JP2011177197A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of quickly detecting and announcing abnormality in output sound by utilizing the structure of existing devices mounted in the game machine without increasing the number of devices. <P>SOLUTION: The game machine includes a sound output control part for controlling the output of sound associated with the game control by a control part. The sound output control part includes an output sound processing part having a sound signal adjusting part and a filter circuit, a control circuit for controlling the output sound processing part, and a sound output part for outputting the sound. The output sound processing part has a protection function for outputting a resetting signal to the control circuit when an overcurrent is distributed to the filter circuit caused by the output of a sound signal including a frequency in a specific band to the filter circuit by the sound signal adjusting part while an abnormality occurs in the sound output part. The control circuit controls the sound signal adjusting part to output a checking sound signal including the frequency in the specific band to the filter circuit at prescribed timing, and detects the abnormality in the sound output part as the resetting signal is input. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game table represented by a spinning cylinder type game machine (slot machine) and a ball ball type game machine (pachinko machine).

  In recent years, game consoles are equipped with multiple speakers to enhance the production effect, and music with lyrics at up-tempo is used as BGM (Back Ground Music), so that high-quality music can be played as the game progresses. The game sound is generated (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The gaming table disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured so that the player can select a music piece in the bonus from various music pieces at the start of the bonus. Many game machines represented by such game machines are equipped with sound source ICs (Integrated Circuits) with a large number of phrases, or output low-frequency and high-frequency sounds to provide high-quality music. It has a large speaker to make it sound.

  In such a high-quality game console, the sound output from the speaker is abnormal (hereinafter referred to as abnormal sound output) due to a short circuit of wiring connected to the speaker, a poor connector connection, or a failure of the speaker itself. When a call is made, depending on the setting environment of the game machine in the game store, it is predicted that the discovery of the abnormality of the speaker will be delayed due to noise caused by the business broadcast of the game store, BGM, or the like.

  In this case, the player may not be aware that the cause of the difficulty in listening to the game sound or the production sound is due to a speaker abnormality, and may assume that the game sound is caused by noise in the game store. It is thought that there are many. For this reason, there is a possibility that the player may miss important notices related to the game or important information necessary for the game even if the information is output by voice, which may be disadvantageous to the player. .

  However, since it takes a lot of work for a store clerk in a game store to check the game tables one by one in order to detect such an abnormality of the speaker, in many game stores, the operation of the speaker of such a game table The fact is that we have not confirmed.

  In particular, while a player is playing, it is confirmed whether or not a game sound is being output correctly from the speaker of the gaming table during the game, and an abnormality in the speaker of the gaming table is detected (detected). This is extremely cumbersome and difficult. In particular, in recent years, a large number of the above-mentioned game machines equipped with a function for outputting notifications related to games and outputting information necessary for games by voice have come into wide use.

  In order to solve such a problem, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, when an abnormality occurs due to destruction of a speaker, a game table has been introduced to notify the abnormality of the speaker (output abnormality).

JP 2003-135653 A JP 2009-82190 A

  By the way, many of the recent game machines are equipped with various articles such as various parts, control circuit boards, large movable objects for production, large production devices, and drive circuits for operating them. With the recent increase in sound quality and diversification of music, various devices and articles are increasing.

  However, the gaming machine disclosed in Patent Document 2 further includes devices such as a failure notification device and an energization detection unit in order to detect disconnection of the wiring in the sound generation unit (second sound generation unit). As a result, there is a problem that the number of devices as a whole game table is increased.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and detects an abnormal sound output at an early stage without increasing the number of devices by utilizing an existing device configuration. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game table that can be notified.

  The present invention is a gaming machine comprising: a control unit that performs a lottery relating to a game, performs a game control according to the lottery result of the lottery, and an audio output control unit that performs an audio output control related to the game control. The audio output control unit performs setting for outputting a sound signal related to the sound, an audio signal adjusting unit that amplifies the set audio signal, and the audio amplified by the audio signal adjusting unit A sound output processing unit including a filter circuit for attenuating a frequency in a specific band among frequencies in the signal, and a control circuit for controlling the sound output processing unit in connection with game control of the control unit. A sound output unit connected to the sound output control unit via the filter circuit, and outputting a sound based on a sound signal output by the sound output processing unit according to control by the control circuit; Out The processing unit is in a state where an abnormality has occurred in the audio output unit, and the audio signal adjustment unit outputs an audio signal including the frequency in the specific band to the filter circuit. When the audio signal adjustment unit detects that a predetermined current or more has flowed through the filter circuit, the audio signal adjustment unit outputs a reset signal to the control circuit to stop the current exceeding the predetermined value from flowing. And the control circuit controls the audio signal adjustment unit to output a check audio signal including the frequency in the specific band to the filter circuit at a predetermined timing. The gaming machine detects an abnormality of the audio output unit when the reset signal is input from the audio signal adjustment unit.

  According to the gaming machine according to the present invention, it is possible to detect and notify an abnormal sound output at an early stage without increasing the number of devices by utilizing an existing device configuration.

An external perspective view of the slot machine is shown. It is a front view showing the slot machine in a state where the front door is opened. The circuit block diagram of a control part is shown. (A) It is the block diagram which showed the relationship between a basic circuit, a sound output process part, and a speaker. (B) It is the block diagram which expanded and showed the protection circuit of the amplifier. It is the figure which showed the graph regarding the cut-off process of a filter. (A) It is the figure which expanded and showed the arrangement | sequence of the symbol given to each reel planarly. (B) The type of winning combination (including the operating combination), the symbol combination corresponding to each winning combination, and the operation or payout of each winning combination. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a main control part main process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a main control part timer interruption process. (A) It is a flowchart of the main process which CPU of a 1st sub control part performs. (B) It is a flowchart of the command processing of a 1st sub control part. (A) It is a flowchart of the command reception interruption process of a 1st sub control part. (B) It is a flowchart of the timer interruption process of a 1st sub control part. It is a flowchart of the overcurrent protection process which the amplifier of a 1st sub control part performs. (A) It is a flowchart of the main process which CPU of a 2nd sub control part performs. (B) It is a flowchart of the command reception interruption process of a 2nd sub control part. (C) It is a flowchart of the timer interruption process of a 2nd sub control part. (D) It is a flowchart of the image control process of a 2nd sub control part. It is the figure which showed the time chart which represents the sound output timing of a check sound in time series. (A) It is the figure which showed the timing of the trouble notification of the detected speaker. (B) It is the block diagram which showed schematically the 1st sub control part and 2nd sub control part with which it uses for description of trouble alerting | reporting. (C) It is the top view which showed schematically the trouble notification example in an effect image display apparatus. (A) It is the figure which showed the sound data stored in ROM of a 1st sub control part. (B) It is the schematic where it uses for description of a bonus end sound and a check sound. (C) It is the figure which showed the graph with which it uses for description of a harmonic. It is the schematic with which it uses for description regarding the audio | voice output control in the (a) 1st sub control part which concerns on other embodiment. (B) It is a schematic block diagram with which it uses for the description regarding the sound output process of the sound in a sound output process part. (C) It is the figure which showed the timing with which it uses for description regarding the sound output timing of a check sound.

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

  <Overall configuration>

  First, the overall configuration of the slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The figure shows an external perspective view of the slot machine 100.

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

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

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

  The winning line display lamp 120 is a lamp indicating the winning line 114 that is valid. The effective pay line is determined in advance by the number of medals bet as a game medium. There are five pay lines 114. For example, when one medal is bet, the middle horizontal pay line is valid, and when two medals are betted, the upper horizontal win line and the lower horizontal pay line are added. If three are valid and three medals are bet, five lines including a right-down winning line and an upper-right winning line are valid as winning lines. The number of winning lines 114 is not limited to five. For example, when one medal is bet, the middle horizontal winning line, the upper horizontal winning line, the lower horizontal winning line, the right The down line and the upper right line may be set as valid pay lines, and the same number of pay lines may be set as valid pay lines regardless of the number of bets.

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

  The bet buttons 130 to 132 are buttons for inserting a predetermined number of medals (referred to as credits) stored electronically in the slot machine 100. In this embodiment, each time the bet button 130 is pressed, a maximum of 3 cards are inserted, 2 when the bet button 131 is pressed, and 3 when the bet button 132 is pressed. It has become so. Hereinafter, the bet button 132 is also referred to as a MAX bet button. The game medal insertion lamp 129 lights up the number of lamps corresponding to the number of inserted medals, and when a prescribed number of medals are inserted, the game start is informed that the game can be started. The lamp 121 is turned on.

  The medal slot 141 is an slot for a player to insert a medal when starting a game. That is, the medal can be inserted electronically by the bet buttons 130 to 132, or an actual medal can be inserted (insertion operation) from the medal insertion slot 141. is there. The stored number display 125 is a display for displaying the number of medals stored electronically in the slot machine 100. The game information display 126 is a display for displaying various types of internal information (for example, the number of medals paid out during a bonus game) as numerical values. The payout number display 127 is a display for displaying the number of medals to be paid out to the player as a result of winning a winning combination. The stored number display 125, the game information display 126, and the payout number display 127 are 7-segment (SEG) displays.

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

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

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

  Below the stop button unit 136 is provided a title panel 162 for displaying the model name and pasting various types of certificate. At the lower part of the title panel 162, a medal payout opening 155 and a medal tray 161 are provided.

  A production device 160 is disposed at the upper part of the front door 102, and high sound speaker sound holes 143 for outputting the sound of a high sound speaker 272, which will be described later, are provided on both sides of the upper part of the production device 160. Yes. The effect device 160 includes a shutter (shielding device) 163 including two right shutters 163a and a left shutter 163b that can be opened and closed in a horizontal direction, and a liquid crystal display device 157 (effect image) disposed on the back side of the shutter 163. And a display screen of the liquid crystal display device 157 appears on the front side (player side) of the slot machine 100 when the right shutter 163a and the left shutter 163b are opened horizontally outward in front of the liquid crystal display device 157. It has become. Also, the bass speaker sound hole 180 provided below the slot machine 100 is a hole for outputting the sound of the bass speaker 277 described later to the outside. The side lamps 144 provided at the left and right portions of the front door 102 are decorative lamps for exciting games.

  FIG. 2 is a front view showing the slot machine 100 with the front door 102 opened. The main body 101 is a box that is surrounded by the upper surface plate 261, the left side plate 260, the right side plate 260, the lower surface plate 264, and the back plate 242, and that opens to the front. Inside the main body 101, a main control board storage case 210 that stores the main control board is disposed at a position that does not overlap with the ventilation port 249 provided on the upper portion of the back plate 242. Below the three reels 110 to 112 are arranged. On the side plate 260 on the left side of the main control board storage case 210 and the reels 110 to 112, a sub control board storage case 220 that stores the sub control board is disposed. Further, an external concentrated terminal plate 248 that is connected to the main control board and outputs the information of the slot machine 100 to an external device is attached to the side plate 260 on the right side.

