JP2012085943A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which can check a fraudulent act by turning on a light emitting member at any timing.SOLUTION: In the game machine equipped with a detecting unit for detecting an abnormality related to a game, a plurality of light emitting members provided to emit light in prescribed light emitting modes, and a light emitting control unit for individually controlling respective light emitting modes of the plurality of light emitting members, the light emitting control unit controls to blink the plurality of light emitting members in a blinking mode of alarm where the plurality of the light emitting members repeat the lighting and extinction while at least one light emitting member out of the plurality of the light emitting members is turned on at any timing when the abnormality is detected by the detecting unit.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machine or a pachinko machine.

  In recent years, fraudulent acts against game machines have increased. For example, in slot machines, the doors are opened and settings are changed illegally. For example, in pachinko machines, pachinko balls are illegally moved using magnets. It is done to operate. In order to discover such a fraudulent act promptly, a game machine has been proposed that includes detection means for detecting a fraudulent act, and that informs that a fraudulent act has been detected by a plurality of effect devices.

  As one of such production devices, a lamp that can be notified even through a security camera is particularly important, and when an illegal act is detected, a game in which this lamp blinks in a blinking manner that stands out from the surroundings. A stand has also been proposed (see, for example, paragraph 0053 of Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-247414 A

  However, in the above-described game machine, when an abnormality such as an illegal act is detected, if the image acquisition timing of the security camera matches the lamp turn-off timing, the abnormality cannot be confirmed through the security camera. There is.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a game machine capable of confirming an abnormality by lighting a light emitting means at any timing.

  The gaming machine according to the present invention includes a detecting means for detecting an abnormality relating to a game, a plurality of light emitting means provided so as to be able to emit light in a predetermined light emitting mode, and light emission for individually controlling the light emitting modes of the plurality of light emitting means. The light emission control means, when the abnormality is detected by the detection means, at any timing of at least one light emission means of the plurality of light emission means. The plurality of light-emitting means are controlled to blink in an abnormal notification blinking light-emission mode in which the plurality of light-emitting means are repeatedly turned on and off so that they are also lit.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, when an abnormality is detected in the plurality of light emitting means, at least one light emitting means blinks in an abnormality notification blinking light emitting mode that is lit at any timing. Even at this timing, the abnormality can be confirmed by turning on the light emitting means.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the slot machine of this invention. It is a front view which shows the state which open | released the front door of the slot machine of this invention. (A) is a perspective view which shows the state which assembled the side lamp unit, (b) is an exploded perspective view which shows the state which decomposed | disassembled the side lamp unit. It is a block diagram which shows the main control part of this invention, a 1st sub control part, and a 2nd sub control part. It is a flowchart of the power-on process which the main control part of this invention performs. It is a flowchart of the setting change process which the main control part of this invention performs. It is a flowchart of the main process which the main control part of this invention performs. It is a flowchart of the timer interruption process which the main control part of this invention performs. It is a flowchart of the device monitoring process which the main control part of this invention performs. It is a flowchart of the reset operation monitoring process which the main control part of this invention performs. It is a flowchart of the door open state monitoring process which the main control part of this invention performs. FIG. 7 shows processing executed by the first sub-control unit of the present invention, where (a) is a flowchart of main processing, (b) is a flowchart of command reception interrupt processing, and (c) is a flowchart of timer interrupt processing. It is. It is a flowchart of the command processing which the 1st sub control part of this invention performs. It is a flowchart of the lamp | ramp control process which the 1st sub control part of this invention performs. It is a flowchart of the effect data update process for abnormality flags which the 1st sub control part of the present invention performs. It is a flowchart of the effect data update process for cancellation | release operation flags which the 1st sub-control part of this invention performs. FIG. 7 shows processing executed by the second sub-control unit of the present invention, where (a) is a flowchart of main processing, (b) is a flowchart of command reception interrupt processing, and (c) is a flowchart of timer interrupt processing. , (D) is a flowchart of the image control process. It is a figure which shows the structure of the production data for side lamps used by this invention. It is a figure which shows the blink pattern of each side lamp at the time of the setting change of this invention in time series. It is a figure which shows the blink aspect of the side lamp at the time of the setting change of this invention. It is a figure which shows the blink pattern of each side lamp at the time of the door opening detection of this invention in time series. It is a figure which shows the blink aspect of the side lamp at the time of door opening detection of this invention. It is a figure which shows the blink pattern of each side lamp at the time of the other error detection of this invention in time series. It is a figure which shows the blink aspect of the side lamp at the time of the other error detection of this invention. It is a figure which shows the variation in the lighting time of the side lamp of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating applying this invention to a pachinko machine.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<Overall configuration>
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, three reels (left reel 110, middle reel 111, and right reel 112) having a plurality of types of symbols (not shown) 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 (not shown) is a lamp that indicates a valid winning line (not shown). The effective pay line is determined in advance by the number of medals bet as a game medium. For example, there are 5 winning lines. For example, when one medal is bet, the middle horizontal winning line is valid, and when two medals are betted, the upper horizontal winning line and the lower horizontal winning line are added. When three medals are bet and three medals are bet, five lines including a right-down winning line and an upper-right winning line are valid as winning lines. Note that the number of winning lines 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, and the lower right winning line are shown. Lines and 5 upper right winning lines may be set as effective winning lines, and the same number of winning lines may be set as effective winning lines regardless of the number of bets.

  The notification lamp (not shown) is a lamp for notifying the player that a specific winning combination (specifically, bonus) is won internally in the internal lottery described later, or that a bonus game is in progress. is there. The game medal insertable lamp (not shown) is a lamp for notifying that the player can insert a game medal. A re-playing lamp (not shown) indicates that the current game can be re-played (it is not necessary to insert a medal) when winning a re-play, which is one of the winning roles in the previous game. It is a lamp to inform the person. A reel panel lamp (not shown) is an effect lamp.

  The bet buttons 130 and 131 are buttons for inserting a predetermined number of medals (referred to as credits) stored electronically in the slot machine 100. In this embodiment, every time the bet button 130 is pressed, a maximum of three cards are inserted, and when the bet button 131 is pressed, three cards are inserted. A game medal insertion lamp (not shown) lights up a number of lamps corresponding to the number of inserted medals, and when a prescribed number of medals have been inserted, a game notifying that a game start operation is possible A start lamp (not shown) is lit.

