one symbol stop command 33 is determined. Judgment is made (S83). If the stop symbol designation command 32 is received after receiving the symbol stop command 33 (S83: Yes), the error code 82 of “E11” corresponding to the command order error of the stop symbol designation command 32 is written to the error code memory 23l. (S84) The error flag 23m is turned on (S91), and this process is terminated.

  If the stop symbol designation command 32 is not received after receiving the symbol stop command 33 (S83: No), the value of the second byte of the stop symbol designation command 32 received this time is a value outside the predetermined range. Whether or not (S85). That is, in the case of the stop symbol designation command 32 for designating the upper symbols 1, 4, 7 and the lower symbols 3, 6, 9, the value of the second byte of the stop symbol designation command 32 is shown in FIG. As shown in (c), if the value is other than “10H to 21H”, the value of the second byte is outside the predetermined range. Further, in the case of the stop symbol designation command 32 that designates the middle symbols 2, 5, and 8, the value of the second byte of the stop symbol designation command 32 is “10H to 23H” as shown in FIG. If it is a value other than, the value of the second byte is outside the predetermined range. Therefore, in such a case (S85: Yes), the error code 82 of “E21” corresponding to the out-of-range command error of the stop symbol designation command 32 is written to the error code memory 23l (S86), and the error flag 23m is turned on. (S91), this process ends.

  If the value of the second byte of the stop symbol designation command 32 is within a predetermined range (S85: No), the symbol number 32a designated by the stop symbol designation command 32 received this time is the stop symbol received last time. It is determined whether or not the designation command 32 is smaller than the designated symbol number 32a (S87). If the stop symbol designation command 32 designating the symbol number 32a smaller than the previous one is received (S87: Yes), the error code 82 of “E31” corresponding to the stop symbol designation command order error is written to the error code memory 23l ( In step S88, the error flag 23m is turned on (step S91), and the process is terminated.

  When the stop symbol designation command 32 received this time designates a symbol number 32a larger than the symbol number 32a designated by the previously received stop symbol designation command 32 (S87: No), the stop symbol designation command 32 received this time is used. It is determined whether the combination of the designated symbol and the symbol designated by the already received stop symbol designation command 32 is different from the arrangement of the corresponding virtual symbol reels 41 to 43 (S89). In the case of the stop symbol designation command 32 for designating the upper symbols 1, 4, and 7, the stop symbol designation for designating the middle symbols 2, 5, and 8 based on the arrangement of the virtual symbol reels 41 shown in FIG. If it is the command 32, based on the arrangement of the virtual symbol reels 42 shown in FIG. 6B, if it is the stop symbol designation command 32 that designates the lower symbols 3, 6, and 9, the virtual symbol shown in FIG. 6C. Each determination is made based on the arrangement of the reels 43. If the symbol combination is different from the arrangement of the virtual symbol reels 41 to 43 (S89: Yes), the error code 82 of “E41” corresponding to the stop symbol designation command combination error is written to the error code memory 23l (S90). Then, the error flag 23m is turned on (S91), and this process ends.

  On the other hand, if the combination of the stop symbol designation command 32 is not different from the arrangement of the virtual symbol reels 41 to 43 (S81: No, S83: No, S85: No, S87: No, S89: No), the stop symbol received this time The specified command 32 is an appropriate command and no error has occurred. Therefore, this process is terminated without turning on the error flag 23m.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the symbol stop command error check process (S62). The symbol stop command error check process is a process for determining whether or not the received symbol stop command 33 is a proper command and whether or not the stop symbol designation command 32 is properly received. When the symbol stop command 33 is received, it is executed in the variation display process.

  First, it is determined whether or not the symbol stop command 33 received this time is a command for a symbol that has already stopped (S101). If it is the symbol stop command 33 for the symbol that has already stopped (S101: Yes), the error code 82 of “E12” corresponding to the command sequence error of the symbol stop command 33 is written to the error code memory 23l (S102). The flag 23m is turned on (S109), and this process ends.