  The bottom plate 264 is provided with a medal payout device 182 (device for paying out medals accumulated in the bucket), and has a power supply board above the medal payout device 182, that is, below the reels 110 to 112. A power supply device 252 is provided, and a power switch 244 is provided on the front surface of the power supply device 252. The power supply device 252 converts the AC power supplied from the outside to the slot machine 100 into a direct current, converts it into a predetermined voltage, and supplies it to each control unit and each device such as a main control unit 300 and sub-control units 400 and 500 described later. To do. Furthermore, a power storage circuit (for example, a capacitor) for supplying power to a predetermined part (for example, the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300) for a predetermined period (for example, 10 days) even after the external power source is cut off is provided. Yes.

  A medal auxiliary storage 240 is disposed on the right side of the medal payout device 182, and an overflow terminal is disposed behind this (not shown). The power supply device 252 is provided with a power cord connecting portion for connecting a power cord 264, and the power cord 264 connected thereto extends to the outside through a power cord hole 262 provided in the back plate 242 of the main body 101. Yes.

  The front door 102 is hinged to the left side plate 260 of the main body 101 via a hinge device 276, and an effect device 160 and an effect control board (which controls the effect device 160) are provided above the symbol display window 113. (Not shown) are also provided, and a treble speaker 272 is provided at a position corresponding to the treble speaker sound hole 143 above the symbol display window 113. Below the symbol display window 113, there are provided a medal selector 170 for selecting inserted medals, and a passage 266 through which medals pass when the medal selector 170 drops illegal medals etc. on the medal tray 161. Yes. Further, a bass speaker 277 is provided at a position corresponding to the bass hole 180 for the bass speaker below the symbol display window 113.

  <Control unit>

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

  The control unit of the slot machine 100 can be broadly divided into main effects according to a main control unit 300 that controls the progress of the game and a command signal (hereinafter simply referred to as “command”) transmitted by the main control unit 300. And a second sub-control unit 500 that controls various devices based on a command transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400.

  <Main control unit>

  First, the main control unit 300 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The main control unit 300 includes a basic circuit 302 that controls the entire main control unit 300. The basic circuit 302 includes a CPU 304, control program data, lottery data used in the internal lottery of a winning combination, and reel stop. ROM 306 for storing position, RAM 308 for temporarily storing data, I / O 310 for controlling input / output of various devices, counter timer 312 for measuring time, number of times, and the like WDT (watchdog timer) 314 is mounted. Note that other storage devices may be used for the ROM 306 and the RAM 308, and this is the same for the first sub-control unit 400 and the second sub-control unit 500 described later. The CPU 304 of the basic circuit 302 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined cycle output from the crystal oscillator 314b as a system clock. Further, when the power is turned on, the CPU 304 transmits the frequency division data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 306 to the counter timer 312. The counter timer 312 sets the interrupt time based on the received frequency division data. An interrupt request is transmitted to the CPU 304 at every interrupt time. In response to this interrupt request, the CPU 304 monitors each sensor and transmits a drive pulse. For example, when the clock signal output from the crystal oscillator 314b is set to 8 MHz, the frequency division value of the counter timer 312 is set to 1/256, and the data for frequency division of the ROM 306 is set to 47, the interrupt reference time is 256 × 47 ÷ 8 MHz. = 1.504 ms.

  The main control unit 300 includes a random number generation circuit 316 that is used as a hardware random number counter that fluctuates a numerical value in the range of 0 to 65535, and a start signal output circuit that outputs a start signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on. When the activation signal is input from the activation signal output circuit 338, the CPU 304 starts game control (starts main processing main processing described later).

  In addition, the main control unit 300 includes a sensor circuit 320, and the CPU 304 is inserted from various sensors 318 (a bet button 130 sensor, a bet button 131 sensor, a bet button 132 sensor, and a medal slot 141 at every interruption time. Medal reception sensor, start lever 135 sensor, stop button 137 sensor, stop button 138 sensor, stop button 139 sensor, settlement button 134 sensor, medal payout sensor for medals paid out from the medal payout device 182, index sensor for reel 110 , The index sensor of the reel 111, the index sensor of the reel 112, etc.).

  When the sensor circuit 320 detects the H level of the start lever sensor, a signal indicating this detection is output to the random number generation circuit 316. Receiving this signal, the random number generation circuit 316 latches the value at that timing and stores it in a register that stores the random value used for the lottery.

  Two medal acceptance sensors are installed in the internal passage of the medal insertion slot 141 and detect whether or not a medal has passed. Two start lever 135 sensors are installed inside the start lever 135 and detect a start operation by the player. The stop button 137 sensor, the stop button 138 sensor, and the stop button 139 are installed in each of the stop buttons 137 to 139, and detect the operation of the stop button by the player.

  The bet button 130 sensor, the bet button 131 sensor, and the bet button 132 sensor are installed in the bet buttons 130 to 132, respectively, and a medal stored electronically in the RAM 308 is inserted as an inserted medal into the game. Detecting the case input operation. The settlement button 134 sensor is provided on the settlement button 134. When the settlement button 134 is pressed once, the medals stored electronically are settled. The medal payout sensor is a sensor for detecting a medal paid out by the medal payout device 182. Each of the above sensors may be a non-contact type sensor or a contact type sensor.

  The index sensor of the reel 110, the index sensor of the reel 111, and the index sensor of the reel 112 are installed at predetermined positions on the mounting bases of the reels 110 to 112, and each time a light shielding piece provided on the reel frame passes. Becomes L level. When detecting this signal, the CPU 304 determines that the reel has made one rotation, and resets the rotational position information of the reel to zero.

  The main control unit 300 is provided in a drive circuit 322 for driving a stepping motor provided in the reel devices 110 to 112, a drive circuit 324 for driving a solenoid provided in a medal selector 170 for selecting inserted medals, and a medal payout device 182. A driving circuit 326 for driving the motor, various lamps 340 (a winning line display lamp 120, a notification lamp 123, a game medal insertion enable lamp 124, a re-game lamp 122, a game medal insertion lamp 129, a game start lamp 121, and a stored number display. A driving circuit 328 for driving the device 125, the game information display 126, and the payout number display 127).

  Further, an information output circuit 334 (external concentration terminal board 248) is connected to the basic circuit 302, and the main control unit 300 is connected to an external hall computer (not shown) or the like via the information output circuit 334. The game information (for example, game state) of the slot machine 100 is output to the information input circuit 652 provided.

  The main control unit 300 also includes a voltage monitoring circuit 330 that monitors the voltage value of the power source supplied from the power management unit (not shown) to the main control unit 300. The voltage monitoring circuit 330 is a voltage of the power source. When the value is less than a predetermined value (9v in this embodiment), a low voltage signal indicating that the voltage has decreased is output to the basic circuit 302.

  In addition, the main control unit 300 includes an output interface for transmitting a command to the first sub control unit 400 and enables communication with the first sub control unit 400. Note that information communication between the main control unit 300 and the first sub control unit 400 is one-way communication, and the main control unit 300 is configured to be able to transmit signals such as commands to the first sub control unit 400. However, the first sub-control unit 400 is configured not to transmit a signal such as a command to the main control unit 300.

  <Sub control unit>

  Next, the first sub control unit 400 of the slot machine 100 will be described. The first sub-control unit 400 is a sound output control unit that performs output control of sounds (game sounds, etc.) related to game control by the main control unit 300, and sends control commands transmitted by the main control unit 300 via an input interface. And a basic circuit 402 for controlling the entire first sub-control unit 400 based on this control command. The basic circuit 402 includes a CPU 404 as a control circuit, a RAM 408 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 410 for controlling input / output of various devices, and a counter for measuring time, frequency, and the like. A timer 412 is mounted. The CPU 404 of the basic circuit 402 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output from the crystal oscillator 414 as a system clock. The ROM 406 stores a control program and data for controlling the entire first sub-control unit 400, a backlight lighting pattern, data for controlling various displays, and the like.

  The CPU 404 transmits the frequency division data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 406 to the counter timer 412 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The counter timer 412 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency dividing data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 404 at each interrupt time. The CPU 404 controls each IC and each circuit based on the interrupt request timing.

  In addition, the first sub-control unit 400 performs a setting for outputting a sound signal (sound data) related to sound, and a sound as a sound signal adjustment unit that digitally converts and amplifies the set sound data. A sound output processing unit 416 including a sound CPU 418 and an amplifier 425 which are ICs, and a filter 430 as a filter circuit for attenuating a frequency in a specific band among frequencies in the sound data amplified by the amplifier 425 is provided. Yes. The sound output processing unit 416 is controlled by the CPU 404 in connection with the game control of the main control unit 300.

  The sound output processing unit 416 is provided with speakers 272 and 277 as sound output units via an output interface. These speakers 272 and 277 output sound based on the sound data output by the sound output processing unit 416 in accordance with control by the CPU 404. In the case of this embodiment, the speakers 272 and 277 are arranged on the right side of the high-frequency speaker L272 as a high-frequency sound output unit arranged on the left side of the main body 101 in order to apply high-quality stereo specifications. A high-pitched speaker R272 as a high-pitched sound output unit, and a low-pitched speaker 277 as a low-pitched sound output unit.

  The amplifier 425 includes a high sound amplifier 425 corresponding to the high sound speaker L272 and the high sound speaker R272, and a low sound amplifier 425 corresponding to the low sound speaker 277. Similarly, the filter 430 is provided corresponding to each of the high tone speaker L272, the high tone speaker R272, and the low tone speaker 277. A high-frequency speaker L272 and a high-frequency speaker R272 are connected to the high-frequency amplifier 425 via a filter 430, and a low-frequency speaker 277 is connected to the low-frequency amplifier 425 via a filter 430.

  In response to a command (control) from the CPU 404, the sound CPU 418 includes a high sound amplifier 425, a low sound amplifier 425, and a high sound speaker L272, a high sound speaker R272, and a low sound speaker 277 provided corresponding to each of the amplifiers 425. Make settings for sound output (voice data). The sound CPU 418 is connected to a ROM 423 (for example, a sound ROM) in which sound data that is the basis of game sound generated in connection with a game is stored, and temporarily stores sound data. A RAM 424 is connected. The sound CPU 418 amplifies the sound data acquired from the ROM 423 by performing PWM conversion with the amplifiers 425 and 425 in response to a command from the CPU 404 to generate a PWM signal having a modulated pulse width, and a corresponding filter. To 430.

  The filter 430 is configured by, for example, a low-pass filter (LPF: Low-pass filter) using an LC circuit, and a frequency in a specific band among frequencies in audio data (that is, amplified audio data) transmitted from the amplifier 425. Is attenuated (that is, the frequency in the specific band is cut), and the sound based on the audio data in which the frequency in the specific band is attenuated is converted to the corresponding high-frequency speaker 272 (high-frequency speaker L272, high-frequency speaker R272) and low-frequency sound. Output from the speaker 277.

  In other words, the filter 430 is an LPF that passes low frequencies well and does not pass (attenuate) frequencies in a band higher than a predetermined band (frequency in a specific band), and removes unnecessary high-frequency components contained in the audio data. This is a useful filter. The frequency of the specific band to be attenuated in the filter 430, that is, the frequency to be cut off (hereinafter referred to as the cut-off frequency) can be arbitrarily selected by the filter designer. In this embodiment, the frequency is 30 kHz or more. Designed to cut high frequency components.

