JP2012228580A - Control device of game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control device of a game machine which can detect an abnormality of a signal line for transmitting a control command.SOLUTION: Since a second bite of an error command 81 is set as "55H(01010101B)" which is set and reset at intervals of one bit, the absence of a bridge (short circuit) between the signal lines for transmitting the control command can be checked when a control board D for display accurately receives an error command 81 and performs error display. Additionally, since a second bite of an error release command 82 is set as "2AH(00101010B)" bit-reversed with respect to the error command 81, the absence of disconnection in the signal line for transmitting the control command can be checked when the control board D for display can return the error display to original display before the occurrence of the error by accurately receiving the error release command 82 together with the error command 81.

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device for a gaming machine typified by a pachinko machine, and more particularly to a control device for a gaming machine that can detect an abnormality of a signal line that transmits a control command.

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

  When a display device that displays a variable pattern is composed of three lines, an upper stage, a middle stage, and a lower stage, and the variable display is performed while scrolling horizontally from right to left for each of the three lines, for example, FIG. As shown in FIG. 16, control commands (1) to (10) are transmitted from the main control board to the display control board, and a series of symbol variation display is performed.

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

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

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

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

Here, if there is an abnormality such as a short circuit (bridge between signal lines) or disconnection in the signal line that transmits the control command, the control command can be accurately transmitted from the main control board to the display control board. However, there is a problem that the control of the variable display is hindered.
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine control device capable of detecting an abnormality in a signal line for transmitting a control command.

In order to achieve this object, a control device for a gaming machine according to claim 1 includes a display device for displaying symbols, a main control board for controlling a game, and a control command transmitted from the main control board. And a display control board for causing the display device to display a variation of symbols, etc., and further, when an error occurs, an error command for reporting the occurrence of the error is transmitted to the display control board as the control command. Command transmission means provided on the main control board, and error display means provided on the display control board for displaying a predetermined error when an error command transmitted by the command transmission means is received. At least one byte of the error command is composed of bit data set and reset every other bit.
According to the gaming machine control device of the first aspect, when an error occurs, an error command for reporting the occurrence of the error is transmitted as a control command from the main control board to the display control board by the command transmission means. Is done. When the error command is received by the display control board, a predetermined error display is performed by the error display means of the display control board. Since the error command is composed of bit data in which at least 1 byte is set and reset every other bit, if the error command is accurately received by the display control board, the control command is transmitted. There is no abnormality in the signal line.

  According to the gaming machine control device of the present invention, when an error occurs, at least one byte of an error command transmitted from the main control board to the display control board as a control command is set and reset every other bit. Since it is composed of bit data, when the error command is accurately received by the display control board, the signal line for transmitting the control command is normal and there is no abnormality. On the other hand, when the error command is correctly received by the display control board, a predetermined error display is performed. Therefore, it is possible to detect an abnormality of a signal line that transmits a control command by using such error display. For example, it is possible to determine whether or not the signal line is normal by checking whether or not the error display is performed by intentionally generating an error.

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

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a pachinko machine that is a kind of a ball game machine, in particular, a first type pachinko game machine will be described as an example of the game machine. Note that it is naturally possible to use the present invention for the third kind pachinko gaming machine and other gaming machines.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a game board of a pachinko machine P according to the present embodiment. Around the game board 1, there are provided a plurality of winning holes 2 through which 5 to 15 balls are paid out when a hit ball is won. In the center of the game board 1, a liquid crystal (LCD) display 3 for displaying symbols as a plurality of types of identification information is provided. The display screen of the LCD display 3 is divided into three in the horizontal direction. In each of the three divided display areas, the symbols are displayed in a variable manner while scrolling from right to left in the horizontal direction.