  If the symbol stop command 33 received this time is not a command for a symbol that has already been stopped (S101: No), whether or not the value of the second byte of the symbol stop command 33 is outside the predetermined range. Is determined (S103). That is, if the value of the second byte of the symbol stop command 33 is a value other than “01H to 0DH” shown in FIG. 7, the value of the second byte is outside the predetermined range. Therefore, in that case (S103: Yes), the error code 82 of “E22” corresponding to the out-of-range command error of the symbol stop command 33 is written to the error code memory 23l (S104), and the error flag 23m is turned on (S104). S109), this process is terminated.

  If the value of the second byte of the symbol stop command 33 is a value within a predetermined range (S103: No), nine stop symbol designations for designating the symbol symbols from symbol 1 (3a1) to symbol 9 (3c3) It is determined whether or not all commands 32 have been received (S105). If there is at least one stop symbol designation command 32 that has not been received among the nine stop symbol designation commands 32 (S105: Yes), the error code 82 of “E31” corresponding to the stop symbol designation command order error is set as the error code. Writing to the memory 23l (S106), the error flag 23m is turned on (S109), and this process is terminated.

  If all nine stop symbol designation commands 32 have been received (S105: No), it is determined whether or not it is 70 ms before the arrival of the symbol variable display end timing designated by the symbol stop command 33 received this time. (S107). If it is 70 ms before the end timing arrives (S107: Yes), the error code 82 of “E02” corresponding to the time error of the symbol stop command 33 is written to the error code memory 23l (S108), and the error flag 23m is turned on. (S109), and this process ends.

  On the other hand, the symbol stop command 33 received this time is not 70 ms before the arrival of the symbol change display end timing designated by the symbol stop command 33 (S101: No, S103: No, S105: No, S107: No). It is a proper command and no error has occurred. Therefore, this process is terminated without turning on the error flag 23m.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the time error check process (S65). This time error check process is a process for determining whether or not the stop symbol designation command 31 and the symbol stop command 33 have been received within a predetermined period. When the control command is not received, the fluctuation display process is performed. Executed in.

  First, it is determined whether or not the stop symbol designation command 32 has been received within 70 ms from the reception of the variation pattern designation command 31 (S111). If one stop symbol designation command 32 has not been received within 70 ms ( (S111: Yes), the error code 82 of “E01” corresponding to the time error of the stop symbol designation command 32 is written to the error code memory 23l (S112), the error flag 23m is turned on (S117), and this process is terminated. .

  If at least one stop symbol designation command 32 has been received within 70 ms from the reception of the fluctuation pattern designation command 31 (S111: No), the symbol 1 (3a1) received first among the stop symbol designation commands 32 Whether the stop symbol designation command 32 for designating the remaining eight symbols 2 (3b1) to symbol 9 (3c3) can be received within 70 ms after receiving the stop symbol designation command 32 for designating the stop symbol It is determined whether or not (S113). If all the remaining 8 stop symbol designation commands 32 have not been received within 70 ms (S113: Yes), the error code 82 of “E01” corresponding to the time error of the stop symbol designation command 32 is written to the error code memory 23l. (S114), the error flag 23m is turned on (S117), and this process is terminated.

  If all of the remaining eight stop symbol designating commands 32 have been received within 70 ms after receiving the stop symbol designating command 32 that designates the stop symbol of symbol 1 (3a1) (S113: No), the variation of the symbol Before 70 ms elapses after the display end timing arrives, it is determined whether or not the symbol stop command 33 for the symbol has been received (S115). If the symbol stop command 33 for the symbol cannot be received even after 70 ms has elapsed since the end timing has arrived (S115: Yes), the error code 82 of “E02” corresponding to the time error of the symbol stop command 33 is set as the error code. Writing to the memory 23l (S116), the error flag 23m is turned on (S117), and this process ends.

  On the other hand, if the symbol stop command 33 for the symbol has been received before 70 ms has elapsed since the end of the symbol variation display end timing (S111: No, S113: No, S115: No), The time error of the stop symbol designation command 32 and the symbol stop command 33 has not occurred. Therefore, in this case, this process is terminated without turning on the error flag 23m.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the error display process (S66). The error display process is a process for displaying the error code 82 stored in the error code memory 23l in the error display area 3e of the LCD display 3 when an error occurs (when the error flag 23m is turned on).

  In the error display process, first, it is checked whether or not the value of the error display timer 23n for managing the error display time is “0” (S121). If the value of the error display timer 23n is not “0” (S121: No), the error display that has occurred previously is being displayed. Therefore, the processes of S122 to S124 and S126 are skipped, and the process proceeds to S125. Then, the error flag 23m is turned off (S125), and this process ends.