  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 and 131, or an actual medal can be inserted (insertion operation) from the medal insertion slot 141. is there. The stored number display (not shown) is a display for displaying the number of medals electronically stored in the slot machine 100. The game information display (not shown) is a display for displaying various internal information (for example, the number of medals paid out during the bonus game) as numerical values. The payout number display (not shown) 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, the game information display, and the payout number display can be configured by a 7 segment (SEG) display.

  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 and 131 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 adjustment button (not shown) 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. A plurality of side lamps 804 provided in the left and right portions of the front door 102 (hereinafter, when each side lamp 804 is individually distinguished, are denoted by reference numerals 804A to 804H) are decorative lamps for exciting the game. is there. The side lamp 804 will be described in detail later. 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. In addition, the display device is not limited to a liquid crystal display device, but may be any display device that can display various effect images and various game information. , 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 the power cord 263, and the power cord 263 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.

  In addition, a setting change key switch 701 for changing a setting value (game mode) is provided inside the slot machine 100. Further, a door relay board 700 is disposed on the back surface of the front door 102 below the symbol display window 113. On the door relay board 700, a setting change button 702, a setting value display 703, a reset button 704, Is provided.

  The setting change button 702 is a push button type switch, and each time the button is pressed once, the setting value is incremented by 1 such as 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → 1 → 2 → 3. It can be changed in an increasing manner. More specifically, the front door 102 is opened, and the setting change key switch 701 is turned on by inserting and rotating a dedicated key into the key hole of the setting change key switch 701. In this state, the power switch 244 is turned on from OFF. Switch to. Thereafter, when a setting change button 702 provided in the center portion on the inner side of the front door 102 is pressed, the setting value can be changed.

  The set value display 703 is composed of a 7-segment display, and the current set value set by the setting change button 702 is displayed.

  The reset button 704 is a push button type switch similar to the setting change button 702, and the error of the slot machine 100 can be canceled by pressing the reset button 704.

  Although not particularly illustrated, a reset button sensor that detects that the reset button 704 has been operated and a door opening sensor that detects that the front door 102 is opened are located at appropriate positions inside the slot machine 100. Is provided.

  Next, the side lamp unit 800 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3A is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the side lamp unit 800 is assembled, and FIG. 3B is an exploded perspective view illustrating a state in which the side lamp unit 800 is disassembled.

  The side lamp unit 800 includes an elongated plate-like base member 802, a plurality of (four in this case) side lamps (light emitting means) 804 installed at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the base member 802, and individual side lamps. An inner lamp cover 806 provided to cover the front side of the lamp 804, a partition member 808 for partitioning the side lamps 804 individually, and an outer side detachably attached to the partition member 808 so as to cover the entire side lamp 804 And a cover member 810. In the present embodiment, one side lamp unit 800 is installed on each of the upper right side and upper left side of the slot machine 100. The four side lamps 804 arranged on the right side are also referred to as the first side lamp 804A, the second side lamp 804B, the third side lamp 804C, and the fourth side lamp 804D in order from the top, and the four side lamps 804A arranged on the left side The side lamps 804 are also referred to as a fifth side lamp 804E, a sixth side lamp 804F, a seventh side lamp 804G, and an eighth side lamp 804H in order from the top. Each of the first to eighth side lamps 804A to 804H includes an LED substrate on which a plurality of LEDs 804a are arranged so as to face the front side of the slot machine 100.

  Four side lamps 804 are installed on the base member 802 at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. Note that the number, arrangement, size, direction, and the like of the side lamps 804 installed on the base member 802 are not limited to those illustrated.

  The partition member 808 includes three partition plates 808 a for partitioning the internal space into four spaces. When the partition member 808 is attached to the base member 802, the four side lamps 804 are arranged inside the partition member 808. Each space is housed. The outer cover member 810 is a translucent member that allows the side lamp 804 to be viewed from the front of the slot machine 100, and is fixed to the front of the partition member 808 by a mounting screw 812. A lower cover member 814 made of a translucent member that can be visually recognized is provided on the lower side of the outer cover member 810 so as to have the same material and texture as those of the outer cover member 810. To form a streamlined outer curved surface of the side lamp unit 800.

  A connecting member 816 for connecting the side lamp unit 800 to the slot machine 100 is provided on the back side of the base member 802. The connecting member 816 is fixed to the base member 802 by a plurality of mounting screws 818. The four side lamps 804 are fixed to the front side of the base member 802 by a plurality of mounting screws 820, respectively.

<Circuit configuration of control unit>
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. ROM 306 for storing position, RAM 308 for temporarily storing data, I / O 310 for controlling input / output of various devices, counter timer 312 for measuring time, number of times, and the like WDT (watchdog timer) 314 is mounted.

  Note that other storage devices may be used for the ROM 306 and the RAM 308, and this is the same for the first sub-control unit 400 and the second sub-control unit 500 described later. The CPU 304 of the basic circuit 302 operates by inputting a clock signal of a predetermined 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 ROM 306 to the counter timer 312. The counter timer 312 sets the interrupt time based on the received frequency division data. An interrupt request is transmitted to the CPU 304 at every interrupt time. In response to this interrupt request, the CPU 304 monitors each sensor and transmits a drive pulse. For example, when the clock signal output from the crystal oscillator 314 is set to 8 MHz, the frequency division value of the counter timer 312 is set to 1/256, and the data for frequency division of the ROM 306 is set to 47, the interrupt reference time is 256 × 47 ÷ 8 MHz. = 1.504 ms.

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

  In addition, the main control unit 300 includes a sensor circuit 320, and the CPU 304 is inserted from various sensors 318 (a bet button 130 sensor, a bet button 131 sensor, a bet button 132 sensor, and a medal slot 141 at every interruption time. Medal reception sensor, start lever 135 sensor, stop button 137 sensor, stop button 138 sensor, stop button 139 sensor, 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, the reset button sensor, the door open sensor, etc.) are monitored.

  When the sensor circuit 320 detects the H level of the start lever 135 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 sensor 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 and indicators 338 (winning line display lamps, notification lamps, game medal insertion possible lamps, re-game lamps, game medal insertion lamps, game start lamps, stored number indicator, game information A drive circuit 328 for driving a display and a payout number display) is provided.

