JP2011244856A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine that inspects a component constituting the game machine in a shorter time than before.SOLUTION: The game machine includes a notification means for providing predetermined information, a notification control means for causing the notification means to provide the information, and an inspection processing means for executing first inspection processing on a predetermined game component mounted thereon. The notification control means is constituted to execute second inspection processing of the notification means. The notification control means indicates an inspection result during the second inspection processing, based on a notification command of the inspection result from the inspection processing means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game machine represented by a slot machine or a pachinko machine.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the field of gaming machines, various devices have been made to shorten the examination time in the examination before the gaming machine is shipped. For example, during the examination process of the first gaming parts, There has been proposed a game machine configured to prepare for inspection of parts (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-22598 A

  However, in the conventional game machine, when there are a plurality of inspections using the same device, it is difficult to perform the inspections at the same time, so there is a limit to shortening the inspection time.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a game machine that can shorten the inspection time of components constituting the game machine as compared with the conventional game machine. .

  According to the present invention, when a predetermined success / failure determination condition is satisfied, whether or not a determination is made and whether or not the result of the determination by the success / failure determination unit is a specific determination result, the player has a first advantage. Control state transition means for shifting the control state from the first control state that is the first advantage to the second control state that is the second advantage that is different from the first advantage. A game table, a notification means for performing predetermined notification, a notification control means for causing the notification means to perform notification, and an inspection processing means for executing a first inspection process for a predetermined game component mounted The notification control means is configured to be able to execute a second inspection process of the notification means, and the notification control means executes based on a notification instruction of an inspection result from the inspection processing means. Of the second inspection process A gaming table characterized by performing notification of the test result.

  The gaming machine according to the present invention can shorten the inspection time of the parts constituting the gaming machine than before.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the slot machine according to the present embodiment. 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 figure which expanded and showed the arrangement | sequence of the symbol given to each reel planarly. (B) It is the figure which showed the kind of winning combination (including an 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 circuit block diagram in which an inspection ROM is mounted instead of the game control ROM of the main control unit is shown. It is a figure showing an example of an inspection process of a slot machine. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a main control part main process (inspection). (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 reception interruption process of a 1st sub control part. (C) It is a flowchart of the timer interruption process of a 1st sub control part. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of command processing. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a test | inspection control process. (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 time chart which showed an example of the process in test | inspection. (A) It is the figure which showed an example of the sound data memorize | stored in sound source IC, and the processing content relevant to sound source IC. (B) It is the figure which divided | segmented the sound source IC into the several area | region, and showed the example which memorize | stores each checksum value previously. It is the time chart which showed the example which divides | segments the alerting | reporting process which concerns on a 2nd test | inspection process into a some process. It is the time chart which showed the example which shortens a 2nd test process.

Hereinafter, a gaming machine (for example, a ball game machine such as the slot machine 100 or a spinning game machine such as a slot machine) according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
<Overall configuration>

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment. 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.

  The sound hole 180 is a hole for outputting the sound of a speaker provided inside the slot machine 100 to the outside. The side lamps 144 provided on the left and right portions of the front door 102 are decorative lamps for exciting games. An effect device 160 is disposed above the front door 102, and a sound hole 143 is provided above the effect device 160. 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. It should be noted that the display device is not limited to a liquid crystal display device, but may be any display device capable of displaying various effect images and various game information. For example, a multi-segment display (7-segment display), a dot matrix display, an organic EL display, a plasma display , A reel (drum), or a display device including a projector and a screen. Further, the display screen has a rectangular shape and is configured so that the player can visually recognize the entire display screen. In the case of this embodiment, the display screen is rectangular, but may be square. In addition, a decorative object (not shown) may be provided on the periphery of the display screen, and a part of the peripheral edge of the display screen may be hidden by the decorative object, so that the display screen looks irregular. In the present embodiment, the display screen is a flat surface, but may be a curved surface.

  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 containing a 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 lower surface plate 264 is provided with a medal payout device 180 (device for paying out medals accumulated in a bucket), and has a power supply board above the medal payout device 180, 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 arranged on the right side of the medal payout device 180, and an overflow terminal is arranged 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. An upper speaker 272 is provided. 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 sound hole 180.
<Control unit>