  Below the LCD display 3, a symbol operating port (first type starting port) 4 is provided. When the hit ball passes through the symbol operating port 4, the above-described variation display of the LCD display 3 is started. Below the symbol operating port 4, a specific winning port (large winning port) 5 is provided. The specific winning opening 5 is a big hit when the display result after the fluctuation of the LCD display 3 coincides with one of the predetermined symbol combinations, so that the hitting ball is easy to win for a predetermined time (for example, 30 It is a winning opening that is opened (until the second elapses or 10 hitting balls are won). A V zone 5a is provided in the specific winning opening 5, and when the hit ball passes through the V zone 5a while the specific winning opening 5 is opened, a continuation right is established and the specific winning opening 5 is closed. Thereafter, the specific winning opening 5 is opened again for a predetermined time (or until a predetermined number of hit balls win the specific winning opening 5). The opening / closing operation of the specific winning opening 5 can be repeated up to 16 times (16 rounds), and the state in which the opening / closing operation can be performed is a state in which a predetermined game value is given (special game state). is there.

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

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

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

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

  The error command transmitted flag 13c is a flag for indicating that the error command 81 shown in FIG. 8 is transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D when an error occurs, and the error command transmission shown in FIG. In the process (S20), the error command 81 is set in the transmission buffer 13a and then turned on (S85). When the error command transmission completion flag 13c is on, transmission of all other control commands except for the error cancellation command 82 is waited (S83: Yes, S30: Yes). The error command transmission completion flag 13c once turned on is turned off after the error cancellation command 82 is set in the transmission buffer 13a due to error elimination (S88). As described above, the control command set in the transmission buffer 13a is transmitted to the display control board D byte by byte by the timer interrupt process. Details of the error command 81 and the error cancellation command 82 will be described later.

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

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

  The MPU 21 of the display control board D is for controlling the (variation) display of the LCD display 3 based on the control command transmitted from the main control board C. The program ROM 22 is executed by the MPU 21. Various control programs to be executed are stored. The programs of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 are stored in the program ROM 22 as a part of the control program.

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

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

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

  The error display flag 23l is a flag that is turned on when displaying an error on the LCD display 3. When the display control board D receives the error command 81 transmitted from the main control board C, an error display is performed on the LCD display 3, and the error display flag 23l is on while the error display is being performed. Is done. When this error display flag 23l is turned on, even if the error command 81 is received, the error display has already been performed, so execution of each process (S60, S61) for displaying the error is skipped. Is done. On the contrary, since the error display is not performed when the error display flag 23l is turned off, each process (S63, S64) for returning the error display even if the error release command 82 is received. Execution is skipped. The error display flag 23l once turned on is turned off after the error display is returned to the state before the error display by receiving the error cancel command 82 (S64).

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

  Next, a control command transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D for control of variation display will be described with reference to FIGS. The control commands are composed of a total of five types of commands: a variation pattern designation command 31, a stop symbol designation command 32, a symbol stop command 33, an error command 81, and an error release command 82. Since the control command is composed of 2 bytes, the most significant bit is set in the 1st byte command code to distinguish the 1st byte from the 2nd byte command code. The most significant bit of the code is reset.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing command codes of the error command 81 and the error cancel command 82 and the command contents. The error command 81 is a command for reporting the occurrence of the error to the display control board D when an error occurs during the control of the main control board C. On the other hand, the error cancellation command 82 is a command for reporting the cancellation of the error to the display control board D when the error once occurred is canceled.