  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.

<First 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. The drive circuit 422 has various lamps 420 (an upper lamp, a lower lamp, a title lamp) except for the side lamp 804 and the side lamp 804 via an input / output interface. Panel 162 lamp, etc.).

  In addition, the CPU 404 transmits and receives signals to the second sub control unit 500 via the output interface.

<Second sub-control unit>
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 504 for each interrupt time. The CPU 504 controls each IC and each circuit based on the interrupt request timing.

  The second sub-control unit 500 is provided with a drive circuit 530 that drives a stepping motor (not shown) 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 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 liquid crystal display device 157.

<Power-on processing>
A power-on process executed by the CPU 304 of the main control unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. The power-on process is executed when the power switch 244 of the slot machine 100 is turned on (in other words, when the power is turned on).

  First, in the first step S101, various initial processes (initialization processes) are performed.

  In step S103, it is determined whether or not at least a part of the RAM 308 is abnormal. If there is an abnormality in the RAM 308, the process proceeds to step S105, and if there is no abnormality, the process proceeds to step S107. Various methods for detecting an abnormality in the RAM 308 are conceivable. For example, the same information is stored in the first storage area and the second storage area, and stored in the first storage area after the power is turned on. As an example, a method of comparing the stored information with the information stored in the second storage area and determining that the two are different from each other is an example.

  In step S105, RAM error processing is performed. In this RAM error processing, preparation for clearing the storage areas of all the RAMs 308 excluding the used stack area is made, and preparations for sending an error occurrence command to the first sub-control unit 400 are made.

  In step S107, it is determined whether or not the setting change key switch 701 is in the ON state. If the setting change key switch 701 is in the ON state, the process proceeds to step S109, and if it is in the OFF state, the process proceeds to step S111.

  In step S109, a setting change process described later is executed. After execution of the process, the process proceeds to step S113.

  In step S111, it is determined whether forced RAM clear is in an ON state. Specifically, it is assumed that forced RAM clear is in an ON state when the power is turned on and the reset button 704 is pressed for a long time (for example, pressed for 5 seconds). If the forced RAM clear is ON, the process proceeds to step S113; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S117.

  In step S113, an initial state game start process is performed. In this initial state game start processing, clearing of “setting value storage area” and “storage area excluding stack area used when clearing RAM 308”, setting of whether or not to automatically adjust and stop, setting of presence of internal winning, A control command is transmitted to the first sub control unit 400. After processing, the process proceeds to step S115.

  In step S115, the main process of the main control unit described later is performed. After the processing, this flow is finished.

  In step S117, the slot machine 100 is returned to the state before the power is shut off by the return processing, and this flow is finished.

<Setting change processing>
The setting change process executed in step S109 of the power-on process will be described using FIG.

  First, in the first step S201, the currently set value (game mode) is displayed on the set value display 703.

  In step S203, the RAM 308 is initialized (RAM clear).

  In step S205, preparation for transmitting a setting change command indicating that the setting is to be changed to the first sub-control unit 400 is performed.

  In step S207, it is determined whether or not the setting change button 702 has been pressed. If the setting change switch 702 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S209. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S211.

  In step S209, the setting value displayed on the setting value display 703 in step S201 is updated. As described above, each time the setting change button 702 is pressed once, the setting value is updated by adding 1 to the currently set values 1 to 6 and becomes 1 when the set value exceeds 6. Repeat going back. After the update, the process proceeds to step S211.

  In step S211, it is determined whether or not the start lever 135 has been operated. If the start lever 135 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S213. If not, the process returns to step S207 to continue the setting change operation.

  In step S213, the setting value currently displayed on the setting value display 703 (the setting value changed with the change operation or the setting value originally set without the change operation) is stored in the setting value storage area of the RAM 308. Memorize and confirm the set value. After confirmation, the process proceeds to step S215.

  In step S215, it is determined whether or not the setting change key switch 701 has been switched from ON to OFF. If the setting change key switch 701 is turned off, the process proceeds to step S217. If not, the process of step S215 is repeated to wait for the setting change key switch 701 to be turned off.

  In step S217, preparation for transmitting a setting change end command indicating that the setting change has ended to the first sub-control unit 400 is made, and this flow is ended. Note that the setting change end command is a command including information that enables at least the set setting value to be grasped.

<Main control unit main processing>
A main control unit main 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 main processing of the main control unit.
As described above, the main control unit 300 is provided with the start signal output circuit (reset signal output circuit) 338 that outputs the start signal (reset signal) when the power is turned on. The CPU 304 of the basic circuit 302 to which this activation signal has been input starts reset by a reset interrupt and executes the main process of the main controller shown in FIG. 5 in accordance with a control program stored in advance in the ROM 306.

  When power is turned on, first, various initial settings are made in step S301. 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 S303, 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 S305.

  In step S305, the number of inserted medals is determined and an effective winning line is determined.

  In step S307, the random number generated by the random number generation circuit 316 is acquired.

  In step S309, 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 number acquired in step S307. 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 S311, reel stop data is selected based on the internal lottery result.

  In step S313, rotation of all reels 110 to 112 is started.

  In step S315, 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 S311. Stop based on data. When all the reels 110 to 112 are stopped, the process proceeds to step S317.

  In step S317, winning determination is performed. Here, when a symbol combination corresponding to some winning combination is displayed on the activated winning line 114, it is determined that the winning combination is won. For example, if “bell-bell-bell” is aligned on the activated winning line, it is determined that the player has won the bell.

  In step S319, 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 S321, a game state control process 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 S303 and repeating the above-described processing, the game proceeds.

<Main controller 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 S401, 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 S403, the WDT 314 is periodically updated (to prevent detection of processing abnormality) so that the WDT 314 count value exceeds the initial setting value (32.8 ms in the present embodiment) and no WDT interruption occurs. 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 S405, an input port state update process 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 S407, 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 S409, timer update processing is performed. Various timers are updated for each time unit.