  Next, the circuit configuration 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. Game control ROM 306 for storing position, RAM 308 for temporarily storing data, I / O 310 for controlling input / output of various devices, and counter for measuring time, frequency, etc. A timer 312 and a WDT (watchdog timer) 314 are mounted. It should be noted that other storage devices may be used for the game control ROM 306 and 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 period output from the crystal oscillator 314 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 game control ROM 306 to the counter timer 312. The counter timer 312 is based on the received frequency division data. An interrupt time is determined, and an interrupt request is transmitted to the CPU 304 at each 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 314 is set to 8 MHz, the division value of the counter timer 312 is set to 1/256, and the division data of the game control 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, checkout button 134 sensor, medal payout sensor for medals paid out from the medal payout device 180, 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 each of the medal insertion buttons 130 to 132, and the medals stored electronically in the RAM 308 are inserted as inserted medals into the game. Detecting the input operation when 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 180. 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 180. A drive circuit 326 for driving the motor, various lamps 338 (a winning line display lamp 120, a notification lamp 123, a game medal insertion possible 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 includes a basic circuit 402 that receives a control command transmitted from the main control unit 300 via an input interface and controls the entire first sub-control unit 400 based on the control command. The basic circuit 402 includes a CPU 404, a RAM 408 for temporarily storing data, an I / O 410 for controlling input / output of various devices, and a counter timer 412 for measuring time and frequency. It is installed. 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.

  The first sub-control unit 400 is provided with a sound source IC 418, and the sound source IC 418 is provided with speakers 272 and 277 via an output interface. The sound source IC 418 controls sound output from the amplifiers and speakers 272 and 277 in accordance with a command from the CPU 404. The sound source IC 418 is connected to an S-ROM (sound ROM) in which audio data is stored. The audio data acquired from the ROM is amplified by an amplifier and output from the speakers 272 and 277.

  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 provided to the drive circuit 422 via an input / output interface. It is connected.

  In addition, the CPU 404 transmits and receives signals to the second sub control unit 500 via the output interface. Second sub-control unit 500 performs various controls of effect device 160 including display control of effect image display device 157. 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 404 at 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.
<Reel>

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

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. “Regular Bonus (RB)” is a special combination (operating combination) that starts a regular bonus game (RB game) upon 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 that has been internally won for 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 inserted medals, and is compared with the normal game. The gaming 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>

The main process of the main control unit 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 the activation signal is input starts reset by a reset interrupt, and when the game control unit ROM 306 is mounted on the main control unit 300, a control program stored in advance in the game control unit ROM 306 The main control unit main process is executed according to

  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 prohibition, 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 S104.

  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 S106, reel stop data is selected based on the internal lottery result.

In step S111, 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 picture 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. Thus, one game is completed. Thereafter, returning to step S103 and repeating the above-described processing, the game proceeds.
<Main controller 300 timer interrupt processing>

  The 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 stop processing of the reels 110 to 112, a payout number command accompanying the medal payout processing, a payout end command, a command indicating a gaming state, 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, an external output signal setting process is performed. In this external output signal setting process, game information stored in the RAM 308 is output to an information input circuit 652 separate from the slot machine 100 via the information output circuit 334.

  In step S209, 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 / 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 338, 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 main process of the main control unit shown in FIG.

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 process of the main control unit shown in FIG.
<Inspection ROM>

  FIG. 7 shows a circuit block diagram in which an inspection ROM 307 is mounted in place of the game control ROM 306 of the main control unit 300 described above.

In the slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment, either the game control ROM 306 or the inspection ROM 307 can be mounted as the ROM of the main control unit 300. When the game control ROM 306 is mounted as the ROM of the main control unit 300, the main control unit 300 performs the main control unit main process shown in FIG. 5 and the main control unit timer interrupt process shown in FIG. When the inspection ROM 307 is mounted as the ROM of the main control unit 300, the main control unit 300 is configured to perform various processes based on the main control unit main process (inspection) described later. Yes. The configuration of the main control unit 300 other than the ROM, the configuration of the first sub-control unit 400 and the second sub-control unit 500, and various processes in each control unit are independent of the ROM type of the main control unit 300. They are common (details will be described later).
<Inspection process>

  Next, an example of inspection performed by the slot machine 100 equipped with the inspection ROM 307 will be described with reference to FIG. The figure shows an example of the inspection process of the slot machine 100. FIG.

  Process No. in this inspection process table indicates the order of inspection, and in this example, inspection is performed from process No0 to process No33 in ascending order of numerical values of process No. The process display indicates an apparatus that displays the information when there is information to be confirmed in the inspection, and the inspection item indicates an outline of the inspection content of each process. The operation indicates an operation performed by the inspector in each process, and the operation indicates an operation of the slot machine 100 when each operation is performed.

For example, in the process No 0, a ROM checksum and a RAM read / write check are performed. More specifically, when the power of the slot machine 100 is turned on, the sound source IC (S-ROM) 418 or the like The check sum of the ROM 406 and the ROM 506 is checked, and the read / write check of the RAM 308, RAM 408, and RAM 508 is performed. Further, in the process No. 10, the bet button (MAX bet button) 132 is inspected. More specifically, after displaying the numerical value 10 indicating the current process No. on the payout number display device 127, the bet button ( When the (MAX bet button) 132 is pressed, a confirmation sound is output from the speakers 272 and 277 via the sound source IC (S-ROM) 418.
<Main control section main processing (inspection)>

  Next, the main control unit main process (inspection) executed by the main control unit 300 equipped with the inspection ROM 307 will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the figure is a flowchart which shows the flow of a main control part main process (inspection).