  In the process of S121, if the value of the error display timer 23n is “0” (S121: Yes), the error display time has already passed. In this case, whether or not the error flag 23m is turned on. Is determined (S122). If the error flag 23m is turned on (S122: Yes), a new error has occurred. Therefore, the contents of the error code memory 23l storing the error code 82 of the error are stored in the error display area 3e of the LCD display 3. Displayed (S123). Since this error display is performed so as to overlap the display of the LCD display 3 being performed at that time, the error display does not prevent the change display even during the change display.

  After the error display, the error display timer 23n is set with a count value for one second, which is the error display time (S124), the error flag 23m is turned off (S125), and this process ends. The count value set in the error display timer 23n is subtracted until “0” by one count by an interval interrupt periodically executed by the MPU 21 of the display control board D. As a result of the subtraction, after the value of the error display timer 23n becomes “0”, the subtraction of the error display timer 23n in the interval interrupt is skipped, and the error display timer 23n maintains the value “0”.

  If the value of the error display timer 23n is “0” (S121: Yes) and the error flag 23m is turned off (S122: No), the error display time has already passed and a new error has also occurred. In this case, the error display on the LCD display 3 is erased (S126), the error flag 23m is turned off (S125), and this process ends.

  In this way, when an error occurs during transmission / reception of a control command from the main control board C to the display control board D, and an inappropriate control command is received by the display control board D, the generated error occurs. An error code 82 corresponding to the situation is displayed on the LCD display 3. Since the control command is a command for controlling the variable display, in such a case, the control of the variable display is hindered. However, by displaying the error code 82, the occurrence of the error can be reported to the player, so that even if the control of the variable display is hindered, the player will not be confused carelessly. . Further, since the error classification 81 and the type of the control command that caused the error can be confirmed by the displayed error code 82, the content of the error generated by the error display can also be confirmed. If the player who has confirmed the error code 82 reports the error code 82 to the salesperson in the pachinko hall, an appropriate response can be made.

  Next, with reference to the timing charts of FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, the timing of variable display based on the above description will be described. First, with reference to FIG. 18, the timing for stopping and displaying (determining) all nine symbols at once will be described. When the variation pattern designation command 31 is transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D, the variation display is started for all the symbols from symbol 1 (3a1) to symbol 9 (3c3). Following this variation pattern designation command 31, a stop symbol designation command 32 is sequentially transmitted to the nine display areas 3a1 to 3c3 during the high-speed variation. When the stop symbol designation command 32 is received by the display control board D, symbols are replaced during high-speed fluctuation in accordance with the stop symbol designated by the stop symbol designation command 32.

  Thereafter, the variation display specified by the variation pattern designation command 31 continues the variation display by the display control board D, and all nine symbols are transferred from the main control board C to the display control board D at the end timing of the variation display. The symbol stop command 33 (80H, 0AH (see FIG. 7)) for stopping and displaying (determining) at a time is transmitted. When the symbol stop command 33 is received by the display control board D, a series of variation display started by the variation pattern designation command 31 is completed. After the end of the variable display, the display of the stop symbol designated by the stop symbol designation command 32 stopped and displayed in each of the display areas 3a1 to 3c3 is switched to another display as a predetermined time elapses.

  If the display control board D receives the symbol stop command 33 before the end timing of the variable display comes, the end timing of the variable display specified by the change pattern specifying command 31 has not arrived. In addition, the stop symbol designated by the stop symbol designation command 32 is immediately stopped and displayed in the designated display areas 3a1 to 3c3. By such control, the variable display can be terminated in accordance with the transmission (reception) timing of the symbol stop command 33.

  Next, with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 19, the timing when nine symbols are stopped and displayed (determined) by three symbols in the order of upper, lower, and middle will be described. Until the stop symbol designation command 32 is transmitted, it is performed in the same manner as the timing of FIG. 18, and symbols are replaced during high-speed fluctuation.