  In step S411, 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 (for example, 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 stop accompanying acceptance of operation of stop buttons 137 to 139. A button reception command, a stop position information command accompanying a stop process of the reels 110 to 112, a payout number command and a payout end command accompanying a medal payout process, a game state command, a setting change command, a setting change end command, a door opening command, (Door closing command, error command, reset execution command, etc.) Bit 0 is composed of command data (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 S413, 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 S415, a device monitoring process described later is performed. After performing the device monitoring process, the process proceeds to step S417.

  In step S417, it is monitored whether or not the low voltage signal is on. Then, when the low voltage signal is on (when power supply cutoff is detected), the process proceeds to step S421, and when the low voltage signal is off (when power supply cutoff is not detected), the process proceeds to step S419.

  In step S419, 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 S401 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 S421, 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.

<Device monitoring processing>
The device monitoring process executed in step S415 of the main control unit timer interrupt process will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in the first step S501, a reset operation monitoring process described later is executed. After executing the reset operation monitoring process, the process proceeds to step S503.

  In step S503, a door open state monitoring process described later is executed. After the door open state monitoring process is executed, the process proceeds to step S505.

  In step S505, other error monitoring processing is executed. Here, as other errors, errors such as a medal insertion abnormality and a medal payout abnormality are monitored, and if there is any other error, preparation is made to send an error command. For other errors, the signal states of the various sensors 318 stored in the signal state storage area in step S405 of the main control unit timer interrupt processing described above are read to monitor whether there are errors relating to medal insertion abnormality, medal payout abnormality, etc. can do.

  In step S507, other device monitoring processing is executed. After executing other device monitoring processing, this flow is terminated.

<Reset operation monitoring process>
The reset operation monitoring process executed in step S501 of the device monitoring process will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in the first step S601, it is confirmed whether or not the reset button 704 has been operated based on the detection result of the reset button sensor, that is, whether or not a reset operation has been performed. If there is a reset operation, the process proceeds to step S603, and if not, this flow ends.

  In step S <b> 603, preparation is performed for transmitting a reset execution command indicating that a reset operation has been performed to the first sub-control unit 400. After preparation for transmission, the process proceeds to step S605.

  In step S605, processing corresponding to the reset operation is executed. If any abnormality is detected, the progress of the game is stopped. For example, the error status recovery process (error cancellation) or the medal payout is performed as a process for canceling the game progress stop state. Execute the process to resume. After execution, this flow is finished.

<Door open state monitoring process>
The door open state monitoring process executed in step S503 of the device monitoring process will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in the first step S701, it is confirmed whether or not the door opening sensor has been switched from ON to OFF. If the door opening sensor is switched OFF, the process proceeds to step S703, and if not, the process proceeds to step S705.

  In step S703, preparation is made to transmit a door opening command indicating that the door is opened to the first sub-control unit 400. After preparation for transmission, the process proceeds to step S705.

  In step S705, it is confirmed whether or not the door opening sensor is switched from OFF to ON. If the door opening sensor is switched ON, the process proceeds to step S707, and if not, this flow is ended.

  In step S707, a preparation for transmitting a door closing command indicating that the door is closed to the first sub-control unit 400 is performed. After the preparation for transmission, this flow is finished.

<Processing of First Sub-Control Unit 400>
The process of the first sub-control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, each process shown to Fig.12 (a)-(c) is performed by CPU404 of a 1st sub control part.

<First sub-control unit main process>
As shown in FIG. 12A, various initial settings are performed in step S801 of the main process of the first sub-control unit 400. When the power is turned on, an initialization process is first executed in step S801. 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 S803, 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 S805.

  In step S805, 0 is assigned to the timer variable.

  In step S807, command processing to be described later is performed. After performing the command processing, the process proceeds to step S809.

  In step S809, effect control processing is performed. For example, if there is a new command in step S807, processing corresponding to this command is performed. This process includes, for example, performing a process such as reading effect data corresponding to a command from the main control unit 300 from the ROM 406, and performing an effect data update process when the effect data needs to be updated. . However, the effect data setting process corresponding to an abnormal command, which will be described later, is collectively executed in the lamp control process of step S813, which is the next two steps.

  In step S811, sound control processing is performed based on the processing result of step S809. For example, if there is a command to the sound source IC 418 in the effect data read in step S809, this command is output to the sound source IC 418.

  In step S813, a lamp control process described later is performed. After the lamp control process is performed, the process proceeds to step S815.

  In step S815, an information output process is performed for setting to transmit a control command to the second sub-control unit 500 based on the processing result in step S809. For example, if there is a control command to be transmitted to the second sub-control unit 500 in the effect data read out in step S809, the control command is set to be output, and the process returns to step S803.

<First sub-control unit command reception interrupt process>
Next, a command reception interrupt process of the first sub control unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG. This command reception interrupt process is a process executed when the first sub-control unit 400 detects a strobe signal output from the main control unit 300. In step S821 of the command reception interrupt process, the command output from the main control unit 300 is stored in the command storage area provided in the RAM 408 as an unprocessed command.

<First sub-control unit timer interrupt processing>
Next, the timer interrupt process 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), and the timer interrupt process is performed by using the timer interrupt as a trigger. Execute in the cycle.

  In step S831, 1 is added to the value of the timer variable used in step S803 of the first sub-control unit main process, and the result is stored in the original timer variable storage area. Therefore, in step S803, the value of the timer variable is determined to be 10 or more every 20 ms (2 ms × 10).

  In step S833, transmission of a control command to the second sub-control unit 500 set in step S815 of the first sub-control unit main process, an effect random number update process, and the like are performed.

<Command processing>
The command process executed in step S807 of the first sub control unit main process will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in the first step S901, it is confirmed whether a setting change command has been accepted. If a setting change command has been received, the process proceeds to step S903, and if not, the process proceeds to step S905.

  In step S903, a setting change flag is set, and the process proceeds to step S905.

  In step S905, it is confirmed whether a door opening command is accepted. If a door opening command has been received, the process proceeds to step S907; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S909.

  In step S907, a door opening flag is set, and the process proceeds to step S909.

  In step S909, it is confirmed whether an error command has been accepted. If an error command has been received, the process proceeds to step S911. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S913.

  In step S911, an error flag is set, and the process proceeds to step S913.

  In step S913, it is confirmed whether a setting change end command has been accepted. If a setting change end command has been received, the process proceeds to step S915; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S919.