  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 is input starts reset by a reset interrupt, and when the inspection ROM 307 is mounted in the main control unit 300, the inspection control stored in the inspection ROM 307 in advance. The main control unit main process (inspection) is executed according to the program.

  In step S301, initialization is performed. In this initial setting, for example, a process of initializing the variable N indicating the process number stored in the RAM 308 to 0 is performed.

  In step S302, an initial inspection command is transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400. When the first sub-control unit 400 receives the command, the first sub-control unit 400 performs a check sum check of the sound source IC (S-ROM) 418 and the ROM 406, a write read check of the RAM 408, and the second sub-control unit 400. An initial inspection command is transmitted to the control unit 500 to cause the second sub-control unit 500 to perform checks such as a checksum check in the ROM 506 and a write / read check in the RAM 508.

  In step S303, 1 is added to the variable N indicating the process No., and in step S304, the process display, inspection item, operation, and operation information shown in the above-described inspection process table are updated in step N. Update to information corresponding to. For example, in the example of the process No. 10 described above, the numerical value 10 indicating the current process No. is displayed on the payout number display unit 127.

  In step S305, it is determined whether an operation of the process corresponding to the variable N is detected. For example, in the example of the process No. 10 described above, it is determined whether or not an operation of the bet button (MAX bet button) 132 has been accepted. In step S305, operation detection processing is executed until an operation in the process corresponding to the variable N is received. If an operation is detected, the process proceeds to step S306.

  In step S306, the operation corresponding to the variable N is performed. For example, in the example of the process No. 10 described above, the LED of the bet button (MAX bet button) 132 is turned on. In step S307, a command related to the inspection process N is transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400. For example, when the inspection process N is an inspection process that outputs a confirmation sound, an inspection sound output command command is transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400 in order to output confirmation sounds from the speakers 272 and 277. When the first sub-control unit 400 receives the command, the first sub-control unit 400 controls the sound source IC (S-ROM) 418 and outputs confirmation sounds from the speakers 272 and 277.

  In step S308, it is determined whether or not the condition for shifting to the next inspection is satisfied, and if applicable, the process proceeds to step S309. For example, in the process No. 20 of the above-described inspection process table, the operation detection process is executed until the bet button (MAX bet button) 132 accepts the pressing operation. If the operation is detected, the process proceeds to step S309. In the example of the above-described process No. 10, the test sound output command command is transmitted to the first sub control unit 400, and then the process proceeds to step S 309. In the example of process No. 27, after transmitting a shutter close command command (command for closing the shutter (shielding device) 163) to the first sub-control unit 400, the process proceeds to step S309. In the example of process No. 28, After transmitting a shutter opening command command (a command for opening the shutter (shielding device) 163) to the first sub-control unit 400, the process proceeds to step S309.

In step S309, it is determined whether or not all the processes in the inspection process table are completed (in this embodiment, whether or not the variable N is 33 or more). If all the processes are completed, the process proceeds to step S310. If the process has not been completed, the process returns to step S303. In step S310, an inspection end command is transmitted to the first sub control unit 400. When the first sub control unit 400 receives the command, the first sub control unit 400 outputs a sound indicating the end of the inspection from the speakers 272 and 277.
<Processing of First Sub-Control Unit 400>

  The process of the 1st sub control part 400 is demonstrated using FIG. 2A is a flowchart of the main process executed by the CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400, and FIG. 2B is a flowchart of the command reception interrupt process of the first sub control unit 400. FIG. 4C is a flowchart of the timer interrupt process of the first sub control unit 400.

  When the power is turned on, an initialization process is first executed in step S401. 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 S403, 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 S405.

  In step S405, 0 is assigned to the timer variable. In step S407, command processing is performed. Although details will be described later, in this command processing, the CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400 determines whether or not a command is received from the main control unit 300.

  In step S408, it is determined whether the inspection mode flag provided in the RAM 408 is off or on. If the inspection mode flag is off, the processing of steps S409 to S415 is performed. If the inspection mode flag is off, the process proceeds to step S417. After proceeding to the inspection control process (details will be described later), the process ends.

  In step S409, effect control processing is performed. For example, if there is a new command in step S407, 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 S411, sound control processing is performed based on the processing result of step S409. For example, if there is a command to the sound source IC 418 in the effect data read in step S409, this command is output to the sound source IC 418.

  In step S413, lamp control processing is performed based on the processing result of step S409. For example, if there is a command to the various lamps 420 in the effect data read in step S409, this command is output to the drive circuit 422.