  In addition, the filter 430 is connected to a corresponding speaker (a high-pitched speaker L272, a high-pitched speaker R272, and a low-pitched speaker 277), a connection failure of a connector (not shown) for connecting wiring, a disconnection (short circuit) of wiring, or The point is an emergency situation (abnormality) in which the current that should flow to the speaker does not flow, such as a failure of the speaker itself, and the cutoff frequency (frequency in a specific band) to be cut by the filter 430. When audio data including the same is input, a current (overcurrent) exceeding a predetermined value flows due to the satisfaction of these conditions.

  On the other hand, for example, a class D amplifier is used as the amplifier 425, and the current exceeding the predetermined value flows through the amplifier 425 due to the detection of the overcurrent as described above in the filter 430. A protection function (hereinafter referred to as an overcurrent protection function) for outputting a reset signal for stopping the operation to the CPU 404 is provided. When the overcurrent protection function is activated, the amplifier 425 outputs a reset signal to the CPU 404 to prevent an overcurrent from flowing to the amplifier 425.

  In other words, the amplifier 425 detects that an overcurrent has flowed when the above-described condition is satisfied in the connected filter 430, and based on the fact that the overcurrent protection function works accordingly, In response, a reset signal is output. Thus, the CPU 404 can detect that an overcurrent has flowed through the filter 430 when the reset signal is input from the amplifier 425.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the CPU 404 outputs check sound data (check sound signal) including a cutoff frequency (frequency in a specific band) to the sound CPU 418 to the filter 430 at a predetermined timing. Control. As a result, the CPU 404 receives the reset signal from the amplifier 425, thereby causing an emergency (abnormality) as described above in the speaker (that is, one or more of the high-frequency speaker L272, the high-frequency speaker R272, or the low-frequency speaker 277). ) Can be detected.

  The first sub-control unit 400 is provided with a drive circuit 422, and various lamps 420 (upper lamp, lower lamp, side lamp 144, title panel 162 lamp, etc.) are connected to the drive circuit 422 via an input / output interface. Has been.

  In addition, the CPU 404 transmits and receives signals to the second sub control unit 500 via the output interface. The second sub-control unit 500 is a display control unit that performs display control of the effect image display device 157 that is a display unit so as to display an effect image related to the game, and performs various controls of the effect device 160. . Note that the second sub-control unit 500 is, for example, a control unit that controls display of the liquid crystal display device 157 and a control unit that controls various drive devices for presentation (for example, a control unit that controls motor driving of the shutter 163). For example, it may be configured by a plurality of control units.

  The second sub-control unit 500 includes a basic circuit 502 that receives the control command transmitted from the first sub-control unit 400 via the input interface and controls the entire second sub-control unit 500 based on the control command. The basic circuit 502 includes a CPU 504, a RAM 508 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 510 for controlling input / output of various devices, and a counter timer for measuring time and frequency 512. The CPU 504 of the basic circuit 502 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined period output from the crystal oscillator 514 as a system clock. The ROM 506 stores a control program and data for controlling the entire second sub-control unit 500, data for image display, and the like.

  The CPU 504 transmits the frequency division data stored in the predetermined area of the ROM 506 to the counter timer 512 via the data bus at a predetermined timing. The counter timer 512 determines an interrupt time based on the received frequency division data, and transmits an interrupt request to the CPU 504 for each interrupt time. The CPU 504 controls each IC and each circuit based on the interrupt request timing.

  The second sub-control unit 500 is provided with a drive circuit 530 that drives a motor of the shutter 163, and the drive circuit 530 is provided with a shutter 163 via an output interface. The drive circuit 530 outputs a drive signal to a stepping motor (not shown) provided in the shutter 163 in response to a command from the CPU 504.

  The second sub-control unit 500 is provided with a sensor circuit 532, and a shutter sensor 538 is connected to the sensor circuit 532 via an input interface. The CPU 504 monitors the state of the shutter sensor 538 every interruption time.

  The second sub-control unit 500 is provided with a VDP 534 (video display processor), and a ROM 506 and a VRAM 536 are connected to the VDP 534 via a bus. The VDP 534 reads out image data and the like stored in the ROM 506 based on a signal from the CPU 504, generates a display image using the work area of the VRAM 536, and displays the image on the effect image display device 157.

  The CPU 504 of the second sub-control unit 500 uses the check audio data in the first sub-control unit 400 described above, and an abnormality in the speaker (one or more of the high-frequency speaker L272, the high-frequency speaker R272, or the low-frequency speaker 277). Is detected, a short circuit abnormality signal (short circuit abnormality command) indicating detection of abnormality is input from the first sub control unit 400 at a timing when the CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400 receives a reset signal. In response to this, the CPU 504 instructs (controls) the VDP 534 to display a trouble notification image for informing the effect image display device 157 of the detection of the speaker abnormality. This trouble notification image is preferably displayed on the effect image display device 157 together with the display image corresponding to the normal game or the like, but is not limited thereto.

  <The sound output processing unit 416 of the first sub-control unit 400>

  Next, the sound output processing unit 416 in the first sub control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A is a schematic block diagram for explaining the CPU 404, the sound output processing unit 416, and the speakers (the high tone speaker L272, the high tone speaker R272, and the low tone speaker 277), and FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a circuit 428. FIG.

  The sound output processing unit 416 is connected to the CPU 404 in the basic circuit 402 via an input / output terminal, and performs a sound CPU 418 for performing various settings (settings such as volume and sound quality) for outputting sound data, and the settings. An amplifier 425 that amplifies the audio data, a filter 430 that attenuates a frequency in a specific band among frequencies in the audio data amplified by the amplifier 425, a ROM 423 as a sound ROM, and a RAM 424.

  The sound CPU 418 performs sound reproduction control according to setting values in various settings, sound data stored in the ROM 423, and the like based on commands (control) of the CPU 404, and outputs sound-modulated sound data to the amplifier 425.

  The amplifier 425 is configured as a so-called class D digital power amplifier whose amplification method is classified into class D amplification, for example, and converts audio data as a digital audio signal input from the sound CPU 418 as an audio signal source by PWM conversion. In the circuit 426, sound data is generated as a PWM signal with a pulse width modulated for switching driving and supplied to the switching output stage 427. The switching output stage 427 amplifies the amplitude of the pulse wave in the pulsed audio data by a simple switching operation of “ON” / “OFF”, and supplies the amplified signal to the filter 430. In this embodiment, the switching output stage 427 generates a PWM signal (pulse signal) of about 30 KHz.

  The amplifier 425 is provided with an operation unit (not shown) including various operation keys, a volume knob for volume adjustment, or the like, and is provided separately or separately, and the CPU 404 determines the operation status of the operation unit. The CPU 404 may perform various controls such as volume adjustment.

  The filter 430 is composed of an LC circuit which is a kind of resonance circuit, and includes a capacitor C provided in parallel with input audio data, and a coil L provided in series with input audio data. . The filter 430 performs a cut-off processing function that removes high-frequency components generated in the audio data amplified by switching (that is, removes high-frequency components corresponding to the switching frequency). Only the components are extracted, and the audio data including the extracted audio signal components is supplied to the high tone speaker L272, the high tone speaker R272, and the low tone speaker 277. Thereby, the high tone speaker L272, the high tone speaker R272, and the low tone speaker 277 output sound based on the input sound data at a predetermined volume.

  Note that the switching output stage 427 of the amplifier 425 performs a switching operation at all times except when a protection circuit 428 described later is operating. For example, a pulse signal having a constant frequency is generated even in a silent state. It is supposed to be output.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4B, the amplifier 425 includes a protection circuit 428. The protection circuit 428 has an abnormality in the current input from a power supply circuit (not shown) based on the control of the CPU 404 (that is, the current in the switching output stage 427 exceeds a predetermined value due to the overcurrent flowing through the filter 430). From an overcurrent protection circuit 428a that detects an abnormality in the junction temperature of the amplifier 425 (for example, a junction temperature of the amplifier 425 increases to 150 ° C. or more), and a power supply circuit A low voltage protection circuit 428c that detects an abnormality in which the input voltage is a predetermined value (for example, 8.4V) or less, and an abnormality in which the voltage input from the power supply circuit is a predetermined value (for example, 27.5V) or more. And an overvoltage protection circuit 428d for detection. Although not shown here, a protection circuit for detecting an abnormality in the PWM signal output from the PWM conversion circuit 426 and an abnormality (short circuit) in the output switched by the switching output stage 427 is provided as the protection circuit 428. It may be.

  In this case, the overcurrent protection circuit 428a is activated when the current value of the switching output stage 427 exceeds a predetermined current value (for example, about 6.5 A), and stops the switching output stage 427, and automatically after about 300 ms. Return. The temperature protection circuit 428b operates when the junction temperature in the amplifier 425 is about 150 degrees, stops the switching output stage 427, and automatically recovers when the junction temperature decreases to about 135 degrees. Further, the low voltage protection circuit 428c operates when the power supply voltage input from the power supply circuit is 8.4 V or less, stops the switching output stage 427, and automatically recovers when the power supply voltage rises to 8.5V. Further, the overvoltage protection circuit 428d operates so that the power supply voltage input from the power supply circuit operates 27.5V, stops the switching output stage 427, and automatically recovers when the power supply voltage drops to 27.2V.

  When the protection circuit 428 detects an abnormality in each of the circuits 428a to 428d described above, the protection circuit 428 stops the operation of the PWM conversion circuit 426 and the switching output stage 427, and outputs from the amplifier 425, that is, the speakers 272, 272, In addition to stopping the output of the speaker drive signal to 277, a reset signal is output to the CPU 404 to stop (reset) the supply of power from the power supply circuit.

  In particular, in the case of this embodiment, the overcurrent protection circuit 428a connects the wiring to the corresponding speaker (the high tone speaker L272, the high tone speaker R272, or the low tone speaker 277) in at least one of the filters 430. In other words, there is an emergency situation (abnormality) in which the current that should flow to the speaker does not flow, such as poor connection of a connector (not shown), disconnection of wiring (short circuit), or failure of the speaker itself. And the second condition in which audio data including a cut-off frequency (that is, a cut-off frequency that is a frequency of a specific band to be cut by the filter 430) is input to the filter 430. As a result, switching that an overcurrent that is a predetermined current or more (for example, 6.5 A) flows is performed. Current value in Chikaradan 427 is adapted to be detected by approximately 6.5A (overcurrent protection function).

  The overcurrent protection circuit 428a stops the output to the filter 430 for 300 ms when the output of 6.5 A described above is output to the filter 430, and the output level is configured to be “High” only for this 300 ms. The reset signal is output to the CPU 404.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the above-described overcurrent protection function in the amplifier 425 is used to detect whether or not the above-described abnormality has occurred in each speaker 272, 272, 277. That is, the amplifier 425 generates a check sound signal including a cut-off frequency (a frequency in a specific band) based on the control of the sound CPU 418 by the CPU 404 with a predetermined timing (in the case of the present embodiment, the bonus game is finished). The bonus end sound is output until the normal game sound is output after the output of the bonus sound is stopped). Thereby, in the filter 430, the second condition described above is satisfied.