  In step S915, the setting change flag is deleted, and the process proceeds to step S917.

  In step S917, a setting change end flag is set, and the process proceeds to step S919.

  In step S919, it is confirmed whether a door closing command is accepted. If the door closing command has been received, the process proceeds to step S921, and if not, the process proceeds to step S925.

  In step S921, the door opening flag is deleted, and the process proceeds to step S923.

  In step S923, a door closing flag is set, and the process proceeds to step S925.

  In step S925, it is confirmed whether a reset execution command has been accepted. If a reset execution command has been accepted, the process proceeds to step S927; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S931.

  In step S927, the error flag is deleted, and the process proceeds to step S929.

  In step S929, a reset execution flag is set, and the process proceeds to step S931.

  In step S931, other command reception processing is executed. After execution, this flow is ended, and the process returns to the first sub-control unit main process.

<Ramp control processing>
The lamp control process executed in step S813 of the first sub controller main process will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in the first step S1001, the effect data read from the ROM 406 in the effect control process in step S809 of the first sub-control unit main process is acquired.

  In step S1003, it is confirmed whether an abnormality flag is set. The abnormality flag refers to a setting change flag, a door opening flag, and an error flag. If at least one abnormality flag is set, the process proceeds to step S1005, and if not set, the process proceeds to step S1007.

  In step S1005, the lamp effect data for the abnormality flag is updated. Details of this update process will be described later. After the update process, the process proceeds to step S1007.

  In step S1007, it is confirmed whether a release operation flag is set. The release operation flag refers to a setting change end flag, a door closing flag, and a reset execution flag. If the release operation flag is set, the process proceeds to step S1009, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1011.

  In step S1009, the lamp effect data for the release operation flag is updated. Details of this update processing will also be described later. After the update process, the process proceeds to step S1011.

  In step S <b> 1011, the lamp effect data is transmitted to the drive circuit 422 that controls the side lamp 804. After the transmission process, this flow is terminated, and the process returns to the first sub-control unit main process.

<Production data update process for abnormality flag>
The effect data update process for the abnormality flag executed in step S1005 of the lamp control process will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in the first step S1101, the highest priority abnormality flag is identified. The priority order is set in advance for the abnormality flag, and the priority order decreases in the order of setting change flag → door open flag → error flag. Therefore, for example, if the setting change flag and the door opening flag are set, the setting change flag is identified as the highest priority abnormality flag. For example, if the door opening flag and the error flag are set, the door opening flag is identified as the highest priority abnormality flag. After identification, the process proceeds to step S1103.

  In step S1103, it is confirmed whether or not the highest priority abnormality flag identified in step S1101 is an initial setting. If it is the initial setting, the process proceeds to step S1005, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1107.

  In step S1105, initial lamp effect data corresponding to the highest priority abnormality flag identified in step S1101 is set. After the setting, the process proceeds to step S1113.

  The lamp effect data will be described with reference to FIG. 18. As the lamp effect data, a plurality of types of effect data A to G are stored in the ROM 406 in advance. Each effect data A to G includes ON / OFF data (1 bit for each lamp) and luminance data (4 bits for each lamp; not shown) for a plurality of side lamps (here, 8 side lamps 804). ) And color data (16 bits for each of R, G, and B of each lamp; not shown). For the setting change, two effects data A and effect data B are stored. For opening the door, two pieces of effect data C and effect data D are stored. For other errors, effect data E and effect data F are stored. In addition, a single piece of effect data G is stored in common for various release operations described later.

  The production data A includes the third side lamp 804C (lamp C), the fourth side lamp 804D (lamp D), the seventh side lamp 804G (lamp G), and the eighth side lamp H (lamp H). In B, the first side lamp 804A (lamp A), the second side lamp 804B (lamp B), the fifth side lamp 804E (lamp E), and the sixth side lamp 804F (lamp F) are lit. .

  The production data C includes the second side lamp 804B (lamp B), the fourth side lamp 804D (lamp D), the sixth side lamp 804F (lamp F), and the eighth side lamp H (lamp H). In D, the first side lamp 804A (lamp A), the third side lamp 804C (lamp C), the fifth side lamp 804E (lamp E), and the seventh side lamp 804G (lamp G) are turned on. .

  The effect data E includes the second side lamp 804B (lamp B), the third side lamp 804C (lamp C), the sixth side lamp 804F (lamp F), and the seventh side lamp 804G (lamp G). In F, the first side lamp 804A (lamp A), the fourth side lamp 804D (lamp D), the fifth side lamp 804E (lamp E), and the eighth side lamp 804H (lamp H) are lit. .

  The effect data G is configured such that all the first to eighth side lamps 804A (lamp A) to 804H (lamp H) are lit.

  In this way, the effect data A to G are configured so that the types of the side lamps 804 that are turned on at an arbitrary timing are different from each other. However, the production data A to G have the configuration shown in FIG. 18 as long as the types of side lamps 804 to be lit are different from each other at an arbitrary timing (the lighting modes are different. The light emission modes are also different). It is not limited.

  Here, effect data A, C, and E are set as initial lamp effect data. Therefore, for example, when the setting change flag is set, the effect data A is set in step S1105.

  In step S1107, it is confirmed whether or not the update counter is a specified value. The specified value of the update counter is set to “5” here. If the update counter is a specified value, the process proceeds to step S1109; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1111.

  In step S1109, the next lamp effect data is set. That is, if the current lamp effect data is effect data A, effect data B is set, and if the current lamp effect data is effect data B, effect data A is set. Similarly, if the current lamp effect data is effect data C, effect data D is set, and if the current lamp effect data is effect data D, effect data C is set. If the current lamp effect data is effect data E, effect data F is set. If the current lamp effect data is effect data F, effect data E is set. After the setting, the process proceeds to step S1113.

  In step S1111, a setting is made to maintain the current lamp effect data as it is. After the setting, the process proceeds to step S1115.

  In step S1113, update counter initialization processing is performed. The initial value of the update counter is set to “0” here. After the initialization process, this flow is terminated and the process returns to the lamp control process.

  In step S1115, the update counter is updated. That is, the value is updated by adding 1 to the current value of the update counter. After the update process, this flow is terminated and the process returns to the lamp control process.