  As an error, for example, even when a big hit occurs and the big winning opening 5 is opened, the 10 count switch for detecting the winning of a hit ball other than the V zone 5a of the big winning opening 5 never turns on. Or, conversely, when the 10-count switch continues to be on for a predetermined time or when the payout switch for detecting the payout ball is not turned on even though the payout operation is being performed. and so on. These errors are detected in the count abnormality monitoring process (S9) in the reset interrupt process of FIG. 9, and the detection results are stored in the status flag. That is, when an error is occurring, the status flag indicates that an error is occurring, and when the error is resolved, the status flag indicates normal.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the first byte of the error command 81 is “F3H”, and the second byte of the error command 81 is reset to indicate that it is a control command for the second byte, In addition, “55H (01010101B)” is set and reset every other bit. As described above, since the control command is transmitted to the display control board D by 1 byte (8 bits) by the timer interrupt process, “55H” set and reset every other bit is displayed on the display control board D. If it can be received accurately, it can be confirmed that there is no bridge (short circuit) between the signal lines in the signal line for transmitting the control command. If there is a bridge in the signal line, the bridged signal lines output the same data of “0” or “1”. Since this signal line bridge occurs in the adjacent signal line, if there is a bridge in the signal line that transmits the control command, it is impossible to receive “55H (01010101B)” that is set and reset every other bit. It is.

  Note that the arrangement of signal lines for transmitting control commands, that is, the hardware arrangement of signal lines on the board or cable connecting the main control board C and the display control board D is the hardware arrangement of the MPUs 11 and 21. If the order of bits is different, the second byte data of the error command 81 resets the most significant bit and 1 bit based on the hardware arrangement of signal lines on the board or cable. Configured as set and reset data.

  For example, when eight “0-7” signal lines that transmit a control command for each byte (8 bits) are arranged in the order of “76543201” on the board, the second byte of the error command 81 This data is “56H (01010110B)” in which the data of the 0th bit and the 1st bit are replaced with “55H”. Since the command code of “56H” is output as data of “01010101” on the board in which the signal lines are arranged in the order of “76543201”, if the command code of “56H” can be accurately received by the display control board D It is possible to confirm that there is no bridge (short circuit) between the signal lines in the signal line for transmitting the control command, particularly the adjacent signal line.

  The first byte of the error cancel command 82 is set to “F3H” similarly to the error command 81, and the second byte of the error cancel command 82 is reset with the most significant bit, and the other 7 bits correspond to the error command 81. The bit is inverted “2AH (00101010B)”. If the error cancel command 82 can be accurately received by the display control board D together with the error command 81, in addition to the presence / absence of a short circuit of the signal line, it is further confirmed that there is no disconnection in the signal line for transmitting the control command. Can do. If there is a break in the signal line, the output of the signal line remains set or reset, and all bits except the most significant bit of the signal line are set and set by the error command 81 and the error release command 82. It is because it is reset.

  Since the most significant bit of the signal line for transmitting the control command is set by the command code of the first byte and reset by the command code of the second byte, either the error command 81 or the error cancel command 82 is set. Can be received correctly, it can be confirmed that there is no disconnection in the signal line of the most significant bit.

  By using the error display by the error command 81 and the return of the error display by the error cancel command 82, it is possible to detect an abnormality in the signal line that transmits the control command. For example, it is possible to determine whether or not at least a signal line is short-circuited by intentionally generating an error and checking whether or not the error display is performed on the LCD display 3. This is because the error display is displayed on the LCD display 3 only when the error command 81 is normally received. Further, after an error is intentionally generated and an error is displayed on the LCD display 3, when the error is resolved, it is further confirmed whether or not the error display is restored to the original display. It can be determined whether or not the signal line is disconnected. This is because the error display is restored only when the error cancel command 82 is normally received.

  Next, each process executed by the pachinko machine P configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 to 13. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a reset interrupt process executed every 4 ms in the main control board C of the pachinko machine P. The main control of the pachinko machine P is executed by this reset interrupt process.

  In the reset interrupt process, first, a stack pointer is set (S1), and a pattern written in a predetermined area of the RAM 13 is checked (S2). If the predetermined pattern is written in the predetermined area as a result of the check, the RAM 13 is normal and normal (S2: normal), and the process proceeds to S3. On the other hand, if the predetermined pattern is not written in the predetermined area as a result of the check in S2, it is the reset interrupt process executed first after the power is turned on, or there is an abnormality in the RAM 13 (S2: abnormal) In this case, the process proceeds to S22, the contents of the RAM 13 are once cleared, the initial value is written into the RAM 13 (S22), and the next reset interrupt process is awaited. Note that the initial value written in the RAM 13 in the process of S22 includes a predetermined pattern checked in the process of S2.