  In step S415, an information output process for performing setting to transmit a control command to the second sub-control unit 500 based on the processing result in step S409 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 in step S409, the control command is set to be output, and the process returns to step S403.

  Next, the command reception interrupt process of the first sub-control unit 400 will be described using 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 S501 of the command reception interrupt process, the command output from the main control unit 300 is stored as an unprocessed command in a command storage area provided in the RAM 408.

  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 S601, 1 is added to the value of the timer variable storage area of the RAM 408 described in step S403 in the first sub-control unit main process shown in FIG. Therefore, in step S403, the value of the timer variable is determined to be 10 or more every 20 ms (2 ms × 10). In step S603, transmission of a control command to the second sub-control unit 500 set in step S415, an effect random number update process, and the like are performed.
<Command processing>

  Next, command processing in the first sub control unit main processing will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of command processing.

  In step S701, it is determined whether or not the above-described initial inspection command has been received. If not, the process proceeds to step S705, and if applicable, the process proceeds to step S702 to set the inspection mode flag to ON. Thus, the inspection control process (step S417) is executed in the first sub control unit main process.

  In step S703, it is determined whether or not an inspection command (the above-described inspection sound output command command, shutter close command command, shutter open command command, etc.) has been received. If not, the process is terminated. Advances to step S703.

In step S703, inspection end command information corresponding to the inspection command received in step S705 is stored in the RAM 408. As an example of the command information at the end of the inspection, for example, in the case of the above-described shutter closing command command, it indicates that a confirmation sound is output since a confirmation sound is output after the shutter (shielding device) 163 is closed. In the case of the confirmation sound output command information and the command for instructing the inspection of the bass speaker in step No. 33, the end sound “inspection OK” is output at the end. Can be mentioned. In step S704, the process ends after the inspection command reception flag is set to ON.
<Inspection control process>

  Next, the inspection control process in the first sub control unit main process will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a flowchart showing the flow of inspection control processing.

  In step S801, it is determined whether the inspection command reception flag is on or off. If the inspection command reception flag is on, the process proceeds to step S802. If the inspection command reception flag is off, the process proceeds to step S805.

  In step S802, processing based on the received inspection command is started. For example, when a shutter close command is received, an operation to close the shutter (shielding device) 163 is started. When a shutter open command command is received, an operation to open the shutter (shielding device) 163 is started. If an inspection sound output command command is received, no processing is performed in step S802. In step S803, the inspection command reception flag is set to OFF, and in step S804, the inspection continuation flag is set to ON.

  In step S805, it is determined whether the inspection continuation flag is on or off. If it is on, the process proceeds to step S806, and if it is off, the process ends. In step S806, it is determined whether or not any of the inspection end conditions is satisfied. If satisfied, the process proceeds to step S807, and if not satisfied, the process ends. Whether or not any of the inspection end conditions is satisfied is satisfied when the sensor detects that the shutter (shielding device) 163 is completely closed, for example, when a shutter close command is received. When the shutter open command command is received, the shutter (shielding device) 163 is satisfied when the sensor detects that the shutter (shielding device) 163 is completely opened. Further, when an inspection sound output command command is transmitted, the inspection end condition is satisfied unconditionally.

  In step S807, command information at the time of test end corresponding to the test that satisfies the test end condition in step S806 is acquired from the RAM 408. For example, the confirmation sound output command information is acquired in the case of the shutter close command described above, and the end sound output command information is acquired in the case of the command for instructing the inspection of the bass speaker described above.

  In step S808, it is determined whether or not there is an ongoing examination other than the examination that satisfies the examination end condition in step S806. If there is an ongoing examination, the process proceeds to step S809, and there is no ongoing examination. In that case, the process proceeds to step S811.

  In step S809, an inspection notification process is performed based on the inspection end command information acquired in step S807. For example, when the confirmation sound output command information is acquired, a confirmation sound indicating the end of the inspection process is output from the speakers 272 and 277, and when the end sound output command information is acquired, all the inspection processes are completed. Is output from the speakers 272, 277. In step S810, the process is terminated after the inspection continuation flag is set to OFF.

  In step S811 (executed when another inspection is ongoing), it is determined whether or not the other inspection needs to be interrupted, and if there is no need to interrupt, the process proceeds to step S812 to execute another inspection. If it is necessary to interrupt, the process proceeds to step S813. For example, in the case of performing an inspection to turn on / off various lamps 420 during the inspection of the sound source IC (S-ROM) 418, it is not necessary to interrupt the inspection of the sound source IC (S-ROM) 418. Proceed to step S812. On the other hand, when the confirmation sound output command information and the end sound output command information are acquired during the inspection of the sound source IC (S-ROM) 418, the sound source IC (S-ROM) 418 is controlled from the speakers 272 and 277. Since it is necessary to output sound and the inspection of the sound source IC (S-ROM) 418 needs to be interrupted, the process proceeds to step S813.