  Since one control cycle of processing by the first sub-control unit 400 is about 10 ms, the time during which one lamp effect data is maintained is about 50 ms of time until the update counter reaches 0 to 5 (= About 10 ms × 5).

<Production data update processing for release operation flag>
The effect data update process for the release operation flag executed in step S1009 of the lamp control process will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in the first step S1201, it is confirmed whether or not the release operation flag is an initial setting. If it is the initial setting, the process proceeds to step S1203, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1205. In this embodiment, since the lamp effect data based on the release operation flag includes only the effect data G described above, the flag is not identified as in the effect data update process for the abnormality flag. However, the step of identifying the type of release operation flag is performed before this step S1201 in order to set different lamp effect data for each type of release operation flag or to change the respective notification time. May be.

  In step S1203, an end counter initialization process is performed. After the initialization process, the process proceeds to step S1209.

  In step S1205, it is confirmed whether or not the end counter is a specified value. The specified value of the end counter is set to “1000” here. If the end counter has reached the specified value, the process proceeds to step S1207, and if not, the process proceeds to step S1209.

  In step S1207, the release operation flag is deleted. After erasing the flag, this flow ends and the process returns to the lamp control process. By this step S1207 and immediately preceding step S1205, one loop of the first sub-control unit 400 is about 10 ms, so the time for which the release operation flag is maintained is about 10,000 ms.

  In step S1209, the lamp effect data for the release operation flag is set. That is, the production data G is set here. After the setting, this flow is finished and the process returns to the lamp control process.

<Processing of Second Sub-Control Unit 500>
The processing of the second sub control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the processes shown in FIGS. 17A to 17D are executed by the CPU 504 of the second sub-control unit 500.

<Second sub-control unit main process>
First, as shown in FIG. 17A, in step S1301 of the main process of the second sub-control unit 500, various initial settings are performed. When power is turned on, initialization processing is first executed in step S1301. In this initialization process, input / output port initialization, storage area initialization in the RAM 508, and the like are performed.

  In step S1303, 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 S1305.

  In step S1305, 0 is assigned to the timer variable.

  In step S1307, 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 S1309, effect control processing is performed. For example, if there is a new command in step S1307, 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 S1311, shutter control processing is performed based on the processing result in step S1309. For example, if there is a shutter control command in the effect data read in step S1309, shutter control corresponding to this command is performed.

  In step S1313, image control processing is performed based on the processing result in step S1309. For example, if there is an image control command in the effect data read in step S1309, image control corresponding to this command is performed (details will be described later), and the process returns to step S1303. In this image control process, a process including an image control process corresponding to the abnormal command is executed.

<Second sub-control unit command reception interrupt process>
Next, a 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 S1321 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.

<Second sub-control unit timer interrupt processing>
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 S1331, 1 is added to the timer variable value of the RAM 508 described in step S1303 in the second sub-control unit main process, and the result is stored in the original timer variable storage area. Therefore, in step S1303, the value of the timer variable is determined to be 10 or more every 20 ms (2 ms × 10).

  In step S 1333, an effect random number update process is performed.

<Second Sub-Control Unit Image Control Process>
Next, the image control process in step S1313 in the main process of the second sub-control unit 500 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S1341, 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 S1343, it is determined whether or not a transfer end interrupt signal is input from the VDP 534. If a transfer end interrupt signal is input, the process proceeds to step S1345; otherwise, a transfer end interrupt signal is input. Wait for it.

  In step S1345, 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 S1341, the CPU 504 includes information on image data constituting the display image (coordinate axes and image sizes of the VRAM 536). , VRAM coordinates (arrangement coordinates, etc.) are instructed to VDP 534. The VDP 534 performs parameter setting in accordance with the attribute based on the instruction stored in the attribute register.

  In step S1347, 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 S1349, it is determined whether or not a generation end interrupt signal from the VDP 534 is input based on the end of image drawing. If the generation end interrupt signal is input, the process proceeds to step SI11. If not, the generation end interrupt signal is determined. Wait for input.

  In step S1351, the scene display counter that is set in a predetermined area of the RAM 508 and counts how many scene images have been generated is incremented (+1), and the process ends.

<Action and effect>
According to the gaming machine of the present embodiment configured as described above, the following operational effects are produced.

  For example, when a setting value setting change operation is performed, the side lamp 804 blinks in the blinking pattern shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. That is, when it is detected that the setting change button 702 has been pressed (step S207), a setting change flag is set (step S903), and initial effect data A corresponding to the setting change is set (step S1105). . Next, the effect data A is transmitted to the drive circuit 422 (step S1011), and the drive circuit 422 is based on the effect data A, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 20, the third side lamp 804C and the fourth side lamp 804D. The seventh side lamp 804G and the eighth side lamp 804H are turned on.

  Thereafter, when the update counter reaches a predetermined value set in advance (step S1107), that is, when about 50 ms elapses, which is about 10 ms of the control period of the first sub-control unit 400 multiplied by the predetermined value 5, elapses from the effect data A. The next effect data B is updated (step S1109), and the update counter is initialized (step S1113). The effect data B is transmitted to the drive circuit 422 (step S1011), and the drive circuit 422 is based on the effect data B, as shown in the right figure of FIG. 20, the first side lamp 804A, the second side lamp 804B, the fifth side. The lamp 804E and the sixth side lamp 804F are turned on.

  Thereafter, when the update counter reaches the specified value again (step S1107), the effect data B is updated to effect data A (step S1109), and the update counter is initialized (step S1113). The effect data A is transmitted to the drive circuit 422 (step S1011), and the drive circuit 422 is based on the effect data A, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 20, the third side lamp 804C, the fourth side lamp 804D, and the seventh side lamp. The 804G and the eighth side lamp H are turned on.

  In this way, the side lamp 804 blinks alternately with the lighting mode based on the effect data A and the lighting mode based on the effect data B, but the setting change operation ends and the setting change key switch 701 is turned OFF from ON. When this is done (step S215), the setting change flag is deleted (step S915) and a setting change end flag, which is one of the release operation flags, is set (step S917), and the effect data G corresponding to the release operation flag is set. (Step S1209). Next, the effect data G is transmitted to the drive circuit 422 (step S1011), and the drive circuit 422 turns on all the first to eighth side lamps 804A to 804H based on the effect data G. The effect (lamp notification) based on the effect data G continues until the end counter reaches a specified value. That is, the lamp notification based on the effect data G continues for about 10000 ms until the end counter reaches the specified value (step S1205) and the setting change end flag is deleted (step S1207).