  At the timing of the end of the variable display, a symbol stop command 33 is first transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D to stop and display (determine) the symbols displayed in the upper display area 3a (80H, 0BH). (See FIG. 7)). When the symbol stop command 33 is received by the display control board D, the symbols 1, 4 and 7 in the upper stage are stopped and displayed (determined) (see FIG. 3). Next, a symbol stop command 33 for stopping (determining) the symbols displayed in the lower display area 3c is transmitted (80H, 0DH (see FIG. 7)), and the lower symbols 3, 6, and 9 are stopped and displayed ( (See FIG. 3). Further, a symbol stop command 33 for stopping (determining) the symbols displayed in the middle display area 3b is transmitted (80H, 0CH (see FIG. 7)), and the middle symbols 2, 5, and 8 are confirmed (see FIG. 3). With the above three symbol stop commands 33, a series of variation display started by the variation pattern designation command 31 is completed.

  In this way, by stopping and displaying (determining) the symbols in the order of the upper, lower and middle in accordance with the scrolling direction of the symbols, the virtual symbol reels 41 to 43 represented on the display by the control are displayed on the actual symbol reels. Can be expressed as: When the symbol scroll direction is the vertical direction, the symbol stop display (determination) is performed, for example, in the order of left, right, and middle.

  As described above, according to the pachinko machine P of the present embodiment, since a series of variation patterns can be designated at once by the variation pattern designation command 31, the main control is performed for each point at which the variation display state changes. There is no need to transmit a control command from the substrate C. Therefore, the control load of the variable display by the main control board C can be reduced, and the program capacity and data capacity mounted on the main control board C for the control of the variable display can be reduced, so that the main control board C Program development can be facilitated.

  Further, if the control of the variation display corresponding to the variation pattern designation command 31 is changed on the display control board D side, the variation pattern can be changed without changing the program of the main control board C. Therefore, different variable displays can be performed on the LCD display 3 by simply replacing the display control board D while making the main control board C common.

  In the above embodiment, the command check means according to claim 1, the variation pattern designation command error check process (S54) shown in FIG. 13, stop 14 symbol designating command error check process (S58), shown in FIG. 15 The symbol stop command error check process (S62) corresponds to the time error check process (S65) shown in FIG. The error display means corresponds to the error display process (S66) shown in FIG.

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

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the control command of the present invention is directly transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D that controls the variable display. However, instead of this, once the main control board C, transmits a control command to the other sub-substrate other than the display control board D, by sending the control command from the sub board to the display control board D to control the variable display, or in the variable display of the control command by the sub board is developed in detail for each point to be changed, and sends the expanded command from the sub board to the display control board D, variation The display may be controlled. In addition, if it is the latter structure, the control burden of the variable display in the main control board C and the display control board D can be reduced. In the case of the latter configuration, the entire display control board D and the sub-board correspond to the display control board according to the first aspect.

  Further, the control commands of the present invention has been used for the control of variable display of the LCD display 3, using such control command or a command system, sound effects board and emitting sound effects, various lamps You may make it control the lamp board | substrate which blinks.

  The error display is performed by displaying the error code 82 in the error display area 3e of the LCD display 3. However, instead of displaying the error code 82, only the error may be displayed. Further, the error display does not necessarily have to be the LCD display 3, and the error display may be performed using another device. For example, error display is performed by blinking the LED provided in the pachinko machine P at high speed, or the error display data is transmitted to the island management device that manages the pachinko machine P or the central management device of the pachinko hall. An error display may be performed by each management device. If an error is displayed on the central management unit, the staff in the hall can be accurately notified of the error occurrence status. Further, the error display is erased after one second has elapsed, but may be erased after a time other than one second has elapsed or when a predetermined operation is performed. If a configuration is adopted in which the error display is erased by a predetermined operation, the error display can be reliably confirmed.

  Variation pattern designation command error check processing (S54) shown in FIG. 13, stop symbol designation command error check processing (S58) shown in FIG. 14, symbol stop command error check processing (S62) shown in FIG. 15, time error shown in FIG. About each process of a check process (S65), you may change the order of the error check process performed in each process, respectively. For example, in the fluctuation pattern designation command error check process (S54), the process of S75 for determining whether or not the value of the second byte of the fluctuation pattern designation command 31 is within the range is executed before the process of S71. You may make it do. That is, in the variation pattern designation command error check process (S54), the process of S75 may be executed first.

  The modification of this invention is shown below. 2. The gaming machine control device according to claim 1, wherein the error display means performs the predetermined error display on the display device.