  In step S812, similarly to step S809, an inspection notification process is performed based on the command information at the end of inspection acquired in step S807.

  In step S813, the corresponding other inspection (in the previous example, the inspection of the sound source IC (S-ROM) 418) is interrupted. In step S813, a process for temporarily saving information on the inspection to be interrupted to the RAM 408 or a register is also performed.

  In step S814, based on the inspection end command information acquired in step S807, an inspection notification process (in the previous example, a confirmation sound indicating the end of the inspection process or an end voice indicating that the inspection process is complete “inspection OK”. Is output from the speakers 272 and 277).

In step S815, another inspection (in the previous example, inspection of the sound source IC (S-ROM) 418) resumed in step S813 is resumed. Note that the resumption timing of step S815 is when a predetermined time has elapsed since the interruption of step S813, when a control command notifying that the display on the effect image display device is completed from the second sub-control unit 500, or the like. Can be mentioned. In step S815, processing for restoring the information related to the examination saved in step S813 from the RAM 408, a register, or the like is also performed.
<Processing of Second Sub-Control Unit 500>

  The process of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. 2A is a flowchart of the main process executed by the CPU 504 of the second sub control unit 500, and FIG. 2B is a flowchart of the command reception interrupt process of the second sub control unit 500. . FIG. 6C is a flowchart of the timer interrupt process of the second sub control unit 500, and FIG. 4D is a flowchart of the image control process of the second sub control unit 500.

  When the power is turned on, an initialization process is first executed in step S1101. In this initialization process, input / output port initialization, storage area initialization in the RAM 508, and the like are performed.

  In step S1103, 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 SF05. In step S1105, 0 is assigned to the timer variable.

  In step S1107, command processing is performed. In the command processing, the CPU 504 of the second sub control unit 500 determines whether a command is received from the CPU 404 of the first sub control unit 400.

  In step S1109, effect control processing is performed. For example, if there is a new command in step S1107, 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 S1111, shutter control processing is performed based on the processing result in step S1109. For example, if there is a shutter control command in the effect data read in step S1109, shutter control corresponding to this command is performed.

  In step S1113, image control processing is performed based on the processing result in step S1109. For example, if there is an image control command in the effect data read in step S1109, image control corresponding to this command is performed (details will be described later), and the process returns to step S1103.

  Next, the command reception interrupt process 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 S1201 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 S1301, 1 is added to the value of the timer variable storage area of the RAM 508 described in step S1103 in the second sub-control unit main process, and the result is stored in the original timer variable storage area. Therefore, in step S1103, the value of the timer variable is determined to be 10 or more every 20 ms (2 ms × 10). In step S1303, an effect random number update process is performed.

  Next, the image control process of step S1113 in the main process of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of image control processing.

  In step S1401, an instruction to transfer image data 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 534 outputs a transfer end interrupt signal to the CPU 504.

  In step S1403, it is determined whether or not a transfer end interrupt signal from the VDP 534 is input. If a transfer end interrupt signal is input, the process proceeds to step S1405. If not, a transfer end interrupt signal is input. Wait for it. In step S1405, 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 S1401, the CPU 504 sets information on the image data (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 S1407, 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 S1409, it is determined whether or not the generation end interrupt signal from the VDP 534 based on the end of image drawing is input. If the generation end interrupt signal is input, the process proceeds to step S1411. If not, the generation end interrupt signal is determined. Wait for input. In step S1411, a scene display counter that is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 508 and counts how many scene images are generated is incremented (+1), and the process ends.

  <Example of inspection>

  Next, an example of inspection in the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is a time chart showing processing during inspection.

  Process No. in the above inspection process chart. 0 check (ROM checksum and RAM write / read check) and process no. Consider an example of performing inspection 1 (setting key ON / OFF). As the first inspection process start command shown in FIG. When an operation corresponding to 0 (in this example, turning on the power of the slot machine 100) is performed, the main control unit 300 executes main control unit main processing (inspection). Subsequently, in step S302, the main control unit 300 transmits an initial inspection command to the sub-control unit 400 (command transmission related to the first inspection process shown in FIG. 5B).

  If the sub-control unit 400 determines that the initial inspection command has been received in step S701 of the command processing, the sub-control unit 400 sets the inspection mode flag to ON in step S702 (command related to the first inspection processing shown in FIG. 10C). Received). Subsequently, in step S802 of the inspection control process, the sub control unit 400 starts a process based on the received initial inspection command (first inspection process shown in FIG. 4D). In this example, the sub control unit 400 confirms the checksum of the sound source IC (S-ROM) 418 as the first inspection process. Subsequently, the first sub-control unit 400 waits for satisfaction of the condition for completion of the inspection in step S806.