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

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

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

  If an abnormality is detected by the count abnormality monitoring process (S9), it is assumed that an error has occurred, the status flag is set to an error state, and the error command 81 is displayed for control by an error command transmission process (S20) described later. It is transmitted to the substrate D. When the error once generated is resolved, the error state of the status flag is canceled, and in response to the cancellation, the error cancel command 82 is transmitted to the display control board D by the error command transmission process (S20). The

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

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

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

  After the sound effect processing (S19) is completed, an error command transmission is performed to transmit an error command 81 to the display control board D when any error occurs, and conversely, an error release command 82 when the generated error is resolved. Process (S20) is executed. After execution of the error command transmission process (S20), the symbol counter update process (S21), which is the same process as S10, is repeatedly executed for the remaining time until the next reset interrupt process occurs. Since the execution time of each process of S1-S20 changes according to the state of a game, the remaining time until the next reset interruption process generate | occur | produces is not a fixed time. Therefore, by repeatedly executing the symbol counter update process (S21) using the remaining time, the stop symbol can be changed at random. Details of the error command transmission process (S20) will be described later with reference to FIG.

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

  In the command setting process, first, it is confirmed whether or not the error command transmitted flag 13c is turned on (S30). If the error command transmission completion flag 13c is turned on (S30: Yes), any error has occurred and the error command 81 has already been transmitted to the display control board D. In this state, the error display is performed on the entire surface of the LCD display 3, and the variable display is not performed until the error that has occurred is resolved and the error cancel command 82 is transmitted. Therefore, in such a case, the processes from S31 to S38 are performed in order to wait for transmission of each command of the fluctuation pattern designation command 31, the stop symbol designation command 32, and the symbol stop command 33 which are control commands for controlling the fluctuation display. Skip this step and end this process.

  On the other hand, if the error command transmitted flag 13c is off (S30: No), the state of the variable display is checked by the status flag (S31). As a result of the check, if variation display is started (S31: variation start), the variation pattern designation command 31 is written to the transmission buffer 13a (S32), the value of the command counter 13b is set to “1” (S33), and this processing is performed. finish. As described above, the variation pattern designation command 31 written to the transmission buffer 13a is transmitted to the display control board D byte by byte by the timer interrupt process set in the process of S3.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the error command transmission process (S20) executed in the reset interrupt process of FIG. In this error command transmission process, each of the commands 81 and 82 is transmitted in order to transmit an error command 81 when an error occurs, an error release command 82 when the error is resolved, and the display control board D from the main control board C, respectively. This is a process for writing (setting) to 13a.

  In the error command transmission process, first, the status flag is checked to determine whether or not the variable display is in progress (S81). If the variable display is in progress (S81: Yes), even if an error has occurred, each process from S82 to S88 is skipped in order to wait for transmission of the error command 81 and the error cancel command 82, and this process is performed. Exit. If the error command 81 is transmitted to the display control board D during the fluctuation display, the timing of the fluctuation display control is shifted due to the processing of the error command 81 by the display control board D, which hinders the fluctuation display. End up. Therefore, even if an error occurs, if the variable display is in progress, the transmission of the error command 81 to the display control board D is awaited and the variable display is accurately performed.

  When the error command 81 is transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D, the display control board D displays an error on the entire surface of the LCD display 3, but the error is displayed by the display control board D. By receiving the cancel command 82, the original display before the error display is switched. If an error is displayed during the variable display, if the error is resolved, the error display must be switched to a state in the middle of the variable display. Need. Therefore, even if an error occurs, if the variable display is in progress, the display of the error screen 81 is waited for transmission to the display control board D so that the display screen can be easily restored after the error is resolved. It is composed.