  For example, when the front door 102 is opened (however, when the setting value setting change operation is not performed), the side lamp 804 blinks in the blinking pattern shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. That is, when it is detected that the front door 102 is opened (step S701), a door opening flag is set (step S907), and initial effect data C corresponding to the door opening is set (step S1105). Next, the effect data C is transmitted to the drive circuit 422 (step S1011), and the drive circuit 422 based on the effect data C, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 22, the second side lamp 804B and the fourth side lamp 804D. The sixth side lamp 804F and the eighth side lamp H are turned on.

  Thereafter, when the update counter reaches a predetermined value set in advance (step S1107), that is, when about 50 ms, which is about 10 ms of the control cycle of the first sub-control unit 400, is multiplied by a predetermined value of 5, elapses from the effect data C. The next effect data D is updated (step S1109), and the update counter is initialized (step S1113). The effect data D is transmitted to the drive circuit 422 (step S1011), and the drive circuit 422 is based on the effect data D, as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 22, the first side lamp 804A, the third side lamp 804C, the fifth side. The lamp 804E and the seventh side lamp 804G are turned on.

  After that, when the update counter reaches the specified value again (step S1107), the effect data D is updated to effect data C (step S1109), and the update counter is initialized (step S1113). The effect data C is transmitted to the drive circuit 422 (step S1011), and the drive circuit 422 is based on the effect data C, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 22, the second side lamp 804B, the fourth side lamp 804D, the sixth side. The lamp 804F and the eighth side lamp H are turned on.

  As described above, the side lamp 804 blinks by alternately repeating the lighting mode based on the effect data C and the lighting mode based on the effect data D, but when it is detected that the front door 102 is closed (step S705). The door opening flag is erased (step S921) and a door closing flag which is one of the releasing operation flags is set (step S923), and lamp effect data G corresponding to the releasing operation flag is set (step S1209). Next, the effect data G is transmitted to the drive circuit 422 (step S1011), and the drive circuit 422 turns on all the side lamps 804 based on the effect data G. The effect (lamp notification) based on the effect data G continues until the end counter reaches a specified value. That is, the lamp notification based on the effect data G continues for about 10000 ms until the end counter reaches the specified value (step S1205) and the setting change end flag is deleted (step S1207).

  Further, for example, when another error is detected (however, the setting value setting change operation is not performed and the front door 102 is not opened), the blinking shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 is performed. The side lamp 804 blinks in a pattern.

  That is, when another error is detected (step S505), an error flag is set (step S911), and initial effect data E corresponding to the other error is set (step S1105). Next, the effect data E is transmitted to the drive circuit 422 (step S1011), and the drive circuit 422 based on the effect data E, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 24, the second side lamp 804B and the third side lamp 804C. The sixth side lamp 804F and the seventh side lamp 804G are turned on.

  Thereafter, when the update counter reaches a predetermined value set in advance (step S1107), the effect data E is updated to the next effect data F (step S1109), and the update counter is initialized (step S1113). The effect data F is transmitted to the drive circuit 422 (step S1011), and the drive circuit 422 is based on the effect data F, as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 24, the first side lamp 804A, the fourth side lamp 804D, the fifth side. The lamp 804E and the eighth side lamp 804H are turned on.

  Thereafter, when the update counter reaches the specified value again (step S1107), the effect data F is updated to effect data E (step S1109), and the update counter is initialized (step S1113). The effect data E is transmitted to the drive circuit 422 (step S1011), and the drive circuit 422 is based on the effect data E, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 24, the second side lamp 804B, the third side lamp 804C, and the sixth side lamp. The lamp 804F and the seventh side lamp 804G are turned on.

  As described above, the side lamp 804 blinks alternately with the lighting mode based on the effect data E and the lighting mode based on the effect data F, but when it is detected that the reset operation has been performed (step S601), an error flag is set. Is deleted (step S927) and a reset execution flag, which is one of the release operation flags, is set (step S929), and effect data G corresponding to the release operation flag is set (step S1209). Next, the lamp effect data G is transmitted to the drive circuit 422 (step S1011), and the drive circuit 422 turns on all the side lamps 804 based on the lamp effect data G. The effect (lamp notification) based on the lamp effect data G continues until the end counter reaches a specified value. That is, the lamp notification based on the effect data G continues for about 10000 ms until the end counter reaches the specified value (step S1205) and the release operation flag is deleted (step S1207).

  Accordingly, any side lamp 804 is lit regardless of the timing when the slot machine 100 is visually recognized at each timing, so that any abnormality (such as fraudulent activity) has occurred in the slot machine 100 at any timing. It is possible to grasp with certainty. Moreover, since the lighting mode (light emission mode) of the side lamp 804 is different at any timing in each abnormality, it is possible to reliably distinguish and grasp the type of abnormality at any timing. Further, since the blinking cycle of the side lamp 804 depends on the control cycle (processing speed cycle) of the first sub-control unit 400, as shown in FIG. 25, the blinking cycle is not constant depending on the control load. Even when the slot machine 100 is monitored through the monitoring camera, there is a difference between the image acquisition cycle of the monitoring camera and the blinking cycle of the side lamp 804, so that it is ensured that an abnormality has occurred in the slot machine 100. I can grasp it.

  In addition, even when the abnormality is canceled, any side lamp 804 (all side lamps 804 in the present embodiment) is lit in a manner different from that at the time of abnormality even if the slot machine 100 is visually recognized at any timing. It is possible to reliably grasp that the abnormality has been canceled.

  Moreover, since the lighting mode of the side lamp 804 is symmetric, the lighting of the side lamp 804 can be visually recognized from either the left or right direction.

  It should be noted that the game table of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, since the signal for turning on the side lamp 804 is transmitted to the drive circuit 422 in the main loop of the first sub-control unit 400, signal transmission is performed depending on the progress speed of the previous processing. Although the timing changes, a signal to the side lamp 804 may be transmitted every interruption period, and the signal transmission timing may be random.