  On the other hand, the main control unit 300 performs the inspection process No. in steps S303 and S304. 0 to Process No. 1 and the process no. Each process display, inspection item, operation, and operation information corresponding to 1 is updated.

  Subsequently, the main control unit 300 performs process No. The operation waits for the operation corresponding to 1 (in this example, an operation to turn on the setting key) is detected (second inspection process shown in FIG. 11H). When the setting key ON operation is detected during the checksum of the sound source IC (S-ROM) 418 by 400 (second inspection processing start command shown in FIG. 5E), the subsequent processing is performed. Specifically, the main control unit 300 determines the process No. in step S306. 1 (in this example, a numerical value 1 indicating the current process No. is displayed on the payout number display unit 127 and a setting value is displayed on a setting value display (not shown)). 1 (setting key confirmation command) is transmitted to the first sub-control unit 400 (command transmission related to the second inspection process shown in FIG. 5F).

If the first sub-control unit 400 determines in step S705 of the command processing that the inspection command (setting key confirmation command) has been received (command reception related to the first inspection processing shown in FIG. 5G), the first inspection control unit 400 In step S806 of the control process, it is determined that the conditions for the end of the inspection are satisfied, and the processes after step S807 are executed. Specifically, in step S808, it is determined whether or not another inspection is ongoing. Since the 0 check (confirmation of the checksum of the sound source IC (S-ROM) 418) is being continued, the process proceeds to step S811. Subsequently, in step S811, it is determined whether or not another inspection needs to be interrupted. In this example, the sound source IC (S-ROM) 418 is controlled to output confirmation sounds from the speakers 272 and 277. Since it is necessary to interrupt other inspections in order to proceed, the process proceeds to step S813. Subsequently, in step S813, the corresponding other inspection (first inspection process) is interrupted, and in step S814, the sound source IC (S-ROM) 418 is controlled based on the setting key confirmation command, and the speaker 272, A confirmation sound is output from 277, and the interrupted inspection (first inspection processing) is resumed in step S815. Thereafter, when there is an instruction for the second inspection process during the first inspection process and it is necessary to interrupt the first inspection process for the second inspection process, the first inspection process is interrupted and the second inspection process is performed. An inspection process is performed, and the first inspection process is resumed after the second inspection process is completed.
<Modification 1>

  Next, a slot machine according to Modification 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15A is a diagram showing an example of sound data stored in the sound source IC 418 and processing contents related to the sound source IC 418. FIG. 6B shows an example in which the sound source IC 418 is divided into a plurality of areas and each checksum value is stored in advance.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5A, the test confirmation sound data is stored at addresses 0000h to 0FFFh in the storage area of the sound source IC 418, the game sound data 1 is stored at addresses 1000h to 1FFFh, and the games are stored at addresses 2000h to 3FFFh. The sound data 2 is stored.

  In addition, when the first sub-control unit 400 receives a checksum confirmation command of the sound source IC 418 from the main control unit 300, the sound data for inspection confirmation → game sound data 1 → game sound data 2 in this order. The checksum is confirmed, and when the checksum confirmation of the first inspection confirmation sound data is completed, a completion flag indicating that the inspection confirmation sound check is completed is set to ON. Then, when a command to output a confirmation sound is received from the main control unit 300 during confirmation of the checksum of the inspection confirmation sound data (when the completion flag is OFF), error processing for notifying abnormality is performed, and inspection is performed. If a command to output a confirmation sound is received from the main control unit 300 after confirming the checksum of the confirmation sound data (when the completion flag is on), data other than the inspection confirmation sound data (for example, for gaming After the checksum confirmation of the sound data 1 and the game sound data 2) is interrupted and a confirmation sound is output, the checksum confirmation is resumed. With such a configuration, if there is an abnormality in the inspection confirmation sound data, it is possible to quickly notify that fact, and if there is no abnormality in the inspection confirmation sound data, the confirmation sound Can be output early.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5B, the checksum value 1 of data stored in addresses 0000h to 0FFFh of the storage area of the sound source IC 418, the checksum value 2 of data stored in addresses 1000h to 1FFFh, and the addresses 2000h to 3FFFh The checksum value 3 of the data to be stored is stored in advance in the RAM or ROM of the main control unit 300 or the first sub control unit 400.

  For example, when the test confirmation sound data is stored in the storage area of the addresses 1000h to 1FFFh, and a command to output the confirmation sound is received from the main control unit 300 during the checksum of the addresses 1000h to 1FFFh. Compares the checksum of the addresses 1000h to 1FFFh with the checksum binary value stored in advance, and if the checksum value matches, outputs a confirmation sound using the sound data for inspection confirmation, and the checksum value matches If not, error processing for notifying abnormality is performed, or the sound is output using the game sound data stored in the storage area of addresses 0000h to 0FFFh where the checksum confirmation has been completed. ing. With such a configuration, when there is an abnormality in the sound data for inspection confirmation, it is possible to promptly notify that fact, and notify the completion of the inspection with another sound instead of the confirmation sound. be able to.