  Therefore, in this situation, when overcurrent flows through the filter 430 and the overcurrent protection function of the amplifier 425 is activated (in other words, when a reset signal is input to the CPU 404 as the overcurrent protection function), the filter 430 described above. Since the first condition is satisfied, in at least one of the high-pitched speaker L272, the high-pitched speaker R272, and the low-pitched speaker 277, the connection failure of the connector for connecting the wiring, the disconnection (short circuit) of the wiring, Alternatively, it is possible to detect that an abnormality such as a failure of the speaker itself has occurred.

  Incidentally, since the amplifier 425 and each speaker (the high sound speaker L272, the high sound speaker R272, and the low sound speaker 277) are provided in correspondence with each other, the CPU 404 has a plurality of signals depending on which amplifier 425 the reset signal is input from. From the speakers (the high-pitched speaker L272, the high-pitched speaker R272, or the low-pitched speaker 277), the speaker in which the emergency (abnormality) has occurred can be identified.

  As an actual check sound signal used at this time, a 10 kHz pulse signal is used. However, due to the harmonic overtone generation function (described later) of the filter 430, the fundamental 10 kHz pulse signal is converted into a rectangular wave characteristic. As a result, it is output as a harmonic overtone pulse signal that is about three times 30 kHz. Then, the high tone speaker L272, the high tone speaker R272, and the low tone speaker 277 output (sound) a check sound based on a check sound signal as a pulse signal of an input harmonic sound.

  <Filter 430 of First Sub-Control Unit 400>

  Next, the frequency cutoff processing function in the filter 430 of the first sub-control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the same figure is a graph with which it uses for description of the frequency which the filter 430 cuts.

  In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, in the filter 430, the current changes between the coil L and the capacitor C at the resonance frequency represented by the formula ω = 1 / √LC. At this time, L is an inductance (unit is Henry), C is a capacitance (unit is farad), and ω is an angular frequency (unit is radian / second). When the mathematical expression indicating the angular frequency ω is expressed in hertz, the resonance frequency f is expressed by the mathematical expression f = ω / 2π = 1 / 2π√LC.

  The filter 430 has an amplitude attenuation processing function for attenuating the amplitude of a frequency in a specific band in the input audio data, and has a harmonic generation function for amplifying the amplitude of a frequency other than the specific band in the input audio data. Has been. This harmonic overtone generation function attenuates the low frequency amplitude in the input audio data, generates overtones based on the attenuated audio data, and further generates the low frequency amplitude in the overtone generated audio data. Is to attenuate.

  The filter 430 converts the audio data digitized by the amplifier 425 into analog audio data, and outputs high-frequency analog audio to the high-frequency speaker L272 and the high-frequency speaker R272, and low-frequency analog data. A D / A conversion function for outputting audio to the bass speaker 277 is provided.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the filter 430 generates a pulse signal of about 30 KHz from the pulse signal of about 10 KHz generated in the switching output stage 427 by the overtone generation function, and a signal of 30 kHz or higher among the 30 kHz pulse signal. The components are removed (cut off) so that audio signal components in a so-called audible band (generally about 20 Hz to 20 kHz) are output from the speakers 272, 272, and 277.

  Thereby, in the case of this embodiment, in the high tone speaker L272 and the high tone speaker R272, the audio | voice which consists of an audio signal component of about 500 Hz-20 kHz is output, and in the low tone speaker 277, the audio signal component of about 20 Hz-1 kHz. Is output (see FIG. 4A).

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, similarly to the check sound signal described above, the check pulse signal of about 30 KHz is generated from the check pulse signal of about 10 KHz generated in the switching output stage 427 by the overtone generation function, By inputting the check sound signal as the 30 kHz check pulse signal, an overcurrent flows when the second condition described above is satisfied.

  <Pattern arrangement>

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

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

  <Type of winning prize>

  Next, the types of winning combinations of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure shows the types of winning combinations (including actuating combinations), symbol combinations corresponding to each winning combination, and the operation or payout of each winning combination.

  Of the winning combinations in the present embodiment, the big bonuses (BB1, BB2) and the regular bonus (RB) are used as a combination for shifting to the bonus game, and the replay (replay) is a replay without newly inserting a medal. Each winning combination is sometimes distinguished from a winning combination and sometimes called an “acting combination”. However, in the “winning combination” in this embodiment, a big bonus, a regular bonus, and a replay that are operating combinations are included. included. In addition, “winning” in the present embodiment includes a case where a symbol combination of an actuator not accompanied by a medal payout (without medal payout) is displayed on an active line, for example, a big bonus, regular Includes bonuses and replay wins.

  The winning combination of the slot machine 100 includes a big bonus (BB1, BB2), a regular bonus (RB), a small combination (cherry, watermelon, bell), and replay (replay). Needless to say, the type of winning combination is not limited to this and can be arbitrarily adopted.

  “Big Bonus (BB1, BB2)” (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “BB”) is a special combination (operating combination) in which a big bonus game (BB game), which is a special game, is started by winning a prize. . Corresponding symbol combinations are “white 7-white 7-white 7” for BB1, and “blue 7-blue 7-blue 7” for BB2. Further, flag carryover is performed for BB1 and BB2. That is, when BB1 and BB2 are won internally, a flag indicating this is set (stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 308 of the main control unit 300), but even if BB1 and BB2 are not won in the game, a prize is won. Until then, the flag indicating the internal winning is maintained, and even after the next game, BB1 and BB2 are being internally selected, and the symbol combination corresponding to BB1 “white 7-white 7-white 7”, the symbol corresponding to BB2 The combination “blue 7-blue 7-blue 7” is in a state of winning a prize.

  The “regular bonus (RB)” is a special combination (operating combination) in which a regular bonus game (RB game) is started by winning. The corresponding symbol combination is “bonus-bonus-bonus”. Note that the RB carries over the flag as well as the above-mentioned BB. However, in the big bonus game (BB game) (details will be described later), the regular bonus game (RB game) is won internally and the combination of symbols is displayed on the winning line. In addition, the regular bonus game is started after the start of the big bonus game, and when the regular bonus game is finished once, the regular bonus game is automatically started so that the next regular bonus game is immediately started. It is good.

  “Short (cherry, watermelon, bell)” (hereinafter, simply referred to as “cherry”, “watermelon”, “bell”) is a winning combination in which a predetermined number of medals are paid out by winning. The symbol combinations are “cherry-ANY-ANY” for cherry, “watermelon-watermelon-watermelon” for watermelon, and “bell-bell-bell” for bell. The corresponding payout number is as shown in FIG. In the case of “cherry-ANY-ANY”, the symbol of the left reel 110 may be “cherry”, and the symbol of the middle reel 111 and the right reel 112 may be any symbol.

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

  <Type of gaming state>

  Next, the types of gaming state of the slot machine 100 will be described. The gaming state is information for identifying the type of lottery data selected in a lottery or the like. In the present embodiment, the gaming state of the slot machine 100 is roughly classified into a normal game, a BB game, an RB game, and an internal winning game of a big bonus (BB) and a regular bonus (RB). However, the internal winning game may be a division included in the normal game.

  <Normal game>

  The winning combinations that are internally won for normal games include a big bonus (BB), regular bonus (RB), replay (replay), and small roles (cherry, watermelon, bell).

  “Big Bonus (BB)” is a special combination (operating combination) in which a big bonus game (BB game), which is a special game, is started by winning. The “regular bonus (RB)” is a special role (operating role) that starts a regular bonus game (RB game) by winning. The “replay” (replay) is a winning combination (operating combination) in which a game can be performed without a medal being inserted in the next game by winning, and no medal is paid out. The “small role” is a winning combination in which a predetermined number of medals are paid out by winning. In addition, the internal winning probability of each combination is a range of random values obtained at the time of internal lottery from numerical data corresponding to the range of lottery data associated with each combination from lottery data prepared for normal games. It is calculated by the value divided by the numerical data (for example, 65535). The lottery data prepared for the normal game is divided into several numerical ranges in advance, and each combination and lose is associated with each numerical range. It is determined whether the random number value obtained as a result of executing the internal lottery is a value corresponding to the lottery data corresponding to which combination, and the internal lottery combination is determined. This lottery data is provided with settings 1 to 6 in which the winning probabilities of at least one combination are different, and a game shop clerk can arbitrarily select and set any set value.

  In the normal game, the internal lottery result is almost lost (big bonus (BB), regular bonus (RB), replay (replay) and small role won), or any stop display result A setting is made so that the stop display result of the losing that does not correspond to the symbol combination of the combination is generally derived, and the total number of medals to be acquired is less than the total number of inserted medals. Therefore, it is a gaming state that is disadvantageous for the player. However, when a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, when a specific symbol combination is displayed), it is a gaming state that may be changed to increase the probability of internal winning of replaying. In this case, Consumption of medals used for games is suppressed, and a predetermined number of medals are paid out by winning a small role, resulting in a gaming state where the total number of medals exceeds the total number of medals inserted, which is beneficial to the player. May become a gaming state.

  <BB game>

  The BB game is set to be in a gaming state that is beneficial to the player. That is, the BB game is in a gaming state in which the total number of medals to be acquired exceeds the total number of medals inserted. In this embodiment, the BB game is started by winning a big bonus (BB), and an RB game (described later) can be continuously executed repeatedly, and a predetermined number (for example, during the game) The process ends when more than 465 medals are obtained. However, the BB game only needs to be able to execute the RB game a plurality of times. For example, when a combination (for example, replay-replay-replay) is set for starting the RB game, and this combination is won internally, or The RB game may be set to start when winning. Furthermore, in the BB game, when the BB general game excluding the RB game during the BB game is executed a predetermined number of times (for example, 30 times), or the number of the RB games executed during the BB game is a predetermined number of times. It may be made to end when it reaches (for example, three times).

  <RB game>

  The RB game is set so as to be in a gaming state that is beneficial to the player. That is, the RB game is in a gaming state in which the total number of medals to be acquired exceeds the total number of medals inserted. In this embodiment, the RB game is started by winning a regular bonus (RB), and a predetermined role is set to a variation that increases the probability of internal winning (for example, “setting 1” or “normal game”). The internal winning probability 1/15 of “small role 1” is increased to an internal winning probability 1 / 1.2, which is a predetermined value), and a predetermined number (for example, 8 times) It ends when there is a prize. In the RB game, when a predetermined number of times (at least 2 times) is won (for example, 8 times), or when the number of RB games executed during the RB game reaches a predetermined number of times (for example, (8 times). Since the BB game described above can execute the RB game a plurality of times, when a single RB game is performed, the number of medals less than the total number of medals obtained in the BB game is acquired and terminated. Become.

  <Big winning (BB) and regular bonus (RB) internal winning games>

  The winning combination that is internally won for the internal winning game of the big bonus (BB) and the regular bonus (RB) includes a replay and a small role. The big bonus (BB) and the regular bonus (RB) are not won internally, and are game states in which a symbol combination corresponding to the big bonus (BB) or the regular bonus (RB) can be won.