  As a result of checking the status flag, if the fluctuation display is not in progress (S81: No), the status flag is further checked to check whether any error has occurred (S82). If an error has occurred (S82: Yes), the error command transmission completion flag 13c is checked to check whether the error command 81 has already been transmitted to the display control board D (S83). If the error command transmitted flag 13c is off (S83: No), the error command 81 has not been transmitted yet, so the error command 81 is written to the transmission buffer 13a (S84), and the error command transmitted flag 13c is turned on. (S85), and this process ends. The error command 81 written to the transmission buffer 13a is transmitted to the display control board D byte by byte by the timer interrupt process set in the process of S3 (FIG. 9). When the error command 81 is transmitted to the display control board D, an error display is performed on the entire surface of the LCD display 3.

  On the other hand, in the process of S83, if the error command transmission completion flag 13c is turned on (S83: Yes), the error command 81 has already been transmitted. Therefore, in order to avoid transmission of the duplicate error command 81, S84 and Each process of S85 is skipped and this process is terminated.

  In the process of S82, if the result of checking the status flag is not an error (S82: No), it is confirmed whether or not the error command transmitted flag 13c is turned on (S86). If the error command transmitted flag 13c is turned on (S86: Yes), an error has occurred in the past, and an error command 81 is transmitted to the display control board D, and an error display is performed on the entire surface of the LCD display 3. ing. Therefore, in order to return the error display to the original display, the error cancel command 82 is written into the transmission buffer 13a (S87), the error command transmitted flag 13c is turned off (S88), and this process is terminated. The error cancellation command 82 written to the transmission buffer 13a is transmitted to the display control board D byte by byte by the timer interrupt process set in the process of S3 (FIG. 9). When the error cancel command 82 is transmitted to the display control board D, the error display performed on the entire surface of the LCD display 3 is switched to the original display before the error display.

  On the other hand, if the error command transmitted flag 13c is turned off in the process of S86 (S86: No), an error cancel command 82 has already been issued even if an error has not occurred or an error has occurred. Since it has been transmitted, in order to avoid unnecessary transmission of the error cancel command 82, the processes of S87 and S88 are skipped, and this process ends.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the command reception process executed in the reception interrupt process of the display control board D. This command reception process is executed when a control command is transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D. First, the control command transmitted from the main control board C and received by the display control board D is written into the reception buffer 23a (S41), and the command reception flag 23b is turned on (S42), and a new control command is received. This process ends after indicating that it is stored in the reception buffer 23a.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the variable display process executed in the main process of the display control board D. In the fluctuation display process, the fluctuation display is controlled based on the control command received from the main control board C.

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

  If the upper byte of the control command stored in the reception buffer 23 a is “C0H” or “C1H”, the control command is the variation pattern designation command 31. Therefore, in such a case (S53: Fluctuation pattern designation command), after clearing the contents of all stop symbols 1-9 memories 23c-23k to 0 (S54), the fluctuation display corresponding to the fluctuation pattern designation command 31 is displayed on the LCD. Start on the display 3 (S55).

  In the process of S53, if the upper byte of the control command stored in the reception buffer 23a is any one of “90H to 92H”, “A0H to A2H” or “B0H to B2H”, the control command is a stop symbol. This is a designation command 32. Therefore, in such a case (S53: stop symbol designation command), first, the symbol code 32b which is the second byte command of the stop symbol designation command 32 is written to the corresponding stop symbol 1-9 memories 23c-23k (S56). . As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, for example, if the stop symbol designation command 32 stored in the reception buffer 23a is “90H, 14H”, the stop symbol 1 memory 23c corresponding to “90H” The symbol code 32b of “14H (shrimp symbol)” is written. If the stop symbol designation command 32 stored in the reception buffer 23a is “B2H, 21H”, the symbol code 32b of “21H (shell symbol)” is stored in the stop symbol 9 memory 23k corresponding to “B2H”. Written.