  In the above embodiment, the production data G corresponding to the release operation is configured so that all the side lamps 804 are lit. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. Only the side lamp 804A may be turned on, and only the fifth side lamp 804E may be turned on in the right side lamp unit 800. That is, what is necessary is just to comprise so that it may become a light emission mode different from the abnormality notification blinking light emission mode. However, it is preferable that the light emission mode is symmetrical.

  In the above embodiment, the type of each abnormality can be distinguished by blinking the side lamp 804 at the time of each abnormality, but the lamp to be used is not limited to the left and right side lamps, but can be seen from the outside (for example, A lamp provided on the upper part of the game table or a lamp provided on the title panel) may be used, or these lamps may be appropriately combined and turned on. By doing so, it is possible to increase the types of abnormalities that can be distinguished by the lighting pattern.

  In the above embodiment, the type of abnormality can be distinguished by blinking the side lamp 804 at each abnormality, but the luminance or color of the lamp to be used may be used, and the abnormality may be appropriately combined. A distinction may be made. By doing so, it is possible to increase the types of abnormalities that can be distinguished by the lighting pattern.

  In addition, the configuration related to the side lamp 804 of the slot machine 100 described in the above embodiment is applied to other game machines, for example, a slot machine or a pachinko machine using a game ball (for example, a pachinko ball) as a game medium. Of course it is possible.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 26, the gaming table according to the present invention is configured such that “a launching device 1010 that launches a ball into a predetermined game area 1002 and a ball launched from the launching device 1010 can enter. A winning opening 1006, a detecting means 1008 for detecting a ball that has entered the winning opening, a payout means 1012 for paying out a ball when the detecting means 1008 detects a ball, and a predetermined symbol (identification information) are variably displayed. A pachinko machine 1000 provided with a variable display device 1004, which, when triggered by a game ball entering the winning opening, causes the variable display device 1004 to stop display after changing the symbol and notify the game state transition. Is also suitable.

  That is, the gaming machine of the present invention includes a detection means (for example, a door opening sensor; step S207 for setting change processing, step S701 for door opening state monitoring processing, step S505 for device monitoring processing) for detecting an abnormality relating to gaming, and a predetermined amount. A plurality of light emitting means (for example, eight side lamps 804) provided so as to be able to emit light in the light emission modes, and a light emission control means (for example, a first sub-control) that individually controls the light emission modes of the plurality of light emitting means. CPU 404 of the unit 400; lamp control processing), and the light emission control means, when the abnormality is detected by the detection means, at least one of the plurality of light emission means In the abnormal flashing light emitting mode, the plurality of light emitting means repeats turning on and off so that the light emitting means is turned on at any timing. Serial plurality of light emitting means is characterized by controlling so as to blink.

  According to this, abnormality can be confirmed by lighting of the light emitting means at any timing.

  In addition, in the above-described gaming machine, a game stop unit that stops the progress of the game when the abnormality is detected, and a release operation unit that releases the state in which the progress of the game is stopped by the game stop unit (for example, a reset) Button 704), and when the release operation means is operated, the light emission control means has a light emission mode different from the abnormality notification flashing light emission mode and at least one light emission unit at any timing. Control may be performed so that the plurality of light emitting means are lit in the light emission mode for release notification in which is lit.

  According to this, at any timing, it is possible to confirm that the release operation means is operated by turning on the light emitting means and the abnormality is solved.

  Further, in the above-described gaming machine, the detection unit identifies and detects a plurality of types of abnormalities related to the game, and the light emission control unit detects any one of the plurality of types of abnormalities by the detection unit. In such a case, at any timing, the type of abnormality can be identified by the light emission mode of the plurality of light emission units, and the plurality of light emission units are controlled to flash in a flashing light emission mode that is different for each type of abnormality. It may be.

  According to this, at any timing, the type of abnormality can be identified by lighting the light emitting means.

  Furthermore, the above-mentioned game table further includes an effect control unit that includes the light emission control unit and performs an effect relating to a game, and the light emission control unit includes the plurality of light emission control units at irregular timings according to a processing speed of the effect control unit. The light emitting means may be controlled to blink.

  According to this, since the blinking cycle changes in accordance with the processing speed of the effect control means, the light emitting means that are lit differ even if a plurality of light emitting means are confirmed at a constant cycle. Even when the light emitting means is being monitored, the abnormality can be reliably confirmed by lighting the light emitting means at any timing.

  The gaming machine of the present invention can be used particularly in the field of gaming machines represented by slot machines and pachinko machines.

100 slot machine
300 Main control unit (production control means)
400 1st sub control part 404 CPU (light emission control means) of the 1st sub control part
500 Second sub-control unit 804 Side lamp (light emitting means)

Claims (4)

A detecting means for detecting an abnormality relating to the game;
A plurality of light emitting means provided so as to emit light in a predetermined light emitting mode;
A light-emitting control means for individually controlling the light-emission modes of the plurality of light-emitting means,
When the abnormality is detected by the detection means, the light emission control means is configured such that at least one of the plurality of light emission means is lit at any timing. A game table, wherein the plurality of light-emitting means are controlled to blink in an abnormal notification blinking light-emission mode that repeatedly turns on and off. The game stand according to claim 1,
Game stopping means for stopping the progress of the game when the abnormality is detected;
Release operation means for releasing the state where the progress of the game is stopped by the game stop means,
When the release operation means is operated, the light emission control means has a light emission mode different from the abnormality notification flashing light emission mode, and at least one light emission unit is lit at any timing. The game table is controlled such that the plurality of light emitting means are turned on in an aspect. The game stand according to claim 1 or 2,
The detecting means identifies and detects a plurality of types of abnormalities related to the game,
The light emission control unit can identify the type of abnormality by lighting the plurality of light emitting units at any timing when any one of the plurality of types of abnormality is detected by the detection unit. A game table, wherein the plurality of light emitting means are controlled to blink in a flashing light emission mode that is different for each type of abnormality. It is a game stand given in any 1 paragraph of Claims 1-3,
Including the light emission control means, further comprising an effect control means for performing an effect relating to the game,
The gaming table, wherein the light emission control means controls the plurality of light emission means to blink at irregular timings according to the processing speed of the effect control means.