  However, the probability of the internal winning of the replay may be changed from the next game internally won in the big bonus (BB) and the regular bonus (RB). Until the symbol combination corresponding to the big bonus (BB) and regular bonus (RB) wins, the total number of medals to be acquired is almost the same as the total number of medals inserted, In comparison, the game state may be beneficial to the player. It should be noted that BB game and RB game are both game states that are beneficial to the player, and may be generally referred to as bonus games or special games.

  <Main control unit main processing>

Next, main control unit main processing executed by the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing of the main control unit.
As described above, the main control unit 300 is provided with the start signal output circuit (reset signal output circuit) 338 that outputs the start signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on. The CPU 304 of the basic circuit 302 to which this activation signal has been input starts reset by a reset interrupt and executes the main process of the main controller shown in FIG. 7 in accordance with a control program stored in advance in the ROM 306.

  When the power is turned on, first, various initial settings are made in step S101. In this initial setting, setting of a stack initial value to the stack pointer (SP) of the CPU 304, setting of interrupt inhibition, initial setting of the I / O 310, initial setting of various variables stored in the RAM 308, operation permission to the WDT 314, and initial setting Set the value. In step S103, medal insertion / start operation acceptance processing is executed. Here, it is checked whether or not a medal has been inserted, and the winning line display lamp 120 is turned on in response to the insertion of the medal. Note that when a re-win is won in the previous game, a process of inserting the same number of medals as the number of medals inserted in the previous game is performed, so that it is not necessary for the player to insert medals. Further, it is checked whether or not the start lever 135 has been operated. If there is an operation of the start lever 135, the process proceeds to step S105.

  In step S105, the number of inserted medals is determined and an effective winning line is determined. In step S107, the random number generated by the random number generation circuit 316 is acquired. In step S109, the winning combination lottery table stored in the ROM 306 is read according to the current gaming state, and an internal lottery is performed using this and the random value acquired in step S107. As a result of the internal lottery, when any winning combination (including an operating combination) is won internally, the flag of the winning combination is turned ON. In step S111, reel stop data is selected based on the internal lottery result.

  In step S113, rotation of all reels 110 to 112 is started. In step S115, the stop buttons 137 to 139 can be received. When any one of the stop buttons is pressed, the reel stop control in which one of the reels 110 to 112 corresponding to the pressed stop button is selected in step S111. Stop based on data. When all the reels 110 to 112 are stopped, the process proceeds to step S117. In step S117, a winning determination is performed. Here, when a symbol combination corresponding to some winning combination is displayed on the activated winning line 114, it is determined that the winning combination is won. For example, if “bell-bell-bell” is aligned on the activated winning line, it is determined that the player has won the bell. In step S119, if any winning combination with payout is won, the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is paid out according to the number of winning lines. In step S121, game state control processing is performed. In the game state control process, a process related to transition of each game state of normal game, BB game, RB game, and internal winning game is performed, and the game state is shifted when those start conditions and end conditions are satisfied. In this gaming state control process, at the end of the bonus game (BB game or RB game), a bonus game end command for notifying the end of the bonus is transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400 to start the normal game. Sometimes, a normal game start command for notifying the start of the normal game is transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400.

  Thus, one game is completed. Thereafter, returning to step S103 and repeating the above-described processing, the game proceeds.

  <Main control unit timer interrupt processing>

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

  The main control unit 300 includes a counter timer 312 that generates a timer interrupt signal at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, about once every 2 ms), and the main control unit timer interrupt is triggered by this timer interrupt signal. The process is started at a predetermined cycle.

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

  In step S203, the WDT 314 is periodically changed to the initial value (32.8 ms in this embodiment) so that no WDT interruption occurs (so as not to detect a processing abnormality). In the embodiment, the restart is performed once every about 2 ms, which is the period of the main control unit timer interrupt.

  In step S205, input port state update processing is performed. In this input port status update process, the detection signals of the sensor circuits 320 of the various sensors 318 are input via the input ports of the I / O 310 to monitor the presence or absence of the detection signals, and each of the various sensors 318 is partitioned in the RAM 308. Store in the provided signal state storage area.

  In step S207, various game processes are performed. Specifically, an interrupt status is acquired (various interrupt statuses are acquired based on signals from various sensors 318), and processing according to this status is performed (for example, the interrupt status of each acquired stop button 137 to 139). Based on the stop button reception process).

  In step S209, timer update processing is performed. Various timers are updated for each time unit.

  In step S211, command setting transmission processing is performed, and various commands are transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400. Note that the output schedule information transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400 is composed of 16 bits in the present embodiment, bit 15 is strobe information (indicating that data is set when ON), bit 11 -14 are command types (in this embodiment, basic command, start lever reception command, production command accompanying production lottery processing, rotation start command accompanying the start of rotation of reels 110 to 112, and operation of stop buttons 137 to 139. Bits 0 to 10 are command data (a stop button reception command accompanying the reels 110 to 112, a stop position information command accompanying the stop processing of the reels 110 to 112, a payout number command and a payout end command accompanying the medal payout processing, etc.) Predetermined information corresponding to the command type).

  In the first sub-control unit 400, it is possible to determine the production control according to the change of the game control in the main control unit 300 by the command type included in the received output schedule information, and it is included in the output schedule information. Based on the information of the command data, the contents of effect control can be determined.

  In step S213, external signal setting processing is performed. In the external signal setting process, the game information stored in the RAM 308 is output to the information input circuit 652 that is separate from the slot machine 100 via the information output circuit 334.

  In step S215, device monitoring processing is performed. In this device monitoring process, first, the signal states of the various sensors 318 stored in the signal state storage area in step S205 are read, and the presence or absence of errors relating to medal insertion abnormality and medal payout abnormality is monitored. (Not shown) Error processing is executed. Further, according to the current gaming state, the medal selector 170 (medal blocker in which the solenoid provided in the medal selector 170 operates), various lamps 340, and various 7-segment (SEG) indicators are set.

  In step S217, it is monitored whether the low voltage signal is on. Then, when the low voltage signal is on (when power supply shutoff is detected), the process proceeds to step S221. When the low voltage signal is off (power supply shutoff is not detected), the process proceeds to step S219.

  In step S219, various processes for ending the timer interrupt end process are performed. In this timer interrupt end process, the value of each register temporarily saved in step S201 is set in each original register. Thereafter, the process returns to the above-described main control unit main process (see FIG. 7). On the other hand, in step S221, a specific variable or stack pointer for returning to the power-off state at the time of power recovery is saved as a return data in a predetermined area of the RAM 308, and power-off processing such as initialization of input / output ports is performed. After that, the process returns to the main control section main process (see FIG. 7).

  <Processing of First Sub-Control Unit 400>

  Next, processing of the first sub control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9A is a flowchart of the first sub control unit main process executed by the CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400. FIG. 9B is a flowchart of command processing of the first sub control unit 400. FIG. 10A is a flowchart of command reception interrupt processing of the first sub control unit 400. FIG. 10B is a flowchart of the timer interrupt process of the first sub control unit 400.

  First, in step S301 in FIG. 9A, various initial settings are performed. When the power is turned on, an initialization process is executed in step S301. In this initialization processing, initialization of input / output ports, initialization processing of a storage area in the RAM 408, and the like are performed.

  In step S303, it is determined whether or not the timer variable is 10 or more, and this process is repeated until the timer variable becomes 10. When the timer variable becomes 10 or more, the process proceeds to step S305. In step S305, 0 is substituted into the timer variable.

  In step S307, command processing is performed. In this command processing, the CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400 determines whether or not a command has been received from the main control unit 300.

  In step S309, effect control processing is performed. For example, if there is a new command in step S307, processing corresponding to this command is performed. This process includes, for example, performing a process such as reading effect data from the ROM 406 and performing an effect data update process when the effect data needs to be updated.

  In step S311, sound control processing is performed based on the processing result of step S309. Although details will be described later, in this sound control process, for example, when there is a command to the sound CPU 418 in the effect data read in step S309, this command is output to the sound CPU 418. In step S313, lamp control processing is performed based on the processing result of step S309. For example, if there is a command to the various lamps 420 in the effect data read out in step S309, this command is output to the drive circuit 422.

  In step S315, an information output process for performing settings for transmitting a control command to the second sub-control unit 500 based on the processing result in step S309 is performed. For example, if there is a control command to be transmitted to the second sub-control unit 500 in the effect data read out in step S309, the control command is set to be output, and the process returns to step S303.

  Next, the first sub control unit command process executed by the CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. This command processing corresponds to step S307 of the main processing executed by the CPU 404 in the first sub-control unit 400 described above, and here, step S307 will be described in detail.

  First, in step S1001 of FIG. 9B, the CPU 404 of the first sub-control unit 400 determines whether or not the command received from the main control unit 300 indicates the end of the bonus game (that is, the bonus game end command). If the command received from the main control unit 300 indicates the end of the bonus game, the process proceeds to step S1002.

  In step S1002, monitoring of input of a reset signal (short circuit signal) is started. That is, the CPU 404 of the basic circuit 402 detects that an abnormality has occurred in one or more of the speakers 272, 272, and 277 described above when a reset signal is input from the amplifier 425 of the sound output processing unit 416. . Therefore, the CPU 404 transmits a normal game start command after a predetermined timing from the amplifier 425 (in this embodiment, after the bonus game is ended and the main control unit 300 transmits a bonus game end command). Whether or not a reset signal (short-circuit signal) is input by outputting a check sound signal including a cut-off frequency (frequency in a specific band) to the filter 430 during a period when the bonus end sound is output until Start monitoring.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1001 that the command received from the main control unit 300 does not indicate the end of the bonus game, the process proceeds to step S1003.

  In step S1003, it is determined whether or not the command received from the main control unit 300 indicates the start of the normal game (that is, the normal game start command), and the command received from the main control unit 300 is the start of the normal game. Is transferred to step S1004. In step S1004, the monitoring of the reset signal (short-circuit signal) input described above ends.

  On the other hand, when the command received from the main control unit 300 does not indicate the start of the normal game in step S1003, the process proceeds to step S1005. In step S1005, other processes are performed, and then the process returns to the main process of the first sub-control unit 400 shown in FIG.

  Next, the first sub control unit command reception interrupt process executed by the CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. This command reception interrupt process is a process executed when the first sub-control unit 400 detects a strobe signal output from the main control unit 300. In step S401 of the command reception interrupt process shown in FIG. 10A, the command output from the main control unit 300 is stored in the command storage area provided in the RAM 408 as an unprocessed command.

  Next, the first sub control unit timer interrupt process executed by the CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. The first sub-control unit 400 includes a hardware timer that generates a timer interrupt at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, once every 2 ms). Execute in the cycle.

  In step S501 of the timer interrupt process, 1 is added to the value of the timer variable storage area of the RAM 408 described in step S303 in the above-described first sub-control unit main process shown in FIG. Store in the variable storage area. Therefore, in step S303, the value of the timer variable is determined to be 10 or more every 20 ms (2 ms × 10).