  The control device for game machine according to claim 1, wherein the error display unit, to the management apparatus for managing the gaming machine is connected to the gaming machine, and performs the predetermined error display Control device 2 of gaming machine. In this case, the error display means transmits error display data to the management apparatus. Examples of the management device include an island management device and a central management device that are provided in a hall or the like and manage a plurality of gaming machines.

  Control device for game machine according to claim 1, or, in the control apparatus 1 or 2 of the gaming machine, the error display means displays a predetermined error indication, an error code that is predetermined according to the type of the error A game machine control device 3. Based on the displayed error code, it is possible to confirm the content of the error generated by the player and the employee of the hall, and to take measures according to the content of the error.

  Control device according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine, or in any of the control device 1 of the game machine 3, the display control board, an error erasing means for erasing the error indication displayed by the error display unit A control device 4 for a gaming machine, comprising: The error display is erased by the error erasing means, for example, when a predetermined time elapses or when a predetermined operation is performed.

  Control device according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine, or in any of the control device 1 of the game machine of 4, the error display unit, when the other error occurs during the first error indication, The control device 5 of the gaming machine is characterized in that the error display relating to the other error is stopped, so that the error display of 1 can be reliably performed and the occurrence of the error can be reported.

  2. The gaming machine control device according to claim 1, or the gaming machine control devices 1 to 5, wherein the command check means has an error in receiving order of the control commands, or the control Received when there is an error in the reception timing (timing) of the control command, or when the value of the control command is outside a predetermined range, or when the control command is missing A control device 6 for a gaming machine, wherein the control command is determined to be inappropriate.

  4. The gaming machine control device according to claim 1, or the gaming machine control devices 1 to 6, wherein the display control board is determined by the command check means that the received control command is not appropriate. In this case, the gaming machine control device 7 is provided with a non-execution unit that skips the processing instructed by the control command and disables the processing.

  The timing at which the stop symbol designated by the stop symbol designation command is stopped and displayed (determined display) on the display device in either the gaming machine controller or the gaming machine controllers 1 to 7 according to claim 1. The game machine control device 8 is provided with a symbol stop command for designating as a kind of the control command. From the transmission timing of this symbol stop command, the display control board side can know the end timing of the variable display.

  The symbol stop command includes (1) a command for stopping and displaying (determining) symbols displayed in all display areas of a display device on which variable display is performed, and (2) a display device on which variable display is performed. stop displayed at a time a plurality of symbols displayed on a predetermined plurality of display areas (determined) by causing one or (3) each for a plurality of display areas of the display device varying display is performed for each display region 1 There are three types: one that stops and displays (determines) each symbol.

  Control device according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine, or in any of the control device 1 of the game machine 8, it is provided with a one-way means for transmitting only one direction the control commands from the main control board A control device 9 of a gaming machine characterized by the following.

  Control device for game machine according to claim 1, or, in any one of the control device 1 of the game machine 9, a control command transmitted from the main control board, to be directly transmitted to the display control board A control device 10 of a gaming machine characterized by the above.

3 Liquid crystal (LCD) display (display device)
3a Upper display area 3b Middle display area 3c Lower display area 3a1-3c3 Each symbol display area 3e Error display area 23l Error code memory 23m Error flag 23n Error display timer 31 Fluctuation pattern designation command (part of control command) )
32 Stop design designation command (part of control command)
32a Symbol number 32b Symbol code 32c Symbol name 33 Symbol stop command (part of control command)
41 to 43 Virtual symbol reel 81 Error classification 82 Error code C Main control board D Display control board P Pachinko machine (game machine)

Claims (1)

A display device for displaying symbols and the like, a main control board for controlling a game, and a display control board for causing the display device to perform variable display of symbols based on a control command transmitted from the main control board In the control device of the gaming machine provided,
The control command transmitted from the main control board includes a variation pattern designation command for designating a series of variation patterns of the variation display, and a stop designating a stop symbol to be stopped and displayed on the display device at the end of the variation display. It consists of at least a symbol designation command,
The display control board determines whether the control command received from the main control board is appropriate, and the command check means determines that the received control command is not appropriate. A control device for a gaming machine comprising an error display means for displaying a predetermined error in such a case.

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