  Thereafter, the symbol code stored in the stop symbols 1 to 9 memories 23c to 23k in consideration of the variation pattern and the progress status of the variation pattern, the symbol being varied at high speed on the LCD display 3 The fluctuating symbol is replaced so that the fluctuating display ends with the symbol 32b (S57). For example, when “14H” is stored in the stop symbol 1 memory 23c, the variation display in the display area 3a1 of symbol 1 ends with the symbol “shrimp” which is the symbol code 32b of “14H”. The symbol is replaced. In addition, when “21H” is stored in the stop symbol 9 memory 23k, the variation display in the display area 3c3 of the symbol 9 ends with the symbol “shell” which is the symbol code 32b of “21H”. The symbol is replaced.

  In the process of S53, if the upper byte of the control command stored in the reception buffer 23a is “80H”, the control command is the symbol stop command 33. Therefore, in such a case (S53: symbol stop command), the symbols of the display areas 3a1 to 3c3 of the symbol number 32a designated by the symbol stop command 33 are determined (S58), and the symbols corresponding to the display areas 3a1 to 3c3 are determined. To stop display.

  For example, if the symbol stop command 33 of “80H, 0AH” is stored in the reception buffer 23a, the symbols of all nine display areas 3a1 to 3c3 are stopped and displayed at once. If the symbol stop command 33 of “80H, 0CH” is stored in the reception buffer 23a, the three symbols 2, 5, and 8 displayed in the middle display area 3b are stopped and displayed at once. Even before the end timing of the variable display, when the symbol stop command 33 is received, the variable display in the display areas 3a1 to 3c3 instructed by the symbol stop command 33 is immediately stopped (confirmed). To do. Therefore, the fluctuation display can be actually ended at the timing of receiving the symbol stop command 33.

  In the processing of S53, if the upper byte of the control command stored in the reception buffer 23a is “F3H” and the lower byte is “55H”, the control command is the error command 81. Therefore, in such a case (S53: error command), it is confirmed whether or not the error display flag 23l is turned on (S59). If the error display flag 23l is off (S59: No), the error display is not yet performed on the LCD display 3, so the error display is performed on the entire surface of the LCD display 3 to indicate the occurrence of the error (S60). ) The error display flag 23l is turned on (S61), and the fact that the error is being displayed is stored.

  On the other hand, in the process of S59, if the error display flag 23l is turned on (S59: Yes), since the error display has already been performed, the processes of S60 and S61 are skipped. In this way, when an error display has already been performed, the error display is not performed repeatedly. Therefore, even if the error command 81 is received by mistake, the display screen restoration process performed when the error release command 82 is received. (S63) can be performed normally.

  In the processing of S53, if the upper byte of the control command stored in the reception buffer 23a is “F3H” and the lower byte is “2AH”, the control command is the error cancel command 82. Therefore, in such a case (S53: Error cancel command), it is confirmed whether or not the error display flag 23l is turned on (S62). If the error display flag 23l is turned on (S62: Yes), the error display is performed on the LCD display 3, so the display on the LCD display 3 is returned (returned) to the display before the error display (S63). ) The error display flag 23l is turned off (S64), and it is stored that no error is being displayed.

  On the other hand, if the error display flag 23l is turned off in the process of S62 (S62: No), the error display is not performed, and thus the processes of S63 and S64 are skipped. As described above, when the error display is not performed, the display restoration process (S63) is not performed. Therefore, even if the error cancel command 82 is received by mistake, the display on the LCD display 3 is kept normal. Can do it.

  When the command reception flag 23b is turned off in the processing of S51 (S51: No), or after execution of the processing of S55, S57, S58, S59: Yes, S61, S62: No, S64, the state of the variable display Each process is executed according to (S65), and this variation display process is terminated.