  In step S502, it is determined whether or not the short-circuit signal (reset signal) started in step S1002 in the first sub control unit command process (see FIG. 9B) is being monitored. At this time, if the short circuit signal is being monitored, the process proceeds to step S5021, and it is determined whether the short circuit signal has been output.

  In step S5022, it is determined whether or not a short circuit signal is output. If the output of the short circuit signal is recognized, the process proceeds to step S5023, and the abnormality occurs in one or more of the speakers 272, 272, and 277. A command setting with a short circuit is performed to prepare for transmission of a command with a short circuit with the content (for example, a short circuit is recognized). On the other hand, when the output of the short circuit signal is not recognized in step S5022, the process proceeds to step S503.

  On the other hand, if the short circuit signal is not being monitored in step S502, the process proceeds to step S503. In step S503, the control command is transmitted to the second sub control unit 500 set in step S315 in the above-described first sub control unit main process (see FIG. 9A) (for example, the above-described command with a short circuit is transmitted). ) And various update processes such as updating the random number for production.

  <Overcurrent protection processing>

  Here, referring to FIG. 11, the amplifier 425 based on the control of the CPU 404 in the first sub-control unit 400 in the sound control process (step S <b> 311) in the first sub-control unit main process (see FIG. 9A). The overcurrent protection processing of the overcurrent protection circuit 428a (see FIG. 4) executed by the above will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the overcurrent protection process executed by the amplifier 425 of the first sub-control unit 400. Details of the sound control process (step S311) as the main process are naturally known to those skilled in the art. Since it is a well-known technique to obtain, it is omitted here for convenience.

  First, in step S1101, the amplifier 425 determines whether or not the timer is being set. This is because the timer is set in a reset state in which the output from the amplifier 425 is stopped for a predetermined time (in this embodiment, for about 300 ms) by the overcurrent protection function of the overcurrent protection circuit 428a. It is intended to determine whether or not the overcurrent protection function is working by determining whether or not is set. If the timer is being set in step S1101, the process proceeds to step S1102.

  In step S1102, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed in the timer. If the predetermined time, that is, 300 ms has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S1103. In step S1103, the operation of the overcurrent protection circuit 428a is canceled, the operation of the amplifier 425 whose output is stopped by the overcurrent protection function is restored, and the process proceeds to step S1108. If the predetermined time has not elapsed in step S1102, the process proceeds to step S1108 without returning the operation of the amplifier 425.

  On the other hand, if the timer is not being set in step S1101, the process proceeds to step S1104. In step S1104, whether or not the current value output from the switching output stage 427 of the amplifier 425 exceeds a predetermined value (in the present embodiment, about 6.5 A), that is, the filter 430 in the subsequent stage exceeds the predetermined value. It is determined whether or not current (overcurrent) is flowing. In this step S1104, when the output value of the current from the switching output stage 427 exceeds 6.5 A (that is, an overcurrent flows through the filter 430), the process proceeds to step S1105, and the switching output stage 427 The operation is stopped, and output of current from the switching output stage 427 is stopped.

  In step S <b> 1106, a reset signal (short circuit signal) having an output level of “High” is output to the CPU 404 due to the overcurrent flowing through the filter 430. In step S1107, a timer is set based on the output of the reset signal. At this time, the timer is set for a predetermined time (about 300 ms) set in advance (that is, the reset signal output in step S1106 has an output level of “High” for 300 ms, and thereafter the normal “ The process proceeds to step S1108.

  In step S1108, the temperature protection process executed in the temperature protection circuit 428b other than the overcurrent protection circuit 428a in the protection circuit 428 of the amplifier 425, the low voltage protection process executed in the low voltage protection circuit 428c, or the overvoltage protection circuit 428d. Then, other protection processing such as overvoltage protection processing executed in is performed, and then the processing returns to the main processing of the first sub-control unit 400 shown in FIG.

  <Processing of Second Sub-Control Unit 500>

  The process of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12A is a flowchart of main processing executed by the CPU 504 of the second sub-control unit 500. FIG. 12B is a flowchart of command reception interrupt processing of the second sub control unit 500. FIG. 12C is a flowchart of the timer interrupt process of the second sub control unit 500. FIG. 12D is a flowchart of the image control process of the second sub control unit 500.

  First, in step S601 in FIG. 12A, various initial settings are performed. When the power is turned on, an initialization process is first executed in step S601. In this initialization process, input / output port initialization, storage area initialization in the RAM 508, and the like are performed.

  In step S603, it is determined whether or not the timer variable is 10 or more. This process is repeated until the timer variable becomes 10, and when the timer variable becomes 10 or more, the process proceeds to step S605. In step S605, 0 is assigned to the timer variable.

  In step S607, command processing is performed. In such command processing, the CPU 504 of the second sub-control unit 500 determines whether or not a command (for example, the above-mentioned short-circuiting command) has been received from the CPU 404 of the first sub-control unit 400.

  In step S609, effect control processing is performed. For example, if there is a new command in step S607, processing corresponding to this command is performed. This process includes, for example, performing a process such as reading effect data from the ROM 506 and performing an effect data update process when the effect data needs to be updated.

  In step S611, shutter control processing is performed based on the processing result in step S609. For example, when there is a shutter control command in the effect data read in step S609, shutter control corresponding to this command is performed.

  In step S613, image control processing is performed based on the processing result in step S609. For example, if there is an image control command in the effect data read in step S609, image control corresponding to this command is performed (details will be described later), and the process returns to step S603.

  Next, the second sub control unit command reception interrupt process executed by the CPU 504 of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. This command reception interrupt process is a process executed when the second sub control unit 500 detects the strobe signal output from the first sub control unit 400. In step S701 of the command reception interrupt process, the command output from the first sub control unit 400 is stored as an unprocessed command in a command storage area provided in the RAM 508.

  Next, the second sub control unit timer interrupt process executed by the CPU 504 of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. The second sub-control unit 500 includes a hardware timer that generates a timer interrupt at a predetermined cycle (in this embodiment, once every 2 ms), and the timer interrupt process is predetermined by using the timer interrupt as a trigger. Execute in the cycle.

  In step S801, 1 is added to the value of the timer variable storage area of the RAM 508 described in step S603 in the second sub-control unit main process shown in FIG. 12A, and the original timer variable storage area is stored. Therefore, in step S603, the value of the timer variable is determined to be 10 or more every 20 ms (2 ms × 10). In step S <b> 803, various update processes such as updating the effect random number are performed.

  Next, the image control process in step S613 in the main process of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12D is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the image control process.

  In step S901, an image data transfer instruction is issued. Here, the CPU 504 first swaps the designation of the display areas A and B in the VRAM 536. As a result, an image of one frame stored in the display area not designated as the drawing area is displayed on the effect image display device 157. Next, the CPU 504 sets ROM coordinates (transfer source address of the ROM 506), VRAM coordinates (transfer destination address of the VRAM 536), and the like in the attribute register of the VDP 534 based on the position information table and the like, and then the image from the ROM 506 to the VRAM 536. Set an instruction to start data transfer. The VDP 534 transfers the image data from the ROM 506 to the VRAM 536 based on the command set in the attribute register. Thereafter, the VDP 536 outputs a transfer end interrupt signal to the CPU 504.

  In step S903, it is determined whether or not a transfer end interrupt signal is input from the VDP 534. If a transfer end interrupt signal is input, the process proceeds to step S905. If not, a transfer end interrupt signal is input. Wait for it. In step S905, parameters are set based on the production scenario configuration table and attribute data. Here, in order to form a display image in the display area A or B of the VRAM 536 based on the image data transferred to the VRAM 536 in step S901, the CPU 504 includes information on the image data constituting the display image (the coordinate axis and image size of the VRAM 536). , VRAM coordinates (arrangement coordinates, etc.) are instructed to the VDP 534. The VDP 534 performs parameter setting in accordance with the attribute based on the instruction stored in the attribute register.

  In step S907, a drawing instruction is performed. In this drawing instruction, the CPU 504 instructs the VDP 534 to start drawing an image. The VDP 534 starts drawing an image in the frame buffer in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 504.

  In step S909, it is determined whether or not a generation end interrupt signal from the VDP 534 is input based on the end of image drawing. If the generation end interrupt signal is input, the process proceeds to step S911. If not, the generation end interrupt signal is determined. Wait for input. In step S911, a scene display counter that is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 508 and counts how many scene images have been generated is incremented (+1), and the process ends.

  <Check sound output timing>

  Here, the sound output timing of the check sound based on the check sound signal output from the above-described speaker (high sound speaker L272, high sound speaker R272, or low sound speaker 277) will be described with reference to FIG. Note that FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the check sound output timing, which is one of the features of the present invention, in which the main control unit 300, the first sub control unit 400, and the second sub control unit 500 are arranged in parallel. It is a time chart which sees by seeing in a time series.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the main control unit 300, when the bonus game is ended in the game control, a bonus is given to the second sub control unit 500 via the first sub control unit 400 and the first sub control unit 400. A bonus end command indicating the end of the game is transmitted. After that, when the normal game is started in the game control, the main control unit 300 transmits a normal game start command indicating the start of the normal game to the first sub-control unit 400.

  On the other hand, the first sub-control unit 400 performs output control of sound for outputting a bonus sound from a speaker (a high-frequency speaker L272, a high-frequency speaker R272, or a low-frequency speaker 277) according to the game control of the main control unit 300. At the same time, display control is performed to turn on the various lamps 420 with the bonus lamps lit in accordance with the game control. Then, the first sub control unit 400 stops the output of the bonus sound from the speaker (the high tone speaker L272, the high tone speaker R272, or the low tone speaker 277) when the bonus end command is input from the main control unit 300. At the same time, the lighting of the bonus lamps in the various lamps 420 is stopped, and a bonus end command input from the main control unit 300 is transmitted to the second sub-control unit 500.

  Thereafter, the first sub-control unit 400 outputs a bonus end sound for notifying that the bonus has ended until a normal game start command indicating the start of the normal game is input from the main control unit 300. A sound is output from the high tone speaker L272, the high tone speaker R272, or the low tone speaker 277, and the bonus end lamp is turned on in various lamps 420. Then, when a normal game start command is input from the main control unit 300, the first sub-control unit 400 outputs a normal game sound accompanying the game control of the main control unit 300 as necessary with a speaker (a high-pitched speaker L272, a high-pitched sound). A sound is output from the speaker R272 or the bass speaker 277), and a general game lamp associated with the game control is turned on as needed in various lamps 420, while a normal game start command input from the main control unit 300 is issued. Transmit to the second sub-control unit 500.

  At this time, the first sub-control unit 400 outputs a check sound based on the check sound signal in a period in which a bonus end sound is output from the stop of the bonus sound to the output of the normal game sound, Abnormality is detected in the speaker (the high tone speaker L272, the high tone speaker R272, or the low tone speaker 277). In this way, by matching the sound output of the check sound with the sound output timing of the bonus end sound and making the check sound mixed with the bonus end sound, only the check sound is output to the player. This has the advantage of avoiding unpleasant feelings that may be given.