  In this example, the sound source IC (S-ROM) is taken as an example. However, the same processing is performed in a ROM (for example, the ROM 406 of the first sub-control unit 400, the ROM 506 of the second sub-control unit 500) or the RAM. (For example, the RAM 408 of the first sub-control unit 400, the RAM 508 of the second sub-control unit 500, and the VRAM 536) may be applied.

  As described above, the slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment is configured to determine whether or not to perform the determination when the predetermined determination condition is satisfied (for example, when the start lever 135 is operated) (for example, the above step). In the case where the result of the success / failure determination by the success / failure determination means is a specific success / failure determination result (for example, internal winning of BB), the advantage to the player is the first advantage. Control state transition means for shifting the control state from one control state (for example, normal game) to a second control state (for example, BB game) that is a second advantage that is different from the first advantage. (For example, the game state control process in step S121), and a notification means (for example, a sound source IC 418, speakers 272, 277) for performing a predetermined notification. The first inspection process (for example, a setting key) for notification control means (for example, the CPU 404 of the first sub-control unit 400) for causing the notification means to perform notification, for example. Inspection processing means (for example, the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300) for executing setting key ON confirmation processing, and the notification control means performs second inspection processing (for example, checksum of the notification means). The notification control means is configured to notify the inspection result between the second inspection processes being executed (based on the inspection result notification instruction from the inspection processing means). For example, it is a gaming machine characterized in that a confirmation sound is output.

  According to the slot machine 100 according to the present embodiment, it may be possible to shorten the inspection time of the parts constituting the game table as compared with the conventional case.

  In addition, an operation unit (for example, a setting key) that can be operated by the player, and an operation detection signal output hand (for example, various sensors 318) that outputs an operation detection signal when the operation unit is operated are provided. The predetermined game component includes one of the operation unit and the operation detection signal output means, and the first inspection process by the inspection processing means is performed at a predetermined time by the operation detection signal output means. The test result notification command may be output to the notification control means on condition that the signal output by is input.

  With such a configuration, it may be possible to reduce the inspection time because the inspection means is inspected while the operation section-related inspection requiring an inspection operation by a time-consuming inspector is being performed. is there.

  In addition, the storage unit stores information necessary for the notification (for example, inspection confirmation sound data and game sound data), and the notification unit operates as an effect unit that produces a game during the game operation. The notification control means may be configured to execute an inspection (for example, checksum confirmation) as to whether information can be stored in the storage means, as the second inspection processing.

  With such a configuration, the storage means has a large capacity and takes a long time for inspection for various productions. However, since the inspection proceeds between the inspection results of the game parts, the time for the entire inspection is greatly increased. May be shortened.

  Moreover, it is comprised so that the information required for alerting | reporting the said test result may be memorize | stored in the said 1st area | region of the 1st area | region of the said memory | storage means and a 2nd area | region, The said alerting | reporting control means is a said 2nd area | region. As the inspection process, after performing an inspection as to whether information can be stored for the first area of the storage means, an inspection is performed as to whether information can be stored for the second area. You may comprise as follows.

  With such a configuration, in the case of a ROM, when the inspection result is not notified immediately after the start of the inspection, one of the gaming parts and the informing means can be quickly and clearly notified to the inspector. There is. Further, in the case of a RAM, by configuring the first area to be inspected before the first inspection result, the inspection result is notified using the normal area of the RAM, so that the game component The test results may be clearly communicated to the inspector.

  In addition, when it is determined that the notification unit is abnormal as a result of the second inspection process (for example, when a checksum result indicates abnormality), the notification control unit is configured to perform the inspection process. Even if there is a test result notification command from the means, the test result may not be notified.

  With such a configuration, it may be clearly communicated to the inspector that one of the gaming parts and the notification means is abnormal.

  Note that the gaming machine according to the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in the above embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the notification process related to the second inspection process in FIG. It may be configured to divide into a plurality of processes (in this example, two processes of notification command processing and notification) and to execute some of the processes in parallel with the first inspection process. With such a configuration, the interruption time of the first inspection process can be shortened, and therefore the time of the entire inspection may be significantly shortened.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, even if the second inspection process itself in FIG. 14 (i) is shortened (for example, the confirmation sound output time is shortened), the interruption time of the first inspection process is shortened. In some cases, the entire inspection time can be greatly shortened.

  In addition, the type of confirmation sound when the first inspection process is interrupted (for example, a short sound) and the type of confirmation sound when the first inspection process is not interrupted (for example, a long sound) may be different. With such a configuration, when the first inspection process is interrupted, the entire inspection time can be significantly shortened, and when the first inspection process is not interrupted, the confirmation sound can be heard more reliably. .