  Next, with reference to the timing charts of FIGS. 14 and 15, the timing of variable display based on the above description will be described. First, with reference to FIG. 14, the timing when all nine symbols are stopped and displayed (determined) at once will be described. When the variation pattern designation command 31 is transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D, the variation display is started for all the symbols from symbol 1 (3a1) to symbol 9 (3c3). Following this variation pattern designation command 31, a stop symbol designation command 32 is sequentially transmitted to the nine display areas 3a1 to 3c3 during the high-speed variation. When the stop symbol designation command 32 is received by the display control board D, symbols are replaced during high-speed fluctuation in accordance with the stop symbol designated by the stop symbol designation command 32.

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

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

  Next, with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 15, the timing when nine symbols are stopped and displayed (determined) by three symbols in the order of the upper, lower, and middle stages will be described. Until the stop symbol designation command 32 is transmitted, it is performed in the same manner as the timing of FIG. 14, and symbols are replaced during high-speed fluctuation.

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

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

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

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

  Further, when an error occurs, the error command 81 transmitted from the main control board C to the display control board D as a control command is “55H (01010101B)” in which the second byte is set and reset every other bit. Therefore, when the error command 81 is correctly received by the display control board D, the signal line for transmitting the control command is normal and there is no abnormality (short circuit (bridge between signal lines)). . If there is an abnormality such as a short circuit (bridge) in the signal lines, the bridged signal lines output the same data of “0” or “1”. Since this signal line bridge occurs in the adjacent signal line, if there is a bridge in the signal line that transmits the control command, it is impossible to receive “55H (01010101B)” that is set and reset every other bit. It is. On the other hand, when the error command 81 is correctly received by the display control board D, an error is displayed on the entire surface of the LCD display 3.

  Therefore, it is possible to detect an abnormality (short circuit) of a signal line that transmits a control command by using such error display. For example, it is possible to determine whether the signal line is normal, that is, whether at least the signal line is short-circuited by checking whether the error display is performed by intentionally generating an error. it can.

  In addition, since the other 7 bits excluding the most significant bit of the second byte are “2AH (00101010B)” that is bit-inverted with respect to the error command 81, the error cancel command 82 is, together with the error command 81, If the error cancel command 82 can be accurately received by the display control board D, it can be confirmed that there is no abnormality (disconnection) in the signal line for transmitting the control command. If there is a break in the signal line, the output of the signal line remains set or reset, and all bits except the most significant bit of the signal line are set and set by the error command 81 and the error release command 82. It is because it is reset. Since the most significant bit of the signal line for transmitting the control command is set by the command code of the first byte and reset by the command code of the second byte, either the error command 81 or the error cancel command 82 is set. Can be received correctly, it can be confirmed that there is no disconnection in the signal line of the most significant bit.

  Therefore, it is possible to detect an abnormality (disconnection) in the signal line that transmits the control command by using the return of the error display. For example, by checking whether or not the error display is restored to the original display when the error is solved after the error is intentionally generated and displayed on the LCD display 3 once. It is possible to determine whether or not the signal line is normal, that is, whether or not the signal line is disconnected in addition to the presence or absence of a short circuit of the signal line.

  In the above embodiment, the command transmission means according to claim 1 corresponds to the process of S84 shown in FIG. 11, and the error display means corresponds to the process of S60 shown in FIG.

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

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

  The control command of the present invention was used for controlling the fluctuation display of the LCD display 3, but by using such a control command or its command system, a sound effect board for generating a sound effect and various lamps You may make it control the lamp board | substrate which blinks.

  The error display does not necessarily have to be the LCD display 3, and the error display may be performed using another device. For example, error display is performed by blinking the LED provided on the pachinko machine P at high speed, or error display data is transmitted to the island management device that manages the pachinko machine P or the central management device of the pachinko hall. An error display may be performed by each management device. If an error is displayed on the central management unit, the staff in the hall can be accurately notified of the error occurrence status.