  On the other hand, in the detection of an abnormality in this speaker (the high sound speaker L272, the high sound speaker R272, or the low sound speaker 277), when the abnormality is detected when the CPU 404 receives a reset signal from the amplifier 425, the first sub control The unit 400 transmits a short circuit presence command (short circuit abnormality signal) for notifying the detection of the abnormality to the second sub control unit 500.

  On the other hand, the second sub-control unit 500 performs display control of the effect image that causes the effect image display device 157 to display a bonus image that produces a bonus in accordance with the game control of the main control unit 300, and performs the game control. In response, the shutter 163 is operated by a bonus shutter operation. Then, the second sub control unit 500 stops the display of the bonus image on the effect image display device 157 when the bonus end command is input from the main control unit 300 via the first sub control unit 400, and the shutter. The bonus shutter operation at 163 is stopped.

  Thereafter, the second sub-control unit 500 has completed the bonus until a normal game start command indicating the start of the normal game is input from the main control unit 300 via the first sub-control unit 400. Is displayed on the effect image display device 157, and the shutter 163 operates the bonus end shutter operation. Then, when a normal game start command is input from the main control unit 300 via the first sub control unit 400, the second sub control unit 500 produces a normal game image accompanying the game control of the main control unit 300. The image is displayed on the image display device 157, and the shutter 163 is operated in a common game shutter operation as necessary in accordance with the game control.

  In addition, the second sub control unit 500 is connected to a speaker (one or a plurality of high-frequency speakers L272, high-frequency speakers R272, or low-frequency speakers 277) as the check sound is output from the first sub-control unit 400. When an abnormality is detected, a command with a short circuit indicating detection of an abnormality is input from the first sub-control unit 400 at the input timing of the reset signal to the CPU 404 in the first sub-control unit 400, and an effect image is generated accordingly. An abnormality notification image (trouble notification image) for notifying the detection of the abnormality is displayed on the display device 157. Thereafter, the trouble notification image is displayed together with the normal game image until the abnormality (trouble) of the speaker (one or more of the high-frequency speaker L272, high-frequency speaker R272, or low-frequency speaker 277) is resolved. Displayed on the device 157.

  <Abnormality notification in effect image display device 157>

  Next, the abnormality notification (trouble notification) of the detected speaker (one or more of the high-pitched speaker L272, the high-pitched speaker R272, or the low-pitched speaker 277) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14A is a time chart showing the timing of trouble notification of the detected speaker (one or more of the high-pitched speaker L272, the high-pitched speaker R272, or the low-pitched speaker 277). FIG. 14B is a block diagram schematically showing the first sub control unit 400 and the second sub control unit 500 for explaining the trouble notification. FIG. 14C is a plan view schematically showing a trouble notification example in the effect image display device 157.

  As shown in FIG. 14A, in the first sub-control unit 400, as described above, during the period in which the bonus end sound is output from the stop of the bonus sound to the output of the normal game sound, A check sound is output based on the check sound signal, and an abnormality is detected in the speaker (the high sound speaker L272, the high sound speaker R272, or the low sound speaker 277) (that is, a reset signal (short circuit signal) caused by a short circuit or the like indicating the abnormality). (Short-circuit signal monitoring for detection).

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 14B, when the reset signal is input from the amplifier 425 to the CPU 404, that is, when the short circuit signal is detected, the CPU 404 detects the speaker (the high-frequency speaker L272, the high-frequency speaker R272, or the low-frequency sound). When an abnormality (for example, a short circuit of the wiring) in the speaker 277) is detected and it is determined that the speaker abnormality is detected, the abnormality detection information (short-circuit abnormality signal) is notified so as to notify the second abnormality to the second sub-control unit 500. ) Is transmitted, and a command with short circuit (short circuit error signal) is transmitted. In the case of this embodiment, the CPU 404 stops the operation of the amplifier 425 for about 300 ms by the input of the reset signal.

  On the other hand, when the second sub-control unit 500 receives the short-circuiting command, the CPU 504 instructs the VDP 534 to display a trouble notification image for notifying the effect image display device 157 of the detection of the speaker abnormality (control). ) Based on the control from the CPU 504, the VDP 534 detects a trouble notification image corresponding to the detected abnormality (for example, a trouble notification image (abnormality notification image) indicating “speaker abnormality occurrence”) from the image data stored in the ROM 506. ), A trouble notification image is generated for each game image to be originally displayed using the work area of the VRAM 536, and settings for displaying the trouble notification image on the effect image display device 157 are performed. Thereby, the effect image display device 157 displays the trouble notification image for notifying the detected speaker abnormality as shown in FIG. 14C together with the normal game image or the like. Note that the trouble notification image is not limited to this, for example, an image for reporting an abnormal location (a speaker in which an abnormality has occurred) identified by the first sub-control unit 400 (in other words, a speaker in which an abnormality has occurred). For example, a notification image for identifying

  <Audio data>

  Here, the audio data (sound data) whose output is controlled by the first sub-control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15A is a data list showing sound data stored in the ROM 423 of the first sub-control unit 400. FIG. 15B is a schematic diagram for explaining the bonus end sound and the check sound. FIG. 15C is a graph for explaining overtones in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, sound data corresponding to game control is stored in a ROM 423, which is a sound ROM of the first sub-control unit 400, in association with a data ID (Identification). . Therefore, the sound CPU 418 acquires sound data corresponding to game control, check sound data, and the like from the ROM 423 under the control of the CPU 404.

  At this time, as the check sound that the sound output processing unit 416 outputs based on the control of the CPU 404, as shown in FIG. 15B, for example, among the bonus end sounds constituting one sound for 5s, During the last 1 s, the check sound area is configured to include a check frequency (that is, a frequency in a specific band), and the sound is mixed with the bonus end sound.

  As shown in FIG. 15 (c), the bonus end sound is obtained by converting a signal component of 30 kHz or more out of sound data including a pulse signal of about 30 KHz by the cut-off process by the filter 430 of the sound output processing unit 416 described above. It is removed (cut off), is composed of audio signal components in a so-called audible band (generally about 20 Hz to 20 kHz), and is output from each speaker 272, 272, 277. On the other hand, since the check sound includes a frequency in a specific band as described above, the check sound includes a signal component of about 30 kHz or more to be cut off by the filter 430. In the case of the present embodiment, the filter 430 intentionally generates a check pulse signal of about 30 KHz from the pulse signal of about 10 KHz generated in the switching output stage 427 by the overtone generation function, and the 30 kHz check pulse. A check sound based on a check sound signal as a signal (because it exceeds the audible band and cannot be heard by a player or the like) is output. For this reason, it may be possible to reduce the uncomfortable feeling given to the player or the like when the check sound is output (voice output).

  As described above, the slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment performs a lottery regarding a game and performs a game control according to the lottery result of the lottery (for example, the main control unit 300), and the game control. A game machine including an audio output control unit (for example, a first sub-control unit 400) that performs related audio output control, wherein the audio output control unit (for example, the first sub-control unit 400) A sound signal adjustment unit (for example, a sound CPU 418 and an amplifier 425) that performs settings for outputting a sound signal related to the sound and amplifies the set sound signal, and the sound signal adjustment unit (for example, an amplifier 425). The sound output processing unit 416 includes a filter circuit (for example, the filter 430) that attenuates the frequency in a specific band among the frequencies in the audio signal amplified by the control unit (). For example, a control circuit (for example, CPU 404) that controls the sound output processing unit 416 in relation to game control of the main control unit 300), and the audio output control unit (for example, the first sub control unit 400). ) Through the filter circuit (for example, the filter 430), and outputs sound based on the sound signal output by the sound output processing unit 416 in accordance with control by the control circuit (for example, the CPU 404). An output unit (for example, a high tone speaker L272, a high tone speaker R272, a low tone speaker 277) is provided, and the sound output processing unit 416 is abnormal in the sound output unit (for example, the high tone speaker L272, the high tone speaker R272, and the low tone speaker 277). (For example, a connection failure of a connector for connecting wiring, a disconnection (short circuit) of the wiring, or a failure of the speaker itself) The sound signal adjustment unit (for example, the amplifier 425) outputs a sound signal including the frequency in the specific band to the filter circuit (for example, the filter 430) in a state where a sound output abnormality has occurred. When the audio signal adjustment unit (for example, the amplifier 425) detects that a predetermined current or more has flown through the filter circuit (for example, the filter 430) due to the above, the audio signal adjustment unit (for example, the amplifier 425) Is provided with a protection function (for example, overcurrent protection function) for outputting a reset signal for stopping the flow of the current exceeding the predetermined value (for example, overcurrent) to the control circuit (for example, CPU 404), A control circuit (for example, the CPU 404) sends a check audio signal including the frequency in the specific band to the audio signal adjustment unit (for example, the amplifier 425). The signal (for example, a check sound signal) is controlled to be output to the filter circuit (for example, the filter 430) at a predetermined timing, and the reset signal is output from the sound signal adjustment unit (for example, the amplifier 425). Is input to the audio output unit (for example, high tone speaker L272, high tone speaker R272, low tone speaker 277) to detect an abnormality.

  According to the slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment, the protection function (for example, the overcurrent protection function) of the sound signal adjustment unit (for example, the amplifier 425) that is already provided in the sound output control unit (for example, the first sub-control unit 400). ) Can be used to detect abnormalities in the audio output unit (for example, the high tone speaker L272, the high tone speaker R272, and the low tone speaker 277).

  In other words, the audio signal adjustment unit (for example, the amplifier 425) is based on the control of the audio signal adjustment unit (for example, the sound CPU 418) by the control circuit (for example, the CPU 404), and the cutoff frequency (for example, the filter 430) ( A check audio signal (for example, a check sound signal) including a specific band frequency) is output to a filter circuit (for example, the filter 430) at a predetermined timing (that is, to the filter circuit (for example, the filter 430)). Is one of the conditions (for example, the second condition described above) for the protection function (for example, the overcurrent protection function) to work).

  At this time, when a current (for example, overcurrent) exceeding a predetermined value flows in the filter circuit (for example, filter 430), and the protection function (for example, overcurrent protection function) of the audio signal adjustment unit (for example, amplifier 425) is activated. In other words, in a situation where one of the conditions (for example, the second condition described above) for the protection function (for example, the overcurrent protection function) of the audio signal adjustment unit (for example, the amplifier 425) to work is reset, When a signal is input to a control circuit (for example, the CPU 404), other conditions (for example, the first condition described above) for the protection function (for example, the overcurrent protection function) to work are satisfied. .

  Therefore, according to the slot machine 100 of the present embodiment, when the other condition (for example, the above-described first condition) is satisfied, the audio output unit (for example, the high tone speaker L272, the high tone speaker R272, and the low tone speaker 277). Detecting that abnormalities (for example, poor connection of connectors for connecting wiring, disconnection of wiring (short circuit), or abnormal sound output such as failure of the speaker itself) have occurred Can do.

  Thus, it is possible to realize a gaming machine (for example, the slot machine 100) that can detect and notify an abnormal sound output at an early stage without increasing the number of devices by utilizing an existing device configuration.