  Further, when a predetermined operation is performed during the notification process related to the second inspection process, the fact that the operation has been performed can be stored, and the process based on the operation immediately after the notification process related to the second inspection process is configured. May be performed. With such a configuration, the processing based on the operation can be started quickly, and thus the time for the entire inspection may be significantly shortened.

  Also, when the first inspection is interrupted by the second inspection processing (for example, confirmation sound output) (for example, confirmation of the checksum of the sound source IC) and when the first inspection is not interrupted (for example, opening and closing of the shutter). You may comprise so that can be discriminate | determined. With such a configuration, there are cases where the entire inspection time can be significantly shortened by starting the second inspection process when the first inspection is not interrupted.

  In addition, the game stand according to the present invention is provided with “a plurality of reels provided with a plurality of types of symbols, a start lever for starting the rotation of the reels, and a reel corresponding to each reel. A stop button for individually stopping the reel, lottery means for determining whether or not the internal winning of a predetermined role is determined by lottery, and a reel for stopping the reel based on the determination result of the lottery means and operation of the stop button Stop control means, and is configured to win the winning combination when the combination of symbols displayed by the reel at the time of stopping is a predetermined symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination internally Although it is suitable for the “slot machine”, it is not limited to the structure of the slot machine as shown in the above embodiment.

  Therefore, for example, in the above embodiment, an example of a slot machine using medals (coins) as a game medium has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a game ball (for example, a pachinko ball) The present invention can also be applied to slot machines (so-called parrots), pachinko gaming machines, and the like that use as a game medium.

  Here, the pachinko gaming machine to which the present invention is applied includes a variable display device that has a movable body such as a reel (rotating body) and displays a predetermined pattern (identification information) in a variable manner, and a game ball at the start winning opening An example is a pachinko gaming machine in which a variable display device displays a stop after a symbol is changed, and notifies a transition of a gaming state, triggered by winning a prize.

  In such a pachinko gaming machine, when a game ball enters the start winning opening, a lottery is performed and it is determined whether or not the lottery result is a win. When winning the jackpot in this lottery, the variable display device displays a combination (a jackpot symbol; for example, 777) based on a specific symbol and shifts to a jackpot state. In the big hit state, for example, the big prize opening is kept open for a predetermined time or a predetermined number of times, so that the game ball is easy to enter and a state advantageous to the player is realized. In addition, if the combination of a specific symbol (hit jackpot symbol) is a jackpot symbol (probability variation symbol) with probability fluctuation, the probability of the next jackpot will be higher, and a more advantageous state for the player will be realized .

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

  The gaming machine according to the present invention can be applied to gaming machines represented by slot machines and gaming machines (such as pachinko machines).

100 slot machine 163 shutter 300 main control unit 306 game control ROM
307 ROM for inspection
308 RAM
400 First sub-control unit 406 ROM
408 RAM
418 Sound source IC (S-ROM)
500 Second sub-control unit 506 ROM
508 RAM

Claims (5)

A go / no-go judging means for making a go / no-go judgment when a predetermined go / no-go judgment condition is satisfied;
When the result of the success / failure determination by the success / failure determination means is a specific success / failure determination result, the advantage is different from the first advantage from the first control state in which the advantage to the player is the first advantage. A game table comprising control state transition means for shifting the control state to the second control state which is the second advantage,
A notification means for performing predetermined notification;
Notification control means for informing the notification means;
An inspection processing means for executing a first inspection processing for a predetermined gaming component mounted,
The notification control means is configured to be able to execute a second inspection process of the notification means,
The game table characterized in that the notification control means notifies the inspection result between the second inspection processes being executed based on an inspection result notification instruction from the inspection processing means. In claim 1,
An operation unit that can be operated by a player;
Operation detection signal output means for outputting an operation detection signal when the operation unit is operated,
The predetermined game component includes one of the operation unit and the operation detection signal output means,
The first inspection process by the inspection processing unit outputs the inspection result notification command to the notification control unit on condition that the signal output from the operation detection signal output unit is input at a predetermined time. A game table that features In claim 1 or 2,
Comprising storage means for storing information necessary for the notification,
The informing means operates as a directing means for producing a game during the game operation,
The game table characterized in that the notification control means performs an inspection as to whether information can be stored in the storage means as the second inspection processing. In claim 3,
The storage means is configured to store information necessary for reporting the inspection result in the first area of the first area and the second area.
The notification control means stores information about the second area after performing an inspection as to whether or not information can be stored for the first area of the storage means as the second inspection process. A game machine characterized by performing an inspection of whether or not it is possible. In any one of Claims 1-4,
If it is determined that there is an abnormality in the notification means as a result of the second inspection process, the notification control means, even if there is an inspection result notification instruction from the inspection processing means, A gaming machine characterized by not performing notification.