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

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

  2. The gaming machine control device according to claim 1, or the gaming machine control device 1 or 2, wherein the main control board is an error command to the display control board by the command transmission means during the variable display. A control device 3 for a gaming machine comprising standby means for waiting for transmission of the game machine. If the error command is transmitted to the display control board during the fluctuation display, the timing of the fluctuation display control is shifted due to the error command processing by the display control board, and the fluctuation display is hindered. However, even if an error occurs during variable display, transmission of the error command to the display control board is waited until the variable display is completed by the standby means. There is no hindrance to fluctuation display by the board.

  2. The gaming machine control device according to claim 1, or the gaming machine control devices 1 to 3, wherein the command transmission means provided on the main control board eliminates the error when the error is eliminated. An error cancel command for reporting the error is transmitted to the display control board as the control command. When the error cancel command is received, the display control board replaces the error display with the error display. A control device 4 for a gaming machine, comprising display return means for returning the previous display. When the error is resolved, the display before the error display is restored.

  2. The gaming machine control device according to claim 1, or the gaming machine control devices 1 to 4, wherein at least one byte of the error release command includes all other bits except a predetermined number of bits. A control device 5 for a gaming machine comprising bit data inverted with respect to an error command. Each signal line to which control data is transmitted is set and reset except for a predetermined number of bits by an error command and an error release command. Therefore, when a part of the signal line for transmitting the control command is disconnected, the display control board cannot receive the error command and the error release command accurately. This is because the output of the broken signal line remains set or reset. Therefore, the disconnection of the signal line for transmitting the control command can be checked by transmitting the error command and the error cancel command.

  2. The gaming machine control device according to claim 1, or the gaming machine control devices 1 to 5, wherein the error command is arranged every other bit on a substrate of a signal line to which the control data is transmitted. Or the control device 6 of the gaming machine, which corresponds to the arrangement on the cable. Therefore, since the data of adjacent signal lines is set and reset every other bit, when the adjacent signal lines are short-circuited (bridged between the signal lines), the display control board accurately outputs the error command. Cannot receive. Therefore, with this configuration, it is possible to detect a short circuit of a signal line that transmits a control command.

  4. The gaming machine control device according to claim 1, or the gaming machine control devices 1 to 6, wherein the control command transmitted from the main control board specifies a series of variation patterns of the variation display. A variation pattern designation command, a stop symbol designation command for designating a stop symbol to be stopped and displayed on the display device at the end of the variation display, and a stop symbol designated by the stop symbol designation command are displayed on the display device in a stopped manner ( A control device 7 for a gaming machine, comprising at least a symbol stop command for designating a timing for display (definite display).

  2. The gaming machine control device according to claim 1, or the gaming machine control devices 1 to 7, further comprising a one-way means for transmitting the control command only in one direction from the main control board. A control device 8 of a gaming machine characterized by the above.

  2. The gaming machine control device according to claim 1, or the gaming machine control devices 1 to 8, wherein the control command transmitted from the main control board is directly transmitted to the display control board. A control device 9 of a gaming machine characterized by the following.

3 Liquid crystal (LCD) display (display device)
3a Upper display area 3b Middle display area 3c Lower display areas 3a1 to 3c3 Display area 31 for each symbol Fluctuation pattern designation command (part of control command)
32 Stop design designation command (part of control command)
32a Symbol number 32b Symbol code 32c Symbol name 33 Symbol stop command (part of control command)
41-43 Virtual symbol reel 81 Error command (part of control command)
82 Error cancel command (part of control command)
C Main control board D Display control board P Pachinko machine (game machine)

Claims (1)

A display device for displaying symbols and the like, a main control board for controlling the game, and a display control board for causing the display device to perform symbol variation display based on a control command transmitted from the main control board; In the control device of the gaming machine provided with
Command transmission means provided on the main control board for sending an error command reporting the occurrence of an error to the display control board as the control command when an error occurs,
An error display means provided on the display control board for performing a predetermined error display when an error command transmitted by the command transmission means is received,
At least 1 byte of the error command is composed of bit data set and reset every other bit.

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