  The sound output control unit (for example, the first sub-control unit 400) performs output control of a game sound (for example, a bonus end sound) according to the progress of the game, and the check sound signal (for example, for example, A check sound based on the check sound signal) may be mixed with the game sound (for example, bonus end sound) and output from the sound output unit (for example, the high sound speaker L272, the high sound speaker R272, and the low sound speaker 277). .

  With such a configuration, the sound output of the check sound is mixed with the game sound (for example, bonus end sound) to generate the sound output unit (for example, the high sound speaker L272, the high sound speaker R272, the low sound speaker). 277), it is possible to prevent the player from knowing that the abnormality has been detected, and the player can avoid the discomfort that can be given to the player by making only the check sound. There are advantages you can do.

  Further, the audio output unit (for example, the high tone speaker L272, the high tone speaker R272, and the low tone speaker 277) includes at least a high tone audio output unit (for example, the high tone speaker L272, the high tone speaker R272) and a low tone audio output unit (for example, the low tone speaker). The audio output control unit (for example, the first sub-control unit 400) is provided by the control circuit (for example, the CPU 404) and the audio output unit (for example, the high-frequency speaker L272, the high-frequency speaker). R272, bass speaker 277), when an abnormality is detected, an audio signal adjustment unit (eg, amplifier 425) corresponding to the audio output unit (eg, high tone speaker L272, high tone speaker R272, low tone speaker 277) in which the abnormality is detected. Output to the control circuit (for example, CPU 404) Based on the input of the set signal, the sound output unit (for example, the high-pitched speaker L272, the high-pitched speaker L272, the high-pitched speaker L272, the high-pitched speaker L277, the high-pitched speaker 277) detects the abnormality from the plurality of sound-output units Speaker R272, bass speaker 277) may be specified.

  With such a configuration, the plurality of audio output units (for example, the high tone speaker L272, the high tone speaker R272, and the low tone speaker 277) are provided corresponding to the audio signal adjustment unit (for example, the amplifier 425). And the control circuit (for example, the CPU 404) specifies the sound signal adjusting unit (for example, the amplifier 425) to which the reset signal is input, and then the plurality of sound output units (for example, the high-frequency speaker L272, the high-frequency sound) Since the sound output unit (for example, the high sound speaker L272, the high sound speaker R272, and the low sound speaker 277) that has detected the abnormality can be specified from the speaker R272 and the low sound speaker 277), the specified sound output unit (for example, the high sound speaker L272) is specified. , High sound speaker R272, low sound speaker 277) (example) If poor connection or connector for connecting the wiring, disconnection of wiring with respect to (short), or abnormal sound output such as a speaker itself failure), can be immediate attention (e.g., repair).

  The plurality of sound output units (for example, the high-pitched speaker L272, the high-pitched speaker R272, and the low-pitched speaker 277) may unify the sound output timings of the check sound to be output and output the check sound. Good.

  With such a configuration, in the operation of detecting an abnormality in the sound output unit (for example, the high tone speaker L272, the high tone speaker R272, and the low tone speaker 277) by outputting a check sound, the plurality of audio output units ( For example, for each of the high-pitched speaker L272, the high-pitched speaker R272, and the low-pitched speaker 277), the trouble that may occur when the abnormality is individually detected is obviated, and the operation of detecting the abnormality is further simplified. be able to.

  In addition, a display control unit (for example, the second sub-control unit 500) that performs display control of an effect image (for example, a normal game image) in relation to the game control, and the display control unit (for example, the second sub-control unit) 500), display means (for example, effect image display device 157) for displaying the effect image (for example, normal game image), and the display means (for example, effect image display device 157), When the control circuit (for example, the CPU 404) detects an abnormality in the audio output unit (for example, the high tone speaker L272, the high tone speaker R272, or the low tone speaker 277), a notification image (for example, a trouble notification image) that notifies the detection of the abnormality. ) May be displayed.

  With such a configuration, an abnormality notification in the sound output unit (for example, the high-pitched speaker L272, the high-pitched speaker R272, and the low-pitched speaker 277) detected by the control circuit (for example, the CPU 404) is detected as the notification image (for example, The trouble notification image) can be easily recognized.

  In addition, the notification image (for example, the trouble notification image) is transmitted from the voice output unit (for example, the high tone speaker L272, the high tone speaker R272, and the low tone speaker 277) in which the abnormality is detected to the plurality of audio output units (for example, the high tone speaker). L272, high tone speaker R272, and low tone speaker 277) may be displayed with the notification content specified.

  With such a configuration, the notification image (for example, the trouble notification image) is a notification content that specifies the sound output unit (for example, the high tone speaker L272, the high tone speaker R272, and the low tone speaker 277) in which the abnormality is detected. By being displayed, among the plurality of audio output units (for example, high tone speaker L272, high tone speaker R272, and low tone speaker 277), the audio output unit (for example, high tone speaker L272, high tone speaker that has detected the abnormality) is detected. R272, bass speaker 277) can be easily recognized, and an abnormality (for example, a connector for connecting wires) in the specified audio output unit (for example, high tone speaker L272, high tone speaker R272, low tone speaker 277) can be recognized. Connection failure, wiring disconnection (short circuit), or speaker Immediately respond to sound output abnormality) such as the body of a failure (e.g., repair) can be.

  The display means (for example, the effect image display device 157) may display the notification image (for example, the trouble notification image) together with the effect image (for example, the normal game image).

  With such a configuration, it is possible to easily and quickly recognize abnormality detection in the voice output unit (for example, the high-pitched speaker L272, the high-pitched speaker R272, and the low-pitched speaker 277) even during a game.

  Further, the display means (for example, the effect image display device 157), when the reset signal is not input from the audio signal adjustment unit (for example, the amplifier 425) to the control circuit (for example, the CPU 404), , Trouble notification image) may not be displayed.

  With such a configuration, the notification image (for example, the trouble notification image) can be displayed only when the reset signal is input to the control circuit (for example, the CPU 404). When an effect image (for example, a normal game image) related to game control is being displayed, a hindrance that may be caused by displaying the notification image (for example, a trouble notification image) can be minimized.

  <Other embodiments>

  As mentioned above, although the form for implementing this invention was demonstrated using embodiment mentioned above, this invention is not limited to such embodiment at all, and various deformation | transformation within the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. And substitutions can be added.

  Hereinafter, another embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16A is a schematic diagram for explaining the audio output control in the first sub-control unit 400. FIG. 16B is a schematic block diagram for explaining the sound output processing of the sound in the sound CPU 418 and the amplifier 425 in the sound output processing unit 416. FIG. 16C is a timing chart for explaining the sound output timing of the check sound.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 16A, in the basic circuit 402 of the first sub-control unit 400, a control command (sound CPU) for controlling the sound CPU 418 in the ROM 406 is provided. Command). And the sound CPU 418 may be controlled to output sound by the sound CPU command. At this time, it is preferable that the sound CPU command is composed of a control command for sequentially generating a check sound for each speaker (the high sound speaker L272, the high sound speaker R272, or the low sound speaker 277). As a result, as shown in FIGS. 16 (b) and 16 (c), the sound CPU 418 stores the corresponding audio content from the sound data stored in the ROM 423 in association with the data ID, based on the sound CPU command. Sound data (that is, check sound data) is acquired, and a check sound is output sequentially (for example, at intervals of 1 s) for each corresponding speaker (for example, the order of the high sound speaker L272, the high sound speaker R272, and the low sound speaker 277). ), And which speaker is abnormal may be detected from among a plurality of speakers (a high tone speaker L272, a high tone speaker R272, and a low tone speaker 277). In this case, if a short circuit signal is detected while a check sound is being output (output), a speaker that has output a check sound when the short circuit signal is detected (for example, a bass speaker 277). There is an advantage that is identified and detected as an abnormal part.

  The present invention can be used particularly in the field of game machines such as slot machines and pachinko machines.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Slot machine 110-112 Reel 135 Start lever 137-139 Stop button 143 Sound hole for high-pitched speakers 157 Production image display device (liquid crystal display device, display means)
180 Sound hole for bass speaker 272 Treble speaker L, treble speaker R (voice output unit)
277 Bass speaker (voice output unit)
300 Main control unit 400 First sub control unit (sound output control unit)
416 Sound output processing unit 418 sound CPU (audio signal adjustment unit)
423 ROM
425 Amplifier (Audio signal adjustment unit)
426 PWM conversion circuit 427 switching output stage 428a overcurrent protection circuit 430 filter (filter circuit)
500 Second sub-control unit (display control unit)

Claims (8)

A control unit for performing a lottery on a game and performing a game control according to a lottery result of the lottery;
An audio output control unit that performs audio output control related to the game control;
The audio output control unit
An audio signal adjustment unit configured to perform output for an audio signal related to the audio and amplifying the set audio signal;
A sound output processing unit comprising: a filter circuit that attenuates a frequency in a specific band among frequencies in the audio signal amplified by the audio signal adjustment unit;
A control circuit for controlling the sound output processing unit in relation to the game control of the control unit,
A voice output unit connected to the voice output control unit via the filter circuit and outputting a voice based on a voice signal output by the sound output processing unit according to control by the control circuit;
The sound output processing unit
When the audio output unit is in an abnormal state and the audio signal adjustment unit outputs an audio signal including the frequency in the specific band to the filter circuit, a predetermined value is supplied to the filter circuit. When the audio signal adjustment unit detects that the above current has flown, the audio signal adjustment unit has a protection function for outputting a reset signal to the control circuit to stop the current exceeding the predetermined value from flowing. Prepared,
The control circuit includes:
The audio signal adjustment unit is controlled to output a check audio signal including the frequency in the specific band to the filter circuit at a predetermined timing, and the reset signal is output from the audio signal adjustment unit. An abnormality of the audio output unit is detected by being input,
Amusement stand. The audio output control unit
While performing output control of the game sound according to the progress of the game,
The check sound based on the check sound signal is mixed with the game sound and output from the sound output unit,
The game table according to claim 1. A plurality of the sound output units are provided including at least a high sound output unit and a low sound output unit,
The audio output control unit
When the control circuit detects an abnormality in the audio output unit,
Based on the input of the reset signal output to the control circuit from the audio signal adjustment unit corresponding to the audio output unit in which the abnormality is detected, the abnormality is detected from the plurality of audio output units. It is characterized by specifying the detected voice output part,
The game table according to claim 1 or 2. The plurality of audio output units are:
Unifying the sound output timings of the check sounds to be output, and outputting the check sounds,
The game table according to claim 3. A display control unit that performs display control of the effect image in relation to the game control;
Display means for displaying the effect image based on the control of the display control unit,
The display means includes
When the control circuit detects an abnormality of the audio output unit, it displays a notification image for informing about the detection of the abnormality,
The game table according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The notification image is
The voice output unit in which the abnormality is detected is displayed with the notification content specified from the plurality of voice output units,
The game table according to claim 5. The display means includes
The notification image is displayed together with the effect image,
The game table according to claim 5 or 6. The display means includes
When the reset signal is not input from the audio signal adjustment unit to the control circuit, the notification image is not displayed.
The game table according to any one of claims 5 to 7.